However, while much of my collection comes from market stalls and independent shops that are difficult to trace back, my love of soaps has turned into a personal mission to uncover the best soaps out there. Along with candles, fancy hand soaps have become a default whenever I fancy treating myself to something I wouldn’t ordinarily buy, which I then use on rotation depending on the time of year, or a particular scent I’m pining for. Friends and family have also commented that they anticipate seeing which soap – be it a liquid or a bar – I’ll have sitting on my sink when they next visit. Over time, I’ve tried just about every soap out there and, of course, I have my favourites. So, whether you’re a fellow soap aficionado or you simply want to elevate your bathroom, scroll below to see the b...
As a Fashion Editor, it is often a prerequisite of the job to keep informed of new brand launches and up-and-coming buzzy labels, though with such a saturated market, it can feel like an information overload. With an inbox full of press releases and new brands popping up on Instagram everyday, there’s is hardly enough time to keep up with it all, which is why when you discover a brand the cuts through the noise, you know they’re destined for great things. This summer, I’ve had that experience with few times, finding new brands that have really managed to capture my attention. From newly launched swim labels with inclusivity at their core to sustainably-minded ready-to-wear brands that don’t compromise on style, there is so much talent...
While for some the thought of a check shirt might conjure up images of a well-dressed dad at a barbeque or memories of a childhood school uniform, this season the item has had a decidedly stylish makeover. And although the anecdotal evidence of this is clear—several influencers have been seen embracing the button-down—there’s also data to prove the theory. According to fashion search engine Lyst, check shirts have seen a 38% increase in searches over the last few weeks, with styles by ASOS and Jacquemus amongst the most viewed. And although Jacquemus’ S/S20 yellow shirt was a guaranteed winner on the runway, seen on Instagram feeds worldwide after it’s debut in a lavender field in Provence, I personally feel like a different check ...
It’s basically a more grown-up alternative to smock dresses, which have been trending this year. Perfect for this weekend’s heatwave, these dresses are loose yet elegant, clean-lined yet cool. You can dress them up with chunky jewellery and heeled sandals and dress them down with sliders and sunnies. I also think they would look fab with a cinching belt if you’re craving a bit more shape from your look. At the top of my wish list is Arket’s terracotta-coloured striped midi, which was made for lazy summer afternoons. I also love COS’s silken style, with its delicate lace-up detailing. Best of all? This is surely one of the comfiest dresses you can buy right now, which is ideal if you’re working from home (just sayi...
If you’re looking for a go-anywhere van to transform into a mobile cabin, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 is a great choice. It’s one of the most popular #vanlife choices around, with factory four-wheel drive and a number of body and wheelbase configurations. It’s basically a blank slate—something we have highlighted over and over. Some upfitters build relatively affordable Sprinter-based overland rigs and RVs, others pull out all the stops. The overall variety of Sprinter options is overwhelming. Add Storyteller to your list of Sprinter upfitters, near the top, preferably—because their MODE 4×4 series looks the business. The company has been in the upfitting business for a long time, its founder Jeffrey Hunter tells us, but only recently have they gotten into th...
The list of possible modifications is extensive, too. If it’s just the performance look you’re after, you can spec more than a dozen M Performance parts just to the exterior to your humble little 530i. A carbon front splitter, an M Performance grille (available in either carbon or gloss black), and a carbon trunklid spoiler are just some of the exterior goodies on offer. If you guessed that there are a host of options for the interior of the 5-Series as well, you’d be right. BMW will sell you an M Performance steering wheel that can be trimmed in either leather or Alcantara, some carbon shift paddles, M Performance pedals finished in stainless steel, and an M Performance floor mat. We’re not sure that last one will have a profound effect on your driving experience, ...
London’s green spaces have always been treasured hideaways for those who live here. However, in 2020, the parks have played a vital role for many. At the beginning of lockdown, we retreated to them for our one government-allowed walk a day, and some of us attempted to complete the Couch to 5K app in them. Then, as the restrictions eased, they became the focal point of our social lives. Walk through any London park this summer, and you’ll see socially distant hen parties, 30th birthday celebrations and family reunions taking place alongside sun salutation yoga flows and personal training sessions. I have even seen someone make their own pub out of towering Amazon boxes. As the role of the park in our daily lives has shifted, so has the dress code. Instea...
As I write this, outside, the wind is howling, the skies are overcast and rain is pattering against the windows. Yep, this is English summertime, folks. While we all like to complain about the July drizzle, there is something undeniably cosy about being inside on a day like today, and it has us thinking ahead to the leaf-strewn months of autumn. Our craving for comfort has also been helped along by Net-a-Porter dropping its pre-fall edit. From tailoring and knitwear to leather and long boots, we’re well on our way with planning our next-season capsule. There are certain themes that we’ve spotted in this luxe line-up, and so we thought we’d give you the low-down. Call it a preview of what’s to come for autumn 2020. P...
I still remember how I felt the first time I saw a Maserati GranTurismo. I was wandering through a Maserati dealership while my dad got his Jaguar XJ8 serviced on the adjacent lot. It was then, at the ripe young age of 15, that I first laid eyes on what is still—in my humble opinion—one of the most beautiful automobiles of the last 20 years, perhaps ever. After circling it a few times, I let myself inside; the dealer had, perhaps unwisely, left the showroom model unlocked. That Alcantara-clad bucket seat, the fine leather almost everywhere, and the expansive view over a never-ending hood swept me off my size-9 slip-on Vans. It was love at first sight, and I silently swore to myself one day I would, at the very least, drive this very Maserati. At the time, the goal seemed rather lofty. I wa...
One of the most influential tastemakers in the electronic music sphere is further angling to be a driving force in the gaming community after the announcement of a monumental partnership. Renowned independent electronic label Monstercat took to Twitter today, July 28th, 2020 to announce that it has teamed up with prestigious game creation platform Roblox to provide users access to its distinguished catalog of music. Monstercat now offers 51 tracks to Roblox developers, who may use the music in their games for free. More songs will also be added to Roblox Studio on a regular basis, according to a report by GamesBeat, the gaming vertical of leading technology website VentureBeat. The Monstercat partnership is the latest effort by Roblox to empower its creators with more tools ...
If you’re feeling brave, Dua Lipa’s your gal to look to— her bleached front sections have kicked off a huge trend we are seeing everywhere at the moment, or why not try her pastel pink rinse. Jodie Searle, Senior Colourist, Michael Van Clarke says, if you’re taking this route “always use a semi permanent colour, although if applied on porous or bleached hair, it can still be almost permanent so bare this in mind. If your hair is brunette or darker, the chances are you will have to bleach your hair before you can apply a lighter shade such as pink.” Then there’s the various shades of red, most recently sported by Kim K (anyone else reminded of childhood discos and hair mascara with her latest posts?), or maybe it’s a chance to embrace those grown out roots with dipped ...
As I write this, outside the wind is howling, the skies are overcast and rain is pattering against the windows. Yep, this is English summertime, folks. While we all like to complain about the July drizzle, there is something undeniably cosy about being inside on a day like today, and it has us thinking ahead to the leaf-strewn months of autumn. Our craving for comfort has also been helped along by Net-a-Porter dropping it’s pre-fall edit; from tailoring and knitwear, to leather and long boots, we’re well on our way with planning our next season capsule. There are certain themes that we’ve spotted in this luxe line-up, and so we thought we’d give you the low-down. Call it a preview of what’s to come for autumn ...