FITZWILLIAM INSTITUTE

Barbie turns 50 this year but the classic doll was still turning heads at New York’s semi-annual Fashion week as models styled as Mattel Inc.’s fashion icon took to the catwalk in designer outfits. Crowds overflowed at the eagerly awaited show which is part of a year-long celebration for Barbie’s birthday which Mattel, the world’s largest toy maker, is using to try to make Barbie fashionable again and boost flagging sales. As pink curtains parted to show video images of Barbie over the years, the first model hit the runway in a black and white bathing suit reminiscent of the first generation Barbie. The runway was taken over by models in dresses designed by 50 top names in the fashion world such as Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Tommy Hilfilger and Calvin Klein. ”Barbie is the quintessential American icon. She represents a woman’s first experience with style, transcending generations and cultures; she holds a special place in the fashion world and is an inspiration to many designers,” said Hilfilger in a statement. The designs portrayed past, present and future looks of the classic doll in colors like black, red and pink and in styles that included long blond pony tails and futuristic hairstyles. But pink was a dominant theme at the event, with dresses paired with pink peep-toe shoes by designer Christian Louboutin.
 In keeping with Valentine’s Day, Barbie’s beau, Ken, made an appearance on the runway as Barbie’s white shirt read: “Every Barbie needs a Ken.”The show was one of many steps that Mattel is taking to revitalize its core doll line among older girls who have dumped Barbie for more edgy dolls such as MGA Entertainment’s Bratz range or for video games and other electronic toys. 
Other events this year include plans to open the brand’s first flagship store in Shanghai in March, hold a Barbie exhibit in Paris, and run a four-day National Barbie Doll Collector’s Convention in Washington, D.C., in July. Source 
  

Slumdog Millionaire Oscar Win ‘Worth £9m’  The boss of Britain’s biggest cinema chain says a win at the Oscars for the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ will be worth millions of pounds to its makers.  

Odeon Cinemas chief executive Rupert Gavin told Sky News that picking up one of the iconic golden statuettes will push the rags to riches tale into the top flight of UK movies. 
“If you get the winner and it’s a British winner it really helps the box office. 
“That would mean it’ll probably be in the top five films in this country for this year. Literally coming from nowhere.” The film about a young man from the streets of Mumbai who is accused of cheating after winning a 20 million rupee jackpot in a quiz show has already grossed £21m in Britain alone. 
Mr Gavin says picking up an Oscar would add another £9m pounds to that figure. “If it wins I can see it going to 30 million.” ’Slumdog Millionaire’, which had a budget of just £10.5m, is hotly tipped to scoop a host of prizes at the 2009 Academy Awards. Source  

Movie Extras.ie wins Fair City deal   

MovieExtras.ie has won the contract to supply all extras for hit soap, Fair City.  
Derek Quinn, Managing Director of MovieExtras.ie, says, “We’re delighted to be working so closely with Fair City, and to be able to offer our members an exclusive opportunity to be involved with this Irish institution!”  
Shooting of the soap takes place from Tuesday to Friday in RTE studios and at various locations around Dublin City. MovieExtras.ie members are also eligible to take part in lots of other productions including adverts.
A member recently played the lead character in a high profile TV advert for which he will receive E3,000 for his day’s work! Other productions that the organisation are involved with include George Gently 3, Primetime and Podge and Rodge. Roles are available for those who are available part time, and there is no need for members to have any experience or be a member of Actors Equity.  Source 

Aer Lingus accused of misleading ads The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) in Britain has confirmed that it has received a number of complaints about an Aer Lingus advert.  

The ad, which is still on their Website, offer an “all-in” fare to several european destinations for £9.99. Although some one-way flights are on offer at the £9.99 price, dates and availability are limited.
The £9.99 price also fails to include a “handling fee” of £4 for each flight. The complaints claim that Aer Lingus should clarify whether the flights are single or return and that the price should read “from £9.99″ to adhere to advertising regulations. Concerns were also raised over the failure to include the £4 handling fee in the headline price. “We have really brought operators into line on these sort of issues, so complaints regarding airline have become quite a rarity,” said an ASA spokesman  Source