AMAGAZINE Manchester - APOLLO

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SUMMER 2018

15

MANCHESTER’S

under 30



MAGAZINE INVITES YOU TO THE

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Hello

We all know that what makes Manchester special is the incredible people it’s home to, so it’s only right that issue 15 is all about celebrating these amazing Mancunians. We speak to some of MCR’s young movers and shakers in our first ‘30 Under 30’ feature, along with Corrie queen Lucy Fallon, and a whole host of Manchester entrepreneurs in our A-Business section.

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THE A-FAMILY EDITOR Oliver Lilley

HEAD OF CONTENT Bethany Lee DESIGNER Sarah Snelling sarahsnelling.co.uk

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SPECIAL THANKS Editorials Karl Collins Jay Mawson Steven Spencer Kerry Saxon Louise McCann Jade Kewley Reuben Wood

Content Ash Howson Meliza Sestito Meg Marsden Ariana Dolce

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ISSUE 15 APOLLO

MCR |

W W W. A M A G A Z I N E . C O. U K

24 Style Her 26 Alessandra Steinherr’s Summer Beauty Essentials

A-Guide to Manchester Pride Best of the Best Spas in MCR

LIFESTYLE

MCR Social

Bee Mancunian

Manchester’s 30 Under 30 What’s On?

Umbrella Ball 2018

INTERVIEWS

30 Call Me Lucy 54 Anna Williamson Takes On Parenting Anxiety

66 Meet Manchester Artist Stephen Maxwell Campbell

67 Introducing Your New Favourite Comedian Allyson June Smith

96 5 Minutes with Nadine Coyle

A-BUSINESS

59 Meet Leoko Cre8tive 60 The SØWN Story 63 North West Wonder Woman 64 The Rise of the Touched Empire

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51 52 56 88

WHAT’S ON?

6 10 12 14 28 90 91

FASHION & BEAUTY

27 38 40 42

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MANCHESTER

A -T R AV E L S

2 A-Family Letter 78 Join the A-Family

|

MANCHESTER’S

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A-MAGAZINE

LET’S EAT

AD

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68

SUMMER 2018

ISSUE 15 / / APOLLO

CONTENTS

15

under 30

24

72

Sustainable Fashion with Ipanema Style Him

The Grooming Guide This Charming Man

Cool Tech

5 Ways to Happiness

Parents’ Guide to Summer

Messages from Outer Space

FOOD & DRINK

68 Plant-Powered Recipes 72 Let’s Eat Manchester 76 The New Classics from Brockmans Gin

TRAVEL

80 Philadelphia 84 London: Nobu Shoreditch

WIN

87 Spice Up London 97 Grand Pacific

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M A N C H E S T ER B E T T ER I N B LU

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester takes one of the city’s most famous facades and turns it into a style icon for tomorrow. A storied past, a soothing spa, spacious meeting spaces, lively restaurants and decadent bars - this hotel has it all discover Blu.

Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester The Free Trade Hall Peter Street Manchester M2 5GP radissonblu-edwardian.com/manchester Owned and managed by Edwardian Hotels London


MCR SOCIAL

The best of Manchester this summer BEE IN THE CITY beeinthecitymcr.co.uk

The famous Manchester bee will be buzzing all over our city this summer. Over 100 super-sized bee sculptures decorated by local artists will be dotted around Manchester from July 23 – September 23. In October, the bees will be auctioned off to raise money for the Lord Mayor’s We Love MCR Charity which helps to improve the lives and life chances of the

PHOTOS: David Oates

people of Manchester. Get exploring and see if you can spot them all!

MANCHESTER DAY 2018 manchesterday.co.uk

Get ready to celebrate the creativity and diversity of our beloved city in the most epic way on Sunday 17 June. Thousands of local performers and artists will come together to create a colourful display inspired by the theme ‘The Word on the Street’. Don’t miss the magnificently Mancunian parade at 1pm in the city centre.

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SUNRISE YOGA AT CLOUD 23 eventbrite.co.uk

Get your zen on up in the clouds with an invigorating yoga class 23 floors above the city streets. Mastering your downward dog and warrior pose is bound to be that much better with panoramic views of Manchester. A class runs each week at 7.30am on Monday or Tuesday and includes use of mats as well as a smoothie, coffee and breakfast for a post-workout reward.

STAND-UP COMEDY MASTER CLASS WEEKEND thelowry.com/workshops/

Break out of your comfort zone and have a barrel of laughs as stand-up comedian Victoria Cook teaches you the art of making people laugh. Over the course of the weekend, you’ll write your own stand-up routine and try your hand at performing it. Break a leg!

UMBRELLA BALL umbrellaball.co.uk

Join Manchester’s famous faces and successful business people on Saturday 7th July for a night of celebration and connection in aid of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity and Kidscan at 5-star Radisson Blu Edwardian. On the night, enjoy a champagne reception, three-course meal with wine, stand-up comedy from Allyson June Smith, a DJ set from Inspiral Carpet’s Clint Boon and a chance to win money-can’t-buy-prizes in a luxury prize draw.

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MCR SOCIAL

SOUNDS OF THE CITY 2018

ticketline.co.uk/sounds-of-the-city

THE LUNA CINEMA thelunacinema.com

Big setting, big screen, big films: The Luna Cinema are experts in creating movie magic under the stars. Grab your mates or you other half for some good old-fashioned fun in Tatton Park. Kick back and relax with a beer or a glass of prosecco from the on-site bar and get lost in one of these classic films on offer this summer: The Goonies, Pretty Woman, and Paddington 2.

HATCH

Oxford Road, M1 7ED hatchmcr.com Manchester’s creators, makers and foodies have a new home at Hatch. The pop-up concept sees an ever-changing range of independent businesses set up shop in this creative new neighbourhood under the Mancunian Way. Head here for everything from coffee to clothing and nano-brewed beer to bespoke bouquets.

PHOTOS: Jody Hartley

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This summer, Castlefield Bowl becomes home to some of the biggest names in music . A huge event in the Manchester music scene, Sounds Of The City boasts sets from Rag’n’Bone Man, Shed Seven, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott + Elvis Costello & The Imposters. Legendary Haçienda DJs Mike Pickering and Graeme Park come together with Manchester Camerata, the city’s experimental orchestra, to provide an epic evening of classic dance music.


Boutique photographic studios and event space close to Manchester city centre. Featuring three self contained studios, a lounge, and licensed bar. Available for photo shoots, filming and weddings, parties and corporate events. ————————————————————————————— fivefourstudios | 54 oldfield road manchester M5 4LZ www.fivefourstudios.com | +44 (0) 161 7373 7341


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n 2015, Thomas Brown launched the ‘Bee Mancunian Project’ which celebrates the city’s cultural heritage through an ‘escaped’

bee’s flight around Manchester. The artwork champions the sense of energy and community that the worker bee has represented since the industrial revolution. On its travels, the bee tells the story of Manchester through a celebration of our city’s sporting, musical and political history.

Bee Mancunıan The famous Manchester bee has buzzed into 4-star lifestyle hotel INNSIDE in the venue’s latest exhibition from Mancunian artist Thomas Brown

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Keep your eyes peeled and you’re likely to spot some of Brown’s designs whilst walking around the city centre, but a visit to INNSIDE on First Street will give you the full impact of his bee-utiful artwork. In July, INNSIDE will also become home to a super-sized 3D bee as part of the ‘Bee In the City’ campaign - a trail of over 100 bees decorated by local artists and dotted around Manchester. Not only is INNSIDE fast becoming an arty must-visit, but by sponsoring a bee they’re also showing their support for the We Love MCR Charity which improves the lives and life chances of Manchester people. INNSIDE’s exhibition changes every six months so look out for more here from Manc artists in the future! • Follow @beemancunian



Alexandra Burke

O T E GUID Come one, come all - the circus is arriving in town for Manchester’s biggest party of the year. Enjoy four fabulous days of events across the Gay Village for Manchester Pride Festival 2018. This year’s theme is ‘The Circus of Acceptance’: a place where everyone is encouraged to be themselves in celebration of LGBT+ life. Find your best fancy dress and get your glitter on before running away with the circus this August bank holiday weekend!

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THE BIG WEEKEND Let loose and dance the weekend away at sets from pop powerhouses including Rita Ora, Jake Shears and Sigala. Grab your friends and get ready to sing your heart out!

LINE UP

Thomas Cook Airlines Stage Jake Shears, Sigala, G-A-Y Presents Rita Ora, Alexandra Burke, Lucy Spraggan, Nadine Coyle, Louise, Gok Wan, Big Freedia, Youngr, Kelli-Leigh, Bright Light Bright Light The Gaydio Dance Arena Pete Tong, Ana Matronic, Nicky Siano, Danny Howard, Dave Pearce, Jellybean Benitez, Jon Pleased Wimmin, TCTS, Darren (808 State), Jamie Bull, DJ Paulette, Kriss Herbert Stage Takeovers Sink the Pink, Guilty Pleasures, Bongos Bingo The Sackville Boutique Stage Proms in the Park, Heather Peace Presents A Taste Of Our Gay Village


Jake Shears

Sink The Pink

GOOD TO KNOW

Louise

The action at the Main Stage Arena and Sackville Gardens Arena ends at 11pm, but you can squeeze in another hour of fun at the Dance Arena which closes at midnight, then keep the party going at bars in the Gay Village that’ll be open until the sun’s up.

Don’t be caught without cash! Here are three spots to withdraw at: opposite the main stage, outside The Village Chip Shop on Bloom Street (£1.99 charge); inside Clone Zone on Sackville Street (£1.50 charge); and for free in The Eagle Bar on Bloom Street.

Rita Ora

Youngr

END THE SUPERBIA WEEK An alternative to The Big Weekend, this brand-new addition to Festival is a family-friendly dry space. Bringing a dose of culture to the community, there’s a whole host of entertainment on offer which showcases LGBT+ comedy, film, literature, music, debate and sport.

THE PARADE The heart of the celebrations, Manchester city centre is swept with colour as floats and thousands of marchers take to the streets before a sea of supporters. Make sure you catch the best of the action and secure a spot towards the end of the parade by the New Union Hotel.

THE CANDLELIT VIGIL Sackville Gardens is illuminated by candlelight as thousands join together to take a moment to honour those we’ve lost to HIV. A moving end to the Festival, the Candlelit Vigil is a chance to show our solidarity and consider the challenges faced by LGBT communities around the world.

TICKETS Buy Big Weekend tickets in advance for £28 for the whole weekend and £20 for a day ticket at ticketmaster.com. This gets you into the entire event site including all the different stages. If you’ve got any last-minute additions to your group, make sure you head to the Box Offices on the site early as queues can build up quickly. Get ahead of the game and bag yourself fast track entry. Buy your tickets online and make sure to select the secure post option. Your Pledge Bands will be posted out to you, so you can jump straight into the fun as soon as you arrive. If you don’t do this, remember that you’ll need to swap your ticket for a Pledge Band on the day of the Festival to get into the event site. Go big or go home with a VIP package. Experience the best of the best with the black package which includes: • A bottle of Barefoot Bubbly upon arrival to The Clubhouse on the Friday • Invitation to a pre-parade drinks reception • Watch the parade from your reserved seat on the viewing grandstand • Goodie bag on your grandstand seat • Priority access to The Gaydio Dance Arena • Lunch vouchers for the Saturday and Sunday Get tickets at festival.manchesterpride.com #ManchesterPride2018

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Manchester’s

under 30

Our pick of the most inspiring under thirties in the city 14 A-MAGAZINE


#mcr30under30

Samuel Fitz-Hugh | Co-Founder of Settio

Who inspires​ ​you? Creating change for the better. Whether that be revolutionising a boring industry like we aim to do with Settio or seeing the result of charitable work on your doorstep first hand. People who start with very little, or nothing at all, and prove that you can achieve anything you put your mind to inspire me to succeed. What are your business goals for 2018? This year we’re excited about growing our brand through Manchester and securing ‘recommended agent’ status from a couple of large scale residential developers. I also want to see our Settio Community initiative take off so we can in turn support a greater number of local charities.

Kasia Kenyon

| Head of Trading at The Hut Group What inspires you? The industry I work in inspires me and without this I wouldn’t be as passionate about my job. Fashion and ecommerce are incredibly fast-paced, so working with both you have to have your finger on the pulse at all times and being a confessed online shopaholic also helps as I have learnt how important the overall customer journey is. Also to add to this, my team that I work with inspires me on a daily basis, as a manger I really believe that you are only as good as the team underneath you. What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? Getting the grades through university and college is important but your enthusiasm, passion and hard work will see you through to where you want to go.

Nathaniel Tofan

| Head Chef at Manchester House What are your business goals for 2018? To continue to make Manchester House as efficient as possible, with a strong focus on customer service and keeping the guest at the forefront of what we do. Also to nurture young talent and create a happy working environment; `happy guests, happy staff, happy food!`

Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? Well other than perhaps heading into 10 Downing Street, realistically, I envisage myself still in the industry I know and love, pioneering new techniques, nurturing/ mentoring upcoming talent, sharing my passion in a variety of ways, the opportunities are endless.

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Jack Mason | CEO and Co-Founder of Dreamr What’s your most significant accomplishment to date? Creating Dreamr is most definitely my biggest accomplishment to date. In just four years the business has grown from a start-up working out of a tiny shoe-box sized office for two, into a multi-award winning agency with a fast expanding team who work with clients across the globe. We pride ourselves on pushing the boundaries in creating innovative products for our clients and are also now in a position to help other tech startups via ‘Dreamr Ventures’ which enables us to provide investment, technical support and expertise to fledgling businesses. Being considered a mentor and sharing the

Cameron Cairnduff | Creative Director at Little Apple

secrets of my success makes me extremely proud. If you’d have told me five years ago that I would be where I am now I wouldn’t have believed it! Who inspires you? I am inspired by Richard Branson. I really admire his entrepreneurial and philanthropic interests and approach. He places so much importance on surrounding yourself with a great team in business and in life and I couldn’t agree more. I feel lucky to be surrounded by people who support me and I really believe that you get back what you put in. I have an amazing group of friends, an incredibly close family and a great team working with me at Dreamr.

Soraya Hassanzadeh

| Senior Business Analyst at Missguided

What are your business goals for 2018? This year I want to grow my online following so that I can continue to make vlogs about things I care about. Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? It might sound a bit egotistical but in 20 years I’d like to re-watch all of my vlogs with my family so that they can see what I was like when I was young. I’d also like to be able to help young people achieve their goals.

How has living in Manchester helped you achieve your goals? I moved to Manchester from the North East five years ago and since have encountered endless opportunities. The city is booming with networking events, career advice and amazing social scenes. It really is a hub of creativity and entrepreneurship. Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? Leading innovation in the retail industry, pioneering emerging technology and helping businesses across the globe meet their digital goals. Coaching, leading and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Joe Averill

| Transactions & Asset Management at OBI Property How has working in Manchester helped you achieve your goals? Both living and working in Manchester has been invaluable for my career. I made the move into the city as soon as I joined OBI. When you love what you do, I believe your perception is more of the view; ‘work-life integration’ as opposed to ‘work-life’ balance. Living in the city has been crucial for me building a strong network – it really helps me to attend networking events,

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dinners and spend time with a number of other city centre professionals. What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? Without a doubt – it would be to dedicate time investing in yourself. Understand your weaknesses and invest as much time as possible in to strengthening your skill set and shaping yourself for the future.


#mcr30under30

Anthony Logan | CEO at Noir What inspires you? I’ve recently spent a lot of time in Silicon Valley: the heart of technology and inspiration. I feel privileged to live in this exciting and fast paced world, where we are witnessing the rise of an immensely broad range of new technologies, all of which provide inspiration and opportunity. There are also less physical constraints than there have ever been: we can communicate with anybody anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice; we can travel across the world faster than we have ever been able to before. All of this allows us to explore, to meet incredible people, and to unlock endless possibilities.

Sam Lathwood | Actor & Model

What’s your most significant accomplishment to date? I think my most significant accomplishment would be when I came home to Manchester for a few days to visit my parents and received a phone call from my agent with my very first ‘West End’ job offer. I was very lucky to have been accepted into my number one choice of drama school (The Arts Educational Schools, London) with a full scholarship when I was just 18 and still living in Manchester with my incredibly supportive family. You pack your life away to make this huge life leap and move to a strange, new city. You train intensely for 3 years through laughter and tears trying to perfect your craft. You hope that by the time you reach your final year that you will have a long list of agents who wish to meet with you to talk about representing you and your talent. But there is never a guaranteed ‘job’ at the end of it all. Not a day goes by when I don’t take a moment to appreciate what I have been fortunate enough to have achieved since leaving drama school back in 2012. I often look back at the little boy who used to dance and sing and act just for fun, even when it wasn’t the ‘cool’ thing to do, and hope I’ve made him proud. What advice would you give to your 16 year-old self? I would’ve told my 16 year old self not to worry, what is for you will not pass by you. To grow up as a boy who loved to sing, dance and act wasn’t always looked at as the ‘normal’ thing to do, yet I always knew it was the right thing to do. What other people think of you is none of your business and everything will always be alright in the end.

How has working in Manchester helped you achieve your goals? One of the greatest things about Manchester is that it’s a city of collaboration and everyone’s in it together to make it prosper. I moved here eight years ago without knowing anybody and without any qualifications. This city inspired me, tested me and presented amazing opportunities to me. You just have to put in the work.

Helen Stelling Holt

| DJ & Global Talent Relations at Nadine Merabi What’s your most significant accomplishment to date? My most significant accomplishment to date is hard! Although I was in Vogue once! There are lots of things that I feel are significant and being lucky enough to have been able to travel all over the world and meet some amazing artists, musicians and models who I have been in awe of from a young age is probably one of them. And being on stage with Guns & Roses was a bit of a big deal! What are your business goals for 2018? My business goals this year is to continue My business goal this year is to continue learning and expanding my knowledge. I have come a long way from my international fashion marketing degree. I have also gained a lot of experience throughout my time at BODA SKINS – another Manchester brand – but it’s time for me to move on to the next challenge. I want my next endeavour to really let me take full reign and to hopefully develop into a long-term career.

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Richard Brown | Co-Founder of Beastro

it and it brought our community together, with family, friends and regulars helping us get it all together in time. I could not have done it without my Dad, though his workmanship meant we got to create our dream.

Hannah Renée

| Beauty, fashion and lifestyle YouTuber and blogger What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? Probably just to focus on myself and put myself first. At 16, I was in a relationship that wasn’t particularly good for me, so I’d tell myself to stop putting so much time and energy into that and just concentrate on me and my family and friends. I used to worry a lot about failing exams and not knowing what I wanted to do career wise. There always seemed to be so much pressure about knowing what you wanted to do when you were older. So, I’d just tell myself that things always work out and everything happens for the right reasons. Don’t be afraid to do something different to everyone else. I remember when I first started my channel; I kept it to myself for a while because I was worried what people’s opinions would be. YouTube wasn’t as popular as it is now! Even the one person I did tell who I was super close to kind of poked fun about it. Fortunately, it didn’t put me off! So, just to believe in myself, to work hard and to focus on me. Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? I hope to be happy and settled. I’d love to have a family and own a house. I always picture myself in a cottage or somewhere a bit more rural. I love animals, so it’d be great to have somewhere with a little bit of land one day. It’ll be interesting to see if I’m still making videos when I’m 40! Hopefully I will be, maybe more so as a hobby though! I hope I’ll have my own brand - that’s always been a dream. I think by the time I’m 40 I’d just love for my main focus to be on spending time with family and people I love because that’s what makes me truly happy.

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What’s your most significant accomplishment to date? I would say opening my own restaurant, the graft, hard work, passion and love that went into Beastro from James, Heather and I was tremendous but so worth

How has working in Manchester helped you achieve your goals? Not long ago, in 2013, I resigned my real job and started my own business. At that moment I had a choice to build it in Manchester or move to London. I obviously chose Manchester as for me there is no place on earth like it; the support network that celebrates success and helps you through the hard times. You also seem to know everyone fairly quickly or at least know some one who knows him or her. This has helped on many occasions when we have needed, help and guidance.

Ryan John Beggs

| Furniture & Interior Design Consultant at Ralph Capper Interiors What inspires you? I take inspiration not necessarily from one source alone but instead, when developing a project tend to look into contextual, historical or cultural threads and develop a concept from this that becomes the anchor point for a project. Visiting galleries regularly, subscribing to design newsletters and attending networking events enables me to be inspired by new interesting sources. What advice would you give to your 16 year-old self? My advice to my 16-year-old self would be to do everything exactly as I did it, as I truly believe that you should never regret or want to change anything from your past, as it was exactly what you wanted to do at that moment in time. I would tell Ryan to say committed to what drives his passion and most of all stay true to himself. Enjoy these younger years as it’s a time to develop and nurture your personality which is just as, if not more important than relying solely on academic achievements when driving yourself forward through your career paths.


Remi Akande

Franky Rousell | Creative Director at Jolie Studio

Who inspires you? Having been bought up in a loving household, with a mother who was a nurse, and a father who was travelling the world inventing software, I feel I am a direct result of the moral conscience of my mother and the determined innovator of my father. They are, and continue to be my inspiration, along with the many incredible people that I am lucky enough to meet and learn from as a result of starting my own business. What advice would you give your 16-year-old self? I would love to go back and tell myself to not worry so much about what I am going to do in the future. There was so much pressure to pick certain subjects or select a certain path to guarantee entrance into a particular career. I had no idea what I wanted to do; all I knew was that I loved the freedom of art, the discipline of maths, and I wanted to improve peoples lives. It was only at the age of 25 that I really found the opportunity to apply all of that, and I had to create my own business to do it. Stay focused on what you love, and the rest will follow.

#mcr30under30

| Entrepreneur & Marketer

How has working in Manchester helped you achieve your goals? I love the spirit of Manchester! So much about Manchester has inspired me. The energy, the history, the heritage, the old buildings, the new buildings, the wind, the rain, the sunshine, the music, the nightlife, the food, the factories, the people, the love. We act locally but think globally. There really is no place like here - it keeps me driven! What advice would you give to your 16-yearold self? I would remind myself that I am a valuable human being, even if no-one else tells me so. I would tell myself that I have too much to offer to the world to sell myself short. I would remind myself that I am a worthy person, but I would also tell myself that the only person who can give me more of what I need is myself. I would also give myself the following advice: treat others with respect, as you have to show respect to be respected. And finally, dare to dream big.

Mitchel White

| Managing Director at LeftMedia What’s your most significant accomplishment to date? Growing an agency in a competitive space over the past 4 years, overcoming the challenge of being diagnosed with HIV and being able to continue to grow the business and start a new business this year despite the diagnosis. Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? I’ll try and avoid the cliché of being on a beach somewhere but I’d say freedom is my number one goal in life, so in 20 years time I’d like to have the freedom to choose when to work and who to work with. I’d also like to be helping young business talent in realising their ambitions with advice and support.

Barney Mersich

| Head of Digital at Guerrilla Marketing How has living in Manchester helped you achieve your goals? I originally moved here to study chemical engineering, but I fell in love with the nightlife. I worked multiple times a week at a local nightclub doing promotion, bar work, photography, and creating promo videos. I was a lighting operator two or three times a week at one point. I realised I enjoyed this more than university, so I think the city unlocked something in me and helped me

find what I wanted to do. Then, through working at clubs and bars, I met my current boss and here I am. What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? Chill out! Don’t worry so much about things that are out of your control. Start every task by thinking about what needs to be done and how, instead of rushing in head on.

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Jack Appleton

| Community Manager at Meliá Hotels International How has working in Manchester helped you achieve your goals? Manchester has some fantastic hotels and restaurant concepts. The diversity of the offering has attracted the big players to the city. I love chatting to people who, like me have climbed the ranks with such big organisations. Without Manchester being as iconic as it is, we wouldn’t have Meliá operating a flagship brand in the City and committing to growing this presence in the north of England, giving

opportunity to so many. This is true of many big hotel companies operating here. Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? Visiting the team in Palma, Mallorca where the company is headquartered, along with listening to my boss’s strategy for the direction of Sales and Marketing is incredibly motivating. I’d like to be in a similar, senior marketing role.

Charlie Watts

| Director at Chief Productions Who inspires you? There’s a few filmmakers on Vimeo that are little inspirations to me – you wouldn’t know them if I said – but one thing they have in common is their work ethic and determination. I think that lots of people talk about doing this or doing that, but I’ve always been a big believer in getting off your arse and just doing it - especially today when you can shoot a cool film or still on your phone - there’s really no excuses. What advice would you give to your 16-yearold self? I’d probably say the same as I do to myself today: to always believe that the path you are on will eventually lead you to where you want to be. There will be struggles along the way. There’s no such thing as an overnight success. You’ve got to put the hard work in, ride through the rough patches and savour the good moments.

Louis-James Davis

| CEO and Founder of VST Enterprises What inspires you? I’m on the autistic spectrum so I sometimes get slightly obsessive, but it’s certainly not a bad thing. I’m motivated to be and do the best that I can. The business is growing and we still have a long way to go but I get up each morning ready for the next challenge. Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? I see myself leading VSTE from a creative standpoint. I’m an innovator and inventor by nature, so I can see myself as Head of Innovation. With hopefully more time on my hands, I’d also like to spend more of it helping other entrepreneurs to grow their concepts and expand my work with charities, such as Kidscan Children’s Cancer Trust and Cancer Research UK, who I’m currently an Ambassador for.

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#mcr30under30

Connor Shaw | Head of Service at Hoist Finance

Chloé Cotard

| Creative Director at Jolie Studio What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? Everything you want is on the other side of fear. Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? I truly hope that Jolie Studio will have developed and reached other cities and maybe even other countries. Since our company is the result of two cultures coming together, I could see more cultures inspiring our concept and designs. Jolie Studio will adapt and evolve as I did, but I plan on preserving our core concepts. Let’s also hope that our business ventures will allow us to travel all around the world to keep us inspired and fresh! Getting to know new cultures means learning over and over again, and I never want to lose this. I love working on projects that are different and challenging. I can see that still being true in twenty years.

Debbie Dixon

| Commercial Recruitment Manager at Cube Staffing What’s your most significant accomplishment to date? In the workplace, my most recent promotion to Commercial Recruitment Manager has to be my most significant accomplishment to date. Even being considered to take on the opportunity

Who inspires you? The stories behind Sir Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg inspire me. All struggled with education and dropped out at an early age which resonates with me. All four are ruthless businessmen too but share their hard-earned wealth with charities. Branson particularly inspires me; he literally does everything possible to live his dreams, and you only need to look at the Virgin Galactic program to see this. How has working in Manchester helped you achieve your goals? I think it’s really important to respect the work/life balance. You cannot be at your best if you are always tired or stressed. I try to set clear boundaries between work and home, but unfortunately the nature of my job means this rarely goes to plan. This makes it really important for me to find time to disconnect from work, and Manchester and the surrounding areas offer plenty to do! The restaurants and bars in the Northern Quarter are a personal favourite.

initially was quite a compliment! What inspires you? What inspires me personally is promoting a good work ethic to my son; he is nearly nine now and it hasn’t been easy juggling working full time as a single parent. Having him growing up knowing that you have to work hard to achieve what you want and to afford nice things is majorly important for me. His heart is set on becoming a pilot and he knows what he needs to do; hopefully one day my influence on him will see him flying his dream aeroplane across the world!

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Thomas Hope

| Founder/Director at Artisté What’s your most significant accomplishment to date? Being able to successfully develop and launch our third company, Artisté, together with my partner, Kunal. Achieving this goal has been incredible and combines my two passions of delivering a great customer experience along with providing a personalised luxury service. What advice would you give to your 16-yearold self? Never lose focus on what you are trying to achieve, and don’t let anyone else’s perception of success impair your judgment or lead you into a path away from your goals and aspirations. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown your own inner voice.

Tim Hyde | CEO & Founder of TWH Media

Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? A lot can change in that time, but I hope I’m still working with great brands on things I’m passionate about. Being able to make a difference and leave a legacy would be very cool. However, I’ve no idea what that looks like. Without getting too cringey... I think having the opportunity to raise children and give them a great quality of life would be really amazing. I’ll be very happy if I still have the flexibility to enjoy my work as well as balance a home life. Oh, and get more sunshine.

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| Presenter at LADbible What’s your most significant accomplishment to date? Achieving one of the Top 10 Global Sponsored Videos in April by Tubalar - with the likes of UNILAD and Ellen. Seeing as it’s just me filming with my Canon 700D and editing in my bedroom, I can’t believe I’m even in association with these businesses. PHOTO: Handmade Burger Company

Who/what inspires you? I’ve been surrounded by some extremely special people and I got to learn first hand from their successes and mistakes. Working with the likes of Steve Bartlett really taught me a lot about work and life. Since I started TWH Media I’ve worked with some ridiculously talented people across PR, Social, Design, Photography and watching them work on their craft has been really inspiring. I’m also a huge sports fan and being able to take learnings from teams and athletes can be very inspiring.

Kate Ovens

Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? Hopefully with a family. I probably still want to keep up with making videos for clients but not too sure on what the future may hold. I didn’t even expect to be where I am currently.

Lee Nunn

| Creative Director at Sassoon Salon What are your business goals for 2018? Our salon is going from strength to strength, our main goal is to continue servicing our loyal clientele, introduce new clients to our team and deliver what we believe is the best in hair you can get in the city. What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? Opportunities are opportunities; no one is ever ‘ready’. Say yes more I guess.


#mcr30under30

Kerry Saxon | International Fashion Stylist

What impact does living in Manchester have on your work? Manchester is my home and my creative hub and I think any creatives living/working here really make this city what it is and continuously add to the street art, music and culture that Manchester celebrates. There’s so many brands now that all come from the streets here and the music is really pushing through — the last year I’ve seen so many friends grow and thrive in the industry that still love where they’ve come from — it’s something really special. Where do you see yourself in twenty years’ time? 47, I’d like to say retired in the sun but I’m a workaholic so I will probably still be hectic shopping, on set styling, and running the businesses.

Claudia Mirallegro | Yoga Teacher at Mirallegro Yoga What’s your most significant accomplishment to date? Taking the leap. I completed my yoga teacher training at the end of 2015. I began teaching yoga in 2017 and now, here we are in 2018 where you can find me teaching, blogging, creating and inspiring people to be their happiest selves! I guess 2016 can be called my fear year. Fear is uncomfortable, but you have to embrace those feelings of being uncomfortable. Those feelings are usually right before the magic happens. Running with it and ‘taking the leap’ was the best thing I ever did. I’ve now managed to turn something that set’s my soul on fire into a career

and to work at something that you truly, truly believe – well, that’s the dream. What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? Be kind to yourself. Don’t care what anyone else thinks. You don’t need to fit in, in fact please don’t; stand out. Question everything and stay curious. Life is meant to be enjoyed; it goes by quickly so be present. Look for the magic and love in every situation. The more you seek it, the more you will find it. Give more hugs and take deeper breaths. And most of all, remind yourself daily that you are enough. You are magical. You are loved.

Daisy Valentine | DJ & Keys/Vocalist of Fuzzy Sun Who inspires you? I think my mum and dad have had a lot to do with my taste in music and what inspires me. As a child, I remember my mum playing music like Def Leppard and Led Zeppelin in the car on the way to my music lessons and that really inspired me when learning guitar. On the other hand, my dad helped me fall in love with female vocals from artists like Fleetwood Mac and Blondie.

What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? Sometimes you get so caught up in wanting to achieve your goals and worrying that you won’t get there that you actually forget to enjoy yourself. You have to believe this is what you are made for, work hard, stay focused and remember why you started in the first place - passion!

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Travel with Ted Baker

Lucia Magnani Travel Set

We all know skin needs extra care when you’re travelling so the Lucia Maganani Ben Essere set has got you covered. It includes the Italian brand’s signature products — the firming hydrator, eye cream, rejuvenating serum, energising tonic, night cream and radiance mask — in compact form. Get your set at Harvey Nichols before you jet off.

Jetting off on holiday just got even better thanks to Ted Baker’s Albany collection. With six sizes — including a handy carry-on size — in a rich berry colour complete with rose gold hardware, Ted is bringing a touch of luxury to your summer travels. Shop the collection at Ted Baker’s Cathedral Approach store or in Manchester’s House of Fraser.

Ipanema x Starck

The flip flop gets a stylish update courtesy of the latest collab from Brazilian footwear brand Ipanema and famous French designer Phillippe Starck. Going from beach to bar just got a whole lot easier thanks to these sleek designs. Made from 100% recyclable materials, they’re good for the planet as well as your latest summer looks. Pick up a pair at Hervia in Spring Gardens.

Loubikraft

Les Eaux de CHANEL

CHANEL brings us three timeless new fragrances, Paris-Deauville, Paris-Biarritz and Paris-Venise, inspired by adventures through the French countryside and trips to France’s sea side towns. Shop the new scents for £97 each (for 125ml) at the CHANEL counter in Selfridges.

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Recycling gets a luxury twist thanks to Louboutin’s latest offering, Loubikraft. Created in homage to Louboutin’s archive Trash collection, kraft paper from Louboutin shoe boxes and shopping bags is repurposed to create gorgeous new designs.


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1 MAISON MARGIELA Organza trench coat, £1,865. 2 RANJANA KHAN Swan feather, mother-of-pearl and crystal clip earrings, £490. 3 BALENCIAGA Ville small printed textured-leather tote, £1,420. 4 MAISON MICHEL Virginia printed silk-trimmed straw hat, £760. 5 ALAÏA 110 laser-cut suede sandals, £670. 6 PRADA Printed striped cotton-poplin shirt, £605. 7 JAEGER-LECOULTRE Rendez-Vous Night & Day 29mm stainless steel, diamond and mother-of-pearl watch, £8,050. 8 ACNE STUDIOS Musubi mini knotted leather shoulder bag, £900. 9 CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC Pleated shell midi skirt £2,015. 10 REJINA PYO Emily belted high-rise wide-leg jeans, £355. 11 PRADA Cat-eye acetate and silver-tone mirrored sunglasses, £275. 12 DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Two-tone ribbed wool-blend sweater, £240.13 STELLA MCCARTNEY Falabella reversible striped canvas and faux suede tote, £895

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y t u a e b r e m Sum

P TEN O T S ’ R R E H A STEIN R D N A S S E L A

PHOTO: Arm

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Follow Ales

CHANEL SOLEIL TAN DE CHANEL BRONZE UNIVERSEL, £40 (30G) “This is such an allrounder. It warms up skin and can be used to sculpt cheekbones and the jawline and it’s great on the body too.”

KÉRASTASE SOLEIL MICO-VOILE PROTECTEUR £22.90 (125ML) “I spend enough time on getting my hair the shade I want it that I’m adamant about preventing colour fading, so this spray comes everywhere with me when the sun is out.”

CALVIN KLEIN ETERNITY AIR, £50 (50ML) “This is such a timeless, fresh and elegant scent.”

PHILIP B WEIGHTLESS CONDITIONING WATER, £39 (150ML) “I don’t like the feeling of heavy products in my hair in summer, but I need softening and frizz control. This smells beyond gorgeous and tames my fine to medium hair without weighing it down.”

CHANEL LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW LUMINOUS MULTICOLOUR POWDER £42, (11G) “A non-scary bronzing powder that is so sheer and flattering, making it impossible to mess up!”

BLINK BROW BAR INDIAN CHOCOLATE BROW GEL, £17 (0.17OZ) “I get my brows threaded at Blink and I use this gel to add definition and sheen.”

AVÈNE TINTED MINERAL SUNSCREEN SPF50, £17.50 (40ML) “I love the ease of multiuse products. This shields against UVA/UVB induced damage and gives sheer coverage and glow too.”

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ESTÉE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR, £75 (50ML) “I use this day and night all year round to protect and repair my skin. I love it in summer layered under sunscreen to offer a double-defence against environmental aggressors.” ARMANI NEO NUDE ECSTASY BALM IN DEEP NUDE, £25 (0.1 OZ.) “It looks scarily purple at first but delivers such a flattering lip boosting sheen and softens lips for up to eight hours.”

AMELIORATE SMOOTHING BODY EXFOLIANT, £17.50 (150ML) “This combines the best of a physical and chemical body scrub. It gently but powerfully removes flaky skin and little bumps.”


Sustainable fashion with The Brazilian flip flop and sandal brand are taking sustainable fashion worldwide

Gone are the days of a grab-and-go approach to shopping. Today, it’s not enough for an item to just look good, we want to know how it travelled from the factory to the shop floor. As we’re putting together our summer wardrobe, we find out how Ipanema combine stylish designs with an ethical operation when creating their world-famous flip flops. Ipanema’s gorgeous summer collection allows us to wear fashion with purpose. The SS18 range is created with the environment in mind. Every step of the brand’s production process is ethical and sustainable, with 99% of factory waste being reused or recycled. Ipanema’s green thinking means their fashion-forward footwear is also completely recyclable and vegan friendly. Not only are your Ipanemas good for the planet, but they’ve got you covered whether you’re heading to the beach or exploring the city streets thanks to game-changing material Flexpand. It’s completely waterproof, really comfy and so lightweight that you can pack even more of your favourite summer outfits when jetting off on holiday without breaking your baggage allowance. Ipanema’s strong global following, including celebs Gisele, Angelina Jolie, Ashton Kutcher, Halle Berry and Kate Hudson, shows our desire for transparency when we’re buying. The brand proves that it’s possible to do stylish and sustainable: we don’t have to compromise on looking good for the sake of our beliefs. Ipanema are paving the way for ethical fashion, and we hope to see more brands following in their fashionable footsteps. • Shop the SS18 collection at flipflopshop.co.uk • Follow @ipanemauk

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R C M n i s a p S T S E B E H T F O T S E THE B stinations e d a p s o t o city’s g Discover the

The Lowry Spa

WHAT

Sleek, modern and – of course – 5-star, The Lowry Hotel is the place to step up your pampering game this summer.

THE BUZZ

This Salford sanctuary has returned to its British roots and partnered with skincare brand ELEMIS to offer luxury treatments that match The Lowry Hotel’s five-star standards, as well as creating a classic afternoon tea that’s the best way to round off your time of relaxation.

BEST FOR

Now ELEMIS’s Northern flagship, The Lowry Spa boasts BIOTEC therapy - a 5-in-1 bio-electric treatment that’s the secret to a flawless complexion. Each treatment here is tailored to your skin’s unique needs and combines powerful massage sequences and potent active ingredients to rejuvenate your skin, giving you a gorgeous natural glow. • Book your treatment at thelowryhotel.com.

The Spa at The Midland

WHAT

This historic Manchester hotel has been a big name in the city since it was founded in 1903. Below the hustle and bustle of Manchester’s streets, The Spa At The Midland provides a subterranean sanctuary that can be escaped to on an afternoon off or indulged in for a whole weekend.

THE BUZZ

After undergoing a recent multi-million pound refurb, this tranquil city centre hideaway takes a holistic approach to wellbeing and offers luxurious relaxation spaces including cosy hanging pods to curl up and nap in.

BEST FOR

Innovative treatments like the ESPA MINDFUL MASSAGE is what it’s all about here. You’ll be guided through breathing and visualisation exercises, before enjoying a re-balancing foot massage focusing on your metamorphic zones, a full body massage, and finally a revitalising rose quartz crystal scalp massage. This blissful 90 minutes will destress and soothe your body and mind, leaving you ready to take on the day with renewed positivity. • Call 0161 932 4086 to book your treatment.

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Call me Lucy

Dress £46 at Topshop Shoes £29.99 at Public Desire Earrings stylist’s own

We sat down with Manchester’s 22-year-old Coronation Street sensation to talk all about her rising career

F

resh from the Corrie cobbles, Lucy Fallon arrived on set with a sunny personality that we hadn’t gotten a glimpse of for a while on screen thanks to the soap star’s hard-hitting storylines. 2018 has been a year of huge success for Lucy. Her incredible performance as Bethany Platt has won her a National Television Award for Outstanding Serial Drama Performance and British Soap Awards for Best Female Dramatic Performance and Best Actress. On our set, the actress was all smiles, singing along to Ariana Grande tunes as she had her makeup done and chatted to the A-Mag team.

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Oliver Lilley PHOTOGRAPHER Karl Collins @karlcollins1 STYLIST Kerry Saxon kerrysaxonstyling.com wrappagency.com ASSISTANT STYLIST Jade Kewley wrappagency.com MAKEUP ARTIST Louise McCann louisemccann.co.uk HAIR STYLIST Reuben Wood reubenwood.co.uk MODEL Lucy Fallon LOCATION FiveFour Studios fivefourstudios.com WRITER Bethany Lee


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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE FROM THE NORTH? Lucy: It means a lot to me to be from the North. I’m really proud of being from up North. I think everybody seems to be really friendly here, and I like it because I live by the sea which I think is quite a rare thing. I don’t think I could live anywhere else. I’m Blackpool born and bred and proud! IF YOUR CHARACTER BETHANY PLATT AND HER FAMILY WERE GOING ON A HOLIDAY TO BLACKPOOL, WHAT WOULD THEY GET UP TO? Lucy: I think they would go to the [Blackpool] Tower and be in the Ballroom because Audrey would like that. She’d like to see everybody in the Ballroom having a little dance. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES IN MANCHESTER? Lucy: I really like Ezra & Gil. That’s a nice lunch spot in the Northern Quarter. For a night out, it’s a bit of a dive, but 42s. It’s my favourite place! Every time we all go on a night out, I’m always the one that’s like ‘42s!’ and everyone else is like ‘Um, no’ [laughs]. WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES MANCHESTER SPECIAL? Lucy: I think obviously the culture, the history of Manchester, and I think the people that live in Manchester. I think that – especially thinking of things that happened last year – the sense of community in Manchester and the way people can come together is what makes it so special. YOU WOWED US ON ALL STAR MUSICALS LAST YEAR. IF YOU WERE TO GO INTO THEATRE, WHAT’S YOUR DREAM ROLE? Lucy: I think my dream role would be Evita in Evita. I’d also like to play the lead girl from Miss Saigon, but I’m not Vietnamese, so maybe not [laughs]. Maybe in another life!

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Top £15 at Topshop Suit Jacket £49 at Topshop Suit Trousers £30 at Topshop Shoes £29.99 at Public Desire Earrings stylist’s own


Denim Jacket £42 at Topshop Red Cami £40 at French Connection Teatum Jones Skirt £110 at Next Veja Wata Trainers £70 at Black White Denim

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T-Shirt £22 at Topshop Rixo London Skirt £210 at Black White Denim Earrings stylist’s own

IF YOU WERE TO GO ON A TV GAME SHOW WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Lucy: I think I’d be good at the Jungle [I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here] only because yesterday I rescued a spider, and named it Lucas, so I’m not really that scared of insects. I like to challenge myself and I think that’s the most challenging one. I think I could do the eating challenges, but I couldn’t drink something blended up together because I have a phobia of sick and that looks like sick. WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Lucy: Ooh, that’s a hard one. I don’t think I’ve ever been given advice that’s really stuck out to me. My grandad used to always say ‘Leave what you want, and eat what you don’t want,’ but that’s not really advice. He used to say it all the time and it really made me laugh. It doesn’t make sense, but that’s the only advice that’s stuck with me! [laughs] WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO RELAX AFTER A LONG DAY ON SET? Lucy: I quite like my drive home because I have an hour in the car where I just listen to music. Then when I get home I’ll always have a really hot bath with a Lush bath bomb. After that, I’ll watch something on TV. My favourite show is The Office U.S. WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO? Lucy: It depends what kind of day I’ve had. If I’ve had a day with loads of sad scenes – which is quite often – I’ll purge the sadness on my way home with loads of sad songs. I like things like Babyshambles - the really dark stuff. But then if I’ve had a really good day, or I’m getting ready to go out, I’ll listen to Cardi B. BETHANY HAS HAD A LOT OF HARDHITTING STORYLINES, WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING ONE TO FILM? Lucy: Probably the hardest day – just because it was the longest day – was the scenes in court. We had more harrowing scenes than that but that was a full day – we got there are at 8.15am and didn’t leave until 7pm – and it was just scenes of me crying, so that was probably the most difficult. In terms of one particular scene, it was the one where Bethany gets raped by Neil because that was the first day I met him too.

I FEEL LIKE I AM A LOT MORE IN CONTROL OF MYSELF AND I FEEL LIKE I KNOW WHO I AM A LOT MORE NOW. I THINK I’M A BETTER PERSON AS WELL. 34 A-MAGAZINE

CAN YOU CRY ON CUE? Lucy: I think because the scenes are quite emotional anyway, I don’t really need help. If the script is exactly how you feel you would say it, then it’s just really easy to cry. We did quite a lot of work with the NSPCC, and I met people who’d been through a similar thing, so it’s quite easy to just think back to that and get emotional.


Dress £42 at Next Boots £34.99 at Public Desire

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Samsøe & Samsøe Top £99 at Black White Denim J Brand Jeans £275 at Black White Denim Shoes £29.99 at Public Desire

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Dress £140 at French Connection Earrings stylist’s own

WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO AS AN ACTOR? Lucy: As an actor – it’s quite an obvious one – but Suranne Jones, just because she was in Corrie and now she’s doing amazing dramas. I think she’s so good! I feel like outside of all the stuff she does, you see her as a well-respected woman. You see her as an actress, not just a celebrity. WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? Lucy: All the free food in the canteen! [Laughs] Apart from that - the people. It’s not just the actors you work with, it’s the crew, it’s everybody. It’s all the opportunities you get as well, things like this photoshoot and going to events and awards. You’d never get to do that in any other job. WHAT’S THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Lucy: Oh my god, I don’t know! I feel like I just ignore it if someone gives me a compliment. I can’t really take a compliment. It makes me cringe and squirm. I find it really awkward. I never really know what to do.

IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Lucy: I want to say LA, but I’ve never been, so I don’t actually know what it’s like. Either there or somewhere really tropical like Bali. I’m going there this summer! I watched loads of YouTube videos and this girl that I follow has moved there and her life just looks amazing, and her Instagram pictures as well. She’s like ‘Oh I’m just having breakfast in a tree!’. WHAT HAS PLAYING BETHANY TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOURSELF? Lucy: It’s taught me how to be disciplined. I feel like I am a lot more in control of myself and I feel like I know who I am a lot more now. I think I’m a better person as well compared to before I was on Corrie because I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I was in a bit of a sh*tty place. I didn’t get into the colleges I wanted to go to to do Musical Theatre. I’ve grown up a lot now.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU? Lucy: For me, I’m really happy where I am at the moment. I’ve only been at Corrie for three years and I feel like that’s not enough time to really get everything out of it. I’ve just signed another contract for one more year, so I’ll definitely be there until February next year, and then it’ll have been four years, but even then, I feel like there’s no way I’d be ready to leave!

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Ordo

Make sure your pearly whites pop against your sun-kissed skin with Ordo. Not just a stylish electric toothbrush, Ordo sends you new brush heads and toothpaste every two months to keep your smile looking its best all the time. Sign up for your Ordo subscription at ordolife.com.

Travel with Ted Baker

Whether you’re jetting off aboard this summer or heading on a trip for work, it’s only right to travel in style. Ted Baker’s Brunswick collection brings a modern update to British heritage tailoring, making for a timeless and luxurious suitcase set. Shop the collection at Ted Baker’s Cathedral Approach store or in Manchester’s House of Fraser.

Matthew Miller x Hancock

Made from rubberproofed cotton, even a Manchester downpour is no match for this mac created by London-based designer Matthew Miller and Scottish outerwear label Hancock. Only six of these macs were made for this Coggles-exclusive collab, so head to Coggles’ Alderley Edge store to bag yourself one before they’re gone!

Dorco Classic Razor

We’re all looking for that perfect shave, especially in the summer heat, so Dorco’s latest technology has got you covered. Seven welded blades and a pivoting head mean the Dorco Classic Razor is your go-to for a flawless shave. Get a handle on your facial hair and pick up this grooming must-have at razorsbydorco.co.uk.

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1 GUCCI Embroidered Checked Wool-Twill Blazer, £1,750. 2 SAINT LAURENT Skinny-Fit 15cm Hem Denim Jeans, £340. 3 GUCCI Gold PVD-Coated And Leather Watch, £650. 4 RALPH LAUREN Mid-Length Striped Cotton-Blend Seersucker Swim Shorts, £75. 5 TOD’S Gommino Leather-Trimmed Suede Driving Shoes, £330. 6 CONVERSE 1970s Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas Sneakers, £60. 7 GIVENCHY Slim-Fit Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Piqué Polo Shirt, £540. 8 BALENCIAGA Embroidered Cotton-Twill Baseball Cap, £265. 9 TOD’S Camp-Collar Checked Silk-Twill Shirt, £280. 10 COMMON PROJECTS Suede Chelsea Boots, £375. 11 FENDI Reversible Printed Silk-Twill And Matte-Satin Jacket, £1,530. 12 SMYTHSON Burlington Full-Grain Leather Backpack, £895. 13 CUBITTS Gifford Round-Frame Acetate and Silver-Tone Sunglasses, £125

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R+CO DART POMADE STICK £17 (0.5OZ) Add texture, dimension and shine to your tresses and kiss goodbye to those bad hair days.

SUSANNE KAUFMANN CLEANSING GEL £29 (100ML) Prepare and protect your face no matter what your skin type is with this purifying, PH-neutral formula.

COWSHED QUINOA HYDRATING DAILY MOISTURISER £32 (50ML) Not just good for helping you reach those summer body goals, quinoa’s proteins and fatty acids smooth and brighten your skin.

MR. BURBERRY FACE MOISTURISER £41 (75ML) This luxurious daily moisturiser will replenish freshly shaven skin and add a touch of Burberry’s signature fragrance.

AESOP FABULOUS FACE OIL £39 (25ML) A remedy formulated to add lustre to fatigued faces, this botanical non-greasy oil is sure to revitalise your complexion.

THE GRO OM I NG GU I DE PENHALIGON NUMBER ONE FORMULA LIP BALM £10 (15G) An essential for smooth, moisturised lips and enriched with vitamin E, get ready to pucker up this summer.

BLIND BARBER LEMONGRASS TEA SHAMPOO & BODYWASH £22 (350ML) Wake up and freshen up with this citrusy 2-in-1 product that’s enriched with coconut oil to add moisturise from head to toe.

PIZ BUIN TAN & PROTECT INTENSIFYING SUN LOTION £8.50 (150ML) Enhance your tan with this sun lotion that protects you from harmful UV rays whilst bringing out your skin’s natural pigments.

GROWN ALCHEMIST BODY TREATMENT OIL £25 (100ML) Get smooth, radiant skin just in time for summer. Massage this oil all over your body and you’ll be good-to-go.

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Stop worrying about hair loss Stop with hair transplants, pills, lotions and sprays that do not work. Sound too good to be true? Book a FREE consultation and see for yourself how realistic the treatment looks in person.

Get your perfect hairline.100% guaranteed ! Call 0845 094 1516 to book a FREE consultation or visit www.skalp.com MANCHESTER •

LONDON • EDINBURGH • NAPLES • NEW YORK CITY


CREATIVE DIRECTOR Oliver Lilley PHOTOGRAPHER Jay Mawson jaymawson.co.uk STYLIST Steven Spencer wrappagency.com stevenspencerstyling.com MAKEUP ARTIST & HAIR STYLIST Louise McCann louisemccann.co.uk MODEL James Clarke from J’adore Models LOCATION FiveFour Studios fivefourstudios.com

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Vest £15 at Topman Sunglasses stylist’s own Jewellery model’s own


Nicole Farhi Waistcoat £165 at Harvey Nichols Trousers £38 at Topman Sunglasses stylist’s own Jewellery model’s own Common Projects Trainers £325 at Harvey Nichols

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Fendi Jacket £980 at Selfridges Nicole Farhi Shorts £175 at Harvey Nichols Lanvin Trainers £535 at Harvey Nichols Jewellery model’s own

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Vest stylist’s own Farah Blazer £120 at Topman Jewellery model’s own

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Off-White Coat £1,370 at Selfridges Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh Trousers £575 at Selfridges

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Afield Shirt £65 at Selfridges Sunglasses stylist’s own

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Aqua T-Shirt £22 at Topman Jewellery model’s own

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Gucci Jacket £1,430 at Selfridges Fila Trousers stylist’s own

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MCR NEWS INTERVIEWS FOOD & DRINK TRAVEL GUIDES FASHION RECIPES & more Manchester goodness at amagazine.co.uk


FITBIT VERSA TURTLE BAY LOYALTY APP

Download for free from iTunes and Google Play It’s easier than ever to tuck into your favourite Caribbean grub thanks to Turtle Bay’s new loyalty app. Each time you spend £7 you earn a loyalty turtle which you can trade for food and cocktails. Reggae rum punch in the sun, anyone?

SOUNDLINK MICRO £99.95 bose.co.uk This mini Bluetooth speaker is packed with massive power. Sturdy silicone

£199.99 fitbit.com Get moving with Fitbit Versa! By encouraging you to work towards your daily 10,000 step count and tracking the quality of your sleep, Fitbit’s got you covered day and night. With a whopping four day battery life, personalised on-screen workouts, and a 24/7 heart rate monitor, those summer body goals might just be closer than you think.

casing means you can take the SoundLink Micro to the beach or drop it in the pool and it’ll still keep blasting your favourite tunes. Wherever you’re heading, just strap the speaker to your bag or even your bike and enjoy your summer playlist on-the-go.

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5 pıness p a H WAYS TO

The A-Mag team flew out to Fitbit’s Barcelona boot camp to venture into the world of wellbeing. In between workouts, speaker and statistician NIC MARKS shared with us his top tips for sustainable happiness WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE HAPPINESS?

“Happiness isn’t a beach you go and lie on; it’s going to have ups and downs. Sustainable happiness to me really is more happy days, weeks and months than unhappy ones! There are different rhythms and types of happiness; there’s the immediate emotional experience of joy, and then there is longer term, more structural fulfilment

which is how happy you are with life. Sustainable happiness for me is about having a good life, which is a pleasant life and a meaningful life.”

WHY DO YOU THINK THERE’S A GREATER FOCUS ON WELLBEING NOW THAN EVER BEFORE?

“I think that there has been a big shift over the last ten to twenty years away from a post-materialistic world where experience is more important than consumption of goods. The natural extension of that is people start to think quite seriously about how they experience things and one of the ways is around health and wellbeing.”

1

CONNECT

“Choose people that care about you as your

friends. We can get into draining relationships with people who are self-obsessed and not interested in us. We don’t listen to each other enough sometimes, so listening to other people and asking their interests is a way of building relationships. We should have a healthy selfishness in choosing friends who like us and care about us. Happiness is effortful. Relationships are effortful. If we think about things like economics and money, with relationships, the currency is time. The time we commit to other people is a choice we make over other commitments. How we choose that is really important.”

2

BE ACTIVE

“There’s a certain vitality and zest that comes

with physical fitness that some people value highly. Seeing as they are feedback looped, technologies like Fitbit are helping us see things that we haven’t seen before. I wear a Fitbit and it encourages me to commit to my 10,000 steps a day. I do look at my heart rate and I make sure I raise my heartbeat above one hundred sometime each day. Fitbit is helping us do something in real time to manage our lives better. I think if anything helps us to become more self-aware that can be useful.”

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3

TAKE NOTICE

“We do have quite a lot of negativity where

we think about what’s gone wrong. One of the ways to build happiness is to actually recognise what goes well and to give time to that every day. With Fitbit you’re seeing information you didn’t know, like how many steps you’ve done or what your heartbeat was. Mindfulness is about slowing down. Because we live so quickly today it’s really helpful to slow down. Apps like Headspace are very good for helping people with that.”

4

KEEP LEARNING

“Obsession with ourselves is going to

make us unhappy – that’s for sure – but I think it’s right to be very interested in ourselves. Where we place our attention and energy is one of the major resources we have in the world. The strongest strategy is what people call intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic is when we look at external people’s approval of you, while intrinsic is when it’s all about how you live your values. Luck plays a part in our lives. Qualities can be massive factors that can impact your happiness: what sort of family

5

GIVE

“Happiness is also about what we contribute

and how much we give to other people - and I don’t mean money, I mean time or attention or compassion and empathy. I think people underestimate the power that has and so one of the wonderful things about giving is it’s always within our own power. Lots of people think ‘If I do this, I’ll be happy’, whereas actually you can find happiness now. You don’t need the extra money or the beautiful boyfriend or girlfriend, you can find happiness in small things straight away.” • Shop Fitbit Versa at fitbit.com

• Find out more about Nic Marks at nicmarks.org

you were born to and whether you’re a part of a community or population that’s discriminated against. But I think that the more you can find ways of expressing yourself and contributing, the stronger you are on the ground for happiness.”

YOU CAN FIND HAPPINESS IN SMALL THINGS STRAIGHT AWAY.

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Anna Williamson takes on

PARENTING ANXIET Y

The TV presenter turned author talks tackling the mental side of parenting

WHAT ARE SOME HELPFUL STEPS THAT NEW PARENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CAN TAKE? Don’t put any pressure on yourself. I had obtrusive thoughts and a lot of new mums do. By telling someone that you’re having these thoughts, it doesn’t mean you don’t love your child, but it’s really important that you don’t keep them in your head because they will fester.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE MESSAGE OF YOUR BOOK ‘BREAKING MUM AND DAD: THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO PARENTING ANXIETY’ IS? This book is all about the mental side of parenting. Knowledge is power: the more we can understand about ourselves then we can empower ourselves. I just want everyone to feel that whatever they’re doing, they are doing their very best and to not feel scared and embarrassed to admit how they’re really feeling about being a parent. HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF WRITING YOUR BOOK? It was hugely cathartic. It served as its own form of therapy really writing about my own experiences and also tapping into so many other new parents who have contributed to the book as well. My son Enzo was five months old when I started writing the book and I finished it when he was eleven months old. It was the empathy and comfort I needed but didn’t set out to seek. DID YOU ALWAYS PLAN ON BEING A WORKING MUM? It was the complete opposite of what I had planned for. I craved that familiarity of a job in those first early weeks. I was asked to do a job when my son was four weeks old and I felt it was going to give me a bit of a snapshot that actually my life is still there. After doing that job, the best feeling was that I couldn’t wait to get home to my son, and for someone that had been struggling with bonding with him it was wonderful. WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT WHEN YOU REALISED YOU NEEDED TO SEEK HELP WITH YOUR MENTAL HEALTH? The turning point was when I just wasn’t enjoying being a mum in those early weeks. I felt he deserved better and that was when I knew that my mental health was taking a bashing and I knew that my anxiety disorder had returned with full force.

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WHY DO YOU THINK THAT PARENTING ANXIETY IS A LESSER-DISCUSSED ASPECT OF MENTAL HEALTH? It’s an enormous, underrepresented area of mental health. I know there is a huge underground guilt, embarrassment and shame surrounding new parents for feeling anything less than how parenting ‘should be’. We need to not let new parents feel in any way negative about their experiences when, in fact, they are completely normal. HOW DO YOU THINK PARENTING ANXIETY AFFECTS MUM AND DADS DIFFERENTLY? Dads and birth partners have the same anxieties as a mum. Often for the birth partner and the dad, there is that extra layer of ‘I didn’t give birth to this baby, will the baby love me as much?’. New dads and birth partners probably daren’t speak up because they haven’t been the one that’s had to pop the baby out so how dare they moan about how they’re feeling, but they are equally having to learn how to do this new job as well. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS ON PARENTING ANXIETY? It’s so cathartic now that we are living in this new age of Insta-mums who are talking really openly, honestly and with humour about parenting. Laughter and humour can completely turn anxiety on its head, so seek out support groups and friendship groups that resonate with you. WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU’VE LEARNT FROM WRITING YOUR BOOK? I have taken away how much of a wonderfully unique, good and bad challenge parenthood is. It’s not being a perfect parent, it is being the best parent you can be, and that is measured by your own standards. Motherhood has been completely different to how I thought it might be. I feel so much love for my son now; he is the best thing I’ve ever done. • Buy Anna’s book Breaking Mum and Dad: The Insider’s Guide to Parenting Anxiety for £12.99 at amazon.co.uk



’ S T N E PAR E er D I U Gto Summ er hares h s s id K lford s this from Sa ttle one li in t r r u a o M y nts. with Steph s to do for pare g s y in u h t b f t r bes pick o r and he re at salfordkids.uk e m m u s out mo Kids • Find

JEM + BEA jemandbea.com

Jem + Bea are putting style back into parenting with their collection of luxury changing bags and accessories. Meet Jamie — the goto bag for busy parents complete with luxury padded changing mat and thermos-insulated pocket to keep bottles warm. Adjustable, detachable straps let you fix the bag to your buggy, so you go hands free, and the bag’s water repellent, wipe clean fabric means you can head out looking stylish whatever the weather.

SLFD

@ • Follow

TREETOP TREK

BIG FISH LITTLE FISH FAMILY RAVE

bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk This is one clubbing crazy you can enjoy without the need for a baby sitter. Dance and be daft this Father’s Day at Big Fish Little Fish’s latest family rave including crafting, colouring-in and even confetti canons. Get your glowsticks and dance the afternoon away to club classics with your little ravers. Bring your best moves to The Birdcage on June 17!

treetoptrek.co.uk/ Manchester Take to the trees in this epic aerial adventure at Heaton Park. Balance, swing and climb your way around this obstacle course set up in the tree canopy and complete with exhilarating zip wires. Littles ones should opt for the 1-hour mini-trek and bigger adventurers can test themselves on the 2-hour trek.

SUMMER PICK CODE & GO ROBOT MOUSE ACTIVITY SET

Give your kids a hands-on introduction to coding courtesy of Colby the mouse. Help Colby find his cheese by coding his route through your maze. Tunnels and maze walls let you lead him on twists and turns as your child’s coding skills grow. Perfect for 5+. Shop at robotshop.com/uk

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MANCHESTER TREASURE TRAILS treasuretrails.co.uk Become secret agents or solve a murder mystery with these themed self-guided treasure trail maps. There are different maps for different areas of Manchester that can be downloaded instantly and all cost just £6.99. Explore the city, looking for clues and cracking codes in a day of fun that won’t break the break.

JUST FOR MUMS

ANYA HINDMARCH SMILEY EBURY SHOPPER CODERDOJO zen.coderdojo.com MUSH letsmush.com

This is social networking for mums! For parents that want to get out there and make new mum friends, Mush is for you. The free app allows you to connect with mums near you that have kids the same age as yours and join local mums’ groups.

Tech stars of the future are born here! Let your

kids venture into the tech world at one of these free community-based programming clubs across Greater Manchester. Kids between seven and seventeen can head here to learn how to create apps, build websites and learn to code.

anyahindmarch.com Just for Mums, this stlylish leather shopper will always have a smile on its face even if you don’t. Big enough to store all your stuff, this is one bag that’s sure to keep you feeling sunny this summer.

DINO FALLS ADVENTURE GOLF

dinofalls.co.uk Travel back in time to the prehistoric period where T-Rexs and Triceratopses roamed the earth at this 18-hole adventure golf course. Try to get that hole in one but watch out for rogue Velociraptors on your route past the winding river and cascading waterfall.

PIRATE PEARL AND THE BIG BLUE MONSTER littlebluemonster.co.uk Pack your picnic and head to Ordsall Hall on 23 August to see the Little Blue Monster Theatre Company’s new family show ‘Pirate Pearl and the Big Blue Monster’. Follow the adventures of Pirate Pearl as she sails the seven seas and discovers a little blue stowaway onboard the ship. This interactive show is perfect for kids aged 3-7 and under-2s go free.

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59

LEOKO CRE8TIVE

60 SØWN

63

HARPER INNOVATIONS

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TOUCHED INTERIORS ARTISTÉ TOUCHED HAIR & BEAUTY

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MEET LEOKO CRE8TIVE Manchester’s go-to company for events and corporate wellbeing services has arrived

Leona Ko-Nkengmo

W

PHOTOS: Richard Carroll Media Photography

hether you’re throwing an event or looking to boost morale in the office, Leoko Cre8tive has got you covered. Wanting to make the most of her beauty, hospitality and management experience, Leona Ko-Nkengmo set up events company Leoko Cre8tive in 2017. As a Manchester entrepreneur who has spent most of her life here, it’s important to Leona to “give back to the city”. It’s no surprise then that collaboration and community are at the heart of her business. Rather than outsourcing to different companies, Leona handpicks her ever-growing team of Manchester freelancers – from fitness instructors to masseuses and chefs – always sampling their services beforehand and providing them with the training they need to help grow their businesses. Her talented team offer their services for any type of event, from birthdays to baby showers and everything in between. Whatever you have in mind for your event, Leona is confident she can bring your vision to life thanks to her connections across Manchester. Keeping her finger

on the city’s pulse is also her secret to organising her own ticketed events that fill the gaps in the Manchester market from wine tastings to single’s evenings. Not only is Leona looking after our special occasion events, she’s committed to helping take care of our wellbeing too. With stress-related absences from work at an all-time high, Leona recognised that the occasional treat or annual ‘fun day’ just wasn’t cutting it when it came to employee wellbeing. To give employees the consistent wellbeing care that they deserve, Leoko Cre8tive provides in-office pop-up salons for a spot of pampering – whether that be hair, nails, makeup or massage – as well

as stress-busting exercise classes and even cooking and crafting sessions. For Leona, it’s all about creating a positive working environment. She says, “It’s so rewarding to see the boost in morale and productivity that people get from our services”. Providing a much-needed way for employees to relax and re-energise is already going down well in Manchester with Leoko Cre8tive offering wellbeing services in almost all of the city centre’s co-working spaces including WeWork, All Work & Social and Headspace. With a team that are passionate about making people feel good and an ever-expanding list of services, it’s safe to say that Manchester’s in for a treat thanks to Leoko Cre8tive. • leoko-cre8tive.com • Follow @leokocre8tive • #Cre8Collabor8Innov8 • Discover more from Leoko Cre8tive on YouTube and Vimeo

A-MAGAZINE 59


Rachel Goalby

THE SØWN STORY

Grow your brand with social strategy and digital communications agency SØWN

A

s boutique agencies are booming in tech, marketing and digital across Manchester, one person that stands out from the crowd is Rachel Goalby, founder of social strategy and digital communications agency SØWN. With over a decade of industry experience, Rachel began her career using analytics and social data to help brands grow. She was then invited to bring her extensive knowledge of the UK market over to Sydney and set up a social media department at media strategy agency, Blue 449, then known as Match Media. Whilst there, she worked with some of the biggest global brands including Universal Music, Nando’s, Campari Global and Pfizer. It was the influence of Blue 449’s founder John Preston that inspired her to strike out and set up her own company. In 2015, Rachel decided to make the most of her expertise and the knowledge that she’d soaked up in Sydney and start SØWN. Determined to be a force of digital marketing in Manchester, Rachel sees boutique agencies as the future of the city. In an industry where teams are growing to epic proportions and mission statements are becoming mindboggling, Rachel is taking it back to the basics. Her agency is made up of a small team that champion a simple message: SØWN is a tool to grow your brand. She and the SØWN team specialise in developing and delivering those big hook ideas that create a consistent presence for her clients.

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For Rachel, it’s all about attention to detail. The boutique approach means that she can give her clients her full attention and commit the time day in day out to achieving the results they’re looking for, without losing fees in astronomical overheads. Start-ups wanting to

reach specific targets and well-known brands wanting to gain more exposure benefit from the close relationship Rachel and her team establish with their clients. By working closely to create personalised ideas, SØWN are able to make a real impact for their clients’ businesses. Rachel believes that Manchester is the perfect place to be a female entrepreneur as its home to some of the best tech and creative minds in the UK. 2018 sees her move to new offices in WeWork Spinningfields where she’s striving to create a strong internal culture of success with a team that are passionate about what they do. Here, Rachel is at the heart of the action, helping to grow her clients’ businesses and put the SØWN stamp on the city. • Find out more about SØWN at sownagency.com. • Get in touch with Rachel at rachel@sownagency.com


IF YOU DON’T LOOK GOOD | WE DON’T LOOK GOOD SASSOON-SALON.COM



NORTH WEST WONDER WOMAN Meet the female founder challenging the status quo in a male dominated industry

A

Claire Harper

s the Northern Powerhouse gathers increased global awareness, the world is starting to learn what business owners in the region have known for quite a while; business across Manchester and Greater Manchester is strong and growing stronger every day. One such strong business owner – in more ways than one – is Claire Harper, Managing Director of Harper Innovations. You’ll find products from the Harper Innovations owned brand Muscle Moose, including Moose Juice and Mountain Chips, on shelves of stores in the Arndale in Manchester and across the whole of the UK, Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the Middle East. These healthier alternative energy drinks and snacks are the star products in a portfolio of a two-year-old brand that sits within a business entering into its eighth year of rapid growth. Building and managing a multimillion-pound business isn’t always smooth running and being a female MD in a traditionally male dominated industry of sports nutrition (there is only one other female co-founder of a sports nutrition brand in the UK) comes with a unique set of challenges. Claire is no stranger to challenging the norm in male dominated arenas; a keen athlete, she has represented team GB in Tae-Kwon Do and won multiple titles in

bodybuilding competitions; this is one lady who knows the true meaning of girl power. “To me, it’s not about being a woman in business, or it shouldn’t be; it’s about being an entrepreneur and working hard to achieve your goals. Hard work doesn’t discriminate based on gender and success shouldn’t either. I know that isn’t always the case and until it is, I think female entrepreneurs have a responsibility to share the results of their hard work to show it can be done and it really can be as straightforward as if you work for it, regardless of if you are in a traditionally male dominated industry or not, you can achieve success”. If you haven’t seen Muscle Moose

yet, it won’t be long before you do; new retailers are being added to the already 2,500+ strong stockist list every day. Products include Moose Juice, a ZEROsugar energy drink with added protein and vitamins and Mountain Chips; popped chips with LESS fat, LESS carbs and MORE protein than the UK’s leading popped chip - Muscle Moose has you covered for healthier alternative choices to get that energy boost and satisfy those snack cravings. Inspired by Hilary Devey, Claire co-founded Harper Innovations and originally focused on the distribution (another male dominated industry) of Muscle Moose and SmartShake, the Swedish-born innovative shaker, made from BPA free, DEHP free plastic. The business purchased the Muscle Moose brand two years ago and introduced three innovative products in quick succession. The brand has a legion of loyal fans, including health and fitness customers, gamers, slimmers, students, busy parents, office workers and anyone looking for a healthier alternative energy drink or snack. Claire feels that it is important to mentor girls from a young age, long before they get to university, empowering them with the knowledge and confidence that anyone can be an entrepreneur. “Contributing to local economy is one of the most satisfying things you can do as a business owner. Mentorship programs for girls can help them to understand different elements of setting up your own business, take away any concerns and demystify entrepreneurship long before adulthood. The girls going into primary education now are the entrepreneurs of the future, through mentorship, they’ll have even more opportunities and support available to them than female entrepreneurs have today. I can’t wait to see what comes next!”. Find out more at musclemoose.co.uk and @musclemoosehq

A-MAGAZINE 63


THE RISE OF THE TOUCHED EMPIRE Manchester entrepreneurs Kunal Trehan and Thomas Hope share their secrets to success

Thomas Hope

I have asked Kunal, no more ideas after three” laughs Thomas. He and Kunal are the brains behind interior design and luxury furniture retail brand Touched Interiors, on-demand beauty service Artisté, and award-winning salon Touched Hair & Beauty. Kunal jokes “We have to be passionate to run three businesses and still get out of bed every day.” It’s the winning combination of Kunal’s “attention to detail” and Thomas’ “ability to connect with people” that’s gained them such a strong client base over their ten years in business together. Their passion might get them out of bed in the morning, but their real secret to success is personalisation. You’d be forgiven for thinking that hair, beauty and interiors businesses don’t have much in common, but they do when they’re the products of Thomas and Kunal. Thomas explains that “the consultation process is probably very similar. You discuss all the ideas that you can come up with and eventually decide on an idea together that’s personalised to that individual.” Championing what’s right for the client isn’t

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always an easy task but it’s one Kunal and Thomas dedicate themselves to. They know that their clients “want something that nobody else has”, so it’s their job to find out a client’s needs and wants and translate their vision into a reality that works for them and their lifestyle. Rising to these challenges brings the greatest rewards: “The best aspect of the job,” Thomas explains, “is when you’ve delivered that moment to them because you’ve gone above and beyond what anybody else could do”. The pair measure a job well done by their clients’ happiness. Kunal says “those emails from clients saying that not only did they love your design, but they loved the service are always the most satisfying part”. When so much of the nature of their work is bespoke, the customer truly has to be at the heart of their services. The pair are well aware that great customer service, even in luxury retail, can be hard to come by, often feeling that they have to work twice as hard to reassure clients that have come to them after bad experiences. This is what motivates them to approach each client’s journey as an


Artisté brand ambassador, celebrity make-up artist Armand Beasley

Kunal Trehan

ongoing experience, never an exchange. Kunal says “from the moment they answer the door or pick up the phone, to three weeks or three years of having that item, it’s all part of an experience.” It’s this genuine client focus and honesty that never fails to win clients over. Whether you want to buy a cushion, design a piece of furniture, or have Touched Interiors reimagine your whole property, Kunal explains “it’s about knowing why the value for money is perfect for that client, whatever the price point may be”. For Thomas and Kunal, it’s never about recreating a trend or look. Thomas says, “It’s really about making sure it’s their vision”. Although we all take inspiration from interior trends when decorating our homes and fashion trends when coming up with a look for our next big event, Kunal and Thomas believe your identity should always be the most important thing. It’s a method that’s clearly working well for them as they launched their third business, luxury ondemand beauty app, Artisté earlier this year. With friends and Touched Interior clients unable to visit the pair’s Staffordshire salon Touched Hair & Beauty, they were inspired to remove the restrictions of time and location, allowing clients to enjoy luxury beauty services whenever and wherever they want them. In an industry where self-appointed makeup artists abound, and express beauty treatments are knocked out in record time, Artisté’s success comes from its owners’ winning formula of great service and personalisation. Much like Kunal’s approach to designing projects, Thomas says he “relishes in deciphering what a client really needs”. To make sure the client’s vision is always at the forefront, Artisté’s services are gender neutral, focusing on a

specific look that’s then tailored to each client. Thomas and Kunal’s ability to get to the heart of what works for their clients, regardless of what they’re spending, is best showcased by Artisté. The pair have strived to make sure that the app is “for everyone”. It’s important to Kunal and Thomas that people who might not be able to make it to a salon, like busy parents or people with disabilities, can still enjoy a luxury experience in their own home. With a lower price point (hair starts from £40 and makeup from £49) and stylists available between 5am and 10pm across Greater Manchester and Cheshire – and plans to expand across the UK – Artisté succeeds in providing “attainable luxury”. Despite having three very different businesses, their approach remains the same. Kunal puts it simply: “excellent service and great product delivered to perfection”. It’s a careful balance of Kunal’s perfectionism and Thomas’s grounded nature that drives this creative couple to offer a taste of luxury to everyone. With clients on the Forbes list and flying over from Australia, it’s easy to see that the pull of this pair is global. Kunal guarantees “You’ll never find a bad online review about us. We’re not one of those couples that start a new venture for the sake of it. We have to give it 100%”. Kunal and Thomas prove that passion and personalisation are exactly what today’s clients want and make for strong foundations on which to continue to grow their business empire. • Find out more about Kunal and Thomas’ businesses at touchedinteriors.co.uk, artiste.co.uk, and touchedhairandbeauty.co.uk

A-MAGAZINE 65


MEET MANCHESTER ARTIST

Stephen Maxwell Campbell

Ahead of auctioning off his latest canvas at A-Magazine’s Umbrella Ball, Stephen reveals how Manchester and maths influence his artwork HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ART? I’d describe most of it as visualising maths. It’s using geometry but not how you used it in school. A lot of paintings of the North West use spherical geometry where straight lines appear to curve depending on how you look at them. Other paintings use different aspects of maths, and they end up looking more abstract or peculiar, and it’s the maths that really excites me. IS PAINTING A FORM OF CATHARSIS FOR YOU? No - music is catharsis, but painting is compulsion. Painting is very good for me because I can do it on my own. If you’ve got the raw materials, you can make anything you want from them. As long as you do it right it lasts forever. It can be there long after you’re dead which is a very comforting feeling. DO YOU COME FROM A CREATIVE FAMILY? I come from a scientific family, lots of biology, chemistry, and maths. My grandfather worked on the first computer. His mother was one of the first women to get a PhD. She was pretty tough; apparently you didn’t want to p*ss her off because she’d put you in your place. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Maths inspires me. Really mundane stuff like pylons and railways, power stations and things you don’t notice normally. All the big showy things that are made to look great aren’t that inspiring. I think the world is getting increasingly boring, but when things just fall into place it’s pretty cool. WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES MANCHESTER SPECIAL? I love Manchester because it’s not pretending. It is amazing, but there’s no bullsh*t around it. It’s amazing because its crummy. If it wasn’t so crummy nothing would happen. If it was fancy and chic, it wouldn’t be Manchester. It’s got to be dirty, hasn’t it?...Oh, and the drizzle is ace. Enjoy the drizzle.

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WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE AN ARTIST IN MANCHESTER? There’s inspiration on every corner - that’s what beautiful and amazing. You don’t get such honesty on people’s faces anywhere else. I’ve also got a very very good gallery - Clark Art. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF ART IN SOCIETY TODAY? It’s philosophy this! [Laughs] Art is treasure. I think that there’s a general leaning to make art distorted like everything else, but art is like silver, like gold: you buy it, you can use it and then you can still sell it on. It doesn’t decrease in value. If a society amasses treasure, then that strengthens the value of that society. Art shows you’ve got this cultural heritage, and you’ve got this strength and pride of your own world. WHY DID YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE UMBRELLA BALL? My mum used to work at a children’s hospital and I’ve got friends who work in pediatrics. I’ve got a child, so I jumped at the chance to create an original painting to be auctioned off at the ball. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT? I’m exhibiting in Sweden and I’m presenting a paper at a maths conference. At the moment, I’m just trying to get some funding to go there and to develop some more maths-based artwork and get a big exhibition together. There’s crazy fun stuff to be had with maths! The stuff they teach you at school is just arithmetic, but there’s ways that you can grasp mathematical ideas that don’t involve writing loads of sums. WHAT DO YOU HOPE THAT PEOPLE GET FROM YOUR ARTWORK? They can get whatever they want. They can either love it or hate it, but if they don’t feel anything about it then I’m not doing it right. • Find out more about Stephen at smcampbell.eu and Clark Art Ltd at clark-art.co.uk


Introducing your new favourite comedian

ALLYSON JUNE SMITH

The adopted-Mancunian talks all things Manchester ahead of her stand-up performance at A-Magazine’s Umbrella Ball WHY DID YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE UMBRELLA BALL?

Ryan and Jason Manford. Joan Rivers too because she paved the way for a lot of us. When I first came here, within two hours of me getting off the plane, my uncle showed me Peter Kay live at Bolton and I loved him because he’s so real.

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE THAT TEACHING WASN’T FOR YOU? I always wanted to be an actor, but I was a drama teacher. When I graduated university, people were like ‘Are you ready to get a job?’ and I was like ‘No no no, I only did this so I could keep acting!’ [laughs] so going into teaching I knew it wouldn’t be something I did forever, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much!

DO YOU THINK THAT MEN AND WOMEN ARE EQUAL IN THE WORLD OF COMEDY? For a lot of years, it was trickier to be a girl in this industry because audiences were more comfortable with a man being on stage. Right now, there’s such a push for girl’s in comedy, people are eager for it. It’s been the first time in my 18-year stand up career that people are like ‘You are amazing!’. In the past few years, there’s been a real push for new voices in comedy. Manchester audiences want to hear minorities and women.

I wanted to give back to the city that I now live in and think of as my home! Being a former teacher as well, I feel there is such importance in supporting the youth.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO MOVE TO MANCHESTER? My family! My dad grew up in Hulme. My grandmother was living here when I first came here in ’98. I knew there was such a great comedy scene in the UK, especially in the North. I try not to be snobby when it comes to down South, but I love it here. Manchester – especially right now – is booming, and everyone is coming here! WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT MANCHESTER? I love Mancunians: they’re solid, bold people. I like them particularly because they don’t mess you about. There are no falsities but there’s a genuine love that comes from everyone in Manchester. They have the time of day for you but if you’re a kn**head, they’ll tell you that too – but with love! [Laughs] WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANCUNIANS AND CANADIANS? To be honest with you, I think Mancunians and Canadians are very similar in their friendliness, in their outgoingness and

their acceptance of others. There’s a strong sense of community and Canadians are very much like that; we’re very inclusive. WHAT MAKES A GOOD AUDIENCE? People who want the night to be a success as well. I want to get up and talk about things that are interesting to me. I like it when an audience is receptive to that and is ready for it. WHICH COMEDIANS ARE YOU A FAN OF? I love a Canadian comic called Debra DiGiovanni and obviously Katherine

WHAT’S THE WORST AND BEST GIG YOU’VE EVER HAD? My worst gig was in Northern Alberta in Canada. It was in this big banquet hall. I was supposed to do 45 minutes for about 400 people. The DJ introduced me, and I could still hear the music blaring so I asked ‘Can you turn down the music so they can hear me?’ and he goes ‘Oh, that’s from next door’. That was the worst gig ever because no one could hear me, but I had to do it. The worst part was, when I got off stage these two guys were like ‘She wasn’t that good’ and I’m like ‘You couldn’t even hear me!’. My best gig was in Dublin opening for a great friend of mine Stewart Francis. It was just magical. The audience was amazing, and I felt like I could do no wrong - very much like when I opened for Katherine Ryan at The Lowry. • Find out more at allysonjunesmith.com

A-MAGAZINE 67


T N A L P R E W PO recipes e t i r u re favo ind Here a ys beh o b e h and from t ry Firth n e H ! ous, BOSH . Delici y b s a e we Ian Th vegan, d n a y hes health ese dis h t e s i prom rustling e b l l ’ you r are all summe s i h t p u

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JACKFRUIT TACOS SERVES 6 | Deep frying pan with a lid on a medium heat 1 x serving guacamole 1 x serving salsa 1 x 400g tin young green jackfruit in water 1 white onion 4 garlic cloves 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp maple syrup 100ml vegetable stock ½ tsp Tabasco sauce 4 limes

1½ tsp ground cumin 1½ tsp smoked paprika ½–1 tsp chilli powder ½ tsp salt handful fresh coriander 12 crunchy taco shells 1 Tip the jackfruit into a sieve or colander to drain off the excess water and pat the pieces down with a clean tea towel to dry them off. Cut into 5mm strips and put to one side. 2 Peel and slice the onion and garlic very thinly. Warm the vegetable oil in the frying pan. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and stir with a wooden spoon until soft and translucent. Add the jackfruit, maple syrup, vegetable stock and Tabasco sauce. Cut 1

of the limes in half and squeeze in the juice of one half, catching any pips in your other hand. Stir until the jackfruit is well covered. 3 Put the lid on the pan, turn down the heat and let it simmer for 7–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has been absorbed into the jackfruit. Take the lid off the pan and sprinkle over all the spices and the salt. Stir until the jackfruit pieces are well covered and taking on the colour of the spices. Transfer the jackfruit pieces to a serving dish. 4 Slice the remaining limes into wedges and remove the leaves from the coriander by running your thumb and forefinger from the top to the base of the stems (the leaves should easily come away), saving the stalks for another recipe. Serve the taco shells, jackfruit, guacamole, salsa, lime wedges and coriander leaves on individual plates and let everyone build their own tacos.

A-MAGAZINE 69


QUICK PUTTANESCA SPAGHETTI

SERVES 6 | Large saucepan on a medium-high heat | Large saucepan of boiling salted water on a high heat 2 small red chillies, fresh or dried 20g flat-leaf parsley 10 Kalamata olives 4 garlic cloves 4 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp capers, plus 1 tbsp of brine from the jar ½ tsp salt, plus a little extra 700g passata 500g spaghetti 220g Tenderstem broccoli 1 lemon 1 Rip the stems from the chillies, cut them in half lengthways and remove the seeds if you prefer a milder sauce, and finely chop. Separate the parsley stalks and finely chop, reserving the leaves for later. Stone and roughly chop the olives. 2 Peel 2 of the garlic cloves. Pour 2 tablespoons of the oil into the empty saucepan, crush in the garlic and add the chillies, parsley stalks, olives and capers and stir for 2–3 minutes. Add the ½ teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon of the salty brine water from the jar of capers. Leave to cook for a minute, then add the passata. Taste

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and season with salt if necessary. Turn the heat to medium and leave to simmer while you move on to the next step. 3 Add the spaghetti to the pan of boiling water along with the remaining 2 garlic cloves. Cook until al dente, following the instructions on the packet. 4 Meanwhile, carefully slice the broccoli stems from top to bottom, creating thin strips. Add these to the spaghetti pan for the last 30 seconds of cooking time to quickly soften. Drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander and return them to the pan. Pour over the sauce. 5 Roughly chop the parsley leaves and add them to the pan. Pour over the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and squeeze over the juice of a whole lemon, catching any pips in your other hand. Mix everything together and serve immediately.


WATERMELON JÄGERBOMB PUNCH SERVES 8 | Liquidiser or stick blender

1 very large watermelon (at least 50cm diameter) 1 Galia melon (that will comfortably fit inside your watermelon) 2 x 250ml cans energy drink 8–12 ice cubes handful fresh strawberries or blueberries 350ml Jägermeister 1 Choose which side will be the bottom of the watermelon; if it doesn’t stand up straight, use a knife to slice a very small sliver off the base. Once it’s standing upright, cut horizontally across the middle. Take off the top and keep it for another recipe 2 Scoop out all the watermelon flesh and seeds from the bottom half until the inside looks neat. Transfer the flesh to the liquidiser and blend (or use a stick blender and a bowl), then pour into a large bowl through a sieve to remove any seeds.

3 Scrub the Galia melon with a brush to make sure it’s clean. Lay it on its side and slice off the top 4cm. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Scoop out the melon flesh and transfer it to the liquidiser. Whizz and then pour through a sieve into the bowl with the watermelon juice. Save the melon shell, this will act as your shot glass. 4 Pour the energy drinks into the melon juice and stir. Now pour half the juice mixture into the hollowed-out watermelon. Carefully place the hollowed-out Galia melon into the middle of the watermelon so that it’s floating in the melon juice. 5 Drop ice cubes and berries into the melon juice around the edges. Pour the Jägermeister into the Galia melon (don’t fill it too much in case it sinks). Top up the edges with more melon juice to fill the watermelon bowl (you might have some left over, which you can use to refill later on). 6 Take the watermelon to the party, lift out the Galia ‘shot glass’ and drop it back into the watermelon punch bowl in front of all your guests so that the Jägermeister spills into the melon juice. Wait for the applause.

BANANA BREAD

MAKES 1 LOAF | Preheat oven to 170°C | Line a 1kg loaf tin with parchment paper | Food processor 250g plain flour 75g light brown sugar 75g white sugar 1½ tbsp cocoa powder ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp salt ½ tsp ground allspice 110g dairy-free butter 3 ripe bananas 60ml almond milk 2 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp vanilla extract 60g dark chocolate 50g pecans 1 Pour all the ingredients except the dark chocolate and pecans into the food processor and whizz them to a thick mixture. Take out the blade and scrape any excess mixture back into the bowl. 2 Break the dark chocolate and pecans into small pieces and tip them into the bowl. Mix everything together. 3 Pour the mixture into the lined loaf tin and put it in the oven. Bake for 60–65 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Take the tin out of the oven and leave the bread to cool to room temperature. Remove the bread from the tin and cut it into slices to serve. BOSH! by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby is out now

A-MAGAZINE 71


LET’S

EAT r e t s e h Manc

The top three restaurants in Manchester for Italian, tapas, and al fresco dining, along with our favourite new additions to the food and drink scene

Don Giovanni

ITALIAN DON GIOVANNI

1-2 Peter House, Oxford St, M1 5AN 0161 228 2482 Manchester’s oldest independent Italian, Don Giovanni is a real heavyweight on the city’s food scene. Having proved its popularity for decades, DG are the masters of making your favourite, classic dishes to perfection. Set right in the city centre, it’s the ideal place to head for a delicious dinner before heading to see a show at the theatre. Caffé Grande Piccolino

VERO MODERNO

Unit 4, Vimto Gardens, Chapel Street, Salford, M3 5JF. 0161 637 1160 This is Italian food done right by, well, Italians themselves of course. Meaning ‘true and modern’ in Italian, Vero Moderno does exactly what it says on the tin: forget picking at yet another dull carbonara and get stuck into a genuinely fresh take on Italian dining. With homemade pasta and 48-hour proved pizza, Vero Moderno should be at the top of your hit list when those carb cravings strike.

CAFFÉ GRANDE PICCOLINO

Vero Moderno

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8 Clarence St, M2 4DW 0161 835 9860 The destination for decadent dining, Caffé Grande Piccolino’s Victorian listed building is decorated with Italian-imported marble and oversized chandeliers. The cooking is just as gorgeous, with Piccolinno’s wood-fired copper pizza oven at the heart of the open kitchen. Not just a pretty face, you’ll find a wine boutique, oyster & caviar bar, and an alfresco terrace here to enjoy some of the best Italian dishes in the city.


TAPAS Evuna NQ

EVUNA NQ

79 Thomas Street, M4 1LQ 0161 833 1130 Evuna brings a taste of Spain to Manchester. After a morning exploring the Northern Quarter, head to Evuna for a chilled-out lunch. Tuck into three tapas for £10.99 and why not wash it down with a pint of Spain’s premium draft beer, Alhambra. Albondigas, pork and beef meatballs in tomato sauce, and ‘calamares a la Romana’, fried squid rings, are must-orders.

The Molly House

THE MOLLY HOUSE

26 Richmond Street, M1 3NB 0161 237 9329 This vintage venue in Manchester’s Gay Village is bursting with a charmingly eccentric personality. Brickwork and exposed beams transport you to another world as you sip on real ale and browse the international books and magazines dotted around the place. Expect tapas with a twist here as The Molly House serve up Spanish and Southern American style dishes.

Tapeo & Wine

TAPEO & WINE

209 Deansgate, M3 3NW 0161 832 2770 Discover a dose of Spanish cuisine and culture on Deansgate. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre with some tasty tapas and a glass (or two) of wine in Tapeo & Wine’s chilled out, Mediterranean atmosphere. We recommend ‘patatas bravas’, delicious fried potatoes in spicy sauce, and ‘gambas al ajillo’ garlic and chilli king prawns. If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, you have to go for the churros and melted chocolate to end your evening.

A-MAGAZINE 73


AL FRESCO DINING

EL GATO NEGRO

El Gato Negro

The Wharf

THE WHARF

52 King Street, Manchester M2 4LY 0161 694 8585 Sipping Sangria on El Gato Negro’s open-roofed top floor, you might just feel like you’ve found a slice of Spain on Manchester’s very own King Street. The restaurant offers something different across each floor: nip in for cocktails and nibbles on the ground floor, book a special tapas dinner for two on the second floor, or kick off your weekend with a group of friends with dinner and drinks under the stars on the rooftop.

6 Slate Wharf, Castlefield, M14 4ST 0161 507 4240 A great place to spend a lazy Sunday, soak up the sunshine on The Wharf’s terrace this summer. Get stuck into some great British grub like rump steak sandwiches and deep-fried cod as canal boats pass by.

20 Stories

20 STORIES

No. 1 Spinningfields, 1 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, M3 3EB 0161 204 3333 Take your evening to quite literally to a whole new level, dining – you guessed it – twenty stories above the city streets. Home to a glamorous restaurant, lively bar and a huge rooftop terrace that’s set to be a hub of summer fun, Michelin-star chef Aiden Byrne is the helm here, so make sure to dig into his dishes. Sip on a signature cocktail and nibble on a fish, meat, cheese or vegetarian sharing platter

whilst you take in incredible 360-views of Greater Manchester.

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Mr White’s English Chophouse

MR WHITE’S ENGLISH CHOPHOUSE

WHAT’S

NEW ? r e t s e h c Man The Anthologist

2 Canal Street, M1 3HE mpwrestaurants.co.uk Below iconic Gay Village hotel Velvet is the home of the latest foodie venture from Marco Pierre White. Fusing the best of British with Mr White’s famous French flair, enjoy duck rillettes, haddock and triple cooked chips, or share a succulent chateaubriand with your other half.

Mr White’s English Chophouse

THE ANTHOLOGIST

1 St Peters Square, M2 3AE The well-established team behind The Refinery now bring a brand-new restaurant and bar to the booming St Peter’s Square area so it’s even easier to go from your desk straight out for drinks. After-work cocktails just got better thanks to The Anthologist’s big terrace that overlooks the busy square and is the ideal spot for people watching and making the most of the sunshine.

BISOUS BISOUS

83 Deansgate, M3 2BW bisousbisous.co.uk Bisous Bisous are taking it back to the traditional in the best way. Dedicated to preserving the art of French pastry and baking, they make sweet treats including patisserie, macarons and bread fresh every day. These gorgeous delights are certainly Insta-worthy, if you can restrain yourself long enough to take a snap that is.

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BROCKMANS AVIATION COCKTAIL A gorgeous violet hue, Brockmans revival of this 1930s classic is bound to impress your guests.

INGREDIENTS 50ml Brockmans Gin 10ml crème de violette 15ml lemon juice 10ml Maraschino Liqueur Garnish: an edible flower such as a violet; a Maraschino cherry; or an ice cube embedded with dark fruit such as blackberries. METHOD Fill a shaker with ice. Add all the ingredients and hard shake. Strain into a Martini glass. Decorate with your choice of garnish.

SUMMER NEGRONI

Summer in a glass, Brockmans new take on the classic Negroni is a great all-rounder. INGREDIENTS 50ml Brockmans Gin 25ml Antica Formula 25ml Aperol 4 raspberries Garnish: a slice of dehydrated orange METHOD Muddle 4 raspberries in a shaker and then add ice cubes and all the other ingredients. Shake until chilled. Double strain into a rocks glass over an ice ball. Garnish with a slice of dehydrated orange.

GIN KIR

Dating back to 1841 when when Crème de Cassis was first created, Brockmans bring the famous French aperitif into the 21st century. INGREDIENTS 50ml Brockmans Gin 50ml white wine 25ml Lejay Crème de Cassis Garnish: a skewer with a blueberry and white grape. METHOD Add ice to a shaker. Pour in all the ingredients and stir until chilled. Strain into a flute glass. Garnish with a blueberry and a white grape.

THE NEW CLASSICS

FLORADORA (PASSIONATE) DAME Brockmans bring a taste of the tropical to Manchester with this fruity fusion.

INGREDIENTS 50ml Brockmans Gin 15ml passion fruit purée 1 passion fruit Cantaloupe melon 5ml agave (Beso) Ginger ale Garnish: slice of cantaloupe or other yellow-fleshed melon METHOD Muddle 8-10 large chunks of Cantaloupe melon in a shaker, add the passion fruit puree, agave and gin and shake over ice cubes. Strain into a highball glass of ice and top with ginger ale. Add the scooped out juice from 1 passion fruit with a few seeds and give it a stir. Garnish with a thin wedge of melon. • Buy Brockmans Gin at Harvey Nichols. • Find out more at brockmansgin.com

FROM BROCKMANS GIN

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Floradora (Passionate) Dame

Gin Kir

Summer Negroni

Brockmans Aviation Cocktail

Take your summer soirée to a whole new level with Brockmans Gin. This seductively smooth spirit brings a fresh update to some of our favourite classic cocktails.



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A-MAGAZINE 79


PHILADELPHIA A-Mag headed stateside to explore this historic city

The Liberty Bell

I

n Pennsylvania on the East Coast of U.S., sits the city of Philadelphia. It’s fair to say that us Mancs might not know very much about the city – expect for its Philly cheesesteak (which is a must-try) of foodie fame – but we were delighted to discover that Philadelphia is home to much of the U.S.’s founding history. Often overshadowed by Washington D.C., the legacy of North American liberty and freedom is also deeply rooted in Philly. It’s a city that’s bursting with culture too so expect art galleries aplenty and colourful murals that could give ours in the Northern Quarter a run for their money. We were lucky enough to fly to Philly on Aer Lingus’s inaugural Dublin to Philadelphia flight. We jumped on Aer Lingus’ daily service from Manchester to Dublin, where we were pre-cleared through US customs, then went straight onto Philly so we could start exploring as soon as we landed.

AER LINGUS Ireland’s 4-star airline, Aer Lingus connects UK travellers to Philadelphia with its service to the city via Dublin that runs four times a week. Passengers can preclear US Immigration in Dublin, bypassing queues in the states so they can start exploring Philadelphia straight away. Aer Lingus UK travellers can enjoy 23kg checked baggage as part of their fare, along with complimentary meals and soft drinks on board, as well as endless hours of entertainment including the latest blockbusters, box sets, music and games. Fares start from £229 in Economy Class and £899 in Business Class from Manchester, via Dublin each-way including taxes and charges. • To book your flight, visit aerlingus.com

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STAY LOEWS HOTEL

loewshotels.com/philadelphia-hotel Close to Macy’s and the Liberty Bell, this 4-star hotel’s central location makes it the perfect hub from which to explore the city on foot. Set inside Philadelphia’s first skyscraper, the Loews Hotel is topped by a red neon sign saying ‘PSFS’ (Philadelphia Saving Fund Society) — a reminder of the building’s former days as a bank. The eye-catching sign has become a wellknown feature of the Philly skyline that’s bound to make sure you can always find your way back to your hotel. The top floor of this T-shaped tower was reserved exclusively for the bank’s boardroom and its directors before being transformed into the luxury hotel it is today.

DO THE LIBERTY BELL CENTER

nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/ libertybellcenter Opposite Independence Hall stands this world-famous symbol of freedom. Today, the bronze bell is displayed in a glass chamber showcasing its iconic crack and inspiring inscription ‘Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof’. Don’t expect to hear this bell ring freely, no one living today has heard it but there are plenty of exhibits about its history and myths surrounding it, and best of all entry is free - you don’t even need a ticket.

INDEPENDENCE HALL

nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/ independencehall Delve into North American political history and visit the room where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. All visitors are taken on a guided tour of the first floor of Independence Hall. You need a ticket between March and December, but entry is always free. Tours operate roughly every 20 minutes so you can turn up anytime between 9am and 5pm.

ELFRETH’S ALLEY

elfrethsalley.org Get a glimpse of the Philly of the past with a walk down Elfreth’s Alley. One of the oldest

residential streets in the US, it’s home to thirty-two Georgian and Federal properties that stand as a classic example of a colonial street. Find out more about the area with a tour of the alley and one of its residences courtesy of The Museum House which is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

CONGRESS HALL

nps.gov/inde/planyourvisit/congresshall Whilst we think of Washington D.C. as the home of U.S. Congress, Philadelphia was its temporary base from 1790-1800 with presidents John Adams and George Washington taking the oath of office here. Entry is free and be sure to look out for portraits of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI hanging in the committee rooms.

Independance Hall

Elfreth’s Alley

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EAT CAMPO’S

camposdeli.com Come here for a slice of Philly’s foodie history! For over 70 years, Campo’s has been rustling up one of the best cheesesteaks in Philly. To us Mancs that’s thinly sliced rib eye steak, sautéed onions and hot peppers topped with your choice of cheese.

MISSION TAQUERIA

missiontaqueria.com This Mexican restaurant is an Insta-lovers paradise. With colourful tiles, plenty of plants and neon signs, as well as perfectly presented tacos and made-to-order tortillas, you’re sure come away some envy-inducing snaps. Look out for Mission Taqueria’s ticketed monthly TACOLAB one-night-only menus from guest chefs based in Philly.

Campo’s Philly Cheesteak

DO PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART

URBAN FARMER

urbanfarmerphiladelphia.com Combining country and the cosmopolitan, Urban Farmer is a modern steakhouse that’s popular with locals and tourists alike. Their breakfasts are a great way to fuel up for a big day of exploring. We recommend their buttermilk pancakes with strawberry rhubarb preserve and Pennsylvania maple syrup.

Mission Taqueria

philamuseum.org Made famous by the Rocky films for the scene where Rocky runs up the museum steps, this arty spot is a mustvisit. Get a glimpse of world-famous paintings by Cézanne, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh, including his legendary Sunflowers. Make sure to save time to check out the Rodin building dedicated entirely to the works of the famous sculpture best known for ‘The Thinker’. Don’t forgot to do your best Rocky impression and dash up the steps yourself!

AMTRAK

amtrak.com We loved Philly’s chilled out atmosphere but if you fancy experiencing the bustle of the Big Apple then Amtrak offers a speedy train service to New York City. A return ticket from 30th’s Street Station to NCY costs around $80. Philadelphians often travel this route to head into the city for drinks or to catch a game or gig at Madison Square Garden. Before you hop on the train, take in the Pennsylvania Railroad War Memorial – a huge bronze statue of the Archangel Michael honouring the Pennsylvania Railroad employees who died in World War II.

Mission Taqueria Urban Farmer

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VISIT ORLANDO, FLORIDA Escape to Florida this summer! Stay in this luxury Davenport villa in a gated

community that’s just a 10-minute drive from Walt Disney World

Resort. The villa’s 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, south facing

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LON DON NOBU SHOREDITCH

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STAY WHAT

Beginning life as a Japanese and Latin-inspired restaurant in 1987, Nobu has grown to become one of the most popular global dining destinations and today has its very own hotel concept. Amidst the beloved grit and grime of Shoreditch’s streets stands the latest venture from the Nobu empire. Not the obvious London location, the area between Old Street and Brick Lane is now home to this almost extra-terrestrial offering. Sexy and mysterious - the spaceship-esque building houses 148 Japanese-inspired guestrooms and suites.

THE BUZZ

We know that reservations at Nobu are notoriously difficult to come by, but can this revered restaurant create the same pull for overnight stays? PHOTOS: Will Pryce, clairemenary.com

BEST FOR

Couples that want a sexy weekend away in the big city should head here. It’s the perfect hub for everything Shoreditch has to offer: grab dinner at Nobu before going to Shoreditch House for cocktails and views of the city, then get down and dirty at one of Shoreditch’s wonderfully grimy parties.

A-MAGAZINE 85


EAT

Unlike the expansive lobbies we’re used to that give you a glimpse of what to expect from your stay, Nobu Shoreditch has opted to keep things under wraps. Sleek lines and dimmed lighting create a sense of mystery here. Guests have to venture down a gold staircase to reach the 240-cover basement restaurant that includes a lounge bar, outdoor courtyard and, of course, a sushi counter. At the weekend, Nobu Shoreditch is all about bottomless brunch. As the first Nobu in London to offer breakfast, a visit here is only complete by tucking into some delicious little surprises on the fine-dining buffet and sipping on bottomless prosecco (and soft drinks but who cares about that?) for £75. Brunch here is perfect for chatting with friends about last night’s antics whilst small plates come out at steady intervals making for a tasty break in the conversation. And don’t forget our A-Mag top tip: round off your meal with a Nobu margarita. You won’t regret it!

SPA During your stay, it’s only right to re-energise with a visit to The Nobu Spa. If you’re after total relaxation, we recommend the signature Nobu Zen treatment: you’ll be stretched and massaged into total bliss using A-Mag favourite - Natura Bissé products.

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THE VERDICT Despite its oriental origins, a stay at Nobu is about getting a bit naughty not getting Zen. Nobu’s sleek lines and ultra-modern design form the new face of Shoreditch without taking away from the much-loved mix of grimy clubs and glossy restaurants that the area is famed for. Nobu Hotel Shoreditch, 10-50 Willow Street, London, EC2A 4BH nobuhotelshoreditch.com 020 7683 1200


COMPETITION

P U E C I SP ! E F I L R U O Y

Calling all Spice Girls fans, this summer sees #SpiceUpLondon - The Spice Girls Exhibition pay homage to everyone’s favourite girl band. Check out thousands of items of memorabilia and hundreds of the band’s costumes – some of which haven’t been seen by the public since they were first worn in the 90s – at the Business Design Centre in Angel Islington between 28 July – 20 August 2018. Learn all about how The Spice Girls took over the world of pop in this tribute like no other.

Win tickets!

For a chance to win two tickets to the exhibition on a day of your choice and a pair of tickets to a 2-hour tour on the original Spice Bus, just answer the following question: Which spice is not a real member of The Spice Girls? 1 BABY SPICE 2 PAPRIKA SPICE 3 POSH SPICE Send your name and answer to win@amagazine.co.uk A-MAGAZINE 87


M O R F S E G MESSA CE

A P S R E T OU

ht her tle Missions has taug ut Sh e ac Sp o tw what her time on Nicole Stott shares ut na tro as A AS -N Former on a space shuttle and a Space Station

HOW DID YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE CHANGE AFTER SPENDING TIME IN SPACE? It seems like such a simple thing, but until I flew into space I never thought about the fact that we live on a planet. There’s something really profound when you realise there’s this interconnectivity between everything when you see Earth from space. That ‘Earthling’ idea is huge to me now so I think I need to take the experience and try to affect change from it. I know I can’t make all that change, but maybe my interaction between other people will get them thinking that way as well. YOU WERE THE ONLY FEMALE CREWMEMBER ON YOUR MISSIONS. HOW DID YOU FIND WORKING IN A MALE-DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT? As I was training I didn’t feel like there were lower expectations of me. I looked around me and the entire time I was at NASA, I was working with women. There was always this nice mix of women and men in the jobs that I was doing. I guess the fact that I wasn’t the only woman in all those places made the training and the flying in space – even though I was the only female crew member – not really feel like that. DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A ROLE MODEL TO YOUNG PEOPLE? I have an obligation to be a role model and not just for young girls but for kids of all ages. Young girls I think really need to see women doing things that might seem challenging or impossible

to them. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex can be so inspirational

in so many ways. Those kinds of places can inspire you to figure out what you’re interested in or just open up your mind to really cool things that are out there. WHAT KEPT YOU MOTIVATED THROUGHOUT YOUR NASA CAREER? My initial inspiration came from my family, from my parents. Flying in space is a lot easier for you to do it than it is for somebody to watch you do. I knew that was stressful for my mom, for my sisters, for my husband, for my son. You need to be very deliberate about including them as part of your crew, exposing them to as much of what you’re doing as possible, so they feel like they’re a part of it. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME IN SPACE? Definitely a highlight is the view out the window. You get sucked into that view and, at least for me, I had to set my timer to float away from it, to get back to work because I did have a couple of calls like ‘hey, you’re supposed to be doing something else right now!’ [laughs]. It’s really difficult because part of all the favourite memories is that you’re not up there alone. Anything I ever looked out the window and saw, you’d be calling somebody over to experience that with you. WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE NASA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS? I think for sure one was getting that job at Kennedy Space Center where I got to work with every aspect of how you work

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Nicole Stott

programme. Number two would be not getting selected to be an astronaut the first time - it was a really good thing for me. For two years, I was training other astronauts how to fly. Then I got selected and I would have to say that’d be the third highlight. The goal for any astronaut, ultimately, is to fly in space, but there’s really no guarantee that will ever happen. WHAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT BEING AN ASTRONAUT HAS TAUGHT YOU? It all wraps up into that ‘Earthling’ appreciation lesson. When I think about the Space Station programme, and the way we truly have demonstrated that you can peacefully and successfully work in cooperation with somebody that works on the other side of the planet, that’s a really wonderful thing to consider for how we do things down here on Earth. Nicole Stott is an ambassador for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the Greatest Space Adventure on Earth, located only 45 minutes from Orlando, Florida. Discover more at KennedySpaceCenter.com PHOTO: NASA


Shoot for the stars

Space out this summer with our pick of out-of-this-world events

SPACE DESCENT VR WITH TIM PEAKE

SCI-FI ON THE SIDINGS eastlancsrailway.org.uk Sit in the Iron Throne or chill out with a Cyborg at East Lancashire Railway this August. Keep an eye out for sci-fi action from Star Wars, Doctor Who, Jurassic World, Game of Thrones, Ghostbusters and Harry Potter. Who knew Stormtroopers and steam engines would be a perfect match?

msimanchester.org.uk Follow in the footsteps of Tim Peake in this epic virtual reality adventure narrated by the British astronaut himself. Get a 360 taste of space as you become the pilot of a Soyuz capsule and retrace Tim’s incredible journey back to Earth.

BLUEDOT FESTIVAL

discoverthebluedot.com Journey to the stars - conveniently less than an hour’s drive from the city centre! Camp out under the constellations at this intergalactic festival. Set at Jodrell Bank in the grounds of a deep space observatory, Bluedot-goers can dance beneath the stars to live music and discover more about science and space.

A-MAGAZINE 89


WHAT’S ON? JU NE

8 – 9 ME & ROBIN HOOD: CHANGE THE STORY HOME

1 June BRIAN CONLEY – STILL THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER (IN HIS PRICE RANGE) Palace Theatre

8 – 9 TAYLOR SWIFT Etihad Stadium

2 ENVIROLUTION FESTIVAL Platt Fields Park 2 – 3 THE KING STREET FESTIVAL King Street 2 June – 3 February 2019 REPRESENT! VOICES 100 YEARS ON People’s History Museum 2, 6 JOE LYCETT: I’M ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL AND I THINK JOE LYCETT Palace Theatre 4 THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC The Lowry Theatre 5 FEMI AND THE INRHYTHMS Band on the Wall 6 LCD SOUNDSYSTEM O2 Apollo

11 – 16 THIS IS ELVIS Palace Theatre

9 THE CARPENTERS STORY Palace Theatre 9 NEW YORK TOURISTS Band on the Wall

9 – 10 PARKLIFE FESTIVAL Heaton Park

13 WAXAHATCHEE Band on the Wall 13 JAY Z AND BEYONCÉ: OTR II Etihad Stadium 13 – 30 WAR HORSE The Lowry Theatre

6 – 9 NORTHERN BALLET’S JANE EYRE The Lowry Theatre

10 KEVIN & KAREN DANCE: THE LIVE TOUR 2018 The Bridgewater Hall 10 PAUL MCCANDLESS AND CHARGED PARTICLES Band on the Wall 10 – 17 MANCHESTER TROPHY The Northern Lawn Tennis Club 10 June, 12 July, 9 August PANKHURSTS IN TOWN AND NELSON STREET John Rylands Library

7 FASTLOVE: A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE MICHAEL Palace Theatre 7 – 11 MANCHESTER HISTORIES FESTIVAL Various Manchester venues 8 SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED: A TRIBUTE TO STEVIE WONDER Palace Theatre

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11 – 12 YOUR BEST GUESS HOME 11 – 13 DIAMOND HOME

14 – 16 THE DRILL HOME 15 DINOSAUR Band on the Wall 16 DEMI LOVATO Manchester Arena 16 – 17 THE EXPLODED CIRCUS The Lowry Theatre 17 MANCHESTER DAY 2018 Manchester city centre


UMBRELLA BALL 2018 Join Manchester’s famous faces and successful businesspeople for an evening of celebration and connection

07.07.18

7pm – Late RADISSON BLU EDWARDIAN MANCHESTER

On the night

Tickets include

HOSTED BY DARREN PROCTOR

CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION

DARBY WARD PERFORMANCE

THREE-COURSE MEAL WITH WINE

STAND-UP COMEDY FROM ALLYSON JUNE SMITH CLINT BOON DJ SET

A-MAG ROOM RATE

Tickets

INDIVIDUAL FROM £80 TABLE OF 10 FROM £750 For tickets and enquiries contact:

info@amagazine.co.uk or 0161 504 0662


WHAT’S ON? JU LY

3 ROGER WATERS Manchester Arena 3 EELS Manchester Academy

10 PAUL SIMON Manchester Arena

10 – 14 AGATHA CHRISTIE’S LOVE FROM A STRANGER The Lowry Theatre

3 – 7 THE LAST SHIP The Lowry Theatre 19 FOO FIGHTERS Etihad Stadium 20 MUMS ENTERPRISE ROADSHOW EventCity 20 GEORGE BENSON The Bridgewater Hall 20 BILLY IDOL O2 Apollo

13 THE BREEDERS O2 Ritz

22 KATY PERRY Manchester Arena

13 – 15 FESTA ITALIANA Cathedral Gardens

22 – 24 GÓBÉFEST Albert Square

14 MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS The Bridgewater Hall 3 – 14 MAMMA MIA! Palace Theatre 6 July – 2 September CAMILLE SMITHWICK: ODE TO THE UNTRUTH HOME

24 ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA ODI Emirates Old Trafford

14 HITS RADIO LIVE 2018 Manchester Arena

25 – 30 LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Palace Theatre

18 – 22 RHS FLOWER SHOW Tatton Park

25 – 30 THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Manchester Opera House

19 – 28 THE FISHERMEN HOME

28 June – 28 July QUEENS OF THE COAL AGE Royal Exchange Theatre

7 July – 19 August PHIL COLLINS: CEREMONY HOME

29 RNCM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The Bridgewater Hall

8 UKFAST WE LOVE MANCHESTER 10K Etihad Stadium

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20 – 22 BLUEDOT FESTIVAL Jodrell Bank Observatory


AU GU ST 3 – 4 August THE GIN AND RUM FESTIVAL 2018 Manchester Cathedral 3 – 12 FRIENDSFEST Heaton Park 20 – 28 MANCHESTER JAZZ FESTIVAL Various Manchester venues 20 – 28 FAME THE MUSICAL Palace Theatre

6 IRON MAIDEN Manchester Arena 11 RUM AND REGGAE FESTIVAL Bowlers Exhibition Centre

22 THE GIPSY KINGS Manchester Opera House

24 – 27 MANCHESTER PRIDE FESTIVAL Gay Village 28 August – 1 September CILLA - THE MUSICAL The Lowry Theatre

22 CHRIS RAMSEY The Lowry Theatre 23 – 28 SHERLOCK HOLMES – THE FINAL CURTAIN Manchester Opera House 24 – 28 DUSTY The Lowry Theatre 11 THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN Manchester Opera House 11 – 12 CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL OF MANCHESTER Alexandra Park

29 August YOU WIN AGAIN – CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF THE BEE GEES Manchester Opera House 29 JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE Manchester Arena 30 August – 9 September CIRCA TSUICA NOW OR NEVER The Lowry Theatre 31 KEVIN HART Manchester Arena

14 – 18 MADAGASCAR – A MUSICAL ADVENTURE Palace Theatre 27 – 28 CIDER FESTIVAL Manchester Cathedral

18 LIAM GALLAGHER Emirates Old Trafford

28 – 29 MCM MANCHESTER COMIC CON Manchester Central Convention Complex

18 BRITNEY SPEARS Manchester Arena

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WE L CO M E TO O U R WO R L D

SH O P LOYALT Y

W W W. T W I N Z Z . C O M

A-MAGAZINE 53


5

MINUTES WITH

The former Girls Aloud member talks singing solo and her secret talents Do you think there’s a recipe for great pop songs? If there was, I think we would all be trying to do it and there would be a lot more pop stars out there. It’s one of those things where it’s a feeling that just takes over. There’s just so many different kinds of songs so it’s really difficult to think of a formula but if I ever do, I’ll let you know. What’s important to you in a song? Melody is definitely the thing that catches me. I’ve no idea what they’re saying until I’ve listened to a song for maybe ten times and then I’m like ‘Oh, they’re talking about that!’.

What’s been the best moment of your singing career so far? I’d say when we [Girls Aloud] were told that ‘Sound of the Underground’ was number one - that was really amazing because it was so unexpected. It was really huge, and then it was number one for a month so each week we were like ‘It’s still number one!’. I’d just moved to London and I was only seventeen that was a really cool time. What are your favourite Girls Aloud songs? I love so many of them! I love ‘Sound of the Underground’. I love ‘The Promise’ because that was such a huge song. I love ‘Something Kinda Ooh’. I love ‘Something New’ because it’s got that ‘Go girls g-g-go, go, go’ moment. If there was a Girls Aloud reunion and you had to add an additional band member, who would you chose? I really love Mutya [Buena] from Sugababes. I would definitely ask Mutya! Did you always want to be a singer? Yes, I did. I wanted to be a chef and a singer at the same time. I opened a restaurant in California and was singing at the same time, so I kind of achieved that. Who would you love to collaborate with? I really like Dua Lipa at the moment. She’s amazing. She’s having her big moment. What’s your secret talent? Cooking! Not a secret anymore [laughs]. All of my friends and family know that coming to my house, there will be lots of food. I try to get really creative with my cooking so that’s probably my secret talent. What’s your signature dish? It changes all the time. You know dahl, I thought I invented that and I used to call it ‘lentil risotto’. I was cooking it and I was like ‘You’ve got to taste this! I invented it’ to a friend of mine and she was like ‘Dahl? It’s been around for thousands of years’ and I

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WHEN WE WERE TOLD THAT ‘SOUND OF THE UNDERGROUND’ WAS NUMBER ONE - THAT WAS REALLY AMAZING BECAUSE IT WAS SO UNEXPECTED. was like ‘No way!’ because I actually thought I’d invented it. Are you a perfectionist? With some things. Not everything has to be perfect at all times. I don’t need to be in control of stuff for things to be fine, but if I’m in the studio singing I can be like ‘Let me do that again’, ‘No, I can do that better’ so when it comes to that, yes, I’m a little bit more of a perfectionist. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? I was doing something for a legal firm and they were like ‘She would make an excellent lawyer. If you ever want a change of career you should come and have a chat’. I was like ‘Are you being serious?’. That was a compliment. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? I remember when my Grandfather would say ‘Stay as sweet as you are. Don’t let anybody take that away from you.’ Sometimes it’s hard to do – in temper you can just get cranked up — mostly at Jason [laughs] — but it’s worth trying to live my life like that. • Catch Nadine’s performance at Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend this August


COMPETITION

WIN A dinner for two at Grand Pacific Grand Pacific is a homage to the

golden age of high society, where deep rhythmic baselines writhe through the air and sweet botanicals tantalise the senses. The home of exotic cuisine and sophisticated sipping looks forward to making your acquaintance.

To enter

For a chance to win a 3-course meal with wine for two at Grand Pacific, just answer the following question: Which fruit will you find on the Grand Pacific logo? 1 BANANA 2 PINEAPPLE 3 PEACH Send your name and answer to win@amagazine.co.uk


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