ASOS Axes Waifs

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ASOS has become the first major brand to tell its skinny models to “fatten up” following the backlash over Victoria Beckham’s use of skeletal catwalk stars.

ASOS told several models regularly working for them to put weight on their arms and collarbones, if they want to continue being booked.

One plus-size model, said: “There are no two humans on this planet that are the same. We are all different and beautiful in our own way and it’s about time brands listened. They need to make sure that every young eye can see a role model they can relate to.”

Earlier this month,VB used stick-thin Lithuanian model Giedre Dukauskaite, 29, to model a pair of oversized glasses from her Spring/Summer 2018 eyewear range.

Giedre’s skinniness prompted one critic to accuse Posh of using “a model who looks like a teenager with severe anorexia.”

And after the photographs were released on Posh’s official Facebook page, fans were also quick to slam her for “promoting eating disorders”. Dukauskaite looks ill and dangerously thin.

The feedback ASOS gave one model agency’s booker was that their models look too small in photographs, and that they had to clamp down on using ‘skinny models’ after an online backlash when using smaller girls. However, after ASOS revealed their new approach, some models insisted that they were happy with their slender figures and were upset by the firm’s new rules. “I’ve worked for the brand before and my body shape hasn’t changed” said one girl. “It feels unfair”.

However, in the bigger picture of happiness and healthy body identity, I believe ASOS’s approach is to be applauded. Hopefully other brands will follow suit.

Summer Swimwear Preview 2018

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How brave will you be in summer 2018? Swimwear is already making an appearance in endless holiday ads on TV, and summer will be here before we know it. Says she wishfully.

Swimwear options for 2018 include glamorous 90s plunge one-piece swimsuits in bold and neutral colours, through to the All-American bikini.

Think ‘Stars & Stripes and ‘American Bandanas’. Yes, the ultimate American designer, Tommy Hilfiger, has launched a collection of swimwear that’s exclusive to Topshop.

In fact, Topshop have got your whole holiday look sorted. We’re nominating mirrored shades and suede espadrilles as the go-to styling pieces to accessorize your beach or poolside look.

Just think ‘Sports Illustrated front cover’, and you’ll have the gist.

Prices for Toyshop plunge one-piece swimwear start at £20

& Tommy Swimwear from £75 – £85

all at www.topshop.com

Back To Your Roots

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Remember when the lighter-haired amongst us were afraid of leaving the house without touching-up our grown-out dark roots? Well, those days are over.

Madonna, this is not how we do roots.

Everyone from Kate Moss to Kim Kardashian is wearing their roots loud and proud. This is great news for an unnatural blonde, who devotes the best part of an entire day every six weeks, baking in foils and retouching my roots back to gold.

Obviously, some of us start showing our grey before others, so perhaps this isn’t for everyone.

But whether you’re growing out a platinum blonde mane or you simply haven’t had time to see your colourist, the trick is not to hide them. Make your roots an actual feature. Texture, natural curl and a loose undone look give blonde hair a cool edge.

And when worn in the right way, roots can give the illusion of full, voluminous hair.

So spritz that texture spray and rock your roots.

… a word from the Editor and Blogger

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Welcome to most miserable week of the year – some lost place in January.

It’s certainly not cold by winter standards, but it’s still single digits. You’d expect lots of hats, coats and scarves all over London, but I have seen a disturbing trend in these chilly temperatures amongst 18-40 year old men. Having spotted at least 6 men on the tube this winter’s week, all wearing trainers without socks, plus rolled up jeans, I did a double take. It’s a look we’re used to seeing on the summer beaches of Ibiza and Mallorca. But it was too much of a coincidence and Leicester Square is nowhere near any airports. So I decided to check out this crazy trend, featured in this instalment.

Plus we say Happy Birthday to my style icon, Kate Moss. She and I are the same age, which makes me feel better about myself. Also this time around, if you thought ‘sleeve tattoos’ where hideous and the sole domain of wannabe Beckhams, then check out a massive new trend amongst women – Armpit Tatts. Yes, you read that right. Tattooed armpits.


On a more boring note, those amongst us wanting to look “on point” whilst it’s minus two outside should invest in ultra bright woolies.

Hats and jumpers in red, yellow, green and blue – basically any colour of the primary rainbow, except black, white and grey – appear to be happening right now.

Which is a boo from me.

Enjoy it all in this issue of Amanda Zips It Up.

Armpit Tattoos

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Armpit tattoos – they don’t sound sexy, do they? But to many women in 2018, they’re the latest tattoo trend, looking unexpectedly beautiful. And certainly better than hairy armpits,  a worrying trend. Thanks for that Lourdes and Madonna.

credit for story: Mira Manley

We’ve seen countless types of tattoos, in all manor of body regions. From the black arm sleeve, to the horny devil on the shoulder, to the misspelt and grammatically incorrect 5am job after a drunken night in Magaluf, many of which will cause huge regret one day, if not now.

We thought we’d seen it all, but armpit tattoos are new to us.

From super cute strawberries and toad stools, to hyper realistic floral and insect designs, check out the best armpit tattoos to provide inspiration for your next inking.

Got a sleeve but run out of space? Extend it into your armpit, for the ink that keeps on giving.

Armpits can be a super sensitive area to ink, but the pain might be totally worth it if you end up with a hyper realistic tattoo that’s a lifetime piece of art.

Is it just me or is the idea of a secret flower tattoo under your armpit kind of fun?

My concern is the hair growing through, so perhaps laser hair removal should be the first thought. Otherwise “growth” would surely interfere with such a pretty picture?

NOW TRENDING: EXPOSED ANKLES FOR MEN

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Why are men casting their socks aside, and what does it mean for modern menswear?

You don’t have to be a seasoned menswear professional to have noticed that as far as the bottom half is concerned, less is more. Men’s trousers are in the midst of their own swinging sixties micro miniskirt moment, shaking up the establishment on the way. Kind of.

The desired effect of raising leg lengths raised eyebrows everywhere last summer, when it became the staple look of the “wide boy” in Ibiza.

And men are hitching up their strides all year round now.

What does it mean for menswear? On a practical level, there are obvious drawbacks. Gently bronzing your ankles is all well and good during the height of summer, but an up close and personal meeting with winter’s worst weather is hardly desirable and something that your mother surely wouldn’t welcome (we’re taking her side on this one). Then there’s the whole socks or no socks debate. For the record, I’d take the potential emasculation of wearing dainty pop socks over sweat soaked soles any day.

For men’s style, hitched-up hems are significant in their implication. This seemingly small – yet doggedly persistent – act of change signposts a shift away from the assumption that men are devoted to practicality. And importantly – unlike many trends which live and die in the insular world of menswear – exposed ankles have been adopted by a hefty number of men, both here in Britain and the Balearics.

The unveiling of the ankle means that men cannot be roundly dismissed as creatures of habit, so terrified of change that they’re almost allergic to spending more than five minutes in a clothes shop.

But as trends “not be silenced” go, bared ankles have loudly asserted their intention to stick out for the foreseeable future. Viva la revolution.

Kate Moss At 44

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Kate Moss turned 44 this week, and she’s as successful now as she was over 20 years ago. Her status as a style icon is immortalised in fashion history. She inspires everyone, from designers like John Galliano, Marc Jacobs and Vivienne Westwood, to Hollywood stylists, plus buyers at retail chain stores. And me.

So how did Kate get her unique take on style? As a cash-strapped teen, she hunted down secondhand clothing in London’s Portobello Market. Unlike the chic, carefully coordinated merchandise on display in fashion stores, these stalls jumbled different types of clothes together. The unusual combinations inspired her to mix things up — mens’ suits with Adidas trainers and high-heeled suede boots with antique silk nightgowns (which later triggered the underwear-as-outerwear trend).

Kate, this week celebrating her birthday

As Kate once said: “I don’t follow a trend. I just have a thrown-together look people can relate too, not too ‘done.’ ”

 

Still fabulous doing ‘slouch’

I love her for taking the snobbishness out of fashion. She’s the ultimate party girl and doesn’t take herself too seriously. There’s always been a youthfulness and sense of fun to her outfits, and it’s no wonder so many want to dress like her.

Little surprise, then, that designers have fallen over themselves to gift Kate Moss their clothes. When Kate wears your gear, it sells out. Take, for instance, the Balenciaga Motorcycle bag. Nicolas Ghesquière, the company’s head designer in 2000, wasn’t even intending to put the bag into production until Kate picked one up. Waiting lists exploded worldwide.

Kate can change fashion overnight. Just when everyone began copying those ballet flats, she started wearing gladiator sandals. When boot-cut jeans were the style of the moment, Kate was photographed in skinny drainpipes, dressed like a rock chick in shaggy coats and vests. The boot cut was history, and skinny jeans were all over the runway and the new must-have fit.

Inevitably, Kate wanted a piece of the action for herself. She chose British retail store Topshop to launch a collaboration in 2007, which I bought in abundance. Fashionistas were thrilled, and stars from Cameron Diaz to Sienna Miller proudly wore pieces from the collection. Sure enough, first-year sales were a smash hit, reaching £6 million in the first week alone.

At 44, Kate claims her sense of style is mellowing — “You can’t walk a dog in a heel,” she’s said. So she doesn’t do that. She can wear Uggs and a Parka, refuse to wash or brush her hair, fall out of clubs with a fag hanging out of her mouth and get escorted off planes, drunk – AND STILL LOOK FABULOUS.

Little make up, zero botox, fillers and plenty of black roots.

A basic bitch she is not!

Me, if you mistook me for Kate

I am forever converted to the leopard print coat in honour of my style icon – much to my husband’s annoyance.

I say, she’s still got it. Long may we follow.

Happy Birthday Kate.

… a word from Amanda

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Welcome to a brand spanking New Year. Whether you loved or loathed 2017, it’s time to embrace ‘18 and the next chapter of fashion and wellbeing.

I spent the festivities in Mallorca and Dubai – which were both memorable, and distinctly non-rock’n’roll. Peaceful and healthy – no dramas – just sunshine, snoozes and a good book.

I hate January, mostly because it’s cold, dark and miserable. Everyone is bloated and a little depressed. Plus, it’s back to school or work, which is never fun after a big blowout.

Here at Zips It up, we aim to brighten up this bluest of months with colourful fashion predictions and healthly lifestyle hints to make you feel tip top again.

In this issue, we check out Men’s London Fashion Week 2018, which the girls will love, as we feature David Beckham and Tinie Tempah’s collections, plus your diet & mood changers. Plus, is it the end of the SELFIE as we know it?

I’m predicting some new up and coming fashion trends from London to Ibiza, which look set to make 2018 a stylish year to remember. Here are a few sneaky peeks at what we’ll be wearing this season.

Crayola colours

Pastel colours

Puff sleeves & Palm Beach Glam

Check print

Feather clothes

Fringing

Suit shorts

Rubber & Plastic

Transparent rain macs

Bad Sportswear

Floral dresses

Happy New Year everyone, from Amanda and the Zips It Up office.

Men’s London Fashion Week 2018

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Men’s London Fashion Week happened this week, celebrating and discovering a vision of modern British menswear.

the usual ‘shocking’ nonsense at London Fashion Week

David Beckham, Essex boy, football captain, dad, style setter and outright brand, has been a pin-up of mainstream masculinity for two decades now. Kent & Curwen, a brand founded on Savile Row in 1926, has been working with the Beckham since 2015, when he became majority owner. To celebrate a new store on Floral Street – a move from Savile Row – Beckham hosted a lunch on Sunday. The menu was appropriate: pie and mash followed by sticky toffee pudding.

Kent & Curwen feature striped knitwear, duffel coats and checked jackets. There were also bomber jackets and a T-shirt with the emblazoned with “no guts, no glory”. Other repeated motifs included the rose, as seen on the brand’s signature rugby shirt, and the familiar Three Lions crest.

Beckham, sporting a neat man bun, commented that it’s multi-generational. “I can go in the store and find something great and my 15- or 18-year-old kid can go in the store and find something great too.”

Over the course of the weekend, the British Fashion Council showcased a parade of cutting-edge talent, both home-grown and international. Here are a couple of designers who caught our eye, here at Zips It Up.

What We Wear

In only its third season, What We Wear might be considered a relative newbie on the schedule, but the latest collection proved to be one of the most anticipated shows.

 

Created under the guise of chart-topping rapper Tinie Tempah, the brand has become known for its signature tracksuits, which took on a whole new form for autumn/winter 2018.

Here, the south Londoner cited the capital’s public service workers and manual labourers as the influence behind a collection that offers a contemporary take on uniforms.

Shapes were slimmer and more structured, as sportswear elements were combined with more formal aspects, such as traditional suiting, for added sleekness. The colours were more muted than we have come to expect – with shades like olive green, black and royal blue vivified by sporadic bursts of orange.

Knitwear also made an appearance in the collection for the first time, while trim cargo trousers and Breton shirts formed part of what could easily make up a hardworking day-to-day wardrobe.

These were the more wearable collections, amongst the predictable host of ridiculous offerings, more suited to a stag night in Ibiza, than an evening at Soho House or The Ned.

Diet & Mood Changers

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NEW YEAR spells new bellies, bums and bulges. Bringing with them fresh diet plans, for millions of us. However, if boosting your mood – as well as maximising weight loss – is your goal, make these tweaks to your diet. My 2018 goal is to feel better as well as slimmer.

With what is supposedly the most depressing day of the year, ‘blue Monday’, occurring on 15th January, some preparatory tweaks to your diet to boost your mood are surely worthwhile. Here are some easy tweaks to your diet to brighten up January.

Balance blood sugar

Swap white bread and chocolate for protein-rich beans and pulses, fibre-packed wholegrains and essential fat-rich oily fish.

White refined carbohydrates and sugary foods are absorbed quickly into the blood stream. This may cause an initial ‘high’ or surge of energy, but it soon wears off. A blood sugar ‘high’ is often followed by a blood sugar ‘crash’, leaving us feeling tired and low.

To balance blood sugar, include protein, fibre and healthy fats into each meal and snack. All three components help to slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream.

Don’t skip meals

Missing out on meals will not only hinder your weight loss efforts by putting your body into ‘starvation’ mode, but it won’t make you feel good either.

Ensure that you eat at least three meals a day.

Skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar, causing low mood, anxiety, irritability and fatigue.

Don’t skimp on omega 3 fats

With 60 per cent of the brain made up of fat, it is important to consume enough of it.

Most of the fats in the brain are similar to essential fats called Omega 3s, found in eggs, oily fish and seeds such as chia.

Additionally, eating enough of these ‘good’ fats – found in salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines anchovies and seeds -could help stave off dementia.

Don’t fear carbs

While many weight loss diets advise culling carbs, they are actually crucial for your mood – just eat the right type.

Instead of white bread and white pasta, eat wholegrain bread, wholegrain pasta, brown rice, oats, white or sweet potato with the skin, quinoa, buckwheat, beans, lentils, chickpeas, vegetables and fruit.

Top up on vitamin B6

A lack of B6 could be a reason if you’re feeling down.

Low levels of vitamin B6 have been associated with symptoms of depression as well as PMS and mood swings.

Marmite, more beans, nuts, legumes, eggs, meats, fish, whole grains, bananas, and fortified breads and cereals are the best.

Do ‘Dry January’

Whilst in moderation it is absolutely fine, we have to remember that alcohol has a depressant effect on the brain that can result in rapid worsening of our mood.

Don’t overdo the caffeine

Going back to work makes it tempting to fuel up on coffee, but doing so could make you feel more anxious.

If you notice that caffeine makes you feel jittery or anxious it may be time to cut back. Although caffeine is fine in moderation, people’s sensitivity to the stuff can vary greatly.

Get more vitamin D

The winter months can leave you low in the ‘sunshine vitamin’ and this can have an effect on how you feel.

As well as taking a supplement, you can top up by eating more oily fish and egg yolks too. Get outside for at least 20 minutes a day.

Overall, the key is to lower your calories to under 1000 a day, as well as frequently trying to burn at least 500. Do this for four weeks and I can almost guarantee that you’ll drop a size or two.

Good luck.

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