Latest news with #Serbian-born
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
Historic modernist textile studio sold to coalition for £279,000
The former textile studio is located on the A707 near Selkirk in the Borders, and has been listed as a category A risk building since 2002. A coalition made up of The Bernat Klein Foundation, the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, as well as support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund secured the building on Wednesday for £279,000. Professor Alison Harley, chair of trustees of the Bernat Klein Foundation, said: 'We are delighted that after many years, the future for Klein's Studio looks very bright. READ MORE: Scottish Labour councillor suspended for 'bullying' member of the public 'We would like to thank everyone who has supported our efforts so far and we look forward to sharing plans and progress over the months ahead.' Built in 1972 for famous textile designer Bernat Klein and designed by modernist architect Peter Womersley, it was once the centrepiece of the textile industry in the Borders. (Image: Phil Wilkinson) Serbian-born Klein had international renown after his designs for famous fashion houses such as Chanel and Dior before his death in 2014, aged 91. The estimated cost for a full restoration by specialists is predicted to exceed £3m. Dr Samuel Gallacher, director of the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, said: 'Buying the building was just the first step in this exciting project. 'The scale of the repair and restoration required at Peter Womersley's Bernat Klein Studio is extensive and will take many months.' Once the work is completed, the studio will return to its original use as a design studio as well as being a permanent base in the Borders for the Bernat Klein Foundation. A crowdfunding campaign to help obtain further funds for the restoration has raised £33,000 and remains open until August 8.
The National
23-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Bid to save run-down studio in Scottish Borders of renowned designer
Bernat Klein, the Serbian-born designer who died in 2014, collaborated with major European fashion houses such as Dior. Nestled beside the A707 between Galashiels and Selkirk, the Category-A Listed Bernat Klein Studio is a striking piece of late Modernist architecture by Peter Womersley, built in 1972 as a creative hub for Klein. The building's owners have put the studio up for auction at a bargain price of £18,000. READ MORE: More than 100 jobs lost as IT firm enters administration as legal challenge launched Now Scottish Heritage Building Trust (SHT) has joined forces with the National Trust Scotland and the Bernat Klein Foundation, with support from The National Lottery [[Heritage]] Fund Scotland, in a bid to save the building from ruin and bring it back into public and community use. The venture has also garnered the support of Scottish Borders Council. A spokesperson for SHBT said: 'Our organisations have been working behind the scenes for several years to try to find a way forward for one of Scotland's most important twentieth-century buildings. 'Now, with the Category A-Listed studio set to be sold by public auction at the end of the month, we have launched a coalition project aimed at purchasing and restoring the building alongside a programme of public engagement. 'The first priority is to secure ownership of the property and prevent further deterioration. We are delighted that support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund gives the coalition the confidence to back a competitive bid for the building and have a plan for much-needed emergency repairs. 'To give us the best chance of success in acquiring the building at auction, SHBT is launching an urgent fundraising appeal to raise as much support as possible. 'It is estimated the full cost of restoration undertaken by specialists could exceed £2.5 – £3 million. If successful in purchasing the building, SHBT will oversee the delivery of a repair and restoration project working with the National Trust for Scotland and a range of conservation and architectural specialists. 'Once complete, it is intended the building will provide a permanent base in the Scottish Borders for the Bernat Klein Foundation as a new venue to inspire creative arts in the Scottish Borders.' Conceived as both a working studio and exhibition space, it celebrated the intersection of industrial craftsmanship and artistic vision. It is a two‑storey concrete and brick structure with powerful horizontal cantilevers, wide frameless glazing, and a brick-clad central service core – housing stairs, kitchen, and toilets – to free up the perimeter for workspaces and storage. Influenced by Wright's Fallingwater and Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House, it has been described as a 'modernist masterpiece of structural elegance integrated into its wooded landscape' but has been in a state of decline for more than 20 years. David Robertson, chief executive, Scottish Borders Council, said: 'Peter Womersley's Bernat Klein Studio is a proud part of our architectural heritage in the Scottish Borders. 'We are fortunate to have so many of his buildings in our area. Given this importance, we have been encouraging a sustainable long-term solution for Womersley's Bernat Klein Studio, located between Selkirk and Galashiels, for some time. (Image: Phil Wilkinson) 'We are delighted to support this coalition of heritage and arts bodies who offer an exciting future for this building which will strengthen not only our local heritage but provide new creative and economic opportunities for our region.' Donations and pledges of support for the campaign to acquire and restore Bernat Klein Studio can also be made directly to Scottish Historic Buildings Trust through Millie Leadbetter-Wilcock, millie@ 0131 220 1232. The property is being auctioned by Savills.
Pink Villa
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Who is Novak Djokovic's wife Jelena? From high school sweethearts to conquering the world stage
Serbian-born Jelena Djokovic has been Novak's teammate since they were young. They first locked eyes at high school in the late 1990s and weathered eight years of long-distance challenges. After college, she moved to Monte Carlo and took on a corporate job in order to be with him. However, when Novak's career demanded relentless travel, she made a bold leap: dropped everything to travel with the Olympian. Today, she directs the Novak Djokovic Foundation, champions early education in Serbia and helps raise their two children. A love story beyond the baseline Jelena and Novak met as teenagers at the same high school in Belgrade, Serbia. According to ELLE magazine, the pair got to know one another over tennis drills and study sessions. They dated for eight years, during which Jelena earned a luxury brand management scholarship to Bocconi University in Milan, while Novak chased early tennis success. With both juggling demanding schedules and long distances, their relationship often relied on meticulous planning and faith: 'I was a student barely getting by, and he was a very young tennis player who also had no money to spare on expensive trips… Airplanes were, at the time, something utterly out of our reach,' she told Hello! After Jelena graduated, she moved to Monte Carlo to be with Novak. At that time, she briefly took up a corporate job before choosing a life on the road with him. After Novak's 2013 proposal in Monte Carlo, they married in July 2014 at Aman Sveti Stefan—just four days after his Wimbledon victory. Their son Stefan arrived that October, and in September 2017, their daughter Tara joined the family. Leading the way for a cause that matters Beyond family life, Jelena now leads the Novak Djokovic Foundation. Since 2007, the Foundation has advocated for the early education of children in Siberia, having built preschools, trained teachers and supported families across the country. Between tournaments and charity events, the Foundation's National Director also makes time for life at home. While the couple has chosen to keep their children out of the public eye, Jelena has occasionally shared glimpses into their time together. Whether courtside or behind the scenes, she remains Novak's constant.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool target Kerkez ditched surprise career before life-changing phone call
Milos Kerkez looks set to clinch a big-money move to Liverpool from Bournemouth this summer and the talented Hungarian left-back has walked a long-winding road to Premier League stardom having also spent time in Italy with AC Milan Milos Kerkez originally wanted to be a swimmer - now he's itching to make a splash at Liverpool following two remarkable seasons at Bournemouth. The tenacious Hungarian left-back's spectacular growth has certainly come as no surprise to the Anfield hierarchy. Reds sporting director Richard Hughes, formerly of Bournemouth, played a fundamental role in the £15.5million deal that brought Kerkez to the Premier League with the Cherries in 2023. The explosive AZ Alkmaar starlet, now 21, had already agreed personal terms with Lazio after netting against the Italians in the UEFA Conference League before a late intervention from Hughes swung the balance. Bournemouth's pitch to the Kerkez family was centred around his development and unlocking his superstar potential. Their belief in his talent has since been vindicated in emphatic fashion after the all-action full-back was included in the Premier League's Fan Team of the Season following a stellar campaign under Andoni Iraola. Kerkez's relentless energy and impressive consistency has charmed Liverpool, who regard him as the perfect heir to Andy Robertson's throne as club-to-club negotiations continue between the parties. However, his electrifying displays had also left a notable impression upon Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, among others. Serbian-born Kerkez is no stranger to big-name interest, in fact, he already has a firm grasp and understanding of the dedication and quality that is required to succeed at one of the world's best clubs having previously signed for AC Milan from Hungarian outfit Gyor in 2021. Rossoneri legend Paolo Maldini, Milan's sporting director at the time, had studied video footage of the fresh-faced prospect upon the recommendation of club scouts and he pulled out all the stops to pip Juventus to the highly-coveted teenager's signature. In a late dash to beat the transfer deadline, the Italian icon even sent a private jet to Hungary to conclude the deal. Kerkez later explained: "They left no stone unturned, if Paolo Maldini calls you personally, then you shouldn't think too much, you have to go! As a child, I watched many videos of him, we talked a lot and he gave me lots of advice, when you're talking to the best left-back in the world, every word is worth paying attention to." While Kerkez did not earn first-team minutes besides a practise match, he trained alongside the likes of Theo Hernandez, Rafael Leao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and also played against a Liverpool side that featured Conor Bradley and Jarrell Quansah in the UEFA Youth League. He was humble enough to concede that physically, he "could not compete" with Milan's array of high-profile stars but when the Serie A giants pushed to send Kerkez on loan, he instead opted to seal a permanent switch to AZ, where he caught the eye of Arne Slot, despite receiving various offers from Germany. The Hungarian international no longer looks, nor feels, remotely out of place on the world stage and his impending arrival at Liverpool looks poised to propel Slot's champions to even greater heights. Kerkez's stunning rise to prominence, via six different countries, is a glowing reflection of not only his sacrifice - but his monstrous mentality. Shortly after deciding to ditch his swimming aspirations to prioritise his football career as an eight-year-old, Kerkez - released from Hungary's national team camp on Saturday morning ahead of his impending switch to Merseyside - moved to Austria where he spent five years with Rapid Wien. When the world later stood still in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, he would pick the brains of Gyor team-mate and former Watford striker Tamas Priskin on what it was like to play in the Premier League. Fast-forward five years and national treasure Kerkez is already on course to eclipse Priskin's 63 international caps for Hungary, having already made 23 appearances for his country. Kerkez, whose old brother plays as a left-back for Aris FC in the Greek Super League, is poised to become the second most-expensive Hungarian ever following compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai's £60m switch to Anfield from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Predicting Auburn basketball's starting five after Tahaad Pettiford's return announcement
Predicting Auburn basketball's starting five after Tahaad Pettiford's return announcement Tahaad Pettiford's return is huge for Auburn basketball. Here's a look at how the Tigers could line up next season. Auburn basketball locked in its final roster pieces Wednesday by signing Serbian-born forward Filip Jovic and reeling in Tahaad Pettiford from the NBA draft. The roster moves not only excited the Auburn fan base, but put the finishing touches on the 2025-26 roster. Despite Pettiford's return, Auburn fans will still need to get familiar with the new-look roster, as a bulk of last year's Final Four roster has departed from the team due to either graduation or the transfer portal. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl and his staff worked tirelessly to find experienced pieces to fill those gaps this offseason, and managed to put together a solid mix of strong scorers and lockdown defenders. Now that the roster is built, how will the new-look Tigers lineup look next season? Here is our projection for the Auburn Tigers' starting five for the 2024-25 season. Guard 1: Tahaad Pettiford 2024-25 stats: 38 games played | 1 start | 11.6 PPG | 2.2 RPG | 3.0 APG Pettiford's return to Auburn is crucial, as he is the lone piece from Auburn's Final Four team remaining on the roster. Pettiford was a bench piece last season, but will transition easily to the starting point guard role. Reserve: Kaden Magwood Guard 2: Abdul Bashir 2024-25 stats (Casper College): 31 games played | 31 starts | 27.2 PPG | 3.8 RPG | 4.2 APG Bashir joins Auburn's roster as the No. 1 overall JUCO prospect from the 2025 recruiting cycle. He is a proven scoring threat, having reached double digits in points in all but one game last season and scoring 40 points four times. Pearl believes that Bashir will become one of the program's next great shooters and has potential to become a dominant player in orange and blue. Reserve: Kevin Overton Wing: Keyshawn Hall 2024-25 stats (UCF): 33 games played | 33 starts | 18.8 points per game | 7.1 RPG | 2.4 APG Hall led the Big 12 in scoring last season and is looking to bring his high-scoring profile to the SEC. He brings help to the board game as well by logging 6.2 rebounds per game over his three-year career, which included a 7.1 mark last season. Reserve: Sebastian Williams-Adams Forward: Elyjah Freeman 2024-25 stats (Lincoln Memorial): 31 games played | 28 starts | 18.9 PPG | 8.7 RPG | 2.3 APG Freeman has large shoes to fill this season as he is projected to take over the four position that Johni Broome occupied over the last three seasons. Freeman was the second-leading scorer at Lincoln-Memorial last season, but was a worthy defender as well. He pulled down a team-best 197 defensive rebounds per game with 54 steals and 23 blocked shots. Reserve: Filip Jovic Center: Keshawn Murphy 2024-25 stats (Mississippi State): 34 games | 3 starts | 11.7 PPG | 7.4 RPG | 1.6 APG What is meant to be will always find its way. Murphy, a native of Birmingham, was a high-priority target for Bruce Pearl during his high school days and is now a Tiger after joining the roster from the transfer portal last offseason. Murphy brings a 6-10 frame to the center position, as well as a strong scoring a rebounding presence. He has one season of eligibility remaining, which will allow JUCO center Emeka Opurum to develop into the role for next season. Reserve: Emeka Opurum Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
