Latest news with #Resurgence
Los Angeles Times
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
In a digital age, old-fashioned watchmaking schools, including a new one from Rolex, are in demand
Ever since watches began bringing order to the ephemeral passage of time, they also started doing something else: breaking. Own one long enough and something will probably go wrong. It'll run slow. Or fast. Or stop altogether. Decades ago, watch repair shops across the country were staffed with technicians who could service almost any mechanical timepiece when its intricate innards — tiny gears, wheels and springs — failed. But when the U.S. watchmaking industry declined in the mid-20th century, the number of craftspeople who could fix or fabricate timepieces began dwindling too. There were 1,880 U.S. watch and clock repairers in 2023, down from 2,430 just three years earlier, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That 23% decline, on top of previous losses, has led some in this niche industry to label the situation a workforce crisis. It comes amid renewed interest in mechanical timepieces and a modest rebirth of the American watchmaking industry — despite the omnipresence of cellphones and their effortless timekeeping. Rolex, the Swiss behemoth, alone makes more than 1 million watches a year. Who will be able to service all of them as they age? Or make the new ones being dreamed up? A dearth of new watchmaking schools — where students learn about repairs, fabrication or both — is central to the problem. After the closure of several programs in recent decades, only four full-time, independent watchmaking schools remain in the U.S. One watch company, Torrance-based J.N. Shapiro Watches — maker of the $70,000 Resurgence model — is among the handful of U.S.-based firms that has struggled to hire watchmakers. Rolex has a solution on the repair side. In September, the Geneva-based company debuted a new watchmaking school at the Rolex Watch Training Center in Dallas. The program's 18-month curriculum is focused on training students to service watches made by the brand. The last six months of schooling include an immersion component in which students repair Rolex timekeepers under the supervision of instructors. Upon graduation, participants can work for a Rolex-affiliated jeweler or for the company itself. Most of the school's first class, which graduates next February, have already secured jobs, a Rolex spokesperson said. They can expect annual salaries starting in the range of $75,000 to $85,000, depending on location. The school is free. The company spokesperson said in a statement that the Dallas program, which welcomes just 27 students per class, represents the company's 'commitment at a larger scale to meet the industry demand.' Rolex's focus on training watchmakers to work solely on its timepieces differentiates its program from independent schools, which typically teach students how to work on all sorts of watches, turning out graduates with expertise in subjects including micro-mechanics and repairs. 'I think we need a balance of technicians and then more full-service watchmakers,' said Tony Traina, who publishes Unpolished Watches, an industry newsletter. 'The way in which the profession is evolving right now — it seems like we're headed in that direction. There are the Shapiros of the world, along with the Rolexes of the world. I think we'll reach an equilibrium.' Rolex opened a more traditional watchmaking school in the U.S. in 2001 — the Lititz Watch Technicum in Pennsylvania, but closed it after its final class graduated this month. The Rolex school in Dallas is in high demand, with 400 applicants for its inaugural class and 560 more for the second one starting in September. Among the applicants, the spokesperson said, were Texans who'd initially been surprised that fixing watches could be 'a viable career with an established educational track.' The average student age among the first two classes is 28; some have been admitted straight out of high school and others have a college degree. Students have backgrounds in areas such as engineering and accounting, and have had careers as musicians, teachers and communications professionals. As head of an independent watch company, Joshua Shapiro said it was extremely difficult to find the six watchmakers who now work for him in Torrance. 'It took a lot of networking,' said Shapiro, who added that his team was assembled over several years, and that three of his watchmakers came from the Lititz school. One of those watchmakers is Spencer Torok, 25, who graduated from Lititz three years ago. After high school, the Hilliard, Ohio, native attended Ohio Dominican University, where he took accounting classes. But Torok realized during the COVID-19 pandemic that he wanted to make a change. He'd long been interested in watches, he said, and enrolled at Lititz. Torok said that the schooling only stoked his passion — and that he would never have gotten hired by Shapiro if not for the education he received at Lititz. 'No way,' he said with a laugh. 'It takes a lot of resources to train someone.' Some American watch companies have had to go abroad to make hires. Cameron Weiss, whose eponymous watch company was founded in L.A. in 2013 and later moved to Nashville, said he had to turn to Switzerland to recruit a watchmaker. 'I'd been looking for someone with that skill level for the last 12 years,' said Weiss. This month Weiss traveled again to Switzerland to scout for workers. He hopes the Rolex program in Dallas will help invigorate watch education in the U.S. One of the last remaining full-service watchmaking schools in America is at Paris Junior College in Texas. Program coordinator Garrin Fraze, 24, graduated from it in 2019. He was enticed back last year by a former instructor, who asked him to take over. 'Because we are independent, we have a little bit of openness in the curriculum,' said Fraze, who also serves as head instructor of the program. Like the Rolex school in Dallas, the Paris program is small, accommodating about 20 students. But Fraze hopes to expand it — he knows how strong demand is for watchmakers, including those who can repair Rolexes. After his graduation from the Paris program, he got a job as the in-house watchmaker of a Fort Worth jeweler. It was an authorized Rolex dealer.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joshua Jackson Speaks Out on ‘Doctor Odyssey' Cancellation: ‘I'm Sad We Don't Get to Go Back and Do It Again'
Joshua Jackson isn't sure why 'Doctor Odyssey' was canceled by ABC after one season, but he will miss the wacky medical drama. In a new interview, the actor, who portrayed cruise line doctor Max Bankman, said that he's 'always bummed out when a show gets canceled' and that he 'really, really enjoyed the experience' he had on the Ryan Murphy series. More from Variety 'Doctor Odyssey' Canceled at ABC After One Season 'Doctor Odyssey' Crewmembers Sue Disney for Alleged Sexual Harassment on Set, 'Blacklisting' Them After Filing Complaint Disney's Craig Erwich on Broadcast TV's Resurgence, Fates of 'Doctor Odyssey' and 'The Bachelor' - and Which Ratings Matter Most (EXCLUSIVE) 'That was a really good group of people, and it was a really fun show,' he told People, adding that he definitely will miss the cast. 'But this is a crazy and difficult business, and whatever the reasons were for them not wanting to move forward with it, they don't actually tell us those things… It's a bummer we don't get to do it again, but I'm happy for the time that we got.' He noted that he hopes the audience got the same thing the cast did: 'It was a beautiful, over-the-top kind of experience that was like nothing else on television, I don't think.' The drama was on the bubble until June, when Variety reported that the cast's contracts expired and there were no plans to place it back on the schedule. Jackson confirmed that his contract was up, adding, 'They may make that show with somebody else. I have no idea what their plans are. They haven't let me know, but I am not holding my breath that it's coming back.' Along with Jackson, 'Doctor Odyssey' starred Phillipa Soo as Avery Morgan, a nurse practitioner, Sean Teale as Tristan Silva, a nurse, and Don Johnson as Robert Massey, the Odyssey's captain. The series followed the emergency staff as they worked on a luxury cruise line with themed visitors each week. Recurring cast members included Jacqueline Toboni, Marcus Emanuel Mitchell, Rick Cosnett and Laura Harrier as chef Vivian, with prominent guest stars, like Rachel Dratch, Shania Twain, Kelsea Ballerini and Angela Bassett. In May, three of the show's former crew members filed a lawsuit against 20th Television and Disney, accusing assistant prop master Tyler Patton of 'unwanted touching' and making 'sexual jokes, innuendos, comments, sexual gestures and images.' The lawsuit claimed the studio enabled an 'unchecked campaign of sexual harassment for months.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
News18
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Inside Sobhita Dhulipala's Style Diary: Sarees, Gilded Gowns, And Quiet Luxury
Last Updated: Sobhita Dhulipala's impeccable fashion picks have always left her fans swooning. Here's a look at some of her best fashion moments. Actor Sobhita Dhulipala never misses an opportunity to turn heads with her ever-evolving style that beautifully balances quiet luxury with bold confidence. The actor was recently spotted at Akhil Akkineni and Zainab Ravdjee's wedding reception. In true Sobhita style, the actor stunned in a vibrant red saree that she had paired with a sheer blouse that was dripping in pearls. While the red saree with its minimal embroidery detailing on the hemline exuded quiet luxury, the sheer halter neck bejewelled blouse was a statement in itself. Whether it's experimental draping, contemporary tailoring, or traditional craft elevated with a modern twist, Sobhita Dhulipala 's fashion choices have consistently reflected thought, intent, and individuality. Here's a look at some of her standout fashion moments. Gilded Glam in Rahul Mishra For her appearance at a luxury haircare brand launch in Mumbai, Sobhita opted for a gilded look by Rahul Mishra. The intricately hand-embroidered Resurgence gown from the designer's Spring 2025 couture collection, The Pale Blue Dot, which debuted at Paris Haute Couture Week, was crafted in over 1,600 hours at the designer's Noida atelier. The gown featured cascading brass leaves, bringing a touch of theatrical flair, while traditional Indian embroidery was elevated with shimmering glass bugle beads, mother-of-pearl accents, and metallic sequins. Sobhita embodied ethereal glamour – radiant, regal, and every bit the couture goddess. For a jewellery campaign that called for a hint of ethereal allure, Sobhita mesmerised in a seaweed olive gown by Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna. Handcrafted with intricate silver and olive sequin grids, delicate crystal embellishments, and soft turquoise detailing, the gown shimmered against sheer tulle. A pleated cape and a trailing silk organza fringe brought fluidity and drama, while the structured silhouette offered a perfect harmony of boldness and grace. Styled with a sleek bun and understated makeup, the look was both celestial and grounded, much like Sobhita herself. Subtle Shine in Arpita Mehta While promoting Ponniyin Selvan: II, Sobhita channelled effortless elegance in a hand-embroidered georgette sari set by Arpita Mehta. Adorned with subtle cream and sand-hued garden prints and layered accents, the ensemble was paired with a maze-embroidered blouse that added texture and intrigue. Oxidised silver jewellery complemented the earthy palette, while soft waves and minimal, neutral-toned makeup let her quiet poise shine through – proof that true elegance speaks in whispers, not volume. Quiet Luxury in Manish Malhotra For WAVES 2025, Sobhita chose a stunning olive green tissue saree by Manish Malhotra. The lightweight fabric, known for its delicate sheen, was brought to life with intricate floral embroidery that shimmered beautifully under the lights, lending her an almost celestial glow. She paired it with a matching blouse featuring cap sleeves, embroidered accents, and a refined high neckline, adding a touch of understated royalty to the ensemble. The result was a look that blended classic elegance with Sobhita's signature quiet power. Modern Elegance in Tarun Tahiliani top videos View all For her post-wedding cocktail soirée, Sobhita chose a striking Tarun Tahiliani ensemble. She exuded modern elegance in a signature sculpted, draped gown that hugged her frame with effortless grace. Completing the look were statement TT jewels and a matching TT clutch, adding just the right touch of glamour to her intimate celebration. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Arpita Mehta fashion lifestyle Manish Malhotra Rahul Khanna+Rohit Gandhi Rahul Mishra sobhita dhulipala Tarun Tahiliani Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 13, 2025, 13:33 IST News lifestyle Inside Sobhita Dhulipala's Style Diary: Sarees, Gilded Gowns, And Quiet Luxury
Geek Culture
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
'Code Vein 2': Exploring The Past, Present And Human Connection Through Time Travel
This interview has been edited for clarity. What happens when you take the soul-crushing difficulty of a FromSoftware title and imbue it with a healthy dose of anime inspiration and fan service? The folks at Bandai Namco Studios must have had this thought front and centre while developing 2019's Code Vein , a hardcore action RPG Souls -like, which juxtaposed its grim, post-apocalyptic world and vampire themes with charming anime character designs and in-depth customisation features. Six years on and after much fan speculation, the team is ready to unveil the next chapter in the series, aptly titled Code Vein 2 , with lofty ambitions to not only innovate on what made the first so special to begin with, but to also introduce something fresh to the table with a storyline that crosses time itself. 'We are so happy to be able to finally announce this game after six long years, reconnecting with our fans and offering them something that can meet their expectations,' exclaims game producer Keita Iizuka in an interview with Geek Culture and other Southeast Asia media, who also worked on the original Code Vein and the 2021 anime RPG Scarlett Nexus . 'It's also great to be able to work again with the previous staff from Code Vein, like director Hiroshi Yoshimura and some staff from the previous team, to give all of our fans an exciting next chapter.' Game Producer Keita Iizuka To achieve this, the team looked towards two major touchpoints: introducing a new dual world mechanic and improving upon the original game's most innovative and beloved feature, the Buddy System. Following the original title's core narrative foundations, Code Vein 2 once again centres on a world ravaged by a phenomenon known as the Resurgence, which wiped out almost all of humanity if not for the power of immortal beings known as Revenants, who appear after long existing in the shadows of civilisation. Despite enjoying a brief period of relative calm, the world was once again driven to the brink of ruin by the Luna Rapacis, a sudden threat which drove some Revenants to madness, transforming them into mindless Horrors. Featuring an original standalone storyline, players will take on the role of a Revenant Hunter. Mortally wounded while on a mission, the protagonist is saved by a mysterious Revenant girl, who gives them half of her heart and brings them back to life. Together, they form a bond and set out to save the world. It's not just one world the duo has to save, either, as with the Revenant girl's unique power to travel to the past, the pair must now fix two timelines: the present, a land destroyed by the influence of the Luna Rapacis, and 100 years in the past, a world just recovering from the Resurgence and where the Revenants govern human society. 'A key motive for both Code Vein titles was the dramatic stories of the Revenants and their relationships with humans,' explains Iizuka. 'To this end, one of the main points of Code Vein 2 is to bring across the story of the two species' relationship in relation to the Revenant's immortality, and by adding on the time travel mechanic, we can further explore a land where Revenants are in power and how they interact with the humans.' That's where the past comes in, as it occurs at the peak of the Revenant's power after saving the world from the Resurgence. According to Iizuka, the team wanted to explore a different kind of story compared to the original, delving deeper into the background of the Revenants and how they went from being the world's salvation to the cause of its destruction. While the team were understandably tight-lipped about the game's plot points to prevent spoilers, they were eager to point out how they evolved its gameplay mechanics, specifically one of the original's most innovative systems: the Buddy System. Unlike most Souls -like titles, where co-op requires inviting a second player, Code Vein featured an offline offering as well, with the protagonist accompanied by an AI-controlled companion for the vast majority of the game. Players had access to a wide variety of Buddies, each providing their own set of unique skills and combat styles to complement a player's build, balancing out the game's punishing difficulty while providing an additional tactical layer to combat. 'We have taken into consideration the feedback on the Buddy System, and we understood that even though it was very well received in Code Vein , there was still something missing,' notes Iizuka. 'In Code Vein 2 , we've levelled up the Buddy System, including not only more interactions and ways to bond with your Buddy, but also building enemy and level design around the system, giving Buddies a renewed focus in terms of exploration and combat.' With his statement, fans can expect their Buddies to take centre stage in the game, potentially hinting at not only more Buddy options to choose from, but a wider range of support abilities for that added utility to suit more playstyles. As far as exploration is concerned, it's currently unclear how the Buddy System would come into play, although the game could very well take inspiration from Metroidvania titles in this regard, making it so that only certain Buddies can access special areas, encouraging players to plan ahead before embarking on one of the game's many dungeons. 'Also, it's optional, just like last time, and you can turn off the Buddy System to challenge the game solo, but please be warned that it will be very difficult,' Iizuka adds. Besides the improved Buddy System and the new time-travel-based narrative, players can expect more of what was introduced in the first title, now expanded and enhanced. Blood Codes, the game's version of a class system, is set to receive an upgrade that allows players more freedom to create their own character builds, supplemented with new combat tools like Jails, powerful equipment offering both offensive and defensive abilities, Formae, supernatural powers that transform a player's weapon attacks, and Bequeathed Formae, devastating weapons that channels all the powers of a Revenant. Despite all these improvements and additions, Iizuka remains adamant that Code Vein 2 will provide a familiar experience that fans of the original will know and love, just now wrapped up in a fresh new package. 'Underneath the unique setting of Code Vein 2 and its time travel aspect, it still retains the essence of what made the series so great. There might be new things you can discover, but its core elements like character design, combat, and general gameplay will still immediately feel familiar to returning fans.' Code Vein 2 is due out in 2026 for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Bandai Namco Code Vein Code Vein 2 Geek Interview Souls-like
The Star
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Tweed makes a stylish comeback: Classic fabric, but with modern fashion vibes
"When you see tweed on the runway, you don't expect it to come from here," joked 38-year-old former banker Alexander MacLeod as he set up his loom in a converted barn on the shores of a Scottish loch. MacLeod became a weaver two years ago, joining residents on the islands of Lewis and Harris, off Scotland's northwest coast, in helping to rejuvenate the tweed industry after a significant period of decline. "It's a good thing to keep the tradition going," he said. Tweed is a symbol of Scottish heritage and has "always been part of the culture" on the Outer Hebrides, added Macleod, who hails from the island of Scalpay, which is connected to Harris by a bridge. It's now "an attractive sector to be in", he explained. He left the Hebrides for seven years to work in banking but the pull of his roots proved too strong. During the day, McLeod now works for a small local cosmetics company. In the evenings, he puts on a podcast, usually about espionage, and patiently begins to weave. Only the steady hum of his machine disturbs the calm of the old stone barn. Harris tweed, traditionally made from 100 percent wool, is the only fabric protected by a 1993 Act of Parliament. It must be "handwoven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the Outer Hebrides, and made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides". Read more: Malaysian fashion designers laud Unesco's official recognition of the kebaya 'Resurgence' The weaver spoke of his "satisfaction" once the tweed is finished. The fabric, once associated with the British aristocracy, then goes to the spinning mill for a quality control check, where the slightest flaw is flagged up. Finally, it receives the precious "Harris Tweed" stamp – a globe topped with a cross – certifying the fabric's provenance and authenticity, issued by the Harris Tweed Authority (HTA). The tweed then leaves the island to be purchased by discerning companies abroad, including luxury brands such as Christian Dior, Chanel, and Gucci. Several sneaker brands such as Nike, New Balance, and Converse have also used it for limited edition products. The traditional staples are jackets, caps, and bags, but the fabric can also used for furniture. There are 140 weavers, according to the HTA, which launched a recruitment campaign in 2023 and offered workshops to learn the trade following a wave of retirements. This know-how, often passed down from generation to generation, is now being nurtured by a different profile of weaver. "It's nice to see younger people coming in," said Kelly MacDonald, director of operations at the HTA. "When I joined the industry 22 years ago, there was a severe period of decline. I was wondering: 'Is there going to be an industry anymore?'" But the industry is now enjoying a "resurgence" and "significant growth", with more than 580,000 metres of tweed produced in 2024. "We are always looking at new markets," she explained, and tweed is now exported to Korea, Japan, Germany, France and other countries. It is no longer dependent on the US market, as it once was, and should be largely shielded from the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Read more: Malaysian fashion designer Fern Chua talks about her 10-year journey with batik Slow fashion Tweed has "modernised", said Cameron MacArthur, who works at Carloway Mill, one of the three spinning mills in the west of the Isle of Lewis. He is only 29, but has already worked there for 12 years. The mill, with its large machines, looks as if it hasn't changed for decades. But MacArthur has seen it evolve to embrace a younger workforce and newer fabrics, meaning it is no longer just the ultra-classic Prince of Wales check or dark colours that are on offer. "Nowadays, we're allowed to make up our own colours... and we're just doing different things with it, modernising it, making it brighter," he said, showing off rolls of turquoise blue and fuchsia pink. "We're so busy... it never used to be like that," he said, adding that he was "proud" to be working with the local product. MacDonald also noted that tweed was an antidote to environmentally unfriendly "fast fashion". "How nice to own a product where you can actually look on a map to a tiny island and say, that's where my jacket was made. That's so rare now, and I think people really engaged with that," he said. "Every stage of the production has to happen here, but from start to finish, it is a really long process. We are the epitome of slow fashion." – AFP
