Latest news with #Violette
Powys County Times
07-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Daughter of World War II heroine attends Powys VE Day event
THE daughter of a World War II heroine executed by the Nazis officially unveiled a memorial in the Powys village where she lives last weekend, as celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day got underway. Violette Szabo was a British-French secret agent, recruited by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent during the war, having initially joined the Women's Land Army and later enlisting in the Auxiliary Territorial Service – the women's branch of the British Army during World War II. On just her second mission into occupied France, Violette was captured by the German army, interrogated, tortured and deported to Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she was executed, aged just 23. She was a posthumous recipient of the George Cross. Tania Szabo, born to Violette and her French husband Etienne on June 8, 1942, has called the village of Cilmery, near Builth Wells, home for some years; and it was here that she unveiled a bench last weekend, honouring the last native Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, who was killed near the village, and which houses a monument to him. The unveiling of the bench was part of a day of celebration at Cilmery's Prince Llewelyn Inn on Sunday, May 4, with the pub hosting a commemorative event celebrating 80 years since VE Day. Refreshments and a buffet was provided by the pub's landlords, Julie and Adrian Beach, along with entertainment for children and rousing 1940's music. Members of Cilmery Community Council unveiled the 'Cilmery Bench', which sits just across the road from the pub. It was finely crafted by local blacksmith Kevin Preece, with thanks extended to Jewsons for supplying the materials. The bench is engraved with ' Llywelyn ap Gruffydd ' and an outline of the village monument to celebrate Llywelyn's connection to Cilmery. To complete the VE Day Commemorations, Tania recalled the heroic contribution that her late mother made to the Allied effort during World War II. Violette, as an SOE agent, went into France on June 7, 1944, on just her second mission, but was captured only three days later. She, along with two other SOE agents, Denise Block and Lilian Rolfe, was executed on February 5, 1945. After she and Etienne were married, Violette became a switchboard operator for the General Post Office in central London, working throughout the Blitz. However, bored by the job, she enlisted in the ATS in September 1941. She was stationed in Cheshire but returned to London in early 1942 when she learned she was pregnant. After giving birth to Tania, she sent her daughter to childminders while she worked at an aircraft factory. Étienne was killed in action on October 24, 1942, having never seen his daughter. It was Étienne's death that made Violette accept an offer to train as a field agent in the SOE, as she saw this as her best way of fighting the enemy.
Fashion Network
01-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Oh My Cream ! buys British beauty e-tailer Naturisimo
French beauty concept-store Oh My Cream ! continues to pursue its external growth strategy. After buying the Atelier Nubio brand following court proceedings at the beginning of the month, Oh My Cream ! has bought Naturisimo, a British e-tailer described as a 'clean beauty pioneer.' 'This acquisition is a unique opportunity to showcase Oh My Cream !'s philosophy and clean beauty range to a wider British audience. The Naturisimo community shares our values and passion for expert, effective and desirable beauty. We are delighted to welcome them to the Oh My Cream world,' said Juliette Lévy-Cohen, who founded Oh My Cream ! in 2013. This strategic acquisition, whose value has not been divulged, marks a new milestone in the development of Oh My Cream !'s business in the UK, a market the brand entered in 2022 and where it currently operates three stores. By the end of the year, Oh My Cream ! is planning to open another two or three stores in the UK. Naturisimo was founded in 2008 by Robert and Sophie Wills, and will officially become part of Oh My Cream ! in mid-May. Its website will redirect to which sells brands such as Victoria Beckham Beauty, Herbivore Botanicals, Goop and Violette_FR, as well as Oh My Cream !'s proprietary brands Oh My Cream Skincare, Combeau and Atelier Nubio. At the same time, brands featured on Naturisimo, such as Innersense, Evolve, Madara and Dr. Hauschka, will be added to Oh My Cream !'s assortment in the UK. Oh My Cream ! said it is definitely open to future external growth opportunities aimed at broadening its proprietary brand portfolio and strengthening its position in key European markets. The firm is backed by the Eutopia and Experienced Capital investment funds, and reportedly generates a revenue of approximately €40 million. The brand has 31 concept stores between France, the UK and Belgium, and is planning new openings in Paris in the near future.
Fashion Network
30-04-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Oh My Cream ! buys British beauty e-tailer Naturisimo
French beauty concept-store Oh My Cream ! continues to pursue its external growth strategy. After buying the Atelier Nubio brand following court proceedings at the beginning of the month, Oh My Cream ! has bought Naturisimo, a British e-tailer described as a 'clean beauty pioneer.' 'This acquisition is a unique opportunity to showcase Oh My Cream !'s philosophy and clean beauty range to a wider British audience. The Naturisimo community shares our values and passion for expert, effective and desirable beauty. We are delighted to welcome them to the Oh My Cream world,' said Juliette Lévy-Cohen, who founded Oh My Cream ! in 2013. This strategic acquisition, whose value has not been divulged, marks a new milestone in the development of Oh My Cream !'s business in the UK, a market the brand entered in 2022 and where it currently operates three stores. By the end of the year, Oh My Cream ! is planning to open another two or three stores in the UK. Naturisimo was founded in 2008 by Robert and Sophie Wills, and will officially become part of Oh My Cream ! in mid-May. Its website will redirect to which sells brands such as Victoria Beckham Beauty, Herbivore Botanicals, Goop and Violette_FR, as well as Oh My Cream !'s proprietary brands Oh My Cream Skincare, Combeau and Atelier Nubio. At the same time, brands featured on Naturisimo, such as Innersense, Evolve, Madara and Dr. Hauschka, will be added to Oh My Cream !'s assortment in the UK. Oh My Cream ! said it is definitely open to future external growth opportunities aimed at broadening its proprietary brand portfolio and strengthening its position in key European markets. The firm is backed by the Eutopia and Experienced Capital investment funds, and reportedly generates a revenue of approximately €40 million. The brand has 31 concept stores between France, the UK and Belgium, and is planning new openings in Paris in the near future.
South China Morning Post
18-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- South China Morning Post
How to make your home bloom, plus 5 tips for the perfect floral display: from choosing seasonal blossoms and the best vase, to creating stunning arrangements and ensuring sustainability
Flowers have always been considered an important element in interior design and continue to bloom in various forms across the home, from prints and patterns on furniture and textiles to art on the wall. Whether you want to create a look that's cool and contemporary or traditional and elegant, florals lend themselves to a multitude of different styles and tastes, making them the ultimate design tool. Incorporating fresh blooms inside the home is also one of the easiest and simplest ways to showcase the transformative power of flowers in interiors. The Violette arrangement from Libertine Flowers at Lane Crawford. Photo: Handout Advertisement 'Flowers, like the way you dress, can make a personal style statement. They're also an accessible way to update an interior space or bring newness,' says Alison Whittle, founder and director of Libertine Flowers at Lane Crawford in Hong Kong. 'In addition to their aesthetic appearance, the aromas they release can completely change the ambience of a room. Flowers can elevate our mood, reduce stress and even allow us to sleep better,' she says. Creating a floral display in your home can be as simple or complicated as you want it to be. Over the years, florists have offered up a plethora of unique styles to emulate, from the avant-garde to the extravagant. Modernists will love the centuries-old Japanese art of ikebana, which prizes aesthetics along with balance, harmony and understated elegance. A striking display of phalaenopsis (moth orchids) and snake grass by Armani Fiori. Photo: Handout Single-stem arrangements are making a comeback and are the epitome of minimalist chic. Foraged florals have also been trending in celebrity homes, highlighting wild seasonal varieties that look as though they've been plucked from your back garden. Identifying the perfect space for your blooms is the first step, as this can affect the size and type of arrangement. Basics such as natural lighting should also be considered to ensure that your flowers look vibrant and stay fresh for as long as possible. 'It's best to identify what you want in the size and shape of the flower arrangement. Where is it going in the space? Do you have a vase you want to use? What will fit best in that vase? And is there a colour palette you want to use to highlight that space?' says Michael Woodcock, co-founder of Pretend Plants & Flowers in Los Angeles, whose celebrity clients include Chloë Sevigny.
Axios
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Violette serves up fancy pastries and desserts
Acting on the belief that some of Austin's best food can be found in its (relatively) low-rent strip malls, I recently stopped by Violette Bakehouse, a patisserie that opened in November. It's by the corner of East Dean Keeton and Medical Arts streets, just across from the University of Texas and right by a CPL lab — so you can celebrate your blood draw with an exquisite éclair. The scene: Low-key fancy. Little tables in front of a display of delectables. You can go savory, with gorgeous small quiche (broccoli-cheddar or chicken-tomato-zucchini, $5.15) and flaky ham-and-cheese croissant ($5.85), or sweet. Dig in: I grabbed a slice of vanilla flan cake, which looks a little like a cheesecake ($4.95), a just-what-the-doctor-ordered pain au chocolat ($4.85) and a berry vanilla mousse ($6.25), which, with its beautiful little rosette on top, was almost — almost — too pretty to eat. Worth mentioning: Stephanie Dmytryk, the French owner of Violette, told me after my visit that she did her training in France — and has two French diplomas, one in pastries and the other one in pastries, chocolate, candy and ice cream. Six-word review: The best of Paris, in Austin. 📍 If you go: Violette is open Wednesday to Friday 7:30am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 6pm and Sunday 8am to 2pm.
