t h e f i r s t

E D I T I O N 1672829292

“ T h e o n l y w a y t o t h e t o p i s b y

p e r s i s t e n t , i n t e l l i g e n t a n d

h a r d w o r k . ”

– A . T . M e r c i e r

The c on t en t s P a g e 4 /

P a g e 7 /

P a g e 2 1 / :

P a g e 2 3 /

P a g e 2 7 /

P a g e 3 5 /

P a g e 3 9 /

P a g e 4 8 /

P a g e 5 2 /

P a g e 5 3 /

P a g e 5 8 /

P a g e 6 3 /

P a g e 6 9 /

P a g e 7 7 /

P a g e 7 9 /

P a g e 8 3 /

P a g e 8 7 /

P a g e 9 0 /

P a g e 9 9 / -

P a g e /

P a g e /

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E D I T O R I N C H I E F

C R E A T I V E D I R E C T O R

J e s s i c a R u d d l e s d i n

R E A S E A R C H E D I T O R

S a r a h S t o r e y

F E A T U R E E D I T O R

L i b b y W i n d l e

01..

t h e

M A N I F E S T O [ ]

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The Editors Note

. . j u s t l i k e m e a n d y o u ! T h e

i n d i v i d u a l s o u t t h e r e t h a t

a r e d o i n g s o m e t h i n g t h e y

a r e p a s s i o n a t e a b o u t , t r y i n g

t o m a k e i t w i t h i n t h e

i n d u s t r y . I t w i l l g i v e

u n d e r r a t e d p e o p l e a c h a n c e

t o s h o w o f f t h e i r t a l e n t s a n d

g i v e y o u s o m e t h i n g n e w a n d

i n t e r e s t i n g t o r e a d a b o u t . S o

I a p o l o g i z e , i f y o u ’ r e

l o o k i n g f o r K i m

K a r d a s h i a n ’ s l a t e s t s t y l e

b l u n d e r b u t f o r t u n a t e l y

y o u ’ l l n o t f i n d t h a t h e r e .

T h e F i r s t I s s u e

W e l c o m e t o t h e f i r s t e v e r

i s s u e o f A s p i r e m a g a z i n e . I n

t h i s i s s u e , w e w i l l b e

i n t r o d u c i n g y o u t o a

s e l e c t i o n o f c r e a t i v e

i n d i v i d u a l s i n c l u d i n g ;

f a s h i o n d e s i g n e r s , g r a p h i c

d e s i g n e r s , b l o g g e r s , a r t i s t s

a n d m u s i c i a n s . T h e t e a m

h e r e a t A s p i r e h a s s e a r c h e d

h i g h a n d l o w a c r o s s t h e U K

t o f i n d y o u i n s p i r a t i o n a l

a n d t a l e n t e d p e o p l e t h a t

w i l l g u a r a n t e e t o l e a v e y o u

f a r f r o m d i s a p p o i n t e d .

A s p i r e m o v e s i t s e l f a w a y

f r o m t h e t y p i c a l g l o s s y

m a g a z i n e s a n d w i t h i n t h i s

m a g a z i n e e x p e c t t o f i n d

f e a t u r e s b a s e d o n r e a l

p e o p l e . .

E d i t o r i n c h i e f

E m m a K e l l y X

P a g e /

P a g e /

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m e e t 01..

E l l a S c h u l t z [ ]

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‘ I t r e a t m y p h o t o g r a p h y l i k e

a d r a w i n g i n a s k e t c h b o o k , a l w a y s

f o r s e e i n g t h e f i n a l r e s u l t ’

P a g e /

w w w . E l l a S c h u l t z . c o . u k

i l l u s t r a t o r

/ P h o t o g r a p h e r

E l l a S c h u l t z i s a r a r e d i a m o n d

i n t h e c r e a t i v e i n d u s t r y , w i t h a

p a s s i o n f o r b o t h i l l u s t r a t i o n

a n d p h o t o g r a p h y t h i s u p a n d

c o m e r i s d e f i n i t e l y o n e t o w a t c h

o u t f o r . W i t h a w o r k i n g d e g r e e

i n p h o t o g r a p h y a n d m o v i n g

i m a g e , E l l a s u r e k n o w s h o w t o

j u g g l e h e r t w o t a l e n t s b y

p o r t r a y i n g h e r c o n c e p t s i n t o

i m a g i n a t i v e i m a g e r y . S o i f

y o u ’ r e l o o k i n g f o r a c r e a t i v e

w i t h a n o r i g i n a l t a k e o n p r e t t y

m u c h e v e r y t h i n g , t h i s i n t e r v i e w

i s f o r y o u !

P a g e /

F i n d E l l a ’ s w o r k @

w w w . e l l a c h ul t z . c o . u k

P a g e /

Q . H o w d i d y o u b e c o m e i n v o l v e d w i t h i n t h e c r e a t i v e i n d u s t r y ?

A. Well, knowing that i wanted a career within the

creative industry from a young age, i moved school

to go to collage that specialised more in creative

subjects. Here I immersed myself in all things

creative, illustration, paint, graphics and

photography; finally realising that I wanted to

pursue photography. That brings to me where I am

now, in final year at Birmingham city university,

working for a degree in photography and moving

image.

Q . W h e n d i d y o u f i r s t e x p l o r e i l l u s t r a t i o n ?

A. In high school during lessons I used to treat my

school planner as a sketchbook covering them in

drawings. This gradually spread to my bedroom

walls that I'd spray paint, graffiti-ing everything

this calmed down when I discovered photography.

Q . H o w d i d y o u b e c o m e i n t e r e s t e d b o t h p h o t o g r a p h y a n d i l l u s t r a t i o n , t w o v e r y d i f f e r e n t s u b j e c t s ? A. My love for photography derived from my interest

in illustration. It was in collage where I started

experimenting in the dark room and with

Photoshop and where I realised that photography

could be just as creative.

Q . S a y y o u h a d t o c h o o s e , i l l u s t r a t i o n o r p h o t o g r a p h y ?

A. I’d have to say photography! As much as I love the

both, I don't get bored of photography, where as I

have to be in the right mind set to sit down and be

inspired to draw. Additionally I see a future in

photography it’s that fact that it's a potential careers

that I know I'll always a joy.

Q . W h a t d o y o u l i k e t o p h o t o g r a p h ?

A. Mostly people… but not in the conventional way. I

like to approach my photography with a ‘fine art

twist,’ by adding surreal qualities to my images. I

like to think it intrigues my audience, forcing them

take a second look, and think about how and why I

created the photograph.

Q. A n y a c h i e v e m e n t s t o s h a r e w i t h u s ? A. Nothing major as yet! Last year I won 'best west

midlands student photographer' award by frame. I

was also shortlisted by warehouse and won a

weekend for a friend and I in short ditch, shooting

with the model-turned- photographer Helena

Christenson as part of their 'fashion shooters'

campaign which has been published this summer.

That was pretty cool!

Q . W h a t w i l l y o u d o t o a c h i e v e a c a r e e r i n p h o t o g r a p h y ? A. I'd love to find an internship in London so I can get

some valuable experience and make some contacts.

Hopefully this will open some doors. I think by

entering competitions and trying to get my work

published also putting my work out there so I can

maybe get some recognition for my work.

Q . D r e a m c l i e n t s ? A. I'd love to work with Palma faith; she always has

very extravagant, conceptual, album artwork by

photographers that I admire; such as David

Standish and Finlay Mackay. She's very eccentric

and creative.

Q . W h o ' s t h a t r o l e m o d e l i n t h e i n d u s t r y ? A. Lara jade, this fashion photographer has been quite

a big influence. Although not the style of

photography I practice, the fact that she's done so

well for herself whilst been so young is a big

inspiration. She also studied at my university, which

gives me high hopes.

Q . A n y u p c o m i n g p r o j e c t s y o u a r e l o o k i n g F o r w a r d t o ?

A. I’m currently working on combining my interest in

music with my photography/illustration for a final

project. Not mentioning any names, I’m working

with some up-and-coming musicians and

singer/song-writers creating some artwork for

them. Alongside this, I’m collaborating with the

graphic designer Oliver Stanley, creating our own

clothing brand. It’s something that we’ve had in

mind for a while, but now it’s finally kicking into

action!

Q . W h e r e d o y o u s e e y o u r s e l f i n 2 0 y e a r s ?

A. Obviously involved within the creative industry,

maybe part of a big design company where I can

thrive of other artistic people and work with both

photography and illustration. Or maybe I'll try and

go freelance, although I imagine that can get quite

stressful!

Q . C o o l a r t i s t s w e n e e d t o c h e c k o u t ? A. There's so many! If you’re into the whole surreal

photography thing, Brooke shades is a good one to

check out, her books are also an interesting read.

Along with the partnership that makes up M/M

Paris is cool; they combine their illustrations with

photography making some collage style designs.

And finally the amazing Nick knight who is my

constant go to when it comes to fashion

photography inspiration.

I n t e r v i e w b y

J e s s i c a R u d d l e s d i n

M E E T

U p a n d

c o m i n g

f a s h i o n

p h o t o g r a p h e r

02.

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S m a r t a n d t a l e n t e d , N i c o l e

J o p e k i s q u i c k l y b e c o m i n g o n e

o f t h e m o s t e x c i t i n g

p h o t o g r a p h e r s w e s h o u l d a l l b e

l o o k i n g o u t f o r . A t o n l y 2 1 ,

r e c e n t g r a d u a t e N i c o l e h a s

a l r e a d y g o t h e r f o o t f i r m l y

p l a c e d w i t h i n t h e c r e a t i v e

i n d u s t r i e s d o o r t a k i n g t h e

p h o t o g r a p h y w o r l d b y s t o r m .

I w a s l u c k y e n o u g h t o p u l l h e r

a w a y f r o m h e r b u s y s c h e d u l e

f o r a c h a t …

Q . H a v e y o u a l w a y s w a n t e d t o b e a p h o t o g r a p h e r ? W h a t g o t y o u s t a r t e d ?

A. I've been doing photography since college, so for

five years now. But I feel my best work was produced

just in this past year, everything prior to that was a

big experimental process trying to find my style. It

was a comment made by my photography teacher at

college on how she felt I could go further in

photography if it was something I had the heart for.

The fact that she saw something in me from the

beginning was the push I needed to make that step

towards going further with my photography work.

Nicole Jopek

Q . W h a t a r e a s o f p h o t o g r a p h y d o y o u m o s t l i k e s h o o t i n g ?

A. High-end fashion editorials are my area of

work. I enjoy the high production values and the

long creative processes, as I am also a retoucher as

well as a photographer. Beauty is another strong

area of my practice and that is something I always

like to progress and improve on.

Q . W h e r e d o e s y o u r i n s p i r a t i o n f o r s h o o t s c o m e f r o m ?

A. The energy and vibe from different creative

members in my team inspire me and I feel that is

the inspiration I need. Fashion magazines come

as a very close second for me in terms of collecting

inspiration. I have the biggest collection of

magazines with nowhere to put them!

Q . S o f a r , w h a t h a v e b e e n y o u r m o s t r e w a r d i n g e x p e r i e n c e s ?

A.I would say my best experiences come from the

really big industry shoots, going from a simple

test shoot with a model to the actual shoot that

involve teams of 30 people or more. These days

that can last up to 13 hours or more. Ad

campaigns, fashion films, fashion editorials - these

are the ones where you learn what the fashion

industry is about and it's a great experience to be a

part of.

Q . W h i c h o t h e r p h o t o g r a p h e r s d o y o u a d m i r e ?

A. That is such a hard question and I could name

so many, but my top favourites are the likes of

Inez & Vinoodh, Horst, Guy Bourdin, Lina Tesch

and even landscape photographer Jan Erik

Waider. I think what I admire about these

photographers is that their work is so different

from my own, and I often end up looking up to

those whose style is on another level from mine.

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B r i t a i n ' s N e x t T o p

M o d e l l J A D E

B N T M

WORDS BY L i b b y W i n d l e x o

Q . W h a t a r e y o u w o r k i n g o n r i g h t n o w ?

A.I have literally just finished

working alongside a huge team of

35+ people on a fashion film that

lasted 9am-11pm for 2 days,

shooting in the most luxurious

penthouse suites in London,

overlooking the whole cityscape of

London - that was incredible.

Q . W h e r e d o y o u s e e y o u r s e l f i n t e n y e a r s t i m e ?

A. We all want that lucky break

don't we? Well, I hope one day to be

shooting for high end magazines, ad

campaigns - the things every fashion

photographer hopes to achieve in

the future. Work that I admire most

lays in Vogue Paris, and one day

hopefully it will be my editorial

spread in there, fingers crossed! Oh,

and it would be lovely to have a

book shelf full of my front covers...

one day!

P a g e /

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P a g e /

Rule #3:

Network, network, network! If you do

not want to use your personal accounts,

create an Instagram, twitter and

Facebook page for your blog. This is a

great way to connect with other

bloggers, brands and PR companies.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there

and introduce yourself to people, most of

the time the person will be lovely and

you will have made a new blogger friend.

This is also a great way to keep readers

updated on new posts and even let

readers gain an insight to your life.

Rule #4:

You need to be a frequently upload in

order for your blog to be successful. This

doesn’t mean you have to post every day,

even once a week will be enough. Keep

motivated by planning ahead, maybe

write posts and schedule them to be

published, or even take pictures on your

phone of inspiration when you’re out and

about. It can be hard to keep motivated

with a blog, especially when you have

other commitments. Sometimes simply

reading somebody else's blog will help

give you some motivation.

Rule #5: ’

Just because you do not immediately

have 1000 followers doesn’t mean your

blog isn’t good. It takes years of hard

work to gain a following. If you have 10

followers, that means that there is still

10 people out there who want to read

YOUR blog, don’t be so hard on

yourself.

Rule #1:

Do not start a blog just for ‘free gifts’. A

blog should be for something you’re

passionate about and to join a community

where you can meet like minded others.

If you start a blog with the mind set of

wanting to receive free gifts you aren’t

going to get far. It takes bloggers years

sometimes to start being contacted by

big brands, these bloggers have worked

hard and created a brand for themselves

which is what you need to start out

doing.

Rule #2:

Think of yourself as a brand. Once you

have decided what your blog is going to

be about, choose which platform you

want it to be on. Word press? Blogger?

Tumblr? The choice is completely yours

and what you feel comfortable with. make

sure you take the time picking (or

designing) the right layout, font, logo

and most importantly name. You want

your blog name to be remembered, so

maybe not opt for something which

people may struggle to spell or say.

How t o

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W o r d s b y

Rule #6:

Having good imagery to compliment

your writing will make your blog look

better. You don’t have to go out and buy

a ridiculously expensive camera,

sometimes changing up your technique

will produce a better picture. Lighting is

the key to taking a good picture; natural

lighting will become your best friend.

Try taking your image at different

angles, looking at something in a

different view can make the whole piece

work better.

Rule #7

It’s an amazing feeling when you receive

a lovely comment on your blog. Self

promotion is good but not on other

people’s blogs! So stick to comments

which are more genuine than the ‘please

follow me’ types. Remember, other

bloggers are people just like you, they

work hard on their blog and I’m sure if

you left a nice comment on their post

then they’ll head over and check your

blog out.

Rule #8:

If you like the idea of being a beauty

blogger but aren’t really into beauty then

simply don’t blog about it. If you write

about something you love there is more

chance of you sticking to it and enjoying

it. Blogging should not be a chore, ever!

So if you ever feel like it is then maybe

switch it up a bit.

Rule #10:

The blogging community is full of many

opportunities. If you get invited to an

event and you fancy it then go! Go have

some fun and mingle with other

bloggers. Whatever you do, don’t panic!

Remember, there will always be someone

out there that’s in your shoes; we’ve all

got to start somewhere.

Rule #9:

There are so many places out there

which connect bloggers to brands.

Etail PR and The Blogger Platform

are just a few where you can sign up

and discover independent labels and

opportunities that are happening.

Keeping up to date with your

favourite bloggers can be difficult

however check out Bloglovin which

will prove as a useful platform to

follow your favourite bloggers and

see all their posts in one site.

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Hann ah Val e n t i n e

03.

M e e t H a n n a h V a l e n t i n e , a 1 9

y e a r o l d p e r s o n a l s t y l e

b l o g g e r f r o m a l i t t l e t o w n i n

t h e o u t s k i r t s o f M a n c h e s t e r .

W i t h a m a z i n g p e r s o n a l s t y l e

a n d a b a c k g r o u n d i n g r a p h i c

d e s i g n , h e r l i t t l e b l o g i s

b o t h i n t e r e s t i n g a n d v i s u a l l y

p l e a s i n g , W h a t m o r e c o u l d

y o u w a n t ?

S t a r t i n g h e r b l o g g i n g

j o u r n e y 5 y e a r s a g o a f t e r

l i k i n g t h e i d e a o f

d o c u m e n t i n g s t y l e , H a n n a h

h a s n o w c o l l e c t e d a l o v e l y

n u m b e r o f o v e r 5 0 0

f o l l o w e r s . T h i s b l o g i s s u r e

t o g i v e y o u s o m e s e r i o u s

s t y l e ( a n d h a i r ) e n v y . I f h e r

o u t f i t p o s t s a r e n o t e n o u g h

t o m a k e y o u l o v e h e r , t h e n

h e r p o s t s o n h e r g r a p h i c

d e s i g n w o r k a n d w o r k i n g a s a

p h o t o g r a p h e r a t a l o c a l

m u s i c f e s t i v a l m i g h t d o .

W h e n s h e i s n o t b u s y b e i n g a

b l o g g e r s h e i s a t u n i v e r s i t y

s t u d y i n g g r a p h i c d e s i g n a n d

e a t i n g o u t a n d e v e r y

r e s t a u r a n t i n M a n c h e s t e r

C e n t r e ( f o r b l o g g i n g

p u r p o s e s , o f c o u r s e ) a n d j u s t

l i k e t h e r e s t o f u s s h e

s p e n d s h e r t i m e s l e e p i n g a n d

l u s t i n g o v e r o t h e r b l o g g e r s

p u r c h a s e s .

I n s p i r a t i o n c a n s t e m f r o m a

l o t o f p l a c e s / p e o p l e b u t f o r

H a n n a h t h i s i s m a i n l y o t h e r

b l o g g e r s . P e o p l e s u c h a s

A m y f r o m T h e L i t t l e M a g p i e ,

L u l u t r i x a b e l l e a n d E a s y

T i g e r h e l p k e e p H a n n a h

m o t i v a t e d t h r o u g h

i n t e r e s t i n g a n d c r e a t i v e

p o s t s . C e n t r a l M a n c h e s t e r

i t s e l f c a n g i v e a l o t o f

i n s p i r a t i o n , e s p e c i a l l y s t r e e t

s t y l e i n t h e N o r t h e r n

Q u a r t e r .

W o r d s b y E m m a K e l l y

Fashion is what you buy,

style is how you wear it.

“ I l i k e d t h e i d e a o f

d o c u m e n t i n g s t y l e a n d

h a v i n g s o m e w h e r e t o

p u t a n y ' m i l e s t o n e s '

a n d t h i n g s l i k e t h a t ” .

H . V

Hann ah Mit c h e l l

04.

We all want and dream of owning outfits that have

the ability to stylishly shift and transition

throughout each season, don’t we? Well, designer

Hannah Mitchell is sure to give you that with her

minimalistic collection of ultimate seasonal staying-

power!

At only 20, Reading girl Hannah Mitchell is without

a doubt going to be one of the 2015 fashion

graduates to look out for. Studying Fashion and

Textiles at the University of Portsmouth, Hannah

never fails to wow her tutors as well as her

customers with her striking distinctive designs.

Working within a fast paced industry, Hannah keeps

her designs simple by embracing her love for

minimal fabrics and transforming them into an array

of sharp yet contemporary cut garments. Hannah’s

collections embody a stark monochrome palette

creating timeless pieces such as simple t-shirts to

tracksuit pants and tailored coats, all which form an

essential set of must have pieces that every woman

needs within her wardrobe.

So, who does Hannah look up too? Who are the

designers out there that she aspires to be like? “The

big time designers I idolise would be Victoria Beckham

and The Row. VB is my absolute idol - from flawless

designs to what she stands for and how she runs her

business and family life side by side – it’s incredible! The

Row's SS15 collection was just absolutely immaculate

and the silhouettes were impeccable, the twins can do

nothing wrong.’’

However, Hannah doesn’t only look up to the

industries elite fashion houses and high end designer

names but also strongly backs and take inspiration

from a lot of creatives. Referring to Dion Lee, Josh

Goot and Charlie May, Hannah explains that, “I've

only really recognised them through Instagram, they all

design amazing garments with the cleanest lines and

shapes, I love them’’.

Clearly Career focused, you don’t have to be speaking

to Hannah for more than five minutes to know that

this young lady will certainly be going far. She

knows what she wants and how to get there and will

stop at nothing to ensure she succeeds. As if third

year at University isn’t hard enough, Hannah is

juggling both education and business by taking on as

many orders a week that she can manage whilst

studying extremely hard to achieve a first class

honours degree - we just don’t know how she does it!

When put on the spot, we asked Hannah where she

sees herself in five years time “I'm still at university at

the moment and in the three months over this summer I

noticed such an improvement in my work and such good

response from the public! In five years time, I hope to be

happy and extremely successful. But to be honest, I must

say I would be flattered if any one of a celebrity status

would wear my designs! That would be incredible!” Well,

there’s no doubt about that Hannah!

W o r d s b y L i b b y W i n d l e

P a g e /

Ta i l o r e d C o m f o r t

@ H A N N A H M I T C H E L E C L O T H I N G

P h o t o g r a p h e r

/ E m i l y

G r e e n ,

M o d e l /

D a n i e l l e

D a v y , M U A /

L a u r a

C o p l e y ,

H a i r / H o l l i e

W o o d h e a d

P a g e /

sec r e t t o g e t t i n g

i s g e t t i n g

05.

AS

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RE

I

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1

A

P a g e /

I f y o u ’ r e l o o k i n g f o r a b l o g g e r

w h o c o v e r s a b i t o f e v e r y t h i n g

a n d h a s u n b e l i e v a b l e

p r o f e s s i o n a l p h o t o g r a p h y

s k i l l s , t h e n t h i s b l o g t i c k s a l l

t h e b o x e s . L a u r e n S h i p l e y i s

t h e l o v e l y l a d y b e h i n d ‘ B r i t t o n

L o v e s ’ s h e ’ s a 2 0 y e a r o l d

p h o t o g r a p h y l o v e r w h o l o v e s t o

b l o g a b o u t e v e r y t h i n g f r o m

h e a l t h y f o o d t o l i f e s t y l e

r e g i m e s , p e r s o n a l s t y l e , a d v i c e

a n d b e a u t y r e v i e w s .

F r o m s t a r t i n g h e r b l o g g i n g

j o u r n e y i n 2 0 0 9 , L a u r e n h a s

t h e n w o r k e d h a r d a n d g o n e o n

t o b e i n g f e a t u r e d i n C o m p a n y ’ s

2 0 1 4 m a g a z i n e i s s u e f o r h e r

f a s h i o n p h o t o g r a p h y , s h e w a s

l a b e l e d a s t h e ‘ o n e t o w a t c h ’ .

B e i n g a f u l l t i m e b l o g g e r

m e a n s s h e s p e n d s h e r t i m e

n e t w o r k i n g w i t h P R c o m p a n i e s

a n d s p e n d i n g t i m e c o l l e c t i n g

i n s p i r a t i o n f o r h e r w o r k .

P a g e s b y M e g a n , B e a u t y c r u s h

a n d L L Y M L R S a r e a l l a t t h e

t o p o f L a u r e n ’ s f a v o r i t e b l o g

l i s t . T h e r e i s n ’ t a l i m i t o n w h o

c a n i n s p i r e y o u i n t h e b l o g g i n g

c o m m u n i t y b e c a u s e o f t h e

q u a n t i t y o f d i f f e r e n t s t y l e s a n d

p e o p l e b e h i n d t h e m v a r y , s o

b e c a u s e o f t h i s y o u ’ r e a l w a y s

g u a r a n t e e d t o l o v e a t l e a s t o n e

o f t h e m .

L a u r e n f e e l s h e r e x p e r i e n c e s

a n d p a s s i o n s h a v e b e e n a

m a s s i v e i n f l u e n c e o n h e r w o r k .

P i n t e r e s t i s a c o n t e n d e r f o r

i n s p i r i n g L a u r e n w i t h h e r l o v e

f o r f o o d , a s w e l l a s h e r m u m

w h o i n f l u e n c e s h e r i n a w a y

t h a t m a k e s h e r w a n t t o

e x p e r i m e n t a n d b l o g a b o u t n e w

t h i n g s . O t h e r b l o g g e r s t a u g h t

h e r t o m a k e a b r a n d o u t o f

h e r s e l f , w h i c h i s t h e b e s t t h i n g

y o u c a n d o w h e n s t a r t i n g u p a

b l o g .

Brit t o n Lov e s

W o r d s b y E m m a K e l l y

AS

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1

A

06.

P a g e /

R e e c e C u r t i s W a l w y n /

The new g irl F a s h i o n c o m e s n a t u r a l t o o u r s e c o n d i n d e p e n d e n t d e s i g n e r , R e e c e C u r t i s - W a l w y n . H e r a m b i t i o u s e x p e r i e n c e s w i t h i n t h e i n d u s t r y a l o n g s i d e a c o l l e c t i o n t o d i e f o r , m a k e s R e e c e n u m b e r 0 6 o f o u r u p a n d c o m i n g s A t r u e i c o n t o b e .

T h r o u g h u s i n g h e r v i s i o n a r y

m i n d f r a m e t o s u c c e e d i n t h e

f a s h i o n t r a d e , R e e c e h a s

g o n e o n t o p e r u s e w o r k

e x p e r i e n c e w i t h i n t h e

f a s h i o n i n d u s t r y r e s u l t i n g

i n h e r w i n n i n g a w a r d s s u c h

a s Y o u n g d e s i g n e r T o w a t c h

a n d t h e O w n L a b e l G r a d u a t e

F a s h i o n c o m p e t i t i o n . . T h e s e

a w a r d s h a v e a l l o w e d R e e c e

t o p r o g r e s s i n h e r c a r e e r t o

t h e n f e a t u r e i n n e w s p a p e r s

s u c h a s T h e D a i l y E x p r e s s

a n d T h e D e b u t M a g a z i n e .

H e r c u r r e n t A / W c o l l e c t i o n

‘ V e n t e r D e f o r m ’ d r a w s

i n s p i r a t i o n f r o m t h e B r i t i s h

t w o p o u n d c o i n . H o w

o r i g i n a l d o e s t h i s d e s i g n e r

g e t ? H e r c o l l e c t i o n

r e s e m b l e s a s e n s e o f

a u t h o r i t y b y u s i n g a n

a r r a n g e m e n t o f s t r u c t u r e d

a n d m i n i m a l g a r m e n t s w h i c h

e m b r a c e t h e r i c h a n d w a r m

a u t u m n t o n e s .

W h e n a s k e d a b o u t h e r

c o l l e c t i o n R e e c e d e s c r i b e d

‘ ‘ A c o l l e c t i o n w i t h i n a

c o l l e c t i o n i s h o w I w o u l d b e s t

d e s c r i b e i t . A l l c l o t h i n g c a n

b e m i x e d a n d m a t c h e d t o

c r e a t e a d i f f e r e n t s t y l e , a s

w e l l a s h a v i n g q u a l i t y a n d a

l u x u r y i m a g e . ’ ’ I t ’ s c l e a r

t h a t R e e c e C u r t i s h a s a n

u r g e o f s u c c e e d i n g a s a n

i n d e p e n d e n t c r e a t i v e . S o w e

g o t t o g e t h e r w i t h d e s i g n e r

t o f i n d o u t a l i t t l e m o r e …

P a g e /

S u c c e e d i n g h a s n ’ t b e e n a n i s s u e f o r

y o u s o f a r , b u t p l e a s e d o t e l l u s

a s t o w h e n y o u f i r s t c a u g h t t h e

f a s h i o n b u g ?

Fashion for me started

when I was at Secondary

School Studying Fashion

Clothing and Textiles. It

was always a hobby which

came natural and this was

when I realised I had a

talent which had to be

pursued.

A n y i c o n s i n t h e

i n d u s t r y ? Well who better to take

inspiration from than a

range of successful fashion

houses? All of my icons are

Designers in the industry

such as Alexander

McQueen, Hussein

Chalayan, Chanel and

Savile Row.

D o e s y o u r l a b e l

h a v e a s i g n a t u r e l o o k ?

RCW signature look is

quality and luxury with

tailored elements. These

are also major brand

values.

P a g e /

D e s i g n e r

R e e c e C u r t i s

P h o t o g r a p h e r

L e v i M a c d o n a l d

M U A

M o l l y S h e r i d a n

M o d e l

S o p h i e C r o o k s

P a g e /

AS

PI

RE

I

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1

A

T h o s e w o r d s o f w i s d o m t h a t y o u l i v e

b y ?

Determination is knowledge

and power to believe in your

brand! If you don’t believe in

yourself then no one will.

W h a t w o u l d y o u c h a n g e a b o u t t h e w h o l e c o n c e p t o f

f a s h i o n i f y o u c o u l d ?

I would not change anything!

Change is made through

breaking all boundaries when

designing. Change is good as it

gives us something new!

Y o u r m o s t m e m e r o b l e m o m e n t i n f a s h i o n t o

d a t e ?

This would be meeting Carin

Mansfield who is a designer

collaborating directly with Rei

Kawakubo on the Comme des

Garçon label. Amazing

experience to say the least.

A n y n e w c h a l l e n g e s c o m i n g y o u r w a y ?

Every day is a new challenge,

you have to embrace it and give

it your all.

R C W ’ S d r e a m c l i e n t ?

The dream client would be

someone who appreciates the

craftsmanship that goes into the

clothing and who loves quality,

luxury and uniqueness which

RCW never fails to provide.

A n y u n e x p e c t e d

i n s p i r a t i o n w h i l s t d e s i g n i n g a c o l l e c t i o n ?

The inspiration behind S/S15

collection is based around

Nuns- totally unexpected!

P a g e /

W h a t ’ s y o u r b i g g e s t a c h i e v e m e n t s o f a r ?

The biggest success would

have to be having the

opportunity to dress a Jenni

Steels for the BAFTA

Awards as well as a Film

premiere. I was honoured to

have this opportunity!

S o , w e r e i n t r i g u e d t o k n o w … W h a t ’ s

n e x t ?

I long to own my own

boutique, there I can show off

my collections and make a

living. That is definitely my

next goal.

Words by

Jessica Ruddlesdin x

P a g e /

A cl e an o r g an i s a t i o n o f l o ok s -

R C W

AS

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P a g e /

L E O N A B E T H

L e o n a B e t h i s c u r r e n t l y b a s e d i n t h e

U A E a n d s p e c i a l i z e s i n E d i t o r i a l ,

F a s h i o n , A d v e r t i s i n g a n d P a c k a g i n g

i l l u s t r a t i o n .

L e o n a h a s b e e n p a i n t i n g s i n c e a s

l o n g a s s h e c a n r e m e m b e r , w i n n i n g

v a r i o u s a r t i s t a w a r d s . S h e w e n t o n

t o s t u d y a r t a n d d e s i g n , f a s h i o n a n d

i l l u s t r a t i o n . S i n c e c o m p l e t i n g a B A

( h o n o u r s ) D e g r e e i n f i n e a r t i n 2 0 0 5

L e o n a h a s b e e n a c t i v e o n v a r i o u s

h i g h e n d c o m m i s s i o n s a n d h a s m a d e

a s m o o t h t r a n s i t i o n i n t o t h e w o r l d

o f i l l u s t r a t i o n .

L e o n a h a s i n t e r n a t i o n a l e x p e r i e n c e

a n d a d i s t i n c t i v e s t y l e t h a t b l e n d s

t r a d i t i o n a l a n d c o n t e m p o r a r y

m e t h o d s s e a m l e s s l y . S h e h a s a l w a y s

h a d a k e e n e y e f o r s i m p l i s t i c b e a u t y

a n d e n j o y s e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h

v a r i o u s m e t h o d s a n d t e c h n i q u e s t o

e n g a g e t h e v i e w e r , c r e a t i n g f e e l i n g s

o f m o v e m e n t w i t h d e l i c a t e

i m p e r f e c t i o n s t h a t m a k e h e r

p a i n t i n g s c o m e t o l i f e .

J e s s i c a R u d d l e s d i n

07.

P a g e /

AS

PI

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SS

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1

A

C h e c k L e o n a ' s a r t

w o r k o o u t a t w w w . l e o n a b e t h

. c o . u k .

P a g e /

F o l l o w

@ A S P I R E

#

F o l l o w t h e ‘ u p a n d c o m i n g ’

c r e a t i v e s v i a I n s t r a g r a m !

The

G a i l , i s t h e l o v e l y T h a i l a d y b e h i n d T h e E q u i n o x

F a s h i o n . W i t h o v e r t h r e e y e a r s e x p e r i e n c e i n

t h e f a s h i o n i n d u s t r y , t h i s s t y l i s h b l o g g e r

k n o w s h o w t o d r e s s . H e r b l o g p o s t s s h o w o f f h e r u n i q u e i n d i v i d u a l s t y l e a n d y o u c a n a l s o f i n d e x a m p l e s o f h e r s t r e e t

s t y l e p h o t o g r a p h y , w h i c h i s e q u a l l y i m p r e s s i v e .

08.

P a g e /

AS

PI

RE

I

SS

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1

A

P a g e /

P a g e /

T h i s l i t t l e b l o g h a s h a d o v e r 1 4 5 , 0 0 0 p a g e v i e w s a n d i s a l w a y s s e e n c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h b r a n d s . G a i l h a s h a d t h e c h a n c e t o c o l l a b o r a t e w i t h v a r i o u s f a s h i o n b r a n d s s u c h a s M a r g o , C a t s e y e , F r o n t r o w s h o p , Y e s f o r , R o c k o n R u b y , D a n c i n g D o l l s , R u b y P r o m , A l i c e ’ s P i g a n d m o r e .

W h e n s c r o l l i n g t h r o u g h h e r p a g e s y o u w i l l n o t i c e s h e i s a v e r y b u s y i n d i v i d u a l . F r o m h a v i n g l u n c h w i t h b l o g g e r f r i e n d s i n M a n c h e s t e r , b e i n g a t e n d l e s s p r e s s e v e n t s a n d n i p p i n g t o L o n d o n f o r f a s h i o n w e e k , G a i l l e a d s a n i n t e r e s t i n g a n d f a s h i o n a b l e l i f e . H e r e x p e r i e n c e f r o m w o r k i n g a t e v e n t s s u c h a s C o u t u r e F a s h i o n W e e k i n B a n g k o k a n d L o n d o n F a s h i o n w e e k , a l o n g w i t h h a v i n g b e e n a f a s h i o n a s s i s t a n t f o r a n o n l i n e m a g a z i n e m a k e s h e r b l o g a n i n t e r e s t i n g r e a d . I t i s n o w o n d e r s u c h a s t y l i s h l a d y h a s o v e r 1 , 0 0 0 f o l l o w e r s o n I n s t a g r a m , I s u g g e s t y o u g o a n d t a k e a l o o k y o u r s e l f .

- E m m a K e l l y x o

H o w t o f i n d h e r : .

w w w . t h e q u i n o x f a s h i o n . c o m

@ t h e q u i n o x f a s h i o n

AS

PI

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“ I b e l i e v e i n

s o m e t h i n g b e c o m i n g y o u r s i g n a t u r e ; T h a t s a y s t o m e

t h a t y o u ’ r e c o n s i s t e n t a n d

t h e r e f o r e l o y a l ’ ’

– R y a n K o r b a n

AS

PI

RE

I

SS

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1

A

P a g e /

T h e v e r y t a l e n t e d p h o t o g r a p h e r S a r a h B r o w n i s n o

d i a m o n d i n t h e r o u g h ; s h e i s a r i s i n g s t a r o n

h e r w a y t o t h e t o p . A t o n l y 2 0 y e a r s o l d s h e

h a s a l r e a d y a c h i e v e d s o m u c h f r o m s h o o t i n g f o r

d e s i g n e r s a t L o n d o n F a s h i o n W e e k t o w o r k i n g

w i t h A S O S m a r k e t p l a c e w h e r e s h e c o l l a b o r a t e d

o n s o m e v e r y t e c h n i c a l a n d i n s p i r i n g s h o o t s .

T h i s g i r l i s t h e o n e t o w a t c h , a n d I h a d t h e

p l e a s u r e o f m e e t i n g h e r t o f i n d o u t w h e r e i t a l l

b e g a n >

.

09..

S a r a h

B R O W N

[ ]

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The fact that you have achieved so much in your time as a photographer is very impressive, not only that but you’ve not even graduated university yet. You must keep yourself very busy. Where did it all begin?

I got my first SLR when I was 15 as a

birthday present, and ever since then I have

been obsessed, I couldn’t put it down. I’ve

always been keen to learn new skills and

this one seems to have stuck. My school

didn't have ‘Photography’ as a subject

choice, so I picked art instead. When I had

to do paintings I always took photos before

so I had something to work from and found

this a lot more enjoyable than actually

painting. So it urged me to study it at

university. However, It’s only recently that

I’ve become interested in fashion

photography.

W h a t w a s i t t h a t m a d e y o u g r a v i t a t e t o w a r d s f a s h i o n p h o t o g r a p h y ? I’ve always had a

personal interest in fashion but there’s

something I just love about photographing

people. I guess the two naturally go hand in

hand and it allows me to fulfil both my

passions. To me fashion is what’s current, I

always like simple classy fashion, and class

is timeless. I also love working with a

creative team as you can work with people

who can make your ideas better than you

ever thought possible. . The easy part is

coming up with the idea the tricky bit is

actually making it happen. My favourite

shoots to do are fashion beauty and editorial

as these are the most creative.

W h a t ’ s b e e n t h e m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g e x p e r i e n c e f r o m a l l y o u r s h o o t s s o f a r ? Doing doggy paddle in a swimming pool

while holding my Canon 5D camera above

my head was a very RISKY yet interesting

moment but the outcome was so worth it.

That has been one of my favourite shoots so

far. I wish I could carry this series on, but its

a bit too cold to get in the pool now, they

would just be blocks of ice!

H o w d i d y o u c a p t u r e t h e w a t e r a n d u n d e r w a t e r s h o t s ? For the underwater ones I used a

Perspex tank, I didn't actually get wet. For

the ones above the water, I was just very,

very careful.

W h a t w o u l d y o u c o n s i d e r y o u r b i g g e s t s u c c e s s s o f a r ? London Fashion week was an

amazing experience for me. I shot in the

press pit for one of the designers. I also got

to see backstage which was amazing too.

However I would also say it was one of my

biggest challenges. I had to be very quick

turning around and retouching all of my

images. I was also terrified as all the other

photographers looked so much more

professional than me; I had BLUE hair for

crying out loud!

W h a t o t h e r p h o t o g r a p h e r s d o y o u s e e a s r o l e m o d e l s ?

I love Miles Aldridge’s work. He

captures the models in such a robotic

form, as if they are lifeless. I find this

series so beautiful it creates such

strong a feeling when you see it. I did

a shoot recently that was really

inspired by his series ‘I Only Want

You To Love me’ in an all pink studio.

' W a t e r B a b i e s ’

S e e n a s i t ’ s y o u r f i n a l y e a r a t U n i v e r s i t y , a n y i d e a s o f a c a r e e r p l a n a s o f y e t ? I’m still in

the process of deciding what I want to do.

However, I would love to be freelancer and

photograph things that would include

creative ideas. The good thing about being a

student is that I’ve had creative freedom,

which I hope will be something I’ll be able

to continue with. W h o w o u l d y o u l o v e t o w o r k w i t h ? Hannah Furness from Manchester, her

work is amazing. Her images are so powerful and

strong.

A n y a d v i c e f o r a s p i r i n g p h o t o g r a p h e r s ? Don’t blend in with

everyone else; create work which people can

remember you by. Also, Enjoy it, it will

show within your work how passionate you

are. W h a t a n a m a z i n g y o u n g p h o t o g r a p h e r S a r a h B r o w n i s , I c a n ’ t w a i t t o s e e w h a t s h e u n l e a s h e s n e x t . Y o u h e a r d i t h e r e f i r s t , s o k e e p y o u r e y e s p e e l e d .

S a r a h S t o r e y X

H o w t o f i n d h e r : . w w w . t h e q u i n o x f a s h i o n . c o m

@ t h e q u i n o x f a s h i o n

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself…

A. I am from a small town in

Cornwall, however I now live in

Nottingham where I am

currently studying Fashion

Communication and Promotion

at Nottingham Trent

University. It’s strange going

from living in a small town

where everyone knows each

other to a much bigger city

where I only know a small

number of people.

Q. So if you’re studying fashion,

what got you into illustrating? A. I have always been drawn to

creativity, it’s my natural outlet.

It’s something I have always

found relaxing and fun, I don’t

have to force it; it just flows

naturally.

Q. You have a very strong

follower base on your blog, why

did you start blogging? A. My blog started because I

wanted an area where I could

share my style and work on my

illustrations alongside it. I’m

now trying to focus my blog

specifically on my illustration

work now because I draw

everyday so it’s a good place to

record them all. Alongside my

blog, I also have an online site

where I sell my illustrations, at

the moment I am currently

selling illustrated mobile phone

cases on there as I see this is a

modern way to spread art,

because let’s face it everyone has

phone.

Q. Where does your inspiration

for illustrations come from? A. I gain inspiration from

everything around me, things I

see my friends wearing to

fashion collections and models

with distinctive features. I like to

illustrate things that stand out,

so often things that aren’t

beautiful can inspire me. From

looking at some of my

illustrations you might be able

to see the similarities between

my work and the designs of

designer Karl Lagerfeld, I just

can’t get enough of his work, he

just takes things to a whole new

level with every collection, and

his presence leaves you feeling

obsessed, I just can’t get enough.

Q. Which other illustrators out

there do you admire? A. I’m a huge fan of Instagram

so I’m always coming across

some amazing illustrators on

there! At the moment, I can’t get

enough of ‘Blair Breitenstein’

because she has such a unique

style, anyone interested in

illustrations should definitely

check her out!

Q. Last but not least, what are

your future career aspirations? A. My career aspirations after

graduating are firstly to build on

my illustration work, and

hopefully create a career out of

it. My big dream would be to

develop my business into

something much more well

known! I want the big names

within the industry to come and

specifically ask me to illustrate

for them, which would be

incredible!

/

W o r d s b y

L i b e r t y W i n d l e

P a g e /

Foll ow T w i t t e r

@

F a c e b o o k

I n s t a g r a m #

E m a i l @

W e b p a g e

P a g e /

P i n t e r e s t

@

11.

I n d e p e n d e n t s t o r e

Pink Cad i l l a c Pink Cadillac is a well known independent

boutique situated within the local town of

Huddersfield. The store attracts women of all

ages that are shopping for signature styles.

Pink Cadillac never fails to keep its finger

firmly placed on the fashion pulse delivering

stylish, exciting and affordable trends to their

fashion lovers. They thrive on making their

customers feel fearless and always focus on

providing them with something exclusive and

more credible than the standard offering on

the UK high street. With their lively

provocative taste and unique individuality

Pink Cadillac’s collections vary and each

season they deliver statement pieces that are

enticingly greater than the season before.

Pink Cadillac sell some of the most

quirky collections from labels such as

Ginger Fizz, Lolah and Opus Clothing

which always prove to be very popular

with their regular shopaholics. This

upcoming season you should all keep

your eyes peeled for the popular printed

two pieces, which will undoubtedly give

you an unforgettable mark. Pink Cadillac

are always welcoming new customers, so

if you haven’t yet popped into the store

for a quick nosey or even had a sneaky

peek on their website, then why don’t you

now go take a look! Go on; go reinvent

that wardrobe of yours! We promise it

won’t break the bank too much…

W o r d s b y

L i b e r t y W i n d l e

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M o d e l /

S o p h i e

T o w n s e n d ,

M U A / L a u r a

C o p l e y ,

H a i r / H o l l i e

W o o d h e a d

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The Next Issue I n s p i r i n g I n t e r v i e w s

w i t h u p a n d c o m i n g ’ s

s u c h a s :

P h o t o g r a p h e r J o s e p h

C l a r k s o n

B l o g g e r E r i k a B o w e s

A c c e s s o r y D e s i g n e r

S t e p h a n i e B r i n d l e y

E t h i c a l W o m e n s w e a r

D e s i g n e r S t e p h

A m b r i d g e

M u s i c i a n s B a n g B a n g

R o m e o

I l l u s t r a t o r S a r a h

H a n k i n s o n

I f y o u t h o u g h t t h e

f i r s t i s s u e o f A s p i r e

w a s i n t r i g u i n g , t h e n

t r u s t u s w h e n w e s a y …

“ Y o u w o n ’ t w a n t t o

m i s s t h e s e c o n d ! ”

U n t i l n e x t t i m e , t h e A s p i r e t e a m

X

P a g e /

t h e s e c o n d

E D I T I O N

The s umm e r I s s u e Contact the Aspire

team for a chance to

appear in the

SS/15 issue

feature@aspire.com

P a g e /

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H o w I S o l v e d t h e P r o b l e m . .

>

Y o u g e t a n i n v i t a t i o n t o g o o u t f o r d r i n k s a f t e r w o r k o n e n i g h t a n d t h e d r e s s c o d e i s s m a r t c a s u a l . T h i s p h r a s e d r i v e s m e i n s a n e , w h a t d o e s s m a r t c a s u a l e v e n m e a n ? I h a v e a l w a y s b e e n t h a t p e r s o n w h o t u r n s u p f o r s m a r t c a s u a l d r i n k s e i t h e r t o o c a s u a l w e a r i n g a b a g g y j u m p e r , j e a n s a n d t r a i n e r s o r e i t h e r t o o s m a r t w e a r i n g a p a r t y d r e s s . T h i s l o o k i s r e a l l y h a r d t o a c h i e v e e s p e c i a l l y i f y o u ’ r e g o i n g s t r a i g h t f r o m t h e o f f i c e t o t h e b a r . F o r t u n a t e l y f o r y o u I a m h e r e t o s o l v e a l l y o u r p r o b l e m s w i t h t h e o u t f i t t h a t ’ s a p p r o p r i a t e f o r w o r k a n d g o i n g o u t w i t h y o u r f r i e n d s a f t e r .

I t ’ s e x t r e m e l y d i f f i c u l t t o f i n d l a b e l s t h a t a p p e a l t o b o t h l o o k s t h i s i s w h y I h a v e b r o u g h t t o y o u t h e a m a z i n g B e n i t a C i m i l i . H e r c o l l e c t i o n s a r e t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f s m a r t c a s u a l . S h e h a s d e s i g n e d a c a p s u l e w a r d r o b e w i t h i n t e r c h a n g e a b l e p i e c e s t h a t w i l l f i t i n w i t h a l l y o u r o t h e r c l o t h e s a l l o w i n g y o u t o m i x a n d m a t c h d e p e n d i n g o n t h e o c c a s i o n . E s p e c i a l l y f o r t h a t a l l - i m p o r t a n t b a l a n c e o f g o i n g o u t s t r a i g h t f r o m w o r k . S h e i s a n I t a l i a n d e s i g n e r b a s e d i n L o n d o n w i t h a s i m p l i s t i c a e s t h e t i c d e s i g n

w w w . b e n t i a i m i l i . c o . u k P a g e /

N e x t I s s u e I w i l l g i v e

a d v i c e o n ‘ h o w t o

p u l l o f f t h r e e

c o m p l e t e l y d i f f e r e n t

l o o k s u s i n g o n e

g a r m e n t ’ -S . S t o r e y

S h o p t h e B e n i t a C i m i l i . . > /

P a g e /

… H e r p i e c e s a r e v e r y s t r e a m l i n e d a n d s t r u c t u r e d a s s h e g a i n s h e r i n s p i r a t i o n f r o m a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d a r t . S h e d e s i g n s f o r a s o p h i s t i c a t e d l a d y w i t h a n e d g e . H e r s i m p l e d e s i g n s a r e e x t r e m e l y f l a t t e r i n g a n d v e r y c o o l . F o r t h e s m a r t c a s u a l l o o k I h a v e g o n e f o r p r i n t e d s i l k T - s h i r t f e a t u r i n g a r c h i t e c t u r a l i l l u s t r a t i o n s , w i t h j e r s e y t r o u s e r w i t h a l e a t h e r f a c i n g f r o n t , b l a c k p e e p t o e z i p b o o t s a n d a n o v e r s i z e d c a m e l c o a t . T h e T - s h i r t f e e l s s o s o f t t o t h e t o u c h a n d n o t a t a l l c l i n g y , i t s u n i q u e d e s i g n m a k e s i t a c c e p t a b l e f o r w o r k a n d p l a y . N o w I k n o w w h a t y o u m a y b e t h i n k i n g a b o u t t h e f a u x l e a t h e r t r o u s e r s b u t t h e l e a t h e r i s o n l y o n t h e f r o n t f a c i n g a n d t h e b a c k i s a s m o o t h s t r e t c h y j e r s e y m a t e r i a l m a k i n g t h e m r e a l l y c o m f o r t a b l e . T h e p e e p t o e b o o t s a r e r e a l l y o n t r e n d a t t h e m o m e n t s o y o u ’ l l b e m a k i n g a s t a t e m e n t b y w e a r i n g t h e o f t h e m o m e n t s h o e . T h e y o n l y h a v e a s m a l l h e a l s o y o u r f e e t w o n ’ t b e h u r t i n g f r o m b e i n g a t w o r k a l l d a y o r d a n c i n g . A t t h i s t i m e o f y e a r e v e r y o n e n e e d s a c o a t t o k e e p t h e m w a r m a n d t h i s i s t h e c o a t y o u n e e d i n y o u r l i f e . C a m e l i s a k e y c o l o u r t h i s s e a s o n a n d o v e r s i z e d c o a t s a r e g r e a t f o r w r a p p i n g r o u n d y o u . T h i s c o a t i s n ’ t t o o t h i c k e i t h e r m e a n i n g y o u r a r m w o n ’ t b e k i l l i n g f r o m h o l d i n g i t i n t h e b a r . T h e s e f o u r p i e c e s a r e v e r y i n t e r c h a n g e a b l e m a k i n g t h i s a v e r y c o o l r e l a x e d a n d s t y l i s h o u t f i t t h a t y o u r b o s s w o n ’ t m i n d a n d a l l y o u r f r i e n d s w i l l w a n t t o b o r r o w .

BENTIA CIMILI

T h e S h e f f i e l d r o c k b a n d

J u l i a i s m a k i n g w a v e s o n

t h e l o c a l m u s i c s c e n e b y

u s i n g t h e i r e x p e r i e n c e

a n d k n o w l e d g e t o c r e a t e

a f o r m i d a b l e s o u n d t h a t

c o u l d p o s s i b l y s h a p e t h e

m u s i c i n d u s t r y , a s w e

k n o w i t .

A Band o f Brothers

12.

P a g e /

“My idol has got to be John Lennon. I still

remember being about 6 and seeing his

Imagine video and thinking oh my god!

There’s never been anyone as pure as him and

it just clicked for me. People are normally too

embarrassed to say things like this, but I think

he was just a pure and natural person and that

needs to come back around.” Their music is

all about the way it makes you feel “The

lyrics are very interpretable for everyone. It’s a

personal experience but it’s very relatable.

That’s what people look for in music, it’s like

going to therapy.”

After going to one of Julia’s gigs, which I

must say had an epic turn out; I noticed all

of their songs flow in to the set list. I

could tell that they’ve really put the time

in to their song writing and that came

across in songs such as Weight of Love,

Halt and In Time. I asked Julia what they

considered their biggest success to be and

their response was “Us being together is the

biggest success. It’s really hard to find people

that you all get on with and want to make

music with. We’re incredibly lucky that we all

get along so well. There are not many people I

want to sit in a room with every night of the

week.”

Julia is currently recording with Dave

Sanderson and they will soon be releasing

some of their tracks on CD for those who

want to listen. I wish them the best of luck

and they deserve every bit of success.

I recently had a catch up with Matt Hall,

Will Hitchmough, Joe Smith and Andy

Martin from the band to find out more

about their unique sound.

Julia is a new indie rock group who knows

their stuff and is truly passionate about

music. They’ve learnt from their

experiences as musicians to find out who

they are and what they stand for as a

band. I caught up with them in their

practice room…

The lads are all originally from Sheffield

and come from other bands such as Violet

May, 10Take and Strange and Partners.

They came together purely by chance as

Matt originally decided to be a solo artist;

however Andy explained that after several

rehearsals as a group, they realized they

were on to something really special.

When I asked the lads how they would

describe Julia they answered “We sound

like a young Richard Ashcroft with a little

hint of oasis in the song writing. But the way

it’s performed and executed takes it away from

all that. We’re not going to change the wheel

but we’re not interested in doing that, we just

want to enjoy it and make music that we love.”

The lads seem grounded and on the path

to success but who would be surprised

when they have an exceptionally

compelling list of idols including the

Arctic Monkeys, The Verve, John Lennon

and Fleetwood Mac.

‘In time, time heals you’

P a g e /

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If you’re a true romantic at heart then

you’ll love Julia Eastwood. Being an

independent artist, this inventive lady

specializes in illustrating personal and

unique wedding stationary to make

wedding days that bit more special.

After graduating with a first class honors

degree in illustration and design, Julia

then landed her job title as a freelance

designer. From this, Julia then split her

time being a freelance illustrator and

started sharing her skills and techniques

with aspiring students by becoming a

tutor at a college also. Juggling both

careers you can see this lady sure has an

impeccable amount of experience, and my

goodness doesn’t it just show throughout

her beautiful designs.

In 2012, Julia set up her ‘Love Julia

Eastwood’ business where she hand

makes detailed and personalized pieces

for couples planning their weddings.

From reading reviews, you can see that

these stunningly made products really

do give a special touch to a big day. As

quoted from her website, Julia explains

“The illustration I produced for my own

wedding is still at the core of everything I do,

which is to lovingly illustrate personal,

intimate and unique wedding stationery that

portrays who you as a couple truly are.”

Julia covers everything from

personalized invitations and nametags to

lollipop themed order of service and

teacup seating plans. Each piece made is

exquisite. Julia runs her online business

through email and is a partner to ‘not on

the high street’ where you can buy her

products. The amazing thing about Julia

is that she listens to what her customers

ask for and thrives on giving them

exactly what they want plus much more.

Julia’s business has been a great success

for her; she is an official ‘Rock My

Wedding’ supplier and has also been

featured in ‘Brides magazine’. She truly

is a hardworking lady and she herself is

proof that you can be successful whilst

still be do something you love.

Words by E m m a K e l l y .

w w w . l o v e j u l i a e a s t w o o d . c o m .

P a g e /

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14.

I n d e p e n d e n t L a b e l

Hann ah Eliz ab e t h If the fashion pack is looking for a candy colour

devoted designer or a vintage 1950’s reflector

then up and coming designer Hannah Elizabeth

can provide. With two degrees in Fashion

Design and Textiles, Hannah’s determination

and devotion towards perusing her dream career

in fashion thoroughly shows throughout her

delightful and opulent collections.

After succeeding in a business competition

during fashion school, Hannah was given the

chance to work alongside fashion designer, Hide

and Chic for six whole months. Throughout this

rewarding experience she soon began to realise

that the inspiration she had been searching for,

was sitting right in front of her. Right away

Hannah opened a little studio in Yorkshire and

began to build on what is now an up and coming

independent label. Talk about ambitious!

When the Aspire team was invited along to take

an exclusive look into Hannah’s studio;

overwhelmed would be an understatement! To

see a full range of pastel pallets upon layers of

silk with lashings of lace and Egyptian cotton

fabrics; well, it wasn’t hard to figure out that

Hannah’s collections weren’t your typical

average takes on vintage. Keeping her

collections original, each season Hannah takes

inspiration from a mix of different fashion

decades where she then transforms them into

wearable outfits for your day-to-day wardrobe.

To date, Hannah is still going on to develop and

expand her label, enriching every vintage

ingredient needed for her designs to flourish. So

far she has already approached the most

memorable trends from eras including the

1920’s, 50’s and 70’s; which has allowed an array

of specific pieces from her collections to be sold

in independent boutiques across Yorkshire.

Now we all know it’s not easy to pull off that

vintage look, but when faced with a show room

full of Hannah Elizabeth’s best pieces you

certainly can’t help but try! From tailored

dresses to silk gowns she caters for all. Check

out Hannah Elizabeth designs at

www.hannahelizebeth.co.uk. However please

note that we won’t be held responsible for the

damage caused to your credit cards!!

U n t i l n e x t t i m e ,

J e s s i c a R u d d l e s d i n

P a g e /

P h o t o g r a p h e r E m i l y G r e e n , M o d e l E l i t s a B o n e v a , M U A J o s e p h i n e B i r k e t t

P a g e /

Shop the collection

Our A -Z O f u p a n d c o m i n g c r e a t i v e s .

A l i c e G e o r g i a – v e l v e t j u n k . b l o g s p o t . c o . u k

A g n e s a n d N o r m a n – a g n e s a n d n o r m a n . c o . u k

A K A C l o t h i n g – t h i s i s a k a . c o m

B u n n y A n d T h e W o l f - b u n n y a n d t h e w o l f . c o . u k

B a n g B a n g R o m e o – b a n g b a n g r o m e o . c o m

B e l l a F r e u d – b e l l a f r e u d . c o m

C h r i s B a r k e r – s h o t b y c h r i s b a r k e r . c o m

C h a r l i e D u c k – c h a r l i e d u c k . c o . u k

C o c o a n d S e b a s t i a n – c o c o a n d s e b a s t i a n . c o m

D a n i e l l e W a r d – l i t t l e f a s h b i r d . c o . u k

D e a d b e a t – d e a d b e a t a n d m u s i c . c o m

D i r t y S a i n t – d i r t y - s a i n t . c o m

E m m a H i l l – e j s t y l e . c o . u k

E r i n P e t s o n – e r i n p e t s o n . c o m

E l s i e a n d F r e d – e l i s e a n d f r e d . c o m

F e n t o n – f e n t o n - b a n d . c o . u k

T h e F e u d – t h e f e u d . n e t

F l o r e n c e B r i d g e – f l o r e n c e b r i d g e . c o m

G a y a Z a h a r i – g a y a z a h a r i a . c o m

G e m m a H a n d s – g e m m a h a n d s . c o . u k

G y p s y E a s t - t a m s i n l o v e s . c o m

H a n n a h C r i c k – h a n n a h c r i c k . c o m

H a n t u - h a n t u . e u

H a n h n y – h a n h n y . c o m

H e a d r o w – h e a d r o w b a n d . c o . u k

I l l F o r t u n e – i l l f o r t u n e c l o t h i n g . c o m

I s l a L o n d o n – i s l a l o n d o n . c o m

I s o l a t e d H e r o e s – i s o l a t e d - h e r o e s . c o m

J a d e L o c k e t t – p o c k e t l o c k e t t i l l u s t r a t i o n . c o m

J e n n i W a r d – j e n n i w a r d m a k e u p . c o . u k

K l u e – k l u e b y k e l l y a n n . c o m

K o m o d o – k o m o d o . c o . u k

K u l t C o u n t r y – k u l t c o u n t r y . c o . u k

C o n t i n u e …

L a y l a S a i l o r - l a y l a s a i l o r . c o m

L i l y M e l r o s e – l l y m l r s . c o m L o v e H e a r t s a n d C r o s s e s

M o d R e v u e : m o d r e v u e . c o . u k

M o l l y C o c k c r o f t – m i s s m o c o . c o . u k

N a o m i S k i n n e r – n a o m i d e s i g n s . c o . u k

N o r – n o r c l o t h i n g . c o m

N y l o n S k y – n y l o n - s k y . c o m

O l i v i a D i v i n e – o l i v i a d i v i n e . c o . u k

O l l i e M a y – o l l i e m a y . c o m

O b s c u r e C o u t u r e – o b s c u r e - c o u t u r e . c o m

P l a n e C l o t h i n g – p l a n e c l o t h i n g . c o . u k

P r e t t y D i s t u r b i a – p r e t t y d i s t u r b i a . c o m

R a v i F a m o u s – r a v i f a m o u s . c o m

R o m y L D N – r o m y l d n . t u m b l r . c o m

R e t r o g u e – r e t r o g u e c o . u k

S a t i v a – s a v i t a u k . c o . u k

S y d a n d M a l l o r y – s y d a n d m a l l o r y . c o m

T h e S l u m F l o w e r – t h e s l u m f l o w e r . c o m

T e s s D a l y – t e s s d a l y s t y l i s t . c o m

T e r r a D e a - t e r r a d e a . c o . u k

U r b i a n a – u r b i a n a . c o . u k

U m i r o s a – u m i r o s a . c o . u k

U n i o n J a n e - u n i o n j a n e . c o . u k

V a c c i n e – v a c c i n e c l o t h i n g . c o m

V i n t e d g e – v i n t e d g e 4 4 8 . c o . u k

W e a r e P o m G i r l – p o m - g i r l . c o m

W o n d e r o u n d - w o n d e r o u n d . c o . u k

W i n d o w L a n e - w i n d o w l a n e . c o m

Y a p Y a p – y a p y a p c o u t u r e . c o m

Y a t t – y a t t c l o t h i n g . c o m

Z a r a M i a – z a r a m i a . c o . u k

Z C l o t h i n g – z c l o t h i n g . c o m

Z e e G e e – z e e g e e w h y . c o m

P a g e /

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P a g e /

“ M u s i c i s a w o r l d w i t h i n

i t s e l f . W i t h a l a n g u a g e w e a l l

u n d e r s t a n d ’ ’

– S t e v i e W o n d e r

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1

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The End X

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