Urban Coco Issue 8

Leeds | Issue 8 | June 2013

A MODERN SPIN ON

ICONIC 1920’S FASHION

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June 2013 | www.urban-coco.com

CONTENTS

Y O U R FA V O U R I T E FA S H I O N A N D L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E Matt Baxter, Not entirely crap!

REGULARS 7-8 > Lust List The must have items were lusting after this month 10 > Jo Jessop Column Are you a Jack of all trades?

11-12 > Day in the life 24 hours with unsung heros in business 13-20 > Designer Spotlight This month we shine the light on emerging designer Gemma Goldstone and showcase a fun, pop and colourful selection of her work 35-38 > Highstreet Highlights If its hot and its on the highstreet then its in here 39-40 > Mochas and Mojitos If you haven’t been to this months chosen restaurant then you need to 41-42 > Behind the Brand New to the Victoria Quarter, Cootchie Coo is this months chosen brand 43 > Guest Blogger Emma from The Awkward Magazine gives us an insight in to what shes loving this month 61-62 > Music Spotlight Not entirely crap, Matt Baxter 63-64 > Chic Retreats Get inspired with this months chosen destination

FEATURES 21-34 > A Girl Called Norma We teamed up with Harvey Nichols Leeds to create a stunning fashion editorial inspired by the 1920 era.

45-54 > Bohemian Dream High fashion editorial inspired by travelling and the on trend bohemian style 55-56 > Mission Clean and Lean Weightloss can be easier than you think‌

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57-58 > Handpicked Hall Launching in Leeds this month with a delectable selection of treats from local independents 65-66 > New You Bootcamp Could you keep up?

67-68 > Westrow Hair A look back over the successes of the business and a chat with the award winning co-owner Urba n - co co | 4

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EDITOR’S LETTER So here we are, Urban Coco issue 8. It’s been a while since issue 7 back in December but don’t worry, I haven’t been chilling out doing nothing, lots has been going on.

The magazine has now launched internationally so I’ve been busy working on the first international issue which launched on newsstands in 22 countries back in March. Its different to our Leeds magazine, much more focused on high fashion, art and photography.

I’ve also been tied up working on behalf of Leeds city council producing their bi-annual Shopping guide which went out all across the city a couple of months ago.

As you can see I’ve not taken my foot off the gas it’s been go, go, go at Urban Coco HQ. As you all know, I’m a Leeds girl born and bred and so passionate about my city hence continuing with the monthly magazine.

You will notice some changes throughout this issue, I like to think we’ve grown up a little and our new design and layout represents a more mature Urban Coco.

Some of the old favourites are back like Highstreet Highlights and the oh so popular Lust List but we’ve introduced more on travel and lifestyle to make for a more interesting read on your lunch break. As ever please do get in touch as I love hearing from you fabulous readers, your feedback is always welcome!

Until next month…

Twitter@urbancocomag laura@urban-coco.com www.urban-coco.com

Contributors Editor: Laura Bartlett, Assistant to the Editor: Becky Barley, Design and Art direction: Jason Shaw Writers: Jo Jessop and Naomi Nightingale, Photographers: Leighton Parry and Nathan D’Amour, Stylists: Taheed Khan and Joey Bevan

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LUST LIST

Desresdesign.co.uk

Filofax.co.uk

Dwell.co.uk

(£35.50)

(£80.00)

(199.00)

Apache Rose

ASOS

Brand Alley

(£78.00)

(£35.00)

(£65.00)

Giabelloni.com

Hope and Glory Coffee

House of Fraser

(£330.00)

(£349.00)

(£125.00)

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LUST LIST

Justfab.co.uk (35.00)

Makeupstore Westfield (11.00)

Philip Treacy for www.thomson.co.uk (150.00)

River Island

shop.thedorchester.com

Silver-fig.com

(£28.00)

(£75.00)

(£80.00)

Urban Outfitters

VinnieandD.com

Zeades www.LuxxLab.com

(£58.00)

(£72.00)

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COLUMN

Just Jo Jessop ‘I’m Jo of all trades ... So who are you?’

D

o you ever panic when people ask you the question ‘So who are you?’ and ‘What do you do?’?

So, who am I? Well, that’s easy: Jo, or, as lots of my friends introduce me, Jo Jessop (I must thank my parents for the alliteration)!

But at the next question it can start to get a bit trickier – What am I? ‘What should I say this time?’ Not that I make my answer up: it’s more that I am involved in so much stuff that often my answer could differ depending on the context.

My friends and family joke that I can turn my hand to a lot of things and make those things look good – but does that mean I am showing signs of being the female version of Jack? Am I ‘Jo of all trades …’ and if so, is it right that the phrase be followed by ‘master of none’?

According to sources ‘Jack of all trades’ was quite a compliment back in the day: the nickname demonstrated competency – a ‘doer’. But when the ‘master of none’ element was added later, the expression ceased to be quite so flattering.

are going, what they are facing, what label they are wearing, what they are thinking?’ ...

People just intrigue me. I love to listen to stories and journeys, building up my own picture of ‘who they are’.

When I started to think about this column and how I should introduce myself, I started to think bigger ... Is it the job you have? The things you can do?

The car you drive? The outfit choice? The man you date? – What defines us?

We can be: daughter, sister, wife, girlfriend, fiancée, lover, auntie, cousin, friend, companion, customer, randomer … So, what is it about life that forms an identity, and is it all truth or is it built on perception?

Is it a combination of everything and do we ever reveal it all?

I love people. I can sit and watch all day, thinking, ‘I wonder what they are doing, where they

My mum has taught me lots in life – but her most influential motto is: ‘You can only try your best!’ I think that if you apply this to every aspect of what life throws at you: an exam, a relationship, an interview, getting ready for a big night out ... it eliminates limitations, enabling you to be you, to try new things and ultimately to reach your full potential.

When I sit and think of how each of us is completely unique, and how we have our own limited amount of time to make an impact, it makes me question, who am I, and what fingerprints am I leaving on this world? Are they my best ones?

Being you and trying your best – for me this just keeps it simple!

So, what is your identity?

You are You! @jjprcomms

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Day in the life of a Headchef — Lee Bennett, Buzzing in the kitchen…

L

ee Bennett is the executive chef at Angelica, one of Leeds’ newest, trendiest destinations. His career pans the globe, with highlights including heading up five luxury restaurants in Singapore along with a boastful list of world-class chefs that he was trained under, including Gordon Ramsey and Marcus Wareing.

Here, Lee talks us through 24 hours in his life …

Favourite drink?Dark rum mojito, slightly sweeter than a normal serve – a little bit of extra brown sugar to satisfy my sweet tooth.

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My first thoughts upon waking are …

Instantly planning the day ahead – with two restaurants to run I need to ensure that the necessary actions are prioritised so we deliver the best experience possible for our guests.

For breakfast I eat …

Four Weetabix and a spoon and half of sugar.

What my morning looks like: Fast-paced and non-stop – pretty much as the rest of the day from 8am – 11pm.

I discuss with the management and reservations team the bookings for the day. If there are any special events, most of the planning will have been done and so this is an opportunity to run over any final details. I then brief my team in the kitchen so we are ready for the day ahead.

The ideal ‘hair of the dog’ cocktail: Start back straight on it with a Chambulls – this is a great pick-you-up derived from

the root ingredients, Champagne and Red Bull, with the addition of good vodka.

A drink to accompany lunch: Depends on what I am eating, but I do like to match my wine accordingly – so to start, or with one of our fish dishes, I’d select Vouvray, ‘La Dilettante’ Methode traditionnelle, painstakingly hand-cultivated in the Loire by Catherine & Pierre Breton, at £8 per glass or £42 a bottle. It’s ripe and biscuity with honeycomb and white fruits, wrapped in sweet blossom. Slightly dry, simply delicious: the perfect aperitif. This wine is both organic and biodynamic so no hangovers!

If I was eating a good steak (and we are the only restaurants in Yorkshire offering steaks from The Ginger Pig), I’d select a full-bodied red such as juicy 2011 Pinot Noir, Le Petit Clos, by Henri Bourgeois, Marlborough, New Zealand at £34 a bottle.

The best part of my day: Mid-morning when the adrenalin kicks in and team know they have to work flat out in order to be ready on time for lunch – the buzz in the kitchen is fantastic.

Angelica’s ideal customer: Anybody who enjoys and appreciates good food, cocktails with a friendly, efficient service, and who is looking for somewhere a little bit different to spend time with colleagues and/or friends.

For dinner: My signature drink: Wasabi Martini – preferably made by one of the great Angelica bartenders.

What evenings at Angelica’s look like …

Our café by day becomes a sunset-lit cocktail destination in the early evening.

I think the wraparound terrace and panoramic city views make Angelica one of the best places to go in Leeds.

Where better to enjoy a fantastic cocktail, whether inside or out?

My proudest moment: Winning the Craft Guild of Chefs Restaurant Chef Award at the age of 27.

The cocktail I would never order: Anything too girly!!

The country that most inspires my creations: My food takes a little from all the countries I have worked in, but now the emphasis is really all about great Yorkshire produce – using ingredients sourced from a 60-mile radius. Fish and seafood caught fresh everyday by Venture Seafoods in my hometown of Bridlington and smoked fish and duck from Stallhouse Smokehouse in Long Riston, East Yorks.

Shaken or stirred: Shaken See Lee in action – www.angelicarestaurant.com

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT — GEMMA GOLDSTONE­—

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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT

emma Goldstone is a designer inspired by edgy, confident and bold women. Her collections use a range of vibrant colours that exude drama and encourage women to stand out from the crowd.

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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT he Gemma Goldstone brand was launched just two years after the young designer graduated from Leeds College of Art. The line has since witnessed huge success, to include a boutique in the online clothing store ASOS.com.

Goldstone has a great love for trendsetting and reinventing her brand. This is displayed in her most recent collection which has led her all the way back to the nineties. Her spring/summer 2013 Pick ‘n’ Mix collection channels the eclectic and spirited style of the nineties. Pick ‘n’ Mix blends a range of unconventional materials with sculptural designs, a mixture that has come to define the label.

Gemma Goldstone aims to put the enjoyment back into clothing and evokes the nostalgic freedom of dress-up in her designs. Meshing ideas and contrasting styles make for playful, artistic statement pieces. It is these qualities that have contributed to the admiration and growth of the line.

I spoke with the designer about her most recent collection and her playful line.

Here’s what she had to say.

Gemma Goldstone was founded just two years after you graduated. How were you able to establish yourself so soon after leaving university?

I have been working in the industry since I graduated and I feel like I have learned enough to make it on my own. Being young, I don’t really have anything to lose and so I have kind of thrown myself in at the deep end. I know that this is what I want to do and I do not think that age or experience should be something to hold me back from following my dreams.

Why wait??

When it comes to design, you are not afraid to be bold and eccentric. What makes you so fearless?

I’ve never been one to be afraid of what other people think. I know that what I do isn’t for everyone but that’s what I love. I want people to remember my brand and have an opinion on my work, be it good or bad, I just want to make an impact.

Your Pic ‘n’ Mix collection channels the nineties. What about this era inspires you most?

The nineties is my era! I’m a nineties kid and when I look back over that decade I remember my childhood having fun, dressing up and experimenting. It was such a happy time and I wanted to reflect this in my collection.

You work with a range of fabrics from metallic PVC to gold plated leather. What is your favourite fabric to work with?

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At the moment I’m OBSESSED with PVC. I feel like I still have much more experimenting to do with it, pushing its limitations and exploring all the different weights and styles. It’s such a broad fabric that it can add its own character to any design. I just love working with un-conventional fabrics: they add such an edge to my designs.

Your sculptural pieces are said to highlight a journey between fashion and art. How do you combine the two?

The debate over ‘whether fashion considered art?’ is an on-going battle.

Art is something which evokes emotion from its viewer; its purpose is purely aesthetical and engages its audience to appreciate the craftsmanship that went

“I’ve never been one to be afraid of what other people think. I know that what I do isn’t for everyone but that’s what I love. I want people to remember my brand and bad, I just want to make an impact.”

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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT into creating the piece. This is something which I try to apply to my designs. I want people to look at my work and react, whether they love it or hate it!

Contemporary fashion is a big part of the Gemma Goldstone label.

How would you define contemporary fashion?

To me contemporary fashion is all about keeping ahead of the game. It’s about thinking ahead to ensure that something which will be produced in six months’ time will still be relevant. It’s making sure that though you might not necessarily follow trends, you are having an impact on what is going on at that time. Even if you strive to stand out from the crowd, at the end of the day, you’re still in that crowd.

You design womenswear and accessories: how do the two complement each other?

I think that by offering both garments and accessories you are offering the customer the complete package. By providing a variety of products it gives the customer options and allows them to style the outfit as they please. A good bag can make an outfit. You can transform any look with a few good accessories and take your day look through to the night by jazzing it up a little.

What does fashion design mean to you?

Fashion design is kind of built into my brain. Even when I’m not designing I’m always thinking of ideas or seeing things totally out of context and still manage to refer them back to fashion design.

It is my escapism. When working in my sketchbook I feel like I get lost in the pages and to then turn these 2D images into something real gives me a sense of achievement. It makes me feel like I have a purpose. It’s a massive part of my life and I love it.

Which celebrity best fits the Gemma Goldstone style?

Rhianna and Rita Ora are my total girl crushes right now! They are both such fearless and strong women. They are comfortable in their own skin and aren’t afraid to take risks with their appearance.

They keep their looks fresh by constantly re-inventing themselves while staying true to themselves. They are the perfect profile of the Gemma Goldstone gurl!!

After leaving university you immersed yourself in the fashion world. In what ways has this contributed to your designs?

When I left uni I went straight into an internship with House of Holland which was AMAZING! I loved working there and it gave me a real insight into the running of a fashion house. He made me see that

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“To me contemporary fashion is all about keeping ahead of the game. It’s about thinking ahead to ensure that something which will be produced in six months’ time will still be relevant.” fashion doesn’t need to be serious to be taken seriously. He inspired me to have fun with my designing and how this relays onto the customers.

I have also worked at Rokit, the vintage empire, and I have learned so much from working in the awesome Rokit Recycled team. Examining vintage fashion design makes you realise how many short cuts people take in the industry today. I think that working with vintage garments has taught me techniques which I can apply within my designs and gives me an

even broader understanding of garment construction.

What has been the most defining moment in your career so far?

I think the launch of my ASOS Boutique has been thus far the high point for me. It is the proof of everything I have worked for and dedicated myself to and has made it all worthwhile!

The re-invention of self is an important element of your identity as a designer. In

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT what ways have you re-invented yourself in the past?

My style has changed so much over the years that even I struggle to keep up!

Since I was 15 I have had five different hair colours (including two years of being Pillarbox Red) and have gone through several style changes. From grunge, to indie, to wearing every colour and pattern all at once, to wearing all black for an entire season. I go through my own phases; sometimes they are on trend, sometimes they couldn’t be further from! I love having fun with my style and my look but I always stay true to who I am.

Your signature is the meshing of unconventional fabrics with strong silhouettes. Where did this unique blend come from?

I think the silhouettes come first. I have always designed in a very sculptural way and through this I started to experiment with different fabrics in order to achieve the right shapes and lines. Using unconventional fabrics challenges me and makes me think more about the construction of the piece and allows me to be more creative and daring with the pieces that I produce.

What do you hope for the future of the Gemma Goldstone brand?

I hope that now I have broken into the industry I can begin growing my brand.

I hope to expand the collections and be able to push myself as a designer more in order to make a real identity for my brand. I hope that by doing this I will be able to expand into more stockists and continue to grow first in the UK and then internationally. I have big dreams that I hope one day will become a reality!

Where can readers buy Gemma Goldstone?

You can find me on ASOS Boutique and you can also order through www.gemmagoldstone.com and email sales@gemmagoldstone.com Words: By Naomi Nightingale Twitter@MsNNightingale

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A Girl Called norma This season timeless chic is back with bugle beads and flapper silhouettes, embellishments and drop waistlines.

With the help of Harvey Nichols Leeds our girl called Norma shows a modern take on iconic 1920’s fashion.

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Photography & Retouching: Nathan D’Amour Model: Maddie @ Industry people Styling: Taheed Khan Hair: Rebecca Spendlove MUA: Caroline Shuttleworth and Temi Aboderin Assistants: Will Mitchell, Chris Ireland @ DDI ltd Accessories: Decades Vintage Fashion.

Thanks to The Midland Hotel.

Versace Collection black ruched satin jersey maxi dress £785 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS BCBG gold cuff £94 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

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Parker embellished silk tulle dress ÂŁ380 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS Vintage Pearls

Arlene Barclay head piece Malene Birger long sleeved silk gown ÂŁ670 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

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Arlene Barclay head piece Malene Birger long sleeved silk gown ÂŁ670 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

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Parker embellished silk tulle dress ÂŁ380 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

Versace Collection black ruched satin jersey maxi dress ÂŁ785 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

Alice and Olivia sequinned silk georgette dress ÂŁ525 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

Phillip Armstrong sequinned lace mini dress £840 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS BCBG gold cuff £73 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS Vintage gloves

By Malene Birger long sleeved silk gown ÂŁ670 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

Catherine Deane belted lace and silk satin gown ÂŁ710 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

BCBG green maxi dress £362 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS Joanne Hynes emerald collar £335 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

McQ by Alexander McQueen white button back tunic £355 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS BCBG summer hat £62 HARVEY NICHOLS LEEDS

HIGH STREET HIGh LIGHTS

Jaeger Broderie stripe Jersey Dress £80 Bow belt £50

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Showcasing the best items on the highstreet every month. From ruffles to 90’s revival and stripes to graphic prints we’ve sourced the must have, on trend pieces available in stores right now.

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JAEGER

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1 Black & Gold Earings £40 2 Jaeger Scarf £99 3 Jaeger black & white Dress £99 4 Jaeger white Trousers £140 5 Jaeger stripe dress £199 6 Jaeger white shopper bag £199

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River Island Blush sunglasses £13 Heather Cropped top £25 Heather Midi skirt £25 White Billie Stilletos £50

River Island

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1 River Island Necklace £28 2 River Island blouse £15 3 River Island heels £65 4 River Island leggings £22 5 River Island watch £15 6 River Island bag £80

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Embellished Bustier £14 Printed Shorts £4 Peace Trucker Cap £3 Trainers £7

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Primark

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1 Necklace £10 2 Bracelet £2 3 Boots £10 4 Dress £10 5 Dress £12 6 Rucksack £9

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M&S Per Una Speziale Jacket £99 M&S Woman Jumper £69 M&S Per Una Speziale Trouser £55 Shoes £49.50 Bag £35 Necklace £29.50

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M&S

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1 Bracelet £17.50 2 Sunglasses £15 3 Purse £29.50 4 Leather skirt £149 5 Jacket £85 6 Bra £17.50 Brief £7.50

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Mochas Mojitos

Chino Latino, Pan Asian – Park Plaza Leeds

s a Leeds girl born and bred I’m so passionate about the city and as soon as a new place opens I like to go along to check it out and show my support, so there are very few places I haven’t visited. However, Chino Latino at Park Plaza hotel is one place at which I have never dined – quite a shock given that it’s been open for a significant amount of time.

There’s no real reason why I haven’t been here before: maybe because nobody has ever recommended it to me or it’s just not on the side of town I would usually venture into. Whatever the reason, now I’ve been I will definitely be going back.

I visited with a friend on a Thursday evening, the night which is usually quite busy in Leeds, so I expected a packed restaurant – we were the only ones in there when we arrived. It did soon get a bit busier but was nowhere near capacity.

The views over the city were fabulous and the décor of the restaurant was very authentic; the dim lights set the mood and style oozed out from all corners of the venue.

Our waiter for the evening was so chatty and could have quite easily passed as a comedian because his wit was so onpoint that he had us chuckling away the whole time we were there.

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they are ready. He recommended that we chose two to three small plates each and then one large plate to act as our main.

For our small plates we chose: tempura seafood mix (salmon, prawn, and sea bass) and chicken sesame tempura;

mango and chilli dip along with Makisushi crispy duck roll; cucumber, wasabi pea plus Sashimi; salmon, tuna, sea bass to accompany. They all arrived in good time and looked mouth-watering. We got stuck right into each dish and our conversation

“The views over the city were fabulous and the décor of the authentic; the dim lights set the mood and style oozed out

mochas & Mojitos paused so we could enjoy every bite – each portion was the perfect size to share, cooked to perfection and left you wanting more – we couldn’t wait for our large plates to arrive.

For this I chose from the Field section the crispy duck, cucumber, spring onion and hoi sin sauce which was served on a wooden platter with all the ingredients gleaming with freshness.

My guest chose the sirloin steak on hot rocks, soya, mirin and garlic which arrived sizzling away, creating its own lipsmacking show.

We both shared the large plates so that we could sample as much as possible and the steak was faultless: just thinking about it now whilst writing this is making me want to pick up the phone and make another restaurant reservation!

To accompany our meal we had a bottle of house white, as recommended by the waiter again. The sweetness in the wine was perfect to go with the different dishes and tasted divine: the perfect end to a long day.

It’s a pretty strong statement but I think I’d go as far as to say that this is my new favourite restaurant in Leeds and I can’t wait to return. The whole experience was flawless: great staff, heavenly food and perfect cocktails. I’m now on a mission to make sure everybody knows about Chino Latino Leeds – Leeds’ best pan Asian restaurant.

Will it break the bank?

Small dishes’ prices vary from £1.50 to £9.95 and large plates £6.80 to £29 so it’s certainly not going to break the bank. For what’s on offer the prices are exceptional. www.chinolatino.eu

Who should dine here?

Friends – such a sociable dining experience: you can all taste each other’s dishes whilst catching up on gossip and sipping amazing cocktails. Also the perfect date location: intimate but not over the top and the food is a great conversation starter.

To complete the impeccable evening we elected for some after-dinner cocktails.

Given that my favourite tipple is rum I asked if the barman could create something that wasn’t on the menu just to put him to the test. He passed. The drink he made, god only knows what was in it, but it tasted so good with the perfect mix of alcohol, fruit and strong bitter flavours – just how I like it.

e restaurant was very from all corners of the venue.”

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Behind the Brand Each month we will be talking to an inspirational woman in business who, no matter what the challenges, has managed to launch her own business. This month we focus on Charlotte Oldroyd, founder of Cootchie-Coo. com, a high-end independent children’s boutique which has now launched its first ever store in Leeds’ prestigious location, the Victoria Quarter.

We spoke to Charlotte to find out more about juggling being a mum with being a businesswoman…

W

e spoke to Charlotte to find out more about juggling being a mum with being a businesswoman…

Tell us about Cootchie-Coo and the reasons why you decided to launch the brand.

I’ve always had a strong passion for fashion, especially children’s fashion, so last year I launched Cootchie-Coo. com. Following its success I spotted a gap in the market for a high-end independent children’s boutique in the heart of Leeds. A space in the Victoria Quarter became available, which was the perfect place for the brand.

As a mother of two young girls, I was forever looking for different, unique clothing which was not only value for money, but also comfortable and practical for the different stages of development, especially crawling!

I had tried and tested so many brands, so I knew straight away which ones I wanted to sell. I stock brands from all over the world, including France and Australia and I am always on the lookout for the next big thing to continuously develop Cootchie-Coo’s offering.

Being an independent retailer is great, as it gives me the flexibility

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to seek out new and inventive products and offerings. To add to the boutique’s unique feel, the region’s favourite luxury dress designer, Anita Massarella, has handcrafted a range of stunning special occasion outfits exclusive to Cootchie-Coo. Her range includes 100% pure silk christening garments and bridesmaid dresses, which are absolutely stunning.

We’ve also teamed up with celebrity photographer Joseph Photography – Joseph works from a studio in the basement of the shop and offers unique children’s portraits unlike other mainstream offerings.

You have launched your first store in Leeds’ prestigious shopping destination, Victoria Quarter. Why did you choose here?

Victoria Quarter speaks for itself: the building is beautiful and holds a lot of character whilst being home to boutique stores and beautiful brands.

There was a gap in the market for a children’s clothing store in the centre of Leeds and the opportunity to be in such a grand, prime location was one not to be missed!

What can people expect to see in store that isn’t online?

Our bespoke range of Anita Massarella special occasion clothing is exclusive to the store and will not be available to buy online. Other than

that, we aim to have all our products online as well as in store so parents can have a great shopping experience physically or in the comfort of their own home.

As a mother of two small children, do you find it hard to balance work and home life?

I won’t pretend to be Superwoman; yes it is hard, but you find ways and means to deal with everything. I have a great loving family and enjoy every second I spend with them.

designed a collection for the store.

How did this partnership come about?

It was all a bit of a coincidence really.

I booked an appointment to see Anita when I got engaged as I had always wanted her to design and make my wedding dress – it’s being made right now and I am so excited!

We got on very well and it was at the time when I was looking to open Cootchie-Coo. So, I chatted to her about the shop, and the rest, as they say, is history.

“Being an independent retailer is great, as it gives me the flexibility to seek out new and inventive products and offerings.”

As it’s my passion I want to have a strong presence in the shop – it gives a good personal feel and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

You mention that couture designer Anita Massarella has exclusively

something they really want in the size they want it.

What advice would you offer other mums looking to launch their own businesses?

Just go for it! Just because you have children doesn’t mean your life ends and you cannot aim to achieve your dreams.

It may be harder when you have children, but it is so much more rewarding when you come home from work to have them greet you – knowing that you’re achieving something for your children’s future.

Where can people find out more? www.cootchie-coo.com www.facebook.com/cootchiecooltd www.twitter.com/cootchiecooltd

How often do you add new collections to the website/store?

I buy seasonally; however some brands have new stock at different times, so it could be every week! I like to keep the stock replenished so no one is disappointed if I don’t have

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GUEST BLOGGER

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am lucky enough to work in an indutry that not only approves of my creativity but actively aplauds it. Lucky indeed am I, however although I am paid for my online creativity, my personal creativity sometimes gets side lined. In place of beautifully thought out and put together outfits, are jeans, black long sleeved top and ballet flats.

Usually I am of the opion that black is best; or at a stretch maybe denim and grey, not exactly inspiring. It was only when a new member of the team commented that my confident, colourful personality wasn’t refelcted in the outfits I wore, I got to thinking about all the great items in my warbrobe and how unter utilised they are.

When it comes to style, I think there is a tendancy to lean towards head to toe, in your face, attention seeking outfits. That ladies and gentelmen just aint my style; what I have learnt is you are never fuly dressed with out accessories. I have 3 go to’s when it comes to accessories; animal print, sparkles and a splash of colour.

Animal print is not as scary as you think, the trick is to know where best to wear it.

As I am blessed with a killer curvy body, I avoid wearing it head to toe, or on the upper part of my body. Instead I lean

“Style doesn’t mean head to toe screaming fashion, it means finding what you love and running with it.”

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towards fitted cropped trousers like these beauties I found in the Primark sale. The natural tones and fitted shape accentuate my figure and help me to avoid that Bet Lynch look.

Accessories maketh the outfit and animal print is my immeidate reach for pattern, whether a leopard print scarf, pointed ballet flats or this killer hat, animal print adds a dash of glamour. Just remember, they are there to act as accents, use them sparingly and they will do you proud!

Then of course there is shimmering, shiney sparkles, which even the worst of moods can be lifted by. I am a real magpie when it comes to pretty sparkly things, be it a great big rock for my finger, or sky high statement heels.

Eye catching, statement rings are always worth investing in, like a good pair of jeans, you will go back time and time

again to a great ring. This Swarovski rose gold beauty is my go to happy ring, makes even the most simple outfits to come life.

Then there are shoes, ohhh all the shoes.

There is a reason Miss Carrie Bradshaw spent the best part of $50k on shoes, because they are the anchor to every outfit. A dull jeans and t-shirt combo can be instantly glammed up by a pair of jaw

achingingly beautiful shoes.

Last but by all means least are nails, neat and mid legth means that you can rock everything from a classice french maincure to bright jewel tones and deep shades of plum. With so many options for nail varnish; simple shades, textures and now even scented ones, you can wear the same outfir time and time again and simply update it with a slick of varnish.

So remember, style doesn’t mean head to toe screaming fashion, it means finding what you love and running with it. Try something new, treat yourself to some statement pieces and the world is your style oyster.

Emma The Awkward Magazine www.theawkwardmagazine.com

Jewellery by Grace Hamilton Silver lazer cut dress by inbar spector

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Photographer & Production Manager : Leighton Parry Fashion Stylist & Hair: Joey Bevan Make-up: Karla Powell Models: TWINS Petra & Katrina from OBT Spain Hair: Annabelles Wigs Designers: Joey Bevan, Inbar Spector, fabryan scarves, Grace Hamilton Jewellery

Bohemian Dream This season take inspiration from your travels and add a spirited, dramatic

and charming flair to your style...

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Dress by SD Davies

Dress by Lesley Defritas

Dress by Lesley Defritas Top by Alice Vandy

Dress by Jennifer Morris

Dress by Jennifer Morris

Dress by Lesley Defritas Top by Alice Vandy

Dress by Joey bevan

Jewellery by Grace Hamilton Silver lazer cut dress by inbar spector

HEALTH & FITNESS

Health & F itness

20

year old Charlotte Carlton is a girl on a mission! Hotel booked, boarding pass printed, sun cream packed alongside a teeny weeny black Pacha bikini ready to turn heads on the beach!

This party girl is heading to the white isle of Ibiza to celebrate her 21st birthday in June but rewind just a year and Charlotte was far from feeling beach ready.

FROM BIKINI BLOB TO BIKINI BOD!

Just over 12 months ago she was a completely different person, four stones heavier, tired and stressed with bad skin and lacking confidence.

Charlotte works as a Mortgage Advisor in Leeds city centre and lives at home with her parents in a small village in West Yorkshire while her twin sister is away at university. In March 2012 her mum was so fed up of seeing Charlotte tired and run down that she convinced her to sign up to Mission Clean & Lean’s 21 Day Detox plan.

Mission Clean & Lean is a unique online detox programme fast attracting new members worldwide. By following an exclusive daily food plans and workouts, led by international fitness expert Jo Parry, members cleanse their body of toxins, kick start their metabolism and burn body fat.

The online approach allows members of all ages to take part from the comfort of their own homes but also get an amazing support network with mentors Jo Parry and Fern Whittaker on hand 24 hours a day to answer questions.

On day 1 Charlotte took the scary step which is asked of all new members: to step on the scales, measure and take photos.

Charlotte says: “I had to face up to the fact that I was spotty, overweight and my body swallowed up my bikini!”

Determined to make a change, Charlotte started doing the 10 minute High Intensity Interval Training workouts before and after work and eliminated sugar, caffeine and all processed food from her diet, using her Mission Clean & Lean recipe ideas and shopping list of nutrient and vitamin rich foods and daily guidelines for a balance of proteins, unrefined carbohydrates and essential fats.

Charlotte saw a change almost immediately. “I seemed to become a much happier positive person to be around and was feeling better inside and especially outside, my skin had cleared up and I just felt fresh! Jo and Fern give you the

BEFORE and the compliments just kept coming!”

Charlotte is known for being a party animal so it was a bit of a challenge on her first night out whilst on the detox but she stayed strong and stuck to sparkling water all night! She laughs: “Surprisingly I was still the same person thinking I was Michael Jackson on the dance floor!

My friends kept offering me a drink but the compliments I was getting about my appearance far outweighed any temptation!”

Mission Clean & Lean is the thing that can make that difference! I eat clean during the week and at the weekend can enjoy a cheat meal – this actually keeps the metabolism revved up and even more effective at fat burning. In Ibiza I will stay on top of my workouts as I can manage 20 minutes a day, even on holiday! I’ll eat as clean as possible and drink plenty of water. Obviously I’ll indulge a little but the key to maintaining this long term is knowing how to get back on track!”

The 21 days flew by and Charlotte lost a staggering 1 stone 8 lbs. and 38 inches from her waist, hips, thighs and arms.

Charlotte had well and truly caught the detox bug and carried on with the progress plan which gradually reintroduces food and

Charlotte is blogging for Mission Clean & Lean every two weeks so that other girls on their holiday countdown can keep in touch – follow the blog at www.missioncleanlean.com

“After trying everything Mission Clean & Lean is the thing that can make that difference.” confidence boost to know that you have the ability to achieve a slim and healthy body, without guilt or deprivation. They gave us support and motivation and we all created our own success. The comments

AFTER

cranks up the intensity of the workouts after another 14 days she had lost 2 stone 4 lbs. Just over a year later Charlotte has lost 4 stone 2lb and 60 inches and has dropped from a size 14 to an 8.

Charlotte says: “After trying everything

To take part in the 21 day detox it’s a one off payment of £49! Mission Clean & Lean members receive daily meal plans, 10 minute home workouts and clean eating recipe ideas. For more information about Mission Clean & Lean please visit www. missioncleanlean.com and follow them on Twitter @cleanleandetox Words: By Jo Jessop

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INTERVIEW

f you’ve wandered through the Grand Arcade in Leeds recently you may have seen that an exciting new business is launching in the city, Handpicked Hall Leeds.

A business that is on a mission to reignite the British highstreet, we spoke to the founder Anthony to find out more about his inspirations and what the future holds…

‘The inspiration came from my passion to see great local businesses back on the High street. So many wonderful people and businesses are willing to give the High Street a go but cannot afford their own shop. I thought, why don’t we create a premium, high profile retail space and offer it to quality local businesses. Handpicked Hall in Ripon opened in October and we have been overwhelmed by the response from customers and businesses. By the time we open Leeds in June we will be giving in excess of 500 new businsesses a home on the High Street.’

How important do you think independent businesses are in the current economic climate?

growth and give them a strong City Centre presence. There are many great independents in Leeds but they are spread apart. The Grand Arcade and the surrounding area has the potential to become the “Home to independent retail, leisure and culture” bringing local people and businesses back to the heart of the City.

What can shoppers expect to see in the first few months?

Every time we open customers will see 100 high quality independents across Food & Drink, Art & Craft, Vintage, Fashion & Accessories. I think shoppers who are truly passionate about independent retailing will be blown away by the choice, quality and uniqueness available to them in the heart of Leeds.

Do you plan on launching more halls in other cities? Where next?

Crucial. These are the businesses of the future. These are entrepreneurs who will help bring us out of the doldrums and back to prosperity. Their spirit, passion and drive is amazing. It’s a genuine pleasure to be giving them an opportunity to grow their businesses.

Everyday people contact us to say it’s great what we’re doing and “when are we coming to their town”. I suppose the simple answer is we believe “every High Street should have a Handpicked Hall so watch this space!

What sets you apart from other retailers?

Where do you hope to see Handpicked Hall Leeds in 5 years time?

I suppose it’s the fact that we “handpick” all of our businesses, provide high quality, affordable and flexible retail space for them and offer unrivalled levels of business support to give them every chance of succeeding.

You first launched in Ripon, then Skipton so why have you decided to open the next Handpicked Hall in Leeds?

When we were shown the Grand Arcade we fell in love with it straight away. We felt Handpicked Hall could become the cornerstone for independent businesses

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As at thriving and well established home to over 300 independents in the heart of the City and at the forefront of independent retail regeneration.

Where can people find out more?

The best way is via our website, you can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter or contact us directly by e-mailing us at hello@handpickedhall.co.uk Our opening hours will be 11am-6pm WedSat and 11-4 on Sunday

COMPE TIT I ON

WIN a fabulous overnight stay for two at the Titanic Spa.

estled deep within the natural landscape of Pennine Yorkshire sits Titanic Spa, a beautifully restored textile mill offering state-of-the-art health and well-being facilities.

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Titanic is unlike other spa venues, the spa possesses a wealth of renewable energy sources and eco-friendly strategies to ensure the planet benefits as much as you. Treat yourself and a friend to a little ‘me time’ with this indulgent spa package, where you can be pampered to perfection and enjoy an overnight stay at the UK’s original eco spa in West Yorkshire.

This fabulous prize for two includes an overnight stay in one of Titanic’s luxury serviced eco apartments, a breakfast hamper, lunch and dinner in the spa’s bistro, use of the spas extensive range of facilities-Club Titanic (15m salt regulated swimming pool, hydrozone, steam and sauna rooms and a fully equipped gym) as well as the Titanic Heat experience and an indulgent treatment each*…

To be in with a chance of winning, answer this question.

Titanic Spa is located on the edge of the Pennines in West Yorkshire and is set within a beautiful traditional textile mill, but when was the mill built?

A) 1901 B) 1911 C) 1945 Email your answer along with your name, contact number and address to competition@urban-coco.com Competition closes on 30th June 2013 *choose from a taster facial or target massage To be taken within 6 months (SundayThursday). Subject to availability, excludes bank holidays.

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MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

Matt Baxter Not entirely crap

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music spotlight att Baxter is a Leeds boy born and bred who first came to my attention last year when he was playing at an event I was at. His voice instantly grabbed me, not only because of the soulful song he was singing but also due to the fact that his voice was making my hairs stand on end. His musical influences span across all genres and his own tone is definitely one that would resonate with each and every person that had the pleasure of hearing him sing. From Leeds to America, Matt is really stamping his mark on the industry.

We spent some time with him to find out more about his background, influences and what the future has in store for this emerging artist…

Tell us about your life growing up and when you first discovered your passion for singing?

Well, my parents decided I wasn’t very musical when I quit my recorder lessons around the age of seven. I didn’t really have much interest in actually PLAYING the music I liked until I heard Oasis when I was in my mid teens. In fact, my interest in music in general was pretty shallow until that point, but they were my gateway band, if you like. Someone said they ripped off the Beatles and T-Rex and various other bands so I went away and listened to all their influences. Once I had a guitar in my hand I decided I wanted to be a rock star like Hendrix or maybe Page from Led Zeppelin. I didn’t realise singing could be so much fun until I was forced to do it in my first band. At the time I was just shouting out punk songs and things like that, but after going to a few open mics and playing some more acoustic material I realised I had a slightly unusual voice in that it was kind of gravelly compared to most other singers out there. As I got better I began to really appreciate singers like Ray Charles for their incredibly emotive performances as well as their technical skill so tried to find my own voice and put what I had to its best use. I feel like it’s something I still work on now, but when I’m on top of my game I just get totally lost in it. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.

How do you feel the city has changed over the years?

I’ve always been a big fan of the city! I feel, as my own wants and needs have developed so did the city’s nightlife. At first, I was quite happy to play in every dive pub that would have me or hit the clubs and student bars with my friends. As I got older I would rather pay a little extra and get something nice to drink in a place that’s got more charm and individuality. I love playing in the new places that have been springing up recently. Sometimes it feels like I’m in Europe or the US – there’s such a great range of bars and music to find now. I’m hoping that the arts side of things develops more too because the perfect city is one that’s full of creativity and new things to see.

As a solo artist do you sometimes get lonely when performing?

Ha! Occasionally. Although it’s not really whilst performing. Playing with other musicians is great fun and there’s a great camaraderie about it. I’ve been playing as a session guitarist for a band called Scars On 45 for around three years now so that’s how I get my fix of playing with a group. When I’m solo, I only really feel a bit lonely when I stop playing. Most solo artists like me soon develop a friendly nature to overcome this though.

I’ll strike up conversations with anyone when I’m at a gig and still feeling high off a performance. I’m usually in such a good mood that people don’t seem to mind me bothering them either!

Tell us about your family; are they creative? How did they feel when you said you wanted to pursue a career in music?

My parents didn’t really have any creative backgrounds but they were always very encouraging. I wanted to be an artist for a long time, but I’m pretty colour-blind so that proved tricky. I have two younger brothers who are both musicians to some extent, though my youngest has become obsessed with reggae and dancehall music and has given it up to be a DJ! My parents didn’t really believe it was possible to have a career in music so I think they were quite worried when I first told them I wanted to study it. I still don’t make the kind of money one of their preferred careers might have made me, but they’re very proud of me and I was kind of vindicated once I began touring America as a working guitarist, and then a few radio stations over there picked up some of my solo tracks.

What were your musical influences when growing up?

I’ve always had quite eclectic tastes, but I go through phases. I was very much into classic rock and heavy metal in my mid teens – anything with guitars, but then got heavily into blues, Motown and RnB (the old kind). I think singers like Paul Rogers from Free had a big influence on me at first, and it’s funny because now I can hear what he’s taken from the old soul and RnB singers that I listen to. I used to listen to a lot of Peter Green and the original Fleetwood Mac and remember clearly when I first “got” Bob Dylan. I’d never quite understood why he was so popular until I watched a documentary and understood the context for his music. Any singers with real character have always had a big impact too – especially the old blues guys like Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters.

“when I’m on top of my game I just get totally lost in it. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing”

How would you describe your music in three words?

Not entirely crap.

To date, what has been your career highlight?

That’s a tricky one. Playing to 4,000 people in New York City when working as a session guitarist was pretty awesome.

I guess one gig stands out in my mind though, when I was at a festival with some friends. Me and a few other musicians were asked to fill an empty slot and what began with just me and two others playing turned into a full band with drums and a horn section, all from other groups playing at the festival. That instance of not knowing quite what was going to happen and having a band of strangers follow my direction was just so much fun!

If you could perform with anybody who would it be and why?

Oh, that’s hard. I’d be petrified to play alongside my heroes and would feel a bit of a fool trying to keep up with them. I’d love to go into the recording studio with guys like The Black Keys or Mark Ronson who are both obviously fans of retro sounds like myself.

Tell us more about your fashion influences; how would you describe your style?

That’s difficult because I’ve never thought too carefully about what my style is. I probably take quite a lot of influence from American musicians I look up to or have worked with when touring. I love slightly retro-looking shirts and designs that take some influence from American culture, but in general I keep it pretty simple.

Being colour blind means I have to! I like clothes that feel sturdy, like good boots and leather jackets, but I try be careful not to look to much like a biker or something!

Where do you like to shop? Do you support any local, independent designers?

Being a poor musician means I don’t often get to shop where I’d like to. There’s always more musical equipment to buy too so clothes are a little further down my list of priorities. I’d love to support local designers though and maybe one day I’ll be able to do that. I’ve noticed some great places around Leeds but avoid torturing myself by trying any of it on!

Where can people find out more?

You can follow my Facebook page at www. facebook.com/mattbaxtermusic for all my gigs and musical projects or have a search on YouTube for some videos I made. I’ve also got a blog at www. mojophotos.tumblr.com for my photos as I’m hugely into photography and I see some pretty cool stuff when I’m touring!

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CHIC RETREATS

Towering above the rest as a modern-day rapunzel Once upon a time in the British landscape stood a 65-feet-high tower by the name of The Ducket.

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ocated in its own grounds at Outchester Farm, this tower was built some time in the 18th century and truly is a location like something out of a fairy tale.

With the busy life we lead it’s important to have some time away from the usual daily grind, so when we found out about The Ducket, which stands like a watchtower overlooking the Northumbrian coast, we couldn’t wait to go for some time-out.

We arrived on a Friday evening and the sun was just starting to set, creating a stunning backdrop to the tower and showing it in a surreal light. Looking back along the road we had driven, we could see the tweed-coloured hills, hear farmers shooting their prey and in the distance we glimpsed the white-sand beaches, immediately showing Northumberland as one of the most spectacular counties in Britain, a far cry from the bustling city we had set off from just a couple of hours prior. As 6 3 | Urba n - co co

soon as we opened the door to our home for the weekend the wows and oohhs and ahhhs began.

The tower was spacious, homely and full of all the usual mod cons you would expect in a 5-star location. The first floor, unexpectedly, was the bathroom. Walking up the stairs, in a circular motion around the house, we moved up to the next level to find the bedroom.

The décor was very chintzy, vintage and welcoming, with small touches bringing it together, like the little ornaments around the room, which added a personal touch.

Above this was the kitchen, where no expense had been spared on the little things: we immediately spotted Cath Kidston tea cups and accessories, which were the perfect addition to the cottagelike décor.

The tower was recently restored, in 2007, and its Grade II-listed dovecote is now clearly up-to-date and representative of

any 21st-century, 5-star holiday location, with facilities you wouldn’t expect to see so far out in the countryside, such as WiFi and Freeview TV. Being on the border of England and Scotland, Northumberland has been the site of a number of battles. The county is noted for its undeveloped landscape of high moorland, a favourite with landscape painters, and now largely protected as a National Park. It’s also the most sparsely populated county in England, with only 62 people per square kilometre, making The Ducket one of the best places to go to get away from the everyday stresses of life.

With the house being such a stunning treasure-trove of discoveries, we spent the majority of our first night looking around the four floors and exploring what was on offer. Nothing had been forgotten in order

to make this place feel like a guests home from home. There were DVDs, books in the library on the top floor, which had the most awe-inspiring views, pictures in frames as if at your grandparents’ house, and trinkets, each telling its own story, dotted around the house.

Perfect for…

Couples looking to reignite their passion and to have time away from the world.

With miles upon miles of stunning countryside surrounding The Ducket, it’s also perfect for walkers, from beginners to the more advanced, and finally, it’s a quirky and unique place to visit with friends.

As it’s a self-catering holiday home with a pretty lengthy trip to the nearest shop, do make sure you’re prepared before you arrive with all your treats and goodies for the stay.

The Ducket is described as a place to go for two people and no more: we would totally agree. Anyone extra and the house would have felt crowded as each room is small – but perfectly formed.

Find out more about The Ducket and other venues owned by Ross Cottages on their website. www.rosscottages.co.uk

Our Verdict

The whole trip was truly magical and offered a well-needed break away from city life.

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NEW You

Boot camp

Pain is just weakness leaving the body. That’s the mantra that has been instilled into me this week at New You Bootcamp. hat I thought was going to be a relaxing time away, sunbathing, doing yoga on the beach and enjoying muchneeded time out has ended up being much more strenuous that I anticipated – note to self: always read the small print.

New You Boot Camp promises to offer you more than just a weight loss and fitness boot camp: it promises to offer you an inspiring, life-changing programme that you will never forget. Their mission is to create a lifestyle programme that re-energises, informs and inspires you to permanently change the way you look, feel and perform forever. Not only will you feel the physical and emotional benefits that are associated with the ‘New You’ programme, they also give you the support, tools & resources to make sure you can continue all you have learnt once you return home, ensuring your journey to the ‘New You’ is a success.

Plus, they offer bootcamps all over, from London, Somerset, Suffolk to Spain, Austria or Portugal.

I arrived at their Spanish resort on a Saturday afternoon after an adventurous transfer which took almost two hours from the airport and, after a short amount of time to unpack, it was on to meet the rest of the group and find out more about the plan of action for the week ahead.

This is when the fear set in: we were introduced to our military-trained fitness instructors for the week who immediately made us all gasp and feel inferior, but deep down we all hoped we would be as fit as them by the end of the week – long shot.

The rest of the group was mixed, with both men and women of all shapes and sizes and it wasn’t going to be long until we found out what the different levels of fitness would be like,, as it was a 7am start the next day for our first session.

Arriving, sheepishly, on the field outside the hotel we all gathered in front of the 65 | Urba n - co co

instructor to find out what our fate was for this early morning start – Cardio. One whole hour of running, jogging, making shapes (not like on the dance floor) was enough to separate the strong from the

weak – of course I was the latter.

Having replaced exercise in my life over the last couple of years with alcohol, dining out and ‘enjoying life’, this really was a shock to my system and I did wonder how I was

going to survive for a whole seven days.

This was just the beginning: there were five more hours of fitness on the first day to come – more than I would do in one month!

I battled on through, focusing on the meal times – 8am breakfast, 10am snack, 1pm lunch, 3pm snack, 5pm dinner.

What’s great about this trip is that there is an in-house chef that creates the meals for you and also gives you insight into how the food is cooked and what to do if you want to replicate it at home. Our calories were limited to 1200–1400 per day to help with the weight loss but a lot of us felt it was much less than that.

Breakfast varied between scrambled eggs on rye bread (not great), granola or porridge, which were quite substantial portions. Snacks were usually fruit, nuts or rice cakes – one day with peanut butter, which felt very naughty but extremely rewarding.

You can guarantee that if you stick to the programme you will end it slimmer, healthier, detoxed and will definitely lose weight.

After a couple of days I think my body went into shock: I was light headed and so tired that all I wanted to do was sleep. We were warned at the start of the week that this might happen due to the extreme differences both in our diets and in exercise, compared to what we were used to. For me, I think this was due to the drastic change in diet and made me realise that all those three-course, indulgent meals were catching up with me and that maybe it was time to make a change.

By day four my body had adapted to everything and I was feeling much more awake: what was tough in the first couple

of days was now easier. I found that my passions were in boxing and circuits as opposed to one of the tasks which was a half-day 12k walk – yawn. I did attempt this but had to turn around at 8k as it was a bit too much for me. Luckily one of the other girls was in the same boat so I didn’t feel like a lazy sod heading back to relax.

Another upside to this trip is you can choose how much you want to do: it’s not forced upon you. The classes will be put on at the set times and it’s up to each individual whether they want to go or not. What I found was that the most competitive (or fittest) never missed a class, whereas those not so competitive spent some hours lazing by the pool and topping up attempts to get as much sun to our bodies as possible.

By the sixth day I felt like I was really ready to go home: homesickness kicked in and a dread of the same breakfast ahead of me dawned. I kept myself going by speaking to the rest of the group who were all so encouraging and supportive and by the end of the day I was totally fine and raring to go for that one last day.

On the final day we had our last supper to look forward to. The majority of the group were out most of the day on a walk but I chose to stay back with a few others and socialise and pack.

the scales and was very pleased to have lost 9 pounds and an overall loss of 14 inches from my hips, arms and thighs – so as you can imagine I was elated. Given that I slacked off quite a bit towards the end of the week I was over the moon to find out I had the biggest loss for the women – with some others losing 3–8 pounds in the main. One of the guys lost just over a stone, which was a huge achievement.

In the evening we all gathered together for the dinner and it was such a pleasant surprise to find we had a two-course meal followed by a cheeky glass of fizz, or two, and then some pistachio nuts and olives to nibble on whilst we all talked about the week-long experience, drawing upon the good and the hard times and feeling a great sense of success in knowing we made it until the end.

The staff each gave a short, encouraging speech and this really set the perfect, relaxing tone for the final night when we all deserved a good pat on the back.

Perfect for…

People who already have a level of fitness and want an extra booster. Not so good for total beginners (like me) as the pace in each session is quite quick but if you like a challenge this is definitely the trip for you. You will go through physical and mental strain and discover sides of your personality that you didn’t know existed.

You have the option to push yourself to your limits and really improve your fitness.

You can guarantee that if you stick to the programme you will end it slimmer, healthier, detoxed and will definitely lose weight.

Now I’ve got to the end of it, the last thing I want to do is waste what I’ve done given that it was such a hard week, so my fitness regime and healthy eating continues…

The final day also meant weigh in: time to get on the scales and find out if the hard work across the week had paid off. I got on Urba n - co co | 66

Be auty ince establishing the award-winning Westrow hairdressing group in 1987 with co-owner Marc Westerman, Steve Rowbottom has, as head of creative direction, taken the brand from strength to strength. Creativelyminded, but commercially savvy, Steve is forward thinking in all areas integral to the evolution of the Westrow business, which celebrated 25 years in business this year and currently has seven salons across Yorkshire and an Academy opening in Spring 2013. Responsible for keeping the brand at the forefront of technical excellence and with a dedication to discipline, Steve loves re-interpreting classic techniques; is committed to education and pushing the creative boundaries and strives for excellence in all areas. Steve is the 2012 Business Director of the Year, an accolade he shares with his business partner Marc Westerman.

We spent some time with Steve to find out more about his achievements over the years…

Tell us about how your journey began in to the hairdressing industry?

From always wanting to be a professional footballer I found myself in the glamorous world of hairdressing. I just thought it would be cool and it was all about the timing. I gained a place at Thomas Danby College in Leeds to study hairdressing, but wanted some salon experience, so I booked an appointment for a haircut at a local salon and asked if they had any jobs while I was in the chair. I was offered a position there and then and plucked up the courage to tell my mum that college wasn’t for me. My job gave me a great insight into hairdressing – before then I had no idea what this amazing industry had to offer. I soon realised that if I wanted to be the best I had to work for the best, so after 15 months I applied to Vidal Sassoon on the basis that, if I wasn’t successful, I would choose an alternative career. I was one of 4 out of 100 to be offered a job, which really was life changing for me. This was the real start of my hairdressing journey; the most valuable time in my career. It taught me everything and I worked alongside some of the most prolific hairdressers in the industry.

I have the most amazing memories and am still in touch with my mentors 30 years on. The timing was incredible and the experience unforgettable.

When did you set up Westrow and why did you decide to open in Leeds?

After leaving Sassoon I spent time playing football in Israel. On my return I met up with Marc Westerman again. We 67 | Urba n - co co

both knew Leeds very well, it was our hometown and forming a partnership seemed the right thing to do. It was January 1986 when we started as a freelance hair team to generate the income to open our first salon and on 1 April 1987 we opened Westrow, which is a fusion of our surnames. This was in the Victoria Quarter (previously Queen Victoria street) above a menswear shop called Strand – the best shop in Leeds! It was an incredible time and very exciting.

We were – and still are – very motivated and hard working and quickly built up a reputation for consistently high-end hairdressing that’s straight from the heart.

What has been your career highlight to date?

There are too many to mention, but opening our first salon was, and still is, one of our biggest achievements.

Alongside this winning and being finalised in more than 50 awards over the last 26 years is amazing, most notably winning the 2012 L’Oreal Colour Trophy and

Business Directors of the Year in 2012, which was also our 25th year in business.

For us though, the best is yet to come, as we are on the verge of opening Westrow House, a 5,000sq ft hairdressing academy and centre of educational excellence, which is set to open this summer.

For anybody looking to get in to the competitive industry, what advice would you give?

Hairdressing is the most amazing industry, but you need to be committed, creative and ambitious and have to work with the best to become the best. Find your forte and become recognised for what to do. It takes tremendous dedication to get to the top and it’s a long journey, but an exciting one. Don’t give up on anything and remain true to yourself. We have never diversified from our original thought process, which is quality over quantity every time.

the rewards are many – from owning their own salon to educating globally and working backstage at London Fashion Week – the opportunities are endless. We have an amazing Artistic Team that regularly delivers education to the industry in the UK and Europe.

Matthew Sutcliffe has been with Westrow since 2007. Last year he won a hattrick of incredible awards: the 2012 L’Oreal Colour Trophy – one of the most prestigious awards in the industry, the 2012 It Guy award and he was named as one of 4 people to make it onto the

“It takes tremendous dedication to get to the top, it’s a long journey, but an exciting one.”

Is there anything you would have done differently throughout your career?

Hindsight is twenty-twenty vision, however all the mistakes you make in your formative business years mould you and give you the experience you need to move forward. I wouldn’t change anything (apart from the euro millions lottery numbers I chose last week!) While ignorance might be bliss when you’re younger, with experience you recognise that knowledge really is king.

Tell us about your amazing staff at Westrow and your relationship with Matthew?

We have an amazing team and employ more than 100 people and nurture and mentor individuals so they can reach their full potential. If people show commitment

2013 FAME Team – an industry initiative that is a creative platform to catapult stylists to stardom. We have a great relationship and I have mentored him from day one. We understand each other; I’m there for him and he always delivers. In 2014 we are planning to open a Westrow salon in partnership.

In 5 years time, where do you hope to see the Westrow brand?

Our plan is to have at least 15 salons, with satellite academies within the areas we expand into. We are recruiting heavily in readiness for our expansion programme and our academy will create jobs for around 50 more members of staff later this year.

Leeds has changed so much in the last year alone.

Have any of the changes to the city had an impact on your business?

Leeds has a new-found confidence and the regeneration of the city has resulted in so many positive developments. The Trinity Centre has had a huge impact and the footfall generated from this alone is incredible. As a long-standing brand that was born and bred in Leeds we have seen a huge change over the last 26 years, but even more so in the last year with an influx of people visiting and enjoying the diversity of what the city has to offer. This is the reason we chose to launch our £1m Academy in Leeds city centre. Housed on Briggate the location means we will be educating in the heart of everything that’s new and exciting about the city.

Summer is upon us, what’s your favourite look this season?

Summer hair is soft, undone and beachy with a light texture. This season we will see lots of rich, mocha colours with hints of lighter, toffee-coloured ombré tips adding a sun kissed feel. Ombré will be more about warmer light browns through the tips rather than bright blondes. Less is definitely more and it’s all about shiny, healthy-looking hair this season. Matthew and I have just finished a photoshoot for Elle’s September issue showcasing gorgeously glossy hair – the perfect accessory for the new season.

Beauty and fashion go hand in hand. Tell us about your fashion style and where you shop?

As I have got older I have adopted a more classic approach to fashion and style. I know what works and keep within the framework. You never see Tom Ford out of a suit and shirt and most of the time it’s the same for me. I am also rather partial to a pocket square!

Where can people find out more? www.westrowhair.com How would you describe Leeds in 3 words?

Rejuvenated. Vibrant. Energised.

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Cl assifieds

FA S H I O N S’ F I N E ST KOKKU Ethical brand KOKKU is centred around the idea of bringing together undiscovered crafts. It aims to preserve the artistic values and cultural identity of Sardinian art by giving it international exposure to support Sardinia’s economy. All pieces on the KOKKU website are handmade by local master artisans using the traditional method of filigree. The 18K gold Fedele gem ring (£1065) embodies their bright and authentic approach perfectly!

Tel: 0203 468 3384 Email: info@kokku.co.uk Web: www.kokku.co.uk

Amorcollecti­ons

Rebecca Swimwear

Amorcollections is a Dutch based shawl brand and offers 2 extensive collections per year in wool, cashmere, silk, linen, cotton and viscose; the collections are comprised of prints, special weaves, embroidery, tie and dye and other handmade and decorative techniques.

The special handmade Eco silk collection is made by indigent weaver families in India, and the sales of this fabulous product support the families; this is part of amoRcollecti­ons policy of supporting good initiatives to relieve poverty in India.

Email: amorcollections@home.nl Web: www.amorcollections.nl

Rebecca Swimwear is a luxury, designer woman swimwear brand born in Hungary in 1990. The conscious brand&production&sales development guided the company to reach the market of 40 countries, maintaining a unique style&manufacturing structure.

You can find the collections under Episode, Mythos, BB By Rebecca and Art collections from Dubai to Moscow, the Cote d’Azure to Miami beaches. Motto: “We do not follow, but create fashion!”

Rebecca Swimwear Rebecca Ltd.- Hungary Tel: +36 1 436 02 26 Mail: rebecca@rebecca.hu www.rebeccaswimwear.com

Shell Belle Couture for the Beautifully Undressed Shell Belle Couture is a Luxury Lifestyle Brand.

A beautifully feminine collection of vintage inspired, co-ordinated Swimwear, Slip Dresses & Lingerie.

Pieces that will carry you elegantly from Beach to Boudoir. www.shellbellecouture.com Enquiries: studio@shellbellecouture.com

Something Wicked

Rocks Delux Jewels These are most definitely glam rocks that ROCK! Rocks Delux creates chained black diamond jewellery using ethically sourced Brazilian black diamonds, delicately laced with Italian gold-filled chains. The designs are unconventionally priced & the diamonds unconventionally set. Uniquely hand made in limited editions for independent & savvy women everywhere..

Full collections available online: www.rocksdelux.com Photo: © Marcus Adkins

Something Wicked is a newly launched Luxury Lingerie and Accessories designer. Based and manufactured in the UK, exclusively designed by Leanne Brooke, winner of 2011 UK Lingerie awards new designer of the year. Something Wicked is the epitome of fashion forward Lingerie, luxurious, indulgent and directional. Fuelled by our passion for sophisticated, modern design, Something Wicked has quickly established itself as an aspirational brand with the subtle blend mixing high fashion and sex.

Web: www.somethingwicked.co.uk Email: info@somethingwicked.co.uk Twitter: @wearewicked Tel: 0800 2707700

Sculpturings Lost&found / necklace / wood, silver, silver leaf

These are definitely pieces you’ll want to hang on to, these narrative works of wearable art are fully realized sculptures, deeply designed to hit the mark on a strikingly visual and an intellectually conceptual level. You will get noticed when wearing one, so be prepared for the attention! Available in Solid Sterling Silver or Limited Edition Bronze, she has a piece available to fit any wallet – see what we mean for yourself. www.sculpturings.com

Nicola Crawford

Organic Shapes.Materials.

Transformations.

This romantic, nostalgic, silver and gold vermeil jewellery, inspired by ‘the lost art of letter writing’, is made up of randomly placed letters. Why not have one personalised with the name of a loved one.

Tel: 07817 184107 Email: info@nicolacrawford.co.uk Web: www.nicolacrawford.co.uk

Michelle Kraemer is a Luxembourgish jewellery artist based in Vienna. Her practice revolves around intuitively manipulating materials like wood, leather, textiles, latex and leaf metals and transforming them into unique jewellery pieces.

Michelle Kraemer Jewellery www.michellekraemer.com info@michellekraemer.com

Tresor Paris Defined by a unique,elegant style, embodying energy and sparkle, Tresor Paris’ iconic collections have formed a reputation for timeless appeal coupled with lavish and innovative design, being sought-after worldwide. Each crystal is set by hand to give every piece the signature flawless sparkle that Tresor Paris is famous for.

Web: www.tresorparis.com

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Cl assifieds

B A BY BOOM Wink Wink Shapewear is an online retailer that manufactures and sells medical grade compression garments for post pregnancy, surgery and slimming use. Wink Shapewear is renowned for its patented fabric that provides a high level of compression needed for healing. With this patented fabric technology, we deliver the most effective and comfortable medical grade compression garments on the market.

Primary Contact: Poh Peirce Email: winkeurope@winkshapewear.com Web: www.winkshapewear.com Phone: 353-86-0674399

Aden and Anais Bringing the Australian legacy of muslin to the forefront of baby care, aden + anais® combines comfort and safety with style and affordability. CEO and co-founder, Raegan Moya-Jones is recognised for bringing global awareness to swaddling and simplifying the lives of parents, everywhere.

Web: www. adenandanais.com

Jakabel Jakabel is number 1 for safety in the sun! We have ranges of sun protection UVP50+ swimwear plus wetsuits, floatsuits and pool toys for kids 0-13yrs in cool, fashionable designs!

Delivery is 2-3 days all year round with no minimums.

Contact details: Email: info@jakabel.com Web: www.jakabel.com Phone: 020 8715 2385

Minene UK Ltd Minene is the innovative, colourful and design led baby brand with a twist.

Established by three Mums, Minene has an exciting array of innovative products available including bright bathtime sets, fun toddler collection, gorgeous newborn gifts, Layla Changing Bags and our range of the moment...Storage Solutions.

Minene’s goal is to bring comfort, love and joy to parents and children alike.

Email: sales@minene.co.uk or call the office on 02084587764

Magic Mitten Every parent will experience a time when their baby is upset and those magic cuddles from mum or dad just aren’t working. So we try anything (and everything!) to help them calm down - dummies, singing, rocking, patting, even car rides around the block!

Created in New Zealand, the Magic MittenT is a hand-held, patented baby calming aid designed to be effective, safe and highly portable. It is the “only” product designed to be offered up to a babies ear to deliver white noise at a safe and fixed volume level that only they can hear.

Web: www.magicmitten.com

Little White Cloud Purveyors of the finest sleep for babies and children, the softest merino wool bedding and accessories. Hypoallergenic, and keeping baby and child at a moderate body temperature for better sleep.

Contact details: Web: www.whitecloud.com Tel: 01989 721010

Wedding bells

Bridal accessories made with love... For those who love…

Elvis & Marilyn

Reflecting the everlasting beauty of a garden in May and its wonders, the “Blooming Beautifully” bridal accessories collection is a fusion of natural world inspiration and cutting edge fashion bursting in colour and texture, designed and handcrafted in UK. Address: 59 Walham Grove, Fulham, SW6 1QR Email: info@byanamaria.co.uk Telephone: 07879338464

Website: www.byanamaria.co.uk

Elvis & Marilyn is a boutique design studio where we take pride in offering a variety of beautiful exclusive designs, combined with friendly, hands-on customer service. Elvis & Marilyn create fine designs, which are personal and unique to you for your special occasion.

Email: elvisandmarilyn.sqsp.com Web: elvis.marilyn@rocketmail.com Mobile: 07580 028 239

H o m e is w here the heart is Rebecca Hull Wedding Photography Wedding photography should be carried out as discretely as possible to ensure minimum disruption to the day, whilst capturing your special moments.

Rebecca Hull Photography provides a professional & personable service at reasonable rates that will create beautiful lasting memories of your special day. Mention Urban Coco for a 10% discount.

Web: www.RebeccaHullPhotography.co.uk contact@RebeccaHullPhotography.co.uk

Scented Treasures Scented Treasures are a unique candle design company where you’re in control. Choose a vintage inspired vessel, scent, colour and theme and we will bring it to life. They make the perfect wedding decoration, favour or special occasion gift.

Email: Rebecca@scentedtreasures.co.uk Web: www.scentedtreasures.co.uk Tel: 07895261012

Polliander ‘Polliander produces a range of artisan one off pieces for people who want something a little bit different. Each piece is skilfully restored to the highest standard and with impeccable attention to detail. On their website you can expect to find a stylish range of mid-century modern and contemporary classic pieces to suit anyone of discerning taste. They can also help breath life into any tired old furniture you might have.

Find them at www.polliander.com or call their workshop on 020 7231 3334

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