#ForwardBirmingham

There’s a big bright shiny building that is about to be opened in BIrmingham and it is all happening next week. Grand Central, the city’s newly vamped New Street train Station, shopping mecca and much-anticipated John Lewis offering is about to step up Birmingham’s retail offer several notches.

Book store Foyles, lifestyle brands The White Company and Cath Kidston, fashion brands Hobbs, Joules and Birmingham’s own Steel & Jelly will be joined by beauty brands Kiehls, Jo Malone and Neals Yard Remedies among many others to open up brand new stores.

To celebrate the launch John Lewis has commissioned local filmmakers Blue Monday to produce a film dedicated to their new home.

Featuring a variety of individuals who live and work in Birmingham, the film follows “Birmingham’s stars of the future – medics, musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs – as they go about their daily activities, capturing their passion and pride in the city that they call home”.

Shot over a period of 10 weeks, the extensive creative process saw filmmakers Blue Monday capture eight hours of footage, involving 20 interviewees in 29 locations across three countries. The footage then underwent a 50-hour editing process and was combined with additional elements, including the soundtrack by Birmingham musician, Alex Ohm.

Selfridges Says WORK IT

Selfridges Birmingham celebrates the first Anniversary of its new-look beauty hall with a host of events that help customers reclaim their lunch break and offer a little extra uplifting with a range of mini-treatments and super-short courses.

The fun lunch-time activities include the chance for people to learn Spanish, Laughing Yoga, Self Defence and Salsa Classes. The 30-minute sessions will be held from Monday, 18th May until Sunday, 31st May.

Xmas Shopping

Stuck for ideas for what to buy your nearest and dearest? Well, look no further and read this guide on the best places to go to find that special gift for Christmas. We want this phone (£29) for our office from Red Candy if anyone is buying…

The Bull’s new Royal Britannia-inspired outfit @Bullring

The Bullring Bull’s new outfit was revealed today in all it’s sparkly splendor  to mark the malls ‘Bostin British Summer‘ season which will include a Jubilee picnic and tea party in association with St Martin’s Church, a Bostin artwork masterpiece and weekends of live music in Spiceal Street.

Tag my Pak at Selfridges 16.7.11

The EASTPAK “Tag My Pak” crew will be in Birmingham this coming Saturday 16th July and bringing with them some of the UK’s most talented Graffiti artists, on hand to get creative at Selfridges.

ALICE by Temperley at Selfridges

Women of the West Midlands can add another stylish label to their wardrobes with the introduction of ALICE by Temperley to Selfridges Level 4 Womenswear department. The debut collection from Alice Temperley’s diffusion line is reminiscent of the Temperley London mainline Collection, but with its own fresh style and accessible price range.

With prices ranging from £60 to £500, “ALICE’s” modern, feminine and flattering pieces that have a rock-n-roll edge, offer amazing value to an audience that can appreciate, enjoy, and craft their own version of the Temperley London collection.

Inspired by the London girl of the moment, “ALICE” offers fun, inspiring pieces in easy to wear jersey, light knits, embroidery Anglaise and cotton tailoring, as well as a healthy dose of edginess with “ALICE’s” slate grey novelty denim and leather quilted biker jackets.

The ALICE by Temperley collection is available from Selfridges Birmingham, Level 4.

Swifty Pop Up Shop

The ‘pop up’ shop phenomenon has really taken the West Midlands by storm over the last few months and tonight another is launching at The Custard Factory on Gibb Street, Digbeth. Pioneering typographer, sleeve designer and artist Swifty will be setting up shop from Friday 11 December selling original prints, T-shirts, skateboards, stickers and lots more.