NORTH-WEST FASHION & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
75
FASHION UPDATES
THREE LIFE CHANGING TREATMENTS
ON THE RUNWAY MARY KATRANTZOU S/S13 TRENDS
SUMMER 2013 ISSUE 04 Exclusives with
MARK RONSON WRETCH 32 OLIVER PROUDLOCK RETRO RESORT SUITING
SUMMER
SUMMER
FASHION Issue
porsche design heritage
Silverberg Opticians 40 Whitechapel, Liverpool, L1 6DZ 0151 709 2012 www.silverbergopticians.co.uk
W I T H J B R A N D, E Q U I P M E N T A N D S O P H I E H U L M E
W I T H J B R A N D, E Q U I P M E N T A N D S O P H I E H U L M E
h a r v e y n i c h o l s. c o m
h a r v e y n i c h o l s. c o m
THE NEW BREED THE NEW BREED
La Vida Magazine Suite 101, Barclay House 35 Whitworth St. West Manchester M1 5NG info@itslavida.com www.itslavida.com Publisher Abanoob Anton Creative Director Anthony Logan Advertising Director Andreas Anastasiou Managing Editor Athina Macpherson Associate Publisher Nikos Norman Account Manager Lawrence Spencer Features Editor Jsky Writers Amy Forsyth Emily Mulenga Holly Brooke Jaiden Micheal Mariana Cerqueira Omid Pourmohamed Saf Ashraf Media Developer Andy Wheeldon Circulation Team Charlotte Briggs Didi Anastasiou Photographers Amir Shah Dave Alexander Ella Tebutt Emanuelle Choussy Hanna Hillier Mike Brit Rachel Leggit Ryan Davis La Vida TV Chris Curtiss Circulation Manager Michael Harding Designers Anthony Logan Athina Macpherson Grace Maleedy Wai-Kin Cheng Branded Digital Creative Agency La Vida Media Group Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. Whilst every effort is taken, prices and product details are subject to change at any time; La Vida Magazine Ltd. take no responsibility for omission’s or errors. We respectfully reserve the right to publish and edit any articles at any time.
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WOMEN’S FASHION 10 FEMALE EDITORIAL SHOOT We visit the luxurious postcode of 90210 to witness, in true style, the Beverly Hills fashionistas enjoying the summer. 16 WOMEN’S FASHION TRENDS Play round with prints, salute the sun, opt for some high shine, take the summer shade, become a white addict, pile on summer’s must-have accessories, invest in some sultry sandles and choose from our hottest beachwear from the one-piece to the twopiece - this season is full to the brim (of your summer hat) with the hottest trends.
FEATURES 24 MARY KATRANTZOU Top fashion designer, Mary Katrantzou, visits Manchester’s Selfridges Exchange Square to promote and showcase her S/S13 and A/W13 collections - and we sat front row! 28 OLIVER PROUDLOCK Exclusive interview with Made in Chelsea’s favourite fashion designer and style icon, Oliver Proudlock at his Serge deNimes pop-up shop. 38 WRETCH 32 Exclusive interview with chart-topping superstar, Wretch 32. 86 MARK RONSON Exclusive interview with music legend, Mark Ronson. 93 THE HUMMINGBIRDS La Vida meets Liverpool’s rising band,The Hummingbirds, for and exclusive interview of their journey so far.
MEN’S FASHION 32 MEN’S EDITORIAL SHOOT Follow these premium looks and you too can conquer this summer with Utilitarian style. 41 MEN’S FASHION TRENDS Learn to pack light for your summer getaways, get the low-down on suiting summer, take a look at this seasons key trends of city shorts, retro resort shirts, and the hottest swim trunks as well as wondering down to our accessories department - all for your fashion fix.
LA VIDA DIARY 50 MY FOUNTAIN DIARY Athina Macpherson carries out a two-week trial of new supplement shots, Fountain. Find out what she thought. 53 LA VIDA DIARY We round-up the hottest events that hit Manchester and Liverpool these past months. 56 ITSLAVIDA.COM Highlights of our recent features online.
LA VIDA LIFESTYLE 54 MAINTAINING A SUMMER BODY Keep that beach body during your summer holidays with these simple and key tips.
CONTENTS SUMMER 2013
5 EDITOR’S LETTER Athina Macpherson introduces this Issue.
THE COVER
56 ITSLAVIDA.COM Highlights of our recent features online. 58 EATING CLEAN & LEAN Learn the secrets behind living a healthy lifestyle by eating clean & lean as well as a yummy and healthy recipe that’s both naughty and nice. 60 YOUR YOGA STUDIO It’s time to embrace the art of yoga for all your bodies needs with Liverpool’s first and only hot yoga studio. 75 LIFESTYLE DESTINATIONS Our editor chooses the top lifestyle destinations in the North-West.
LA VIDA BEAUTY
COVER MODELS: Lucy & Rob
62 LA VIDA GROOMING Grooming tips, products and treats just for you men - it’s time to stop using your partners products.
Nemesis Model Agency
64 3 LIFE CHANGING TREATMENTS Skin Health Spa bring you the top 3 treatments that are sure to change your life.
Ewelina Michalak
66 LA VIDA BEAUTY Sponsored by Skin Health Spa, La Vida show you this season’s hottest beauty trends from bronzed cheeks, loud lips, metallic lids, hair wraps and half-moon manicures.
PHOTOGRAPHY David Alexander
MAKE UP
FASHION
Harvey Nichols (Lucy) H&M (Rob)
Jewellery:
Green + Benz
70 SUMMER SIREN Become a Summer Siren with our female beauty shoot. 03 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
A TRIBUTE TO LUXURY E N J OY R E S P O N S I B LY
W W W. G O U T D E D I A M A N T S . C O M
EDITOR'S letter
A
nd so, here we are, in the midst of the severely overdue summer weather. And, although we are slowly dawning towards summer’s bittersweet end, the weather seems to be saying otherwise. There’s nothing more depressing though than finally being given your summer vacation, booking your holiday abroad and raring to hit the shops, only to find everyone’s talking about Autumn now? Don’t fret, keep calm, we are here to help! We’ve purposely created this issue as we know most of you workaholics, like us, have only just managed to take your well needed summer break and so you’re still in need of that summer fix. This issue is therefore not only unique in that sense, but also very, very special and exciting for us. “Why?” you ask. Well, because this month, we’re celebrating our first issue of La Vida launching in the beautiful city of Liverpool – exciting I know! We’ve doubled up the Liverpool and Manchester issues to bring you one bigger and better double deal – La Vida takes on the North-West!
It’s been fascinating putting together this combined North-West issue, retaining all the key characteristics of our original – fashion, beauty, interviews, music – but with a slightly different voice to appeal to you all – particularly with our lifestyle section. This issue is jam-packed with the latest fashion trends, the top beachwear necessities, beauty and grooming tips and accessories galore – all catered to both the lovely ladies and the gorgeous gents just beginning their runway walk through life, as well as the elegant veterans who have seen the fashion styles come and go and repeat themselves again. You’ll see that our exclusive interviews keep getting better and better with style icon and Made in Chelsea star Oliver Proudlock; pioneer and queen of print, Mary Katrantzou; chart-topping superstar, Wretch 32 and musical legend Mark Ronson – and I can’t forget Liverpool’s up-and-coming band, The Hummingbirds.
For those of you who are hitting the summer beaches, or you’re already there, we have some amazing health and fitness tips to keep that beach body perfect - and of course healthy. If you are still here though, make the most of it and visit some of our top destinations between Manchester and Liverpool - we have authentic Italian, a little piece of Morocco, some yummy gelato and something for your sweet tooth to finish off with. Of course, as always, we couldn’t have made this superb issue without everyone’s undivided help; from the big guys running around, to our lovely new interns that have sat with us day and night helping piece everything together - you’ve been great guys! Either way, no words can truly do this issue justice. So, wherever you are beach or office, sunlounger or sunbed, home or hotelroom - just turn the page and enjoy!
Athina Macpherson 05 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
Silverberg Opticians, 40 Whitechapel, Liverpool, L1 6DZ, 0151 709 2012, www.silverbergopticians.co.uk
www.skja.co.uk
THE HOTTEST
FASHION TRENDS THIS
SEASON Take a look at summer’s hottest fashion trends for both the ladies and the gentlemen. With the sun bright and shining, take advantage of this season’s mood-lifting looks from the hottest colours, the craziest of prints to the best beach accessories...
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Photography & Editing: Emmanuelle Choussy (www.emmanuellechoussy.com) Represented by Claire Arnaud-Aubour Assistant: Romain Leroy Creative Director: Marc Bensemhoun Stylist: Joey Tierney x Haute Couture Hair: Lea Journo & artistic team, Beverly Wilshire Hotel (www.leajournosalon.com) Make-up: Amy Vu Location: Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA
Beverly 60’s
Summer is here, and as temperatures rise and the number of layers fall, staying in style whilst coping with the heat may be a challenge. But, staying true to your inner fashionista, it can be done and without even breaking a sweat.
Beverly Hills is our ultimate inspiration for a stylish summer this season as the land of the famous 90210 zip code, Beverly Hills is iconic for its lifestyle of sipping cocktails by the pool with your girlfriends. Blessed with all year round sunshine, these girls know how to tackle the heat in style. See our Beverly Hills girls in action channelling a 60’s vibe and get ready for a fabulous summer.
Far left: Kate (BLEU Models) Long bandit gold cuff: Nissa (www.nissajewelery.com) Black beaded dangle cross clip-on earrings: H&M Black and nude headscarf: Lanvin Heels: Jimmy Choo Bikini: ASOS Second to left: Rachel (WILHELMINA models) Black wool sunhat: H&M Bikini: Topshop Third: Gabby (VISION models) Half fingernail ring with snake: Bijules (www.bijulesnyc.com) Black stone with round bronze band ring: Nissa Earrings: Jared Jamin (www.jaredjamin.com) Sunglasses: ASOS Platforms: Jennika Bikini: Tophsop Right: Jessica (BLEU models) Swimsuit: Paul & Joe Cut-out boots: Herve Leger
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Left: Alyssa (WILHELMINA models) Bikini top: Topshop High-waisted bikini bottoms: Topshop Heels: Charlotte Olympia Sunglasses: ASOS Right: Alizee (WILHELMINA models) Gold cuff: Karine Sultan Bandeau bikini top: Topshop High-waisted bikini bottoms: Topshop Heels: Charlotte Olympia
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Gabby Half fingernail ring with snake: Bijules Black stone with round bronze band ring: Nissa Jewelery Gold triangle earrings: Jared Jamin Sunglasses: ASOS Black and wood cut-out platforms: Jennika Black halter bikini top: Topshop Black high-waisted bikini bottoms: Topshop
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Alyssa Yellow lemon print bikini top: Topshop Yellow lemon print high-waisted bikini bottoms: Topshop Heels: Charlotte Olympia Sunglasses: ASOS
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Dolce & Gabbana, £330
Zara, £29.99
Moschino
Weston, £39.99 Nasty Gal, $120
P LAY AROUND W IT H PR IN T S From graphic patterns and sailor stripes, to fabulous florals and marble effects, printed fabrics are everywhere this season. Whether you’re tempted to play around with prints or prefer to keep it simple, there are many ways to add theses patterns to your wardrobe. Start with subtle touches with a Darwin Mini Pouch or a printed camisole. And, once you undoubtedly fall in love with print, go all-out with statement pieces as seen on the runways; House of Holland did it, Moschino rocked it, Marc by Marc Jacobs is doing it and so is Peter Pilotto - and now, so are you!
Finders Keepers, £130
Mango, £27.99 16 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
Sass & Bide, £550
Topshop, £34
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Urban Outfitters, £32
LA VIDA FASHION
Marc by Marc Jacobs
SALUTE THE SUN
Paul & Joe
Rianna Phillips, Darwin Mini Pouch Bag, £15
Sensible as they are - protecting our peepers from the harmful sun-rays sunglasses are also a great finishing touch to your summer attire. Choose from cat-eye styles to classic shapes and funky colours to salute the sun in style.
Peter Pilotto
ASOS, £35
House of Holland
Sam & Lavi, £100
Styligion, £39
Zara, £39.99
Top to bottom: Kurt Geiger Danni chunky sunglasses, £60 Monki tortoiseshell sunglasses, £8 Oliver Peoples wayfarer acetate sunglasses, £211 Prism cat-eye sunglasses, £260 Zara tortoiseshell sunglasses, £19.99 17 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
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HIGH SHINE
Get ready you little magpies for some high-shine hitting the catwalks and high streets this season and next. This trend is big, bold and shiny! Futuristic metallics shone bright on the runway and blogosphere this season, so, why not go super glossy with this liquid-look trend. Go head-to-toe for instant polish or alternatively, tone-down by adding simple, subtle touches from a mirrored panelled clutch to high-shine pumps.
Accessorize, £2.75 Add a high-shine touch with a metallic shirt Markus Lupfer, £114 (net-a-porter)
ASOS, £95
Office, £65
Miss Selfridge, £39 House of Fraser, £84
Milly
Topshop, £44
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Jimmy Choo, £297.50 (net-a-porter)
ASOS, £25
4 LA VIDA FASHION
Alexander Wang, £795 Topshop Unique, £115
SUMMER SHADE Although blending dark hues with summer sun seems almost incomprehensible - not to mention stiflingly hot - the catwalk tells us something utterly different with Michael Kors, Akris and Stella McCartney truly proving that summer can be just as exciting in the shade. If the thought of drowning your sun soaked skin in a cloak of darkness makes your confidence melt, brighten your look with flashes of vivid jewels and accessories or combine textures - don’t be afraid to bare some skin with cut out fabrics, bare midriffs and plunging necklines.
Akris
Styligion, £80
River Island, £25
Akris
Michael Kors
H&M, £12.99
Carvela Kurt Geiger, £55 Maison Michel, £285
Zara, £39.99 19 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
ASOS, £8 DKNY, £165
5 Zara, £49.99
Oasis, £45 Missguided, £22.99
Christian Dior
WHITE ADDICTION On the other end of the colour spectrum, we have white. White is, and always will be, a summer-time favourite.
Nothing says light, luxe summer like an all-white outfit. That’s right, the top-to-toe white colour trend (as foretold by the Spring/Summer 2013 runway shows) is about mastering that pretty, pristine look. There’s no blank to this canvas, yes the vibe is understated, but it’s about attention to detail with this trend: frill, lace, floral and gauze.
Topshop, £29
Diane Von Furstenberg, £150
Reiss, £109 20 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
New Look, £27.99 Warehouse, £12
Uniform Wares, £120
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ADDITIONAL ACCESSORIES Add these accessories to your summer outfit for instant summer glam. A vibrant necklace, Swarovski earrings, a tusk bangle or a stone ring are the perfect - let’s not forget, chic - finishing touches to your summer wardrobe.
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3 1. Tom Binns fluro faux rhodium and silver-plated Swarovski crystal earrings, £200, 2. Ottoman Hands one stone ring, £39, 3. Shaun Leane Tusk Bangle in Coral, £235 available at Green + Benz, 4. J.Crew stone mix necklace, £144.88
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5
4
SULTRY SANDALS
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5. Ancient Greek Sandals, Iris, €140, 6. Musa, Embellished leather sandles, £285 (net-aporter), 7. Valentino, studded rubber sandals, £165, 8. Faith Janay Tan Perspex Mix Flat Sandals, £32.
7 21 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
1 2
1. Triangl in California Coral, $79AUD, 2. Zimmermann, £194, 3. Reiss, £28, 4. Reiss, £22, 5. Warehouse, £14, 6. Warehouse £12, 7. Sugarfree, £17.17, 8. Sugarfree, £9.40, 9. Pink Sands - Bettina orange-turquoise €149, 10. River Island, 11. Mango, £17.99, 12. Mango, £9.99.
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Luli Fama
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The Two-piece
4
Known for being the ultimate flesh-shower, the two-piece is great if you hate tan lines and want the highest body surface possible soaking up the rays. Styles are endless and here are just a few; we have high-waisters, tan friendly adaptations, bandeau, and the classic triangle - take your pick!
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5
7
10 9
8
VIX, £155 (net-a-porter) 22 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
H&M, £24.99
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Karma, £160
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The One-piece
LA VIDA FASHION
A perfect choice if you don’t want to show too much - or prefer to leave a little sense of mystery. But, with so many styles to choose from, the onepiece doesn’t have to be boring - compensating your lack of mid-drift with style. With prints, block colours, cut-outs and strapless numbers, there are plenty to choose from.
13 16
Marc by Marc Jacobs
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18 17
L*Space
15 13. Pistol Panties, £189, 14. House of Fraser, £140, 15. Ipenema, $239, 16. Warehouse, £35, 17. Sugarfree, £30.11, 18. Ted Baker, £40, 19. Diesel, £77.
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COVER-UPS Cover-ups were made to be your best friend during summer. Whether you’re at the beach or lounging next to the pool, they do just what they promise - cover you up, but not too much. They allow you to go straight to happy hour after a swim or a day of sunbathing, without loosing precious holiday time getting dressed. Of course, you still need to look your best so we’ve made a selection of the most fashionable cover-ups for your time in the sun. Tory Burch, £255 (net-a-porter)
Topshop, £28
23 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
Mary Katrantzou Greek born designer, Mary Katrantzou, has become a true pioneer of colour, patterns and prints with her typwriters, foreign currency and stamp collagestyle creations. This young designer has quickly become one of London Fashion Week’s most sought-after shows with her unique and refreshingly bright and creative designs. The top designer graced Manchester last month at Selfridges Exchange Square to promote the arrival of her muchadmired Spring/Summer13 collection, as well as debuting some pieces from her Autumn/Winter13 collection. La Vida Magazine were lucky enough to take front row at the show, viewing her fantastic collections whilst listening intently to Katrantzou’s story so far.
24 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
SELFRIDGES EXCHANGE SQUARE S/S13 & A/W13 COLLECTIONS
The most wondered question - why prints? What has inspired you so much that you’ve truly stepped out of the designer comfort-zone and created something so unique and vibrant? It’s all been a natural transition for me from studying textile design at Central Saint Martins. When I started designing just after the recession, prints were such a taboo and there was nothing around – women just weren’t wearing prints, they were afraid. So I really had to preserve to offer something unique, desirable and flattering - my collection is able to communicate this. It’s more than just wearing a pretty dress, it’s about aesthetics and what you are like - prints are just as effective as a cut, drape or pleat. Print allows you to really establish yourself, making you look differently at things. I really push the boundaries of what print can look like with the current technological advances. You can take print and really make it contemporary by incorporating it into jeans, tops, dresses or coats – it allows fun into your wardrobe. But it’s not just about print, it’s about the materials and the visual image itself.
In the last few years there has been a huge shift and transition of wanting to wear clothes of a decorative nature. I think a lot of our customers buy into it because they see it as a design aesthetic choice - almost as if you were buying a product for your home. It communicates a lot about your aesthetic taste to the world and it allows women to make a bold statement about themselves.
LA VIDA FEATURE How are you enjoying Manchester? What do you love about this city?
What comes first, the print or the silhouette?
I’ve just found out actually that my great grandmother was born in Manchester! My mum sent me an e-mail to say my great grandmother was born here so I asked immediately, “how come?” She said she had no idea, not even from what side of the family she was from. She was Greek and no way British, so I have no idea how she came to be here!
They both come together. When designing you have to change the print around to match the silhouette and vice versa. I see what changes I need to make to ensure the piece is balanced and the print fits with the silhouette.
Mainly though, when I was growing up in Greece I used to imagine Manchester to be a place that I’d love to visit as many of the bands I listened to in Greece had originated from here. I’ve only been once before and I only came for two days when I was studying in London – James, the band, had just reunited and were playing and it’s my boyfriend’s favourite band so we came just to see them play. I don’t know Manchester well enough but I know it as a place I loved the music from.
You’ve done a T-shirt collaboration with Topshop already, making it one of the brand’s biggest and most successful collaborations. What else can we expect? Topshop was a great collaboration as was Current/Elliot - they’re both great brands with great heritage. I want to start doing some more bags and scarves; making print easier for people to wear and get into. I would love to do more but it takes time.
How did you envision these landscape prints in your Autumn/Winter collection? With technology now, you can create prints digitally with a photograph painting with pixels. I use my mouse as my paintbrush! I find the images myself through my day-to-day visuals and photographs and piece them all together to create these fictitious places, working across all materials and all sizes . What advice would you give to aspiring designers and students? I think to stand by your work and take the time to find the level of maturity you need. Be focused. Sometimes it happens fast and other times it’s best to work in the industry and gather valuable experience before you decide if you want to start up your own label. But always believe!
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The Collections With exotic stamp and foreign currency motifs, designer Mary Katrantzou establishes herself as fashion’s leading innovator of all things printed. The originality of her hypnotic patterns is matched only by the creativity of her extraordinary silhouettes. The outcome is a game-changing Spring/Summer 2013 collection that, like her prints, is right on the money.
“This printed pouch [left] is something new that’s come into the Spring/Summer collection by incorporating prints into accessories. It’s a great way to start feeling comfortable with print. This dress is also a great key piece in the collection, it’s a real classic shaped dress which we’ll be making forever – it’s a classic design and flattering for everyone. We’ll change a little the sleeves, and the length of the dress will come up and down [right dress], but it’s such a classic design and shape and so easy to wear - perfect after many seasons. This dress [bottom left] is made up from 18 metres of silk fabric and has really handy pockets. It’s still within the stamp and bank note collection, but it’s much more fluid than the other designs. It’s nice to have some movement as it’s not too restricted as the other pieces in my collection - they’re usually much more fitted and this is so loose and asymmetric. It’s very different, but a great difference. My Autumn/Winter13 collection is much darker than the Spring/Summer collection but the hints of colour still remain within the landscape-based collection. With this dress from the Autumn/Winter collection [right], you can see the ficticious landscape theme coming through with the image of an avenue surrounded by mountains and trees. It’s a great, light and versatile dress with a simple cut, yet very flattering.”
Images by Joe Gardner
26 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
Managing Editor, Athina Macpherson, with designer Mary Katrantzou
www.skja.co.uk
Y
OU PROBABLY KNOW HIM FROM MADE IN CHELSEA, BUT OLIVER PROUDLOCK IS MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF OUT OF THE REALITY SHOW REALMS. AFTER STUDYING FINE ART AT NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY, PROUDLOCK IS NOW DESIGNING FOR HIS OWN FASHION BRAND, SERGES DENIMES. BUT A DEGREE IN ART WAS PROBABLY UNNECESSARY FOR OLIVER; AFTER ALL, THE ARTISTIC AND ENTREPRENEURIAL BLOOD RUNS IN THE FAMILY – HIS MOTHER IS A SUCCESSFUL PHOTOGRAPHER AND HIS FATHER OWNED LONDON’S FAMOUS RESTAURANT, FOXTROT OSCAR. THE FIRST COLLECTION OF THE BRAND CONSISTED OF A FEW T-SHIRTS INSPIRED BY IMAGES OF RIO DE JANEIRO’S CARNIVAL, TAKEN BY HIS MOTHER, LENA PROUDLOCK, AND DOUGLAS VILLIERS, IN 1978. THE ARTIST IS NOW READY TO TAKE BIGGER STEPS, AS THE SECOND COLLECTION COMPRISES FOUR DIFFERENT T-SHIRT STYLES AND INCLUDES DENIM CAPS AND BAGS.
“It’s been an amazing LA VIDA MET THE CHELSEA experience; GENTLEMAN AT HIS I’ve CARNABY STREET amazing POP-UP met some STORE TO TALK ABOUT people, and HIS BRAND AND FUTURE for me it’s been PROJECTS. great.” 28 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
La Vida Meets MADE IN CHELSEA’S
OLIVER PROUDLOCK INTE RVIE WE D BY LE I L A FI TT
LA VIDA FEATURE
Oliver, what have you been up to today? Today I’ve had a very productive morning-meeting with my agent to go over future projects. There’s some very exciting stuff ahead - a lot of design collaborations, which is something I’m really trying to push at the moment. I recently did a shoe collaboration with Oliver Sweeney, so now I’m looking to work with other brands. And now, I’m here in my pop-up shop on Carnaby Street talking to the lovely La Vida Magazine! How are you enjoying your time on Made in Chelsea? It’s been a great experience. I’ve been doing it now for almost 2 years. But it’s been an amazing experience; I’ve met some amazing people, and for me it’s been great. It’s helped me build my profile, push my brand and have the ability to do some of these amazing things like design collaborations with other brands. Its been great! I understand you get a lot of attention from the show, how does that feel? Well, it’s one of those things I guess. Being recognised on the street by people you’ve never really met before is quite a weird thing. I think because they know so much about you, but you don’t know anything about them. But it’s nice to get a positive response from people.
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The shop looks great, very artistic! Which brings me to your love of art. Who influences you in terms of both your artwork and your designs? I think for me in terms of design it’s my everyday surroundings; everything in terms of design. I get influenced a lot by movies, and different styles of films and music. My background is artistic as I studied art for 4 years, and then as I moved back to London, I basically developed that and moved into fashion. But, fashion has always been something I’ve been interested in, and it’s always been in my family. My mum was a designer, so it’s been a very natural development. I’d say I get my creative side from her. In terms of style icons, I think Jonny Depp has got to be up there for me. He’s got his cool, own style. Or Ralph Lauren actually, I love Ralph Lauren.
How did your clothing line Serge DeNimes start? So, when I left Newcastle at the end of 2010, I came back to London and I wanted to have a break from art, but I still wanted to do something creative. So I came up with the idea of eventually building a denim-based brand as I’ve always been really into denim. The first thing obviously, was the name. Serge DeNimes is the origin of denim - the way that denim and cotton are woven. It was coined Serge and originated in Nimes in France. It was originally Serge de Nimes, of Nime and then became denim as we know it today. So I’m basically taking it back to the route of denim and eventually I want the brand to be denim based. I wanted to start the brand on one product, something I’m really familiar with, and I’ve always done t-shirts, so for me, I wanted to create the best t-shirts possible. Not only the best quality, but also the best cut and graphic print. I started with a range of 8, and then I did a collaboration with my mum using her photographs from Rio Carnival. And then in June 2011, I launched the brand. Two years down the line, we’ve now got a pop-up shop on Carnaby Street.
LA VIDA FEATURE
Is there anything else exciting that’s coming up? Yeah there are quite a few things in the pipeline which are really exciting. One of the other things that’s really important for me within the company is that we act as a platform for upand-coming creatives; whether that be music, art or fashion. So one of the things we’ve set up is working with a great company called ‘OffBeat’, setting up something called ‘Serge of Beats Sessions’. We basically find unsigned musicians and film really slick, live videos in a store on Shordich highstreet. We’re then going to release these on our YouTube channel and then throw events throughout the year showcasing some of these musicians. We’ve also got our new products like our jewellery line coming out in the next few weeks. It’s all pretty exciting right now! What kind of style would you say attracts you to women? For me I think a girl who is not afraid of wearing something a little different. I think the key to what you wear is owning it. You can pretty much wear anything - as long as your confident in it, you’ll look cool.
Would you like a woman to dress quirky like you or would you rather a woman dress glamorous? I like both to be honest. I think during the day I like someone a little more edgy. I really like that sort of cutoff denim shorts, high-tops, cool T, jewellery look and stuff like that. But then at night, I think a girl that dresses glamorous is really nice. So it depends on the occasion I guess – a bit of both! What’s been the inspiration behind your clothing and what’s important for the readers of La Vida to know about your brand? I think the inspiration behind the brand is key - the fact that we’re trying to attract creative individuals. So, whether you’re male or female and you’re not afraid to do your own thing and be creative, that’s something we really try and push as much as we can with the brand. We want it to be a lifestyle brand, but also a brand that focuses on fashion, music and art.
Would you like to open more shops around London and expand around the UK? Yeah I think so. I think what I really enjoy doing now are these pop-up’s. I think retail at the moment is really tricky. You can see that a lot of stores are closing down and I feel that a lot of people are buying more things online now. So I quite like doing these popups that are here for just a small period of time. It keeps it fresh; it keeps the energy and keeps people guessing, with each one being at a different location with a different vibe. Maybe later down the line we can look at opening up a permanent store and maybe even a store outside of the UK – that would be really cool! I’d love to do a pop-up shop in Liverpool or Manchester actually. So, maybe we start with a pop-up shop, and then potentially a full time store near you guys?
Check out Olivers range online now
www.sergedenimes.com @oliverproudlock @sergedenimes
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Utilitarian Summer Photography & Editing: Dave Alexander (www.davealexanderphoto.com) Models: Ashley Harrison & Joshua @Nemesis Model Agency Hair & make-up: Ewelina Michalak Stylist: Omid Pourmohamed Location: Barton Arcade roof
Clean and crisp, light and fresh. This summer we celebrate the utilitarian man with this season’s key trend for print and colour. We look at lightweight fabrics and cool cottons to keep you feeling fresh all summer long. The look is a mix of casual staple pieces with formal elements to take the metropolitan city man from day to evening. Take a look at these key summer looks to help carry off your summer with style and ease.
Left: Ashley Blazer: H&M Shirt: H&M Shorts: Ralph Lauren Sunglasses: Model’s own Shoes: Model’s own Right: Joshua Shirt: Topman Chinos: H&M Belt: Stylist’s own Shoes: Kurt Geiger
Shirt: Vintage - Urban Outfitters Shorts: Levi’s - Urban Outfitters Bracelet: Tomasz Donocik - available from Green + Benz Shoes: Model’s own
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Shirt: H&M Shorts: Ralph Lauren Sunglasses: Happy Hour
Shirt: Levi’s - Urban Outfitters T-shirt: Delusion - available from Intro Shorts: Levi’s - Urban Outfitters Necklace: Tomasz Donocik - available from Green + Benz Sunglasses: Model’s own
la vida meets interviewed BY JSKY
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If she’s up there, and I’m down here, and she’s not sleeping, then the more I sleep the wider the gap. In order for me to get closer to her, I need to sleep less and work harder. That’s really how you’ve got to look at it. If the people in her league, those at the top, are not sleeping, you need to be going in!
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LA VIDA FEATURE
W
retch 32, born Jermaine Scott Sinclair, has carved his way onto the UK music Hip Hop scene with a string of hits including ‘Don’t Go’ featuring Josh Kumra. An inspiration to many, Wretch 32 has overcome homelessness and unemployment with dignity and humility. His lyrics are both smart and engaging and his delivery precise. From humble beginnings, Wretch has managed to survive in the unpredictable world that is the UK Hip Hop scene - captivating audiences with high energy in his every performance. Wretch 32 is a well respected individual with an intelligent grasp of what it takes to stay on top. We caught up with Wretch 32 backstage at Parklife Festival 2013 for an exclusive interview.
What have you made of Heaton Park then - have you been before? I haven’t you know, it’s my first time. I’ve literally just got here though. I was just over there watching Toddla T and Shola Ama. I’ve been here for about 10 minutes, but it’s looking great man! Good field, good food…good girls! The ladies are crazy! They’ve really dressed up today - I love that!
Is there anyone that you are looking forward to seeing the most?
Example headlining - that’s a massive look! I’ve been a person that’s been around and seen him go from strength to strength - from the bottom up basically. And obviously Rita Ora, she’s gorgeous as hell!
A lot of people respect you because of your work ethic. Is there anything that you could pass on to people that look up to you and want to make it in the music industry?
If we’re going to talk about work ethic, I’d say…I watched a documentary on Rihanna, and she didn’t look like she’d slept throughout the whole thing. So what I took from that was: if she’s up there, and I’m down here, and she’s not sleeping, then the more I sleep the wider the gap. In order for me to get closer to her I need to sleep less and work harder. That’s really how you’ve got to look at it. If the people in her league, those at the top, are not sleeping, you need to be going in!
Having said that, on those rare days off, what do you enjoy doing?
I have the odd day off with the kids but, to be fair, your day off always turns into work somehow. Like I’ll start listening to music, or researching, or on Twitter replying to fans.
We got to interview Josh Kumra in our last issue of La Vida Magazine and he described working with you as an amazing experience. What was it like for you?
You know what, he’s an incredible man. Josh is one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met and I’ve said it from the beginning I will not change that sentence. He’s ice cool. Make sure you get Josh Kumra’s album, it’s out now!
Well, we’re all looking forward to your new album. Is there any track in particular that you’re most excited about or that sticks in your head the most? I really like one record called Run, and then I’ve another record called Flat Line. They’re very different, but I just hope people really feel those ones. Fashion wise, people wear all sorts to festivals. Is there anything you’ve seen where you’ve thought, “What is going on over there!”? You know when I first saw this whole welly thing, with the shorts - you know like when girls do the wellies with the shorts - I was like “what the hell?!” But then I saw the vision and I thought, you know what, that’s hard. So that went from bad to amazing in my eyes. Watch out for Wretch playing at Leeds and Reading Festival in August as well as coming back up to Manchester on 23rd October @Manchester Ritz. But, if you can’t wait until then, download his singles and albums from his website www.wretch32.com.
www.dune.co.uk 39 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
NATHANPHOTO.CO.UK 40 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
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LA VIDA FASHION
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PACK LIGHT
Whether you’re planning a city break or a long weekend away, packing the right mix of essentials is crucial in ensuring that you make the most out of your visit without worrying if you’ve packed the right things. We’ve selected a few key essentials for your two-to-three day-away wardrobe for this summer. These pieces will keep you on trend and ensure an all-round stylish look in order to avoid any disappointments along the way.
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1) Cutler And Gross D-Frame Acetate Sunglasses, £310. 2) Marc by Marc Jacobs Harvey Cotton-Twill Shorts, £160. 3) Timex X J.Crew Timex 1600 Stainless Steel Watch, £195. 4) Smythson Travel And Experiences Panama Leather Notebook, £45. 5) Alexander McQueen Slim-Fit Short-Sleeved Cotton-Blend Shirt, £185. 6) J.Crew Floral-Print Cotton Short-Sleeved Shirt, £150. 7) ETRO Woven Leather And Cord Belt, £135. 8) Ted Baker Woven Trilby, £35. 9) Orlebar Brown Bulldog Mid-Length Printed Swim Shorts, £225. 10) Slowear Incotex Slim-Fit Linen and Cotton-Blend Shorts, £170. 11) Rivieras Bem Mesh And Canvas Slip-On Shoes, £50. 12)Levi’s Vintage Clothing 1950’s Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt, £65. 13) Sunspel Riviera Cotton-Mesh Polo Shirt, £80. 14) Hartford Mid-Length Printed Swim Shorts, £100. 15) MISMO Adventurer leather-trimmed canvas holdall bag, £480. All pieces available at Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Mr Porter. 41 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
SUITING SUMMER
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This season means light materials, soft colours and vibrant patterns. La Vida takes a look at the S/S13 catwalks to bring you the latest trends for suiting summer With summer well and truly here, we see the preppy, resort themes making a comeback and continuing to trend strongly with solid white, pastel blues and pale greys forming the core colour palette. Whilst scarf prints take centre stage for trousers, and materials of soft linens and cottons debut for this season, we have picked some influences from the runway to show you exactly how to work the summer suit. We’ve seen many designers showcasing fitted jacket shapes this season on the catwalk, reflecting the growing influence of sartorial styling as well as the current slimfitting trousers – a more popular alternative today than the once authentic wide-leg shapes. This is a look that will update any suit for a more contemporary feel. The exquisitely sharp tailoring seen is somewhat representative of the typical attire that you would find at the highest elite men’s members-only clubs. The shows highlighted elegance and traditional wealth in such a way that could be easily adapted to the trend-conscious modern-day gentleman.
Alexander McQueen A historic take on the summer suit in silk, cream and white lace - graceful and aristocratic in look, this is a great option if you’re after impact.
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Tuxedos are a big influence for occasion-wear, with the black tuxedo being a classic for this category. Whilst browns and greys work well for classic suits, if you’re after a cleaner look, why not try ivory or white for a light summer tailoring look with impact. In terms of materials, popular choices lend to seersucker, linen and silk fabrics, whereas tweeds are popular for heavier tailoring. With key details such as contrastcolour jackets and trousers, traditional collar styles, wide peaked lapels, silk bow ties and pocket squares adding to the final look. 42 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
AMI Alexandre Mattussi From the metro to a 60’s airport for SS14, AMI’S man is on the move. Textured lightweight fabrics and double-breasted jackets are key elements for this collection.
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LA VIDA FASHION
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Diesel Black Gold
Dolce & Gabbana
Louis Vuitton
With a strict colour palette, white, black and blue were prominent colours throughout the collection. Materials consisted of linens and plain cottons, allowing the body to breath in this warmer weather.
With a sense of myth, this look is simple and elegant with pale creams and whites sophisticated and clean.
Highlighting the need to travel in simple checks of blue and grey, this suit is both on trend and of soft material to travel comfotably.
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Richard James Mixing and matching with printed checked jackets and simple trousers, this look is great and a key trend for the season ahead.
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Valentino Inspired by uniforms with highly-laboured suiting, utility shirts and special pocket treatments that appear as if they’ve been sealed shut are perfect little details.
Versace 80’s inspired double breasted jackets look great worn as a formal suit or can even be dressed down with loafers and rolled-up sleeves.
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Dune
www.dune.co.uk
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CITY SHORTS
When it comes to shorts, there are many styles, fits and shapes available, but the secret in getting this look right is in knowing what styles will look best on you. Whether it’s shorter, mid-thigh lengths or baggier, oversized looks, here’s a breakdown of the key trends for Summer 2013/14 to watch out for.
Givenchy, £410
River Island, £30
MID-THIGH PLEATED Cut higher than above-the-knee and combined with pleating, the mid-length gives relaxed volume and highlights the importance of tailoring this season on smarter short shapes. This catwalk-led silhouette was featured on the Dolce & Gabbana catwalk and will give you that traditional ‘Italian resort’ look.
THE TAILORED POSTMAN
In muted colours of black and dark grey hues, this emphasises the sartorial feel seen on the catwalks from the likes of Sandro SS14.
THE OVERSIZED Continuing on from the trend for voluminous sportor utility-inspired shapes, the oversized short offers something new. From contemporary tailored styles, these baggy shorts also have a strong catwalk-led look, as seen on the James Long Show.
Topman, £22
Moncler from Harvey Nichols, £205
The Tailored Postman is another key utility-inspired shape for this summer, offering a casual look. This adaptation of the city short works well for the younger generation thanks to their skater influences. The long, casual silhouette remains consistent, but tailoring details such as tab-fastening waistbands, crisp turnups and creased fronts, as seen at the Patrik Ervell show, are key details to look out for and are great in creating a more formal feel.
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H&M, £14.99
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RETRO RESORT
LA VIDA FASHION
With summer well and truly under way, what better way to celerate than with a Retro Resort shirt. Whether escaping to warmer climates, or staying on home turf, these relaxed summer shirts will freshen up your summer style and definitely add a splash of colour to your wardrobe.
Dries Van Noten
Prada
London Collections Men brought us designers from Prada to Dries Van Noten and Reiss, all encapsulating the essence of summer with print. This trend channels tropical-Hawaiian-meetshibiscus-leaf in bold, bright and eye-catching colours. Combining classic and familiar shirting shapes with authentic-looking summer print updates, such as conversational prints and tie-dye on short-sleeved, button-down collar styles. The result is a sharper, city-inspired edge of resort styling. But, if a mix of vintage inspired Hawaiian-style hibiscus designs aren’t your thing, fear not as there were many other contemporary alternatives including sketchy checks, abstract patterns and reworked digital florals.
Marc by Marc Jacobs, £140
With camouflage as another key player this season and integrated across multiple categories, Dries Van Noten portrayed sophistication with pixelated designs, bringing together edginess and a sense of newness, along with art-inspired elements and military inspired notes.
Kenzo
Whether short-sleeved or rolled-up, these shirts are great paired with smart tailored shorts, loafers and a panama hat.
Topman, £55
Paul Smith
Kenzo
Topman, £70
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SWIM TRUNKS
Whether poolside or venturing onto the beach this summer, it’s all about making a statement with conversational prints, colour blocking and retro styling.
When it comes to shopping for swimwear, it’s no longer un-common that men might have just as many choices as women – they also have several options when it comes to the cut and style. Whether it’s swim trunks, briefs or board shorts that you decide upon, one thing is for sure when working out your style, and that’s prints. It’s all about conversational prints, colourblocking and modern 1950’s inspired retro styling this season.
THE MODERN RETRO
Cut deeper than the classic square-cut trunk and featuring vintage-inspired details, The Modern Retro uses the 1950’s styling for a fashion-led look, ranging from snap-fastening belts and statement drawstrings, to contrast waistbands and embroidered badges. Pattern is an important element here, with retro, nautical stripes looking particularly strong for the summer. Whether choosing from Julian Ronaldo, Martins Gabriel or Zara, there are options from both ends of the price spectrum.
River Island, £22
Oiler & Boiler, £40
THE CLASSICS Topman, £26
Zara, £19.99 Paul Smith, £80
THE MICRO RUNNER Polo Ralph Lauren, £50
If you’re a sportier guy who’s after a functional look, key influences lend to the midi-trunks and hipsters. Incorporating contrast panels mixed with performanceinspired seams and details. This 1980’s sport influences will look great in masculine monochrome shades, but equally as great in primary summer brights such as tomato red and ocean blue - great in providing a flash of colour whilst by the pool or on the beach.
With shorter proportions and retro influences looking slightly more voluminous in fit, these runner style trunks will bridge the gap between the classic hipster cuts and the smarter swim shorts that tend to dominate. Key details to look for if you’re opting for the runner style are notched leg-holes and contrast colour taping. These 1980’s sportswear adaptations have been emphasised by brands including Robinson Les Bains and Vanwolff.
Vanwolff, £57.99
Zara, £19.99
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Robinson Les Bains , £140
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THE ACCESSORIES DEPATRMENT Whether going abroad this summer or having a stay-cation. We’ve selected some key summer wardrobe must-haves, from sunglasses, to shoes and watches - plus a great bag to show it all in.
MR. HARE Suede Slippers, £240
PERSOL S4D – Frame polarized sunglasses, £240
BOTTEGA VENETA Interecciato leather holdall bag, £2,270
BORSALINO Woven-paper trilby hat, £160
ANDERSON’S Woven leather belt, £75
TIMEX X J CREW Timex 1600 Stainless Steel Watch, £195
MULBERRY Clipper leather holdall bag, £1,250 UNIFORM WARES 152 Series rose gold-plated steel wristwatch, £220
GUCCI Horsebit leather loafer, £390 RAY-BAN Clubmaster, £95 49 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
rive r a s t o h s n i My Founta
MY FOUNTAIN DIARY My 2-week trial of Fountain Supplement Shots Last month, I was kindly invited with the rest of the La Vida team to the launch of a new supplement product – Fountain. Following the launch, I was intrigued to find out if these supplements work, or whether they’re a simple case of ‘the placebo effect’. The Fountain team therefore supplied me with what seemed like a lifetime supply of the supplement shots to tryout for myself.
What is Fountain? Fountain is a daily supplement shot made from 100% natural ingredients, making them completely stimulant free. This means that one Fountain drink is all you need to help support your body’s natural cell renewal system. The wholesome and organic ingredients in Fountain work together to support the life and growth of your own body’s adult stem cells; providing the nutrition that stem cells need to flourish. By promoting your own body’s adult stem cell renewal, you’ll also enhance your body’s own natural repair system, allowing you to: • • •
Week 1
Understandably, the benefits were a little hard to pinpoint during the first few days - although, I will admit to feeling a little more bright-eyed. During the first week I endured some seriously tiring days: a two-day clean and move-out of my flat as well as back-toback meetings and events, leaving me a little dishevelled, hungry and lethargic. This is where Fountain came in. A perfect start to my trial and, although I wished to start the gym (once again) alongside, the first week I felt was probably just as much - if not, more - challenging than if I had actually started the gym.
Speed up recovery time from training or injury Slow down ageing in all parts of the body Maximize preventative effects against degenerative diseases
They also, unofficially, are very good at preventing and helping cure hangovers – so I found anyway. The Fountain shots come in two variables – Rejuvenate and Performance – with each equally as effective and delicious. The pink bottle, the Rejuvenate shot, is rich in anti-oxidant green tea with a pomegranate flavour – yum! The second, the Performance shot, is blended with refreshing fruit juice of grapefruit and lime – even more yum!
r the gym
’ shot afte te a n ve u ej R ‘ y Taking m
My Fountain Diary The Fountain shots therefore became a necessity to me with a quick shot in between meetings, instead of a meal, whilst I was moving house, and as a ‘pick-meup’ when I felt worn out. To say that I survived the first few days without collapsing certainly shows the benefits of Fountain, no?
It’s Fountain-
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office
Of course, keeping in mind the placebo effect, I didn’t want to fully blame my new love for Fountain shots on my turn-around - but it was certainly hard not to. I’d never felt this energetic and positive when trying to be healthy before – I feel like a new person!
Is Fountain the reason for my healthy cravings?
Week 2
Moving onto my second week though - where I ate a healthy diet, went to the gym and slept the correct amount - was where I felt I truly reaped the benefits of Fountain. Early morning starts have always been a little challenging for me, but starting the day with my Rejuvenate or Performance shot certainly became a vice and requirement alongside my usual muesli and fruit for breakfast. The shots made me feel awake, and the challenge of waking up and going to work no longer seemed like a mountain, but instead a small molehill; I felt awake, alive and full of energy. The typical 12pm body sugar level slump vanished. I no longer craved sweets and chocolate, but instead a Fountain shot to carry me through until lunch. Whilst trying to eat healthily, sandwiches were of course off limits, but, to be honest, I didn’t want one. I started to feel clean, fresh and energetic - as odd as that may sound - and I actually craved salads and greens – was this the help of Fountain? The gym, as for anyone, after a long days work is the last thing on your mind, and it certainly was for the first few days. But, with the help of Fountain (the Performance shot before and the Rejuvenate shot after), I actually wanted to go to the gym and, surprisingly, I performed better than I expected during my workouts.
So, my overall thoughts? I’m not to sure where to start: the fact I can now wakeup easily, I no longer crave refined sugar and I feel energetic, fresh and alive surely proves that Fountain has helped. With it being the time of the year where most of us girls (and you guys) have booked our breaks away and we start to prepare our ‘beach body’, I really think Fountain helped here. It isn’t a magical fat burner, but it certainly gave me the energy and feel-good feeling that made me want to move around more, eat healthily and start my healthy life – all in time to hit the beach. I guess, as cliché as it sounds, feeling good on the inside does make you want to feel and look good on the outside! Although my trial has run out, I’ll be visiting the Fountain guys for a re-stock before the products hit the retail shelves. Keep an eye out!
Learn more at www.ftnbelieve.com or follow the Fountain team online via: /ftnbelieve @ftnbelieve @ftnbelieve 51 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
LA VIDA LIFESTYLE
La Vida Diary Liverpool Met Quarter
Fountain Believe Launch of new supplement drink
Brazillica/frevo drop exhibition
Exclusive luxury champagne brand, Goût de Diamants, partnered with Fountain for their launch event at the National Football Museum.
La Vida witnessed an extremely colourful display at the Met Quarter in Liverpool. The Frevo exhibition sponsored by Juice FM, encouraged us to catch the festival fever for Liverpool’s Brazilica carnival, which took place on the 20th of July. Following the festival around the city with the other 80,000 spectators, we were treated to Rio-style performances from the dancers and Frevo band. Brazilica is the UK’s biggest Brazilian Festival & Samba Carnival taking place annually in the heart of Liverpool’s city centre. If you’re a Samba fan then you must get your dancing shoes on and head down to the parade.
We were kindly invited to the launch of new supplement shot, Fountain. The launch event took place at Manchester’s National Football Museum. The event was filled with celebrities, sports stars (including Bradford Bulls players and football legend Fabrice Muamba - pictured above) and, of course, La Vida Magazine (below). We sampled the shots seperatley and within specially created cocktails for a different, yet healthy, twist. Amongst the sampling and socialising we were informed about the benefits and uniqueness of Fountian by Founder Melissa Burton.
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MAINTAINING A SUMMER BODY Written by Saf Ashraf
F
or many people, summer is about getting plenty of fresh air, going away on holiday, eating great foods and having fun – but it’s also the time when you’re mostly likely to be concerned about your weight. We tend to wear more revealing clothes during the summer and it’s not a particularly nice feeling when we don’t fit into last years swimsuit any more. Don’t worry, La Vida is here! We are going to show you how you can still enjoy your summer whilst maintaining that healthy and lean body that you’ve been working so hard to get during the run-up to summer. 1) GET SOME EXERCISE This isn’t the time to hit the gym; it’s your chance to make the most of the sunshine, warm weather and take your exercise outdoors. Go for a run on the beach, a swim in the pool or even do a few circuits in your local park. Generally, try to be more active by spending time outside – even walking the dog or walking to work rather than taking the bus will help you get fit and lose those extra pounds. TOP TIP: Find a couple of friends with a similar fitness level to you and find a sporting event in two or three months time and enter it. It could be any event you fancy: a race for life, marathon, long walk or short run. They’ll normally provide you with a training plan and you can have fun raising money and training together with your friends - motivating one-another.
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2) EAT THE RIGHT FOODS Eating healthy food doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy summer treats – there are so many delicious foods that are really good for you wherever you are. Why not throw a BBQ for your friends and family. cook some yummy, lean chicken and vegetables or enjoy a refreshing salad full of different seasonal ingredients. If you can, try avoid processed foods that have been refined. This includes various different additives or preservatives and instead, increase the number of foods that are ‘close to nature’. This means foods that are still in their natural state and have not been altered, added-to or processed in any way. If you’re abroad on holiday, the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables available is great, so take the opportunity to enjoy them! There is so much more choice during the summer, so there’s really no excuse for not creating great tasting and healthy foods. 3) DRINK PLENTY OF WATER I’ve said this before, but i’ll say it again: drinking water is always important - even more so during the summer. Invest in a good quality water filter and ensure you drink enough water each and every day – especially if you are outside on a hot day or exercising. Don’t fancy water? You can easily make a tasty, refreshing drink
LA VIDA LIFESTYLE simply by adding a little grated ginger, fresh lemon juice and mint leaves to some water and crushed ice. Cold peppermint tea is another great alternative if you get bored of water. Avoid caffeinated drinks and sodas. If you are going to drink alcohol, go for ‘clean’ alternatives such as gin or vodka with tonic or sparkling water. Diluted and filtered alcohol is a much ‘healthier’ option in comparison to those filled with carbohydrates and wheats such as beer, larger and liquores - remember to always drink wisely! 4) CLEANSE YOUR BODY Toxins can affect your ability to lose and maintain weight and they can also drag down energy levels and cause other problems. Most of us have acidic, toxic bodies as a result of eating poor quality, processed foods and drinks, eating fruits and vegetables grown in mineral depleted soils and leading a modern, stressful and busy lifestyle. Removing these toxins will help your body return to its natural balance - many people find they lose weight by doing this as well as a noticable increase in energy levels. Make a decision to make this summer the one when you make a lasting and positive change to your health by completing a gentle whole-body cleanse. 5) FOCUS ON CRITICAL MEALS: BREAKFAST AND POST-WORKOUT A nutritious breakfast, especially one rich in protein, sets the tone for successful weight-loss. It jump starts your metabolism, cuts-off overnight muscle breakdown (catabolism) and provides a much-needed source of sustainable energy. Research shows that eating breakfast reduces overall calorie consumption throughout the day. Protein is a must for breakfast whether you’re on holiday or not. When you are on holiday though, try to stay away from those tempting muffins and processed, carb-filled croissants. Instead, stick to a protein-packed breakfast of Greek yogurt, eggs, nut butter, and whey protein, which are all great in the morning combined with healthy carbs such as oatmeal and fresh fruit. Post-workout nutrition is another critical meal as it drives home optimal growth and recovery. To effectively refuel, eat a blend of protein and carbs within an hour of your workout. Fruit and heavy carb sources like pasta, oatmeal, cereal, rice, bread and sweet potatoes stimulate growth and recovery after an intense sweat session - whey protein powder is your most effective protein choice. Minimize all fats during this crutial window. For the rest of the day, eat small and frequent meals, as by doing so, your body limits those massive blood sugar spikes that make you want to binge, in turn, reducing the body’s propensity to store body fat.
6) REDUCE HUNGER Water and green tea are zero-calorie options that are great in reducing hunger and over-clock calorie burning. Green tea is thermogenic, which means it stimulates your metabolism as well as increasing the body’s utilization of fat for fuel. In addition, hydration is absolutely key to almost every major bodily function from digestion, metabolism, to muscle growth. 7) MAXIMISE FIBRE INTAKE WITH VEGGIES AND WHOLE GRAINS. Fiber is the best way to increase satiety, reduce hunger, and prevent yourself from overeating. It also keeps blood sugar flatlined. Go crazy with colorful, leafy vegetables — they’re insanely nutritious and filling, yet feather-light on the calorie scale. Beans, whole grains, oatmeal, quinoa, barley, muesli and other unprocessed grains are fantastic sources of fiber-heavy, lean carbs. 8) INTEGRATE HEALTHY FATS Healthy fats found in avocado, flax, fish, fish oil, nuts, nut butter, olives, olive oil and coconut oil are amongst many healthy fat options. These healthy fats control hunger levels and produce a sustained feeling of fullness. They’re also a powerful regulator of blood sugar, limiting fat build-up; 20-25% of your daily calories should come from healthy fats - that’s about 2-3 servings per day. 9) USE CONDIMENTS, SPICES, HOT SAUCE, AND SALSA GENEROUSLY They’re the best way to flavour-up food without adding significant calories. Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, chili, garlic, and basil can help control blood sugar levels and offer the body major antiinflammatory benefits. Ginger, black pepper, and hot pepper (capsaicin) have been linked to decreased hunger, accelerated metabolism, and enhanced thermogenesis. 10) NO CHEAT DAYS Remove the concept of cheat days from your dietary paradigm. Every time you have a cheat day by binge eating junk food, binge drinking, or skipping a planned workout, you’re pushing yourself one step back against the time and effort you put in to begin with. A balanced diet is key if you feel you can’t live without your chocolate or glass of wine - have a little bit of everything but keep it in moderation. This way, you wont crave and binge; you’ll stay satisfied as you wont be depriving your body of the things it craves and slowly, you’ll stop craving.
For more information on boot camp, or for personal training sessions, check out A+ Bootcamp by Saf & Amissi @FitBodyMcr 55 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
L O U I S S M I TH BO O K S I G N I N G A T S E L F RI DGE S Selfridges Trafford Centre welcomed triple Olympic medal winner and Strictly Come Dancing heartthrob, Louis Smith to sign copies of his first illustrated memoir ‘My Story So Far’. Louis’ book tells the story of the gymnast’s amazing journey from a young child suffering with ADHD to becoming an Olympic winning gymnast, taking the Strictly Come Dancing crown and beyond. Jam packed with exclusive unseen photographs and captivating stories, Louis’ book is a must-read.
CL AR INS M E N CEL EB RATE 10T H B IRT HD A Y
H&M collaborate with leading designer isabel marant
10 years of passion, innovation and success.
The collection will feature an array of clothing and accessories for both men and women – and let’s hope some fabulous shoes too!
As the leader in luxury skin care, ten years ago, Clarins decided to start taking care of men’s skin just as it had been doing for women. Today, the ClarinsMen range of 20 products is sold in more than 50 countries worldwide. Each and every product is dedicated to the specific needs of men’s skin.
Arriving in stores November 14th, we will just have to wait and see what these two brands have in store for us.
The ClarinsMen mission has always been to offer men dedicated products that are gentle yet energy-boosting and meet their skin’s unique needs.
SIMO N +SIMO N
FINE WORKWEAR FOR FINE DIN IN G Fashion label Simon + Simon is working in affiliation with Michelin star restaurant, Paris House, providing essential workwear and accessories for their front of house team. Simon + Simon was established in late 2012 and has built a reputable brand as redefining essential workwear. The brand is not only working with the 10 in 8 group restaurants; L’Ortolan, Fine Dining, La Becasse and new addition Les Caveaux, but also hotels and other Michelin star restaurants around the UK. The Simon + Simon ‘Athletic Fit’ shirt has a tailored and complimentary silhouette and can be purchased from the e-commerce corporate website. There are a wide variety of styles and collar shapes available from stock, and for businesses looking for a more bespoke solution, orders can be made by appointment. This product is the perfect piece of clothing for hospitality companies to take advantage of, with all shirts designed with flexibility and durability in mind when working long hours.
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EATING CLEAN & LEAN
Written by Mariana Cerqueira
Many of us work hard to achieve the body we want, but not that many of us are able to achieve the goals we set ourselves. It’s hard to lose weight and live a healthy life when you’re confronted with so many temptations throughout your day. But the truth is that most times you may not even know who your enemy is in the battle for a healthy body. The clean and lean regime makes a clear distinction between good and bad, and helps you go back to what eating should be like, giving you clear guidelines to healthy eating habits. Eating clean is nothing new – it is actually pretty old if you think about it. As societies developed, we stopped having the time for things like growing our own vegetables and preparing our own food, which is, guess what, eating clean! The good news is that eating clean is like riding a bike, once you learn it, you will never forget it – and never want to either.
The first thing you need to understand is what ‘clean’ foods are. It’s basically all that grows naturally and has the least – or event better, none – manmade alterations. It needs to resemble its natural state – a banana at the supermarket looks the same as when it grows on a tree, but that KitKat certainly didn’t look like that before men made it.
Many diets ignore the eating clean part. Toxins, the bad guys, are stored in the fat cells and if you shed that fat but keep letting toxins in your body, they’ll still be in your system and will make you feel awful – are you remembering how lethargic and groggy you felt last time you dieted? Once you feel like that, your body obviously doesn’t like it and starts holding on to fat so that it can store toxins to prevent you from ever feeling like that again.
STAY AWAY FROM SUGAR
On the other hand, if you eat clean, toxins aren’t part of the equation, so your body will have no trouble in letting that unwanted fat go - in fact, it will even throw it a goodbye party. 58 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
Clean foods don’t have any added artificial flavour, and they certainly don’t have an endless list of strange ingredients - especially those additives ending in ‘ose’ such as fructose or glucose – both of which are manmade sugars. Now that we’ve clearly pointed out who’s your friend and who isn’t, there are four more rules you need to learn before class is dismissed.
Keep this in mind no matter what. Every time you’re reaching for the sugar jar for your tea or coffee, remember that sugar converts into fat faster than fat itself! This happens because sugar raises your insulin levels, leading to fat storage. Besides going, almost literally, from your mouth to your stomach, waist and hips, sugar also strips your body from essential vitamins – hence why you can be malnourished even when you’re overweight as your body doesn’t have what it needs to function properly. Sugar can also affect your immune system and your energy levels significantly.
Be cautious with ‘diet’ and ‘low-fat’ food and drinks – there’s no point in having a low fat product if it’s packed with sugar that will turn to fat the minute it gets into your body. Try decreasing the amount of sugar you ingest gradually; your taste buds will adapt slowly and soon you’ll wonder how you could ever have had two sugar spoons in your tea. Cinnamon is a great alternative, and some studies suggest other health benefits from it such as lowering blood sugar levels and antioxidant effects.
EASY ON THE CAFFEINE Even though some studies suggest that caffeine helps with fat burning, it’s important you know when to stop. Caffeine stresses your body and stress makes you release a hormone called cortisol, which encourages your body to hold on to fat. That’s why one or two cups of coffee are ok, but more than that may be an invitation for that fat to hang around. Green tea is a great alternative to coffee, and because it contains less caffeine, you can have up to six cups a day!
PUT DOWN THAT PINT Remember what we said about sugar? Alcohol is packed with sugar too – do I need to say any more? If that didn’t convince you to put down that pint, you also need to know that the liver processes fat, and alcohol too. If you keep it busy with the latter, it won’t have time to help you get rid of the other. Alcohol also makes your body produce a hormone called oestrogen that encourages fat storage around your middle.
SAY NO TO PROCESSED FOOD Stay away from anything and everything in your cupboard that can last longer than a houseplant. Instead, make way for foods that only last a few days. As strenuous as this can sometimes be on your purse strings, these foods are the clean, natural ones, full of vitamins and nutrients that your body will love. Banished foods include white bread, ready meals, frozen chips, pasta, many tinned foods, fast foods and snack foods. To break it down further, these products last ages because they are packed with additives and chemicals that make them last longer – surely you don’t want these kind of processed toxins in your body? If they can make food last longer, imagine what they can do to our bodies.
NAUGHTY BUT NICE LETTUCE WRAP Serves 3
Ingredients
9 fresh iceberg lettuce leaves 9 pieces of roast turkey/chicken/bacon (the image shows bacon) 2 medium tomatoes (seeded and sliced) ½ red pepper (seeded and sliced) 3 tbsps. hummus Rice paper
Directions: 1. 2.
Fill a large bowl with warm water. Gently dip each rice paper wrapper in the warm water for a few seconds until damp - don’t over soak the rice paper. 3. Place the rice paper on a plate or working surface. 4. As the rice paper begins to absorb the water and becomes softer and more pliable (10-30 seconds, depending on wrapper and water temp.), begin to add the fillings. 5. On 1/3 of the rice paper wrapper closest to you, start layering your fillings of lettuce, tomatoes, pepper and turkey/chicken/ bacon. 6. Add a tbsp. of hummus (or as much as desired) and spread evenly over the ingredients. 7. Start rolling the wrapper over the fillings away from you, tucking and rolling the wrapper with your fingers, making sure all the fillings remain right and round with the rice paper wrapper. 8. Serve immediately, or cover with cling film and place in the fridge to eat later. For a healthier alternative, use iceberg lettuce leaves instead of rice paper. Place all ingredients as before onto the lettuce leaf and wrap with another piece of lettuce using the same method as above. Secure the wrap with a toothpick.
Recipe and images adapted from www.whiteonricecouple.com
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T
hey say if you find a job you enjoy, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. This is the case for the Your Yoga Studio ‘yogi’s’. Fully trained and passionate yogis, the team of Your Yoga Studio have travelled the planet learning and discovering the ancient art of Yoga – making it their life’s passion to help others experience and understand the true meaning and values behind yoga. They have now developed their very own yoga retreat in Liverpool City Centre to share their passion with you. Located in the heart of the bohemian Ropewalks, this retreat is a perfect destination for your mind, body and soul. Offering 30 hot yoga classes a week, you will find a class that suits your schedule and your mood every day. Your Yoga yogi’s all have an individual style and every class differs from the next. On offer too are therapies and treatments to compliment your yoga practice; including Thai massages, hot stone massages and Indian head massages. To ensure you’re looking your best on the mat, the studio also offers manicures, pedicures, body scrubs, facials and other essential treatments using only natural, organic products – there really is something for absolutely everyone. This retreat is your retreat – Your Yoga Studio. This sanctuary of escapism encapsulates a relaxing and calming environment – as if you were actually on a retreat in the high mountains of Thailand. The relaxation rooms, massage rooms, even the building itself – a grade two listed building with mesmerising architecture – offers a euphoric yet relaxed vibe for all who visit and revel in the yogi environment.
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Your Yoga Studio is not just for ‘yogi’s’ though, it’s a place for everyone from every walk of life. After just a few hot yoga sessions, you will notice physical and mental changes within yourself as you adapt to a new lifestyle, be it shedding unwanted body fat, becoming more flexible or simply finding it easier to switch off and chill out. You will naturally take from Your Yoga exactly what you need. Cardiovascular workouts in yoga flow or jivamukti classes are an option for those who want to strengthen their body. Or, for a natural high, opt for the Yin Yoga to go deeper into the muscle facia, giving you a richer and deeper detox that you’ll become addicted to. All hot yoga classes are guided by inspirational yogis and practiced in a heated room with temperatures varying from 36 to 42 degrees Celsius, dependent upon the type of yoga being taught.
The heat allows the body to stretch deeper with ease as well as helping release those nasty built up toxins– don’t be apprehensive though, with a complete air change every 15 minutes, clean purified air and humidity is pumped into the room meaning the air inside is fresher than what we breathe in outside – it will feel as though you are practicing your yoga in the likes of India or Thailand. After class, students have spoken about their feelings of euphoria and utter relaxation, as if they have taken a short holiday for their body and mind. From the second you walk through the door of Your Yoga Studio’s grade 2 listed building, you are transported into another world. Walking barefoot, listening to chill out tunes, feeling the heat, tasting the exotic juices and being surrounded by happy and healthy smiling faces. There is no doubt you will want to come back time and time again as Your Yoga Studio is your city centre escape, completely built for you. After all, it is Your Yoga Studio – a refuge for everyone to truly revel in the vivacity of yoga.
HIS NOT HERS The essential male grooming guide Kick-start your new grooming regime with a few essentials that we recommend here at La Vida. Lets face it, when it comes to men’s grooming there is a slight ignorance that grooming products are either ‘too girly and feminine’ or ‘only for a certain kind of guy’– it’s time to face the facts; grooming is for men too! Whether you’ve already made that first step in taking care of your skin correctly or you are still getting away with using your ‘girlfriends’ products (and yes, she has noticed - lets not pretend), we’ve selected some key men’s grooming products that we feel are leading the way in innovation and science. The key to taking care of your skin is having a daily routine in place. Once you get this routine established, it will come as second nature to you and you will begin to reap the benefits of using skincare specific products to suit your needs. Here’s a selection of the bare essentials and a few treats to start off your new routine.
THE BASICS - 5 SIMPLE STEPS STEP 1
To begin, start your routine off in the morning by washing your face with a multi-purpose face wash. We’ve selected one by Elemis. This will remove any initial dirt and remove excess oil or grease, revealing a clean fresh base to move on from. Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash, £18.50
STEP 2 Before shaving, we recommend that you use a gritty textured exfoliator. We’ve chosen Clinique’s Face Scrub. It will remove any dead skin cells and prepare the skin for shaving by revealing the hair follicles that need to be shaved. Clinique For Men Face Scrub, £17
STEP 3 Rinse your face with warm water and apply a shaving foam. We’ve selected a foam mousse by Gillette, which will lather-up like traditional shaving soaps without all the fuss. Gillette Series Shave Foam Pure Sensitive, £2.75
STEP 4
After shaving, it is important to replace moisture back into the skin. Many men mistake the eye-area and face area as the same, but the eye area is a lot more fragile and requires a different treatment. Vita Lift by L’Oréal is a good choice, as it will freshen up the eyes whist giving the benefits of antiageing. L’Oréal Men Expert Anti-Aging Eye Roll On, £11.79
STEP 5 Finally, apply a moisturizer. Sisleÿum For Men by Sisley offers multi-purpose effects, as it’s a moisturiser with aftershave and anti-aging benefits specifically for men’s skin. Sisley-Sisleÿum For Men Anti-Age Moisturiser And Aftershave, £115 62 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
LA VIDA BEAUTY
GIVE YOURSELF A LITTLE TREAT FIGHT AGEING
THE SUPER MOISTURISER
Men, as much as you don’t want to admit it, you do age too. So, if you are worried about those fine lines and wrinkles, and you want to do something about it, we reccomend this amazing Skin Empowering Cream by Shiseido Men.
We all know the weather here in the UK is extremely undecisive; today it’s sunny, tomorrow it may be raining. So, to battle these changing conditions that do, naturally, take their toll on our skin, keep hydrated!
This powerful skin revitaliser immediately provides toned radiance and visible smoothness. Skin will gradually become energized and more resistant against the signs of fatigue and aging. It also minimises the appearance of wrinkles and improves skins resilience around the eye area and facial contour.
This top selling moisturiser from ClarinsMen is the perfect remedy. The Super Moisture Balm will help revitalise and firm skin on contact and protect against pollution - ideal when living the busy city life. Apply the balm in the morning after shaving and again in the evening, as this is the time skin is most dehydrated from pollution, stress and, of course, the ever-changing climate. ClarinsMen Super Moisture Balm, £28
Shiseido Skin Empowering Cream, £89
HAIR CARE Now for your hair. Guys, we might have an on-trend hair cut, but what’s the point if we can’t maintain or style it? Use the right products and you can really transform your look. We recommend these Fudge Hair products as your perfect go-to hair styling tools, rain or shine. Fudge Hair Gum is ideal for the ultimate wet look that will really stick like gum. This extreme hold styling gel delivers firm control for shorter hairstyles and creates volume and support for longer hair types. Fudge Membrane Gas is our second hair product pick; it’s not just a hairspray, it’s the perfect alternative to a styling paste. The easiest product for you guys that don’t like spending a long time messing around – just spray and go! Fudge’s Membrane Gas keeps a strong hold but without the stickiness and stiffness. Fudge Hair Gum, £11.45 Fudge Membrane Gas, £12.45 Available from Close Male Grooming
THE SCENT OF SUMMER We all have that favourite cologne that we buy over and over again, so why change now? Firstly, there’s no harm in trying something a little different but secondly, and most importantly, as fragrances tend to smell a little different on other people, the same occurs according to the temperature. When the temperature goes up, your fragrance diffuses more quickly. This means that those scents that were a little too strong for you in the winter can settle into something more balanced in the heat. Also, it’s summer! This means lighter and fruitier scents. It’s a perfect time to add some daring complexity to your bottles of elixir with colognes that are the inverse of what you would look for in the winter. Fragrances with citrusy and flowery notes are the perfect investment scents this summer – generally, the more citrus, floral, and herb-y, the better for day. This Tom Ford Grey Vetiver eau de perfume (100ml, £75) encapsulates the essence of his menswear philosophy. This masculine fragrance works perfectly for summer with its orange flower, grapefruit and vetiver notes. Another great fragrance for a man of action is this CREED Aventus eau de perfume (30ml, £95). Notes of pineapple, blackcurrent, apple and bergamot make this a sensually masculine summer must-have.
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3
Life Changing Treatments by
Laser Hair Removal Ever thought of laser hair removal? It may sound quite daunting, but this innovative treatment will change your life! Imagine a time when you no longer have to endure the pain of waxing, shaving, threading or any other bizarre hair removal techniques – bliss! Laser hair removal is a true investment, a real long-term solution of hair removal. Have a little think, how many times do you wax a year? How much do you spend on waxing? And your hair always returns! Laser treatment on the other hand, lasts forever. The treatment can be used on most areas of your body from your face, underarms, chest, back and hands to your bikini area and legs, disabling the hair follicles without damaging the surrounding cells as well as tackling those painful ingrown hairs! And no, laser treatment doesn’t hurt. It’s safe, fast and effective. With prices starting from £45, depending on your chosen area, courses of 6 treatments as well as a free consultation, surely this is enough for you to bin your shavers and throw away your waxing strips? Prices start fron £45
Bye-Bye Acne Acne is an unfortunate and unpredictable case, starting when you least expect it and flaring up when you thought it had gone. Horrible to deal with and even worse to handle, acne can really crush anyone’s confidence, making you want to hide your face under a mountain of makeup - which you just know isn’t helping. Fad remedies and creams become your daily beauty regime and temporary solitude, until the next outbreak. But this blue light laser treatment, combining in-clinic N-light laser treatments and at-home use of Lustre Pure Light, will help maintain and rid your face of acne for life – fact! It’s time to break this on-going battle and get your glow and confidence back! Developed by dermatologists and tested by healthcare professionals specializing in skin conditions, this Blue Light laser treatment offers a new technology to treat spots. The treatment can cure areas such as your back, neck, chest and face. The effects are long lasting and prolonged by the specialist acne reducing product range. The in-clinic laser treatment starts from £125 The Lustre Pure Light is priced at £345
64 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
No More Wrinkles Botox, once a taboo, has now taken front row for men and women around the world to reduce those pesky wrinkles. This treatment entails just a few painless injections to relax the muscles, demolishing those unwanted wrinkles. It’s simple, safe and effectively improves frown lines, forehead wrinkles and ‘crows feet’. Treating these annoying areas can make a huge difference in your life, taking years off your face that no ‘anti-wrinkle’ cream can really do. With our lives getting busier and faster, it’s these areas that show the real signs of stress, age and skin damage. This Botox treatment really will change your life. Said to be pain-free by customers with remarkable and lasting results, it’s time to say “no more” to those wrinkles. Prices start from £195
Exclusive: Clear + Brilliant Rejuvenating Laser Treatment Aging skin is inevitable; it’s an unfortunate fact of life. We are all aware – although sometimes when it’s too late – that what we do in our 20’s and 30’s effects and impacts how our skin will age and look in our 40’s, 50’s and beyond. But, it’s never too late to reverse the affects of time – or at least help. This new approach of Clear + Believe can be added as one of many, or one of few, antiaging devices at any age to refresh your skin from the inside out. Sun exposure, environmental conditions, stress and the hard paced city lifestyle will, unavoidably, take its toll on our skin – no matter how much we try take precautions – leaving it more lack-lust than luscious. This new laser treatment of Clear + Brilliance will help you extend the younger look of your skin or even reverse early signs of aging. The treatment brings back that dewy glow you loved, the luminosity, smoothness and elasticity that your skin once had, and even prevents these from ever diminishing. So, if you love the skin you’re in, book a consultation with the Skin Health Spa team and get the anti-aging ball rolling.
Skin Health Spa holds exclusivity in the North-West for this treatment. Prices start from £295.
La Vida readers can book a free consultation and recieve 30% off treatments or collect a free £25 voucher to use on any treatments by visiting www.skinhealthspa.com/lavida or scan the QR barcode Like us on facebook
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@skinhealthspa /SkinHealthSpaUK Follow us on Twitter 7 St James’s Square, Manchester, M2 6DN 0161 833 4224 www.SkinHealthSpa.com
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IT’S SUMMER TIME! WHETHER YOU’RE
indulging IN BBQ’S OR
braving
THE
ENGLISH WEATHER,
summer
BRINGS
Roberto Cavalli
JETTING OFF,
BRONZEDCHEEKS Bring on the bronzer! A healthy glow is always in style for summer, but to avoid damaging your skin with those harmful UV rays, this is a look you should totally be faking. Bronzer with a dewy and glossy finish will give you a straightfrom-the-beach look, which, according to celebrity makeup artist Jemma Kidd, you can achieve simply by using the right brush: “Apply a shimmery powder with a natural-haired fluffy brush”. Sun-kissed skin was spotted behind the scenes at Dolce & Gabbana, whilst faces were sculpted using bronzer at Roberto Cavalli for some serious cheekbones.
LOUD LIPS,
bronzed
CHEEKS,
METALLIC LIDS,
hair
WRAPS
- LA VIDA SHOWS YOU HOW TO LOOK FABULOUS ... Written by Emily Mulenga 66 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
Etro
AND Roverto Cavalli
sun-kissed
Laura Mercier bronzing pressed powder, £26 (1) Youngblood Minerals bronzer in Radiance Sundace, £32 (2) available at Skin Health Spa Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate, £55 (3)
LA VIDA BEAUTY
These Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics are perfect for the Loud Lip look. Combining intense colours with the longevity of lipstick and the easy application of gloss, you can develop your bold lip instantly and fuss free.
Rochas
Giles
True Neon Red, (4) Super-Rich Fuschia, (5) Deep Red-Burgendy, (6) all £18
Vivid pops of colour come courtesy of both red and pink lipstick this season. Red lips were seen at Burberry Prorsum, where make-up artist Wendy Rowe gave models “siren red lips with soft definition”. Make your red lips modern by keeping the rest of your face low-key with almost-bare eyes. Choose a matte colour to counteract your undoubtedly shimmering summer face. Hot pink lipstick also makes for a bold and loud statement this season.
LOUD
LIPS
HOW TO ACHIEVE LOUD LIPS: Seen on the Giles catwalk and all over Hollywood, create this long-lasting and lip-popping look by following these steps: 1. Prime lips with a light-base lip primer 2. Apply hue of choice – use a lip brush for a more precise and defined look 3. Add gloss for a high shine finish (optional) 4. Blot lips
YSL Rouge Pur Couture lipstick, No.22, £25(7) MAC Prep+Prime Lip, £12 (8)
Milly
Missoni
Louise Young Lip Brush, £10 (9)
Versace Chanel
METALLIC LIDS
Make your eyes pop with metallic shades with Cara Delevigne working a dramatic, creamy silver lid at Chanel. To recreate this look, Jemma Kidd suggests applying a shimmery cream shadow, blending towards your socket line, and then blending a deeper shade towards the outer corners. Aim to create a winged-shape look, finishing the eye off with plenty of eyeliner. You can create a less in-your-face effect with powdered eyeshadow. And if silver isn’t your cup of tea, go for a golden shade as seen at Versace. Finish the look off with cream highlighter right to the cheekbones. Gorgeous! The big-eyed look is another huge trend for this season and combining the lush lash look along with the metallic lids, you’ll be sure for some big attention.
Guerlain, Loose Powder Eyeshadow, Bronze, £20.50 (5)
68 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
Chanel
Ellis Faas Eyeliner, Lancôme, Hypnôse Doll E501 Black, £21 (1) Eyes Palette, £38 (3) Eylure False Eyelashes Shu Uemura, Naturalites, No.140, £4.97 (2) Pressed Eyeshadow, Gold, £11 (4)
HAIR WRAPS
LA VIDA BEAUTY
Kaelen
A take on the forever classic French manicure, paint on a crescent shape at your nail bed in a mismatching colour to the rest. Try out lots of different colours to make some crazy clashing combinations. A twist on this already funky look was spotted on the Kaelen catwalk: a black half-moon painted onto a white nail in messy strokes. This relaxed approach to the look keeps it fresh and fun, and is also a great nail trend to try out if you weren’t blessed with a steady hand!
Tracy Richmond
Nicole Miller
HALF-MOON MANICURE
Dolce & Gabbana
Max Mara
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Summer time calls for a more low maintenance look, and this hair trend is just that. Perfect for adding a pop of colour to any outfit as well as a fun and fashionable way to adopt the up-do. The beautiful printed scarves used by Dolce & Gabbana for their S/S13 collection definitely turned heads, and this look is super easy to create: Grab a colourful scarf and simply place it on your head, tie it into a ribbon at the nape of your neck and turn it a little to the side to peek out from behind your ear. Alternatively, a turban inspired look can be embraced as seen on the catwalk of Marc Jacobs or a bandage take on the hair wrap trend with Max Mara.
Ciaté Oil Slick Paint Pot in Pearlescent, £9 (6) OPI Gel nail treatment full set, available at Skin Health Spa, £25 (7)
69 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
FACIAL SUN CREAM THE SKIN ON THE FACE IS MUCH THINNER, SENSITIVE AND MORE PRONE TO AGEING THAN ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE BODY. PROTECT IT FROM HARMFUL RAYS WITH A SPECIALIST HIGHFACTOR SUN CREAM. SIMPLE SUN SENSITIVE PROTECTING FACIAL LOTION SPF25, £10.99 PIZ BUIN ALLERGY FACE CREAM SPF50+, £11.99 CLARINS UV PLUS PROTECTIVE DAY SCREEN SPF40, £29.50
SUMMER
TONING MOISTURISERS FOR ANY LAST MINUTE TONING BEFORE BARING YOUR BEACH BODY, TRY THESE FIRMING LOTIONS ON STUBBORN, EXERCISE-ADVERSE AREAS. NIP+FAB TUMMY FIX DAILY AB TONER 100ML, £19.25 USCULPT BUM LEG AND TUM 200ML, £39.50 JERGENS SKIN FIRMING DAILY TONING MOISTURISER 200ML, £4.99
SIREN
WATERPROOF MASCARA NO ONE NEED GO COMPLETELY BARE FACED ON THE BEACH WITH THESE THREE WATERPROOF FORMULAS. MASTERPIECE MAX WATERPROOF MASCARA, £9.99 LANCÔME HYPNÔSE DRAMA WATERPROOF MASCARA, £22 BARRY M BOLD WATERPROOF MASCARA, £6.19.
BEACH HAIR WHETHER YOU’RE EMBRACING THE UNRULY NATURE OF BEACH HAIR, OR BATTLING AGAINST IT, MAKE SURE YOUR SUMMER LOCKS ARE WELL PROTECTED! FOR A SEXY, SUN-DRIED FINISH, USE BUMBLE AND BUMBLE SURF SPRAY, £20.50. SAVE YOUR TRESSES FROM FRYING WITH BOOTS SOLTAN HEAD & HAIR DRY-TOUCH TRANSPARENT SUNCARE SPRAY, £3.99
PHOTOGRAPHY: HANNA HILLIER // HAIR & MAKE-UP: SCARLETT BURTON // STYLISTS: SABINA EMRIT // MODEL: EMMA @ STORM MODELS
REPLENISH HEAT DAMAGED HAIR WITH JOHN FREIDA FRIZZEASE MIRACULOUS RECOVERY POT & STRENGTHENING CRÈME MASQUE, £5.89
England is proving to be one of the top beerloving countries, following Germany of course, and the Bierkeller has arrived to witness that. This entertainment centre promises to do just what it says in its description – entertain. From the incredible selection of German beers and delicious food, to the live entertainment, we think this will be a worthy addition to your evening blowout hotspots. With locations dotted around the UK, including Liverpool’s L1, Leeds and soon-to-open in Manchester’s Printworks complex, Bierkeller joins a venue that already hosts some of the biggest names in Manchester’s nightlife entertainment. Being the fourth of the Bierkeller chain does not make it any less exciting – the newest Liverpool and Manchester editions have been described by the owners as the “largest and most extravagant Bierkeller’s yet!”. This new drinking and dining venue is inspired by Bavarian traditions, offering an extensive selection of German beer; you can expect longterm excitement renovated by the desire to try the one you didn’t last time. In case you’re more of a foodie, there will also be something to get you excited from the Bavarian style menu. From traditional Bavarian food that will threaten your composure as you order it – can you say Bratwurstplatte Mit Pommes Underbrotchen? – to pretzel sandwiches and good old burgers, there’s something for everyone. Despite only three items long, the deserts menu is also worth a mention – we would never forgive the lack of Apple strudel, and Bierkeller didn’t disappoint.
To complement the drinking and dining experience, Bierkeller puts a lot more in place to give you the best Bavarian night ever. Live performances of an Ompah band will certainly make you want to sing along to the folk tunes. If you’re not an Ompah kind of fellow, keep calm as DJ’s come in after the live performances to liven up your evenings, giving you the classic and the currents. And last but certainly not least, all this is catered to you by traditional Bavarian servers. Another attraction of the Bierkeller is bound to perfect your geography skills. The Around the World Bar is ideal for those in an adventurous mood, giving you the chance to try beers from around the world. This is also the perfect excuse to convince those party guests reluctant to join the Bavarian madness, as they can spend the night ‘travelling’ using only their taste buds –which although slightly less fun than a magic carpet, it’s still pretty awesome. You don’t even need to leave the venue for a change of scenery! If you had enough of the Bavarians for the day, or find yourself in the mood for something else, you can just head to Shooters – the American sports bar. Numerous sources of entertainment await you from pool tables, live sports on 3D TVs, as well as a plethora of gaming machines. Beer adventurer, sports fan, enthusiast of all things Bavarian – which one will you be? With so much to choose from, the only solution is to go there and find out for yourself. Are you ready to be entertained?
Bierkeller Liverpool Basement Citrus House 40-46 Dale Street Liverpool L2 5SF 0151-255-0056 Bierkeller Manchester The Printworks 29 Withy Grove Manchester M4 2BS
www.thebierkeller.com 75 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
Kasbah A Little Piece of Morocco Morocco is an exotic land of endless beauty that harmonizes with exquisite architecture, presenting a feast for the eyes and a revelation for the spirit. It’s a land famous for its ancient cuisine that features a wide variety of mixed spices among subtle flavours and enticing aromas. In Morocco, food is an enjoyment; a coming together of family and friends to appreciate the moment with beautifully prepared dishes and warm companionship. The ‘open-door’ concept that the Moroccans adopt is what makes this culture so wonderfully unique – especially come dining. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join the feast, as the host welcomes all with open arms – and it’s no different when brought to England. Liverpool has now embraced many different cultures and tastes, offering new experiences and, most of all, new cuisines for people to learn and love. Kasbah has been a part of this cultural assortment since 2011, bringing Moroccan food to the heart of the town. Located on the up-and-coming bohemian area of Bold Street, surrounded by other independent retailers in the Ropewalks, this Moroccan restaurant emanates the inimitable culture through all aspects from the cuisine itself, to the restaurants matter of time and location.
Kasbah means entering into a world that brings together the East and the West in perfect harmony – the scent of spices and incense, captivating music, new flavours and warm welcomes of hospitality. This little piece of Morocco attracts and mixes locals, families, businessmen and travellers by providing not only a feast for the mouth but for all five senses.
This charming restaurant is superbly decorated with fabrics, lanterns and mirrors that you really feel you might have stepped out of a bazaar and into a small corner of Marrakech. With everything in the restaurant for sale, from the music to the furniture and décor to the food, Kasbah offers a true Moroccan experience that will embrace you with the energy and feel of Marrakech. This Moroccan restaurant-come-bazaar brings to Liverpool an authentic Arabian experience right from its imported Moroccan ingredients, its bohemian interior and rich smells to the restaurants culinary delights prepared in real Moroccan tradition. Incorporating the fusions of the modern Mediterranean palate, Kasbah serves their authentic and contemporary recipes as if you were a guest at their own family table back at home. With their attention to detail, a cultural shift takes place when you visit Kasbah, giving you a small insight into what Marrakech is like.
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So, you don’t have to go all the way to Morocco to enjoy this beautiful culture and wonderful food although if you did, the staff are happy to guide and direct you to the best destinations. For the time being though, come to Liverpool, as once you step into Kasbah, you step into Marrakech.
Recipe: Tagine de Fez Lamb tagine with caramelised prunes, roasted almonds, apricots and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Ingredients: 250g Lamb shoulder 1 diced onion Olive oil Pinch of coriander 1 tsp ginger (powder) 1 tsp saffron (powder) 1/2 tsp white pepper 1 tblsp of Ras el Hanout - available at Kasbah • Marinate all ingredients with the lamb over night • Sauté the onion and olive oil in the tagine • Cook the marinated lamb and sautéed onions in the tagine for 2-3 hours (Alternatively cook the lamb in a pan and serve in a tagine) • Continue to add water to the lamb as it starts to sizzle To caramalize: • Sauté butter with brown sugar in a pan on a medium flame • Add the prunes and aipricots and stir constantly To Finish: • Add a little water and let the tagine simmer on a low flame for 10 minutes To serve: • Add a sprinkle of almonds to the tagine when serving • Accompany the tagine de Fez with bread or Saffron rice
72 Bold Street Liverpool Merseyside L1 4HR 0151 707 7744 77 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
IN TROD U C I N G M AN C H E S T ER ’ S FIN EST DI N I N G
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rtisan is the newest addition to Spinnigfields, bringing yet another touch of creativity to an area bursting with unique dining venues. One more card in the Living Ventures’s deck, the company that delighted Manchester with Australasia and Alchemist, Artisan is much like its siblings in terms of uniqueness. Three components are behind its success: brilliant food, great atmosphere and a few extras that make it unique. But let’s start from the beginning. One of the most important ingredients in the recipe for a great restaurant is the food, and no one forgot that at the Artisan. They want to take you back to when the handcrafting of food was all there ever was. Relying on wood fire ovens, the food is prepared for everyone to see and be cooked on. Even though the restaurant is supposed to take you to the past, its sophistication is alive and well. Still, the menu seems to have been designed with everyone in mind – the adventurers and the fussy-eaters. There aren’t many places you can go to if you want to try something new and your date will only eat something that comes with chips on the side. Well, we found the place. From mackerel baked on pine and pork and duck cassoule to the good old margherita, there truly is something for everyone. Your only worry will be leaving room for pudding after the main course, because trust me, you will want to. Second ingredient: atmosphere. As if being located in Spinningfields, almost non-arguably the most sophisticated area of Manchester city centre, wasn’t good enough, the restaurant is housed in a building that dates from 1965, occupying the entire first floor. This means 12,000 sq feet worth of restaurant, in the heart of the city. The inside adds to the feeling the name evokes, with wood fire ovens, exposed brick walls and herb gardens that transport you to older times when people actually needed those ovens. If the food and atmosphere aren’t enough to get you going, Artisan includes art in the mix, making the result even more delicious. There are independent artworks for sale hanging on the walls, and an artist in residence. There is also a ‘Bitching Room’, a very cosy space with cushioned seats designed for intimate conversation that cannot take place in the main dining room – the name says it all. With the rustic feel running through all its elements, Artisan is the perfect place to go if you’re in the mood for something new. After all, how many restaurants do you know with wood fire ovens and ‘bitching-rooms’?
Written by Mariana Cerqueira
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TANO
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TANO PROPERTIES LTD 4th Floor Muskers Building, 1 Stanley Street, Liverpool, L1 6AA
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t’s distinctively hard to find an Italian restaurant that is as authentic as the genre given to it. Many come as Italian fusion restaurants, and others as the cheap and cheerful alternatives, compromising on the quality. But, with a society adorning Italian cuisine of stone baked pizzas, creative pasta dishes, succulent meats and fresh fish, it has been equally challenging to find one that not only stands out from the crowd, but oozes authenticity, with genuine flavours and smells, accompanied with warm and friendly service. Is the search for a true Italian restaurant today hopeless? A lost cause? Certainly not. The search is, irrevocably, over. Liverpool’s most admired restaurant, named one of the Top 10 Authentic Italian Restaurants by The Times, has caught our eye and unquestionably for the right reasons. Il Forno first opened in 2005, and since then has become a destination for those who wish to indulge in high quality, real Italian food. Boasting an array of authentic Italian recipes, Il Forno has formed the heart of life for those that pursue fine Italian cuisine in the Northwest. The modern and classic dishes offer something for everyone, all with a true taste of Italy throughout. Authentic recipes are made with ingredients sourced from the finest local and Artisan Italian producers such as their 28-day 8oz fillet of beef from an ancient breed of Welsh Blacks Cattle.
THE TASTE
OF ITALIA Antipasti cured meats and cheeses are imported direct from the producer in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy from the restaurants Prosciutto di Parma, which by law, proving its authenticity, has to be produced and cured in the hills surrounding Parma, to their Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (parmesan) that has been aged for 24 months. Their fine, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is exclusively sourced from Frantoio Biscione – a small artisan producer from the South of Italy. The simple rustic dishes that Il Forno has to offer assert outstanding flavours, textures and scents helped not only by the seasonal ingredients, but with, of course, Italian head chef Paolo Cillo, from Potenza in Southern Italy – creator of these true tasting Italian dishes. From recipes tasted, perfected and crafted over the years from Italian homes, Paolo also takes inspiration from his own family dinner table. Working from thirteen years of age at his family restaurant with his brother Donato, now the general manager of Il Forno, both offer a true Italian background to the restaurant from the cuisine to the service – there is nothing fictitious about the authenticity or quality of this Italian restaurant.
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Everything from the household recipes, the amazing cocktails and the extensive, carefully selected wine list, right down to the Italian born staff, the impressive service and electric ambiance diners adore, all intensify the exceptional food and great atmosphere Il Forno has to offer. Il Forno is unquestionably a true slice of Italy situated in the heart of East Village, Liverpool. Blending a relaxed atmosphere with delicious authentic cuisine and home to a skilled and passionate crew of Italian food evangelists, Il Forno is, without a doubt, the truest Italian in Town.
To make a reservation visit online at www.ilforno.co.uk or call 0843 509 6829
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aolo and Donato’s Italian Deli resides in the heart of Liverpool, Williamson Square, as the only authentic Italian Gelateria around. With over 20 flavours made daily, including old favourites Madagascan Vanilla, Belgian Chocolate and Organic Strawberry. These honest and, more importantly, freshly homemade gelatos are impeccable. P&Ds also offer special creations such as Cremino (hazelnut chocolate), Pistacchio di Bronte – where only the best Sicilian Organic Pistachio’s are used – and Amalfi Lemon Sorbet – made from sweet lemons only found from the Amalfi Coast – there is truly something for everyone when it comes to gelato.
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@PDItalianDeli Like us on facebook /PDDeli Follow us on Twitter 24 Richmond Street, Williamson Square. Liverpool, L1 1EF 0151 708 7117 www.pditaliandeli.com 84 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
With over 1,400 sweet varieties, Bold Street Sweets first opened its doors in August 2012 in the heart of Liverpool city centre. The shop is filled wall-to-wall with retro favourites, over 400 American classics, traditional jellys, plus all the new and latest selections - you won’t want to leave the shop as you take a trip down memory lane and spot your childhood favourites! Bold Street Sweets also offers its customers Bespoke Sweet Hampers as the ultimate gift for someone special as well as priding themselves in catering specifically to you; if they haven’t already got in-store what you are looking for, they will do their upmost to find it for you – going as far as sourcing lolly pops from Las Vegas for a customer! With an array of American candy, childhood sweets, classics and traditional jelly’s amongst many more, Bold Street not only offer you an incredible choice but impeccable service by either visiting in-store or ordering you sweet-tooth pleasures online.
QUOTE LAVIDAMAGAZINE FOR A 30% DISCOUNT IN STORE
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@BoldStreetSweet Like us on facebook /BoldStreetSweets Follow us on Twitter Bold Street Sweets, 6 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4DS www.BoldStreetSweets.co.uk
WE CAUGHT UP WITH MUSIC LEGEND
MARK RONSON INTERVIEWED BY JSKY & ANTHONY LOGAN
So you’ve got some connections with Jay Z is that correct? I mean if I text him right now, I don’t know if we’d get a text back, but when I used to DJ in hip-hop clubs in New York, I remember him coming up. I always used to do this one routine with this song Do It Again and I remember he liked it and he actually re-created the DJ routine that I did live at his show. So, like I said, when you get as old as I am you just eventually get to meet everyone, you’re all in the same kind of circle.
We all often wonder what it would be like to meet a music legend. Well, we were lucky enough to meet one of ours. He attained a Brit Award in 2008 as Best Male, a Grammy Award for Producer Of The Year and was awarded a Record Of The Year Grammy Award for the sensational album Back To Black – it is of course, the musical hero, Mark Ronson. His interpersonal skills of diverse and loosely connected genres are magnified by his technique of maximising sound quality with finesse. With an ability to make timeless records and increment niche sounds to the mainstream, meeting Mark Ronson was an inspiring moment for a number of reasons. In person, Mark Ronson is quietly confident. He is warm, engaging and leads the interview. Just by talking to him we are given an insight into what it would be like to work with the man responsible for producing such albums as Sean Paul - Dutty Rock, Adele - 19, Daniel Merriweather - Love & War, Christina Aguilera - Back To Basics and Bruno Mars - Unorthodox Jukebox. La Vida chat to Mark Ronson at the Parklife Weekender 2013, ahead of his DJ set with A-Trak. So, you’ve gone from running your own label, to now producing. How did that all happen! How did it all begin? Well I think being older has helped, I’ve been doing this for a long time now, so after a while you just end up doing a lot of things. I DJ’d to begin with, so that’s kind of where it all came from and playing in bands in New York, and then DJ-ing in pop clubs. Meeting talented acts and rappers like Wallen and Daniel Meriweather has helped me out a lot, and now I have the label and produce music, that’s now my day job!
I’ve been Dj-ing a lot by myself, doing festivals for so long that it’s fun to play with somebody else, you respect it. It just makes everything a bit more unexpected. But yeah, I’m excited. The fun thing about playing by myself is that I have a pretty set idea of what to expect, but playing with A-Trak is nice because it’s like you don’t get to just go into your own comfort zone, just playing the same things that you always play; keeping it on the edge, just keeping it a bit more improvisational.
“I mean, I’ve played thousands of gigs up to this point. I remember this one person in the crowd one time, just exploding and having the best time of his life. For me, that’s the best kind of memory from that night. “ You’ve travelled a lot around the world. Where’s been the best place you’ve played at so far? That’s quite a tricky question I know!
So far in your career you’ve worked with some amazing people. If you could work with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
It’s tough man! I mean, there’s been the small club nights in London or here - my first gig I ever played actually DJ-ing was here in 2003 in Manchester at Sankeys. It’s tricky going somewhere that you’ve never been before because you’re not sure if anyone knows who you are. I went to Korea last month and I played there and the kids there knew my music so that was pretty cool.
Dead, Biggie I think. And alive? Man I don’t know, I feel really lucky that I still get to work with young, up-andcoming rappers and singers that is what I get excited by. When I go stand on the side of the stage and watch an Action Bronson show, I get all excited like I’m a kid again when I first went to shows and loved it. So, I’m never really thinking about who’s the next big person, I think the person that’s really exciting could be anybody right now.
So what have you got coming up? Is there anything exciting in the pipeline? Honestly, not much at the moment. Just chilling and taking some time out. I mean my phone hasn’t been ringing lately, I don’t know if it’s just because I haven’t been paying my bill or something. I’ve actually just been working with Cee Lo Green in LA for a week, and then this week I’m working with Action Bronson who I really like. I’ve been working on the new Paul McCartney album and a little on my own album - that’s it really.
Follow Mark Ronson online @iamMarkRonson or visit his webpage www.markronson.co.uk
What made you decided to go back-toback with A-Trak? I think he’s an incredible DJ and he’s actually so good that I hate playing back-to-back with him. I don’t want to have to work so hard… it’s probably the worst idea I’ve ever come up with. 87 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
Rich Smith (Drums) Mathew Brougham (Guitar) Mic Kountis (Lead Guitar) Jay Davies (Vocals) Graeme Hearden (Keys)Ryan Lewis (Bass) Photography by Mike Brits
LA VIDA FEATURE
“ It’s nice to see that people are around us, watching and enjoying what we do”
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he Hummingbirds are a 6 piece modern skiffle/Folk outfit that hail from the shores of Liverpool, England. Heavily influenced by music from a simpler time, The Hummingbirds grew up on the streets of Merseyside, capturing that unmistakable Liverpool twang that has resulted in the band winning the Liverpool Music Award ‘One to Watch 2013’ in their first year as well as being tipped for The Mercury Music prize. With a unique Modern-Skiffle guitar sound, The Hummingbirds give a passing nod to their Merseybeat heritage, but mix it up with a Folk rhythm and Country style. Their songs reflect current social themes with Scouse wit, humour and a cutting edge. The band sits comfortably within the new retro music movement that is gathering momentum nationally and providing the music scene with a fresh sound. La Vida Magazine sat down with this up-and-coming Liverpudlian band to talk all things music. Big news, you guys have been nominated for Liverpool’s Band of the Year. Yeh, we’re really pleased about this to be honest. It’s nice to see that people are around us and watching and enjoying what we do. Hopefully they all just get around to voting for us now and allowing us to win. What’s the road been like? The road so far has been difficult. I mean, it looks great from the outside but people don’t realise how much work goes into actually making the band what it is. I wouldn’t swap what we’re doing for anything right now, but the effort levels have got to be at the top of their game. Almost no time to sleep. Just the belief in it all being worth our while in the next couple of years is what gets you out of bed and on your guitar every day. You’ve just released a new EP with a sold out launch show at The Kazmier, tell us about it? The launch show itself was incredible and maybe my favourite gig we’ve done to date! I mean, show after show we can feel the band getting tighter as a unit and the audience becoming tighter to ourselves. It’s like, when we perform we all become one and kind of get to know each other. That’s going to sound strange, but that’s how it feels and then when we see the audience sing our lyrics back to us – I still haven’t found a better buzz than that and I don’t think I will. The EP itself is our finest work so far. The tracks were handpicked from a wide selection of our records and we feel it’s doing the job you intend a record to do - showing what we are capable of as musicians. We are very pleased with how it’s turned out and hope everyone can enjoy it.
For the readers out there who haven’t had the chance to listen to you guys, how would you describe your music? We describe our music as a modern take on Merseybeat with an almost hidden country twang, which is produced by our lead guitarist Michael Kountis. We believe at the moment that the past is literally the way forward, with the likes of The Strypes & Jake Bugg appearing on the scene – we hope we become bang on track to following their footsteps into the public eye and showing people we are just as good, if not better than what is currently out there. What’s the script with the lead guitarist’s moustache? He grew it for Movember and now we cant get it off his face! To be honest, we’ve all grown with it now. The other week he shaved it all off by mistake and we all thought he looked like a little boy. It’s now back and ready to wax. Outside of Liverpool, who are you currently listening to? The Strypes, Jake Bugg, Johny Cash and Dylan. A lot of people are getting into the ‘Scouse’ music scene, who else would you recommend they listen to? The Tea Street Band, Outfit, The City Walls and then probably Springtime Anchorage. Six lads in a band, you are bound to have some stories. Stories have to stay within the band unfortunately, or we end up getting in trouble when we get home. Ha! No the road can be fun and it’s always packed with stories to tell. The most recent was jumping out of the van on a M1 stand still and passing out our EP to other motorway users – a motorbike did nearly kill us but it was a good laugh. You boys always have very clean and up-to-date media, what’s your secret? The secret is our South African companion, Mr Mike Brits. We bumped into Mike about two years ago and since then we haven’t been apart. He enables us to keep our mind on the musical side of things while he tidies up the back room, making sure our website and press shots are all current and on-trend. Credit to the lad, we’re a difficult band to shoot but he always gets something out of us even with Graeme looking like a statue on this current picture – ha! Where can people listen to your music? Itunes, Soundcloud, Spotify and from our website, or come and catch us live! Our next Liverpool show is August 2nd at ‘The Cavern Club’. All other show can be found on our website. Check out the boys’ website: www.wearethehummingbirds.com or follow them online @thehummingbirds Vote for them now: www.liverpoolmusicawards.com/voting/ All questions answered by Jay Davies - lead vocalist. 89 LA VIDA SUMMER 2013
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