Welcome to this week’s round-up of fashion. And as we’re now full force ahead into October, it’s time to talk Halloween. None of your Brexit chit chat here.
This week, I’m giving you the heads up regarding which Halloween costume to pick for 2019, plus our favourite skater brand Vans have launched a special Halloween themed collection of footwear, just in time for 31st October.
I’ve literally just arrived back in London after a fantastic weekend in Ibiza. My other half finished playing at the Judgement Reunion at Eden around 4am this morning, so apologies if this week’s intro may seem somewhat brief. I can only just focus on the keyboard. It was soooo worth that Balearic hangover though.
I did manage to get a spot of shopping into the weekend too. My very favourite shop in Ibiza and Palma – Sluiz – is always my go to place for all things quirky and out there. Everything from boho cushions, to naughty eye masks and the very best in seasonal boho attire is all under one roof.
I picked up this beautiful colourful striped dress and this eye mask for that red eye flight back to London. Guaranteed not to be disturbed, that’s for sure.
Other stuff in Zips It Up this week – enjoy a peak at Paris Fashion Week’s weird and wonderful accessories, making this edition of Zips It Up as light hearted as my head dictates.
Paris Fashion Week took a bizarre turn as designers debut wacky accessories during the last of this year’s fashion weeks.
The models were showing off the latest quirky fashion – including hats shaped like fish and buckets.
Models at Paris Fashion Week showed off the latest quirky trends, such as a giant fish that was part of Vivienne Westwood’s spring and summer collection
The fish head item was part of the Vivienne Westwood spring and summer collection for 2020.
The bright pink bucket head was from the Nina Ricci spring and summer collection for 2020. The model wore a matching bright pink dress to go with it.
And style icon Yu Masui was pictured outside as part of the event wearing an oversized coat which covered his head.
Although this may all look utterly insane to most of you, remember this is the weird and wacky world of fashion and there will inevitably be suckers out there who will happily pay and wear all of these. Even together.
Vans has announced it’s latest collection ahead of Halloween, and it’s perfect for all ghouls, ghosts and goblins, or just fans of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.
The special collection has been inspired by the hit film and features a 10 piece footwear collection, complimented by a range of apparel and accessories.
Fans will be able to step into the imagination and artistry of the cult-classic film with Vans iconic designs, but will also be able to customise their own pair of Vans using three special prints available exclusively on Vans.com/customs now.
The iconic Sk8-Hi features the famous Jack’s Lament scene with four panels showcasing a frame from Jack’s walk through the Halloween Town cemetery and a special message that reads “Nice Work, Bone Daddy” on the inside collar.
IT’S officially Halloween month, which means you’ve probably started hunting down the perfect costume to wear on October 31.
Want to know where to buy all the bestcostumes this year? Look no further than www.fancydress.com
Having just seen the second IT movie, I’m inclined to lean towards this terrifying Pennywise outfit
With heaps of designs to choose from, this should help you narrow down the options, with spooky styles including thePennywise the clown outfit, creepy mermaids and even a Frozen’s zombie Elsa.
Pennywise clown costume, £42.99, Fancy Dress
Last year, the most popular Halloween costumes included unicorn designs, superheroes and Suicide Squad’s Harley Quinn – played by Margot Robbie.
This year, there’s a whole host of new must-have looks, including Pennywise the clown as well as some terrifying zombie mermaid outfits.
For those who want to stick to traditional Halloween costumes, there’s the classic gothic bride as well as the best-selling Cher from Clueless outfit.
And if you’re a Disney fan, you can snap up a zombie Minnie Mouse “rodent” costume – while there’s even an Eleven from Stranger Things outfit for less than £20.
Welcome to another weekly round up of fashion and lifestyle.
While you read this, I’ll be in Ibiza for the massive One More Time Judgement event at Eden San Antonio, concluding the Ibiza 2019 season.And on another Spanish note, whilst on my way back from Mallorca to London earlier this week, I spotted some gossip regarding someone I hugely respect, who is travelling in the other direction, from the UK to Barcelona.
She is Christina Serra, married to the Man City manager – the very stylish Pep Guardiola– her husband of 27 years. She is credited with styling Pep, 45, after meeting him in her family’s clothing store when he was a male model. They married in 2013 and have three children.
We all know Victoria Beckhamis the ultimate fashionista Wag but massive respect to Christina, who also owns a very successful fashion business, as well as being a wife and mother in a foreign country. However, something’s got to give and gossip suggests that she is moving back to Barca for good, leaving Pep in the UK with the kids (and the team).
Cristina has been commuting back to work from Manchester for the last three years since the former Bayern Munich gaffer replaced Manuel Pellegrini in 2016.
As part of the new arrangement, Pep will remain in England looking after their two other children as he looks to guide Manchester City to a third consecutive Premier League title. Meanwhile Cristina will bring one of her kids back to Spain.
Another example of female empowerment. Good on her. I’ll be checking out her latest range ASAP.
Onto this week’s edition, and as we go into a new month, it’s is all about Stoptober and Going Sober for October, plus we discover the ridiculous micro bag trend and the rugby shirt, dominating all the fashion weeks happening right now.
Kendall Jenner, who in my view looks shocking with her new blonde hair, makes a strong case for bringing back The Rugby Shirt. Generally speaking, rugby shirts remind me of boarding school types, notable for their complete lack of fashion sense. But in the crazy world of fashion, they are now THE ultimate trend.
It’s always worth keeping an eye on what models wear as they dart between shows during Fashion Month. Kendall Jenner stepped out in Milan this week sporting a rugby shirt from the JW Anderson’s AW19 collection. A striped cotton number complete with a fresh white collar. It was styled with a pair of ankle-grazing jeans and brown Birkenstocks. Yep. EVEN BIRKENSTOCKS are back in fashion.
I know. The world is going backwards, right?
A rugby shirt is a great possibility for “off-duty” moments, when you want to be comfortable and effortlessly stylish. But you can dress them up too. Roll back the sleeves of Gant’s black and burgundy ‘rugger’, add lots of chunky gold jewellery and jeans for slick leather trousers, or bare tanned legs.
Here are the very best styles to shop now, but they’re not cheap, I must warn you.
It’s almost unbelievable that this accessory is even a “thing”, when it’s more like an Aprils Fool’s joke. Like it or not, the micro bag is continuing to fight its way into next season, as AW19’s most impractical (and near-invisible) street style staple. But one brand – Jacquemus– is going where no-one ever gone before, unveiling a truly extraordinary addition to the spectrum of miniatures.
At the Jacquemus’ AW19 Paris show,models on the catwalk were seen carrying a bag so small you could be forgiven for missing it. It literally hangs from your pinkie finger and holds a couple of pound coins, if you’re lucky. It returned yet again for Jacquemus’s pink carpeted SS20collection – proving that microbags will reign long into early next year’s fashion cycle. Since then, the £258 bag has gone on to sell swiftly on the brand’s website and in shops internationally.
The bag, an even tinier version of Jacquemus’s micro Chiquito bags, was initially sent out as an invitation to the brand’s AW19 presentation. But rather than being an invite novelty, Jacquemus went on to show the teeny tiny Mini Le Chiquito bags as part of its collection.
Models walked the Jacquemus catwalk with the tiny handbags hanging from their fingers or slung over their shoulder with cross body straps. They were spotted in at least four different colourways – white, bright red, orange and dark green – and featured a tiny golden ‘J’ (presumably because ‘Jacquemus’ wouldn’t fit).
If you don’t fancy the Jacquemus version, here’s the rest of these insane bags on the market. All priced between £250 – £1000. Yes, really.
Marlow London Mini Tote in Yellow
£395 | Marlow London |
Cult Gaia Cora Bamboo Beaded Bag
£170 | Matches Fashion
BOYY Fred 23 Patchwork Leather Top Handle Bag (17.5cm x 12cm)
£804 | Moda Operandi
Shrimps Antonia Mini Bag in Cream
£375 | Shrimps
Lutz Morris Norman Contrast-Panel Leather Cross-Body Bag
October has become “the” month to kick some filthy habits and raise awareness for issues such as Cancer. Plus, healing what you put your body through over the summer months.
Be a Soberhero and go 31 days without alcohol this October. Say “no” to the booze and “yes” to raising money for people living with cancer.
And every hero should have a trusty sidekick, in the shape of Macmillan, who will be with you each step of the way on your sober journey.
By signing up to the challenge you’ll doing something amazing for those with cancer. All the money raised by those Going Sober this October will help Macmillan support.
And it’s all extremely beneficial to one’s health.
You’ll have more time on your hands. You’ll have time to fit in a weekend run or learn something new once you’ve banished those horrible hangovers.
Better sleeping patterns. You’ll wake up with a spring in your step and increased energy levels – who knows what greatness you could achieve?!
A happier bank balance. By going booze-free, you could save a small fortune.
A healthier you. The best part of all. With a clearer head, clearer skin and free from hangovers, you’ll be feeling on top of the world.
As well as packing up the booze, why not try and ditch the fags too?
It’s also Stoptober, an initiative in the UK set up by the NHS and Public Health England. The concept came about to help people start the process of quitting, giving smokers the challenge of stopping completely for one month. After thinking about stopping, that first step can be the most daunting, and Stoptober is a great way to embark on the journey. Whether you have already tried Stoptober or not, here are 5 reasons why you should carry on with your challenge into November and beyond.
1) You’re more likely to quit smoking altogether
The whole Stoptober campaign began in 2012, following research that showed if someone gave up smoking for 28 days, they were 5 times more likely to stop altogether. The statistics are in your favour, so keep going.
2) You already look better
Your skin probably looks a lot brighter and more natural than it did a month ago, and people may have even commented on it. When you smoke, your body gets less oxygen through the blood vessels and they become damaged, but within a few days of quitting smoking these begin to repair themselves and the oxygen reaches all parts of your body, including your skin.
3) You already feel better
Within two hours of quitting smoking your body starts to experience some positive effects, so imagine what 28 days will have done! Your lung capacity will have improved, and you’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to do intense physical activities like running or swimming. Your blood pressure has dropped, and your heart will be beating stronger as well.
4) Your health risks are reducing
Lower blood pressure, better circulation, bigger lung capacity and many other positive effects all lead to a decrease in the risk of dangerous diseases. Smokers are at a much higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and blood clots, cancer and even issues with bones and fertility, but our bodies have an amazing ability to regenerate. Once you quit, these risks began to go down as early as a week into the Stoptober challenge, and continuing on this path will help reduce these risks even further.
5) Your fertility will increase
Smoking puts both men and women at risk of infertility. Sperm becomes damaged and sperm count goes down, and women’s ability to conceive is 72% that of a non-smoker. The good news is stopping smoking reverses these effects and men and women will find it easier to conceive.
Also, you’ll have more money. Although not linked to health, this is definitely a factor that should be recognised and celebrated. If you usually smoke a packet of cigarettes a day, you’ve already saved up to £250 in October, and that’s a rugby shirt or a couple of micro bags.
This week is mostly about London Fashion Week, here in our nation’s capital. OK, the news also contains just a touch of Boris. But more importantly, fashion.
Next week, I’ll bring you much more LFW gossip, but while we’re on the subject, one funny story emerged in the red tops yesterday that I simply had to report.
It appears that certain ‘fashion victims’, probably the bloggers and vloggers attending most of this week’s shows, have been splashing out in excess of £2,000 to look like Corrie legend Hilda Ogden
FASHIONISTAS can pay £2,050 to look like Corrie’s Hilda Ogden
My fave designer GUCCIhave created a shirt which appears exactly like the housecoat worn by Hilda in Corrie, the iconic cleaning lady who was loved by millions of fans during her decades on the cobbles.
Gucci tells would-be buyers: “The quilted over-shirt plays with contrasting prints to create a colourful patchwork effect. The sportswear and outerwear worlds collide in this new style.”
Gucci has also launched a supermarket-style “bag for life” — for £525. The bags – in check, pink, black and floral designs – have the Gucci name printed on the front in gold or silver letters.
Gucci says: “The tote bag is crafted from a soft and lightweight pink cotton fabric, printed with the Gucci logo and specially coated”.
So, as you roll your eyes at such insanity, lets crack on with this week’s issue. We feature an obscene new swimwear fashion which I’m pre-warning you about prior to Summer 2020 (hint – get waxing and squatting), plus the political messages at LFW and also a new fake tan which will keep you glowing, even after summer is officially ‘over’.
I’ve had a 100% natural tan just about all summer long. 50% Balearic and 50% British. Sadly, as soon as that sun disappears, bang goes that tan (followed shortly by the disappearance of a “glowing” summer state of mind).
I’m not one for sunbeds and I’m well and truly over the thousands of bronzing lotions and potions out there. However…
I was recently introduced to bedTAN, a new tanning mousse range which promises to keep you glowing all the way through the winter months ahead.
I tried these gorgeous products, along with a fabulous mitten, and I was blown away by the results.
Me Before & After
‘bedTAN’came about after the brains behind the business suffered a cancer diagnosis within the family, back in 2017. ‘Oh ORGANIC HD-OMBRE’was developed and formulated after research into the dangers of parabens and other toxic chemicals frequently used in the beauty industry. Being a long-time lover of sunless suntans, bedTAN went in search of a chemicalfree vegan product that would generate the longest lasting insta-grade sunless tan.
“OH ORGANIC” HD – OMBRÉ is beautiful golden mousse which doesn’t clog pores, so can be used on the face as well as the body. It makes the skin feel soft, supple and hydrated, plus it dries in an instant.
Sounds good to me – a long-lasting tan for the face and body and which fades like a real suntan, which can be overlapped on layers, still looking the realistic, with no crackles and patches.
