The best white and silver looks from the Oscars 2023
FINALLY, the end of awards season, which culminates with The Oscars. The crème de la crème of Hollywood A listers congregated on the red carpet in showstopping gowns and suits (and many other eye-catching outfits).
This year was a mix of monochrome and lots of bright colours – no suprises there, but what stood out was the Trending white and silver creations, especially for the females. The look was almost ‘bridal’ white, with lots of netting, sequins, silks and satin. Corsets made a dominant statement too, meaning that by the end of this month, expect to see corset dresses and basques filter down to the high street.
I love a pop of colour on the red carpet but as the Oscars red carpet morphed to champagne – the first colour change since 1961 – the A-listers seemed to follow suit.
The fizz coloured carpet was taken over by a sea of white gowns, and I’m all over that.
From Best Actress Winner Michelle Yeoh’s Dior feathered gown, to Ariana DeBose’s plunging embellished Versace number, the light colour palette looked oh-so-elegant.
Here are my 10 fave gowns for 2023.
Michelle Yeoh
Best Actress wore ivory feathered Dior Haute Couture
Eva Longoria
Eva wore an embellished art deco dress by Zuhair Murad
Mindy Kaling
Wearing Vera Wang – The American TV star rocked the bridal corset look
Emily Blunt
My fave: Emily in Valentino
Jamie Lee Curtis
JLC in Dolce & Gabbana
Halle Berry
Without the wings – Tamara Ralph – not sure about this
Zoe Saldana
Straight out of Avatar, wearing Fendi Couture
Tems
The Nigerian singer – nominated for Best Song – stole the show in Lever Couture
Florence Pugh
Some called this a pile of bed sheets, Florence in Valentino
Top presents for mum, nan and mother figures in general – and all in a shopping mall near you. You have till Saturday to get this sorted!
MOTHERING SUNDAY is the perfect time to show mum how much you really care.
If you prefer treating your mum to a day out, a special afternoon tea is a great way to show your appreciation. Or you can keep things simple with a traditional flower delivery — or better yet – a monthly flower subscription, which I would love my kids to buy me.
Below, I’ve found some top gifts to get you inspired and win you brownie points galore.
Luxury Afternoon Tea for Two
You simply can’t go wrong with some quality time with mum over an afternoon tea – or even some bubbles and cucumber sandwiches. Spending an afternoon with your mother, step-mum, grandmother, or other parental figure in your life is arguably the greatest gift, you can give this Mother’s Day.
This deal can be redeemed any time over 12 months, after it was purchased, and at a variety of locations across the UK. So simply get your diaries in sinc.
Luxury Afternoon Tea for Two, £59.99 (Was £65) from Red Letter Days
Autograph Leather Clutch Bag
A bag is always a great idea. If you’re taking your mother out for Mother’s Day, or if she is always looking for a new accessory for special occasions, this stunning luxe looking Clutch Bag will go down a treat.
Made from real leather, it is soft and supple, yet durable, and perfectly sized to fit all your mum’s essentials. The folded flap is a more elevated look for a black clutch bag. It is fitted with a side strap in case you want to slip through your wrist to keep a hold of, you can prop under your arm, or simply hold in your hand.
One thing is for sure, this bag will be the perfect accessory for any look, day or night
All mums love a nice hairdo. But they frequently settle for 20 year-old Babyliss hairdryers which sound like they conked out yonks ago. Of course, Dysons are the don – but just so expensive.
So, why not splash out a little on Shark’s FlexStyle, which is roughly half the price of Dyson. You can dry your hair, blow dry it straight, opt for a bouncy blow dry, curly, or style your curls with a diffuser.
Similar to the Dyson Airwrap, the Shark FlexStyle comes with two barrels, which rotate to style your hair into ringlets, while the funnelled attachment is ideal to tame flyaways, for a sleek straight do.
The bristle brush attachment, is ideal for those wanting a salon-like blow dry, while the diffuser is perfect for those with curly hair.
Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Hair Drying System, £299.99 from Boots
Dressing Gown
The dressing gown is a great gift for Mum, Grandma or her indoors. Because whether we like to admit it or not, all women love a cosy dressing gown.
M&S have the best selection of nightwear, loungewear, and bedding, so if your mum loves a Sunday lie in, or simply getting cosy after a long day’s work to watch her favourite soaps, you can’t go wrong with anything from this high street favourite.
Cotton Modal Floral Long Dressing Gown
M&S£49.00
UGG Scuffette Sheepskin and Suede Slippers
Ugg slippers are high on our wish list, and our present list for gifting to someone else, especially mums. This classic style is comfortable, thanks to the fur-lined inside, yet cushioning on the sole of your feet.
The base has grooves to provide a non-slip base for the wearer, which is super important.
The Ugg Scuffette slippers come in a range of colours, from chestnut, espresso to black, thundercloud and lighthouse, so you can find the perfect colourway to suit their style preferences.
UGG Scuffette Sheepskin and Suede Slippers, £85 from John Lewis
A Bouquet of Flowers
Mother’s Day is not complete without a bouquet of flowers. Whether you’re looking for specific flowers, or are on a budget, flowers say it all.
You can also personalise your gift and add extra gifts to your bouquet too, including a bottle of wine, or something a little more luxe in the form of champagne, chocolates, or even a vase to ensure your mum has something to house the flowers in, and much more. These companies will deliver on the same day of order, so it isn’t too late.
A Two Together railcard ensures you can make a commitment to take more adventures together throughout the year.
Offering 1/3 off train fares, a railcard and senior railcards allows you to spend more time and less money visiting places old and new.
All railcards cost £30 and can save you an average of £152 per year. What’s more, when buying through Railcard.co.uk you can benefit from a range of great deals from brands that can be enjoyed together.
Railcard, £30 from Railcard
A Floral Round Neck Midaxi Tea Dress
M&S has an impressive range of clothes for women, and a variety of own brands to shop, including Autograph and Per Una, but it also stocks other retailers, such as Phase /eight, Nobody’s Child and more.
Midi dresses aren’t going anywhere fast, and this Floral Round Neck Midaxi Tea Dress, which boasts a stunning spring floral print, is a great gift for mum.
It falls mid-way down the calf, and has three quarter length puff sleeves, which is super flattering for any body shape.
It can be dressed up or down, pair with trainers or boots, even heels, and a leather jacket or blazer, and is perfect for any Mother’s Day outing.
Floral Round Neck Midaxi Tea Dress, £39.50 from M&S
Gucci Bamboo Eau De Parfum
A timeless classic.
What better gift to give on Mother’s Day than a best-selling perfume?
Gucci has an array of fragrances for men and women, but the Gucci Bamboo is a popular choice and Mum is sure to love it.
Gucci Bamboo is a sweet and light fragrance, which will last for hours, but is not overwhelmingly potent or too sickly sweet – the perfect balance if you ask us.
With over 267 flowing reviews, this perfume is certainly one to snap up for any gift giving occasion if you ask us.
Gucci Bamboo Eau De Parfum, £52.80 from The Fragrance Shop
New Balance Trainers
Is your mum constantly running errands?
We know mums are constantly on the go, whether it is the school run, running errands, whizzing round supermarkets for the food shop, heading to after school clubs, and that’s probably all before their working day begins.
With that in mind, why not treat your mum – and her feet – to some comfortable, durable and oh so stylish trainers to help her complete those tasks with ease?
New Balance are one of the brands of the moment, and one we can’t get enough of, so we predict your parent will go head over heels for them too.
There are plenty of designs and styles to choose from, with New Balance’s 550 style being a huge hit with Gen Z, but I also love the 327 style, which resemble a running trainer and provide optimum comfort and support for your mum.
New Balance trainers, £100 from Schuh
Fine Silver Triple Aperture Hinged Photo Frame
Fill with your favourite photos of you and your Mum.
Even Grandmothers love to proudly display all their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, on a photo wall, or on their chest of drawers.
So why not add to the collection with The White Company’s stunning array of fine silver photo frames.
This Triple Aperture creation is ideal if you are one of many children or grandchildren, as there is space to fill the frames with all the relatives.
Fine Silver Triple Aperture Hinged Photo Frame 3×3”, £35 from The White Company
Welcome to MARCH! Yes, winter is almost over and we’re headed for the prettiest and most reinvigorating season of the year. However, I bring you news regarding a fashion item that’s far from pretty. You know, I just love a silly trend that sweeps the web. Well, these big red clown boots are taking over the internet and I’m kinda digging them.
The fashion world can be a confusing place. We’ve witnessed the ‘no-neck’ trend at Richard Queen (as revealed here last year). Also, last month Viktor and Rolf turned their dresses upside down at Paris Fashion Week. And now (drumroll), prepare to be baffled once again, by these big red boots from American art collective, MSCHF.
You’ve probably seen their massive, clown boots popping up on your Twitter feed and I’m here to tell you that the story is not someone pulling your leg. They launched last week (16 February) and come with the rather serious price tag of almost £300($350).
MSCHF brand the shoes as ‘cartoon boots for a cool 3D world’. A press release reads: ‘You never design shoes to be shaped like feet. Big Red Boots are REALLY not shaped like feet, but they are EXTREMELY shaped like boots.’
Er… okay then.
MSCHF is known for whacky creations – from a collar that turns a dog’s barks into spoken swear words, to flip flops made out of Birkin bags, cleverly dubbed ‘Birkinstocks.’ They were also behind Little Nas X’s controversial ‘Satan Shoes’, made using Nike trainers and human blood. Yes, really.
Call me pedantic, but I’m worried about the practicalities. For example, driving a car or jumping on the tube before the doors close.
Not surprisingly, the shoes have already gained a cult following. ‘You know what? That big red boot kinda fyre’, came one Instagram influencer. ‘Sorry I want those big red boots,’ said another Facebook fan. While another Twitter twit said they’d be making a purchase: ‘Guys I’m not even joking at this point. I’m getting those big red boots. Like all seriousness I’m getting them.’
We’re yet to discover whether the boots take off. But if Crocs can become mainstream, there’s hope for anything.
Anyway… onto this week’s instalment of Amanda Zips It Up. And as we prepare for the Oscars, I investigate who will be the next James Bond (a great excuse to gaze at good looking guys in tuxedos), there’s a cure for thinning hair and how to avoid getting banned by Facebook after a massive night out. It’s all here.
Daniel Craig’s time as James Bond is over, and producer Barbara Broccoli has confirmed a Bond ‘reinvention’ is underway. So, who’s next to step into 007’s shoes?
Having previously stated that he would rather harm himself than return to the fabled tux, it didn’t take long for Craig to jump back in the Aston Martin. But No Time To Die – formerly known as “Bond 25” – reallywas his final film in the franchise.
Producers say it’s “early days” for casting the new Bond, given that it’s a 10-12-year commitment”. They’ve also said that they’re looking for a “30-something” to play the role. However, at this point we can’t take any statements as gospel. These are super spies they’re recruiting here.
The list of actors in the running is huge but these are the front runners – who’s your fave?
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Taylor-Johnson has it all. The actor, no stranger to stunts, has proven himself as an action star in the making through roles in the Kick-Ass movies, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Godzilla. On top of this, he’s good at emotional range, and his breakthrough role as a young John Lennon in Nowhere Boy was a testament to these skills.
Taylor-Johnson is a Brit, checks the heartthrob box and has an established name without being too tied to any other franchise.
The Bond producers reportedly agree too. The 32-year-old has recently went for a secret screen test with producers including Barbara Broccoli at Pinewood studios, and seriously impressed them.
Theo James
Remember James from The Inbetweeners 2 movie and The White Lotus? He’s fronted action franchises and played romantic leads, but crucially he’s never been defined by any one character from his roster and that’s good if you’re going to sign on to the most defining role of all time. He has that classic Bond charm and image.
But he doesn’t seem that keen on it. Of course, this may be classic actor humility, he said “I love some of the Sean Connery movies, but I think they need to do something else. Do you know what I mean? They need to really go with a reinvention of it in a different way and that wouldn’t be me.”
Regé-Jean Page
Voted the most attractive man in the world.
If Bond is the most eligible bachelor ever to appear on screen then there are few better auditions than Rege’s turn as the Duke Of Hastings, in Bridgerton. He’s tall and good-looking, his skills in a velvet frock coat and cravat mean he would ace the Bond tuxedo test and he has the necessary charm and lightness of touch to deliver Bond’s one-liners.
He has more charisma in his pinky than most people do in their entire body. So you know, we’d watch him do anything — I mean, we’d watch him read the phonebook!”
Bridgerton is charming and a gloriously Americanised view of high society in Regency England but would Page deliver the right sort of deep, brooding moody menace to Bond that Craig has in the role?
Henry Cavill
Draw a picture of Bond and the result would be Henry Cavill. Square-jawed, broad-shouldered, dark-haired, blue-eyed. Classically handsome, but could clearly take you in a fight. Auditioning for the role, aged 22, in 2005, Cavill reached the final two before Craig edged him out. Sixteen years later, matured as an actor and a man, surely he could go one better?
Cavill cuts a dashing figure but nobody can be Superman and James Bond, can they?
Austin Butler
It’s hard to imagine a riskier role than Elvis Presley, probably the most imitated man in the world, but American actor Austin Butler does it with perfectly. Could Butler’s next step be the most imitated man in fiction? At 30, he’s about the right age, particularly given the producer’s stated intention to modernise the Bond character. He’s famous without yet being over-exposed or too connected to an existing role, just like Daniel Craig was when he took the helm and he can smoulder with the best of them, and could probably pull off the British accent.
Robert Pattinson
He’s come a long way since vampire Edward Cullen. He has developed his acting repertoire substantially since the blockbuster Twilight franchise ended, opting for a raft of challenging indie roles and becoming the THE BATMAN, Bond’s physical nature wouldn’t be a problem for the newly-buff leading man.
He has the looks, the charm, and the dedicated approach to filmmaking that Bond’s production team look for in a candidate. Another Superhero to Superspy?
Harry Styles
Could Bond save his acting career?
Harry Styles’ acting career had the best start. Although starting strong with a small role in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk that left us wanting more, in 2022 Don’t Worry Darling and My Policeman didn’t quite hit the mark. Still, God loves a trier and what better training than MI6? Bond needs an injection of something new, fresh and young to carry on working into the future, and never underestimate the power of Harry Styles fans putting their bums firmly in cinema seats.
He may just be too young and too good-looking. If the next James Bond has to be rugged and dangerous, maybe Harry isn’t the man for the job. Add to that his introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it looks like Mr Styles might be unavailable for the next ten years. And Gucci won’t be happy about that. Or my daughter.
Idris Elba
Amidst all the other names that are thrown around, Elba’s has been the one that keeps seeming to crop up, and unsurprisingly, given he is the perfect fit for the Bond criteria: tall, ridiculously attractive, magnetic. And now we have further evidence that the pendulum has finally swung fully towards Elba with Barbara Broccoli, quoted as saying he is ‘part of the conversation’ for the role — the first time she has admitted as such. Elba fits the criteria as an actor but he is 49: only four years younger than Daniel Craig at the end of his tenure.
Jamie Dornan
His acting range isn’t limited to a kinky sex enthusiast and serial killer. He’s played real-life army heroes and also able to handle comic scenes plus displays his ever-growing depth as seen in Sir Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical Belfast.
So, the acting is there, but Bond has to be a bit of a stud. Dornan was dubbed “The Golden Torso” by the New York Times, and named by Vogue as one of the 25 biggest male models of all time. Box ticked.
Tom Hardy
He’s box office, pure and simple.
On 20 September 2020, it was reported that Hardy had already been cast in the role after supposedly auditioning and that he was due to be unveiled as Bond in November on the release of No Time To Die. Although that didn’t transpire, the news prompted bookies to slash odds, including Ladbrokes shortening theirs from a fairly distant 8/1 to 4/5 – practically a shoo-in. He’s drifted since, but is a permanent fixture in the most-likely top three.
Hardy physically resembles Fleming’s Bond and would bring a dangerous edge and devastating talent. And recently he fuelled the debate by stating: “There’s a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting… that if you talk about it [Bond rumours], you’re automatically out of the race. So I can’t possibly comment on that one!”
We’ve all done it. You wake up after a big night out, check your phone and realise you’ve made some serious attempts to ruin your life.
As you open each app, it just gets worse and worse: WhatsApp messages to the ex you’d previously blocked, Instagram stories of your ‘seductive’ dance moves, a British Airways business class booking for a mini break in Ibiza that you absolutely can’t afford.
Oh, the glory of the morning after the night before.
Well now, Gen Z (who seem to be dictating our fashion and lifestyle in 2023) have come up with a hack that could save you from the morning-after despair.
Enter the flip phone. Remember those? A new revolution for 2023.
It’s no secret that the younger generation have got everyone of all ages obsessed with the Y2k aesthetic. From double denim to claw clips, we’re partying like it’s 1999 all over again. And while the flip phone certainly fits the early noughties look, it serves a more significant purpose.
A super-famous TikTok-er went viral this week after sharing a video explaining why she only takes a flip phone on a night out.
She said “We don’t take our regular iPhones out anymore, because we realised that every single problem we have on a night out, everything that leads to us to crying, everything that leads to us having a bad hook-up, everything that leads to us having a bad time, stems from our iPhones.’
Leaving a smart phone at home and using an old-fashioned ‘limited function’ phone eliminates accidental drunk Insta posts of you with a double chin, eliminates drunk texts and hook ups, eliminates those bitter Facebook posts tagging people you secretly hate and eliminates buying three Big Macs and five large fries on Deliveroo while throwing up in the Uber you booked on your iPhone. Only the good things about a phone remain, i.e. connecting with people and taking basic photos and videos – which you can safely delete later if required.
Ah, remember the good old days, when all we had was our flip phones embedded with each other’s flip phone numbers. The new fashionable statement of the moment is “Make the switch, f*ck your phone and get a flip.”
Genius.
And if the wisdom of Gen Z doesn’t convince you, celebrities are swapping their iPhones for retro flips too. Camilla Cabello took to her social media last month to announce that she’s ‘team flip phone revolution’.
Could you join the trend and go ‘team flip phone revolution’?
Thinning hair isn’t just an issue affecting men in or around middle age. It’s a very real issue for women of a similar age too. Especially when going through the menopause or after years of bleaching, weaves and hair extensions.
One can spend a fortune on expensive treatments at exclusive clinics or on over-the-counter remedies at the pharmacies. But now there’s now an affordable answer waiting for you and it’s on the shelf at trusty BOOTS!
Head & Shoulders has launched a range for thinning hair and it’s all about adding caffeine and niacinamide to your scalp.
We all know Head & Shoulders as a favourite anti-dandruff brand that actually works. It’s a product that many of us reach for when our scalps are feeling itchy, flaky or dry. But did you know that scalp issues are also central to hair thinning? From everyday stress, diet and ageing to hormonal and postpartum changes, there are all sorts of reasons behind our manes thinning out. And whilst much of our focus goes on repairing dry and damaged hair, we should be concentrating on the scalp, which is where 99% of hair strength comes from.
If the scalp is dry, it could leave hair roots undernourished and cause the hair anagen (or growing) phase to become shorter, leading to premature thinning. And although it happens to almost everyone at some point, hair dropping out can leave us feeling pretty deflated. With this in mind, Head & Shoulders has come up with a three-step routine to combat hair thinning: the new Derma XPRO Scalp & Hair Revitaliser collection. This range does more than simply moisturise the scalp – it seals in moisture and revitalises the roots, promising up to 95% less hair fall.
Sounds good so far, doesn’t it? Well, it gets even better. The shampoo, conditioner and leave-on Scalp and Hair Revitaliser are infused with skincare hero ingredient niacinamide, which is well-known for its ability to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier. There’s also vitamin E, which is known for its improvement of the barrier function, plus good old aloe, which alleviates dry, itchy skin. The leave-on treatment also contains caffeine. Hey, if it wakes us up every day, why shouldn’t it energise our scalps too?
The three-step shampoo, conditioner and caffeine and niacinamide leave-on treatment routine promises thicker and stronger hair fibres in just one use – and improved hair quality in four weeks.
Welcome to this week’s Amanda Zips It Up, and here in London, it was all about London Fashion Week 2023.
Pharrell Williams is the man of the moment and looked toasty (and somewhat smug) in a sleeping bag outfit at a London Fashion Week event, after bagging THAT Louis Vuitton job. He has been confirmed as the new men’s creative director for Louis Vuitton, a position that was previously held by the late Virgil Abloh, who died of cancer aged 41 in 2021.
The move was announced by LV Chairman & CEO Pietro Beccari, who welcomed the Frontin’ producer, 49, to the prestige family and praised his past collaborations with the brand.
Pharrell’s first collection with LV is believed to debut soon, during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.
Days into his new role as the creative director of Louis Vuitton, Pharrell made quite the fashion statement, rocking up a wearing a coat which resembled a camping staple, as he attended the Moncler event.
The Happy hitmaker posed for pictures in the army green sleeping bag-esque coat, which didn’t seem to have any arm holes but draped down either side of his shoulders.
Moncler Presents: The Art Of Genius was part of London Fashion Week and saw the Milan fashion house ‘co-create’ with high end designers, celebrities and brands.
The sleeping bag look is similar to Moncler’s collection, so it wasn’t a totally random roll-out-of-bed moment from the 49-year-old star.
The Grammy and Oscar-winning musician has previously worked with brands and designers, one of whom was Karl Lagerfeld, so this is far from his first step in the fashion world.
Under Pharrell’s sleeping bag coat was more khaki green, as he sported a padded waistcoat and a countryside-classic green jumper, with what looked to be waterproof trousers of the same colour. To make sure he was extra toasty, the rapper opted for a cosy-looking beanie hat, and he finished off the look with a splattering of pizzazz in jewel-encrusted sunglasses.
Also a fashion guru, with his own clothing line called Plus 44, F1 legend Lewis Hamilton was a welcome face at the event, opting for Moncler’s classic black puffer coat in a simple but chic look.
Marcus Rashford got blingy for the event and opted for the white version of Lewis’ puffer jacket.
There’s so much more of LFW in this week’s instalment of AZIU. Enjoy.
If you love fashion and you love Ibiza – then you’ll know all about ANNIES IBIZA.
It’s just a tiny boutique in the über cool “Old Town” of Ibiza – perched high up in D’alt Villa – and only open late at night, but those who know, just know. Yes, every self-respecting fashion forward party girl knows who and what Annies Ibiza is.
Annie is friend to all of the most glamorous fashionistas, like Kate Moss and her daughter Lila, and Annie’s vintage collection of dresses and boots have been seen on all of fashion’s key players. Annie herself is rather gorgeous, and if you follow her IG account – models everything herself in Ibiza – with the odd appearance from supermodels and socialites. Now, for the first time, she has launched a collection of her own designs at LFW 23, well and truly bringing Ibiza to our capital.
Having postponed the her intended show last season following the Queen’s death, Annie (surname Doble) has had 6 further months to refine her vision. And last week it happened, as she took over St Paul’s Cathedral with her own designs.
Annie’s is a Mecca of hand-embellished micro minis, feathered frocks with hip-height slits, plus custom designs by London’s new wave of top designers. Which have hung side-by-side of vintage Galliano and Dior designs since Annie launched her first boutique in Ibiza’s Old Town in 2018.
Since then, Annie has built a client roster which counts Kate Moss, Margot Robbie, Millie Bobbie-Brown, Tomboy’s Adobe About and Jaimie Winstone, to name just a few. And two years after the initial Ibiza opening, Doble expanded with a second shop in Carnaby Street, Soho.
On Friday, 17 February, Doble, elevated her offering once again. With her debut collection, she moves from boutique owner to designer herself with her first 33-look collection. As seen at St Pauls Cathedral.
The collection itself flits between Doble’s sun-soaked islander outlook and the antique techniques that have appealed to her at auctions. “I’ve been inspired by Ottoman stitching from the 19th Century with actual gold thread, which is amazing in a dress when you think about it. The looks could be from the past or present day, which I wanted because timeless pieces are what I invest in.”
Her favourite of the new designs? The Moonshine Dress. “You never see this colour – it’s a light antique sage, and a very thin chiffon silk.The dress has a tiny two-cut embroidery around the hem which is in the shape of coral. And then the front of it is beaded with dark green gems, with flowers, with pink crystals. It’s a really special summer dress.”
Prices start at £495, and go up to £4000 for one of the hand-made couture pieces entirely hand stitched in 3D stitch motifs.
Be fast though. “We make everything out of whatever deadstock we have, as soon as that’s finished, that’s over. We don’t make anymore,” she says.
I’m pleased to say that a lovely friend of mine – hugely talented milliner Victoria Charles – showcased her latest 2023 collection at London Fashion Week 2023. I’m lucky enough to have one her unique creations – a bespoke made leopard print Fedora with red band – which I adore.
Victoria Charles Headpieces is a British Millinery label established by Victoria Carson in 2014. The Brand produces seasonal Ready to Wear, Bridal and Wholesale Collections. A Bespoke Design Service is also available, with all designs handcrafted in the UK.
VCH was invited to showcase her Autumn Winter 23 Collection on the London Represents runway at London Fashion week, sponsored by Zalando.
London Represents is a showcase of ethical fashion from emerging London designers. Since 2011, their mission has been to diversify the face of fashion – their shows use models that are often underrepresented, with the aim of creating an inclusive fashion environment. Ethics are at their core, as demonstrated in materials, production, and the catwalk.
The show featured models accurately reflecting the glorious diversity in London: including models with a disability, and models of every; size, shape, and gender identity. The 2023 February catwalk has broken boundaries, shouting out that fashion is for everyone.
I was sent this stunning book by my friend Claire and if you love the healing powers of crystals, then this is for you.
Claire Titmus is an online crystal store owner, and certified crystal healer. With a wealth of crystal and spiritual knowledge her goal is to educate others with magic and empowerment to bring crystals into their lives with confidence and ease. She has sent me many magical gemstones with rose quartz being my favourite. It gives me happy vibes.
In The Crystal Year, Claire shares crystal wisdom to support you through the seasons.
Split into the 12 months, The Crystal Year teaches you how to harness the properties of all the crystals lurking in your collection by aligning them with key dates and seasons. In January, I learnt how carnelian could support my New Year goals; in February, I found out if (that) rose quartz would help me find my Valentine (it did). As the evenings get lighter and Spring arrives, discover just why Aquamarine is the perfect crystal to help you celebrate the rebirth of nature.
As well as key crystals for the month, Claire guides you through symbols and superstitions from the natural world, and shares self-care rituals, meditations and affirmations to support you through each phase of the year. I read this in the bath with my crystals all around me and feel spiritually on top by the time and go to bed.
Tune into nature and discover the magic of crystals in every season with The Crystal Year.
