Chinese online shoppers are enticed by deep discounts, payment plans as zest for spending lags
Shoppers were treated to deep discounts, new products and payment plans as online merchants sought to revive their sluggish appetite for spending during China’s first major online shopping festival after the end of zero-COVID policies
2023-06-19 17:46
Beyoncé wore all-Black designers at Amsterdam concert ‘in honour of Juneteenth’
Beyoncé has revealed that she wore outfits created exclusively by Black designers during her Renaissance tour concert in Amsterdam on Saturday night (17 June). Since beginning her tour in May, the pop star has worn sparkling disco-themed looks onstage by designers such as Mugler, Alexander McQueen and Balmain. However, ahead of the US holiday Juneteeth (Monday 19 June), Beyoncé decided to switch things up. In an Instagram post published on Sunday night (18 June), she shared a series of photographs of herself wearing a rhinestone-covered red dress with silver cuffs, which she wore while performing one night ago. She wrote: “In honour of Juneteenth, everything I wore for RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR tonight was created exclusively by Black designers.” It has not yet been revealed who the designers are and which looks they created for her concert. The Independent has contacted Beyoncé’s representatives for comment. This is far from the first time the “Flawless” singer has shone a spotlight on Black designers and creators through her own work. In 2019, she released Black Is King, the visual accompaniment to her album The Lion King: The Gift. The full-length film, which is streaming on Disney+, featured independent Black designers such as D.Bleu.Dazzled, Loza Maléombho, Lace by Tanaya, Levenity, and more. The 29-time Grammy winner’s wardrobe department is spearheaded by US stylist and costume designer Zerina Akers, who founded the retail platform Black Owned Everything to showcase Black fashion designers and businesses. Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the US that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is sometimes dubbed “America’s second Independence Day” and takes place on the anniversary of the day Major General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for slaves in Texas on 19 June 1865. Beyoncé previously marked the holiday by releasing a surprise song, “Black Parade”, in 2020. The song dropped after the singer announced a project of the same name to support Black-owned businesses. Some of the “Dangerously In Love” singer’s standout outfits throughout her tour so far include a custom LOEWE catsuit that features gloved hands with sharp red nails. She is also a long-time fan of French fashion house Mugler and wore at least two looks from the label at her show in Stockholm – including a black-and-yellow outfit with an insect-like headpiece that emulated a bee. Fans believe this is a nod to the name of her fandom, the Beyhive. The Independent gave Beyoncé’s concert in Cardiff on 17 May four out of five stars and described her as “sizzling as ever”. Read More Dirty talk isn’t always mortifying, but it can – and should – be better Security snatch Beyonce’s sunglasses after singer throws them into crowd Why Spotify ‘ended its £15m deal’ with Harry and Meghan Glastonbury regular reveals best clothing to take to festivals - and what to avoid Vogue divides opinion with controversial job ad for Anna Wintour’s assistant Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter Apple Martin revives her infamous 2002 Oscars dress
2023-06-19 16:51
What to stream this week: 'And Just Like That' back, Kelly Clarkson sings, Robert Downey Jr. drives
This week’s new entertainment releases include albums from Kelly Clarkson and Portugal
2023-06-19 12:28
What if things could turn out differently? How the multiverse got into our heads and didn't let go
Alternate universes are everywhere these days, from “The Flash” to “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”
2023-06-19 12:25
Captivated by the multiverse and alternate realities? Here's a handy guide to some good stuff
If you like multiverse movies and groove to “The Flash” and the Spider-Verse films, there's lots of stuff to find if you dig deeper
2023-06-19 12:16
Cathay Pacific to Hire More Cabin Crew From Mainland China
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. will recruit more cabin crew from mainland China and widen the use of Mandarin
2023-06-19 11:53
Milan Fashion: Prada animates male form with 1940s tailoring that aims to liberate, not constrict
The architecture at Prada’s showroom shifts with every season, but never so fluidly as for Spring-Summer 2024 menswear
2023-06-18 23:27
Stalled contract jeopardizes relations between new Disney governing body and firefighters
After appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took over Walt Disney World’s governing district earlier this year, its firefighters were among the few employees who publicly welcomed them with open arms
2023-06-18 20:55
The woman who founded Father's Day was a renegade, great-granddaughter says
You could call her the mother of Father’s Day
2023-06-18 20:18
Dame Deborah James’ father recalls emotional conversation they had before she died
Dame Deborah James’s dad has recalled their conversation on the day she died, in an emotional new interview published on Father’s Day (18 June). James was diagnosed with incurable stage four bowel cancer in 2016, when she was 35. Using the moniker “bowel babe”, she campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness about the symptoms of the disease until her death on 28 June 2022. Her BowelBabe fund has raised over £11.3m for Cancer Research UK at the time of writing, and James was awarded a damehood last May for her activism. In an interview with The Sun, her father Alistair James explained how James was committed to living a full life until the very end. “She was always full of energy, the driving force in our family. She was always coming up with fun ideas, ways to make memories together,” he said. “She would create outdoor cinemas in the garden, plan last-minute holidays, throw impromptu parties – it was never-ending.” James was receiving palliative care at her parents’ home in Surrey in the weeks before her death. “We all knew how desperate it was and we did have some desperately sad times. But we all made sure there were lots of good times, too,” Alistair told the outlet. He also reflected on the day James died, with him and his wife Heather by her side. “Heather suddenly called for me, telling me it was happening and I needed to come now. Saying goodbye was very hard, but it was peaceful,” the 67-year-old said. “Right towards the end, I told her, ‘You can let go now, you have done enough. You can sleep’. I’d never said anything like that before.” Their Father’s Day celebrations usually involved watching sports together, Alistair said. “I remember her taking me to The Ashes cricket four years ago. She loved every minute of it. We loved days out at Wimbledon together,” he continued. “It’s those things that I’ll really miss.” Alistair also expressed his sadness for James’s husband Sebastian, and their children Hugo and Eloise, who will miss out on celebrating many milestones together. James called Alistair “my unsung hero” in a moving post on Father’s Day last year – days before she died. She shared a picture of him brushing her hair, with a caption that read: “My dad is my unsung hero, more so than ever. He’s quietly there behind the scenes, making sure I am OK.” Earlier this year, an impactful documentary chronicling James’s campaign efforts was released on BBC Two. BowelBabe in Her Own Words stitches together 100 hours of recordings – from James’s podcast You Me, and the Big C, her Instagram and TikTok videos, text messages, voice notes and old home videos – to tell the activist’s story. Read More I’m about to experience my first Father’s Day without my Dad Adam Kay says his ‘life has been transformed’ after ‘welcoming two young babies’ via surrogate Prince William all smiles as he’s pictured with his children to mark Father’s Day Alan Carr’s ex Paul Drayton criticises comedian’s ‘really nasty’ comments about friendship with Adele Somehow everyone has become a body language expert
2023-06-18 19:58
Glastonbury regular reveals best clothing to take to festivals - and what to avoid
A Glastonbury regular has been revealing the best clothes to pack if you’re heading to a festival this summer - and what you should be avoiding. Natalie McMullen, 33, says attendees will quickly realise that comfort is just important as style, and recommends wearing dresses, skorts (skirts with shorts attached underneath), and maxi skirts with slits in to marry the two together. “It’s things like that that mean you can still look amazing but you can enjoy the festival too”, she says. When it comes to footwear, however, don’t compromise. Converse, Vans, and Dr Martens have all proven a bad choice for McMullen, who now braves a pair of sturdy walking boots - even if they aren’t the top of her style wish list. Read More Care home hosts its own Glastonbury for ‘festival-loving’ residents 90-year-old man sets all-time record with final 1,162nd blood donation Prince Louis’ best moments from Trooping the Colour
2023-06-18 18:15
What's the Kennection? #67
All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?
2023-06-18 13:47