There’s something magnetic about Gok Wan: British stylist, television idol, out-and-proud gay, the kind of man who can say ‘‘bangers’’ a lot and mean not sausages but breasts, and have his raving followers say it right along with him.

In his book, Through Thick and Thin, one image is particularly indelible: a younger, emaciated Gok, wretched with self-loathing and stuffed full of laxatives, flushing a pizza down a toilet, piece by piece. From these depths, he has emerged a healthy and compelling man with what seems like boundless self-confidence. It’s this self-confidence he tries to pass on to the women he styles.

Gok is coming to Canberra yet again. He’ll be at Westfield Woden on Friday from 6pm to 7pm doing a show during which he’ll sketch a new look to suit audience members’ assets. The shopping centre’s stylists will then bring the look to life.

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/gok-wan-to-visit-canberra-20120522-1z2j0.html#ixzz1vaU35I7u

Catch me on Channel 4 tonight – and every Monday for the next 6 weeks – and I’ll show you just how easy it is to cook healthy, yummy Chinese food. And meet Poppa Wan who’s making his TV cooking debut!

Get your hands on some of my delicious recipes on my Food blog

Find out all about the show on my Channel 4 website

Get your hands on all the recipes: Buy ‘Gok Cooks Chinese’

Everybody’s favourite fashion stylist Gok Wan shares his tips on looking fashionable and chic while wearing specs this winter, including finding the perfect frame for all face shapes.

As part of his mission to transform women from drab to fab, Gok recently teamed up with Specsavers to create his debut collection of retro glasses to help spec-wearers stay ahead in the fashion field.

“The GW collection is about using fashion glasses as a creative statement piece for the face. We’ve used some great techniques to make this range stand out, such as striped wood effect finishes, bottle green etching and jewel-coloured marbling. The collection has a very retro, iconic feel, with influences from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s,” says Gok.

Gok believes that spec-wearers no longer need to hide behind their glasses but in fact start flaunting them. Here are his top five tips for selecting the perfect pair of frames:

1. Face shape
Choose frames that are the opposite to the shape of your face. For example, if you have a round face you should go for a square frame.

2. Fit
Consider the width of your frames. If they are too narrow on your face they will make your eyes look close together. Likewise, they should be no wider than the width of your face at the temples as they may distort your face shape.

3. Hair
Light frames keep the focus firmly on the hair, so if your hairstyle is your key feature, it’s best to go for lighter coloured glasses or something rimless. Green-toned frames look fantastic with red hair and tortoiseshell is fabulous against auburn hair.

4. Nose
Long noses suit a lower bridge and a thick plastic frame, while shorter noses can be balanced with a high bridge or a frame with a thicker brow line.

5. Personality
I think you can break the rules when it comes to fashion and create a style that expresses your mood. For instance, there are days when I want something that shrieks confidence, so I choose bold statement specs that ooze attitude. Other days, I just want a lovely frame that complements my outfit. Never be afraid to experiment. Are you a fan of wearing specs or do you prefer contact lenses?

Article on SheSaid.com.au

A revealing five-minute interview

Why have you written a Chinese cookbook?

Gok says: It’s a book that accompanies my new TV series. These are all my own Chinese family recipes, the dishes I enjoyed while growing up and the ones I love. I grew up around food. I was trained, wok in hand, by my father, working in his Chinese takeaway and doing front of house. I wanted to debunk the myth that Chinese food is difficult and complicated and you need a multitude of tools. It’s not and you don’t. With my book, all the ingredients are available widely in supermarkets – there are just a handful which you’ll need to go to a Chinese supermarket for – and I show you that there are just five key utensils that are essential. All the recipes are really, really quick and I guarantee that once you’ve tried them you’ll be cooking Chinese for the rest of your life.

Q What are you more passionate about: food or fashion?

Gok says: A hard one to answer. Fashion is really important to me. I love clothes, they’ve always been in my life. When it comes to food, it’s all about the ingredients and dishes I like to eat. It’s a personal journey, too, but really I think food and fashion are important to me in equal measure.

Q What’s your favourite Chinese dish?

Gok says: It’s wonton dumplings with noodles. My dad taught me to cook it and it’s a Hong Kong Chinese recipe, which works really well. It’s probably the most loved recipe in my repertoire and I’ve cooked it thousands of times.

Read the complete article here: http://www.allaboutyou.com/food/celebrity-chef/Gok-wan-recipes-chinese-recipes

madison: Winter is on its way in Australia and a cold weather wardrobe can be really expensive. Any advice for staying on-trend without going broke?
Gok: Buy separates and also customise – i.e. taking hems up and sleeves off etc. Clothes swap with your friends and go charity/vintage store shopping!

m: In terms of winter coats there are a few options. Are there any styles that certain body shapes should stick to or avoid at all costs?
G: Everybody’s body is completely unique, so my main advice is to try on a few different styles and go for whatever makes you feel comfortable and fabulous – a belt to nip in the waist never goes a-miss!

m: Is there a trend you’re finding yourself in love with this year?
G: 1950s prep is so gorgeous!

m: What do you love about styling women and where do you think you got your insight from?
G: I like listening to women and hearing their fashion dilemmas. From all the questions women have asked me in the past I have wanted to find them a solution and I’m not afraid to get things wrong!

m: Why have you chosen to style “real women” instead of celebrities?
G: I’ve done my years of styling celebrities and I wanted the challenge of styling real women in beautiful clothes to make them feel amazing!

m: How can women strike a balance between dressing on-trend and dressing to suit their shape?
G: They should always dress their shape before trend – they should work out what trends that season will work for them – i.e. 50s hourglass, 60s column etc.

m: Who is one of the most inspirational women you’ve ever styled?
G: Dawn French (the British TV actress), she’s just adorable, humble and giving.

m: How would you describe your personal style of dressing?
G: Schizophrenic.

m: What are the fashion sources, in terms of magazines, websites etc., that you check out regularly to keep up to date with trends?
G: Vogue.com ,style.com, shopstyle.com and elle collections.

m: What are you looking forward to getting up to in Sydney during your down time?
G: Eating, catching up with friends, shopping and learning more about what the locals get up to.

m: Tell us about your next project and any other exciting ventures you have in the works.
G: This year is a year of firsts, can’t talk about most of it yet, but hopefully you will be getting my new show and cook book any time soon!

m: If you could give Australian women one piece of style advice what would it be?
G: Dress for yourself, to please yourself and know yourself and nobody else.

m: And finally, what are some of your favourite pass times to help you relax after a gruelling day of makeovers?
G: Relaxing with friends and eating or cooking a good Chinese meal.

Gok Wan will be returning to Australia in May for the ‘Westfield Style Tour’ from 17 – 27 May. For further details visit westfield.com.au.

The fashion stylist Gok Wan explains why he’s in no hurry to stay in a treehouse again.

Which was your best holiday?

ChildLine has been at the forefront of helping children for over 25 years now and I truly believe in all the work they do! They have become an institution in this country and I encourage and implore any young person under 18 years old to contact them if they are facing troubles in their lives.

This is exactly why I have put their link on my Ask Gok page, because although you know I would do anything to help every one of you, these really are the guys with the knowledge and know-how to help teenagers and kids get through some of their most difficult years!

As you know I went through many different issues in my youth and I wish I had had the courage to give them a call! Childline are my charity of the month not only for all the amazing work they have done, but also all the incredible help and guidance they will give the young people of our country in the future. So if you can help them in any way, whether that’s through volunteering or donations please do what you can! Loads of love, and thank you for reading my lovelies! Gok xxx

ChildLine is the UK’s free, confidential helpline dedicated to children and young people. 25 years ago in October 1986, ChildLine came to life. Starting out as a single phone number young people could call if they were experiencing abuse, we’ve come a long way since then. Since it launched ChildLine has counselled over 2.6 million vulnerable children.

In October 2009 we re-launched the ChildLine website to include online counselling, which means that now as well as calling 0800 1111, young people up until their 19th birthday can also email a counsellor, have a 1-2-1 chat online, ask Sam a question or get help and support from other young people on the message boards. The website also has videos and games to help young people take their mind off things, as well as information and advice on a whole range of issues.

At ChildLine bases around the UK, trained volunteers are on hand to provide advice and support 24 hours a day. A ChildLine counsellor is someone who will listen and knows it takes courage to contact us; is aware of the sorts of problems that young people might be worried about; won’t judge; is not easily shocked and who children and young people can trust.
Counsellors are also human beings with different jobs, families and friends. They may be gay, heterosexual, bisexual, of any ethnicity or religion, have a disability or long term illness. They have all been children and had different experiences of childhood but they will never assume things about a young person’s situation or how they may be feeling.
Young people have said the following about how ChildLine has helped them:

“ChildLine has not only changed my life, but it has also saved my life so many times!”

“Childline is one of the best things that’s ever happened to the world. It’s a place where you can go to escape from whatever bad things are happening in your life and go into a world where you know you’re not alone and that there are people just like you out there.”

If you are under the age of 19 and would like support from ChildLine, you can call 0800 1111 or visit www.ChildLine.org.uk to learn more about how we can support you. If you’re an adult you can find out more about volunteering or donating to ChildLine here.

My fab new book is now launched!

Inside you’ll find 80 personal and family recipes, which are not only delicious and healthy but incredibly simple to make. It’s my take on the Chinese food that I grew up eating, drawing on my Chinese heritage to give you a different angle on how to eat – it’s all about sitting down, tucking into delicious food that’s fuss-free and relaxed… Read more >

Order your copy of Gok Cooks Chinese here!