Emerging Fervour

Some of us wear it as a political statement, others as a fashion statement – but what’s the story behind the keffiyeh?

image taken from adlicious.wordpress.com

Well, blogger Vicious Babushka reckons it’s just ‘perfect for that Israel-hating, Jew-bashing screaming, chanting, demonstration of solidarity with the scum of humanity’, however most of us are slightly less inclined to bash jews and more interested in having a pretty scarf around our necks, which happens to be pro Palestine…so the fuck what? There’s so much controversy linked to the Keffiyeh, that even Urban Outfitters had to pull it from their concession line. Oh and Dunkin’ Donuts discontinued an online ad featuring Rachael Ray wearing a paisley-patterned scarf after columnist Michelle Malkin claimed that the scarf resembled a keffiyeh. What the hell? That’s as unfounded as pulling bagels from Tesco’s.

So after all of that, it’s nice to see established designers, like Balenciaga embracing and evolving the keffiyeh into something as beautiful and fashion-forward as the scarves below. I want one!!! Although this is near impossible as they’re a few collections old…but still!

So the story behind the Keffiyeh is as follows…

Traditionally worn by Palestinian peasants years ago, it became a symbol of Palestinian nationalism and would later on be worn by the late Arafat…it was his trademark thing. He took a different take on it and instead wore it draped down his shoulder in a triangle shape, to resemble the outlines of Palestine. When Israel imposed a ban on the Palestinian flag being flown or displayed in 1993, the meaning of the Keffiyeh grew to also symbolise the Palestinian struggle.

Fast-forward to now, and China has practically monopolised the Keffiyah making business and has driven decade-old factories in Palestine to close down, with China producing at a cost of 40% less, there’s no competition. Check out the video below from Monocle, which looks at the last standing keffiyeh factory in Palestine.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine. While one was a priest in Rome, another was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third St. Valentine except that he met his end in Africa. Surprisingly, all three of them were said to have been martyred on 14th February.

There are many legends around but my favourite states that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

and we mean literally. Cliche? Probably but we couldn’t resits, we ♥ these products!

1. Oasis Heart Sequin Dress @ johnlewis.com £60
2. Stud Heart Jumper @ New Look £22
3. Vivienne Westwood earrings @ Vivienne Westwood £55 (sadly out of stock)
4. Bleeding heart @ Solange £5,800
5. Lola Rose Signature Heart Ring @ asos.com £63
6. Heart Clutch @ Oliver Bonas £19.50
7. Heart Boyfriend Cardi @ Oasis £55
8. Heart shoes @ Office £20 £55
9. Aaliyahs Heart shoes @ Office £45
10. Lauren Moshi T-Shirt @ stylebop.com £116
11. Vivienne Westwood – Anglomania @ Coggles.com £90

Growing up in Monrovia, Liberia was an experience I won’t forget. So, when Vice created a documentary called ‘THE VICE GUIDE TO LIBERIA’ – an 8 part series (see video at the end of this entry), I got a little excited, especially because they noticed something really out of the ordinary…a lot of Liberian kids wearing some pretty cool vintage tees. Naturally, Vice decided to write about it.

LIBERIAN GIRLS AND BOYS have better vintage tees than you

In a country where almost 60% of the population live on around 60p a day, most new clothing is out of budget for the average Liberian; so what they wear come from donations from the US and large used clothing wholesale purchases. Liberia’s economy doesn’t have enough buying power to choose what comes into the country…”demand does not control the goods supplied; it’s the other way around”, Vice mention.

From a marketing point of view I would say that this is one of the worst slogans a record label could have. But I guess, it’s a question of interpretation.

The London based independent label Erased Tapes was founded in 2007, focusing on cinematic music. The artists on Erased Tapes cover diverse genres and styles, but they’re all united by one thing: sincere emotions.

Listening to the Erased Tapes compilations is like watching a plant grow. It seems random in the first place, but when the flower buds start to open, you can see that it’s all part of a master plan, that leads to perfection. And with selected seeds like Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm or Peter Broderick, the label proves its green thumb.

Nils Frahm is a Berlin based composer and producer. He recently released Wintermusik, and in just three absolutely overwhelming piano songs, he lets Yann Tiersen sound like a mediocre hobby musician. After his album Bells, which was recorded in a church in Berlin, Wintermusik is another stroke of genius. The more often you listen to his music, it becomes obvious that Nils Frahm creates something really rare: grace.

Wow….this is a  first here at Emerging Fervour…we  have been snowed under with all the amazing offers over Christmas that have been coming through. Most are opting for…wait for it…

50% off!

…we’re not complaining!

Coast, Kurt Geiger, Bench, Urban Outfitters, Office and many more brands are offering you some pretty fabulous discounts.

Coast: an extra 10% off sale items (up to 50%), just type in the code HAPPYXMAS at the checkout…hurry though, offer end on the 27th December 09.

Kurt  Geiger: 50% sale on some great brands, now on the site. Visit Kurt Geiger now to see these fabulous offers. 

Bench: Ahhh this brand takes me back to my skater days…check out their cool wintery sale with up to 50% off. Just visit the sale section for a peek.

Urban Outfitters: One of my favourite tshirt stores…you know the Urban Outfitters sale will not disappoint. Another 50% off selected items online.

Office: Love office and loving the 50% sale they’re currently having…check it out! This is currently running through January.

Miss Selfridge: 50% off accessories, partywear, coats, shoes and knitwear.  Keep an eye out for some more great offers and deals when the end of year sale launches soon!

Faith: Up to 50% off a fabulous range of boots from high leg boots to ankle boots, fantastic flats and stunning courts. Plus let’s not forget the men in our lives…they get 50% off Faith too!

Love Your Shoes: Winter sale now on with an exclusive promotional code for a 10% off your order. This sale ends at the end of January…type in this code WINTERDISCL to get these special offers…10% also applies to reduced products on the site.

Not only do you get jewellery, it’s your own and you get to spend time with your friend! It’s certainly my perfect gift as it sounds like a fab day out and although I have played around with beads to make some necklaces, I’ve always wanted to learn making proper jewellery.

Classes start from £40 and vary. You can pick and choose, from tiara to ring making, pearl knotting and many more. There should be something for everyone.

The 2for1 offer can be redeemed by entering CAJS2FOR1 in the checkout – www.clairearistidesjewelleryschool.co.uk

When?

LONDON: Most Saturdays
EDINBURGH TBA

Classes Held 9.30 – 1.30pm or 2.30 – 6.30pm

Price includes all materials/tools.

PS: If any of my friends read this… this can be taken as a hint

When Vice approached us with a chance to show a video of their collaborative work with Henry Holland, we couldn’t resist. Henry works just round the corner from Vice and somehow both had an idea to build a miniature House of Holland fashion cottage. Sounds a bit crazy and pretty damn cool, which is exactly what I’d expect from the people at Vice…and of course Henry Holland. 

Check out the video of this little collaboration…

Henry also designed a load of exclusive work to sell from this little house. Ahhh how we wish we were there but we’re making Vice promise us that if anything like this comes up again then we must, MUST be there! 

We also have a few pictures from the night…

To see the full video, go to Vodafone360

Vice: www.viceland.com

Henry Holland: www.houseofholland.co.uk

Watch out! You might hear a lot from these acts in 2010. At least that’s what I hope for.