Dluxe Birmingham and Solihull Autumn 2018 Edition.

LU E D X BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL

AUTUMN 18

INSIDE CARo EMERALD GRAND DESIGNS NEC midlands luxury show WAR HORSE AW TRENDS FOR HIM & HER

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

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MUSIC TO YOUR EARS AND A DRINK (OR T WO) IN YOUR HANDS

Celebrate the most stylish night of the week with our mouth-watering menu, delicious drinks and a line-up of live musical talents.

Every Saturday night, 9pm – 12 midnight Ground Floor Bar BOOK NOW +44 121 616 6028 reservations.birmingham@harveynichols.com

The Mailbox 65 Wharfside Street Birmingham B1 1RE

IN THIS ISSUE. Wow what a summer! Yes, even we started to think summer had gone on too long but now, writing this sat at my desk overlooking a grey sky and with the tree leaves glistening with fresh rain, it does make you realise how lucky we were. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed so many barbecues before! And of course, if you’re grilling out (as the Americans say) then it would be tragic not to have a glass or two of chilled Sauvignon Blanc to wash it down with…

So perhaps it’s all for the good that the nights have started to darken and that one of the things we look at this issue is tasty tipples that are strictly alcohol free – there’s no need for detoxing to be dreary after all!

Don’t worry though, we’re not that virtuous. We’ve some delicious recipes for one pot comfort food for you as well as our guide of where’s new to dine and our travel pages are the perfect place to dream away Autumn’s rainy days; this issue we’re eating in Italy and exploring the lure of easy weekend sunshine breaks.

We’ve also looked at some of this season’s key autumn trends for him and for her so there’s no reason to sacrifice warmth for your wardrobe. A big look for this season is bringing country into town so heritage checks, quilting and practical chic abound. We’ve even looked at hats for autumn so don’t dig out your best bobble until you’ve had a read!

As usual we’ve got the best run down of what’s coming up in the West Midlands to make sure you don’t miss out on the very best of what the dark nights have to offer. We’ve even had a sneak peek at what’s coming up for Christmas – but more of that later, in our Winter issue out in late November.

Until then enjoy open fires, falling leaves and fireworks, Best

Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief

Closer to home we speak to Michael Morpurgo, writer of the wonderful Warhorse, that comes to the Hippodrome later this month and we chat to the wonderfully talented Caro Emerald as she prepares to bring some sunshine, samba and shimmy to Symphony Hall this October.

WE CAN’T WAIT FOR...

FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD

Festival of the Dead returns to Birmingham for a Halloween spectacular at the O2 Academy on Saturday 27th October. Mixing a carnival atmosphere with circus, clubbing and mind-blowing production, Festival of the Dead is an immersive experience like nothing you’ve seen before.

You’ll follow one man’s journey into the underworld; a story featuring giant creatures and creations, a giant vulture and a huge, mechanical skull backdrop full of hidden surprises. Expect acrobats, circus performers and otherworldly characters and processions roaming the crowd, with live DJs spinning a killer club soundtrack.

You’re invited to come dressed to eerily impress, and for those not such a dab hand with a makeup brush, professional skull face painting is available on the night.

4 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

MADONNA

MICHELLE OBAMA FANTASTIC BEASTS

Madonna and Mirwais have followed up on the success of their former collaborations on albums Music, American Life and Confessions of a Dance Floor for an album of new music that Mother Music has been teasing via Instagram for over a year now. 2018’s last quarter should see the release of this in her 60th year – that’s right Madonna is 60 this year and what better way to celebrate it than with a new album?

WE MISS THE OBAMAS! Whilst we can’t help enjoy trying to decode hidden messages from Melania, Michelle is still our First Lady. Her memoir promises unerring honesty and lively wit as Michelle chronicles the experiences that have shaped her-from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago, her years as a working mother and her time spent at the world’s most famous address.

We cannot wait for another slice of wizarding wonder. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander and is joined by a young Albus Dumbledore as they attempt to take down the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald,(Johnny Depp) while facing new threats in a more divided wizarding world.

Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family.

TALK TO US MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin Urquhart Kevin@fu-media.co.uk 07713 740 272

GROUP EDITOR IN CHIEF Jonathan Fraser Jon@fu-media.co.uk 0772 580 9654

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Lilith Hunt-Sheppard lilith@fu-media.co.uk 07975 970711

ACCOUNTS & ADMINISTRATION Carey York carey@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445

DIGITAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE Francesca Arculeo Francesca@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445 COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF MOSCHINO

08 AGENDA

Our personal picks of our favourite features, stories and products from around the West Midlands.

20 SPOTLIGHT

We talk to Warhorse writer Michael Morpurgo ahead of he show arriving at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

24 FOR HER

Autumn Trends abound, we got nuts for hats and look at how to turn back the clock.

28 FOR HIM

The High Street looks outdoors for Autumn influences and grooming makes a fresh start.

34 MOTORS

Making America Great Again? The new Jeep Wrangler is ringing the changes.

36 LIVING Mid Century Chic and

Jewel Joy, just a couple of interior trends for Autumn 2018.

42 TRAVEL We look at the best city

breaks for Autumn and take a trip to Italy for a little Dolce Vita.

48 DINING Comfort cooking and detox drinking for the dark nights.

52 DIARY What’s happening and

what’s happened in and around Brum this Autumn and we talk to singer Caro Emerald.

62 BUSINESS The latest thinking

and topic led business advice from some of the city’s top business brains.

66 HOROSCOPES National treasure, sensational star gazer Russell Grant on what the future holds for us all this season.

Disclaimer: Copyright 69 & dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL 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 2018

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Georgia Wilkinson georgia@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445

DLUXE BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL LOWER TRINITY STREET, DIGBETH, BIRMINGHAM. B9 4AG 31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE TEL: 0116 2533 445

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AGENDA.

BABY it’s cold outside OK so it may not be in the minuses (yet) but after the amazing summer we’ve all enjoyed, anything with a single figure on the thermometer is making us go brrrrr!

So best be prepared, we say, and invest in some seriously stylish heating!

We love the contemporary Farringdon Catalyst Eco Woodburning stove from Arada Stoves which comes in small, medium and large sizes, making it a stylish solution for every home.

The Farringdon range has the ability to burn at low levels for more than 10 hours and has a maximum output of 16kW. Prices start from £2485 at www.aradastoves.com We also love this contemporary take on the traditional hearth using the Tiffany collection of tiles from Gemini Tiles.

Embracing industrial trends with three unique designs that evoke the organic surface of stone, these highly textured tiles are built up in layers to create a rustic stone-effect mosaic with the texture and character of natural stone with the practical ease of tiling.

The range is available in three colours to choose from: crisp chalky White, the muted mid-tones of the Grey tile shown here and a dramatic Dark design.

The range starts from £49.99 per m2 from www.ctdtiles.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 9

AGENDA.

VEGAN SOY CANDLES THAT CRACKLE WITHOUT MAKING SOOT Neil designed his range using vegan soy wax, blended with non-toxic essential oils and fragrance oils, creating the perfectly fragranced candle. The natural creamy colour of soy wax adds to the elegance of the product, and the addition of a wooden wick creates a wonderful soothing crackle as it burns.

Since their launch earlier this year, Avanti Candles has expanded its range to also include beautiful wax melts and a collection of elegant reed diffusers, which release fragrance for up to three months and its fibre reeds do not need to be turned- perfect as we always end up making a mess when we do this!

Prices start at just £25 and with luxurious fragrances including Red Rose & Oud, Raspberry & Peppercorn, and the stunning Tobacco & Vanilla, we’re sure Avanti Candles will soon become a household favourite.

Handmade in the Midlands, Avanti Candles were created after company owner Neil became torn between his love for fragrance, and the damage massproduced candles were doing to his home and his health.

After researching that many shop-bought candles contain petroleum-based paraffin wax, which releases harmful black smoke and soot as it burns, they also consist of synthetic dyes and fragrances containing toxins and parabens.

To enjoy your exclusive 10% discount code, visit their website www.avanti-candles.com and enter code dluxe18 at checkout.

‘CURRY KING OF BIRMINGHAM’ TURNS UP THE HEAT The search is on for the best Brummie curry this autumn with LoveBrum making the most of Birmingham’s ‘curry capital’ title, for its flagship fundraising event ‘Curry King of Birmingham’ (CKOB), which returns to the ICC on Friday 9 November for the third year in a row. This year’s judges feature some of the best in the business, including Aktar Islam (Opheem), Alex Claridge (The Wilderness), Rai Singh (Pushkar and Praza), Nitisha Patel (My Modern Indian Kitchen), and Jaimon George (Zen Metro). They will also be joined by acclaimed critic Paul Fulford and hospitality expert, Adam Hayes.

The annual event aims to raise £30,000 for the charity by bringing together hundreds of the city’s professionals for an evening dedicated to baltis, bhunas, biryanis and more! Each table creates their own curry during the evening and then battle it out as a chef cooks up their creation and presents it to the judges. The curry King or Queen is then crowned, whilst guests enjoy a three-course banquet and live entertainment throughout the evening.

Speaking about the event, returning judge Aktar Islam said “Curry King of Birmingham is a date firmly fixed in my diary – it’s not just any old black tie 10 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

fundraiser, this is all about celebrating one of the world’s most exciting cuisines.

I love that guests can really get stuck in and experiment with their own curry creations. We always end up with some impressive curries… and some not so appetising ones! But that’s all part of the fun.”

The money raised from LoveBrum’s annual fundraiser will help even more hidden gem projects showcased by the

charity.

This year’s Curry King of Birmingham is supported by returning headline sponsor, SimkissGuy Recruitment, and drinks sponsor Harvey Nichols Birmingham.

Tickets are on sale now, starting at £80 + VAT per ticket. If you think you’ve got what it takes to be crowned Curry King or Queen, and you want to raise money for LoveBrum, book your tickets today ticketlist.co.uk/curryking.

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AGENDA.

At Home with the Mailbox

This autumn, lovers of beautiful furniture and design should look no further than Birmingham’s premier lifestyle destination, the Mailbox, thanks to its extensive collection of luxury home furnishings brands.

From sleep to sofas, lighting to dining, and cabinetry to accessories and fragrance – Home Furnishings at the Mailbox on Level 1 has all you need for your next dose of interiors inspiration.

MIDLANDS DEBUT The Heal’s showroom marks the brand’s first foray into the region, joining a portfolio of stores in London, Yorkshire and Sussex. In addition to a selection of Heal’s own products, designed in-house by the retailer’s experts, customers can expect to find branded pieces from Tom Dixon, Myer Halliday and Tom Raffield, presenting the best in contemporary furniture design and craftsmanship.

Joining Heal’s as a headline brand is MADE. COM, offering high-end but affordable design. The store presents a selection of the modern retailer’s vast range of furniture, homewares and gift accessories; the perfect choice for those looking for timeless yet versatile pieces to complement their existing collection.

EUROPEAN DESIGN Head to BoConcept for contemporary Danish furniture for the living room, bedroom, dining room and home office. From designer sofas and armchairs through to practical TV and wall units, each modern piece has been made to the highest functionality, design and quality. Guests can also benefit from a free interior design service either in the showroom or from the comfort of your own home.

As an international brand famed for artistic pieces which are as ergonomic as they are beautiful, the showroom from Italian smart design experts, Calligaris, is not to be missed.

After browsing the stunning selection of Clay dining table – Heal’s furniture and accessories, design lovers can also take advantage of the opportunity to provide expert advice – helping you to make THE HEART OF THE HOME customise their chosen pieces in finishes to an informed choice to suit your home and suit their individual style. lifestyle.

Kitchen Gallery brings world-class design to the Mailbox in its chic SieMatic kitchen A SPACE FOR LIVING Wesley Barrell has been producing fine studio. Renowned as one of the leading English upholstery in Oxfordshire since international brands in bespoke kitchen Design Quarter presents an exciting, curated 1895, and today it offers customers beautiful, design, this flagship showroom features collection of contemporary furniture handmade sofas covered in the latest the first apartment-style VIP Design Room, and upholstery from some of the most trending fabrics from across the globe. and showcases SieMatic’s three lifestyle inspirational brands of the moment. Expect Uniting its bespoke interior design service is collections; Urban, Pure and Classic. to find innovative, affordable and made-toa large choice of cabinetry, fabric, paint and order Swedish sofas from SITS, a stunning wallpaper to help you design your perfect Adding to the Mailbox’s kitchen credentials is dining table collection by Italian experts, living space. bespoke designer and manufacturer, Harvey Devina Nais, and the iconic and ever-popular Jones. The brand specialises in high-quality Content by Conran range. What’s more, the hand-built bespoke kitchen designs made to retailer’s Design Consultants are on hand to 12 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

SPECIAL FEATURE.

Harun bed – MADE.COM Kitchen Gallery showroom

Marlborough chair – Wesley Barrell suit all tastes with expert kitchen designers available on-hand throughout your project to advise and assist when choices need to be made.

and exclusive opportunities to meet their favourite artists, as well as chat to the team of experienced consultants to help you find your perfect piece.

AN ARTISTIC TOUCH

Those looking to set the tone of the room through a statement lighting piece should look no further than iLite; a specialist retailer providing an extensive collection of brands including Swarovski, Foscarini, Masiero, Diesel, Flos and Schonbek.

Art can put the finishing touch to any space and can be the ultimate statement of personal style. Whether you’re yet to acquire your first purchase, or are looking to add to your growing collection, head to Castle Fine Art for an array of original and limited edition fine art from today’s most talented artists. Customers can also enjoy an exciting programme of art exhibitions

The Mailbox is also home to Harvey Nichols’ 45,000 sq ft flagship store; fashion retailers including Paul Smith, BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein Underwear,

Emporio Armani, Daniel Footwear, L.K. Bennett and Gieves & Hawkes, Ribble Cycle’s first flagship showroom, The Wedding Club and Fine & Country, in addition to Everyman Cinema, Malmaison, AC Hotels and the Mailbox’s popular canalside bars and restaurants.

HOME FURNISHINGS CAN BE FOUND ON LEVEL 1 OF MAILBOX BIRMINGHAM, B1 1RS. FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.MAILBOXLIFE.COM

AGENDA.

PINT SHOP COMES TO BRUM Pint Shop will open its doors this October on Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham bringing fresh, seasonal British produce along with a fantastic selection of local and national ales to the Midlands.

The listed building will be transformed into a bar area on the Ground Floor and 50 + cover First Floor dining room as well as an outdoor terrace to while away the last of the autumn sun.

Diners can expect delicious dishes such as ‘Dry hopped’ fish pakoras with onion & cucumber salad and coriander & peanut chutney; Coal-baked flatbread kebabs of devilled lamb shoulder with crispy red onions and the amazing Charcoal Grill Dirty Burger with Rum Pineapple, Cheese, Crispy Bacon, Avocado and Chorizo Mayo.

Pint Shop takes the spirit of original beer houses – namely craft beer, intimacy and fun – and throws in over 100 different types of gin alongside some killer food cooked on the coals.

Follow The Pint Shop story at www.pintshop.co.uk or on social: pintshopbrum

Say hello to the new boy at Hallfield SCHOOL Hallfield School’s new Head Master has big plans for the school as he takes hold of the reins in his term.

Keith Morrow, who has just wrapped up his eleven-year Headship at The Elms in Long Eaton, says he is looking forward to his move to Birmingham and marking his first year by celebrating the school’s 140th year with a series of events and activities.

Keith said: “It is going to be a big year for Hallfield as the school celebrates its 140th year during my first year at the helm, and I will only be the 14th Head Master in its entire history – an exciting yet daunting thought!”

“September is a big month. All children, and perhaps even parents, have a mixture of excitement and trepidation around the start of the new school year.

“This year I will be sharing those emotions with the children as I start my new and exciting role as Head Master of Hallfield School. I am very much looking forward to it.”

Based in the leafy outskirts of Edgbaston, Hallfield School is Birmingham’s leading co-educational independent day school (3 months – 11+ years) and has been offering stimulating and challenging curriculum for children to enable them to grow, develop and learn in a happy and purposeful environment since 1879.

Find out more at www.hallfieldschool.co.uk 14 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

SPECIAL FEATURE.

Selfridges BRINGS NEW LUXURY BOUTIQUES TO Birmingham

If you want to take your shopping to the next level, head to Level 4 of Selfridges Birmingham and experience luxury redefined with the launch of Christian Louboutin, Gucci and Burberry boutiques.

Shoppers will be red with envy with the opening of the one-of-a-kind Christian Louboutin boutique on Level 4. The timeless shoes, accessories and fashions of the classic brand Burberry will also be on display in their new boutique on Level 4.

With Louis Vuitton, the premium luggage brand, Tiffany, the iconic American jeweller and Jimmy Choo, the luxury shoes and accessories brand, all opening boutiques earlier this year on the top floor, the department store is the leading destination for deluxe brands that are found nowhere else in the city.

The arrival of the brands - plus Fumo restaurant - has boosted the roll-call of exclusive premium brands and lines in-store to over 200, which means there’s plenty of opportunity to choose something fabulous.

Fashion fans will also gush over Gucci shoes, accessories and fashions with the launch of the luxury boutique later this month.

Sam Watts, Selfridges Birmingham general manager, said: “We’re constantly evolving, finding new and timeless brands for our customers to discover and the exciting changes on Level 4 have added yet another layer of luxury that help us to stand out in the busy retail sector within the city centre.”

For further information visit www.selfridges.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 15

SPECIAL FEATURE.

AGENDA.

Amplify your CHRISTMAS AND PARTY AT ARENA BIRMINGHAM

As we wave goodbye to long summer days, tans and sun cream, our thoughts turn to more Autumnal delights, and dare we say it…Christmas! Yes, it’s that time of year again when we need to start checking office calendars and organising the all-important annual staff Christmas party.

With so much choice available, and multiple tastes to cater for, it can often be a difficult and very daunting task for the appointed organiser. Take into consideration any Christmas gathering involving the invitation of clients than the stresses of this can triple. The team behind Birmingham’s premium hospitality provider Amplify, know of these stresses more than anyone, offering relief to Executive Assistants and office staff across the West Midlands every Christmas, with their Show Cube Christmas packages at Arena Birmingham.

With over 9 years’ experience in hospitality, they provide an alternative, premium option that takes your Christmas party experience to the next level. With three hospitality levels to choose from and the ability to book up to 14 people in the private Show Cubes, Amplify is a top pick this festive season.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN “The first thing to consider is to plan 16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

ahead,” says Sally Walder, General Manager of Amplify. “More often than not teams will wait until they are in the ‘Christmas spirit’ before considering their options. By late November, many of the quality offerings in the city are already fully booked, so I’d recommend thinking about your options early to avoid disappointment, especially if you have a larger team.”

BUDGETING Planning in the Autumn also helps with budgeting; Whether or not it’s going on the company account, there will always be small incidentals for individuals – extra drinks, hotels, travel that need to be factored in. “We have a great deal with Park Regis at the moment, where Amplify members can receive 20% off their hotel stay when attending an event at Arena Birmingham” says Walder.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU Another topic of great discussion will be the varying opinions on what constitutes a great Christmas party. Go for more generic themes that will suit the most awkward of individuals in the office. Some of Amplify’s events across November and December such as Florence + The Machine, Years & Years and Madness are known to attract audiences that span across generations and demographics, making it a great

night for everyone from the office junior to senior management.

However, it is widely known that the catering can either make or break an event. With food and drink at the forefront of most people’s minds throughout the Christmas period, it’s important to get it right. Amadeus’ expert chefs combines culinary flair, attentive service and sustainable thinking to deliver the food element of the packages. They understand the unique challenges of events, private and corporate catering and the variety of dietary requirements that may need to be catered for at a Christmas party. Whether your team or clients prefer a threecourse sit down meal, or just some simple canapes and drinks, it can be delivered.

“Both Amplify and Amadeus appreciate more than anyone that the idea of a standard turkey dinner can be slightly uninspiring when organising an amazing Christmas party!” adds Walder. “So, unlike many Christmas party packages, we work together to offer high quality dinners, combined with a speedy service, to ensure our festive offer is dynamic and delicious.”

To find out more about Amplify or booking hospitality for an event this Autumn/Winter, please call the team on 0844 338 0333 or visit www.amplify.co.uk

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AGENDA.

THIRD YEAR STRONG FOR CITY IMPROV FESTIVAL

Now firmly on the Festival map, Birmingham’s Improv Festival returns to the city for nine days offering the very best in Improvisation from Friday October 26th – Saturday November 3rd.

2018 sees a range of performers visit the city from across the UK and internationally including New York, Edinburgh, London, Bristol, Ireland, Nottingham and many home-grown Troupes from Birmingham – now seen as a seedbed for improv talent!

Audiences can expect a variety of themes and an abundance of madeup popular, hilarious, energetic and breaking-the-boundary performances featuring Star Wars, Shakespeare, Enid

Blyton Adventures, Hip Hop, Halloween Spookiness, Soap Opera, Musicals and more!

Improvisation just wouldn’t exist without input from the audience. Each night audiences will be invited to throw out suggestions and themes to performers which will guide how the night will go – expect the unexpected, lots of laughs and a slight bit of madness!!!!

Highlights for this year include: the return of the West End’s Olivier Awardwinning Improv Musical Showstopper!; Birmingham’s Jumprov the UK’s first ethnically diverse Improvisational Theatre Company; BBC Radio 4’s and Edinburgh’s sell-out Superstars

Austentatious; North Coast who bring ‘mind blowing’ Hip Hop Improv comedy direct from New York; London’s Castles in the Air improvising stories in the spirit of the films of Hayao Miyazaki; Society of Strange who bring a seasonal touch to the festival with Halloween mystery and horror and Birmingham’s very own Box of Frogs who are regulars at the city’s popular Glee Club.

Tickets start from just £5. Ticket buyers can also purchase multiple and weekend tickets at reduced rates subject to availability. For full listings and to book tickets go to www. birminghamimprovfestival.com

WE LOVE: REAL WINE GumS Mix the grape and the cane and enjoy the rich, complex and downright deliciously boozy flavour of luxury sweets made from ‘edible wine’ “A cheeky little number… Fleshy yet velvety textures with ripe plum and black cherry flavours and a soft finish!” Not the sort of description you’d normally associate with a pack of bon bons but these are no ordinary yummy gummies.

Invented in the UK in 1909 by Charles Gordon Maynard - the son of a teetotal Methodist sweet-maker - the original pastilles merely name-checked fermented grape juice. It took another 100 years and a clutch of clever, opportunity-knocking Dutch confectioners before Real Wine Gums became a thing.

And since these considerate candies are alcohol, gluten, fat, nut, gelatine, and lactose free, they can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone. Even Charles Riley Maynard, God rest your gummy soul.

Real Wine Gums are available in a choice of flavours, Merlot, Chardonnay, Rose and Riesling from The Fowndry from £7.49 18 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Autumn 2018 AT Belgrade

An independent co-educational day school from 3 months - 11 years

TUESDAY OPEN MORNINGS CALL 0121 454 1496 for more information

With a brand new season now underway, Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre continues to celebrate its 60th anniversary year in style, serving up a diverse mix of dance and drama, as well as the world premiere of its gritty new musical, We’ll Live and Die in These Towns.

Bringing the songs of The Enemy’s number one debut album to the stage, We’ll Live and Die in These Towns sees the Coventry band’s former frontman Tom Clarke make his first foray into theatre as musical director. Written by acclaimed local playwright Geoff Thompson, it tells the story of a young rock musician, Argy, who must confront important decisions about his future after suffering a crisis of confidence just hours before a major homecoming gig. Featuring an outstanding cast of actormusicians led by Tom Milner, the show premieres Saturday 29 September until Saturday 20 October.

Then in November, the internationally acclaimed Russian State Ballet and Opera House return to the Belgrade with another sumptuous triple-bill of classic ballets, all accompanied by a magnificent live 30-piece orchestra. Rediscover the fairytale magic of Swan Lake on Thursday 1, followed by the tragic romance of Giselle on Friday 2. On Saturday 3, the ever-popular The Nutcracker rounds off the trio with festive fun, offering a great excuse to get Christmas started early.

Finally from Thursday 15 until Saturday 17 November, the famously inventive Told By An Idiot will delve into the UK’s ongoing drugs debate with a brand new play by Leo Butler.

Inspired by a real-life encounter with government drugs tsar Professor David Nutt, All You Need Is LSD tells the story of Butler’s own participation in the world’s first LSD drug trials since the 1960s. Join him for a madcap tumble down the psychedelic rabbit hole in search of enlightenment – and of course, a good story.

Tickets to all of these shows and more are available to book now by calling the box office on 024 7655 3055, or visiting www.belgrade.co.uk where prices are even cheaper.

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www.hallfieldschool.co.uk 0121 454 1496 admissions@hallfieldschool.co.uk Church Road, Edgbaston Birmingham, B153SJ

War Horse:

WITH THE SHOW CELEBRATING IT’S TENTH BIRTHDAY AND AHEAD OF AN EXTENSIVE RUN AT BIRMINGHAM’S CREATOR MICHAEWL MORPUGO TALKS ABOUT THE SHOW, IT’S BIRTH, ITS IMPACT AND ITS LEGACY, IN HIS OW

On the 15th of September 2017, War Horse began an extensive UK Tour at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.

And thereby hangs a tale or two. My mother and father were acting in rep at The Marlowe in 1938. I believe it was where they fell in love and decided to get married. They were young, and no doubt 20 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

full of hope for the future. The Second World War was to blight their lives and their marriage. I grew up in a family scarred by war. This was, I am sure, why I came to write War Horse all those years ago, why peace and war have been at the heart of so many stories I have written before and since.

My mother was the first to give me my love of stories. She read to me every night - Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories was her favourite and mine. She read them with a passion, bringing the characters to life, playing with the language as she read.

She acted out those stories to me, made bedtime a joy. I cannot read The Just So

SPOTLIGHT.

Ten years on

HIPPODROME, WAR HORSE W N WORDS.

school - also in Canterbury by the way, the same school where Kit Marlowe went a few years before me. Then there was my friend Ted Hughes who kept me writing when things were not going well; and I owe much to my own children and the children I taught in school, who became my first readers and listeners. And my wife Clare is always my first reader and editor, and who always thought War Horse was my best book. She was right, it seems. She must be, because Joey has trotted on all these years, in one guise or another, as a book, a play, in concert form, as a film. Now when I write another book, I am ‘the author of War Horse.’ That I owe to the play, to the National Theatre, and to yet another of my benefactors, Tom Morris who had the crazy notion of adapting the book to the stage in the first place - more of him later.

During an eight year run in London, this now iconic National Theatre play toured in the UK, in the US, in Europe, in Australia, Japan and China, and played to over 7 million people worldwide.

This tour marks the 10th Anniversary of the play, which opened at the National Theatre on the 9th of October 2007.

On the 5th of September 2013, Joey the War Horse, came back to where he was born, in the tiny village of Iddesleigh in deepest Devonshire. The town band played for him, the bunting was out, the flags were flying and two hundred children were there along with most of the people of the parish and from all over Devon to welcome him home. Joey loved every minute of it, tossing his head, rearing up and neighing, relishing the adoration. But I could see he was longing to break free to gallop over the fields where he grew up as a foal way back, before he was trained as a farm horse, before he was sold away to the army in 1914 as a cavalry horse, a war horse.

Stories without hearing her voice in my head.

Whatever we become or whatever we achieve in this life, we only do it with the help and inspiration of others, our benefactors. My mother gave me my love of stories, a teacher or two at my

The story of War Horse was first conceived in front of the log fire in the The Duke of York pub in Iddesleigh in the winter of 1980, after (or was it during?) a conversation with an old soldier from the First World War, Wilf Ellis, who first told me how it was to find himself as a young man in the trenches of Flanders.

He spoke as if he was seeing it all again in his mind’s eye, as if he recalled the faces of friend and foe alike, the camaraderie, and the pity. I had read the Great War poets, seen All Quiet on the Western

Front and Oh! What a Lovely War. But here was someone who had been there.

Other old men in the village, Captain Budgett, a cavalryman, and Albert Weeks, told me more. The more I heard, the more I felt that any story I might want to write about this war had to be written not from a British perspective, not even from a French or German or Belgian one.

It had to be the story of the suffering and grieving on all sides, military and civilian too. I needed to tell a story that reflected the universal pity of war.

In 1982, when it was published, the book was liked well enough by those who read it, but sadly, not many did read it, and all too few bought it. Reviews were ‘mixed’.

The publishers, Egmont, bless their hearts, kept it in print; and in France, Cheval de Guerre has never been out of print with Gallimard. The book was out to pasture on my backlist.

Then one morning, some 25 years later Tom Morris, an Associate Director from The National Theatre rings me up saying he’d like to make a play of War Horse, with puppets! Absurd, I thought, but it’s the National Theatre, for goodness sake. Maybe they know what they’re doing. Then they showed me the work of Handspring Puppet Company. I heard the music of John Tams and Adrian Sutton, saw the set design of Rae Smith, read the scripts, saw the rehearsals. Yes, they did know what they were doing.

The play garnered awards by the dozen – unlike the book! And it’s now going on a tour to so many places from which young men left all those years ago to go to war, so many of them never to return. Their descendants will see a play that has been called ‘the greatest anthem to peace’ ever performed.

It has been wonderful enough for all this to happen, but for the play to go to Berlin was truly momentous, and timely too. It was 2014, a hundred years since German soldiers marched away to fight in France and Belgium; since British soldiers went across the Channel to confront them; a hundred years after the beginning of arguably the most terrible of all wars- ‘the war to end all wars’- in which over ten million soldiers on all sides perished, and ten million horses too and a British play about the First World War was performed in Berlin by German actors, a play which is above all about our universal longing dluxe-magazine.co.uk 21

SPOTLIGHT.

for peace and reconciliation. It played in England and Germany at the same time.

I have lived all my life in a post-war world, post both World Wars, though many consider them to be in effect one war with a twenty-year interruption.

My childhood was lived amongst the ruins of bombed-out London. As I grew up I heard stories of pride, of heroism and cruelty, of grief and loss. I played war games in amongst the ruins, shot Germans by the hundred, until I began to realise that in war there is suffering and loss on both sides, that anger lives on through grief, and that it is anger that leads so often to the next war. I learned also that it is rare for war to solve anything, and that we go to war because words and common sense and human kindness and mutual respect have failed us. In Europe, we have at long last, I hope, learned this, and at a terrible cost. Now we argue about currency, and sausages, and agriculture, and fishing and football. The frontiers have gone. Our children and our grandchildren are hardly aware they are there. The bitterness and the anger has passed and we try to find common cause whenever we can, and when we can’t, we agree to disagree.

I go often to Ypres to research my stories, and whenever I do I make a point of visiting the War Cemeteries. I am struck always how many British people are there, Australians too, and Canadians, and New Zealanders, but how very few Germans are there. Yet their fathers and sons, their brothers and uncles, who left their homes a hundred years ago died in even greater numbers than ours. Their boys went to war for much the same reasons ours did: patriotism, pride, for adventure, because they were told to.

Their deaths were as terrible, the sense of loss at home just as grievous. Yet it 22 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

would seem that even now, the shadow of the Hitler War does not allow them to remember, as we do, those who died in the First World War. The last of the old soldiers, theirs and ours, of the First World War, are now all gone. There are fewer every year who knew and loved them. The hurt and anger, the grieving and the guilt is passing. In their place is a growing respect between the nations, and a determination to forge reconciliation and understanding. If the play of War Horse, and the book and the film too, can play a small part in this new beginning, then I shall be a happy man.

Siegfried Sassoon wrote in November 1918: RECONCILIATION When you are standing at your hero’s grave Or near some homeless village where he died Remember, through your heart’s rekindling pride The German soldiers who were loyal and brave.

Men fought like brutes, and hideous things were done And you have nourished hatred, harsh and blind.

But in that Golgotha perhaps you’ll find The mothers of the men who killed your son.

When we played in Berlin we called War Horse ‘Gefährten’ which means ‘comrades’. We are all comrades now.

About time.

Warhouse runs at Birmingham’s Hippodrome from the 10th October until the 3rd November. For tickets visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com

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HER STYLE. 1

GO WILD IN THE COUNTRY This season the look is much less granny chic, much more in too deep.

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NEUTRAL GEAR

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Kick saccharine shades into touch with the most muted trend of AW18. From Fendi to Dior, this season’s catwalk collections were awash with earth tones of toffee, sand, beige and tan. Warm in both colour and construction, the look is crafted from velvet, silk, suede and wool with gorgeous glimmers of copper, rose gold and bronze.

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LISA PIDDINGTON from Harvey Nichols Birmingham selects her favourite pieces for an understated yet ultra chic look.

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Womenswear and accessories featured are available from Harvey Nichols, The Mailbox and online at www.harveynichols.com.

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1: Outfit by Hugo Boss. 2: Tweed Earrings £12 River Island. 3: Rosaline Coat £349, Hobbs. 3: Tartan Wide Leg Trouser £40, River Island. 5: Simoone Boot, £180, Dune London. 6: Check Mini Skirt £45, Lipsy. 7. Bakerboy Cap £16 , TopShop. 8: Balmain Tweed Bag £1420, Harvey Nichols. 9: Brow Fox Backpack £275, Kate Spade. 10: Tartan Boot £45, Marks and Spencers.

1: Gucci cross-body bag, £805. 2: Isabel Marant Filipo wool-blend coat, £890. 3: Stella McCartney wool and silk-blend jumper, £685. 4: Olivia Burton rose gold watch, £100. 5: Gianvito Rossi stretch-knit boots, £730. 6: Marc Jacobs Snapshot shoulder bag, £285. 7: Vince linen-blend culottes, £235. 8: RED Valentino ruffled jumper, £435. 9: Rick Owens biker jacket, £1,485. 10: Stella McCartney tiger-intarsia wool-blend jumper, £545. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 25

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HER STYLE.

WHERE DID YOU

GET THAT HAT The wind is starting to get chilly, the clouds are getting darker and the sun is getting shorter. Summer has officially left us and it’s time to wrap up for the coming winter season but is it possible to keep warm AND still look stylish in the cold weather?

Fear not, your Fairy Clothes Mother is on hand with your winter fashion accessory forecast…

If your grandma was anything like mine, telling me that if I didn’t wear a hat I’d loose 50% of my body heat through my head? I’m not sure if she was right or not, but wearing a hat throughout the winter is an essential for us Brits.

Covering up is key to keeping warm. With the icy winds and freezing temperatures it is as important to keep your head and ears toasty as it is any other part of your body.

Winter hats come in many guises and will be made from warmer fabrics than summer hats, think wool, felt, fur and fleece. For those of you who instantly think “hats don’t suit me” luckily for you, I will also give you a bit of guidance on which hats are best suited to your needs and style. Here are my top styles that will keep you warm and stylish.

BOBBLE HAT

Always a popular hat choice for kids, now adults are getting in on the act too! A bobble hat is usually a knitted beanie hat with a ‘ball’ on top.

My personal favourite have a fur pom pom on the top, I think I have one in black, grey and camel! A bobble hat suits most face shapes and can work well for a more casual occasion teamed with a knitted type scarf and gloves. Perfect for when the weather really does take a turn.

FEDORA

A fedora is a more structured winter hat with a brim which is most commonly made from wool and felt. The traditional fedora hat has a crease down the centre and is pinched at the front of the crown.

This is probably my favourite style of winter hat as it is a little bit dressier than a beanie or bobble hat, in fact it can be really stylish when teamed with a sophisticated winter coat. My recent ones have come from Reiss, I’d go for neutral colours like taupe or navy.

FUR HAT

Fur hats are often associated with glamour and are popular with those looking for a more formal winter hat. Fur hats are not for the shy and retiring but are well suited to those with a rounder face shape.

They are great for outdoor events in winter such as the races or a winter wedding.

FUR HEADBAND

Although technically not a hat, a fur headband is a popular choice for winter and can be easier to wear than a full fur hat. Fur headbands are well suited to those with a structured or round faces. My fur head band

Outfit By Lipsy

is in a honey colour from Helen Moore, I love them! Perfect for when you want to add a bit of practical glamour.

If a hat still isn’t your thing then how about a thick woolly scarf?

This is a must-have for winter which can be added to your jacket, jumper or coat for extra warmth when the winds are particularly strong and cold. They can brighten up your dark autumn winter wardrobe with ease as there are so many styles and colours to choose from. Scarves are very versatile and you can tie them or toss them over your shoulders different ways. The

easiest way to wear a scarf is to wrap it around your neck or drape it casually around your shoulders.

It will provide you warmth and style, especially when you match it with winter hats and gloves. There are millions of videos on how to wear a scarf on youtube if all else fails!

If you need some help mastering a stylish yet practical winter wardrobe, you know where to find me…

Your Fairy Clothes Mother x Fax Fur Bobble £6.99 each Pavers Fedora £45 Hobbs Faux Fur Hat £42 and Faux Fur Headband £32 Both Helene Moore.

Working as a Buyer and Image Consultant for high street fashion chains as well as high end designers, including Amanda Wakeley, Cleo now runs her own personal styling and shopping service, helping real men and women to take control of their wardrobe.

E: cleolacey@demi-couture.co.uk W: www.demi-couture.co.uk Facebook: Demi Couture Twitter: @cleolacey Instagram: DemiCoutureStylist 26 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

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CLOCK

AUTUMN HAIR TRENDS Summer has been a long one but autumn is finally upon us.

Everyone’s hair has suffered some loss of condition this year with one of the hottest and longest summers we have seen for aeons in the UK. Deciding what to do with your hair next is a hot topic too.

Sunlight can do some wonderful natural things to your hair so do you embrace the lighter hues or warm-up your look for the colder months ahead?? How do you translate beachy curls back to office chic, and is it time to get some structure back into your cut?

For those who are choosing to rock the “just off the plane look” through autumn think of adding warmer sun kissed tones to your blonde. Choose a more glowing pallet of colour with soft gold tones even into rose, peach and pink. Team these tones with a clever placement around the face (lighter to give width and darker to frame) *Ryans tip: “If you loved it on holiday but hate it at home don’t be afraid of adding back your natural depth, leave out or add lightness in key areas and bring back the darker roots dragging them down for a really natural ‘Caroline Flack’ look. “ Brunettes really feel the heat in the sun, causing lift in reds and increased brassiness where it’s not wanted, however with some simple colour work you can be cool and shiny again! Condition without compromise (try Umberto Giannini Over Indulge for an intensive treatment) to accentuate the multi tones in your hair which gives the illusion of adding depth and also a subtle lift. Choose a semipermanent gloss, mocha’s for the deeper bases and coppers for mid to light browns to add a luminous glow. Think of it as adding lip-gloss for your hair, moisture and condition without the damage!

With everyone copying celebrity styles its hard to be unique. Braver clients need to think shorter strong lines above shoulder with no angles and geometry. Sassy natural texture is key to most looks this season and by using texture dust (Umberto Giannini Powder Pouf!) and a little heat for a suggestion of a bend, your style will be on point. Pony tails are always a style winner, wearing them low and pulling some hair out around the face with some natural texture will be the trend for A/W 2018. Keep Weatherproof Curls in your handbag for touch-up’s and twirls. * Mindy’s Tip Still confused? For an in-depth personalised consultation free of charge, don’t hesitate to call the salon and meet with one of our specialists who will be happy to talk you through any colour or style transition.

Find out more at Umberto Giannini, 50 Newhall Street, Birmingham. B3 3RJ. Tel. 0121 4000317 www.umbertogiannini.com

Arm yourself with the best lotions and potions and give Mother Nature a helping hand with these skincare must-haves designed to fight back against the signs of ageing. From youth-boosting ingredients to wrinkle reducers, HELEN GOUGH, Beauty Manager at Harvey Nichols Birmingham, reveals her anti-ageing arsenal.

La Mer’s The Renewal Oil, £170, is infused with Miracle Broth - the legendary sea-blend at the heart of La Mer – and sea-sourced actives to help renew and energise your skin.

For maximum results with minimal irritation, try Peter Thomas Roth’s Retinol Fusion PM, £52. It gently exfoliates while you sleep enhancing tone and texture.

Infused with vitamins C and E, this moisturising formula suits all skin types.

Estée Lauder’s Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Ageing Crème, £63, answers your face’s changing needs with its highly effective, naturally based IntuiGen Technology™ designed to stimulate and revitalise your skin.

Designed for all skin types, Premier Cru The Cream, £90, from Caudalie, is enriched with hyaluronic acid and anti-ageing peptides to deliver visibly younger skin. It works to target wrinkles, dark spots and loss of firmness.

A triple-action flash radiance serum with an immediate lift effect; Rodial’s Pink Diamond Instant Lifting Serum, £120, is a powerful cocktail of agedefying enzymes, proteins and vitamin C to even tone and brighten the complexion.

Products featured are available from the Beauty Hall at Harvey Nichols Birmingham or online at harveynichols.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 27

STYLE.

STREET STYLE THE DLUXE STYLE TEAM HAVE BEEN SEARCHING THE STREETS FOR THIS SEASON’S HOTTEST LOOKS.

While on the lookout, they’ve discovered the amazing PLUS app from Bullring & Grand Central Birmingham, that helps you find your perfect outfit essentials or snap up that must have piece you’ve spotted anywhere simply by taking a quick pic!

Solving your shopping dilemmas, the Style Seeker function matches your pic to the same or similar item available from the shopping centre meaning you’ll never miss out on the hottest looks – it’s great for those looking to colour match too!

Try it for yourself - search for Bullring & Grand Central PLUS in your app store and scan our Street Style pics to steal our style!

AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FOR FREE FROM THE ITUNES APP STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY STORE

MONTANA @ Debenhams

DAISY & GARRETT @ Ted BAker

As for style icons? Lady Gaga & Sharon from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Garrett: I’m enjoying listening to Mac Miller at the moment and my style icon would be Kanye West.

Visiting Madrid for the first time & discovering new foods was a major highlight of my summer.

Daisy: I spent two weeks in Turkey this summer- bliss! My Style Icon would have to be Paloma Faith and as for what I’m listening to at the momnent it’s George Ezra.

Robert @ JOHN LEWIS

I went across to Japan this summer - that was a definite highlight. At the moment I’m listening a lot to Foals and as for my style icon? Has to be Leonardo Dicaprio.

DOWNLOAD THE BULLRING & GRAND CENTRAL PLUS APP FROM THE APP STORE OR GOO 28 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

WIN

Win simp £100 g i app, ly downl ft card o a com nd ent ad the er th petit the s ion u e DLu ecret co sing xeBP de LUS

Danni @ OASIS

This summer I was travelling to both Bali and Portugal. I love the style of Olivia Palermo and have been listening alot to Placebo this summer.

Henna @ KAREN MILLEN

I’ve spent the summer filming my friends short film ‘A Promise!’

My soundtrack for this summer has been The Dirty Three and my style icons are Nick Cave and Johnny Cash.

I managed to get away to Ibiza this summer! I’ve been listening a lot to Anne Marie and my style icon would have to be Frankie Bridge.

CORY @ G Star

SOPHIE @ TOPSHOP

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAULMORGAN.COM

Brandon @ TOPMAN

The highlight of my summer has got to be the weather and spoending time in beer gardens. My style icon is Pharrell Williams and in five years time i want to be runing my own business.

I’m listening to the new Ariana Grande album at the moment. My style icon is Leandra Cohen.

Francis @ JOHN LEWIS

I visited the Francesca Woodman Exhibition in Liverpool- would thoroughly recommend! My style icons are Louise Brooks and Stevie Nicks.

GLE PLAY FOR FREE AND SCAN THE PICTURES TO UNLOCK THIS SEASON’S STYLE SECRETS

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 29

HIS STYLE. 1

GREAT

OUTDOORS Great Outdoors- One should always wear Brown in Town.

Bring a little bit of country living to the city this season.

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GROOMING:

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A FRESH START

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Over the summer your face accumulates a build-up of grime from suntan oil and sweat, so investing in a great cleanser is must. LISA PIDDINGTON, from Harvey Nichols Birmingham, reveals her essentials for squeaky clean skin.

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1: Elemis deep cleanse facial wash, £22.50: The ultimate daily cleansing solution; this fast-acting gel formula contains spearmint, peppermint and oak bark in a milk protein base.

It loosens and removes dirt and grime leaving skin squeaky clean and thoroughly refreshed.

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2: FOREO Luna™ 2 For Men, £169: Love your gadgets?

Then this beauty’s for you!

Utilising an enhanced T-Sonic™ facial-cleansing and anti-ageing system it’s designed for an even more effective cleanse that preps your skin for the smoothest shave.

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3: Skin Laundry Skin Purifying Cream Cleanser, £20: Containing a whole host of active ingredients – including aloe barbadensis leaf juice, meadowfoam seed oil and panthenol – it cleans and hydrates dry skin as it melts away dirt and impurities.

This formula leaves skin clean, fresh and comfortable, but never dry.

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4: House 99 Purefectly Clean Face Wash, £17: This daily face wash cleanses, purifies and helps clear clogged pores. Its ultra-fresh effect leaves you feeling fresh, smooth and revitalised while the charcoal-enriched gel with peppermint extract is your sure-fire route to clearer looking skin.

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5: Pestle & Mortar Renew Cleanser, £34: Formulated with superoxide dismutase and papaya and mango enzymes, this lightweight cleansing gel leaves skin bright, hydrated and glowing. The fermented ingredients also ensure that it’s is effective for sensitive and dry skin too.

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1. Beacon Quilted Coat, £99.95, Barbour. 2. Bobble Hat, £14, Burton.

3. Timbeland Boots £115 Dune. 4. Camo Blur Montana Bag, £39.99, Superdry. 5. Mustard Jumper, £16, F&F Tesco, 6. D Nobble Bobble Hat, £15, Dune. 7. Bakerboy Cap, £15, River Island, 8. Sand Shirt, £70, Luke 1977, 9. Quilted Gillet, £48, Next. 10. Hiking Boot, £85, Office.

6: Estée Lauder Nutritious MicroAlgae Cleansing Bar, £20: Raise the bar on your daily cleansing routine; crafted in Japan with a coldprocessed, nutrient-dense algae blend, it helps dissolve impurities and keep pores clear leaving you with a natural, healthy-looking glow.

All products featured are available from the Beauty Hall at Harvey Nichols Birmingham, The Mailbox. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 31

HIS STYLE.

THE CASUALWEAR: EDIT 1

While dressing for work may be relatively easy – suit, check; white shirt, check; patterned tie, check – many men struggle with the idea of weekend casual. So rather than relying on those trusty sweat pants and well-worn tees, we asked the Menswear team from HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM to reveal their new season must-haves. Think classic fits, deconstructed tailoring, fail-safe shades and comfort-first fabrics with a ‘wear me anywhere’ appeal.

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1: Belstaff Redenhall quilted shell jacket, £350. 2: Dsquared2 jogging trousers, £260. 3: Fendi Monster appliquéd backpack, £1,350. 4: Fendi Monster skate shoes, £535. 5: Givenchy Urban Street trainers, £450.6: Kenzo tiger-embroidered sweatshirt, £215. 7: Nudie Jeans Long John slim-leg jeans, £95. 8: Polo Ralph Lauren appliquéd T-shirt, £60. 9: Solid Homme mélange sweatshirt, £210. 10: Stone Island hooded sweatshirt, £230.

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Clothes featured are available from Harvey Nichols Birmingham, The Mailbox, via Style Concierge or online at harveynichols.com

FILL YOUR QUIET TIME WITH PITCH PERFECT SOUND One of my earliest childhood memories is of my father, laid down behind the sofa, headphones on and listening to the songs of his youth at full blast, no doubt desperately trying to block out the chaos of children around him. We all knew better than to disturb him during this ‘me time’ moment or to ever touch or tamper with his beloved headphones. The make of them? Denon, of course.

One of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality home entertainment products, Denon, have launched a new set of supremely stylish, meticulously engineered headphones that I’m sure my Dad would have been adding to his Christmas list: the striking AH-D5200. Contemporarily crafted from carefully selected real woods and metals and 32 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

incorporating proprietary Denon technologies, the elegant new headphones draw on a 50-year legacy of classleading headphone engineering to deliver exceptional sound either on the move or at home.

Producing the purest possible sound, one that is both detailed and accurate, the AH-D5200 headphones use the natural acoustic properties of their zebrawood housing to help reduce unwanted resonances.

The finest materials are used to cancel out unwanted distortion in the diaphragm including vibration-reducing engineering resin baffles and soft, compliant surround materials to deliver the cleanest sound possible.

Perfect for that quiet moment…

The AH-D5200 costs £549 and is available now through authorised Denon retailers.

and more...

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MOTORS.

GENERATION

As American as apple pie, the Jeep Wrangler has always been a symbol of adventure, style and rebellion. The new generation of the iconic Jeep Wrangler, launching this autumn, promises to keep true to this spirit whilst offering superior levels of comfort and better driving dynamics for a fresh chapter in the legendary history of the Jeep brand, a story which began in 1941.

Part of pop culture since, well, pop culture began, the Wrangler has been completely renewed while remaining true to its essence, offering legendary offroad capabilities, authentic Jeep styling and advanced technology features. The result is the most capable Wrangler ever.

The fourth generation Jeep Wrangler is offered in three different trim levels: Sport, Sahara and Rubicon – all available in two- or four-door configuration, and in an all-new Overland pack, exclusively 34 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

on the Sahara version, ensuring a more up-scale appearance.

Depending on the trim, the range features two advanced four-wheel drive, active, on-demand full time systems - Command-Trac and Rock Trac, plus Tru-Lock electric front- and rear-axle lockers, Trac-Lok limited slip differential and electronic front sway-bar disconnect to rival the best from Range Rover.

From the roughest terrain to more exclusive city streets, the Wrangler feels at home. The design has been subtly freshened whilst retaining traditional Jeep design cues: from the round headlights to the sevenslot grille; from the trapezoidal wheel arches to the visible hinges; from the folding windshield to the sport bar along with changes including a lowered beltline with larger windows offering

better outward visibility. There’s also more open-air freedom thanks to the removable doors and multiple open-air configurations hanks to hard top or soft top options enabling you to take your Jeep experience back to basics.

The windshield is tilted to an optimal degree to improve aerodynamics and features a new four bolt design at the top of the windshield’s frame to allow the windshield to fold down quickly and easily. The new header bar now connects the A-pillars and remains in place even when the windshield is folded down. This allows the rear-view mirror to remain in place even when the windshield has been folded away.

Features like the traditional folding windscreen make the Jeep Wrangler such a distinctive offering on today’s forecourts and Jeep are describing the

2WD and 4WD High range at speed up to 72km/h. In normal driving conditions, Command-Trac operates in two-wheel drive (2WD) and transfers 100 percent of engine torque to the rear axle but by shifting the dedicated lever to the 4WD High position, the driver can switch to four-wheel drive mode ideal when driving on slippery surfaces, such as sand, mud, snow or ice.

JEEP

Wrangler as the only authentic full openair 4x4 SUV available on the market.

The all-new Jeep Wrangler offers various top combinations enabling customers to choose multiple configuration possibilities and open-air adventures.

The all-new, easy-to-use Sky One-Touch power top lets occupants retract the full-length open canvas roof with a push of a button whilst a new Zipper-less soft top and a lighter and easy-to-use threepanel hard top offer the full open-air experience.

Ensuring the Wrangler stays an authentic off roader has been important to Jeep. Engineered to master the most challenging off-road tracks, the Wrangler is the result of more than seventy-five years of leadership in the development of 4x4 systems. The new shift on the fly technology allows for shifting between

The Rock-Trac 4x4 system, fitted on Rubicon models, features a two-speed transfer case with 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio and front and rear heavy-duty next-generation Dana 44 axles and Tru-Lok electric front- and rear-axle lockers to tackle the most extreme offroad trails. The standard equipment also includes a front and rear axle ratio of 4.10 for the petrol models and 3.73 for the diesel versions, Tru-Lok electric front- and rear-axle lockers to tackle the most extreme off-road trails.

Inside the Wrangler benefits from the high-level toys from parent company Fiat’s Alfa Romeo and Lancia parts bin as well the company’s Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system.

There’s a higher level of quality on display than on previous models. As with the exterior, the interior combines design cues such as horizontal design and centre stack with high level finishes and 7 inch Led display panel that’s bolted into place with real bolts to highlight the tough construction methods.

There’s also a host of clever storage solutions with durable mesh pockets that extend the entire length of the doors, cup holders and numerous phone storage areas. The glove box is now damped and, like the centre console, can be locked to safely secure valuables when the top is down. An under-floor storage area behind the rear seat provides room to secure small items out of sight. The interior is entirely washable and is even supplied with a protective rubber cover for the infotainment system screen, that allows easy clean up and complete peace of mind.

On the road, the suspension has been tuned to optimize on-road handling and ride comfort without sacrificing offroad capability and there are two new powertrains available; a new 2.2-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel engine and 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine delivering 272bhp both mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a host of safety equipment too including Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection, front and rear Park assist, rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, electronic stability control (ESC) with ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation).

Prices for the new Jeep Wrangler are yet to be announced but the order book is said to be opening soon with Jeep UK apparently pushing for larger numbers due to prospective customer demand.

Register your interest and find out more at www.jeep.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 35

LIVING.

essential autumn interior style

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MID-CENTURY MUSE The Mid-Century aesthetic never truly goes out of style, but in autumn, we’re anticipating that it will be especially big, since it immediately evokes a strong, classic style, while still being a perfect cosy palette to build on.

Layering patterned, geometric rugs adds visual interest to the home while also upping comfort levels.

And an easy way to get the look is to find furniture that has strong lines, especially in brass and wood, such as an elegant coffee table or sofa.

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We’ll also see the quality of light change from the brightness of summer to the softer tones of autumn. Work with this and use warmer tones in the home, with tan and ochre being great options that will set the mood without being overwhelming.

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EMBRACE NATURE

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Summer may have been the season of all things tropical, with palm and leaf motifs dominating, but in autumn, natural elements and texture are still key towards creating an inviting and visually exciting atmosphere.

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Perennial plants offer a fresh, natural take as decor and table centrepieces. While green plants are always a fool-proof way to embrace an organic look, plants with red, brown and orange hues will lend a lovely, seasonal twist to your autumn display.

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And if you love the look of wallpaper - stick to it, just adapt.

Green themes can still be front and centre, but in different tones. Swap out the brighter greens for a more lush, emerald take, or darker, moody florals.

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LIVING.

JEWEL JOY

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Add sophistication with glamorous jewel tones.

Speaking of emerald - when applied to decor and furniture, jewel tones add a touch of elegance and cosiness to any room. Their more dramatic hues also make them ideal transitional shades for autumn.

Colours like teal, eggplant and sapphire blue are having a major moment, and autumn is the perfect season to fully experiment with these shades. Not only do they introduce a bold pop of colour to the space, they also add depth and comfort.

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Metallic and glossy finishes play up the fun and elegance of these rich colours, offering a contrast and adding light to the space.

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GREY DAYS What’s new then we hear you say? Yes grey has become a staple of interior design over the last few years simply because it looks so darn good! A bit of dark grey paint makes everything look stylish; especially in ultra flat matt finishes.

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The trend is evelving for 2018 into layering diferent shades of grey on top of each other.

Tone and texture are dynamically linked and mixing up some chunky knit, rough hessian and shimmering silks is sure to give the lok depth. Get painting. Again.

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27 29 1.Eden Table and Leon Chair from £249 Furniture Choice Ltd2. Gold Luxe Round Drinks Trolley, £218, www.audenza.com, 3. Scalloped Velvet Armchair, £835, www.audenza.com, 4. Bohemia Moroccan Pouffe Teal, £126, www.bohemiadesign.com. 5. Orion Geometric Tripod Table Lamp, Black And Copper, 49, Cult Furniture. 6. Bloomingville Geometric Glass Vase, Grey, £24, Cult Furniture. 7. Texture Multi Circle Art Print Framed Poster, Black and Blue, A2, £30, Cult Furniture. 8. Geometric Rectangular Cushion Cover – Mustard, £15, Dekoria.co.uk. 9. Deva Velvet Cushion in Orange, £59, Abode Living. 10. Deva Velvet Cushion in Navy, £59, Abode Living. 11. SEQUOIA CENTER TABLE, £POA, brabbu.com. 12. Gold Foil Palm Leaf Paper Plates, Pack of 8, £5.25, Candle & Cake Ltd. 13. Pineapple Rust Finish Candlestick, £19.99, Ian Snow Ltd. 14. The Forest Trees - Wall Art Print, £5, www.abstracthouse.com. 15. STAR Vintage Light Bulb Symbol, Price: £265.50, Alexander & Pearl. 16. Cult Living Penelope Accent Chair, Fabric Upholstered, Green Leaf, £129, Cult Furniture. 17. Cynthia Table Lamp With Emerald Blown Glass, £150 With With 30cm Tall Tapered Shade In Jade Taj Silk, £45, www.pooky.com. 18. Jewel Rug Sky Rose, £POA, Sonya Winner Studio. 19. Jewel Glass Vase, Amethyst £21.50, www.audenza.com. 20. Malachite Marble Cushion, £125, www.penelopehope. com. 22. Arthouse Teal Sequin Cushion, £18, ARTHOUSEEmail address: hollie@audenza.com, 23. Eichholtz Le Sereno Mirror, £890, Sweetpea & Willow. 24. Chapelle Bergère Armchair, £POA, www.oficinainglesa. com. 25. Agate Stone Bookends Teal Pair, £24.95, www.hurnandhurn.com. 26. Grey Mouse Lamp Laying, £63, Beaumonde, 27. Nude - Memento Mori Glass Skull Ornament Copper, £64, Hurn & Hurn. 28. Super Soft Reversible Throw - Earl Grey, £125, Tolly McRae, 29. Harrington Saloon Grey, £1305.25, Darlings of Chelsea. 30. Angled Desk Table Lamp - Matte Grey, £50, Hurn & Hurn

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SPECIAL FEATURE

LIVING.

“September is the perfect time to divide herbaceous perennials... lifting them and cutting them into smaller sections with a spade, helps to rejuvenate the plant.”

FALL INTO AUTUMN It certainly has cooled down since we’ve entered September but, that doesn’t mean we can hang up the gloves, there is still plenty to keep us occupied throughout the autumn months.

During September, the indoor team will be potting spring bulbs in the nursery, ready to be used in the Mediterranean House next spring. Hyacinths will be planted in 13cm half pots, 3 bulbs to a pot, each with their noses protruding out of the compost so that they don’t rot. Daffodils will also be planted in 18cm pots, 7 bulbs to a pot. Then, once potted, the Hyacinths and Narcissus will be placed outside in a north facing, dark covered cold frame until late winter. The cold and dark is needed to initiate good root growth.

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Moving outside, the team will also be planting spring bulbs into our bedding displays. This will be done once the 4,000-winter flowering Polyanthus have been planted out first. Moreover, the gardening team will be discussing, planning and ordering around 10,000 to 12,000 bedding plants for the next 18 months. Yes, for summer 2019 and winter 2019/2020! Gardeners always have to plan ahead!

We will also be planting new shrubs and perennials around the gardens, now that the weather is cooler and damper. They will get off to a good start, producing a good root system before the winter sets in. September is also the perfect time to divide herbaceous perennials. After 3 to 5 years, perennials can get pretty big and can start dying out in the centre and lose

vigour. By lifting them and cutting them into smaller sections with a spade, it helps to rejuvenate the plant. Don’t forget to water them in well. However, you may find you now have too many plants to cope with - but remember, you could swap them with your family and friends!

As the summer has been so hot and dry this year, many of you will have hardly had to cut your lawns - and neither have we! We are expecting to start mowing again during September; once the damp weather has started to help the lawns heal and flourish. However, towards the end of the month, we will be busy clearing up the first of the autumn leaves.

Why not visit the gardens to see the first trees produce their autumnal leaves?

Cercidiphyllum japonicum or candyfloss tree has heart shaped leaves in pink, orange and yellow, all of which smell of candyfloss or toffee apples. Make sure you see it in the Rhododendron Garden now!

Make sure you look after your garden and remember, if you have any questions, tweet us at @BhamBotanicalGd Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Rd, Birmingham B15 3TR Tel: 0121 454 1860

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Crafted with vegan-friendly soy wax and blended with the finest oils.

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TRAVEL.

The best autumn b IF IT ALREADY SEEMS LIKE YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY WAS A DISTANT MEMORY, NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO START PLANNING YOUR NEXT GETAWAY. AUTUMN IS AN IDEAL TIME TO TAKE YOURSELF OFF FOR A MINI BREAK OR LONG WEEKEND AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE LAST FEW RAYS OF SUNSHINE. EUROPEAN CITY BREAKS ACROSS SPAIN AND GERMANY ARE ONLY A SHORT PLANE JOURNEY FROM BIRMINGHAM, OR IF YOU’D RATHER A BREAK SLIGHTLY FURTHER AFIELD, THE MIDDLE EAST HAS SOME GREAT OPTIONS. IF YOU’D LIKE TO STAY CLOSE TO HOME, EDINBURGH AND BELFAST ARE WORTH CONSIDERING FOR A UK BREAK.

SUN, SEA AND SANGRIA IN SPAIN MADRID

The summer heat in Madrid is intense, so a stay in Autumn might be more comfortable. Locals and tourists alike flock to the city’s public parks to enjoy the year-round sunny days.

You can’t miss Retiro Park, a massive former royal garden that now has a boating lake and fountains. Foodies will revel in Madrid’s tapas culture. The La Latina neighbourhood is famous for its tapas bars, so plan to sample plates of patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo from as many as you can. It’s perfect for a culture-rich long weekend or a holiday, with lively atmosphere, food, music that goes long into the night.

PALMA

Mallorca is fondly termed ‘the star of the Mediterranean’. Palma, its capital, with its pavement cafes, boulevards and grand architecture is the jewel in the crown. Palma is a fabulous place for shopping with its many boutiques and shopping streets of Placa Mayor, Placa Mercat and Placa Cort-which without doubt is Palma de Mallorca’s greatest treasure. It is a 42dluxe-magazine.co.uk

delightful place for exploring the island’s many gold and white beaches.

Also, Palma’s old town is an appealing maze of narrow streets that are a must to explore on foot. You could spend weeks in the city alone- and still discover the fresh joys that the city brings!

SPECIAL FEATURE

breaks

HANNOVER

Understated, but just as charming as the other German cities, Hannover offers a laid-back vibe much-loved by ramblers and cyclists who explore the meadowlands along the River Leine. Popular with culture vultures, the city has an impressive choice of theatres offering opera, musicals, ballets and cabaret shows. The exceptional Baroque Herrenhäuser Gärten, the constructed Lake Maschsee and the Eilenriede, Europe’s largest urban forest, are all close at hand- where the first appearances might knock you off your feet.

BERLIN

Since the fall of the wall, Berlin has fast become a cultural and creative centre of Europe. Autumn is a great time to visit thanks to the city’s many beautiful gardens and parks. With sights including the Reichstag, Alexanderplatz and Checkpoint Charlie, the central Mitte neighbourhood is a must-visit.

Berlin is multicultural metropolis where locals follow the motto of ‘live and let live’ and emphasise on creative lifestyle where drinking is a religious rite. The vibrant culture, tangible history and the exotic food keeps the city alive at all times. If you’re visiting closer to Christmas, the Berliner Weihnachtszeit is one of the most famous Christmas markets and well worth a wander around to pick up some local gifts and delicacies.

SCENERY, HISTORY AND WHISKY IN THE UK CULTURE, ARTS AND BEER IN GERMANY MUNICH

Although best known for Oktoberfest, the Bavarian capital shouldn’t be ruled out as a city break destination worthy of a visit during the rest of the year too. Known as the ‘city of art and beer’, Munich boasts six major breweries meaning you can be sure to enjoy a good tankard at whatever time of day you fancy. Munich’s various quirks, make the city the place it is- whether it be the oompah band, the Bavarians outrageous dialect, the mad hat traditions of the Oktoberfest or the surfers on the Eisbach wave- when you are there you will surely discover the unpredictable aspect of Munich every day. For a slice of culture, visit Kunstareal, Munich’s art quarter, home to many museums and art galleries.

EDINBURGH

Edinburgh is a city perched atop Castle Rock and wrapped in rocky hills. The city is brimming with things to do and sights to visit.

Head to Holyrood and venture up Arthur’s Seat before enjoying the view from Edinburgh Castle and whetting your whisky whistle on one of the city’s famous distillery tours. If you’re willing to push the boat out, book into the Balmoral for the night, Edinburgh’s luxury railway hotel, and dine in the Michelin-star restaurant. Edinburgh is a city that begs to be explored!

BELFAST

Named the best place to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet, Belfast has undergone an incredible transformation in recent years so is well worth a visit if you haven’t ventured to Northern Ireland’s capital before. Voyage into the past when you visit Titanic Belfast and learn all about one of the world’s most iconic ships.

If you want to venture a little out of the city, The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a geological marvel made up of 40,000 interlocking rock columns created by an ancient volcanic eruption.

BEACHES, REEFS AND SPICES IN THE MIDDLE EAST MARSA ALAM

One of Egypt’s popular Red Sea destinations, offering miles of white sands, shimmering beaches and colour reefs. A perfect destination for divers, Marsa Alam has some of Egypt’s most unspoilt reefs with Elphinstone Reef being the best of the lot. Frequented with reef sharks, giant turtles and spinner dolphins, there’s a good chance you’ll see some of the marine wildlife.

DUBAI

Old Dubai is charming, especially the preserved narrow streets of Al Bastakiya, now known as the Al Fahidi Historical District. Near here is Dubai Creek, a vibrant area where the city began, full of street art, local cafes and colourful bazaars. The daring culture, extraordinary skylines, fashion, traditions and culture are opportunities that need to be explored if you are there! If you’re visiting for the first time, take in the view from the Burj Khalifa’s 124th floor observation deck, or visit the Jumeirah mosque, the most beautiful of all the mosques.

DOHA

From the sea to the desert and all that lies in between, there are lots of reasons to visit Doha. The largely wave-free coastline is a huge draw for families. Add into the mix its colourful coral reefs, salt pans bustling with wildlife, and postcard perfect islands, it’s easy to see why the Gulf is so tempting.

GETTING THERE

All destinations are directly accessible from Birmingham Airport from airlines including Qatar Airways, Emirates, Thomas Cook, Flybe, easyJet, Lufthansa, Ryanair and Jet2.

Visit www.birminghamairport.co.uk for more travel inspiration and to see our full range of destinations.

TRAVEL NEWS.

new look and augmented reality FOR SKYZONE HAVE AN ICE STAY WITH JET2 As part of the family-friendly brand initiative, Birmingham Airport launched the new look SkyZone area on Monday 23rd of July to coincide with the start of the school holidays. The Airport’s interactive and educational children’s play area located after security can be found at gate 55.

Skyzone is easily accessible for all families bringing a fun and engaging experience for all children pre-flight.

Birmingham Airport was recently named the most family friendly airport in the UK and Ireland. Netflights.com awarded Birmingham Airport this accolade after working with some expert parenting bloggers to measure 20 airports on their travel experience for families.

new ASPIRE LOUNGE AT BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT The new aspire Lounge (South) at Birmingham Airport opened its doors on the 6th August 2018, bringing the new design concept of Aspire Lounges to the Airport, complementing the existing Aspire Lounge.

The new Aspire Lounge (South) participates in Swissport’s Fit2Fly

• 4-night weekend trip on 7-11 March 2019 policy which aims to highlight guests’ own responsibilities when it comes to consuming alcohol and taking a flight.

The new Aspire Lounge (South) is the first in the Aspire lounge portfolio to feature a bespoke pantry table and food serving area, something that will be rolled out to other Aspire Lounges in the coming years.

Air India partners with Warwickshire CCC for Specsavers Test match at Edgbaston against India, which was held at Edgbaston from Wednesday 1st of August 2018.

In celebration of its fifth anniversary of operating flights from Birmingham Airport, Air India – which currently runs four direct services to Delhi and three flights direct to Amritsar each week –took perimeter branding throughout England’s first Specsavers Test match against India, in addition to working with Edgbaston on a series of digital marketing campaigns.

Warwickshire County Cricket Club agreed a new partnership with Air India at England’s first match of the Specsavers Test Series 44 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Whether it is the cityscape of Reykjavik, the spectacular Northern Lights, or the stunning Golden Circle and its geothermal lagoons, spas and waterfalls, Iceland offers an incredible variety of things for customers to experience and see. *Customers can take their pick from flightonly or package holiday options from Birmingham Airport, with flight-only deals starting from £169 return and package options with Jet2CityBreaks starting from £579, secured now for a low £60 per person deposit.

Due to the new lounge’s proximity to Gate 1 at Birmingham Airport, it is great for guests flying with Flybe or Ryanair but is open to all travellers no matter what their airline or travel class.

Striking entrance signage leads the guests to a welcome area, featuring a bespoke, back-lit welcome podium. A well-stocked bar, featuring fixtures and fittings that hark back to Birmingham’s industrial past, allows guests to help themselves to a selection of teas, coffees, soft drinks along with staff on hand to serve draught beer, wines and spirits.

Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks announced a programme of dedicated trips to Iceland from Birmingham Airport, with two oncein-a-lifetime opportunities to experience this fantastic destination and the spectacular Northern Lights now on sale for March 2019.

The partnership has been supported by Birmingham Airport, which has been working with Warwickshire CCC for more than a year.

*Price information correct at time of going to print.

TURKISH AIRLINES to DO DOUBLE DAILY TO ISTANBUL

Turkish Airlines has announced double daily services between Birmingham and Istanbul for Summer 2019.

The launch of the second service will give passengers greater choice and flexibility with two daily flights.

The first service each day will leave Birmingham Airport at 10.40 arriving in to Istanbul at 16.35 local time, with the second flight departing at 17.00 from Birmingham Airport and arriving in to Istanbul at 22.55 local time. The flights will be operated by a 737-800, ensuring that even more passengers will be able to take advantage of the non-stop connection to Istanbul from Birmingham.

TRAVEL.

DINING LA DOLCE VITA One of the great joys of traveling through Italy is discovering that it is, indeed, an idyllic destination. If you crave La Dolce Vita then the region of Toscana famed for its beauty, history, food and wine, should be on the bucket list of every foodie traveller writes Anita Champaneri.

I underestimated its charm and beauty, “it can’t surely be like those photos in the glossy mags?’

But it really is. A destination that should be a romantic backdrop to many a movie love story.

After a short flight from Birmingham to Pisa we were taken straight to La Bonnano Hotel, a central destination ideal for a sight-seeing base. Like most Italian provinces the province of Pisa has a strong food and wine heritage and we were on a mission to investigate them all.

First stop was a traditional Tuscan lunch in the beautiful setting of the olive farm in Calci hosted by Christine Ruski whose olive oil business has been in the family since the 1700s. Red wine is a must, so there was a glass of Vino Rosso to be enjoyed at every opportunity.

We had a traditional peasant meal of bread olive and tomatoes, some anti pasti and a to-die-for pannacotta that made everyone stop dead in their tracks with gasps of awe.

After a tour of the olive oil making process and a visit to say hello to some friendly donkeys we headed to The Charterhouse, a former monastery, which was built in 1366 and is an impressive building with 150 rooms where the monks used to live in quiet solitude.

It was also home to the Natural History Museum, which showcased an incredible display of stuffed animals and whale skeletons.

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Pisa is also known for the beautiful villas along the Silk Road which are nestled in some fantastic scenery. We visited the Villa Alta, which occupies a wonderful panoramic position that overlooks Miracle Square and the sea. The insides are decorated in warm yellows with frescos adorning the walls. There are some wonderful stories behind these homes occupied by the rich, which the new owners are all too eager to tell. In particular, the love stories of the rich and ambitious.

The Villa di Corliano had some even bigger stories to tell. Namely by an overbearing American woman trying to connect writer Mary Shelly and Dr Frank’s Kidney Stones! Don’t ask. It’s a beautiful building with high ceilings and impressive frescos, created by travelling artists of the time.

Day two was one of my favourite days. We took a pit stop at Museo Piaggio, a museum created to highlight the legacy of the iconic Vespa scooter. Fans would love this unique collection of colourful and stylish two wheelers. But it wasn’t long before we had to scoot off to explore more breath-taking parts of Tuscan countryside.

For great views of Tuscany, you need to head to the historic Castello dei Vicaro in Lari. The architecture has remained largely unchanged over the past four centuries and was the residence of the Vicario, the mayor. The views are magnificent, and you can see the entire valley of the River Arno for miles. Built on the hill of Lari, I’ve never seen anything like it, the scenery is spectacular and so utterly tranquil.

Sat at the foot of the castle is the family run Martelli business, based on one of the most tranquil streets I have ever set foot on.

If you have ever wondered how real pasta is made, the Martellis has been producing their own special brand since 1926. We were

taken through the process from wheat to dough, through a bronze cutter and then drying for 50 hours. Only family members work here and they are passionate about keeping up the tradition of pasta making from spaghetti to maccheroni and everything in between.

They were very welcoming and we loved their yellow uniforms resembling Super Mario characters!

Like most Italian provinces the province of Pisa has a strong food and wine heritage and the Torre a Cenaia Estate is one of the wine producing farms you can visit to taste some of its fine wines and beers. A picturesque estate covered in beautiful flowers we tried beer and sliced cheese and ham and took a horse carriage tour around the vast estate spotting wildlife along the way.

Obviously a trip to Pisa must include the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The iconic building has actually got a bit straighter and is back to the angle it was when Galileo Galilei was dropping objects from the top to test the theory of gravity.

We quickly climbed up to the top of the cylindrical building. Hard for the unfit but the impressive panorama of Pisa was a reward in itself.

Next to the tower is the domed Baptistry, another grand monument with wonderful acoustics. Then there is the beautiful cathedral, with its impressive hall and 24 carat gold ceiling.

Alongside this is the Monumental Cemetery, which has some marvellously graphic frescoes from Medieval times, including The Triumph of Death, depicting stories of heaven and hell to keep the populace in line. We learnt so much about Italian history here.

After a visit to a working salt mine we ventured to the charming town of

Volterra which pre-dates Rome to about 7thcentury BC. It has an extraordinary medieval charm, all cobbled streets covered in scented blooms of jasmine.

Here too you can enjoy some great views of the countryside.

Lunch was at a traditional restaurant called Beppino, on the menu was wild boar tagliatelle, sautéed pork chops with rosemary potatoes finished with a poached pear. Dreamy.

Then a stroll in the sunshine to The Fortezza Medicea, built on the highest point of the hill overlooking the town, was our next treat. From the outside it is an imposing structure and is currently a maximum security prison, with some parts open to tourists. We got to visit a small section accompanied by two guides which I didn’t realise until later were two current inmates!

Then we took a short drive to the Caia Rossa estate in Riparbella, set in 15 hectares of beautiful organic vineyard and forest. This was the Italia you dream of … a beautiful sunset, the rolling hills of vineyards, the scent of rosemary, the sound of crickets from the forest… it was all so picture perfect. We learnt about their process of wine making from the resident French sommelier, Julian, and tried several varieties of wine, but it was over far too quickly.

Our final day was as the Natural Park Migliarino San Rossore Massacuccoli which is one of the largest natural coastal parks in Europe. We took a horse drawn carriage taking in the wildlife, the sea and the sunshine. We potentially may have lost the tour guide’s dog but we did get comically chased by a wild boar too!

Our terrific trip to Tuscany finished with our gang enjoying a gelato in the sunshine by the Leaning Tower amongst the bustling tourists. Bellisimo!

GETTING THERE Anita Champaneri travelled with Jet2.com which offers flights to Pisa from Birmingham Airport up to two times a week and also flies there from East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle.

Fares with Jet2.com start at £49 one way or you can take a city escape with Jet2CityBreaks at the four-star Grand Hotel Bananno starting from £269 per person (based on three nights bed and breakfast, flights departing from Birmingham on July 12, 2018). To book flights visit jet2.com or for city breaks visit Jet2holidays.com/ city- breaks or call free on 0800 408 5599. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 47

DINING.

COMFORT COOKING FOR AUTUMN Whether you’re having a bonfire party, family get together or just wanting to snuggle up with something warming this Autumn, these one pot wonders are the perfect thing.

Celery, Chorizo & Cannellini Bean Stew Serves 4-6 Ingredients:

One Pot Stovetop Mac And Cheese serves 4 Ingredients 50g butter 200g shallots, finely chopped 1-3 red chillies, chopped (to taste) 1 tbsp plain flour 400g macaroni

1 litre milk 250ml water (plus a little extra if necessary) salt and freshly ground black pepper 1-2 tsp dijon mustard (optional) 250-300g extra mature cheddar (to taste), plus extra to serve

Method: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a low heat then add the shallots, cooking very gently for about 15 minutes until really soft but not coloured. Add the chilli and stir, cooking another minute. Stir through the flour, blending it well into the buttery shallots.

Tip in the macaroni and stir well then pour in the milk and water. Season well with salt and pepper and stir through the mustard if you are using. Bring up to the boil then reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring often (just like making a risotto) until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickened. It will still be a little liquid at this stage but will thicken with resting. If it seems a little dry add a splash of extra water.

Turn off the heat and allow the macaroni to rest and cool for 5 minutes. Scatter over the cheese, stirring until its melted and serve immediately.

Resting the pasta before stirring through the cheese is an important step so don’t be tempted to skip it. If you add cheese to the too hot sauce you run the risk of it turning a little granular, which won’t effect the taste of you mac and cheese just the texture.

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2 tbsp olive oil 6 shallots, sliced 250g chorizo, cut into 2cm slices 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ head celery, each stalk cut into 3 pieces, plus a few leaves for garnish 1.5 litres chicken or vegetable stock 500g dried cannellini beans, soaked overnight in cold water 2 bay leaves Salt & freshly ground black pepper Small bunch flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped Method: Heat the oil in a large saucepan and sweat the shallots until soft and translucent but not coloured at all.

Add the chorizo, turn up the heat a little and continue frying until the chorizo and shallots are lightly caramelized.

Add the garlic, smoked paprika and celery and fry for a further minute before pouring in the stock.

Finally add the drained beans and tuck in the bay leaves. Bring up to the boil and simmer steadily until the beans are soft and tender. This could take anything between an hour and an hour and a half depending on the dryness and age of the beans. Keep an eye on it and add a little cold water if it looks a bit dry at any stage.

When the beans are cooked, stir through the flat leaf parsley and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve in deep bowls scattered with a few celery leaves.

DITCH THE DRINK Whether you’re the one in charge of the car keys or just fancy an abstemious night out, here’s the answer to what to drink when you’re not drinking. KATIE SAYERS, Foodmarket manager at Harvey Nichols Birmingham, reveals the most palatable tipples guaranteed to leave you hangover free.

3: Harvey Nichols raspberry and mint tonic water, £1.50: Created in the tiny Aberdeenshire’s parish of Pitsligo, there’s no artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners or preservatives.

Tart berry fruit on the nose evokes summer scrumping, before leading to a crisp finish reminiscent of fresh mint tea.

SEED OF SOBRIETY Perhaps we’re past it but we’re weeping into our Woo Woos at the news that the average Millennial consumes just 5 units of alcohol a week – 9 units under the recommended allowance of 14.

Once perceived as a rite of passage, getting smashed off a weekend is now considered, much like smoking, ‘uncool’.

When we are drinking we’re reaching for something heritage with drinkers choosing to sip a craft beer in a microbrewery during a night of beard tweaking and YouTube watching rather than going out and getting mortal with the cast of Geordie Shore. Why Aye Canny Lass!

So it should come as little surprise that the world’s first non-alcoholic distilled spirit has been launched. Available In three different botanically based flavours; Spice 94, Garden 108 and Grove 42, Seedlip has been championed by some of the most celebrated bartenders and Michelin starred Chefs around the globe so it can’t be all bad.

What’s more it’s available locally at Harvey Nichols and The Edgbaston in Birmingham as well as The Gadabout in Leicester so there’s no excuse not to give it a try sometime.

Seedlip Spice 94 is a complex blend of aromatic, Jamaican All Spice Berry & Cardamom whilst Garden 108 offers a blend of hand-picked Peas & homegrown Hay and Grove 42 combines a zesty & complex blend of three types of orange & uplifting spice distillates.

So maybe it is time to say to bin the bubbles and say hello to a life of never ending sobriety… sigh. www.seedlipdrinks.com

1: Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic water, £1.75: Made with a blend of essential oils from a range of flowers, fruits and herbs from around the Mediterranean, with the highest quality quinine from the fever trees of the eastern Congo.

2: Harvey Nichols nonalcoholic sparkling Chardonnay, £10: This refreshing non-alcoholic sparkling wine is made by Maggie Beer from the juice of Chardonnay grapes. Best enjoyed chilled and served in a Champagne flute, it also makes a great alcohol-free spritzer with mineral water and crushed mint.

4: Rosemary Water sparkling water, £3.95: With just two ingredients – ethically sourced pure rosemary botanical extract and pure spring water – you’ll find no additives, sugar or artificial sweeteners.

The aroma is most certainly fragrant, but the flavour is more subdued, resulting in a refreshing finish.

5: Seedlip Spice 94, £28.95: The world’s first distilled nonalcoholic spirit; this is an aromatic and earthy blend of copper-pot distillates, including allspice, cardamom and lemon.

It is crafted in a similar manner to a gin, just without the alcohol, and has no added sugar or sweeteners. Perfect with tonic and a grapefruit twist.

6: Seedlip Garden 108, £28.95: The second release from Seedlip is a green and floral blend of handpicked peas and hay with spearmint, rosemary and thyme. Mix with bitter lemon or tonic; it’s the refreshing choice for a sinfree sip.

7: The London Essence Company rhubarb and cardamom soda water, £1.95: A precise blend of rhubarb and natural cardamom contributes to the rounded body and subtle vanilla aroma of this tasty soda.

Cardamom distillate adds slightly spiced notes as the initial taste of sweet candied berries gives way to a dry finish.

8: Thomas & Evans No1, £3.95: Named after Mr William Thomas and Mr William Evans who produced non-alcoholic drinks during the growing temperance times of the 1880s, this captures the quality of their classic drinks for a new generation.

All drinks featured are available from the Foodmarket and Wine Shop at Harvey Nichols Birmingham.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 49

DINING.

dINING DIGEST

It’s all going on in Birming-yum writes DLUXE Dining correspondent Anita Champaneri. Read more food news at dluxe-magazine co.uk and msdelicious.blogspot.co.uk

Anita

The summer of 2018 was, quite possibly, one of the most memorable ones of the decade.

The season began with Meghan Mania which reached fever pitch in May with the Royal Wedding. We headed down to Windsor in May which was undoubtedly one of the best days we have ever had. That, for me anyway, heralded the start of summer and the longest heatwave since 1976.

for ice cream with Glynn Purnell and then Hotel du Vin showcased their summer menu with this Fruits de Mer platter taking centre stage.

We launched fast food Thai Express at Grand Central and sophisticated dining at Three Church Road, Audley Village. There were openings galore, from casual Indian pubs like the Tap and Tandoor to haute cuisine like Opheem by Aktar Islam. And street food festivals were popping up quicker than popping candy in a school kids’ party bag.

With the school holidays upon us, the mood was ‘lazy days of summer’. So with Dirty Martini launching their new brunch we just had to check it out. The Martini Brunch includes martinis, bottomless prosecco and finger food for just £25.

June started on a high a glorious trip to Tuscany. We drank vino rosso, toured vineyards and pasta factories, ate wild boar ragu, indulged in the creamiest pannacotta, climbed the Leaning Tour of Pisa and generally had a mucho bellisimo time.

The month culminated with the Midlands Food Drink and Hospitality Awards at a gloriously sunny Edgbaston with the who’s who of culinary excellence.

There was no let up in July as we had a ‘working trip’’ to the Colmore Food Festival 50 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

music and atmosphere in DM and it’s a great way to spend some quality time with your girlfriends!

Going further afield we headed to Sutton Coldfield to vist Migas the new restaurant

by Emma Yufera Ruiz who also owns El Borracho.

You can choose from a selection of classic martinis from the Martini Brunch menu featuring all of the bar’s favourites, including the Passionfruit Martini, the Mango & Chilli Martini, the French Martini and my particular favourite the Blood Orange & Vanilla Martini Alongside the martinis you get the Brunch Birdcage; a selection of food including beef sliders, buttermilk fried chicken and arancini balls. I love the

Migas, named after the Spanish for ‘breadcrumbs’, will offer diners a menu of authentic, home-cooked dishes, including the famous Andalusian tapas dish from which it got its name, as well as an extensive list of ‘quality wines and sangria’. Expect ‘traditional decoration and a warm Spanish welcome’. It’s a lovely place with a cosy ambience.

Chef James Goodyear, formerly of Maaemo, Le Manoir and Dabbous will be hosting an evening of refined but soulful food and drink inspired by the Autumn season in the beautiful setting of Manor Cottage in Hampton Manor’s Victorian walled garden.

Exclusively for just 12 guests on selected weekends in September for £65 .

with a truly scrumptious afternoon tea, including some festive treats, think mince pies, turkey and cranberry sausage rolls and gingerbread men. The festive afternoon tea is available throughout December and is £22.50. Make it extra special and add a glass of chilled Champagne.

When it comes to the big day, gather your nearest and dearest and enjoy a long relaxing day in he HdV Bistro. Indulge in their five course Christmas Day feast and make it a celebration to be remembered by all. The menu is full of classic favourites, but also welcomes you to try some of their new combinations such as pancetta wrapped scallops or panettone chocolate bomb, priced at £105 per person.

Joyeux Noel @ HDV All you could want for Christmas, from a festive party with colleagues to a family Boxing Day lunch. Hotel du Vin Birmingham is the perfect location to celebrate in style.

It’s a time for togetherness, love and laughter, delicious food and wine. Dine in the HdV character bistro from just £31.95, enjoying a three course celebration menu and simply have a good time with friends, family and colleagues, whilst they take care of the rest.

For a special touch, enjoy your festive celebration in one of their unique fully

refurbished private dining rooms. The HdV celebration package includes a welcome glass of fizz, half a bottle of mineral water, half a bottle of HdV selection wine as well as their delicious three course menu. Trust us your guests will be impressed! The Festive celebration menu is available from 27th November until 24th December.

December can get fairly busy with organising get-togethers, finding gifts for friends and family and making sure we’re ready in time. But with all the running around, don’t forget to also enjoy the festive season. Give yourself and friends a break

After the big day, there is a chance to wind down and pile your plate high with a lavish and leisurely four course Boxing Day lunch, including the French market table, followed by classic roasts and delicious desserts, for £39 per person.

Finally raise a glass and see in the New Year with style! The HdV extraordinary Black Tie four course dinner in their beautiful venue will set you off to a good start, followed by live music until the early morning hours, they’d love for you to join the party! £99 per person, including a glass of Champagne.

Full details including menus are available on our website at hotelduvin.com, to enquire about booking please call 0121 794 3005 or email events.birmingham@ hotelduvin.com.

Celebr at e t he f est ive season in s t y l e w ith col l e a g u e s , fr ie n d s a n d fa m il y C E L E B R ATI O N MENU FROM £ 3 1 .9 5 per person 2 7 t h No ve mb e r – 24 t h D e ce mb e r

N E W Y E A R ’ S EVE GAL A £ 9 9 per person

HOTELDUVIN.com events.birmingham@hotelduvin.com 0121 794 3005

THE DIARY. Tony Hadley

8th October at Symphony Hall Millions know him as the former front man of Spandau Ballet, which earned him the accolade of one of pop’s great vocalists. Thirty years on, the unmistakable voice of Tony Hadley still brims with passion and urgency as it first did all those years ago.

52 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

SEPTEMBER Rebus: Long Shadows

20th September – 6th October at Birmingham Repertory Theatre The brand-new Rebus story written exclusively for the stage. Detective Inspector John Rebus is retired but the shadows of his former life still follow him through the streets of Edinburgh. Whisky helped but now he’s denying himself that pleasure. But when the daughter of a murder victim appears outside his flat, he’s back on the case and off the wagon.

Travolta classic, this all new stage version promises more drama, more music and is bound to have you dancing in the aisles. Saturday Night Fever tells the iconic story of Tony Manero, and his reckless, yet thrilling road to dancing success. Featuring the Bee Gees’ greatest hits Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy, More Than a Woman and many more.

Early Doors Live

28th September at Arena Birmingham Early Doors - Britain’s best loved pub sitcom is back! - live on stage! With a brand-new story, all new material, and the same hilarious characters, Early Doors hits Arena Birmingham this September. Written by and starring Craig Cash and Phil Mealey, The Grapes Pub reopens its doors for a not to be missed night of fun and laughter.

Dionne Warwick

20th September at Symphony Hall, Birmingham Dionne Warwick will be performing unforgettable hits, including Walk on By, Any One who had a Heart, Do you Know the Way to San Jose, Don’t Make me Over, Heartbreaker and many more at the prestigious Symphony Hall, featuring orchestral accompaniment.

Rip It Up The 60s

24th September at Symphony Hall Strictly Come Dancing champions Harry Judd, Louis Smith MBE and people’s champion Aston Merrygold will tour together as the ultimate boy band of dance, presenting everlasting hits from the decade that changed not just (y)our generation but the world; from Mersey Beat, Motown and Mod to West Coast and Woodstock.

The National Wedding Show

28th – 30th September at NEC Birmingham Try, buy, book and hire everything you need for your special day at the UK’s biggest & best wedding event at the NEC this September! With hundreds of wedding specialists from bridal boutiques and florists to jewellers and photographers, this is the ultimate wedding shopping experience.

Saturday Night Fever

25th-29th September at New Alex Theatre Whilst paying homage to the 1977 John dluxe-magazine.co.uk 53

THE DIARY.

AUTUMN AT THE REP

OCTOBER Horse of the Year

3rd – 7th October at Genting Arena As one of the longest standing horse shows, running consecutively for 70 years, this year Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is delighted to share such a memorable occasion with its loyal and supportive fan base as well as encouraging new fans to come and join the party!

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre recently announced plans for the theatre’s 2018 Autumn and Winter season. Speaking of the forthcoming programme, Roxana said: “New work is the life blood of theatre and The REP is honoured to be working with the best writers of their generation with 11 new plays across our three stages of which six will be premièred at The REP”.

The first world première of the season is Rebus: Long Shadows, the latest story in Ian Rankin’s legendary detective series which will be told exclusively on stage.

A brand new staging of The Messiah starring Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett and John Marquez will be produced and opened by The REP, ahead of a UK tour and West End run.

Other highlights include, Pop Music,. a euphoric, nostalgic theatre party for anyone who has ever been a d*ck on the dance floor. All You Need Is LSD, an exhilarating and original comedy by one of the UK’s finest playwrights, Leo Butler. Find yourself trapped amongst objects and clutter in the world premiere of Stuff, a play created through interviews with self-identified hoarders, Elsewhere in the season are Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones and the festive spectacular The Wizard of Oz for the festive season!

January 2019 sees the return of the enchanting live stage show of The Snowman 25 years after it first came to life at The REP. Productions visiting The REP include Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s The Wipers Times which tells the true story of a satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Great War. Birmingham writer / performer Selina Thompson’s solo show about ancestry, home and colonialism, Salt visits The REP, as does Oladipo Agboluage’s play New Nigerians. And Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop– a sharp and intimate play about Dr Martin Luther King Jnr’s last days.

Complementing the autumn theatre programme, The REP plays host to a comedy season of one-night stands from Iain Stirling, Chris Ramsey, Juliette Burton, Kai Samra and Ahir Shar plus a number of shows as part of the Birmingham Improv Festival.

Cirque Du Soleil: OVO

3rd – 7th October at Arena Birmingham Having thrilled more than five million people worldwide since the show premiered in Montreal in 2009 as a Big Top show, OVO embarks on a journey, offering the same captivating production as the Big Top performances, but on a larger scale!

Birmingham Comedy Festival

5th-14th October The Birmingham Comedy Festival has been drawing attention to the city’s vibrant (and often unsung) comedy scene since 2001 when the debut festival hit the road running thanks to appearances from Peter Kay and Sean Lock. Since then, the festival has grown into one of the largest independent arts festival in the region.

The Wiper Times

8th – 13th October @ Birmingham Repertory Theatre The Wipers Times tells the true and extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme and comes to The REP direct from a record-breaking West End season.

Bravo 22 Company presents Unspoken

8th & 9th October @ Patrick Studio

Joanna Lumley, It’s All About Me!

9th October at Symphony Hall 54 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Joanna will take audiences through her hilarious and interesting adventures, recounting some never heard before stories. She will also be joined on stage by friend and producer Clive Tulloh, who will put to Joanna questions from the audience that they’ve always wanted to ask, making the show a unique and hilarious night to remember.

From the team who brought you the winner of the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award for the ground-breaking The Two Worlds of Charlie F, Bravo 22 Company’s new drama Unspoken brings to light the lives interrupted and forever changed by war, on a heart-wrenching and hilarious journey of love, loss, loneliness and hope, performed by ex-Service personnel.

The home of compelling drama this autumn 23 AUG – 8 SEP

THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY

The dynamite new comedy from the creators of The Play That Goes Wrong

20 SEP – 06 OCT

REBUS: LONG SHADOWS

By Ian Rankin Adapted by Rona Munro The new story exclusively on stage

30 OCT – 10 NOV

THE LOVELY BONES

The stage première of Alice Sebold’s world-famous novel adapted

by Bryony Lavery

24 NOV – 13 JAN

THE WIZARD OF OZ Follow the yellow brick road for the ultimate family adventure this Christmas

BOX OFFICE

0121 236 4455

BOOK ONLINE BIRMINGHAM-REP.CO.UK

Registered in England 295910 | Charity No.223660

THE DIARY.

Harvey Nichols Secret Garden Party

Grand Designs Live Corporate guests and VIP customers enjoyed a stylish summer’s garden party with a twist at Harvey Nichols Birmingham. The luxury store brought the outside in with specially-themed decor that included fairy lights and potted plants throughout the Bar and Wine Shop, an ivy-clad archway and even a full-sized tree in the middle of the Brasserie.

Guests enjoyed a welcome Edinburgh Gin cocktail and drinks throughout the evening, as well as a range of delicious canapés that showcased the newly launched menu.

10th – 14th October at NEC Birmingham Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, returns in 2018 from 10 -14 October at Birmingham’s NEC. Based on the Channel 4 series and presented by Kevin McCloud, the show offers visitors top expert advice, new product launches and specialist exhibitors in six project zones.

Whether you’re planning a self-build, renovation or are adding the finishing touches, find ideas and inspiration for your very own Grand Design at this multi-award-winning event.

There was also Edinburgh Gin tastings, floral head-dress making, cocktail masterclasses and live music from The Bandidos, along with lucky dip prizes that included facials, Champagne afternoon tea, makeovers and a Chef’s table experience.

“It was great to welcome so many guests to our Secret Garden Party and showcase the amazing offer we have throughout our Bar & Brasserie,” explained Richard Vickery, General Manager of Harvey Nichols Birmingham. “It was the perfect way to reveal how the space can be used for bespoke private functions as well as promote our Bar & Brasserie to a host of new contacts in the city.”

countries is as freewheeling and deadly accurate as ever.

His BBC Four documentaries, most recently Rich Hall’s Countrier Than You and Rich Hall’s Presidential Grudge Match and BBC Radio 4 series Rich Hall’s (US Election) Breakdown have built him a new legion of followers, as have appearances on Have I Got News For You and QI. But if you’ve only ever seen Hall on TV, you’ve short-changed yourself.

James Martin: On The Road…

Again

War Horse

10th October – 3rd November at Birmingham Hippodrome Following eight recordbreaking years in London’s West End and having played in 11 countries around the world to over seven million people, the National Theatre’s acclaimed play War Horse returns to Birmingham Hippodrome this October.

14th October at Symphony Hall Superstar chef James Martin will be returning to theatres around the country this October following the huge success of his 2016 tour. On the Road… Again will see James bring the experiences of his hit TV shows French Adventure, American Adventure and Saturday Morning with James Martin to this brand new live show.

Rich Hall’s Hoedown

11th October at Town Hall Birmingham Rich Hall’s critically acclaimed new show begins its second leg of touring. There has never been a better time to be an American comedian in the UK. Hall’s precision dismantling of the tenuous relationship between two 56 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The Messiah

18th – 27th October @ Birmingham Repertory Theatre Three towering talents play a cast of thousands in this

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DIARY.

“The other big thing that is very important is to see the drive in their eyes. I want to see that they actually live for the music.”

Ahead of her appearance at Symphony Hall this October, Dutch mega star Caro Emerald talks about her new show, becoming a judge on a TV talent show and performing with Quincy Jones.

On June 27th 2018, as part of a celebration of legendary producer Quincy Jones’ 85th Birthday, Dutch born singer Caro Emerald took to the O2, London to perform Honey Suckle Rose and smoky jazz standard ‘Misty’. Originally made famous by Sarah Vaughan back in 1964, it was a testament to the vocal abilities and prowess of Miss Emerald. “It was such an amazing experience,” remembers the audibly excited singer over the phone on an early summer morning.

“I’m trying to find words to describe 58 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

it. I felt completely honoured to be part of such a high level event. Quincy is an amazing and fantastic guy and such a legend. The songs were really difficult and challenged me. It took me back to the roots of why I became a singer and sent me back to my studying days. When I returned home after the show in London I felt my blood course through my veins as I found this new inspiration.”

For Caro, those studying days were spent at the Amsterdam Jazz Conservatory, the largest music academy in the Netherlands. But the jazz production of Quincy Jones or sultry vocals of Sarah Vaughan weren’t her earliest musical inspirations. For Caro it was the one and only Madonna.

“I was 5 or 6 years old when I got my first album on cassette and I would

listen to it over and over again and practise in front of the mirror and dress up like her. I think every other girl did that in school but she really was a big influence on me.” Little did a 5 year old Caro know that she would go on to top the Dutch charts herself with her debut album ‘Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor’. Not only smashing any record Madonna had set, the album broke the record for most weeks consecutively at number one (27 weeks to be precise) beating the previous record of 26 weeks set by Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Almost 10 years on, Caro is still as blown away by this fact as she was back then.

“I still feel the same,” she laughs. “There was so much happening, I came out of nowhere. I never had made music before and then I was on top of every

Caro

Emerald pop sound and Caro’s name was on the lips of the nation, with numerous national TV and radio appearances.

Having released a handful of EPs since then Caro has continued to tour the country, selling out venues that homegrown artists would dream of. “I feel completely blessed to be one of those artists that can continue touring.

I have a very loyal audience in the UK and I’m very happy of that. I think the way that we make the show is a full package that apparently my UK audience love.”

chart! I didn’t really know anything about numbers and statistics, I didn’t really know how to actually recognise my success!” Talking about breaking Michael Jackson’s record, you can still hear the surprise in her voice. “This is when I realised how phenomenally big it was. It doesn’t make sense, it still doesn’t for me! It’s Michael Jackson.

It shows what a big influence this has had on the Dutch music industry. But Michael Jackson is bigger than anyone on the planet, it doesn’t feel like I beat him.”

It wasn’t just in the Netherlands where Caro made a name for herself. Over in the UK ‘Deleted Scenes…’ went to number 4 in the UK charts, where it is certified gold, and her second album ‘The Shocking Miss Emerald’ topped the charts with her signature vintage-

Can returning fans expect any surprises on this brand new tour? “Definitely as we are always adding some surprise and some new material and arrangements. I do this with my fantastic (musical) team; David Schreurs and Jan van Wieringen.

We all work together when we talk about visuals and creating the right and final set list. Our musical director and band leader Stephen Large is also a big part of this. We really work as a collective. We keep sending each other ideas and talk about these ideas and possibilities which, in the end, creates a beautiful show of the highest quality.

What fans can expect is a fresh new look. It’s definitely going to be a dreamy atmosphere,” she says excitably. “We want to give a full experience to each person in the room, both visual and musical. Like you’re inside a movie and you get to dream away about stories that aren’t yours.” Caro gives off the aura of a confident artist, who over years of touring and performing has perfected her craft. But when pressed about new music, she keeps her cards a little closer to her chest. “There will be definitely

some stuff people haven’t heard before, I don’t know if they’ll be covers or actual new music. The other thing I can say is we ARE working on new music…” she tails off. Will that be released this year? “I can’t say when that will be. I’m not trying to be a tease,” she laughs, “but I can say we will release the music when it’s ready!”

Away from her own career, Caro has also recently announced she will be a judge on a new televised Dutch talent competition called ‘The Talent Project’.

“It’s very exciting! I haven’t done much TV apart from promoting my own music. I’ve been asked to be on other celebrity typed shows and I always decline because I feel like it’s not where I want to go. But this really suits me.”

Before becoming a global music star, Caro worked as a singing teaching, and with her own experience is keen to “pass it on and work with new talent.

It’s a new chapter in my life and career.”

Caro doesn’t come across as the brutal Simon Cowell type but tells me the acts’ standards of musicality has to be exceptionally high. “The other big thing that is very important is to see the drive in their eyes. I want to see that they actually live for the music.”

With Caro’s nonstop writing and increasingly ambitious and well received live shows, she’s clearly an artist herself who still has that desire and drive in her eyes.

Caro Emerald will be at Birmingham Symphony Hall on the 30th October.

Tickets at www.caroemerald.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 59

THE DIARY.

First Birthday Celebrations AT THREE CHURCH ROAD

new comedy of Biblical proportions by the writer of the Olivier Award-winning West End hit The 39 Steps. A travelling theatre troupe of two actors and an opera singer arrive by camel in the ancient town of Birmingham to masterfully enact the greatest story ever told. coming-of-age tale that captured the hearts of readers throughout the world.

Commissioned by The REP, award-winning playwright Bryony Lavery has adapted it for this uplifting play about life after loss.

Three Church Road restaurant and bistro celebrated their 1st birthday with a Summer Garden Party. Set in the luxurious St George’s Place, Edgbaston, it’s just a few minutes stroll from St Geoge’s Church and other fine establishments such as Simpsons, Edgbaston Boutique Hotel and The Highfield.

The restaurant is contemporary yet full of quintessential English charm, serving modern European dishes. Part of the Audley Village group which is famed for stylish senior living, the night was an opportunity to showcase the beautiful rooms, meeting spaces and Club Spa that’s open to non-Club members too.

Soul II Soul

19th October at Town Hall With huge hits including Keep On Movin and the UK number one single Back To Life (However Do You Want Me), Soul II Soul progressed from being one of the leaders of the 1980’s warehouse scene to pioneering British black music around the world, securing long term critical and commercial success for themselves in the process.

Caro Emerald

Grayson Perry

28th October at Symphony Hall Grayson Perry is an awardwinning artist; Bafta-winning TV presenter; Reith Lecturer and bestselling author with traditional masculine traits including having the desire to “always be right and to overtake all other cyclists when going up big hills”. Join us for an intelligent evening of laughs, discussion, insight and costume changes.

The Lovely Bones

30th October – 10th November @ Birmingham Repertory Theatre Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones is a unique 60 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

30th October at Symphony Hall Following 5 star reviews and sold out shows across the board, the gorgeous and stylish Caro Emerald is back at Symphony Hall. The vocalist is an original pop star with the look of a Hollywood icon of yesteryear and a voice that oozes warmth and vitality.

Her live performance is not to be missed – as The Daily Telegraph noted “Caro Emerald had everyone in the palm of her hand’’ and her “infectious sense of fun and vintage charm can be relied on to lift the spirits”.

NOVEMBER The National Pet Show

3rd – 4th November at NEC Birmingham See animal experts and celebrities at this year’s National Pet Show! Get up close and personal to find out more about your favourite pet and how to take care of them.

Whether you like dogs, cats, rats, rabbits, reptiles, ponies, fish, chickens or chinchillas (and lots more animals!) - the National Pet Show promises to be a great day out for any animal lover!

The Full Monty

Rock of Ages

13th-17th November at New Alex Theatre Rock of Ages is an LA love story lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems. Lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true! This hilarious musical comedy will have you singing and laughing along with its epic songs, including We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again, Can’t Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is played loud and proud by an awesome live band.

5th – 10th November @ Birmingham Hippodrome The Full Monty is one of the most acclaimed British films EVER and THE FULL MONTY stage play has become one of the most phenomenal theatrical productions EVER.

mix of hard electronic and soaring cinematic atmosphere will finally come fully to life.

Gary will also be showcasing the most extravagant light show he’s taken on the road for over three decades, designed specifically for these special orchestral performances.

Dr John Cooper Clarke

16th November at Town Hall See a sensational showcase of spoken word –a chance to see John Cooper Clarke perform material both classic and brand new, all read from his trademark battered notebooks in his legendary, rapid fire style and iconic Salford drawl.

Combine this with John’s hilarious observations, gags and off the wall chat and it adds up to the chance to see a living legend at the top of his game.

Culture Club Gary Numan

13th November at Symphony Hall Birmingham Gary Numan’s music has always had a filmic quality but with The Skaparis Orchestra joining his regular band, that

16th November at Arena Birmingham Since their inception in 1981 Culture Club have sold more than 50 million records worldwide, with a stream of classic hits including; ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me’, ‘Karma Chameleon’, ‘Church Of The Poison Mind’, ‘Victims’, ‘It’s A

Miracle’ and ‘The War Song’.

Billy Ocean

17th November at Symphony Hall Birmingham Following his sold out 2017 tour British Soul icon Billy Ocean performs the best of his greatest hits and favourite tracks at Symphony Hall.

The Four Tops and The Temptations

22nd November at Arena Birmingham Motown legends The Four Tops and The Temptations have announced a UK arena tour in November 2018, including a night at Arena Birmingham. These two bands are true icons and epitomise the Motown sound that shook the world in the 60s and continues to delight audiences, old and new.

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BUSINESS.

THE A -Z APPROACH TO GETTING NEW CLIENTS The nine-hour flight from Seattle to London was monotonous, writes dluxe Business Editor Bart Dalton. Food, video, game, read, drink, video, try to sleep…repeat. I am not a great traveller to say the least. When will they create a teleporter so that I can just be there?

The funny thing is that I experience the same thing when it comes to building or expanding a business. People go through the same motions. They want to sell more so they start a marketing plan and then they make sure that they hire some more Business Development Managers and hire more staff as they expand build a large payroll.

Most business owners would like to have a business teleporter to get them from point A to point Z without all of the hassles of getting new clients and going through the monotony of building a business brick by brick. So I went to the tool chest and gathered a number of Business Accelerators; I haven’t found the teleporter yet! Here are three things that are working for us and our clients right now.

1. You may have a face for radio but it’s time to make a movie.

We are really into video. If you are on Linkedin or Facebook or any of the other social media channels right now then you know that videos are killing the proverbial radio stars right now.

The algorithms on each of the platforms are really looking for you to create videos through their software. Note: you can import the video, but it doesn’t get you the ranking that you need or want as fast. When you are creating videos make them fast, fun and informational.

They need to grab the attention of the viewer without the sound on. Use subtitles. Be real and have some fun.

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2. A word is worth a 1000 pence.

Do you help your client through situations that they cannot do themselves, or that they don’t want to do themselves? Well its time to pick up your smartphone and record some of your thoughts. If you are not typically a person who likes doing too many things that involve thinking or effort then here is a trick to create a blog very rapidly. Record your voice on the phone or to cut out a step download a programme like Rev.com and automatically have your voice transcribed.

Choose a topic that is very pertinent to you and your clients. Have some fun giving them the 5 min synopsis of why they need to pay attention. Then list out the problem. Follow it up with a solution that will take them back to a lot of time or giving you more work. Use your personality and get people on board.

Once the recording is transcribed get your website team to post it up as a blog and if the recording is good enough and has decent recording quality. Let your voice and tone shine through in an audio download of the information. If you want to get really tech geeked out then you should be able to go to a programme like lumen5 and build a slide show off the back of the blog and that will give you another video for your arsenal.

3. Chill out man.

All of the tech in the world will give you too much information and lots of things that you can do all day long with no rest. So I have really found the need to make sure that I am centred when the world outside and inside is telling me that I could work one more hour.

I have gone back to make sure that I can refocus the mind and make sure that I am running at a great pace without burn out. I have found these two apps to be very helpful when it comes to getting my head straight.

Headspace.com and Pacifica.com both of them do two things that really make sure that you are getting back to mental health basics.

1.

2.

Routine Giving you more YOU time.

Taking time out each day to reflect and realise what you have is an awesome thing. We do not do it enough. If you want to take it to the next level you can create a Meditation Room like Ax in Billions. I guess if it worked for him and his billionaire lifestyle then it might be ok for all of us mere mortals.

Here is your extra.

Create a morning routine that does not include everyone else’s news.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Stretch Breath Read Reflect Plan 3 things that you you will do to create success today.

Technology will take us to new places that we have never seen before. Not currently getting rid of the 9 hour flight from Seattle to London but with the tools that I have talked about in the article. If you have any questions about the article above or you have an idea I would love to hear from you.

Email me at bdd@bartdaltonconsulting.com and look out for our Business tech conference on the 24th of October call Disruption 2018. It will be a fun look at Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Autonomous Vehicles and how all these combined will bring about the next revolution.

Have fun and safe business journeys ahead.

research shows that two thirds of British employees are not happy with their work-life balance.

Sure, it’s not easy to achieve, but the work-life balance isn’t a myth.

As the workplace becomes increasingly competitive and the financial stresses of living in the city are on the rise, more of the population are finding themselves putting in extra hours at work.

Which eats into what should be (much-needed) downtime.

last push FOR C4

According to a recent survey commissioned by outsourcing platform Airtasker, given the chance of getting help with our daily tasks, reading came up as top chosen pastime with a majority 18% of Brits wanting more time to read, whilst watching TV came second (15%) and a pamper session (14%) came in third.

Airtasker have come up with 5 tips to give your well-being a boost whilst keeping up with your career: KNOW WHEN TO SAY NO This one is a little tougher for some.

If you’re the kind of person that finds it hard to say no to your boss or teammates when they ask for help, you’ll find your plate overflowing more often than not.

There’s no need to respond straight away when someone asks you for help with a task. Tell them you’ll get back to them and take a moment to check whether you have time to do it. If not, they won’t be offended if you say no.

Remember, it’s better to do a few things well rather than burning the candle at both ends trying to get too much done.

LEAVE WORK AT WORK Our smartphones have somehow made us more productive and less productive at the same time.

Despite all the distractions they offer, they also give us a chance to do our work from pretty much anywhere.

This isn’t necessarily a good thing though. You really shouldn’t be looking at work emails at 11.30 p.m. A good way to switch your mind off when leaving work is to write a to-do list for the following day. Then shut down and do your best to leave any work stresses in the office.

BRUM's BEST PA CELEBRATED

LEARN HOW TO WORK ‘SMART’ InWinners an age of email threads and meetings about meetings, you must master your focus and inuseless Birmingham's first awards year's winners have been part of something learn how toto work smarter. easy to and unconsciously waste time while at the office, leaving work ceremony celebrate theIt’s successes truly special. piled up for youof atexecutive, the end ofpersonal the day. and achievements Prioritisation is the number one thing to master if you wantladies to beare efficient and productive in your virtual assistants were announced at the "These inspirational and powerful, work hours. This backfirst to the first point about being able to They're say no. Don’t to decline Birmingham PAlinks Forum’s gala event. yet humble. oftenbe theafraid unsung heroes meeting invites if your presence isn’t necessary. of business and it was fantastic to see so many The event at the Vox at Resorts World of their colleagues and peers attending to Set deadlines for each step in each task and stick to them.

Birmingham saw Fay Gleeson, Executive share in their achievements.

Personal Assistant at SCC, Block out time in your diarycrowned or moveGreater to a quiet area to get a presentation done if you need to.

Birmingham PA of the Year with judges "We were blown away at the number of Greater Birmingham business leaders have praising her unique abilities, huge breadth nominations and we were Outsource smaller tasks that you feel are a waste of your time. If you’re able to delighted eliminate to thesee urged “one last push” in the bid to host Channel of skill, passion for the personal some the region's businesses ‘faff’ andand cut out the noise, you’ll find yourself getting a lotof more done inbiggest a lot less time. Apps like 4 after the city was named among the final three Airtasker development of others. putting people forward.

The allow you to find skilled people to help you with alltheir matters of tasks from lifecalibre adminwas to contenders. exceptionally high and the judges had a very food delivery.

Winners were also revealed in four additional difficult task deciding the winners.

The broadcaster has reduced its shortlist of award categories as over 300 professionals YOUR WORK AND the PERSONAL TIME possible locations as it gets closer to selecting the PLOT cameIN together to celebrate finalists' and "The support that the Birmingham PA Forum According to a recent study, quality ‘me-time’ can actually make from you abusinesses better employee.

And of home of the new national headquarters. winners' accomplishments. has received and individuals course, it’s also great for your well-being. So, how doalike youshows make sure you’re us that we'regetting at the it? starting point Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds have made Birmingham PA Awards 2018 Winners: of an exciting journey. We now have over 400 Try this: plot self-care time into your diary and givemembers it as muchfrom importance as you career. it onto the final shortlist – and are also in the across the city do andyour it's safe to Have a clear divide your and your personal hours, ceremony and don’t let either running to host one of two creative hubs.

Motivation (Teambetween Player of thework Year)hours say that this awards is here tointrude stay." into each other.

Jayne Forgham, PWC Coventry, which was put forward as an option The–Birmingham PAyour Forum has seen success If you’re on the work-obsessed side, think of it this way if you focus on personal well-being, within the West Midlands bid, will no longer be Aspiration (Newcomer the Year)and - perform better of itsat own thisIt’s week, having been shortlisted you’ll be a more engaged of employee work. a win-win. considered.

Hannah Cowell, JW Hinks in the 'External PA Network' category at the Manchester PA Awards - one of the biggest in LISTEN TO YOUR MIND AND BODY A final decision is expected in October.

(Lead

by Example Award) - physical the country.

AInspiration poor work-life balance takes a toll on your health, not just your mental well-being.

Hannah Designated Exercise isSmith, oh-so-important toPA de-stress both your body and mind; thanks to the wonderful Paul Faulkner (pictured), chief executive of The – evening sawwalk guests raise £6,221 forand endorphins it releases. Try and get a half hour everyday even a also simple can reduce stress Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, re-energise you.

Innovation (Innovator of the Year) Birmingham charities LoveBrum and the Sir said: “This latest development puts the region Chelsea Guerin, Trowers & Hamlins Josiah Mason Trust.

Similarly, meditation and other types of relaxing activities pre or post-work can help you disengage another step closer to becoming the home of from stressful (The thoughts about work. Even if it’sofjust for a bit.

Channel 4 but one last push is required.

Celebration Greater Birmingham PA The event was organised by the Birmingham the Year) - Fay Gleeson, SCC PA Forum’s voluntary awards committee: “At our Quarterly Business Report briefing last Tracey Paton, Dignity UK, Narinder Sira, GVA week, we heard Birmingham City University’s and Jas Gardiner, Squire Patton Boggs. director of Innovation, Enterprise and All of the finalists were praised by the judges, Employability Joanna Birch give an impassioned having already showcased their achievements The awards were supported by headline talk on why Birmingham is a natural fit for in a presentation to this year's judging panel: sponsors Top Banana and Katie Bard, as well Channel 4 because of the youth, diversity, Paul Faulkner, CEO of Greater Birmingham as category sponsors Asemblr, Egencia, ORS vibrancy, momentum and positivity around the Chamber of Commerce, Karen Morris-Lanz, UK and Page Personnel. The awards were city.

Director at Waponi HR and former CIO also supported by The Vox, Resorts World, PA of Securitas, and Tracey Paton, Executive Life, Indigo Sky Solutions, CMA Video and “The Chamber, our members and the whole Assistant to CEO at Dignity.

Eventologists. business community is very excited by this opportunity and we all look forward to playing Daniel Skermer, Founder of the Birmingham To see all the finalists, winners and photos a part during this crucial final stage to convince PA Forum & Awards said: "Our first PA Awards from the evening visit decision-makers that Birmingham would be the has been an overwhelming success and this www.birminghampaforum.co.uk ideal place for C4’s national headquarters.” dluxe-magazine.co.uk 63

BUSINESS.

Live like a millionaire at The Luxury Show

From racehorses to yachts, private member-only clubs to exotic holidays, this year’s Midlands Luxury show will be featuring some of the most exclusive and expensive items on offer from around the world.

Visitors to the exclusive show, being held on the 28th and 29th September, will be given the opportunity to view and purchase some of the finest products and services that money can buy, and experience high-end living at its best.

With high budgets and exclusive taste a must, The Midlands Luxury Show, which is in its third year will, once again, be taking place at Britain’s leading hotel, golf and spa resort, The Belfry, and will be showcasing the pinnacle of aspirational products and companies refined in luxury.

Featuring over 45 exhibitors, along with exclusive entertainment from Elmhurst Ballet School, inspirational success speakers, a fashion show, fine wine and dining there is little excuse to not attend the popular show.

For visitors with millions to spend, here are some of the top end products which will be there on the day, so you can blow your budget on some of the most luxurious items money can buy.

Why not charter the most exclusive yacht in the world at £1,1 mil per week, embark on a unique two weeks cruise around Antarctica with visit to Falklands on board of a superyacht LEGEND at £400,000 a week , sail around the world on an very special 64 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

sailing catamaran at around £40,000 per week, hire the largest and most exclusive sailing yacht the world has even seen at £325,000 per week, all in a 5-star luxury, with your own highly professional crew and such facilities as helicopters, submarines, beach clubs, on board swimming pools or outdoor cinemas and private masseurs.

"The Midlands is the home to some of the luxury sector’s most incredible success stories" Enjoy the thrills of racehorse ownership with Oliver Greenall Racing who will be at the show. Shotgun Sally is the well-bred daughter of leading sire Milan and created a very good impression when winning her only start to date in an Irish Point To Point in April. She was a well-backed favourite which shows how much she is thought of, showing very good attitude when knuckling down to win by one length. Buying the horse and a whole season training will cost £50,000 plus VAT. Or how about a gold leaf cigar? The unique and luxurious Cuban Cigar has been given a dazzling facelift by Revolutionary Cigars.

Their most exclusive Cigar package is the Sir Francis Drake Cigar. The 24ct gold leaf

finished Cigar is the peak of opulence, with a silky-smooth taste and medium strength, and are fit for a King.

The Luxury Shows were founded by Amarjet Snehi, Managing Director of Equitrade Capital, alongside Andy Seger, owner of J&A Fine Art, and September’s show follows on from the success of the Cheshire show earlier this year.

Other exhibitors over the two days will include D’Joya Fine Jewellery, Amplify, Rolls Royce Motor Cars Birmingham, Exclusive Cars, St James Place Wealth Management, Kitchen Gallery, Midlands Hot Tubs, CM Wines and Yamaha Grand Piano.

Mr Snehi and Mr Seger said: “The Midlands is the home to some of the luxury sector’s most incredible success stories and these will be joined by exclusive and hand-picked superbrands from around the world. Already, we have some top names on the list to attend with some products costing hundreds of thousands of pounds, and it really is going to be oozing style and sophistication. Last year we showcased only the best of the very best in brands, and this again is the plan for September. We chose The Belfry as a location as it is not only a world-famous venue, but incredibly easily accessible from the whole of the Midlands and beyond.”

To register your interest in attending the event, which starts at 10am on both days, visit www.theluxuryshow.co.uk

IRMINGHAM THE

AWARDS

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2018

HEART OF

BIRMINGHAM In Association With:

#BCreative #BProud BInspired #BVibrant #BCourageous

#BBrum

#savethedate 24th November 2018

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HOROSCOPES.

Written in the Stars with CELEBRITY Astrologer Russell Grant To find out more or to arrange a personal reading, visit www.russellgrant.com

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

The New Moon on the 9th October puts strain on a close relationship. Just when you thought you were making a breakthrough with a romantic or business partner, an argument breaks out.

Things are getting serious on the romantic front in early November. A supportive New Moon on the 7th November makes it a great time to let down your defences with someone who has demonstrated their loyalty. You might decide to move in together or even get engaged or married.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

The Full Moon on the 24th October invites you to enjoy some selfpampering. Instead of pouring all your energy into a close relationship, do something nice for yourself. An exciting opportunity to team up with a highly creative person will arrive on or around the 7th November. That's when an intensifying New Moon prompts you to take on a partner.

Whether you're looking for love or want to form a business partnership, it's time to make your move.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

On the 9th October, the New Moon puts you in the path of romance.

Although the lure of a creative person is powerful, you should hesitate before getting involved in a serious relationship. On the 23rd November, the Full Moon tempts you to overhaul your look.

Any changes you make should be temporary, as there is a good chance you won't like the results.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

On the 25th, the Full Moon will create stress on the professional front. Someone you look up to and respect will ask for more than can be delivered. The Full Moon on the 24th October brings a group project to its successful conclusion. Much to your surprise, you'll be named most valuable player. If you're recovering from a bad breakup, it's time to return to the dating game. The New Moon on the 7th November will put you in the path of an attentive admirer who makes you excited to be alive.

LEO (July 24th-Aug 23rd)

It's better to stick with a position you know during the first half of September. The last thing you want is to go to all the trouble of changing jobs, only to discover you've landed in a far worse situation. The Full Moon on the 25th will make it hard for you to spread your wings and fly. Acquiring a skill will be more difficult than expected on the 9th October. That's when the New Moon puts you in the path of a relentless critic. A domestic matter will command your attention on or around the 7th November, courtesy of the New Moon.

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VIRGO (Aug 24th-Sept 23rd)

On the 25th September, the Full Moon will create a rift in a close relationship. An argument over money and shared resources will cause you to reconsider this relationship. The New Moon attracts a moneymaking opportunity on the 9th October. Taking this job will limit your personal life.

Launching a blog or podcast on the 7th November will attract fame and acclaim.

That's when the New Moon will showcase your communication abilities.

Being able to share your ideas with an adoring public will be a good use of this talent. If you've been thinking of taking up writing, this would be an ideal time to begin.

LIBRA (Sept 24th-Oct 23rd)

A rival will take credit for your hard work in early September. Don't let the deceptive New Moon cause you to let down your guard. If you submit work, do it to several people via email.

The Full Moon on the 24th October brings a cheque and bonus that is much bigger than you expected. An appreciative client, customer or patient will throw in a bonus for your hard work. On the 23rd November, a Full Moon will create legal difficulties. It may be impossible to move forward with a business plan until you get official permission.

SCORPIO (Oct 24th-Nov 22nd)

The Full Moon on the 25th September brings the end to a demanding work assignment. It will be such a relief to get this project off your desk.

The New Moon on the 9th October makes you yearn for privacy. Unfortunately, a relative or neighbour keeps trying to pry into your personal business. It would be wise to invest in some security equipment. On the 23rd November, a bonus or royalty payment will be less than you expected. Trying to recoup more money will be an exercise in futility. It's better to channel your energy into finding new sources of regular income.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23rd-Dec 21st)

The New Moon in September marks a professional opportunity.

Look before you leap. The terms of this deal are extremely murky. The Full Moon on the 24th October is perfect for getting organised. Getting rid of clutter will make space for new energy in your life. Spend the first half of November resting and relaxing.

On the 7th November, the New Moon will prompt you to withdraw from the party scene.

Enjoying the peace and quiet of home will be therapeutic. Take this opportunity to read for pleasure, listen to music and spend time with your pets. Low key activities will prepare you for a busy Christmas season next month.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22nd-Jan 20th)

The terms of a legal deal will be extremely unfair. It may be best to settle and walk away from an exhausting fight. A professional opportunity will beckon on the 9th October, but think carefully before accepting it. A conflicted New Moon will force you to choose between having a wildly successful career and a comfortable home life. The New Moon on the 7th November is great for joining a sports team, political organisation or humanitarian group. Donating your time and energy to a meaningful cause will lift your spirits. You're tired of going from home to work and back again.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21st-Feb 19th)

An intimate relationship gets off to a rocky start in early September. If you catch someone near and dear to you in a lie, it's a red flag. The New Moon on the 9th October will bring an enticing opportunity to travel, study or write. Unfortunately, you won't be able to make the most of this chance. An expired passport or tight enrolment window will force you to postpone plans for another time. The Full Moon on the 23rd November warns you against taking risks. Confessing a crush or making an investment will result in a big disappointment.

PISCES (Feb 20th-Mar 20th)

Surprising news will reach your ears on the 24th October, when the Full Moon brings hidden information to light. It will be such a relief to know that a community matter has been successful resolved. On the 23rd November, family matters will weigh on your heart.

Arguing about religion and politics with a relative creates stress. It may be best to put this relationship on hold, at least until tempers subside.

To find out more or to arrange a personal reading, visit www.russellgrant.com

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