Monday, November 22, 2021

EVENT FLASHBACK : SECOND ACT BOOK SIGNING .. ROCKERFELLER CENTER .. NEW YORK .. OCTOBER 7TH 1997 ..


 This shot features Joan from 1997 where she appeared at Rockerfeller Centre in New York to sign copies of her autobiography 'Second Act'.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

EVENT FLASHBACK : MY SECRETS BOOK SIGNING .. EATON'S DEPARTMENT STORE CANADA .. 1994 ..


 


As Joan is currently high in the bestsellers list with her latest book 'My Unapologetic Diaries' and as due to the current climate she was unable to do any book signing events, thought would feature some photos from previous events.. Today is some rare photos from a signing in Canada at the once top department store Eaton's for her 1994 best seller 'My Secrets'..

 


Saturday, November 13, 2021

EVENT UPDATE : THE SHOOTING STAR CHILDRENS HOSPICE BALL .. THE ROYAL LANCASTER ... LONDON .. NOVEMBER 12TH 2021 ..

Joan on red carpet with Percy, Tony Hadley, Karen Sugarman & guest

 
Joan attended the annual Shooting Star Children's Hospices Charity Ball, this year held at The Royal Lancaster in London.. Joan who is patron of the charity always looks forward to attending the ball which kickstarts the festive season..



Friday, November 12, 2021

PRESS UPDATE : EVENING STANDARD ... MY LONDON .. NOVEMBER 12TH 2021 ..


 

My London: Dame Joan Collins

The Dynasty icon eats shepherd’s pie over chats at The Ivy, checks in at home-from-home Claridge’s — and is even an honorary cabbie!

By Emily Phillips



Home is …

My flat in Belgravia, where I have lived for the past 30 years, 20 of which I’ve spent happily with my husband, Percy Gibson.

Where do you stay in London?

When we were flooded out of our flat, we stayed at Claridge’s. It’s our home away from home and they always welcome me as if I actually live there. Their food is wonderful and I particularly like their club sandwich.

What’s the best meal you’ve had?

At the moment, I am a fan of The Ivy Chelsea Garden on King’s Road because I love the shepherd’s pie and you can hear yourself talk, which is sadly not the case at far too many London restaurants.

Where would you most like to be buried?

Next to my wonderful mother, and close to Kay Kendall and Anton Walbrook, at St John-at-Hampstead church.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

Stop all the building works that are clogging up all the streets.

Which shops do you rely on?

For fashionable clothes, Selfridges; jackets, Zara; pyjamas and cashmere sweaters, Marks & Spencer; over-the-top evening gowns, Harrods, and wonderful hats Philip Treacy.

What makes someone a Londoner?

Being born within the sound of Bow Bells. My parents said I was.

Who is the most iconic Londoner in history?

Winston Churchill — if he wasn’t a Londoner he should have been.

What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?

They made me an honorary cabbie because I support them so staunchly! I take dozens of taxis each week.

Where do you go to let your hair down?

My hairdresser.

What’s your biggest extravagance?

Caviar, heaps of it on a baked potato.

What are you up to at the moment for work?

Publicising my best-selling book, My Unapologetic Diaries, and a couple of scripts that I’m deeply involved with.

Who do you call when you want to have fun?

Christopher Biggins, Julian Clary, Andrew Pierce or any of my other friends. None of them are boring. I can forgive anything else but that.

What do you collect?

Camels: prints, pictures, paintings and statues of them.

Which podcast are you currently obsessed with?

I don’t do or listen to podcasts.

What’s your favourite beauty spot?

My bathroom! My hairdresser Alyn Waterman comes to me.

What was the last thing you googled?

A shop in Soho that sells platform-soled high-heeled shoes — I couldn’t find it.

‘My Unapologetic Diaries’, by Joan Collins, £20 (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) is out now in hardback, audio and ebook




Thursday, November 11, 2021

PRESS UPDATE : HARPERS BAZAAR .. MY LIFE LESSONS .. DECEMBER 2021 ..


 To coicide with her interview for Harpers Bazaar UK December issue, which celebrates the winners of Harpers Women Of The Year Awards in which Joan was awarded the Icon Award, Joan recorded an interview in the 'Life Lesson' series..

You can view the video on the link to the Harpers page...

HARPERS BAZAAR LIFE LESSONS..

From Alexis Carrington to Absolutely Fabulous, Joan Collins - the grande dame of the silver screen - has sparkled throughout a 70-year career.

Yet, for someone who's been a public figure for seven decades, the actor and author is insistent that success "does not last".

"One of the things you have to do, once you've climbed that ladder and gotten to where you think you want to be, is realise that the only way up is down," she tells us, in the latest episode of our Life lessons video franchise. "You have to take the rough with the smooth."

She pauses and continues: "Somebody once asked me, 'Joan, what are you going to do if all this ends?' And I said, 'It isn't a question of if, it's a question of when.' Because nothing lasts forever, particularly careers. You just have to accept it and not get upset about it.

When it comes to fashion and style, her advice is equally frank. It's about "developing a particular look that you know suits you," she says, rather than "slavishly copying things".

"I think style is knowing your body, knowing your physicality, your hair, your legs, your eyes, and picking the two or three things - and everybody has those! - that are the best you can find and making yourself look as good as you can," she says. "You have to find your look and your style." She adds that comfort is also key, because "if you're not comfortable it will show on your face".

When it comes to self-care, Collins says she's "religious" about taking her make-up off every night, describing it as her "favourite ritual". She says she "always, always" uses night cream ("the richer the better," her mother taught her), and that lipstick is the one beauty product that always makes her feel good ("it's the queen of cosmetics!").

As she launches her new memoir, My Unapologetic Diaries, we meet the dame herself to talk about the lessons she's learnt throughout her life and career - from friendship and feminism to confidence and criticism.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

PRESS UPDATE : HELLO! MAGAZINE .. NOVEMBER 10TH 2021 ..

Dame Joan with Eve Pollard & Professor Dame Lesley Regan

 

BRIDIE WILKINS

HELLO! and charity Wellbeing of Women have been making waves in the menopause world since launching the Workplace Pledge campaign, encouraging organisations to commit to supporting employers going through the menopause, and its latest supporter is none other than Dame Joan Collins.

The icon and best-selling author attended an event hosted by Wellbeing of Women alongside HELLO! Editor-In-Chief Rosie Nixon this week to discuss her latest book My Unapologetic Diaries, while she also spoke out about her support for women. "I'm a huge supporter of women, I consider myself an early feminist," she said.

The star went on to share memories of encounters with the royal family, including the late Princess Diana, describing her as "charming, vulnerable and funny".  

On the topic of her autobiography, in which she reflects on her years in Hollywood, she added: "I am really pleased to be speaking about my life encounters and stories from over the years. It has been a great privilege to have met many wonderful people, and to have made countless fantastic friends. What better way to commemorate this than to share these experiences openly in my latest book and with this special audience here today."

Joan with Wellbeings's Janet Lindsay & Hello's Rosie Nixon

Joan is nothing if not inspiring to women of today, and she's also proof that getting older doesn't have to restrict you. Once she was "too old" to act, Joan turned her hand to interior designing.

"I was an interior decorator for a while in Hollywood when I decided I was no longer an actress because I was too old at 32," she explained. "I had my children; my children were going off to school and I thought: 'What am I going to do?' I knew a lot of people who were having new houses and I loved choosing wallpaper and sofas and accessories. I did quite well."

Besides Joan, the event was attended by various menopause trailblazers including MP Carolyn Harris, Lady Estelle Wolfson, Eve Pollard, Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Chair of Wellbeing of Women, and Sir Marcus Setchell.





EVENT UPDATE : GABRIELA PEACOCK '2 WEEKS TO FEELING GREAT' DINNER.. THE PAVILION CLUB .. KNIGHTSBRIDGE LONDON .. NOVEMBER 9TH 2021 ..

Joan & Percy with Gabriela Peacock & Amanda Wakeley

Joan attended friend Gabriela Peacock's intimate dinner at The Pavilion Club Knightsbridge to celebrate the launch of her new lifestyle book ' 2 Weeks To Feeling Great '. Also in attendance were Piers Morgan, Simon & Yasmin LeBon, Amanda Wakeley and Princess Beatrice..

Joan with Simon LeBon


Joan with Piers Morgan

Monday, November 8, 2021

EVENT UPDATE : WELLBEING OF WOMEN CHARITY LUNCH .. FORTNUM & MASON.. NOVEMBER 8TH 2021 ..


 
Joan made an appearance at Fortnum & Mason earlier to talk to friend Eve Pollard during a charity lunch event in aid of Wellbeing Of Women Charity.. Copies of Joan's bestselling book, 'My Unapologetic Diaries' were available for sale with all preceeds going to the charity.. 

Lunch patrons are enthralled by Joan..


Saturday, November 6, 2021

PRESS UPDATE : HARPERS BAZAAR .. UK .. DECEMBER 2021 ..


 To celebrate her Icon Award from Harpers Bazaar, Joan features in the latest issue on sale now! Here is a look at the interview and wonderful portraits by Jim Mitchell..





CELEBRATING 70 YEARS! : THE LOSS ADJUSTER .. PINK FLAMINGO FILMS .. 2020 .. UK ..


 PHOENIX WORLDWIDE ENTERTAINMENT 

Presents

From PINK FLAMINGO FILMS

THE LOSS ADJUSTER

Starring

LUKE GOSS as Martin Dyer

GUY SINER as Dr Norman Wicksteed

KYM MARSH as Angie Dyer

MARTIN KEMP as Lee Leicester

LORNA FITZGERALD as Emmaline

DAVID BYRNE as Sam Leicester

CATHY TYSON as Gilda

VAS BLACKWOOD as The Pawnbroker

ROSS O'HENNESSY as Mr Gimpole

MICHELLE GREENIDGE as Purdy

TONY O'CALLAGHAN as Mr Henderson

ROSS HARLAND as Aiden

& JOAN COLLINS as Margaret Rogerton Sykes

Produced by Ross Connock & Jayney Mackey

Written by Jayney Mackey

Directed by Vincent Woods

(c) 2020 .. 100mins .. Color ..

Martin Dyer is a very ordinary man with a very ordinary life. An insurance Loss Adjuster for many years, he spends his time assessing other people's problems and ignoring his own. His wife Angie aspires to greater things and when finances hit rock bottom, she leaves him for a suave loan shark one week before Christmas. Martin is crest fallen but forced into continuing his day by the overly exuberant company secretary, who has scheduled several claims for Martin to validate. With a heavy heart, Martin sets off but his day drastically goes from bad to worse with a catalogue of extraordinary and humorous encounters with a flirtatious and rather amorous widow, a corrupt Doctor, a lascivious female escort and a dead rat. It is only at the funeral of a client that Martin has an epiphany; and with the help of his unlikely friendship with a teenage thief and perhaps a sprinkling of Christmas magic, life suddenly changes in a truly remarkable way.


This 2020 UK film release features Joan in a cameo role as a lonely widow who takes a shine to Luke Goss's character Martin.. Although in only the one extended scene, Joan is the highlight of the film and she won a best actress Fusion award from The East Europe International Film Festival. The film was just completed before Covid lockdown, it was one of the first to be released to cinemas when they reopened.


Luke Goss was excited about working with Joan..

"She's been in the business so long and from a time where professionalism is very much expected - lines, etiquette, the way she would communicate," he says.

"Towards the end of the day, we did [a] mistletoe scene where she kisses me… I'd been in character all day, she'd been in character all day, and we knew that after that shot we were wrapped. So it was all hugs and love and, you know, that stoicism that she has in her character suddenly softens and it was all cuddles.

"I was very excited to get to set that day. And she was everything and more I had hoped and frankly, more on it than the young bucks out there. She's like, 'we're here to work'.

"Certainly as a producer myself and a director, I'd love to work with her again. She definitely brings a vibe and a glamour and also a star quality to set."


IRISH INDEPENDENT  by Tom Horton..

Festive film The Loss Adjuster is among the new releases being shown in English cinemas as the lockdown restrictions lift.

The movie, which stars Luke Goss and Dame Joan Collins, is being screened in the run-up to Christmas.

“British comedies are kind of unique in that juxtaposition of down and dark and depressing and also funny at the same time, sometimes through farcical situations,” he said.

The actor plays Martin Dyer, an insurance loss adjuster who is trying to get his life back on track after it has spiralled out of control when his wife leaves him.

“It’s about a man who’s struggling with his own self worth, he’s struggling with his finances, he’s struggling with finding anyone in his life that’s honest and true,” Goss said.

The actor said Dame Joan was “amazing” to work with and he learnt a lot from her.

“She shows up on set, she knows her lines better than anybody,” he said.

“She’s been doing it long enough to know exactly what she expects to be done.”

Goss said she showed up “ready to go” and she “treated the crew beautifully”, adding: “This is how you last this many years in the industry.”

The film also stars Martin Kemp, Kym Marsh, Guy Siner, Lorna Fitzgerald and Cathy Tyson.



You can order 'The Loss Adjuster' on dvd at the following link....

ORDER THE LOSS ADJUSTER ON DVD HERE!





Friday, November 5, 2021

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS! : HAWAII FIVE-O .. CBS .. USA .. 2019 ..


 

CBS TV
Presents

HAWAII FIVE-O

Starring

ALEX O'LOUGHLIN as Steve McGarrett
SCOTT CAAN as Danny Williams
IAN ANTHONY DALE as Adam Noshimuri
MEAGHAN Rath as Tani Rey
JORGE GARCIA as Jerry Ortega
BEULAH KOALE as Junior Reigns
TAYLOR WILY as Kamekona
DENNIS CHUN as Sgt Luke Lukela
KIMEE BALIMERO as Dr Noelani Cunha
CHI MCBRIDE as Lou Grover
TIM LOUNIBOS as Mr Chen
BRETT ZIMMERMAN as Derek
SPECIAL GUEST STAR -  JOAN COLLINS as Amanda Savage

Series 9 - Eps 18   'Ai Ni I Ka 'Ape He Mane'o No Ko Ka Nuku'
                                       Directed by Eagle Egilsson

Tani & Junior go under cover at a gym to track down a deadly batch of steroids.. Danny & McGarrett work as bodyguards for Danny's high maintenance ex- mother -in -law Amanda, a famous romance novelist who is in town for a book event and whom he has never gotten along!

Joan with Alex O'Laughlin and Scott Caan

'Hawaii Five-O' was a reboot of the classic series starring Jack Lord, the original series ran from 1968 to 1980, while the new reboot lasted ten seasons from 2010 to 2020.. The series followed the exploits of a special task force headed by Lt Commander Steve McGarrett, which answers to the govenor of the state of Hawaii and is given full immunity and means. Joan appeared as mother-in-law of main character Danny and the character was intended to be recurring and Joan was to make a second appearance but sadly the show was cancelled. 


On Joan's casting on the show, executive producer Peter Lenkov recalled...

'' We met years ago at a TV festival in Monte Carlo and I promised I would bring her to Hawaii! 


Joan was excited about appearing on the show and recalled..

'' I had seen the show and love it and was delighted to be asked. I was bored to tears with hospital dramas, operations and people leaning over a cadaver, too much shooting and sexual content and bad language. I consider Hawaii Five-O a pretty wholesome show. The character of Amanda is a fun role.  She does not get on with Danny her daughters ex husband but she likes McGarrett and sees him as a potential fifth husband! ''


You can buy season 9 on dvd at the following link!






Tuesday, November 2, 2021

EVENT UPDATE : HARPERS BAZAAR WOMEN OF THE YEAR 2021.. CLARIDGES .. LONDON.. NOVEMBER 2ND 2021 ..


Joan attended The Harpers Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards at Claridges earlier where she was presented with the Icon Award.. You can read an exclusive interview with Joan in the December issue of the magazi e out November 5th.. 

Joan with Harpers editor Lydia Slater


EVENT UPDATE : HARPERS BAZAAR WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2021 ... ICON WARD..


Icon Award: Joan Collins

From Alexis Carrington to Absolutely Fabulous, the grande dame of the silver screen has sparkled throughout a 70-year career, which she has now documented in her bitingly entertaining new memoir.

 "Many months ago, we had booked the Ballroom at Claridge’s for our annual Women of the Year  celebrations, and Armani Beauty had once again come on board as our generous sponsor to make it all possible – yet I still feared some rise in infection rates would prevent us from being able to gather together as planned. Now the guest list has been finalised, the menu chosen, I’ve selected my dream outfit and am putting the finishing touches to my speech."


"Women of the Year is always a dazzling event, but this one feels extra special after so many months of enforced isolation. I would love to invite you to take part in the celebrations by diving into the pages of our new issue. Join us for inspiring conversations with the women of the moment: we have an audience with the inimitable Joan Collins; talk fashion in film with Jodie Comer and songwriting with Cynthia Erivo; discuss with Claire Foy how women’s lives can be better represented on screen; learn the secrets of winning from Laura Kenny and Sarah Storey; and hear Elif Shafak’s impassioned plea for a better world, among much else."

Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards launched in 2007 and recognises the outstanding achievements of women in the worlds of fashion, film, art, music, philanthropy, activism and literature. Categories this year will include Artist, Inspiration, Actress, Breakthrough and Icon.  Previous winners include Sarah Gilbert, Lashana Lynch, Victoria Beckham, Jodie Foster, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Gillian Anderson, Kylie Minogue, Michaela Coel, Jane Fonda and Keira Knightley.