Welsh players in garden of Eden

Wales rugby stars, including captain Ryan Jones and centre of attention Jonathan Davies, took time out of their busy schedules to attend a fashion photo-shoot at the Millennium Stadium for WRU official formalwear supplier Eden Park.

Eden Park unveiled their new autumn Winter collection for 2009 to Ryan Jones, Jonathan Davies, Martyn Williams, Jamie Roberts, Tom James and Alun Wyn Jones under flashing lights on the brand new national stadium pitch.

Former Welsh international John Bryant, who opened a new Cardiff Eden Park Store in April on the first floor at the Capitol Centre, was on hand to supply the clothes

"All our team suits are supplied by Eden Park and it really is top quality gear. Some of the clothes on show today would go well in my wardrobe and I have picked out a rugby top which John has kindly let me have," said Scarlets centre Davies, who makes his first Millennium Stadium start this Saturday in the Invesco Perpetual Series clash with Argentina.

"The squad had a rest day today, so we were available to take an hour or so out to help out Eden Park. But we are straight back into training tomorrow to continue preparation for the Pumas."

Eden Park, the Paris-based, rugby inspired fashion brand, were photographing the players modeling the brand's latest collection of stylish men's suits, shirts, jackets, rugby shirts and V-neck jumpers.for a PR and advertising campaign to run in Wales ahead of the 2010 RBS 6 Nations.

"The new range of gear is in our shop now. We opened in the Capitol Centre in April and things really have been going well for us," added Bryant, the former Pontypridd and Celtic Warriors centre, who was capped by Wales against Romania in 2003.

"The Wales players have all been really helpful and Jamie Roberts, who is the official Cardiff Eden Park ambassador, certainly wears the range well."

Eden Park was founded by French international rugby player Franck Mesnel in Paris in the 1980s and is now distributed to retailers world-wide.

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Traditional Welsh Costume

Post cards, school eisteddfods, rugby games, and folk dancing – here are a few examples of where you are likely to see the Welsh National Costume today. But what is the costume’s origins – and how much truth lies behind its development as an unofficial icon for Wales?

The exhibition ‘The Welsh National Costume’ will explain the origin of the costume and why it is worn. The exhibition has been created by Michael Freeman, curator of Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth. He has taken a great interest in the costume for many years and has read over 40,000 words used to describe the costume from the 18th and 19th century as part of his research.

One of the most distinctive parts of the costume worn by women in Wales at the end of the 18th century was the bedgown or betgwn – a low-cut jacket with a tail similar to that worn by many women in much of Europe. But for some reason it survived longer in Wales than elsewhere. The Welsh bedgown was also distinctive in that it was usually made of striped flannel whereas in England it was often made of plain cotton (or cotton mix). Recent research has identified regional variations in Wales for the bedgown and Welsh hat.

Photographs, prints, paintings, post cards and examples of costumes will be on display during the exhibition, examining the evidence for its origins and development over the years. The exhibition will be open to the public until 31 October 2009.

Esther Roberts, Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery Curator said: “We are particularly pleased that this important exhibition has decided to visit us here in Gwynedd.

“I’m sure that the exhibition and various accompanying activities which will be held at the Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery will have something to interest all visitors. If you don’t have any background about the Welsh Costume, or even if you have a keen interest in the subject – there will be something to everyone’s taste.”

A competition to design a Welsh costume or souvenir has also been launched. The competition is open to all as there are three age categories (5 to 11, 12 to 16, 17+). Selected works will be exhibited at the Gwynedd Museum & Art Gallery, Bangor and winning entries will scoop work by the artist, Lowri Davies. Call the Gallery to ask for an application form today on 01248 353 368.

In addition, there are a number of related events held at Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery:

Tuesday Evening, 6 October at 7pm
Public lecture by Michael Freeman, Curator of Ceredigion Museum and curator of this exhibition, will be talking about his research into the Welsh Costume. Free to all.

Tuesday, 27 October
Art workshops with Luned Rhys Parri in which a mural will be made depicting Welsh women in landscape. You can book a workshop between 10.30am and 12.30pm or 2pm and 4pm. £3 per session including art materials. It is advisable to book in advance as places are limited.

Wednesday, 28 October
Art workshops with Amber Smit to create a Welsh costume using paper. You can book a workshop between 10.30am and 12.30pm or 2pm and 4pm. £3 per session including art materials. It is advisable to book in advance as places are limited.

Saturday, 31 October
Art workshop with Emma Hobbins in which you will be making your own Welsh hat between 10.30am and 12.30pm. £3 per session including art materials. It is advisable to book in advance as places are limited.

Monday, 23 November
One day Seminar looking at Costumes between 11am and 4pm. Speakers include Elen Philips (Textile Curator, St Fagans), Michael Freeman (Curator, Ceredigion Museum) and Althea Mackenzie (Textile Conservator). This is a workforce development event arranged by the Federation of Museums and Galleries in Wales. Free to members of the Federation or £10 to non-members. Places are limited.

The Gwynedd Museum & Art Gallery, Bangor is open from Tuesday to Friday from 12.30pm to 4.30pm and on Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Admission is free.

Illustration: A detail from a portrait of Mrs Gwyn, Swansea by G.O.Delamotte, c.1820 (NLW Collection)

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Zara swings open its doors

FASHION giants Zara have unveiled their new store in Swansea.

The shop swung its doors open to the public at Princess Way's new retail complex on Wednesday, August 26.

Zara follows in the footsteps of Slater Menswear, who opened their store at the complex back in April.

Developers Thurleigh are behind the three-storey shopping centre scheme in partnership with Swansea Council.

Positive talks with a number of other leading retailers about taking up additional units there are ongoing.

Zara sells ladieswear, menswear and kidswear and opened its first store in Spain in 1975. It now has over 1,500 stores across the world.

The Swansea store will occupy a 1,500 square metre unit over two floors at the complex on Temple Street adjacent to Castle Square.

Councillor Chris Holley, Swansea Council Leader, said: "This is great news. Zara is an internationally recognised brand name that will help bring more shoppers into Swansea city centre and further raise its profile as the regional shopping capital of south west Wales.

"It's a huge boost when retailers of this magnitude show confidence in Swansea during difficult economic times across the UK and beyond.

Cllr Gareth Sullivan, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Economic and Strategic Development, said: "Feedback from Slater Menswear has been tremendously positive since they opened at the new retail complex and now another anchor tenant is about to open its doors.

"We're working hard to develop a vibrant city centre that will be closely linked to our stunning waterfront and this project is one of several that will help us realise that goal."

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Profile: Su Worlock

Inspired by numerous quizzes on the likes of social networking sites such as Facebook, this is the fouth in a series of profiles of people we at Welsh Icons feel to be contributors to the cultural life of Wales. If you would like to nominate someone for a profile please email news@welshicons.org.uk.

Welsh designer Su Worlock was born in Cwmaman in 1962 and spent her childhood performing on stage in the local 'variety' club (her designs have a theatrical element to them) and weekends with her Grandparents who encouraged her to be creative from a very young age and were her greatest influence. Her Aunt learned her to knit at a very early age, which resulted in Su designing and knitting clothes for her dolls and bears.

In 2008 Su won the Welsh Woman of the Year Award 2008, in the ‘Most Effective Returner to the Workplace' category. She ontinues to build her career in the world of textiles through her 'quirky' designs. She specialises in contemporary and traditional knitting/crochet techniques using media such as copper wire, twigs, ferns, grass, to plastic carrier bags and everything else that is knittable.

In the late 1970's Su discovered Punk music and entered into the DIY ethos that surrounded this sub-culture, making her own clothes and still has the first crochet top that she made - the 'spikey' extensions in some of her designs still reflect her love of Punk.

For the next 19 years Su raised her three sons, where she started to design and make clothes for them, thus creating an opportunity that resulted in setting-up a small business from her home due to demand for this line of clothing.

Her interests include music, art, film noir, B-movies and the Boris Karloff genre of horror, reading and football, not forgetting her obsession with West Ham United!

WI: What is you're favorite place in Wales?

SW: Porthcawl, went there on holidays as a child with my grandparents, took my children when they were very young. I have lots of great memories. I also pay Porthcawl a visit at least once a month, I love the coast.

WI: Favorite Welsh band or musician?

SW: Super Furry Animals, ‘Demons’ will always be their best song and it was at their gig in Newport that I saw GLC for the first time! Also local bands such as The Nukes, Clay Statues, Mook, Festerin Nun!

WI: Favorite Welsh food or drink?

SW: Penderyn Whiskey, couldn’t speak for a few days after I the first time I tried it but I didn’t have a cold for months afterwards.

WI: What does Wales mean to you?

SW: A plethora of talented writers, artists and musicians that sometimes are never recognised. Almost daily I hear a song and cannot understand why hasn’t this band been acknowledged by a record company such as Bronwen ‘Little Eris’ Davies, new CD or artwork produced by members of Artage.

WI: What do you most miss about Wales when you are away?

SW: The mountain’s, my grandfather was born in London and moved to Cwmaman just after the second world war, he taught me to appreciate my surroundings at a very young age and we would walk the mountains most weekends. Great memories!

Su is currently setting up a new venture aptly named ‘Bizarre Dragonz’ that will sell Anti-Fashion (alternative clothing and accessories) in addition it will provide a place for local bands/artists to sell and promote their work. A small collection hats, bags and T-shirts from Bizarre Dragonz will be available to the public on 30th August at the Big Bike Show on the Aberaman Industrial Estate.

For more information about Su visit www.suworlock.co.uk

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He doesn't want to change the world. Oh, maybe he does.

YOU'VE probably seen Martin Davies's work. Working as The Red Dragonhood his coolly ironic bilingual Welsh-centric designs are popular with patriotic musicians, artists, writers, and assorted movers and shakers among others.

Martin's quite the renaissance man (without all the poisoning of rivals and sexually transmitted diseases) and used the recent Laugharne weekend to launch his 'apolitical party' Newid; Welsh for change.

It's good timing, with MPs currently lurking somewhere between tabloid journalists and necrotising fasciitis in the popularity stakes his battle cry is: 'Politics is dead. Here’s something better.'

You can see what's going on (and get a head start on Red Dragonhood designs and offers) by following Martin on Facebook.

Jeremy Paxman said he's, "Either a visonary or a Taff timewaster," what do you reckon?

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