Essex Style Magazine Issue 7

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SUE MOXLEY

As a former model, Essex girl and beauty editor at The Sun, Sue Moxley knows more than most about what it takes to look good. Here she launches her brand new monthly column with Essex Style Magazine.

You simply have to give permanent make-up a try. I tried it once, and I just can’t get enough of it.

W

hen first impressions count so much, stepping out of the house without a full face of make-up can be a daunting challenge for any woman.

Many of us spend hours in front of the mirror making sure everything looks just right, and who can blame us? There’s no bigger boost for your confidence than looking good.

The problem is though, is we don’t always have time. We cannot always sit there perfecting the look we’re after, and it is when we are in a hurry that things can start to go badly wrong.

Don’t worry ladies; I think I’ve found the solution.

It might sound a bit drastic, and yes, you are bound to have your doubts when signing up for it, but how many of you have considered permanent make-up?

Of course there are the usual questions when it comes to something like this: what if I don’t like it? Surely it will cost me a fortune? It’s hardly on my doorstep, and I don’t want to travel all the way to London just for a bit of lippy…

Top: Eyebrows before All those doubts permanent make-up. Above: Afterwards.

Below: Permanent were quashed for make-up artist, Joanna Twyman me recently, when “Permanent I stumbled across and her prices represent Essex’s very own brows are excellent value for money. permanent makeGoing into London, among the up artist, Joanna you will often find you Twyman. most popular pay up to double the Joanna can prices that Joanna procedures” boast more than is charging. I simply 11 years’ worth cannot recommend of experience her highly enough. in the industry, and is leading the way as Check out her website: permanent make-up rockets in popularity. www.joannatwyman.co.uk.

She works from her own private clinic Aside from the work Joanna is

doing, the permanent make-up industry is getting bigger and bigger, and the range of treatments on offer is growing too.

The vast majority of treatments involve coloured pigments being applied to the upper layer of the skin – almost like a tattoo.

Permanent brows are among the most popular procedures. A skilled technique allows the illusion of real hairs to be created; this together with the perfect colour match gives the realistic look of a natural brow.

People who have suffered from Alopecia and hair loss due to cancer treatments will find a treatment like this to be ideal. It looks great, and more importantly, it can boost your self-esteem – which is the most important thing.

Similar techniques are used to apply permanent eyeliners and lip liners, among others. The results are remarkable, giving you that fully made-up look right from the moment you step out of bed.

What are you waiting for? Give this a try.

I did, and I have absolutely no regrets. I know you will love it just as much.

For more details...

Contact Joanna Twyman on 01702 230356, or check out her website: www.joannatwyman.co.uk MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 07

MICHELLE MacGREGOR

Follow on Twitter @Michelle_mua

With over ten years of experience, working in the industry, and as head make-up artist at Essex Fashion Week, Michelle MacGregor brings you her exclusive tips and tricks in her popular monthly column for ESM.

To groom... or not to groom? That is the question.

F

or me personally, I simply couldn’t think of anything worse than a man spending more time getting ready than me.

I’m a professional make-up artist, so it’s little surprise that I do actually spend a considerable amount of time in front of the mirror each day. But then again, don’t most women?

I do, however, think that it’s nice when guys make the effort. There is nothing worse than a man who completely neglects his appearance.

Men of all ages are coming around to the idea of taking care of themselves, and in all honesty, I do believe this is a good thing.

Some guys are doing just the very small things like wearing a nice aftershave, dying their hair and using facial products like scrubs, cleansers and moisturisers. I’m fine with that.

But some men are really going all out. I mean, did you know that there are make-up companies now tailored to Men! Too far?

At the end of the day, I guess it’s all down to personal opinions. Some women will love seeing their man make as much effort as possible – others may think something as simple as exfoliating or moisturising is too much.

All that aside, I have dealt with a number of male clients in the past, and would like to think I can offer them some good, impartial advice.

Male grooming can be a bit of a minefield but I have come up with a few ways to look good and feel good without going too far.

Tanning for Men The fact is, most people look and feel good with a bit of colour; a holiday glow. This definitely applies to men and women alike.

Many men shave daily, so it is important to moisturise. There are also tanning products which are marketed solely at men.

These days, though, more men than ever before are buying fake tans, gradual tans or booking in for spray tans.

Spray Tans By Stacey say “men tend to book last minute for their spray tans, they book in for when they have a special occasion or a big night out. They love the result and do book again’

Stay young… Moisturise It is common knowledge that most men shave daily. This dries out the skin and can cause irritation.

The most common form of irritation is a shaving rash. It is important to try and use a good aftershave to prevent this.

Moisturising is an important way to keep skin hydrated and to help maintain a youthful appearance.

L’Oreal Men Expert Hydra Sensitive has ben the leading product on the market for some time now, while I can also highly recommend Shiseido Men Active and the brilliant Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Transformer.

TOP TIP!

Eyebrow Grooming

Don’t deny it guys, many men have secretly plucked away at their mono brow, when they thought the women weren’t looking.

Here is my big tip for grooming brows that men can easily do at home without taking the plunge at the salon: • Brush brow hair upwards with an old toothbrush.

• Take a small pair of scissors and trim any extra long hairs (do this while the brows are brushed up).

• When you smooth your brows back down, they’ll appear neat and less ‘bushy.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 09

TREVOR ELSEY

Regular columnist, Trevor Elsey brings you all the inside gossip from The Sugar Hut. This month he has the inside line on Joey Essex’s big launch party, why Kirk quit TOWIE, and news on the big names visiting the club.

Joey Essex puts on a D’Reem night at the Sugar Hut

C

oming to terms with Sugar Hut not being on TOWIE has not been as difficult as we might have expected this month. The support we have received from fans of the show and regular visitors has been incredible.

The club has proven to be as popular as ever, and continued to cement its position as one of Essex’s premier venues.

It’s nice to know that we can still count on the support of many local celebrities – no more so than Joey Essex.

As readers of my column in Essex Style Magazine will know, Joey is a regular visitor to the Hut, so it was a pleasure for us to host the launch of his new hair care brand, D’Reem.

Never one to be understated, Joey pulled out all the stops for his big party, bringing along a team of ‘Mini Joeys’, who added a bit of comedy to the whole occasion.

His special guests included his new fiancée, Sam Faiers.

The couple recently announced their engagement, and I know I speak for everyone at Sugar Hut when I offer my congratulations, and best wishes for the future. I think they make a lovely couple.

Among Joey’s “He feels the other guests was his sister, Frankie show has Top: Guests at the D’Reem Essex; fellow launch, above: Mini Joeys and changed and TOWIE star, Tom Sam, right: Joey with his new Fusey haircut.

Pearce; actress is no longer and model, Layla Like Mick, he became for him” Flaharty; and disillusioned with where former Sugarbabe, the show was going. He Mutya Beuna. just feels the show has In other news, you’re probably already changed and is no longer for aware that Kirk has followed his dad him. Of course, he’s still always a through the exit door of TOWIE. popular face in the Hut.

Our famous ‘Chic’ nights on Thursdays continue to be popular. We were lucky enough to welcome Kiss 100 DJ, Neev Spencer along, and what a great job she did.

The café is going from strength to strength, too. Being the school holidays in April, a lot of young fans of TOWIE travelled to Brentwood on a sightseeing, celebrity spotting mission.

Sugar Hut always proves popular at these times of year, so the café really benefitted from them paying us a visit. They’re always very welcome here as well.

So what do we have for you to look forward to in the coming month? Well, the May 5th Bank Holiday is soon upon us, with Too Damn Glam presenting ‘The Glam Projekt.’

Michael Andre has his regular slots on May 10th and May 24th, while we have Charlie Hedges here on May 31st.

May 17th sees the fabulous return of Boat Party Promotions for another excellent night with a great DJ line-up and many local faces.

You’re welcome to join us!

And finally, we have Evo and RST on May 3rd and 18th. Don’t miss it!

Well, that’s just about everything from me for another month.

I’d love it if you’d come and say hello next time you’re in town.

For now, though, remember: “It’s not just a nightclub, it’s a lifestyle!”

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 11

Darren Kennedy Presenter & stylist Darren Kennedy shares some of his favourite styles from this spring season look and how to make them work for him and her.

Q. Hi Darren, I’m a 5-foot tall, 20 years old and take a size 2 in shoes. It’s an absolute nightmare glittery with a kitten heel from the kids section just isn’t my style). I’m bridesmaid for my sister in the summer and would love to get a pair of shoes that can be worn again for other occasions. Thanks, Patricia.

A. As you’ll know only too well Patricia, most stores cater to a size 3 or 4 minimum which means petite sizes, such as yourself, face a challenge shoes. Thankfully, there are a handful of companies operating online, such as Pretty Small Shoes (www.pretty-small-shoes. com), who specialise in petite footwear. In fact, the UK based company only makes footwear in women’s sizes 2 – 5.

Their website has one of the largest selections of shoes styles for petite sizes that I’ve encountered, with over 500 styles to choose from, all handmade to order. Bearing this in mind, give yourself a couple of weeks for delivery just to be on the safe side. They also tend to have a smaller selection of shoes in stock that ship in one day but your not in every style. Given they are bespoke, these shoes are more costly than your average high-street shoe so invest in a versatile style. For instance the ‘Le Seducteur’ is 02 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

a classic patent nude peep-toe court that’ll cover you for most occasions (£125.39). For designer inspired style, the ‘Glitter in the Dark’ shoe packs plenty of punch (£140.95, both www.pretty-small-shoes.com). Shoes of Prey (www. shoesofprey.com) is a Sydney based website where you can custom design your own gorgeously fashionable shoes. If the thought of designing your own shoes is a bit daunting, you can also choose from ‘Ready Made’ pre-designed styles such as the monochrome ankle strap sandal with python print detail (£194.66, Shoesofprey. special occasions such as wedding and bridesmaid.

Q. I’m 5”7 and still quite overweight communion is approaching fast. I go about in jeans and boots so wearing a dress will be a big deal. I’m supersensitive about my tummy and like the tops of my arms covered. Please help with dress ideas. 35 yrs, Dublinmum.

A. Given the occasion it’s best to avoid short hemlines, anything strapless or showing off cleavage. Irish label Daisy May’s latest collection features easy-towear, printed and colour block dresses for day and eveningwear. The elegant, round neck, red dress has a simple cap sleeve and tulip style wrap skirt (£114.76, Carraig Donn).

Keep it current by styling with a statement heel, such as the ‘Gigi’ silver ankle strap sandal (£123.26, Buffalo), and accessorise with the limited edition spike & stone earrings (£4.25) at Penneys. Dutch label Stills’ bubblegum pink cotton pique dress is a wonderfully fresh take on a classic shape (£178.51, Kilkenny Shop). Play with the contemporary feel by styling it with H&M’s black open-toe ankle boot with white block platform heel (£25.46) for a look that’s fun, feminine and full of fashion cred. Wrap dresses are a savior for anyone wanting to draw attention away from their tummy. Both Per Una (£92.66, M&S) or Joseph Ribkoff

‘s monochrome jersey wrap with vibrant floral print (£209.07, at Pamela Scott) will hide a multitude of sins.

Q. For my 40th birthday, friends from all over Europe, whom I studied with many moons ago, will be flying in. Can you kindly provide guidance for an average height/weight West-of-Ireland man so as not to be out-shone by all his continental counterparts on his big occasion?

A. We give most Europeans great kudos for how they dress but I guess it depends on your own personal style and how formal a celebration it’s going to be. It’s hard to knock a navy blazer, the perfect piece for dressing up or down. The Kooples’ night blue single button blazer with slim notched lapel is razor sharp (£250.77, Brown Thomas). H&M has a lower priced woven cotton version in dark blue for (£50.96. For a bright summery look, wear with Paul Smith’s blue flatfront trousers (£161.51) and a crisp white shirt. For a laid back style, opt instead for a dark wash jean like the dusty black ‘Thunder’ pair (£119.01, The Kooples), with River Island’s cable knit crew neck jumper and a printed pocket square to tie it all together (£38.25 & £17 respectively, River Island).

Alternatively ditch the jacket and keep it cool with All Saint’s play on traditional camouflage print with their grey leaf camo pattern shirt (£93.51).

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 03

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The Grooming Debate

How far is too far when it comes to your man taking care of his appearance?

Him

Her

Will Taylor Features Writer

F

or many years, my daily grooming routine consisted of a Gillette shave, Lynx shower gel and deodorant, a quick brush of the teeth, and on very special occasions, Head and Shoulders shampoo.

That was it. Nothing more, nothing less. As a man, I needed nothing more.

Recently, however, I have come to realise that there is a lot more out there for men, and some of it really is worth using.

First, I dispensed with the Head and Shoulders, replacing it with a slightly more expensive conditioner. Then, I began to style my hair, use sweet smelling aftershaves and from time-to-time, a drop of moisturiser.

That’s not where it ended of course.

I’ve since tried cleansing scrubs, hair straighteners and whitening toothpaste.

Whether or not they all did what they said on the label, is a debate for another day entirely.

I think I’ve found the middle ground now, though. I find daily moisturising tedious, hair straightening a chore and the daily squirt of Paco Rabanne unnecessary.

What I have learnt, though, is it is important for a man to take care of his appearance to a certain degree.

That said, a man should be a man.

Hair on his chest and a certain grittiness to the way he looks.

I say keep clean, but seriously, no more than that!

Ivana Sidey Features Writer

T

he man that said less is more has a lot to answer for, and I think a minimal cleansing routine speaks volumes.

Why would you not want to look your best and appear slovenly?

While beauty is only skin deep, if you don’t cleanse, tone and moisture that skin, you face a very real risk of being unhygienic and causing damage below the surface.

If men need instructions on what to do, they need look no further than their local high street, the instruction is there loud and clear – groom!

There are now cosmetics brands especially created for men; ranging from King of Shaves, to the more exclusive male ranges of L’oreal or Clinique - proving this is something that should be taken seriously.

Male grooming implies that they treat themselves better, so they will therefore treat you better. As these men are thoughtful, caring and considerate towards themselves they will surely mirror that behavior towards you.

Plus all of your friends will notice too! Who wants to introduce the frog to their friends and family when you could have the prince?

While I do believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I also believe that you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression.

So come on boys, brush up or get the brush off!

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 15

COMING TO ESSEX SOON!

s r e g n ! i s d e t n wa

auditions coming soon

ente r now !

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10/04/2013 17:14

Make-up Masterclass With former model and beauty aficionado, Sue Moxley starting school as an ESM columnist this month, our editor, Terrie Bennett went along to try out her professional make-up classes.

S

ue Moxley always looks glamorous.

When I met her for the first time a few months ago, barely a hair was out of place, and her make-up exuded an eternal youth.

Why can’t we all be like that, hey?!

Admittedly, she is a former model, so it’s little surprise that she happens to know all the tricks of the trade, and never looks a unkempt. But I was keen to find out the trade secrets that us normal women never seem to get told.

“Even though I’m now juggling careers as a performer, singer and prenenter,” Sue said, “I’m always keen to keep up to date on make-up and beauty.

“My pedigree in make-up is very good. I worked as a model for ten years and picked up tips from many of the very best artists from around the world.”

Whilst she already has her own range of make-up called Famous, which is stocked by Superdrug, her master classes are becoming infamous.

The once-monthly classes cater for anyone aspiring to get into the competitive world

of professional make-up artistry, already in it, or simply those who wish to do their own make-up to the highest standards. It’s open to everyone, and runs for a whole day.

Terrie got professional Sue added: “Anyone’s welcome to book in photos taken at the end for the classes. They’ve proven to be very of her day learning about popular, and I enjoy doing them.” make-up artistry.

I was lucky enough to get the chance to attend her class at the James Carter Barely a stone was left unturned, as Sue photography studio in Hornchurch last ran us through the techniques and styles month. The advantage of holding it required for both understated looking there was that we were all able to get our daytime make-up, and the elegant evening photograph taken after we had finished the look. class.

The classes are The other great thing about Sue’s held at different classes is that you don’t need to be locations every time, equipped like a professional make-up “I loved the but the next two are artist to go to them. Everything is taking place at Amy provided for you, from brushes to the day I spent Childs’ salon in make-up itself. there... I got Brentwood.

To top it all off, lunch and drinks Sue added: “It’s was provided and everyone who to meet so well worth coming attended went home many lovely along to. Come with a certificate to along and spend a prove they had met the people.” day with me and see required standards. if make-up is the Upon my arrival, career for you.”

Sue explained that All in all, I loved the day I spent there. we would all have to Not only did I learn so much about how to partner up, as we apply my make-up properly, but I also got would be taking it to meet so many really lovely people. What in turns to do one more could a lady want? another’s make-up.

Thanks to Sue, I love applying my makeThroughout the day up once again, and have taken on board so she was always on hand to much. help, and gave informative Absolutely, I would recommend these demonstrations that classes to anyone. She’s currently running certainly seemed to correct a 40% discount, so you can get it for just many of the mistakes I have £120.

It’s worth it!

To book yourself in, go been making down the to www.suemoxleybeauty.co.uk. years.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 17

y z r e h c S

BOY

ESM Ex clus iv e Interview With Rylan Cl ar k 18 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

He was reality TV’s biggest, most controversial star of 2012, and is already making waves this year. Gossip and hyperbole follow Rylan Clark wherever he goes. But as William Taylor discovered in an exclusive interview, the Essex enigma is far more downto-earth than the media have let on.

G

o back a year, and chances and I did Big Brother – but they all had are, you wouldn’t have their reasons. heard of the flamboyant “The reason I did Signed by Katie was and alluring character that because I was a model at the time, and they is Rylan Clark. We were still approached me because I was a model that entranced by Little Mix’s X Factor triumph, had a personality. the scandalous Frankie Cocozza and Essex’s “Then the reason I did X Factor was very own cheeky girls, 2 Shoes. because I wanted to get into music, and But for a few fleeting appearances in lesser the reason I did Big Brother was to prove known television series’ such as Signed by people wrong.”

Katie, a failed attempt to make it into the Indeed, it seems as though Rylan has Big Brother house and a couple of extras been proving people wrong ever since he roles in Harry Potter first auditioned for The X and Love Actually, Factor with garish blond he was relatively extensions, the contrasting unknown. black beard and a selfNo one’s Rylan was part efficacious confidence as he of a Take That walked onto the stage. ever heard me tribute band that He accepts that he is not sing... when I went by the name the world’s most gifted of Fake That, and singer, but that said; no one was on X Factor, couldn’t possibly actually knows what his that wasn’t me have foreseen the singing sounds like. squabbles he would “No one’s ever heard me singing have with a certain sing,” he said. “When I was Gary Barlow in later on X Factor, that wasn’t me Rylan Clark singing. life.

As a youngster, “If I was to do music, I he craved the think people would be really limelight, he wanted to be famous and he’d shocked at what type of music it would be. do anything to get there. He tried out acting “When I was on X Factor, I could have when he joined a drama school; he gave done what everyone else did week after music a go, and even dipped his toe in the week, stood by a microphone, sung my world of modelling. ballad and gone off. But I was doing Some of his critics today would suggest routine after routine, and that’s what that his outlook remains unchanged, that he I do because I am a performer.” is as fame hungry as ever, but his response is sharp.

Big Brother “You know what,” he laughs, “you’re the ones who f****** put me where I am, so Of all the X Factor cheers!” contestants last year, Rylan Sitting in the ultra-modern, Stella probably faced the toughest McCartney-owned offices that house the time from the press. His life management company for all the X Factor was suddenly pushed under the contestants, 24-year-old Rylan came across microscope and analysed on a daily as a more reflective sort of person, subdued basis by the tabloids. perhaps. Possibly even contented.

He grew concerned that he was He said: “It’s not about the fame or the being portrayed unfairly, and once money for me. I mean, when I was 13, yes, again he felt he had something to all I wanted to be was famous. proved.

“Yeah, I did Jordan’s show, I did X Factor Just days after the X Factor final,

“

“

beaten but not dejected, Rylan received a phone call from the producers of Celebrity Big Brother, asking if he would like to participate in the show.

“There were rumours floating about before they’d even asked me if I would like to go in,” he explained. “Obviously, as soon as I heard it, that was it, I knew I wanted to go in.

“A lot of people advised me not to do it, saying that it was something that people do at the end of their careers to try and scrape something back.

“It could have gone either way for me, but I said I needed to do it because I wanted people to see what I was really like.”

At the time, a lot was written about Rylan sneaking out of the house for X Factor tour rehearsals during Big Brother, strictly agains the show’s code of conduct, but he firmly denies that ever happening.

He said: “Everyone keeps going on about that, but I absolutely wasn’t. I wasn’t going anywhere.

“Actually, I was just going into the diary room each time. There’s a door on each side of it, and I was going in one way and going out the other into a little extra room.

It was in that little room that I was doing all my rehearsals.

“No one in the house would have known I was still there, and that part was never shown on the TV, but throughout all of the rehearsals, I was fully mic’d up, there were cameras and the producer was with me the whole time.

“My choreographer and dancers came in, but they weren’t actually allowed to speak

MODEL: Rylan before X Factor

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 19

LIKEABLE: Rylan seems to have the right sort of personality for television

to me, so they were just like mannequins. It was all in my contract that it had to happen like that.

“So I had no contact with the outside world apart from when one of them got me a coffee! That was a treat, because we didn’t have a coffee maker!”

In the end, the Big Brother experience worked a treat for Rylan. He emerged from the house victorious, and had won over many of his doubters. Now, anyone who

doesn’t say they have something of soft spot for the boy from Stanford-le-Hope, would be lying.

But what about the infamous Spencer and Heidi (or Speidi as they were branded)?

What did Rylan really make of them? Were they playing a game?

“Oh they were playing a game,” he said with a wry smile. “100 per cent. But good luck to them.

“You don’t see it all when you are in there

20 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

– you have no idea what went on in the diary room. Living with them, I f****** hated them, but watching it, I loved it. It was great entertainment.

“They knew how to play the game, and they played it really, really well. We’ve kissed and made up now, we speak, we’re all good now.

“They’re nowhere near as bad as they came across, but you know what? They know how to make money.”

I f****** hated them, “ Living with them,but watching it,

“

I loved it.

It was great entertainment.

Future plans Things are clearly going great for Rylan right now. The X Factor tour was a huge success, and he now has regular slots on Daybreak and Celebrity Juice.

He insists, however, that rumours of him joining up with the cast of TOWIE are false, and that he has absolutely no intention of getting involved with the ITV2 television series.

He said: “I’ve been asked loads of times, but it’s not for me. I’ve got nothing against any of them – I know half of them, but I just wouldn’t do it.

“I find it amazing that I am doing what I am doing and it is called reality TV; I am paid just to be me basically, when what they are doing is also called reality, but it’s scripted reality. It’s not them.

“If I wanted to be in a reality TV show, I would have my own; one like Katie Price, where it’s more fly-on-thewall.”

That said, he wouldn’t rule out a one-off, guest appearance: “It’s all about whether I’ve got time to do it, and whether it fits in with what I am doing at the time.”

And will he be the new host of Xtra Factor next year? Rumours that Olly Murs will be stepping down have certainly fuelled the speculation.

“I have no idea,” Rylan said. “As far as I am aware, Olly and Carolyn are the presenters, but I am flattered that my name is being mentioned. There’s nothing official though.”

Whatever path his career takes from now

remains to be seen, but it doesn’t look as though Rylan Clark will disappear into the shadows just yet.

Away from the spotlight and the media circus, he insists he is still lives a normal life, living at home with his mum.

He admits to being a real ‘mummy’s boy,’ and has no plans to move out any time soon. It is the stability of living at home that he likes.

Money is being thrown at him right now, but he’s not flashing it around, living the high life. He’s business minded, and plans to invest it.

He said: “At the moment I’m just looking after my money, putting a bit away, and when the time is right, the first thing I will do with my money is buy a property.

“I’d love to get into property. My brother’s a builder and I would love to start up a property development company with him.

“I’ve got the profile now and the exposure, but I don’t want to go out there setting up the typical TOWIE business.

“There are just too many of those little shops and boutiques in Brentwood now, and if I was to set one up, it would be nothing new, nothing special.”

What of his love life? He’s single at the moment, but he’s in no hurry to get into a relationship for the sake of it.

“I’ve been single for four years now, so I’m clearly in no hurry,” he said. “I’d love to meet someone and settle down. That’s what I want in life, but I never get the chance to meet anyone anymore.

“I meet all these amazing people, but it’s always at some official event, and it’s difficult to really talk to someone and get to know them. If I’m going to meet someone, it’s got to be secret squirrel.

“I’m very wary. I’ll always have my wits about me and think ‘is this person interested in me because of who I am and what I do, or because they really like me?’

I’ve got to be like that, but I suppose you learn that in life.”

How very profound.

Rylan on...

Gary Barlow: “I love Gary! He’s back to Barlow, not Borelow! What happened on the stage, stayed on the stage. It was genuine, but the second you walked out of that studio door and onto the corridors, that’s a separate life.”

Amy Childs: “I’m really good mates with Amy, I see her all the time. I’ve known her about three or four years now. She’s always the one I look to first for my tan. I don’t go there every time, but if I’m in the area, I will pop in.”

Nicole Scherzinger: “She was brilliant to work with. She’s exactly what you think she is, she’s a crazy b******!

She’s a really lovely girl, and she helped me through hard times. So I will always thank her for it.”

What he loves about Essex: “That moment when you drive along the M25 and you see the sign that says ‘WELCOME TO ESSEX’. Whether you’re 40 minutes from home, or you’re five minutes from home, you feel like you’re home.”

His favourite Essex person: “My mum. I like living with my mum and I like looking after her.”

Marilyn or Audrey? “Marilyn. She was a little bit dirtier! Nothing like me!”

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 21

TOWIE n o i h s a f SHOW

there were a lot of neon’s and floral’s, and you may have seen Jessica flashing her toned stomach in the national papers, and a dress from her own collection, called Jess, as she loved it so much.

Both girls stopped to have a quick chat about fashion.

Jess, 27 explained; “I have my own clothing range called: With love Jessica, as well as my shop of the same name but my brand is separate, and we are modelling a mixture of both tonight. So it’s going to be the clothes from my shop and If you want all the glamour of a fashion show in the clothing range.

“For anyone out there aspiring to own Essex then you have to invite the TOWIE cast and their own shop I have always loved fashion, you have to host it at Funky Mojoe. Ivana Sidey was I am a very girlie girl – I love clothes. At at the event to get all the backstage gossip and finds the time I was modelling for an underwear campaign, so we thought a great idea would out why the only way is Haven House. be to do an underwear shop. We actually did underwear first, then made it into a have to admit, I have never been to I am having such a good time I donated to shop and have been going around a year Funky Mojoe in Woodford Green before, tickets for The Big Reunion Tour for the and a half now.” it is a bit out of my way, but I will definitely raffle with a meet and greet after, it was Billie Faiers was wearing a stunning return, as will everyone else, as they were completely spontaneous but I just got monochrome dress from Zara, but similarly generous enough to host the event, free of swept up in the atmosphere!” her love remains with her business. charge.

Speaking of atmosphere, “I just always wanted to open up a The event was a sell-out, and what’s better, Manchester boy Simon seems shop. It’s every girl’s dream isn’t it it was all for a children’s hospice, Haven to have taken quite a shine to to work with clothes. So Samantha House in association with La Mode.

Essex. and I came up with a business idea.

The event was hosted by Maria Kouka, 26, “I live in Chigwell, I love an “When Samantha was first on a TV presenter, swimwear and commercial Essex night out, the people the show, she was constantly model, not to mention Simon Webb’s here are absolutely beautiful, wearing other people’s girlfriend, how could the that’s why they made clothes and people were night not be a success? a whole TV show always asking where they “I love an about it, it’s nothing Maria said: “It’s were from. So we thought, wonderful because it to do with the glitz why don’t we do this for Essex night and the glamour its has pulled such a large ourselves and open up our out. The crowd, and they are so people that you can own shop.” close to my heart. I’m get along with, and “Our sizes start from a people not a mother myself, but who you get. six and some things we go here are in about five years’ time I “It’s got a stigma up to an 18 in but a lot plan on being one. to it, but until of brands its only a 16 beautiful.” you’ve been here, “I have been here a few or a 14. Whereas Jess’ times actually, there is clothing starts from a Simon Webb, Blue you shouldn’t always such a good vibe, knock it. There 6 – 16 but our bra sizes and the music is always so good” – I have a great community to are really varied. We to agree, I didn’t want to leave. it, and look at tonight, have a lot of girls who The night appeared to go amazingly well, there’s no trouble and have small backs but Jessica Wright everyone put their hand it their pocket for everyone is here for the larger boobs. 28 up to was at the show.

Photography: the auction which included shoes, jewellery charity. Everyone is here 38 and A up to GG and richardcbarker.com we are both very involved with and some impromptu tickets for the sell-out making a difference.”

Big Reunion tour, by Simon Webb.

It seemed like everybody the buying for our shops” Simon, 34 told me; “I am here to support wanted to be involved, with a But fans of Billie need to watch Haven House. I have my own child but if guest appearance from Rylan Clark this space, as you may be able to anything was to happen to her my whole and Billie Faiers and Jess Wright capture her immaculate make up world would end. I just feel that as a stayed around to watch the fashion look too. celebrity you have a responsibility, as you show, which showcased several local “Do you know what, hopefully are in the public eye, to raise awareness for businesses ranging from Dolly’s this year, but I have been in talks important issues, and this is one of them.

Boutique to Billie and Sister Sam’s with a really good make up brand, “So when you’ve got an opportunity to own Minnie’s Boutique, where we so hopefully this year there will be a help you should. I am here for the children were treated to an exclusive look of the collaboration. With Minnie’s we do and nothing else, but I am happy it was new season’s stock. eyelashes but that’s the only make up hosted here, this is my local, I love it here.

As we are coming into Spring Summer, I am associated with at the moment.”

I

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 23

MICHAEL McKELL ESM EXCLUSIVE

Famous for his role as Emmerdale bad boy, DC Nick Henshall, as well as roles in Doctors, Eastenders and the cult film Essex Boys, Michael McKell is now taking his next big step in the world of film.

With Who Needs Enemies due to be released this summer, William Taylor caught up with the Goldhanger-based actor.

24 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

It’s great. There’s still a lot of work to do on the film before it goes out to all the festivals, but it’s all looking very promising.

I was really pleasantly surprised with it. We only shot it last summer in amongst other things.

Could this be one of the top films of the year?

Who knows? You never know. I mean, I did a movie with Charles Dance once. I never even saw it go to DVD. Sometimes that happens.

Larry Lamb taught me a good lesson on Essex Boys. I said to him, ‘well what do we do now?’ He looked at me and said: ‘you let it go, and we’ll se what happens. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, you move on.’

Of course some of these gritty, lower budget films go on to do really well…

That’s right. You can always get lucky with these things, and I’m confident we can do well with this new one.

When I did Essex Boys, a man called Tom Wilkinson was in it. He had been an actor for 31 years when he did a film called The Full Monty. Before then, no one had heard of him, but all of a sudden, he’d made it.

You’ve got a bit of a reputation as a TV bad boy with your characters, and in the new film, you’re a bad guy again. Is it fair to say that is what you’re all about?

Michael at our launch party in November.

Yeah, absolutely. I approach acting like a business. The way I saw it when I started was that I looked a certain way, so I was going to work a certain way.

When I started out, I didn’t have an agent and I didn’t have any work. I wanted to be in Macbeth, but no one was ever going to cast me in that

role. In the end, I managed to convince the Standard to finance the whole production, and from that I got my first agent.

Having played Macbeth, the dye was set.

From then on, I was offered the roles of bad boys.

really got going again. I didn’t play or sing at all for about seven years after that, and suddenly decided, ‘you know what, I’m going to be an actor.’

What did you do next?

Well you know what? Everyone except me thought it would be a bad idea. They though I was too old, and no way at 35 could I start a career as an actor. But I knew I wanted to do it, and if anything, I was determined to prove everybody wrong.

Why acting?

I had to go to drama school. In reality, I had been slated in the press for my portrayal of Macbeth. The Financial Times even wrote, ‘who does this east end up start think he is…’

I funded drama school being a debt collector, of all things. So I’m not your ...the angels tradition actor, I suppose!

Your roles in Emmerdale and Doctors are well known, but few will know you for a role in Eastenders. Would you return?

“

So how did you go about it?

It wasn’t easy. I knew one guy who said he could put me in touch with an agent. I already knew music agents, but acting is very different, even though it is still in the entertainment industry.

I went to see this agent.

He was very nice, very well known, but he said ‘Michael, you can’t start acting at 35, and you can’t walk without sticks.’

I was still on sticks from the car crash. I said ‘right, well I’m going to get fit.’

He said ‘Michael, it’s never going to happen.’

Now, the angels occasionally give you a little gift, and the next time I saw him, I was walking out in Tonight’s The Night, which is a Rod Stewart musical written by Ben Elton, and I’d just been nominated for the award Best Actor in a Musical. I saw the guy and we both gave each other a bit of a wry smile.

occasionally give you a little gift, and the next time I saw him, I was... in Tonight’s the Night...

Yes, of course. I’d love to do ‘Enders, because I’m from the East End! I did three episodes in it one Christmas, and came in as a hit man.

Yet another lovely character! Anyway, I came in and I killed Paul Trueman.

It wasn’t a big commitment for me at the time, as I was in a movie as well.

But I’d love to go back and do a bit more on it. It’s massive, isn’t it?!

Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?

I’d never actually thought of becoming an actor when I was young, and I came to it quite late. To begin with, I was very keen to make it as a musician, I sang and played the guitar, and I was going around doing a few gigs.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere I had a car crash. I was in hospital for six or seven months recovering, I very nearly died. After that, my music career never

“

Well, I guess we should begin by talking about your new film, Who Needs Enemies. What do you make of it now you’ve seen it?

Finally, you’re not originally from Essex, but you’re living in Goldhanger. What brought you here?

I just really loved this village. When I bought the house, I saw it as a project, because it needed a lot of work doing to it, and I stayed here ever since.

My daughter, Claudia, was only a few months old at the time we moved here, and I thought it would be a really great place for her to grow up.

We’d been living in Greenwich before that, and because it sits in a bit of a dip, we noticed that all the smog would just hang there. One day, I noticed to kids, who weren’t together, walking to school, and they had puffers. At that point I knew we needed to get away, to move somewhere with a bit of fresh air. We love it here.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 25

WHO NEEDS ENEMIES? FILM REVIEW

Stars of British film and television gathered at Roxy Bar and Screen in London last month for an exclusive private screening of the controversial new film Who Needs Enemies. William Taylor went along, and spoke with members of the cast.

T

here are some things that are considered taboos in the world of film.

Child prostitution is one.

Most well known directors shy away from the subject, for fear of it damaging their good reputation. Peter Stylianou isn’t.

Who Needs Enemies explores complex issues surrounding friendship, betrayal, and above all, the seedy world of child sex trafficking and exploitation.

The film’s greatest success, however, is in

its subtlety. The message Stylianou is trying to portray is put across without any graphic imagery, instead relying on the emotive reactions of each of the characters to what they see.

Few films manage to do that so spectacularly.

A fast rising name in the world of film directing, Stylianou explained that the inspiration for making the film came from stories in the media surrounding Jimmy

26 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

Savile and the sexual abuse of children.

“The fact is that there are actually parties that exist, which involve child prostitution,” he said.

“I started to delve into how these parties are actually set up, and I did a bit of research on it. It turns out to be very much how we’ve portrayed it in this film.”

The film centres around the decision of ex-boxer, Tom Sheridan (Ian Pirie) to hire out his strip club to lifelong friend and colleague, Ian Levine (Michael McKell).

He soon discovers that the highly secretive and private party involves child prostitution and trafficking, catering for wealthy paedophiles.

Tom obtains secret photo evidence of the party and threatens to expose Ian to his associates and family, sparking a bloody feud between the two old friends and their foot soldiers.

Essex-based actor, Michael McKell plays the lead role in the film, but said he wasn’t fazed with taking on such a controversial role.

He said: “I always play bad guys, that’s just what I do, I suppose.

“What the film is all about, you don’t actually see. I think that is why it is so effective. You don’t need to see any of it.

It’s good writing.

“Me and my good friend Ian Pirie were actually offered each other’s roles – he was going to be the bad guy, and I was going to be the hero.

“But we sat down, and I said to him ‘let me play the baddie’. Because of his look, he always gets cast as the bad guy in films, and I just said ‘you get to be the hero!’ I always like the darker characters – they’re more interesting to play.”

Ian Pirie was happy to go along with McKell when it came to the casting, and was excited to play the good guy for once.

Having taken roles in higher budget, more well known films, such as The Dark Knight, Gangs of New York and Les Misérables, the Scot added that it was the script that attracted him to the film most.

He said: “One of the reasons I picked this job was because I thought the story was good.

“As soon as I looked at it [the script], I thought it had something a little bit

different from your normal, middle of the road gangster films.

“I always knew that it could be quite disturbing, a bit controversial, but it doesn’t give too much away.

“What it concentrates on is the characters and their reactions to it. The film concentrates on what each of the characters do when faced with these abnormal situations. It’s really clever.”

Remarkably, the film didn’t have any budget when it started, with everyone involved in it paying their own way.

To get around this, only seven different sets were used for the filming, while Peter Stylianou adopted an unorthodox, choppy narrative to add production value.

Producer, Tony Currier admitted he was delighted to see the end product, and believes there is nothing to stop the film going on to achieve cult status.

He said: “I think it could be a very good cult film.

“To be honest, I’ve been behind the camera for most of it, so it’s nice to try and gauge people’s reactions.

“I don’t see any reason why this can’t go on to be a big cult film all over the world.”

Actor and former Essex Fashion Week model, Kris Johnson, who plays a hit man in the film, believes the sky is the limit for how far the film can go.

He said: “I’m over the moon with it. I mean, it’s a small budget film, so I came looking to watch it objectively, but I’m blown away by the whole thing.

“I’ve worked on bigger movies before, with smaller parts, but this is absolutely the best thing I’ve done. I honestly believe that.”

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 27

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MEN SHOULD

Wear Make-up ...and moisturise

Essex Style Magazine conducted it’s first ever reader survey last month, and asked YOU what you thought about everything from male grooming to beauty, and tattoos to surgery. William Taylor reports on the alarming results.

Y

ou’d have thought that most men wouldn’t be seen dead wearing makeup. But whilst a touch of foundation might once have been deemed the hallmark of femininity, it seems that the people of Essex have very different ideas.

In the Essex Style Magazine big online beauty survey, we asked 100 readers whether it was acceptable, in this day and age for men to wear make-up – regardless of sexuality.

Whilst the results were close, some 40 per cent of you felt that it was appropriate for men to apply makeup, with 26 per cent unsure and just 34 per cent against the idea completely.

It signals a remarkable turnaround in social attitudes towards male grooming, as 50 years ago, a man that wore makeup was completely unheard of.

True, you will not see a male television presenter or news anchor going without a drop of concealer, but what about average Joe in the street? It seems the marketing companies have nailed it, and well-kept men like David Beckham have clearly had a significant influence.

Regarding the issue of moisturising, you voted overwhelmingly in favour of a man doing just that.

Over three quarters said that a man should definitely moisturise, with just 11 per cent saying that he should not.

Of the people who completed the survey, it was interesting to note that around two thirds were female, while the largest proportion were between the ages of 22 and 50. Some 60 per cent of them were in a relationship.

More than half of you did suggest, however, that the modern man should

More and more men are taking care of their appearance.

only take care of his appearance ‘somewhat’. It was felt that he should dress well, smell fragrant and style his hair.

When it came to shower time, opinions were split on the issue of exfoliation. More than 25 per cent of those who answered suggested that a man should exfoliate less than once a month.

But some 30 per cent said once a week, with 15 per cent saying twice a week. Only six per cent felt it appropriate to exfoliate three or more times in a week.

As well as that, the general consensus seemed to be that a man absolutely should not shave his legs, he should only shave once every few days and anything more than 20 minutes in front of the mirror each morning was simply not acceptable.

Male grooming aside, we asked you whether or not you would consider having cosmetic surgery. Well over half of you said you would.

However, a staggering 80 per cent of you admitted that, in some cases, cosmetic surgery could spoil the way a person looks.

So do we have an obsession with cosmetic surgery as a society these days? If you ask the people of Essex, you get an unequivocal yes.

Finally, the divisive issue of tattoos was raised. Whilst not many of you said you loved them, almost 40 per cent admitted to liking them, but interestingly only six per cent said you hated them.

You did, though, suggest that tattoos were more acceptable on men than women – but more than half of you didn’t actually have any yourself.

It was clear that almost all of you felt tattoos were more socially acceptable now than ever before, and agreed primarily that the modern day employer should no longer judge you on whether you had tattoos or not.

What do you make of the results?

Have your say by emailing william@ essexstylemagazine.co.uk.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 29

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With a growing readership and large online following, Essex Style Magazine is fast becoming the county’s leading source for lifestyle, celebrities and fashion.

Companies across the region and nationwide are realising the importance of advertising with us, and taking advantage of our fantastic rates.

So what are you waiting for?

Call David Farr now on 07826856306 for a quote.

Or drop him an email to: david@essexstylemagazine.co.uk

WANT TO ADVERTISE WITH ESSEX STYLE MAGAZINE? CONTACT DAVID FARR ON 07826856306.

e g a s s a M MATTERS

Whether you want a massage to unwind or simply as a treat, Ivana Sidey reports on Quantum Natural Healthcare – a retreat you’ll want to discover again and again

E

veryone always seems to be saying how much they need a massage – it is still seen as the ultimate in relaxing luxury and escapism.

This used to mean going to an expensive day spa in the heart of London or a country retreat. It would be an enjoyable experience, except you would always know you had overpaid.

However now it has been said that there is a real Eden in Wickham Bishops no less.

The owner of Quantum Massage, Natasha Languedoc (National Institute for Health and Holistic Therapist), 32 did her training in north Wales then went to work in Australia on Day Dream island, where she gained her passion for iridology, working alongside a very good naturopath However, I have to confess; I wasn’t looking forward to it. I don’t know if it’s because it was on another freezing cold day, or because I was just skeptical – Either way it turns out I am one of those rare girls who doesn’t like to be pampered.

That’s not to say that I am not one of those girls who is stubborn – after all, it’s a girl’s prerogative to change her mind.

It turns out I had more in common with this highly qualified professional than I had originally thought.

“I was skeptical about holistic therapy too, but it worked and I am the proof. “ As a young girl, Natasha suffered acute illness.

After trying a number of more conventional treatments, the hospital had found that she had polycystic ovary syndrome, coeliac disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, Raynaud’s disease – and the list continued.

“Finally my parents went to a Doctor privately in Harley Street, where I had all of the allergy testing and the intolerance testing.

“Through the hair analysis and allergy and intolerance testing at the York laboratory – to see any minerals deficiencies, or any food allergies or intolerances, I felt better after only four months.

“I needed less and less medication and was inspired to really help people and want to work with complimentary naturopathic medicine – a complimentary therapy

that can be used with doctor’s medication.

“Some people don’t always want to be on medication whereas others try and look at dietary changes so its actually dealing with the whole body rather than just symptoms helping people to improve emotionally and physically.

So the help is more than just skin deep. Natasha found the emotional benefits and began her beauty therapy training at college in a wheelchair, but after following her new diet, she completed her course walking tall.

“So I haven’t really looked back, the last time I was ill was probably when I was 17, so many years ago, and I’ve been qualified as a holistic therapist since 1999.

“When the doctors saw me so healthy it was quite a shock for them. But nowadays I have an eight year old son who I love dearly, he truly is a blessing after being told I would be unable to conceive.”

Natasha’s years of knowledge certainly shone through. Clients always have an initial consultation, to help gain a better idea of their health, or any particular areas they want focused on.

Today I was going to have a bamboo massage, one of the most popular treatments as it works deep into the tissue and the client can really feel it working.

The bamboo massage is where the bamboo is warmed up, a lot of oil is applied to the skin and then the bamboo is rolled over the skin in various ways, focusing on the trigger points - working deeply into the knots and tension.

The description Natasha provided does no justice to the massage itself, and it is little wonder that Natasha has clients ranging from a few months to those in their 80s.

To find out more about Quantum Natural Healthcare, or to book an appointment, call Natasha on 07817537305 Natasha left the room as I stripped down to just my underwear and lay under the towel.

My self-conscious feelings of being nearly naked in front of a stranger miraculously disappeared.

The calming music, the relaxing smell of the oil alongside Natasha calmly talking me through each step made me honestly feel like I was on Daydream Island.

Natasha made me feel safe, and as I had began to tense with vulnerability the deep tissue massage worked through my knots with ease.

It is a testament to Natasha to make somebody as self conscious as myself feel body confident and relaxed and glowing inside and out after only 40 minutes.

The salon is an utter gem, I will definitely return and cannot recommend it highly enough – you must go to believe how wonderful it is.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 31

DREAM MAKEOVER

x e s Es

As much as we would love to, very few of us have the spare cash available to fund a radical, top-to-toe makeover. However, three lucky individuals were given the chance to win exactly that: a makeover worth £25,000. William Taylor was left stunned by the results.

W

hen it comes to looking glamorous, you probably would not be wrong in suggesting that Essex was the front-runner. Shows like The Only Way Is Essex have only served to highlight that fact.

Whether you are interested in layers of fake tan, gleaming white veneers, or highly groomed hairstyles, Essex has the lot.

The trouble is, such elegance comes at a price – and quite a steep price at that.

For many, looking fabulous is either too

expensive, too time consuming or simply out of their comfort zone.

That was where the good people at Dream Makeover Essex came in.

After months of searching, more than 2,000 applications and a quest to gain support from local businesses, the winners were selected.

Eleasha Newberry, from Kent, was the youngest winner, and by the end showed the most spectacular transformation. Put simply, she would not have looked out of place in TOWIE. Eleasha (25), discovered the competition

34 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

by accident, as she was searching the internet for ways to improve her stained brown teeth.

As a child, she had been the victim of a fairground accident that left her with damaged nerves in her front teeth. It caused permanent browning, and left her extremely self-conscious about her smile.

Indeed, things got so bad for her that she even refused to celebrate her 21st birthday, being afraid to smile in front of people.

She said: “I was embarrassed about my smile, but that’s all changing and in any case I am smiling inside about it all.”

Chosen from thousands of entrants, who were then shortlisted, the winners embarked on stunning transformations that included cosmetic dentistry, laser eye treatment, facial aesthetics, body pampering and grooming.

As well as all that, the winners were provided with personal training and fabulous hair makeovers.

To top the makeover off, they were given the assistance of a personal fashion stylist, modelling photographs and a goody-bag with gifts from sponsors, Philips – leaders in the field of oral healthcare.

Eleasha was overwhelmed when she heard the news that she was among the winners.

She added: “I was emotional when I heard I had won and I still am. It’s been absolutely wonderful and I still can’t believe my looks and how I feel.

“Is it a dream? Will I wake up? There are no words to describe how I feel or the

BEFORE

efore b h t i e K

Elea

sha

Caroline before her makeover

“

“

Chosen from thosands of entrants... the winners embarked on stunning transformations

experience I’ve had.

“I have been turned into a new woman and now the future looks great. I am so grateful from the bottom of my heart.”

If Eleasha thought her teeth were bad, 54-year-old Keith Welch, from Loughton, took stained teeth to the next level.

Keith was entered into the competition by his 15-year-old daughter, Emily, and it was a toss up who was more excited when news came through that he was a Dream Makeover Essex winner.

Emily felt sorry for her Dad after several years of tough times, heartache and Far left: Eleasha on the catwalk after her makeover. Above left: unhappiness.

Keith on the catwalk. Top: She said he had rather let Before their transformations. himself go while concentrating Above: Jeff Brazier presenting on providing for the family. When the big reveal. his tooth fell out it was the final straw that set her entry in motion.

Keith had no idea what she wrote but

befor

e

her compelling comments got him short-listed and after meeting the judges they made him a winner.

“I had let myself go I suppose,” Keith admitted. “But right now I am determined to make the most of my makeover. This is great for me and good for the children too.”

Having been made redundant from his job as a building site manager, Keith quickly realised that his eyesight had been one of the main things that held him back.

He said: “When reading construction drawings became difficult I got myself a pair of those cheap glasses thinking they would help me but actually they hampered me working on a building site.”

As part of his treatment, Keith was given laser treatment, and couldn’t believe the improvement.

He added: “I had never been to an optician let alone thought about corrective eye surgery.

“It turned out I was long sighted in both eyes but, after laser treatment I am amazed how clear my vision is and I have achieved almost 100% in both eyes.

“It was like magic and now I can even see myself in the mirror – the first time in 15 years!”

Considering the remarkable transformation, that can only be an added bonus.

The final winner was Irish mum of two, Caroline McKenna (44). Having been persuaded to enter the competition by her daughter, Lianne (10), she suffered from low self-esteem and poor vision.

After seeing her transformation, Caroline said: “I still can’t believe it’s me especially now I can read again.

“I feel so different about myself now. The way I feel about the experience I’ve had is just indescribable.” cont...

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 35

THE BIG

l a e v e R

After undergoing their fabulous makeovers, the lucky winners stepped out in front of friends, family and members of the public to show of the remarkable results. As William Taylor explains, it was an emotional evening.

T

he audience gasped, and tears fell when the winners of the Dream Makeover Essex competition were revealed at a spectacular gala event.

Family members of the three winners had been waiting nervously while their loved ones were back stage, preparing to step out onto the catwalk.

An excellent audience gave the whole event a real fashion show feel, which really topped off the whole makeover journey just nicely.

The Dream Makeover took place at the glamorous Marriott Hotel in Waltham Abbey, and was hosted by Tiptree-born television presenter, Jeff Brazier.

Brazier, the former partner of the late Jade Goody, had worked hard to promote the event to his legion of Twitter followers, and it was clear he was excited before the show.

He was left stunned by the results of the makeover when it came to the big reveal, having followed the winners from the very beginning of the process.

He said: “I met the lucky winners and joined their journey too.

“It has been amazing and a real pleasure to watch the winners develop into who they are now. The team at Dream Makeover Essex have done a fantastic job.”

The makeover was the brainchild of leading cosmetic dentist, Ash Parmar,

36 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

following the opening of his state of the art dental practice in Chigwell – Smile Design

by Ash. He was a leading figure in the popular television series, Extreme Makeover UK, and therefore possessed a huge amount of experience in the industry.

At the big reveal, Ash explained: “We were looking to find a dream team who could complete fantastic makeovers, so that our winners would be smiling from their hearts.

We certainly achieved that.

“These people have blossomed into beautiful butterflies, and we have been uplifted and humbled by the whole experience.”

The three winners posed for fashion photographs with Jeff Brazier. Right: Caroline steps out onto the catwalk looking glamorous.

With special thanks to...

Laser Eye Treatment www.advancedvisioncare.co.uk Dermatology www.perfect-skin.co.uk Hair styling www.zoology-hair.com Beauty treatments and pampering www.modebeauty.co.uk Fitness www.bodyperfectessex.co.uk Cosmetic Dentistry www.smiledesignbyask.co.uk MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 37

OPEN Y A D

SATURDAY 15TH JUNE

DANBURY SHOP 11am - 2pm

1 Stratford House, Maldon Road, Danbury Essex CM3 4QW WANT TO ADVERTISE WITH ESSEX STYLE MAGAZINE? CONTACT DAVID FARR ON 07826856306.

Left: The Millie Orange dress (£65). Above: Melissa Pink (£70). Below: Fleur (£65)

Amy Childs launches new summer collection The former TOWIE star has recently teamed up with national retail giant, Bank who are now stocking her range.

By William Taylor

W

hen Essex Style Magazine caught up with Amy Childs in January, it was clear that things were going great with her clothing brand.

She had just opened her new Basildon store, proving that her loyal following had really taken to her range of dresses.

Ever since leaving The Only Way Is Essex, the Brentwood beauty has worked hard, setting up her own boutique, and last month

she launched her new summer collection.

Amy first launched her clothing range back in 2012, to a mixed reception from experts in the fashion world.

However, the fact that she continues to go from strength to strength proves that she has answered many of those critics is spectacular style.

Amy travelled to Spain for the photo shoot, where she displayed the chic new pieces.

It seems as though she has really cornered the market when it comes to the maxi dress and lace look. Her items are branded as ‘feminine, yet classy’, and above all, extremely affordable.

As ever, each of the dresses have been given women’s names, continuing with the theme that has worked so well for Amy in the past.

Last month, she told the Daily Mail: “I am loving my new summer pieces from the Amy Childs’ Collection – there is a real mix of day, party and maxi dresses.

“I want to offer dresses for every style and every occasion so there are smarter dresses perfect for the office, party dresses and lovely maxi dresses too.”

As well as being stocked by national retail giants, Lipsy and Next, Amy has recently teamed up with Bank Fashion.

She has most recently been touring the UK promoting the range in Bank stores, as she looks to take on some of the country’s more dominant labels and win over her doubters.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 39

Untitled-2 1

19/10/2012 10:29

p e e D n i Sk BEAUTY IS ONLY

“People without tattoos are becoming a minority.”

But despite the tattoo itself being liberating, they can still restrict you in society.

“I have heard people say that they really like a design but their employer won’t let them have it, or that they won’t look The word addiction is thrown around a lot when it comes to professional, but it doesn’t make them any less able tattoos. Some people say that the drive to acquire body art to perform their job. is addictive while others simply call it a passion. Ivana Sidey “But things have changed massively in the explores the real beauty of a tattoo. last 20 years, there is still a long way to go, but it is different now compared to when I had my ew things have the power to divide great seeing progress. first tattoo. That was probably in 1979 and opinions more than tattoos, even now Tesco are the first major employer that they represented sub-cultures and I was a in 2013. There is the risk of people being Steve has noticed who have allowed their mod and then a skin head. narrow minded, or perhaps these opinions staff to display their tattoos, it only takes a “I was 15 and I wouldn’t say that the are right. Either way I wanted to blast the few people to challenge it. tattoo itself myths and get down to the truth, whatever Steve interjected; “In my opinion was an act of it may be. tattoos break down barriers, when I rebellion, I had For many, this could be described as the was nursing the tattoos become a topic it done because I ‘ugly truth’ – a tattoo can deface the body “People of conversation, and they relax and was part of a gang and only thugs and criminals have them. without engage people.” and that was their I spoke to Steve Perhaps it is the tattoo artists that ‘logo’ it was two Stratton from tattoos are have changed perceptions; a few years saints touching the Skin becoming a ago people would go into a studio fingers, so it was Sorcerer in and pick a design from a wall. The quite artistic.

Maldon minority...” better class of tattooist has emerged, “There have who is a producing work that really is beautiful.” been programmes registered Steve Stratton There is a fashion issue that cannot which have nurse. be ignored with tattoos, ranging from emerged like So what Harry Styles to Cheryl Cole, there is a Miami Ink and virtually every tattoo has a made this story behind it now. In my experience, over potential risk that young people may follow educated man get the last few years’ people have become very their idol and get one without thinking.

“We get that a lot, and it is people from countless thoughtful with their tattoos, and not just any ages. I got a tattoo at 30 that I got chosen one because they like the design.” tattoos? covered up because I hated it, whereas the Tattoos are more than just “Things are one I got at 17 has stayed – there is no the physical, age that you know your mind better, and they can fashions come and go, it is interesting to inspire a keep them and remember who you were feeling - be it and who you are now. a memory of “But beyond that, it’s about educating a person or a people, and tattoos are not permanent transition in your own life. anymore, they can be easily lasered off and no one would ever know, even if you have Steve it part removed. ” laughed at Ultimately it is about society, and changing people’s argument that people’s attitudes so that they understand they’ll look different when people can be educated and civilised despite you’re 80 compared to when having a tattoo. you’re 20.

There is no such thing as a qualified “Her boobs will be touching tattooist. You must be registered, but that the floor and I think a little is it. The only problem is your back street tattoo will be the last of her tattooist. The right way to do things, would worries. On the flip side, it will be similar to what his apprentice, Danielle be a wonderful memory for her. They can say this is where has done, and work closely with a skilled tattooist, who has been working over a I was 60 years ago, I’ve got number of years. nothing else with me, but That’s what makes a tattoo beautiful.

I’ve still got this.”

F

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 41

With more men than ever before battling with an eating disorder why is it that we can’t let go of the feminine perception? Recovered sufferer Richard Armitage talks about his personal struggle with ‘manorexia’ and how he chose to overcome the compulsive disease. Sophie Williams reports.

S

itting at the sidelines watching his beloved game leave him behind, Richard knew he would never play again.

At just 17-years-old, a serious injury to his ankle ended Richard’s hopeful rugby career and started a whirlwind of torment and silent suffering.

There was nothing he could do to get back on the field. It was over.

“Being forced to stop the sport caused me to drift away,” he remembers. “I fell away from close friends who I’d grown up with, schooled with, and played the game with. At the same time, my self-confidence was disappearing rapidly.”

Before long the feeling of hopelessly losing control became too much, and in a desperate attempt to regain power of his own body, Richard found food – or the lack thereof.

“I scrambled around trying to regain a sense of stability. I longed for control in any form. I soon began to limit the amount of food I ate and over the next year or so I began to take pleasure from the hunger sensation.

“The more I denied my body the food it needed, the deeper my hunger became and the greater the sense of control I felt being restored.”

Richard’s case is by no means unusual and male eating disorders, or ‘manorexia’ as it is commonly known, are by no means a recent development - an estimated 1.6million people are currently affected by an eating disorder in the UK. Official statistics from Eating Disorder Charity Beat state that 10 per cent of eating disorder victims are male, however if you start to look a little closer and talk to people who deal with sufferers every day, the reality is closer to 20 per cent.

Now 24-years-old, Richard looks back on his gruelling two year battle with bulimia nervosa on a regular basis to remind him of how lucky he is today.

During the battle, Richard consulted no one. Not friends, not a family member, not a professional, not anyone.

The embarrassment he felt of suffering with a “girly” disorder such as bulimia overrode all rational thinking.

42 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

IT’S NOT JUST

a girl thing

Food abuse had taken over his mind as well as his body.

He recalled: “One day, the hunger finally overwhelmed me. Instead of starving myself all the time I began to purge. Before I knew it I had fallen into a dangerous cycle of binge eating and vomiting. I ate whatever I could find only to get rid of it moments after.”

Within weeks there was already a significant difference to Richard’s once strong, athletic body. As the weight quickly began to drop off, in just six months he had lost over two and a half stone and his body was left skeletal and weak.

“I didn’t like the way I looked but I couldn’t help it,” he said: “Every day I would hate myself just a little bit more for what I was doing to my body and in order to cope with that, I purged.

“Purging became my answer for everything.”

Even now after recovery, his relationship with food is still rocky.

Just like some people turn to drugs or alcohol, Richard turns to food. In times of stress, fear, anger or any other uncontrollable emotion, food is Richard’s go-to where he can forget his problems, albeit momentarily.

The constant fear of relapsing is what helps keep him in control of his food fear on a daily basis but there are inevitably days where food wins.

He added: “For me, my relationship with food at any one moment can be pinpointed on a spectrum. When I’m in control, I lead a very healthy lifestyle and food is an extremely enjoyable part of that.

“But when I’m not in control, food is my default substance of abuse and I will always

naturally return to it.”

Richard knows that he will always worry about food more than the average person but says that as long as he can keep this worry under control that he can, and will, use it to his advantage.

Four years on and luckily the person that awareness of eating disorders in men so stares back at Richard today could not be that they can seek the proper support they much further from the image that used to need. Spotting an eating disorder in men haunt him in the mirror. in the first place is a lot harder than in But it is not the physical appearance that women because the male physique can still he is most glad to have back. look muscular and defined.

Richard remembers how he The trick is to look out for became deceitful and began behavioural changes such “Everyday I lying to his friends and family as mood swings, tiredness, would hate depression and anxiety as well urging them not to pry into as over-exercising. his life. This was his problem, myself just As a past sufferer himself, not there’s and they had no a little bit Sam knows exactly what right to know. kind of environment will He continued: “I’m more for encourage men to talk about extremely close to my parents what I was their problems and has and I was back then too, yet started running peer support I was lying to them every day. doing...” groups for those affected I became a very deceiving by eating disorders twicecharacter because of bulimia monthly in Brighton, Hove and Sussex. and it really shocks me looking back at how He continued: “It’s really important much I changed. for our members to feel as though their “Thankfully that person I once became is voice is being heard in a safe place. What somebody I don’t recognise today.” we’re trying to tell people is that eating Admitting that you suffer from an eating disorders need to be seen as indiscriminate; disorder is an extremely tough thing to do they go beyond gender, age, sexuality and regardless, but for men it is considerably worse. With the all too common association background. Men are not always best at sharing their emotions so it is important to that an eating disorder is a woman’s illness, develop an environment where sufferers men feel as though they aren’t supposed feel it is safe to talk and validate their to suffer from anorexia or bulimia and therefore do not come forward and seek the experiences.”

For any sufferer of an eating disorder, help they so desperately want and need. recovery is not about forgetting the past.

Sam Thomas, founder and project leader For Richard, remembering his ordeal with of charity Men Get Eating Disorders bulimia reminds him of who he has become Too, believes that the negative stigma that today and how much he has overcome to continues to surround eating disorders get where he is. is the main cause preventing men from He added: “Having spent the last few years speaking up. He says “It is much harder reflecting on what happened to me while I for men to come forward and talk about was ill, I now know two things. The first is their disorder due to the perception that it that I found something that meant more to is a ‘women’s illness’. The stereotype is of me than my illness, and the second is that teenage girls only being affected but this recovery is incredibly difficult to define, acts as a barrier to sufferers reaching out and takes a different meaning in each of us. and getting support.”

My eating disorder shaped me to be what I Sam, 28, first got the idea for the charity see in the mirror, in both the physical and from his own personal struggle mental sense. I want people to hear my with bulimia. During his story because, although it may not appear recovery he found it extremely obvious on the surface, I have been in that hard to get the professional dark place. I know what it’s like.” help he needed purely because By sharing his story with others, Richard he was male and realised there hopes that more people will be aware of the was a significant gap between increase in male eating disorders and urges the support groups available to that GPs start taking notice of the telltale women and those available to signs of anorexia, bulimia and other eating men. disorders in men, just as they do in women.

He said: “Only once I had He continued: “An eating disorder robbed recovered did I think to myself me of a potentially brilliant part of my life hang on a minute, if I was a but I’m lucky enough to be able to enjoy female in the same situation, my life now. I know some people are not so with the same symptoms, I lucky and it is those people who I wish to probably would have been help.” diagnosed quicker.”

If you know someone who is being Since then, his main affected by an eating disorder, visit www.baim has been eat.co.uk for more help and support. to raise MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 43

ADVERTORIAL

44 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

Girl On Top

Think you can’t have brains and beauty? Ivana Sidey spoke to the author of Essex Girls, Laura Ziepe, to remove the facts from the fiction.

W

hile Laura Ziepe is a self-confessed ‘girlie girl’ her real passion has always been writing.

“I remember my seventh birthday party and my favourite present was a notepad and pen from a boy in my class. I just filled it with stories, I still have it today! How many other children would do that?”

So how did the Essex girl become a published author all before the age of 30?

“I had a fairly standard education, attending Shenfield high school where I sat my A-Levels, but I only achieved one A and the rest were C’s and D’s!

“I ended up working in a London bank and I just hated it! It was general admin but it was so boring you wouldn’t believe.

“I remember complaining to my best friend and she said to me why don’t you go and get a degree and then get a job in something you’d really like? My answer was still an author.

“I went to St Mary’s in Twickenham an studied creative writing and media arts – giving myself options.”

As so many students will understand, Laura left university and inevitably struggled to get a job.

“I finally got a job at a media company. I hated it though! I stayed there for about a year, aged 23, as the editor of a website – but it was just general admin again!”

As a women in business, many of our readers will understand how difficult it can “The same friend who’d originally helped, be and Laura faced her fair share of knock was working in PR, so she helped again! backs “She wrote a press release. I received so “My boss was a bit chauvinistic really, and much coverage. I was on This Morning, and I found out he was paying the other guy a several magazines.” lot more money than me, it’s ridiculous.

It was through her dress hire business that “In my appraisal, I said I want an equal Laura heard about TOWIE. pay for doing the same work, but my “The producers wanted to hear from boss answered ‘we’ll look at it again in six businesses in Essex and obviously mine is months.’ quite a girlie, glamorous businesses.”

“I was so angry I handed my notice in the “The producers were really keen for me next day. I didn’t even have another job but to do some filming. But I was really selfI couldn’t stay there. conscious. I felt so happy in my own life; I “It is hard, but you need to be strong. had too much to loose.

If you don’t agree with something in the “Saying no was actually great for me. I workplace you need to speak up. In this day knew about the show how much they had and age, women should be equal to men.” spent on advertising so they wanted it to Luckily Laura got another job straight work and it sparked an idea in my head. away, with the idea to get as much money “As there were no books on Essex Girls behind her as possible, so she could go on and Essex Culture I knew I needed to and be a teacher. act fast and get published. So as quickly “While I was there we had a lot as I could I wrote the book of time, and I remember being

by August 2011 and I was “There online and looking up dresses published last January. It only and shoes, I’m a really girlie girl. were no takes one person to believe in “I remember looking at all books on you.” the designer ones, and really The book itself is completely wanting it, but they are so Essex girls” fictional, except for the opening expensive – So I went onto paragraph when the protagonist Laura Ziepe finds a phone she didn’t know EBay. I’ve always been very entrepreneurial anyway, I always her partner had – discovering he used to buy things and sell them on – I was cheating. even had my own shop on EBay. “That actually happened to me, and I “Anyway, I got this Herve Ledger bandage wished that I had been as strong as the dress that Cheryl Cole had worn, buying it character and walked away. But you learn from America and I remember selling it on from your mistakes, and I find it easier to Ebay. So many people were asking about it. write from the heart.”

“Because of the demand, I thought to Fans of Laura’s novels will be pleased myself, if I charge someone £150 to wear to hear that she has a second book called it, I could have a real business. The dress “Made in Essex” due in print in January. costs over £1, 000 so the price I charged Laura has faced knocks and experienced was very reasonable. heartache. But today she has proved that “It went from there and it got busier. I she is worth taking seriously, and you can was taking the emails at work as I had time. have brains and beauty.

I do three day, eight day or over a week Staying true to yourself and never loosing hire for people’s special occasion or sight of your dream – now that’s something holidays. worth writing about.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 45

to touch such a cult classic – but the fear was actually what made me do it, that’s one of the best reasons to do something, you need to push yourself.

Sam Attwater (Brad) Q: Hi Sam, how are you, and what is Rocky Horror all about?

S: I’m very well thank you – Where do I begin with Rocky Horror, you need to see it to believe it! But the basic plot follows a couple, Brad and Janet (Roxanne Pallet), as they discover a castle full of very unusual people. I don’t want to give it all away but I can guarantee some cross dressing!

Q: So were you a big fan of the Richard O’Brian film?

S: No actually I had seen a friend of mine in the show about two or three years ago, and then I was asked to audition for it. I’m so pleased to be involved in the 40th Anniversary tour.

Q: I’m not surprised, 40 years is a long time, do you feel any pressure from the audience to become their beloved character?

S: Well absolutely, but its also such an honor. It is a massive show and the audience knows the show well and so you have to make sure that you’re getting it right. There was a weight on my shoulders, but I’m getting good reviews and the audience seems to be pleased.

Q: So have you put your own twist on Brad?

S: I have tried to give him my own spin. Basically the character is this all American Jock. He’s the captain of the football team while being an A* student too. Traditionally he is played as very much the geek, but I wanted to push his jock side a bit more.

Q: You’re probably best known as Leon Small in Eastenders, but is theatre your passion?

S: It is. So without sounding too cheesy I want to try everything. I have been quite fortunate so far, the only thing I’ve yet to tick off is a big film.

Q: The audience famously join in and dress up, do you like it when they do?

S: I love it, and so do the audience.

I’ve had people say to me “I hate musicals but I love this” which is such a compliment. The audience as much a part of the show as the cast, so it’s a really good night out for everyone. They start getting ready in the afternoon for an evening show, so it’s a real event. The director has said that people arrive in long coats, where there is a big reveal and they are all dressed outrageously which is great fun!

Q: So how did you find all the dressing up yourself?

S: I had to wear a corset and fishnets and I’ve been in the show a while now, but I have to say I’m not used to it. I’m not very good in walking in heels, I don’t know how women do it, and it’s not comfortable! It’s also a bit scary, maybe more than the stunts I did on Dancing on Ice and definitely more scary when my dad saw me in suspenders!

Q: So what’s it really like on tour?

S: There is just a lot of banter amongst the cast. Whenever anyone gets in the shower, we often get some shower gel and squirt loads of it or pour cold water over them. Just general pranks really.

Q: What is your favorite scene to perform?

S: Probably the Time Warp, because it’s so cult, and the audience are up doing it and its all just fun, I really love it.

Philip Franks – (Narrator) Q: Hi Philip, quite simply, why Rocky Horror?

P: I’ve never done a musical before, I was far too terrified

46 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

Q: How had you heard about the Show?

P: I had seen the original stage version, as in the really original version with Tim Curry, I was at school, it was 1973 and me and a couple of school friends went to see it. The whole experience felt like the naughtiest thing in the world. It still does feel rude and risqué, even 40 years on.

Q: So how’s the tour been so far?

P: It’s been great, it really has. I especially love it when the audience shout out, so for that reason was brilliant. They really do make the show fantastic. As the narrator I gewt a lot of interaction and I actively encourage it, if they are quiet I feel quite disappointed! It is so important they do, it is their show, they are a character.

Q: What do you think of the audience interaction?

P: I think it is one of the main things.

The audience love that they can shout out, and almost become part of the cast and part of the show – To begin with it was a shock to the system.

But if we go to the a venue where the audience are a little bit quieter you do miss it, you get slightly addicted to it, and when they shout out it breaks down the barriers between actors and audience so we encourage the shouting out.

Q: Why do you think the show has lasted 40 years?

P: I think that it’s

because it has a kind of honesty to it. There is a lot in common with a fairy-tale, with this idea of the innocent couple and an element of danger; it all appeals to us as a nation.

is difficult because there is so much expectation. I think ultimately that you just have to do your own thing and hope that people are open to your interpretation.

Q: When does the Rocky Horror tour end?

P: Well we are in it until November and it may have a life after that, but at the moment we are doing everywhere in the UK, so we will never be far away.

Q: The show is still a bit risqué, and there is a lot of cross dressing, how have you found putting on the lingerie each night?

O: Well I am a reasonably reserved person. Funnily enough the last job I did, I had to wear really skimpy costumes too, but you never really get used to it. But what I will say is you’re in costume, you’re playing a character –So that makes it a lot easier, and so does the occasional wolf whistle!

Oliver Thornton (Frank N Furter) Q: So is this your first time in Rocky Horror?

O: Yes! I was pretty nervous about doing it because it has such a cult following and I was slightly worried about coming into it because you hope that the fans like and accept you. But actually it’s been fantastic.

Q: Have you found following in Tim Curry’s footsteps a blessing or a curse?

O: It’s difficult because I am aware of the fact that so many people love his performance. In some ways it’s a blessing because its one of the reasons why everyone fell in love with the show. But on the other hand it

Q: The cross dressing is obviously quite controversial, but it attracts an audience of all ages, including men and women – why do you think that is?

O: It’s an odd thing, but I think people are always looking for an escape.

There is something very freeing about putting on that clothing. After all we are attracted to the extremes in life, to feel like we are really – and who doesn’t like doing something a bit naughty.

Q: Finally, what do you have planned for the future?

O: at the moment I am in the process of making the move over to New York and working on Broadway. Which will be wonderful and hopefully that will happen at one point in the future. I have been awarded the all important green card to work there, so now it is just a case of finding the right job – It has always been a dream of mine so I am so excited. So then I will have been able to have ticked the box on the west end and Broadway.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 47

Krayzy Dayz

If you want to remove the fact from the fiction, then look no further than Krayzy Days. Ivana Sidey met up with the author, Micky Fawcett, a member of the infamous Kray Twins intimate circle to finally discover the truth.

T

he unassuming 75-year-old man before me carefully measured his words, as he began to explain about his East End life during the 50s and 60s.

The conversation didn’t really cover much on the ‘swinging sixties, but Micky seemed to like surprises. He fed off my reaction to his life with the Kray’s, detailed with such clarity, it was as if he had met them yesterday.

There is no secret that this is not the first book about the twins and no doubt it will not be the last, but it comes from a more honest place.

“We were going to kill Reggie Kray” is the shocking opening, with as much impact as a clean right hook. While you’re still reeling from the shock of it you get hit again, by another statement, fact or piece of gory detail.

The idea behind the novel, Micky explains, came from being “bored of the lies.

Everyone has an opinion of the Kray’s, probably always will, but

Micky regularly hung around with the infamous Kray twins

I was there, and I want to set the record straight.”

The idea of remembering events from at least half a century ago left me feeling underwhelmed. This was going to be a man, riding on the crest of a wave, keen to “I used to go drinking in Queens Road exploit the infamy of the Kray twins, who and got talking to guys down the pub who have almost become a brand in their own had mentioned the Double R club. I walked right. in and had found a sort of spiritual home.”

For decades now, everyone has had the Similar to the readers, Micky was intrigued “truth”, a new exposé ready to set the by the characters of the bar when he first record straight. The idea of another one met them, and quickly formed a bond with left me feeling detached. It was about a Reggie aged just 19. world I didn’t quite understand, had never They then started going out socially and been exposed to and didn’t connect to. stayed with them up until they shot George But upon meeting Micky and actually Cornell, leading nicely to one of the key reading the novel, my opinion changed. It rules; ‘kill first or be turns out, Krayzy days is one of those killed.’ As I came to classic books that has so many nuances. discover, there had been It’s intriguing, tragic and smart all at the “We were a lot of other crime same time; as expected there are many where Micky himself deaths. going to has been in and out of While speaking to Micky, he kill Reggie prison most of his life. spoke like a true author, giving I would not say that the me teaser links and throwing the Kray” book evokes empathy, conversation forward into the yet I still managed to novel, to keep my interest.

Micky Fawcett enjoy it. As with all This was a testament to his greats, it touches on writing; his passion about adaptable themes; that his subject matter shines of acceptance amongst peers and ultimately through, as does his matter that of friendship and betrayal. of fact humour that kept me It is to this end, which is probably why the turning the page.

So how did Micky meet the Kray’s story has become a film. But this was not their story, this was Micky Fawcett’s Kray’s and discover crime? account, and seeing the 75 year old sat Some could argue it was before it was a very real account of what inevitable really, growing happens after the credits roll. up in Silver End, there With every story he told me I was were a lot of fights. Micky enthralled, every turn of the page, I was describes himself as a “bad compelled to read more. This is unlike any pupil at school, I didn’t want account you have read before. This is a to learn and nobody ever gave me a good reason why I should sit real true life crime memoir by the man who lived it so expect surprises from how well and learn.” written it is, to surprises on every page like “I passed my 11+ and went to the chapter ‘Boxing with Banksy.’ a grammar school, but didn’t like I would tell you more, but I would never it there.” So he got a job in several do it justice, you must read the book, but factories and hated it, and eventually got just be prepared for a series of unusual thrown out of National Service – which is events. all in the book.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 49

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CONTACT DAVID FARR ON:

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Ain’t No Saint

Years after committing one of the biggest frauds of banknotes in history, Mick Saint is no longer involved in the criminal world. William Taylor spoke to him about his new book.

G

Two years later, the police raided Mick’s etting inside the mind of a convicted property, before he was sent down at criminal is not something that most Snaresbrook Crown Court for six years. people can do easily.

He decided he would stand trial without Mick Saint is no saint. But he’s hardly what mitigation. He would simply face what was you’d call a psychopath, either. coming his way.

Meeting him, he comes across as the He said: “I can’t stand convivial gentleman. So why did miserable pleaders, and wanted he attempt one of the biggest “I can to go down with dignity. I frauds of banknotes Britain has wasn’t going to blame it on a ever seen? hardly broken home, my teddy bear “Why did I do it? I don’t moan - I dying when I was very young know,” Mick said, ponderously. or any other sorry story that “I’ve been ducking and diving did do it” the judge had heard a thousand my whole life. This thing was times.” never new to me.”

Mick Saint Indeed, despite his approach, In 1996, Mick and a gang of he very nearly walked away as a accomplices set out on hwis free man. ‘biggest adventure so far’, printing Spanish “It looked very likely that we were going Peseta notes. to get away with it,” Mick said. “Until a Was he afraid of being caught? grass in the dock came along at the last “No, not at all.” moment and stitched us all up.

Did he make much money out of it?

“It gave the courts enough evidence to “Yes, we made loads of money without get us to give Her Majesty pleasure for six working very hard.” years!

“I can hardly moan – I did do it after all. And, for that matter, a lot more that they didn’t find out about.”

Put simply, Mick Saint is what is known as a ‘career criminal’ – an ‘amicable bunch’ who never set out to hurt anyone, but to get rich quick, outside the shady boundaries of the law.

These days, though, Mick is very much retired. Aged 65, he no longer has the stamina for running away from the police, devising outrageous criminal plans or dedicating long hours to pulling off frauds.

Furthermore, he has the well being of his family to take into The forged bank notes and printer consideration. With five discovered in the raid young grandchildren, he

can no longer afford to dabble in the dangerous underworld.

As a younger man, he felt able to protect his own three children – Robert, Jenny and Tony. Just 18 months ago, however, he received the sort of news every parent dreads.

“Sadly Robert passed away with a heart attack,” Mick said. “He was only 42 years old.”

While Robert and his other two children were younger, Mick admitted that he would have liked to have spent more time with them, but by Robert’s untimely death, he was relieved that he had made up for lost time in later life.

He said: “This is the thing with being a criminal. The last thing you want to be doing is suddenly getting a big new kitchen or a fancy Mercedes on your driveway.

People do ask questions.

“What we did was take nice expensive holidays to America. Over there, no one knew who we were or what I did.

“I could spend all the money I wanted over there, which was nice because I was able to spend that time with Robert. I’m glad I did now.”

In his retirement, Mick has written his memoirs – most notably a detailed account of the ‘highlight’ of his career; the fraud of Spanish bank notes.

He’s currently seeking publication, and is in discussions about the film adaption. Who knows, it could be a blockbuster!

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 51

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MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 53

Restaurant Review...

The Anchor Inn

Court Street, Nayland, Colchester The pub group, Exclusive Inns bought The Anchor, Nayland a year ago. Faced with the challenge of improving its waining reputation, the team have worked hard to restore it to its glory days. Ivana Sidey celebrates their birthday and samples their delicious pub grub The managing director of The Anchor, Philip Andrew Griffiths said: “We would like to apply for the Heritage Brown signs, as we are just off the main road.”

Personally, I have to agree – The gastropub is a must visit for everyone in Essex.

Philip and the other two directors originally founded the brand ‘Exclusive’ in Cornwall in 2008, putting his 30 years’ experience in the gastro pub industry to good use.

This comprises of ‘Exclusive Location’, a boutique, self-catering business in Cornwall and ‘Exclusive Inns’ – the gastro pub company.

But if you think you have seen Philip’s

style before in Essex, you could be excused, as they own The Angel, in Stoke-byNayland, just up the road.

The Anchor is set in a stunning 15th Century riverside property includes a bar, first floor restaurant rooms, a riverside deck for al fresco drinks or dining and its own smokehouse.

It seems that location is always the most important thing. Philip is used to working with old buildings, previously quoting a successful and exciting grade 2 listed project in Cornwall, and specifically choosing to buy The Anchor based on its location.

“We bought The Anchor from Bunting and Sons – taking a risk because the

54 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2013

planning was fractured. But we are totally separate and in no way associated with them. All ties have been cut with previous owners.”

So if Philip’s future plans for The Anchor are in any way similar to his previous ventures, there will soon be a waiting list.

The main focus of The Anchor is simply the wonderful product. From the charming manager, Chris Serman, who waited our table, to the menu itself.

Myself and William opted for the A La Carte Menu, where he chose the Potted confit Dingly Dell pork with a sticky apple and crackling salad to start while I opted for the Home smoked fish platter with capers and homemade bread.

Mine tasted incredibly fresh, was wonderfully presented on a chic slate plate, while William’s starter with the world famous Dingly Dell pork looked unbeatable.

The Head Chef Ross Armstead had explained that local produce is extremely important.

“That is what I base all my menus around

IDYLLIC: The Anchor sits nicely on the banks of the River Stour. Inset: Top: Shepherd’s Pie, Bottom: Coq Au Vin

the local produce so it’s seasonal, and so we components have all been separated so it is can include as much of it as we can.” more aesthetically pleasing.”

Their conscientious and perfectionist I have to completely agree, it truly looked approach to their menu continued through like a carefully constructed work of art, our meal and their passion melting in my mouth as it was so tender. for local produce was Next was my wonderfully rich vanilla rice evident as we received pudding with pear compote and pistachio our main course from biscotti and William’s deliciously sharp Anglia Produce.

Lemon tart with a blackcurrant & liquorice William chose the coulis, meringue and ice cream.

Anchor shepherds In all honesty I was too full from the main pie served with fresh course, but devoured my desert as it was spring vegetables just too good to leave! and was pleasantly After desert we were entertained by Chris’ surprised by the lamb relaxed style, almost feeling old friends were and mint in the dish. catching up than a meeting of strangers in a It is only when the restaurant. chefs are experienced But this is why The Anchor works. It enough and assured has the right foundations, Philip and enough to be able business partner Bart know what they are to experiment with talking about, and have taken their years of food – and the chefs experience with them so couples, friends or at the Anchor had families feel welcome here. nothing to prove.

In their first year of trading in St Ives, Ross had Cornwall they won the Visit England best 5 explained that star self-catering in the area and it is surely he completed his only a matter of time before The Anchor three-year training becomes award winning. at the Colchester Philip said: “I want the day to come where Institute, learning we have won rosettes and when people his craft and think of a gastro pub they think of The developing his Anchor. passion for food.

“At the moment there are several “Then I went to promotions, we have just launched our South Carolina in loyalty card, which is quite unusual. The America for a year idea is that you can accrue points on either worked on an island site. Redeem them on either site where called Hill Head you’ll get 10%.

Island then came “On a Wednesday all main course are back and worked at Stoke by £9.99– and that is ongoing at the moment.”

Nayland.”

But I believe it won’t take much In between he found time to cook for the persuading to get people through the doors Royal family. with Philip’s managerial skills, Bart’s hands “I did two weeks just after on experience in restaurants the Queen Mother had and all of the highly qualified “...their died. Working with the head chef ’s many years’ experience and sous chef was amazing - you can guarantee that every passion – learning some really old visit will be exceptional. for local fashioned techniques which The locally sourced produce was interesting. is second to none, and the produce was “Our sister pub up the creative way it is constructed evident as road uses more modern in the quirky and welcoming techniques, but I’m more old we received restaurant is hard to beat. school, I prefer to be more What’s more every visit will our main tactile with the food and be unique, I am really excited cook with a gas oven.” for the summer when there course...”

For my main I had the will be seafood, champagne Guinea fowl ‘coq au vin’ with and oysters, all enjoyed in the mushroom stuffed guinea fowl ballotine, outside dining area overlooking the river white onion puree and parsley mash – Stour. which demonstrated all of the chef ’s As the team plan to open another two or knowledge of food. three restaurants in the near future they “It’s a real twist on the classic, that’s the certainly will be a force to be reckoned with, way I work, I like to twist the classics and but for now you must visit The Anchor. It obviously used a different meat and the is truly a gem and I cannot wait to return.

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 55

A Beautiful Mind

It takes a special sort of someone to come up with an idea so good it cannot be ignored. Ivana Sidey caught up with Gemma Norcross at the launch of her company, Essex Beauty Group – which might just be one of those good ideas.

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few weeks ago, on an unassuming day, a very interesting email found its way into my inbox. I have a notoriously bad memory, but I specifically remember this because I knew it was something special.

Essex Beauty Group (EBG) was founded by Gemma Norcross, 28 and Nesha Wakeling – both of these ladies are cousins and both have a passion to make a difference to the beauty industry across Essex. Their vision was to create an exclusive directory of salons across Essex whereby consumers could find a salon and be confident in their choice due to public star ratings.

In addition there are special offers only available through the website, consultancy to help businesses that may be suffering and they even have in mind an EBG shop for local businesses selling their own products.

For their clients they’re offering 6 months free then just £12.95 a month joining fee.

This seemed to be a fairly big ask, but having met Gemma she is more than capable. The elegant and softly spoken young lady has a steely determination that loudly says; ‘don’t mess with me.’ Proving you can have brains and beauty.

Gemma talks me through her concept with pride, and rightly so! I was shown the sign up forms, as before she launched the website, everything was done manually – proving she wanted this idea to work and had thought of everything.

The idea brings everything beauty related, in Essex, together – showing brand, treatment and location. It can be thought of as a miniature Yellow Pages for beauty.

The company’s USP is how focused they are on local businesses.

But, the brand new online directory offers a one-stop hair and beauty haven for customers looking for that special place to be pampered, and EBG can direct them to your company.

It provides local businesses with an online platform to showcase their business, the treatments, special offers and news, EBG allows the business owner to promote their business and become part of an interactive beauty community.

In hindsight, why has this not been done before? Social media is growing and growing, and personally I dread to think how much of my time I spend online!

It seems others agree, and the Sugarhut in Brentwood was full to capacity with local businesses.

Father-in-law Mick Norcross, explained “I am so proud of Gemma, she has such a good head for business and I wish her all the luck in the world.”

It seems that Gemma doesn’t need luck, as people were queuing to sign up.

But the night wasn’t all work and no play. There was much fun to be had from the Cinnamon Photo Booth, where you could dress up, put on a hat or a pair of sunglasses and giggle with your friends.

The relaxed atmosphere reflected well with the glamorous surroundings, and beauty chit chat was rife. Gemma has a great idea, as there was a real community feel, and everyone wanted to support one another.

As a qualified nail technician, Gemma can talk about beauty, and the night’s guests were not shy either about saying hello.

A special mention to Balloon Boutique, The Vintage Cosmetic Company and Hannah from Heavenly Tiers, for providing the delicious cupcakes for the evening.

Dianne at Candy Cart for providing the beautiful retro sweets that has travelled all around Essex, featuring in Hello! Magazine and several celebrity events – all in just over a year!

Jenny from Lash Boutique was only too happy to talk, and I was only too happy to find out that a set of lashes was in the goody bad, all with their own black lash

glue, so no one will know why you look so good!

Lainey, who co-ordinates the whole of the Glam Squad and the Cinderalla Hair team were there too. It really was a who’s who of the beauty business, all out to support Gemma.

When I was asked how successful I thought the night would be, I had to answer ‘very’. Gemma and her team really know their stuff, and she is fighting off support from local businesses. I wish her all the luck in the world, not that she needs it, her idea is already flying high.

Gemma Norcross is running an exclusive offer for Essex Style Readers, the first 10 members to sign up will receive their first six months membership free!

MAY 2013 | ESSEXSTYLEMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 00

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