Emilia Clarke and Kit Harrington’s Game of Thrones outfits are influencing the fashion industry

Rebecca Kellett
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Emilia Clarke and Kit Harrington’s Game of Thrones outfits are influencing the fashion industry

The hit HBO series Game of Thrones will be returning to screens for its eighth and final season on April 14th this year.

It is undeniable that the show has had a huge impact on the entertainment industry and pop culture. However, something that has come as a surprise is the impact the series has had on the fashion industry.

Interestingly, it is now being suggested that the most avant garde and incredible pieces of clothing are not displayed on catwalks at high end fashion shows, but instead on our screens in big budget TV series.

It’s no secret that the costumes worn by the cast, in particular Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) and Kit Harrington (Jon Snow), are incredible. Due to the medieval, fantasy nature of the show, it should come as no shock that the costume designers had the freedom to create intricate and extravagant outfits for the characters.

But who would have thought that these costumes would have such a big influence on the fashion industry? Here is a brief look into how the show has impacted fashion.

Capes

Experts have stated that the character that’s has “the greatest impact on the runway to date” is Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen. The character has sported many stunning outfits.

However, the outfit that has arguably had the largest impact on the fashion industry is the white caped dress.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Blqq5lchyMn/

This outfit changed the game when it came to fashion, with many designers creating similar styles. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry were both seen sporting a similar style after the show aired.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBLJwi-KUto/

It is also important to note the effect this outfit had on bridal dresses. Many wedding dress designers, such as Ellie Saab began to create pieces that incorporated capes. There has been a dramatic growth in brides opting to wear a dress with a long cape, instead of a veil.

Faux fur

Another Game of Throne inspired fashion trend is faux fur. Whilst fur has been prominent on and off in fashion for several years, the trend is certainly back in.

Many high street and high end designers are opting to take notes from the iconic overcoats worn by the likes of Jon Snow and Sansa Stark.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuChzirgZIM/

It has become common to see outerwear with faux fur collars and sleeves. The trend of the ‘teddybear coat’ with its over-sized, faux fur appearance could be seen as a modern interpretation of this trend.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsIaPVYAlAK/

The faux fur trend coming back into fashion is clearly inspired by the outfits on the show.It is said that a range of different designers have “produced collections inspired directly by GoT or the medieval period”.

Leather

Leather is a prominent fabric used for costumes in the show; this is most commonly worn by male characters or androgynous characters (such as Arya Stark and Brienne of Tarth).

This trend has therefore also influenced men’s fashion, with experts claiming “With… leather, Snow is the original bad boy encouraging men to grow out their hair”.

Experts have also said that the leather worn by many characters in the series, such as Jon Snow, “is a reference to the modern punk,”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuCDeNBBxo8/

More alternative fashion items are becoming more popular with designers and have been “seen on the runways of Saint Laurent and Celine’s first menswear show”.

Fashion and entertainment experts have both noted that the Game of Thrones fashion appeals to the edgier dresser. “The cast of Game of Thrones is different to the traditional Hollywood celebrity — they appeal to a more alternative crowd,”

It has also been suggested that “It’s a look that’s not afraid to push the boundaries in terms of individuality.” It appears that the fashion industry is taking notes from shows such as this and is becoming more open to experimenting with more alternative and interesting styles.

Cormann pays for outstanding holiday flights following media inquiries

Christian Woods
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Cormann pays for outstanding holiday flights following media inquiries

The Federal Finance Minister says that he had not been aware of the outstanding fee of over $2700 for a family holiday in January 2018 until the media pointed it out.

The flights were booked via the Helloworld travel company in July of 2017.

Senator Cormann blamed an administrative error on the fact that the company had failed to charge him for the cost of the flights. The money was immediately paid after news organisations raised the issue with his office.

He said that “until approached by the media” that he had no idea the payment was still due and the “the payment was processed immediately” after discovering the debt in Helloworld’s system.

He said that, at the time, he believed that his credit card was correctly charged when he booked the flights with Helloworld.

The Finance Minister made public a letter dated for February 19, 2019 in which the CFO of Helloworld, Michael Burnett, said that reminder of payment notices had not been delivered to Senator Cormann even though his payment had been officially declared “outstanding”.

In the letter, Mr Burnett stressed that the flights “were never intended to be free” and that full payment was always expected.

Federal Liberal treasurer Andrew Burnes is the chief executive of Helloworld.

Senator Cormann has denied claims there is a link between a subsidiary of Helloworld receiving a government contract and the flights he forgot to pay for.

He said that he did not “influence or seek to influence the outcome of that tender process,” and that he had “no role” in the awarding of the contract.

Scores on the rise as the AFLW season powers through a slow start

Christian Woods
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Scores on the rise as the AFLW season powers through a slow start

While the first round of the AFLW featured low scores and heavy defence, by the third round open play and goal kicking is deciding matches. It is clear that over the last three weeks accuracy and skill levels have increased, as the players have gained valuable match fitness and experience. At this rate the finals series will be a cracker!

This year also features the first group of women who have been able to play footy their whole lives, without needing to stop at 14 when girls used to have to stop playing. As more of these young women come through the pathways we can also expect the standard of play to lift.

In the first round 3 out of the 10 teams failed to score 20 points, while a further 4 couldn’t make it to 30. The Bulldogs even managed a win with 18 points, while Geelong won with 24 and Brisbane with 29! Just 2 weeks later all 5 winning teams hit 50, with Melbourne, Carlton and Adelaide reaching 60, and of the losers GWS and Geelong were over 35 while the Bulldogs, Magpies and Lions were around 20.

Accuracy has also massively increased, with the higher scores tending to be a result of more successful goals and less behinds than in round 1. In round 1 Adelaide scored 17 points with 11 behinds and a single goal, while in round 3 they got to 66 with 10 goals and 6 behinds. They only had 4 more shots at the goals, but far more of them collected the full 6 points.

Crowds are also doing well, with over 3,000 people at each of the 5 games last weekend – in fact, Fremantle drew about 5,500, while 4,500 went in Adelaide and 4,200 went in Brisbane. The AFLW is continuing to grow and become more entertaining, and as seasons get longer and more girls come through AFL pathways this trend will only continue.

Allergies are on the rise in Australia and there’s no answer

Christian Woods
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Allergies are on the rise in Australia and there’s no answer

Australia now has one of the highest rates of allergies in the world, according to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Roughly 1 in 10 infants now experience a food allergy and the occurrence of anaphylaxis in children has increased significantly. While there are various studies floating around trying to nail down what could be the reason for this, a scientific consensus has still not been reached.

Who is at risk?

Australian infants are particularly vulnerable at developing a food allergy, especially those with atopic eczema. Furthermore, those with a family history of allergies are likely to develop an allergy of some description, while first-born Australians with immigrant parents are also more susceptible according to the study.

What has caused this?

The cause of the recent growth in food allergy occurrence remains unanswered. However, there are some preliminary studies that could be nailing down why this anomaly has occurred. Firstly, there is a growing amount of evidence to suggest that introducing peanuts and eggs into an infant’s diet could be beneficial to the child and reduce the occurrence of foot intolerances. This conflicts with decades of medical advice, which suggested that eggs and peanuts should be removed from a child’s diet.

Another argument being raised is the rapid changes in food manufacturing and diets over the past half a century. This raises the importance of the microbiome, which refers to the trillions of microorganisms in our lungs, skin and gastro system. It is suggested that we need the right kind of microorganisms to help train our immune system and prevent the onset of intolerances.

What should we do?

So, what can we do right now? Well, firstly, if you’re a parent or guardian, experts say you should try and introduce eggs and peanuts into your child’s diet as early as possible. Likewise, you should also minimise exposure to bad health habits, like smoking and any poor dieting behaviours. Finally, the best thing is education: know what the allergy is, what foods cannot be consumed and how to deal with the intolerance.

How online flyers can save you a lot of money when shopping

Nicole Louise
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How online flyers can save you a lot of money when shopping

Everybody enjoys shopping, whether it be for electronics, clothing, makeup, decor or sporting goods. There is a certain type of thrill and energy that you can only experience when shopping. This happiness come from the release of dopamine in our system, making us feel good and encouraging us to go back for more. Often, this is where repeat purchases and buyer loyalty come in. 

In Australia, it’s pretty common for office workers to blow off a bit of steam during their lunch break with a spot of shopping. While mothers might like to combine some weekday grocery shopping with a stroll down the fashion and beauty sections, men tend to do more of their shopping online and on weekends. What is more obvious, however, is the growth in online shopping as a new way of purchasing the things we love for cheaper prices. 

One thing everyone loves is discounted prices. This is the ultimate shopping buzz for most people. The best time to catch a bargain is midweek starting from Wednesday or Thursday. The hump day draws out more people looking to escape from work for a while. Retailers are aware of shopper behaviours and align their promotions accordingly. Most stores distributing promotional flyers and leaflets will drop these midweek, as they know this is the prime time to get people into stores.

Online leaflets

We all know people who are serious about collecting store leaflets. Often, they like to plan  their purchases in advance based on discounted prices. There are plenty of websites out there devoted to informing consumers where all the new discounts are. This can be really helpful if you’re busy and don’t have time to spend hours perusing through different online catalogues. This makes shopping faster and more convenient. Indeed, it is because of this reason that I prefer to use online leaflets to find out about the newest promotions before my neighbours!

One of the main reasons online leaflets are more popular is because most people and companies are becoming more interested in environmental protection. Consumers are becoming more environmentally-conscious and ethical, so anything that is going to enhance customer value without harming the environment will be appreciated by more and more customers. 

Another benefit of using online flyer websites is access to catalogues that don’t get delivered to all homes. Many stores no longer deliver their flyers, leaflets and catalogues to all postcodes and some stores now only display flyers in-store.

Regardless, you can all get the latest promotions online and save money, while not missing out on the enjoyment of shopping!

How can I save more money while shopping?

Woman shopping for groceries
Photo: kc0uvb, Pixabay

Knowing where the best discounts are during the week is the first step in becoming a savvy shopper. The second step focuses on how you can save money WHILE shopping! Here are several top tips you can use to ensure you save money while shopping:

Find out where the discounts are before hand

It’s important that you find out where the discounts are ahead of time. Use businesses that list discounts to keep up to date. From this, you can create a savvy and cheaper shopping list. 

Write your shopping list before hand

Write down your shopping list in your notepad or smartphone before you leave so as to avoid unnecessary purchases or over purchasing a particular item you already have stocked. 

Get the family pack

Shopping with the family? Know what meal options are available in family packages ahead of time and purchase these options for the family. This goes for entertainment too, like movie tickets.

Don’t go grocery shopping while hungry

It may sound incidental, however, shopping for food when you’re hungry could result in unnecessary purchases. Your eyes are bigger than your stomach and your shopping trolley could soon be overflowing.

Don’t forget the lower shelves

Make sure you browse the lower shelves. Brands pay more for mid shelf displays, so make sure you browse lower shelves and you may be surprised to find competitively priced, quality goods!

Final tips

Reducing our expenses doesn’t end with our weekly shop. Good saving habits are more critical than ever due to the rising costs of living. Here are some further top tips for reducing your household expenses:

Weekly meal budget

What days will you cook at home? What will you cook? Set a day for eating out, and enjoy it! Keep control of your money! 

Utilities

People on mobiles
Cut down on your phone bills. Photo: terimakasih0, Pixabay

Get in the habit of reviewing your electricity, phone and water bills. Make adjustments in usage where necessary.

Transportation

Invest in a bicycle for your local shopping needs! Not only do you save money on car expenses, or public transport, but you also get regular exercise.

Shop smart, save money and enjoy life more!

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom engaged after romantic Valentines Day proposal

Rebecca Kellett
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Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom engaged after romantic Valentines Day proposal

The most recent celebrity couple to get engaged are none other than A-listers Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom.

The couple, who first sparked dating rumors in 2016, broke up briefly in 2017, but after a couple of months of “respectful, loving space” the pair rekindled their romance.

It seems that the couple were ready to take their relationship to the next level, with Bloom proposing on Valentine’s Day.

Here is everything we currently know about the engagement so far.

The proposal

According to sources, Bloom had been planning the proposal for a while “Orlando had planned this for a while,” but that he waited because “He wanted it all to be special.”

As many fans are aware, the 34 year old singer comes from a religious upbringing. The source also claimed that Bloom asked for Perry’s parents permission before popping the question. “Katy’s family knew he was proposing. He talked to her parents about it before.”

The same source claimed that Perry “was very surprised and shaking with happiness”.

The stars took to Instagram to announce their engagement on Friday. With Perry sharing a picture of her ruby engagement ring, captioning it “full bloom”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt5gRBDHNZl/

The ring

Whenever a celebrity couple gets engaged, the thing people are most interested in is the ring. The ring Bloom proposed to now fiancé Perry with is sure not to disappoint.

The enormous ring has a ruby centre stone surrounded by diamonds. The design is known as a flower shaped cluster and is said to have cost around $5 million.

You can see a close up of Perry’s engagement ring in an Instagram photo posted by a fan account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt5SEwBBg9G/

The future

Although there has been no official information about a wedding just yet, sources claim that both stars “want to get married”. It appears as though the next celebrity wedding is on the horizon.

Despite Bloom already having an eight year old son- Flynn with ex-wife Miranda Kerr, sources claim that he is eager to have more children with Perry.

In fact, it has been reported that both Perry and Bloom want to “start a family sooner rather than later.” Another source has said that “They both want kids together and will prioritise this.”

So what does this mean for the singers’ career? According to multiple sources, Perry is “slowing down her career this year”.

It appears that the couple are planning to start a family in the immediate future, with Perry opting to put her career on the back burner in order to focus on her personal life.

This will be the second marriage for both stars. Perry was previously married to English comedian Russell Brand; whilst Bloom was married to Aussie model Miranda Kerr. However, let’s hope that this marriage is the last for both stars!

Smart Australian entrepreneurs are heading to Colombia and Mexico

Craig Dempsey
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Smart Australian entrepreneurs are heading to Colombia and Mexico

History isn’t as important in today’s dynamic and ever-changing business landscape as it was previously. Right now, it’s all about the future.  It’s often not about where you’ve come from, but more about where you’re going. Times are changing; the way we do business is very different to how it was done 10 or 20 years ago. Start-ups, as well as small and medium sized businesses are the future, so embracing them sooner rather than later could present more opportunities. Start-ups are competing on the global stage with large, more established corporations, and are often coming out on top. Put simply, there has never been a better time to be an entrepreneur than right now.

In developed markets like Australia, entrepreneurship is not an unfamiliar concept, with start-ups like Afterpay, Campaign Monitor and The Iconic becoming hugely successful.

Let’s face it, Australia has its perks. Firstly, Australia is one of the safest places globally to invest and to operate. Being a politically and economically stable country, combined with having a skilled and knowledgeable workforce and high productivity levels, means Australia is an attractive market. It’s the 13th largest economy in the world, despite only having 0.32% of the world’s population, with a GDP of over $1 trillion.

Why are Australian entrepreneurs heading to Latin America?

You may or may not be aware, but Latin America is expanding at a rapid rate, containing some of the world’s largest economies like Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Peru. To say it plainly, Latin America is booming.

Over the last decade, Latin America has been developing in leaps and bounds. Governments throughout the region have been doing everything within their power to make trading in their countries easier for foreign entities. Currently, local legislation tends to favour foreign investment more and more.

Recent political stability in countries like Colombia, a soon to be powerhouse in the region and the fourth largest economy in Latin America, is making this market more attractive to foreign businesses. In fact, entrepreneurs are changing the face of Colombia and other markets around the region, regardless of where they originate from.

Colombia

Young man sitting and writing
Millennials are taking over entrepreneurship. Photo: StartupStockPhotos, Pixabay

Colombia is a manufacturing and production hub with industries like textiles, agriculture, and oil. Not only does it have policies that favour foreign investment, with ease of entry (you can go from entering the country to selling your goods and services in a matter of weeks), but it also has low labour costs, high-quality raw materials and a strong local economy. Organisations are able to produce superior goods, which they can export to the world, at a fraction of the cost when compared to businesses operating in more developed countries like Australia. Operating in a more developed economy means you will likely encounter heftier overhead costs.

Global expansion is not out of reach in today’s world; many entrepreneurs are going down this path. And in doing so, entrepreneurs are looking for untapped markets where they can make an impact. Having a head start and growing brand loyalty before your competition will give you a strong advantage in a market like Colombia. Building consumer trust at an early stage ensures that you have a strong base when competitors enter the market.

And some of these budding entrepreneurs are starting young, meaning the age of the millennial is in full swing. Young entrepreneurs have truly millennial traits, they’re adaptable, innovative and adventurous; they’re definitely not afraid to take risks. Age is no longer a factor that determines success, many entrepreneurs will begin their first start up in university or in their early twenties, it’s not guaranteed to be a success but there’s a large chance that it will be successful in such a lively market like Latin America.

Mexico

Man working in poor conditions
Poverty in Mexico has been steadily decreasing. Photo: RIGOYRBK, Pixabay

With a growing middle class, lowering levels of poverty, and a need for innovative solutions to the population’s problems, entrepreneurs have the potential to grow their business at exponential rates. With markets like Mexico in the mix, the sky is the limit.

Mexico’s market is equal in size to all the Western European countries combined, having the second largest economy in Latin America and the fifteenth largest in the world. Tens of thousands of companies launch start-ups in the country every year, serving a population of 120+ million people.

Predictions by some analysts forecast that Mexico may boast one of the highest GDP per capita rates in the world by 2050. This would make it the world’s eighth largest economy. For companies like ecommerce businesses trading in Mexico, this makes sense; it’s low-risk and opens your business up to an ever-expanding market. Mexican consumers are steadily becoming more tech savvy, with nearly 90% now accessing the internet from their smartphones, as well as using online shopping sites to purchase products.

Starting a business in Mexico can have its challenges, like with other countries within the region. Language, cultural and different business practices all present hurdles to businesses wanting to start their operations in the region. But if you do your homework, engage a local partner and embrace the cultural differences, your business has the potential to reach the next level.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a relatively unexplored, rapidly growing market that offers a world of possibilities, then starting a business in Latin America is certainly the way to go. Australian start ups will be given every opportunity to succeed. Operating within Latin America could a fantastic idea for those that want to expand their businesses onto a global stage. Less red tape, more policy support and strong local economies are all factors that will add to your company’s success.

Scott Morrison confirms foreign state hacked Parliament servers

Christian Woods
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Scott Morrison confirms foreign state hacked Parliament servers

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed suspicions that a foreign government carried out a recent cyber-attack on parliamentary computer servers.

He said that investigators believed “that a sophisticated state actor is responsible” and that the Government has “put in place a number of measures to ensure the integrity of our electoral system.”

However, the Prime Minister stressed that an investigation has not uncovered any evidence of interference in electoral processes.

A Liberal Party spokesperson said that they were “working closely” with cybersecurity agencies regarding the breach.

Alistair MacGibbon, Australia’s chief adviser on cyber security, has said that it is still too early to know what information has been compromised by the hack.

However, Mr MacGibbon said that the “sophistication of their methodology” meant that there were “a limited number of countries” that could have been responsible but that the Government had “low confidence” in laying blame on any particular nation.

He said that the decision to go public with news of the breach before all information was known was a good step for the purposes of “risk management”.

Parliament members and their support staff lost access to email accounts, with security agents resetting passwords as a precaution shortly after the attack was detected.

There is a strong suspicion that China was behind the attack as the nation has been blamed for previous cyber-attacks in Australia.

Melbourne Stars fall short in Big Bash final after horror collapse

Christian Woods
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Melbourne Stars fall short in Big Bash final after horror collapse

The Melbourne Stars have capitulated in the final of the 2019 Big Bash League, falling 12 runs short in response to the target set by the Renegades of 145. The Stars required only 55 runs off 43 balls with no wickets lost and appeared to be cruising towards their first BBL title. Then horror struck.

Amazingly, the Stars lost 7-19 in one of cricket’s greatest chokes, as the trophy slipped through their fingertips. Over 40 000 people turned out to watch the BBL final at Marvel Stadium, an eager crowd ready to see the first Melbourne derby final.

Poor start for the Renegades

While the Stars started in emphatic fashion, the Renegades were the complete opposite. The Renegades were 5-75 and were in danger of being skittled for less than 100. However, a match-defining partnership between Tom Cooper and Dan Christian ensured the Renegades posted something defendable. Aaron Finch can consider himself unlucky, after he was run out by Jackson Bird from a miraculous deflection at the non-striker’s end.

Stars begin to panic

Set 145 to win their first BBL title, the Stars appeared on track, with openers Ben Dunk and in form all-rounder, Marcus Stoinis, putting on a 90+ run stand. Dunk recorded a timely fifty (57) and with plenty of batting depth in the sheds, the Stars looked home.

However, complacency and a lack of match awareness gave way to sheer panic. Indeed, Maxwell, Nic Maddinson, Peter Handscomb and Dwayne Bravo all fell in quick succession, giving the Renegades a chance at a miraculous win. Maxwell falling for just 1 was crucial, given his recent BBL form. After the Stars’ horrendous collapse, the Renegades had the match won, with the Stars requiring almost 30 runs off the last over and no recognised batsman at the crease.

Maxwell points the finger

Shattered Melbourne Stars’ skipper, Glenn Maxwell, has refused to acknowledge that the Stars’ choked during the latter stages of the match. Extraordinarily, Maxwell has suggested that openers, Dunk and Stoinis, needed to ‘break the Renegades’ in the earlier stages, despite putting on almost a 100-run stand. Maxwell won’t have much time to dwell on the heartbreaking loss, as he flies out with the ODI squad for the upcoming series against India.

Kevin Rudd criticised by Prime Minister of Tuvalu for “imperial” proposal

Christian Woods
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Kevin Rudd criticised by Prime Minister of Tuvalu for “imperial” proposal

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s proposal to trade Australian citizenship for the sea-based resources of island nations threatened by climate change has been slammed as “imperial thinking” by the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Enele Sopoaga.

Mr Rudd made the suggestion in an essay he published recently. More specifically, the proposal was for the Pacific nations of Nauru, Tuvalu and Kiribati to exchange control of their fisheries, economic zones and seas in exchange for Australian citizenship.

In the essay, Mr Rudd wrote that “Australia would also become responsible for the relocation over time of the exposed populations of these countries” after which “they would enjoy the full rights of Australian citizens,”

However, Mr Sopoaga has slammed the proposal as neo-colonialist idea which would cause Pacific nations to give up their sovereignty.

He said that his nation would “not be subjugated under some sort of colonial mentor;” and that Tuvalu was a “fully independent country,”

Mr Sopoaga also drew attention to the fact that coal was Australia’s move valuable overseas trade commodity and that there is a disconnect between efforts to reduce climate change and prepare for its effects. As an alternative to Mr Rudd’s plan, he suggested that Pacific nations form a coalition similar to the European Union that was focused on “cooperation and integration”.

Mr Rudd has said that rising sea levels as a result of climate change will force the populations of these island nations to relocate and that “Australia would face international pressure to provide a safe haven to our Pacific neighbours anyway,”

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