Dluxe Leicestershire Autumn 2019 by Fraser Urquhart Media

LU E D X LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

INSIDE:

AUTUMN ‘19

JOe MCFadden TWENTY TRENDS FOR AW’19 NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC - LIVE WINTER DESsERTS MERCEDES CLA SHOOTING BRAKE CAMERA READY CROATIA YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK FABULOUS FIZZ

We’re in. ...are you? Do you want to join us to shop local and celebrate the thriving independent scene in Leicester? A collaboration has been developed between BID Leicester and a host of local independent businesses across the city to launch an exciting new initiative ‘Independent Leicester.’ As part of this, on the 28th and 29th September there will be a special ‘Independents Weekend’ with a wide range of fantastic activities and offers available to you. Look out for more information on the Independent Leicester website nearer the time to find out exactly what’s on offer and where, and get involved!

independentleicester.co.uk We’re Inspiring. We’re Individual. We’re Industrious. We’re Innovative. We’re Independent.

IN THIS ISSUE

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

PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING Lilith Hunt-Sheppard lilith@fu-media.co.uk 07975 970711

ACCOUNTS & ADMINISTRATION Carey Cooper carey@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445 DIGITAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE Francesca Arculeo Francesca@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445

Lambourghini Sián, the supercar manufacturer’s first hybrid car. Read about it on p.

36 TRAVEL

Our personal picks of our favourite features, stories and products from Leicestershire and beyond.

Eighty years of Birmingham Airport and we look at some of Croatia’s most photogenic locations.

18 SPOTLIGHT

40 DINING

We talk to Strictly winner Joe McFadden as he swaps his tap shoes for high heels on Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Our resident pattisiere will have you salivating with some seriously sticky desserts - hyw not wish it down with some fabulous fizz!

22 TWENTY TRENDS Our Autumn style special edition with our pick from twenty of the season’s biggest trends.

30 MOTORS Who says you have to ditch the sports car when the kids arrive? The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake.

32 LIVING Working from home? Then how about working in style. Also the do’s and don’ts of property development.

44 DIARY We talk to eighties superstar DJ Mark Goodyear as he brings Now That’s What I Call Music - Live! plus what is happening and what’s happened this season.

54 HI SOCIETY Did our photographers catch you out and about?

58 HOROSCOPES

DLUXE LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

INSIDE:

AUTUMN ‘19

Cover image: Joe Brown

08 AGENDA

DLUXE LEicestershire 31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE TEL: 0116 2533 445

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk info@fu-media.co.uk

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

Disclaimer: Copyright 69 & dluxeLEICESTERSHIRE 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 2019

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Are you worried about breast cancer? Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital, continue to develop its Rapid Access Breast Care Clinic in the East Midlands. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, affecting almost 55,000 women and approximately 350 men each year. However, a lump is not necessarily a sign that you have breast cancer. Roughly 80%* of lumps in a woman’s breast is caused by benign non-cancerous changes, cysts, or other conditions. If you find a lump, don’t panic – but you should have it checked just to be sure. At Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital, we understand that if you, notice a change to your breasts that you will want answers quickly. That’s why we have developed our – Weekly Rapid Access Breast Clinic.

WINNER Private hospital group of the year

*Source Breast Cancer UK

Breast cancer myths. There are many myths about breast cancer and sometimes hard to tell fact from fiction: Most breast lumps are cancerous. A lump is not necessarily a sign that you have cancer. Roughly 80% of lumps in women’s breasts are non-cancerous. Breast cancer always comes in the form of a lump. Many women examining their breast incorrectly believe they should be looking exclusively for lumps. There are other changes to look out for such as changes in the breast skin, swelling, skin irritation or dimpling. If you’re at risk for breast cancer, there’s little you can do but watch for the signs. There is a lot that a woman can do to lower their risk, including maintaining a normal healthy weight, regular exercise, lowering alcohol consumption, stop smoking and examining their breasts regularly. For more information about breast care and how we can help please visit nuffieldhealth.com/article/breast-cancer-myths-busted or call us on 0116 298 6787 to book into our Rapid Access Breast Clinic today.

Our breast clinics are led by one of our Consultant Breast Surgeons and are supported by a team of specialist breast care nurses and radiographers. To aid diagnostics and treatment Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital is equipped with the latest digital mammography and reporting equipment, and in November 2017 we were delighted to announce the further investment in a “Sentinel Node Biopsy Machine” to enhance our services and to improve treatment for our patients. Miss Monika Kaushik, Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon, specialising in breast cancer, said: “Sentinel nodes are the first nodes that may be subject to the spread of cancer of the breast. This investment in the biopsy equipment will allow us to find the sentinel node (nodes) during breast cancer surgery to check for the spread of cancer and help with decision making for further treatment.” The Rapid Access Breast Clinic is held weekly. There is no need to wait, contact us today on 0116 298 6787 for our next available appointment.

“Our continued investment in new technology and in specialist nursing staff to support our Consultant Breastcare Team enables us to provide the best possible clinical diagnosis, care and treatment. our weekly rapid access breast clinic is unique to Leicestershire providing women and men with fast convenient access to our specialists.” Tim Shewbridge, Hospital Director.

What happens during the visit to the rapid access breast clinic? ”During your visit, you will initially be seen by one of our consultant breast surgeons, who will perform a breast examination in the presence of one of our BreastCare Nurses. This will enable the consultant to determine which diagnostic test/s will be most appropriate to obtain an accurate diagnosis that day. You can expect to be with us for up to 2 hours during your visit.” Rebecca Mushambi, Radiology Manager at Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital.

Meet our experts.

Miss Monika Kaushik Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon

Mr Jaroslaw Krupa Consultant Breast Surgeon

Mr Simon Pilgrim

Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon

Mr Nakul Patel

Consultant Plastic and Breast Surgeon

Rapid access breast clinic. Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital has developed a rapid access breast clinic that is accessible to men and women whether you have private medical insurance or just want to pay for this service as a one-off. This clinic is run bi-weekly on a Wednesday evening and every Friday evening from 17:30 - 20:00.

To book please call 0116 298 6938. All you need is a referral letter from your GP.

Call us on 0116 298 6938 or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/leicester

Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital Scraptoft Lane, Leicester, LE5 1HY

IN THIS ISSUE. Well so much for Summer… Perhaps it was our feature on outdoor living and barbecuing that put the kibosh on the sunshine- I have to own up to buying a new garden sofa and rug which is always a sure way to bring on the rain – but really? Cats, dogs, frogs; it rained every creature and the garden has gone as wild as the mosquitos as a result! So, it’s goodbye to Summer and hello to Autumn which, to be fair, is by far my favourite season anyway. The beauty of the changing leaves, sunsets like fire and crisp night skies full of stars and possibilities. Autumn is a time we nest. We seek comfort in cosy fires, hearty meals and devilish deserts. In our house the after office Gn’T gets swapped for the medicinal (!) benefits of Merlot and casseroles bubble expectantly to be devoured after soggy Sunday dog walks. Bliss! Autumn is also a time for entertaining. The benefit of a one pot meal is it’s easy enough to share with friends for a mid-week supper, just pop in a couple of jacket potatoes, skins oiled and crisp and you’ve got a banquet. The festivities of Halloween and Bonfire night are the perfect excuse to feast and regroup with friends and family for fun and of course

there’s the planning ahead to Christmas and New Year to be done… Sorry, yes, I mentioned Christmas. Had to be done I’m afraid. But before we get there, we have an issue packed with events and activities to enjoy throughout Autumn. Firstly, we chatted to actor Joe Mcfadden about stepping out of Strictly and into sequins and high heels as he takes on the role of drag queen diva Mitzi in the iconic feel good musical that’s sure to add a little bit of glamour to your Autumn evening, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. And that’s the T.

We hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to seeing you again in Winter, until then you embrace the splendour of Autumn and enjoy. Best

Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief

In the home we’re redefining our workspace and embracing the colour green for libraries and studies. We’re being semi sensible in the garage by looking at practical estates with serious performance and we’re getting ready to go snap happy in Croatia, one of the most photogenic countries in Europe and an easy weekend escape from Birmingham Airport and we explore Austrian capital Vienna; a delight for foodies and lovers of opulence and architecture. Visit in autumn to capture a spirit of film noire adventurism. And finally, we’ve gone all out on Autumn Trends with our picks of the top twenty looks for him and for her to take you from September to February in style.

WE CAN’T WAIT FOR...

TOIL & TROUBLE: AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS JOKER If you haven’t read an Augusten Burroughs book, then go out immediately and get Running With Scissors. I mean it, right now. If you have read it then hurrah- you’re in for a treat as there is more from this number one New York Times bestselling author: another stunning memoir that is tender, touching...and just a little spooky. For as long as Augusten Burroughs could remember, he knew things he shouldn’t have known and manifested things that shouldn’t have come to pass. His mother reassured him that it was all perfectly normal as he was descended from a long line of witches. It was a bond that he and his mother shared--until the day she left him in the care of her psychiatrist to be raised in his family (but that’s a whole other story). After that, Augusten was on his own… 6 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Perhaps the most notorious of Batman’s nemeses and therefore worthy of his own spin off, The Joker tracks down and out comedian Arthur Track from failed gigs to Gotham super criminal. Beaten down until he turns and beats the world that had turned against him, Joaquin Phoenix takes over the role from Heath Ledger who won a post humous Academy Award for his portrayal of the role. Those who have seen the film expect Phoenix’s performance will garner similar accolades.

WHAM!

Yes I know, but with Stranger Things and Pose taking over our TV screens we’ve become a little obsessed with the eighties and that’s translating on to our bookcase too. One of the most recognisable faces of the eighties, Andrew Ridgeley, was one half of the phenomenal pop duo Wham! Here he tells the inside story on his time in the band with the legend that was George Michael.

My Beautiful Laundrette Hanif Kureishi’s iconic screenplay comes to the stage. Love blossoms for young British Pakistani, Omar and gang member Jonny as they transform a run-down laundrette into a thriving business. This subversive work of social realism is presented against a backdrop of original music created by The Pet Shop Boys. See it at Curve until the 5th October.

FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION

Visit our beautiful new showroom and speak with our skilled design and project management team who are on hand to complete your vision.

Oadby House 91 The Parade Oadby, Leicester LE2 5BB T. 0116 233 7775 www.sherwinhall.com

AGENDA.

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HONOURING ORTON

Campaign to erect statue in memory of Leicester playwright launches to celebrity support. A host of celebrities including Sir Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry, Alec Baldwin, Kenneth Cranham and Sheila Hancock are lending their support to a fundraising campaign to have a statue of the iconic British playwright Joe Orton erected in his hometown of Leicester. The fundraising campaign, backed by dluxe Magazine, has been organised by a committee of Orton fans in Leicester and is headed by his sister, Leonie Orton (pictured with Sir Ian McKellen) and Dr Emma Parker- a leading Orton expert at the University of Leicester, home of the Orton archive, which includes manuscripts, letters and other original material written, compiled or collected by the playwright. Acting legend Sir Ian Mckellen is an active supporter of the fundraising campaign saying: “‘The idea that in Orton Square there should be a statue, a memorial to Joe Orton, is terrific”. Actor, Writer and National Treasure Stephen Fry added “‘Joe Orton has always been a hero to me, both in his work and in the authenticity, wit and wonder of his life. A statue is a wonderful idea.” Born in Leicester and raised on the Saffron Lane council estate, Orton shocked, outraged, and amused audiences with his scandalous black comedies such as Loot, Entertaining Mr Sloane and What the Butler Saw. His career, although short lived, was incredibly significant, influencing future generations of writers, so much so that his unique style has given rise to the adjective ‘Ortonesque’ to describe work that blends the comic and the macabre.

His life, as revealed in his diaries, was as scandalous as his plays, and he died tragically at the age of 34, murdered by his lover, Kenneth Halliwell, in 1967. One of only a handful of memorials to LGBT icons in the UK, a fundraising platform has been set up to meet the projected cost of £100,000 to design, create and site the statue within a prominent position in the city of Leicester. The design of the statue will be subject to a competition where artists will be asked to represent a likeness of Orton in a suitably ‘Ortonesque’ way. It is hoped that the statue, the favoured location of which is Orton Square by Curve, at the heart of the Cultural Quarter, will become a symbol of Leicester’s significant literary heritage and a passionate commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Leonie Orton, pictured with Sir Ian, who administers the estate of Joe Orton with her sister Marilyn, said:“A statue of Joe will ensure that a great writer is not forgotten, raise awareness of Leicester’s rich literary heritage and serve as an inspirational reminder that talent is everywhere and art is for everyone, regardless of social background or circumstance.” Fundraising includes a soon to be released auction, enabling Orton fans and collectors the opportunity to bid for rare items from the Orton Archive, exclusive theatre experiences and Orton artwork. There are some once in a lifetime rewards for donating on offer including private views of the Orton archive and the chance to have his favourite actor, Kenneth Cranham, come to their house and read from the Orton Diaries.

To make your pledge or to find out more about the project please visit: www.spacehive.com/joe-orton-statue-appeal dluxe-magazine.co.uk 9

AGENDA.

NUCLEUS HR ONSIDE WITH LEICESTER TIGERS

LAUgh SUPPORT Leicester HR firm, Nucleus HR, has announced a brandnew Human Resources partnership with Leicester Tigers, bringing its expertise to the club ahead of the new season. With over 21 years of industry experience – and a former professional athlete herself – Toni Robinson, who founded Nucleus HR in 2017, impressed the senior management team at Leicester Tigers with her straight-talking suggestions as to how the HR function could and should support the direction of their wider business plan. With a particular focus on employee engagement, Toni and the team are working closely with Leicester Tigers to tackle a three-year HR strategy in a move that’s being viewed as hugely positive throughout the club. As part of the restructure, Matt Johnson, who has been with the club for 10 years based at the training facility and working with the playing side, will be taking up a new role as Head of HR, working closely alongside Toni and her team. Nucleus HR prides itself in being the only business to offer industry expertise and support across all HR platforms on a national level. Having worked with businesses in the sporting, education and software development industries previously, the Nucleus team is used to adapting to a variety of situations, always ensuring that the client comes first. Toni Robinson, Managing Director at Nucleus HR, says: “We are honoured to have been given the opportunity to work with one of the biggest sporting clubs in the region – it has been a goal of ours for many years. We are very much looking forward to joining the team in supporting the staff and players on both a practical and strategic level.” For additional information on the services offered by Nucleus HR, visit: www.nucleushr.com 10 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Organisers of the annual Leicester Comedy Festival have launched a crowd funding campaign to raise £3,000 to continue their support of new and emerging comedians. The festival, which is produced by registered charity Big Difference Company, is appealing to comedy fans and members of the public to pledge money to enable the festival to develop its support for comedians breaking onto the UK comedy circuit. “Circuit Breakers” is a development programme which will benefit comedians who are just starting out and enable them to perform at the festival, which takes place again in February 2020. The programme first took place as part of Leicester Comedy Festival 2018, and took place again in 2019, following successful crowd funding campaigns where members of the public donated money. Each year, producers of the festival have been inundated with applications from emerging comedians from across the UK so have decided to run the programme again, but need financial support to enable this to happen. Members of the public who pledge money will receive a range of exclusive rewards, including discounts on festival tickets and invitations to private events. The annual festival is a great showcase for performers and “Circuit Breakers” is an opportunity for newer acts to benefit from taking part in the longest running comedy festival in Europe. Pledges can now be made via: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/circuitbreakers-2020 Applications from comedians who want to apply to benefit from Circuit Breakers 2020 will open later this year. Leicester Comedy Festival will run from 5-23rd February and the full programme will be announced at the end of October. Further information will be available from www.comedy-festival.co.uk

IMPROVE YOUR FITNESS WITH AN ELECTRIC BIKE Don't forget, an e-bike is pedal assisted so although you'll have help from the bike, you still have to ride the distance. Where could you ride if you had one? • Use less assistance - In the beginning you may rely on turbo mode for the hills and during a strong headwind, but as you ride more and more, turn that motor to the sport or eco mode to rely on your own legs. As you become fitter you'll only need to rely on the top assistance modes during particularly steep hills. Your fitness will increase and you'll be able to cycle further, perhaps even try cycling for short periods of time with the battery turned completely off. • Cut out the car - Now you have an e-bike, riding to the shops or the gym will help to increase your weekly physical activity levels. If previously it was too far, that distance will now be manageable and you'll much prefer spending the time outdoors compared to behind a wheel. TAKE A FREE TEST RIDE! Staff at Rutland Cycling’s new store at Everards Meadows, Leicester take a closer look at how to improve your fitness riding an e-bike. It may seem like an obvious connection, but an electric bike means more cycling and more physical activity – and as autumn is around the corner it is a great time to get out on your bike and improve your fitness levels.

• Increase your normal ride distance - you can ride further with an e-bike, with the fear of being caught out too tired to ride home gone, you can discover more roads. Let’s say you normally ride 15 miles, on an e-bike you'll probably be able to ride 20-30 miles. That's a huge increase and you'll be getting so much more time out on the bike.

If you’d like to try an e-bike, book a free test ride today! For more information and to book, visit: www.rutlandcycling.com/testride or visit them at Rutland Cycling Leicester, Everards Meadows, John Cooper Way (off Soar Valley Way) Leicester LE19 2AN Tel. 0116 344 0200

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Autumn Anniversary for Sherwin Hall Kitchens

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since Sherwin Hall opened their new large and spacious flagship showroom in Oadby. In that time the team behind the luxury kitchen and home lifestyle brand have seen business increase rapidly with a host of new corporate contracts on board as well as a wealth of new private clients. Autumn sees them working with new developers Sheiling Homes in Gilmorton and Foxborough homes in Foxton. And if that is not enough, they’re also working on an exciting new project with Cadeby homes at Bull in the Oak. Back at base and inside the sleek showroom you can find the newest and latest products on display including, one of our favourites, the Quooker Boiling tap which features the new CUBE system

which lets you enjoy filtered chilled and sparkling water alongside 100°C boiling, cold and hot water, all in one tap. They also have the innovative Siemens Home appliances with Home Connect to give you advanced control over your kitchen with features including Voice activation and control using the Home Connect app. Efficient and stylish, browse the BORA gas and induction hobs with built in extraction that are sure to revolutionise your kitchen. To give your kitchen a new depth of colour, Oadby House is an official stockist of Little Greene Paints. With high pigment levels and a large spectrum of colours to choose from, you’re sure to find a colour for you.

Work is in progress on new displays for 2020 to update the showroom for you to discover more exciting additions to create your perfect space. If you’re looking for inspiration or the expertise to create your dream kitchen, visit the friendly and knowledgeable design team, Daniella, Nicola, Amy and Kinga and Imogen who are on hand to give you the very best advice. Sherwin Hall Kitchens, Oadby House, 91 The Parade, Oadby, Leicestershire, LE2 5BB Tel: 0116 233 7775 www.sherwinhall.com

40 years running: Leicester Marathon “Marathon running, or jogging as it was known back then, was popular but relatively new in 1979 and, as a keen runner myself, I knew Leicester would be a great place to host one. It was a huge amount of work, but good fun too,” remembers Iain.

40 years ago this autumn Leicester’s runners first donned their trainers for a gruelling 26.2 mile run around the city. The Leicester Marathon, known back 14 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

then in 1979 as the marathon jog, has since become a key sporting fixture in the city, thanks to the hard work of Iain Davidson who organised that first event.

This year, on Sunday 6th October, Iain will be firing the starting pistol once again to begin the 2019 Leicester Marathon in aid of LOROS Hospice. Race Director Andrew Ward said, “We’re delighted that Iain

has agreed to kick start this year’s marathon. It was his vision and inspiration 40 years ago which allows us to continue this much-loved race now. “It’s not too late to be a part of Leicester’s biggest running event - places are still available for the half and full marathon right up until the end of September.” If you’re not up to running, LOROS is also looking for volunteers to marshal. Visit leicestermarathon.org.uk for more information.

Our commitment to value means that we match the prices of the high street competitors (this excludes online-only or mail order businesses). Service conditions must be comparable. See our â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Never Knowingly Undersoldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; leaflet in our shops or online for details.

AGENDA.

World Polio Day – Leicester Day of Action October 24 2019 purple mark on their little finger to show they’ve received the vaccine and that’s why Rotary has adopted the colour purple as part of its campaign. We must keep up the fight because we are so close to ending polio: just two countries reported cases in the last three years. Nigeria has just stated it has been free of polio for three years, but cases continue to develop in Pakistan and Afghanistan and it is our mission to help these countries stamp out the disease as soon as possible. Dluxe: As the new President of Rotary Club of Leicester, what are you doing to ensure our city is at the forefront of UK and global action to end polio?

With World Polio Day set for October, we spoke to Chris Saul, President, Rotary Club of Leicester, to find out more about his plans for marking the day in Leicester. Rotary has spearheaded the campaign to end polio since 1985, when there were more than 1,000 polio cases a day in over 125 countries, paralysing or even killing children. Dluxe: How important is it that we continue a global fight against polio? Chris: Since the fight against polio started we’ve seen a 99.9 per cent reduction in the number of cases, down from 350,000 in 1988 to just 33 in 2018, with 2.5bn children vaccinated. Every child who receives the vaccination is given a

Chris: I’ve teamed up with Leicester Novus Rotary Club to raise awareness of the continuing fight against polio through the illumination in purple lighting of at least three iconic places of worship in the city, including Leicester Cathedral, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and GTB Gurdwara. There will also be a relay of runners from the charity GoodGym to deliver purple crocus corns to the various venues to highlight the issue further. In addition a service will be held at Leicester Cathedral at 5.30pm on October 24, followed by a reception at which polio survivor and Rotarian Mark Esho will deliver an uplifting talk. Dluxe: Has Rotary formed partnerships with other organisations to take part on the day? Chris: We are really pleased and honoured to be able to confirm that

every pound raised by Rotary on the day will be matched two to one by the The Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation. The total amount Rotary members have contributed since the campaign began is $1.9bn. Dluxe: So how will the funds be used? Chris: We will use the funds to provide much needed operational support, such as medical workers, lab equipment and educational materials which will be distributed as needed around the world. Dluxe: What will happen if the campaign is not successful? Chris: For myself and fellow Rotarians, this is unthinkable. If we don’t manage to end polio, research shows that we could see more than 200,000 new cases every year within a decade. This is why we are passionate about raising awareness on October 24 and we urge people from across Leicestershire to join us in this important push to end polio. Find out more at endpolio.org

Wear it Pink and Raise Funds For Cancer Wear it Pink day takes place across Leicestershire on Friday 18 October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, the event has had an enormous impact on the lives of those affected by breast cancer since launching in 2002 and has raised over £33 million for breast cancer research to date.

This October, Breast Cancer Now is encouraging everyone in Leicestershire to wear it pink and help make life-saving breast cancer research and life-changing support happen. Breast Cancer Now’s 16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Anyone can take part in wear it pink. Some people will choose to hold a cake sale, while others will opt to organise a raffle and some will arrange a pink fancy dress day at their school or workplace. No matter how people chose to Wear it Pink,

all the money raised will help to fund vital breast cancer research and support.

Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now have united to create the UK’s first comprehensive breast cancer charity, united around the shared ambition that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live, and receive the support they need to live well. The charity cannot reach this goal without the money raised from Wear it Pink. Wear it Pink on 18 October and raise funds for breast cancer research and support. Visit wearitpink. org to register and claim your free fundraising pack.

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SPOTLIGHT.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE

18 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

E DESErT

Dig out your party wigs and highest heels because Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is coming to town in a brand-new production produced by Mark Goucher and first-time producer, Jason Donovan. Dluxe Magazine’s Francesca Arculeo caught up with Strictly Come Dancing winner and Holby City Star Joe McFadden who plays Tick/Mitzi ahead of the show arriving at Curve this October.

Last year must have been a really busy year for you; so winning Strictly Come Dancing and lifting the glitter ball trophy with Katya. How did that change your life? Did you learn a bit more about yourself and did it give you more confidence as a performer?

was really intense and it was really difficult but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I really wouldn’t.

I suppose it just sort of taught me about saying Yes to things. I was really quite hesistant about doing it, just because you know, when I started out all those years ago, you didn’t really do reality television, it was sort of looked down upon almost. So It was a big decision to make going in to something like that. I took lots of advice from various different people and I think the thing that really stuck in my mind was a good friend of mine said to me – it’s good way to show people that you don’t take yourself too seriously. I think that’s a really good thing in life is to not overthink things and I think maybe that is the biggest lesson: that when you say yes to things, the possibilities are endless. And look how brilliantly it turned out and If I has said No and not have gotten to experience that it would have been a waste.

Go and join a ballroom class!

What a great show to go on, I can’t think of a better one and to have a partner as lovely as Katya as well. Yeah and as hard-working as Kat. She was a brilliant partner in that she wasn’t one for heaping praise and I think perhaps that’s why it’s such a surprise that we actually won because we never once rested on our laurels. Even when we were getting tens towards the end and it kept going really well we were always moving forward and it was a big shock when it was over, having all that energy and nothing to do with it. It’s kind of like a bereavement really. You’re like, ‘Oh God, it is all over.’ But it was amazing and having the glitter ball on my shelf has sort of cheered me up.

So do you have a glance it every morning? Yeah whenever I’m feeling a bit down, it’s there to cheer me up.

It reflects back at you. Yeah and just to think, even not, not just the winning, it’s just the doing of it, the learning of those dances in such a short space of time. It was a brilliant experience, I mean it

I would love to do that but I’m not going to have the opportunity to be on Strictly.

Yes, good idea. Have you been keeping up with the dancing, do you still whip out a salsa on a Saturday night or when you’re out? Not really! There is a little bit of dancing in the show. At one point, Alexa starts playing this music and I’m kind of dancing and this guy goes ‘Oh, you should be on Strictly, mate.’ Which funnily enough that was in the script before I got the job, people assume that it was put in. I haven’t really kept up the dancing, it’s quite difficult turning up at a dance class when you’ve won something like Strictly because people expect you to be amazing. Even getting up in clubs and stuff, I can see people sort of checking me out and what my dancing is like so there is a pressure on you. I would have been nothing without my partner and her breaking it all down for me and that intense one on one tuition; perhaps that’s why I haven’t done any classes. The great thing about doing something like Priscilla is I’ll get to put it to good use hopefully and it will set me in good stead for the brilliant dances that the Choreographer Tom has got in store. He is a really great choreographer and I was watching some of the boys auditioning and his routines are going to be spectacular, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.

I can only imagine. Do you think being on Strictly with all the sparkle, fake tan and sequins has prepared you and given you experience for Priscilla Queen of The Desert? I think it has really. More than anything else, it brings a sort of confidence in just having to do it even though you don’t feel terribly prepared. Doing a show like Strictly, it feels like that nightmare that every actor has where you don’t know your script and they’re pushing you out in front of an audience. To be able to get through that and be able to do some kind of element of the

SPOTLIGHT. couple of years later but I just remember being blown away by it. As well as it being these amazing, larger than life characters, there is such a great heart to the story. It so relatable, even if these people might be different from us. They’re really relatable characters, and really entertaining. That’s the thing, they are entertainers, they’re drag queens and just thinking how brave they were going out to the outback in those outfits. Even today that’s a brave thing to do. These guys are warriors and they’re fantastic characters to get your teeth stuck in to and have an attempt at playing.

You’re taking on the role of Mitzi in the show, for people who might not know you tell us a little bit more about the character? He goes on a real journey because he starts the show in Sydney, seeing his friends there that are entertainers in the bars in Sydney and how gruelling that can be and bruisy. He gets this call from the past, because he had a wife at one point and we learn that he has this son and it’s him sort of embracing a family life which he’d never done before but perhaps he’s gotten to a part of his life where he wanted to explore that a bit more and connect more with having a family. The wedge that that drives between him and his friends where they’re completely put out by the fact that he had this wife that they knew nothing about and this child. dance you’re supposed to do, it teaches you that you’re capable of so much more than you think you are. So doing something like an opening night, like opening night for this play, it reminded me of all this fear, I remember all this fear from Strictly. Fear is manageable, you just feel the fear and do it anyway. That’s the big thing that the experience taught me.

So How did this role in Priscilla come about? What made you decide to go for it? I just went and met with them really. I’d met Jason Donovan bizarrely on Loose Women and I think that’s perhaps where he got the idea. He’s almost solely responsible for me getting the part. I went and met him and Mark Goucher, the producers and had a chat about the script. It was one of those really unusual situations where they pretty much just offered it to me flat out and Jason said the key to this character is his heart. He’s the heart of this story and you have to feel for him and he has to be a sympathetic character as well as all the singing and the dancing and the drag. He said he could see I was the right person for it. To have his seal of approval when he knows the story so well, he’s played the character, I’m hugely indebted to him. Hopefully he was right in his thinking.

Knowing the show as much as he does, 20 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

being on the West End and on tour with the show, do you feel in safe hands with it? Absolutely, he knows the writers and the scale of the show. From what he was saying and what I gathered, they’re going back to the film more than perhaps the West End production because it’s all new design, all new choreography, new costumes and new set and the bus is different. It’s a sort of re-imaging of the whole story in which it’s taking it back to its roots. It was a gritty film: these guys were struggling to survive as they didn’t have a lot of money; they had to be inventive with their costumes and create them out of makeshift stuff - as the film did, as that didn’t have much of a budget either. They were very much having to be inventive and that is sort of the thing that we’re going for. It will be really interesting and be different to the version people will have seen in the West End, which is really exciting. And to have someone who knows the show as much as Jason does, I think we are in safe hands.

It’s an iconic film and show, do you remember your first experience of seeing the film? Back in the day, back in 1994, I remember. I hadn’t quite gotten in to doing musicals myself yet – I was about to do Rent a

It’s also a road movie where they travel across Australia and the trials and tribulations of that and the colourful bruisy characters that they meet along the way. There is just so much to it and you can see why it won an Oscar and the musical works really well because it takes this brilliant characters, who are real entertainers and has these singing these brilliant songs which aren’t actually in the movie but work really well on stage.

Like you say it’s got a fantastic soundtrack, are there any particular numbers you are personally looking forward to getting on stage and doing every night? Always on My Mind, the song that he sings to his son when he meets him is a really lovely song. Say A Little Prayer, I Love The Nightlife, Don’t Leave Me This Way. There are so many brilliant anthems as well as they’re being some great seventies disco tracks that I remember being in the theatre being so taken away by it. They’re so tuneful and toe-tapping the numbers. It’s lovely to have that element that the songs are real crowd pleasers as well. Priscilla Queen Of The Desert runs at Curve From Monday 28th October – Saturday 2nd November. To get tickets visit www.curveonline.co.uk, or call 0116 242 3595.

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STYLE. 1/2

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18 WHERE TO GET IT... 1 /2 Checks and Big Scarve: Scarf £49 Hobbs. 3. Big Shoulders: Dorothy Perkins AW19 Velvet Wrap Top Jumpsuit £55, 4. Extra Sparkle: Silver Sequin Leather Low Top Sneakers £24.99, 5. Wide Belts: £14 Simply Be, 6. Padded Jackets: Albatros quilted shell jacket, Moncler, 7.Leather Skirts: Dorothy Black Faux Croc Leather Skirt - £26.00, 8. Square Toes: BALENCIAGA Double Square leather ankle boots £665, 9. Florals: Dress £45, Next, 10.Oversixed Bags: Valentino Garavani Escape large textured-leather tote, £1,965, 11. Feathers: Deichmann Feather Cross Body Bag £12.99, 12. Wide Trousers: £15 Primark, 13. Colourful Accesories: Handbag, £495, Paul Smith, 14, Miss Prim: Vintage Bere, £21, Joe Browns, 15. Beige: Bag, £19.99 TK Maxx. 16. Pointed Toe: Divaa Show £99, Dune London, 17. Brown Leather: Leathr Trench, £3250, Loewe, 18. Golf Knits: STELLA MCCARTNEY Oversized argyle wool cardigan £312, 19. Tiers: Green Tiered Dress, £TBC, ASOS. 20. Eleganza: Black Diamante High Boot, Rita Ora For Deichmann, £44.99. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 23

HER STYLE.

SOOooO... ON TREND

BIRDS OF A FEATHER Undoubtedly one of the most prominent trends to come out of the autumn winter 2019 shows was feathers. They were shown in various forms, some extravagant and some more subtle

Feather-trimmed satin sandals, Gianvito Rossi, £795

GIVE IT SOME SHOULDER Shoulders were big on the autumn winter 2019 catwalks, but not in a harsh, padded, Dallas eat your heart out kind of way, with Oh so Eighties! River Island. designers instead adorning dresses and shirts with exaggerated, puffy shoulder detail. SUPER SIZE YOUR BAG Although bags came in tiny form Rajah leather too, there was a growing trend tote, Gucci, for the enormous tote (which £1,770 I personally love!! Bigger the bag the smaller you look!) Some handbags were almost the size of overnight bags, carried under the arm or slung over the shoulder. This is probably one of the most useful trends of the season – for once, you will be able to house everything you need. Victoria Beckham and Rosie Huntingdon Whiteley have already been spotted sporting the trend.

George. Coat, £30,

I’ve picked just a few of the top looks and trends you’ll be seeing in the stores which are hopefully relatable that you can make work into your wardrobe...

MELLOW YELLOW Well there’s actually nothing mellow about this season's yellow that’s for sure! If you dread heading into the grey, winter months and have a wardrobe to match, then this season you might want to add a pop of yellow. The colour was everywhere, whether you want to inject just a touch to an ensemble or try a head-to-toe look, there's plenty of inspiration awaiting you. Just make sure you choose a tone that works with your skin or stick to it in accessory form (I’m dying for the yellow Manolo Blahnik Hangisis) ked Yellow Chec

There is quite simply a whole host of new trends to have on your radar for this new season. While bright and sunny yellows seem to be the colour of the new season seen on most catwalks, feathers are certainly the fancy touch you'll be adding to your wardrobe and perfect for the party season ahead. Enormous bags were everywhere whilst shoulders got the puffy treatment.

ROOOOAAARRRRRR Leopard print makes a comeback year after year and whether you dare to wear it head-to-toe or just experiment with accessories, there are plenty of stylish ways to wear the animal print. We’ve seen it in full swing for spring summer and it’s definitely not going anywhere for Autumn Winter. Balance out a midi skirt with a laidback white tee and trainers. For a more conservative look, team midi length dresses with a classic court shoe. For a subtle dip into the trend, try a leopard belt or pair of shoes. This classic print easily adds interest to neutral outfits.

Beige Faux Fur Trimmed Bag, Dune London.

BUTTERSCOTCH BEIGE It might have been a big trend for SS19, heavily adopted by the street stylers and fashion bloggers, but there is no denying that not-soboring beige is going to be everywhere again. Caramel, chestnut, chocolate, biscuit: one of next season’s favourite colour palettes looks as

Deichman are on board with this season's Leopard trend.

delicious as it sounds. A natural progression from last season’s adoption of beige, designers opted for warm and easy-to-wear shades. Shown mostly in a head-to-toe look, It's an easy one to adopt and a trend that will stand the test of time, so think about investment pieces (like a camel Max Mara winter coat.) HIGHLIGHTER HEELS If you're a fan of the statement accessory, then look no further than autumn's big shoe trend: the Highlighter Heel. Bright-coloured court shoes look to be a favourite ahead of the new season. Day or evening, the catwalks proved that they might just be the perfect addition to your officewear too (especially if you wear a lot of black). If you still struggle with your winter wardrobe you know where to find me. x Malibu Beach Sandal £49.00, Office.

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 24 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

TREND EDIT: THE BELT BAG Once the preserve of tourists and sightseers, belt bags have been revived from their 80s heyday and are positioned firmly in the here and now for AW19. From butter-soft leathers to logo-laden nylon, these impressively practical yet punchy accessories will be your go-to style this season.

WEAR IT ACROSS YOUR BODY

Giving the trend a playful twist is Marc Jacobs Hip Shot leather belt bag, £360.

Stella McCartney offers a masterclass in modern minimalism with this twist on the classic Falabella, £450.

With its vibrant logo-jacquard waist strap and gold-tone designer plaque, it’s the fashionable companion whether it’s a day in the office or lunch with friends.

Made from eco-friendly nylon, we love its street-ready silhouette. Team with a simple white T-shirt for maximum impact.

Go hands free without compromising on style with Moncler’s Felicie shell belt bag, £375 and wear it across your chest for up to the minute styling. It’s large enough to hold all your daily essentials making it as practical as it is stylish.

Rendered in cruelty-free faux leather, Stella McCartney’s utility style, £595, boasts a small rectangular bag and matching circular design that sit above a logo-laden waist strap. It’s finished with subtle laser-cut logo detailing.

WEAR IT AROUND YOUR WAIST

Belt bags don’t come more fashion-forward than Valentino Garavani’s Rockstud Spike, £895. Crafted in quilted black leather, each gilded stud has been galvanised to maintain its lustrous shine. This bag can be looped over the shoulder or worn around the waist for a look that’s oh-socurrent.

Add a splash of colour to the new-season with Fendi’s striking belt bag, £1090. Crafted from red grained leather, it boasts the house’s signature FF monogramming and is ornamented with a Fendi logo plaque. It also features an optional chain shoulder strap for alternative ways to wear.

Loewe embraces modern minimalism in the Heel mini bag, £595, with its sleek saddlestyle silhouette and soft blue leather embossed with the brand’s Anagram logo. This versatile style can be worn as either a cross-body or a belt bag, making it the perfect accompaniment to any outfit.

Saint Laurent captures its signature polish in an on-trend silhouette with the introduction of this new-season logo belt bag, £745. Made from black leather, its main body is anchored with a waist strap and embellished with the house’s signature logo hardware in a brushed silver hue.

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TREND SPECIAL.

1/2

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6 7 10

5 11

13 18 14 20

19 WHERE TO GET IT... 1 /2 Denim / Little Black Suit: Outft By G Star.. 3. Leather Trench: £Tbc Topman, 4. Big Bags: Burberry Large Vintage Check And Leather Barrel Bag £1,090, 5. Day Glo: Neon Green Cotton T-Shirt, £140, Stone Island, 6. Peaky Blinders: Amens Baker Boy, £15, Joe Brown, 7.Preppy: Gucci Overprint Polo £640 Selfridges, 8. Padded Jacket: Gant Light Down Jacket £250 9. Leopard:bear Boot, £79, Office, 10.Bovver Boots: Dr Martens 1460 8-Eye Boots In Black £139, 11. Everything Checks: Outfit By Burton. 12. Wide Trousers:asos Edition Wide Leg Cropped Smart Trouser In Floral Jacquard £40, 13. Velvet Sports: Chiccheriabrand Trucker Cap La £79, 14, Man Skirts: H Lorenzo, Undercover, Tartan Utility Skirt £1310, 15. Beige: Cost £80, River Island, 16. Mac Attack: Dkny - Rainy Mac - £460, 17. Long Scarves: £16, River Island, 18. Duffle Coats: Montgomery Men's Soho Duffle Coat £145, 19. Pink: Luke 1977 - Warden Patch Pocket Shacket £95.00. 20. Nana Knits: Superdry Super Buffalo Cardigan £50 dluxe-magazine.co.uk 27

HIS STYLE.

THE ESSENTIALS EDIT

Kenzo striped wool-blend jumper, £270.

From the wear-anywhere jumper to those must-have sneakers, curating an effortlessly stylish wardrobe is made simple with our edit of AW19 staples. Focusing on timeless designs that are easy to put together, Here's our pick of this season’s fashion essentials that no man’s wardrobe should be without.

Givenchy Logointarsia jumper, £590.

Gucci Ace leather hitop sneakers, £535. Dsquared2 cotton T-shirt, £235.

Kenzo dragonprint T-shirt, £70.

Paul Smith scarf, £75.

True Religion stretch-denim jeans, £130. Stone Island jacket, £365.

Human Made striped cotton top, £105.

Balenciaga BB logo-print sweatshirt, £675.

Off-White nylon backpack, £430.

28 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Alexander McQueen Oversized Runner sneakers, £450.

WINTER SKIN: GUY GROOMING

MAKEUP FOR MEN Gone are the days of pinching your girlfriend’s concealer to cover the blemish that just won’t go away, or even grabbing your mum’s moisturiser. We’re onto the next level of male grooming – makeup specifically designed for men. Back in April, singer-songwriter John Mayer posted a makeup tutorial on Instagram, since then the industry for man-friendly makeup has skyrocketed – we have surpassed the age of sneaking around – we embrace it. Since then, Chanel has launched a dedicated eyebrow pencil, tinted foundation and lip balm for blokes, along with brands like Clinique and Tom Ford bringing out their own ranges as well. HYALURONIC ACID It’s the ingredient that is constantly cropping up in women’s skincare products, although it has taken quite a while for it to transition over into men’s skincare. The benefits of hyaluronic acid are a necessity in a man’s skincare routine. Manual’s Mr Moisturiser is jam packed with hydration through hyaluronic acid and allantoin – this helps smooth, protect and regenerate the skin. Mr Moisturiser is sulphate, paraben and alcohol free – which are all of the things can could cause you to breakout and enlarge pores. 90’S HAIR VIBES Get the bowls and clippers back out because 90’s hair styles are back in the game. It’s time to release your inner 90’s Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. The Bluebeards Revenge Sea Salt Spray is the perfect product to help contain longer locks. The spray has been specially

designed with sea salt minerals to give men a natural look that boasts all of the volume, texture and wave seen in the hair of coastline junkies, without the sticky feeling. Featuring a classic, masculine fragrance, it offers bland hair a crisp hold that can be reworked throughout the day. Barber, Vincent Quinn from Hard Grind barbers has spoken about the influx of requests for 90’s hairstyles: “Hairstyles like the bowl cut, the wedge cut and classic curtains are very much in trend for youngsters at the moment; especially

when paired with loosely turned-up jeans and a FILA jacket.” He goes on to say, “Barbers are better and more technically trained now too, so these cuts are being treated professionally and adapted to avoid the ‘cut at home in the dark’ vibe.” BECOME YOUR OWN DERMATOLOGIST Why not treat your skin to a high-tech LED laser facial or eye mask? After recent studies suggesting that starring at your phone screens can cause premature aging – the effects can be maintainable through blue LED light therapy. With these little tools, you can treat congested skin from the privacy of your own bathroom as often as you need, without ever having to make an appointment again. Written by Maddy Ireland.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 29

MOTORS.

PRACTICAL PERFO Remember those carefree days when all you needed from a car were two seats, somewhere to throw a weekend bag and a couple of hundred horses under the bonnet? Fast forward a few years though and add in a couple of kids, a dog and the detritus of family life and that sporty little two seater has had to be relegated to the back of the garage in favour of something much more practical. But practical can be sporty too, at least that’s what Mercedes Benz have to say with the release of this new Shooting Brake version of its CLA coupe.

Mercedes-Benz introduced the first generation of the CLA Shooting Brake in 2015: a five-door, clearly a Coupé in terms of its proportions, and yet with considerable effective load space thanks to the roof which continues through to the rear and the rear door. From the striking sharknose at the front of the vehicle to the clean edge with accentuated surfaces, the design is athletic right down to the muscular rear. It’s this rear that increases the CLA Shooting Brake’s functionality offering much more space for the spontaneity of family life be it on an extended shopping spree or for sports and outdoor activities where space is required. The new CLA Shooting Brake is also a designer car, which in the first instance is emotionally 30 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

appealing on account of its proportions: a long bonnet, compact greenhouse with coupé-like windowlines, muscular shoulders over the rear wheel arch and crouched rear, which clearly shows its sports car genes. The outline of the frameless windows is identical to the outline of the Coupé’s up to the B-pillar. Behind it, the windowline runs considerably higher, which makes entering for rear passengers easier. Elongated into the rear, it tapers off into an acute angle. Opt for the AMG model and the distinctive front end tilted forward and the elongated bonnet with striking powerdomes form dynamic style elements. The flat headlamps, the low-slung bonnet and the diamond radiator grille with the central star, mark the typical Mercedes-Benz sports car look. The narrow two-part rear lamps and the licence plate positioned in the bumper are typical for the GT rear with a flush transition between the rear bumper and the tailgate. The rear view is dominated by the rear apron with a diffuser insert and four vertical fins, the AMG airflow break-away edge in the vehicle colour on the roof spoiler and the two round tailpipe trims on the left and right. The twopiece, narrow tail lamps and the number plate housed in the bumper make the tail end look especially wide.

From a side view, the aerodynamically optimised 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design (19-inch optionally available) and the dynamically sculpted side sill panels catch the eye. The outline of the frameless windows is identical to the outline of the Coupés itself up to the B-pillar. Behind it, the window line runs considerably higher, which makes entering easier for rear passengers and facilitates the larger load compartment capacity.

Buyers can style up their CLA with a number of design packages including an AMG Night Package with design features in black, such as front splitter and black chromed tailpipe trims. Inside, just like the four-door CLA Coupé, the Shooting Brake puts its own spin on Mercedes’ current fluid design language and as per the new A class, turns the interior into a coolly designed user interface for intelligent digital technology. Frameless doors open to an interior with a high-tech ambience where quality and elegance meet fully digital displays. Characteristic features of the “35” models include sports seats with upholstery black leather. The AMG-specific centre console in high-gloss black with standard touchpad has additional

ORMER

buttons that control the 3-stage ESP®, manual transmission mode and the optional AMG RIDE CONTROL adaptive damping system. The characteristic, sporty AMG ambience is also underscored by the sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs; floor mats in black with AMG lettering and insert in a nubuck-leather look; the roof liner in black fabric and the AMG door sills in brushed stainless steel at the front with “AMG” lettering. The three air vents are incorporated here, and their sporty turbine look appeals to the senses even without the lighting. This CLA is aimed at customers for whom, just a few years ago, Mercedes Benz was not the first thing that came to mind when they were looking to buy a car. You’ll find the interior is technology packed with intelligent interior assistants and refined voice recognition making the operation of ever more functions more natural and much simpler. Great emphasis is placed on individualisation with an increasing and diverse range of apps and services, which can be downloaded from Mercedes me depending on your own preferences. The combination of sporty design and sophisticated details is also featured in the MBUX infotainment system with its innovative

operating and display concept. MBUX creates an even closer connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers. Emotionally appealing presentations underline the clear control structure and feature brilliant maximumresolution 3D graphics. Visually, the two displays under one shared glass cover blend into a Widescreen Cockpit and as a central element consequently emphasise the horizontal orientation of the interior design.

transmission and the AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive resulting in powerful acceleration of 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds The new Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake goes on sale this autumn with the AMG version starting at £30,664. Find out more at www.mercedesbenz.co.uk

The customer can choose between the three AMG display styles “Classic”, “Sport” and “Supersport” for the instrument cluster. The “Supersport” mode is particularly striking with a central, round rev counter and additional information presented in the form of bars to the left and right of the rev counter: with a three-dimensional perspective, they reach far into the background to an artificial horizon. All that extra space doesn’t compromise the car’s sporting characteristics as, along with the CLA Coupé, the CLA Shooting Brake features a wider track and which offers a lower centre of gravity. The top-of-the range engine will be the agile high-torque 2.0-litre four-cylinder which delivers 306 hp, variably distributed to the front and rear axle via the 7-speed dual-clutch dluxe-magazine.co.uk 31

LIVING.

STUDY IN GREEN Deep blue accessories and olive green accents make this geometric inspired home office the perfect space for productivity. Recreate the look with sofa.com’s plush Peggy armchair, Grosvenor Wilton’s Wren rug and Benjamin Moore’s Aura paint in Guacamole or add subtle pastels and floral decorations for a more layered style. 32 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

1 4

Get The Look...

1. Geometric Collection Wren Rug in Granite £180m2 2. John Lewis Artificial Lambs Ear Foliage Single Stem, Pink £8 3. John Lewis & Partners Anglepoise Desk Lamp, £250 4. Neptune Sedum Succulent £18. 5. Carpetright County Aztec Indigo Rug from £34.99 6. Carpetright Balterio Laminate in Milkshake, £21.99m2. 7. John Lewis & Partners Calia Desk, Dark, £599 8. Neptune Print Ink I £61 9. Benjamin Moore Aura Matt Paint in Guacamole 10. Neptune Henley round tray £95.Grosvenor Wilton 11. John Lewis & Partners Orla Kiely Vase, Pink, £50 12. Neptune Corinium Jug Tall White, £11 13. sofa.com Peggy armchair in Olive, £740

visit www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk for more interior inspiration dluxe-magazine.co.uk 33

LIVING.

THE RENOVATION GAME

As director of Farrow Walsh, a Leicesterbased structural and civil engineering firm, Chris Farrow has helped hundreds of homeowners make their renovation dreams a reality – from Tudor properties to Victorian and Georgian townhouses, as well as barn conversions. We caught up with him to find out how you can lay the foundations for a successful project. DON’T BE TEMPTED TO DO IT ALL YOURSELF Perhaps you have good contacts in the trade, or experience of the planning system, but it is important to get expert advice before buying any property you plan to renovate. While basic surveys – like the RICS Condition Report or RICS HomeBuyer Report – may be adequate for general home purchases, they are not normally suitable for period properties and/or ones requiring significant work. A RICS Building Survey or Full Structural Survey provide a more in-depth analysis, showing any problems and suggesting remedial action. The surveyor looks at the age of the property, timber conditions, brick strength, electrics and much more. With the most expensive survey costing upwards of £600, it is a worthwhile investment if it saves you thousands in the long-run. DO FOLLOW DUE DILIGENCE Once you have bought a property, you’ll need to make sure the renovation complies with building regulations, so it can be signed off by a building control inspector, either from the local authority or an approved 34 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

private firm. Fail to do so and the council could take those who carried out the work to court, where they face a hefty fine, and/or demand that the changes be reverted. On top of that, you could struggle to sell a property that does not have a completion certificate. DON’T GO TO A BUILDER FIRST For small-scale renovations, including an extension, you might go straight to a local building firm – but your project may still need planning permission from your local authority. An architect will produce a set of plans designed to gain approval and help you through the planning process. Even if your project does not require planning permission (as in the case of internal alterations), always consult a structural engineer, who can advise on the integrity of the building and highlight potential issues. Barn conversions are popular at the moment, not least because former agricultural buildings are generally cheap to buy and offer countryside views. But vehicle access, the poor condition of the building and drainage can present challenges.

DO FIND AN ARCHITECT WITH RENOVATION EXPERIENCE Always do your research to find an architect who has previously worked on renovation projects in the past, particularly if you are working on a period and/or listed building. Look for someone who will help you restore it in a sensitive way, making the most of original features. DON’T GET CARRIED AWAY WITH BIG IDEAS As you’ll know from the many home improvement shows on TV, it is all-too-easy to go over budget when ideas get out of hand. We might be called in when a property owner has been too eager to make major changes and has to obtain retrospective approval from building control or planning permission. Without this, you might be forced to take down an extension or restore the building to its original state. While some local authorities are more receptive to an individual seeking retrospective permission than others, it is always better to get expert advice if your renovation contravenes any regulations. Farrow Walsh has offices on Highcross Street Leicester, as well as in Birmingham. For more details visit www.farrowwalsh.com.

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TRAVEL.

The most photogen

Croatia is one of the most striking holiday destinations in the world, and a picture-perfect place to snap Insta-worthy upload our three top locations with photo tips on where you can capture those all-important holiday shots.

PLITVICE LAKES

the park boasts lush greenery and in Winter, there’s likely the park is likely to be covered in snow and the waterfalls frozen. The orange and browns of Autumn are also a hit as are the fresh spring days with rushing waterfalls from the melting snow. May, June, September and October are considered the best months. July and August are the busiest months, so avoid if you dislike the crowds.

Protected in one of the oldest national parks in the region, the Plitvice Lakes has become famous around the world as one of the most beautiful natural spots. It’s no wonder really with boardwalks suspended over turquoise waters, spectacular viewpoints and photogenic waterfalls; this is the type of place that is perfect for visitors of all ages.

GETTING THERE:

With plenty of ground to cover (73,000 acres to be exact), there are several ways to get around the lakes. There are four hiking trails split into seven different routes to tour the park. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can also get around by boat or shuttle. You can visit in all seasons. In summer

Fly direct to Split from Birmingham with Jet2.com. Flights depart twice weekly during the summer season on a Wednesday and a Sunday. Once you land, travelling from Split to Plitvice is easy. A one-way trip from Split to Plitvice by car is a two-and-ahalf-hour drive.

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ARENA IN PULA Rome doesn't have the only colosseum. Around a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Spilt you’ll find The Arena of Pula. Constructed between 27 BC and 68 AD, it’s the 6th largest coliseum in the world and only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have a four-sided tower. You can get a decent view of the Arena from just walking around the outside, but the entrance fee allows you to clamber around the stones and visit the underground chambers. The underground passages, once used by the gladiators, and built to hold

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nic spots in Croatia

ds. From natural beauty, scenic coastlines and cute cobbled towns, there’s plenty to inspire your next photo album. Check out

20,000 spectators is still used today as an outdoor cinema and to host events as diverse as ice hockey, foodie markets and much more. Make sure you check out what events are on during your visit.

GETTING THERE: Fly direct to Pula from Birmingham with Jet2.com and TUI. Flights depart three times a week during the summer season on a Tuesday, Saturday and a Sunday. Once you land, there are shuttle buses that take you directly to Pula bus station and from there, taxis and city buses take you to the various parts of town. Alternatively, you can rent a car from Pula Airport.

THE OLD CITY WALLS The old city walls of Dubrovnik are one of the city’s best-known features. Built-in the 10th century and modified in the 13th and 14th centuries, these tough walls - as high as six metres and up to six metres thick - provided a solid defence against invaders back in the day. Game of Thrones fans will be excited to learn that a number of scenes were shot in, around and on top of the walls. Totalling nearly two kilometres in length, Dubrovnik’s city walls make a great spot for a casual stroll and offer numerous excellent views and perfect picture opportunities.

GETTING THERE: Fly direct to Dubrovnik from Birmingham with Jet2.com and TUI. Flights depart four times a week during the summer season. Once you land, you can jump on one of the regular buses that take you direct to the city or in a taxi or private transfer. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 37

TRAVEL NEWS. EASYJET ANNOUNCES NEW ROUTE FROM BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT easyJet, Europe’s leading airline has announced that it will introduce a new route, starting in the spring from Birmingham Airport to Glasgow. easyJet’s new domestic route starts on 29th March 2020 and will operate 13 times a week between the two cities. The short flight is expected to be especially popular amongst those travelling on business and commuters travelling between the two major UK cities. easyJet started flying from Birmingham in December 2007 with its route to Geneva and has since added services to Belfast.

THOSE WERE THE DAYS… BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT CELEBRATES ITS 80TH BIRTHDAY On the 8th July Birmingham Airport marked eighty years since HRH The Duchess of Kent officially opened Birmingham Airport, then known as Elmdon. Over the past eight decades, the airport has handled some 275 million passengers and grown to serve 13 million people each year. Just two months after the opening on a rainy day on the 8th July 1939, the Second World War broke out, the Air Ministry requisitioned the airport and all civil flying ended. However, on the 8th July 1946, exactly seven years to the day, the airport reopened for civil flying. By the early 70s it was handling one million passengers a year and in 1981 development started for a new terminal on the opposite side of the runway, where it operates still today. On the 30th May 1984, Her Majesty the Queen opened the new facilities which had capacity for three million passengers and in the first year of the new operation saw record numbers of passengers. Today, Birmingham Airport serves 150 direct flights and a further 340 onward connections world-wide, supporting 8000 on-site jobs. In the last 10 years alone, it has invested more than £300m to develop its infrastructure to enlarge the terminal, build a new pier and air traffic control tower as well as additional car parks, hangars, hotels and extending the runway to enable aircraft to fly further. The airport is now about to embark on a 15 year, half a billion-pound investment programme that will transform the terminal site even further.

The flights from Birmingham to Glasgow will operate all year round and easyJet expects to carry 180,000 passengers in the first year alone operating on its A319 and A320 aircraft. WIZZ AIR ANNOUNCES NEW ROUTE FROM BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT Wizz Air have launched two new routes from Birmingham Airport to Poland; Poznań, Poland’s fifth largest city and Krakow - the seventh Wizz Air route to operate from Birmingham Airport. Travellers to Poznań can expect an abundance of things to see and do including a choice of historical attractions and museums, renaissance-style architecture, as well as dining and nightlife options to suit a range of tastes. Those wishing to explore Krakow, a city known for its old-world ambiance and charm, can experience a range of exciting galleries, cafes, pubs and restaurants. One-way fares to Poznań and Krakow start from £17.99. Visit www.wizzair.com

AIR INDIA RESUMES SIX DIRECT WEEKLY SERVICES TO INDIA FROM BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT Air India has resumed its six weekly direct flight schedule to Delhi and Amritsar from Birmingham Airport, following a short period of reduced frequencies due to airspace restrictions out of the airline’s control. The reestablished schedule commences on Indian Independence Day. Direct services are available three times weekly to Delhi and onwards to Amritsar each Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, and three times weekly to Amritsar and onwards to Delhi each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The flights are operated by Air India’s Boeing 787 ‘Dreamliner’, with 18 seats in the business class cabin and 238 in economy, and customers have access to a 38 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

further 42 onward destination across the Indian-subcontinent via the airline’s Delhi hub. Air India first began operating from Birmingham Airport in 2013, with direct flights to Delhi. The airline expanded its Birmingham operation in 2018 with non-stop services to Amritsar, serving the Midlands’ strong demand for friends and relatives wanting direct access to the Punjab. Over this six-year period, some 750,000 passengers have used Air India services, and with the resumption of this six weekly schedule, there are 3,000 seats available between India and Birmingham each week on the non-stop flights.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been so much progress since we opened the original terminal, Elmdon, 80 years ago. We are proud to play a part in the lives of people across the Midlands: creating jobs, helping to drive the economy and connecting the region to far-flung corners of the globe. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whisking you away on holiday, taking you to that important business meeting or bringing you together with loved ones, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here for your journey.

TRAVEL

W il i llkomm lkomm e n

Vienna, Austria’s glorious capital is located on the banks of the mighty River Danube and close to the borders of Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Vienna’s historic centre features imposing castles, opulent buildings reflecting Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles, beautiful verdant parks, and the late 19th century Ringstraße. The centre of Vienna was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and in 2018 a study undertaken by the Economist Intelligence Unit, ranked the city as the best in the world for its quality of life. The city, which is crammed with art museums, places of interest and popular attractions continues to draw more than 6.8 million tourists every year writes Rebecca Underwood.

My explorations of Vienna’s rich cultural heritage began at the dazzling Hofburg Palace, which was the centre of the Habsburg monarchy from 1273 to 1918 and includes the Imperial Treasury where the Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, which dates back to the 10th century, is displayed. The glittering treasures include the Imperial Austrian Crown, which was made for the Emperor Rudolf II in 1602, the Imperial Cross, the Holy Lance and an extensive collection of elaborate coronation vestments. Also on display is one of the world’s largest emeralds and of course it is absolutely mesmerising. The Hofburg Palace is also the principal venue for the world famous Silvesterball, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on 31 December this year. Keen to develop a deeper understanding of the Habsburgs I headed for the Imperial Apartments, which served as the residence 40 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

of Emperor Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, who was affectionately known as Sisi. The 24 rooms offer the visitor an opportunity to take a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era and with 24 rooms crammed with twinkling crystal chandeliers, beautiful furniture, statues and works of art, there is much to admire. The Sisi Museum, also within the Hofburg complex, celebrates the life of Empress Elisabeth and exhibits include many of her personal possessions and portraits, which capture her beauty. Seeking a place to relax, I headed for another popular attraction, which is a short stroll away, within the Hofburg Palace complex. The Imperial Butterfly House, which was once a retreat for Emperor Franz Josef I and Sisi, the Empress of Austria, is a tropical oasis, housed within a beautiful Art Noveau palm house, provides the ideal spot to take a seat when a busy itinerary affects the feet. 400 free flying, colourful butterflies flutter around past waterfalls, settling on exotic plants and enticing all visitors. Due to its impressive musical legacy, which stretches from the era of Viennese Classicism up to the beginning of the 20th century, Vienna is known as the city of music and has been home to many celebrated composers of international recognition. Birthplace of Schubert, Strauss, Schoenberg and Berg, Vienna also became home to Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms, Mahler and Mozart. To appreciate Vienna’s musical heritage I attended an exceptional performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Karlskirche on Argentinierstraße. St Charles Church, one

of Vienna’s many architectural gems, was completed in 1739 and features the most beautiful cupola. The High Altar, which has undergone renovation, captures the viewer as it has regained its original colourful grandeur. The frescoes within the cupola represent the glory of Saint Charles Borromeo, the patron saint of the Habsburg Emperor Charles VI, and it is a spectacular sight. In 1741 Vivaldi died in Vienna and he was buried a few metres away from Karlskirche, which is the ideal venue for such a stirring concert, expertly performed by the Orchestra 1756 on period instruments. Following the concert and in search of a tasty bite to eat, I headed for the Café Motto am Fluss located on Franz Josefs Kai, beside the Danube. Whilst admiring the view and watching the various vessels sailing sedately by I sampled the delicious Asparagus Risotto, which was served with aplomb, and accompanied by a glass of 2017 Gruner Veltliner Belle Naturelle, it was a first class dish. For a more formal affair, the Restaurant Motto am Fluss, on the floor below, serves an outstanding dish of crispy pork, glazed in Tong Hao, chilli, honey and served with spicy carrot and a glass of 2017 Chardonnay Juris enhances the flavours to another level. There is a wide selection of hotels in

n t o Vienna Vienna but for those seeking space, peace and privacy the Aparthotel Adagio is ideal. The property is located on Uraniastrasse beside the Danube with tram stops right outside and the historic city centre is within walking distance. Facilities include a fitness centre, a sauna, private indoor parking, complimentary Wifi and a self-service laundry room.

My spacious one bedroom airconditioned apartment featured a huge balcony overlooking the Danube and it was the ideal spot to relax with a tipple after a full day of explorations. The lounge featured contemporary furnishings including a plump sofa and footstool with a huge television/radio and the kitchen included all the gadgets required to rustle up a breakfast. There is a supermarket with an excellent deli just a short hop and skip away but as my cooking skills are rather lacking I succumbed to a late lie-in and opted for the scrumptious hot and cold buffet breakfast and made plans for the day. Another of Vienna’s major attractions is St Stephen’s Cathedral and I took a leisurely stroll beside the Danube and then made my way to Stephensplatz. Founded in 1137 the cathedral is an outstanding example of Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles

and features a multi-coloured opulent roof consisting of 230,000 glazed, patterned tiles, which, when flooded in golden sunlight is a magnificent spectacle. On the south side, there is a mosaic of the double-headed eagle which represents the empire, once ruled by the Habsburgs. St Stephen’s Cathedral is the resting place of Frederick III, the first Emperor of the House of Habsburg. His tomb is adorned with 240 statues and is a fine example of medieval workmanship. The cathedral, which was constructed in limestone, soars 446 feet high and the south bell tower is a principal feature in Vienna’s skyline. It is said that the composer Beethoven realised the extent of his deafness when he noticed birds flying out of the bell tower and did not hear the bells ringing. Strolling back towards my hotel and feeling peckish I spotted the Hard Rock Café on Rotenturmstraße. I was swiftly escorted to a table in the British section and as I devoured the delicious baby back ribs and sipped on my sparkling blackberry sangria I tried, to no avail, to avoid being distracted by a spellbinding collection of memorabilia, which includes Mick Jagger’s military style coat worn during the Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour, Ian Anderson’s (of Jethro Tull) flute convair, John Entwistle’s (of The Who) bass guitar, the Moody Blue’s Minimoog synthesizer and signed photographs of the Beatles, the piccolo trumpet played on Penny Lane, and Sgt Pepper’s horn arrangement, signed by the Fab Four. I raised my glass to the wonderful city of Vienna and to the music and lyrics of Lennon and McCartney…… ‘And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make’.

‘TOP TIP’- FLIGHTS TO VIENNA ‘Fly the flag’ with British Airways direct from London Heathrow to Vienna. Opt for business class, which includes a guaranteed aisle or window seat, 2 x 32 kilos checked baggage, a dedicated checkin area and access to the BA lounge. For more information visit britishairways.com

‘TOP TIP’ - AIRPORT TRANSFERS AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION Book private airport transfers for London Heathrow and Vienna. Take advantage of a reliable and punctual first class service. Prices are all inclusive and guaranteed in advance, so you can sit back and relax upon arrival. Visit blacklane.com

‘TOP TIP’ – ATTRACTIONS AND GETTING AROUND Purchase a Vienna Pass, which includes entrance fees to more than 60 attractions. For more information visit viennapass. com and for getting around a Vienna City Card valid for 24,48 or 72 hrs includes access to all public transport and discounts on a wide variety of attractions and more. Visit viennacitycard.at Visit the Vivaldi Four Seasons concert and the Imperial Butterfly House For more information and tickets visit www.concert-vienna.info/ and schmetterlinghaus.at dluxe-magazine.co.uk 41

DINING.

Sticky Toffee Apple & Pecan Cake With velvety, rich caramel, crunchy, nutty roasted pecans & sweet apple, this is the perfect dessert for Autumn entertaining.. All you need to do is add ice cream and enjoy! Originally from Nottingham, Cameron Lamb is a Patissier who has always had a passion for baking! After graduating from college he started in the midlands as a pastry chef before before moving to London to pursue his dream of becoming a world class pâtissier. After attending worshops by master pâtissier Eric Lanlard he was approached to work at his Patisserie in London, Cake – Boy. For more of Cameron’s recipes, head over to his blog www.cameronolamb.com or follow him on Instagram @cameronolamb.

INGREDIENTS: For the cake: 170g chopped dates 1 tsp bi-carbonate of soda 75g unsalted butter (softened) 120g Dark muscovado sugar 2 eggs 175g self raising flour 2 tbsp black treacle 1 small apple 80g chopped roasted pecans 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt For the pecan praline: 100g caster sugar 80g chopped roasted pecans For the caramel sauce: 100g unsalted butter 100g light muscovado sugar 100ml double cream

METHOD: Pre-heat your oven to 180° (160° fan), then grease and line your cake tin. Start by pouring 160ml of boiling water over the chopped dates. Into this mix add the bicarb and set aside to go soft. Slice the apple into little cubes (you can keep the skin on), then put this to one-side. 42 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Using a free standing mixer or a hand whisk, cream together the butter with the sugar. Once fluffy and paler in colour, add the black treacle and vanilla and mix it in. Once combined, add the eggs one by one until incorporated. When incorporated fold in the date/water mixture. Now gently fold in the flour, cinnamon & salt. Followed by the chopped pecans and apple. Turn the mixture out into the tin and bake for around 50 minutes to 1 hour, or insert a skewer into the centre to make sure it comes out clean. Once baked, leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out. At this point you can either leave it as just the cake, or turn it into a show stopping dessert! For the dessert I trimmed the edges off the cake and sliced it into 4. Follow the steps below for the Pecan Praline and Caramel Sauce.

a saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat. When you have a pale caramel colour, add the chopped pecans and stir in. Continue to cook for a little longer, stirring until you have achieved a nice golden caramel colour. Once ready, tip the mixture onto the tray and leave to cool for at least 30 minutes to harden. When it has set, using a rolling pin, smash the praline into crumbs. Caramel Sauce: This can be made just before you want to serve the desserts as it's quick to make and will be nice and hot. Alternatively you can make this in advance if you prefer, and re-heat the sauce just before you serve it up. Cut the butter into cubes and place into a saucepan along with the sugar.

Pecan Praline:

Place over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved, allow to boil for a couple of minutes.

Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper and then set to one-side.

Then add the cream and stir, once all combined its ready to serve!

Place the sugar and 30ml of water into

Makes a 6” Square cake or 4 desserts

structured. Serve on its own or with lightly cooked seafood, fish tartare or duck. An exquisite accompaniment to a decadent breakfast, afternoon tea or garden party, England’s famous Nyetimber Cuvée Chérie Demi-Sec, £35.99, is backlit with lemon zest, runny honey, orchard fruit, clementine and meringue; the sweetness and acidity in perfect balance. Harvey Nichols Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, £16, is produced by the Sorelle Bronca estate and combines hallmark fruit and frivolity with complexity and finesse. Fabulously fruity, it’s bursting with flavours of pear, red apple and ripe peach all set against a subtle mineral charged backdrop. Drink on its own or with light canapé style nibbles.

FABULOUS FIZZ Celebrate in style with Champagne and sparkling wines bursting with bubbles and flavour. From party-ready Prosecco to luxe releases, there’s something for everyone, every budget and every occasion.

With its hand-painted Art Nouveau bottle, Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé 2006, £230, is renowned for its perfumed bouquet and elegant palate of raspberry, cherry, peony and roses. Sublimely long on the finish, and with great ability to age and improve over time, it’s the stylish way to toast any special occasion. From one of the world’s most loved Champagne houses,

Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV Gold Limited Edition, £50, offers a vibrant and alluring nose of pear, peach and citrus. The palate is a great balance between the generous aromas of white fruits and the fine, elegant bubbles. Perfectly pairs with sushi, scallops, oysters and white meats. Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV, £57, is a fine and elegant balance between freshness and complexity. The nose is reminiscent of white fruits and raisins, evolving in vanilla and brioche. On the palate, it’s powerful and well-

Château Léoube’s Sparkling de Léoube, £40.50, is bursting with crunchy peach, pink grapefruit, red apple and redcurrant teamed with delicate notes of toasted hazelnuts and almonds. Owned by Daylesford Organic, this pure and simple tipple captures the essence of the French Riviera.

For more food and drink news as well as recipes and wine lists and cocktail masterclasses visit www.dluxe-magazineco.uk

THE DIARY.

44 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL THE 80s LIVE comes to De Montfort HalL there is an appetite for these songs and the memories they evoke. “I was slightly removed, Gary Davies who is doing the full tour was at the heart of it all because he started at Radio 1 in 82 and was there at national radio level for all of the decade. I started at Radio 1 at Christmas 87. So I was five years behind him, I was in Glasgow at Clyde and Forth in Edinburgh and Metro in Newcastle, so did see it in a different way slightly. The songs from the end of the era we feature in the show I was playing at Radio 1. “The series was huge from the beginning, Gary said it changed the game for compilations. Now came out three times a year which was very good judgement, that was enough to capture all the most significant hits but wasn’t too much that they were always trying to sell them an album and that made people get into the brand and want to connect it as they have in their millions.”

Whether you grew up in the 80s, 90s or 00s, it’s simply impossible that you won’t own at least one NOW album - and the vast majority of us own a hell of a lot more. The definitive compilation albums revolutionised the music industry when they first appeared in the early 80s, and quickly became the essential musical purchase three times a year when the new Now That’s What I Call Music album dropped, whether on vinyl, cassette, later CD and later still download. Now, though, there’s an entirely new way to experience the phenomenon of these albums - with Now That’s What I Call The 80s LIVE. This all-star show is a unique theatrical and musical experience with a stellar band, astonishing West End singers and hosts and former Radio 1 stalwarts Gary Davies and Mark Goodier. They’ll be performing songs by huge artists like Whitney Houston, Duran Duran, Bon Jovi, Wham!, Madonna, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Billy Joel. And MC and former Radio 1 star Mark Goodier is absolutely thrilled to be on board. Mark, who has voiced the TV ads for the Now albums since Now 21, is delighted to continue the association with a brand he adores. He told us: “I am very excited, I have been lucky enough to do the album voiceovers since Now 21 in the early 90s and started my radio career in 1980 so it means I am very familiar with all these songs and I currently do a daily show on Greatest Hits radio which is Bauer’s national gold station so we play these hits all the time. So

Of course it’s all about the songs and the track listing is simply incredible, an era-defining blend of hits form all styles and some of the most iconic artists on the planet. Mark said: “I wasn’t involved in selecting the track list but if I had been asked to do it, it would have been a very similar list. This is an absolute blockbuster set of songs that people will know, love, sing along to, evoke memories and be part of the soundtrack of the audience’s lives. If you were in the 80s watching TOTP these songs are hard to beat.” Obviously the 80s, in terms of music, style and everything in between, are hugely cool now, something no-one at the time could see coming. Goodier said: “The 80s wasn’t cool for a long time but now it is but those songs will evoke memories of your first job, of having kids, someone who was in their teens in the 80s. I was 21 so was a young adult playing these songs on the radio. Looking down the list many of the artists and the bands were British behind the biggest hits of the decade. We lead the way in a lot of ways. There was New Romantic and beyond but the 80s yielded some of the best British pop songwriting. We had it in the 60s then Bowie, Bolan and many more in the 70s and the 80s showed we could still do it. “The 80s are very cool again, when you’re in the 90s looking back the 80s is close and you’ve heard the records a lot, it maybe takes time to get music and life into perspective. The 80s is an area of music nostalgia people love wallowing in and have done now for at least 15 years. There is a difference now - the music now, I don’t want to sound like an old git, it’s about hooks and beats, someone amazing like Ed

Sheeran occasionally does both, but then it was about great songs. The quantities of records sold, the careers made, George Michael, Culture Club, Eurythmics, they are still played a lot and have stood the test of time. “Of course it’s right that the music then had a big influence on some music now. Most of the people at the shows will be people who remember the songs first time around but not all, if you’re from a family that loves music you might have been a young kid in the 80s and 90s and you know the songs from home so they span a much greater period than those of us who were just there. “When you get to the 90s you look back and say the haircuts were not great, I have a mullet in my wedding photo, but Gary always came across like he had a bit of fashion sense, I had zero. I don’t think I was ever cool certainly. The music stands the test of time of being right up there at a very high quality. Never Gonna Give You Up, a massive song, amazing but SAW were not cool at the time but Rick has subsequently become very cool with Rickrolling. You do reappraise music and there is no fight you can pick and win with any of the songs on this show as they are all great.” He said: “Not only are the songs great but the band and the quality of the singers are second to none, a night of incredible memories and one to remember. If you went to see a band in concert they may talk for 20 seconds, our job is to bring the songs to life and help people retrieve memories, set up and tease the songs coming up. I’d say it’s like a 1980s revue. In the 70s when the Motown revue went out they did all the hits, here you will hear all the big hits in one place, which is amazing. “The performance show is a nice twist, it’s a concert show not a jukebox musical but the songs are so strong it will be quite evocative, it will be a night of great memories and celebration. This little island has produced some of the greatest songs over the years so this sountrack will be incredible. It’s had a huge influence everywhere. We are talking about the 80s before everyone was on a different screen, five people on five phones and a TV and a console all in the same room at the same time, this is a time when people had little to compete with music for their attention so the passion and connection was stronger, it’s another reason it will work so well.” For tickets visit www.demontforthall.co.uk

WIN!

We’ve got two pairs of tickets to giveaway. For your chance to win, visit www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk or find us on Facebook dluxe-magazine.co.uk 45

THE DIARY.

SEPTEMBER XTREME Scream Park

27th September- 31st October at Twinlakes Theme Park, Melton Mowbray

Britain’s Got Talent. In his hilarious, daring new show, Daliso looks at disgraced, blacklisted celebrities and historical figures we're ashamed we once admired. There's also the small matter of family member arrests, exploding buildings in his home country and the enterprising Malawian who tried to blackmail him.

Especially for Halloween the award- winning and best Scream Park in the UK as voted by ScarCon.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra

29 September at De Montfort Hall Ray's in the mood, as the world's greatest big band transports you back to the heady days and music of the 1940s, with the fabulous harmonies of the Moonlight Serenaders and the sublime vocals of Catherine Sykes and Mark Porter.

OCTOBER My Beautiful Laundrette Until the 5th October at Curve Theatre

This bold new production of Kureshi’s ground-breaking film explores cultural conflict, gender equality, class and generational strife, all presented against a funky backdrop of 80s music and culture.

Romesh Ranganathan

3rd & 4th October at De Montfort Hall

Romesh is back with a brand new show The Cynic’s Mixtape, his most brutally honest show yet.

Comedian and Impressionist Luke Kempner hosts an ultimate reality show where no one is off limits. Expect celebrities, politicians and even royalty going head to head in Luke's hit show; House of Faces.

Fastlove

5th October at De Montfort Hall

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

2nd October at De Montfort Hall

What's Love Got To Do With It? is the joyous new show celebrating the music of the incredible Tina Turner.

Frank Skinner Luke Kempner

27th September at The Y Theatre, Leicester 46 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

27th September at De Montfort Hall

An unmissable opportunity to see comic legend Frank Skinner perform brand new stand-up in an intimate space.

Daliso Chaponda - Blah Blah Blacklist 4th October 2019 at Sue Townsend Theatre Daliso shot to fame on

Direct from London's West End, this is the world's favourite George Michael tribute show.

Velma Celli: Equinox

5th October at Curve Leicester

Equinox is a love letter to all the witches and magical creatures who have graced our stages and screens. Velma Celli is utterly spellbinding as she sings the siren songs of the hags and creatures that go bump in the night.

CURVE, ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON & SIMON FRIEND PRESENT In association with Hachette Children’s Group and Coolabi Group

LIVE ON STAGE Based on the bestselling book by

GILES ANDREAE

23 NOV – 11 JAN

WEST SIDE STORY

JEROME ROBBINS ARTHUR LAURENTS LEONARD BERNSTEIN STEPHEN SONDHEIM Based on a conception of

Book by

Music by

Lyrics by

Entire Original Production Directed and Choreographed by

JEROME ROBBINS

NIKOLAI FOSTER Choreographer ELLEN KANE Set Designer MICHAEL TAYLOR Costume Designer EDD LINDLEY Musical Supervisor SARAH TRAVIS Lighting Designer GUY HOARE Sound Designer TOM MARSHALL Casting Director KAY MAGSON CDG Director

Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince by arrangement with Roger L. Stevens Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited

GUY PARKER-REES

9 – 31 DEC

Director JULIA THOMAS Composer TASHA TAYLOR JOHNSON

THE DIARY.

The guy everyone can do an impression of is back with a brand new stand up tour.

AUTUMN AT LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN HALL

Diwali

Bardi Symphony Orchestra

6th October at De Montfort Hall

The wonderful Bardi Symphony Orchestra returns to De Montfort Hall! The Bardi's new season opens with well-known music from two great Austrian composers. The orchestra's own wind soloists begin the concert with Mozart's sublime Concertante for Winds, with the towering Romantic fourth symphony by Bruckner as a contrast in the second half. Loughborough Town Hall’s Autumn season is packed with shows and performances for all tastes, as the Charnwood-based venue gears up for another busy season. Live music is at the heart of an exciting programme, with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members The Drifters coming to Loughborough to celebrate their many years together, with classic hits like Saturday Night at the Movies, Under the Boardwalk and many more.

And from Musical Theatre to Opera, as Britain’s most popular soprano Lesley Garrett presents a delightful evening of song, reminiscences and chat. Her behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes will give audiences a unique insight into her life on the stage, including her recent appearances in Carousel and The Sound of Music. Featuring expertise and insight from across a wide range of genres, the season is packed with fascinating talks, including performance poet Benjamin Zephaniah who, as part of his first tour for eight years, explains how he fought injustice and discrimination to lead a remarkable life, while sharing a selection of favourite stories and poems. This Autumn also features wildlife cameraman Doug Allan, whose work on Blue Planet and Planet Earth has seen him become one of the world’s best known and respected cameramen. Later on in the season, we head towards a more sports-based focus as 3 times UCi Downhill World Champion Greg Minnaar, who takes audiences on the journey of his incredible enduring racing career and the bikes that got him there. This Autumn’s comedy season sees Mock The Week regular Ed Byrne return to Loughborough with his brand new tour, as Ed takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has ANY traits that are worth passing on to his children. Best Show nominee at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2017 and 2018, Ahir Shah brings his new stand-up show DOTS, featuring Shah’s signature blend of philosophical inquiry, personal examination, and real fun jokes, DOTS explores love, politics, culture, depression, and faith in an effort to examine the necessity, utility, presence, and absence of certainty…Probably! For more information on other performances and to book tickets, visit loughboroughtownhall.co.uk or call our Box Office on 01509 231914. 48 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Fireworks across the dark winter sky, tempting and exotic aromas of Indian feasts in the air, music and laughter, celebration and lights… colourful lights, everywhere: this is Diwali in Leicester, and it truly is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Cabaret

15th – 19th October at Curve Theatre, Leicester

It’s 1931, Berlin is a haven of divine decadence and the legendary Sally Bowles is about to take the stage at the infamous Kit Kat Klub…

The venue also sees a new approach with Classical music added to the programme, with Grammy nominated Sinfonia Viva bringing their Autumn Classics show, featuring a full 30 piece orchestra to the stage, featuring well-known pieces from across film and television including Mozart, Morricone and Tchaikovsky. Musical Theatre star and Holby City actor Lee Mead brings his national tour to Loughborough this season also, as he discusses his story from winning the hit TV series Any Dream Will Do to performing in some of greatest musicals, including Wicked, Joseph and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (with a few of the classic songs along the way).

13th-27th October at Belgrave Road and Venues across Leicester

Midge Ure

8th October at De Montfort Hall

Brought to life by Midge Ure and Band Electronica, this is the very first time in the 40 years since it was made that the Vienna album will be performed in its entirety.

Ben Elton Live

17th October at De Montfort Hall

Daniel Sloss

11th October at De Montfort Hall Don't miss Daniel Sloss: X' , the stunning live show from Scotland's internationally acclaimed and award-winning star of two global smash-hit Netflix specials 'DARK' & 'Jigsaw' (190 countries and 26 languages)

Josh Widdicombe 12th October at De Montfort Hall

Now, after a 15 year absence, the Godfather of modern stand-up returns to the medium he did so much to define. Back on the road with an all new stand-up show, Ben promises to try and make sense of a world which appears to have gone stark raving mad.

The Greatest Halloween Circus

18th-27th October at Twinlakes Theme Park, Melton Mowbray

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THE DIARY.

KING RICHARD III PUB: Relaunch Event

Summer saw the official relaunch of the King Richard III Pub & Chophouse in Leicester, which is now part of the acclaimed Leicestershire independent, The Beautiful Pubs Collective. Guests had the opportunity to look around the stunningly refurbished pub; taste highlights from their mouthwatering summer menu and enjoy a King Richard III gin or cask ale in the leafy surrounds of the garden – a real oasis. At the front of the pub, which is situated on Highcross Street, is a cosy bar with plenty of Victorian charm, including a feature wall dedicated to the pub’s namesake. There’s a variety of drinks on offer, from cask ales and coffee to wine and gin. Handmade bar snacks are also available, including mini pies and scotch eggs. Those looking for something a little more substantial won’t be disappointed, as at the rear of the venue is a chophouse which specialises in locally sourced meat on the bone, cooked on a robata coal grill. Their aim is to offer the best steaks in the city. That said, vegetarians are equally well catered for. Whether you’re meeting friends for an after work drink, popping in for a quick lunch when out shopping at the weekend, or looking for somewhere special to go for a date night – the King Richard III Pub & Chophouse won’t disappoint. See our pics from the event on page 54. 50 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Their fabulous show has received a refresh and been re-imagined for its Halloween debut. Everything you loved about their Easter and Summer circus will return this Halloween including singa-longs from The Greatest Showman film, wheel of death and circus skills after the performance where everyone can get involved all with a Halloween theme!

taboo-breaking plays of the 1950s, offering an explosive celebration of the vulnerabilities and strengths of the female spirit in a deprived and restless world.

Squeeze

22nd October at De Montfort Hall

Squeeze have announced their brand new tour The Difford And Tilbrook Songbook 2019, which will see the SouthLondon legends play their extensive list of hits as well as some rare, lesser known gems from their back catalogue and solo careers.

Paddy Power Champions League of Darts 19th-20th October at Morningside Arena

The world's top eight players will compete across two days in the Paddy Power Champions League of Darts on October 19-20 2019 at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.

Priscilla Queen of The Desert – The Musical

28th October – 2nd November at Curve, Leicester

The Next Step

21st October at De Montfort Hall

Following the success of The Next Step Live UK tour in 2017 and continued ratings success on CBBC, the A-Troupe dancers have today announced that The Next Step will return with a brand new live show for 2019 - Absolute Dance Live On Stage.

A Taste of Honey

22nd – 26th October at Curve Theatre, Leicester A Taste of Honey is one of the great defining and

With more glitter than ever before, this smash-hit show features a dazzling array of stunning costumes, fabulous feathers and a non-stop parade of dance-floor classics including Hot Stuff, I Will Survive, I Love The Nightlife and Finally!

One Under

29th – 30th October at Curve, Leicester

An evocative play about the power of guilt and the quest for atonement, award-winning playwright Winsome Pinnock and Graeae’s Associate Director Amit Sharma join forces to explore the fragility of human relationships in this reimagining of One Under.

Diversity

31st October at De Montfort Hall

After eight sell out UK tours, over half a million tickets sold, and countless television and

THE DIARY.

MEMORIES MADE AT MARRIOTT

live performances, Diversity have announced their landmark 10 Year Anniversary Tour UK tour, Born Ready for Autumn 2019.

Jonathan Pie

14th November at De Montfort Hall If no news is good news then good news is fake news. Jonathan Pie returns to the road once more to berate the people in power - and the journalists apparently holding them to account.

NOVEMBER Dead Men’s Eyes

2nd November at The Guildhall From big bashes to mini moments, Marriott Hotels UK has announced the launch of ‘Memories Made at Marriott’: another first for the innovative hotel chain in the UK and a concept that leads the social events industry. With an ever-growing demand for social events that are unique, individual and, of course, Instagram-friendly, Marriott have launched their ‘Memories Made at Marriott’ concept across their portfolio of over 50 hotels in the UK. Their belief that all of life's milestones are an occasion to be celebrated sees them not only introduce new bespoke packages, wish lists and new menus, but also a dedicated team of Memory Makers who are on-hand to perfect your party planning. From confetti balloons to delicious dessert tables right through to super-fashionable gin bars, decorative donut walls and DJs, it’s never been easier to create exceptional memories at Marriott. And if party planning is not your forte, fear not as that’s what the dedicated team of Memory Makers are there for. With an extensive array of different social events – ranging from weddings to wakes; birthdays to sports dinners - Marriott have created event categories to define their packages. To supplement the ‘Memories Made at Marriott’ packages, their new Wish List option includes everything from a red carpet arrival to a balloon wall, so every aspect of an event is social media-ready providing guests with a bespoke experience. The only limit is imagination. Using their chosen ‘Memories Made at Marriott’ package as a base, guests can choose to upgrade, add or swap items from the Wish List which includes assets including Ice Cream Stations, Champagne Bars, DJ & Disco, Videographers and lots more. To find out more about Memories Made at Marriott visit www.memoriesmademarriott.co.uk 52 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Dead Men's Eyes is the sixth instalment of Nunkie's M R James Project, a series of one-man shows that seek to revive the tradition of oral, supernatural storytelling that was perfected by Montague Rhodes James in Cambridge in the years leading up to World War One.

Abbey Park Bonfire and Fireworks Display

2nd November at Abbey Park Be dazzled by Leicester’s biggest bonfire and firework display at the city’s official celebration

Leicester Dram Fest

16th November at Mercure Leicester the Grand Hotel

On the back of the success of last year's Leicester Whisky Festival that was held at the National Space Centre, 23 Wine & Whiskey are bringing you the Leicester Dram Fest 2019 on 16th November 2019.

The Gruffalo

19th- 24th November at Curve

Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The Music of Bond

3rd November at De Montfort Hall Be Shaken and stirred by the music of the world's most famous secret service agent

West Side Story

23rd November- 11th January at Curve

Glenn Moore: Love Don't Live Here Glenny Moore

10th November at Sue Townsend Theatre Glenn Moore (star of Mock The Week, The Stand Up Sketch Show and Absolute Radio), presents his first solo UK tour, full of the distinctive jokes and offbeat gags we've learned to accept from him.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet and with a timeless score including Tonight, America and I Feel Pretty, West Side Story represents one of the greatest musicals of all time, filled with romance, charm, aggression and heartbreak.

Last Night of Autumn Proms

24th November at De Montfort Hall

Uplifting classics crowned with a Great British Proms finale!

littlebritainpubs Little Britain Pubs, Leicestershire

littlebritainpubs C H R I S T M A S Meet up with friends & family or have your work Christmas Party in one of our cosy country pubs. Receive 20% off our Christmas Party Menu between 28th Nov - 6th Dec but only if your’e organised...as you’ll need to book by 31st Oct! #theCurzonArmsWoodhouseEaves #theWindmillInnWymeswold #theBlueBellInnRothley #theCrownInnOldDalby #theLangtonArmsChurchLangton #christmasjumpersoptional www.littlebritainpubs.co.uk

HI SOCIETY.

After a bumper season of events and openings in