Newport Vision Magazine February March 2019

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

PRICELESS

NEWPORT'S ONLY LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Interview

SEWING BEE JUDGE

PATRICK GRANT

Cleaning Sensations MRS HINCH & MARIE KONDO

Mum's the word MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS

to our vision WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY 2019 EDITION OF NEWPORT VISION. WELCOME TO OUR 2ND ISSUE OF 2019.

AS ALWAYS WE HAVE SOME GREAT FEATURES FOR YOU .On our front cover this month we have Award-winning fashion designer & Savile Row tailor Patrick Grant, who is a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee, which has returned to BBC TWO this month. We also have our great fashion piece from our favourite fashion designer and tailor Nathan Palmer. We look at continuing to keep our homes organised throughout the year with the increasingly popular 'Mrs Hinch' and world renowned organising consultant and author Marie Kondo. As well as a travel feature from Emma at Infinite Travel, a 'Mum's the Word' gift guide for the soon

Printed by The Print Co. 01633 480881

approaching Mothers day and even a little bit of Netflix's Sex Education, this month's issue promises to keep you entertained and up to date!

In addition to us supporting local charities we are now launching a monthly competition offering a free page of advertising to local businesses as we love supporting local, so if you work locally and would like your business to be in with a chance to feature in our magazine, get onto our Facebook page and tag your business.

Newport Vision: 01633 771 777 07743159576 e-mail: info@newportvision.co.uk www.newportvision.co.uk READERS Subscribe and get your free copy into your inbox each month

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Sending positivity, success and laughter your way.

Lela x

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CONTENTS PATRICK GRANT

06

Patrick Grant Sewing Bee Judge

12

Cleaning Sensations

14

Mums the word

16

MUMS THE WORD

14 SEX EDUCATION

Netflix's Sex Education

24

February Fashion

26

Travel Review

28

Carmarthen Bay

06 SPRING CLEAN

12

FEBRUARY FASHION

26

24

TRAVEL REVIEW

26 CARMARTHEN BAY

16

28

SAVILE ROW TAILOR & SEWING BEE SPY! Beginning to take pride of place at the forefront of the British and global menswear stage, prestigious Savile Row tailor and award-winning fashion designer Patrick Grant rejuvenated the fortunes of Norton & Sons and resurrected ready-to-wear label E. Tautz.

He talks to Angela Sara West about his booming businesses, styling runways at his favourite Fashion Week and resuming his role as a judge on BBC Two’s new buzzing series of ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’.

Always well suited and booted and with a passion for fashion since childhood, style icon and star of TV’s popular show ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’, Patrick Grant never fails to look incredibly stylish. “I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t obsessed with looking smart,” he tells me. “I remember being really proud of my uniform on my first day of school. In my teens, my walls were covered with pages from Vogue and Elle.

I used to spend whole days in second-hand and charity shops, trying to find pieces to recreate outfits from the men’s fashion pages.”

He started sewing at school. “I just did simple alterations, and properly learned to sew when I started at Norton & Sons.” With a meticulous eye for detail and 06 NEWPORT VISION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

fantastic fabric-handling skills, he’s also quite mean with a sewing machine. “But I’m a clothes designer, not a great maker. I have brilliant staff who do the sewing.”

No business like sew business

Edinburgh-born Patrick studied Materials Science and Engineering at University and then worked in manufacturing in the engineering and technology sector. After a brief stint in marketing, he studied for an MBA at the internationallyrenowned Saïd Business School at Oxford University. It was there that he found his calling, under ‘Businesses For Sale’ in an old copy of the Financial Times. An ad offering a venerable Savile Row tailoring house caught his eye and the rest, as they say, is tailor-made history...

With a background in engineering and technology, why go down the sewing route?

“I had never planned to move into fashion, but I had always loved handmade things, historic brands and men’s style. Purely by chance, I found out that Norton & Sons was for sale.

It sat perfectly at the intersection of all of these things.” In 2005,

he bought the failing family-owned business and transformed the struggling niche company into a phenomenally-successful brand.

By focusing on its heritage and increasing innovation, the once-ailing company now

efficaciously fuses the old with the new, retaining its traditional history, complemented by contemporary high-end offerings.

A successful Savile Row tailor

Established in 1821 by Walter Norton as tailors to “the Gentlemen of the City of London”, Norton & Sons was originally located on The Strand.

Continuing to thrive in the 20th century, it then incorporated the celebrated Savile Row houses, Hammond & Co, J. Hoare & Co, E. Tautz and Todhouse Reynard & Co. Radiating a rich history, the firm gained eminence as a sporting tailor, making

sharply-cut garments, from dinner suits to racing silks for Europe’s sporting and military elite.

Along with King Edward VII and other UK royals, the business boasts being proud tailors to the royal households of Europe and three US Presidents. A young Winston Churchill was a big fan of “breeches from Tautz”, while other illustrious clients over the years include Alfred Hitchcock, the explorer Wilfred Thesiger and Cary Grant. Before Patrick took over the reins as Creative Director, the company had attempted to diversify by selling guns and offering sporting tours alongside its high- quality garments. Patrick re-concentrated the business on tailoring and, within a few short years, tripled annual revenue.

On purchasing Norton & Sons, Patrick also gained the rights to the name Hammond & Co., bringing all the brands together.

His collaboration with Debenhams on his Hammond & Co. brand has become one of the most successful designer projects in the department store’s history, now selling in over 150 stores in six countries, after Patrick relaunched it as a diffusion menswear line exclusively with the store in 2012.

He relaunched the defunct Nortons subsidiary, Oxford Street-based E. Tautz (famous for its sports and military wear and for inventing the Knickerbocker’ breeches) in 2009 as a ready-to-wear brand and showcased it at Fashion Week 2010. The re-imagined label, which is more experimental than the Nortons line, transformed British men's style, for which Patrick was awarded ‘Menswear Designer of the Year’ at the 2010 British Fashion Awards.

With his unique flair and precise craftsmanship, combined with an inherent sense of commercial awareness and business nous, Patrick is now at the forefront of fashion. How does it feel to own a piece of prestigious Savile Row? “I feel very proud that I’ve managed to make modest successes of these brands, and have done so with integrity and honesty and in a way that, hopefully, is sustainable for the long term. They all have wonderful and unique histories and characters.” His ethos?

“I work very hard, I care very deeply about the product, how it’s made, what it’s made from and by whom.”

Accolades & runways

Other accolades include Retailer of the Year at the 2008 Scottish Fashion Awards and winner of the 2015 British Fashion Council/GQ Designer Menswear Fund. Patrick has also appeared

I had never planned to move into fashion, but I had always loved handmade things, historic brands and men’s style.

in ‘best dressed’ lists, including GQ’s 50 Best Dressed Men, being named in Esquire magazine’s Most Stylish Men in the World, and included in the Business of Fashion 500 index of the most influential people in global fashion. As a massive influencer, he has also appeared in both Who’s Who and Debrett’s People of Today.

In 2013, Patrick was made an Honorary Professor at Glasgow Caledonian University’s School of Business and Society, in 2016, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) while in 2017, he was awarded an honorary degree by Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design.

What does this avid follower of fashion love most about styling runway shows at London’s Fashion Week? “It’s a great part of the fashion process. I always have the outfits in my mind’s eye as we’re designing and developing the collections, but it’s really something when they all come together. I usually take about a week, starting with a rough first go, all the outfits on hangers, then I’ll leave it a day before coming back and putting them on our model and making a second cut at it. Then, I will usually have one last go, fine tuning every look, thinking about the order in which they come through. It’s fun!”

Inspirational travels

The charming tailor says he sources inspiration from “everywhere” at all times.

“Art, film, museums, books, nature, bus seats, tube floors…

I keep my eyes and my mind constantly open.” Having spent

LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 07

a lot of time living abroad and travelling, the celebrated tailor’s overseas’ travels also influence his work. “Time spent abroad is always inspiring. I like to walk through cities and ride the bus or the tube. I love local museums, big and small. I’ve been lucky to travel extensively in Europe, Africa and Asia and this is constantly creeping into my work, both subtly and overtly, from ancient Magyar costume to Japanese shibori dying.”

It’s… TV Sewtime The Bee is Back!

When he’s not presiding over his booming businesses or styling runway shows, Patrick is a regular TV and radio commentator on British fashion, clothing and textile industries.

He has also contributed to several major TV documentaries, including ‘Savile Row’, ‘Harris Tweed’ and ‘The Perfect Suit’.

And there’s a big buzz in the air of the needlework world again as the nation’s sewers, dressmakers and designers get thready for another spectacular small-screen sew down… Yes, it’s back – and the fifth series of BBC Two’s ever-popular ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ sees the king and queen of threads, Patrick and sewing expert/edgy designer Esme Young, resume their roles as judges.

With the British sewing boom showing no signs of slowing down, there’s a pattern emerging of people picking up a needle and thread and trying sewing for size, with even the fash pack and famous faces getting busy, with their scissors at the ready for some more 08 NEWPORT VISION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

serious sewspiration!

As the quest to find Britain's best home sewer begins, Patrick is bursting at the seams with excitement. “I’m super excited about the new series! “I love all of it. I love the contestants, their passion, their humour and their camaraderie. And Esme is a force of nature - she’s amazing!” he says. “I’ve loved working with Claudia Winkleman on past series and am now loving working with our wonderful new presenter, Joe Lycett, who brings a huge new energy to the sewing room. Ten of the best contestants we’ve ever seen, plus eight weeks of the trickiest challenges… I loved making this series.”

Judging the Sewing Bee

Tailormade for the task, Patrick has previously been nominated

for a National Television Award for his small-screen ‘Sewing Bee’ role as the nation’s much-loved, fastidious judge.

As the spectacular small-screen sew down begins, and this year’s amateur contestants come into the fold on the latest spirited ‘Sewing Bee’ series and reveal how they measure up, we can expect the recent renewed uptake in sewing to only r ocket more, with the show encouraging advanced makers to challenge themselves with the craft and convert non-sewers to pick up a needle and thread.

Patrick is 'sew' excited to show us who will be making the cut, and reveals sustainability is a huge theme on the show this year. “We’ve set lots of great

new challenges and have a great new week on the series, called ‘Reduce Reuse Recycle’, focusing on one of the huge issues facing the world of clothing right now, something that I personally feel hugely passionate about,” he reveals.

“We hope it will encourage viewers to think differently about their clothing, and discover ways in which we can all have a positive impact in this area. “If I can exert any influence at all, it is focused on trying to change the fashion industry for the better. The synthetic plastics, the waste, the landfill, the pollution and environmental damage, plus the huge human cost involved in the production, distribution consumption and disposal of cheap clothing is shocking and needs to end.”

‘The Great British Sewing Bee' returns to our TV screens on BBC Two this February: www.bbc.co.uk/sewingbee Norton & Sons: www.nortonandsons.co.uk E. Tautz: www.etautz.com Community Clothing: www.communityclothing.co.uk

Patrick is all about great garments, celebrating individual craftspeople and British home-grown manufacturing, encouraging people to start making clothes again so our home industry can rebuild itself. With a huge rise in the numbers now making their own garments, does he think people are taking much more interest in, and are better informed about, the clothes they wear and their quality? “Many are but, sadly, still far too many people treat shopping as a pastime and clothing as disposable. Our consumption is out of control and we need to change, but I think home sewers are very much leading the way in this.”

Are there any funny behind-the-seams stories that have happened to Patrick on ‘Sewing Bee’ that have had him in stitches? “Lots, but I can’t possibly tell you. You’ll have to come on the show!”

Launched his social enterprise Community Clothing

Patrick recently embarked on another exciting project to

encourage uptake and rekindle the craft, in his new role as co-Chairman of Future Textiles, which works to sustain skills and create jobs in the UK’s garment-making industry as part of the Prince’s Foundation. “It’s both a great honour and a great challenge, and something I’m already getting stuck into!”

Several years ago, Patrick purchased another ailing business, clothing manufacturer and sewing factory, Cookson & Clegg, and in 2016 launched his social enterprise, the Community Clothing project, in response to the extreme challenges facing the British clothing and textile manufacturing industry. The new project is earning Patrick much praise from across the political spectrum. How’s his initiative going? “Happily and fantastically! Our mission is to make sustainable and ethical clothing affordable, and to create and sustain great jobs in the UK textile and garmentmaking communities. Two years in and it’s really starting to work, but there’s still a lot to do...”

Cutting out the wholesaler and retailer, the brand acts as a manufacturers’ cooperative and produces simple, everyday items for men and women, such as blue chinos, V-neck jumpers,

Keep an eye out for Patrick’s book, Original Man. trench coats and jeans. “We’re already selling a lot of great clothing, creating a lot of work, and we know from the wonderful emails and comments we get that our customers appreciate what we’re doing. We have lots of beautiful womenswear in development for Community Clothing, which we hope will be ready for the spring.”

What’s in store for the fashion industry? “Sustainability, ethics and traceability are all big issues in the fashion world that have only really become hot topics in the last decade, and they’re only going to get hotter. Fashion is a three-trillion-dollar industry and the world’s second worst polluter. It has to change.”

The tailor, the suit & the wardrobe

Describing his own impeccable style as “simple”, Patrick has numerous style idols and favourite designers. “I love men whose character shines through their clothes, like David Hockney or Jarvis Cocker. I loved Lee Alexander McQueen.

He was the rarest talent and the loveliest man. There are so many great designers in

London right now… Christopher Kane, Roksanda, Erdem, Molly Goddard, Simone Rocha, Craig Green, Charles Jeffrey…”

And if you’re wondering what’s in his wardrobe, wonder no more… Patrick reveals his current staples fit with his simple style. “For me, right now, it’s grey trousers, navy jumpers, and oversized chinos and work shirts. I’ve never been out of love with the suit, but I’m very bored with the skinny look. ” His most treasured suit? “I have a dinner suit that was my father’s that I’ve always loved. It’s been with me for 30 years and was with my dad for about the same before me.”

So, no more tightly-tailored suits for Patrick it ‘seams’!

Top tips from a top tailor

With the trend for tailored looks and the return to improved standards of dressmaking looking set to continue, what are this Savile Row superstar tailor’s tips for readers looking to become high-end tailors?

“It’s hard… there are only a small handful of places to learn on Savile Row and places don’t come up in any structured way.

There are accredited bespoke tailoring courses which are a good starting point. The Savile Row Bespoke Association, of which most of the good houses are members, has details on the website. The UK has only a couple of tailoring factories, and I don’t know how many training places they offer.” © Angela Sara West 2019 www.angelasarawest.com

LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 09

THE NEWPORT MEDIEVAL SHIP

needs volunteers The Newport Ship is unique: the best preserved large 15th Century vessel yet found. Discovered in Newport in 2002, it is currently undergoing conservation and study at the Ship Centre in Queensway Meadows, Newport.

If you have an interest in history or archaeology and would like to be associated with an exciting hands-on project, there are activities for you, whatever your background.

• Run the Ship Centre and shop, show visitors around and act as guides.

If you can spare a few hours a month, give me a call on 07808778449 or send me an email at chair@newportship.org to learn more.

• Give talks to interested bodies, organise outside events, publicise the Ship and its history.

Bob Evans Chair of the Friends of the Newport Ship

• Create displays and demonstrations.

www.newportship.org

We need help to:

• Conserve and document the Ship and its artefacts, research its origins.

• Manage the friends website and social media.

www.newportship.org Registered Charity No: 1105449

WITH THE SENSATIONAL MRS HINCH AND WORLD RENOWNED MARIE KONDO TAKING OVER, WE THOUGHT IT ABOUT TIME WE LOOK AT THE TOP TIPS FROM THE QUEENS OF TIDYING AND CLEANING. 2018 saw the world being rocked by these domestic goddesses who magically transform dirty and unorganised spaces into clean, clutter free havens, all whilst being immaculately dressed and without breaking into a sweat.

If you haven’t at least heard of these two ladies, then let us introduce you.

Marie Kondo is a Japanese organising consultant and author. Kondo has written four books on organising, which have collectively sold millions of copies and has her own series on Netflix that lets you watch as she visits various American family homes full of clutter and guides them in tidying up their houses through her KonMari method. The KonMari method consists of gathering together all of one's belongings, one category at a time, and then keeping only those things that "spark joy". Good Luck with that if you are a shoe lover!

Sophie Hinchliffe, better known as Mrs Hinch, is a social media influencer. She is famous for changing the perspective of how daily chores are viewed.

12 NEWPORT VISION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

With more than 1.7 million followers on Instagram, Mrs Hinch is credited with changing the lives of her followers by providing them with useful tips and tricks to simplify their daily chores and make them more enjoyable. Sophie Hinchliffe’s popularity on social media grabbed the attention of the makers of ITV’s ‘This Morning,’ who signed her to appear in the show as a regular.Mrs Hinch’s Top Tips 8.

9.Making your fridge sparkle

The new internet sensati of tidying and cleaning

sations g

WE LOOK AT THE TOP TIPS FROM THE DYNAMIC DUO. Marie Kondo’s Top Tips

1

Mrs Hinch's Top Tips

1 Keep only what brings you joy

What to do with plugs Pour some soda crystals down each plug then use white vinegar spray then use neat disinfectant (Zoflora) while boiling the kettle.

Wash it all away with boiling water.

2 Tackle categories, not rooms

3 Don’t let nostalgia cloud your judgment

5 Cleaning your washing machine, Slide out the drawer and use a bathroom spray, before spraying limescale remover into the gap where the drawer was.

Pull back the rim and use bathroom spray before wiping down and using an electric toothbrush to remove any dirt.

2 How to get sinks sparkling Use disinfectant spray, add a little bit of water, then wipe down excess before using stainless steel cleaner (CIF) before using a cloth to finish it off.

4 Respect your belongings

5

6 Making sure mirrors are streak free Use white vinegar spray and use a fluffy microfibre cloth to wipe until all smears are gone.

Learn the art of folding

3

6

7 Getting rid of mattress stains Sprinkle bicarb on the affected area and rub in with latex gloves. Then you can vacuum it off after an hour.

Get rid of the paperwork

7 Ditch the fancy storage systems

4

8 Store everything standing upright

Keeping your hob stain free Use a cloth and cleaning paste, such as The Pink Stuff.

After a few minutes rinse with another wet cloth and repeat.

How to keep your bin clean Use pine disinfectant to spray before pouring a capful of disinfectant into the bottom.

Hose down before using a dishmatic cloth full of washing up liquid to wipe down the inside and outside. Then use the hose again and leave out to dry.

LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 13

Ted Baker Jamilo Wireless Desk Charger £60

Chanel Waist Bag £2,010

Karen Millen Eye Mask £36

Pandora Mother Heart Charm £55

Ted Baker Madddie Clutch £149

Givenchy Le Givenchy 'Rouge Perfecto' Caring Lip Balm Made-To-Measure Colour 2.2g £28

14 NEWPORT VISION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

Gucci Gold GG0105S round sunglasses £325

Ted Baker Rose Gold Bee Earrings £29

SHHH! MUMS THE WORD With Mothers Day fast approaching it's always a good idea to be prepared. We all know that it's the thought that counts, so don't leave it until last minute, what would your Mum really love? Whether you want to spend a little or a lot, these gifts will let Mum know you have been thinking about her.

Pandora Moments Bracelet £200

Versace 'Oud Oriental' Eau De Parfum 100ml £130

LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 15

Netflix's la filmed in S If you have watched Sex Education on Netflix you would be forgiven for assuming it was filmed in America due to it’s Americanised High School appearance but watch a little more closely and you may notice that many of the scenes are taken in locations that look very familiar.

The popular series which has become a hit world-wide, that saw its second series released just last month, was filmed in and around Newport in South Wales.

Otis played by actor Asa Butterfield who is embarrassed by his sex therapist mother, Joan, played by none other than The X Files star Gillian Anderson.

16 NEWPORT VISION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

One of the locations was the Caerleon Campus that was controversially closed down in 2016, following a merger with the University of Wales, Newport and the University of Glamorgan, creating the University of South Wales.

The Campus became the on-screen double for Moorland High which is attended by the series main character Otis and his fellow students.

Sex Education centres on teenager Otis played by actor Asa Butterfield who

s latest hit series n South Wales is embarrassed by his sex therapist mother, Joan, played by none other than The X Files star Gillian Anderson. The teen starts gains notoriety amongst his peers when he starts giving them advice to help their sex lives.

But Caerleon isn’t the only link to South Wales, other locations used in filming include Llandogo, Tintern, Penarth and the River Wye at Symonds Yat. The soundtrack features Welsh singer, Gwenno, whose track Tir Ha Mor, played in episode one, and brass band collective, Year of the Dog, whose members come from Cardiff and Monmouthshire, pop up as the school band in the show.

The production company, Eleven Films also offered paid work experience opportunities to local students over the course of last summer.

Welsh singer, Gwenno

You can watch Series 1 & 2 of Sex Education on Netflix now.

LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 17

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Think Pink Karen Millen Yellow Ribbed Top £75

Yellow and Navy is a timeless mix of colours that are favoured year after year and these key pieces from Karen Millen will make sure you are still looking classy whilst getting noticed.

Florals, Creams and Pinks are always a winner as the weather begins to change and these coats from Joules and Ted Baker have got you covered whatever the weather.

Karen Millen Colour Block Panelled Dress £99

Be ready for Spring Karen Millen Tailored Floral Jumpsuit £199

20 NEWPORT VISION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

Joules Waterproof Packaway Jacket £44.95

Polo Ralph Lauren Scarf Jumper £599

Polo Ralph Lauren S ailboat-Flag Cotton Jumper £249.00

Zara Ribbed Dress £25.99

Polo Ralph Lauren Fit and Flare Dress £149

BE BOLD and Splurge Every wardrobe should be blessed with some key investment pieces that can be worn year after year and that will never lose their impact, Ralph Lauren never lets us down.

Ted Baker Kikiie Coat £329

Polo Ralph Lauren Pleated Dress £349

LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 21

At Charles James, we set out to offer a bespoke building service that puts your ideas first.

Our aim is to keep things as simple as possible for you throughout your building project, without compromising on delivering first-class results for you and your home.

However big or small your project is, you can trust our experts to handle every aspect of the job with care, professionalism and attention to detail from start to finish.

Visit our NEW showroom Tel: 02920 484 144 13 Wellfield Road, Cardiff, CF24 3NZ charlesjamesdevelopments.co.uk

NATHAN PALMER

Looking for the bright side?

Don a little yellow. A little more to the point? Utility dressing never looked so good.

Fashion February!

A NEW SEASON DESERVES A CLOSET REFRESH-GO INTO SPRING WELLINFORMED WITH THE TOP LOOKS.

24 NEWPORT VISION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019

Want to try the snakeskin trend without going full print? This leather-and-snakeskin bomber offers a particularly approachable way into the trend.

From the couch to the office, this hoodie will be your go-to layering piece this spring.

Tie-dye is another exciting trend that came straight from NYFW. Gave new life to the retro-classic print, infusing it with new, undeniably edgy life. Now, tie-dye has found itself, well, everywhere 2019 tie - dye trend.

Statement sleeves may have hit their stride in 2018, but they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, statement sleeves promise to get bigger and bolder 2019.

WEAR IT LOUD AND PROUD, THE NEON TREND ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE.

These 2019 fashion trends generate new ideas, without ignoring their respective heritage. There are multiple examples of fashion that we draw inspiration from previous eras, my next fashion will be inspired by the 1600’s. The concept is the infusion of imagination and creative exploration through beautifully designed silhouettes. Additional elements include sustainability, luxurious quality, collaborative work, and more.

Just Cavalli bomber

Gone are the days of “feminine” silhouettes, 2019 is the year of the power-suit. Whether it is a tailored two-piece, or an over-sized design, the trouser-blazer combination is a safe bet to stay on trend this year.

Wear it loud and proud, the neon trend isn’t going anywhere. Saturated hues are guaranteed to be seen all over fashion month this year, with bold fuchsia, orange and green hues taking the lead. Luxury fashion houses like Chanel debuted bright accessories, whereas Kenzo went with a head-to-toe neon approach.

Print is making a return this year, saying goodbye to the days where leopard print was considered “tacky.” The pattern has been interpreted by labels like Tom Ford and Gucci, and it seems like designers have scrapped the idea of “less is more” and taken a more maximalist approach when it comes to the loud print.

Neon is not one for the faint-hearted, vibrant zesty hues are back with a bang this year after endless seasons of the fashion pack drooling over all things pastel.

One tip: Look for the gender-neutral leather shapes that are explored through new forms and fun colour ways. The experimental nature evokes a sense of progression, encouraging new perspectives of a traditional material.

Another fashion trend is the collaboration between White Mountaineering and adidas this duo focus on functionality through sportswear silhouettes.

The collection delivers durable qualities through its GORE-TEX materials and flexible structures, bridging the gap that lies between fashion and function.

LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 25

EIGHT REASONS NOT TO GO SKIING IN TUSCANY?!

TRAVEL REVIEW

1

There’s no snow

Well, technically that’s not true.

We had 40cm overnight one night and all the branches of the trees were beautifully covered like in a Christmas card… But who wants Christmas scene skiing conditions?!

2

It's crowded

The Italian resorts are predominantly used by Italians on weekends who drive up from nearby towns and cities.

As such it is blissfully quiet midweek and as you’d probably travel weekend to weekend the busier times wouldn’t affect you much anyway.

My private instructor took me through the forest to an unpisted black run at around 10am and there wasn’t a track in sight – pure heaven on virgin powder! Unless the crowds muwere in the bars (where

they serve Prosecco which is a refreshingly bubbly alternative to glühwein or vin chaud) or having a five-course lunch in a slopeside restaurant (we did both later in the day). I’ll admit that I felt I could be rolled down the mountain back to the cable car after lunch!

3

It's too far

Well, with transfer times from Florence of around an hour by car they’re significantly less than many of the French resorts. (There are also other airport options – Pisa, Modena and Bologna for example.) This shows that smaller resorts aren’t necessarily harder to get to.

Abetone extends along the crest of the Apennine Mountains and sits between Tuscany and Emilia Romana. What’s particularly unique about the location is that from the summit

of Mount Gomito you can the Tyrrhenian Sea and Corsica on sunny days!

4

There’s nothing for non-skiers

On the contrary, there are plenty of possibilities from snow-shoeing (you’ll definitely work up an appetite with this) or zooming up to the summit on a snowmobile, and there are plenty of other activities available. Further down the mountain there is also a local jam producer who, along with his daughter who speaks English, gives tours of his quaint production line. In the valley you can also test your nerve on one of the longest suspension bridges in Europe or browse the boutiques.

5

It's expensive

You may think of Italy and think of the expensive fashion labels of Milan, or the costly costas of Amalfi but here you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Real value for money is represented here with lift passes coming in much less than the bigger resorts and combined with friendly locals

O ?!

6

The food is awful

I’m sure you can guess this one wasn’t going to be true!

Hand-rolled pasta laden with mushrooms and venison… the typical Florentina steak “tagliata” topped with parmesan and rocket served with salty polenta fries… cakes made with berries from the local woods (with a healthy side of Chianti or Brunello wine)… they combine to make for a delightfully hearty treat after all the energy you’ll have expended on the slopes.

and great cuisine it makes an inspired choice for those new to skiing or looking to combine a few days on the mountain with discovering a new Italian city or getting lost amongst the cypress trees of the Tuscan hills. Half price child places can be found in many hotels, even during the school holidays making it the perfect place for young families to come and try skiing without breaking the bank.

The quality of the food is amazing and restaurants proudly boast about their produce.

I enthused about a chilli sauce to one owner and he promptly went away and came back with a bagful for me to take home as a gift – that’s what you call service!

Our Italian guide was given the embarrassing task of translating of a certain pasta dish we were to try… “orgasm pasta”. With the wine flowing you can imagine the giggles we had during that course… we all confirmed the name was very apt!

7

The accommodation is below par.

I discovered numerous characterful properties with lovely owners at very reasonable prices (as mentioned even offering half-price children’s places). One thing to note was that the star rating is most definitely not reflective of the quality of accommodation or cuisine. In Italy the hotel can even choose to reduce their star rating and many do so to help with taxes and government requirements necessary for 4-star and above properties. You very pleasantly surprised by the 3-star properties on offer in the region.

8

There’s no culture

Italy has the most Unesco sites in the world so you’ll never ben far from a cultural delight.

Secret Abetone is perfectly

positioned to allow you to be able to combine skiing with culture. You can be skiing one day, at a cookery school in a tiny hilltop village the next, and taking in the mighty Duomo of Florence on the third. The possibilities of twin or multicentre itineraries are endless…

From the beautiful Siena to Pisa’s Leaning Tower, an authentic spaghetti Bolognese in Bologna or vinegar tasting in Modena, the walled-city of Lucca to the hiking trails of the Cinque Terre… You may need to come back again to fit it all in!

So as you can see there is absolutely no reason to go skiing in Tuscany. Please stay home and leave it for me to return to instead!

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