Despite the recession and global downturn dominating headlines, the cosmetics industry is doing a roaring trade in the UK  and nowhere more so than the epicentre of the beauty industry, Liverpool. Co-directed and produced by Andy Capper and Leo Leigh, Beautiful Liverpool investigates the rising use of steroids and a controversial injectable tanning solution called Melanotan. It also examines body image and identity and the lengths people will go to attain what they believe is beauty. We follow models-turned-local celebrities Amanda Harrington and Jade Ainsworth, as well as meeting young hopefuls at the Miss Liverpool competition 2010. After Swansea Love Story we wanted to make a happy film. Myself and Leo both originate from Liverpool and we are extremely fond of the city and its sense of humour. But the more we looked into the world of beauty in Liverpool, the murkier it became. There's still a lot to smile at here but there's also a dark underbelly to the beauty world. I just want to put on record now that this film is in no way meant to be a complete portrayal of everybody in Liverpool, just a certain, tiny section of the population that has become increasingly obsessed with body image.” Said Andy Capper, VBS European Creative Director and Co-Directed & Producer of Beautiful Liverpool.

Beautiful Liverpool was shot from April 2010 to January 2011. The film follows beauty queens, body builders, ex-steroid users, Melanotan users, male model fashion entrepreneurs and some of the glitziest and most glamorous people in Liverpool's fashion world. The 5 part series will be available to view on www.vbs.tv and BSFMag from 25^th April.