Star Trek: reviewed

Space, the final frontier. Etc.

With the Design Innovation Award at our awards being based on the release of the new Star Trek film we thought today we would bring you our opinions on the new film, just released, and take a look at the uniforms on show.

First off it's fair to say the film is fantastic. Warp speed pacing, fantastic set pieces, good characterisation and a clever, intricate plot that teeters on the edge of ludicrious but just keeps its balance. The costumes too are fantastic. The aliens, of course, are eye-catching, but even the red, blue and yellow shirts of the crew look dynamic and funky, rather than simple and plain. No doubt given it's 2,300 they have some fantastic wicking properties too. Although if you ask us, the blue should be the top colour, not the yellow / mustard number.

All in all then we feel particularly pleased that the film / cultural reference point we choose for our awards has delivered with as much verve and aplomb as the enteries we received. Certainly well worth a trip to the cinema.

Spicing things up

Mel B, aka Scary Spice, from the Spice Girls - the web 1.0 version of Girls Aloud - is to auction off a selection of the clothing she accumulated during those heady days to raise money for charity.

There's a big trend these days for this. When it's a notable piece of clothing, made famous and iconic through use in a quality film, then it's perhaps understandable that people want to purchase it, especially if that money is going to charity.

But an ex-member of The Spice Girl's outfits? Don't get us wrong, charity money is always welcome, but why a piece of clothing from Scary Spice will encourage, no doubt, people to flash the cash, is beyond our comprehension.

Little gold men

So the Oscars have come and gone, in a triumph of red carpets, gowns and awards, and thankfully no tears from Kate Winslet. Incidentally, did any papers go for "Kate Wins-it"? It's what we would use if we covered such events.

The Best Costumer Design went to the The Duchess - that period drama with Keira Knightley - but Slumdog Millionaire was the biggest triumph of the night - they must be raking it in...

Some nice frocks and gowns and so forth where on display too - a gallery of some of them here - we've yet to spot anything resembling a disaster, but no doubt they happened - if you saw any, or have any opinions on what was on show - dresses or films - let us know using the comments button below!

You can do better than this!

Forget counting down to Christmas, the real excitement is looking forward to the Company Clothing Industry Awards that are to be held at a top London venue on March 12. As you (hopefully) know one of the categories you can enter is the Design Innovation Challenge.

Last time the theme for this award was James Bond to coincide with the release of Casino Royale. The film link continues this time with the new Star Trek film the basis from which those entering need to take their inspiration.

And, as if that wasn't enough to get those pencils sketching, some recent stills from the new film have just been released and, on the uniform sides of things at least, the results are hardly universe-shattering. They look exactly the same as the old ones!

So come on, prove you've got more of a creative mind that Hollywood, and potentially win this prestigious award! You can download the criteria for the Design Innovation Challenge here.