OK, 4 posts in one day is a bit much (perhaps, I’m overcompensating for almost not blogging for a whole week…)

Anywhichway, before I go to bed I must share a little gem… her name is Katie Eary.  Katie is a menswear designer based in London who is making a name for herself with some seriously lovely conceptual mens clothing.  Her clothing is infused with East London avantgarde flavours whipped together with lashings of sexiness and English heritage and retro futurism.

She’s a very exciting designer – up there with Gareth Pugh and Stefan Orschel-Read as the one’s to watch (and buy)!

Her clothes are so inspiring and edgy – I just wish her website was stocked with some of the more cooler lines.

Agent Delicious x

Who are the 2 stand out TV icons of the 80′s, 90′s and early part of this decade?  Who else but the amazing Joan Collins and Kim Catrall.  They’re both  revolutionary bellweathers for the changes that women worldwide were experiencing in these decades.

Their stories are remarkably similiar too: both were born in the UK but went on to Hollywood where they landed movie deals with the big studio’s.  Joan arrived in Hollywood during the Golden Age of the movies where she dated Warren Beatty, stole roles from Marilyn Monroe and was driven around by James Dean.  Kim’s story is a little less glamorous -- she was one of the last of the contract system the studio’s had where they signed stars to multi-picture deals in the late seventies.

Both had some early successes but Joan dropped out eventually to raise her children and deal with her colourful personal life.  Kim starred in a few memorable roles in the eighties but her career wasn’t exactly stellar.  What made it for both of them was starring in TV roles, namely Dynasty and Sex and the City.

Once Joan joined Dynasty as the coniving Alexis Carrington the show’s ratings went through the roof.  As a chid I remember watching TV with my parents and being mesmerised by this ballsy woman who played dirty.  She was the SuperBitch of the eighties.  Big hair, shoulder pads, fur coats, red lips and a withering stare with punchy one-liners.  Let’s not forget the cat fights she had with Linda Evans which were always entertaining.  Dynasty ran for years and Joan Collins was the main attraction.  Everyone loved to hate her!

Kim joined the cast of Sex and the City in the late nineties and it was an instant smash.  The character of Samatha Jones is so memorable for her voracious man-eater tendencies, frank language and outrageous fashion.  Each week people tuned in to be outraged by Samantha’s antics.  Women world wide were in awe of this woman who broke all the rules and all the taboos.  14 years later the series has stopped but there’s talk of SATC 3 being filmed soon.

What’s most remarkable about their stories is that both Joan and Kim landed these roles in their forties which is a very difficult time traditionally for women in Hollywood.  Not only did they create such memorable characters, they fundametally changed the face of popular culture.

The world is a different place because of these two women and the characters they played.  Both of them were strong-willed, independent with just the right amount of sass and bitchiness.  Alexis taught women they can be in charge of the boardroom and the bedroom.  Samantha taught women they don’t need to have a man to make them happy.

Below are some clips of them in memorable roles and a few interviews.

Alexis takes control of Denver Carrington

Alexis and Krystle catfight

Kim Catrall in Mannequin

Samantha Jones best quotes from Sex and the city

Joan Collins interview on Piers Morgan

Kim Catrall interview on Graham Norton

Joan Collins on Graham Norton

Kim Catrall interview about Sex and the City

Agent Delicious x

Queen Elizabeth II, born 21 April 1926, is an amazing woman.

To me she is a shining example of what made the UK one of the greatest empires on Earth.  She is extremely dignified, poised, eloquent, stoic and an example to all other women of how to behave.

She’s reigned through so may era’s and the world has altered so much around her.  It’s so wonderful that she has remained consistent during this time; an anchor to the British while the world has raced through blistering changes.  Some may say this is bad thing – when Princess Diana died the Queen’s initial silence on the matter was severely criticised.  I don’t believe this was intentional – she personifies the stiff upper lip the British were renowned for and her response to Diana’s untimely death was in line with how she has always lived.  She does not air her grief in public, a trait which the British have now become accustomed.  Indeed when her own mother died she displayed a dignified silence although I am sure behind closed doors she dealt with this loss in her own way.

Apart from her myriad of admirable personality traits she and her family are an asset to the British public in real terms too.  I would guess that the majority of people travelling to the UK as tourists each year do so in order to visit some or other Royal-related tourist attraction.  What trip would be complete to London without riding the Tube, catching a red bus and visiting Buckingham Palace or stopping off to view the crown jewels in the Tower of  London?   The Queen is at the centre of all this – she’s on every bank note,  she has her Christmas speech, she travels tirelessly as an ambassador for the UK, she’s a part of the fabric of every day UK life.

It saddens me when I hear Republicans moaning about “what a waste of money the Royal family are.”   They are worth at least ten fold, if not more, than what they are paid each year by taxpayers.  The UK would just be some island offshoot of the EU if it weren’t for the Monarchy.   There is too much important history, culture and goodwill to jeopardise our relationship with them.

I hope that we have at least another ten years of her reign.  Who will take over from her when she’s gone is another matter altogether but for now I’ll continue to admire and respect this great icon of our times.

God Bless the Queen!

Agent Delicious x

Maybe it’s because I’m from Africa or maybe it’s because I’m an earthy Taurus… but either way I just love animal prints.

How about zebra print for some cool, detached je ne se quois?  Zebra to me is modern, stylish and classic.  It’s a print which is fresh and cool as a cucumber.

Leopard print is sexy and exciting. It says dont mess with me! I know who I am and I get what I want.  Leopard implies a certain dangerous mystery.

Snake skin shouts out that you’re a bold go-getter. Someone comfortable in themselves and ready to take on the world. Snake skin let’s everyone know who’s in charge!

Peacock is all about seduction, the exotic and intrigue.  Peacock is regal and exclusive.

Feeling sexy? Tiger print tells me you’ve got the stamina to back it up.  You’re not shy and are taking no prisoners!

Each print says something… it evokes mood and emotion at a glance.  Perhaps there’s some evolutionary fascination instilled into us which brings these prints so vividly to life in our minds?

Agent Delicious x

So if I had to think of two of the hottest men EVER then I think it’s a close call between Tony Ward and Tom Hardy.
It’s not an easy choice so it’s only fair to look at some of the facts (and photo’s too…)

Tony Ward

Age: 47 (born June 10 1967)
Horoscope: Gemini
Claim to fame: Male supermodel and actor from the late 80′s. Renowned for his relationship with Madonna. Immortalised in the ‘Justify My Love’ music video and ‘Sex’ book. Has continued modelling ever since and ages like the finest of fine wine’s.
Most famous role: White Hustler and Madonna muse
Sexuality: Bi-sexual. Now married with wife and kids.

Tom Hardy

Age: 33 (born 15 September 1977)
Horoscope: Virgo
Claim to fame: Actor and Britain’s Best Kept Secret – until now. Catapulted to international attention in thriller ‘Inception’.
Most famous role: Blackhawk Down, Band of Brothers, Bronson, Inception, RocknRolla

Sexuality: Bi-sexual. Now in a relationship with a woman.

Result

In the final analysis I think that Tony is probably a bit cooler than Tom. He seems a bit more street smart and dirty. Having said that, Tom is still a lot younger and is mesmerising on screen.

Tom’s career will probably go a lot further but Tony I think is happy to be the dodgy hustler living life the way he wants to. Hopefully Tom doesn’t become all Hollywood and boringly predictable and politically correct. I love his choice in films and his vulnerabilities.

In the wise words of Taylor Mack ‘Comparison is Violence!’ I’ll therefore not compare anymore and simply admire!

Agent Delicious x