Hello young lovers

As Valentine's Day approaches, NorthernBallet's Romeo and Juliet model romantic looks from the spring/summer collections. StephanieSmith reports.

Smouldering passion, a beautiful backdrop, fabulous costumes... and that's just our photo-shoot.

As Romeo and Juliet in the Northern Ballet's upcoming production of the same name, Tobias Batley and Hannah Bateman are more than used to creating a little chemistry, as they demonstrated when modelling some of the spring/summer collections from Harvey Nichols Leeds.

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Tobias Batley, 26, from Rivington, near Bolton, has been with the company for five years, having trained at the Royal Ballet School and at the Hammond School in Chester, after he started dancing at 13.

"I like to mix High Street and designer," he says of his own off-duty wardrobe, and carries his dance gear in a rather fabulous leather holdall from Diesel.

Hannah Bateman, 28, is from Woking in Surrey and started ballet dancing when she was two.

At 16, she went to the Central School of Ballet and has been with

Northern Ballet for more than six years.

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"I enjoy the challenge of always aiming for perfection, even though

you know it cannot be achieved," she says.

Like Tobias, she enjoys fashion. "I like designers but often buy High Street. I prefer the more classical look to following the trends. However, I am starting to collect designer shoes and handbags – not that I get to wear the shoes as they are all too painful. I just like to look at them."

This season's spring/summer looks at Harvey Nichols tie in perfectly with Romeo and Juliet, as romance sweeps through fashion, bringing soft, floaty fabrics in exquisite floral prints, plus intricate lace, and a palette of soft pastels, ivory and nudes.

For men, there are floral print shirts, silk waistcoats and check trousers, plus neat, sleek suiting to team with soft knitwear.

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To match, new spring make-up is modern and romantic, with peachy pastels and nude shades, plus a hint of shimmer, while for the hair, Rebecca Armitage created a classic pleat for Hannah with both

structured and soft curl details, while simply scrunching Tobias's

naturally curly hair using Hyper Curl (13.45).

Romeo and Juliet by the Northern Ballet Theatre is at Leeds Grand Theatre February 27-March 6 (box office: 0844 848 2701 and at Hull New Theatre May 19-22 (box office: 01482 226655).

CREDITS

Location: 3 Albion Place, in Leeds city centre. This historic Grade II listed building is a hidden gem, perfect for weddings, private dining, celebrations, conferences and seminars and is home to a number of organisations, including the Metier Centre and members' club, Club LS1. Call 0113 388 2800 or visit www.3albionplace.com.

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Clothes and accessories: All from Harvey Nichols Leeds, styled by Alexandra Payne, assisted by Sam Ward.

Hair: Rebecca Armitage, assisted by Jessica Galloway, of the Rebecca Charles salon, Duncan Street in Leeds, tel: 0113 234 6120, www.rebeccacharles.co.uk.

Make-up: Jamie Edwards of Nars at Harvey Nichols Leeds, tel: 0113 204 8888.

Fashion assistant and additional reporting: Lisa Stephenson.

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