GOOD FORTUNE
magazine Launch Edition 2010
Launch Edition 2010
CONTENTS UPDATE What’s Hot..p4
FASHION Urban Living Shoot..p5 Denim..p10
RETAIL Mother’s Day Gifts..p12
Editor’s Note
Pastel Beauty..p14 Profile..p15 Tarotscopes..p16
Elegant Easter..p18 Lamb Recipe..p19 Foodie World..p20
WHAT’S ON Guide..p22 Events..p23 Band Interview..p24
TRAVEL Japan..p26
WORK Alpha Positive Women..p27
BACK FEATURE Dead Poet’s Society..p29 Next edition..p30
denim drama p10 Model wears outfit from Therapy @ House of Fraser
This season’s must-have item: creativity. Spring 2010 is all about casting aside luxe holidays and designer handbags and investing in something a little more important - your dreams. I’ve always wanted to edit an independent magazine, free from the constraints of advertising and commercial controls. And so, Good Fortune Magazine was born. Time and resources may be limited but the enthusiasm and help of friends have been abundant in the creation of this new virtual publication. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have in creating it. And remember, if you have something cool to contribute to future editions, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at editorial@thehouseofgoo dfortune.co.uk.
INSIDE & OUT
HOME
Penny x Front page photograph taken by Shirlaine Forrest, Manchester.
UPDATE
the noble house
1.
2.farming
CURATOR OF COOL
hip new hangouts Set inside the famous Heywood Hat
building in the heart of
from Hobbs
Liverpool’s commercial quarter, The Noble House (pictured opposite) has become the place to dine thanks to its new deco style and
Get closer to your mama (Earth, that is) with the help of local farmers. Enjoy a rural break with a twist and make agriculture pay the cooler way. Rent a converted farm outhouse or cottage for the weekend and (literally) muck in. For more information, log on to farmstay.co.uk or devonfarms.co.uk.
celebrity diners. For stylish cocktails, try Suburbia in Hale. The old 161 club has been transformed by the guys behind Gusto and Grill on the Alley.
WHAT’S HOT
COMPILED BY PENNY FRAY
3.cheese We’re far from mousey - except when it comes to cheese. And soon we’ll be wearing the stuff on our faces. Yup, food technology experts at Reaseheath College in Cheshire, have discovered that rubbing crumbly cheese on to the face results in super soft skin. Now, they’re in the process of developing a Cheshire Cheese facepack. Yummy!
With John Smith’s Grand National fast approaching, everybody’s worrying about what to wear for Ladies’ Day on April 9th - and whilst I’d rather leave the styling to the stylists, I would like to say that it’d be great to see a little less orange glow with alcopops and more individuality at the races this year. For sassy style, home grown designers and retailers are a good place to start - especially the new Kirsty Doyle shop in Liverpool One. It’s the offline home to the accessory website Benna. Coming up in May is the third Liverpool Sound City which means I’ll be spending four days and nights shooting bands, bands and more bands. It’s a music extravaganza, so you really do need to get your tickets early. Current line-ups include Speech Debelle and a show by Paloma Faith at The Philharmonic Hall. Now, that’s got to be a bit special...
Mark McNulty
FASHION
urban living shoot YSL Green Dress ÂŁ190 - Harvey Nichols, Manchester
Balenciaga Cream Blouse £190 / Elie Tahari Black Trousers £205 - Harvey Nichols, Manchester / Black Waistcoat by Ailsa / Jewellery - Stylist’s Own
BMB Black Jumpsuit £250 - Selfridges Manchester / Dune Black Shoes £90 - Selfridges Manchester / Jewellery Stylist’s Own
SBC Gold Bow Front Dress £350 - Selfridges Manchester / Bottega Purple Trench £1140 - Harvey Nichols / Dune Black Shoes £90 - Selfridges Manchester / Jewellery - Stylist’s Own
Gucci Navy Dress £690 - Harvey Nichols / Dune Shoes £90 - Selfridges Manchester / Jewellery - Stylists Own
URBAN LIVING SHOOT CREDITS Photography by Shirlaine Forrest www.shirlainephotos.co.uk Hair and Make-up by Emma Fairfield at Real management www.bossmodelmanagement.co.uk
Outfit by Ailsa - www.a-i-l-s-a.com
Hair and make-up assistant Cat McLaughlin Styling by Kerry and Laura at the.lilly@ymail.com Model Alex Leigh at Nemesis www.nemesisagency.co.uk Shoot co-ordinator Rachel Perera www.taketwostyleschool.com
INJEANIOUS If you only work one look this spring - make it denim, says Alex Leigh. Between jeans that are so skinny they cut off circulation to your feet and trousers so high-waisted that they restrict respiration, you’ll be glad to hear that denim is taking a more comfortable turn this season. Everyone from D&G to Chloe are championing the return of the boyfriend fit. In London, it was down to Twenty8Twelve to fly the denim flag. But their take on the trend was more boho than ‘boyo’ thanks to their light wash vests and joyous jumpsuits. But the ‘must have’ piece of the season was found at Ralph Lauren, with fashionistas fighting over the cropped, sequined number in this season’s hottest hue - grey. On planet high-street,
top: western shirt £28 / shorts £20 - all from dorothy perkins above: shirt dress £29.50 - marks & spencer right: summer boot £80 faith
however, the ‘skinny’ still survives. Lucy Adamson from Duty Free Clothing in Manchester, whose company produces jeans for brands such as Jane Norman and Chilli Pepper as well as their own labels Damaged and Duty Free says: “For SS10 the skinny jean remains popular but either in light bleached out washes with feminine touches such as sequins or the edgier biker style with lots of seams and stitch detailing.” Another key denim look, according to the expert, is the distressed short. This is more of a high summer style and fits into the western theme seen on all the catwalks. “Also, the denim shirt or shirt dress has also been very popular in light weight denim and chambrays fabrics,” concludes Adamson.
spring to summer essential from asos.com
RETAIL mother’s day gift guide
MOTHERLY LOVE (MARCH 14) Not only did she give you life (and suffered stretch marks in the process), your mother taught you absolutely everything you know. So this year, give her an M-day present that proves how much you love her - minus the lecture on the perils of extravagance.
T
tru R E A ff T fro les £ m m 3.9 9 spe arks & nce r
pointelle shrug £20 fifty plus
m&s bouquet £14.99 baroo silk scarf £19.99 from ganesha
cupcakes £1.50 for 4 at asda
marc jacobs perfume £45 from John Lewis
INSIDE & OUT spring beauty trends make-up by revlon
SHRINKING VIOLET
barely there beiges.
Barely there layers of pastel shades are a must this spring, says Penny Fray.
tropical florals in the
It’s a new season. You’ve pre-ordered your Acne trench, procured an iPad and even settled on a Vera Wang frock (and that’s before you have the fiancé). All that’s left now is the makeup. And you better think pretty, because spring is all about the pastel palette. Yes, the ss10 catwalks were awash with luscious lilacs, pale pinks and
tried & tested
Light washes of lilac
COPY THE CROP with Mike Bennett @ Zoo
mingled with lush, very first colour collection for Revlon by Gucci Westman, while Prada and Missoni toyed with shades of coral, peach and grapefruit. The look is decidedly fresh and radiant thanks to the layering of super sheer formulas and light reflecting highlighters. Even the longest of lashes looked feminine and fabulous with just a delicate lick of brown mascara, as seen in the Ricci and Ferretti shows.
Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Lilac Pastelle, £6.49 from Revlon. When I first saw this gloss, I quivered as memories of candy floss and the decade that taste forgot came flooding back. But once out of its casing and applied, it gave my lips a lovely, natural pink hue. Plus, it survived several cups of tea.
1. Ask your stylist for an asymmetric crop - a la Frankie’s style from The Saturdays. 2. Apply styling product from root to tip. 3. Blow dry small sections, moving the air stream down the hair shaft to create shine. 4. Style the hair forward without a parting, then push to the side. 5. Straighten then ruffle the hair. See step by step instructions on our movie page.
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
TV presenter turned business guru Esther McVey, talks politics and spirituality. start the second part of my day - running my political campaign. I begin by replying to letters and constituent questions, I might then visit community groups or do home visits, canvass or leaflet. Every day is different and I love meeting people who lead such different lives. I’m home for about 10pm when, I’ll watch the news, have a Horlicks and go to bed for about midnight. How did your upbringing influence you? I had very young parents who were probably learning about life as I was growing up with them, which made me inquisitive and a team player. What is your typical day like? Jam-packed! I have a busy work life and added to that I’m a local Conservative candidate in Wirral West. I wake up at 6am, make a cup of coffee and have it in bed as I listen to Radio 4 news. Then I get ready and am out the house for 7am to open and check the offices I run in Liverpool. Around about 6pm I finish at the office to
What keeps you motivated? I’ve thought about this a lot and if I had to find a single word it would be ‘injustice’ – I can’t abide it. Anything you’d like to conquer next? A PhD. That really would be an achievement and I quite fancy being able to say ‘The name in Blonde, Doctor Blonde’. What about your grooming routine? Best described at the moment as a bit hit or miss. But if there’s anything I do it’s highlights every two months. I also make sure I’ve dyed my eyebrows, which I do at home with a simple
Boots kit. I think a good pair of eyebrows really frames your face and give your eyes definition. How do you stay fit? At the moment through leafleting – which means walking and bending exercises several times a week. Are you typical of your star sign? Am I a typical Scorpio or should that be ‘Scorch-i-o’ hot, hot, hot? Well obviously I’d like to say I was ‘hot’ when it matters. I’m loyal too. That said, I’m not jealous and don’t bear grudges. I’d sooner get on with life rather than have it controlled by past events, which you can’t alter. How do you stay spiritual? I think human beings are spiritual beings. We are linked by a common chord of humanity. We can’t answer some of the great questions of the universe but we seek answers as inquisitive, intelligent beings. That search for answers can bring us closer to one another and bring out our spiritual side.
TAROTSCOPE
Your forecast for March to April from The House of Good Fortune ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)
business. Not that you
The seductions of the
have any intention of
material world have lead
being prudent with your
you away from true
new found wealth.
happiness, according to the reversed ace of
VIRGO (Aug 24-Sep 23)
pentacles.
Changes that may at
TAURUS (Apr 21-May 21)
first seem inconvenient will soon turn into a
You feel under immense
cause for celebration,
pressure at work to
says the death card. So,
perform better and create
keep your chin up. Lovely
worry less about loved
more wealth, says the ten
things are sometimes
ones.
of wands. Don’t despair.
packaged in ugly boxes. CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan
Your immense willpower will see you through.
LIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23)
20) Your calm, analytical
Your quest for glory
intellect will serve you
well when asked to penetrate a complex foretells of an unexpected says the reversed three of issue. Expect to be GEMINI (May 22-Jun 21) The wheel of fortune
leads you to abuse your position of authority,
turn of good luck. And
swords. Beware of being
April brings some help
too self-centric when
from friends in high
embarking on a new scheme.
places, especially if you want a new job. CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 23)
rewarded handsomely for your efforts. AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)
19) Contentment can be
Fancy doing some
found at the bosom of your
charitable work? If so,
family in March, says the
You feel all warm and fuzzy as a relationship
this is a great time to attract some good karma,
nine of cups. It’s easy to
goes from strength to
says the six of pentacles. kinship can render the If not, take some time out most happiness.
strength this spring. The
forget how love and
sun card also foretells of to meditate. the birth of a child. This is certainly a time to celebrate. LEO (Jul 24-Aug 23)
PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20) SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec
21) Family prosperity puts circumstance may leave you a spring back into your
in a tail spin late March,
step, says the ten of
says the tower card.
The nine of pentacles pentacles. It also gives foretells of material gain you the opportunity to and good fortune in
An abrupt change in
Expect problems linked to buildings.
HOME
easter feasting dining accessories from m&s
Pair of butterfly clips, £15, from Marks & Spencer
Simnel cake, £9.99, from Marks & Spencer
Type to enter text
SWEET SENSATION Celebrate this Easter with an array of candy coloured home accessories and a yummy Simnel cake, says Penny Fray
Quilted cushion with appliqued bird, £30, from Berry Red.
Ceramic spotty egg cups, £2 each from Breeze
Piccadilly tea set, £34.95 from Dotcomgiftshop
Happy Easter garland, £12.95. from The Contemporary Home
JUST COOK
Mint Stuffed Shoulder of Lamb with California Prunes
INGREDIENTS (Serves 4) 75g Basmati rice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 small onion, peeled and chopped 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 10g almond slivers 60g California prunes, chopped 10g mint leaves, chopped
Cook the rice according to the pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion until it starts to soften. Add the garlic, almond slivers and chopped California prunes and cook for another minute. Drain the rice and place in a bowl with the onion mixture. Add the mint, lime juice and seasoning and mix well.
Cut a large pocket into the shoulder of lamb, then stuff the rice mixture into the pocket, pressing it in well. Wrap the stuffed lamb tightly with foil, to help to hold the stuffing in. Place in a roasting tray and cook for 40 minutes. Open the foil, increase the oven temperature to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6, and cook for a further 15 minutes.
580 Calories per serving
juice of ½ lime seasoning 750g ½ shoulder of lamb
not have y h w , g tin After ea nt er egg hu t s a E t l an adu ad e. Inste c n e r e f if with a d treats, e t a l o c o of ch h eggs wit e t a r o c e d otes for u q l a n inspiratio p. d and kee in f o t e peopl
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Michele Hart investigates how to make more of out of the humble vegetable We all know we should be getting our ‘5 a Day’ but could you imagine eating six, seven or even more portions a day of just vegetables? In fact, doing just this can be easy when you use vegetables creatively rather than just tossing them into a saucepan of boiling water for a few minutes. Consider tucking in to easy to prepare yet deliciously different gourmet dishes such as warm red cabbage with apple, walnuts and blue cheese or leek and lemon fettuccine. You could boost your health and the environment by reducing your meat consumption by only buying the very best you can afford as and when you can afford it. The key to enjoying and cooking creatively with vegetables is to buy seasonal, fresh and, where possible, local and organic to guarantee flavour and quality. Of course the very best way to get your hands on freshly picked vegetables is to grow your own – a huge trend at the moment and one which is turning many a woman’s fingers green. Nothing beats being out in the fresh air and harvesting your own veg which has been grown from seed or seedlings. But most of us don’t have the time and the space for anything more than a few herbs on the windowsill
Home grown vegetables taste great but can be time consuming. An equally ethical alternative is to support local farmers by buying organic boxes
or a few select vegetables grown in tubs on the patio. Unless you have a very large garden or are one of the lucky people to have got hold of an allotment (they’re rarer than hen’s teeth in some parts of the country) the chances are you’ll struggle to be self sufficient. Even then, it’s hard to harvest produce 52 weeks a year. Another option is to try and buy all your vegetables at your local farmers’ market. This certainly makes for a pleasant day out and is a great way to support your local economy but beware the temptations of yummy breads, pastries, jams and delicious cheeses or before you know it you’ll have spent a fortune and will be piling on the calories week in week out! Most supermarkets now offer organic vegetables although ranges can be limited and prices prohibitive. A big advantage of ordering a weekly box from Riverford Organics, for instance, is that it comes packed full of inspiration, providing customers with between six and eight of her seasonal recipes to get them using and, most importantly, truly enjoying the fresh veg in their box.
WHAT’S ON alice in wonderland
THRILL SEEKER Manchester actor Sir Ben Kingsley proves he can play just about anyone, including a psychiatric doctor in Scorsese’s new film - Shutter Island. He won an array of awards for his magnificent portrayal of Gandhi. Now Sir Ben Kingsley brings the same intelligence and understanding to his role in the latest Scorsese thriller - Shutter Island. The Academy award winning actor, originally from Manchester, has received rave reviews for playing a doctor for the criminally insane in one of March’s biggest anticipated blockbusters. “It’s been an exquisitely difficult balancing act to retain but there’s joy in that,” he says of the part. The film, co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio, tells the
FILM ALICE IN WONDERLAND March 5, cinemas nationwide Tim Burton’s much awaited 3D fantasy, starring Johnny Depp, will enchant adults and children alike with its special effects, mad costumes and classic characters. Obviously,the Cheshire Cat is our favourite.
story of two marshals who are summoned to a barren island to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a killer from the fortress-like hospital. It’s a scary movie but doesn’t have the usual
Sir Ben Kingsley, starring opposite his Oscar winning co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in Shutter Island, out on March 12.
sensationalism and speed of Hollywood. “It is an unnerving film,” concludes Kingsley. ”But there are moments of
on in What’s pril &A March
great tenderness too.”
BOOK
THEATRE
MUSIC
EVENT
SOLAR, IAN McEWAN, £18.99
RICKY GERVAIS April 13-15, Manchester Apollo
WHITNEY HUSTON April 8-9 MEN Arena, Manchester
A chance to see Hollywood’s darling, live in his latest stand up show Science.
The pop legend is back after her first Manchester show sold out in minutes.
THE BIG HISTORY WEEKEND March 20-21 St George’s Hall, Liverpool
A dark, satirical novel which focuses on climate change.
Find out about Merseyside’s past the fun way.
READY TO RUMBLE The Rumble Strips talk fashion, fame and Gone With The Wind with Clemence Flamee. “That’s not our van Charlie,” the Rumble Strips tour manager shouts to the band’s lead singer, who is persistently tugging at the wrong car door. It’s the night of The Rumble Strips gig at the Manchester Academy, and four members of the band are strewn across a remarkably unglamorous changing room. After postponing the tour twice, they are finally here to present the fans with the latest album, Welcome To The Walk Alone. “‘Cos we’ve postponed it twice already we didn’t know if people would remember they had tickets!” says trumpet player Matt. “There’s been a bit of moshing going on but it’s been great.” Ever fashionable lead singer Charlie Waller enters, shivering, after his search for the band’s tour van. He’s renowned for his quirky vintage clothes and regular appearances on style pages, but now in the comfort of the changing room, there aren’t a pair of white brogues in sight. The best dressed man in the business has donned a pair of tracksuit bottoms. “We wear the clothes we’ve got and they just happen to be incredibly stylish,” laughs Charlie. “I’ve got three black t-shirts and I just rotate them, I’ve done that for about four years. Some of the others are a bit more adventurous, Sam’s pretty stylish as you can see,” he says pointing towards their bassist, who’s sporting jogging bottoms and a baggy t shirt. “Although you wouldn’t believe it the way he looks now.” • In 2005, Charlie also fronted indie rock group Vincent Vincent And The Villains. But the pressure of featuring in two bands eventually became too hard and he left to focus on The Rumble Strips. This led to the rather immature release of the Vincent Vincent and the Villains song, “Johnny two bands.” Charlie has previously described the
experience as “stifling and unpleasant.” But now, he says his return to The Rumble Strips was down to “a draw and love for home and family” before adding “basically my mother told me what to do.” They’re polite, modest and impressively unpretentious. When asked about the most enjoyable part of touring, Matt replies: “we watched Gone With The Wind today, that was really good.” “Sometimes you watch a film that’s too long,” jokes Charlie “Actually yesterday, we watched Dr Zhivago, but we put in the wrong disc and watched the second half of it. We didn’t realise until we got to the end.” It’s this honesty and friendliness that makes them instantly likeable. They laugh at fame and treat their audience more like friends than fans. “I can’t step outside my front door,” Henry says. “I get mobbed walking down Tottenham high road. But so does everyone else.” When they take to the stage that night, it’s easy to see why the venue is bursting at the seams. Like wind up toys, they’re off, racing through a wonderfully energetic set of their best songs. They may be named after speed bumps, but it’s clear that The Rumble Strips have no intention of slowing down.
LATIN PASSION IN LIVERPOOL
24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE Champagne, cupcakes and shopping - the trinity of any good, girly get together took place at Rosso’s restaurant on Manchester’s King Street, to celebrate Boo-hoo.com’s s/s 10 collection. Amid the rails of gorgeous floral frocks and denim pieces, we spotted several members of the Corrie and Shameless cast, including Rebecca Ryan and Brooke Vincent.
Meanwhile, the cream of Liverpool society celebrated Passioniquila - the start of live entertainment evenings at The Palm Sugar Lounge in Liverpool ONE. More than 300 guests enjoyed Thai Tapas and free flowing Latin inspired cocktails, drinks and fizz, while a host of international entertainers and flamenco dancers performed throughout the night.
www.foto-foto.co.uk
Top: Yee Rah General Manager Graham Parry with Beth Kingston & Helen Harrington Middle: Rick Vaughn & Jade Ainsworth Bottom: Chaophraya & Palm Sugar Lounge General Manager Natalie Wackett with Stephen Uppal, Kris Deedigan & Elliot Longridge
Top: Shameless star Rebecca Ryan and right: Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster in Coronation Street.
TRAVEL
destination japan travel ed dressed as a geisha
TURNING JAPANESE
Jane Thomas visits the land of karaoke bars, ancient temples and stunning sushi I had wanted to go to the land of the rising sun for as long as I can remember. An eighties child - my head was filled with bright lights, flashing TV images and kooky tales of ‘what they had in Japan’. And my teen dreams weren’t dashed. I travelled with Finnair via Helsinki and into Tokyo for less than five hundred pounds - much cheaper than my eighties imagination had thought. The air transit shot me seamlessly into the throbbing capital, where I was greeted with the clean efficiency of an OCD sufferer. Face masked commuters and hand sanitisers were everywhere - even escalator hand rails merited their own white gloved attendants. On my second day, assisted by jet lag, I was up at 4.30am to visit the Tsukiji wholesale fish market – where deep frozen tunas whizzed around on high speed fork-lift trucks and slid across the floor like huge hockey putts. Giant stacks of polystyrene boxes
flanked the doors and shone like perfect pistes as the sun began to rise and the fish Some of started their the wares of journey to the Tsukiji the sashimi fish market platter. Famished, I treated myself nearby Nara, Japan’s to a traditional original capital, but Japanese breakfast. It my final few days were consisted of a big slab spent in Osaka instead. of soft, toasted white It’s a commercial city bread, an egg, small that seemed a little salad and great cup of less conservative than coffee. It was a Tokyo. Here, it was my gastric delight along last chance to with the staple melt in experience a capsule the mouth sushi and hotel. affordable Kobe beef. What a bargain - for Then, the day came to the best part of £20, I ride the bullet train – got my own single the Virgin Pendelinos’ mattress in a double great, great decker plastic bank of grandfather. pod beds. I liked my It glided into central space – it reminded me station like a giant, of camping - waking white dolphin, offering with a phone stuck to a super smooth ride face and the fragrant with a half way view of smell of next door’s Mount Fuji. early morning In Kyoto, I marvelled cigarette. at the amazing temples It was a good place to and relaxed with a Kobe have enjoyed my final burger in a few Zen sleep but Japan still gardens before checking has many more strange into my traditional ways waiting to be Ryokan (inn), with its discovered - and my soft futon and communal mask and I will be bath. first in line for the I had hoped to visit sequel.
WORK rise of the alpha positives image from the whitehouse
IT’S COOL TO BE KIND
Penny Fray discovers why you don’t have to be scary to be successful Being seen as someone successful used to be so simple - all you had to do was wear blood red lipstick, channel Wilhelmina Slater from Ugly Betty and you were good to go. But these days not even ‘Willie’ is willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. Why? Well, being an alpha villain is totally outré in 2010. The message du jour is that you can achieve any goal on your own merit rather than trampling on others. After all, if sympathetic supercelebs like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama are using their influence to inspire and encourage others,why can’t we?
WORKING IT!
Here are five ways to become more alpha positive: 1. Never use ambitiousness as a get out clause for bad behaviour. 2. Help others without expecting anything in return. 3. Be sufficiently secure to admire rather than envying your competitors’ success. In this context, green is not hot. 4. Hire people more talented than yourself. 5. Place worth ahead of wealth. After all, a clear conscience is priceless. being an alpha positive shows confidence
this edition’s office must haves: retro desk lamps, £135 from berry red colourful clipboards, £3 from berry red turquoise trimfone, £35 from beth stevens
model wears clothes by charles tyrwhitt
BACK FEATURE
dead poets society model wears dress from boo-hoo.com
WRITE ON
Penny Fray discovers why poetry has become the hip new way to express yourself. Celebrity jams, rapid fire slams and an exciting new Mancunian laureate has knocked poetry off its elevated literary perch and made it cool again. Everyone from songstress Kate Nash to Michelle Obama have become fans - and a new generation of women are taking poetry out of dusty old libraries and turning it into a fun, accessible format. “I think the growing popularity of poetry is partly a response to the economic downturn,” says Professor Dinah Birch from the University of Liverpool. “People are looking for a new kind of self-expression, something more personal and thought-provoking than simply spending money on new shoes or a laptop. “Poetry is a way of connecting with yourself, and with others, with the kind of immediacy and energy that is immune to the recession.” And why bother with self help tomes and therapy when a good poem will provide more consolation than prozac? Insightful words, it would seem, are back in vogue. “Despite having enjoyed Phillip Larkin and the classics at school, I
had forgotten about poetry, but then discovered it again through Stephen Fry and the new poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy,” says Sian Thomas, a 36-yearold marketing executive from the Wirral. “It’s a great injection of entertainment and can often inspire a new way of thinking.” Sian has since started attending poetry slamming nights and thinks it’s a great way to socialise with like minded people as well as bringing some lucidity into the chaos of existence. So, how do you go about giving the likes of Plath or Larkin a run for their money? The first step, according to Professor Birch is to read other people’s works and studying how they get their message across. “Then think about what form you want to use,” she says. “A sonnet? A ballad? A limerick? The discipline of rhyme and rhythm will help you get your thoughts into shape. Give time to choosing exactly the the one precise and particular word that will express what you want to say. Sharp language always packs more of a punch that exclamation,exhortation or sentiment.”
5 POEMS EVERYONE SHOULD READ
John Milton, Paradise Lost. OK, it’s very long, and very demanding. But it is also very great.
William Blake, Songs of Innocence and Experience. Haven’t lost their power to make readers see life in fresh ways.
John Keats, Ode to a Nightingale. Wonderfully rich, intelligent and moving.
T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land. Perhaps the first truly modern poem.
Philip Larkin, High Windows. A new voice for poetry, addressing the experiences of everyday life.
EXT EDITION
Nautical But Nice sailor style returns for s/s 2010
Type to enter text
AB FA B FUND RAISE RS we me et th e phila nthro pists putti ng th e coo l bac into k chari ty
manchester goes gaga for the lady out st may 1 2010
outfit from Next
UPCYCLING breathing new life into junk shop finds