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Feature Portfolio

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A Keeley‟s Heel

Up and coming shoe designer, Keeley Smith, talks to Leanne Gresswell about

her fight into the fashion world. Including a LCF scholarship, jetting off to Italy

for the ITS competitions and the one-of-a-kind designs that got her there…

The „A Keeley‟s Heel‟ collection discussed is a unique brand of shoes that is aimed a completely new

target market. Keeley has combined sporty and feminine to create a range of shoes that are elegant yet

edgy and with the added luxury of comfort.

Tell us a bit about your ‘A Keeley’s Heel’ collection? Where did the inspiration come

from?

The inspiration behind my collection came from my fascination into how sportswear brands, more

than any other fashion brands, manage to transcend class, colour or creed. From the poorest estates or

ghettos to the richest neighbourhoods, nearly everybody owns one of the most popular labels of sports

footwear. Unlike other brands that have suffered from what is considered as bad publicity through

particular fractions of society sporting their products, such as football hooligans or gang members.

Sports footwear styles, shapes and brands appear to be exempt from this and their brands remain

strong. This has led to seeing both high and lower end designs and price tags on the market. For

example the basic everyday sneaker to the limited edition hand crafted sneaker ranging from £40-

£10,000! I wanted to use these values to create a collection and a brand that would appeal to a large

cross section of society. I did not want my shoes to appear pretentious. 'A Keeley's Heel' reflects the

urban rawness that sneakers possess as well as having a sexy, sleek feminine touch.

What was your creative process?

I used every aspect of sneakers to create the collection. Firstly I deconstructed a pair of sneakers and

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repositioned the pieces in a way that would flatter the female foot when in a high heel position. Next I

manipulated a photograph of a pair of trainers to create the bold, graphic pattern which is printed on

silk and leather throughout the collection. From here I designed the entire collection keeping the

shapes, style, materials and colours of sneakers in mind.

Do you make the shoes as well, or do you focus purely on design?

Yes, I have handmade all of the shoes in my past collections. However the cost of machinery and

studio space makes doing so very difficult beyond University, so for now I am focusing a lot more on

just the design aspect.

This collection was yours as a finalist for the ITS#9 competition in Italy, what was that like

as an experience?

The ITS#9 competition was hands down the best experience of my life so far! It was amazing from

start to finish and I am still so grateful to have had that opportunity. The location was beautiful, the

company was fantastic, the wealth of worldwide talented designers was incredible and even the food

and drink was amazing. It was all quite overwhelming really. I had the best time ever, met some

fabulous people, and truly felt like a superstar the whole time.

Why shoe design?

I knew I wanted to do something art/design related from a fairly young age. I have always been very

creative and interested in fashion. I even used to enjoy making little outfits for my Barbie‟s and teddy

bears when I was a young girl, but I was always stuck as where to go with it. It was only whilst doing

my Art GCSE that my teacher, Mr Delves, suggested footwear design as a future occupation. I

remember telling him I didn‟t want to be a fashion designer but something similar, which is when he

suggested shoes and accessories and since that moment I have never looked back!

How did it feel to be picked for a scholarship at London College of Fashion?

It felt a little bit surreal actually! I was totally shocked to get selected for an interview so when told

that i had made it into the final twenty out of thousands i was overwhelmed. I never for a moment

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though thought I would be one of the final ten! It was a great opportunity, and being able to study for

an MA without the added burden of money was fantastic. However, I didn‟t let myself lose focus I

was still constantly aware of how lucky I was and how important it was that I made the most of it and

not let anyone down. I believe this sort of pressure is a great way to set you up for the fashion world!

Which designers inspire you?

I am a big fan of British designers. I am particularly inspired by the likes of Emma Hope and Jimmy

Choo. I feel Brits bring such a unique quality to the fashion world and being a British designer myself

I think it is really important to support and aspire to home-grown talent. I am also a massive believer

that design and craftsmanship go hand-in-hand. Therefore designers such as Manolo Blahnik who

truly construct the shoe from scratch inspire me. The designer to watch in 2011 in my opinion is

Camilla Skovgaard. Honestly her designs are just simply awesome!

Has it been difficult finding your way into the industry?

Yes, very! But this was never a surprise to me, I knew it was a tough industry from the very start. In

my experience getting into any area of fashion has a lot more to do with who you know rather than

what you know. It really takes a lot of motivation to stay positive and determined to pursue despite

repeated knock backs. It has been said that approximately ninety percent of footwear design jobs are

not actually advertised so it is all about your publicity and getting yourself noticed, which I‟m still

working on. You have to get your foot in the door in any way you can, get your work out there and

make companies aware that you exist. You have to be willing to work for nothing to start off with as

well, not many internships are paid these days. If you want in, you need to be prepared to do

everything you can.

What's the toughest challenge you have faced so far?

Creating an entire collection of shoes to my MA deadline has still got to be the most challenging thing

I think I have ever faced, and not just in my time designing shoes! It was a total of eight pairs that I

had to design and make myself by hand. This was definitely a very steep learning curve for me,

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although it just made it all the more rewarding when I was able to see the finished product. It was

such an achievement.

What advice would you now give to anyone starting out on the same path?

I would suggest completing any work experience that you can during your studies, it gives you a more

realistic insight into the industry as well as giving you something to impress potential employers with.

Also, try to make as many contacts as you can, no matter how big or small. You never know when

you may need to call upon these people for help or advice. I can honestly say the majority of the

people you meet in the footwear design and construction business are the nicest people you could

wish to meet, from heel makers to closers and leather sellers.

What are your next steps to get your designs out there?

I have a few things in the pipeline, and of course like any young designer I‟m still working on getting

my shoes noticed. I am also hoping to return to Italy again this year for ITS#10 competition. All of the

finalists are invited back each year. I will be so excited to go back again, „ITS‟ is such a great place to

meet people and get publicity for your work, and coming up with new designs and collections is

always exciting.

Contact

Keeley is currently a freelance shoe designer/maker based in Reading, United

Kingdom.

Keeley Smith

+44 7753337072

keeley510@hotmail.com

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ENDS

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Gnomeo and Juliet 3D-Review

A light hearted take on a classic tragedy, Gnomeo and Juliet may be perceived as a peculiar way to

introduce one of Shakespeare‟s most magnificent works to young children. Set in Stratford-Upon-

Avon, the birthplace of the great play write himself, we follow blue-hatted Gnomeo (voiced by James

McAvoy) and red-topped Juliet (Emily Blunt) on the road to a romance doomed to end in shards.

The concept of the timeless Capulet and Montague feud being represented by a rivalry between two

gnome gardens is a difficult one to grasp. Yet it‟s so endearing you can‟t help but feel a warmth

inside. Writer/director Kelly Asbury has found the all-important balance of content appropriate for

kids and their chaperoning adults.

The various plays on Shakespeare‟s original dialogue and subtle references to films such as

„Brokeback Mountain‟ keeps the children entertained and educated whilst giving us more informed

adults a sneaky laugh. Subtle adaptions from the 1996 film starring Leonardo Di‟Caprio and Claire

Danes are sure to be recognised and appreciated by familiar fans.

Along their way, the two star-crossed lovers are helped by some fellow garden ornaments that make

up a cast which should be so terribly wrong, but is delightfully right. There‟s Nanette (Ashley

Jenson), Juliet‟s witty amphibian friend, Featherstone (Jim Cummings), a crazy plastic flamingo

yearning for company and of course Gnomeo‟s beloved pet mushroom. Not to mention guidance from

old William himself, who makes an appearance as a sarcastic speaking, stubborn statue (Patrick

Stewart).

Meanwhile, it‟s battle of the ceramics as the opposing gardens set out to smash each other into a

million porcelain shards. Traditional swordfights are replaced by risky lawn mower races and rules

are broken as the two sides begin to pass on enemy territory, destroying each other‟s most prized

garden features and turning the two gardens into one colourful warzone.

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Gnomeo and Juliet are determined to make their love work, finding peace between the two families

may be the only way. We all know how the tragedy of the two star-crossed lovers‟ ends, but will

Gnomeo and Juliet get their happy ever after? Or will their dream of a peaceful love be shattered?

ENDS

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All Things Bright and Beautiful

Spring/Summer 2011 is set to see bold, bright colour take over the

conservative nudes of winter past.

Subtlety was the way for autumn/winter 2010. For the past six months our streets have been

awash with minimalism; creams, nudes and the colour of the moment-camel as far as the eye

can see. Teamed with sharp tailoring and delicate sheers these neutral shades have made for

one beautifully stylish winter season.

All good things must come to an end though, and summer seems as good a time as any. New

season, new style. Such a low key trend does run the risk of eventually becoming boring, so

maybe it‟s time to end it on a high note. With a pop of colour due to burst onto the fashion

scene this summer, we should let the neutrals take a back seat before they get out-shone.

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Ellen Kirkhope, fashion buyer for womenswear at WGSN said: “Colour blocking has been

around for several seasons now. For s/s 11 it‟s about styling up separates to create a colour

blocked outfit. Bright and bold is key.” Though bright colour has managed to sneak into our

wardrobes in one way or another over many previous seasons, this time it is purely about the

palette. Jewel tones seem to be a favourite on the catwalks, and of course some serious

clashing is in order. We‟re talking opposite ends of the colour wheel here.

Where to Find

„Fendi‟ and „Paul and Joe‟ both demonstrated two of the hottest up and coming colours to

look out for. They painted the catwalks with warm sunset oranges and cool blue hues. Two

shades with enough power to work on their own or brilliantly striking when worn against

each other. Ellen gave some advice on which designers to look out for: “The key labels in

colour blocking are Jil Sander, Gucci, Diane von Furstenberg, Aquilano Rimondi and Nina

Ricci.”

At London Fashion Week „Sass and Bide‟ also jumped on the rainbow bandwagon, sending

colour down the catwalk in any which way they could. From tangerine tailoring teamed with

jewel purple, to simple yellow accessories or some crazy bright millinery, they showed every

possible way to work the summer trend.

If you want to know where to find this eye-popping colour palette on the high-street, then the

ever-on-trend store „Zara‟ is the best place to be. Their shop windows are full of mannequins

in crayon-box colours. It doesn‟t just end there either. Each vivid shade has its own dedicated

section of the store.

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All of the yellows, blues, pinks and greens are separated into their own areas, and also dotted

around are a number of well-styled mannequins giving shoppers guidance on how to team the

colours up. Ellen revealed her top places to shop for this trend: “A lot of high street stores are

doing bright separates. You‟ll find them in Topshop and French Connection.”

How to Wear

With so many ways to wear brights, this trend can be worked by anyone. Full on colour

blocking is not for the faint-hearted, it is a brave trend to try. If you‟re apprehensive to go for

full colour on colour, instead team your preferred colour with clean bright white. A vivid

skirt with a simple white top or vice versa. Or use a pretty white dress as a blank canvas and

add a pop of colour with some rainbow accessories – whether they match or clash is your

choice entirely.

Tactical colour clashing can be a risky game to play. The mismatched colours have to be so

completely opposite that they complement each other rather than ruin each other. If two

colours are too similar they will blend together taking away some of their impact. That‟s why

it‟s best to mix „hot‟ and „cold‟ colours. If you‟re stuck, refer to a colour wheel and find

which colours sit opposite each other, team them up and you‟re good to go.

Keep it Simple

Funnily enough, the trick to pulling off the colour-blocking trend successfully is simplicity.

No other distractions. „Blocking‟ is the important word-just panels of pure colour is the way

to go. Patterns will look garish and overly-interesting cuts will look too over-the-top.

Tailored and tapered are the cuts you should be looking for. Imagine a smart, monochrome

office and then paint every piece of clothing a contrasting colour.

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Really, this summer isn‟t seeing minimalism out…it‟s merely putting a bright new spin on it.

There are no crazy shapes or patterns to be worrying about; everything is still plain and

simple, just with a colourful new twist. It‟s just like taking your favourite nude pieces of

winter and dying each one a different colour of the rainbow.

The two seasonal colour trends are at such an opposite end of the scale that it‟s difficult to

make any comparison about which is better. Ellen said: “It‟s nice to see an injection of colour

however in retail this often fails as the average shopper is not willing to wear such a bold

statement look. Colour is the fastest way for retailers to counteract a recession. They can

provide a best seller in as many colour ways as they like without having to risk producing

costly fashion garments. That is probably why it‟s a high street favourite.” With fashion it‟s

much about being in the right place at the right time. Neutrals work in winter, and brights

work in summer. So as you welcome summer this year, welcome colour too.

ENDS

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The Reality of Retail Therapy

„Whoever said money can‟t buy happiness doesn‟t know where to shop‟.

Shopping compulsions may not harm you physically, but they are often the sign

of a serious underlying problem says Leanne Gresswell.

It‟s the weekend and you‟ve had a stressful few days where everything seems to have gone

wrong. What do you do to unwind? Smoke a cigarette, drink through a bottle of wine, or hit

the shops and spoil yourself? It‟s obvious what the healthiest option is here, so why are we all

being bombarded with warnings about getting into serious debt?

Naivety

Today‟s availability of credit cards, bank loans and weekly payments mean we have the

luxury of spending with a little less worry. However, a problem starts to become apparent

when people forget that it has to be paid back and begin to spend more than they can afford

without thinking. David Spivey, a guidance counsellor specialising in debt issues, said : “I do

think people can be too naïve with their money, however what I do think is that in essence,

debt is not a bad thing as long as you can sustain it and have been realistic about what can

you afford to repay.” Unfortunately, in a world where we are constantly being advertised to

and feeling under pressure to adhere to modern celebrity culture, more and more people are

suffering with shopping compulsions.

For some people, spending money and buying new goods is a way of achieving a temporary

high, and a lot of us think that‟s ok because it‟s not physically harmful like some addictions

such as drinking or smoking. However, many people won‟t realise what they‟re spending,

and though they might think they can afford, and are keeping to a budget, won‟t take the

other non-luxuries into consideration. David said: “What happens is that people tend to think

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that everything will always work out for them and they won‟t suffer any life changing

situations, such as divorce, redundancy etc. that will affect them financially. People are very

often budgeting on a set figure without an emergency fund, so they won‟t have any money

put aside for things like a car breaking down. They are simply working on assumptions that

everything‟s going to go according to plan.”

How do You Define a Shopping Addiction?

„Retail therapy‟ is a term that is often thrown around light-heartedly. It is a way of describing

the use of shopping as a form of stress relief. Whilst a treat to get yourself out of a bad mood

every now and again is fine, there becomes a danger when you are finding any excuse to hit

the shops. David said: “In many respects we all need to shop, we need to buy things like food

to live, but it‟s when that starts to become an excuse for something more addictive, that there

is in fact a problem.” It is not the necessarily the desire to own something that defines a

shopping addiction, but the inability to control your impulses.

When someone says „shopaholic‟ out loud, it isn‟t usually taken seriously. Yet even though

comparing it to the likes of drug abuse or alcoholism can seem like a joke, shopping can be

just a serious addiction. The thing with addictions is that they are usually the sign/result of a

deeper, underlying issue with the person in question. It is for this reason, that shopping

addictions are in fact treated alongside the likes of alcoholism. David used a client he has

dealt with in the past as an example. He had come from a broken home and was living back

with his Mother, struggling with finances so was unable to move out and rebuild his life.

David explained: “He had issues with alcohol. He was a very angry man. Though he worked

he still struggled with money. Quite regularly he would go out on benders and would end up

getting banned from different pubs for being too drunk and getting into fights. He decided

one evening that enough was enough and went cold turkey on the drink. He then however,

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started to smoke and gamble. Spending ten or fifteen pounds at a time at the bookies and

smoking around ten a day.”

This is an example of how addictions are often a way of masking emotions, a way for the

person to push their problems aside and put off dealing with the issue. He didn‟t deal with the

central issue, he just dealt with the compulsion he was using to cover it. David said: “Unless

the core addiction and what‟s at the heart of it is brought to the surface then the defence

mechanisms will find a different way to deal with the suffering.” This is why he moved on to

smoking and gambling. Once the alcohol was gone, he needed a new distraction.

Why Shopping?

The thing with shopping is that unlike drinking or gambling etc. it doesn‟t have negative

connotations, as it is a natural and essential everyday activity for buying the necessary items

we need to live. Unfortunately this means that it is more difficult for an addict to see the

problem and easier to find excuses for it. David admits: “Nothing is wrong with shopping if

you can afford/need it. It‟s when you‟re continually buying new clothes or new goods, or

things that are giving you an adrenaline rush that it becomes a compulsion. It‟s the nature of

the personality that defines shopping as a way of relieving stress.”

So why is shopping a way of relaxing or dealing with stress as opposed to options such as

taking a walk, a bubble bath, something that is not so self-destructive? David said: “I think

basically it‟s the same with any addiction, if you‟re looking for something to distract you and

give you that feel good factor then shopping is another way of doing that just like smoking or

drugs etc. It is simply another way of avoiding an issue.” It‟s the „take your mind off of it‟

factor that addicts crave. Unfortunately, simple things like taking a breath of fresh air just

don‟t provide them with that same rush.

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Who’s to Blame?

Shopping addictions are becoming more and more of a rising issue in today‟s society. They

weren‟t so much of a problem during times before developments in media and technology.

Now-a-days we have plastic bulging out of our purses, chip and pins screaming at us from

every counter and rich, glamorous celebrity culture being rubbed in our faces. David

believes: “For me, I think it takes a very strong person not to buy into all the hype we‟re

bombarded with every day through television, marketing, the media etc.” We constantly are

being told what we want/need and feel pressured to keep up with the latest trends and

technology.

Whether it‟s an iPhone or an iPad, you will then feel like you need the iPad2 because you

need to be up-to-date and in with the crowd. We‟re vulnerable to this type of pressure

because of this celebrity culture and people driving around in expensive cars. We hear about

footballers earning tens of thousands a week. Then we see their „Wags‟ walking around in

Prada and Gucci and we feel we have to aspire to that.

David agrees: “We feel we‟re not complete or successful unless we have all of these material

things.” And unfortunately, the only way out is to realise the reality. David continued: “Until

we realise it‟s an illusion and is just a lifestyle being sold to us then it won‟t stop. I don‟t

have a TV I use my computer and things like „BBC iPlayer‟ instead. However my life is

better for it because I am in control; I‟m not tied down to a set time and I don‟t get adverts

forced upon me.” The answer is to step away from those things and know what you can

afford.

The real way of overcoming a shopping addiction and really learning to budget your money

is realising that it‟s not actually going to make you any happier to own those designer shoes

or the latest blackberry. These luxuries can only add to happiness that already exists, they are

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not the source of it. That‟s the big illusion, the lie we are all faced with. The truth is it won‟t

bring you happiness if you‟re not happy.

ENDS

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140 Mile Charity Row Along Thames

Sporting events have always been a popular way to raise money for charity.

Last Year 20-year-old Tom Anderson raised £2000 for the Macmillan Nurses

when he and three friends rowed 140 miles of the River Thames.

After a plan which was formulated at in the early hours of the morning at a night club, three

friends braved the wet and dreary English Spring weather last Easter to raise money for each

of their chosen charities. Starting in Wiltshire, over four days and 3 nights they rowed a 140

mile stretch of the River Thames, finishing at Teddington Loch; the last before the Thames

becomes tidal.

Shockingly, Tom and his group didn‟t undertake any training prior to the event, he reveals:

“Honestly I just did it, I had no practice in rowing at all, none of us even knew how to steer

the canoes when we started.” Not only that, but they were also warned not to go ahead with it

by many people more familiar with the water, he continues: “Everyone at each loch told us

not to do it because we had no life jackets or experience, but we still went ahead with it.”

Of course over a four day journey they had to make time to eat and sleep. Tom talks about

their less-than-luxury arrangements: “Well, between four of us we had two large Canadian

Canoes, in each there was one person sat at the front, one at the back and in the middle was

our camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, a gas cooker and food. Each night we

just found anywhere we could pitch up and that‟s where we would sleep.”

As soon as Tom began to speak about his best and worst experiences of the journey, it

became very clear that the bad out-weighed the good: “The best experiences were the sun on

the day we set off, and then finishing…oh and getting to Tesco‟s when we reached Oxford.”

He quickly adds: “I mean it was a real achievement to finish and raising all the money for our

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charities was the most rewarding thing.” It seems the good points end at that as he

immediately moves on to the worst experiences. I get the feeling that this may be a long list.

He remembers: “After the first day, the weather changed. It poured down with rain for the

rest of the time; we were freezing in our shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops.” Yet retiring to their

tents each night didn‟t turn out to be much in the way of comfort either: “Our tent broke, it

got holes in it, we had to patch them up with duct tape.” Not that they had much time for

sleep anyway: “We would have to be up at 4.30am every morning and on the water by

5.30am, then we would row until seven or eight o clock in the evening in the cold and rain.”

Not everything went too smoothly out on the water either, Tom explains: “We had really bad

quality oars, they were bought off of EBay-they were just basic wood, the cheapest we could

find…they broke.” After a slight pause he adds: “We had to fix those with duct tape too.”

The list of obstacles they faced goes on: “We also ran out of food on the third morning, we

had to eat Weetabix and baked bean juice for breakfast, that‟s why reaching the Tesco‟s in

Oxford was such a highlight, we were starving.”

Despite all the challenges he and his team faced, they finished with their heads held high and

each with a fantastic sum of money to give to their charities. Though Tom was quick to say

he wouldn‟t be doing it again in hurry: “If the weather was decent then I might, but never

again in those conditions.”

ENDS

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Your Summer Shopping List:

Sunscreen/Aftersun

Allergy Relief

Diarrhoea Relief/Rehydration

treatment

Insect Repellent

Travel Sickness Tablets

Everything You Need to Stay

Healthy This Summer

The summer season is upon us, and Boots wants to

make sure you have the best one possible. With

our help you can ensure yourself a happy, healthy

summer.

How to Beat Hayfever

As much as we all look forward to the return of summer each year, there are those of us who know

that as well as warm weather, picnics on the beach and walks in the park, we‟re also closer to itchy

eyes, continuous sneezing and a tickly throat. Hayfever (or Season Allergic Rhinitis) affects every

two in ten people in the UK. The symptoms and severity vary from person to person but can easily

affect ones daily routine.

Boots Hayfever and Allergy Relief Tablets 30’s (Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg), £8.06 or

806pts, Special Offer-buy one get one free on selected hayfever and allergy relief:

Suitable for adults and children of 6 years and over. One a day will provide relief of hayfever

symptoms such as an itchy or runny nose, and can also treat skin allergies/reactions. Also

available as liquid.

Boots Hayfever and Allergy Relief Tablets-Non-Drowsy 30’s (Loratadine 10mg), £8.06 or

806pts, Special Offer-buy one get one free on selected hayfever and allergy relief:

Suitable for adults and children of 12 years and over, one a day will take care of the same

symptoms as above without the risk of causing drowsiness. Also available as liquid.

Boots Hayfever Relief Nasal Spray (Beclometasone Diproprianate 50mg): Suitable for

adults of 18 years and over (ID may be requested). Two sprays in each nostril in the morning

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and evening will relieve the nasal symptoms of hayfever. Once in control of the symptoms

lower the dose to just one spray in each nostril twice a day. Do not use for more than three

months.

Boots Hayfever Relief Eye Drops (Sodium Cromoglicate 2% w/v), £4.99 or 499pts:

Suitable for adults and children these eyedrops reduce allergic responses to relieve symptoms

such as soreness, redness and itching caused by hayfever. Use one or two drops in each eye

up to four times in 24 hours to keep symptoms at bay. Available over the healthcare counter.

Make the Most of Your Travels

One thing that both children and adults look forward to for summer is a week or two away in the sun.

If you‟re lucky enough to be jetting off somewhere exotic this year, make sure you get the most out of

holiday by being prepared.

Anyone who suffers from, or has travelled with anyone who suffers from travel sickness, will know

how disruptive the unpleasant symptoms can be to a journey. There are many options to prevent all

types of travel sickness (car, air, sea) in adults and children.

Boots Travel Calm Tablets 12’s (Hyoscine Hydrobromide 0.3mg), £2.49 or 249pts:

Suitable for adults and children aged 3 years and over, boots Travel Calm tablets should be

taken twenty minutes before travelling to provide effective relief from symptoms. Dosage

dependent on age-check packaging before use.

One precaution we have to take with visiting somewhere abroad is the local cuisine and water. There

are precautions you can take to avoid stomach troubles. Such as only accepting bottled water, avoid

salads and ice cubes and only eat peeled vegetables, but sometimes effects are unavoidable . For this

reason it is best to be prepared for those „just in case‟ moments.

Boots Diareze Diarrhoea Relief 6’s (Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg), £2.03 or 203pts,

Special offer-2 for £3.00 or 300pts: Suitable for adults and children over 12 years, these

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tablets will relieve the symptoms of short-term diarrhoea. Take two capsules when symptoms

appear and then a further one capsule after each loose bowel movement.

Boots Re-Hydration Treatment, £2.85 or 285pts, Special Offer-2 for £3.50 or 350pts:

Suitable for adults and children aged 1 year and over, these blackcurrant flavour rehydration

sachets restore fluids and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) lost through loose bowel

movements. Dissolve each sachet in 200ml of water, check packaging for age guidelines.

As well as the local cuisine there are always some other pesky little locals we all like to try and avoid

whether home or away. Yes, our little mosquito friends are always out to try and stop us relaxing

during summer, but with the right repellents and aftercare, you don‟t have to let them. As well as

allergy tablets, there are other ways to treat the irritation of insect bites.

Boots Pharmaceuticals Insect Repellent Range, Special Offer-buy one get one half price

on selected items: Available in the forms of spray, lotion, wipes and plug-ins, the Boots

insect repellents range offers protection again insect bites such as mosquitos and midges for

both adults and children. See in-store or www.boots.com for our full range.

Boots Bite & Sting Relief Click it, £5.49 or 549pts: Safe for use on adults and children of 4

years and over, „Click it‟ is designed to release a small electrical charge which soothes the

itching of at least 2000 insect bites and relieves the urge to scratch.

Be Sun-Care Savvy

There‟s nothing a lot of us like better than spending our summer trying to achieve that perfect natural

tan. However each year warnings are released here there and everywhere about the risks of over-

exposure to the sun. With the right knowledge and care will be able to sun-bathe safely.

Boots Soltan Range Suncare Range, Special Offer-buy one get one free on selected Soltan

Protection

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Soltan is a Boots own brand of suncare which ranges from SPF (sun protection factor) 15 to SPF 50+.

The SPF tells us how effective the product is from protecting against UVB rays, which cause 85-90%

of sunburn. So the easier your skin burns, the higher SPF you need. If you are unsure on what SPF is

suited to you, visit one of our trained healthcare experts in store for advice.

What makes Soltan stand out from other brands is its UVA star rating. UVA rays are responsible for

premature skin-aging, long-term skin damage and have also been linked to skin cancer, so a high

rating is important. For example a 1-star UVA protection will absorb at least 20% as much UVA light

as UVB whilst a 5-star product will absorb at least 90% as much.

Enjoy Your Summer

Boots wants you to take care of yourselves and the family this summer so you can make the most of

the season and enjoy yourself. For more details on any of the products mention ask in store or visit

www.boots.com. Happy summer from Boots!

ENDS

24

Introducing 3D Wallpapers

With 3D wallpapers in the running to become the next big thing in interiors, we

ask Kerry Lawson, textile artist about the future of her own collection.

When 20-year-old Kerry, Bournemouth, pursued her interest in textile design, she had no idea she

would end up designing and making wallpapers. “There is a lot of repetition in interior design” said

Kerry, “In textiles I was always fascinated by repeating patterns so interiors just seemed the natural

way for me to go and wallpaper is just where I have currently landed.” Her designs come with a

difference though, as her collection includes a new wave of three-dimensional wallpapers.

As she got into interiors through textiles, Kerry has a lot of background knowledge in other artistic

areas too which has helped inspire her selection of 3D wallpapers. She said: “I was already designing

and creating flat wallpapers anyway. The idea to develop into 3D came from the art of origami. It‟s a

technique that has always interested me. I‟ve seen it used fashion design by the likes of Issey Miyake,

so thought why not try it for interiors?” Taking true inspiration from the Japanese tradition, Kerry

creates her wallpapers the old fashioned way: “All my papers are screen-printed and manipulated

purely by hand to make the highest quality, bespoke wallpapers. There are no digital techniques or

machinery involved.” Meaning each one she makes is unique.

The beauty of Kerry‟s 3D wallpapers is that they are all one-off creations, they won‟t be able to be

mass-produced and sold in bulk on the high-street, so any wall that is decorated with one will truly be

a one-of-a-kind. Kerry‟s opinion was: “They may not take off in the main-stream market, but there is

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always room for pushing the boundaries in the higher-end of the market.” They aren‟t designed to

take over the walls of every household. They are delicate, hand-crafted installations for those who are

interested in stylish, modern décor.

Though these anomalous wallpapers look fantastic on show, they aren‟t always practical for everyday

decorating. Unfortunately they can be easily damaged. Kerry said: “3D wallpapers are more for show,

they aren‟t designed for day-to-day decorating. They are best for places which are out of reach to

most people, like behind a reception desk in a hotel lobby or in a one bedroom flat.” Their fragility

wouldn‟t do well to be placed in a full or busy household where they are exposed to too many people.

They are better suited to a more mature environment; one or two adults living alone in a decent-sized

place where there is plenty of open space.

Kerry has however taken everything and everyone on board when designing her wallpapers. As it is

not just the three-dimension that makes them so unique, but her self-designed and hand-printed

contemporary patterns. She said: “I have to take the mainstream market into consideration as well, so

in some of my designs the 3D is very subtle. I also have a selection of flat wallpapers too with similar

patterns for anyone who wants the cutting-edge designs on a sounder surface.” So there will be a

chance for Kerry‟s up-and-coming designs to hit the high-street and end up as a favourite in people‟s

homes.

Interiors is an area where it‟s not so much about creating a totally new idea, but more about finding

new ways of working with what‟s already there. Kerry isn‟t the only one out their creating these new

wallpapers, she said: “I‟m not the only one trying it, there‟s never room in interiors for every designer

to be coming up with new ideas, it‟s just a new technique and this is my take on it.” She described her

designs as: “Quite contemporary. I always make sure I keep on trend with the colours I use. They are

fresh, cutting-edge pieces that may not be suited to everyone‟s taste but they‟re fun and unique.” So if

you like to add a bit of modern flare to your décor, keep a look out for these latest installations to hit

the market.

ENDS