How fashion is saving Italy’s monuments

Published on CNN on 24th May 2013:

Italy is famed for fashion, food and, of course, history.

In fact, Italy has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any country in the world.

As other social needs have taken priority in economically turbulent times, however, the country’s budget for maintaining and restoring some of its greatest tourist attractions has been drastically reduced. While the Italian State Tourist Board said it couldn’t supply statistics,as much as a third of culture budgets (€1.42 billion/$1.83 billion) have been cut over the past three years, according to a September 2012 report in The Daily Beast.

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Think your flip-flops have been through hell? Try a pair of Gandys

Published on CNN on 20th May 2013:

If there’s a single iconic travel fashion accessory, it’s flip-flops.

The universal footwear is worn the world over by backpackers, package tourists, beach bums and wealthy vacationers alike.

It’s a multi-billion dollar industry.

For British brothers Rob and Paul Forkan, flip-flops also represent a memory, a legacy, a way of life and the avenue toward a dream of establishing a successful business, as well as a network of orphanages.

In 2012, the entrepreneurial pair launched Gandys, a brand of colorful flip-flops they hope to make a household name around the world.

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More than 50 British beaches ‘not safe’ under new EU rules

Published on CNN on 7th May 2013:

More than 50 top British beaches would be declared unsafe for swimming under the European Union’s new water safety rules.

The European Environment Agency is to introduce new, stricter guidelines on water pollution in 2015.

The Telegraph has named 55 beaches in England, including popular resorts in Cornwall, Dorset and Hampshire, that do not currently meet the new standards, which would classify beaches as “excellent,” “good,” “sufficient” or “poor.”

“For those classed as poor, beach controllers will be required to display a sign advising visitors not to swim there,” said an Environment Agency spokesperson to CNN.

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European Night of Museums: After-dinner art

Published on CNN on 7th May 2013:

Achluophiliacs with a cultural bent, there’s a night of the year made specially for you.

The European Night of Museums on May 18 will see hundreds of museums across Europe offer after-hours visits.

Organized by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, the European Night of Museums is in its eighth year and coincides with the International Day of Museums.

Many museums, mostly across Europe, will be putting on performances, events and installations specially for the event and for free to the public.

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Vivienne Westwood to design new Virgin Atlantic uniforms

Published on CNN on 6th May 2013:

Virgin Atlantic is trying to go punk.

The airline has announced that the latest designer to be turning her hand to their uniforms is Dame Vivienne Westwood.

The fiery British designer will be bringing her punk rock aesthetic to the signature Virgin two-piece, in a collaboration that will span the next 10 years.

The official announcement said that designer would be going for “a futuristic look, which references her enduring interest in 1940s French couture cutting techniques as well as the Savile Row tailoring heritage.”

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