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Capturing The Light Of Dawn RUBEDO™ IS A NEW TIFFANY METAL WITH THE ROSE LUMINESCENCE OF A SUNRISE. ON THE SKIN ITS BEAUTY GLOWS.
In honour of the 175th anniversary of our founding, RUBEDO™ metal is introduced in a limited-edition series of Tiffany 1837™ designs hallmarked with founder Charles Lewis Tiffany’s signature.
LEGENDARY FOR 175 YEARS
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PRIVATE CONTENTS 42
08
43
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CONTENTS
56
15
20
FEATURES
HEALTH & BEAUTY
8 We sit down with the King of Virgin, Sir Richard Branson, to talk business and entrepreneurship
30 & 38 Kathy Sandison mouths off about two of the most popular dental treatments in Liverpool
22 Roger Phillips takes to
33 One for the boys –
the stage in the first of our new series of BBC Radio Merseyside interviews
24 Fabergé hatches a surprise 26 Lanvin, the oldest fashion house in the world, launches in Liverpool 29 Founder of Mama Mio, Sian Sutherland, shares her natal success
60 37
46 An audience with Liverpool’s very own authority on interior design, Elaine Cunningham
37 Bat your way to success with Lashout! Lashes FOOD & DRINK 42 Taste Italian with this fabulous recipe from Bellini 43 Expert sommelier and wine investor Alice Anastasiou imparts her advice TRAVEL
15 Mr Private shows us how a
60 Sarah Lancashire jets off to South Africa to investigate all things Cape Town
16 Our inaugural fashion shoot will have you rocking into summer 50
35 Our eyes are opened with Maggie Birch as she reports on the latest contact lens technology
FASHION true Englishman should dress
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Claire Wood shares her top grooming tips
20 We say bonjour to Mrs Private who treats us to a glimpse of Parisian élégance
REGULARS 6 Editor’s Letter 53 Out and about 54 Business 56 Sport
PRIVATE LIFE 05
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PRIVATE LETTER
Editor
Clinton Stuart-Lane
FROM THE EDITOR... Welcome to the first issue of our brand new title created especially for those of you who like to take care of yourselves in the heart of Liverpool - Private Life Magazine. From interviews with successful local businesspeople to the latest health offerings around the city, Private Life is the essential quarterly guide for living life well. In our inaugural issue we sit down with Sir Richard Branson, a business icon of our time, as his Virgin empire expands (p.8). We take a stroll around Liverpool, in the shadow of a giant little girl, to find out what is happening in the city over the next couple of months (p.53) and we meet Roger Phillips in the first of our BBC series (p.22). Showing you a variety of health and beauty haunts, Private Life also finds out where to get your teeth straightened (p.30), contacts fitted (p.35) and lashes fixed (p.37), whilst discovering luxurious holidays (p.60), homes to inspire (p.46) and tasty morsels to get your taste buds dancing (p.42). So, as the sun sets over Liverpool’s infamous skyline, we hope you enjoy the read. And if there is anything you think we need to know or you’d like to see, please do get in touch. Enjoy …
Fashion Director Matthew Fisher
Fashion Editor Caroline Smith
Artwork Editor Jamie Griffiths
Health Editor Kathy Sandison
Contributing Editors
Hayley Leaver, Ged Flanagan, Maggie Birch, Claire Wood, Alice Anastasiou
Food & Drink Editor Arabella Whittaker
Culture Editor
Harley Grosvenor
Sports Editor Vicki Portas
Travel Editor
Sarah Lancashire
Chief Sub-Editor Colette Campbell
Graphic Design Craig Bowyer
Digital Asset Manager Mohammed Sikder
Marketing Manager Darcey Thompkins
Head of Finance Joan Alcoolique
Group Director Luke Trevaskis
Copyright © 2012 Trevaskis Communications Ltd, Sixth Floor, Horton House Exchange Flags L2 3PF
T: 0151 244 5421 www.private-life.co.uk
Trevaskis Communications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every effort is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Trevaskis Communications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.
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PRIVATE INTERVIEW
VIRGIN TERRITORY As one of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs and business pioneers, Sir Richard Branson sits down with Private Life to discuss Virgin and the Global Entrepreneurship Congress
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PRIVATE INTERVIEW
hen you can make a call on a Virgin mobile, board a plane with Virgin Atlantic, bank with Virgin Money, travel to London on Virgin Trains, buy an album at Virgin Megastore and travel into space with Virgin Galactic, you would be forgiven for thinking Sir Richard Branson’s objective is world domination. After all, there are not many people that can boast a brand that has made their name synonymous with success and innovation. But Branson’s dreams and aspirations come from a very different place. After starting out selling Christmas trees and budgerigars, Branson launched his first successful business – Student magazine - in 1968. He says, ‘The Vietnam War was going on and I wanted to campaign to stop it, so I started my magazine in school to give my advice to people’. Soon after in 1970 Branson chose Liverpool to launch his first Virgin Records store on Bold Street. The original brand was a far cry from today’s format however. He explains, ‘If you went into a Virgin store back then there would be pillows, you could smoke a joint and there was a relaxing vibe. But, most importantly, the knowledge behind the records was far superior to the other shopping experiences on offer’. While there may not have been as much red tape to comply with 40
years ago, Branson doesn’t believe it is any more difficult to establish that level of success today though. He adds, ‘Today’s economic climate is fragile but businesses with the right product and service can reap much greater rewards than they could back in the ‘70s. Thanks to the Internet anyone can make money from anyone, anywhere in the world. ‘It is all about financing. When we had the magazine we sold advertising space and only when we had enough money did we put the first issue out. It was the same with Virgin Records when we started the mail ordering, we used to get the money before we worked out how to get the copies. Banks aren’t lending, and small businesses are riskier than ever to gamble on, so raise your own funds.’ Although Branson acknowledges the government’s focus and
recognition of entrepreneurs and business start-ups, he feels more support should be offered to young entrepreneurs who don’t want to go to university. ‘Offering studenttype loans to young businesspeople would inspire a whole new generation of business leaders,’ he adds. ‘I’ve had a fascinating voyage of learning, which has been a very different kind of education but definitely a worthwhile one. University for many people is just not necessary and we should offer these entrepreneurial loans to young people who have great ideas.’ It is reassuring to hear that even one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs can still fall into financial difficulty in the current tough climate however – without the right strategy. Branson advises, ‘Times like these can lower so many overheads - rent is cheaper, people are desperate for jobs, and there are greater incentives to start a business. The most important thing is not to be scared of failure. Take that leap into the unknown and don’t let the setbacks worry you.’ He adds, ‘The knocks over the years (and there have been many) have only made me stronger and more determined. If you are going to be an entrepreneur some things are going to work and others are just not. I always say, ‘The brave may not live forever – but the cautious do not live at all’.’
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PRIVATE LIFE
Hoping to spread this message further Branson returned to Liverpool - 40 years after launching the Virgin brand here – to talk at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in the Echo Arena in March. Here, he offered both local and global entrepreneurs his advice and shared his business experiences, from getting things started to picking the right team. He says, ‘The important thing for everyone is the art of delegation and it is imperative early in life to find people that are smarter than you, so you can step aside and think about the bigger picture. I have always given people the freedom to make mistakes and to grow. ‘All too often you hear of people leaving companies because they are not given the opportunity to do the things they want to. Sometimes the things they do differently can be better, and sometimes they are not, but Virgin would not be where it is today if it was solely left down to myself. It is important to appreciate staff and show them their value by giving them a stake in the company or a share of the profits.’ Considering Virgin’s worldwide success, it is interesting to hear that Branson’s motivations do not stem from financial gain or celebrity. He
adds, ‘I don’t start things for the money. You only live once so you have to take the opportunities as they come. My businesses have been created from a desire to produce unrivalled products and services – never have I been motivated by the financial gain. ‘I often consider the idea I have and evaluate the difference it is going to make to peoples’ lives. I then work out how to achieve it. You have to own a dream and vision first. Making the bills work and building a profit comes later. People who dream of how much money they can make sadly often don’t.’ He concludes, ‘We are constantly pursuing ways to expand Virgin
and I have always wanted to go into space. The only current offer is £69m, which I found was a little too extravagant. Deep space exploration with hotels and restaurants are all ideas that we are working on, but it will be a number of years before these become a reality. We dreamt and now we are trying to make our dreams a reality.’
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PRIVATE LIFE
scouse
The art of being
Ged Flanagan muses on what it means to be born and bred in our wonderful city t isn’t in the census, it doesn’t appear on my passport, and my parents didn’t have to declare it on my birth certificate. Yet being a Scouser is an identity that is recognized around the world. As everyone in Liverpool knows, we get our name from the Norwegian sailors’ dish lobscouse. And forget Desperate Scousewives and WAGs – there’s more to being
a Scouser than fake tan and hair extensions. We don’t all have a desire to walk around with mottled skin, nor leave some poor girl in Russia with a head as bald as a vulture. Being a Scouser gives you a special identity, and people fall in love with Liverpudlians because of our upbeat attitude. We have a great outlook on life and a shield to protect us from life’s slings and arrows. I am not naive enough to believe that everyone loves us. There are many uncomplimentary digs at Liverpool out there, but our take on life has made its mark. One stray dogs’ home down south even reckons they can spot a Scouse canine a mile off! We seem to get everywhere; and when you hear a Scouse accent in another part of the world, you always feel you can go
over and say hello, such is the bond between fellow Liverpudlians. And another thing we have in our favour ... we are the only city to have an ‘ology’. Phil Young co-created the Scouseology awards – now in its 20th year – and says: “When you live and work away from home people instinctively call you ‘Scouse’ or ‘Scouser’. It’s pure affection. On a serious note, throughout history we have challenged the status quo and wore our hearts on our sleeves. Scouse is a mindset, a feeling, an outlook on life that is utterly unique. Our camaraderie is second to none and after years in financial depression we have built communities through coming together time and time again. The basic humanity that pours out after any great event in the city is a reaction through instinct rather than instruction, dropping barriers and offering support in the search for a reason and shared solution. The city’s culture, therefore, is irreverent, non-deferential and cuttingly incisive, yet also sentimental and humane. So come on, lets keep flying the Scouse flag, like.
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PRIVATE LIFE
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PRIVATE FASHION
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Welcome to Mr Private – each issue we put together a classic collection. Here we’ve created the look of the quintessential Englishman
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1. Lenoon shaving brush, £60, Ted Baker (www.tedbaker.com) 2. Classic Velvet Shoes, £350, Dolce & Gabbana (www.mrporter.com) 3. Oval Thin Line Cufflinks, £95, Mulberry (www.johnlewis.com) 4. Metal Sunglasses, £185, Prada (www.silverbergopticians.co.uk) 5. Alligator Weekend Bag, £17,145, Ralph Lauren (www.mrporter.com) 6. Reminiscence, £POA, Montegrappa (www.montegrappa.com) 7. Classic chronograph watch, £299, Emporio Armani (www.asos.com) 8. Khaki rose tie pin, £100, Lanvin (www.mrporter.com)
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PRIVATE FASHION
Fashion Director: Matthew Fisher Fashion Editor: Caroline Smith
Menswear from left to right Bomber jacket, £600, Paul Smith, Flannels. Dotted scarf, £125, D&G. Choker, Topman. Top hat, £POA, The Wedding House. Accessories, Bijou Brigitte. Stripe College Blazer, £100, Topman. Body Chain, Topman. Pinned Tie, £135, Tom Ford. Top hat, £POA, The Wedding House. Leather Waistcoat, £495, Versace. Wooden rosary neckwear, Topman. Top hat, £POA, The Wedding House. Hair: Sassoon Make-up: Corinne Young Models: Jay Chrysokhou, Sean Wallace, Christian Molière
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PRIVATE FASHION
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PRIVATE FASHION
Womenswear from left to right: Taffeta Tulle A Line Dress, £715, Red Valentino, Flannels. Accessories, Bijou Brigitte. Placket Meesha Shirt, £190, Ralph Lauren Blue Label, Flannels. Skirt, £105, Karen Millen. Jersey Zip Front Dress, £550, Lanvin, Flannels Hair: Sassoon Make-up: Corinne Young Models: Brittany Hayes, Rachel Trevaskis, Sophie Willis-Hicks
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PRIVATE FASHION
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PRIVATE FASHION
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Welcome to Mrs Private – where we take a trip across the channel to Avenue des Champs-Elysees, and show you how to achieve true Parisian élégance
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5 1. Blackened oxidized-silver cameo bracelet, £1,670, Bottega Veneta (www.net-a-porter.com) 2. Draped stretch-jersey dress, £730, Donna Karan (www.net-a-porter.com) 3. Fractured heart coated earrings, £155, Eddie Borgo (www.net-a-porter.com) 4. Raffia-effect sunhat, £295, Burberry (www.burberry.com) 5. Oversized Jewel Sunglasses, £269, Lanvin (www.silverbergopticians.co.uk) 6. Intrecciato satin knot clutch, £885, Bottega Veneta (www.net-a-porter.com) 7. Hot dot printed silk scarf, £195, Marc Jacobs (www.net-a-porter.com)
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PRIVATE LIFE
ROGER PHILLIPS
The Voice Of Liverpool here are great taxi drivers in Liverpool who know the city like the back of their hand. There are talented actors who have performed with screen royalty such as Julie Walters and Billy Nighy. There are great radio presenters tuning us in day after day. And then there is Roger Phillips, who has been all three.
Growing up as the child of a doctor, Roger wasn’t sure what he wanted to do in life. He explains, ‘I convinced myself initially that I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps, and studied science at Cambridge.’ Realising that this wasn’t the career path for him, he changed to English. This was more of a natural progression for Roger as he had always been involved with theatre. It was a year after a media research stint when Roger got his first professional stage role. ‘I got a job in York and then I stayed in theatre for 3-4 years,
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PRIVATE LIFE
before I went to Chester, then to the Northcott Theatre in Exeter, before finally coming to the Everyman in Liverpool which at the time was the best in the country alongside the Glasgow Citizens.” A friend of Roger had come up to Liverpool to run Vanload, a branch of the Everyman that split the cast to simultaneously perform the shows both on the stage and
throughout the city in schools and pubs and clubs. The idea was that the public would then come back to the Everyman for the next play. ‘We did a load of plays, with the great Willy Russell writing them. Working with a lot of talented actors such as Julie Walters, Matthew Kelly, Bill Nighy and Jonathan Price, I had great fun but running Vanload was very tiring because in those days you had to do everything as the Director. You had to put on the show, drive the van, design the set, build the props and so on. ‘I had great fun doing Widowers Houses with Pete Postlethwaite and Taming of the Shrew with Del Henley playing Petruchio, Kate Fide playing Kate and the incomparible Julie Walters playing Bianco. One of the plays we took out whilst at Vanload was Flash Harry by Alan Bleasdale. It was after this theatrical stint that Roger decided to become a taxi driver. He describes it as the best thing he could ever have done to give him that worldly experience. It is here that his love affair with Liverpool began and he fondly recalls pubs such as the Nile Social Club that in its day was renowned for being open all night. He adds, ‘it was having another job that probably helped get me the gig on the radio as the pay was so poor they needed somebody who could supplement their income. It did get difficult however when people started recognising my voice. ‘If I was ever out of work again I would go back on the cabs – the camaraderie between the drivers is phenomenal and there is a real sense of community.’
There were a few local radio jobs that came up at the time and one station ran a writing competition offering the opportunity to get a piece produced professionally. Roger entered one or two but to no avail, but at that time, the producer was looking for a morning presenter, and his voice was perfect. He was put on air with his first show almost immediately in 1978 and the rest, as they say, is history. ‘Local radio used to air from 6am to 6pm in those days and the managing editor at the time, Ian Johnston, could see that extending the licence from 6pm till midnight would keep listeners tuning in the next morning. He had been refused but went ahead anyway. ‘Because I had worked the cabs I knew exactly what Liverpool people wanted to talk about and I asked him to put me on at lunchtime because he was missing a trick. He eventually moved the lunchtime presenter to the night time and then asked me to cover the lunchtime show. So I started doing the phone-in from 1981’. Despite owing his life’s successes to ‘falling into everything’ he has done, Roger is certain he won’t ever move into national radio. He says, ‘I don’t like the separation from the North, here in Liverpool you really do know your audience and the audience knows you. There is a real dialogue between the two and I love that.’
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PRIVATE LIFE
FABULOUS
Fabergé
The streets of London were extra colourful this Easter ...
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PRIVATE LIFE
ntil 8 April London was the setting for The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt: a treasure trail of over 200 huge fibreglass eggs. Each had been customised by a famous name, including artist Marc Quinn, architect Zaha Hadid, fashion designers Zandra Rhodes and Vivienne Westwood, and even Dame Maggie Smith – so there was an egg-shaped Downton Abbey’s Dowager Countess of Grantham on the streets of London. Organizers hope to raise £2 million for two charities: Action for Children, which provides support for vulnerable young people across the country, and Elephant Family, which works to save endangered Asian elephants. Each egg carried a code, and
when texted to the contest hotline, each number provided an entry to win the crowning jewel of the competition: a Diamond Jubilee Egg of rose gold, set with 60 diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, valued at £100,000. Fabergé has been synonymous with consummate design and craftsmanship since Gustav Fabergé
‘They have revived traditional techniques of enamelling, multicoloured gold decoration and the use of carved semi-precious hardstones, applying them with great skill and originality’ started making eggs in 1842 in St Petersburg. His son, Peter Carl, won the company high favour with the Imperial Romanov family in the 1880s, and Fabergé won the coveted Grand Prix at the 1900 World Fair in Paris. The family firm went from strength to strength
until 1917 when the Russian Revolution brought an abrupt end to the reign of the Romanov family and their beloved egg-makers. We have Peter Carl’s great granddaughters, Tatiana and Sarah, to thank for the rise of the House of Fabergé once again. They have revived traditional techniques of enamelling, multicoloured gold decoration and the use of carved semi-precious hardstones, applying them with unsurpassed skill and great originality. The brand’s Mayfair boutique opened in November 2011 – an extra special occasion, as this is Fabergé’s first store in London since 1915. The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt www.thebigegghunt.co.uk
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PRIVATE LIFE
GLASS
ACT
Summer is here, so reach for those all-important designer shades. Not sure of what to buy? This year, be one step ahead of the fash pack and get down to Silverberg Opticians to check out Lanvin’s exclusive sunglasses and eyewear collection s the thousands who queued outside H&M in 2010 waiting for its latest designer collection know, Lanvin is Paris’ oldest couture house and your go-to brand for elegant, refined fashion. Created in 1889 by French fashion icon Jeanne Lanvin, whose handmade designs piqued the interest of Paris’ well-to-do set, it is now one of fashion’s most influential names. And now under the creative direction of Alber Elbaz, it boasts beautifully crafted dresses, outerwear, jewellery, handbags and even perfume – as well as a number of international boutiques. Embodying Parisian chic from its scents to its shoes, it offers a luxe-mix of embellishment and intricate drapery as well as signature grosgrain ribbon trims. Lucas Ossendrijver has developed its successful menswear line, which naturally oozes the same quintessential elegance that the fashion house has become known for. It was therefore only a matter of time before the influential empire added another feather to its avantgarde cap. Turning his watchful eye to sunglasses earlier this year and now eyewear, Elbaz, the man with
the Midas touch, has done it again. Following the success of the début 2012 Sunglasses Collection earlier this year, Lanvin is pleased to present its first eyewear optical collection in partnership with the De Rigo Group. Perfectly in keeping with the brand’s signature style, the new glasses for men and
women successfully combine retro and contemporary elements in a distinctive and elegant range. Launching exclusively at Silverberg Opticians in Liverpool, these are set to be some of the hottest products in town. Mixing couture details with industrial aesthetics, the range complements fierce hardware like screws, nails and studs with
precious materials such as printed leather, bronze and natural horn. Geometric square and round frames and gradient lenses also add a chic retro style to the collection, while jewel details and antique finishes turn each pair of glasses into a must-have accessory. This certainly won’t be news to Silverberg Opticians however, who are no strangers to designer collections, having stocked them for more than 50 years. Situated in the retail heart of Liverpool, opposite the ultra-fashionable Met Quarter, Silverberg Opticians has been keeping the optically challenged in the latest frames and designer styles since 1957. Back then it was all about NHS spectacles with little choice of frames, but now managing director Ian Silverberg and his team offer a range of unusual and niche brands, including Philippe Starck, Prada, Bvlgari, Ray-Ban and Roberto Cavalli. They have even attained an Elite account with the world’s largest manufacturer of spectacles and sunglasses, Luxottica. Through this, they not only stock more than 2,500 designer glasses and sunglasses in store, but also have access to
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exclusive products and limited edition ranges from the likes of Chanel, Persol and Tiffany designer sunglasses. If you are working to a more modest budget, don’t be put off by all these big names. There is also an extensive range of unbranded frames available that not only reflects to the latest trends but easily withstand the shocks and traumas of day-to-day use. After consolidating its six Merseyside-wide practices into its current Whitechapel location, Silverberg’s has also become somewhat of a celebrity haunt, counting Liverpool’s pop stars and Premier League players and their wives, as well as Elvis Costello and Sir Ben Kingsley, among its loyal client base. With so much stiff competition you better get there early to beat the crowds this summer. For more information on the exclusive range of Lanvin eyewear and sunglasses, as well as designer and unbranded collections available at Silverberg Opticians, visit silverbergopticians.co.uk. PRIVATE LIFE 27
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PRIVATE BEAUTY
A nine-month
stretch
As every expectant mum at prenatal class knows all too well, it isn’t just the kicks and the weight gain that add to the stresses of pregnancy. reas of cellulite, stretch marks and scars can sometimes only be the tip of the iceberg and often they are enough to make you want to rewind the nine months and do it properly from the beginning. Caring for your skin is important from day one and often women don’t fully appreciate the impact this can have later down the line. Urban Calm exclusively stocks Mama Mio - a great range of products & treatments that can be used by people of all ages and skin types. Creator Sian Sutherland says, “Mama Mio was founded by four women who have personally been through every skincare challenge in the book. So we know how important it is to deliver an amazing product that really works and also to make sure every element of our skincare - the look of it, the feel of it, the words we use to describe it, every single part of that product - makes women feel good.” Perhaps best known for specializing in helping women through
pregnancy, Mama Mio’s extensive range is the perfect brand to help you look your best at all times. Armed with the vital knowledge of how to help skin cope with the extreme changes of pregnancy – a 40 inch stretch in 40 weeks – founders Sian and Kathy Miller, Tanya Mackay and Jill Dunk have created a range that is rich in anti-ageing, cellulite and dry skin solutions. With a focus on encouraging better elasticity and healthy, welltoned skin they operate a strict ‘No Nasties’ policy. Which means that every Mama Mio product is safe to use at any time from pregnancy stage to pensionable age. They are also paraben-free, petrolatum-free, sodium-free, xenoestrogen and phtalates-free. Sian adds, “It is an undeniable fact that if you feel good, you look good. No woman should want to actually reverse the clock. She should want to look the absolute best she can at the age she is – the best 35- or 55-yearold she can be. “I believe the most important
benefit that any skincare product can give is not just free-radical eradicating; cellulite bashing; wrinkle erasing or spot zapping. The very best benefit we can give a women through our skincare is confidence - because a confident woman is a beautiful woman; happy in her skin and easy on herself. Confidence is the most attractive trait in the world.” With this in mind, Mama Mio’s range now includes Get Waisted, Shrink To Fit Cream and Bootcamp for Butts, as well as the best-selling Boob Tube and Tummy Rub. Urban Calm offer a wide range of complementary pregnancy massages and treatments specifically designed around prenatal and postnatal women - easing you into the strains of motherhood. For more information on all the products and treatments available at Urban Spa call 0151 236 0537 or visit www.urbancalmuk.com.
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PRIVATE HEALTH
smile
A DREAM 30 PRIVATE LIFE
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PRIVATE HEALTH
www.liverpoolimplants.co.uk info@liverpoolimplants.co.uk 0151 236 8280 23-25 Brunswick Street, Liverpool L2 0PJ
Unhappy with uneven teeth? Kathy Sandison discovers how Invisalign can change your life n a perfect world everybody would be blessed with a perfect smile, but many people are stuck with crooked teeth that they never had fixed in childhood. Luckily the days when the only way to straighten your teeth was with a mouthful of metal are gone. You might think that braces can only make a difference when your teeth are still growing, yet it’s possible at stage in life. Invisalign works in the same way as conventional braces but rather than being made from metal, they are clear plastic and less than 1mm thick that fit over your teeth. Softer than metal and more comfortable, they won’t cause abrasions to the mouth, gums or tongue. They are also removable, which makes them much more hygienic, and everyday tasks such as eating, drinking, tooth brushing and flossing are straightforward. The growth in adult orthodontic treatment has led to demand for flexible solutions. If you’ve got a presentation at work, a wedding or a big party, would you rather be wearing an old-fashioned metal and wire bracket or a virtually invisible aligner that you can take out if you need to? Invisalign aligners can be used for
crowding or excess spacing of teeth, overbites, underbites and crossbites. Aesthetically, moving your teeth can make changes to the shape of your face and jaw, offer support for your lips, giving you a younger appearance. At the Liverpool Dental Spa, a combination of X-rays and photography will enable dentist Marius Mcgovern to build up an image of your teeth and jaw structure. Then a computer-generated model of how you want your teeth and your smile to look will be developed. Once you are happy that the computer-generated model is showing the right results for you, the transparent aligners will be produced to the exact specification. You’ll wear each aligner for about two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. After that you change them for another set that will continue to move the teeth further until the desired position is achieved. Your dentist will see you on a regular basis and a complete treatment plan will last 6 – 18 months. Invisalign cuts treatment times because one of the most
important aspects of the experience is that the aligners are designed to provide as little disruption as possible to the everyday life of the people wearing them. Because Invisalign works effectively, it is faster. The main reason why most people choose Invisalign is because they are barely visible while you are wearing them. It’s a huge contrast with conventional braces, where the metal brackets are conspicuous and noticeable. When it comes to comfort, conventional braces are fixed, which makes chewing difficult as food can easily get trapped around your elastics and wires. Also, your dentist has to tighten the braces on a regular basis to ensure that they are still moving the teeth effectively. This can be painful and inconvenient. Invisalign aligners are removable and they can be taken out to eat and clean. Finally, you don’t need your aligners adjusting. They come pre-prepared and designed specifically for you – so when you need to exert new pressure on your teeth, you simply upgrade to the next aligner in your own set. Invisalign is a bespoke treatment, with aligners that are created to fit exactly and precisely to the shape of your teeth. Costs start at around £1995 for straightforward tooth realignment. Treatment is planned at the outset, so you can get a full quote before the treatment begins which enables you to know the costs and timescales before you commit.
The Liverpool Dental Spa is a Platinum Elite provider of Invisalign treatments Book in for your free straight teeth assessment; 0% finance available
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MEN– LISTEN UP! Dry skin? Oily skin? Spotty Skin? Claire Wood of Urban Calm gives you her top tips ou have probably had the importance of an effective skincare regime drummed into you for as long as you can remember guys. We have all heard of cleansing, toning and moisturising, but what most men don’t realise is that each skin type has its own individual needs. And all of these need to be catered for by different products. Using an effective cleanser is like wiping down your shoes before you go out – it gets rid of the dirt and oil that can quickly accumulate on the skin. A good exfoliant will remove
any dead skin cells to allow any product applied afterwards to be absorbed more efficiently. This is like sanding your wood before you apply a base coat. In this case our base coat is our toner. Most of us don’t understand the importance of toners but they are a necessary step to help absorb the moisturiser and will thoroughly hydrate the skin. In order to rehydrate the skin and keep it feeling supple and looking fresh, you need an effective moisturiser. This is like applying the layer of wax to your car before buffing.
For more information on all the treatments available at Urban Spa call 0151 236 0537 or visit www.urbancalmuk.com
urban�calm Inner�City�Spa
CLAIRE’S SKIN BAR: Each issue Claire will answer one of your skincare questions and come up with a practical solution Matt F: Hi Claire, I have been following your advice and using the Dermalogica moisturiser each day but my skin still seems dry and susceptible to irritation around my mouth and chin. Claire: Hi Matt, our mouths can be one of the most difficult areas to keep free of congestion. Many of
the oils found in food congregate around our lips and can linger for hours after eating – slowly working their way down the skin to our chins. I would recommend sticking to your regime but introduce the use of Dermalogica’s Intensive Moisture Masque a couple of times a week – it is a moisturereplenishing masque that will deep-clean and nourish the skin and alleviate any excess dry areas. PRIVATE LIFE 33
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OPENYOUR
EYES
Despite changing lives for over 10 years, multifocal contact lenses are still one of Acuvue’s best kept secrets. New user Maggie Birch shares her experience of using them remember when I first went for my prescription of multifocal contact lenses four years ago – it was a frustrating process to say the least. I was living in Shropshire at the time and due to the nature of the lenses, it took a specialist practitioner to fit them. Multifocal lenses are used to correct presvyopia, an agerelated condition that affects almost everyone. As we reach our 40s and 50s, the lens inside our eye becomes less flexible (like the rest of our body) making it harder to focus on objects close to us. Multifocal lenses are designed to
provide the powers for both the distance and reading vision so allowing you to see at different distances through the same lens. Four years on and with most opticians in Liverpool still not wetting their toes, Ian Silverberg has been pioneering the solution within Merseyside since its inception. I must also mention his family who are just as helpful when visiting the shop – there really is nothing as personable as a business that gets passed down the generations. It is reassuring to have such experience when opting for this treatment, as there are few other opticians in the area that have such a high success rate. Your eyes are a very sensitive area and the only person I trust to treat them is Ian Silverberg. Enabling wearers to see clearly both near and far, yielding high success rates and better visual outcomes for years, Silverberg Opticians are inundated with referrals and new patients wanting to experience the
lenses which replicate full sight. Something that is good to see for a first-timer, such as me. Since having my multifocals fitted, long gone are the days when I am told off by my kids for squinting. I have also saved days not having to look around for glasses that turn up on my head hours later. I have nicknamed Ian my window cleaner – he has finally wiped the misty blur that impaired my vision when I was focusing across a room. Silverberg Opticians, 40 Whitechapel Street, Liverpool L1 6DZ, Tel: 0151 709 2012 www.silverbergopticians.co.uk PRIVATE LIFE 35
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PRIVATE BEAUTY
Fluttery WILL GET YOU EVERYWHERE
rom gothic sandstone arched frames and travertine sills to cast iron guards and shutters; it is these components that make the window, not the modest pane of glass that lines within. Our eyes are said to be the windows of our soul so why do so few of us learn the rules of window dressing? We are all guilty of curling, lining and waterproofing but we fail to notice the damage we are inflicting upon our fragile keratin follicles. If most women listened carefully they could probably hear their eyelashes screaming as the wands of thick black tar approached. These women, of course, haven’t yet been introduced to Ilah Brows and Lashout! Lashes. Initial scepticism is allowed, and cynicism is forgiven. The results quite frankly speak for themselves. It is amazing just how easy it is to achieve shaplier brows and lusher lashes without committing ocular murder. Lashout! Lashes and Ilah Brows
give a great alternative to faffing around in the morning, and produce results that leave eye-envy in their trail. Lashout! are created from a long, thick and glossy polished lash that have had celebrities such as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker batting with beauty for years. Ilah are experts in artistic threading, maintaining an elementary formation that is fast becoming a must-have beauty treatment for anyone who hates wearing heavy make-up or simply doesn’t have the time to repaint the windowsill everyday. If eyes really are the gateway to our inner self then, there’s no excuse to walk the critical streets again mass-scar-ring. Treatments can be as quick as 20 minutes and prices start from only £25. Lashout! Lashes and Ilah Brows are located within Urban Calm Spa, Metquarter, 35 Whitechapel Liverpool L1 6DA, 0151 236 0537, Info@urbancalmuk.com
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PRIVATE HEALTH
REDISCOVER YOUR
confidence
Dental implants
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PRIVATE HEALTH
ashions may come and go, but a beautiful smile is always in style. Yet missing teeth can make you feel uncomfortable about smiling or even eating in public. You may avoid social situations and as a result begin to feel isolated. And this will affect more than your self-confidence – when a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it shrinks from lack of stimulation. Not only does losing teeth affect the appearance of your smile, it also changes the shape of your face, causing you to look prematurely aged. Crowns and bridges address the short-term cosmetic problem of missing teeth but do nothing to stop bone loss. Dentures are another possibility, but they become unstable as the jawbone shrinks, causing eating and speech problems. Fortunately, dentistry has made dramatic advancements in recent years, with treatments available today that can completely resolve common dental problems. The only permanent, fixed solution for missing or failing teeth are dental implants – a well-established treatment that has been developed for over 50 years. In the last five years, as more experienced surgeons have become qualified, implants have become more affordable, making them an achievable treatment option for more and more people. The implant procedure is remarkably straightforward and involves the placement of a small titanium post to permanently replace
the missing tooth root, upon which a replacement tooth is secured. It is a relatively straightforward procedure for an experienced dentist like Dr Marius McGovern to carefully place the implant and most patients experience little or no discomfort. With dental implants, healthy teeth are not compromised. Dental implants, like natural teeth, stimulate the jaw and stop bone loss. Leading dental organizations recognise dental implants as the standard of care for tooth replacement. At the Liverpool implant and Aesthethic Dental Spa nervous patients can take advantage of our in-house sedation facilities, and the specially trained team of staff ensure that each individual’s experience is managed compassionately. Using state of the art technologies and equipment has been one of the greatest investments we have made – enabling us to plan cases with complete precision and confidence to ensure safety, security and reduced chair time for all patients. Dental implants are the perfect solution for replacing a single tooth, multiple teeth and even dentures. Say goodbye to uncomfortable and unstable dentures with dental implants a perfect permanent solution. Enjoy the foods you have struggled to eat, enjoy talking in public without the insecurities, and smile with confidence once again.
Book in today for your free clinical consultation; 0% finance available
www.liverpoolimplants.co.uk info@liverpoolimplants.co.uk 0151 236 8280 23-25 Brunswick Street, Liverpool L2 0PJ PRIVATE LIFE 39
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PRIVATE INVESTMENT
wine
INVEST IN
Sommelier and investor Alice Anastasiou shares her tips with you
hile stock markets and property prices look shaky, fine wine has been much less susceptible to economic change. The equivalent of the FTSE 100 for wine is the Liv-Ex 100 Fine Wine Index, which has soared by over 25 per cent in the past year. Along with this, the industry has moved from a marketplace that was traded only by professionals to a popular trend among enthusiasts who enjoy wine, entertaining and cooking. For a first-time investor it has to be Bordeaux, as it is safest to start with an established marketplace. Although Bordeaux makes up around 90 per cent of the current investment market, knowing which one to choose can be a minefield. The touchstone of fine-wine investment is the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. Many view this system as a benchmark for the perfect wine cellar – graded on history, track record, global demand, quality, longevity and consistent upward price movement. Costs often indicate quality,
however, they can also be driven by the relative differences in yield and mania for certain tastes that simply go in or out of fashion. Look at first growths – these chateaux form the backbone of most good wine portfolios and are considered the bread and butter of the industry. Having rarely dipped in price since they were defined, their value is difficult to dispute. Great examples of these ‘trophy wines’ can be found in Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Haut Brion, Mouton Rothschild and Margaux. So, the next step? This market is all about rapport and you are only as strong as your relationship with your wine merchant. New entrants should start with a bonded warehouse – these are regulated and must satisfy stringent criteria. Always open a private account where wine can be stored exclusively in your name – not in a merchant account, as this could be considered their property. Obtain a condition report to confirm wine is in an Original Wooden Case (OWC) – this is an
important part of the provenance. Keep an eye out for transit stickers and avoid wine that has travelled around the world. Investmentgrade wine must be stored in the right environment, so check the warehouse uses climate control to ensure optimum temperature and humidity levels. Insurance is a must, but review this each year to ensure you have the correct level of cover. And be wary of any investment that claims to offer substantial short-term returns. Investment is often most rewarding over the medium to long-term – 3-5 years and upwards. Finally, always pay with credit card for protection. I host a number of seminars and wine-tasting evenings throughout Liverpool at venues such as Il Forno and The Warehouse. For more information please visit www.private-life.co.uk
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PRIVATE RECIPE
Tagliatelle with clams and prawns Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Serves: 2
e p i c Re Tagliatelle con vongole e gamberetti
1 3
2 4
Ingredients: 40ml extra virgin olive oil 20g garlic cloves, chopped 20g fresh red chilli 160g tagliatelle 10 king prawns, de-shelled and de-veined 160g fresh clams 20g parsley, finely chopped 20ml white wine Instructions: 1. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan on a low heat and add the garlic and chilli. Cook gently for one minute to release the flavours but avoid any colour changes and burning. 2. Add the pasta to a pan of salted boiling water and leave to cook for 7 minutes (depending on the brands recommendation). 3. Add the prawns and clams, cooking on both sides for a total of 5 minutes. Gently toss the pan to maintain a consistent coating of olive oil. Once cooked, add some of the white wine and parsley. Drain the tagliatelle and then add it to the frying pan. Pour in the remaining white wine and mix everything together to flavour the pasta. 4. Add some olive oil and the remaining parsley and serve immediately. For presentation, serve the pasta first and surround with the clams and prawns. www.bellinicocktailbar.com
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PRIVATE HOME
GRAND DESIGNS We meet Liverpool’s very own authority on interior design, Elaine Cunningham, and find out how she puts heart into every home
ith more than 25 years of experience in the home-interiors business, Elaine Cunningham certainly knows her Designers Guild from her Osborne & Little – and everything else in between. Building on her successful family background in retail, Elaine has turned her talent for heading up innovative ventures and building international contacts into her own award-winning company, Elaine Cunningham Interiors. She says, ‘I have been in the home interiors business now for many years, with the last five as an interior designer for my own company. It was hard work but I’ve turned my dream into a reality.’ With high ambitions from the outset, Elaine set about supplying everything from fabric and wallpaper to flooring and paint, as well as incorporating an interior design service. Initially she worked from home while she built up her business profile and clientele, but her growing success saw her invest in a rundown property on Aigburth
Road in Liverpool. Using this to showcase her talent, it soon became a fantastic showroom for the Elaine Cunningham Interiors brand as well as now being one of the city’s destination stores. In 2010, Elaine also opened a sister branch on Liverpool’s Chapel Street. She says, ‘We decided to expand the customer experience that little bit further – into the city centre with a brand new Home Store concept. In the current market it’s about giving people what they want with a
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little creative flair, as well as amazing service thrown in for good measure.’ With this in mind, Elaine Cunningham Interiors offers a comprehensive interior design service, from consultation to conception with all of the finishing touches thrown in. Drawing on their extensive knowledge and years of expertise, alongside their high levels of customer service, the design team aims to create something for your individual needs. Whether you prefer cool and contemporary or vibrant and retro, they will liaise with you to create outstanding surroundings that are as individual as you are, and suit your moods and lifestyle. Cunningham says, ‘My own home is so important to me and I feel so lucky to be living there. It’s not grand but it says something about me and how I live. Her advice to her clients is as follows: ‘Think about how you live, what do you do at home, how do you spend your time; think about the things that will annoy you. Think about what makes you happy, what are the pleasures that you enjoy, how you live at the moment, but take into account your hopes and dreams and aspirations for the future.’ She adds, ‘I aim to make a home timeless so that people can interpret it in their own way, then
piece together their home with their own particular style and emotion.’ From living spaces and dining areas to bedrooms and home offices, there is no challenge too big for the Elaine Cunningham Interiors team – who will pull together an array of designs to help you and your space stand out. To make sure you stay right on-trend, they will also incorporate a range of innovative pieces from some of the world’s leading brands. From hand-printed wallpaper from Cole & Son or Osborne & Little to colourful cushions from Lorca, every element is carefully picked out with the aim of inspiring you. It is this meticulous planning and attention to detail – as well as the team’s relentless hard work – that has helped Elaine to stay ahead of the pack. ‘I look for inspiration everywhere and every day,’ she says. ‘The business is constantly reflecting new trends and styles, so the customer can leave secure in the knowledge that we are working with them to achieve something unique.” As part of this committed service, Elaine Cunningham Interiors also offer a range of products and services that cater for all budgets, whether that’s a pot of paint or a complete design consultation. Which is something that
has helped the team to pick up an array of award nominations, including the Best Independent Retailer and Best Showroom Display at the Northern Design Awards. Cunningham concludes, ‘I won a business of the year award in 2009, which was so exciting. It’s wonderful to see that the company is a huge success – and we intend to keep it that way.’ For more information on the collections and services available at Elaine Cunningham Interiors visit elainecunninghaminteriors.co.uk
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PRIVATE ENTERTAINMENT
It’s Showtime
We snuggle up on the sofa and delve between the sheets with Liverpool’s very own authority on interior design, Elaine Cunningham,
From mesmerizing choreography to death-defying stunts, summer theatre is certainly going to be exciting at the Liverpool Empire this year. We preview two of their fantastic upcoming shows that will get your pulses racing
Midnight Tango Stars of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, dancers Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace bring their sharp footwork and sensual chemistry to the Liverpool Empire this season in their own record-breaking live show. Focusing on their specialist routines, Midnight Tango will transport you to the pulsating streets of Argentina with its breathtaking choreography. Set in a late-night bar in downtown Buenos Aires and featuring some of the finest tango dancers in the world, Midnight Tango is a heady, celebration of all things Latino. In keeping with the show’s fiery setting, it oozes danger and excitement, joy and jealousy, pain and passion in an array of explosive tango routines. With the help of a 10-strong dance troupe and the UK’s acclaimed choreographer and So You Think You
Can Dance judge, producer Arlene Phillips at the helm, this is one of the most mesmerizing millongas you’ll ever be invited to. With a selection of gravitydefying moves and a live Latin soundtrack from the internationally renowned tango band Tango Siempre, you are guaranteed to be on the edge of your seat. Something which hasn’t gone unrecognized by the critics either, who have shortlisted the show for an Olivier Award in the Best Entertainment & Family category. Perfecting the routines that have made them famous during
the past six series of Strictly Come Dancing, former World Dance Champions Vincent and Flavia will perform an array of tango styles, most famously the Argentine – which sees the couple execute an array of small, intricate steps and rhythmic footwork in their usual close embrace. Demand will be high, so you better book your tickets now. Midnight Tango will be performed on Monday 25 June and Tuesday 26 June 2012. For more information visit midnighttango.co.uk
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PRIVATE ENTERTAINMENT
Midnight Tango
Cirque Du Ciel’s ‘ ShangHi’
Cirque Du Ciel’s ShangHi Back by popular demand, the Cirque du Theatre is also returning to Liverpool this spring as part of its UK tour. Direct from China, Cirque Du Ciel’s ShangHi combines a spectacular display of acrobatics, modern dance, martial arts and magical illusions, as well as traditional Chinese music that the whole family can enjoy. And as you’d expect from something that was originally directed by Cirque Du Soleil’s Guy Caron, this is a visually stunning two-hour extravaganza that you definitely won’t want to miss. ShangHi offers much more than martial arts though – it has a captivating display of colourful costumes, intricate sets and dramatic lighting, too. Defying conventions as well as gravity, the company behind the internationally acclaimed production in fact refers to
it as the ‘next generation of Cirque Du Soleil’. In true Cirque style, its story is one of mystery and fantasy. Set against a score of original music that highlights the magical aura of the show, ShangHi journeys through the mysterious dreams of a little girl as she delves into her fantasies. Intrigued? Well, just wait until you see it. As beautifully complementing its captivating storyline are more than 500 costumes as well as an array of intricate backgrounds, which are a credit to the world-class artistic team who have brought this brilliant multi-media spectacle to life.
Despite its visual beauty, the skilled performers are the real stars of the show. The talented 30-strong cast perform everything from modern and traditional dance to breathtaking stunts. Highlights include the Mexican hat juggling, terrifying yet beautiful aerial silks and the famous deathdefying Chinese Monkey Poles, which is a dizzying mix of balancing, tumbling, spinning and brilliant live drumming. ShangHi will be performed on Wednesday 20 June and Thursday 21 June 2012. For tickets or more information about the upcoming shows at the Liverpool Empire visit liverpoolempire.org.uk
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PRIVATE LIFE
SEA ODYSSEY iverpool has a history of making the world sit up and take notice, and this year will be no exception. Following our visit from the immense spider La Princesse in 2008, this month sees the arrival of a very special guest, The Little Girl Giant. The world’s greatest street theatre company, Royal De Luxe, is staging a spectacular event – the Sea Odyssey – on our streets. The giant marionette stands over 30ft tall, and will be joined by her 50ft uncle, moving across North Liverpool and the city centre, wowing the hundreds of thousands of people who are expected to descend on the city on 20-22 April. Sea Odyssey is a magical tale of love, loss and reunion played out on a gigantic scale, and was created to commemorate the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. When Royal De Luxe founder JeanLuc Courcoult visited Liverpool in 2006, he was inspired by an emotional letter he saw in the
Maritime Museum written by a young girl whose father was a passenger on the tragic maiden voyage. Liverpool has strong ties with the Titanic, as the ship was registered here with the White Star shipping line, and carried the city’s name on her stern and 90 members of the crew were from Merseyside . Jean-Luc said: ‘Liverpool, for me, stands out as an island in its own right, within a larger island. Passions for football, the revolutionary music and poetry of the Beatles, and the legendary story of the Titanic, give the city a strong, emblematic identity, and the people a compelling warmth which pulls me to them.’ Royal De Luxe is a company made up of actors, acrobats, craftspeople, inventors, technicians, steel-workers and poets. Founded in Toulouse in 1979, it is recognised across the world for pioneering new forms of street theatre and this is definitely one coup for the city we will not forget in a hurry. Director of Culture Liverpool,
the city council’s events department, Claire McColgan, said: ‘Events don’t come much bigger than the Sea Odyssey. We know it will once again thrust Liverpool into the cultural spotlight.’ This is a human story of love told on a grand scale and it won’t just engage the city, but will capture the imagination of the nation.’The giant has performed all over the world, including Mexico, Iceland and Australia, but has only been seen once before in the UK in London at the Sultan’s Elephant event in 2006. Sea Odyssey is the final event which will use European legacy funding from the city’s Capital of Culture year in 2008. Follow its progress on giantspectacular.com
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PRIVATE BUSINESS
urban legends
We snuggle up on the sofa and delve between the sheets with Liverpool’s very own authority on interior design, Elaine Cunningham,
As the beauty baby of two female entrepenuers, the Urban Beauty Group has its roots in very unexpected foundations. t has taken Sharon Doyle and Nicola Byrne many years to hone their experience and grow their empire organically throughout the Northwest. Starting over ten years ago with their first salon in Ormskirk, they now boast a portfolio of 3 spas and have introduced the ever-popular Lash Out! Lashes brand to the rest of the UK. Their dedication and passion eminates through every part of their businesses and it comes as no surprise that this dynamic duo have a strong business background. Nicola says, “having a Masters in urban regeneration & management has really stood me in good stead to not only analyze consumer trends and economic conditions but to approach business as I would manage a project - it’s all about planning and being prepared”. Urban Calm Inner City Spa is the latest premises that the pair opened in 2010, confident
their product would ride the tough waves the recession threw at them. Nicola adds, “despite it being a scary time for businesses, there was an ever-growing market for beauty treatments despite the economic climate. Consumers were starting to understand the importance of looking after themselves and feeling good. I think we are certainly seeing a return of the lipstick effect. It’s apparent that there are small luxuries people refuse to give up on, making them arguably recession-proof as it is justifiable for people to spend a little despite difficult times”. This sense of bold has driven Sharon and Nicola over the years and whilst juggling children, businesses and partners, they have forged a path for themselves onto the Beauty Business landscape. Having currently moved their head office to form neighbours with The Women’s Organisation on St James Street, this team are long reigning as the beauty queens of the city. Championing young businesses and entreprenuerial women, Sharon and Nicola are dedicated to promoting women in business and in the community. Despite all of their achievements, their success, they say, is down to their staff. Sharon adds, “without our loyal and hardworking staff, Urban Calm would not be the brand it is today. We invest heavily on training all of our therapists and we fully support the modern appren-
ticeships framework. It is this attention to detail and management style that delivers results and produces an outstanding team that become a support network for one another.” Meeting Sharon and Nicola, it is not hard to see that they don’t let their feet start to itch. Their ears are constantly to the ground and Nicola believes “you have to keep up with what your customers demand. There are treatments launching globally each day, with much smaller production timescales than in the past, so we have to make sure we are the first to hear what women are going to want next. We spend a great deal of time and money looking into beauty innovation across the world to ensure the Urban Beauty Group can provide the best the industry has to offer.” It is clear this force of beauty is going to be expanding across the country for many years to come. Watch out London!
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PRIVATE SPORT
MERSEY TIGERS Bored of your usual marketing drives? We take to the court with Mersey Tigers to find out how sports sponsorships are landing sales or years large blue chip companies have capitalised on the camaraderie of sport and its loyal following through lucrative sponsorship deals and endorsements. With the Mersey Tigers currently offering tenders for next season’s sponsorships, now is the time to consider catching that ball. For more than two decades there has been the perception that sponsorship is difficult to measure, and the issue of measuring its return on investment has plagued the sports industry. With sponsors claiming that they needed a better sense of ROI for their investments, many sports clubs produced several measurement approaches (such as the value of the media coverage) that disengaged the involvement of sponsors entirely. While sponsors never clearly shared their objectives with clubs, they demanded better measurement of their ROI at the exact same time. About five years ago however, sponsors started taking ownership of their own objectives and steps to ensure that their goals were clearly aligned with the companies overall marketing objectives. Long gone are the days when clubs have to rely on media valuations to lure their
sponsors. Sponsors now know that if it is their objective to sell more cars or bottles of beer, it is only quantifiable sales figures that are going to justify ROI. It all comes back to the ownership of the ROI measurement process. Only sponsors can really measure their sponsorship ROI, as they know their business objectives and are in a better position to ensure that any ROI justification is in a language that demonstrates a sound understanding of their business. Clubs, such as Mersey Tigers, are not really in a position to provide this insight, but instead focus on doing what they do best, which is engaging with fans whilst providing an unparalleled marketing opportunity. Mersey Tigers do this through a number of corporate opportunities, which partners, such as David Lloyd, take advantage of from season to season. These include player sponsorships, match sponsorships, courtside advertising and club sponsorships. So if you have a product or service that you need to sell more of, step forward and take ownership. For more information on how your company can benefit, please call the Mersey Tigers on 0151 203 3443. PRIVATE LIFE 55
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PRIVATE FITNESS
David Lloyd Speke
SHAPE up for Summer Following a fantastic new gym refurbishment, Vicki Portas sizes up the latest equipment at David Lloyd Speke s the only gym in Liverpool to boast both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool (not to mention the steam room and sauna), it is not hard to see why the David Lloyd Speke club is so popular. And having recently heard about its Lose & Shape Up programme that’s the talk of my office, I thought I would give this new regime a try. With no crash diet, no ‘sins’, no calorie counting and no yo-yo
effect, I found the complexity of modern-day health was made simple. No longer did I need a maths degree to work out if I was not allowed to have a glass of wine at night, nor did I find myself attending confession for shamelessly devouring a bar of dark chocolate half an hour before weigh-in. As a 12-week course, delivering only two sessions per week, the programme surprisingly did not interfere with my life in the slightest and I felt a strong support mechanism from my personal trainers and weight-loss experts who were there continuously to guide me through simple and manageable changes. I had great fun using the new ViPR and TRX equipment at the gym which is demonstrated by Kerry
(pictured) – although she does make it all look very easy. After a couple of weeks I had built up my routine and found myself chatting to the same people each time. I think it is safe to say that two months into my new regime, I am now exercising with new friends and enjoying my newly found love affair with David Lloyd Speke. See you at the weekend Kerry! For more information on the Lose & Shape Up programme call 0151 494 4000.
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PRIVATE FITNESS
David Lloyd Speke
Kids’ parties available now!
HAPPY Families Make the school summer break a healthy one by making fitness fun for your family
very parent knows how precious family time is and David Lloyd Speke has renewed its commitment to building healthier families. This summer it has stepped in to create a great new package that enables you to make the most of every moment with your kids. With its club lounge, crèche, studios, swimming pool, and tennis courts, this is a perfect place to come to relax. The club is ideal after school, at weekends or during those extended school holidays when we are forever looking for things to entertain the whole family. With a wide variety of activities
for your kids to enjoy each day, children can make new friends while they learn new skills and gain in confidence. Whether they are budding footballers, keen dancers or love a spot of arts and crafts, you can either join them in the fun or concentrate on your own workout while they are entertained in a friendly and safe environment. With the outdoor pool due to open this month, there will also be a great new kids activities wing installed – perfect for you to relax whilst your children play. For more details, call 0151 494 4000 or email mship.speke@ davidlloyd.co.uk.
Let David Lloyd Speke take the stress away from your next party – two members of staff will take care of everything - from organizing the activities to supplying the balloons, invites, party bags and food. For more details please call 0151 494 4001 and speak to Katie.
Club Crèche We are strong believers in children learning through play here at David Lloyd Speke and we provide a fun and stimulating experience for your young ones. Meanwhile, you can exercise and relax with total peace of mind.
New Fantastic Family Membership Rates David Lloyd is committed to building healthy families in our community – great packages are available for two adults and all your children this summer.
All Stars Our exclusive junior coaching programmes will give your children a love of sport – for life. It’s a great progressive way to learn with expert guidance from national training associations and coaches.
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PRIVATE TRAVEL
A CAPE
of Glory
From the bush and boat, to the bottle and bed - Sarah Lancashire experiences the capital of South Africa with her family
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he one downside to holidays for me is the planning. Yes, I like looking through the brochures and telling the kids what they can look forward to, but I don’t like trawling the Internet for the best rates. With Cape Town chosen as the next foreign victim for my clan to descend upon though, thanks to its family-orientated day trips and experiences, I was relieved to find out this doesn’t have to be the case. And I don’t have to do everything by myself in order to get a trip that is tailored to my specific needs. Yes, rest-assured travel agentconverts, I have turned a corner! I have opened my eyes to the world of agent soliciting and packages. And I love it. Who knew they could find the best deals and take all the stress away from traveling? Well, maybe not all of the stress – after all, three kids and a clueless husband is one tall order. Without having to organise anything other than the packing, I was being flung around in the back of an old Land Rover in the middle of the Tswalu Kalahari
Game Reserve in no time. As we chugged along the furrowed tracks, it was great to see the kids splatting bugs that hit their faces whilst clambering over each other to act as the ‘search’, which Mbogo, our ranger, had coined as ‘the most important job in the bush’. The largest privately owned game-park in South Africa, the reserve covers an incredible 100,000 hectares of dramatic savannah landscape, lakes and floodplains. A sanctuary for South Africa’s wildlife, Tswalu is unique because it combines the typical Kalahari savannahs and sand dunes with the Korannaberg Mountains – treating guests to glimpses of the elusive black rhino and black-maned Kalahari lions. Catering for just 30 guests, it makes you feel as though you are the only people experiencing these spectacular surroundings. With malaria-free conservation status too, the only thing you have to do is relax and enjoy – well, if you don’t have kids in tow that is. Our first day was still magical however and the children couldn’t believe they were in a real-life
version of the Madagascar movies. Mbogo was particularly great with the kids. Each morning he would group them together with a map, showing them what animals we were going to look for and giving them individual jobs, which they took so seriously we still have the name badges and titles brought out at every playtime! There is a real sense of adventure when on safari and it is the unknown that is the attraction. You set off bouncing along the tracks, experiencing ripples of excitement with every bush that rustles and every branch that moves. It was priceless to see the thrill on the kids’ faces when the radio started crackling and the rangers were alerted to a sighting. All of a sudden the buckles are back on and you can feel the vibrations from the engine as it is taken up a gear in hot pursuit. It is best to leave early in the morning when the sun is still rising over the reserve however to catch the Big Five still in a somewhat meditative state. Guests enjoy a sense of both privacy and flexibility here; you are free to design your own itineraries to include game drives, bush walks and horseback safaris - not to mention the indulgent treatments and fantastic cuisine. The newly launched Malori sleep-out deck is unmissable too. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a truly enchanting way to spend the night under the stars. Looking out across the moonlit treetops of the Acacia woodland, whilst the giraffes fed off the leafy tips only a few hundred yards away, is a memory I will never forget. It’s hard to leave such a wonderful place behind, but after a few days rattling about in a 4x4 you’ll be ready for some R and R too. Cue a visit to the mother city of South Africa, Cape Town. Renowned for its stunning location and infamous Table
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Mountain, this city’s customs and traditions well outweigh its practicality and infrastructure. Before the 17th century the Khoisan people were the custodians of the land, valuing the spiritual power of the mountains and their life-providing water. While this ever-present backdrop forms most of the city’s tourism industry, there is still a respect for the heritage and traditions of the ground the city is built on. And it is certainly reassuring to be able to enjoy such beauty and know it will be here for years to come. Under the Khoisan name of Hoerikwaggo – meaning ‘Mountain in the Sea’ – the national park is also promoting a series of new trails that allow visitors to sleep on the mountain top for the first time, while hiking a world-class trail from Cape Point to the City Bowl. For those of you who, like us, are travelling with kids or don’t want to don your hiking boots and mosquito repellent, there is also the option of a tour bus ride to Cape Point. Here, and at Simon’s Town, you’ll discover an array of wonderful outings, from penguin feeding and whale watching, to deep-sea fishing and diving with Great Whites. We opted for a jaunt on a speedboat, skimming along the swells and enjoying the fresh sea breeze that gently sprayed our faces as we spotted the seals and dolphins riding alongside us. The Skipper
also had some wonderful stories of shipwrecks, and the kids’ eyes were peeled at the tales of sea monsters and ghost ships that sailed the ‘Cape of Storms’ at night. For a break from the kids, there is also an array of activity centres peppered around the city. With the children safely occupied, you can therefore enjoy the plethora of wine tasting tours in South Africa, and sample the alcoholic delights of the region. Favourites include Stellenbosch, which holds the honour of being the most well known town for budding sommeliers, with its white-plastered chocolate-box buildings set against hills and lush vineyards growing grapes of every variety. Generations of cultivators and vintners have been raised here and tour operators certainly know ways for tourists to enjoy this experience. From Cape Point we also took off to the picturesque Eikendal Vineyards on the back of a H-D1 Harley Davidson. Whipping up a dust storm in our trail, vineyard hopping on one of these was definitely a fun experience for friends and couples alike. As this can sometimes be a minefield ask your travel agent where they would recommend. When it was time to hit the
sack, we all clambered into one of Cape Grace’s luxurious family suites. As the Clinton’s preferred SA residence, it is one of the most popular waterfront hotels - partly due to its controlled access watersurround. The owners have also recently spent a fortune refurbishing the hotel and there are some great touches, such as the colonial chandelier, that really give this place its character. Nestled on a private quay on the Victoria & Alfred waterfront, it is within walking distance of Cape Town’s best boutiques and markets, and a short drive from the Atlantic beaches. There are 120 rooms and suites – all with fantastic views of the marina, Table Mountain or the water - a pool, spa, child-friendly restaurant and whisky bar too. The service is also very compliant, with a chauffeur on hand to drive you anywhere within a 20km radius, and a luxury yacht also at your disposal. With a genuine passion for distinctive standards, you really feel every staff member is dedicated to making both your stay comfortable and your time in South Africa as memorable as can be. For more details on this and other trips to South Africa, please call Crown Travel on 0151 724 2265.
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Private Diary Charline von Heyl Exhibition: Now or Else
Grand National Day
Charline von Heyl Exhibition: Now or Else
24 February – 27 May Tate Liverpool The premier UK exhibition of the New York based artist Charline von Heyl. Employing unconventional painting methods Charline von Heyl actively resists a single style. All her work is created by hand, yet invokes the digital age with techniques mirroring digital manipulation. www.tate.org.uk
Liverpool Day
12 April Aintree Racecourse Now in its third year, Liverpool Day at Aintree Racecourse brings city-inspired entertainment to the world’s most famous racecourse and promises to be bigger than ever before. www.aintree.co.uk
Sister Act
Ladies’ Day
13 April Aintree Racecourse Nothing quite compares to the UK’s most famous Ladies’ Day at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting. www.aintree.co.uk
Grand National Day
14 April Aintree Racecourse The Grand National at Aintree has been a British sporting institution since 1839, when a horse called Lottery won the first Grand National and Captain Becher parted company with his horse at a now famous brook. www.aintree.co.uk
Sister Act
22 May – 2 June Empire Theatre From producers Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment (Hairspray), the smash hit musical comedy is coming to Liverpool! Based on the movie of the same name, this fabulous, family friendly, feel-good show is packed with songs inspired by Motown, funk, soul and disco, which more than a million people saw in the West End! www.liverpoolempire.org.uk
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Cirque du Ciel – ShangHi
20-21 June Empire Theatre With over 30 amazingly multi-talented and skilled performers, this 2-hour extravaganza combines acrobatics, modern dance, martial arts, original music and many other traditional and modern Chinese elements in an amazing fantasy adventure. www.liverpoolempire.org.uk
Midnight Tango
25-26 June Empire Theatre Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have dazzled television audiences for six series of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing with their stunning Tango routines. And now they’re back by incredible popular demand with the Olivier-nominated Midnight Tango – a breathtaking evening bringing all the drama, sensuality and elegance of this most exciting of dance forms to life. www.liverpoolempire.org.uk
Midnight Tango
Westlife
15 May Echo Arena Westlife are heading back on the road for a massive arena run in May. The tour entitled ‘The Greatest Hits Tour’ will see Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky perform their 14 number one singles and hits in one spectacular live show. Having sold over 44 million records worldwide, the aforementioned 14 number one singles and 7 number one albums, Irish super-group Westlife are celebrating over 14 years of success. www.echoarena.com
Westlife
Il Divo
8 April Echo Arena As a further mark of success to their voices & unique operatic arrangements the world’s foremost classical crossover group IL DIVO announce a massive 4th world tour which promises to incorporate a stunning visual and musical mix of fan favourites as well as premiering songs from their eagerly anticipated new album ‘Wicked Game’. www.echoarena.com
Giant Sea Odyssey
Il Divo
Giant Sea Odyssey
20 – 22 April Royal De Luxe, the world’s leading street theatre company is creating an event inspired by the Titanic to take over Liverpool. Since 2009, the renowned company has attracted audiences of around 9.6 million people to stunning events in Nantes, Berlin, Santiago, Antwerp and Guadalajara. Liverpool City Council is currently working with RDL, pulling together plans to welcome the Little Girl Giant, who has only been seen once before in the UK when she wowed 1.5million people in London at the Sultan’s Elephant event in 2006. www.giantspectacular.com
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