dluxe Leicestershire & Rutland Autumn Issue 22 2015

AUTUMN ‘15

FOR BUSINESS & LEISURE

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK COMPLIMENTARY COPY WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK

E M I U D E D I C AT E D T O

M

P

R

Styling SINCE 1996

S

S A L O N

GLAM GIRLS ROCK SIT BACK AND RELAX WHILST BEING BEAUTIFIED TO PERFECTION AT BARRIE STEPHEN SALONS LEICESTER, ANSTEY, NARBOROUGH & ASHBY Leicester, KING STREET, LE1 6RJ - Anstey, THE NOOK, LE7 7AZ - Narborough, CARLTON PARK, LE19 0LF - Ashby-de-la-Zouch, CASTLEGATE HOUSE, LE65 2FH

barriestephenhair.co.uk instagram. @barriestephenhair facebook.com/BarrieStephenHair twitter. @barriestephen

0844 445 2888

Autumn

‘15

Letter Editor

CONTENTS...

from the

04 THE EDIT What’s on the top of our shopping lists and ringed in our diaries this season.

It’s started already. The last few days have seen the dluxe team leaving the office at dusk meaning those long summer days have truly left us and it’s time to acclimatise ourselves to Autumn.

I have to admit I’m not really complaining. I love Autumn and all it offers; the tumbling of leaves and the resulting carpets of ochres, oranges and reds covering pavements, damp dogs snoozing away memories of woodland walks in front of crackling apple logs; the first fire of Autumn in the grate as the Sunday roast cooks and as the sun bids farewell on another perfect day.

Autumn brings with it harvest and already I’m surrounded by apples from our tree, awaiting peeling, pickling and potting up as presents in time for Winter. Yes, that’s right, we’re already thinking about Christmas, but before we get there we have the joys of Halloween and Guy Fawkes night to get through – we’ve got some great ideas of where to go for both festivals in Leicestershiresee our family section starting on p33.

There’s much more happening in Leicestershire to occupy ourselves this autumn- just flick through our expansive diary pages starting on p55 and you’ll see the huge amount of entertainment on offer from the likes of Curve, De Montfort Hall (see our interview with Rose Royce’s Gwen Dickie on p66 ahead of her appearance at the Hall), Loughborough Town Hall and The Harborough Theatre. A huge amount of work goes into pulling together an autumn season and we talk to Curve’s new Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster, about what it takes to plan a season for all people, and one that entertains, inspires and challenges in equal measure.

Fashionistas amongst us will also have much to enjoy within these pages as we look at some of this seasons’ key trends, starting on p22, and the house proud can get in on the act as well with a look at key colour trends and holiday home swapping, starting on p36.

LANES

AUTUMN ‘15

FOR BUSINESS & LEISURE

The Perfect Gift - Diamond Stud Earrings Available in a range of carat weights

V ISIT US : 25 LOSEBY LANE (END OF C ARTS LANE ), LEICESTER , LE1 5DR LANES J EWELLERS . COM | 0116 251 2529

COMPLIMENTARY

Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief

22 FOR HER The perfect look for ladies that lunch, how to contour and the inside scoop on this year’s Clothes Show Live.

28 FOR HIM

Tailoring trends for the best dressed gent and a look at this season’s biggest purchase- the winter coat.

36 LIVING Blue is the colour of my true

love’s heart. It should also be the colour of your living room- with copper accents of course...

44 TRAVEL How about a trip to The Bay?

We have the inside scoop on San Francisco and Kevin Urquhart visits Baku as it attempts to take the title of the next Dubai.

50 DINING Easy bites for bonfire night

and a look at Leicestershire’s best restaurants according to the new Michelin guide.

54 DIARY What’s happening and what’s happened in the county this season.

AUTUMN 2015 ISSUE 22

Cover Image courtesy of Marks & Spencer

We hope you enjoy this issue. We’ll be back in Winter when the central heating is on full, and the festive countdown will have Leicestershire’s Luxury Jewellery Boutique fully begun!

dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

Talking of travel, we’re taking you to San Francisco, Baku and St Helena this issue- a varied selection for you to day dream away the odd rainy day that’s no doubt on its way.

18 SPOTLIGHT We chat to Nikolai Foster, new Artistic Director at Curve about his role and the theatre’s new season.

60 PAPERWORK Business in focus and a look at the full implicatioms of drawing down your pension.

WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK COMPLIMENTARY COPY

66 PEOPLE We talk to Rose Royce’s Gwen Dickie ahead of her appearance at De Montfort Hall.

GET IN TOUCH MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin Urquhart Kevin@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk 07713 740 272

MARKETING Sarah Potter sarah@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk 07587 056969

HEAD OF FLUFFINESS Teddy Teddy@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk

GROUP EDITOR IN CHIEF Jonathan Fraser Jon@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk 0772 580 9654

ADVERTISING SALES Lilith Hunt-Sheppard Lil@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk 07975 970711

GENERAL DOGSBODY Rupert Rupert@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk

Disclaimer: Copyright 69 & dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy in compiling this publication, the Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, breach of copyright or otherwise since compilation. The Publisher cannot be held responsible for any material submitted to the publication, not excluding advertisements. The views expressed within this title are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply recommendation by the Publisher. © 69 Magazine Ltd 2015

FOR EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES CONTACT: DLUXE LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND HQ 31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE TEL: 0116 2533 445

info@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk / www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk @dluxemag

/dluxemagazine

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 3

dluxeedit

A

the edit 4

What’s whetting our whistles in the dluxe office

MINI GETS

Everybody loves a Mini. Probably the most credibly classless car you can buy, the Mini was, by definition, Mini but not anymore. The new MINI Clubman has grown to VW Golf like proportions and offers four side doors alongside its characteristic barn style rear doors.

and priced from £19,995 OTR- not cheap but each Clubman does come as standard with the MINI Excitement Package which projects the brand logo on to the ground beneath the driver’s side door mirror when the car is opened and closed – cool!

Available in Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S derivatives Find out more at www.mini.co.uk or visit Sytner Mini, the new Clubman is still packed with MINI character Meridian Business Park, Leicester 4 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Start your Fitness journey with a Health MOT at Nuffield Health

No matter how healthy you think you are, there’s always room for improvement. A Health MOT is the best way to get a full picture of your overall wellbeing, so you have the information you need to not only become fitter and healthier, but also exercise safely.

At Nuffield Health (the former Greens Gym near B&Q in Leicester), an MOT is standard practice for all members. They comment; “It’s an indepth, one hour health check carried out by one of our Health Mentors who can support you with expert advice and guidance. Your Health MOT will identify opportunities to improve your overall health, giving you what you need to make positive fitness, diet and lifestyle changes”.

Unique to Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing, no other gym offers the same level of clinical testing and expert advice in one place! They confidently comment; “Only Nuffield Health can combine health and fitness, medical, physiotherapy and nutrition expertise to help you get fitter and healthier”.

MAXI

The Nuffield Health MOT measures: Body mass index (BMI), Resting heart rate, Waist to hip ratio , Cholesterol, Aerobic fitness, Blood pressure, Sugar levels.

During your Health MOT your Health Mentor will be able to give advice on your exercise regime, health concerns, existing injuries, alcohol use, stress levels and quality of sleep. But the TLC doesn’t end there: following your free Health MOT, you will be given a full report of the health outcomes.

You/they can use these results to track your progress against a bespoke set of fitness and lifestyle goals.

To make sure you understand and, more importantly, stay on track, they recommend an MOT every 3 months. Whatsmore, a consistent evaluation of your fitness action plan helps you monitor the effectiveness of your regime and reassess your goals as your body and health improves.

If you are interested in becoming a better you, call the Nuffield Health team on 0116 298 6537 or call in at 1 Byford Way, Leicester, LE4 0DZ. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 5

& Our award winning showrooms right on your doorstep.

Cotes Mill has been transformed. Floors of Stone and deVOL Kitchens have taken a thousand year old, neglected mill and given it a new lease of life. Our inspirational showrooms are now full of unique furniture, flooring, antiques and gifts and we want you to come and enjoy this haven of beautiful things.

Set in 12 acres of stunning countryside in Cotes, Leicestershire, there is plenty to see amongst the grounds, including Floors of Stone’s new landscaping displays and resident wildlife, including chickens, swans and peacocks.

Floors of Stone now boast a light, open, galleried flooring showroom laid with our beautiful Light Jerusalem Tumbled Limestone and featuring over 100 products. We now sell Villeroy & Boch porcelain tiles,

Italian wood effect porcelain tiles, Tuscan wood flooring as well as our renowned range of natural stone, including limestone, marble, travertine and slate.

With a limestone spiral staircase like no other in the UK and four floors of tile and kitchen displays to explore, you can get lost in this maze of loveliness. Around every corner discover a new vintage gem or beautifully crafted piece of furniture for your dream kitchen.

We welcome you to pop in and talk to our friendly and knowledgeable staff who are on hand to help, inspire and advise.

The Cotes Mill showrooms are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 5pm and Saturdays from 10am – 5pm.

Floors of Stone: 01509 234000 - www.floorsofstone.com - deVOL Kitchens: 01509 261000 - www.devolkitchens.co.uk Cotes Mill, Nottingham Road, Cotes, Loughborough, LE12 5TL

dluxe edit

GET INSPIRED AT THE GOOD FOOD SHOW

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL Do you have a passion for delicious food and exciting new flavours? Then get ready to be inspired by the likes of Paul Hollywood, The Hairy Bikers and Michel Roux Jr. at the Good Food Show this Autumn!

Returning to the NEC from the 26th -29th November and sponsored by Lexus and Kenwood, it’s the perfect place to enjoy live cooking demonstrations, interviews and book signing sessions plus discover new appliances and kitchen gadgets.

Sample local delicacies from independent and artisan producers who’ll be bringing a truly regional flavour to one of the UK’s biggest food shows, and don’t forget to start your Christmas shopping early in what’s sure to be foodie heaven!

Find out more at bbcgoodfoodshow.com

THINK PINK Perfect for pundits and players alike, Thomas Pink’s rugby collection includes luxe cashmere rugby jerseys alongside shirting and accessories in a patriotic palette of red, white and blue. The collection also includes Thomas Pink’s iconic athletic fit shirt - a slim shirt in stretch cotton specifically designed to accommodate the combination of muscular shoulders and a narrow waist.

The stretch fabric sits comfortably over broad shoulders allowing ease of movement and the waistline is tapered by the contour side panels and back darts. The ultimate choice for rugby players and budding sportsmen!

The new season’s collection is available in-store and online - just in time for the first England vs. Fiji match on Friday 18th September! Prices will start from £79 for shirting, £99 for knitwear and £16 for accessories!

Buy online at thomaspink.com

8 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The Babyzen YOYO is a revolution for parents who travel with babies and toddlers as when folded it can be stored in the overhead compartment of an airplane.

Suitable from birth with a newborn nest which attaches to the stroller chassis, the Babyzen YOYO appeals not only to globetrotting parents but also to parents who are looking to make life easier when using public transport, going up stairs or finding space at home or in the car!

Prices for the complete newborn pack start from £375. Find out more at www.whitestep.co.uk

SPECIAL FEATURE £50

£45

£54

£68

£60

£40

£55

£30

£45

announce NEW MIDNIGHT service We all know that Next’s fashion credentials are second to none these days. Offering over 12,000 styles online, their next day delivery service has been standard practice for some time now, but they’re breaking new boundaries yet again with their ‘Order By Midnight’ service, which promises to have your chosen items in store the very next day, so long as your order is placed before midnight.

And whatsmore, it’s a free of charge service. This is especially good news for us, as we are often shopping online late at night when the kids are (finally) asleep.

Fashion has never been faster, so to help you pick from this new season’s stunning collections, here are some of our favourite picks from the portal: L-R Clockwise Fedora, £22, Leopard Print Blouse, £28, Skirt £24, Tapered trousers £45, Jacket £50, Saddle Bag £54, Fringed Boot £68, Skirt £40, Jacket £60, Printed Wrap Dress £30, Trench Coat £55, Animal Print Loafers £45.

For more information or to view the entire range, click www.next.co.uk

dluxe edit

SPECIAL FEATURE

THE TREND REPORT A/W at barrie stephen hair

2015 SAW NEW AND INNOVATIVE COLOURS AND TECHNIQUES BEING INTRODUCED INCLUDING BALAYAGE, BRONDE AND GREY FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION. AUTUMN IS ALL ABOUT GLOSSY GLOBAL COLOUR APPLICATIONS AND WARMER, RICHER SHADES SAYS BARRIE STEPHEN HAIR’S NEIL SMITH.

Undone glamour.

This is all about the kiss colour technique. For the long hair clients who want the colour technique of autumn 2015, think of a tortouise shell and the soft dappling effect you see – this is kiss colour.

Subtle contrasting tones of chestnut, conker, and muted rose gold seamlessly unite giving you a beautiful depth and warmth to your skin tone. Pair kiss colour with undone waves and sculptured curls for the must have look of the season.

Killer pink.

This iridescent trend is the killer look of autumn 2015 and has captured fashion followers and celebrities the world over. Killer pink is not only for pastel hues this season, think silvers, greys, lilacs and even corals. The fun with these tones is that none of them are permanent so you can play with colour as much as you want!

Vintage up do.

With the party season approaching, the look for autumn party goers is classic, vintage and uber chic hair ups. Think of beautiful sculptured beehives, chignons and victory rolls accompanied with high gloss colours of the richest reds and coppers. If you’re sporting one of these looks then you’re set for the season, looking red carpet gorgeous!

10 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

NEIL SMITH IS BASED AT BARRIE STEPHEN HAIR WHICH HAS FOUR SALONS ACROSS LEICESTERSHIRE. TEL 0844 445 2888 FOR AN APPOINTMENT OR VISIT WWW.BARRIESTEPHENHAIR.CO.UK

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

4-8 DECEMBER 2015

NEC BIRMINGHAM

CLOTHESSHOW.COM

BOOKING HOTLINE 0844 581 1256

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

SHOPPING, CELEBRITIES, FASHION THEATRE,

BEAUTY & TREND PRESENTATIONS, INSIDE STYLE ADVICE AND CATWALKS

Gran Canaria Turns Up Heat on Medical Tourism

The Seaside Palm Beach Hotel

It always starts with a ‘just’ when it comes to Gran Canaria. ‘I’m just going to Gran Canaria’, we say, almost apologetically. It’s a short-haul, equatorial island that’s long suffered from an image problem. To many, it’s Blackpool with sunshine (it is), but there’s another side to the island that might surprise you, as it’s super high-end and a favourite with many celebs looking for a discreet nip/tuck, whilst on the move…

for relaxation reasons, the facts behind Gran Canaria’s medical tourism offering are compelling. A spokesperson comments; “The medical facilities on the island, the doctors and nurses in all hospitals and clinics are highly qualified as well as fluent in English. Hospital superbugs are virtually non-existent, the cost of treatment is up to 40% less than other UK and European medical tourism destinations (thanks to a strong sterling/euro conversation rate) and no waiting lists make it an ideal destination to meet your medical needs safely and in the most comfortable settings possible”.

www.grancanariawellness.com is an initiative by The Gran Canaria Spa, Wellness & Health Association on the island, who are collectively turning up the heat on their spa, thalasso, medical and recuperation credentials; repositioning themselves as a year-round destination for well-heeled travellers looking to combine surgery, post-operative recuperation and/or holiday relaxation in sumptuous surroundings and sub-tropical climes. On both counts, Gran Canaria has it in (buckets and) spades. It’s a far cry from the lurid delights of Playa del Ingles.

The Association have chosen to work with 13 of the best spa hotels on the island, all of whom are within easy reach of the island’s state of the art medical facilities. Whilst we visited the stunning 5-star Seaside Grand Residencia Hotel and sister-hotel, Seaside Palm Beach (which is part of the prestigious Design Hotels organisation) purely

For more information, visit www.grancanariawellness. com, www.hotel-palm-beach.co.uk and www.grandhotel-residencia.co.uk

ELEGANT OFFICE If copper wasn't already the metal of the moment, it certainly is now, thanks to this striking collection of office essentials from British Designer, Tom Dixon.

The Cube range of stapler, desk tidy, pen and tape dispenser makes a bold and practical statement in any office environment.

The Cube range by Tom Dixon is available from John Lewis. The stapler, shown below costs £60.

12 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

& Beautiful Kitchens - Natural Stone Flooring – Interiors – Inspiration deVOL are really proud to call themselves designers and makers, they specialise in beautifully handmade English furniture and offer a considered mix of classic and contemporary. The Real Shaker kitchen, The Classic English kitchen and the Air kitchen ranges, as well as their new Sebastian Cox range, are all made at their workshops based in the Leicestershire countryside, and have been since deVOL began back in 1989.

One of deVOL’s great strengths is their ability to offer affordable, accessible, yet carefully considered designs and products to their customers. This ethos carries through to their sister company Floors of Stone, with their complementary range of natural stone and porcelain tiles. deVOL’s customers insist on good quality and real style, something that has been reflected in their Cotes Mill showrooms. Nestled amongst the beams and alcoves of this renovated 16th century water mill you will find a unique range of hand selected antiques and gifts, the perfect accompaniment to the stunning kitchen and flooring displays. The whole building encompasses what deVOL are renowned for, effortless simplicity. Now internationally recognised as one of the top design led kitchen companies in the UK they are always looking for ways to inspire and a trip to Cotes Mill is guaranteed to do just that. deVOL Kitchens: 01509 261000 - www.devolkitchens.co.uk - Floors of Stone: 01509 234000 - www.floorsofstone.com Cotes Mill, Nottingham Road, Cotes, Loughborough, LE12 5TL

Mind over Matter: SPECIAL FEATURE

IT IS SAID, A THERAPEUTIC TOUCH IS ALL YOU NEED TO HEAL FROM ILLNESS. AT LEAST, THAT’S WHAT FOLLOWERS OF CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY BELIEVE.

This relatively new type of technique has been widely used in the US and London and works to resolve a range of issues that even doctors are puzzled by. If you have a reoccurring health issue that traditional medicine has failed to cure, this could be your best medicine…

Priti Coles is far from your ordinary therapist: not only does she have a thriving waxing business built over many years, but she is also a holistic therapist, qualified in several types of massage, reflexology and Angelic Reiki. With a passion for working with the body and soul holistically, she's also an intuitive healer, channeling into the power of the mind to bring change and heal where it's needed most. It may sound very New Age, but its roots are steeped in medical fact, and it’s only now catching on in Leicestershire, as the desire to find alternative solutions where traditional medicine has failed.

We caught up with Priti Coles in her home studio in Whetstone to find out more...

What is Craniosacral therapy, and how does it work?

Craniosacral therapy works for the whole person, so, you’re not just treating one part. You tune into the person, and you treat the person as a whole.

Pressures, occurrences and trauma in your life leave imprints on you, so your cells, your bones, your muscles all hold onto that stress and trauma (a kind of muscle and bone memory, as it were). When you see a Craniosacral therapist, they help to release these things. In simple terms, when you go for a massage, the therapist helps you relieve pressure from the outside, whereas, when you see a Craniosacral therapist they tune into your craniosacral system, which is a part of your central nervous system, and help you release and heal yourself from the inside out, tapping into your body’s own inherent ability to heal. It’s non-invasive, exceptionally gentle but extremely powerful.

But there’s a definite science to it, isn’t there?

Of course. Craniosacral Therapy was recognized over 100 years ago through the research of an American Osteopath, Dr William Sutherland. He discovered that every cell in the body expresses its own rhythmic motion, that the cranial (skull) bones have their own intrinsic movement and that the cerebral-spinal fluid that serves to cushion and support the brain and spine also has its own rhythmic motion. This is known as the Cranio-Sacral Motion and is expressed throughout the whole body.

Everyday physical knocks, bumps, trauma, shock and emotional stress cause the body’s tissues to contract and tighten up, manifesting in further tensions and restrictions in the body. These long-term dysfunctions accumulate and affect the flow and rhythmic motion of the bones and cells. With a gentle (and highly 14 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

trained) touch, the practitioner can detect this motion and assess its strength and health. Cranio-Sacral rhythm is also known as “The Breath of Life”.

Who benefits from Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy is suitable for every age – from newborns to the elderly helping countless conditions such as headaches, arthritis, sciatica, RSI, digestive problems, menstrual disorders, anxiety, stress, insomnia right through to head injuries, neck and back pain, sinusitis, autism and cerebral palsy. Equally, it can be for underlying issues causing you stress, such as family or relationship issues.

How did you personally get into Cranio?

I went to see a craniosacral therapist myself about 5 years ago after I suffered with a health issue myself. I didn’t even have to tell him what was happening in words. He knew. And I healed. The craniosacral therapist I went to see had a gift and told me that I would end up in London ‘doing something else’. Anyway, I ended up doing a craniosacral therapy course in London and I realised that is where I was meant to be. I trained for two years and qualified as a Craniosacral Therapist three years ago.

Talk us through what happens during each treatment?

My treatment room is incredibly peaceful and quiet, to ensure you feel totally relaxed. It’s important for me to able to quietly assess and ‘tune’ into you, so you’ll be asked to lay on the massage couch (or sit, if necessary) – fully clothed – where I will gently lay my hands on certain parts of the body: the feet, the diaphragm, the Sacral area and, of course, the head – hence the term Craniosacral – to release membranes and encourage cerebral flow to affected areas.

How do people usually react during the treatment?

Sometimes emotions come up and I always say ‘it’s best to voice, even if you feel angry. If you acknowledge the anger it can’t get any worse; once you’ve acknowledged it it’s got to dissipate’. Sometimes people cry. Sometimes when you’re working on the heart and there are heart issues, and they haven’t been able to feel safe in an environment before, they may cry or laugh. Every reaction is valid and deeply personal. Internally you’re able to feel pulses or gentle waves, or they may sigh deeply, fall asleep or feel very relaxed physically, mentally or emotionally, as this is a ‘safe’ space where they can release and offload previous emotions and trauma.

How often should people come in for treatments?

I would normally say every 3 to 4 weeks., but everyone is individual. I can also do hospital visits if the client is very unwell.

For more information, contact Priti on 07795 361 288 or check out www. priticoles.co.uk. She is also on Facebook as Priti Coles Craniosacral Therapy

JOIN THE WINNING TEAM IN MIDLANDS MEDIA SM

HAM & SOLIH ULL

dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

Do you want to make better use of your excellent people skills, boundless creativity, limitless determination to succeed and unrivalled ability to multi-task in a pressured, NYC FOR BUSINESS & LEISURE fast-moving consumer-facing sales environment? Oh, and frien dly did we mention you want more fun?

LANES C

M

Y

CM

MY

FOR BUSI NESS & LEISURE

MN 2015

K

N ‘1 5

SUMMER ‘15

CY

CMY

A U TU M

AUTU

FINE JEWELLERY

dluxe BIRMI NG

WE’RE RECRUITING FOR SALES & MARKETING PROFESSIONALS

ES.CO.U

© 201 5 United

9-DEGRE

RY

LIMEN TA

COMP

ISD_E ME 0 ingha Trim 806 mDlu 2 xeMa 300 D 10 mm x gazin 297 m P e Vertic I CMYK m Ble al eds 5 mm

V i s i t o u r b o u t i q u2e0o1n5L o s e bAyI_LB a ir n em

degrees

WWW.6

All righ ts rese rved.

Airlines , Inc.

SIXTYNIN E

Fly n onsto York /N p

ewark from than Birm 300 with FU Media – publishers of dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE ingha desti conn natio m to ectio ns ac ns to ross more & RUTLAND, dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL and the A meric as.

SIXTYNINE DEGREES – is expanding and we have a role u n it ed.co for an incredible Sales & Marketing professional to join our m team. You’ll be working commercially across all aspects of our businesses, creating impactful multi-media marketing solutions incorporating print, online, social Leicester’s Luxurymedia Jewellery & Watchand Boutique PR.

K

ISSUE 17

New

SUMMER 2015 ISSUE 21

IF SO, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

(2 minutes from John Lewis & the Highcross Shopping Centre )

COMPLIMENTARY

25 L OSEBY LANE , L EICESTER , LE1 5DR | LANES J EWELLERS . COM | INFO @ LANESJEWELLERS . COM | 0116 251 2529

WWW 16th ANN IVERSARY EDIT A/W TRE NDS 201 5 MARK WRI COMPLIMENTARY COPY GHT ALICE LEV INE ALISON WONDERLAN D LAURA JAC KSON AZERBAIJA N UNCOVE RED GRADUATE FASHION STILL FRE E AND EAS Y

WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK

Full Time / Part Time and Flexible Working opportunities available. Experience in a sales media environment is preferable; a current driving licence is desired and the right attitude is essential.

.DLUXE YOUR COMPLIM -MAG EN AZINE TARY COPY .CO.UK

£COMPETITIVE BASIC LINKED TO EXPERIENCE + UNCAPPED COMMISSION. To apply send your CV with covering email to jon@fu-media.co.uk before 31st October.

dluxe edit

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR LEICESTER MARATHON

The Leicester Marathon is taking place again at Victoria Park on Sunday 25th October and LOROS, the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice is encouraging people to sign up as volunteers at Victoria Park and along the route.

The event is such a huge occasion for the city and the Leicester Marathon always receives such fantastic feedback on the difference our upbeat and friendly volunteers make to the runners. They are looking for volunteers to help with marshalling, looking after water points, handing out goody bags on the finish line, set up and much more.

You can also sign up as a team of volunteers or as an individual. To find out more Debbiedickman@loros.co.uk or call: 0116 2318484 or to register for this year’s Leicester Marathon, please visit www.leicestermarathon.org.uk.

FOOTBALL STARS PUT BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR CHARITY FASHION SHOW Designer retailer JellyRolls is to partner up with Leicester City Football Club to host an exclusive charity fashion show to showcase their respective Autumn/Winter 15 collections.

Taking place at Hansom Hall in the City Centre on Thursday 22nd October, the show will not only focus on designer clothing for adults and children, it will also showcase some of the cutest kids around Leicestershire – all in the name of Hope Against Cancer charity.

There will also be some familiar faces on the catwalk, and in the audience, with a handful of the players’ wives and children in attendance on the runway.

The LCFC range, entitled ‘Fox & Crop’ is a new take on quality British style and a fashionable acknowledgement to the rich heritage of Leicester City. The collection includes polo shirts, knitwear, outerwear and more and is the perfect accompaniment to the designer childrenswear and ladieswear from the likes of DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Timberland, Hugo Boss and Vivienne Westwood available at JellyRolls of High Street and Loseby Lane.

Hayley Girardier, Director of JellyRolls, says: “I’m thrilled that LCFC have decided to partner up with us on this fashion show. We are raising money for local Leicestershire charity Hope Against Cancer, which is an extremely worthy cause. I’m looking forward to the JellyRolls and LCFC supporters coming together to enjoy a night of fabulous fashion and entertainment.”

Leicester based singer, and one time X Factor hopeful, Camilla Kent and her band The Watchmen will take to the stage in the interval, covering some well-known tracks in her signature bluesy style and once the show comes to a close, there will be casino tables available for the adults, and a raffle filled with family friendly goodies, with proceeds also going to Hope Against Cancer.

Doors will open at 5.45 with the first catwalk starting at 6.30pm. Tickets are £10/15 and available from JellyRolls, 27 High St, Leicester LE1 4FP. 16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Remounted, RemodellED and Recycled As well as stocking fine jewellery handmade onsite and a range of excellent silver jewellery, another specialist skill at Wilkinson Goldsmiths of Stoneygate is the remodelling of old jewellery to create something up to date, or simply more wearable. “We hate to think of our customer's jewellery sitting gathering dust in a drawer. Sometimes just a simple adjustment or tweak can be enough to make an item usable, but often a more technical approach is needed and that's where we really excel”, says Stephen Wilkinson, owner and highly qualified goldsmith.

Recent commissions at this artisan jewellers have included melting down some rose gold pocket watch links to make a simple knot ring and melting down a variety of old jewellery to make a set of stacking rings. On this occasion, Wilkinson Goldsmiths sourced and supplied the diamonds, but they can use yours as necessary. The stacking rings work well with different carats and finishes, so there are no dilemmas about combining different items and gold standards together.

While the motive for this sort of work is often sentiment driven, it can be economic too. Stephen recently remounted a customer's engagement ring and wedding ring in platinum and used the old gold to make a new wedding ring for her husband. The cost of this was about half the price of a new band.

Whatever your jewellery requirements, the on-site professional goldsmith is there to help. You can call by the Allandale Road workshop anytime between 10-5.30 Tuesday to Saturday, or telephone 0116 270 5375 to make an appointment.

EMMA BROWN HAIR THE PREVIEWS NEW LOOK SALON WHITE PEACOCK

14-16 King Street, Leicester, LE1 6RJ 0116 254 7663

Mid Week Treat enjoy 2 courses for just £19.95 Tuesday to Friday, 5.30-7pm

Sunday Brunch 2 course gourmet brunch the last Sunday of every month.

For reservations, information and general enquiries email enquiries@the-white-peacock.co.uk

www.the-white-peacock.co.uk

Emma Brown Hair in Clarendon Park invited us in to have a sneaky peek of the latest goings on in their award winning salon.

Open just two short years, they’ve gone from strength to strength, both with the caliber of training for employees, but also with their involvement with the local community.

So much so that the salon has now expanded it’s clientbase and is undergoing a bit of a transformation to accommodate the influx.

While the salon itself is still in perfect working order, in the background there has been an expansion and a beautiful refurbishment going on, with new equipment, graphics and even a brand new beauty room being built! We’ve seen with our own eyes what’s to come and we can assure you that once it’s formally launched later this Autumn it’s going to be stunning, and a one stop destination for hair and beauty!

A real retreat away from the hubbub of life, you can visit Emma Brown Hair to have your tresses treated by people passionate about their work. You’ll also be pleased to know that they use only the highest quality products, created by top stylist Kevin Murphy.

So if you’re in dire need of a change up this Autumn, visit Emma and her team at 140 Clarendon Park Rd, Leicester LE2 3AE or give them a call at 0116 270 4374.

dluxe spotlight

A HEAD OF

Image by John Hunter

DLUXE LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND’S JONATHAN FRASER CAUGHT UP WITH NIKOLAI FOSTER, NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AT CURVE, AS THE THEATRE HEADS INTO WHAT SOME ARE CALLING ITS ‘MOST EXCITING SEASON TO DATE’.

THE CURVE So how long have you been at Curve for now?

“I’ve been at Curve now for around eight months and I’m slightly alarmed at how quickly time has flown by. Curve is such a busy building and there’s so much going on in Leicester that it’s amazed me how quickly time has passed.”

Do you think that’s a result of you staying in one theatre? Previously you’ve always been a visiting director.

Yes, I think so. As a theatre practitioner, you’re used to working on a four to five week cycle; so when you’ve casted a play and designed it you then go into rehearsals for 4 weeks. You then do previews, have a press night, and the show has its run. You celebrate your achievements and you move onto the next thing.

Providing artistic leadership within a building like Curve is clearly a much longer term thing; it’s a long term investment and sadly I’m not very patient, but I’m getting better!

Do you think that’s because Curve is such a big… machine, if you like?

Yes, I think of Curve almost like an amazing, stately cruise liner. A massive, really well designed, revolutionary ship that’s setting sail. To turn it you first have to work out where you’re turning and then you have to turn it very gently.

There’s no point in steering erratically; you have to plot your course.

I learned that very quickly. You’ve got to go slow and steady with this, as Curve is so important to so many people; you’ve got to be very responsible.

Did it surprise you how passionate the Leicester audience is about Curve?

To be honest that was one of the things I really knew about the city when I came to meet about the job. I knew that there was a sense of pride in this great big majestic building, which started off in a slightly shaky way and has since found its footings and now stands strong at the centre of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter. It’s truly unique: this really imaginatively designed, beautiful building in the heart of a city that is so diverse in everything from its culture, its population, its architecture even. Look around us now, there’s so much heritage in Leicester; all these amazing old textile factories and then,

suddenly you have this great, big, glass building gliding through the space. It's no wonder the community has such a passionate response to a building like that.

So does the city feel like home now?

Are you becoming a Leicesterite?

Well I’ve always felt like an outsider; always had quite an itinerant lifestyle.

I mean, that’s the nature of being a freelance theatre director, as I was before, but I do I like the feeling when I leave Curve at night and I think “Oh I can go back tomorrow”, I can go back and this is somewhere I can call home, everybody’s so friendly and have been incredibly welcoming.

Is there a danger that the more comfortable you get the less creative you can become?

No chance! There’s so much to do at Curve, so many exciting new projects and challenges that they are now occupying a different side of my creativity and making different demands of my imagination. One of the big things we’re doing at Curve is engaging with young people and those who might not think of a theatre as a place for them.

Interesting you should say that as your first projects at Curve have been focused on community engagement, the Richard III ceremony at Leicester Cathedral and your community production of Richard III – a hot topic for the city! Is that level of engagement with the community something very important to you moving forward?

you start to get spectacular results.

So we’re at the start of your first real season here at Curve. Has programming it been nerve wracking?

I don’t think so, I mean what with the community productions, Beautiful Thing, which was a co-production, and the tour of Calamity Jane which I directed and ran at Curve, I sort of feel that I dipped my toe in the water and that there’s been a natural progression.

It’s as if fate has been really generous, letting me build organically and not have to go BANG here we are. I am of course very excited about A Streetcar Named Desire; it’s such a great play.

Was it always planned as your first big show for Curve?

Again it came about organically. There’s an American play about a family in the 1950s, A Raisin in the Sun, that I wanted to do. It’s a great play but isn’t that well known, so I started to think about other plays from that period that were also quite epic, American, sexy and of course it wasn’t long before we came upon A Streetcar Named Desire.

“GREAT ART DOESN’T NEED TO BE EXCLUSIVE OR FEEL LIKE IT BELONGS TO A FEW PEOPLE FROM LONDON”

Oh yes, without question. Rather than expecting kids to come into our building, we’ll be getting out into their communities, working with them in their youth centres or their school halls and give them the confidence to come into the building. It’s really important that we maintain contact with the community groups we work with as well, to keep those relationships alive.

Once you start to really engage with people, get them coming back and working on different projects, investing in us and us in them then that’s when

Well it is classed as THE American play

Exactly and as it’s a bit more familiar to audiences we thought it would be a good way to introduce audiences to my work; attract the more traditional theatre goer but also younger people who might have an image of the film or the play as being about young people finding their way in the world.

Hopefully it will capture audiences’ imagination so that in future years we can say ‘come see Raisin in the Sun, you saw Streetcar and it has a similar sort of tone, quality and atmosphere, so why not come on that journey with us?’

Your production of Richard III transported the piece into the twentieth century this year; will Streetcar be staged as a period piece?

Absolutely. We’ve looked to Francis Bacon and his type of art as our way into the visual way the world of our Streetcar. It’s epic and theatrical but very naturalistic, like a film set design. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 19

dluxe spotlight

I think the way we have cast it as well, with very young actors and with actors that might surprise, will give it a contemporary edge.

So as an Artistic Director you’re using those 3 key criteria, but how much of your focus is on the commercial success of the project?

I was going to ask you about the cast. What was the motivation behind casting Charlie Brooks, Stuart Clarke and Dakota Blue Richards? They're big names for a regional theatre...

Massively! I’m from quite a humble background and I’m quite frugal, so I don’t like spending money for the sake of it and, of course, no one wants to sit in an empty theatre! As I said before great art is not exclusive. Great art engages lots of people, it's populist. For example, we have Craig Revel Horwood's production of Sister Act coming to the theatre. Putting a strong African American woman at the centre of our stage is a really powerful, artistically satisfying thing to do and the narrative about somebody who is seen as an outsider, someone excluded from the Church before being welcomed and transforming it for the better is a really powerful, artistic story. It’s also incredibly popular!

They’re fundamentally just the right people for the part. When we cast Charlie, we knew we were doing something quite different but we weren’t doing something different for the sake of being different. She came in, we worked on the part and she was sensational.

Her way into the part was very different from how I’d imagined it or how I’d seen the part played before. I thought, 'well, if we’re trying to engage new audiences, diverse audiences, young audiences, Charlie feels like somebody really interesting and somebody I would be intrigued to go and see in that play'.

And then I met Stuart and he really frightened me in the audition. He had all the qualities of Stanley and I thought, well, that’s perfect'.

For Stella, we needed somebody equally different and special. When Dakota came we thought 'wow'. She started acting when she was about 7 or 8, opposite Nicole Kidman in the Golden Compass, so she’s predominately a film actor and how wonderful in this regional theatre to give her this opportunity to really develop her skills as a stage actor as well? We’ve also got two actors from our community cast of Richard III; Mark Peachey who played Richard and Nick Read who played Richmond. So, we have people from Leicester, some from Hollywood, some from TV and some from Musicals; it's a really interesting cast and shows how, as a theatre, we’re not only investing in young talent but also in our community's talent.

So it doesn’t matter where they come from, it’s what they can bring to the role that counts?

Just as you’re putting your roots down, we have the announcement that Chief Executive, Fiona Allan, is moving on and Executive Producer Chris Stafford is taking over.

Richard III - image by Pamela Raith

FRI 16 OCT — SAT 7 NOV

I always knew coming into the role that Fiona wouldn’t be here forever.

I think Fiona, like Paul Kerryson my predecessor, has achieved great things at Curve and is leaving the theatre in a strong position of stability where it can engage and create. I have to admit I didn’t think our time together would be so short but when a fantastic opportunity comes up you have to take it. The people of Birmingham and the Hippodrome will be very lucky to have her.

So whilst that was a bit of a shock, when I got here Chris was sort of my running mate. He took me under his wing and guided me through how the Artistic Department works at Curve. He was a very generous and kind, a great person to learn from in the early days. To now be in a position where we’re moving forward together, to this next stage of the theatre's development, it just feels right – without sounding arty farty - it sounds like it was really meant to be!

If you look at some of the famous partnerships in British theatre, like, Gemma and Deborah at Liverpool, the WED 9 DEC — SUN 10 JAN two Nicks at the National and Jonathon and Alan at Chichester, you have to wonder how those partnerships started.

How did they make sure that those two people are at the right place at the right time, facing the right direction, with the same vision and same energy and hunger Pixie Lott, in next March’s production of for an organisation, which then takes a Breakfast at Tiffany’s, is a good example theatre to the great heights that they’re of this. I think she was on stage as a at? I don’t want to tempt fate, but I’m child in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but looking at Chris and he’s looking at me she’s known as a recording artist. Again, and were going ‘well, this seems to be like Charlie Brookes, she came into the like we're at the right place to hopefully audition and blew us away. She has true Nikolai Foster and Chris Stafford. Image by Anton Belmonté star quality and whilst we may have to work with her so she find our own version of what some of those buildings have achieved through those partnerships. feels confident, using her talent in a different way in our big theatre space, she’s got the talent and that’s all that matters.

So what else can we expect from the upcoming season?

And obviously people like Pixie Lott bring a large fan base Ah well you’ll have to wait and see; our new full season in with them. announcement isn’t until the start of October, you see. All I Of course, but I have three watch words when I’m choosing a can say is it’s shaping up really well and is full of the things play or when I’m thinking about a project to work on: it has that Curve does so well: it'll be entertaining, challenging and inspiring! to entertain, has to inspire and it has to challenge. If we can entertain then we can inspire and we can challenge at the Visit www.curveonline.co.uk to see the full new season. same time.

Exactly, if the best actor is here in our city, then wonderful, why not cast them?

Great art doesn’t need to be exclusive or feel like it belongs to a few people from London or someone from this university or that theatre school. If you’re a great artist and you’re talented that’s all that matters.

20 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Weekly cosmetic clinic.

NUFFIELD HEALTH LEICESTER HOSPITAL If you are thinking about cosmetic surgery and would like to take the first step, come and meet one of our experts for a complimentary chat at our dedicated cosmetic clinic, open every week. Our Consultant Plastic Surgeons will go through everything with you - discussing your options, answering your questions and deciding what’s right for you. You will also have the opportunity to meet with a specially-trained cosmetic nurse and tour our state-of-the-art facilities. Appointments are also available at our cosmetic clinic for any non-surgical procedure you may need.

Nuffield Health offer a range of cosmetic surgery procedures including, but not limited to:

Non-surgical procedures include:

• Breast augmentation

• Liposuction

• Acne treatment

• Pigmentation

• Eyelid surgery

• Rhinoplasty

• Hair removal

• Thread vein removal

• Facelift

• Tummy tuck

• Muscle injections

• Tissue filler injections

Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital Scraptoft Lane, Leicester LE5 1HY

0116 298 8619 leicester.enquiry@nuffieldhealth.com

* Initial consultation(s), diagnostic scans/tests and investigations required to establish a diagnosis are not part of your procedure price. ** Not including Private Patient Units at NHS hospitals. Local area defined as within 15 miles of your chosen Nuffield Health hospital. We will match against written quotes only. *** Where necessary, we promise to assist you to receive any follow up advice, treatment or care that is clinically required. Where a prosthesis is required for your procedure, this is guaranteed for the manufacturer’s expected prosthesis lifetime. Clinically required indicates where further intervention and/or monitoring of your condition is deemed necessary as a direct result of your procedure. The Nuffield Health Promise applies for patients paying for themselves and excludes fertility services.

dluxe her 22 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

1

LET’S DO LUNCH 3

2

2 1

4

3 4

5

5

From fabulously high cheekbones to pristine proportions, shape your way to the perfect face with the art of sculpting. Just as an artist uses light and shade to add depth to their paintings, the latest must-have products help to shape and define your finest features, while subtle shadowing and highlighting will accentuate your natural beauty.

6

7

9

8

The Art of Contouring 7 6

8

9 12

11 10

10

1. Body frock Clare Short Sleeve Vintage Lace Dress True Fur Collar £245 www.bodyfrock.co.uk, 2. Tweed Dress by Victoria Beckham, House Of Fraser £375. 3. Camel Wide Leg Trousers, £50.00, Wallis, 4. Sunflower Bag, Ravel, £24.99 5. Sophie Hulme Square grey leather tote £550 6. Carlo Pazolini Pumps £395 www.carlopazolini.com 7. Alexa Chung for AG Pixie dark blue denim dress £325 8. Armani Exchange Lapel Detail Jumpsuit £250. 9. Red Herring Burnt Orange Dress, £28.00, Debenhams 10. Reiss Silk Kayleigh Printed Flippy Dress, Highcross, £195. 11. Wing Tote Lipsy, Highcross £55, 12. Tweed Jacket Next, £60.

1: Charlotte Tilbury sculpt brush, £35. 2: Cover FX Custom Cover Drops, £36. 3: Crème de la Mer loose powder, £55. 4: Laura Mercier flawless contouring palette, £35. 5: NARS contour blush, £30. 6: Rodial eye sculpt, £34. 7: Rodial Sculpting starter kit, £135. 8: Sisley Phyto-Touches powder duo, £66.50. 9: Tom Ford correcting pen, £35. 10: Tom Ford shade and illuminate brush, £58. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 23

JOIN BRITAIN’S biggest FASHION FESTIVAL The Clothes Show has been rebranded and revitalised for 2015 making it hotter than ever before!

The UK’s biggest fashion and beauty event has announced a whole host of headline acts for its 2015 ALCATEL ONETOUCH FASHION THEATRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH CAPITAL FM. Spanning 4-8 December at Birmingham’s NEC, the stage will welcome over 40 models and dancers for a fastpaced explosion of fashion and highenergy performances as well as trend presentations and appearances from special guests including Gemma Cairney & Rae Morris (Friday); Alice Levine & Charli XCX (Saturday); Rick Edwards & Ella Eyre (Sunday) and Joey Essex & Jamie Laing every day.

Book tickets now and experience incredible catwalk shows, gain industry insight with their fashion experts, discover hot clothing brands before anyone else, and see chart-topping megastars rule the stage (although they are staying tightlipped about who’s joining them this year).

YOUR 2015 TICKET GETS YOU: FASHION THEATRE Pulsating drama, emotion and style - don’t miss the spectacular fashion show like no other.

CATWALKS Watch international runway models presenting the very latest designer, high street and graduate fashions.

FASHION & SHOPPING NEW Enhanced seminar programme and Boutique Boulevard as well as bloggers, Liberty exhibition and Graduate ASOS Marketplace.

HAIR & BEAUTY A must-visit for discounts, treatments, tutorials and makeovers from leading brands.

BOOK TICKETS NOW clothesshow.com or call 0844 581 1256 Follow @clothesshow on twitter or find them on facebook.

you’re feeling lucky and want to chance your arm, we’ve only gone and bagsied two/deux/dos WIN! Ifticketos to this year’s event. That’s right: you plus a guest of choice can experience this mind-blowing

fashion extravaganza, courtesy of dluxe Magazine and The Clothes Show . All you have to do is head on over to www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk before Friday 13th November to be in with a chance of winning. Easy.

24 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxestyle

It’s IN THE DETAIL Artistic embellishments add interest to the new season. The catwalks were filled with fabulous floral appliqués, statement jewels, sequins, embroidery and decals. The standout collection came from designer de jour Erdem, who showed beautiful embroidery cross stitching and doily-like cut-outs; while Matthew Williamson chose metallic brocade on skirts and blouses. Mary Katrantzou and Simone Rocha both played around with clever embossing techniques to create raised detailing and pattern.

3

1

2

4

5

6

7 8

9 10

1: Phase Eight dress £99, 2: Sequin Cami From Very £39, 3: Accessorize £49, 4: Kenzo jacquard mini skirt, £320. 5: Rose print cord A-line skirt TopShop £34., 6: Mary Katrantzou embellished jacquard dress, £1,565. 7. RED Valentino embroidered collar, £140, 8. next PomPom flat Show £28, 9: Juicy Couture Tweed Bag £TBA , 10. Sophia Webster embroidered suede flats. £240

loros.co.uk Registered Charity No: 506120

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 25

AUTUMN ESSENTIALS

26 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Riding high in the Premier League is not only Leicester City Football Club, but also their spin-off fashion label, Fox & Crop, which you may remember us featuring last season? This new Autumn/Winter 2015 collection takes the luxury lifestyle brand further than ever before with key pieces including the quilted, fleece lined Utility jacket with corduroy elbow patch detail– perfect for pitch-side or dressing up with a classic pair of chinos and polo; both of which also feature in the collection.

There are no penalties needed with their gilet, which successfully navigates the fine line between comfort and style.

HERE ARE OUR FAVOURITE FOX & CROP ESSENTIALS FOR AUTUMN

SEE THE FULL AUTUMN RANGE AT WWW.FOXANDCROPCLOTHING.CO.UK dluxe-magazine.co.uk 27

dluxestyle

dluxe him

28 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Outfit by Burton @ Highcross, Leicester

T a i l o r i n g perfect scents Trends FROM WOODY AND INTENSE TO FRESH AND FRUITY, THERE’S A FRAGRANCE TO SUIT YOUR MOOD. DLUXE LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND SELECTS THIS SEASON’S MOST COVETABLE SCENTS.

m o o r g e dlux

Whenever I see film clips from the fashion shows in London, Paris and Milan to see what trends may be coming our way it’s always with a slight hint of cynicism, writes Adrian Barrows of The Bespoke Tailor.

Gentlemen’s tailoring has long been an industry steeped in tradition where classic designs will never die and no fashionista is ever going to change that. Having said that, there’s always something that filters through from these fashion shows that makes an impact. Whether it’s a particular colour that will be a prevalent or a style of cut that becomes more fashionable, it’s something that I keep a close eye on and showcase in my tailoring.

So, as the evening light starts to fade and we drift towards autumn, here are my thoughts on some of the stand out trends from the fashion shows that will permeate through the tailoring world:

Grey – Grey will be seen everywhere this autumn. Grey suits, sweaters,

scarves, overcoats etc were a big theme in the fashion shows and grey, being traditional, has always been a tailoring favourite. Combining different shades of grey in ties and waistcoats or going for the same hue throughout will be popular during the autumn season.

1: ACQUA DI PARMA COLONIA INTENSA COLOGNE, £81 A reinvention of the classic fragrance – bold notes of bergamot, Sicilian lemon, cardamom, ginger, myrtle, mugwort, neroli and leather.

2: Bottega Veneta Pour Homme EDT, £65 (90ML) Fresh and understated, d i s t i n c t i v e n o t e s o f labdanum, fir balsam and bergamot blend into a sensuous leathery signature.

3:

Creed

Checked Tailoring – once again, a traditional favourite. Checked tailoring was a big feature of the London fashion shows and continues to be a strong trend. From classic Prince of Wales checks to more subtle patterns and bolder windowpane checks, the versatility of check designs are what make them so popular.

As autumn arrives, it’s always nice to get back into more substantial fabrics and sartorially embrace what the season brings. If you’re looking to get your wardrobe up to date this autumn then delve into these trends and see what takes your fancy.

FOR M O RE I N F O R MATI O N AB O U T TAI LORING YOUR WA R D RO B E TO T H E S E AS S O N AL TRENDS S E E WWW.T HE B E SP O K E TAI LO R .CO.U K

EDP,

£210

(75ml):

Maison Margiela’s unisex scent turns a classical fragrance upside down.

Taking galbanum - the principal element of this fresh, green scent - it contrasts it perfectly with incense and musky cedar.

5: Salvatore Ferragamo Acqua Essenziale Colonia, £44 (50ml): Aromatic notes of

lavender and clary sage are brightened by notes of orange blossom, revealing the masculine and vibrant side of the fragrance.

Shearling – There’s a definite seventies theme that is

Baggy Trousers – trousers will be getting baggier this autumn, or should I say more relaxed and wide-legged. Trousers with looser cuts and higher waists will be popular. Worn with double-breasted suit jackets and crew neck jumpers, wide-legged trousers will create that classic meets contemporary look.

Oud

4: Maison Margiela Untitled EDP, £65 (50ml):

Statement overcoats – Both single and double-breasted overcoats were featured heavily in the fashion shows. Tailored from wool with loose fitting design in blacks and greys or bolder blues and reds are all going to be popular this autumn.

running its way through fashion at the moment and shearling, a fabric that was big in that era, is making a comeback and will be appearing in all sorts of garments this autumn. Shearling is the skin from a sheared sheep or lamb that has been tanned and dressed with the wool left on .You can expect to see shearling in coats, bags and even jumpers this autumn.

Royaal

Using ingredients which have been prized in the East for thousands of years, Royal Oud celebrates the glamour and spirituality of oriental perfumery.

6: Shay & Blue Blacks Club Leather EDP, £85 (100ml): Think priv ate

member’s club – a smooth, leather y fragrance.

Round, full and rich.

7: Tom Ford Oud Wood EDP, £145 (50ml): Exotic rose

wood and cardamom give way to a smoky blend of rare oud wood, sandalwood and vetiver, whilst tonka bean and amber add warmth and sensuality.

8: Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Instense EDP, £70 (100ml): Yves

Saint Laurent’s signature scent for men has a woody fragrance bursting with character, featuring sensual and vibrant leather accords.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 29

dluxestyle

WINTER’S COMING 2 1

IN THE WORD’S OF JOHN SNOW, “WINTER’S COMING” BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOUR SENSE OF STYLE HAS TO GO ON THE BACK BURNER. IT’S TIME TO INVEST IN THE SEASON’S BIGGEST STYLE STATEMENT - THE WINTER COAT. 3

7

6

5

4

8

9

10

1. Outfit by G-lab, 2. Wool & Leather Coat By Givenchy £660, 3. Stone Island Mussola Gommata Jacket, Cruise £595, 4. Armani Exchange Suede Jacket £620, 5. Satin Bomber By Acne Studios £425, 6. Shearling Trim Coat, Versace Collection, Cruise £1245, 7. Sheepskin Coat, Topman £TBA, 8. Private White V.C. Shearling Collar Pea Coat, Navy, John Lewis £695, 9. Red puffa jacket £90 Farah Vintage @ House of Fraser, 10. Blue padded jacket £330 Boss Green, Hugo Boss.

30 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Wayne Rooney, James Nesbitt and Calum Best may have all shelled out big bucks for their hair transplant surgeries, but it seems that treatment to restore lush locks is not just for celebrities, according to new research by private healthcare search engine WhatClinic.com Hair transplantation, also known as hair restoration or hair implantation, is the process of permanently restoring hair by transplanting follicular units into balding or thinning areas. Healthy follicles are taken from other areas of the body that are genetically resistant to balding, most often the back or the sides of the head. This can be done by extracting a hairy skin strip from the back of the head (follicular unit transplantation) or removing follicles individually (follicular unit extraction).

UK enquiries into hair transplant have more than tripled (up 230%) in the past 12 months alone - despite an average price tag of £4,975*. Hair loss clinics in the UK have seen a 165% surge in demand across all treatments But Brits are going to even further lengths – and distances – for fuller heads of hair, with many seeking the treatment overseas.

In terms of volume of enquiries, nearly twice as many British patients have enquired into treatments at clinics in Turkey than in the UK in the past 12 months. In this time, Turkish clinics have also seen a 215% surge in UKbased enquiries for hair transplantation. The average starting price for hair transplant in Turkey is £1,328 - around a quarter of the average cost of the procedure in the UK. Whilst Turkey is by far the biggest hotspot for the procedure, with 72% of all overseas enquiries from Brits going to Turkish clinics, other destinations are growing in popularity. In the past year, UK enquiries to hair transplant clinics

dluxestyle

TRANSPLANT TRAVEL

abroad have increased by 167%. Of all the popular destinations for Brits seeking hair transplant surgery, India has seen the greatest surge in demand, with enquiries into the treatment from UK patients up nearly sevenfold (594%) in the past year. Patients heading to India will make the greatest savings on the procedure, with hair transplant procedures costing as low as £496.

Dr Levent Acar, Aesthetic Medicine Physician at Cosmedica Hair Transplant Clinic in Istanbul, comments: “About half of our patients seeking hair transplants come from overseas - mostly from UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, USA, Ireland, Australia and Canada. Over the past year, the number of overseas patients that we have treated at our clinic has increased by approximately 75%.

"For hair transplantations, we recommend to our patients that they stay three days at our clinic or at a suitable hotel. During this period the patient has regular check-ups and their healing process is monitored closely.

"Especially for hair transplantation with FUE, patients don't need stitches.

FUE is a minimally invasive medical treatment with relatively few side effects.

All our patients are given antibiotics, anti-oedema and anti-inflammatory medication after the surgery, to allow faster healing.

"Sometimes we see patients with allergy or sensitive skin types, and we advise them on what special medication they can take.

"After the operations, we stay in touch with our patients and ask them to send us pictures at different stages - after one week, two weeks, after three, six or nine months - to monitor the healing.”

For more information visit www. .whatclinic.com

A NEW BEGINNING Introducing the all-new Volvo XC90 Made by Sweden It's our most exclusive car ever.

A seven seater SUV with all the best from Volvo. First class comfort for everyone in the car and a world class safety level.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NEW XC90 AT WWW.VOLVOCARSLEICESTER.CO.UK OR VISIT STURGESS OF LEICESTER

Sturgess of Leicester

Almond Road Leicester, LE2 7LP 0116 366 0404 www.volvocarsleicester.co.uk

Official fuel consumption for the all-new Volvo XC90 in MPG (l/100km) ranges from: Urban 28.8 (9.8) - 45.6 (6.2), Extra Urban 40.4 (7.9) - 52.3 (5.4), Combined 35.3 (8.0) - 134.5 (2.1).

CO₂ Emissions 186 - 49g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 31

dluxe family y THE TOP TEN RAINY DAY TREATS FOR AUTUMN

JURASSIC WORLD

BLU-RAY / DVD 19TH OCT A box office smash, the long awaited next installment of the groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World picks up twenty two years after the events of Jurassic Park (1993), Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. After 10 years of operation and visitor rates declining, in order to fulfill a corporate mandate, a new attraction is created to respark visitor’s interest, which backfires horribly.

THE GOOD DINOSAUR 3D’

CINEMAS FROM 27TH NOV Disney Pixar Animation Studios takes you on an epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend.

WINNIE THE POOH: HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT

£10.99 RELEASED 8TH OCT Winnie-the-Pooh Happy and You Know It Hand Puppet Book is a lovely, interactive storybook for young children full of charming illustrations of Pooh and his friends. Clap, nod, wave and take a bow with Pooh as you follow the classic nursery rhyme text. The puppet is made of soft plush and fits both little and big hands, making this book perfect for sharing.

FAMILY DAY FUN

CURVE 14TH Nov Join Curve or a Diwali themed Family Day including Hindu folk tales, shadow puppet workshops and a dressing up corner. You can also enjoy Nupur Arts Bollywood dance classes and a display on your foyer stage plus music from Next Wave in the cafe. www.curveonline.co.uk 32 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxefamily

JUST DANCE 2016

(NINTENDO WII U) £26.99 20TH OCTOBER If they must spend all weekend on their console at least get them doing something energetic! Just Dance 2016 - the newest game from the top-selling franchise - is here with a whole host of new songs. Bust a move to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson Ft. Bruno Mars and feel the beat in “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor - Just Dance 2016 features an amazing tracklist with visuals that are more creative and breath-taking than ever before. The perfect party game.

GHOST HUNT AT THE ABANDONED TOWERS HOSPITAL 7TH NOV Join Haunted Evenings as they take you off in small groups on a ghost hunt like no other at this former mental care hospital in Leicester that has countless reports of paranormal activity. The Towers Hospital is one of only two accessible abandoned mental institutions remaining in England. Due for imminent demolition the abandoned hospital will play host to several ghost hunting experiments for you to take part in and for the brave there is the chance to go it alone in one of the isolation areas. www.hauntedevenings.co.uk (note 16+)

MESSY DOODLE AND DO: AN ART PAD FOR MINI SCIENTISTS PAPERBACK £5.95 RELEASED 12 OCT 2015

Set off on a doodle adventure with Messy, a sock-eating monster who loves jokes and science. Scribble, colour, fold and doodle your way through this imaginative activity pad and then tear out the pages and pin them up on the wall for everyone to see! Draw a giant sandwich for Messy, hide paper socks for him to find and join up dots for a big surprise!

BONFIRE & FIREWORK DISPLAY

ABBEY PARK 7TH NOV Be dazzled by Leicester’s biggest bonfire and firework display! With around 15,000 visitors attending the city’s official celebration, enjoy a fantastic family event with food stalls, live performances and entertainment. In addition to the main fireworks there is also a quieter firework display- perfect for a younger audience.

PAN

CINEMAS FROM 16TH OCT A magical new version of the Peter Pan story from ‘Atonement’ director Joe Wright. A brand new take on J.M.Barrie’s timeless tale of the orphan boy who wouldn’t grow up starring Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara, Amanda Seyfried, and Levi Miller as Peter Pan.

HALLOWEEN EXPRESS,

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY –31ST OCT Halloween night will see trains depart from Loughborough & Rothley for a fun night out for all the family. Wait at the spooky station and meet the beasts or get some freaky face painting before hopping on board the bone rattling ghost train in to the darkness for some steam and a scream. Spooks and sweets will abound and you never know, the Rothley station ghost might just make an appearance… visit www.gcrailway.co.uk to find out more.

For more fun activities over the autumn visit www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 33

dluxe family

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL National treasure Julian Clary shares his joy at writing his debut children’s book The Bolds.

“I always wanted to be a writer when I was a child,” says Clary. “I think writing for children never occurred to me until my agent suggested it. It was a rather inspired idea because it’s very much more fun than writing for adults.” And that is how the flamboyant TV personality came about creating his debut children’s book, The Bolds, a collaboration between Clary and award winning illustrator David Roberts.

Mr and Mrs Bold are quite ordinary; they live with their two children in a very nice house in Teddington, they have jobs and are totally normal except for one thing: they are hyenas. The Bolds have until now lived quite a banal existence, keeping their long, spotted tails and manic laughs under wraps, but when a neighbour gets suspicious it leads to a wacky adventure unlike any other.

Clary admits his inspiration for The Bolds came from directly his own childhood, “Growing up, there was a family in our road who were all quite hairy… As a child I made up stories for myself that they were hyenas, and from there came from book.” This isn’t Clary’s first foray into writing; between 2005 and 2008 he wrote a fortnightly article for New Statesmen magazine, while also penning the two novels Murder Most Fab and Devil in Disguise and his touching and frank autobiography A Young Man’s Passage.

He explains how writing for children is a very different process to his precious endeavours. “You must contact your inner child, which we all have. My inner child as a comedian is quite present all the time, 34 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

so it’s just flipping to thinking like a child and your imagination takes over, you can just go with the flow.” Clary found it to be a creatively liberating experience: “with an adult book you’d think, ‘well that’s a little unbelievable,’ whereas that doesn’t apply with children’s literature.”

Prior to his work as an author, Clary began his comedy career on the 80s cabaret scene and credits his time at university for giving him the confidence to perform. “I was doing cabaret with a girl who was on my course and, in fact, when we left university we carried on; that’s how we got our equity cards. Eventually she got an acting job so I started doing it on my own. I wouldn’t have had the nerve to do it alone to start with!” His outrageous stage shows soon earned him a sufficient fan following to make the jump from stage to screen and since the late ‘80s; Clary has been a staple of British television.

After promoting The Bolds he will go straight into preparing for pantomime season, where he will appear alongside Lee Mead and Marti Pellow in Aladdin at the Birmingham Hippodrome. With all his TV and stand-up comedy success there must be something about pantomime that draws him back to the boards year after year? “What I love is being part of this big company with chorus girls and chorus boys and lavish costumes and proper production values. There’s a different aspect to showbiz than from being on my own. Normally, as a stand-up, you’re on your own sitting in a dressing room whereas there’s the whole theatrical life with panto. I find I don’t mind entertaining children, they’re very sweet, so that’s what I enjoy about it.”

Julian Clary’s The Bolds paperback is published

by Andersen Press and is suitable for children 8+. Aladdin runs at The Birmingham Hippodrome from 19th December until 31st January. www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Open Morning at Loughborough Endowed Schools High School and Fairfield Preparatory School in welcoming prospective families to meet pupils and staff, tour the superb facilities and find out about the huge range of opportunities available to pupils aged from 3-18.

Loughborough Endowed Schools operates an extensive bus network across the region. The senior schools offer academic and music scholarships, and fee assistance is available to help bright local children access an Endowed Schools education.

Marketing Manager Ellie Parry said: “We always look forward to welcoming families into school. Many visit because their child is approaching primary school, secondary school or sixth form age, but it is possible for boys and girls to join us at almost any point in their school life. Open Day is a great opportunity for families to get a feel for the schools and find out about everything from entrance procedures to extra-curricular activities.”

Fairfield will open its brand new Kindergarten for three year olds in January 2016. It will be housed in a state-of-the-art new school building which is approaching completion.

The opening times for the four schools are: Fairfield Preparatory School (co-educational, age 3-11) – 9:00am until 12:30pm Loughborough Grammar School (boys, day and boarding, age 10-18) – 9:00am until 12:30pm

Parents and carers in the East Midlands who are considering an independent education for their children are invited to attend Loughborough Endowed Schools’ Open Morning with their families on Saturday 3rd October.

Our Lady’s Convent School, which joined the Foundation on 1st September, will join Loughborough Grammar School, Loughborough

Loughborough High School (girls, age 11-18) – 9:00am until 12:30pm Our Lady’s Convent School (co-educational age 3-11, girls 11-18) – 10:30am until 2:30pm

For further information, please visit www.endowedschools.org

dluxe living Blue thou art, intensely blue; Flower, whence came thy dazzling hue? James Montgomery

All product available from House of Fraser 36 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Marks & Spencer

Autumn’s palette draws inspiration from indian ink. Deep, dark and sophisticated Indigo exudes glamour and works equally well combined with warm pinks and mustards as with light greys and charcoal tones. Introduce a little copper to your combination and you’re in home heaven.

3

dluxeliving

Mood Indigo 2 1

5

4

8

6 1. John Lewis Hulse Pipevine Cushion £55, 2. Shay and Blue Blood Orange Candle £35, 3. BHS Blue Chandelier £TBC, 4. Debenhams Ben de Lisi Bulldog £12, 5. John Lewis Malin Cushion Nordic Blue £25, 6. Vera Wang for Wedgwood - With Love Gift Frame £40, 7. Amara Guaxs - Cubistic Vase - Indigo £497, 8. hinstonshome.com Indigo Enamel Coffee pot £17.99, 9. Oscar de la Renta - Trellis Tray - Indigo £663

7

9

Unique Gift for listed property owners The Listed Property Owners Club (LPOC) has created a unique solid lead plaque exclusively for owners as a celebration of their own piece of heritage. The unique gift package also comes with a year’s membership to LPOC. With 500,000 listed buildings across the country everyone will know a listed property owner, and in time for the festive season we are delighted to present The Listed Property Owners Club Christmas present package – the perfect gift for the proud listed home owner!

With 500,000 listed building across the country, until now there has been no means of visibly identifying those properties listed. The solid lead plaque measures 10” in diameter and available with a choice of an English plaque, a Welsh plaque with Welsh text, Welsh plaque with English text or a Scottish Plaque.

In addition to the plaque, gift packages incorporate a year’s membership to The Listed Property Owners Club. Recipients of the gift can then take full advantage of the services LPOC provide, receiving a personalised log book of information sheets and briefings, a years’ subscription to bi-monthly Listed Heritage Magazine, access to an advice telephone helpline as well as a host of other membership benefits!

The cost of this package inclusive of postage and packaging is £175 with the plaque available separately for £150. To order visit www.lpoc.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 37

dluxeliving

A DESIGN FOR SUCCESS: IDEAS INTERIORS RELAUNCHES AS THE STATION

Located in the centre of historic Ashby De La Zouch is an old Victorian railway station. Set back from the road, it’s a beautiful neoclassical grade 2 listed building with side pavilions and Doric columns inkeeping with the nearby Royal Hotel of 1826. What’s even more stunning than the exterior however, is the interior. And it’s no surprise really, considering an Interior Design company has acquired the building, taking it from a derelict structure with great bones, to what they hope will become a flourishing business offering the best in bespoke kitchens.

Previously called Ideas Interiors – they were based in Loughborough for eight years - the newly named The Station Ashby has been painstakingly created by entrepreneur Steve Housden and his family who wanted to bring their dream of an international-standard interiors store to the region; a showroom that would cleverly combine the very latest in bespoke kitchen and home design - whether from top international designers such as Rempp or Hacker or the hand-crafted, bespoke designs of Steve himself – right through to appliances from household names such as Miele and Glas Italia. It’s a concept that sees the creation of interior solutions, from concept to completion. This ‘one stop shop’ certainly looks like a design for success, as we found out when we visited their stunning new showroom…

The Station is an incredible building: what do you know of its history? The station itself was built for the Midland Railway in 1849 and ran between Burton and Leicester. Ashby was fashionable in the Regency period as a spa and the station echoes earlier buildings in the area like the Grecian baths and the Royal Hotel. The station was partially built on the remains of the horsedrawn Ticknall Tramway, which previously connected the Ashby Canal with the Ticknall lime quarries. It’s clear that, for many years, Ashby can be seen to be an incredibly well-connected town and we hope The Station will live up to its previous incarnation and see visitors coming from far and wide to visit us.

Have there been any challenges in bringing the building up to date?

What state was it in when you first took it on? When we first took it on, it was rather damp. Lead had been stolen from the roof and it wasn’t spotted for a while, so the damp set in. There was mould and even mushrooms growing in some parts!

The railway station is clearly a beautiful building but what else attracted you to Ashby? The location, really. It has incredible access to the main motorway networks, so it’s really easy to get to, plus it has ample parking. We also wanted the opportunity to expand our former kitchen business, to be able 38 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

to offer more choice across every room of the house. The aim is to become THE destination for high-end, inspiring interiors.

Is having so much retail space daunting, or have you plans to make use of every inch at The Station? What services will you be offering here? We have so many exciting plans! We’ve got enough space for each of our room settings to have huge interior pieces displayed, and it’s our intention is to add high-end living and bedroom furniture and children’s bedroom furniture, eventually.

The space at The Station has allowed us to create ‘real life’ room settings, so you can really visualise how it might look and work in your own home. Every appliance and gadget you see in the showroom settings work, too, which is unusual. We’ve carefully picked the appliance brands we wanted to work with, as we wanted to create an environment that showed them off to best effect, again to help you visualise.

So, it’s dinner at The Station? You jest, but our working kitchen installation will be put through its paces, as we’re planning cookery demonstrations and even a supper club. We’re also in the process of developing part of the building into a café and tea room with private dining facilities, although you’ll have to wait until next year to enjoy this.

If you had to summarise what you want to be known for, what would you say? We want The Station to be known for offering incredible, beautiful and practical kitchen and living solutions – from design to fulfilment. We want to be recognized for our care and support from start to finish. We support the client with as little or as much help as they like.

The idea of The Station is for clients to walk through the door and believe that what they see could be all or a part of their home.

So whether you want a traditional kitchen or something a little more contemporary, they’ll guide you in the right direction. What’s clear is that every stage in creating a new kitchen or living space is as important to them as it is to you; from concept to completion.

They’ll work with you, offer advice and provide an imaginative and original design that really works for you and your lifestyle. Everyone’s different and it’s this individuality that excites them and inspires their solutions.

For anyone that’s thinking about having a change in their home, we definitely suggest visiting Steve and his family at The Station Ashby, Station Road, Ashby De La Zouch LE65 2GL. Tel 01530 412380

Stylish

INTERIOR SOLUTIONS

Combining a wonderful mix of nostalgic elegance and simple style take your home from plain to perfect with the new inspirational interior design collections at Leekes.

For the latest looks from leading brands such as Harlequin, Designers Guild, Romo and Osborne & Little visit our Interior Design Studio where you’ll receive expert advice on how to mix and match patterns and prints with confidence.

To book your free design consultation visit: Leekes Bilston, Great Bridge Road, W Mids. WV14 8LB Leekes Coventry, Junction 3 M6, W Mids. CV6 6PA Tel: 0333 222 4120 | Online: leekes.co.uk

dluxeliving

HEAVY METAL Elegant metallic accents add sophistication to any room this season. Copper and brass candle holders, lighting and furnishings are the perfect addition for deep blue and indigo schemes. For a more vintage look, add mercury glass and pieces with etching or embossed details. Alternatively pair with clay, marble, wood and leather for a warmer look.

2 1

3 5

4

9

6

7

8

1. Amara Tom Dixon Etch Pendant Light Brass £340, 2. Oliver Bonas Pineapple £24, 3. Marks And Spencers Sunburst Mirror £199, 4. HomeSense Copper Lamp £49.99, 5. John Lewis Content By Terence Conran Nest of 3 Tables £325, 6. Leekes 30L Copper Bin £60, 7. Metallic Faux Leather Copper Cushion, Very, £15, 8. House of Fraser 24 Peice Copper Cutlery Set £180, 9. House Of Fraser Copper Embossed Set of 2 Bowls £40, 10. Oliver Bonas Lanterns and Terraniums £30 to £32.

40 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

10

With the UK being the eighth largest international tourist destination ranked by visitor numbers, the European trend for Holiday Home Exchanging is growing rapidly. Currently there are more than 2,000 homes available for exchange throughout the UK and this provides a unique opportunity for English people to discover other cultures by living like a local and for free.

But where do you go to start exploring the options of Holiday Home Exchanges? GuestToGuest, the global leader in home exchange, offers the additional option of non-reciprocal exchanges as well as reciprocal, all for free. The availability of free exchanges provides an advantage to large families, retired couples or young people of traveling without the burden that accommodation can often impose on their budgets. “Our site is free because we feel that giving is at the core of hospitality. Thanks to this concept of exchange, thousands of people have gone on vacations and discovered new countries and regions in a way they would have never been able to before” explains the sites founder, Emmanuel Arnaud.

Without bringing money into the equation, exchanges become more personal. Sharing, friendship and hospitality are at the heart of the company values and are practiced by members all over the world. Through home exchange, everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of the above principles to create new memories and establish new relationships.

More importantly, home exchange is the best way to immerse yourself into the culture of a different country. Stephen, one of the site’s English members, explains, “I’ve been home-exchanging for more than 20 years and have many good memories of exchanges. People like to travel, but no one wants to be a tourist. Home exchange resolves that conundrum and allows one to get a glimpse of real life in the country visited”. It is indeed from the everyday occurrences that we notice the richness of the cultures unique to our host country or region. This allows us to discover new neighborhoods and get to know the individual character of our destination that only the locals understand.

Intrigued? We are! Visit www.guesttoguest.com

The Station Design Studio

“For inspirational living” Follow us on Twitter @TheStationAshby Join us on Facebook

Station Road Ashby de la Zouch, LEICS. LE65 2GL T. 01530 412 380 E. info@thestationashby.co.uk W. thestationashby.co.uk

dluxeliving

HOLIDAY HOME SWAP?

dluxe mo

THE RETURN OF ALF Unveiled on the 105th anniversary of the founding of A.L.F.A in the renovated Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, Italy, the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia heralds the return of the marque to the compact executive market and regeneration of one of the most evocative of motoring brands, writes Jonathan Fraser.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Alfa Romeo; a 145 Cloverleaf was the first brand new car I bought, so it’s good to see that the new Giulia embodies the core elements that have made Alfa Romeo one of the world’s best-loved brands for drivers -distinctive design; innovative powertrains and a perfect weight distribution.

The taut and compact proportions of the Giulia have evolved from its all-new, rear-wheel drive architecture (all-wheel drive will also 42 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

be available) whilst the engine and major mechanical components have been arranged between the axles to ensure perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The Giulia has very short overhangs, a long bonnet and muscular haunches, while the wheelbase is longest in its class in an effort to maximise stability, comfort and practicality.

Naturally, traditional Alfa Romeo design cues have not been forgotten; the legendary trefoil nose, one of the most recognisable style elements in the automotive world is present and there is a definite feel of an evolved, steroid pumped 159 to the Giulia’s lines.

Inside, premium materials, including carbon fibre and real wood, are included in an effort to bid goodbye to any memories of the flimsy trim that plagued older Alfas. The design is crisp, fuss-free and driver focused with the main controls grouped together on the

The handling is also set to be trademark good with a sophisticated “Alfalink” multilink suspension solution developed exclusively by Alfa Romeo in conjunction with a new semi-virtual steering axis to guarantee rapid, accurate steering by keeping a constant caster trail in corners. In combination with electronically-controlled adaptive dampers, the always-perfect footprint allows the Giulia to tackle high lateral forces while still ensuring the steering feels direct, natural and instinctive even at very high speeds.

Straight out of the racing fraternity is the Giulia’s innovative doubleclutch system that allows the rear differential to control the torque delivery to each wheel independently in a bid to improve traction in low grip conditions without having to run up against an invasive stability control system. There is also a new integrated braking system on offer which combines stability control and a traditional servo brake for instantaneous brake response and record-breaking stopping distances.

All of these state-of-the-art systems are governed by the Alfa’s Chassis Domain Control, the ‘brains’ of the on-board electronics which has been assigned the specific task of optimising performance

FA ROMEO small steering wheel in a similar fashion to a Formula 1 car. The other main controls consist of two simple, user-friendly knobs for adjusting the Alfa DNA selector (which modifies the car’s dynamic behaviour according to the driver’s selection: Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficient for economy driving and there is a Race function too) and the infotainment system. It’s an interior that is in the most part fit to match its German counterparts and should put to bed any quality concerns.

Under the bonnet is, as you would expect with an Alfa, where the magic happens. A range of state-of-the-art engines, which range from 1.4 to 1.8 turbocharged petrol units as well as four cylinder and V6 diesel, power the new Giulia with an M3 baiting bespoke unit created for the top-of-the-range Quadrifoglio version. Tuned by engineers from a Ferrari background, the flagship V6 turbo petrol powerplant delivers an impressive 510hp, propelling the

and driving pleasure; there’s even a front Active Aero Splitter to actively manage downforce for higher stability and better cornering grip; this is a serious drivers car.

Such technology can weigh heavy, so to maintain its extraordinary weight-to-power ratio, the Giulia employs an extensive use of ultralight materials throughout. For example, carbon fibre was chosen for the propeller shaft, bonnet, roof and seat frames, while aluminium was selected for the engine, suspension – including the front domes and front and rear frames – wings and doors. The rear cross-member is made of aluminium composite and plastic and the braking system uses aluminium callipers and carbon ceramic discs. Despite this weight optimisation, the car also boasts the best torsional rigidity in its class making a better handling, longer lasting car.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is set to released in early 2016, prices are yet to be announced but to keep up to date visit www.alfaromeo.co.uk or visit Sturgess Alfa Romeo Aylestone Road, Leicester LE2 7QN Tel. 0116 249 6800 dluxe-magazine.co.uk 43

dluxemotors

otors

Giulia Quadrifoglio from 0 to 62mph in just 3.9 seconds, while also offering surprising fuel efficiency thanks to electronically-controlled cylinder deactivation system. As with all next-generation petrol and diesel engines, this six-cylinder unit is made entirely of lightweight aluminium and still delivers that distinctive Alfa Romeo rasp that complements the car’s performance so well.

dluxe travel

FLY UNITED TO THE CITY BY THE BAY With its stunning bay, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, eclectic mix of architecture and steep rolling hills traversed by cable cars, there are many reasons to leave your heart in San Francisco.

Although San Francisco may measure less than 50 square miles, it offers something for everyone – from Michelin-starred dining to deliciously different food trucks, serene waterfronts to vibrant nightlife and exquisite ballet to adrenalin fuelled outdoor pursuits – so whether you seek the vintage charm of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, or are feeling adventurous enough to venture into the waters with the vibrant surfing community at Ocean Beach, the City by the Bay has it all.

All this, plus a mild year-round climate mean it’s no surprise that San Francisco is a popular leisure destination throughout the seasons, and with United Airlines it is easy for travellers from the Midlands and Central England to reach this great city.

United operates year-round nonstop flights to its New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport, not only providing direct access to the 44 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Big Apple, but offering conveniently timed connections to San Francisco and more than 300 other destinations throughout the Americas.

Fly to the United States in style with United BusinessFirst and enjoy flatbed seats and refreshing Cowshed brand premium skin-care products as well as a multi-course menu accompanied by a sommelier-chosen selection of wines – an appropriate way to prepare for a trip to the Bay Area, home to some of the world’s finest wine country, including Napa Valley and Sonoma.

United Economy customers benefit from personal on-demand entertainment on board as well as complimentary beer and wine as part of a new, high-quality inflight dining service, whilst United Economy Plus offers up to six inches of extra legroom.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Also popular with travellers is San Francisco’s Chinatown district, the oldest in North America.

Take a stroll here and you’ll discover Grant Street, bustling with mini-malls and restaurants serving authentic Asian cuisine, Stockton Street with its traditional Hong Kong fish markets and the more relaxed feel of Portsmouth Square with Tai Chi and Chinese Chess.

With so much to experience, United helps travellers plan ahead by keeping them connected inflight via smartphone, tablet and laptop. United was the first U.S. carrier to offer onboard satellite-based Wi-Fi and with installation of the technology more than 85 percent complete, the airline now has Wi-Fi on more than 700 of its mainline aircraft. United’s updated mobile app with interactive map feature also makes navigating San Francisco airport simple, allowing you to make the most of your travel time.

Bob Schumacher, Managing Director Sales, U.K. & Ireland at United, said: “Our nonstop flights from Birmingham to our New York hub offer convenient connections to San Francisco and hundreds of other great destinations across the Americas. In addition, our recently enhanced onboard dining experience, and high-quality premium cabin products allow us to provide the best service to our customers.”

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT...

FISHERMAN’S WHARF

Experience the wonders of Ghirardelli Chocolate at Ghirardelli Square, right on the front of the bay. Taste some of the most divine chocolate sundaes, fudge and hot chocolate – absolutely heavenly!

GOLDEN GATE PARK

Within Golden Gate Park are 1,017 acres of stunning scenery and wildlife.

A free shuttle bus can take you to all the main attractions spanning the lengths of the park. Watch the Bisons grazing in the paddock and see the beauty of the Japanese Tea Gardens.

Fisherman’s Wharf is a must see - a long coastal row of delicious restaurants, fresh fish markets and souvenir shops all accompanied by the smell of the sea breeze. The Boudin Bakery is a must!

Taste their famous clam chowder in a freshly made sourdough bread bowl, a recipe used since 1849!

TWIN PEAKS

PIER 39

Famous for the Sea Lions which inhabit the platforms in front of the Pier, attractions include some fantastic shopping opportunities and boat trips on the blue and gold line ferries. You can even come eye-to-eye with the Sevengill Shark at the Aquarium Bay.

ALCATRAZ CRUISES

Take a hike up to the 992ft tall Twin Peaks and see the spectacular views of the entire layout of the streets in San Francisco. One of the magical things about San Francisco is the fog that blankets the city and the Twin Peaks is an amazing spot to watch the fog make its way from the Pacific.

SUNSET BAY CRUISE

Relax and enjoy the sunset in style on a bay cruise. Live commentary and music is provided to create a really chilled atmosphere, followed by a buffet with a fully stocked bar. As the sun sets over the horizon take in the breath taking views of the skyscrapers and famous landmarks.

The former home to some of America’s most notorious criminals such as Al Capone, this Island prison is full of history, infamy and eeriness. This is a very popular attraction so make sure you book at least a month in advance to avoid missing out.

CHINATOWN

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

FACT BOX United offers nonstop trans-Atlantic service from more U.K. cities than any other airline, including year-round nonstop flights to its hub at New York/ Newark, with onward connections to San Francisco over 300 other destinations across the Americas.

For latest prices, visit www.united.com or call 0845 8444777.

Today it is known as one of the seven wonders of the modern world; the 4,200ft long suspension bridge is an iconic attraction. Why not hire a bike out and ride from Fisherman’s Wharf right up to the bridge and ride all the way across?

GHIRARDELLI SQUARE

Decorated with lamps and pagoda roof tiles, Chinatown is full of culture, history and amazing fresh food. Enter by the famous Dragon Gate on Grant Street.

CABLE CAR RIDE

An amazing way to see the city, cable cars are a historic symbol recognized around the globe and offer real working transportation up the steep hills of San Francisco. From Union Square to the crest of Nob Hill through the pretty streets of Victorian and homes, there is something incredibly romantic about these rides. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 45

dluxetravel

San Francisco is famed worldwide for its dynamic diversity – Golden Gate Park offers over 1,000 acres of natural beauty, stretching even further than Central Park in NYC and featuring an open air music plaza, Japanese Tea Garden as well as paddock of bison – whilst at the southern end of the bay you’ll find the tech giants of Silicon Valley, home to Twitter, Pinterest, Airbnb and Google to name a few.

dluxetravel

BAKu: THE NEw DUBAI?

BAKU, HOME TO THIS YEAR’S EUROPEAN GAMES. KEVIN URQUHART VISITED AZERBAIJAN’S CAPITAL AS IT WAS PREPARING FOR THE GAMES AND CELEBRATING ITS NOVRUZ FESTIVAL; A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT WHERE THE PAST IS LITERALLY PUT BEHIND THEM… One of Europe’s newest member states - and at the furthest reach of (Middle) Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan - Baku has long enjoyed recognition in commercial circles the world over for its rich reserves of oil and natural gas: it is the originating point of the Siberian Pipeline, yet it’s a city not known for its tourism, much less its culture.

All that looked set to change when the city showcased the athletic prowess of over 6000 athletes across 18 purpose-built arenas. The games were a massive marketing opportunity for the city (and country) yet with limited news coverage and some distinctly old school Soviet style PR disasters along the way, it’s uncertain whether the marketing plan actually worked.

That said, one thing that is certain is that Baku is rapidly transforming.

Baku is a UNESCO World Heritage site (thanks to the 12th Century Palace of Shirvanshah in the walled fortress of the Old City being added to the heritage list in 2000 due to its rich, often bloody history) and the level of investment enjoyed in the limestone city is breathtaking and quite unlike anything witnessed before.

Under former Soviet dictatorship rule, the city became an independent state just 23 years ago and is striving to create its own new path – hence the colossal investment - although its Soviet roots still flourish in some aspects the benign billboard grin of the President is never far from your gaze.

Leading the rebirth of the Abershon peninsular is architecture: Baku boasts some of the most striking skylines of any city the world over. The iconic and spectacular Flame Towers being one such example – you may have seen it on some of the BBC’s coverage of the Games. The award-winning British-built (and stunning) Aliyev Centre is built in the shape of the President’s signature when viewed from above and incorporates library, exhibition centre - the floor incorporating Mini Azerbaijan shows in scale the investment in the city’s architecture - and conference centre is off the scale and relegates building such as Selfridges Birmingham to the sidelines.

Their architectural intention is to break records and be the biggest at everything. A ’World City’, in their words.

But it’s not just bricks and mortar; the Government is building a new series of islands called Khazar, just off the Baku coast, which will feature the World’s tallest building - beating the Burj and Kingdom Tower at 3,645ft.

46 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

They are building for the future rather than making monuments to the past and they are (re)constructing at an astonishing pace.

These developments have been quickly consumed by international hoteliers such as JW Marriott, Hilton, the Four Seasons and Hyatt who have all spotted the potential. The smart money has also been invested wisely in infrastructure to entertain the expected masses: Baku promenade is like a catwalk of the most famous names in high-end fashion with Tom Ford starting the procession at the foot of the Maiden Tower, closely followed by Givenchy, Chloe, Alexander McQueen, Tiffany, Bvlgari, Dior and Jimmy Choo - in fact, almost every luxury brand In the world. Quite where Debenhams fits in is less apparent, but it’s another sign that British brands have invaded.

This investment also comes at a price. The divide between rich and poor is abundantly evident: they are making the White City of Baku - both in attractions and residential - beyond the reach of the typical Azerbaijanian; evidence of this distinction between the new and old town (bartul) and the new and old money (or lack of) can be witnessed most magnificently from the rotating 360 bar at the Hilton, which, by the way, is unmissable for sunset cocktails. Sorry to be shallow, but you are on holiday.

It is further apparent on the oil fields and their supporting towns - for it is oil that fuels Baku’s growth. Despite being less than thirty minutes from Baku - life in these towns couldn’t be more different. The Oil fields of Zabrat Township offer, on one hand, bleak living and devastated, infertile lands in the eyeline of the multimillion-manat Heydar Aliyev International airport, yet it is vibrant and bustling. Flashes of colour and ornamentation are peddled on street intersections, lambs are skinned by the roadside and Eastern European Ladas dominate the roads. Yet the majority of tourists will never experience this true beating heart of Baku. It is when you do that you see the city in context (and contrast).

Baku is a city on the verge of exceptional things. It is a place in progress whose deep, oil-filled pockets will undoubtedly see it ultimately achieve its ambitions of World City status, but our best advice to seasoned travellers is to visit sooner than later if you want to peer behind the exciting facade and see the best bits of Baku before they’re erased from history. So, is The City of Fire the next Dubai? They’re banking on it...

dluxetravel

home of the saints

SOME VISITORS GO TO ST HELENA FOR THE HIKING, SOME FOR THE FISHING, THE DIVING, THE WILDLIFE OR THE CONNECTIONS WITH NAPOLEON. AND SOME JUST GO FOR THE BRAGGING RIGHTS, TO BE ABLE TO SAY THEY’VE SET FOOT ON ONE OF THE MOST ISOLATED PLACES ON EARTH, WRITES LIZ GILL. The island is a ten by six mile spec in the South Atlantic, 1200 miles from the coast of West Africa. Until the Portuguese explorer Juan de Nova was blown there by the Trade Winds in 1502 it had lain undiscovered for around 14 million years, able to evolve its own unique flora and fauna untouched by the outside world.

But within a century of being found it had assumed an importance out of all proportion to its size. It was a key stopping point for the ships of the East India Company and other vessels - at its peak it serviced a thousand a year. It played a role in both slavery and its abolition: when the trade became illegal it was the base from which the British sought to capture the perpetrators and free their human cargo.

This Royal Mail Ship is the island’s lifeline. It carries in all its supplies and up to 150 passengers who range from returning or departing Saints (as the residents are known) to tourists with a taste for something different as well as, more recently, construction workers, entrepreneurs and conservation experts.

This means it’s a ship of two halves: the front laden with dozens of huge containers, the back a sun deck where we take dips in the little swimming pool and play quoits, shuffleboard, skittles and passengers v. crew cricket.

The island itself which emerges from the waves like a dream. There is in fact something rather Alice-in-Wonderland-ish about St Helena as if everything has shrunken to produce a geography and a society in miniature. So within only 47 square miles of land mass there are barren deserts and lush cloud forests, a black sand beach and towering crags, rolling pastureland and peaks of up to 2700 feet Similarly in human terms for a population of 4,000, barely the size of an English village, there is a governor, a legislative council, a hospital, three primary and one secondary schools, a cathedral with a bishop plus places of worship for several different denominations, a police force, a prison, two newspapers and two radio stations.

What this means for the visitor is a wide range of activities. I seemed to fill almost every hour of the nine days I spent there while the ship sailed on to Ascension Island and back.

Two were spent walking: there are lots of trails graded in difficulty and many routes have ‘post boxes’ which hold visitors books and rubber stamps.

One of our walks took us to Lot’s Wife’s Ponds, Lot and his wife being giant geological features and the pool being a serene inlet protected by rocks from the crashing waves beyond and filled with colourful fish. The walk was an hour’s climb up a steep rocky hillside and half an hour’s descent down the other side ending in having to slither down a rope for the last 30 feet but more than worth it. It was one of the loveliest places where I have ever swum.

One day was Napoleon themed: a visit to Briars Pavilion where he stayed briefly when he first arrived, Longwood House where he lived for six years until his death in 1821 and his tomb in the pretty valley setting he chose himself. Though much of Longwood’s contents like the clothes and the death masks are replicas, the place is still resonant if melancholy. And it’s not every day one can stand on the exact spot where an emperor passed away.

Other experiences included a cookery lesson making tuna fishcakes, pumpkin stew and pilau – pronounced plo – a spicy legacy of St Helena’s diversity. There were also visits to the ‘world’s remotest distillery’ which produces among other drinks a spirit called tungi made from prickly pear.And finally I did what any self-respecting visitor has to do and climbed Jacob’s Ladder. Once a tramway for hauling goods up the cliff side this is now a terrifyingly steep 600 ft high staircase of 699 steps.

Not wanting to risk passing out halfway up, I took it very slowly, pausing every 50 steps and reaching the top in 28 minutes. I was pretty puffed up with pride but quickly deflated when I learned the record stands at 5 minutes 11 seconds.

Discover the World (01737 214 291; discover-the-world.co.uk) offers a 20-night self-drive holiday to St Helena from now until March 2016 priced from £3,451pp (two sharing) including 10 nights on the ship, 2 nights in Cape Town and 8 nights bed & breakfast on the island. www.sthelenatourism.com www.rms-st-helena.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 47

dluxe health Health or fitness?

Ideally both!

THERE’S ALWAYS MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT ‘FIT’ MEANS, AND INDEED, IF YOU ARE FIT, ARE YOU CONSIDERED HEALTHY? ASKS FITNESS AND LIFE COACH DARRYL CANHAM. Fitness is relative. It's generally about being fit for function and purpose. A top-flight darts player is able to sustain a 4-day tournament and be at his best round after round.

The players on the circuit will do this week in and week out. They are in fact, Fit...

Perhaps not as we generally see ‘Fit’, but they deliver the performance required to hit the board consistently from just under 8 feet away.

The term ‘Fit’ by modern media standards is mostly based upon visual appearance and aesthetics. Yes, you’ll assume that there are higher levels of physical aptitude, when there is a six-pack and some big delts within the equation, yet hitting the gym for an hour every day doesn’t make you a marathon champion! It takes a completely different suite of abilities and fitness markers to be either, yet both are theoretically very fit in the terms of their chosen disciplines.

So, fitness we could see, as our ability to function at a desired level within specified tasks. If that is no more than to head to the office at 8am, complete a day’s work and then head home to relax and watch the TV, and you do that day in and day out, then the good news is You Are Fit! Well done..

As a fitness fan or athlete you are seeking to achieve higher performance levels in specific areas, it’s always about creating controlled stresses and adaptations to increase ability and develop a competitive advantage. Even if that competition is only with yourself, based on last week or last year. When you set goals and parameters within criteria set down by personal motivations, you are taking control of your own fitness. And thus, the chances of making your own perspective of personal fitness a reality, becomes all the more likely.

So, Health.. A definition by The World Health Organisation States ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’.

There will be professors around the world that will be able to create huge academic theses and wax lyrical for hours around each of these component explanations.

So, let’s try and put it in simplistic terms. An absence of disease or physical ailments, can be down to good luck sometimes, genetics can play a part, our relationship with food and nutrition and certainly bad lifestyle choices can be responsible for ill physical health.

48 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Yet we can add influence to the present and certainly the future state of physical health by moderating calorific intake, avoiding excess weight, ensuring regular appropriate exercise, avoiding the things that we know are bad for us and getting ones body to work through all its ranges through gentle exercise.

There are theories and fads launched every week in the quest to be healthier, most of these are attached to some commercial or corporate gain. So, often it’s a quick fix that will come and go and not really achieve the impact other than on a short-term basis. None of these are a sustained campaign in health.

See a diet differently to dieting. A diet is what you eat each and everyday, made up of the required personal building blocks of nutrition, dieting is a variation of that norm, to effect change. Consistent healthy lifestyle choices naturally will lead to a consistent state of physical health. It’s better to start healthy, than try and achieve it, after the realisation of an ailment or condition. Get the fundamentals right, do them consistently and do them for life. Know what’s bad for you, excess sugar, bad fats, late night binging, excess alcohol and then avoid them!

Also judging by the WHO definition, there is also a mind, body and spirit balance to overall health and well-being. In these busy times, take time to be present, find a class or activity that takes you mentally away from the pressures of everyday life. Yoga is hugely popular these days, not only for its range opening stretches and core strength qualities, but also its meditative nature. De-stressing the mind will develop a more relaxed physical state, just as a good workout will naturally make you feel more positive and upbeat.

Which brings us to Social Well-being. Speaking philosophically, a healthy life is a balanced life; you should feel connected to like-minded people and communities and engage with life and the world around you. Many believe, herein lies the key to a happy and contented life.

So, there is a distinct difference between Health and Fitness. You can be fit and not be healthy. You can be healthy and not as fit as you would like to be for specific activities.

They are however, intrinsically linked and need to be considered in many of our choices to develop, maintain and prolong an active, balanced and contented living state. And it is that state of complete health and fitness that will certainly lead us towards a better quality of life.

GETTING YOUR BODY BACK BACK AFTER A BABY IT’S BUT IT’S IT’S NOT NOT IMPOSSIBLE! IMPOSSIBLE! IT’S DEFINITELY DEFINITELY HARDER. HARDER. BUT

Client journey began beganover overaayear yearago, ago,training trainingatat Clientand andfuture future trainer trainer Laura Laura Thompson’s Thompson’s journey Legacy baby. She’s She’s had had bad baddays, days,sometimes sometimeswanting wantingto to Legacywhilst whilst dealing dealing with with aa newborn newborn baby. quit, but by pushing through 1 day at a time, she is now in the best shape of her life! quit, but by pushing through 1 day at a time, she is now in the best shape of her life!

Here have put put together together for forgetting gettinginto intoshape, shape,post postbaby: baby: Hereare aresome some rules rules myself myself & & Laura Laura have

START STARTSMALL! SMALL!

DON’TBE BESCARED SCAREDOF OFTHE THEWEIGHTS! WEIGHTS! DON’T

Aim 3 times times aa week. week.

Aimsimply simplyto todo do 30 30 minutes minutes of of exercise exercise 3 IIknow you will be very busy with a small child, so if it know you will be very busy with a small child, so if it has the pushchair pushchair hasto tobe berunning running or or power power walking walking with with the so be it!

Another option is to train at home with set so be it! Another option is to train at home with aa set of mixture of of ofdumbbells dumbbellswhen when the the baby baby has a nap, use a mixture lower lower&&upper upperbody body exercises. exercises.

youwant wantto todevelop developaaperky perkybum, bum,more moredefined defined IfIfyou arms and get rid of that back fat you have to trainwith with arms and get rid of that back fat you have to train weights.I’m I’mafraid afraidrunning, running,cycling cycling&&swimming swimmingjust just weights. wont cut it.

Add gradually heavier weights to Squats, wont cut it. Add gradually heavier weights to Squats, Lunges,Dumbbell Dumbbellchest chestpress, press,1-arm 1-armrows rowsetc… etc…

Lunges,

EAT EATWHEN WHEN YOU YOU CAN!

DON’TLISTEN LISTENTO TOTHE THEMAGAZINES! MAGAZINES! DON’T

ItItwould Mother but but wouldbe begreat great to to plan plan all your meals as a Mother that thatnever neverseems seems to to happen happen due to babies being naughty! snacks naughty!Aim Aimto to have have small small healthy high protein snacks availableso sothat that you you don’t don’t have to spend to much time available time makingmeals. meals.I’d I’d suggest suggest boiled eggs, cold meats, making prawns,nuts, nuts,nut nut butter, butter, Greek yogurt, beef jerky, prawns, tomatoes,carrot carrot sticks, sticks, berries, berries, protein bars! tomatoes,

Faddiets dietsdon’t don’twork, work,so sodon’t don’tget getsucked suckedinto intothe the‘skinny ‘skinny Fad in33weeks’ weeks’scam. scam.Laura Laurahas hasmade maderemarkable remarkableprogress progress in butitithas hasstill stilltaken takenaayear. year.IfIfyour yourdiet diet&&training training but regime regimeisisnot notsustainable sustainablelong longterm, term,change changeit.it.

Eat Eataagood goodamount amountof ofhealthy healthycalories caloriesfrom fromlean leanmeats, meats, vegetables vegetables&&good goodcarb carbsources. sources.

Every Everywoman’s woman’sshape shapeisisdifferent. different.Embrace Embraceit!it!

legacy-training.com legacy-training.com

dluxe dining Make your bonfire night celebrations go off with a bang with these quirky takes on traditional firework fare!

HOT DOG WITH SWEET & CHILLI LETTUCE LEAVES SMOKY SHREDDED BEETROOT

These quick and easy bite sized chilli cups are the perfect snack for watching the fireworks.

Forget fried onions and top your hot dogs with sweet and smoky shredded beetroot instead. The sweet, tanginess of the beetroot perfectly complements the rich, juicy sausages.

Serves: 4 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 15-20 minutes

Serves: 4 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

YOU’LL NEED: 1 onion, chopped (170g) 500g pack of extra lean minced beef 1-2 tsp chilli powder 400g can chopped tomatoes 400g can kidney beans (240g drained and rinsed) 1 round lettuce, leaves washed and separated (80g) 275g leftover cooked rice 4 tbsp soured cream

YOU’LL NEED: 1 tbsp maple syrup 2 tsp wholegrain mustard 1 tsp cider vinegar 4 Hot dog rolls or pieces of french stick 1 pack sweet & smoky shredded beetroot Lambs lettuce to serve Salt to season WHAT TO DO: Combine the syrup, mustard and vinegar with a pinch of salt. Paint the mixture over the sausages then cook them on a hot barbecue or under a preheated grill for 10-15 minutes. Turn them frequently and baste with glaze until cooked through. Serve in hot dog rolls and top with shredded beetroot and lambs lettuce.

50 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

WHAT TO DO: Fry the onion and mince in a large saucepan to brown. Stir in the chilli powder and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and kidney beans, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.

Place 16 large lettuce leaves on a large platter or 4 onto 4 plates.

Heat the rice and divide between the leaves. Top with the chilli and serve with soured cream.

dluxedining

Meatcure Launch Kids & Tots Menu

Following the success of their Market Harborough branch, Meatcure recently opened in Leicester City Centre on Highcross Street. The Leicester branch continues to offer the extensive range of gourmet burgers and more that has already made them so popular in the county and surrounding areas.

Everything about Meatcure is hand selected to make it the best it can be; from the upcycled furniture to the brioche, which is baked daily to Meatcure’s own unique recipe. Whether customers want to come for brunch and coffee, or burgers and 1950s style shakes, the ethos of Meatcure is to welcome the family with top quality food and style.

Now families have an extra reason to visit with the launch of their new Kids & Tots menu. All homemade with fresh, local, quality ingredients, the little ones can enjoy a burger, chicken dippers or their beechwood smoked pork frank hotdog, served with fries, ice cream in a waffle cone and a drink for just £5.50. Or if the tots fancy something different, why not treat them for £3.00 to mac & cheese, meatballs or fish bites, with fruit AND vegetable crudités, and a drink. With a real emphasis on quality ingredients and no added rubbish, Meatcure offer a fun environment for a family break from shopping or an after school trip into town.

WIN!

To celebrate the launch of their new Kids & Tots menu, Meatcure have given us a fantastic prize to give away to one dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND reader. You’ll be able to surprise your little one and 7 of their friends with a trip for them all to enjoy the new Kids & Tots menu at Meatcure Leicester. We’ll even throw in a goodie bag for the child whose adult wins the prize for them.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over to www.dluxe-magazine. co.uk and hit the Competitions tab.

Terms and Conditions Apply.

You can find out more info on Meatcure by visiting their website at www. meatcure.com or following them @ Meatcure Or on Facebook.

Panto Competition Time… Oh Yes It Is! Loughborough Town Hall has a strong tradition of producing high quality, family pantomimes for the local community to enjoy each Christmas. With hilarious scripts, stunning sets and beautiful costumes tailor-made for Leicestershire audiences, they work year-round with Panto company Little Wolf to create a magical show the whole family will enjoy – and this year is no exception with the announcement that Aladdin is their panto of choice!

In the town of Nan-Pan-Tan-Pan-To trouble is brewing. Aladdin loves the beautiful princess So-Shy, but to win her heart and save the day he must battle wicked wizards, dangerous dragons and take a breath-taking magic carpet ride. With stunning sets, gorgeous costumes, oodles of noodles and a cave full of surprises, this spectacular show promises to be an unmissable festive treat for the whole family.

WIN!

To celebrate, the magical folk at Loughborough Town Hall are making wishes come true with a chance to win a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) to see the show, as well as a free pre-show dinner at PETER Pizzeria, Loughborough.

Yo u d o n’ t have to be a genie- us to win this pr iz e, s im ply log onto www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk and head to the competitions page.

Aladdin runs from 28th November to 10th January. To book tickets or for more information, check out www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 51

dluxe dining

Mich e lin G u i d e 2 0 1 6 : R e co mmended R e s t a u r a n t s o f L e i c e s t e r s h i r e

Blacksmiths Arms

The recent release of the 2016 Michelin Guide – the world’s best known independent restaurant guide and a benchmark for the finest dining in the land – revealed not only a brand new addition to the Michelin Guide ‘Hall of Fame’ in the form of John’s House in Mountsorrel (the only Michelin starred eaterie in Leicestershire), but also took time to highly recommend other restaurants you may wish to tickle your tastebuds at.

Here is our lowdown on the Michelin’s Recommended Restaurants of Leicestershire… Bon Appetit!

34 WINDSOR STREET

The culmination of years of travel and working abroad for owner/manager, Zeffy Thompson, 34 Windsor St is no stranger to winning awards, despite it being open for just over two years. A contemporary, chic interior complements the accomplished menu. Check out their 8-course tasting menu, or alternatively, their mid-week set menu is especially good value. Also of note are their regular themed nights and live entertainment.

34 Windsor St, Burbage, LE10 2EF www.34windsorst.com

BLACKSMITH ARMS

Owners Mark and Jill set out with the vision of a restaurant that they would want to eat at themselves. They renovated the former spit and sawdust pub – dating back to 1753 – into a chic but comfortable eatery where guests can enjoy the culinary delights of Head Chef Jonny Kempson. “Our focus is quality food at nongastro prices. This is affordable luxury at its best, hence our strap line ‘great food’”, they comment.

High Street, Barrow upon Soar, LE12 8PZ www.blacksmiths1753.co.uk

CHUTNEY IVY

Chutney Ivy offers a fine dining experience with classic Indian hospitality fusing the very best of time served traditional Indian cooking methods with the freshest ingredients and modern twists. Indian cuisine is as diverse as its culture, people, geography, and its climate and Chutney Ivy is especially adept. Located opposite the Curve theatre, it’s a perfect location for groups or pre-theatre dining.

Chutney Ivy, 41 Halford Street, Leicester, LE1 1TR www.chutneyivy.com 52 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

MAIYANGO

One of the city’s most accomplished eateries and garnering plenty of awards and accolades – it has a AA rosette status already - Maiyango is open from breakfast right through to dinner with an innovative menu and tasting menu, served in an opulent, Moroccan-inspired surrounding in the hubbub of Leicester’s major shopping district.

13-21 St Nicholas Place, Leicester. LE1 4LD www.maiyango.com

SHIVALLI

Shivalli is a place near Udupi in the state of Karnataka in Southern India. Shivalli villagers are pioneers of world famous Udupi hotels (vegetarian restaurants), known for serving typical South Indian dishes like Idli, Vada, Dosa, Upma etc. Thankfully for us, they’ve brought this cuisine and art of cooking to Leicestershire.

Their menu contains 100% Pure Vegetarian food with over 50 items to choose from including appetisers, soups, dosa, curries, breads and various sweets.

21 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7AD. www.shivallirestaurant.com

THE BOOT ROOM

The Boot Room is one of a handful of truly independent restaurants within Leicester city centre where you’ll enjoy the finest freshest ingredients cooked and delivered in a modern British style. The restaurant has clinched a coveted recommendation in the Michelin Guide every year since 2011, so you know it’s a goodie.

Trip Advisor recognized The Boot Room Restaurant with a 2013 Certificate of Excellence, too.

Millstone Lane, Leicester, LE1 5JN www.thebootroomeaterie.co.uk

A 16th Century farmhouse where the eponymous and talented John was born and now cooks; his family also own the surrounding farm with its shop, café, petting farm and motor museum.

Produce from the surrounding fields is used to create original, interesting dishes which show a real understanding of textures and flavours. Not least because of its Michelin Star Status, this is a relatively tiny venue, so you’re advised to book ahead.

Stonehurst Farm, 139 Loughborough Rd, Mountsorrel, LE12 7AR www.johnshouse.co.uk

BOBOLI

A buzzy, laid-back Italian restaurant with a sunny terrace, this former pub situated in the leafy Kibworth Harcourt near Market Harborough features a central bar and dining on three levels. An extensive selection of seasonally inspired dishes; flavours are bold and portions large. Satisfyingly affordable wines.

88 Main St, Kibworth Harcourt, LE8 0NQ www.bobolirestaurant.co.uk

dluxedining

JOHN’S HOUSE - *1 STAR*

chic overall feel. There's plenty of choice on the good value menus and dishes include pork rillettes or pot-roast pheasant. Experienced staff run the show with a steady hand that has seen The Joiners retain their Bib Gourmand status, first achieved in 2012.

Church Walk, Bruntingthorpe, LE17 5QH www.thejoinersarms.co.uk

HAMMER & PINCERS

Owners Sandra and Danny Jimminson were trained at the Savoy Hotel in London and, after gaining further experience in Switzerland, France and other high profile London restaurants, returned to Danny’s home turf, opening up the Hammer & Pincers ten years ago. Formerly the village forge (the old water pump can still be seen at the back), then a pub, and now a rustic restaurant, the Hammer & Pincers mix classic British and Italian fares and their 8-course grazing menu is one of the most modern and creative in the county.

5 East Rd, Wymeswold, LE12 6ST www.hammerandpincers.co.uk

THE LIGHTHOUSE

Personally run restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and a crisp white interior decorated with coastal pictures and other nautical knickknacks. The appealing menu has its emphasis firmly on fresh seafood, offering everything from fish and chips to lobster. Many dishes come in both 'small' and 'large' sizes, plus there’s a good range of set menus, including mid-week and children’s.

9 Station St, Leicester, LE8 0LN www.lighthousekibworth.co.uk

THE JOINERS

Beams and a tiled floor bring the 17th Century character to this dining pub, but touches like designer wallpaper and fresh flowers give it a

For more information on the Michelin Guide 2016, www.viamichelin.co.uk or visit your local bookshop.

Leicestershire’s Newest Entry to Michelin Guide 2016

The Blacksmiths Arms, 2-4 North Street, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, LE12 8PP

Tel 01509 413 100

www.blacksmiths1753.co.uk Blacksmiths Arms Ad.indd 1

23/09/2015 19:39

dluxe diary Hamlet – Starring Benedict Cumberbatch 15th & 17th October @ Phoenix www.phoenix.org.uk Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC’s Sherlock, The Imitation Game, Frankenstein at the National Theatre) takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s great tragedy. As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father’s death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state.

54 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

1st October – 29th November @ Phoenix www.phoenix.org.uk ‘The Gain Line’ is a movingimage art work by Ravi Deepres, commissioned to coincide with the Rugby World Cup. The title refers to an invisible line on the rugby field that measures teams’ forward progress and their territorial advantage over their opponents.

because of his betrayal. Giselle must hope that her love for him will be enough to spare his life.

Mary Poppins

12th – 24th October @ Curve Theatre www.curveonline.co.uk

Only Fools and Boycie 8th October @ Y Theatre www.ytheatre.co.uk

Enjoy an intimate evening with one of the nation's greatest comedy actors John Challis best known as Boycie in BBC1's Only Fools and Horses. In a one-off show, this national treasure will reveal secrets from the set with stories and anecdotes from his dazzling career. Having worked with some of the biggest names in show business, he'll be spilling the beans about Only Fools and Horses co-stars Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, including fellow performers The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Oliver Reed and George Best.

He’ll also recall tales from his time in Dr Who, Coronation Street and other TV classics. An evening simply not to be missed!

BOLSHOI LIVE - GISELLE

Sun 11th Oct 2015 @ Harborough Theatre harboroughtheatre.com

He was one of England’s top cricketers and won the heart of the nation when he was crowned King of ‘I’m A Celebrity’ before strutting his stuff on Strictly Come Dancing but nowadays it’s art that’s capturing Phil Tufnell’s imagination as he unveiled a fantastic exhibition of his entire collection, as well as pieces created in collaboration with illustrator Kevin Lee Bennett.

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh are delighted to proclaim that their multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins will embark on a tour of the UK and Ireland. The enchanted story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane has been successfully and spectacularly brought to the stage with stunning choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. The stage production of Mary Poppins has a book by Oscar-winning screenwriter and Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes

ED BYRNE - OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN 14th October 2015 @ Loughborough Town Hall loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

That bloke. You know. The Irish guy. No, not the bald one. The other one. You know him. The one Carol from work really likes.

Wait, that might be Jason Byrne.

Anyway. Funny chap. Has a new show!

Patrick Kielty In one of the oldest and most beloved classical ballets, the peasant girl, Giselle, dies of a broken heart after discovering that her lover is betrothed to marry someone else.

She is forced against her will to join the Wilis, vengeful spirits who dance men to death, and who have targeted her lover, Albrecht,

EVENT

King Of The Jungle EXHIBITS At Antidote Art

17 October @ Y Theatre www.ytheatre.co.uk Patrick Kielty returns to his stand up roots with a brand new show. But he can’t do it on his own - he needs your help. Join the former psychology graduate and star of Live At The Apollo, Dave’s One Night Stand and host of The BBC New Comedy Awards as he attempts to write

Combining Phil’s love for graffiti with Kevin’s talent for illustration the artworks have also been designed to teach children about the dangers online and in the real world.

“I can remember when I was growing up we had the Green Cross Code man warning kids about the dangers of crossing roads. Now there’s so much more that needs to be highlighted. Not just outside, but inside the home too. On the internet and through computers. We don’t have anything like the Green Cross Code man at the moment so hopefully that’s where Tufcat will work really well with his inspirational and educational messages.”

There were Antidote Art exclusive prints available to purchase, with the slogans ‘TufCat Goes Cricket’ and ‘TufCat Be Cool’ as well as signed cricket bats by the man himself. ‘We’re thrilled to be stocking Phil’s work, especially as we have exclusives on some of the prints, it’s a real honour. We think TufCat will fit in nicely in our Gallery, and being as involved in the community as we are, we love the strong educational messages that Phil and Kevin Lee Bennett have collaborated on’ quotes Sara Lovatt, Owner of Antidote Art. For some, this career change may seem worlds away from his cricketing days, but art has always been in Tufnell’s blood with him explaining ‘I think people are sometimes surprised that art is my thing. I got an O level in art at school (my only oneI was too busy playing cricket!) and my Dad was a silversmith, so there’s a history of creativity in my family. I even worked with my Dad for a while when I was turning professional, and I loved it.’

Find out more at Antiodoteart. co.m or visit the gallery at Antidote Art 31 High St, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 4AY Tel. 01455 556951 dluxe-magazine.co.uk 55

dluxediary

The Gain Line

dluxe diary

EVENT

HAIRspray HOOTENANNY

a modern rulebook for love, life and happiness. Bring him your problems, your lovers and a crayon. He promises to do the rest.

ZORRO

20th – 24th October @ Loughborough Town Hall www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

This legendary story of good versus evil has been a source of enduring fascination and has been the subject of a bestselling novel and several major motion pictures. This high octane musical retells the dramatic tale of a romantic hero with spectacular sword-fighting and incredible charm – all set to the famous red-hot Gipsy Kings beat brought to the stage with the authentic colours of traditional flamenco.

from the most successful West End musicals of all time. This hit packed show is devised and directed by Celia Mackay and musically supervised by Duncan Waugh.

Life, Love and Laughter

24th October @ Y Theatre www.ytheatre.co.uk An eclectic mix of autobiographical, kaleidoscopic and very funny monologues, evocative dance, originally composed soundscape and prismatic, three dimensional, digital scenery are harmoniously juxtaposed to tell the story of a life journey. One that charts the physical distance and emotional exploration of an intrepid young protagonist, escaping her family and her society’s restrictive predilections. Liberating herself from the place she calls home, we venture with her as she dreams, dances and discovers the true meaning of the human condition of happiness.

Tim Vine

29th October @ De Montfort Hall www.demontforthall.co.uk

Paddy McGuinness

23rd October 2015 @ De Montfort Hall www.demontforthall.co.uk

Leicestershire’s Barrie Stephen Hair created a hairdo hootenanny at the press night for Curve’s production of Hairspray offering theatre goers and VIP guests the chance of a new do at a preshow pop up salon in the theatre foyer.

As audience members waited for the smash hit show to start, four stylists offered plenty of 60’s inspired styling with glamorous beehives, Hollywood waves and lots of volume being created. Each guest that came by were also gifted a Barrie Stephen goodie bag full of Schwarzkopf Professional products and Barrie also welcomed VIP guest, X-Factor winner Sam Bailey who visited the pop-up salon for a speedy spruce-up.

Barrie Stephen says, “I absolutely love being involved with this fantastic show! I love supporting Curve and of course, I was proud to see my incredible team making the guests look fabulous ready for the fabulous show!”

barriestephenhair.co.uk 56 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

One of the country’s best loved and most popular comedians Paddy McGuinness has announced a brand new UK tour for 2015 and 2016. Starting in September this year, the star of ITV’s Take Me Out will return to his performing roots, with his first stand up comedy tour since 2011. After numerous sell out tours and best selling DVDs, Paddy’s long awaited return to stand up will see him perform 50 dates across the UK with another hotly anticipated show, Daddy McGuinness.

MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS

Friday 23rd, Sunday 25th, Friday 30th October and Sunday 1st November @ Kilworth Theatre kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk MAGIC OF THE MUSICALS brings together a selection of the finest and best loved songs

First stand-up tour in four years, the punslinger returns with lots of new jokes, silly songs and twitchy dancing. Joke, joke, joke. Prop, prop, prop. Song, song, song. (Sorry the laptop's jammed.) It's time to put the satire on hold and watch a grown man act the goat. Come along and enjoy the nonsense.

Warning: this show will contain wobbly props, one reference to a panda and a song about getting water in your ear after you've been swimming.

JOE MCELDERRY EVOLUTION TOUR

-

THE

29th October 2015 @ Loughborough Town Hall loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

27 NOV – 16 JAN

A CURVE PRODUCTION

BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS BY LIONEL BART DIRECTED BY PAUL KERRYSON ORCHESTRAL ARRANGEMENTS BY WILLIAM DAVID BROHN

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CAMERON MACKINTOSH AND THE SOUTHBROOK GROUP

dluxe diary

EVENT

LCFC host Dine Around The Stadium Event

X-FACTOR winner Joe McElderry is hitting the road with a brand new show after the sell-out success of last year’s nationwide tour. The Evolution Tour showcases Joe’s renowned versatility which has won him a unique fan base, but it is Joe’s sheer energy and vitality which carry the show – and the audience into the night with a sense of elation.

Holy and Horny

29th October @ Y Theatre www.ytheatre.co.uk

The gap between how we imagine our lives to be and how they really are is the subject Of Bill Bailey’s new show Limboland. With his trademark intelligence and sharp wit, he tells tales of finding himself in this Halfway place. From his countless global travels, he recounts the hilarious saga of a disastrous family trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights. He rails against a world that doesn’t match up to our expectations and contemplates the true nature of happiness.

NELL BRYDEN

Sat 7th Nov @ Harborough Theatre harboroughtheatre.com Nell is back on the road this November with a string of new tour dates. American singer songwriter Nell Bryden returns to Harborough Theatre for a very intimate performance on Saturday 7th November.

As irregularfollowersoffootball–eventhoughLeicesterCityisinthePremierLeague now – it hadn’t occurred to us that LCFC have fantastic event and conferencing facilities, worthy of their Premier League status. And it was these aspects of the club that were on show at their recent Dine Around The Stadium event, hosted for the city’s corporate bookers.

Guestsweretreatedtoaculinarytouraroundthevariousdiningfacilitiesofthevenue: kicking things off pitch-side with Champagne & Canapes before going through to the Walkers Hall (perfect for Christmas parties, award dinners and large conferences) for starters of Ham Hock Terrine. The Legends Lounge was next on the fixture list for a main course of Slow Cooked Shoulder of Lamb, Roasted Rump, rustic Potato Fondant, steamed Broccoli with Pan Gravy. After this, guests were shown up to the Banks Lounge on the third floor (a room suitable for up to 150 theatre style) for a dessert of Pineapple & Peppercorn Eton Mess before enjoying ‘extra time’ at their largest pitch-facing function room, The Gallery, for Tea/Coffee and a selection of cheeses. The Gallery is available for private hire, formal or informal. www.lcfcevents.co.uk

The Proclaimers Described as "Hilarious, powerful and deeply moving," Holy & Horny is a celebratory, inspirational, and superbly acted one-woman show that celebrates spirituality and sensuality.This thought provoking play is a compelling story of love, longing and the ultimate betrayal. In the production, Actress and Author Tonya Joy Bolton explores one woman’s struggle to remain holy despite being as horny as hell!

RSC LIVE: HENRY V

4th Nov @ Harborough Theatre harboroughtheatre.com

RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran presents his bold new vision of Shakespeare’s historical masterpiece. Henry IV is dead and Hal is King. With England in a state of unrest, he must leave his rebellious youth behind, striving to gain the respect of his nobility and people. Laying claim to parts of France and following an insult from the French Dauphin, Henry gathers his troops and prepares for a war that he hopes will unite his country.

Bill Bailey

4th and 5th November @ De Montfort Hall .demontforthall.co.uk 58 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

9th November @ De Montfort Hall www.demontforthall.co.uk

Strikingly individual, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid have over the years enjoyed huge successes across the globe and in April this year release their 10th album on the Cooking Vinyl label. They have carved a niche for themselves where pop, folk, new wave and punk collide as the emotional honesty, political fire, wit and sing-along raucousness of their songs and their extensive touring has enlightened and entertained fans new and old. Following on from the theatre success of the musical drama featuring songs

by The Proclaimers, ‘Sunshine On Leith’ the movie version was a hugely popular release in 2013, spending a month in the Top Ten generating over £4.8 million at the UK box office, the fifth highest grossing independent release of the year.

Al Murray The Pub Landlord: One Pub, One Guvnor 13th November @ Curve Theatre www.curveonline.co.uk

Stewart Francis

13th November @ De Montfort Hall www.demontforthall.co.uk

Bizet Carmen

20th November @ De Montfort Hall www.demontforthall.co.uk One of the most famous and seductive operas of all time, Bizet’s irresistibly emotional Carmen guarantees an evening of passion and romance, this dazzling production features Bizet’s unforgettable melodies including the best known baritone aria of all, The Toreador’s Song. Carmen also includes a replica of Seville’s main square with fountains, flowers and orange trees.

event

KYRAN BRACKEN GIVES HIS “PITCH PERSPECTIVE” AT 1573, HIGHCROSS

Beauty Of The Beast

25th November @ Curve Theatre www.curveonline.co.uk

The star of Mock The Week, Michael McIntyre's Roadshow and Live At The Apollo, embarks on a brand new stand up tour with a fantastic and hilarious new show.

Sinatra Centenary

14th November @ De Montfort Hall www.demontforthall.co.uk Celebrate the 100th birthday of the late, great Frank Sinatra with a concert of songs and music made famous by the world’s most-loved singer. Featuring hit songs Come Fly With Me, The Lady is a Tramp, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Moonriver and many more. With special guest singers, the JazzCoTech Dancers and glamourous ballroom duo James Wilson and Leila Stewart.

SISTER ACT

17th November – 21st November 2015 @ Loughborough Town Hall www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

Beauty of the Beast is a hilarious and moving look at male group dynamics, peeling back and uncovering the numerous faces of man – strength, camaraderie, weakness and hostility; and what happens when affiliation becomes identity. With an all-male cast, Beauty Of The Beast showcases Company Chameleon’s highly unique physical style, combining dance, theatre and original music to hold up a mirror to our times.

THE RAT PACK

Friday 27th November – Wednesday 23rd December @ Kilworth Theatre www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk In the year marking the 100th anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s birth, Kilworth House welcomes some of the world’s finest interpreters of FRANK SINATRA, DEAN MARTIN and SAMMY DAVIS JR. to swing you back to a time when ‘The Rat Pack’ ruled Las Vegas and Hollywood!

Oliver!

Based on the hit 1992 film comedy of the same name, SISTER ACT tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent!

Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

27th November – 16 January @ Curve Theatre curveonline.co.uk After escaping the workhouse, young orphan boy Oliver rapidly finds himself unaccompanied on the bleak streets of London.

When he befriends the playful Artful Dodger, Oliver is introduced to the art of pickpocketing, but could his new lifestyle lead him to discovering his mysterious past? Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Oliver! is one of the most popular musicals of all time and has a extraordinary score that includes such classics as Food Glorious Food, You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, Where Is Love? and I’d Do Anything.

Rugby legend and ex England and Saracens hosted an exclusive Q&A at 1573, at Highcross, Leicester.

Taking place over the opening weekend of the world-renowned tournament, Highcross offered the ultimate rugby sanctuary and guests were treated to Kyran’s unique insight into the pressures the England rugby team will be facing.

Commenting on how he thinks England will be fare in the tournament Kyran said, “Naturally the (England) team will be under a lot of pressure to perform well on their home turf but that home turn can also make the difference in helping them push on through, anything can happen in that kind of situation.

I’m confident England can make it to the final, they’ve started well with the bonus point.” Continuing Kyran said he thought in the main Lancaster’s squad selection was strong but he thought there was a place for both Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter.

Asked about who he thinks could win the World Cup Kyran commented, “Everyone knows the All Blacks are a powerhouse and they don’t just have the brute force they’ve got an incredibly high skill level. That said there are five teams in the tournament that could go all the way against them, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, France and of course England.

Talking on the captaincy, “Martin Johnson taught me that the secret to being a good captain is being good at what you do always being the first – to the get the try, the lineout etc, and your team will follow, I used to think it was just telling people what to do but he got it right. Robshaw’s a strong leader and he’s got the experience to get the team through.” www.highcrossleicester.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 59

dluxediary

Twenty years ago Britain’s favourite publican (and politician) Al Murray, The Pub Landlord, embarked on his one man mission as the King of Common Sense, holding back a tide of bottled beer and ninny state gibberish. To celebrate this milestone joins this icon on tour with his new live show One Man, One Guvnor.

paperwork

DLUXE PLEASURE MEETS BUSINESS IN LEICESTERSHIRE

Surf’s up dude...

It’s all about timing, following the pattern and predicting that next big surge; Surfers call it Wave Spying. A Wave Spy is generally a person who is not a local to your beach but they come in, study the surf and sneak a session on your waves.

Surfers don’t usually mind this as wave spies can be useful – you just need to make sure they don’t get in your way and steal that wave from underneath you.

I have had the opportunity to be a Wave Spy for family businesses.

Working with so many clients that sold businesses or passed them on to heirs, I have been able to see where the surf is good and the waves are perfect. At the moment, three of those places are the automotive supply chain, home fixtures and power generation sectors, each riding the crest of the wave here in the UK and just waiting for you to make your move.

As The Beach Boys sang “when you catch a wave you’ll be sitting on top of the world” We go through cycles and I believe that it is a perfect time for all businesses to take themselves from decent growth to higher foundations- coming from Seatle I witness and was impressed by the changes that Boeing made to compete throughout the 80s and 90s; acquisitions, research, relocations, and personnel changes. It’s not just the big boys, companies of any size can leverage this momentum through gaining exposure to new markets and product lines, using technology and getting the most out of their people. We’re always looking at areas of opportunity and with the amount of new homes being built at the moment due to political pressures and the strength of the automotive sector in the UK, it’s these areas that represent the biggest wave, it’s just working out how to ride it. Here are 3 of my 10 strategies that I have built to help companies to “Catch the big wave.”

1. PASSPORT CONTROL There have been some nervous times when the man at French customs pointed out that I only had 4 months on my passport and he did not have to let me into France, but just this once he was going to be nice. When going on journeys you need to make sure that your documents are in order. If your paperwork is in place, life is smooth sailing or surfing as the analogy goes. When you come to make significant changes to your 60 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

WITH SUMMER BEHIND US, DLUXE BUSINESS EDITOR BART DALTON TAKES BUSINESS BACK TO THE BEACH TO HELP MAKE SURE YOU CATCH THE NEXT BIG WAVE. business through merger, acquisition or sale then you open up all your papers for the world to see. This means that all of your client agreements, contracts, employment, directors, taxes, pensions, and so on and so on need to be spot on. I have never seen a company that did not need some more work in this area. Make sure you have all of your documents in line. This is one of the first things I ask companies who have grand exit plans.

2. FOCUS ON YOUR ROUTE In this day of Google Maps and SAT NAVs, it’s easy just to sit back and not really think about how you’re getting to your destination. Cruising on autopilot withiout thinking about pitstops, coffee breaks or even the implications of taking the scenic route can stop you getting to your goalwho wants to miss out on their day on the beach because they were stuck in roadworks? Business is the same: you need to set dates for milestone events including expansion, turnover and exit, to name a few. When was the last time you and your team set short medium and long term WRITTEN goals? The big one we find missing in most business is the exit. There is typically a retirement date for the major shareholder but no exit plan.

3. SANDCASTLES NEED STRUCTURE Building structures as a kid was always fun and there’s nothing better for creating random free flowing shapes than a sandy beach. At some point though you are going to need some structure to make the shape you want which is when you need your bucket and spade. Combine your soft sand with your bucket and spade and you can build anything.

Most family businesses start off just playing in the sand without the tools they need to build a structure. In life they say you should never grow up, but in business if you’re planning a exit from you must start to form the uniform building blocks of systems, teams and opportunities early. ‘Work the System’ by Sam Carpenter has some great ways to easily systematise the business. Some of the first ones you need to look at are how you engage your clients and especially your people. The larger you want to become the more you need to use the proper tools to build with.

So what you waiting for? The waves are high and it’s time to get wet.

dluxebusiness

Drawdown Pensions: what does it mean for me?

Since April this year anyone aged 55 and over has had the option to take out a cash lump sum from their pension pot. These new rules have revolutionised the pension system and with more than £1 billion being drawn down since the changes came into effect, it has clearly been a popular choice.

For many however, the subject is still a bit of a minefield, so, exclusively for dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND, two of the region’s leading finance and legal specialists have joined forces to help explain everything you need to know about pension drawdown.

John Freeman, Financial Adviser for Newby Castleman (Financial Services) Limited said, “We are increasingly receiving enquires from clients wanting to take advantage of the new rules but not sure how. They may be interested in drawing down cash in order to provide an income, pay off debts or to invest.

Whatever the reason, the latest reforms give people greater flexibility so we would urge anyone considering drawing down on their pension to get in touch.”

Some of the most common questions posed to John are: What changed in April 2015?

As of 6th April 2015 anyone with a pension aged 55 or over can take as much as they want out of their pension at any time giving people the freedom to structure their retirement benefits in a much more flexible way.

What does ‘drawdown’ actually mean?

This literally means to take money out of your pension pot in order to provide an income for retirement, although it should be noted by individuals that this is a higher risk strategy compared to other options such as annuity purchase.

How much tax will I have to pay if I drawdown a lump sum?

The first 25% of your pension fund is tax-free. Any subsequent withdrawals are subject to income tax. It is important to remember that the amount of tax you pay will be based on your total income, i.e. the drawdown amount plus any other source of income you may have, so it may be preferable to take a series of smaller amounts.

What happens to my pension if I die?

If you die before the age of 75 all pension funds can be inherited tax-free. The money could be taken as income or as a whole lump sum. Previously, any lump sum was subject to a 55% tax.

If you die over the age of 75 and your beneficiaries choose to take a lump sum this will be subject to a 45% tax. If they opt to take an income, this will be subject to regular income tax.

The definition of dependency rules have also changed to allow any pension funds that are in drawdown to be paid to any beneficiary whether or not they are a dependant, meaning that pensions now should be seen as an extremely tax efficient way of passing wealth to future generations.

Anyone requiring independent financial advice can contact John Freeman, Financial Adviser at Newby Castleman (Financial Services) Limited on 0116 2549262 or email jdf@newbyc.co.uk" jdf@newbyc.co.uk. Alternatively, visit www.newbycastleman.co.uk for more details of the firm’s range of services.

Newby Castleman (Financial Services) Limited is an appointed representative of Greyfriars Asset Management LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

THE LEGAL POSITION Pensions in a divorce settlement have been seen as a different species of asset as they could not be “cashed-in”. Does the ability to draw down now change this view?

Jonathan Foster, Family Solicitor and Partner at Emery Johnson Astills suggests not…

Pensions remain different to other readily realisable assets.

There are certain pensions which can be drawn down but this comes with the associated tax consequences.

Clients would be advised to consider consulting an Independent Financial Adviser to decide if draw down would be appropriate for them.

The courts in divorce will take care not to assume draw down or to take that figure into account when resolving issues between separating spouses. The options which include sharing pension funds still remain just as important.

If you require specialist legal advice as to how pensions may be considered on a marital/civil partnership breakdown then this can be obtained from Jonathan Foster, Solicitor of Emery Johnson Astills, 3 -5 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7AD (offices in Loughborough and Coalville also), 0116 255 4855, jcf@ johnsonastills.com alternatively visit www.johnsonastills.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 61

dluxebusiness

Sturgess Motor Group Drive Off With The Prize

Sturgess Motor Group have scooped the award for the 2015 Luxury Goods Family Business of the Year.

Established three years ago to celebrate the contribution that family businesses make to the UK economy , the awards, organised by Family Business United, really help to put family businesses on the map, celebrating their achievements and recognising the diversity of the sector at the same time.

Over 200 family businesses were nominated and shortlists produced in 8 different industry sectors and 7 regions with Sturgess Motor Group taking the top title in the category of Luxury Goods.

The Sturgess Motor Group has a long established history as a leading car retailer in Leicestershire. First founded in 1897 by Walter E. Sturgess when he set up a small shop in the West End of Leicester manufacturing, selling and servicing bicycles, Sturgess Motor Group has grown to become one of the oldest familyoperated motor retailers in the UK and also one of the most respected names in UK automotive industry. With a strong reputation for outstanding customer service in both the local community and further afield, Sturgess Motor Group has been a trusted name for more than 110 years.

A 4th generation family-run company to this day, members of the Sturgess family are still actively involved in the day to day operation of the company. Chairman Chris Sturgess explained, “We are a happy, settled and well-motivated team who are totally dedicated to the needs of past, present and future customers.

We are proud to still be able to call ourselves a family business and look forward to seeing what the next 100 years will bring.”

Sturgess Motor group have multiple show rooms across Leicestershire specialising in Landrover, Jaguar,Volvo, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Hyundai and Suzuki. www.sturgessgroup.co.uk

34 Windsor St Launch Unique And Innovative Team Building Activities Is your work team in need of a little bonding this Autumn, or perhaps you’re looking further into the future to, dare we say it, the Christmas party? Maybe you’re organising a hen or stag do and want something a little different to the norm?

Whatever your need, Burbage based restaurant and cocktail bar 34 Windsor St may have just the thing for you with their tailor made team building activities and fun-filled events.

Do you fancy yourself a wine connoisseur and want to impress your friends with your knowledge of all things vino? Then their Wine Cluedo event is ideal for you.

Maybe you know some budding Jamie Olivers and would all like to discover what it takes to be a real life chef with the Chef experience day, which puts guests through their paces in the Windsor St kitchen, taking them on a culinary journey.

And for those looking for something a little more girly, there’s a fantastic cocktail masterclass ran by their bar manager who will show you whether to shake or stir!

For more information on their events and activities, give them a call 01455 234342 at or pop in at 34 Windsor St, 34 Windsor Street, Burbage, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 2EF

ARE YOU A DREAM BOSS? Giving employees their birthday off and stocking a vending machine with free treats are two of the things that make a boss a dream boss. That’s according to a recent study of office workers who were asked what attributes would make the perfect company leader.

Many of the things that make an appearance actually happen out of office, such as after work cocktail master classes and a good Christmas party whilst in office treats included a top-notch coffee maker, no ban on social media and sweet treats for the whole team.

HERE ARE THE TOP TEN TOPS FOR A HAPPY WORKFORCE

These simpler pleasures were accompanied by a few which would leave a business out of pocket, including company cars, gym memberships and free tickets to all their favourite sports.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Giving birthdays off Leaving early on a Friday A free gym membership A constant supply of office sweets Vending machines with free drinks and snacks

62 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Team spa day Extra training courses A voucher on your birthday Time off around Christmas Treating the team to lunch

Stand and Deliver D ri vi n g , si t t i n g at work, at h om e or s leepi n g i n b ed m ean s t h at m ost p eople ar e off t h ei r feet for u p to 2 1 h ou rs a day. This m ean s i n real i t y you sp en d m ost of your l i fe i n a ch ai r or on a b ed .

A recent study found that the world’s population could increase their life expectancy by 2 years if they reduce the amount of time spent sitting to less than 3 hours a day.

The vast majority of people usually sit in a chair for most of their working day, then sit in public or private transport to get home and back, and then watch TV on the sofa to recover from the day before going to sleep.

The study highlighted that those who sit for a 5 or more hours in a working day have an increased risk of up to 34% for having heart failure – than those who stand up more. That’s not the only risks by sitting 5+ hours a day your Diabetes risk is doubled, you have a Greater risk of depression and cancer.

Since 1950 sedentary jobs have risen by 83% and most office workers get less than an hour of exercise a week. With this obesity, heart disease and many variants of cancer have risen, and could be attributed to our lack of movement each day.

One way to reduce these risks is by using a Standing Desk whilst at work, which allows you to quickly lift and lower your workstation. Studies also show how those who work in a standing position are more productive by up to 12% than their seated counterparts.

Accountants that stand out from the crowd...

As experienced accountants, Newby Castleman understands the importance of good business and financial management.

With proper planning and advice, we can provide you with tailored tax-saving solutions.

Contact us today to find out more...

0116 254 9262 www.newbycastleman.co.uk

dluxebusiness

CURVE ANNOUCE RECORD YEAR OF SUCCESS ENTERTAINment agency launched

CURVE has increased its annual turnover to £7.8m whilst reducing its public subsidy from 58% in 2009/2010 to 33% of turnover in 2014/2015.

The theatre’s 2014/15 Annual Review details how the organisation has continued to grow both its audience numbers and revenue whilst reinforcing its reputation as one of the UK’s leading producing theatres.

Curve Chief Executive Fiona Allan commented “As I look back over the last year - my last as Chief Executive - it’s worth considering how far we have come. I’m particularly proud that over the year we averaged 78% attendance, and that for Curve’s own produced work our audiences now really do reflect the diversity of this plural city - we estimate 46% of audiences to be from BME backgrounds. For the first time we had nearly as many visitors to the building as ticketed audiences in the theatre, and have been recognised formally as the major large visitor attraction for Leicester and Leicestershire. “ The annual review follows a raft of award nominations for both the theatre’s commercial and artistic projects including a finalist position in the Conference and Incentive Travel Awards and UK Theatre award nominations for Best Show for Children and Young People for The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾, The Musical as well as Best Performance in a Musical for Laura Pitt-Pulford in The Sound Of Music.

Leicester based Champions (UK) plc have expanded the Celebrity booking arm of their business with a dedicated music and entertainment division, specifically devised to cater for the entertainment needs of large scale hospitality and corporate events across the UK as well as internationally.

Offerings on the agency’s books include stars such as Blue, The Saturdays, Jessie J, Jay James, Sean Lock and Leicester’s very own Sam Bailey who have been performing for corporate clients such as Virgin, HSBC, SKY, ITV, Channel 4, British Airways, Leicester Tigers, BBC and Tesco..

For a full range of acts visit www.musicandbands.co.uk

Financial advice helps Oakham deli double turnover Financial advice from a Leicester-based accountant has helped an independent deli establish itself as Oakham’s go-to eatery after its turnover doubled in just three and a half years.

Otters Smokehouse and Deli, on Mill Street, has gone from strength to strength thanks to advice and support from Newby Castleman, Chartered Accountants, based on Regent Road, which has also allowed the business to move into bigger premises. Alongside Otters’ carefully selected produce, financial advice has been key to the deli establishing firm roots in the market town since first opening its doors in August 2011.

Leo Sugden, owner of Otters, comments: “The financial advice I have received from Newby Castleman has been essential to Otters’ growth and expansion. The firm looks after our year end accounts and by providing us with our official yearly figure, they have helped us to plan the deli’s next step. The premises we are now based in are around six times bigger and as a result of having additional space we have gone from a workforce of three to having 10 members of staff. I think it is essential to have financial support from people who really know your business inside out and can help to drive it forward, and I firmly believe this has been part of our success.”

Chris Castleman, partner at Newby Castleman, comments: “It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with a new business start-up, to be able to provide advice that can help them to thrive and to see the company enjoying such success.

It’s so gratifying to see a local independent business expand in such a short space of time, which demonstrates that the right financial advice and support can really make the difference, and I look forward to watching Otters grow in the future.”

If you are a new business start-up requiring financial advice, telephone the Leicester branch on 0116 254 9262, the Loughborough branch on 01509 263500 or visit the website at www.newbycastleman.co.uk.

64 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Expert legal support when you need us most

Whenever you’re on the move, talk to a specialist conveyancing solicitor at Emery Johnson Astills who will look after your interests in person.

We can help with your

home move • • • •

Buying or selling residential property Re-mortgage and transfers of equity Severance of joint tenancy Declarations of trust

business relocation • • • •

All commercial property matters Sale/purchase of freehold/leasehold Assured shorthold tenancy agreements Leases

If you’re planning a move, visit johnsonastills.com or contact us in

dluxe people

dluxe people:WISHING ON A STAR The voice of legendary Seventies soul group Rose Royce, Gwen Dickey, is coming to Leicester’s De Montfort Hall on Friday 30th October as special guest in hit stage show Soul Legends.

A signature of the seventies thanks to her sensual vocals are a signature of the Seventies, Rose Royce racked up hit after hit in the decade of soul including Car Wash, Wishing on a Star and Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.

Rose Royce re-established the music-making career of Sixties songwriting legend Norman Whitfield who was an integral part of the Motown Records hit-making machine. With the famous record label he wrote and produced soul classics like I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, Papa Was a Rolling Stone and Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me).

It was after leaving Motown that Whitfield put together a group to perform his brand-new material and recruited Gwen after hearing her perform with a band called the Jewels in Miami. The rest is music history.

Dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND caught up with Gwen ahead of her appearance and looks back to the seventies when, during the latter part of the decade, at the height of her fame, she couldn't go anywhere without a bodyguard.

As frontwoman of Rose Royce she was a true megastar.

The band was so much in demand during disco’s heyday that in their prime they sold out a concert at New York's huge Madison Square Garden in under ten minutes.

with Motown producer Norman Whitfield. And then, before I knew it, I couldn't go anywhere without a security guard.

"It was really only after I left the band that I looked back and thought, 'wow, look at everything that happened'. It wasn't bad."

The above is something of an understatement from a disco legend who topped the US charts in 1976 with the classic Car Wash and a had similar success in the UK with Wishing On A Star and Love Don’t Live Here Anymore. Softly, in her lilting American accent, Gwen reveals that she still gets fans approaching her with thanks and mock reproach.

"People come up to me and say things like these twins are your fault, or our first dance was to Wishing On A Star and here I am still singing the songs from the 70s that people still want to come out and hear, which makes me smile."

“People come up to me and say things like these twins are your fault, or our first dance was to Wishing On A Star”

Incredibly though, the chart-topping songstress says that as a youngster, she had no interest in being a singer.

"After high school I went to Miami to go to university where I met soul singer Betty Wright," she says. "Before I knew it I was going to the recording studio with her. And then I was in a band. A then I'm discovered and I'm in California

Although Gwen makes her rise to fame sound easy, she says that once at the top, the hard work really began.

There were exciting times such as hearing Rose Royce on the radio for the first time: “ You know how little kids are on Christmas morning?” she says. “We were triple that.We were running around shouting 'oh my god, oh my god'; we were so excited we turned it up full blast."

However, the attention to detail demanded by producer Norman Whitfield prevented Gwen and the band enjoying an overly hedonistic time. Asked if she partied with fellow 70s stars Chic or The Jacksons she answers with a sigh.

"I wasn't really allowed to hang out with people because Norman, he was the mentor, He wrote the songs, he was our stylist and you basically did what you were told."

However, the trappings of success did lead to the odd excess, says Gwen. Like the time a mystery sheikh sent an Arabian stallion to her recording studio as a surprise birthday present. Now a solo artist, Gwen can’t wait to get on stage as a special guest with the Soul Legends show, but warns you to "Wear comfortable shoes because there's going to be a lot of dancing,” she says. “You will be singing at the start of the show, then singing all the way home."

SOUL LEGENDS Starring Gwen Dickey, the voice of Rose Royce, Friday 30th October. De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU For tickets call the Box Office on 0116 233 3111 or visit www.demontforthall.co.uk 66 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

De Montfort Hall

Bringing the best live entertainment to Leicester

KEN DODD THE HAPPINESS SHOW

DAVID GEST’S (I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE TOUR!

SQUEEZE WITH DR JOHN COOPER CLARKE

Thu 1 Oct // £28 - £48 VIP £78

Tue 6 Oct // £32.50 £47.50

THRILLER LIVE Mon 12 - Sat 17 Oct // £19.50 - £32.50*

STEVE HACKETT ACOLYTE TO WOLFLIGHT WITH GENESIS REVISITED

PSYCHIC SALLY

BILL BAILEY LIMBOLAND

MILTON JONES

Mon 2 Nov // £24

Wed 4 & Thu 5 Nov // £25

Tue 24 Nov // £24

Sat 26 Sep // £19 £22

RUGBY WORLD CUP BBC RADIO LEICESTER BROADCAST Wed 7 Oct // £5

All proceeds go to the Matt Hampson Foundation

Box Office 0116 233 3111 // Web demontforthall.co.uk // Twitter @demontforthall £3 transaction fee payable per booking. *Concessions and/or group booking discount available.

Sat 24 Oct // £27.50 £29.50

LANES Leicestershire’s Luxury Jewellery Boutique

The Perfect Gift - Diamond Stud Earrings Available in a range of carat weights

V ISIT US : 25 LOSEBY LANE (END OF C ARTS LANE ), LEICESTER , LE1 5DR LANES J EWELLERS .COM | 0116 251 2529