Style Birmingham, issue 27

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ISSUE.27

MARCH/APRIL 2012

E R IN X IA T CL B IN ER U E S V S I VC K ID IE H E WE A

VI

ISSUE 27

£2.95 WHERE SOLD

25% off for all new clients Turn to page 16 to read all about our ÂŁ500,000 refurbishment

James Bushell Hair, 7 Calthorpe Road, Cropthorne Court, Birmingham B15 1QJ 0121 4547961 www.jamesbushell.co.uk Exciting opportunities available for established stylists

@jbushellhair www.facebook.com/jbushellhair

“I’d never put anything out there – whether it’s a pair of sunglasses, a bag, denim, ready-to-wear or the Victoria line – that I wouldn’t wear myself ”

ISSUE 27

C O N TE N TS

Victoria Beckham

STYLE FOR MEN 015

STYLE WITH

with Clements & Church

0 9 Victoria Beckham in her own words, the new S/S line Victoria, Victoria Beckham exclusive to Harvey Nichols

018

John Barrowman on life, work and his latest

project as an author

020

046

Style news all the latest trend and news for

048

In neutral spring shades of stone, grey, navy

spring

and classic white

Five minutes with … Lucy Kite talks

Birmingham, fashion and Robbie Williams

022

Suits you, Sir the tailor-made suit experience

051

Grooming news spring’s best new finds and a

cool weekend kit

Strictly behind the scenes backstage

052

Gadget geek everyone loves a gadget

054

London Fashion Week menswear report

gossip from the Strictly live tour

024

Style chart what’s hot this month

STYLE SOCIAL 042

Photoshoot Harvey Nichols S/S’12 collections

056

Social news all the news, events and an extra

special cocktail

STYLE FOR WOMEN 028

Fashion news all the latest trends for S/S’12

031

Label we love LK Bennett is the name on

0 5 8 Food and drink news some tasty treats for you to enjoy on a warm spring evening

061

everyone’s lips

Food reviews dining out this weekend? Check

out our reviews first …

032

Cruise collections the key spring trend 064

035

Rococo statement shoes for spring

036

London Fashion Week womenswear

Birmingham

report

STYLE FOR BEAUTY 038

Beauty news all you need in your make up

bag this spring

067

Spring fragrances fresh fragrances for the

Style search were you snapped out on the

town? Have a look!

0 70

Calum Best star-studded birthday party at

Nuvo Bar 072

040

Kate Lawler on life, work and living in

Clockwise from left: model wears H a rv ey N i c h o l s f r o m T h e M a i l b ox ; model wears P e r ry E l l i s ; m o d e l wears Philip Armstrong from H a rv ey N i c h o l s ; disco ring from Ac c e s s o r i z e ; model wears Vi c t o r i a , Vi c t o r i a Beckham from H a rv ey N i c h o l s ; model wears Norman Ambrose; model wears Peter Pilotto; model wears Rake; red wedges from LK Bennett in T h e M a i l b ox

Birmingham Clubbing Birmingham’s

nightlife in a clear and concise directory

floral season 041

hair

Spring hair Toni & Guy on taking care of your

0 74

What’s on our pick of the best gigs, shows and

events in and around Birmingham 0 78

Competition win VIP tickets to see Westlife’s

farewell tour!

issue 27

www.stylebirmingham.com

ISSUE 27

i n a s s o c i at i o n w i t h Retail Birmingham p u b l i s h e d b y Publishing Ink Ltd. m a nag i n g d i r e c t o r Andrew Riley sa l e s m a nag e r Vanessa Allan e d i t o r Sarah Drew Jones e d i t o r i a l a s s i s ta n t Jennifer Walker c o n t r i b u t o r Karolina Kivimaki d e s i g n Mark Sargent, Shaheen Shah, Damian Bennett

p u b l i s h i n g i n k l t d. fifth floor white house 111 new street birmingham b2 4eu e m a i l info@publishingink.co.uk t e l e p h o n e +44(0) 121 631 6101

www.publishingink.co.uk

All information is correct at the time of going to press. Please note that prices for items are subject to change so may vary from those mentioned contact individual stores for definitive pricing information. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, without prior permission. We make every effort to ensure that firms and organisations mentioned are reputable, however, we can give no guarantee that they will fulfil their obligations in all circumstances. Contributors’ opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or of Publishing Ink Limited. Any material submitted is done so at the owner’s risk, and the company can take no responsibility for the safe storage or return of such material.

© publishing ink 2012

F r o n t c ov e r i m ag e : H a rv e y N i c h o l s

taste.

GetSatisfying setyour foreveryspring at

The Mailbox.

Find all the latest Spring/Summer fashions, beauty tips and hair styles for a glamorous new look in our on-line publication. Discover more at www.mailboxlife.com/issue2

I N D U L G E N T

S H O P P I N G ,

D I N I N G

Join mailboxlife on

A N D

P A M P E R I N G

9

interview

ST Y

L

LUS E IVE

EXC

V I C TORIA ,

QUEEN OF FASHION M r s B e c k h a m ’ s c o m e t o B i r m i n g h a m , a s h e r fa b u l o u s Vi c t o r i a , V i c t o r i a B e c k h a m c o l l e c t i o n o f d r e s s e s l au n c h e s e x c l u s i v e l y i n H a r v e y N i c h o l s . H e r e , i n h e r ow n wo r d s , Vi c t o r i a l i f t s t h e l i d o n h e r l ov e o f fa s h i o n , t h e n e w S / S l i n e a n d f i t t i n g i t a l l i n w i t h fa m i l y l i f e

issue 27

INTERVIEW

Victoria runs the gamut at the red carpet

10

What was my thinking when I designed the Victoria, Victoria Beckham line? I wanted to create the other side of my wardrobe, I wanted something that is fun and girly, something that shows the other side of my personality. You know, I look at this collection and it makes me smile.

I wanted to create something different.

design for myself, stuff that I want to wear myself, I’d never put anything out there - whether it’s a pair of sunglasses, a bag, denim, ready-towear or the Victoria line - that I wouldn’t wear myself.

I love the conversational prints, I think they’re young and I think they’re fun and something different to what I do with my ready-to-wear collection. It was important for me to give my customer a designer collection at a slightly more affordable price point as well, a designer collection that is less expensive but still designed. We didn’t compromise with fabrics and with design detailing either, I was adamant that that was what I wanted to achieve.

My family inspire everything I do.

The collection I just showed at New York Fashion Week for autumn/winter 2012, had a sporty element and that came from my kids in their baseball outfits coming home and my thinking ‘that’s really cool’.

That inspired me. With my Victoria, Victoria Beckham collection, again just shown at New York Fashion Week, I had smocking details and my baby Harper inspired me.

with flats, something that my existing customer will wear and also something that I think a younger customer would wear as well. It’s fun to see the young girls in the studio running around wearing the dresses and putting them with a cool pair of flat shoes or some trainers.

I don’t really have any interest in men’s clothes. I know there‘s been lots of rumours about my doing childrenswear too and that’s not going to happen for a while either. I give 100 per cent when I work but my family will always be my priority, so at the moment I don’t plan on taking on anything else.

Victoria, Victoria Beckham collection

I want to empower women. I love women, and I want to make women feel good about themselves. I want to make people feel confident and happy but ultimately everything that I design I do

issue 27

I’m really inspired by everyday life. I wanted to create something really fun, but something that is still very chic. That was important to me: something you can wear with heels, something you can wear

of dresses is now available at Harvey Nichols Birmingham.

www.stylebirmingham.com

11

INTERVIEW

Cloud dress £800 Green £490 Red £480 Tie neck £440 Cat print £500 Opposite page Pink £500 Red, black and white £565

issue 27

12

Partying with style icon Alexa Chung

interview

par t y on

Foll owing her trophy for Designer B rand of the Year at the 2011 B ritish Fashion Award s, Victoria B eckham focused on expanding her fashion empire in the UK . Earlier this spring, she headed to Harvey Nichols L ondon

Fashionista Olivia Palermo was among the guests at Mrs Beckham’s launch

to launch her latest collection.

issue 27

Victoria, Victoria Beckham scallop neck dress, £595, Christian Louboutin patent Pigalle shoes, £375.

www.stylebirmingham.com

We’re having a

Satisfying your every taste.

ON 31 MARCH FROM 12-2PM

Join us to celebrate Spring with The Mailbox’s first ever Zumbathon. Take your free place in one of two 45-minute Zumba sessions here at The Mailbox.

We’re planning an exciting dance display too, as well as a range of exclusive Mailbox offers and discounts for everyone who takes part.

Find out more or register for your place at

www.mailboxlife.com/zumbathon

I N D U L G E N T

S H O P P I N G ,

D I N I N G

Join mailboxlife on

A N D

P A M P E R I N G

Easter treat - Children enjoy Easter Eggs and chocolate painting on Easter Sunday with Toast to the Roast.

You’ve loved our Toast to the Roast. You don’t want to go back to hot stoves and dishes. So in traditional style, we’re daring to keep Sundays local, just like you. Sample the finest local produce every Sunday with an extra treat for the kids on Easter Sunday. Join us in

TOAST

our Toast to the Roast. We dare you.

The Mailbox, One Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RD

QUOTE

0121 246 5000 brasserie.birmingham@malmaison.com

visit malmaison.com Toast to the Roast is valid on Sundays only from 1pm - 4pm. Not valid on Mother’s Day. Tables should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.

STYLE EXPERT

15

SUITS YOU, SIR A besp oke suit is a rite of passage, the ultimate style statement and an experience every man should have in his life. Style Birmingham’s Andrew Riley went to local tailor Clements and Church to be measured for

KEY TERMS TO REMEMBER Off the peg: suits are displayed around the store. Choose one you like and your tailor will make the necessary alterations to make it fit your body. Life: five+ years. Prices start at £699.

Made to measure: a made to measure suit is made to uniquely fit your body shape and size.

The measurements are fed into a computer, and out comes a suit.

Life: five to ten years. Prices start at £1,200.

Bespoke: a bespoke suit is handcrafted by tailors. Every single piece, from the first stitch on the shoulder to the last button on the cuff is sewn by hand. Life: a lifetime. Prices start at £1,800.

Stafford tie and pocket square set £109.90, Daventry black calf shoes £349.95

words by Jennifer Walker

a tailor-made suit When it comes to splashing out the pennies on a new suit, you want to be sure that you are getting the full service. Some high street stores offer alterations to their garments, but nothing comes close to a tailormade suit made to fit your body, and your body only.

Do you know the difference between bespoke and made to measure? Neither did I. A visit to Clements and Church sure changed that. Hidden away on Church Street, the side road across from Birmingham Cathedral, Clements and Church is perfectly located in the ‘suit district’ of the city. Under the trained eye of experienced tailor Matt Roden, I began my transformation from magazine man to gentle business man.

Firstly, Matt explained the differences in styles that were on offer to me, along with the choice of 14,000 different fabrics – that’s a lot to choose from.

From velvet to merino to mohair, you can choose from just about any material. The most expensive fabric that Clements and Church can provide for you is vicuña, the fine wool of the vicuña alpaca from the Andes. A suit made from vicuña would set you back around £35,000. Unfortunately, my budget wouldn’t stretch quite that far.

I had a good look at the fabrics, colours and designs on offer to me and decided on a blue stripe called Banbury (off the peg from £849.95). Fabric picked, it was time to get measured.

If you’re buying a suit off the peg, all alterations are included in the price.

The tailor is there to make a suit fit you, not to make you fit into a suit. At Clements and Church, you are made to feel welcome and not under any obligation to accept a mediocre fit. Different measurements

are taken depending on whether you are opting for off the peg, made to measure or bespoke. For a bespoke suit, measurements are taken from your waist, your chest, your back, the middle of your back to your shoulder to your elbow outstretched and bent, all ensuring the best fit possible. As it is 100 per cent handmade, several fittings will be required for a bespoke suit at different stages of the sewing process. For a made to measure suit, fewer measurements are taken, as the state of the art machinery understands the outline of your body from just the essential numbers.

Once you’ve been measured up, your tailor will take you through the details of what will happen next. For an off the peg suit you should have the call to collect your fully altered attire within a few days. Made to measure will take up to eight weeks, and a bespoke suit may take up to ten weeks from measurements to collection with two or three fittings in between.

A suit that has been made just for you becomes a part of you. It’s all very well to buy a manufactured suit from a high street rail, but if you want a suit to feel like a second skin, you must take the time to get fitted up by a professional.

If you’re worried about the process being difficult or awkward – the whole ‘will he do my inside leg’ debacle, don’t be. It’s a quick and painless process that will leave you owning a beautiful suit that speaks your language.

Clements and Church 22 Church Street Birmingham, B3 2NP T: 0121 233 9994 www.clementsandchurch.co.uk

issue 27

16

STYLE BEAUTY

JA M ES BU S HELL Ja m e s B u s h e l l H a i r r e c e n t ly h o s t e d a l au n c h pa r t y t o c e l e b r at e a £ 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 s a l o n r e f u r b i s h m e n t. S t y l e B i r m i n g h a m wa s t h e r e t o b r i n g you a l l t h e g o s s i p h o t o f f t h e p r e s s The inspirational team at James Bushell played host to an exciting “Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer” evening, raising a staggering amount for the cause.

An amazing fun-filled evening combining good food, wine and entertainment delighted members of the media, celebrities and public.

The guests were enthralled by the innovative creations of the team - Alexander Thomas coordinating the style team of David Harborow session worker, Sharon Malhi and Lee Roche, make up artist Chloe McCall and clothes stylist Krishan Parmar. This rounded off a sensational evening enabling everyone to admire the most prestigious salon in Birmingham.

The friendly welcoming staff of James Bushell Hair pride themselves on catering

for all varieties of client providing a truly highly professional, luxury service. This luxury extends to a brand new service that uses the Kerastase fusio dose treatment and the luxurious massage chairs at every basin, which cannot fail to make a difference.

The salon has now doubled in size offering 22 sections for a lavish salon experience.

Clients can choose from an extensive complimentary refreshments menu whilst relaxing in sumptuous surroundings.

Great location and free private parking for clients.

James Bushell Hair 7 Calthorpe Road, Birmingham, B15 1QJ T: 0121 454 7961, W: www.jamesbushell.co.uk

Clockwise from left: Jess Wall and two models; guests with James Bushell (far right); two models; Chloe McCall making up one of the models; Alexander Thomas and model; Becky Abrahams with Veronica Kumeta from Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer; James Bushell.

issue 27

www.stylebirmingham.com

ONE OF BIRMINGHAM’S PREMIER SALONS: A MUST - STOP VENUE FOR CRAFTSMANSHIP & HAIR CREATIVITY

From left: Aveda Volumising Tonic, Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair, Kerastase Fibre Architecte Ciment Cylanel, Kerastase Chroma Cristal

TO DONATE TO LADIES FIGHTING BREAST CANCER, OR TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.LADIESFIGHTING BREASTCANCER.ORG.UK

Credits: Hair: James Bushell Hair co-ordinated by Alexander Thomas . Make up: Chloe McCall. Styling: Krisham Parmer. Salon interior by Harris Byrne Interiors at www.harrisbyrneinteriors.co.uk

ities Exciting opportun lists, for established sty technicians and t salon assistants. Contac n io at for inform

issue 27

18

STYLE EXPERT

Left: John with his sister and co-writer Carole

B ANT E R W IT H

B A R R OW M AN Jo h n B a r r ow m a n i s t h e s m i l ey s i n g i n g m a n w h o o f t e n g r ac e s ou r s c r e e n s a s a s i n g e r , d a n c e r o r a c t o r . N o w, h e h a s ta k e n o n a n e w r o l e : au t h o r . Wi t h t h e h e l p o f c o -au t h o r a n d s i s t e r , C a r o l e B a r r ow m a n h e h a s w r i t t e n a b o o k . H o l l ow E a rt h i s t h e t h i r d o f t h e i r b o o k s t o g e t h e r , b u t t h e i r f i r s t f o r c h i l d r e n . J e n n i f e r Wa l k e r s p o k e t o J o h n t o g e t t h e l at e s t JW: Being born in Scotland and raised in America,

JW: Does Carole have any annoying habits?

where do you call ‘home’?

JB: She won’t let me pick my nose when we’re working.

JB: The UK is my home because it’s where my partner Scott and I live with our three dogs.

JW: Who are your inspirations in life and work?

JW: You’ve had a very varied career from stage to TV

JB: My parents have always been a great

to coaching and now writing. What has been your

inspiration to me, and there have been

favourite job?

lots of people over the years I’ve worked

JB: I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve done, even the things

with who have inspired me in big and

that didn’t go as I planned. I’m an entertainer, whether

little ways.

I’m doing that from a stage or from a television set, it doesn’t matter.

JW: Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

JW: What role do you dream of playing?

JB: Cole Porter, Ginger Rogers, Gene

JB: I don’t know … so many of my dreams have already

Kelly and Willy Wonka.

come true, and I’ve more yet to come.

JW: Hollow Earth is about twins Matt and JW: You’re known for your energy as an actor; did you

Emily Calder who can ‘animate’ their drawings,

find it difficult to concentrate on writing a novel?

bringing them to life. Are you and Carole

JB: It wasn’t really an issue. We plot together and

anything like the fictional siblings?

outline together then Carole goes off and writes. I then

JB: Maybe …

give my input at various stages in the process.

JW: If you had the powers of an Animare for JW: How have you found the experience of working

a day, what scene would you like to jump in

with your sister?

to and why?

JB: We work well together. So much so that after each

JB: Paul Delaroche’s The Death of Lady

project ends, we try to have another one ready in the

Jane Grey has always fascinated me. I

wings.

would jump in and save Lady Jane from the chopping block and then I’d help all

JW: Do you have different working styles?

the ladies in waiting recover from the

JB: Each project we’ve worked on together needs a

trauma.

difference process, so that always changes our working style a little, but we’re both disciplined and hard

JW: John, would you like to come round for

working and we like to have a good laugh … and we eat

tea and shortbread?

lots of sweeties while we work.

JB: Homemade? Then of course I’ll come.

JW: You’ve written two other books with Carole; how

Hollow Earth is out now, published by

does your process differ when writing for children?

Buster Books

Barrowman in one minute …

Favourite film: Singin’ in the Rain Book: S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders Song: Too many favourites to choose just one!

CD: Changes daily, depending on my mood Fictional character: Captain America or Elphaba Drink: Vodka tonic Holiday destination: Palm Springs, California Tech item: iPad Possession: A watch my parents gave me Item of clothing: Ralph Lauren hoodies Joke: Knock Knock! Who’s there? Doctor.

Doctor Who?

JB: We probably spent a lot more time creating our main characters, Matt, Em and Zach because we really wanted our readers to find them interesting and think about them as friends.

issue 27

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20

STYLE EXPERT

five minutes with…

LU CY KIT E T h e I T V w e at h e r g i r l a n d e n t e r ta i n m e n t c o r r e s p o n d e n t ta l k s B i r m i n g h a m , fa s h i o n a n d g e t t i n g t h at a l l - i m p o r ta n t i n t e r v i e w w i t h R o b b i e Wi l l i a m s I’ve lived in the Midlands all my life. My family and

It has really changed my life. It brings a bit of balance into

most of my friends live in the Midlands. I love being here

a very hectic life. Yoga’s like my baseline. It teaches me

and I love working here. Even when I went to university, I

to challenge and push myself but never take myself too

only went down the road to Nottingham! I’m really proud

seriously. It taught me that the health of my body is really

to be from the Midlands.

important. To really tune in to your body and look after your body is so important. I understand myself far better

Birmingham’s a very vibrant city with a lot going

now than I did before.

on. There are some great shops, lots of great bars and fantastic restaurants. The people are very friendly, too.

I think people have misconceptions about yoga. A

Now that we’ve got The Cube, we can come all the way

lot of people who come to my classes think that we just

up to the top and see the view of Birmingham. I’ve got

sit there and pray for an hour or that we try to become

to admit, when they first started building [The Cube], I

circus performers or contortionists. It’s neither of those

wasn’t quite sure that it would blend in with the rest of

things; it’s somewhere in between. I’m trying to make

the landscape, but now, I absolutely love it. I love coming

it accessible to everyone. My classes are very practical

up to the Champagne bar and Marco’s. It’s all about the

and are about how yoga can help you in everyday life.

views.

We teach you how to hold yourself and to lower your shoulders when you’re sat at a desk and that kind of

The shops in Birmingham are great. I love Harvey

thing. The aim of meditation is to get rid of everything

Nichols, the Bullring and Selfridges. One of the great

from your mind so that you’re not thinking about

things about Birmingham is that there are a lot of

anything.

independent shops, too. I do like to wear things, especially on TV, that are a little bit different. I absolutely love

I’ve had so many great moments working in

Victoria Beckham’s clothes and, to be honest, I do try to

television. Probably one of my best was in the mid-

copy her style in a way. I love the very simple style that

1990s. I’d been trying for about six months to get an

she has and I love the dresses that she designs. It is very

interview with Robbie Williams when he first left

difficult with work, as I can’t really be seen wearing the

Take That and went solo. He was playing at the NEC

same thing too often. I’ve probably got about 40 dresses

in Birmingham, but because we [ITV Central] were a

in my wardrobe of a similar style but in different colours.

regional TV channel, the record company wasn’t really

I have them made by a Birmingham designer called

paying attention to us, ignoring my emails and calls.

Roya. She’s actually a biology teacher and she just does

A friend of mine lived quite close to him and knew his

dressmaking on the side. She’s hoping to turn it into

address, so I decided to write to him. I wrote to him on

something more.

a Port Vale football like a true stalker! I heard nothing.

I was doing some filming backstage at his concert with

Like any woman, I love shopping. The one thing that I

his support band that I wasn’t really interested in, but I

can always pull out of my wardrobe is a jumpsuit from

just wanted to try to get as close to Robbie as possible. He

French Connection. It’s black, it’s really sleek and you

walked out of his dressing room and I said, ‘Hi, Robbie.

can dress it up or dress it down. That’s probably my best

I’m the person who sent you the football with the letter

investment. I’ve also got an amazing leather jacket that I

on.’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, that was a good idea. Do you want

bought from Zara in Dubai.

an interview?’ I said, ‘Yes, please!’ So we went round to one of the hangers where he played football before the

I first got into yoga twelve years ago because I was

concert and I interviewed him for ITV Central. I finally

really stressed out. I was finding it hard to get to sleep at

got my interview.

night, I had a stressful job and work was taking over my life. I loved my work, but I needed some time to myself to

Lucy teaches yoga at The Cube’s theclubandspa. Visit

switch off, so I started going to yoga classes. I never really

www.theclubandspabirmingham.co.uk for more information.

decided to become a teacher; I just went to the teachertraining course to learn more about it.

issue 27

www.stylebirmingham.com

22

STYLE EXPERT

... an emp ty stage, unaware the mayh of em to co me...

ly to be ... waiting patient ... is that ge sta e th to called om Robin? a sneaky yawn fr

... professiona ls with celebs Na Katya, Kristina, Aliona an d ncy, Chelsee and Anita show Natalie boys how it's done the

sten? Boys ... do they li will be boys

... that's it, Robbie!

Over here!

want a ... Chelsee and Robbie ere's he picture with Harry. Wh gone?

ng. Robbie: "I'll ... fed up of waiti lf!" se go fetch him my

... the perfect co uple, Harry and Aliona

... Harry pretending to show us his trophy

ST RICTLY BEH IND THE SCENES

... still wai ting for Har ry.

Getting an gry now .. .

... getting into position for a group shot. Robb ie, put Harry down ...

Strictly Come Dancing continues to fill our lives with celebs, sequins and sassiness. Earlier in the year, the 2011 Strictly stars toured the nation, starting with Birmingham. Jennifer Walker went along to get all the backstage gossip

issue 27

www.stylebirmingham.com

23

STYLE EXPERT

60 seconds with...

JASON DONOVAN How does the Strictly live show compare to the tour?

There’s not really much difference to it being in London or it being in a bigger venue, other than the competitive aspect of it. We provide entertainment. All I hope is that people enjoy it.

When you’re on tour as Jason Donovan, you always have the comfort of a guitar or a costume. How did you cope with being out on your own on the dance floor?

Well, I’m a performer. There are all aspects of that entertainment that I enjoy and dancing is just one more string to my bow. By taking on this show I went outside of my comfort zone. Sometimes in life you’ve got to go out of your comfort zone to expand as a person and as a human being.

60 seconds with...

ROBBIE SAVAGE How does dancing in front of millions compare to playing football in front of millions?

Dancing is much more nervewracking. The most petrifying thing is waiting for your name to be called. Petrifying.

Did you think the judges were fair on the show?

They were great. They were reasonably fair. The first show when Craig gave me a two was a bit harsh, but I know why they do it.

Did you enjoy all the fake tan and the costumes?

Loved it. Absolutely loved it all.

What did you think of all the criticism you received for your suggestive dance moves?

Ridiculous. I actually got the hip thrusting move from my little boy, Freddie who’s five.

He listens to Michael Jackson in the house and he often does a bit of hip thrusting. So, it was all inspired by a five-year-old.

It got 427 complaints off people on the show. Some people just need to get out more.

What did your children think of you being in Strictly?

They loved it. Unfortunately for them, children under a certain age aren’t allowed into the studio, but they managed to see me on the tour, which was great because I’ve missed them.

How were the rehearsals for the tour?

Well, I thought a tour would be much easier than the show.

I thought I’d just got to turn up, dance for an hour and then go home and put my feet up.

It was 10 hours of rehearsals a day, so it was still really tough.

Do you find it more nerve-wracking performing to a large crowd?

I’ve always found it much more nervewracking when people are close up. The Strictly tour is a big spectacular. People definitely get their money’s worth. It’s big enough for people to be able to see, but small enough for people to be entertained.

You’re known for your designer clothes. Do you have a favourite designer?

I like Dolce and Gabbana. In a recent survey I was voted the tenth coolest man in Britain, which was quite a nice survey.

I think I should have been higher up, though. * looks at me for confirmation *

Has the whole Strictly experience been as exhausting as it looks?

I think anything that you do in your life that you’re passionate about should have an element of hard work to it. But it’s enjoyable work as well. Dancing has been a great experience. The people who come to see the show are generally dancing fans, so that spurs you on even if you’re tired.

Yes, most definitely. So, what’s next?

I need a holiday!

60 seconds with...

HARRY JUDD So, congratulations on your new title.

throughout the show with Robbie Savage.

Thanks. It’s amazing.

Yeah, he’s none stop. He’s literally like a hyperactive fiveyear-old.

Not only did you win Strictly Come Dancing, you’ve also been crowned ‘hair of the year’.

Yeah! I should really start taking better care of my hair now that I’ve won ‘hair of the year’! I was quite surprised really, but I’m happy.

What other accolades would you like to add to your name?

I don’t know really. I think I’ve peaked. I would like a trophy to prove to the grandkids that I won ‘hair of the year’.

You had a friendly rivalry

Have you been surprised by the success of Strictly?

It’s great that there are still shows like this. It’s just great family entertainment.

It’s a positive show. It doesn’t dwell on weaknesses; it focuses on people’s strengths.

Having been in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, were you used to all the costumes and the sequins?

Relatively. I was in Priscilla for 18 months so I’m not shy to sequins, spray tans and high heels, but it’s always exciting to get all dressed up.

What did your children think of you being in Strictly?

They loved it. They particularly loved it when I was winning!

Did you get on well with Kristina?

Yeah, she’s a tough little Russian, but she always wanted the best for me and I tried to do the best for her. We work together as a team extremely well.

What’s next for you?

I’ve got a record coming out in March, which is a swing record with Polydor.

After that: family, friends and enjoying life.

How long did you have to rehearse for the live tour?

Only about two weeks. We did group dances as well as the dances in our couples. It’s not quite as stressful as the show, but the rehearsal schedule is just as strict.

You’re back on the road with McFly in March. Can we expect the odd botofogo in the middle of a drum solo?

Definitely not! Definitely not!

You never know, I might do something with Dougie. We’ll see.

... now, all sa y 'cheese'!

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STYLE EXPERT

TH E ST Y LE C HART I f i t ’ s h o t, i t ’ s h e r e : t h e m u s t - h av e s w e ’ r e o b s e s s i n g a b ou t r i g h t n ow

1.

Sometimes, it’s simply not enough to have the latest gadgetry: you have to wrap it in style as well. Stay one step ahead of the fash-pack – and keep your iPhone safe at the same time – with this lovely case, £475 by Christian Louboutin at Harvey Nichols

2.

3.

Shirt dresses are the shape du jour, and so forgiving to wear. This 70s-style version, £45 at Next, has already caused a stir amongst fashion editors

Hobbs is one of those quintessentially English labels, for whom it’s all about the tailoring. That’s why we were delighted to see that they can do amazing knitwear too. This witty NW3 cat motif sweater, £75, would look great with skinnies and a towering heel

4.

Looking for the perfect midweek treat? Head to Accessorize, where you can scoop this statement disco ring for £10. Sit back and wait for the compliments to come flooding in...

5.

6.

Chic enough for work, casual enough for a weekend away, this D&G bag, £785 at Daniel Footwear in The Mailbox, goes straight to the top of our Most Wanted for Spring list. Not cheap, but we know an investment bag when we see it

7.

Excited about the Diamond Jubilee? Nope, us neither, but we’ll never pass up the chance to unleash our inner princess. That’s why we’re hearts a-flutter for this clever crown charm from Thomas Sabo in Bullring,£48.95

Can Vivienne Westwood do no wrong? The queen of Brit fashion has a new super-feminine fragrance this spring, Cheeky Alice, a blend of fresh peony and lily of the valley, from £31.50 at The Perfume Shop

8.

10. issue 27

When Armani sent its models down the runway wearing Perspex wedges, the high street was sure to follow. For a fresh take on the look, wear your perfect Perspex on flat sandals, like these Primark beauties, £10 (in store beginning of April)

9.

Hoorah! Jonathan Saunders’ new Edition collection has landed at Debenhams, and it’s a slice of Fashion Week heaven. This mesh dress, £65, is a classic in the making

Clogs are enjoying a fashion moment for spring: wear now with silk ankle socks and with a great pedi come the summer. These retro ones are £80 by Bertie at House of Fraser

www.stylebirmingham.com

All products featured are subject to availability.

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME TENNIS SERVED WITH STYLE SABINE LISICKI, GER

EDGBASTON PRIORY CLUB, BIRMINGHAM 11-17 JUNE 2012 TO BOOK CALL: 0844 209 7359 OR VISIT: WWW.AEGONCLASSIC.CO.UK

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BOUX AVENUE B o u x Av e n u e , t h e h i g h s t r e e t l i n g e r i e r e ta i l e r , h a s c h o s e n p r o f e s s i o n a l d a n c e r a n d T V b e au t y

27

Clockwise, from below: Georgia coral bra and thong; Lyla bra and high waisted brief; Tori bra and brief; Georgia bra and brief cornflower; Camilla set

O l a J o r d a n t o f r o n t i t s S / S ’ 1 2 c o l l e c t i o n c a m pa i g n Boux Avenue is the venture of Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis, offering lingerie in a range of sizes from 30A to 40H, embodying the modern day woman.

Ola Jordan, the face of the new Boux Avenue campaign said: “I have never done anything like this before so am really excited to have such an amazing opportunity to work with a company like Boux Avenue. My costumes on Strictly can be revealing, but lingerie is a whole new avenue for me to explore. It’s really important to have a bra that provides the utmost support during training, and Boux Avenue bras fit so well that they feel like a second skin.”

Boux Avenue opens March 22, 2012 in Middle West, Bullring T: 0800 054 6550 customer services W: www.bouxavenue.com

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STYLE WOMEN

FAS HIO N NE WS step into the new season with our pick of the S/S ’12 top trends

new in

Bullring’s bursting at the seams with new season fashion right now. We love these two looks: Renoir pannier dress £440, and shoes £95, both Anglomania

by Vivienne Westwood, teamed with Ted Baker bangles, £9 each, and ring £8, all from Selfridges. Silk shirt, £125, Karen Millen £125, trousers, £30, and wedges, £50, both River Island, clutch bag, £80, French Connection £80 and bangle, £170, Swarovski, all in Bullring.

(Photographer: Nicky Emmerson. Hair and make-up: Liberty Shaw. Stylist: Ray Gaddu, Fashion Live).

ON THE ROCKS Birmingham jewellery brand LaLa Rocks has just become available at Harvey Nichols. With cool bracelets made of semi-precious stones including onyx, hematite, sparkle rock crystal, lapis, turquoise and rose quartz, prices start from £55.

LE

ST Y

S E V LO

editor’s

CHOICE Rings, £254 each, Thomas Sabo in Bullring Chic French navy is a huge trend for spring: we love this watch, £99,

by Guess from H Samuel and Debenhams.

Dress, £50, Topshop

ANIMAL MAGIC

Check out the new Wilbur & Gussie animal clasp bags, at House of Fraser: fitting in with the trend for all things wildlife, the cute clutches, £150, feature diamante clasps with turtles, bugs, elephants and crocodiles on them.

Alexander McQueen skull clutch, £930, Harvey Nichols

COLOUR EXPLOSION Loving the neon trend? Us too, that’s why we’ve put a pair of JBrand Neon jeans on our wishlist, just dropped at Selfridges in a range of hot hues. Not cheap at £225, but guaranteed to give you a great shape and keep their colour.

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www.stylebirmingham.com

STYLE WOMEN

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rate the range Following on from the huge success of Mary Portas’ first collection for Clarks last autumn, the new season styles are quirkier than ever and very fashionforward. Sandals are animal-print or zesty shades of coral and yellow, and bags combine classic shapes with ontrend colours.

Snake heels £100,

Mustard satchel £79.99.

UNDERCOVER AGENT Like a little lingerie for an Easter treat? Boux Avenue, the lingerie brand owned by Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis, is opening a store in Bullring in March. Fab designs, personal fittings, and a fantastic range of swimwear, too: we’ll see you there!

TWO TO TRY Flat sandals £79.99

SPIKE IT Chocolate bag £39.99

Make a style statement with extra attitude.

Spring sees studs and spikes take centre stage, as embellishment on tops, shoes, bags and jackets, but we heart this dress, £985, by Philip Armstrong at Harvey Nichols.

Christian Louboutin leopard print spike heel, £735, Harvey Nichols

Melissa wedges £85, Daniel Footwear in The Mailbox

MARNI MAGIC The stars came out in force to celebrate the Hollywood launch of H&M’s collaboration with legendary fashion label Marni. Drew Barrymore, Freida Pinto, Rashida Jones and The Help’s Jessica Chastain were all spotted at the event wearing pieces from the gloriously pattern-filled collection, which has just arrived in-store in Birmingham, starting from £29.99.

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Twenty stunning serviced apartments All the best bits of a trendy hotel but way more space and value for money. Plus the best views of Birmingham Rates start from ÂŁ109 per night

Book now and save 10% when you quote code MAR 12

t: 0121 285 1250 e: hello@stayingcool.com w: www.stayingcool.com

Rotunda Birmingham

31

STYLE WOMEN

You’ ll Benn find LK ett a Mail t The box

Red wedges £195

Nude heels £185

Striped wedges £165

L AB E L W E LOVE I t ’ s t h e B r i t i s h b r a n d w i t h t h e R o ya l s e a l o f a p p r o va l .

L K B e n n e t t ’s n ew s p r i n g c o l l e c t i o n i s i t s b e s t y e t So, this is why the Duchess of Cambridge loves the label so much: ladylike chic with a modern twist. LK Bennett, for so many years a mainstay of the high end of the high street, isn’t playing it safe with leather courts and sensible bags anymore: the new S/S ’12 collections are full of vibrant colour, tropical prints, floral

pattern and on-trend motifs straight from the runway.

All the main trends are here: nude, monochrome, clashing pattern, bold brights and tribal prints. We love the confident use of unusual textures: raffia, ribbons and cork on sandals, ropes, suede and plaited leather on bags.

Metallics are a huge trend for summer and they loom large in the LK Bennett collection: check out the retro gilt-heeled wedges, and python leather bags in a gold and silver finish. So glamorous, but just classic enough to become a wardrobe staple for many years to come. Just like the entire collection, in fact.

Peep-toe boot £245

Azure sandals £175

Tangerine bag £175 Monochrome bikini £85

Sunglasses £85

Bow bikini £80

Coral bag £275

Gold clutch £160

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style women

Necklace, £15, Diva at Miss Selfridge

Beaded playsuit, £110, Topshop

Michael Kors bronze clutch, £170, Daniel Footwear

Cat’s eye sunglasses, £9.50, M&S Maxi, £65, Wallis

Diane Von Furstenberg dress, £240, Harvey Nichols

CRUISEWEAR

C HIC

Inspired by the couture cruise collections, fa s h i o n ’ s c h a n n e l l i n g t h e j e t - s e t t h i s s p r i n g w i t h pa l m - t r e e p r i n t s , c i t r u s h u e s a n d p l e n t y o f g o l d

San Jose dress, £89, Monsoon

Lollie Dunbar limited edition halterneck dress, £70, Wallis

Glitter wedge, £16, Primark

Sandals, £14.99, New Look

Alexander Wang bag, £685, Harvey Nichols

issue 27

www.stylebirmingham.com

h the t i w e p a h s ction. o t u n s i o k p i c l a o b t get ative n r e t l a y r a revolution

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Biothecare Estetika Birmingham

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• 1A Orion Building, John Bright Street, Birmingham, B1 1BE •

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Chanel, ladies J12 automatic chronograph, £3695

Dealers of pre-owned precision wristwear Cartier, gents santos bi-metal quartz, £2550

Chanel, ladies white J12, £4350

Situated at the Snow Hill end of Great Western Arcade, Time Square has a wide selection of quality pre-owned watches and jewellery.

Offering a wide variety of timepieces to suit all tastes with an accredited watchmaker on site providing watch repairs, replacement battery and valet service of quality Swiss watches to transform your damaged timepiece into a shiny piece of arm candy.

8 Great Western Arcade 0121 233 2888 Ro l e x • Omega • Cartier • Chanel • Breitling • Jaeger LeCoultre • IWC • Panerai • Tag Heuer

We are a unique, organic salon, based in central Birmingham, located near New St station and The Mailbox.

We believe our more natural, vegan and paraben free products and colours are a safer alternative and a perfect combination. They are best for your hair and the environment while also superbly innovative and right up to date with the latest colour trends from the catwalk.

Along with expert haircare, we now offer the following services: facials, massage, eyelash extensions, organic waxing, vegan manicures, pedi, organic spray tan and gel nail extensions.

We are proudly the only salon to stock Kevin Murphy products and work closely with the creative team to produce on-trend styles from Kevin Murphy’s collection.

115 John Bright St, Birmingham B1 1AE www.purohair.co.uk You will be warmly welcomed by our 0121 6161168 expert staff and relax in our 5 star Good like us on facebook, Salon guide salon. follow us on twitter

INNOVATIVE HAIRDRESSING

KEEPING YOUR HAIR, WELLBEING AND THE ENVIRONMENT BEAUTIFUL

style women

35

Monochrome, £529, Emporio Armani Green Perspex heels, £54.99, River Island

Leopardprint, £85, Dune

Polka dot, £68, Faith at Debenhams

Red satin, £40, Star

by Julien Macdonald for Debenhams Michael Kors wedges, £150, Daniel Footwear in The Mailbox

E TH RK ITH O W T W ND IGH TRE NS, BR TS BO RIN RIB ES, P TURE HU TEX D AN

Beaded platforms, £85, Office

GO R O CO CO S p r i n g ’ s s tat e m e n t s h o e s a r e d e c o r at i v e , o r n at e , w h i m s i c a l a n d f u n t o w e a r

Gold shoe, £90, Dune Ankle-tie, £75, Office in Bullring Fuchsia platforms, £85, Miss Kg at Debenhams

Ribbon-tie, £245, LK Bennett

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STYLE WOMEN

NT TALE NEW W F AT L ASIAN EXPRESS PETER PILOTTO 3D digital print master goes Far East with a colourful medley of prints and fur

3D PRINTS - MARY KATRANTZOU The Greek goddess of print is inspired by objects like typewriters, spoons and hangers. Might sound strange but it works magic on fabric

photo: Olu Ogunshakin

WINTER FLORALS - JONATHAN SAUNDERS Let it bloom next winter with pretty floral dresses

photo: Olu Ogunshakin

LADYLIKE - MARIOS SCHWAB Femme fatale becomes a demure lady with sleek cut-out dresses

LO N DON FASHION WEEK A/W ‘12 L o n d o n Fa s h i o n We e k i s r e n o w n e d f o r u n l e a s h i n g

issue 27

s c e n e . T h e A / W ‘ 1 2 L F W s h ow e d t h e p r o m i s e o f i m m a c u l at e ta i l o r i n g , b r e at h - ta k i n g p r i n t s a n d plenty of colour Wo r d s b y K a r o l i n a K i v i m a k i

CHECK IT CLEMENTS RIBEIRO The designer duo adds a pinch of punk to the check trend with pointed stilettos and perforated waist belts

photo: Olu Ogunshakin

e x c i t i n g n e w l a b e l s a n d ta l e n t s o n t o t h e fa s h i o n

photo: Olu Ogunshakin

HERITAGE TWEED BURBERRY It’s back to tweedy roots for Burberry with this cute version of herringbone

www.stylebirmingham.com

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STYLE WOMEN

TR FOR ENDS AU T WIN UMN/ TER 2012

ALICE PALMER This London designer has made knitwear sexy with metallic knit bodycon dresses

J.JS LEE

SIMONE ROCHA (left and right) A bit of tomboy plus a bit of lady equals wearable tailoring by the NEWGEN designer

EUDON CHOI Last year’s Vauxhall Fashion Scout Merit Award winner goes arctic with white shell suits and fur mittens

J.W. ANDERSON The Irish designer’s innovative made in Britain collection features fine padded vests and long skater skirts

A lway s s e a r c h i n g f o r t h e n e x t M c Q u e e n o r M c C a r t n e y, t h e B r i t i s h Fa s h i o n C o u n c i l’ s N E WG E N s c h e m e ( s p o n s o r e d by To p s h o p a n d Vau x h a l l Fa s h i o n S c o u t ) c h a m p i o n s e m e r g i n g d e s i g n ta l e n t. T h i s photo: Olu Ogunshakin

year, the A/W collections were all about w e a r a b l e fa s h i o n a n d c l a s s i c pa l e t t e s J.JS LEE Jackie’s bared down masculine/feminine edge works wonders in sleek suiting

Stockists: Alice Palmer, www.youngbritishdesigners.com Burberry, Selfridges, 0121 600 6804 Clements Ribeiro, www.Net-A-Porter.com Eudon Choi, www.youngbritishdesigners.com Jonathan Saunders, Harvey Nichols, 0121 616 6000 J. JS Lee, Dover Street Market, 020 7518 0680 J.W. Anderson, www.youngbritishdesigners.com Marios Schwab, Harvey Nichols, 0121 616 6000 Mary Katrantzou, Selfridges, 0121 600 6804 Peter Pilotto, Selfridges, 0121 600 6804 Simone Rocha, Dover Street Market, 020 7518 0680

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STYLE BEAUTY

BEAU T Y NEWS T h e l at e s t i n s k i n c a r e s c i e n c e , a n d all the new season colours

great gift

NATURAL WOMAN

38

MAC’s cleverly tapped into the natural vibe that’s ruling the beauty world right now. The new Naturally line, priced from £12.50, is full of sheer makeup with a high-mineral finish to make skin look youthfully radiant.

Love for Mum gift set, £25, Harvey Nichols.

FUTURE’S BRIGHT

BLOOMING SPRING Bursting with soft, pretty colour, the spring makeup from Aveda is its loveliest yet. The limited edition Sea Blossoms collection is full of peachy coral, oyster pink, soft violet, muted blue and stony grey. Try the Two Petal Essence Eye Color Trios £21, Nourish-mint Smoothing Lip Colors, £12, and Rehydrating Lip Glaze £15.50.

This has been on every beauty editor’s wish-list for months.

Crème de la Mer’s new Blanc de la Mer The Brightening Collection was originally developed for delicate Asian faces, vulnerable to age spots and uneven tone, but it works on any skin.

Packed with potent natural ingredients, The Brightening Lotion Intense £65, Infusion Intense £85 and Brightening Essence Intense £220, polish away discolouration and dull patches. At Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and House of Fraser now.

top treat DIARY DATE Shape up for summer with FREE Zumba classes at The Mailbox every Tuesday and Friday lunchtime, starting at 12.45pm and 1.15pm. On March 30, there’s a massive Zumbathon at the front of The Mailbox, as part of the Get Set for Spring campaign: lots of Mailbox restaurants have special healthy eating dishes for you to try, too. Click on www.mailboxlife.com/getsetforspring for details.

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If you buy only one beauty product this month (and we know you wouldn’t be that silly), make it Sisley’s new Self Tanning Hydrating Facial Skincare. It’s a daily moisturiser that builds a glowing tan: nothing new there, maybe, but this is the Porsche in a world of Skodas. Not a bargain at £78, but you won’t believe the amount of compliments you get on your new healthy look.

www.stylebirmingham.com

STYLE BEAUTY

39

TRIED & TESTED

Clarins skin spa in House of Fraser has two new melting honey hot stone massage treatments, each uniquely designed to suit your body. Choose to either relax or rebalance and your therapist will tailor your massage specifically to your needs.

Your therapist uses the nine smooth, individually shaped, heatreleasing marble and slate stones to release tension, soothe aching muscles, eliminate toxins and calm body and mind. The smoothness of the stones means that you can lie back and enjoy the experience without being conscious of the stone. The whole experience of a Clarins spa treatment will leave you feeling completely relaxed and regenerated. Price for the one-hour hot stone treatment is £60. The Clarins skin spa is located on the ground floor. Call to book: 0121 212 2336.

DER REAFER OF

The first 20 readers to book a Clarins Melting Honey Hot Stone Massage at the Clarins Skin Spa in House of Fraser Birmingham will receive an exclusive gift after their treatment containing Clarins Vital Light Night Revitalizing Anti-Ageing Cream and Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch presented in a beautiful cosmetic bag. One prize per customer.

Terms and conditions apply.

blue mood

We’re obsessed with the new spring makeup from Estée Lauder. Pure Color Topaz was inspired by the Arizona desert and shimmers with good health: shades of bronze mix with sheer gold, sand and teal. Sexy? We think so. Check out the Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayons, £17, for easy colour.

SKIN SAVIOURS Prep skin for spring with the latest generation of glowgivers Warm a few drops of new REN Bio Retinoid Anti-Ageing Concentrate, £42 (Space NK), in your palm and pat on before your night cream for soft skin.

MUST BUY Guerlain’s new Noir G, £35, is no run-of-the-mill mascara. Not only has it got the creamiest, silkiest colour we’ve tried for ages, it also comes with a handy mirror attached. Genius!

Gwyneth Paltrow’s a fan of Eau Thermale Avène Soothing Hydrating Serum, £17 (Boots), which soothes and heals sensitive skin.

Trilogy Age Proof Coq10 Booster Serum, £29.50 (Boots) fights the signs of ageing and dull, distressed skin.

Dr Organic’s Organic Rose Otto Facial Serum, £11.99 (Holland & Barrett) uses powerful natural antioxidant oils to lock in moisture. Madonna’s a fan!

Use Champneys Skin Comforting Miracle Balm, £5 (Boots) on dry lips, face, elbows, knees or feet, or as an overnight mask.

If winter’s left your skin red and blotchy, comfort it with Clinique Redness Solutions Urgent Relief Cream, £25.

In trials, a whopping 97 per cent of women said they were satisfied with the wrinkle-smoothing effects of new Guerlain Super Aqua Serum £65.50, (from April 2).

Dry, itchy scalp? Phyto’s lovely night-time hair serum, Secret De Nuit, £27.50 (Selfridges), calms and nourishes, leaving hair softer by morning.

NEON IN

Queen of neutrals Bobbi Brown’s switched things up with her new spring Neons & Nudes collection.

We heart the luscious lipcolours, £18, and glosses, £17, in punchy shades of tangerine and fuchsia.

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style beauty

Jimmy Choo, from £33.50, The Perfume Shop

Burberry Body, £55, Harvey Nichols

Clinique Limited Edition Happy in Bloom, £25

Dress £140, Monsoon

Coach Legacy, £60, House of Fraser

Estee Lauder Pleasures Bloom, £50, Boots

SPRING RO S E DKNY Sweet Delicious Pink Macaroon, £36, Debenhams

N e w s e a s o n s c e n t s a r e a fa n ta s t i c a l l y f e m i n i n e b u r s t o f r o s e a n d va n i l l a , i n s h a d e s o f b l u s h p i n k a n d C h a m pa g n e

Sa Majeste la Rose by Serge Lutens, £65.50, House of Fraser

The Floral Collection Rose Eau de Toilette, £12, M&S

Fan di Fendi, from £35, The Perfume Shop

Tom Ford Santal Blush, £125, Harvey Nichols

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www.stylebirmingham.com

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STYLE BEAUTY

D I P - DYE C O LOUR

Colour is inventive and hippy-inspired this season. Think hand painted tie-dye panels and dip-dyes in bespoke colour infusions to enhance your style. Blondes work well with shades of pale pink and – for the super-confident – Slush Puppy blue, a la Katy Perry.

The colour is sliced through long layers and washed-out, so that it stays subtle and feminine. Brunettes go warmer, with tonal reds, plums, damsons and gold.

SHARP SHAPES

Two very different styles dominate the new spring season. With an air of bohemian rock chick, organic, stripped back and effortlessly cool bob is back. Short, sharp bobs were seen at the Oscars in February, on Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, Anna Faris and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’s Rooney Mara. Stylists are using free-hand cutting techniques to tailor shape to the natural fall of the hair, with soft and blended edges for a youthful and feminine feel. Keep hair in tip-top condition so that it shines like glass, and keep fringes straight cut and bold.

Spring’s alternative cut? Long, layered, free-flowing waves. It’s all about chunky layering, to encourage natural movement in the hair for a lived-in look and a ‘just woken-up’ texture. Length stays at mid-level, but the focus is on volume and curl.

CATWALK

C U TS Spring hair is all about bold cuts and sexy slices of colour.

T o n i & G u y E s s e n s ua l s r e p o r t f r o m t h e r u n way

C H I G N ON C H IC Buns were all over the spring/summer runways, at shows including Stella McCartney and Jil Sander.

Slick hair back into a tight knot at the nape of your neck, securing any straggling strands with firm hold hairspray, or keep things loose, Sixties-inspired and mussed-up with a folded-over pony high on the crown.

• Find Toni & Guy Essensuals in The Mailbox.

PONYTAIL PRETTY You’re never too old for a ponytail and it’s a hot catwalk trend for S/S ’12, moving into autumn and winter too. Just make sure you use a gentle band and your pony looks sleek and bouncy: add texture with label.m Dry Shampoo, £10.50 and label.m Resurrection Style Dust £10, www.labelm.com

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STYLE FASHION

S UG A R RU S H C a n d y c o l o u r s a r e s p r i n g ’ s b i g g e s t fa s h i o n s t o r y, m i x e d w i t h i c e - c o l d w h i t e a n d c l a s s i c b l ac k f o r m a x i m u m i m pa c t

ALL FASHION COURTESY OF HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM. Photographer: Dave Remes. Location: MPW Champagne Bar, The Cube. Hair: Adee Phelan Salon, The Cube.

Make-up: MAC at Harvey Nichols. Styling: Amy Cox for Harvey Nichols.

Models: Cosima and Amy F from Adage.

From left: Acne Kimono T-shirt, £95; Paige cropped white jeans, £190; Sam Edelman cork wedge, £145.

Acne shirt, £190; Christy straw hat, £35; For All Mankind jeans, £185; YSL Trib Too shoes, £550; Tiffany sunglasses, £194.

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STYLE FASHION

From left to right: Sass & Bide flapper dress, £420; Jimmy Choo clutch, £295; Jimmy Choo shoes, £435; Deepa Gurmani headband, £65; Lara Bohinc bracelet, £405. 2nd Day top, £80; Pinko trousers, £180; Sam Edelman shoes, £180. Victoria Beckham dress, £440; Christian Louboutin shoes, £495; Jimmy Choo bag, £925; Prada sunglasses, £165.

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xxx

STYLE FASHION

From left to right: Sass & Bide flapper dress, £420; Jimmy Choo shoes, £435; Deepa Gurmani headband, £65; Lara Bohinc bracelet, £405. By Malene Birger full length sequin dress, £670; Christian Louboutin 160ml heels, £635; Marco Bicego earrings, £5480.

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ST Y L E N E WS new season suits, a sneak peek at summer and Becks bares his all (sort of)

DAVID’S DRAWERS

When football superstar David Beckham turned up to the H&M flagship store on London’s Oxford Street he caused a very predictable riot. There to launch his Beckham Bodywear underwear and sleepwear range last month, the LA Galaxy and England legend was met by hundreds of screaming fans. But the undies themselves are much more understated, in soft cotton and muted shades: the range begins at £9.99 for shorts and £19.99 for trousers

top trend Spring’s hottest hue (literally?)

Zest orange. On-trend and a great way to accent a suit or denim, make an investment in tangerine on a shirt, tee or belt. Limited collection shirt, £29.50, M&S.

NEW TO

BIRMINGHAM

Locker Room is opening at Bullring this Easter: a new concept store from Footlocker, focusing on sports performance footwear, and showcasing brands including Nike, Adidas and Asics. Also new to the city is Liquor Store, in the Great Western Arcade, specialising in denim with an old school approach to service and labels including Levi’s, Oliver Spencer, Nudie, Universal Works, Edwin, Red Wing and many more. Leading London pawnbroker Suttons & Robertsons has opened in Corporation Street lending substantial sums against quality diamond jewellery, luxury watches, well known works of art, expensive antiques and other objects d’art.

STYLE LOVES

water baby

If your downtime involves a little messing about in boats (or trekking, climbing, hiking or even just shuffling between beach and beach-bar) invest in a pair of the cutting-edge new water shoes. Sneaker-style and hardwearing, they shrug off water and give great grip so you can carry on doing what you’re doing without fear of slipping or water-logging. We like the new Teva FuseIon, £75 from Snow + Rock. It’s got ion-mask technology that repels H2O on a nanoscale – so you can dip your shoe in water, pull it out and it’ll be bone-dry in a flash. Looks very cool, too.

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Statement watches, stainless steel £359, and black ceramic £779, both Thomas Sabo in Bullring.

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C O LO UR C H AR T Throw off the dark shades of winter with a burst of spring colour, as seen on the catwalks at Marc Jacobs, Lacoste and Dolce & Gabbana. Preppy slimfit chinos, polo shirts and plimsolls are an easy way to sneak colour into your wardrobe. We rate the new range at Burton: polo £20, skinny chino £32, and plimsolls £24.

STOP PRESS

Birmingham menswear store Clements & Church has just opened its first branch outside the Midlands, in Oxford. Offering the same limited edition ready-to-wear, made-to-measure and bespoke suits, as well as handmade coats, shirts, shoes and accessories as the Birmingham store, it will also showcase the new spring line, which was inspired by the in-house design team’s frequent trips to Italy. The collection is punctuated by big bold chalk stripes and checks, elegant ‘belly’ lapels, bright colours and striking patterns.

editor’s

CHOICE

BARGAIN

BUY

best of three

Planning for holiday already? Make it a stylish vacay with these new spring must-haves, all from House of Fraser.

Wrist thong, £8 Topman

Holdall, £160, Ted Baker

Hugo Boss swim shorts, £56

Urbanears orange headphones, £50

Cross belt, £50, AllSaints Dolce & Gabbana polo top, £155, Harvey Nichols

Vancouver boot, £165, AllSaints in The Mailbox

SEPARATE LIVES

Gieves & Hawkes new spring/summer collection is its best for years, filled with stand-out investment buys such as this smart casual combination of stone grey jacket £600, trousers £150, shirt £175, tie £85 and pocket square £65.

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Tee, £12.99, Topman Cotton knit, £45, Fat Face

Jacket, £65, J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams

Guess watch, £215, Debenhams and H Samuel

IN

NEUTRAL

S p r i n g ’ s c o o l e s t c a p s u l e wa r d r o b e i s a m u t e d pa l e t t e o f s t o n e , g r e y, n av y a n d c l a s s i c w h i t e

Alexander McQueen mohair jacket, £775, Harvey Nichols

Trousers, £30, River Island

Camera bag, £29.50, M&S

Weekend bag, £175, Hugo Boss in The Mailbox

Canvas boots, £35, Next

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Paul Smith canvas and leather plimsolls, £100, Harvey Nichols

www.stylebirmingham.com

A gentlemen’s tailor is an artisan, a stylist, a confidant and a friend. At Clements and Church, not only do we believe that our art is worth preserving, but we are dedicated to invigorating it. Working with the finest craftsmen in the UK and Europe we deliver the very best in sartorial elegance for today’s discerning customer.

22 Church Street Birmingham B3 2NP 0121 233 9994

www.clementsandchurch.co.uk

MADE TO MEASURE SUITS

£399

FROM

67 Temple Row | Birmingham | B2 5LS

Alternatively shop online at

AUSTINREED.CO.UK

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head start

Paul Mitchell’s new Mitch was created specifically for men, with fresh, clean scents, and no-nonsense formulas.

There’s a product for every need, from cleansing to controlling curls.

Highlights? We rate the Double Hitter Sulfate-Free 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner £13.95, Barber’s Classic pomade £14.95, and Clean Cut semimatte styling cream to bulk up hair texture, £14.95. Stockists: 0845 6590012.

STYLE LOVES

Versace Pour Homme EDT, £41, Harvey Nichols.

new in

Lab Series has a reputation for serious skincare that doesn’t clog pores, irritate skin or leave a greasy film.

Perfect if you like your skin balms to sink in on contact and do what they promise.

For spring, Lab Series has launched a new anti-ageing moisturiser, MAX LS Light Moisture Lotion, £37, its highest-performing and longest-lasting yet. Find the range at Harvey Nichols.

G RO OMING NEWS Sharpen up for spring with cutting-edge new grooming goodies

BEST BUY

Aveda’s turned its sights on thinning hair, with a brand new range named Invati. Based on Ayurvedic principles and using plant extracts, the haircare products showed in tests that they can reduce hair loss by 33 per cent.

Invati uses herbs to revitalise the scalp, as well as natural ingredients such as soy protein, turmeric, ginseng and kukui nut oil: try the Exfoliating Shampoo £18.50, Thickening Conditioner £20.50 and Scalp Revitalizer, £41 (House of Fraser and Aveda salons).

WEEKEND WASH

Heading off for an Easter getaway? Bin the half-used products and pack a wash-kit that will impress rather than depress. Korres has a sleek and stylish set of travel sizes for just £10 at House of Fraser. With a shampoo and shower gel, shave cream (with added absinthe) and aftershave balm, it’s ideal for a weekend trip.

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GADGET G E E K 1

Easter indulgence, spring t r e at s a n d t o p n e w ga d g e t s 2

3

4

1. BROWNED OFF The Bodum Bistro 2-Slice Toaster (available in purple, orange and black, £30) has a variable browning button to give you control over the toasting level, and a handy defrost feature to toast bread straight from the freezer. There are adjustable toasting slots for larger slices, and a rack keeps bread, bagels, muffins and croissants warm as you whip up a morning brew. This toaster will stay tidy on your worktop too, with integrated cable storage and a slide out crumb tray for easy cleaning.

2. SOUND AROUND Sometimes, only the very best sound quality will cut it. Invest in a dream set-up with the BeoSound 5 Encore digital music system, from £2,400, at Bang & Olufsen in The Mailbox. Not only is the sound as clear and crisp as it’s possible for a home system to achieve, the design is sleek and minimalist too.

3. STEAM IT Kettles: a thing of practicality rather than beauty, right? Wrong! Kenwood’s cutesy new Kmix Boutique Kettle, £50 at Debenhams, comes in a range of kitchen-enhancing colours and has a curved shape that’s ergonomic and totally style-led.

4. BLEND IN Think blenders are just for making soup? Think again. The new Magimix Blender, £160, has pre-programmed functions that enable it to do everything from crushing ice, creating smoothies, mixing desserts, grinding spices perfectly, pureeing baby food and making the perfect salad dressings. In response to consumer demand, it also has an energy saving mode. Find it in leading department stores.

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5

6

7

8

5. DIAL IN Designed exclusively for women, the Alcatel OT-810 mobile phone is a fast way to connect to social networking sites too: features include mailbox access, Instant Messenger, reliable internet connection and access to Facebook, Bebo and Twitter. Available at Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy for £49.99 on Pay As You Go. 6. READ ON We love the new Ted baker Kindle 4 cover range for Proporta. In black, white and pink, the cases mix exceptionally tough material with a streamlined, chic vibe, so you can keep your Kindle safe, secure and stylish all at the same time. They’re £44.99 in Ted Baker and House of Fraser.

7. CAFFEINE HIT No more coffee shop stops. Enjoy top quality coffee at home with the DeLonghi ECAM26455 PrimaDonna S De Luxe bean-to-cup machine.

Not cheap at £1,100, it’s a bit of kit for life, allowing you to easily prepare rich cappuccinos, café lattes and nutty macchiatos using your favourite fresh beans or ground coffee. You can even decide which cup you use, thanks to the height-adjustable coffee dispenser, which accommodates full-size and espresso cups.

8. DO-IT-ALL The new SmartControl Motion from One For All is the remote control to end all remote controls. It works with up to six different devices, from TV, Sky+ and Freeview to Blu-ray, iPod docks, Home Cinema, PS2, Xbox 360 and more, across all brands. It will help you skip adverts in recorded TV shows and the ‘Goodnight’ feature means you can turn everything off just by flipping the device onto its front. Available at Dixons, Currys and PC World, for £34.99.

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STYLE MEN

SPORTY TWEED LOU DALTON We love her rebellious streak in tweed pilot jackets and tapered trousers

CITY-TO-COUNTRY BURBERRY Dapper velvet suiting perfectly embodies the gentleman trend that won’t date with a bit of pizzazz a la Christopher Bailey

SWINGING SIXTIES - GIEVES & HAWKES Savile Row tailor rocks the 60s with mix of textures, bold colours, printed scarves (below left) and ties “The A/W’12 collection was inspired

by London in the late sixties; the last gig of The Beatles on the rooftop next to our headquarters on Savile Row and David Hicks’ bold geometric prints”, Barry Tulip, Design Director of Gieves & Hawkes

OVERSIZED COATS E. TAUTZ Richard Grant’s Savile Row house is a name to remember for winter coats.

Oversized or fitted, they are an investment piece

A BIT OF COLOUR - JAMES LONG Who said men can’t wear yellow?

The understated embellishment looks masculine on this James Long jacket

LO N DON FASHION WEEK A/W ‘12 M e n s w e a r d ay at L F W i s s t e a d i l y b r e a k i n g g r o u n d w i t h a f l e e t o f n e w ta l e n t m i x e d i n w i t h e s ta b l i s h e d S av i l e R o w h o u s e s . A u t u m n / w i n t e r 2 0 1 2 l o o k s s e t t o b e a v i n ta g e s e a s o n Wo r d s b y K a r o l i n a K i v i m a k i

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RELAXED TAILORING - OLIVER SPENCER Corduroy and rugged masculine tailoring brought back to life

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STYLE MEN

photo: Rory Van Millingen

CHRISTOPHER SHANNON You might say no now but by next winter you will be wearing printed jeans

EME TAL RGING E COL NT, NE W LEC TIO NS

BURBERRY Inspired by old-school eveningwear, midnight shades and lush velvet get a 2012 reboot at Burberry

J.W. ANDERSON (right, below)The Irish wunderkind’s bold take on knitwear and prints will make your girlfriend lust after your wardrobe

BAARTMANS & SIEGEL British-Dutch duo brings back the puffa jacket with 80s vibe

PALMER/HARDING The London-based duo designs shirts with a unique sculptured twist, taking the shirt tailoring to a new level with curtain-like detailing and structured panels

photo: Olu Ogunshakin

RAKE This London-based brand does slick tailoring and versatile casual wear with timeless appeal and a modern edge

BODYBOUND Knitwear gets a studded update from Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Ones To Watch competition winner. This designer duo is definitely one to watch having worked with Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson and Ermenegildo Zegna

Stockists: Baartmans & Siegel, www.Baartmansandsiegel.com Bodybound, www.Bodybound.net Burberry, Selfridges, 0121 600 6804 Christopher Shannon, www.Oki-ni.com E.Tautz, www.Mrporter.com Gieves & Hawkes in The Mailbox J.W. Anderson, www.Oki-ni.com James Long, Harvey Nichols, 0121 616 6000 Lou Dalton, www.Oki-ni.com Oliver Spencer, www.Oliverspencer.co.uk Palmer/Harding, www.Palmerharding.com RAKE, www.Matchesfashion.com

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NE W S ROU NDU P News, events and an extra special cocktail

N ew v eN t u r e f o r

SaN Carlo

The San Carlo Group is investing a whopping £2.5 million in Birmingham with the opening of brand new Venetian tapas bar adjacent to the popular Italian restaurant in Temple Street. Fumo is scheduled to open in April and will feature a large bar serving wines, beers and intriguing cocktails with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Keep checking www.sancarlo.co.uk for all the latest.

Artist’s impression of Fumo, Birmingham

cocktails at

BR OWNS

Browns Bar and Brasserie recently opened at Bullring’s new dining destination, Spiceal Street. Set alongside St Martin’s Square with beautiful views of the iconic Selfridges building and St Martin’s Church, Browns Bar and Brasserie offers a uniquely relaxing atmosphere.

Unwind over a plate of freshly cooked modern food or relax in style with a cocktail whilst enjoying live music from the Browns resident pianist.

MOJITO

The Mojito is one of Browns’ skinny cocktails with zesty lime wedges muddled with mint, Bacardi Superior Rum

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and Agave syrup, topped off with a dash of soda and served over crushed ice. The Agave syrup is the ‘skinny’ ingredient; it’s a honeylike syrup alternative to sugar.

Ingredients: 8 large mint leaves and a sprig to garnish 50 ml Bacardi

Dance your way to the Olympics

Wondering how you can play your part in London 2012? Here’s your chance! 24,000 people from across the Midlands are preparing to dance their way to the Olympics with Lawk Naach, a project bringing Pubjabi dance to the region. Run by Dance Sansaar, Lawk Naach will deliver over 960 dance discovery workshops and 40 performance classes across the Midlands as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. For more information on how you can get involved, visit www. dancesansaar.com, www.wmfor2012. com/culture or call 0121 359 1888.

America loves Birmingham!

It can’t have escaped your attention that America has been talking a lot about Birmingham in recent months. It seems our fabulous city has made quite an impression on the people of the United States, with phrases like ‘a city not to be missed’ and ‘one of the most desirable locations’ cropping up into sentences. In the New York Times’ top 45 places to go in 2012, Birmingham ranks number 19 (space coming in at number 20), with our foodie offerings scoring high points. We’re no longer just about the ‘Balti Triangle’ and our recognisable accent, the world is finally acknowledging our amazing city as one of the best. We already knew that we were the best, though, didn’t we?

1 whole lime Agave syrup or sugar for sweetness Crushed ice Soda Muddle or crush the lime wedges and mint into the glass to release the flavours. Add the Bacardi and sugar or syrup. Top up the glass with crushed ice and soda.

Garnish with a mint leaf or sprig.

New menu for 2012 The Rose Villa Tavern has a brand new menu for 2012. From gourmet sandwiches to burgers to ice cream sundaes, take a look at the tasty new dishes on offer. Download from www.therosevillatavern.co.uk so you can decide what you want before you go!

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talent 2012

!

Attention all singers, dancers, rappers, poets, emcees and models. Talent 2012 is looking for the next big thing, and it’s coming to Birmingham to find it! Are you the next Beyonce?

Could you give Diversity a run for their money? Do you turn more heads than Kate Moss? Head down to Joseph Chamberlain College in Balsall Heath on Thursday March 15 or Friday March 23 between 5-9pm, or The Rainbow on Digbeth High Street on Saturday March 17 between 12-5pm to strut your stuff.

Whitewall Galleries welcomes Todd White

Hollywood’s artist to the stars has hit the UK and zoomed straight into the Top 10 Bestsellers list. Join Whitewall Galleries in Birmingham as Todd White unveils his fabulous new collection of original painting and collectable limited editions on Tuesday April 25 from 6-9pm. Contact the gallery for your invitation and more information at www.whitewallgalleries.com or on 0121 200 3328.

Naughty children coming to town … … that’s what Wagamama literally means, apparently, ‘naughty children’. The successful Japanese inspired restaurant is opening a second branch in the stylish BrindleyPlace. Following the success of their first Birmingham restaurant in St Martin’s Square, the second one is opening on April 2 to treat the diners of BrindleyPlace. Wagamama prides itself on the quality and speed of its service.

Visit www.wagamama.com for all the latest Wagamama news.

SI XT Y SE CON DS WI T H …

The Ghosts, a new indie band on the scene have just reached number 5 in the Indie Charts with their single Enough Time. Drummer and local boy Ian Palmer was born with the musical gene with Uncle Carl Palmer on hand to give advice …

I remember seeing some 1977 footage of Carl playing at the Montreal Olympic Stadium with Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

The band was really on top of their game.

I am totally addicted to playing drums … I love it! It never seems hard work to practice. I must have given my parents quite a headache!

The World’s Greatest Drummer is an idea that I had of honoring the great forefathers of our instrument in the form of an event, at the same time giving something to the next generation by means of a charitable donation. We have literally featured some of the World’s Greatest Drummers including Ian Paice from Deep Purple and Steve Smith from Journey.

I really enjoy the creativity of developing music with The Ghosts. It’s great to have so much artistic involvement but I also enjoy the challenge of working for other artists, too. Alex Starling, The Ghosts lead singer (formally of the band Ou est le Swimming Pool) is the main writer and is a true visionary in the way that he approaches songs. Alex will come

up with initial ideas and the band will then add to these ideas to make it our own.

Luckily, I have always been able to plan in advance to schedule in both my careers – I’m a pilot as well as a drummer. It can make things a little hectic but I enjoy both flying and music so much that neither really feels like work.

There have been a lot of drummers from Birmingham and the Midlands. Maybe it’s something in the air or maybe there is something that makes the average Brummie want to whack a piece of pig skin!

Second single The Ghosts is released April 2 on Pocket Records. Keep up to date at www. ianpalmer.com

Ian Palmer (far right) with The Ghosts

ON ES WA TO TC H

Head Chef Alex Penhallgon with Marcus Wareing

Wagamama in Westfield City, Stratford

The besT fish aNd chips iN

birMiNGhaM

A recently opened fish and chip shop on the border of Birmingham and Sandwell has been awarded the prestigious Best Newcomer award at the National Fish and Chip Awards 2012. Chamberlains Quality Fish and Chips opened in March 2011 and has quickly become known in the region as having the best fish and chips, and now it’s official. Chamberlains is located on the junction of Hagley Road West and Wolverhampton Road and is open every day from 12noon to 9pm for eat-in and takeaway. Visit www.chamberlainsfishandchips.co.uk for all the news.

MicheliN chef iNspires NeW resTauraNT Internationally renowned chef Marcus Wareing is the vision behind the Aalto Restaurant in the brand new Hotel La Tour. Marcus and his team have brought their ideas and expertise from two Michelin starred The Berkeley in Knightsbridge, London to devise the menu and concepts for Aalto. The £24 million Hotel La Tour opens at the

end of March and will have 174 bedrooms and suites, restaurant, bar, coffee shop and conference floor. As a special offer for Style Birmingham readers, Hotel La Tour are giving you the chance to be among the first people to dine at Aalto. To add your name to the list of possible invitees during opening week, email aalto@hotel-latour.co.uk quoting “Style”.

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F O O D & DRINK NEWS Fa b u l o u s f o o d i e i d e a s a n d d e l i c i o u s t r e at s f o r y o u r E a s t e r w e e k e n d

PICNIC IN STYLE

STRAWBERRY AND CINNAMON TOASTIES

Gear up for picnic season by investing in this striking Bloom Gin hamper, with a 70cl bottle of Bloom Gin, a floral embossed G&T goblet and a lovely wicker basket, £55 at Harvey Nichols.

S p r i n g S u n d ay s c a l l f o r a n i n d u l g e n t b r e a k fa s t i n b e d Serves: 2

You’ll need: 4 Viva strawberries 4 slices of brioche or white bread 1tbsp sugar 40g unsalted butter at room temperature 1 tsp cinnamon

What to do: 1. Slice the strawberries and add a sprinkle of sugar, crush them a little with a fork and set aside, leaving a couple of slices whole to decorate at the end.

2. Switch on your toastie maker to warm up then butter the brioche with a thin layer of butter. Beat the remaining butter and sugar with the cinnamon.

3. Put two piece of bread, butter side down, into the

toastie maker. Spread the cinnamon butter on the exposed sides then top with slices of strawberry. If lots of juice has come out of the strawberries leave that behind.

4. Put the two remaining pieces of brioche on top, butter side up and close the lid of the toastie maker. Once the toasties are done, remove them from the machine and cut each into two triangles. Leave them for a few minutes to cool a little then serve with the strawberry slices placed over the top.

• If you don’t have a toastie maker you can toast one side of each slice then spread with the cinnamon butter. Make the sandwich with the toasted bread facing in and turn it in a hot frying pan to brown the outside and warm through.

we love

Available exclusively at Harvey Nichols, OhSo chocolate bars, £3.95, are not only clinically proven to be three times more effective at delivering your daily probiotics than a yoghurt drink, they are made from 53 per cent delicious Belgian chocolate!

And at just 72 calories a bar, they’re almost guilt-free!

TWO TO TRY Innis & Gunn Rum Cask Finish (from £1.89 at Waitrose) is an unusual red shade beer, matured in rum barrels, giving it a spicy taste.

Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (£13.99 at Sainsbury’s) is the perfect Easter lunch wine, light and fruity with a clean finish.

SNACK ATTACK

BRIT CHOC We are drooling over Thorntons’ new Great British Puds range of Easter eggs. Inspired by the nation’s favourite desserts, the pretty eggs are packed with real pieces of fruit that give the authentic flavour of lemon meringue pie, Eton mess and banoffee, for £14.99 each.

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A new survey shows that 60 per cent of women admit to turning to unhealthy snacks to give them the energy to get through the day. The Apprentice star Karren Brady has teamed up with California Almonds to tackle this naughty snacking, saying, “When I have a back-to-back day I can find it hard to eat properly. But snacking sensibly keeps my energy levels up, my hunger pangs down and my mood stable. I always keep a pack of almonds in my handbag as a tasty, nutritious snack.” Almonds are a powerhouse of essential nutrients, a natural source of protein and high in 9 essential nutrients including fibre, vitamin E and calcium: find them in supermarkets.

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EGGSTATIC EASTER Divine luxury and large Easter eggs, from £6 to £10 in Oxfam shops and Waitrose.

BRITISH ASPARAGUS, SMOKED SALMON WITH GINGER AND SOY DRESSING D e a n E d wa r d s , c h e f o n T H I S M O R N I N G a n d L O R R A I N E , s h a r e s h i s fav o u r i t e r e c i p e f o r B r i t i s h a s pa r a g u s , w h i c h c o m e s i n t o s e a s o n o n M ay 1

SPRING ROSE How we’re loving the gorgeous macaroons made by the English Rose Bakery, newly available in Selfridges Food Hall.

Pretty, delicate an authentic, the Parisian-style macaroons come in a wide range of flavours, including rose, chocolate, lemon, raspberry and pistachio, and are £6 for a box of six.

TASTE TEST Liefmans Fruitesse is ideal for spring drinking: a fresh, fruity beer bursting with strawberry, raspberry, cherry and blueberry juices. Pair it with your dark chocolate Easter egg, or as an aperitif in place of rosé or sparkling wine.

From £1.60 at Waitrose and Selfridges.

Serves: 4

You’ll need: 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated 2 cloves garlic crushed Oil for frying

KITCHEN CUTIE

50ml dry sherry

Now here’s a good idea. Pour tap water into the Bobble jug and its carbon filter will take a whole load of nasties out, improving the taste and quality of the water ready for you to drink or cook with. In six colours, it’s £29.95 at Harvey Nichols.

2 bundles British asparagus

2 tbsp soy sauce 200g smoked salmon slices Fresh coriander to serve 1 red chilli sliced 1 lime cut into wedges

What to do: Fry the ginger and garlic in a little oil for 2-3 minutes then add the sherry and soy. Once the mixture has reduced slightly leave to cool for a few minutes. Trim the ends of the asparagus and coat with a little oil, cook on a pre-heated griddle pan for 4-5 minutes turning until cooked through but still retaining some bite.

Cut the smoked salmon into 2 cm thick strips and wrap around the asparagus spears, drizzle over the soy dressing and garnish with some chilli and coriander leaves. Serve with a wedge of lime.

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‘Adding a little spice to life’ ‘Winner of 11 prestigious awards and frequented by celebrities’

12-22 Newhall Street Birmingham, West Midlands B3 3LX 0121 200 2767 www.ashasuk.co.uk DUBAI / KUWAIT / BAHRAIN / ABU DHABI / QATAR / BIRMINGHAM

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BRIM FUL O F AS HA A s h a’ s c o n t e m p o r a r y I n d i a n r e s tau r a n t h a s w o n a h a n d f u l o f ac c o l a d e s f ro m s o m e o f t h e m o s t p r e s t i g i ous awa r d s i n t h e w o r l d o f c u i s i n e … i t i s n o t d i f f i c u l t t o s e e w h y. J e n n i f e r Wa l k e r w e n t a l o n g t o s e e i f i t c o u l d l i v e u p t o t h e t i t l e B e s t U K r e s tau r a n t 2 0 1 1

Indian food: no two dishes are the same, or even similar.

Sunni brought us a basket of papadoms (£1.80) and a selection of dips (£1.95) to enjoy with our wine.

‘the perfect restaurant for lovers of Indian food, spices, comfort and privacy”

Asha’s, named after founder and Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle, is tucked away on Newhall Street, just two minutes from Snow Hill station. The convenience of this restaurant’s location is second to none, yet you could quite easily walk past it and be completely unaware of the delights that lurk behind those glass doors.

From the moment you walk through the door, you are aware that you are entering a haven, a secret retreat for Indian food connoisseurs. (Incidentally, Asha’s has been known to welcome a few celebs in recent years, including ladies man Calum Best and a whole host of Bollywood stars). The stylish yet understated décor is the perfect backdrop for the colourful food being cooked up in the kitchen.

On a quiet Monday night in Birmingham, the restaurant was already bustling with diners eager to sample the aromas of Asha’s. The extensive menu provides you with a wide choice of appetisers, starter tandoori kebabs, main course curries, vegetarian main courses, sides and accompaniments. Just as the confused looks were filling our faces, the delightful Sunni came over to introduce himself as our server. That’s right: server, not waiter. I don’t know why that makes a difference, but it does.

That’s the thing about Asha’s; it’s the little things. From the attentiveness of the serving staff right down to the cushions on the chairs, attention has been paid to every little detail.

We ordered our drinks: a large glass of Turner Road Three Rivers Chardonnay (£4.95, £14.95

bottle) for me and a large glass of Cullinan View Sauvingnon Blanc (£5.25, £15.95 bottle) for my mother. My mum and I are both lovers of fine Indian food, so she jumped at the chance to come to Asha’s with me. While perusing the vast menu, we glanced around at fellow diners; some were clearly going straight to their favourite korma or masala dish, others taking a little longer deciding to branch out. That’s one of the best things about

We decided to share two appetisers, opting for the Papdi Chaat (£5.95) and the Mushroom Kurkure (£5.75). Papdi Chaat is a mix of authentic Indian deep fried pastries, vermicelli, yoghurt and sweet and sour chutney, all served mixed and chilled. The presentation of the Papdi Chaat was beautiful with reds, greens and yellows creating an extremely inviting dish. The Mushroom Kurkure was really tasty. The mushrooms were stuffed with cheese and bell peppers, battered and deep fried and served on tamarind chutney.

The batter was light and crispy, the mushrooms succulent and juicy.

Another thing that Asha’s does well is the menu. Although vast, it’s easy to understand and navigate. The unusually large vegetarian section allows you to choose any vegetarian dish as a side to your meat dish for just £5.95. A very simple idea, but one that leaves you wondering, why has no one done this before? I went for the Nally Gosht (£14.95) and my mum went for the Asha special Chandni Chowk Ka Keema (£14.50).

Nally Gosht is lamb shank

cooked in thick onion gravy with saffron and roasted garlic.

Once again, the presentation was superb. The lamb shank was, of course, on the bone – a difficult dish to serve elegantly, but they managed it. The hint of saffron coloured the sauce and flavoured the whole dish with the taste of the east. Chandni Chowk Ka Keema is minced lamb cooked with fresh onions and secret spices. What those secret spices are, your guess is as good as mine, but it sure tasted good. We decided to take advantage of the offer of vegetarian dishes as a side: I chose Kasoori Methi Aloo (£10.95 full meal, £5.95 as a side), which is Kasoori fenugreek, leaves with baby potatoes sautéed with ginger and chilli oil. My mum chose Amritsari Chole (£9.95 or £5.95), chickpeas and baby potatoes topped with onion and chutney. We also added one portion of saffron rice (£3.85), one buttered naan bread (£2.65) and a green salad, for cooling purposes (£3.50) to our order.

Overall, Asha’s is the perfect restaurant for lovers of Indian food, spices, comfort and privacy. The cozy booths at the far end of the restaurant are great for a party of four or an intimate rendezvous for two.

Unlike so many restaurants, the tables are actually big enough to take all of the food you’ve just ordered. Rather than having to squeeze everything on to a tiny table, ending up dipping your elbow into the sauce, the large tables allow you to create your very own buffet.

Top tip: book ahead. I had the opportunity to speak to Domnic the restaurant manager and he informed me that mid-week covers can extend to 200 per night, with weekend covers reaching 300. That proves my point perfectly: Asha’s is a beautiful restaurant, well worthy of its plethora of awards.

Asha’s Edmund House, 12-22 Newhall St, Birmingham, B3 3LX T: 0121 200 2767 W: www.ashasuk.co.uk

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Our h full o eads wer e f tast good y Thai ness

T h e l a s t y e a r h a s s e e n t h e S p i c e a l S t r e e t d e v e l o p m e n t g r ow f r o m a n e m p t y s pac e t o a b u i l d i n g s i t e t o o n e o f t h e m o s t s t y l i s h l o cat i o n s i n t h e c i t y. J e n n i f e r Wa l k e r b o o k e d a ta b l e at B i r m i n g h a m ’s n e w e s t T h a i r e s tau r a n t, C h ao B a b y t o s e e i t f i r s t h a n d

After walking past the imposing Spiceal Street complex numerous times, being drawn in by the exquisite aromas seeping out of the front door, I just had to go and see what ChaoBaby was all about. Having only eaten Thai a couple of times before – neither time in this country, I was eager to see what a Birmingham restaurant could do with the notorious flavours.

At 6.30pm on a wintry Tuesday evening, the restaurant was full. Top tip: book. If you’re planning a special evening out and have your heart set on ChaoBaby, do ring ahead to book a table. From the second the door swings open, the spices and flavours of the East fill your appreciative nostrils with more aromas than ever before.

We were given a choice of tables, rather than just being shoved up the corner like so many busy restaurants nowadays, and informed of the ChaoBaby protocol. The banquet bar that runs the length of the restaurant is laid out with a selection of Thai favourites for you to feast upon. Simply go up with a plate and try what you like to look of. The banquet is available all day every day at a price of £12.95 (£6.95 for children under the age of eight). The kitchen is located behind the banquet bar, so you can watch your food being cooked – always a good sign.

always best to accompany something fried with something steamed … not sure they meant two starters though.

For our main meals, I went for the massaman lamb curry (£9.95) and my partner chose to continue the seafood theme with prawns in roasted chili (£14.95). For our sides, we decided to share one portion of pak choi (£3.50) and two portions of jasmine rice (£2.95 each). Unfortunately, the kitchen had run out of pak choi, but the attentive waitress offered to use the same method of cooking (stir fried with garlic and garnished with oyster sauce) on seasonal broccoli, and it was delicious. Again, very spicy – or warming, depending on which way you view these things, but absolutely scrumptious. The lamb curry was extremely

Steamed seafood dumplings served in mini steam pots

If you prefer to choose from a menu rather than a buffet, that’s fine too. Consult the a la Carte menu on your table to see what takes your fancy. We opted to take the menu route.

From the appetisers to the salads to the chef’s specialities, our heads were spinning with minds full of tasty Thai goodness … you may need a drink before you delve in to the menu.

I went for a glass of the Sierra grande Chardonnay (£4.50 glass, £17.75 bottle) and my dining partner chose to try Singha, a bottled Thai beer (£3.65).

We decided to share two appetisers to get a true feel of the food on offer (truthfully, I can never decide on just one). We ordered the tempura king prawns and baby squid (£9.95) and the steamed seafood dumplings (£7.95). The waitress asked if we wanted to try the prawn tom yum soup (£8.95) while we waited for our appetisers. Apparently, the science behind the prawn tom yum is that it prepares your stomach and helps it digest all of the fatty, spicy foods that are to come in the rest of the meal. The thinking is that it relaxes your stomach so that you are able to fully enjoy your meal. Well, I don’t doubt the science, but unless you have an aptitude for extreme spices, I’d give this one a miss. Maybe go for the chicken tom kha that is said to have the same effect on your insides, just a little gentler. The prawns in the soup were delicious, but I’m obviously not quite as in to my spices as I thought!

When the waitress brought out our appetisers, she accompanied the dishes with a brief history of Thai cuisine. The deep fried king prawns and baby squid were in a beautifully light batter, not in the slightest bit greasy, served with wasabi mayonnaise and a sweet chili sauce. The steamed seafood dumplings were wonderfully light wontons stuffed with prawns, crab and minced chicken. They say it’s

creamy from being cooked in coconut milk, with a lovely addition of crunchy cashew nuts. According to the menu, this is one of the favoured dishes of the Thai Royal family.

They don’t get to enjoy it sitting in Spiceal Street though, do they? The prawns were definitely roasted in chili, and a lot of it, but they were beautiful. The accompanying vegetables were still crunchy while the succulent prawns were juicy and very tasty. The sweet basil added a lovely sweetness to break up the heat of the chili.

Whether it’s a quick bite after work or before a show, a romantic dinner for two or a family celebration, ChaoBaby has something for everyone. If you like spices, you will love ChaoBaby. If you’re not a big eater, the banquet is probably a better option, as you are the portion controller. The plates are huge, and they tend to fill them. Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants to open in Birmingham in quite a while.

ChaoBaby Spiceal Street Bullring Birmingham, B2 4BH T: 0121 643 2424 www.chaophraya.co.uk

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KATE L AWLER ’S

SOCIE T Y B i g B r o t h e r w i n n e r a n d K e r r a n g ! R a d i o D J K at e L aw l e r s p o k e t o A n d r e w R i l e y a b o u t w o r k , l i f e and living in Birmingham AR: Why did you go on Big Brother?

AR: You won Big Brother in 2002. How did you find the whole Big Brother experience?

KL: I can’t believe that was ten years ago! I absolutely loved the whole experience. Being in Big Brother was amazing. I met some wicked people. It certainly changed my career.

I’ve had quite a good career off the back of Big Brother. Before I went into Big Brother I was in IT in an investment bank and I was about to start training to be an investment banker. I’m quite an ambitious person. I never would’ve tried to get in TV or radio before. After Big Brother, people were saying ‘do you want to do this’, ‘do you want to do that’. I was being offered all of these opportunities and I thought, ‘yeah, I’d like to try radio and I’d like to try TV’.

AR: Do you think it set you up for life as a celebrity?

KL: I hate the word ‘celebrity’.

I’m not a celebrity. People like David Beckham, Kylie Minogue, Elton John, Madonna: they’re celebrities.

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KL: Everyone says they want to go on Big Brother because they want to be famous.

That thought did cross my mind.

I did think that it was going to change my life.

Ultimately, I knew there was a possibility of winning £70,000.

At the time, my sisters were getting married and buying houses and I had no way of affording a house.

I’d watched the other two series of Big Brother, and I thought, a straight guy’s won, a gay guy’s won, surely it’s time for a girl to win. My twin sister was originally going to do it, but she couldn’t be bothered to fill out the application, so I did it.

the jungle [I’m A Celebrity …

Get Me Out Of Here!] and Strictly Come Dancing. I love Come Dine With Me, too. I loved Love Island.

That was just an amazing experience. I got to go to Fiji, fly first class and lie on a beach for two weeks. It was amazing! I’d like to do another reality show.

My mum would love me to do Strictly Come Dancing. I think it would be funny if I did Strictly because I’m quite a tomboy and I’m clumsy and not very elegant.

AR: Do you still watch Big Brother?

KL: Yeah, I do.

AR: What do you think of the new format on Channel 5?

KL: I think Channel 5 have done a fantastic job. Since I came out of Big Brother, I’ve not watched a whole series of the normal one, but I love the celebrity one.

AR: You’re now known for your radio show on Kerrang!

What do you love about radio?

For me, Big Brother was a really positive experience and I can only be grateful to the people who picked up the phone and voted to keep me in because, otherwise, I don’t think I’d be sat here now.

KL: Freedom of speech.

Knowing that you’re keeping people company on their way home from work. Playing good music. I’ve always loved music.

I’d rather listen to the radio than watch TV. Plus, I love talking!

AR: Do you get followed by press?

AR: What are you listening to right now?

KL: No, not really, and I don’t want to. I get really embarrassed if I get papped.

I got papped the other week, actually, and I just hid behind my boyfriend.

KL: I love the Black Keys, they’re one of my favourite bands at the moment. I love Kasabian. I love Foo Fighters. I love Lana Del Rey.

AR: You’ve appeared on other reality TV shows including Love Island and Celebrity Wrestling. How do you feel about that now?

KL: I love reality TV. I’m not a reality TV addict, but I do love

AR: Who are your ones to watch for 2012?

KL: I don’t really know. I think the whole Liam and Noel [Gallagher] fuse is really interesting. There are just so many good bands out there at the moment.

AR: What would be your ultimate DJ gig?

KL: I’d love to play Space in Ibiza; that’s one of my favourite clubs in the world. I played Amnesia in Ibiza a few years back and that was one of the greatest moments of my life. To DJ at a festival would be really good, maybe Isle of Wight or Glastonbury.

AR: Where are your favourite hangouts in Birmingham?

KL: Favourite club: Bushwackers. I also love The Rainbow. Restaurant: Lasan is one of my favourite places to eat in Birmingham. I really like Cielo, too. Venue: The Rainbow Warehouse. The O2 Academy is great, too. I saw Beady Eye there the other week and they were amazing. I went to see The Prodigy and Kasabian at the NIA last year. The HMV Institute is really good for live music as well.

AR: You always look the part.

Where you do like to shop in Birmingham?

KL: I love the Lacoste shop. I love Urban Outfitters. I love going to Frocks on Vintage, which is a little shop run by Pam Cheema. She’s got her own concession in TopShop and her own studio in Custard Factory. Frocks on Vintage is great because you know that everything you buy is a one-off; no one else will have the same.

AR: How about designers?

KL: I love Dolce & Gabbana and I love McQueen, but I don’t really buy designer because I don’t like spending that amount of money. If I had a thousand pounds in my pocket, I’d rather go and spend it in a high street store where I could get loads of bags and loads of pairs of jeans.

If I was a multimillionaire, I probably would shop in Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, but I just don’t have that sort of money to be spending on clothes.

A boyfriend bought me a Gucci handbag a few years ago. It cost him about £1,000 and I said that I’d rather he

gave me the money so I could go and buy ten handbags for £100 each. You end up growing out of things, anyway. You wear something once and then it’s out of fashion, so what’s the point in spending thousands of pounds on stuff? The high street has everything you need.

I love the Bullring, too.

AR: What’s your typical daily routine?

KL: I wake up around 7.30am every morning, I make my boyfriend a coffee, do the washing up (my dishwasher’s been broken for a year) and I take my two dogs Baxter and Kevin for an hour-long walk around the park. Then I go back to the flat, shower and tidy up. I go to work for 12.30pm and plan my show. I do my show from 3-7pm. I’m home for 7.15pm. My boyfriend cooks for me every night; he’s a brilliant cook. To relax, we sit down together and watch a bit of TV, most of the time it’s football or a film; we’re big film fans. We watched one of the best films ever the other week, called The Guard with Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle. I recommend it.

AR: Most memorable moment of your career?

KL: It’s got to be walking out of that house with £70,000 in my back pocket.

AR: Biggest regret?

KL: No regrets. Put everything down to experience.

Kate can be heard on Kerrang!

Radio every weekday from 3pm

www.stylebirmingham.com

Style C O N T E M P O R A R Y

B A R

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C H A M P A G N E

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C O C K TA I L

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D I N I N G

The Loft Lounge is Bir mingham’s ultimate meeting place. A place to chill and relax over a glass of wine, or some cocktails perhaps. A great place to dine and experience delicious locally sourced food created by our award-winning head chef Nicholas Taylor (Savoy/Marriott). So next time you’re having a night out in the city - come and enjoy the party atmosphere at The Loft Lounge.

Enjoy premium brands and champagne cocktails in one of the most sexy, stylish and chic places in Birmingham.

And every Friday and Saturday we’re open until 3am and it’s free admission too!

The Loft Lounge 143 Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham, B5 6RG

Tel: 0121 622 2444 www.theloftlounge.co.uk

To coincide with the release of Closet Princess AW2012, the third collection from Dancing Dolls UK, we are pre-releasing the collection for a limited period, with special introductory rates of up to 20% off for all STYLE Birmingham readers.

Log on to www.dancingdollsuk.com to check out the full collection and to take advantage of these exclusive offer prices.

Remember to visit our site regularly for more special offers.

The biggest charity LGBT ball in the UK – over 1000 diners

Friday 23 March 2012 at the highly prestigious International Convention Centre Birmingham

A glittering night of action-packed entertainment including...

Queen of the Jungle – ITV1’s I’m A Celebrity / X Factor Finalist

STACEY SOLOMON An exclusive performance of ‘It Does Get Better’

THE L PROJECT

80’s pop sensation - ‘So Macho’ ‘Toyboy’/ ITV1’s I’m A Celebrity

SINITTA

Award-winning tribute artist

VICKY JACKSON The UK’s No.1 NEW boyband

FTW

plus many more special guests still to be announced!

Tickets inclusive of 3 course meal, live entertainment and disco Dress code: Smart lounge suits, black tie, ball gowns and frocks!

FOR FULL DETAILS AND TICKET/TABLE PRICES VISIT: www.prideball.co.uk

This is THE LGBT party of the year!

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ALEXANDER NICHOLLS Age – 20 Shirt – The Kooples Jeans – Armani Shoes – Christian Louboutin Belt – Hermès Glasses – Tom Ford Snapped at – The Nightingale

LAURA TOMBS Age – 22 Hat – H&M menswear Jacket, blouse and jeans all from Topshop Boots – New Look Bag – Mulberry Jewellery – Pandora Hair by – Benjamin Ryan Snapped at – The Victoria

How would you describe your look? ‘Preppy Chic’ Favourite Birmingham nightclub? The Nightingale

How would you describe your style and what is it influenced by?

‘Stockholm Street Fashion and models when out of work, Florence Brudenell-Bruce and Poppy & Cara Delvinge’ Favourite Birmingham Nightclub? Snobs

ST YLE SEARCH T h e t r e n d y p e o p l e o f B i r m i n g h a m w e r e o u t i n f o r c e o n S at u r d ay M a r c h 3 a s K at e L aw l e r t o o k t o t h e s t r e e t s t o f i n d t h e m o s t s t y l i s h p e o p l e o f o u r c i t y. T h e t o p t h r e e c l a s s y c l u b b e r s w i t h i n d i v i d ua l i t y w e r e c h o s e n f r o m t h e p i l e t o w i n fa n ta s t i c p r i z e s . O n o u r S t y l e s e a r c h o f t h e c i t y w e v i s i t e d t h e H a r v e y N i c h o l s S / S fa s h i o n s h o w a n d s o m e o f o u r fav o u r i t e p u b s a n d c l u b s T h e Vi c t o r i a , P u r p l e B a r a n d L o u n g e , T h e L o f t L o u n g e , N i g h t i n g a l e a n d C l u b C h i c . Wh e t h e r y o u r s t y l e i s h i g h s t r e e t, v i n ta g e o r d e s i g n e r , t u r n t h e pa g e t o s e e i f y o u w e r e s n a p p e d issue 27

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R s an pp cut at Bad Ah £300! io! rt ns R o w Hair atulatio gr Con

RIO WILLIAMS Age – 26 Top and bow tie from Arc Shorts – Levi 501 Vintage Tights – Henry Holland Shoes – Dr Martins from Office Snapped at – The Loft Lounge How would you describe your Style? ‘Urban Chic’ Favourite Birmingham Club? ‘Chic’

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T NEX HE SEA T STYL E RCH APR IS OUT IL. LOOIN FOR K DET MORE AI

Kate Lawler

LS

timeline

7pm - 8pm

THE VICTORIA

PURPLE BAR

8pm - 11pm

THE LOFT LOUNGE

NIGHTINGALE

11pm - late

CHIC

in association with:

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George Yiannis and Jack Wilshere

Simone Rose and Carly Jaydde

Carly Jaydde and Calum Best

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

CA LU M B EST

Caroline Ann Michael and Nicky Lazou

M o d e l a n d l a d i e s m a n C a l u m B e s t c e l e b r at e d h i s 3 1 s t b i r t h d ay w i t h s ta r - s t u d d e d pa r t i e s a r o u n d t h e c o u n t r y. F o r t h e g r a n d f i na l e , h e c h o s e Nu vo Ba r i n B i r m i n g h a m . G u e s t s i n c lu d i n g A r s e n a l m i d f i e l d e r J a c k Wi l s h e r e , a n d m o d e l s C a r l y J ay d d e a n d Va n e s s a Wa l k e r h e l p e d t h e b i r t h d ay b o y c e l e b r at e h i s s p e c i a l n i g h t. H a p p y B i r t h d ay C a l u m !

Anna-Maria Christoforou and Zack Michael

Francesca Dearden and Vanessa Walker

Style Birmingham’s Andrew Riley with Paul Aston

YumYum Models with Francesca Dearden, Victoria Nigam, Samantha Angela Jones, Verena Twigg

Anna-Maria Christoforou and Patrick Fleming

Roc girls

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B IRM IN G H A M CLUBBING Birmingham’s nightlife is one of hustle, bustle, style and sophistication. We’ve put together a directory of our favourite clubs and bars in the city to make it easier for you to choose the perfect night out

B Us H wAC k eR s

s No Bs

Best night: Saturday – IF … after party

Best night: Friday – Rag & Bone fortnightly Fridays

DJ: Barney and Big Danny Kane

Music: Indie, soul, electro, party

Music: House

Entry: £5, £4 NUS, £3 with flyer

Entry: £10 Email ifsaturday@ hotmail.co.uk for guestlist

Location: Paradise Circus, B1 2BJ

Open: 1am to 7am.

Location: Edmund Street, B3 2HZ

C LUB C H I C Best night: Friday – Stikky Lips DJ: Scotty M, Benny Rich, Hannah Wants, Wayne H Music: Funky, vocal house, electro, bassline house Open: 10pm to 4am Location: Horse Fair, B1 1DD

P U RPL e Lo UN G e Best night: Saturday – Foreplay first and last Saturday of the month Music: Vocal, soulful house Entry: Free Open: til 2am Location: Hurst Street, B5 6SE

AIR Special event: SixFiveTwelve Bank holiday all-nighter, Sunday May 6. Celebrate over a decade of events in Birmingham. Located in Air Warehouse and car park arena. Special guest Armin van Buuren. Music: trance and electronic. Tickets: early bird £25, standard £27, VIP £40 all plus booking fee.

T He s U NfLowe R Lo U NGe Special event: Five bands for £5 One of Southside’s hidden gems, this achingly cool hideaway is just a stone’s throw away from New Street station and the Bullring. On Friday March 23, five bands will be playing for your entertainment, costing you just £5 (£4 advance). Vows, Only Route Out, Abberline, Night Wolf and Cherry Street will all be playing. Visit www.thesunflowerlounge.co.uk or call 0121 632 6756.

CLUB N EWS

A NIGHTINGALe sANG …

IN keNT sTReeT

February 25 saw the re-launch of the top floor of Nightingale Club.

The new owners of the well-known gay club have invested £200,000 to totally refurbish the top floor of the venue as part of their pledge to bring the club back to life. The evening saw Daddy Cool singers Boney M and TOWIE star and guest host Kirk. Were you there?

We were! Let us know what you think of the refurb.

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If yoU Need Us, we’LL Be IN THe LAB A brand new club is opening up in Digbeth. Located on Trent Street, LAB11 is bringing the underground sound back to Birmingham with a selection of club nights geared to the discerning Birmingham clubber.

Launch night is Friday March 30.

See you there! Visit www.lab11. co.uk for more information about the launch and future events.

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style social

CLUBS DIRECTORY

Indi Bar Restaurant and bar, food and cocktails. DJ playing funky house and soulful RnB. Arcadian, B5 4TD 0121 622 4858 www.indibar.co.uk

78 Bar Bar, grill, club. Chic NY-style interior, Private VIP floor, private booths, penthouse bar for private functions.

Custard Factory, B9 4AA 0121 244 7800 www.70-eight.com Apres Bar, grill, club. Scandinavian-style interior, mellow music. Hours Happy from 3-8pm. Weekend DJs playing funky tracks.

Summer Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 1661 www.apresbars.com Bambu Bar Ultra glamorous, elite and sophisticated crowd. VIP area, smoking terrace, Moroccan garden, private booths with waitress service.

Wrottesley Street, B5 4BN 0121 622 4124 www.bambubar.co.uk Bar Room Bar Cocktail and pizza bar. 2 for 1 cocktail Thursdays. Music: indie, jazz, soul.

The Mailbox, B1 1RL 0121 632 1199 www.pizzakitchenbars.co.uk The Bull’s Head Pub food downstairs, live music, intimate club upstairs. Reggae session every Monday.

St Mary’s Row, B13 8HW 0121 256 7777 www.bullsheadmoseley.co.uk Chameleon Restaurant and bar. Club Love Saturdays from 10.30pm. Light shows, live percussionists.

Victoria Square, B1 1BD 0121 643 2233 www.thechameleonbham.com Chi Bar Restaurant, lounge, gay bar.

Newhall Street, B3 3RB 0121 233 3150 www.chibar.co.uk Club Chic Gay bar. DJs. Horse Fair, B1 1DD 0121 666 6806 The Core Club Gay club. Funk, RnB, house.

Cocktails, party bowls, pitchers.

Sherlock Street, B5 6NB 0121 622 2797 www.thecoreclub.co.uk

The Jekyll and Hyde Bar and restaurant. Quirky gin parlour. Alice in Wonderland inspired smoking shelter.

Steelhouse Lane, B4 6BJ 0121 236 0345 www.thejekyllandhyde.co.uk

GLAS - EASTER BANK

HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Rainbow Warehouse

Music: Deep, Funky, House, Garage & Techno Sunday April 8 - 2pm-Midnight + Secret Afterparty Be who you want to be - individual style, fashion and outrageousness are all welcome!

Taking daytime parties to a new dimension. Quality music, mind-blowing production and the finest crowd around, make this one of the maddest and most outrageous atmospheres in the UK! www.GLASparty.co.uk www.facebook.com/GLASfanpage

Eden Bar Gay bar and club. Friendly, fun and entertaining. Open from 2pm every day.

Sherlock Street, B5 6NB 0121 622 1953 www.theedenbar.co.uk Gatecrasher Nightclub. DJs, trance, anthems.

Broad Street, B15 1DA 0121 633 1520 www.gatecrasher.com iHost Roller disco. 70s fancy dress optional but recommended.

Reservoir Road, Aston, B16 9EE 07508 303 628 www.rollerrevolution.co.uk

Mechu Bar, grill, club. Luxurious and exclusive.

Summer Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 1661 www.mechu.com Nightingale Gay club. Happy Mondays, Diversity Thursdays, Infusion Fridays, XFactor finalist Saturdays.

Kent Street, B5 6RD 0121 622 1718 www.nightingaleclub.co.uk Nuvo Bar Cocktail bar and piano lounge with live music.

Brunswick Square, B1 2JP 0121 631 1600 www.nuvobar.com

Rainbow Warehouse Nightclub. DJ nights, check for details.

Adderley Street, Digbeth, B9 4ED 0121 772 8174 www.myspace.com/rainbowevents Revolution Vodka themed bar and club.

Cocktails, pitchers, food.

Broad Street, B15 1AY 0121 665 6508 www.revolution-bars.co.uk/ birmingham The Sunflower Lounge Bar and food. 60s music, soul, indie, live bands.

Smallbrook Queensway, B5 4EG 0121 632 6756 www.thesunflowerlounge.co.uk The Victoria Theatre pub from 19th century. Pub quiz, DJs, New York disco.

John Bright Street, B1 1BN 0121 633 9439 www.thevictoriabirmingham.co.uk Walkabout Australian themed bar. Australian food and drink. Live sport and entertainment, bands and DJs. Broad Street, B1 2DS 0121 632 5712 www.walkabout.eu.com

Poppy Red Bar and restaurant, home cooked British food.

Hurst Street, B5 4TD 0121 687 1200 www.poppy-red.com Purple Lounge Bar and lounge, drinks.

Cocktail Happy Hour every day from 5-9pm.

Hurst Street, B5 6SE 0121 622 4064 www.purplebarandlounge.co.uk

fACE The Rainbow, Digbeth Music: House, techno (Courtyard); Bass orientated vibes (Cellar) everything else that good from both past & present (Bar) Saturday April 28 Six arenas – Sub Focus, Art Department, Plastician, Mele, Cera Alba, Alex Arnout and loads more Also open weekly Saturdays, 9pm-4/6am.

No fixed dress code just the right attitude gets you in. www.faceevent.co.uk

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COCKTAIL PARTY

HOSTED BY ONEfOuR & fRIENDS

The Vaults, Newhall Place

Music: Funk, soul, disco, old skool R’n’B, classic house First Friday of every month 9pm till late Free entry all night Mixed crowd - Very glam Dress code - Smart Every month The Vaults and Onefour & Friends showcase a special cocktail and name the party after it, on the night that cocktail is on special offer and staff float about with jugs to get everyone on the mood We want to hear from you! Tell us about your favourite nights out in Birmingham. Email us at nightsout@publishingink.co.uk

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style social

W H AT ’S O N

March 31

Ta k e a l o o k at o u r p i c k o f t h e b e s t m u s i c , t h e at r e a n d e v e n t s i n t h e c i t y Edited by Jennifer Walker

J O e BO NAmASSA

March 24-25

NIA A lot of people still don’t know Joe Bonamassa. Well, this is your chance to discover the amazing talent. Joe is hailed as one of the greatest young blues guitarists of his generation. In 2009, he was voted Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Classic Rock Magazine Awards and Best Blues Guitarist in the 2012 Guitar Player Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards. He connects with his audiences in a way that not many artists can. Joe was discovered by blues legend BB King at the age of twelve and has not left the stage since. Tickets are from £30 to £50 and can be purchased by www.thenia.co.uk or by calling 0844 338 8000.

TH e X FAC TO r live !

!

LG Arena, May 20, June 4,8

LG Arena

The final nine of The X Factor 2011 are back together for The X Factor Live Tour 2012. Live at the LG Arena, the stars of the ITV show will be back to entertain you. The show will see the winners and most successful girl group in X Factor history Little Mix as well as Misha B, Janet Devlin, Marcus Collins, Johnny Robinson, Kitty Brucknell, Craig Colton and The Risk. Comeback girl Amelia Lily will also be joining the show. Tickets are priced at £32.50 and are available from www.lgarena.co.uk or by calling 0844 338 8000.

April 27

WiN

WeSTliFe

It’s the show everyone’s talking about … Westlife’s farewell tour. Are you sad to see them go? We are, too. Do not fear. You have one last chance to catch the loveable Irish boys live on stage as they travel the country for one final time. Westlife are performing three dates at Birmingham’s LG Arena. Tickets are £41.50 and can be purchased from www.lgarena.co.uk or by calling 0844 338 8000. Turn to page 82 for your chance to win special VIP tickets to the show!

May 11

I N T H E MO OD FOR SOME T H I NG MUSICAL? O u r p i c k o f t h e b e s t g i g s i n t ow n

mAr iN A A N d THe d iAmONd S HMV Institute

N KOT B S B LG Arena Every woman who was a teenage girl in the 1980s or 1990s will be getting ready for the best tour of 2012. New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, two of the greatest boy bands of the party decades are joining forces for the tour of a lifetime. The ‘NKOTBSB’ tour will see both bands gracing the stage with some of their best-loved hits including Hangin’ Tough, Step

by Step and I Want It That Way. With more than 200 million albums sold, numerous smash hits and countless fans all around the world between them, this tour promises to be the dream evening for a lot of ladies. This tour has been hailed as one of the hottest tickets for 2012, so don’t miss out! Tickets are from £40 to £50 and can be purchased from www.lgarena.co.uk or by calling 0844 338 8000.

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THe O Sm O NdS : Up C lO S e ANd pe rS O NAl , T He FiNAl TO U r

March 29

Symphony Hall For more than five decades, the Osmond brothers have been entertaining sold out crowds all over the world. Everyone has their favourite Osmond. 2012 marks the year of their biggest ever UK tour, and is said to be their last. The tour will take fans on a journey through their unforgettable hits including Crazy Horses, Love Me for a Reason, Down by the Lazy River and Long Haired Lover from Liverpool. For possibly your last ever chance to see Jimmy, Jay, Wayne and Merril in action, book your tickets for the show. Tickets are from £27.50 to £98 and can be purchased from www.thsh.co.uk or by calling 0121 780 3333.

Welsh singer songwriter Marina Diamandis, better known as Marina and the Diamonds is fresh from a supporting tour with Coldplay and embarking on a solo tour around the UK. On May 11 she is stopping off at the HMV Institute to entertain the Birmingham crowds with some of her catchy songs including I Am Not a Robot, Radioactive and Oh No! as well as some new tracks from her brand new album Electra Heart. Her latest single Primadonna out April 16 and Electra Heart is out April 30. For tickets, visit www.hmvtickets.com or call 0843 221 0100. Tickets are priced at £20 in advance, plus booking fee.

www.stylebirmingham.com

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style social March 13-17

April April 13-14 13-14

Sw eet Ch a Ri t y Crescent Theatre, April 24-28 Charity Hope Valentine is a taxi dancer at a dance hall in New York. She, unlike so many others has faith in the human race and hope that she will finally meet a nice man to romance her away from her sleazy lifestyle. Will Oscar be the one to change her life? With some of the greatest musical numbers of all time including Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now and The Rhythm of Life, Sweet Charity is a great show for all the family. Tickets are priced at £12 to £14 and can be purchased from www.crescent-theatre.co.uk or by calling 0121 643 5858.

R h o d G i l b e Rt Symphony Hall

wait inG f o R Go dot Old Rep Theatre Birmingham Repertory Theatre brings a new interpretation of one of the most significant plays of the 20th century. What does it mean to be human? That is the question being posed by the all-black cast in Southside’s oldest operating theatre. Telling the tale of two homeless men, Waiting for Godot portrays two days in their lives in which they argue, get bored, clown around, repeat themselves, contemplate death and wait. And wait. Tickets are £10 and can be purchased from www.oldreptheatre.org.uk or by calling 0121 245 4455.

Known as the Welshman who shouts a lot, Rhod Gilbert never fails to entertain. The multi-award winning comedian is coming to the Symphony Hall with his brand new live show, promising to entertain the Birmingham audience with all the usual Rhod-related antics. In his BBC show Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience, he trained as a fireman, a butler and a tattooist, even allowing a tattoo artist near his shoulder to brand him with a flaming Battenberg. According to reports, Rhod has mellowed since these experiences. See for yourself. Tickets are £25 and can be purchased from www.thsh.co.uk or by calling 0121 780 3333.

DRAMA Q UEEN

O u r p i c k o f t h e b e s t at t h e t h e at r e

March 23

be aR GRyllS : the Mu d, Swe at and t e aRS live to u R 2012 NIA

March 20-25

lo R d o f t h e da n Ce Symphony Hall Lord of the Dance has become an Irish phenomenon since Riverdance appeared on the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. Since that showstopping performance to millions, Lord of the Dance has become the most talked about, most written about and most acclaimed show in musical history. With more than 150,000 foot taps per show, the Irish dance spectacular promises to wow audiences yet again with its breathtaking footwork and dazzling music. Trust me, it’s much harder than it looks. Tickets are priced from £25 to £38.50 and can be purchased from www.thsh.co.uk or by calling 0121 780 3333.

After watching him survive in the rain forest, on mountain tops and in the jungle with Jonathan Ross (only he can say which was the toughest), Bear Grylls is embarking on an adventure of a whole new kind … a live tour.

The loveable survival expert and former SAS man is live on stage for the very first time, sharing his adventures with a live audience.

He shares his experiences of survival, his epic journey to the summit of Mount Everest and stories from his bestselling book Mud, Sweat and Tears. Tickets are priced at £39.50 and can be purchased from www.thenia.co.uk or by calling 0844 338 8000.

an e ve ninG with J o n RiChaR dS o n and S hap p i K ho RSandi Town Hall, May 6 Jon Richardson, the new host of Channel 4’s Stand Up for the Week, team captain on 8 out of 10 cats and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee will be bringing his Funny Magnet show to Birmingham’s Town Hall. Jon is joined on his tour by Shappi Khorsandi, star of Live at The Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Have I got News for You. Jon and Shappi will each perform a one-hour set. Tickets are £14 and are available from www.thsh.co.uk or by calling 0121 780 3333.

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www.mattbird.net

ADĂ‚GE MODELS

10 Commercial Street Birmingham B1 1RR

www.adagemodels.net 0121 643 7662

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STYLE SOCIAL

O U T AND ABO U T

Our pick of the best events and exhibitions

AS I A N W E DD IN G FAI R Pavilions, March 24-25

April 11-15

Whether you are planning your own nuptials or attending someone else’s, why not get inspired at the Pavilions Asian Wedding Fair. For two days in March, fantastic exhibitors specialising in everything from make up and mehndi to food and favours will be on hand to help you plan every little detail. Free entry. Visit www. pavilionsshopping.com for more information.

T HE GADGE T S HOW LIVE 2012 B I RM I N G H A M P R I D E 2 0 1 2 Gay Village, June 2-4 Birmingham Pride 2012 will be bigger and better than ever before. This year, Birmingham Pride coincides with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, with it all kicking off with the Pride Ball on Friday March 23 in support of the LGBT charity. The Pride parade will be showcased from 12 noon on Saturday June 2 at Victoria Square to the Gay Village. Wristbands to gain entry into all entertainment areas including main stage, cabaret arena and dance arena cost £5 for three days on the early bird ticket. Visit www. birminghampride.com for all the information.

NEC The Gadget Show Live is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever before. The show is the prime destination for those wishing to see, try and buy the very latest gadgets and gizmos. Alongside five halls of tech heaven, Suzi, Jason, Ortis, Jon and Pollyanna will all be back in the Super Theatre providing an hour of high octane entertainment three times each day. Featured zones at the show this year include Active Zone, International Future Tech Zone, Game Zone, Home Gadget Zone and In-Car Zone. As well as seeing the stars of the Channel 5 show, you can also shop from around 280 stands and see brand new technology, months before it hits the shops. The show is open from 9am to 6pm from Wednesday April 11 to Sunday April 15. Entrance tickets start at £14.99. Check the website for all information about VIP tickets and Super Theatre tickets. Visit www.gadgetshowlive.net or call the NEC on 0844 338 8000.

J U NIP E R C INE MA The Jekyll and Hyde, March

A EG O N C L ASS IC Edgbaston Priory Club, June 11-17 The AEGON Classic tennis tournament is set to cause a stir in Birmingham this June, with a host of world-class players all liningup to compete at the recently refurbished Edgbaston Priory Club.

The event, which hails the start of the summer tennis season, gives you an unbelievable opportunity to watch some of the world’s best female players two weeks prior to the Championships at Wimbledon, in an intimate and welcoming setting. Previous players include Maria Sharapova, Li Na, Ana Ivanovic and rising British star Heather Watson. New to the event in 2012 is Ladies Day, taking place on Thursday 14 June. Supported by Harvey Nichols, it is set to be a stylish day-out for you and your friends, with nail bars, hair stylists and of-course the classic combination of champagne and strawberries on-hand to indulge in throughout the day. And if that is not enough, Best Dressed on the day, as judged by Harvey Nichols stylists, will win four hospitality places, including show-court tickets, to Ladies Day at Wimbledon on Tuesday 26 June. Tickets range from £10-30. Book now by calling 0844 209 7359 or visiting www.aegonclassic.co.uk.

Popcorn at the ready, get yourself down to The Jekyll and Hyde on Steelhouse Lane to the Victorian Gin parlour where the Juniper Cinema is located. Showing classic and contemporary films in the ‘teenage angst’ season are Rebel Without a Cause (March 7), Quadrophenia (March 14), American Graffiti (March 21) and Dead Poets Society (March 28), the Juniper Cinema is a great place to go to sit and relax with friends, kick back and watch a great movie. With free popcorn, sharing nachos at £6, table reservations at £15 to include a bottle of wine and large nachos, where else would you rather be? You can also hire the cinema for your own private viewing including waitress service. Call 0121 236 0345 or visit www.thejekyllandhyde.co.uk for more information.

E AST E R EGGST RAVAGAN ZA! Cadbury World, March 31 - April 15 Do you know of a better place to spend Easter?

Head down to Cadbury World, with or without the kids, to eggsperience the greatest, most eggciting eggstravaganza this egg-shaped world has ever seen.

OK, the world isn’t shaped like an egg, although you could easily be persuaded otherwise on a visit to Cadbury World. Find out how chocolate is made, packaged and, most importantly ends up in your mouth. Visit www.cadbury.co.uk for all the information. Book a time slot to guarantee entry.

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WI

Competition

N!

It’s the show that everyone’s talking about. The world is getting ready to bid farewell to Westlife when they take to the road this spring for their final tour.

Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky will fly in to the LG Arena to perform some of their best-loved hits and celebrate a career that has spanned over a decade, seeing over 44 million records sold worldwide, 14 number 1 singles and seven number 1 albums.

The night will give fans the chance to reminisce about their favourite songs, from Swear It Again, which topped the charts way back in 1999, to classics like Flying Without Wings and Unbreakable.

Westlife are, undoubtedly, one of the most successful bands of recent times; racking up two BRIT Awards, an MTV Award, a World Music Award and no less than four Record of the Year accolades. In the UK alone they have earned the title of Biggest Selling International Band of the decade, scoring a massive 10 multi-platinum albums, which means they are the third highest number 1 single holders, beaten only by Elvis Presley and The Beatles. The farewell tour will celebrate a number of their hits, including infamous covers Uptown Girl, Mandy and Against All Odds, which feature on the band’s Greatest Hits album.

We have teamed up with the LG Arena to offer one lucky reader a pair of tickets to one of their final shows on May 20. Even better, courtesy of the LG Arena’s hospitality division amplify, you’ll get to sit on the VIP balcony – Showdeck – and enjoy fantastic views of the stage.

To be in with the chance of winning, answer this simple question: How many number 1 singles have Westlife had in their career? a) Six

b) Ten

c) Fourteen

Enter online at www.stylebirmingham.com or send your answer, full name, address and telephone number on a postcard to: Westlife Competition, Style Birmingham, Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New Street, Birmingham, B2 4EU by May 9 2012.

The Westlife tour is one of hundreds of fantastic shows happening at the LG Arena, to find out what else is coming up visit www. lgarena.co.uk. If you’re interested in having an even greater night out, check out www.amplify.co.uk for the great packages they offer at all LG Arena and NIA shows.

Terms and conditions apply: The prize is an amplify package for two people at the Westlife show at Birmingham’s LG Arena on Sunday May 20 2012. The competition prize is non-transferable with no cash alternative or substitute dates available. In the event of show cancellation, an alternative prize of similar value and specification will be substituted. If you (as the winner) are under the age of 18 years old, you must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years of age or over.

WIN TICKETS TO SEE

WESTLIFE AT THE LG ARENA .

TO ENTER THIS COMPETITION GO TO w w w S T y l E b I R M I N G H a M or, alternatively, send your answer to Publishing Ink Ltd, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New Street, Birmingham, B2 4EU

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C O M

www.stylebirmingham.com www.stylebirmingham.com

THE QUARTER | WARSTONE LANE | JEWELLERY QUARTER | BIRMINGHAM | B18 6NR

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1 & 2 bedroom apartments from £124,750 or £99,750* with FirstBuy Why rent when you can buy from £458 per month** Follow us on Open daily 10.30am to 5.30pm

0121 233 0927

thequarterbirmingham.co.uk

*Offers on selected plots only, subject to status and terms and conditions. Pay just 80% upfront and get a 20% equity loan for the rest, interest free for five years with FirstBuy. Price of £99,750 is based on 80% of full purchase price of £124,750. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. **Monthly payments of £458 based on FirstBuy price with a 2 year tracker mortgage at 3.29% over 25 years and including a 5% deposit from the buyer. Details and prices correct at time of going to press. Images representative only.

M A R C O

P I E R R E

S T E A K H O U S E

B A R

W H I T E &

G R I L L

B I R M I N G H A M

The steaks are high...

Drinking and dining doesn’t get much better…..or higher!

Enjoy a devilish two-course meal for £15 or three-courses for £20. Dining is from the Table D’Hote menu and is available Monday - Friday from 12pm to 2.30pm. Or relax in our Laurent Perrier Champagne Bar and sample one of our signature Champagne cocktails.

To reserve a table visit www.mpwsteakhousebirmingham.co.uk or call 0121 643 2010.