Burberry did it!

It never ceases to amaze me how little is sometimes required when dealing with a company with a high public profile and a good reputation to lose.

In this case, we're talking about the fashion brand Burberry, and Greenpeace's recent Detox campaign. The environmental group called on the luxury label to end the use of hazardous and toxic chemicals during the manufacturing process of its clothes.

Activists dressed as naked shop dummies casually strolled into the flagship store on Regent Street in central London, attached toxic warning labels to some of the clothing and proceeded to stage a peaceful protest at the shop's main entrance. They had the facts, and pulled off a very visual event which didn't go unnoticed. Following a meeting with the bosses at Burberry, today the luxury brand caved and promised to clean up its act. Doing the right thing is nice work!

Meeting Bernie

Last week had a surprise for me in store: I met a charming old gentleman called Bernie Ecclestone, known to most as the F1 supremo, or in other words - the man that dominates Formula One racing. No doubt he is a very astute and wealthy business magnate, a shrewd negotiator not without controversy. Hence our interview with him, which largely centred on the court cases against him in which he is accused of bribery.

At his tender age of 83 and the amount of pressure he must be under, I didn't fail to be impressed by him. My client, Handelsblatt newspaper thought so too and published my portrait on their cover as well as two more on inside pages to accompany the headline interview.

Year end in Hamburg

Welcome to the blog in 2014, and a belated Happy New Year to all readers. I'd like to start it with posting some leftovers from my visit to Hamburg over New Year's Eve. As of last year, Hamburg is fast becoming a second home to me and I look forward to exploring this city in far greater detail this year. Again, tilt-shift lenses dominated (or clouded) my vision, the winter sun helped things along in the HafenCity and as a result we have some interesting silhouette shots.

Thank you for your comments, feedback and support during 2013, they were very welcome!