EVERY 3 MONTHS WE DISTRIBUTE 28 PAGES OF YOUTH CULTURE TO HUNDREDS OF READERS AROUND THE EREWASH AREA YOU’D BE STUPID NOT TO ADVERTISE WITH US! CONTACT US FOR DETAILS info@avenuemag.co.uk www.avenuemag.co.uk 07851 023661
Regulars
Features
04. A note from the editor...
07. Sam Waddinghmam
05. In the news
10. Ghostpoet
17. James Batchelor’s column
12. Youngman 13. Jake Bugg
Fashion 19. For males only! 20. Always keep a watch 21. Female spring / summer 2012
Art & Photography 24. Paddy McGowen 26. Nathan Knoles 27. Nick Lylak Photopgrahy
14. Josh Kumra
Team
A note from the editor...
Ashley Allen Founder and Chief Editor ash@avenuemag.co.uk @ashleyallenuk
If you Google ‘youth unemployment’, it brings up results with the headlines (at the time of writing this), ‘Fury over youth jobless figures,’ ‘UK unemployment stuck at 17-year high as economy flatlines,’ ‘Youth unemployment surge triggers worst jobless rise in two years’ and there are tones more. The total number of 16 to 24 year-olds without a job rose to 972,000 in the three months to July, the figures showed. The number of students fell by 46,000 on the quarter to 2.2m, the figures showed, which could explain the rise in youth unemployment. These headlines and stats scare the life out of me, and frustrate me at the same time. The youth of the world are the future of our tomorrow, so why aren’t the government doing more to get these young people in to work?
James Batchelor Local Music Correspondent jimmy@avenuemag.co.uk @reggiimental Jono Martin New Music Editor @jonomartinlikes Hayley Shelton Female Fashion Editor @hayley_shelton Alex Witham Male Fashion Editor @alexwithampr Haydn Allen Creative Direction @haydnallen Photography & Art Nicola White Photography Nick Lylak Photography Nathan Knowles Paddy McGowan
In the Erewash area itself, there are plenty of talented young people, some of which run their own businesses, as well as many of whom are unemployed. As a community what exactly are we doing to help these people get in to work? or to showcase the gifted people from our local area? Not much at all. Let’s look at London for example, all be it a bigger place than where we live, but they have numerous community projects that help and encourage young people in to work. What is stopping our area creating a community project like this? Nothing at all. Here at Avenue HQ, we have begun putting together our plans, pitches and pleas for the local council, organisations and potential investors to help us turn our project into a community hub. A place where school kids can come on work experience, the perfect opportunity for students to come for internships, and most importantly and outlet for the unemployed. Not only would this give people the chance to learn about media, journalism, design, video production, administration a long with a whole lot more skills, but it would also give a positive vibe to our community. This issue itself is a huge step forward for all those involved with Avenue. It’s our first ever printed issue and we’ve got interviews with big stars like Ghostpoet, Josh Kumra, Youngman and Jake Bugg. It’s still a surreal feeling that the magazine has come this far. For that, I can only thank all of my team, the people that have supported us, spoke highly of us, read our articles and features; the local businesses that have agreed to stock our magazine and mostly my close friends and family...PLEASE CONTINUE SPREADING THE AVENUE LOVE! Ashley Allen Founder and Chief Editor
04 www.avenuemag.co.uk @avenuemaguk
In the news A Brand New Avenue Vol. 1 is out this month!
Avenue Magazine is proud to announce the launch of first ever unsigned EP. The 10 track CD has been compiled by our very own James Batchelor in partnership with 106.8 TCR FM Tamworth . We will be distributing hundreds of the CD’s for free around our local area, so if you would like a copy, please do get in touch. For unsigned artists and bands, if you would like to feature on any of our future albums, please send your music to news@avenuemag.co.uk.
Are we seeing a comeback from MySpace?
Can you remember when MySpace was the social network to be on? The social media site that all the cool kids had? And then came along Facebook and pushed it a side rather quickly. Well, the good news for you people that still use MySpace is that they have added 1million new users in the last 30 days. Maybe it’s because Justin Timberlake is now an investor in the site? Or it could be because they have been working hard on getting as music on its site as possible, reports claim it now boasts 42million songs...compared to Spotify, that has a library of about 15million songs! Could 2012 be the re-invention of MySpace?
David Beckham backs Harry Redknapp for the England job
David Beckham believes Harry Redknapp is the best choice to take over as England manager and has all the right credentials for the role. The Spurs boss is the only one in the running for the England role, all the English press and people are desperate for ‘Arry to take the job. “Harry is a great man, a great manager. His man-management is incredible,” said the Beckham. Whilst we aren’t the former Pompey boss’ favourite fan, there is no disputing his man-management skills and his ability to get the best out of players. Whether he can rub this off on the Three Lions squad, only time will tell.
Whitney Houston tragically passes away
The 48 year-old was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was staying as a guest. Whitney Houston was one of the most celebrated female singers of all time, with a massive amounts of hits including I Will Always Love You and Saving All My Love For You. We can only hope that her later career will not be remembered for substance abuse and her turbulent marriage to singer Bobby Brown. The Bodyguard star died on the eve of the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. She had been due to attend a pre-awards party in the Beverly Hilton Hotel organised by her long-time mentor and record industry executive Clive Davis on Saturday evening. RIP Whitey Houston.
Ilkeston’s male version of Annie Mac, Jono Martin, reviews 2 of the biggest albums out there right now.
The Maccabees - Given to the Wild (Fiction Records)
Given to the Wild is the third studio album from the London/Brighton based indie rock band. Hints of the new album were first sniffed at live shows late 2010, displaying what seemed to be a deeper, more ambitious sound for the band; and those sniffs were not misleading. This is an album with much wider appeal, their spiked indie now amalgamated with a shimmering wall of sound. They still hark back to the choppier sounds mastered on previous records, such as with lead single Pelican. But the overall feel now encompasses elements of a myriad of different sources, from Bon Iver (Child, a slow motion masterpiece) to the chiming guitars of Elbow and Doves as heard on Go and Went Away. The Maccabees have moved up to the big leagues, and although Given to the Wild is not a timeless classic, they make yet further progress on reaching legendary status. 8.5/10
The Black Keys - El Camino (Nonesuch Records)
El Camino can be credited as the most immediate album that Ohio blues rockers Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have crafted to date. The album credits Dangermouse for co-writing and co-producing all 11 tracks, serving as an unofficial third member and the combination has created something that grasps you on first listen, and doesn’t loosen its grip. Gone are some of the more earnest, authentic blues from their early albums (although the whispering beauty and thumping pleads of Little Black Submarines bucks this trend, reminiscent of a Led Zeppelin epic) and in come more overwhelming blues-pop hooks (Lonely Boy) and a direct progression from electric openings to killer choruses (Gold on the Ceiling). It all kicks off in an unrelenting high gear, with Dead and Gone heading an unfairly addictive bunch that compels you to move. This is The Black Keys sticking to their successful guns and by doing so have become a mightier music machine. 9/10 @avenuemaguk www.avenuemag.co.uk 05
@avenuemaguk www.avenuemag.co.uk 07
Every Last Drop A group of Ilkeston 6th Form students are flying high with newly-formed charity organisation
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very Last Drop is a charitable organisation set up and run by students at The Ilkeston 6th Form Partnership College.
Three years ago, a group of business students by the names of Jay Blake, Christie Cocking, Adam Spence, Oliver Kibble, Hannah Anderson, Reece Davies, Gemma Gough, Ben Massey Lucy Wilson, Annabel Yau and Richard Cusack set out to make a difference to the lives of those who are less fortunate, with the brains of business teacher David Jenkins behind them. As time went on they began to learning the key attributes about social enterprises, how different organisational structures work, as well as picking up branding, marketing, sales and purchasing skills along the way. Unlike many other charities though, Every Last Drop has no overheads. Quite literally, every penny that is donated goes back in to the organisation so it can be used to make the life of children in Gambia better. The finances which have been raised by the talented students so far have been used to purchase equipment and many other resources that are vital to the young people in Gambia. For instance, last year the organisation raised enough money through the Silent
Auctions on their site to send out over 500 mosquito nets, which help protect families from malaria and several other deadly diseases. Their hard work and commitment to the cause was finally recognised in 2011 when the group were given a surprise award from The Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce for their work in the area of social enterprise. The award - collected on behalf of the group by Hannah and Christie at the Ormiston Ilkeston Academy ‘ Celebration of Achievement’ evening, recognises Every Lasts Drop’s work to raise money for Sir Dembo’s Nursery and Primary school in one of Gambia’s poorest communities. Upon collecting the award at the ceremony, Hannah prepared and a presentation and showcased it to nearly 400 people on the night. This helped raised another significant amount of money in the access of £300. In order for Every Last Drop’s hard work to carry on being beneficial, they need the help and generosity of others. For more information visit everylastdrop.org.uk.
“Because of the way we operate, Every Last Drop of the money you donate goes to fund the excellent projects we support. Your donations are vital is we are to continue the good work we are doing.” 08 www.avenuemag.co.uk @avenuemaguk
Interview: Jay Blake Talking of Gambia, you’re going over there this month with the rest of team. What are you plans once you are out there? Once out there we aim to rebuild the toilets so they are fully functional and ensure that the premises floor is safe to walk on by clearing debris which will be lying around. Education is key so we will be helping educate the children with things so basic but they will be thrilled and desperate to learn things such as basic addition and colouring.
Jay, tell us about Every Last Drop and how it came about. Every Last Drop is a social enterprise which was formed by the year above ourselves at 6th form so we sort of inherited it from them! Originally it was just the selling of water to raise money to build a pump in a village elsewhere in Africa, but then a connection to the school got involved called Emma who travels to Sir Dembo’s school every year to help out with fund raised money, this is due to her being married to a man from Gambia.
around £4,000. and for this to have been done by a group of 16/17/18 year olds is quite extroadinary.
What makes your charity unique? The reason our charity is unique is because the money will be going directly to the school and the rebuilding of basic facilities and to ensure that the premises are as safe as possible for the eager to learn minors. We have raised to date
“I wanted to experience what those people out there are experiencing so I felt that to get involved with the charity would open my eyes to the real world and this was the perfect opportunity.”
Can you give us an example of how you’ve helped the life of a young child by this programme in Gambia? We can’t give specifics as we haven’t actually traveled out there yet, but we have already shipped over hundreds of mosquito nets which would hopefully lower this risk of catching Malaria to sleeping children & adults throughout the night.
@avenuemaguk www.avenuemag.co.uk 09
GHOSTPOET
THE SOUNDS OF EFFORTLESS RHYMES TALKS MUSIC, HARD WORK AND GILLES PETERSON
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eleasing his debut album ‘Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam,’ being nominated for the Mercury Prize alongside Adele and Elbow, featured in The Guardian’s ‘New Band Of The Day,’ playing Glastonbury, Ghostpoet has a hugely impressive ‘I Did’ list for 2011. Obaro Ejimiwe has enjoyed quite a rise from being an unsigned artist on MySpace to being a well-known artist signed to Gilles Peterson’s 2006 formed record label, Brownswood Recordings. “Well I had a friend of a friend of the label, they told them [Brownswood Recordings] about me, checked my Myspace, asked to hear my demos. Then I got asked to a meeting where I met Gilles Peterson and he said he would be glad to put my album out.” You may know of Ghostpoet after East London MC Kano featured on the remix to his 2011 smash Cash and Carry Me Home. “[Kano] is a really nice guy, not much I can say than that. It was just really nice of him to offer to be on the track.” And if you haven’t don’t know of Ghostpoet and haven’t heard any of his tracks yet, his style can only be defined as genre-breaking; there are no limits to his where his productions can take him. His debut album Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam, released February 7 2011, goes from hip-hop vibes, to blue’sy bits, to electro and dubstep beats, to drums, along with a whole load of over styles. But it’s not just the productions that make Ghostpoet’s music so enjoyable to listen to. His lyricism is of such a high level that when you listen to nearly every one of his songs, it feels like you are learning a story about life. It’s a similar approach to what Mike Skinner did with The Streets so successfully for many years and during an interview with the Guardian last year, Skinner claimed he regarded Drake his favourite MC alongside Ghostpoet. This is a claim that Obaro is very
humbled to have received; “It’s very nice of him [Mike Skinner] to say that, and it’s really great to be recognised by somebody like that at the same time. I am really am a big fan of his music so it is humbling that he’s a fan of my music too.” Born and raised in London, the 28 year-old reserves a place in his for Coventry, not only because of his University days, more so that this was when he realised that it was time to make his music dream reality “The idea of making music didn’t really start in Coventry as such, I’ve always been into it. But it wasn’t until I was at University when I really thought it would be good to turn my music into an hobby.” Gaining respect from a big-named artists like Mike Skinner, getting signed to Gilles Peterson’s record label and being shortlisted for the Mercury prize 2011 are all things Ghostpoet can be proud of, however, he’s keeping feet on the ground and not getting carried away with the hard work that he still has to put in. “2011 was a great year and I can’t complain yano. I’m hoping for the same, if not more this year but we will have to see how it goes. It was great to be nominated for the Mercury prize, it’s all good but life goes on. It is great to do such things but I want to have a career not a career for just a few months.” It may only be the start of 2012 but the plans are already in place to make this year bigger than 2011 for Ghostpoet as a musician. “This year will be about more music, potentially even a new album, but we will have to see how it goes. There will be more creativity and I wanna explore as many avenues as possible really. “There may be possibly, possibly, some collaborations lined up but I don’t like talking about them until they come reality. Potentially, potentially. And the UK tour starts this month (March) amongst other stuff. It’s time to get busy and long may it continue.”
@avenuemaguk www.avenuemag.co.uk 11
Youngman ///////////////////////
You grew up in Derby, what do you think to the music scene in this area? Derby’s music scene has had its moments... It’s a small city with an even smaller music scene but there is a few sick things come out of the area. How did you find juggling a Business Management course at the University of London with kick starting your music career? To be honest I found it really comfortable. I worked hard at Uni and tried to take it all in as well and as quickly as possible so I could get on with my music. I used to DJ at all the Uni events so I would always be out late, but never drank so I would always be able to make the early lectures! (laughs) When it came to graduation it was really funny. As I was always perceived as the musical, dj, singer“always out”guy people couldn’t believe it when I came out with a 1st class honours. What advice did your Dad - Simon Smith, one half of the drum & bass supergroup Drumsound & Bassline Smith - give to you as a break through artist? Not a lot to be honest.. Anyone who knows my Dad, will know he ain’t the type to give out hand outs, even to his son! When I was his MC I learnt a lot from him and I’ve always“borrowed his ears”and played him my stuff but that’s about it really. You were Mistajam’s‘Jam Hot’, Zane Lowe’s‘Next Hype’and Annie Mac’s‘Record of The Week’towards the end of 2011 with your debut single, the Skream-produced‘Who Knows’. How did this track come about? I remember it well. It was last summer, Skream, Benga and I were 12 www.avenuemag.co.uk @avenuemaguk
live on Rinse fm, eating takeaway Nandos in a scorching hot radio studio laughing and joking, when Skream dropped a new tune which at the time he called“Do You Know”... Benga and I exchanged glances and I got an instant idea and vibe for the track so I told the listeners (on the mic) that“Skream should give me the beat to vocal and I’ll bring it back next week for all the listeners to hear”...Skream gave it to me, I wrote it in 15 mins the next day and the rest is history! You’re working on your debut album‘Me and My Music.’What can we expect from this, many collaborations or is it all your solo stuff? Well it’s“Me and My Music”so I’m not Gona go crazy with collaborations but there will definitely be some guests and of course I’m fortunate enough to have Benga & Shy Fx Executive produce the record which already features production from Skream, MJ Cole, Breakage and Kutz to name a few... So finally, what are the long term plans for Youngman. I just want to keep developing and growing as an artist. Make loads of music, tour, perhaps get into mischief and as my mate Artwork says,“Have a loverly time”... Thanks for having me! Peace. facebook.com/youngman twitter.com/youngmanmusic
Jake Bugg ///////////////////////
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oll back to September 2011, Issue 1 of Avenue, when we interview Matthew Henshaw and he told us to watch out for Jake Bugg, and that is what we did. His first gig came as a 16 year-old and now he is fully established himself as one of the most exciting musicians to come out of the city. First off, tell us a little bit about the sounds you are in to. I’m into all sorts really, but mainly stuff from the 50’s and 60’s. I listen to Robert Johnson, Slim Whitman, Donovan, Bob Dylan but my favourite artist is Don Mclean, first heard him on The Simpsons believe it or not. What age did you get in to music? About 12. My Uncle showed me a few chords on this old and fairly shit guitar he had , and I was hooked pretty much. Hard guitar to play, even now. 2011: You were signed up to Mercury Records and you supported Example at his Rock City gig. How would you describe 2011 as a year for you? A bit of a surreal year, all told. I’m surrounded by great people though, good management and a great label, no bullshit and we all get on - it just feels kind of right to be doing it, but I have to pinch myself it has to be said.
along the way and I can’t thank them enough too be honest. You’ve got your first single being released soon, tell us what we can expect. It’s a tune I wrote about 6 months ago when there were all the riots. I was in London at the time, just chaos really. I come from Clifton in Nottingham, it’s always been a tough council estate so I’m sort of used to having that feeling of frustration and wanting to “get out” it’s just a simple song, but it’s going down well live. The best thing was it was recorded on one microphone, proper old school. What’s your goals for 2012, more singles, videos, album release? Releasing the album and singing my tunes. Just dead happy to be doing it. Finally, what advice would you give to local artists trying to get their music out there? Always do those shit gigs that you don’t fancy doing. You never know who will see you. facebook.com/jakebugguk myspace.com/jakebugguk
I’ve met some great people who have really helped me @avenuemaguk www.avenuemag.co.uk 13
JOSH KUMRA
THE SWINDON STAR TALKS WRETCH 32, BIRDIE, BEN HOWARD AND BEING INSPRIRED TO JAMES BATCHELOR.
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ewind to a few years back, Josh Kumra was touring local Swindon pubs as one-half of an acoustic duo called Kicaberry. Fast forward to last year, 2011, the singer/songwriter was spotted by Jermaine Scott, better known as Wretch 32 and it’s been an epic journey ever since... We are both signed through Levels Entertainment Management, basically I put my version of ‘Don’t Go’ down in the studio with a friend of mine. The through my manager Wretch heard my version of it, he really liked the song and wanted to get in the studio for a couple of days to put his lyrics and vocals on it, and he took a couple of my versions out, kept the chorus and really the rest is history, man.” Although Josh wrote ‘Don’t Go,’ he never expected for the track to be so successful, for an MC to spit over it or for it to go straight into number one in the UK charts. “When I got sent the track, I thought this is really good, man. But I didn’t think in a billion years that it would go to number one. And we also had the Emeli Sande track ‘Heaven’ up against us, which was one of the of records of last year, so I was just so happy to have some good competition and to come out on top.” “It feels brilliant [to have a number one record], it’s the first thing that I had released and it goes to number one and was like ‘woah! I did not expect this at all.’ Now it has just spurred me on to do more music and work even harder.” Songwriting is something that the Swindon born star picked up at a young age, but it wasn’t until a few years back when he began to really push himself to the limits where songwriting is concerned. “I began writing songs when I was 13. I wrote a song called ‘Oak Tree’ when I was 15 and put it out there and that’s the one that got me a reaction. From that I thought I actually could make this work so I put music at my forefront of everything. But in the last 8 months, I’ve written more than I have ever done in my life!”
14 www.avenuemag.co.uk @avenuemaguk
It was a collaboration that made the name ‘Josh Kumra’ known and this is something as an artist he enjoys doing, although he hasn’t got any planned collaborations, there is somebody with a beautiful voice that is chasing. “I haven’t got any collaborations set in yet, but I would love to do a collaboration with Birdie. I think she is exceptional and massively talented and she is at the top of the list for me. I think we could do something really special, so if somebody in her management is reading this then give me a call!” With artists like Ben Howard and Benjamin Francis Leftwich making their break-through’s in 2011 with singles and albums, Kumra is coming at a time when acoustic acts couldn’t be more hyped. “It’s weird man, Ben Howard’s album is one of my favourite albums of the last 10 years. They are both in the same sort of direction as me but I’d say I’m more A bit of Ben Howard, a bit of soul of bit of contemporary beats, a mix of old and new. And i’m going to have a couple more beats on my album. Having the single with Wretch put me in a market that I would have never have put myself in to. Most of my following is now from the urban scene and I want to keep those fans and give them something they want to hear.” The 21 year-olds rapid rise from singing in pubs to topping the charts came with hard work and years of practice. For him, it was always about keeping his head on the game and keeping determined, inspired and just being interested in what he is doing. “For me, the number one tip would be to be inspired because it is easy to lose that inspiration. Try reading books, watching documentaries, reading interviews, just do it and be inspired. If you don’t enjoy it then it’s gonna fade away quickly.” For him, it was always about keeping his head on
the game and keeping determined, inspired and just being interested in what he is doing.
appearing on a reality TV programme in five years time, that’s for sure.
“For me, the number one tip would be to be inspired because it is easy to lose that inspiration. Try reading books, watching documentaries, reading interviews, just do it and be inspired. If you don’t enjoy it then it’s gonna fade away quickly.”
“In five years time I will definitely not be going on Big Brother man! If i’m doing what I am doing now in five years time, i’d be more than happy, but we will have to see.”
At such a young age, Josh has a long way to go yet. He’s got plenty more tours, albums and festivals to play, more music to write, and more enjoying the career he has built himself. He certainly won’t be
The future is looking bright for the talented young singer/songwriter and May 2012 may potentially see the release of his debut album. Watch this space, Josh Kumra is about to blow!
@avenuemaguk www.avenuemag.co.uk 15
The music video market is moving kind of fast right now!
By James Batchelor, Local Music Correspondent @reggiimental
that people are adopting to suit their fancy in these fast time of 2012! Just get them all! Yes, I mean from Google Plus to Tumblr, Digg and beyond, leave no stone unturned! Have you thought of filming a behind the scenes promotional package for your video? Yet another plug into the people that need to know that you have a video coming out! They say that there is no ‘I’ in team work and to be honest, they are right! In a world of creativity, people want to showcase their skills and will proudly boast of their involvement which will in turn save you doing a lot of shouting on how much people really need to see your video! Do you have a big feature artist on your project? Surely you would attempt to do your video based around this track? Tapping into other artist bases will aid you campaign and may even influence the way that collaborations are conducted based on the potential to create a complementary visual.
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veryone has a music video now a days....Or do they? If you are an up and coming artist, why are you not making use of what seems to be the biggest showcase tool in the world right now! YOUTUBE ! Complemented by its super high quality competitor Vimeo and a whole host of video host providers! Sounds simple doesn’t it! Get a video out there and hey presto, await your fame? Hmm...Here is where your thought train may be wrong. Unless you have previously attempted to create a video that will serve as your passport to stardom, a record deal or at least a little bit of exposure, you will probably not know the hard work involved. A well shot and edited video will not create views by itself! Without a PR push or a little help from the gods, you will not be looking at a viral video without doing some hefty legwork. Taking things back to the drawing board will probably make it wise for you to get a following from the start. If you are making a video, you should have an outlet to tell people about your latest venture. All social networks need to be covered when it comes to running your own promotions. Not a fan of Twitter? Better get to know! People are clicking, watching and listening all of the time. Please don’t make me list all of the social networks
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Artists may write more narrative or story based music in order to accommodate an intricate visual that may stray from the run of the mill music video. Plugging that creativity will not guarantee you views but it may guarantee you the glory of being bookmarked, remembered a favourite or worthy of sharing. Please tell me your not doing a so called ‘Net Video’, I think the term used to be a ‘Hood Video’ but I guess that not everyone can be hood. Plan your shoot, shots, plot and ideally source your resources in advance. Seeing directors like Adam Awni work has benefits as you can get a good concept for what a little bit of planning can enable you to do. Three separate days of shooting, bags of test footage, model hunting, rights to film granted from the local council, lighting, hands on staff, cars,generators, umbrellas and kids to borrow all in aid of the cinematic ‘Stand By The Window’ coming to life. And the snow effect is real...No budget? lets go out in the street and film shall we? ..Start again...Get yourself and budget and lets do things like actually invest money in ourselves. Show the record labels that you believe in yourself and make an investment in your professional development. If you wouldn’t invest in yourself, why the hell would they?
THE AVENUE SS12 STYLE GUIDE
Welcome to the newly introduced Avenue Style Guide. Since we re-branded from Suited to Avenue back in November 2011, we have been busy working hard trying to make our fashion articles and magazine features even bigger and better for you...and this is what we have came up with! As part of our new fashion direction, we recruited the help of Nottingham Trent University fashion student, Hayley Shelton. Hayley’s first magazine column features gatsy glamour, pastel colours and African prints. Then for the males, our other fashion student and editor, Alex Witham, shares with us his picks for the SS12 season, including blazers, berry coloured skinny jeans, and huge scarves. Hayley Shelton
Alex Witham
Female Fashion Editor
Male Fashion Editor
FOR MALES ONLY!
We take a look at the must have pieces for the Spring / Summer 2012 season
Topman £80
Harvey Nichols £195
River Island £25
Summer 2012 see’s the UK host a frenzy of anticipated events; the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee being the highlights. We will see these events influencing spring/summer 2012 fashion greatly.
2012, but the colours have moved on, from dark navy and brown, to pastel colours such as salmon and mustard. Also you’ll start to see the 70’s classic; coloured skinny jeans, make a return to the high street. I’ve seen them in every high street store (yes, even H&M) and it was hard for me to pick a favourite pair. But i’ve gone for these.
pretty extreme for a scarf (£195), but you’ll wear it forever!
Tweed jackets, once an item purchased by only nerdy geography teachers, will become a staple part of any gentleman’s wardrobe. Think‘English country gentleman’to get the correct look. My pick of tweed jackets on the high street is this one from Topman. A safe colour, that will go with a pastel coloured chino (salmon or mustard, which I’m sure you already own) or even a smart charcoal trouser to wear in the evening. Costing only £80, this is an absolute steal. I personally really like the brown contrast cord collar which gives it a twist from the traditional tweed that years ago we all would have shunned. This is a timeless piece that will be wearable for years. Don’t worry, your chinos will continue to be wearable through Spring/Summer 18 www.avenuemag.co.uk @avenuemaguk
These berry coloured skinny jeans are from River Island (but similar ones can be found in Topman and H&M) however, these cost only £25, an absolute steal. Wear with Converse or High tops (which you should already have on your shoe rack) and a simple T-shirt or a basic hooded sweater for a simple but stylish look this summer. As far as accessories go, keep it to a minimum this year. As colours are getting more daring and bold, don’t ruin it with too much. The high street is yet to supply anything to wow, but whilst having a cheeky look around Harvey Nichols last week I came across this Burberry scarf which I fell in love with. Ok, the price is
The scarf comes in a range of colours but as this season is all about tradition, I thought I’d stick to Burberrys staple colour – smoked tan. Flat caps, leather holdalls and‘Wayfarer’ style sunglasses will also be a big hit this year to complete your look. Try and pick just one (maybe two) but don’t overdo it. I couldn’t write about‘must haves’for this season without mentioning David Beckham and his underwear range for H&M. Boxer shorts (very reasonably) priced at £9.99 are selling fast. His range also features lounge pants and vests. And let’s face it, every man wouldn’t mind being David Beckham. twitter.com/alexwithampr
AVENUE LOVES...
BIG WATCHES
Toy Watch Velvety Red Watch £165
Kennett Challenger Croco Watch £240
www.rox.co.uk
www.kennettonline.com
Michael Kors MK8196 Watch £279
D&G Rubber Watch £195
www.asos.com
www.dolcegabbana.com
@avenuemaguk www.avenuemag.co.uk 19
20 www.avenuemag.co.uk @avenuemaguk
@avenuemaguk www.avenuemag.co.uk 21
22 www.avenuemag.co.uk @avenuemaguk
Photographer: Nicola White Model: Carly Ann Robinson Make-Up Artist: Becky Hunting Stylist: Sam Andrews Designer: Gayle Bennett Clothing: madebygalye loose fitting pocket tee ÂŁ30 madebygayle multi leggings ÂŁ25 Shoes: models own @avenuemaguk www.avenuemag.co.uk 23
Photograph by Paddy McGowan ww.paddymcgowanvideo.tumblr.com
Illustration by Nathan Knowles nayinteriors.tumblr.com
Spread The Love by Nick Lylak lylakphotopgraphy.co.uk