… a word from the Editor & Blogger

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Welcome to this red-hot issue of Amanda Zips It Up.

It’s another scorching Bank Holiday weekend here in London, and having just returned from a quick jaunt over to the Balearics, it’s pretty much “scorchio” all over Europe right now.

Good news for fans of Pimms, beers and barbecues.

But a word of caution. As the booze kicks-in, don’t wear ripped jeans and sit directly in the line of the sun. The combination of ripped jeans and UV rays creates unappealing burnt red legs stripes.  I’ve experienced it, and it’s not funny.

As a sucker for roasting temperatures, there will be no blog next week as I’m off on holiday to Dubai with the family. As if 31 degrees in Europe wasn’t enough, the Middle East beckons, to bake in a standard 40 degrees plus. Expect to see me looking like Madge from Benidorm upon my return.

Onto this week’s instalment and we check out Primark’s Ibiza and Space range for men, plus check out designer tights for those who don’t want to reveal bare flesh and for those who do – who will be maintain their Toblerone Thigh Gap this summer?

Ibiza & Space At Primark

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We all love Ibiza. Fact. Many of us spend our annual holidays on the white isle. Fact.

But what happens if you can’t get to the party capital of the world this summer, for whatever reason? Do you avoid social media completely, so as not to encounter FB and Insta friends parading in the pool at Ocean Beach Club, arms aloft at Amnesia or listening to blissful beats at The Blue Marlin?

In a word, “no”. But if we can’t be there, then let’s wear the T Shirt.

Perhaps a few steps down on the barometer from actual Ibiza, our faithful friends at Primark have pulled it out the bag, with this collection of Ibiza and now-departed superclub Space merchandise.

We’re talking tees, beach towels and hoodies, to make you feel like you were (almost) in Ibiza this summer.

Grab a £4/€5 Ibiza beach towel and work on that UK tan in your garden, thinking of Salinas beach. For the high-tempo, fun lovers amongst you, imagine you’re parading around Playa d’en Bossa in one of these tees. Or if you fancy a nostaligic keepsake, try one of these official Space T-shirts, to keep the memory of the iconic club alive.

 
The collection won’t break the bank either, and everything is either officially Space merchandise or Primark’s own Ibiza range. Although it’s a menswear collection, we girls can rest assured that small or medium will fit us perfectly, so nobody needs to miss out.

www.primark.com

Gucci, Balenciaga & Fendi Tights

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What do most fashion influencers have in common? Answer: they’re seriously into wearing tights, whatever the weather.

From Gucci numbers emblazoned with interlocking Gs to sheer Fendi numbers, the Insta-pack are bringing back this old school classic. With a heftier price tag as part of the package.

According to a global fashion search platform, Balenciaga tights searches soared by 19% last month. The favourite for the fash pack – the label’s chain-print tights.

And guess what, Kim Kardashian is largely responsible for the growing Insta-phenomenon. Since sharing a snap of herself in a seriously logo-heavy pair of Fendi tights, a snowball effect was set in motion. In fact, theKardashian influence has rendered them a sell-out.

Over at Gucci, the brand is still pulling its weight as one of this year’s ‘Its’, despite the fash pack’s reignited relationship with the likes of new-but-old Fendi and Baleciaga.

Sales of Gucci’s logo-centric tights rose by 39% last month. Sounds insane in this balmy weather, but I love them and have ordered mine.

The Toblerone Thigh Gap

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AS if it wasn’t bad enough that we have to work on that thigh gap in time for bikini season, the new body must-have trend has been revealed as the “Toblerone Tunnel”, or Thigh Gap.

And while it’s named after a chocolate bar, tucking into big old triangular Toblerones is the last thing to do if you want to flaunt one on the Med’s beaches this summer.

But what is it?

The science bit: Essentially, the triangular gap between a woman’s upper thighs just below their bikini bottoms.

Can you stick a Toblerone through your thigh gap?

Thankfully you don’t need to be super skinny to pull off this look, as it works equally with curvy thighs and toned legs.

Show yours off in a black thong swimsuit if you dare, like these models, who also have eye-popping booty gaps.

Do you want the Toblerone Tunnel? Then how about a 40 minute run 3 times a week for the next month?

And if that doesn’t appeal, then tuck into a Toblerone rather than worrying if your thighs have the right angles.

… a word from the Editor & Blogger

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Welcome to this week’s fashion instalment of Amanda Zips It Up.

Firstly, thanks to Danielle Windsor at House Of Windsor for these beautiful stars earrings. Very me.

Now, I was going to make a feature of this, but I feel that everyone in existence will be overloaded with Royal Wedding info.

There’s no escaping it this side of Europe and although I have chosen to ‘escape’ to Mallorca for the weekend, I can almost guarantee the appearance of ‘flag-wavers’ there too.

Whether or not you’re a flag waver, you can’t fail to be ‘sort’ of interested in Meghan Markle and her new sparky input into the somewhat dull Royal family.

A beautiful, Feminist, mixed race, Hollywood actress. She certainly isn’t some aristocrat’s daughter whose role is to be seen and not heard. As far as fashion goes, she is rocking every British label and knocking Kate Middleton out of the park. I know that Megan will feature in Zips It Upin the future. I can’t say that about Kate, I’m afraid.

What has got me excited is this amazing Limited Edition collection of very British Union Jack handbags by Louis Vuitton, called ‘The Royal Wedding Collection’. I’d much rather carry one of these than a flag, that’s for sure.

I’ll say it once and once only, Congratulations Harry & Meg.

Onto this week’s round up and we check out who is behind Kate Moss’ infamous rock chick skinny scarves and who’ll be stocking them right here very soon. Plus, an insane new nail art trend guaranteed to get your teeth clenching.

Thanks to my Guest Ed Mira Manley for the LV Bags & nail story this week. x

Rocking Skinny Scarf At Left Bank Six

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Tim Rockins is an artist and musician who’s worked with Gorillaz.  Jess Morris is a PR maven at Vivienne Westwood and Agent Provocateur. The pair share a love of vintage fashion, and collectively produced a batch of twenties-inspired bias-cut silk scarves as Christmas gifts for a handful of pals.

It just so happens that among those pals were my style icon Kate Moss, her then husband Jamie Hince, and rock star Bobby Gillespie. We’ve all witnessed their skinny scarf look, perfectly embellishing the rock chick / star image.

Last year, after demand exploded, the duo launched www.Rockins.co.uk Their timing could scarcely have been better: long, lean scarves have come back in a big way. Morris and Rockins count icons like Marc Bolan and Syd Barrett amongst their influences.

Blending exquisitely crafted silk skinny scarves with edgy and beautiful designs, the brand quickly amassed a loyal following and press attention. Amongst others, you’ll see them draped around the necks of Keith Richards, Harry Styles and any wannabe rock-star.

And guess who’s stocking them in her boutique this summer? My very own rock-chick pal Nicole Ivison-Hatch at her store Left Bank Six.

Look out for a selection of prints and my favourites, the leopard print and stars.

Contact Nicole for your orders and wear yours all summer long.

Facebook: Nicole Ivison-Hatch

Instagram: Left Bank Six

55 Elm Road

Leigh-On-Sea

Essex ss9 1SP 

+44 1702 716113

 

The GC Swimwear Collections At BooHoo.com

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Due to popular demand Gemma Collins is collaborating once again with www.Boohoo.com to release a swim and beachwear collection. The GC’s first collab with Boohoo, GC x Boohoo.com, proved to be a sell-out.

As the pin-up for curvy girls, it’s no surprise she’s created a line of size-inclusive beach and swimwear, just in time for summer. The collection will be available from 23 May and includes a selection of slogan swimsuits, glamorous maxi kaftans and relaxed knot tie shirts, aiming to ‘take you from pool to party’.

In true Gemma Collins style, the campaign was photographed in Essex-on-Med, i.e. Marbella, where Gemma was spotted looking fabulous in a red swimsuit, giving Pamela Anderson a run for her money. Gemma comments: ‘What I love most about Boohoo is that they go up to a size 24, they are always on trend – it fits amazing and makes you feel amazing!’


On the subject of swimwear, I thought this was taking the royal wedding a little too far with these Harry & Meg swimsuits. Harry’s ginger beard is in the wrong place, obviously.

Plus, we all know Millennials love Avocados and Rainbows. Their instagram feeds are full of them.

Now Generation Z can take them to the beach with these ridiculous towels.

Look out Marbs, Ibiza and Magaluf… it’s going to be an insane summer.

Teeth Nail Art

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Here at Zips It Up, my guest Eds and I collectively look out each week for all that’s wacky. From Crazy Brow trends to wild nail art, and everything in between. And nail art is back in force, in the form of “teeth-shaped” nails.

You read that right: nails that look like teeth, specifically molars.

Russian-based nail art chain ‘Nail Sunny’ created this toothy look. If you’re wondering how they did it, and would like to reproduce it at home, here’s how.

Similar to the start of any acrylic nail look, a nail artist uses brush skills to mould the acrylic into the desired shape — which, in this case, is a tooth. On one nail, the artist even added black polish to create the look of a cavity. Nice.

These teeth (sorry, nails) are both amazing and weird. However, I wouldn’t be seen out with such ridiculous talons unless A, it was Halloween, or B, I was a nut-case Dentist by profession.

But I’m sure there will be plenty of demand. Definitely something to sink/dig your nails into.

By Mira Manley

… a word from the Editor & Blogger

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Hey Zipsters.

One word: WOW!

London has officially been hotter than the Balearics, and in the UK we are sporting those rarest of things – “made in Britain” suntans.

Yes, summer is now within touching distance, as is festival season. So, from now on in, Zips It Upwill bring you every summer-related trend – good or bad.

And this festival fashion recently caught my eye, to be filed under ‘Bad Taste’ for sure. Most of us know about the recent ‘fruit’ trend, in particular soooo much stuff on sale right now being pineapple-themed.

Add ‘frutiness’ to the fact that, for some, when the sun comes out, so does the glitter. And what do you get if you put fruit, glitter, sunshine and festivals together? I’ll tell you – glitter fruit-inspired body art over boobs and bums.

Definitely not one for the faint hearted, this bold beauty trend requires plenty confidence to pull off.

Coachella’s coolest festival revellers showed their devotion to the peach emoji by walking round with the design decorated on their bums, leaving little to the imagination. Thank goodness festivals are mostly standing room only.

It’s a true millennial fashion, with one exhibitionist professing her love of avocados by brandishing them on her boobs for all to see.

Glitter pineapple boobs,stretching up to the collarbone, with the gold and green glitter, have strong enough adhesive to stay on all day.

While skimpy shorts and crop tops are the staple uniform of most British festival-goers (see more in this issue), we might just have to wait for the next heatwave to see if this fruity trend hits our shores.

So expect more insane summer trends in this issue, as well as the annual Met Gala costumes, including who won and lost, plus a worrying new lifestyle twist on the ridiculous Unicorn fashion that has swept Europe over the past couple of years.

Met Gala 2018 – Heavenly Bodies

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It is, quite simply, the most important night on the fashion calendar. The New York Met Gala showcases the very best in style and design, plus it is also known as the backdrop to many red carpet catastrophes – and this year was certainly no exception.

Fashion and religion don’t usually go hand in hand, but the theme for this year’s star studded event was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.

 

Vogue editor Anna Wintoursomehow managed to win over Pope Francis, having had ‘her people’ try to make the connection for years. Clearly, he isn’t a Vogue reader, because many of the costumes on show screamed ‘Blasphemy!’

 

The venue was the NYC Metropolitan Museum of Art and with a theme paying tribute to religious influence in fashion, there was plenty of thematic room for the stars to experiment with their looks.

On show were plenty of Angel white lace, halos and shimmering golds, plus devil reds and fuchsia, with crowns and crosses, and even a pair of giant wings.

Winner of the night was Rhianna(again) who turned up in a jewel encrusted Pope’s hat and gown.

Kate Mossattended, (which surprised me because she’s way too cool for this) and chose a traditional little black dress with black wings.

Katy Perry’smassive feathered wings looked incredible as did the angelic Lana Del Rey with Jesus Christ himself Jared Leto.

SJPlooked utterly ridiculous in an enormous tower headpiece showing the nativity scene and Rita Oralooked simply terrifying.

Meanwhile, model Cara Delevingne, 25, and Oscar winner Frances McDormand, 60, chose to use their headdresses for a rather different reason: obscuring their faces altogether.

Forget Halloween, celebrities dressing up time happens six months early in May.

Madonna performed ‘Like A Prayer’ dressed as a monk. Obviously.

Dripping in gold, Kim Kardashianshowed off her much talked-about body in a skin-tight Versace sheath, while Jennifer Lopezhit the night in a bedazzled jewelled Balmain gown.

But it was Rihanna, always one to push the boundaries of fashion, who took over the carpet at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in THAT jaw-dropping Pope inspired mini dress and jacket with a matching hat by Maison Margiela.

Can’t wait for 2019’s instalment.

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