When it comes to being bold with colour, Southsea stylist Roxanne Morris certainly isn’t afraid of making a statement.
While most of her time is taken up with styling for magazine shoots and music videos, Roxanne loves nothing more than working with businesses in her hometown to create colourful content for her social media.
She recently came to the Queens Hotel and used the public areas as a stunning backdrop for her own personal fashion shoot.
“I really want to encourage people to have fun with colour and to not feel daunted by it. I’m hoping that I can share ideas of how they can wear the clothes they already own and inspire them with a bit of a fashion boost,” said Roxanne.
Roxanne is a former accountant who decided to turn her back on figures in favour of a life of fashion. She ran ran Rokii in Albert Road for several years before taking the business online.
She has always loved colour and the psychology behind how colour makes us feel.
“I do have a few items of black clothing but I don’t wear it much. If I do, I use it as an accent. At one time, black was only worn for mourning. I think it’s a shame that so many women hide behind wearing black.
“Life is too short to always wear black. We’ve got a whole spectrum of colour out there and I want women to have fun with it,” she said.
Talking about returning to Portsmouth to live, Roxanne explained. “I love being able to spread my time between London and Southsea, especially as I became a mother and my daughter was 9 weeks old when we went into the first lockdown.
“I am 41 years old and I want to show women they can have fun with fashion whatever their age. I don’t use any filters – what you see is what you get.
“It’s important to make what you see on social media more real so people can relate to it.”
To launch our year of regal events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we’ve got a right royal tea party planned for you and your little princes and princesses.
It’s the perfect way to create a magical memory for you and your family this half-term. There will be plenty to keep your little ones amused.
The Queens Hotel already has a wonderful reputation for creating a fabulous afternoon tea experience. Now, we are rolling out the red carpet so parents can experience a magical time with their little ones.
On Wednesday February 23, King Charles will welcome you and your family. Our very own Fairy Godmother will ensure every prince and princess has a wonderful time.
She will be ably assisted by princesses Elsa, Moana, Rapunzel and Belle. Together, they will perform a coronation ceremony for each child as they arrive and will give out tiaras.
As well as being a teatime treat, the afternoon will be a feast for the eyes too. We will have balloon decorations and sparkles on the tables. We’ll also have a balloon feature wall for photos with the princesses and our very own Fairy Godmother.
While they tuck into sandwiches and cakes, the youngsters can enjoy activity packs on the table.
As if that wasn’t enough, each child will leave with a goody bag. Ask our events team about VIP packages for princes and princesses to enjoy a birthday party treat. Mums and dads pay £25 and £15 per child.
There will be two parties taking place from 12pm to 2pm and from 2.30pm to 4,30pm.
To book email events@queenshotelportsmouth.com
The founder of Mystery Guides, local author, Jack Wells, has chosen to set his latest book in Southsea. The book, which is something the whole family can enjoy, includes many landmarks and historical events.
Jack, recent winner of the ‘Start Up Business of the Year’ in the Business Excellence Awards 2021, was inspired to create the book based on his love of history and the place he calls home.
“I’ve created a fictional story that is based on fact and incorporates local history. I was born here and the history is something that I love about the place.
“You will find reference to the Spithead Mutiny, Mary Rose and the Battle of Southsea. People can learn a lot about the place as they walk round Southsea picking up clues.
“This definitely isn’t a history book but it is full of historical snippets that I hope people will find interesting,” he said.
Having studied history at university, Jack put his love of the past to good use by leading guided tours of Old Portsmouth. This further developed with a treasure hunt element.
“I ended up developing an app because I wasn’t always available to conduct the tours. Then, I wrote my first Mystery Guides book.
“The book ended up being more successful than the app. From there, I’ve gone on to write a whole series,” he said
Jack will be launching his Southsea edition of Mystery Guides at the Queens Hotel on Friday August 6. Characters from ‘Southsea Mystery Adventure’ will be brought to life and there will be the chance to meet the author.
The Queens Hotel is featured in the book and is supporting Jack’s venture. Everyone who buys a copy at the launch event will be entered into a prize draw. One of the prizes is a family ticket for the final Kids’ Party of the summer on August 23. A grand prize of an overnight stay for two will also be on offer to the family that solves all the clues in the book and reveals the mystery. Participants need to tag the hotel in photos as they travel around Southsea.
General Manager Catherine Austen said: “We love the idea that Jack’s book is something that families can follow to find out more about Southsea. It’s an activity that kids and parents can do together in the summer holidays.”
For more details follow the Queens Hotel on social media.
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