Rihanna Rocks Religion

Singer, dancer, seductress and trendsetter, Rihanna was spotted today wearing a Religion 'God Save The Queen Sweat on the streets of East London. The girl's got taste...


Buy yours online at House of Fraser or in any of our stores.

Religion interview: Kirk Norcross

Read our chat with star of TOWIE and Celebrity Big Brother, Kirk Norcross. Kirk came into our Brick Lane store and picked up some tees and jeans – plus our Bulldog tee in honour of his pet bulldog Bozo.

What are you doing for the rest of the day?
Just meetings today and radio stuff. Trying to sort my life out really!

What have you got planned at the moment?
I’ve got a book coming out – that’s the focus really this year, it comes out in September. I’m writing it myself with a little help.

Do you know already what your best anecdotes are?
It’s just my general life growing up. It wasn’t just what you see on the TV, you know? There’s a lot of hidden secrets, a lot of skeletons in the closet – but they’ll all be popping out! It’s gonna be good!

How are you feeling post big brother?
Good! I enjoyed it. I made some good friends in there and it’s opened some doors for the start of a new career.

You’re glad you did it then?
It’s the best thing I’ve done. Really brilliant. And next – well I’m gonna do a lot more TV this year, and try a bit of acting as well. I’ve got a couple of films that people want me to do, gangsta sort of films, so that’s alright.

Have you got any regrets from Big Brother?
I never regret anything in my life. If you think you’re gonna regret it, don’t do it.

Not even a cringe?
Hmmm slightly cringe maybe but only if it’s embarrassing when I’m walking around naked.

We read that Frankie is moving in with you?
Well he’s not really moved in, he lives in Brighton but when he is over this way then I get him round for a couple of weeks.

What are the two of you going to get up to?
We’re just gonna party like rock stars! Nah, you know what we just wanna put our heads down and get on with work really. Cos he could easily be led astray, but you know, he’s not been in it long and I’ve been in it for ages now.

So you’re going to give him a guiding hand?
Yea definitely, which I would have needed. I reckon if I’d had a guiding hand in the beginning I would have been a lot further along than I am now. I just partied for a good 6 months – I just enjoyed it.

What does the future hold for you?
Property. And start a family – I want a family young – I want to get married soon.

That leads us on to our next question – what about your love life?
Love life? Single at the moment but I am looking, so that could change.

Did you ever get anywhere with Georgia?
No! I’m still pursuing it though; she’s in New York at the moment.

You’ve always got Frankie though eh?
Yea, I’ve got my Frankie!

What’s a day in the life of Kirk Norcross like?
Get up – have a jog – get home – have me juice – take the dog for a walk – go into the office – tell everyone off, boss a few people around – go the gym – and then just chill with my family. I’ve gotta make sure all my work’s been done you know, and family comes first for me. I’m not really a party person no more. Used to be. I’m bored of it now.

Are you watching the new series of TOWIE?
I’ve not watched it – I feel bad cos my Dad’s in it! So I feel like I have to watch it, but I’ve not.

You’ll have to catch up – you’ve Sky Plussed it right?
Nah! It’s bad isn’t it! My dad doesn’t know – I keep saying ‘Well done for last night!’.

Tell us about your dress sense? We see you wearing alot of tweed?
Yea I love tweed! I change my style a lot to be honest but my style icon is George lamb.

Yea – he rocks the grey streak.
Do you think I should get one?

You could maybe get a different colour?
Green?...........................Purple?..............

On second thoughts, maybe you shouldn’t.... So what’s your go-to going out ensemble?
Fitted jeans, white shirt, brown shoes, brown belt. Actually I prefer wearing t-shirts now ‘cos when I’m out people pull me round from pillar to post – so t-shirts are much more comfy. I tell you what though, I got a pair of these last year [Kirk points to our Dagger chino] and I’ve been wearing them constantly.

Religion Dagger Chinos

Are you a chino or a skinny jean guy?
Last year I’d have said chinos but this year its skinny jeans.

Frankie’s rubbing off on you!
Not skinny like his though! They’re the girl’s ones, they’re madness!

Whats your biggest fashion faux pas?
Probably my one piece, I think. Yea, I wear it out all the time – not clubbing, but I wear it a lot. I’ve got different ones – I want one with my name on.

If your life was put together into a montage, what would the soundtrack be?
Probably Dizzie Rascal I’m just a Rascal.

Nice! Maybe you could fade it into a ballad now that you’re not clubbing as much?
Yea, I like Dean Martin Kick in the Head... that’s my life, I just want to fall in love and settle down.

On your Twitter page, you’re always posting pictures of what you’re eating. Are you hungry right now?!
Nah! I had a strict diet before so that’s why I was always Tweeting it.

What’s your perfect night out?
It’s probably....with a fit bird in bed.

We said night out!
Ahh, well I don’t really go clubbing no more, I don’t like it. My Dad’s had nightclubs for years and it’s ruined it for me. It’s killed it.

What’s your tipple?

I like bubblegum vodka but I can only find it in America. Otherwise it’s Amaretto and Coke, if I had to choose one.

And what about Essex?
I’m going to stay in Essex for the rest of my life. Might get little house abroad, little timeshare in Florida, something nice. But I’m an Essex boy, I’m not leaving.

The Religion Outlet on eBay is now open!

The Religion Outlet Store on Ebay is now open! The eBay Outlet is the hottest destination for new, discounted fashion direct from Religion at up to 70% off. So if you fell in love with a piece seasons past and have been regretting not purchasing, now's your chance.

Prepare for a Pancakeathon

Pancake day is upon us and we couldn’t resist a look at the most hedonistic recipes we could find. If your mouth isn’t watering now, then it will be once you read on. We’re not ones for the simple solution here at Religion so you’ll see none of the go-to lemon and sugar or maple syrup on this list. Roll up your sleeves, crack some eggs and prepare for a pancakeathon.

Savoury Options

The Morning After Pancake:

Fried egg? Bacon? Sprinkling of cheese? All wrapped up in a pancake? Why not…

The Posh Pancake:

Top your pancakes with gorgonzola, pancetta and spinach, then bake for 20 minutes.

Do like the Japanese do:

This Japanese style pancake is called  Okonomiyaki. Make a regular pancake batter and leave to one side in a bowl. Then combine cooked cabbage, chicken, soy sauce, prawns and whatever else you fancy (Okonomiyaki translates as “Whatever you like, cooked”). Mix this mixture with the batter and fry until golden brown. Eat with chopsticks or, if you’re hungry, fingers.

Sweet Options

The Sweet Tooth Pancake:

Top thick American style pancakes with chocolate chips, smooth peanut butter and hunks of banana. If you’re a real chocoholic then mix dark chocolate into the batter before cooking.

The Show off Pancake:

Whip up some white chocolate mousse (gently mix together melted white chocolate and pre-whipped egg whites and cream, then chill) and raspberry coulis (cook raspberries and icing sugar on a low heat until mushy, then sieve), stuff your pancakes with the mousse and drizzle with the coulis. This pancake is only for the truly dedicated.

The Arsonist pancake:

Our favourite – the flambé! Wrap your pancake around a ball of vanilla ice cream, then cover in flaming Grand Marnier.

What are your favourites?

The Multi Talented Zara Martin

Fashion’s new darling, the multi talented (DJ, model, presenter, designer and more) Zara Martin came into store last week and selected a few of her favourite items for this season. With London Fashion Week just around the corner, you can expect to see much more of Zara from front rows to street style snaps. We caught up with her on fashion, music and leather trousers.

How do you choose what to wear in the morning?

-It really just boils down to: “Black jeans or leather trousers?”

Describe your style...

-Morticia wannabe.

Where is your favourite place in London?

-Primrose Hill at night (or when I’m rolling down it with my best friend Paulie. We are sad. Also, why am I telling you this?)
       
What/who are you listening to at the moment?

-SBTRKT, Azealia Banks, The Black Keys, Band of Skulls, M.I.A.

What are your top 5 tracks of all time?

• Nirvana – unplugged Man Who Sold The World cover (specific)
• Jimi Hendrix – Foxy Lady
• Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – Summertime
• LL Cool J – Doin’ It
• Skunk Anansie - Twisted

**Disclaimer** These were the only ones I could think of on the spot. Please don’t judge me.

Describe your ideal night out...

-Probably (definitely) would involve copious amounts of good food and good company.

Tell us about your biggest fashion faux pas?

-There have been so many... But if I had to pick - The Black Lipstick Era was, perhaps, the lowest point.

What is your favourite Religion piece for Spring Summer 2012?

-The Falling Leather Jacket. I love him. 

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue...Oh, I can't be bothered.

I know what you're thinking. Cue a post about how great Valentine's Day is. Well think again. Let us all be bitter and rejoice in singledom, or just an anti-valentine's feeling.

Everyone knows it's become over-commercialised, and everyone is coaxed into buying teddy bears that will clog up space, roses that cost £50 each but die tomorrow, and selection boxes, where you only like 5 of the chocolates. Who's favourtie chocolate is truffles anyway!

So to celebrate this smug feeling for beating Valentine's Day, here is a suitably anti-valentine's poem...

Buy a bunch of roses,

Cook a two person meal,

Tell them you love them,

Tell them how you feel.

It's just a pity,

That what you said,

Falls on deaf ears,

As it's a pillow,in your bed!

Oh, and if you're feeling really anti-valentine's, it is officially St Skeletor's Day tomorrow...aimed at destructing all things... lovey dovey, including 'lurrrve' (I can only assume this is some cringeworthy display of the regular type of 'love'), saucy greeting cards (I don't mind saucy, but keep it behind doors people), and the destruction of people with boyfriends or girlfriends (again, maybe a little harsh, but let's not shove it in the single people's face, yeah happy couples?)

So, Happy St Skeletors Day for tomorrow. Now that's much more Religion!

Behind the Brand: Tahsin Osman

Londoner Tahsin Osman is the Menswear Designer at Religion, and has been in this role for almost two years. We pick his brains on his job, style and London life...

Talk us through your average working day...

I usually get in for 9am. My day starts off with checking emails and communicating with factories and fabric mills which has to be done first because of the time difference. After a quick chat with the menswear team about things that need to be done during the day, I settle down and work on product areas from jersey, denim and shirts to knitwear and outerwear. I work on multi product so I enjoy the different aspects of that. Charlotte (my colleague) and I usually bounce ideas off one another during the day. I try not to have lunch at my desk but depending on deadlines this changes from day to day. I finish off by writing a few emails to factories so they can be answered by the time I get in the next morning and my day usually finishes up around 6 - 6.30.

What are you wearing today?

Skull shirt, Dirty Zee jeans in black, Scryer blazer.

Draw a self portrait wearing your favourite Religion outfit...

Describe your ideal night out...

Drinks followed by a good meal. I like to try different places - Shoreditch has a great mix of restaurants and Saf is one of my favourites.

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment at work...

I wouldn’t say it was embarrassing, it was more of a challenge... the girls dared me to try on a pair of size 8 spray on jeans from the women’s collection. Let’s just say I won that challenge though I’m not sure I should be doing that too often *not the most comfortable situation*

Which places in London do you find the most inspirational?

London is by far my favourite city: everywhere from Notting hill, to Bermondsey St in London Bridge, to walking down South Bank  on a lazy Sunday - the whole vibe is great.

Who is your style icon?

I don’t really have an icon, if I like what someone is wearing then I like it. However if you’re making me choose then I would have to go with Tom Waits.

What can’t you leave the house without?

 My IPhone :P sometimes I wonder if it’s permanently  attached to my body!

Take a look at some of Tahsin's designs for Spring/Summer 2012 below or click here for the menswear lookbook...

Skull Shorts

Bio Hole Vest

Roberto Wash Jacket

Dot Rotten on progression, Caribbean food and being a diva

This week we caught up with Dot Rotten, the South London MC who has been noted on Radio 1's "Sound of 2012" list and is about to go on tour with Labrinth. Dot tells us about his early music memories, his penchant for The Corrs and his ultimate goal - owning his own private island. See Dot's website here

We heard you wrote your first ever track on an Atari aged 7 – how did that come about?

Atari was pretty hard to use, so I got help from my uncle. He taught me how to use it and he gave me a little keyboard. This is when studio equipment was a bomb – you could be in there for a couple of hours and it would cost you a few grand.

Is music something that you always wanted to do?

It’s just something that’s always been around me. I’ve always been aware that it’s there.

What were you listening to at that age?

At 6 or 7? I was listening to jungle – hard jungle – hard raving jungle – that was me. But there was also loads of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson.

What was the first tape you ever bought?

My first tape? Well... the first CD I remember being bought was Mariah Carey Butterfly. The first CD I ever bought myself was in New York, Empire records and I bought Dilated Peoples Expansion Team, Worst comes to worst my Peoples Come First - that was on that CD. First rap song I ever heard was Ol’ Dirty Bastard Brooklyn Zoo .

There have been lots of changes in your career, including changing your name. Do you think they were a necessary part if the process or would you go back and alter anything you did?

During the whole process of my career I’ve had to grow. And sometimes you might think something’s good and then you grow and look back and you’re like ...‘that’s a liability’. That’s happened a lot in my career. I tend to cut off my liabilities and focus on all the assets. My talent is progression. I’m good at progressing and learning when to stay around or move. Risk assessment. That’s one of my talents. So it had to happen. Things have changed anyway they happened naturally.

You’ve been open about not wanting to be defined – either as grime, or urban, or any genre. Why is that?

I think once you put a title on something it’s always bad. It’s a weird thing because, for example, when you’re talking about feelings: love is a feeling, in a relationship you can feel it and say nothing but when a title comes into play things start getting a bit serious and that’s how I feel about titles. I think it’s better to just leave it as it is. Everyone’s opinionated – they could listen to one of my songs and think it’s an r’n’b song but I think it’s totally different. Leave the genres out of it and just focus on “That’s a Dot Rotten song”. It’s not even a genre, it’s a sound. You can hear it.

What are your musical influences?

My Uncle Jason and Aunty Dawn. They are my main influences, no one else. Without them I wouldn’t be doing this. They are my inspiration.

What are your musical guilty pleasures?

*Dot can’t think of anything, so Religion suggests Justin Beiber*

I think Justin’s sick! He’s one of the sickest! It’s only a matter of time till everyone realises!

Guiilty pleasures, umm, something I listen to that’s really moist...there must be something. I like The Corrs! They’re all hotties - I like them! They’re sick! I’ll be on the front row of their comeback!

So you’re a South West London boy – what are your favourite places in London?

My favourite place in South West London is Durand Gardens – I went to primary school there, I’d live there, it’s so nice. Apart from there, I like Brentford area, I like Chiswick area. And Ochi’s in Shepherd’s Bush does really good Caribbean food.

Describe your style...

My style? Rotten. One word. That’s all that’s necessary.

Do you think that it’s important to look good?

It’s an illusion but people like people who look good – sometimes people look past it and they don’t care about image but not often. It’s a brainwashing thing.

Tell us about your single that’s coming out.

I don’t know when it’s coming out! You can put that in. I don’t know. I’m not focused on single release; I’m focused on the music. When it comes out it comes out, if it sells it sells, if it don’t it don’t. I’m not about to go and sit on Twitter for 24 hours promoting. If you buy it you buy it, if I’m gonna make money I’ll make money, but I still have to sit in a studio and record and write songs. You’ll know when it’s out because you’ll see everyone Tweeting about it apart from me.

We were going to ask you about Twitter actually – you’ve got a live feed covering the front of your website. What’s the thinking behind that?

The reason it’s like that is because my album is called Voices in my Head, so it’s about that. I don’t have much to do with it. They say ‘We’re gonna do this’, I say that sounds all right, do it, yea.

You’re very trusting!

With everything apart from the music. Actually, not with everything apart from the music. No, no, I’m really not but I let them do what they gotta do. Until I’ve got something to complain about it’s alright.

And then what happens?

Then, I act like a diva. Really.

Are you looking forward to your upcoming tour with Labrinth?

Yea, I’m looking forward to it, to rolling with Lab’s people, me with my live band and creating a good vibe. Hopefully we’ll get in a studio after.

Do you think you guys have quite a similar style?

I think there is chemistry between us musically....I think we understand each other’s vision. When it comes to fans it’s a case of them listening and going....yea, I can see where he’s going. I just hope people get the time to appreciate the music. Even if they listen to it and don’t like it, or if they do like it, either way I’ve got no expectations. Everything’s a bonus.

What are your goals?

My main one, where I’ll know I’ve achieved something, is a private island. That’s when I’ll know.

Any island in particular?

Yea! Of course I’ve got my eye on a few! I wanna get to that point though, its’ a long way and you have to build up to that, but that’s how you know it’s a final goal.

Has being listed on Radio 1’s “Sound of 2012” list changed things for you?

No. Not for me, I’m not feeling any pressure. Right now there’s a big awareness on me, but I’m used to that from 3 or 4 years back. Artists who don’t have the experience I do might feel pressured in this situation, they could get big headed or overexcited, and loads of things come into play, but to me I’m just like, thank you, thank you everyone who put me forward for the list, I’m so grateful, but beyond that it hasn’t changed me. I’m going to continue to do what I do. I can’t allow myself to get excited just because my name has been put on a list. I lock myself away for 4 months working, come out and people like my sounds. I come out ten times smarter, stronger, and changing.

Follow Dot on Twitter here for all his latest news.

Feast your eyes.... Spring Summer 2012 video

Take a look at our Spring Summer 2012 collection in motion...

Click here to see the complete lookbook.

Gif fun!

We're a creative lot here at Religion. We also thought we would be a bit retro, and make Religion themed gifs. Here is one of our attempts...I can assure you there will be plenty more to come.

Can you do any better?

January Press

We're a retrospective lot here at Religion - so here's a look at some of our press coverage for the past month:

 Red Church Jacket as featured in GQ.

 Sunglasses, praised in InStyle "Well shaped sunglasses don't have to cost the earth".

 Our embellished bows have caused quite a stir in the press, featured on elle.co.uk, handbag.com, look.co.uk and The Times Magazine to name a few, plus in Time Out above. The bows are now available to buy online at http://www.sereneorder.com/ and in our stores.

 The controversial Spanish singer Bebe has divided opinion at Religion HQ - but either way, she looks great in the Dirty Wash Jumper in the Spanish El Pais Semanal magazine.

Our Skull shirt had pride of place in the uber cool Fiasco magazine, the "Blood, Sweat and Tears" issue.

Coloured Chinos!

New for Spring Summer 2012 are these brightly coloured Chinos for men, available for £70 in colours Royal Blue or Claret Purple. Which pair will you choose?