Recycling at its finest (Picture: REUTERS/Ardee Napolitano)
A French company is taking upcycling to a new level by using fish skins that would have otherwise gone in the bin and turning them into leather.
The salmon skins, which were destined for restaurant bins, are being used for high-end watch straps and wallets.
While it might seem like a bizarre new trend, using fish skins for leather is actually an age-old craft – it’s just never been used in mainstream fashion.
However, with its environmentally-friendly benefits, we could soon be seeing more of it.
Three friends behind the company, called Ictyos, are determined to make this process become more accepted within the fashion industry.
Salmon skins are used to make the watches (Picture: REUTERS)
With their finishing coat (Picture: REUTERS)
Co-founder Benjamin Malatrait said: ‘Salmon skin has a suppleness, and a finesse, it’s less than half a millimetre thick, but with a resistance which is nearly equivalent to cow leather.
‘It has a grain which is more marked, with scales that are a bit reminiscent of lizard. Visually it’s quite exotic.’
Ictyos has been given a six-month run inside a startup incubator run by fashion giant LVMH – owner of brands like Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. The hope is that eventually the incubator graduates can land deals with the LVMH fashion houses.
The finished product (Picture: REUTERS)
So many to choose from (Picture: REUTERS)
Currently, Ictyos is working with 250 clients – both big brands and artisan producers – who are testing products to be used in watch straps, bags, and clothes.
But it seems the company isn’t the first to experiment with using food waste to make clothing and accessories.
Cilz is the founder of Nubian Reines (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Welcome to Black Owned, a series that celebrates the brilliant Black entrepreneurs doing bits in the UK.
Despite the challenges, the community continues to create important and excellent work – and we’re here to make sure that you know about it.
This week, we’ve got Cilrette, the founder of Nubian Reines – a representative accessories company that specialises in putting Black princesses on backpacks and hoodies.
People who grew up in the days before Princess and the Frog are only too familiar with the ache of having no cartoons to look up to. Black and mixed girls didn’t get kissed by princes or have fairy godmothers; they didn’t exist at all.
Cilrette has decided to take matters into her own hands to ensure that her son and his contemporaries don’t grow up with the same problem.
When and why did you start Nubian Reines?
The idea of Nubian Reines came to me in 2018, while I was watching my son’s drama performance.
The children had to dress up as one of their favourite characters and I noticed that a young girl who was dressed as Goldielocks had no command of the stage.
The brand is all about representing Black and mixed girls (Picture: Agata Politanska-Konecka)
I wondered whether the costume was the reason for her lack of confidence and if it was her inability to relate to the synthetic, straight, blonde wig that was stopping her from being as bold as usual.
That led me to think about creating a character with the same hair texture, colour, and skin tone as her. Suddenly, Nubian Reines was born!
What does the name mean?
The word ‘reines’ means queens – so Nubian Reines means Nubian Queens.
Is it your full-time job?
Thanks to a recent spike in sales, Nubian Reines now has my full attention.
Why is it so important to have Black princesses and cartoon characters?
One word: representation.
All children deserve to feel love, have their features celebrated and their uniqueness positively reflected in fashion and cartoons. Black and mixed girls haven’t been showcased in media and fashion for some time now, so it’s especially important for them.
Representation dictates how others see you but more importantly, how you see yourself.
More Black characters allow Black children to feel seen and included.
The three queens are different skin colours to ensure that more girls see themselves represented (Picture: Nubian Reines)
What kind of feedback have you got from parents and children?
I often get told that as soon as the child sees one of the queens in the logo, they say: ‘She looks just like me!’. That always warms my heart and keeps me motivated.
Parents have also spoken highly of our quality. One of my aims when staring Nubian Reines was to ensure products were high in quality yet reasonable in price.
Tell us a bit more about the three young Nubian queens that the brand is centred around.
When I came up with the idea, I immediately knew the skin tones of the girls had to showcase the many skin tones of Black and mixed children. It was also important to me that their hair textures illustrated the natural hair textures of Black and mixed girls.
Each of the Queens’ names means ‘Queen’ in a different African language; Zhenga is a South African name, Morowa is Ghanaian and Thema is Egyptian.
I chose those names so that regardless of skin tone, children could see themselves and be reminded that they’re special – and that they too are queens.
Has your identity as a Black woman created any challenges in getting started?
My identity hasn’t been the problem; difficulties have developed due to the message of the brand. I’ve been told that it was very racist of me to create a brand that only celebrates Black beauty – to which I replied and will always reply ‘First and foremost I am a Black woman. I celebrate my natural Black beauty and implore others to do the same’.
I advise anyone – regardless of their skin colour or culture – to create a brand that epitomises them. We live in a diverse society and products should cater to that. It’s not racism, it’s creating equality.
We cannot speak about diversity if we’re not all represented.
The perfect back-to-school backpack (Picture: Nubian Reines)
Has the business benefited from things like Black Pound Day?
The business has and I am grateful to Swiss and others who have created Black Pound Day and other groups that help bring to light Black-owned businesses.
What do you say those who claim that Black Pound Day is ‘discriminatory’ towards non-Black business owners?
Black Pound Day simply highlights to consumers and other business owners of all ethnic groups that Black-owned businesses exists.
It’s helped to provide advertising for Black-owned businesses who may not have been able to reach vast numbers of people.
It isn’t about boycotting businesses that are not Black-owned, but rather shedding light and investing in Black-owned businesses – most of which are online and sell products that consumers will not find in supermarkets or stores.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs looking to start up their own businesses?
Do it – but do it for the right reasons.
Create a brand, a product or service that you can boldly stand by and that you yourself would use or buy. Be consistent, always willing to learn and grow. But most importantly, be patient with yourself and your business; mistakes are not the end of the world but rather the start of the lesson.
What’s next for the business?
I am a proud (single) mother to a young Black king and will be launching Nubian Reines’ brother brand, Nubian Rois, soon. It’ll sell products aimed at boys. My son and I enjoy watching anime and feel there isn’t enough representation so I have made the characters in the Nubian Rois logo Afrocentric anime characters.
The Nubian Reines line started with Rose Gold Backpacks but our back-to-school line has just been extended with more products.
We’ve just relaunched our satin lined hoodies to keep crowns warm and safe this winter.
For more information, you can follow Nubian Reines on Instagram.
Now, we weren’t in the room when Gucci heads decided to launch an ‘eco-washed’ line featuring jeans and dungarees that appear to be grass-stained.
But we do wonder for why they decided to flog these numbers that look like you’ve spent too long in the park.
The luxury retailer is selling distressed denim with faded brown and green splodges around the knees and ankles.
And in typical Gucci fashion, the items will set you back hundreds of pounds.
While the eco-washed organic denim overalls are $1,400 (£1,088) a pair of eco-washed trousers will set you back $680 (£528).
Though we make fun of these pieces, Gucci does state that the jeans and dungarees are sustainable.
The materials are leftovers that are upcycled into new items under the Gucci Up sustainable programme.
No grass was hurt in the making of these jeans (Picture: Gucci)
On its website, it states: ‘Channeling the Fall Winter 2020 Men’s collection’s grunge vibe, this denim overall is crafted from organic cotton and specifically treated for a stained-like, distressed effect.
‘Gucci explores new takes on the cult fabric, reinterpreting it with different designs and washing techniques that blur the line between vintage and contemporary.’
Fashion to rival your granddad (Picture: Gucci)
And good news, you can pair the stained-effect numbers with a ripped jumper that screams granddad vibes.
The fashion house states: ‘Crafted from brown rib-knit wool, the oversize crewneck jumper has a distressed, underground look, emphasized by intentional tears in the fabric.
‘For the Fall Winter 2020 fashion show, Gucci draws inspiration from the ‘80s and ‘90s grunge subculture and reimagines it through its lens.’
Falling in love with a print on a tea towel, Selika Harris thought how pretty it would look on a dress.
So she decided to pick up 11 of them and make her own beautiful garment.
She got back into sewing three years ago and usually uses store bought fabric to make dresses, jumpers and skirts.
But when she saw the cockatoo print on a peach background on the tea towels, she decided to give it a go.
The towels cost $1.50 (80p) at Kmart and she initially picked up seven, later ordering more when she realised she didn’t have enough. The dress cost a total of $16.50 (£9.30).
Unfortunately, we don’t have Kmart in the UK but if you find a tea towel with a pattern you like, you could take inspiration from Selika’s design.
She bought 11 of these from Kmart (Picture: Kmart)
The finished dress (Picture: selika2904/Instagram )
The 37-year-old, from Croydon, Victoria, told Femail: ‘I saw some people on the Australian sewing advice and inspiration Facebook page used this tea towel to make bucket hats so I was thinking I could make a dress from it as it’s so pretty,’
She started by unpicking all the hems on the towels to make everything flat and easy to work with.
She explained she sewed three towels together for the gathered skirt, back and front pieces, then she added two pieces for the bodice back and front and then the sleeves.
You need to enter a lottery to get your hands on a pair (Picture: Adidas – Getty)
Adidas and Lego have come together to create amazing colourful trainers.
The sportswear experts and toy brand revealed the new design for the classic ZX 8000 sneaker, which features sections to look like the classic bricks and interchangeable pieces around the shoelaces.
The tongues also feature the classic Lego red logo and you can choose from different coloured laces.
The shoes will go on sale through a worldwide lottery, which is open until this Friday at 8.30am, and will cost £99.95.
They’ll launch exclusively through the Adidas app, so you’ll need to download that if you want to get your hands on a pair.
The Adidas x Lego shoes (Picture: Adidas)
The Adidas website says: ‘It’s up to us to build the world we envision. A collaborative effort between adidas and Denmark’s iconic toy brand LEGO®, these ZX 8000 Lego Shoes are part of the A-ZX series, a global platform spanning a multitude of cultural touch points to showcase the diverse world of sneakers.
The shoes feature colourful bricks (Picture: Adidas )
‘Bold colours and brick details reminiscent of classic LEGO® building blocks lend playful style to the throwback silhouette. Because you’re never too old to get building.’
Although the news of the collaboration was released earlier this month, fans were excited when the design was finally revealed.
One person joked: ‘Now you can safely step on LEGO. While stepping IN LEGO.’
Someone else said: ‘Ok but these are actually sick.’
There were a few people who said they didn’t like the sneakers though.
One commented: ‘Expensive, Ugly and I don’t like the design sorry guys, my old adidas Neo look more LEGO look like !!!’
Another added: ‘The white makes it look like a cheesy 1980s remake. Should have switched that out for black!’
The 3D mask weighs about the same as a cuddly toy (Picture: REUTERS)
Now that masks are a part of our everyday attire, people are opting to wear ones that show off their personalities.
Those that wear glasses, though, are more concerned with masks that won’t fog up their specs as they’re going about their socially-distanced days.
Japanese artist Takahiro Shibata has come up with a funny way to poke fun at this ‘new normal’ problem, designing a ramen noodle bowl mask that makes it seem like the broth is creating a tantalising steam.
The animator and artist initially planned to fix the condensation problem, but quickly found that it wasn’t possible.
So instead he looked to lighten the mood a little with the 3D food mask made from felt and clay.
We’re about to get cosy (Photo: Net A Porter/Zara/Mango/ Pull & Bear/Getty)
Autumn is here, and although the pandemic has put a stop to the majority of our plans, we’re still getting excited about fashion’s new mood.
First, knitwear. For autumn it’s all about ribbed styles and lighter knits in a distinctly autumnal palette; pieces can be styled alone with off-duty denim or worn together – fine-knit cropped cardis or bodycon-style ribbed dresses.
Then there’s statement-making separates; super-sized sleeves and giant collars are here to stay, the bigger the better. For outerwear, practical coats are the order of the year, as are thick-soled boots.
With fewer occasions to dress up for, there’s a real focus on pieces that deliver both style and comfort; embrace cool-weather classics mixed with some subtle new-season style updates. These ten pieces will cover every occasion.
1. The giant collar blouse
Stand out with this collar blouse (Picture: Zara)
There’s a whole host of covetable collar blouses on the high street right now. Zara’s powder-blue version, complete with ruffle trim, tops our new-season wish list.
Let these statement sleeves boost your mood (Picture: Rotate Birger Christensen)
It’s not new, nor particularly suited to a pandemic, but these are an instant mood-booster. Pair big sleeves with chunky flat boots and gold-tone jewellery for a low-key dinner with friends.
A leather overshirt is this season’s most stylish transitional piece. Mango’s faux leather beige belted shirt gets our vote, best worn over a calf-grazing midi skirt.
You won’t be going cold in this number (Picture: Arket)
Last year it was the puffer and this year, fashion still favours the practical and the quilted coat is the chicest (and warmest) way to go. A belted style avoids the feeling of being swamped.
A classic, with good reason. (Picture: Pull & Bear)
They’re so easy to style, especially if you choose something in black or khaki. Wear under slightly-cropped straight leg denim with cardigans, or consider teaming yours with a day dress and a boxy blazer.
Chelsea Boots with thick soles, £49.99, Pull and Bear
6. Split-hem denim
A quirky take on a wardrobe staple (Picture: H&M)
If you’re in the market for some new denim, try a split-hem jean. Perfect over those new thick sole boots, even better worn with heels in the evening.
Flattering, cosy and versatile (Picture: Net-a-Porter)
Who can resist a cosy jumper dress that you can throw on with heels, flats or trainers? Totême’s elegant side-split version is the best we’ve seen. Pair with a trench coat and trainers now, and when winter arrives, style with a quilted coat and boots.
This top can take you stylishly through night or day.
A great top, something that can be easily dressed up or down, is a staple part of any hardworking wardrobe. If you buy just one style this season, go for something with a square neckline. Impossibly chic when styled with heels and a matching midi skirt, and just as good when worn with gold hoops, jeans and trainers.
Out with the crew, in with the slim-fit (Picture: Stradivarius)
We’re stepping away from crew neck knits (for now) and switching to flattering, slim-fit cardigans instead. Go for neutral shades and look for shapes that are cropped and perfect for pairing with high-rise denim and silky midi skirts.
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.
Were you even a preteen in the 90s or noughties if you didn’t have Groovy Chick merchandise?
Whether it was bedding, stationery, posters, or literally anything with the Bang On The Door design (only the elite had GC bikes), we can’t forget who made crop tops and tiny clutch bags to match your outfit famous.
And now the iconic childhood brand is back and it’s going to hit you right in the nostalgia.
You can bow down to the grooviest chick on Asos where they’re selling T-shirts with the iconic print.
The childhood fave is printed on two different tees, with a white one retailing for £21.99 and a green one for £12.99, both available exclusively on Asos.
And nostalgic fans are so keen on merch, the green tee has already sold out.
Who knew we’d be seeing a Groovy Chick revival in 2020?
Then again, anything can happen this year.
You can get a green version too (Picture: Asos)
The relaxed T-shirts have been made by brand Daisy Street and feature our style icon serving looks in her signature striped top and flared pink trousers.
You can also opt for the white tee which has the fashionista in a matching green-ensemble printed on the back.
The front simply says Groovy Chick and features a daisy.
The Groovy Chick renaissance has got fans excited and many have flocked to Twitter to express their excitement.
One user, who spotted the items yesterday, wrote: ‘I thought I’d never see her again. But here she is,’ while another said: ‘A Groovy Chick revival is exactly what I need at this stage in my life’.
Many noted that in a tumultuous year, this is the good news they needed.
One person wrote: ‘If there’s one woman who can save 2020, it’s Groovy Chick,’ while another echoed the sentiment, saying: ‘This is what 2020 needed. she’s back. finally some good f*****g news.’
While the Asos merch seems to be fast running out, the popular number is available elsewhere.
Jazz up your crocs with 23 Jibbitz charms (Picture: Crocs)
As it comes into the festive season, people are considering whether they’ll go for a beauty advent calendar or stick to the standard chocolate option.
But it appears we’ve all forgotten about a different type of advent – Croctober.
National Croc Day falls on 23 October, so the brand has created an advent calendar of sorts for the month, with each day featuring at least one Jibbitz (with 50 in total) charm that can be popped onto your shoes.
For the uninitiated, a Jibbitz charm is a little clip featuring a design which can be placed into the little holes on the classic clogs.
Much like a standard charm bracelet, they allow you to customise your look.
According to Crocs: ‘Each day of Croctober will take personalisation to the next level with the excitement culminating with one more big surprise – not to be revealed until Croc Day.’
Who doesn’t want a taco and the Eiffel Tower on their feet?! (Picture: Crocs)
Although former much-maligned, Crocs have become something of a fashion statement in recent years.
Collaborations with Birkenstock and KFC created a lot of interest, but it was fashion house collabs with the likes of Balenciaga that really sent the clunky clogs into the stratosphere.
Tracksuits are fashion now, haven’t you heard? (Picture: Ninety Percent/Cos/& Other Stories/Metro.co.uk)
The nights are drawing in, the temperature’s dropping and oh fun, there’s potentially another lockdown on the way!
That means only one thing (sartorially, at least): it’s in with the leisurewear and out with jeans.
But rather than slouching around in threads made by slave labour and virgin materials, why not ensure that your winter uniform is sustainable and ethical?
If there’s one little bit of good we can do in 2020, it’s committing to buying better – and the great thing is that more and more brands are starting to get an appetite for greener collections, which means that they’re becoming more accessible.
If you want a tracksuit to last you a long time, splash out on one that you know was made with great materials and by people who were paid fairly.
So, here are 9 of the best sustainable tracksuits to ride out the second wave in:
Who doesn’t love a kind of harlequin-esque pair of trackies? Especially when they’re made entirely from organic cotton.
Ninety Percent guarantees that their cotton is grown on organic farms ‘with a solid value chain that monitors and protects human and planetary health’, while making sure not to contaminate water, soil or animal life with toxic chemicals.
90% of their distributable profits are divvied up between charities and the people who make their collections happen and you can choose which good causes proceeds go to.
These are made in Portugal by people paid fair wages (Picture: Colorful Standard)
PETA approved, organic and made in Portugal, Colorful Standard’s tracksuits are made to last in the most sustainable way.
The label is all about producing timeless classics, which means that fast fashion is totally irrelevant to them.
On top of their organic credentials, their tracksuits are ‘made by hardworking people who are treated as humans should be treated,’ CS says on its website. ‘That means fair wages, no discrimination and freely chosen employment.’
Oversized organic cotton jogger trousers, £55, & Other Stories
& Other Stories has jumped on the organic cotton hype for *super* comfy but chic lougewear (Picture: & Other Stories)
I can safely vouch for the fact that this tracksuit (a matching sweatshirt does exist) is the most cosy, soft outfit I own.
& Other Stories has made a commitment to be more eco-friendly by 2030 by using either 100% recycled or sustainable material.
That includes producing vegan shoes, bottles from recycled plastic, paper bag packaging and organic, 100% sustainably sourced cotton. So chic.
Half recycled, half organic, these sweatshirt has saved over 270 galllons of water (Picture: Girlfriend)
Girlfriend is the sustainable activewear brand and its just released a new line of sweatsuits. Available in a range of fab colours, they’re made from fabric scraps found on cutting room floors and 50% organic cotton – grown without chemical pesticides or insecticides.
The only issue is that it’s a US-based label so you’ve got to think about air miles.
Saying that, plenty of UK sites stock them – including Selfridges, Net-A-Porter and The Sports Edit – so hopefully this new range of comfies will be readily available here soon.
For every item you buy, Pangaia will plant one mangrove tree! (Picture: Pangaia)
Pangaia are the cool kids of the sustainability movement. Their tracksuits are legendary, coming in a rainbow of colours and shapes.
When it comes to eco credentials, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more impressive company. For every item bought, Pangaia will plant one mangrove tree which stores one tonne of CO2. That’s the same as a flight from London to New York!
Everything is dyed using environmentally friendly dye, created using a recycled water system and the fabric is made from organic cotton.
These super slouchy pants are made from soft bamboo (Picture:Thought)
If you’re looking for some super comfy, pocketed pants for your Sunday morning coffee-run, look no further. These slacks are made largely from bamboo-derived viscose and organic cotton.
Bamboo is the fastest-growing grass in the world; it doesn’t need fertiliser and it self-regenerates from its own roots so doesn’t need replanting.
Compared to cotton, it’s massively more sustainable because it needs far less water, chemicals and labour making it the perfect material. Oh, and it absorbs twice as much CO2 than trees.
The Moschino Spring/Summer 2021 womenswear collection has debuted in something of a whimsical fashion.
Rather than having actual human models walk the catwalk, this year the collection was modelled by puppets.
Made by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, the marionettes were miniature just like the clothes they wore, in what a press release described as ‘a Moschino wink-and-nod to the fact that in order to begin anew, you have to start small.’
In perhaps the most Covid-safe move possible, the audience were also puppets, complete with with a marionette version of Anna Wintour in the front row.
Moschino shared videos of the meticulously designed show and its highlights, which shows the puppets ‘walking’ through the classic salon-style miniature fashion event.
Describing the show, Moschino’s Creative Director Jeremy Scott said: ‘As the world seems to be splitting along the seams, the bare inner workings of something new will be exposed.’
It’s called fashion (Picture: Moschino)
(Picture: Moschino)
When it comes to the finer points of the design of the clothes, a statement from Moschino says the ‘topsy-turvy’ nature of 2020 has provided the opportunity to rewrite the rulebook.
It reads: ‘Edges, seams, corsetry boning, panels, darts, trims and more are shown on garments’ outsides. Pant pockets flap freely, almost as petal-esque drapes.
The tiny clothes had ultra-femme silhouettes with more Jeremy Scott-esque touches like this leather shrug (Picture: Moschino)
Making the magic hapen (Picture: Moschino)
‘A zipper on a halter dress is inverted, ending in a golden jacquard trim sewn on backwards. Dresses are carefully crafted inversely, while tulle under-skirts extend beyond hemlines, creating unconventional proportions and silhouettes.’
It goes on: ‘We won’t call it a fresh start so much as it is a new start. Inner-workings are being laid bare; how these mechanics exist and evolve will change.’
After writer Harrison Brock shared a screenshot of a sponsored Asos advert – which had the caption: ‘A little bit of you? We thought so’ – the post went viral.
Harrison commented on the unusual fashion item, saying: ‘I really cannot stress enough how much this is NOT a bit of me.’
Anyone seeing the kooky number and thinking: ‘actually, that is a bit of me’, you’ll be pleased to know the T-shirt is now on sale, from £9 to £20.
Happy days?
Is it a bit of you yet? (Picture: Asos)
People couldn’t help but poke fun at the T-shirt, saying: ‘If I was to wear this they would be seeing lots of me, spilling out the sides like a sausage that had split cooking in the pan.’
Another echoed the joke, adding: ‘Who else would want their left love handle hanging out of a hole in a shirt?’
Others enjoy the unusualness of an Asos staple: ‘When I’m having a bad day I look at ASOS men’s range, cheers me right up’.
And apparently, Asos is currently having a bit of a wild one as users attested to other weird sponsored ads on their Facebook from the brand.
One woman was advertised a jockstrap with the same caption used for the T-shirt post.
While the latest offering is raising eyebrows, last week Asos gave the people what they want with a much-loved Groovy Chick range.
Charlotte in the dress and the image from Zara (Picture: PA/Zara)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their three children met Sir David Attenborough in a series of adorable snaps.
The family met Sir David on Thursday to watch his new documentary together, with the naturalist presenting George with a giant shark’s tooth as a gift.
But despite royalty coming together with a national treasure, Kate and William kept their kids’ outfits relaxed and dressed them in some high street bargains
Princess Charlotte wore a floral dress with a statement Peter Pan collar from Zara, which cost just £23.
She wore it without tights to make the most of the late sunshine this month.
Caption: Princess Charlotte ears ?23 Zara dress to meet David Attenborough
PA
Veganism isn’t just about eating meat and dairy-free meals, it’s also a lifestyle.
That means ethically sourced clothes, natural ingredients in hair and beauty, and in fashion.
And good news, big designer labels are starting to pay attention to the need to be eco-friendly.
Shoe giants Dr. Martens and Marc Jacobs are the latest to have vegan offerings as they joined forces to come up with a pair of ethical boots.
The cherry-red Oxford shoes feature a vegan-friendly heel-loop, yellow welt stitching, complete with dual-branded tongue label and swing tag, and are adorned with ‘antique gold-tone chains and charms’.
On the front of the boots, you’ll find the Dr. Martens logo as well as the Marc Jacobs name and the words ’60 years’ to reference the style of the shoe – the 1460 work boots which were conceived in April 1960.
All that goodness doesn’t come cheap either and will cost the wearer £209.
It comes with antique chains and charms (Picture: Corey Olsen/Marc Jacobs)
The Marc Jacobs collab comes as Dr. Martens celebrates 60 years.
To honour the past six decades, the much-loved shoe brand is collaborating with 12 labels and brands to come up with innovative designs.
Marc Jacobs commented on the collab on the Dr. Martens website, saying: ‘Dr. Martens has long been a symbol of individuality and counterculture. Marc Jacobs and Dr. Martens are united in a strong sense of authenticity and having your voice heard.’
The website adds: ‘If Jacobs was ahead of the curve then, he still is today. This 1460 Marc Jacobs boot is alive with the same attention-grabbing, no-holds-barred spirit.
‘Inspired by the years of customisation and DIY attitude that has shaped both brands, the boots are dripping with antique gold-tone trinkets, from dice to whistles to keys, which take cues from the designer’s own collection.’
Social media users are excited by the launch, saying: ‘I need these in my life. Its a MUST for me,’ and ‘love, love, love’.
Others said: ‘I f*ck with this collab,’ and ‘I’m digging them’.
However, others weren’t so keen on the charms.
One person wrote: ‘I personally wouldn’t wear these. Charms look like they are about to snag on something and I’m not trying to bust my ass.’
Another wrote: ‘They look cheap’.
Unfortunately though, due to the popularity of the boots, they are now sold out.
British clothing brand Fred Perry has pulled its black and yellow polo shirt from sale after it became associated with the neo-fascist group the Proud Boys (Picture: The Canadian Press/PA Images)
Fred Perry will no longer sell its black and yellow polo shirt in the US, due to the item of clothing being worn by the far-right group the Proud Boys.
The brand issued a statement online to explain that any neo-fascist groups wearing the polo shirts – or wearing or selling products using the Fred Perry laurel wreath – are ‘nothing to do’ with them.
The British clothes maker said on its website: ‘Fred Perry does not support and is in no way affiliated with the Proud Boys.
‘It is incredibly frustrating that this group has appropriated our Black/Yellow/Yellow twin tipped shirt and subverted our Laurel Wreath to their own ends.’
Fred Perry was created back in 1952 by the Wimbledon tennis champion, Fred Perry.
Since its inception, the brand’s polo shirt has been known as an iconic piece of clothing associated with different subcultures, including the skinhead movement back in the 60s and 70s.
But now, the shirt has been linked to the Proud Boys, a far-right, pro-Trump organisation described as an ‘extremist group’ by the FBI.
The group has repeatedly appeared wearing the polo shirt (Picture: John Lamparsk / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)
In the statement, Fred Perry acknowledges that while their iconic item has long been a ‘piece of British subcultural uniform’, they’re aware that the specific black and yellow colourway of the shirt has taken on a ‘new and very different meaning in North America as a result of its association with the Proud Boys’, who have repeatedly appeared wearing the shirts.
‘That association is something we must do our best to end,’ the statement continues. ‘We therefore made the decision to stop selling the Black/Yellow/Yellow twin tipped shirt in the US from September 2019, and we will not sell it there or in Canada again until we’re satisfied that its association with the Proud Boys has ended.’
After confirming that the black and yellow polo shirt will no longer be sold in the US, Fred Perry reiterated that they plan to take legal action to fight against the adaptation and use of their laurel wreath design by neo-fascist groups.
A Proud Boys’ flag features a design similar to the Fred Perry wreath (Picture: John Rudoff/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
They write: ‘To be absolutely clear, if you see any Proud Boys materials or products featuring our Laurel Wreath or any Black/Yellow/Yellow related items, they have absolutely nothing to do with us, and we are working with our lawyers to pursue any unlawful use of our brand.’
This isn’t the first time the brand has had to comment on the shirt’s links to far-right groups.
Back in 2017, Fred Perry’s chairman, John Flynn, made his views clear when questioned about the Proud Boys, saying: ‘Fred was the son of a working class socialist MP who became a world tennis champion at a time when tennis was an elitist sport. He started a business with a Jewish businessman from Eastern Europe.
‘It’s a shame we even have to answer questions like this.
‘No, we don’t support the ideals or the group that you speak of. It is counter to our beliefs and the people we work with.’
It’s made from the iconic blue FRAKTA bags (Picture: IKEA)
There’s no denying Ikea is a star player when it comes to homeware brands, but now it seems the Swedish retailer is dipping its toe into the fashion world.
Well, streetwear to be more precise.
The brand has taken its iconic blue Frakta bag and turned it into the ultimate fashion statement – a bucket hat. It’s even got the yellow Ikea-branded carrying handle as a trim, above the brim.
Naturally, the product comes with a signature Swedish name – which is Knorva, in this instance.
According to the Ikea website, the hat is made from 100% polypropylene with a 100% polyester liner.
The product description reads: ‘This hat is made of the same hardwearing and durable materials as one of the world’s most used bags.’
The brand says the garment provides protection from all the elements and is easy to keep clean – simply rinse and dry it. Its waterproof nature also makes it ideal for festivals.
Currently, the hat is now available to buy on the Australian IKEA website, after being rolled out across US stores earlier this year – but here’s to hoping it lands in UK shops very soon.
After news of the arrival broke on the company’s Facebook page, loyal IKEA fans have been quick to comment on it.
One person commented: ‘NEVER NEEDED SOMETHING SO BADLY.’
While another said: ‘Man imagine vibin’ in IKEA wearing this, eating Swedish meatballs and lingonsylt as our weekend tradition.’
The collection is primarily black and white to allow for mixing and matching (Picture: Primark)
Modest clothing is having a moment, with Asos, H&M, and M&S all dropping collections and edits that are inclusive to those who prefer to cover up.
These clothes cater to people who – whether for religious or personal reasons – like to have hemlines lower and necks higher, with floaty fabrics that don’t cling to skin.
And now Primark has entered the space with a collection that covers up but is still on-trend.
Texture and print are big factors in the collection, which features leather alongside zebra print and flourishes of tulle.
Layering, too is having a moment here, with wool polo necks underneath checked shirt dresses and longline cardigans used to balance tailored shirts.
Primark say on their site: ‘Express your personal style while keeping your look more conservative and covered up with our collection of autumn/winter must-haves for effortless modest dressing.
Layering with polo necks and dresses helps stay warm and covered (Picture: Primark)
‘Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and stylish. Our range of versatile pieces with longer sleeves, higher necklines and lower hems offer endless outfit opportunities while tapping into the seasons biggest trends.’
Prices for the collection start from £6 and the pieces are available in stores now.
Small details like the tulle on the trouser-leg keep things interesting (Picture: Primark)
It appears to have gone down a storm already on Instagram, as the store’s announcement post was flooded with positive comments.
One person wrote: ‘Thank you Primark for thinking of those women.’
Another commented: ‘Primark once again breaking the mould and making leaps and bounds! Love this.’
Google Trends shows that the search ‘modest clothing for women’ has gone up 60% in the last year, with similar spikes for modest dresses and swimwear.
With so many brands looking to be inclusive size-wise, adding this extra layer of ease for people to dress how they wish is also very welcome.
Now, with Paris Fashion Week in full swing, it’s time to feast on some more bizarre garments and the Kenzo show has certainly delivered on that front.
It looks like the fashion house has got one thing and one thing only on its mind when it comes to SS21… and that’s beekeeping chic.
Photos show models parading down the runway in a whole host of beekeeping-inspired outfits – all with the signature hat and veil.
Bee chic (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
Ideal for keeping insects at bay in summer (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
Why not? (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
One model could be seen wearing a turquoise summer dress with a gigantic beekeeper hat and veil covering her body, while another teamed a red hat and veil with a matching coat.
Other models wore the headpieces like over-the-top sun hats, pairing them with adorable summer dresses.
Rainy weather vibes (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
Really pushing the boat out (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
The ultimate summer accessory (Picture: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
It’s safe to say there was plenty of buzz around today’s unusual show.
The idea for the SS21 range came to creative director Felipe Oliveira Baptista when she was sorting through archive photos during lockdown. She came across two snaps which inspired her to create this new collection – one was an ancient image of a beekeeper and another of a woman wearing a floral Kenzo veil.
Speaking ahead of the PFW show, she said: ‘Beekeeping is one of the ancient collaborations between humans and nature. Bees are the regulators of the world. I find this idea very reassuring; both poetic and positive.’
Ready to wear a cape while sitting at home all winter (Picture H&M)
It’s quite the testament to a clothing brand that their clothes can become favourites of such opposing style aficionados as Princess Beatrice, Florence Welsh, Thandie Newton, and Killing Eve’s Villanelle.
The Vampire’s Wife has become a genuine sensation in the fashion world due to their retro prints and styles and flattering cuts, with mermaid dresses with billowy arms making up their signature items.
The one drawback to the Susie Cave designed label is that it’s somewhat pricy for the average person, with mini dresses sitting around the £575 mark and full-length gowns often running into the £1900s.
That’s where The Vampire’s Wife and H&Ms new collaboration comes in, taking these iconic shapes (and plenty of Susie’s input) and bringing it to a wider audience with a more accessible price point.
It’ll be available 22 October, and will feature gothic lace alongside trendy prairie collars, cocktail gloves, and capes.
Prairie collars are everywhere right now (Picture: H&M)
But it’s not a collection made just for Halloween, this one’s for life. Made from recycled and sustainable materials, the range really does have the credentials to go in any capsule wardrobe worth its salt.
As you may expect, there are The Vampires Wife’s ubiquitous tailored-yet-floaty dresses (all in black). These will most likely be what sells out in seconds.
Could this be the new ‘dress’? (Picture: H&M)
We can also look forward to accessories designed by Susie Cave’s husband – and goth legend – Nick Cave. Expect eye motifs, clouds, and fangs on necklaces, earrings, and charm bracelets.
Speaking to British Vogue, Susie said: ‘H&M took great pains to find the very essence of what The Vampire’s Wife is about, and then realised my dreams to my exact specifications.
Nick Cave has designed accessories for the range (Picture: H&M)
‘Such grand names have gone before me! Karl Lagerfeld and Versace… but really it was the idea that my dresses could be available to everyone that was so very exciting.’
We’ve contacted H&M for more details on pricing, and will update this article when we hear from them.
Shop H&M x The Vampire’s Wife in-store or online from 22 October.
Gucci is fighting gender norms with a tartan dress for men.
The luxury retailer has unveiled the orange dress which costs £1,700 and features satin bow detail.
The label hopes that the tartan smock shirt will fight the ‘toxic stereotypes that mould masculine gender identity’.
The dress is inspired by the 90s grunge looks and comes with mother of pearl buttons and a Contrast Peter Pan collar.
It is also 100% cotton and includes smock embroidery.
The gender-bending outfit can be styled with a pair of denim jeans to complete the look.
Though the item comes with a hefty price tag, there is an alternative for a slightly cheaper price.
You can get a floral print version if you’re not a big fan of the orange, for £1,150.
The dress costs £1,700 (Picture: Gucci)
Over on the website, Gucci says: ‘Inspired by grunge looks from the ‘90s and styled over ripped denim pants, this tartan smock in delicate colours reflects the idea of fluidity explored for the Fall Winter 2020 fashion show, disrupting the toxic stereotypes that mold masculine gender identity.
‘The contrast Peter Pan collar and smock embroidery on the front add a childhood inspired element, which ties to a recurrent theme of the collection.
‘Pieces with versatile ways to wear and style embrace each person who is part of the House’s individual spirit.’
Just as the gender-fluid dress has got people’s attention, Gucci’s previous offering was also met with lots of thoughts.
The brand previously sold what appears to be grass-stained dungarees (Picture: Gucci)
The eco-washed organic denim overalls were up for $1,400 (£1,088) while a pair of eco-washed trousers set you back $680 (£528).
Gucci stated that the jeans and dungarees are sustainable as the materials were leftovers that were upcycled into new items under the Gucci Up sustainable programme.
