Nike Self Lacing Trainers

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I think I missed this last time, but Nike are “back” with these self -lacing trainers for 2019.

The new Nike Adapt BB shoes combine Nike’s power-lacing system with a custom fit, to create the best basketball shoes possible and a futuristic take on fashion.

Nike picked basketball as the first sport for the Nike Adapt because of the demands that basketball’s athletes put on their shoes.

During a normal basketball game the athlete’s foot changes, and the ability to adjust change fit by loosening shoes to increase blood flow, and then tighten again for performance, is a key element that will improve the athlete’s experience. So say the brand’s scientists.

Nike has put out a few versions of its self-lacing trainers in the past, but I’ve been late to the table. Apparently, there was the Marty McFly-inspired kicks that were sold in collaboration with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a Parkinson’s charity set up by the actor, and raised $6.7 million for research into the disease. Then in 2016, the company released Nike Hyperadapt 1.0 shoes, priced at a cool £620.

The Nike Adapt BB is the next stage in this quest for the perfect self-lacing shoe. How does it work? Well, when someone places their foot into the trainer, a custom motor and gear train gauges the tension needed by the foot and adjusts itself accordingly.

Then, using the Nike Adapt smartphone app, or the buttons on the side of the trainer, the wearer can input different fit settings so the shoe adapts to different environments. You can customise the lights on the side of the shoes in the app too, going from blues to pinks, yellows to greens.

The new trainers are supposedly the most tested shoe in the history of Nike. The company says testing included 300 miles of running, 30,000 impact pulses at 780 pounds of force, 2,900 continuous lacing cycles from tight to loose, and 5,000 cycles of flexing from left to right, to ensure the tech could withstand constant usage.

Just don’t forget to charge them, which you can do with the wireless charging mat, otherwise you’ll have to go barefoot, just like your old PE days.

The new shoes will be available to buy in February.

Happy New Year From The Editor

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Welcome to my first instalment of 2019. I hope you had a lovely festive break.

Besides feeling fat and STILL hungover following Hogmanay celebrations north of the border, like (I suspect) many of you, I am using January as well-needed recovery period. All socialising is strictly off the agenda.

But if you do fancy venturing out to something safe and interesting, 2019 sees the launch of a brand-new art exhibition by Newcastle artist Davey Brown.Titled ‘The History Of House’, it’s an art exhibition with a cool and unique twist. Covering the early US DJs such as Frankie Knuckles and Tony Humphries, the iconic clubs/parties; Space, The Hacienda, etc;  the legendary UK DJs and producers like Judge Jules, Graeme Park, Danny Rampling, Altern8 and Slipmatt, the whole Ibiza scene from the beginning, including DJ Alfredo and the magical Cafe Mambo, this exhibition takes you on a journey.

The exhibition will be held in the very cool Barca Art Bar in Tynemouth near Newcastle, on Sunday, 26th May, at 93 Feet East, Shoreditch, London, on April 18th and also in Ibiza, Glasgow and Manchester with dates and venues to be confirmed. Each leg of the exhibition will begin with a VIP launch from 1pm to 6pm, followed by the general viewing between 7pm and midnight. There will be DJs playing at each venue and footage of Old Skool raves and festivals etc, showing on screens throughout the event. Davey is doing an extra painting for each venue which will be auctioned during the VIP launch. with all proceeds going to a charity local to each venue.

Davey is also running a competition to win a VIP trip to the Ibiza leg of the exhibition. Full details will be released soon. For this and updates about the exhibition, get Davey on:

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/davey.brown.188 and Instagram, DaveyBrownArt. The coolest exhibition of the year is happening. Be there. www.daveybrownart.com

Onto this new instalment – we venture into Men’s London Fashion Week and pick out some of the more bizarre looks predicted for 2019.

Plus, the first ever Vegan Fashion Week – it had to happen – and also are we all supporting not just Dry January but also Janu hairy?

Thanks to my Guest Editor Mira Manley for the stories this week. xx

JanuHairy

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Men have “Movember,” during which they allow facial hair to grow to raise money and awareness for men’s health issues.  So welcome to one for the girls – Januhairy– a reason to skip shaving and grow body hair with pride. Unless you do that already.

A drama student at the University of Exeter started the movement, having grown her own body hair for a performance and witnessing the reaction to it. “After a few weeks of getting used to it, I started to like my natural hair,” she commented on Instagram.

Januhairy encourages women to let the hair on their bodies grow in support of the charity Body Gossip, which empowers people to be the best version of themselves through arts and education.

Society seems to be behaving as if the natural hair we grow on our bodies is unattractive and distasteful. We are so used to removing our body hair that we are losing touch with our authentic selves.

So, let’s quit shaving everything for the month of January all in the aid of charity. If men can do it, then we can too.

Are you brave enough to go full 70s though?

Men’s London Fashion week 2019

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Kicking off the year in fashion, Men’s LFW commenced on the first weekend of 2019, proving that while many of us had been lazing over the Christmas period, it was a different story for the designers behind some of the industry’s most exciting menswear labels.

To cut a long story short, when it comes to men’s fashion, it’s either the Peaky Blinders Soho Farmhouse look, Gareth Southgate suits or (yawn) chinos, mundane jeans and tees.

But it is 2019 and it’s London Fashion Week, so here are 4 trends you guys may not have expected to see, prompting thoughts about how my fashion heartlands of London, Ibiza and Mallorca will be looking this summer.

Open Flies At Cottweiler

Models took to the catwalk at Cottweilerwith their flies purposely undone making way for shirt bottoms and neon underwear to flash through. Luckily, the flash ended there. Not a wink in sight.

The Return Of The Muff At Per Götesson

Feeling chilly in 2019? There’s only one way to fight the freeze in style: by tucking hands into a muff, as per the message on the Per Götessoncatwalk. Less than practical for those on the go, could the reintroduction of the muff be the way once and for all to keep us from constantly checking our phones?

The Return Of ’00s It Girl “Out Out” Dresses

Seeing dresses appear on the menswear catwalks is becoming the norm – come on, people it’s 2019. But what we weren’t expecting from Fashion Eastnewcomer Mowalolawas the championing of those itsy bitsy party dresses that 00s It Girlsfell out of nightclubs wearing. Less is definitely more fun.

Animal Talons At Charles Jeffrey Loverboy

Thought your Triple S Balenciaga trainers were edgy?

(I still love mine). Thought that your penchant for socks and sandals were a little too radical for the mainstream? Wait until you’ve seen Charles Jeffrey’s latest shoe adornment, taking inspiration straight out of Where The Wild Things Are. Boots in all forms, sizes and heels came with claws sticking out over toes.

So, there you have it Guys. He who dares…

Vegan Fashion Week 2019

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Welcome to 2019 and welcome to a new event to add to the fashion calendar: Vegan Fashion Week.

It takes place in Los Angeles, which is fitting, given that it’s the biggest city in the United States to ban the use of fur. It has more than 150 vegan-friendly establishments and was named by Peta as America’s most vegan city 2018.

California is also the first state to demand that pet shops sell only rescue animals.

From February 1 to 4, Vegan Fashion Week promises to bring cruelty-free options to the fashion crowd. Set up by animal-rights activists and vegan fashion stylists, the aim is to raise awareness of the ethical, social and environmental issues that surround the fashion industry, as well as offer sustainable alternatives.

The opening night will be held at the Museum of Natural History with a catwalk show of collections by cruelty-free labels.

Leather and fur are still rife within fashion, with customers often blissfully unaware of the cruelty behind both materials. By relying on new technologies or simply by altering supply chains, cruelty-free alternatives are becoming readily available.

The number of vegans is at an all-time high and many are questioning how and where goods are being produced. The full impact fast fashion is having on the planet is becoming obvious too, too, so there is growing pressure on brands to be accountable for every stage of the manufacturing process, and the backlash to the wear-once culture is beginning to gain traction.

The world’s first Vegan Fashion Week looks like it’s here to stay.

… last word from the Editor 2018

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In a year that has seen the Government imploding, Kate Moss giving up partying and KIM Kardashian revealing she might run for President, 2018 certainly has been an “interesting” year.

In this final instalment of the year, we have a brief look at the most googled people of 2018.  Plus a couple of enormous fashion failures which rocked the industry.

Following 2018’s massive #MeToo movement and the resulting female awakening, it’s been refreshing to end the year with an unlikely heroine. A heroine that many of you probably hadn’t heard of a year ago. No – not Meghan (yet).

I’ve always been a secret X Factor girl. But it was all change in 2018 as I fully embraced all the glitz, glamour and scandal of Strictly Come Dancing. Andthe star of 2018 was Stacey Dooley.

The documentary maker not only won the competition, but also accidentally revealed her beige underwear during a wardrobe malfunction performing the Paso doble in Saturday night’s show. Fans were left questioning whether she was naked. Stacey was the top trending hashtag on Twitter all week.

She admits she didn’t realise the faux pas had occurred – but she kept her cool and shrugged it off. I genuinely thought she was naked underneath that dress as she pulled up to the camera.

One person tweeted: “In Stacey’s last dance, when she’s waving her skirt towards the end, I’m pretty sure she flashed to millions #strictly.”

Stacey, 31, beat fellow finalists Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg to claim the glitterball trophy. She’s a working-class girl from Luton, growing up with her mum on a council estate and dropping out of school to work on a makeup counter at Luton Airport. She answered an advert for youngsters to visit the sweatshops of India for a BBC documentary and she never looked back. I recently wrote about her insightful investigation into Fast Fashion and the effects of cheap clothing on the environment.

If there’s one to watch in 2019 – it’s Stacey.

 And I predict Holly will become the queen of ITV and LEAVE This Morning to go solo.

And it’s goodbye to Ferne Cotton on Celebrity Juice after 10 years. I’ll miss her fashion fixtures, but there’s always Claudia Winkleman to look forward to.

Predictions for next year? Brexit Hell, Political Chaos, Royal Baby Harry & Meghan mania, the Beckhams announcing their separation and 70s fashion back in full force.

Here’s hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous new year.

I’m back on 5thJanuary 2019.

Most Googled in 2018

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De­spite the Brexit stalemate we cur­rently find our­selves in, it was­n’t ac­tu­ally pol­i­tics that topped the UK Google search polls in 2018. Quite the opposite actually – it was es­capism from the relentlessly de­press­ing daily political news cy­cle. Programmes such as Love Island and I’m A Celeb were the escapist ‘chill pill’ we turned to.

But what else were we Googling in 2019?

Com­ing in at num­ber one was, of course, World Cup, Gareth Southgate and that waistcoat.

Who can for­get those glo­ri­ous weeks at the be­gin­ning of the sum­mer when the sun mirac­u­lously shone every day, and some­how the Eng­lish foot­ball team seemed, well, like a football team. From googling silly world cup trivia to pub open­ing times, we were a na­tion hooked.

Sec­ond to ‘world cup’ in our 2018 search engine league table was two royal-re­lated matters. Surprise surprise, Meghan Markle was num­ber two and ‘royal wed­ding’ came in at three, as most searched-for queries over­all. Ironically, the backlash against Megan has already started, and it isn’t even 2019 yet.

Be­sides our early summer ob­ses­sion with foot­ball and our on-­go­ing ob­ses­sion with the royals, unsurpringly it was celebrity scan­dal that piqued in­ter­est too.

Roxanne Pallet was one of the most-searched for names in 2018. The for­mer Em­merdale ac­tor was caught up in con­tro­versy fol­low­ing her Celebrity Big Brother ap­pear­ance in which she ac­cused house­mate Ryan Thomas of punch­ing her. This led to her quit­ting her York-based Min­ster FM ra­dio show and call­ing her­self “the most hated girl in Britain.”

Also high on the list were Demi Lo­vato,who made head­lines fol­low­ing a heroin over­dose, plus Ant McPartlin,

who has strug­gled with drug and al­co­hol abuse. Oth­ers in the top ten most-searched in­clude the perennially talked-about Kar­dashians (YAWN), Alex Fer­gu­son and most recently Jose Mourinho.

The Inbetweeners comeback and Balenciaga’s big chunky trainers were big news.

Gucci won designer of the year and used Harry Styles munching chips in a chip shop for their advertising campaign.

The Queen sat on the FROW at London Fashion Week and Sustainability (fast fashion) and Inclusivity were the two most popular words on the fashion agenda.

Diversity has become the new norm, with 2018 witnessing models of different shapes and sizes and all ethnicities and abilities on the catwalks.

Borderline-insane political correctness regarding gender has perhaps occupied a little too much space in 2018 but all in all, it certainly hasn’t been a boring year.

Roll on ’19.

Fashion Failures 2018

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It’s fair to say that 2018 has been an Annus Horribilis for poor old VB.

Victoria Beckham’s designer fashion brand LOST £10.2million in a year – £2million more than last year.

Despite losses increasing from £8.2million the previous year, the brand’s overall revenue rose by 17 per cent to £42.5million, up from £36.4million.

The company opened its first store in London in 2014, followed by Hong Kong in 2016. They sell through 400 stockists in more than 50 countries and now employ 180 people. Directors put the negative figures down to heavy investment in “design, production and marketing” in a “difficult global trading environment”. Earlier this year Beckham, who pays herself £700,000 a year, was forced to make a third of her staff redundant.

In contrast with his wife’s business, David’s profits have soared.

So why doesn’t VB join the Spice Girls on tour next year?

Sources reportedly told her not to take part in the ‘lucrative Spice Girls reunion tour’ as it would “cheapen” her luxury fashion brand.

Other fashion stores closing down UK high street outlets include House of Fraser, Debenhams and many New Look, Coast, Orla Kiely and Next branches.

Yes, online shopping is partly to blame but the latest news regarding online fashion giant – ASOS – puts the theory to bed (or at least to rest). ASOS’s sales have plummeted to an alarming extent in the run up to Christmas, which should be their busiest time of the year. As a result, the company’s shares have dropped in value by almost 40 per cent.

“While trading in September and October was broadly in line with expectations, November, a very material month for us from both a sales and cash margin perspective, was significantly behind expectations – say ASOS.

“The current backdrop of economic uncertainty across many of our major markets together with a weakening in consumer confidence has led to the weakest growth in online clothing sales in recent years”.

ASOS’s warning will cause alarm among retailers as, up until now, it has been high street firms bearing the brunt of a brutal Christmas trading period.

 

ASOS notes that unseasonably warm weather during the last three months has caused reduced spending by shoppers.

It may have been one of the hottest years on record, but that may become the norm. And with Brexit on the horizon, I fear for the high street, the fashion industry and (dare I say it) many other industries in 2019. But do the politicians actually care?

… a word from the Editor

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Ho Ho Ho and welcome to this penultimate instalment of Amanda Zips It Upin 2018. Next week will be a fashion round-up of the year.

With the inevitable overdose of mince pies and with little energy to get off the sofa, nothing kills the ‘lovemaking mood’ quite like the Christmas period.

So, in the run-up to Crimbo, I’ve stumbled across a couple of festive sex positions (in my online research of course) to see you through the holidays.

  1. The ‘Reindeer’ position.

Believe it or not, this is recommended by Womens Health magazine. Simply kneel down on all fours in front of your partner. Antlers and reins are optional.

Either keep your torso absolutely straight or rest your weight on your forearms for an intense Christmas sleigh ride. Dasher or Dancer?

2.The Merry X Mas

This straightforward position will let you rock your way to a jingle bells feeling.

Start by having your partner simply sit with his legs crossed on the floor and straddle him. With one arm wrapped around his neck, rock backwards and forwards together while you also keep one hand on the floor for balance.

Other naughty gifts guaranteed to spice up your mulled wine time:

  • Tracey Cox Supersex Silicone Vibrating Love Ring, £9.99 from LoveHoney.com

You can’t go wrong with a vibrating love ring.

This affordable design from Love Honey features “stimulating textures” for you to enjoy while the pulsations are sure to get your partner close to the edge.

  • Chocolate Orange Flavoured Lubricant, £7.99 for 100ml

And just to take things up a festive notch (or two), be sure to snap up a bottle of chocolate orange lube to help you on your way.

At the very least, a welcome change to a stocking full of Chocolate Orange of the Terry’s variety.

Why not take things up another notch with a blindfold?

Whether you fancy covering your partner’s eyes while you tease him with this move, or try it on yourself, this red satin blindfold from Love Honey is a bedroom must-have.

On that TIP, let’s crack on with this second to last instalment of 2018.

Beauty Ed Sophie

We reveal the winners (and losers) at the biggest event of the year – The British Fashion Awards 2018. Also, this week’s Guest Beauty Editor Sophie Jane Hopwood brings you the incredible Jouve Skincare range (I’ve tried it and it works).  Plus, some tips on how to stay slim this uber fattening season.

The British Fashion Awards 2018

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It’s last big diary event of the year in the fashion calendar.

The British Fashion Awards 2018.

Meghan Markle was the surprise guest at the star-studded event at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday evening, appearing on stage to present a gong to her wedding dress designer, Clare Waight Kellerof Givenchy. She wore a beautiful black one-shoulder dress emphasising her baby-bump, believed to have been designed by the very woman she was there to honour.

Clare Waight Keller, 48, won the prestigious British Womenswear Designer of the Year award.

Meghan shockingly wore a dark nail colour (gasp) to match her black one-shouldered dress, despite protocol advising that female royals must stick to a barely-there nude shade when attending official events.

Elsewhere at the BFAs, Victoria Beckham‘tried’ to look chic, as she joined Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerberand Rosie Huntington-Whiteleyon the red carpet.

 

The fashion designer, 44, who was nominated for the British Designer of the Year Womenswearaward, looked surprisingly nervous and drab in a black high-neck flowy chiffon jumpsuit from her summer ’19 collection. I would say it was too big for her frame and her thin hair looked lank and greasy.

Victoria, who was joined by her ‘husband’ David on the red carpet, the pair looking as awkward as ever.

My fave model Kendall Jenner looked sensational, as she bared all and went bra-less to show off her cleavage, front and back, in a sheer gold beaded dress with a daring slit on the left leg. She left nothing to the imagination as she teamed the daring dress with a tiny nude thong and barely-there Perspex heels.

Meanwhile, Kaia (Cindy’s daughter) made a bold fashion statement in a black and silver cut-out embroidered top with a pair of matching black flared trousers.

The 17-year-old model completed her look with a pair of black barely-there heeled sandals, a black velvet clutch bag and diamond cuff earrings. Kaia, who is nominated for the Model of the Year award, styled her brunette locks into a sweptback hairdo, she added a slick of make-up. She was joined by her famous supermodel mother, Cindy Crawford.

Cindy, 52, looked sensational in an off-the-shoulder black velvet dress with a flower on the front and a daring slit on the leg.  She accessorised her look with a pair of black heels, a delicate clutch bag and diamond jewellery for a glamorous look.

Also attending was Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who looked incredible in a black, purple, pink and blue feathered beaded embellished plunging dress.

Dressing for the cool December weather, the model, 31, layered the stunning dress with a long black tailored duster coat, which she draped over her shoulders.

Winnie Harlow, who is nominated for the Model of the Year award, made sure she commanded attention on the red carpet in a theatrical silver sheer embellished plunging dress, with ombré coloured feathered detailing on the hem and sleeves.

Meanwhile, Rita Oralooked shocking in an entire Prada ensemble, which included a red and black patterned pyjama silk skirt suit with logo socks.

Completing her look, she added diamond earrings, an embellished black hairband, a collection of necklaces, a red Prada clutch bag and backless black stilettos. I love all these items individually, but not simultaneously.

Also attending was Liam Payne who looked handsome in a black crushed velvet tuxedo with a matching bowtie and black shirt.

Yasmin Le Bon, 54, going on 21, looked gorgeous as she showed off her toned figure in an off-the-shoulder silver tassel mini dress.

Olly Murs, 34, wearing a brown velvet tuxedo with black detailing on the trims, teamed the items of clothing with a black t-shirt and a pair of trainers. Velvet is proving to be THE fabric of 2018.

On the subject of velvet – Alexa Chung turned up in a yellow velvet frock which quite frankly, looked like my Grandma’s couch back in the 70s. But in a quirky way, she managed to pull it off. Like she always does.

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