Shakeup Cosmetics found out that one of the biggest priorities for men when choosing skincare and cosmetic products is the ease of use, followed by efficacy. This is why the brand is bringing to market two revolutionary twist-up sticks, supporting both men’s skincare routines and their lifestyle needs.

Introducing Shakeup Cosmetics with their latest innovative men’s skincare products: two brand new twist-up skin saviours for men.

Shakeup Cosmetics understands male skin necessities and has become the fastest-growing beauty brand in the UK. It should be definitely included in every man’s grooming and skincare routine, helping them look and feel their 100% every day!

Stick One

Hydrate In A Hurry Moisturiser - Stick With Cucumber Extract And Hyaluronic Acid (RRP £15)

Designed to offer men a way to cool, soothe and hydrate hardworking skins in a hurry. This power-packed twist-up stick is full of skin-nourishing ingredients, designed to work with male skin needs, AND fit into busy lives.

Ingredients: with Hyaluronic Acid to plump and help hydrate, Witch Hazel to soothe and ease redness, Cucumber Extract to cool in a hurry and Vitamin E to fight free radicals and environmental damage, it is an essential addition to busy men’s skincare.

Benefits: perfect for post-workout skin recovery, hydrating-on-the-go and morning-in-minutes routines. Hydrate in a Hurry has a fresh, light fragrance and invisible on the skin.

Stick Two

You Do The Mask – Purifying Clay Draw-on Mask With Activated Coconut Charcoal And Kaolin Clay (RRP £15)

Men’s skin needs the same care and attention that a women’s, but rarely (if ever) gets it. With that in mind, ‘You do the Mask’ is a twist-up no-fuss, no-mess masking stick that works with the skincare needs of men to provide a regular treatment option.   

Ingredients: Activated Charcoal, to clarify and improve the look of men’s slightly wider pores and oilier skins. Coconut Extract to nourish deeply and provide a protective barrier for moisture, Glycerine for a smooth, frictionless application and Kaolin Clay for the deepest cleansing experience possible.

Benefits: deeply cleansing, skin refining and nurturing, without being messy or tricky to use.  The fragrance is indulgent without being too sweet or cloying and the mask is easy to apply and use.  Skin refining results speak for themselves, You Do the Mask is perfect for men with sensitive, blemish-prone skins. Ideal for fitness fans, as it draws the sweat and impurities of your workout routine out before it can clog pores and dull skin.

What the founding brothers Shane and Jake say…

'We know that men don’t want skincare and make up that takes forever to use or has a huge learning curve. We’ve developed these to make having well cared-for skin easy, without compromising efficacy'.

The temperature is dropping, winter is coming and Christmas around the corner.

This can only mean one thing, tea, tea and… yup, you guessed it, more tea!

teapigs is pleased to be bringing back it’s Advent calendar with some much-loved winter favourites, as well as some very exciting new products which are perfect for everyone – from brew connoisseurs to those who simply like to catch up over a cuppa. Let’s take a look…

24 Days Of Teapigs

It’s back! And with a fab refreshed look for 2021.

24 days of teapigs allows tea lovers to don their tea tasting hat and slurp their way through a new blend every morning in the run up to the big day. This year the calendar includes some limited edition wintry blends and cold brew teas, too.

With much-loved flavours such as spiced winter red, glühwein, spiced pear and gingerbread and they are joined by brand new sweet spearmint, too!

An indulgent, but guilt-free, way to feel festive.

The added bonus is that teapigs teas, are made from all-natural ingredients and have no artificial ingredients, sugars, or sweeteners. Oh we love to hear this!

We can't wait to try out these wonderful teapig teas and if previous years are anything to go by, these won't hang around for long so get yours now!

Available at teapigs.co.uk | RRP £29.99

Recent graduate, Elisha Quarman, showcased her final year project at Fashions Finest LFW event.

Having studied Contour design for 3 years at De Montfort University, Leicester, the only UK university to have this specialisation, she became interested in lingerie and the potential of leather as an intimate material.

The structure and the material of the designs are intended to empower women through lingerie.

Photographer Joanna Mitroi

Quarman also plays on the conventions of lingerie through incorporating historical Chinese symbols. She says that the figurative symbols she incorporates into the leather material hints at the history of desexualisation of women in China. Collating the contours of lingerie, the fetish material of leather, and a historical context of desexualisation, Quarman subtly challenges the material history of women’s global battle with oversexualisation and desexualisation.

www.instagram.com/elishaquarmancontour

Moving between Rome and London over the last 18 months, Giulia Valeri of Ad Astra has been continually inspired by multiple sources. On the day, Valeri wears Ad Astra knitwear which typifies her approach to her collections: the white ribbed puff sleeve knitted blouse is accented by a multicoloured zigzag hem around the wrists and the neck of the blouse.

Choosing bold elegance, her collection is a dynamic conversation starter rather than a bold declaration of being present.

Photographer Joanna Mitroi

By combining tassels, bows and frills to standardised uniform of trousers or skirt and blouse, the collection highlights the malleability of feminine contours. A black mini dress is not simply that but embellished with a subtle flounce on the shoulder strip, thereby exaggerating the character and silhouette of an individualistic approach to this classic. Valeri's designs are simplistic, yet on a closer look rich in details and never boring. Every single piece is gorgeously figure hugging and favourably accentuating the female silhouette.

A constant theme throughout this collection are geometric bold cuts and colour pattern combinations, most prevalent in three designs merging a fiery red, nude and rosé tone. The unusual pairing with lavishly embroidered tassels in varying length make the pieces interesting and unique, adding an unexpected twist to their form. They especially come to retribution whilst in movement, steadily flowing in accordance to walking speed.

Structured knitwear that inverts with the corset, draws attention to the waist rather than restricting. Ribbed shirts feature adjustable sleeves, numerous fabrics are hold together by bows, and corsetry tops can be freely adjusted in width. Thereby, Valerie minimises stiff fabrication closures like zippers and buttons and allows the customer to individually contrive the pieces to their best comfort. This collection contrives new daring and fresh ideas by adding distinct twists to established silhouettes and forms.

www.adastrathebrand.com

In honour of World Smile Day The Fragrance Shop hosted an event loaded with all the positive energy and affirmations we are sometimes simply lacking in our hectic everyday life. 

Under the motto ‘Spray a Little Happiness’, a beautifully aesthetic, calm and safe environment aka the ‘Happy House’ was constructed to showcase various new perfume releases alongside different live events the attendees were free to partake in.

Getting the opportunity to reflect on their inner self, actively work on their body, expand their knowledge on crystals, or simply relax with an evening cocktail alongside some blasting music.

The saying ‘good vibes only’ was reflected in every little detail and not only plastered on numerous signs on the walls throughout the premises. Early risers were able to start their day off with an exclusive workout conducted by professional fitness instructor Mr Oliver Lee. After boosting all those endorphins, it was time for a live recording of renowned British entrepreneur Poppy Jamie’s podcast Happy Not Perfect. The show dives into the everlasting question what it is to be human and how we can ultimately thrive from the inside out. Be it mental health, physical health, or business guidance, Jamie always tries to get the most out of her guests and pass on precious life advice to her devoted retinue of listeners.

  Poppy Jamie (on the left hand side) and Sharmadean Reid (on the right) during their discussion.

This episode’s guest was Sharmadean Reid, chief executive and founder of The Stack World, a networking platform for women that originally launched with a focus on the beauty industry as a new way to book services and economically empower independent beauty and wellness professionals. Though over time it evolved to cover a far wider range, branching into different areas that are compiled in a five-pillar model, namely: beauty, wellness, business, culture, and society. It is all about encouraging ambitious women to achieve higher ground whilst forming an interconnected entrepreneurial community of like-minded people. She also founded WAH Nails, so this woman knows exactly what she is talking about when it comes to setting up a business and working on one’s self-development at the same time. Throughout the roughly 45-minute-long talk young women in the audience were seen nodding their heads in agreement upon many things Reid so well versed expounded. Topics circled around feminism, self-confidence, procrastination, how to deal with writers blocks etc. Both revealed some personal experiences and tricks to cope with these issues. Thus, the discussion midst a small audience felt very intimate and insightful. Sharmadean described her life by means of a metaphor, saying: 'I see my life as a theatre and the people close to me are the spectators.' She advised that one sometimes must 'move some of them into another row further back if you feel they negatively impact you' and 'in life people sometimes also naturally move in and out of the front row of your theatre, and that is okay!', thereby expanding upon this figurative simile, which she picked up again from time to time throughout the whole discussion. In the end the audience was able to ask her some questions themselves that might have popped up in their heads. It was a lovely experience listening to these two very adept and open-minded women, every single listener was surely able to take something applicable for their own journey from it. The live recording of this episode will shortly be uploaded to Spotify under the following link:

So, give it a listen and whilst you are at it, peruse The Stack’s Newsletter completely free of charge.

Then it was time to literally spray a little happiness, by a run through of some of the most anticipated perfume releases within the industry. One thing is clear, all of them have a rich background history, bestowing it myriad personality and a story to keep in mind when you are putting them on. These fragrances are not merely about smelling good anymore but evolved into offering yet another component for customers to identify with and express one’s own personality a tat more. Since our sense of smell is amongst the most important senses we possess, the fragrance we wear says a lot about us. Your scent is one of the first things people notice about you, so it's important to make sure it is representing who you are.

KON's minimalistic sustainable packaging bestow the perfume a natural and grounded feeling.

First let us start off with a real game changer, IKON. This brand makes it their mission to continuously transform the market in terms of sustainability and cruelty free fragrances, composing each note with a natural mindset. The packaging is made of recycled composable paper, bottles are made from a light durable glass that does not jeopardise the longevity of the scent. Once owned, you can get them refilled at your local Fragrance Shop, avoiding unnecessary consumption of resources. Only responsibly sourced, natural as well as vegan key ingredients and materials are used. On top of that IKON manufactures locally, thereby further reducing CO2 emissions. The brand features six eaux de parfum in total, coming in 100ml size, all reasonably priced at £60 each. They contain 18 percent fragrance concentration, making it very long lasting.All their names are made up of number combinations, referring to the dates the responsive fragrance was created.  A wide range from slightly sweet to stronger balanced notes should provide something for every taste, especially because they are gender neutral, and who does not love a scent made for icons that you can share with your better half?

Hailey Bieber is the current face of the campaign, pictured next to crystal clear water. Likewise the bottle comes in a vibrant turquoise, embellished with the classic golden Versace Medusa head.

Versace Pour Femme Dylan Turquoise is the ultimate new floral and fruity summery fragrance for women. A spray can easily export you to faraway beaches where the deep blue ocean and hot yellow sand dunes meet. But make no mistake, it certainly is the perfect summer fragrance, nonetheless it concurrently is the perfect winter scent. Why? The indulging top notes of Lemon, Pink Pepper, Mandarin, Orange, and Jasmine create a wonderful mood boosting effect to mentally battle those frigid and gloomy winter days, transforming you to other places in a time when it is unfortunately still not as easy as it used to be to actually travel abroad. Escapism compressed in a bottle!

The intense version (as seen on the right) comes along slightly darker in colour and a little more spicy than the original, a perfect go to for evenings. Both flacons are designed to be refillable, by means of an innovative refill system, reducing its overall environmental impact.

Next on we have some news on the Armani front, My Way is the latest female scent by Giorgio Armani, joining in the ranks of established classics like the different Sí variations. Lots of musk, vanilla and white flower tones unveil for hours on end throughout the day. As the name suggests, the scent is supposed to encapsulate authentic experiences and encounters around the world, what exactly is associated with the top, heart and base note depends on how you have and are currently living your way. The short campaign film of the same name stars actress Adria Arjona and captures various meaningful encounters and adventures she makes during her travels through Tokyo, Sevilla, Thailand, and India. The deep blue rounded cap symbolises our planet earth, while the golden ring around it represents the journey around it.



UK based retailer Missguided on the other hand is rather new to the game in comparison, with their first ever launch having been in 2017. Due to their young target audience the perfume line is budget friendly, priced at £28 each. Though inexpensive they can most certainly keep up with pricier competitors. In accordance with their clothing style the packaging comes off distinctly youthful, all scents are bottled in metal cans alluding to fizzy drink cans. Each fragrance has a different empowering meaning behind it, reflected in its respective names, the likes of chill babe, babe dreams, babe power, babe night, and babe oud. Choose your can in accordance with the occasion and pair it with the right-hand cleanser to farther stay safe during times when it is more than ever important to keep those hands clean when out and about.

A campaign based on abundant florals and a soft pale colour coordination reflect the ingredients and smell.

Since celebrity fragrances have been all the range throughout the last few years, we end our quick rundown with two of them. Singer, Songwriter, and actress Ariana Grande just recently launched her amber floral fragrance God Is A Woman. A very soft, fruity, and sensual female scent that easily runs chance of becoming slightly addictive. This one is also big on aiding to shift a sustainable approach into the mainstream. 91 percent of the ingredients are naturally derived, 100 percent vegan (as Ariana is herself), cruelty free and all wrapped up in a reusable holder, made from 60 percent plant-based materials and a recyclable carton.

Ariana Grande's God Is A Women in the front on the right hand side, Jennifer Lopez's One in the back.

Jennifer Lopez is an old hand in the business, having released several distinctive perfumes. The latest being One, a sandalwood and nut dominated scent with hints of peach and coconut, creating a wonderful balance between strong woods, moss, as well as hints of patchouli and light, sweet fruitiness of a bright pink pepper burst, delicate florals, Jasmine and suede. All culminating in a harmonic peace inducing smell to linger on your skin.

On a closing note, The Fragrance Shop also gave space to Rays of Sunshine, a children's charity with the admirable endeavour to brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK. They are always on the lookout for engaged committed people to support their cause by doing something that fits your timetable but would mean the world to one of those kids. Be it fulfilling a wish for a new toy, driving to Disneyland, going to see a movie in the cinema, or simply donating. You have the power to get someone to smile and that is after all what World's Smile Day is all about.

A fitting scent that makes you feel comfortable, while ensuring to reflect your own sense of self ultimately has the power to positively enhance how you carry yourself. Having such a profound influence, we at Fashions Finest conceive it as a full holistic experience and strongly advise everyone to pay a visit to The Fragrance Shop, get a customised consultation and look for a new winter season scent, if not for yourself maybe be an early bird this year and grab a bottle for your loved ones as a Christmas present.

October is an important month for us as we celebrate Black History Month. Fashions Finest salutes this month by celebrating big and small realities in the beauty and fashion industry with you all.

Ph. Rodnae Productions, Pexels

The contribution of the Black communities in the UK has been underrated or simply unseen for too long. Yet Black Britons have enriched our cultural landscape and economy with vibes and stories coming from afar. Fashions Finest wants to celebrate black innovators and strong business women who make our life more beautiful.

Every month tinges with different colours and surges as the flag for a cause. Fashions Finest's Black History Month is a journey across people and ideas fueled by a courageous entrepreneur spirit and passion.

Meet Tiph'arah

Tiph'arah is a UK-based haircare company born in Coventry, Midlands. The brand moved its first steps in the intimacy of a house - to be more precise - a kitchen. Jessica Oduro, the founder, was looking for intensive and natural options that could keep her Afro hair nourished and hydrated for longer. Failed to do so, she started to experiment with natural and organic ingredients at home until she found the right formulation for glorious hair. 'Tiph'arah means 'glory' in Hebrews, in fact! Tiph'arah's hair butters aim to strengthen the hair strands, hydrate and promote healthy growth. The product range, consisting of three types of hair butter (Shea Cocoa Mango, Paw Carrot and Shea-Mang AVO'), is made with 90% of pure and organic ingredients from Ghana and the remaining sourced in Europe at high standards.

Meet Aviela

Aviela (read [a-vee-el-ah]) is a word used in Northern Ghana for 'good', 'nice' or even 'beautiful'. This word conveys very positive vibes. Aviela is the child of Patricia Monney who, during a family holiday in Ghana in 2007, was introduced to the power of raw, unrefined shea butter to heal her little daughter's ankle. Patricia learnt about shea butter anti-inflammatories properties and, once back home in the UK, she focused on expanding her knowledge on shea butter. She found a way to work the natural ingredient without compromising the natural properties and qualities of shea butter. The solution was her kitchen helper which gives Aviela products that superb weightless whipped consistency. Aviela offers a range of skincare and body care for all skin types with 100% pure, unrefined shea butter. Patricia sources her shea butter ethically from a cooperative of 25 women from the village of Gurugu in the Northern region of Ghana.

Meet Pamoja

Pamoja (read [pam-oh-jah]) is a Swahili word meaning 'together' and is inspired by formulator and founder Sarah Taylor's Tanzanian/British heritage as well her skin journey. During pregnancy, she experienced severe sensitivity and succeeded in finding the solution by herself. She worked on her own products and formulations gaining also some spotlights in national magazines.

This independent, black-owned company offers natural skincare with high performance and quality standards. Cruelty-free and environmentally friendly, Pamoja takes equal care of sensitive skin and the environment with sustainable packaging, ethically sourced botanical ingredients and zero palm oil. Sarah thinks that 'everyone deserves to feel good and that when you are kinder to yourself, it will help you be your very best.' For Sarah 'Black History Month is an opportunity to be more inclusive, to shine a spotlight on the contributions and the challenges we face so that we can better understand our collective history every single month of the year.'

Meet Wax + Wraps

For many of us, the pandemic represented a forced stop; however, this suspended time allowed us to reset priorities and rebuild ourselves. This happened to Jaqueline Shaw with Wax + Wraps. The fashion expert and entrepreneur overcame the COVID-19 backlash thanks to her acumen and love for fashion design. She realised how many people get interested in handmade and sewing during the pandemic and she also noticed how popular were and are still crafting subscription boxes.

Jaqueline, who has an MA in Ethical Fashion, is passionate about Africa and traditional fabrics. She put this personal love in her own subscription box by sourcing unique textiles printed, woven or knitted by hand in African states and regions. 'Other sewing boxes do the job but they are all very similar and I felt that they don’t inspire me to learn more about the people or even to source responsible fabrics and textiles too. My Master's degree in Ethical Fashion from the UCA Epsom, taught me that in this fashion industry, WE the consumers are the change we want to see. We are responsible for the impact of the industry on our planet and our purchasing decisions can build or break the industry. And its environment impact.'
Jaqueline thinks that 'Africa is Fashion's Future' and has been spreading awareness at previous London Fashion Weeks and events in Africa and the States. We could not but totally agree on that. Her sewing box does not just quench our thirst for crafts but also disclose stories from beautiful lands and people as no other service does.

Saka Luxe Beauty

Many feels puzzled by the length and complexity of cosmetic labels. This exact reaction is behind Saka Luxe Beauty, a UK natural hair and skincare company founded in Bristol in 2020. Available on Etsy, eponymous of everything handcrafted, the brand's ethos is based on creating simple and affordable products to moisturise and nourish hair, beard and body. Every jar of butter, every bottle of oil is handmade in small batches to ensure a caring and luxurious feel.

Jessica, Patricia, Sarah and Jacqueline are just four of the many black businesswomen that turn their creative verve or necessity to express themselves and made a living from their passion. Black History Month is important to us because the majority of the black-owned businesses are too small to gain the deserved visibility on the media and still struggle in this overcrowded industry.

We invite you to have a look around and discover the authenticity of these companies and that of many similar ones. As you and we shop independent and black-owned, we can support these individuals and make a little but significant change in their lives, ours, and the way we shop.

Fashions Finest is happy to bring you these personal stories and call all the black-founded companies to get in touch to join us and build together a network of creators beyond Black History Month.

The Dublin-based designer Sharon Sweeney studied and worked in the environmental sector, which contributed to her passion for and commitment to sustainability in terms of using sustainable, organic, and locally sourced fabrics.

Photographer Joanna Mitroi

The collection Swanzy Land is constructed by Irish Linen, cotton, ramie, Tencel as well as deadstock fabrics.

It pays homage to the late pioneering modernist artist Mary Swanzy, an Irish landscape and genre artist, who dived into many different styles, among which she is acclaimed for being one of the country’s first abstract painters. Sweeney makes similar use of a muted and pastel colour palette throughout.

A pale lilac short pantsuit fuses feminine details like the Moschino-esque heart-shaped buttons with a harsher geometrical and abstract futuristic shape and cutouts. A white cropped Renaissance blouse with huge puff sleeves and tight button-downs on the sleeves brings past and future together. Sweeney showcases an interesting and abstract aesthetic with clashing contrast, yet they jointly create something new and concise.

www.sharonsweeney.com

Radiqal Tat, a London-based brand headed by artist-come-designer Veronica Fox, debuted its collection with Fashions Finest on the 18th of September as part of LFW.

Photographer Mikey San

Featuring only plus-sized models, Radiqal Tat opened Fashions Finest’s LFW show. The explosive beat of ‘90s house music marked the beginning of the event.

One by one, the models showcased Radiqal Tat's SS22 collection which combined mesh, foam padding, deconstructed sports tops, a classic pencil-skirt silhouette and a skin-tone palette.

Completing the look, the models were styled with vibrant peach-coloured wigs. The collection is committed to playing with conventional ideas of fashion. Opting for what Fox calls an “almost run-of-the-mill” look, with bits missing and “bits not quite covering what should be covered”, the collection successfully transports the spectator away from the everyday. 

Fox’s declaration of positive otherness and escapism in her work, she says was greatly inspired by '80s performance artist and maverick, Leigh Bowery, as well as Bowery’s collaborator dancer Michael Clark and designer duo BodyMap. All together they challenged the mainstream notions of fashionability through costume, music and movement.

Speaking to the event’s Creative Director, Tanya, she noted that the theme for the day was confidence and to ‘Bring the Fire’. Diversity in all forms was also key: 'Diversity is crucial because it opens up a different dimension to the world.' And Radiqal Tat certainly did this.

Attention all fashionistas, the most anticipated event of the year was on, London Fashion Week brought together everyone who is anyone. We spill the tea on what they wore during Fashions Finest long anticipated catwalk show. Take some mental notes, or maybe even actual notes if you are really committed, to learn from the best and enhance your own styling with our run down of the best celebrity/VIP fits.

They are the trendsetters in the fashion world, always among the first to be seen wearing a new inventive style in public before it hits the mainstream, determining tomorrow’s hottest trends.

They are effortlessly glamorous and what they wear during London Fashion Week is always almost as much anticipated as the designer’s collections themselves.

We played spy for you and kept a very close eye on the first row during Fashions Finest catwalk show. Find out what our VIPs were wearing, for the chance of picking up some upcoming trends before they launch. It is time to get out of those comfy sweaters and drastically dress up, for when if not during fashion’s biggest event of the year?

Milly Zero and rapper Ransom

Photographer Peter Hogan

Milly Zero certainly did not shy away from colourful and quirky pieces. She wore a miscellaneously coloured knitwear set, consisting of a cropped jumper and high waisted miniskirt. To confer the outfit some edge and youthfulness, she matched it with a pair of Knee high chunky black combat boots, thereby creating an offbeat like contrast to an otherwise cute and very girly outfit. Hairstyling and accessories once again went more into the girly direction with space buns on each side, tied in by ‘90s inspired scrunchies and colourful hair clips, adding a pinch of retro in there. A small black handbag with imprinted smiley faces complemented the look. To adapt this style, you can throw together different knitwear pieces, the more colourful the better. It does not necessarily have to be a brand-new set, neither does it have to be the exact same pattern. Be creative and try to work with pieces you already own, in order to create something truly unique.

www.instagram.com/milly_zero

Her boyfriend rapper Ransom appeared much more toned done, not stealing her spotlight in real gentleman manner. The upper body was kept light with a basic white-collar shirt and crème white jacket. A pair of Kaki toned trousers fit together with simple white, green, blue embellished chunky dad trainers. The real highlight for his outfit was a pair of small black tinted rounded sunglasses.

www.instagram.com/ransom_fa

Birkin Boy

Photographer Peter Hogan

Influencer Israel Cassol, aka ‘Birkin Boy’ on the other hand had no intentions of toning it down. He deliberately drew everyone’s eyes with a vibrant pink oversized longline button up shirt. Simple grey short trousers, tennis socks and white trainers made it a fashion week worthy look. Of course a Birkin bag could not be missed, as he is notorious for his vast collection. This time he opted for a classic beige smooth leather model. A pair of sunglasses was a given with all the hustle and bustle of the photographers, press, and people eager to get in.

www.instagram.com/israel.cassol

Lindsey Peel

Photographer Peter Hogan

Actress Lindsey Peel, best known for starring in the show “Webcrawler” kept it simple but surely not boring. She opted for an all-black look. Black high waisted cigarette pants, a long blazer, sharply pointed shiny black slingback kitten heels, and a lace bodysuit with a plunged V-neck, which optically elongated the torso while simultaneously highlighting certain areas of the body. Its additional straps on each side in corporation with the romantic lace created a beautiful playfulness between cute and seductive. Classic and chic jewellery in muted gold nuances , such as a small pair of hoops helped keeping the focus on the wonderful bodysuit. Black is notorious for being remarkably flattering and suitable for all kinds of occasions. Sometimes this is all that is needed and playing it safe is rewarded.

www.instagram.com/lindseypeel_

Sophie Tea

Photographer Peter Hogan

The established London based artist Sophie Tea is very much immersed into feminine shapes, with her latest empowering artwork collection ‘WOMEN’ being all about female nude silhouettes and torsos of different shapes and sizes, wherefore she decided to turn up in a skin-tight full bodysuit, by Valentino outlining her own silhouette, similar to what her recent paintings illustrate. The black and white seamless arrow pattern and high collar made it all the more interesting. Blue metallic square block heels rounded it off to be a fantastic bold outfit choice. With such a stunning centre piece she honestly does not need any jewellery, the only thing standing out in this regard was a thin metal belt, which consisted of diverse little signs like stars and shellfish, all being loosely wrapped around her waist. So, what do you take away from this one for your own styling? If your main piece is a stunner take it easy on the accessories and do not be afraid to embrace your body, no matter what size you are because all shapes and sizes are beautiful!

www.instagram.com/sophieteaart

Indira May

Photographer Peter Hogan

Musician Indira May decided upon calm and muted pastel nuances. A leather blazer in '90s model off duty attire created coherence and connection with a pair of chunky black lace up platform boots. In stark contrast to that she wore a mint coloured knit mini playsuit, which incorporated subtle ruffles all over, a collar and V-neck cut out were further emphasised by a chocker length pearl necklace. Half of her hair was bound into a ponytail with a velour thick ruffled '90s scrunchy. This halfway up halfway down approach to hairstyling bestowed it a messy but still obviously styled look, comparable to the likes of 'no make up make up trends'. A pale citric yellowish ruffle bag alluded to last season's Botega shoulder pouch models and finished the singer's statement look.

www.instagram.com/indiraamaay

Annaliese Dayes

Photographer Peter Hogan

Fashion presenter Annaliese Dayes wowed in a matching pastel-coloured high waisted extreme wide leg culotte (almost making it look like a dress on first glance) and button up blouse set. It featured muted rosé, baby blue, lilac, and grey accents on a soft white ground. Huge square shaped golden/copper tinted sunglasses spread retro vibes, while the clear heeled shoes picked up the light shade of the set again to create a connection between upper and lower body. Like so many of her fellow attendees she also opted for a ‘90s designer baguette bag. Jewellery is kept to a minimum, with middle sized hoops, featuring a little pink rhinestone, an arm ring and watch on the wrist and that is it. Working in the industry herself this lady obviously knows how to dress for the occasion!

www.instagram.com/annaliesedayes

Nicky Hambilton-Jones

Photographer Peter Hogan

Last but not least, presenter and stylist Nicky Hambilton-Jones proofs her profound fashion knowledge by combining a long white dress filled with forest green abstract geometrical patterns with orange accessories. Green certainly is the new black this season! Hence, lots of attendees could be spotted with different variations of green handbags, accessories or monochrome fits throughout the ranks next to the catwalk. Hambilton-Jones opted for a more subtle inclusion of it in her dress. It created a gorgeous silhouette by cinching the waist through a bondable belt, letting the fabric fall freely to slightly flare from thereon. The collar and sleeves and button-down middle seam bestowed it a working business woman touch, while colour and pattern, as well as the flowy texture of the material made it effortlessly feminine and chic. Nicky's quirky and playful accessorising turned it into a delightful summer dress, matching and reflecting the sunny weather that day. Perfectly in sync with the last days of this year's summer season she certainly was wearing one of our favourite fashion forward looks.

www.instagram.com/nhjstyle

In the end we saw some overlapping and recurring trends like monochrome fits, all things green, baguette bags, and chunky black combat boots. Nevertheless, each of the above displayed public figures presented an individualistic and creative take on these, leading to some beautiful, awe inspiring outfits. Fashion is all about expressing oneself, be it your personality in general or your mood on the respective day. This mentality was clearly reflected in our VIPs looks and the confidence they sported them with. Hopefully, you were able to take some styling tips from these examples for your own unique looks. We are eager to see what they will turn up in when it is time for our next show in February 2022.

There is one staple piece in everyone's wardrobe that literally made history. There is one true fashion must-have that crossed generations, yet never felt outdated. You can have a guess. It is denim.

Very.co.uk

Although timeless, denim jeans marked a drastic change in everyday fashion this year. Jeans are our flag of freedom. We have seen it throughout 2021 and these autumn/winter trends are not an exception.

The humble workers' denim passed through centuries and generations and, as such, it is a trustful mirror of our times. Maybe it is the new post-pandemic lifestyle or today's feminist stream but 2021 waved 'goodbye' to super skinny jeans to welcome (back) baggy forms to put everyone at ease. Here we go, exploring the 5 top denim trends for this autumn/winter season.

1 Mom's Jeans

Missguided - Riot Highwaisted Clean Mom Jeans

Ten years ago, moms had a certain 'uncool' factor. Could you believe mom's jeans were going to conquer a big slice in stores' displays and people's shopping charts? High-waisted and relaxed, mom jeans are not anymore for leisure time and gardening but a comfortable ally now that home is our office.

2 Upcycled Jeans

V by Very - Sustainable Slim Cut Jeans

The call to make something for the planet translates into sustainable jeans. Whether they are made from vintage stocks, eco-consciously produced, recycled or thrifted by you; green jeans have a richer story and feel lighter on the environment.

3 '70s: Flared Legs And Flavours

RI Petite - Amelie Flare Dane Jean

Jeans as a flag of freedom could not but take big inspiration from the '70s. The 'peace & love' decade revival is in flared silhouettes, patterns and patchwork. Added to the upcycling trends, looking for a true vintage makes a trip to second-hand stores definitely more adventurous and rewarding.

4 Baggy Jeans

New Look - Noosa Baggy Jean

'The wider, the better', this is the motto of the year. Mom jeans already offer some room for our real shapes, but this season we can exceed as we look back at the '90s. Think about rappers and skaters' styles when looking for our next pair of denim. The must-have jeans for the last bits of this 2021 are super baggy and slouchy. Young and unapologetic with added distress for an extra touch of street style.

5 Light Jeans

Levi's - 501® Crop

Nothing says 'denim' more than an original Levi's 501. The American brand invented the real jeans at the end of the 19th century but it proves to be always fashion-forward. Here is how Levi's reinvented its 501 this year.

Denim signature colour is blue but we can set free from the tradition with pale blues, neutrals and even white.

These are only 5 of the top denim trends that we can rock this autumn/winter season but the list may go on and on with pleated jeans, straight cuts and low-rise waist. This year's array of denim as seen on Very.co.uk says it clearly: denim must make you comfortable in your own skin. 2021 jeans are a liberation, liberation from strict and unrealistic ideals proposed by the media for many decades. It was time to change, the evergreen denim made it.