Fast fashion firms prepare for EU crackdown on waste mountain
By Corina Pons and Helen Reid BARCELONA/LONDON In a warehouse on the outskirts of Barcelona, women stand at
2023-09-01 14:15
4 essential officecore trends to update your work wardrobe
Taking inspiration from the Noughties, ‘officecore’ is all about embracing traditional workwear in a modern way. Big on TikTok, the nine-to-five trend focuses on relaxed tailoring and preppy pieces that look cool whether you work in an office or not. And with that ‘back to school’ feeling in the air, now is the perfect time to refresh your work wardrobe. Here are four officecore ideas to shop this season… 1. Beige tailoring After kicking logomania to the curb, the quiet luxury trend is going nowhere, and that means a pale palette from day to night. Swap your usual black blazer for a two-piece co-ord in a soft shade like beige, biscuit, oatmeal or caramel. Add gold hoop earrings and a tonal leather tote to complete your laidback luxe look. Topshop Brushed Blazer Coat in Oat, £69.70 (was £82); Mini Skirt in Oatmeal, £30.60 (was £36), ASOS (accessories, stylist’s own) Fanfare Ethically Made Beige Linen Suit Jacket, £189 2. Pleated trousers Slim-cut Noughties trousers aren’t part of the officecore agenda (you may be pleased to here). Pleated wide-leg styles are the must-have of the season – perfect for pairing with crisp cotton shirts now, and rollneck tops as the weather turns cooler. Choose from extra-long ‘puddle pants’ that reach the floor, or ankle-length hems to show off your footwear. Paisie Teal Pleated High Waist Trousers, £95; Dark Green Knitted Cut Out Sleeve Top, £78 (top available in October) Misirli 1951 Tie Belt Anthracite Metallic Pants, £164.57 (were £274.28) 3. Pinstripe pieces The heritage print – fine chalky lines on a dark background – has had a major comeback lately in the form of minimalist separates you can mix and match. Try a waistcoat and trousers co-ord or a pinstripe shirt teamed with a high-waisted skirt. Threadbare Women’s Charcoal Pinstripe Lined Fitted Tailored Waistcoat, £39; Women’s Charcoal Pinstripe Wide Leg Tailored Trousers, £43 (shoes, stylist’s own) Fig & Basil Long Sleeve Pinstripe Shirt, £32; PU Ruched Midi Skirt, £40; V by Very Wide Fit Block Heel Slouch Knee Boot With Wider Fitting Calf, £45, Very 4. Luxe loafers Nothing says ‘back to school’ style like a pair of shiny shoes, and this season’s chunky metallic loafers are the ultimate statement footwear. Inspired by brands like Prada and Bally, next-level loafers in gold, silver and bronze shades are a key officecore piece. Oliver Bonas Crackled Copper Leather Loafer Shoes, £89.50 River Island Silver Chain Detail Loafers, £25 Dune London Gradual Loafers in Silver, £110, Debenhams
2023-08-31 15:23
Resurfaced Karl Lagerfeld quote sparks backlash after Chanel unveils food-less diner
A Chanel pop-up “diner” without any food has raised eyebrows, as many people have called attention to designer Karl Lagerfeld’s controversial comments about diet culture. This week, it was announced that the French fashion label would be opening an old-school diner in Brooklyn, New York, to celebrate the launch of its Chance Eau Fraîche perfume. What was once the Wythe Diner, located at 225 Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg, will be renamed the Lucky Chance Diner from 8 to 10 September. But don’t expect any diner food staples to be served at the pop-up restaurant. Instead, the immersive experience will include small, Chanel-branded treats and refreshments. As news surfaced that Chanel’s Lucky Chance Diner will not be serving classic American diner cuisine, like burgers and fries, many people were quick to note that the food-less menu would most likely receive a stamp of approval from Chanel’s late creative director, who had his own controversial opinions about food. In an Instagram post shared by popular fashion watchdog Diet Prada, the account resurfaced an infamous quote once uttered by Lagerfeld himself. “I never touch sugar, cheese, bread,” the German designer said. “I only like what I’m allowed to like. I’m beyond temptation. There is no weakness.” “When I see tons of food in the studio, for us and for everybody, for me it’s as if this stuff was made out of plastic,” he said. “The idea doesn’t even enter my mind that a human being could put that into their mouth. I’m like the animals in the forest. They don’t touch what they cannot eat.” Unsurprisingly, many people took issue with Lagerfeld’s past comments, and found it very fitting that Chanel would open a pop-up diner without actual diner food. “No sugar, bread or cheese? What a sad existence,” commented one Instagram user under Diet Prada’s post. “That quote is berserk,” another person said. “Thinking about the menu and all of a sudden I’m not hungry,” a third user wrote. This isn’t the first time Lagerfeld has been deemed problematic, notably for his fatphobic and body-shaming comments and controversial opinions about the MeToo Movement, migrants and LGBTQ rights. For example, when he was asked in 2012 whether he had a responsibility to hire size-inclusive models, the German designer said: “There are less than one per cent of anorexic girls. But there are zero in France, I don’t know in England - over 30 per cent of girls [are] big, big, overweight. And that is much more dangerous and very bad for the health. So I think today, with the junk food in front of TV, it’s something dangerous for the health of the girl. The models are skinny, but they’re not that skinny. All the new girls are not that skinny.” Although Lagerfeld claimed that he would “never touch sugar,” many people pointed to the 2001 “Karl Lagerfeld Diet” - which saw the designer lose more than 90 pounds as a result of a personalised diet plan created by Dr Jean-Claude Houdret. In his diet, Lagerfeld reportedly drank 10 cans of Diet Coke a day. “I drink Diet Coke from the minute I get up to the minute I go to bed,” Lagerfeld said, according to Women’s Wear Daily. “I can even drink it in the middle of the night and I can sleep. I don’t drink coffee, I don’t drink tea, I drink nothing else.” Despite his controversial opinions about food, Lagerfeld famously transformed the Grand Palais in Paris, France, into a supermarket for Chanel’s 2014 autumn/winter Paris Fashion Week runway show. The shelves were stocked with faux Chanel-branded products, with everything from “Jambon Cambon” ham to camellia-festooned rubber gloves. At Chanel’s Lucky Chance Diner, patrons can go on a “personalised scent discovery” to explore the brand’s new fragrance free of charge. The pink-and-green themed space will feature Chanel’s recognisable round perfume bottles on every surface, along with matching dining booths, countertop seating, napkin holders, clocks and other paraphernalia bearing its signature logo. Customers will also be able to participate in interactive activities, such as selfies with a life-sized bottle of Chance perfume and a fragrance window to purchase Chanel perfumes. The Lucky Chance Diner is open to the public for three days, from 11am to 7pm, beginning 8 September. Chanel is offering limited 30-minute reservations here, but walk-ins are also welcome. Read More Chanel is opening a beauty-themed pop-up ‘diner’ with no burgers or French fries Karl Lagerfeld’s most memorable quotes about fashion, celebrities and body diversity Should I give up Diet Coke? With aspartame under suspicion, an addict speaks
2023-08-31 03:57
Fashion icon Iris Apfel celebrates 102nd birthday in style: ‘As beautiful as ever’
Style icon Iris Apfel has celebrated turning 102 years old in true “Barbiecore” fashion. Apfel reached the milestone age on Wednesday 29 August. In honour of her birthday, the fashion designer shared a pink-filled photo of herself to Instagram, with Kool & The Gang’s "Celebration” playing in the background. “102 today… who would’ve thought!!” she captioned the post, which featured animated pink balloons flying over her head. In the image, Apfel posed in her eccentric New York City apartment, complete with a white porcelain dog statue and a gold accent table. She was dressed in head-to-toe pink, along with her signature oversized, black round eyeglasses. Apfel wore a large, baby pink cape à la fellow icon André Leon Talley, and layered, chunky necklaces and bangles. She finished the look with salmon-coloured trousers, floral socks, and hot pink ballet flats with a bow. In the comments, many fans and famous friends rushed to wish the 102-year-old interior designer a happy birthday. “HBD, Iris!!!” wrote none other than the official Instagram account for Barbie. “You make 102 look fabulous!” said one fan. Another follower commented: “As beautiful as ever!” “Forever an icon,” a third person said, while someone else wrote: “What an achievement!” On Tuesday, Apfel also celebrated her birthday with an intimate dinner at Tutto il Giorno in the Hamptons, New York, where she was joined by designer Donna Karan, model Christie Brinkley, and Brinkley’s daughter, Alexa Ray Joel. The model shared a series of photos and videos with the fashion legend to Instagram in honour of her birthday. “Happy Birthday to Iris! She’s 102 and she’s got more style than me and you!” Brinkley captioned her poem-like birthday tribute. “She’s the queen of fashion who gets better every year, and today’s her birthday, did you hear? She’s got her trademark glasses and a wardrobe of fun and we wish her every happiness under the sun. “She’s smart and savvy and extremely witty and she wants everyone to know that individuality is always pretty, that we should all be ourselves, one of a kind,” Brinkley wrote. “Good advice like that’s hard to find. So thank you Iris for all you do, to say to people, ‘You do you!’ (Like you do so well!). Happy Birthday Iris! We LOVE YOU!” Apfel was born in 1921 in Queens, New York, to a father whose family owned a glass and mirror business, and a mother who owned a fashion boutique. Along with her late husband, Carl Apfel, she launched the textile firm Old World Weavers in 1950, which ran until they retired in 1992. Throughout her career, she took on restoration projects in the White House for nine US presidents. In 2005, she showcased her large collection of clothing and accessories in an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, titled “Rara Avis (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel”. Her decades-long career in fashion and design became the subject of a 2015 documentary, simply called Iris. In 2019, she signed a modelling contract with global agency IMG at age 97. In an interview with Today following her 100th birthday, Apfel spoke candidly about her age and revealed why she’ll never retire. “Oh, I love to work. It’s fun because I enjoy it,” she said. “And then I can help people. I can give employment. People tell me I inspire them. So many good things come out of it.” “I think retiring at any age is a fate worse than death,” she continued. “Just because a number comes up doesn’t mean you have to stop.” Despite turning 100 at the time, Apfel explained that she didn’t see her age as a reason to “change” her lifestyle or career “overnight”. “I didn’t change overnight because the number changed,” she said. “I want to keep on working and doing different projects.” Instead, her motto at work is to “just do what [she]” feels and to do what she feels in her heart, rather than “verbalising” it. “I just feel it. If it feels right here,” she said, pointing at her heart. Read More 100-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel reveals why she’ll never retire: ‘A fate worse than death’ Style icon Iris Apfel signs modelling contract with IMG, aged 97 Social media's 70-up 'grandfluencers' debunking aging myths Staggering environmental advantages of buying second-hand clothes revealed Why do we crave brand new clothes and how can we resist the urge to buy them? Chanel is opening a beauty-themed pop-up ‘diner’ with no burgers or French fries
2023-08-31 01:15
Buying second-hand clothes ‘could prevent carbon emissions equivalent to 260,000 flights to Greece’
Shopping for second-hand fashion could prevent carbon emissions equivalent to those produced by 261,000 flights to Greece, analysis from Oxfam suggests. The charity has launched its annual campaign Second Hand September, which encourages people to shop second-hand and donate what they no longer need or wear for 30 days from Friday. Releasing new research to mark the annual campaign, Oxfam said that only 10 per cent of wardrobe contents are second-hand. The charity cited figures from the Waste and Resources Action Programme, which estimates that the average adult wardrobe consists of 118 items. Oxfam said that if half of those items were bought second-hand, it would prevent 12.5 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide created by manufacturing new clothes from entering the atmosphere – equivalent to that produced by 261,000 flights from London Heathrow to Athens. It also said that if each adult in the UK donated all the clothes they have not worn in the past year to charity shops, it could remove the need for 4.9 billion kilograms of carbon emissions – equivalent to flying a plane around the world more than 6,600 times. The findings come amid increasing awareness of the negative effects of the fashion industry, which accounts for 10 per cent of global carbon emissions, according to the UN, which is more than international aviation and shipping combined. Money raised from Oxfam fashion goes towards Oxfam’s work with partners fighting poverty and the impact of the climate emergency around the world. The charity said an increasing number of shoppers, activists and people within the fashion industry have been shopping second-hand since the first Second Hand September campaign in 2019. Bay Garnett, stylist, sustainable fashion advocate and senior fashion adviser at Oxfam, said second-hand clothes have become an emerging style and agreed it has become “cool to care”. “I’ve seen a huge change. Kids love to do it now and what’s brilliant is that second-hand now has become a trend. It’s a genuine tipping point for it being a style choice,” she told the PA news agency. “I also think the big difference now is that it’s seen as a point of activism and originality. Kids are proud that they’re going to second-hand because it shows independence and a form of activism and strong decisions.” Ms Garnett, who came up with the idea to do visual campaigns for Second Hand September, collaborating with stars such as Sienna Miller and Felicity Jones, added that second-hand shopping is also an “antidote to the culture of newness, of Instagram and disposability”. She added: “When you shop at second-hand shops, the money that you’re spending raises crucial funds for Oxfam’s work fighting poverty and the impact of the climate emergency. That’s a fantastic place to put your money. “That’s pretty powerful in itself – the fact that it’s not going to make people richer but it’s going to help the people who are poor or the most disenfranchised by this whole situation.” Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s retail director, said: “As a major emitter of greenhouse gas, much of the fashion industry as it stands is a threat to people and planet.” She added: “Shopping this way sends a clear message to the fashion industry that consumers want, and expect, things to change.” Miquita Oliver, Oxfam’s second-hand clothes ambassador, said: “It’s timely that we’re talking about second-hand clothes and living in a more sustainable way, as awareness of the environmental impact of our shopping choices is growing. “Today’s research from Oxfam shows that something as simple as buying clothes second-hand, and donating what we don’t wear any more, can help change the world for the better. It’s as simple as that.” Read More Woman adopts husband’s ex-wife’s son after growing up in foster care herself Florence Pugh says backlash to her nipple-bearing dress shows people are ‘terrified of the human body’ Woman says she started to wear ‘terrible wigs’ after her job banned her pink hair
2023-08-30 17:56
Why do we crave brand new clothes and how can we resist the urge to buy them?
Switching half our clothes in each of our wardrobes to pre-loved could prevent carbon emissions equivalent to those produced by 261,000 flights from London to Greece, Oxfam have suggested. So what is the allure of buying brand new clothes, when we know it’s worse for the environment? Well, there’s a reason we refer to shopping as ‘retail therapy’. Whether it’s a going-out top grabbed on your lunch break or a designer bag you’ve had your eye on for months, fashion acquisitions in particular have the power to lift your mood, thanks to the chemical dopamine. “Dopamine is known as the reward agent,” said cognitive psychologist and business consultant Dr Carolyn Mair, author of The Psychology of Fashion. “We produce more dopamine when we’re on the hunt for something that’s going to give us a positive outcome or make the situation we’re in at the moment more easy to bear. “It can become an addiction, certainly, because the same neurotransmitters and same behaviours are involved.” And buying an on-trend outfit provides more of a thrill than loading up a supermarket trolley because it satisfies our desire to fit in. “It’s a fundamental psychological drive that we want to belong to communities – part of the way we do that is through the way we dress,” said Mair – who is working with Oxfam for the launch of its Second Hand September campaign – but it’s a double-edged sword. “Fashion can do wonders for us in terms of highlighting or concealing parts of our bodies that we love or don’t love so much,” Mair continued. “But it can also be quite damaging when we feel that we have to join in with other people’s ideas about what’s fashionable.” Peer pressure can have a powerful effect, as can the boredom. “We get bored with what we’ve got, and we’re also very much influenced by fashion trends, celebrities, social media and so on,” said Mair. “There’s quite often a temptation to join in with those trends and be part of that… It can be quite difficult for people to resist that.” Even, that is, when we know that the fashion industry is hugely detrimental to the enviroment in terms of carbon emissions and unwanted garments going to landfill. “I think the huge majority of people already know [the environmental impact],” said Mair, and yet fast fashion brands continue to churn out millions of items a year and consumers lap them up. Instead of telling people to quit clothes shopping altogether, she said to ask ourselves: “How can we get the pleasure from fashion by not buying brand new, but by buying something else?” That’s why she encourages fashion fans to make more sustainable choices, starting with ‘shopping your wardrobe’. “You can make something you’ve already got feel new by upcycling it or changing it a little bit, if you’re creative. We can swap with friends, because then it’s ‘new to me’.” Hunting on sites like Vinted, eBay or Depop is a great way of “finding treasures so that’s giving us the dopamine hit and we’re saving money”, she added. If the proceeds are going to a good cause you’ll get an extra altruistic boost as welll. “We know from positive psychology that one of the best ways to feel good about ourselves is to do good for someone else,” said Mair. “Whenever we buy secondhand from a charity shop we know that our money is going towards doing good.” She’s also a big fan of rental sites like HURR Collective, Hire Street and By Rotation that offer premium pieces to hire for a fraction of their retail price. “Rental sites are great, particularly for special occasions when we think ‘I need to buy something new,’ because that’s the social norm,” she said. “Rental is a great way to keep an item of clothing in use for longer so it’s worn by more people and looked after.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How can I improve my teenager’s low mood? Drinking alcohol does not make people look more attractive, study suggests Maya Jama and Stormzy: Can you make it work with an ex?
2023-08-30 17:45
Chanel is opening a beauty-themed pop-up ‘diner’ with no burgers or French fries
Chanel is opening a pop-up American-style “diner” in Brooklyn, New York, complete with retro interiors and Chanel colour-coded treats. But guests shouldn’t expect any classic diner dishes like pancakes or burgers at the French luxury fashion house’s Lucky Chance Diner. The pop-up will give the public a chance to experience the brand’s latest fragrance as it launches Chance Eau Fraîche, a scent created by in-house perfumer Olivier Pole. The old-school, but luxuriously designed, diner will be open to the public from 8 to 10 September. It will be located in Brooklyn’s chic Williamsburg neighbourhood, which is known for boutiques and trendy cafes. Chanel is inviting patrons to visit the diner, where they can go on a “personalised scent discovery” to explore its new fragrance free of charge. The pink-and-green themed space will feature Chanel’s recognisable round perfume bottles on every surface, along with matching dining booths, countertop seating, napkin holders, clocks and other paraphernalia bearing its signature logo. According to the label, customers can also go into the back room of the diner and participate in interactive activities, such as selfies with a life-sized bottle of Chance perfume, “diner-inspired treats” and a fragrance window to purchase Chanel perfumes from. The treats include ice cream, small bites and beverages, according to The Cut. However, customers will not be able to order any French fries at the fashion-forward diner. Fans have expressed surprise and delight at the luxury brand’s pop-up, with one person writing on X/Twitter: “Chanel opening a diner wasn’t on my bingo list.” Another joked: “What if we kissed in the Chanel beauty-themed diner? (No food, just perfume).” Those who are keen to visit the diner can make a reservation, but walk-ins are also welcome. However, anyone trying to book a spot now may find it impossible, as one fan posted: “The Chanel diner pop-up in Brooklyn is indefinitely sold out [crying emojis].” Read More Yewande Biala thought she was unique in never having had an orgasm – then she made a film about it The dish that defines me: Evelin Eros’s rum cake Woman says she started to wear ‘terrible wigs’ after her job banned her pink hair
2023-08-30 16:53
Anne Hathaway says Gen Z has been her style inspiration
Anne Hathaway’s on-screen portrayal of a fashion challenged assistant to an Anna Wintour-inspired magazine editor in The Devil Wears Prada led her to become the style muse for several major fashion houses, including Versace. Now, the 40-year-old Hollywood star has begun experimenting with new fashion trends, crafting mod looks, and stunting on every red carpet. While Hathaway’s induction into the fashion world can be traced back to her role in the 2006 film, the actor has revealed that she’s recently been taking style cues from Generation Z. In a conversation with Vogue published on 29 August, the Princess Diaries star opened up about her motivation to take fashion risks in recent years. “I know this sounds like I’m super-pandering, but I’m really switched on by Gen Z,” she confessed. “It’s a fun generation when it comes to fashion.” Hathaway went on to not only credit the group of individuals born between the late 1990s to the early 2000s for her style playfulness, but the artistic direction of standout designers. “I feel like designers are having a lot of fun,” she said. “I feel like people are enjoying it. Maybe it was always the case, and maybe I was the only person in the corner watching everybody else have fun,” Hathaway continued. “But just the ability to enjoy it feels like it’s more available to me now than it ever was before.” The Interstellar actor has been collaborating with stylist Erin Walsh on some of her most sought-after looks, such as her Karl Lagerfeld-inspired Versace number she wore to this year’s Met Gala honouring the late Chanel designer. On her partnership with the stylist, Hathaway said: “She inspires me. Her style has really rubbed off on me, and the way she wears things, whatever it is, she always wears it in the most effortless way possible.” Walsh expressed the same sentiment about Hathaway when speaking to E! News this past May. “What’s more stylish than a woman who is embodying her ultimate essence and dressing the part?” Walsh admitted. “Anne is beautiful inside and out. It’s very inspiring to see someone actually glowing.” Much like her character in The Devil Wears Prada, Hathaway used to feel trapped under one aesthetic when it came to her everyday fashion. She explained how she preferred to play it safe, and didn’t realise that she could assume some of the unique looks that she’d seen others in. “I thought that I could only have one,” the Academy Award-winner proclaimed. “I felt really lost because I didn’t know what that was until I realised I have so many styles. Once I realised that, then I felt like something clicked. But that’s just me. It’s different. Some people are like, ‘Nope, black turtleneck every day.’” Whether she’s sitting front row at a Louis Vuitton runway show wearing a collared mini dress and elevated updo, or donning an all-latex black ensemble with sheer tights for Versace, Hathaway’s style can no longer be categorised under just one uniform. Read More Fans defend Anne Hathaway after she appears to ‘ignore’ Priyanka Chopra at fashion event Vogue divides opinion with controversial job posting for Anna Wintour’s assistant ‘Unproblematic people don’t age’ reflects the stupidest kind of beauty standard
2023-08-30 04:51
Curls feeling frazzled? 6 ways to repair summer hair damage
Holidays and hot weather are brilliant for raising your spirits during summer, but they can wreak havoc on your hair – especially if it’s wavy, coiled, kinked or curly. Sun, sea and swimming pools – or all of the above – can leave your crowning glory looking frizzy and lacklustre by the time September rolls around. “Curly hair can be more fragile than straight hair because the cuticle layer remains more raised than it is on straight hair, which leaves it more vulnerable to breakage,” says Kevin Hughes, global artistic director at Moroccanoil. Plus, if your strands aren’t healthy and hydrated it’s harder to get that gorgeously glossy, defined look, because curly hair naturally tends to be less shiny. “When there are twists and turns in the hair shaft, it absorbs parts of that reflection, reducing some of the shine that we see,” Hughes explains. “This dullness is increased if the hair is damaged or distressed by UV rays, sea and environmental aggressors.” But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are six expert-approved ways to rejuvenate curly hair… 1. Soothe your scalp “Curly hair has less moisture than straight hair because the oil from the scalp cannot move down the strands of hair as easily,” says Hughes. This problem can be exacerbated in summer if you’ve been sunbathing without a hat. “Occasionally I see dry or damaged scalp on clients who have braids and textured styles, as it is more exposed to the sun and subject to sunburn,” he says. Just as you would apply aftersun to parched skin and keep it covered, treat your scalp to a moisturising serum or mask and leave it on overnight. “I would be sure to use some aloe vera, apply to your scalp and wash less often to allow the natural oils to replenish and balance the scalp,” says Hughes. 2. Detangle knots “Healthy curls and coils are well-defined, springy and bouncy – lack of definition and tangles could indicate damage,” says Jennie Roberts, afro hair Expert at SheaMoisture UK. She recommends regularly detangling to “prevent knots and tangles from forming, which can lead to breakage. Use a brush or comb designed for curly and/or coily hair to avoid damaging the curls, kinks and coils”. Hughes suggests applying conditioner to wet hair before you wash it as an extra detangling step: “The conditioner will break down what is in the hair and rinse away with the conditioner, so the shampoo won’t make it worse than it already is.” 3. Bring back the bounce “Gently stretching a strand of hair should result in some level of elasticity without immediate snapping,” says Roberts. “If your hair breaks easily without any flexibility, it might be damaged.” From shampoo to styling, hydrating products are key for repairing your locks, says Hughes: “Look for ingredients that moisturise the hair, like panthenol and jojoba, as well as strengthening ingredients, like vegetable proteins.” Roberts adds: “Consider using a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week to maintain moisture levels.” 4. Avoid heat and chemicals “Minimise the use of heat-styling tools like blow dryers and straighteners, as they can cause further damage, especially in humid conditions,” says Roberts. Always use a heat protection spray, and if you’re planning a summer escape, try to resist the urge to book salon appointments for anything other than a trim. “Wait until you get home from holidays before you have any chemical treatments such as colouring, perming, or relaxing,” Roberts says. “As you’ll be able to assess the condition of your hair better – the heat and weather will just add to the damage.” 5. Revive your curls While it may be tempting to reach for a heat styling wand when you want to zhoozh up your curls, if you want to protect your locks, it’s better to use a gentle hair routine during the summer months. Starting with freshly washed hair, Hughes says: “Make sure to blot it dry with a towel, meaning don’t be rough with it, then spritz through a heat protection spray – this will be the last time you comb through your hair.” Next, he says: “Scrunch the hair from the ends up to the scalp with the palm of your hand, then use a diffuser to dry the hair – essential to keep from blowing the curls around and getting frizzy.” If you do have any frizzy areas, use a heat styler sparingly: “Use a curling iron the same size as your curl; pick up random pieces of hair and redefine the curl with the iron.” 6. Lightweight styling products “Choose lightweight products to prevent buildup and to avoid weighing down your curls in the humid weather,” says Roberts. “Hair butters and creams will melt, so water-based products are always advised.” This is particularly important for the final step in your styling routine. “Use a curl-enhancing styling product,” says Hughes, such as a mousse or cream, to scrunch and set your locks. “Don’t brush or comb through your curls after hair is dry.” Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Leave-In Conditioner, £8.99, Superdrug SheaMoisture Strengthen & Restore Hair Treatment Masque, £12.99, Boots Osmo Curl Revival Replenishing Cream, £10.99, Sally Beauty Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Quinoa Frizz Control Gel, £21, Cult Beauty Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream, £26.85
2023-08-25 17:17
Sex and the City stylist reveals how Samantha Jones’ fashion evolved for AJLT return
Throughout all six seasons of Sex and the City, animal prints, colossal statement accessories and puffed shoulder pads boldly spoke for Kim Cattrall’s captivating character: Samantha Jones. Her on-screen persona’s modus operandi was power dressing - mirroring the same eccentricity surrounding her love life. It’s safe to say the show’s stylist, Patricia Field, paid homage to the character’s charisma with every outfit... and Cattrall was always a fan. When news broke of Cattrall’s cameo in the Max reboot series And Just Like That, fans were shocked after having heard the 67-year-old actor say she had no interest in reprising her character. It was later revealed that Cattrall agreed to film one scene because producers had agreed to her stipulations – one of which required Field to dress Samantha for her return. Speaking with Elle, the 82-year-old costume designer reflected on the experience of renewing her partnership with Cattrall’s beloved TV character. “[Jones] was such a popular character and, even though she was the oldest of the four women, she was the funniest in her own way, and that always inspires me,” Field confessed. “Her style is that of a woman who is confident in her sexuality, but it also includes her comedic side - her sense of humour and irony.” For Cattrall’s highly-anticipated scene, Field curated a look representative of Jones’ style in the original series. This meant a focus on bright colours and abstract adornments, and not so much obviously branded pieces. Field imagined that present-day Samantha would epitomise her character’s older age by advancing her fashion sense along with it. “I wanted to bring back Samantha Jones. I didn’t veer off and make some other image. [There] were a few adjustments, but nothing major,” Field told Elle. “I wanted to bring Samantha back because the fans were clamouring for her.” In the season two finale of And Just Like That, Samantha can be seen in the car and talking on the phone with Carrie Bradshaw - played by Sarah Jessica Parker. Keeping to the character’s former colour palette of “red and purple [shades],” Field stuck Cattrall in a rouched red dress under a thin, metallic blazer. The look was adorned with a structed lime green Fendi clutch and bulky silver bangles. Samantha’s devotion to herself, and herself only, was symbolised with a diamond-studded band and massive rock on her ring finger. “When it came to this special appearance of Kim, I was happy that she accepted it. I thought she looked good. That’s my job,” Field added. According to a Page Six source, Cattrall’s supposed non-negotiables centred around a desire to film her scene entirely alone. “Kim had two stipulations - one, that she would not act with any of the other girls and two, she did not want to see Michael Patrick King,” an insider told the outlet. Kristin Davis, who plays Charlotte York in the original series and the AJLT reboot, has since spoken about Cattrall’s decision to return to set only in the absence of the lead cast. “You have to respect people’s wishes. I’m not gonna waste energy on it. I can’t change anybody,” she told The Telegraph. “I do understand fans’ feelings — that they’re upset. I wish I could fix it, but I can‘t, it’s not in my power.” The season two finale of And Just Like That is available to stream on Max. Read More Kim Cattrall returns as Samantha Jones for ‘fabulous’ Sarah Jessica Parker scene in And Just Like That Selena Gomez gets Kim Cattrall’s approval as she lip-syncs to Sex and the City scene Kim Cattrall celebrates 67th birthday ahead of her And Just Like That appearance Kim Cattrall celebrates 67th birthday ahead of her And Just Like That appearance Autographed pair of rare Michael Jordan sneakers up for auction Lana Del Rey raises eyebrows by wearing white dress to Jack Antonoff’s wedding
2023-08-25 04:59
What we know so far about Naomi Campbell’s Pretty Little Thing collection
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has shared a glimpse of the new collection she’s designed for Pretty Little Thing. The 53-year-old shared a black and white close-up shot of herself wearing a black leather jacket on Instagram, with “Pretty Little Thing designed by Naomi Campbell” written over it. The collection will drop on September 5 – just a few days before the start of New York Fashion Week, it might be launched with a star-studded catwalk show. Pretty Little Thing first announced the collaboration in June, and the new collection will be “paying homage to Naomi’s legacy and iconic signature style”, according to the brand. “The muse, the supermodel, the moment,” is how Campbell is described on the Pretty Little Thing website, where customers can sign up to find out when the collection drops. It also said: “A supermodel amongst supermodels, Naomi’s cultural impact within the industry is unrivalled. This is the iconic collaboration you won’t want to miss.” September is set to be a big month for Campbell, as it coincides with fashion month and the release of new Apple TV+ docuseries, The Super Models. The documentary will track the rise of models Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington in the 1980s, in a four-part series released on September 20. The four fashion icons featured on the September 2023 cover of British and American Vogue. Talking about the bond they formed, Campbell told British Vogue: “There was a sisterhood there, defined by caring and loyalty: when one is down you pick the other one up.” While there is little indication of what Campbell’s Pretty Little Thing designs will look like, they could channel Nineties minimalism – an aesthetic she helped popularise. This might mean mini dresses, strappy tops and simple silhouettes – or it could channel her more recent style obsession for chic tailoring. Campbell has modelled for the likes of Prada, Yves Saint Laurent and Burberry, and recently announced the birth of her second child, a baby boy. She’s not the first celebrity to collaborate with Pretty Little Thing. Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague has designed collections for the brand – earlier this year stepping down from the role of creative director – as have musicians Teyana Taylor, Lil Kim and Doja Cat. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Taking adult education classes may lower risk of dementia, study suggests Indiyah Polack: I didn’t want to go on Love Island because of my acne Everything you need to know about the UK’s first womb transplant
2023-08-23 18:23
Indiyah Polack: I didn’t want to go on Love Island because of my acne
When Indiyah Polack got the call to go on the eighth season of ITV2’s Love Island in 2022, she had just had another bad acne breakout. “I didn’t want to go on the show anymore because of it,” the 24-year-old admits. “But then I really thought about it, I did my interviews and spoke to the producers, and they loved me. “I had to tell myself, ‘Well, Indiyah, they didn’t love you for your skin but your personality. I guess they want you for you. So don’t let it get to you. Your skin doesn’t define you’. This was how I started looking at it.” Polack ended the show in third place with Dami Hope – and the pair are still together. Since then, the former waitress has gone on to present Love Island: The Morning After Podcast with Sam Thompson and ITV2’s Love Island: Aftersun, alongside Maya Jama. “Imagine if I didn’t go on Love Island, I probably wouldn’t be in this position now, having this conversation,” she says. “We can’t let superficial things get us down.” Polack says she has always struggled with her skin. Growing up, her acne “definitely affected my confidence but I’ve got to the point where I’ve been living with it for so long. I don’t think anything is ‘bad skin’. Skin is skin. You either have spots or you don’t. “And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to think more about whether I would be in this position if I didn’t have acne. I know it’s a weird way to look at it, but I just think my skin makes me who I am. When I meet people, whether they like me or not, they don’t not like me because I have ‘terrible skin’.” As a result, skincare has become such a big part of Polack’s life. She has a morning and night time routine which can “get quite tiresome and hard to keep up with, especially during busy periods”, she says. “ I usually stick to five steps and make sure I wash my face, cleanse, moisturise, use SPF and then squalene.” Polack became a marketplace ambassador for PrettyLittleThing and has launched a new collection, designed with Chris Parnell, the fashion retailer’s head of design. The collection includes a range of mini dresses, cargos, corsets, and edgy co-ords, which Polack says will take you from day-to-night. There are added details like chunky buckles, lace ties, cut-out detailing, mesh and PU leather. But a statement denim trench coat with an exaggerated train, that Polack “fought long and hard for” is one of her favourite pieces. “I don’t think people really realise how much actually goes into designing a collection, there’s a lot of trial and error. There are a lot of fittings, reworking things, and making sure you’re happy with the quality of the materials,” she says. It was inspired by festival season and her own sense of style instead of ever-changing fashion trends. “I would say my personal style is sexy, chic, a bit cool, a bit amazing – no, I’m joking. I take a lot of inspiration from Rihanna. I love how she’s so effortless. And she does wear a few streetwear outfits and still looks sexy. That’s how I want people to feel in my collection.” Polack didn’t always dress the way that she does now, though. She still can’t really put her fashion style under one umbrella, but went through a lot of phases, including punk rock, where she says she would wear whatever made her happy and put chains on everything. The TV presenter’s relationship with her hair has drastically changed, too. Polack was first introduced to the nation on the reality dating game show, with her skunk stripes hair pulled back into a high ponytail (her go-to style) with flicked ends, another term for a two-tone hair colour where there is a contrast of a darker hue next to very light blonde. “Hair is just hair, so I don’t hold it as close to me,” she says. “When I went into the Love Island villa, I had tape-ins, as they were the most convenient hairstyle for me at the time. I have afro curly hair, so it would be very hard to maintain things like a wig in the heat. “But my hair got really damaged by the tape-ins. When I came out of the villa, my hair was so short, dry, and broken. I actually couldn’t get my hair in a bun and people – who can be so fickle at times – had so much to say about it in my comments. It’s going to grow back. But I feel like I have a good relationship with my hair now. It’s moisturised, I can tell you that. We’ve not got as many split ends.” Ironically, there was a time in Polack’s life where she hated putting her hair in a ponytail or bun. She felt like it made her look too young and didn’t want to look like a teenager but now she says, “it’s like a free face lift. I like it”. Skunk stripes are “the most subtle hairstyle” she’s done. “I used to dye my hair all the time. I’ve been every colour under the sun. When I was in sixth form, I used to rock a hot pink afro.” Was she allowed? “I wasn’t but I did it,” Polack says. “My hair was bleach blonde [at one point]. I went to a girls’ school and they were quite strict – no crazy hairstyles were allowed. They told me that I wouldn’t be able to go into my exam hall with my hair that way, but I was like, ‘Well I am, and I’m going to get an A*’.” It helps that the content creator believes everything is an assimilation. “ I do believe that nothing is that serious. I think going into the Love Island villa has changed me, and I don’t know if that’s for better or worse,” she says, with a laugh. “I just believe anything in your life can happen. I’m so blessed to be in this position and meet amazing people. It takes confidence and knowing what you really want. I’m a big believer of the law of attraction. If you ask, you will get it.“The only caveat is, you need to be grateful for everything you already have.” Shop Polack’s latest PrettyLittleThing collection at prettylittlething.com
2023-08-23 17:28
You Might Like...
How often should you wash your bra?
The 2024 Met Gala theme has officially been announced
Host Maya Jama’s glamorous Love Island outfits cost over £10,000
See Madonna’s extravagant tour outfits – including an updated cone bra
Moschino celebrates 40 years of fashion with spectacular catwalk show
McDonald’s and Crocs collaborate on new Grimace shoes
5 key coat trends to complete your autumn/winter wardrobe
Fans defend Dolly Parton for wearing Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit at halftime show