Dluxe Birmingham Spring 2018

LU E D X BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL

SPRING ‘18

INSIDE: DAVID BECKHAM @ HARVEY NICHOLS Calum Scott THE TRAVEL ISSUE JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER TREND PICK 2018

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK

EDITOR’S LETTER. Here we are on the threshold of Spring-proper, and it’s with positivity – and a bit of alarm, if truth be known – that we’re already a Quarter into the year. For those of us who made personal and business goals and resolutions, we’re already at the first logical review period. It is now that we reflect on successes, failures and how we move forward, emboldened and refreshed.

I know from our perspective at dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL magazine, it’s been an incredible and exciting first Quarter. What’s been especially heartening is that business is finding its way to our doors through reputation and recommendation. Although we’re used to proactively going out there and ‘spreading the good word of dluxe’, it is always humbling when a stranger comes a’knocking and wants to make use of your wisdom, experience and Black Book of Contacts. It is a sign that we’re doing something right.

As a result, we’ve some exciting new projects and clients that we’re working with – some of whom are gracing these very pages of dluxe. These include incredible brands venturing in to Birmingham for the very first time – YUGEN, Walker Doble and Heal’s being just three of them, alongside established firms such as LoveYourPostcode and Hallfield School.

We wish them all a very successful future and urge you to show your support.

We talk to Calum Scott - P22

That’s not to say we’ve forgotten our

WE CAN’T WAIT FOR...

1.

CALL ME bY YOUR NAME We cannot get enough of this BAFTA award winning romantic coming of age drama. Director Luca Guadagnino transports us back to those long hot summers of our youth; full of longing and first love.

It’s 1983 and 17-year-old Elio Perlman is spending his summer with his family at their 17th-century villa in Lombardy, Italy. Oliver, a handsome doctoral student who’s working as an intern for Elio’s father arrives and amidst the sun-drenched splendour of their surroundings, Elio and Oliver indulge in a summer romance with repercussions that will alter their lives forever. Beautiful to look at and heartbreaking to witness, Elio and Oliver’s love story speaks to all. Finally available on DVD - you’ll love it, trust us.

4 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

2.

the 1975 The third release from The 1975 is set to mark the end of an era for the band according to lead singer Matt Healy with a narrative charting the band’s growth from getting their first record deal to selling out arenas.

Lead singer Matt Healey has said he’d like people to look back on the new album as being definitive of the era - we hope so too.

grass-roots supporters – super-brands such as Harvey Nichols, The REP, The Hippodrome, Mailbox, Hotel du Vin, Rolex and Birmingham Airport. Without these brands, it’d be a whole lot more difficult (and less fun) for us to keep doing what we’re doing. We’re eternally grateful.

Looking ahead to Quarter Two – March to June – the city really is hotting up with the new Wine Weekend festival; new venue launches such as the inimitable, The Ivy and Atul Kochhar’s NRI; incredible cultural events such as Birmingham LGBT+ Pride and Flatpack Festival and so, so much more.

I urge you to use these pages of dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL – and our incredible website - as your cherry-pick and diary essentials. We’ve shortlisted so all you must do is make sure you’re available.

So, please do get out there and ‘do something less boring instead’. We promise you, you’ll thank us when you’re looking back in three months and see how many new experiences you’ve had.

Best,

Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief PS next edition is out 18/06.

3.

4.

R ED SPAR R O W WICKED ARRIVES Jennifer Lawrence stars as a ballerina who faces an uncertain future after she suffers an injury that ends her career. She soon turns to a secret intelligence service that trains exceptional young people to use their minds and bodies as weapons. As she comes to terms with her new abilities, Dominika meets a CIA agent who tries to convince her that he is the only person she can trust.

Wicked comes to Birmingham Hippodrome from the 4-29th April and we cannot wait. This show has been casting its magical spell across the world for over a decade and continues to break records. Plus this issue we talk to not one but both Witches! Turn to page 52 to read interviews with Wicthes East and West!

Find us in

BIRMINGHAM BRISTOL DERBY LEICESTER NOTTINGHAM & SOLIHULL

CONTENTS.

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

COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF HOUSE 99

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

08 AGENDA Our personal picks

42 TRAVEL We’ve travelled to Chiang

22 SPOTLIGHT We talk to the Singer Calum Scott as he prepares to take on the world with his debut album.

48 DINING We’re missing out meat

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

26 FOR HER Rainbow brights,

wardrobe revamps and the season’s best kept beauty secrets.

30 FOR HIM This Spring we’re

keeping things pale and interesting, exploring Yogawear and the latest go-to in male grooming - House 99 by David Beckham.

34 MOTORS Gangster’s Paradise or

County Squire? We look at Mercedes’ revised yet gloriously retro G Wagen.

36 LIVING It’s National Bed Month

so we look at wasy to keep cosy whilst staying cool as well as what needs doing in the garden this season.

Mai Thailand this issue to explore this amazing city. We also look into some cracking city breaks for Easter

this Spring and toying with all things vegetarian plus we meet the new man at the helm of Harvey Nichol’s Birmingham Kitchen and we’ve all the gossip with Anita Champaneri.

DLUXE BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL HQ 31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE TEL: 0116 2533 445

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

info@fu-media.co.uk

52 DIARY What’s happening and

what’s happened in and around Brum this Spring plus we go speak to a Good Witch and Bad Witch - which one are you?

62 BUSINESS The latest thinking and topic led business advice from some of the city’s top business brains.

dluxe.magazine

dluxe mag

66 LAST WORD We find about

My Birmingham with the Birmingham Conservatoire’s Principal, Julian Lloyd Webber.

dluxemagazine

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

6 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

V I P H O S P I TA L I T Y E X P E R I E N C E S

0844 338 0333* amplify.co.uk

GUARANTEED TICKETS

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 13-15 APR 18

PRIVATE BOOKING SERVICE

ACCESS TO PRIVATE LOUNGES

@amplifynews

THE HOTTEST SEATS IN TOWN

VIP ENTRANCES

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 1 MAY 18

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 3-7 OCT 18

STEREOPHONICS

HARRY STYLES

WWE LIVE

PAUL WELLER

ROY ORBISON IN DREAMS

THE ORIGINAL HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 15 NOV 18

DANCING ON ICE

JEFF DUNHAM

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 17 NOV 18

NASHVILLE

BRYAN ADAMS

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 20 NOV 18

ARCADE FIRE

BILL BAILEY

DUA LIPA

KATY PERRY

GENTING ARENA – 1 MAR 18 GENTING ARENA – 2 MAR 18

GENTING ARENA - 7 APR 18

GENTING ARENA – 15 MAY 18

THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD

NOEL FITZPATRICK IS SUPERVET

ELBOW

GENTING ARENA – 9 APR 18

CRUFTS 2018

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 13-15 APR 18

ALL TIME LOW

GENTING ARENA – 14 APR 18

JOE BONAMASSA

GENTING ARENA – 15 APR 18

40 YEARS OF DISCO

GENTING ARENA – 17 APR 18

GENTING ARENA – 17 MAR 18

FAST & FURIOUS LIVE

YONEX BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 20-22 APR 18

LENNY KRAVITZ

RUSSELL PETERS

ROGER WATERS

PALOMA FAITH

MANIC STREET PREACHERS

JASON MANFORD

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS

THE KING IS BACK

THE HUMAN LEAGUE WALKING WITH DINOSAURS ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 1 DEC 18

GENTING ARENA – 3 MAR 18 NEC – 8-11 MAR 18 GENTING ARENA – 15 MAR 18 GENTING ARENA – 16 MAR 18

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 17-18 MAR 18 GENTING ARENA – 21 MAR 18

GENTING ARENA – 22 MAR 18

JOHN BISHOP

GENTING ARENA – 23 MAR 18

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 24 APR 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 27 APR 18

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 29 APR 18

NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 1 MAY 18

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS UNIBET PREMIER LEAGUE WORLDS OF ENCHANTMENT DARTS GENTING ARENA – 28 MAR – 1 APR 18

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 3 MAY 18

FALL OUT BOY

THE VAMPS

THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS

TEARS FOR FEARS

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 27 MAR 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 29 MAR 18

GENTING ARENA – 4 MAY 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 5 MAY 18

SAM SMITH

NICKELBACK

5 STAR WRESTLING

MICHAEL MCINTYRE

GENTING ARENA – 3-4 APR 18 GENTING ARENA – 5 APR 18

GENTING ARENA – 10 MAY 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 11-12 MAY 18

GENTING ARENA – 18 MAY 18

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 10 - 13 OCT 18

GENTING ARENA – 19 MAY 18 GENTING ARENA – 25 MAY 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM - 2 JUN 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 18 JUN 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 20 JUN 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 7 JUL 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 20 JUL 18

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 26-28 JUL 18

IRON MAIDEN

GENTING ARENA – 7 AUG 18

KEVIN HART

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 30 AUG 18

NITRO CIRCUS

THE FOUR TOPS & THE TEMPTATIONS

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 22 NOV 18

THE BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL TATTOO

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 24-25 NOV 18

FREE RADIO LIVE

GENTING ARENA – 24 NOV 18

PETE TONG – IBIZA CLASSICS

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 28 NOV 18

FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS

GENTING ARENA – 1 DEC 18

STAR WARS A NEW HOPE – FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA

THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 2 DEC 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 13-14 SEP 18

SHANIA TWAIN

JEFF WAYNE’S WAR OF THE WORLDS

JASON DERULO

DEF LEPPARD

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: OVO

PROFESSOR BRIAN COX LIVE

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 24 SEP 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 26 SEP 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 3-7 OCT 18

GENTING ARENA – 8 DEC 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 17 DEC 18 ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 23 FEB 19

JEFF LYNNE’S ELO

ARENA BIRMINGHAM – 10 - 13 OCT 18

This information is correct at the time of going to print. It may be altered at any time without liability on the part of the National Exhibition Centre Ltd. 8169EPLG/28K/01-12 *Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

AGENDA.

club

classics

Scarily, 2018 marks 30 years since the release of Club Classics Vol. 1, the hugely influential and sound shifting long player from British band Soul II Soul.

To celebrate, the double Grammy Award winning and five-time Brit Award nominated band will be playing Birmingham’s Town Hall on the 19th October in a special homage concert to the classic album.

With huge hits including ‘Keep On Movin’ (which sold over a million copies in the US alone) 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, and securing commercial success for themselves and the huge amount of artists they have influenced.

During the course of their stellar career the band have sold over 10 million albums worldwide and main man, Jazzie B, was awarded an OBE for services to music in 2008, as well as winning an Ivor Novello Award for Inspiration, as “the man who gave British black music a soul of its own”.

For tickets visit www.seetickets.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 9

AGENDA.

CHOC’s AWAY! Chocoholics unite! Whether you’re nuts about nuts, crazy about caramel, bonkers for biscuits, or frantic for fruit, the chocolate bar of your dreams is finally within reach thanks to the The Grown Up Chocolate Company.

We’re hooked on their range of reimagined chocolate bars we all loved as children that have been updated and made strictly adults only!

With unashamedly indulgent creations like Very Naughty Nutty Nougat, Gorgeously Gooey Caramel Truffle Cups and our favourite Crunchy, Crispy

Toffee trilogy which has a crunchy base of luxurious milk chocolate and rice puffs, a middle of gooey caramel topped with white chocolate biscuit pearls and enrobed in milk chocolate.

All handmade, bars are produced using only the highest quality ingredients and their chocolate consists of 41% of pure cocoa solids so the most choosy chocoholic can chomp away.

Bars cost £2.25 each from: thegrownupchocolatecompany.co.uk

CliniqueFit arrives at SELFRIDGES thing to worry about when hitting the treadmill or the weights room because the make-up will look as good at the end of the workout as the beginning.

The range is made up of Workout Make-up SPF 40 (£29.50) -a lightweight foundation that wears for 12 hours and provides broad spectrum sunscreen protection. Workout 24-Hour Mascara (£20) separates, lengthens and curls lashes for 24 hours without flaking or clumping and Post-Workout Mattifying Moisturiser (£26) a double-action lightweight moisturiser that hydrates skin for up to eight hours while keeping surface oil in check.

Now there’ no excuse not to work out after work thanks to an exclusive new skincare and make-up range from Clinique, available at Selfridges.

CliniqueFit is a high performance skin care and long-wearing make-up that is designed to fit seamlessly into a busy lifestyle, taking the wearer from the office to the gym without smearing, fading or smudging.

Thanks to features such as sweat and humidity resistance and mattifying technology, wearers will have one less 10 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Workout Face + Body Hydrating Spray (£13) a water-based, on-the-go spray instantly refreshes and hydrates parched skin. The Post-Workout Neutralising Face Powder (£28) is a yellow colour-correcting loose powder that neutralises the look of redness and reduces shine.

Lip + Cheek Flush (£20) is an oil-free, sheer gel in one universally flattering shade that tints lips and cheeks with a fade-resistant stain and Post-Workout Face + Body Cleansing Swipes (£16) are suitable for all skin types and remove excess dirt, oil and debris, while also gently exfoliating and moisturising skin for a smoother surface.

Find them in store now.

MFDH AWARDS

RETURN Now in its third year, the Midlands Food Drink and Hospitality Awards is set to return and is gearing up to be the biggest celebration yet and once again, Dluxe Magazine official media partner.

The prestigious awards ceremony which celebrates the best in the food, drink and hospitality industry will take place at again at the magnificent Edgbaston cricket stadium on 25th June 2018.

The MFDH Awards aims to recognise and reward all the amazing attractions from bars to restaurants to cafes and more which are pushing the envelope through first rate menus, creative settings and stellar service.

Given that it’s one of the most culturally rich regions in England, it’s only natural for the food, drink and hotels of the Midlands to be as equally diverse and unique. In fact, it is the success of our thriving food, drink and hospitality establishments in some of the places like Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Coventry and Nottingham that has helped to make the Midlands the great place that it is!

The awards will be judged by five independent judges (including one from dluxe) who have direct knowledge and experience of the Food, drink & hospitality industries but first the public needs to nominate!

Visit www.mfdhawards.co.uk before 23 April 2018 and nominate your favourite, or you can nominate yourself.

See life in a new light New Pirouette® Shades from Luxaflex® The unique design of our Pirouette® Shades features soft fabric vanes which gently filter light and control privacy. And PowerView® Motorisation also lets you operate your shades with one tap of your smart phone, tablet or remote control.

Find out more at luxaflex.co.uk

LUXAFLEX® SHOWROOM: Solihull Blinds Ltd Solihull 0121 7331001

SPECIAL FEATURE.

AGENDA.

Achieve complexion perfection with Courthouse Clinics LED technology to effectively increase collagen production and hydrate, plump and brighten the skin, to deliver visible skin rejuvenation in just one session.

They’ve created an exclusive range of bespoke, signature treatments that combine Lightfusion with two or more associated treatments, for maximum results. Réjuvalite combines ultra-precise Réjuvapen microneedling (an intense exfoliating/resurfacing procedure) and Lightfusion to boost the skin’s collagen and elastin from deep within. Réjuvanight combines Réjuvapen, PRP Facial Lift Therapy and Lightfusion for the ultimate regeneration therapy. The result?

Smoother, younger-looking skin, with visibly enhanced radiance, texture and tone.

TM

TM

TM

Another great new-season skin treatment is the HydroPlus Microdermabrasion, which boosts new cell turnover and helps topical products penetrate more effectively. HydroPlus delivers additional nourishing infusions deep into the skin for optimum renewal and regeneration.

It’s been a long time coming, but spring is finally in the air. As one season ends and another begins, now is the perfect time to reassess your skincare and treatment regime, in order to repair any winter damage, and prepare for the arrival of summer.

The combination of stodgy comfort foods, the drying effects of central heating and icy temperatures outside can leave skin looking dull, tired and dehydrated. In other words, now is the perfect time for some serious skin rejuvenation – and Courthouse Clinics Birmingham has a wide variety of options to make sure you put your best face forward this season.

SEE INSIDE YOUR SKIN As with so many things in life, knowledge is power – and their complimentary Skin Health Assessment is the perfect place to start. It delivers a fast yet full and in-depth skin analysis with the very latest skin scanning technology. In turn this allows their expert Medical Aestheticians to identify your skin’s specific issues, and then recommend the most effective treatment options, which are tailored exactly to your needs.

This ability to see inside your skin is 12 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

the best way to give it exactly what it needs. Some skin issues are obvious, but it’s what goes on beneath the surface that really counts. Not all skin damage is visible to the naked eye, so even if your skin looks reasonably healthy on the outside, what’s happening on the inside could be an entirely different story.

Their hi-tech Skin Scanners use special filters that allow their expert skincare professionals to easily see on-screen the skin’s many different layers, and identify any underlying issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Wrinkles, UV sun damage, pores, pigmentation and hydration levels are just a few of the issues our Skin Scanners can reveal. Fortunately, many skin problems are reversible or improvable, so the sooner you have your analysis, the better the outcome.

Subject to suitability, your Skin Health Assessment will also include one of three mini-treatments. Choose from Lightfusion , Microdermabrasion or the Medik8 Light Peel – all of which are ideal for skin rejuvenation.

Designed to revitalise dull, dry or damaged complexions – while also improving the appearance of acne, sun damage and other visible signs of ageing – chemical peel treatments are another popular rejuvenation option.

Best of all, their TCA peels can be tailored to your specific skin type and concern, for an effective personalised solution.

One of the newest ways to regenerate and rejuvenate your skin is with Dermaplaning. A firm favourite with celebs, Dermaplaning – sometimes known as face shaving – uses a sharp blade to safely remove dead skin cells and downy peach fuzz to achieve softer, smoother skin and an instant radiant glow.

MIX AND MATCH FOR MAXIMUM RESULTS All of these advanced rejuvenation treatments can be combined with traditional anti-ageing treatments such as dermal fillers and anti-ageing injections, for optimum results.

TM

BRIGHTEN, TIGHTEN AND GLOW

For more information about any of their treatments, or to book an appointment, call them today on 0121 5165296.

The Lightfusion photofacial is the perfect post-winter pick-me-up.

Lightfusion uses state-of-the-art

Courthouse Clinics Birmingham, 8 George Road, Edgbaston, B15 1NP www.courthouseclinics.com

R

TM

TM

Slim & Sexy

2st128lb Lucy lost

in

weeks

Alevere Therapy is different from any other weight loss programme. Our patients’ lives are genuinely transformed in so many ways thanks to our medically controlled programme which not only allows them to lose weight quickly, but ensures they keep it off.

You too can be Slim & Sexy with Alevere.

Are you ready to commit to your life changing journey?

Contact us today for your no obligation consultation.

30

CLINICS NATIONWIDE

Birmingham 8 George Road | Edgbaston | Birmingham West Midlands | B15 1NP | 0121 270 4583

courthouseclinics.com

SPECIAL FEATURE.

AGENDA.

Heal’s top ten hero pieces for spring British furniture brand, Heal’s, is bringing new life into the home this season, with their beautiful new SS18 collection transforming your wintry hideaway into a blossoming oasis.

Featuring elegant design in the form of the sophisticated Russell Pinch bed, and contemporary pattern by Myer Halliday for his stylish new textile range, the eyecatching collection boasts the best in luxury furnishings.

This season also sees firsts for many designer names, such as Matthew Hilton, who has turned his creative hand to crafting innovative light fixtures, for a minimal yet chic addition to the home.

We’ve selected our top ten Heal’s heroes for spring, so you can easily update your décor, spruce up dark corners, and freshen the home ahead of the new season.

Visit Heals on the Level One, Mailbox or online at heals.com

3

1

2

6

7

4

5 10

9

1. Rainforest tableware by Mia Sarosi, from £28 2. Wallis bed in iced mint smart velvet by Russell Pinch, £1,899 3. Orb five light chandelier in black by Matthew Hilton, £349 4. Halcyon cushion by Collect Scotland, £49 5. Brunel coffee table/AV unit, £299; Brunel shelf, £169 6. Hexagonal vases by Ferm Living, available in six colours and sizes, from £27 7. Mistral 4 seater sofa in Terracotta varese velvet £2,849 8. Matera 3 seater sofa in Dalno leather treacle, £2,499 9. Elgin wave print armchair, £999 10. EOS garden rectangular table in white, £530; EOS garden bench in white, £350; EOS garden side chair in white, £160, all by Matthew Hilton for Case

8

14 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Find us at Mailbox Birmingham WHERE DESIGN LIVES

www.heals.com

AGENDA. masculinity, HOUSE 99 was built with the ambition to offer exceptional innovative formulas to men who are not afraid to explore their own unique style and express their identity.

Launching the range Beckham said “I’m so excited to finally share HOUSE 99 with everyone around the world! For me, grooming is not only about how you look, but how you feel. It’s about being comfortable, trying new things and shaping your next look. I created HOUSE 99 to give people the inspiration as well as the right products to experiment and feel completely at home doing so. HOUSE 99 is here to support men, to give them the tools they need to create whatever look they are going for. Welcome to the House”said David.

David’s HOUSE 99 AT Harvey nichols As one of the world’s most famous style icons, David Beckham continues to challenge the notion of what it means to be “masculine”. Notoriously experimenting and reinventing his own image, the iconic footballer, historically made caring about your style and changing your look

FLAG IT UP

If your fridge is groaning under the weight of all the souvenir magnets perhaps it’s time to find a new way or recording all the counties you’ve visited. We really like the idea of FlagMate; a travel influenced keyring which encourages adventurers to add a flag of each new country they visit, with the added option to include an engraved message on the back – the perfect memento to showcase their chapters of exploration.

Utilising the technical expertise of L’Oréal Luxe labs, the HOUSE 99 product line has been carefully engineered to create an all-new grooming brand, home to every guy’s next look and offers expert and diverse solutions for all hair and skin types, tried, tested and approved by the man himself.

acceptable amongst men and inspired a generation and redefined ‘male culture’ not just in the UK but across the world. And now he’s taking on male grooming.

Just like David, the brand is both masculine and stylish, with a product assortment inspired by his legendry evolving look, developed to work together and provide everyone with David’s real-life routine for game-changing grooming results.

Driven by this desire to revolutionize society’s take on grooming as part of modern

Available at Harvey Nichols turn to page 31 for a low down on the full product range.

MARC ALMOND & JOOLS HOLLAND AT THSH Musical master of ceremonies Jools Holland and his acclaimed Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will be joined on stage by the legendary Marc Almond at two performances at Birmingham Symphony Hall.

Hand-crafted in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery quarter, FlagMate is the idea of Birmingham based Bhavesh Patel, who will be donating 10% of its profits to educational projects in underprivileged countries.

Soft Cell frontman Marc Almond, has sold over 30 million records worldwide with his list of hit songs including ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, ‘Touch’ and, of course, ‘Tainted Love’. Marc has also collaborated with the likes of Gene Pitney, Tony Visconti and Burt Bacharach, as well as Jools who Marc previously toured with in 2014. He was awarded an OBE this year for his services to arts and culture.

Squeeze member Gilson Lavis on drums with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. With a tremendous collection of Jools’ compositions and boogie-woogie classics to choose from, Jools’ annual UK tour is set to be an unforgettable night out that will delight both Jools and Marc Almond fans and have audiences on their feet!

Prices start from £8.99 for a FlagMate and £2.99 for individual flags.

Visit www.storytellertravel.co.uk

Also performing with Jools will be the supremely talented vocalists Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall as well as original

Concerts will take place on the 5th and 6th December and Tickets are on sale now at www.joolsholland.com

16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Hallfield Hallfield Hallfield school Hallfield school edgbaston school school edgbaston edgbaston

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

edgbaston

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

DINOSAUR DINING

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

Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Open MOrnings Tuesday Open MOrnings Open MOrnings Open MOrnings Call 0121 454 1496

AT BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is offering a dining experience like no other – the chance to dine with a dinosaur!

Dippy the Diplodocus comes to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery from 26th May – 9th September, as part of a tour which sees the Natural History Museum’s iconic Diplodocus cast taking a natural history adventure across the UK.

Call 0121 454 454 1496 Call 0121 1496 for more information Call 0121 454 for1496 more information for more information for more information

As excitement builds for Dippy’s arrival, exclusive drinks and dining packages are available to prebook in advance for the perfect evening with colleagues, clients or employees. You will dine in the museum’s spectacular Gas Hall where you will be joined by the perfect dinner guest – a 70foot long dinosaur cast! There are a number of exciting options available to suit any occasion.

Take a table at one of the shared Dine with Dippy dinner parties taking place on Thursday 7th and 14th June. Available for £70 per head (minimum booking 1 table of 10 people), and enjoy arrival drinks and canapes with impressive dry ice tray service, a delicious four course dinner, half bottle of wine per person, unlimited still and sparkling mineral water, table decoration and an individual Dippythemed gift for each guest.

For those looking for a more exclusive occasion, why not host your very own private dinosaur dinner party? Full room hire is £1800 and then you can choose between two exquisite drinks and dinner packages to delight your guests.

The first option is the Jurassic 1 hour Reception Package, at £35 per head. Your evening can be started memorably with the choice of prosecco, prehistoric punch and non-alcoholic punch all arriving with dry ice tray service, and a choice of canapes, including Roquefort and cranberry endives and wild mushroom choux buns.

Alternatively, the Cretaceous Reception and Dinner Package allows diners to keep Dippy company well into the evening, at £55 per head. After the welcoming drinks reception, diners are treated to an exquisite three course meal, with a choice of dishes including pan seared breast of chicken, Mediterranean vegetable and parmesan Wellington, and more. Finish off the evening with tea, coffee and handmade truffles, all under Dippy’s grand presence.

Outstanding Academic results: 83% Pass rate to Select Entry LA Grammar Schools 37 Scholarships to Independent Schools – a record number! (For September 2017)

www.hallfieldschool.co.uk 0121 454 1496 admissions@hallfieldschool.co.uk www.hallfieldschool.co.uk www.hallfieldschool.co.uk Church Road, Edgbaston, 0121 454 1496 0121 454 1496 B15 3SJ Birmingham,

www.hallfieldschool.co.uk admissions@hallfieldschool.co.uk admissions@hallfieldschool.co.uk 0121 454 1496Road, Edgbaston, Edgbaston, Church Don’t miss this exclusive chance to spend the evening in a Church Road, dinosaur’s company. For full details of the menus andadmissions@hallfieldschool.co.uk dining Birmingham, B15 3SJ Birmingham, B15 3SJ packages, visit: birminghammuseums.org.uk Church Road, Edgbaston, To book a dining experience with Dippy, call 0121 348 8082 Birmingham, B15 3SJ or email events@birminghammuseums.org.uk

SPECIAL FEATURE.

AGENDA.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE THE COSMETIC WAY

Tell us about YUGEN, how would you describe the clinic/services?

YUGEN is an important concept of Japanese aesthetics. The exact translation of the word depends on the context, but in this case, it means an ‘awareness of the universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and mysterious for words’.

Being in the public eye and the leader of people, as many of us are, a confident, healthy and youthful appearance can help give a competitive edge, so details matter. And nowhere more so than at YUGEN, which is taking Edgbaston’s burgeoning cosmetic surgery industry and shaking it up by bringing a more holistic, but highly qualified GP-led approach to nonsurgical cosmetics and wellness. In a time-poor world, this could be just the prescription you’re looking for…

Who is Dr Jane Holloran?

Well firstly I’m a highly qualified GP, with over 20 years’ experience. I’m also a working mother of 5 children so used to a hectic schedule!

Much of my career has been spent focused on working in areas of deprivation; after qualifying as a GP, I worked as a prison GP and got a great deal of experience dealing with drug and alcohol addiction, trauma and emergency response, psychiatry and a high volume of undiagnosed and untreated medical problems due to the erratic lifestyle of many of my patients. Skin disorders and scarring were very common problems and with restricted access to outside hospital services, I developed an interest in dermatology and scar management.

It was invaluable training as I was exposed 18 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

to so much and, in Aesthetics, you need to have good observational skills and understand the anatomy of each individual face and body. Like an artist, you need a natural ability to be a good Aesthetic doctor.

What made you get into Aesthetics?

I’m always on the go and full of new ideas. I decided to utilise my skills in the Aesthetic field, as I realised that I was very passionate about this arena and I was talented in improving the appearance of facial defects and scarring using simple, non-surgical techniques. I still work as a GP, but have also launched YUGEN, a dedicated clinic that incorporates my skills with some of the most innovative treatments, products and machines within the Aesthetic and medical industry such as Coolsculpting®, Laser and nonsurgical aesthetic treatments.

What do you love about working in Aesthetics?

I love to see people leaving my clinic with a smile because the treatment has made them feel so good about themselves.

A simple, non-surgical rhinoplasty or a chin enhancement in a person who has hated their features throughout life can fundamentally change the life and outlook of such a person.

What is the most challenging part of working in Aesthetics?

Like most professionals, I want perfection in my work and I can get stressed living up to my own expectations. I want everybody to leave my clinic feeling happy and positive. As with anything in life that is a huge challenge.

Our aim is to make you feel beautiful from the inside out and feel comfortable in your own skin. Our approach is not about beauty, but about confidence in your own skin. Confidence is the key to beauty and we actively encourage patients to make the best of their own features rather than slavishly follow any celebrity trends. It’s about dealing with those areas that make you feel insecure and helping you become the best you.

We also offer a private GP service with health screening, same day GP appointments, counselling and psychology services. The Edgbaston clinic is situated in a very convenient location within the Medical district of Birmingham and just minutes from the city centre. We appreciate that everyone has busy schedules, so we are really flexible offering late evenings, weekend and out of hour appointments by special arrangement.

What advice would you give someone considering cosmetic work?

Well, at YUGEN, we are different because we try to understand the patient before embarking on a treatment plan.

The first thing to do is get in touch for a consultation. I may be a doctor, but I’m human too and have my own insecurities about my body, face, skin and the ageing process. I know what it’s like to have a ‘fat’ or ‘bad hair’ day, so I know how important it is not to make drastic decisions on a day when the world appears to be falling apart.

Together, we can go through your requirements and what can and cannot be achieved, so that we build a complete treatment plan for you. The journey to being the best you starts here.

YUGEN, Highfield House, 2 Highfield Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. B15 3ED. Tel 0121 455 6974 or visit them online at yugen-clinic.co.uk

FEEL CONFIDENT IN YOUR APPEARANCE T: 0121 455 6974 or 0121 270 6085 M: 07885 752 638 E: info@yugen-clinic.co.uk W: www.yugen-clinic.co.uk

FREEZE AWAY UNWANTED FAT

Do you want amazing results – fast? With this quick and effective treatment you can target those stubborn problem areas and then just carry on with your busy life while your fat continues to disappear. Plus, the good news is that it has gone – never to return!

BEFORE

12 WEEKS AFTER Second CoolSculpting® Session Photos courtesy of A. Jay Burns, MD

BEFORE

10 WEEKS AFTER CoolSculpting® Session Photos courtesy of Jeffrey C. Dawes MD, FRCSC

BEFORE

13 WEEKS AFTER CoolSculpting® Session Photos courtesy of Heartland Plastic & Hand Surgery

THE ONLY GENUINE AND CLINICALLY PROVEN FAT FREEZING TECHNOLOGY NUMBER 1 FDA APPROVED TREATMENT IN THE USA TARGETS STUBBORN HARD TO SHIFT FAT NON-SURGICAL AND NON-INVASIVE FAST AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT UP TO 40% FAT LOSS SMOOTH RESULTS AND NO SCARS SUITABLE FOR BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PROBLEM AREAS

NON-SURGICAL PROCEDURES Non-surgical rhinoplasty is just one of many procedures Dr Holloran specialises in to tackle those areas which have always bothered you and to give you the confidence to feel amazing.

BEFORE

• A flat nasal bridge • Slight crookedness • Widening of a small nose • Correction of mild to moderate bumps on the bridge of the nose

AFTER

*Results will vary patient to patient

DR JANE HOLLORAN Dr Holloran MBCHB MRCGP is a highly experienced GP who has been practicing medicine for over 20 years since qualifying in 1995 at University of Wales College of Medicine.

Contact us now to start your transformation

AGENDA.

HallfieldFirst put children first with new appointments

One Aldwych - A Capital Idea Business is booming for one of Birmingham’s most sought after nurseries. Hallfieldfirst, based in Edgbaston, has appointed a new Nursery Manager, a Room Leader and three new Nursery Nurses to cater for its flourishing childcare demands.

Two of their current Nursery Nurses, employed via an agency, have also been offered permanent positions in the past month while two others have been promoted to Deputy Manager (Senco) and a Third in Charge.

Emma Astle, 33, started her role as Nursery Manager at Hallfieldfirst in December 2017 after working her way up within the nursery over the past 11 years. Emma brings with her a wealth of experience in childcare; she started training at Solihull College at 16, qualified by 18 and took on roles at two other nurseries before joining Hallfieldfirst as a Senior Nursery Nurse in 2006.

Speaking of her new role Emma said: “I’m delighted to be leading such a dedicated team at Hallfieldfirst. I’ve worked here a long time so I know how hard our staff work and our new starters fit right in.

“We’ve had a number of new children join us already this year and are set for more in coming months. My priority as the Nursery Manager is to ensure Hallfieldfirst continues to be the outstanding setting it is today providing young children with the best start to their education.”

Anne Oliver, Head of Pre-Prep at Hallfield School, said: “It’s a very exciting time for Hallfieldfirst. The nursery is continuing to go from strength to strength and we’re getting a lot of enquiries from prospective parents.

“We’re very pleased to have Emma on board in a managerial role. She has always had the welfare and development of the children at the heart of everything she does, so we couldn’t think of anyone more fitting for the role.

“We would also like to welcome our new starters – Katie, Raluca, Sana, Irrihum, Anam and Elaine – to the Hallfield family. They have already proven to be a real asset to the team.”

The nursery, which takes 44 children, follows Birmingham City Council’s Start Well programme which encourages staff and children to be more active, eat well and achieve more, for which Hallfield have achieved levels 1, 2 and 3. The programme has enabled staff to support parents and their children with oral health, brushing teeth as well as the dreaded dumping the dummy and binning the bottle.

Hallfield School holds Open Mornings for prospective parents on Tuesdays. For more information please visit www.hallfieldschool.co.uk or call 0121 454 1496.

20 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Being based in Birmingham, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to cultural pursuits, but sometimes there’s an itch that needs to be scratched and only the Big Smoke will suffice.

Covent Garden is at the heart of theatre-land and One Aldwych is prime for taking advantage of a thoroughly cultural weekend away.

Stand at the doorway of this imposing, Edwardian 5-star boutique hotel, which is proudly one of the Leading Luxury Hotels of the World, and you can immediately see the theatres hosting The Lion King, The Play That Goes Wrong and Dreamgirls, amongst others.

You really do feel like you’re in the heart of theatre-land and the bustle and excitement is contagious.

Although regular visitors to London and lovers of theatre, One Aldwych had not shown on our radars before. It seems we are the minority though, as a quick ‘check in’ on Facebook had dozens of messages from friends and colleagues gushing about the location, the high-teas, the hotel spa, the in-house art collection and more. And they were right, of course. The hotel’s location is second to none: if you really want to squeeze as much cultural capital out of your weekend sojourn, it’s perfectly cast.

Point your toes in one direction and you’re only a few minutes sashay to the delights of the Seven Dials shopping district

and, beyond that, Leicester Square, China Town and Soho.

Turn the other direction and you have Waterloo Bridge and beyond that the Southbank.

With so much to do in the city, you not only need a stout pair of walkers, but the ability to relax when you do retreat to the hotel – their spa, pool and gym would put many healthclubs to shame.

Their unchlorinated swimming pool is mood-lit and the perfect place to wind-down or soak your aching bones in their adjacent steam and sauna.

As much as you need cultural enlightenment and physical refreshment, One Aldwych looks after the nourishment of your soul, too – and this is where One Aldwych comes up trumps, most notably with its Eneko Basque Kitchen & Bar, which we have to admit was sublime and should feature on your weekend mustdo list.

Here, at Eneko, we opted for renowned chef, Eneko Atxa’s, tasting menus, which offered six or seven courses of some of the most exotic, flavoursome and beautifully presented food we’ve ever eaten. Genuinely, this restaurant – and its incredibly attentive and personable staff – is One Aldwych’s real star of the show. We are looking forward to an encore very soon.

One Aldwych is at Strand, London, WC2B 4BZ. Tel 0207 300 1000 or visit www.onealdwych.com

YOU DESERVE BETTER. ONLY WEAK ESTATE AGENTS NEGOTIATE. OUR GROUP AVERAGES 99.1% OF THE ORIGINAL PRICE. EkongkarASKING Singh Lopez

TM

R

Property

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 21

SPOTLIGHT.

DANCING ON HIS OWN CALUM SCOTT

Calum Scott first came to the attention of the public when he stood terrified on stage and brought an audience and judges to tears on Britain’s Got Talent.

The clip of his audition has since had over 100 million views since on You Tube and the release of his audition song charted at No. 1 on iTunes in 11 countries. It’s now time to release his debut album and what better way to fanfare it than by doing a duet with Leona Lewis? Dluxe caught up with Calum over the phone as he travelled back from his hometown of Hull and on to America- this is one busy boy- to find out where it all began and how his performance has had a fundamental effect on all aspects of his life.

it’s my hometown so I go back as often as I can.

So you’re keeping things real then being back in Hull!

Is it right that the video of your audition has been viewed over 100 million times?

I am, where possible, I just go where the label tell me basically, but Hull is where the family is and where I’ve grown up,

Despite that you’re a long way from the nervous lad that appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, now aren’t you?

I am but I’m still exactly the same guy.

I feel that coming into the industry a little bit later, I don’t know if it’s the Yorkshire or the Northerner in me, but just to remain grounded. I still get as nervous as well.

Whether I perform to 5 or 5000 I’m still as nervous as I was back then but it reminds me that I love performing so it’s good to have nerves.

I know it’s ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. I watched it back with my

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 23

SPOTLIGHT.

mum not so long ago. I got her a Google Home for Christmas and it’s connected to our TV so she’s forever saying “OK Google play Calum Scott” so there is constantly my dulcet tones coming through the TV. Stats like that, over 100 million, it’s hard to get your head around it. I keep thinking it must be robots, there’s no way over 100 million people have seen my face and my audition, it doesn’t happen to people like me.

What made you audition for the show in the first place? Had you been trying to break into music for a while?

Well it was my sister really. I’ve had a very musical life with growing up 24 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

around music and I had a bit of a drumming career at the start. Never would have thought I would be up front of stage, that was like not on my radar whatsoever and my sister being the singer of the family, she had her singing equipment out and I tried imitating her through her equipment and emulating how she sang. I thought she was out, but she was in and rather than her saying that you know you’ve got a great voice she entered me into a competition without telling me! Britain’s Got Talent wasn’t until later, I joined a tribute band performing on stage with live instruments and I’d already posted Dancing on My Own that I’d recorded in my bedroom.

That’s really refreshing to hear because you hear a lot of criticism on talent shows that contestants are planted, and it has all been agreed beforehand.

Yeah see this is the thing, I had applied for X Factor years before when Gary was on it and I’d got through so many preliminary rounds, but I just never got a call back. I didn’t get through I was so disappointed with myself that I thought I’d never do anything like that again.

That’s why I joined a tribute band for a while and I started trying to write my own songs, I tried to start getting into the world of music on my own the oldfashioned way. But when my sister said “let’s apply for Britain’s Got Talent and see what happens “that was my moment

was in tears. I knew I was onto something special, but I still never expected the reaction I’d got on stage at Britain’s Got Talent. It was crazy.

You say you’ve related to the song, have you been that person stood in the corner then?

“I played it to my Mum and she was in tears.

I knew I was onto something special”

Yeah, many a times!

For me as a gay man, I’ve watched plenty of times my mates get into relationships as well as other people starting to date when you’re out and about. Growing up I put so much pressure on myself about my sexuality that even starting a conversation was incredibly tough for me let alone a date. That’s what I imagined as I started the song. Stripping away the dance backing you realise that it’s an incredibly heart-breaking song.

One of the things that was striking to me is that you didn’t change the gender in the song. That’s an incredibly brave thing to do when you are putting yourself out there as an artist and as a person, particularly if you’re struggling with your sexuality.

and I’ve got a lot to thank her for.

I have to admit when I first heard that someone had covered Robyn’s Dancing on My Own, I was not impressed that someone had covered the song and then I heard it and really liked it. What drew you to that song?

Aw, Thank You. When I was trying to get my original voice, entering competitions I was relying on backing tracks and I wanted to do something a little different. I was just looking online for acoustic version of songs and I came across a beautiful rendition of Dancing On My Own. I’d created a little studio in my Mum’s bedroom and just hit record. I played it to my Mum and she

Yeah, it was completely intentional, I had every intention of keeping it the same and I wanted it to come from that angle. For me, it came out naturally like that probably just because of where I went to with that emotion it pulled me into that lane without thinking about it and then when I went to release it as a single it never struck me to change it.

I thought I can’t deny who I am, and I can’t be dishonest with people.

You’ve actually written all of the tracks on your album.

Yes, all of them barring a cover of Dancing On My Own and I’ve got a Bob Dylan cover on there. Other than that, everything I’ve co-written, all of my own input and my own concepts and experiences. I really wanted to be the guy in the chair; I thought it was important on my debut album to really write from the heart and from personal experience.

Dancing On My Own and You Are The Reason are very emotionally charged songs, is the rest of the album pretty

much along those lines or is it a real mix?

It is a mix. As both singles have been ballads I am aware that a lot people will be expecting a ballads album but in fact there is a nice variety on there. I’ve written about personal experiences but that doesn’t necessarily mean to say that it is all going to be me on the piano singing about how my life is so difficult! I’ve tried to write things that are relatable, some of them are more born into pop songs and songs about empowering people and they’ve taking a slightly more different approach on the production. A sort of foot to the floor festival feel.

What track from the album are you most excited about people hearing?

On the album, there’s a song called What I Miss Most which is about me basically being thrown into this adventure the last few years and just missing my home town but not really knowing what I miss about it. The production’s incredible, the guys that produced it have done such an amazing job and it’s so fun to perform live, it shows a different side to me.

I’ve noticed in all the music videos so far, you’re pictured alone surrounded by couples Calum so are you the guy who’s professionally destined to be Dancing On His Own forever? *Laughs* Professionally desperate!

Can someone please dance with the boy is basically what I’m saying!

I am looking for love, it’s one of those ones where it’s difficult as I’m travelling all of the time. Hopefully it’s not too long before I see Mr. Right on the horizon, even if it’s just dates and seeing how things go, I just want to have fun.

I missed out a lot of my teens and twenties having this anxiety about my sexuality so it’s nice to be in a position where I’m free. I am signed up to Tinder as an FYI. Calum Scott’s debut album Only Human is released on the 9th March. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 25

HER STYLE. 1

RAINBOW BRIGHT It’s time to go bold with dazzling displays of colour . Embrace stripes this Spring or for a more restrained nod at Rainbow realness focus on the accesories. And don’t forget about texture too...

26 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

W O R K S OF ART

2

3

Forget the new season wardrobe detox and instead invest in fashion you’ll cherish forever. From statement embroidery to stunning sequins, be inspired by the timelessness of impeccable craftsmanship and design.

LISA PIDDINGTON, from Harvey Nichols Birmingham, proves opulence is never out of style with these lust-worthy pieces.

4

1

3

2 6

5

5

7

4

6 8

10

7

9 8

9

11

1: Outfit by Little Mistress. 2: Hot Pink Jumper £125 Samsoe & Samsoe 3: Rainbow Jumper £316.90 Iphoria 4: Pink Lips Clutch £295 Lulu Guiness 5: Trousers £35 TopShop 6: Phone Case £39.90 Iphoria 7: Alana dress £329 Hobbs. 8: Aurora Shoe £85 Dune. 9: Per Una Rainbow Wrap Skirt £59 Marks and Spencer 10: Clutch £105 Iphoria 11: Embellished Slider £32 Very.

1: Sophia Webster winged sandals, £595. 2: Mary Katrantzou peacock-print dress, £1,295. 3: Gucci Dionysus small shoulder bag, £3,590. 4: Alice + Olivia sequinned skirt, £780. 5: Diane Von Furstenberg silk wrap skirt, £370. 6: Alice + Olivia wrapeffect dress, £495. 7: Free People embroidered satin kimono jacket, £130. 8: Gucci Amoire Tiger printed silk scarf, £310. 9: Free People embroidered top, £140.

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

HER STYLE.

&

REINVENT REFRESH WITH A NEW WARDROBE...

2. Dejunk: this can be the painful part,

getting rid of those items that no longer fit, and are tired or dated. These items can be given to charity shops, your friends or just simply thrown away! This is where my ruthlessness and honesty comes into play!

3. Renew: once you have organised your wardrobe try to mix and match items to create various different outfits for different concerns. If you struggle to do this it may mean that you need to update your wardrobe slightly, simply by buying items that complete whole outfits. Try adding accessories to create different looks or by attaining alterations and laundering. Key missing items in your wardrobe are the main reason we struggle to get dressed even though we have a wardrobe full of clothes. Try and identify what these are, write them down and that is your shopping list.

You could always try and photograph the outfits you put together so you have a record of how they go together and to what occasion they would be suitable for. You will also identify what is missing from your wardrobe, like an amazing pair of jeans, a fantastic little leather jacket or a pair of shoes that work with everything. Make a shopping list and stick to it, otherwise you will end up buying items very similar to what is already in your wardrobe!

Many women do not know exactly what suits them and will become stuck in a rut. Seeking professional help and asking for advice on how to dress is not over indulgent, it is practical, time saving and in the long run prevents a lot of expensive mistakes. I don’t cut my own hair or resolve my own legal issues, I ask for help and this is simply what my clients do. Pay a professional to do a job they can’t, writes stylist Cleo Lacey.

Finding a style that is right for you will not only boost your confidence and self-esteem but will also make you look younger, slimmer, happier and more successful. Clothes often say more about how old we are than any number of wrinkles or bad hair styles. If this is the year in which you want to feel more attractive and turn back the clock then help with your wardrobe is what you need!

I always advise my clients to set aside half a day, twice a year, at the start of a new season to review and add to their wardrobe. I can guarantee from experience, that time spent doing this will be a worthwhile investment and pay dividends when later trying to decide what 28 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

to wear on any given day.

How many of you ladies have clothes in your wardrobe that you have never worn before, possibly still with the label on? Or how many of you wear the same outfit over and over again? This is completely normal so please don’t worry girls, people wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time.

It is so true what they say, out of sight, out of mind.

One of the first things that I will do with my clients is a wardrobe consultation, and with these tips, you can try it yourself. This is where it all begins! You don’t necessarily need to go on a shopping spree to reinvent your wardrobe, and I don’t believe in wasting money on a load of new clothes.

It’s about knowing what you’ve already got before knowing what you need!

I’m going to share with you my three easy steps to achieving your perfect wardrobe:

1. Assess: look at the garments that are currently in your wardrobe and separate them into different types of clothing, season and lifestyle. Assess each individual garment whether it be classic, stylish, tired, in need of repair, laundering or alteration. Make sure every item fits you well, you may rediscover items that you have never have worn before or even knew existed!

How many of you have left your bedroom with clothes all over the bed and it looks like you have had burglars? This doesn’t happen to my clients anymore because they know exactly what they have got, how it goes together and they know that they look and feel fabulous in all of their clothes!

If you wish to present yourself in a new way, for a new year, you need a wellmanaged wardrobe. A change in career, weight, marital status, health or just plain old perspective has made you realise that now is the time to invest in yourself, after all looking good makes you feel good!

Remember we all need help because looking good doesn’t just happen, and it’s the stylish ones that ask for it! You know where to find me...

Your Fairy Clothes Mother xx 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

Beauty EDIT: SPRING CLEAN

Forget giving the house a good going over and instead pay some attention to you.

HELEN GOUGH, Beauty Manager at Harvey Nichols Birmingham, reveals her favourite luxury must-haves to deep clean and detox from top to toe.

1

As the days finally get longer and the temperatures rise, it’s time to shed those winter layers and bare some flesh. But while you may soon be full of the joys of spring, your skin could still be showing signs of the winter blues.

A couple of months wrapped up toasty warm with the heating on full blast does little to nourish the complexion, leaving skin feeling dry and looking dull.

A Faultless Face in Double Time

Fast gaining a reputation as a must for every make up bag, Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Custom Coverage Correcting Duos offers one shade with two coverage levels. The collection of dual-ended colour correctors shift skin into neutral so you can correct, conceal and transform with just one tool.

With shades for every skin tone expertly developed by makeup artists, the customizable formulas are layerable and blend seamlessly onto the skin to provide a flawless base for your favourite concealer or foundation and give you the skilful control to help instantly neutralize discolorations on the skin.

Kick start the new season with some top to toe TLC – forget clearing out the cupboards and turn your attention to giving your skin a spring clean instead. Hard-working exfloliators and scrubs are designed to wash away dead skin cells while cleansers clear out your pores to leave you with radiant, glowing skin.

2 3

4

5 6

The skin-perfecting duo helps custom-correct dark circles, spots, redness, dullness and more. On one end, a light, luminous, wears-all-day formula with brush applicator to sweep across larger areas. Whilst on the other, a full-coverage hydrating concentrate with sponge tip to cover targeted areas for up to 24 hours.

For dark circles and spots, choose by skintone intensity: Pink shade for light skintones, Peach shade for light-medium skintones, Apricot shade for medium skintones, Tangerine shade for medium-deep skintones, Orange shade for deep skintones.

1: Estée Lauder NightWear Plus 3-minute detox mask, £34. 2: BodyBoom strawberry coffee scrub, £16. 3: Elemis lime and ginger salt glow, £39. 4: MaskerAide Detox Diva facial mask, £5 5: La Mer The Cleansing Oil, £70. 6: Malin+Goetz detox face mask, £32. 7: Skin Laundry nourishing cleansing oil, £26. 8: Pixi peel and polish resurfacing concentrate, £26.

7

Then, to correct specific concerns, choose Yellow shade; to brighten, Lavender shade to neutralizes yellowness and Green shade to reduce redness. Perfect!

Double Wear Custom Coverage Correcting Duo costs £24 for 10ml and is available from esteelauder.co.uk and Estee Lauder makeup counters.

8

Products featured are available from the Beauty Hall at Harvey Nichols Birmingham or online at harveynichols.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 29

HIS STYLE. 1

PALE AND

INTERESTING If the devil is in the detail than the angelic is in the accessories.

Here’s our pick of the season’s key accesories to take any outfit from sinner to winner.

1

30 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

THE HOUSE 99:

2

SKINCARE GUIDE

3

5

4

From must-have tattoo moisturiser to the cleanser that delivers, these hero products from HOUSE 99 prove looking good shouldn’t be a chore. LISA PIDDINGTON rounds up the latest grooming range from David Beckham.

6

EYE OPENER: Enriched with caffeine and mica, the Truly Brighter Eye Balm (£19) helps brighten and energise. Make sure to smooth from outside of your eye, back to the bridge of your nose to tackle those under-eye bags.

8

7

CLEAN SLATE: Purefectly Clean Face Wash (£17) is a charcoalenriched face gel with peppermint extract and is a sure-fire route to clearer looking skin. Apply when the face is still wet and rub for a minute, forehead down, to ward off bacteria.

9 10

1: Outfits by Zara. 2: Spiral Backpack In Apricot Marl £25 ASOS 3: Round Phantos Sunglasses £125 Ray-Ban 4: Nantucket Chino £119 Ralph Lauren. 5: PS BY PAUL SMITH Green Jumper £85 Harvey Nichols. 6: Hammond & Co Blue Suede Shoes £65 Debenhams. 7: M&S Collection Polo £15. 8: Peach Sweater £25 Criminal. 9: Pink velvet tux blazer £135 Label Lab at House of Fraser. 10: Tie waist jacket £50 River Island

A CLOSE SHAVE: Use Neat Cut Shaving Cream (£15) after you shower, when your face’s bristles have been softened by steam. Your skin’s follicles will be open – giving you a closer shave, with reduced risk of nicks.

THINK PERFECT INK: With more than 40 artistic creations, David Beckham

knows a thing or two about tattooed skin.

Spray Bold Statement Tattoo Body Moisturiser (£22) directly on to the target area and massage until absorbed.

You’ll create a barrier between your skin and the elements, preventing fading or stretching.

THE MULTITASKER: Even the manliest of skin needs protection.

Step forward Broad Defense Face Moisturiser SPF20 (£22) which hydrates and protects against pollution. Plus, a cheeky pinch can be great for taming any Sideshow Bob hair moments.

WELL GROOMED: Softer Touch Beard Oil (£22) is a lightweight and non-greasy oil that will not only keep your beard tamed and nourished, but is essential prep for the skin preshaving.

HOUSE 99 is available from Harvey Nichols Birmingham, The Mailbox and online at harveynichols.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 31

HIS STYLE.

OHMME Seeing all the offerings of yoga wear available to women, Louis d’Origny and Jonty Hikmet wondered why guys didn’t have the same range of choice So they set about creating OHMME; a socially friendly, environmentally friendly and conscious company that is disrupting the male sportswear industry.

reduced waste and the recycling of materials that already exist.

Our fabrics feel cool, are sweat wicking and breathable, so they have all the benefits of great sportswear, with the bonuses of them being recycled and having a reduced environmental impact,’ explained Louis. We have to say the quality and cut is exceptional.

Having regularly practiced yoga but been unable to find clothing they wanted to wear, OHMME was born under the brief of style, movement and comfort.

The range includes hero products such as the dharma pants (£55), which are great for yoga, as they are perfectly fitted, totally flexible and breathable meaning no sweat patches. Team with the 8 limb Yoga Hoodie (£62)- we love the thumb holes designed to keep your wrists and pulse points warm and help regulate your body temperature.

‘Our fabrics are made with your body, and the planet, in mind. I took a lot of time really investigating sustainable fabrics, which are, for the majority, made from recycled polyester.

This is much better for the environment, in terms of the

Find out more at ohmme.com.

STYLIST’S CHOICE: THE ARTIFICIAL HIPSTER I don’t know about you, but once I hit 40, I started to question my dress sense: everything had to be held up to the Dogs Dinner test; have you heard of it?

It’s that old yardstick using a scale of lamb on one side and mutton on the other to gauge the level of inappropriateness to my outfit - i.e. how much of a dog’s dinner am I likely to look if I opt for one particular fashion statement versus another. See, it’s not just the ladies that have this crisis of faith when you hit the four-oh writes Style Commentator, The Artificial Hipster.

In years gone by, I’ve been renowned for a certain sense of swagger, sartorially-speaking, often wilfully bending the trends or ignoring them entirely: I remember (not fondly, if truth be known) the time awhen I considered skirts were in. I hunted high and low for a skirt suitable for a man, but lo and behold, none came to fruition, so I made one and wore it with misguided pride.

Oh the folly of youth.

32 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

As too was the phase when the Mothercare shelves would be raided for statement t-shirts - who wouldn’t want to go out gurning with a print of Sesame Street’s Big Bird emblazoned across their pecs? Adornment aside, these were tees made for a toddler, chosen so the mid-rif could be on display. I still display my mid riff occasionally although now it is entirely unintentional.

Hindsight is a curious thing, but the purpose of this reminiscing is to illustrate a point that fashion and me are former bed-fellows.

Or were until a few years ago.

In a social media age of immediacy, visibility and perfectionseeking, I’m feeling invisible and it troubles me. I’m robust of nature, by most accounts, and a professional holding down a relatively high-powered job, but I’m unsettled in this fashion wilderness. Unnerved, as I want to get it right. Who does one turn to for style advice when ‘mid-age’ kicks in? Who pulls you back from the precipice of chinos and button down collar shirt? Who tells you when you look like a dogs’ dinner (DD)?

I love sports luxe but I don’t want to be ‘that’ man, you know the one who’s trying just too hard. That man who looks great from the back view, but turns around and is greeted with a (polite) gasp.

He’s definitely DD. In the absence of style advice properly aimed at the savvy, 40plus gentleman, I’ve decided to strike out for a generation lost somewhere in between M&S and Zara, Hilfiger and Hugo Boss.

It’s why I’ve decided to take matters in to my own hands and launch a blog entitled The Artificial Hipster aimed at people like me. People who want to fall back in love with fashion, but on their terms and for their bodyshape. Let’s face it, we don’t all aspire to Bieber or Beckham levels of sixpackedness – some of us much prefer to embrace the Dad bod from the comfort of our Lazyboy.

And so it begins. Head on over to www.theartificialhipster.com for style tips and advice on generally gadding about fabulously.

GET SHIRTY From embellished denim to boardroom chic, shirts are the sartorial saviour of every man’s wardrobe. LISA PIDDINGTON, from Harvey Nichols Birmingham, shows you how to style SS18 key looks.

DENIM: Cool and casual, no wardrobe is complete without a

wear-anywhere denim shirt. For the new season, opt for badge appliqués and ripped detailing.

Dsquared2 denim shirt, £595.

Dsquared2 dog-print T-shirt, £185.

Dsquared2 distressed jeans, £395.

McQueen leather trainers, £360.

THE MODERN GENTLEMAN

REDEFINED A new men’s lifestyle and male grooming website has launched with the aim of reasserting the image of The Modern Gentleman whilst making Dads more dapper, Husbands more handsome and partners more polished.

With the male grooming industry becoming the fastest growing part of the cosmetics industry, notching up an enormous £608million of sales in the UK alone, two Midlands entrepreneurs decided it was time to launch The Modern Gentleman - a service that offers discerning gents exclusive, quality skincare and grooming products along with advice on how to use them and live the life of a Modern Gentleman.

PRINTED: The perfect weekend staple, from a Saturday

afternoon family outing to a stylish Sunday brunch. Team with brown leather accessories and classic cords.

Coach leather backpack, £650.

NN07 corduroy trousers, £155.

Eton printed slim shirt, £160.

Grenson leather brogues, £220.

TheModernGentlemen.co.uk has been designed to demystify moisturisers, clarify cleansers and reinvent the washbag for the man who feels overwhelmed when confronted with the vast array of grooming products on the market.

“We wanted to make it easier for men to find the right product for them and explain exactly how to use it” explains co-owner Rajvee Purohit. “Today’s man knows that he’s got to take care of himself, but often doesn’t really know how. What we’ve done is integrate a lifestyle blog full of helpful advice on male grooming with a breakdown of what each product actually does and what we’d recommend. There’s more to good grooming than moisturising!”

The site’s blog – The TMG Journal – doesn’t just limit its topics to male grooming; it also covers areas such as etiquette & style, culture, politics, history, food & drink and luxury travel. “Grooming is only one aspect of becoming the gentleman and it is where the journey begins for TMG,” adds Danny Gohil, co-owner and designer at The Modern Gentleman. “Charming, intellectual, groomed, well-dressed, well-mannered and successful: these are the characteristics we want to instil in others through our company”.

CLASSIC WHITE: Bring a dash of class to the office with a modern-styled, slim-fit white shirt paired with a linen jacket and slim-leg chinos.

Magnanni leather brogues, £290.

Boglioli linen jacket, £570.

Boglioli textured shirt, £175.

AMI slim-leg chinos, £180.

The site launches with a curated range of luxury grooming products for men from brands such as Agua De Colonia, Apothacery 87, Concentrada, Fresh Body, Marvis, Swell and Vitaman. These international brands have been carefully selected for their excellent quality and their evident results. “When choosing the brands we wanted to work with, we had to make sure we were offering something different to what you can find on the High Street. Our aim has been to source brands that are ethically created and offer great results whilst still being affordable,” adds Danny.

It’s not just the products that are different. “All of our products come boxed and monogrammed snuggled in a nest of raffia making them either gift-ready or a lovely treat to have delivered,” adds Rajvee. To celebrate the launch of the website, all orders over £75 will receive free postage and packing.

To find out more visit www.themoderngentleman.co.uk

ALL ITEMS FEATURED ARE AVAILABLE FROM HARVEY NICHOLS BIRMINGHAM AND ONLINE AT HARVEYNICHOLS.COM dluxe-magazine.co.uk 33

MOTORS.

AN ICON REINVE The best things in life just get better with age; champagne, stilton, whiskey and The G-Class, the luxury off-road vehicle from Mercedes-Benz, long considered a design icon.

What began in 1972 with a collaboration agreement between then Daimler-Benz AG and Steyr-Daimler-Puch in the Austrian city of Graz, the G Class was first offered as a civilian version in 1979 and has found a home on the driveways of gentleman farmers, heads of states, hip hop superstars – even the pope has had one! So enduring is its timeless style and popularity that it has even outlived its replacement – the GL Class.

Its external appearance has not changed 34 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

significantly since 1979. Iconic elements continue to serve very specific purposes and to give the G-Class its unique appearance.

All these are still found in the new G-Class: the distinctive door handle and the characteristic closing sound, the robust exterior protective strip, the exposed spare wheel on the rear door and the prominent indicator lights. Extraordinary features like these combined with the off-roader’s angular lines define its special look.

“Enhancing an icon such as the G-Class in technological terms was both a challenge and an opportunity at the same time.

Each part and every bolt came under close scrutiny,” explains Dr Gunnar Güthenke, Head of the Off-Road Product Group at Mercedes-Benz.

Despite looking almost identical to the original the new G Class the detailing on the car’s bodywork have been enhanced and improved: 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider, more than ever, the new G-Class appears to be cast from a single piece. All surfaces have a more taut design and are have more tension, while the surface quality has been taken to an even higher level. This results in narrower, more precise gaps and more harmonious transitions. In addition, the wheel arches and bumpers form a more integral part of the body and thus look less like add-on features.

While the exterior maintains the iconic classic look, the interior of the G-Class has undergone a fundamental modern redesign.

With its off-road character and luxury

drivers can use the touchpad with controller in the centre console without taking their eyes off the road. The input options are rounded off by shortcut keys in front of the controller for frequently used operating tasks.

NTED appointments, the G-Class has always combined two extremes.

Every detail is finished by hand with the utmost care.Numerous design features from the exterior have been transposed into the interior such as the shape of the round headlamps, for instance, is reflected in the side air vents. Or the design of the iconic indicators, found again in the shape of the loudspeakers. Hallmarks of the G-Class include the grab handle in front of the front passenger and the chrome-highlighted switches for the three differential locks.

Both have been meticulously optimised and retained as characteristic features.

Thanks to haptic impulses and audible feedback from the on-board speakers,

The revised dimensions of the G-Class translates into more space inside for driver and passenger. The seats are equipped as standard with numerous convenience functions and are ergonomically designed but for those who enjoy their creature comforts the addition of the Active Multicontour Seat Package adds features such as massage functions, climate-controlled seats, and fast seat heating. This variant also offers electrically adjustable lumbar supports for the driver and front passenger.

The side sections of the seat cushions and backrests of the active multicontour seats include integrated air chambers that fill or empty continuously depending on the driving dynamics, thus providing better support.

That extra grip from the seats may come in handling as the primary goal of the G Class’s dynamic redevelopment was to redefine the quality of the handling both on and off the road.

Although already almost unstoppable off road, the new G-Class performs even better off-road, while on the road it is significantly more agile, dynamic and comfortable than its predecessor. The G thus remains a true G – thanks to its standard ladder-type frame, the three 100-percent differential locks and LOW RANGE off-road gear reduction.

Up to five driving modes are now available to choose from allowing the adjustment of the vehicles engine, transmission, suspension, steering and assistance systems at the touch of a button. The four programs “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Eco” and

“Individual” can be set conveniently via the DYNAMIC SELECT rocker switch. In “ECO” mode, a particularly fuel-optimised driving style is possible, for example. In “Sport” mode, on the other hand, the shift points of the automatic transmission, the throttle response of the engine, and the parameters of the electric steering system and the exhaust flap are changed. “Individual” allows drivers to configure their own preferred vehicle settings.

Off road the new “G-Mode function comes into play independently of the chosen driving mode as soon as one of the three differential locks has been activated or the LOW RANGE off-road reduction gear has been engaged.

This off-road mode adapts the adjustable damping of the chassis and the steering as well as the accelerator characteristic, avoids unnecessary gear shifts and thus ensures optimum control and maximum off-road capability. Add in a ground clearance of 270 mm to the front axle gear and the G-Class provides plenty of potential for off road pleasure seekers.

Other enhancements include a new front axle design, a revised construction which sheds 170kg whilst increasing strength and rigidity, a new automatic transmission and electromechanical rack-and-pinion steering, which now allows driving assistance systems such as Parking Assist to be implemented.

The new G Class is availble to order from Spring. Prices are yet to be finalised for the UK but are inline with that of the exisiting models in the rest of Europe so expect an entry price of around £89,000 for the 350 D model.

Find our more at www.mercedes.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 35

LIVING. 1

36 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Let’s go to...bed

2

3

With National Bed Month upon us it’s the perfect time to focus on the place we spend one-third of our lives: our bed.

Lisa Artis, The Sleep Council’s sleep guru in residence said, “We recommend replacing a bed at least every seven years and buying from a reputable retailer, either online or instore, and that stocks beds from manufacturers which are members of the National Bed Federation (NBF). The NBF’s Code of Practice ensures that products can be trusted to be safe, clean and meet trading standards requirements.”

5

4

In seven years, you spend over 20,000 hours in bed (that’s over 850 days or nearly two and a half years), not just lying there, but tossing and turning as much as 60-70 times a night. With figures like that, it’s not hard to see why beds wear out in time. If your bed doesn’t come up to scratch, it’s time to invest in a new one.

Here’s our pick of the very best beds and bedroom accessories to ensure your sleep is as stylish as it is sound.

8

9

7

13 12

6

10 11

1: ViSpring Shetland Bedstead from Cookes. 2: Biba Ava glass mirror £295 House of Fraser 3: Missoni Home Trevor Pillowcase £159 - Set of 2 Amara 4: 2 Pack Mono Ombre Geometric Bed Set from £25 Next Home 5: Large seeded Copper Lantern £29.50 Marks and Spencer 6: Ascot Light Grey Armoire £1,260 Debenhams 7: Laney Floor Lamp £179 Marks and Spencer 8: J by Jasper Conran Gold Chevron Velvet Throw £125 Debenhams 9: Jersey Weave Cushions £29.50 each Marks and Spencer 10: Calm Word Block £18 Next Home 11: Abigail Ahern puffin lamp £95.00 Debenhams 12: Salvage Metal Lantern £42 Next Home.

13: Vintage New York Map £75 Marks and Spencer dluxe-magazine.co.uk 37

LIVING.

THE A-ZZZZ OF A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP O

is for oils: aromatherapy oils are also brilliant sleep-inducers, particularly traditional favourites such as lavender.

P

is for pillow: A good pillow should hold your head in the correct alignment and help avoid neck pain and even persistent headaches.

Q

is for quiet: of course, loud, sudden or repetitive noises can interrupt sleep but others can be soothing, particularly soft, steady sounds. Doubleglazing and foam ear plugs can all help to promote sleep-friendly tranquillity.

R

To ensure you have sweet dreams, The Sleep Council has compiled this handy alphabet for a good night’s sleep:

A

is for alcohol: alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes are all stimulants reducing sleep quality and preventing you feeling rested.

B

is for bed!: invest in the best you can afford and replace at least every seven years.

C

is for circadian rhythm: this 24hour internal clock works best when you have a regular sleep pattern.

D

is for diet: avoid over-eating before bedtime and choose foods with sleep-promoting chemicals such as chicken and turkey, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, peanuts, beans and milk.

E

is for exercise: essential for good health and restful sleep but try not to exercise too vigorously close to bedtime.

F

is for forty winks: while a nap doesn’t make up for poor quality sleep at night time, grabbing forty winks, or a short nap of 20-30 minutes, in the afternoon can help to improve mood, alertness and performance.

G

is for gadgets: laptops, phones and even the TV are sleep stealers!

Switch them off at least an hour before bedtime.

38 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

H

is for health: sleep is crucial to health and well-being as it’s involved in the repair and restoration of our bodies.

I

is for illness: sleep deficiency is linked to increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and obesity.

J

is for jet lag: eating three balanced meals containing fresh fruit, vegetables and protein the day before you fly can help your body clock re-set more quickly at your destination.

K

is for keeping a perfect sleep environment: temperature, lighting, comfort, banning gadgets and gizmos, relaxation and reducing noise are all vital to creating a restful sleep sanctuary.

A

L

is for lifestyle: making small adjustments to your lifestyle or environment could significantly improve the quality of your sleep.

M

is for meditation: along with massage, meditation can promote relaxation and drifting off to a good night’s sleep.

N

is for National Bed Federation: buy a bed made by a NBF member and you can be sure that it meets all required safety and trading standards.

is for relaxation: a bubbly bath, warm milky drinks or herbal teas and curling up with a good book can all help you wind down. And the old adage “never go to sleep on an argument” holds true: conflicts can leave us stressed and angry, which can make it near impossible to fall asleep.

S

is for snoring: one of the biggest causes of partner sleep disturbance, snoring has no known cure but its effects can be diminished with ear plugs and separate beds!

T

is for the Thirty Day Sleep Plan: answer a few questions about your sleep, lifestyle and health and the Sleep Council will create you a unique online 30 day plan at www.sleepcouncil.org.uk

U

is for unwind: in the golden hour before your head hits the pillow it’s vital to relax, switch off electronic gadgets and get yourself in a sleepy frame of mind.

V

is for vacation: if you can’t splurge on a holiday, give yourself a weekend sleep-cation: power off the electronics and have a two-day wind down.

W

is for worry: almost half of Britons say worry and stress keep them awake at night. To counteract this, invest in a careful wind-down routine so you can relax and switch off.

X

is for Xmas: all that food and drink can lead to a Santa-sized sleep problem so keep up those sensible sleep habits throughout the festive season.

Y

is for yoga: gentle stretching, relaxation and breathing can aid a restful night.

Z

is for zzzzzzzzz - of course!

More time to enjoy an easier life in Edgbaston We want your retirement to be everything you hoped it would be. So we have created privately-owned spacious apartments located less than a mile to Harborne High Street that give you the level of freedom you’ve always had.

So whether you’re looking to downsize, or simply seeking a lock up and leave, our age exclusive apartments on Norfolk Road in Edgbaston offer low maintenance and peace of mind.

✓ Privately owned apartments ✓ Stylish coffee lounge ✓ Stunning gardens all year round ✓ Staff on-site 24 hours a day ✓ Table service restaurant for wining and dining* ✓ Convenient wellbeing suite ✓ Car parking available*

Ryland Place

Norfolk Road, Edgbaston B15 3AY 1 & 2 bedroom apartments priced from £184,950 to £360,000+ Open Monday to Saturday, 10:30am-5:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm

For more information please call free on 0800 201 4728 or visit mccarthyandstone.co.uk/rylandplace *Subject to availability, additional fees apply. +Prices correct at time of going to print

LP-DluxeMagBirmingham

LIVING.

and being damaged. We will also be using this method to care for the 21m long floral display in the Mediterranean House during March.

As well as this, buds are growing and bulbs such as Crocus, Iris, Chionodoxa and Scilla are already starting to flower. For maximum effect, why not consider planting them in large drifts?

If that is not possible, consider planting them at the edge of pathways or position them in your garden where they can be easily admired from a window.

Don’t forget, if you have flowering bulbs in pots, feed them every 10-14 days with a high potassium feed so the bulbs can replenish their stores for next year’s blooms.

As well as helping out your bulbs, consider pruning your willows and dogwoods to make way for new growth. Ensure you cut them to a foot from the ground, at least taking out a third of the oldest wood. Other winter flowering shrubs such as Lonicera fragrantissima and Viburnum x bodnantense also benefit from removing around a third of the old wood, encouraging new growth from the base, helping to rejuvenate old shrubs.

In addition to this, the spring equinox is fast approaching, falling on March 20th. The longer days will mean that ventilation, especially on sunny days, will be critical for greenhouses and conservatories. This is important in preventing leaves from overheating and stress for plants, which, in turn, can encourage pests such as aphids to attack. Be sure to open vents, doors and windows if temperatures rise above 13C / 55F, but close them before 4pm to retain some heat before sunset. For the best results, ensure daytime temperature is around 15-18 C (59 to 64 F) without draughts or chilling.

The sight of spring Warmer weather is well on its way and we can’t wait to watch as our gardens change and new growth starts to come through.

Green shoots and buds are already starting to appear, not only in the Botanical Gardens, but also in gardens up and down the country and we have some advice to help you take the best care of the new shoots.

Back in the gardens, our main jobs in the nursery during early spring include potting the Matthiola incana ‘Aida Mixed’ or “stocks”. This amazing plant will bless us with a sweet, spicy, warm scent in the Mediterranean House during April, which we are excited for everyone to come and smell for themselves.

Here are some of our other tips for March to make sure your garden is at it’s best and ready for spring: •

Clean glasshouses and cold frames ready for a busy season of propagating and plant growing

March is definitely the month for new life, as well as the friendly daffodil, the flower of Wales, which will start shooting up in gardens, parks and grass verges very soon. This little beauty never fails to lift spirits, peppering splashes of yellow across the country like little rays of sunshine. There are a huge number of different cultivars that are available, a couple of our personal favourites are Narcissus ‘Jetfire’ and Narcissus ‘Jack Snipe’, both of which can withstand most weather conditions.

•

Wash plant pots and seed trays to prevent pests and diseases from damaging precious young plants

•

Sow hardy annuals seeds such as sweet peas, unless you did so in the autumn

•

Start feeding houseplants with a high nitrogen fertiliser every 7 to 14 days

Here at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Daffodils grown in pots in cold frames over the winter will now be brought into the cool greenhouse. We’ll also be using green garden canes and string to support the tall flowers and stop them from falling over

•

Start encouraging Canna, Dahlias and Ginger Lilies to grow by placing them in a warm spot in the glasshouse, giving them a good watering

40 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

R E T S EA

a z n a g a v a r t Eggs

Eggmerse yourself in our Easter Sunday egg hunt! Clear all your plans and come scour the garden for egg surprises - you could win a prize.

Then, join us for an array of wonderful activities this Easter week. From chocolate workshops and face painting to animal handling and arts and crafts, we’ve got the holidays covered.

2nd – 6th April 2018

Under 16s go free

We have even scheduled a special appearance from the Easter Bunny himself!

Visit our website for the programme of activities throughout Easter;

birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/whatson Some activities will incur a small charge

Find us on: Your support keeps the Gardens growing

AN EDUCATIONAL CHARITY

TRAVEL.

Cracking city breaks Can’t hold on until the summer for your next getaway? There are some great European city breaks available this spring to get you out of the UK and to a change of scenery. With flights to Porto, Valencia, Naples and Stockholm ranging between two and three hours, you’ll be enjoying your next holiday in no time from Birmingham Airport…

EXPLORE PORTO Known for being one of the oldest European centres, Porto has a thriving historical core. Its hilly, cobbled streets and

Porto bohemian character give it its alluring charm, and there is no better time to visit than in spring, when the temperature is mild. Enjoy the fun atmosphere and fresh produce at the Mercado do Bolhão.

If you’re feeling creative, take part in a workshop with local artists, where you can enjoy anything from tile painting and seat weaving to printing and glass fusing.

A visit to Porto wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Port wine cellars, where you can sample the city’s namesake.

42dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The southern neighbourhood of Ribeira, on the banks of the river Duoro, is the life and soul of Porto. Explore the maze of alleyways, plazas and tiled townhouses to discover some of the best restaurants in town, serving traditional cuisine with spectacular views over the river. Ribeira’s laid-back vibe is echoed in the cool cafés, hipster bars and general pace of life. Don’t leave without sampling Portuguese wines and tapas.

UNWIND IN NAPLES With one of the biggest historical centres in the world, housing over 400 churches as well as the iconic gulf and Mount Vesuvius, it’s a wonder Naples hasn’t received more attention. It enjoys a mild southern climate and temperatures reach 18°C in spring, allowing you to stroll the city’s streets without layering up.

Kick back and soak up the warm weather and sunshine in one of Naples’ green spaces. Stroll along the urban oasis of Villa Comunale, a leafy seaside strip dotted with gorgeous fountains and home to the Anton Dohrn aquarium. Also worth a visit is the neoclassical residence of

Villa Floridiana, housing the magnificent National Museum of Ceramics.

The beautifully landscaped land and botanical gardens surrounding the villa provide a haven away from the busy city streets.

Visit Lake Agnano: what was once a lake on top of the Agnano volcano, is now home to steamy sulphur baths and picturesque walks. Take a trip to the Gulf of Naples, where you can admire the scenic beauty of the volcanic hills, the coastline and the Bay of Naples’ Islands.

From here you are within easy reach of Pompeii, the Herculaneum ruins and the Amalfi Coast.

for Easter A TASTE OF SWEDEN Whether you’re looking for the stylish modern minimalism this Scandinavian city is known for or the rows of painted wooden houseboats which line the cobbled waterfront, Stockholm has it all. With a backdrop of futuristic skyscrapers, a busy commercial heart and one of the world’s hottest start up scenes, Stockholm offers visitors the perfect collision of tradition and technology.

Stockholm

Across Stockholm’s 14 islands you will discover leafy parks, serene walking trails, delightful swimming spots and bustling bars and

restaurants. Head east of the city and out into the captivating Stockholm

Archipelago, a vast sea of around 30,000 islands, islets and rocks, each with its own unique appeal. Take a boat tour around tranquil coves and through the open sea, explore uninhabited islands and walk through dense, ancient forests and fields strewn with wildflowers. Stockholm’s landscape is wonderfully unique and yearns to be explored.

QUIRKY GOTHENBURG The cosmopolitan Swedish port of Gothenburg is often referred to as the capital’s bohemian cousin, but a recent revival has seen the city become one of Europe’s top weekend destinations.

Far from its ship-building days, Gothenburg today boasts quirky boroughs, tramclattering streets, hip cafés and gorgeous green spaces. There is no bad time to visit this vibrant city and with the weather warming up, the streets come to life once again.

restaurants and bars, you won’t be short of options.

Make sure Gothenburg to check out the side streets and street art jazzing up the walk.

Hop on a kayak tour and paddle your way past the city’s magnificent sights. This is a unique and peaceful way to view some of the biggest tourist’s hotspots and neoclassical architecture. Alternatively, try out the Paddan Tours that tour the city’s moat and canals, whilst providing a detailed history of the city’s construction and defence.

GETTING THERE All cities are easily accessible by a direct flight from Birmingham Airport. Flights start in March with airlines including SAS, Jet2.com, BMI Regional and Ryanair.

Experience the real hustle and bustle of the city on Avenyn Boulevard. At one end of the boulevard stands the Gothenburg Museum of Art, and at the other, the oldest part of the city, with a moat. Lined with glitzy boutiques, dluxe-magazine.co.uk 43

TRAVEL NEWS.

Air India to Launch UK’s Only Direct Amritsar Service William Pearson, Aviation Director, Birmingham Airport, commented: “It is great news that we will have direct nonstop connections to two Indian cities from Birmingham Airport with Air India. With over 200,000 British-Indian people who travel to India each year to visit friends and relatives, and for tourism and business interests, this additional destination shows the large demand within the region for direct Amritsar services from the Midlands.

Air India is introducing a twice weekly non-stop service to Amritsar from Birmingham Airport with the inaugural flight launching on 20th February 2018.

This will be the UK’s only direct service to Amritsar.

This new route complements the airline’s popular Delhi service which started in August 2013. The service has carried more than 600,000 passengers in the four years it has operated.

Amritsar will be a popular route allowing direct access to the major commercial and cultural centre in the heart of the Punjab and the home of the Golden Temple.

Air India has been a successful partner for over four years and offers great connections to India with services operated by the new Boeing 787-8 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft.”

This flight will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, departing Birmingham at 1845 hours, reaching Amritsar early the next morning at 0745 hours. From Amritsar the flight will depart at 1355 hours arriving into Birmingham at 1715 hours the same day.

The flight will be operated with a state of the art Boeing 787-8 series aircraft with 256 seats in a split cabin, comprising 18 lie flat business class seats and 238 economy seats.

To book your seat on board please visit www.airindia.com

Airport Invests in Passenger Experience Commenting on the investment, David Winstanley, COO for Birmingham Airport, said: “This investment follows record passenger growth and to ensure that we’re prepared for the coming summer period, when the airport will welcome new long-haul services to New York and Toronto, as well as many new popular short-haul destinations.

“The service we give our customers is an absolute priority for us so we’re investing a great deal to improve the airport journey.”

The Airport is also developing its retail and catering offer, with the recent opening of The Factory restaurant and the arrival of Kurt Geiger to its airside shopping experience.

Later this spring, a new Bottega prosecco bar will open as well as wrapchic – an Indian inspired burrito and sandwich outlet.

Birmingham Airport has started a multimillion-pound programme of development works to improve the passenger journey through the airport terminal.

The works include redeveloping the security processing area to provide more boarding card gates, a dedicated security preparation area and a refreshed waiting area with new flooring and lighting.

44 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

A covered walkway to the terminal is also under construction for those who choose to walk to the terminal from the free drop off car park, and a new 178-guestroom Hilton Garden Inn hotel will open in the summer.

New digital wayfinding and signage will be introduced before the summer season.

Additional staff are being recruited in key customer facing areas, including terminal operations, customer relations and security officers.

EXTRA FLIGHTS TO HURGHADA FOR HOLIDAYMAKERS

TUI (formerly Thomson) the UK’s largest holiday brand, has announced it has added an additional weekly flight to the popular Egyptian destination of Hurghada for summer 2018 operating out of Birmingham Airport.

Holidaymakers from the Midlands will now have even more choice when it comes to booking a holiday to Hurghada with TUI adding a Friday flight to the summer flying programme. Flights start in May 2018 and will now operate twice a week on a Monday and Friday.

The decision to add more flights is part of the holiday company’s plans to offer as much choice as possible, ensuring customers across the UK can fly from their local airport and stay at the best hotels such as the 5T TUI Magic Life Kalawy.

As well as additional flights to Hurghada residents from in and around the Midlands now have a wide choice of destinations to choose from when booking their holidays this summer with the new route to Podgorica in Montenegro already on sale.

VLM AIRLINES WILL OPERATE FLIGHTS BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM AND ANTWERP

VLM Airlines commenced flights between Birmingham and Antwerp from February operating a daily service with a Fokker 50 on weekdays.

Karl Rickard, CEO of VLM Airlines stated: “VLM Airlines is very happy to connect Antwerp with Birmingham again. Antwerp is one of the largest seaports in Europe, the diamond capital of the world, the second largest petrochemical centre in the world.

This thriving city is also known for its bold and diverse arts, fashion and culinary scene. A short ride takes you to other popular Belgian cities including Bruges, Ghent and Brussels as well as to Dutch cities such as Rotterdam and Eindhoven.”

Seats can be booked via the online booking facility on www.flyvlm.com or with a travel agency with one-way fares starting from EUR 59 (all taxes included).

TRAVEL.

CHARMING CHIANG MAI

A bustling city in the mountainous north, Chiang Mai is the spiritual capital of Thailand and charms visitors with the ruinous remains of walls, moats and temples in the historical old town. Surrounded by lush rainforests, waterfalls, jungles and elephant sanctuaries, Chiang Mai has a laid-back atmosphere that’s perfect for both restless and weary wanderers, writes Jonathan Fraser

Flying to Chiang Mai, has never been easier with Qatar Airways flying daily to Hamad International Airport from Birmingham Airport before heading to Chiang Mai. We travelled business class and settled into our own little oasis of calm, comfort and quality with, what appeared to be, a never-ending glass of Lanson champagne, stunning food and over 4000 movies and TV shows to enjoy. The flight takes approximately 15 hours in total so it’s worth investing in.

Arriving in Chiang Mai we checked straight in to the luxurious Shangrila Resort Hotel which is perfectly placed within the heart of Chiang Mai, just a short stroll from the vibrant Night Market. The marble lined reception and guest areas of the Shangri La Hotel leads to a tropical garden and relaxing poolside- the perfect place to relax with a Tom Yum Mojito or two. The rooms at the Shangri La offer a comfortable home from home with beds which are so comfortable that your forty winks may well turn into four hours.

Dining at the Shangri La is a truly world class event with the hotel’s Kad Kafé, named after the local word for market, offering a delicious international spread that includes Thai, Chinese, Japanese, European and Mediterranean specialties.

Chiang Mai is a shopper’s delight. From the city’s street food markets where you can graze on plates of Pad Thai, fresh griddled satay and flavourful fish or succulent sliced mango and sticky rice to the weekly Sunday market offering a mixture of crafts, clothes, gifts, music, food and drinks, shopping is a fundamental part of the Chiang Mai experience.

46 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Make sure you visit The Night Market at Chang Pheuak Gate (North Gate) which comes to life the moment the sun sets. A wonderful atmosphere abounds as you wander through the fairy light lit stalls selling fabulous fakes alongside local crafts and clothing.

from sixties to their early nineties. Each elephant is cared for by their mahout and enjoys a day mixed of exercise and roaming, feeding sessions, mud baths and showers- no visitors ride them!

Located just around the corner from the city’s Night Market the Warorot Market offers fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat as well as prepared street food to enjoy on one of the benches on the central garden area. For those feeling adventurous it’s the perfect place to sample some crunchy crickets, deep fried grasshoppers and meal worms.

Pon started each course in the classroom giving us an informative and funny demonstration of what to do, how to do it and why do it that way before sampling what the dish should taste like. After that we were led to our cooking stations where our ingredients awaited. The finished dishes were divine and I couldn’t believe I’d actually made them!

A real event in the city, all of Chiang Mai comes out for the Sunday Walking Market. It’s a great opportunity to see and buy products and crafts made and sold by local people. Walk down to the main square to see live music, dance and theatre from performers of all ages and abilities or take a seat at one of the many bars and enjoy some people watching over an ice-cold beer.

After preparing our own lunches it was time to think about feeding others and who better than some retired elephants?

I’ve always been wary of trips that involve animals for fear of unwillingly getting involved in their exploitation so when I heard about a retirement home for elephants where you could go and help care for these amazing animals in their final years I have to say I was intrigued.

If the taste of Thai street food has tempted you into the kitchen then why not try one of the city’s cookery schools?

Pon, our tutor for the day, tried valiantly to awaken our inner chefs with some simple recipes; a spicy Tom Yum Soup, a Thai Green Chicken Curry, Pad Thai Noodles and a Mango, coconut cream and sticky rice. As we were each cooking our own meals it was down to us to pay attention and make the most of the training we were given or starve!

The Elephant Care Centre in Chiang Mai offers a home to elderly elephants once their working lives had finished.

Previously, elephants who had spent their lives working moving logs in the depths of the rain forest were simply set free to roam the jungle but after a life of captivity and human contact there was no way that they could survive alone.

The peaceful camp is currently home to 12 elderly elephants, ranging in age

Our day started as we were immediately greeted by an elephant enjoying ‘buffet time’ in one of the centre’s lush meadows.

The elephants are always pleased to see visitors as their arrival indicates treats and our time with these amazing creatures was predominantly taken up with making sure they were fed! From baskets of bananas we moved on to preparing great vats of cut grasses mixed with rock salt and vitamins before organising desert sticky tamarind balls loaded with added vitamins followed by sticky rice banana leaf parcels – a sort of elephant cereal bar that they absolutely adore.

Our reward for feeding our new friends was to take a swim with them, so after a good rub and roll in the mud we set about getting all that mud off with bamboo buckets and scrubbing brushes whilst our elephants suck up water and shower us with their trunks – a magical ending to a wonderful trip.

Despite its large size Chiang Mai offers visitors a truly Thai mix of adventure, hustle, bustle, history and relaxation. We can’t wait to return.

Find out more at www.qatarairways.com www.shangrila.com www.thaicookeryschool.com www.thaielephantcarecenter.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 47

DINING.

GO MEAT FREE THIS MAY National Vegetarian Week 2018 runs from 14-20 May and it’s all about eating delicious and exciting veggie food. For mouth watering recipes, tips and ideas visit www.nationalvegatarianweek.org or why not try the recipes below? We guarantee you won’t miss the meat!

Asparagus, Sweet Potato And Tomato Shakshouka Serves: 2 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

You’ll need: 2 tsp cumin seeds 1/2-1 tsp chilli flakes, to taste 2 tbsp olive oil 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1cm chunks (about 400g total weight) 2 cloves garlic, chopped 400g cherry tomatoes, halved 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and chopped into bite size pieces 2-4 eggs, depending on hunger a small handful coriander, chopped salt and freshly ground black pepper To serve a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil a dollop of Greek yogurt What to do: Add the cumin and chilli to a frying pan and set over a medium-high heat to toast for a couple for minutes. Once the spices are fragrant, pour in the oil and add the sweet potato cubes, stirring well to mix. Reduce the heat to a minimum and cover the pan with a piece of tin foil (or a lid if you have one). Leave to cook for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the sweet potato is just starting to soften.

Avocado, Tomato and Pesto Bruschetta Serves: 6 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 3-6 minutes You’ll need:

1 loaf of French bread 100g soft semi-salted butter 3 fat garlic cloves, crushed 500g speciality tomatoes Pesto Half a ripe but firm Hass avocado 1 burratta or buffalo mozzarella cheese, drained well Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper 6 dashes Worcestershire sauce Fresh basil leaves, to garnish What to do: Preheat the grill to high. Cut the loaf of French bread across into 3 evenly sized pieces, then each piece in half, horizontally.

Mix the soft butter with the remaining crushed garlic and some sea salt flakes to taste.

Thinly slice the tomatoes, discarding the top and the bottom slices, lay them out on a board and season with salt and pepper. Halve the avocado, remove the stone, and peel. Cut across into thin slices.

Stir through the asparagus, recover loosely with the foil and cook for another 5 minutes.

Place the pieces of French bread on a baking tray and grill on both sides until golden.

Remove from the grill and spread the cut face of each piece with some of the garlic butter.

Slide them back under the grill briefly, until the butter has melted into the bread.

Use a wooden spoon to push the vegetables aside to make 2-4 wells in the asparagus mix, cracking an egg into each. Recover loosely with the foil and leave to cook until the eggs are done to your liking, about 5-8 minutes for a set white and a runny yolk.

Quickly remove the garlic bread from under the grill and top with the slices of tomato, avocado and red onions.

Season with salt and black pepper, scatter over the coriander, top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately with plenty of crusty bread.

Using a teaspoon, scoop small bits of the burrata or mozzarella onto the top of the toasts. Drizzle over some of the pesto, garnish with the basil leaves and serve hot.

Remove the foil, add the garlic and stir through, then fry for a minute. Turn the heat up a little, add the tomatoes and a little salt and pepper and fry for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Find more recipes at www.thetomatostall.co.uk and www.enjoyasparagus.com 48 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Photo credit: Scarlett Rea

WINE TASTING A PASSION FOR MODERN COOKING WITH SIOFRA O’BRIEN Harvey Nichols Wine Specialist SIOFRA O’BRIEN recommends three bottles that should definitely be on your must-try wine list.

Whether it’s Grenache in France or Garnacha in Spain, add this tasty grape variety to your 2018 “to try” list. From great-tasting whites to intense dessert wines, there really is a tipple for every taste.

Reverte Garnacha Blanca 2016, £13.50: This wonderfully approachable wine is created by the Sanz family in the Navarra region, north east of Rioja. Lower acidity makes this Grenache Blanc soft and wonderfully drinkable, with citrus, peach and apricot notes.

Pair with fresh pasta dishes, lemon roasted chicken, herby salads, halloumi or feta.

Reverte Garnacha 2016, £12: This red is dry on the palate but is well worth trying. It bursts with clean, high intensity aromas of red fruit as well as black pepper and earthy notes. I love its juicy and fresh taste and it works great with a flavour-filled pasta, carpaccio or tuna tartare.

Domaine Pouderoux Maury 2014, £17.50: This powerful dessert wine is made from old vines of Grenache Noir and boasts intense notes of black cherries, blackberries jam and a hint of liquorice. The perfect partner with blue cheese, vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate.

Try a different wine region or grape variety each month. Join Siofra O’Brien in the Harvey Nichols Wine Shop every Wednesday to enjoy complimentary drop-in taster sessions from 7pm-8pm.

Booking is essential, call 0121 616 6024 for more details.

The new Head Chef of Harvey Nichols Birmingham STEWART MACKIE takes time out of his busy kitchen to share his passion for innovative cooking.

Running the busy kitchen at the luxurious Harvey Nichols restaurant has proved the perfect challenge for Stewart Mackie. Having worked his way up the ranks, the newly appointed Head Chef is excited to share his passions for modern cooking methods and the finest ingredients. We caught up with the talented 34-year-old to learn more about his favourite foods and which of his dishes go down well with the city’s most fashionable diners.

What inspired you to work as a chef? I discovered my love for food while cooking with my mum and nan as a child. My nan was never seen without her electric mixer and her Victoria sponge was to die for; while my mum’s passion to try new recipes and methods inspired me to become a professional chef.

What’s your favourite food? You can’t beat a roast beef dinner, obviously with all the trimmings, served with a great glass of red wine.

What would be your dream meal on earth to eat and to cook?

I’ve always wanted to travel to Japan, for the food as much as the sights. There are so many local ingredients I’d love to try there, the food always looks amazing.

What are your passions when it comes to food? I love being creative with ingredients and trying new recipes and then putting my own twist on them. I particularly enjoy working with pastry because I find it has a lot to offer in expressing yourself creatively.

Do you use any modern cooking

techniques? Yes, at Harvey Nichols we use the French sous vide method for a growing number of our dishes. This means that we vacuum-seal food before immersing it in a water bath and then cook it at a very precise, consistent temperature. Over the last year we have also started to experiment with a lot of vegan alternatives as more and more customers ask for plant-based and meat-free.

What is your favourite piece of equipment?

That would have to be the Frima in our Birmingham restaurant. It’s such an amazing machine – it does everything from shallow frying and boiling to sous vide and deep frying and means we can create a whole range of exciting dishes using just one machine.

Do you like to cook at home, or do you turn off when you leave work? Cooking is my life – I’m always cooking, whether that’s at home or in the work kitchen. My perfect dinner party menu would be scallops to start, beef wellington or sea bass as a main and definitely salted caramel chocolate fondant to finish.

What are the most popular dishes in the Harvey Nichols Restaurant? Our diners absolutely love the classics – from our greattasting burger and steamed mussels to our Sunday roast – but they are equally keen to try out new flavours. Chilli-roasted butternut squash with quinoa, pak choi, goats’ cheese and coriander and Stone bass with violet potatoes, salsify and clam chowder have proved very popular from our current menu.

And we are looking at introducing a host of interesting new dishes to our Spring/Summer menu which is launching soon.

For more information on the Harvey Nichols Restaurant or to make a reservation, please call 0121 616 6028 or email reservations.birmingham@harveynichols. com. You can also book online at harveynichols.com. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 49

DINING.

DINING DIGEST

OPENINGS THIS SPRING:

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 IVY

Swanky London restaurant The Ivy is opening in Birmingham this spring inside the former Louis Vuitton boutique on Temple Row. It is one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in Birmingham and at first peek looks spectacular. Let’s hope the menu and service is of a high standard also.

DIRTY MARTINI

It’s been over two years since Andy Waters opened Waters Restaurant at Resorts World and a visit to experience his tremendous talent is long overdue.

Not many British chefs have sustained a career at the top for as long as Andy Waters. Over the past thirty years he has run the kitchens of several Michelin-starred restaurants , opened Edmunds in Henley in Arden and within six months received his own Michelin star there, and has since continued to build a highly respected reputation for refined modern British cooking.

The restaurant is easy to find being next to the cinema, but thankfully starkly different.

It has a beautiful, cosy interior with a high end, modern design. The place has a lovely charm to it and feels like its part of a New York hotel, with its marigold leather seating and black and white photographs tightly grouped together in chrome frames.

The main dining area is tucked at the back and by 7pm was pretty much full. The staff are attentive and charming and you just knew you were in for a real culinary treat.

Friday nights are for fizz and so I enjoyed a glass of the peach and passion fruit bellini whilst we perused the menu. Waters’ classic British and French dishes are created with a contemporary twist, that makes Andy worthy of his many awards.

For starters I had a pretty serving of prawn and caviar salad with a brandy and tomato dressing served with cold potato salad.

Intricately put together and adorned with petals, it tasted delectable.

Hubby enjoyed a warm terrine of slowly braised pork and black pudding, which was 50 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

a meaty wedge. pcked full of interesting flavours. Flecked with parsnip puree it went well with the apple salad.

Venison is a rare treat on Birmingham menus and I didn’t hesitate to pick this when I saw it on Andy’s menu. The Balmoral Estate venison felt like a must when dining like royalty. It came as two chunky steaks cooked pink and beautiful set off with a port wine jus with savoy cabbage puree. Beautifully crafted yet uncomplicated, the dish was certainly fit for a Queen ;) And continuing with the Scottish theme, hubby had Black treacle marinated fillet of Scottish beef with braised beef & beetroot tartlet, thyme crumble; another heavenly marriage of textures and unique flavours.

A top quality meat perfectly cooked and served with a generous flight of vegetables.

Matched with a glass of their finest Burgundy it was probably one of the best meals I have ever had.

The dessert choices were varied and all worthy of a try but we only indulged in one – Blood orange posset with chocolate orange ice cream & hazelnut brandy snap served in a cocktail sundae glass. Chocolate orange has become my new favourite thing, and in a cold creamy form it was great refresher to end the meal.

Waters is a must visit for all you foodies.

Slick service, attention to detail and a friendly knowledgable front of house staff, fine dining doesn’t get much better than this. We’ll definitely return for their Sunday Lunch, at 2 courses for £20 and 3 course for £25, it’s an absolute steal!

A get down and dirty girls night out should always include cocktails so it’s with sheer female excitement that there will be a Dirty Martini on our doorstep. Due to open in the old Viva Brazil near Colmore Row, the bar is set to throw open its doors with sheer abandonment in April.

LITTLE BLACKWOOD

After the closure of the much loved Cheval Blanc in Moseley Village there will be a new independent restaurant replacing it this March. The bijoux little venue will be taken over by Ben Taylor, ex Cen restaurant at Celtic Manor , The Boot In Lapworth and Malmaison in Liverpool. A 37 seater venue with a modern European menu, the emphasis will be on fresh seasonal produce.

BODEGA CANTINA

A fifth Bodega Cantina will be opening on the bustling Birmingham Road in Sutton Coldfield.

The South American inspired cocktail bar and restaurant offers street food favourites such as Nachos, Quesadillas and Burritos are still on the menu., plus a new addition Quinoa Chifa – a Chinese-Peruvian stir-fry containing quinoa, tofu, broccoli, sliced vegetables and spring onion in a teriyaki spiced sauce.

LOST AND FOUND

The fictitious Hettie G. Watson has demanded two months of pampering for Lost & Found. The Victorian Queen of Quirky has given the bar/restaurant on Bennetts Hill a Spring make-over.

bistro CLASSICS AT Hotel Du Vin are back Are your tastebuds ready for this? Hotel du Vin has launched a new a la carte menu, and they cannot wait for you to try it.

Their team of Chefs have created a superb selection of French inspired classics, but this time around they’re offering a range of hearty and lighter plates, so whatever your appetite, there’s a dish you’ll want to devour.

Perhaps a charcuterie platter to start? This medley of homemade terrine, cured meats and pickles is perfect for sharing. The Half Roast Normandy Chicken with pommes frites, garlic butter and salad may take your fancy with a glass of crisp white. Or the magnificent Chateaubriand best shared between two. Juicy, tender and succulent, and great paired with an excellent robust red. Or they have a tasty array of salads, baguettes and omelettes, all full of great quality fresh ingredients.

Have they tempted you yet? Not only does a warm welcome, relaxed atmosphere and some great food await you but right now you can experience the new menu and have a drink on them.

Enjoy a drink with your meal or a cocktail at the bar, the choice is yours. Simply spend £50 in the Bistro and they’ll give you a £10 drink voucher.

Valid throughout March. Terms apply. Available Mon-Sat Lunch and Sun-Thur Dinner.

Hotel du Vin Birmingham, Church Street, Birmingham, B3 2NR, www.hotelduvin.com

THE DIARY.

WHICH WITCH? The winner of over 100 international awards, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students and their extraordinary adventures in Oz, which will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on the acclaimed, best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagines the stories and characters originally created by L. Frank Baum in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wicked has become a global phenomenon featuring astounding technical wizardry, stunning costumes and showstopping songs by three-time Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz.

The multi record-breaking and critically acclaimed touring production of Wicked was first seen at the Birmingham Hippodrome in 2014, when it was seen by over 110,000 people - equivalent to 1 in 10 of the entire population of Birmingham. Ahead of it’s highly anticipated return to the venue from 4 – 29 April, we catch up with the show’s stars Amy Ross and Helen Woolf, who take on the iconic roles of Elphaba and Glinda.

52 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

AMY ROSS / ELPHABA How did you react when you found out you’d be taking on the role of Elphaba?

I didn't really believe it at first to be honest. My agent phoned me to tell me and it definitely took a few days for it to sink in. Then once it did I was firmly on cloud nine!

Elphaba has become such an iconic role; what about her attracted you to the part?

The thing I was most excited about was how incredible the journey is that Elphaba goes on.

She is massively changed by the experiences she goes through and the characters she forms relationships with. The emotional arc is so huge that it's a gift for any actor to play. It goes without saying that Elphaba's songs are epic!

Stephen Schwartz's score is incredible and singing those songs is so thrilling.

Why do you think she has become such an icon?

Audiences connect with Elphaba because of everything she stands for. She is incredibly passionate and cares so much about things being just. She always tries to help others and stays true to herself no matter what. I also think people can relate to Elphaba because she is an outsider. She is different and most people - at some point in their lives - have felt this way.

She puts out the message that it's OK to be different and to never apologise for it.

How does Elphaba compare to different roles you’ve played in the past?

The roles I've played in the past have usually centred around a relationship or a romance, and falling in love with a man. It's been so wonderful to now play a role where the focus is a friendship between two strong – and very different – women.

How long does it take to get the green makeup off after a performance?

No longer than 10-15 minutes if you want to do a thorough job. After a matinee performance I might be less thorough as I know I have to ‘re-green’ for the evening show. But no matter how hard you think you have scrubbed, you will always find a bit of green paint behind your ear !

Do you have a favourite song from Wicked?

My favourite song is No Good Deed. Elphaba is in emotional turmoil at this point, so it's not only exciting to perform from an acting point of view, but also the orchestrations are so powerful and intense that it's a thrill to sing.

If you could give Elphaba any advice, what would you say to her?

I would tell her she's awesome and to continue to stay true to herself. But perhaps sometimes take a deep breath and count to ten before she speaks

HELEN WOOLF / GLINDA Glinda must be a joy to play?

I’m so proud to be taking on the role of Glinda, there are so few people who have played the role, so it feels very special to be part of that small family! She has become an iconic character in musical theatre, and it is so rewarding to be part of a show that puts a friendship between two strong female characters at the heart of the story.

Which of Glinda’s characteristics do you admire?

I love Glinda’s ability to see the good in everything and everyone. She is also incredibly strong.

it’s important to play her with a truthfulness, as underneath the bubbly exterior she feels things very deeply. It’s also important to look after yourself vocally and physically to play the role eight times a week.

What is your favourite moment in the show?

The end of Act 1 is a really spectacular sequence which still gives me chills every night. It’s the perfect combination of the story reaching an amazing climax, an incredible song by Stephen Schwartz, and a total visual spectacle. I won’t say any more for those that haven’t seen the show yet!

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

What is the most challenging aspect of Glinda’s character to play?

I would say that life has a way of working things out, so don’t spend too much time worrying about the future. Oh, and don’t eat too much cheese. I love cheese!

Glinda has a lot of comedic lines, and she often has a slightly airheaded approach to things. But

For tickets visit birminghamhippodrome.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 53

THE DIARY.

Birmingham Law Society BiCentenary CELEBRATION DINNER

Evita

Bridge Theatre, London.

Caesar returns in triumph to Rome and the people pour out of their homes to celebrate. Alarmed by the autocrat’s popularity, the educated élite conspire to bring him down. After his assassination, civil war erupts on the streets of the capital.

The Play That Goes Wrong

The Rat Pack – Live From Las Vegas

20-24th March @ Birmingham Hippodrome Following its smash hit runs in London Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita is thrilling audiences once again across the UK.

Birmingham Law Society (BLS) celebrated its 200th anniversary with a reception at the Council House.

The event followed a special service at St Philip’s Cathedral to kick-start the organisation’s bicentenary year.

Established in 1818 with 19 founder members, BLS is now the largest regional law society in the UK, with more than 4,000 members drawn from law firms and barristers’ chambers across the West Midlands.

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the mayors of Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull, and the Right Honourable Sir Andrew McFarlane, Lord Justice of Appeal, joined more than 150 members of the region’s legal community for drinks and canapes.

The event was sponsored by Anthony Collins Solicitors; B powered by Yorkshire Bank; Irwin Mitchell Solicitors; No5 Chambers; Schofield & Associates; Shakespeare Martineau and Unoccupied Direct.

19th-24 March @ Belgrade Theatre The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does! As the accident prone thesps battle on against all the odds to reach their final curtain call, hilarious results ensue!

Paloma Faith

21ST March @ Genting Arena Paloma will embark on a UK arena tour in support of her new album The Architect with a stop at the Genting Arena.

NT Live: Julius Caesar

22 March @ Mac Birmingham Broadcast live from The 54 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

27-31st March @ New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas sends you back in time to the glamorous, golden era of 1950s Las Vegas, when Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Junior and Dean Martin joined forces and become the hottest ticket in town at the famous Sands Hotel.

Easter Egg Hunt

1st April @ Birmingham Botanical Gardens Celebrate Easter Sunday at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for a day packed full of fun! Take part in their Easter Egg Hunt, between 11.00am and 3.00pm, with a small prize at the end.

Unforgettable performance, powered by you 0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. Where applicable, a 5% transaction charge may apply (excl. cash sales in person).

Fri 16 & Sat 17 Mar From £15

Tue 20 Sat 24 Mar From £15

Tue 27 Sat 31 Mar From £16.50

Wed 4 Sun 29 Apr From £28

Tue 1 Sat 12 May From £19.50

Tue 15 Sat 19 May From £23

Mon 21 Sat 26 May From £18

Tue 29 May - Sat 2 Jun From £15

Mon 4 Sat 9 Jun From £17

THE DIARY.

Gregory Porter

5 & 6th April @ Symphony Hall Birmingham After a phenomenal year, Double Grammy Awardwinning jazz/soul singing sensation Gregory Porter returns to Symphony Hall for the first two nights of his 2018 UK Tour.

Air india bHX to amritstar

Fat Friends – The Musical

Air India and Birmingham Airport has celebrated the launch of a new twice weekly non-stop service to Amritsar.

3rd-7th April @ New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham The hit TV show Fat Friends from award-winning national treasure Kay Mellor (creator of Band of Gold, The Syndicate and In The Club) is bursting onto the stage in a brand new musical, with original music

by Nick Lloyd Webber.

The terminal came alive with Indian drummers and dancers weaving their way through passengers who were joined

by Members of Parliament, business leaders and members of the Sikh UK community.

Amritsar complements the established Delhi service from Birmingham Airport which started in August 2013. The service has carried more than 600,000 passengers in the four years it has operated using the popular Boeing 787-8 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft.

William Pearson, Aviation Director, Birmingham Airport, commented: “We are proud to say we are offering a totally unique route, as Birmingham is the only UK airport offering a direct service to Amritsar.

“The Midlands has the second largest Asian community in the UK and so it is great news that we are making more of India accessible to our passengers for business, leisure and to visit family and friends.”

Tara Naidu, Regional Manager – UK & Europe of Air India, said: “Amritsar is an important spiritual centre for the Sikh faith being home to the Golden Temple as well as being a major commercial and cultural centre in the heart of the Punjab.

To book your seat on board please visit www.airindia.in 56 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Brighton Rock

10-14th April @ Birmingham Rep Pilot Theatre and York Theatre Royal bring the dark underworld of Graham Greene’s classic novel Brighton Rock to the stage in this new adaptation by acclaimed writer Bryony Lavery.

Jaws in Concert Wicked

4-29th April @ Birmingham Hippodrome Wicked has been casting its magical spell across the world for over a decade and continues to break records at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is already the 17th longest running show in West End theatre history.

Hansel and Gretel

4-8th April @ Birmingham Hippodrome Award winning METROBOULOT-DODO are joining forces with Open Theatre Company to bring their creative flair and quirky sense of humour to the infamous fairy tale Hansel and Gretel.

11th April @ Symphony Hall Steven Spielberg’s original summer movie blockbuster Jaws will be screened at Symphony Hall accompanied by the Czech Symphony Orchestra who will perform the iconic score which won the Best Original Score Academy Award®.

Lisa Stanfield

17th April @ Symphony Hall Lisa Stansfield has announced that her new album Deeper and will perform at Symphony Hall as part of a European tour.

Noel Coward’s Private Lives 19-21st April @ Belgrade Theatre In Private Lives, strong passions and stronger personalities set the stage for

SIGN OF THE TIMES AT THE REP

Get seen by over

854,000

This season Birmingham Repertory Theatre is reflecting the increasingly turbulent times we live in with stories that explore this extraordinary era.

Following its sell-out run at the National Theatre, James Graham’s darkly funny This House is a searing look at British politics. Truth is a spellbinding fusion of song, choreography and testimonies about the post-truth world, created by two extraordinary artists, Helen Chadwick and Stephen Hoggart.

West End smash, The Kite Runner highlights a friendship in a country on the verge of war and, Terence Rattigan’s masterpiece, The Winslow Boy, offers a compelling investigation of the fallout on one family of a very different war in a very different time.

New times call for new ways of presenting stories and visionary director Calixto Bieito returns with his ambitious new work, The String Quartet’s Guide To Sex And Anxiety which promises to be an unmissable montage of melody and madness with incredible live music provided by The Heath Quartet. The brilliant Josette Bushell-Mingo weaves her own life story with Nina Simone’s through her music in Nina. I am thrilled to welcome back two playwrights who have been important to The REP’s history. Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s powerful new play about family dynamics, Elephant, opens here at The REP. David Edgar has not only written but will make his stage debut in the autobiographical Trying It On which looks at how the changing times have influenced his work.

readers every month across print, online and our social media channels.

To find out more contact the dluxe team on 0116 2533445 or email kevin@fu-media.co.uk

Of course, we also offer an escape from the pressures of the real world!

We have Kneehigh’s life-affirming production of the iconic romantic tale, Brief Encounter and you can join the legendary Barbara Nice for a delightful night out with her Raffle or experience Napoleon like never before with the absurdly funny Napoleon Disrobed. We also continue to represent all aspects of our wonderful local community both on and off stage.

We have worked with a hundred talented local performers to create a striking new production of Woyzeck. Our Country’s Good embraces a creative use of audio description, captioning and British Sign Language so that more people than ever can enjoy this epic story of survival.

Plus, there’s plenty for younger audiences to enjoy from the delightful true story Penguins through to children’s classics such as Tom Thumb and The Little Red Hen. And hot off the press! The REP has announced that its 2018 Christmas production is to be a spectacular new staging of the musical The Wizard of Oz! There’ll be no place like The REP as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion skip down the Yellow Brick Road, across the Poppy Field and into the Emerald City in search of the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Directed

by Liam Steel, this epic stage version features your favourite songs and characters from the classic film with an added sprinkle of REP magic.

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of The REP says -“The Wizard of Oz, which opens on 24 November 2018 and runs until 13 January 2019, is such a great show that’s perfect for fans of the film and musicals alike.

With a glorious cast of characters including a wicked witch and a tailwagging Toto, a stunning setting, fabulous music and a sprinkling of REP magic, it’s got all the vital ingredients for a wonderful Christmas show for everyone.”

Find out more at at at at www.birmingham-rep.co.uk or call the box office, on 0121 236 4455.

Raymond Gubbay presents

JOSEPH CALLEJA The celebrated Maltese tenor returns to the UK with a selection of his favourite arias and songs including:

Verdi Celeste Aida from Aida Verdi Ah, sì ben mio from Il trovatore Puccini E lucevan le stelle from Tosca Massenet Pourquoi me réveiller from Werther

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Friday 25 May 7.30pm Symphony Hall thsh.co.uk 0121 780 3333

THE DIARY. a classic battle of the sexes.

1930. Deauville, France.

Two newly-married couples occupy adjoining honeymoon suites in the same hotel. As a distant orchestra plays, Sibyl gazes adoringly at charismatic husband Elyot, while Victor admires his new wife, the vivacious and sophisticated Amanda.

An Audience with Aston Villa Legends 2 May @ Town Hall The ultimate evening of Villa legends hosted by one of the best sports journalists and authors in the business - Ian Ridley. This is your chance to see Andy Townsend, Stiliyan Petrov and Dion Dublin on stage together. The evening will be full of entertainment and banter as you can well expect, so sit back and enjoy!

An Officer and a Gentleman

Kim Wilde Here Comes the Aliens Tour

21 April @ Town Hall Pop icon Kim Wilde is heading out on a brand new 19-date UK tour in spring and will perform at Town Hall in April.

Manic Street Preachers

Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations

2-5th May @ Belgrade Theatre Following a terrifying encounter with an escaped convict, young Pip is given an unexpected chance to better himself by visiting the reclusive and mysterious Miss Havisham. In the decaying grandeur of her house, Pip falls in love with Estella and helped by an anonymous benefactor, he moves to the bustling city to pursue his dream of winning Estella’s heart and of becoming part of the educated elite.

27th April @ Arena Birmingham Manic Street Preachers announce their return to active duty with details of a new album and a return to Birmingham.

58 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Dylan Thomas: Clown in the Moon

3rd May @ The Core Theatre A dramatic portrait of the poet’s chaotic, frequently hilarious, and all too brief life.

Located in a BBC studio, it sets some of Dylan’s famous broadcasts and iconic works alongs ide vivid reminiscences of his clownish antics in pubs, bars and parties, and his encounters with women.

Dinosaur World Live!

19 & 20th May @ Town Hall Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World in this interactive new show for all the family.

Bryan Adams

The Last Ship

The Band

1-12th May @ Birmingham Hippodrome Written by award winning writer Tim Firth, THE BAND is a beautiful story for anyone who grew up with a boyband and how those songs became the soundtrack to their lives.

15-19th May @ Birmingham Hippodrome The world premiere of a brand new musical that will simply sweep you off your feet! ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ is based on the Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere. Its feel-good soundtrack includes the hit song from the movie ‘Up Where We Belong’ along with many 80s classic anthems including ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’, ‘Material Girl’, ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’ and ‘Alone’.

16th-21st May @ New Alex Birmingham The UK premiere of Sting’s personal, political and passionate musical is an epic tale of community, hope and a great act of collective defiance.

The Last Ship features an original score with music and lyrics by Sting.

25th May @ Genting Arena Multi-million selling recording artist Bryan Adams is back and will embark on a seven-date UK arena tour in May 2018. The tour comes in support of his new album ‘Ultimate’.

The Leftovers

24-28th May @ Belgrade Theatre Coventry The Leftovers is a comic and stirring contemporary musical from Sheep Soup Productions, creators of hit musical Mrs Green and graduates of

music, mountains and misadventures at the Belgrade Theatre this spring Modern reimaginings of Mozart and Marivaux are headed for the Belgrade Theatre this spring, along with a new musical from BAFTAwinning company Sheep Soup, and an adaptation of Helen Tse’s memoir Sweet Mandarin.

Acclaimed actor Nigel Planer (The Young Ones) turns his hand to writing with The Game of Love and Chai, a British Asian twist on classic French farce, The Game of Love and Chance. Featuring vibrant Bollywood song and dance, this contemporary retelling follows a young would-be couple kicking back against convention. When Rani’s mother Kamala pushes her to marry the successful but socially awkward businessman Raj, she decides to test him out by convincing her cousin Sita pretend to be the bride – unaware that Raj has devised a similar scheme with his driver, Nitin!

Following their innovative reworkings of La Boheme and Carmen, Olivier Award-winning OperaUpClose return to Coventry with an exciting take on Mozart’s The Magic Flute, adapted by Glyn Maxwell and blending classical and electronic orchestration. Invited behind the velvet rope at London’s most exclusive nightclub, Tamino has no time for beggars, paparazzi or even his girlfriend Pamina. After a blazing row, the couple head to bed, where they relive evening’s events, distorted through the filter of extraordinary dreams.

Television Workshop graduates Sheep Soup bring their comic style to bear on new musical The Leftovers, exploring the pain of grief and the pitfalls of artistic interpretation. In this heartfelt and hilarious production, the sudden death of gig reviewer Jodie prompts her friends to join forces for a musical tribute. But is this really about paying their respects, or just an intense form of music therapy?

Finally, In-Sook Chappell’s Mountains: The Dreams of Lily Kwok presents the extraordinary true story of the women behind Manchester’s famous Sweet Mandarin. Based on the memoirs of Helen Tse, this tale of love, laughter and food is presented alongside a live cookery demonstration.

Tickets for these shows and more are available by calling the Belgrade Box Office team on 024 7655 3055 or visiting www.belgrade.co.uk.

BOOK ONLINE to save money

OperaUpClose present

The

Magic FluTe

Mountains The Dreams of Lily Kwok

by Mozart

‘An infectious sense of fun…utterly joyous’ The Stage

Based on the memoir Sweet Mandarin by Helen Tse

24 – 28 Apr

from £13*

BOOK NOW

12 May

024 7655 3055

£24.50*

30 May – 2 June

from £13*

www.belgrade.co.uk

*Ticket prices include a £1 booking fee. No booking fee applies if booked online.

THE DIARY.

Love Brum 3rd Birthday celebrations

Nottingham’s BAFTA awardwinning Television Workshop.

Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure

They say ‘third time’s a charm’, and this is certainly true of LoveBrum UK as the charity has just completed its third successful year! The night started off with some inspirational speeches from the LoveBrum team about all the amazing work they’ve been doing over the past three years: through funding and additional fundraising events, LoveBrum has so far donated £70,000 to worthwhile local causes. The partying then begun with Aston Performing Arts Academy showing off their vocals on a range of songs from MJ to Big Shaq. Prosecco was flowing, canapes were delicious, and all the while guests were toeing the line between networking and dancing.

LoveBrum’s fourth year looks to be the best one yet: January has already seen some great activity surrounding ‘Self-Improvement Month’, and February is focused on animal welfare, whilst LoveBrum members have the opportunity to vote for the cause that they think is most worthy.

26th May – 9th September @ Birmingham Museum The Natural History Museum’s famous Diplodocus, known as Dippy, is taking a road trip to Birmingham from 26th May - 9th September 2018. The British icon is on a mission to inspire five million natural history adventures, encouraging families to explore nature on their doorstep.

Bill Bailey

2 June @ Arena Birmingham Larks in Transit is a compendium of travellers’ tales and the general shenanigans of twenty years as a travelling comedian. With musical virtuosity, surreal tangents and trademark intelligence, Bill Bailey tackles politics, philosophy and the pursuit of happiness. Plus, he fashions a symphony from a ringtone, tells the real story of Old McDonald, and reimagines the Stars and Stripes

Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday party without a cake, and it has to be said that LoveBrum’s chocolate sponge was the cake of dreams…

Titanic the Musical

4-9th June @ Birmingham Hippodrome Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical is a stunning and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers.

60 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

THE HOME OF COMPELLING DRAMA THIS SPRING 15 FEB – 3 MAR

Birmingham Repertory Theatre, in association with Tamasha, presents

ELEPHANT

By Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti

When a family is built on lies, will it be destroyed by the truth?

21 FEB – 3 MAR

Birmingham Repertory Theatre presents

THE WINSLOW BOY

By Terence Rattigan

A major new production of the gripping drama starring Tessa Peake-Jones and Aden Gillett

6 – 10 MAR

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre presents

QUARTET

By Ronald Harwood

A celebration of the twilight years and the hilarity of growing old disgracefully!

17 – 21 APR

Jonathan Church Productions and Headlong present the National Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre production of

THIS HOUSE

By James Graham

A timely, moving and often amusing insight into the workings of British politics

Box Office 0121 236 4455 BIRMINGHAM-REP.CO.UK Registered in England 295910 Charity No.223660

BUSINESS.

MAKE 2018 your Michael Jackson year. It's time to Beat It. I could make a number of references that you are expecting from me like, 2018 will be a Thriller or 2017 was great, but 2018 will Beat It or even the horrible thread like 2018 will be the year or the horribly tenuous This year we Wanna Be Startin Something writes DLUXE Business Editor Bart Dalton.

On our holiday in Sicily this year, my wife Michelle, the kids and I were working our way through Spotify’s playlists with the songs selection organised by decade.

As we sat there, focused on all the songs we remembered, a number of points came to mind: the nineties were too full of boybands, the ‘00s were anything but and caused little reaction or alarm and the 1970s with their shiny disco boots and battle between glam rock and prog rock divided opinion between the generations.

There was one decade however that we all agreed on, the 1980s. WOW! The Clash, Duran Duran, Oingo Boingo- youtube ‘em, but over the entire holiday, the one song that kept getting played, and that my daughter Talia continued to sing, was the King of Pop’s Man in the Mirror.

Which leads me to this. You’re going to stare at yourself daily and let me tell you that you are your own worst critic.

You know how I know? Taking the time to read this far means you are on a self improvement track and that means you are working all the time. Things are never good enough and that is a great thing. If you control it that is.

Let 2018 be the year you focus on your brand; both personally and in business.

62 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Brand is what your clients and friends and other people say when you are not in the room.

When we are standing staring in the mirror at ourselves and our business we have to remember that no matter how smart, skilled, energetic, caring or just amazing we are, until someone is our client there are only certain things that they will see in how they assume we handle ourselves and our business. So here is how to Heal the World. (Sorry couldn’t miss the opportunity) So this issue here’s a gift from me to you.

Personally. Three things to do to improve your personal brand and three things to do to improve your business. You will know if you have read either of my books or listen to my podcast that I love to give away threes.

PERSONAL: Tidy and focussed. You don’t have to spend lots of money to look good and keep your hygiene one step above what you expect of others. This can be as simple as making sure your shirts are pressed. As a reader of Dluxe you will have some knowledge of a fashion that suits you.

Just make sure you look the part. Your personal appearance is the first assumption people make.

Smile- This is such a powerful tool. It makes you feel good. A smile also makes people feel engaged and shows your confidence. Subtle showing of your teeth is primal to show that I have the tools to get the job done, but I won’t use them unless needed. Or if you are a bit

funny a smile makes people wonder what you are hiding.

Punctuality- Show up on time or before. It shows respect. Start and finish meeting in the time that you allotted.

BUSINESS: KISS (I know it’s a Prince song)-Keep it simple, Stupid. Keep your presentations and explanations simple. You don’t have to prove everything you know from day one. The more you keep as part of your intellectual property the more profitable you will be.

Black and White- Not every client will be one of yours. There are Android People and Apple People, there are Suit/Tie all the time and Suit/Tie only at weddings people choose your people and only try to appeal and attract them.

Marketing and sales campaigns should only focus on certain niches.

Remember the time- when you started your business- you need that hunger again. Remember that it is hunger and not desperation. Persevere and plan getting new business, but do not chase.

When you have taken some of these amazing points and applied then to you and your business, you will make this your foundation year. Get ahead of your competition. Make your move and get Off the Wall. Make it an amazing day to Grow, Sell and Retire.

Look for my new book on Amazon or any other ideas at www.growsellandretire.com

HIGH FIELD STUDIO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH THESE L A U N C H E S annoying phrases in the office

Edgbaston’s High Field gastropub have launched a fabulously cool new event space next door; just a short ride from Grand Central Station, the Barclaycard Arena and Symphony Hall, in the heart of leafy Edgbaston.

Nestled inside a former architect's studio with dramatic floor to ceiling windows, The High Field Studio is perfect for all things work and play and comes complete with its own private bar and bags of space that can be set up in any style to make a real occasion of out any get-together.

Open, flexible and flooded with light, it easily accommodates 80 guests for drinks and buffets, or 60 if a sit-down occasion is called for.

Inside the look is effortlessly chic, with a heady mix of opulent brushed gold and rich teal setting the scene with soft throws, piles of cushions in bold statement prints and deep blue leather banquettes adding a touch of comfortable luxury.

The High Field Studio is free to hire and what's more will be opening its doors for regular pop-up events from grown up parties to comedy nights taking place every month.

In welcoming the first guests to The High Field Studio this month, manager Sarah Robinson says, "Great parties happen in great spaces and this is most definitely one of them. Not only do we have a really open, versatile space that simply looks amazing, we can be the ultimate party hosts to throw any kind of party, any time of day or evening."

The High Field Studio is at 21 Highfield Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3DP, with The High Field gastropub and The High Field Town House boutique hotel right next door.

There's nothing as cringe-inducing as office speak and online office furniture retailer , Kit Out My Office, agree and have compiled a list of the most annoying office phrases.

With more of our time spent in meetings being motivated, the company decided that it was time that we all stopped making our colleagues cringe and collectively come together in your workplace to stamp out annoying phrases to improve morale.

Some blue sky thinking there, eh?

THE MOST IRRITATING OFFICE PHRASES FOR 2018 ARE – Think outside the box Hit the ground running Do more with less Can I borrow you for a second?

Amazeballs To produce the list, Kit Out My Office asked 2,519 office workers across the UK in November 2017 to vote for terms and office jargon they hate the most. This is a refresh of the original survey, which was undertaken in December 2016 to understand what phrases individuals and businesses should avoid in 2017.

2017’S MOST ANNOYING OFFICE PHRASES WERE – Think outside the box It’s not rocket science Amazeballs Going forward Can I borrow you for a second?

At the opposite end of the spectrum lays “it is what it is”, which is the least annoying phrase used, with nobody stating that it was irritating or overused- which seems rather defeatist!

PHRASES THAT ARE LEAST LIKELY TO ANNOY YOUR COLLEAGUES – It is what it is Best-practice No brainer Cool beans Move the goalposts?

Office jargon is often used as a tool to make a task or job seem bigger or better than it actually is, believes Gareth Jones, the person responsible for the survey at Kit Out My Office.

“The modern working life is fastpaced, and as such we strive to deliver information in a clear and concise manner. The downside of this is it is a breeding ground for jargon. Setting a collective New Year’s Resolution in your office to stamp-out jargon in 2018 could definitely help to improve morale,” said Gareth.

Gareth had this to say about the latest results from the annual survey: “We honestly hoped to see a little more variety versus last year, as we hoped people would start cutting out annoying office phrases. However, they’re still being used widely, which provides us with a reason for continuing to undertake the survey.”

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 63

BUSINESS.

Modern Performance&™ Estate Agency inflexible, unable to catch up with the fastpaced technologies and social media.

Birmingham has been named among one of the “hot spots” where investment and growth is prevalent. For sellers and purchasers alike, it is a prosperous market with many looking to obtain a foothold in an area which forecasts further progression.

With such a high level of investment and business development currently taking place, it’s not hard to see why those from London in particular are keen to claim a stake here. Whilst it is impossible to a make an accurate prediction of future trends, the Midlands’ house prices remain strong with no immediate indication of slowing down.

In the often-seen debate between High Street versus Online, is there really a need to choose a side, asks Bobby Singh of LoveYourPostcode.com?

With the introduction of online agencies and the ever-increasing innovation within the smart-technologies we use every day, there has been much debate on the impact this will have on High Street agents who have subsequently been labelled as outdated and archaic by many. As the average house price in the West Midlands has seen a marked increase, local agents have needed to focus and remain vigilant in a saturated market.

Looking at the comparison of High Street agents to online, there have been many thoughts on what these differences truly are and how consumers are now choosing to buy and sell their homes. It can be difficult for the consumer to be in possession of all the salient facts to make an informed decision. There are pros and cons to both platforms and it is important to look closely, as with any purchase, to ensure you find the right decision for you.

Online agencies tend to focus on lower fees; instead of the traditional percentage commission of 1-2%, online agency fees typically range between a flat-fee figure of £395 - £895.

Marketing is keenly geared towards convenience of use and easy to understand packages with the choice of extra options and further cost-savings for those wishing 64 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

to carry out their own viewings etc. The downside appears to be a lack in a wide range of services: a “one size fits all” model cannot be tailored to individual needs. The outsourcing to call centres can also create a

Birmingham has been named among one of the “hot spots” where investment and growth is prevalent. For sellers and purchasers alike, it is a prosperous market disembodied and impersonal touch along with the risk payment upfront whether the property sells or not.

High Street agents are seen to have local knowledge and experience meaning an accurate value of what is arguably a person’s most valuable asset. Understanding the current market along with the ability to meet face to face with a dedicated team from beginning to end is another advantage of the traditional estate agent. On the other hand, it is believed that such agents rely on outmoded marketing methods and appear

Whilst many talk of survival for agencies due to the fast growth of online, the stake which they currently hold stands at 5.4 percent of property purchases and rental transactions as at December 2017. It may be too quick to write off High Street agencies completely. It is evident that waves have been made and there certainly needs to be a level of flexibility within the industry.

Perhaps this is why High Street agents are seen, by some, as “Dinosaurs”, as there appears to have been a feeling of inflexibility and rigidity of old methods. This is not about survival, there is a shared goal and a room for all in the industry. This is embracing the new, listening to the change and employing innovation to create a new modern approach.

Only strong brands will survive, creating a level of trust and security in the name.

Traditional standards cannot slip with fivestar customer service being at the centre of any successful transaction. This comes from not only the high level of professionalism and courtesy at every stage, but the security and knowledge in choosing a modern agent that will work towards getting the best possible price. A modern agent that uses technology and a waiting list policy to enhance the brand further and brings a refreshing approach.

The ability to negotiate must not be underestimated, this is a skill that can take years to hone. Choose an agent that is world-class in this area, have them in your corner with the knowledge and understanding to see 100% of transactions complete. Agreeing a sale is not the end of the process but the start and a modern, performance led agency will do just that – the drive and ambition to achieve the very best service and price. loveyourpostcode.com® is a multi-awardwinning property Group. Our teams are available seven days a week on 0800 862 0870 should you wish to enquire about our much talked about Performance&™ product for sales, lettings or investment.

UNLOCK THE TRUE VALUE OF YOUR LAND

YOUR LAND, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS

At Caliber, we provide a comprehensive feasibility service for property development, creating maximum value and profit. We can provide a complete service from finding development land all the way to the sale of property.

Contact us for a complimentary evaluation of your land: 0121 309 0555 or info@caliberland.co.uk

www.caliberland.co.uk

MY BIRMINGHAM. When did you first come to Birmingham?

I visited Birmingham many times while I was playing. I think the first time was in January 1978 at the beautiful St Philips Cathedral when I played Elgar's Cello Concerto.

What was it about the city that caught your attention?

Birmingham has so many beautiful buildings – sometimes they are submerged amidst not-so-beautiful – but it’s getting a lot better!

What do you think makes Birmingham unique?

It’s a ‘working’ city. Everyone is busy all of the time, yet they still have time to be friendly.

What part of the city do you call home and why?

We are right in the city centre which is great as everything is on our doorstep.

What do you love most about Birmingham?

Its friendliness What frustrates you about it?

The terrible traffic congestion.

How do you see the city growing culturally?

The offering is already second-tonone – now it’s about the rest of the world knowing about it.

What’s your favourite way to relax in the city?

In one of the many brilliant pubs.

Julian Lloyd Webber

Which one’s your favourite?

Too many to list!

What’s your favourite place to eat in the city?

Julian Lloyd Webber has been Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire since 2015 and has overseen the development and opening of a new £57 million teaching and performance facility that fuses the contemporary with the traditional to create a unique creative environment for the digital age.

Either Fumo or San Carlo.

Designed by the award-winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCB), who have worked on projects such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre, the Victorian Theatre at Alexandra Palace and Brighton Dome, the magnificent building features 9,000 sq m of purpose designed teaching, rehearsal and state of the art performance space and is a short walk away from both New Street and Moor Street Stations.

For people to recognise what a great place it already is.

Dluxe caught up with Julian to find out more about the Conservatoire and what he loves about the city it calls home...

66 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

What's your ambition for Birmingham?

In your time here, what has surprised you most about Birmingham?

Its seemingly endless transformation, its friendliness and its vibrancy.

DAW N A striking, seductive encounter The new Dawn has arrived – a Rolls-Royce like no other.

A striking true four-seater, it captures the exhilaration of open-top driving with an interior crafted in anticipation of unforgettable moments between friends.

Anything is possible. Contact us to start your journey.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Birmingham 2635 Stratford Road, Hockley Heath, Solihull, West Midlands B94 5NH Tel: +44 (0) 1564 787170 www.rolls-roycemotorcars-birmingham.co.uk Official fuel economy figures for the Rolls-Royce Dawn: Urban 13.2mpg (21.4l/100km). Extra Urban 28.5mpg (9.9l/100km).

Combined 20.0mpg (14.1l/100km). CO2 emissions 330g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. Š Copyright Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited 2016. The Rolls-Royce name and logo are registered trademarks.