ACE Magazine Issue 13 by ACE Magazine

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GREATEST SS 15 // ISSUE 13.

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EDITORS NOTE

CREDITS

How can we not be excited about 2015? Especially with Spring and Summer on the way.

Editor: Dani Telford Editor@ACEMagazine.co.uk

There’s plenty to sink your teeth into this issue as we look to work our way out of those Christmas and New Year slumps and grab some snazzy [but functional] training shoes and sportswear, yes it’s time to get active! Plus, there’s not just clothing and style to think about, but there’s technology to consider that will drive performance and health improvements. From the all important work-out watches, apps and even sleeping trackers, we take a closer look at what’s on the market, and guide you through the best tech right now.

Online Editor: Elizabeth Wilkinson Online@ACEMagazine.co.uk Sports Editor: Simon Mulligan Sports@ACEMagazine.co.uk Contributors: Kate Menear, Lauren Jones Advertising Sales: Nemi Osuji Sales@ACEMagazine.co.uk Special Thanks: Adidas, Sport England, FACT, Penhaligons and all other brands we have worked with

With a number of high profile cases in the media of late regarding mental health, we also preview the much anticipated art installation ‘Group Therapy’ at the Foundation of Art and Creative Technology, and interview artist ‘Vacuum Cleaner’ to find out more about the theme mental distress in a digital age.

Design & Advert Design: Sphinx Media Ltd info@SphinxMedia.org

HYPE: Dropping at the end of the Feb, the Adidas #Ultraboost has tongues wagging.

General Enquiries: Hello@ACEMagazine.co.uk

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2015 Spring nike tech pack collection lookbook

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features

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This Girl Can Campaign Sport England are trying to get women more engaged with sport, but aren’t they already? SPORT

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Uber Controversial We’re not uber excited about uber. The controversial app that has taken the world by storm... and is set to hit our cities in a matter or months, has us debating the ins and outs. TECH

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What Will You Be Wearing? As wearable tech advances, and a significant number of smartwatches hit the market [yes there’s more to life than just the Apple Watch you know] ACE takes a look at what’s on offer and what exactly you should be buying. TECH

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section highlights

adidas ultraboost .34

A Safe Place To Go Mad? A closer look at the themes surrounding the up and coming installation ‘Group Therapy: Mental Distress in a digital age’ hosted by the Foundation of Art and Creative Technology - interview with the artist. ART

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Fine Dining Great British Food in the North West? Yes, and there’s plenty to be proud of. Our Chef and Restaurant directory lists some of the top places to book a table in the coming months. You’d be a fool not to.

FOOD & DRINK

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R E C O R D S ”

In case you hadn’t of guessed, it’s the 25th anniversary and boy do the label celebrate in style. Well, of course, few have had as much impact on the dance and electronic scene as Perfecto Records since its inception way back in 89’. Steering the ship [aka founded by] master DJ and Number One Brit Award Winner Paul Oakenfold, the label remains a household name to this very date. We’re pretty excited for the album to drop mid-March, with two CDs of what looks like a comprehensive overview of its history. Lest not forget, Perfecto released the music of countless ‘headliners of the future’: Carl Cox, David Guetta, Tiesto... we could go on. From the underground scene to the commercialised pop of today [otherwise known as EDM] Perfecto have shaped and redefined electronic music - let’s hope the album lives up to the hype.

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n o t o o H IS CLuB TENN

words:

MUSIC

es Lauren jon

It only took one year for local quartet, Hooton Tennis Club to be signed to London based label, Heavenly recordings who have the likes of Temples and TOY on their books, making them one of the most successful bands to come out of Merseyside within the last two years. This has been noticed by waves of undeniable admiration from many of their local counterparts. The most compelling factor in this fairytale is the wondrous individuality their music exhumes - showing the early signs towards the impact that breakthrough artists such as Tame Impala have made to the industry.

thousand listeners. The track provides a fantastic cultured education that pours from the onset, mentioning the likes of Matisse and Turner, rhyming with humming of the bass, mimicked by softly cured beats that curdle within the harmonium. Hooton Tennis Club is band we crave and rarely receive, this is stuff dreams are made of.

The pairing could not have come at a better time, with the release of ‘Jasper’ on 23rd February, we were presented with a compact tour which see’s the lads rock up in four of the UK’s major cities, lobbing their free-running sound around the country. Charming escapades of playtime chords matched with the unfolding of a happy-go-lucky fables force a beaming smile upon the many

HTC: No, we haven't. None of us play tennis. In fact, it's probably one of our least favourite sports. We play a lot of 'Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006' on the Xbox, and Ryan and Callum really like watching 'Ski Sunday'.

ACE were lucky enough to steal some precious minutes with the band... ACE: Have you ever visited Hooton Tennis Club?

ACE: You create a Spotify playlist every month for your ‘Schveet Blog’, how did that idea come about?

HTC: Callum had the idea of starting a Sunday club sort of thing. We thought it over and came to the conclusion that we'd be too busy to put together a weekly playlist. So we're going to do it monthly and call it 'Last Thursdays'. It's going to be a sort of homage to the free, monthly events held at innumerable art galleries across London ['First Thursdays'], but more inconspicuous [i.e. less popular]. ACE: Your latest track ‘Jasper’ was produced by the amazing Bill RyderJones, did he give you any pointers during the production? HTC: He did, and he didn't. One of the many tricks he taught us was never to reveal the tricks he may, or may not have taught us... He's a good friend and a very talented chap. ACE: There’s a little UK tour coming up in February, three of which are free entry, do you think there’s a

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stigma that comes with bands playing gigs for free from other artists? HTC: The reason we're offering some free entry shows is so that we can be - to use our best 'jargonese' - socially inclusive. We're at a very early stage in our career; this is our first ever tour. Therefore, we thought it best to start slowly. We also just want people to come along, have fun, and not have to give a shit about paying money on the door. ACE: Is there a code of practice you must follow to be a member of Hooton Tennis Club? HTC: Try to be nice to people, eat your greens, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try to live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations. ACE: How would you describe your sound?

HTC: Hope for the best, or, atop the indie landfill pile. We're planning to release a four disc extravaganza based on the title of that great Talking Heads album 'More Songs About Buildings and Food'. We're going to call it 'More Songs'. ACE: Are there any future festival dates you can tell ACE about? HTC: Between answering our e-mails and watching classic Jed Bartlet speeches on YouTube, we're actually trying to get things sorted with various UK festivals. We can't say which ones [partly because we don't quite know yet], but it looks like we're going to have a busy summer. ACE: If not Hooton Tennis Club, what could have been? HTC: Well, Ryan fancies himself as a French speaking ski instructor, whilst James and Harry are going to start 'Hooton Jogging Club'. Callum currently

works on a boat [...he couldn't even get a job on the land!], which he'll happily continue if the band fucks up. ACE: Has the hard work paid oďŹ&#x20AC;? HTC: There's been a lot of work, but it hasn't seemed like hard graft so far because we love doing it. We've been making music for years as friends and we're still friends so we're still making music together. We've always had various musical projects on the go because we've always enjoyed keeping busy. Of course, we're over the moon about the situation we're currently in, but we'd never let ourselves get complacent.

Listen:

jasper now on youtube

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WO ME N IN SPO RT

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In Sport England’s new campaign to get women engaged in sport, captioned slogans such as “sweating like a pig, feeling like a fox” and “hot, not bothered” accompany the thudding Missy Elliot Get Ur Freak On soundtrack. Sweating, intense, powerful bodies are shown exerting themselves to the maximum in activities ranging from netball, boxing, cycling, running and zumba. The message is clear; girls don’t be afraid to get yourself moving, mussing up your makeup and displaying your body no matter your size.

FEATURE

It’s a valiant effort to try and turn the social and cultural barriers that women face when playing sport on its head. Hopefully women watching the advert will feel a sense of empowerment, a renewed hope that they can and should play sport, and not feel self-conscious when doing so. Yet how effective can a campaign such as this really be when the wider cultural impact of women’s sport is slowly diminishing year on year. Despite the heady heights of London 2012 where beautiful, strong women such as Jessica Ennis-Hill, Nicola Adams, Katherine Grainger, Laura Trott and Charlotte Dujardin became Olympic gold medallists, reporting and screening of women’s sports has decreased since the games. As of 2014, stories on women’s sports reported by the media are still outnumbered by twenty to one by male sports. According to a report published by Birmingham University, in six national newspapers reporting of female sports stories decreased the very next year after the Olympics. In the Sun, Mirror, Times, Telegraph, Mail and Daily Express space

given to women’s sport fell from 3.5% in 2012 to 1.3% in 2013. To think that over 97% of all press coverage on sport is concentrated on male stories, it is no wonder that female participation in sport is at such odds with male participation. As it stands, around 40% of men are considered to be adequately active, compared to just 29% of women. Dr Claire Packer, a senior clinical lecturer in public health, who led the study said, "Despite the success of our female athletes both at the 2012 games and since, women's sport, at least in the eyes of the print media we studied, remains a minority sport. Until we change this perception, the levels of participation of girls and women in sport will continue to suffer, as will public health as a result." However, in contrast to the actual participation in sport, spending on women’s active wear is increasing year on year. Nike has already seen its Women’s sales business grow by nearly 12% to $5 billion in 2013, outpacing the company’s overall 9% top line growth. The company sees enough opportunity in this market to grow revenues to above $7 billion by the fiscal year 2017, which would represent 20% of its overall global revenues. And Nike are not alone, other fitness brands such as Adidas and Under Armour specifically see the women’s market as an area of huge growth that they are targeting. Since 2005 Adidas has called on the fashion prowess of Stella McCartney to design high performance women’s sportswear for yoga, running, cycling and winter sports. Its huge popularity has since spurred other brands to use fashion collaborations to sell us the

dream of perfect bodies in uber luxe, style conscious creations. We are being sold a lifestyle choice; wear Alexander Wang for H & M leggings to work or to workout in -it’s all so convenient. Not since the 1980’s has leisurewear been worn outside of the gym studio in such abandon. Women of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds, are wearing Nike flyknit running shoes or New Balance black 574s to do the school run, shopping or even ladies lunch but not to actually work out in. It would seem that women are willing to look the part, but not necessarily take the sweat and hard work that accompanies a tough physical workout. Perhaps the fact that brand adverts are littered with fit, toned, beautiful models and not real sport playing women is yet another barrier to female participation.

Words: Elizabeth wilkinson

The obvious benefits to increased participation in sports are not myths; everybody knows that increased movement and decreased calorie intake will inevitably result in weight loss and the mental and physical benefits that follow. Reduction in type 2 diabetes, increased fertility, body confidence, stress reduction and self-confidence are just some of the positive outcomes that can be achieved by taking up regular exercise and playing sport. We can buy some fancy gym kit and shoes but ultimately women have to want to participate in sport. Hopefully the Sport England Campaign will spur exercise shy women to embrace all of the positives that surround an active life, but there are many more barriers standing in their way.

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Delivers your greatest run ever

fear no run.

surrender no race.

Adidas has introduced a brand new running shoe to deliver, what they hope, will be the very best running experience. Promising a revolution through design and technology we couldn’t wait to take a closer look at the Ultra BOOST. technology The Ultra BOOST contains 20 percent more BOOST* which Adidas claims to perform consistently in any and all conditions over countless miles; year after year. What is BOOST? The real science of the Ultra BOOST comes from their soles. Made up of tiny, flexible energy capsules that can adapt to the weight placed on them before pushing the energy back up, BOOST returns energy that is usually lost in conventional trainers. They also provide greater support and stability to the runner as they are not affected by temperature so they remain flexible in the cold and rigid during warmer periods. Adaptable Comfort The Ultra BOOST uses Adidas Primeknit to allow the foot to expand during running, minimising the risk of injury or discomfort and friction. By incorporating the tongue into the upper casing of the shoe, the Primeknit meshing is able to move with the foot and expand when needed allowing the foot to fully stretch and flex.

weighing in at £130.00, the ultraboost offers a great volume of technology in one small shoe and yes, we’re suitably impressed.

available

#ultraboost Superior Support Ultra BOOST features an entirely new heel construction that frees the natural movement of the Achilles tendon. A carefully tuned external heel counter cradles the foot and adapts to the high extension of the Achilles. Furthermore, a new featherweight sock liner adapts to a runner’s natural foot form, for a custom and comfortable fit.

Ultra BOOST also contains a new dualdensity TORSION® SYSTEM, embedded into the shoe’s base. This allows more independent movement between heel and forefoot for superior stability. Would we buy them? Yes.

11.02.15 energy takes over

adidas

SPORT

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3/. 4/.

2/. Best foot

forward ACE’s picks of the best running shoes available in 2015 for £100 or less.

1/.

Helly Hansen

Newton

Terrak Trail

Aha

An incredibly lightweight, minimalist shoe that comes alive in muddy, icy or a generally hilly landscape. With its sleek running design mixed with high traction technology the Terrak really allows you to build up pace and distance in rough conditions. The aggressive lug configuration (almost like spikes on a running track) and low heel to toe drop allows the foot to grip onto tough terrain and almost bounce back with no determinable energy loss.

FEATURE REVIEWS

£80

The upper shoe is breathable with its own high tech, waterproof mesh. The high impact areas of the shoe are protected with Hellywear technology. A high abrasion synthetic material is welded across the base of the shoe to protect the join between upper and the sole. We found that this provides the shoe with an amazing durability so that after many miles clocked, beneath the mud the shoe looks almost brand new. Perfect for light walking through to intense trail running.

The dream shoe for front-foot runners or recreational runners looking to advance to the next stage of their training. Pitched as the introductory model, the Aha is designed to initiate serious and occasional runners into the Newton fold and open their eyes to the benefits of their POP running system. Feeling light on the foot, the sole incorporates 5 lugs in the Newton POP 3 category which creates an excellent platform for your foot to sit on. Energy transfer is good with the foot feeling cushioned.

£100

The upper shoe is deliciously soft and melds completely to the foot. With a noticeably thinner mid-foot the shoe feels supportive without being too restrictive. We especially like the roomy forefoot where your toes can really spread and find their own shape. Excellent colour and design help to make the Aha an attractive choice for runners who want to look good while pounding the pavements. Perfect for runners looking to take it to the next level.

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1/.

New Balance

NBX - 1400V2

860V4

An excellent option for cross training in different sports and for indoor use. The 1400v2 is super light and they almost disappear when on the foot offering a great return of energy on impact whether you are training outside, in a gym or in a sports hall. They have a narrow forefoot width and reduced toe box depth meaning they sit very close to the foot. With its no-sew material application inside the shoe structure this is not a problem for narrow feet, but not great if you have a wider foot or prefer a roomier front for foot expansion.

The heavy-duty workhorse shoe with incredible cushioning, stability and energy retention. Designed to cushion the foot and keep it pretty stable during long miles, it still manages to be rather light and stylish. With a rocker motion, the high drop sole (12mm) inclines the foot forward with a smooth motion. This results in an even running style that can be comfortably maintained over a long period of time and the increased depth of sole offers a really good energy retention as well as comfort for the heel and foot arch.

In our case the foot proportion was perfect and only improved with increased use and added mileage as the shoe moulded itself to the foot. With its flatter sole and racing style design the shoe is perfect for fast paced running or shorter sprints.

The roomy forefoot gives plenty of space for the foot to expand into during your run and its combination of synthetic and no-sew overlays reduces the risk of friction (and therefore nasty blisters). Packed full of innovative technology, New Balance have created a desirable running shoe for those who enjoy a more traditional running experience. Perfect for the traditionalist who puts comfort first.

ÂŁ90

Perfect for active types who need a runner to suit all occasions every time.

ÂŁ95

Perfect for runners looking to take it to the next level.

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M E N S

R U N N I N G

W I T H

J O H N

L E W I S

RONHILL CLASSIC THERMAL BEANIE, BLACK £10 NIKE FOREARM RUNNING SLEEVE, BLACK/VOLT £30

SKINS A200 LONG COMPRESSION TIGHTS, BLACK £70

POLAR M400 GPS SPORTS WATCH W/ HEART RATE SENSOR, BLACK £169.40

THE NORTH FACE QUEST FULL ZIP JACKET OUTER SPACE BLUE £95

SENNHEISER OMX185 AROUND-EAR HEADPHONES, BLACK £24.99

UNDER ARMOUR SPEEDFORM APOLLO RUNNING SHOE, BLACK/VOLT £90

“FEELING THE BURN AND FIGHTING THROUGH IT”

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polar m400 £169.50

Tom tom

adidas micoach

multi sport cardio £249.99

smart run £300

track the

Long road

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S P O R T

F I T N E S S

B E S T

2015 TR A CK ER S

“

Advanced, intuitive blend of coaching and performance data designed to help serious runners maximise training every time you lace up your shoes. ADIDAS MICOACH

FEATURE REVIEWS

Sport watches have been knocking around for quite a while. Industry leaders such as Garmin and Polar have pretty much dominated the market but with a fast growing number of brands throwing their hat into the ring of wearable devices, the sportwatch arena has become that little bit more exciting. We don’t have to look far to see the Adidas Smart Run, powered by Android [though it remains firmly as a standalone tracker rather than a smartwatch per se] sliding into the ‘must have running devices’ this year. Though initial impressions highlighted a chunky looking model, with a heavily skinned strap, function far outweighed its design flaws. And after a few weeks use, the design actually grew on us. As you can imagine, if you’re into tech and you’re a runner, the Smart Run sounds like a dream. Functions galore: GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, heart-rate monitor, accelerometer and there’s also real-time coaching [you could be egged on by the likes of Jessica Enis, Jonny Wilkinson and Andy Murray- an entertaining feature for sure] as well as custom workouts to keep you motivated and productive. You don’t have to just listen to the athletes though, you could always upload your favourite running tracks and albums to the watch and sync your bluetooth earphones for a wire free experience. There’s a fairly large colourful LCD screen which is clear to read and changes colour as you run, a definite advantage as the gloomy winter weather continues to take hold. Plus the swipe element is a big bonus for the miCoach as it allows runners to glide through menus and statistics with the minimum of fuss whilst jogging along. A f t e r fi n i s h i n g a r u n , t h e w a t c h automatically updates all your stats onto your miCoach account via Wi-Fi so it’s super easy to keep track of your improvements [or lack of]. A great little extra for those who are seasoned runners the watch provides a ‘Run Score’ which indicates running potential, presenting

you with predicted race finish times for marathon, half-marathon, 10k and 5k distances – an ideal training aid for runners wishing to chart improvements and move through the levels. For those of you who slip into the ‘more committed’ of the ‘Get Fit Camp’ will enjoy the Tom Tom Multi Sport Cardio. As you’ll of guessed, the Tom Tom offers more than just a running device. You can accurately track your cycling and swimming too. Similar to its predecessor in design, the Multi Sport Cardio tackles all of its former flaws head on. The strap is altered slightly to ensure a tight fit and of course more accurate readings. But at the same time, the wide perforated bracelet is flexible and breathable. There’s an easy to use navigating button and the watch interface itself is clear and simple. The built in heart rate monitor works via an optical light underneath the watch, similar to the Adidas Smart Run, so no more need for those annoying chest straps, originally used by Tom Tom and other sports brands. As you’d expect of GPS, it perfectly tracks your route. In terms of running, the option to race yourself from a previously recorded run, is a fascinating feature for pushing yourself and those little vibrations keep you aware of your goal progress. As a cycling device it works well, and can even be synced with TomTom's wheel-mounted cadence tracker, perhaps a little annoying that you have to purchase this on top of the watch itself [a further £60.00]. It does come boxed with a separate mount to attach to your handlebars though which is quite nifty. ACE were more excited about the built-in swim mode however with a 50m waterproofing. Although GPS data isn’t captured underwater [so you’ll be unable to use it as an open-water device] it’s perfect for indoor pool use and very easy to set up. All you have to do is tell the watch in a few simple button steps, what the length of the pool is... and away you go. Data accuracy of lengths, speed and distance is impressive and effortlessly synced with your mobile or laptop through the neat looking app [a personal favourite of ours]. If you’re not so... ‘fitness mad’ and you’re looking for a more middle range product that still offers quality and performance, the Polar M400 is a perfect match. This running focused GPS watch also tracks normal day to day activities [steps and sleep] syncing nicely with your smartwatch for regular updates. It does also provide tracking for cycling if that’s your game and still manages to be fully water-resistant up to 30m. Design wise, it’s slick and sporty, with a nice feel strap. There are a range of smart coaching features as well that push this ahead its rivals and a reasonable battery life of 8 hours GPS tracking or 21 days of normal day to day wear.

JAWBONE UP MOVE Perfect device for novice tracker users. A sleek pedometer and sleep tracker with an easy use app. Near indestructible.

FITBIT CHARGE One of the best all-around, midrange priced trackers on the market. Call alerts, step count and automatic sleep tracking impress.

MISFIT SHINE An impeccably designed and fully waterproof tracker to rival more expensive models. Multiple ways of wearing ease use.

PULSEON Lightweight tracker with excellent h e a r t r a t e m o n i t o r. C l e a r s c r e e n displays data in real time for accurate gage of workout.

MOBILE PHONE WATCH

BLACKberry classic ÂŁ349

The BlackBerry Classic couples a comfortable, accurate keyboard with an attractive design that's sure to please BlackBerry fans. Support for Android apps will please the rest too.

home

philips sonicare

diamondclean toothbrush £250

ACE RECOMMENDS THE DIAMONDCLEAN PINK FOR THE LADIES

ow lets get down to the major issue at hand, the Philips DiamondClean is not cheap. £250 is a high price to pay for a toothbrush and to many people just too much to spend on their teeth. However when you breakdown the price, averaged over a year you will be spending just 70p a day on those pearly whites. So spread across the life of your toothbrush the price becomes less of an issue; add in the features included in to the package and you could almost call it a bargain (almost!). It’s not hard to see that a lot of thought and care has gone into the design of the DiamondClean. With no annoying wires or ports to interfere with its aesthetic, completely waterproof and easy to clean, the design of the DiamondClean is an absolute dream. Perhaps the most impressive feature of the DiamondClean is its wireless recharging ability, you can either pop it into its tumbler glass or the USB rechargeable travel case. Philips achieves great functionality with demonstrable results as the brush comes with five pre-set brushing programmes that you can quickly switch between during use. After just a few weeks, not only do teeth feel cleaner but the physical difference is marked as they gradually become whiter and whiter. You won’t be disappointed. Full Review via acemagazine.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY

SMArt

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Samsung

smart fridge freezer .26

approximately

£2144

Although this model hasn’t yet reached our shores, we’re already anticipating the Samsung Smart fridge with its wifi enabled 8” touchscreen display unit that will make life so much easier in the kitchen. This spacious and attractive 4-door fridge freezer will allow you to browse the web in no time [a world full of recipes at your fingertips]. It also offers both local weather conditions and d i s p l a y s A P N e w s h e a d l i n e s . Yo u can enter expiration dates and reminders for when you need to top up so you are always onestep ahead, reducing food waste [a huge plus]. The twin air flow technology built into the fridge and freezer compartments work at keeping your food fresher for longer and prevent food stuffs from cross contamination.

philips

viva juicer £59.99

TECHNOLOGY

Juicing is fast becoming a dietary n e c e s s i t y w h e t h e r i t ’s a n u p - t o the minute Kale juice or the simple classic OJ in the morning. Thanks to the Philips Viva, juicing h a s n e v e r b e e n s o e a s y. S m a l l a n d lightweight, its compact design means less worktop clutter and its electropolished sieve makes it machine washable. Even when hand washed, it takes less than a minute to clean. No more pulp frustration nor the inconvenience of having to figure out how to piece the whole thing back t o g e t h e r. T h e l a r g e t o p - l o a d i n g funnel is big enough for whole fruit and veg, so you don’t have to waste time chopping, pealing and coring. Hurray!

HEALTHY Living

FOR THOSE WITH LITTLE TIME TO SPARE We all know its a struggle trying to kick those naughty habits and embrace a healthier lifestyle. Thankfully technology is here to help us save time and reach our full potential! We’ve picked out some of our favourite gadgets that reduce time and help organise, so you can spend those few extra minutes in the gym, you can pick up some extra fruit and veg - lets get going!

featherweight hairdryer £155 W h a t t h e c o m p a n y claims: “Powered by proprietar y T 3 To u r m a l i n e ® a n d a d v a n c e d SoftAire™ technology, the Featherweight 2 dries your hair faster for great results. With a sleek new design inspired by fashion trends, an ergonomic, tilted handle and weight b a l a n c e d s h a p e , t h e Featherweight 2 is as beautiful to look at as it is to hold.” What we say?We found that dr ying time was reduced by at least a third f o r l o n g e r, t h i c k e r h a i r a n d b y u p to half for shorter styles; not only reducing time but stress also (that extra time can be spent in bed or relaxing over a morning brew!). We also discovered that our hair health dramatically improved when using the T3 featherweight, it was less frizzy after styling and the ends were not as dry or brittle.

up by jawbone download app free

for more tech reviews, head to acemagazine.co.uk

Having used a variety of health apps and gadgets, ACE have found that the Up by Jawbone is the most user friendly and convenient to use of all its competitors. In the past few years Jawbone have invested heavily in its data recording to make the app as informative as possible. And it clearly shows. We were impressed by the ‘Smart Coach box’ that offers a collection of information snippets such as receiving notifications explaining how many steps you’ve taken in the past week and how that compares to other Up users of the same age a n d g e n d e r. T h e e a s e i n w h i c h y o u can navigate the app and the graphics used, make it a simple task to track steps, record sleep patterns and even monitor your food intake. Even the most technophobe of us will love it.

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CAMERA FOCUS

picture perfect

The Canon PowerShot SX60 looks good and feels even better. At £450 its nice that Canon have put a lot of thought into the textures and design of the SX60, especially the aluminium used for the outer part of the lens barrel. It sits nicely in the hand with a good allowance for space to place three fingers and feels secure when gripped. Lens The main selling feature for Canon with the SX60 is its incredible zoom. With a 65x lens, and a focal range equivalent to 21-1365mm in the 35mm standard, it by far exceeds the capabilities of the SX60’s closest rivals including including the 60x Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ72 and the 50x Fujifilm XS1. To put it basically you get a larger range of shot capability both in terms of zoom and scope. To compliment its zoom range the SX60 features an impressive stabilisation but at the upper limits you may still need to use a tripod or find a resting place for the camera to keep photos sharp. However, although its zoom is certainly superior its maximum aperture is less than the Panasonic and Fujifilm which can effect its focus and image quality. Image quality For the most part image quality is very good. For a bridge model such at this the SX60 performs well in most situations and produces crisp photographs in both natural and artificial light. When used in lower lighting conditions the pictures can become murky and becomes almost useless in very dark conditions (as is expected for this type of camera). With a fully articulating viewfinder, it will go into any position, taking pictures at an awkward angle becomes far easier. verdict With Wi-Fi and inbuilt NFC, the Canon SX60 is a camera that leads its competition and is perfect or the socially adept photographer. We really enjoyed playing with its creative mode and testing the amazing 65x zoom and were suitably impressed with the results. Canon has produced a brilliant mid-range camera that would definitely suit an enthusiastic amateur who wants a camera to impress their friends and family.

canon

powershot sx60 hs £450

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uber Controversial WORDS: KATE MENEAR

TECHNOLOGY

We're not uber excited about uber Following recent international controversy and general floundering the much hailed (see what we did there) taxi app Uber is set to reach Liverpool City Centre in a matter of months having recently advertised for a general manager in the area. Uber operates differently from other taxi hire services in that its customers need only press a few buttons, download an app and enter their card details, before hailing the nearest Uber driver. No money changes hands with the driver and it all sounds very clean and cool.

currently operating in 45 countries and over 200 cities across the globe. That’s a lot of drunken cab-rides home, with no repercussions if you’ve lost your wallet.

The US-based company modernised the market in London after launching in July of 2012 and thus shocking the sanctity of the Black Cab driver. Gaining momentum after expanding into Manchester and Leeds it seems that Liverpool will be the fourth city to be claimed and conquered by the company. Just to give you an idea of Uber’s international scale they are

A quick glance at the company’s website www.uber.com reveals a sleek, cool new way to book private hire transport. Uber gives customers the ability to plan their route as well as select what type of vehicle they want from the ‘cheap fast reliable’ service of an UberX to UberEXEC for ‘discreet executive quality’ beaten only by the fabulous UberLUX for

So, having risen out of complete nonexistence a mere three years ago, what’s the gripe with Uber coming to Liverpool? Are we not the city of the underdog? Should we not relish in the advancement of a developing company taking its first toddling steps whilst still in its infancy?

‘ultimate luxury style.’ But there better be free foot massages and a lifetime supply of chocolate in the mix too to warrant the £5 base rate of the UberLUX car and the £4 per mile over 11mph thereafter… So you can enjoy the ride home as you remortgage your house in the backseat. In spite of how user-friendly Uber appears to be, prioritising customer convenience over financial function, the Liverpool Taxi Alliance has already vowed to fight the move. Uber has been accused of unfair business practices in the UK and outside of it. According to the Liverpool based Taxi hire company Future Cabs, “Some of these app based providers impose what’s called ‘surge pricing’ during times of peak demand or short supply. It’s an automated process that the company paints as a way to get more drivers on the road during critical times. But many have criticised the

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reports of alleged attacks by drivers in other countries as well as recent votes to ban the app on the grounds of safety in the major European cities of Hamburg and Berlin in August 2014 has raised much debate.

Sefton-based taxi firm Delta have also announced that theywill be opening anoffice with in Liverpool City Centre. Already a giant in the industry, Delta’s development was a blow to black-cab drivers across the city and Uber will only exacerbate the situation. Any of us who’ve hailed a black cab at 2am recently, and who love a gab with the driver whilst scoffing a Nabzy’s in the back, will probably have broached the subject of taxi night-life and subsequently struggled to get a word in edgeways once the driver gets going. The economic climate for the traditional black cab looks grim as young, enterprising and attractive companies offer a bespoke service at a reasonable rate, with both Delta and Uber operating on a mileage rather than a by-the-minute basis.

practice, saying it exploits crises for profit. Most recently[according to an article on the online news outlet ‘Wired’ in December 2014] users in Australia where hit with pricing during Sydney’s hostage crisis this past December, in which passengers saw a minimum of $100 for a ride, four times the normal fare!” The California-based company have also been the subject of much controversy following reports of alleged attacks by drivers in other countries as well as recent votes to ban the app on the grounds of safety in the major European cities of Hamburg and Berlin in August 2014. Such protests accuse Uber of compromising customer safety and a second look at Uber’s ‘Become a Driver’ section on their website shows how alarmingly easy it is to become a driver. Beneath the frantically emblazoned

‘EARN MONEY WITH UBER’ headline there are only three steps to complete before anyone can get on the road as a trusted Uber operative which include downloading an app and providing Uber with ‘necessary documents to drive’. But in spite of these fears Uber’s website confidently states that all of their drivers are fully background checked and insured, offering ‘safe pickups’ with no hailing and showcasing glowing testimonials from customers saying that they, “feel much safer in an Uber vs a taxi. I know who my driver is, I have a record of it and the drivers are better drivers because there’s accountability”. Okay ‘Jackie from San Diego’ - if that’s even your real name - we’ll just have to take your word for it. The Liverpool taxi industry however isn’t merely concerned with customer safety. Uber’s claim on the city comes after

These developments are a further setback for Liverpool’s cabbies. Ged M u r p h y, M D o f F u t u r e C a b s commented, “We offer safe, reliable and secure 5 and 6 seater transport for the Liverpool area. Not only do all our drivers come fully licensed but they also have access to state of the art offers for all our customers via our Future Cabs App, so they can also benefit from knowing what’s going on in all the top venues in our fantastic city.” Although companies like Future Cabs have responded to the need for faster, more connected and up-to-date taxi services in the form of mobile phone apps, Uber looks set to conquer the globe. The preserve of the lazy and forgetful – Uber’s no-cash system means that for many a scatter-brained student, myself formally included, never again will leaving your wallet in a bar lead to the cold and scary 3am crawl home from town. With the Facebook-generation honouring convenience over sentiment, as well as fashion over function, the days of the trusty hackney cab could be numbered.

TECHNOLOGY

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watch the future revolution

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will you be wearing wearable tech? ACE TAKES A LOOK AT THE BEST SMARTWATCH MODELS ON THE MARKET RIGHT NOW

eauty and functionality combine to create a smartwatch worth strapping onto your wrist. We adore the Motoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multiple design layouts and excellent Google Now-integrated software allowing the user to really appreciate the advantages of smart-wear on your wrist; unlike its many rivals were you are often left with a faint feeling of disappointment. The circular designed watch face is aesthetically reminiscent of high-end analog watches and seems far removed from the square shaped, computerised oďŹ&#x20AC;erings from the likes of Pebble, LG and Samsung. The luxurious materials used on the Moto 360 further elevate its design credentials. The face is composed of brushed stainless steel and its default strap of genuine leather makes the 360 a perfect choice for almost any occasion. To compliment the watch you can customise the screen in almost anyway you wish. Subsequent software updates have added several apps that allow the user to design the Moto to fit their own requirements and visual preference from uber glam to cartoon kitsch. Although it does have some niggles (a low battery life being the major let down) the Moto 360 is an industry leader that we would seriously recommend. Design, style and technology all converge together to create a truly enviable product. BEST FOR DESIGN

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S M A R T W A T C H E S

“

With the launch of the Apple Watch just around the corner, is there any point in even looking at the other models on the market? We say Yes.

If there is one stand out feature of the Gear 2 it has to be its 1.63-inch super AMOLED display with a 320 x 320 pixel resolution. Featuring a responsive touch screen that copes well with its surface area, the zoom capability is impressive and clean to use. The colours are bright and crisp with real definition meaning that checking your steps or taking an incoming call are a real visual delight. Plus there’s a 2 Megapixel camera to consider. Not many other devices offer this as a function, but hey, you never know when you might need one.

SONY SMARTWATCH 3 Enviable built in GPS features means the Sony Smartwatch 3 is a powerful model. Android wear allows for wireless headphone pairing - perfect for weekend jog.

A third attempt by Sony, [though still lacking a camera] is more than just a

BEST FOR SPORTS

MARTIAN NOTIFIER An analog watch with smart a b i l i t i e s , w h a t ’s n o t t o l o v e ? S t a y connected at meetings without the distraction of full screen flash.

SAMSUNG GEAR 2 The Samsung Gear 2 has style and substance. With a reasonable battery life and offering more features than its rivals - such as a Camera and the ability to control entertainment centers via an IR b l a s t e r, t h i s w a t c h i s a w i n n e r.

BEST FOR CAMERA BEST FOR BUSINESS

FEATURE REVIEWS

Having already looked at the Moto 360, arguably the Apple Watch’s biggest competitor and topping most smartwatch wish-lists across the globe [for good reasons] there are plenty of other leading brands offering Apple a run for their money. And we have to say, well worth splashing your cash on. We recently tried and tested Samsung’s much improved Gear 2. To our surprise, it ticked a lot of consumer boxes. Yes, Samsung have succeeded in designing a watch that simply looks good. Sleek and minimal, the face is clean of obstructive protruding buttons with the metallic home button nestled in the centre for easy access. Although the plastic strap is comfortable, options are limited if you’re looking to be able to swap and change as and when you want like other brands out there.

smartwatch and one we see as a staple item in the watch drawer. Running Google’s Android Wear like the Moto 360, it is uber user friendly and pretty attractive. Comparable to the Gear 2, it has a generous 1.6 inch display screen. But unlike its competitors, there’s no constant backlight meaning the Sony Smartwatch 3 has a 3 day battery life [longest of all the Android Wear devices but not quite as long as the Pebble]. Bridging the gap with Sportswear, its GPS capabilities, music storage, bluetooth and waterproof features make it a standalone sportswatch too. WAIT, we have to leave room for the Martian Notifier in our style wardrobe; simple, sleek, non-obtrusive, works with Android + iOS... A must purchase, for time in the office or just because it’s an absolute steal, priced at around £85.

PEBBLE STEEL Boasting a 4 day battery life [if not longer] the Pebble Steel has a lower power consumption, beating pretty much all other models on the market.

B E S T F O R B AT T E R Y L I F E

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MAD Love at fact

ART + DESIGN

WORDS: KATE MENEAR

From Science Fiction: New Death’s exploration of the blurred lines between reality and virtuality in the modern age, to Type Motion’s celebration of the creative advances of text beyond mere print, and including the recent pop-up interactive crime-scene Under Black Carpets inviting visitors to view and study forensic evidence, Liverpool’s beloved FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) is a constant host to innovative and challenging art and technology exhibitions. The upcoming collaborative exhibition, Group Therapy: Mental Distress in a digital age, looks set to continue the trend. Consistently presenting exciting showcases, Group Therapy marks another step for FACT in their involvement in projects that address mental health issues and wellbeing. Delving into the world of mental health, illness and stigma, Group Therapy introduces visitors to a range of interactive features under the overall theme of the complex relationship

between technology, our society and our collective and individual mental health. Artists including The Vacuum Cleaner, Dora Garcia, Kate Owens & Neeta Madahar, Quintan Ana Wikswo, George Khut and Katriona Bales will present individual and collaborative pieces of interactive art, film, talks and other media in a challenge to the current and continued perceptions of mental health. The exhibition is intended to gently force you to rethink your understanding of mental health, wellbeing and support. In a world where we’d all be lying if we said we didn’t take a picture of ourselves, tweet something inane, or look to many varying social media outlets to combat boredom, social awkwardness/ tedium or restlessness. It is not only a safe presumption but a valid argument to say that technology is taking over our lives. Not only our personal and social lives, but our internal lives too. Where that which used to be not only private but perhaps undisturbed even within oneself is out in a

public domain of course the mind will suffer side effects. So it’s a wonder how, with such advances in technology, similar advancement in mental healthcare and understanding has not only faltered but all but ground to a halt. So in the over-selfied, vlogged about, emoji-centric digital and real world that many of us struggle to compute, Group Therapy asks, how is our use of technology connected to our wellbeing? How does it affect our values and the way we see ourselves? Our current society can be characterised for many by the almost unstoppable potency of that which could be called social media narcissism. Truly believing that somebody should and does care about the filtered picture of your Sunday roast on Instagram or, even stranger, craving and needing that ‘<3’ attention. We are characterised by this compulsion to tweet, like and above all share; and modern society embraces this overexposure of internal life. Group

Therapy includes apps, games and online forums displaying a variety of digital tools that illustrate the diverse and strange ways in which we manage and mediate our emotions and online presence in the 21st century. As well as exploring the effect of the digital age on the human mind, Group Therapy also looks at challenging longheld stigmas surrounding mental health and wellbeing. Co-curating the exhibition with FACT’s Director Mike Stubbs, Vanessa Bartlett says, “Group Therapy proposes that art and the creative use of digital devices can challenge dated ideas about mental illness, helping to reduce stigma and encourage open discussion about our personal wellbeing’. A particularly interesting part of the exhibition, supported by Wellcome Trust and The British Psychological Society (BPS), is the newly commissioned Madlove: A Designer Asylum by Londonbased artist and performance artist The Vacuum Cleaner. The installation is a series of workshops reflecting the artist’s own and other people’s experiences of psychiatric hospitals as punishing rather than loving environments. We are encouraged to see just how society wants to squash and remove, rather than support mental illness. A collaboratively designed asylum will be created at FACT as ‘a safe place to go mad’, an apt space for a society where all of us experience mental and emotional distress, directly or otherwise. Madlove features advisors from across the health, higher education, science and design sectors, including its principal partner the Institute of P s y c h o l o g y, H e a l t h a n d S o c i e t y, University of Liverpool. The exhibition will also house Me and The Black Dog by Kate Owens and Neeta Madahur. An animated story, Me and The Black Dog uses the folkloric omen of death and melancholy ‘the black dog’ as an aid to explore the understanding of mental health. This piece investigates the impression of mental health suggesting that these periods of being unwell are not necessarily things to fix or get rid of, but rather to live with and nurture as a dark but massive part of oneself. As well as this, a photographic series of American asylum buildings by Quintan Ana Wikswo channels the hyper-vigilant eye movements typical of sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder, whilst Ubermorgan’s Psychosis Sensation software allows users to ‘self-diagnose’ and prescribe treatment for a range of mental health conditions, within a mock psychiatric practice. All of these and other elements are combined to create a truly beautiful and insightful project aimed at nurturing education, philosophy and acceptance. Director Mike Stubbs says, “At FACT, we’ve always been very passionate about our work in mental health. We are very pleased that our efforts have resulted in such an inspiring and thought provoking exhibition, showing that emotional distress is a topic that concerns us all.’ For more information about Madlove visit: http://madlove.org.uk/ Group Therapy: Mental Distress in a digital age will run at FACT from 5th March 2015 to 17th May 2015 (also coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week, 11th – 17th May 2015).

INTERVIEW INSIGHTS >>

artist focus

I’ve spent about 10% of my adult life in different mental health hospitals and a lot of them are very difficult places to be in. They can be very oppressive or even traumatic environments, there’s no real consideration for how they are designed. the vacuum cleaner

the vacuum cleaner q+A WORDS: KATE MENEAR Where does your artist pseudonym come from? How long have you been performing under that name?

When I started making work and I guess, still, a lot of it is illegal it’s kind of sensible to not do things under my own name. I started out in street art and graffiti so you have this persona that you work under. The first thing I did was with the Vacuum Cleaner in 2003, so that’s like 12 years now. Sensible. So you’re based in London, are you there at the moment?

I’m in Zurich at the moment, it’s really beautiful but very cold and snowy. Your piece at FACT, Group Therapy: Mental distress in a digital age, I really want to ‘get it’ so could you explain your ideas and aims behind Madlove in the purest sense?

Sure. So, I’ve spent about 10% of my adult life in different mental health hospitals and a lot of them are very difficult places to be in. They can be very oppressive or even traumatic environments, there’s no real consideration for how they are designed. In 2011 I had a really difficult time with my mental health and my doctors wanted me to go into hospital which I really didn’t want to do. Instead, I did this project called ‘The Ship of Fools’ where I basically declared my own council flat as a hospital and spent the next 28 days using that time as an attempt to find a creative way through that period of being quite distressed. Although it was a very challenging experience it was also really amazing because it got me through that period. After that project a lot of people approached me saying they’d had similarly difficult experiences of being in mental health hospitals and sort of, “could you do something like this for me”, so that’s where the idea of Madlove: A Designer Asylum came from really. The wish is to rethink how mental health hospitals are, how design and architecture affect your mental health and how a space could be designed to be supportive of that. We all have mental health. It’s all a big spectrum whether that’s really severe or you’re just having a bad day. The aim is to create a place that’s really desirable and supportive of somebody’s mental health, to subvert the image of the ‘lunatic asylum’. To make a place that people look at or hear about and go “actually this is really interesting, this isn’t scary, we should go and check this out” so it addresses some of the stigma and discrimination that we have towards mental illness.

ART + DESIGN

If Madlove is the “safe place to go mad”, does that mean that the current state of psychiatric treatment is unsafe?

I don’t want to totally dismiss mental health care because there are some really amazing people that work in the NHS, but it’s been chronically underfunded. Placing it within an art space gives us the freedom to try new things. Hopefully through the process of bringing people together and creating this almost utopian model we can

demonstrate that there are other ways of doing things – that there is a different way in which we can think about how we support somebody’s mental health. Why do you ask ‘How does good mental healthcare look, taste, sound, smell and feel to touch’ in your workshops?

We’ve been doing these workshops for a while; we’ve just done one in Zurich as well actually. In the current model [of mental healthcare] as a patient you are often either really heavily medicated or you’re told that you should pull back from this experience. I think what we’re trying to do is say that these feelings aren’t bad. Yes they might be scary and they might be distressing but they’re happening for a reason and it’s important that you go through this experience but in a safe and supportive environment. The senses are a part of that. How something smells, looks, or feels to touch can really affect your mental health. If you’re in a really beautiful or aestheticised environment it could be conducive to allowing you to go through these experiences in a safer, less frightening, way rather than dampening it down. That’s the attempt anyway. How does your experimental piece, Madlove, relate to ‘mental distress in the digital age’?

I don’t necessarily think Madlove is about ‘digitality’. It’s looking at how we create community and convivial spaces in this modern era where we have a lot of digital communication. I’m not saying that digital doesn’t have a role to play but in a way Madlove kind of works against the brief. What we’re saying is that the experience of being around other human beings, having conversations and supporting each other can be really important. Everyone at FACT has been really supportive of that. Working with FACT and The Wellcome Trust, did they give you any strict criteria or let you run with your idea? Who approached who first?

Vanessa Bartlett [Curator of the exhibition] has known about my work for a long time. When I did the Ship of Fools project she was one of the artists who came and spent time with me. Maybe two years ago when I was beginning to think about the Madlove project we had a conversation about it and she invited me and Hannah Hull, who’s collaborating with me on the project, up to FACT to have a conversation about what we were doing. They seemed to really like the project so they offered us this opportunity to test some of the ideas. They found the funding from Wellcome Trust and the British Psychological Society to help us realise it. One of the great things about the art world is that it gives you freedom to try things. They’ve been really good in allowing us to run with the idea and not be controlling about it, because it is an experiment. You travel a lot with work, do you think you’ll take Madlove with you after the exhibition closes at FACT?

Madlove at FACT is a test version. After we’ve done this we’ll have a period of reflection, on what is working and what isn’t, and then we’re going be doing more workshops asking people what this asylum should be like. We’re going to take the workshop to people in a lot of different contexts, into some hospitals to talk to patients, to community mental healthcare support groups, other art spaces and also more places outside the UK to explore mental healthcare in other countries as well. We’re going to continue that process leading to the late summer of 2016 when we’re building this temporary asylum in London on a much bigger scale than the one at FACT. How can people get involved in that process?

In Liverpool they can get involved with the test version we’re doing at FACT. We’re also doing another open event that anybody can come to at FACT on 9th February 2015 looking at what events, workshops and discussions people want to have in the space. Outside of Liverpool and across the UK people can visit the website and sign up to our mailing list where we announce when we’re doing workshops [April 2015 onwards]. There’s also a submission form where people can add ideas. It’s intentionally quite a slow process because it’s a very ambitious project. Both Hannah and I have to look after our own mental health too so we don’t want to burn out in the process of trying to help other people. Madlove is about bringing people together. What do you want people to take away from the project?

One of the things that we’re trying to do is to get people with different experiences and knowledge in the same room talking together. That might mean that we have psychiatrists in the same room as their patients or carers in the same room as the people they care for: these are groups that often don’t mix outside of the formal, clinical, ‘care’ context. We’re trying to get everybody talking and reflecting on their experiences so it creates a platform where everybody’s listening and we’re having a conversation about how we improve mental healthcare. It’s also about demystifying mental health. Everybody knows somebody, maybe a friend or a family member, who’s suffering with some sort of mental distress. So it’s just getting that ‘thing’ out in the world and saying ‘it’s ok to talk about this’. It’s good to come together and have honest conversations about it. Creating a beautiful and desirable space that challenges the idea of the ‘lunatic asylum’ as a scary place. It could be your mum, your brother, sister or friend who’s experiencing this and we shouldn’t be frightened about that – that’s just counterproductive – that’s not going to help anybody. People need others’ support, compassion, listening and understanding of their experiences.

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In 2013 there were 6,233 suicides in the UK, of which 78%, or 4,858, were male. Just over 13 male suicides every day. Male suicide numbers are at a 15-year high, and suicide is now the single biggest killer of men aged 20-45 in the UK (ONS, GRO, NISRA)*. Since opening up about his father’s suicide, UK Hip-hop star, Professor Green has taken an active approach to battling his demons. The rapper has not only reached out to national newspapers to discuss the issues surrounding his father’s death but also divulged how he himself has suffered bouts of depression. As such, he has emphasised the importance of speaking out. It comes as no surprise to see the artist team up with a leading merseyside based charity CALM [Campaign Against Living Miserably] to host their BBC lifeline appeal. The film also features Merseyside comedian and writer, Jake Mills, who attempted to take his own life but, through the support provided by CALM, sought help and now campaigns to raise awareness of male suicide. “I was amazed at the support I got from so many people when I decided to be open up about my struggle with depression and my suicide attempt. It’s really important more men speak up and that there is good quality help available when it’s asked for,” Jake told us. Every £6 raised by the BBC Lifeline Appeal will fund a potentially lifesaving call to the CALM helpline. Broadcast on BBC One last month [January 18] the campaign received a plethora of positive feedback. If you missed it, the programme is available to watch on the BBC website: bbc.co.uk/lifeline And don’t forget, CALM offers free, anonymous and confidential support to anyone. It has a helpline and web-chat facilities available seven days a week between 5pm and midnight, as well as a website full of useful articles, thecalmzone.net

professor green + merseyside comedian launches bbc lifeline appeal for male suicide charity

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FOOD + DRINK

ACE RESTAURANT PICK

DINE IN

STYLE

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The Liverpool Albert Dock is over 170 years old and boasts the largest group of Grade I listed buildings in the whole of the UK. Founded in 1839 and officially opened by Prince Albert in 1846 its building was a revolution in style and design that completely revitalised the fortunes of the city. However, by 1972 the docks had silted up and the huge warehouses were closed for business. During its decline and wilderness years there were many ideas batted about regarding the future for the docks, it was even suggested that they all be pulled down and cleared for new housing. Sacrilege to even think of, especially sat today over 25 years since the completed transformation of derelict docks to the vibrant, culturally significant mega-tourist attraction that welcomes visitors and natives alike. Were once stood vast, vaulted storage areas now lies Tate Liverpool, the National Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, a museum dedicated to the Beatles, shops and beautiful restaurants and bars to rival any city centre. Nestled within the vast buildings, opposite the impressive Tate sits Gusto Liverpool. A restaurant offering a modern twist to the classic Italian bistro, its soft enticing interiors draws us in from the cold sea air and settles over you like a warm blanket. It’s definitely a space you can while away a good few hours with close friends or family drinking in the ambience of the docks indulging in fine food and superb cocktails. As a group, Gusto is committed to offering fresh produce and carefully selected ingredients at all times and really take their motto ‘Con Amici’ (eating with friends) to heart. On the night we ate (a winter Monday) the restaurant was pleasantly full with couples enjoying an intimate dinner and larger groups celebrating work nights out or birthday gatherings. The blend of clientele and clever table positioning allowed for a comfortable atmosphere to breathe without having to shout to/at each other across the table. A hard balance to strike at the best of times! Now to the food and drink. Again Gusto manages to strike a happy balance with its menu, blending fine dining choices with the expected pizza and pasta without bombarding the dinner with endless pages of options. The one sided menu is neatly concise, citing all the necessary information for each dish with no over exuberant explanations; nothing sousvide , flambéed, char-grilled or served with pipettes. It’s all refreshingly simple and honest, even the kitchen is open-plan allowing us to essentially spy on the chefs. The food, thankfully, reflects this ethos resulting in uncomplicated food that tastes clean, pure and simply delicious. The Italian cured meat deli board (£6.95) and mussels cooked in white wine, cream and garlic (£7.95) are both equally

delicious. The charcuterie were paper thin and as moreish as they come served with fresh aromatic focaccia slathered in oil and rosemary with a tangy tomato chutney. The mussels were clearly freshly steamed, they had a plump juiciness that is lost when they are reheated, and the broth packed a true Gaelic punch. Sweet, halfmoon slices of translucent onion scattered among the mussel shells had me smiling from ear to ear. To accompany our starters perhaps cocktails were an odd choice, but lemon and thyme Bellini (£7) and Negroni Sbagliato (£8) (Translated as “Wrong Negroni, featuring sweet vermouth, Campari and Prosecco) were savoury enough to compliment the food remarkably well. Pan roast duck breast with carrot and star anise puree (£15.95) was delectably balanced, and well cooked. The sweet duck wasn’t overpowered by the star anise instead they matched beautifully and the slightly acidic red wine sauce prevented the dish from veering into sweet desert territory. The flattened rump steak with garlic, chilli, peppercorn, sea salt, rocket and Grana Padano (£13.95) was well tenderised and although a tad over cooked (veering past medium) its texture remained buttery and soft with the cheese and rocket adding interesting tasting notes. Perhaps the only disappointment was the volume of chillies used to season the meat; it was overpowering and masked the smoky depth of the meat. A wonderfully silky Argentinian Malbec (£27) picked the peppery highs of both dishes and was made to be drunk with big meaty courses. The dessert menu is comfortably familiar; there isn’t anything too adventurous which can either be an advantage or not depending on your own preference. Adding pistachio ice cream to the warm chocolate and hazelnut brownie added enough intrigue and lifted an average dessert to something far more interesting and decidedly grown-up. A sweet and tangy sorbet was also respectfully grownup, the dominant lemon was allowed to shine without becoming too lemonade like and rounded off the meal with a satisfying edge. To sit in a space that has been so tastefully decorated within a building were all of its bare beauty is exposed; it is refreshing to eat unpretentious, straightforward, sophisticated food that is deeply satisfying and ultimately delicious. For the perfect place to take someone you love at Valentines, or perhaps a treat for your mum on Mother’s day, you won’t regret booking a table at GustoRestaurants.uk.com For booking enquiries ring 0151 708 6969.

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north west

great british chefs

Great British Food, Restaurants, Chefs... you automatically think the bright lights of the capital. But cool and quality has been achieved in the past couple of years across the North and there’s a growing number of places to be proud of. With Valentines, Mother’s Day and we’re pretty sure a Birthday celebration or two on the way, there’s so many reasons to celebrate what’s on offer - so get booking those tables! Here’s ACE’s Guide to fine dining in the North West:

FOOD & DRINK

FRAICHE

Marc Wilkinson's drive at Restaurant Fraiche is to create food that not only excites people's palates, but also stimulates conversation around the dinner table 11 Rose Mount Oxton, CH43 5SG restaurantfraiche.com

THE LONDON CARRIAGE WORKS 40 Hope Street Merseyside, L1 9DA thelondoncarriageworks.co.uk

HEATHCOTES BRASSERIE 23 Winckley Square, Preston Lancashire, PR1 3JJ heathcotesbrasserie.co.uk

THE FRENCH BY SIMON ROGAN The Midland Hotel Peter Street Manchester, M60 2DS the-french.co.uk

THE SAMLING Ambleside Rd Windermere Cumbria, LA23 1LR thesamlinghotel.co.uk

SIMON RADLEY AT CHESTER GROSVENOR 56-58 Eastgate Street City Centre, CH1 1LT chestergrosvenor.com

JOSEPH BENJAMIN 140 Northgate Street Chester, CH1 2HT josephbenjamin.co.uk

GUSTO ALBERT DOCK Edward Pavillion Albert Dock Liverpool, L3 4AF gustorestaurants.uk.com

MICHAEL CAINS AT ABODE 2 Henrietta Street London, WC2E 8PS michaelcaines.com

PUSCHKA 16 Rodney Street Liverpool, L1 2TE puschka.co.uk

AUMBRY 2 Church Lane, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1AJ aumbryrestaurant.co.uk

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smart bottles Drinks giant Diageo is to launch a “smart bottle” which it believes will set the bar for technology innovation in the drinks industry. The technology behind it was developed by Norweigan company Thin Film Electronics which unveiled a prototype Johnnie Walker Blue Label smart bottle at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The connected “smart bottle” aims to enhance the consumer experience by using printed sensor tags featuring Thin Film’s OpenSense technology, which can detect both the sealed and opened state of each bottle, with a simple tap of a smartphone which has NFC (Near Field Communication). Snazzy eh?

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Mothers day

inspiration kiehl’s

actively correcting & beautifying bb cream £23.50

This Mother’s day, on Sunday March 15th [make sure you don’t forget] why not treat your mum with one of our beauty top picks. Whether she enjoys being pampered, likes to indulge with an exquisite perfume or is a make-up aficionado, we guarantee she’ll have a perfect day with any one of these beautiful gifts.

balance me

shine on tinted lip salve (nude) £12

penhaligon’s Aromatherapy associates

BEAUTY

perfect partners £17.50

balance me

super toning body polish £18

iris prima (100ml) £120

THIS MONTH’S WANT LIST

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“An iconic feature of the British countryside, the daffodil symbolizes the optimism and revival of spring”

This spring, British perfume house Penhaligon’s will launch Ostara, a luminous solar floral scent created by their Master Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour. Through the inspiration of the beautiful daffodil, the fragrance is a modern interpretation of this delicate and incandescent flower featuring bursts of green and yellow. A true olfactory journey from bulb to bud to bloom. Juniper, violet leaf absolute and spearmint are layered against vibrant notes of aldehydes, blackcurrant and clementine for a true floral sensation. Narcissus absolute then leads the sun-drenched floral bouquet, gathered with hyacinth, hawthorn, and cyclamen, which are given depth by the humming warmth of beeswax. The fragrance then settles into a powdered, resinous base of benzoin, vanilla, styrax, amber and white wood effects. Ostara is a true scent of Spring, with deep warmth complimenting a true effusion of floral highs to produce a perfume that both looks and feels beautiful.

Scent of Spring With a rich history dating back to the Victorian era, Penhaligon’s is a brand that cant help but evoke the richness of a bygone era. Their scent journey can quite literally transport you back in time with classics such as Hamman Bouquet, which was created in 1872 by William Penhaligon at their original Jermyn Street adress in Piccadilly, and their original best seller Blenheim Bouquet both of which are still available to purchase today, unchanged from their original form. Today Penhaligon’s still aims to produce the very finest fragrances. Their scents are still made in England using the finest rare ingredients available and anything from hand squeezed bergamot, to incredibly rare jasmine are still sourced with the utmost care and precision. The signature Penhaligon’s fragrance bottle is still true to founder William Penhaligon’s original design; a beautiful clear glass with a distinctive ribbonwrapped stopper. Sublime. Classic Bomber: £195 Buy Now at Penhaligons.com £110

Slim-Fit Overcoat: £325 Italian Crew Neck Sweater: £235 Pleat-Fronted Trousers: £145

FEATURE REVIEWS

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01. Sarah Chapman Morning Facial £46.00

03. REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot £36.00

05. Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil £22.00

This supercharged serum-oil delivers intense and long lasting skin plumping, hydration and radiance, resulting in more youthful looking skin and a day long post facial glow. With it’s beautiful scent of a rose garden at dusk, this serum gives a hit of indulgence to carry you through the day. conducive to allowing you to go through these experiences in a safer, less frightening, way rather than dampening it down. That’s the attempt anyway.

With their much anticipated Beauty Shot, REN are determined to keep our skin looking young and beautiful. Packed with hyaluronic acid the powerful serum will plump, sooth and firm your skin. And the long term effects? The barrier function of the serum prevents ageing, always a bonus! Marketed as a boosting product designed to work with other skincare, apply a thin layer under moisturiser for a beautiful and lustrous result.

The oil comes in a thick, glossy texture that coats your skin and is gently absorbed. Apply when your skin is behaving particularly badly, and is best used 2-3 times a week of an evening after cleansing. Within the first week of use, skin texture visibly improved, dark areas [especially acne scars] brightened and dry, parched patches of the face gradually fade. There’s a reason why they call this a miracle oil.

02. Aromatherapy Associates Deep Cleanse Face Mask £37.00

04. Aromatherapy Associates DeStress Muscle Gel £23.00

06. Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado £20.00

A luxury treatment mask that draws out impurities, refreshes the skin and revitalises your complexion. Particularly effective for deep cleansing the pores, anti-bacterial lavender and ginger are combined with natural clay and silt to absorb excess oils and replenish vital minerals. A perfect mask for troublesome, combination skin.

After a hard work out in the gym, or long day at the office, experience the warming and easing powers of Aromatherapy Associates’ rosemary, black pepper, lavender and ginger Muscle Gel to destress your aching body. Work the gel into tired joints for a deeply relaxing experience, perfect after a long soak in the tub.

The rich, green tinged, cream is packed with nourishing nutrients perfect for revitalising and smoothing the under eye area. Shea butter, avocado oil, and antioxidants combine to create a seriously good cream that glides under make-up and really improves the delicate skin around the eye.

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07. REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial £32.00

09. Lanolips Triple Buttermilk Body Balm £13.99

A transforming facial treatment that provides instant results. No longer part of the V-Cense line, the facial is formulated with a potent water-activated Vitamin C to rejuvenate and neutralise tired looking skin, leaving it looking firm, toned and smoothed, while reducing any skin imperfections. Skin instantly glows with renewed health and radiance. Use in the morning for an instant hit before facing the busy day ahead.

or a truly rich all over body cream you cant find better. It contains a triple concentration of Lanolips' signature lanolin, as well as milk extracts and vitamin E to leave your skin looking buffed, moisturised and silky. Excellent for stressed, dehydrated skin that needs an extra boost to see you through the week. Keep in your bag to use throughout the day.

08. Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer £29.50

10. Emma Hardie Instant Radiance Mask £36.00

Made with rosa gallica botanical extract, mannose, and chamomile, this Skin Rescuer reduces visible signs of stress and flare-ups including skin fatigue and redness. It’s smooth texture lies perfectly under other moisturises providing an added boost throughout the day. Small enough to carry around in your bag of course. Perfect for sensitive skin.

Stressed, tired skin instantly brightens and relaxes with this radiance mask. Use for 10 minutes for a mid week fix or leave on overnight for an extra level of penetration. Peppermint and persea fruit extracts firm the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst vitamins and minerals flood the skin to hydrate and revitalise.

BEST Buys

for

healthy

SKIN

,1 6725( 21/,1( 02%,/(

635,1* &2//(&7,21 BLUEINC CO UK $OWNLOAD THE !00

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W E ’ R E L O V I N G T H E PA L L A D I U M B O O T S W AT E R P R O O F S P O R T S S T Y L E PA M PA C U F F. P E R F E C T F O R T H O S E A C T I V E G E TA W AY S . N O W T H E R E ’ S N O E X C U S E N O T T O A C C E N T U AT E Y O U R S T Y L E , W H AT E V E R T H E W E AT H E R . P R E M I U M F U L L - G R A I N L E AT H E R , S E A L E D T O P R O V I D E A S L E E K A N D M O D E R N L O O K T H AT K E E P S Y O U B O T H C O M F O R TA B L E A N D D R Y. S TA N D OUT WITH THE LUX BROWN / OLIVE DRAB OR THE NORDIC BLUE.

£100

WATERPROOF

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K-way

phillippe plus inner graphic navy jacket ÂŁ70.00

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J A C K E T S

F O R

S P R I N G

2 0 1 5

Gloverall

Coach Jacket £149.00

K-way

le vrai claude 3.0 Green £70.00

aquascutum

Whistles

blythe field jacket grey £300.00

Stutterheim for whistles raincoat £235.00

MENSWEAR

blue inc

navy block colour hooded parker jacket £39.99

G-Lab

roadster marine blue lightweight jacket £tbc

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get the

sporty look With the encouragement of Sport England, it’s time to embrace women’s health and fitness [if you’re not already into it, that is]. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or an occasional runner, we’ve put together some of this season’s best gear to make you look the part and more importantly, feel comfortable. Step into Spring with vibrant colours that will keep you motivated throughout 2015.

WOMENSWEAR

NEW BALANCE MOMENTUM 3” SHORT £20

UNDER ARMOUR HEAT GEAR ALPHA PRINTED SPORTS BRA £18

HELLY HANSEN W PACE 1/2 ZIP LIFA FLOW TRAINING TOP £55

CRAGHOPPERS MISKA II 1/2 ZIP FLEECE £30

HPE COMBAT LEGGINGS, BLUE £80

NIKE DRI-FIT KNIT TANK TOP £40

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Ons Cloudsurfer Trainers: £120 Helly Hansen Windblock Tights: £75 HPE UV-Stretch Jumper, Purple: £70 Craghoppers Miska II Half-Zip Fleece : £30

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Helly Hansen W Terrak Flat Soled Trail Shoes: £80 Craghoppers Kiwi Pro-Stretch Trousers: £45

53.

Helly Hansen W Pace 1/2 Zip LIFA Flow Training Top: £50 Icebreaker Siren Long Sleeve Sweetheart: £60 Craghoppers Kiwi Pro-Stretch Trousers: £45

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Helly Hansen W Feather Jacket: £80 Helly Hansen Windblock Tights: £75 Adidas MiCoach Smart Run Watch: £300 Newton AHA Trainers: £100