Body Talk: 20/10/2010

GOK WAN AT WHITWORTH ART GALLERY: TV star Gok Wan launched the Vodafone World of Difference programme in Manchester last week. The aim was to find 500 people UK-wide who are passionate about putting something back into their local community. During the event Gok met high school pupils from Our Lady’s Sports College in Blackley and the Manchester Enterprise Academy in Wythenshawe, who each have benefitted from the work carried out by the youth mentoring charity ReachOut! based in Hulme. Speaking at the event, Gok told Confidential health and beauty editor, Lynda Moyo: “Most of the charity work I do is done off camera so it's not important that people know I'm involved, it's just important to me that I am involved. I’m all about confidence and feeling good about yourself, that why this programme fits so well with my personal ethos." He also cited actor Stephen Fry as his inspiration, saying: "What he does is phenomenal. He's my big charity icon." Of course Lynda couldn't let Gok leave without asking him for his biggest fashion tip for women this winter, but proving he's more substance than style, Gok replied "Just feel good about yourselves."

HAIRY LEGS ARE FASHIONABLE? American brand, J.Crew are the talk of cyber town this week thanks to their new tights range. The fawn version of their lace tights priced at $22.50, resemble hairy legs when viewed from a distance. The J.Crew website fails to mention this uncanny resemblance however, preferring to describe them as ‘an essential ingredient in the season's textural mash-up.’ Next up, make-up that enhances wrinkles...

WE’RE ALL GOING NUDE when it comes to underwear according to a survey by stain removal brand, Dr Beckmann. The poll found that 72 per cent of women now opt for nude or flesh toned lingerie when shopping rather than classic white and black briefs or fancy lacey sets. Debenhams also supports this finding with nude sales up 38 per cent increase year-on-year. Psychologist Donna Dawson said: “A nude or flesh-coloured bra denotes a personality that is natural, easy-going, down-to-earth and transparent. This woman is relaxed, with nothing to hide.”

MANCHESTER GIRL UP FOR COSMOPOLITAN AWARD: Emma Needham from Manchester, has been shortlisted for a Cosmopolitan Ultimate Woman of the Year Award 2010. The 19-year-old has been nominated in the Ultimate Fearless Female award category after she helped save a suicidal woman's life after tending to her whilst negotiators were on their way. Emma said of the moment she approached the woman, who was sat on a motorway bridge: “She was sitting on the ledge. I couldn’t reach her, as she was beyond the safety fence, so I sat down as close to her as possible, and made eye contact. I pushed my hand through the fence and persuaded her to hold it. Every time she let go, I coaxed her back. I couldn’t hug her, but that was the next best thing.” After an hour, the woman decided she was ready to come down. The 2010 Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of The Year Awards will take place on 2 November in London. Look out for an interview with Emma on Body Confidential in the coming weeks.