We love this legacy art project from this year’s Portsmouth Pride and wanted to share a bit more information about the eye catching magenta coloured hoardings.
This year’s ‘Everybody’s Pride’ mural is a collaboration between Portsmouth based artist and trans activist Mister Samo and local creative studio FORM+FUNCTION – whose work in the city looks to connect communities through creativity.
The 45+ foot long hoarding close to the Queens Hotel car park, was beautifully positioned to be visible for attendees of the Pride Main Day Event.
And now it will be a prominent (hot pink!) legacy artwork – emblazoned with Mister Samo’s iconic ‘YOU ARE LOVED’ message – for residents and visitors to the city to appreciate.
The mural and its messaging demonstrates the power of collective, creative collaboration in support – and celebration of – Portsmouth’s wonderful, growing and PROUD rainbow community.
Our wonderful event coordinator, Irene Garcia, has recently gone for the chop and has donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust.
The Little Princess Trust is a charity that provides free real hair wigs to children and young people, aged up to 24 years, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.
Belinda Cleary from Medusa Hairdressing (just along Osborne Road in Southsea, near the hotel) kindly did the deed and gave Irene a lovely new summertime look.
It’s not the first time Irene has donated her hair – over the past seven years she has donated nearly two metres of hair.
“Back home in Spain I have donated my hair on several occasions and I was more than happy to support the Little Princess Trust.
“Thanks so much to Belinda for generously giving her time to cut my hair – I really appreciated it,” she said
Well done, Irene.
Related articles: Queens Hotel General Manager is raising funds for CEO Sleepout, Running the Great South Run for a great cause
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