“These pieces will give every woman the opportunity to be her very own Marilyn” says designer Gok Wan.

The collection, which hits stores on 24th May, brings to life the Hollywood charm of the 1950’s and embraces the chic and glamorous styles of the on screen Hollywood sirens that Gok has adored for his entire life. The 14-piece collection has the perfect mix of day to evening pieces that celebrate gorgeous feminine curves and invoke the effortless sophistication of the era.

Gok’s fourth collection boasts elegant, head-turning designs, including the dramatic peplum dress, romantic circular skirt and a seductive adaptation of the signature knot dress. Body sculpting panels, nipped in waists and ultra-feminine bow prints are just a few understated design elements that help to enhance and show off those feminine curves. Prices range from £20.00 to £45.00.

In perfect keeping with the current trend for clean pastel hues, Collection 4 is a delicate mix of fresh white, dusky pink, soft greys and classic black, all available in a range of sumptuous fabrics.

Gok Wan comments: “I wanted to design the perfect capsule summer wardrobe, providing figure enhancing outfit solutions for any occasion. Each garment will sculpt and enhance your body so you feel sophisticated, feminine and confident all day long.”

Geraldine Higgins, Sainsbury’s Head of Womenswear Buying, comments: “The partnership has been excellent for us – it resonates perfectly with our consumers. We are looking forward to unveiling a whole new direction in Gok for TU in the not too distant future.”

Gok for TU collection four comprises 14 pieces, totalling 19 styles, when including multiple colour ways. 

Gok for TU is available at selected Sainsbury’s Northern Ireland stores nationwide in sizes 8-22.

Gok’s new collection will be available in:

Holywood Exchange, Belfast

Kennedy Centre, Belfast

Sprucefield Retail Park, Lisburn

Bangor

For more information and stockist details visit www.sainsburys.co.uk/gok

Are you up to the challenge of dealing with some of the UK and Ireland’s best companies?

Stakeholder Communications is one of Northern Ireland’s largest and best known communications firms, specialising in public relations, public affairs, design and event management. We are looking for exceptional individuals to add to the skills base of our team.

If you think you have what it takes please email your CV outlining why you want to join us to johnny.quinn@stakeholdergroup.com

We look forward to hearing from you

City find the ingredients for success

There’s an episode in hit US comedy series Friends (we know it’s your guilty pleasure!) when Monica screws up while she and Phoebe are catering for her mum’s party. They had cooked a whole batch of lasagnes but just as they were preparing to serve, Monica realises one of her fingernails had dropped into the food.

It was at this stage that her mum admitted she was now $10 richer following a bet with Monica’s dad that their daughter would ‘pull a Monica’ – the term the couple had coined for occasions when Monica messed up. The unforgiving mother then went to the freezer to reach for a batch of frozen lasagnes she had prepared for just such a scenario. It was at this stage that Phoebe, being the good friend that she is (the clue is in the title), persuaded Monica to find a solution to the problem instead of wallowing in her mother’s lack of faith.

Suitably cajoled, Monica turned the situation into a positive by preparing a casserole that went down a storm with the party guests and had her mother scuttling into the kitchen full of remorse and lavishing praise. Phoebe intervened once more, suggesting that the phrase ‘pulling a Monica’ should be turned on its head and henceforth should be used only in reference to success rather than failure.

It may have been because I came close to losing one or two of my own fingernails amid the tension, but it was to this episode of Friends  – and the reversal in meaning of the ‘pulling a Monica’ term – that my mind turned in the aftermath of the unprecedented drama at the climax of the English Premier League season on Sunday. By now you will surely be aware of how the almost unimaginable series of events unfolded. A goal down going into injury time of the final match of the league campaign, Manchester City were on the verge of suffering one of the biggest collapses in sporting history and handing the league title back to local neighbours Manchester United.

Two goals and five crazy minutes later, however, City had rescued themselves and the blue half of Manchester had erupted in scenes of unbridled joy. Until that dramatic turnaround, football fans the world over will have been thinking ‘same old Man City, they’ve gone and screwed it up again’. They are ‘pulling a City’.

Because that is how City were viewed for the majority of the 44 years between their last top flight league title triumph and their crowning Premier League glory on Sunday – as the team that almost always found a way making a mess of things, the perennial footballing clowns. It is why their fans had grown such a thick skin and why they could hardly contain themselves at the final whistle.

The challenge for Roberto Mancini now is to ensure the ‘pulling a City’ term remains turned on its head and is a reference to success instead of repeated failure. Given the financial resources being ploughed into the club from Abu Dhabi, it was only a matter of time before City won the Premier League. While it may not have seemed like it on Sunday, to some extent winning the first title was the easy part – defending it successfully will be even more difficult.

It’s perhaps important at this juncture to explain that the ‘pulling a Monica’ term in Friends was coined largely due to her having to play second fiddle all her life to her older brother, Ross, the blue-eyed boy of the family whose academic success continually left her in the shadows. For Ross, of course, read City’s much decorated rivals United.

Sunday was City’s casserole moment when they finally found the winning recipe. Their next goal is to make success their signature dish.

So it will be Boris Johnson and not Ken Livingstone, who will welcome visitors to London for the 2012 Olympics. Given his hilarious speech at the handover ceremony in Beijing four years ago the organisers and the Government will be on eggshells.  By winning the race to be Mayor of London Boris saved the blushes of the Coalition Government and in particular the image of the Prime Minister. Losing London would have panicked the Tories, and would have kicked started the cannibalistic in-fighting that Cameron has spent so much time quelling within the Conservative Party. Boris is truly a people’s politician as opposed to a politician of the people. He makes people laugh and certainly has broad cross-party appeal. In fact Boris is more celebrity than politician.  But don’t be fooled, his bumbling ways, foppish hair, and his eccentric penchant for quoting Greek and Latin thinly mask an extremely capable and ambitious politician.

It’s odd that Labour despite their gains across the UK pinned so much of their hopes on the bête noir and maverick leftie Ken Livingstone. Livingstone is a highly divisive individual, and he stood against Labour to run for Mayor the first time around.  Characters like Livingstone and other crumbling crusty comrades from Liverpool to London fuelled the Thatcher years with their council cronyism, daft policies and Kremlin idolatry.  Livingstone could have done the Labour Party a favour and opted out of 2012 race but like Edwin O Connor’s fictional Mayor – Red Ken wanted to have his last Hurrah. He should have read the book – O’Connor’s Mayor decided to have another go but lost.  Like the fictional Mayor Livingstone represents a type of politics and politician that is past its sell by date. In fairness to him that he ran so close is a credit to his campaigning stickability, but given the swing against the Tories nationally, Labour must regret not fielding a different candidate. Certainly David Miliband could have walked the election.

The results could be mid-term blues against the coalition government. There’s precedent for that, and Labour did so poorly at local government elections in the past any improvement was inevitable.  Labour may be back in business but somehow one doesn’t sense that it’s down to the Leader. Ed Miliband still seems to lack the gravitas needed to be a Prime Minister. He comes across more Mr Bean than Mr Blair.  He looks more comfortable at the LSE than the Despatch Box.

The devolved regions are becoming more problematic for the Coalition Government – they have been decimated in both Scotland and Wales. The Alliance Party in Northern Ireland should beware of political contagion. It’s difficult to see either of the government’s brands doing well in Northern Ireland. Increasingly the Coalition’s rule seems limited to Southern England as Britain’s social divide continues to split the nation.

The jingoism from the Jubilee and the Olympics will be a welcome distraction for Messrs Cameron and Clegg – though it will be the Mayor who will be taking centre stage. While the Prime Minister still seems to be coated in Teflon – his Deputy and Chancellor are starting to look flammable.  Cameron can ill-afford to lose either of them, as they are his bulwarks against challenges from the right in his own party and from nervous liberals on the left.   The odd thing about the coalition government is that although only in mid-term it appears to have lost what the Dubliners would call its ‘faloorum’. Sometimes Nick Clegg looks like a shipwreck – obviously doing the school runs are taking their toll.

Throughout all of this the bold Boris stands patiently in the wings with the largest personal mandate in the UK. His narrow political victory is a huge boost to his ambitions.  They say politicians who the public refer to by their first name are more successful in politics. The voters feel they have an intimacy with them and Boris certainly knows how to get intimate.  The Prime Minister recognises that winning London has bought his government time but he also knows that Boris is now on his shoulder for the next four years. Should a routemaster bus hit Cameron – Boris will be there to sweep up his remains.  As for George Osborne, his dreams of living at Number 10 are evaporating faster than the political ambitions of Dominique Strauss Kahn.  But for now Boris is London’s Perseus and his prize is a decapitated Medusa named Ken.

The Pushkin Trust has celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a one-off concert ‘The Spirit of Pushkin in Ireland’ featuring the musical talent of international singer and songwriter Katie Melua.
Belfast-educated Katie took to the stage at Belfast’s Grand Opera House (Sunday, 13th May) to perform a number of songs from her well known albums including ‘Call of the Search’, ‘Piece by Piece’ and 2012 release ‘Secret Symphony’. The BRIT Award-winner was joined on stage for her final song, a specially commissioned piece ‘The Story’s Magic’, by 85 Primary School pupils from both sides of the border.
Georgian-born Katie said:
“I was so excited to return to Belfast, my second home, and perform on stage with these wonderful young singers. This city inspired me to become the person I am today, and I know that the Pushkin singers will forever be inspired by their experience of taking part in this anniversary concert.
“Through Pushkin, children are able to explore their imaginations and stories, helping to unlock their creativity and inspiration. Creativity in children is so important, particularly for our future artists, and I am delighted to be able to support a cause that continues to strengthen the bonds between educations and the arts.”
The school children who sang with Katie performed a variety of dance, song and verse as they retold the Pushkin story, based on Alexander Pushkin, one of Russia’s great literary figures who is regarded as the ‘Russian Shakespeare’.
Over the last 25 years the Pushkin Trust has provided educational programmes to support creative learning to over 50,000 pupils and teachers across the island. The Trust, founded by the Duchess of Abercorn, is named after her direct ancestor, Alexander Pushkin.

The Duchess of Abercorn, added:
“I started the Trust in 1987 as a way of enabling creative and personal growth of both children and adults. It all began with a creative writing competition which has now evolved into an educational programme involving many areas of the school curriculum including music, art, writing and the environment.
“Over the last 25 years the Trust has grown and branched out in directions that I had never imagined and I am delighted with the positive impact it has had on so many children, teachers and student teachers throughout all of Ireland.”

Other Pushkin Trust Silver Jubilee celebratory events include a ‘Midsummers Evening’ experience for Pushkin participants and supporters, a five-day ‘Summer Camp of the Imagination’ for children, teachers and parents, and the launch of an anniversary book dedicated to the Trust, its history, its success and its future.

The Ferrari Owners’ Clubs of Ireland and Scotland will meet for the first time in Belfast on Saturday (12^th May, 9am – 12pm) for a special Ferrari event on the world’s most famous slipway.  Over 20 Ferraris will be on show for the general public to enjoy. The event, hosted by the Irish Owners Club and Charles Hurst Specialist Cars, will see Ferrari owners take a special tour of Titanic Belfast and use the opportunity to showcase a range of classic and modern Ferrari cars on the slipways where Titanic was built before setting sail on her maiden voyage in 1912.

This event will be the first time that Ferrari Owners Clubs from Scotland and Ireland have worked together, and is part of a weekend-long programme of events. Alan Tyndall, Irish Ferrari Owners’ Club Coordinator, said: “The sight of more than twenty Ferraris in front of Titanic Belfast will be an image that will be beamed across the world.  We are grateful to Titanic Belfast for allowing us to stage this unique picture opportunity. “I am delighted to welcome our Scottish Ferrari friends to Ireland, and we will be combining with them to create this unique image.”

Kevin Rogan, of Charles Hurst Specialist Cars, added: “Together with the Irish Owners Club, we have been working hard to ensure we show the Scottish Owners the most iconic sites of Northern Ireland.“We’re looking forward to what’s set to be a fantastic event for the Ferrari Owner’s Clubs at Titanic Belfast – the building and slipways will provide a spectacular backdrop for this special Ferrari Owners’ Club event.” The event will see a range of Ferrari models put on display on the Titanic Slipways behind the new Titanic Belfast building. More than 20 cars will be on show, including the recently launched Ferrari FF, the Ferrari F40, Ferrari 430 Spider, Ferrari Testa Rossa and many more.

The largest flotilla of yachts ever assembled in Belfast Lough took place on Sunday, 6^th May to help officially open Belfast Harbour’s new marina.  Over 60 boats sailed up the Lough into the new facility at Abercorn Basin in the heart of Titanic Quarter.

 The event, organised by Belfast Harbour, began at 12 noon when 60 yachts and motorboats from across Northern Ireland congregated at the centre of Belfast Lough. They were then led into Belfast Harbour by the RNLI and a Harbour pilot boat, before disembarking at the marina for a BBQ.

 The marina is Northern Ireland’s largest city-centre marina and will accommodate an increasing number of leisure craft and recreational visitors to the city.  Located beside Titanic Belfast and the Odyssey Arena, the marina offers a new dimension to Belfast’s tourism offering.

 Speaking at the event Trevor Anderson, Belfast Harbour’s Operations Director, said:

 “It is fantastic to see the marina filled by the local boating community. Belfast Harbour is encouraging boats to berth here on a permanent basis and also to use it as an opportunity to visit the city and Titanic Belfast.

 “Since Titanic Belfast opened there has been a large increase in the numbers of visitors to the marina and this is something we want to build upon as Titanic Quarter continues to grow.”

 The marina provides boats a near city centre location with easy access to Belfast Lough.  Facilities on site will include water, power, security and a toilet and shower facilities. For more information on the facilities and to discuss rates visit www.belfast-harbour.co.uk/port/marina

A friend of mine says never pass by a church with an open door. He takes a view that God always leaves a door open. With that in mind and my head reeling from the inappropriately named BBC programme – ‘The shame of the catholic church’ I nipped into St Mary’s in Chapel Lane.  For those that don’t know the place it’s sandwiched on a small street leading to the side entrance of Castlecourt. Like the shopping centre it does a fair trade. I wonder if in these recessionary times if hard pressed people pray more.  Maybe as one well-known supermarket likes to claim ‘every little helps’.

The BBC programme was certainly well publicised and re-run in case you may have missed it. Follow up commentary provided BBC news producers with easy programming content. Nothing in the BBC seems to beat a bit of anti-catholic bishop bashing.  The ‘new’ information concerning Cardinal Brady was quite damning but there was little enough other new information to draw out this programme.  The victim as with all victims of child abuse told a harrowing story.  One can’t even imagine the agony that child abuse victims feel and in particular those who fell victim at the hands of clerics or religious. That there was little religion in those who carried out these crimes is neither here nor there.  Back then, children who came forward to tell their stories were often not believed. Many were demonised, by the State, Church and sometimes, by parents. Those that did come forward were brave, very brave. They came forward not only to stop their own abuse but also to help other victims. The most poignant moment in the BBC programme was the moment; Mr Boland said to another victim –‘I thought I had saved you’.

Brendan Smyth was perhaps the most notorious Irish paedophile. What makes his crimes so much more heinous was the fact that no one in possession of that knowledge did anything to prevent his actions or have him arrested. When I say no one, I mean no one, no bishop, religious, fellow priest, policeman, teacher, or social worker did anything. Of course it’s fair to say that our society was very different back then.  It was not the norm to question people in authority whether in the State or Church.  As a catholic –albeit a struggling a one-I ask: was it really possible to learn of such things and not act?

Surely for the Christians primary source of guidance is the Bible?Psalm 82 tell us clearly ‘Let the weak and the orphan have justice. Rescue the meek and the needy, save them from the clutches of the wicked’. Moreover Proverbs 24 directs believers to ‘Rescue those being led away to death and hold back those who are being dragged to the slaughter. Will you object, ‘But look, we did not know? Has he who weighs the heart no understanding he who scans your soul no knowledge? ‘In another part of Scripture we are told ‘You must not pervert justice in dealing with the stranger or the orphan’. Most people have an inner moral compass. Sometimes we don’t follow it and end up in uncharted territory.  Even Pinocchio had Jiminy Cricket to remind him to ‘always let your conscience to be your guide.’

Anyone who knows Cardinal Sean Brady will know he is a man of much compassion and humility.  As a Bishop/Cardinal he has given leadership. Unfortunately, as priest he has Brendan Smyth as part of his narrative. Can anyone doubt that he is haunted by his role in the Smyth saga? How many times must he have agonised over this personal Gethsemane? He is certainly wounded. The rebuttal statement issued for Cardinal Brady was a retreat into minutiae and technicalities, which used clever language that a living church should not need to hide behind.The Cardinal is now bunkered and ordinary Catholics are bewildered.  Some of the politicking reveals poorly masked sectarianism and secularism.

But sitting in St Marys I pondered on my favourite, prophet- Job. Returning to the office I looked up Job 11: ‘Is wordiness in a man proof of right? These were your words, my way of life is faultless, and in your eyes I am free from blame.  But if God had a mind to speak, were he to show you the secrets of wisdom, which put all cleverness to shame- you would know it is for sin, he calls you to account’.Maybe it time for some Divine wisdom.

Titanic Explorer Will Mark Titanic’s Centenary in Belfast Dr Robert Ballard, the oceanographer who discovered RMS Titanic in 1985, is returning to the ship’s birthplace in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to take part in a number of commemorative events marking the centenary of the ship’s sinking (April 14th / 15th). Among the events will be a memorial lecture in Titanic Belfast this Saturday (6pm) and Sunday services at the Titanic Memorial Garden, Belfast City Hall, and St. Anne’s Cathedral. During his visit Dr. Ballard will also be taking part in a memorial event at Titanic Belfast on Saturday night at 11pm. The event will include ‘Water Night’, a sound and visual installation produced by Grammy-winner Eric Whitacre, which receives its world premier at 11.40pm, the time Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic 100 years ago. Titanic sank at 2.20am the following day (April 15th). Tim Husbands, Titanic Belfast’s CEO, said: “Titanic’s story is one of celebration and commemoration for Belfast; the two elements will always be intertwined. Over the past fortnight we’ve celebrated those who built and designed RMS Titanic, and who made Belfast one of the Industrial Revolution’s most dynamic cities. We’ve also celebrated the opening of Titanic Belfast as a stunning new addition for the City’s skyline and its future. “Now, however, our focus is very much on reflection and commemoration. Titanic was an engineering spectacle, but she is also the final resting place for over 1,500 souls. Over the past few years and weeks we’ve had the privilege to work with and meet descendants of those who worked on Titanic, and those who survived and perished. This is their time. “Titanic Belfast has also worked closely with Dr. Robert Ballard who has a remarkable passion for Titanic and her legacy. We’re delighted that he will be back in Titanic’s birthplace for what will be a very poignant weekend for Belfast.” Dr. Ballard’s hour-long Memorial Lecture on Saturday will take place in the Titanic Suite in Titanic Belfast, overlooking the slipways were RMS Titanic was launched in 1911. On Sunday morning at 11.30am, Dr Ballard will also be providing a talk entitled ‘Into the Deep’, an opportunity for families and young people to meet one of the world’s greatest oceanographers as he discusses marine science and his sea bed discoveries, which include not only Titanic, but the German battleship, Bismarck and numerous other wrecks. During his last visit to Belfast in November last year, Dr. Ballard said: “Titanic belongs to Belfast. I’m very pleased that the city which gave Titanic to the world will now be able to welcome the world to Titanic Belfast. Titanic’s story is infused with romance, pathos and glory, and there’s no better place to tell it than Belfast. “Discovering Titanic was the culmination of 12-years of work and it was the scientific challenge of visiting and filming her which initially drew me to the task. However, finding the Titanic also appealed to me romantically, and the more time I spent studying her story the more I fell under her spell.” This weekend will also be his first opportunity to visit Titanic Belfast and its Ocean Exploration Centre which includes unique underwater footage of Titanic’s wreck taken by Dr. Ballard. ‘Into the Deep’ and Eric Whitacre’s ‘Water Night’ are free events, but tickets must be booked in advance. Tickets for Dr. Ballard’s lecture (£13) must also be pre-booked online at www.titanicbelfast.com or by phone at 028 9024 6609.

The Pushkin Trust has announced the start of its Silver Jubilee Celebrations with a concert featuring the musical talent of Belfast-educated Katie Melua. Over the last 25 years the Trust, founded by the Duchess of Abercorn, has provided educational programmes to support creative learning to over 50,000 pupils and teachers across the island.
Named after Alexander Pushkin, one of Russia’s greatest literary figures, and a direct ancestor of the Duchess, the Trust began in 1987 as a creative writing competition for children. Since then it has evolved into an educational programme involving many areas of the school curriculum including music, art, writing and the environment.
Katie Melua, a supporter of the Pushkin Trust, will headline a one-off concert – ‘The Spirit of Pushkin in Ireland’ – at Belfast’s Grand Opera House on May 13th. Among other items she will perform a specially commissioned song ‘The Story’s Magic’ and will be joined on stage by pupils from both sides of the border.
The Duchess of Abercorn, founder of Pushkin Trust, said:
“Over the past 25 years, the Pushkin Trust has made a positive impact on over 50,000 pupils and teachers by helping them unlock their creativity. Our school programme helps children explore their thoughts and imagination, giving them motivation and confidence that boosts their enjoyment and interest in learning.
“The Trust also works closely with Teacher Training Colleges to help teachers provide creative and stimulating lessons.
“Too many of our children fail to live up to their abilities – the Trust is an innovative and practical way of helping pupils see education in a different light and encourages them to aspire to make the most of their natural talents.”
Katie Melua, singer and songwriter, added:
“I am delighted to be involved with the Pushkin Trust in this important anniversary year. The need for inspirational learning from a young age is vitally important and will help children to engage with their imaginations and find their voice.
“The Pushkin Trust helps unite people, both children and adults, in this shared bond of creativity – I have already been inspired by the unique talents of the Pushkin pupils that I will be performing with on stage at ‘The Spirit of Pushkin in Ireland’, and I know they and I will take away something from this that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.”
The Pushkin Trust, funded by grants and private donations, is supported by the local arts community, with patrons including renowned Northern Irish poets Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley.
Many past pupils in the programme have been inspired to work in a creative way in their future careers, most noticeably Snow Patrol singer, songwriter and musician, Johnny McDaid, who said:
“I was writing and reading all the time as a child, but for someone to listen was the most important part. I was lucky enough to have been involved with the first Pushkin Prize when I was 11, and I was really inspired as a child by the idea that writing was something that I could do with my life. The Pushkin writing competition gave me a vehicle for creativity at that time.”
The Pushkin Trust is a cross-cultural education programme and is seeking to expand internationally; it has already initiated a number of joint projects between schools in Moscow and Derry/Londonderry. Its programmes have been particularly useful at helping children who have suffered educationally for reasons of communal conflict or social deprivation.
Other Pushkin Trust anniversary events include a ‘Midsummers Evening’ experience for Pushkin participants and supporters, a five-day ‘Summer Camp of the Imagination’ for children, teachers and parents, and the launch of an anniversary book dedicated to the Trust, its history, its success and its future.
Tickets for ‘The Spirit of Pushkin in Ireland’ are available from www.goh.co.uk or calling 028 9024 1919.