Style Birmingham Issue 54

BIRMINGHAM

WIN!

A staycation with Harvey Nichols and AC Hotel

DUA LIPA

She can blow your mind

CZECH IN!

Prague, the city for this summer

Get ahead of what’s

hot this season

Summer Styling

WHO RUN THE WORLD? The rise of the #GirlBoss

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#54

Hello summer.

Summer’s finally here! It’s one of our favourite issues as we move forward embracing the warm weather and continue to showcase the very best that our wonderful city has to offer.

This issue we’re celebrating the true meaning of girl power. Our leading lady is the new princess of pop Dua Lipa, who talks to us all about her gorgeous debut album and why it’s important to be comfortable in your own skin [page 21]; we take a look at the world’s most empowering women [page 25] and our resident writer Tara Tomes reflects on the evolution of the #GirlBoss [page 40].

Moving onto fashion and beauty, we’ve got everything you need to make sure you’re primed and ready for your summer holiday. We explore this season’s most beautiful trends on our shopping pages [page 15] that will have you looking beach-ready in next to no time. If you need a little help in revamping your wardrobe, head to page 30 to see how Topshop Personal Shopping can help you.

Our resident writer and beauty guru Rose Gallagher is back with her top tips on taking care of your skin this season, and the award-winning team at Royston Blythe share their wisdom on achieving summer’s hottest new hair looks to get you looking glamorous for any occasion.

If all this wasn’t enough, you’ll find so much more within this issue to get the most out of your summer in the city. We round-up our top picks of the best festivals across the country [page 83], show you the best beer gardens and terraces to grab a drink in the sun and give you the low-down on organising the perfect picnic with a little help from PAUL at Grand Central Birmingham.

Finally head to page 54 to check out what happened when we caught up with Ashley Shaw, star of Sir Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes as it prepares to return to Birmingham Hippodrome this July; and turn to page 56 to read our interview with indie-pop band The Kooks.

Have a beautiful summer and we’ll see you in autumn.

Enjoy the issue.

Turn to page 32 to see our summer shoot!

On the cover: Photography: Mike Raven Assistant: Simon Konaszczuk Styling: Jade Woodhouse Makeup: Chrissie Trattos Hair: Chris and Beth @ HarrisGibbs Model: Mollie @ PRM

Contact@stylebham.com

Editor-in-Chief Andrew Riley

andrew@stylebham.com Creative Director Mike Raven

mike@stylebham.com Editorial Assistant Becky Weaver

becky@stylebham.com Account Executive Jade Woodhouse

jade@stylebham.com Designer Simon Konaszczuk Designer Kati Boniface

Special thanks to:

Philip Ellis, Tara Tomes, Rose Gallagher, Royston Blythe, Chris and Beth at Harris Gibbs Hair, Chrissie Trattos, Fiona Allen at Birmingham Hippodrome, Stacey Barnfield, Georgia Johnson, Molly and Abbie @ PRM.

Style Birmingham is created by RileyRaven Unit 606B, The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street, Birmingham, B18 6NF rileyraven.co.uk hello@rileyraven.co.uk 0121 769 2808

All information is correct at the time of going to press.

Please note that prices for items are subject to change so may vary from those mentioned, contact individual stores for definitive pricing information. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, without prior permission. We make every effort to ensure that firms and organisations mentioned are reputable, however, we can give no guarantee that they will fulfil their obligations in all circumstances. Contributors’ opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or of Style Birmingham Ltd. Any material submitted is done so at the owner’s risk, and the company can take no responsibility for the safe storage or return of such material.

stylebham.com | 7

CONTENTS 060 Festival Fever with Fiona Allen CEO of Birmingham Hippodrome gives her run-down on the city’s hottest festivals 062 Look Up Birmingham Why we should pay more attention to Birmingham’s architecture

Beauty

21

Pop’s rising star on her debut album

Women 010 Style Chart The hottest products you need this summer 011 Trend Update From daring patterns to bold colours - here’s what to wear this summer 015 Summer Staples Fresh off the catwalk, take a look at this season’s biggest trends 019 Fashion News The latest collaborations and collections 030 Personal Styling Upgrade your summer style with Topshop Personal Styling 032 Oh, I do like to be Beside the Seaside Refresh your wardrobe with Harvey Nichols

Features stylebham.com For daily updates covering fashion, culture and the city

8 | Contents

021 Dua Lipa Pop’s rising star on her debut album & being comfortable in your own skin 025 Who Run the World? Girls!

From pop stars to Olympic medalists, these powerful women are ruling the world 040 The Rise of the #GirlBoss Tara Tomes takes a look at the evolution of the #GirlBoss 054 In Her Shoes We talk to Ashley Shaw, the star of Sir Matthew Bourne’s awardwinning production The Red Shoes 056 The Kooks Pete Denton talks about the indie-pop band’s 10-year anniversary and new album

044 Beauty Bulletin Our must-have makeup products this season 046 Beauty Talk Makeup artist Kate Benton shares her tricks of the trade 047 From Noon Till Night Enhance your natural beauty with warm tones and a touch of gloss 051 The Skincare Update Rose Gallagher’s guide to flawless skin 052 Heat Wave Get your hair holiday ready with a little help from the team at Royston Blythe

The Insider 058 Out & About What to see and do in the city this summer 059 Summer Blockbusters From superheroes to comedy - here’s what to watch this season 064 Hot Spots Soak up the sun at the city’s most stylish rooftop bars and terraces

Man 067 In this issue of Man, Philip Ellis takes a look why men are afraid of feminism and we share our top tips for a successful first date, with some real advice from those in the know. Plus, we give you the low-down on summer’s staple pieces and take a look at the apps that will help you work your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Life 083 The Festival Guide Our round-up of 2017’s biggest festivals 088 Czech out Prague this Summer We took a trip to the jewel in the Czech Republic’s crown 090 Sprint through a City Andrew Riley explores the stunning city of Vienna 094 The Recipe for a Perfect Picnic We’ve teamed up with PAUL to help you create the ultimate picnic 096 Escape to the Country Discover luxury living with Cameron Homes 098 WIN We’re giving one lucky winner the chance to win a luxury mini break for two with Harvey Nichols Birmingham and AC Hotel

The Mailbox, Birmingham

Funk and Sole

Popping Bottles

These real leather heels are a great way to add a subtle pop of colour to any casual look. £56, Topshop

Want to see more of what we love?

Visit stylebham.com

From swimsuits to scents - here’s what we’re loving this summer

Take the Plunge Stay chic at the pool in this extreme plunge swimsuit, with a bold marble print design and daring high-cut leg, you’re sure to turn heads for all the right reasons. £24, Topshop

Style Chart Silver Service

Skin Drink Keep hydrated and fight the damaging effects of the sun with this Origins antioxidant moisturiser. With SPF 40 and natural ingredients, this will help to maintain a youthful, healthy glow. £35, John Lewis

10 | Style Chart

Opt for a funky alternative to the classic champagne flute with these Le Flore rainbow glasses, an ideal way to spruce up your al fresco dining. £30, Oliver Bonas

Editor’s Pick

Cotton Fresh This loose-fit blouse with cord detail is perfect for the summer months, allowing you to kick back in comfort and style. £29.99, Mango

Keep it simple with this sterling silver bangle. If you’re looking for a personal touch, why not customise with Links of London charms. Links of London, £150, T.H.Baker

Pastel Piece Soften up your look with suede and pastel shades summer, the perfect way to keep your belongings safe. £24.99, H&M

On the Road

Freshen Up

Forget seeing your travels through a lens this summer and document experiences in the Life’s a Road Trip book; a quirky way to look back on your best adventures. £22, Urban Outfitters

Combining zesty lime with the warmth of basil and hints of mandarin, this classic Jo Malone London scent will leave you smelling good enough to eat. £44, Jo Malone London

WOMEN

Trend Update

Stella McCartney

Esteban Cortazar

Hugo Boss

Issey Miyake

Burberry

Think zebra print, double denim and vibrant hues as we round up this season’s hottest trends

Standout Prints

From polka dots at Stella McCartney to aztec patterns at Issey Miyake, daring prints are back with a bang. Keep it casual by adding printed elements to a minimal look or go all out with a statement piece to really stand out.

stylebham.com | 11

Stella McCartney

Tod’s

Balmain

Jasper Conran

Stella McCartney

Tod’s

Tod’s Esteban Cortazar

Stella McCartney Jasper Conran

Burberry

Heavy Duty Tod’s

Stella McCartney

Jasper Conran 12 | Trends

For an extra layer, embrace the utility trend with thicker fabrics and androgynous cuts. Denims, suedes and leathers were a common feature on the SS17 catwalks, featuring in collections from Stella McCartney to Jasper Conran.

Haider Ackermann

Anya Hindmarch

Balmain

Stella McCartney

WOMEN

Bold and Bright

Anya Hindmarch Hugo Boss

Topshop Unique

Martin Grant

Esteban Cortazar

Issey Miyake

Haider Ackermann

Haider Ackermann

Balmain

Haider Ackermann

Balmain

Topshop Unique

Hugo Boss

Anya Hindmarch

What better time to embrace vivid colours than summer? As seen on Issey Miyake and Hugo Boss catwalks, bolder palettes can be hard to pull off, but try experimenting as this playful trend is sure to bring character to any wardrobe.

stylebham.com | 13

BULLRING SHOPPING CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM, 0121 270 3317

WOMEN

Turn up the Heat From festival fringing to statement sliders, mix it up with our pick of summer’s must-have pieces

MOTO Denim bralet, £26, Topshop

IN

The key to nailing your festival wardrobe is getting the right balance between durability and style. Pair light, delicate fabrics with key denim pieces to create an effortless look. Being knee-deep in mud never looked so glamorous.

River Island

FESTIVAL CHIC

Zara Wide leg printed trouser, £39.99

Alex and Ani Life on Mars Beaded bangle, £24, T.H.Baker

Maje Varsity leather fringed jacket, £529, Selfridges

BAG E TH Nothing says summer more than a wicker beach bag, and this classic piece certainly hasn’t gone out of style.

For something a little different, update your wardrobe with a modern twist on this seasonal staple, and experiment with different styles.

Zara Mini fabric backpack, £29.99

Zara Striped blouse with embroideries and tassels, £39.99

SLIDE AWAY Whether you’re embracing the British summer or jetting off somewhere exotic, sandals are a seasonal musthave. A pair of statement sliders is a great footwear choice that’s both on-trend and practical.

Tod’s

Hunter Pale blue gloss Wellington boot, £95, Office

WE LOVE!

Office Burgundy faux fur sandals, £26

Primark Green tropical slip on, £4

H&M Silver bow sliders, £19.99 stylebham.com | 15

Ba be s

Shirt, £15

Topsh op

Tite Un

BABE

ALERT

SUMMER STYLE ALERT!

It’s time to celebrate women, so speak your mind in a slouchy slogan T-shirt and ooze attitude.

Primark

BEACHY KEEN

Get beach ready and sunbathe in style this summer. Earthy tones and daring cuts are popular this season, so don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

H&M Pink motif T-Shirt, £8.99 New Look White slogan T-Shirt, £12.99

H&M Bikini top, £12.99 and bottoms, £8.99

WE L

For an added touch of elegance, reinvented hoops are both sophisticated and simple.

Small details can make a huge difference, so inject some glamour into your look this season. Pair with laid-back casuals for a chic go-to.

E OV

Esteban Cortazar

THE DETAILS

!

Topshop Plunge swimsuit, £20 Clari Sterling silver hoop earrings, £60, Harvey Nichols

Anya Hindmarch

Thomas Sabo Sterling silver triangle hoops, £160

H&M Patterned bikini, £29.99

16 | Shopping

JW Anderson Gold plated earrings, £295, Selfridges

WOMEN Topshop Floral midi dress, £49

Kurt Geiger Leather bag, £99, Harvey Nichols

New Look White tie up heels, £29.99

Warehouse Warp print one shoulder dress, £69

Warehouse Banana print bandeau dress, £39

Valentino Rockstud leather shoulder bag, £740, Harvey Nichols

EDDIN W G E

Gucci Fringed suede mules, £450, Harvey Nichols

EST GU

Saint Laurent Black lace-up suede sandals, £540, Harvey Nichols

TH

Dorothy Perkins

Pandora Blush poetic droplet ring, £349

Wave goodbye to the pastel hues of spring and stand out in bold prints this summer.

Paired with minimal jewellery, the statement dress will be your best friend this wedding season. From church ceremonies to exotic locations, you’re sure to stand out amongst guests.

#STYLE LOVES Jasper Conran

Mango Metallic handle tote, £35.99

Pandora Timeless elegance stud earrings, £265

stylebham.com | 17

S AT U R D AY

M O R N I N G

GRAND CENTRAL, BIRMINGHAM

Home | Bedroom | Candles & Fragrance | Clothing | The Little White Company

WOMEN

Fashion News Rose clutch, £275

Babe Power!

Missguided has recently branched out from the world of fashion and released its very first perfume, Babe Power. With top notes of grapefruit, sour cherry and apple, this sweet scent is designed for all the girls out there looking to exude confidence and femininity.

Fifty Shades of Yellow

From marigold to mustard, there’s no denying that yellow is this season’s hottest colour, so brighten up your wardrobe with a pop of this sunshine shade. If you’re looking a little bronzer than usual after soaking up some sun, golden hues will compliment your skin tone.

H&M Bikini top, £12.99 & bottoms, £8.99

EDITOR’S PICK

Organza shirt, £595, tulle skirt, £1,695, heeled slippers, £795

Tale as Old as Time Following the remake of the blockbuster Disney classic, Christopher Kane recently unveiled a Beauty and the Beast inspired ready-to-wear collection.

From delicate tea set earrings to ethereal rose tulle skirts, Christopher Kane has captured the magical element of the childhood favourite. Inspired by Belle’s independence and strong-willed nature, this eco-friendly collection was built alongside Eco-Age to represent the modern day and the importance of sustainable fashion; something we should all be more conscious of.

Blouse, £265

Mini skirt, £295

H&M Dress, £39.99

alexachung.com

Topshop Tie sleeve top, £34

Saturn ring, £115

Platform heels, £340

Jasper Conran ss17

The Alexa Chung Collection H&M Mules, £19.99

Topshop Aviator sunglasses, £18

After appearing on the front of Vogue last month, Alexa Chung’s announcement that she was releasing her own clothing line sparked curiosity among fashion lovers everywhere. The effortlessly cool and classically chic model, tv presenter and journalist has been successful in the fashion industry for years, but now it really is her time to shine. stylebham.com | 19

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WOMEN

Fresh off the stage from Birmingham Pride, I caught up with Dua Lipa to talk about her stunning debut album, collaborating with some of music’s biggest acts and why it’s always important to be comfortable in your own skin

GUARANTEED SHE CAN BLOW YOUR MIND BECKY WEAVER stylebham.com | 21

W

hen 21-year-old Dua Lipa burst onto the scene with her striking style and thumping tracks, little did she know that she’d begun a journey that would lead her to become one of 2016’s hottest pop sensations.

Born in London, she attended the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School before her family made the decision to move back to her father’s birthplace of Kosovo when she was 13. But it wasn’t for her, and she found herself back in London living at a friend’s house after convincing her parents that letting her go was the right thing to do, allowing her to craft a life for herself in music that she desperately wanted.

Thankfully, the decision was the right one; Dua’s now a force to be reckoned with in the world of pop music. Following the release of her hit singles Hotter than Hell and Blow your Mind (Mwah) her career shot off at a rapid speed, and since then it’s shown no signs of slowing down. “I haven’t really had a moment to stop but I love that,” she says with a delicate laugh.

“It’s been a really magical journey and I just feel very grateful for everything that’s happening.”

Her career is something that Dua’s worked incredibly hard to achieve and her determination has put her on a path to pop stardom after earning two top 10’s in the UK Official Charts and breaking America. But she’s just getting started. “It’s really tough to break the industry, but the opportunities are there for new artists to be heard,” she says.

“My dream is to get my music out to as many people as possible. I’m working really hard and I’m doing lots of shows in the States to try and get the word out, but obviously at the same time I feel that there’s a lot of work that I need to do around Europe and the UK. Everything’s a work in progress.”

Dua’s a joy to speak to; polite, friendly and caring, her passion to succeed in every element of her career is something that shines through

22 | Dua Lipa

WOMEN

“I FEEL LIKE ANYBODY THAT HAS A VOICE TO SPEAK ABOUT THINGS THAT THEY ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IS INCREDIBLE.” as clear as day. Most importantly, she’s grateful - for being able to travel the world, experience different crowds and finally being able to share her debut self-titled album with the world.

“Working on the album was such a great process, I really enjoyed the whole experience of writing and recording. It never really felt like a chore, it was my decision to get back into the studio and work on it more because I didn’t feel like it was ready.”

If Dua’s current singles are anything to go by, her album is destined to rule the charts. Just a few months ago her incredibly catchy track Hotter than Hell reached more than one million sales worldwide.

“It’s something that blows me away every time,” she beams. “It’s the song that started everything for me and it was a clue as to what the rest of the album was going to sound like.”

A gifted songwriter, penning tracks was something that came naturally to Dua. “Everything is autobiographical and very personal. I’m really excited to see what people think and I’m wondering whether I’m going to surprise people with it,” she explains. “It’s quite scary when you get into a room and you have to open up about personal experiences, but I realised that the only person who was going to get an honest song out of me was myself.”

Dua’s honesty is something anyone can appreciate, it’s a bold move for any artist to lay their life out on the table for everyone to see.

“I made peace with the fact that some people might know that this album is about them and that’s ok,” she tells me.

So, what can we expect from Dua’s debut album? “It’s a pop album, but it’s very diverse and touches on a lot of different genres.”

She’s no stranger to collaborations either, having worked with Sean Paul, Martin Garrix in the past and Miguel on her latest single, Lost In Your Light.

“He was always on my list of people that I wanted to work with,” she says of Miguel. “My team managed to get him in the studio for the song. It was

something that happened very quickly but also very organically, he’s a joy to be around.”

But she’s not finished with collaborations yet, the album features Homesick with Coldplay’s Chris Martin. “I’m really proud of it and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. I feel really honoured to have had the opportunity to work with him, he’s such an incredible artist.”

Not only was writing the album a chance for Dua to share her stories, it was a huge learning curve for her. “Being the most honest is what I owe to myself and also to my fans who understand what is 100 per cent me,” she continues. “I learnt a lot about myself throughout the whole process of working on the album, not only just in personal ways, but working on relationships and everyday life. I discovered the way that I like to work and the people that I like to work with.”

A topic that I’m keen to discuss with Dua is her video for Blow your Mind (Mwah), something that not only reflects a strong sense of feminism but also tips its hat to the LGBT+ communitytwo things that she feels very strongly about.

Last year she toured across the US with YouTube star, singer and actor Troye Sivan who she describes as an “amazing role model for the LGBT+ community.”

“Troye’s such an amazing role model; he’s inspiring when it comes to being able to encourage people to be honest and proud of who they are. Giving people someone like Troye to look up to who’s supporting them and showing them it’s ok to be proud of who you are is important, and I’m just here to aid that,” she continues.

“I feel like anybody that has a voice to speak about things that they’re very passionate about is incredible.

Blow Your Mind in itself is a song about not letting people change who you are. If someone wants to try and change you and put you in a situation that you’re not comfortable with then it’s a song to say no to that. There’s nothing better than having the opportunity to be comfortable in your own skin and to just always be yourself. I’m a complete advocate of that, it’s something that I really stand by.”

Passionate, driven and everything in-between, Dua Lipa is the new queen of pop on track to ruling 2017.

Dua Lipa’s album is out now! stylebham.com | 23

stylebham.com

The place for fashion, beauty, shopping and lifestyle in Birmingham.

GIRLS who run the world?

JADE WOODHOUSE

1

Ariana Grande Singer | 23

It goes without saying that Ariana Grande has been thrust into the spotlight recently, following the tragic terrorist attacks after her concert in Manchester. Refusing to be silenced, the inspirational 23-year-old has since visited injured fans in hospital, staged a benefit concert for the 22 victims tragically killed and helped to raise over ÂŁ10million for those affected.

Her courage and bravery has shone through as thousands gathered to stand together against extremism to prove that love always trumps hate. stylebham.com | 25

2

Emma Watson Actress | 27

Since gaining the position of UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2014, Emma Watson’s work towards gender equality has reinforced the importance and relevance of the issue in this day and age.

This success was recently recognised as she was awarded the first ever gender-neutral award for her role as Belle in Beauty and the Beast at the 2017 MTV Movie & Television Awards. From launching the ‘HeForShe’ campaign in a speech which later went viral after being backed by celebrities including Harry Styles, Tom Hiddleston and Chloë Grace Moretz, to hiding feminist books across New York to celebrate International Women’s Day, Emma’s passion for change has proved she’s so much more than Harry Potter’s best mate.

“I feel like young girls are told that they have to be a princess and fragile. I identify much more with being a warrior – a fighter.”

Julie Walters CBE Actress | 67 From Calendar Girls to Billy Elliot, Julie Walters has starred in her fair share of successful blockbusters. The Smethwickborn actress, who originally trained as a nurse at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital before turning to acting, has also supported charities close to her heart such as Midlands Air Ambulance and Samaritans.

The actress who has won everything from BAFTA’s to Golden Globes has recently talked about her refusal to comply with the Hollywood norm by undergoing plastic surgery as she feels more comfortable growing old gracefully; even if she may be consIdered a ‘freak’ in the industry.

Chrissy Teigen Model | 31

3

Arguably the most relatable celebrity in Hollywood, Chrissy Teigen’s down-to-earth Instagram captions and sassy Twitter responses prove that despite lavish red carpet appearances and A-list friends, she’s just a regular woman. The TV host recently penned an open letter in Glamour Magazine about her struggle with postpartum depression, an important topic that is often overlooked by the excitement that surrounds the birth of a new child. Through speaking up, the new mother has encouraged thousands of women to break their own silence.

26 | Inspirational Women

4

WOMEN

5

Serena Williams Tennis Player | 35

6

With 23 Grand Slam titles behind her, Serena Williams is an icon in every sense of the word. She may be a tennis champion, but her attributes stretch much further than the court. Her role as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador has given thousands of children in underdeveloped countries the right to education. The recent discovery that Serena was eight weeks pregnant whilst taking victory at the Australian Open proved there’s no stopping this athletic superwoman.

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up.”

7

Ellen DeGeneres Comedian | 59 Twenty years after Ellen famously came out on both her sitcom and on the front of TIME Magazine in 1997, the chat show host was awarded the Presidential Award of Freedom by Barack Obama, a prestigious award of the country’s highest civilian honour. For a public figure whose global popularity and LGBT influence is unparalleled, this acknowledgement of courage is just one of her finest accomplishments.

“We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter.

I definitely want to contribute to that.”

Laura Kenny CBE Cyclist | 25

The first woman to win four Olympic gold medals in British history and a role model for young sportswomen across the UK, Laura Kenny is a force to be reckoned with on the track. Our golden girl has cycled her way to the top as an international champion, and gained the support of the nation in the process. stylebham.com | 27

8

Ellie Simmonds OBE Swimmer | 22

Walsall’s own five-time Paralympic champion is a real national treasure, having received the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award back in 2008 and going on to accept an OBE Award presented by Prince Charles. Since her athletic success, Ellie has supported numerous charity causes, from helping to provide clean water in Uganda with WaterAid to promoting the positive effects of sport with Dwarf Sports Association UK.

9

Iskra Lawrence Model | 26 After dealing with body shaming comments and online trolls for years, the plus size SimplyBe model from Kidderminster has risen to fame for all the right reasons as she continues to work towards body positivity and self-love, regardless of shape or size.

“The most important relationship in our lives is the one we have with ourselves.”

Laverne Cox Actress | 32

10

As the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy, Laverne Cox is an actress, producer, writer and activist. With a strong presence amongst LGBT communities, the Orange is the New Black star has successfully raised awareness of gender identity through sharing her personal childhood memories, and how such experiences have shaped her as an individual.

Jess Phillips MP Politician | 35

11

After being elected in parliament two years ago, the outspoken and sometimes controversial Labour MP from Birmingham has worked towards female equality whilst expressing her feminist views.

28 | Inspirational Women

“Believing you are unworthy of love and belonging — that who you are authentically is a sin or is wrong — is deadly. Who you are is beautiful and amazing.”

12

WOMEN J.K. Rowling OBE Author | 51

The lady who went from being a single mother on benefits to a multi-millionaire bestselling author within the short space of five years, J.K. Rowling has built an empire with her heroic characters and captivating adventures in her world famous Harry Potter books, including films and international tourist attractions. As the queen of shutting down misogynistic Tweets, J.K. Rowling is also President of single parent charity Gingerbread, acting as an inspirational role model and proving that despite her epic success, she remains grounded in using her own experiences to benefit others.

“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”

Meryl Streep Actress | 67

With more nominations than any actor in the history of Academy Awards, Meryl Streep has consistently proven her versatility with her ability to take on a multitude of characters and making it her own every time; from Emmeline Pankhurst to Margaret Thatcher. Having used her platform in the past to speak out about tackling sexism and ageism, the three-time Oscar Award-winner and household name recently turned the focus to Donald Trump in her Golden Globes Lifetime Award acceptance speech, fighting back passionately against his ‘instinct to humiliate’ and ‘bully’ vulnerable citizens.

Shannen Doherty

13

Actress | 46

14

Best known for her acting roles in Charmed and 90210, Shannen Doherty has recently spoken openly about her ongoing battle with cancer through a series of emotional posts on social media. Through her honest captions, she has taken followers on a journey to document her experiences with the illness and her own mental struggles along the way. Having recently announced that she’s finally cancer-free, Shannen continues to inspire those who are still undergoing treatment. stylebham.com | 29

Summer Styling Refresh Upgrade your wardrobe this summer with Topshop Personal Shopping

W

ant to create your summer wardrobe but don’t know where to start? Book a free appointment with Topshop’s very own, hand-picked Personal Shopping Team at Bullring, Birmingham. Whether you’re looking for a complete style overhaul, or just adding a few last minute items to your suitcase before your holiday, the team will tailor the consultation to your needs.

This premuim, complimentary service is designed to change the way you shop. Sit down, relax in the luxury shopping suite and let the Topshop Personal Shoppers work their magic on your wardrobe.

There’s a variety of appointments to choose from, so book now and head in-store for a shopping experience like no other.

VIN TA

Book your free appointment at topshop.com/personalshopping

G

S STEL A EP

Bow detail floppy hat, £35

SASSY SEÑORITA Channel your inner flamenco dancer with a pair of extreme statement frill trousers this summer.

Whether you’re heading out for an evening meal or straight to the dance floor to shake your tail feathers, these funky trousers are a sure fire way to make you feel fabulous. Pair with a cute, off-the-shoulder crop top, gold accessories and a bold pair of heels to really stand out.

90s Pointy sunglasses, £20

Large loop choker, £12.50 Ribbed bikini set, £28 Poplin crop top, £24

30 | Shopping

WE LOVE!

GENE Buckle shoes, £52

Frill flared trous

Rewind time and embrace retro trends this season. From cat eye sunglasses to oversized straw hats, bring vintage Hollywood glamour to the poolside. For an ultra chic, feminine look opt for pastel hues to compliment your summer glow and remember, comfort is key so the ribbed bikini and sliders combo is the ideal go-to.

ers, £35

FLY Knot slider shoes, £35

TOPSHOP.COM

Retro glam meets bold and bright. Dive into summer and embrace nostalgic trends with Harvey Nichols Birmingham Photography: Mike Raven Styling: Jade Woodhouse Makeup: Chrissie Trattos Hair: Chris and Beth @ HarrisGibbs Model: Molly @ PRM

RED Valentino Cotton top, £250 RED Valentino Skirt, £310 Gucci Union jack loafers, £530

32 | Summer Style

WOMEN

OH, I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE stylebham.com | 33

MSGM Stripe jumpsuit, £475

34 | Summer Style

WOMEN

stylebham.com | 35

Pinko Stripe mesh slim fit top, £175 Finders Keepers Navy cropped twill trousers, £110 Gianvito Rossi Satin crossover sliders, £440

36 | Summer Style

WOMEN Gucci Sylvie floral jacquard top handle bag, £1,940, Gucci Sunglasses, £249, Victoria Beckham Ruffle sleeve top, £200, Gucci Floral scarf, £275, MSGM Ruffle denim jeans, £190

stylebham.com | 37

Balenciaga Square floral bag, £1,595 Nicole Farhi Dress, £450 Tom Ford Rachel sunglasses, £240

38 | Summer Style

WOMEN

Gucci Sunglasses, £249 Victoria Beckham Ruffle sleeve top, £200 Gucci Floral scarf, £275

stylebham.com | 39

The

of the #GirlBoss From home-grown talent to leading entrepreneurs - lets take a look at the evolution of the girl boss TARA TOMES

F

rom the political movement of The Suffragettes and highlevel activism by Pussy Riot to everyday role models like Oprah Winfrey, the last 100 years has seen a remarkable step-change in the rise of the female race. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to women’s rights, equal pay, and Board Room positions, but you can’t deny that women are trending at the moment and it’s something to celebrate.

To mark the rise in Girl Power, I thought I’d look at some of the women who are leading the charge; businesswomen, activists, and even TV characters who are truly the power women that we should all look up to.

40 | The Rise of the #GirlBoss

I

WOMEN t’s only fair that we start with celebrated feminists; the women putting a label on their love of the fairer sex and banging that equal rights drum.

The Feminists Gloria Steinem

Since the 60s, Gloria Steinem has been leading the charge for feminism. She co-founded New York Magazine, where she was a political columnist, and has been published in titles including The New York Times Magazine and Esquire.

Her importance in the feminist movement came in 1972 when she co-founded Ms. Magazine, an American liberal feminist mag, alongside fellow second-wave feminist and socio-political activist Dorothy Pitman Hughes.

This marked the start of her role as a spokeswoman on issues of equality and led to her helping launch Women’s Action Alliance, Women’s Media Center, Voters for Choice, and young pro-choice leadership organisation Choice USA (now URGE). I mean, her CV just goes on but she has shown that feminism is not about burning bras but about taking action.

Deborah FrancesWhite

Until recently I didn’t realise that I was a feminist; to me, everyone should be equal regardless of sex but Deborah Frances-White told me otherwise. She showed me that it’s ok to care about my appearance, fancy boys, and not want to play sports.

Through The Guilty Feminist podcast Deborah invites a range of kick-ass women to talk about our “noble goals as 21st Century feminists and the hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine them.”

As a stand-up comedian, Deborah is used to making people laugh through her live shows, radio programmes, and other podcasts. She also delivers regular seminars stylebham.com | 41

in the corporate world that are somewhere in between stand-up and TED-talks, and specialises in diversity and inclusion. I just absolutely love her approach to honest, 21st Century feminism and she is, without a doubt, the kind of woman that all girls should be looking up to.

The Headline Heroines Caitlin Moran

DID YOU KNOW? At aged 15 Caitlin published her first novel, The Chronicles of Narmo

Although she was born in Brighton, award-winning, opinionated journalist Caitlin Moran actually grew up in Wolverhampton, and married her husband in Coventry. Being a local girl isn’t the only reason she made the list; my reason for including her is that, from working in PR, I truly admire her ability to use the English language to state, educate and persuade.

Caitlin always knew she wanted to be a writer and started her career early; winning the Dillions Young Readers’ Contest aged just 13. A series of journalistic wins and a TV career that started in the early 90s, saw Caitlin really affirm her position as a serious and effective journalist.

When she realised the power of prose, she started to use her position in the media spotlight to promote the need for positive role models in young girls’ lives and the desperate need to abolish stereotypes. Her semiautobiographical novel, How To Build A Girl, was just the start and she’s now a celebrated journalist, author and broadcaster.

Throughout Obama’s campaign Michelle played a key role; she refused to stand by his side in silence and smile, but instead took action in his election campaign, including a Keynote Address at the 2008 Democratic National Conference.

During his presidency, she showed devotion to her husband and family, and used her position of power to place the spotlight on matters close to her heart; poverty awareness, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating.

What I love about her, as well as her style, is that she showed (and still shows) women that life isn’t one or the other; you don’t have to be a mum and wife who sits in the shadows without an opinion, nor do you have to take the spotlight at every opportunity to make a name for yourself. She’s effortlessly authentic and, let’s be honest, she and Obama are serious #relationshipgoals.

The Entrenpren-hers

Michelle Obama

Women in the media spotlight often fall into stereotypes, which are usually emotional and high maintenance, or heartless and career driven. If you’re the First Lady I think these stereotypes are even more exaggerated…unless you’re Michelle Obama.

On appearance alone she’s effortlessly chic and has the most welcoming smile, but when you delve deeper into the woman who spent the last eight years in The White House, you can’t help but admire her.

42 | The Rise of the #GirlBoss

Victoria Beckham OBE

She started life as a Spice Girl and then married one of the most famous footballers in the world, but beyond the OG WAG status and LBDs, Victoria Beckham has found her place as a new-age role model.

Bringing up four children and following her dream as a fashion designer, she’s now widely respected and – thankfully – her days of being pouty Posh Spice are long behind her. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure she has help

WOMEN (and not just from her hot husband) but VB is showing girls how to be a working mum that follows her dreams, and it’s actually something that we should shout about.

Not only is she super stylish and perfectly prestige, VB is making real waves in the fashion industry and, along with Mr Beckham, is reportedly worth over £500million, so she’s doing something right. It’s nice to see someone who came to the public’s attention as a pop star turning her reputation around into a respected business woman across the world’s fashion industry.

Sophia Amoruso

Self-proclaimed nomad Sophia Amoruso is an absolute legend and has proved that a good idea, a bit of passion and a lot of rebellion can result in worldwide fame and a net worth of around £10m. If her name sounds familiar but you’re not quite sure why, Sophia is the ultimate and original #GirlBoss.

DID YOU After a rocky childhood, which KNOW? included an Attention Deficit Actress Charlize Disorder (ADD) diagnosis, Sophia Theron is one of the spent her young adult life sofa Executive Producers surfing and dumpster diving before of Sophia’s Netflix stumbling upon what became one series Girlboss of the biggest fashion brands of recent times. Aged just 23, Sophia started an online eBay store selling vintage clothes called Nasty Gal Vintage, which changed the shape of fashion e-commerce.

Her colourful journey to success saw her pen the book Girl Boss which is now a successful show on Netflix, depicting her life setting up and growing the multi-million pound business. What I really like about her is that she’s authentic; a total free spirit that was born to rebel, and she’s unapologetic about it. She’s the epitome of being true to yourself and creating your own journey to success.

Closer to Home Finding inspirational women who are grabbing life by the ‘non-gender binary bits’ is easy. You don’t have to open a magazine, turn on the TV or Google ‘famous feminists’; Birmingham is full of amazing women who are showing how it’s done.

Look at entrepreneur Rosie Ginday who saw an opportunity to help young people at risk of

homelessness by training them in catering and retail through her social enterprise, Miss Macaroon.

I get to meet some pretty cool women in my role as Chair of BPS Birmingham Future, including 2016’s Birmingham Young Professional of the Year, Abby Corfan, Director of Marketing and Digital at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

She’s young, creative and extremely passionate about the city’s cultural offering; chairing Culture Central’s Communications group, which brings together Birmingham’s culture brands to work together for the common good.

It was through Birmingham Future that I also met Tracy Westall, who has been dominating the tech industry for more than 30 years, and was responsible for establishing and running a successful public sector business to become a £350m operation over 15 years.

She’s a non-exec director at Innovation Birmingham and TechUK, showcasing the importance of innovation in the UK’s digital industry, and is passionate about Birmingham.

What I also love is that when you hear Tracy speak, she’s really honest about getting it wrong at the beginning; she lived up to that ‘women in the boardroom’ stereotype but learnt how to soften her approach and still get respect from a maledominated industry.

What I admire these women for is that they’re all different; their characters, their causes, and their approaches, but what they all have in common is ownership of their own life. They’ve found where they fit – and, in many cases, created the place where they fit – in a way that is nothing short of brilliant.

They’ve started to break down barriers and remove stereotypes to show that women are awesome in their own right; whether a stay-at-home mum or CEO of a global corporation, you don’t have to fit into a box and stay there – you can be who you want to be, and you can change your approach as you go along.

So, here’s to the empowering #GirlBoss movement, and showing girls that there’s more to life than bathroom selfies and crying over boys. stylebham.com | 43

THE BEAUTY EDIT 3

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Glow n’ Go Achieve a lightweight sun-kissed glow this summer with (1)Clinique Face Bronzing Gel Tint, £18, Selfridges.

If you’re on a budget opt for (2)The Body Shop Honey Bronze Face Gel, £13, or splash out with (3)Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel, £25, Harvey Nichols, the perfect way to refresh your makeup bag for a flawless glow that won’t damage your skin.

Oil Control As the warmer months approach, keeping that unwanted facial sheen at bay is crucial and (1) Urban Decay De-Slick OilControl Make-Up Setting Spray, £23.50, Debenhams will ensure your makeup doesn’t budge all day.

For sensitive skin, (2)bareMinerals Mineral Veil, £21, John Lewis will keep you shine-free whilst (3) Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, £29, Harvey Nichols is an all-time favourite.

2 3 1

Find your Feet

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If you’ve neglected your feet over the winter months, now’s the time to give them a little TLC. To revive dry soles, try (1)The Body Shop, Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray, £6.50 for an uplifting and minty spritz. For a little bit of luxury, both (2)L’Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream, £8, L’Occitane, Grand Central and (3)Clarins Foot Beauty Treatment Cream, £23, Selfridges will nourish tired, dry feet just in time for sandal season.

Beauty Bulletin From gloss to glow, we’ve got your summer makeup covered

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JADE WOODHOUSE 1

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All Blushed Out

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Glossy Lids Not one for the faint-hearted, the glossy lids trend dominating SS17 catwalks is a more daring option for those who want to stand out.

Combine (1)Zoeva Rose Golden Palette, £18, Selfridges with (2)M•A•C Lipglass, £15, Selfridges for a bold alternative to the smokey eye. Go on, dare to be different.

44 | Beauty Bulletin

2

Freshen up your look and add a pop of colour with (1)NARS NARSissist Unfiltered Cheek Palette, £45, Harvey Nichols. Alternatively, (2) Benefit Box O’Powders Cheek Parade Palette, £49.50, John Lewis will give you a pretty flush to keep you looking naturally rejuvenated in the sun.

Visit the heart of beautiful Georgian Bath to experience the Roman Baths by torchlight Open late from 17 June to 31 August until 10pm, last entry 9pm Book online at www.romanbaths.co.uk

THE ROMANS IN A NEW LIGHT See the Roman Baths transformed by torchlight

THE BEAUTY EDIT

Kate Benton We spoke to Kate Benton about her incredibly successful career as a film and TV makeup artist Can you give us a little bit of background about your career as a makeup artist?

I’ve been doing the job for a long time; I trained at the BBC. After having my children, I decided to open a small makeup shop to service the needs of professional makeup artists, Precious About Makeup.

Tell us a little more about Precious About Makeup.

It was important to look for cult products that weren’t already available in the UK for makeup artists. I came across a makeup brand called Le Maquillage which is a French brand, it was stunning on camera.

We opened the shop to bring Le Maquillage into the UK, because a film makeup artist recommended it to me in the first place.

How does it feel to have had such a successful career in makeup?

How lucky am I? A little working class girl from West London! You suddenly see this amazing world where you get to travel.

It’s not an easy job at times, it can be very stressful like all jobs but I still consider myself blessed to be given that opportunity.

Do you have one beauty product that you couldn’t live without?

It would be Le Maquillage, without a doubt. It works well on old skin, young skin and prosthetics. There’s a massive colour range, it’s fairly cheap and I just love it. (4)Le Maquillage Mascara Remover, £7.50, preciousaboutmakeup.com 46 | Beauty Talk

Do you have any unusual makeup secrets?

If you’ve got dark circles around your eyes, or a blemish on your face, the simple way to cover this is by adding the opposite colour first. I think people tend to go with thick, heavy bases, usually a little bit lighter then their own skin tone to try and block them out. It never works, it will always go grey.

You’re on the road a lot, what are your favourite travel beauty products?

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I would say sun block. It’s quite a boring old thing but if you see the effects on sun-damaged skin it’s quite extraordinary what a difference it can make, (2)Avène Emulsion Very High Sun Protection Cream SPF50, £13, Superdrug. I’m not big on labels at all but we do a very simple moisturiser called (1)Embryolisse, £13, PAM which a lot of makeup artists like.

1

What would be your best tip for flawless skin?

It depends, if you’re a young girl and you’ve got really bad acne, that's going to be a problem you need to seek treatment for. But if you have marks on your skin and you’re just covering flat surfaces, you can even out the skin tone very easily. I think you have to manage your expectations, the images we’re used to seeing in the press or in glossy magazines are airbrushed. (3)Kiehls Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner, £17, Grand Central

What has been the highlight of your career?

I’ve just been working out in Budapest for a Netflix drama about the birth of England called The Last Kingdom and it’s been really difficult, but I’ve loved it. I feel very blessed to have had the chance to do this job.

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THE BEAUTY EDIT

THE EVERYDAY Enhance your natural beauty with warm, earthy tones. If you’re a woman on the go, a bit of gloss on the lips and a simple, matte eye can make the world of difference.

FROM NOON TILL NIGHT TAKE YOUR NATURAL GLOW

Photography: Mike Raven | Makeup: Chrissie Trattos | Model: Abbie @ PRM stylebham.com | 47

THE BEAUTY EDIT

THE LUNCH DATE If you’re venturing away from natural hues, don’t be afraid to wear copper, red and bronze tones on the eyes. For added impact, swipe over the lids with a small amount of gloss, but remember, less is more.

48 | Natural Glow

THE BEAUTY EDIT

THE EVENING TIPPLE Release your inner ethereal goddess and add a golden touch to your look this season. Highlight cheekbones, cupid’s bow and brow bone for an effortless glow that will enhance your complexion and illuminate your features.

stylebham.com | 49

THE BEAUTY EDIT

THE NIGHT OUT For a more natural alternative to the common bold lip and smokey eye combination, opt for a lip stain and smudged eyeshadow.

A rosy tint on the lips is a simple way to refresh your look before heading out and you won’t need to worry about topping it up throughout the night.

50 | Natural Glow

THE BEAUTY EDIT

The Skincare Update The changing of the seasons can have a huge impact on your skin ROSE GALLAGHER

W Rose’s Top Summer Products Nip + Fab Foundation Dark Mixer: Save yourself the trouble of buying a new foundation to match your tan. Instead, simply mix a couple of drops of this new innovation from Nip + Fab into your current foundation to deepen it as you bronze through the summer. £12.95, Superdrug.

Tan Luxe Hydra Mousse: Tan Luxe ticks all kinds of tanning boxes with its scent free, stain-free tanning solutions. Its latest formula delivers even and lasting tan. £37, Selfridges.

NARS Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzing Powder: The iconic bronzing shades from NARS are now available in a new lightweight powder that can be used wet or dry. Spritz your makeup brush with a hydrating mist before you apply this and your skin will look dewy and luminous. £29, Harvey Nichols.

hen scrolling through Instagram of late, it appears that skincare has taken over as the latest ‘it’ accessory. The allure of statement lips and sumptuous lashes has declined, now outshone by a sheet mask or a peel-away skin remedy.

To start at the beginning of your regime, it seems as though cleansers are having a bit of a moment. Most notably, skincare influencer Caroline Hirons teamed up with Pixi Beauty to make a two-part hack (1)Double Cleanse, £24, Marks & Spencer, designed to serve two functions.

1 One half will ‘annihilate’ makeup and SPF as Caroline puts it, and the other will comfort and nourish the skin.

2 My next discovery is actually something of a cult classic but one that I’ve only recently come across the (2)Trish McEvoy Exfoliating Pads, £45, Selfridges. For those who aren’t familiar with Trish, she’s the founder of a makeup brand designed to empower real women.

One of her most celebrated techniques is the triangle of light she creates under each eye using an illuminating concealer. To mirror the importance of this youth-enhancing makeup hack, she’s created these triangular exfoliating masks to use as skin prep.

Not everyone finds it easy to experiment with skincare solutions, and those with sensitive skin are going to love the latest skincare arrival from Australia. Dr. Roebuck’s is a brand that strives to create skincare innovations using the least possible number of ingredients.

If you suffer from eczema or any other 3 skin irritations, this is a gentle and soothing option.

Alternatively, for a richer treatment there are few more potent than the (3)Tata Harper Moisturising Mask, £100, cultbeauty. co.uk.

I sleep in mine to savour every drop and leave it to work overnight.

And one secret weapon to make the most of it all? A silk pillowcase. Silk Skin is my case of choice, a hypoallergenic resource that leaves skin feeling soft and hair frizz-free.

Whether you wear a full face of makeup each day or simply prefer an eau naturel regime, skincare is an essential extension of a healthy lifestyle. Invest time in removing the dirt and grime of city living and you’ll notice clearer, more radiant skin and a smooth, even canvas for holding your makeup. stylebham.com | 51

THE BEAUTY EDIT

STYLE INFLUENCE

R O YS T O N

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Tommy Hilfiger

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HEAT Wave

If you’re jetting off to somewhere with a warmer climate, don’t forget to protect your hair with a selection of quality products that will help combat the damaging effects of sunshine, chlorine and salt water.

Pre-holiday you should treat your hair to regular treatments that will keep it nourished, hydrated and full of moisture we love Fusio Dose by Kérastase.

If you struggle with unruly, rebellious hair then a Kerastraight Smoothing Treatment will be just what you need. This semi-permanent blowdry system transforms dry, frizzy locks into manageable, lowmaintenance lengths.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Summer is all about special occasions - especially weddings - and we always recommend looking to the red carpet for hair inspiration. It’s simple, select your favourite hair look and ask your stylist to tailor it to suit you.

Catwalks are also great if you need a little more inspiration and we’re loving the soft beehives that were showcased on Anna Sui’s SS17 shows. Hair was whipped into shape with backcombing on the crown and teamed up with low-swept side-partings for a slightly unfinished and subtle statement.

GET THE LOOK: Beach Waves 1. After washing your hair, blast it dry. 2. Create a deep parting and flick the hair over to the opposite side before spraying into place with a strong hold 1 spray. 3. Randomly take sections of the hair and wrap around a double set beachwaver before spritzing with (1)L’Oreal Paris Elvive Fibrology Dry Shampoo, £2 and blasting it out with your hairdryer to add texture to the look. 4. Take a section from one side and slick it back, clipping it into place with a grip. 5. Finish off your look with hairspray to smooth and hold the style.

ANNA SUI SS17

Get your hair holiday ready with help from Royston Blythe

SUMMER HAIR CARE

52 | Summer Hair

Soft, fresh and effortless hair is the ultimate way to embrace the free-spirited look that’s leading the way this season. Your hair should conjure a spirit of romantic escapism that’s delicate and soft, with natural waves that are slightly rebellious and raw.

Tommy Hilfiger stole the media’s attention across global fashion weeks where models showcased natural, youthful and romantic hairstyles with soft center partings. These simple styles ooze summer appeal and perfectly compliment this season’s feminine floral and lace statement pieces.

Retail, culture and the city explored.

THE INSIDER

stylebham.com | 53

Insider

In Her Shoes After enchanting audiences across the country, we caught up with principle dancer Ashley Shaw, the leading lady of Sir Matthew Bourne’s renowned production of The Red Shoes JADE WOODHOUSE

H

aving flown half way across the world from Australia at the age of 15 to undergo intense training at Birmingham’s Elmhurst Ballet School, Ashley Shaw’s infectious passion for dance shines through as we speak to her.

This July, she’s set to return to the place that she already knows and loves to stun the city’s audiences, playing the role of Victoria Page in Sir Matthew Bourne’s Olivier Award-winning reinvention of the iconic film The Red Shoes.

Due to phenomenal demand, The Red Shoes is returning to Birmingham Hippodrome following the success of its first sell-out run back in February. “It’s absolutely incredible, we get standing ovations every night,” Ashley beams. “It’s quite surreal, we’re really lucky to get that.”

Capturing the essence of the original film was something that both the cast and crew of Bourne’s dance company, New Adventures, felt was fundamental to the recreation of the film, as Ashley points out. “It’s a story that’s so well-loved, but there was a lot of pressure to do it justice when I first started performing it.”

This pressure, Ashley tells us, is something that she has felt throughout the whole run, but it hasn’t tarnished her experience of

54 | The Red Shoes

playing Victoria. To her it’s a risk that has clearly paid off, given the success of the production.

Ashley makes it clear that the anticipation of performing to audiences across the UK has simply added to the excitement, “It’s the most incredible role I’ve ever played. I think this is definitely a highlight of my career.”

But this doesn’t come without its challenges.

“It’s physically one of the hardest roles I’ve ever done,” she continues.

“It completely wears me out every night and emotionally it’s really tough. But, it’s incredibly satisfying to give it my everything on stage. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Living up to Moira Shearer’s role in the original film has only added to the pressure, as the Academy Award-winning movie is an obvious comparison to this new, contemporary dance adaption. A story of heartache and

"It’s incredibly satisfying to give it my everything on stage.

It’s an amazing feeling."

Retail, culture and the city explored.

obsession, The Red Shoes explores young Victoria’s struggle between her two passions; dance and her composer, Julian.

“It’s heavily based on the original screenplay, but there are some things that are hard to portray without dialogue, so we’ve put our own spin on it,” Ashley explains. “It’s quite an intense, dramatic story but beautifully set in the backdrop of a ballet company in 1948. The costumes and set are just phenomenal.”

Having toured with Sir Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures for the past eight years, Ashley has adapted to life on the road.

However, logistically the constantly changing performance spaces can be difficult to adjust to. With each new venue comes new surroundings and different audiences. “In some theatres the audience is further away and that really changes how

Images: Johan Persson

you perform the show. Some are more intimate and others you have to project more,” Ashley says.

As we continue to talk to Ashley, she speaks openly and confidently about a production that she has been heavily involved in from the very beginning. “Being part of a creation is so exciting,” she tells us. “The whole rehearsal period means you really get to have your say and that’s really special as opposed to just being told to do choreography.”

No stranger to the city, Ashley holds both Birmingham and Elmhurst Ballet School close to her heart to this day. “I absolutely love performing in Birmingham,” Ashley says. “It’s amazing to go back to the Hippodrome, it feels a bit like home.

It’s really nice to have my teachers from Elmhurst come and watch the show too, I feel very proud to be on that stage. I watched so many companies perform there over the years and it was always everyone’s goal to be up there dancing.”

Now living her dream, Ashley looks back to a time when she herself was sat in the audience at Birmingham Hippodrome as a teenager with fond memories. It was actually there that her interest in Sir Matthew Bourne initially sparked. “In my second year at Elmhurst they took us to see his production of The Car Man, it was the first show I’d seen of the company, and I was just blown away by their work. I hadn’t even heard of New Adventures before then but after seeing the show I did loads of research, applied to audition and got accepted for Swan Lake.”

Keen to give back to a city that she calls a “second home”, Ashley hopes to visit her old school and offer her expertise to aspiring dancers. She acknowledges her success, but speaks highly of the support she received here. “I quite often go back and teach workshops. The last time I was in the city, me and another dancer went to Birmingham Children’s Hospital to see the children, and we took along the red ballet shoes from the show with us which was really lovely.”

“I’m always so excited to return to Birmingham. The Hippodrome is so lovely and the audiences are very cultured. We actually feel a pressure coming to Birmingham, they’re a very knowing audience.”

Sir Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes runs from Wednesday July 19 - Saturday July 22

stylebham.com | 55

Insider

BECKY WEAVER

The Kooks:

Always Where They Need To Be Following their UK tour, I caught up with The Kooks’ Pete Denton to talk about the band’s 10-year anniversary and new record SUMMER HOT LIST LORDE | MELODRAMA | JUNE 16 | £9.99 It’s been a few year’s since we heard from Lorde, but now she’s back on the scene with a brand new album. A follow-up from the Grammy Award nominated Pure Heroine, the New Zealand songstress, is set to release her second studio album Melodrama.

Featuring the debut single Green Light and the newly released single Perfect Places, Melodrama is set to be the soundtrack of your summer and a window into Lorde’s adult years.

56 | Playlist

BROOKYLN BECKHAM | WHAT I SEE | JUNE 29 | £10.99 Brooklyn Beckham’s debut novel What I See is filled with snapshots of the 18-year-old’s life so far. A talented photographer, Brooklyn uses each chapter to tell a different story through his raw images, accompanied by captions and passages of text in his own words. Described as unique, authentic and stylish, What I See is a glimpse behind the lense of Brooklyn’s lavish lifestyle and blossoming career.

Retail, culture and the city explored.

Eleven years ago, Brighton-based four-piece band, The Kooks released their debut album Inside In / Inside Out that was the beginning of their catalogue of indie-pop hits that saw them dominate a new generation of music.

Now, after a three-year hiatus and an intimate UK tour - which included a gig at Birmingham’s O2 Academy - The Kooks are back with a brand new record that’s sure to spark nostalgic memories for their devoted fans who grew up listening to their toe-tapping songs.

Fronted by Luke Pritchard, the band formed in 2004 after meeting in college and went on to win over young teens and university students alike with their incredibly catchy tunes that earned them three top 10 singles.

Their new album, The Best Of…So Far is a treat for any fan of the band. A collection of their biggest songs, including Seaside, Sway, Down and two new tracks Be Who You Are and Broken Vow, The Kooks are taking a trip down memory lane as well as giving fans an insight into what their future material may hold.

“It feels like we’re starting the engine again,” Pete tells me. “Nothing has been this big for us for quite some time and we’ve worked really hard to get to where we are today. We wanted to mark our 10 years as a band with The Best Of…So Far and I think we deserve to celebrate something like this.”

Inside In / Inside Out is still as iconic now as it was back in 2006; birthing tracks Ooh La, She Moves in Her Own Way, You Don’t Love Me and Naïve put the Brighton band on the map for all the right reasons, leading them to playing numerous festivals and releasing a further three studio albums.

“It’s going to be really nostalgic for a lot of people,” Pete says of the album. “We’ve gone full circle with this record and I’m super excited about it. Looking back at our fourth record - 2014’s Listen - we were trying out a lot of different instruments, experimenting with paces and genres.

“Our music has changed quite dramatically over the years, especially when you jump from the first to fourth record, but that’s the road we always wanted to go down, we were never forced to take the approaches that we have done to our music,” Pete adds.

Looking back, The Kooks’ career has seemingly gone from strength to strength and The Best Of…So Far is a clear example of just how far they’ve come over the years. “There have been some pretty huge moments for us over the last decade,” Pete says. “We’ve had the opportunity to play some really awesome gigs and festivals - a slot on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2007 and sets at Reading and Leeds Festival.”

Hitting the 10-year mark is something that most recording artists and bands dream of in the early stages of their careers, but for The Kooks, that dream has now become a reality. “There’s this feeling that builds up inside you where you suddenly realise ‘wow, we’ve become a successful band’ and I don’t think anything reflects our success more than where we are now; for me it’s a moment that I’m most proud of,” Pete says. “That being said, it’s not always been the easiest journey either, but we’re just so proud that we’ve made it to the greatest hits stage and beyond. This record is the best one yet.”

2017 is proving to be an incredibly busy one for the band, after completing their headline tour a few months ago - which practically sold out every venue they stepped foot in - they’re now preparing to take The Best of...So Far on the road to Switzerland, Spain, Russia, Indonesia and Ukraine.

“It’s going to be fun, I’m super excited about it,” Pete says. “I’d like to kind of revisit some of the old songs and do some updated versions, maybe throw in a couple of covers. We did do some pretty cool covers back in the day as well, so there’s always the possibility of playing a couple of those bad boys. I just can’t wait to get back on the road.”

The Best Of…So Far is out now!

From chart-topping musicians to fresh novels, here’s what we’re loving this summer

HAIM | SOMETHING TO TELL YOU | JULY 7 | £10 Haim are back with their latest album Something To Tell You. After the success of their debut LP Days Are Gone in 2013, which included tracks Change Your Mind, The Wire, Falling and Forever, we can’t wait to see what indie-pop hits are waiting for us on the sisters’ latest record. Haim released their first single from the album Want You Back last month which received high praise from BBC Radio One DJs Nick Grimshaw and Greg James.

CANDICE BROWN | COMFORT: DELICIOUS BAKES & FAMILY TREATS | JULY 13| £20 Winner of The Great British Bake Off 2016, Candice Brown won over the nation with her stylish and cosy home cooking - and, of course, her bold and beautiful lipsticks.

Next month will see the release of Candice’s first cookbook, containing recipes that are close to her heart. Easy to make, hearty and scrumptious, Candice’s book is perfect for any budding baker.

stylebham.com | 57

Insider

Out&About ®Helen Murray

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG June 19 - 24 | Birmingham REP | From £15

LIVE THE SUMMER Jul 1 - August 13 | Various venues around the Mailbox

BIRMINGHAM COCKTAIL WEEKEND | July 14 - 16 | Various venues | £10

Following its huge success in the West End, The Play That Goes Wrong has embarked on its UK tour that brings it to the stage of the REP this month. The awardwinning comedy follows the story of The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, that’s putting on a 1920’s murder mystery, but the play doesn’t run as smoothly as they’d hoped it would, leading to hilarious results that are sure to tickle your funny bones.

Celebrate summer in style this season with the Mailbox. Join the city’s most luxurious shopping destination as it plays host to a number of events across the warmer months that will help you make the most out of your summer. Pick up some new makeup at The Big Beauty Weekender from Jul 1 - 2, dance away at the Birmingham & Solihull Jazz Festival on July 14 - 23 or take a stroll and discover The Big Sleuth from July to September.

Check out the full list of events at mailboxlife.com

Birmingham Cocktail Weekend is back and ready to shake up your weekend. Multiple venues across the city are taking part this year including The Botanist, The Jekyll & Hyde, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and many more. So, whether you prefer your cocktails shaken or stirred, you’re sure to find something to tantalise your taste buds. Plus, get involved in a number of exclusive events, indulge in some free samples and masterclasses that’ll help you become the master of making your favourite cocktail.

BIRMINGHAM COFFEE FESTIVAL | July 1 - 2 | Custard Factory | £6 Coffee lovers, this one’s for you. Spread across two days, the Birmingham Coffee Festival is bringing together 40 of the top independent coffee shops from the city and beyond. From finding your new favourite blend to kick-start your mornings, to sipping on some speciality coffee samples from across the world, this festival is sure to awaken your senses whilst supporting independent shops. And if you’re not a coffee drinker, you can tuck into a slice of cake whilst enjoying live music from local musicians.

58 | Out & About

DIRTY DANCING July 1 | The Arena | Lower Trinity Street | From £13.95 Grab the popcorn and head to Lower Trinity Street for the ultimate outdoor movie experience. Cult Screens is returning to the city and is bringing some of the biggest movies of all time back to the big screen for one night only.

Bring your own blanket or treat yourself to a double beanbag which includes entry for two, a complimentary drink from the bar, a bag of popcorn, and a blanket to keep you snug.

JEWELLERY QUARTER FESTIVAL | July 28 - 30 | Jewellery Quarter | Free!

Returning for its third year, the Jewellery Quarter Festival offers a host of free activities and entertainment opportunities to discover why Jewellery Quarter is such a cool place to live, work and invest in the city. Last year 18,000 people attended the festival to whizz down the Helter Skelter, take part in free heritage tours and indulge in a wide range of food and drink.

Retail, culture and the city explored.

Summer Blockbusters BABY DRIVER June 28 Starring Kevin Spacey and Ansel Elgort, Baby Driver follows the thrilling adventures of getaway driver Baby, who has ringing in his ears that he drowns out with music. Cruising along to his custom playlist, he’s laser-focused on the road and able to escape any jam, making him the best in the business. But when Baby discovers he wants to escape his criminal life and take the girl of his dreams with him, he’s handed one last job that could cost him everything.

Superheroes, thrillers, comedy and everything in between - these movies are set to brighten up your summer Mark Rylance, Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated Dunkirk is hitting the big screen this July. The movie also marks Harry Styles’ acting debut - pass us the popcorn!

SPIDER-MAN HOMECOMING | July 7

DESPICABLE ME 3 June 30 Gru and his lovable Minions are back, but this time they’re not alone as they’re joined by Gru’s twin brother Dru, who’s identical in every way - well, apart from his hair. But it’s not just his successful and wealthy brother that Gru has to worry about, there’s a new villain on the block to who’s got his eyes on world domination. Set to be one of this year’s biggest summer blockbusters, can Gru defend his title as the world’s biggest super villain with a little help from his secret agent wife Lucy Wilde?

Following his thrilling adventures with The Avengers, Peter Parker returns home to his Aunt May under the watch of his brand new mentor Tony Stark AKA Iron Man. And whilst Peter attempts to step back into a normal routine, he becomes distracted by thoughts of becoming more than just the friendly Spider-Man, but his dreams are tested when new villain Vulture threatens everything he holds most dear.

DUNKIRK July 21 As hundreds of thousands of British troops are left trapped on the beach at the beginning of the Second World War surrounded by the German Army, they’re left facing an impossible situation. With a prestigious cast including Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and

ROUGH NIGHT August 25 When Jess (Scarlett Johansson) finds herself in Miami for her bachelorette party, she and her friends are determined to make up for lost time with a weekend of drinking, dancing and debauchery. Yet what should be an incredible night soon turns into disaster when Jess and her friends end up accidentally killing a stripper. Now, they must figure out what to do with the body before the hen weekend from hell gets any worse.

stylebham.com | 59

Insider

Festival Fever CEO and Artistic Director of Birmingham Hippodrome, Fiona Allan gives her run-down of her top festivals taking place in the city and beyond

I FIONA ALLAN CEO and Artistic Director of Birmingham Hippodrome

Images: Summer in Southside and BE Festival

60 | Festival Fever

t’s nearly summer, and with it comes what was traditionally termed ‘the season’. For some people this now means festivals in all shapes of sizes, from the full camping and muddy welly experience, to boutique specialist festivals for connoisseurs of all types of culture. For others, this means wearing one’s finest, picnics in the park and Pimms.

I started my festival season with two very different experiences back-to-back. One weekend had me judging the experimental hip-hop dance battles at Birmingham Hippodrome’s second B-Side Hip-Hop festival, and then two days later in a hat, sensible shift dress and court shoes at a Royal Garden Party. Both very different and equally fabulous examples of British culture - though I was much more comfortable in trainers than heels.

Whatever your festival preference, people like to celebrate by coming togetherexperiences are magnified and spirits lifted when in a crowd of others having an equally great time. Our extraordinary range of festivals help identify us as people and a nation, uniting diverse interests and cultures. It’s where we discover new talent, taste new food, meet new people and experience the joy of just being together.

There’s much to look forward to over the coming months, so I’ve been mapping out my plans. Next stop for me will be Supersonic, the best and boldest experimental music festival in the country by far- and so lucky we are to have it on our doorstep.

July brings BE festival to Birmingham REP; smashing art-forms and expectations with some great UK and European theatre, interval dinners on the REP mainstage, and DJs into the night. Personally I’m looking forward to ‘Aerobics! A Ballet in 3 Acts’ on Tuesday 4 July, but there is a wide selection of performances to choose from across the week.

August for me means an annual pilgrimage to Edinburgh, not just to look for shows for the Hippodrome’s main stage, but also smaller and edgier productions for our studio space, The Patrick Centre. I love how manic Edinburgh is at that time of year, though the pace is so crazy, after a few days I start longing for solitude.

Saving one of the best for last - it’s just been announced that Birmingham Weekender will return this year, from 22 - 24 September. A huge celebration of our wonderful city, with the streets and squares of the city centre brought alive by musicians, dancers and artists. And almost all of it is free! Of all Birmingham’s festivals, this one unites so many cultural organisations, big and small, coming together to show this city’s exceptional, world-class culture. Put it in your diaries now and hopefully I’ll see you there!

TICKETS NOW ON SALE ‘THE MUSICAL OF THE DECADE’ T H E S UN DAY T I M E S

THE MUSICAL TUE 3 JUL – SAT 8 SEP 2018 0844 338 5000* | birminghamhippodrome.com *Calls cost 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

Insider

Look up, Birmingham You’ll spot some architectural gems

N

62 | Birmingham Architecture

see how and why the city got its concrete jungle reputation.

Largely because of its industrial might, Birmingham was targeted relentlessly during the Blitz and huge swathes of city centre buildings were reduced to rubble.

New Street was hit hard and most of its eastern stretch towards High Street and Bullring was destroyed.

This was replaced with the block that houses Primark and the soonto-open H&M, in the place of the former BHS store.

However, among this disorderly building boom emerged one of the city centre’s post-war architectural gems.

At ground level, Grosvenor House, cornering New Street and Bennetts Hill, could be considered no different to many others, with a mixture of wellknown stores and restaurants vying for attention, but look up and you will see a richly detailed example of goodquality 1950s commercial architecture.

It’s a personal favourite of mine.

Built in 1953, this heritage-listed eight-storey building features numerous small balconies protected by decorative, thin curved balustrades that give the building a distinctly American feel.

The zig-zag look of Grosvenor House is like nothing else in the city centre and owes its style to the creativity of Birmingham-born entrepreneur Jack Cotton of Cotton, Ballard & Blow, who became a prominent property developer and leading figure in postwar commercial property.

Cotton’s business interests reached far and wide and he even had an investment in the Pan Am Building in New York. He helped create City Centre Properties; then the biggest property company in the world.

Cotton might well have built a global portfolio, but here’s hoping he took enormous pride in his hometown developments with the delightfully eccentric Grosvenor House high on the list.

This is a building that will always make me stop and look up when walking along New Street. I encourage you to do the same. Actually, let’s start a movement; I’m calling it ‘Look Up, Birmingham’. Who’s with me?

Stacey Barnfield is the former editor of the Birmingham Post newspaper and now director of profile-raising PR agency Edwin Ellis Creative Media: edwinelliscreativemedia.com

Grosvenor House on New Street

ext time you’re marching between meetings in Birmingham City Centre, I urge you to look up.

Providing you’re not about to be honked by a passing tram or at risk of injury from any other potential hazards, take a second to look up at the buildings you’re passing.

For it’s only when you search above the universal branding and logos you will find on any UK high street, do you get to savour Birmingham’s fascinating and diverse architecture.

Much maligned, perhaps, but this city has some of the most interesting architectural styles you will find in any UK conurbation. Honestly, it does. For sure, mistakes have been made, particularly during the post-war years after the Luftwaffe had such a devastating impact on the city centre skyline. This rush to redevelop, with best intentions, led to some ghastly architectural and town planning mistakes.

Follow this with a ‘car is king’ philosophy of the ‘50s and ‘60s when new ring roads were carved and supporting subways tunnelled left, right and centre, and you can

STACEY BARNFIELD

e gin your uture

t h e wa i t i s o v e r f o r o u r n e w i n g l e wo o d g r a n g e s h ow h o m e .

Inglewood Grange Showhome.

E

xplore our new spectacular Inglewood Grange Showhome, situated in the desirable location of Streetly.

With just four residences remaining, including Willington Grange, Somerford Mill and Beaumont Mill, now is the time to reserve your dream home. Our Sales Advisors will be on hand to tell you all about our assisted purchase or part exchange packages available to help you own your perfect home.

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience luxury at Bourne Fields. Join us from 11am - 5pm, 7 days a week, at Chester Road, Aldridge WS9 0PU. Alternatively, call 0121 514 6726 or email bournefields@cameronhomes.co.uk for more information.

Chester Road, Aldridge WS9 0PU

cameronhomes.co.uk/bourne-fields

Showhome interiors.

Insider

The Bureau Colmore Row

1

Situated in No. 110 Colmore Row, The Bureau is home to one of the most chilled-out rooftop terraces right in the heart of the city centre.

Whether you’re toasting to the weekend with a crisp glass of Prosecco or sampling one of The Bureau’s classic cocktails, the Rooftop Terrace is the perfect place to relax and unwind. And if by some miracle we’re treated to a sunny day (or two) you can even dine outside to make the most out of the sun’s rare appearance.

From signature Bar Bites to mouth-watering mains, you’re sure to find something to tantalise your tastebuds.

WE LOVE: The Bureau offers a great range of bar snacks and nibbles. So if you fancy something to accompany with your drinks, you won’t be short of choice.

thebureaubar.co.uk

CITY GUIDE

A Taste of Summer From boutique pubs to luxury rooftop bars - here are the top places to enjoy a drink in the sun this summer

The Plough Harborne Harborne High Street

2

If you’re looking for somewhere that dishes out seriously good food with a comforting atmosphere and relaxed garden area, then you need to make your way to The Plough Harborne. Just a short drive from the city centre, The Plough’s outdoor seating area is the perfect setting for a hearty meal with your family and friends to round off a sun-filled weekend. And, if the weather’s being unkind, you can still make the most of sitting outside as The Plough has a covered area plus blankets and heaters, so you don’t have to worry about catching a chill.

WE LOVE: We’re huge fans of The Plough’s stonebaked pizzas, which are available on their 2-4-1 offer every Monday!

theploughharborne.co.uk

64 | Hotspots

Retail, culture and the city explored.

The Button Factory Jewellery Quarter

3

There’s nothing better than heading to the pub after work - especially when the sun’s shining.

Housed in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter, The Button Factory reopened its doors last June to a fresh new interior with exposed walls, traditional features and more importantly, its very own outdoor terrace. Filled with plenty of seats and outdoor heaters for when the summer night chills roll in, The Button Factory is a great place to wine and dine.

4

WE LOVE: From house cocktails to sophisticated G&T’s, you’re sure to find a drink to suit you from The Button Factory’s extensive drinks menu.

The Lord Clifden Jewellery Quarter

thebuttonfactorybirmingham.co.uk

Winner of ‘Best Entertainment Pub’ in the UK for 2015, The Lord Clifden is one of the more quirky beer gardens on our list. Filled with a collection of street art, a seasonal BBQ and so much more, The Lord Clifden’s beer garden is an awesome place to hang out whatever the weather. And, if you’re a beer drinker then you certainly need to take a trip here; with guest ales, tapped and bottled world beers and The Lord Clifden’s very own UAB larger available in both pints and schooners, it’s a great location for a pint in the sun.

WE LOVE: From live music to quiz nights and al fresco parties, there’s always something on at The Lord Clifden to keep you entertained.

thelordclifden.com

The High Field Edgbaston

5

Boasting a luxury boutique appearance and atmosphere, The High Field is home to a stunning terrace and garden area that provides a beautiful backdrop for soaking up the sun. Offering delicious food all day, draught beers, hand pump ales and a carefully selected wine list, it’s worth the short drive to Edgbaston to get the most out of what The High Field has to offer. And, if you want to enjoy a few drinks The High Field is less than five minutes away from Five Ways Train Station.

WE LOVE: Quintessentially British, you can enjoy freshly baked cakes accompanied with quality coffee made

by The High Field’s barista-trained team out in the garden or on the terrace - the choice is yours. Go on, treat yourself.

highfieldedgbaston.co.uk

stylebham.com | 65

Insider

The Church Jewellery Quarter

6

Paul McHale, Old Dead Eye Film

Take a stroll down Great Hampton Street and you’ll come across a pub with a bit of a twist. Home to one of our favourite rooftop terraces in the city, The Church is known for bringing a little taste of New Orleans to Birmingham with its sticky ribs, mouth-watering burgers. Its selection of beverages reflected on The Church’s southern roots that can be washed down in the bar’s roof terrace.

So sit back, enjoy the sun and enjoy the hospitality.

WE LOVE: Make the most out of the sun and dine al fresco. You’d be silly not to take advantage of The Chruch’s food offers which include Meat Free Mondays and 2-4-1 Soul Food Fried Chicken Tuesdays.

churchjq.co.uk

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill The Cube

7

Named Best Rooftop Bar in the UK by LateRooms.com Simply the Guest Awards, it should come as no surprise that we’ve listed The Cube’s rooftop bar as one of the best places to soak up the sun in the city. After all, it was the first of its kind to open in the city. With 360 degree panoramic views of Birmingham’s ever-changing skyline, the luxury rooftop bar - which is part of Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill - can be found on the 25th floor of one of the most iconic buildings in the city, offering breath-taking views all year round.

The Jekyll & Hyde Steelhouse Lane, City Centre

8

It may be well known for its curious cocktails and gins but The Jekyll & Hyde is also home to a rather lovely beer garden, which can become a bit of a suntrap if you catch it on the right day. After all, what better way could there be to enjoy a summer’s day than sipping on one of The Jekyll & Hyde’s signature cocktails? Incredibly quirky this bar and restaurant is just a short walk from Snow Hill station and is an absolute must-visit for any gin connoisseur.

WE LOVE: See yourself as a budding mixologist?

Why not book a place on one of The Jekyll & Hyde’s cocktail masterclasses.

thejekyllandhyde.co.uk

66 | Hotspots

WE LOVE: If you want to take a break from the sun but don’t fancy sitting inside, make your way to the conservatory for a little shelter.

thecube.co.uk

from Style Birmingham

Step into summer

Summer style made simple Why are men so afraid of the F word?

App-grade your way to better health The do’s and don’ts of modern-day dating

AD

D ELI VERING SA RTO R I A L E XCEL L EN CE clementsandchurch.co.uk

Contents

Contents 70

Style Chart

Here are our essentials for this summer

75

71

Stylish Classics

The staple items your need this season

Summer Style Edit

From sunglasses to sneakers here’s what’s on our style radar

78

Modern Day Dating

The top first date tips from the eyes of a woman

76

The F Word

We look at why men are so afraid of the word feminism

81

80

Gadget Radar

The tech pieces you need to get your hands on

Fighting Fit

Train your way to a healthier lifestyle with these apps

Editor’s Letter

Cover

In this issue of Man, we’ve delved into the taboo topics of feminism, mental health and dating. Whilst the phrase “man up” is a term often used lightly, there’s still a stigma that continues to surround mental health and well-being in men; page 81 is filled with apps that will help you to work your way to a healthier lifestyle to combat stress, anxiety and everything in between. On page 76 Philip Ellis takes a look at why men are afraid of feminism from the opinion of both sexes. Plus on page 78 we’ve got the top tips on how to be the perfect date and score some serious boyfriend points. If all this wasn’t enough, we take a look at the latest must-have gadgets [page 80] and give you the low-down on everything your need to build the ultimate wardrobe to keep you looking sharp for the summer months [page 71].

M

All this and more is waiting for you.

Gucci Trainers, £405, Selfridges

Enjoy the issue.

is created by RileyRaven • rileyraven.co.uk • hello@rileyraven.co.uk

Editor-in-Chief Andrew Riley Creative Director Mike Raven

Editorial Assistant Becky Weaver

Account Executive Jade Woodhouse

Design Simon Konaszczuk and Kati Boniface

Contributor Phillip Ellis and Georgia Johnson 69

Style

Hats Off

Shade out the sun with this Universal Works bucket hat. Made from waxed cotton this mustard yellow hat will only get better with age. £40, The Liquor Store

Reading List

Plan your adventure with a little help from Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List. You’ll never be short of places to visit again. £19.99, Urban Outfitters

Summer Soundtrack Kick back with the king of reggae this summer with three vinyls of 36 tunes. £24, Urban Outfitters

Style Chart Signature Shades

A brand new Ray-Ban icon has landed.

Make a statement with these round double bridge sunglasses, available in seven summer-ready shades. £152, ray-ban.com

Statement Shirt

Add some botanical vibes to your look this season with this floral print shirt. Team with white chinos and sneakers for a super casual look. £25.99, Zara

70

Lead the Way

Life’s a Beach

Continue your botanical theme with these lively Havaiana flip-flops. £18, havaianas-store.com

Soak up the sun poolside with this Olivier Desforges Havana beach towel. £50, House of Fraser

Travel Away

Travel in style this summer with this unbreakable carry-on. Available in seven colours this sleek, scratch resistant case even has a USB port, so you can charge your gadgets on the go.

From £245, awaytravel.com

The Sunglasses

Tom Ford ÂŁ200, Selfridges

lis

h

th i w

t

se summer classics... e h

Sta

ys

ty

A decent pair of sunglasses will never go out of style and these Tom Ford tortoiseshell sunglasses are the perfect accessory to keep you looking stylish in the sun.

Staying protected from UV rays never looked so cool!

Keep it

Simple.

The Sliders

Topman, £16, Bullring Practical doesn’t have to be boring. These Topman sliders are easy to throw on as you head to the pool combining comfort and style perfectly.

The Trainers

Gucci, ÂŁ405, Selfridges

Bring it back to basics this summer with a pair of Gucci trainers.

Complete with the iconic signature stripe, gold embroidery and metallic detailing, you can’t go wrong with crisp, white leather.

The Cap

Zara, £12.99, Bullring Embrace your inner teenager and throw it back with this Zara denim cap.

Whether you’re sightseeing or sunbathing, no holiday wardrobe is complete without a hat and if you’re having a bad hair day, this will hide it well.

Style

Summer Style Edit Eye Candy

Back to Bacics

Both practical and stylish, a good pair of sunglasses will keep you looking sharp this summer. From classic tortoiseshell to alternative clear frames, this casual accessory will take you from beach to BBQ.

If you’re looking for a versatile, comfortable and casual item of clothing, a pair of classic denim shorts won’t leave you disappointed. This summer staple can be paired with almost anything, whether you’re heading out for a day in the sun or simply swapping the skinny jeans for something a bit cooler.

Topman Light blue slim denim shorts, £28

1 Dior Homme Tortoiseshell wayfarerstyle sunglasses, £335, Harvey Nichols

2 Ray-Ban Black polarised round-frame sunglasses, £180, Harvey Nichols

The Originals

Complete with the iconic three-stripe Adidas branding and suede detail, these classic trainers are an easy way to subtly incorporate the popular streetwear trend into your look. Ideal for slipping on at the weekend, they’re sure to take you back to your youth.

Adidas Originals Campus black suede trainers, £80, Harvey Nichols

3 Whistles Round frame sunglasses, £75

Into the Jungle

4 Urban Outfitters Thin tortoise fade square lens sunglasses, £18

Break all the rules and dare to be different in this funky botanical jungle print shirt by Paul Smith.

Made from 100 per cent cotton cloth for a lightweight feel, this is a real summer showstopper.

Paul Smith Print short-sleeve shirt, £115, Mailbox

75

Culture

Why Are Men So Afraid Of

THE

These guys have their own part to play in the journey towards gender equality. Just don’t call them feminists Words: Philip Ellis

n a study published last year by the Fawcett Society, over 3,800 British men were quizzed on their attitudes towards gender.

Fifty-five per cent of the men included in the survey said they believe more needs to be done before men and women can be considered equal, and 85 per cent said they want the women in their lives to have the same opportunities as men.

This research reflects the growing number of Brits who are getting on board with the fact that breaking down traditional gender roles, both at work and at home, is as good for men as it is for women. But despite the majority of these guys being pro-gender equality, only four per cent say they would actually describe themselves as feminists. Why are so many of us reluctant to use the F word?

Laura, 27, says she would love it if more of the men she knew would define themselves as feminists — but she also admits to being suspicious of men who do just that.

“Sometimes it’s like they expect you to say ‘well done’ — they say it for validation,” says Laura. “In my experience, it’s never brought naturally into a conversation; it’s literally a spring board for them to receive praise. It’s hard to know if they really mean it. However, if any man tells me he’s a feminist, I assume he’s telling the truth and then dive into a lengthy conversation about women’s rights.”

I

76

It can’t all be about posturing though, surely? Aren’t there men out there who say they’re feminists simply because they are? “Some men say it as an empty gesture but don’t really believe it, and others believe it and understand that it helps men too,” says Gigi, 21. “I’ve experienced men before who say they’re feminists, but they’re just kind of ‘free the nipple’ and not ‘let’s look at how misogyny effects women every day’ kind of guys.”

When asked how many men she knows who have gone beyond that empty gesture, Gigi has to think hard for a moment before answering. “I know just one straight man who I would say is genuinely a feminist,” she says, finally. “He’s really good at being educated on feminist issues that he wasn’t already aware of; if his girlfriend or his female friends bring something up, he learns and makes a genuine effort.”

Whilst many men might be reluctant to use the word “feminist,” it’s not necessarily because they don’t believe in it. More than half of men in the UK say that they do believe in gender equality, but feel reticent about proclaiming themselves feminists. Many of them prefer to just call themselves “allies.”

“As a white straight male I’ve had more than my fair share of privilege,” says Christopher, 36. “Feminists need to be heard and I feel that to label myself one waters down its meaning.”

Culture

WORD? Then there are guys like Conor, 40, who calls himself a “bad feminist” and admits he’s still learning. “I believe in feminism and I think it’s an important force for good,” he says, “but I have no doubt that I continue to say and do stupid things, because I am automatically speaking from a position of privilege that I don’t even fully perceive.”

Holding your hands up and admitting that you’ve got something wrong isn’t exactly something that men are encouraged to do in a culture that still rewards “alpha males,” but a willingness to listen and learn is key to examining our male privilege. “I think we have to turn to women, in short,” says Conor. “As a straight cis white male, I have a responsibility to listen to people who aren’t all or any of those things. Twitter is fantastic for that; I get to see the viewpoints of people I definitely didn’t grow up around in Ireland in the 80s.”

Each of the men I speak to about this agrees; women should be the ones to lead the feminist conversation. But that doesn’t mean male allies don’t have an important role to play. “By shedding light on it and then shutting up,” says Christopher. “I’m always wary that when promoting a cause, it can become a ‘step back ladies while I deal with this’ sort of thing.” That said, he adds that there are occasions when men should speak up. Specifically: “to challenge

other men.” Like it or not, we’re living in a patriarchy. While a woman who calls men out for their sexism might be dismissed as “unable to take a joke,” that same criticism coming from a man is much more likely to be heard, and taken seriously.

And when it comes to the workplace, it’s possible that it will be male voices and actions that make the most difference.

Fifty-five per cent of British men believe that men in senior roles won’t make room for women unless they absolutely have to. “I think this is why I’m wary to call myself a feminist,” says Christopher.

“You get a lot of liberal guys calling themselves feminists, who are all for equality, but when it encroaches on their space, suddenly it’s too much.”

So it definitely takes more than wearing a ‘This Is What A Feminist Looks Like’ T-shirt to be an ally. Be an advocate for the women in your life, but don’t speak over them. Don’t automatically assume authority and knowledge in this matter, because you’ll probably be wrong. “As a straight white male,” says Blake, 43, “I see my place on these issues is shutting up and listening to others who know.”

Maybe it doesn’t matter what we call ourselves. Actions speak louder than words, after all. “In my mind,” says Laura, “you’re either a feminist or you’re not.”

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Dating

THE DO’S & DON’TS:

MODERN-DAY DATING

From letting your date pay their share of the bill to switching off your phone, here are the top dating tips you need from the eyes of women ating can be an absolute mine field, between worrying whether you’re saying and doing the right thing to even accidentally coming across as a bit rude or obnoxious - it’s no wonder that so many people have started switching to online dating.

So, to help you deal with the neverending challenges that come along with a nerve-wrecking first date, we’ve pulled together a list of tips on how to work your way to a top quality date with a little advice from a woman’s perspective.

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Don’t be afraid to talk,but don’t talk too much

It’s ok to go to Nando’s

Don’t get us wrong, us ladies love a fancy meal just as much as anyone but that doesn’t mean we won’t happily tuck into a cheeky Nando’s, even if it is the first date. Playing it cool on a date is so important, so don’t feel the need to order your food extra hot just to impress your date; or even worse, don’t go up to the counter, order Lemon and Herb but ask for an Extra Hot flag just to make us think you’re all match, we really couldn’t care less.

1

Being open and confident on a date is always a good sign, but when talking to your date please remember not to keep all the focus on you and let her have her say every once in a while. Things might go quiet every now and then, but that’s a good opportunity to ask her something about herself or spark a fresh and fun conversation.

Remember, if the date goes well you’ll have more time to share things with her in the future.

2

Dating

Restaurants aren’t the only option for a first date First dates are all about getting to know each other, enjoying each other’s company and most importantly, having fun and being relaxed in the situation.

Try to think outside the box when it comes to asking your date out for the first time; whilst playing it safe with a few drinks or a meal will keep you in your comfort zone, doing something a bit different can win you some real date points.

First thing’s first, pick something that you’re both going to enjoy, so going to the football doesn’t count, sorry. That doesn’t mean you have to rule out sports activities all together though, something link FootGolf or mini golf could make for a really fun date.

Rule out the cliché of going to the cinema, we’re not teenagers and you date actually probably wants to get to know you, and that’s not exactly the easiest when you’re both sat in a dark room for two hours.

Paying the bill

It’s a constant petty argument that us women are sick of having on dates. We know you’re trying to be a gentlemen and show us what you’re made of, but you need to learn that some of us just want to pay for our share and that’s ok. Don’t argue about it, we can pretty much guarantee it’ll make what has probably been a really good - or possibly terrible date - go down the drain. On the flip side, you know you’re onto a winner if your date offers to split the bill, even if you decline and pay it in full anyway, it’s a good sign that she’s happy to spend time with you.

3

4

Don’t worry about being out-manned

Avoid small talk & don’t bring up your ex

There’s nothing wrong with ordering a fruity cocktail or a G&T - honestly, we won’t judge you for it. At the same time, there’s no need to go into panic mode if your date orders a beer, we’re not trying to strip you of your masculinity, we like Corona too, accept it and move on! It’s not just down to choice of drinks either, this dating rule applies across the board, games of pool, driving - you name it.

Getting to know someone for the first time can be really awkward; it’s not just you guys that are feeling a little nervous, we are too. We want to get to know you but small talk just isn’t the way to do that. Sure, ask us how our day’s been, but after that make a conscious effort to make engaging conversation. Also, unless we ask, we don’t want to know about your ex, so please leave that outside the door; it’s not ok to talk about your ex. Ever.

5

6

Mobile phones are a no-go

First impressions really count and nothing is more unattractive than picking up your phone during a date, especially during a conversation - it’s basic manners gents, come on. When we say turn your phone off, we mean fully off so that you’re not getting distracted. This way she’ll know that you’re committed to the date. So, unless it’s some sort of emergency, then we’re going to automatically assume that we’re boring you, and before you know it the date that you probably thought was going ok is heading straight into the sin bin.

7

It’s ok to date other people

In this day and age it’s quite common for people to date more than one person at a time, so don’t feel guilty if you are because your date may be seeing other people too. But this doesn’t by any means give you the excuse to talk about the other people that you swiped right for, your date needs to feel special because after all, everyone wants to feel like they may be going on their last first date.

There’s nothing wrong with getting a little drunk

9

Nine times out of 10 the pre-date nerves are going to kick in before you’ve even made your way to the meeting point. But remember, you’re not the only one that’s going to be feeling those nerves, your date is too. Nothing settles you down more than a few drinks; once you’ve got a couple of beers down you, you’ll start to let go of your inhibitions and who knows, you might end up having a pretty awesome time.

8 79

Tech

Spire Activity Tracker

(PRODUCT)RED™ iPhone 7

£99.95, Apple

From £699, Apple

Activity trackers have been around for some time, but Spire has taken the next step in tracking with the world’s only breath tracker.

Designed to reconnect mind and body, the Spire activity tracker monitors the usual: steps, calories and sleep but it also tracks, breath and stress levels. The tracker notifies you when your breath is under tension or when your stress level is increased and provides ways to reduce them and promote mindfulness. Its sleek design and clever features make it the best activity tracker around in a while.

Apple has launched a special edition red version of its iPhone 7 as part of its ongoing relationship with (RED), supporting HIV/AIDS programmes providing counselling, testing and medicines. For each purchase of the (PRODUCT)RED™ iPhone 7 Apple will contribute to the Global Fund to help deliver an AIDS-free generation.

Gadget Radar The gadgets you need to get your hands on this season Words: Georgia Johnson

Hydracoach Bottle

£20, hydracoach.co.uk

For those of us who are health conscious, take this smart invention on your travels. Not only can you find out exactly how much to hydrate yourself when inputting your weight, this clever little bottle calculates how much water you are drinking and then notifies you throughout the day. The bottle displays how much you have drunk, your average consumption and how close you are to your goal. Staying hydrated has never been easier.

Charge Force Powerstation £99.95, uk.mophie.com

There’s nothing worse than your phone running out of battery. And now it’s time to forget carrying your cable with your portable charger thanks to the Charge Force powerstation which will power up any Qi-enabled smartphone wireless at just the push of a button. Not only will it give your device up to 48 hours worth of battery time, it also has a built-in USB port, so you can charge multiple gadgets on the go.

Aiptek Mobi Prynt Smartphone Photo Printer £120, Urban Outfitters

Bringing instant photography up to date, Prynt has created this portable case so you can print photos while you’re still partying.

Made to fit a variety of smartphones, this gadget can be adapted for a whole group of friends. The neat case comes with an app so you can add text, filters and more to your pics. The coolest feature of this gadget appears when you can magically embed a video in with the photo which plays when your phone hovers over the image.

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Wellbeing

Fighting Fit From battling mental health to upping your fitness routine and eating healthier. These well-being and fitness apps will help you work your way to a stronger lifestyle WellMind

Not letting your mental health get the better of you is vital to maintaining your health and wellbeing, that’s why the NHS developed its app WellMind, which is designed to assist in dealing with everything from stress, anxiety and depression. Relax and unwind with three audio tracks, play games to distract yourself from feeling stressed and anxious and most importantly, seek advice and help when you need it most.

Download WellMind in the App Store and Google Play!

Headspace

Juggling work, a social life, family and everything in between can be really stressful.

The Headspace app can help you keep everything in check and has been proven to effectively deal with anxiety and stress. Learn to focus more, live more, sleep better, eat better, stress less and most importantly smile more. This funky meditation app will train your mind towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Download Headspace in the App Store and Google Play!

Streaks

The key to keeping your mind on track is by eliminating any bad habits, which we all know is no easy task, but by downloading Streaks you might be on to a winner. On its website, Streaks says that it’s “the to-do list that helps you form good habits.” Select up to six tasks that you want to transform into regular habits and complete each one on its set day to extend your streak, but miss a task and you break the chain.

Download Streaks in the App Store!

he stigma that surrounds mental health is something that continues to be an issue for both males and females. Dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and everything in between is a subject that a lot of men find difficult to talk about.

But that’s starting to become easier. Most recently, Prince William and Prince Harry openly discussed their own battles following the loss of their mother, Princess Diana, as part of their work to raise awareness with mental health charity, Heads Together. Making the smallest changes can make a huge difference to your lifestyle.

T

WaterMinder®

Dehydration can have a huge effect on your skin, mood and sleep patterns, which is no help if you’re hitting the gym three or more times a week. If you’re struggling to hit your water intake, then the WaterMinder® app will get you in the habit of drinking fluids more frequently.

Plus, it’ll send you notifications to help you reach your daily hydration goals.

Download WaterMinder in the App Store and Google Play!

Bedtime

There’s nothing worse than not being able to get some shuteye because your mind simply won’t switch off. And with sleep deprivation becoming an increasingly common public health issue, there’s never been a better time to get your sleep schedule on track. Apple’s Bedtime feature aims to help iPhone users get a better night’s kip. This clever little app lets you set your own bedtime - and sends you a notification when it’s time to hit the hay - before waking you up at your desired time with a soothing alarm.

Get Bedtime with iOS 10!

Download Headspace in the App Store!

C25K

One of the biggest stress busters is exercise, and when you’re feeling a bit like a couch potato you’re not doing you or your self-esteem any favours. So, if you’ve had a tough day at the office, don’t take it out on a six pack of beer and a pizza, get yourself to the gym and sweat it out - which is easier said than done when you’re a bit of an exercise novice. C25K is designed to take you from professional couch potato to a five kilometre runner in just eight weeks.

Download C25K in the App Store and Google Play!

Nike+ Training Club

Whether you workout in the gym or at home, Nike+ Training Club is the ultimate personal trainer in your pocket. The app states that it has plans to help you get fitter, faster and stronger than ever with more than 100 workouts and personalised plans that will push you to get the most out of your session. Plus, you’ll have audio and visual guides from some of Nike’s top trainers who will help you work your way to getting those cheese grater abs in time for your holiday.

Download Nike+ Training Club in the App Store and Google Play!

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Corporate Yacht & Private Boat Hire UK Corporate Boat Charters for all Events & Occasions As a family owned business, we pride ourselves on delivering a dedicated, personal, safe and fun corporate boat charter service, all in the beautiful Solent and surrounding waters.

Headed by Tim Andrews who has over 25 years of boating experience and skippers the boats wherever possible, we fully understand the needs and beneďŹ ts of corporate hospitality and entertainment and will ensure that the very best of experiences is delivered to your clients.

At Le Creux we will work with you to plan your day, helping with everything from health & safety to places to eat and sleep. We have all areas covered and will ensure that both yourself and your clients have an experience to remember.

www.le-creux.com 07774100013 | tim.andrews@le-creux.com

LIFESTYLE

2017

Festival Guide From the biggest pop and rock headliners to celebrations of food, theatre and everything in between - here are the festivals you need to head to this year

BECKY WEAVER & GEORGIA JOHNSON

stylebham.com | 83

Boardmasters

Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach, Cornwall 9 - 13 August 2017 WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Boardmasters takes over Newquay’s best beaches for a weekend of surf, skate and of course - music! The line-up features a bit of everything, from Two Door Cinema Club to Stormzy, so there’s definitely something for everyone.

With two sites to choose from, head down to The Beach Bar at Fistral Beach and chill out whilst watching some of the finest extreme sports in action or hang out at Watergate Bay and enjoy a range of amazing acts as the sun sets.

Image: Sam Neill

TICKET PRICES & INFO Image: Callum Morse

Weekend Camping: £139, Day Tickets £49, VIP Tickets £209 boardmasters.co.uk

KETS! WIN TICver to

Head o /win am.com stylebh

V Festival Weston Park, Staffordshire 19 – 20 August WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Twenty-two years after it first came onto the festival scene, V has played host to some of the greatest bands and solo artists of all time. This year’s pop-filled line-up includes headline slots from Jay Z and P!nk, plus sets from George Ezra, Ellie Goulding, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Madness, Busted, Rudimental, Sean Paul and The Vamps. If you want to kick back and relax, head to the V Healthy area to chill out on the comfy sofas or make your way over to The Glee Comedy Tent for some belly laughs with Birmingham’s own Joe Lycett, Joel Dommett and Seann Walsh.

Lauren Maccabee - V Festival 2016

TICKET PRICES & INFO Weekend Camping: £189, Weekend Only: £165, Day Tickets: £89 vfestival.com

84 | 2017 Festival Guide

Marc de Groot - V Festival

LIFESTYLE

Latitude Festival Henham Park, Suffolk 13 - 16 July WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Held in the beautiful Henham Park, Latitude is one of the more laid-back festivals in our 2017 round-up. Alongside music from Mumford & Sons, The 1975 and Fleet Foxes, Latitude has plenty to explore; make your way to the comedy arena for sets from some of the biggest names in the industry, get your culture fix courtesy of the country’s leading theatre and dance companies, discover the unexpected at Pandora’s Playground or journey deep into the Faraway Forest.

TICKET PRICES & INFO Weekend Tickets: £197.50 & Day Tickets: £77.50 latitudefestival.com

Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival

Jen O’Neill

Moseley Park 7 - 9 July WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Bringing some of the best jazz, funk and soul artists to the heart of Birmingham, this annual festival takes over Moseley Park for three days. And with sets from Chaka Khan, Craig Charles and Sugarhill Gang ft. Melle Mel & Scorpio, Mostly Jazz is bringing the party to the park this July.

It’s not just music on offer, tuck into some seriously mouth-watering food and awardwinning ale from Purity Brewery Company.

TICKET PRICES & INFO Adult Weekend Tickets: £99, Day Tickets: £45, Two Day Tickets: £79 mostlyjazz.co.uk

The Birmingham Rum Festival The Cuban Embassy July 1 WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Embrace your inner pirate at The Birmingham Rum Festival this summer. With 130 rums and live music, you can learn mixology and sample some delicious street food.

After its incredibly popular first year, The Birmingham Rum Festival is returning with two rum bars, outdoor areas and a terrace. And if that wasn’t enough, The Drinks Emporium will have just what you need to continue the party at home.

TICKET PRICES & INFO Tickets from £8! birminghamrumfestival.com

stylebham.com | 85

MADE Festival The Digbeth Triangle 29 July WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Standing for The Metropolitan, Arts and Dance Event, MADE serves as a meeting place for electronic music and local street artists, designers and creatives.

Outdoor and indoor spaces throughout Digbeth become home to the urban celebration and display some world class entertainment and expertise in music.

See a Chase & Status DJ set and acts such as Danny Byrd and Radio 1Xtra’s Charlie Sloth, at the exciting summer event.

TICKET PRICES & INFO Tickets from £44 made-festival.co.uk

Secret Garden Party Mill Hill Field, Cambridgeshire 20 - 23 July WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? It’s the end of the era as this year will sadly be Secret Garden Party’s last. One of the more quirky festivals on our list, SGP invites festival-goers to embrace their inner tree-hugging hippy for one last hurrah as its 15-year run comes to an end.

Dance the day away at numerous stages, head to The Games Arena for a bit of alternative festival fun, kick back and relax at The Sanctuary or get involved in a host of spectacles and ceremonies. Peace out, Secret Garden Party, we’ll miss you.

TICKET PRICES & INFO

Olivia Williams

86 | 2017 Festival Guide

Adult Weekend, £190. Make your stay at Secret Garden Party a little more luxurious with Pimp my Garden, offering eight boutique camping options from Bell & Lotus tents to Octopads and Sleep Huts. secretgardenparty.com

LIFESTYLE

Green Man

Brecon Beacons 17 -20 August

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Bringing all things glorious to the festival season, Green Man is returning to the Brecon Beacons for its 15th year. Offering everything from music, comedy, literature and film Green Man is encased not only in beautiful surroundings, but also within a welcoming community. Get involved in the legendary Settlement Pub Quiz, cook out with meat sold daily from the local butcher, enjoy live entertainment in the Hurly Burly tent and enjoy live music with sets from PJ Harvey, Michael Kiwanuka, The Shins and more.

STAY LONGER Want to make the most of what Green Man has to offer? With a Settler’s Pass, you can extend your stay to venture further into depths of the festival. Camp in style at Tangerine Fields or kick back in comfort at Hotel Bell Tent.

TICKET PRICES & INFO Standard tickets: £180 & Settler’s Pass tickets: £225 greenman.net

Jen O’Neill

Reading and Leeds Festival Richfield Avenue & Bramham Park 25 - 27 August WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? There’s no festival quite like Reading and Leeds. Spread across three days, this year’s line-up includes headline sets from Muse, Kasabian, Eminem, Haim, You Me at Six and Fatboy Slim plus slots from Blossoms, Bastille, Two Door Cinema Club, Migos, Major Lazer, Mura Masa, Wiley, Milkey Chance and Anne-Marie. A pure mix of indie, rock and dance music this festival has something for everyone.

TICKET PRICES & INFO

Jenna Foxton

Book weekend tickets for Reading and Leeds Festival for £213. readingandleedsfestival.com

BE FESTIVAL Birmingham REP 4 - 8 July WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? BE FESTIVAL’S programme is filled with theatre, dance, comedy, music, circus, visual and performing artists all held at Birmingham REP. Running across five days, festival-goers can expect a wide selection of impressive performances, from a diverse range of shows.

TICKET PRICES & INFO Week passes start at £60 befestival.org stylebham.com | 87

PHILIP ELLIS

Czech out Prague this Summer The jewel in the crown of the Czech Republic, Prague has so much more to offer than beer and chocolate The City of Stories Prague is a city for history buffs and lovers of fairy tales.

Every single street carries its own mishmash of fact and fiction, history and myth, and each monument tells its own incredulous tale. The Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square is a prime example; a mindboggling work of engineering dating back to the 1400s, legend has it that its creator was blinded so that he could not duplicate his stunning work, but that he knew his invention so intimately that he was able to disable it by feel alone, and nobody was able to repair it for 100 years.

Or how about the legend of the Golem of Prague; conjured by a Rabbi from riverbank mud to protect Jewish citizens from anti-Semitic violence, the Golem ran rampage all over the city until it was eventually defeated.

The clay monster is supposedly still housed in the oldest synagogue in Josefov, the city’s Jewish district, where it can be reassembled if the need ever arises.

88 | Travel - Prague

If It Ain’t Baroque, Don’t Fix It Prague is no stranger to drama, and this is reflected in the city’s lavish appearance. The baroque style of architecture is everywhere you turn, from the breath-taking Prague Castle, which overlooks the city from atop a great hill, to the domes and spires of St Nicholas Church, to the statues on the iconic Charles Bridge, built by King Charles IV in the 14th Century. And unlike other cities which spent time under Communism, the grandeur of the city’s many religiously inspired buildings remains intact.

Art & Culture Looking for an authentic cultural experience during your stay? Then why not take in a marionette show, one of the city’s traditional art forms, where classic stories are re-enacted with puppets. Or if that’s a little too creepy for you, then you could always visit the Black Light Theatre.

Created by Jiri Srnec in the 1960s, it has spawned a number of imitators all over Prague, but the original can be found just off Na Príkopē.

And right next to the Black Light Theatre is the Museum of Communism — situated, rather ironically, above a casino. You could actually spend a rather surreal day visiting some of the city’s more diverse exhibits, from the Franz Kafka Museum, dedicated to the life and work of the absurdist author, to the Torture Museum.

Prague also plays host to jazz and classical music festivals all through the summer months, in addition to a Shakespeare festival, with live performances in both English and Czech.

LIFESTYLE

Drink V Zátiší

Food In the Czech Republic, lunch is the biggest meal of the day, and dinner is just something you grab quickly while out for drinks with friends after work. This means plenty of restaurants offer a reasonable two or three course lunch deal. A rustic soup is the traditional starter, followed by a hearty meat dish served with dumplings, and finally dessert and strong coffee.

That isn’t to say there aren’t plenty of topnotch restaurants catering to the evening crowd. Restaurant V Zátiší in Old Town (near the Charles Bridge) serves up modern twists on both Czech and Indian flavours.

Bílá Kráva, also known as The White Cow, is a specialist steak restaurant on Bílá Kráva Rubešova Steet, not far from Wenceslas Square, and its signature dessert is an absolute must-have; homemade ice cream, prepared instantly at your table using liquid nitrogen!

And vegetarians needn’t worry. Meat-free dishes might be sparser on the menu, but you’ll still find something perfectly tasty — the best of which is deep fried cheese, served with potatoes and tartar sauce. A slightly odd-sounding combination, yes, but a local speciality, and positively delicious.

Fortunately, there are plenty of scenic streets for you to walk off the heavy meals during your stay.

The Czech Republic is renowned for its beers, such as Pilsner (brewed in the city of Plzeň) and Budweiser Budwar (from Budweis). In fact, Czech beers are so good that the country has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world!

Typically light and golden in colour, a Czech beer is served with plenty of foam, as it’s believed to aid digestion — nothing like a pint the in UK. But if pale lager isn’t your thing, then don’t worry; Czech wine, while less famous, is equally quaffable.

Try sampling a Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon from Moravia with dinner. You won’t regret it.

ARIA Hotel

Accommodation There are hotels to suit every budget in Prague.

If you’re feeling flush, why not stay at the ARIA, the central Art Deco hotel where director Wes Anderson once met a loyal concierge who inspired him to create Ralph Fiennes’ character in The Grand Budapest Hotel. Further out towards the airport is the Vienna House Diplomat, which offers “the best breakfast in Prague”. It’s also possible to visit the city on a shoestring, with plenty of hostels dotted throughout Old Town.

Transport Czech Airlines is currently putting on more frequent, affordable flights to Prague from Birmingham International Airport over the summer. The flight takes just under two hours, and when you land, the city centre is only a 20-minute taxi ride away. stylebham.com | 89

A Sprint Through Vienna ANDREW RILEY

90 | Travel- Vienna

Nestled peacefully in the centre of Europe surrounded by eight neighbours, Austria's capital is a little under the Birmingham radar

LIFESTYLE

V

ienna is a fascinating city that’s best enjoyed slowly. However, few tourists can afford the luxury of time. We took a whistle-stop tour and here’s our advice on how to make the most of Vienna in two days.

Cultural Heritage

Home to an eclectic mix of buildings and styles including Art Nouveau, Romanesque, Gothic, Rococo and many more, Vienna is without question a feast for the architectural lover's eyes.

There are three important palaces in Vienna - the Belvedere, Hofburg, and Schönbrunn. Chances are you won't have the time to enter all of them, so you'll need to choose one or two. The Belvedere is a complex of various buildings that have been converted into art galleries.

They're home to paintings by Gustav Klimt (including his famous Kiss), Schiele, and Kokoschka. The Belvedere has also a stunning garden you can enter free of charge.

The Hofburg served once as the Habsburgs' winter residence and today is the headquarters of the President of Vienna. Choose this palace if you are interested in the history of the Austrian monarchy, the Habsburgs and especially if you're a fan of their most famous Empress Sisi. The Hofburg is situated in the city centre, so you won't have to commute (in contrast, you need to use public transportation to reach the Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces).

The Schönbrunn Palace is also a great choice if you want to get to know a bit of the Habsburgs' history.

Unlike the Hofburg, it’s surrounded by beautiful gardens.

If you travel during the winter season, you may also come across a Christmas market that takes place

Hofburg image - Willfried Gredler-Oxenbauer

Schönbrunn Palace

every year there. A visit to the palace itself shouldn't take long (up to one hour), but the gardens here are also incredible.

Museums

Vienna also has diverse museums. Its most important art gallery and one of the biggest museums in the world is the Kunsthistorisches Wiener Riesenrad Museum (the Museum of Art History), which houses important works by such artists as Caravaggio, Tintoretto, Dürer, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. You'll need at least half a day to properly enjoy this museum.

If you prefer modern art, you may want to choose to see the Leopold Museum. A visit here certainly won't take as much time as it would to explore the wonders of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Amongst the highlights are masterpieces by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, and Richard Gerstl.

Alternatively, you can choose to go to the Naturhistorisches Museum (the Natural History Museum). The building is gigantic, INTERES filled with more than 30 million objects TED IN HIST ORY? on display. It was erected to house the Visit the Hofburg in Habsburgs' collection of natural artefacts and the cente r of the ci ty was opened to the public in 1889.

They say that no visit to Vienna is complete without a ride on the Wiener Riesenrad (German for Vienna Giant Wheel), at the Prater amusement park in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district of Austria's capital. It's one of Vienna's most popular tourist attractions, and symbolises the district as well as the city for many people.

Constructed in 1897, it was the world's tallest extant Ferris wheel from 1920 until 1985, but with its beautiful carriages and construction, it still beats all of the rest on The Hofburg charm alone. stylebham.com | 91

We stayed at the Ruby Lissi, the newest addition to a collection of three hotels in the city, each offering something unique, individual and above all relaxed.

Ruby Hotels embrace technology with a neat self check-in system and rooms which are compatible with any mobile device. Rooms are minimalistic but beautifully appointed with thoughtful touches: soundproof, amazingly comfortable beds and blackout blinds (you'll definitely get a good sleep here, we did).

There's no restaurant at the Ruby Lissi, its philosophy is that you should go out and explore the heart of the city to eat, and with such a great selection of eateries, cafés and a bustling nightlife we wholly agree with this strategy.

However, there is a very fine and quirky bar at the Lissi, with an interior created from reclaimed up-cycled art, objects and furniture. You can sit and enjoy this relaxing space where they serve an equally thoughtful organic breakfast which caters for all tastes and includes a selection of superfoods and vegan delights.

Bar & Cafe Huth Gastronomie

Bar & Café The Rub y Lissi Hotel ha s RubyBikes fo r discou nted hourly a nd daily rates on bike hir e

Naschmarkt

Where to Stay

Eating Out

No trip to Vienna is complete without trying the best Veal Schnitzel, we ate at Huth Gastronomie where you can indulge in some traditional fare.

Also, try traditional Greave Dumplings to start and finish off with the best Apple Strudel all washed down with Viennese white wine.

Take a stroll down the Naschmarkt, Vienna's bestknown market which boasts around 120 market stands and restaurants for a colourful culinary offering ranging from Viennese to Indian, and Vietnamese to Italian.

The Naschmarkt is a well-known meeting point for locals, don't pigeon-hole this market in the 'normal' category, it's 5-star. We sat here enjoying a Melange (German for Viennese Blend and similar to a cappuccino) watching the world go by.

It's impossible to see all that Vienna has to offer in just two days and if you have the budget we recommend a group, or even better a personal tour with www.theredumbrella.tours where you will be treated to a fascinating Viennese masterclass.

With so much to see in Vienna, you'll have to make some choices, but the most important monuments include the Belvedere, Hofburg and Schönbrunn Palaces and the Leopold Museum - our personal favourite.

Most importantly walk around, stop for a drink and keep your eyes and ears open; Vienna is, of course, famous for Opera and was the home of Mozart and Beethoven, so you won't find it hard to stumble upon some beautiful music in this city brimming with creativity and culture.

Getting There

With direct flights from Birmingham to Vienna via Eurowings you can touch down in around two hours.

If you want to travel to your hotel in style book a chauffeur driven car with intersprint.at.

For more information on Vienna go to wien.info

WIN A TWO NIGHT’S STAY AT RUBY LISSI!

Lovely Room

92 | Vienna

We’re giving one lucky reader the chance to win a luxury stay in the beautiful Ruby Lissi. We’ll put you up in a double room for two nights, giving you and your plus one the chance to explore this stunning city at your own leisure. Simply head to stylebham.com/win to enter!

Special occasions deserve a proper celebration

Enjoy 20% off on your first online purchase* for collection at PAUL bakery at Birmingham Grand Central. Simply quote Style20 when you check out.

PAUL BIRMINGHAM GRAND CENTRAL, 68A East Mews, Birmingham, B2 4XJ

*Terms and Conditions: 20% discount available for first time users of our online store for orders placed before 31st August 2017. If you have ordered online from PAUL before, the discount will not apply. No cash alternative. Valid on collection only.

Orders to be collected from PAUL Birmingham Grand Central, 68A East Mews, Birmingham, B2 4XJ

www.paul-uk.com

St. Paul’s Square

The Recipe for a Perfect Picnic

THE HAMPER: When it comes to hampers nowhere does them quite like PAUL at Grand Central Birmingham; it’s a great place to grab your picnic essentials as the store offers everything you could possibly need to create the most mouth-watering picnic.

PAUL’s Picnic for Two PAUL’s Picnic for Two (£20) includes the choice of a sandwich, quiche or salad per person, two macarons or tart slices, two bottled drinks or freshly made iced drinks, finished off with two bags of crisps all of your choice - not forgetting a complementary reusable cool bag and disposable tablecloth for you to set your picnic up on. PAUL will do the work for you, all you have to do is order your picnic in-store.

Just because you’re eating outside, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the quality of your food; so wave goodbye to stale sandwiches and say hello to freshly baked artisan breads, delicious fillings, iced drinks and delicate cakes and pastries all available for you to fill your hamper with from PAUL. THE LOCATION: You’re one step closer to completing your picnic preparation, but you’re not going anywhere until you’ve got a venue sorted. From luscious, green parks 94 | Perfect Picnics

In the summer, there’s nothing quite like a picnic.

To get you inspired we’ve teamed up with PAUL to help you make the perfect day out 3

Fancy something extra?

1. Éclair Paris Brest, £3.55 2. Tartelette Meringue Citron, £3.50

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3. Tartelette Fraise, £3.55

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to rolling hills, Birmingham isn’t short for choice when it comes to beautiful picnic spots. Just a short distance from the city centre lies some hidden gems for you to spend the day eating and drinking in style with your nearest and dearest.

If you can, we totally recommend travelling a little further afield, because as lovely as Pigeon Park is, it’s going to be hard to enjoy your picnic when you’ve got hoards of traffic buzzing around you.

Feeling hungry?

Visit paul-uk.com to check out the amazing selection of edible goodies

LIFESTYLE Cannon Hill Park

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LICKEY HILLS: If that doesn’t sound like the venue to make your picnic perfect, then why not head to Lickey Hills Country Park. Stretching across 524acres this scenic park holds the baton as being one of the city’s most varied and treasured parks.

Offering a mix of woodland, heathland and grass areas it makes the ideal setting for a relaxed picnic. It’s at Lickey Hills that you’ll also find Beacon Hill, which is a great place to set up your picnic as you can soak up the stunning views of the city and beyond whilst exploring the small fort.

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WIN

We’re giving one lucky reader the chance to win a luxury PAUL picnic hamper for four. Complete with everything you need for the perfect PAUL picnic hamper is filled with delectable treats, alongside

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Lickey Hills

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Rowhearh Pavilion

CANNON HILL PARK: We’re big fans of Cannon Hill Park, it’s one of the most popular parks to visit when the sun’s shining, and it’s only two miles away from the city centre. The great thing about Cannon Hill Park - apart from how beautiful it is - is that there’s so much to see and do.

The park itself is home to a host of attractions including MAC Birmingham which hosts a number of really cool events throughout the year; a mini funfair - which includes a roller coaster, bumper cars and a miniature golf course. So, if you’re looking for a location filled with plenty to do, Cannon Hill Park certainly ticks all the boxes.

ROWHEATH PAVILION: Finally on our list of top places to host your picnic is Rowheath Pavilion. Situated in the heart of Bournville, this is the perfect spot if you really want to soak up the sun before it disappears for the rest of the year.

With a beautiful lake, grass area and community centre, this family-friendly option is the smallest venue on the list, but by no means the least attractive. Home to a variety of events, including craft fairs and vintage markets, this gorgeous pavilion is a real hidden gem.

There you have it - Style’s guide to creating the perfect picnic. What are you waiting for?

Get out there and enjoy the sun!

DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!

classic favourites - all you have to do is make those all important choices and let PAUL do the rest. For your chance to win, simply head to stylebham.com/win to enter.

stylebham.com | 95

There are a vast number of beautiful villages, towns and cities just a short journey away.

Birmingham

Escape to the Country Moving to the countryside doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on lifestyle. From family days out to luxurious shopping trips, here’s what you can find within touching distance of a new location outside of the city WHY ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY? According to the Office of National Statistics, countryside populations are set to increase by 6% by 2025 as more people wish to escape the busy city streets and urban living. If you too wish to live somewhere more rural Bourne Fields Estate may be for you. The luxury collection of 14 five-bedroom homes is situated between Aldridge and Streetly, perfectly placed to make the most out of the surrounding areas.

Set back from Chester Road, Bourne Fields is conveniently placed to enjoy the stunning 96 | A New Home

natural environment. With stylish contemporary living spaces, Cameron Homes is taking rural living to a whole new level. You’re guaranteed to feel right at home at this stunning development.

Tailor your home with Cameron Homes to create a space finished with your own signature style. Each spectacularly designed home features a stunning kitchen, master suite and living room designed to the highest specification. There are an array of options from electrical to exterior features that allow you to create the dream home that you’ve always wanted.

Bourne Fields is in a perfect location if you’re a commuter.

The M6 is less than five miles away and a short train journey will take you into Birmingham city centre which is home to some incredible places to eat. Simpsons and Adams are amongst the Michelin starred restaurants that run throughout the city, but there are also a fantastic collection of eateries at Brindleyplace and the Mailbox as well as some great bars that offer incredibly creative cocktails.

If you enjoy a visit to the cinema, Everyman Cinema provides the ultimate luxury viewing experience. If you enjoy theatre shows and concerts, the city is packed with venues including the much-loved Birmingham Hippodrome, and the Barclaycard Arena. Everyone enjoys a night out on the town so take the opportunity to put on your dancing shoes and make use of the city’s clubs. Or if you prefer comedy head to the Glee Club.

Lichfield Just a 20 minute drive away from Bourne Fields lies the beautiful heritage city, Lichfield. One of the city’s greatest attractions is the stunning cathedral. Explore the cathedral’s hidden library or indulge at Chapters The Cafe in The Close, which serves an array of sandwiches, cakes

Bourne fields development from Cameron Homes

A STONE’S THROW AWAY

LIFESTYLE and pastries homemade from a selection of local produce. If you’re a theatre-goer you can catch a show at Lichfield Garrick Theatre, which hosts a variety of performances that all the family can enjoy. If you fancy a relaxing stroll then be sure to visit the 70 acre gardens of the beautiful Beacon Park.

Sutton Coldfield One of Sutton Coldfield’s major attractions is stunning Sutton Park. Aiming to provide visitors with a sense of wilderness within an urban environment, the park is composed of a mixture of wetland, heathland and woodland and is spread across 2000 acres, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Alternatively, if you want to enjoy something more high intensity, NPF Bassetts Pole makes for the perfect day out for paintball lovers.

Tamworth

Cannock Chase is a half an hour car ride away from Bourne Fields and has a range of attractions that all the family can get involved in. Be sure to visit Cannock Chase’s Birches Valley Forest Centre which will get you set for a fantastic day out in the wild with information regarding bike trials and woodland walks. If you’re looking for something more adventurous try Go Ape’s Treetop Adventure, or get off the beaten track with Cannock Chase’s mountain bike trails or Go Ape’s Forest Segway experience.

FOR A LUXURY DAY Fairlawns Hotel and Spa is just one of the luxury spas available within a 40 minute drive of Aldridge and it has all the facilities that will allow you to feel truly pampered. The hotel’s spa is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy access to the fitness facilities, whilst the Spa Snug allows you to take some

time out to read and enjoy peace and quiet. The Adult Health Club on site, which boasts a sauna suite and hydrotherapy pool makes Fairlawns the perfect place to make you feel great.

FOR GOLF LOVERS The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Sutton Coldfield, is nestled with more than 500 acres of idyllic countryside. The resort boasts multiple golf courses including the Brabazon, which is a fourtime Ryder Cup host and the PGA National which has hosted two European Tour matches, making it one for the most popular UK courses. The resort is renowned for its outstanding golfing experience and was crowned the ‘Best Venue-The Ultimate UK Golf Experience’ at the 2013 59 Club Awards.

Above: Drayton Manor & The Belfry Hotel

If you think luxury living at Bourne Fields is what you’ve been looking for, then please visit cameronhomes.co.uk for more information.

The Belfry Hotel

Go Ape Cannock

Tamworth is home to Drayton Manor, one of the UK’s most popular theme parks that is perfect for thrill-seekers and young families, providing a day of fabulous fun! Within a 30 minute drive away you can also jump into winter wonderland at the SnowDome which offers activities including skiing and snowboarding, along with an ice rink and leisure centre.

Cannock Chase

stylebham.com | 97

WIN The Most Stylish Staycation!

ils eta OUR LUCKY WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

Champagne afternoon tea for two served in the Harvey Nichols Restaurant

For your chance to win, head to stylebham.com and answer the following question:

A relaxing ESPA massage for two at Harvey Nichols

You’ll find Harvey Nichols at: A: The Mailbox B: The Postbox C: The Letterbox

A cut and blow dry for two at James Bushell, Harvey Nichols.

They’ll also be treated to an overnight stay with breakfast for two at AC Hotel at The Mailbox.

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Terms and Conditions: One winner will be drawn at random from all valid entries received. The prize must be taken by 28/08/2017 (subject to availability) with the winner booking directly with Harvey Nichols. The prize is available Sunday-Friday, excluding Saturday. No exchange or cash alternative and the prize must be redeemed by 04/08/2017. By entering this competition you agree to your data being shared with Harvey Nichols. Full Harvey Nichols terms: harveynichols. com/information/policies/competition-terms/. Competition closes: on 28/07/2017. To enter and see full terms and conditions visit: stylebham.com/win

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An Elemis facial for two at Harvey Nichols

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Enjoy Birmingham at its best with an indulgent staycation for two, thanks to Harvey Nichols. We’ve teamed up with the luxurious Mailbox store to offer you and your partner or best friend a pamper-packed mini-break in the heart of Birmingham.

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Win a luxury mini break for two with Harvey Nichols and AC Hotel

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JOIN US FOR AN EXCITING LINE-UP OF EVENTS TO CELEBRATE SUMMER 2017

WIMBLEDON FORTNIGHT 3 – 16 July

BIRMINGHAM COCKTAIL WEEKEND 14 – 16 July

BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL JAZZ FESTIVAL 14 – 23 July

TASTE OF THE MAILBOX 12 – 13 August

THE BIRMINGHAM WEEKENDER 22 – 24 September

THE BIG SLEUTH July – September

Want to know more? Visit mailboxlife.com

MAILBOXLIFE.COM