Welcome to Amanda Zips It Up and your Mid-Week Fashion Fix.

It’s October already (!) and the last two weeks of September have been super busy for me.

Last Wednesday I was LIVE on the Red Carpet at The Boisdale Music Awards. I wore a beautiful Winter White tailored trouser suit by Zara with Silver platform boots by Free People. My job was to grab as many stars as I could to be interviewed by my radio partner Ronnie Herel live from the fabulous Canary Wharf. I was also snooping as to who wore who and what, which I feature in this week’s instalment.

But back to the fact that it’s now October, meaning the days are shorter, cooler and we have Christmas ahead of us. It’s time to prepare some wholesome hearty meals as we snuggle down for the winter season.

Where do you look when it comes to celebrity chefs, cookbooks and interesting recipe inspiration?

I bet you’d never think of Snoop Dogg?

Our favourite rapper and all-round coolest-artist-ever swapped the rizlas for recipes with his first cook book (launched in 2018): FROM CROOK TO COOK. Platinum Recipes From Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen. 

I literally only discovered it at the weekend, and I can’t get enough.

It contains a foreword written by US Megastar Lifestyle Domestic Goddess Martha Stewart, who struck up an unlikely friendship with Snoop when collaborating on VH1’s Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party. Stewart comments that she was surprised by his unique cooking techniques and recipes.

Snoop starts by revealing what’s in his pantry:

Soy Sauce

Ketchup

Honey

Hot Sauce

Lemon Pepper & Seasoning Salt

Maple Syrup and Honey

Pop Tarts & Instant Macaroni Cheese

And in the Fridge:

MOET Champagne & Orange Juice

Eggs, Milk, Butter & Cheddar 

BBQ Sauce, Mustard and Ranch Dressing

Dill Pickles.

Find everything – from The SMOOVIE, Not Ya Mamma’s Corn Muffins, The Thickness Gravy,  Mile-High Omelet to Spaghetti de la Hood, Get Tha Chip Fried Chicken Wings, Baby Got Back Ribs, Ain’t No Jive Herbed Turkey & Gravy and the ultimate cocktail: WAKE ‘N’ BAKE CORPSE REVIVER, which promises to cure that nasty hangover from dropping like it’s hard at the club. The Dogg’s own hair of the dogg to get you back up and at ‘em. He notes taht the money ain’t sitting around waiting: you need to get up, get out and get something. Sounds dangerous.

“One thing for sure and two things for certain,

a dogg’s gotta eat and tha boss dogg is gonna show you how.”

£18.99 http://www.chroniclebooks.com

Welcome to the world of ‘soft clubbing’, where coffee, not alcohol, fuels the party.

As you know, I have quite a bit of experience of clubbing culture over the past three decades.

Clubs from London to Ibiza which would’ve once had droves of people queued outside on a Saturday night now stand idle, and Gen Z are now ditching drinking in bars in favour of wellness.

The signs are everywhere. For example, Creamfields this year introduced a daily 5K run and on-site gym to its programming, and daytime pop-ups are becoming the event of choice for twenty-something-year-olds seeking sober socialisation. Wellies, alcohol, mud, staying out all night, sleeping until lunch and surviving off Pot Noodles; these are all things that are associated with UK festival culture – or should I say, were.

Even my radio partner Ronnie Herel’s Funky Dory Mini-Fest featured massages, wellness tents and healthy foods & smoothies. Next year, I will attend The Mi-Soul Grand Weekender in Brighton where we will all be encouraged to attend yoga in the mornings and a 10k walk on the beach before dancing to our fave DJs drinking fresh coffee instead of vodka and champagne.

In fact, thanks to Gen Z, your favourite Coffee shops will become the new dance music venues.

Welcome to the era of soft clubbing.

This isn’t just a fluke either – EventBrite has reported a 478 per cent increase in coffee clubbing events, a 20 per cent increase in morning dance parties, and 1,105 per cent increase in attendance at thermal gatherings.

“This movement isn’t about giving something up—it’s about choosing more,” says Roseli Ilano, Eventbrite’s Head of Community & Trends Expert. “More presence, more intention, more joy. Gen Z is redefining what it means to go out, and they’re turning to experiences that nourish the body and soul as much as they entertain.”

So just why has ‘soft’ clubbing taken centre stage? Firstly, going out is expensive. Everything has increased in price in recent years, and people are now more mindful of how they spend their cash – which means choosing events that give them genuine benefit, whether in the form of proper time to catch up with friends, or boosting their wellbeing – rather than being found head buried in a bass bin.

Secondly – forming genuine connections is hard. Between Covid lockdowns stunting friendships and a chronically online generation; young people today are far lonelier than generations before us.

So, naturally, instead of going out and waking up with no recollection of how you’d just spent the last 12 hours, Gen Z are now seizing every opportunity to build real relationships and properly socialise in a way they’ll remember the next morning and beyond, free from hangxiety.

Choosing daytime events is also more practical on every level, whether it’s balancing a career with a social life, or being able to enjoy events while still having the evening to unwind, as well as the safety aspect of not roaming the streets half cut during the early hours.

For the biggest show of London Fashion Week, only the best of British talent would do. The Burberry show last Monday evening brought London Fashion Week 2025 to a close with a bang.

It kicked off at 7pm in Kensington Palace Gardens, AKA the back garden of William and Kate.

The Best of British included Croydon singer RAYE, who wore a belted wool coat, classic Burberry check shirt and knee high boots, and model Alexa Chung, who was in a modern twist on the brand’s iconic trench coats.

Then there was Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who looked dapper in his moss green beret, navy bomber jacket and shades, and model Lila Moss, who wore a Burberry shrug atop a perfectly minimalist little black dress with a faded check pattern. THIS IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVOUIRITE PIECE and I need to get my hands on it ASAP.

Maya Jama went full Morticia Addams in a black ruched dress with a deconstructed hem and sleeves.

The Burberry show always attracts big names — in the crowd and on the catwalk. Also in attendance this year were ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS stars Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley who have to be the best dressed celebs there.

This show is particularly exciting for Burberry, with the brand reporting its best sales performance in 18 months earlier this quarter. This comes as a result of the brand’s star-studded festival campaign (Chung and the Gallagher sons both featured) helping to boost the sales of items such as wellies, scarves and light jackets.

Over at Milan Fashion Week, we were seeing double as Actress Meryl Streep hugged Vogue Global editor Anna Wintour.

The cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2 were in Milan during fashion week filming the new movie. And Meryl turned up with her co-star Stanley Tucci in full character at The Dolce & Gabbana ‘SS 26 Show.

When the Devil Wears Prada was released in 2006, it painted a less than flattering picture of Anna Wintour. The cult film, based on the book written three years prior by Anna’s former assistant Lauren Weisberger, shows Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, a demanding, cruel boss at the top of the world’s biggest fashion magazine. While the book is fiction, it’s clearly inspired by Wintour – who herself called it ‘a fair shot’. By the time the sequel hits theatres in May 2026, it will mark 20 years since the first film debuted.

The original scored two Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Meryl Streep, who also took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

It earned five BAFTA nods, three Golden Globe nominations overall, and cemented itself as one of the defining comedies of the 2000s.

The Boisdale Xerjoff Music Awards 2025

So, last week I was on the Red Carpet at The Boisdale Xerjoff Muic Awards, grabbing as many stars as I could to be interviewed by Ronnie Herel, who was presenting our usual Wednesday Drive show on Mi-Soul Radio – and The Mid-Week Fashion Fix – LIVE from Canary Wharf.

Inevitably, my other job was to report on who and what people were wearing. The champagne reception was busy and loud, so it was near-on impossible to find out exactly which designer dress or blazer adorned each nominee, but here’s a round-up of who I saw, who wore what and who won what.

Joss Stone was crowned British Icon, Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams’ music partner) honoured with the Legacy Award, and a star-studded finale featuring Joss Stone, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Haynes, Omar, Junior Giscombe and Teshay Makeda brought the Boisdale Xerjoff Music Awards 2025 to an amazing close. I whisked Teshay down to our makeshift studio, where she blew us all away singing live for our listeners on Mi-Soul Radio. Her hair was a masterpiece, she commented that it had taken her hairdresser all day to complete the look.

The 13th annual Boisdale Xerjoff Music Awards, was hosted by Jools Holland and Rebecca Ferguson, the latter being dressed in this incredible gown (which she bought on recent African travels).

The finale featured Fil Straughan, crowned Boisdale Show Artist of the Year, plus Joss Stone, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Haynes, Omar, Junior Giscombe and Teshay Makeda on stage for a celebratory performance that acontinued downstairs, where DJ Spoony and DJ Supa D kept the energy flowing until 1am at the afterparty.

I managed to grab some stand out blazers as seen on Omar, Fil Straughn (amazing snakeskin cowboy boots) and my favourite look of the night went to DJ Spoony who won Best DJ, wearing a mustard velvet Balmain Jacket and his partner looking sensational in black lace leaving little to the imagination. Junior wore a charcoal & silver sequined tux which looked perfect with his hair.

I loved DJ Colin Francis’s traditional black Tuxedo with bow tie – always a winning look for me.

Boisdale Xerjoff Music Awards 2025 – Winners

• Emerging Artist of the Year – Teshay Makeda
• Jazz/Blues Artist of the Year – Jack Broadbent
• Reggae Artist of the Year – Janet Kay
• Soul / R&B Artist of the Year – Junior Giscombe
• Female Artist of the Year – Miraa May
• Male Artist of the Year – Ollie Wride
• Band of the Year – The Vintage Explosion
• Boisdale Show Artist of the Year – Fil Straughan
• DJ of the Year – DJ Spoony
• Legacy Award for Musical Excellence – Guy Chambers
• Outstanding Contribution to British Music – Nitin Sawhney
• British Icon Award – Joss Stone

Welcome to mid-september and the final days of summer. I’ve just got back from a brief jaunt down to the Balearics to model THIS beautiful Gold Charm Necklace and Azure Satin Jumpsuit both by NICOLE IVISON HATCH at LEFT BANK SIX.

As you all know, not only is Nicole a genius designer, she’s also a very close friend of mine. She chose this particular design for me because of the green crystal which matches my eye colour. I wore these pieces to dinner in the port and at least three people approached me to ask where the necklace was from.

These are her other designs and they retail at £95. Contact Nicole on FB & Instagram at LEFT BANK SIX or NICOLE IVISON HATCH for purchase and delivery. Satin Jumpsuits come in various colours too. Possible the most flattering one-piece I’ve ever worn.

Onto this week’s instalment and we start with a bit of tucker… the UBER EATS TOP 20 HOTTEST TAKEAWAYS 2025, Egg Carton Slides and KATSEYE (new K Pop band) for GAP DENIM campaign. Enjoy.

So, as we come to the end of the long hot summer of 2025, how many of you found it too warm to cook in the kitchen and decided to order a takeaway instead?

Uber Eats has revealed its 20 ‘hottest bites’ for 2025, as the delivery platform outlined this year’s most in-demand takeaways.

To celebrate making their one billionth delivery in the UK since launching in 2016, Uber Eats has shed light on this year’s growing food trends.

Taking the crown was the Pad Thai from Rosa’s Thai – a beloved classic featuring stir-fried noodles with tamarind sauce, eggs and crushed peanuts, with the option to choose between veg and tofu, chicken and king prawns.

In second place was the chicken gyro from Going Greek, which has six locations across North London and Essex.

The £9.25 classic gyro features chicken inside a pita wrap, with tomatoes and red onions, parsley, paprika, oregano fries and house sauce, with the option to add halloumi for an extra £2.75.

Also making the top five is the Shack Burger from Shack Shack, and the ever-popular chilli chicken ramen from Tonkotsu.

Meanwhile the Curry Goat Pon Fries from Natty’s Jerk – garnished with apple and mango slaw – is a winner too.

The Jamaican restaurant, based in Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Southampton, was previously crowned the best takeaway in the UK and Ireland in the Uber Eats 2024 awards.

Uber Eats also revealed that the Half Chicken from Manjaros, 6 Piece Chicken Wings from Wngz and Roti Chicken from Roti King were amongst the most popular dishes on the app.

Uber Eats: 20 Hottest Bites for 2025

Pad Thai From Rosa’s Thai

Chicken Gyro from Going Greek

Shack Burger from Shack Shack

Chilli Chicken Ramen from Tonkotsu

Curry Goat Pon Fries from Natty’s Jerk

Double Down Burger from KFC

Cadillac from Detroit Pizza

The Hogless Roast Burger from Hogless Roast

Prawn & Pork Spicy Wonton From Din Tai Fung

Sunny Salmon From Poke House

DOUBLE SMASHED Burger from Honest Burger

Kung Pao Chicken Sando from Coqfighter

Barbacoa (Beef) Bowl from Tortilla

Chicken Kyiv Sandwich from Sandwich Sandwich

BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich from Grandad needs his Medicine

Breakfast Bao from Pablo Eggsgobao

Footlong Cookie from Subway

Carbonara from Pasta Evangelists

Cinnamon Social Slice from Ole & Steen

Health & Happiness from Itsu

Egg cartons, gardening bags and capri sun are transformed into shoes by Nicole Mclaughlin, an American New York based artist and designer best known for upcycled (and recycled) fashion pieces.

McLaughlin was born and raised in Verona, New Jersey and her work involves the reuse of materials to create reconstructed clothing. She began assembling reconstructed clothing as a hobby while working as a graphic designer at Reebok, using discarded samples from the company.  

Taking a tongue-in-cheek approach to her creative process, Nicole has transformed old volleyballs into slippers, camera bags into bras and created shorts from packets of Haribo gummies. This allows her to uniquely highlight the message of sustainability—a key element to her success in changing the perception around waste. 

But it’s the EGG CARTON shoes which get my vote. Check out all of these:

Remember, nothing goes to waste.

The designer also makes shorts, trousers and umbrellas, all from unexpected items and materials.

Move over BTS – all-girl Korean band KATSEYE have taken over the planet.

Each of the six KATSEYE members come from different countries and ethnic backgrounds, with dance and singing experience. They came together as a part of K-pop HYBE’s competition show Dream Academy, where international contestants train in dance and vocals to earn one of six spots in the final group. They have had a string of massive hits, and ask any millennial or Gen Z who they are and guaranteed, you’ll get an essay in return.

Now Gap has jumped on the bandwagon, entering its EYEKONS era. This week, the brand unveiled its fall 2025 campaign, “Better in Denim,” starring KATSEYE’s Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae. It features the stars wearing Gap denim that speaks to their personal styles, with dance choreographed by Robbie Blue and photos shot by Bjorn Iooss.

The campaign uses Y2K nostalgia, specifically Kelis’s song “Milkshake,” to promote Gap’s denim, and is praised for its authenticity, cultural relevance, and celebration of individuality, especially with Gen Z audiences. Kellis has re-recorded the song for legal reasons.

Key Aspects of the Campaign

• Target Audience:

The campaign directly targets Gen Z, connecting with their music-driven style and desire for self-expression.

• Music and Nostalgia:

The use of the 2003 hit “Milkshake” by Kelis creates a Y2K aesthetic, tapping into a popular cultural trend.

• Authenticity & Individuality:

The campaign features each Katseye member’s distinct personality and style within the denim line, emphasizing self-expression and diversity.

• Viral Success:

The ad went viral across social media platforms, garnering positive reception from consumers and establishing a new standard for PR strategy, particularly after other campaigns faced backlash.

• Brand Alignment:

The collaboration is considered a natural fit for Gap, a brand with a history of music-focused campaigns, allowing them to stay current while honouring their core identity.

• Product Focus:

The campaign highlights Gap’s low-rise denim, a signature style from the early 2000s, bringing it back into fashion.

The campaign successfully combines music, dance, and fashion with a formula Gap knows works, adding modern celebrity and a contemporary twist.

Love it or loathe it, the National Television Awards happened at the O2 this week and all your fave TV stars were trying to outdo each other on the red carpet. Here’s a little round-up of my favourite frocks – even if they’re not my favourite people.

OLIVIA Attwood was a showstopper on the NTAs red carpet this week, turning heads in a stunning white gown.

The This Morning and Loose Women star dressed to impress having recovered from her wild trip to Ibiza.

Maura Higgins showcased her toned figure in a daring burgundy dress

Maura Higgins showcased her toned frame in a daring halter-neck burgundy dress.

She accessorised her stunning look with Bohomoon’s Ellie Ear Cuff and Chunky Hoop Earrings.

Vogue Williams stunned in a plunging black dress

Vogue Williams cut a classy figure in a plunging black dress at a rain-soaked O2 Arena in London.

The Irish beauty was first out on the red carpet, wearing her hair tied back and chunk jewellery on her arms.

Maya Jama looked elegant in a feathered number

Tasha Ghouri opted for a racy corseted number

Davina McCall wowed in a couture mini dress

Molly Smith showed off her engagement ring

The blog returns next Weds 17th September and on Mi-Soul Radio LIVE from 5pm.

Hello everyone. It’s the 10th of September and London is currently crippled by a tube strike, meaning I’m unable to get into the Mi-Soul Radio studios to present my mi-week fashion fix with Ronnie Herel.

So I shall be carrying over the normal blog to next week.

In the meantime, I thought I’d post a few shocks and horrors seen on this years’ MTV VMA red carpet across the pond.

Ariana Grande

Everyone adores her, but after a break from the MTV VMAs, Ariana Grande made her grand return with four different looks throughout the night.

This look is so basic.

Perhaps one of her most disappointing look of the night was this black custom Fendi dress, with white polka dots.

Some people commented online: “I’ve seen halloween costumes with more effort than this fit,”.

“Take a look closely, there’s nothing special here,” another said. It’s a shame because she’s a beautiful girl. This look is totally Joan Collins’ Dynasty era and not to be seen in 2025.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga didn’t show up on the red carpet, but she quietly made it into the show and reportedly sat next to Ariana Grande.

The 39-year-old singer received the coveted Artist of the Year Award before heading to Madison Square Garden for her Mayhem Ball concert.

She was dressed in a voluminous black gown by Marc Jacobs from the designer’s fall 2025 collection, featuring big sleeves and floral lace embroidery. The look was topped off with a red floral headpiece and dramatic makeup.

I love GaGa but this is simply too Halloween… and it’s only September.

Doja Cat

Doja Cat’s red carpet moment went from daring to bizarre when she pulled out ‘something’ from her clutch and proceeded to chomp it down like a Mars Bar. Maybe she was hungry?

The 29-year-old rapper wore a pastel minidress by Balmain and had her voluminous blonde curls cascading down.

Still hungry I’m guessing, she was seen putting some red lipstick on.

She then bit straight into the lipstick and said “It was delicious.”

“I saw @DojaCat eating lipstick, so now I’m going to start eating lipstick,” MTV later wrote on X.

One fan on X called her “gorgeous like an 80s Barbie doll,” while another asked, “Red carpet or strip Club?”

Another commented, “Cute but kinda boring.”

“Dolly Parton called. She wants her wardrobe back,” another person wrote on X.

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin showed off his tattoo while wearing a silky, light blue shirt and black pants. While he did look dazzling, his outfit may have been too plain for the red carpet.

The Livin’ La Vida Loca singer made history by being winning the first Latin Singer award at the MTV VMAs.

I don’t have a problem with the shirt… but it’s a wrap and it’s too low. Just the pecs is all we need to see.

Paris Hilton

What is this?

Paris Hilton posed for the cameras in a fiery-shaped minidress, accessorized with a leather choker and gloves. She had her beach-blonde ponytail falling all the way to her waist.

Please get a new hairstyle Paris. Again, she’s a beautiful girl, I’d like to see her looking more natural.

But again, this is too Halloween. Perhaps that was the theme on the memo?

Not her best moment.

Later, we’ll check out all the outfits to come out of London’s O2. It’s The National Television Awards (NTAs) and we’ll discuss which soap star rocked or not.

A xx