Each bag is dyed with around five avocado stones (Picture: Chipotle Goods)
Chipotle are known for their Mexican meals, as well as for charging extra for guac.
But they’re branching into another world soon, launching a range of goods as part of their offshoot brand, Chipotle Goods.
As well as the items being attractive, they’re made to make use of some of Chipotle’s by-products – such as avocado pits.
The brand will be using the stones to create a dye for clothes and bags, with each bag using up about five avo pits to transform its colour.
Given the chain throws away nearly 300 million avocado stones a year, putting them to use in a brand new way.
The avocado stones create a light pink colour (Picture: Chipotle Goods)
The collection will feature everything from leggings to jackets to shoes, and will be gender-neutral and ‘size inclusive’.
‘We looked at some of our biggest waste outputs that were landfill bound. We purchase more avocados than any other restaurant in America, which means we produce more avocado pits than any other restaurant,’ a Chipotle spokesperson told CNN Business.
‘Commercial compost isn’t available everywhere, and that meant that a lot of avocado pits were potentially destined for landfills each year.
Get it… because they charge extra for guac? (Picture: Chipotle Goods)
‘We started brainstorming ways we could use our avocado pits for good, and natural dye was something that kept coming up.’
The collection aims to use up byproducts along with as little water as possible, furthering the company’s aim to be environmentally friendly.
You can actually make your own avocado dye very easily at home.
After washing the stones, boil them in water for about an hour, then leave them sitting in the water overnight to deepen the colour.
The next day, strain the water and put back on the heat, adding your white or light fabrics.
Simmer for at least 20 minutes – longer if you want a deeper colour – and you’ll end up with light pink fabric that didn’t cost the earth.
Raheem has been known as a fan of the Wallabee style (Pictures: Clarks/BAPE/Hypebeast)
Of all the men’s styles available at Clarks, the Wallabee and the Desert Boot are the most iconic.
In order to reinvigorate the styles with a brand new flair, the footwear company has teamed up with a streetwear legend and a football legend in an extremely exciting new collab.
A Bathing Ape – also known as BAPE – and Clarks Originals reworked the classic shoes with new colourways and patterns, with the whole collection being modelled by none other than Raheem Sterling.
The BAPE Wallabee features pink or teal suede along the top with a camo design along the sides. The BAPE Desert Boot are more muted in tone, but with laser-printed BAPE designs on the sand or oak uppers.
The Wallabee boots come in pink or teal (Pictures: Clarks/BAPE/Hypebeast)
Other details like a jagged outsole on the Wallabees take things up a notch, and the Manhunt branding that harks back to the BAPE boots of yesteryear.
The collaboration marks 70 years of the Clarks Desert Boot, which has been completely unchanged since its launch in 1950.
The Desert Boots are laser printed with BAPE designs (Pictures: Clarks/BAPE/Hypebeast)
Despite the streetwear features, these boots will still be made with the same Charles F Stead materials, with everything from the stitching to the laces bearing the quality you might expect.
The capsule collection will be available to buy from BAPE and Clarks websites, as well as the the Clarks Originals Berwick Street Store, London, from 8 August 2020.
They’ll be priced the same as the ‘regular’ styles (£120 to £140 for Wallabees and £110 to £120 for Desert Boots). Be quick, though, as you’ll probably see them on StockX for much more after the release.
The couple have been living together in Toronto (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)
Richard Herefeld and Steffi Kay live a vintage lifestyle – but they met in a very modern way.
The pair found eachother through Instagram after they both shared snaps of their old-fashioned style.
After chatting online, they soon fell for each other and Richard, 29, made a 4,000 mile trip from Germany to Canada just 10 days later.
He had planned to spend just ten days with Steffi, 26, but ended up staying for one month after the lovebirds hit it off over their mutual passion for the 1930s.
Now they live together with everything including their home, their style and the music they listen to reflecting their love for the decade.
Richard said: ‘I had never met anyone I could get along with so easily before.
Steffi in one of her costumes (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)
‘Usually people in the vintage scene like more well-known 1940s songs, but when we first met Steffi had a playlist on in her car with rare songs from the 1920s and 1930s.’
The couple have been living together in Steffi’s art deco apartment in Toronto’s Sunnyside district – known for its similarity to Coney Island in the 30s because of its amusement park – since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Steffi has decorated each room in a different retro style, from the 1940s entrance foyer to the turn of the century, pin-up themed dressing room.
Steffi and Richard (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)
She said: ‘I’ve been into vintage since I was a teenager.
‘I remember my aunt clearing out the attic in her childhood home where there were lots of my grandmother’s dresses from the 30s.
‘My Aunt was determined to get rid of everything and I tucked my favourite pieces aside because I knew I needed to have them.
‘My style is also inspired by Jean Harlow and the golden age of Hollywood. Films have a huge impact on how I dress.’
They met through instagram (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)
Usually, 30s vocalist Richard splits his time performing between his home country of Germany and Canada, which means he wears vintage clothing to work but he likes to wear the same pieces to relax at home too.
Richard has been into 20s and 30s style from as far back as he can remember and has always had a love of traditional menswear, having insisted on wearing his grandfather’s tie from the age of three to family gatherings, before beginning to wear dress shirts to school at the age of 17.
Over 70% of his wardrobe is now made up of original pieces and he has been dressing exclusively in a vintage style for almost eight years.
The couple wear vintage clothes all the time (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)
Richard said: ‘I take off my shoes when I get home but I’m still wearing the shirt and tie and trousers.
‘It’s how I feel most comfortable, and more importantly it’s what I like.
‘People during lockdown were asking if we dressed up for the grocery store because it was the only time we could go out.
‘But the truth is we dress like this all the time.’
Steffi added: ‘People will often come up to us in the street and say ‘that’s so 50s’ but what we be wearing will be from the 20s or 30s.
‘Those early decades of the 20th century are almost forgotten and eclipsed by later decades.
‘We don’t stick our noses up or correct them. We appreciate that people enjoy it anyway.’
The couple regularly share their enthusiasm for all things vintage on their respective Instagram pages @richardherfeld and @steffi_kay where they’ve amassed almost 19,000 followers between them.
Kate debuted a face mask this week in Sheffield (Picture: PA)
The Duchess of Cambridge has a real knack of making whatever she wears a must-have item.
So we’re not at all surprised to see the first face covering she has worn getting a load of hype.
Kate Middleton showcased a face mask for the first time during a visit to Baby Basics UK in Sheffield on Tuesday, then wore the same printed option to Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff on Wednesday (we imagine she either has multiple of the same print, or she had time to wash the mask in between outings).
That face mask is a £15 reusable floral printed version from kidswear brand Amaia.
There’s good news and bad news.
The good news is that you can actually still buy other face masks from the brand Kate has given her stamp of approval, and you can buy a matching one for your kids.
The bad news is that the Kate effect means all sizes of the adult mask in the exact print she wore are sold out. So you’ll need to wait a while if you have your heart set on an exact match.
Amaia sells a number of £15 adult masks and matching £12 kids’ versions, all with an adjustable nose wire for the best fit, five filter refills included, and a double layer of 100% cotton.
Kate appears to be wearing the Pepper Liberty print, which, as we say, is sold out. But the Hannah Blue Liberty print is pretty lovely too, right?
It’s not surprising Kate picked this particular brand for her first photographed face mask outing.
Amaia has long been a favourite of the royal family, with Charlotte and George wearing items from the brand on multiple occasions.
The Duchess of Cambridge chose a floral design from Amaia (Picture: CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Plus, 30% of the proceeds from all Amaia masks are going to NHS Charities Together.
If you’re dead set on having the exact face mask Kate wore, we’d recommend patience while Amaia restocks – while stocking up on plenty of other face masks in the meantime, of course, as you need to wear one when you’re out in shops or on public transport.
But if you just want to pick up the Duchess of Cambridge’s general mask vibe, there are plenty of options you can buy right now – you just need to open your mind to other floral and Liberty print options.
You wouldn’t be the only one jumping on the trend. According to Lyst, after Kate showed off her face covering, searches for ‘floral face mask’ rose by 185% in less than 24 hours.
Some of the items from the full collection (Picture: Vans x The Simpsons)
Streetwear brand Vans has created a limited edition collection paying tribute to The Simpsons.
The range features over 60 pieces featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie as well as other favourite characters.
Vans launched a Simpsons range back in 2007 but these are all new designs for the 2020.
You can get ComfyCrush slip-on shoes featuring the cast from Springfield all over or different styles featuring just one or two characters, like textured Old Skool shoes showing the Bouvier sisters.
There’s clothing items and accessories too – including a backpack with the classic Vans check print and the faces of The Simpsons family woven in, or a bucket hat with an eyeballs screen print.
The all-over Springfield print (Picture: Vans x The Simpsons)
The Bouvier sisters shoes (Picture: Vans x The Simpsons)
For kids, there’s a range of different patterns. We love the tribute to the family pets or the 3D Blinky the Fish slip on shoes for toddlers.
And if you don’t see anything you like in the collection, there’s also a whole range of Simpsons prints in the customise area so you can design your own shoes.
For kids, there’s a tribute to the family pets (Picture: Vans x The Simpsons)
Some fans loved the collaboration and were desperate to get their hands on their favourite pieces.
Responding to posts about it on their social media page, one person said: ‘I’ve never wanted to buy a shirt more.’
The El Barto shoes (Picture: Vans x The Simpsons)
Another added: ‘Oh my god I’m excited. I need those El Barto shoes. And that Krusty Burger hat.’
But others had a few complaints once they saw the release.
One person said: ‘Am I the only one a bit disappointed? Not much for women I think. I was only looking trainers and they’re a bit expensive.’
The limited edition shoes do come at a a bit of a premium – for example, the Simpsons ComfyCush slip-on shoes cost £70 compared to £57 for the same shoe in the classic checked style.
However, the prices are in line with other recent collaborations Vans has done. Itcy & Scratchy Era shoes, for example, are the same price as the Era shoes in the National Geographic collection.
Others said they loved the kids patterns and were disappointed that they weren’t in adult sizes – but some fans pointed out they were available in the customise section so you could create your own bigger version.
We’ve all experienced the shame of shoes that make farting sounds (Picture: Kmart/Metro.co.uk)
Summer fashion is a nightmare, from finding clothes suitable for the office and a heatwave to trying to tackle chub rub.
One of the most irritating summer bothers has to be the squeaking or farting sound that emerges from sandals as you work.
One Australian woman is here to save us all from the shame of walking around and knowing everyone can hear your noisy shoes, with a simple trick that stops the squeaking in its tracks.
Posting to the Kmart Mums Facebook group, Vivian Maple shared a trick specifically for some particularly squeaky $8 sandals from Kmart, but that should work for all noisy shoes.
To silence the squeaking, Vivian simply pierces the arch of each shoe a few times with scissors.
Simply pierce the arches a few times with a pair of scissors (Picture: Vivian Maple)
‘It will leave holes in your shoes but no one will see them anyway once you wear them,’ she wrote.
‘Afterwards I did a few laps around the house and no more farting noises.
‘I’m glad because I was going to throw my sandals out. Now I can wear them this summer. Hopefully this trick helps others here.’
It turns out that trick did the, well, trick for many members of the group, as plenty commented to thank Vivian for her wisdom.
Others commented tagging in their friends and family members, which seems like a not-at-all-subtle way to let someone know their shoes are excessively loud.
The other colours of bra were in ‘dessert’ type colours (Picture: M&S)
Marks and Spencer has apologised after a customer complained about ‘racist’ bra colours on their website.
29-year-old Kusi Kimani was shopping for bras on the supermarket’s site, and noticed that the different skin-coloured items were named differently depending on how dark they were.
The lighter-coloured bras – which retailed for £12 – were named after sweet treats and deserts like ‘cinnamon’ and ‘fudge’, while the darkest colour was named ‘tobacco’.
‘I saw it about two weeks after George Floyd’s death and it was particularly raw to see at that time,’ Kusi told The Mirror.
‘Why not call it cocoa, caramel or chocolate – sweet dessert items? But they used tobacco. I was shocked when I saw it.
‘It’s hurtful to me and my friends. If a young girl who is already uncomfortable with the colour of her skin (sees it) she will be feeling even more alienated.
‘Each week that website is showing that racism is another week a young girl may come across it and feel bad for the rest of her life.
‘To see that “tobacco” is for their skin tone will make them feel unwanted by society. Tobacco is referred to in society as bad, unhealthy, and highly likely to kill – “smoking kills”.
Kusi was happy with the response but wishes it had come sooner (Picture: Mirrorpix)
‘This is an example of how bias is ingrained into society and only helps fuel racism, be it overt or covert, however in this instance this is a form of covert racism.’
Kusi’s comments were raised in the Mirror, which prompted a statement from the high street chain.
Thankfully, they did not fall on deaf ears at M&S, and a spokesperson for the company said in a response: ‘In June we shared our commitments to being a truly inclusive place to shop and work and were honest that we have more to do and more to learn.
Kusi felt that it was ‘covert racism’ (Picture: Mirrorpix)
‘As part of this, we are reviewing our ranges, supported by our BAME network, to ensure we have lingerie items that are flattering and suitable for all customers.
‘All of our product colour names have been taken from a design colour palette used across the industry, but we agree with Kusi.
‘We are changing the name of the bra colour and are writing to Kusi to confirm that, and let her know that we’re sorry for not moving faster.’
Kusi commented on this saying: ‘It’s great news. The only thing I’d say is that it’s a shame I had to get in touch with the media in order for that change to be made.
‘Me on my own wasn’t enough. As an individual I went to executive team who had the power to do it – but they didn’t.
‘It would be good if in future individuals are taken seriously.’
Also nailing their sartorial choices are Muslim women, specifically those who wear a hijab.
Whether in a niqab (face covering), a turban-style scarf, an abaya (a burqa), or even a triangular scarf that is commonly used during prayers, these hijabi Muslim women know a thing or two about how to dress up.
After Twitter user Nini who goes by the name @seokthestallion shared a thread of hijabi women in their elements, it blew up.
The best-dressed hijabi edition thread amassed more than 200,000 likes and each fashionista got plenty of love.
But Nini had to also remind followers not to post any Islamaphobic content.
She wrote: ‘I better not see Islamophobic comments or people shaming these women in any way (not on their hijab style, not on how their clothes and NONE of that).’
Najma is a Swedish-Somali influencer living in Paris (Picture: @itsnajmaahmed)
One of the women featured in the thread is Najma Ahmed, a Swedish-Somali influencer living in Paris.
She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘What inspires my fashion is the environment I’m in. When I’m in Paris I will dress a little more minimalistic and neutral and when I’m in Sweden I dress more colourful.
‘Also I like to take inspiration from social media and old movies from the ’80s and ’90s.’
Asked about her fashion tips, Najma says: ‘Being comfortable is a major key for me.
‘When I feel comfortable with what I’m wearing I’m automatically more confident.
‘I have seen the thread and it made me so happy to see other inspirational Muslim hijabs get the recognition that they deserve.
‘They are all so gorgeous and stylish and I’m more than honoured to be in the same thread as them.’
Check out and appreciate the rest of the women on the thread below:
Kids tend to grow out of their shoes very quickly (Picture: Getty Images)
Depending on when their next growth spurt is, it’s possible that your little ones will have grown out of their new school shoes by Christmas.
This could cost you a fortune depending on which ones you go for, which is what Clarks clearly had in mind when they were creating their new offer.
As part of their back to school guarantee, if you book in with a fitter and buy shoes with them now, you’ll get their fit guarantee.
This means if they grow out of them at any time between now and 28 Feb 2021, you can exchange them (sizes infant 10 upwards) for a completely free pair.
Infant sizes 7 to 9.5 also have a guarantee, but this is slightly shorter – lasting until 30 November 2020.
Shoes must have been purchased between 13th July and 14th September 2020, which leaves you plenty of time to get them all kitted out before school starts again.
When you come back with the too-small shoes you’ll need to show your proof of purchase so keep that handy.
The fitter will then measure your child’s foot against their old shoes to confirm they no longer fit and allow you to pick a new pair of the same value.
If they have no shoes of the same value, you’ll be issued a refund.
It does have to be done in conjunction with a shoe fitting, so make sure you don’t just buy a pair of shoes and expect a new pair when they’re too small. You can book one of these here.
Given how expensive back to school shopping can get, it’s nice to know you aren’t throwing money down the drain on something they won’t wear in a few months.
Behold the dress of summer (Picture: Lirika Matoshi/Metro.co.uk)
The dress of the summer is flouncy, covered in strawberries, and set to fulfil all your cottagecore dreams.
While in previous times the hero piece of the season has been declared by the pages of magazines and red carpet trends, this year things are a little different.
Instead, we know that the Strawberry Midi Dress from Lirika Matoshi is a massive hit thanks to TikTok, where women lip-syncing Strawberry Blond by Mitski upload unpackaging videos of the gown’s tule ruffles and don the strappy detailing to wander through fields and indulge in pandemic picnics.
So what’s made the dress so popular, despite its $490 (£375) price tag?
In part, it’s all about the drama. The dress is pure princess-y ridiculousness. It’s indulgent, absurd, and allows for an escape from all the rules of dressing like a grown-up.
By that we mean it’s pink tulle, with a deep V neckline, a mid-length hemline that moves as you walk, and covered in a glittery strawberry print.
Do you love it? (Picture: Lirika Matoshi)
It’s available up to a size 20 – a rarity in an it dress – and works for anyone who’s bold enough to wear it.
It fits into the key aesthetics of the moment – the dreamy softness of cottagecore combining with songs about strawberry frogs to make something that’s powerful in its girlyness.
No wonder, then, that it’s found such a love in the lesbian and wlw community.
Then there’s the coronavirus element, which has restricted us to the home and, strangely enough, made us more open to going out-there with our fashion choices.
No longer do we need to ask ‘do I have somewhere to where this to?’ when we’re readying our clicking finger while online shopping. We know full well we have nowhere to go, and that the only way people will appreciate our sartorial choices is on social media, a place that’s geared towards the dramatic silhouette and trendy print of the strawberry dress.
And as we said, it really has been all over social media. Under the #strawberrydress tag on Instagram alone, there are more than 10,000 posts.
Beyond the influencer snaps and perfectly posed pics, Instagram and TikTok has also been overrun with tributes to the dress, such as illustrations, memes, and songs – again, many of which are themed around women who love women.
You’ll likely find better online shopping results by going not for an exact replica, but a high street dress that has similar themes as the iconic strawberry dress.
You’ll note on Instagram that Lirika Matoshi also sells a matching strawberry face mask, so ensure that whichever dupe you go for, you get a matching print for your face covering.
This student makes her own prints for women’s clothes (Picture: PA)
For four years, London student Anika Verma has collected discarded pigments, such as eyeshadow palettes from her local community and rubbish tips to create prints for womenswear.
The 21-year-old repurposes the old makeup to produce sustainable clothing to illustrate the ‘infinite possibilities’ of recycling.
The designer and student at Central Saint Martins, a college of the University of the Arts London, wants to encourage people to dump fast fashion and upcycle and recycle where possible.
Anika sources the material for her tops from a shop in Southall which stocks leftover samples or damaged fabrics from the fast fashion industry and then adds the prints from the eyeshadow she finds.
‘As the beauty industry has blown up, the amount of waste it produces has become a huge environmental issue,’ Anika said.
‘I am excited to show people the benefits and uniqueness of slow fashion.
‘The key message of this project is to show people that there is an infinite possibility when it comes to recycling and reusing.’
Anika makes these prints from old discarded makeup (Picture: PA)
Much of the makeup Anika uses passed its expiry date years before.
Anika, who sells the tops individually online, prevents her prints from smudging using a sealant she created herself, which she says is non-toxic.
‘I’m quite hesitant to share the exact hows and whats. I’ve already had a handful of people who work for bigger fashion companies try and get it out of me,’ she said.
Her tops feature a face design which she says she has been drawing for years and used to draw almost every day at school.
Some of the makeup she uses (Picture: PA)
Anika explained: ‘When I was 16 or 17 I had a weird dream and this face was a significant part.
‘I’m almost certain that if we went back to my old school today we would find at least three of the faces drawn onto a wall or desk.’
Anika said she would encourage anyone to think about the possibilities of repurposing old items.
‘We need to start acting now and fast before the damage we do to our planet destroys our wildlife and ecosystems beyond repair,’ she added.
In two follow-up TikToks, Jennifer shared how she made it.
She says you need to have a front and back portion of the dress, arm bands and side seams to give the drawstring effect.
Sew the front and back pieces of the dress together before creating the drawstring on the sides.
You’ll need to thread through a cylindrical piece of fabric to create the ‘pull’ you see on either side of the dress.
To put it together, you’ll need a sewing machine and some understanding of stretch fabrics, so you can create the drawstrings and tie the sides at your desired length.
Jennifer finished the dress by making the ‘neck’ of the dress and stitching it to the front and back section.
She made two versions of the dress which she sold off on DePop.
Jennifer made two versions of the dress which she sold on DePop (Picture: Jennifer Darlington)
Jennifer also makes other fashionable items including blouses, crop tops, loungewear and of course dresses.
Her followers love her style and often commend her skills.
One person wrote on the drawstring dress video: ‘You’re so talented’ while another said: ‘Yours looks better than the site’.
Another said: ‘Stan sustainable and affordable fashion’.
Burberry has brought out masks in two colours – each costing £90 (Picture: Burberry)
Few of us could have predicted that face masks would become the must-have accessory of 2020.
So there’s been a bit of a scramble from designers and high-street brands to jump on the trend and start selling as many reusable face coverings as possible.
Now, finally, Burberry has chimed in with masks in their trademark checked design.
Created from revalued fabric, the unisex masks are available in blue or beige and ‘provide particle filtration efficiency’, which is a fancy way of saying they work to keep you safe. Burberry says more designs will launch in autumn.
Each mask costs £90, which is pretty steep going for a face covering when you can get a pack for a tenner from other spaces, but if you’re super dedicated to the designer vision, we guess you can justify the expense.
Each mask does also come with a matching travel pouch, too, in case that’s a significant factor in your decision to buy.
Will you choose beige or blue? (Picture: Burberry)
Oh, and 20% of each sale will go to the Burberry Foundation Covid-19 Community Fund, which donates PPE and assists healthcare charities and food banks around the world amid the crisis.
While fake Chanel and Louis Vuitton masks seemed to be the preferred option, a quick Google reveals quite a few online stores selling knockoff Burberry face coverings in their trademark check and with the logo printed on front.
A portion of the proceeds goes to the Burberry Foundation Covid-19 Community Fund (Picture: Burberry)
Vintage stores and Etsy sellers have also crafted masks out of secondhand Burberry shirts, cut up and sewn to satisfy the needs of people determined to get that specific aesthetic.
Now, finally, Burberry has a place to point fans who want their masks to rep the brand.
Whether said fans will fork out £90 rather than continuing on with the knockoffs is yet to be seen.
Much like the chains which used to hold your teacher’s glasses onto their neck at school, these give off a similar aesthetic.
They’re also practical for keeping a mask close to your face – so you don’t have to reach into your pocket or bag every time you enter a shop. These chains essentially prevent face masks getting misplaced.
Choose from metal chains, beads and more (Picture:ThenandThereShop/ Etsy)
Simply rest it on your chest when it’s not in use (Picture: SweetDalda/Etsy)
It’s worth pointing out the chains do not hold a mask on (please don’t cut mask straps off, as they are essential!), they are simply clipped to the side of a mask to accessorise it a little. No safety is sacrificed in the process.
The chain also makes it practical to rest the mask on your chest when it’s not in use.
Face mask chains come in all kinds of styles from simple metal to stylish peal and beaded varieties.
Currently, there are a whole host of different brands offering them such as ASOS, Thomas Sabo and Amazon, as well as a selection of sellers on Etsy – so there’s something for everyone.
Of course, you’ll need a super cute face mask to go with it and there are plentyon the market at the moment.
Desserto leather is made from mashing up cacti leaves (Picture: SWNS.com)
Going vegan and ditching all animal products is tough when you love fashion.
It’s hard enough giving up cheese, then you’re confronted with the reality that most designed bags and shoes are made from leather.
The solution could lie in cacti.
Desserto cactus leather is, as the name gives away, a leather-like fabric that’s made from cacti and can be used to create jackets, bags, car seats, shoes, and any other item made from traditional cow leather.
But unlike traditional cow leather, cactus leather is vegan and far more environmentally friendly.
It’s the work of two friends from Mexico, Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez, both 28, who wanted to make the fashion industry more eco-conscious without comprimising on quality.
It’s the creation of two friends, Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez (Picture: SWNS.com)
The cacti are grown in Mexico (Picture: SWNS.com)
The leather doesn’t require killing the cacti, so don’t worry about our plant pals.
Instead, it’s made from mature leaves that are simply trimmed off a cactus species called opuntia ficus indica, which the friends grow in its natural habitat of Zacatecas, Mexico.
The leaves are cleaned, mashed, and dried for three days in the sunlight before being mixed with non-toxic chemicals and shaped into the texture and colour required.
The end result can withstand about ten years of use and, according to Adrián and Marte, costs ‘about the same’ as regular leather.
‘We have fashion designers telling us that is has great potential for luxury products because it feels so soft and yet it’s so durable,’ said Marte.
The cactus leather can be used to make anything traditional cow leather would be used for (Picture: SWNS.com)
‘If you’re not an expert you might not even realize that it isn’t animal leather.
‘We knew the industry was striving for sustainable materials but they were too expensive to be viable on the mass market
‘Most vegan leathers are currently made from plastic which is so bad for the environment.’
Adrián and Marte came up with the idea of making vegan leather from cactus plants three years ago, back when they each worked with leather in the fashion and auto industries.
It’s made by mashing up mature leaves, which grow back in a few months (Picture: SWNS.com)
The process uses far less water and is entirely vegan (Picture: SWNS.com)
It took two years of research and development to finalise their product, which they’ve now patented.
‘Even finding the right cactus to use was a big task,’ said Marte.
‘There are around 700 types of cacti in Mexico alone.’
Their farm is food-certified organic and requires no irrigation or chemicals, and unlike caring for cows for leather, growing cacti requires little water – plus, the plants absorb carbon dioxide, adding another environmental benefit.
Could this be the future of accessories? (Picture: SWNS.com)
The company has won several awards and is in the process of forming some major partnerships with fashion brands and auto manufacturers internationally.
Those brand deals are top secret for now, but get ready: cactus leather could be hitting shops soon.
Caption: Where to buy the face mask Meghan Markle wore this week
(Picture: PA)
While we always knew we’d be eagerly snapping up anything Meghan Markle wore, we couldn’t have predicted that it’d be her choice of coronavirus-prevention face masks that we’d be fawning over.
To do so, Meghan dressed casually in khaki shorts, a Victoria Beckham white shirt, and Adidas Stan Smith trainers, completing the look with a preppy blue and white face covering.
The Duke and Duchess handed out essential supplies through car windows (Picture: PA)
The good news: you can still buy said face mask, if you fancy copying the Duchess.
It’s a classic striped design with seersucker cotton fabric, and is double-lined with a filter inside.
The 100% cotton mask has a simple blue and white design (Picture: Royal Jelly Harlem)
The brand also makes a matching kids’ version, if you fancy coordinating your coverings as a family.
And, as a heads up, Royal Jelly Harlem is doing a deal where if you buy five masks you only pay for four, so it might be worth stocking up. They have some jazzier floral designs, but we can see why Meghan went for the blue and white option – it’s fresh, light, and goes with everything.
While the US label does ship internationally, the postage might take a little longer than you’d like – so if you’d rather order a similar design from within the UK, we’d recommend this £13 Poppy + Sage option, which also has those smart blue and white stripes, or this £8.99 one from Etsy, which looks super similar to the one Meghan wore.
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
BAME students are showcasing their work in a new zine (Picture: Platform/thefword-magazine.com)
The fashion industry isn’t known for its inclusivity.
Despite the fact that schools like Central St Martins have students from all walks of life, the industry itself is still pretty white. How else could Vogue editor Edward Enninful have been racially profiledon his way into his own office?
To try to rebalance the books in some small way, London-based designer Christopher Kane is helping to raise the profile of upcoming designers, stylists and fashion journalists from Black and brown backgrounds.
He and his sister Tammy have teamed up with Central St Martins tutor Judith Watt to create Platform, a monthly digital zine created by non-white students from the legendary art school. Kane launched it to his 600k-strong following on Instagram earlier this week.
Writing on the ‘gram, Kane said that ‘inequality, discrimination and under-representation have been at the heart of the elitist fashion industry’ for ‘as long as we can remember’ – meaning that many young people have missed out on opportunities.
He acknowledged that the latent interest in diversification has been ‘completely overdue’ and as such, may come across lacking authenticity.
Platform, however, seeks to do two things:
Celebrate Black and minority voices now and in the future
Focus on inspirational, positive stories rather than allowing ‘”cancel culture”‘ to overshadow the voices of those actually doing good’.
Editors-in-chief Hannah Karpel and Yelena Grelet are both currently on the Fashion Journalism course at CSM, and are part of The F Word – a collective of students and alumni from the department. They’ll be focussing on celebrating BAME talents throughout the zine, including friends, colleagues and strangers.
Issue one is available now. It includes an open letter penned by first-year student Ore Ajala called ‘My Black Hair’, in which she writes: ‘The biggest life lessons that I have obtained have stemmed from the ever-growing roots in my head. Lessons of resilience, patience and understanding are only three examples of a list as big as my afro.’
Everything from the features to the front cover showcases BAME talent.
This month’s cover includes an image from the Tallawah exhibition at Cob’s London gallery – a collab between Jamaican hairstylist Jawara Wauchope and Nigerian-Jamaican photographer, Nadine Ijewere.
‘Not only does the image speak volumes – literally – but it is an empowering photograph. The tiaras on the model’s fabulous hairstyle are an emblem of love and honour – an ode from us [Platform contributors] to the talented people of colour,’ the editors told Vogue.
So, get ready for more Black and brown excellence.
Let’s face it, heels might look nice but they are a pain in the…er, feet.
Many of us can admit to walking home barefoot after a night out, because we just couldn’t face another moment in the torture devices that disguise themselves as our footwear.
To help ease the literal pain, a fashion influencer has shared her top tricks for wearing heels.
And the best part? They are super easy and only require three tools: Vaseline, a nail file and dry shampoo.
Hadia Ghaleb, who has 287,000 followers on her TikTok account, shared the hacks with fans in a recent video.
First up, dry shampoo.
Spray dry shampoo to the insoles of your heels
In theory, any brand of dry shampoo should work (Picture: Provider: TikTok/@hadiaghaleb)
The influencer, who is based in Dubai, can be seen spraying the inside of her golden stilettos with dry shampoo.
Apparently this will help not only help you avoid slippery feet, but it could also assist with potential odour issues.
On to hack number two.
File the soles of your heels
A basic nail file will do the job (Picture: Provider: TikTok/@hadiaghaleb)
Ever bought a new pair of heels and almost slipped because the soles were too smooth? Try this trick.
Hadia takes a nail file to the sole of the shoes, in the exact location where the padded part of your foot would be placed in the heels – and voilà, no more slippery accidents.
Rub Vaseline on your feet
No more painful pinching (Picture: Provider: TikTok/@hadiaghaleb)
And finally, here’s the big one: how to avoid pain, especially if your heels are a bit tight.
If the shoes are pinching, grab a tub of Vaseline and apply generously to the area that causes you pain.
It will make it easier for you to slide your feet into the heels and should, according to Hadia, make it more comfortable.
Carolyn Maclellan needed some new shoes for a wedding she was attending but she struggled to find anything suitable.
She wanted bright red but with size two feet, her choices were limited.
So instead the care assistant from Ayrshire in Scotland painted an old pair with Frenchic paint.
It meant she had the perfect shade without spending a fortune.
She posted on Facebook: ‘Needed red shoes and a bag asap….
‘Can’t find any to fit my tiny feet… so out came the Frenchic Hot lips!’
Carolyn buying her favourite shoes (Picture: Carolyn Maclellan)
Other people loved the idea while some said they did the same back in the 1980s.
Carolyn had been using the Frenchic paint throughout lockdown for DIY projects but this is the first time she’d used for something in her wardrobe.
Her partner jokingly suggested the idea because she’d already covered the spare bedroom furniture, a rocking chair, kitchen cupboards, a side table and garden furniture.
The shoes before (Picture: Carolyn Maclellan)
She already had the £14.95 tin of paint from a few weeks before and loved the colour but hadn’t had a chance to use it in a project yet.
The paint is from the Alfresco range, making it waterproof and she hopes that will prevent any of it coming off due to sweat.
And the finished result (Picture: Carolyn Maclellan)
She started by wiping the bag with sugar soap and a damp cloth and then gave the shoes a wipe.
Using a small brush, she applied three coats to the shoes and four to the bag, leaving two hours between each one to allow the paint to dry.
Once it was finished, Carolyn loved the new look and said she would consider doing the same to other accessories in the future.
She’s saving the red ones for her wedding guest outfit in a few weeks time but can’t wait to show them off.
A solution to this common problem is opting for a silk face mask, as the material significantly reduces the amount of friction and is more delicate on skin.
Dr Emma Cunningham explains: ‘A silk mask would be ideal for sensitive skin as it is non irritant and breathable. Irritation in sensitive skin (including worsening acne, rosacea, seborrhoea and Dermatitis) are certainly on the increase since the wearing of face masks became the “new normal” in the prevention of spread of COVID-19.
‘If you have sensitive skin, opt for natural fibre masks silk masks, which can be washed regularly.’
We’ve rounded up some of the best silk face masks which can help if you have skin sensitivity, here are our favourites at the moment…
Everyone’s been talking about these gorgeous silk masks from Vampire’s Wife, so much so, most of the collection has already sold out online.
This blue one has the signature scalloped cut ruffles and is double layered with 100% silk. It’s one of the only ones on the website which is available to pre-order, with dispatch from mid September – so you won’t have to wait too long.
Jump on the tie dye bandwagon (Picture: GISY/Wolf and Badger)
Tie dye is everywhere this year and a face mask is a great way to dip your toe in the trend if you don’t want to go all out.
This orange and beige mask from GISY is available to buy on retailer Wolf and Badger. The straps are also adjustable, so it can be tailored to fit your face for a more comfortable fit.
You can’t go wrong with a simple black mask (Picture: Selfridges)
This chic black mask has been designed with 100% mulberry silk (in order to reduce friction and prevent crease marks) and features an adjustable nose wire and elastic ear loops.
The simple black design means it looks great thrown on with any outfit. An all-round crowdpleaser.
Fancy something a little more floral? (Picture: Rixo/Selfridges)
You’ve probably seen a plethora of Rixo dresses dominating your Instagram feed, with it being a popular choice with influencers. However, the brand also does eye-catching face masks, similar to the much-loved dresses.
This silk-blend mask, currently being sold at Selfridges, features a purple and pink floral print on a white background.
GingerLily’s unisex silk face coverings come in a range of colours and are made with three layers of pure mulberry silk. It’s been crafted to sit away from the nose and mouth while still providing a good seal around the face and obviously, being silk, it’s tender on the skin.
The London-based brand also offers all kind of other silky delights, including bedding, throws and nightwear.
Profits are donated to charity (Picture: CocoRose)
This blue face mask not only looks lovely, it’s for a great cause, too.
For every face mask purchased, CocoRose will donate all profits to its selected children’s mental health charity. Made of 100% fine silk, it’s been designed with all day comfort in mind and also comes with a cute matching pouch for you to keep it in, when not in use.
Whether you love spots, stars or stripes, it looks like SilxsShop on Etsy has something to suit. All of owner Moira’s hypoallergenic masks are made with 100% mulberry silk and, if the glowing reviews are anything to go by, buyers won’t be left disappointed.
One happy customer wrote: ‘Really lovely quality and I love that such a mundane item has been made to feel luxurious! This mask feels so soft and breathable on the skin.’
Get your mask made out of a vintage kimono (Picture: ArtisanVintageUK/Etsy)
This Etsy shop puts upcycling at the forefront as it makes its silk masks out of vintage kimonos.
There are only a few pieces of each design, so you can be sure your mask will be as unique as they come. Currently, they come in dark floral, navy floral and black floral designs.
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions or coverage. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
