A big congratulations to Kiren Modi and Dan Clarke who battled it out among 50 contestants and won the prestigious Make me the Next Model competition last week Thursday. The two winners will feature in future issues of the Next Directory and have hopefully started a fantastic modelling career.

The event staged at a secret venue in central London was an exciting soirée with a fashion-led panel of judges including the beautiful Emanuela De Paula - face of Next and Brazilian Model extraordinaire. The contestants showed us what they were made of, Flawless (of Britain's Got Talent fame) rocked the venue with their body popping street dance and the AW09 fashion show had me scribbling frantically about black sequins and primary brights (more about that later).


I have great respect for the 50 contestants who made it through to the final. Rumour has it that they all had to learn catwalk routines, master their signature walk and grasp the backstage pressure just hours before the show started. Nerves certainly would have got the better of me, but the finalists did well to hide any sign of intimidation and all did brilliantly given the short time span.

The night ended with good food and an invitation to the dance floor, which I happily accepted.
Here are some photos of the event:

Recently I had the pleasure of dining at Veeraswamy - the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in the UK. Established since 1926, it's a London institution and from the moment you enter, you realise why the restaurant has had such staying power.

The warm welcome and stylish waiting service is just one of the highlights. It was refreshing to engage with staff who listened tentatively to my requirements, always on hand with a wealth of suggestions - based on my personal culinary desires and not merely a plug of the day's special.

The menu featured a good range of flavous, including classic favourites such as Kashmiri Rogan Josh and coastal specialties like Sea Bream Paturi steamed with chili and mustard. The food was nicely displayed but not too fussy and the wine menu has been handpicked to compliment by Matthew Jukes, a leading wine author.

I found the restaurant to be an exotic feast both in taste and interior. With a pleasing balance of traditional and contemporary fixtures; the rich damask curtains, grand lighting, mahogany undertones and ornate details did well to transport me to Maharaja's palaces of the 1920s. Yet the modern sculptural art on display brings you back to the 21st Century.

The à la carte price averaging at £55 per head for a 3 course meal including wine - a worthy investment for a truly exquisite dining experience.


Veeraswamy
Mezzanine Floor,
Victory House,
99 Regent Street,
London W1B 4RS
(entrance on Swallow Street)

Tel: 020 7734 1401
Email: veeraswamy@realindianfood.com
Web: www.veeraswamy.com

Date: 5th - 9th August 09
Location: Potters Fields, London, SE1, United Kingdom
Admission: FREE

The Nokia Skate Almighty returns, the event combines live music and an open roller disco, giving you the perfect excuse to wear hot pants or some glam 80's get up. Skates are provided at the event, but there's no harm in making a fashion statement with neon coloured rollers of your own.

Don't miss this opportunity to throw some fabulous shapes to the sounds of Littleboots, Calvin Harris, The Hoxtons plus more of the UK's hottest bands. Tickets available online. What a way to get into the groove.

Order online: skatealmighty.nokia.co.uk

Date: Tuesday 4th August 09
Time: Evening (but the tradition is to get there early!)
Location: Odeon West End, Leicester Square

If you love a good romcom and enjoy the occasional celeb spotting, head down to the premier of 'The Ugly Truth' tonight. The new release, due to hit the UK screens on the 5th of August, is having the red carpet roll-out. The cast of the film are expected to make an appearance, along with much anticipated support from industry personalities and fellow movie stars.

The film stars Katherine Heigl as Abby Richter, a lovelorn TV producer who, despite a long and arduous search for the perfect mate, is hopelessly single. The battle of the sexes heats up when her employers team her up with Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), an opinionated TV celebrity who plans to put Abby through the wringer to prove his own theories about what makes men and women tick.

Reviews of the film have been mixed; a few film critics have labeled it as a 'hit and miss' comedy whilst word on the net has been more positive; the general consensus being, it was better than expected. I anticipate that it'll never come close to Sex and The City or a classic like When Harry Met Sally, but I imagine it's a feel-good film with a decent story line. Something to watch with the girls before heading out for Dinner and drinks I reckon.

Mixed reviews aside, the premiere should have a good dose of eye candy by way of Eric Winter - the guy next door and eligible doctor who causes Katherine Heigl's character Abby's comical bunny boiler tenancies. Other members of the cast include Gerard Butler, John Michael Higgins, Nick Searcy, Kevin Connolly and Cheryl Hines.


See the trailer here
Visit: www.thetruthisntpretty.com

NOTE: This information was sourced from All In London who receive news of film premieres from inside sources. I cannot be held responsible for inaccurate information.