FASHION | ALTERNATIVE | PHOTOGRAPHY | MUSIC | MODELS | BUSINESS | ART | BEAUTY | FILM | CHARITY
VOLUME 2 // 2015
WORLDEQUAL.COM
EARTH =EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY
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Front Cover Model/hair/makeup: Yvonne Given Photographer: Mark Chech
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EQUAL MAGAZINE Vol 1 2015
© 2015-2018 Copyright EQUAL AND EQUAL MAGAZINE. The publisher of Equal Magazine, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content placed in its publications. For the avoidance of doubt, Equal Magazine gives no warranty or guarantee in regards to any information placed in this publication. This publication is proudly designed by worldequal.com
Fashion
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Rebecca Anne ................................................................................6 Karl Bowe .......................................................................................8 Catherine Gibson ....................................................................... 11 Michelle Anderson ..................................................................... 12 Claire Garvey............................................................................... 16 Richard Lynch ............................................................................. 18 LSH Promotions & Modelling ................................................... 20 Tara Tennyson ............................................................................ 24 Travis Young Model .................................................................... 25 Veronika Byrne Hair Stylist ....................................................... 26 Emmette Dillon........................................................................... 28 David Henderson ....................................................................... 31 Gemma Crossan......................................................................... 32 House of Maiya .......................................................................... 33 Piyanuch Chanphet.................................................................... 37
Art
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Vinko Kalcic ................................................................................. 40 Mandy Tsung .............................................................................. 42 Lilia Milpetrova ........................................................................... 44 Graeme McAllister ..................................................................... 46
Photography
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Art Schumann ............................................................................. 50 Scott Church ............................................................................... 52 Yvonne Given .............................................................................. 54 Norman A Quinn ........................................................................ 57
Music
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International Guinness Blues On the Bay Festival 2015 ....... 61 Mud Morganfield ....................................................................... 64 Dana Masters ............................................................................. 66 Megan McConnell ...................................................................... 72 Suzanne Savage ......................................................................... 74 Young Aviators............................................................................ 78 Madame Guillotine .................................................................... 80
Alternative
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Simon “Showbiz” Gross ............................................................. 83 Sassie Longshaft – Drag Queen................................................ 88 Being Gay in Northern Ireland ................................................. 91 Jana Klappert Hair/Model.......................................................... 92 Tatt House ................................................................................... 96 Luna Sangre ................................................................................ 98 Octopus’s Garden....................................................................... 99 Stevie Badger @ Cusick Tattoos ............................................. 102 Christine Lynne ........................................................................ 105 3
Shelley Rodgers Founder / Editor / Owner / Photographer
Kieran Sherry Editor / Partner / Writer / Musician / Artist
S Angela Carson Columnist / Alternative Section
Yvonne Given Columnist / Alternative Section / Model / Tattoo Artist
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REBECCA ANNE
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Originally Rebecca Anne is from Kent but she’s now based in Manchester. She has currently just finished studying a BA HONS Fashion and Costume at Blackpool and Fylde college, has graduated with a First BA Honours Lancaster degree this summer 2015. Rebecca has a keen interest for fashion and the retail industry, a good understanding of business through her past studies. Being an avid reader particularly of fashion magazines and autobiographies Rebecca likes to keep abreast with current affairs in fashion and all things textile related. Rebecca’s acute eye for interpreting inspiration and emotions and incorporating this into her developmental process brings interesting designs and surface patterns. With a strong basis of textile techniques it creates looks that are limitless; this is the concept behind Rebecca Anne’s final degree collection ‘Flight of Freedom’. This recent collection is based around the idea that everyone aspires to do or achieve something that makes them feel the sense of freedom. However, as this is different for everyone Rebecca has had to ensure she gives a wide and diverse range of looks within her collection in order to reflect the wide and diverse perceptions of freedom many individuals have. Underpinned by her own opinion and translation to her concept the final piece comes to full fruition. This collection was inspired by the idea that this would be the last time in the near future that she would have complete creative freedom within the comfort of education. With Rebecca’s keen eye for interpreting concepts and emotions through fashion design it makes her particularly fond of the developmental process. For Rebecca Anne ‘Freedom of Flight’ was based upon the idea that reaching and achieving goals is freeing and being given the opportunity to do so is the ultimate freedom. The emotions created by achieving something extraordinary are in her opinion... (see under image right)
FUTURE Rebecca Anne plans to continue being a dedicated fashion design/pattern cutter. Currently starting up her own clothing line ‘Rebecca Anne’ continues creating bespoke pieces for clients whilst working with other artists to bring exciting new collaborations. Rebecca is also rising like a Phoenix, gracefully vibrant and strong within the fashion and retail industry. Coupled with a keen quality eye for business and trend forecasting Equal Fashion magazine believes this will catapult her personal brand into a bright and colourful stratosphere of her own to enjoy while gliding alongside new creative plateaus.
CONTACT DETAILS Rebeccaannefashion@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER/MODEL/LOCATION Photographer: Colleen Jones Photography Location: Fly Blackpool, Helicentre Hangar, Blackpool airport Model: Ella Storey Jackson
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“The same as those felt when flying. I have tried to achieve a collection that transforms with movement, translating all elements of the aesthetics of flying materials such as parachutes, harness, rope, birds etc coupled with the emotional/ mental element of freedom through the pattern cutting and use of textures, drape, restriction, folds and colour“. 7
KARL BOWE Karl Bowe is the current Mr. Ireland and was announced in May of last year. 2 weeks after he won the title he went on to represent Ireland at the 2014 Mr. World competition in Torquay, England were he finished 11th in the World. Since then Karl has went on to become an ambassador for young children who are on the receiving end of bullying. Karl knows this from experience as he himself was bullied as a child so he decided to do public speaking around schools nationwide to let people know that just by talking to others is half the battle. Past studies several years ago include a Performing Arts course for acting in Dublin which lent itself well in Karl’s favour as he featured in a lot of their local productions that were theatre based. Subsequently TV work followed with Karl featuring in shows such as ‘Penny Dreadful’ starring Josh Hartnett, TV3’s ‘Red Rock’ as Shane O’Connor who was an estate agent and RTE’s ‘The Centre’ as Mustafa who was a Turkish Character. Mr Ireland Karl Bowe also appeared on a hidden camera show as a Cristiano Ronaldo impersonator which starred Katherine Lynch. Singing in a vocal harmony group called Element Karl auditioned for X-Factor on three consecutive occasions from 2010-2012. In 2012 it was third time lucky as Karl and his crew got down to the last 10 of the groups in Boot-camp and narrowly missed out on a place in Judges Houses. Karl Presents also and has hosted a variety of different events and shows. See more >
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CATHERINE GIBSON FEMALE MODEL Catherine is 19 years old and currently finished her A levels this year. Catherine has a very bubbly and outgoing personality who loves to hang out with her friends and spending time with her family, taking long walks and listening to music as it helps her relax. Catherine likes to think she’s a photogenic person but is of the opinion she still has a long way to go and has more new things to learn about the modeling industry as it is something she’s wanted to be involved in since she was little. Currently Catherine mainly does beauty shoots as she can’t do any runway or high end because of her height but thinks she is more suited to do beauty shoots as she does enjoy it and feels more comfortable even though she is open to do anything. Once you get to know Catherine you will see she has a great personality, Shy at first, very trustworthy, bubbly, caring and is a hardworking person. When it comes down to her shoots she want to have the best images as possible for her portfolio. Catherine wants to succeed and strive in life and accomplish new things. Just your average teenage girl trying to make her dreams become reality. Catherine wants to have a good time and enjoy herself and meet new people along the way. She is also super elegant in classic looks, but can also rock a teen vibe too. Her hair is naturally straight but is lovely when curly and styled. She always tries her very best at what she does, Catherine thinks moving forward is always the key to succeeding in what one wants to do in life. For her it’s modeling and she just hopes to keep getting better and progress more in the future.
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MICHELLE ANDERSON Makeup artistry was never something Michelle was ever really interested in growing up, not that she didn’t find it interesting but more because she hadn’t much knowledge of it and didn’t realise you could make a career from it. Viewing it as fun and expressional as a child, some of Michelle’s fondest memories stem from raiding her mothers makeup bag musing “I cant be sure the feeling was mutual”. Having a keen interest in Art, Music and Science in secondary school of which still interests her today it makes up a huge part of who Michelle is today. Somewhere around the age of fifteen Michelle started to develop a love for fashion. Balenciaga being a massive influence, Michelle simply fell in love. Growing deeper into this new world Michelle became aware of everything that surrounded it. It wasn’t just about the clothes now, “It was everything” she says. “John Gallino brought me to a new level, I now focused on the face and creating characters for scenes only magic could tell a story”. Now she wanted to tell her own story, but how? “I hadn’t a clue”. Michelle was now in fifth year, being advised to be a nurse or join the guards every time she sought career advice. “Internet? Ha! no such thing”. Michelle’s dreams of creating moving art were put on a high shelf as she had to focus on just passing her exams, but, that’s not to say it was easily forgotten. Being interviewed for entry into different private beauty colleges, Michelle spoke excitedly about fashion and runways, creating beauty and setting trends. They all gave her polite smirks across the table and told her not so bluntly that they would take her fathers money and skill her up like no other college could. But they weren’t listening to her. Attending the last college on Michelle’s list, a college of further education with the creative candle still burning brightly within her Michelle spoke like she always had in her past interviews except this time someone listened and she got referred to 12
a course that gave her goose bumps when she’d heard its title; Fashion, Theatre and Media Makeup. That was 8 years ago! Graduating after two years and working her fingers to the bone knowing what she wanted and doing everything she could to achieve it. Getting in contact with the big names in fashion and constantly hounding them for experience. Michelle wanted to be published in all aspects of makeup so subsequently got her work into many different types of publications nationally and internationally which brought her name to a much wider audience, which is never easy for a country girl. Most of Michelle’s work isn’t for the faint hearted, It has been criticised more than complimented at times for it’s out of the box and forward thinking creative style and it’s grown a second skin because of it. Michelle says... “There is a lot more depth behind criticism than there is a compliment. Its honest, I like that but you must stand up for your reality and what you believe in. Keep working on your vision and believe. I wont lie, there are days I ask myself what am I doing, will I make a living from this and where is it going? But It makes me happy, it brings a new path to the world and inspires people. It baffles us, makes us question, makes us think.” People have described her work as being quite dark, Gothic and eerie with some magic. Michelle would totally agree and says “It always ends up being that way even if its not the original plan”.
We at Equal Fashion Magazine are very fond of Michelle’s work. Pure Art on Skin instead of canvas is Inspirational thought provoking and breaking the boundaries of conventional Makeup, Amazing Body Art can make you feel like your ascending to an individually unique Plateau. It’s amazing to both wear and witness. Here are some more of Michelle’s own words and thoughts below which we at Equal find Equally nourishing to read. ...”My soul belongs to a place I don’t live or breathe in and my hands make it a reality. Sometimes I just stand back and shake my head in amusement. Some colours clash, some projects don’t have a clear beginning, middle or end. Life is about taking the challenges and making the best out of the situation without knowing what’s going to happen next but pushing yourself beyond your limits at the same time. Beautiful ambiguity”. “Being a makeup artist has given me so much joy both in my professional career and my personal life. I have experienced and worked at some amazing events and have met incredible people. People who admire you for sticking to your guns and people who have unknowingly been the reason behind it all”. “I talk to inspiring people every day because I chose to take inspiration from them. They don’t have to be famous or have to have twenty years experience. They could be living under the same roof as you and you might not even know it”. Colour Splash Photographer: Suzy McCanny Model: Meave Foley
aley er: Nigel He d Photograph mpbell-Lloy Ca iel er M Model:
Photogra ph Model: M er: Nigel Heale y eriel Cam pbell-Llo yd
“People constantly ask me where I get inspiration from and my answer never changes, I’m inspired by life and living, keeping an open mind and keeping a keen interest in other artists and art forms but most of all being as positive as I can be about everything no matter how hard or challenging, that’s where the real energy comes from and from there I throw it straight into my work”. “One of the greatest things I have learned as an artist is to listen and above all open my eyes. Life is art. Art is life”. “Changing the way people see the world through different art forms is simply beautiful, to be acknowledged for it and to be able to create something made from your own thoughts and vision is something I cant quite explain yet... but who needs an explanation?”.
White Destinations Photographer: Suzy Mc Canny Model: Meriel Campbell-Lloyd
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MICHELLE ANDERSON
Above: Photographer: Suzy McCanny Model: Caoimhe Touhy 1. Photographer: Steve Burke Model: Emma-Jane Hughes Hair & Makeup: Lauren Malone Stylist: Alexandra Godfrey 2. Photographer: Steve Burke Model: Chelsea O’Connor 3. Photographer: Steve Burke Model: Sarah Burns
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CLAIRE GARVEY Claire Garvey is finishing a new jacket for Nile Rodgers based on psychedelic colours and they met at the Ivy Gardens in July to fit him. Claire has also just done two new outfits for the girls from Chic, Kimberly Davis and Folami Summer Fever also based on psychedelic pop art. Recently finished working with German performer and model Ophelia Overdose on two shoots in Germany for German publication. The first shoot is based on Romantic Bohemian style and the second is psychedelic pop art. Claire muses “I think I am designing a lot of psychedelic pieces at the moment to counteract the grey weather in Dublin“. In July also Claire Garvey designed a number of outfits for Eimear Noone who is a world re-owned conductor
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based in America, for the biggest gaming convention in the World. This convention will take place in Cologne and Claire says “ I’m looking forward to creating a new quirky look for her. It’s the first time I have designed for a conductor for such a big performance and I’m looking forward to the challenge“. On the 1st of August Claire Garvey a showing her collection was viewed at a VIP fashion show in Boteco Brazil on Lwr Ormond Quay, organised by Alan McGarry. With delight Claire is looking forward to being a judge at Dublin Fashion Week’s cradle young designer show along with artist Jim Fitzpatrick and Dublin fashion week organiser. As we speak Claire is in the middle of designing outfits for the Irish hairdressing team, Team Ireland, for the International hairdressing awards in Korea.
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RICHARD LYNCH 18
HAIRDRESSER & BARBER The start of Richards journey in the Hairdressing/Barbering industry all started when he enrolled at the North West Regional College for a part time NVQ level 2 Barbering course in 2013. During this time Richard entered the In house competition at the college where he came 2nd place and went forward to the Cross College competition, which led on to the All-Ireland Hairdressing Championships 2013 held in the Hilton hotel in Belfast entering two models into this competition were he coloured, cut and styled the hair. In September 2014, Richard enrolled into Level 3 Barbering and Level 2 Accelerated Hairdressing programmes. Competing again at another In House College Competition where he came 1st and took part in “STEAM PUNK” photo shoot and promotional video for level 3 Fashion show in the College. In the cross campus regional competition Richard took 1st place in the Level 2 hair up competition.
Richard says “ Being a Hairdresser and Barber has opened up a wide range of opportunities for him. Steaming ahead to compete in the European Championships in Paris in September 2015 with the Northern Ireland team. In September 2015 Richard will continue his studies and train in Level 3 Ladies Hairdressing and Level 3 fashion & Photographic Makeup with the college. Richard says “ It is my intention to compete in the Northern Ireland Hairdressing Championships in November 2015. It is my ambition to compete with the Northern Ireland team in Korea Hairdressing world cup 2016. Hairdressing & Barbering is my passion. I am living the dream!!!.” More recently in May 2015 Richard took first prize in the Fantasy section at the Northern Ireland Hairdressing Awards NIHA. Here are a few images of Richards excellent work and Flamboyant Fantasy Finished piece from this event.
Photography: Shelley Rodgers Model: Hugh Glass – Grey Suit and Bow Tie. Model: Graham Lynch – Fantasy Piece. Model: Bryan Mc Laughlin – Black Suit and Blonde Hair. MUA & Hair: Richard Lynch
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LSH PROMOTIONS & MODELLING
Profile Picture: Lauryn Sarah Hall
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‘LSH [ Lauryn Sarah Hall ] Promotions and Modeling‘ has been running for close to two years, and what a successful two years it has been! They started like many other small amateur agencies and are now proud to say they have blossomed substantially in a short period of time, Including covering some very high profile events and working with high end clients. The agency was started to help fund Akita Rescue NI a local animal charity also founded by Lauryn hall. They truly believe their models should have hearts as beautiful as their faces. Unlike a lot of agencies they have no limitations and proudly represent petite, plus size, alternative, fitness models as well as fashion and commercial models. LSH enjoy their continued work with local established designer ‘ Nor Lisa Fashion ‘ who provides garments for shoots/ shows as well as back stage management and styling with LSH exclusive events. Other clients include Diageo, Ikea, Suzuki, Metzeler, Carole Nash insurance, Drag Race Ireland and of course their favourite Road Racing Ireland where they were honoured to provide the first models to grace its front cover.
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LSH Promotions & Modelling
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LSH are very much looking forward to future collaboration’s with “Equal Fashion Magazine” and “Project 96“ Events.
CONTACT DETAILS LSH models are available for bookings including Fashion shows, editorials, commercial shoots, Extras work promotions etc. Please check out their website for more model and campaign images. lshpromotionsandmodelling@gmail.com
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TARA TENNYSON MAKEUP ARTIST Don’t worry Kim fans it’s not gone forever. The industry has just tweaked it. How it has changed gives a healthy look to the skin and involves less product. So what’s different? Well it’s about sculpting the face with powders and highlighting with cream highlighters. The emphasis is on creating definition and glow. There is still the need to conceal under the eyes to brighten the area. The biggest trend right now is youthful, dewy, fresh skin. But you can still sculpt your face and make it look effortless. Choosing the right products and being able to blend powders is a must. Take your time to learn what best suits your face shape. Not everyone suits full on sculpt and might only need a little shading. Highlights are created by soft cream pearl type blush. But there are beautiful highlight powders on the market. Below are some products that will help you create the ultimate sculpt with a glowing complexion.
Sculpting Powders: 1. MAC Studio Sculpting powders £22 – Online with MAC 2. Kevyn Aucoin The sculpting Powder £34 – Space NK 3. Daniel Sandler Cosmetics Defining Powder £24.50 – House of Fraser Highlighting: 1. High Beam by Benefit £19.50 – Debenhams 2. Soft and Gentle by MAC £23 – Debenhams 3. Undress Your Skin powder by MUA £4.99 – Superdrug The new trend for 2015 is Strobing. So what is Strobing? Don’t worry it’s not as technical as it seems. It’s all about creating light and illusion on your face. Cream products are best and less product build up is better. To see tutorials on Strobing check out the YouTube link below. Wayne Goss is one of the top Makeup Gurus online and gives simple step by step tutorials on any trend or makeup look. Tara Tennyson
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TRAVIS YOUNG MODEL
Travis Young, born and raised in Belfast, a 19 year old Aspiring Model and Fashion enthusiast is making his way up the ranks in the industry. As a child he grew up wanting to become a world renowned underwear or fashion model, seeing pictures of Marcus Schenkenberg, David Beckham and David Gandy made him think ‘Damn I wanna do that for a living ‘ always telling my parents the ideas I had for adverts and photo-shoots, But my main lifetime achievement is and to hopefully one day become the face of the iconic brand HUGO BOSS. Through his teenage years Travis always had a nice look and a pleasant personality and was very much into his music. Being raised by a mum with an amazing voice and a history of singing and performing in bands she had Michael Jackson and George Michael songs played round the clock from he was at least 4-5 years old but he still always had his dreams and aspiration set on modeling, and now Travis says “ I’ve picked up the chance to work with the great people at Equal Fashion magazine, I’m so excited to get started“. Well Travis we at Equal Fashion Magazine are more than delighted to help you along the way and may your dreams and aspirations all come true. Good Luck “Young” Man! Photography: Shelley Rodgers
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VERONIKA BYRNE HAIR STYLIST EDITORIAL Freelance hairstylist Veronika Byrne has been passionate about hairstyling for more than 20 years. She strives to give her models and clients the most impressive look possible which both captivates the imagination and compliments their individuality. Veronika regularly takes part in commercial photo-shoots, fashion shows, wedding fairs, and artistic fashion projects. Veronika’s work has been described as “exceptionally talented” and “visionary”, and has appeared on the inside and the cover of many magazines. Veronika’s friendly and cosy salon is based near Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. Veronika loves to work on a one-on-one basis with her clients in order to give 100% attention to her work and to perform at her best. In 2014, Veronika noticed a need in the market for vintage hairstyling for weddings. Since Veronika is one of the rare stylists who can provide the coveted vintage look, she decided to launch her new project called ‘Wedding Hair Expert’. This exciting new service provides unique hairstyling for bridal parties, individually suited to each client’s needs. As well as specialising in vintage hairstyles, Veronika also provides classic, modern, alternative and traditional styles too. Wedding Hair Expert also provides a convenient nationwide service, and can even be booked for weddings abroad! Veronika’s mobile hairstyling service can travel to a bride’s venue of choice and stay as long as necessary to ensure the bride’s hair looks superb on her big day. For more information, regular updates, and lots of super hairstyle images, please find Wedding Hair Expert and Veronika Byrne on Facebook also on:
CONTACT DETAILS 087 3511087 (00353 873511087) info@weddinghairexpert.com
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EMMETTE DILLON MODEL Emmette Dillon a 27 year old Male Model from Derry. Modeling has enabled Emmette to work with some incredible clients e.g. John Rocha, Remus Uno, House of Fraizer. Modeling has opened up many doors such as acting/ presenting, PR etc. Emmette says “More importantly I have made some life long friends and it has enabled me to develop a very thick skin and a sense of fearlessness. My greatest achievement to date has been creating the #BeBraveBeBodyAwareBeCancerFree campaign”. Her is the story of Emmette Dillon’s beautiful mother Annmarie McFadden and their campaign.
the next 6/7 years my mum underwent gruelling chemotherapy / radiotherapy/ mastectomy in the hope of containing the disease as it continued to spread throughout her body. Never one to give up my mum finished her social work degree (returning to placement two weeks after surgery), swam with dolphins, brought her wedding forward and planned it in 3 weeks and began writing her autobiography. My mum even flew to Brazil on three occasions to seek help from spiritual healer John of God (Oprah has traveled to see this man). I honestly believe my mum’s positive attitude/determination helped her to fight massively. Even during her own struggle she campaigned to the protect the rights of cancer patients and their families.
Sadly my mum lost her battle with cancer at 3.55am on the 20th of February 2014. Losing not only a mum, a best friend and your greatest source of inspiration was “Basically my mum Annemarie McFadden heart wrenching but we were so proud of felt generally run down over a period of a what she had achieved, her body simply few months, then her arm began to swell gave up. My mum made me promise to quite a lot to the point it was painful. Given spread her message of hope, hence the the fact that she was 39 she didn’t think #BeBraveBeBodyAwareBeCancerFree much of it she went to her GP in June campaign was born. 2009. Thank god her GP was very sharp The first step was an implied nudity and suspected breast cancer due to the calender to highlight the need for people lymphatic swelling of my mums arm. My to be familiar with their bodies, helping to mum attended our local hospital, had spot the early signs of cancer and prevent initial tests (surface biopsy/mammogram) diagnosis if possible. This calender was which indicated my mum had breast released in aid of the Foyle Hospice / cancer. However because my mum wasn’t Macmillan Cancer care. old enough by the NHS criteria (50+) to have breast cancer she didn’t qualify for We soon realised that similar situations the full remit of tests that would give a full were young people were needlessly dying prognosis/ determine the treatment plan. due to age related cancer screening criteria in the south of Ireland too. We My mum was given two options: pay privately and be seen the next day/ or wait knew that we had to develop a cross border imitative. Then one night I couldn’t up to 12 weeks to have the tests on the sleep for thinking about my mum and the NHS. This was frankly disgusting as my things I would love to ask her. mum already knew she had cancer, the mental torture of enduring a 12 week wait So at 2.30am I would begin to write would of been unbearable. So I paid for my thoughts down into my phone. I her to have the tests privately the next day. immediately thought that they would work as song lyrics so I TXT them to my friend This showed that the cancer was stage Dylan Reid (formerly of Syngstreet managed 4 and the treatment would be palliative by Stewart O Connor/Linda Martin). (to prolong/promote quality of life) over
Thankfully Dylan liked the lyrics and came round the next day and the melody was complete in under two hours. Irish singer/ songwriter Paul Casey kindly produced the track free of charge. Lowden Guitars kindly loaned us Gary Lightbody ‘ s guitar to record the track with. We released the track ‘walk with me’ in aid of the Marie Keating foundation / Foyle Hospice at 3.55am on the 20th of February 2015 (the exact moment of my mums first anniversary). Organisations such as the Marie Keating foundation/Foyle Hospice/Macmillan all bridge the gap between limited resources and an ever increasing level of demand. Unfortunately politicians on both sides of the border have been guilty of failing to respond to the true human cost of cancer. The whole onus of this campaign is to reduce cancer screening ages, encouraging people to be body aware, encourage the government to adopt a proactive opposed to reactive approach to cancer services. Cancer patients are among the most vulnerable members of society and often live in poverty/ experience varying degrees of social exclusion. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated. The single “Walk with me” by Dylan Reid is available you buy now via iTunes / GooglePlay / Spotify / Amazon and all leading online retailers. Dylan plays Andre in the West End touring production of ‘ Once ‘ which opens in the Olympia Theatre on the 4th of July. We have just began production on the 2016 legendary calender which will support multiple Irish charities. Any models or cancer survivors, corporate sponsors that would like to be involved feel free to contact me. Kind regards, Emmette Dillon.
CONTACT DETAILS Phone: 07595171814 (+447595171814) emmeydillon@hotmail.com
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Listen to the charity single
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Jana Klappert
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DAVID HENDERSON INVERSE COUTURE FASHION DESIGNER Designed and created by Lisburn based fashion designer David Henderson. This new and exciting brand, takes David Henderson ‘s already established and unique designs in a new direction. With over 4 exciting years in the fashion industry, David is proud to launch Inverse Couture. This is a brand that focuses on exquisite attention to detail, precision and fit. By sculpting fabric around the body, David tailors each dress to perfection, giving the wearer a sophisticated but edgy look. David has always been a designer that specialises in sculpting these unusual shapes and forms, utilising his textile design background to create each bespoke piece, but he likes to think outside the box, designing organic and structural dresses unique to his own style. Inverse Couture has a diverse selection of pieces, from the complex fabric manipulations to the sleek stylish evening wear garments, perfect for all those special occasions. David’s wide array of designs vary from the Avant Garde to High fashion, both made to the highest standard and his attention to detail that he is renowned for.
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Over the past four years David has grown from strength to strength, evolving his style and designs with every season, each garment he makes can be made to measure and fitted by David personally, and he will work to any design brief, size or style whilst adding in his own personal touch. With these stylish looks created bespoke to each client Inverse couture is a brand that will turn heads for all the right reasons, make a statement and Wear Inverse Couture. To contact David, please visit his Facebook pages:
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GEMMA CROSSAN HAIRDRESSER
Since 2012 Gemma Crossan has been making a name for herself nationally and internationally on the hairdressing circuit. Gemma has proudly represented Ireland since 2012 in Milan, Russia and Frankfurt at the World Hair Dressing Championships ushering Gemma’s talents to go from strength to strength. Successfully bringing home a Team Ireland Medal from Moscow 2013 for Up-styling Gemma will be testing her talents again representing Ireland in the Korea 2016 Upstyling event. Nationally, Gemma was delighted to enter with her stylist Katinka the Irish Hairdressing Championship and Belfast Championship recently. At the Irish Hairdressing Championships in March, Gemma received 2nd in Up-styling, 4th in Bridal, a top ten place in Fantasy, with her stylist Katinka receiving a 3rd place in Bridal. In the Belfast Hairdressing Championship, Gemma received 2nd Overall Irish Hairdresser of the Year, 1st in Bridal Hair, 1st in Up-styling, 3rd in Creative Day Style and 4th All Ireland Colour Trophy with Katinka receiving a 3rd in Bridal Hair. Gemma and her team have had continued success locally and nationally winning Sligo’s No 1 Bridal Hair Stylist and in 2013 NIHA All Ireland Hairdresser of the Year. Gemma Crossan originally from Collooney, County Sligo took the brave move in 2009 to open Hot Head Hair Salon at the age of 23 in Riverstown. As Gemma loyal base of clients and her highly trained staff grew, in October 2013 the decision was made to open her second salon in Ballymote Gemma Crossan Hair. Hairdressing since the age of 16 and growing up seeing the family business
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Crossan Hair and Beauty Cosmetics thrive since 1976, Gemma has always had ambitions to be her own boss. With her two successful salons now open over 6 years and 18 months respectively and looking forward to competing in Korea 2016 the future looks very bright for Gemma and her talented team of stylists. We at Equal Fashion Magazine wish them every Success for the future. Gemma Crossan Hot Head Hair Salon Main Street, Riverstown, County Sligo Phone: (071) 912 7250 Gemma Crossan Hair Telling Street, Ballymote, County Sligo Phone: (071) 919 7566 Mobile: (086) 246 5336 See more >
HOUSE OF MAIYA House of Maiya is the fashion brand of young 12 year old designer Maiya. A young designer who is already making a name for herself on the Irish Fashion Scene. Beginning her designing career at age ten, she is making quite and impact on the fashion world, both nationally and internationally. Winner of little kingdom 2013, World finalist in Face of the Globe, 2013, Face of Afro Fashion 2014, Winner of African Fashion Designer Ireland 2014. Photographer: Taz Smith Makeup Artist: Jo White Hair: Caoimhe Farrell
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One of Maiya’s very first designs is for the” Face of Fashion”
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Photography: Gerry Mc Carthy & Taz Smith
Here we have images from House of Maiya designs at the DIT SHOW. Maiya was the youngest ever designer to showcase in it.
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Piyanuch Chanphe 36
PIYANUCH CHANPHET Model Piyanuch Chanphet (Piya) is a freelance model based in Ireland. Piya works in the following genres: Art, Body-paint, Editorial, Fashion, Glamour, Hair/Makeup, Lifestyle, Lingerie, Parts Modelling, Promotional Modeling, Runway, Stunt, Swim-wear, Underwater. Piya has worked as a promotional model for many clients around the world including, Tiger Beer, DTAC Mobile, Top Gear, Blueface, MCN and Carl Nash to name a few. I have also worked on other projects with Google and Activision. Originally from Thailand Piya now lives in Dublin Ireland and has been modeling for 5 years, loves to meet interesting makeup artists, designers and photographers. Recently, Piya has done some photo editorial work for Life magazine and also Piya regularly features in FHM Asian and Europe editions. Piya enjoy working with creative people and have worked closely with many designers including Claire Garvey from Dublin.
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Interested in most aspects of modeling and fashion Piya gives 100% both in preparation and also during the shoot and states “I am very professional, always on time and easy to work with”. Piya also says “I love to work with ambitious photographers / MUA’s / designers / stylists as part of a team to create amazing and thought provoking photographs for clients , I don’t work topless or nude so please don’t ask. I will consider implied nude if I have previously worked with the photographer and the required shot is tasteful”. 37
Piyanuch Chanphe
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VINKO KALCIC Cartoonist view of the seriously funny side of life and people.
From his earliest schooldays, Art was Vinko’s favourite subject; high grades came naturally and he soon began dabbling with caricatures, inspired by comics and Disney cartoons. After graduating in Fine Art, he exhibited his paintings in galleries across Europe with success in Rome, Milan, Turin, Como, Venice, Udine, Trieste, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Geneva etc. having a number of solo exhibitions and winning awards for his work along the way. While living in N. Ireland, he became captivated by the scenery. Initially focusing on landscapes and later on people and animal portraits, he exhibited in group and solo exhibitions in Belfast, Newtownards, Lisburn, Newry, Newcastle, Bangor and Carlingford. Observing life in the province and enjoying “craic” with the locals inspired him to draw cartoons of popular characters from TV, film, sport, religion and politics. Encouraged by family, he began to submit his work and had cartoons picked up by some notable publishers including the Belfast Telegraph, Sunday Independent, Northern Woman, Woman’s Way, In Dublin, Sunday Times, Irish News, Banbridge Chronicle, Newry Reporter etc. With this exposure and growing popularity many well-known faces commissioned Vinko to create their own unique works of art.
SO, WHAT HAVE BEEN VINKO’S BEST MOMENTS? “Firstly, taking part in ‘Leading Portrait and Caricature Artists’ exhibition in Malone Art Gallery in Belfast alongside one of Ireland’s greatest artist – the legendary Rowel Friers. Soon afterwards, the Belfast Telegraph wrote an article about Rowel and his work as a leading cartoonist over 40 years in N. Ireland and I did his caricature. He liked the caricature so much that invited me to his home in Holywood. Next thing, I was sitting with Rowel in his living room having tea and biscuits and chatting away. We had a very friendly conversation about art and
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life. What a great man and extraordinary artist he was. “I was also particularly delighted when the BBC approached me and requested a caricature of their radio and TV star Gerry Anderson for the popular television program Anderson on the Road which was subsequently used in promotional material. One of the highest points in my career as a cartoonist was when working for Sunday Independent (best-selling newspaper in Ireland). Privileged to illustrate Eilis O’Hanlon weekly column ‘O HANLON’S CORNER’. Eilis is one of the most talented columnists. Her columns often appeared in The Guardian (London). “Another amazing highlight was when I showed my caricature to Olympic Champion Michelle Smith (three gold medals and one silver in swimming). Her laughter and her smile were as precious as her signature on my work! It is these reactions that make my career as a cartoonist so rewarding.”
Gerry Anderson
Bono
Bob Geldof
Michelle Smith
Rowel Friers
Colum Sands
Anne Hailes
Vinko Kalcic
See more of Vinko’s illustration work
You can see more of Vinko’s illustration work on: www.vinko-illustrations.com And other work on: www.vinko.co.uk www.vinko-photography.co.uk See more >
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MANDY TSUNG Artist Mandy’s work revolves around the female figure. Having grown up surrounded by literature, magazines, and comics that depicted captivating women. Mandy’s impulses are to both emulate and subvert the imagery that informs her view of what it is to be a woman. This picture is made complex and contradictory by the fact that she is of mixed ethnic descent. The characters in her paintings are meant to be emotive; to communicate the depths of human experience through gestures and expressions. Mandy Tsung was born in Banff, Canada, but spent her formative years in Calgary and Hong Kong. After completing a BFA in Sculpture at The Alberta College of Art and Design in 2007 Mandy then moved to Vancouver where she now paints full-time. Mandy has exhibited in numerous galleries in North America, Germany, and Australia. Her Paintings as you can see are very beautiful indeed.
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LILIA MILPETROVA Artist Lilia Milpetrova – the creator of The Nose – is an artist with a simple vision: to have her creations and her story inspire others to find inner harmony.
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The name stems from Lilia’s awkwardness in her bumpy nose during her teenage years. She is more than familiar with selfesteem issues: she suffered from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Growing up in an era where a “bumped” nose is often considered an imperfection, or even more drastically a defect, she has taken her pain from this negativity and channeled it into a fashion accessories line aimed at women who like and want “themselves”, women who don’t accept the stereotypes. The development of this designer line has not only allowed Lilia to enhance her own selfimage, but provided a way for all women to express their beauty through creativity and celebration of both our faults and our beauties, and the blurred line between the two. Lilia’s ability to turn “imperfection” into fashion is a trademark that appeals to all women, especially those who suffer from BBD and other self-image issues.
As Lilia says “I grew up and realised: it just makes me happy, because I’ve reached the point of being in harmony with my body. My nose- I learned not only to accept it but to love it. I realised it’s my most expressive attribute. It makes me the individual that I am and that I want to be`. When we feel good in one area of your self-identity, it often trickles down to other areas of our life. A trendy outfit enhanced with self – confidence can help dreams come true. Boost your attractiveness with a healthy lifestyle, positivity and an aura of “I’m happy because I have reached the point where I’m happy with my body” That is the concept of The Nose.
As Lilia says, humans have always had an element of beauty worship integral to our society. The significant difference in recent years is the coupling of beauty products with big business. Ethics, realities and naturally formed ideas are pushed aside to encourage the impossible objective: to look just like the stereotypical images the media feeds us. Did the beauty industry create self-doubt, or vice-versa? Lilia Milpetrova points out that what is considered “beautiful” or “pretty” isn’t the norm- it’s a rarity! Considering the fact that BDD typically starts when people are most insecure, usually in their teens, it’s not difficult to see why they are such easy targets. No society is free of unreal expectations of what is `pretty`: skin tanning, nose jobs, breast jobs and extreme plastic surgery has almost become the norm. The Nose is both geared towards bringing out the best of what we have – our natural, beautiful self, and allowing it to shine.
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Graeme McAllister has always been particularly inspired by the surrealist movement and fantasy art from a young age. “These artworks fascinated me as I found they had an emotional depth that was missing from more traditional approaches to art such as landscapes and portraiture. The impossible landscapes and strange figures of the surrealist movement spoke to my imagination and imagination after all is the window that we view the ‘ real world ‘ through“. As a student Graeme specialised in IT and systems development, it was then that he discovered digital imaging and was immediately fascinated by the flexibility of tools such as Photoshop and 3D Studio Max.
GRAEME MCALLISTER Artist
Graeme’s visual poetry takes these ideas a stage further giving the written pieces and imagery more depth and power then they could achieve in isolation, this has now become my main method of working. Graeme says “I often create lyrics and visual ideas at the same time to create a finished piece that is more than the sum of its parts”.
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Spoken Words gathered, grown, lie in bundles, Gardener’s gifts or scientist’s samples? Carried gently past expectant faces, Strive to flee parental pages. The space vibrates with reinvention, A realisation of an Escher etching. Walls scramble, trembling, fleeing, Between twin mirrors; reflections repeating. The mic, Medusa, hisses, wriggles, Mesh woven into shaman sigils. Merge with double helix strands To call out the sleeping sounds. A voice meanders through my disassociation Releasing syllables in a rocket’s reign. The Countless days, through which they’ve slept, Now ended in a mayfly moment. 46
Lough and Key Some mornings as I pass the lake, I forget to let it touch my mind. Eyes clutch the colour, the shape, But awareness spins, then slides. Nymphs dance in the swirling mists, Orchids stir, straining in synaptic beds Amid the briars of tasks and lists. Pause to bloom or race ahead?
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Coloured Mirrors
Graeme McAllister
The millions march in ordered step, Beneath the gloom of charcoal skies. They’re buds upon a concrete carpet, The coloured mirrors of the mind.
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A slinking shoot that cracks it’s seed, To forge it’s fruit across the skies. A tapestry flowing from the thread. The coloured mirrors of the mind. A touch to make the planets tremble, Strokes the spheres above the skies. Given voice like struck cymbals. The coloured mirrors of the mind.
Photography
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ART SCHUMANN Click to view facebook
Art Schumann has always been interested in images, always had an itch to capture something in people that makes them unique, or different, describing some of what he does as creative portraiture.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Art fondly believes Creating images of people that reveal different aspects of their character tells us something about them and their individuality as a person, their identity. Art likes a person to look at oneself and recognise something that is honest and distinctive in them. It can be a gesture or a look, an expression in a moment that tells us something about them. Sometimes Art will take it to another level and focus on being creative, adding props, using makeup, location, lighting, to make it more visually aesthetic also he likes to make the shoot enjoyable, fun even. Art states “I don’t want people to be frightened of the camera. I like to put them at ease, ask questions, and learn about them and who they are. It’s important, not only to be able to get the right shots, but because I want it to be a shared experience between us, a way in which we can learn from each other and create something interesting”.
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Model: Charlotte Sullivan Stylist/makeup: Fruzsi Czech
Model: Holley Alice Stylist/makeup: Fruzsi Czech
Model: Daniel McMullan
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SCOTT CHURCH Scott Church is a world renowned, internationally published, award winning fine art erotic portrait photographer. His work has been featured in dozens of media outlets and publications, including Playboy Magazine and Playboy.com, Penthouse Magazine, VH1, XXL Magazine, Latin Trends Magazine, The Science Channel’s “Odd Folks Home”, Maxim.com, Skin Too, Gothic Beauty, Secret Magazine, Leg Show, Men’s Health, Temptress Magazine, Retro Lovely, and Fine Art PHOTO Magazine, along with many others.
PHOTOGRAPHY
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He has published eight books of his photography which have been sold all around the world. His photography workshops are in London, Dublin, Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Seattle, the Dominican Republic and others have been sell-out events attracting dozens of professional and amateur photographers at every location. Even with all of these accomplishments, Scots day to day work is, by choice, with regular people, not professional models.
He loves finding everyone’s beauty, no matter the subject, and he shows his clients the utmost devotion and respect everyday. He still chooses to base his studio in the same small town he grew up in, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, keeps his prices low to allow everyone to enjoy what he does. Scott truly loves photographing people, and making them feel as perfect and beautiful as he possibly can.
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YVONNE GIVEN
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The Titanic was built by Harland and Wolff, shipbuilders for White Star Line.
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WORLD SONY WINNER
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Perfect Symmetry
NORMAN A QUINN
PHOTOGRAPHY
NORMAN A QUINN WORLD SONY WINNER The high achievement of our featured photographer in the last season edition of Equal Magazine is extraordinary as his image was selected from over 86,000 entries from across the world. The winning images were chosen by a panel of experts from the World Photography Organisation which was chaired by Sam Barzilay, Creative Director of United Photo Industries (US). In both the Open and Youth competitions the judges were looking for the single best shot in each category.
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Each of the Krupp-Ardelt designed cranes can lift loads of up to 840 tons. Harland and Wolff were still one of the world’s great shipbuilders at the time and the building of the two cranes, during a Quinn says: “The two great yellow-painted difficult period for shipbuilding in Belfast, gantry cranes Samson and Goliath have was seen as a sign of faith in the future. become icons of Belfast, dominating not just Queen’s Island but the entire city The image itself was taken during sunrise skyline. Constructed to service the vast on a particularly wet day by lying flat in a new graving dock at Harland and Wolff, puddle as low as possible to the ground. Goliath (the smaller at 315 ft) began work It is a series of images stitched together in in 1969, the 348ft Samson five years later. editing software to create an impressive colourful panoramic.” Norman Quinn, the Open Panoramic category winner, is an Architect who lives in Belfast. His winning image is titled “perfect symmetry”.
Music
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MUSIC
Van Morrison
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Written by Kieran Sherry / Photography by Shelley Rodgers
Its hard to feel Blue when the sunshine is all around you, but at the right festival with the right musicians and the right amount of TLC the blues can make you smile all day long. I’ve experienced this first hand when I witnessed the BBC live radio Broadcast with Ralph McLean followed by an unforgettable performance from the Mighty “Mud Morganfield“ [eldest Son of Muddy Waters Blues legend].
SIR VAN THE MAN MORRISON
DANA MASTERS & LINLEY HAMILTON
With my fourth time witnessing and also playing in the support band to our very own global Phenomenon “Sir Van Morrison (Official) in Warrenpoint Town Hall some kind of dream came true. Van the Man and his flawless band played two back to back intimate gigs that simply took your breath away holding myself and the sell out audience completely captivated in pleasure throughout, from the first note right to the very last.
This festival also brought to us our new Darling bud of May, singer Dana Masters alongside the local and highly popular Trumpeter Linley Hamilton. They achieved what most artists dream of in one song. By the end of the first verse in her opening Ballad and without telling the noisy revellers to “SHUSH” her Beautiful Voice sailed and soared like an elegant albatross through the large ballroom and silenced the bustling mob effortlessly. It’s an amazing experience to witness the pure talent of a trio who’s musical expertise really done the talking while Dana did the singing! An extremely rare sight to behold when your inside the BeerBelly of a gargling Irish pub bursting at it’s seems and foaming at the mouth.
With rapturous applause and euphoric cheers after every song, it felt like being pulled up and perched on some invisible yet tangible Plateau in complete and utter Nirvana. No matter what age you are The Van Morrison Experience will touch your soul and make it glow. Myself and my Partner left this gig feeling so happy, nothing could bring us down, as if we had Transcended in some way. Musical Magic in Motion! Read more >
Alongside the more established Blues Festivals there is a rising surge of sprouting ones on our doorsteps so you wont have to go far to sample the sauce. I hear Holywood Jazz and Blues Festival in North Down Is Particularly Fantastic. 61
MUSIC
The Mighty “Mud MorganField“
Van Morrison
Matthew Benson
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Dana Masters
Linley Hamilton
You do not even have to be a hardcore fan of blues to enjoy the banquet as the experience of being around thousands of people who are is enough to enchant and amaze the most tone deaf, musically inept of people. It really does move the spirit and soul in a powerful way. If the music doesn’t get you to, the positive vibe of its followers and fans will. You simply can’t have a bad weekend unless your out to make it your business to have a bad one. The Blues Festivals brings with them a whole new cultural awakening as we meet good people from all over the world on our street, at the gigs, pubs, shops, coffee houses, cafés, restaurants, chippies, Hotels, B&B’s, Beaches, Parks on the buses and trains. The festival nurtures and conjures up modern day Pen Pals or as we call it nowadays Facebook Friends. We keep in touch even when we’ve parted ways to fly home to America, Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia or wherever it may be, bonded by the glue that is blue. For a short period of time it feels like your in the middle of a crossroads where all the good people meet and share a wonderful experience with each other. Albeit too brief an encounter it is just like Japans and China’s Cherry Blossom Trees, well worth the annual wait and travel just to see the majesty of it’s fleeting bloom of beauty before its petals fall only to be carried away on the next breeze that JJ Cale blows on down it’s road. They say Variety is the spice of life, I find this particular brand not too hot to handle nor too cold to keep me in bed to stay, just the right amount to bring me out and celebrate in the month of May. With all kinds of wonderful people around us we feel happy, at peace, and as an artist myself I’m fortunate enough to get musically inspired along the way. The good times can be seen and heard in almost all the faces of the people who go to these events. May all kinds of worthy artists and merry revellers be involved in them and may there be many of them in the days to come to welcome in the illuminating parts of the world into our lives. If you haven’t been to a Blues Festival I highly recommend you at least give it a try, after all what’s the worst that can happen. You might like it?
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MUD MORGANFIELD The Mighty Mud Morganfield delighted a large audience with a spell-bounding emotionally charged highly expressive night of deep, soulful and passionate singing. He and his Brilliant Band had the floor filled with enthusiastic blissful dancers almost immediately. Truly a night that will be remembered for a very long time. @ Balmoral function room 2015 BBC live broadcast with Ralph Mclean Read more >
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MUSIC
DANA MASTERS Without telling an excited and buzzing chatty crowd of hundreds to be quiet, Dana Masters Music automatically with ease brought the bustling masses to full attention mesmerized. When the song was over hands clapped hard and proudly enthralled voices roared as happy feet thundered on the wooden floorboards to the delivery of the artist and her bands beautiful music with Linley Hamilton @ International Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival Warrenpoint @ Balmoral function room 2015 BBC live broadcast with Ralph Mclean.
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LINLEY HAMILTON TRUMPETER & BROADCASTER There is undoubtedly a change in the atmosphere when Linley Hamilton is in the room.
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As a Singer songwriter,guitarist and artist who’s familiar but not an expert on the who’s and what’s of brass musicians I’ve often said to my friends when they’ve asked me about him “ this guy Linley Hamilton is some sort of wizard or something, I heard he was good for years now and all he plays is a Trumpet and Fugle Horn so he must have the same gift as the Pied Piper of Hamlin or something”. I first heard Linley live in the Duke Warrenpoint almost 10 years ago it was packed out then and they still all come running whenever and wherever he shows up, whatever it is it works every time you see him with whoever he plays with. When I sat down to listen and watch, I got drawn in immediately further and further, deeper and deeper,subtly, flawlessly, smolderingly calm then he would elevate you when it was time to fly . Linley, Dana and their keyboardist had our heartstrings on tender hooks, threw us up into the sky then with safe assuring hands they let us go as they knew we were ready for flight. Dana’s vocals caught me first, kept me focused and centered, going wherever she went I followed but then Linley’s melody would tug at me like a child on your sleeve, here there and everywhere and yet never once intruding on the singer. It was an amazing feeling to be Dually Dreaming all in the one journey without feeling like I was being overworked or torn in two. When Linley or Dana closed their eyes I closed mine, I felt I was totally inside their musical sphere as if I was invited to the VIP Lounge of Imagination and along with everyone else in the room we bathed in pure song and musical sunshine without even bursting the bubble on the way in. I’d say if Linley Hamilton started to walk off stage and parade around the Town with his Trumpet Trumpeting Triumphantly everybody would surely have followed like little puppy’s or ducklings clambering behind their mothers. The Pied Piper of Jazz Ireland had struck again. At first for this column I thought of only writing up Linley’s achievements and accolades but as impressive as they are and continue to be it feels better for me to tell you what it felt like to be in the presence of close to 1000 people who went dead silent almost instantaneously without being told or prompted to do so and were taken on a musical mind trip for up to 3 minutes long.
In such a short space of time Linley Hamilton painlessly carved a permanent memory of pure happiness and positivity in my brain forever. Now if that ain’t proper music doing what it’s meant to do then I don’t know what is. If these musical gurus were doctors there’d be a lot less stress in the world. An Amazing experience that proves to me how even only a good 3 minute journey in time can become a timeless feeling of goodness forever. Thank you for the music Linley! It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest now when my online research into Linley Hamilton (after witnessing 1 song never-mind a full show) has seen him play with Paul Brady, Van Morrison, Foy Vance, Eleanor McEvoy, Jacqui Dankworth, ASIWYFA, Oppenheimer and Gareth Dunlop. Recordings in the past have seen Linley guest on albums by Oppenheimer, Ronnie Greer, Anthony Toner, And So I Watch You From Afar, David Lyttle, Nigel Mooney, Billy Boy Miskimmin, Cashier No9 and Balmoral Big Band. He has his own radio show on Friday night at 10pm on BBC Radio Ulster... the show called... Linley Hamilton. Linley already has an Album out called Taylor Made and also recorded an album with the McHughs band DANAMEILANA 6 which has had considerable radio play in Ireland as a whole leading to the band opening for Van at the Dunluce Festival , then playing with Van on New Year’s Eve at the Harp Bar Belfast a gig reported to be one nobody could ever forget. I wish I could have been there! He has just recorded an album with his Dublin based Quartet, IN TRANSITION, which was released at the brilliant Corners Festival 26 March 2014. Linley was asked to play with Snow Patrol at a charity fund-raiser for Alzheimer’s at the Limelight on 30 December past...and it was reported to be one hell of a night! With a PHD a 1st Class Masters in Jazz Performance and the celebrated Student Academic Medal on his chest all this well deserved hard work doesn’t show on Linley’s face when he plays, it looks easy, effortless, it’s comfortable to be around and watch. In his Iron Clad Tailored Suit of Musical Armour he looks completely at home with his instrument and skill which in turn made others and myself feel at home relaxed with it also. This is the effect I think Linley Hamilton and the Pied Piper of Hamlin have in common the only difference being.... Linley draws in a huge crowd of people not rodents. THANK GOD KEEP IT UP. CHEERS LINLEY!
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KEITH DORAN TRIO You may call me biased because I played in this band but I don’t care about that as it’s simply not true. To play alongside such an awesomely dedicated, fantastic guitarist and showman like Keith Doran in a blues gig is one of my Proudest and Favourite musical achievements. Why... Because its Raw Rock n Blues Power one minute with everyone going crazy, then a beautiful melodic ballad that soothes your soul in the next and boy can he handle his Axe. On the last night of the Blues Festival in the beautifully decorative and cosey “Ye Old Ship Inn” Keith Doran ripped the last Breath from our Bluesed up n Boozed out Bodies then Booted another Blood Fuelled Classic down our throats to resurrect us from the dead. Executed with pure class, style, passion and precision he makes it look so easy, enjoyable and fun to watch. If your not a guitarist his performance would probably impress you that much you’ll leave thinking “Honey I’m buying a guitar is that OK with you? well tough luck if it’s not coz I’m gettin one!”. With his Teeth Playing and Bar walking Blues, Doran tore apart Hendrix’s Fire while Gallagher’s Kid got bought and sold with Creams of Sunshine as he took on Stevie Ray & Bonamassa’s Brilliance leaving us reeling in awe thinking there is nothing much that this player can’t do. Without a doubt in my mind he fills the huge void left behind by the legendary American Singer Songwriter Shawn Jones who was a constant force for many years here with a big & dedicated following. Shawn was hugely missed this year. A most excellent guitarist, performer and gentleman too who once backed Metallica! But back to the bones of this years action and You name it’n Keith’ l Claim it! After playing support to Van Morrison in such and intimate attentive seated arena which is amazing in it’s own right I couldn’t think of a better way to finish my blues festival experience off than rocking from within the cauldron of the Exceptional and Explosive Performance that Keith Doran Delivers. If you don’t believe me then go and see him for yourself and you’ll truly know I’m not being biased.
Read more >
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I don’t always play with Keith but if an opportunity arises I grab it with both hands and ill be damned if I let it go. Pure entertainment, top class musicianship. With the stealth and brilliant drumming of Tom “The Machine” McAllister and guest appearance from Mark “ThunderHand” Dinsmore on drums also, myself on bass we provided the rock solids Keith Doran’s setlist demands, partnered with a cracking audience of lovely die hard festival goers we all managed to pull that last elusive rabbit out of the hat for Just another Magic Monday!
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MEGAN MCCONNELL Click to play latest tracks Megan McConnell, from Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, moved to London when she was 19 to complete a music degree at The Institute of Contemporary Music (ICMP). Singing from a very young age Megan always knew that singing was what she wanted to do in some shape or form, Megan says “I had no idea how I would do that exactly or what steps to take but studying in London excited me and I haven’t looked back”. Megan’s musical tastes have always been quite varied having listened to the likes of Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Garth Brooks, The Corrs to Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Patsy Cline and Doris Day. Growing up with her mum and dad who always played the old school artists, however at the ICMP they were able to explore a mix of genres including jazz, rock, pop and country etc. It was only after leaving university that Megan pitched herself as a ‘Vintage Vocalist’...Basically meaning that she could sing all songs from the old school era. “I thoroughly enjoy mixing the old with new and was really inspired by ‘Postmodern Jukebox’ to start my own version (Megan & The Bourbon Boys : Bookings through Alive Network) This quintet is taking classic songs or pop songs and arranging them into a swing/vintage style. Alongside this project Megan sings with a 10 piece Swing & Soul band called ‘Down for the Count’ were she has performed at many venues around the UK such as The Hippodrome (Leicester Sq), The Echo Arena (ACC Liverpool) for BMW, NYE at Harvey Nichols (Knightsbridge) & at Virgin HQ.
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Singing as a solo Vintage/Jazz Vocalist, Duo or Trio line up at many corporate events, weddings and private parties bringing a mix of jazz standards & modern songs in a jazzy vibe to fit the requirement of the event. Some of the venues Megan McConnell has performed at include The Arts Club (Mayfair), The Gaucho Club (The O2), One Marylebone, The V&A, The Science Museum, The Natural History Museum, Little House, Park Lane Hotel, The Bloomsbury Ballroom, The Connaught Hotel & Floridita. With a glowing smile that would warm you up in a snowstorm Megan delightfully shared with us “My love for the Vintage sound also fits nicely with my love of the fashion and style that co inside, such as victory rolls & jewelled head turbans, full circle skirts & feminine frills. I love that I get to combine singing with the fabulous fashions, always a great excuse to buy some new outfits! “... Now that just sounds like the best job ever. Listen to more >
www.facebook.com/ EllenDAndradeMakeup?ref=ts&fref=ts Hair & Makeup: Ellen D’Andrade Photographer: Talia White www.facebook.com/ Taliawhitephotography1?pnref=lhc Twitter: @prettymevintage Photographer: Lucy Williams www.facebook.com/ myheartskipped http://www.myheartskipped.co.uk Twitter: @myheartskipped Styling: Azza Hassan www.facebook.com/azza. hassan.376?ref=ts&fref=ts
“Marilyn Look” Ellen D’Andrade Brown Hair & Make-up Artist
Talia White Photographer
Me Vintage) all (Pretty Natascha H Up eak M - Hair & e or m Read
Lucy William
s (My Hear t Skipped) - Photographer Read more -
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SUZANNE SAVAGE Click to play latest tracks This extrovert Irish songwriter, singer and violinist hailing from Belfast, possesses a voice that ‘s been compared to Kate Bush, Björk, Fiona Apple and Camille O ‘Sullivan – but with the smooth burnished tones reminiscent of the Ella Fitzgerald era she is that rare thing: unique. Described as ‘one of Ireland‘s hidden music heroes ‘ (Belfast Telegraph) her CV reads as a Who’s-Who guide to Irish music royalty. She has made music internationally with the likes of Irish music legends Paul Brady, Elenor McEvoy, Van Morrison; cut her teeth touring Europe and U.S. as Soprano Soloist with Riverdance, jazz Greats such as Jimmy Cobb, Ernie Watts Quartet and emerging talent such as David Lyttle (UK) and the Matteo Addabbo Organ Trio (IT). Suzanne has performed at SXSW, UK/NY, Electric Picnic, appeared on TED.com, BBC Northern Ireland, with Paul Brady on RTE’s Imelda May Show and was recently Artist of the Month on Balcony TV.In June 2015 Suzanne appeared on the front cover of The Sunday Times as she performed at Dublin city’s new Canalophonic music festival, and a recent video interview for Bourbon FM received over 25,000 hits. Following months of work at the ZKM studio in Germany, Suzanne has written and produced her first independent album ‘JellyMould’ launched to critical acclaim at the Belfast Festival, Ireland’s biggest Arts Festival. ‘Jellymould’ is influenced by contemporary Irish folk, nu soul, string quartet music and singer-songwriters such as Rufus Read more >
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Wainwright – with a nod to the old school glamour of a by-gone age. Songs full of light and shade are backed by a fierce quartet from Dublin; Dominic Mullan (drums), Johnny Taylor (piano), and Damian Evans (double bass); Suzanne leads from guitar or violin. Now available on Bandcamp, itunes and Reverbnation, `Jellymould` is a showcase for an exciting new voice in Irish music. Since 2004, Suzanne has been co-writing with New Zealand cellist Hugo Smit. The pair met in Italy while both on a music scholarship at FABRICA MUSICA and have been co-writing ever since. Their duo project called ‘Two Versus’ has recently produced an even bigger project; called The Savage Five, its new music for voice and string ensemble. NNO violinist Lianne Van den Berg, violist Rachel Yates and double bassist Sven Otte join the pair on a beautiful, still new album called `Sleepwalking,’ currently being released via Pledgefund. Folks can pre-buy (pledge) an album or more here (theres a video in the pledge-fund link: www.pledgemusic.com/ projects/thesavagefive The Savage Five are based in the Netherlands and have recently signed to CP Records in Germany. Don’t miss the opportunity of seeing this charismatic singer in action as she performs in Europe this summer; in Siena, Italy Aug 2-9th with the Matteo Addabo Organ Trio, and with TwoVersus in Netherlands Aug 21st-26th, more dates tbc.
The SAVAGE FIVE Since 2004, Suzanne has been co-writing with New Zealand cellist Hugo Smit. The pair met in Italy while both on a music scholarship at FABRICA MUSICA and have been co-writing ever since. Their duo project called ‘Two Versus’ has recently produced an even bigger project; called The Savage Five, its new music for voice and string ensemble. NNO violinist Lianne Van den Berg, violaist Rachel Yates and double bassist Sven Otte join the pair on a beautiful, still new album called `Sleepwalking,’ currently being released via Pledgefund.
SUZANNE SAVAGE & PAUL BRADY Photo courtesy of BBC TV Northern Ireland; ‘A still from from live St. Patrick’s Day 2015 in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall concert with Ulster Orchestra & Guests.’
Suzanne Savage Backstage with Paul Brady band April 10th 2015; left to right: Suzanne Savage voice violin percussion; Keith Farrell bass; Paul Brady; Dara Munnis keyboards; Dave Hingerty drums & percussion; Bill Shanley Electric guitar.
Live concert at de Wolkenfabriek “The Savage Five” Photo by Regina Broersma. Savage Five left to right – Lianne Van den Berg (Violin), Rachel Yates (viola); Hugo Smit (cello), Sven Otte (double bass).
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Photo by Bairbre Munnis. Left to right; Dara Munnis, Dave Hingerty, Paul Brady, Keith Fennell, Suzanne Savage, Jennifer Maidman.
PAUL BRADY Live National Concert Hall Aug 2014. Photo by Bairbre Munnis. Left to right; Suzanne Savage, Paul Brady, Dara Munnis.
Electric Picnic Suzanne Savege on Fiddle and vocals, Matt McGinn vocals & acoustic, Seamus Rafferty on flute.
Paul Brady live at Trad fest Jan 2014. Photo by Bairbre Munnis (We think!). Left to right; Dara Munnis, Suzanne Savage, Paul Brady, Ciaranv Tourish.
SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL Suzanne Savage Band, live at Sunflower Festival 2014. Photo by unknown. Left to right; Kasey Peters, Suzanne Savage, Eamon Hanlon.
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Photo courtesy of Riverdance: Suzanne savage in centre with candle as Soloist Soprano.
Photo courtesy of Riverdance: Suzanne Savage on the Left hugging Russian folk ballet dancer Olena Krutsenko.
The SUZANNE SAVAGE BAND (Official Press Photo) Band members left to right; Martin Moran (guitar), Shane O´Donovan, Suzanne Savage, Cormac O´Brien. Image By Geoffrey Arnoldy. Taken in Beauvais, Paris.
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YOUNG AVIATORS Click to play latest tracks
We live in strange times for music. Prepackaged talent shows sell us new baby faced teen idols and a conveyor belt of internet sensations appear and disappear whilst the music business scrambles to adjust its profit margins. In the last ten years, Young Aviators have kept a steady ship on these somewhat turbulent seas.
Originally formed in Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland by three school friends, Young Aviators honed their song writing skills in the back bars of their hometown before moving to Glasgow in 2006. Their mix of raw distorted guitars and melodious harmonies were reminiscent of early Pixies and The Jam and earned them a decent following on Irish soil. However, their decision to up sticks and relocate to Scotland paid dividends. In 2012 they signed to Electric Honey the small independent record label responsible for the first material released by Biffy Cyro, Snow Patrol and Belle and Sebastian. Their debut album Self Help was released in 2013 and was well received, helping the band secure UK tours with Travis, The Subways and a tour of Germany and Austria. Since their move to Glasgow the band have added to their sound, merging dance elements and three part harmonies to keep up to date with the competitive gigging scene in the city. The band welcomed a fourth member in 2014 to develop their music, adding new instrumentation lacking from previous material. Young Aviators returned to Northern Ireland to record their new E.P. with Neil Calderwood at Manor Park Studios. The E.P. is set for release August 2015. Read more >
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GIGS: 9TH AUGUST KELVIN GROVE BANDSTAND AS PART OF MAGNERS SUMMER NIGHTS FESTIVAL GLASGOW 2015
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MADAME GUILLOTINE Since the launch the band have been getting a great reaction from the Local scene in the south west. After playing only 2 opening slots in local venues the band were approached to do their first headline show in The Underground in Plymouth. Due to the great response and filling out local venues they continued to Fill The local venue for their first headline show. Since then the band have continued to grow and write new material for every show and gain lots of media Interest both locally and nationally. On the 31st of July the band went back into the studio to record their debut singles – ‘Blonde Silhouette’ and ‘A New Way’. A busy summer gigging schedule had Madame Guillotine playing shows including:
18/07 – Princess Pavilion/Falmouth
(Supporting The Guns n Roses Experience)
24/07 – The Junction/ Plymouth
(Returning to put on a big headline show)
31/07 – The Watering Hole Perranporth
(Supporting the reunion of local legends Sandfire Siren)
There are also more shows yet to be announced supporting some big names however they do have to keep them ‘under their belt’ for now. Madame Guillotine are also working closely with the Go Palace Theatre in their restoration to a once great venue and Dance Academy which is a Grade 2 listed building where the band recently had a photo shoot taken place.
CREDITS – Andy Westwood, Chris Newman (Also from the band Six Sins Till Sunday – a band Madame Guillotine have performed with and also legends on the local scene) Learn more >
You can check out Madame Guillotine online for the latest live show updates on... Read more >
and here >
JvT, Madame Guillotine
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Madame Guillotine are a Hard rock quartet based in Plymouth.
BAND MEMBERS: James Von Trapp <vocals/piano> Jack Hart <lead guitar> Nick Stacey <bass/vocals> David ‘Shammy’ Samuels <drums> The band started in October with their first live show in The Junction Plymouth in November 2014. Since starting the band released their debut self titled E.P. Featuring the tracks – Back from nowhere, Bad and Reality Bites. Photographer: Snapped String Photography
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Alternative
SIMON “SHOWBIZ” GROSS 83
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SIMON “SHOWBIZ” GROSS FROM BIG BROTHER 2015 We at Equal Fashion Magazine are Delighted to bring a bit of SHOWBIZ into the mix. We’ve been allowed to reveal the Questions and answers that Simon dealt with when applying to get into Big Brother 2015. It gives us fascinating insight into how one perceives themselves to behave if they get the chance to go onto the show. If you read Simon’s Q&A and have followed Big Brother 2015 you will see that often how you think you’ll behave isn’t in some cases how you actually end up behaving. Either way it makes for great viewing and after all isn’t that what SHOWBIZ is all about!
APPLICATION FOR BIG BROTHER 2015 YOU AND YOUR PERSONALITY Big Bro: What kind of House-mate would you make? Showbiz: TV GOLD DARLING! I would be colourful, fun and a very genuine real house-mate if picked this year! I would also be entertaining, competitive, challenging, confrontational,bitchy, two faced, irritating, argumentative, annoying, infectious, kind, loving, sensitive, narcissistic, moody, irritable, ambitious, fussy, but above all a house-mate that you would never get tired of watching because like the wind I blow in all directions and you never quite know what direction I’m going to blow in next! I am also fighter,a very determined 46 year old man that will strive to the bitter end. Your get tons of drama also from me as I am a bit if a drama queen once described like a volcano one minute I’m calm then I can erupt if stirred yes darling the Lava comes pouring out of my mouth! Big Bro: What has made you apply for the show this year in particular? Showbiz: I felt it was time for the Gross to make his entrance through that tunnel! I’m a showman an entertainer I want this platform to unleash my talents and personality to the nation. I have had a lot of rejections in my life and career. I believe that this experience would be a wonderful opportunity for myself and people to see 84
the real Simon, the real personality and talent that I have to offer. I’m tired of shouting and not being heard. This could be my chance to unleash the GROSS to the nation! Seriously I’m 46 years old opportunities and challenges like this don’t happen every day for me and I think I’m at that crossroads/mid life crisis possibly in my life where I’m now finding myself the good points and the bad and the issues that need to be addressed. In a lot of ways the experience of Big Brother would be great counseling/ therapy! Big Bro: What are you passionate about? Showbiz: Passionate about good Customer care, good manners, can’t stand people who slam doors, passionate when it’s come comes to cleanliness, personal hygiene, lazy people that don’t pull their weight, passionate about the youth today and there morals, passionate about fake people that sit on the fence, passionate about narrow minded bigoted twats! Big Bro: Would you rather have money or love and why? Showbiz: Oh money darling because I’m not get any younger and somethings got to pay for the botox when I’m in my 60s, without the botox whose going to love me! Seriously love and heath is much more important than money but I do like my luxury’s!
Big Bro: What do you spend your money on? Showbiz: Myself mainly I am vain I love clothes,my gym, my face, eyebrows, manicure, car, all the materialistic things in life! Big Bro: What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought? Showbiz: My Mazda MX5 Sports Car Big Bro: If there was a movie of your life, which celebrity would play you? Showbiz: Alan Carr. Big Bro: What one thing could you not live without? Showbiz: My Dior Aftershave! Big Bro: What is your guilty pleasure? Showbiz: Pick And Mix Sweets, Louis Vuitton menswear, lots of other naughty sordid things we won’t go into today! Big Bro: What is your biggest life achievement? Showbiz: Learning the difference between an egg yolk and an egg white! Big Bro: What’s your best physical attribute? Showbiz: Now that could be many things!!! My dazzling green eyes Big Bro: What’s the worst thing you have ever done?
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picking up the pieces literally to try and get the peace. I came in to myself so much more at the end of secondary school when I approached 16 when I was more accepted, by then my parents were divorced. It upsets me to write it down because it affected me quite badly. I was always there for my mother mainly as my father and I had a very rocky relationship. As I was growing, again, with the drama, not wanting to be a farmer and also not being that academic at school I guess he was frustrated with me and he did knock me about a bit.
However I came out okay and found my Showbiz: A comedian, fun, camp, brash, way like I said earlier I’m a fighter! irritating, a piss taker, mischievous, a player, devious, up for a laugh kind of guy Big Bro: Who do you live with? but if you get on the wrong side of him you Showbiz: Alone. better run for your life. Big Bro: What would you spend the £150k any prize money on? Showbiz: I would buy my mother a house and give her a better life!
FAMILY AND FRIENDS Big Bro: Who is in your family and where do you fit in? Showbiz: My mother, father and two sisters I’m the eldest the big Brother – get it Big Brother! Big Bro: Can you tell us a bit about your upbringing? Showbiz: I was a raised on a farm in Oxfordshire by Jewish parents which is quite rare being Jewish and raised on a farm.
Big Bro: Are you single? Showbiz: Yes, but greedy! Big Bro: What do you do in your free time and do you have any hobbies?
WORK AND EDUCATION Big Bro: Where did you go to school and how far did you get in education? Showbiz: Hatton School Derbyshirehopeless I was the most destructive child ever I was always dreaming of being on the stage and not in the classroom. I got kicked out of the class once for blowing up the lab with a Bunsen burner. I’ve got a few CSE nothing major my highest was cooking and that’s a joke because I’m he worst cook in the world. Big Bro: Where do you work now? Showbiz: I run my own production company as well as being a jobbing thespian darling! Big Bro: Have you done any unusual jobs? Showbiz: es I was a ringmaster in the circus, I played a walking and talking Mermaid in drag called Hispanolia! Big Bro: What would be your dream job? Showbiz: To have my own chat /reality show and entertain the nation!
Showbiz: Love the gym train at least five times a week in the gym, running, theatre Big Bro: Do you ever get into trouble or and cinema, I do a lot of voluntary work for mischief at work/college/university? the elderly and people in the community, Showbiz: I am the biggest child at heart, travel, fashion, holidays! a clown up for a laugh very much a piss Big Bro: How many real friends do you have? taker. I was always in trouble at school and college always on report and kicked out of Showbiz: Two. the classroom and my mum told me once even also expelled from Nursery school at Big Bro: What role do you play within your the age small age of three! friendship group?
Showbiz: Very much the leader the one who My upbringing was tough I was overweight, calls and makes a point of keeping in touch! the odd one out at school as I wanted to Big Bro: How would your friends describe be on the stage and not on the football you? field. Back then it was very much if you wanted to do drama you were a poof so I Showbiz: Bonkers, High Maintenance but was bullied quite badly. loving and reliable, always there in good My home life was also tough as my parents and bad times. had a very destructive marriage and it was normally me in the middle of the rows,
Big Bro: What is your motto in life? Showbiz. Live for today because tomorrow you might be dead dear! Big Bro: Is there anything we didn’t ask you that you wanted to tell us? Showbiz: I’m like a book everyday there is a new chapter full of drama and excitement but above all it’s so enduring you just can’t put me down – THE END! 85
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CURRENT AFFAIRS It is strongly rumoured that SHOWBIZ Simon Gross will be making some appearances in various key Venues and Iconic Locations around Belfast City Centre and on the Belfast Gay Scene in the up and coming months. SHOWBIZ has also been gigging with Black Lace (Dene Michael) of Agadoo fame.
ABOUT SHOWBIZ – SIMON BIG BROTHER 2015 WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF SIMON AKA SHOWBIZ!
Simon has had a versatile career, not only as an actor, but also as a presenter, producer, and entertainer. From spending six months as a Butlins Redcoat for the Grand Hotel, Scarborough where he learnt all the tricks of the trade, to In September Simon will be releasing his new single SHOWBIZ which will launch with playing in children’s shows for the Rank organisation, to playing Benny in the West Celebrity Soccer Six that he will be playing End production of “Singalongabba” which for charity on the 6th September with consisted of wearing a false beard, putting Jessie J at Mile End Stadium: on a silly Swedish accent and miming playing the piano – an achievement Simon Mile End Stadium felt was a big plus to his CV! (Whitehall Theatre). Following that SHOWBIZ Simon will be Simon is no stranger to the world of touring the UK with The UK Pleasure Boys pantomime and with over twenty years as compére: experience behind him some of his info@pleasureladiesnights.com favourite experiences to date include as well as staring in pantomime for Christmas. playing Dame opposite Gladiator Wolf for For all SHOWBIZ Simon dates appearances two years in ‘Snow White and the Seven please follow him at twitter @show Dwarfs’ Smee in ‘Peter Pan’ opposite his great pal the late avenger Gareth Hunt. For all enquiries and booking email (Victoria Theatre, Halifax and The Pavilion Simon’s agent Chelle Just: Theatre, Worthing; The Stag Theatre, info@justrightmgt.co.uk Sevenoaks respectively). Since leaving out of the house Simon is now working constantly in theatre and television as well as light entertainment and personal appearances.
See Simon >
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His many television credits include: – ‘On the Road with Maureen Rees’ for the BBC in 1997. In 1998, Simon had the privilege to set up Laurence Llewyn Bowen on a
‘Gotcha!’ for Noel’s House Party for the BBC. In 2004, Simon was asked to be the Second Butler in Channel 4’s ‘What the Butler Saw’ – a six-part documentary on aristocracy. This saw Simon not only being part of a secret panel, but also the start of his unique, off-the-cuff personality bring the screen to life. Following this was an invitation that Simon couldn’t refuse the opportunity to become Britain’s best cook – which actually turned out to be Britain’s worst cook – on ITV1’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen’. In those two weeks, Simon learnt what the difference was between an egg yolk and an egg white. Another great achievement was learning to distinguish between a spatula and a whisk. Simon is also no stranger to the Drag world and in 2013 produced Drag Divas at The Arts Theatre London with well know female impressionist La Voix in the title role Simon played Horrible Hilda in the West End Pantomime Snow White and the Seven Poofs at The Leicester Square Theatre with Drag Artistes Bette Rinse and Tanya. In 2011 he recreated the same role this time with the legendary Titti La Camp as The Queen and the same in 2012 with Mrs Moore as The Queen and Tanya Hyde as Snow White at The Green Carnation. In 2013 Simon produced the touring UK production of adult pantomime Sinderfella with Miss Devine in the lead playing in London, AXM Manchester and Birmingham. In 2015 Simon was part of Big Brother and was the first person EVER to be evicted in Big Brother history lasting just two hours in launch opening night Time Bomb twist! However that was not the end of Simon as he was invited back into the house two weeks later and lasted up to 30 days and became a Big Brother legend as well as known for his catchphrase SHOWBIZ (which incidentally on opening night he said over 400 times!)
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM SHOWBIZ SIMON GROSS Hello Showbiz Fans, Well here I am after a few busy days. I must start by saying thank you Mark Wright for the gift of your new exclusive aftershave “Mark Wright”. Its amazing and even better I get to put Mark Wright all over my body every morning-now that’s showbiz! Buy it guys its a really nice fresh smell for the summer!
Thorneycroft and his amazing family and friends thank you for the invite. I then went on to the BB party. Lots Big Brother old and new faces, thank you Freedom Soho for the drinks and food great venue also thank you Andy Barnes from The Sun for coming to see us all and Aaron, Sarah, Bex, Matthew and all the rest of you amazing people. Off to Brighton later for a personal appearance s getting my act together and taking it on the road-how showbiz darlings!
Busy week ahead lots of new dates coming Well what a week! Made the headlines with in and one BIG date for August Bank Holiday weekend to be announced this the new single (see below) – no there not my nails in the picture darlings before you week so get your diary ready! all ask! Also I’m launching the new single “SHOWBIZ” with Celeb Soccer Six on the So last night going on had a great night with my amazing virgin active mate Daniel 6th September sat Mile End Stadium.
The most exciting thing I will be doing is going on tour with my great pal Marc O’Neill from Big Brother as the host/ compère of The UK Pleasures Boys: www.ukpleasureladiesnights.co.uk Also remember those T shirts are still available at 10.00 each – half of which the proceeds will go to GMFA gay men fighting aids – send me your details and I will go from there – last few remaining. Lastly if you are looking for the perfect host for any occasion birthdays/weddings – can sing / DJ/Xmas en Showbiz is available, email me your occasion, dates etc and I can help. As well as screaming showbiz every 5 minutes I can sing and DJ. Have a great week ahead darlings and remember ITS ALL showbiz! Showbiz 87
SASSIE LONGSHAFT – DRAG QUEEN Belfast Drag Sensation Sassie Longshaft took time out of her busy schedule of popping over to LA for a video premiere & shooting for Channel 4 to sit down with us and have a few words with a little Q&A about what makes her tick. Q1 EQUAL: When are you happiest? A1 SASSIE: Such a cheese-ball answer, but I’m happiest when I’m spending time with my family and friends. Or when someone compliments me on how good my ass looks. Q2 EQUAL: What’s your most fabulous possession? A2 SASSIE: I have so many great counterfeit fabulous possessions! Actually pretty much everything I own is fabulous. Q3 EQUAL: What would be the perfect night in three words? A3 SASSIE: Drink, drugs, sex (or if it needs to be PG) drink sex more drink. Q4 EQUAL: If you were exiled to an island and could only take one drag queen, who would it be and why? A4 SASSIE: If I had to be stranded with anyone it would actually be a clone of myself, cus I’m such good craic! But if I had to choose someone else I would pick Cherrie Ontop cus shes a good kisser, she can sing me to sleep and when she dies I can eat her. Q5 EQUAL: What is the one book everyone should read? A5 SASSIE: I only read people not books. (Google drag queen read.) Q6 EQUAL If your life was a country song, what would it be called? A6 SASSIE: Rupaul Take the Wheel. 88
Q7 EQUAL: Who would play you in a movie about your life? A7 SASSIE: Lindsay Lohan cus she’s been method acting for the part of me since her teenage years. Q8 EQUAL: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? A8 SASSIE: Creating a short documentary with Belfast photographer and filmmaker BIGBADLLAMA (Tony Webster) about my life, and flying to the premiere of Manila Luzons video in which I starred in Los Angeles. Q9 EQUAL: Who is your Diva inspiration and who is your Non Diva inspiration? A9 SASSIE: My biggest Diva inspiration is Amanda Lepore cus she’s a plastic fierce bitch and non diva inspiration is my cat Whitney who recently gave birth to 4 kittens and got her body back in no time. Q10 EQUAL: Where is your favourite place in the world? A10 SASSIE: Wherever happiness is, Read the answer to first question and you’ll be on the right track! Photography by Tony Webster ie BigBadLlama
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BEING GAY IN NORTHERN IRELAND THE STORY OF MARK JACKSON BROUGHT TO YOU BY ANGELA CARSON Angela derives from the word Angel which is exactly what our story finder Angela Carson is. With an abundance of life experiences in the media arena under her belt she has now decided to do a column in Equal on Being Gay in Northern Ireland. Equal is delighted that she has brought the story of Mark Jackson to the fore in our first ever column dedicated to the Gay community. We respect and applaud the courage of Mark and thank him dearly for publishing his experience on Being Gay in NI as we feel it may help other like-minded folk going through similar scenarios in their daily lives. Here is Mark Jacksons story brought to you by Angela Carson and Mark himself.
BEING GAY IN NORTHERN IRELAND Hi my name is Mark Jackson & I’m a 26 year old gay guy from Newtownabbey. Being gay isn’t easy when your living in such a backward country where people can’t deal with it. When I was at the age of 18 I thought my life wouldn’t get any easier hiding something away from my family. I always thought could this maybe be a phase I’m going through or is this all real?? People questioned me so many times about my sexuality & I just couldn’t face the facts of coming out as gay because I had so many things running through my head.
my dad who was such a backwards person & always used to call me names before I came out. My friends all stood by me & accepted it 100% where as my dad didn’t quite accept it. He told me to keep it away from his door & not to be telling anyone else. This hurt me a lot but it was something I always had to deal with & accept the fact he’s my dad & I have to accept that he doesn’t like it. So with my mums support & my friends behind me I carried on going to the Kremlin where I came across the lovely Angela Carson sitting on her own one night waiting for her friends to return from the toilet. We got chatting & I opened up to her that night as a mother figure she came across like someone I could trust with my life!! Such a caring, friendly & honest lady who spoke to me from the heart & told me her side of what she thought about coming out as gay. From this she helped me out a lot more with coming to terms with my dad maybe taking longer than others to accept me for me. Now I can say she was right and subsequently I went onto working for the Kremlin as a drag queen called Miss Penny Cillen doing PR work & performing at the Sunday Bingo Show the odd time. To this day I never thought my family would accept me for being gay never mind doing drag. Now my relationship with both my mum & dad is electric they both support me with everything I do & love & care for me more and more everyday. It’s not everyday you would see someone’s mum standing watching them perform as a drag artist at every show they put on. My next step in life is to carry on at what I enjoy doing with my drag & hopefully in the near future find that perfect someone & settle down. But as I would always say life’s to short never live a lie because it will always hurt you more. Speak to people being gay is not a disease or a bad thing some people just choose to accept it differently. Love is love & we all deserve to be equally happy in life it’s 2015 will this place ever support equal rights??
On my 18th birthday I found myself going to this place called the Kremlin in Belfast it’s a well known gay Venue to see what all the buzz was all about! When I arrived I felt a little uncomfortable with it all because it was my first time being on the scene as a closet gay & I couldn’t enjoy myself. From there on I was on a number of dating sites & started dating guys & got into a long term relationship but still tried to cover it from friends & family that it was an actual boy. A year on I just couldn’t take all the lies & hurt so thought its best I tell everyone my secret hoping they would accept me for me. I was still the same person the only difference is I’m attracted to someone the same sex. That night I sat my mum down & told her I was dating a guy for about a year now & found it so hard to tell her the truth. Her reply “Mark I’m your mum I knew all along” lol that was relief the hurt & pain going through my body at that time thinking is she going to accept me was unreal. Now the big thing was to tell me friends & 91
JANA KLAPPERT HAIR/MODEL Jana is a very talented and humble Artist, she finds it very difficult to speak about herself and when you combine that with the fact that my German speaking language and Jana’s English aren’t up to scratch it makes it very hard for us to do an editorial. However her work alone is incredibly noticeable, so beautiful that it speaks for itself. So, when I suggested a little Q&A to help her story take written form Jana was delighted and so we went to ‘Google Translate’ this is what we came up with. Interview by Kieran Sherry Q1 Kieran: What is your job? A1 Jana: I am a Hair-braider and Dreadmaker, African Hairstyles. Q2 Kieran: When did you begin doing Dreads? A2 Jana: I started 15 years ago officially by myself and for 3 years in the commercial industry before I started earning money. Q3 Kieran: What Inspired you to work with Dreadlocks? A3 Jana: I cannot exactly say what inspired me to work with Dreadlocks but I do like to stand out in the crowd and be different. Q4 Kieran: What is your top three favourite Music Bands? A4 Jana: My Top 3 bands are German punk rock bands... Boilers, Freiwild and Toten Hosen. Q5 Kieran: How did you become a model? A5 Jana: Some People liked the way I looked because it was alternative so my modeling evolved from there. Q6 Kieran: What are your dreams and aspiration in life? 92
A6 Jana: My dream is someday to have my own brand and hair care products with my own name. Q7 Kieran: Can Dreadlocks be kept clean? A7 Jana: Dreadlocks can stay clean if people wash them regularly. Q8 Kieran: What is the maintenance routine for clean healthy dreadlocks? A8 Jana: Maintaining clean healthy Dreadlocks Takes a lot of effort. If they are not kept clean they can get mould and in my opinion this is why there are Prejudices towards Dreads. Wash Regularly. Q9 Kieran: Are dreadlocks becoming more accepted in the fashion industry and society? A9 Jana: Dreadlocks are becoming increasingly fashionable and now almost mainstream. I’m currently working with many alternative models doing braided dreads. Q10 Kieran: Have you any future projects? A10 Jana: In the future I will also stand again before the camera and I have planned some more projects. Photography by: Fotodesigner Henkel, Thomas Meyhoff Photographie, Zeitlos and M.bannick Fotograf and Ashtray arts
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Tatt House is an award winning tattoo studio in Belfast Northern Ireland. On board we are three artists Alan Hindes, Mark Hindes and Gerry Champion who specialise in different styles of tattooing. Tatt House has only just recently won the WORLD TATTOING AWARDS 2015 held in the TITANIC BELFAST! Alan Hindes is an award winning artist who specialises in black and grey photo realism. Mark Hindes speciality is bold, bright, eye popping images Gerry Champion specialises in clean custom lettering. Tatt House operates by appointment but also offer ‘walk ins’ depending on availability. Tatt House also have on board with them Andi from Ignition Body Piercing every Tuesday. Gift vouchers are available and come in any amount, they make the perfect present for a loved one. Tatt House amazingly offer free off street private car parking. You will be met by nothing other than perfect customer service in their studio at Tatt House. Call in for a chat or telephone the studio. Phone: 028 90600697 Address: 198 Kingsway, Belfast, Antrim BT17 9AD, United Kingdom
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Alan Hindes
BELFAST TATTOO ARTISTS ALAN HINDES, MARK HINDES & GERRY CHAMPION
Mark Hindes
TATT HOUSE
Gerry Champion
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LUNA SANGRE TATTOO ARTIST Luna Sangre is an Established Tattoo Artist currently working at Old London Road tattoos in Kingston upon Thames. It’s a fantastic studio and everyone there is super sweet, a bit eccentric and incredibly artistic which makes for a fun work environment. There is Caz who works the front of house and does an amazing job of keeping the appointments rolling in and basically organises their lives at work. Emma is their shop manager and does her best to pander to all the artists and shop needs and is also a stellar piercer. Their other piercer Vesper hails from California and is also an awesome lady. The artists consist of Edgar who loves portraits in black and grey or colour, Marie who does beautiful flowers and animals in her own soft style, Vlad who specialises in old school and dot work with a little Japanese thrown in there for good measure. Emil loves a bit of new school mixed with watercolour. Dan and Lauren love some realism and Chris is our resident Disney freak, although if you come in for a Pokemon tattoo chances are Chris and Marie will have a fight to the death over it. Not forgetting their wonderful cleaner Kelly who makes sure the studio is consistently sterile and tidy. The BOSS lady Ren runs a tight ship where they work hard and are looked after in return. “I am happy to say I work with a great bunch of people. It has taken a long time for me to find a place that feels like home and I’m glad I’ve ended up at Old London Road“, the glowing Luna tells us.
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Luna has been tattooing for about twelve years now and has travelled worldwide inking as she goes. Luna can work in many styles but loves working in her own style which she would probably class as a neo traditional mixed with a bit of realism. Luna has a strong love for colour or black and grey as long as the subject matter is a great idea. Luna still does the little tattoos that many deem unworthy of tattooing after this long in the industry. Luna tells Equal “If you bring me in anything weird or creepy to tattoo I will be very happy but team those with a lady face or pin-up and you’ll have a very happy Luna that will periodically make little ‘squee’ noises and dance in my seat while I work”. Luna is a very organised individual and likes to have all sketches ready in advance. she has done several conventions and even been lucky enough to pick up some awards along the way yet has no plans on doing any in the coming year as she tells us “I just want to chill out and enjoy the good company at work for a while”. You’ll find the Lovely Luna at Old London Road tattooing or even when or taking consultations and if your lucky dancing around the studio idiotically or attempting to irritate her workmates with silly Irish jokes, “thankfully they are all extremely patient”, laughs Luna.
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OCTOPUS’S GARDEN Due to the huge success of our sister shop,The Yellow Submarine on Botanic Avenue, we have decided to expand our love of Vintage into the heart of Belfast. Hence the opening of Octopus’s Garden on Wellington street! Our aim is to spread the “Vintage Vibe” across the city. The launch of Octopus’s Garden was on the 7th March 2015 and was a super hit with all the vintage lovers of Belfast and with live bands playing and great discount it was the place to be! In store we have a huge range including, both men and women’s clothing, furniture, records, books and more. We currently run over two floors of the building with our record room upstairs and a bit of everything downstairs however we will be expanding throughout the building in the near future with lots of new projects on the go. So keep an eye out for more new and exciting things to come to Octopus’s Garden! We held an event as an appreciation day for all of our wonderful customers that have helped us get where we are today, which was held on the 13th June 2015. The event included some fabulous live acts including ‘The Late Twos’, a Belfast based indie pop band that have played alongside the likes of PEACE and The Twang, with more acts that played on the run up to the event delivering a range of fantastic acoustic sets throughout the day. As well as this we had an awesome 20% off on everything in store and a mystery goody
bag up for grabs for every customer! The event was a roaring success with much fun had by all. Q1 EQUAL: What is octopus’s gardens view on tattooed models within society? A1 OCTOPUS: As a team we embrace creativity and culture. And we feel that people should be free to express themselves artistically if that’s what they choose. As a group, everyone one of us has tattoos so we love them! But as a whole our view on tattooed models is the exact same as our view on non tattooed models! Keep doing what your doing! Q2 EQUAL: Would octopus’s garden use alternative models in the future? A2 OCTOPUS: The fashion we sell reflects on both styles of those who have ink and those who do not. We have used alt models in the past and will continue using them in the future! Female model/Styling: Yvonne Given Male Model: Gerry Champion Photography & Hairstyles: Shelley Rodgers Male Hair & Beard Cut & Shaped by Turkish Barber Shop, 106 High Street, Bangor, County Down. 07871070664 Makeup: DarkHorse Tom & Yvonne Given
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STEVIE BADGER @ CUSICK TATTOOS INTERVIEW WITH STEVIE BADGER & YVONNE GIVEN Q1 Yvonne: How long have I been tattooing? A1 Stevie: I’ve been tattooing coming up to seventeen years now and I can’t think of anything on the planet that gives me more pleasure, it’s just such a rewarding skill to have. Q2 Yvonne: How did you begin your career, with an apprenticeship or self taught? A2 Stevie: I’m self taught and as far back as I can remember it’s something that has always been a dream of mine, even from primary school, from I could lift a pencil, when everyone in my class was all sitting round in wee circles doing reading and sums “maths” I was up the back either drawing or making models of stuff, kinda left to do my own thing. Q3 Yvonne: What was the first tattoo you ever did? and how did it turn out? A3 Stevie: Well to be honest my first ever tattoo I did was on myself at the not very bright age of ten, I kinda stole a bottle of Indian ink from school “I know naughtynaughty” I drew a stick man Saint on my forearm got my compass and scrapped it into my arm then poured the ink on to it then rubbed it in, I thought it was amazing lol, well until my mum saw it and beat the living poop out of me then made me “shave” it out with my dads cutthroat razor, that hurt more than the hammering from my mum and the tattoo, but it didn’t stop there, I just kept doing more and more on myself so by the time I reached first year at secondary school I had a full sleeve of Indian ink of 102
really stupid designs, if I’m honest no 1 told me they didn’t come off lol, I still have the worm I did age 10 coming out of my belly button lol. Q4 Yvonne: Who are your main influence’s? Is there anyone you would consider a muse in regards to your own work? A4 Stevie: Well my main influences at an early age would have been Pert from the Ink Castle in Belfast, but back in the day he would have been working from his mums back hall with people queuing up in his back garden and he done my first proper tattoo “which helped cover the stick man Saint on my forearm lol” even to this day I still get tattooed by him, in Northern Ireland he’s a very well known and respected tattoo artist, there are a lot of artists that I’d look up to like Snoopy from Glengormley he gave me my first job working in a proper studio. Just like Pert first started I was working from home. Q5 Yvonne: Do you have any preferred styles i.e. realism, traditional, Japanese? A5 Stevie: prefer really detailed type tattoos like small fiddly type designs but I’m an all rounder in all types and styles, well apart from tribal “I HATE tribal and absolutely refuse to do it” it’s horrible lol I would rather spend two or three hours talking you out of it than just doing it and taking your money. Q6 Yvonne: How do you approach each tattoo and what process do you go through as you create it and bring it to life? A6 Stevie: When I approach a tattoo or a design I’m always already tattooing it in my head even doing the stencil I’m going threw how I’m gonna do this and that, what colour is gonna look best beside this colour it’s hard to explain but I see it in my head and put a lot of effort into transferring it to skin, as there’s no room for errors as its on you for life. Q7 Yvonne: Do you spend a lot of time with a customer during the design phase, discussing the final outcome? A7 Stevie: I try to spend some time with the customer but sometimes there’s just no time to actually sit them down for a chat,
I’m either busy tattooing a customer or the customer has no time, but if I can’t get time then the front desk gets as much info as possible then we can build up a picture of what there looking done. Q8 Yvonne: What is your favourite part of being an artist? A8 Stevie: Well that’s an easy one, I absolutely love it, it’s such an amazing job and so rewarding and I don’t mean in money ways, I was in the army for seventeen and a half years patrolling the streets of Belfast during the height of the troubles when I started tattooing so I left to pursue my childhood dream I only had a clatter of months to serve to qualify for my twenty two year pension but left all the same and don’t regret my decision one bit, it’s a passion and it always will be. Q9 Yvonne: Do you think the tattoo industry and people’s attitudes have change since you started tattooing? A9 Stevie: Yes I do big time, tattooing or being tattooed has always been a kind of hard man type thing, well in Belfast it has, if you had tattoos back in the day then you were considered a hood or a thief and given a wide birth, but from the likes of footballers and Miami Ink and London Ink hitting the screens it’s exploded in the last ten years, is that a good thing you ask “well it depends on how you look at it” good for tattoo artists back then when people wanted to be like there idol, but as for Miami Ink/London Ink and eBay, now every Tom dick and Harry want to be Ami James or Kat Von Dee etc... seven or eight years ago there would have been at least five or six tattoo studios through out the whole of Belfast, Wash studio being at least five to ten miles away from each other now there’s about FORTY EIGHT plus in Belfast alone, not to mention the kitchen wizards doing them from home with there £50 eBay starter kits giving people all sorts of airborne diseases some with actual studios passed by the councils!!!! Q10 Yvonne: What do you like about conventions do you plan on doing any this year?
A10 Stevie: I love doing conventions, you’re there axing with a bunch of axing artists and for me it’s a chance to learn from them, different techniques, different machines etc it’s all about putting out good work and being appreciated for it, not to mention the get together afterwards to chill, have a few beers have a laugh and share some tattooing secrets with each other, plus it’s a break from the studio. I’m already on my fourth convention this year and my next one is the second international Titanic Tattoo convention then the Wolverhampton Halloween bash. Q11 Yvonne: We hear at Equal Fashion Magazine that your work has won a number of awards, can you tell us a bit about them? A11 Stevie: I have won two awards, my first award was won at the International Halloween bash which was being held in Devon at the time, I won best oriental which I was well chuffed with and my second was won at the International Maiden City Tattoo Convention which I won for best Old Skool/new Skool, it’s such a major buzz to win an award and for a tattoo artist it’s like an actor winning an Oscar lol.
AFTERCARE OF YOUR NEW TATTOO: Your tattoo is now YOUR responsibility, and it is important that you follow these instructions: 1. Remember – how you look after your tattoo for the first two weeks will determine how it looks for the rest of your life. 2. After about 2 hours, remove the dressing from the tattoo. 3. Wash daily with warm mild soapy water. Rinse with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel. DO NOT RUB the tattoo. 4. After about 10 minutes, you may apply a small amount of Bepanthen Cream to the tattoo. 5. Avoid grease, oil and DO NOT put Vaseline on your tattoo. 6. DO NOT pick the tattoo or the scab that forms. Ensure that you keep it clean at all times. 7. Avoid swimming or sunbathing until it has healed completely. 8. When healed, if you sunbathe, apply the highest factor sun block you can find to the tattoo. If you have any problems, consult us immediately.
CONTACT DETAILS Stevie Badger Cusick Tattoo 142 Shankill Rd, Belfast BT13 2BD Open Times Tuesday: 10am-6pm Wednesday: 10am-8pm Thursday: 12pm-6pm Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-6pm Closed Sunday & Monday Phone: 028 90 278935 Read more >
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CHRISTINE LYNNE TATTOO ARTIST Christine Lynne has been tattooing for three fabulous years now and has loved every minute of it! Her portfolio covers a wide variety of styles that includes New School, Japanese, Floral, Dotwork, Black and Grey and bold colour amongst others. Christine says “I love trying new things and making the ordinary extraordinary. I have a lot of experience in cover up work and love the challenge of it, taking on anything from faded oldies to full sleeve cover up projects. I feel extremely blessed to work with some of the greatest clients out there and in the most amazing surroundings of Snoopy’s studio. There is nothing like finding so much enjoyment in your work and I look forwards to many great years to come with great customers and great tattoos!”.
CONTACT DETAILS Blue Sphynx Tattoo In association with Tattoos by Snoopy 15A Ballyclare Road, Glengormley County Antrim, BT36 5EU Phone: 07823883422 christinestattoos@hotmail.com
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Prepared by MagCloud for WORLD EQUAL Magbook. Get more at worldequal.magcloud.com.
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