My column in VOUZ MAGAZINE September 2022 STEVEN'S VIEWZ
STEVEN'S VIEWZ IN VOUZ MAGAZINE
Steven’s Viewz
The Fab Four
This month I want to share some of the things that keep me not only feeling good, but also looking sharp.
1. Casual wear. MASTRUM
I don’t know about you, but at 61 I am not ready to change into the dads’ style polo neck and chinos just yet, much as it is still a great look. Equally I am practical about these things and baggy or ripped jeans, or showing too much flesh, can highlight your age. It does not make you look hip. In fact it can have the reverse affect and emphasize your age.
For me, I like to feel good and wear a causal look that not everyone else is wearing. On hearing that a certain singer (cough…Oasis) liked this brand, I discovered Mastrum. Their T-Shirts are superb. My barber who is in his 50’s Mike and I never go on holiday without a few in our bags. People ask me about them as they fit and wash so well.
Mastrum exists where fashion and function intersect; a brand dedicated to the pursuit of textile innovation & utilitarian design garments. While each collection boasts a variety of influences, Mastrum draws most significantly from the worlds of sportswear, performance clothing & military design. I just love their clothes.
2. Smart Wear. Thomas Farthing
The minute Peaky Blinders hit the BBC I wanted every item of clothing. It immersed my mind in the era of tie pins, pocket watches on Albert chains and smart cut suits with art deco ties. The look seduced me and I wanted it. A fashion expert friend of mine told me it was Thomas Farthing.
Each individual garment in the shop is designed with careful consideration of materials, colours and shapes, taking inspiration from 1930-40s archival pieces and photography.
Adam Skyner, the owner of Thomas Farthing, and his team also bring old-fashioned service to the 21st Century. It is such a pleasure to walk in and get that personal shopper feel. When I want a smart look, Thomas Farthing is my first port of call.
3. Feet. Fiona Patterson Beauchamp Foot Care
https://www.beauchampfootcare.com
When it comes to feet, this is the area we most often neglect. From my personal experience, thirty years of standing on my feet to cut people’s hair has caused my toes to rebel and suddenly one problem after another began to emerge with my feet. It started with an unpleasant in-growing toenail and developed into Plantar Fasciitis. I am indeed no stranger to pedicures, however if not being treated by the hands of an expert, this can become torture rather than an enjoyable experience. I realised that just having my toenails cut and filed was not doing the trick and was actually leading to health issues.
Many of my clients raved about someone they called ‘The Foot Doctor’, Fiona Patterson, who is based at Beauchamp Foot Care. One of my friends urged me to go to the clinic, promising me she would sort all of my problems. It is important to point out that Fiona, though brilliant in her field of work, is not a doctor. It’s just a term we use as so many people feel like she has given them huge pain relief following treatment.
Fiona trained under the renowned Dr. Scholl in Islington, obtaining her degree in Podiatry at Durham University in 2010. Additionally. she also undertook her degree in anaesthetics at Dublin University. Fiona has worked at Beauchamp Foot Care for 24 years, along with her three partners. Honestly, she is life saver.
4. Silk Pillow Slips. https://uk.blissy.com/collections/pillowcases
Keep your facial skin healthy. Your face has more contact with your pillowcase than any other fabric. So, if you want to keep your skin looking refreshed, your choice of pillowcase is very important. You can learn more about how silk pillowcases help keep your face looking refreshed, healthy and glowing, below.
Help your skin retain moisture. With one of the lowest absorption rates of any fabric on the market, sleeping on silk is one of the best options for helping your skin maintain its natural moisture. Save money on expensive moisturizing creams by retaining more moisture in your face to begin with, by sleeping on silk pillowcases. Reduce your chemical exposure.
Column
Age is just a number
I could not agree more with the divine and fellow Gemini Joan Collins’ statement last month, “It is rude to ask a lady her age”. Or a man, come to think about it. Even though the divine Ms Collins never missed a moment to mention age…
Trust me, it is certainly a no no at any social occasion. My dread at any dinner party is when age raises its ugly head and someone says “Guess how old I am?” I just want the floor to open and disappear when that one is asked. Or when some ill-advised fellow diner thinks it is appropriate to ask a guest their age.
As for me, I am incredibly proud to have reached my age, joining the likes of Tom Cruise and Boy George. It is a joy to be alive and fully active, with just a little more knowledge in life, though I am still prone to a youthful mistake or two!
Some people’s issues around age ruin it for others. At a luncheon party I was quite looking forward to. Sadly the subject cropped up . Here he comes, the age phobic. It had not started off well as everyone was late including us, my friend had changed shoes at least three times and had an army of beauty things to do before setting off.
We were first there. I must add my friend is also proud of their age and looks stunning. However, they did look a little perturbed to be first there and not making a grand entrance for the other guests to marvel at how great they looked.
It meant that instead of sitting with my long-term friend who is in his twenties (but I swear is in his seventies and just made a pack with the Devil to inhabit a young man’s body, being wise, intelligent and witty well beyond his years), I was sitting next to someone new. I love meeting different people, though it did hit me almost immediately that his Instagram pictures were airbrushed to make him look much younger than in person. But then who does not tweak their image sometimes, though there are those that go over board and can turn themselves into an embryo.
It did not take long for age to become a topic. He kept referring to my friend as “the young one”. He asked if I went out much in London. I replied that I went out to events during the week but at weekend I was comfortable at home, although I did go to clubs occasionally at the weekend and charity dinners. It started, “Well at our age you don’t want to go clubbing, do you?” He honestly did not stop.
Moving on I shared that on holiday or before going out it was great to have a small siesta. “Oh, you mean a na, na nap,” he jested. “I bet it used to be a disco nap. But at our age…”
“Darling,” I explained, “I do not do the age thing or put labels on people.”
My “young” friend whispered later, “He is projecting how he feels about his own age on to you”. It was interesting to find out the other so-called young ones felt the same way about him and meant to pre-warn me as it was my first encounter.
It must be terrible to be threatened by someone who is comfortable in their own skin.
I think he was one of those men who got on better with woman as he seemed to charm them.
Age is just a number, or so some believe. Sure, I am not often “clubbing”, but this is not because I am 61 and feel out of place. I always envisioned myself with a blue rinse, fan dancing with the best of them at a rave in my 80s! It is more because I do not have the time, and that London has become so diverse there is so much else to do. Plus, my priorities with my free time have changed; bars are no longer high on my list. There is the added point that I am fortunate enough to get invited to a fair few glitzy events too.
I just wish people would enjoy and love the moment they are in and stop pushing age groups into boxes. Be who you want to be. Yes, age is just a number, but there is no need to keep bringing it up.
Steven out and about town.
Darren Day stars in “Foot Loose “The New Wimbledon theatre.
Well, the invite said dress up and give the press night of “Foot Loose” that 80’s feel. You know me, I could hardly wait to chuck a cowboy hat on and sparkly checked shirt and head down to meet the gorgeous Danielle Mason and the divine author of the moment, Samantha Lee Howe.
To be honest I do not think the rest of the audience got the message, but it did not spoil a fun night. “Foot Loose” is a giant theatrical ball of incredible talent. Sadly, it does not set the story up well at the start to pull you in and move you along.
Naively I was expecting Darren Day to play the lead (showing my age!). There lies one of the issues for me, the uber talented Joshua Hawkins playing Ren McCormack, a boy from Chicago who moves to a small town where dancing is banned, is just not believable in the role. Darren Day, however, steals the show as Rev. Shaw Moore. You really forget just what an incredible talent Darren is. He embraces the more mature role with both hands and holds it all together.
“Foot Loose” is worth seeing, but sit down and watch some great talent and forget there is a story. Darren is one of the most underrated actors of now.
Doctor Pam Spurr Exhibition at the Bickerton Gallery in aid of the Pink Ribbon Foundation.
https://www.bickertongracegallery
Annemarie Bickerton’s monthly art soiree at “Bickerton Gallery” has really started to gain momentum as word gets out. Each month different artists feature their work.
This month saw Dr Pam Spurr’s artwork take centre stage. Pam is as a self-help expert, Agony Aunt and solutions coach, commentator and a writer on sex, relationships, and human behaviour. No stranger to radio and TV, and the author of 15 self-help books.
This collection of work is believed to be an extension of her experiences and continued story telling. Her celebrity friends, including Vicki Michelle from “Allo Allo”, and “The Only Way Is Essex” star Charlie King, plus Mr Fabulous Jay Kamiraz, were amongst the guests enjoying her art. Of course, she is a great friend of mine.
Pam capped off this wonderful night with the online auction of one of her divine paintings, donated in aid of the breast cancer charity The Pink Ribbon Foundation.
https://www.pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk
END.
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