On the gift front, one person we should never overlook is the person who hosts us at Christmas. With all the conflicting reports regarding permissible “hosting” arrangements and all the government dictats, it is difficult to know quite where we stand this Christmas. However, forewarned is forearmed, so it’s worthwhile having a tasteful, thoughtful “host gift” at the ready. I like to treat people to items they might not indulge in themselves, and here are a few suggestions.

Diptyque – Sapin de Nuit Candle

Beautifully painted with festive illustrations, this forest pine scented candle is sure to evoke the scent of the season. Being Diptyque, the quality is of course superlative.

£32.00

Hotel Chocolat Wreath

This large chocolate wreath made of 50% milk chocolate,cookies and florentines is just made for sharing. Any host would be delighted to receive this impeccably packaged gift.

£20.00

8knots Oyster Bottle Opener

This truly is an Objet d’art, a rare, unique piece. A little decadent perhaps, yet there is no better time to be that way than Christmas. This is a real-deal oyster shell set in a bronze wax. To be treasured for life.

84.00€

Sloane Stationary Guest Book No9

“Distinguished Guests”

Handmade in England by this eponymous stationer. The paper is luxurious and gilt edged, the card black and lizard embossed. A humorous twist on the formality of such books, and to be used for years to come.

£59.00

Disaronno Wears Liqueur

As our hosts are of course fellow fashionistas, these Iconic bottles of the World’s favourite Italian Liqueur will be highly covetable. You can choose the designer – Missoni, Diesel, Trussardi, Versace to name but a few. Being so aesthetically pleasing, the Missoni one I received last Christmas (once its contents were enjoyed) is still in use as an ornament.

18.95€

Wishing all AZIP readers a Joyous, Merry Christmas. One full of cheer, love and laughter.

Chanelle Clark Bruccoleri xxx

Welcome to the end of November, 11 months down, one to go, and it’s also BLACK FRIDAY.

If it’s any consolation whatsoever, although 2020 has been the worst year EVER, it has been a good year for wellies. And I have reason to embrace this choice of footwear as I live next to Hampstead Heath, which is so muddy right now, it makes a wet Glastonbury look like the Sahara. I’ve spent all of lockdown on trudging across the Heath guarded against the elements. Not surprising, since there’s been little else to do this year apart from walk. And walk. And walk some more.

Remember how Hunter wellies became the wellies of choice, after Kate Moss wore them to Glasto a few years back? Then Bottega Veneta‘s Puddle Boots and Prada‘s tread sole stompers made designer wellies equally cool for muddy situations.

Now San Laurent has got in on the action with a new addition to its Rive Droite collection.  Teaming up with Hunter, they have designed a pair of wellies that would add some rock-and-roll swagger to those laps around the park. The knee-high black style come embellished with silver studs and straps and with a price-tag of £475 (definitely not your average welly price, but you’ll get much more mileage out of the rubber stuff right now). 

Another reason to hope Glastonbury 2021 goes ahead.

Onto this week’s Zips It Up and we discover the top three SNEAKERS 2020, discover a new luxury activewear collection out of Liverpool as gyms reopen and it’s Black Friday at Boots with cut-price MAC products.

As UK gyms re-open their doors next week, I have discovered a new luxury activewear brand straight out of Liverpool, which can be worn on the treadmill, in the studio or even with the girls for lunch in town. Check out the star print leggings.

Jupo are a premium activewear fashion outfit, offering ladies the hottest labels from around the globe, working only with exclusive and sustainable brands, based on their fit and feel first and foremost.

I spoke to Lucy Nesbitt, one of Jupo’s ambassadors about this fabulous collection.

“Having worked in the world of corporate sales and marketing for over 15 years, I found myself on furlough during the global pandemic for 7 months. I have always had a passion for training and lived in my activewear during this strange time. I realised the world we live in may never go back to the its former self and I decided to use the time I may never get back and use it for something productive. This is where the idea of Jupo was formed. Around me, all I could see were ladies living in activewear and I wanted to bring the best brands from around the globe together in one place.

“It all happened very quickly once I had my vision, but there was and still is lots to learn along the way. My dream is to manufacture my own label in the near future bringing together all the best bits of the brands I love! Watch this space.”

Koral

Koral is a high fashion luxury brand resining in LA, from Brazilian fitness finatic Ilana Kugel. Their signature look is high shine fitted fabrics that would fit just as well on a dance floor as they would in gym! Loved and regularly worn by A list celebs we love everything about this brand!

Lorna Jane

When it comes to active wear Australian brand Lorna Jane know just what to do. Their buttery soft fabrics hold you in all the right places and feel like they are made to last a lifetime.  Renowned for their quality, we guarantee once you try this brand you won’t ever leave.

Alala (arriving in the next 2 weeks)

From their flagship Bleeker street store in the heart NYC, Alala brings us timeless classic activewear fashion that crosses over into catwalk. We love their seasonal velvet fabrics and their classic heroine leggings that are constantly selling out online.

Varley (arriving in the New Year)

The most classic of all our brands. Soft pastel colour ways and floaty soft fabrics which are made to make you feel like a goddess. Layer up their pieces and they will take you anywhere from Pilates to the Swiss alps.

http://www.bejupo.com

In more good news, which (at long last) there seems to be more of right now, Boots have released a whole host of new Black Friday offers, running from today (Friday 27^th Nov) until December 1st. Customers can find a selection of the new offers in stores and online at www.boots.com

 These include savings of almost £50 on a MAC gift set, 50% off YSL fragrances and £250 off selected Oral B electric toothbrushes.

Makeup fans won’t want to miss out on the BEST OF MAC GIFT SET which saves you nearly £50 on some of MAC’s cult favourites. I hope my husband is reading this because I would love to get this in my Christmas stocking.

It comes with the Fix+ setting spray, Velvet Teddy lipstick, Strobe Cream, ‘Amber lights’ eyeshadow and MAC in extreme mascara – all for just £35 (was £87.50).

If you’re looking for a gift for your favourite skincare junkie, Boots now sells the LIZ EARL DAILY REVIVAL COLLECTION for £40 (was £68).

While the JULIEN MACDONALD ILLUMINATIONS down to £30 (was £70) – saving shoppers 50%.

And the SILK ‘N’ FACETITE anti-ageing device which tightens the skin, reduces wrinkles and restores collagen, is down from £199 to £99.

The early Boots Black Friday sale is running until December 1st, with offers running both in stores and online.

Boots stores have been allowed to remain open during the latest national lockdown – here are some other beauty essentials you need to grab ASAP.

Oral B iO7™ Electric Toothbrush White Alabaster Designed by Braun

£150.00

Huda Beauty Coral Obsessions Eye Kit

£28.00

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow Palette

£36.50

With party season all but cancelled, it’s unlikely we’ll be needing sparkly stilettos or velvet loafers anytime soon.

So, rather than splurge on party-ready shoes, why not bring a bounce out the house with some walk-friendly trainers? And these are the TOP THREE sneaker styles to invest in now.

• The high-top is back for winter, with Nike’s Blazer style (£89.99, office.co.uk) emerging as a fashion girl fave. Pair with leather trousers and slouchy jumpers or satin midis. For puddle elevation, go for Converse’s chunky platform-soled Run Star Hikes(£90, converse.com). Elsewhere high-top basketball shoes are a slam-dunk, with fashion search platform Lyst confirming the top three hottest trainers of the year to all be high-top Air Jordan styles.

• If there was one smash-hit sneaker of 2020, it would have to be New Balance. The grey 990v5 has been worn by everyone from Kaia Gerber and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet, while the New Balance 992 style sold out within one week of being stocked on MatchesFashion, “and the 991 style has been very popular too. (£140, newbalance.co.uk).

• It’s goodbye to Nineties energy Fila and Nike Air Force 1, and in with a Seventies and Eighties revival. For her collaboration with Adidas Originals, released last Friday, menswear designer Grace Wales Bonner took inspiration from Bob Marley and Seventies Jamaican dancehall to create a super-retro men’s and women’s sportswear collection, of which the rust, green and brown-toned trainers are major highlights (from £130, matchesfashion.com). Purists should look to Lacoste’s white-out Ascenta and Contest styles (£100 and £80, lacoste.com), inspired by the brand’s Eighties archive, while neon enthusiasts might check out Puma’s Eighties-inspired Future Riders (£75, puma.com).

Welcome to mid-November and mid #Lockdown2.

As we get through this mundane month, the mind drifts between a lost summer in Ibiza and an impending Christmas, which could be equally mundane. How can one bring the magic of Ibiza to Christmas without getting on a plane (and taking the Covid test that’s necessary to get just about anywhere overseas these days)?

Here’s the answer, the ultimate Xmas present for all you Ibiza lovers who have missed the white isle in 2020.

We all love a board games on 25^th Dec, post-turkey and Queen’s Speech.  Unless of course you opt for a festive siesta. 

Pacha Ibiza and Hasbro have launched a special new edition of the world-renowned board game Monopoly, inviting fans to play as if they were enjoying the best of the White Isle in person. The new Monopoly edition focuses primarily on Pacha Ibiza, but includes cheeky references to sub-brands Pacha Hotel, Lío, and sister venue Destino.

Players can perform a variety of Ibizan activities, including designing a nightclub, visiting cabaret shows, drinking cocktails, becoming a DJ, taking a taxi, ordering room service, renting sunbeds, and more.

In this Pacha Ibiza version of the game, the travel spaces are now venues, utility spaces are shops, Chance and Community Chest have become Day and Night.  The two most historically important spaces in the USA edition — Boardwalk and Park Place — have been transformed into the Main Room and Pacha VIP. Sadly, the eight classic Monopoly playing pieces remain the same.

Voila – the ultimate Ibiza Fan’s stocking filler. And the closest most might get to Ibiza in 2020.

Anyway… in this instalment of Zips It Up we continue with the gift ideas, this week for Men, Harry Styles graces the cover of Vogue in a dress and M&S collaborate with Ghost just in time for our non-existent party season.

by Chanelle Clark Bruccoleri

Men are notoriously hard to buy for, and decent gifts can often be heinously expensive. With that in mind I have sought out quirky, luxe gifts for all your men, that won’t burn a huge hole in your pocket. 

Rory Dobner domed crystal paperweight.                

The credentials of Dobner speak for themselves, including collaborations with F&M and Fashion Rocks. His pieces are always incredibly well received and none more so than this exquisite paperweight. It’s weight and beauty belie its relatively low price. It truly is a perfect present and arrives in stylish, minimalist packaging. With working from home being so prevalent, it will prove to be more than a mere adornment. So many achingly, cool designs to choose from too. Personally, I opted for the scarab beetle design and it takes pride of place on my brother’s desk.       £35.00 

Billykirk Embossed Valet Tray.                

This high quality, moulded leather wallet tray is perfect for storing his watch, wallet, coins and other bits. Expertly made in California and available in a variety of colours, my preference being the natural as pictured. Bucking the traditional valet shape, this is a more modern version and can be embossed with initials or anything else you wish, be inventive and convey a personal message – slice of pizza for the pizza lover in your life perhaps? £38.00, embossing £15 extra 

Elemis- Men’s Grooming Duo.

You just can’t go wrong with Elemis products. That reassuringly masculine packaging combined with highly effective ingredients inside. Take his grooming game to another level with this facial set and you will have him cleaning up his act in no time. £39.00

Sloane Stationary Journal.

” Noted Sorted Done” This wittily captioned Journal comes wrapped in a faux lizard cover and provides 192 cream pages for him to pen all his profound musings.

£29.00

Books 

No Christmas is complete without a few choice reads. The first one I have selected ‘ The Powerful and the Damned’ is a diary from the editor of the Financial Times. Said to be a scathing portrait of power in our modern age; expect billionaire bankers and tech gurus galore. R.R.P. £25.00 (Amazon £16.99)                                                            

‘Shoe Dog’ has been out for a few years now and anyone I know that has read it, loved it. So, if your fella is attached to his Nike’s, this memoir will shed light on the history of them, as well as Knight’s life story. R.R.P £9.99

Last but by no means least, possibly a lifesaver too is ‘ The Hungover Cookbook’. An amusing play on the standard pairing of food and drinks. Full to the brim (pardon the pun) with interesting, restorative recipes. Sure to sort him out, clearing his fuzzy head, over the festive season. R.R.P.£7.99.

Marks and Spencer’s Travel Game.

As much of a pre-requisite for xmas as books, has to be games. Faithful stalwart M&S has come up trumps with this game for the intrepid traveller. Collect flags to add to your passport to win. We may not be able to travel but damn we can pretend.

£9.50

Suck.co.uk –       

No feature on men’s gifts should overlook this site. It is always my go to for unique bits to charm and impress. Current favourites of mine are the skull scissors (perfect to display in his valet tray) and the black laundry bag.   

€14.00 and €35.00

Despite the gloom hanging over the fashion industry, there have been a few success stories, and one of them is Ghost.

While other fashion labels have languished in the doldrums, Ghost has been springing up all over, and now M&S are “all over” Ghost.

So, it’s rather enterprising of Marks & Spencer (who have been struggling in 2020) to have bagged Ghost for a pre-Christmas collaboration.  After all, let’s face it, traditional partywear was never going to be a big seller this year. What’s the point of sequin-encrusted frippery if it’s only going to be seen by the cat? A vintage-inspired Ghost dress though . . . now that’s something you can work into your wardrobe all year round. 

For those not familiar with Ghost – what’s all the fuss about? Ghost walks a clever line between “sexy” and “girly”, managing to be feminine and grown-up without being boring. Fashion labels often claim to be timeless, but Ghost really is. I’d happily wear it, as would my mum; Ghost really does suit any age.

The  dresses in this ten-piece, limited-edition collection are not particularly trend-led, although there are hints of details from the autumn/winter catwalks, such as the white Peter Pan collars, seersucker bodices, frilled cuffs and wrap styles. 

Although Ghost isn’t a particularly expensive label, the M&S designs are considerably cheaper. A midi-dress from Ghost mainline will set you back around £150, whereas one from the M&S collection comes in at around £70.

M&S X Ghost womenswear launched exclusively online at marksandspencer.com on Wednesday.

Harry Styles is rocking a Gucci ballgown while sticking two fingers up to toxic masculinity, as first solo man on Vogue US cover. It has caused a storm, to say the least.

In the landmark edition, the former One Direction star waxes lyrical about a range of topics, including his time in the boy band, his celebrated foray into film, as well as his personal style inspiration. Wearing an array of outfits designed for all genders and no genders at the same time, Harry shares his thoughts on wearing clothes designed for women.  He comments that once you take down any barriers you’re freeing yourself up to enjoy so much more. ‘Clothes are there to have fun with and experiment with and play with’.

 ‘What’s really exciting is that all of these lines are just kind of crumbling away. When you take away “There’s clothes for men and there’s clothes for women,” o you open up the arena in which you can play. ‘I’ll go in shops sometimes, and I just find myself looking at the women’s clothes thinking they’re amazing.’

US fans were loving the fact Harry’s beloved white Vans made it into one of the shots. Harry was praised by his sister Gemma, who also starred in the shoot for a spread inside, she wrote on Twitter: ‘Vogue December 2020 @Harry_Styles The first man to appear solo on the cover of @voguemagazine. ‘So proud of who you are. Thanks for asking m.’ Read Harry’s full interview in the December issue of US Vogue.

The Vogue edition co-insides with this week’s on-line GUCCI FEST.

When Gucci announced in May that it would be eschewing the traditional fashion show schedule in favour of two seasonless and genderless shows a year, people were left wondering what the brand would do instead.

After the Italian brand was notably absent from Milan Fashion Week, in September, the collections have been presented to the world in the form of a seven-episode miniseries during a week-long digital film festival, GucciFest.

Co-directed by Gus Van Sant, the series will star “international talents and friends of the house,” including Billie Eilish, Harry Styles and Florence Welch. Just Google GucciFest and check out all the pictures.

Welcome to this week’s round up of fashion and lifestyle, during a week big on euphoria.

Trump is out and sleepy Joe is in. Bad news to some in the US, but surely a safer world for everyone? I do love the US election. To a certain extent I will be sad to see the end of Trump, purely for his daily entertainment value.

On Monday, we were cartwheeling down the street whilst fist punching, after the ‘announcement’ finally arrived.  Yes, the coronavirus VACCINE is ready to rock and roll. It’s the only way out of this hell hole we’re all inhabiting right now, and whether you’re a conspiracist or not will likely determine if you opt to “vax” or not – a discussion we’re all bound to be having in the coming weeks.

So, it seems like normality is around the corner, as we hear the “toot” of the salvation bugle in the distance. 2021(or the latter part at least) could possibly be the BEST YEAR EVER, as people all over the world go absolutely nuts. I for one will be glad to see the back of the loungewear that has dominated our fashion scene in 2020.

Our potential release from loungewear comes just as we receive news that the ultimate loungewear – the ‘Juicy Couture’ velour tracksuit – is to return, marking the 25^th anniversary of its Godforsaken launch, back in the 90s.

Looking back on the trend, it was both very 90s and comical. In reality, we were splurging on glorified pyjamas with crystals glued onto the derrières. You couldn’t pick up a tabloid without seeing one of these signature velour sets in candy colours sported by the biggest names of the day: Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Lopez. But there was something authentic and charming about the trend. Stars seemed to wear them because they loved them, not because they were paid to. “Juicy was before the heyday of stylists” says Nicky Hilton Rothschild, who, along with her sister Paris, was an early adopter of the tracksuit, helping it reach an insane level of covetability. “Now, girls are styled in head-to-toe runway looks just to do errands. Girls back then wore what they wanted because they liked it, and it was comfortable.”

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Juicy is launching a new collection of tracksuits, T-shirts, and jumpsuits that will be available on JuicyCouture.com.  

So, as we start to leave the pandemic behind us, let’s go out with a bang in a Juicy tracky to celebrate. Wouldn’t that be the best and most ironic way to say goodbye to the leisure wear we’ve been cooped-up in?