October 2009 Archives

The essential Liverpool fashion event took place on Friday night at Circo, with the hottest ticket in town being a VIP seat for the launch of the Philip Armstrong Couture Autumn/Winter collection for 09/10. A 'Who's Who' of Liverpool turned out for the catwalk spectacular, including Alex Gerrard, Natasha Hamilton, Roxanne Pallet, Michelle Keegan and Hollyoaks babe Bronagh Waugh. Philip Armstrong Couture Design Director Tony Burke said "We are delighted that so many of our clients, media contacts and people from the world of commerce and industry have come along to join us tonight. We are incredibly proud of our 09/10 Autumn/Winter collection and we hope that it portrays our desire to ensure that our cutting edge designs are appealing yet affordable and desirable, yet attainable!".

Stylish Chester Bar and Restaurant the Blackhouse Grill hosted the second Cheshire Witches (Women in Touch with Claire Houes) Ladies Lunch last week. The glitzy event, 'It's Showtime' organised by Cheshire Witch Zoe Bock raised almost £1,100 for Claire House Children's Hospice.

The event showcased make-up and skincare products from Estee Lauder (assisted by the inimitable Christine Cartwright), ladies and gents beauty from Chester based MANKIND, the latest luxury ranges from Jo Malone, and stunning ladies wear from De Keyser, various pieces from the Vintage Shop, Chique Jewellery, and stunning photography from Dave Williams as well as wraps from Hridaya and flowers from Acacia Florist.

Fantastic food and signature cocktails ensured that the ladies of Chester enjoyed an informative and entertaining lunch, whilst raising funds for Claire House.

I have been following the 'Should he/Shouldn't' he debate surrounding tonight's scheduled appearance of BNP leader Nick Griffin on 'Question Time'

So, I decided to ask local people for their opinions:-

SHOULD THE BNP BE ALLOWED A PLATFORM ON TONIGHT'S QUESTION TIME?

My opinion is simply this ... "We should celebrate the fact that we live in a democracy and of course he should be allowed share the platform. It will show him for exactly what he is, a racist lying bigot! A massive amount of the the BNP votes were a protest vote to the present governments immigration policies - or lack of them! We should remember that World War II was only 70 years ago, and some of the BNP rallying cries are remarkably similar to the early Hitler addresses!..... You have been warned!"
Carolyn Hughes

Sam Hillas, Barrister, Atlantic Chambers said "Of course he should. We cannot (and should not) cushion people from hearing his views. It is only by giving him a public platform that voters will see him for what he actually is - an intolerant bigot whose ideas are completely out of step with modern Britain - rather than some idealised version of what they think he represents"

Mike Neary, Actor/Singer/All round entertainer said " I am a total believer in free speech but the last few days have left me utterly depressed. Lately people seem to come out of the woodwork defending the free speech of those such as Jan Muir and Nick Griffin when all over the world people are rotting in jails for comparitively innocuous remarks. Where are all these free speech enthusiasts then? I'd rather people had the guts to say they agree and then you can have a debate rather than hiding behind a fascile defence of democracy. Nick Griffin said he admitted Hitler has left him with an image problem His deputy famously said that rape is no different to force feeding a woman chocolate as she enjoys both. I mean, I could go on....."

Please try and join us for what is sure to be the ULTIMATE GIRLS NIGHT IN - at GUSTO in HESWALL, on TUESDAY 10th NOVEMBER....

The evening is set to be a fun packed, truly traditional, wild, wonderful, no men allowed (apart from our wonderful Be My Butler and our fabulous Soul Singer)......

Please welcome my GUEST BLOGGERS and thoroughly wonderful people Sandra Carney and Adam Yaffe from Yaffe Fusion Art!

Hi All,

Ok, so who hates having their picture taken? Everyone usually shouts
"Me!" whenever we ask!!!

We, Adam & Sandra, are the infamous duo from celebrity photographers
Yaffé Fusion Art. You've probably met us at some party or event or
launch, hey we go to the opening of an envelope!! Anywhere there's a
pop of a Champagne cork... you'll find us!!!!

But attending all these events, we've learnt a lot about how to pose
when someone's taking your snap for a newspaper or magazine... or even
Carolyn's blog!

We've all seen those embarrassing images with triple chins (never mind
the double one's!) big tummies, shiny faces and awkward grimaces!

But there's lots you can do to help not end up with a picture that you
want to burn, but to actually want to show your friends with pride!

Hello Everyone

We are delighted to be 'guest blogging' for Carolyn on BY INVITATION ONLY

As crazy as it sounds, Carolyn has managed to get from us literally our only 15 minute window in a manic week for us both.

As well as preparing for the launch of our new collection at CIRCO on Friday night (23rd October) - we are still on a high from watching Tess Daly wearing one of our dresses for Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night. We had so many lovely message from clients and friends telling us how fabulous she looked in our couture number. Tess and her stylist were delighted with the look and we are proud that over six million people on Saturday night saw a dress designed right here in Liverpool, by Liverpool Designers!

We met during our BA course in Fashion and really that is where our journey started. In Spring of 1996 we launched our own label featuring a capsule collection of Women's eveningwear and Wedding Dresses.
One of our Wedding dresses was featured on Brookside and proved to be so popular that it was repeated in different variations over the years.

The festive season came early this week as the The Blackhouse Grill in Chester held an evening for clients to promote their 'Christmas Party Booker' offer, encouraging people to book their Christmas parties early to take advantage of the £60 FREE meal for two offer if you book your event in before the end of October! Christmas inspired drinks and canapés were enjoyed as people were encouraged to book early to take advantage of the free meal for two.

Terms and conditions apply - for further information please contact
Blackhouse Grill - 01244 400507

Reporting by Duncan Meehan
Photographs by Dan Collins

Heavy showers gave way to beautiful blue skies at the Upper Park on Sunday when the Birkenhead Park Panthers' women's rugby team unveiled their brand spanking new kit to their adoring fans when they took to the field against Ruthin Ladies. The Panthers looked immaculate in the new shirts and shorts sponsored by "love2shop.com". Peter Johnson, the driving force behind many a successful venture in these parts as well as further afield, seemed suitably impressed with the early returns on his investment.

The Panthers were very pleased that club President Mark McNally had volunteered his services as the man in the middle and, as expected, Mark controlled proceedings throughout with aplomb. He refereed with the authority one would expect from such an experienced arbiter and the players from both sides will have benefited from his expertise.

Straight from the off the Panthers launched an early sortie into Ruthin territory. The ball was recovered following the Panthers' kick off and direct and purposeful running by Becky Edmonds at inside centre took the ball over the gain line. The ball was quickly recycled and the home attack stretched the visiting defence on their left flank. To Ruthin's credit, they withheld this early pressure thanks to their very disciplined scramble defence, aided and abetted by rolling Panther player assistance.