Dluxe Birmingham & Solihull - Issue 8

-1-

dluxe contents

WIN!

a GRAND DESIGNS weekend

Classic Icons

THE HISTORY OF the

LBD

Get the look:

AW13 TRENDS

vive la

FRANCE TRAVEL SPECIAL

DRIVEN: A LOOK AT THE NEW

AUDI A3 SALOON

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

h a r v e y n i c h o l s. c o m

dluxe contents

-2-

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

-3-

dluxe contents

THE NEW BREED W I T H J B R A N D, E Q U I P M E N T A N D S O P H I E H U L M E www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

E

-4-

ditor’s Letter

W

hat a summer! It may not have been filled with the Olympic glories of 2012 but 2013 has given us our fair share of sunshine enabling us to make the very most of the great outdoors. The dluxe team have fully embraced the change in climate, both at home and abroad, by embarking upon a summer filled with festivals and glamping with even Teddy, the office dog, making use of the pet passport scheme for a fun filled week of swimming in the Dordogne. (see our French Travel Special on page 48)

dressing, furnishing our homes and spending time with friends and family and within this issue you’ll find our guide to how to make the transition with style!

Our lead interview is with a true national treasure. Star of stage and screen Sian Phillips talks to us about her role in Alan Bennett’s ‘People’, currently at The REP that examines our relation with our own national treasures.

For the fashionistas amongst us there’s an overview of this season’s key trends as well as a guide on how to incorporate them into your wardrobe along with beauty for ladies and good grooming for the gentlemen.

We turn the spotlight on the exciting developments in the city, including the new Library of Birmingham, the refurbishment of The Mailbox and Grand Central.

As I write this the sun is still streaming through our office windows, yet the long term weather forecasts predict a thankfully dry yet colder than average autumn and winter. A new season brings with it a new way of living,

So pop the kettle on, check the central heating’s kicked in, sit back and relax with this new edition of dluxe.

Jonathan Fraser Editor

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

c

ontents Check out our AW13 trends in dluxe for him on p34.

06 dluxe Wish List…

A round up of all things

fabulous for the new season.

16 dluxe icons… A look back into the history of the four most famous words in fashion: The Little Black Dress...

20 dluxe Spotlight… We talk to national treasure Sian Phillips, star of Stage and Screen and appearing in Alan Bennett’s People.

24 dluxe Home… A look at how to make the most of your home before the dark nights set in. Let’s get cosy!

COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF: RADLEY

28 dluxe For Her… Trend Report. Time to sort out that wardrobe and make away for the latest trends, are you more Church or Rebel?

MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin Urquhart Kevin@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk

34 dluxe For Him… Boys don’t escape the change in trends, our guide for get ups for guys.

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

42 dluxe Paperwork… A look at the changing face of our Second City.

48 dluxe Travel Special… It all seems so far away, but this issue the dluxe team visited France en masse. Here’s our guide on where to go and how to get there.

CREATIVE MANAGER Mike Raven Mike@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk

56 dluxe Diary… Who was where, when and why as well as a sneak peak at what’s coming up in the region.

STAFF WRITER Matt Blackwell Matt@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk

66 dluxe Last Word… We spoke to Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive at Birmingham City Airport.

MARKETING Caroline Spence Caroline@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk

ADVERTISING SALES David Leach-Davis David@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk

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

For Editorial and Advertising Enquiries dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL Head Office: 59 Friar Lane, Leicester, LE1 5RB Tel: 0116 262 0728 Email: info@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk Web: www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk dluxemagazine

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

dluxemag

Disclaimer: Copyright 69 & dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE. 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 2013.

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxe contents

ISSUE 08 AUTUMN 2013

-5-

-6-

JAGUAR C-X17 CONCEPT ANNOUNCED

WISHL www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

GOODBYE SUNSHINE, HELLO ACCESSORIES!

-7-

Engineered and developed for Jaguar, the architecture is high-strength, lightweight and extremely stiff without compromising the unique character, dynamics, performance and luxury that Jaguar is famous for. It will enable Jaguar to grow its product portfolio, targeting high-growth areas of the premium market.

This growth is reflected in Jaguar’s announcement of the creation of 1700 jobs at its plant in Solihull which is set to build the range of aluminium vehicles, which will include a small saloon due in 2015, as well as the C-X17, the definitive build date for which has yet to be announced. www.jaguar.co.uk Stratstone Jaguar is at 639 Stratford Road, Solihull, B90 4BA

1

3 2

dluxe wishlist

Jaguar’s first ever sports crossover concept vehicle - the C-X17 - made its debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show with a an all-new advanced aluminium monocoque architecture that is set to be the blue print for all future Jaguars. And it’s a corker!

4

FOR HER We love autumn here at dluxe as it opens up so many possibilities when it comes to accessorising your outfit. From gloves and hats to scarves and bags, one of the key places to shop for those finishing touches this season is Solihull’s Mell Square Shopping Centre. With a wide range of high street retailers and an array of independent boutiques, you’re sure to find the right accessory for you.

Here’s a pick of some of our favourites!

Keep up to date with Mell Square at www.mellsquare-shopping.com

5

6

FOR HIM

LIST

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

8

7

1. 1930’s feather hat £16.99, TK Maxx, 2. Leather gloves £35, Marks and Spencer, 3. Nica Marnie cross body owl bag in musard £32, Aspire, 4. Black and gold ankle boot £29.99, New Look, 5. Ralph Lauren leather gloves £88, House of Fraser, 6. Woven check trapper £20, Fat Face, 7. Flat leather boots £58, Burton, 8. Blue knit patterned snood £18.00, TK Maxx

From two-time Oscar winner Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) comes this thrilling biopic about the rivalry between drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt during the 1976 Formula One season. Hunt the charismatic Englishman and Lauda the meticulous Austrian clash on and off the track, but after Lauda suffers a near-fatal crash a respect develops that lets them concentrate on racing. Howard excels at intelligent entertainment and Rush will appeal both to fans of motorsport and those new to this gripping story.

Our Hot Pick!

Showing Fri 13 Sep – Thu 26 Sep at the Electric Cinema. Tel. 0121 643 7879 or book online www.theelectric.co.uk

For your chance to win, simply visit:

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

& click competitions.

prizes include: tickets to Grand Designs Live at the NEC Birmingham Dinner and an overnight Stay at the Novotel Birmingham A signed copy of George Clarke’s new ‘Amazing Spaces’ book A signed copies of Kevin McCloud’s book

your very own

WIN!

dluxe wishlist

[RUSH]

-8-

! e c n e i r e exp

dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL have got together with the Grand Designs team to offer this amazing prize! Taking place from the 4 – 6 October, Grand Designs Live is based on the hugely popular Channel 4 TV show, Grand Designs, which has gained a huge following in the UK over the last 10 years. TV broadcaster and live show host, Kevin McCloud will be at the Birmingham show meeting fans, chairing debates in the Grand Theatre and sharing his Grand Design experiences with visitors. www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

GOT A SMARTPHONE? SCAN IT • GO THERE! Scan the code with your phone to take you straight to the website where you can be in with a chance of winning! or visit www. dluxe-magazine.co.uk for info.

Beauty

BEWITCHES BIRMINGHAM

With a classical score by Tchaikovsky and original choreography by Marius Petipa, The Sleeping Beauty is considered one of the greatest ballets from Imperial Russia.

On her christening day Princess Aurora is cursed by the wicked fairy Carabosse: one day the Princess will prick her finger on a spindle and die. But the kind Lilac Fairy tempers the curse so the Princess will instead fall asleep for 100 years.

This thrilling production, by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s former director Sir Peter Wright, creator of the Company’s beloved production of The Nutcracker, (itself running from 22 November - 12 December) features a romantic finale packed with every fairy-tale character imaginable and is a must see for all the family.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY is at Birmingham Hippodrome from 8th to 12th October and THE NUTCRACKER from 22 November to 12 December. For tickets, call 0844 338 5000 or visit www. birminghamhippodrome.com

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxe wishlist

THE SLEEPING

-9-

dluxe wishlist

- 10 -

Time for

[A Capital Idea!]

With summer holidays behind us, autumn lends itself perfectly to the minibreak. A bustling weekend away exploring the cultural highlights of a European city can put a halt to the winter blues but why not rediscover our own capital city and enjoy a break in London? After all, when was the last time you visited The National Gallery, took an open top bus or watched the changing of the guards? We thought so!

Start as you mean to go on by booking a stay at one of London’s most legendary addresses; Baker Street. The Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes, a short walk from Madame Tussauds and Oxford Street, strikes the right balance between the traditional trappings of a London hotel with modern convenience and contemporary design. We stayed in one of the hotel’s well appointed, bright and airy duplex suites which, thanks to its separate living space and mezzanine bedroom, made it the perfect place to plan and enjoy a weekend of exploration.

The Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes restaurant also features its own bistro style grill restaurant that specialises in fresh, informal food with a modernday twist. We enjoyed the Casterbridge Rib eye steak, cooked and rested well and served with sautéed spinach and potatoes and Sea Bass cooked with fennel and served with a medley of tomatoes and basil. Perfect.

Rooms at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes start from £329 per night.

For more information visit www.parkplazasherlockholmes.com

tea!

WE LOVE

Pavilions Birmingham is helping a local brother and sister see their future in the tea leaves as they open the region’s first loose leaf tea store on the lower ground level of the shopping centre.

Char Wallah offers over 70 different varieties of loose tea plus a calm and comfortable area where shoppers can relax and enjoy a pot of their choice. Don’t worry if you find the choice overwhelming as brother and sister duo Andy and Julie offer free samples of the tea to try before you buy. The store also sells a range of accessories including ornate glass tea pots and canisters.

Inspiration for the shop came from the seven years Andy spent in Australia where loose leaf shops and cafes are extremely popular and the concept has been backed up by science, with research showing drinking tea, particularly the loose leaf variety, helps boost the immune system and increase the metabolism. So what are you waiting for? Pop in for a cuppa!

Pavilions is @ 38 High Street, Birmingham, B4 7SL

WIN! A SHOPPING HAMPER WITH PAVILIONS Whether you are looking for a new wardrobe to celebrate the turning of the seasons or are just after a much needed style fix, we’ve teamed up with Pavilions Birmingham to offer you the perfect prize of £200 worth of store vouchers and luxury gifts.

Alongside anchor stores, Marks and Spencer and H&M, Pavilions has a selection of luxury independents such as gift and homeware boutique Wysteria Lane, ethical retailer PHB Ethical Beauty, and tea shop and café Char Wallah Tea, plus high street brands like L’Occitane and Moss too.

We’ve got a hamper to give away crammed full of vouchers to spend at M&S and H&M as well as new skincare products from PHB Ethical Beauty, a selection of L’Occitane’s new hair care collection plus unique gifts and goodies from Wysteria Lane!

For your chance to win simply go to www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk and click on competitions Terms and Conditions apply. www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxe wishlist

10

Bullring celebrates ITs

- 11 -

th

Birthday

th September. The day that Bullring 4 turned 10! That’s right, the region’s most iconic shopping centre is 10 this September and they’ll be celebrating in true Bullring style with a variety of installations and a visit from the UK’s ultimate girl group, The Saturdays.

During the month there’ll be celebrations throughout the centre with many of the shops and restaurants offering special discounts, offers and activity in-store.

Photo: Sandrine Dulermo and Michael Labica

And it wouldn’t be a celebration without the iconic bull getting involved would it? This September he’s celebrating in style in his birthday suit and there’s a chance for you to win a Bullring Gift Card. Stop by the bull between now and 29th September for more details.

Every celebration needs a finale, and Bullring’s 10th birthday finale is one not to be missed. During 28th – 29th September Bullring hosts The Show: Ten as part of the Autumn Fashion Fix, a celebration of AW13 fashion with a spectacular catwalk show. Make sure you save the date as the show will be joined by a very special guest host, Mollie King from The Saturdays’ on 28th September and don’t miss the finale show at 7pm when Mollie will be joined by the rest of her band mates for an exclusive performance. It’s the only place you want and need to be this September. Visit www.bullring.co.uk for more information and show times.

Join Bullring for a month of celebrations. Welcome to SepTENber. For more information about Bullring’s 10th birthday please visit www.bullring.co.uk.

...with some very special guests! www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

A YOUR DOOR Taste of Italy Delivered To

W

hilst we may all love the idea of leisurely perusing artisan produce markets, taking in each stall’s wares before selecting which gourmet ingredients to take home for the night’s feast, who in the real world has time to do this?

Put the Dolmio back in the cupboard because you do! Or at least you do now, all thanks to Italy in a Box, the recently launched Italian food delivery service.

Founded by a passionate team of UK based Italian foodies headed by Simone Luciani, the concept grew out of wanting to share their enthusiasm for high quality Italian delicacies. Simone and the team offer to travel the length and breadth of Italy, visiting some of the country’s finest independent producers in order to handpick the best products and delicacies, many of which would not be available in the UK otherwise, and deliver them to your door in a neat and tidy package, all for just £35.

In addition to the five or six products that make up the package of provisions, you’ll also receive recipes so that you can reproduce authentic Italian dishes at home. Authenticity will be something that lies at the heart of all the recipes included as they convey the secrets of regional Italian cooking and aim to show us all that with the right ingredients, a little time, effort and love we can all rustle up some outstanding Italian meals to enjoy at home with family and friends – just like the Italians do! And who are we to argue?

After all, you know what they say: when in Rome…

To find out more go to www.italyinabox.co.uk

Let There Be Light Ever craved the sophisticated lighting systems you’ve seen on the interior design shows? Well the new range of Hue wireless LED bulbs from Phillips may well be just what you’re looking for thanks to their ability to recreate any colour in the spectrum and operated by your iPhone OR iPad. The LED technology inside every Hue wireless LED bulb is a little bit special and they couldn’t be easier to install. Just pick the lights or lamps you want to give the Hue makeover and screw the wireless bulbs in. Then connect the Hue ‘bridge’ to your wireless network, download the free app and turn the light switch on, so there’s electricity running to the bulb, and you’re all done. It really is that simple.

You can use the app to capture the colours from any photo on your phone. Simply drag the pointer to a colour in your photo and the Hue bulb will change to that colour straight away. You can create multiple saved lighting schemes to choose from depending on your mood and even control them from outside the home.

The Office

Must Have!

The Philips Hue starter pack includes the ‘bridge’ and three bulbs and costs £179.95 from any Apple store.

BULLRING’S

‘Unforgettable’ THE STAGE

22 November– 12 December

Diaries at the ready: 28th – 29th September, save the date. It’s Autumn Fashion Fix at Bullring; a weekend packed with exclusive offers and discounts, a fashion show fronted by Mollie King and a very special performance by The Saturdays.

Music star and fashionista Mollie King will host The Show: Ten, an AW13 catwalk show, on Saturday 28th September on the Lower West Mall. See some of the season’s most divine trends come to life on-stage with products available from your favourite Bullring shops.

Fans of The Saturdays need to get down for the 7pm showing where Mollie will be joined on stage by the rest of her band mates for a special performance to celebrate Bullring’s 10th Birthday. Make sure you get there early to take your spot on one of the balconies overlooking the stage – you definitely won’t want to miss this!

And that’s not all, throughout the weekend there will be lots of special in-store activity taking place including complimentary cupcakes at French Connection, an exclusive birthday gift from Molton Brown when you spend at £40 and 10% off at Links of London.

See the full list and start planning your itinerary for the weekend now at www.bullring.co.uk.

WIN!

‘Rightly world-famous’ THE TELEGRAPH

WE’VE TEAMED UP WITH BULLRING TO OFFER ONE LUCKY WINNER THE CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF SEATS AT THE VERY SPECIAL 7PM SHOWING OF THE SHOW: TEN. THE WINNER WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THEIR SEATS ALONGSIDE THE CATWALK TO WATCH THE SHOW: TEN FOLLOWED BY THE PERFORMANCE BY THE SATURDAYS.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN SIMPLY GO TO WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK AND CLICK ON COMPETITIONS!

Birmingham Royal Ballet is a registered charity no. 1061012

0844 338 5000 www.birminghamhippodrome.com 5% transaction fee applies; calls cost from 5p per minute.

ME AL TIM

EA T. .

MAILBOX! The Mailbox is preparing for it’s epic refurbishment but there are still plenty of reasons to visit the luxury lifestyle destination, the main one being the food! Bars and restaurants line the water’s edge over three floors, all of which are worth checking out at your own pace but we’ve highlighted our favourites.

E STRADA

CÔTE BRASSERIE

W

inner of ‘Best Newcomer to the West Midlands’ in the Metro Reader Awards when it opened in 2006, Strada has gone from strength to strength. Offering a true taste of Italy, the contemporary surroundings set over two levels are the perfect environment to sit back with friends and enjoy freshly prepared pizzas and ravishing risottos. There is handy lunch box service for those who need to grab and go, giving you the choice of a pizza or pasta, mixed side salad and drink between 12 and 4pm on weekdays for just £8. Check out their recently launched Menu Fisso, which is full to the brim with crisp flavours and bold seasonal delights!

4

of our

FAVES

MILLER & CARTER

F

ounded by three Kiwis in 2001, Gourmet Burger Kitchen does exactly what it says on the tin and delivers some top quality, meaty burgers. Whether it’s beef, chicken, pork, fish, veggie or speciality (Persian lamb anyone?) you can be assured of a mighty meal. They’re not afraid to go out on a whim and create innovative taste combinations, throwing beetroot, egg, pineapple, onion rings, avocado and grilled mushrooms into their various burgers and it is for this reason that we love them. Gourmet Burger Kitchen only has two rules, to always serve the best burgers and have fun. All burgers are made to order in the open kitchens and there’s not a microwave in sight, literally: check for yourself! Everyone’s had a thin and limp burger before, but if you want to actually taste it, you’ve got to go gourmet.

GOURMET BURGER KITCHEN

W

inners of Mailbox’s recent ‘Great British Steak Off’, which dluxe’s Jon Fraser helped to judge, Miller & Carter certainly know exactly how to serve a stunning steak. From the field to the butcher’s block to the grill, only the finest and most flavoursome cuts will make it to your plate and with an extensive wine menu you can be assured of a worthy wine to provide the perfect accompaniment.

We’d recommend a chateaubriand to share if you’re celebrating a special occasion. However, it’s not just about the beef; the premium steakhouse is offering great tasting fish, lamb, chicken and pork options, all grilled to perfection.

mbodying that je ne sais quoi of French dining, Côte Brasserie follows the current culinary trend in France by taking everything back to basics. Inspired by the many bistros that populate Paris, Côte offers a modern approach to classic dishes such as steak frites, tuna nicoise and mouth watering moules marinieres. We love the intimately lit, informal yet chic surroundings in which Côte invites you to sip a glass of Kir Royale or pick at a bowl of juicy olives as you peruse the extensive menu. Pop down between 12 noon and 7pm to enjoy two courses of £9.95 or three courses for £11.90.

Still open, still luxurious, as we build you a better Mailbox.

Product featured: Giuseppe Zanotti Leather Ankle Boots, Harvey Nichols, £585.00

Bar Epernay • Bar Estilo • Bar Room Bar • Café Rouge • Caffe Gusto • Côte Brasserie • Gourmet Burger Kitchen Harvey Nichols Espresso Café • Harvey Nichols Perrier Jouët Champagne Bar • Malmaison Brasserie Miller & Carter • Nando’s • Pennyblacks • Pizza Express • Red Peppers • Strada • The Oriental • Zizzi • Ramada Hotel

THE ICONIC

LBD

H

dluxe icons

eadlining Dluxe’s range of classic icons, we take a look into the history and reasonings behind the four most famous words in fashion:

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS. Everyone remembers their first sighting. Most will say it was way back in 1961, on Hepburn’s gorgeously blasé Holly Golighty in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, whilst others will opt for Wallis Simpson; the original other woman. Every generation of woman has their own Little Black Moment. Mine, for better or for worse, was Posh Spice writes Georgia Mumby.

ranging from a peplum, to longsleeved designs, the pop star, turned WAG, turned couture creator has proved her worth when displaying her take on the classic LBD.

As an easily influenced child, the sight of Victoria Beckham standing in front of a Union Jack bus started an obessesion with dresses that were little, black and generally, hideously expensive.

But what is it about the LBD that makes it so special it has its own acronym? (in 2010, the Oxford Dictionary of English listed the abbreviation) And why has it been able to stand the most challenging task, of never ever going out of style? Could it be its simplicity?

Or the fact that it’s the most versatile garment ever created in the world of fashion? Or… could it be the mystical power it holds, the power which boosts confidences by sexily screaming revenge at foes with its figure hugging influence?

My money may be on the latter but what ever the reason, the LBD has spent decades carvings its reputation into the cold, hard walls of fashion history.

It was 1926 when the Godess of style herself, Miss Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel first introduced it to the world. Despite previously worn purely by widows (think Queen Victoria after Prince Albert), Chanel’s slightly masculine, longsleeved black dress was deemed “a uniform for all women of taste” by American Vogue, and was likened to a Ford, referencing the mass-produced Ford Model-T at the time.

Surviving the Great Depression and World War II, thanks to an economically friendly design and adaptability that suited each woman of every social class, the LBD soon became an unstopable staple of feminine style.

It was Dior’s ‘New Look’ reconstruction after the war which first began to transform the LBD into more of a Ferrari rather than the afore mentioned Ford. Worn by the likes of Rita Hayworth in the 1946 film Gilda, and Lizabeth Scott in Too Late For Tears (1949), the little black dress suddenly became a neccesity for every sultry femme fatale in Hollywood, and the symbol of a woman not to be messsed with.

Whilst the ‘50s saw a boom in synthetic fibres, causing the dress to rocket in both popularity and accessability, the ‘60s took Mary Quant’s miniskirt to its heart and the style of LBD began to innovate to new heights.

For many though, it is the LBD which we mentioned at the start of this piece which has become the ultimate symbol of it’s style;

Hubert de Givenchy’s 1961 hommage to the garment in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s.’

Still proving its intense popularity 45 years after the film’s release, the dress, described by Christie’s auction house as “a sleeveless, floor-length gown with fitted bodice embellished at the back with distinctive cut-out decollete” worn by Hepburn’s character Holly Golightly, auctioned for £410,000 alongside the famous elbow length gloves at the auction house in london, in 2006.

Fast forward into the ‘90s and hemlines were getting shorter, styles were getting tighter, and women were getting a whole lot braver with the little black dress. A prime example of this being Princess Diana’s glorious revenge dress. The dress, worn by the Princess of Wales in 1994 at Hyde Park’s Serpetine Gallery benefit, made the front pages of every newspaper and has gone down in LBD history.

Dubbed the revenge dress, Di donned the skin tight Christina Stambolian design a day after the documentary regarding Charles’ infidelities had aired. Stepping out of a private car, with legs up to her arm pits and a smile that displayed little to no heart-break, the figure-hugging ruched minidress was the perfect way to show Charles and the world how confident and, most importantly, sexy the 32 year-old Royal was.

Whilst the cool kids of fashion, Westwood, McQueen and Marc Jacobs have all engraved their rebelious tendencies on the LBD with stretched crepe materials, surprising embellishments and sharpe cuts; the Italianos - Valentino, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana - have all stayed true to the dress’ chicer side with knee length hem-lines, spaghetti straps and pencil skirt styles.

Even my first love, Victoria Beckham, has taken her designing hand to this classic. With different variations

No matter who the designer though, the purpose of the Little Black Dress is definitely to stun: whatever style, maker or length you choose, you are guaranteed to catch an eye or two in a little black dress.

From discovering its new found sexiness to challenging the mind of legendary designers, the little black dress has never seemed to loose it’s original simplicity. Constantine Tziambazis, Retail Manager for Womenswear and Personal Shopping at Harvey Nichols said: “Put simply, the LBD is one item that no wardrobe can be without; elegant and chic, it’s the fall-back essential when nothing else will do. It will take you through a host of diary dates and, choose well, you could see it lasting you a good few years.”

It’s this adaptability which has enabled the LBD to remain so iconic. The style and concept of the garment, whilst of course adapted to fit moden life, has stood strong and surpassed any other trend in fashion. It’s exactly why women have become so obssessed with the LBD: it’s utterly timeless and with so many interpretations, the LBD is perhaps the only garment that has a style to suit every woman. Its iconic reputation and intense diversity has earnt it an esteemed place in fashion’s history and its future, whilst its accessability and simplicity has always remained a favourite on the high-street.

Whilst colour trends fade in and out of fashion, when it comes to the LBD, black will always be the new black. Its effortlessness style is escapable, as its diversity is a must for any woman who is in dire need of something to wear for whatever occasion.

As Chanel’s successor Karl Lagerfeld says, “One is never – over or under dressed with a little black dress” So why fight it? Every girl is in need of an LBD.

dluxe paperwork

- 18 -

INDULGE IN A GENTING CHRISTMAS

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Enjoy a stylish night out in beautifully refurbished, contemporary surroundings. Our Fahrenheit Grill offers high standards of cuisine, service and style with classic cooking techniques and the finest wines. The gorgeous bar & lounge with its exciting cocktail menu is a perfect setting for informal drinks parties. For a more exclusive event, why not hire our private dining room with adjacent VIP casino?

EDGBASTON FROM

£24

.95

PER PERSON OR 2495 POINTS

CHRISTMAS DINNER • Enjoy three courses of sumptuous festive dishes with a modern twist.

Get your party shoes on and enjoy our free live entertainment that is offered regularly during the festive period. As well as our excellent value 3 course meal we also offer a late bar to help you celebrate until the early hours of the morning. Take advantage of our Go Casino package where you can Learn to Play our most popular games.

STAR CITY

FROM

£19

.95

PER PERSON OR 1995 POINTS

CHRISTMAS DINNER • Enjoy three courses of sumptuous festive dishes with a modern twist.

Join us for a taste of the orient in our Hoi-Mei restaurant. For those of you looking for something a bit different from the Christmas turkey, come and enjoy authentic dishes from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. We also offer packages that include the hire of our VIP karaoke bar which is available throughout the week.

CHINATOWN

FROM

£17

.95

PER PERSON OR 1795 POINTS

CHRISTMAS DINNER • Enjoy three fabulous courses of Chinese dishes.

Our Christmas packages range from contemporary buffet style to a formal 3 course meal. We also have drinks and gaming packages available or we can tailor something special for your visit.

For more information on Christmas packages available, visit www.GentingChristmas.co.uk www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxe diary

- 19 If you’re looking for something special this Christmas then look no further.

These three fantastic locations are offering some great Christmas packages! Our staff will ensure you have a memorable celebration no matter which of our facilities you take advantage of.

dluxe spotlight

- 20 -

Spotlight From her first television appearance in 1950 at the tender age of 17, Siân Phillips has gone on to cement her place as a national treasure and icon of British Stage and Screen. dluxe’s Jonathan Fraser caught up with the Welsh actress, now 80, to look back over an illustrious career and also ahead, to her role in Alan Bennett’s devilishly dry and hilarious new play People which, fresh from a sell out run at the National Theatre, will be gracing the stage of The REP from 3-21 September.

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 21 Well I’ve been in Sheffield; working at the Crucible in a new musical by Tim Firth called ‘This Is Our Family’. After that performance finished we went straight in to rehearsing at the National for four or five weeks.

Putting on a new production is very much a multi-step process isn’t it? You’ve got the castings, the rehearsals, the opening night, the amendments and of course, the performances themselves; what part do you love getting your teeth into?

I love the playing part of it most, a lot of people like the rehearsing more than they like playing, but I’m the other way round.

When the production is all up on its feet it’s great, you can stop agonising and just run with it.

What is it about the stage that’s always appealed to you? - You were offered Hollywood contracts when you left The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) but you distanced yourself from the film industry didn’t you?

Well, even though I was asked to go to Hollywood, I didn’t. I didn’t want to because it was back in the days before you could do single films. When I came out of RADA you had to sign seven year contracts with the studios which would’ve obviously been quite limiting. I’ve done quite a lot filmmaking since but they’ve always been single films, I haven’t had to sign up for long periods.

Mind you, I’ve done a massive amount of television; I’ve been doing television since I was 16, almost endlessly! There was a period when I was doing nothing but television.

I was just about to come on to that because you’ve played some iconic roles in iconic films, such as Dune and Clash of the Titans, and also television like I Claudius.

Do you have a particularly good eye or do you have a very good agent?

No it wasn’t my agent! (Laughs) I was just lucky really. I was always offered wonderful television and I did all those masterpiece theatres, you know in the years when they were doing one classic serial after another.

I did about ten of those, which kept me very busy in the 70s!

So how do you go about choosing a project – television or stage – and what first attracted you to People?

Oh it’s purely on the script and that’s certainly why I chose People! I mean, I hadn’t ever done an Alan Bennett play before and I’ve always felt that was rather remiss of me, so I’m thrilled that I’ve got the chance to be a part of one!

Tell me a little bit about your character Dorothy.

Well she’s an Aristocrat and was a very famous model in the 50s and 60s. She had a bit of a disaster in her private life, so she

came home, but of course there was no money and the stately home is crumbling, so the play is about what do you do with these wonderful properties? Do you let the National Trust take over and clean them up and have them overrun with ‘people’, you know, the people of the title or do you just let them fall down? And Dorothy figures she’d rather it just fall down!

The play has been described as devilishly

"There was a period when I was doing nothing but television." funny and very dry, is the house something of an allegory for the state of the country today?

It is incredibly funny and I’m having great fun studying the part already, I’ve not exactly learnt it but it’s written really well and I’ve and got some wonderful things to say. Dorothy, my character, doesn’t see it as an allegory for anything; she thinks it’s just a house and should be regarded as an ordinary building falling down. She feels that it may be lost, and if it is, then let it be lost, don’t try and grab it back. So Alan puts forward all the different views about how to treat things which is interesting for me, because I’ve just narrated a series of television programs about the National Trust and English heritage and the history of the whole movement. Of course they fundamentally disagree on everything, particularly how to handle these pressures; whether to pretend they are alright, sure them up with cement and steal girders to stop them from falling down, or to preserve the purity of them and let them take their chance. It’s a very difficult decision to make and very clever people come to blows about it! I realised the passion it evokes when I was making the television programme; but of course it also attracts some very amusing people, I mean the situations that they get themselves into are often quite ludicrous.

Alan Bennett is able to exploit that to the full of course, making it terribly funny.

I’ve been told it’s a very English play; it has a very English feel to it… and from what I’ve read about you, you’re a very, very Welsh actress?

(Laughs) No, I am Welsh but I’ve spent my life and career mainly in England. I only really get to Wales when I’m working; I was down there last summer to do a play for the National Theatre of Wales and I also did a big television special Wales, a cabaret called ‘An Evening With Siân Phillips’, which was all in Welsh, a few months ago. Unfortunately this show won’t be coming to Wales though.

The tour takes you all over the country

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

and you’ll be coming to the Midlands as well, stopping by at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Leicester’s Curve won’t you?

Yes I am! And I don’t think I’ve ever played The REP, so I’m really looking forward to that; but most of the places I have played before, because I went out on quite a long tour with Calendar Girls before it went to the West End. I was in the first company of that, because that of course was Tim Firth who I’m currently working with on this musical in Sheffield. So I did cover a lot of the territory then and also, I toured for a very long time when I did Marlene before taking it to the West End. So I’ve played in most theatres we’re visiting. I really love touring actually, I never toured much until fairly recently, until I did Marlene.

Oh really? What is it about touring that appeals to you?

I just really enjoy it because, you know, it’s a lovely length of time to go and really get to know a city well; to go to the art galleries and to go to the museums, it’s really lovely.

How difficult is it to pick up such a successful show and take it on, what are the challenges represented by that?

Well the challenges are that one does it right you know! (Laughs) I mean obviously that’s a very simple challenge and that’s about it really, I can’t think of another one. People should be lovely to tour I think because Alan Bennett is incredibly popular, and also people don’t often get the chance to see the National Theatre all that much. I remember the last time I toured with the National, it was 1982 and Penelope Wilton and I took Major Barbara out on tour, but you know it was very successful because the National is a very special company, and the productions are always dazzling.

I’ve seen some early images and they look absolutely gorgeous, but what do you think about the set for People?

Oh it’s absolutely breathtaking, Bob Crowley’s designs are just amazing, the transformation of the house you know, it’s just like a piece of magic! It’s wonderful. To get those production values you need the standard of the National really, so I think it’s nice that people get to see it without having to travel to London.

So what lies ahead for you after People?

After People I go straight to Washington.

I work in America quite a bit and that’s where I’ll be calling home until the end of next April really, I’m going over to do The Importance of Being Ernest.

Oh wonderful. So does that suit you as a person, do you like a life of travelling?

I do very much! I love being in America and I love working there, but I’ve never done a play in Washington before, it’s always been

dluxe spotlight

So what have you been up to recently?

dluxe spotlight

- 22 “Oh it’s absolutely breathtaking, Bob Crowley’s designs are just amazing”

in New York, or Los Angeles, so I’m really looking forward to being somewhere new.

Is there a part out there that has evaded you so far? Are there any roles sat there that make you think ‘oh I’d love to try that?’

really could have done that well. I felt like I’d missed out on that because I had to turn it down. Apart from that no, all the plays I’ve done have been plays I really wanted to do.

I’ve done a lot of Tennessee Williams, Shore and Oscar Wilde alongside modern plays, but they’ve all been ones that I’ve wanted to do.

Well I was very sad once when I was obliged through personal reasons to turn down ‘Anthony & Cleopatra’ in London. I’d recorded Cleopatra on the radio with Robert Stevens, but I’d never played it on stage and I feel I

One last thing I was going to ask you Siân was, with your foray into the aristocracy and upper class life with People, could you see yourself taking on a Downton Abbey www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

type role on a Sunday evening?

Oh yes! That would be lovely, don’t you think?

I think everybody would enjoy that! (Laughs).

People will be at the new look The REP 3 - 21 September. To book tickets go to: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

- 23 -

dluxe spotlight

WWW.HOTEL-LATOUR.CO.UK

Put the sparkle into Christmas and celebrate in style at Hotel La Tour. From the office Christmas party to a family gathering, New Year with friends or a festive Afternoon Tea treat. Marvellous menus at Aalto Restaurant and brilliant ideas for big parties: we’re planning ahead so you don’t have to.

BOOK NOW

Call on 0121 718 8000 or visit hotel-latour.co.uk

Hotel La Tour, Albert Street, Birmingham, B5 5JE Near Moor Street station and the new City Park

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

HOME

dluxe home

- 24 -

JUST AS ON THE CATWALK, A NEW SEASON BRINGS WITH IT A NEW SENSE OF STYLE FOR OUR HOMES. HERE ARE SOME OF THE KEY INTERIOR TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR.

TREND h c t a w

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 25 -

dluxe home

1

1.

2.

POP & BLOCK Bright colours abound with blocks of marine blue, kelly green, hot fuchsia, and citrus shades sitting well against neutral shades or, for those more daring, work well teamed with clashing geometric prints.

Opposite Page: Fenton Sofa from £664, Marks and Spencer. This Page: 1.Bud armchair £564.40 www. beadlecromeinteriors.co.uk, 2. Nest Chair £425 www. oscarandeve.co.uk, 3. Neopolitan 6 Drawer Tallboy Black & Green £399 www.chichifurniture.com, 4.

Linea shard Bedding from £50, House of Fraser.

4.

3.

we love this!

3.

1.

2.

GO FOR GOLD

4.

Paired with black for a truly decadent look, finishes include both matt and polished, whilst fabrics such as silks and velvets reflect the preciousness of their tones.

5.

Left to right: 1. Versailles Gold Console Table (large) £939 www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk, 2. Dainty Gold Constance Bedside Table £239 www. sweetpeaandwillow.com, 3. Orante mirror £125, Next, Bullring 4. Gold Gilt Silk Love Chair £326 www.sweetpeaandwillow.com, 5. French ‘Bourges’ Gold Bombe Sideboard £699.99 www.chichifurniture.com

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxe home

3

STICKS AND STONES

- 26 4.

3.

The natural beauty of wood and stone brings the outside in representing an austere interior trend which could be taken to monastic levels of minimalism.

The beauty of untreated sticks, stumps, branches and barks is the focus here.

6.

2.

1.

5.

Clockwise from Top: 1. Eddison Table Lamp £28, Next, Bullring, 2. Wooden telephone £35, Next, Bullring 3. Elephants Tooth Stool Detail £150 www. frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk, 4. Shoreditch Bedside Chest £150, Next, Bullring, 5. Industrial Factory Cart Coffee Table £575 www.alexanderandpearl.co.uk, 6.

Wooden clock, £70, Next, Bullring,

7.

STORMY WEATHER 3.

Cloudbusting has never been so beautiful. Ethereal and tranquil, think greys, mauves, blues and mix with chalky whites and stones 2.

4.

5.

4

Clockwise from bottom: 1. Vented core pendant £47, French over mantel mirror £129, Havannah Laundry hamper £49, all from littlewoods, 2. Clock £39.50, Marks and Spencer, 3. Bathroom set, from £16, House of Fraser, 4. Pendant £28, Next, 5. Water Hyacinth Easy Chair £220, Broughtons Interiors, www.broughtons.com

There are eyes everywhere. From chairs to clocks, ornaments to ottomans the trend for faces and facial features will be particularly strong this season. Mix with vintage taxidermy or Romany inspired florals; depending on how sinister a saloon you require.

2.

1.

5

3.

7.

4.

5.

6.

Clockwise from left: 1. Sa Majeste French Cabinet £1895, 2. Floral Cushion £19.50, Marks and Spencer, 3. Mrs.Cushion £69.95, www. naken.co.uk, 4. Headgear African cushion £65, www.maudinteriors.com, 5. Teacup £8, Marks and Spencer, 6. Dog Cushion £22, Debenhams, Bullring, 7. Lapin Chair £365 www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

dluxe home

- 27 FULL FACE

Fashion Editor Clare Thompson

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Phillipa Jacket £219, Phillipa Skirt £129, The Teddie £129, Arna Courts £169, Hobbs

dluxe woman

- 28 -

AW13

TRENDS

WOMAN

3.

2.

5.

4.

1.

6.

Everybody loves a good girl. Neat cuts, detailed robes, high collars, rich materials and dark hues, combined with slick hair and fishtail plaits. Holier than thou, it seems religion has become a key theme within the AW13 catwalks from the likes of Valentino, McQueen and J.W. Anderson. Less Vicar of Dibley and much more The Thornbirds, it’s definitely time to get our Church on.

7.

8.

THAT’S SO 70’S SKIRTS Forget skin tight, the new must have skirt for your autumn wardrobe has a little more movement.

Reaching below the knee and with a slight 70s flare, wear with the chunkiest of boots and flat-form heels.

1.

BOY MEETS GIRL

2.

3.

4.

Pixie crops, long locks, high waisted trousers, short shorts, and so on and so forth – but who’s who?

Fashion is separating the women from the girls this autumn/winter, and what better way to do so than with masculine tailoring. Large panelled jackets and thick collared shirts were all over the AW13 catwalks and will be all over the shops too.

1.

2.

Clockwise: 1. Dress £145, Betty Barclay, 2. French Connection Chevron Print Skirt £60, John Lewis, 3. Caramel Phoebe Knee Length Skirt £59.95, Joules, 4. Jersey skirt £35, Dorothy Perkins Mell Square 5. Silk Skirt £210, Hugo Boss

5.

5.

6.

From top: 1. Gucci tweed trilby, £215, Harvey Nichols, 2. Checked Tailored Shorts £95, Reiss, Bullring, 3. Pied a Terre jacket £189, House of Fraser, 4. Ava Black Felt Trilby £59, Reiss, Bullring, 5. Jeffery West Ziggy Zepa Fallen Angel Oxford Shoes. £370, Selfridges, 6. Red herring shirt £30, Debenhams, Bullring

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

3.

4.

dluxe woman

CHURCH

Clockwise: 1. Stained glass jersey dress Alexander Mcqueen £695, Selfridges, 2. Red Herring Pearl Pendant £12, Debenhams, Bullring, 3. Sophia Webster polka dot loafers £355, Harvey NIchols, 4. Mood Crystal Cross £10, Debenhams, Bullring, 5. Penny Dress £89, Phase Eight, 6. Sunglasses, Jacket and Top all from Reiss, Bullring, 7. Alexander McQueen Pella Courts.£615, Selfridges, 8. Maison Michel Frida Kahlo Floral Headband. £680

- 29 -

2.

1.

3.

4.

REBEL

5.

Following Donatella Versace’s brandnew take on the era, Punk is well and truly back with the vengeance this Autumn/Winter. Nothing fights the bitter cold better than leather trousers so why not add a few safety pins to complete the look? A darker look no doubt, step it up with a handful of understated glamour pieces.

Clockwise from left: 1.

Vivienne Westwood bag £335, House of Fraser Mell Square 2. Sophia Webster Cara Mesh Ankle Boots £595, Selfridges 3.

Black crown brooch £20, www.emporiumengland. co.uk, 4. Tartan tights £8, block heel boots £45, Next, Bullring, 5. Alexander McQueen skull leather wrap bracelet, £135 6.

Gestuz flared leather dress, £260, Harvey Nichols 7. Red tartan skinny trousers £49.99, TK Maxx Mell Square 8. Oversized Checked Blazer £69.99, Zara, Bullring, 9. Helmut Lang leather biker jacket, £730, Harvey Nichols, 10. Ann Demeulemeester Lacey Leather Biker Boots. £650, Selfridges, 11. Philip Armstrong dress, £795, Harvey Nichols

6.

8.

7.

10.

9.

11.

6.

4.

9.

1.

7.

3.

2.

5.

8.

SCI-FI CHIC The future is nothing to be afraid of, in fact let’s buckle up and enjoy the ride. Sharp tailoring with exaggerated shaping and shoulders and metallic statement bags complete the look and are great for storing ray guns. www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Left to right: 1. Biba Block Tunic Dress £135, House of Fraser, 2. MuuBaa metallic leather biker jacket, £365, Harvey Nichols, 3. Jimmy Choo metallic biker boots, £650, Harvey Nichols, 4. Red Herring Spike Necklace £12, Debenhams, Bullring, 5. Olga Berg clutch £55, House Of Fraser, 6. Preen Edition Block Dress £75, Debenhams, 7. Camilla Skovgaard Monopoly Leather Wedge Ankle Boots, £540 Selfridges, 8. Marc By Marc Jacobs Techno Metallic Wristlet Pouch, £85, Selfridges, 9. Michael Kors Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch, £229, Selfridges.

dluxe woman

- 30 -

SPECIAL FEATURE:

A LUXURIOUS NEW SPECIALIST ACCESSORIES WEBSITE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED, OFFERING DESIGNERS AND RETAILERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THEIR PIECES, AND CONSUMERS THE CHANCE TO DISCOVER LITTLE-KNOWN OR MUCH-COVETED NAMES AT THE CLICK OF A MOUSE. EMPORIUM ENGLAND IS DEDICATED TO BRINGING UP-AND-COMING BRANDS TO PUBLIC ATTENTION AS THEIR PIECES NESTLE ALONGSIDE THOSE OF LONGSTANDING DESIGNERS SUCH AS JENNY PACKHAM AND DKNY. WITH A COMBINATION OF VINTAGE PIECES, ONE-OFF DESIGNS AND DESIGNER STATEMENT PIECES, EMPORIUM ENGLAND SHOWCASES EVERYTHING FROM DESIGNER SHOES TO DIAMOND EARRINGS, MAKING THE SITE A TREASURE TROVE OF HIGH QUALITY, BEAUTIFULLY CREATED ACCESSORIES & GIFTS, ALL IN ONE PLACE. WWW.EMPORIUMENGLAND.CO.UK

2013

Updating your hair for the new season is equally as important as updating your wardrobe.

We spoke to Aveda, who keep a stylish finger on the fashion pulse, for their guide to this season’s key trends for hair.

Colour:

dluxe woman

Hair Trends

- 32 -

Condition: Cut: Autumn/Winter is the perfect time to sharpen up your tresses – get rid of the sundried ends and make way for your new season shape. Striking bobs are very empowering, but keeping the edges soft and fluid allows for your femininity to exude in abundance.

Play with the texture of your hair too; smooth and sleek for the office transitioning to textured and effortless for the evening.

Incorporating subtle layers will give hair movement and using products such as Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion is ideal to exaggerate width and shape.

Make the natural transition from summer to winter by enriching your colour with intense hues. Blondes can glow in warm Amber infused shades of Winter Peach, while Brunettes are dusted with Copper sunlit threads of Auburn and cooler shades are blushed with subtle hints of Rose. The mood is simple yet effective. You don’t need to think dramatic change, more an understated and natural transition.

Clothes Show Live Returns

Marking their 25th anniversary, Clothes Show Live 2013 is set to be the hottest ticket on the fashion calendar this year! Over 500 leading fashion and beauty brands, the world’s largest catwalk, hosted by fashion icon and designer Henry Holland, styling tools and techniques from industry experts, make-overs, style transformations and trend reports, gorgeous celebrities, tempting bars, and inspirational fashion demonstrations will all be spread over five exciting days. There’s something for everyone, so whatever your style, it’s time to make space in your wardrobe.

Looking after your hair as the weather shifts to cooler days is essential. Especially after investing in your ultimate new season look! It’s imperative to adopt the right aftercare to keep your hair nourished and the Aveda Damage Remedy Range offers the ultimate protein kick that the hair needs to repair and retain its natural health and lustre.

WIN! dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL has teamed up with Clothes Show Live to offer lucky readers and their ‘plus one’ the chance to attend the year’s most prestigious fashion event, absolutely free!

To be in with a chance of winning these fabulous tickets, visit www.dluxe-magazine. co.uk and click on competitions.

Tickets are valid across all days of the show and are limited to one pair per winner. So what are you waiting for? Send your entry today!

The star-studded event will also welcome the first ever episodes of Take Me Out Live, hosted by the king of dating, Paddy McGuinness. A selection of bachelors will aim to impress a line-up of 30 single girls all in search of Mr Right, with 10 girls being chosen at the show each day.

Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model will also bring TV to the stage as this year’s contestants will be giving the inside scoop on model life, holding exclusive autograph sessions, and strutting their stuff on the catwalk in their first public appearance since the show. Fancy a modelling future for yourself?

Learn the tips and tricks of the industry in a Model Masterclass and look out for casting opportunities as the big names in fashion scout the crowds for emerging talent. www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

For more information, visit the Clothes Show Live website: www.clothesshowlive.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ ClothesShow Twitter: @Clothesshow

So many products,

Subscribe to Birchbox and you’ll automatically receive a second box, free of charge, to give to a friend or relative.

so little time...

All you have to do is enter the coupon code ‘dluxe’ at the checkout. Offer valid until 1 December 2o13.

E

ver felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day to research new beauty products and trends? Well, sign up to Birchbox for just £10 a month and receive a beautifully packaged box full of miniature premium beauty products to try each month. You can expect to receive a really diverse mixture of premium products – the options are endless and each box is themed for that particular month. We were sent the Festivalthemed box, which included a fab Leave In Conditioner, Color Club Nail Polish, Coola Classic Face 30 SPF, ModelCo Eye Define Black Eye Pencil and Noble Isle Shower Gel. A great concept for beauty addicts, there’s even a handy in-box magazine included that’s packed full of need-to-know tips and tricks. We also love that you can buy subscriptions as a gift – brilliant for the girl who has everything or loved ones that live at a distance. The downside? Postage is charged on top at £2.95 which is a little annoying but the box itself is great quality, nicely presented and the value of the products easily exceed the £10 outlay.

Visit www.birchbox.co.uk to find out more.

Fancy Being The Next

Cara Delevingne?

If you have always thought about giving modelling a go but haven’t got the industry contacts or knowledge, then give the girls at Wannabe Workshops a call. With over 20 years experience in the industry as models themselves, owners Tiffany and Jeanne have modelled for a host of household names including Vivienne Westwood, Umberto Gianinni and Boots.

Win!

A MODEL MAKEOVER

Handling everyone from infants to mature models, Wannabe Workshops can provide a package tailored to you, whether it’s 1-2-1 session, Mother & Daughter workshop or a party for adults or youngsters. Providing expert advice with hands on demonstrations of hair and make-up, everyone leaves a Wannabe Workshop with a professional photographic print of themselves plus goodie bags specific to each occasion.

Jeanne Frith, founder of Wannabe Workshops, said “We advise our clients on all aspects of modelling, whether it’s deportment, confidence or developing your ‘cat walk’ plus all those tips you would only know from working in the industry such as lists of reputable agencies. Whether you are serious about a career in modelling, you fancy earning some extra money or just want to get the girls together for a fun party, Wannabe Workshops has the solution for you.”

For more info visit: www.wannabeworkshops.com

JUST SCAN THE CODE ABOVE OR GO TO WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK TO ENTER.

MAN

dluxe man

- 34 -

AUTUMN TRENDS Keep up with Mother Nature’s colour palette and follow our advice when it comes to working the fashion trends this autumn.

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Tom wears: Markus Lupfer black sweatshirt, £260; Moncler sweatpants, £250; Philip Plein skull hi-tops, £420. All available from Harvey Nichols Birmingham

Fashion Editor Clare Thompson

4.

2.

1 Crazy Colour

3.

1.

dluxe man

Following the SS13 trend for bright colours, orange is predicted to be BIG this upcoming season. Seamlessly transferring into the winter season, boys should expect to see simple pops of bold colours in their fashion.

- 35 -

5.

6.

8.

7.

9.

Clockwise from left: 1. Thomas Pink Bruton Stripe Tie £69, John Lewis, 2. Hugo Boss Blended cotton long sleeve top £39, BOSS, Bullring, 3. Polo Ralf Lauren Quilted Gilet £255, John Lewis, 4. Fair Isle Sweater £30, Next, Bullring, 5. Cambridge Satchel Company fluro satchel £125, Selfridges, 6. Vivienne Westwood bag £165, House of Fraser, 7. Barney Diamond Pattern Socks £12, Reiss, Bullring, 8. Polo Ralph Lauren wallet £59, House of Fraser, 9. Paul Smith Men’s Wallet £120, Harvey Nichols, 10. Selected Homme Three Paris Trousers £40, John Lewis

1.

Clockwise from left: 1. Crabtree Belted jacket £245, Reiss, Bullring, 2. Blue Suit, Austin Reed, 3. Ask The Missus boots £89.99, Office, Bullring, 4. Simon Carter Platinum Plated Mother of Pearl Cufflinks £59, John Lewis, 5. John Rocha hat £28, Debenhams, Bullring, 6. TK Maxx grey fleck jumper £16.99 RRP £60.00, 7. Paul Smith wallet £89, House of Fraser, 8. Best of British blazer £299, Marks and Spencer

4.

3.

al

2

10.

To n

3.

lly

To ta

Clashers, be gone! Autumn/ winter is all about smart toning for men in key colours such as creams, greys, oranges and navy. Subtle shading and texturing stops the look from drifting into pension day chic.

ks c e

5.

! lo

2.

n

Po … co r a

6.

M 2.

7.

8.

Polos have replaced shirting as this season’s wardrobe staple. Layer beneath V-necks, wear with a waistcoat and even dress up with a skinny tie. It’s all about casual, understated luxury.

4.

1.

Clockwise from left: 1. Daylesford Roll Neck £94.99, Superdry, Bullring, 2. Rocha John Rocha coat £180, roll neck £45, backpack £55, Debenhams, Bullring, 3. Fine Knit Jumper £195 Vivienne Westwood, Bullring, 4. Gant jumper £125, House of Fraser

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 36 -

1.

3.

2.

Playful Prints

Bold prints are everywhere this season so don’t be afraid to don a dramatic animal print underneath your sharp panelled jacket this season.

4.

[]

5.

6.

8.

7.

Clockwise from left: 1. Vivienne Westwood rucksack £255, Selfridges, 2. Combined Printed Shirt £29.99, Zara, 3. Kurt Geiger Verve leopard print dessert boots, Selfridges, £110, 4. Red herring scarf £20, Debenhams, Bullring 5. Wallpaper Print T-Shirt £19.99, Zara, 6. Dockers Bandana Print Shirt £70, Selfridges, 7. Fred Perry pac man polo shirt £80, Selfridges 8. Paul Smith triangle print cotton shirt £215, Harvey Nichols

2.

Left to Right: 1. Dune Shoreline DM Leather Faux Fur Hi-Top Trainers £85, Debenhams, 2. LUKE Roper Fur Hat £38 3. Tommy Hilfiger Ken Faux Fur Bomber Jacket £190, John Lewis, 4. Leather bomber in worn brown £250, Fat Face, 5. Torrin Boot £69.99, Office, 6. Tailored Coats from £245, REISS

6.

1.

4.

3.

5 Fu r

r

yN

ice

In Preparation for the bitter months ahead, fur is everywhere.

It seems the gents will stay nice and toasty this winter.

5.

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 37 -

dluxe man

PUT THE BOOT IN

Established over 40 years ago in Brazil, Anatomic & Co specialise in high quality, hand crafted style driven men’s footwear.

The premium footwear brand incorporates luxurious leathers, focusing on texture and colours, along with the latest in shoe making technology including patented Anatomic Gel Technology to make ‘the most comfortable shoes that money can buy.’ The season’s new range includes styles suited to both work and leisure including the wider styles of the Ease range.

WIN! REAL MEN

MOISTURISE

JOHN PAUL MCGUIRK OF HARVEY NICHOLS explains the perfect daily grooming routine.

For years, women have followed the daily beauty mantra

“cleanse, tone and moisturise”,

dluxe BIRMINGHAM AND SOLIHULL have three pairs of Anatomic and Co shoes to give away. For your chance to win a pair, visit: www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

CLEANSE Get deep down and dirty morning and night to ensure you remove the dirt from your skin, as blocked pores can lead to spots. Massage cleanser into the skin and pay particular attention to areas where dirt can get trapped like the corners of the mouth, the creases near the nose, the chin (which is especially prone to blackheads) and neck. Once the cleanser has been massaged in thoroughly, take a moist cotton pad and remove, working from the sides of your face inwards so you don’t get it in your hair.

TONE

Toner is an essential second step to remove any remaining bits of dirt as well as help soothe, nourish and hydrate the skin while restoring its delicate pH balance.

Simply use a cotton wool pad to apply the toner across your forehead, cheeks, around your nose and chin to keep your skin super clean and firm.

moisturise

We’re exposed to central heating, air conditioning and pollution every day, and all these dry out our skin’s natural moisture, leaving it flaky and - gulp - prone to wrinkles. Daily moisturising forms a protective barrier, replenishing natural moisture. Apply a small amount twice daily with your fingertips and use a specialist eye cream for the more delicate area of your face.

so take note guys ... this is how it’s done www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

EXPERT

TIP

dluxe man

- 38 -

LUKE LAUNCHES AT MERRY HILL West Midlands brand Luke has continued its UK expansion with a new store within Westfield’s Merry Hill Shopping Centre. Situated on the Upper Mall, this latest Luke addition is an impressive 2000sqft in size, boasting a strong collection from the brand and encompassing all areas Luke has to offer. A large selection of apparel, footwear and accessories are featured in the stylishly designed store, reflecting the aesthetic of the brand.

LUKE is a practical interpretation on contemporary menswear and has all the components of the modern lad, a gentleman, a working class hero and a bit of a rogue. The brand draws strong influences from the tough elements of its native Birmingham. With its roots firmly set in the West Midlands, the brand is very proud to be opening its second store in the area with the other situated in the Bullring, Birmingham.

‘Luke’s roots are firmly set in the West Midlands and being a Walsall lad, the opening of the Merry Hill store is a very proud moment for myself and everyone involved. The store opening is another organic step but there is a lot more to do in the coming years and we are all ready for the challenge,’ says Luke Roper, Luke’s co-founder and Creative Director. (pictured) Luke, Upper Mall, Westfield Merry Hill, West Midlands. www.luke1977.com

Grey is big news this Autumn. Whether it’s in fashion or in movies, everyone is talking about the shade that used to symbolize the dull and the lifeless and that now just says sexy. The designers choice, based on the Autumn Winter catwalk shows, this season’s fascination with grey has coincided with the casting of Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson as the lead characters in the film adaptation of the steamy bestseller ’50 Shades of Grey’.

Grey is the colour to coordinate with this season. Easier on the fairer complexion than black but providing a neutral canvas, grey is perfect to combine with this season’s key accent colours of claret, teal and mustard.Get Christian Grey’s smooth, groomed look AND be on trend with this Hugo Boss suit (Price £599).

Hugo Boss, Bullring, Birmingham Tel: 0121 632 5436

GREY BY NAME, GREY BY NATURE www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

BEAUTY ESSENTIALS...

DON’T MISS BERT & GERT’S VINTAGE CRAFT MARKETS EVERY LAST FRIDAY AND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH!

dluxe motors

A3

- 40 -

TIMES LUCKY.

Quality, efficiency and technological ingenuity are three things that are almost taken as read with Audi. With the new A3 Saloon, which marks the brand’s first foray into the compact saloon class, the Bavarian automobile giants have added a fourth notch to their belt; beauty.

The styling of the Saloon is far more pleasing to the eye than that of its two predecessors in the A3 family with a well-proportioned, compact profile complemented by short overhangs and expertly sculpted lines, topped off with sharp rear lights that give the car an almost futuristic presence. The interior too, is leaps and bounds ahead of anything in the A3 Saloon’s price bracket boasting a huge 425 litres of boot space with the seats in place and more than ample rear legroom. In fact, when cocooned inside the car you could be forgiven for feeling as if nothing could ever go wrong such is the solid and robust nature of its construction and, thanks to an interior design and innovative use of material that oozes opulence and class, you could be quite easily fooled into thinking you were driving an A6.

However, as with books, you cannot judge a car solely by its cover and beneath the bonnet you’ll find the nuts, bolts and pistons that make up the pages of this modern-day masterpiece. Available in three high tech formats at launch, at entry level is the 1.4 TFSI, which utilises Cylinder-on-Demand technology to deliver a seriously impressive 60.1mpg whilst it’s 250Nm torque peak mean you’ll be sailing to 62mph in 8.4 seconds before reaching a top end of 135mph where conditions allow. The next step up is the 1.8 TFSI, which offers a reduced mpg at 50.4

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 41 -

As for the actual drive itself, once behind the wheel the A3 Saloon won’t actually feel much different to any other A3, but that is by no means a negative thing. Sturdy and strong, the A3 Saloon is extremely refined at motorway speeds and actually puts many cars that cost tens of thousands of pounds more to shame. It’s intuitive drive select system allows you to alter the handling and response of the car with the touch of a button, giving you the choice between comfort, dynamic, auto, efficiency and individual depending on how you want to drive. That said, the ride can be a tad firm at times owing to the sports suspension fitted in both the Sport and S line versions but thankfully, both can be specified to include more comfort-orientated standard suspension for no extra cost if this tiny niggle worries you.

Contrary to what Damon Albarn sang almost 10 years ago, it actually is all about Vorsprung durch Technik and Audi’s mantra of ‘Advancement through Technology’ is adhered to as strictly as ever, with the A3 Saloon offering a stunning range of cost effective optional equipment packages that promise some of the most advanced interactivity available on the road. Audi connect, the collective term the company uses to encompass all technologies that connect the driver to the internet is taken to a new level in the A3 Saloon, delivering not only Google Maps, Google Street View, Audi traffic information online and Audi music stream, but now also provides ‘Picturebook Navigation’, access to social media such as Facebook and Twitter, the latest news, flight and train information, nearby petrol stations graded by price and even a ‘what’s on’ guide in specific towns and cities, all on the high resolution 7-inch WGVA colour screen of the car’s Multi Media Interface. There are also a dizzying array of comfort, convenience and aesthetic extras, allowing you to upgrade to 19-inch alloys (you know you want to), panoramic sunroof and a Bang & Olufsen audio system amongst a host of others.

Thanks to a subtle redesign the A3 Saloon has a dominating presence on the road and its powerful yet economical engine makes it a worthy competitor in the compact saloon class.

The Business Boys Club

THE BUSINESS BOYS CLUB, THE ALTERNATIVE CHOICE TO THE TRADITIONAL STYLE OF NETWORKING FORUMS, HAVE PARTNERED UP WITH THE ULTIMATE ORGANISATION FOR THOSE WHO LOVE BOYS’ TOYS - CANNONBALL 2000.

Offering guys opportunities to mix business with pleasure, The Business Boys Club partnership with the prestigious Cannonball 2000 will see members take part in the annual pilgrimage across Europe in luxury sports cars.

A fleet of Aston Martins, Maseratis, Ferarris and Jaguars left the UK for six nights of motoring and mayhem visiting Amsterdam, Geneva, Cannes, and Valencia for a series of parties and events en route.

TBBC is still looking for entrepreneurial types to establish their very own boys’ clubs here in the West Midlands with the motto is ‘work hard, play harder’ and already interest in the concept is snowballing with one of the very first clubs opening in Coventry next month.

There is an entry criteria and no more than 25 members per club will be permitted, to keep each group exclusive and to make the most of the opportunities that arise.

Annual membership fees range from £395 to £825 but Fellows are given all of the benefits of top tier membership for free as one of the privileges of being involved with the club.

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

The Audi A3 Saloon starts at £24,275, visit Birmimgham Audi, 780 Stratford Rd, Shirley, Solihull B90 4BQ. Tel: 0121 746 5500 www.audi.co.uk www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxe motors

but makes up with a blistering top speed of 146mph; and at the top of the pile sits the 2.0 litre TDI, which produces a staggering 320Nm of torque to power it to 137mph, and is capable of an extremely economical 68.9mpg. All come with a choice of trim levels and if you add £2,150 to the OTR price of each car, you could be relaxing in the S line version, surrounded by part-leather upholstery embossed with the S line logo, a sports steering wheel and xenon headlights, all sitting atop 18-inch alloy wheels.

YOUR AUDI, YOUR WAY!

“Sturdy and strong, the A3 Saloon is extremely refined.”

For personal and business advice you can trust, it has to be from an experienced, qualified expert, dedicated to delivering a solution tailored to your needs. The broad range of professional service businesses in Solihull provide just that, for both individuals and companies.

accountantsarchitectsbuildingbusinessconsultants bankingfinancialservicesfuneralservicesinsuranceITservices estateagentsmarketingservicesprintersrecruitmentagencies solicitorssurveyorstherapistsutilitiesveterinary

dluxe paperwork

Birmingham’s

- 44 -

Brave new

World

T

HE NEXT 18 MONTHS WILL SEE OUR CITY TRANSFORMED. FROM SECOND CITY TO SEXY CITY, BIRMINGHAM’S LIGHT WILL STEP OUT FROM ITS BUSHEL TO FULFIL ITS PROMISE WITH THE MOTHER OF ALL FACELIFTS. FROM THE SKYLINE TO THE STATION, FROM SHOPPING TO THE SOCIAL SCENE, DLUXE’S BUSINESS EDITOR CAROLINE SPENCE REPORTS ON THE DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL SHAPE OUR CITY FOR YEARS TO COME.

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF The Library of Birmingham The £188.8 million new Library of Birmingham opened its doors on 3rd September to a fanfare of praise and excitement. Three years in the making, we have all watched the iconic building rise from Broad Street to shape the city’s skyline anew. Marketed as ‘The Next Generation of Library Experience’, this isn’t just a place to borrow books for your children, this is a 21ST Century repository of human experience, from unique film footage (not even available on the internet) a partnership with the British Film Institute giving access to over £3 million images in a photography archive and an internationally important collection of Shakespeare. But it won’t be a place to read in private, the Library is designed as a social space, with a terrace offering a panoramic view of the city, it’s the perfect place for an after work glass of wine or an informal meeting. With rooms available for hire, the Library can cater for conferences, dinners and events – everything from a lunchtime sandwich to a nine course evening meal. Looking at the long term, the Library aims to become part of the fabric of city life, Project Director Brain Gambles said “This is about getting culture to be a part of Birmingham’s DNA; that the city becomes inseparable from its involvement with literature, theatre and the

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 45 -

SHOWCASE FOR SUCCESS

CENTRE OF Style

The Library will provide a comprehensive suite of services for education and personal development; in addition to the normal literacy and numeracy, the facility will provide an incubator for business start ups – the target is 500 new businesses each year – and mentoring from established business people.

The NIA undergoes £26mill redevelopment

Harvey Nichols announces plans to double the store size as part of The Mailbox’s redevelopment

Brian commented “This marks the evolution of the library concept, and I would encourage people who haven’t visited a library for some time to come and take a look. There really is something for everyone.” The Discovery season runs from until 31st December.

For more information visit: www.libraryofbirmingham.com or download the free App ‘DozensandTrails’ from the App Store.

With its fantastic city centre location, the National Indoor Arena is set to transform from its sports stadium roots and become the leisure and entertainment venue of the future with a major redevelopment scheme. Part of the City Council’s Big City Plan, the re-launch of the NIA will include a complete facelift as an enormous illuminated glass facade will transform the view from Brindley Place and the Mailbox complete with towering ‘Sky Needles’ that will dominate the skyline. Gone will be the slight whiff of the locker room to be replaced by 5 star luxury dressing rooms for visiting artists, a vastly increased catering offer and permanent retail units. The building will also be extended to allow for a more luxurious pre-event feel – The on-stage experience will also be transformed with the latest technology and equipment installed to give world class light, sound and visual effects. The venue will still host major sporting events, but the Future NIA is specifically created to handle a mix of entertainment types from world class musical artists to world championship sports. The venue will become a seven-days-a-week destination for Birmingham and its surrounding area. Guy Dunstan, general manager for Arenas from the NEC Group said: “The NIA has a rich 21 year history in Birmingham, welcoming worldrenowned singers, athletes, comedians and performers who all help to shine a light on what our city has to offer. This redevelopment is vital to ensure we continue to attract world-class artists to Birmingham and to offer our visitors the best experience possible, adding more depth to our catering, hospitality and dining experience. Together with our catering arm Amadeus, we will be able to offer everything from a light lunch to fine dining. We hope this will be a venue that the city can be proud of.”

Work is now underway on the development and the Future NIA is expected to open in Winter 2014.

To view the latest information on the NIA redevelopment, visit www.futurenia.co.uk or #futureNIA @thenia on Twitter.

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The new store at the heart of Mailbox will be the fundamental change in the much anticipated redevelopment, which will see an exciting transformation of The Mailbox space.

Melanie Taylor, Head of Leasing at Milligan, development partner and joint owner of The Mailbox, said: “The original developers created a prestigious shopping and lifestyle destination.

Our goal is to strengthen this vision and to see Mailbox realise its full potential, with the customers’ needs at its very heart.”

Taylor continued, “The city has a great sense of optimism and pride towards what is home to The BBC and the destination that originally brought Harvey Nichols to Birmingham back in 2001. The restaurants and hotels in particular are well liked by Birmingham and its visitors.

Our future plans will see the environment of the building transformed whilst bringing a unique collection of brands to Birmingham.”

The new Harvey Nichols store will be positioned in the former post-room space, at the heart of the centre. The space recently played host to a series of catwalk shows as the main attraction for the city’s inaugural style and shopping event - Style Birmingham Live.

Mailbox is also working closely with Birmingham City Council to introduce a new, improved pedestrian friendly public realm reaching from the underpass beneath Suffolk

dluxe paperwork

Arts. But it is also about investing in the future.”

dluxe paperwork

Street Queensway to the very front of The Mailbox. These structural changes will greatly enhance the sense of arrival from Navigation Street and New Street Station. In addition, The Mailbox will add a roof enclosing its mall areas but still allowing natural light to permeate the centre.

Joseph Wan, Group Chief Executive at Harvey Nichols, comments, “We firmly believe our participation in this redevelopment will underline our commitment to Birmingham and its shoppers –it is a testimony to our success in the city as well as the success of the city itself.

The new store will enable us to greatly expand for our customers the best of Fashion, Beauty, Accessories and Food and to continue bringing them the very best in luxury and service well into the future.”

For information visit www.mailboxlife.com

- 46 -

GATEWAY TO THE CITY

Grand Central presents a brighter face to the world Anyone who has been to the city centre can’t help but notice the changes to the familiar 1960s architecture of New Street Station. The development – called Grand Central – is a brand new retail and leisure destination that will accompany the £600million redevelopment of the station. Compromising of the largest John Lewis outside of London, 4 floors of fashion, homeware, electrical and gifts, a total of 350,000 products available to the shopper plus 40 new retail outlets, Grand Central will be a destination in its own right. With a new sparkling glass and mirrored facade, the new centre has taken inspiration from Birmingham’s rich jewellery heritage and given it a 21st century spin, with

huge amounts of natural light and state-of-the art electronic ‘eyes’ on which information will be displayed. A major part of the Big City Plan, the iconic new centre, due to open in its entirety in 2015, will cater for a premium middle market shopper, fitting neatly between the High Street trends of Bullring and the aspirational tone of the new Mailbox. Mel Evans, marketing manager for Grand Central, said “We anticipate that Grand Central will offer brands that have had no or limited availability in the region prior to this development, including many brands that will take their first steps outside of London.

There will also be 20 new restaurants and cafes catering for every conceivable market making Grand Central a social hub in which people can meet, eat, drink and shop in a vibrant stylish environment.”

It’s all a far cry from the 1960s concrete that

has become a familiar part of the city centre experience. The work, which is visible to all, will cause minimum disruption to station services, with only one platform closed at any time and access to the Pallasades and Bullring will be unimpeded. The massive project will create 1000 new jobs in the city centre, training for which has already begun.

Mel continues “This will truly be a gateway to our city, providing a spectacular introduction to Birmingham for visitors but also opening the city centre up for residents and commuters. The atrium will have entrances north to south and east to west, providing a thoroughfare that doesn’t at present exist.” The effects of the new building will include opening up the Southside district of the city centre which contains the Hippodrome, Chinatown and the Gay Village.

Mel says “This is the next step in this city’s incredible journey – from the first stages of Bullring and the Mailbox developments, Birmingham made huge strides in its facilities and appearance. Now with Grand Central, the Mailbox redevelopment, the new Library and the NIA, Birmingham will truly look and feel like the world-class city we know it to be.”

For more information visit www.grandcentralbirmingham.com and www.newstreetnewstart.co.uk. www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Flying to three destinations from Birmingham.

Look into them.

All from

The UK’s most punctual airline offers a 30-minute check-in, free inflight food and drink and a generous luggage allowance on an all-jet fleet.

Book today at bmiregional.com Fare quoted is Economy fare. Subject to terms, conditions and availablity.

one way

dluxe travel

- 48 -

Vive La France With British tourists’ love affair with France showing no signs of abating, dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL dusted off its phrasebook and set about a summer of rediscovery En France

Driving Through France

WherE tO Stay

France is a huge country full of different characters and climates making it the perfect location for a driving holiday. This summer dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL’s Jonathan Fraser packed up the car and took the tunnel to France to see just what makes driving through France such a great choice for a variety filled vacation.

One of the best ways to enjoy France and to experience its different regions and characters is by staying in one of the many Chambre D’hôtes for one or two nights along your journey. Chambre D’hôtes are basically private homes with rooms to let and as a result you can stay in some remarkable locations from Chateaus and medieval towers to converted stables and farmhouses. Breakfast is traditionally served around the kitchen table and it’s a great way to practice your French.

When booking a night always ask your host to book you into a good local restaurant, allowing you to tap straight into local knowledge and make some marvellous discoveries. A great place to discover Chambres D’hôtes in France is www. chambresdhotesfrance.com

Getting Across the Water The introduction of the Channel Tunnel has resulted in far more UK residents choosing a driving holiday. The crossing is simplicity itself; pull off the motorway, check in, drive onto the train and just 35 minutes later you drive off straight on to the motorway at Calais. For those who like a spot of shopping there’s a duty free style shop and cafés to enjoy before setting off and there are exercise areas for pets in case you’ve brought them with you (don’t forget their passports and pre-holiday vaccinations!) It’s cheap too with crossings starting at just £43 each way.

Alternatively, why not take the ferry? Prices for a car start at just £37 with P&O from Dover to Calais but the crossing does take 90 minutes and pets must stay in the car. www.eurotunnel.com / www.poferries.com

The Roads & ThE Law The first thing to do is remember to drive on the other side of the road. Speed limits and distances are displayed in kilometres rather than miles so remember to consult the right digits on your car’s dials or divide the number of kilometres by 1.6 to give you guidance as to mileage.

French law dictates that all vehicles must carry certain pieces of safety equipment which include a warning triangle, spare set of vehicle bulbs, a hi visibility vest for the driver and for each passenger as well two breathalyser kits. Failure

to carry these items can result in an on the spot fine, as can driving using your mobile phone. Make sure hi visibility jackets are stored inside the car’s cabin rather than the boot - you may get fined otherwise.

An essential piece of equipment for anyone considering driving through France is an up to date Sat Nav. For under £100, the latest Tom Tom Western European range of satellite navigation systems allows users to not only plot routes in advance but also to avoid particular roads or areas such as Paris. Most French motorways are subject to toll charges but these can be avoided by plotting your route in the sat nav, although it should be noted that the tolls do generally mean roads are fast and free of congestion.

It’s always wise to ensure your car is at least half full of fuel when driving through France, particularly if you plan to journey through the countryside. Petrol stations can be few and far between off the main routes and running out of petrol does not a happy holiday make. Fuel is a little cheaper in France and the motorway services (known as Aire are regular and offer excellent quality food; better than many UK restaurants. www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 49 -

For those who prefer a more traditional hotel experience there are many interesting places to stay. A great place to discover unusual hotels in France is www.simplychateau.com and www. mrandmrssmith.com Or why not get back to get back to nature, as there are a plethora of good quality campsites in France offering everything a holidaying family could want. There are also a multitude of Municipal campsites spread across France situated close to tourist attractions. These offer good quality amenities and are great value, usually at under €15 a night. To view over 11,000 campsites in France, visit www.campingfrance.com/uk

“Dogs are welcome at most places in France even inside museums and chateaus if carried.”

dluxe travel

If you prefer a little more privacy or plan to stay for a longer period, renting a Gîte allows you to still benefit from having someone around with some local knowledge. A Gîte is a holiday home which is available for rent and where the owner lives nearby, usually on the same plot of land. Usually self-catering, Gîtes tend to be created from disused outbuildings and barns and offer a wonderfully individual holiday experience. It’s not unusual for linens to not be included in Gîtes so always remember to check when you book. A great place to discover Gîtes in France is www.gites.co.uk

Toulouse: Art, history and the perfect French shopping destination.

AREA

focus

Known as the Pink City due to the hue of the local stone, Toulouse boasts a mix of wonderful architecture, from the wooden medieval to the perfectly planned 18th century facades of the main shopping areas writes David Leach Davies.

We arrived on Midsummer’s night, a night known across France as the Night of Music.

Ambling through the city’s, streets we mingled with the musicians and dancers who celebrated the festival on every street corner until the early hours of the morning and the mixture of genres reflected the many facets of Toulouse’s offering; from its history to its art and architecture.

Ever the consumer, I was particularly struck by the city’s plethora of stylish shops. From famous French designers such as John-Paul Gaultier and Louis Vuitton to small, quirky, independent boutiques, the wide avenues of the city have a decidedly Parisian feel to them which, when combined with the welcoming and friendly atmosphere that the South of France is known for, makes them the perfect destination for a spot of retail therapy.

Naturally for France, foodies are well catered for in Toulouse. Expect Foie Gras to appear on most menus thanks to the Toulouse breed of goose being the most popular for Foie Gras production. Also expect to enjoy some marvellous wines from the local regions (the vineyards of Toulouse are situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees).

Where to Visit

fact file:

The Capitole: The current city hall, orchestra and opera house. This building is remarkable for its façade with eight pink marble columns, its Henri IV courtyard and the “Salle des Illustres” where golden mouldings compete with the beauty of the paintings themselves.

Saint-Sernin Basilica: A masterpiece of Roman art, the Saint-Sernin Basilica features mural paintings from the 12th Century.

The Jacobins Convent: The contrast between the austere exterior and the extraordinary lightness of the interior architecture makes this a must see destination.

Where to Stay Citiz Hotel: A modern 4 star hotel in the very heart of Toulouse offering 56 elegant and modern rooms in a contemporary design setting. Ideally positioned in the old city centre, facing Wilson Square, and within walking distance of Capitole Square, the Citiz Hotel will allow you to make the most of the Pink City. www.citizhotel.com

How to Get There

The Hôtel d’Assézat: A magnificent 17th century town mansion which houses the Fondation Bemberg, a private museum with a permanent collection of paintings, bronzes and objets d’art. bmi regional fly daily excluding Saturdays to Toulouse from www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk Birmingham International Airport. For more information visit The Augustins Museum: Rich in sculptures, the Musée des Augustins www.bmiregional.com has a unique collection of masterpieces from the area’s Gothic era as well as numerous 19th Century sculptures.

Cité de l’espace: Take a trip to discover Mars, the fabulous red planet, try Moon Running and visit the Planetarium.

www.toulouse-visit.com / www.tourisme-midi-pyrenees.com

HEALTH EATING YOURSELF THIN, NOT FAT! Getting fit is not an easy challenge. Busy lifestyles mean that gym sessions are often pushed to the bottom of priority lists and our food choices are sometimes made due to convenience and speed rather than nutritional values.

As the autumn months approach and shorts are replaced with woolies, it gets even harder to find the motivation to stay trim and it’s during the colder months that people need more encouragement than ever to stay on the fitness wagon. Through close monitoring of progress and regular reviews, theclubandspa can help you drop the pounds and Gym Manager Nathan is on hand to share his top five fat burning tips to banish the blubber this autumn.

1

Include fat in your diet.

Now, let’s get this one out of the way. Certain fats are good for you and can even promote fat loss, particularly Omega 3’s. Eating fat does seem odd when you’re trying to lose weight, but if you keep your fat intake at around 30% of your total daily calorie intake, you can actually boost your fat loss compared to a low-fat diet. Fish such as Salmon, trout and sardines are a perfect source of Omega 3’s.

2

Eat apples.

Apples contain numerous beneficial antioxidants, but they are also a slow-digesting carb. An apple a day has been known to improve strength, endurance and even fat loss. This boost in your endurance and strength can further aid fat loss as you’ll be able to train harder.

Most apples will contain around 200mg of apple polyphenols (the good antioxidants) and around 30 grams of carbs.

3

4

5

Drink Green Tea.

Drinking green tea is a great way to stay hydrated when working out, with studies showing that people who regularly drank green tea and exercised lost significantly more fat around the abdomen than people who didn’t. They’ve got plenty at theclubandspa!

Incorporate cardio training.

Without question, cardio is the main component of getting lean. It’s by far the easiest way to burn the most calories during your training session. Research has shown that people who completed their cardio session after their resistance training burned significantly more body fat than when they did cardio first. A perfect way to achieve this would be to complete a weight training session, and then join theclubandspa’s outdoor running club on Tuesdays at 6pm.

Use the Climbing Wall.

Running is all well and good, but you should be considering other types of cardio too. A recent study has shown that when people regularly go rock-climbing, their average heart rate reaches around 80% of their maximum, which is a very good cardio session. During a 30-minute session, the average person would burn up to 400 calories - so keep varying your cardio and give our climbing wall a try!

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

WIN! - 51 -

6-month membership completely free!

theclubandspa is the premier Midlands’ exclusive health club and spa located in The Cube, Birmingham. With its unrivalled facilities, including a specialised Milon fitness suite and impressive 8-metre high climbing wall, this inspirational health club is the perfect place to kick-start your fitness program. If it is a modern, vibrant and top-spec exercise environment that you are after, then look no further. theclubandspa doesn’t mess around when it comes to health and well being – their state of the art gym boasts top of the range Technogym equipment, free weights, an array of functional training zones including TRX as well as various other specialist pieces of equipment and areas to help ensure that you get the work-out of your life every time you visit.

dluxe health

We’ve teamed up with theclubandspa to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a

your dream physique...

GOT A SMARTPHONE? SCAN IT AND ENTER!

For your chance to win just scan the code with your phone or visit www.dluxe-magazine. co.uk and click on competitions

theclubandspa is at The Cube, Birmingham Tel: 0121 643 2200

For more information and fitness advice tweet @theclubandspa1 or leave them a comment on Facebook (the club and spa Birmingham)

Good things come to those who wait.

Greater things come to those who workout...

Pete lost 6 stone at theclubandspa

First 30 new members receive the first month free Call 0121 643 2200 to join. www.theclubandspabirmingham.co.uk

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 52 -

dluxe

DINING C

heer up folks, Christmas is only three months away and there are plenty of things on the horizon to quell our desire to eat, drink and be merry. Great British Food Fortnight is in September and National Curry Week in October. So if you are much more of a diner than you are a cook, check out www.msdeliciouspr.blogspot.com for some delectable dining out ideas.

PICCOLINO Brindleyplace is a natural hub for fine dining in the city and is a popular place for after work cocktails and sophisticated dining.

One stand out place is Piccolino, which has always been a popular restaurant in the city thanks to a continental style buzz about the place.

With the recent unveiling of the outdoor terrace and glass partition it certainly would entice you to enjoy a classic aperitivo come rain or shine.

When we dined on a cool summer night, my British reserve steered me away from sitting outdoors but the charming Italian waiter was quick to encourage me to dine al fresco. The comfy low seats were heated up by the big outdoor patio heaters and after a welcoming glass of prosecco I could’ve easily been convinced I had been transported to some Venetian piazza.

FORK If rumours are to believed, an eye watering £1.5 million has been spent creating an outstandingly lavish and decadent restaurant on the former site of the Jug of Ale pub in Moseley. Tipu Sultan is the name of this new Super curry house and is named after a famous historical figure in Indian history, a great 18th century Indian warrior with a magnificent palace in the southern city of Bangalore. The owners have taken inspiration from Tipu Sultan and created a magnificent restaurant resplendent in the style of his palace.

To start we had some deep fried calamari which was a bit on the salty side for me but very moreish and the accompanying garlic mayonnaise was perfect.

The ‘Specials’ menu had an enticing lamb dish on it but sadly was not available on the night. I expect that’s the down side of being a very popular restaurant, and since they strive to serve the best and freshest seasonal produce, it was inevitable.

Whilst there is no shortage of places called Taj Mahal and Curry Palace, none of them has ever come close to looking like its namesake. So this one should be given top marks for trying to emulate an image of a Sultan’s palace. Let’s wait and see if they can create curries fit for king too.

For the mains, I longed for the most perfect plate of Italian pasta and the Linguine with King prawns, chilli and courgette screamed out at me. At £13.95 it was the most expensive dish on the pasta menu and was well cooked with the prawns plump and juicy. The chilli and courgette sauce was good, but could get away with being spiced up a tad more.

KNIFE

There seemed to be lots of authentic Italian sides to choose from. My favourites were the deep fried courgette (Zucchinne fritte) and potatoes in garlic and rosemary (Patate all’aglio) which were both £3.65 and of a good size. The courgettes had the right amount of crispness to it and the potatoes were robust in flavour.

In the run up to Christmas, there will be black tie events galore to go to. One that I have my particular eye on is at Hotel Du Vin. The boutique city centre hotel is hosting a one off black tie champagne dinner on 4 October. Guest of honour is Anne Malassagne, grandaughter of founder A.R. Lenoble who will be sharing her knowledge of the Champagne region.

During the evening guests will be served up a four course dinner and a special selection from these family vineyards.

Staff were helpful, charming and gave us some good dish suggestions but did at times border on being overly attentive. I won’t complain, I’m sure some people, can never tire of good looking Italian men paying you lots of attention!

To book call 08447 364 250. Tickets £99 per person for 4 courses with 6 champagnes.

The restaurant offers a wonderful combination of both modern and classic Italian dishes prepared in an open kitchen.

Come along and say Ciao.

SPOON

Piccolino is at Brindley Place, Birmingham Tel: 0121 634 3055

Andy Waters is returning to Birmingham to open his new 35 cover restaurant ‘Waters on the Square’. Located in Chad Square on the border of Edgbaston, ‘Waters on the Square’, will serve modern British cuisine in a relaxed and friendly setting; a style that has earned Andy a loyal following over the years.

The new venture will be a return to Birmingham for the previously Michelin starred chef, who left his award-winning restaurant Edmunds last year to head up Belbroughton pub, The Queens. We knew he couldn’t stay away from the city too long. www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 53 -

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

A

s the nights draw in and we crave comforting, warming food, what better time to try contemporary Indian restaurant Punjabi Rasoi, writes Caroline Spence, for a feast of spices, perfumes and delicate flavours. Translating loosely as Punjabi Kitchen, the restaurant certainly offers all the comforts of home, with a spacious, uncluttered dining space that’s pleasantly illuminated with natural light from the sloping glass roof.

The Drinks List has been specifically designed to complement the flavours of the food. With classic and contemporary cocktails that can serve equally as an aperitif, a palate cleanser or a replacement dessert, there is something for everyone. Specialities include the Disaronno Paradise – a tropical blend of pineapple, coconut, and melon mixed with classic amaretto – it would be perfect to finish off a meal.

We tried the classic Mojito (slightly sweet but very moreish) and Woo Woo (long and lovely) to sharpen our palates whilst we perused the extensive menu.

Combining the authentic dishes from the Punjab region of northern India (including succulent lamb and tasty spinach and creamy paneer cheese) and contemporary twists from Goa in southern India (spicy Tiger Prawns and creamy fish curries), the menu is comprehensive but simple to follow, without the pages of dishes that sometimes renders selection impossible. One thing we loved was how the wine list had been helpfully attached to the menu as diners often struggle matching Indian food to appropriate drinks, particularly wine.

For starters, we had a selection of dishes (we actually couldn’t decide so went for a variety!) including the signature Barrah Kebab – tender baby lamb chops with delicate spices accompanied by a mint sauce. A popular choice, they provide a meltin-the-mouth experience as an appetiser. Secondly, we tasted Punjabi Jhinga – dry, spicy Tiger Prawns, juicy and meaty. Finally, it was Murgh Tikka, a www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

variation on classic Chicken Tikka, with a delicious fiery afterburn of chilli. This was all accompanied by the Punjabi version of street food called Papdi Chatt –a deep fried pastry spiced and drizzled with Raitha.

Moving onto the main course, we opted for the signature Nali Gosht – lamb cooked on the bone simmered in warming spicy gravy. Just falling off the bone, the tender lamb was hearty with fulsome flavours – perfect for a cold dark evening. Salmon Goan was lighter in texture with a creamy sauce that allowed the taste of the salmon to cut through.

Finally a speciality dhal with red kidney beans provided a real savoury finish to meal. Soaked for over eight hours, the combination of lentils and kidney beans in a rich soup-like gravy was great for mopping up the Roti bread and the rice.

I have to admit that the real surprise for me was dessert. Having shied away from pudding in Indian restaurants over the years, I was delighted to find not one but two desserts that not only rounded off the meal well but complemented each other perfectly. The combination of warm Gulab Jamun (doughnuts in sugar syrup) was offset perfectly by the cool, creamy Kulfi Faluda –a sundae of traditional Indian ice cream, condensed milk, a delicate rose flavoured syrup and a sprinkling of crunchy pistachios. Needless to say, we ate the lot.

Conveniently located near the NEC just off the M42 in Solihull, Punjabi Rasoi is perfect for a range of events – the huge glass roof would make it perfect for lazy Sunday lunches or early evening cocktails and the clean lines of the restaurant make this an ideal venue for family, friends or couples.

Punjabi Rasoi 980 Warwick Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham, B27 6QG 0121 706 6450 www.thepunjabirasoi.co.uk

dluxe dining

PUNJAB PERFECT:

dluxe dining

- 54 -

DINNERS for Winners

T

OUTED AS ‘BIRMINGHAM’S BEST KEPT SECRET’ I MUST SAY I WAS INTRIGUED WHEN I GOT THE CALL TO DINE AT THE NEWLY REFURBISHED FAHRENHEIT BAR AND GRILL LOCATED WITHIN EDGBASTON’S GENTING CASINO. I’D NEVER EATEN AT A CASINO BEFORE, IN FACT I’D NEVER EVEN BEEN IN ONE SO JUST WHY WERE PEOPLE KEEPING THIS PLACE A SECRET? WAS IT SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TEMPTATIONS OF GAMBLING ?

DODGY DÉCOR BUT AMAZING FOOD? OR, PERHAPS, IT’S THE OTHER DINERS; COULD I CUT THE MUSTARD IN A ROOM FULL OF HIGH ROLLERS? SHOCKINGLY, IT NEVER ENTERED MY HEAD THAT PEOPLE MIGHT KEEP QUIET ABOUT A GOOD THING TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN GET A TABLE AT WHAT IS A HIGH QUALITY, WELL DESIGNED, WELL PRICED AND CREATIVE EATERIE, SAYS JON FRASER.

Brushing my preconceptions aside as we walk into the dining room, the first thing I notice is how bright and contemporary the décor is. Newly refurbished, the traditional architectural features of the venue are softened in a cool stone shade whilst oversized black and gold lanterns keep things contemporary and tie in the comfortable gold and black dining chairs. It’s a look that is both opulent and inviting.

As we wait for an aperitif we get the opportunity to spy on our other diners; midtwenties upwards, smart, professional and exactly who you would expect to find at any of the eateries around Brindley Place, for example. Two stereotypes down, one to go; the quality of the food.

Although there was a midweek deal menu available when we dined (just 12.95 for two courses) we decided to sample the fare from the new a la carte menu (we’re like

that), central to which is the new Josper charcoal grill. Designed to give an authentic chargrilled taste, the Josper grill maintains a high cooking temperature of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit enhancing the flavour of the meat as it cooks. So that was my steak main decided then!

We were, however, running ahead of ourselves and had still the starters to settle on.

Not being a fan of seafood myself I did find the choice of starter a little limiting but settled on fresh sounding and tasting Lemon Marinated Josper Grilled Asparagus with parmesan and truffle oil- the chargrilled taste worked beautifully with the lemon and the chef had not overdone the truffle oil, so the dish was not smothered by its otherwise intense flavour.

My dining partner opted for the Seared Black Pearl Scallops with strawberries, balsamic and rocket pronouncing them as ‘heavenly’ and demanding why strawberries weren’t served with our mains at home…(Fahrenheit has created a monster!)

On to the mains and that steak I had promised myself. I plumped for the 10oz Grangemoor Sirloin Steak served traditionally with tomato, Portobello mushrooms and watercress.

My dining partner was intrigued by the varied fish menu and settled on the Teriyaki Glazed Halibut with Cucumber Noodles and Choi Sum and we decided to share a side of triple-cooked Cornish sea salt chips. My steak was cooked perfectly; medium with a slight crunch, chargrilled finish and soft and flavoursome inside. The accompanying www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

watercress and crisp, triple-cooked chips finished the dish well, as did the Fahrenheit speciality sauce of chilli and smoky bourbon.

The delicately flavoured Halibut was a much lighter choice than my steak and again led to the question of why don’t we try cucumber noodles at home…

After such an excellent steak I thought it wise to continue the choice of robust flavours with a melt in the middle Chocolate and Praline Fondant complete with Lavender Cream whilst the Clementine and Coconut Cheesecake with Gingernut Crumb was immediately decided upon by the other half.

My fondant was divine: soft, gooey and rich without being sickly although I would have swapped the lavender cream for a good vanilla ice cream (call me old fashioned).

The cheesecake brought about memories of tropical trips with the gingernut crumb complementing the coconut perfectly.

There’s never a better time to be reflective than with a full stomach and as we sipped our closing coffees we did have to take our hats off to Genting for offering much more than we could have expected. Whilst it’s not unusual for a casino to offer food, Fahrenheit can (and should) be seen as a destination restaurant that is as good as any in the Second City. And with regards to our earlier comment about decor, clientele and food quality? They’ve Aced it.

If you’re intrigued by the glamour and excitement of the roulette tables, Genting organise tours and ‘Learn to Play’ workshops for first time visitors. Why not book one for after you’ve eaten.

Genting Casino, 1 Norfolk Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. B153PS Tel. 0121 454 3725 www.gentingcasinoedgbaston.co.uk

- 55 -

dluxe dining

British BRASSERIE BOOM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW OUR GREAT CITY, NEW MAN ABOUT TOWN CHRIS MCCAUGHRAN IS THE BIG PERSONALITY WITH A HUGE SMILE AT HOTEL LA TOUR’S AALTO RESTAURANT. THE LURE OF WORKING WITH MARCUS WAREING AND SPENDING HIS DAYS INSIDE ONE OF THE CITY’S LANDMARK BUILDINGS WAS SIMPLY TOO MUCH FOR CHRIS MCCAUGHRAN TO RESIST. Chris has moved north from the country’s capital to take on the role of Restaurant and Bars Manager at Hotel La Tour Birmingham and is self-admittedly “super-excited” to crack on with work and to explore the city. After university, Chris spent time as a mixologist at a busy Bristol cocktail bar before discovering his love of the hotel business. The last few years have taken him to a variety of luxury properties including the five-star Marriott Champs-Élysées, Paris, giving Chris a pedigree that is second to none.

Working as hospitality manager for the BBC, Chris would frequently mingle with celeb royalty as he oversaw proceedings at the famous Television Centre. Among his favourite anecdotes from his time at the Beeb are sharing a cigar with Jonathan Ross, organising a huge event for Sir David Attenborough and getting all the inside goss on big names (we were quite persuasive, but he was far too discreet to tell us)!

Upping sticks and shifting your entire life to another city is never easy but Chris relishes the challenge and excitement of what Brum holds in store for him, saying, ”I’ve lived in London and Manchester before but Birmingham is completely new to me. I love what I have seen of the city so far and can’t wait to discover it all properly and meet as many people as possible.

There’s loads going on and I know the people round here like to party!”

It all comes down to personality when choosing our friends and partners, a maxim that Chris firmly believes extends to where we choose to eat, saying, “Hotel La Tour is such an iconic building and I’m going to be working with the team to really promote the personality of both Aalto Restaurant and Alvar Bar, which have already made a great impact particularly with our extremely popular afternoon tea. I was immediately captivated by the restaurant’s standards and quality, and of course, the prospect of working with Marcus Wareing and his team, who are such a key part of what our Head Chef Dan Pearce and his team are doing, was an extremely attractive one!”

Dan may well have some competition on his hands though, as Chris is also a dab hand in the kitchen and loves to dish up Asian influenced grub when he’s entertaining. Back at work however, and among his favourite dishes on the menu at Aalto is Pork belly and scallops, an indulgently modern twist on the classic surf and turf combo.

Stylishly done modern classics abound on Aalto’s menu and when quizzed about the future of British cuisine Chris is incredibly upbeat and big smiles, “I think the market is now ready for great modern British food in a brasserie style. French brasserie has done very nicely and fine dining is done extremely well in this country, Aalto has the fantastic opportunity to continue to make a big name for itself and I am really looking forward to being a part of that.”

We managed to get Chris and the kitchen team to part with the recipe for one of their most popular starters so that you guys can bring out the big guns at the next dinner party. But remember, for the real deal there really is no Aalto(ernative)!

HOTEL LA TOUR IS @ ALBERT STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B5 5JE. TEL: 0121 718 8000 WWW.HOTEL-LATOUR.CO.UK www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

SURF AND TURF WITH A MODERN TWIST BY AALTO RESTAURANT. - Serves 4

Ingredients:

Apple puree (6 Granny Smith apples, 50g butter) Confit of pork belly 12 fresh large scallops Apple batons Watercress

Method:

Score the skin on a 12” square of pork belly and rub with salt, washing off after 24 hours. Place in roasting tray. Cover with duck fat, add a few sprigs of thyme and half a bulb of garlic, cook at 110oC for 6 hours. Place pork between two flat trays to cool.

Peel and core apples, retaining the skins in icecold water. Melt butter, add apples and sauté for 2 minutes. Cover with a little water and put a lid on pan, cooking until apples are soft. Blitz in a blender, adding the skins for a couple of minutes. Pass through sieve and refrigerate.

Plating up:

Cut the pork into 2” squares and place skin side down into a cold frying pan, add a tablespoon of oil and slowly cook until crispy. Turn and place on a tray, cook in the oven for 5 minutes.

Lightly season scallops and pan sear for around 1.5 minutes until golden. Add butter for 30 seconds and turn.

Cut apples into batons and mix with watercress, dress with vinaigrette. Put 4-5 dots of puree on plate, dusting with ground cinnamon. Place pork and scallops on plate, with watercress and apple batons.

dluxe diary

- 56 -

diary

Bill Bailey: Qualmpeddler

22 September and 2 October @ Symphony Hall

Oddball comic Bill Bailey will be giving an appraisal of all his qualms with life in the modern world when he stops by in Birmingham as part of his national tour. You can be sure to witness all the usual ingredients of a Bailey show including his trademark musical mash-ups, multilingual riffs, films, songs, philosophising and, of course, silliness on an epic scale! Watch out for the Religious Dubstep and one amazing owl!

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Acorns Hall Ball

17 – 21 September @ Brindleyplace If you can’t wait until November and the Frankfurt Market for your fix of continental goodies then Brindleyplace is where you need to be this September. Medfood London Italian Market is innovative and authentic, made up of mouth-watering stalls bringing you all the wonderful tastes you would expect to get in Italy, parmigiano reggiano, salami, cannoli, packed pastas, olives and extra virgin olive oils, they’ve got it all! The company was initially set up by two brothers and have rapidly expanded to feature at many food festivals and trade shows around the country.

Style Birmingham Live

28 September @ Birmingham Town Hall Grab yourselves a front row ticket because the city’s ultimate and unmissable day of fashion, beauty and shopping is back. Style Birmingham Live will be rocking Town Hall like you’ve never seen it before with a jawdropping catwalk show hosted by model and presenter Emma Willis and reality TV star Rylan Clark. You’ll be given a sneaky peek of all the AW13 trends and have the chance to join in with the hosts as they debate their reactions in a fashion Q&A after each show. Ticket holders can also apply for a free reserved seat to watch The Show: Ten at Bullring in celebration of the shopping centre’s tenth birthday.

Halls Chartered Surveyors hosted their sparkling summer ball in the grounds of Worcestershire’s Spetchley House and Gardens to help celebrate 25 years of care by Acorn’s Children’s Hospice. 325 friends and local businesses helped raise a massive £13,000 for the charity, helping to continue providing the network of care and support to children with life limiting conditions. An auction of eight prizes donated by a number of local business and individuals was one of the highlights of the evening and raised over £8,000.

To find out more about Acorn’s Children’s Hospices and what they do, see www.acorns.org.uk

Floating Market

27 – 29 September @ Brindleyplace The Roving Canal Traders Association in conjunction with Brindleyplace and the Canal and River Trust, will be holding the city’s first ever Floating Market on the Birmingham waterfront this autumn.

Between 10pm and 6pm 27 – 29 September approximately 20 narrowboats will line the sides of the canal selling art, painted wares, crafts, glassware, herbs, rosettes, jewellery and many other kinds of souvenirs and knick knacks, there may also be a spot of palmistry!

There’s sure to be something to suit all tastes so head down and check out what is a first for the city and only the second floating market in the country!

Birmingham Book Festival

3 – 12 October @ The Library of Birmingham and various other venues

Ed Rapley: The Self Trilogy 28 September @ mac Birmingham

Three solo shows, all playful, intimate and ridiculous beauties. They took six years to make and according to Ed they record his journey from wild optimism through the wilderness and into the unknown. This is one of the only times all three shows will be performed back-to-back, as they should be, so it’s sure to be entertaining. Ed recommends that you look them up on-line or just take a massive gamble and book a ticket. What have you got to lose? www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Calling all you bookworms out there! Pop along to the Birmingham Book Festival to explore a broad canon of literature in some wonderful venues, including your chance to have a nose around the fantastic new Library of Birmingham. Priding itself on a quirky and inspiring compilation, festival revellers can look forward to work from near and far, thought-provoking readings and talks, creative writing workshops, amongst a host of other events. For more information and full listings head to www.birminghambookfestival.org

dluxe diary

Italian Market

- 57 -

dluxe diary

- 58 -

Summer Exhibition

Solihull School welcomed parents, pupils and friends to one of the biggest summer art exhibitions in its history. More than 1,000 pieces of artwork and photography created by children from all years were on show, including works submitted by nine other local schools.

Birmingham Comedy Festival 4 - 13 October 2013 @ various venues

This city-wide arts festival has been making the people of Birmingham laugh since 2001 and is back for another laughter-packed 10 days. It’s got big names, up-and-coming acts and some of the best talent from the region’s largely unsung comedy scene. It’s not just about stand-up though; the festival embraces theatre, cabaret, film, spoken word and visual arts too, anything with a humorous edge.

There will also be workshops for those looking to brush up on their skills or branch out in their career! For more information and full listings head to www.bhamcomfest.co.uk

Visitors were able to view works while enjoying wine, canapés and live jazz from talented sixth formers. Solihull Junior School shared its section with works by children from Coppice Junior School, Dorridge Junior School, Eversfield Preparatory School, Greswold Primary School, Hallfield School, Knowle CE Primary School, Monkspath Junior School, Oak Cottage Primary School and West House School.

Sleeping Beauty On Ice

8 – 12 October @ New Alexandra Theatre

Future Foodies

The Big Taste

4 – 6 October @ Mell Square and venues across Solihull town centre

West Midlands food lovers, traders, writers, commentators and bloggers.came together to celebrate independent food and drink in the region recently. Hosted at Hotel La Tour, over 400 visitors came to titillate their taste buds at the city’s most stylish food fair, sampling from 20+ independent food and drink businesses exhibiting their wares. Exhibitors ranged from home bakers to restaurateurs, trade suppliers and drink manufacturers, all of them offering something new to the midlands marketplace.

After almost a year and a half absence that has seen them embark upon a worldwide tour, the international ice dance sensations The Imperial Ice Stars make a triumphant return to the UK and Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre with Sleeping Beauty on Ice. Experts in tying together wellloved classical scores with breath-taking choreography and romantic narrative, the 26-strong cast of Olympic, World, European and National Championship skaters never fail to create a rich fusion of pulse racing ice dancing and dramatic performance and are sure to work breathtaking wonders with this timeless fairytale love story, set to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent music.

To keep up with Future Foodies events, find them on Facebook

Now in its third year The Big Taste is back for 2013 and will be providing three days of tasty food, all cooked in Mell Square by chefs from 20 of Solihull’s restaurants. Combining great tastes with fantastic entertainment for all the family, the free festival will feature special menus, live demonstrations and master classes making it perfect for all you foodies out there! When the weekend is over the food festival continues as Solihull’s restaurants and bars tempt you to try their menus with some tasty offers with vouchers that can be downloaded by going to www.solihullfestivals.co.uk

Bruno Mars 11 October @ NIA Since the breakout success of his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Bruno Mars has gone on to assert his position among contemporary pop’s most gifted and compelling artists. The smooth talking Hawaiian born artist has been making women melt telling them they’re amazing just the way they are and will be in Birmingham this October! With astronomical global album sales figures and over 50 million singles sold worldwide, the 14-time Grammy Award nominee has fully proven himself as a true superstar. Book now to avoid disappointment! www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 59 Mulberry, Eleven Paris and Converse were amongst a host of top brands with special gifts for Selfridges on their tenth birthday. Limited edition handbags, T-shirts, shoes and other items were all especially made for the Birmingham designer store as it celebrated 10 years in business. The party spirit took over the entire shop with beauty demonstrations, surprise treats, competitions, free giveaways, Pimms and pick and mix all on offer. A special birthday cake inspired by the 15,000 aluminium-spun discs on Bullring’s exterior was created by baker-to-the-elite Fiona Cairns and Ed’s Diner teamed up with Krispy Kreme to create a very special take on the Luther Burger, christened Ed’s Krispy Kreme Bacon Cheeseburger.

Tinchy Stryder was also on hand for a guest DJ set and Selfridges will now look ahead to Style Birmingham Live in which they will present a key scene in the fashion show, taking place at the end of September.

Disney On Ice Presents: Dare to Dream!

23 October – 3 November @ NIA Disney On Ice invites you to get tangled up in their new show in which classic meets contemporary. Take the little ones along to join their favourite Disney Princesses in a celebration of 75 years of Disney Princess stories, including two-modern day princesses, Rapunzel and Tiana; the everelegant Cinderella; and the princess who started it all, Snow White. You can watch in wonderment as fanciful dreams are made a reality and some of Disney’s best-loved stories are recreated with great skill on the ice. Perfect for your own little princess!

WIN!

dluxe diary

Selfridges Celebrate ten years of Style

two family tickets VISIT www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk to enter.

Ed Byrne: Roaring Forties 25 October @ Symphony Hall A self-confessed “miserable old git” since the age of 23, Ed Byrne is now in his forties and whilst for others this might result in a crisis that prompts the purchase of a sports car or some other extravagant lifestyle change, Ed embraces middle age with open arms.

The new show received rave reviews at Edinburgh Fringe Festival for providing the perfect blend of observational humour and personal experiences, all delivered with the Irish-man’s own unique style. Join him, as he truly comes of age!

Images by Jas Sansi

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxe diary

Scrooge The Musical

28 October – 2 November @ New Alexandra Theatre After a West End run last Christmas Tommy Steele reprises his role as the most famous miser of all time, Ebenezer Scrooge, in Bill Kenwright’s spectacular production of festive musical Scooge. Ebeneezer Scrooge is the miser who, on the anniversary of the death of his business partner, is given the opportunity to alter his destiny after a series of ghostly visitations. This musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic is sure to warm the cockles of your heart and put you right in the mood for December’s festivities.

- 60 -

Air India Launches in Birmingham At a glamorous event at the ICC, Birmingham Airport hosted a launch for Air India who had recently announced they will resume direct flights to Delhi and Amritsar from BHX. The Monsoon Wedding themed event celebrated the partnership between Birmingham Airport and Air India.

Attended by 250 people from the travel trade and aviation sector, Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport was delighted to announce the long awaited return of India’s national flag carrier. Amongst the distinguished guests were UK General Manager of Air India, Kailash Singh and the Indian High Commissioner Mr Ramalingham.

From 1st August 2013, flights between Birmingham Airport and Delhi will operate four times weekly, using the new Boeing 787-8 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft.

Tickets are on sale via www.airindia.com

An evening with: Sir Roger Moore

6 November @ New Alexandra Theatre Sir Roger Moore, the legendary film star who played the iconic role of James Bond between 1973 and 1985, will be at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre this November discussing his astonishing life and career, with inside stories and exclusive anecdotes ranging from The Saint through to Hollywood blockbusters and, of course, the 007 films. The show, which features an interview with Roger followed by an audience Q&A toured the country last year to huge success and is back with ten new dates for 2013.

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

TUE 12 & WED 13 NOV

THU 21 NOV

MON 25 - SAT 30 NOV

THU 5 - SAT 7 DEC

TUE 17 DEC - SUN 5 JAN

0844 871 3011 (bkg fee)

GROUPS 10+ 0844 871 3031

‘MISS IT AT YOUR PERIL’

STARRING

KERRY ELLIS

www.atgtickets.com/ birmingham (bkg fee)

16

+

MAIL ON SUNDAY

MON 24 FEB - SAT 1 MAR

E

FRI 14 FEB

A G

MON 3 - SAT 8 FEB

JOYEUX NOE

L ~AT

SAT 8 MAR

HOTE L DU VIN

BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT HOTEL DU VIN BIRMINGHAM THIS YEAR AND WE WILL HELP TO ARRANGE THE PERFECT FESTIVE OCCASION

FROM JUST £29.50 DON’T MISS OUT, BOOK YOUR EVENT NOW

0844 736 4250

events.birmingham@hotelduvin.com www.hotelduvin.com/christmas

dluxe diary

- 62 -

Edgbaston Priory Club Launch Business Lunches Edgbaston Priory Club is one of the most prestigious racquet and leisure members’ clubs in the region and autumn saw the addition of another monthly event to their already vibrant social calendar. The first Wednesday of every month will now host a business networking lunch in their state of the art function room. Running from 12:30pm – 2:30pm, registration for the monthly event costs £25 and includes a glass of red or white wine and canapés on arrival, a main meal with a glass of wine (or soft drink), followed by coffee or tea with Petit Fours.

For more information contact Charlotte Harper by email on charlotte.harper@ edgbastonpriory.com or call 0121 440 2492.

Midlands Fashion Awards’ Soiree Success In preparation for the 2013 awards ceremony, The Midlands Fashion Awards held a networking soiree, at Vertu in the heart of Birmingham’s creative Jewellery Quarter, to showcase the Accessory Designer and Makeup Artist Finalists. The talented hopefuls were appraised on the night, by judges which included dluxe’s very own Caroline Spence.

The soiree bubbled with Prosecco, sartorial conversation, sophisticated attendees and well known faces all gathered in expectation of the main Midlands Fashion Awards event that is set to take place in the Penthouse, Birmingham on 11th October 2013.

To find out more visit www.midlandsfashionawards.co.uk Images by Midlands Fashion Awards Official Photographer - Charles Davis www.professionalphotography.me.uk

Images by Jas Sansi

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

B R I N G Y O U R PA RT Y T O O U R PA RT Y !

PARTY NIGHTS AT NAILCOTE HALL HOTEL SEPTEMBER

DECEMBER

Saturday 14th ‘MOTOWN’ LEGENDS PARTY with SOUL LEGEND Enjoy all the moves, the smooth vocals.

£29.50

Friday 20th THE ‘QUEEN’ OF ALL PARTIES with QUEEN B A sensational party night from Freddie Mercury & Queen.

£37.50

Friday 27th ‘MAMMA MIA’ PARTY with ‘SENSATION’ AN ABBA TRIBUTE Enjoy a great party with our tribute to ABBA.

£37.50

£32.50

Friday 6th THE CHRISTMAS SOUL PARTY with THE SOUL SURVIVORS & MEL DAY A Soul Party Extravaganza. Celebrate the greatest hits.

£37.50

Saturday 7th £37.50 ‘TAKE THAT‘ & ‘WESTLIFE’ SHOW with THAT’S LIFE It only takes a minute for these lively lads to relight your fire.

OCTOBER Saturday 5th THE PINK BALL AT THE HALL with BROTHERS OF SOUL Enjoy our ‘Black Tie’ Charity Ball.

£49.50

Friday 11th ADELE TRIBUTE SHOW with ‘HOMETOWN GLORY’ NATALIE ANNE The UK’s leading Adele Tribute Show.

£32.50

Friday 13th THE ‘LEGENDS’ PARTY with ABSOLUTE LEGENDS Enjoy a night of sheer brilliance!

£35.00

Friday 13th ‘MAMMA MIA’ CHRISTMAS PARTY with ‘BOOTLEG ABBA’ Enjoy a great party with our tribute to ABBA.

£37.50

Saturday 14th £39.50 CLASSIC SOUL CHRISTMAS PARTY with BROTHERS OF SOUL Celebrate the greatest hits, the moves & the smooth vocals.

Sunday 13th PERFECT BRIDES WEDDING FAYRE An ideal opportunity to meet a large number of suppliers.

Saturday 26th ‘TAKE THAT‘ & ‘WESTLIFE’ SHOW with THAT’S LIFE An amazing tribute to the ultimate boy bands.

Friday 6th SWINGING 60’s & MOTOWN PARTY with THE KRYSTALETTES Enjoy a swinging night with our amazing Female Trio.

£35.00

Thursday 19th £35.00 THE ‘MICHAEL MCINTYRE’ TRIBUTE COMEDY PARTY The look-alike, sound-alike and laugh-alike stand-up comic.

Saturday 9th HEART & SOUL PARTY with HARRY CAMBRIDGE Tribute to Luther Vandross.

£29.50

Friday 20th THE ‘BEE GEES’ SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER PARTY with STAYIN’ ALIVE The No.1 tribute to ‘The Brothers Gibb’.

Saturday 16th RICKS ‘CHILDREN IN NEED’ CHARITY 80’S PARTY with CAFÉ 80’s Don’t miss Ricks spectacular ‘Black Tie’ Charity Ball.

£49.50

Friday 20th £39.50 THE BOOZE BROTHERS THE ULTIMATE BLUES BROTHERS PARTY A guaranteed non-stop, dance all night, live music extravaganza.

Saturday 23rd ‘SUPREME’ MOTOWN & SOUL DIVA PARTY with THE MOTELLAS Enjoy a night full of tow tapping Motown classic hits.

£32.50

Friday 29th THE ‘PETER KAY’ COMEDY PARTY with LEE LARD An hilarious comedy night.

£35.00

Saturday 30th BORDERLINE A GREAT PARTY BAND A ‘Triple Treat’, Blues Brothers, Tina Turner, 70’s & 80’s.

£35.00

Saturday 30th THE SNOWBALL CHARITY PARTY with MANHATTAN formally Smackee Cabaret with ‘Songs from the Musicals’ followed by dancing.

£45.00

NOVEMBER

£37.50

Saturday 21st £37.50 ‘TAKE THAT‘ & ‘WESTLIFE’ SHOW with THAT’S LIFE It only takes a minute for these lively lads to relight your fire.

Saturday 21st £39.50 TRIBUTE TO THE 80’s PARTY with 80’s EXPERIENCE Celebrate a night of nostalgia with the greatest hits of the 80’s.

Tuesday 24th £35.00 CHRISTMAS EVE in THE HISTORIC OAK ROOM RESTAURANT Enjoy a delightful Christmas Eve Dinner in The Oak Room Restaurant.

Thursday 26th BOXING DAY ‘MICHAEL BUBLÉ’ TRIBUTE with JAMIE FLANAGAN A mesmerising tribute show to one of the best Jazz.

£32.50

Tuesday 31st NEW YEARS EVE ‘MAMMA MIA’ PARTY CELEBRATION with SENSATION ‘ABBA’ TRIBUTE & dinner caberet with Suzi Woods

£59.50

TICKET PRICES INCLUDE 4 COURSE MEAL WE WILL CATER FOR ANY SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

FOR MORE DETAILS OF THE EVENTS IN RICKS BAR & THE MARQUEE VISIT

www.nailcotehall.co.uk

BOOKING HOTLINE CALL: 02476 466174 info@nailcotehall.co.uk Nailcote Lane, Berkswell, Warwickshire CV7 7DE

dluxe diary

- 64 -

Sweet Celebration More than 80 people joined Rhubarb Property for its Summer party at The Rectory bar and restaurant in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

Guests who attended the celebration to mark the company’s growing success enjoyed canapés and ‘rhubarb’ flavoured treats including belinis, cupcakes and sweets.

Tom Avery, Managing Director of the letting agent and property management company based in St Paul’s Square said: “The event was a ‘thank you’ to colleagues and contacts for their support in our early years in business. Rhubarb Property has been established for almost six years and we are very proud to have maintained our focus on personal service, communication and attention to detail as the business has developed.”

Rhubarb Property has launched a referral promotion for the month of September offering £300 to individuals who refer any new landlords that sign up on a management basis. www.rhubarbproperty.co.uk

FRANKFURT MARKET

14 November – 22 December @ Victoria Square, New Street, Centenary Square and Chamberlain Square The centrepiece of the city’s festive events calendar is back and will see our German cousins descending upon the streets of Birmingham to create what is the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria. A plenitude of tantalising treats are waiting to tickle your taste buds, including bratwurst and brazel, hot glühwein and of course some nice crisp German beer.

With over 180 stalls selling gifts, jewellery, decorations, and handmade toys, the market offers a unique shopping experience and generates the feel of a small, bustling village within the heart of the city centre.

dluxe’s MD Kevin Urquhart and Thomas Avery

Stereophonics

19 November @ LG Arena Welsh alt-rockers Steroephonics are out on the road again in support of their eighth studio album, Graffiti On The Train and have announced that they’ll be playing at the LG Arena this November. With a career that spans back over a decade, the band has had countless hit records with five UK charttopping albums and has grown to become one of the most iconic bands of the twenty first century.

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

- 65 -

dluxe diary

HARVEY NICHOLS AW13 FASHION SHOW Birmingham’s most stylish store certainly confirmed its place as the region’s trendsetter with its AW13 Fashion Show.

The striking Old Post Office at The Mailbox provided the perfect backdrop for statement collections from the likes of Alexander McQueen, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jonathan Saunders, Dolce & Gabbana, Proenza Schouler and Christian Louboutin.

The show, in association with Professional Player Magazine, sold out in record time with nearly 600 guests, VIPs and celebrities snapping up tickets. Catwalk trends included Palette Cleanser, Gothic Tailoring, Chunky Knit, Skirt Silhouette, Mixed Print, Varsity, Boy Oh Boy and Punk Rebellion.

The models’ hair on the night was styled

by Paul Jones and SHOW Beauty while makeup was created by SpaceNK and nails by Shavata. There was also a charity auction, hosted by TV presenter Nick Hancock, to raise funds for Xpro and items snapped up included a signed Peter Crouch shirt and Usain Bolt’s gold medal winning spikes.

Images courtesy of Andy Espin

Peter Pan: The Never Ending Story 13 – 15 December @ NIA

See the boy who never grows up in a live adventure you’ll never forget! This world arena tour is a high-flying, hi-tech fantasy adventure that combines the drama and excitement of live theatre with the epic visuals of a blockbuster movie. Stacey Solomon stars as Tinkerbell in JM Barrie’s classic and will join Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys as they cross swords with the ruthless Captain Hook and his pirates. In a theatre world first, Peter Pan will fly high above the stage without the use of wires, so get to the NIA to see Neverland as you’ve never seen it before; this is theatre with added fairy dust.

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxe people

- 66 -

Paul Kehoe Birmingham Airport

B

IRMINGHAM AIRPORT IS REALLY COMING OF AGE – GROWING UP IN TERMS OF THE SERVICES OFFERED AND THE ROUTES PROVIDED. OUR PREVIOUSLY REGIONAL AIRPORT IS READY TO TAKE A STEP UP ONTO THE NATIONAL AND GLOBAL STAGES. AND WITH PAUL KEHOE IN THE COCKPIT, IT’S BOUND TO BE A SMOOTH FLIGHT...

So, as we have reported in this edition of Dluxe, Air India has launched new routes to New Delhi and Amritsar from Birmingham.

How important is this for the region?

Ever since Air India left in 2008, they have been looking for the right opportunity to come back to the region. It has taken over three years of hard work from the team here at the airport to get a compelling package together to get them back. So this is significant for the region for two reasons; firstly, there is a significant local community who can use the service, particularly to Amritsar, for visiting friends and family, and secondly the route to New Delhi opens up opportunities for business between the two regions, and can act as a hub to access the wider subcontintent. It really is a terrific service – the new Dreamliner is magnificent, with Business Class facilities to rival any in the market, and we hope that there will be some competition in the marketplace to get great value for customers.

The Air India launch is only one part of the airport’s expansion though, isn’t it?

Absolutely – we are expanding our offer in a number of ways. Firstly, short haul value flights with carriers such as Ryanair and Flybe continue to grow as do new destinations through BMI and Monarch. Charter flights have turned a corner and our business routes such as those to Germany through Lufthansa, have been very successful. But the area we are all excited about is long haul travel. Due to the runway restrictions, the furthest we can currently travel is New Delhi thanks to the new Dreamliners, however to open the airport up to new long haul destinations, we are having to extend the runway. Due to open in April 2014, we will have the capability to access China and the Far East and West Coast America. However, firstly, we need to attract airlines, and people, to the region because we need demand from both directions – from local people to fly out but also from incoming visitors to make a route financially viable.

have an appetite to travel to and come from?

China is a particular area of interest. With burgeoning growth in trade and tourism, routes into the UK from Beijing and Shanghai have to be targets for us. However there is a massive education job to do in China in telling people that there are other routes into the UK outside of London.

“WITH THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, BIRMINGHAM WILL EMERGE AS SECOND ONLY TO LONDON” How can we encourage more people from overseas to visit the region?

Well, this is a perfect area to visit from a long haul destination as we are at the centre of everything. We are an hour away from London, the South West, Edinburgh and Belfast. We also have fantastic destinations on our doorstep such as Stratford upon Avon, Warwick Castle and Ironbridge. Perhaps we follow the example of the ‘Shakespeare Express’ a steam train that goes from Snowhill to Straford Upon Avon every Sunday, and market Birmingham as the gateway to Shakespeare country. Every year 28 million Chinese students learn Shakespeare, we only have to secure a tiny percentage of them as visitors and we will have a healthy tourism trade in the area.

With all the developments in the region over the next 18 months, how do you feel about the future of Birmingham?

Are there particular destinations that people www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

I feel that Birmingham’s time is yet to come.

We have maintained steady growth through a period of sustained economic gloom but with the new developments taking place over the next year or so, Birmingham will emerge as second only to London in a number of sectors.

The Library of Birmingham, Grand Central, the Future NIA and the Mailbox will all bring something positive to the city, building on existing attractions such as the Christmas Market, which just seems to go from strength to strength. Marketing Birmingham are doing a great job of promoting the city but the biggest challenge will be getting the message about the ‘new’ Birmingham out there.

You have a successful career and a host of accolades including an honorary degree from Birmingham City University and an Institute of Directors award, so what is next for Paul Kehoe?

Well, this is the longest period I have spent in one location in my career and I have no plans to go anywhere! Even though it is five years ago since I began the journey here in Birmingham, it seems like five minutes ago, and we still have so much to do! We can make the airport and the economy work together to offer opportunities for trade, travel and tourism for all.

You deal with other people’s holidays and leisure travel all the time but how do you like to spend your free time?

Oh that’s easy – with my wife. Living in Surrey, I leave home on a Monday morning and don’t get back until late on Friday, so it sounds simple but any time I get I try to spend with her. The children are all grown up and living their own lives now – one in the South and one in Saudi Arabia – so we don’t get to see each other so much but family is definitely important.

For more information on Birmingham Airport and the development of the runway extension please visit www.birminghamairport.co.uk or www.balancedaviationdebate.com.

- 67 -

dluxe home

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk