Hi everyone, Just wanted to let you know about a new online magazine by a good friend of mine called Tia. She is a brilliant creative lady and graphic designer and has created this magazine called State of Play.

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Deadlines can be stressful but a fantastic event awaited myself and CLOUD 9 film Director, Nicolas Dazet, if we managed to complete the new Quiksilver Kelly Slater film in time for the San Sebastian Surf Film Festibal.

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THE dream team : Me (and my lovely N.Y.C dress !) Sancho and Daz

We worked every hour of the day and night in the weeks leading up to the festival and there were some tense moments as we edited to the required 52 minutes, inserted graphics, spell-checked, had music rights approved, sent the script off to be subtitled and locked 4-times world champion, Mark Richards, in the sound studio with us to narrate the film from beginning to end.  There were times when we doubted we would have the film ready but we buoyed up each other’s spirits and thanks to a fantastic team effort, as the planned world premiere drew near, all I had left to write was the credits and ‘THE END’!

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San Sebastian is a wonderful city and the locals really know how to have a good time.  The Festibal, run by the hugely energetic, Sancho and his crew, is held in the Teatro Principal in the centre of the old town, which has a regal, antique decor and a real buzz when the crowd filter in from the nearby bars.  I was there on Thursday night for a screening of my Irish film ‘Waveriders’ so I had two excuses to dress up in two of the most gorgeous silk dresses in the Quiksilver Women collection.  When you have films, technicalities and guests to think about, it really helps to have dresses that you can throw on without too much effort and feel instantly relaxed and ready to stand on the stage and present the film in Spanish!

Looking amazing and confident with the Sixty Forty dress (Fall 09) and Somerset Cardigan

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The World Premiere of CLOUD 9 was a real success.  Daz and I both gave a speech and we were joined by Basque local Quiksilver surfer, Aritz Aranburu, whom the crowd obviously adored.  The film follows Kelly behind the scenes as he aims for his ninth world title, while the likes of Tony Hawk, Dane Reynolds and Jeff Hakman give their views on the world’s best surfer.  Kelly could not be with us on the night but he was with us in spirit as the audience gazed in awe at some amazing action footage.  Many commented how they felt they had grown to know Kelly during the film.  The soundtrack includes Quiksilver sponsored young musician, Ben Howard, who wrote the track ‘Cloud 9′ especially for the film and I could hear some of the crowd humming as we left after the final credits rolled.

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With the job done, we could finally relax and enjoy the local pintxos and a glass (or 2) of Rioja.  Thanks to the Festibal and to everyone, friends, family, Gabe, Marta, Peyo and all who came to support our night.

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Muchas gracias, me encanta Donostia!

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Look out for screening times of CLOUD 9, which will now be released around Europe.  Times and venues are on the main Quiksilver site.

Inside "El Teatro Principal" - San Sebastian

Daz and I : job done!

Her platinum blond tresses are the first thing you notice as she sits down next to you, but as soon as the word “wicked” pops out of her mouth you know you are sitting next to a full on rock-chick.

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This New Zealand girl made her mark on the music world at 16 years old, when she won a US-based International Songwriting Contest. Her song “Hallelujah” struck a cord with it poignant lyrics as she poured out the pain she experienced after losing her father to cancer.

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She has gone on to become a singer/songwriter known all through New Zealand and Australia, and with her alluring sound she is now casting her “wicked” spell throughout the US.

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Quiksilver Womens Australia grabbed the opportunity to have her represent the brand and showcase the kind of woman who rocks out in our clothes.

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Her style is Rock-and-Roll meets Little Bow Peep. She mixes charcoal rimmed eyes with bright and happy bows and tops it all off with her shock-white hair. She is one to watch and definitely one to hear.

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She is our Quiksilver Woman of the Week.. Gin Wigmore.

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The year is wrapping up.. well not really the end of the year.. but it is the time when things come to an end - the end of school, the end of our favorite TV dramas, the end of days filled with 9 to 5 in exchange for summer vacations.

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These endings also bring along celebrations, and with celebration comes the need and demand for a fabulous dress. You want to be the girl that stands out and shimmies and shakes her way on to the dance floor.

A perfect remedy to your celebration dress desires? The Lake Victoria Dress.

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Wear it for any occasion. For high time and fancy keep it chic with towering heels and piled on pearls. For relaxed and cool bring it down to earth with motorcycle boots and loose flowing hair.

It is the perfect twist of modern romance, and sure to wow at any and every celebration.

Buy The Lake Victoria Dress now !