Anna Wintour has spoken out about the impact of coronavirus on the world of fashion (Picture: Metro.co.uk/Laurent Vu/SIPA/REX)
Anna Wintour believes the coronavirus pandemic will force the fashion industry to radically change – and it won’t be able to go back.
The Vogue editor-in-chief will host a ‘global conversation’ next week with fashion industry bosses to discuss ‘the future of the runway show’ after many events – including the Met Gala – had to be cancelled as a result of Covid-19.
Anna talked to Gayle King on CBS This Morning to discuss A Common Thread, her partnership with Tom Ford, that will give ‘micro loans’ to small business and designers that are struggling to cope.
As part of that conversation she reflected on how the coronavirus pandemic has caused a rethink in the way many fashion houses do things – including a push towards sustainability.
She said: ‘We are actually hosting a Vogue global conversations next week over a four-day period, where we are going to talk about the future of the runway show
‘We’re going to talk about the future of e-commerce, the future of creativity, and the future of retail, because there’s no way we’re going back to the way things were.
‘I think, you know, a lot of us were talking a lot about sustainability, and the fact that we were all flying so much. And the shows were so big and so expensive.
‘These issues, these really important issues are being thrust upon us in a much more significant and immediate way, and these are questions that everybody is asking.’
The dramatic effect the pandemic is having on the fashion industry – from the seamstresses and pattern markers to new designers – provoked Anna Wintour and Tom Ford’s decision to offer out loans to support the industry.
They hope the funds will prevent new voices in fashion from being knocked out of the industry.
‘We’re going to be giving out what we call micro loans, like $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, up to $100,000 just to try and help the ones that we feel need it the most, so that they can get through these next few months and be able to survive.’
Anna also recently shared that her son, who is a doctor working in a coronavirus ward, has battled the disease himself.
‘I am so, so proud of my son,’ she said. ‘He’s a doctor. And he is right back in the emergency room with the COVID wards right now.
‘He was pretty sick. I’m sure you’ve heard from many others that so many doctors and so many nurses, you know, got sick… but he was, once he was able, determined to go right back in and help, and do everything he can.’
The brand is hoping to ramp up production to make even more gowns (Pictures: Louis Vuitton/www.PiotrStoklosa.com/ Reuters)
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, one thing that we are all aware of is the importance of personal protective equipment – PPE.
PPE is vital in protecting key workers and medics while they are treating and caring for sick patients, and it helps to slow the spread of this incredibly infectious virus.
But shortages of PPE have been well documented around the world, and it is a huge concern for everyone working in close proximity to sick patients. So, Louis Vuitton has ditched high fashion and handbags and is using its resources to create vital protective gear instead.
The french designer brand has reopened its workshop in rue du Pont Neuf to produce hospital gowns for Hôpitaux de Paris – the Parisian hospital center.
‘We are proud to be able to help healthcare professionals at our level and put our know-how at the disposal of the Hôpitaux de Paris to create gowns for medical staff, said Michael Burke, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, during a visit to the workshop.
LV CEO Michael Burke (left) visits the newly reopened workshop (Picture: Louis Vuitton/www.PiotrStoklosa.com/ Reuters)
‘I would like to thank the artisans of our atelier who voluntarily participate in this civic act and who have been bravely applying themselves since this morning to equip healthcare workers in hospitals who are in need of gowns.’
It’s a total departure for the brand, who usually focus on haute couture fashion. And the new PPE gowns were initially cut by hand by volunteers.
However, a spokesperson explained that an automated process for creating the garments is set to begin this week, allowing the brand to ramp up production of the PPE, and meaning the volunteer pattern cutters will be able to work from home.
The venture comes just weeks after the brand announced it was to reopen 12 of its leather goods sites in France to produce hundreds of thousands of face masks each week.
People aren’t happy with these masks (Picture: Boohoo)
An NHS nurse has slammed Boohoo for selling non-protective face masks as fashion accessories while frontline healthworkers fight for PPE.
The health professional, who wished to be kept anonymous, felt the fashion retailer was making a mockery of the current crisis.
The masks, made for both men and women are emblazoned with ‘eat, sleep, isolate, repeat’ and ‘quarantine queen’ selling for £5. Meanwhile, on Boohoo Man there are face masks with skull designs.
On the Boohoo website, there’s a disclaimer that says the masks ‘should not be used as personal protection equipment’.
Some social media users were on the nurse’s side, while others said they didn’t see anything wrong with the fashion item as many were making their own masks anyway.
One commentator wrote: ‘This is really inappropriate – I agree with the nurse.’
Another said: ‘Advice has been that the public don’t need medical grade masks but wearing just a homemade piece of cloth over your mouth can lower the chances of you passing on the infection.
‘So what’s the problem with Boohoo selling a cloth mask to the public to help slow the spread?’
The nurse said these staples were making a ‘mockery’ of the current crisis (Picture: Boohoo)
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, the nurse said: ‘Boohoo are selling useless fashion masks that are of no use to the public and are using their greed to make a mockery of people on the frontline.
‘I, myself am a frontline nurse and find it appalling that they feel the need to make PPE into a fashion statement when we are struggling with the provision of this in the hospitals. Disgusting!’
The nurse complained to Boohoo via Instagram (Picture: Boohoo)
The nurse also shared a message she sent to the Boohoo Instagram page, telling them she was ‘saddened’ to see the products on sale.
She added: ‘This is no joking matter, people are extremely sick and dying from this horrible illness and you feel it appropriate to sell masks that have absolutely no protection to the public whatsoever.’
We’ve contacted Boohoo for comment and will share their response when we receive one.
Remember shoes? And suits and blazers? These are just memories of yore now that we’re under a global pandemic lockdown.
Loungewear is the new office attire. And seeing as our pets are now our colleagues, it’s only right they dress for the part.
Enter Missguided. The fashion retailer is offering matching loungewear for you and your dog so you can both work from home in style.
Stunt on your neighbours on your daily government-sanctioned walk or just do it for the ‘Gram.
From doggie jumpers to hoodies and T-shirts, Missguided can turn your pet into the most extra pooch around.
If you love Prince then you’ll love the Purple Rain slogan tees.
You can put your feet up and get cosy with your pooch in these graphic tees that will set you back £8 for the dog t-shirt, and £18 for the similar adult version. The dog hoodies are available in size small, medium, and large.
What size is my dog?
Small: chihuahua, mini dachshund, small yorkie
Medium: Jack Russell, border terrier, yorkie, mini schnauzer, pug, mini poodle, cavalier, cocker cpaniel, dalmatian
Large: large Westie, large cocker spaniel, beagle, old English sheepdog, rottweiler
You can also opt for a Missguided slogan hoodie for £8. Choose a colour for yourself and one for your pooch. They even have matching sweatshirts in the same style.
Dragon print is in right now and you can twin with your dog with this trendy dragon embroidered bodysuit for £22 and its dog counterpart for £7.20 (which is a hoodie).
Cute (Picture: Missguided)
Dragon prints are in (Picture: Missguided)
Clearly people are loving the stuff as some of the items are already out of stock. But be sure to check the Missguided website to see when they replenish their stock.
Instagram model Lily Ermak was one of the few people trying it out (and nailing it).
Though we don’t recommend using the same paper bag as her as it’s more than likely it’ll get ripped.
Lily used the rips in her bag as stylish slits. We’re not even sure how she managed to get inside it though, it’s a pretty tiny bag.
Others have used multiple bags to complete their creations. One woman used a Primark bag as a slick waterproof number and put her head through the handles for a chic halterneck style.
To make your own high-fashion piece at home, you’ll need a bag of your choice.
Then, cut out the bottom and shimmy yourself through it. But we really do advise putting your head in a plastic bag.
If it’s too small then you can also cut the back and tape it together and add a belt to hold it together.
But of course that runs the risk of flashing people. So perhaps the bag dress, like its pillow counterpart, should only be used for Zoom chats where people can’t see your back.
We’re in lockdown, we’re not sure what day it is, our only priority is to be as comfortable as possible.
Since we’ve been confined to our homes indefinitely, the first thing to go was denim. Jeans? Don’t know them.
Now, we exist only in a weird hybrid of pyjamas, loungewear, sports kit and an emergency jumper for when we have to jump on professional Zoom calls.
Now that all of our time is split between lounging around the house and going out for daily exercise, it makes perfect sense to be in activewear almost 24-7. And nobody is around to judge you for wearing gym kit to sit on your sofa and binge-watch cooking shows.
So, we’ve rounded up the best, comfiest, softest, most flexible leggings and shorts that are perfect for lounging, working from home, running and living room workouts.
The key criteria is comfort, but we’ve also made sure these leggings are functional for workouts, don’t go see-through and, crucially, stay up. You’re basically going to want to live in these.
The double-knit stetch fabric mean these leggings are really flexible, while still feeling sturdy. And there’s a handy side pocket for your phone and bank cards.
It’s hard to overstate just how soft these leggings are, they feel like a second skin. Built for yoga contortions, they will definitely withstand your re-positioning on the sofa for a Netflix marathon.
A cult favourite, these ridiculously comfortable leggings have buttery-soft fabric that makes them perfect for a day of working from home followed by a yoga session.
Another great option for warmer days, these flexible shorts provide great coverage and are the perfect length. Team with an over-sized white t-shirt and trainers for a stylish look of your daily quarantine walk.
The clue is in ‘seamless’ – these bad boys are another ridiculously comfortable option. And they withstand the squat-test, so you won’t flash your underwear when you bend over.
Disney has released a range of face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic (Picture: Disney/Metro.co.uk)
Why wear a plain old face mask when you could have Baby Yoda on your face?
Disney has launched a new line of character-themed face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, with proceeds from sales going to the medical charity Medcare.
The masks feature iconic characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters, including your fave, Baby Yoda.
The Disney Princess pack: one mask with the names of Disney princesses written on, one with Anna and Elsa, one with The Little Mermaid, and one with all the princesses hanging out together
The Disney pack: a Mickey Mouse mouth design, a Winnie the Pooh mouth, a Stitch mouth, and Marie from Aristocats
The Star Wars pack: Baby Yoda, R2-D2, Star Wars symbols, and one with Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, and Han Solo
The Mickey and Minnie pack: assorted Mickey and Minnie designs
The Pixar pack: Forky, assorted Pixar characters, Mike Wazowski, and another assorted characters design
The Marvel pack: Marvel logo, Black Panther logo, Marvel characters, The Hulk
The princess pack (Picture: Disney)
The Disney pack (Picture: Disney)
The Star Wars pack (Picture: Disney)
The Mickey and Minnie pack (Picture: Disney)
The Pixar pack (Picture: Disney)
The Marvel pack (Picture: Disney)
These are all available for pre-order, with an estimated June shipping date.
It’s important to note that these masks are not medical grade, meaning they don’t offer liquid barrier protection. Disney notes that they should not be used in a clinical setting, for antimicrobial or antiviral protection, as a respiratory protective device, or for high risk aerosol-generating procedures.
Disney also say they make ‘no warranties, either express or implied, that the face mask prevents infection or the transmission of viruses or diseases’.
The advice around the wearing of face masks amid the coronavirus pandemic remains muddled, with current guidelines advising the public not to wear masks unless they have symptoms of Covid-19 or are treating a patient.
He said: ‘I think what SAGE is saying, and what I certainly agree with, is that as part of coming out of the lockdown, I do think that face coverings will be useful, both for epidemiological reasons but also for giving people confidence that they can go back to work and you be hearing more about that next week.’
For now, those who feel more comfortable with face masks are free to make or order their own. The Disney masks may be a good way to make families and children feel less put off by covering their faces.
Edward Park, senior vice president of Disney store and shopDisney, said: ‘We realise this is a challenging time for families and wearing any type of mask can be daunting.
‘Our hope is that Disney’s cloth face masks featuring some of our most beloved characters will provide comfort to the families, fans and communities that are so important to us.’
Along with donating the proceeds of the masks to charity, Disney is donating one million cloth face masks for children and families in underserved and vulnerable communities across the US, that will be distributed by MedShare.
Remember when you were a child and a new school year meant a trip to the shoe store where they’d use all sorts of implements to measure your feet and make sure you were wearing the right size?
As adults, the personal fitting service stops. Instead you probably just browse online buy a few styles you like and hope for the best.
Obviously we can tell if shoes are much too big or too small but it can be hard to tell how well they actually fit and support your foot when you try them on for the first time.
And ill-fitting shoes can cause pain, blisters and friction can cause hard skin.
Tony Gavin, podiatrist and CEO of podiatry membership organisation osgo Healthcare, has some tips for what to think about when you go shoe shopping.
‘Make sure the shoe is the right type of shoe for the job,’ he tells Metro.co.uk. ‘You’re not going to want a three inch heel for a hike in the hills.
‘There should be a thumbs width at the end of the toe before the end of the shoe. The toe box should be wide enough and deep enough for your toes.
‘The toe box is the crucial part as that is where ill-fitting shoes often do their damage, causing callus and corns on toes. If your toes are not very straight, they will take more up more depth in a shoe, and a shallow toe box will cause an area of pressure on the toes.
‘Walk a little, take your time, no shoe shop will mind you having a little walk around the shop for a few minutes. Just think how long you intend to have these shoes for and how far you are going to walk in them.
‘If they pinch or rub in the shop, they’ll pinch and rub when you get home.’
Susannah Davda, aka The Shoe Consultant, has over 20 years of experience in the footwear industry. She has some tips for the best way to make sure you get a good fit.
She says: ‘Try them on with the right hosiery: if you would normally wear socks with lace-ups, try them with socks. If you normally wear thin tights with court shoes, wear tights to go shoe shopping.
‘Alternatively bring your own pop socks or (as a last resort) use the ugly pop socks the shop staff offer you. When I’m on a serious shoe shopping mission, I make sure my feet are accessible and bring a couple of hosiery options in my bag.
‘Look out for heel slip. If the shoe does anything except grip your heel in a loving embrace, it doesn’t fit you. Any up and down movement at the heel is likely to cause blisters.’
If you’ve ordered shoes online, follow the same rules, but you also have a little more time to walk around indoors and get a feel for the shoe.
Try them on on a carpet so you don’t cause any marks and try them at different times of day to make sure they are comfortable even if your feet are swollen.
Susannah also advises being realistic when you are shopping for new shoes.
‘Just because you can get the shoe on your foot, it doesn’t mean it fits,’ she says.
‘Stand up in the shoes, and your feet will spread. If you can feel shoe at the tip of your toes, on top of your big toenail, or squashing your little toe; they are too small.
‘Shoes never “give” in length, and they are not guaranteed to stretch across their width either.
‘Trying to stretch your leather shoes with stretching sprays or shoe stretchers probably won’t work. If it does, the leather will be weakened and won’t last as long.’
No matter how hard you try, some shoes will just not suit your feet, in the same way clothes don’t fit all body shapes.
‘Not all shoes are foot-shaped, and every foot is different,’ Susannah says.
‘No matter how much you love a shoe, you might need to accept that it wasn’t built with your foot in mind.
‘The number one reason why women have unworn shoes in our wardrobes is because they aren’t comfortable. Probably because they don’t fit.’
What's the deal with Feet Week?
Feet Week is a week dedicated entirely to feet... as the name probably gives away.
We figured we could all do with something unrelated to coronavirus to occupy our minds during the pandemic - and what better topic than feet?
From 4 May to 10 May you can find articles on everything feet, from what it actually takes to be a foot model to what it's like to be a pro toe wrestler.
A fashion student with an eye for the weird and wonderful has made a dress out of pizza boxes and it looks pretty good.
Fauve Wright, a student at Northumbria University, is a Domino’s lover and instead of throwing the boxes away like most of us, she had an artistic idea.
The student, who’s in her final year of a fashion communication course, is also a keen fashion photographer.
Nearing the end of her degree when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Fauve had to think of a new idea for her final project.
One of the things Fauve noticed was the important role online takeaway and food delivery services were playing, and this inspired her to get creative.
As a result, she created a series of garments themed around the impact of Covid-19.
She made a makeshift studio and has creatively turned unconventional materials into quirky items of clothing.
The outfits are a bit of fun in what is a very scary time for everyone.
Her sister modelled the dress (Picture: Fauve Wright)
She explained: ‘With Domino’s being such an iconic brand, and my go-to takeaway, I had a lightbulb moment when my family recently had a pizza party.
‘I kept the pizza boxes and put them to good use by making a skirt. Due to coronavirus, I’ve had to utilise materials to make all my garments, so this seemed like a perfect way to upcycle.
‘Pizza boxes are harder to work with than you’d imagine!’
She collected the boxes after pizza night (Picture: Fauve Wright)
It took Fauve a day to make the Domino’s skirt. Once created, she took the photos in her bedroom with sister Tiny as the model.
Rachael Giles, from Domino’s, was delighted with the final product.
She said: ‘During these uncertain times we are doing all we can to bring a slice of happiness to people’s homes in the form of pizza.
Fauve also imagined what the coronavirus symbol would look like as a fashion piece (Picture: Fauve Wright)
‘We’re blown away by Fauve’s creativity and think the Domino’s skirt is THE must-have fashion item!
‘We’re sure this will inspire others, so we’d love people to share their pizza box creations with us on our social channels. Amazing work Fauve, your next Pepperoni Passion is on us!’
Nurses at Glasgow Royal Infirmary get their hands on a set of wacky scrubs made by 20 volunteers using materials donated at Hyndland Secondary School (Picture: The Scotsman / SWNS.COM)
Wearing PPE is an essential form of defence from coronavirus – but just because it’s necessary doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.
Nurses at Glasgow Royal Infirmary are bringing some cheer to the hospital’s patients and staff by wearing colourful scrubs made from donated bedding.
More than 100 sets of scrubs in jazzy prints and colours have been made by a group of 20 volunteers, who crafted them from donated materials at Hyndland Secondary School in Glasgow.
Kay Muir, 56, was inspired to set up the Scrub Hub as part of Med Supply Drive Scotland’s initiative to get PPE for frontline hospital staff, which her niece, Gillian Higgins, a surgical trainee at GRI, co-ordinates.
Kay, from Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, and her Scrub Hub group, makes scrubs from bright bedding.
Kay, who is a lecturer in fashion at Kelvin College, said: ‘I saw Gillian sharing pictures on Facebook of NHS staff in funky scrubs.
‘I had been sitting about the house for three weeks and thought I could help.
‘My neighbour works at Hyndland Secondary School and went to the school to ask if we could make the scrubs there.
The scrubs are made from donated bedding (Picture: The Scotsman / SWNS.COM)
With matching face masks, of course (Picture: The Scotsman / SWNS.COM)
‘We have made more than 100 scrubs so far from wild and wacky duvets.
‘People donate the materials, mostly bedding as it’s cotton and we know it can be washed at a high temperature, and it makes wearable and comfortable scrubs.
‘There has been an amazing response to it, we have around 20 volunteers helping to make the scrubs.
‘When we decided to volunteer we were simply considering the fun factor of creating funky, jazzy scrubs.
‘We hoped it might lift the spirits of the people wearing them.
The fabrics are chosen to be fun and brightly coloured to lift spirits (Picture: Scotsman / SWNS.COM)
It’s working a treat (Picture: The Scotsman / SWNS.COM)
‘However, I totally underestimated how I would actually feel when we saw the scrubs being worn in situ and then reading on social media the positive and grateful message comments from doctors and nurses who were wearing them.
‘The real physiological effect this is having on care staff and those volunteering in communities cannot be measured.’
Staff nurse Phil Malik, who is currently working in intensive care at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, described the beautiful scrubs as a ‘wave of armour’.
He said: ‘The scrubs, masks and bags are not only well made, comfy and funky, but are worn like a badge of honour or pride.’
The nurses have said the scrubs are like a wave of armour (Picture: The Scotsman / SWNS.COM)
The scrubs bring cheer to NHS staff and patients (Picture: The Scotsman / SWNS.COM)
And staff nurse Jennifer Hale said the project has helped elderly people in isolation who have volunteered to work on the project.
Jennifer said: ‘From the donations of material, to the people making the patterns, and to those putting the scrubs together – it all involves giving up their time for us and other frontline healthcare staff.
‘For that we will never be able to thank them enough.
Cute, right? (Picture: The Scotsman / SWNS.COM)
‘Hearing that it’s not just us benefitting out of this situation has been amazing as well – volunteers have been dropping material and patterns to the elderly who are in isolation and it’s been a welcome job to help pass the time for them.’
Gillian Higgins said: ‘In response to shortages of scrubs for NHS frontline workers, my aunt Kay Muir volunteered to set up the Scrub Hub.
‘Her team of 20 incredible volunteers work tirelessly to fundraise and obtain fabric donations and have made over 100 pairs.
‘Not only do the scrubs act to limit the spread of Coronavirus, but we hope they show the frontline staff doing an amazing job of looking after some of the sickest patients with COVID-19, just how much we value and appreciate them.’
How are you lending your support to those on the frontlines of the pandemic? Get in touch to share your story by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
The wardrobe item you never knew you needed (Picture: Dogsy.co.uk)
Joggers and PJs have become the wardrobe staples of lockdown.
But one company is giving pet owners the chance to get the face of their four-legged friend adorned on the front of some loungewear.
Dogsy.co.uk boasts a selection of comfy-looking hoodies, joggers, PJ sets and onesies – all of which can be personalised with a pet’s face.
The process is super simple, too. Customers just need to select the garment they wish to use and then upload a picture of their furry friend, using the website’s tool. People with multiple pets can select two different photos if they want to.
For the ultimate tribute, there’s also the option for owners to upload a photo of themselves as well as their pooch or kitty.
Simply upload a snap of your pooch or kitty (Picture: Dogsy.co.uk)
Dogsy.co.uk’s loungewear pieces are made up of 65% polyester and 35% cotton jersey and come in a variety of styles. Some standout pieces include the pink and grey jogger combos, as well as the short and trouser PJ sets.
These start from £39.99 and individual t-shirts come in at £19.99.
The perfect lockdown outfit (Picture: Dogsy.co.uk)
All of these make up the brand’s Stay Home collection, which also includes a snoozy hoodie, a lounge throw and a blanket in the shape of a dog’s face.
But it’s not just clothes that Dogsy.co.uk is offering. The brand has a selection of other products which can be personalised with a animal’s face, including pillowcases, cushions, aprons, coasters and mugs.
Prices for these start from £13.99 and go up to £29.99.
Elisa Pantazopoulos is a jewellery designer and the founder of Eli-O jewellery (Picture: Elisa Pantazopoulos)
Our mini series Where I Work is looking at how the coronavirus pandemic is changing our working lives – as well as nosing around people’s snazzy home offices.
Elisa splits her time between the flat she shares with her boyfriend in Geneva and her jewellery workshop – just a 30-minute walk away.
‘I think now more than ever we should support our local businesses,’ says Elisa. ‘They are what brings life to our city.
‘As a small business owner, I put so much heart and soul in everything I do and I hope you fee all the passion I put in making each and every one of your pieces! They bring a huge smile on my face.’
She splits her time between her workshop and the flat she shares with her boyfriend (Picture: Elisa Pantazopoulos)
Hey, Elisa! Has coronavirus changed the way you work?
I feel pretty lucky because even during these hard times I’ve still been able to go to my workshop which is where I make my jewellery.
My schedule has definitely changed slightly, but I’ve tried to work as much as I can from home and then go to the workshop when necessary to make the pieces for my clients. Because I’ve always been an independent jeweller, I’m used to doing a lot of my admin work from home anyway!
Then I work on my actual pieces when in the workshop. So, nothing much really has changed for me apart from I organise my days differently. I try to stay at home as much as I can and then have more intensive days at the workshop to prevent going there too often.
She’s lucky to live just a half-an-hour walk from her workshop, so can keep making jewellery in lockdown (Picture: Elisa Pantazopoulos)
Talk us through your working space.
I feel really, really lucky because my workshop is in such an amazing building.
It’s in an old-ish building where I share the workspace with other independent women. We have a little interior garden where we can enjoy the sun and everyone has their own space.
Even though I’m an independent worker, sharing my workplace with other women is always good because I never feel alone; but when I need my me-time I have the space to concentrate.
The building is pretty old, so we have really nice wooden floors and stone walls and I have a cute little corner as my showroom where I show my pieces to my clients and just underneath is my workshop.
So I have everything in a little space but it is all very cute and I feel very privileged to be able to work there.
The workshop, which has the showroom above (Picture: Elisa Pantazopoulos)
The showroom (Picture: Elisa Pantazopoulos)
What are your personal rules for getting stuff done? How do you stay focused?
One of the things I have to do when I wake up is write down all the things I need to do during the day, I usually write these lists days in advance so I know what’s coming next!
I’ll take on the list first as my priority and I make sure to work through each point properly so that everything on my agenda is done. For me that’s the best way to stay focused, it means I know my goals for the day and how I can achieve them.
Elisa feels grateful to be able to work with her hands during the pandemic (Picture: Elisa Pantazopoulos)
Have you come up against any challenges working during lockdown?
As I was used to doing all my admin from home beforehand, the main thing that’s changed for me is that I just organise my days better. When I choose to stay home it’s for a few days and then when I choose to go to the workshop it’s also condensed into a few days.
What I usually do is start my day responding to emails at home and then I go to the workshop at 9:30/10:00am. But now because of the coronavirus, the days I have to go to the workshop must start really early and finish late, so that my work for the week can be done in two or three days and then all my admin can be done on the other one or two days.
What’s a working day like during the pandemic?
Usually I start my day around 8:00am. I start all of my admin, I’ll respond to all my emails and then pay or send invoices. Depending on how much admin I have, I generally go to the workshop around 9:30 and then start the day making the pieces for my clients.
Then I get home at around 7:00pm. Of course sometimes there is a larger load of admin, so I would stay at home longer in the morning, but usually that’s how my day is.
Working with her hands soothes Elisa’s anxiety (Picture: Picasa)
How are you doing mentally in lockdown?
Thankfully now I’m much calmer than I was in the beginning. In the beginning I struggled a little bit because I was anxious for my business, I was always trying to find a way to keep my business alive.
As everything began to fall into place I knew how to reach my clients via Instagram or email so I have still been able to have contact with my clients and my orders are still coming in. So I think that calmed me a little bit.
Of course the health situation around me was giving me a little bit of anxiety, but I guess in these strange times we’re all a bit uncertain.
I think everything is starting to become more normal. Every day is a new day and I think every day seems to go a bit better than before, so I am grateful.
She urges people to support local businesses (Picture: Elisa Pantazopoulos)
How are you looking after yourself?
I feel so lucky to be able to work with my hands during these very difficult times. I’ve realised how making jewellery and working with my hands in general is actually incredibly meditative, it really calms my mind and my body. All the things that make me feel anxious I seem to totally forget about during the day, because I’m concentrating so hard on what I’m making.
I know that when you’re an independent brand it’s pretty difficult to separate your work from the normal everyday and general home life. With time, I’m definitely getting better with the balance and I try to not get too anxious about work and just live one day to the next – although I’m definitely not a pro at it!
‘They are what brings life to a city’ (Picture: Elisa Pantazopoulos)
(Picture: Elisa Pantazopoulos)
What advice do you have for people newly working from home?
I think just be very organised and have your day with set business hours like you would have going into a workplace – I’d start your day at 8:30/9:00 and finish around 18:00/18:30.
I think the more you’re organised and committed to start early the better your day will be and you’ll be more focused on what you need to do.
Do you have an unusual working space you fancy sharing?
You might not know Matilde Hubert, but you’ve probably seen her feet.
Matilde, 25, is a model who specialises in body parts modelling – meaning that along with doing the usual fashion and beauty modelling, she also poses with just her feet and hands for particular brands.
Her job has seen her feet appear in ads for high fashion shoe brands, skincare campaigns, and advertising snazzy tights.
She got into foot modelling by chance, having done typical modelling jobs while she was a student.
‘I started to do modelling for fun with some friends who did photography studies,’ Matilde, who lives in Paris, tells Metro.co.uk. ‘Step by step, I started to do some small modelling jobs.
‘During this time, some professionals noticed that my hands, feet, body, and skin were perfect for close-up shots, so they advised me to specialise in body parts modelling.’
She started out doing general modelling work but was told to specialise in body parts (Picture: Benjamin Vingrief)
Heeding that advice, Matilde focused her specialism, got signed by an agency, and has now been a full-time body parts model for the last three years.
She mostly does work for shoe brands, but the model’s feet have also appeared in shoots for cosmetic brands and in fashion magazines for accessories-themed stories.
When your feet are your brand, it’s essential to take good care of them – and so Matilde has an extensive routine for looking after her feet and ensuring they look great in every photo.
For the last three years Matilde has modelled for major shoe brands, high-fashion labels, skincare brands, and magazines (Picture: Bulgari)
Matilde’s strangest experience so far was this Patricia Blanchet campaign (Picture: Patricia Blanchet)
‘I take good care of my work instruments,’ she says. ‘I moisturise my hands and foot every night and I go to the beauty salon two times a month for my feet care.
‘I avoid putting shoes that can hurt me. I will wear sneakers almost every day.’
On the day before a photoshoot, Matilde will give her feet extra TLC.
The photoshoot involved flyswatters and a plaster cast (Picture: Patricia Blanchet)
She explains: ‘The preparation is important. I normally have a manicurist on set who will shape my nails, put the nail polish, and bring some care to my feet.
‘If there is no manicurist on set, I am asked to do a pedicure in a beauty salon the day before, generally with a natural nail polish on it.
Matilde also does a lot of hand modelling work
‘Moisturising is the key, so basically I will enjoy a complete foot massage to make the skin ready and circulate blood. Poor blood circulation and red feet, especially when the temperatures are high or very low, will be your worst enemy.
‘If makeup is required that will be a body foundation and concealer when a small injury has to be covered for instance.’
Matilde sings the praises of working as a foot model and urges anyone who’s keen to give it a go – but warns that there are usually strict requirements.
Here she models for Louboutin Beauty to advertise their lip colour (Picture: Louboutin)
A small foot is essential for this line of work
‘Foot modelling can be really lucrative and super fun,’ she says. ‘My last foot job was the last campaign of Gina Shoes in Los Angeles at the end of last year (what an adventure).
‘Generally, foot models are body parts models and don’t do only foot photoshoots.
‘But not all parts models can be foot models because you specifically need to have a small foot (four is the best size).’
That’s us out of the running, then.
What's the deal with Feet Week?
Feet Week is a week dedicated entirely to feet... as the name probably gives away.
We figured we could all do with something to occupy our minds during the pandemic - and what better topic than feet?
From 4 May to 10 May you can find articles on everything feet, from what it actually takes to be a foot model to what it's like to be a pro toe wrestler.
Two pals prove that size isn’t a barrier to looking brilliant (Picture: @denisemmercedes/ Instagram)
For years, society has told us that in order to look attractive, we’ve got to be a certain shape and size. But even if you know that’s a load of old codswallop, it can can hard to unstick those beauty standards – or at least truly believe that they don’t apply to you.
That’s why two friends have decided to show the world that looking good is about style – not size.
Plus-size model, Denis Mercedes, launched a TikTok challenge called ‘Style Not Size’ with her mate, Maria Castellanos. Embracing their different body shapes but same taste in fashion, the pair filmed themselves wearing the same outfits to prove that style has no size barriers. And their bite-sized videos have gone down a storm, some being liked over 4.7 million times.
Denis and Maria have different body shapes
Dye tie looks as good, however curvy you are (Picture: @denisemmercedes/ Instagram)
But the same love of fashion
Here’s proof that every body is bikini-ready (Picture: @denisemmercedes/ Instagram)
And they’re showing how one outfit can suit different bodies
And that ripped jeans are a fashion staple, whatever their size (Picture: @denisemmercedes/ Instagram)
Rabia Maddah works as a foot model (Picture: Kurt Geiger)
Model and actress Rabia Maddah, 28, has one of those stories you always dreamed of happening to you as a teen.
At the age of 14 she was walking through a shopping centre in Cologne, Germany with her mum when a marketing rep from Dove, along with a model agent, stopped Rabia in her tracks.
They were desperately looking for a girl with thick black hair for their campaign – a rarity back in Cologne in 2005 – and Rabia fit the bill perfectly.
Her mum wouldn’t let Rabia work as a model until she turned 18, but the day she did she gave that same agent a ring. He remembered her and Rabia was signed immediately.
Now based in London, Rabia makes a living from acting and modelling. Along with traditional commercial shoots, she specialises in body parts modelling – specifically for hands, legs, and feet.
Rabia was scouted in a shopping centre when she was 14
Her feet have appeared in campaigns for Clarks, Marks and Spencer, Superdrug, to advertise shoes on ASOS, and in the pages of Cosmopolitan magazine.
Brands will often ask for Rabia’s feet and legs to model everything from shoes to nail polish and skincare products.
She takes good care of her tools.
Here are her feet and legs modelling for Sally Hansen (Picture: Sally Hansen)
‘I am a person who has been obsessed with pedicure and manicures since a teenager,’ Rabia tells Metro.co.uk. ‘I firmly believe that feet say a lot about a person’s health, as acupuncture and other ancient healing ways, such as in Ayurveda, have proven.
‘Once a week I do a foot soak, add some nourishing oils, use an exfoliating scrub and take off the dead skin on my heels.’
Rabia explains that typically the day before a foot-focused photoshoot she’ll get a ‘very specific’ briefing on how her feet must appear – but there’s always a pedicurist on set, too.
Rabia takes good care of her feet
‘It is quite a luxury to get a great pedicure and massage of your legs on the shooting day,’ she adds.
Her strangest experience on set has to be being asked to wiggle only her little toe – which, it turns out, isn’t really possible.
‘That cracked an entire production of 20 people up,’ says Rabia. ‘It wasn’t doable.
You might have spotted her legs and feet on ecommerce sites
Recognise those feet?
‘Suddenly many team members were all trying to do this task. For an outsider we must have looked mad!’
Anyone else now frantically trying to wriggle their little toe?
Foot modelling only makes up part of Rabia’s working life, but she’s glad she’s found success in this niche.
Another shot for Sally Hansen (Picture: Sally Hansen)
The model tells us: ‘It can be really a great way to have a side income and also networking in that area is great – as the same brand who hired you for parts modeling may book your face and the rest of your body for another campaign.
‘The competition is definitely less than in the rest of the modeling work I would say, but still there is always a good bunch of other girls you have to compete against.’
What's the deal with Feet Week?
Feet Week is a week dedicated entirely to feet... as the name probably gives away.
We figured we could all do with something to occupy our minds during the pandemic - and what better topic than feet?
From 4 May to 10 May you can find articles on everything feet, from what it actually takes to be a foot model to what it's like to be a pro toe wrestler.
Nikki Nicola looks stunning in the dress (Picture: Instagram/40notfrumpy)
Last year, there was a point where you couldn’t go outside without seeing somebody in THAT spotty Zara dress.
The tiered midi was so ubiquitous that it even spawned its own Instagram account, where people could post their spots of the spots.
This year might have a contender when it comes to an It Dress, in the form of a New Look smock dress that’s been seen on tons of influencers.
The £22.99 dress of the moment comes in a black and white checked print, and has puff sleeves and an a-line below the bust.
The mini then has a tier towards the bottom, giving it a bit of volume (not quite Molly Goddard levels, but perhaps a bit more suitable for a casual day out).
Beauty ed Lucy Kummer kept her styling sporty (Picture: Instagram/New Look)
It’s a worthy rival to the Zara spotted number, coming in at almost half the price of it (£22.99 compared to £39.99).
As it’s shorter, it also gives us the chance to show off our legs. Perhaps one for holidays once lockdown lifts?
Add a belt for some waist definition (Picture: New Look)
Influencers who have been spotted in the dress include Nicola Nikki, who blogs at 40s Not Frumpy, beauty editor Lucy Kummer, and stylist Billie-Jo.
According to the brand, it has also appeared in Vogue, which is quite the feat for a sub-£30 frock.
Each of the bloggers has styled the checked dress completely differently, showing off how versatile it can be. From cowboy boots to studded belts to athletic trainers, it’s certainly one that can be worn in a variety of ways.
Personally, we’re ready for every pub garden to have at least three people wearing it – once they’re open, that is.
Hammasa Kohistani has worked as a model for 20 years
What’s it like to be a foot model?
Hammasa Kohistani knows the drill.
Now in her thirties, Hammasa has been modelling for 20 years, posing for brands ranging from Sainsbury’s to Jimmy Choo – and one thing she’s booked for is her feet.
As well as doing more traditional and commercial modelling jobs, Hammasa is a foot model, with her feet and legs selling everything from nail polish to shoes.
She was first scouted – to be a typical model, rather than solely for her feet – in a Watford shopping centre when she was in her teens. After a test shoot, Hammasa approached agencies and got signed.
Then one day, when she was posing for a beauty photoshoot, the photographer and makeup artist couldn’t stop talking about her hands and nails. They helped her discover the world of body parts modelling.
Hammasa Kohistani has been modelling for 20 years
‘My mother has very beautiful hands and she always kept them perfectly manicured,’ Hammasa tells Metro.co.uk. ‘So growing up I always felt like it’s a must to maintain my hands and feet.
[The photographer and makeup artist] insisted that theres a huge market for body parts and I should get signed with an agency specifically for body parts. They put me in touch with Hired Hands, who specialise in this niche.
‘When I went to see them, they asked to see my feet and legs as they had a division for that.’
It turned our Hammasa has the ideal feet for foot modelling – exactly the right sample size brands prefer.
She started out doing regular modelling jobs, then discovered she had feet that were perfect for dittings and photoshoots
‘The size of your foot makes a huge difference,’ she explains. ‘Most models are quite tall, which means they will have bigger feet and a sample size is UK 4-4.5 (37-37.5 EU) so if you fit a sample size and you have good feet then you’ve hit gold in foot modelling world.
‘I had no idea I had the perfect sample size. They not only measure the size but the depth and width of your foot too, due to fitting jobs.
‘They signed me for hands, feet, legs, hair, teeth, lips and eyes!
Her feet are the exact sample size, leading her to work as the fit model for Jimmy Choo and Tom Ford
‘I had been modelling six or seven years by that point I had no idea that there was a whole world of body part modelling separate to normal modelling jobs.’
Hammasa quickly started booking jobs for high-end shoe brands including Sophia Webster, Kurt Geirger, and Jimmy Choo.
Along with posing for campaigns, she’ll often work doing fittings, wearing prototype shoes and walking around so the designer can see if anything needs changing.
‘If your foot measurement is the perfect fit for a specific brand they will continue reusing you as its so hard to find that precise measurement,’ says Hammasa. ‘I was the fit model for Jimmy Choo for two years, as well as Tom Ford.’
She’s worked for all sorts of brands
As a foot model, Hammasa needs to make sure her feet are in tip-top shape for every shoot.
She gets pedicures every two weeks, slathers her feet in sun cream when out and about to avoid skin damage, and doesn’t wear heels in the runup to a shoot to avoid blisters.
Typically there will be a pedicurist on set to shave Hammasa’s legs and paint her nails, and now and again a touch of shimmer will be added to make the skin glow.
When Hammasa posts photos including her feet, she’ll get ‘wild’ messages
The actual process of posing for foot-focused photoshoots isn’t too wild – although Hammasa does have a story of Tom Ford sitting on the floor and putting shoes on her as though she were Cinderella – but there is a strange side effect of having great feet: Hammasa will be flooded with ‘pretty wild’ messages from foot fetishists if she posts photos including her feet.
She tells us: ‘If I was to post a picture of my face and my feet on Snapchat I would get about 800 screenshots of my feet and about 200 of my face.
And yes, she knows she’s on wikiFeet
‘Also there is a wikiFeet website and apparently I have a page on there which someone put together.’
She’s right, as an aside. There are currently 492 photos of Hammasa’s feet on her Wikifeet page, and she’s had 307 votes to rate her feet as ‘beautiful’.
Hammasa is booked and busy, so there’ll likely be more photos to add to that database soon. Congrats, foot fans.
What's the deal with Feet Week?
Feet Week is a week dedicated entirely to feet... as the name probably gives away.
We figured we could all do with something to occupy our minds during the pandemic - and what better topic than feet?
From 4 May to 10 May you can find articles on everything feet, from what it actually takes to be a foot model to what it's like to be a pro toe wrestler.
Behold – PJs which let you dress for the job you want and the bed you have at the same time.
The folks at Whatever Inc in Japan have designed Work From Home Jammies which allow you to look professional from the chest up, so the next time you Zoom call your colleagues you won’t have to choose between being cosy and looking the part.
These outfits are roughly 25% collared shirt and 75% jimjams, and are designed to help you achieve a professional look on-screen, while also maximising your comfort levels.
All you have to do is stay sat down and keep your forearms off-screen to get the full effect.
While the top halves of the shirts are reserved for business, the bottoms are all cosy pleasure.
You can even wear a tie with these fancy jammies if you really want to dress to impress.
Comfy and cute! (Picture: Whatever Inc)
The designs are unisex (Picture: Whatever Inc)
Impress your boss and be snug at the same time (Picture: Whatever Inc)
The PJs come in three different designs – white and grey, pink and black and blue stripes and dark grey.
The jammies are unisex, and they’re currently only available in meduim and large sizes.
Thes PJs are designed to make you look work-ready on-screen(Picture: Whatever Inc)
Just try not to stand up (Picture: Whatever Inc)
Whatever Inc has started a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign and it’s already surpassed its initial goal of £1,511, having raised £3,635 at the time of writing.
The page reads: ‘As the COVID-19 rages around the world, many companies are encouraging people to work remotely from home, and video conferencing using such tools as Zoom, Skype, and others has become commonplace. Remote work allows you to work in the comfort of your own home and jammies. However, it’s a little troublesome to have to change clothes only when you go on a video conference…
‘For everyone that shares this same concern, we’ve created a remote workers’ jammies, that looks formal on video, but loose & comfy outside the frame.’ [sic]
They come in three different colour combos (Picture: Whatever Inc)
They can also make one of your own shirts into a set of Work From Home Jammies (Picture: Whatever Inc)
If you’re interested in getting your hands on these PJs, you can get a top if you pledge ¥9,000 (approx £68) and a full set if you pledge ¥12,000 (approx £97).
If you pledge ¥23,000 (approx £174), your reward will be a set of custom Work From Home Jammies made out of a shirt you already have.
Ikea is launching a rainbow version of their iconic Frakta bag (Picture: Ikea)
If you happen to be doing an Ikea shop any time soon, you might want to grab another of their famous big bags.
Yes, they’re useful for moving house, hauling clothes from your bedroom to the washing machine, and storing other smaller bags, but more pressingly, Ikea’s released a rainbow flag version of their iconic Frakta bag that you’ll want to add to your collection.
The Frakta – the official name for Ikea’s big blue bag – has been given a rainbow makeover to celebrate Pride month.
It’s just like the usual big bag, except instead of being blue it’s got the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag.
The bag, which will cost £1.50, will be available online from this Friday 15 May, with all profits going to LGBTQ+ initiatives, charities, and causes chosen by stores across the UK and Ireland to ensure funds are directed to those in the community who need them most.
The launch is to mark Pride Month, which is June, and the International Day Against Homophobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT, if that’s too much of a mouthful), which takes place this Sunday 17 May.
Ikea hopes the bag will encourage people to stand up against discrimination and promote equal rights every day and ‘be someone’s home’ to help those in need feel safe and supported.
Peter Jelkeby, Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK and Ireland, said: At IKEA, our culture is centred on the value of togetherness. We believe equality is a human right and that everyone deserves a home where they can be themselves.’
FYI, Ikea released rainbow editions of their bags last year, too, and they were quite the hit. So if you’re keen to get your paws on one it’s worth ordering the moment they’re online.
Some great ones to choose from (Picture: Revolve/Newt/Etsy/Florence Bridge/Just Hype)
A few months ago nobody could have predicted that face masks would become 2020’s most sought-after accessory.
With coronavirus most likely to spread through respiratory droplets, masks have become an essential part of everyday life, in order to protect against germs.
This vintage-inspired mask has a beautiful floral design which rivals the likes of Cath Kidston. It comes in a pack of three, so there’s always a spare if one is in the wash.
Liberty London have some great patterns (Picture: Etsy)
Liberty London is known for its stunning floral prints and the good news is that one Etsy seller is turning them into face masks, with four glorious designs to choose from.
Something a little more colourful (Picture: Newt London)
This eye-catching mask from Newt London features a bold citrus design in periwinkle purple, sherbet orange and turtle green. It also has adjustable ear straps for maximum comfort.
Just Hype has a whole range of brilliant designs, with different sizes for men, women and kids. This colour-blocked grey and orange mask is a great alternative for those wanting something different to a plain one.
Getting kids to wear a face mask can be tough – but it helps if it looks incredibly cool. This superhero-inspired one is bold and pays homage to classic comic books. What more could you ask for?
