Style Birmingham Issue 55

BIRMINGHAM

You shall go to the ball!

Suzanne Shaw takes centre stage with Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham

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YOU’VE GOT MAILBOX

Dressing In Style FOR CHRISTMAS DAY

All available at next.co.uk

#55

Hello, Christmas!

I

t’s hard to believe that we’re already preparing to say goodbye to 2017, we’ve had such an exciting year here at Style, and this issue is something that we’ve been looking forward to sharing with you for a long time.

Christmas isn’t complete without pantomime, so it seemed fitting to have the wonderful Suzanne Shaw (Birmingham Hippodrome’s Cinderella) as our leading lady. Turn to page 21 to see our interview with her as she tells us all about shopping in the city and life on stage. Plus you can shop all of Suzanne’s incredible looks thanks to Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham.

Throughout the issue, we’ve got plenty of fantastic features for you.

Our resident writer Tara Tomes shares her tips on building a social media empire [page 86], Philip Ellis takes a look at the highly acclaimed Coming Out exhibition now showing at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery [page 54] and we explore the affect validation through social media may be having on our lives [page 83].

Our fashion pages are filled with incredible looks that are sure to get you looking stunning for any festive occasion; turn to page 37 to take a look at the stylish pieces you can get your hands on at Next Bullring. Plus we’ve teamed up with Harvey Nichols [page 18] and Resorts World Birmingham [page 30] to pull together the most luxurious gift guides that will make your Christmas shopping a breeze.

For beauty lovers, the lovely Rose Gallagher shares her favourite Instagram accounts that you should be following for some serious inspiration [page 46], we talk all things skincare and makeup with the founder of Pixi Beauty, Petra Strand [page 44] and the team at Royston Blythe share their top tips on the season’s hottest hairstyle [page 52].

When it comes to Christmas in the city, The Insider is jam-packed with everything from the best places to get a mouth-watering festive feast [page 64] to the top events taking place to get you in the holiday spirit [page 58].

If all this wasn’t enough, we catch up with The Script to talk all about their incredible new album [page 56] and Birmingham Hippodrome’s Fiona Allan rounds-up everything that’s heading to the theatre in 2018 [page 62].

If you’re looking for a short winter break, turn to page 89 to take a look at our top picks of stylish stays from quaint hotels to luxury serviced apartments. And turn to page 96 where Edgbaston Priory will help you keep your body in check this season and there’s a chance to win the ultimate winter experience worth over £1000 thanks to Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham [page 98].

All this and more is waiting for you inside.

Have a fantastic Christmas and we’ll see you in the New Year.

Contact@stylebham.com

Editor-in-Chief Andrew Riley

andrew@stylebham.com Creative Director Mike Raven

mike@stylebham.com Editorial Assistant Becky Weaver

becky@stylebham.com Account Executive Jade Woodhouse

jade@stylebham.com Designer Simon Konaszczuk

Special thanks to:

Philip Ellis, Rose Gallagher, Tara Tomes, Danielle Bozward & Team at Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham, Sinead O’Herlihy & Team at Harvey Nichols, Hotel du Vin, Birmingham Hippodrome, Nancy and Tarin at Benjamin Ryan Hair, Bethany Strong, Tamirys and Vallery at Leni’s Models, Chrissie Trattos, Jamie Birmingham, Ben Appleby, Hannah Green & Team at Resorts World Birmingham.

Style Birmingham is created by RileyRaven Unit 606B, The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham, B18 6NF rileyraven.co.uk hello@rileyraven.co.uk 0121 769 2808

Enjoy the issue!

Turn to page 21 to see rest of the shoot!

ON THE COVER: Photography: Mike Raven Assistant: Simon Konaszczuk Styling: Luisa Hackney & Jade Woodhouse Makeup: Rose Gallagher Hair: Jamie Birmingham Model: Suzanne Shaw

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 Style Birmingham Ltd. 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.

CONTENTS 083 The Validation Generation Is social media ruining our lives?

086 How to Build a #SocialEmpire Tara Tomes shares her tips on bossing your social media

Beauty

37

How to wear the shade of the season

Women

stylebham.com For daily updates covering fashion, culture and the city

010 Style Chart The things you’ll be putting on your Chrtistmas list 011 Trend Update From statement sleeves to minimalist trends - here’s what to wear this season 015 Hello, Winter! Whether you’re dressing for a party or Christmas Day, we’ve got you covered 018 Spoilt for Choice Buying gifts has never been so easy thanks to Harvey Nichols 030 I Want it All! From luxury gifts to show-stopping experiences, Resorts World Birmingham has Christmas all wrapped up 034 The Little Things The finishing touches for your home 036 On Our Radar These are a few of our favourite things…

037 Simply Red How to wear the shade of the season

Features 021 You Shall Go to the Ball! Suzanne Shaw talks about starring in panto and shopping in the city 054 Coming Out Philip Ellis takes a look at the captivativating exhibition at Birmingham Museum 056 The Script Glen Power discusses the band’s new album and the evolution of their music

8 | Contents

042 Beauty Bulletin From cult classics to party look essentials - take a look at winter’s must-have products 044 Beauty Talk Founder of Pixi Beauty, Petra Strand talks about her blossoming brand 046 The Beauty Kings & Queens of Instagram Rose Gallagher gives her run-down on the beauty gurus you need to follow 048 Barely There Minimum makeup with maximum effect 052 Layer Up Royston Blythe share their top tips on achieving the season’s hottest hair look

The Insider 058 Out & About What to see & do across the city this holiday season 060 Turn Up the Volume Brighten up your daily commute with these podcasts 062 A Love of Tradition Fiona Allan takes a look at what’s to come at Birmingham Hippodrome 064 Hot Spots Our top picks of where to wine and dine this Christmas

Man 067 In this issue of Man, Becky Weaver talks to YouTube creator Jim Chapman about writing for GQ and the pros and cons of sharing his life online. Plus, we catch up with loveable Brummie Joe Lycett and Philip Ellis takes a look at the dark side of social media. We also give you the low-down the apps that will help you cut down on social media.

Life 089 Stylish Stays Planning a weekend break? Take a look at these stylish & quirky stays 094 Winter Warmers The indulgent snacks you need to cook up in the kitchen 096 Health Kick Work your way to your summer body with Edgbaston Priory 098 WIN The ultimate winter experience with Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham

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BRAIN FOOD Want to see more of what we love?

Visit stylebham.com

SUITS YOU Pair this raw-edge mustard suit with some chic heeled boots for a real show-stopper. Trousers, £49, Blazer, £69, Topshop

If your busy lifestyle is getting the better of you, take some time out to read Modern Mindfulness and recharge your mind. £8.99, Oliver Bonas

FINAL TOUCHES

HIGH BROW Whether you’re naturally blessed or need a bit of product to help you out, keep your brows in shape all day and night with Bobbi Brown Waterproof Brow Shaper. Bobbi Brown, £18.50, John Lewis

BY THE FIREPLACE Designed to replicate personal memories, By The Fireplace is sure to make you feel warm inside. £95, Maison Margiela, Harvey Nichols

Made from sterling silver and 9ct gold, this classic and understated ring complements any look. Clogau Outlet Bamboo ring, £83.30, Resorts World Birmingham

Style Chart From cosy candles to luxury loungewear, we’ve got you covered this winter

STATEMENT BOOTS These faux leather boots with tortoiseshell detail will upgrade any outfit. Best paired with light blue jeans and a cosy knit. Stella McCartney, £630, Harvey Nichols

Editor’s Pick

10 | Style Chart

COSY COMFORTS The gorgeous, smoky scent of Incense & Embers evokes a winter feel with elements of leather, silver fir and golden amber. Jo Malone London, £44, Grand Central Birmingham

CHECK ON IT

ARM CANDY Simple, elegant and a fraction of the price of a designer handbag, this chain leather bag ticks all the boxes. £49.99, Mango

Not only are these trousers super on-trend, they’re also comfy and versatile. £22.99, New Look

Trend Update

WOMEN

With the new season comes durable fabrics, loose fits and androgynous cuts. Get inspired as we round-up the best AW17 trends

Burberry

Burberry

Statement Sleeves

Pringle of Scotland

Marques’ Almeida

Topshop Unique

Pringle of Scotland

Burberry

Statement Sleeves Slouchy, oversized sleeves have dominated catwalks from @Burberry to @TopshopUnique this season. It may be impractical but it looks good!

Pringle of Scotland

283 likes

Esteban Cortazar

Marques’ Almeida

Burberry

Topshop Unique

1 DECEMBER stylebham.com | 11

Toned Down

Victoria Beckham

12 | Trend Update

Max Mara

Toned Down The all-grey look is one of this season’s most simple, minimalist trends.

Whether you’re dressing it down in comfy casuals like @ChristopherRaeburn or getting smart like @StellaMcCartney, bring this muted shade to life with bold accessories.

Max Mara

Marques’ Almeida

Marques’ Almeida

XU Zchi

Max Mara

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney

642 likes

1 DECEMBER

J. JS Lee

Burberry

Christopher Raeburn

WOMEN

Stella McCartney

J. JS Lee

Esteban Cortazar

For Queen and Country

713 likes For Queen and Country From oversized coats at @PringleOfScotland to fitted suits at @Mulberry, the quintessentially British herringbone tweed fabric returns to the catwalk this season.

Stella McCartney Stella McCartney

Topshop Unique

Mulberry

Pringle of Scotland

Pringle of Scotland

1 DECEMBER stylebham.com | 13

FOUND IT

ON LY 10 MI N U T ES BY T R A I N FR OM B I R M I N GH A M N EW S T R E E T OR 2 5 MI N U T ES BY CA R. PA R K A L L DAY F O R £ 2 * BIRMINGHAM

R E S O R T S W O R L D B I R M I N G H A M .C O.U K

AN D MORE Al l Im a g es us ed fo r i l l us t r a t i ve p ur p o s es o nl y *v al id at io n req u ired

WOMEN LADY IN RED Swarovski Emily gold plated crystal bracelet, £79, T.H. Baker

From crimson knits at Max Mara to ruffled ruby dresses at Alexandra Moura, catwalks celebrated the simple red palette.

Dress it down in a roll neck jumper and denim, or go all out with a sultry evening gown; there’s plenty of ways wear this classic colour.

Max Mara

Fendi Kani red leather shoulder bag, £1,680, Harvey Nichols

#STYLE LOVES

Hello, Winter!

Free People Not Your Baby satin jumpsuit, £150, Harvey Nichols

Topshop Mini ring backpack, £22

This season is all about casual suiting, partywear and cosy staples - here’s how to nail AW17 trends

YOUR CHANCE Marc Cain

TO WIN...

SPORTS LUXE SUITING

WITH THOMAS SABO!

Where casual comfort meets formal attire, suits have been reinvented with trainers and tees. These sports-luxe picks combine key high-end pieces with affordable basics for a super chic look.

H&M Cotton blend T-shirt, £6.99

Stella McCartney White faux leather trainers, £330, Harvey Nichols

Reiss Austin jacket, £235 and Austin trousers, £130

Fancy winning Thomas Sabo’s stunning Together Forever necklace and bracelet set, complete with a pair of beautiful Glam & Soul ear studs worth £250?

Head to Stylebham.com Gucci Dionysus bag, £1,790, Harvey Nichols stylebham.com | 15

Free People Spliced bronze velvet dress, £100, Harvey Nichols

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Zara Circular earrings with faux pearls, £12.99

What better way to enter the New Year than in a show-stopping gown?

WANT MORE FASHION?

Check out stylebham .co the latest trends, pr m for oducts and fashion news ar ound the city!

Thomas Sabo Charm club necklace, £34, Bullring

Zara Crossbody bag with beading, £29.99

New Look Gold V front mules, £25.99

PARTY TIME Stand out this Christmas by mixing statement accessories and luxurious textures

Oasis Utility texture dress, £48

Stella McCartney Falabella bag, £765, Harvey Nichols

CHRISTMAS PARTY

PARTY PICK!

Luxe fabric, a touch of faux fur and gold accents are the ultimate party combination.

Warehouse Circle twisted inlay earrings, £10

Topshop Merry ankle boots, £79

Next Black fringe dress, £32

BOXING DAY

Topshop Faux fur sandals, £29 Marc Jacobs Hot shot maroon leather shoulder bag, £270, Harvey Nichols

16 | Shopping

This cute, preppy outfit makes devouring the Christmas Day leftovers look almost glamorous.

WOMEN Mulberry Small darley bright navy cross grain leather bag, £550, Selfridges

LAID-BACK LEATHER

NEW SEASON STAPLES! Gucci Brixton leather loafers, £540, Harvey Nichols

H&M Chunky knit jumper, £17.99

Dune Dahlier bag, £70, Bullring

Acne Studios Roll-neck jumper, £510, Harvey Nichols

H&M Coated leather trousers, £199

Pair bold knits with leather for a stylish but snug outfit choice as the colder months draw in.

CHUNKY KNITWEAR A cosy jumper can be paired with almost anything; whether you’re chilling at home, meeting the girls for brunch or heading out for a walk.

See by Chloé

H&M Wide polo-neck jumper, £59.99 Stella McCartney Fawn ribbed wool jumper, £575, Harvey Nichols

stylebham.com | 17

&

TO HAVE

TO HOLD

OUR FAVOURIT E

Go-To Scents

Shoulder bags, totes or clutches... there’s a designer handbag out there to suit every style, taste and occasion.

Marc Jacobs The Editor bag, £480

DKNY Chelsea shoulder bag, £200

Stella McCartney Falabella mini metallic faux suede bag, £430

Spoilt for Choice Whether it’s Champagne truffles, luxury skincare or designer handbags, Harvey Nichols Birmingham has it all

The Crowd Pleaser hamper, £300

The Sweet Life hamper, £125

Champagne & Chambord hamper, £50

18 | Harvey Nichols

Sisley Soir d’Orient gift set, £175

Tom Ford Velvet Orchid eau de parfum gift set, £82

Discover the deep, spicy scent of Sisley Soir d’Orient Gift Set (£175) or the sweet, floral notes of Tom Ford, Velvet Orchid Eau De Parfum Gift Set (£82). Either way, these rich scents are a sure winner on Christmas Day.

FESTIVE FEAST

Who doesn’t love indulging in a hamper at Christmas? From sweet treats on Christmas Day to bottles of fizz on New Year’s Eve, Harvey Nichols hampers come with free named day delivery, so you don’t have to worry about rushing around last minute!

WOMEN

GET GLAM It’s that time of year when everything shimmery makes an appearance, and what better way to fill stockings than with beauty goodies? The Nars Dual-Intensity Eye Shadow Palette (£45) combines dark, sultry shades whilst the Estée Lauder X Victoria Beckham Highlighter, £55 will add a gorgeous glow.

NARS DualIntensity eye shadow palette, £45

Fenty Match Stix trio, £45

STYLE LOVES!

Estée Lauder X Victoria Beckham Highlighter, £55

Iconic London Contour and conceal brush set, £43

Yves Saint Laurent Contou r Eye palette, £35

Skincare Heroes

Skin Laundry Starter Kit, £75

These luxury skincare sets will leave her feeling refreshed and hydrated during the winter months. For a truly indulgent gift, The Renewing Collection

by La Mer (£230) is the ultimate pamper package, whilst the ESPA Body Collection (£26) is affordable without compromising on quality.

Elemis Wellbeing Duo, £22

EDITORS PICK!

La Mer The Renewing Collection, £230

ESPA Body Collection, £26

stylebham.com | 19

OPEN LATE DUE TO CHRISTMAS MAGIC That’s Christmas in the bag See bullring.co.uk for more details

WOMEN

Warehouse Sequin top, £42, French Connection Filomena faux leather mini skirt, £75 from John Lewis at Grand Central Birmingham and Faith Silver glitter ankle boots, £49, Debenhams at Bullring

You Shall Go to the Ball!

She’s conquered the world of music and skated her way to success, now Suzanne Shaw is preparing to step on stage as Birmingham’s very own Cinderella Photography: Mike Raven, Assistant: Simon Konaszczuk, Styling: Luisa Hackney & Jade Woodhouse, Hair: Jamie Birmingham, Makeup: Rose Gallagher, Words: Becky Weaver Special thanks to Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham, Birmingham Hippodrome and Hotel du Vin

stylebham.com | 21

John Lewis Necklace, ÂŁ28, Grand Central Birmingham

22 | Suzanne Shaw

WOMEN

I

t’s a cold morning in the city when I arrive at Hotel du Vin to meet Suzanne Shaw. We’re spending the day with the 36-yearold, styling her in some of our favourite looks from Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham. But before we transform her into a princess for the day, I want to get to know her a little better.

A talented singer and actress, Suzanne is no stranger to the stage, having starred in pantomimes across the country, but this year she’s making her debut in one of the country’s biggest — Birmingham Hippodrome’s Cinderella. “I’m so excited,” she beams. “It’s such an honour to be doing the biggest one in the country.”

The Hippodrome is well known for its pantomime; brought to the stage by Qdos Entertainment, it brings thousands of people from in and around the city to the theatre every year, and it’s something that Suzanne tells me she’s thrilled to be a part of. “It’s really nice to be involved in such a flagship show and to be sharing the stage with an amazing cast.

“Hearing all the tricks and magic within this pantomime has made me so excited to get started. I know Danny Mac (Prince Charming) through a mutual friend so I’m looking forward to working with him, I met Beverly Knight (The Fairy Godmother) earlier in the year and then of course, there’s Matt Slack (Buttons), who is a legend at what he does and wins every comic pantomime award every year.

“I’ve never not enjoyed a pantomime; it’s incredibly hard work doing two shows a day, but I do wonder how I’m getting away with having so much fun at work at 36,” she adds.

Of course, taking part in two shows a day for six weeks can take its toll and means that Suzanne and the rest of the cast will have to make certain sacrifices, but staying in the country’s second city over the Christmas period certainly has its perks.

“I love Birmingham, it’s so amazing for shops. The show doesn’t open here until quite late in the month, so I’m planning to do my Christmas shopping here. I love Bullring, Selfridges is just amazing. My other favourite place to shop is Grand Central Birmingham, especially with John Lewis.

“When I’m on stage I’m performing in rags most of the time, so I’ll have to go shopping and treat myself to some clothes, and what better place to do that than in the second city. I’ll probably be broke by the end of the month, she laughs. “I’ll have to apologise to my family for the lack of presents, but at least I’ll look fabulous.”

“Birmingham’s so convenient for me and I can’t believe how much it’s changed and developed in the last few years. It’s such a great location in the country, I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a base for businesses and media like ITV.”

stylebham.com | 23

Fenn Wright Manson Dress, ÂŁ199, John Lewis at Grand Central Birmingham, Thomas Sabo Necklace, ÂŁ129, Bullring

24 | Suzanne Shaw

WOMEN

“It was my first and my children’s first introduction to theatre, and I fell in love with the industry because of it.”

With shows running right through Christmas, Suzanne will be spending all of her holiday in the city, and although she admits that she’ll miss her home comforts, she’s buzzing with excitement to explore all the festive activities taking place across Birmingham.

“I’m expecting good things from the Christmas market,” she says with excitement running through her voice.

“My children and fiancé are coming to stay with me so they’re really looking forward to it. Birmingham has got so much going for it; there’s a lot to see and do which is brilliant for the kids because they’ll have plenty to do while I’m doing my shows. Of course, they’re coming to watch me too.”

While Suzanne has performed in the city with Dancing on Ice, this year will see her make her debut at the Hippodrome.

“Everyone just raves about how fantastic the Hippodrome’s pantomimes are,” she says. “It has such a massive reputation and so many greats have done it here, so I just want to make sure that I’m doing the best for the show, city and audience.”

Everyone knows that pantomime for a vast majority of British people is the epitome of Christmas, and for Suzanne, it’s something that holds a very special place in her heart. “It was my first and my children’s first introduction to theatre, and I fell in love with the industry because of it.

“Pantomime over the years, not so much anymore, has been looked down on and bashed, but it’s something that is such a huge tradition in Britain. The Americans don’t do it, it’s something that we’ve created, and for me that’s what theatre is all about. Doing pantomime for me is so important, it’s not just about having a laugh and getting to be a bit silly on stage, or singing nice songs and wearing glittery outfits, it’s more about what it stands for and it’s in our culture as theatre within Britain.

stylebham.com | 25

Temperley London Sequin dress, £1,000, Selfridges, Thomas Sabo Bracelet, £198, Bullring

26 | Suzanne Shaw

WOMEN

“A lot of people go to pantomime with the impression that it’s just for children, but it’s not. They don’t understand the innuendos which are hilarious for parents and the rest of the audience. It’s such a brilliant family event, it’s not about taking your children and sitting through two hours of something that they’ll only find funny.

To be honest, I think now more than ever adults get a lot more out of a pantomime than children do.”

And it’s not just the innuendoes and planned scripting that make the show; as Suzanne informs me, sometimes it’s the slapstick humour and corpsing that gets the better of the cast when they’re on stage. “I’ve come out with really bad ulcers from biting my lip to try and stop myself laughing, my corpsing is the worst,” she says with a smile.

“I get this thing where even before I go on stage I start laughing because I’m nervous, because I know I’m going to get caught out. A few years ago I was doing The Rocky Horror Show and I was corpsing so badly that £1 of my wages went into a charity pot every time it happened, we ended up raising around £200 by the time the run came to an end.”

Many people will know Suzanne as onefifth of the pop-band Hear’Say, who shot to fame in 2001 after winning the popular talent show, Popstars, but despite the band calling in quits and going their separate ways in 2003, Suzanne’s career has led her onto a rather successful path.

“I actually got into Hear’Say by accident,” she explains. “At the time I was auditioning for Coronation Street and my friend convinced me to go along and audition. Never in a million years did I think I was going to be part of the group, and I kept getting down further and further. I thought I’d get kicked out very quickly. But as soon as the band finished I went straight back into theatre.”

“Now my focus is mainly acting.

It’s my first passion, my first love, and that’s why I went straight back into it as soon as I could.”

Having taken on the iconic role of Chicago’s Roxie Hart in London’s prestigious West End in 2008 following on from her time in Hear’Say, I ask Suzanne whether she feels that singing plays as much of a part in her career as it did more than a decade ago. “I suppose it does,” she says after pondering for a moment.

“Now my focus is mainly acting. It’s my first passion, my first love, and that’s why I went straight back into it as soon as I could.”

With a beautiful personality and infectious passion for her career, I can’t imagine anyone more perfect for the role of Cinderella than Suzanne. Birmingham Hippodrome’s audience is certainly in for a spectacular treat as this is a show that once again is sure to bring an extra dose of glitter and magic to the city.

Cinderella runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday, December 19, 2017 - Sunday, January 28, 2018. For more information visit birminghamhippodrome.com.

stylebham.com | 27

Cinderella STYLE

Get ready for the ball with Suzanne’s top picks from Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham

Ted Baker Hallii embellished crystal bobble clasp clutch, £129, Bullring

Karen Millen Knitted zip dress, £175, John Lewis at Grand Central Birmingham

Thomas Sabo Circles bracelet, £89, Bullring

Debenhams Metallic diamante flink high heel courts shoes, £69.99, Bullring 28 | Suzanne Shaw

John Lewis Clutch bag, £40, Grand Central Birmingham, No 1 Jenny Packham Black embellished dress, £150, Debenhams at Bullring

CONTACT: +44 (0) 20 77 20 97 25 UK@THOMASSABO.COM

#togetherbyTS

WWW.THOMASSABO.COM

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32 | Gifting

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@gastrogezgin

Waters Restaurant

Lava Shell Therapy Massage Home to a range of stunning facilities, including a salt cave, outdoor terrace Jacuzzi and hot-stone loungers, Santai Spa is the place to relax and unwind over the festive period, or even when January blues kick in. For £110 each, treat someone special and buy a package to unwind together in a day of luxury treatments, lunch and refreshments.

Serving a delicious selection of British comfort food with a twist, Waters Restaurant offers a six-course tasting menu for £60 per person.

Ideal for couples, this fine dining experience can also be enjoyed with a fourcourse wine pairing for an additional £25 per person.

Learn to Play at the Casino

Choose from the thrill of the spin in a roulette experience or test out your skills and judgement to try and beat the dealer in a blackjack experience - either way, an experience at Genting International Casino is a great gift for friends and colleagues! stylebham.com | 33

House of Fraser

GO FOR S! E N UTRAL

LESS IS MORE! If tacky Christmas decorations aren’t your thing, strip it back and create a Scandinavian wonderland with geometric ornaments, wooden decor and a bit of greenery.

John Lewis Into the Woods feather decoration, £7 Laura Ashley Lit winter wreath, £58

The Little Things Refresh your home this Christmas with these added touches

Ikea Vinter 2017 Chandelier, £15

Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir scented ceramic Christmas ornament, £28

Amara

Homesense Geometric polar bear bauble, £4.99

Paddywax Hygge Wild Fig and Cedar scented candle, £30, Debenhams

BoConcept Christmas tree sculpture, £48

34 | Interiors

Oliver Bonas Luxe round bamboo drinks trolley, £395

BoConcept Velvet cushion, £62

Pols Potten, Bubbles & bottles set of 4 lustre, £265, Heal’s Ikea Vägmalla throw, £13

Habitat Regency chesnut red velvet cushion, £40

Amara

RICH AND DEEP Oliver Bonas Boja gold foil decanter, £26

Add a touch of opulence into your home with deep hues and velvets for a luxurious interior feel.

Sainsbury’s Home

John Lewis Into the Woods terrarium decoration, £7

Primark Dark green gold faux plant, £5

BoConcept, Stockholm table lamp, £279

Create a cosy, festive atmosphere by introducing accents of brass, chrome and copper into your living space.

MODERN METALLICS

BoConcept Christmas tree sculpture, £48

stylebham.com | 35

@emrata

@jlo

GOLD HOOPS

POPPING BOTTLES Get the party started with a bit of festive fizz in a game of Prosecco Pong this Christmas. Make your gathering one to remember as you go head-to-head in this competitive drinking game.

The musthave accessory for any festive occasion.

2

Accessorize

ON THE RADAR Topshop Shearling style bomber Jacket, £57

Matalan

A little bit of everything we’ve been loving…

Skin Laundry Renewing eye cream, £26

3

WINTER SKIN Known for taking world-class laser and light therapy out of the doctor’s office and into open, airy Skin Laundry clinics, the luxury skincare brand is now available at Harvey Nichols, Mailbox.

Chloé Faye small leather backpack, £1,290, Selfridges

4

Accessorize

NEUTRAL HUES Skin Laundry SleepCycle clean skin pillow case, £26 Skin Laundry Gentle foaming wash, £20

36 | On the Radar

‘Tis the season for layering up. Pair an oatmeal jumper with a shearling jacket and suede handbag for a real laid-back look.

WOMEN

Roll neck jumper, £18 Bouclé Coat, £68

SIMPLY RED Passionate, fiery and sexy. However you choose to wear it, it’s time to embrace the shade of the season with Next Bullring Photography: Mike Raven • Styling: Jade Woodhouse • Assistant Simon Konaszczuk • Hair: Nancy at Benjamin Ryan Hair • Hair Assistant: Tarin at Benjamin Ryan Hair • Makeup: Bethany Strong • Model: Tamirys at Leni’s Models

stylebham.com | 37

Sequin dress, £80

38 | The Colour of the Season

WOMEN

Clockwise from top: Look 1: Pom hat, £14, Funnel neck sweater, £24, Textured tapered trousers, £28 Look 2: Roll neck, £18, Berry asymmetric skirt, £32, Patent hardware loafers, £28

stylebham.com | 39

Roll neck, £18, Textured tapered trousers, £28, Bouclé coat, £68, Red patent hardware loafers, £28

40 | The Colour of the Season

Single breasted jacket, £48, Textured tapered trousers, £28, Berry leather EVA slippers, £42

WOMEN

stylebham.com | 41

THE BEAUTY EDIT

Bushy Brows The days of over-plucking are long gone.

Now’s the time to embrace your natural, untamed brows. Try Benefit (1)24 Hour Brow, £20 and (2)Make Up For Ever Brow Gel, £15, both from Debenhams to define hairs for an effortless look.

1

4 Warm It Up From buttery mattes to pigmented metallics, embrace warmer eyeshadow tones this Christmas with the (3)Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Longwear Eyeshadow Palette in Scandalust, £39, John Lewis.

With 15 shades of both matte and shimmer, the (4)Warm Neutral Eyeshadow Palette, £49.50, M.A.C will allow you to create endless looks for party season.

2

BEAUTY

3

BULLETIN The best products to keep your skin glowing and your lips popping this Christmas JADE WOODHOUSE

7

5

Statement Lips Stand out this season with a bold glitter lip. If you’re over matte lipstick, opt for a glossy, shimmery alternative with the (5)Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lip Gloss in Ruby Sugar, £22, Selfridges or the (6)Stila Glitterati Lip Top Coat, £18, Harvey Nichols.

42 | Beauty Bulletin

Skin Fix

6

Treat yourself to the gift of great skin this Christmas with the (7)Caudalie Divine Oil Bauble, £8, Harvey Nichols, made from a variety of natural ingredients including grape seed oil and hibiscus.

Add the limited edition (8)Calendula Herbal Extract Toner, £34.50, Kiehl’s into your winter routine to soothe, cleanse and refresh before moisturising.

8

THE BEAUTY EDIT

be about minimum effort and maximum results.

You collaborated with four beauty bloggers including @CarolineHirons for your Pixi + Pretties collection.

What inspired you?

BEAUTY TALK

Founder of @PixiBeauty, Petra Strand talks all about her blossoming business, collaborating with some of the world’s biggest beauty bloggers and the importance of taking care of your skin

What inspired you to start Pixi Beauty?

I’m a makeup artist by trade and Pixi Beauty reflects that.

I’m always searching for colours that flatter the skin as well as formulations that benefit it. I’ve always tried to create the kind of products that I want to see in my makeup bag. Pixi first opened its shop doors 18 years ago and the ethos and inspiration for the brand remains exactly the same; to create products that are great for the skin, have tones and pigments that flatter the skin, are cruelty free, fuss free and can be used multiple ways.

44 | Beauty Talk

How are Pixi products different to other brands?

We approach our makeup in the same way as our skincare, every product is packed with botanicals and plant extracts, which are beneficial to the skin. Multipurpose is key; instead of complex routines, we like to simplify and make sure that only five multipurpose makeup products are needed for a look. We understand that most people have little time, so products should

It’s Lip Time Palette, £28

Strobe & Sculpt brush, £16

There are so many talented and inspiring people in the online beauty community who are experts in their own fields such as Caroline. These beauty bloggers have an amazing amount of knowledge that they share so readily with their audiences and are a great resource for so many people. I loved the idea of sitting down and creating the dream product with Caroline as it was a true collaboration and resulted in the perfect product, reflecting her area of expertise and taste.

What are your favourite products from the Pixi + Pretties range?

Double Cleanse which we created with Caroline Hirons has been such a game changer as it’s brought the facialist to the customer. In the treatment room double cleansing the perfect way to keep skin healthy and balanced, and I love that this luxurious experience can be possible in every bathroom with Double Cleanse.

The Get The Look palettes we created with beauty blogger, Judy Travis @ItsJudyTime are fantastic too because all of the colours are so wearable and work beautifully singularly, or can be blended to customise your look. I also personally use Maryam’s Strobe and Sculpt Brush everyday, which is a Pixi classic.

THE BEAUTY EDIT What’s your secret to building such a successful business?

Trusting your gut instinct, being completely committed and working hard. Never give up and don’t listen to negative people.

What’s your favourite Pixi product?

I have quite a few favourites for very different reasons. Of course I love Glow Tonic as it’s been part of the Pixi Skincare range for the last 18 years and it’s a product that’s really made a difference and improved all types of skin, plus it’s extremely easy to use. We also have a base

called Illuminating Tint & Conceal, which is another firm favourite of mine. It’s a tinted moisturiser with a skincare quality base, broad spectrum sunscreen and mineral pigments that give the skin the most

beautiful glow. In the lid is a matching full coverage concealer so that you can customise the finish and have flawless coverage where you need it. I use it every day!

What do you love about your job?

I love the product development process. I’ve always had an alchemist’s approach to makeup and enjoy mixing, experimenting, hand blending the pigments for the initial sample, working with the lab directly for the formulations and pushing the boundaries of what we can do with ingredients. I’m very much at the helm of Pixi and I’m involved in all aspects of the brand. It makes me so proud of our team when I look back at how the brand has grown and evolved.

What beauty products can you not live without?

Eyelash curlers, lip balm, mist, sunscreen and concealer! I use sunscreen daily and love misting my face throughout the day. I also love a multipurpose quick fix with makeup too. I use the Correction Concentrate, which is a peach corrector for dark circles and it’s what I call my eight hours of sleep in a jar. I use that sparingly instead of eye shadow and add a dab of the Sheer Cheek Gel on the apple of the cheeks when I’m in a rush.

Pixi’s Sheer Cheek Gel has been in the range for 18 years and I still swear by it. It’s water and aloe vera based gel that you can use as a fresh hint of colour on the cheeks or even as a stain on the lips too.

What’s your secret to achieving glowing skin?

Regular maintenance; cleanse the skin twice a day and use a toner like Glow Tonic before moisturising, make sure to customise your skincare when it needs to be tweaked. I love an at-home treatment as well to give the skin a little extra TLC. Once a week I use Peel & Polish to really maintain a smooth, hydrated texture of the skin and I also use the H20 Glow mask, which is an oxygenating two minute mask which revitalises all skin types yet it’s so calming and soothing. Every night, I finish the skin by layering Overnight Glow Serum to lock in the moisture.

Follow @PixieBeautyUK on Instagram!

What do you consider to be more important, your morning or evening beauty routine?

I actually think both are very important, however, it’s key to remove all the makeup, pollution and dirt accrued from the day. It’s essential to let the skin breathe at night and let the skincare you use work its magic. In the morning, you’re removing the night products and setting your skin up for the day by boosting moisture levels and hydration and ideally a must is to protect your skin with sunscreen too.

Do you have a career highlight?

Our first London store opened 18 years ago, and it’s grown stronger than ever. This year we opened our first US store on Abbot Kinney in Los Angeles.

Certainly a highlight!

stylebham.com | 45

THE BEAUTY EDIT

THE BEAUTY

Kings & Queens ROSE GALLAGHER

OF INSTAGRAM

One of my favourite places to find inspiration is Instagram. Here are some of the people I follow that make me laugh, teach me new things and explore the world of beauty in their own way Emily Weiss @emilywweiss

265k followers Once one of our favourite reality TV characters hailed as ‘super intern’ on The Hills, Emily Weiss has gone on to found one of the best cult beauty brands of recent years, Glossier.

Glossier, a nod to Emily’s hugely famous beauty blog Into the Gloss is available now.

Glossier Smoothing balm, £12

Glossier Generation G lipstick, £18 Pretty Iconic Sali Hughes, £20, Amazon

Sali Hughes Terry Barber

@terrybarberonbeauty 61.5k followers Terry’s innate ability to find makeup inspiration in the simple pleasures of life has established him as the funniest M·A·C expert on Instagram. See how he works with baked bean orange or uses matchstick embers as the inspiration for a sexy, smoky eye.

46 | Instagram

@salihughes

85.4k followers Sali is The Guardian’s Beauty Director and author of two of my favourite books, Pretty Honest and Pretty Iconic.

Her Instagram feed is one of the only no-nonsense pages about what works and what doesn’t. But why I really love her is that she’s equally passionate about using her platform to fight for causes that she believes in and works towards creating a more feminist society every day.

THE BEAUTY EDIT

David Horne

@houseofglamdolls 12.4k followers David Horne is beauty industry folklore legend.

His page shares musings from vintage makeup collections, sources that inspire him and all of the action from his makeup school, House of GlamDolls, in London. He’s the Tim Burton of makeup.

House of GlamDolls Glamblush wheel palette, £25

Jessica Diner @jessicadiner

14.1k followers After years creating beautifully written pieces for the beauty pages of Vogue, Jessica is celebrating her new reign as the Beauty Director. Follow her for the most eloquently articulated musings on fragrance, tips for being infinitely glamorous as a working mum and photos of her gorgeous little boy as the icing on the cake.

Samantha and Nicola Chapman Peaches&Cream Halo highlighting powder, £12.50

Kate Donnelly and Nicola Smith @peachesmakeup 222k followers Forever and always my favourite Instagram page, I may be biased as they’re my best friends but the girls at Peaches and Cream in Liverpool truly rule the Instagram roost.

Keep up with their page for the ultimate inspiration in more-is-more glamour.

@pixiwoo and @pixiwoos 1.2m Combined followers The sisters behind the only YouTube channel I never miss and the women behind the beauty brand Real Techniques, I love following Sam and Nic. Take to their Instagram for the very best makeup tutorials with clear guides on how and what to do with products. In between, they’ll share funny snaps of what their children say and post a hilarious meme here and there.

Real Techniques Powder brush, £8

Real Techniques Set of four complexion sponges, £6

stylebham.com | 47

THE BEAUTY EDIT

Subtle Skin

Create the illusion of flawless skin without masking pores and freckles with a light foundation or bb cream. The key to a natural looking base is choosing the perfect shade to match your skin.

48 | Winter Beauty

THE BEAUTY EDIT Photography: Mike Raven Model: Vallery at Leni’s Models Makeup: Chrissie Trattos

BARELY Cocoa Lips

Embrace your inner Rachel Green with this classic 90’s look. Brown lipstick combined with gloss is a great alternative to classic winter berries and reds.

THERE

Fresh skin, rosy cheeks and a touch of gloss - minimal makeup is back

stylebham.com | 49

THE BEAUTY EDIT

Flushed Cheeks

As a product that’s often overlooked, blusher is actually a crucial part of any makeup routine.

From powders to gels, a small amount on the apples of the cheeks will make all the difference.

50 | Winter Beauty

THE BEAUTY EDIT

Easy on the Eyes If bold eyeshadow isn’t your thing, blending earthy matte shades is a fuss-free way to switch up your look. Simply apply a couple of similar browns on the eyelid and lower lash line.

stylebham.com | 51

THE BEAUTY EDIT

Layer Up

House of Holland

With the changing of the seasons comes fresh new styles. Celebrity hair salon Royston Blythe is onhand to give you their top tips on how to nail the 70’s Shag The modern shag is now more feminine than ever, with cleverly placed and blended longer layers that are far more flattering and feature-enhancing.

Who does this style suit?

This incredibly versatile style can be tailor-made to suit every face shape and clever layering will enhance individual features. Easily adapted to any occasion, this style can be worn smooth and sleek for a sophisticated look; with texture and volume (as shown at House of Holland) for a more daring grown-up bohemian style or with gentle waves for a very soft, romantic feel.

How to do you style it?

As eternally effortless as this style looks, it can be slightly intimidating to try and master the styling of a highly layered cut at home. Our advice is to always get a crash course on how to style your new cut before you leave your hairdresser. Listen to their expert advice on the correct products to use to get the most out of your cut.

Modern Shag Rules Regular fringe trims will keep your style in top form.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is an effortless style that doesn’t need attention, the Shag requires regular haircuts to get rid of split ends and keep it looking healthy and full of vitality. A clever colour placement can really enhance this look: speak with your stylist about creating bespoke highlights.

Celebrity Devotee’s

GET THE LOOK Step 1: Begin on towel dried, freshly washed hair. It’s important that you choose the right shampoo and conditioner for your specific hair type; if your hair lacks volume opt for a volumizing range or if you struggle with frizz then select a frizz-banishing product. We’re huge fans of Kérastase, they have an excellent range of products that offer something for every hair type.

Step 2: Part the hair slightly off to the side and scrunch-apply a texturising mousse evenly into your layers, working the product through before molding your hair into place. It’s vital to keep those layered bangs frizz-free and full of body, so take a large barrel brush and gently blow-dry your fringe into place.

Kérastase Smooth in-motion conditioner, £21

Kérastase Thickening effect shampoo, £18

L’Oréal Tecni Art fresh dust shampoo, £9

Step 3: Blast the remaining hair dry. Follow on by applying a dry shampoo to soak up any oil and lend more grit to enhance the look. We recommend L’Oréal Tecni Art fresh dust shampoo.

@TaylorSwift The star embraced the modern shag after abandoning her sleek, short hairstyle for something a little wilder.

Step 4: Take large sections of hair and wrap around curling tongs to encourage a tousled effect.

Step 5: Smooth over any fly-away hair around the bangs and roots with a light serum (we love Liss by L’Oréal Tecni Art).

L’Oréal Tecni Art liss control, £14

Images Shutterstock

52 | Hair

@AlexaChung We’ve never seen her hair on a bad day, but it’s certainly at its best with heavy bangs, lots of layers and full of texture.

Retail, culture and the city explored.

THE INSIDER

stylebham.com | 53

Insider

Birmingham Museum’s new exhibit ‘Coming Out’ showcases and celebrates 50 years of unapologetically queer art PHILIP ELLIS 2017 marked 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of male homosexual acts in England and Wales. Since then, we’ve seen significant progress in LGBTQ equality in the United Kingdom, most notably the introduction of same-sex marriage. But LGBTQ visibility in mainstream culture is still rife with stereotypes, misinformation and ignorance, and huge swathes of the community remain vulnerable — especially trans people, who are consistently required to justify their own existence and convince “concerned” citizens that they pose no threat, in much the same way

54 | Coming Out

that queer people have had to do throughout history.

The LGBTQ community contains multitudes, crossing all boundaries of lived experience, from race to class to religion. It’s not one community, as is so often suggested, but many. The diversity contained within this broad, shared identity is the inspiration behind Coming Out, a new touring exhibit which is now on show in Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s Gas Hall space following its stint at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool over the summer. The show was developed in partnership with the Arts Council

Collection to coincide with the 50th anniversary of decriminalisation, providing insight into how gender, sexuality and identity have been expressed and explored by artists from 1967 onwards.

Coming Out comprises more than 80 artworks in the main exhibition space, along with a selection of other pieces scattered throughout a specially created extensive gallery trail, and a rich event programme which includes workshops on Polari, the secret language once used by gay men to conduct affairs while avoiding persecution, and the art of drag. The exhibit encompasses film, sculpture,

Tracey Emin, When I Think about Sex I Think about Men – Women Dogs, Lions, Group Sex (And I Love you All), 2005, © the artist. Image by Philip Ellis

From Closet To Canvas

Retail, culture and the city explored.

Grayson Perry, Claire’s Coming Out Dress, 2000, © the artist, image by Jerry Hardman-Jones, Nottingham City Museums & Galleries collection

READ AN EXTENDED VERSION ONLINE Coming Out exhibition opening

installations and print pieces, by a diverse range of artists from LGBTQ, BAME and feminist backgrounds.

“It’s difficult with a show like this to be all-encompassing; you try to be as representative as possible,” says curator Lisa Beauchamp, who worked closely with local LGBTQ organisations SHOUT Festival, Unmuted and Ageing Better to ensure authenticity in the exhibition and events programme.

“What I hope this show will do is start people talking about these subjects, and spark a discussion. I think the show will, hopefully, appeal to a broad audience. There are some difficult pieces; there’s lots of nudity, there’s content on sexual health and the AIDS crisis — we’re not going to shy away from those topics at all.”

One of the key pieces in the show is ‘Claire’s Coming Out Dress’, the garment created by Grayson Perry to announce his identity as a cross-dresser to the art world. Also included in the exhibit, acting as a kind of mirror to the dress, is Perry’s ‘Who Am I?’, a ceramic vase which he made four years prior, the surface of which illustrates the different facets of his personality.

In addition to Perry, the exhibit includes pieces by other famous artists such as Francis Bacon, Tracey Emin, and David Hockney. But Beauchamp also felt it was important

to incorporate works by artists with close links to Birmingham and the West Midlands, including Bob Jardine, who photographed ‘The Promised Land’ of Milton Keynes’ subcultures in the 1980s, and Vanley Burke, often described as the godfather of Black British photography, whose images of protests against Section 28 in 1986 Wolverhampton provide a local snapshot of the gay rights struggle at one of its most pivotal moments.

The collection is provocative, for sure, but not gratuitously so, with no more flesh on show than your average Renaissance exhibit. It is an explosion of colours and ideas that are exciting yet accessible, in-your-face but also funny and relatable. “I’m trying, through the curation, for this to not feel like a silent, static space,” explains Beauchamp. “So if you’re walking into the museum for the first time, you won’t be put off. We want it to be warm, dynamic and welcoming, with plenty of sound and movement.”

The exhibit was officially opened by comedian Joe Lycett, who praised Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery for putting together such an inclusive exhibit.

“Something like this is really brilliant in that it gives a safe space to see how much is going on in this community.

I find that there aren’t enough spaces like this,” he tells me at the launch.

“The way we look at gender needs to change. We need far more cultural artefacts that explore gender. There’s so much tired thinking about how

we approach it, and one of the main ways we achieve change is through culture and media.”

A fan of Francis Bacon, he was also struck by the photographic work of Sunil Gupta, which chronicles the experiences of gay men in India, and feels both timely and necessary. Just this year, the government in India has been trying to legislate against gay freedoms.

“It means a lot to me because I’m part of it,” says Lycett, who identifies as pansexual, and like Beauchamp, hopes that the Coming Out collection will inspire people outside of the LGBTQ community to consider these issues and become allies.

“I think we’re going backwards, in some ways, in how the press are talking about trans people and TERFs; there’s no nuance, no understanding of how people are different,” he says. “It’s sort of fascinating that it’s been 50 years [since decriminalisation] — that’s within my parents’ lifetimes, within a lot of people’s lifetimes. How people used to treat gay people, and justify that treatment legally, that’s exactly what’s happening to trans people today. And then there are all of the countries around the world where you can still be killed for being gay… Shows like this matter. We’re nowhere near done.”

Coming Out is on show in the Gas Hall at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery until 15 April 2018.

stylebham.com | 55

Insider

BECKY WEAVER

The Script return ’s to Birmingham on Genting Arena !

18 February 15th 20

The Return of THE SCRIPT Following a two-year hiatus, The Script’s Glen Power talks about the evolution of their music and embracing freedom of speech

I

t’s hard to believe that it’s been nine years since The Script released their debut single We Cry that saw a fresh-faced Danny O’Donoghue strolling through the streets of New York. It may have only peaked at 15 in the UK charts, but that didn’t matter, it was just the beginning.

The Irish trio’s success since the release of their self-titled first album in 2008 has been unprecedented; with five (soon to be six) world tours, 29 million record sales and three multiplatinum albums under their belt, Danny, Mark and Glen have gone on to become one of the UK’s most successful bands.

Their tracklist history and imprint on music over nearly a decade speaks for itself, and while they may be known for their rock/pop songs, the truth is The Script’s music goes much further than ballads. Give their songs a closer listen and you’ll discover that their lyrics are deeply meaningful, from personal thoughts and opinions in No Words, taken from their third album #3 to the heartbreak of a break-up in their new single Rain.

Honesty in their lyrics is something that Glen tells me the band honour over numbers in the charts. “We make music that we feel is honest at the time. We never try to think of the numbers, our job is more about the music and if we can do that well and do what’s true to us, the rest will follow. We don’t really write music for it to be a hit, we’ve always stuck to what reflects us.”

It’s been a while since we’ve heard new music from The Script. Their fourth album No Sound Without Silence was released back in 2014, what followed was a huge world tour that saw Danny undergo vocal surgery at the beginning of last year. The band’s previous records have been hugely successful, with their first, second

WINTER WARMERS

56 | Playlist

TANYA’S CHRISTMAS: MAKE, BAKE & CELEBRATE | TANYA BURR | £16.99 | WATERSTONES

THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES NIGEL SLATER | £26 | WATERSTONES

YouTube sensation Tanya Burr’s debut cookbook, Tanya Bakes, soared to the top of The Mail on Sunday’s best-selling non-fiction charts on its release. In her latest book, Tanya shares her favourite recipes to cook up a storm in the kitchen, from an indulgent white chocolate cake to a full-blown festive feast.

Covering everything from Bonfire Night to New Year’s Day, Nigel Slaters’s The Christmas Chronicles is filled with not just recipes, but decorations, fables and quick fireside suppers. With more than 100 delicious and warming meals to cook up, this book will be your go-to guide this winter.

Retail, culture and the city explored.

and fourth album landing number one spots, and #3 peaking at two.

But with new bands and artists breaking through the industry and evolving at a rapid pace, I ask Glen whether himself, Danny and Mark found any pressure when it came to writing their fifth album, Freedom Child. “We’ve experienced less fear and more excitement. We’ve been a lot more willing to have a little bit of a play with our sound which is really what our single Rain is all about. We spent the first four to five years being stressed to bits trying to figure out if we were doing the right thing and what our next move should be. Now, we’re at the point where we want to fully enjoy it. We spent so much time worrying about things that we didn’t need to worry about.”

Going off the radar for a couple of years meant that the band’s fans have been eagerly awaiting new music.

Their return was out of the blue, with videos popping up across their social media channels, they shortly released Rain, a single that was a far-cry from the clean-cut music that listeners were used to. “Initially people were worried about what we’d done and whether we’d completely changed our sound,” Glen says of Rain.

“We created it (Rain) as a single to hopefully get people to dance, when you come to one of our shows there aren’t any that make you want to jump up and down. We decided that we wanted to have a bit of fun with it to see if we could make that happen,”

Glen explains. “We just wanted to try something a little bit different.

Rain didn’t come until the end of the album, but it seemed to be the obvious choice for us to release it.”

Despite the band’s concerns about what people would think about Rain, it’s done rather well. As I’m writing this, the video alone has clocked up an impressive 27 millions views – and counting – on YouTube. But the song is just an introduction to what Freedom Child, has in store. “The theme of the album is quite serious,” Glen explains. “We decided that if we were going to have a serious conversation with people, one of the easiest ways to do that was by starting off with something light and then introducing what we actually want to say.”

The Script returned to the music scene after a traumatising time. Following the horrific Manchester attacks at Ariana Grande’s concert in May, the world was left in shock, but united to become stronger than ever. I ask Glen whether now, more than ever, if they felt it was important to write songs that reflect the world we’re living in.

“When we saw what happened in Manchester we were devastated as a band, it affected us really badly. We’ve played that venue before and it made us think that it could have easily been one of our shows,” he says. “Gigs are where people go to escape and enjoy music and this just felt like an attack on the community. It really hit home for us, it was such a tragedy and the

fact that they pulled together the One Love concert in just a few days was just an amazing thing to show how nothing can tear down music. There just needs to be a bit of united feeling in the world. We need to allow each other to be who we want without contempt or hatred.”

Freedom Child, Glen explains, is all about freedom of expression. “The main message for us with the album is the fact that no-one is letting anyone be who they are,” he says. “There’s room for us all to be different and allowing those differences is how we can all live our lives and get along.”

But it goes deeper than this when Glen tells me how his bandmate, Mark was left in shock when his seven-yearold son asked him what terrorism was.

“Mark’s son told him they were running drills in his school in case something ever happened; the children were being assembled in the playground and it made Mark just think about the world that we’re living in.”

The album’s title, which is also a song on the track list, reflects heavily on the theme. “The song has the lyrics ‘put a flower on the top of a gun, put confetti in an atomic bomb, it’s time to change, we’ve seen enough, instead of war, we’re declaring love’. We just feel now as a band that the answer is love, you bring love into the equation and even when you dial it back down to bullying, it’s all about accepting and loving one another.”

Freedom Child is out now!

From planning your Christmas feast to discovering new soundtracks for the season - here’s what’s on our radar this winter

TWELVE TALES OF CHRISTMAS | TOM CHAPLIN | HMV | £9.99 Tom Chaplin is back with a very special album for the festive season.

The Keane frontman is back with his latest release, Twelve Tales of Christmas, the perfect soundtrack to accompany an evening by the fire while sipping on a cup of mulled wine.

VOICENOTES | CHARLIE PUTH | JANUARY 19 |HMV | £8.99 After the release of his debut album Nine Track Mind in 2016, Charlie Puth has gained quite a reputation with his skilful songwriting that saw him nominated for three Grammy’s. Now, the We Don’t Talk Anymore singer is back with his new album Voicenotes. Featuring hit singles Attention and How Long, each track began as a voice memo that Charlie recorded on his iPhone.

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Insider

Out&About CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TRAIL | Birmingham Botanical Gardens | Now - January 1 | £14 Step into Christmas at Birmingham Botanical Gardens as an array of stunning illuminations bring the tress and glasshouses to life this festive season. Follow the trail as you wander through the gorgeous surroundings, before taking a moment under the stars to sip on a warm glass of mulled wine and feast on some delicious treats.

BLUE MAN GROUP | December 28 - January 6 | From £28

CITY SOCIAL | Mailbox Underpass | Now - December 22 | Free!

The world famous Blue Man Group is heading on tour with its first UK show since 2009 taking place at Symphony Hall. Famed for its ability to transcend age, culture and language barriers, Blue Man Group performances blend art, music and comedy with state-of-the-art technology to create a sublime celebration of human connection.

The Mailbox Underpass has been transformed into a cosy Christmas hub filled with street food vendors, live music and gift stalls. If you’re after a change of scenery from the ever-so-popular Frankfurt Markets, then this is the place to be. Pick up some last minute gifts before dancing the night away to some of your favourite Christmas songs. It’s a real hidden gem in the city.

THE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS | Birmingham REP | Now - January 13 |

GHETTO GOLF | The Custard Factory | £10

Dodie Smith’s timeless classic has been adapted for stage and is landing at Birmingham REP for the whole festive period. Join dalmatians Pongo and Missis on an adventure to recover their missing puppies, whilst avoiding the evil Cruella de Vil. If you’re not a massive pantomime fan, this family-fun production is sure to fill the void.

Ghetto Golf has only been open in the city for a few months, yet its glow in the dark, adults only crazy golf course has made it one of the most popular go-to places for an alternative night out in the city. For £10, you and your friends can make your way around the 18-hole course before tucking into some cocktails and delicious street food.

58 | Out & About

LADY GAGA | Arena Birmingham | January 31 | From £45.80 After being forced to postpone the original Birmingham dates for her Joanne World Tour, Lady Gaga is finally back on form and heading to perform her two dates at Arena Birmingham (January 31) and Genting Arena on Thursday, February 1.

Following her incredible performance at this year’s Super Bowl, we can’t wait to welcome the Bad Romance singer back to Birmingham.

FREE Donations welcome

SEXUALITY, GENDER & IDENTITY

2 DEC 2017 – 15 APR 2018 A ground-breaking and vital contemporary art exhibition including works

by Grayson Perry, Tracey Emin, Andy Warhol, Derek Jarman, Sarah Lucas, David Hockney, Chila Kumari Burman, Sunil Gupta and Steve McQueen.

#ACCNationalPartners #ComingOutBMAG @BM_AG

@birmingham_mag

/birminghammuseumandartgallery

birminghammuseums.org.uk Coming Out is a touring exhibition conceived by National Museums Liverpool, in partnership with Birmingham Museums Trust as part of the Arts Council Collection National Partners Programme 2016–19.

Arts Council Collection is managed by Southbank Centre on behalf of Arts Council England.

Insider

Turn Up the Volume From comedy series’ to timeless classics - here are podcasts you should tune into this season

Klein Borrill

MY DAD WROTE A PORNO Imagine discovering your Dad had attempted to write a dirty book.

Whilst most people would want to push the horror into the depths of their mind, never to be brought up again, Jamie Morton decided to share his Dad’s novel for the world to hear. Joined by BBC Radio 1’s Alice Levine and James Cooper the trio read a chapter a week, where Jamie learns more about his Dad than he wanted.

PSYCHOBABBLE Join YouTube sensation Tyler Oakley and his friend Korey Kuhl every week as they bring you half an hour of non-stop pop culture scrutiny and gossip with some hilarious personal anecdotes along the way. From making their way through the trials and tribulations of high school to dishing the dirt on all the biggest celebrities and even guest appearances from some of YouTube’s biggest stars, this podcast makes a commute go a whole lot quicker.

NO SUCH THING AS A FISH Starring the writers of the hit BBC show QI, Dan, James, Anna and Andy huddle around a microphone in the show’s HQ to discuss the best things that they’ve discovered during their week. No episode of this podcast is the same, as the hosts each bring something new to the table every week, whether it’s discussing when Mount Rushmore will finally be finished or what happens after you win a Nobel Prize.

AT HOME WITH… THE RICKY GERVAIS SHOW Your home says so much about you - your personality, where you’ve travelled and the kind of person you are. Every week, join lifestyle creators Lily Pebbles and Anna Newton as they explore the homes of bloggers, authors and business founders alike. With guests including Zoe Sugg (Zoella) and the Lancôme’s Creative Director for Makeup, Lisa Eldridge, Lily and Anna sift through everything from wardrobes to Sky+ boxes, giving listeners an insight into their guests’ lives like never before.

60 | Podcasts

THE HIGH LOW The most downloaded podcast of all time, The Ricky Gervais Show is a classic podcast that’s one of our all-time favourites.

If you’re a fan of An Idiot Abroad and The Moaning of Life, you’ll love everything about this podcast. Starring Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington, this podcast turned animated comedy show is based on the trio’s hilarious conversations of weird and wonderful topics.

Covering everything from feminism and politics to dishing out on Rob Kardashian’s social media meltdown, Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes’ The High Low, is rapidly becoming one of the most popular podcasts of the year. A rebirth of The PanDolly Podcast, which the pair created for The Sunday Times Style up until last year, The High Low is a great podcast for getting your dose of pop culture.

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Insider

A Love of Tradition CEO and Artistic Director of Birmingham Hippodrome, Fiona Allan, tells us why Christmas traditions are so important, and shares a few of her favourite things coming up in the new year

FIONA ALLAN CEO and Artistic Director of Birmingham Hippodrome

Caroline Holden

Images clockwise from left: The Nutcracker, Matilda and Wicked

62 | Culture

As someone who grew up enjoying hot weather, barbecues and beach trips, with Christmas being part of the summer school break, a winter Christmas still feels like a novelty.

I’m sitting at home writing this as the dark night starts closing in, and I can’t quite believe it’s that time of year again. The end of the year is always a time of reflection for me: looking back over what has changed for better or worse over the past year, and anticipating what a new year will bring.

We each have different traditions this time of year, and celebrate in different ways.

Mine started last weekend, when I made the soul-searching decision to finally buy an artificial Christmas tree. Having done the solo battle of lugging around pine trees once too often I decided that was one Christmas tradition I could give up.

Workwise with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker followed by this year’s pantomime Cinderella soon upon us, we’re gearing up to welcome over 150,000 people through our doors over the holiday season. I find it rewarding to think we play a part in the Christmas traditions of so many people across the Midlands, seeing so many happy people really is definitely one of the perks of my job.

This year, we’ve expanded our seasonal offerings to include more activities for families, especially those with younger children, to experience a Hippodrome Christmas. Saturday, December 16 will see our inaugural Frost Fair, a day of free performances, artisanal markets, craft workshops and seasonal food and drink.

Take a break from shopping to soak up the atmosphere in our beautifully decorated foyers - it will be a great day, and entry is free.

And for the first time, we will also be running a Christmas show for younger children in the Patrick Studio, our 200 seat smaller venue inside the Hippodrome. The production is The Snow Dragon, brought to us by Tall Stories, the talented company that has toured The Gruffalo, and it’s full of toetapping songs and laughs for all the family.

Looking forward, I’m excited for the year ahead. For me, it means a trip home to Sydney in January to see my family and friends there - coinciding with the Sydney Festival, which has a load of international performances I’ll try to catch.

Manuel Harlan

Luckily for Birmingham there’s no need to travel abroad, or even to London, to see amazing world class performances. In 2018 we will be bringing a stellar line up of top shows to the Hippodrome, including Wicked, Matilda, War Horse, Ballet British Columbia, Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella, and a host more. It’s going to be a very exciting year.

So for now, have a wonderful festive season and a really Matt Crockett terrific start to 2018.

(Don’t forget, if you’re running low on present inspiration, Hippodrome gift vouchers are always a great idea!)

Insider

David Griffen Photography

‘Tis the Season for Festive Feasting Whether you’re planning you work’s shindig or looking for somewhere to spend the big day - here are the top places to wine and dine this Christmas

Tom’s Kitchen Mailbox 1

With three private dining areas and indulgent meals to choose from, you’ll be left spoilt for choice when it comes to celebrating Christmas at Tom’s Kitchen. Created by Michelinstarred chef, Tom Aikens, the private dining menu is available until December 30, where diners can enjoy a selection of courses available from two packages. With prices starting from £37.50 per person, Tom’s Kitchen has everything to make your Christmas that extra special.

WE LOVE: Searching for a luxury Christmas present? Why not pick up one of the mouth-watering hampers available at Tom’s Kitchen. Filled with a variety of delicious treats, there are two hampers available to suit every budget this Christmas.

Buffalo & Rye Bennetts Hill 2

For those who may want something a little less traditional, independent burger joint Buffalo & Rye has designed a turkey-free Christmas menu.

Here, diners can tuck into American meals with a twist; ranging from buttermilk blackened chicken strips to smoked lamb with truffle and bourbon sweet potato mash plus a selection of puds. When it comes to drinks, the trendy restaurant is offering a selection of drinks packages covering beer, wine and cocktail jugs.

We Love: Not just loved for its delicious burgers, Buffalo & Rye has a whole menu dedicated to whiskey which is sure to warm you up in the cold winter weather.

64 | Hotspots

Retail, culture and the city explored.

The Button Factory Jewellery Quarter 3

Feast your eyes on The Button Factory’s Christmas menus - yes, there’s more than one. From canapés that can be enjoyed with friends over a couple of drinks, full-blown feasts and a selection of indulgent platters including the Xmas Special, you won’t be short of choice at this trendy venue located in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter. And as it’s Christmas, who could say no to a cocktail or two?

We Love: From 12pm - 5pm every Saturday, The Button Factory offers a Bottomless Brunch where you can enjoy two or three-courses washed down with as much Prosecco or beer as you can stomach in two hours.

Purnell’s Bistro Newhall Street 4

Sister restaurant to the Michelin starred Purnell’s, the superstylish Purnell’s Bistro is pulling out all the stops with its festival menu. Combining Birmingham-born Glyn Purnell’s love for rustic home cooking with an elegant twist, diners can choose from a variety of courses including Scottish smoked salmon, slow braised shin of beef and a warm mince pie tart.

Available throughout the week, Christmas at Purnell’s Bistro is sure to be a relaxing and warming dining experience.

WE LOVE: Purnell’s Bistro is joined to Ginger’s Bar, so if you fancy a specially crafted cocktail, the talented team behind the bar will mix you up a festive tipple you’re sure to love.

Saint Pauls House St Paul’s Square 5

Located in the picturesque St Paul’s Square, Saint Pauls House is one of the city’s cosiest places to wine and dine. With bookings available from November 28 until Christmas Eve, get in the festive spirit with a delicious three or five-course meal. Those who want to pop in for a tipple or two can enjoy a range of canapés from pigs in blankets to fish & chips bites.

WE LOVE: Complete with 36 stunning boutique bedrooms, make the most out of your time at Saint Pauls House with an overnight stay. With free WiFi, on-site car parking and a breakfast menu served until 12pm - how could you possibly say no?

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Gas Street Social Mailbox 6

The ever-so-popular Gas Street Social has once again pulled out all the stops to bring Lapland to Birmingham. If you’re looking for somewhere a little different to host your Christmas shindig, this is the place to be as Gas Street’s funky igloos are back and filled with cosy blankets to create the perfect al fresco party setting.

Grab yourself one of the bar’s famous festive cocktails before indulging in the mouth-watering Christmas Party Platters, starting at just £13.95 per person.

WE LOVE: From warming hot chocolate to award-winning cocktails, Gas Street Social is one of our favourite places in the city to celebrate a Friday night! Grab yourself a seat inside and make sure you try out their delicious menu.

Harvey Nichols Restaurant Mailbox 7

The festive season isn’t complete without indulging in delicious food, and the Harvey Nichols Restaurant is here to make sure that you have a Christmas to remember with its specially created seasonal menu.

The new menu offers luxurious courses including confit duck terrine, spiced smoked haddock and milk chocolate torte. And, if you’re looking for somewhere to ring in the New Year, why not join Harvey Nichols for a night of luxurious food, drink and live entertainment.

WE LOVE: Harvey Nichols isn’t just a place for dining this holiday season. While you’re there, why not pick up some gifts and stocking fillers for that special someone. Check out our gift guide on page 18.

The Canal House Gas Street Basin 8

The Canal House has become a hot spot in the city with its rustic interior, extensive selection of exciting cocktails and tasty food. With a festive lunch and dinner menu available, diners can pick from an enticing choice of meals from a caramelised shallot tart to The Canal House’s signature turkey hanging kebab, all rounded-off with a beautiful dessert.

We Love: With a private dining area overlooking Gas Street Basin, The Canal House is the perfect venue for a work party or dinner with friends and family.

66 | Hotspots

Winter Style Made Simple The Superstar Life of Jim Chapman Beware of The Trolls: Social Media’s Dark Side

Joe Lycett Birmingham’s very own comedian discusses his new tour and life in the city

from Style Birmingham

D EL I VER I N G SARTORIAL EXCEL L ENCE

Style Birmingham Advert 171129.indd 1

29/11/2017 14:58:07

Contents

Contents 70

Style Chart

Essentials that we’re loving this season

72

71

Put your Foot Down Step into winter in style with a pair of classic black boots

Beware of the Trolls Philip Ellis explores the dark sides of social media

76

Joe Lycett

Talks about his new tour and life in the city

75

Winter Style Edit

The staple pieces you need in your wardrobe

81

78

Jim Chapman

Becky Weaver talks fashion and life online with the YouTube star

Digital Detox

The apps that will help you cut down your phone time

Editor’s Letter

Cover

an is back for winter, and we’ve pulled together an issue that’s packed with everything from fashion to must-have seasonal staples. We’ve got some great features and interviews lined up inside too as we dive into the world of social media. Over on page 72, Philip Ellis takes a look at internet trolls and the darker sides of the internet, and we round-up the apps that are ironically designed to help you cut down on the amount of time you spend on your phone [page 81]. Elsewhere in this issue, Becky Weaver talks to YouTube superstar Jim Chapman about fashion, writing for GQ and the highs and lows of living his life online [page 78] and comedian Joe Lycett tells all about his brand new tour, his book Parsnips, Buttered, and why he loves Birmingham.

M

Enjoy the issue.

Joe Lycett photographed

by Matt Crockett

is created by RileyRaven • rileyraven.co.uk • hello@rileyraven.co.uk

Editor-in-Chief Andrew Riley Creative Director Mike Raven

Editorial Assistant Becky Weaver

Account Executive Jade Woodhouse Design Simon Konaszczuk Contributor Phillip Ellis

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Style

Golden Boy

Sports Luxe

This golden trio set complete with stationary holder, tray and lidded box will add a touch of luxury to your desk.

This baseball cap can be added to any casual look, from slouchy loungewear to laid-back denim.

MADE.COM Normos metal stationery set, £39

Zara Velvet cap, £12.99

Back to Basics

Step Up

If you’re looking for a staple shirt to get you through the winter months, then look no further than this grid check LUKE shirt.

Whether you’re into sports or not, these classic Nike trainers will suit every type of man.

Remember, comfort is key.

Nike Internationalist grey khaki summit white, £66.99, Office

LUKE 1977 Outlet Trill grid check shirt, £35, Resorts World Birmingham

Pack it Up

Style Chart

Travel in style with this simple yet stylish bowling bag - perfect for a city break or winter getaway.

Just in Time

This sporty watch with bronze stainless steel detailing is both functional and stylish.

Versace V-Extreme bronze IP stainless steel and silicone watch, £1,250, Selfridges

Zara Basic black bowling bag, £49.99

Travel Buddy

If you’re a guy who likes to keep all of your products in one place, this premium quality leather wash bag is the easiest way to stay organised.

H&M Large leather wash bag, £39.99

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Skin Saviour

Soothe and nourish skin whilst fighting the harsh effects of shaving with the L’Occitane Aftershave Balm. This super light formula sinks into the skin to leave you feeling smooth and smelling great.

L’Occitane Aftershave balm 75ml, £24, Grand Central Birmingham

Earth Tones

Sustainable fashion never goes out of style. This high-neck jumper made from recycled wool will keep you warm whilst helping to save the environment.

Mango Recycled wool sweater, £49.99

Style

Put Your Foot Down It’s time to bring out the practical boots...

Winter has arrived hey may not stay shiny for long, but a pair of military-style boots are sure to see you through the colder months. Pair with dark jeans, a cable knit jumper and a weatherproof coat to battle the elements in style.

T

ASOS, ÂŁ69.99

Photography: Ben Appleby 71

Trolls

Beware Of The Trolls: Social Media’s Dark Side Social media has made it possible for us to forge friendships and find connections across all barriers of culture and distance. But it has also enabled a whole new level of criminal behaviour. Welcome to the dark net PHILIP ELLIS Cyber-Stalking Ruins Lives

Online harassment can come in all different shades. There’s the influx of hateful comments, usually relating to somebody’s gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Then there’s the practice of doxxing; leaking somebody’s real life information online, such as their address or phone number, leaving them vulnerable to offline attacks.

And then there are the more sophisticated forms of online stalking, like catfishing. Online dating is already enough of a nightmare, without having to constantly worry about whether the person you’re chatting to is truly the person they claim to be. At present, this elaborate form of emotional fraud is not actually illegal — although it violates pretty much every major platform’s terms of service.

One of the most egregious forms of online harassment is revenge porn; the act of posting nude photos of a person online, without their knowledge or consent. The most recent high profile example is that of Rob Kardashian, sharing photos and videos of his ex-girlfriend, rapper Blac Chyna, against her will. This behaviour, which almost always targets women, is now illegal in the United Kingdom and across much of the United States.

It’s also spawned a whole industry; revenge porn websites generate upwards of $50,000 in advertising revenue each month, and some of them even charge 72

victims a fee to remove photos.

These platforms function like any other social network or porn site, complete with comments sections full of colourful language, and a front page that rapidly changes as new content floods in.

Even if an image is submitted by a scorned lover in a moment of madness and then hastily deleted, it’s too late — it will have been captured onto somebody’s computer for inclusion in his or her own private library, collateral for future smear campaigns. Another problem arises when the appetite for such images exceeds what’s actually out there. This is when trolls turn to hacking. And for every high profile leaked celebrity sex tape that makes the front page, there are countless other victims facing the consequences of having their most vulnerable moments stolen and used against them.

It might seem like the obvious solution to simply stop taking any kind of pictures which might end up being used against you — especially if you are storing them in the cloud. But that’s like saying, “if you don’t want to be robbed, it’s best not to own possessions.” It’s a line of thinking which places responsibility on the victims, rather than the perpetrators. It’s also what has led many women to remove themselves from social media following campaigns of abuse from cyber-bullies;

sadly, it’s often easier to leave than to wait for Facebook or Twitter to deal with this harassment effectively.

We Believe What We Want to Believe 2016 was the year of the social media echo chamber. The outcome of the EU Referendum was a shock to many Remain voters, mainly because everybody they interacted with shared their political sensibilities. The same was true in the US following the election of Trump. But these self-reinforcing ideas aren’t just the result

Trolls

73

Trolls

of us socialising with people who agree with us. The technology on which these platforms run is designed to do the same.

Eli Pariser, CEO of the viral news site Upworthy, coined the phrase “filter bubble” to describe how algorithms serve up content it thinks we will like, based on our previous online behaviour. “What we’re seeing is a passing of the torch, from human gatekeepers to algorithmic ones,” he says. “And the algorithms don’t yet have the embedded ethics that editors did. If algorithms are going to curate the world for us, and decide what we do and don’t get to see, then we need to ensure that they’re not just keyed to relevance. We need to make sure they show us things that are uncomfortable, challenging, important, and that include other points of view.”

According to the Pew Research Centre, Facebook is a primary news source for over 60 per cent of millennials. This means they seek out and trust the news they see on Facebook more than TV or newspapers. So what happens when the “facts” they’re consuming online are skewed in order to favour a certain political viewpoint, or even worse, completely made up? This can lead to users falling even deeper into that filter bubble, as their own opinions are further reinforced.

Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton herself has spoken out against fake news, particularly regarding the role that it plays in political discourse. She believes that the proliferation of biased or entirely fabricated articles in the lead-up to 2016’s presidential election had an undeniable effect on voter behaviour, although Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has vehemently denied that his platform influenced that outcome. But if it’s not the responsibility of companies like Facebook and Twitter to hoax articles are not presented as fact, then whose is it? “They’ve got to help prevent fake news from creating a new reality that influences how people see themselves and the world, and the decisions they make,” says Clinton.

Facebook is now testing a series of new features which will help to combat its fake news problem.

One such solution is a Related Articles tab which will purposely curate links to a wide range of reading material, encompassing different political or social points of view.

What’s The Answer?

In response to the inexorable spread of propaganda from white nationalist groups and Islamic State, the European Parliament is in the process of approving legislation which would allow the swift removal of videos and webpages which promote extremist ideologies and radicalization.

In Germany, online hate speech and online harassment are already taken incredibly seriously; trolls can end up in jail.

This is a country which owns its horrific past and says with conviction: “never again.” Because like it or not, social media is real life; this hatred finds its way offline and causes physical and psychological damage in the real world, as evidenced by groups like Britain First and the “alt-right” in the United States; white supremacists whose community originated online.

As new forms of technology inevitably become co-opted to inflict harm, whether that be extremist propaganda, or increasingly elaborate means of stalking and harassment, there will always be a lag as lawmakers race to catch up. And while we wait, it is the job of tech companies to ensure that users (especially woman and minorities) can enjoy their services safely and securely.

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Style

Christmas Style Edit

Whether you’re kicking back in comfy loungewear or wrapping up in your winter wardrobe, here’s what you need

Statement Scarves Think bold colours as you wrap up this season. A splash of cobalt blue or a monochrome stripe will make all the difference.

Suited and Booted

Ditch the black suit and tie and prepare yourself for a string of festive occasions with this slim-fit Paul Smith suit, made from a fine blend of wool and cashmere. The perfect two piece for a Christmas soirée.

Paul Smith Slim-fit brown wool cashmere trousers, £210 and blazer, £515

Smart Casual 1

2

Pair with a crisp, white shirt and brogues to the office or a classic Tee and trainers for a laid-back casual look on the weekend - either way these slim-fit trousers are versatile enough to always look stylish.

River Island Blue blanket scarf, £18

Topman Striped cable knitted scarf, £15

The Great Outdoors

Heading off on a winter getaway?

Face the elements and embrace the utility trend by pairing durable fabrics with earthy tones of khaki, mahogany and classic black.

3

Zara Striped scarf, £22.99

Zara Quilted down anorak, £89.99

Topman Charcoal side pipe smart joggers, £35 75

f you could see me right now, you’d think that I was a mad man,” laughs Joe Lycett as he proceeds to run around his hotel room in Edinburgh trying to find a clear enough signal to talk to me. “I’ve got an extra bar!” he exclaims.

We’ve only been on the phone for a few minutes, but already I’ve found myself in multiple fits of laughter as Joe tells me of how he was peer pressured into drinking “two shots of whisky in incredibly quick succession,” the night before our conversation which has led him to feel a little worse for wear. Nevertheless, he’s still on top form, asking me how my day’s going and becoming quite disappointed when I tell him that he’s missing out on a rare sunny day in his hometown of Birmingham.

Back in August, I caught Joe’s set at Staffordshire’s V Festival, and it came as no surprise that I found myself crying with laughter, tears rolling down my face as he was lifted over the barrier by a lady who picked up washing machines for a living, and worked the crowd with his witty anecdotes that included life living with his parents in Hall Green and trolling Olympic diver Tom Daley, which he admits has “got him into a bit of trouble.”

Joe’s rise to comedic fame has gone rather smoothly. After debuting at Manchester’s Comedy Store in 2008, he’s gone on to become one of the UK’s biggest up-and-coming comedians. His first show, Some Lycett Hot, saw him nominated as Best Newcomer at the 2012 Edinburgh Comedy Awards and ever since he’s appeared in popular stand-up shows including Live at the Apollo, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

And things are showing no signs of slowing down for 28-year-old. Over the past few months Joe’s done a number of gigs in Birmingham which included multiple shows at The Glee Club and a Q&A evening with Labour MP for Yardley, Jess Phillips where they discussed everything from the infamous bin strikes to Brexit as part of Birmingham Comedy and Literature Festival’s.

“I met Jess at the Pride of Birmingham Awards last year, she’s my way into the political world. If I don’t really know what to think about something or if there’s a politician on TV or I’m not sure what opinion to have on them I’ll text Jess and ask her.” he says.

A former drama student at Manchester University, Joe got his feet firmly on the comedy ladder with a further two pun-titled awardwinning shows - If Joe Lycett Then You Should’ve Put a Ring On It (2013) and That’s The Way, A-Ha, A-Ha, Joe Lycett (2015) - all under his belt.

Earlier in the year, Joe announced his latest tour I’m About to Lose Control and I Think Joe Lycett.

A follow-up to his sold-out 2015 run, his latest 93-date tour kicks off in Bristol in February before heading to the New Alexandra Theatre in May and returning to Symphony Hall in November. Joe’s pretty secretive in what his latest show will entail, but he does tell me that it will feature his famous email correspondences that in the past have seen him troll a council up north regarding a parking fine and send multiple Tweets to US president, Donald Trump.

I

76

Credit Matt Crockett

Interview

Joe Lycett He’s mastered the world of comedy and how to troll his way out of a parking fine, but Birmingham’s Joe Lycett is only just getting started

Interview

“Writing my book, I didn’t have to worry as much about the immediacy of laughter; you’ve always got your eye on the joke.”

BECKY WEAVER

Whilst Joe’s career continues to grow, he still remains close to his Brummie roots; he recently bought himself a house in the city and has an office space that allows him to get his creative juices following.

Joe admits that he feels a sense of responsibility to protect the city that he calls home. Despite its development over the last few years, Birmingham still gets a lot of stick; the Brummie accent was recently listed as the UK’s least attractive accent in a survey conducted by Lovin Manchester. “I quite like the fact that Birmingham gets a bad reputation,” Joe laughs. “Brummies don’t really care because they’re happy enough.”

And if you’re wondering about his poached egg feud with Yorks Bakery that occurred when Joe was unable to add a poached egg to his brunch because ‘the kitchen was struggling to cope’, you’ll be happy to know that it’s all blown over.

“They’ve got a new menu now, but for a while I think they had an option called ‘add a Lycett’, which was to add a poached egg. So as far as I’m concerned I consider the case to be closed,” Joe says with a laugh.

With his shows becoming increasingly popular every time he hits the road, I ask Joe whether he’s got his eyes set on playing arenas in the future. Earlier in the year, he warmed up for Jack Whitehall when he brought his At Large tour to Arena Birmingham.

“For a long time I wasn’t really into arenas, they seem a bit big, a bit soulless and I wasn’t sure if the vibe was quite right; they seem a bit too big for the intimacy of stand-up. But after doing those gigs with Jack I realised you can create that intimacy, but you have to be careful how you do it.

“I think with some of the arenas, like the O2 for example, it’s so massive the intimacy is almost impossible to achieve there. Arena Birmingham felt like a good size, it’s that bit smaller.

I’m way off selling out an arena at the moment, Jack’s following is massive, so who knows if I’ll ever get to that stage, but it’s definitely something that I’m more interested in than I used to be.”

As if his life on the stage and writing his new show hasn’t been enough, Joe’s also re-released his book Parsnips, Buttered on paperback. Filled with Joe’s emails, tweets and telegrams, Parsnips, Buttered takes readers through Joe’s tips on nailing everything

from navigating social media to out-weirding trolls on the internet.

“I wrote the book late last year and it has a mixture of my emails and a bit of advice. I’ve added a few bits; when I wrote it I didn’t think Donald Trump would be president so a couple of things had to be rewritten quite hastily.”

That being said, Joe tells me he really enjoyed the creation process of the book, which allowed him to be more free with his writing. “I didn’t have to worry as much about the immediacy of laughter which what you need for stand-up; with stand-up you kind of need laughter every 10 seconds, you’ve always got your eye on the joke.

“I wanted it to be funny, but I also wanted it to not be too over the top.

It was lovely to see all the illustrations for it, it was more of an all-round project whereas writing stand-up is very much a one-tone process.”

His success is something that can’t go unnoticed. As well as his new tour and book, Joe recently joined BBC Radio 4’s talk show It’s Not What You Know, taking over from former host Myles Jack, not to mention the following he’s developed across his social media channels. “Weirdly these days a lot of people stop me on the street and tell me that they really love my Instagram or Twitter, which is such a modern thing.”

Does he ever try to take a break from social media? “I definitely try and detox but it’s so hard, isn’t it? It’s really cool the internet, there’s so much on it, it’s constantly changing. I love it but I also feel like I go a bit mad when I spend hours on it. Apparently, there’s a new app, which I’m thinking of downloading, that tells you exactly how much time you’ve spent on each app.

“I think most people would find it quite depressing to see those statistics of how much their day is wasted away on Twitter, but for me, it’s also really fun to interact on social media.

Instagram is one of my favourites, I’m having a lot of fun posting nonsense on there. But I think social media is a great way of building a following.

“There’s a whole world of people that might not come out to my shows because they might not be near one or be able to afford it, it’s great that I’m able to connect with them through social media. But there’s a happy medium like there is with all things.”

Tickets to Joe’s 2018 tour are on sale now!

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At 29, Jim Chapman has established himself as one of the world’s biggest digital influencers. I caught up with the YouTube star and GQ writer to discuss the evolution of his career

THE SUPERSTAR LIFE OF

JIM CHAPMAN

Words: Becky Weaver Follow Jim: @JimChapman 78

Culture

’ve been sat for quite some time looking through Jim Chapman’s YouTube channel. In the space of an hour, he’s taught me how to make an Old Fashioned, shown me his monthly favourites, done a HITT work out with The Body Coach (Joe Wicks) and taken me behind the scenes at London Fashion Week. This is just a fragment of his life, yet it’s enough of an insight into the life of a digital star.

Jim is one of the world’s biggest YouTube creators; for the past seven years, he’s posted a video every week on his channel to share with his viewers.

Something that started off as simply a hobby whilst trying to figure out what he wanted do after graduating from university with a degree in Psychology, turned into a full-time job.

With 2.5million people subscribed to his channel and a further combined 4.4m across Twitter and Instagram, the digital world has been a part of Jim’s life since he was 22, when his then-girlfriend (now wife) Tanya Burr, uploaded a video to her channel where she transformed him into Twilight’s Edward Cullen back in 2009.

“I don’t think I said a word in that video,” Jim says with a laugh. “I remember her coaxing me into it and I said to her ‘I’ll be on it, but there’s no way I’m talking.’”

Little did he know that his albeit incredibly shy appearance on Tanya’s channel would be the trigger to him launching his very own. “When I first started I was the best of a bad bunch, there weren’t a lot of people doing vlogs.”

Does he look back on his old videos? “No, no way,” he laughs, “I’ve grown; I started doing this when I was 22 and if you watch my videos chronologically you can actually see me grow up and my life change.”

I ask Jim if he’s ever felt pressure to adapt his content to keep his audience happy. “I did,” he says with a slight severity to his voice, “and then I just decided not to.” With an audience that ranges between young teenagers to readers of GQ Magazine, Jim’s content has evolved over the years, and he’s now discovered what he described as a “happy medium.”

“There was a time where I kept thinking, ‘I need to do these things to keep the younger ones happy, but then I need to do this because that’s what I actually want to talk about’. It just got to the point where I told myself ‘this is my channel and I need to start creating things that I really want to do.’”

One thing that strikes me about Jim is just how normal he is. Whilst many consider him as a celebrity, the reality is

I

“I don’t really have time to myself and I think that’s the hardest bit, but I love what I do, it’s such a cool thing, I’m very fortunate” he’s just a friendly, down-to-earth guy who happens to share his life on the internet.

Did he ever think that posting videos of his day-to-day life would turn into this?

The answer? No. “I didn’t have an inkling,” he says, “I just did it because I wanted to communicate and connect with people.”

Jim’s ascent to a rocketing social career is something that can’t go unnoticed. It’s provided him with opportunities one could only dream of, allowing him to work alongside some of the world’s biggest brands Burberry, John Lewis and Jaguar Cars, to name a few. But with all these highs, which Jim tells me countless times he’s been incredibly fortunate to have come his way, come some lows.

“The hate always speaks louder,” he says. “You can read 100 nice comments but the negative one will always stick with you. I actually really like good hate now, I make videos dedicated to it; I’ll sift through some hateful comments and react to them because sometimes I think people deserve credit for coming up with something that’s so original,” he laughs.

Jim admits that YouTube is just a very small part of his job these days, with so many opportunities coming his way he’s having to turn them down, but I’m keen to know if it ever becomes too much to handle. “I don’t really have time to myself or with my wife and dog and I think that’s the hardest bit, but I love what I do, it’s such a cool thing, I’m very fortunate.”

It’s not easy for Jim to just step away from social media either. Opening

Instagram, his face pops up on my story, where he’s spending a few days away with his wife; flicking over to Twitter, he’s telling his followers about the release of his book, 147 Things.

“I have been told to step away from social media in the past because I get too carried away and people tell me to relax. It’s nice to be able to disconnect for a few days when I can. You don’t realise how amazing it is to take a break from it until you actually do. My job is 24-seven, so regardless of where I am or what I’m doing, someone, somewhere will be watching my content.”

No longer just a familiar face on the internet, Jim’s become a popular name in the world of fashion. After being named GQ’s Best Dressed of the Week a couple of years ago, he met with GQ’s Fashion Editor, Nick Carvell, and became a contributing editor shortly after. “Writing for GQ is something that I will always be proud of, it’s like the Holy Grail to me,” he beams. “I feel really privileged to be a part of the industry, it’s quite a tough nut to crack. I didn’t expect to be accepted so well, but I’ve been very open and honest about it from the beginning.”

But writing for GQ was just the tip of the iceberg. Back in January, Jim walked for Dolce and Gabbana’s alongside other digital creators. “I don’t know whether it was just me being a bit over-confident, but I just saw it as walking and I’ve been doing that since I was two,” he jokes of his catwalk debut. “You do get a really big buzz from doing it, because even 79

Culture

though it’s just walking, you have to make sure that your posture’s right, you’ve got 200 people just sat staring at you.”

His clean-cut style has also seen him named as GQ’s Best Dressed of the Year on numerous occasions, but when it comes to his personal style Jim likes to keep things classic. “I have rules that I stick to; I want to maintain a masculine silhouette and I want everything to look like it fits well, from there I can chop and change it to suit. People tend to like my general look because it’s not overthought, it’s kind of easy and anyone can do it. Once you know the rules of your body shape you can take what I do and make it work for you.”

When it comes to building a wardrobe, for Jim, it’s all about staple pieces and investment. “I have lots of pairs of basic trousers, jeans, jumpers and the odd statement piece that makes a bit of a difference.

“Clothing is all about cost per wear.

Whether it be £500 or £5, if it becomes something that you wear as a staple, then you’re going to get your money’s worth.

I don’t really condone fast-fashion, I feel like it’s terrible for the environment, for the people who produce the clothing and it encourages people to buy something, wear it a couple of times and then bin it.

“I’m all about buying quality over quantity and then just using it as many ways as I can. It’s a bit like an investment and I think that’s where basics come in, especially when it’s something seasonal like a current loud jacket, which is great, but what are you going to do with it next year?”

Someone that’s truly grateful for everything that’s come his way, Jim’s respect for his viewers and the digital community is something that’s brought him a long way in his career, and there are no signs of him letting the fame go to his head anytime soon.

“I try to take it all in my stride,” he says with a slight chuckle, “but if I ever do take a moment where I think ‘wow, that was amazing, I really appreciate that I was able to be a part of that situation,’ straight after that comes the fear of thinking that it’s all going to come crashing down. I try not to overthink or over complicate anything, I tend to just go with it.”

That sounds like a smart idea to me, Jim and I’m pretty sure millions of people agree.

Follow Jim! Instagram @jimchapman Twitter @JimChapman

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Wellbeing

Digital Detox Constantly glued to you phone? Ironically, these apps are designed help bite your addiction

ou may find it hard to admit, but there’s a high chance that you’re addicted to your mobile phone - and you’re not alone. Last year, the BBC revealed that the UK has never been more addicted to phones than it is now based on a survey lead by Deloitte. And whilst we may not think of it as an issue, the survey revealed that one in three adults checked their mobiles during the night and argued with their partners due to social media addiction. But fear not, we’re here to help you begin your social media detox.

Y

Checky

Ever wondered how many times a day you check your phone? Well, Checky is designed to make you aware of that exact problem. Whether you want to become more self-aware of the time you spend perusing through Facebook, break a gaming habit, or simply step back and become more productive, then this is the app for you.

Forest

Forest is one of the cooler detox apps on our list as it provides a challenge which will really test your ability to beat your social addition once and for all. Begin by planting a seed in a forest and watch it grow into a tree. However, it comes with a catch. Leave the app to play a game or check on of your social channels and your tree will begin to wither and die. The longer you spend away the more your forest will develop.

Offtime

If you’re really struggling to reduce your time on your phone then you need to download Offtime. This nifty app is full of features that help you control the amount of time you’re spending with your eyes locked on your screen.

Set and track time limits, keep note of your usage and access articles and tips to help you kick the habit.

Moment - Screen Time Tracker Giving up social media isn’t easy, trust us, we’ve tried it. But by starting off with small changes you’ll begin to slowly take yourself away from your phone. Moment is a great app to begin your social detox; available to iPhone users, it automatically tracks how much time you spend on your phone, iPad - or both - each day. Set yourself daily limits that will notify you when you go over, forcing yourself to put your phone down.

BreakFree

Struggling to break away from your phone for longer than five minutes? Breakfree is designed to help you crack that nut once and for all. It works very similar to the apps above, but it breaks down all of your date and information into an addiction score. It shows you everything from how frequently you unlock your screen, whilst logging your daily usage.

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LIFESTYLE

VALIDATION GENERATION

Like it or not, Millennials are a huge part of a generation that constantly craves validation. But what exactly has led us down the path to get the seal of approval from our peers?

BECKY WEAVER stylebham.com | 83

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ow much do you let social media dictate your life? In a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the survey states that spending too much time on social media “may elicit feelings of envy and the distorted belief that others lead happier and more successful lives.”

Seeking validation hasn’t just appeared over the last decade; the crave to be told that we’ve done well at a task or look nice in an outfit is something we desire from an early age, but growing up doesn’t mean that it becomes any easier to deal with. So what is it that makes us so desperate to be liked not only by our friends and family, but by people we never have and probably never will meet?

Let’s face it, the Millennials are a generation of ‘likers’. Even before the days of Facebook and Instagram, we’d be messaging our friends and followers on Bebo and MySpace, commenting on their profile photos with ‘like4like’. Come to think of it, you actually had the option to rank your friends on Myspace with the Top Six

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feature; nothing could prepare you in the event of clicking on your friends profile to find out you’d gone from first to last or even worse, got knocked off the grid altogether.

The thing is, despite how much some of us may deny it, we all want to be liked.

And while that may not always be a bad thing, on occasions it can cause far more damage than positivity. Within validation lies a major problem, it leaves us feeling disheartened. When it comes to my Instagram profile I’ll admit that I feel a sense of displeasure if my post doesn’t hit a certain number of likes, no matter how many hashtags I use. I spend a good 20 minutes editing an image to make it look good, so when people don’t double tap and show it some love it makes me question whether I should’ve shared it in the first place. And I’m not alone.

“I used to love getting over 11 likes on a post and then the same when one got 20,” says Rebecca, 21. “In the past I would post a photo and then delete it a short while after, simply because people weren’t liking it and I assumed it was rubbish.”

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It’s not just down to likes either. Social media has the power to make us feel certain ways, inflicting everything from happiness, to inspiration and in some cases envy. It’s fair to say that we’re all guilty of following accounts that make us desire to live a certain lifestyle, when the reality is, we’re lusting after something that may be unachievable.

Following luxurious accounts and our celebrity idols doesn’t exactly help either.

Their accounts, as beautiful as they are, have the capability to impact a negative affect on our mental health and wellbeing. One of the golden rules of social media is to follow the accounts that represent you as a person or leave you feeling uplifted.

Recently, I decided to cleanse my social sites, unfollowing accounts that didn’t reflect my personality, allowing me to pay attention to the profiles that had a positive impact on my life and left me feeling inspired. Many however, feel satisfied by the vast amount of people that follow them, whilst others feel more content by keeping their numbers low, allowing only those they know to connect with them.

The number of followers I have is something that has never really bothered me, which is odd considering how I feel about the amount of likes I receive on a single post, but Rebecca’s opinion is different. “I don’t pay attention to the amount of likes I get on a post anymore, it’s more about the followers,” she says. “I still use hashtags purely to get my page noticed and to get new followers. If I see that my followers have dropped I sometimes think, ‘I hope it’s not someone I know personally.’”

Hearing this made me think, why are we Millennials so concerned about whether people like us or not? It can’t be healthy to let social media dictate our lives. Is there a chance that when posting something a simple as a selfie or a status that it could be ruining our lives simply because we’re so desperate for attention?

We shape our social platforms around a vision of how we want others to see us, rather than sharing our imperfections and showing who we truly are. We’re placing filters on our face to hide the blemishes and dark circles under our eyes. But portraying ourselves as someone who we want to be perceived as is damaging our self-esteem and self-worth more than we think. When

having a conversation with a friend recently, he told me that he pays more attention to the amount of likes he gets on a selfie when he’s single because it makes him feel more “attractive and desirable.”

For me, as much as I love Instagram, it’s a huge contributor to what Elle coined as the ‘Validation Generation’. Everything we post is because we want to share the best parts of our lives, from the delicious meal we had at lunchtime that just had to be put on Instagram to ‘checking in’ on Facebook.

But does this come at a price? Are we sharing an image or status simply because we crave the attention and admiration of others? And, more importantly, what happens when we don’t get the reaction we wanted or expected? “As much as I like to say that my self-esteem comes from within, there’s no denying that when a lot of people agree with me or like what I have to say, it feels good,” says Philip, 30. “And when nobody likes your selfie, it does get you wondering if it’s not as good as you thought…”

Yet in some cases, sharing our day-to-day life can have a positive impact on our lives.

Kirsty, 24, explains she uses social media as a key to her memories. “Because of Timehop and Facebook Memories you can see what you on this day years ago. I use it like a memory box,” she says. “Photos and things I’ve been tagged in remind me of what great times I had, where I was and who I was with.”

There are ways that we can escape the consuming world of social media and validation — the answer is quite simple. Go through the profiles you follow and take a real look at how they’re impacting your life; do they leave you feeling a sense of jealousy or envy? If the answer is yes, then hit that unfollow button my friend, you don’t need those accounts in your life.

Now, here comes the tough option, have yourself a little social detox. Getting rid of all your apps and stepping away from everything may scare you, but it’s important to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around you and it certainly won’t collapse if you take a break from Twitter for a few days to appreciate the world through your eyes, rather than just seeing it through a screen.

And who knows, you could end up a better person by giving yourself a few days off. stylebham.com | 85

Danielle Peazer, Gabi Gregg, Michael Schulz... I bet you don’t know who I’m talking about, but I’m sure you’ll have seen their Instagram pictures TARA TOMES

HOW TO:

BUILD A #SOCIALEMPIRE 86 | Page Information

LIFESTYLE

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e live in a world where being a celebrity is so 2009; now it’s all about being an Instastar, and having the ability to be the most popular ‘nobody’ possible.

But building a social media empire is easy if you know how; you don’t have to have Kim Kardashian’s eyebrows or Nike’s brand reputation to be a hit on the internet.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT CHANNELS FOR YOU

When social media became a ‘thing’, we all forgot that we had a choice.

Media, by nature, is supposed to be selective and driven by who you’re going to target but people - and brands - got a bit excited and joined every channel possible. Soon, marketers realised it was all a bit too much like hard work and, perhaps, certain social media sites appealed to certain audiences, and they were exactly right.

As sites have developed, so have their audiences, and that provides great opportunity to be more selective and not get yourself - or your brand - across every social media channel possible.

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE OFFERING

It doesn’t matter if you are starting a new account or refining one you already have, part of your success will come from how well you communicate what it is that people can expect from you.

It all starts with your bio; let people know what they can expect, and then live by whatever it is you’ve decided you’re an expert on.

You don’t have to choose one niche, but just let your digital fan club know what you’re going to bring to their screens.

CRAFT YOUR AESTHETIC

This is mainly for Instagram and Pinterest but creating and crafting an aesthetic forms part of your online brand.

Not everyone is a professional photographer but don’t be afraid to play by some of their rules when

taking your pictures. Think about the best photos you’ve seen on your Instagram feed, I bet a majority of them weren’t “one shot Marys”.

Think about the composition of your picture; how do you frame it and what’s in the background? Can you change the angle by moving yourself and your camera around?

What do you want the picture to say, and would it appeal to you if you saw it flash up on your phone?

It might take a little longer, but it’s worth it.

Once you’ve got the picture that you want, refine it with editing tools. Instagram is pretty flexible but don’t be afraid to play around with apps like Snapseed or InstaSize.

No matter how creative you get, remember to keep it consistent, this will give your account its own identity and your followers will instantly recognise your style.

that you’ll get 79 per cent more engagement if you simply geotag your post? Likewise, understanding whether it’s photos or videos that will get you seen; on Facebook, in particular, video content is on the rise and definitely shouldn’t be overlooked if you’re trying to build and sustain your follower base.

Linked to trends is the subject of hashtags, which really do make a difference on Instagram and Twitter. You’ll get 12.6 per cent more engagement when using a hashtag, but use the right ones.

Don’t be predictable and ‘copy and paste’ a huge list of #InstaDaily type hashtags. Instead, use the most relevant ones and be ahead of the curve. And don’t be afraid to start your own hashtags, I mean just look at the rise of #GirlBoss… if it captures a feeling, it can spread like wildfire.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE TIMING IS RIGHT PEOPLE EVERYTHING Social media is – and in some cases should be – a very personal thing, but remember, if you’re trying to build a brand and gain followers, it’s a two way street. If you decide to build an account based on your love of latte art and you use all the right hashtags, and stick to ‘Gingham’ as your default, you’ll get a decent amount of likes. But will your follower number increase? Not significantly.

There’s nothing worse than going to the trouble of creating the ‘perfect’ social media account and no one actually seeing it, so spend a little time following the right people.

KEEP ON TOP OF CURRENT TRENDS

I guess this piece of advice goes without saying, but you need to keep on top of trends to stay relevant because social media is changing all the time.

Just as you start to get to grips with something, suddenly Facebook will change its algorithm and your page runs the risk of not showing up on news feeds. Make sure you know how to get your brand page showing up where it should be; did you know

The final piece of advice when building your social media empire is timing, it is, after all, everything.

You should ensure that your account is consistent but not constant. Post regularly but don’t flood people’s feeds; try to stick to a rhythm of one to two posts per day, but don’t go AWOL for a week and then post 10 updates in one day. You’ll lose followers instantly.

Also think about the actual timing of your posts – there’s lots of research into the most effective time to update your channels, but don’t get bogged down by the numbers.

First thing in the morning, the commute to and from work, and that after dinner evening spell are always popular times online.

The most important thing is to understand your brand and your audiences, and then play around until you find a formula that works for you. There’s no hard and fast rules so just get creative and give it a go.

Read an extended version of this article online + follow @TaraTomes on Twitter and Instagram! stylebham.com | 87

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LIFESTYLE Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms Eglwys Fach, Machynlleth

Located just off the coast of mid-Wales on the edge of Snowdonia National Park sits a unique concept

by Gareth Ward. Ynyshir, (pronounced In-i-shir), prefers to be described as a ‘Restaurant and Rooms’ and it definitely lives up to the hype.

With 10 rooms you have a choice to stay on the grounds in both the contemporary garden rooms overlooking the Cambrian Mountains, and the house rooms - some parts dating all the way back to the 1750’s. Expect a mix of modern and traditional through your whole stay from the accommodation all the way through to the food.

Ynyshir really is about the whole experience, which is why the term Restaurant and Rooms reflects what to expect so accurately. Holding both a Michelin Star and five AA rosettes, your evening at Words: Mike Raven

DINING PACKAGES WITH B&B START AT £195PP, ALTERNATIVELY YNYSHIR LUNCH AND DINNER TASTING MENUS ARE £55PP/£110PP.

the restaurant will centre around truly outstanding seasonal tasting menu, prepared by a small passionate team, well respected for their expertise. The menus are slow food - much time and care is taken in ageing, pickling, foraging, salting, preserving and souring all on-site, and it makes all the difference.

We visited Ynyshir to experience it for ourselves and were blown away. The food and service was truly outstanding. We counted more than 20 dishes across the evening, most of which were served with an accompanying wine, chosen to pair perfectly with the food. A personal favourite, the grouse with elder and chocolate, shows just how creative the kitchen is. Other standout courses included the Welsh wagyu beef (served in three parts); sourdough with cultured butter and Welsh wagyu dripping and the white chocolate with black bean.

STYLISH STAYS

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Fishmore Hall

Ludlow, Shropshire If city life is getting the better of you, take some time out and discover Ludlow’s best hidden gem, Fishmore Hall. Looking out on the glorious Shropshire countryside, the restored Georgian home is ideal for a weekend of relaxation in peaceful surroundings.

The attention to detail throughout Fishmore Hall is the first thing I noticed, from a pillow menu to ensure you get the best night’s sleep to rooms being stocked with small, luxury goodies for you to enjoy at your own pleasure. Each room has been tastefully designed with you in mind.

The brand new SPAshell™ facilities are a must for rejuvenating and de-stressing the body during your stay. With four treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, outdoor wellness pool and oversized hammock,

this sleek, technologically-advanced spa close to the hotel itself and offers a range of treatments tailored to you. For a seriously revitalising experience, the outdoor bucket drench shower will excite the senses and leave you feeling completely refreshed.

My chosen treatment was the ELEMIS Garden of England Rose Restore Massage, which was 55 minutes of pure bliss that left my skin feeling super smooth and hydrated as a result of the natural seed oils used.

For the foodies, you can dine in luxury at the hotel’s very own fine dining restaurant, Forelles, and take your pick from the three course, A la Carte menu or the six-course tasting menu before retiring to the bedroom.

The Artist Residence

Regency Square, Brighton With amazing sea views, two cocktail bars and a ping-pong room, this townhouse hotel, located in Brighton’s Regency Square, is a funky alternative to your typical hotel stay. If you’re feeling peckish, choose from a seasonal tasting menu at The Set or relaxed, smaller dishes at The Set Cafe. And if you book directly online, you’ll get a free breakfast!

90 | Travel

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LIFESTYLE No. 8 Waterloo St. Apartments Waterloo Street

Nestled secretly a stone’s throw away from the Colmore Row district lies a stunning Grade II listed building, home to No. 8 Waterloo St. Apartments.

Keep your eyes open, it’s easy to miss the entrance hidden behind Cosy Club, but this really is part of No. 8’s charm and personality (it felt great and peaceful, seemingly hidden away here.) Stroll down the secluded secret path and through the impressive grand front door before being wowed by the beautifully detailed Art Deco-inspired reception area.

With minimal fuss you’ll be checked in, and unless you need anything in particular you won’t even feel like you’re staying in a serviced apartment; this really is a home from home and the perfect base to explore the very best of Birmingham.

Comfort and relaxation are at the forefront of No. 8, all 31 rooms are designed with a thoughtful mix of traditional and contemporary styles, with all the modern day amenities you’d expect including WiFi and a huge flat screen TV, plus a kitchen with everything a cook would need.

Offering a vast variety of eateries and bars on your doorstop, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Socialise at Fumo, Gaucho or Gusto, or for something a little more casual try the vast food hall at Grand Central Birmingham, Wagamama on New Street or Buffalo & Rye and Bodega on Bennetts Hill.

Just a short stroll from No. 8, past the spectacular St Philips Cathedral you’ll find The Alchemist and Simon Cowell’s favourite hotel when he’s in the city, Hotel du Vin. Enjoy 2FOR1 cocktails all day every day at Las Iguanas on Temple Street, just around the corner from your home for the evening.

If there’s one thing Birmingham excels at it’s shopping. We love Selfridges at Bullring, John Lewis at Grand Central Birmingham and everything in-between.

If you’re looking for exclusive brands pop to Mailbox, home to Harvey Nichols, Paul Smith and their most recent homewares additions which includes MADE.COM, Heals and BoConcept.

Birmingham’s massive Christmas market is also within touching distance of No. 8; a one minute walk and you’ll be in the thick of it. While you’re there why not visit Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and their newest highly acclaimed exhibition Coming Out. Birmingham is a city well on the up right now with it’s buzzing social scene. Plus evident mix of arts and culture endorse this, as does the opening of this impressive new accommodation.

Words: Andrew Riley

FROM £100 A NIGHT FOR A DELUXE ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT AND £195 FOR A LUXURY TWO BED APARTMENT

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Thyme

Southrop, The Cotswolds

MIDWEEK ROOMS FROM £270 PER NIGHT, WEEKEND ROOMS FROM £385 PER NIGHT

Set across 150 acres of The Cotswolds, Thyme is a truly unique experience based around simple pleasures in life - family, friends and food. Take your pick from spending the night in a bedroom, house or cottage and soak up country life in the local pub or farm. This ‘quintessentially English destination’ also has an on-site cooking school, where visitors are invited to learn about sustainable, local ingredients in simple, friendly classes.

Hipping Hall, Lancashire

Whether you’re staying in the main house, the cottage or the recently refurbished stable rooms, this stylish destination sits between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District and boasts a fine dining restaurant dating back to the 15th century. Hipping Hall has also recently started hosting creative break weekends, whereby visitors can undertake a course and leave having learned a brand new skill from the experts.

92 | Travel

ROOMS FROM £199 FOR BED AND BREAKFAST IN A COSY ROOM

LIFESTYLE

The High Field Townhouse Edgbaston

There are 12 individually decorated rooms in the newly refurbished hotel.

I was a guest in room six, a spacious room with a giant roll top bathtub (easily big enough for two) and quite possibly the most comfortable super king bed I have ever slept in. At one point, when struggling to reach my phone on the bedside table, I found myself thinking “this bed is too big!” (A first world problem if ever there was one.)

Another lovely touch is The Honesty Bar in reception, where guests can help themselves to wine, spirits and snacks, and leave a note to have them charged to their room. If you did ever get bored of hanging out in your room, the reception doubles as a sitting room, complete with armchairs, coffee, and reading material.

After checking in and making the most of the complimentary self service espresso machine in reception, I headed next door to The High Field gastropub for a gin and tonic on the patio, where giant sofas and a fire pit mean groups can cosy up right into the evening.

ROOMS FROM £120 A NIGHT

Breakfast at The High Field is an ideal mix of traditional and modern. Juice and cereal are laid out until 11am, and whether you fancy a full English, porridge, eggs benedict or pancakes with maple syrup, you’ll find something fresh and delicious on the menu.

(The Rwandan filter coffee was so good I had to order another).

But delicious food and comfy beds aside, what makes The High Field so special is its friendly staff. From the moment you walk into the pub, you are made to feel at home, with bartenders who are only too happy to recommend their favourite cocktail or talk you through the wine list. And the presence of an adorable black Labrador in the bar only serves to make it feel even more like a home away from home.

Words: Philip Ellis

stylebham.com | 93

Ingredients

CHRISTMAS PUDDING COOKIES

Ing

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FOR THE COOKIES 350 g/3 cups self-raising/ 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda/baking soda 200 g/1 cup caster/ granulated sugar Grated zest of 1 large orange 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 175 g/2 sticks butter 3 heaped tablespoons Golden syrup/light corn syrup 100 g/31/2 oz. leftover Christmas pudding

ts

Method 1. Pour the milk into a saucepan set over a medium heat. Add the ginger syrup, cinnamon stick, cloves, orange peel and brandy (if using) and bring slowly to the boil, stirring occasionally to allow the spices to infuse with the milk.

2. Meanwhile, tip the chopped chocolate into a large jug. Pour the hot, spice infused milk onto the chocolate and whisk until silky smooth.

CHRISTMAS RECIPES!

FOR THE DECORATION 150 g/5 oz. white chocolate, broken into pieces 18 sugar holly decorations 2 baking sheets, greased and lined Makes 18 cookies 1. Preheat the oven to 180C (350F) Gas 4.

1 litre/4 cups whole milk 3 tablespoons ginger or gingerbread syrup 1 cinnamon stick 2 whole cloves 2–3 strips of orange peel 2 tablespoons brandy or orange-flavoured liqueur (optional) 450g or 3/4 cups dark/ bittersweet chocolate, chopped Whipped cream and ground cinnamon, to serve (optional) Serves 4–6

3. Strain into cups, top with whipped cream and dust with cinnamon, if using, and serve.

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2. Sift the flour and bicarbonate of soda/baking soda into a mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar, orange zest and ground cinnamon.

GINGERBREAD HOT CHOCOLATE

3. In a saucepan, heat the butter and syrup until the butter has melted. Break the Christmas pudding into small pieces and stir into the warm syrup mixture.

4. Stir the syrup mixture into the flour and whisk in until you have a crumbly dough. Bring the dough together with your hands.

5. Divide the dough into 18 pieces and place in small mounds a distance apart on the baking sheets, as the cookies will spread. Press the dough down with your fingertips. Bake for 10–12 minutes. Leave the cookies to cool completely.

6. Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl resting over a pan of simmering water, then leave to cool slightly. Spoon the chocolate over the top third of each cookie in a drizzled pattern so that it resembles a Christmas pudding.

7. Top each cookie with a sugar holly decoration and leave until the chocolate has set. The cookies will store for up to five days in an airtight container.

Cute Christmas Cookies by Hannah Miles, Ryland Peters & Small (£9.99) Photography by Steve Painter ©Ryland Peters & Small. Cute Christmas Cookies is available to Style Birmingham readers for the special price of £7.99 including postage & packaging (rrp £9.99 by calling Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quoting LX9)

94 | Recipe

Hot Drinks, Ryland Peters & Small (£7.99) Photography © Ryland Peters & Small. Hot Drinks is available to Style Birmingham readers for the special price of £6.99 including postage & packaging (rrp £7.99) by calling Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quoting LY9)

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The place for fashion, beauty, shopping and lifestyle in Birmingham.

Embrace the season

Enjoy an invigorating outdoor swim (Edgbaston Priory Club’s heated outdoor pool is open all year round) or be brave and swap the treadmill for an outdoor run.

But do remember, our bodies tend to be much tighter during the colder winter months, so spend more time warming up to keep yourselves injury free.

HEALTH Kick Summer bodies are made in winter

50% OFF E FEE ENTRANC Y* R IN JANUA

Dark nights and frosty mornings can drain you of the willpower needed to make that early morning spin class or to stop off at the gym on the way home.

But before you know it summer will be here, and as most fitness experts will tell you, a two-week crash course will not achieve the beachready body you crave.

The key to a healthy, toned body is a consistent routine.

So, we asked the fitness instructors at Edgbaston Priory Club for their top tips to keep you motivated during the winter months.

achievement when you reach the smaller targets which will keep you motivated to reach your ultimate goal.

Be Smart

Sign up for a new class or take up a new sport. Whether it’s yoga, cycling, squash or tennis, trying something completely different will engage the brain and stop you from getting bored. And boredom is guaranteed to result in those New Year’s resolutions being dumped.

Set yourself specific, realistic and achievable goals. Whether you want to lose weight or run a marathon, break the end goal down into small steps and give yourself some concrete targets to achieve along the way. You’ll gain a sense of

96 | Health

Find yourself a workout buddy

Exercising with a friend, or trainer, will provide you with a structured routine. They’ll be there to support and motivate you towards your goals, making your journey to a fitter body a whole lot more fun. You’ll also be less likely to give an early morning run a miss or cancel an exercise class, if it means letting someone down.

Try something new

Avoid comfort eating

It may be tempting to comfort eat but your body won’t thank you come summertime. Stick to a healthy and nutritious diet, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables plus sufficient lean protein.

Treat yourself to some new kit

There’s nothing like new gear for great motivation! Over recent years, sportswear has become far more fashionable, using fantastic material with vibrant colours.

Edgbaston Priory Club’s shop (open to the public) features some great brands, including gym lines from the great tennis icon, Bjorn Borg.

Don’t punish yourself

You’re bound to blow it some days, either by missing the odd workout or over-indulging.

That’s okay! Don’t punish yourself for the occasional slip and don’t use it as an excuse to give up. Just keep going and by the summer your healthy routine will become a habit you won’t be able to kick.

JOIN EDGBASTON PRIORY CLUB For information about joining as a Lifestyle or Racquets Member of Edgbaston Priory Club, visit edgbastonpriorycom or call 0121 440 2492. *Anyone joining the Club in January 2018 will enjoy 50 per cent off the entrance fee and a free Give it a Go course in either tennis, squash or racketball. Simply quote ‘Style 2018’ to claim this offer.

TRAIN

RELAX

PLAY

YOU'LL LOVE THE ADVANTAGES Set in 14 acres of beautiful grounds, five minutes from Birmingham’s city centre, we offer 21st century racquet and leisure facilities, including gym, studio, heated indoor and outdoor pools (open all year round) and world class tennis and squash courts.

Quote ‘Style18’ to claim 50% off the entrance fee if you join before 31st January 2018

0121 440 2492 www.edgbastonpriory.com *Offer subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply

WIN

THE ULTIMATE WINTER EXPERIENCE WORTH OVER £1000 With Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham Reinvent your winter wardrobe with the help of a £500 gift card from Bullring and Grand Central Birmingham, before enjoying a meal for two at Fumo Selfridges and a night at Birmingham Hippodrome watching Cinderella. You’ll also get pampered at a hair experience with Jamie Birmingham, receive a Thomas Sabo bracelet and if this wasn’t enough, finish the day off with an overnight stay at Hotel du Vin with breakfast in the morning!

For your chance to win this incredible prize, simply answer the following question: What character does Suzanne Shaw play in Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime, Cinderella?

C. The Fairy Godmother B. The Evil Stepmother C. Cinderella

TO ENTER VISIT STYLEBHAM.COM/WIN 98 | WIN!

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