An Aquascutum scarf, showing the Club Check colours

"Aquascutum" is a UK-based luxury clothing manufacturer and retailer. In April 2012 it was sold to by Jaeger, its previous owner to YGM Trading, a Chinese fashion retailer ^[1].

Company history[link]

Aquascutum was established in 1851, the year of the Great Exhibition, when tailor and entrepreneur John Emary opened a high quality menswear shop at 46 Regent Street. In 1853, after succeeding to produce the first waterproof wool, he had his discovery patented and renamed the company ‘Aquascutum’, Latin for ‘watershield’.^[2] In 1901, Emary moved to 100 Regent Street in the heart of London, which remains Aquascutum’s flagship store to this day.

Coats for officers in the Crimean War (1853-1856) were made from Aquascutum’s waterproof fabric, as were the trench coats worn by soldiers of all ranks in both world wars.^[3]

Domestic and fashion applications followed, promoted in the 19th century by royal fashion leader King Edward VII. His majesty was Aquascutum’s first royal client, ordering an Aquascutum coat in the Prince of Wales check. In 1897, Aquascutum was granted a royal warrant, the first that would mark the British royal family’s long patronage of the company.

In 1900, Aquascutum opened a womenswear department, offering water-repellent capes and coats, which were extremely popular among British suffragettes.

The company has created other fabrics and coats using similar names, such as the Eiderscutum light overcoat and (in 1962) the multicoloured wool-yarn weave, Aquaspectrum.^[2]

The company has supplied aristocrats, political leaders, and actors, including three Princes of Wales, Prince Rainier of Monaco, Sir Winston Churchill, Baroness Thatcher, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Sophia Loren, Cary Grant, and Michael Caine.^[3]

Aquascutum was family owned until 1990, when it was purchased by Japanese textile conglomerate company Renown Incorporated.^[3]

Current day operations[link]

In April 2006, Aquascutum appointed Kim Winser as president and chief executive officer. Winser is a veteran of the British apparel industry, having worked for Marks & Spencer and Pringle of Scotland.^[4] The current heads of design are Michael Herz and Graeme Fidler, who won numerous awards including GQ style awards.

The brand, famous for its suiting range recently modelled by Pierce Brosnan and Brett Anderson, also offers tailoring by Savile Row tailor Nick Hart. Gisele Bündchen and Jamie Dornan model Aquascutum Collection designs and vintage pieces.

In 2008, Renown announced that it would sell Aquascutum, after the parent experienced three straight years of losses.^[5] In May 2009, Renown rejected a corporate buyout bid led by Kim Winser.^[4] After the bid was rejected, Winser left Aquascutum. Renown continued acquisition talks with Chinese clothing retailer YGM Trading, which licenses to sell Aquascutum clothes in Asia - the brand's biggest market.^[5]

In September 2009, the management team behind the revival of retailer Jaeger, Harold Tillman and Belinda Earl, bought the company.^[6] However on 17 April 2012, the Financial Times published an article citing sources "familiar with the company's plans" stating that the company would shortly go into administration with the potential loss of up to 250 jobs. ^[7][8]

In April 2012 the company went into administration.^[9] FRP Advisory have been chosen to act as the adminstrators. Shortly after the company was sold to a Chinese fashion firm YGM Trading for £15 million^[10].

Royal Warrants[link]

1897 HRH The Prince of Wales, later HM King Edward VII

1903 HRH The Prince of Wales, later King George V

1911 HM King George V

1920 HRH The Prince of Wales, later the Duke of Windsor

1947 HM Queen Elizabeth, Queen Consort to King George VI

1952 HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother

See also[link]

• Trench Coat
• Royal Warrant
• Kim Winser

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website

Pat McGrath (born 1966) is a British make-up artist. She has been called the most influential make-up artist in the world by Vogue magazine and other commentators.^[1][2][3]

Biography[link]

McGrath was raised in Northampton, England by her mother Jean McGrath, a Jamaican immigrant.^[1] McGrath credits her mother for her love of fashion and make-up, saying that Jean would comment on clothes as they watched classic movies together.^[4] McGrath has no formal training in fashion or make-up, having completed only an art foundation course at a Northampton college.^[1] Of her career, she has said, "I really love being a makeup artist. It never gets mundane or predictable and every shoot and show is different."^[5]

McGrath's career breakthrough came while working with Edward Enninful (then fashion editor of i-D magazine) in the early 1990s, when her innovative use of color "brilliantly solved the world's ennui with grunge" and helped launch i-D to a position of international importance.^[4] In the mid-1990s, she worked both with minimalist Jil Sander and with surrealist John Galliano, where she became known for her "latex petals stuck to faces, vinyl lips, bodies drenched in powder paint, [and] stylized Kabuki physiognomies."^[4]

Since then, McGrath has worked with photographers including Steven Meisel (who now rarely shoots without her),^[2][4] Paolo Roversi,^[2] Helmut Newton,^[2] and Peter Lindbergh.^[2] In addition to appearing in i-D, photos of her work have been published in fashion magazines including American, English, and French Vogue, W, and Harper's Bazaar.^[2] She attends four fashion show seasons (counting couture) each year^[4] and has worked with designers including Prada, Miu Miu, Comme des Garçons, and Dolce and Gabbana.^[2] Additionally, she designed Armani's cosmetics line in 1999^[6] and in 2004 was named global creative-design director for Procter and Gamble, where she is in charge of Max Factor and Cover Girl cosmetics, among other brands.^[1] During McGrath's constant travels to work locations, she takes between thirty and fifty bags of materials, tools, and reference materials.^[4]

As a makeup artist, McGrath is known for her wide range;^[6][7] according to Edward Enninful, her work spans from "the highest couture to club kids."^[7] She is also known for her inventive use of materials: her most creative make-up is handmade, and she works mainly with her fingers instead of with brushes.^[7]

In an interview with Vogue.com UK during London Fashion Week (Sept. 2008) McGrath explained her creative process, saying: "I'm influenced a lot by the fabrics that I see, the colours that are in the collections, and the girls' faces. It's always a challenge but that's the key - to make it different every time."^[8]

References[link]

• Photos of Pat McGrath at style.com.
• Profile of Pat McGrath, including several examples of her work from i-D magazine fashion editorials.
• Interview with Pat McGrath, exclusive quotes backstage at London Fashion Week
• Videos of Pat McGrath Backstage, exclusive interviews at MODTV

Irina Lăzăreanu
Born	(1982-06-08) 8 June 1982 (age 30) Transylvania, Romania[citation needed]
Height	5'9.5" (176.5 cm)[1]
Hair color	Brown[1]
Eye color	Brown[1]
Measurements	32-25-35 (US) 81-63.5–89[1]
Shoe size	7 (US)[1]
Manager	Select Model Management (London) Why Not Model Agency (Milan) Marylin Agency (Paris, New York) Giovanni Models (Toronto, Montreal)

Irina Lăzăreanu (born 8 June 1982) is a Romanian-Canadian model. She got her ‘big break’ through her acquaintance with model Kate Moss.

Early life[link]

At age 5 Lazareanu emigrated to Canada from Romania, settling into the Montreal suburb of Saint-Hubert, Quebec with her Romanian parents.^[2] At the age of 13 she moved to London to study ballet until she was derailed by a broken knee. She met Pete Doherty at the age of 15 whom she later dated briefly and was engaged to in 2007.^[3]

Modeling career[link]

At age 17 Lazareanu attended an open call and signed with Giovanni modelling agency in Montreal with the hopes that it would help pay rent. From then on she did the usual rounds of London and Paris, occasionally appearing in Barcelona, Australia and Madrid fashion weeks. It wasn't until she was chosen by acquaintance Kate Moss to model for the December/January issue of Vogue: Paris, which she guest edited that Lazareanu received notice by fashionistas.^[3] Lazareanu has since become an increasingly popular fashion model, breaking the record for most runway work in one season.^[4]

She has modeled for many top designers, including Chanel, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Shiatzy Chen, Anna Sui, Lanvin, Versace, and many more. She is affiliated with the modeling agencies Marilyn (New York and Paris), Why Not Models (Milan), Select Model Management (London), and Giovanni (Montreal). In March 2007, Lazareanu was chosen by Kate Moss as the model for her new Topshop clothing range.^[5]

In June 2009, Lazareanu appeared on Canada's Next Top Model as a guest coach and judge. She coached contestants on camera work, articulation, and fashion labels.

She will shortly be appearing in the Hobbs Spring Summer 2010 advertising campaign.

Personal style[link]

Lazareanu is known for her quirky, vintage-inspired style – which has arguably contributed to the rise of her modelling career. When asked about her style, Lazareanu says: "I’m very influenced by the whole 1960s–1970s London era, not only in terms of my clothes but also in terms of the music I listen to, the movies I watch, the writers I read. Those influences probably translates into my personal style in an unconscious way."^[6]

Michelle McCool of Cosmopolitan magazine writes that "(Irina) has a great rock'n'roll vibe. It's all about the hair and her flatness. I love that she has no boobs." Lazareanu is often described as having a distinctive look, as Emmanuelle Alt of Vogue Paris adds; "On the runway, no matter what, she cannot be transformed. She always has her unique look and style."^[7] As a result of her striking features and rock'n'roll semblance, Lazareanu has developed the status of 'official muse' to designers Nicolas Ghesquière and Karl Lagerfeld,^[8] with whom she shot the Chanel Cruise campaign.^[6]

Music career[link]

Lazareanu met musician Pete Doherty (whom she calls Peter) then a member of the Libertines, at a party in Shepherd's Bush while she was a ballet student. Doherty and Lazareanu bonded over their shared interest in artists such as Oscar Wilde and Nina Simone. Lazareanu became closely involved with Doherty's band Babyshambles and toured with them in 2004, although she has denied the widespread rumor that she served as their drummer.^[3]

Lazareanu reportedly helped Pete Doherty write the song "La Belle et la Bête" which featured Kate Moss on the Babyshambles' Down in Albion album.^[2]

She is currently recording a folk album, entitled Some Place Along the Way, which musician Sean Lennon is producer and collaborator on. They have recorded a duet called "Strange Places", which has not yet been released, however was previewed on a Fashion TV profile, which aired earlier in 2006. Her album was to be released in late 2006^[9] however it has been delayed as a result of her demanding modelling career and is now due to be released in fall 2007.^[3] Lazareanu has said that "My music isn't commercial...I just want to learn from people and do the best I can do" and cites Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and Joan Baez as her musical influences.^[9]

In February 2007 Lazareanu announced that she will collaborate with Sean Lennon and Pete Doherty on a cover of Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North Country".^[10]

In an interview during New York Spring 2008 Fashion Week, Lazareanu announced that she was working on a duet album with Sean Lennon.

In December 2007, during a special presentation for Chanel in London, Lazareanu debuted four songs off her album, which acted as the soundtrack to the show. Sean Lennon accompanied her on guitar.^[11]

In June 2010 Lazareanu organized a benefit concert in NYC and was set to perform with Doherty, Lennon, Charlotte Kemp Muhl, and Adam Green. Doherty was, however, refused entry into the United States – despite having a visa. The band played without him.^[12][13]

Personal life[link]

Lazareanu has twice been briefly engaged to musician Pete Doherty, first for a period in 2004 following the break-up of his band The Libertines^[14][15] and then for the second time in October 2007.^[16][17]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Irina Lazareanu at the Fashion Model Directory
• Irina Lazareanu on style.com
• Profile New York Magazine
• Profile on Teenvogue.com

This article contains Chinese text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Chinese characters.

Sammi Cheng Sau-Man is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress. Having enjoyed much success in the Hong Kong music industry, Sammi has been known as a diva and has been one of the most successful female singer in Hong Kong since the 1990s. Her albums have sold more than 25 million copies through Asia-pacific.^[3] Most notably in the 1990s, she was dubbed by the media as the " Cantopop Queen".

Sammi Cheng breaks the record of having the most best sales albums and The Best Sales Local Female Vocalist awards in the Hong Kong Cantonpop industry since her debut. From 1993 to 2010, Sammi Cheng won a total of 12 Top Female Vocalist awards,^[4] 14 The Best Sales Local Female Vocalist Awards and has 7 albums that are The Best Sales Cantonese Release of year.

She had produced over 80 studio albums, 9 live concert albums, 97 singles (songs) with 27 cover songs, had received around 200 total awards from acting to singing, performed in over 20 films which many received box-office hit, starred in 7 TV dramas in early years, had held over 100 concerts up to date with over 12 concert tours. She is also being recognized as the leading Asian female singer brought in unique fashion to singing performance especially in her concerts.

Early life[link]

Sammi Cheng was previously named Twinnie Cheng.^[5] Contrary to popular belief, "Twinnie" is not her birth name. The name came about when Sammi was still in school and her English Language teacher wanted everyone in class to have an English name. When Sammi turned to her sister for help, her sister came up with the name "Twinnie". The name was later changed to "Sammi" as "Sammi" sounds a little like "Sau Man". Cheng received her education at SKH St. Peter's Primary School and Tang Shiu Kin Victoria Government Secondary School.^[1]

She has three sisters and one brother. Two of her sisters are twins.

Career[link]

	Beware of women (小心女人) noicon A 1990s cantopop instrument arrangement by Sammi Cheng.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Music[link]

Sammi Cheng entered the entertainment industry at the age of 16 through a high profile, annual TV singing contest, the New Talent Singing Awards in 1988.^[6][7] Although she came in third in the competition, the sponsoring record company, Capital Artists, saw her potential and offered her a recording contract. Cheng at the time was still in school, and had to balance her studies with her rising singing career. Before finishing school, Sammi had managed to release 3 full-length studio albums: "Sammi", "Holiday" and "Never Too Late".^[8] One of her first major award was the 1990 RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards, where she was recognized as a best new prospect.^[9]

In 1993, Cheng realized that in order to rise from a top B-list artist to an A-list artist, she had to create a unique image for herself. She capitalized on the attention received from her duet with artist Andy Hui, "Do you really have me in your heart?" (其實你心裡有沒有我), winning the 1993 Jade Solid Gold Top 10 Awards with that song.^[10] Cheng then went through a complete 180-degree transformation, dying her hair orange, changing her style.^[8] Her 4th studio album "Sammi's Happy Maze" (鄭秀文的快樂迷宮) was also released, which include the hit single "Chotto Matte" (Chotto 等等).^[8] Her new image fitted well with the new single, which was a remake of a very upbeat Japanese song by Maki Ohguro. The success helped Sammi and boosted her singing career.^[8] In 1994 she continued to capitalize on her wild, new image. Her first album of that year was "Big Revenge" (大報復). The album included the mega hit "Ding Dong" (叮噹), which became one of Sammi's all-time signature songs. But with her new fame also came a lot of backlash from the media. Critics pointed out that Sammi purposely westernized her Cantonese. Instead of saying "Ding Dong", Sammi pronounced it as "Deen Dong".^[8] Despite the criticism, the song was one of most popular dance songs of that year. In 1994 the racy and controversial cut of "Ten Commandments" (十誡) was banned from the radio for a few days after its initial airplay of the track including tiny bits of what can be recognized as pornography soundtrack.^[8] In 1995 Cheng disappeared from the public eye for nearly half a year.^[8] Later that year, it was revealed that Warner Music company had signed her. She let her hair color return to black and temporarily abandoned the wild image she used to have.^[8]

In 1995 she released her first album "Missing you" (捨不得你). In 1996, the company decided it was time for Sammi to expand her market and fan base beyond Hong Kong. They released her first Mandarin album, "Worth It" (值得). The album was number one on the Taiwan IFPI chart for six consecutive weeks.^[1] She won a number of awards, most notably she was voted back-to-back as the most popular female artist by TVB from 1995 to 1996.^[11] She would finish that year with her first concert titled "Sammi's X-Dimension Concert" (鄭秀文X空間演唱會). In 1998 she was also a featured star in a Heineken sponsored Music Horizons concert along with international singers such as Boyz II Men and Julian Lennon.^[12] By the time Cheng was 24 years old, she had already released four greatest hits albums.^[13]

In the 1990s, another female star, Faye Wong was one of her main rivals.^[14] When they were on stage together, they would be cold to one another. The rivalry was confirmed in the 1999 TVB music award night. Both Wong and Cheng were arranged to sit next to each other backstage.^[14] Cheng avoided Wong by repeatedly going off stage to fix her make-up. In addition, her fans were angry and hissed at Faye Wong when she went on stage to receive an award.^[14] Wong herself has insisted that the rivalry wasn't true, and that she was friendly toward Cheng.^[15]

In July 2004, she held 7 nights of "Sammi Vs Sammi" concerts in Hong Kong. She also broke the record as being the youngest female singer to hold more than 50 accumulated concert nights in the city.^[1]

Concert Tours/Specials[link]

Cheng performing at "Love Mi Sammi Cheng 2009 Concert" on December 31, 2009.

Tour Setlists[link]

Acting[link]

Cheng's acting career began with the TVB series Life of His Own in 1991.^[16] A year later she would begin her film career with the movie Best of the Best (飛虎精英之人間有情) in 1992 with fellow cantopop star Jacky Cheung.^[17] She would follow with another comedy film Feel 100% (百分百感覺) with Ekin Cheng and Gigi Leung.

In the late 1990s during the slump of the HK film industry she staged a box office revolution by starring in the film Needing You by acclaimed director Johnny To, co-starring Andy Lau and the movie Summer Holidiay in 2000. The films were hits at the box office hit in all South East Asia regions, and Hong Kong has cumulated nearly HK$60 million at the box office. The Needing You VCD received a sold out record of more than 200,000 copies.^[1] From this film, she was also a nominee for "Best Actress" as well as taking part in singing the "Best original film song" in the 2001 Hong Kong Film Award.^[18] Following the success of those movies she starred in a few more including Wu Yen, Love on a Diet, Marry a Rich Man, My Left Eye Sees Ghosts and many more. At the 62nd Venice International Film Festival Cheng was one of the front runner for the "Best actress" award for the film Everlasting Regret in 2005. Other contenders for the award included Monica Bellucci, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lee Young-ae and Isabelle Huppert.^[19]

Advertisements[link]

Cheng changes her look and image for every album, which enables her to gain extensive attention and appreciation from the music professional and the public. Sammi is a trendsetter of hair-coloring and has been chosen to be one of the Top Ten fashionable celebrities in Hong Kong. She has been signed and endorsed by many companies. Some of the bigger endorsements include SK-II skin care and Mona Lisa bridal service.^[20] Her first album with Warner Music, "Can't Give You Up" (捨不得你) released 3 hit singles, "Gentlemen, you are so fine today" (男仕今天你很好), "Can't Give You Up" (捨不得你) and "The Mourning Song for Love" (愛的輓歌). She was selected as the prominent celebrity for the endorsement of Panasonic using "Can't Give You Up" (捨不得你) as the theme song.^[1]

Post-break career[link]

Break (2005-2007)[link]

In 2005, Cheng had only one feature film release and no music projects. She became a representative for Veeko and Titus, a fashion and watch brand in Hong Kong, respectively. She also began writing Saturday columns for Mingpao magazine.^[13] In 2006, she released another greatest hits album, but there were no new tracks. The break was taken to recoup her energy from the entertainment industry.^[13]

During a break lasting more than a 1,000 days, she reflected upon her life, and became a born-again Christian.^[21]

Show Mi Tour[link]

After taking a break for about 2 years, she re-invented herself again, and held her 6th concert in HK from 18 to 25 May 2007 titled "Show Mi"(Mi being the nickname of SamMI given by her fans). Due to the huge demand for tickets, the four performances was expanded to eight. She returned to entertain at the age of 34, and invited fellow star Andy Lau and Denise Ho to perform with her.^[22] At the end of the first show, audience members continued to shout 'encore' for 15 minutes until Sammi came back out and sang "Our Theme Song" (我們的主題曲). The concert was expanded to the Show Mi Tour.

Community work[link]

In 2003 Cheng performed at the 1:99 Concert to raise funds for SARS affected families.^[23] She had participated in the 2008 Chinese winter storm support effort where many artists including Andy Lau, Alan Tam, Kelly Chen, etc. recorded a song called "Warmth in the Snow" in support of those effected by the storm. She was also a participant of the Artistes 512 Fund Raising Campaign.^[24] In April 2008, she participated in the activities of World Vision. She traveled to Laos with fellow singer Gigi Leung, also a World Vision volunteer, to experience for themselves the struggles of the local people and children.^[25] They also visited the local children there to find out more on their situation where food and supplies are lacking. When Sammi returned to Hong Kong, she and Leung were invited to a radio program 903 to talk about the experience; she responded by announcing she had "adopted" 24 children.

Filmography[link]

• Best of the Best (飛虎精英之人間有情) (1992) with Jacky Cheung - as Heidi
• Feel 100% (百分百感覺) (1996) with Ekin Cheng - as Cherrie
• Feel 100%....Once More (百分百o岩Feel) (1996) with Ekin Cheng - as Yen
• Killing Me Tenderly (愛您愛到殺死您) (1997) with Leon Lai - as Cindy (朱金梅)
• The Lucky Guy (行運一條龍) (1998) with Stephen Chow - as Candy (葉玉芬)
• Needing You (孤男寡女) (2000) with Andy Lau - as Kinki
• Summer Holiday (夏日的麼麼茶) (2000) with Richie Ren - as Summer
• Wu yen (鍾無艷) (2001) with Anita Mui, Cecilia Cheung - as Wu Yen (鍾無艷)
• Fighting for Love (同居蜜友) (2001) with Tony Leung Chiu Wai - as Deborah (霍少棠)
• Love on a Diet (瘦身男女) (2001) with Andy Lau - as Mini Mo
• Marry a Rich Man (嫁個有錢人) (2002) with Richie Ren - as Ah Me (阿 me)
• My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (我左眼見到鬼) (2002) with Lau Ching-Wan - as May (何麗珠)
• Infernal Affairs (無間道) (2002) with Andy Lau - as Mary
• Love For All Seasons (百年好合) (2003) with Louis Koo - as Midget (滅絕)
• Good Times, Bed Times (戀上你的床) (2003) with Lau Ching-Wan, Louis Koo - as Carrie (屈小喬)
• Infernal Affairs III (無間道III：終極無間) (2003) with Andy Lau - as Mary
• Enter the Phoenix (大佬愛美麗) (2004) - (cameo appearance) as the head waitress in a Chinese restaurant
• Magic Kitchen (魔幻廚房) (2004) with F4's Jerry Yan, Andy Lau - as Yau (慕容優)
• Yesterday Once More (龍鳳鬥) (2004) with Andy Lau - as Mrs. To (盜太)
• Everlasting Regret (長恨歌) (2005) with Daniel Wu, Tony Leung Ka-Fai - as Wang Qi Yao (王琦瑤)
• Lady Cop & Papa Crook (大搜查之女) (2008) with Eason Chan, Richie Ren- as Molline Szeto
• Romancing in Thin Air (高海拔之戀II) (2012) with Louis Koo

TV drama[link]

• Life of His Own 浪族闊少爺(1991) : as 施敏
• File of Justice I 壹號皇庭 I (1992): as Fong Ga Kay (方家琪)
• Return of the Vampire 大頭綠衣鬥疆屍 (1993): as 飄雪/飄紅/Kitty
• Journey of Love 親恩情未了 (1994) : as 張家慧
• Detective Investigation Files II 刑事偵緝檔案 II(1995) : as Ivy
• Man's Best Friend 寵物情緣 (1999) : as Susan (歐子珊)
• The Monkey King: Quest for the Sutra 齊天大聖孫悟空 (2002) :as (觀音大士)

External links[link]

• Samm's facebook fanpage
• [3]

References[link]

v t e Cinema of Hong Kong Actors Directors Cinematographers Ocean Shores Producers Shaw Brothers Studio Films A–Z Action films Writers Films by year: 1909–1929 1930s 1940s 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012