The Union has cancelled its planned Petting Zoo, amid concerns about animal welfare.

The event – which was due to take place next week – was to be part of a ‘Space to Relax’ campaign, designed to help students unwind during the busy exam period.

Students have responded with disappointment to the news, with one tweeting: “WORST DAY EVER KNOWN TO MAN”.

In a letter sent to Leeds Student, animal rights charity PETA outlined their opposition to the event:

“Petting zoos contribute to a cruel cycle of breeding, abandonment and killing”, they claim.

PETA also cited potential risks to students:

“Experts indicate that petting zoos are hotbeds of serious pathogens, including E coli and salmonella bacteria… infections can spread through direct or even indirect animal contact, and in some cases the illness can be fatal.”

A union spokesperson said: “Concerns about the welfare of animals and the security of the event mean that we can’t hold the planned petting zoo next week. ”

They added: “We will be having a massive bouncy castle on the grass outside next week”.

Lucy Snow

Image: www.listal.com

Ben Meagher has coffee with star of the Danish screen Lars Mikkelsen in Copenhagen and discovers why Mikkelsen once believed he’d become a  clown. 

On one of the corners of Sønder Boulevard, a lively suburb of Vesterbro to the west of Copenhagen, lies a café-come-corner shop that brews and bottles its own beer and sells those niche magazines your mother warned you about: from cinematic discourse in Berlin to bi-annual issues showcasing the latest and greatest in photographic talent across the continent. Not only can you have a slice of home baked kagelsnegel, but for those interested in people-watching you can also grab a slice of life - especially if you’re on the lookout for Lars Mikkelsen. Then again, he isn’t hard to spot when he’s sitting opposite you.

Although sipping gently away at his coffee under the brim of a black flat cap and shrouded in an all-purpose weather jacket, Lars isn’t trying to be anonymous. As we sit outside, he exchanges friendly waves and bubbling conversation with at least half of the neighbourhood. With success on screen at home and abroad, his foundations of acting began with little more than face paint. ‘I started out miming and juggling around the streets of Europe’ he begins. ‘I was pretty convinced that I was going to be a clown up until that point. It’s a really good way of learning and approaching the craft, but what happens is that after a while you realise you need a punch line every ten seconds. I just got fed up with that. Then I got introduced to Shakespeare. It was Prospero in The Tempest. I mean, I didn’t understand fuck all,’ he admits, chuckling, ‘but I felt something. I felt a relationship; a barrier I wanted to climb.’

After being tempted by the luring abyss of classical texts, Lars enrolled at the age of 27 to the National Theatre School of Denmark, graduating in 1995. ‘Its not like it is in Britain where you have loads of schools and loads of actors coming out’ he cautions. ‘We only have three schools here: Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense. 24 actors come out of each school and the whole thing is paid for, you don’t pay a penny. It’s really quite extravagant for a small country to have that sort of education.’

Before his theatrical training, the financial comfort at secondary school seldom brought personal confidence. ‘I was very insecure and didn’t really know what to do. I wasn’t very good at anything. I didn’t realise that I wanted anything to do with acting – I just didn’t believe in myself at all so it wasn’t an option really.’ After school, Lars decided to enrol for active military service.‘In the military you don’t apply,’ he explains. ‘You draw a number and if it’s high you don’t get in. So I drew a number way beyond the limit and didn’t get in. But there were these guys behind one of the tables saying to me “Oh that’s a shame, it would have been really something for you.”’ He pauses, cradling his cup of coffee. ‘You know, that was the first time in my life that somebody said we could actually use you for something. When they said that I immediately wanted to go for it again. It was a waste of time really, but I got some discipline that I didn’t have before.’ The sides of his mouth begin to curl sheepishly upwards. ‘And the shooting was fun.’

After firing off a few rounds, Lars then went on to the University of Copenhagen to study Biology. ‘I was sitting there reading chemistry and mathematics – It had nothing to do with animals at all!’ Does he regret not taking his studies further? He immediately shakes his head. ‘I wouldn’t go back to it. I’d still be studying, drinking and just being miserable. I would be the worst biologist in the world!’

From millitary drills to textbooks and juggling, it’s hardly a surprise that he speaks four languages fluently. Lars brushes off any sense of linguistic talent. ‘Most Danes speak Swedish’ he shrugs. ‘We grew up with Swedish television for children, so we just picked it up when we were small. Danish and German are closely related, so if you do a bit of work you’ll pick that up too - German is a really beautiful language. Every language has got its own mark, its own fingerprint. I love it, I think it’s so much fun to try. Whenever you go to a country and you make that stretch to approach that language, you are seen so much better aren’t you?’ Seeing as I can only successfully pronounce ‘Hej’ (hi) and En Kop Kaffe’ (a cup of coffee) I’m praying it’s a rhetorical question. But like most Danes, he’s more than forgiving about my lacklustre attitude. ‘Danish is so hard… the sound, then the grammar – its just exception after exception. The problem here is that our grammar system only applies to half of our words.’ They failed to mention that in the language lessons.

Unlike the chalk and blackboard, learning English was far less conventional. ‘I think my brother and I picked it up from listening to our records of Monty Python. We could recite all of the sketches, all of those funny accents… nothing’s really holy to you, is it?’ he laughs.‘There’s nobody in the world that comes even within a foot of English comedy; it’s by far the best. I think it’s to do with your Victorian identity, it still seems to have a hook on people and that gives you a wall on which to bounce your ball. Sometimes I miss that form, that way of life.’ Time hasn’t eroded all of those royal ideals though. In February 2011, Queen Margreth II of Denmark awarded Lars a knighthood. ‘That was great fun, but I sort of fucked it up,’ he grins. ‘I was told outside that the rules were simple; you approach her, but not too close, then you say thank you for the knighthood and then you start the conversation. I forgot to say thank you and on the way out I turned around and said “Oh and thanks for the knighthood!”’

However, his ear for languages and uncanny ability to pick up accents steal the limelight from royal affairs, particularly in the recent Irish film What Richard Did, which dazzled audiences and critics alike. ‘That was my first gig out of Copenhagen, so I did a lot of work for it because I really wanted the part. My first reading was way over the top! I remember reading it through, sitting with Lenny Abrahamson, a brilliant director. After half a minute he went “no, no, lets drop it”. I switched back to my own accent but after a long time in Dublin I got used to Irish. It was a narrow, thin line to walk but having Lenny by the helm… he’s just an amazing director. We stayed very close to the truth throughout the film; it looks like something we’ve done here in terms of the Dogme films.’

When discussing Danish cinema, it seems inevitable that the Dogme 95 movement should crop up. The derivation of aesthetic spectacle and focus on narrative constitutes a large part of their cinematic identity. ‘What the Dogme movement was really about was taking some of the power from the Director of Photography and giving it to the action itself. You don’t care about lighting or the sound; it was about the action in front of the camera. We’re really, really good at approaching naturalism now. But that at the same time is what constricts us. I think we need to move on from here, not leave it behind completely, but just move forward with it.’ For Mikkelsen, playing a one-legged Serbian Commando in Mo Ali’s upcoming action film Montana is definitely a step away from naturalism. ‘I had a big scale to perform with Montana. Having a prosthetic leg and doing the Serbian-Croatian accent in English… you’d never do that here.You would choose a Serbian-Croatian actor to do that. And you wouldn’t give him a gammy leg either.’

That isn’t to say Danish film remains monotonous in its approach. A Caretaker’s Tale ventured outwards with style, but also with its script revolving around a landlord who uses sexual exploitation for the benefit of his own health. ‘I think they had a hard time casting it because people didn’t want to do it – the violation theme is just rife, it can be too much. But I saw an opportunity for us to make a beautiful film. It tried to get into the Berlin film festival and was sent back. Not a “no, thank you” but an outraged “we’ve never in our lives seen anything like this!” But we knew that. It’s right on the edge of what’s possible to tell as a story.’ With Lars playing an ex-journalist in the midst of a company power-struggle, Headhunter became another attempt to veer away from the domineering ethics of Dogme. ‘Headhunter was an attempt to widen the course we could take, a thriller that was bigger, and the language was more iconic, like you would see in an American movie. We need to do those sort of films too.’

With his breakthrough in Casino Royale, his brother Mads (pronounced ‘Mass’) is no stranger to US based productions, and currently stars in Hannibal on Sky Living. Is there a brotherly competition between the two? ‘People always want to line us up in a competition and of course, I mean when we grew up we were competitive – you are as young lads,’ he admits. ‘But you won’t really see that at all, we help each other and we talk a lot about it and we’ve never, ever been casted as the same role-type. We’re not alike. I’m very proud of what he’s done and vice-versa; we’ve both done really well in what we do. If one of us hadn’t done well then there would have been a lot of agony and nagging!’ Whilst in the military, Lars went to see Mads in an amateur theatre company, singing and dancing. ‘To tell you the truth, what really appealed to me was just all the women there. They were so beautiful and so outgoing and the whole social thing around doing theatre… that’s what appealed to me really; a big sense of community and belonging.’

It’s this same containment and concentration of community that lends itself to Denmark’s visionary cast and crew, with series such as Edderkoppen, 7 years before the dawn of The Killing, fostering Danish talent. ‘I still think that’s one of the best series DR has made. It’s film noir, set after WWII in 1948-9 where corrupt politicians, policemen and gangsters ruled most of Copenhagen. Because of the collapse of society, the guys that were in the liberation army suddenly became gangsters. A whole generation of actors and filmmakers came with that series. It was a foretelling of what was to become.’

Although shows such as Borgen remain the byword for successful ratings, Lars still has a soft spot for the golden oldies of British TV. ‘When I say it, everyone goes “you like that?” But I like Frost, Inspector Morse, Poirot, Miss Marple – I really do! I wish I’d seen some of Luther, but I haven’t seen any of it yet. I saw Idris Elbain in The Wire, what an actor! His voice work there was just incredible - I couldn’t believe he wasn’t American.’ Lars sits up slightly taller, glowing with humble admiration. ‘I always say that you produce the best actors in the world, because you do. It’s got to do with the approach you take; you do stage, television and films so you’re not confined to one thing. I love seeing British actors, they are just so good. For me, as I know for all of the cast in The Killing, when we work in, or are compared to your country, we just can’t believe it. I would never have imagined that would happen.’

Sir Alex Ferguson winning his 13th League title

LS Sport’s Jamie Kirby gives a fitting send off and personal account of the impact Sir Alex had on Manchester United and the wider world.

14/05/2013

As a slow, weak and technically ungifted 8 year-old any future interest in sport began to hang in limbo when, in 1999, something took my breath away. Seated next to my dad for the Champions League final, I felt excitement and distress. While the former of these emotions was present for obvious reasons, the distress lingered as I knew that, for me, this beautiful game could only ever be observed, and that I would never live this moment firsthand. Little did I know that over the course of two hours, a game, a club, and a legend would be instilled as the focal point of my life over the coming 14 years.

Each time I watched my ‘Treble’ VHS over the coming year, the moment resurfaced in my memory. As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer poked the ball into the roof of the net, I felt myself lifted (literally, as my dad elevated me through the air), touching the beam that hung from my ceiling. Come 2008, as this glory repeated itself, the beam was no longer out of my reach. But this growth was no longer only physical; as the moments of elation mounted – each time more extraordinary than the last – Sir Alex Ferguson taught all fans that no prior accomplishment can belittle the next, and that in greatness, prolonged achievement can be as exhilarating as any individual moment.

Having first announced his retirement in 2002, Sir Alex was forced to postpone this decision indefinitely, as United finished in 3^rd position – an all time low for the club since the Premier League was created. The ‘Noughties’ brought 3 more seasons where the Trophy went missing at Old Trafford, eventually prolonging his managerial tenure a further 11 years from his original retirement date. This search for perfection was meant to leave United in a position in which its long term future could not be in jeapordy, no matter who was next to take the reins.

In this respect, and in hindsight, Ferguson’s decision to retire on May 8^th should not have come as a shock to most fans. The signing of Robin van Persie – a ready-made Premier League striker of the highest order, and 28 years-old at the time – represented the manager’s need to achieve on a monumental scale this season. Despite Domestic Cup and European campaigns reaping no rewards, Ferguson proclaimed that the side he had at his disposal this season is better than any squad he has ever assembled. Whether pundits agree with this assertion is another matter, but the fact that the great Scot believes this to be true should have been the greatest hint yet that his time has come, as he had created a team whose quality should be able to lead them to future greatness without his leadership.

Fergie addressed his fans and players directly at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. While a brief reminiscence of his time at Manchester United was afforded, his speech invariably referred to preserving this legacy of winning at the highest level, which has been engrained into the club since he took over. To fans, he said “I’d also like to remind you that when we had bad times here, the club stood by me, all my staff stood by me, the players stood by me. Your job now is to stand by our new manager. That is important.”

This testament was repeated to the players, as he said “I wish the players every success in the future. You know how good you are, you know the jersey you’re wearing, you know what it means to everyone here and don’t ever let yourself down. The expectation is always there.”

Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson has embodied this mentality since his early days in Scottish League football. Beginning at East Stirling in 1974, who had only half a first team and no goalkeeper, he was soon appointed as the head at St Mirren. Despite being a tenure which is often forgotten, his four years turned the club from Division Two relegation candidates to Division One champions. Over the coming eight years, after a controversial dismissal, Ferguson would guide Aberdeen to three Scottish Premier League titles, four Scottish Cups, one League Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, and one Cup Winners Cup – the clubs highest honour to date. After knocking back an offers from Arsenal, Ferguson joined Manchester United, winning 49 trophies in a career which cannot conceivably be matched in the near future. Ferguson brought Manchester United themselves from a time of obscurity, as they languished in a relegation fight in 1986, to join arch rivals Liverpool as the team with the most major honours in English football history, and achieving more league titles than any other.

Upon opening his address to the 75,572 fans assembled at Old Trafford for his final home game, Ferguson’s words appeared to mimic his prolonged quest for perfection, saying “I’m just going to ramble on and hope I get to the core of what this football club has meant to me.” Those words ring true with the past 26 seasons, through which Sir Alex Ferguson has discovered what this club truly meant to him, meaning he can finally leave with piece of mind.

You know him from the TV as a fixture on Dragon’s Den, but did you know Theo Paphitis was equally involved in lingerie? Don’t worry, this ain’t about to to get sleazy, we’re talking about high-street store, Boux Avenue — Paphitis’ latest business venture.

As well as investing in entrepreneurs and stocking shelves with stationary (or at least, employing someone to do so at Ryman), he is at-one with women’s lingerie, having previously been at the helm of La Senza. In business, as you know, one door closes and another one opens, hence Boux Avenue is his new baby. Nurturing it since 2011, the brand has grown to 18 stores nationwide, with the latest opening being in Leeds’ White Rose Centre. In light of the launch, we put on our best business hat to chat to chat to Theo about the brand.

What does Boux Avenue offer for students?

“Amazing products sold in beautiful surroundings at great prices. We have the perfect lingerie solutions for May Ball frocks plus bikinis for sunbathing in between lectures! AND Boux Avenue offers a 10% discount for all students all year round. If you sign up to become a Boux V.I.P you also benefit from year round offers, sale previews and invites to in-store events.”

How does Boux Avenue differ to La Senza?

“Attention to detail, exceptional service, range of product and sizing but above all our shopping environment. Our stores are designed to feel like every woman’s dream boudoir.”

Why should Boux Avenue be student’s number one destination for lingerie?

“Because we are the number one destination! Retail is all about the detail and at Boux Avenue we have it in abundance. From our beautiful shop fit  – underwear drawers, three levels of light settings in our changing rooms to our expert staff and free gift wrap with every purchase. It all adds up to a truly unique lingerie shopping experience we think the students of Leeds will love!”

Why was Jacqui Ainsley the right choice for the face of the brand?

 ”Jacqui Ainsley was chosen as the face to launch the brand back in 2011. We felt she was feminine, beautiful and had an incredible figure which portrayed our product and suited our launch range perfectly.”

Why have you chosen to set up in White Rose over Trinity Leeds?

“It’s simple, we found the right space. Leeds was always on our priority list, it just happens to be store number eighteen, even in this tough economical climate it’s difficult to find the right spaces and White Rose is the perfect new addition to our store portfolio.”

With graduates in mind, top 3 qualities that make a successful business leader?

“Be dedicated, hard working and have an entrepreneurial spirit whether you are working for yourself or a company.”

We think we get our hair. And then we wake up to yet another bad hair day. Fortunately, that dishevelled, bedhead look goes hand in hand with laidback student lifestyles and late morning lectures. When we’re not just brushing backwards to compete for the Biggest Top Knot on Campus Award, it’s en vogue in Leeds to hide it under a snapback or tuck it into a fluro beanie. Sadly though, with graduation comes the realisation that those solutions are no longer appropriate. Whether it’s internships of grad-schemes you’re going in to, chances are a more professional aesthetic is appreciated. (That means bye-bye backcombing.) Alas, we have no ideas how else to style our tresses.

In search of wise words, we stopped in at Sassoon Salon, to chat with stylist, Lee Nunn, on how to transition out of our student bubble and into the real world, without fawning to conventional, “professional” updos. Be it a brand new bob or a simple trim, Sassoon offers students a flat rate of £35 – a generous chunk off the standard £60 – so now’s the time to make the most of it whilst you can and sort out your “see you later studenthood” image.

The Clean Up and Cleanse

How do we instantly revive our hair after a heavy weekend of abusing it with backcombing, hair spray and welded in jelly shots? A rejuvenating chemical cocktail perhaps?

“The ultimate solution here is optimising its condition and removing any dead hair. Make sure you use a shampoo and conditioner that suits to your hair type. Rich Clean by Sassoon Professionals will help prime and cleanse thick/ normal hair types, whilst Pure Clean will nourish finer hair without weighing it down.

(If you’re getting greasy roots by the end of the day or struggling with unmanageable blow-drys on a morning, chances are your hair care is wrong for your hair type. Come into the salon for a consultation, and a recommended regime for you.) Always do two shampoos using the palms of your hands to massage the product gently into the hair,  and follow using a light conditioner to seal in the moisture. Contrary to popular belief there is nothing wrong with washing your hair every day; if the products are of good quality it actually is better to cleanse on a daily basis.

Fill a hungover day with an Instant Ritual or luxury treatment in-store, that will help revive neglected hair, feeding it with essential nutrients and proteins to make it supple and revitalised. Taking home the Precision Clean by Sassoon Professional will maintain the health the hair and leave it soft and free flowing. Used with the Intense Restore treatment, it will cleanse the build up of products from the week and nourish the hair after a weekend of little sleep!

Finally, instead of relying on hairspray, opt for a haircut that supports itself. Hair should move rather than be glued in place. And if you want volume, ask for it to be cut into the hair rather then having to use products to provide the finish.”

The Tidy Top Knot

How do we achieve a tidier and more professional looking top knot, with just as much volume as the “yes, it was a heavy night” backcombed bun?

“Start by prepping towel-dried hair with Heat Shape by Sassoon Professional. This will protect the hair from heat and also add a bit of grip to the root. Blow-dry the hair using a flatbrush, working it upwards to where your knot will be placed – best done upside-down, keeping the flow of air in the direction of your cuticle to enhance shine!) Next, loosly work your hair into a pony tail securing it with an elastic wrapped in cotton, so to not pull at the hair. Now, start pinning and wrapping your hair around the base of the pony, use kirby grips to secure it the base; the key here is to play with your hair, so you get to know your own hair texture and respond to how it sits, falls etc. Apply Diamond Polish one secure, a weightless serum by Sassoon Professional, to get a high shine and a soft hold.”

The “New You” Cut

Any tips for a successful brand new look – one that won’t leave us baffled as soon as we leave the salon, or wishing our bangs were 2 inches longer?

“A new look doesn’t have to be a harrowing experience. There isn’t a ‘one style suits all’ cut. If your looking for a complete change you’re in safe hands, we offer a personalised, in-depth consultation where we can discuss your restrictions, lifestyle, bone structure, hair type and face shape. That way, we can create a perfectly suitable look that is both individual and practical for you. You also leave with the peace of mind that your hair will be easy for you to recreate at home on a daily basis, in optimum condition too with the recommendation of a personal hair care regime.

A complete revamp isn’t always necessary though. Simply reconditioning or restyling can do wonders too. Repositioning the balance of the hair weight will give a subtle, new spin on your look. Similarly, simply getting to grips with its condition and giving it a good trim and a thorough cleanse will do great things.”

Visit Lee at the Leeds’ Sassoon Salon for a personalised discussion depending on your hair- and mention Leeds Student to take advantage of that £35 student steal. Sassoon Salon,  0113 244 8813, Albion Street, Leeds.

Open Lifestyle is the trendy new men’s indie in the Thornton’s Arcade. Offering a selection of clothing, accessories and homewares, the guys behind the boutique have sourced the globe in search of the best brands out there. Curating a broad selection, complete with books, art and grooming goods, Leeds Student chatted with the owners to learn a little bit more about the store.

What was the incentive behind setting up the store?

“We met through a love of the same music. Mainly Hip-Hop, old 60′s and 70′s Soul and Jazz. This was and still is at the heart of why we do what we do here. We always longed for stores with more substance in the city. You’ll have no problem finding a Topshop or H&M, but we wanted to focus on a customer that wanted something different. We wanted to attract customers who know what they like when they see it regardless of what they’re being told is “cool”.

So you aimed more for a lifestyle boutique rather than a straight-up fashion one?

Leeds was missing an independent that didn’t just sell one thing too so we wanted to sell a range of products that weren’t as readily available elsewhere even if it meant sourcing goods from overseas. The idea to become a lifestyle store happened kind of organically. We wanted to sell a range of products with substance that all tie in together in some way so if you bought a record for example you’d probably be interested in some of the magazines we sell too. We just liked the idea of somebody being able to buy such an interesting array of products under one roof so given the opportunity we ran with it.”

Establishing a new indie must have been tough given the economic climate?

“It certainly can be tough but I think being situated where we are has helped. The Thornton’s Arcade is the oldest in Leeds and has masses of character and a great reputation for quality independents. I think it’s important for customers to trust you and your ethos but obviously this can take time. The online store is equally as important as we are definitely targeting a much broader audience with orders coming in from all over the world.”

How would you best describe the store?

“A place to browse a curated selection of interesting products in welcoming and non-pretentious surroundings.”

What does ‘fashion’ mean to you?

I don’t really like the word “fashion”. It’s so broad. I think the most important thing is knowing who you are and working to your strengths. I like thinking someone looks good whilst knowing that I couldn’t pull it off myself. Prince says it best.”

Where do you look to for new, buzzy brands?

“We don’t necessarily look. Our interests and the way we live kind of means we come across the things we’re going to be interested in naturally. It’s the only way we could do it. I’d hate for it to ever become too forced. We do definitely pride ourselves on keeping it moving though. We have introduced a few brands to the UK that have since been taken on by big companies. Normally that means for us that it’s time to move on.”

Which guys do you consider to have great style?

“That’s a tricky one. Off the top of my head I can’t really think of anyone in the public eye. It’s normally just people I see in passing just doing their own thing. I’ve seen a lot of sharp old guys recently.”

How do you feel the fashion and retail offering in Leeds compares to that elsewhere in the UK?

“It’s getting there. Retail anyway. It’s kind of starting to balance itself out. There are a lot of new interesting independent clothing stores, book stores, bars, eateries and coffee spots but, this is obviously also met with the arrival of a huge soulless shopping centre full of high street stores. It’s no London yet, but it could be on its way as long as people keep their minds open.”

Independents seem to be cropping up all over Leeds with indie coffee stores, indie bars… Did you establish the store knowing that was brewing?

“We didn’t know it was brewing. I just think that maybe they’re starting to become more accepted and appreciated now in Leeds. Hopefully people are starting to get tired of the same old stuff.”

Which cities or countries do you think are offering the best in menswear?

“It’s tricky really. Great stores are just dotted about. Obviously London is good but things are very much spread out there. There are great stores in Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, obviously New York and LA, but the little sneaky ones can be found anywhere.“

Swapping from student to professional in the space of the summer is a tough one, not just for the lifestyle change but appearance-wise too.  Changing your Nike Airs for a conservative kitten heel isn’t a move that will be welcomed by most, particularly when, for most of us, it follows a long summer full of festivals, frolicking around in sandals and late, late club nights. But conservative needn’t be boring. Shedding more light on how to bridge the gap from student to Ms. Sensible, we scored some secret tips from a Senior Artist at MAC.

What is the beauty blunder students always tend get wrong?

“Trying to deconstruct beauty before knowing the basics! Learning how to get the skin right takes time; see what colours and textures work better on different skin types.”

In the workplace, is it always less is more?

“Same as before, if you work in a tattoo parlour, you can get away with a lot more than in a bank. However, keep in mind that too much makeup can sometimes make you look older than you are. If that is the case, yes less can be more beneficial, regardless of the style.”

What would you advise for a professional, first-day-of-the-new-job kind of look?

“It depends on the job. For a formal job, like working in an office, do not try to impress with a makeup statement. If you work in a creative environment, just follow your personal style.”

How would you advise showing a creative side through beauty, in a professional/ graduate environment?

“There is a time and a place for everything, same as clothes. If you want to wear something a bit more dramatic, you may want to wait and save it for a special event.”

3 hot beauty trends for the summer?

“Soft tan, not as dark as possible anymore, just the healthy natural tan that you get in the summer in the city, not on holidays.”

“Metallics; on lips, cheeks and eyes, but really buffed into the skin. Make the skin a main feature and aim for a glowing, pearlised complexion.”

“Mixing pastel colours with neons. Before, it was one or the other. This summer you can play with a soft, sugary palette, with accents in much brighter colours.”

Pablo Rodriguez, Senior Artist at MAC Cosmetics

End of year balls are right around the corner. You might have your ticket, but do you have your suit? As student loans run dry – with the last few pounds saved for revision snacks and celebratory drinks — bespoke tailoring ain’t really an option. Or is it? Guys, meet Johnny Tuxedo.

Launched only 2 weeks ago and already picked up by the likes of the Daily Mail, Johnny Tuxedo is a fresh new brand from Ilkely, offering, you guessed it… tuxedos.

As their blurbs says, “the suit market is full of ill-fitting cheap suits that will wear out, or well-known brands which don’t make small sizes, or whose styles are too boring or expensive”. Whilst Ilkley isn’t exactly the hub of trendy fashion activity, it has just given birth to a brilliant brand. The brain child of a bright summer’s day in 2012, creative friends got together to formulate something that they thought would work: well designed suits with well cheap price tags.

Despite owning other established tailoring brands, the motive behind this venture was all about opportunity recognition. Cool, young men needed suits, and they were determined to be the brand that offered them- complete with a modern aesthetic, trendy marketing and attractive models in ad campaigns. Consider it an added bonus that the fit and feel of the suits they’re generating is of top-notch standard too.

Coming in at £120 for the full ensemble (complete with 007 style bowtie and all), it’s a brand students will love on the price-point principle alone. If that isn’t enough to sway them, the fact that the brand just gets them should. Their online presence is current and offers style advice from a well-designed website.  From ‘How To Tie a Bowtie’ to a conclusive sizing guide for those of you who haven’t done the proper tux thing before, the brand is bespoke for students. Fresh, affordable and perfect for your wardrobe, Johnny’s tuxedos have Summer Ball written all over them.

Shop now at: Johnny Tuxedo.

Until MAY 13, use discount code ‘leedsuni10′ for 10% off!!

Images courtesy of Daniel Kennedy

It’s final semester. More and more of us are spending long days on campus, trawling in and out of Essentials to stock up on library snacks. Thanks to the famers market, we now have to try to resist the temptation to spend all day outside the Union devouring the pulled pork and polishing off the brownie samples. As if Mondays weren’t hard enough already for us to endure, thanks to Mary & Milly’s pop-up stall, we’ve now got clothes shopping on campus too. Consider that the end of our productivity.

Owned by recent Fashion Marketing graduate, Poppy, and named after her two grandmothers, Mary & Milly offers unique pieces and select vintage finds. Founded in 2011, the store already has strong global presence on ASOS Marketplace, and is finding its feet across the UK, with numerous on-campus pop-ups. From Lancaster to Liverpool and now here at Leeds, the stall is set to be here every Monday until the end of term, offering thrifty finds and vintage accessories, and topping it off with 10% discount for us all.

The library seems so much sweeter after a spot of retail therapy, right?

Mary & Milly, outside the Union every Monday. Shop online at www.maryandmilly.co.uk