Alex Consani: Stuns in Jacquemus New ‘Winter Retreat’ Campaign

Our favourite IT girl, Alex Consani, returns for the new Jacquemus winter collection campaign titled ‘Winter Retreat,’ just in time for the harsh winter months. Known for their pervasive campaigns, vibrant styles, and audacious statements, the two icons are simply a match made in heaven! Jacquemus’ collection is bold and brilliant, with a modern twist, encapsulating the winter season in traditional designer style.


Spotlighting a limited-edition collection, the campaign showcases a collection of must-have ready-to-wear pieces and accessories for the holiday season. The Jacquemus collection offers comfy, monochromatic beige, cream, and white pieces, ideal for capturing a snug and chic look. Combine this with the range of winter must-haves like scarves, gloves, and beanies, and you’ll have everything needed to embrace winter in style and warmth. Shot by multi-disciplinary artist Lisa Jahovic, Consani is captured in a beautiful light, displaying the iconic and stylish pieces Jacquemus is distinctively known for. The brand is shown in a new light, making the collection stand as a statement on its own.

The collection sees the return of many classic items, revamped in true Jacquemus style, with new shapes on iconic designs like Rond Carré, Le Bisou, and Le Rond making a comeback with soft fabrics and new seasonal shades. The Le Rond is crafted with soft leather and outlined with shearling. Le Bisou comes as a shoulder bag silhouette and a daring chain, with options of silver, red, and black. Possibly the star of the show, the Rond Carré is available in full shearling as a clutch bag or its new medium silhouette. The collection displays a complete winter wonderland of comfort and fun, and Consani’s natural, sleek, and polished look makes her the perfect model to showcase these new redefined looks.

Nominated for the Fashion Awards 2024 Model of the Year, inspiration to many, Alex Consani successfully encapsulates the playful campaign in her true Gen-Z style. Consani’s confident and vibrant personality completes Jacquemus’ winter collection; she wears the clothes in a style and manner which makes them seem effortless and sophisticated. It’s clear to say that the clothes aren’t defining her; she’s defining them.

From Pub Gigs to Global Stardom: Sam Fender is back with new music and album tour, ‘People Watching’.

Poppi Andelin takes a deepdive into Sam Fender’s career, from playing North Shields pubs and open mics to selling out in-demand stadium tours.

From pulling pints in North Shields to headlining sold-out stadiums world wide, the evolution of Sam Fender serves as a testament to the power of his raw musical talents. After taking a break to focus on his mental health, Sam Fender has bounced back into the scene with brand new music and the recent announcement of his upcoming album People Watching (2025), set to be released early next year.

It all began for Fender at the age of 8, when he learnt how to play guitar, and it wasn’t long after that he was performing small gigs with his best mate Dean Thompson; playing riffs at family events and covering songs from their inspirations of Jeff Buckley and Bruce Springsteen. The music landscape consumed Fender from a very early age, raised by his dad who was a singer/ songwriter, and grew up listening to the likes of the Beatles and Donny Hathaway. There’s absolutely no shock there that many of his songs are now inspired by 80s hits, and sculpted by an incredible indie sound that makes so many of his tracks unapologetically his own. 

By the age of 18, Sam Fender was performing intimate gigs in local pubs. This included the ‘Surf Cafe’ in Tynemouth and the Low Lights Tavern in North Shields where he worked pulling pints – little did he know at the time, this would be a venue that held deep significance as the starting point to his professional musical career. Imagine working a usual shift one night at your local, and leaving with the recognition from what was Ben Howard’s record manager at the time. Well, that’s exactly what happened to Sam Fender. Working his usual, pulling pints, and getting told to quickly whip out his guitar and play a few of his songs as Owain Davies sat in the pub to celebrate winning a Brit Award. After being recognised and praised for his talents, it wasn’t long until he was taken on as a client in 2013. 

What I admire most about Fender, both as an artist and as an individual, is his unwavering connection to his roots- a quality that undeniably keeps him grounded. Even after winning a Brit award in 2019 for best ‘Rising Star,’ he chose to place the trophy on the bar at the ‘Low Lights Tavern, where it now serves as a pump for one of the beer taps. It’s a perfect reflection of his extraordinary humility and his commitment to never forgetting where the journey for him began. It also means that if you’re ever in North Shields, you can see it for yourself… And nothing screams Geordie more than getting your pint pulled from Fender’s very own Brit award.

Sam Fender’s musical breakthrough came in the year of 2017, with the release of tracks like ‘Play God,’ ‘Millennial,’ and ‘Start Again’, marking his socially conscious songwriting. From the outset, his lyrics tackled pressing issues, critiquing capitalism in ‘Play God’ and addressing social media addiction in ‘Millennial’. These songs, as well as later releases, explored themes of working-class hardship, mental health struggles and tough realities, reflecting on himself growing up in the North East. Thus, through his music, Fender gave a voice to a generation facing similar challenges in modern life. This was later grounded in 2019, after his first hit, ’Play God,’ was added to the FIFA19 soundtrack, exposing Fender and his music to many consumers who were perhaps around his age and possibly going through similar life experiences that were reflected in his songs. 

The year of 2018 then saw Fender release his first EP, Dead Boys (2018). More of his greatest hits appeared here, some including ‘Poundshop Kardashians,’ ‘That Sound,’ and ‘Leave Fast.’ The track ‘Dead Boys’ was inspired by the deeply personal loss of his friends to suicide, prompting Sam Fender to confront the topic of male suicide in his songwriting. It has since become a recurring theme in his music, reflecting the pressing issues faced by many of his listeners in modern society. After the success of his debut EP, Fender released his first album in 2019. Hypersonic Missiles (2019) was constructed of hits from his EP and other very successful new and older singles that were released prior; some including ‘Play God,’ ‘That Sound,’ ‘Hypersonic Missiles,’ ‘Saturday’ and ‘Will We Talk?’. 

2019 was a year that immensely took off for him as an artist, and also promoted my own experiences of him as an ultimate Fender fan. After meeting Sam Fender at Newcastle train station whilst he was on his way to the Brit Awards (my most ultimate flex in life), it led me to becoming greatly enticed by his live performances in the following years. One of my favourites, and arguably the best gig I have ever personally experienced, was his headlining act at the ‘Mouth of Tyne’ Festival, whereby he played some of his greatest ever tunes in the ruins of Tynemouth Priory and Castle. A location like no other, the performance was a sell-out; and even more fans gathered on the beach side of the venue, as North Shields echoed with his incredible vocals. What makes his performances undeniably his own, isn’t just Fender and his bandmates gallivanting around the stage in Newcastle United shirts, but it’s also the life and energy that they bring to every show. With band members like Deano, Joe Atkinson, Tom Ungerer and Drew Michael, they create a vibrant rhythmic dynamic, while their saxophonist, Johnny ‘Blue Hat’ Davis, consistently delivers the infectious beats that makes their performances unforgettable time and time again.

Since the beginning of his musical stardom, Fender has since gone on to play some incredible gigs. This includes playing Glastonbury in 2022 and headlining Reading and Leeds in 2023. He’s also played two sell-out performances last year in the almighty St James’ Park, an undeniably, possibly bucket-list achievement for the Newcastle born and bred artist, and ultimate through and through Toon supporter. 

The new album People Watching (2025) is said to commemorate a close family friend of the artist, after she passed away in November last year. Fender has explained in interviews that she gave him the confidence to get on stage to show off his talents, and thus the whole album is somewhat connected to her legacy in his life. Some of the tracks include, ‘Chin Up,’ ‘Little Bit Closer’ and ‘Something Heavy.’ After a break from the music scene, Sam Fender is back with new music on the horizon and a sell-out UK and Ireland tour for his upcoming album. The tour will kick off in Dublin at the start of December, where he will later visit Leeds’ First Direct Arena and end on home turf in Newcastle. I anticipate seeing his iconic black and white striped guitar dusted off, as many lucky fans will get to experience the musical bliss of Sam Fender once again. 


Words by Poppi Andelin

Olivia Rodrigo’s new Guts World Tour film isn’t a ‘bad idea, right?’

In a world where live music is becoming arguably inaccessible to many, can people afford to be forking out upwards of £50 on concert tickets? I guess Olivia Rodrigo’s new Guts World Tour film isn’t a ‘bad idea, right?’

After being on the road since February, Olivia Rodrigo has finally wrapped up her GUTS world tour – becoming Billboard’s Touring Artist of the Year. On the 29th of October, Netflix released their version of the tour, live from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, giving fans at home the chance to experience the show from the comforts of their own homes (and bank accounts!)

It’s true that nothing can replicate the feeling of live music, but in this instance, tuning in at home was the only option for many fans. Whether they lost the Ticketmaster war, don’t live near a tour date or they simply couldn’t afford tickets, live tour movies are a way for fans to experience every emotion felt in person, with their personal at-home concert. In the GUTS World Tour film, viewers can experience the heart-wrenching sorrow from Rodrigo’s first single ‘driver’s licence’ to the upbeat and energetic cover of ‘HOT TO GO!’, featuring one of music’s latest stars, Chappell Roan.

A problem many fans face nowadays is actually being able to afford to attend these arena shows, which are sneakily creeping up in price. With mainstream artists having a large fanbase and high demand, they can charge high prices and get away with it. A standing ticket to the GUTS world tour at the new Co-op Live arena set fans back around £90, a price somewhat unjustifiable for many, including students.

As live music for mainstream artists becomes more expensive, tour films are an exceptional way for artists to be inclusive. It’s important for everyone, from young fans to casual listeners to have access to the art of concerts and experience music from big artists (without the hefty price tag!)

Words by Grace Moore

A Universe Unbound: Commemorating 100 Years Since Edwin Hubble Revealed the Andromeda Galaxy

On November 23, 1924, a pivotal moment in the history of astronomy unfolded. Edwin Hubble, an astronomer at the Mount Wilson Observatory, announced, via the New York Times, evidence that the Andromeda “nebula” was not a part of the Milky Way but a galaxy in its own right. This revelation not only expanded the known scale of the universe but also laid the groundwork for modern cosmology, reshaping humanity’s understanding of the cosmos. A century on, we celebrate his groundbreaking discovery and reflect on its profound legacy.

In the early 20th century, the prevailing view of the universe was vastly limited. Most astronomers believed that the Milky Way was the entirety of space, and celestial objects like Andromeda were thought to be “spiral nebulae,” regions of gas and dust within our galaxy. Despite emerging evidence that hinted at a larger universe, the concept of other galaxies remained speculative.

The debate over the nature of these nebulae reached a fever pitch in the early 1920s. Astronomers like Heber Curtis argued that spiral nebulae were separate galaxies, or “island universes,” while others, including Harlow Shapley, maintained that they were part of the Milky Way. The astronomical community lacked the tools and methods to definitively resolve the issue—until Hubble’s work changed everything.

Edwin Hubble’s journey to uncover the true nature of Andromeda began with the Hooker Telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory in California. At the time, it was the most powerful telescope in the world, capable of unprecedented observational precision.

Hubble applied a key discovery made by astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. Leavitt had identified a relationship between the brightness and periodicity of Cepheid variable stars, which allowed astronomers to measure their distances. By observing Cepheid variables within Andromeda, He determined that the “nebula” was far too distant to be part of the Milky Way—approximately 2.5 million light-years away.

This finding was revolutionary. It confirmed that Andromeda was a galaxy in its own right, similar in scale to the Milky Way. Hubble’s announcement effectively ended the “Great Debate” and unveiled a universe teeming with galaxies.

Hubble’s discovery had immediate and far-reaching implications. For the first time, humanity grasped the staggering scale of the universe, recognising that the Milky Way was just one galaxy among countless others. This realisation shifted the focus of astronomy toward understanding the structure, distribution, and behaviour of galaxies.

The discovery also set the stage for subsequent breakthroughs in cosmology. In 1929, he would go on to show that galaxies are receding from one another, providing the first observational evidence of the universe’s expansion and laying the foundation for the Big Bang theory.

Edwin Hubble’s work has had a lasting influence on generations of astronomers. His insights catalysed research into galaxy formation, the large-scale structure of the cosmos, and the mysterious forces driving the universe’s expansion, such as dark energy.

The Hubble Space Telescope, named in his honour, continues to push the boundaries of our understanding. Launched in 1990, this iconic observatory has captured images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and cosmic phenomena, offering glimpses into the early universe and refining our models of cosmic evolution. The telescope has helped determine the age of the universe: now known to be 13.8 billion years. In 2004, the Hubble Ultra Deep Field was released, allowing astronomers to look even further back in the time of the cosmos (Royal Museums Greenwich).

As we commemorate the centennial of Hubble’s revelation, we are reminded of the enduring power of curiosity and discovery. The astronomer’s breakthrough opened the door to an era of cosmic exploration, paving the way for advanced instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope, launched in December 2021, which now peers deeper into the universe than ever before. Indeed, the telescope has found galaxies that are brighter than expected, which may also be more efficient at creating stars. It also discovered the earliest and most distant galaxy yet, JADES-GS-z14-0 (ESA/WEBB).

The Andromeda Galaxy, once a misunderstood “nebula”, now serves as a vivid symbol of our quest to understand the cosmos. Hubble’s work reminds us that the universe is vast, dynamic, and full of mysteries waiting to be uncovered—a humbling and inspiring legacy that continues to guide humanity’s exploration of the stars.

In commemorating this milestone, we honour not only Hubble but also the countless astronomers, past and present, who have expanded our view of the universe and illuminated our place within it. Here’s to another century of discovery.