This Fall, Nike Sportswear brings its classics to a whole new level by introducing the ninth member to its family of classics – the Air Max 1. Charged with updating a classic of Nike design, 1987’s Air Max 1, the Nike Sportswear Footwear Design Team dialed up technological innovations and re-mastered the performance and design of the original.

“We took the original Air Max 1 design brief and ran it through a present-day filter,” says Nike Sportswear Design Director Jesse Leyva. “We tried to solve the very same problems Tinker Hatfield did with the technology of that time, using the technologies and Nike sporting innovations of today and tomorrow.”

Leyva and his design team focused on lightweight stability and cushioning, resulting in a staggering 66% weight reduction from the original, with the Air Maxim coming in at a mere 10.1 ounces. “From a performance standpoint we had no intention to take a step back,” Leyva insists. “It was paramount to be true to the original design brief and make a running shoe that can perform to the highest standards, while retaining its original design lines and iconic color. We’re very proud of the results.”

Fans of Nike Sportswear will also be pleased as Nike’s classics are yet again reinvented in deep rich hues of purple, turquoise and burgundy, with an attention to detail in its designs such as gold-plated zippers. Short of time to dress in the morning? Pick from a wide range of Nike Sportswear tees, pair with denim and grab the Eugene jacket which will keep you warm in the freezing lecture hall. Girls will find the long tops a no-brainer too, with the option of layering it with tights, paired with the classic Skinny Dunks decked out in funky prints this season.

Check out Nike Sportswear now at the Nike Concept Store at Wisma Atria, #02-20A.

Once again, the never ending exams are here! All different education institutes, be it from primary to polytechnic, will probably be “mugging” just to achieve a satisfying piece of results slip! So here are some of the tips used by students in order to dominate the exam hall!

1) If you are wandering off to dreamland while burning the midnight oil, and there are never ending assessments waiting for you, here is one miracle drink prescribed by Mother Nature millions of years ago: water! By drinking one big cup of it at one go, it helps by bloating your stomach, not allowing you to sleep peacefully! And also by drinking cold water, it helps to refresh your mind as well! Now you know how precious water is?

2) Besides drinking water, apple juice and almonds are known to help to improve memory! If not, try the ancient Chinese mythology of eating pig’s brain to nourish the little hard drive in your head!

3) In order to have a good mind, one needs to have a good physique! Studies have shown that keeping fit allows blood circulation, making your mind more alert! Playing sports can also helps to relieve stress caused by exams!

4) Revise, revise and revise! Did you know that human minds can only retain 20% of what they studied the day before and you will forget them in another 48 hours? So no matter how boring the subject is, revising is the key!

5) Besides all the studying, your brain needs to re-charge as well. Sleeping is a very important part in studying and remembering what you have learnt. Do sleep for an average of 6 hours for your mind to rest!

Do take note of these pointers and be a brainy person for the exams! Good luck!

Conventions bring to mind boring things - travel fairs, medical expos and sleep-inducing talks. Instead of people in drab business suits, storm troopers and C3PO from Star Wars roamed the halls. Never would you expect to see fun stuff like games, comics and even cosplaying, but it was all there at the Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention.

The Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention (STGCC) 2009 was held from 14 – 16 August 2009 at Suntec City Convention Centre Hall 401 and 402. Many companies, from Nintendo and Hasbro, to individual artists like Brian Bolland, were featured there.

You had to study for the exams over the weekend? Those who went realised that there were delightful toys that caught their interest. After all, staring at the wall as you pretended to study can be just as bad as actual studying.

At the convention, there were many knick-knacks to make the time pass quicker. One interesting toy was the Magic Pet which retailed at $12.95. This cute jellyfish could be put into a bottle of water and performed endless tricks just by squeezing the bottle.

Another quirky product from Japan was the Infinite Bubble Wrap. It was a tiny product that could be hung onto a keychain, allowing a bored person to never stop popping bubbles. Supposed to mimic the feeling of popping those pesky bubble wraps, waiting for a friend has never been this fun.

Aside from toys, the art-centric person had plenty of things to look out for too. The lucky ones grabbed that special chance to obtain autographs from famous artists like Gary Baseman and Tan Eng Huat.

Works of artists, from institutes and studios like Singapore Polytechnic and Raffles Design Institute, as well as work-alone artists could also be seen. At the Imaginary Friends Studios booth, you could view drawings of characters on Photoshop in real time.

The Local Horror Hip-Hop Comic booth was another interesting booth, with shirts that appealed to the rebellious youth on display. An eye-catching shirt had two teens, displaying both patriotism, with a necklace of the Singapore flag, and disobedience to authority, in the likes of American gangs, on it.

There was something for every teenager in this convention. The Wii, Guitar Hero and Nintendo DS were all playable. A screening of the Green Lantern movie, the finale of the Ultimate PLAY Babe competition and a cosplay contest were all scheduled. For the money-conscious, giveaways happened throughout the day.

If you are regretting missing out on STGCC 2009 now, fret not. With the success of this year’s convention, you can start looking out for next year’s convention.

Love or hate her, one thing is for certain. Her catchy tunes are undeniable and world domination is inevitable. Back in town for the second time, BRYAN CHRISTOPHER YEONG finds out that the Lady, is after all, only human.

You’ve moved more than 10 million digital singles. Do you think artists should move away from CDs and focus on the online media instead?

Online media doesn’t mean you’re only buying singles. I absolutely think that the audience should buy records too. I sold 3 million albums worldwide, which today is not a small feat. I’m not a singles artist, but I’m lucky and very happy that I’ve sold so many singles. It’s wonderful it is for music as an entity that you can download a song to your cell phone. One song, in 30 seconds and there you are on your way.

Paparazzi was an incredible video. You paid homage to pop legends that actually have a story to their music videos. How was shooting it like?

It was very stressful. I was having a mental breakdown for two days because I wanted it to be perfect and I spent about four months planning it. I’m very involved, it’s not just about me singing in front of the camera rubbing my t**s. I’m talking about lighting; I’m behind the camera. It’s one of the most creative experiences.

You collaborated with Marilyn Manson on LoveGame and it’s fabulous. How did that happen?

We were chatting through friends, sending each other messages. There was one night I was in LA and he was in the opposite studio working. I put in a call to come over and do some work. And I went over to the studio and we had a great time. The first thing we did was to listen to each other’s records. His new material, my new material and we started to sing.

Speaking of your new material, will it be similar to The Fame? Or will it be something very different, maybe something along the lines of the acoustic version of Poker Face?

There will be lots of new things. I don’t write in one way, I can write in lots of different ways. So The Fame: Monster is like life after The Fame.

What is your greatest aspiration and would you consider yourself as a future music icon?

I don’t think it’s very lady-like to consider yourself as a future music icon. I’m more concerned with doing this for the rest of my life because it makes me happy. But if my second album fails, I’ll still be playing music, in bars. I wouldn’t give up and become a librarian or something.

What would you say is your source of inspiration?

It really depends. I see colors, I hear sounds. Other times, it’s very emotional. Especially my piano based song writing. I always find myself crying, eyeliner all over the keys. I am making an effort to challenge myself as an artist to not hide in my humor so much, and my songwriting. If you listen to The Fame, there is some painful sentiment but it’s always kind of masked with something humorous. So I’m experimenting with really challenging myself to not hide in my humor, to tell people how I feel. I think that people will really get to know me more, as a woman, on this record.

Lady GaGa “LIVE” in Singapore!

Date: 12th Aug

Time: 8.00pm

Venue: Fort Canning

TICKET PRICE (Exclude Booking Fee)

Group Purchase (Min 5 Tickets) - S$85

Standard - S$95

Event Day - S$105

http://www.sistic.com.sg

Keane “LIVE” in Singapore!

Date: 13th Aug

Time: 8.00pm

Venue: Fort Canning

TICKET PRICE (Exclude Booking Fee)

Group Purchase (Min 5 Tickets) - S$85

Standard - S$95

Event Day - S$105

http://www.tdc.sg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGvRSul-itk