Dluxe Leicestershire Spring 2017

LU E D X LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

ISSUE 28

for business & leisure

TIMMY MALLETT

at Oberon Gallery

Spring Style trends for him

and Her

top 5

European holiday destinations

LCFC

CHRISTIAN FUCHS YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK

INTERVIEW

Take your

MAMA OUT Find the perfect gift and enjoy makeovers and more at our Mother’s Day beauty evening T H U R S D AY 2 3 M A R C H 6.30pm – 9.30pm Ground Floor, Harvey Nichols Birmingham

Tickets £10*, including a gift for all mums.

To book, please call 0121 616 6019.

T&Cs apply. *Ticket price redeemable on Beauty purchases made on the evening.

A

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Letter Editor from the

Ordinarily, I’d be writing this commentary from my desk at the magazine headquarters. This time around, I’m in a side ward, in an NHS hospital and it gives a different perspective on life. I’ve time to think at the moment, as you can imagine. Lots of it.

What’s become crystal clear from a very personal perspective is just how incredible the NHS truly is. Sure, it’s creaking at the seams in certain areas and it runs at a glacial pace, but the much mis-aligned staff truly are there for the love. It is a vocation rather than a job. From the Porter taking me for scans to the ward staff, I feel humbled at the care they give.

It’s made me grateful, too. My story has a happy ending as I’ve just been told (literally) that I’m due to be released in a matter of days – not everyone is as lucky – but knowing I’m heading home, repaired leaves me wanting to grab life, grab opportunities and achieve that work/life balance that so many of us strive to reach.

Lucky for me, it’s Spring and there’s a wealth of great stuff out there, waiting to be enjoyed. From exhibitions by the inimitable Timmy Mallet at Oberon Gallery of Leicester right through to the upcoming premiere of Miss Saigon at Curve, culture vultures have never had it so good.

Fashion has never been better either. There really is no excuse for not being finely turned-out this season. Whether it’s LCFC’s Christian Fuchs and his No Fuchs Given range of jewellery at Lanes Fine Jewellery, one of the new-breed of grooming studios, or the new season collections in-store at our favourite independents and department stores, Leicester really is punching above its weight stylistically.

It would be remiss of me not to mention our brand-new VIP newsletter service that we’re launching this spring. Direct to your inbox, we will be sending all the latest news, features and some exclusive inbox-only competitions to really keep you ahead of the curve. If you’d like to receive this digest, simply email us at info@sixtynine-ltd.co.uk or click on our website and follow the link.

For now, we hope you enjoy this Spring edition. Like the NHS staff, it’s been a labour of love and we love having you read our words.

Best,

Cover image courtesy of Barbour. Check out highlights from their new spring collection on page 30 or visit www.barbour.com

We can’t wait for...

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Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief

Timmy Mallett’s exhibition at Oberon Gallery 30/03-14/04 – we’ve had a sneaky peak and you’re going to be surprised. No need to say ‘bleurgh’.

As kids, we’ve all wanted to be Wonder Woman, right? Well, everyone’s fave female crimefighter is given a 21st century make-under in a kind of prequel to the WW we love and know.

It feels early, but we’ve already booked ahead for this summer’s Latitude Festival in July. The most middleclass of festivals, this is a far cry from mosh-pits and mayhem. The 1975 and Mumford & Sons headline.

Joe Wicks could force-feed us McDonald’s and we wouldn’t care: he’s just so darn pretty. June brings his latest tome ‘Cooking for family and friends’. *sighs* It’s a while off yet (September) but when world-class theatre takes residency in the region, we get giddy.

Booking already - and expect a sell out season - Sunset Boulevard at Curve.

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L OV E Make Make your your Mother’s Mother’s Day Day with with hand-finished hand-finished sterling sterling silver silver jewellery. jewellery.

pandora.net pandora.net

PANDORA PANDORA Fosse Fosse Park Park Unit Unit 11a, 11a, Fosse Fosse Park Park Avenue, Avenue, Leicester, Leicester, LE19 LE19 1HX 1HX

CONTENTS...

08 THE EDIT Our personal picks of some of our favourite features and stories.

14 SPOTLIGHT We chat to LCFC star,

Christian Fuchs, as he announces his brand new ‘No Fuchs Given’ jewellery line with Lanes Fine Jewellery

30 SHOOT

We all know and love Barbour for its country casualwear, but this spring shoot might have you seeing the luxury brand in a new light.

32 FOR HER All the new season’s key

looks, condensed. Looking good really hasn’t been easier.

36 FOR HIM Helping you be a dapper Don this season. All your key looks and style advice.

40 LIVING Beautiful homes and gardens are de rigeur this season.

44 MOTORS

We road-test two of the hottest new Campervans ahead of Summer.

46 TRAVEL

European City Breaks this Spring. How many have you visited before?

52 DIARY

What’s happening and what’s happened in and around Leicestershire. Your diary will thank you for reading this

59 PAPERWORK The latest

thinking and topic-led business advice from Leicestershire’s top brains.

66 PEOPLE We chat to Jessica Okoro

about why she is striving to make sciences fun for children.

GET IN TOUCH MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin Urquhart Kevin@fu-media.co.uk 07713 740 272

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

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Andrew Winfield andy@fu-media.co.uk 07557 042996

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

MARKETING EXECUTIVE Carey York carey@fu-media.co.uk

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stephen Goddard Stephen@kukucreative.co.uk 07580 136693

Disclaimer: Copyright 69 & dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy in compiling this publication, the Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, breach of copyright or otherwise since compilation. The Publisher cannot be held responsible for any material submitted to the publication, not excluding advertisements. The views expressed within this title are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply recommendation by the Publisher. © 69 Magazine Ltd 2017

FOR EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES CONTACT: DLUXE BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL HQ 31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE TEL: 0116 2533 445 6 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

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

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Wacaday Star, Timmy Mallett, Showcases Fine Art Collection On Thursday 30th March Oberon Gallery of Leicester is to hold a special art showcase and intimate evening with TV-personality turned Fine Artist, Timmy Mallett.

Mallett, who’s become one of the art scene’s most exuberant and exciting Fine Art painters. His new collection of artworks will guarantee to surprise you!”

Timmy Mallett found fame and notoriety in the 80s with his hilarious Wacaday and Mallett’s Mallet TV programmes, but he’s since gone on to become one of the art scene’s most exciting - and bankable - Fine Artists.

Oberon Gallery of Leicester are passionate about Fine Art, backed by 30 years’ experience in the industry. They offer a unique experience and personal service in a relaxed and friendly environment.

This very special event will not only allow esteemed guests the chance to not only view some of his brand-new collection of originals and prints, but also meet this colourful character, too.

The Timmy Mallett collection is available to view at Oberon Gallery of Leicester until Friday 14th April.

Gallery Manager of Oberon Gallery of Leicester, Donna Marie Cross, said of the occasion, “I am thrilled to welcome Timmy 8 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Oberon Gallery of Leicester, Loseby Lane, Leicester, LE1 5DR. Tel 0116 253 8484

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS Looking for a truly unique birthday gift? Whether it’s for an important milestone birthday, or simply, another year older another year wiser, the UK’s largest newspaper archive, Historic Newspapers, have the perfect present for any recipient from original newspapers from their birth date to birthday front covers from their birth until today presented in a stunning coffe table style book and presentation book.

Regardless of whether the recipient is one, ten, 50 or 100 years old – Historic Newspapers guarantee to have an original newspaper from the birth date in question. Find out what the headlines were, and what was hot off the press on the day you were born and every year forward, up until the present day.

You can even personalise your gift with a name and message to create a remarkable present. Prices start at £49.99 For the Birthday Edition Book.

Find out more at www.historic-newspapers.co.uk

Building Society Helps Students Get On The Property Ladder The Loughborough Building Society has launched a new mortgage aimed at students which would see them graduate with a degree and a firm foot on the property ladder.

According to recent reports, UK students leave university burdened with an average of £40,000 of debt. A debt which two-thirds of UK students will never be able to pay off. As a result, for many graduates, the dream of becoming a homeowner will seem like an unattainable luxury that’s far beyond their reach.

The Loughborough Building Society’s new Buy for Uni mortgage lets students have the security of their own home to live in for the duration of university while renting out any extra rooms to their friends and earn money along the way.

The East Midlands based building society will lend up to 100% of the value of the property up to a maximum of £300,000 with each application assessed on a case by case basis. With the help of a guarantor parent, step-parent or grandparent, students will be able to buy a house of their choice and any rental income from renting to their friends will be used to cover the mortgage payments.

The total amount available to be borrowed will be dependent on the income that will be received from letting the extra rooms in the property.

The Buy for Uni mortgage is available to 18+ year old UK resident students in Higher Education in England and Wales and purchased within a 10 mile radius of the University attended. Find out more at www.theloughborough.co.uk/mortgages

LOUGHBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL INVESTS IN CREATIVE INSPIRATION Loughborough High School is inspiring students to get creative by employing an Artist in Residence for the next 12 months.

Headmistress Gwen Byrom has created the role, which is currently held by ceramic potter Cisca Collins, having recognised that arts subjects deserve the same attention received by STEM subjects.

Headmistress Gwen Byrom said “Creative subjects provide students with a unique set of skills that are vital for all aspects of life and personal development. Our aim as educators is to help shape well-rounded, confident and grounded young people, and the arts subjects play an invaluable role in this. Creative subjects help students to think outside of the box, and be proud of what they have achieved.”

Working within the school, alongside students and staff, the full-time role is filled by a new artist every year, bringing a fresh perspective to the school. The programme allows students to interact and learn from a skilled, creative individual who is also a successful business person and a positive role model.

For teachers, the artist in residence provides creative support and guidance, and staff are keen to discuss ideas with Cisca in order to get inspiration and feedback, helping to find new and engaging ways to explore the curriculum.

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Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth Chatsworth will present its most ambitious exhibition to date, exploring the history of fashion and adornment at the house.

House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth, will bring to life the captivating individuals from the Cavendish family, including Bess of Hardwick, one of the most powerful women of the 16th century; the 18th century “Empress of Fashion” Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire; and Adele Astaire, the sister and dance partner of Fred Astaire. Deborah Devonshire and Nancy Mitford, two of the Mitford sisters; model Stella Tennant and John F Kennedy’s sister ‘Kick’ Kennedy will also be central to the show. Telling the rich history of both international style and the Devonshire Collection, the exhibition will demonstrate the power of fashion to illuminate these extraordinary characters.

The exhibition will be woven throughout the grand rooms of the house including the Painted Hall; the Chapel and the State Music Room. Highlights will include exceptional couture designed by Jean Phillipe Worth and Christian Dior, together with influential contemporary garments from designers such as Gucci, Helmut Lang, Margiela, Vivienne Westwood, Erdem, Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane and Vetements.

The exhibition runs until the 22 October 2017, and is included in the price of entry to Chatsworth House. For full details of ticket types and to book, please visit: www.chatsworth.org

Dunelm returns to its roots

as students and graduates raise money for charity and demonstrate their future leadership skills. 15 aspiring future business leaders from across the UK took part in an ‘Apprentice-style’ challenge at Leicester Market, as part of Dunelm’s Graduate Leadership Assessment Centre. The candidates started their day at 4.30am and were given a set budget to spend with Total Produce, based at Leicester’s Wholesale Fruit Market and The Flower Company in Freemans Common. The candidates then made their way over to Leicester Market and started trading at 7.30am on 4 market stalls.

Throughout the day the 4 teams – ‘Fruits to go’, ‘6-a-Day’, ‘Fresh Start’ and ‘Wholesale to Home-Start’ raised a total of £1,121 in profit, all of which will go to Dunelm’s charity partner, HomeStart UK. The Leicester-based charity provides support, guidance and practical help to over 30,000 families struggling with complex issues across the UK.

at Leicester Market

Celebrate the Sound of a Generation Music fans are invited to the biggest party of the year as the unstoppable Magic of Motown show steams into Leicester on the 7 April at De Montfort Hall. Seen by over one million people throughout the world & recently performed at the Royal Variety Performance 2016 party, prepare yourself for 40 back-to-back classic Motown hits, glittering costume changes, dazzling dance moves and outstanding musicianship in this explosive concert experience.

Celebrate the sound of a generation as the timeless music of Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and many more are sensationally recreated for you by an exceptionally talented cast and band.

This breath-taking concert spectacular takes you on a musical journey through all your favourite songs, including: Ain’t No Mountain, Signed Sealed Delivered, Grapevine, Get Ready, Dancing In The Streets, My Girl, Blame It On The Boogie, Uptight, Endless Love, My Cherie Amor, All Night Long, Heatwave, I’m Coming Out, Loco In Acapulco plus many more.

Book your tickets at www. demontforthall.co.uk or by calling 0116 233 3111 10 dluxe-magazineco.uk

Multi-million-pound homeware retailer Dunelm first begun trading at Leicester Market back in 1979 when its founder Bill Adderley began selling ready-made curtains on a stall before the first Dunelm shop opened in Leicester in 1984. Over the years the business has developed into a successful chain of high street with over 160 Dunelm stores nationwide, coordinated from their headquarters in Syston, Leicestershire.

Dunelm’s Graduate Leadership Programme offers final year university students and graduates the chance to learn and develop their skills with the national retailer, as well as be coached and supported to become future business leaders. The two-day assessment centre culminating in the Leicester market challenge is designed to test their commerciality, work ethic and leadership traits.

For further information about the Dunelm Graduate Leadership Programme visit: www.dunelmcareers.com.

Beautiful setting, so much to do...

St. George’s Festival Enjoy the annual family friendly festival which takes place on Saturday 22 April from 12noon - 5pm at Orton Square with music, dance and live performances on the square and in venues across the Cultural Quarter.

St George’s Festival promises a day of non-stop entertainment for all the family; full of activities to try out and fun things to do including the fancy dress parade and the popular dragon hunt.

Find out more at visitleicester.info/stgeorgesfestival

Hotel, lodges and apartments, leisure club, restaurant and bar, hair and beauty, conference, events and weddings the perfect venue for every occasion!

Located in the heart of Rutland, the UK’s smallest county, Barnsdale Hall Hotel sits proudly overlooking wonderful Rutland Water.

A former hunting lodge, Barnsdale Hall Hotel today offers a wide variety of hotel, lodge and apartment holiday accommodation, extensive ESPA spa and leisure club facilities, restaurant and bar, comprehensive conference services and wedding packages.

Sailing, falconry, bird watching, fly fishing, golf, cycling, gardens and historic market towns such as Stamford, Oakham and Melton Mowbray are all close by.

• Outdoor activities • Leisure • Spa Experience • • Brasserie Restaurant & Bar •

Is that Wedding Bells we can hear?

Leicester city centre has welcomes a brand new wedding venue this Spring, as the former Leicester Register Office building on Pocklingtons Walk reopens its doors as The Registry.

The Registry provides a wonderful setting for weddings right in the heart of the city, with space for up to 100 guests, sit down catering, day room and a separate bar area.

The building itself is steeped in history having been Leicester’s principal register office for 125 years. Since its closure in 2005 the building has stood empty and now it will be brought back to life and once again welcome couples through the door to celebrate their special day, with full ceremony or wedding breakfast and reception-only options.

Other events will also be held at The Registry such as murder mystery nights and Christmas parties.

Viewings are available now.

Call 0116 3196970 or email info@theregistryleicester.co.uk. www.theregistryleicester.co.uk.

BarnsdaleHall

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Nr Oakham, Rutland LE15 8AB www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk 01572 757901

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SEND BACK THAT WALLPAPER, PUT THE LID BACK ON THE PAINT AND START UNPINNING THOSE CURTAINS AS PANTONE HAVE RELEASED THEIR COLOUR OF THE YEAR AND IT’S ALL ABOUT BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN WITH A LITTLE BIT OF GREENERY.

IT’S EASY BEING

GREEN

Symbolic of new beginnings, this colour represents that revitalising feeling of those first days of spring, when the glimpses of nature start to return. Green is, after all, one of nature’s very own neutrals.

So while it could be daunting to add a bold, zingy green hue into your home, there’s no need to be afraid to mix it into your home decor. Go for something bright and punchy, or pare it back with some more muted shades.

Wallpapers are available at: www.muralswallpaper.co.uk All prints are custom-sized, madeto-order and priced at £25.00 per square metre For more interior tips and ideas, turn to page 40.

NEW NEROLI PORTOFINO COLLECTION Portofino, a resort town on the Italian Riviera internationally recognized for its conflux of arresting beauty and old-world glamour and tradition is the inspiration behind Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino, a collection of all over body sprays that draw upon its dramatic landscape and jet-set sophistication.

A refreshing and invigorating mist to be used all over the body, the Neroli Portofino collection is lightly scented and add are designed to complement their eau de parfum counterparts.

COSTA AZZURRA evokes the fragrant and sun-baked landscape of coastal and island Mediterranean woods where pines and oaks mingle with wild-growing herbs and salty water.

Whilst FLEUR DE PORTOFINO is inspired by the cascades of flowers from the white acacia tree, a beloved shade tree that dots the Mediterranean’s gardens and avenues, this fragrance contains notes of Sicilian lemon, bigarde leaf, violet leaf, jasmine and acacia honey.

Completing the collection is the MANDARINO DI AMALFI all over body spray that captures the calm idyll of the whitewashed villas lining the cliff sides of the Amalfi coast, this fresh fragrance contains mandarin oil, lemon sfumatrice, basil spearmint and a duet of jasmine.

WWW.TOMFORD.COM

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Dress to Remember

New to the Royal Academy of Arts Shop, these unique Grayson Perry RA accessories will add a fun touch of style to any outfit.

Featuring Perry’s flamboyant alter-ego Claire, the bright and bold necklace and matching brooch will certainly make a statement. Colourful in both design and humour, these trinkets perfectly capture the artist’s personality, complete with a brilliant blonde bob and rouge lips.

From the wacky to the wonderful, these unusual buys are perfect for art and jewellery lovers everywhere.

Grayson Perry RA brooch £50, and necklace £65, from the Royal Academy of Arts shop shop.royalacademy.org.uk

dluxe spotlight

#NOFUCHSGIVEN:

LCFC Defender Launches Jewellery Range with Lanes Fine Jewellery

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Although we have seen several sports personalities launch clothing lines in the last few years some might say it isn’t the most obvious move for a professional footballer, what was it that drew you to fashion? Has it always been an interest of yours?

To be honest it just happened accidentally! I started doing my No Fuchs Given videos and someone suggested why don’t you wear some No Fuchs Given t-shirts, which I thought was a great idea and so got some made.

Then I started getting lots of requests from people who wanted to wear the shirts themselves and that’s where it all started. It’s a fun project and its going really well, so far.

What are your main influences when it comes to your clothing line?

We were looking for something that really put across the No Fuchs Given attitude and the theme of pirates and skulls seem to do that, but we wanted it to be a friendly brand, which is why we decided the skull should be smiling. The skull is beautifully designed and since starting the brand I’ve noticed more and more people wearing them.

With the success of your line so far, what was it that drew you to expand to jewellery? Did you approach them with the idea?

It was quite a natural progression, to be honest. I was chatting with the owner of Lanes Fine Jewellery, Ercan Onguc. I’ve gotten to know him quite well over the past few years as they are one of LCFC’s official sponsors and we got talking about my clothing brand and extending it to include jewellery. Although jewellery is a different market to what I know about with my clothing line, it’s a natural progression and with his expert knowledge of what it takes to create a successful jewellery line I thought ‘why not give it a try and see what happens’.

It’s been a really enjoyable project so far.

I know I’m in good hands with Ercan and Lanes Fine Jewellery and I’m really looking forward to seeing how this first design performs.

The influence of punk styling is clear in your t-shirt designs with the signature skull motif and we can’t wait to see how this translates to jewellery. Without giving too much away what can we expect to see in the line?

Well, obviously, we’ll be working with the skull design and the many different

parts that go together to make the skull itself, which can make the production itself a little tricky. Most of all we want to create quality pieces and for the designs to really stick out and be noticeable. We

want people to love them when they have them!

You’re creating the collection with Lanes Fine Jewellery who are a Leicester institution and of course the official LCFC jeweller, so the partnership seems like a match made in heaven. Will the line be available exclusively from Lanes?

Yes the pieces will be available exclusively at Lanes and not available anywhere else.

Were you heavily involved in designing and creating the pieces?

As you’d expect it was a back and forth collaboration, working together and exchanging ideas until we had the final design that everyone was satisfied with.

What’s so exciting about the cufflinks is that they can be completely bespoke – from the metal, to the enamel or the jewels. They really will be the most personalised cufflinks around.

You’re well known for being a bold personality which shines through in your clothing line and it has been said many times that your fun loving attitude was a big contributor to the team’s success last year. Who would you say is the second funniest member of the team?

Ha! Well to be honest, in a very positive way, I think every player has his own special character. No matter who you think of - Okazaki, Drinkwater, Vardy or anybody - they all have their unique features that bring something to the team.

Your children are clearly a hugely important part of your life, are there any signs that they are developing the courageous Fuchs attitude too?

Oh, believe me, if you lived with them and got to see them every day you wouldn’t even have to ask! They’re both full of character, which I love and they’re crazy in a really fun way. They have their own minds and some stubbornness, so yes there’s definitely some Fuchs attitude in them!

We love the challenge videos you make with your team members and fellow A listers – have you got some more in the pipeline?

Don’t be nervous, there will be more coming up very soon!

The No Fuchs Given Cufflinks are available exclusively at Lanes Fine Jewellery, Loseby Lane, Leicester, LE1 5DR. Tel 0116 251 2529 or visit www.lanesjewellers.com www.nofuchsgiven.com

Do you think we’ll be seeing any of your fellow players in the new pieces soon?

I definitely hope so, they should all be wearing them!

What are your future plans for the brand? Do you think a line of accessories might be on the horizon in the future?

We’re pretty much all set now and there are some really great designs, I think people will be really excited about them.

Obviously we were ecstatic when you signed another contract with LCFC back in October. What are the team’s qualities that make you want to stay with them for another three years?

Well the team really made me feel at home with my family obviously not being with me here. I’m simply happy here, which is of course a big factor for me like it is with any way of life whether you’re a professional footballer or in any other job. You have to feel happy and welcome and the team have really done that for me. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 15

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After an incredible 2016 launching a clothing line, taking YouTube by storm and signing another three-year contract with LCFC, you might expect star defender Christian Fuchs to be starting 2017 at a slower pace, but there you’d be wrong. With both a new season clothing collection and an exclusive jewellery line with Lanes Fine Jewellery, Nancy Whittington Coates caught up with Christian in an exclusive interview to talk fashion, football and the fearless Fuchs attitude.

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GET CRAFTY WITH KIRSTIE Craft enthusiasts will soon be able to put their creative skills to the test, as Kirstie Allsopp brings The Handmade Fair to the Midlands for the first time this spring.

Taking place from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th May 2017, The Handmade Fair at Ragley Hall, Park and Gardens will bring together Britain’s best handmade products, crafts supplies, and artisan foods mixing shopping, eating and making, all in one place.

The fair programme will include live ‘craft-offs’ from the experts at Mollie Makes magazine, Q&As and demonstrations from some of the country’s best-known makers, and a series of hands-on workshops where visitors can learn new skills such as willow weaving, upholstery, needle-felting and calligraphy.

TV presenter, Kirstie Allsopp, will top the bill on the Friday, before handing over the reins to Liz Earle, skincare specialist and founder of the multi-award winning Fairtrade jewellery range, and Patrick Grant, British designer and judge on The Great British Sewing Bee. The event will feature over 150 hand-picked exhibitors, each selling beautiful products, materials, and tools, as well as delicious food and drink stalls.

Two Queens

Musical additions to Leicester Racecourse

Celebrates Five Years

Ladies Day line up

Ladies Day at Leicester Racecourse is getting even bigger with 80s star Jaki Graham and rising urban chart star Karen Harding joining the line up alongside previously announced headliners, All Saints and Mark Wright. Ladies Day 2017 and tickets are on sale now.

Ladies Day returns to Leicester Racecourse following their biggest event yet in 2016, which saw over 11,000 race goers pass through the gates on the day. Following a record breaking event that saw a whopping 1500 bottles of Prosecco, 1000 jugs of Pimms and 40,000 pints of lager poured, 2017 looks set to be even bigger with many hospitality packages having already sold out.

Ladies Day will take place on Saturday 8 July. General admission tickets are priced at £30 with remaining hospitality and VIP packages also on sale. All tickets are on sale now from www.leicester-racecourse.co.uk.

Two Queens, an artistrun gallery situated in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, is celebrating five years of exhibitions and events, marking the occasion with a new solo exhibition by artist Viktor Timofeev opening this March.

Latvian artist Viktor Timofeev whose work often involves computer programming, virtual reality and robotics, exhibition is titled ‘If I could go to sleep for days, would you count the hours? (Sazarus 4)’ and will consist of an installation involving a mural and an interactive virtual reality animation.

Established in 2012 by graduates from De Montfort and Loughborough Universities, Two Queens offers a programme of regularly changing contemporary art exhibitions alongside affordable studio space to 25 local artists.

Two Queens co-director, Gino Atwood said: “We are delighted to be celebrating five years of exhibitions in our gallery in the Cultural Quarter. In that time we have held over 50 exhibitions and events, working with over 200 young emerging artists.

When the organisation started we had a temporary lease and didnt know if we would last three months - to be able to look back on five years of activity feels like a major achievement and we have learned a great deal along the way.” Two Queens is at 2 Queen Street, Leicester, LE1 1QW www.2queens.com

Colour In Our County With the rise of colouring as an increasingly popular activity for all ages, comes the publication of a charming new colouring book of some of Leicestershire & Rutland’s most recognisable landscapes.

The book features a range of intricate illustrations, from rich countryside to vibrant county towns and the city itself celebrating the region’s unique appeal in 45 beautiful illustrations for you to colour in.

The Leicestershire & Rutland Colouring Book is priced at £9.99 and is available from www.thehistorypress.co.uk 16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

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www.splashout.co.uk

Tel: 01530 811593

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BRAND NEW PRODUCTIONS

‘masterpiece’, a film script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras, he is seduced by her and her luxurious life-style. Joe becomes entrapped in a claustrophobic world until his love for another woman leads him to try and break free with dramatic consequences.A complex study of unrequited love, loneliness and searing ambition, Sunset Boulevard pays homage to the golden age of Hollywood and will run from the 16-30 September.

OF SUNSET BOULEVARD AND SCROOGE COME TO CURVE There’s not one but two epic new Made at Curve productions coming to Leicester this Autumn Winter: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black & Christopher Hampton’s Sunset Boulevard and Leslie Bricusse’s family musical Scrooge In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, faded, silent- screen goddess, Norma Desmond, lives in a fantasy world Impoverished screen writer, Joe Gillis, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive world. Persuaded to work on Norma’s

Curve’s reputation for outstanding festive entertainment is second to none and following the critically acclaimed and record-breaking run of Grease, Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, will direct a magical new version of Academy Award winning composer, Leslie Bricusse’s, festive family musical Scrooge.

Based on one of the most powerful and enduring stories of all time, Charles

Simon Says…

2017 line up announced

De Montfort Hall, Firebug, The Donkey and The Musician have announced details of the lineup for the fifth Simon Says… festival on 29 & 30 July at De Montfort Hall & Gardens.

As in previous years, the lineup is a blend of local artists alongside more established names, which this year include Public Image Limited’s Jah Wobble, Carter USM’s Jim Bob, 6 Music favourites Smoove & Turrell, Fun Lovin’ Criminals Frank Benbini and local brit reggae band By The Rivers amongst the 70 or so acts playing across the weekend.

Of course it wouldn’t be Simon Say’s without the vast majority of acts being locally or regionally based and this year is no exception.

Brand new acts for this year include The Tin Pigeons, a four piece indie-folk band from Rutland championed by BBC Introducing last summer; fellow first timers Her Name is Calla, now celebrating over 12 years together, are already a fixture on the local music scene; The Daydream Club, a multi-genre award winning husband/wife duo; GU-RU with their psychedelic explosions of cosmic soul, funk and motor groove; and whacked out soundscapes from DIY sonic alchemists The Cult of Dom Keller.

Simon Says… fans will also be delighted with the return of festival favourites Dexeter, described by legendary BBC presenter, Bob Harris, as “country Fleetwood Mac,” and The Della Grants merging of blues, rock and R&B. Expect punkish unpredictability and outlandish art from the return of Ash Mammal and after the raging success of the Let’s Play Bowie set in 2016, we’re bringing back Let’s Play 2016, a multi performer tribute to lost music legends from the last year.

Tickets for Simon Says… are already on sale. Weekend tickets cost £40 for adults, £30 for students, £5 for under 16s and under 10s are free. Under 10s get in free but will still need to have a booked ticket. To book, or for more information, contact De Montfort Hall on 0116 233 3111 or visit: www.demontforthall.co.uk 18 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, Scrooge brings the plight of the poor and their children during the boom decades of the industrial revolution, into startling focus. A timeless story of the perils of greed and the transformative power of charity over capitalism, Curve’s 25th anniversary production of this great British musical, features the songs I Hate Christmas, A Better Life and, Thank You Very Much.

Join Ebenezer, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of Dickens’ other famous characters as Scrooge journeys with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future in this spectacular retelling of the famous story from the 18 November 2017 to 7 January 2018. Tickets are on sale now at www.curveonline.co.uk or by calling 0116 2423595

LEICESTERSHIRE’S LÉNA WALKER TO LAUNCH DEBUT ALBUM

A former Miss Leicester, who contacted The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity in a bid to help get her music production business off the ground, has released her debut album, entitled ‘Find Your Tribe’.

Léna Walker, who borrowed from the Charity in 2014 in order to establish herself as a recording artist, music producer and guitar teacher, is back in the United Kingdom having spent six months hitch-hiking around South America and the West Indies with little more than her guitar and flip-flops. During her travels, Léna has been writing music, culminating in the production of ‘Find Your Tribe’ – the debut album which is being released independently.

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity provides interest-free business and education loans to people within Leicestershire and Rutland. Applicants over the age of 18 and under the age of 35 may apply for up to £15,000 to assist in the startup of new business, whilst loans of up to £6,000 are available to people wishing to study for a postgraduate degree.

All loans are interest free for a period of nine years, with equal monthly repayments commencing three years after the loan is taken out.

For more information about the Charity, please visit www. stwcharity.co.uk or visit www. leyleyismusic. com to find out more about ‘Find Your Tribe’ and to purchase your copy.

No waiting lists.

By paying for the treatment you need, you can avoid the wait and go straight to feeling better faster

THE NUFFIELD

HEALTH PROMISE

OUR PRICES ARE ALL-INCLUSIVE* Your confirmed price is all you’ll ever pay.

WE WILL EQUAL ANY COMPARABLE PRICE** If you find a better price for the same procedure package, we’ll match it.

THERE ARE NO TIME LIMITS ON YOUR AFTERCARE*** We’ll be there for as long as you need us.

For more information please call or email: Telephone 0116 298 6938 Email Leicester.Enquiry@nuffieldhealth.com *Initial consultation(s), diagnostic scans/tests and investigations required to establish a diagnosis are not part of your procedure price. **Not including Private Patient Units at NHS hospitals. Local area defined as within 15 miles of your chosen Nuffield Health hospital. We will match against written quotes only. ***Where necessary, we promise to assist you to receive any follow up advice, treatment or care that is clinically required. Where a prosthesis is required for your procedure, this is guaranteed for the manufacturer’s expected prosthesis lifetime. Clinically required indicates where further intervention and/or monitoring of your condition is deemed necessary as a direct result of your procedure. The Nuffield Health Promise applies for patients paying for themselves and excludes fertility services.

NUF0217255036-1

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say it with flowers Persian lovers in the middle-ages made the gift of a tulip as a declaration of love - the flower’s black centre representing a heart burned by passion! And in the same spirit, dotcomgiftshop introduce Tulip Bloom, a beautiful new collection of gifts and home accessories which loved ones will adore. Symbolising the transformation from winter to spring, their designers have created a colourful new range adorned with a modern floral motif in an on-trend tropical colour palette. Available now from www.dotcomgiftshop.com

SPECIAL FEATURE

blondie: pollinator

BLONDIE are back in 2017 with their eleventh studio album, POLLINATOR, offering a modern take on the classic, vintage sound of one of the world’s most influential and legendary bands.

The last album to be recorded at The Magic Shop prior to its closure, New York’s famed recording studio notably known for David Bowie’s last two albums alongside one by Lou Reed, was a particularly fitting setting to inspire BLONDIE’s musical creativity.

POLLINATOR is a riot of sound and musical colour; its eleven tracks representing the continuation of a 40+ year musical adventure. With DEBBIE HARRY and the band sounding as good as ever, the euphoric track plays like the best party ever thrown, capturing that unique combination of their enviable cool and sheer melodic joy.

BLONDIE’s classic writing duo of CHRIS STEIN and DEBBIE HARRY are at the heart of the album’s creation with Pop’s uber writers and chart queens CHARLI XCX and SIA contributing along with The Smiths’ JOHNNY MARR, JOAN JETT and LAURIE ANDERSON.

RANKIN FOR RED NOSE DAY

pawbo

Being away from your pet, even if just for a few hours, can be hard. Whether it’s heading to work, visiting friends or stuck in traffic, sometimes knowing your pet is home alone can add additional stress to your day. But what if you could keep in touch with your four-legged friend? You can with Pawbo+ – the latest pet care innovation to hit the market.

Pawbo+ is a special interactive camera that is controlled via a free app (compatible with iOS/ Android platforms) that allows pet parents to not only hear and see their ‘fur babies’ but they can also interact with them via a treat dispensing camera designed for small dogs and cats, enabling owners to reward their pets for good behaviour straight away.

Up to eight users can chat with your pet through Pawbo+ in built speaker at one time and there are six builtin ringtones to attract your pet’s attention as well as games for interacting with your pet including a laser pointer game that owners can control manually or set to play automatically.

Pawbo+ is available to buy online at £169

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With all the ingredients to become a design classic, renowned fashion and portrait photographer Rankin has teamed up with HomeSense to create exclusive aprons for Red Nose Day 2017 featuring a selection of unique, quirky and quintessentially British animal portraits.

The adult apron, priced at £12.99, will be available to buy in HomeSense and TK Maxx stores from 13th February and online at tkmaxx.com and rednoseday.com. With at least £5 from every adult apron sale going to Comic Relief, the money will help people living incredibly tough lives in the UK and across Africa.

The HomeSense Red Nose Day range, created

by Rankin, also features a new children’s apron encouraging the whole family to join in the bake sale action by getting creative in the kitchen. Further products in the collection include a tea towel, also designed

by Rankin, as well as a leather journal and a colouring-in notebook.

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ALL NEW LEXUS LC

A NEW ERA DAWNS The LC marks the beginning of a new phase for Lexus. This new flagship coupe will set new standards for performance, styling and craftsmanship. UK specification models go into production at the end of May and will be strictly built to order with no stock available at UK Lexus centres.

Powered by a 5-litre V8, the rearwheel-drive coupe will reach the showrooms in the summer of 2017 with a price tag from £76,595 for both the petrol and hybrid versions, making it cheaper than a basic PDK equipped Porsche 911 Carrera and well down on the admittedly more powerful Jaguar F-Type R. Drive is to the rear wheels via a ten-speed direct-drive auto gearbox.

In manual mode, when using the paddleshifters, the gearbox reacts

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quickly to your commands – the multi-plate clutch system gives performance that Lexus says is comparable with a double-clutch gearbox, but without the wear. The first nine gears are more equally spread than usual for more rhythmic shifting (third and fourth cover the same bandwidth as third in the eight-speed ’box in the RC F) and sure enough you can quickly punch through the gears with very little kick as the ratios swap. The final tenth gear acts as an overdrive to calm everything down when cruising. If you opt for the Sport+ trim model you also get a limited-slip differential and rear-wheel steering.

Already the Lexus LC luxury coupe has been named 2016’s Production Car Design of the Year, an honour bestowed by a 20-strong judging panel

featuring some of the world’s top car designers. The peer-reviewed award was presented at a gala ceremony in Geneva on 7th March and is featured in the Car Design Review 4 Yearbook, which was launched the same night.

If the new Lexus LC intrigues you, you won’t be alone. Initial demand is sure to outstrip supply so it would definitely pay to start speaking to the team at Lexus Leicester now. You can find out about all the available options on LC and initial orders are being taken now for customers wishing to be amongst the first to be driving the LC in 2017.

Contact the Sales Team at Lexus Leicester on 0116 3191243 or visit www.sytner.co.uk/lexus

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ALL NEW LEXUS LC ARRIVING ARRIVINGSUMMER SUMMER2017 2017

The TheLC LCmarks marksthe thebeginning beginningofofaanew newphase phasefor forLexus.

Lexus.Engineering Engineeringexpertise expertiseand andexpressive expressivedesign designunite uniteininthis this flagship flagshipluxury luxurycoupe, coupe,setting settingnew newstandards standardsfor forperformance, performance,styling stylingand andcraftsmanship. craftsmanship.

LC LC500h 500h

LC LC500 500

Discover Discoverthe theworld’ world’ssfirst firstMulti MultiStage StageHybrid HybridTransmission Transmissionwith with the theLC LC500h 500h--aanew newbenchmark benchmarkfor forhybrid hybridperformance. performance.

Power, Power,response responseand andefficiency efficiencywithout withoutcompromise. compromise.

Discover Discoverexceptional exceptionalpower, power,handling handlingand andcontrol controlwith withthe the LC LC500 500--aaflagship flagshipluxury luxurycoupe coupeengineered engineeredfor foraanew newera. era.

Performance Performanceyou youcan cansee, see,hear hearand andfeel. feel.

--3.5L 3.5LV6 V6hybrid hybridengine engine

--5.0L 5.0LV8 V8petrol petrolengine engine

--World's World'sfirst first10-speed 10-speedMulti MultiStage StageHybrid Hybridtransmission transmission

--World's World'sfirst first10-speed 10-speeddirect directshift shiftautomatic automatic

--Powerful Powerfulelectric electricmotor motorwith withLithium-ion Lithium-ionbattery batterypack pack

--477 477DIN-HP DIN-HPand and540 540nm nmofoftorque torque

--00--60 60mph mphininunder under55seconds seconds

--00--60 60mph mphininunder under4.5 4.5seconds seconds

--Prices Pricesfrom from£76,595.00 £76,595.00

--Prices Pricesfrom from£76,595.00 £76,595.00

LEXUS LEXUSLEICESTER LEICESTER Blackbird BlackbirdMills, Mills,Abbey AbbeyLane, Lane,Leicester LeicesterLE4 LE40DZ 0DZ 0116 0116319 3191243 1243

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www.leicester.lexus.co.uk www.leicester.lexus.co.uk

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THE FLOORING AND BED COMPANY

Located on the outskirts of the beautiful market town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, FABCO represents all the values of a family run business which offers first class personable service to every customer! Once you walk through their showroom doors you’ll feel at ease, as their aim is to be on hand to answer any questions you may have; but there’s definitely a ‘no-hassle’ policy in force and reassuringly no high pressure sales as the business is run by Co-Directors Tony & Ed who together have a vast knowledge of all aspects of flooring, furnishings, beds and interior design!

FABCO specialise in many flooring finishes including Amtico, and wood Flooring, together with carpets

from all the leading quality suppliers including Hartley& Tissier, Alternative Flooring, Brintons, Brockway, Westex, Ulster carpets. FABCO’s bed showroom has beds from many good quality British manufacturers

such as Sealy, Sleepeezee, Relyon, Somnus, & Gainsborough beds, to mention a few! At FABCO, you will also find quality home furnishing products such as throws, cushions, mirrors, ‘quirky’ ornamental items and small furniture pieces, and coming soon ‘quality’ leather sofas, and a ‘Designer Collection’ of Swedishdesigned sofas and chairs, with over 300 fabric options!

You're guaranteed to feel Fabulous at FABCO - where browsing is a real pleasure - and there’s even the offer of a cup of tea or coffee whilst you’re browsing, or discussing your design ideas on their comfortable sofa!

DENTS ROAD, ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH. LEICS. LE65 1JS. fabcoltd.co.uk

01530 564 864

Showroom is next to ALDI, adjacent to Wickes & Pets at Home. Large free carpark.

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The home of quality flooring, beds and home furnishings……..

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Let’s go to the pub!

There are few things that are more quintessentially English than a great country pub. And today pubs offer much more than a pint and a packet of crisps!

Rural pubs are at the heart of the community, providing a focal point for local residents as well as attracting visitors with fantastic food, great events and a glorious location. We looked at three of the best pubs in Charnwood to see what they had to offer.

The Greyhound - Burton-On-The-Wolds Tina and Paul who run The Greyhound know that the key to a great pub is to make it the most welcoming you can to everyone. With log burners to warm up even the coldest of winter days to award winning gardens that are perfect for enjoying during the summer, there’s always a warm welcome as soon as you step through the door. Combine that with some delicious food – sometimes featuring game that has been shot by Paul himself! – and The Greyhound is the kind of pub you’ll want to return to again and again!

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The White Horse - Quorn The White Horse in Quorn fully epitomises the phrase ‘heart of the community’.

Nestled right in the centre of Quorn, The White Horse offers the perfect place for a quiet drink or a more-than-just-pub-grub meal. As well as a delicious main menu, at the weekends, they serve proper breakfasts from full fry-ups to pancakes and run Fish Supper Fridays where you can eat in or take-away! With regular live music and function room that can be hired for any occasion, there’s always something going on! The pub has regularly run fundraising events to help those in local communities and have been so successful, they’ve set up The White Horse Wishing Well association to coordinate all the fundraising activity. With such a strong community spirit, The White Horse is definitely more than just a pub!

The Griffin Inn - Swithland After a walk in nearby Swithland Woods or Bradgate Park, The Griffin Inn is a welcome sight! A cosy, traditional but with a twist country pub, The Griffin Inn is the perfect place to stop off for a drink, a hearty meal and a nice sit down! But it doesn’t stop there. Not quite in the mood for a pub visit? Jay, who runs The Griffin Inn, is also the brains behind Odd John’s Kitchen – a delicious deli and café located just inside the courtyard of the pub! And if you’re looking for a gorgeous country wedding venue, then you must take a look at The Old Stables. Jay and his team are always working to provide the best hospitality for their guests whatever reason they visit and that’s reflected in the welcome and service you find here.

Contact Details

The Greyhound: Tel 01509 880 860 www.greyhoundburtononthewolds.co.uk The White Horse: Tel 01509 620 140 www.whitehorsequorn.co.uk The Griffin Inn: Tel 01509 890 535 www.griffininnswithland.co.uk

About Everards of Leicestershire

Everards of Leicestershire is an independent, family run business. Chairman Richard Everard OBE DL is the fifth generation of his family to run the Brewery since it was established by William Everard in 1849.

With over 175 pubs across the East Midlands, all run as independent tenancies, Everards were delighted to be crowned ‘Pub Company of the Year 2017 (tenanted/leased up to 200 sites) in The Publican Awards.

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dreaming of oberon The Arts and Culture scene in Leicester is thriving and nowhere more-so than on Loseby Lane in Leicester’s The Lanes, which recently welcomed a new addition in the form of Oberon Gallery, a beautiful, two-story gallery with a difference... dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND caught up with Gallery Manager, Donna Marie Cross to find out what it’s like to launch a new business and how she became involved with TV’s Timmy Mallett!

Donna, congratulations. You must be thrilled? Has it always been a dream to open your own Gallery?

To be honest, not always… for many years I was a Regional Account Manager for Sage Business Software but like many working mothers, I was struggling with so many overnight hotel stays; seeing my children was becoming a challenge and so I looked for something closer to home. It just so happened that there was a position available within a newly opening gallery in Leicester for the biggest chain of art galleries in the UK. I applied, got it and this is where my love of art began. I was taught everything I know by the biggest art publishers in 28 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

the UK, which I’m incredibly grateful for, but, like so many creative people, I wanted do things my way – and this is when Oberon was created.

Where do you think your love of art has come from?

My passion for art developed from the moment I entered the industry. It was an immediate love affair. Until then, I didn’t realise how important it is to have artwork in your life. People have very different and personal experiences with art: I, myself, am a rather emotional person, I can connect with a piece of art and depending on the piece it can really cause a number of various reactions. One particular piece of art that I own has reduced me to tears, but in a beautiful way. This piece has real meaning to me. I look at if often and feel a strong emotional pull every time. Other pieces fill me with excitement; they may be visually entertaining in many ways or I may often just be stunned by the pure beauty and technique in front of me. I saw a quote recently that stated “art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known” I agree strongly with this quote. It’s what, I hope, sets Oberon aside from other galleries: the love and genuine passion.

I want you to fall in love with art as much as I have.

Do you have a particular passion for an artist, era or style?

I hold great passion for Andrei Protsouk’s work. Andrei was born in the Ukraine in 1961, moved to the U.S. as a child and still resides over there. His artwork shows a technique of “Fine Lines”, straight, constructive use of lines to create shapes that captivate the eye. Every time you study a piece of Protsouk’s work you never see the painting the same way twice. His work represents, love, flirtation, relationships, eroticism, beauty, colour and much more.

I am also head over heels for Lhouette’s post urban glamour/street pop art - a complete opposite to Protsouk - his employs stencilling techniques, high impact symbols, images and patterns.

Using mixed media his work builds up from acrylic, aerosol, on rough ply canvas or pallets often finishing with a clear lacquer resin.

We understand that you’re also presenting a certain 80’s TV star’s paintings?

Yes, I’m also in love with Timmy

What was the thinking behind Oberon?

I was initially looking to self-fund a small art gallery and dreamt of a City Centre location, but like so many start-ups, finances proved to be difficult. Whereas I didn’t have deep pockets, my connections were impeccable, so I took the advice of one of my artist friends and approached a trio of directors that have been in the business for over 30 years. As luck would have it, they were looking to invest and invested in me due to my reputation in the art sector. I’m fortunate, as they are happy to be my silent partners and let me run the business as I see fit. Without their belief in me, I would be sat in a poor out-of-town location with less than half of the artists that I have on board already and probably not doing anywhere near as well as Oberon is doing now. I called it Oberon because to me it was my midsummer night’s dream come true…. Ahhhhhhhh!!!!

supporting local artists?

I’m approached at least once a day by artists who want to display their work in the gallery. It’s very difficult though because I appreciate all works of art, but I also know that I have to sell it and sometimes, sadly, it’s just not quite right for the gallery. That said, I already support four Leicester-based artists including Stuart Williamson - and feel proud to do so. I am also showcasing A–Level students’ works from Loughborough Grammar School; this is part of their coursework and I feel that it really inspires the students to know that their work is shown in a professional gallery. Working for a large chain previously this was something that I was unable to do, so it’s fantastic to be in a position to support a number of students locally and encourage tomorrow’s great artists.

Art is so subjective - do you like everything you exhibit?

I have to be honest, no I do not, but that does not mean to say that I do not appreciate the work of the artist and their techniques. Every piece of art does have something special to offer but not every piece of art connects personally with my heart.

Buying art can be intimidating, what are your top tips for first time art investors?

It’s okay not to like something as much as it is fantastic when you love it.

Individual opinions are great and

encouraged at Oberon.

My only tip is, WALK THROUGH THAT DOOR. You will NEVER walk into Oberon Gallery and feel intimidated. NEVER. We are not a pretentious team that will make you feel uncomfortable. Every potential client that walks through our door is made to feel completely at ease and free to potter around our gallery at their leisure. So many people feel uneasy walking into an art gallery: they may feel the consultant’s eyes are on them watching their every move. Rest assured, we allow you your personal space to come and view our beautiful showcase of works and once you meet us you will quickly realise what a down to earth team we really are.

Of course, we’re always on hand to help and advise and yes, of course, we do love to engage but never at a level that you would feel uncomfortable.

The only other thing that I really have to say is that it could take you just the once to walk into the gallery and connect with a piece or it could take 50 visits until you see the one for you.

Never give up on looking, as one day you will find the perfect piece for you.

Falling in love is like that, isn’t’ it!

Oberon Gallery is at Loseby Lane, The Lanes, Leicester, LE1 5DR. Tel 0116 253 8484. www.oberongallery.com

Was locating the gallery in Leicester’s The Lanes always the plan?

Securing the investors was an instant game-changer: The Lanes was the ONLY place I wanted to be. It’s one of Leicester city’s quirkiest districts and full of other creative independents.

The plans for the area are so exciting too – it’s going to be Leicester’s very own Soho – so it’s definitely the place to be. By chance, I stumbled across the perfect unit on Loseby Lane - it reflects the individual style and image I wanted for Oberon Gallery and gives us room to grow and develop. Because it’s on a main shopping street, I felt it important that we create a gallery space that felt welcoming, unpretentious and that customers would enjoy browsing in.

How do you decide on what artists to exhibit?

You hook into various art publishers who act as agents for numerous artists; my preferred publisher is Buckingham Fine Arts, as they have such a fantastic, eclectic mix of leading artists on their books and they always have something new, fresh and exciting to tempt me with, so it makes life a little easier.

Also, they do not supply to any other art gallery in Leicester City - I think exclusivity is important. I have also taken on individual, local artists such as ‘Master Photographer of the Year’, Stuart Williamson. His fine art photography blows me away.

Is there a strong local artist scene in Leicestershire? How important is dluxe-magazine.co.uk 29

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Mallett’s poppies, the thick textures of oil on canvas, have me feeling as though I’m almost walking through his poppy fields without a care in the world. They’re simply stunning. It’s interesting; Timmy Mallett has gone from 80s TV icon to one of the artscene’s most accomplished and bankable artists. I can’t wait to show his collection, which we officially launch at the end of March. I’m sure it’ll be a memorable event, as Timmy will be present, too.

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PUPPY LOVE

Barbour proves its man’s - and woman’s - best friend this Spring/Summer 30 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

dluxe style All Barbour clothing available at www.barbour.com and selected outlets including John Lewis, Highcross dluxe-magazine.co.uk 31

st yle

DLUXE

GLAMTASTIC

80’s

The season of the ‘70s is finally over and it’s time to evolve into the ‘80s.

Ruffles, shoulder pads and puffed up sleeves are essential for power dressing perfection.

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4.

6.

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1. Star by Julien Macdonald £45 Debenhams 2. Shoes by Faith at Debenhams 3. Autograph Dress £55 Marks and Spencer 4. Paige Trouser £110 Hobbs 5. Debenhams Debut £99 6. Sprayed Biker Jacket £295 Topshop 7. Tribe Bangle £125 Furla 8. M&S Collection Pom Pom Trilby Hat £17.50 9. Dune London - Misses - £70 10. Michael Michael Kors Sienna snake-embossed leather heeled sandals -£140.00 Selfridges 11. Metallic Pink Ruffle Trousers, ££8.00 from River Island.

MAKEUP BAG

MUST-HAVES

8

A new season calls for the newest must-haves – and no makeup bag is complete without these latest products. From custom drops to lash defying mascaras, and everything in between, make like a pro with this edit of transformative beauty bests, chosen by HELEN GOUGH.

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1: Cover FX Custom Cover Drops, £36. 2: Estée Lauder Double Wear Cushion Stick radiant makeup, £28. 3: Hourglass Curator lash instrument, £78. 4: Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo Lipstick, £26. 5: Iconic London Complete Face six brush set, £75. 6: Iconic London Illuminator Drops, £30. 7: Lancôme Grandiose mascara, £25. 8: NARS Dual Intensity Blush palette, £40. 9: Rodial eyeshadow palette, £35. 10: Yves Saint Laurent Couture eyeshadow palette, £42.50.

11: Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink foundation, £32.50. 12: Yves Saint Laurent Luxurious Mascara for false lash effect, £25.

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s tylist’s c hoi ce

Sunny Side Up I’ll be perfectly honest, I have somewhat reduced my personal collection of sunglasses over the past year or two as I owned far too many and just didn’t get round to wearing them all (it’s not that sunny to warrant 15 pairs!) I decided to condense my collection down to a select few that suit my wardrobe and style perfectly writes personal stylist and dluxe Magazine’s Women’s Style Correspondent Cleo Lacey.

If you didn’t know, I am a massive fan of accessories, I spend more on shoes, handbags, scarves and jewellery than I do on clothes and I see sunglasses also fitting into this ‘essential accessories’ category.

Regardless of where you live or the time of the year, sunglasses are a required part of every stylish women’s wardrobe. We have perennially bad weather here in Britain but it is all too easy to get caught out. If you’re anything like me, squinting and being blinded whilst you’re driving! I carry my sunglasses around with me all the time. There’s a pair in my bag and one in my car so I never get caught out or encourage the fine lines appearing!

However, sunglasses are notoriously difficult to get right. From the shape of your face to your hairstyle and even your hair colour, choosing the right frame can be a bit of a minefield. Couple this with the huge number of styles on offer, the whole experience can become particularly frustrating, confusing and unrewarding.

So, in preparation for the coming sunny weather (positive thinking and all that) and to help you lovely lot get your heads around what sunglasses you might want to wear, here is a short guide to buying the perfect pair of sunglasses:

Suggested Top Tips • Aim to protect your eyes first and foremost.

Excessive exposure to UV radiation can cause a variety of problems for your eyes such as cataracts, burns, and cancer.

• Try before you buy. Don’t buy online without doing your research first. There are too many variables to consider and whether or not a style will suit you depends on a great deal more than just knowing your face shape. Go into a shop and test loads of different styles to find what works for you, even if you then go back online to buy your perfect pair for the best price (remember to note the model number).

• Consider your hair colour/skin tone.

Coloured frames and lenses can be a fantastic way to inject individuality but, as with clothing, certain colours can drain your complexion or clash with your hair colour.

Experimenting is the only sure-fire way to ensure you make the right decision.

• Consider your hair style/length. Hair covers much of our head, so it’s important to remember that it has the potential to completely change the shape of our face. Long hair can often soften features whilst short hair will leave them completely exposed.

• Don’t take the above as gospel. Rules are meant to be broken, so don’t just stick to them if you feel you don’t want to. By all means try different colours, styles and shapes, the advice I have given is never anything more than a guide.

• Remember the classics. Classic frames are considered as such for a reason. They work and have done for decades so don’t be afraid to try a certain style just because lots of other people are already wearing them. Be aware of brands producing updated/ limited edition versions of their iconic styles; there are lots of very similar frames available that are only slightly different, but those small changes can make all the difference.

• Invest. Sunglasses are worthy of investment so don’t be afraid to push the boat out. Better lenses, better build quality and a better overall look are certainly worth the extra cost and should last years. Cheap alternatives don’t look the same, don’t feel the same and won’t have the same protective qualities.

• Sports glasses are for sport. Keep Oakleys for the slopes.

Enough said.

Finding the perfect pair of sunglasses can seem like a daunting task, but it is definitely a challenge worth undertaking. Not only is it hugely important that we protect our precious eyes from the sun but they can also become a trademark of your personal style (and hide a multitude of sins!). Take time over your search and try as many different styles as possible. Enjoy the process of finding them, you’ll know the right ones as soon as you put them on you’ll feel amazing. Once you’ve found them, wear them with pride, just not when it’s raining, not sunny, inside or at night (it’s not cool!).

If you need more help, you know where to find me,

Your Fairy Clothes Mother xx 34 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Cleo Lacey can trace the moment she first fell in love with fashion back to a shopping trip for her first designer handbag on her sixteenth birthday. Working as a Buyer and Image Consultant for high street fashion chains as well as high end designers, including Amanda Wakeley, Cleo now runs her own personal styling and shopping service, helping real men and women to take control of their wardrobe.

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

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Pink is definitely the colour of the season. From soft delicate hues to bold and shocking, it still screams femininity ... just not like we’ve seen before. On the catwalks, Alexander McQueen, Aquazzura, Balenciaga and Valentino combined the boldest designs and strong silhouettes to prove pink is now a new way of power dressing. LISA PIDDINGTON shows how the girliest of shades gets a grown-up makeover.

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1: Bella Freud cashmere jumper, £390.

2: Fendi 3Jours mini tote, £1,690. 3: Gucci cashmere scarf, £610. 4 Roksanda bell-sleeve top, £650. 5: Isabel Marant Étoile coat, £395. 6: Isabel Marant Étoile cotton blend trousers, £225. 7: Kenzo tri-tone silk blouse, £240. 8: Loewe crossbody bag, £875. 9: Gucci fringed suede mules, £450. 10: Valentino Rockstud tote,

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S U P ERSIZE S HOPPERS Think XXL and then add another X. Oversized and over your arm the handbag has never been as huge.

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1. Hobbs Wimbledon Tote £189 2. Saint Laurent Large leather tote £645 Selfridges 3. Richmond Large Tote Olive £269 Hobbs 4. Loewe Fortune leather shoulder bag £1925 Selfridges 5. Nine by Savannah Miller Tote Bag, £85.00 from Debenhams 6. Anya Hindmarch Ebury Smiley leather shopper £795 Selfridges 7. Mulberry Freya Leather Hobo Bag, Black £895 John Lewis 8. Mono Bag £39.50 Marks and Spencer 9. Star

by Julien Macdonald Bag £49 Debenhams 10. Silver Suede Tote Bag, £54.99 from New Look 11. Sequin Palm Tree Tote Bag £27.99 from New Look 12. Gucci Dionysus Red Leather Tote £1370 Harvey Nichols 13.

Victoria Beckham Simple python shopper £1850 Harvey Nichols 14. Coach Turnlock leather tote £350 Selfridges 15. Grey Slogan Tote Bag, £19.99 from New Look 16. Lanvin Leather and calf hair shoulder bag £2200 Harvey Nichols 17. Aquascutum Large tote bag £650 Harvey Nichols 18. Stella McCartney Black logo-print canvas tote £150 Harvey Nichols

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PE R FE C TLY PINK

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DLUXE

C’HIKERS The great outdoors have never been so on trend.

The chic hiking look brings together backpacks, utility footwear and an evolution of the sports luxe theme.

SPECIAL FEATURE

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Whether you’ve mastered the Garibaldi, shaped the perfect French Fork or planning a full-on Bandholz, beards needs lots of TLC to keep them looking dashing. JOHN PAUL MCGUIRK reveals the must-have products to keep your facial hair neat and in tip top condition.

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1: Belstaff Black quilted shell gilet £200 2: Debenhams Plaid Green Shirt £35 3: Eastpak £150 4: Tech Knit Hoodie £30 Burton 5: Harvey Nichols Aquascutum Marcus shirt £135 6: Colourblock Runner Jacket, £60.00 from Next 7: Timberland 6inch Premium Boot £160 8: Black Stripes Print Tracksuit Trousers, £17.99 from New Look 9: Debenhams Burgundy Chinos £30 10: Selfridges Stighlorgan Ronan cotton canvas backpack £120 11: Fracap M120 brown leather boots £240 Harvey Nichols

1: Acqua di Parma’s Collezione Barbiere beard serum, £33. 2: Bamford shave oil, £30.3: Captain Fawcett beard brush, £15. 4: Captain Fawcett booze and baccy beard oil, £34. 5: Captain Fawcett moustache wax, £9. 6: Dapper Dan matt paste, £12. 7: Monroe of London matt hair clay, £16. 8: Monroe of London moisturiser and shave balm, £40. 9: Neville beard grooming argan oil, £24. 10: Ruby Red beard oil, £32. 11: Tom Ford conditioning beard oil, £40. 12: Elemis smooth results shave oil, £22.

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BEAUTIFUL BEARDS

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THE RISE OF ATHLEISURE

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STYLIST’S CHOICE

Menswear has undergone a renaissance with fashion forward clothing being edged into the mainstream writes dluxe Magazine’s Men’s Style Correspondent Pablo Colella. Somewhere between tailored work wear, stiff denim and stained cotton shirts or baggy joggers lies Athleisure bridging the previously disconnected worlds of fashion and sport.

Where sportswear used to be about the functionality of playing sport, now sending the message of who you are and what you value is more important. Athleisure, curiously, is not dependent on physical activity; in fact the sports element is fairly irrelevant.

The emergence of luxury sportswear is undoubtedly twinned with the changes in modern lifestyle – fabrics are more sophisticated, shapes and silhouettes are more flattering, the colours and logos less garish. The luxury of time to change for the office, to travel or for socializing has gone. Men need pieces that are appropriate for an effortless transition between their work and leisure activities, but that can still be appreciated for their considered style and performance.

The Tapered Jogger Tapered joggers are the perfect example of a tailored athletic look. For those who love skinny jeans, these are an easy alternative for a fitted look, with neutral colours such as grey, navy or charcoal allowing the same versatility as denim.

Luxury Trainer Footwear has played an important role in Athleisure: not so long ago, no sartorially focused man would consider trainers outside the gym; even less than many other items on this list. However, luxury trainers now symbolise relaxed confidence and can be a worn as a smart option. Simplicity should be aimed for when choosing a trainer to ensure an easy transition between day and night. Subtle leather low tops can be worn with a suit and is an easy first step into the trend.

The Sweatshirt There is an important difference you must be aware of before choosing a sweatshirt. Here we are talking athletic sweatshirts; lightweight and with technologies that are breathable – perfect for the daily commute. Remember to buy slim cuts that look great alone or fit well under an overcoat. Aside from comfort, Athleisure is about a certain nonchalance that keeps the charm, otherwise lost if too calculated. In order to maintain this casual feel select neutral colours; white, black, navy, grey to be used as base colours and suitable for all seasons.

Hoodies Often seen as the choice of chavs, students and teenagers this misunderstood option has made a strong return, now being as versatile as any other piece. Sports hoodies come in both heavy weight and thin technical materials that provide a great option for layering. Worn under a blazer they provide both warmth and the perfect mix of Bleisure – business meets leisure. As with this whole trend, fit is key. If the hoodie billows at the front all impact is lost and you end up crossing that fine line to student or worse – football dad.

Surprisingly, the rise of men’s luxury activewear is not coming from major athletic brands such as Puma or Nike and it’s interesting to note that traditional ‘fashion people’ have held long-term contempt for sportswear, ensuring a merged sports-fashion trend never reached mainstream popularity.

Instead, independent brands, born out of frustration at the lack of attention to style in everyday athletic apparel, are now producing the lean and minimal designs that are ‘technical performance perfect’, that have resulted in Athleisure. While I doubt any individual brand will disrupt the market as a whole, these new smaller brands have changed trend dynamics to force larger fashion names to take note and innovate; allowing activewear to reach catwalks and the eyes of those skeptical ‘fashion people’.

With more of us being tempted into an active lifestyle, why not start introducing more activewear into your day-to-day attire? Here is a breakdown of what to choose when it comes to working casual sportswear into your wardrobe .

KEY ATHLEISURE LOOK- Long Line Long line is the term given to pieces – mostly t-shirts – that extend lower than usual, often closer to your knees than your waist. It’s a look favored by Kanye West and one that will cut through most other menswear. To begin, choose a t-shirt or cardigan that is slightly longer than what you would usually wear, make sure it fits snuggly; you are looking for length not bagginess. Your long line piece should be front and centre in your outfit, with all other pieces taking a step back. Jeans should be slim or skinny and remember any long line piece should be kept simple; monochrome colours and light fabrics such as cotton work well. At its core, the Athleisure trend has origins that have been around a long time; from the current renaissance of health. Today young men armed with sustainability, yoga classes and juice cleanses, have a desire to be healthy and sometimes, even more so; to look healthy. The idea of young professionals using comfortable activewear materials as base layers to complement more work appropriate clothing or luxury fabrics won’t be fading out of popularity any time soon.

CAP IT OFF

From classic snapbacks to tweeds, nudes and this season’s must have shade, yellow, the classic cap is the hat of choice for every outfit.

THE TRANSITIONAL PIECES

YOU NEED FOR SPRING Update your winter wardrobe in an instant with these new season must-haves that ensure you see in spring in style. JAMES BURKE offers advice on the key pieces every man needs to get his hands on for SS17.

THE JACKET, Balmain cotton jacket, £1,800: There’s much truth in the maxim “cast not a clout until May is out” as the British spring weather can be just a little unpredictable. You can put away the big heavy coat though and instead invest in a cotton jacket that will see you through the cooler months and into summer.

Stone Island Ecru logo cotton cap £75 Harvey Nichols

Barbour Tartan cap, £30, House of Fraser

THE DEGRADÉ SCARF, Paul Smith wool-blend scarf, £130: Don’t put those winter woollies away just yet! For spring, go for lightweight wool blend scarves, while a degradé pattern adds interest. Team with your favourite jacket for a chic finishing touch.

THE ROLL-NECK, John Smedley merino wool jumper, £145: No wardrobe is complete without a grey roll-neck – it works just as well under a tailored suit as it does with denims. Opt for natural fabrics; Merino is super-soft, it breathes in warmer weather while it traps heat if it’s cooler outdoors.

THE BIKER DENIMS, True Religion slim-leg jeans, £265: Add interest to your trusty denims with ribbed knees and distressed fabric. Wear with a slogan tee for warmer days or a sweatshirt when the temperature drops.

Tommy Jeans 90’s cotton snapback cap £35

John Lewis Slub Flat Cap, Beige £18

THE APPLIQUED SHIRT, Alexander McQueen badge shirt, £645: Appliquéd fashion is huge for SS17 – look out for touches of personalisation without having to do it yourself. This twill shirt will see you through the next couple of seasons in style.

THE SHOWER-READY BACKPACK, Kenzo shell backpack, £115: Opt for something that can handle those April downpours and keep your leather hold-alls for sunnier days. Opt for a bag that stands out from the crowd and stands up to the rain.

THE TRAINERS, Blood Brother suede trainers, £160: Ditch the heavy boots and instead choose trainers that just go with everything.

Camouflage remains a key trend for the new season, while metallics add a modern edge.

Reiss British wool baseball cap £70 dluxe-magazine.co.uk 39

dluxeliving

DLUliving XE Spring brings with it a natural need to renew and reinvigorate and our homes are no exception. Here’s our look at the top interior trends for 2017.

1. Hand painted style wallpapers With the focus on creating a harmonious natural environment, hand painted (and hand painted style) wallpapers will allow the inspiration of nature and organic forms to flow through the home. These will be paired perfectly with...

Image by Farrow & Ball

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dluxeliving

Natural textures Natural textures will come back with a vengeance in 2017 - think stone servers, tarnished metals, rough rope and beautiful wooden bowls.

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When it comes to soft furnishings, bold trimmings will both complement and contrast the natural feel of the home over the coming year.

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Textured glass Textured glass is unquestionably the way to go. A rough, natural finish created through texture, while retaining the beauty of glass, will further contribute to the natural vibe whilst vintage style pressed glass abounds.

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Rough, natural woods Woods will be big business in the year ahead.

From floorboards to tables to shutters, forget highly polished gloss - a natural finish is the only way to go.

1. Oil Spill Print Mural from £25 per sq/m. www.muralswallpaper.co.uk 2. Wooden Bowls (set of 3) £14. 3. Large Grey Block Basket £75 whitestuff. 4. Shore Pot Pourri £4.50 Sainsburys Home. 5. Biba zebra print weave throw £60 House of Fraser. 6. RJR. John Rocha Serving Board £20 Debenhams. 7. Oxidised Firepit £69 8.Pineapple Ebroidered Cushion £29.50 Marks and Spencer. 9. Pressed glass vases from £15 Marks and Spencer. 10. Mercury Small Candle £8 Sainsburys Home. 11. Abigail Ahern Cushion £32 Debenhams. 12. Wiltshire Large Sideboard £249 Very. 13.Bali pendant £100 House of Fraser. 14. Letter Rack £14 Sainsburys Home.

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Pastel tones From paints to fabrics, pastel tones are essential for on trend interiors in 2017. Yellow will also make a comeback, again in a muted, pastel tone (think evening sunlight on a windswept beach, rather than anything too bright).

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Rugs will be one way to make a statement in 2017. Patterns that pick up on the pastel tones and natural hues of other objects, while also standing out as a centrepiece, are the way forward.

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Ceramic table lights A big trend for 2017 will be ceramic table lights. Again inspired by nature, these will feature delicate tones and patterning, with greys, light browns and pinks blending beautifully into the other natural materials.

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1. Polaroid Multi Aperture Frame £10 Elements City Framed Print £30 Mason Sofa Colton Charcoal £849 Patchwork Felt Cushion Orange £16 Jackson Cushion Orange £20 Avalon Cover £13 Geo Rug From £39 Dunelm. 2. Green Knitted Throw, 125 x 150 £20 sainsburyshome. 3. Marigold Stacking mug £12.50 marksandspencer. 4. Sainsbury’s Home Yellow Tall Ceramic Vase, £12.

5. M&Co; Home watercolour Daffodil cushion £19.50 mandco. 6. Kenwood 42 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

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In 2017 we’ll see chairs imitating art, blending style and comfort in order to stand out as design pieces in their own right.

KMX81 kMix Stand Mixer £499 very 7. Vista bird lamp £80 houseoffraser. 8. Flow Dhurrie Green £20 oliverbonas. 9. Wave Rug £35 very.10. Damask Rug £169 marksandspencer. 11. Vico Table Lamp £35 oliverbonas 12. J by Jasper Conran Gold Table Lamp £95 debenhams. 13. Turquoise Chair £95 Idyll Home. 14.

Kodiac Chair £459 bluesuntree.co.uk

We adore the Buckingham Palace Armchair; a regal addition to living and entertaining spaces, this statement design is perfectly displayed as a piece of historical artwork, guaranteed to be a conversation starter amongst guests and friends.

Starting life as a traditional 1960s fireside armchair, the original beech frame has been stripped back to the bare frame, treated and then hand painted in a complimentary uniform grey chalk paint before, an original vintage uniform, once worn by a member of the Queen’s Royal Household, expertly cut and tailored to fit the individual parts of the chair is fitted.

Colour coordinating fabrics have been carefully selected to match the texture and rich navy tone of the original uniform, creating distinctive panels in a suitably-fitting royal red tone, that also translates into the delicate piping that edges the chair’s seat and armrests.

The uniform’s original epaulettes, labels and buttons are then intricately hand-stitched onto the chair for a flourish of authenticity.

See the full uniform range at www.rhubarblondon.com

Planning your dream bathroom at Leekes Bathrooms are available in all shapes and sizes and whatever your requirements, the experts at Leekes are on hand to make your beautiful bathroom a reality. With options to suit all styles and budgets, you’ll be spoilt for choice and with the right design solution, your investment will last for years and add real value to your property.

Before deciding upon a style, it’s helpful to understand how you are looking to use your space and review the options available. Discover the perfect suite to suit your space from leading designers including Laura Ashley, Utopia, Heritage and Burlington.

Budget Planning your bathroom project is essential - and the best place to start is by calculating your budget. Every project will be priced differently according to its specification and size required and thier design consultants will work with you to advise on all the available options.

Layout The current layout in your bathroom will form a factor in how the space can be used. Considering the size of your space and if you have any special requirements such as integrated storage will form

a factor in your decision. However, if you’re considering a different layout then adapting the room may lead to moving connections such as the water system which can incur additional costs.

Design From a sumptuous sanctuary to a family bathroom, a compact cloakroom or elegant en-suite, discover the perfect suite to suit your space. Leekes’ experienced and knowledgeable designers will create a design according to your specifications and their 3D design and planning service will bring your plan to life.

Tiles & Flooring Choosing wall and floor coverings that complete your look but are compatible for your surfaces is integral. They can supply you with a variety of wall and floor covering options in plain and patterned styles.

Accessories The finishing touches to style your bathroom will often need to be functional. From mirrors to lighting and taps to towel rails they’ve got a wide selection of options and interior finishes to complete your look.

To book a bathroom design consultation visit the studio at Leekes Coventry, call 0333 222 4120 or visit www.leekes.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 43

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OWN THE THRONE

dluxeliving

SPRING INTO THE GARDEN Hello and welcome to the new Dluxe gardening column!

Firstly, let me tell you a little about me.

My name is Frances and I am lucky enough to be around plants all day, every day. Plants are not only my job, but they are also my passion. I divide my time between Goscote Nurseries, and Goscote Design Practice; watching the gardens evolve at every stage of the process, from design, right through the building process, to finally setting out and planting the gardens.

Here at the nursery we try to cover a broad range of plants, supplying not only trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, but also specialising in plants that are ‘that little bit different’. There always seems to be something at the nursery at any given time through the year that catches the eye, and this is what all gardens need too!

This is the best time of year for us gardeners, we have managed to get through the bleak winter months, and now all our hard work is coming to fruition…. Spring has certainly sprung!

Sometimes, however, especially in ‘herbaceous heavy’ gardens, there actually is not much flower colour going on at this time of year. Whilst buds are emerging, and plants are pushing up through the soil at a rate of knots, you do sometimes just want that flash of colour to welcome in the new season. Look out for a few key Spring flowering shrubs and perennials to help lift the garden as a whole.

Chaenomeles ‘Moerloosei’- A truly gorgeous flowering quince, which is perfect for a north facing wall or fence. This dainty variety has white-pink tinged flowers that look great against red brick. The flowers are borne before the leaves emerge, which means that they stand out fantastically. If you prefer a brighter ‘pop’ of colour, look out for ‘Crimson and Gold’ a jolly combination of bright red flowers, with striking yellow stamens.

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Stachyurus praecox - An unusual shrub which has the ‘wow’ factor. Racemes of small, ball-like primrose yellow buds hang like decorations from the stems of this medium sized shrub.

The contrast of bronze stem colour and pale yellow buds and flowers provides some fantastic interest early in the season.

This is not a plant you see every day, so if you do see one for sale, snap it up!

Magnolia stellata- A firm favourite with pretty much everyone!

Rather than traditional tulip shaped, large flowers, this gorgeous Magnolia has dainty, open, star shaped white flowers, borne before the leaves emerge. Not only are the flowers a real show stopper, but the buds themselves have tons of interest for a month or so before the flowers emerge. Pussy willow-like, soft, furry buds start to show us that Spring is on its way from the beginning of February. Magnolia stellata can take a shady spot, and would benefit from being given plenty of width to grow into, so do find a spot towards the back of the border.

Camellia ‘Classic Pink’- This lovely evergreen shrub is one that most people know. With glossy, deep green leaves, the formal flowers of slightly off-white almost glow against the dark foliage. Camellias can take a shady spot, but do make sure that you plant them with ericaceous (acidic) compost otherwise the leaves have a tendency to yellow.

For more details of any of the plants mentioned, or to have a chat about garden design and build, please email frances@ goscote.co.uk or give us a call on 01509 812 121.

E DLUX mot ors

CARRY ON CAMPING With summer round the corner and more and more of us opting to holiday in the UK, the sales of campervans and motorhomes have been steadily rising. Factor in our currently weakened currency and an ever milder climate and you’ll have to agree that there’s never been a better time to hit the open road and explore England’s green and pleasant land, camper style. To help start your adventure, dluxe considers two of the most popular camper van choices; the new Mercedes V Class Marco Polo campervan and Volkswagen’s ever popular California.

Volkswagen California Continuing a campervan tradition which spans more than 60 years, the Volkswagen California is the only vehicle in its class to be designed, engineered and built in-house. Since its launch in 1988, the California has become the benchmark vehicle in the camper van sector with more than 111,000 being sold to date.

Entry to the California range starts at £37,657 for the entry Beach model which offers up to seven seats and sleeping space for four. The bench-seat easily folds to convert to a two-berth bed across the width of the vehicle, while a manual pop-up roof gives access to a further double bed. A fold-out table and chairs are cleverly stored in the sliding door and tailgate, while an integrated awning makes for a comfortable and practical camping experience. The Beach is available with a 2.0-litre 102 PS TDI engine with a five-speed manual gearbox, and a 2.0-litre TDI 150 PS with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG transmission.

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The California Ocean replaces the SE model from the previous generation, with prices starting from £47,840.

Customers can choose from two engines with either 150 or 204 PS and six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearboxes.

4MOTION four-wheel drive variants mean the ultimate ‘home from home’ can go further and wider afield. The Ocean also adds an electro-hydraulic pop-up roof with lighting, plus a kitchenette with two rings, a fridge and sink.

The new generation California adds a host of safety, comfort and convenience features. These include a Driver Alert System, Brake Assist and an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, as well as the option to add innovations such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist and City Emergency Braking for safer and more relaxed cruising. In the cabin the California gains a new ‘premium’ dashboard with wide centre console and car-like feel, plus the latest infotainment system, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and new multi-function display

Find out more at www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

The Marco Polo is based on the popular V-Class, and can seat or sleep four people. It comes with a full range of equipment including a built-in kitchenette with a fridge and hob, plus a two-seater sofa which can easily be transformed into a bed (with underbed storage). It also features a roof bed, accessed via an electrically raising roof; a wardrobe and a generous luggage compartment.

The ambience is that of luxury with as standard, Sport models featuring a twoseater sofa with bed extension; yacht wood flooring in rear compartment (available in a choice of two colours at no extra cost); camping table plus two chairs with storage bag; electrically operated pop-up roof; swivelling driver and passenger seats; automatic three- zone climate control; external connections for power and fresh water; tinted rear windows; 18-inch alloy wheels; ambient lighting; Garmin navigation system; leather upholstery; Active Parking Assist with rear-view camera; and split tail gate.

A choice of two engines are available: 220 d and 250 d, both using a turbocharged 2.1-litre diesel engine.

has focused on making the Marco Polo easy to drive with the option of Lane Tracking package which includes Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist for £595 and the Driving Assistance package for £1,695 which includes Distronic Plus; Blind Spot Assist; PreSafe; and Lane Keeping Assist.

Campers can also opt for a side awning for extra space at £695 and auxiliary heating for all weather camping at £1,345.

The Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo camper van is now on sale, with prices starting from £53,180 for the entry-level V 220 d Sport. The V 220 d AMG Line is £55,320, the V 250 d Sport £55,055 and the V 250 d AMG Line is £57,195.

Find out more at www.mercedes-benz.co.uk

The 220 d has an output of 163 hp with fuel economy of 44.8 mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 166 g/km. The 250 d generates 190 hp and 440 Nm of torque, can achieve 44.8 mpg and emits 169 g/km of CO2. A 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission is standard across the range.

For an additional £2,140, AMG Line models add AMG bodystyling; 19inch AMG bi-colour wheels; sports suspension; carbon-look dash; AMG spoiler lip on tailgate; and metallic paint.

Despite its ample dimensions Mercedes

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Mercedes V Class Marco Polo

dluxetravel

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DLUXE Top five European city breaks for 2017 Do you need an excuse to leave the British winter behind? With the excitement of Christmas and the New Year well and truly over, taking a short city break doesn’t seem like such a bad idea, does it? What better way to escape for a long weekend than with a cultural city break to one of the top five European cities? Let our mini destination guides help you feel inspired…

Lisbon, Portugal

Flying Time: 2h 50m direct On top of being home to some of the world’s best seafood, Lisbon boasts a warm Mediterranean climate and a mix of traditional architecture and contemporary culture. This capital city’s centre can get very congested, but what better excuse to explore it on foot? Soak up the city’s history and marvel at some of the ancient architecture such as the 16th century Gothic Tower of Belém or the Jerónimos Monastery, with its elaborate portals and serene cloisters.

For a real taste of Lisbon, get lost in the Alfama district, a network of charming cobbled streets. Take a leisurely stroll to the promenade and relax in one of the many cafés, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, hop on the cable car for magnificent views of the city and its coast.

By night, Lisbon’s wine bars are a hazy, alluring delight where you can nestle up with some of the country’s best wines and sample specialty dishes. You mustn’t leave without trying a pastéis de belém – heavenly crispy pasty filled with custard cream and sprinkled with cinnamon.

Enjoy the city like a local and you will soon fall for its warm character and beguiling charm.

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Madrid, Spain

Flying Time: 2h 30m direct Despite being Europe’s highest capital, Madrid remains remarkably clear-skied and warm in the sunshine during the winter months – a far cry from a British winter. Explore the city’s beauty on a stroll through one of its parks. See masterful art by Goya at the ThyssenBornemisza Museum or view 19th century paintings and furniture in the Museo del Romanticismo. Once you’re cultured out, warm up in one of the city’s cosy, character-filled cafés. Order a café con leche with churros and melted chocolate. Madrileños typically eat at 10pm after the afternoon siesta, so if you can wait until then, you’ll experience the city’s true spirit. Skip the touristy spots in the centre and venture out to the neighbourhoods of Malasaña, La Latina or Chueca to dine like a local. For an authentic Spanish atmosphere cosy up in Bodega de los Secretos, a maze of underground 17th century wine cellars, and catch an intimate flamenco show.

Málaga, Spain

Flying Time: 2h 55m direct If you’re planning a last minute getaway to escape the cold, Málaga is the perfect destination. Situated along the southern coast of Spain, it’s filled with beautiful parks, charming plazas and a climate that stays pleasant all year round – what more could you want? The city has a rich culture, boasting approximately thirty museums, including the Museo del Vidrio y Cristal with its stunning collection of glass and crystals and the magnificent works of Picasso in the Museo Picasso, who was of course born in Málaga.

Although it may not have a coastline to brag about, Málaga’s cuisine makes it stand out from the crowd. The city has a range of climates and conditions, making

it a hotbed for all kinds of produce which are showcased in its gorgeous cuisine.

With an impressive 22 stalls, Mercado Merced in the heart of the city showcases traditional and innovative producers. It’s the perfect venue to taste the local gastronomy and experience the authentic atmosphere. Málaga’s port and promenade provide a gorgeous setting for a stroll in the winter sun, with an impressive array of contemporary shops and eateries to stop at along the way. By night, the promenade transforms, offering a buzzing nightlife for partygoers. Sit and relax at one of the many bars or clubs, savour the local wine and look out over the glistening sea.

dluxetravel Malaga

Barcelona, Spain

Flying Time: 2h 15m direct Barcelona has it all – celebrated historical architecture, endlessly vibrant culture, a stunning coastline – so much so, that it inspired the likes of Dalí, Miró and Picasso.

The rolling Collserola mountain range offers an alternative to the bustling city.

Its protected park is home to some 190 different species and provides spectacular views over the Catalonian capital. The city is laced with a long and fascinating history that dates back to the Roman-era.

With traces of the Gothic Middle Ages as well as 14th century cathedrals, old is mixed with modernist creations by the great Gaudi and his contemporaries.

Barcelona isn’t short of places to eat or drink. Find any food from traditional Catalonian dishes, to pintxos Basque-style tapas, to avant-garde Japanese restaurants. You are equally spoilt for choice with bars, from sunny terraces offering panoramic views to cosy taverns with vermouth flowing and acoustic accompaniment. Barcelona is likely to inspire the wild side in you, so make the most of what it has to offer!

Hamburg, Germany

Flying Time: 1h 35m direct Home to Germany’s biggest port and second largest city, Hamburg is a tireless trader. Yet despite its somewhat harsh exterior, the city is full of naval charm.

As diverse as it is charming, Hamburg’s maritime location plays a large role in its culture and cuisine. Its harbour welcomes thousands of ships from all over the world and brims with restaurants and shops. If you’re around on a Sunday, wander down to the Fischmarkt in St Pauli – listen to the market criers selling their wares amidst old German pop songs resonating from the auction hall next door. Explore the city by foot and absorb its fascinating architecture, from the famous redbrick warehouses that line the Speicherstadt archipelago, to the impressive Chilehaus, shaped like an ocean liner with staggered balconies.

At night, Hamburg comes alive. It has lots of chic cocktail bars, dance clubs and live music venues. Sip on a cocktail while you watch the hustle and bustle, dance until the wee hours on board one of the

popular river barges, or take a boat trip on Lake Alster, where you’re sure to soak up the city’s culture.

Getting there

Birmingham Airport offers direct flights to each of these city break destinations with a selection of airlines. Escape the British winter and you could be exploring one of these European cities in as little as 1 hour 35 mins! Find out more and book now at www.birminghamairport.co.uk.

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Master of Modernism home but add an extra 15 minutes for dawdling and gawping at other properties along the way.

Aalto and his first wife Aino lived at The Aalto House (1935-36) in Riihitie 20 from 1936. From the outside, the flat-roofed house is severe but softened by Virginia creeper which climbs white wooden poles close to the wall to give the property a new look every season; changing from white to green to red before being cut back for the next year.

While Aalto’s functionalist contemporaries insisted a home should be a machine for living in, Aalto remained true to traditional Finnish design and was inspired by nature. He said: “The best standardisation committee in the world is nature herself, but in nature standardisation occurs mainly in connection with the smallest possible units: cells.

Alvar Aalto was the most important Finnish architect of the 20th century. With only one day to spend in ‘design central’ Helsinki, Lesley Bellew made her way to Aalto’s former studio and home in the city’s suburbs.

A tram from outside Helsinki station to the lakeside suburb of Munkkiniemi took little more than 30 minutes. It stopped at Tiilimäki, a peaceful avenue of bespoke, mainly contemporary homes which was worth the journey alone.

A long white brick wall heralded the first clue to Studio Aalto (1954-1956), a masterpiece at first sight.

Aalto built the streamlined property to create more space to deal with large commissions and visitors can see just how the architect’s workplace was used.

The desks and Anglepoise lamps, shelves of plans and plywood scale models are all in place, as if Aalto had just walked out of the building.

The studio’s clean lines wrap round the tiered garden to create an amphitheatre where movie-mad Aalto would project films against a huge white wall. Its neat dual functionality was to enable office staff to sit on the slate steps and listen to lectures or watch slideshows.

Inside, light pours in to the main studio which contains Aalto’s signature furniture, including the bent birch lacquered Paimio chair and threelegged laminated birch Stacking Stool 60, alongside remarkable scale models including the Aalto Theatre in Essen, Germany.

In the top corner of the high-ceilinged studio hang a dozen lights on rods which allowed Aalto to test their effectiveness at differing heights. Attention to detail is a by-word for Aalto and testament to his insistence on functionality.

Ten minutes’ walk from the studio is Aalto’s former 50dluxe-magazine.co.uk

the Jyväskylä City Theatre in the city centre, plus the Experimental House (1952-54) on the western shore of Muuratsalo, 15km from Jyväskylä. Here Aalto tested construction without foundations, brick patterns and structures, solar heating and the aesthetic effect and durability of decorative plants and mosses.

This ahead-of-his-time attention to detail echoed his theory that “we should work for simple, good, undecorated things. But things which are in harmony with the human being …”

There is no question that he succeeded.

“The result is millions of flexible combinations in which one never encounters the stereotyped.”

The Aalto House is a total work of art – not just the building but the couple gave special treatment to the interior surfaces, furniture design, lamps, furnishings and glassware including the curvy Savoy vase. The house displays a softer, romantic functionalism which created a home-cum-officecum-showcase for clients.

The living space is defiantly stylish and the built-in cupboards, linoleum flooring, pale pine and birchsourced plywood and moulding have proved strong and practical. Light pours in the generous windows and the low windowsills ensure a garden view when sitting in the sofas.

For the one-day visitor there was only time for sitting on the return No. 4 tram and passing Aalto’s masterpiece Finlandia Hall (1962-71), fronting Töölö Bay in the centre of the city. Even from a glance it was clear this building could have no equal in Helsinki – or perhaps the whole of Europe.

The master of Scandinavian Modern architecture deserves so much more than a fleeting glance and Aalto addicts should also venture further north to Jysväskylä, the town where he grew up, in central Finland.

The Alvar Aalto Museum (1973) was built to his own blueprint on a site sloping down to Lake Jyväsjärvi and together with the Museum of Central Finland (1961) from his ‘white period’, the buildings form a centre of culture by the University of Jyväskylä (1951-1971).

Among other treasures are Aalto’s breakthrough building, the Jyväskylä Workers’ Club (1924-25) and

fact file helsinki Tickets for the Aalto House and Studio Aalto visits must be booked in advance from the Alvar Aalto Foundation Combined admission: 30 € www.alvaraalto.fi The Aalto House, Riihitie 20, 00330 Helsinki Studio Aalto, Tiilimäki 20, 00330 Helsinki Finlandia Hall, Mannerheimintie 13e, 00100 www.finlandiatalo.fi

Jyväskylä

Alvar Aalto Museum offers guided tours by reservation only Tel +358 (0)14 2667113 Email: museum@alvaraalto.fi Admission inc guided tour 17 € Museum of Central Finland, Alvar Aallon katu 7, Email ksmuseo.info@jkl.fi University of Jyväskylä, Seminaarinkatu 15, Tel. +358 (0)14 260 1211 Email pirjo.vuorinen@jyu.fi Jyväskylä Workers’ , Väinönkatu 7, Open by appointment only. Tel. +358 (0)10 231 4400 Jyväskylä City Theatre, Vapaudenkatu 36 www.jkl.fi/kaupunginteatteri Muuratsalo Experimental House, Säynätsalo (Jyväskylä 15km), Admission fee 17 € Tours must be booked via museum@alvaraalto.fi

The Nursery at Loughborough Endowed Schools is now open. Conveniently located close to the centre of town, parents can confidently leave their children in the caring hands of Carla Brindley, Nursery Manager, and her capable staff.

Babies can start in the Developers room

from 6 weeks old and progress through Investigators and Pathfinders to the Pioneers pre-school room.

With light, airy and spacious rooms there are plenty of activities to engage and fascinate curious young minds.

All the children enjoy the outside play areas where there is a range of stimulating

play equipment suitable for all ages.

Additionally the Developers also have their own garden where they can enjoy playtime in a secure environment.

Offering full and part-time places, The Nursery is open 51 weeks a year from 7.30am to 6pm, providing flexible cover for busy working parents, Monday to Friday. All consumables are included in the fees including milk, up to a child’s first birthday. All meals are prepared fresh, daily by Nursery Chef Judith, who is very experienced in supporting parents through the weaning process and in tempting selective eaters to be more adventurous.

Speaking recently a parent said “We’ve been really impressed with all of the staff who have taken the time to reassure us and go through everything with us every time. We’re thrilled that the girls are already so happy when they’re at nursery!”

To enquire about places or to book a visit please ring Carla Brindley, Nursery Manager on 01509 276820 or visit www.thenurseryloughborough.co.uk

The

nursery

Curious minds in caring hands

today I discovered a new world Every day we encourage curious minds to explore and engage with their surroundings, enabling children to grow into confident and happy young people.

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality professional care for children aged from 6 weeks to 4 years old. Conveniently located in central Loughborough with staff that are well trained and highly knowledgeable. Fees are fully inclusive and we welcome all families from the local community.

Take a tour and see what the children are doing today!

Call Carla Brindley, Nursery Manager, to book your personal tour today.

01509 276820

www.thenurseryloughborough.co.uk

Garton Road, Loughborough

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Curious Minds in Caring Hands at The Nursery

diary

DLUXE What to see and where to be in the East Midlands this season by Molly Capoc

MISS SAIGON

Miss Saigon 3 July – 22 July Curve Theatre www.curveonline.co.uk Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical Miss Saigon – a recent smash hit in the West End - will launch at Curve Theatre this July (3rd-22nd July) before embarking on a major national tour.

Miss Saigon tells the story of young bar girl named Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with Chris, an American GI - but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon.

Since its London premiere in 1989, Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s epic musical Miss Saigon has become one of the most successful musicals in history. The original Broadway production of Miss Saigon opened on April 11, 1991 with what was the largest advance sale in Broadway history ($37 million).

The show went on to play for nearly ten years and 4,063 performances seen by more than 5.9 million people. Miss Saigon has been performed in 28 countries, over 300 cities in 15 different languages, has won over 40 awards including 2 Olivier Awards, 3 Tony Awards, and 4 Drama Desk Awards and been seen by over 35 million people worldwide. Unmissable world-class theatre on our doorstep.

28th March- 1st April @Curve www.curveonline.co.uk

Don’t miss Bruce Guthrie’s brandnew production of the legendary, multi award-winning rock musical RENT as it celebrates its incredible 20th anniversary. This landmark musical tells the thrilling story of a group of young artists struggling to survive in New York City’s East Village in the days of Bohemian excess. Starring Lucie Jones and Layton Williams this rare opportunity of one of the best musicals cannot be missed.

o2academyleicester/

Comedian Chris Ramsey has embarked on his biggest UK tour yet following appearances on some of the nation’s favourite shows such as Celebrity Juice and Live at the Apollo. His comedy is fall off your seat funny and is sure to get the crowd in fits of laughter.

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rent

Wonderwoman (The naked truth) 31st March @Upstairs at the western theatre http://upstairsatthewestern.com/ Upstairs at the western invite you to join them for a night to discuss 21st century parenthood. We learn all the ins and outs of how to discuss sex in front of the sandpit, arrange a hot date whist playing Lego and write a thriller in a sand pit. The real question lies as to can we soothe our babies and our ambitions?

Guys & Dolls

4th April – 8th April @The Little Theatre http://www.thelittletheatre.net/

Guys and Dolls is a musical fable of Broadway. The story is based on characters by Damon Runyan, Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser, Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Set in New York, Guys and Dolls is a romantic comedy that is certain to please the crowd with a host of stars and ensembles.

Sara Pascoe – Animal

1st April @Y Theatre http://www.leicesterymca. co.uk/y-theatre.php

After successfully publishing a book that explores the evolution of the female body. Sara aims to delve into further issues such as will pornography lead to extinction? Sara’s honest humour flows through her performance giving you fall off your seat humour.

D.A.N.C.E

2nd April & 4th June @Attenborough Arts Centre http://www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/ attenborougharts

D.A.N.C.E offers a new comedy experience where both comedians and dancers share the stage in a bid to entertain you. Comedians will perform their routine whilst dancers interpret and react on stage with them! The tables then turn as the two swap positions.

Comedians will try their hand at contemporary dance whilst the dancers try stand up. What could possibly go wrong?

Bouncers by John Godber

4th April – 8th April @Harborough Theatre http://harboroughtheatre.com/

This play, set in the 1980’s is based at a Northern Night Spot where four bouncers play the roles that reflect the goings on in the club.

The play is exceedingly funny and is sure to be uplifting and give you a good ol’ giggle.

Omid Djalili: Schmuck For A Night @ De Montfort Hall Thursday 6 April www.demontforthall.co.uk

Award winning comedian and actor Omid Djalili known for his legendary stand-up performances is back on a nationwide tour!

Intelligent, sometimes provocative

Images by Jas Sansi.

Chris Ramsey: Is That Chris Ramsey?

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KuKu Connect goes all foodie at the Boot Room

KuKu Connect held its sixth Connect Reception which was another hugely successful night of business people connecting in style at the Boot Room Restaurant & Venue on Millstone Lane in Leicester.

Connect venue host Manish Sharma proprietor of the Boot Room showcased his cuisine to full effect with an array of canapés and cocktails including a seared pheasant KuKu canapé with wild mushroom compote and black pudding crumb, created especially for the reception, which wowed over 80 business guests including Her Majesty’s High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Professor Surinder Sharma.

and always entertaining, his stand-up is a hugely energetic and captivating comedy masterclass.

His credits range from Hollywood to television and live on the West End stage. Earning praise across the world for his performances Omid recently starred in Dickensian BBC1 and Lucky Man Sky1.

11th – 15th April @Curve www.curveonline.co.uk

See Michael Rosen’s awardwinning book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt come to life as it is brought noisily to the stage by director Sally Cookson. The fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower’s versatile lively score is fun for all the family so join the intrepid family of adventurers and their musical dog on their quest to find a bear.

Alice In Wonderland Twelfth Night

19th April 6th April @Phoenix Square http://www.phoenix.org.uk/

KuKu Connect launched at the glittering Lumbers Jewellers, having since held their Connect Receptions at top venues from the 45 West Bar, Cocoa Amore, Bruxelles with their April reception being held at the luxury kitchen designers Sherwin Hall.

KuKu Connect has created a refreshing and welcoming approach to connecting businesses by fusing all the best elements of networking. It’s relaxed and informal, which provides business people the opportunity to build authentic relationships with a great variety of businesses, at luxury locations across the county.

Membership of KuKu Connect comes with great added value which promotes business members through on-line and digital platforms to over 20,000 businesses in the East Midlands, additionally, members receive a complimentary Privilege Card which unlocks first class offers and special discounts from luxury lifestyle and professional services. www.kukuconnect.co.uk Images by Stu Williamson

This Shakespeare’s classic comedy of mistaken identity is given a twist as Tasmin Greig plays Malvolia. A ship is wrecked on the rocks leaving Viola washed ashore without her twin brother Sebastian. With a determination to survive she faces the world alone taking steps onto new land in a bid to explore. A whirlwind of mistaken identity and unrequited love ensues..

12th April @Loughborough Town Hall http://www. loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/

Provide your family with fun and excitement with the larger than life musical – Alice In Wonderland.

Watch as Alice and the White Rabbit set of on a journey like no other and meet a whole host of whimsical characters along the way. Watch this classic story be brought to life and there’s even a chance for you and your family to meet some of your favourite characters after the show.

Annie

7th – 9th April @Melton Theatre https://meltontheatre. cloudvenue.co.uk/

Performing Stars Academy presents Annie. This well-known play tells the story of a spunky depression-era orphan who is on a mission to find her parents. Annie was left on the doorstop of a New York City orphanage run where we meet the cruel character that is Miss Hannigan. Watch as Annie try’s her best attempts to foil any evil plans by Miss Hannigan and find a new family home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

The Wind in the Willows 14th April @Melton Theatre https://meltontheatre. cloudvenue.co.uk/

Comedy legend Billy Pearce leads this family adventure musical of “The Wind in the Willows”. Join Mr Toad and his fairy-tale friends in their biggest adventure yet in this classic tale. Watch as Mr Toad battles against the wickedest of weasels whilst protecting his beloved Toad Hall. This laughout-loud comedy is packed full of surprises, fun for all the family.

House Of Verse

8th April @Y Theatre http://www.leicesterymca. co.uk/y-theatre.php

Don’t miss your favourite performance collective for another tour exploring a variety of genres.

This whirlwind tour is packed full of spoken word performances, comedy, live music, rap, beatbox and DJ’s just to name a few…

Ken Loach

8th April @Phoenix Square http://www.phoenix.org.uk/

Ken Loach has an award winning career having made films for half a century. This night hosted by Phoenix Square will explore the career of this film maker whose work has never shied away from controversy and very often hard hitting politics but somehow he manages to frequently lace his films with a strong vein of naturalistic humour.

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iDream

19th – 22nd April @Attenborough Arts C entre http://www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/ attenborougharts

Experience a dream like performance installation inspired by a Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Enter as a brave lover into an enchanted forest on a quest to find a love potion. Sprites and fairies

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TIMMY

OBERON GALLERY PRESENTS An art exhibition by Timmy Mallett, on display will be a selection of original artwork & Timmy’s limited edition print collection.

Sponsoring the event will be Burleighs London Gin/45 West Bar & Cocoa Amore, providing Cocktails & Canapés on the evening.

THURSDAY 30TH MARCH Meet Timmy in the gallery 6.30pm-8.30pm

B R O W N S Lingerie & Beachwear Work Out Wardrobe Flattering Activewear

Lingerie

Sizes from 28-50 Up to K Cup

Cup sized Swimwear T: 0116 2707188 35 Francis St Stoneygate Leicester LE2 2BE BrownsLingerie.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 55

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WHAT THE BUTLER SAW AT CURVE

will lurk but be careful not to get in the way of the Fairy King and Queen or distracted by the crew of actors preparing for a royal performance.

more! Lionel Bart’s sensational score includes some of our classic favourites: Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You’ve Got To Pick-A-Pocket Or Two, I’d Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more!

The medieval archaeology of Leicestershire and Rutland

22nd April – 21st May @Jewry Wall Museum http://visitleicester.info/thingsto-see-and-do/arts-museums/ leicester-museums/jewrywall/

At the Jewry Wall Museum you can delve into the history behind Leicester as a city and find out about the people of Leicester from prehistoric times to the medieval period. This special display of medieval archaeology of Leicestershire and Rutland displays rich and interesting museum collections and includes a stunning display of extremely rare medieval glass from Wygston’s House.

Meet Our Big Move Resident Artists: Sumiko Eadon & Emma Gardner 29th April @Leicester Print Workshop http://www. leicesterprintworkshop.com/

Come along to this Saturday afternoon course and meet two of Leicester Print Workshop’s artists in residence. You can admire the work they have been making as part of their residency and watch a number of demonstrations, talks and listen to afternoon talks.

Tickets cost £10 so don’t miss out!

William Shakespeare Hamlet 24th – 29th April @Little Theatre http://www.thelittletheatre.net/

Marking 50 years since the death of celebrated Leicester playwright Joe Orton, Curve’s new production of his final play - What the Butler Saw - opened at the theatre on Wed 8 Mar to an audience of Press and invited guests from across the country.

Guests enjoyed the evening performance of Orton’s comic masterpiece, followed by a post-show drinks reception - and a selection of medical-inspired, DIY donuts!

What the Butler Saw is the theatre’s first Made at Curve production for 2017, leading a varied programme of produced work including: Fantastic Mr Fox; Ravi Shankar’s Sukanya; A Clockwork Orange; The Graduate; Sunset Boulevard; Pink Sari Revolution; Hairspray; andScrooge.

What the Butler Saw plays until Sat 18 Mar. For more information, visit www.curveonline.co.uk.

Images by Pamela Raith.

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Little Theatre are bringing Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece to life with the production of Hamlet. The king is dead, the queen remarried and the court moves on but for young Hamlet something just isn’t right. Expect a tale of blood and madness to unfold in this harrowing tale.

Tim O’Brien

3rd May The Guildhall http://www.leicester.gov.uk/ leisure-and-culture/museumsand-galleries/our-venues/ guildhall/

Tim O’Brien is a musical legend with twenty solo albums to the name. Winner of two Grammys, double winner of the International Bluegrass Music Award for best vocalist, collaborator with Joan Baez, Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler to name a few… Whilst respecting their roots, Tim takes traditional songs and brings them firmly up-to-date. His own material is equally strong and has been covered by many artists.

Pharaohs of Memphis My Country

25th April – 29th April @Curve www.curveonline.co.uk

Days after the controversial EU referendum, The National Theatre began a nationwide listening project using a team of interviewers to gather views of people from around the country about their views on the country and town they live in, their lives, their future and the referendum.

Using these words taken from interviews, My Country puts those conversations centre stage.

The Elvis Years

29th April @Loughborough Town Hall http://www. loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/

This timeless Dickens story is brought to life in this ever-popular story of the boy who asked for

3rd May @Phoenix Square http://www.phoenix.org.uk/

Pharaohs of Memphis delves deeper into the origins of jookin and its current standing in the dance world. The film uses archival footage and employs the use of contemporary dance competitions to depict the complex world of jookin. The film is set to a soundtrack of contemporary Memphis hip-hop.

From The Jam “In The City” 40th Anniversary Show 6th May @O2 Academy Leicester https://www. academymusicgroup.com/ o2academyleicester/

Original The Jam member, Bruce Foxton along with Russell Hastings have come together to perform

16 –– 30 30 SEP SEP 16 CURVEIN INASSOCIATION ASSOCIATIONWITH WITHMICHAEL MICHAELHARRISON HARRISONAND ANDDAVID DAVIDIAN IANPRESENT PRESENTTHE THECURVE CURVEPRODUCTION PRODUCTIONOF OF CURVE

‘ANDREW LLOYD LLOYD WEBBER’S WEBBER’S MUSICAL MUSICAL ISIS AA GLORIOUS, GLORIOUS, ‘ANDREW DAILYTELEGRAPH TELEGRAPH THRILL AA MINUTE MINUTE TRIUMPH’ TRIUMPH’DAILY THRILL

MUSICBY BY MUSIC

ANDREW LLOYD LLOYD WEBBER WEBBER ANDREW BOOK&&LYRICS LYRICSBY BY BOOK

DON BLACK BLACK && CHRISTOPHER CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON HAMPTON DON BASEDON ONTHE THE BASED

DIRECTOR DIRECTOR

NIKOLAIFOSTER FOSTER NIKOLAI

BILLY WILDER WILDER film film BILLY

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5th annual British Muslim Awards 2017 held at Athena, Leicester Muslims have made to their chosen industries. We are delighted to have delivered the 5th British Muslim Awards and have seen the awards grow both in awareness and attendance year on year.

The fifth annual British Muslim Awards took place recently at a glamorous event at the Athena, Leicester.

The black-tie event acknowledged and celebrated the achievements, determination and hard work of professionals and businesses from the Muslim community in Britain. The evening was one of celebration, recognising a wide range of achievements which cover various aspects of society including business, charity, sport, arts and culture and much more.

The evening was hosted by the TV presenter and broadcaster journalist Samina Kiyani and the presenter, actor and voiceover artist Inayat Kanji. The celebration of success, welcomed over 400 guests who enjoyed reflecting upon the significant role of Britain’s Muslims in society.

Irfan Younis, CEO and Founder of Oceanic Consulting events said: “Our finalists and winners again demonstrated the commitment and dedication British The Jam’s iconic debut album, In The City, in its entirety for this one-off, never-to-be-repeated concert. This show really is a one off so don’t miss out and grab your tickets today!

“It was a really inspirational evening and we were honoured to deliver the British Muslim Awards 2017 making sure that all the efforts from the Muslim society don’t go unnoticed. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists.” Notable winners from Leicester included; The winner of the Muslim in the Community is Yasmin Mohammed Farooq Nathani (Shama Women’s Centre, Leicester) The winner of the Services to Science & Engineering is Dr. Kal Karim (University of Leicester) The winner of the Services to Creativity & Technology is Safwan Ahmedmia (Supersaf, Leicester) As well as recognising the achievements of British Muslims at the forefront of their industries the awards raised money for the National Zakat Foundation.

For further information on the British Muslim Awards please visit http://thediversityawards.info/

http://www.leicesterymca. co.uk/y-theatre.php

Leicester Jazz House presents The Printmakers. Nikki Iles who plays the piano and accordion leads the show featuring a line-up of some of the most prestigious names in British Jazz. The Printmakers cover jazz, folk and contemporary music and showcases perhaps the UK’s best loved jazz voice in Norma Winstone.

Showaddywaddy

Made in Dagenham – The Musical 9th – 13th May @Little Theatre http://www.thelittletheatre.net/

Based in 1960’s Essex, Rita O’Grady is just like the millions of working women out there. Each morning is the same routine, trying to get her husband out of bed and the kids ready for school, all whist trying to get to her factory job in time. Her life changes forever as her pay is dropped to “unskilled”. Rita leads a team in a battle against the might of Ford and the corruption of the Union supposed to protect them. Can Rita keep up the fight and the happy home she’s worked hard for?

The Printmakers 10th May @Y Theatre

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12th May @Loughborough Town Hall http://www. loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/

Showaddywaddy have sold over 20 million records in their career that spans across four decades and toured every extensive corner of the world. Their live show, which features some of their greatest hits, makes their live shows uplifting and dynamic. So what are you waiting for? Get your dancing shoes on.

Whose Life Is It Anyway?

23rd – 27th May @Harborough Theatre http://harboroughtheatre.com/

This moving and surprisingly funny play is a modern classic.

We learn the story of Kev who was severely injured in a road accident and although is left paralysed, he remains mentally alert and decides life is not worth living. Against the wishes of his medical team and with great dignity he fights for his right to die. Don’t miss this

gripping classic that will have you on the edge of your seats!

Foy Vance

duty, Antony’s military brilliance deserts him, and his passion leads the lovers to their tragic end.

24th May @Y Theatre http://www.leicesterymca. co.uk/y-theatre.php

Ladies In Lavender

Foy Vance is a Northern Irish singer with a commendable career.

Over the years he has collaborated with some of the finest artists in the UK and even toured with Ed Sheeran. Foy’s vocals combined with his guitar and piano skills are enough to have the whole room falling at his feet, definitely not one to miss.

Ladies In Lavender, featuring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, tells the story of two sister Ursula and Janet. The sisters live in a close-knit fishing village in picturesque Cornwall, in 1936.

The story unfolds as a handsome and talented young Polish violinist bound for America is washed ashore. The sisters take him under their wing and nurse him back to good health but the mystery that lies behind him disrupts their peaceful lives and the community they live in.

12th – 17th June @Little theatre http://www.thelittletheatre.net/

Mine Royal Shakespeare Company: Antony & Cleopatra 24th May @Phoenix Square http://www.phoenix.org.uk/

Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra is a story of tragedy of love and duty. The story picks up where Julius Caesar ends.

Following Caesar’s assassination, Mark Antony has reached the heights of power. Now he has neglected his empire for a life of decadent seduction with his mistress, Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Torn between love and

23rd June @Attenborough Arts Centre http://www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/ attenborougharts

Mine is a new intense one woman play about shame, courage, guilt and good parenting. As a parent, she loves him. She’s loved him for about 17 years now but after hearing what he has done she questions if it’s still possible to love someone like that. Mine is a must see and has recently been listed by The Scotsman newspaper as one of the “Top Shows of the Edinburgh Festivals 2016.

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DECONSTRUCTING

THE HOUSE OF CARDS A mixture of gritted teeth, head shaking, cringing and awe. Kevin Spacey’s Frank Underwood, lead protagonist in Netflix’s critically acclaimed House of Cards inspires and repulses all at the same time.

As a character Underwood reminds to a Clinton-esque view of a powerful family rising to power using politics, influence and ultimately deceit and treachery. Thankfully Spacey, whilst playing Underwood superbly, appears to have little in common with him.

“If you are lucky enough to do well in life, it is your responsibility to send the elevator back down” he is famously quoted as saying and as an actor, producer and head of the Old Vic he has always highlighted how important he believes it is to have and to be a mentor writes dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL Business Editor, Bart Dalton.

Throughout my career I have had the pleasure of being a mentor to more than 45 different people directly and 100’s indirectly through programs and classes I have run. Here are some of the top things that being a mentor does for you.

Refocus- There’s no better way to remind yourself about what you should be doing than when you’re telling someone else how to do it. I always find that when I am reminding and refreshing one of my mentees to do something to improve or remove then it puts a mirror up to me to make sure that I am walking the walk.

Teaches- Business is a fast moving beast. Trends and business evolves as we are constantly moving forward and if we don’t review how that affects what we do on a regular basis then it doesn’t allow us to grow, develop and deliver the best to our clients and employees.

Energises- It’s great to witness passion, success and energy. I love mentoring, which I do for free, more than I love my coaching, 59 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

which I get paid very well for.

Creates True Gravity- When you give your heart, soul and tools to someone you never know where it will return . If there are more people out there doing great things then the world becomes a better place.

Recently one of my mentees from many years ago brought me a piece of business that significantly changed my year for the better. It was unexpected and unrequested. The message came to me. “Your help has changed my life and I hope that this small symbol of my trust can replace some of the effort, time and focus that you gave to me.”

SO WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT? WANT TO BE A MENTOR? IT IS SO SIMPLE. Ask your local chamber of commerce, Rotary club, golf pro or business networking club, is there someone that would like to have a once a month meeting to learn not to make all the mistakes you made to getting to become a success(In your own words obviously).

Agree a personal calendar with the mentee and send a list of 5 questions around their goals, current business situation and what they would like to have as an outcome from working with you.

Meet and agree goals and what you want to deliver or help them with.

Repeat the process as many times as you can.

When we build our businesses we do it like Frank Underwood, hopefully with a little less deceit and killing but we have a plan. Mentoring and using your perspective to help someone’s success won’t usually get you to the white house like Frank. I know that if you have big plans then the right mentor would accelerate it There are a number of additional tools I have built to help mentors. If you want to have any of them visit www. bartdaltonconsulting.com Finally BE a mentor and GET a mentor it will change your life!

Bart Dalton, Director. contact@bartdaltonconsulting.com

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Savers urged to wise up on pensions and LISAs 40 and will offer a 25% government bonus on the amount saved, up to a limit of £1,000 per year. Savers can withdraw the funds charge-free and tax-free once they reach the age of 60, or in order to buy a home. Withdrawals made under the age of 60 for any other purpose will incur a 25% penalty.

The scheme is designed to offer a more flexible means of saving money for later life, but Baroness Altmann has voiced concerns that the LISA will be seen by some as an alternative to a workplace pension, and that they may potentially lose out on employer contributions as a result.

Leading firm of financial advisers, Newby Castleman (Financial Services) Ltd, is encouraging savers to be cautious when deciding on how best to fund their retirement.

The advice from the Midlands-based firm follows the recent warning from former pensions minister Baroness Ros Altmann that the new Lifetime ISA (‘LISA’) ‘adds complexity’ to saving for retirement and ‘will confuse people.’ 1 The LISA, which is set to launch in April, will be available to savers under the age of

She said: “Workers on basic-rate tax mistakenly believe that the 25% Government bonus [on the LISA] is better than 20% tax relief [on a workplace pension]. Of course, they are exactly the same. A 20% grossing up is equivalent to a 25% extra bonus.

Young people I have spoken to - some of whom are on higher-rate tax and have access to a generous workplace pension have already been attracted to the idea of using a Lifetime ISA instead of a pension.

Only when I explain that they will lose their employer’s contribution and higher-rate tax relief do they realise this could be a mistake.”

Proponents of the LISA argue that the scheme is designed to complement

For all your tax and accountancy needs…

As experienced accountants, Newby Castleman understands the importance of good business and financial management. From starting and developing a business, to maximising your personal finances, we can help with all aspects of business and tax planning.

Contact one of our offices to find out more...

Leicester - 0116 254 9262 Loughborough - 01509 263 500

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workplace pensions and will offer savers more control over their spending in retirement, with tax-free withdrawals for over-60s allowing retirees to access funds as and when needed.

John Freeman, Financial Adviser at Newby Castleman (Financial Services) Ltd, said: “So much has changed over the last few years in terms of how we plan financially for retirement, and the variety of options available to savers has grown significantly in a very short space of time.

This is, for the most part, a positive thing, because having more choice enables us to tailor our savings plans to our own personal needs. Equally though, it also requires us to ensure we are making an informed decision so that we are well provided for later in life. As a result, the need for financial advice is greater than ever.

At Newby Castleman, we have been closely tracking changes to long-term savings schemes from ISAs to pensions, and we assist our clients with finding the best way forward in their circumstances. If you are struggling to identify the right option for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

To find out more about Newby Castleman (Financial Services) Ltd’s advisory services, visit the firm’s website at www.newbycastleman.co.uk or email John Freeman at jdf@newbyc.co.uk.

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Introducing

Janine Edwards We’re all individuals and nowhere is that clearer than when it comes to planning our financial futures. Goals, hopes and aspirations alter from person to person so it’s important to get advice outside of the traditional ‘one size fits all’ style of financial management and getting to know your financial adviser and their backgrounds is the first step in achieving this.

This issue we find out more about how financial adviser Janine Edwards got started in the industry.

At 21, Janine Edwards was one of Lloyds TSB’s youngest managers, running a branch in Market Deeping, Peterborough. Now Janine has just completed a milestone 30 years in financial services – but life today is very different from the career she first embarked on.

Janine has spent the last seventeen years with St. James’s Place Wealth Management, one of the country’s leading wealth management businesses. The firm’s advisers are called Partners, because of the way they work in partnership with their clients, and she is one of only a few females to reach principal status in a company which has more than 3000 Partners and advisers working throughout the UK. “I had a good grounding in banking, but I always preferred seeing clients face to face and joined St. James’s Place because I saw it as an opportunity to give clients much better advice, offer a distinctive investment management approach and a more holistic wealth management service,” said Janine, now 47. “When St. James’s Place approached me, I knew their reputation was formidable and that they were something special and different.”

Her move to St. James’s Place brought an unexpected bonus - an introduction to charitable fundraising which has now become a passion. “I became closely involved in the St. James’s Place Foundation, which aims to improve the quality of life for those children and young adults in need as a result of disability or disadvantage” said Janine. “I was a member of the Foundation’s committee for nearly four years, looking at worthy causes to which grants can be donated, and still support the Foundation whenever I can.

“The Foundation is an amazing and humbling set-up which is in many ways at the very heart of our culture as a business. It funds hundreds of projects each year and to ensure its needs can be supported, it relies heavily on the generosity and actions of Partners and staff to raise vital funds.

“Over 80% of our Partners and staff make regular contributions to the Foundation via a monthly covenant, and last year a record £7.6m was raised. Since its inception 25 years ago, more than £50million has been raised and distributed to more than 760 charities.”

Janine is also a Trustee for the ‘Star Trust’ Charity and regularly fundraises for ‘Rainbows’ Children’s Hospice and in 2016 held an evening of fundraising for the Star Trust and managed to raise over £50,000 for the Star Trust and for Alex’s Wish.

Most of Janine’s clients are local people throughout Leicestershire and Warwickshire. “I’ve built up my business over the last seventeen years purely from introductions, recommendations and referrals,” she said. “Relationships are vital. I enjoy having a select group of clients, as this means I can spend more time with them, and look in a more in-depth way at individual financial issues. With an ever-changing outlook, and multiple changes in legislation, people today want more face to face contact, more advice and more detail – and rightly so.”

professional support that ensures you have complete belief that your children’s future is secure.

Janine not only handles the arduous task of ensuring this, but does so in a manner that means you actually look forward to the next meeting.”

Dominic Gomersall, Company Director, Leicester “Janine has become a very important person in our lives. When we both retired at the age of 50, we had some very important investment decisions to make. Janine rapidly established a high level of trust coupled with a high level of financial competence which enabled us to make the right investment choices, leaving us in a strong position today! She is always there when we need her to answer the myriad of questions which inevitably arise!”

Mr P & Dr K Carr While offering a holistic wealth management service, Janine is particularly strong on pensions, investments and Inheritance Tax planning, and deals with private and corporate clients. Janine also provides specialist advice on Business succession and exit planning, Personal and Corporate Protection and tax efficient profit extraction.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

The Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website at: www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning, contact Janine Edwards Wealth Management on 01676 530 606 or email Janine.edwards@sjpp.co.uk

“Trusting anyone with your family’s personal financial affairs and therefore future, is a huge responsibility. Janine Edwards embraces this duty with great enthusiasm, expert knowledge and dluxe-magazine.co.uk 60

Steve Crawford of College Court, Leicester looks back over the lows and highs of a life spent in Hospitality.

without the customer we do not have a business. I still say an “empty bed last night, we can never fill again. “ It’s a stark reminder that our product, although very tangible, actually has a very short shelf life.

As my career progressed it increasingly required more detailed knowledge of Finance, Sales & Marketing, HR, IT and the law to ensure the business was compliant and safe.

I

t has been a joy to spend almost 40 years working in the wonderful world of hospitality.

It has given so much to me and can honestly say that I have been paid to do something that I really enjoy doing.

As a young man, I was always very clear that I wanted a career with people. I know that with all jobs there is contact to varying degrees, but I wanted mine to be more than just touching base. I am so lucky that this has been true for my chosen career...

The hospitality profession allows me to work closely with colleagues, have direct contact with the customer and is so much more than “eat, meet & sleep.”

Let me, first of all, comment on some of the perceived negatives of my profession: Yes, there are long and unsocial hours; yes, you can be working weekends & Bank Holidays when your family and friends are off and yes there are areas where the pay could be better – but, that could be said of many professions these days. I’m sure our colleagues in the NHS, Retail, and the self- employed and many others could relate?

some of the perceived negatives start to disappear.

Although I started off in hotels and will always be indebted to my very first manager who saw something in me. He coached and taught me for 4 years and then positively suggested that I move on, as he couldn’t teach me anymore. We remained lifelong friends until he sadly passed away a few years ago. Thank you Mr Bollom.

I then discovered the exciting world of working on the commercial arm in a University. I am now working in my sixth at the University of Leicester. I have always been very clear in my mind that without the students, universities would not exist.

I am equally clear that a successful commercial income stream can be of tremendous benefit to the broad university community and can support other projects and provide a degree of autonomy as they are generating their own funds.

However, for my part there are so many great positives for my industry.

The skills you learn can take you all over the world. You can receive instant feedback from the customer and a positive can-do attitude can open doors and fast-track your career.

My many happy years in the industry have, of course, been helped by the fact that I have worked in some amazing places with fabulous people.

As with any profession, work with good professional organisations and

The scale of projects grew in both size, complexity and value, the most recent being the £17m invested to create College Court Conference Centre & Hotel. This involved working with a wide range of new disciplines including Architects, Construction, Designers, Planners and Heritage to name but a few. This part of the journey involved dealing with a wide range of different stakeholders and the days raced by as we headed toward opening on the 1st October 2013.

At the same time I set about building a whole new team to manage this wonderful new facility. Proud as I am of the building this is by far the most rewarding aspect.

For the first 6-months I was the only employee, so I was Employee of the Month every month and the Christmas party was very easy to organise! The team started to grow as opening day became ever-closer.

Everything was purchased from teaspoons to ovens, shower caps to beds and everything else required for a brand-new Conference Centre & Hotel.

The College Court team have been a joy to work with and cannot thank them enough for their passion, professional approach and indeed fun in setting up a new business. This culminated in being recognised as Hotel of the Year on top of many other awards that we have won since opening.

So, the wonderful world of hospitality can offer a rich, interesting and varied career path and I am so proud to have been part of it.

In my early years, when learning my craft, the focus was on the day to day customer experience and indeed this will always be part of my DNA, as

Steve Crawford is General Manager at College Court, Knighton Road, Leicester LE2 3TQ. Tel 0116 244 9669, or visit www.collegecourt.co.uk

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THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF HOSPITALITY

Spring STYLE

AT LEEKES

Invigorate your space and refresh your dĂŠcor with the latest interior looks at Leekes.

The new season is the ideal time to invigorate your interior with the latest collections.

From pretty pastels to moody blues discover inspirational ideas and stylish new additions for every room in your home.

Leekes Coventry, Junction 3 M6, W.Mids. CV6 6PA Tel: 0333 222 4120 | Online: leekes.co.uk

when it comes to business In business looks count, that’s the look of your brand.

Stephen Goddard, Creative Director and Brand Expert at KuKu Creative shares a few tips on how to get your business looking its best.

Your brand is your most important advert, it’s the shop window into your business and it’s the most powerful tool you have to attract new business and customers. This is true for every business whether a global empire, a charity or a new business start-up, yet why do so many businesses get it wrong?

It makes me scream with frustration to see a great product combined with a poor brand.

We all know Apple, Coca-Cola, Tesco, HSBC but what magic do they hold over us? Well, it’s something you can have, too.

Ok, so you have to invest in branding, but it doesn’t mean you have to spend millions either.

Here are the 5 most important pointers to consider to truly create a good looking brand:

1 - CUSTOMERS

4 - CLARITY

We are all time poor and nobody likes to search for the message in your marketing material. Don’t be afraid to be punchy and pointed and remember that authenticity is key here - be clear and honest about what you are selling and the problems you are solving.

5 - CHARACTER

Be brave and ensure you infuse your brand with plenty of personality. Personal branding is becoming more and more relevant, so ask yourself if you are actually a key part of your brand and if so how can this feature in your branding? If not then think of your business as a person and start to carve out what they would really look like.

So, think differently, stand out and go a little ‘KuKu’ @Ku_Ku_Creative www.kukucreative.co.uk hello@kukucreative.co.uk 01157 841502

Provide your customers with the best possible experience because they’re no longer satisfied with just being handed their cup of coffee - they want an experience, something to remember and a reason to come back. Think about how you can go the extra mile because the better the customer experience, the faster you will build brand loyalty.

2 - CONSISTENCY

A consistent brand takes your business to the next level giving you more recognition and building trust amongst your customers. If there is an inconsistency in your business appearance then this will send out the message that there’s an inconsistency in your service levels, so give your business a quick healthcheck and make sure everything matches up

3 - COMPETITION

Examine your business sector and note the styles and trends that are popular - you will soon see a definite pattern emerging with colours, fonts, tone of voice etc, so try to draw out the best of this, but give it your own unique touch.

Consumers like the familiar so, it’s certainly good to look like your competition but not good to copy them!

Stephen’s talent and skill in brand and design is something that goes back to his early childhood, so very much a born creative. His career, which began as a freelancer, quickly gained him a reputation as someone with an eye for detail and natural flair for creative concepts. Now head of his own creative agency based in the heart of the Midlands, Stephen has advised international banks, pharmacy giants through to charities, consultants and new entrepreneurs.

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College Court and

Leicester Conferences The venues that work for you

The service and staff at College Court were outstanding and the catering for the team was exceptional - very, very high quality food and superb service.

A big thank you to the entire team at College Court – February 2017

With a great range of facilities, tranquil settings and excellent transport links, we are Leicester’s leading conference and events venues. Our guests are able to benefit from a wide range of different conference spaces, perfect from two to 500 delegates, creative dining throughout our venues and a restful and relaxing stay in our 123 bedroom Hotel or 4* campus accredited summer vacation bedrooms.

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123 bedrooms including executive rooms & suites

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17 meeting rooms

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Restaurant and private dining room

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Bar

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Inspirational catering

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Free high-speed Wi-Fi

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Free on-site parking

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Free offsite gym facilities

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Private gardens to relax and think

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1 fantastic team

We’ve used this venue for several company events and have never been disappointed. The quality of the hotel & meeting rooms, the food and the service is exceptional ~ you really couldn’t ask for more.

The rooms are modern and well equipped, some with a balcony which is lovely. The food served in the bar and in the dining room was really good, great choice and excellent value for money. It’s also in a good location not far from the city centre but not in a noisy environment. The staff are just fantastic - friendly and helpful.

We’ll definitely be back – February 2017

We want each of our guests to get the very best from their time with us and we would be delighted to discuss the different conference and event packages we have on offer.

Award winning excellence for all our guests Tel: 0116 244 9669 Email: info@collegecourt.co.uk www.collegecourt.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @TheLeicsVenue

E DLU X people JESSICA OKORO Jessica Okoro has long held a desire to get children excited about learning and to change any thoughts that science isn’t fun. This passion has led her to set up BeScience STEM, a UK based social enterprise, which creatively explores STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) within the community for children from 5 years upwards. The aim is to get more young people – especially girls – involved in STEM subjects to avoid a future skills shortage in years to come.

It’s a hot topic currently with the BBC running their Terrific Scientific campaign, but Jessica’s vision is different, but complementary – and it’s been created here in Leicester. So inspiring, it’s even caught the eye of our Prime Minister, who said “Your innovative interventions demonstrate that science can be creative and fun”.

So, if you have, or know anyone with children in this age-range, you need to read on…

First things first, what is BeScience STEM? “BeScience STEM is a fun way for people to learn within their communities. The statistic that only 15% of 10-14 year olds wish to pursue a career in the sciences demonstrates that many feel disconnected from the subjects and our aim is to reignite their interest through early intervention, fun and relevant learning. Our STEM Juniors club aims to excite children from as young as 5 years old about these subjects and provide a fun environment for extracurricular learning, but we cater for children up to 15 years, too.”

BeScience STEM offers programmes that are accessible to everybody, with many their participants coming from home-schooled families, as well as across the community. The basic premise is to explore STEM subjects using tried and tested methods that are both fun and engaging for the young people and their families. Some of these are done in workshop environments or libraries, some in the kitchen with the family.

Percy Emmett Independent Business Consultant and Lead Trainer and Mentor for The Crucible Project, added, “BeScience STEM has been such a success since launching into the community in 2016. Jessica has developed a fantastic programme of learning for a wide range of individuals and this recent research demonstrates just how much we need social enterprises such as BeScience STEM to help keep the next generation engaged in these subjects.”

How have children and parents reacted to the sessions that you’ve done so far? They love it! We’ve had such fantastic feedback from those who have taken part.

Do you think that the statistic that only 15% of 10 to 14 year olds aspire to work in science will change in the future? The reality is that this statistic will only change if there are influencers or programmes available to young people. This will involve time, resources and hard work.

What is your main goal from running BeScience STEM? To make STEM accessible to ALL. It’s just about enabling everyone to be able to enjoy and explore the STEM disciplines with confidence.

What do you think are the gaps in the curriculum, which make things like BeScience STEM and Terrific Scientific so important?

When I was at school I struggled to relate what I was learning to my everyday life. At BeScience STEM, that is the core of our exploring principles. We apply it to what we know and interact with everyday, which makes learning a less tendentious experience.

What has been the biggest challenge since founding BeScience STEM? Funding. Getting organisations to fund these free initiatives for the young people in the community can be tricky. It’s often the case that funders tend to have more interest in the academically ‘gifted and talented’, whereas I feel strongly that more young people should get the opportunities and be inclusive for all.

Shouldn’t this be something that they learn in schools anyway?

“In an ideal world where time and resource are not an issue, yes.

But that’s not the scenario for most schools. BeScience STEM runs alongside the curriculum and allows parents or guardians to get involved and take control of this part of their child’s education – these are subjects that are not only of critical importance, but can be fun.

The fun aspect is lost, somehow, in many classroom environments.

BeScience STEM brings this back!”

Will the programmes be rolled out nationally? Yes, I am currently on the Crucible programme at De Montfort University for this year where we are developing our programmes to take it nationally.

You’ve created and trialled this in Leicester? Yes, BeScience STEM was trialled in Leicester and will receive a soft regional roll out in 2017 before a national roll out in 2018. We’ve also received support from The Crucible Project, De Montfort University’s business start-up and incubation programme, who we continue to work with.

To find out more about BeScience STEM, visit www.bescience.org.uk. For more information on the Crucible Project at De Montfort University, visit www.dmu.ac.uk or call 0116 2577377

Did you enjoy science as a youngster? No, not at school. My love for STEM really grew as I changed my learning style to exploration and hands-on, which is what I hope to bring to the programmes and other children through BeScience STEM.

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