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Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Currently trending
As the temperatures drop, Josie Steenhart checks in with three of our most loved fashion designers - Kowtow's Dayne Johnston, Juliette Hogan and Sara Aspinall of Company of Strangers - on what's in, what never went out, what they're loving and what they're doing (and wearing) for the winter ahead. What are you most excited about fashion this season? Dayne Johnston: I've always been a winter person - I grew up in Wānaka in a colder climate, so this season just feels right to me. I love the opportunity winter gives you to build out a look and really compose it. It's not just a shirt and trousers; it's a long sleeve under a tee, knitwear under a coat, all those interesting layers. Suddenly your wardrobe becomes more dynamic - pieces you've had tucked away get a second life. You pull them out, rework them and suddenly something old feels brand new. One of the most inspiring moments for me this season was during our campaign shoot, we styled the Kowtow Sienna top over the Landscape trench. That kind of layering, where sleeve lengths clash in the best way, creates depth and texture. It's a reminder that winter dressing can be fun, expressive and thoughtful. Juliette Hogan: I'm especially excited about our Cassia coat - it feels like the ultimate winter indulgence. Beautifully tailored with a refined ease that finishes any outfit. Sara Aspinall: I'm obsessed with shirts at the moment. I love layering them under my knitwear, or worn over a dress or layer like a jacket. We did a long paisley shirt printing like a men's suit lining and I ordered loads of Lela Jacobs knitwear to wear over this print - the colours are so good together. Favourite international winter fashion trend you're hoping will take off here? Dayne Johnston: I'm loving vintage cowboy boots. They've got this history to them - traditional, lived-in and they bring such personality to a look. We styled them into our campaign shoot and they really defined the look. It felt unexpected in the context of our world, but it worked. We did it the Kowtow way - sourcing a vintage pair from one of our team. There's a rugged elegance and story to them. Juliette Hogan: I'm loving the shift away from chunky sneakers towards a more refined, ballet-inspired silhouette. It feels fresh, sophisticated and perfectly complements the soft, layered looks that are coming through this season. Sara Aspinall: I'm quite oblivious to trends, although while in Denmark last year I was so impressed with their sustainability dressing: something new, something old, well-styled together. Great design is always 'trending' in my opinion. Favourite colours/materials/styles coming through? Dayne Johnston: I'm really drawn to the Dark Spice colourway we've just released. It's our seasonal neutral and it carries so much warmth and richness. It's like cinnamon in colour form. We've paired it with forest greens, and those earthy tones are then lifted by the new Protea print, which adds brightness and softness. Together, they bring this elevation to the palette that feels both grounded and refined. We've also been working with ripstop, a utilitarian weave we've made in our Fairtrade organic cotton. It's traditionally workwear, but the Echo jacket and Parker pant we've made from it feel refined and wearable for everyday. It's hard-wearing, durable and versatile. Something you can wear walking the city or just walking the dog. Juliette Hogan: It's always black for me - you just can't beat its versatility and impact. But I'm also drawn to rich, deep greens at the moment. I'm loving the re-emergence of lace too, especially when it's done in a modern, restrained way. Our Rosetta dress is a beautiful example - an elevated, timeless piece that brings just the right amount of texture and romance to winter dressing. Sara Aspinall: Always, for me, natural fibres, wools, cottons. I'm loving our winter shorts - the wool plaid Love shorts - to wear with long boots. I love wearing shorts under dresses too, the Kamikaze dress is a great piece for that. Loving New Lands knitwear colours, they are working so nicely with everything too! Also, starting from the base up with comfortable but beautiful lingerie has become important to me. Ohen, a New Zealand brand in store, is made for women of all sizes - this is a hard market but they've nailed these shapes and great colours. I'm in love with the Sable and Sand colours, so will be adding another Teardrop bra and matching French briefs to the collection! I've road-tested these for over a year and the quality is incredible. We find women with larger cups struggle to find anything sexy and Ohen is perfect for our customers! The winter piece you're most lusting after? Dayne Johnston: The new Kowtow Jasper hoodie, hands down. It's got this fleecy brushed interior that I'm just obsessed with. We're heading into the cold here in Wellington and I honestly might just head downstairs and grab it now. It's the kind of hoodie that feels like a hug. Juliette Hogan: I'm constantly reaching for our Perino knits this season. They offer the perfect mix of warmth, lightness and softness - effortless to layer and they instantly lift every winter look. Sara Aspinall: Every year I want the Lela Jacobs Duster coat, although I seem to always miss out! I am getting a U Turtle in Midnight this year though! What's an old wardrobe favourite you'll be dusting off for the winter ahead? Dayne Johnston: I have this incredible black Raf Simons wool felt coat. I found it in Paris and it was too heavy to wear when I lived in Auckland. But now that I'm in Wellington it's perfect. It's one of those pieces I always take with me to Europe in winter. Juliette Hogan: Tailored black trousers - they really are the ultimate staple. I'll be revisiting our Luxe Suiting styles from past collections - they slot seamlessly alongside new-season pieces and just get better with time. Sara Aspinall: Always my 23-year-old Ann D boots; they work with everything, a wise investment! Also, my Data trench from last winter's collection - we didn't do a coat this year because I don't see why you need a new coat every year if you've invested in a great one already. Also, the colours we did work so well with this collection too - we very much plan our collections to wear with our past and present collection colours. Timelessness is so important. What was the inspiration for your winter collection? Dayne Johnston: The inspiration came from the landscapes around and within us - celebrating the connection we have with our surroundings. We played a lot with scale, proportion and form. I think it's best expressed in the Cityscape print which was born from a long exposure photograph I took on my phone, capturing the lights and reflections on the harbour at night when I first moved to Te Whanganui-a-tara, Wellington. The print feels really special to me and captures the energy of this beautiful place. Seeing this juxtaposed against the earthy tones in our latest drop, really brings the inspiration of the collection together. Juliette Hogan: This season was about resilience and softness co-existing - designing pieces that feel strong yet considered and easy to wear. You see that balance with our tailored outerwear and softer fluid pieces like the Coco Pleat dress, where structure and delicacy meet. Sara Aspinall: Our Midnight Net print, which has the lyrics from my favourite PJ Harvey song 'We Float' scrawled over it. This is the last New Zealand-printed textile we will be able to produce due to the closure of another great manufacturing company. It's critical New Zealand-made is supported so we can see our industry fashion endure. In the Harvey dress and the Kamikaze dress, we played with using existing patterns to repeat or flip to make new shapes and silhouettes, like upside-down sleeves for sleeve details or sleeves as skirt shapes. What are some of your plans for the season ahead? Dayne Johnston: I've just wrapped designing our collection for the second half of 2026 so I'm ready for a bit of a reset. I'll be taking a break, travelling, getting some new perspectives before diving into the next creative cycle. I always find it hard to leap straight from one collection into another - there needs to be a pause. A space to reflect, recharge and redirect. Juliette Hogan: Winter is all about layering and texture for me. I'll be wearing lace dresses layered over black pants, Perino knits under coats and sweaters draped over the shoulders or tied at the neck for added warmth and style - pieces that feel wrapped up but still feeling refined. Sara Aspinall: This winter I'm breaking my usual hibernation pattern and have plans to get to loads of gigs, so I'll be wearing comfortable layers so I can be ready for anything! My Wollow sneakers (a new Danish brand we have in store) - they feel like Birkenstocks but for winter! Worn with my Polly top and probably Lust pants as they are so easy to wear with anything! Also, Lela Jacobs U Arms as they are perfect for throwing over the shoulders or wearing like a scarf. So versatile - I end up tying these around myself when I get hot so I don't lose them!
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Three-generation farming family blocked from development aimed at helping them 'survive'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Corris plan to site five glamping pods as part of a Welsh farming family's diversification intentions has been turned down. Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee rejected an application to change the use of land and develop a small scale holiday development on an area known as Pandy fields. The proposal for the permanent pods and associated parking was rejected, in line with the council's planning officer's recommendations, at a meeting on Monday, May 19. The application had been made by Maisie Sandells, through agent Dafydd Tomos of George and Tomos Penserei (Architects). It had been deferred from the council's Monday, April 28, planning committee meeting for a site visit. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The proposal had been part of a diversification project for a 120-hectare livestock business by H.B Sandells and Sons Farm. Council planners had considered the application "not acceptable" as it meant creating new, permanent alternative camping accommodation within a Special Landscape Area. They said it was also "likely to have a substantial detrimental impact on the amenities of local property owners in terms of more activities, disturbance and noise." Public objections had included the impact on the SLA (special landscape area), light and noise pollution, 'attracting the wrong people' to Corris, an excess of tourism and impacts on biodiversity and local property. A resident who lived at a former medieval fulling mill by the Dulas river, where wildlife such as otters and owls were often seen, told the meeting the area was a place of "peace and tranquillity". They had purchased their home in 2016, on a site of special landscape (SLA) "in the knowledge that it was protected from developments such as this". She described concerns over "substantial impact" on their "well-being and way of life" and cited potential including loss of privacy, light pollution, noise disruption by visitors and the impact of a car park. She was also concerned it would mean more strangers walking around the home boundary, day and night. Local member, Cllr John Pughe Roberts, disagreed, and felt it would "not make much difference," as people already walked on a public footpath there anyway. The development would also not be seen due to woodland and planting between the house and pods, he said. He also questioned the nature of the SLA, adding that local farmers were "worried about the lack of development opportunities for the future". He called for councillors to support the applicants, who were a three generation, Welsh speaking farming family. "Speaking as a farmer's wife," Cllr Louise Hughes said she was also in support. She proposed approving the application against the planning officer's recommendation to refuse "Farmers are up against it," she said, noting it was "a small and discreet" development of only five pods. Her proposal was seconded by Gruff Williams, who said it was now "necessary for farmers to redirect their efforts and to diversify." Cllr Gareth Jones also felt it was "a perfect example of sustainable tourism" and said he did not believe it would have any detrimental effect on local residents. "It is a family farm, which wants to diversify in order to survive," he said Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones said he could not support the scheme, due to it being in a SLA, an area of outstanding beauty. Planning manager Gareth Jones told the committee they had rejected similar applications, and if the decision was to be approved, it would have to be referred to a "deliberation period" and brought back again to the committee. A vote to allow the application failed with five votes in favour, no abstentions, and eight against. A second vote, to refuse the application passed with seven votes in favour, no abstentions and six against. This meant the application was rejected. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr John Pughe Roberts said he was "very disappointed" on behalf of the applicants. It had been hoped that the enterprise could help sustain future generations of the local farming family, he said. (Image: Cyngor Gywnedd plans) "I am extremely disappointed, and it was Plaid Cymru people that voted this down," he said. "More and more young people are leaving Gwynedd in their droves, more than anywhere else due to the need to be able to make a living. Soon there will be no young Welsh speakers left," he said. "These are a third generation Welsh speaking farming family, they should have been given a chance to do this." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
21-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Three-generation farming family blocked from development aimed at helping them 'survive'
A Corris plan to site five glamping pods as part of a Welsh farming family's diversification intentions has been turned down. Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee rejected an application to change the use of land and develop a small scale holiday development on an area known as Pandy fields. The proposal for the permanent pods and associated parking was rejected, in line with the council's planning officer's recommendations, at a meeting on Monday, May 19. The application had been made by Maisie Sandells, through agent Dafydd Tomos of George and Tomos Penserei (Architects). It had been deferred from the council's Monday, April 28, planning committee meeting for a site visit. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The proposal had been part of a diversification project for a 120-hectare livestock business by H.B Sandells and Sons Farm. Council planners had considered the application "not acceptable" as it meant creating new, permanent alternative camping accommodation within a Special Landscape Area. They said it was also "likely to have a substantial detrimental impact on the amenities of local property owners in terms of more activities, disturbance and noise." Public objections had included the impact on the SLA (special landscape area), light and noise pollution, 'attracting the wrong people' to Corris, an excess of tourism and impacts on biodiversity and local property. A resident who lived at a former medieval fulling mill by the Dulas river, where wildlife such as otters and owls were often seen, told the meeting the area was a place of "peace and tranquillity". They had purchased their home in 2016, on a site of special landscape (SLA) "in the knowledge that it was protected from developments such as this". She described concerns over "substantial impact" on their "well-being and way of life" and cited potential including loss of privacy, light pollution, noise disruption by visitors and the impact of a car park. She was also concerned it would mean more strangers walking around the home boundary, day and night. Local member, Cllr John Pughe Roberts, disagreed, and felt it would "not make much difference," as people already walked on a public footpath there anyway. The development would also not be seen due to woodland and planting between the house and pods, he said. He also questioned the nature of the SLA, adding that local farmers were "worried about the lack of development opportunities for the future". He called for councillors to support the applicants, who were a three generation, Welsh speaking farming family. "Speaking as a farmer's wife," Cllr Louise Hughes said she was also in support. She proposed approving the application against the planning officer's recommendation to refuse "Farmers are up against it," she said, noting it was "a small and discreet" development of only five pods. Her proposal was seconded by Gruff Williams, who said it was now "necessary for farmers to redirect their efforts and to diversify." Cllr Gareth Jones also felt it was "a perfect example of sustainable tourism" and said he did not believe it would have any detrimental effect on local residents. "It is a family farm, which wants to diversify in order to survive," he said Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones said he could not support the scheme, due to it being in a SLA, an area of outstanding beauty. Planning manager Gareth Jones told the committee they had rejected similar applications, and if the decision was to be approved, it would have to be referred to a "deliberation period" and brought back again to the committee. A vote to allow the application failed with five votes in favour, no abstentions, and eight against. A second vote, to refuse the application passed with seven votes in favour, no abstentions and six against. This meant the application was rejected. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr John Pughe Roberts said he was "very disappointed" on behalf of the applicants. It had been hoped that the enterprise could help sustain future generations of the local farming family, he said. "I am extremely disappointed, and it was Plaid Cymru people that voted this down," he said. "More and more young people are leaving Gwynedd in their droves, more than anywhere else due to the need to be able to make a living. Soon there will be no young Welsh speakers left," he said. "These are a third generation Welsh speaking farming family, they should have been given a chance to do this."
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
China paints US skies with a mysterious white streak, baffles onlookers
A powerful and unusual geomagnetic storm on the evening of May 17, 2025, courtesy of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun painted the American Southwest skies in brilliant auroras. The storm was so powerful it extended the auroral oval far further south than is normal, enabling residents of states such as Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico to be treated to sheer curtains of red and green light flashing across the nighttime sky. The White Streak: What Actually Occurred In the midst of this natural wonder, a bright, white streak zoomed across the sky, fascinating sky observers and generating far-reaching speculation. Some initially thought it was STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), an atmospheric event. Yet authorities soon established that the streak was neither STEVE nor an ordinary auroral feature. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Girls Show Their Perfect Figure In These Sport Photos Take At Perfect Time True Edition Undo undefined The Actual Reason: A Recent Launch By China The actual reason, as stated by and other accounts, was associated with a recent Chinese rocket flight. About an hour before the streak slid in the night sky, the Chinese firm Landscape had sent its Zhuque-2E methane-burning rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center Site 96 in China . Six satellites were launched into orbit on this mission, including a radar satellite and a space science payload. Live Events The white streak seen streaking across the U.S. was probably due to a de-orbit or circularization burn. These kinds of burns can leave dramatic, glowing plumes visible across great distances, particularly when they are caught in sunlight at high altitudes. China's Growing Space Program and Global Concerns China's space program is expanding steadily, with regular launches and complex missions. Though impressive, these developments also undermine the problems of space debris accumulation and risks posed by rocket stages and other equipment re-entering the atmosphere or making burns over populated regions. Previous incidents, such as the 2023 re-entry and burning up of a Chinese rocket over Nepal, have drawn international attention and criticism, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and global cooperation in space activities. The ghostly white trail across the U.S. Southwest was no atmospheric wonder, but the evident mark of a recent Chinese rocket. This phenomenon, against the background of a magnificent geomagnetic storm, highlights the interdependency of human space operations and natural astrophysical events. With China and other countries pushing deeper into space, incidents such as this bring into focus the need for global cooperation and effective space traffic control in order to protect the safety of missions in space and terrestrial life.
Economic Times
20-05-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
China paints US skies with a mysterious white streak, baffles onlookers
A powerful geomagnetic storm created stunning auroras in the American Southwest on May 17, 2025. Amidst this spectacle, a bright streak appeared, initially mistaken for an atmospheric event. It was later identified as a plume from a recent Chinese rocket launch, highlighting concerns about space debris and the need for global cooperation in space activities. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The White Streak: What Actually Occurred The Actual Reason: A Recent Launch By China Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads China's Growing Space Program and Global Concerns A powerful and unusual geomagnetic storm on the evening of May 17, 2025, courtesy of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun painted the American Southwest skies in brilliant auroras. The storm was so powerful it extended the auroral oval far further south than is normal, enabling residents of states such as Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico to be treated to sheer curtains of red and green light flashing across the nighttime the midst of this natural wonder, a bright, white streak zoomed across the sky, fascinating sky observers and generating far-reaching speculation. Some initially thought it was STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), an atmospheric event. Yet authorities soon established that the streak was neither STEVE nor an ordinary auroral actual reason, as stated by and other accounts, was associated with a recent Chinese rocket flight. About an hour before the streak slid in the night sky, the Chinese firm Landscape had sent its Zhuque-2E methane-burning rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center Site 96 in China. Six satellites were launched into orbit on this mission, including a radar satellite and a space science white streak seen streaking across the U.S. was probably due to a de-orbit or circularization burn. These kinds of burns can leave dramatic, glowing plumes visible across great distances, particularly when they are caught in sunlight at high space program is expanding steadily, with regular launches and complex missions. Though impressive, these developments also undermine the problems of space debris accumulation and risks posed by rocket stages and other equipment re-entering the atmosphere or making burns over populated incidents, such as the 2023 re-entry and burning up of a Chinese rocket over Nepal, have drawn international attention and criticism, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and global cooperation in space ghostly white trail across the U.S. Southwest was no atmospheric wonder, but the evident mark of a recent Chinese rocket. This phenomenon, against the background of a magnificent geomagnetic storm, highlights the interdependency of human space operations and natural astrophysical China and other countries pushing deeper into space, incidents such as this bring into focus the need for global cooperation and effective space traffic control in order to protect the safety of missions in space and terrestrial life.
