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Is it safe to buy secondhand swimwear?
Is it safe to buy secondhand swimwear?
Sustainable fashion is booming, with shoppers who want to reduce their environmental impact – and save money – flocking to charity stores, vintage boutiques and sites like Depop and Vinted in search of secondhand bargains. Having cut ties with fast fashion brands, Love Island is partnering with eBay again for its summer season, bringing preloved going-out gear into the villa for the reality show’s contestants to wear in the evenings. The islanders always wear new bikinis, one-pieces or swim shorts, however, so does that mean it’s not hygienic to buy secondhand swimwear? We asked doctors to talk through the pros and cons of preloved swimming gear… Health risks “By the nature of what they are for, swimsuits are not very breathable and hence an easy trap for moisture,” says personal physician and private home visiting GP Dr Suhail Hussain. “The area it covers – your genital region – is particularly susceptible to reacting badly to prolonged contact with moisture.” This means the fabric could become a breeding ground for fungal or bacterial infections. “It may also contain traces of the previous owner’s skin cells and skin flora such as staph aureus – the nose and perineum being the most common sites for this bacterium,” Hussain continues. “Norovirus and MRSA are also other potential pathogens that could be found and transmitted.” However, the actual risk of becoming ill – as long as you wash your swimwear properly – is low. “It is unlikely that you will develop any serious infection from such pathogens, even if they do exist,” Hussain says. “And this phenomenon is not exclusive to used clothes – research has found that any/all of these bugs can exist on new clothes.” He also points out the idea that you could catch a sexually transmitted disease via swimsuits is a myth: “These can generally only be transmitted from person to person contact or via contaminated blood, needles etc, the same way you can’t contract an STD from a public toilet.” Wash before wearing To minimise the risk of illness, make sure to wash a secondhand bathing suit before you wear it. “I recommend the first wash should be at 60C or above,” says Dr Sarah Brewer, medical nutritionist and brand ambassador for Origins. “That’s because fungal spores – such as candida albicans, which causes thrush – aren’t killed at lower temperatures. This higher temperature will also kill scabies.” After that you can go back to 30C washes, which also save energy. Hussain agrees: “Putting swimwear in the washing machine before wearing is a good idea – used or new.” He recommends one further precaution when shopping: “Don’t forget to wash your hands after having tried on swimwear.” Personal preference Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if secondhand swimwear gives you the ick (to borrow a term often heard on Love Island). “While I’d personally draw the line at wearing someone else’s secondhand underwear, I’d happily buy a secondhand swim suit,” says Brewer. “Let’s face it, most people only use their swimsuits a few times a year – perhaps when on holiday – and if they’ve given it away and it’s in good shape, then go for it.” Love Island returns to ITV2 and ITVX on June 5. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 10 of the best affordable gifts for dads of all ages Top tips to avoid garden injuries Planning an LGBTQ+ wedding? Why inclusivity can be a driving factor for couples
2023-06-05 16:26
Jeans shopping is still a total nightmare
Jeans shopping is still a total nightmare
Taking off yet another pair of jeans that simply wouldn’t fit, I was on the verge of tears. Under the harsh glare of the dressing room lights, my reddening face felt even more humiliating as I shimmied myself back into my own clothes. I had dedicated the day to jeans shopping and started it feeling optimistic, but this was quickly waning. This was the sixth store, and the seventh pair I’d tried on. None of them were happening. I question why I’ve spent hours traipsing around Oxford Street, dodging crowds and trying not to get hit by a black cab. Jeans shopping is not fun. It’s a mission. More than three years ago, I swore off jeans for the foreseeable future. At the time, I was practically living in a pair of faded black M&S high-waist, straight-cut jeans that were cropped right above my ankle. The search for those jeans had also been painful, so when I found this perfect pair, I told myself that was it – I was never going to buy jeans again. But at the start of 2023, I was devastated to find my severe lack of a thigh gap had led to a rather large hole being rubbed into the inner thigh of my beloved jeans. I resolved to get the hole fixed and am still planning to do so, but I recently become enamoured by the idea of blue jeans. It’s been a long time since I owned a pair of blue jeans I really liked. Maybe it was time to start the search again? I initially felt buoyed by the knowledge that size ranges are more extensive than ever before. In the jeans section of Asos alone, you can filter the type of denim you want to unprecedented levels of specificity: choose from 17 different styles, over 30 “jeans families”, dozens of brands, colours, and washes, six “body fits” from Curvy to Petite, and sizes up to UK32. It’s a dizzying array of choices, but surely meant that it’d be easier than ever to find what I was looking for. Yet, this couldn’t be further from the truth for many women, particular those of the larger, curvier variety. I am currently extremely average in size at a UK14. But due to the aforementioned lack of thigh gap, combined with wide hips, a generous posterior and thick, muscly calves, I’ve struggled to find jeans that are both comfortable and flattering. It’s always one problem or another: gapping at the waist, unable to get them up past my hips, too tight to sit down comfortably, too baggy to look good, too long, too suffocating, too unforgiving. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, things are even worse for plus-sized women. A friend of mine, a size UK18, has been burned so often that she was ready to give up. She told me that when she visited Khloe Kardashian’s Good American outpost in Selfridges, she tried on one pair of jeans and nearly walked out when it didn’t fit, thinking none of the others would either. The sales assistant had to stop her and tell her she would help her find something else – and they did. The look on my friend’s face when she showed me the jeans later was priceless, like butter couldn’t melt. It struck me how rare this experience is. Women just want jeans that not only make them feel confident, but are also comfortable and are worth paying a bit more for Sonia Robinson Jones Part of the reason jeans shopping is so demoralising is the lack of consistent sizing in the fashion industry. On social media, some influencers have highlighted this by trying on jeans in the same size in different stores and showing how vastly different the fits are. A UK12 in H&M can fit just right, but a UK12 in Zara might barely zip up. The same size in River Island won’t even get past your thighs, while a pair from Next might be a bit too roomy. Unreliable sizing and poor quality construction makes clothes shopping such a headache, but still the high street brands persist with the status quo. According to Sonia Robinson Jones, associate lecturer in fashion at the University of East London, this is because fast fashion brands “tend to cut their [garment] blocks for the younger body size and grade their sizes up accordingly”, rather than allowing for the fact that women tend to become curvier as we age. “In essence, jeans need to be contoured to a wider selection of body shapes… Women just want jeans that not only make them feel confident, but are also comfortable and are worth paying a bit more for.” Then there is the question of sustainability. I had initially set off with a list of criteria for my perfect jeans: dark blue, high-waisted, no rips, straight leg, preferably from a company with sustainable credentials. My holy grail jeans would have been ELV Denim, which sources unwanted jeans from warehouses around the UK and reconstructs them into entirely new pieces – but at a starting price of £255 per pair, I’d have to save my pennies for another time. Other sustainable brands such as Nudie Jeans and Lucy & Yak were at a more digestible price point, but I wasn’t keen on the idea of returning jeans that didn’t fit and adding to my carbon footprint. Aja Barber, contributing editor at Elle UK and author of Consumed, which explores the effects of fast fashion on the planet, tells me she gets around the horror of it all by shopping for second-hand jeans on eBay. “I have one style that’s my go-to and they’re widely available because the maker over-produces, so I’d rather buy them secondhand than have them become landfill waste, which is what happens to a lot of secondhand clothing that doesn’t get bought,” she explains. “Plus some brands aren’t great on ethics or sustainability and I’d rather not give them my money even if they make my size. Secondhand is a work-around for this.” She also recommends thinking hard about whether you need lots of pairs. “The best route here is to realise you don’t need five pairs of jeans,” she says. “Two pairs max and spend the most you can on getting the best possible pair.” Barber is also an advocate for getting clothes custom-made for a better fit, if it’s within your financial abilities. “I think we shy away from ideas like getting your clothes made because it sounds inaccessible and fancy, but if you’re plus-size like I am, it can be a godsend. I think instead of trying with stuff on the rack, it might be best to take this route.” As for myself, I eventually caved and decided to try buying jeans online from US brand Everlane, which partners with ethical factories and uses recycled materials, organic cotton and less water to create their clothes. I ordered two pairs of jeans from their Curvy collection, knowing that I would not be sending them back, and prayed they would fit. When they eventually arrived, I was ecstatic. The jeans fit. They actually fit! And now, I will never buy another pair of jeans again. Promise. Read More Flip-flops, nudity and ‘up the vajayjay!’: How the red carpet became a platform for protest Women with body hair remain a cultural taboo, and I can’t see it changing Why I’m suspicious of the silver fox Edward Enninful steps down as British Vogue editor-in-chief amid reports of rift Barbie stars Margot Robbie, Issa Rae and Simu Liu react to their own doll replicas Amanda Holden’s most extravagant fashion from the BGT live shows
2023-06-05 13:53
Edward Enninful steps down as British Vogue editor-in-chief to take on new role at Condé Nast
Edward Enninful steps down as British Vogue editor-in-chief to take on new role at Condé Nast
Edward Enninful, the Ghanaian-British journalist known for championing diversity in the fashion industry, will step down from his role as British Vogue editor-in-chief. The fashion editor is set to take on a new role at Condé Nast as global creative and cultural advisor of Vogue. On Friday (2 June), the 51-year-old editor announced in an internal memo to staff that he will step into an “editorial advisor” role in 2024. In the memo, per Vogue Business, he addressed the heads of editorial content at Vogue France, Vogue Italia, Vogue Spain, and Vogue Germany, all of whom report to him. The move seemingly marks the end of his historic run as British Vogue’s first man, and first Black editor, to hold the title of editor-in-chief. “I am excited to share that from next year I will be stepping into the newly appointed position of editorial advisor of British Vogue and global creative and cultural advisor of Vogue, where I will continue to contribute to the creative and cultural success of the Vogue brand globally while having the freedom to take on broader creative projects,” the memo read. "For now everything remains the same, and I’m so excited about what the future holds for us. I would like to thank Roger [Lynch] and Anna [Wintour] for their continued support,” he said. Since his induction as editor-in-chief of British Vogue in August 2017, Enninful has made strides towards diversity and inclusion in fashion. Most recently, he helmed the magazine’s first braille editions for blind and partially sighted people, and included activist Sinead Burke as one of five stars with disabilities on the cover of British Vogue’s May 2023 issue. The new position comes amidst rumours of a rift between Enninful and Anna Wintour, the longstanding editor-in-chief of American Vogue. Despite speculation that Enninful will replace Wintour as the head of American Vogue when she eventually retires, Condé Nast insiders believe that there has been a “great tension” between the two fashion powerhouses. His stepping down comes just two days after Wintour announced the second annual Vogue World will make its way to London in September ahead of London Fashion Week. Sources say that her decision to hold the fashion extravaganza, which aims to celebrate British art and culture, in Enninful’s so-called dominion was “incredibly annoying for him” and that the US-based editor was treading on his toes. Perhaps the biggest loss is for Condé Nast, who seemingly chose the 73-year-old global editorial director of Vogue over Enninful – despite his impact in fashion and diversity. However, both Enninful and Condé Nast have previously denied rumours of a rift between the fashion giants, and he thanked his former boss in the memo announcing his departure. Enninful, who had once been considered a protégé of Wintour, began his career at Condé Nast when he was appointed fashion director at W magazine in 2011. He has also contributed to Italian Vogue since 1998 and American Vogue since 2006. He succeeded Alexandra Shulman as British Vogue editor-in-chief in 2017, a role she had previously held for nearly 25 years. In his internal memo, Enninful noted that Condé Nast will begin its search for “head of editorial content” at British Vogue, rather than the coveted title of editor-in-chief. He will continue to report to Wintour in his new role as global creative and cultural advisor of Vogue. Read More Vogue editor Anna Wintour announces Vogue World 2023 is coming to London British Vogue’s first braille edition released to ‘delight’ of editor Edward Enninful condemns lack of diverse models during Fashion Month Barbie stars Margot Robbie, Issa Rae and Simu Liu react to their own doll replicas Amanda Holden’s most extravagant fashion from the BGT live shows Brooke Shields says she ‘fought’ against her daughter becoming a model
2023-06-03 05:16
Amanda Holden’s most extravagant fashion from the BGT live shows
Amanda Holden’s most extravagant fashion from the BGT live shows
Amanda Holden has kicked off the first round of Britain’s Got Talent live shows in eye-catching style. The TV judge and radio host is known for her colourful and daring fashion choices – and she’s been pulling out all the stops for the semi-finals of the popular talent show. Holden, 52, wowed in a bright yellow latex ensemble for the first live show. The outfit – by Atsuko Kudo Couture Latex Design – was made up of a corset top and matching skirt with a long train. The Plain Paris Cup Bustier Corset retails at £654.17, and the skirt costs £329.17. For the second night’s look, Holden tapped into the ever-popular trend for ‘nearly naked’ dresses. The strapless, semi-sheer dress had delicate floral embroidery and a dramatic leg slit. It was by Vietnamese designer Tran Hung, a brand with a romantic take on eveningwear. Hung’s designs have previously been worn by Bridgerton actor Nicola Coughlan, Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri. Holden tends to prefer long gowns for her TV appearances, but she’ll occasionally experiment with a mini. This silver leopard print dress with a halterneck was by celebrity-favourite designer Miss Sohee – known for her dramatic gowns, one of her custom designs was recently worn by actor Halle Bailey at The Little Mermaid premiere in London. Holden accessorised the look with on-trend platform heels – D’Accori’s Satin Platform Pumps, retailing at £950 from Harrods. For the most recent live show, Holden chose an experimental white two-piece. The top was a bespoke moulded bustier with a rippling effect by Cameron Hancock, paired with a strappy white column skirt from Monot – a cult brand known for its ultra-sexy cut-out designs. Holden gave the look a Grecian vibe, with chunky gold jewellery and a slicked-back topknot. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Big Issue teams up with fashion designers to launch range of T-shirts How to do gel nails at home like a pro ‘Unsupportive backgrounds’ make LGBT+ youth twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts – report finds
2023-06-02 17:58
Big Issue teams up with fashion designers to launch range of T-shirts
Big Issue teams up with fashion designers to launch range of T-shirts
The Big Issue has teamed up with leading fashion designers to launch a range of sustainable T-shirts to help fund its work and campaigns to help stop homelessness. Julien Macdonald, Pearl Lowe, Sadie Williams and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi have contributed to the campaign. Macdonald, whose clothes have been worn by celebrities including Kylie Minogue, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez, said: “I wanted to support the Big Issue Group with an exclusive range of products inspired by my love for community and the meaningful connections we all seek to form. “Everyone deserves the same opportunities and this bespoke design represents bringing communities together in order to dismantle poverty by creating opportunities and supporting each other.” Thornton Bregazzi said: “Inspired by the strength and vulnerability of youth growing up in the city, this design draws on the connection between childhood, your favourite toy and the meaning of comfort.” Celebrities including singer Tom Odell, actor Jorgie Porter, artists Hugo Hamlet and Lily Ashley, and Big Issue Group ambassadors Christopher Eccleston, Sherrie Silver, Dane Baptiste and Jack Parsons will be donning a selection of the designs and showcasing them on social media on Friday. I am proud to be wearing my Julien MacDonald design and to be supporting the Wear It For Big Issue campaign Christopher Eccleston, actor Christopher Eccleston said: “I am proud to be wearing my Julien Macdonald design and to be supporting the Wear It For Big Issue campaign. The Big Issue helps to lift thousands of people out of poverty by offering entrepreneurial opportunities.” Russell Blackman, managing director of commercial, at Big Issue Group, said: “We are really excited by this brilliant campaign, which not only highlights the importance of sustainable fashion but that also supports the Big Issue Group’s work supporting people out of poverty.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-06-02 16:16
Brooke Shields says she ‘fought’ against her daughter becoming a model
Brooke Shields says she ‘fought’ against her daughter becoming a model
Brooke Shields has explained why she was initially against her teenage daughter Grier Hammond Henchy joining the “brutal” modelling industry. The 58-year-old, who was a child model and actor, said she “fought it for so long” but has since realised the “rules have changed” since her time as a model. Shields was recently the focus of a two-part Hulu documentary Brooke Shields: Pretty Baby, in which she described being sexualised at a very young age. At the age of 10, her mother Teri Shields consented to her daughter being photographed nude for Playboy, and at 12, Sheilds appeared in the 1978 film Pretty Baby as a child sex worker. After eventually giving her daughter the green light to begin her own modelling career, Shields said she has laid down some ground rules. In an interview on US chat show Live with Kelly and Mark on Thursday (1 May), she said: “It’s such a different industry now than it was… I finally had to give in and say, ‘If you’re going to do this, I’m not going to be your manager. You’re going to be with an agency. You’re going to have a great work ethic. It’s not going to be comfortable and you’re going to listen to me’.” Grier is keen to begin modelling on the runway, a category that Shields never broke into but which she understood to be “brutal”. “That’s brutal and backstage is just brutal,” she told hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, adding she did not think she could have “handled it”. When Shields began working, her mother Teri was her manager and they were “glued at the hip”, she said. “[It was] probably how I could survive because you couldn’t get to me. She was such a mama bear and so protective. On the one hand I was very naïve and on the other, I was just thrown into this crazy world.” In an interview with The Times published earlier this year ahead of her documentary, Shields reflected on her mother’s choices for her. She said it was difficult to have a conversation with her daughters, Rowan, 19, and Grier, about why their grandmother allowed her to do projects that left her vulnerable to sexualisation. “I mean, I could say: ‘Oh, it was the time back then’ or ‘Oh, it was art’. But I don’t know why she thought it was alright. I don’t know,” she admitted. However, Shelds said she wasn’t angry with her mother, who died on 31 October 2012 at 72. “Everyone wanted me to be angry with her, but anger was just too sad for me to take when I looked at how insecure she was,” she told the publication. “It’s so innate when you’re an only child of a single mother. All you want to do is love your parent and keep them alive forever, and so I wanted to protect her. And by virtue of protecting her, I was justifying everything and that solidified that bond between us.” Shields shares her daughters with husband and film director Chris Henchy, whom she married in 2001. Read More Beanie Feldstein marries girlfriend Bonnie-Chance Roberts Pregnant transgender man Logan Brown stars on cover of Glamour UK’s Pride issue Everything we know about Jordan’s royal wedding attended by Prince William and Kate Big Issue teams up with fashion designers to launch range of T-shirts How to do gel nails at home like a pro Vogue editor Anna Wintour announces Vogue World 2023 is coming to London
2023-06-02 16:15
How to do gel nails at home like a pro
How to do gel nails at home like a pro
While looking for ways to cut spending on luxuries, consumers have embraced DIY beauty during the cost-of-living crisis. A Currys survey of beauty search terms found that ‘how to do gel nails at home’ was the most in-demand pampering technique with nearly 180,000 searches a year, ahead of fake tanning (101,280) and acrylic nails (85,320). With UV lamps costing around £50 and polishes from top brands like Essie, OPI and Shellac around £10 each, doing your own gel mani is cheaper in the long-run than paying upwards of £20 for every salon visit. But can you replicate a nail technician’s precision and ensure a long-lasting finish? We asked nail pros for their tips on how to master a gel manicure at home… Prep your nails “Good natural nail prep before applying gel polish can be the difference between a polish that lasts weeks and a polish that is likely to chip and peel prematurely,” says manicurist Tinu Bello, senior brand ambassador for Mylee. Start by gently pushing back your cuticles (use cuticle remover gel if they’re very dry or hard) then clipping off the excess. Bello explains: “Cuticles are dead pieces of skin that attach to the nail plate at the base of the nail. Once removed, you will find that gel polish adheres to the nail much more smoothly.” Buff away shine “After shaping your nails in your desired shape, your nail plate should be lightly etched using a soft buffer file,” says Julita Fagan, manicurist and nail expert for 14 Day Manicure. “This helps to remove the natural shine or oils from your nails, assisting in product adhesion.” Avoid moisture With a regular manicure, the technician might soak your fingertips to soften the cuticles, but with gel polish you want to keep your nails dry. “It’s important to avoid using water on the nails or any products that contain moisture or oil prior to applying gel polish, such as hand soap or moisturiser,” says Bello. “Fingernails quickly absorb water and expand, meaning nails that have been painted post-soak will contract once dry and cause polish to chip.” Apply a primer Gel products and kits vary so you must follow the instructions carefully, but if you can use a primer your polish is likely to last longer. “Applying a nail primer before your base coat will act as a bonding element between your natural nails and the product,” says Fagan. “This is particularly useful if you continuously experience chipping or lifting of your gel polish.” Paint precisely When applying polish it’s crucial to only paint the nail, not the cuticle. “A trick in ensuring a seamless polish application is to leave the tiniest gap between your cuticles and the first one or two layers of your gel polish, getting as close as possible to your cuticles on your last layer,” says Fagan. “This will ensure a less bulky finish at the end of your application.” She also recommends ‘capping’ the polish by applying the top coat over the tip of the nail to seal in the colour. Try builder gel As an additional defence against chipping, add a layer of extra-strength builder gel to your mani, which comes in clear or a range of colours. “Builder gel is a stronger consistency than the standard gel polish,” explains Fagan. “Using it at the end of your gel polish application, prior to top coat, will provide even more longevity to your manicure.” 14 Day Manicure Bestseller Gel Polish Starter Kit, £79 (was £164.80) Mylee Pro Salon Series Convex LED Lamp Black, £50 Rio Salon Pro Rechargeable UV and LED Lamp, £50, Argos
2023-06-02 14:57
Vogue editor Anna Wintour announces Vogue World 2023 is coming to London
Vogue editor Anna Wintour announces Vogue World 2023 is coming to London
It seems that London will finally be given its own version of New York City’s famed Met Gala with Vogue World 2023. On 31 May, Vogue announced the second annual Vogue World extravaganza will arrive in London on 14 September. The fashion and culture spectacular will feature appearances from Stormzy and Michaela Coel, as well as dramatic performances and a runway show to kick off the start of London Fashion Week. The one-evening event will pay tribute to British culture, as all ticket sales will go towards benefiting performing arts organisations throughout London – including the National Theatre, Royal Opera House and Rambert dance company. The show comes after the inaugural Vogue World took place in New York City’s Meatpacking District last year, where A-listers like Serena Williams and Lil Nas X gathered for a street fair and star-studded fashion show. This year’s Vogue World London will be centered around a theatrical production at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, conceived by English director and producer Stephen Daldry. As for the Vogue World 2023 fashion show, the London event will highlight autumn/winter 2023 collections from both emerging British designers and household names. “Our editors have spent so much time at fashion shows over the years, around the world, that we thought, ‘Why not put together one of our own – one that tells a story about the cultural moment we’re in, but through the lens of fashion?’” said Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in a press release. “New York did that brilliantly well, and now we will be doing it again in London to show our support for the arts,” she continued. “The arts are under threat in the UK and Vogue World will be a timely reminder of how important they are, how vital a part of our lives, and how much they need our support.” Meanwhile, British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful added: “British Vogue has been championing fashion, culture, and the magical point where the two intersect for 107 years. Now, we’re bringing its pages to life with the help of industry-leading talents in order to support the full spectrum of the creative arts in London. I can’t wait for everyone to join us at Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a night to remember.” On Instagram, Vogue shared several promotional photos and videos for Vogue World 2023 featuring Naomi Campbell, Victoria Beckham, Sir Ian McKellan, and London’s mayor Sadiq Khan. Anna Wintour will oversee Vogue World 2023, much like she did at this year’s Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The annual fashion red carpet event also raises funds for the museum’s Costume Institute. This year’s Met Gala theme paid tribute to Wintour’s longtime friend and collaborator, Karl Lagerfeld. “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty” aimed to “examine the life” of the late designer’s fashion legacy as celebrities were asked to arrive in their best Lagerfeld-inspired looks. Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell, and Jennifer Lopez all walked the red carpet in line with the theme, which instructed guests “to wear an archival look from one of the labels Lagerfeld led”. Others took more creative liberties in their Met Gala looks, like Doja Cat and Jared Leto who were dressed as Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette. Tickets for Vogue World 2023 will go on sale to the general public on Friday 2 June at 10am BST/5am ET. The London event will also be livestreamed on all Vogue sites globally. Read More Anna Wintour and Met curator reveal rule breaks that would lead to celebrities being uninvited from gala Met Gala 2023: Best dressed stars on the red carpet, from Kim Kardashian to Anne Hathaway The 2023 Met Gala has been criticised as ‘so boring’ that a cockroach became a highlight Dame Esther Rantzen faces stage four lung cancer: key facts about the disease Dua Lipa reveals how she bonded with designer Donatella Versace Banging brunch recipes worth getting out of bed for
2023-06-01 03:17
Twiggy shares why she has never had cosmetic surgery
Twiggy shares why she has never had cosmetic surgery
Twiggy has opened up about ageing and how cosmetic surgery “frightens” her. The model, whose real name is Dame Lesley Lawson, has never undergone cosmetic procedures such as Botox, unlike numerous other celebrities. The 73-year-old said she is “proud” of her wrinkles, but remained open to the idea of someday having “little tweaks”. In a new interview with the Daily Mail, Twiggy said: “I’m kind of proud of my wrinkles. I understand when people have little tweaks and maybe I’ll even do it, I don’t know. “But what I don’t think I’d ever do is all the stuff they inject, when they get those funny cheeks that look like cotton wool balls have been stuffed in them. It would frighten me.” Asked if she would consider Botox, the fashion icon replied: “It’s botulism, isn’t it? And I never fancied the idea of that floating round my body.” Twiggy also spoke about her body and credited going to pilates once a week for helping alleviate a bad back. Aside from that, she is relaxed about exercise and her weight. She added: “I’m bigger than I was, but I should be at my age.” In 2020, the model told the Guardian that she did not think the fashion industry would ever “go completely away from slimness”. Her own nickname was rooted in her petite figure and she has been associated with “extreme thinness” throughout her modelling career. Asked at the time if the industry needs to focus more on different shapes and sizes, she said: “I don’t think the high fashion industry will ever go completely away from slimness but I think other parts of the industry have started to use different shapes and sizes, and I think they should.” She has previously spoken about her “skinny” body image, which she believes is genetic, and said “some models” are “too thin”. “We do know that there are girls pushed to not eating and to losing weight and that is not good because you have tragedies with girls being ill or even worse,” she told Huffington Post. “There’s no doubt that there are some models who are too thin.” Read More Woman’s warning after lip filler left her unable to close mouth However hard the world tries to make me fear it, I’m excited to turn 30 this summer ‘Unproblematic people don’t age’ reflects the stupidest kind of beauty standard Flip flops, nudity and ‘up the vajayjay!’: The red carpet is a platform for protest Woman’s ‘$1,300’ dress divides the internet: ‘Why is it so bad though?’ Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll Tina Turner’s most iconic looks
2023-05-29 16:19
Flip-flops, nudity and ‘up the vajayjay!’: How the red carpet became a platform for protest
Flip-flops, nudity and ‘up the vajayjay!’: How the red carpet became a platform for protest
Of all the places you’d expect to see a woman walking barefoot, the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival is probably not one of them. And yet, this has become a somewhat regular occurrence at the annual shindig, where A-list actors, models and directors gather in their finest gladrags. Sure, the festival is ostensibly about celebrating the best of cinema. But it has also become one of the most significant events in the fashion calendar, with stars taking the opportunity to make both sartorial and political statements. However, out of all the trends that have prevailed, from cutout gowns to sheer sequins, the one that continually seems to trump them all is none other than women’s feet. And it’s already made headlines again this year, thanks to the likes of Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawrence and Isabelle Huppert, all of whom have made their own subtle nods to the political powers of their own feet. Traditionally, the Cannes dress code is rather strict: in 2015, a group of women in their fifties were reportedly turned away from a screening because they were wearing “rhinestone flats” instead of high heels. The story immediately prompted a backlash and accusations of sexism, with the festival’s director, Thierry Frémaux, denying that heels are mandatory: “The rumour saying the festival insists on high heels for women on the red carpet is unfounded,” he wrote in response to critics on Twitter. Nonetheless, female actors were quick to respond, with Emily Blunt saying at the time: “Everyone should wear flats, to be honest. We shouldn’t wear high heels.” The following year, Julia Roberts and Sasha Lane attended Cannes events barefoot. “The carpet was for our film and I was dressed in a very elegant gown and there’s a ton of stairs, and I’m walking around all day… so I will go barefoot,” Lane said in a later interview. “Why is anyone against that? I’m still here and well-dressed.” Lane’s comments were also echoed by Kristen Stewart, who once said of strict female dress codes: “I feel like you can’t ask people that anymore. If you’re not asking guys to wear heels and a dress, you cannot ask me either.” The Twilight star famously took off her sky-high Christian Louboutin heels on the red carpet at Cannes in 2018, proceeding to walk the rest of the carpet barefoot. Official rule or not, there’s no mistaking that even now, in 2023, the pressures placed on women at black tie events such as Cannes are different to those placed on men. Sartorial convention has long defined occasionwear as anything that leaves your feet uncomfortable. Whether it’s a pump, sandal, or stiletto, the shoe needs to add some sort of height to your look in order to be considered formal and appropriate. It might seem like a small imposition, but if there’s anything this year’s red carpet has taught us, it’s that it can serve as a microcosm of much wider inequalities. Take Cate Blanchett, who last weekend at a Cannes party presented an award to the French-Iranian star Zahra Amir Ebrahimi. “I am going to take my heels off, in honour of the women of Iran,” she told the crowd, before holding up Ebrahimi’s pointed trophy to joke: “This is to stab everyone who stands in the way of women’s rights. Up the vajayjay!” The sentiment has also been referenced by Portman, Lawrence and Huppert at this year’s festival. On Saturday, while talking about her new film May December, Portman spoke about the idea of “performing femininity”, telling attendees that it’s something she’s “very curious about”. “The different ways that we as women are expected to behave – at this festival, even – compared to men,” she said. “How we’re supposed to look, how we’re supposed to carry ourselves.” Meanwhile, Lawrence arrived on the red carpet for the Bread and Roses premiere in a scarlet Dior gown paired with flip-flops. And as for Huppert, a perennial style maven at Cannes and beyond, she made a subtle nod to the shoe-less protests in a pair of Balenciaga heels that had been specially designed to resemble a bare foot. All this serves as a reminder that despite societal progressions, women’s bodies are still firmly policed in the public eye. If it’s not via their footwear, it’s via their actual outfits. Think supermodel Irina Shayk, whose outfits at Cannes events this year include a leather two-piece by Mowalola that exposed her entire torso, and a sheer black dress worn over a matching set of Gucci underwear. Elsewhere, we’ve seen Julia Fox don a completely see-through bodice with a white flowing skirt, while Naomi Campbell walked the red carpet in a scarlet gown with cutouts across her chest. Showing skin is nothing new among the fashion set, particularly given the resurgence of Y2K trends on the runways that continues to maintain its stronghold on the industry. (There has been talk of “naked dresses” for several seasons now, with influencers and stars all partaking in the art of wearing sheer gowns to formal affairs.) But bringing it to Cannes feels particularly poignant and in keeping with the barefoot brouhaha when you consider just how easily offended people are by such ensembles. The body-shaming prompted by Florence Pugh’s see-through Valentino frock last summer is just one example that springs to mind. Flashing a foot is, of course, somewhat different to flashing a nipple, but fundamentally the underlying message is the same. It’s about subverting the social conventions that oppress us. It’s about showing the world that women are fed up of being told what is and is not an acceptable way of presenting their bodies. And it’s about asking why we should still conform to dress codes informed by sexism when, as Blanchett pointed out, women’s rights continue to be subjugated around the world. With all this in mind, we’re not asking for much. The least people can allow us is to take off our heels or flash a little flesh without it having to be headline news. Read More Subversive? Dangerous? 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2023-05-27 14:17
Woman’s ‘$1,300’ designer dress divides the internet: ‘You got scammed’
Woman’s ‘$1,300’ designer dress divides the internet: ‘You got scammed’
A designer dress apparently worth US$1,300 has been criticised as looking “cheap” after a woman posted a video of herself styling it on Instagram. Marjan Tabibzada, a fashion influencer whose Instagram account @youngcouture_ has more than 1.2m followers, shared the clip featuring a pink sheer dress by Jacquemus that currently retails for £970. The silk chiffon maxi dress features a cowl neck and strap detailing, as well as a flowing skirt with a train. Viewers, however, were unimpressed by how the dress looked and criticised it for appearing “cheap” and “not worth” the price tag. In her video, Tabibzada said she purchased a pink slip dress from Amazon to wear underneath the Jacquemus dress because it was “way too see-through”. She accessorised with flowery pink earrings, strappy heels from Zara, and a pearl clutch from Los Angeles brand Cult Gaia. In her caption, Tabibzada wrote: “Is this dress worth US$1,300?” Many of her viewers did not think so, with some saying that the influencer “got scammed” into buying the garment. “Definitely not worth the price… US$13 sure but I wouldn’t even spend US$20 on that,” one person said. A disappointed follower wrote: “Why is it so bad though? I had high hopes.” Explaining why they didn’t like the dress, one person said: “Not in love with the dress, especially with the tag showing through due to the sheerness. I don’t get the concept they were going for.” Another said the dress was “giving Shein”, comparing the designer garment to those sold on the fast fashion online retailer. Others defended the dress and its price, highlighting that it is made with luxury fabrics. One person wrote: “People in the comments are foolish, ‘Looks like it’s from Shein’, OK, great, enjoy your $9 (£7) dress. Expensive fabrics typically feel so incomparable on the body. “It won’t be staticky, it probably doesn’t stain as easily or snag… Y’all really think Shein dresses lok like real clothes… I think it’s very elegant. I’ll never understand the fascination with cheap clothes and shoes for some, they don’t feel the same.” Read More Mother reveals the sweet meaning behind viral graduation gift for her daughter Influencer hospitalised for traumatic brain injury after horse falls on her at Arizona ranch Beyoncé’s Renaissance mirror-ball cowboy hat has sold out – but we’ve found some similar styles Exposed bras are the newest fashion trend, but not everyone is convinced All the best-dressed stars at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival Italian designer launches scathing attack on Shein over ‘stolen ideas’
2023-05-26 16:59
Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll Tina Turner’s most iconic looks
Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll Tina Turner’s most iconic looks
She was the distinct voice behind hits like Proud Mary and The Best, but singer Tina Turner also became known for her on-stage fashion. Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, the singer, who died aged 83 on Wednesday, donned some iconic – and very glittery – looks over the years, and became synonymous with rock and roll. These are some of her most memorable fashion moments… The early years In perhaps one of the earliest iterations of the now commonplace ‘naked dress’, Turner dared to bare her figure in a sheer sparkly moment, with long, draping sequin strands.Off-duty diva During the Seventies, Turner was rarely photographed casually without her husband, Ike Turner, who she was married to from 1962 until their divorce in 1978. Her oversized leather jacket, messy straight hair and wool scarf were quite the deviation from her on-stage glamour, but showed her natural beauty. Fiery look Worn by Cher, Turner and Beyonce, Bob Mackie’s now infamous flame dress has become synonymous with stardom, and its glittering silhouette is one of Turner’s most well-known looks. The dress will feature in the V&A exhibition Diva, celebrating the “power and creativity of iconic performers” starting in June. Fabulously funny Turner appeared alongside Elton John in Wogan’s first show, sporting a very Eighties hairdo, huge earrings and a silky top, as she laughed and joked with the entertainer. The mane event Turner’s hair was allegedly overbleached in the Sixties and from then, she often wore wigs. Her iconic, wild, voluminous look became well known, and in her memoir, she commented that she was often nervous entering into new relationships with men, because of how they would see her wig. Legs for days When Turner performed on her Wildest Dreams tour in Cardiff in 1996, she wore a minuscule camisole dress covered in sparkles, bringing her own spin to the popularity of slip dresses in the Nineties. All that glitters In 2009, Turner took to the stage in Dublin in an angular gold top with a chevron pattern, and sparkling cut-offs with shining stilettos showing her truly glamorous style and ability to keep up on stage. Metallic, shiny looks were a staple for Turner throughout her career. Queen Bees At the 2008 Grammys, Beyonce channelled her fellow music icon, as the pair took to the stage, with Turner donning silver leggings and a tight corset with a short ‘do. In a tribute to the late star on her official website, Beyonce wrote “My beloved queen. I love you endlessly.”
2023-05-25 19:25
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