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Summer Fashion with
Sarah Harris
July 2020
Anne Brontë
The first feminist writer
Tempest
A vision of the future from Lancashire
Rachel Clegg
Rochdale born artist talks to us about her cult calendars and niche art prints.
Boost your mood pick a fragrance with a positive effect
Lancashire convicts
Criminals transported to Australia
Mr Entwistle’s army
£2.45
The story of the Ribbon Boys
Cliviger • Formby • Milnrow
Annie’s lockdown suggestions Hello friends! I’m writing this in April when the national lockdown is still very much in session, but hopefully now as we’re getting closer to summer, you’re all a bit more free to leave the house and be safe! But just in case you are still being advised to remain indoors, here are a few media ideas of different genres to entertain yourselves and avoid going completely mad; they aren’t necessarily current but the classics are the best in my opinion.
Musicals All of the following soundtracks are available on Spotify and other music apps as well as Youtube; the original Broadway cast albums and more recent cast albums
Dear Evan Hansen - I can’t say I have a favourite musical, but if I could, I’d probably say it’s Dear Evan Hansen. Never have I listened to a soundtrack which has made me feel more or stronger emotions than the Original Broadway cast album starring Ben Platt, an all time favourite broadway star of mine. Truly an elite musical with a phenomenal cast. I really can’t sing its praises enough. Evita - An oldie but a goodie. This soundtrack never fails to get me belting in the shower and waving my arms around like Madonna. Such epic lyrics and complex time signatures which are fun to hear. I remember talking about this with one of my old music teachers and the way she got so excited over a tempo change inspired me to start learning about how techniques like this reflect different messages within musicals. The Book of Mormon - The epitome of humour within a musical. The absolute funniest production I’ve ever had the fortune of going to see. This does include some controversial themes and, well, horrific language, but for the not-so-faint-ofheart, this is guaranteed to have you rolling about on the floor.
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Falsettos - In a word; beautiful. It’s so nice to see taboo issues being displayed in theatre and in such a raw and no-nonsense fashion as Falsettos does. I won’t lie, I had to listen to this soundtrack a couple of times before I understood the plot as well as the messages behind some of the songs, but once I got my head round that it quickly gained a place in my top 10 shows. This was aided by the glorious Andrew Rannells’ part as a lead in the Original Broadway cast. I can’t put into words how incredibly moved I was by his stunning portrayal of his character and I’m not afraid to say his solos had me sobbing. Another soundtrack which probably requires adult permission to show to children, but for those deemed mature enough to experience this show I’m sure will enjoy it immensely. Hamilton - If you haven’t heard about Hamilton by now I’m not sure where you’ve been. This magnificent creation of Lin-Manuel’s has been on my mind for well over a year and it still gives me chills every time I put it on. There truly aren’t enough words in the English language to evoke the feelings listening to this soundtrack gives me. All the casts I’ve listened to channel the energy of the show with effortless grace. Completely incredible.
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Books Jane Eyre - I may be biased as I’m currently writing a 3,000 word essay on Bronte’s Jane Eyre but it’s currently my absolute favourite novel. It’s written in Bronte’s classic and unique style with immense amounts of description and very readable language. Any A-level students dream. Atonement - Again, my opinions may be swayed as this is the theme of some coursework I’m doing, but McEwan’s Atonement is absolutely worth the read. With powerful meaning behind every word and issues raised which are very relevant in today’s society, the time taken to read this would be very well spent. Les Miserables - As a musical theatre nerd, I had to devote some of my time in quarantine to visiting the classic which inspired the Boublil and Schönberg musical; Hugo’s two-part Les Miserables. Both the first and second book go into much more detail than the stage productions regarding the French Revolution and other elements which are less mentioned in the musical. Though I admit it took me a number of weeks to get through both volumes, it was very much worth it.
Series The Vampire Diaries - I may be late to the party (the majority of people I talk to about this show watched it years ago) but anyone who hasn’t seen The Vampire Diaries, should. The target audience may well be teenagers but anyone who likes a good old fashioned love story with many a twist and turn on the way will enjoy this exciting show. The plot never sits still, the acting never fails to impress, the characters are relatable (as vampires can be) and the scores are very lovely. Which brings me on to... The Originals - a spin off from the above, this is my favourite show at the moment. The cast are so brilliantly talented and equally as attractive (my queer self often has the internal argument as to whether Elijah or Hayley are more enjoyable to look at) in addition to the main theme of family preservation and loyalties being very moving to watch. www.lancmag.com
American horror story - another oldie but still good to watch. If you don’t know already, this show presents different series’ in different eras and with different characters and plots which interlink to form a very interesting watch. The cast is incredibly talented and often makes the watcher forget the character they’re seeing is played by the same actor as different characters in different series’. The show is reasonably dark and although it isn’t exactly as ‘scary’ as its title suggests, there is a notable amount of gore and adult themes as well as strong language and frequent sexual scenes. Overall a complex and thrilling show. LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 13
Surge in appreciation for green spaces and outpouring of community spirit amid lockdown A new poll on community spirit and attitudes to green spaces during lockdown finds nearly two-thirds (63%) of us think protecting and enhancing green spaces should be a higher priority after the lockdown. Only 11% of us feel less connected to our community during lockdown, while 40% feel more connected and one in three (33%) of 18 to 34-year-olds report having made new intergenerational connections.
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espite us living under the strictest social distancing measures we’ve ever experienced in the UK, there has been an increase in community spirit and appreciation for local green spaces and countryside during lockdown, according to new research released today. Commissioned by CPRE, the countryside charity and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI), and carried out by Opinium, the poll has found that over half (54%) agree that people are doing more to help their communities and nearly two-thirds of people (63%) feel that protecting local green spaces should be a higher priority for the government when lockdown ends. The results show local green spaces have been a haven for many people since lockdown measures began with: The majority (53%) of people saying they appreciate local green spaces more since the country adopted social distancing measures; Over half (57%) of us reported that the lockdown has made us more aware of the importance of these local green spaces for our mental health and wellbeing; and One in three people (35%) reported visiting green spaces more since the start of lockdown. CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester champions the social value of our countryside and community greenspace. Taking a walk in open green space has considerable health and well-being benefits, and it is notable that the Government has been keen to allow 22
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people outdoors for daily exercise, in recognition of just how good it is for us. Over the past year, we have supported local parish councils and communities to show the adverse impacts of unnecessary loss of greenspace, including in areas protected by Green Belt designations, the intention of which is for land to remain permanently open. In Bolton and Wigan we helped local residents make the case to stop the harm to Grade II Registered Hulton Park and Garden from development for over 1,000 houses, with an exclusive golf resort, and in Sefton we are strongly opposing the proposed dual carriageway (in effect a motorway) through Rimrose Valley Country Park to service the greatly expanded, and still expanding, Liverpool Port in the absence of any strategic planning involving other modes of transport, especially rail.
Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said: “Our countryside and local green spaces are facing mounting pressure but the coronavirus pandemic has reminded us why the countryside next door, including our Green Belts, is so important to ordinary people. More people are aware of the health and wellbeing benefits that access to green spaces delivers and support for protecting and enhancing these after lockdown is impossible for the government to ignore. www.lancmag.com
‘Clap for the NHS’ on a Thursday evening (49%) Saying hello at the front door (37%) Social media (36%) Phone calls (33%) Seeing people in person and at a safe distance in communal spaces like parks (29%) Intergenerational connections have also been impacted: Nearly a quarter (24%) of people reporting they have made new connections with different age groups in their local community; One in three (33%) 18 to 34-year-olds saying they have made new intergenerational connections; For all those who have made these new connections, over two thirds (69%) are optimistic these new relationships will continue once lockdown is over.
Lynne Stubbings, Chair, National Federation of Women’s Institutes, said: “It is wonderful to see how communities have become more connected in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It is clear that we are cherishing our local communities now more than ever – by supporting our neighbours and those who are vulnerable, and getting out in the fresh air at our local green spaces.
“Going back to business as usual is not an option. The government must use the forthcoming planning reforms to protect these precious spaces and also go further by investing in their enhancement. “Many of us feared that lockdown would see more people isolated, lonely and cut off from their communities and the outside world. However, today’s results have turned these notions on their head. While we are physically distanced, many of us are more connected than ever and people are helping each other in their communities – with different age groups connecting more – which is truly inspiring to see.” It is clear that some of the high-profile volunteering and fundraising initiatives, including the remarkable fundraising by Captain Tom, are not isolated acts of kindness and community spirit. The poll has also uncovered an outpouring of community spirit and feeling of togetherness, revealing that: Only 11% of us feel less connected to our community at this time – 40% feel more connected and 42% just as connected as before;
“The WI has always thrived through difficult times and for over one hundred years it has remained at the heart of its communities, supporting those in need – and today’s lockdown is no different. WI members across the country have stepped forward to help others throughout the crisis – whether by arranging free book deliveries, sewing for the NHS, supporting food banks, or creating craft kits for families home-schooling their children. It is these acts of kindness and solidarity which have spread positivity, alleviated loneliness, and lifted people’s spirits through what has been an incredibly challenging time. “Throughout this crisis, green spaces have also been a lifeline to people dealing with the impact of lockdown. So many of us have discovered pockets of green right on our doorsteps – a chance to get out in the fresh air, exercise, and support our mental wellbeing, which has been an oasis in difficult times. Yet too many of these places are threatened by pollution, litter or the impacts of climate change. As we look to rebuild after the crisis, we must make sure that we continue to cherish our communities and this new sense of connectedness – both to each other and to our local environment.”
Over half (54%) of us agree that people are doing more to help their community under lockdown; Two in five people (42%) are communicating more with people in their local community and one in six people (19%) communicating at least twice as much with their neighbours as before; and the top five ways in which we’re connecting more under lockdown are: www.lancmag.com
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200 years since Anne Brontë’s birth A history of the youngest sister of the Brontë family
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nne Bronte was the youngest proud member of a strong literary family. Her work was not afraid to tackle tough social issues including domestic violence, the subjugation of women and alcoholism. There is no doubt she was one of the first feminist writers. Anne’s father Patrick was from humble Irish beginnings. The family was originally known as the Brunty family and he was one of 10 children born into poverty. Despite this Patrick raised himself up, he learnt to read and write and helped others do the same. In 1802 he won a place at Cambridge to study theology and changed his name to Bronte as it sounded more ‘upper-class’. After his studies in 1807 he was ordained a Church of England priest. In 1811 he became the vicar of St Peter’s Church in Hartshead Yorkshire. Then in 1812 he was appointed as an examiner in classics where at age 35 he met his future wife Maria Branwell. Maria was from a wealthy merchant family with a strong Methodist faith. Despite their differing backgrounds they were married in 1812. Then in 1820 Patrick was appointed
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to St Michael and All Angel’s Church Haworth and they moved to the parsonage. They had 6 children together, although tragically none of them were to live beyond the age of 40. Anne was the youngest (born in 1820) and had a hard start to life when her mother died of uterine cancer when she was barely a year old. Maria’s sister Elizabeth moved in to take care of the children. In 1824 Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Emily were sent to the Clergy’s Daughter’s School at Cowan Bridge. Tragedy struck when Maria and Elizabeth died of consumption (tuberculosis). Their distraught father brought Charlotte and Emily home to be educated at home with Anne. The sisters studied, art, music, drawing literature and took piano lessons. Their interests in literature were further sparked by their father’s library where they devoured volumes of; Homer, Virgil, Shakespeare, Milton, and Byron, as well as studying the Bible. In June 1826, their father gave their brother Branwell some toy soldiers and the children built a whole fantastical world around these figures. They called
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this African world Angria and it was full of heroes, outlaws, villains, and armies. They created journals and magazines to chronicle its activities. Then in 1831 Anne and Emily broke from the others and created their own fantasy world know as ‘Gondal’. In 1835 Charlotte returned to Roe Head School and Anne went there as a pupil. Records show she was a diligent, kind, and thoughtful student. But in 1837 she contracted a serious bout of gastritis and returned home to recover. By 1839 she was fully recovered and seeking work. She was well educated but poor and the only real options open were teaching, either in a school or as a governess. She chose the latter and in April she started work as a governess for the Ingham family at Blake Hall Mirfield. Anne found her time here extremely hard. She was given no real authority to the punish the children, so they were unruly and disobedient. Mr Ingham treated her as a second-class citizen and Mrs Ingham patronised her. Anne did not last long there. She was dismissed by the Inghams and returned home for Christmas 1839. www.lancmag.com
The Brontë Sisters by Patrick Branwell Brontë Anne is on the left
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Brontë Parsonage
However, this tough time gave Anne great fuel for her writing and many aspects of this experience were fictionalised in her first novel, ‘Agnes Grey.’ For example, on her return to Haworth she was introduced to her Father’s new curate the charming William Weightman. There is a suggestion that Anne’s renewed interest in writing poetry may have been inspired by an undeclared (and unrequited) romantic interest in Weightman. Also, Agnes in ‘Agnes Grey’ developed a renewed interest in poetry after she meets the charismatic parson Edward Weston. Unfortunately, Weightman died of cholera in 1842 and a devastated Anne was left to voice her grief for him in the poem, ‘I will not mourn thee lovely one.’ With few other options Anne returned to work as a governess this time for the Reverend Edmund Robinson and family at Thorp Green Hall Country House near York. This setting was believed to be the inspiration for Horton Lodge in ‘Agnes Grey.’ 110
Anne worked hard and gained the respect (and lifelong friendship) of the Reverend’s children and even accompanied the family to Scarborough on several holidays. Anne was to grow very fond of Scarborough, and places in Scarborough were inspirations for settings in her novels. Anne continued to write and had poems published under her pen name Acton Bell. All the Bronte sisters submitted their poems and novels under male pen names as they felt they would not be taken seriously as women writers. Charlotte adopted the name ‘Currer’ and Emily ‘Ellis’. In 1842 Anne was heart- broken when her close friend and Aunt, Elizabeth died. However, she did leave each of the sisters £350 in her will (equivalent to £30,000 today) this allowed Charlotte, Anne, and Emily to pay for a small volume of their poems to be published. The poems received only moderate reviews and sold very badly with only two copies selling in the first year. Anne was to find more success with her own poems and in December 1848 her poem, ‘The Narrow Way’ was
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published in the ‘Leeds Intelligencer’ and ‘Fraser’s Magazine’. At the same time as their poems were being published the three sisters were all working on their respective first novels. Charlotte’s was ‘The Professor’, Emily’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ and Anne’s ‘Agnes Grey.’ Anne and Emily’s novels were accepted for publication but ‘The Professor’ was originally rejected. However, Charlotte quickly wrote her second novel, ‘Jane Eyre’ which was published to great success and fanfare. Anne enjoyed more modest success. ‘Agnes Grey’ was published in 1847. It follows Agnes, a governess, working as a governess for the affluent Bloomfields and was clearly based on Anne’s experiences. The novel is now seen as an early feminist novel as it dealt with themes such as the subjugation and treatment of women, and the isolation and oppression of women working as governesses. It was progressive in other ways too and it even struck an early blow for animal rights. In the novel Agnes takes it upon herself to kill some captured www.lancmag.com
Anne Brontë’s grave, Scarborough
birds to prevent them being tortured by the family’s sadistic son Tom. ‘Agnes Grey’ sold reasonably well but received a lot of critical negativity as it was seen to be excessively moralising. Ironically, this concern for living a moral life is now seen as one of the novel’s strong points. Anne was strongly religious and had a great belief in the home as being the site of moral instruction so it’s no coincidence that in times of great strife Agnes returns home to her family for help as Anne did through much of her life. Anne’s second novel, ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ was published in June 1848 and was an instant massive success selling out in just 6 weeks.Told in the form of letters, it details the story of Helen Graham supposedly a young widow who leaves Wildfell Hall, after escaping from her abusive, alcoholic husband, with her young son. In one of the crucial scenes Helen shuts her bedroom door against her husband. In doing so she strikes a blow for feminism. Then in fleeing from her husband, with her son, she violates social convention and 19th century English law. www.lancmag.com
Again, Anne drew heavily on her own life and there is a suggestion that Helen’s husband Arthur Huntingdon may be a reflection of her brother Branwell who was handsome and charming but also an alcoholic and sexually promiscuous. For example, Branwell (through Anne) also gained employment at Thorp Green but was dismissed when his affair with the Reverend’s wife was discovered. Another possible source for the tale was a Mrs Collins who was the wife of an alcoholic curate who came seeking Anne’s Patrick’s help to escape her domestic situation. The book was a great commercial success but heavily criticised for its ‘coarse’ subject matter. However, Anne revealed her intentions in writing the book when she declared, ‘Is it better to reveal the snares and pitfalls of life to the young and thoughtless traveller or to cover them with branches and flowers?’ Despite the sisters’ seemingly being destined for long, successful literary careers, great tragedy was to strike the family over the next 10 months.
First to die was Branwell who succumbed to tuberculosis in September 1848 aged just 31. Then a seemingly innocent cough developed into something more serious and on the 19th December Emily died. There is no doubt this double tragedy weakened Anne mentally and physically and she contracted influenza. However, she fought hard to recover and in early 1849 headed to Scarborough to convalesce. Unfortunately, the disease had hold of her too tightly and she died in Scarborough on 28th May 1849 aged just 29. Despite being overshadowed by the continued success of Charlotte’s ‘Jane Eyre’ there is no doubt that Anne was one of our greatest early feminist writers and is rightly celebrated as one of the great Bronte sisters.
Howarth Parsonage is now the Bronte Parsonage museum maintained by the Bronte Society and is a treasure trove for anyone looking to find out more about this amazing literary family.
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A mock-up of the Tempest putting Typhoons in the background
TEMPEST –
A Vision of the Future from Lancashire By Andrew Harris
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he British Gloster Meteor first flew in March 1943 and was the first jet fighter produced by the allies. Using jet engines invented by Britain’s Sir Frank Whittle it was underpowered but a groundbreaking concept in the sky. Later that year the De Havilland Vampire took to the sky and these two first generation jet fighters pioneered the jet age for the military. More than 2,000 were produced and, with the later Hawker Hunter, served many air forces well into the 1950s. The English Electric Lightning first flew in August 1954 and was a gigantic leap forward. It was also the start of Lancashire dominating the UK jet fighter industry. The Lightning was probably the most iconic British jet fighter ever and could achieve Mach 2 - twice the speed of sound - but not for long! It entered service with the RAF in 1960 and was steadily improved. It was made in Lancashire and was operational until 1988. It is the best example of a second generation jet fighter. The third age of jet fighters was dominated by the McDonnell Douglas Phantom made in the USA but the Anglo-French Jaguar kept Britain involved and expert as new technologies developed. 146
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From the mid-1970s the fourth generation of jet fighters saw the UK and Lancashire become major players again albeit on the back of international partnerships because of the huge costs of developing and producing some of the most advanced engineering in the world. The Tornado first flew in August 1974. The F1 version was a single-role fighter but the GR4 became multi-role which was essential as a way of making the best use of an aircraft that was incredibly expensive to produce and operate. After sterling service it was retired by the RAF last year but still serves the air forces of Germany and Italy where it is being eclipsed by the Typhoon which first flew 20 years later – in 1994. The Typhoon is still a fourth generation fighter but has become multi-role and is expected to serve until 2040. It is assembled in Warton where many upgrades have been achieved. So why the need for a fifth generation of jet fighters?
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The iconic Preston-built English Electric Lightning
Jet fighters have become flying computers which are more potent but also more vulnerable to new weaponry. The response was ‘stealth’ technology which makes a fighter hard to see. But this comes at a huge cost so most NATO countries agreed to jointly procure the F35 Joint Strike Fighter which offers three versions but with much commonality. Christened the Lightning 2, the F35A operates from airfields, the F35B is short take-off and vertical landing and the F35C is for aircraft carriers with catapults. The UK is the only level-one partner producing 15% of the F35 by value – including the tail section built with amazing technology by BAE Systems at Samlesbury in Lancashire. With expected orders for more than 3,000 aircraft - including 138 for the UK - this is a futuristic business. But where next? As threats and capabilities evolve the future need – after 2035 - is for a sixth generation fighter which will be stealthy, able to fly unmanned, use swarming technology to control drones, incorporate artificial intelligence deep learning, possess
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directed-energy weapons and have a virtual cockpit which dispenses with conventional instruments and switches. The ‘virtual cockpit ‘ will be shown on the pilot’s helmet-mounted display. If some of these terms mean little to you, dear reader, it illustrates just how futuristic is this concept – called Tempest. It is being developed by Team Tempest - BAE Systems in Lancashire in partnership with Rolls Royce, Leonardo in the UK and MBDA UK – all reporting to the Rapid Capabilities Office of the Royal Air Force. These partners are expert in aircraft design, engines, defence electronics and weapons technology respectively. The Tempest is also expected to feature a Co-operative Engagement Capability which is the ability to co-operate on the battlefield by sharing sensor data and messages to coordinate attack or defence.
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The UK Ministry of Defence explain that “The UK’s new Tempest fighter jet will be a decidedly British affair. It will be developed almost exclusively on British soil. The Brits hope the airplane will exhibit the country’s military prowess even as it exits the European Union and as its traditional defence partners and long-time ally the Unites Sates backs into isolationism.” During the unveiling of a mock-up of the Tempest the UK Defence Secretary said “We are entering a dangerous new era of warfare so our main focus has to be the future. Today we offer a glimpse of tomorrow. The Ministry has devoted $2.6 billion to developing the Tempest concept through 2025 and will then decide whether to roll out the final aircraft by 2035.” The Tempest project is currently a multi-national project between the UK, Sweden and Italy – hence the involvement of Leonardo and MBDA and two other Italian companies.
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The amazing Typhoons flying from 1994-2040. Image courtesy of the MoD.
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The Tempest concept explained.
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Colour and Style Our new section on Colour and Style with Sarah Harris from ‘Colour Me Beautiful’
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’m Sarah Harris and I’m a Colour and Style Consultant who trained with Colour Me Beautiful the world’s leading Image consultants. My background is in fashion and after leaving school at 16 I travelled to London to work as a Fashion/photographic model, I enjoyed the life and it allowed me to travel the world, during my career I also worked in wholesale/retail within the fashion industry. I learnt all about fabrics, business, international companies and trying all those clothes on – the quality, cut and fabric. I took a break from the business when I married and had our two children. I retrained as an Image consultant with Colour Me Beautiful who have been changing the lives of women and men for over 35 years. I’d like to inspire you with Colour, Style and skincare tips and every month I’m hoping to give you an interesting read. If there is something that you would like to know about please email me and I will do my best to help. Email: sarah@ sarahharrisstyle.co.uk
I hope that you and your family are staying safe and that this article will take you away from the stresses of the past months for a while and inspire you to spend a little time on yourself.
the fun part, I created a capsule wardrobe. If you are going to shop your wardrobe you need to first de-clutter then you are ready to shop. Here are the four essential things you need to know when shopping your wardrobe :• know what colours suit you • understand your style personality • understand and know what styles suit you depending on your body shape and proportions • Make sure your wardrobe matches your lifestyle Once you’ve taken out all the colours and styles that you know don’t suit you, the fun begins - try on and everything and accessorise, with jewellery, shoes, bags and hats. This is how we develop a capsule wardrobe, so you can start to build a versatile wardrobe with styles that suit you. I hope to explain different styles and looks in my monthly articles. When I went through my wardrobe I found clothes that I have had for many years and some items I rediscovered. It is a very therapeutic thing to do. My hair colour is darker and this has changed my dominant colouring type, so I’ve had to purchase some new items of clothing to suit my new colouring. As I mentioned most items we have in our wardrobe will be from past seasons and the photo of the two dresses below shows from one season to the next very little changes, that is why it is so important to look inside our wardrobes before we shop. It is also good to look after the environment by re-using items.
Review and Shop your wardrobe I hope you all enjoyed de-cluttering your wardrobes. I had a good time but I must say it was hard to do as the sun was out every day and I just wanted to get outside into the garden, so I have only just done mine! It is a fact that we only wear 20% of our wardrobes 80% of the time and the reason usually is because they are so full we really don’t know where to begin. We are often over powered by the thought of sorting them out! Yet we keep buying items and not getting rid of things that have probably been there for years! This is why it is essential to de-clutter. If you have already de-cluttered well done! You must feel like a weight has been lifted. If you are sat there wondering when to begin, I would say now! I posted a video on my facebook page Sarah Harris Style and Colour and also on my Instagram @sarahharrisstyle, I didn’t bore you with the whole wardrobe de-clutter as it’s not 166
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The dresses above are from different seasons, however, on the right a belt has been added and a bag. That season belts where fashionable, so you could add a belt to a dress that is already in your wardrobe or whatever is needed to make it look current. www.lancmag.com
For me it is essential that we get the colour right first and then assess the style because if the colour isn’t right it has to go unless you could add a scarf or large necklace (depending on the neckline) Sometimes you just have to be ruthless, especially if you can’t see what is inside your wardrobe as there is so much crammed in!! I can help you do a wardrobe de-clutter if you are struggling and I also do them online, take a look at my website sarahharrisstyle.co.uk or email sarah@sarahharrisstyle.co.uk Remember that it is the colour under your chin closest to your face that has to be right. If you aren’t sure what colours suit you I would recommend a colour consultation as it will give you confidence with colour. Once you know the shades that suit you it transforms your life, as wearing the right colour lifts and illuminates your skin. I always tell my client’s that when I first had my colours done I couldn’t believe the difference it made, it was like a ‘Face lift’ without surgery! We spend so much time buying make-up and creams for our skin, exercising, hair appointments but when we are all done up the biggest mistake I have seen is that many people are wearing colours that overtake or drain them. So all the money spent on making ourselves look the best that we can is let down by the colour. Once you know the shades that suit you it’s often hard to find a good variety of colours in the shops as usually whatever the colour of the season will dictate the colours on the high street. This year is Classic Blue so we are seeing lots of blues and cooler colours. There are many online companies that specialise in colour and one company that does colour very well is Kettlewell and it’s a British company located in Somerset. The owner Melissa struggled to find the perfect colours after having a colour consultation and so Kettlewell was born, with the idea of having your seasonal colours all year round! They work in seasons but they have recently added a section on tonal directions to help anyone who has had their colours done by Colour Me Beautiful. Have a look at their website:- www.kettlewellcolours .co.uk
It’s essential that we develop our style based on our personality. It is important that you feel comfortable in your clothes whatever the occasion, and a style that is right for one may not be right for another. It would be a boring world if we all dressed the same! We need to also take into consideration our lifestyle. There is no point having a wardrobe full of casual clothes if we work in an office and have to dress in a suit 5 days a week! The two celebrities below Helena Bonham Carter and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, both have very distinctive styles. Helena likes to experiment with textures and cuts and most likely to like vintage and second hand shops, so at Colour Me Beautiful we would describe her style personality as Creative. However, Rosie, has a different style, she always looks well groomed and put together, living up to her City Chic persona. Therefore understanding your individual style personality is key to creating a wardrobe with clothes that you will feel comfortable in. Most people slot into two boxes you could be a natural romantic or a dramatic creative or you could be a classic aspiring to be city chic. It doesn’t matter so long as you feel that it’s your style.
So I would say the starting point is to question your personality:-
Do you like pretty things, silks and the feel of fabrics? Would you rather have comfort and easy to clean clothing? Do you like to stand out from the crowd? Do you like to mix and match with a flair of creativity? Co-ordination is essential, not a button out of place and your bag has to match your shoes? Do you prefer quality pieces and a European flair? Or are you a combination?
Look inside your wardrobe and ask yourself these questions. www.lancmag.com
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Our award-winning style guru, Moo, has worked in television for over 20 years with presenters including Natasha Kaplinsky, Kirsty Young, Kirsty Gallacher and is now a personal stylist to us ‘normal women’ sharing all the inside tricks of the trade. If you’d like any personal styling advice or to see more tips please visit www.moostyle.co.uk
“Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.”
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his quotation makes me think of colour…colour, colour everywhere and everyone is in black! Black is not a colour, it’s an absence of colour and we can definitely make you look a better version of yourself with a more flattering shade of colour next to your face.
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Colour is such a confidence booster. Clients come to me for a colour analysis for a huge range of reasons; often because there has been a change in their lives and they feel it’s time to find themselves again. You may think it’s time for a colour analysis – whether you feel you’re stuck in a rut, haven’t got a clue or you want to reinvent yourself.
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The great news is that even in these times of social distancing, we can even do this online, so you can have your boost and learn how to make it work for you. Colour can affect your mood and I think we could all do with a superpower like that and a lift at the moment.
colour. It is more bespoke than simply fitting you into a seasonal box. We take into consideration the colour of your eyes and eyebrows, skintone and hair. This means as you age your dominant colouring can change (it’s fascinating), but don’t worry you can always come back for a colour update and advice.
At Colour Me Beautiful we use the Munsell colour theory that is the industry standard for looking at
When your dominant colouring is analysed we start with looking at which neutrals are specifically your
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best. These are the workhorses for your outfits – they go with everything and you can build a capsule wardrobe around them. I always say if you’re looking to buy an expensive handbag or coat, then buy in one of ‘your’ neutrals as it will always go with everything and it will make you look your best every time you wear it. How about trying something other than black?
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Boost Your Mood With These Five Fragrances And Popular Perfumes Buying a new perfume including one of these five fragrance notes, which experts claim can have a positive effect on your mood, could be just the lockdown pick up you need. Your sense of smell is very closely linked to the part of the brain that is responsible for emotion and memory. When certain aromas enter your body through the smell receptors, they momentarily find their way to the brain and commence using their soothing characteristics to affect your emotions.
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Breathe In The Benefits Of These Fragrances
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YLANG-YLANG – main benefit ‘relaxation and boosting self-esteem’ Ylang-ylang is made from the flowers of the herb Cananaga odorata genuina. This popular, tropical floral scent has been found in research to aid relaxation, reduce depression and alleviate anxiety when applied to skin or inhaled; it is also said to be an aphrodisiac. Other benefits according to Healthline include improving memory and thinking skills. Ylang-ylang is often linked to feminine energy, with a sensual smell that is beautifully sweet and exotic. It can also be used in some men’s aftershaves for a sweeter edge to masculine scents.
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