Despite being in possession of a name with somewhat geriatric connotations (lets just say it's up there with Beverly and Ethel), it's the perennial eccentricities of impish English model Agyness Deyn that remind us why she thoroughly deserves the acclaimed status of fashion muse.

With Olympic-fever pervading national and international media outlets once again, a swag of associated socio-political concerns have been brought to a necessary fore. Whilst we may, as global citizens, be desperate to alleviate pressing calamities, the sheer size of these devastating circumstances and mass human rights abuses can often seem beyond the realm of personal ability to aid.
Then again, maybe not.
Team Darfur is a non for profit organization comprised of over 400 athletes, which seeks to publicly elucidate the unprecedented violence in the war-torn Darfur region. Co-initiated by US Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek (who is unable to attend the Beijing Games following the retraction of his Visa by Chinese authorities), the advocacy group has called for an 'Olympic truce', which would see a pause in all global conflict and a subsequent opportunity for government mediation during the games period. Since 2003, over 2.5 million people have been completely displaced as a result of the Western Sudanese conflict. Member athletes of Team Darfur, such as Lopez Lomong, are utilizing their status to raise awareness about genocide. Lomong, who is the designated flag bearer of the US Olympic team, was only six years old when he was kidnapped by a militia group from a Sudanese Church to be trained as a child soldier. He managed to escape and walk for three days to Kenya, where he endured ten years imprisonment in a refugee camp before his eventual immigration to the US. You can do your bit by giving some encouragement and words of thanks to Lomong and the other Team Darfur athletes here. These athletes need more resiliance than some sweaty physical training can provide to make an audacious political stand in Beijing.

British authorities recently celebrated a small 'win' following the news that the infamous incognito - guerrila graffiti artist Banksy - no longer assumed the ambiguous identity of masked vandal. After a year of intensive investigative reporting, the Daily Mail controversially claimed to have uncovered 'the Scarlet Pimpernel of modern art' last month as Robin Gunningham, an unassuming Brit brought up in middle class suburbia. The only clue rests in a photograph allegedly picturing Banksy in Jamaica with a spray can at his feet. Having continually perpetuated an aura of uncertainty in regards to his identity - with age, name and location always a mystery; this discovery initially seemed one of gargantuan proportions, if it was indeed true. Banksy's satirical street art purporting subversive political messages has not always been embraced on the public domains it encroaches upon, with local councils such as Tower Hamlets in London immediately removing all of his works. However, the whereabouts of Gunningham have so far been impossible for the paper to trace, with the man's own mother denying that she ever had a son. It seems that the anti-authoritarian mastermind has evaded detection once again.

Turning up at the wrong time or location tends to ruin your entire day - and, if you're a glass half empty kinda kid, your entire life. When I was eight years old I was completely overcome with anticipation for the forthcoming Puff the Magic Dragon concert. Arriving arm in arm with my mother a day late to a set of bolted doors and half torn advertisement posters was definately the catalyst for several weeks of heartache. Save yourself uneccessary pain and write a memo cos' independant Sydney Gallery, China Heights, has just moved to Crown Street, Darlinghurst. Check out their new exhibition 'Scratching the Surface', featuring the work of Trent Edward and Phil Harkness, from 6pm tonight at the brand new location. It's always nice to be aware of things.

When I think back to my childhood, there are several scarring visuals that immediately come to mind - gaudy friendship bracelets, overalls, multi coloured body glitter - you get the point. Well it seems that some designers are reinventing these rather horrific trends, possibly to the visual detriment of, well, the entire world. Sass and bide's SS09 range saw fashion week models sporting cornrows and hair diamontes, with Camilla and Willow quickly following suit. Here's hoping the capricious fashion world discards this, er, unique fad sooner rather than later.

I have no doubt that you're still a little bitter if your expeditious mouse-clicking abilities failed to secure you a highly coveted ticket to this years Splendour In the Grass festival. I make such an assumption because I too am still a little bitter. Luckily for those of us in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the chance to catch a piece of the festivities is as easy as heading to Albert Hammond Jr's pre-Splendour concert. Along with Matt Romano, Mark Philippe Eskenazi and Josh Lattanzi, the scruffy Strokes guitarist-turned-solo-artist promises to deliver a night of 70's inspired, bluesy revelry. Not quite the entire Byron Bay lineup - but definately one of its best. Check out his website for ticket details.

 

To most, a quick sojourn in a sleepy Californian coastal town would pretty much be synonymous with utopia. That is, until the monotony of fishing, fishing and uh, fishing set in. The debut album of folk-pop collective Port O'Brien, All We Could Do Was Sing, echoes the frustration of sea-weary fellows, constricted by the confines of their small-town surrounds. Emerging in early 2005, the band quickly developed a distinctive sound; flowing melodies supplemented by mandolin, harp and banjo, accoustic torrents building to mass choruses and pensive, melancholy lyrics interpolated with notably nautical connotations. Songs like I Woke Up Today (ultra catchy and played constantly on Triple J) embrace an epic, Arcade Fire style energy in all their illustrious glory. Having supported the likes of Modest Mouse, Rogue Wave, The Cave Singers and Bright Eyes, this is definately one little seaside band destined for bigger things.