Keynote Speaker

Lauren G

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Articles
64
Views
456,000
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Member Since
Feb 2007
Lauren is an academic researcher. Her PhD examined the construction of cool identities in consumer culture. Previously, Lauren has worked as a management consultant and in market research. She spends a lot of her spare time indulging in fashion and popular culture.
Chic-onomical Virtual Outlets
Chic-onomical Virtual Outlets
The Outnet.com is Outlet for Net-a-Porter.com
Online shopping just got a bit cheaper. Natalie Massenet of Net-a-porter.com will soon be opening The Outnet.com, which is the outlet site for Net-a-Porter.com. Jumping on the bandwagon on a phenomenon… MORE
Illuminated Cosmetics
Illuminated Cosmetics
ModelCo 'Big City Bright Lights' Makeup Lets You Primp in the Dark
ModelCo has come up with a solution for those wanting to discretely put their face on in taxis and clubs. The Big City Bright Lights collection is comprised of cosmetics with in-built LED lights and mirrors.… MORE
Alternative Modelling Agencies
Alternative Modelling Agencies
Le Freak, C'est Chic
The Alternative Modelling Agency is the brainchild of Australians Peter Coulson and Samantha Shields, an agency created to give greater representation of alternative beauty in the mainstream media.  Since… MORE
eBay Revenge
eBay Revenge
Ex-Wife Airs Husbands Dirty Laundry
An Australian woman has turned to eBay for the ultimate form of revenge. Seller "Anna" found a lacy pair of black underpants "size humongous" and an empty condom wrapper "size small" in her bed after… MORE
Real Gold Beauty Threading
Real Gold Beauty Threading
24K Gold Facelift
The newest facelift on the market is the gold thread facelift, which involves a 24-carat gold mesh framework being sewn permanently under the surface of the skin. The patient remains awake as four yards… MORE
Olympic Street Style- Beijing Locals Embrace the Celebrations
Olympic Street Style- Beijing Locals Embrace the Celebrations
The Chinese have demonstrated their creativity with some cool interpretations of Olympic street style. Trips to the barber have taken on an Olympic flavour as locals have embraced the Games' motifs. Some… MORE
Sartorial Olympics
Sartorial Olympics
Ralph Lauren Fashion for Beijing Olympics
Not only did Ralph Lauren create the opening and closing ceremony outfits as well as village wear pieces for the US team, but it has now been revealed the Olympic collection will also be available to buy… MORE
The Celeb Lesbian Fascination
The Celeb Lesbian Fascination
Britney Spears As "Faster Pussycat" Lesbian Killer
Troubled singer Britney Spears is gearing up to play a killer lesbian in Quentin Tarantino's remake of the cult classic Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! The pop star was reportedly hand-picked by the Pulp… MORE
Racist Photoshopping
Racist Photoshopping
L'Oreal Denies Whitening Beyonce
Cosmetics giant L'Oreal has been accused of lightening Beyonce's skin tone in a new Feria hair colour advertisement featured in the September issues of Elle, Allure and Essence in the US. In the two-page… MORE
Reality TV Bullying Scandals
Reality TV Bullying Scandals
Vogue Snubs Australian Top Model Winner
The latest winner of the Next Top Model franchise in Australia, 16 year old Demelza Reveley, has been denied the top prize, with Vogue editor Kirstie Clements declaring the young model did not warrant… MORE
The Death of Dirty Magazines?
The Death of Dirty Magazines?
Playgirl Folds
After 35 years of nude dudes, Playgirl magazine has called it quits and will only be available online in the future. Nicole Caldwell, Playgirl's editor-in-chief, confirmed that "Playgirl is going all-Web.… MORE
Race Against a Million Others
Race Against a Million Others
Nike+ Human Race (With Free Apple Music)
On August 31, Nike and Apple will be hosting one of the world’s largest one-day running events, The Nike+ Human Race 10K, where 1 million+ runners will don their iPods to race in 25+ locations around… MORE
Brick Testament
Brick Testament
Re-Telling the Bible in LEGO
Rev. Smith is the sole creator of the Brick Testament, the largest and most comprehensive illustrated Bible in the world with over 3,600 LEGO illustrations that retell more than 300 stories from The Bible.… MORE
Dictator Dolls
Dictator Dolls
Knit Your Own Hitler
Designer Rachael Matthews has created controversy with a set of knitting patterns for woolly models of the world's most evil dictators. Her new book has designs for a dozen dictators, with a photo of… MORE
Wearing Live Creatures As Accessories
Wearing Live Creatures As Accessories
Fish Bling
The latest fad among teenage girls in China's Chengdu city is wearing live small, living fish encased in plastic pendants as jewelery. Vendors say the fish can live up to three months in the sealed containers,… MORE
Hotels for New Mothers
Hotels for New Mothers
Maternity Wards in Plush Hotels
Australian hospitals are setting up maternity units, complete with 24 hour access to an on-site midwife, in five and four star hotels, with transfers by limousine. Women who have uncomplicated deliveries… MORE
Hands-Free Dog Walking
Hands-Free Dog Walking
Doog Walkie Belt
An Australian company, Doogb>, has come up with a way to make dog-walking easier and cleaner - the walkie belt. The belt is designed so that you can be ‘hands free’ when taking your dog for a walk.… MORE
Statement Shoes
Statement Shoes
Walking Hot in Spring 2008
The statement shoe trend began when Miuccia Prada observed, "The obsession with handbags has finished a little now. It feels over. It's about shoes." Gaia Geddes, executive fashion and jewellery editor… MORE
Musical Creativity
Musical Creativity
Bulgarian Idol Contestant Goes Viral Botching Miriah Carey
A contestant on Bulgarian Idol is fast becoming a global cult favourite…. for simply botching Miriah Carey’s music. Valentina Hasan is a 29 years old ‘singer’ from the... MORE
Celebrity Leggings
Celebrity Leggings
Lindsay Lohan's Hosiery Line
Right on the back of Rachel Bilson's collaboration with DKNY, it has been confirmed that Lindsay Lohan is to design her own legging line. Given that Lindsay was once photographed for 21 days straight wearing… MORE
Celebrity Sex Dolls?
Celebrity Sex Dolls?
Lindsay Lohan and Sarah Jessica Parker Get Inflated
Lindsay Lohan and Sarah Jessica Parker have been recreated as blow-up sex dolls as new additions to the Pipedream Products line of the inflatable toys. Clearly the celebrities have not authorized their… MORE
Banning Controversial Ads
Banning Controversial Ads
Kotex Beaver Ad
An Australian tampon company has pushed the boundaries of advertising, with a television campaign showing an attractive, young woman and her pet beaver eating lunch, having their nails done, at the hairdresser,… MORE
The New Size 0
The New Size 0
Virgin Models
Moving on from size zero, the big look right now is the “sacrificial virgin.” In other words, the gangly and underdeveloped girl who is hoped to be the latest new face. “You want to make your stamp with… MORE
The New Lesbian
The New Lesbian
Gayelle
A group of lesbians unhappy with their title have launched a world-wide movement to change the name of their sexuality to "gayelle" due to a "persistent distaste for the word lesbian" which they argue… MORE
Meet the Trollsen twins
Meet the Trollsen twins
PETA's War on "Hairy-Kate" and "Trashley"
PETA has launched a website called 'Meet the Trollsen twins' on which they have renamed the Olsen sisters, "Hairy-Kate" and "Trashley". The site has a 'Fatal Fashion' interactive dress-up section, complete… MORE
Hairpieces for Cats
Hairpieces for Cats
Kitty Wigs
Who said little dogs are the only ones allowed to have dressing up in wigs? For $50 (USD) you can dress kitty up in a wig as "pink passion" or "bashful blonde." Each wig comes in a metal wig case with… MORE
Live Puking Becomes Viral
Live Puking Becomes Viral
TV Hostess Loses Control; YouTube Enables Embarrassment
One of the most significant trends related to web 2.0 is the rise of viral video. In particular, the shameful fascinations of humanity appear to spike in popularity. Earlier, we covered how Miss South… MORE
Anorexia Billboard Shocks Milan Fashion Week
Anorexia Billboard Shocks Milan Fashion Week
As Milan fashion week begins, fashion brand Nolita has released an advertisement depicting a naked anorexic woman to highlight the effects of the illness. Written above the photo of the woman are the words:… MORE
Elitism on Facebook
Elitism on Facebook
Cool Enough For ClubOne?
For a lot of people, Facebook is a convenient way to keep in touch with others. But Zach Wade also suspected that an equal amount of users use their Facebook profile to project "an ideal image of themselves".… MORE
French Delicacy Nears Extinction
French Delicacy Nears Extinction
The Ortolan
The ortolan is a copper-breasted bird that migrates from Africa to Europe. Thought to represent the soul of France, it is also a bite-size delicacy: a songbird roasted and gulped down whole. According… MORE
Making Celebrities Ugly
Making Celebrities Ugly
Planet Hiltron
Planet Hiltron is a blog dedicated to reverting the flawless images of celebrities that we are constantly bombarded with. A kind of celebrity culture jamming which shows the true powers of Photoshop.… MORE
Dancing Inmates
Dancing Inmates
1,500 Filipino Prisoners Re-enact Michael Jackson's "Thriller"
The latest viral sensation are videos shot in the prison yard of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Centre in the Philippines, which show several large-scale dance routines with impressive… MORE
Oxford Uses Facebook to Find and Fine Students
Oxford Uses Facebook to Find and Fine Students
University of Oxford officials are using Facebook to find - and fine - troublemakers. After exams, students traditionally indulge in a spasm of "trashings" - rowdy revels that include dousing classmates… MORE
Skydeck 88 Observation Deck
Skydeck 88 Observation Deck
Glass Cube Protrudes From Building
Skydeck 88 is part of the newly erected Eureka building in Melbourne, Australia. Eureka currently stands as the highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere. Rather than having a standard observation… MORE
Free Tickets for Virgins
Free Tickets for Virgins
Play Takes an Unusual PR Spin
The producers of an off-Broadway show are giving away free tickets to anyone who can demonstrate his or her virginity is still in tact. The comedy "My first time", opens on July 28 and is based on a decade-old… MORE
Donating Gets High Tech
Donating Gets High Tech
From Giving Kiosks to Frequent Flyer Miles
Churches are embracing financial institutions and technology to generate donations. An Episcopal Church in Texas is allowing parishioners to give tithes and offerings automatically through their credit… MORE

Featured Ideas

Celebrity Leggings
Celebrity Leggings
Lindsay Lohan's Hosiery Line
Right on the back of Rachel Bilson's collaboration with DKNY, it has been confirmed that Lindsay Lohan is to design her own legging line. Given that Lindsay was once photographed for 21 days straight wearing… MORE
Spooky Paintings
Spooky Paintings
Works of Art that Watch and Talk to You
Do you ever have the feeling that you're being watched? If you purchase a one-of-a-kind handpainted work of art by artist J. Richel then you'll be getting the heeby jeebies on a daily basis. Pictured is… MORE
Wonderbra of Men's Swimwear (Follow-up)
Wonderbra of Men's Swimwear (Follow-up)
AussieBum Sells 250,000 Wonderjocks
Last November, we featured the AussieBum Wonderjock, a range of men’s swimwear designed to “lift and promote” - even when the water is chilly - has been unveiled in Australia. Local lads label aussieBum… MORE
The New Size 0
The New Size 0
Virgin Models
Moving on from size zero, the big look right now is the “sacrificial virgin.” In other words, the gangly and underdeveloped girl who is hoped to be the latest new face. “You want to make your stamp with… MORE
Stars Bite Back
Stars Bite Back
Lawsuits Against Eating Disorder Allegations
A raft of high-profile Hollywood women have bitten back after claims about their slender frames. Winslet has won a "substantial donation'' to an eating disorder charity from Grazia magazine over a claim… MORE
Anorexia Billboard Shocks Milan Fashion Week
Anorexia Billboard Shocks Milan Fashion Week
As Milan fashion week begins, fashion brand Nolita has released an advertisement depicting a naked anorexic woman to highlight the effects of the illness. Written above the photo of the woman are the words:… MORE
Men in Women's Pants
Men in Women's Pants
Male Shoppers Flock Toward Stove-Pipe Skinny Jeans
Major jeans labels are reporting a spike in denim sales, as boys are buying female styles of tight-fitting, stove-pipe jeans. “We’re finding lots of blokes buying and wearing our skinny, stove-pipe style… MORE
SJP is no Carrie Bradshaw
SJP is no Carrie Bradshaw
Bitten Slammed by Fashionistas
Sarah Jessica Parker's fashion line "Bitten" has received the same response from fashionistas around the globe: boring Fashionista.com noted "We're surprised by the line's lack of signature shapes/ prints/… MORE
Dancing Inmates
Dancing Inmates
1,500 Filipino Prisoners Re-enact Michael Jackson's "Thriller"
The latest viral sensation are videos shot in the prison yard of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Centre in the Philippines, which show several large-scale dance routines with impressive… MORE
Illuminated Cosmetics
Illuminated Cosmetics
ModelCo 'Big City Bright Lights' Makeup Lets You Primp in the Dark
ModelCo has come up with a solution for those wanting to discretely put their face on in taxis and clubs. The Big City Bright Lights collection is comprised of cosmetics with in-built LED lights and mirrors.… MORE
World's First Sexy Supermarket
World's First Sexy Supermarket
MPreis
MPreis, a chain of supermarkets in western Austria, bills itself as the world's first "Sexy Supermarket" through its use of stylish architecture and interior design. For the last 15 years Mpreis has… MORE
Dictator Dolls
Dictator Dolls
Knit Your Own Hitler
Designer Rachael Matthews has created controversy with a set of knitting patterns for woolly models of the world's most evil dictators. Her new book has designs for a dozen dictators, with a photo of… MORE
Pop-Up Nightclubs
Pop-Up Nightclubs
Kubik
Located near Berlin's river Spree, Kubik's modular design literally glows in the dark, with dozens of conventional 1000-litre water tanks used to create a temporary installation. On the weekends the tanks… MORE
Junkyard Cinema
Junkyard Cinema
Outdoor Entertainment Experience in a Junkyard
Pushing the boundaries of the growing outdoor cinema experience in Australia is the Junkyard Cinema, literally a cinema set up in an old junkyard in a bohemian part of the city of Melbourne. Inspired… MORE