Inspired by a true story, Kinky Boots sees Charlie Price set about rescuing his dad's ailing Northampton shoe factory, which has been the pride and joy of his family for generations.Facing the imminent closure of the factory, Charlie begins to feel all is lost. A chance encounter with sassy, flamboyant Soho cabaret star Lola provides a glimmer of hope and a surprising last chance for the factory and its employees. Lola's quest for stylish, kinky women's boots (for men) might just provide the answer to Charlie's prayers but is Northampton open-minded enough for the likes of Lola?
Northampton is a large market town and a local government district in Northamptonshire, in the East Midlands region in central England
Northampton, traditionally known for its shoemaking and other leather related industries, has now developed into an important regional business centre for many of Britain’s top companies, due largely to its unbeatable geographical location, (67 miles (108 km) north of London). In recent years over 200 companies, including 70 from overseas have moved into the town including National Panasonic, Wells Soft Drinks, Barclays Head Office, Avon Cosmetics, Carlsberg-Tetley and British Timken. Others that have joined them are Coca Cola Schweppes, MFI, Scholl, Tesco, Black and Decker, Nationwide.
Northampton attractions: • Abington museum- Abington Museum is a 15th Century manor house now home to Northamptonshire’s military history, a 19th Century fashion gallery and the story of Northampton life ‘from the cradle to the grave’ • Northampton balloon festival- The three-day Northampton Balloon Festival takes place every August. Having previously been held on the racecourse in Northampton, it now takes place at Billing Aquadrome • Northampton museum and art gallery- The museum houses the largest collection of footwear in the world, other collections include decorative arts, Italian 15th – 18th century paintings and British art, Northampton’s history from Stone Age to the present date. Admission if free. • Avenue gallery- A part of the main university in Northampton, this gallery holds a large and interesting collection of contemporary art. A great deal of the pieces on show have been created by students at the centre who are some of the best trained in this field anywhere in the country. There are also regular visiting exhibitions from other academic institutions and galleries across Europe. • The royal derngate- Royal & Derngate is one of northamptons largest attractions offering a diverse programme of work with everything from drama to dance, stand-up comedy to classical music, children’s shows to opera on its stages. Some of the biggest names and shows on tour can be found here, alongside a programme of widely acclaimed in-house produced work. The theatre also offers a programme of Creative Projects that gives people the chance to get involved in performing, writing or to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes.
More New Town nostalgia: The Northampton Development Authorities had a novel approach to boosting investment - releasing a single. The a-side of the single was called 60 Miles by Road or Rail (the distance to London). The b-side, featured in this old news clip was Energy in Northampton, about extraterrestrials choosing Northampton as a landing site. Both were sung by Linda Jardim - also a vocalist on Buggles's Video Killed the Radio Star. (http://www.strangeharvest.com/mt/archive/blog/northampton_sci.php)
'From the sleeve notes:
A love affair with Northampton is a journey into space.
Northampton has had many love affairs. After all, it is like a human being, having evolved, matured and developed its character with passing years. Succeeding generations of lovers have established its importance, traditions, employment, social, recreational and cultural amenities and a strong sense of community. Experience has proved how necessary these qualities of life are.
But, of course, these qualities take generations to mature. In Northampton we are fortunate. We are able to harness all the advantages of an historic and well established town of regional importance, with those of an expanding town and major growth point, providing new opportunities for a total population of 180,000 by 1990.
Add to this - Northampton's location, little more than 60 miles from London, on the M1 motorway with 50% of Britain's industry and 57% of its population within a 100 mile radius; the immediate availability of factories, offices or sites; a workforce of some 87,000; a wide choice of homes to rent or buy - and it's easy to see how love affairs begin...'
From my research of seeing how people from another countries see the British people, one of the comments i found was they thought Britain had posh people who fox hunted and that the red jacket was instantly recognisable as British.
Describe what you do. I design garments and accessories. They're sometimes wearable, sometimes not so wearable, but always body concious.
What makes talent? I don't suppose you can make talent, I suppose it is nurtured.
What is your inspiration? Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith's life in New York at the Chelsea Hotel in the 70's.
Who do you admire? Ladies with attitude, fellas that are in the mood.
What is your favourite colour? When i think of colours, i think of people and their personalities. My friend Cat is red, James is orange, Sara is green, Rosie is yellow, Virginia is gold.
What are you doing next? Today I'm working on a new bag and a leather jacket design for my new collection going into The Library Room on Brompton Road.
Luella Bartley D.O.B - 1974 Born - Warwickshire Has Designed For - New Look, Mulberry Currently Designs For - Her own Label, 'Luella' Most Notable Moment - Awarded an MBE for Services to Fashion in 2010 Design Aesthetic - Feminine with attitude
Gareth Pugh D.O.B - August 31st 1981 Born - Sunderland Has Designed For - English National Youth Theatre, Kylie Minogue, Roisin Murphy, Lady Gaga, Ashlee Simpson Currently Designs For - Most Notable Moment - Global Recognition Design Aesthetic - Autobigraphical, Experimental, Voluminous, Sculptural
Henry Holland D.O.B - 26th May 1983 Born - Lancashire Has Designed For - Levi Strauss, His Own Label, Pretty Polly Currently Designs For - His Own Label, Debenhams Most Notable Moment - His slogan t-shirts Design Aesthetic - FUN
Zandra Rhodes D.O.B - 19th September 1940 Born - Kent Has Designed For - Princess Diana of Wales, Marks & Spencers Currently Designs For - Her own label Most Notable Moment - 1997, made Commander of the British Empire by the Queen Design Aesthetic - Eccentric, Brightly coloured, Fun
Has Designed For - Cadbury, Daks, New Look, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren
Currently Designs For - His own label
Most Notable Moment - Won British designer of the year 2007
Design Aesthetic - "Hopefully, if you saw someone wearing one of our frocks you'd think she looks quite interesting to have a chat with and say hello to. They're a bit 'We're on, we're out, we mean business',"
This is a blog to bring you a selection of the best Britain has to offer in terms of art, fashion, music and people. Posts will be made by four different students, currently studying Fashion at The University of Northampton. The group is made of Lois Addison, Ellie Bevis, Emma Lloyd and Mikyla Pickett. Together we will collect imagery, articles and videos and express our opinions on what makes Britain so great and try to understand what makes us British, and to explore the individuality of our 'bloody good' nation. We invite you to follow our journey of exploration as we dig deep into the heart of our British people and also we look forward to finding out what forms our national identity.
