From Amateur Boxer to World class champion boxer, to author to a pillar of the local community to Entrepreneur. Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton has already solidified himself as one of Manchester’s finer sporting exports, now he has moved onto bigger hit’s.
Although the Stockport born boxer is best know for his high number of wins over the past few years rising up the ranks of to rub shoulders and gloves with some of the most prestigious boxers in the world. Born in 1978 he was raised in a football-saturated family with both his father and his grandfather being players for Rochdale. However since the age of ten, Hatton trained in his local boxing club in Hyde seven days a week. This shows a certain amount of dedication for a 10 year to undertake and then maintain up until the present day. However in past years Hatton has now become a semi- retired pro-focusing on what has been aptly named as ‘Brand Hatton’.
Now ‘Brand Hatton’ may not sound like the most interesting of enterprises, but it may be just what the sport needs to give it a kick-start. As Hatton has gone on record saying "I look at boxing from a different angle now and it is dying a death compared to the fashionable Ultimate Fighting Challenge,”
Under the umbrella of ‘Brand Hatton’, all facets of the sport are covered. Since his semi-retirement from the sport, he then started Hatton Promotions has signed some of the most promising young boxers in the country, Including Hatton’s younger brother, who is swiftly rising the ranks of the sport. The Hatton promotions will bring extensive coverage of new up and coming fighters also looking at more esteemed fighters, to make a he name for themselves in front of the Hatton TV viewers. Also Hatton promotions are focusing on the promotion of boxers via the web as well, which lets face it isn’t unheard of. However expanding the promotions of young fighters through different mediums is very beneficial for the fighters, which is giving the unknown’s a chance at the big leagues, which in contrast to other promotional companies is showing Hatton’s style as a Good Samaritan act. Hatton’s Hub in Hyde, which is not only the hub for all of Brand Hatton’s activities. It also services the local area allowing members to come and train within state of the art surroundings and be pampered with treatments and also have their own personal fitness programmed devised.
Wednesday 13 July 2011
I HEART MCR- The Cornerhouse
One of the most beloved Manchester institutions which I think our fair city would be completely different without; it is that pinnacle of culture in the city. It’s the Cornerhouse ladies and gentle men, our little hub of the alternative, the independent and the avant-garde. See being someone who has grown up in around Manchester I always used to go and see those random little films that yes I may have heard Jonathon Ross talking about, but still I went on down to the Cornerhouse. It used to be a big night out its where I developed my love of cinema, let’s face it they must have been doing something right!
A Little bit of history about the place, also the recently announced plans of Manchester City Council for improvement of this little slice of heaven. Sadly the history isn’t as interesting as the content of the building; it was originally built as a furniture store (one, two, three THAT’S HOT.) The cinema has been housed there ever since Shaw’s Furniture Store closed down in ’85. However the more exciting news that the council announced that the Cornerhouse will be in a couple of years packing up shop and moving to a brand new purpose built facility on the northern side of First Street, you know that place where the council moved with the crazy acrobatic statues outside. The 19 million pound structure will hold five cinema screens, an impressive gallery and theatre seating scores of thespians. Also it allows a lot more space for those helpful little seminars or those delightful Q&A’s with directors and industry geniuses. It will be the cultural hub of Manchester apparently, in what some would say an odd part of town. However we shall have to wait until spring 2014 to find out whether this huge investment is worth the dough.
As ever the Cornerhouse has a great range of events from their ‘Monday Night Movie Quiz’, to a great range of films being shown currently I know at the top of my list is the last instalment of ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy, ‘The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest’. Also on The 15th of December the corner house will play host to a screening of ‘Four Lions’ and a Q&A with Chris Morris the acclaimed satirist and director of this black comedy about terrorism. Also its time for a Festive treat when the Cornerhouse dusts off those old Christmas classics and from the 17th will be showing that winter heart warmer ‘Its A Wonder Life’.
So I hope that I have only served to back up an already clearly defined love of this little slice of culture in the centre of the city. The Cornerhouse will always be one of those place in Manchester that is adored by many and loved by even more, it’s not just the film’s, it’s the people and the fact that all of this can be found in a tiny little ex-furniture store on one of the busy strips in Manchester. I just hope that when they move into their new ‘’hub’ they don’t lose their off-beat charm, and their same dedication to content.
A Little bit of history about the place, also the recently announced plans of Manchester City Council for improvement of this little slice of heaven. Sadly the history isn’t as interesting as the content of the building; it was originally built as a furniture store (one, two, three THAT’S HOT.) The cinema has been housed there ever since Shaw’s Furniture Store closed down in ’85. However the more exciting news that the council announced that the Cornerhouse will be in a couple of years packing up shop and moving to a brand new purpose built facility on the northern side of First Street, you know that place where the council moved with the crazy acrobatic statues outside. The 19 million pound structure will hold five cinema screens, an impressive gallery and theatre seating scores of thespians. Also it allows a lot more space for those helpful little seminars or those delightful Q&A’s with directors and industry geniuses. It will be the cultural hub of Manchester apparently, in what some would say an odd part of town. However we shall have to wait until spring 2014 to find out whether this huge investment is worth the dough.
As ever the Cornerhouse has a great range of events from their ‘Monday Night Movie Quiz’, to a great range of films being shown currently I know at the top of my list is the last instalment of ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy, ‘The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest’. Also on The 15th of December the corner house will play host to a screening of ‘Four Lions’ and a Q&A with Chris Morris the acclaimed satirist and director of this black comedy about terrorism. Also its time for a Festive treat when the Cornerhouse dusts off those old Christmas classics and from the 17th will be showing that winter heart warmer ‘Its A Wonder Life’.
So I hope that I have only served to back up an already clearly defined love of this little slice of culture in the centre of the city. The Cornerhouse will always be one of those place in Manchester that is adored by many and loved by even more, it’s not just the film’s, it’s the people and the fact that all of this can be found in a tiny little ex-furniture store on one of the busy strips in Manchester. I just hope that when they move into their new ‘’hub’ they don’t lose their off-beat charm, and their same dedication to content.
I HEART MCR-Danny Boyle
With this issue I have decided to take a slightly different tact, with the column being entitled I heart MCR for one issue and one issue only it’s going to be I heart Greater MCR. This is all so I can talk about everyone’s favorite Manchurian director Danny Boyle. He may be from Radcliffe but that’s still in Manchester my friends.
Still buzzing from the viewing of 127 hours, I started to think about the man behind the film, so I decided to take a little retrospective view of Boyle’s career and tell you why he is definitely one of Manchester’s icons.
Boyle started his career whilst most of us were still in pampers; he soldiered through slowly gaining recognition for his work initially in the stage. Progressing onto television he worked for a while for the BBC in Ireland, then directed a couple of late 80’s mid 90’s shows including Inspector Morse (although this was only for a limited run.)
Boyle’s filmography reads like a who’s who of genre, having a wide variation of genre under his belt, there is everything from his first full feature Shallow Grave, which is entertaining in the most gruesome way to Trainspotting which let’s face it is just plain gruesome. To the tender stories such as Oscar winning Slumdog millionaire and other ever hilarious a life less ordinary with the very young Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz. Boyle likes to make movies which will stand out without the addition of his artistic merit, he stories engulf the audience. Although his first couple of films were not commercial successful, they have slowly grown to cult status for international audiences and let’s face it show up in most people in the western hemispheres lives at some point. However one thing which Boyle has managed to achieve which his pees have not is the balance between cult and commercial. The cult films initially flops have grown in popularity, and helped to shape the world of cinema.
His latest installment which is the dramatic retelling of Adventurer Aron Ralston’s experience, and subsequently the inspiration for this week’s column. The film depicts the 127 hours which changed Ralston’s life, after being caught literally between a rock and a hard place (The title of Ralston’s book.) He battles the elements and nature. Culminating in the final decision, dying in a giant crack in the earth or having to commit the unthinking able for a chance at survival. Now for those of you, who know the story, are probably right about now thinking what, why I would want to see a film about that. However the main focus of the film is not the graphic nature of the final act, it tells the entire story it does not trivialize the events which unfolded, it focuses on the man and the impact of such an ordeal.
Boyle is definitely one of Manchester’s most inspirational son’s he has one of the best back catalogue of films and a huge amount of hits under his belt. This is the reasoning behind my decision to make Danny Boyle the subject of I Heart MCR. He has an amazing view of how to create film, which make a really compelling story which grabs the audience.
127 Hours still available to see at AMC and The Odeon.
Still buzzing from the viewing of 127 hours, I started to think about the man behind the film, so I decided to take a little retrospective view of Boyle’s career and tell you why he is definitely one of Manchester’s icons.
Boyle started his career whilst most of us were still in pampers; he soldiered through slowly gaining recognition for his work initially in the stage. Progressing onto television he worked for a while for the BBC in Ireland, then directed a couple of late 80’s mid 90’s shows including Inspector Morse (although this was only for a limited run.)
Boyle’s filmography reads like a who’s who of genre, having a wide variation of genre under his belt, there is everything from his first full feature Shallow Grave, which is entertaining in the most gruesome way to Trainspotting which let’s face it is just plain gruesome. To the tender stories such as Oscar winning Slumdog millionaire and other ever hilarious a life less ordinary with the very young Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz. Boyle likes to make movies which will stand out without the addition of his artistic merit, he stories engulf the audience. Although his first couple of films were not commercial successful, they have slowly grown to cult status for international audiences and let’s face it show up in most people in the western hemispheres lives at some point. However one thing which Boyle has managed to achieve which his pees have not is the balance between cult and commercial. The cult films initially flops have grown in popularity, and helped to shape the world of cinema.
His latest installment which is the dramatic retelling of Adventurer Aron Ralston’s experience, and subsequently the inspiration for this week’s column. The film depicts the 127 hours which changed Ralston’s life, after being caught literally between a rock and a hard place (The title of Ralston’s book.) He battles the elements and nature. Culminating in the final decision, dying in a giant crack in the earth or having to commit the unthinking able for a chance at survival. Now for those of you, who know the story, are probably right about now thinking what, why I would want to see a film about that. However the main focus of the film is not the graphic nature of the final act, it tells the entire story it does not trivialize the events which unfolded, it focuses on the man and the impact of such an ordeal.
Boyle is definitely one of Manchester’s most inspirational son’s he has one of the best back catalogue of films and a huge amount of hits under his belt. This is the reasoning behind my decision to make Danny Boyle the subject of I Heart MCR. He has an amazing view of how to create film, which make a really compelling story which grabs the audience.
127 Hours still available to see at AMC and The Odeon.
I HEART MCR- Manchester Fashion
I Heart MCR.
What do you think of when you think of Manchester? I think of fashion. Manchester is one of the UK’s leading hubs of the fashion industry. We have everything from Couture, to Vintage, to high street.
This is no shopping guide its just one writers way of showing you 'wear' to go to look really good. Someone once said that fashion is good for the soul, it can make you feel really good or in some cases really bad. Manchester can provide for all you fashion needs.
So lets start with the high street Manchester, has your entire well know brands from “Topshop” to “H&m” to “River Island”. Manchester will cover all those needs within the newest section of the Arndale and the market street with surrounding areas. I love this because you can find almost anything in the very centre of Manchester’s shopping district. Even if its discount you’ve got the now stable of the high street, which is “Primark” for all you’re basic, fashion needs.
Now we’ve got the well know shops out of the way let’s talk about the little shopping gems that keep us students going. Firstly we’ve got the best shoe store in Manchester “Office Clearance Store”. This is tucked away in the corner of Saint Ann’s Square, its home to all of last season’s top-notch designs for prices lower than that of any of their contenders. This is truly a gem and I would walk around bear foot if office weren’t in existence.
However we have some better-known gems in The Northern Quarter, which has everything from vintage stores like “Oxfam Vintage” which contributes a huge amount of its profits to good causes around the world. “Rags To Bitches” which is reasonably priced and has tweed suites to pencil skirts and gives out free cupcakes on Saturdays.
If you’ve got a higher priced taste you’ve always got the ever-famous “Selfridges” which is home to high-class couture from Dolce, Prada, Chloe and more. Which 3 times a year has brilliant sales that one should check out.
So here we have it, a few examples of why I love Manchester and how to look good if you have to replenish your clothing supplies from this delightful city.
I HEART MCR- Matthew Williamson
I Heart MCR.
Paul Cunningham.
I Heart MCR because it is a creative capital and it gave birth to Matthew Williamson. The Chorlton born designer has had a huge impact on the British fashion industry, and in my opinion more of an impact than other designers have made in their entire careers. In reflection to this he is having a home coming retrospective at the Urbis museum.
The exhibition Matthew Williamson – 10 Years in Fashion at Urbis
2007 marks 10 years of Manchester born designer Matthew Williamson’s career in fashion. The exhibition, which opens Spring 2008 will focus on the process and use of pattern, print and color which have defined Williamson’s work. Centralized around 4 main themes which will at this point remain nameless so you can find out for yourselves, the exhibition will feature iconic pieces worn by many a famous Celebrity. Other highlights include Williamson’s sketchbooks and a specially commissioned film with behind-the-scenes looks of the launch of a new collection. Lets have a bit of background on the famous manc’ for those of you who don’t know. Matthew Williamson was born in Chorlton, Manchester. He grew up and studied there until the age of 17, when he was offered a place on the degree course at Central St Martins. Matthew graduated in 1994 with a BA 2:1 in Fashion Design and Printed Textiles. His first job after graduating was a freelance design project with Marni. The British fashion company Monsoon & Accessorize then employed him. While at Monsoon, Matthew also worked on developing fabric swatches of his own designs containing detailed beading and embroidery.
Matthew Williamson Company was founded in February 1997 by designer, Matthew Williamson and CEO, Joseph Velosa.
In the summer of 1997, a cold call to British Vogue led to a meeting Plum Sykes, the then fashion assistant at the magazine. Encouraged by her reaction to his ideas, Matthew created a small women’s wear collection, which resulted in a September fashion show comprising a mere 11 outfits. His achievements in the fashion industry have been recognized consistently: Matthew Williamson won Elle designer of the year 2004 was awarded the 2005 Moet & Chanson fashion tribute and has received numerous nominations. He has also been nominated three times as designer of the year at the British fashion awards. Whilst continuing at the design helm of his namesake company, in 2005 Matthew took over as the Creative Director at Emilio Pucci, the luxury Italian fashion house owned by LVMH. Having always loved Emilio Pucci’s work from the 60s and 70s, this step was a dream come true for Williamson.
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