Every so often, a new independent designer comes along and creates a more than an average stir amongst fashionistas.
Let me introduce you to handbag designer Edel Reily and her Dolly Vegas range.
This is not just another handbag. When you buy a dolly Vegas bag you are buying into a persona and a lifestyle. The Dolly Vegas customer is glam. She loves quality and wants to stand out. She is unique, free spirited and doesn’t follow the masses.
Dolly Vegas was born from a love of handbags. Edel was an accessories buyer for many years for major UK retailers, who went on to design and develop accessories for most of the U.K. high street stores.
Edel told me “I am creating new shapes all the time as well as sourcing new leathers.
I have made some fabulous pieces for celebs including Little Mix and the cast of TOWIE, amongst others”.
“I have been designing and developing bags for a years, it is a real passion of mine but have now decided the time is right to try and grow it into a proper brand. I make the capsule ranges but I can also create bespoke one offs with prices starting from £70 for the Tallulah small clutch, depending on which type of leathers I use. Also up to £160 for clients, depending on their leathers of choice”.
Edel is currently in Ibiza where undoubtedly these bags will go down an absolute Balearic storm.
I have my very own Dolly Vegas clutch on its way to me as we speak, and you’ll see me carrying in Ibiza and Mallorca next week.
We’re into the second week of August and this week the globe celebrates World Women’s Orgasm Day (8.8.2019). A day when we all concentrate on a toned pelvic floor for more intense orgasms.
Did you know, only 2 out of 10 women claim to always reach orgasm?
Strengthening the musculature of this area helps increase the sensations during sex, being able to reach orgasm more easily.
A Spanish gynaecologist, Arnold Kegel, creator of Kegel exercises in 1940, used to recommend exercising the pelvic floor during post-natal recovery to prevent future health problems. During the follow-up with his patients, he discovered a beneficial side effect of the treatment: women who carried out his recommended exercises regularly achieved orgasm more easily, frequently and intensely.
INTIMINA, a Swedish brand born in 2009 offering the first and only range of tools dedicated to taking care of aspects of female intimate health, wants to raise awareness about the importance of these exercises, enabling more intense sexual relations.
The INTIMINA Kegel Laselle Routine is composed of three spheres of different weights (28g, 38g and 48g) made of medical grade silicone, which recognizes the strength of the muscles, selecting the level of exercise that best suits the needs of the woman and indicating the routine to perform with gentle vibrations.
So, jump on this if you want to celebrate World Orgasm Day.
Onto this week and we discover Victoria’s Secret new transgender model, plus Meghan Markle’s new fashion range and swimwear you can tan through.
Less than a week after rumours started circulating that the 2019 Victoria’s Secret show was to be cancelled, the brand appears to have hired its first transgender model. Meet the beautiful Valentina Sampaio.
23-year-old Sampaio announced the news on Instagram by sharing a behind-the-scene picture of her shooting for VS Pink.
Less than a year ago, Victoria’s Secret’s chief marketing officer Ed Razek faced backlash for his comments about transgender models, specifying why they wouldn’t be included in VS shows. He said “Should you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy,”
Razek subsequently apologised for his remarks but, for many, the damage was already done.
“My remark regarding the inclusion of transgender models in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show came across as insensitive. I apologize,” said Razek. “To be clear, we absolutely would cast a transgender model for the show. We’ve had transgender models come to castings… And like many others, they didn’t make it… But it was never about gender. I admire and respect their journey to embrace who they really are.”
This is great progress but the huge VS 2019 isn’t going ahead, which is a shame, because I love watching all the angels strut their stuff on the catwalk. In fact, I adore Victoria’s Secret undies more than any other lingerie brand.
The fashion world is still not 100% sure what’s going on with this year’s show, but let’s not allow all that noise get in the way of congratulating Valentina on her kickass gig – we’re definitely looking forward to seeing more from this bombshell.
When striving for that perfect all-over tan, we all know that it involves a complex and strategic manoeuvring of straps and bottoms, not to mention the need to constantly re-position to the angle of the sun.
The alternative of topless sunbathing is simply embarrassing, as is a nudist beach. Ever tried to have a full-frontal conversation with someone?
Well not any more. Blankkini’s swimsuits will redesign your tan lines and redefine your comfort in the sun while sunbathing, swimming and doing other beachy stuff.
Bringing together the expertise of professionals from around the world, Blankkini has finally answered all our prayers. A tan-through swimsuit that allows for the penetration of the sun’s tanning rays while offering protection from sunburn and prying eyes.
Sounds perfect huh? Well there’s more! Their cutting-edge Smart Fiber technology makes Blankkini’s swimsuits 20% more elastic and flexible than any other fabric available in a cozzie. The result is a form-fitting and slimming swimsuit with breathable Dry Fit technology that is lightweight, refreshing, and dries three times faster than standard swimwear. Yes, Blankkini is an Israeli swimsuit brand combining high-fashion and style with perfect, line-free tanning.
They come in a variety of chic styles and prints that will leave you looking gorgeous. This star print is my absolute favourite and I’m ordering this ASAP.
The Duchess of Sussex– or Meghan Markle, if formality isn’t your thing – has one of the most sought-after wardrobes. In fact, many of the pieces she wears sell out in minutes. So, royalists will undoubtedly be pleased to hear that she’s launching a capsule collection of workwear.
Meghan is partnering up with the charity Smart Works – of which she is a royal patron – which supports unemployed women who are entering or returning to work.
Meghan will work on the project with a series of collaborators from the high street, including Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Jigsaw. She’ll also partner with her close friend, fashion designer Misha Nonoo.
The collection will be sold on a “one-for-one basis”, whereby an item is donated for each item that’s bought, and will be available later this year.
The project was confirmed via a post on the official Sussex Royal Instagram account. Meghan has been a royal patron of Smart Works since January, where she helped style several women for job interviews.
If Meghan’s past influence on fashion is anything to go by, her capsule collection will be an instant hit. Global fashion search engine Lyst previously quantified this influence, quantifying which of the UK’s high profile duchesses commands the greater pulling power.
While both Meghan and the Duchess of Cambridge are style inspirations, it appears that the Duchess of Sussex is the woman with more influence. According to Lyst, Meghan’s outfit choices trigger almost twice as much online demand as Kate’s do. On average in 2019, Kate’s fashion choices lead to an increase of 119 per cent of online interest in comparison to Meghan, who averages at about 216 per cent.
It’s August already. How the hell did that happen?
As we said goodbye to July, we also kissed goodbye to our second female Prime Minister, Theresa May, to make way for that ‘bumbling buffoon’ and ‘charlatan’, Boris Johnson.
Call me weird, but I have a slightly bizarre crush on the new PM. I think I just love his madness. I know that may not win me many fans, so I’ll move swiftly on.
Let’s opt for a fashion take on this historical chapter, namely the new ‘lady’ of No.10. Not only is she only 31 to his 55 years, she’s his GIRLFRIEND. Whilst he leaves a long-suffering wife and four (grown-up) kids behind.
It would appear that Boris Johnson’s girlfriendCarrie Symonds has been channelling her inner Kate Middleton. She looked pretty as she watched her man enter their new ‘pad’.
Britain’s 31-year-old ‘first girlfriend’ wowed in this £120 Ghost dress as boyfriend Boris took the keys. She paired the red midi dress with a pair of nude heels by Gianvito Rossi, loved by Holly Willoughby, Kourtney Kardashian, Karlie Kloss and… Kate Middleton.
In fact, with her immaculate blow dries and new love of a floral midi frock, Carrie appears to be taking a lot of inspiration from the Duchess of Cambridge.
Let’s hope she’s a little more charismatic though. I’m looking forward to Carrie causing a stir and gracing the pages of the glossies in the next year. Remember, she shares her name with the ultimate fashionista herself, Carrie Bradshaw.
Onto this week, and I solve heat related problems like under-boob sweat and inner thigh chaffing, Plus, Korean mega boy band BTS team up with Fila and now that Love Island is over, who and what were the Island’s fashion influencers and influences.
Such a Marmite thing. Either you love it or hate it. I’m talking Love Island, and if you’re unaware of LI, then where the hell have you been? Even my long-suffering other half has had to endure the past two months of nightly instalments, with the remote control monopolised in the custody of our teen daughter, who adores the show.
So Amber and Greg won but when it comes to Love Island 2019 fashion trends, Ovie and Molly-Mae came out on top.
Love Island has led the way for fashion trends this summer, with thousands searching for the featured outfits. Although the series has now come to an end, it looks like it’s made a lasting impression on our fashion choices.
Molly-Mae Hague came out on top as the villa’s top influencer, which probably isn’t that big of a surprise since she arrived on the show in as an influencer by trade. Her hair bun was popular on the outside, with thousands viewing her tutorial. However, her biggest influence on shoppers was the green snake print bikini with a V-bar design, which she wore in episode seven. 11,000 people searched the internet in search of said bikini in the days after the episode aired.
For the lads, Ovie Sokohas been their biggest influence and it’s reported that ASOS and BoohooManare both fighting for him to model their clothes.
His go-to items were bucket hats, rounded sunglasses and colourful printed shirts. But it was his collection of vintage shirts that really got people talking, with searches rising by 68% in the first two weeks he was in the villa.
Everything neon
The biggest trend of the series was neon, with the Islanders choosing neon colours for their swimwear, bodysuits, dresses and mini skirts, as well as nails.
There was even a neon-themed episode and shoppers appeared to love it. Searches for the trend skyrocketed by 221% over eight weeks and the most popular colours were yellow and lime green.
Amber has been the biggest fan of neon, having worn luminous garments 29 times over the series, which is considerably more than any other islander.
She even sported neon green nails when she won.
Snake print
Animal print has been around for a while now but snake print seems to have really taken the lead as the Love Island contestants made it a ‘thing’.
Searches for the trend increased by 121% over the course of the show with snake print bikinis being the most wanted styles.
Anna and Amber regularly paired both neon and snake print and it’s been a hit with the viewers – so expect to see a lot of people modelling the style by the pool and on the beach.
Cowl neck dresses
In terms of evening wear, cowl neck satin dresses have been a hit with the Islanders and it looks like the people at home are big fans too. Since June, searches have increased by over 75% and the most in demand styles are mini dresses, a favourite for Amber and Elma.
Perspex heels
Demand for perspex high heeled shoes has increased by almost 50% over the course of this series, and the footwear has been loved by the Islanders and viewers alike.
Discreet and versatile, the girls wore the shoes with pretty much every outfit and shoppers hunted out the trend on Missguided , Nasty Gal and ASOS .
Top five Love Island influencers
Over the last 2 months, a data team has tracked UK fashion searches, sales trends and page views on popular products and they’ve monitored increases in demand for fashion styles that matched the Islanders’ style.
Here are the top five Love Island influencers.
1. Molly-Mae Hague
Instagram influence: 2.3 million followers.
Her signature style was the hair bun and green snake print bikini with a V-bar design.
2. Francesca Allen
Instagram influence: 206,000 followers.
Her signature style was matching headbands with oversized earrings.
3. Ovie Soko
Instagram influence – 1.2 million followers.
His signature style was vintage shirts and bucket hats.
4. Amber Gill
Instagram influence – 1.6 million followers.
Her signature style was neon and the lace bodysuit, which quickly caught on with the other Islanders.
5. Anna Vakili
Instagram influence – 1.1 million followers.
Her signature style was fitted outfits but she also wowed audiences in a sparkly two-piece bikini with a fishnet mini skirt.
Wherever you might be in Europe right now, it’s hot. OK, so I’m not sure about Lapland, but even there is probably sweltering too.
And whilst that means a “whoop” for many, it also spells aggro for a large proportion of the female population, who will be welcoming back the old, familiar nemesis that is thigh chafing.
Chafing thighs and underboob sweat are perhaps the two most annoying things to come out of a hot summer. And whilst most aren’t complaining about warm weather, it is known to get so bad for some people that they will avoid leaving the safety of an air-conditioned room at all costs.
But what can we do about it? How can we put a stop to those days of thigh-rubbing, boob-sweating misery? I have the answer. This 87p wonder-cream from Asda may just end up revolutionising your summer.
‘Liquid Talc’ (which, as you might imagine, is a talcum powder alternative in liquid form) is part of Asda’s ‘Little Angels’ baby skincare range. And while it might be designed to enhance the softness of a new-born’s skin, all reports suggest that it can work wonders in preventing thigh chafing and underboob sweating.
The Liquid Talc works in a similar way to another anti-thigh chafing trick, which is rolling deodorant onto the insides of your thighs. The slick layer allows them to easily slip past each other, as opposed to causing painful friction every time your thighs rub together.
Maybe it’s worth a try. And at 87p, it’s got to be worth a gamble.
Here’s some other remedies for chubbing or chaffing.
If the idea of your lady bits overheating in shorts worries you, try these anti chafing bands instead. A bit like the top of stockings, they stay in place all day and provide an all-important barrier for your thighs. Pretty Little Thing £8
Want a value pack option? Why not check out Boohoo’santi chafing thigh band two-pack for £14:
I LOVE this beauty hack. When you run out of anti-chafe balm, try makeup primer instead. Even though primer is for the face, apparently it is amazing at preventing thigh-rub. Who knew?
Any kind of elasticated shorts, be it cycling shorts or Spanx, will keep your thighs protected from friction AND prevent any cringe pant-flashing moments if the summer breeze catches you unawares. Double win.
Here’s another, slightly more affordable, pair that switch from anti chafing shorts into stockings part-way down, for added comfort.
BTS cut ties with PUMA after five years as they ‘sign new FILA deal’
BTS. The biggest boy-band in the world. If you know, you know. If you don’t, you don’t.
Not only are they global superstars – almost in Beatles territory of fandom – they’re utterly dripping in designer clobber during sell-out stadium appearances around the word. When BTS wear something, millions of fans will follow.
The K-pop superstars have just signed-up as the official endorsement models for FILA, the currently hot sportswear brand, founded in Italy. The new alliance would mean BTS have ended their long-standing relationship with mega-brand, PUMA, who they represented for the last five years.
An industry insider leaked the secrets behind BTS’s new deal: ‘At the news that BTS would not be renewing their contracts with the sportswear brand which they worked with for the past 5-years, [FILA] stepped up and played every single one of their best networking cards available in order to obtain the endorsement deal. Word is that the group signed with the jaw-dropping conditions and treatment deserving of top global stars.’
What on earth have they managed to negotiate? Industry experts estimate the contract fee to sign BTS as FILA models to be worth between three and five KRW. That’s over £2 million. The band, consisting of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook must be smiling.
My daughter is probably their number one fan and yes, she walks around in a pair of FILAs every day.
Welcome to another Balearic summer edition of Amanda Zips It Up.
It’s hot out there right now, so there are no prizes for guessing that this instalment is all about summer fashion and lifestyle.
Observing the youth “masses” this year, a couple of trends stand out in men’s summer fashion. It’s all about the double floral shorts and shirt combo, plus white socks and Gucci trainers. The ‘Ace Bee’ design, to be precise. But at almost £455 per pair, they don’t come cheap.
But hear this! Poundland is selling a £9 lookalike of Gucci’s £445 iconic bee trainers, and when it comes to designer dupes, this could be the cheapest double we’ve ever seen.
Loved by the likes of Kourtney Kardashian and Taylor Swift, the Gucci pair are hugely popular among celebrities and influencers.
However, you can now get your hands on an almost identical version from Poundland. Complete with a (similar but not the same) little gold bee and iconic stripes, the £9 pair of shoes bear the hallmark of Gucci’s designer style.
Both shoes are low top, with a white lace-up style and a leather panel at the ankle. In fact, at first glance, the only feature setting the two pairs apart is a slight difference in colour.
While Gucci’s signature “Ace” trainers feature green and red stripes, the bargain Poundland version features black and red, instead.
So how fussy are you? Gucci or Poundland? I’ll leave you to ponder.
This week we check out the new procedures to make you beach body perfect, Duct Tape Bikinis at Miami Swimwear Week and Converse launch a new magical UV shoe perfect for summer.
