21 August, 2007
BY OUR CELEBRITY REPORTER
Kate Moss, the supermodel who
currently split with boyfriend and
‘Babyshambles’ rock star Pete Doherty,
has been hailed as one of the best
representations of 21st century
British life.
Kate Moss shares the distinction with
the so-called ‘chav’ culture. Chav or
Charv/Charver, even Chavster (male)
and Chavette (female), is a mainly
derogatory slang term in the United
Kingdom for a subcultural stereotype
fixated on fashions derived from
American Hip-Hop and stereotypes such
as gold jewellery and designer
clothing combined with elements of
working class British street fashion.
Chavs are generally considered to have
no respect for society, and to be
either ignorant or unintelligent. The
term appeared in mainstream
dictionaries in 2005.
A survey by Harper’s Bazaar magazine
found that the 33-year-old Croydon
supermodel and the rise of the chav
were the top examples of everything
‘British’ in the 21st century.
Harper’s Bazaar conducted the survey
for the September 2007 issue of the
new-look fashion magazine celebrating
‘everything British.’
On a positive note, the poll of 1,000
people found that the United Kingdom’s
multiculturalism has also made a big
impact on the ‘British-ness.’
The poll found that ‘old Britain’ is
epitomized in the nation’s collective
consciousness by a stiff upper lip,
impeccable manners, and wartime leader
Winston Churchill.
One in three believes that the Queen
is the nation’s greatest living icon,
while 76% say that fashion designer
Dame Vivienne Westwood is the greatest
English eccentric.
The research also found that mashed
potato is the nation’s favorite
comfort food.
The countryside, the British sense of
humor, and a cup of tea is what
Britons miss most when they travel
abroad.
Asked what they would change if they
could, 91% of the people who were
surveyed selected the weather.
On a scale of 1 to 10, the British
rate themselves 8 for sexiness.
The Burberry trench coat is Britain’s
most iconic fashion item, while 54%
say Topshop is their favorite brand.
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