Jacques Town House.

Words Ryan Martin.
Photos Matt Ford.


For more than a week in August Liverpool’s Rodney Street was a hot spot in the city with one of its Georgian buildings being transformed into the sensational Jacques Townhouse. Jacques hosted the ultimate girly party to celebrate and enjoy their two ciders with a spectacular townhouse decorated to the core to make every room as enchanting as the last. The opening night saw V.I.P guests being the first to witness all the masquerade with glamorous hosts, maids and waiters showcasing a entertaining welcome and giving amazing food.
Fashion and style were definitely highlighted words in the brief. Talks on A/W trends, along side cupcake making, were give by some extremely influential people in fashion including editors from both Look and Glamour magazine as well as Liverpool’s own Kirsty Doyle and Cricket’s Justine Mills.

From downstairs to up, the lucky ladies, as well as some of the guys, were pampered in the beauty room choosing to spend time to have treatments with either hairdressers, make-up artist, nail technicians and masseuses. All prep towards thier close up, moving on to the photo studio next door. Guests where then brought back to fond memories of their childhood dressing up boxes within the wardrobe of wonders. A whole room complete with rails of vintage clothing, bags of accessories, wigs and a professional designed backdrop and photographer Matt Ford for their dreams of supermodel stardom to come true.

As the night passed by, the guests seemed to have extremely enjoyed their night and couldn’t wait for 
all the photos to be uploaded on Facebook the next day to start the tagging spree. With only two place being chosen to host the event, London and Liverpool, we hope that the party will come back next time and start it all over again, to celebrate all things fashionable, as well as all things Jacques.

Pride in Photography.

With this years Liverpool Gay Pride Festival looming, Seen Magazine have celebrated the event by bringing together all the individuals who have pride in what they do; whether it be football or religion, music or of course... photography and so that's where I come in, here's my interview...

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Click here to read the whole magazine. 

Beatles hotel hosts third annual fashion show for Linda McCartney Centre

Returning to Liverpool’s Beatles-inspired Hard Days Night Hotel for the third time, the annual Linda McCartney Centre fashion show is set to be bigger than ever when it takes place later this month.

Showcasing summer lines by independent boutiques Gypsophila Couture and Total Recall Vintage, as well as designs by local fashion graduates, the show has been organised in aid of Linda McCartney Centre in Liverpool that houses a state of the art breast assessment unit, as well as research and development laboratories, an outpatient unit and chemotherapy centre.

Event organiser and Stylist Joseph Nze said: “I have organised this event in memory of my dear friend Gail Tyler who sadly passed away from breast cancer last month. The Linda McCartney Centre does some fantastic work screening women for the disease and offering post-operative care, and they need vital funds to continue their work. I’m hoping to raise in excess of £1,000 through ticket sales and donations on the night. I’ve sold a fair few tickets but there’s still a way to go. I am happy doing this as I am achieving so much by helping others who may not have the courage to do something like this. As the youngest fashion stylist in Liverpool I need to be recognized as a stylist and by doing this show I am promoting myself and The McCartney Centre for the well being of others and to show people out there that there is always something that you can do to make this world a better place. By doing this show I have got many contacts in the fashion and art industry which is fantastic for myself and the my joint business with a women called Joanne Derbyshire which is now up and running the company called "Jo by Joseph" look us up on www.jobyjoseph.weebly.com. So no matter how young or old you are have courage to do things and hopefully it will happen I have courage and the will-power, now i am an owner of my own business!

“I hope this event inspires other designers to use their designs to help raise money for truly worthwhile causes like the Linda McCartney Centre. I will be hosting a Winter-themed fashion show in December and I would love more designers to come forward to showcase their collections.”

The fashion show will be supplemented with performances by high-energy, R & B dance troupe Cody Urban Dance who won the Liverpool Unites In Dance competition in 2010 and Liverpool singer Beauty. An auction will also take place at the end of the evening where bespoke, one-off design pieces will go under the hammer with proceeds going towards the charity.

Kate Taylor from Linda McCartney Centre said: “We’re extremely grateful to Hard Days Night Hotel for hosting the event for the third year running, and to Joseph who has donated his time and effort planning and putting this amazing fashion show together. It’s people like Joseph who help keep our doors open 24/7 to women from all across the North West.”

The Linda McCartney Centre Fashion Show will take place on 31st July 2011 at Hard Days Night Hotel from 5pm till late followed by an after party. Tickets cost £5 for the fashion show and £2 for the after party event and are available on the door.

Word Joseph Nze. 


Fashion show also produced by local designer John Maines. 

Mexico at the Lantern Theatre Liverpool. Grin productions.

"Mexico is a dark drama exploring the tense relationship between a Mother and an unhinged daughter."

Sometimes your shadow doesn’t look anything like you, according to writer-director, John Maguire, a line he often cites from one of his own plays.

This is a key theme that John explores in the new play he is directing at The Lantern, Liverpool, Mexico, by Wes Williams Friday July 29^th and Saturday 30^th 2011.

Over the last few years John’s passion for Fringe Theatre has developed.  In June 2010 he became involved with Write Now, Liverpool’s International One Act Play Festival, directing his self-penned piece, Heart

‘Small drops make the Mersey and the odd shopping trolley’.

 John returned to the Liverpool Actor’s Studio in April of this year, directing a romantic comedy MRS BOJANGLES by Steph Blakeborough.  

Delving further into Johns love of theatre,

I value fringe theatre as its one of the rare places that artists can spontaneously create. Performance is becoming so fabricated and constructed to the point of ridiculousness, emotion by numbers. The restrictive nature of fringe theatre means that in order to entertain, a tale has to be told in an imaginative clear manner, no room for gimmickry. Lack of resources is the ingredient that creates. It forces you to be clever, to dissect problems instead of throwing cash at them. There is a definite buzz around fringe productions and it's the spit and sawdust venues that are particularly wonderful electric. Liverpool audiences are particularly amazing, as they have what I call the Huckleberry Finn trait, telling it how it is……if they don’t like something, they are not afraid to tell you.

John is an experienced actor in his own right, most recently performing Shakespeare last September in Hamlet in the North West of England, with a season finale in Civitavecchia, Rome.

 I understand actors, their needs, feelings, paranoia, as I have been one of those energised, skilled fragile beasts.

The play Mexico is a dark drama exploring the tense relationship between a Mother and an unhinged daughter. An explosive tango ballad between the two. However, it's the brother who never actually occupies the stage that is the primary focus of the action.

After directing a comedy I felt compelled to try something in complete contrast. The main thing that attracted me to this piece was the dynamic use of language between the characters and also the things they don’t say that speaks volumes.

John constantly analyses his craft and feels that Fringe theatre is one of the best places to experiment. He believes in consistently improving and is always thinking of the next project.

Any director/writer indeed an artist constantly develops. No one is ever completely really happy with the end product, whilst you have a momentary fleeting appreciation, an artist can always spot grounds for improvement. Graft equals Craft.

After Mexico, John will be developing a self-penned play BRUISE, touching on a range of issues from domestic violence to social isolation via the internet.  The play will be a hard hitting autopsy of an explosive relationship. Bruise is an explosive piece of writing, exploring the destructive forces that compel two opposing characters to stay united in a complex, bitter, yet somewhere along the lines loving relationship. It illustrates the diverse ways one can be “bruised”, physically, psychologically, mentally and in a way that cannot be explained by mere language.

Words Rita Tannet. Pictures Matt Ford. 

Mexico- 29th & 30th July 2011. 7.30pm

Box Office: 0151 703 0000

www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

57 Blundell Street Liverpool.


Click here to book tickets. 

Catch up.

Firecracker is back from having a well deserved month off. Time spent wisely planning my big exhibition for this winter...

There are a few good posts due out soon though, including work I have been doing with Grin Productions on their latest Play Mexico. The play is on 29th-30th July at the Lantern theatre.

I've also been working with Liverpool's coolest H.P.G's (High Profile Gays) for this years Pride poster and brochure. It's in the designers getting the finishing touches as we speak. I've also been working on this years Vogue Ball poster for Darren Suarez. I can't give too much away but I can tell you the shoot involved a naked man, a paddling pool, 70kg of sand and more glitter than you can shake a love glue gun at... 

Here are last years posters.

I've got a shot in this weeks Look Magazine, so here's a little shout to that.  

Matt. 

Shop 'till you drop, na thats so 1990's. Get someone else to do it.

Topshop have relaunched their personal shopping service with tailored appointments that could involve access to exclusive collections or having those sell out items on hold just for you. If your addicted to fashion but you still crave that expert eye to guide you and your friends on the latest trends, then look no further. 

Costumers who use the free service also get invited to special events such as Thursday nights catwalk talk with Sophie Ferguson Jones, shopping editor of Grazia.

To book an appointment: bookings@topshop.com / 0844 243 5544

Genral enquiries: Personshopping@topshop.com

Topshop.com/personalshopping

 Justine Mills and the WAG's.

 Celebrity stylist Lorrain Mccullock with daughter Candy.

 Emma Hill (His and Hers Magazine) and Matthew Fisher (Seen Magazine.)

 Benna (benna Jewellery) Justine Mills (Cricket) and Kirsty Doyle.

Matt. x

Topshops coming to town.

Shop 'till you drop, na thats so 1990's. Get someone else to do it.

Topshop have relaunched their personal shopping service with tailored appointments that could involve access to exclusive collections or having those sell out items on hold just for you. If you're addicted to fashion but you still crave that expert eye to guide you and your friends on the latest trend, then look no further.

Costumers who use the free service also get invited to special events such as Thursday nights catwalk talk with Sophie Ferguson Jones, shopping editor of Grazia.

To book an appointment: bookings@topshop.com / 0844 243 5544

Genral enquiries: Personshopping@topshop.com

Topshop.com/personalshopping

Matt Ford Interview for www.sevenstreets.com

I'll just lift the first bit from the website if you want to read on just click the link at the bottom...

A SINGLE MAN 

One Liverpool photographer is doing more to get our city ready for its close up than anyone. With his edgy and singular style, it’s just possible Matt Ford might even kill off those stereotypes once and for all, too.

MATT FORD BY HANNAH ELLEN.

W

hat do we look like? Well, if you grabbed the chance to watch the VBS hour long documentary ‘Beautiful Liverpool’ on our site last week, we look a little, um, sad.

Who knew our lads were even more orange than our lasses? Who knew everyone in town knows Amanda Moss? Who recognised the city they call home?

Well, in part maybe. But mostly we saw cynicism, desperation and the same, lame targets being coerced into reinforcing the same old stereotypes.

Cheap shots.

So we thought it only fair to redress the balance – and talk to someone who knows the true story. Someone whose refreshing and playful eye focuses in on a city that’s far more interesting, surprising and, yes, stylish than any tired and lazy documentary could ever show.

Because, let’s face it, if you want to know how beautiful we really are, you’ve got to do more than just scratch the surface.......

CLICK ME TO READ MORE. 

KIKI. Kirsty Doyle's exciting new daywear range.

Kirsty Doyle portait by Matt Ford.

With the likes of Machino with their Cheap and Chic range or Alice by Alice Temperley, it was only a matter of time before Liverpool's much loved bespoke fashion designer came up with her own range with a more accessible price point.  

Kirsty tells me she named the range KIKI, after the childhood nickname given to her by her younger sister. The new brand echoes some of Kirsty's famous designs such as the Lenore dress (strapless bustier) and the satin tuxe jacket.

The debut collection for KIKI tones down on the usual luxury silks and opts for breathable spring cottons, perfect for day wear. KIKI S/S11 promises to be affordable luxury....I'll let Kirsty tell you about the rest and show you her favourite pieces...(video includes prices)

Matt. x

www.kirsty-doyle.com

Sandal making workshop with Liverpool's best kept design secret Nook and Willow. (and did I mention homemade cake)

Have you ever seen a pair of shoes and thought, they'd be better if.... Well now it's your chance to design, make and keep your own.

Leather accessories and handbag designer/makers nook and willow are opening up their design studio for their new sandal making workshop.

With Nook and Willows expertise and a wonderful array of leather samples, in just one afternoon you can create and wear your very own bespoke sandals. You will learn how to mould your material of choice over a traditional shoe makers last.  Then you could learn how to embellish your footwear with adornments such as fringed tassels, bows or studded straps.

Each workshop can accommodate up to five people, so you can book on your own and meet new people or book as a group, with your family, work colleges or even a hen party.

The workshops are scheduled to start at the end of the month and will be priced at £80. But if you book an early bird voucher (valid for three months) between now and 25th May you will pay just £60.

To find out more drop creative directors Clare or Nina a little email. studio@nookandwillow.com

Or call 0151 708 5576 or 07912499522 (between 10am-5pm)

Gift vouchers available.

The Nook and Willow studio is based on Seel Street in the heart of Liverpool city centre. 

www.nookandwillow.com