Over in Ibiza, at legendary hotel Pikes, my friend (and owner) Dawn Hindle was rocking this fabulous customised biker jacket, made for her by independent designer Starlover, which is a bespoke wearable art and fashion brand, fused with a sprinkling of their ever-present ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll ethos.
Created in the U.K, by artist/designer Donna Ganley and inspired by music, Bohemia and a commitment to individual style, Starlover offers the very best in stand-out fashion and wearable art. Perfect for the streets of London and Ibiza.
All garments are hand painted, one-off creations, designed to be worn, loved and kept forever. Check out their range of Starlover staples, vintage treasures, handmade pieces and statement tees that you’ll want to rock every day.
Starlover’s aim is not to offer ‘fast fashion’ but to create, source and inspire an eclectic mix of carefully chosen, designed and curated products.
If you would like to commission a bespoke, hand-painted jacket, you can get in touch with Donna to discuss any ideas you may have. Costs vary, depending on detail and the time the piece would take to create.
Starlover’s leather jackets (which are sold on the site) are the perfect canvas for painting, along with their style and quality. They can also source you vintage, if that is what you have in mind.
You can email donna@starlover.co.uk… possibilities are endless, check out their Instagram to see some of their past creations.
Another independent designer, straight outta the White Isle, is the unique Zoom Cherry Ibiza Art Fashion.
“An exclusive brand for exclusive people”.
A collection of incredible customised jackets with a hip-hop street vibe for the cobbled streets of the Balearics – during winter, obviously.
Born and raised in Belgium, Zoom Cherry moved to Ibiza, where her creativity started to fly and she hasn’t looked back since. One of her fans is the legendary NYC designer Patricia Field who has been selling the Zoom Cherry collection in the Big Apple.
Here’s a little taste of her work. Check out ‘The Will Smith’ jacket – my fave.
I simply can’t believe we’re into the second half of 2020 already.
What a strange year so far. But as I write this, I am planning on relocating to the Balearics next week – if UK government rules allow – and I will hopefully be poolside for the next few instalments of Amanda Zips It Up.
Not only can we imminently travel without quarantine to Spain, we can also have a glass of wine in the pub (three cheers), eat INSIDE Wagamama (six cheers) and finally get our roots done at the hairdressers (infinite cheers).
I’ve been quite enjoying not bleaching my hair for a while. It’s had a well-deserved break. But instead of opting for the usual hats to combat the dark roots, here’s a new trend for girls with long locks crying out for a current and interesting look.
Last year, it was all about layers and layers of rings and necklaces, But, in 2020 the humble – or not-so-humble – HAIR CLIP is taking over fashion land.
You might have noticed that ‘barrettes’ are everywhere in the shops at the moment. From pearl-embellished examples to more subtle slides – the trend has gone maximalist. Influencers, bloggers and even the occasional celebrity have started pinning multiple hair clips into their tresses.
The hair clip trend found its roots on the catwalks at recent Fashion Week shows – models wore their hair stacked up with diamond slogan clips. Some combined them, to spell out phrases including ‘Gucci’ and ‘happy’ and ‘sad’.
I’m loving diamonds, pearls and of course stars. So, if you want to stand out from the ‘post lockdown crowd’ this summer in the newly opened pubs and restaurants, get down to your local H&M, where I found the best selection of hair clips.
Onto this week’s summer session, and we discover how to combat BRA SWEAT, tell you about the KILLING EVE must-have dress of 2020 and investigate which mega rap star is the new face of GAP?
Kanye West has signed a 10-year clothing deal with (the often rather boring) high street shop Gap. At last – a reason to shop there.
The line will see the rapper and designer create “modern, elevated basics for men, women and kids at accessible price points.”
KW tweeted about the collaboration, using the hashtag #WESTDAYEVER and sharing an image of a model in a red jacket, tan trousers and an electric blue hoodie – a possible hint at the shape and look of the line.
After West’s tweet, it was revealed that Nigerian-British Designer Mowalola Ogunlesi had been chosen by the American mogul as Design Director of Yeezy Gap. This is major news for the emerging designer who has been on the rise since launching her eponymous label in 2017.
The news will delight fans of West’s minimalist designs. He already has a premium Yeezy fashion line, while his Adidas YEEZY trainers retail for up to £400 and regularly sell out online.
The deal is expected to give the ailing high street brand a major boost, with Gap hoping that the collection will generate millions in sales over the next 5 years.
The Gap share priced jumped by over 30% in response to the news.
When I saw it in the window at my local H&M, the first thing I thought was… KILLING EVE.
Yes, H&M is selling this bell sleeved pink prairie dress, which looks exactly like Killing Eve star Villanelle’s iconic outfit. And it costs just £19.99
Puff-sleeved cotton dress, £19.99, H&M
The pink tulle gown, worn by Jodie Comer in the hit show, was created by Molly Goddard and costs £408.
H&M’s version is a steal by comparison, setting one back £19.99, and it’s already selling out. Let me warn you – this dress is huge so please buy at least one size down – if not two.
As you know, there are no changing room facilities anywhere at the moment and you won’t find size “small” in the shops. The candy coloured dress is currently only available in a size large. If you want medium, small or extra small – buy online.
My daughter laughed at me when she saw me wearing the dress, but it’s very Gucci and yes, you need to be brave to wear the maxi version. If you lack sufficient bravery, then it comes in a shorter length – to the knee.
The dress also comes in black, but if you’re a Killing Eve fan, then it just has to be pink.
Top marks to H&M for this very reasonable must-have. Which is just what we all need right now.
It’s a problem that women suffer with – probably to the surprise of most men – sweating underneath our bras in summer heat.
Whilst sunny days and balmy nights are adored by many of us, the scorching weather also leads to extremely sweaty, and rather unpleasant, boobs.
Women are raving about a £10 bra liner that stops one’s boobs from sweating. The liners sit underneath your bra and soak up the sweat.
Racking up hundreds of gushing reviews on Amazon they are designed to absorb unwanted – yet inevitable – sweat, stopping it from trickling down your torso.
Easylife’s white cotton liners come in one size but can fit up to a size 24, being worn under the bra to absorb sweat that builds up in the cleavage, under-boob and around the back. And don’t worry, as it can’t be seen through clothes, so you can get away with wearing it all the time. No wonder women are hailing them as a “game changer”. They also wrap around the back straps.
The liners cost £10.49, and the cotton material means they’re reusable, washable and completely breathable.
They also help prevent the bra underwire from irritating you – another common issue among women. I tried them under an uncomfortable wired lace bra. It worked a treat – no more lack of comfort!
So, whether you’re at home waiting out the hot weather, or heading on out to enjoy the sunshine, you can now rest easy knowing you’ll be sweat free.
Welcome to the end of June, and to the end of a certain amount of lockdown.
We’ve (well definitely, I’ve) been waiting for bars and restaurants to open since the day they closed, but what else has bumbling Boris allowed to re-open? On the UK’s very own ‘INDEPENDENCE DAY’, I thought you might find it useful to have everything listed in one place.
Yes, the following businesses are able to open again from July 4, as long as they are Covid-19 secure. These include:
Hotels, hostels bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses
Places of Worship
Libraries
Community Centres
Restaurants, Cafes and Workplace Canteens
Bars
Pubs
Cinemas
Bingo Halls
Theatres and concert halls, but no live music
Museums and galleries
Hair salons and barbers
Outdoor playgrounds
Outdoor gyms
Funfairs, theme parks and adventure parks and activities
Amusement arcades
Outdoor skating rinks
Other indoor leisure centres or facilities, including indoor games, recreation and entertainment venues
Social Clubs
Model villages
Indoor attractions at aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms, wildlife centres and any place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction.
What businesses must remain closed?
The PM said that some businesses must remain shut “for now”. These include the following:
Nightclubs
Casinos
Bowling alleys and indoor skating rinks
Indoor play areas including soft-play
Spas
Nail bars and beauty salons
Massage, tattoo and piercing parlours
Indoor fitness and dance studios, and indoor gyms and sports venues/facilities
Swimming pools and water parks
Exhibition or Conference Centres – where they are to be used for exhibitions or conferences, other than for those who work for that venue.
We’re yet to find out about travel restrictions, but I have a feeling we could be Balearic bound before you can say the word “passport”.
In this issue, we discover the best swimwear for all shapes and sizes, fabulous summer cocktails delivered to your home and the must-have summer shorts you girls should all be wearing in 2020.
As I write this edition, it’s 30 degrees in my garden and it’s “hotter than Ibiza” – the media’s favourite expression when the UK has an unusually hot summer’s day.
Although it hasn’t been announced yet, it does look likely that we will get that much deserved overseas holiday this summer. Or, if you are having a ‘staycation’ here in the UK, the chances are that a beach will be involved somewhere.
I bet you haven’t even thought about swimwear yet? Especially with the uncertainty of recent times (and possible lockdown weight gain). Well, here goes, with a solution to any dilemmas regarding the best swimwear. For every shape and size.
Best swimwear for big boobs
Corsica crop wire bikini top, £35, Figleaves
High-waist bikini bottom, £20, Figleaves
Ladies with big boobs will know only too well the struggle of painful red strap mark indentions and sore necks from halter tops digging in. But this matching set from Figleaves is set to change all that. Underwiring offers added support, and the back clasp and adjustable thick straps are perfect for larger chests. The crop style offers more coverage than a low-cut triangle bikini, but without looking like you are wearing a sports bra on the beach. Cute!
Best swimwear for apple shapes
Animal v-wire swimsuit, £20.80, Topshop
If you are apple-shaped (honestly, who the hell came up with these body/ fruit comparisons?), you’re wider in the bust and shoulders, with a rounder tummy and slim legs. Highlight great pins with a high-leg swimsuit that provides a bit of tummy coverage. Skinny straps won’t add bulk to your shoulders, and a v-neck flatters your décolletage.
Best swimwear for small boobs
Crinkle tie dye bandeau bikini top, £27, & Other Stories
Hi-cut tie dye briefs, £23, & Other Stories
If you have smaller boobs that require less support, why not try an on-trend bandeau bikini? & Other Stories’ tie dye versions are super cute for park picnics – just add baggy shorts and 90s sunnies. You can even repurpose bandeaus to wear out, under an oversized blazer or cardigan with high-waisted trousers.
If you’ve got curvy hips and a full bust with a small waist, a classic, high-leg bikini could be your best bet. Find a bikini where the waistband hits at or just above your hip bone area for maximum impact (Kylie Jenner is a fan of the shape). Plus, the “v” dip in the front of these briefs will emphasise your figure even more.
Best swimwear for bigger bums
Plus high-waist bikini set, £11.99, Shein
Full-coverage boy shorts might be your go-to, but in reality, boy shorts can sometimes make everything look wider, and even have the effect of flattening out your bum. If you want to branch out, try on some high-leg, high-waisted briefs – these will give your bum a lifted, rounded effect. This Shein suit goes up to a size 24 and has an average 4.7/5 stars in their customer reviews.
If your figure is more straight up and down, with a smaller chest and slim hips, retro styles will look especially great on you. Underwired tops will create some definition, and high-waisted briefs won’t dig in. Add some oomph with loud patterns, like this amazing Solid & Striped set.
Best swimwear for tummy support
Magisculpt shaping swimsuit, £38, Simply Be
To be crystal clear: no one should ever feel pressured to reduce the space that their body takes up, whether that’s through shaping garments or dieting, etc. All bodies are perfectly valid in their natural, beautiful shapes. But if having a little extra tummy support happens to help you feel more confident, check out this shaping suit from Simply Be. At under £40, it’s a bargain, too.
If your hips are wider than your upper body, ruffles and detailing on your bikini top can help create some visual balance – if that’s what you’re going for.
Now the hot hot hot weather has arrived, it’s time to scale back the layers, but that doesn’t mean you have the ditch the denim.
Just take inspiration from Chloe Green, who I spotted in a magazine teaming a chambray shirt with ripped denim shorts during a trip to St Tropez. She knows a thing or two about fashion, so I’m not surprised she knows how to put together a cool and breathable summer ensemble that we can all copy.
Her shorts, of course, hail from Topshop (the family business) and are designed with a mom style silhouette, high-waisted fit and finished with statement ripped detailing.
The shorts are a few years old now, so they’ve sold out, but to replicate the look no matter your budget head to the carousel for look-alikes by R13, Hollister and We The Free.
Team yours with a shirt, like Chloe ,or opt for a loose blouse or camisole.
Tapp’d are an Essex producer of the UK’s only “mixologist quality” bottled cocktail range. And they sent us TWO boxes of these delicious cocktails to try. Suffice to say, we did a lot of “trying”.
Lockdown is lifting and the temperature is soaring. The perfect time for cocktails, right? Pubs open on July 4th but if you’re not in the mood to venture out, then let the cocktails come to you.
Chelmsford based Tapp’d – Welsh for ‘crazy’ – have been doing roaring trade during lockdown. I can confirm that their bottled range tastes like it was shaken or stirred right in front of you. And now we can all enjoy these beauties via delivery- from a selection of five classic cocktails. You can order a box of 6 or 12.
Sex On The Beach: Peach schnapps, fresh orange & cranberry, perfectly blended with over proof craft distillery vodka.
Pornstar Martini: Real Passionfruit & Vanilla, perfectly blended with over proof craft distillery vodka.
Mojito: Real lime & fresh garden mint, expertly infused with over proof craft distillery rum.
Strawberry Daquiri: Fresh strawberry puree & real lime, passionately blended with pirate’s grog spiced five-year rum.
Espresso Martini: Fresh Arabica Espresso & Vanilla passionately blended with over proof craft distillery vodka.
Here’s my other half Judge Jules enjoying his favourite – The EXPRESSO MARTINI – before his live stream last week.
Tapp’d offer full UK delivery via our courier. Courier delivery takes 2-4 working days (shorter in certain Essex postcodes).
Ordering for someone else or as a gift? Their boxes are the perfect present and you can add a note in your order at checkout.
For FREE click+collect – Collection address is – Moulsham Tap, 54 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0JA – orders can be collected from 9am-6pm 7 days a week.
