Skinny jeans are back, and we’ve got Kate Moss to thank, or blame, you decide

Despite numerous attempts to cancel them (some blame Gen Z - others the pandemic) skinny jeans are back. For some of us, they were never out.

Hannah Jackson writing for vogue.com on Kate Moss and skinny jeans

To trace the origin of the skinny jean I take you back to the 50s. James Dean and Marlon Brando were lighting up the silver screen, literally, thanks to their Marlboro cigarettes and some eye watering denim. Rock’n’roll had arrived and Elvis Presley was crowned kind of the scandalous new jean trend.

Fast forward to the 60s and skinny jeans, thanks to the likes of Doris Day, entered their golden age. This, followed by a brief resurgence in the 80s, leads us on to the early 2000s when supermodel Kate Moss cemented their status in fashion history.

No other woman has done more for skinny jean sales than Kate Moss. Teamed with her favourite Repetto flats the queen of cool was rarely seen in anything other than a pair of second skin denims. And where she led, we all followed. 

Sadly, after nearly two strong solid decades of allegiance to this trend, the skinny jean was declared ‘over’. Dead in fact. Along with the low-rise waistlines we adored. Mom jeans, dad jeans, baggy jeans, flared jeans ensued. None of them resonated with me.

So, it’s with some smugness that I can report skinny jeans are not only back…and according to Vogue’s Hannah Jackson, we have none other than Kate Moss to thank. Photographed ‘out and about’ by Joan Wakeham today the 50-year-old was photographed wearing a pair of pale denim skinny jeans, stripy top and ballet flats. Needless to say, it’s feeling a lot like Christmas in my house.

With the likes of Bella Haid and Emily Ratajkowski in on the action, I think it’s safe to bust out the old Rag & Bones. With a little bit of luck and some positive thinking I’m confident I can still get into them.

'Queen of Skincare' Caroline Hirons on building a successful beauty empire

Trained aesthetician, brand consultant, skin blogger and best-selling author Caroline Hiron’s doesn’t promote unrealistic beauty ideals. This no-nonsense approach has helped her amass an army of loyal and trusted followers. “If you don’t need it, don’t spend the money if your skin isn’t going to benefit from it.”

Entirely self-funded, in 2022 she launched her Skin Rocks app and skincare line, both within the space of six months. The Skin Rocks Rich Cream is quite simply something every woman should own.

The idea behind her Skin Rocks app was to create a basic catalogue of products that would allow people to look something up and know immediately what was in it, whether it was suitable for their skin type — “you know, all the questions I get asked all the time”.

Caroline Hirons at the launch of her flagship Skin Rocks beauty counter in Liberty London

What’s your advice to anyone looking to start their own business?

Be tough and prepared to work. It's hard work, but you know, it's not worth doing if it is not hard work, right?

Never spend your VAT. Someone told me that at the very beginning and I am so glad they did because you think you have 20% more money than you do. Put it to one side. HMRC don’t wait.

Never expect your team to work as hard as you do. You will have people that do…but ultimately, it’s all yours. You can’t expect the same from other people. Equally, there isn’t a bin the building I won’t empty or a dish washer I won’t load…

No one raised their eyebrows when you launched your own skin care line, but how did it all come about?

I found notes that I had made on my phone in 2014 about what my skin care line would look like. I had my exfoliator on my list and that was 11 years ago. So, I have always known it was going to be there. But I think I just got to the point that I was ready. Everything happens for a reason, doesn’t it?

I started on the beauty counter in 1997and began a beauty therapy course in 2000 but I kept having kids…and they were like, ‘you’re pregnant… again…are you going to finish this course?’  After that worked for Chantecaille before becoming a brand consultant.  I started blogging in 2010.  When the financial crash happened in 2008 a lot of US brands that launched here were struggling.  Space NK said do you mind if we put in touch with some of our brands and they asked me to look after them while all this is going on. That kick started me as a consultant.

But then as the blog got bigger the odd brand I consulted for would expect me to cover it as part of our deal. But I’ve always kept them completely separate. Obviously if they wanted to give me an exclusive to talk about something new that was fine, but I wasn’t just going to give them a promo because it was year end and they needed to make money.

I’ve always joked with the Freaks (Caroline’s 145,000 strong Facebook group) that if I ever do a face wipe add you know I need to pay the mortgage so just buy it! But the crunch point came. I knew I would have to drop the consulting, and that was terrifying. I had to turn down a regular income and concentrate on the blog. And that was scary because I was the bread winner. It was me, my husband, and our kids.

When you are ready I think the universe aligns. I got the book deal. I got a slot on This Morning. It all slotted into place. It would have been easy to just keep blogging, having opinions about everyone else's product. It was about time to put myself on my own turf.

 Your success is based hugely on the trust of your followers, how do you retain your integrity?

You very rarely get a second chance at trust. I have never written about a product I wouldn’t back. Very early on in the blog I turned down double digits from places like Clarisonic. I told them, ‘If I say I love this now my followers are going to think I have lost my mind. Because I have said all along you don’t need it - shouldn’t use it - and it will bring you out in spots. And they said ‘well we don’t mind’ so I had to say, ‘well I mind!’. The money I have turned down is excessive but there was never any doubt. If I had done even one paid job I wouldn’t have been as successful as I am, because I wouldn’t have been as trusted. You have to be honest with people. All the beauty counters in Liberty love us, because I am always taking people over to them saying, ‘I love this eye cream, we haven’t got one yet, but even when we do I’ll still love this.’

What are you wearing for your launch?

Everyone thought I would wear something else but I chose my uniform. I am shop floor through and through. If you cut me in half I bleed a till!. I’m one of the team.

Your biggest lessons?

Patience. And don’t expect everyone else to work as hard as you. Patience has been a lesson — and not letting myself get frustrated by other people’s failures. I mean, when people disappoint you, there’s always a lesson in that.

Most surprising thing about starting your own business?

I know this industry inside out, so they weren’t really surprises. But other people’s bad behaviour. I consider myself to be quite ethical so when other people are openly lying, stealing, not crediting you… it’s not even surprising, it’s just disappointing. As long as you accept that people will never care as much about your business as you do.

What keeps you in the game, what do you still love about the beauty industry?

When people say you really helped me with my skin. They will say things like, ‘I was utterly miserable and you have really helped me.’ That is why we do it.

Was Liberty always the dream?

Yes, because I worked here 30 years ago. I did the store induction. I was the Saturday/Sunday temp and worked all over the store. I ended up in the haberdashery. It was quite entertaining. The kept me up there because I have long arms and I can measure a metre of material without a stick…Then Liberty had a concession in Harrods so I moved there as I was pregnant with my second son and it was closer to home. I’ve pretty much worked in every department in Liberty.

What was more difficult, raising four children or launching a new arm of the business in such a short time?

The children. The business isn’t hard — you just have to be good at handling stress and be ready to pivot quickly. But with the kids… raising four children with not a lot of money was infinitely harder. My husband and I didn’t have a pot to piss in — excuse the phrase — but we were living month to month. I’ve never had a handout in my life, everything I’ve got I’ve worked for. I might never be able to retire but that’s fine. I’ll just cross that bridge when I come to it.

www.carolinehirons.com


Sian Miller, makeup and hair designer on Saltburn, on the most talked about film of the moment

Saltburn, a fabulously dark and perverse fairytale of manic infatuation, tells the story of a student at Oxford who becomes enthralled by a wealthier classmate. Since its release in November the movie has dominated social media with the infamous bathtub and grave scenes continuing to fuel dinner party conversations. A masterpiece of cinematography, gothic beauty and noughties styling, make-up artist Sian Miller (after her double MUAH Guild Awards win in LA) on how she created the film’s complex characters.

Salt Burn Make-up artist Sian Miller

What was it like working with Emerald Fennell?

She is the best kind of director to work with because she is a details person and has an all round in depth view of the whole, of every aspect in film making. She’s incredibly into the detail. From the outset, when we started discussing the characters we were very much on the same page - you could say it was a meeting of the minds. Often on film sets there can be a barrier to get to people, to collaborate, but there was none of that on Saltburn. Emerald is very accessible.  Her experience as an actor and writer, undeniably contributes to her great skills as a director.

How did you start creating the looks for each actor?

I start with the script and there are usually lots of signposts to where I should go. For me it’s about creating a character and that isn’t necessarily about creating perfection in terms of the look. It’s often the opposite. We create characters, and sometimes you have to do things clumsily and badly. I think contriving the uncontrived in my job is probably one of the hardest things. We’ve arrived at a period now, where looks tend to be overdone, and often the hair can appear almost like lego hair, with no strays or air in between. I’ve always hated that. I like to see the roughness around the edges. It grounds everything, it gives it a reality. It’s not editorial, we want to see these people to appear real.

For Venetia, she’s described as barefoot and gorgeous, but she’s cripplingly self-conscious – she’s probably got some kind of eating disorder and her sexuality is described by her mother as incontinent, and her image masks her issues, her boredom, and displays her need for attention. I looked back to a period of various kinds of icons like Kate Moss in 2006 and a slightly later era, Georgia May Jagger, where it was a time of blaringly obvious hair extensions, so we wanted that look with the bleach and the root shadow. Alison Oliver allowed me to bleach her hair, and to create the authentic brittle ends. When the early tests were first screened Margot Robbie came along to the and said, “Wow, look at the brittle ends, so good.”

The cast of Salt Burn

How did you convey the different between aristocracy and the nouveau riche?

It’s always something that I have been aware of growing upon Britain. There is a lot of shabbiness in true aristocracy , a casual kind of thrown-on moneyed, entitled elegance. The wealthier one is, the less dressed up one needs to be. That’s why the (expensive) cashmere is moth eaten…the Lalique bowl is full of cigarette ends.  Venetia is the perfect example. She’s a bored teenager that raids her mother’s fabulous vintage wardrobe.  There’s a grungy, Kate Moss era rockiness to her. For her make-up I took a back-to-basics approach; a sheer base, some corrector, grubby bronzer, a smudge of khohl and a mid- noughties frosted lip. And then of course the chipped dark grey nail polish.

 What was your inspiration for the troubled Venetia played by Alison Oliver?

A character can jump off the page. To research I delve into all sorts of areas for research, looking at popular culture here, in America and in Europe.  I look at music, street…high fashion. For Saltburn I plundered facebook because of course there was no Instagram or Tik Tok to revert back to. Who says what was the defining moment of an era actually is?  I spent a lot of time looking at youth and late teen culture and the resurgence in Y2k fashion. Creating characters is all about the context.

The fringe, the tattoos…how much work went into Poor Dear Pamela, played by Carey Muligan?

We put the look together, then I emailed everything to Carey. The lack of prep time worked because there was a lot of trust between Carey and Emerald, and in turn with me.  A central theme was that she should be uncomfortably dressed from breakfast through to bedtime. She’s almost corseted and can barely turn her neck in some costumes. She’s also very doll-like, slightly innocent, she has a Pierrot innocence, a mask of melancholy. For the overextended eyebrows I was inspired by the 30s. And her make-up colours are inspired by a Chanel 2007 campaign. For the tattoos I drew playing cards, dice and a horseshoe, because she’s so unlucky in love. I added the word ‘lucky’ inside the horseshoe, a nod to Lucky Chap, the production company behind the film. Pamela’s Damien Hirst Pharmacy-era capsule tattoo has ‘R.Ash’ written inside it for Richard Ashcroft from The Verve. Because the characters of Pamela and Elspeth came of age on the music scene dating rock stars.

What was it like meeting Margot Robbie, founder of production company Lucky Chap?

She’s such an incredibly capable and knowledgeable woman. She knows so much about the filming process, the technical stuff, cameras, lighting, frames – and she’s very down to earth. She made several visits to the set and was open and honest in an incredibly collaborative way. Of course, like all true film professionals, there was no sense of grandeur. Any movie is the sum of many parts, and the sense of openness and friendliness made everyone feel important. We knew we were making a special film.

 How collaborative was Jacob Elordi, who plays Felix?

He was great, very collaborative. His eyebrow piercing was made from a fake nose ring bought from Amazon, and it was held in place with a silicone adhesive. Emerald wanting a brow piercing, and she had to fight some producers for it, who couldn’t understand why we would do that to the incredible handsome Jacob. But at that age, in 2007, an eyebrow piercing was really alluring. Nothing is ‘done’ about Jacob. When your forming a character every tiny detail counts, down to the Carhartt boot cut jeans and the Carpe Diem tattoo.

Did the film’s success surprise you?

Not one bit. I think it’s one of those films that commands a few watches. It’s had over 1 billion views on Tik Tok. It’s been phenomenal. People are throwing Saltburn parties and there was a Saltburn club night in NY the other night. The film really tapped into the zeitgeist.

On Oliver Quicks, how did you settle on his look? 

Because Oliver carries so much of the film rather than wig him, which would have taken up huge amounts of time in the hair and make-up chair, I created this convertible hair-cut, taking him from the Zack Efron style side swept fringe, to his wannabee Felix look and finally  the Paul Newman and Cary Grant style, inspired by these 50s screen idols. That was the starting point in the film as a  rather urban, well-groomed handsome man, talking to camera. Then we flashback to the story. Finally, we reveal the truth, and of course he became wealthy and needed to have a clean-cut, groomed and grown-up look about him. Once his character progressed to his final, he looks tanned, and I adjusted his makeup to create this.

Do you have a favourite line from the film.?

There are so many. But Rosamund Pike’s line “I loved living in a bedsit in my twenties. It’s so freeing to live all in one room. And much less cleaning to do.” Sticks in my mind, as she lives in a stately home with 127 rooms!

 Tell us a little bit more about the infamous bath scene…blood everywhere.

The blood kept sinking away too fast, so I had to use a palette of wax-based make-up to hold the colour on his mouth and chin.  Emerald wanted the blood to dissipate but as he sunk beneath the water, it kept disappearing too fast and we lost the effect. You needed to see the blood around his mouth and it dissipating all at the same time. On set it’s about creating drama, not making a documentary so you have to improvise and do what makes the most impact.

And the grave scene?

It was a closed set, and aside from Emerald and her immediate key people like Linus Sandgren DOP, Cameras, 1st Ad etc, the wider crew had gone, leaving me and the art director. Everyone else has gone. It’s all about trust and consent and making sure an actor is happy with who’s on set for these scenes.  Barry is such an interesting and exciting actor. You don’t know what you are going to get and the success lies in the fact he felt he had the creative freedom to improvise like that…and…well you’ve seen the results.

Paris Fashion Week: Highlights from the AW24 Collections

Dominated by female talent, Paris Fashion Week AW24 wrapped this week. From Lila Moss on the runway at Stella McCartney, to Brad Pitt & Penélope Cruz on screens at Chanel and Victoria Beckham’s v family affair, here we take a closer look at the week’s biggest hitters.

 

Lila Moss on the runway at Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney

Continuing her sustainable manifesto the British designer’s ‘It’s About F@@king Time’ presentation was dedicated to Mother Earth. The pioneer of responsible luxury stayed true to her mission, which was read by actress Olivia Coleman and Helen Mirren. Feminine designs, with an emphasis on the female form and what women really want, highlights included statement knitwear made with looped roles in alpaca yarn and crystal embellished dresses.

Model on the AW24 Sacai runway

 Sacai

Chitose Abe has a loyal following of women who can’t get enough of her signature styles. Everyday clothes for discerning women, this season she continued to play with volume to add an extra element of surprise to her collection. Signature parkas, army sweaters and suit jackets were spliced with elements of traditionally considered part of the female wardrobe. Putting the’ up’ back into dressing, Sacai is all about seriously wearable clothes for seriously stylish women.

 

Penelope Cruz & Brad Pitt for Chanel

Chanel

Now under the gifted hand of Virginie Viard, Chanel’s creative director penned a ‘love letter to Deauville’ for AW24. These were clothes that would slip comfortably into any women’s wardrobe. Belted jumpers with matching cropped trousers, sheepskin jackets with a signature Chanel spin…The key to Viard’s styling? An abundance of accessories from Maison Michel berets in the form of berets, newsboy caps and wide brimmed sun hats. While models paraded down the runway screens played a short film starring Brad Pitt and Penélope Cruz, a tribute to the 1966 film A Man and a Woman by Claude Lelouch. No body does it like Chanel.

Model on the Miu Miu runway

 Miu Miu

With her finger firmly in the future when it comes to predicting what we want, Miuccia Prada showed a utilitarian collection with an androgynous edge titled ‘A vocabulary of clothing, from childhood to adult hood.’ Modelled by male and female models the fusion of genders resulted in a contemporary collection of future Tik Tok favourites. With a nod to work wear uniforms, get ready to add the Miu Miu loafers and boots to your wish lists next season. The shrunken proportions and the appearance of pyjamas under a pea coat reflected childhood, while the addition of gloves and handbags served as symbols to adulthood. Where Miuccia leads, we will follow.

Victoria Beckham AW24

 Victoria Beckham

Despite being on crutches, a jubilant Victoria Beckham showed an unusually experimental show during PFW. An ethereal mix of tailoring, dresses and outwear, a sleek sculptural theme emulated through the collection. With a subtle seventies influence key pieces included high waisted bell-bottom trousers, zip sheepskin jackets and sumptuous silk dresses. As always, Victoria had her family on the front row. Husband David sat next to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and children Cruz and Harper were accompanied by Brooklyn and his wife Nicola. Victoria Beckham does good FROW.

Model on the Chloe AW24 runway

 Chloe

The first show under the house’s new creative director, Chemena Kamali is the only women to have been appointed as the creative head of a luxury fashion house in recent years. Kamail, who previously worked at Chloe under Phoebe Philo and Clare Waight Keller, has found her creative home. Chic, fluid and feminine highlights included a ruffled ivory mini dress, a cropped black poncho worn with square-toe flats and the banana handle bags and must-have Chloe logo script belts. A combination of the best of the past and clothes for the future, we will all want to be in Kamali’s Chloe gang come fall.

 

London Fashion Week: Highlights from the AW24 Collections

Celebrating its 40th year, London’s best-known landmarks, including the London Eye and the Royal Opera House, were lit up in green to mark the start of LFW.

Launched in 1984, the bi-annual event was the brainchild of PR guru Lynne Franks (immortalised by Edina in Ab Fab). From Alexander McQueen's spectacles to Richard Quinn initiating Queen Elizabeth II into the FROW, there’s no disputing that London remains a hotbed of creative talent.

Throughout the decades, LFW has showcased established, and emerging, British talent - from supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, to iconic designers including Matthew Williamson, Stella McCartney and of course the late Alexander McQueen.

The anniversary edition hosted 67 designers across 46 catwalks and 36 events, here are some of the highlights.

Looks from Harris Reed’s AW24 presentation

Harris Reed's ‘Shadow Dance’

Harris Reed kick started LFW with a breath-taking collection hosted at Tate Britain. Reed showed a collection of 10 dresses inspired by the dolls fashioned from stacks of Vogues and National Geographics as a child. Repurposing and piecing together Fromental’s archive of silk wallpapers and using them as fabrics the Victoriana-inspired collection played with colour and print. No doubt Queen B and Harry Styles have already placed their orders.

Simone Rocha’s ‘The Wake’

Presented at St Bartholomew The Great Church Simone’s collection, marked the third of a triptych, which started with her 'Dress Rehearsal' collection last September and continued with her 'The Procession' couture collection that she made in collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier last month. An exploration of the mourning dress of Queen Victoria, Simone fused Celtic mystery with French fashion. Combining nostalgic elements with contemporary details, highlights included taffeta capes and coats in midnight blue.

Tulo Choker

One of London’s most exciting talents, Toly Choker drew inspiration from Accra’s roadside vendors for her joyful and colourful collection. The British-Nigerian designer continued to celebrate community, culture and craft, with her vivid and vivacious ultra-feminine cuts and intricate denim patchworks demonstrating her notable prowess. An accomplished yet playful collection, Tolu collaborated with Virna Pasquinelli on a range of oversized bowlers, towering basket hats and baseball caps, reimagined with somewhat surprising UGG boots. Tulo is one to watch.

Molly Goddard’s AW24 LFW show

Molly Goddard’s Take on the Wild West

Molly Goddard’s clothes are all about making you feel undeniably feminine. Asking us to embrace our inner cowgirls (after all, why not?) the covetable collection blended her signature taffeta with colourful cowboy boots. Eclectic, directional, fun…. parts of it were inspired by her ebay wishlist. “Maybe this is only my frame of mind…but, to me, wearing taffeta is a bit like wearing a tracksuit, but just feeling a bit better,” she said. “I feel far sexier wearing something big and oversized and not body con. I know that's not how everyone feels, but I think there is a comfort to them. And they make you feel confident and quite strong. That's my take on femininity.” Molly, we love you for it.

Roksanda

The wonderful Roksanda. Embarking on a journey ‘where the connection between family and history, human and nature, past and present co-exist’ Roksanda presented a colour-filled collection inspired by the holiday home of Swiss French architect Le Corbusier. Inspired by windows, intricate wire zipped gowns tumbled in waves and appeared to froth as models walked down the runway. The highlight was a showstopping tapestry cape that took 200 hours to make. The Serbian born designer and red-carpet favourite remains one of London’s biggest draws.

Models at J W Anderson’s AW24 show

JW Anderson

Grey hair reigned supreme at JW Anderson where the Northern Irish designer sent models down the runway with super curly grey wigs. Promptly titled as ‘granny chic’ all over Instagram the collection focused on skimpy matching knitwear sets presenting a new take on underwear-as-outerwear. Commercial and experimental, expect wearable takes to trickle down to the main stream.

Burberry

Closing LFW Danielle Lee’s third collection for Burberry reinterpreted iconic symbols of the brand, fusing tradition with his innovative vision. Reinforcing the brands heritage and bringing it back to the forefront of the global stage, the runway show featured noughties names Agyness Dean and Edie Campbell walking to the soundtrack of Amy Winehouse. Phoebe Philo’s daughter Mia Wigram closed the show which was held in London’s Victoria Park. A seamless transition between the outdoors and the indoors prepare to invest in a timeless Burberry trench dress come fall.


Jenson Button on fatherhood, fragrance and working with Keanu Reeves

Britain’s 2009 F1 world champ Jenson Button is still putting pedal to the metal. The father of two may have driven his last grand prix in Monaco back in 2017 but the former World Champion is showing no signs of slowing down (no pun intended). From Super GT, DTM, the World Endurance Championship, Le Mans, NASCAR, and most recently racing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, the Formula 1 champion’s racing resume speaks for itself.

Jenson Button and Keanu Reeves on set

So, rumour has it a full-time position in the World Endurance Championship is on the cards for next year?

Nothing is confirmed yet, but endurance is the place I want to be. Multiclass racing throws something else into the mix with traffic. There’s always a lot more action because of it. The way IMSA is run, you don’t know who is going to win until after the last safety car, basically. Endurance racing is where it’s at.

You seem to be doing more driving than ever post F1, when will you enough is enough?

I will race as long as I can. It never leaves you as a racing driver, that want for competition. As long as I still want to race and am still healthy and fit and my reactions are still there, there’s no reason to stop racing. When I get to a point where I’ve lost my edge, I won’t be doing so much serious racing. But for now, wow! I feel like I’ve got a lot of years ahead. I still feel like a 20-year-old when it comes to racing.

Is it true that Tom Cruise in Days Of Thunder inspired you to get involved with NASCAR.

Growing up in the UK we had four channels on TV back in the late 80s. And we didn’t get any real sport outside of European sport. So, yes it was actually Days of Thunder that first brought me to NASCAR, because it was the first time I got to see any NASCAR.

I mean, it was a movie. So as an ten year old I thought it was insane, I thought it was amazing — worlds away from European motorsport. But that kind of got me in the door of liking NASCAR. And I used to watch it with my old man. It’s so different to what it used to.

You’ve talked about how the sport has a family-friendly vibe in a way that F1 perhaps doesn’t, talk to us a little bit about this.

I don’t want to be negative about F1, because it is an amazing sport, And I’m an F1 World Champ, so I spent most of my life there. But you’re so focused, and your family doesn’t come to the races, because your teams don’t really want them to be there, because they know that your focus is so important. What I love about all the different series in NASCAR is that the atmosphere is great, the family atmosphere really got me. My kids are playing with everyone else's kids, it's that part of it that really adds to the interest for me.

Hacket Fragrance Ambassador Jenson Button

You’re a style ambassador for Hacket clothing and fragrance, how important is looking and smelling good?

I have a great relationship with Jeremy Hackett. I took him for a spin in a Jaguar at Goodwood this year in a Jaguar C-type that once belonged to F1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio. That was a lot of fun. I’ve always like the brand for its classic aesthetic and British heritage. The days my style is more relaxed, I’m constantly on the move. A suit that fits perfectly gives you confidence. And wearing a fragrance you love does the same thing. We’ve just launched Absolute which is incredible. My wife and I went on date night recently and the perfume she wore took me back to our wedding day. Perfume evokes memories, special memories.

Any racing driving prowess in the Button junior camp? And would you encourage either of your kids to get into the sport?

We’ve got a boy that’s 4 and a girl that’s almost 3 and they both LOVE cars. My son knows every car on the road and he’s always pushing cars. It’s not the only thing he loves, he loves bugs as well. On reflection that direction might be cheaper than the car direction!  But actually, if either of my children are going to be racing drivers it’s my daughter. Lenny Button, she’s a bit crazy, in a positive way. She’s pushing the boundaries the whole time and will always find the most dangerous way to walk anywhere. She’s amazing… and she’s sturdy as well. With my son Hendrik you think he’s going to fall over all the time but she’s like, I’ve got this!

Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story, produced and narrated by Keanu Reeves, documents the incredible story of the Brawn team (Ross Brawn famously bought Honda for a ÂŁ1 in 2008 before securing both championships in 2009) and of course your Formula 1 win. What was it like being involved in a project like that? 

It was a lot of fun. I spent three days with Keanu, on the couch for two of them and then the other one was up at Silverstone with the winning car. Keanu is such a nice guy and I really enjoyed working with him. The documentary is great, and we’ve come up with some ideas for the future, so watch this space.

A look back at 2023’s most memorable moments with Piers Morgan

Most of us didn’t expect to spend the beginning of 2023 reading about alternative uses for Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Cream…but here we are and what a year it’s been.

As we prepare to usher in a new year Piers Morgan reflects on this year’s highs and lows.

Piers Morgan

Congratulations on the awards for Piers Morgan Uncensored, who was your favourite interviewee?

I think my interrogation of Jeremy Corbyn which went viral after he refused 12 times to say Hamas are terrorists. Sometimes it's what a guest doesn't say that says it all, and he showed his true colours that night. 

Tell us about your Cristiano Ronaldo scoop 

Only me, him and his girlfriend knew we'd done it, which is pretty extraordinary given how massive it was and how much fallout it provoked. But Cristiano didn't want his team to know and then try to stop him doing it. I speak to him all the time, and he has no regrets about the interview. He's scored 50 goals in 2023, the most by any professional footballer in the world, and is the highest paid athlete on the planet. So I'd say it was definitely Manchester United's loss, not his. 

Piers Morgan interviews Cristiano Ronaldo

On your now infamous Jeremy Corbyn interview - was there ever a teeny tiny moment (in your 15 attempts) that you thought he might actually answer your question?

Haha.. no. Though he did answer it several days later when he realised his bad it looked that he hadn't. Could have saved himself a lot of pain if he'd done that the first time I asked him. 

You’re a huge Arsenal fan, but then nobody’s perfect, best sporting moment ever?

Arsenal becoming invincible in 2004 after we didn't lost a single Premier League game all season. First team ever to do it, and I doubt anyone will do it again given how tough the Leage has become. Ironically, I was fired as editor of the Daily Mirror the night before our final game against Leicester, so wasn't quite so invincible myself! 

Best Twitter, sorry X, moment?

Seeing my pinned tweet of Cristiano Ronaldo praising my 'good abdominals' pass 50 million views. I now have the most famous abs in history. 

Best thing you watched on TV this year?

Yellowstone. Takes a few episodes to get into it, but once you do - wow, what a show! Brilliant characters, great writing, amazing scenery, and more action than a James Bond movie. 

It’s been the year of the self-authored, narrative-skewing celeb documentary, funniest moment?

Harry and Meghan incessantly whining about privacy during a 6-part Netflix series invading their own privacy and that of their family. Beyond parody. 

 HS2, Rwanda, X, Rishi’s ankle grazers, Harry’s Hair, there have been a few, dumbest decision?

The Rwanda policy is a ridiculous act of self-harm by the Tories. It will never work, and even if does only a few hundred people will be sent there at a cost of about ÂŁ10m each the way things are going. Utter madness. 

The award for most annoying celeb goes to?

Hugh Grant.. the man who never stops whining about making movies and blaming the media for his own actions. Ludicrous man, only rivalled by the ghastly Steve Coogan. 

Another turbulent year for the royals, best royal story?

King Charles losing his shit about a faulty pen. We've all done it, just now with the entire world watching. 

Best meme…?

That one of me and the pigeon lady from Home Alone still goes viral every Christmas, forcing me to deny it's me all over again. IT'S NOT BLOODY ME! 

Piers Morgan Home Alone meme

The words “I wish you well” have never been more haunting, best celeb quote of the year?

99.9% of women don't have penises' - Sir Keir Starmer. 

Aston Martin, the DB5 and Formula 1 with Dylan Jones

Best-selling author, journalist and award winning editor Dylan Jones OBE on his new role at Aston Martin, the DB5 and Formula 1

 Following on from his tenure as Editor at GQ magazine, Dylan Jones OBE is Editor In Chief of The Evening Standard and Consulting Editor of Aston Martin’s newly refreshed lifestyle magazine.

Best-selling author, journalist and award winning editor Dylan Jones OBE

 1. Tell us about your involvement with, and the direction of, Aston Martin’s new lifestyle magazine

 I’ve been consulting for them, helping turn the magazine into a genuine luxury title. It’s been enormous fun.

 2. â€˜Formula 1, Sports greatest soap opera’….explain

It has everything - speed, tech, travel and Sex. You can’t beat that. 

 3. For the launch issue of V53 you interviewed Fernado Alonso and wrote, “Personality and cash will get you so far, as will driving ability and technological splash, but without the secret sauce you may as well be playing Hot Wheels or Scalextric.” Has he got the sauce?

He’s got a whole bottle. 

Fernando Alonso on the cover of Aston Martin’s V53 magazine

 4. Scalextric or match box cars? 

Hot Wheels. 

 5. Your favourite Aston Martin model and why?

DB5. Sex on wheels.

Aston Martin DB5

 6. 60 years old this year –  how has the BD5 retained it’s status as a symbol of British culture, design and innovation?

 Because it is one of the most beautiful cars ever designed.

 7. You describe the new DB12 as moving into the future while stepping into the past, how important is this balance of tradition and innovation?

 Crucial. And Aston Martin do it better than most. 

 8. Following an epic 21 year tenure as the Editor of GQ, many of which were the golden age of glossy magazines, what were the best times, and can you share a few of your worst?   

The best times would fill a book - which they probably will at some point, but the ambition was always the same, whether we were competing with magazines, newspapers or social media: we needed to make the proposition compelling. Completely compelling. The only downside was the occasional libel writ.

 9. Boris Johnson was your car columnist at GQ, worst decision ever?

Best decision ever. People never stop talking about it.

10. Worth the ÂŁ4,000 in parking tickets?

Yup. 

11. Your wife describes you as the most impatient, irascible, irritating driver it has ever been her misfortune to share a car with – your words BTW– who was yours?

 Tracey Emin. Can’t drive. 

  12. You are renowned for your sartorial style (and written a book on the subject). What are the worst fashion crimes you have seen committed by London men? 

Trying to look too young.

13. You’ve got 60 seconds to sell me a car. Which one?

You buy the one the suits you. I’ve driven a Range Rover for the last 20 years because it does’ everything I need it do.

 

Could Boots No7 latest skincare innovation be the final piece of the ageing puzzle?

As we get closer and closer to demystifying and understanding the science of ageing (FYI anti ageing is now considered a dirty word in the industry), could Boots No7 trailblazing Future Renew Serum have unlocked the final piece of the puzzle?

Boots No.7 Future Renew Damage Reversal

If you haven’t heard of it yet, the latest miracle serum that’s getting the beauty industry excited is Boots No.7 Future Renew Damage Reversal. It costs £35 (a mere snip compared to todays eye watering skincare prices) is the result of 15 years of innovation, and if the queues around the country yesterday are any measure of its potential success, it’s going to be HUGE.

So, what’s the excitement all about? Well, Future Renew contains a super peptide blend that renews your skin cells, and can trick your body into thinking it needs to repair itself. Tests saw the reversal of the appearance of signs of skin damage, including fine lines, wrinkles, lack of luminosity, dryness, uneven skin tone and loss of firmness - with visible results within four weeks.

The day before the official launch the virtual ‘in the know’ queue has 95,000 eager people waiting to get their hands on it.

Peptides are great for the skin anyway, but this new technology – which No7 hopes to get patented and has been 15 years in the making – can’t be found in any other product on the market. Studies have shown peptides aid the skin’s natural repair process and renew over 50 key proteins in skin cells.

‘Skin damage happens throughout our lives and is caused by multiple factors including sun exposure, environmental pollution, stress, sleep, temperature and nutrition,’ said No7’s head of science research Dr Mike Bell.

‘The new peptide blend effectively tricks the skin into thinking that it has been damaged which leads to renewal of key proteins such as collagen and fibrillin.

‘It therefore supports skin’s natural self-repair mechanisms, targeting signs of cumulative damage both on and under the surface.

Boots No.7 fans haven’t been this giddy since the infamous launch of Protect & Perfect in 2007. Featured on the BBC Horizon programme, the Boots website had completely sold out by the following day. Priced at £16.75, it was significantly cheaper than other creams on the market.

This combination of innovation at an attainable price point seem to be the magic formula for Boots, and their loyal customers. Personally, I am more than willing to give it a go.

The proof in the pudding of course is whether customers come back for more. Protect & Perfect remained a Boots best seller for years. For Future Renew?  Only time will tell.

 

Why we're all obsessed with Succession's understated 'quiet luxury'

Ironically, the most au courant TV show fashion-wise this year is Succession. The antithesis to And Just Like That and Emily in Paris where the clothes are ‘the thing’ the Roy’s clothing is anything but. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Roy’s are so sure of their success that while they need to look nice, they don’t need to try. Surely the ultimate measure of success is when you have reached the stage that are so wealthy you have no need to participate in self-promotion online or off. It’s the ultimate power move.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, it follows through that todays super rich don’t need logos to display status either. They don’t scan the pages of glossy magazines studying the latest ‘must-have’ buys. They are all about adopting a quiet, low-level style. No loud obvious labels, no red soled Louboutins…it’s all about the down playing of excess and focusing on what makes high end clothing worthwhile. According to the BOF, ‘Broadly speaking, quiet luxury refers to ways of dressing that subtly telegraph status via materials, cut and low-key signifers rather than loud design flourishes and obvious logos.’ To the untrained eye there’s nothing to suggest these clothes are eye wateringly expensive. For HNWIs desirability is a combination of understated minimalism, luxurious materials and sublime fit.

More akin to ‘old money style’ tailoring aficionados like Gabriela Hearst and Bottega Veneta, and niche brands like Brunello Cucinelli (sales soared 29.1% in 2022) and Loro Piana, embody what fashion looks like for the one per cent. This return to a cleaner, more 90s aesthetic has seen renewed excitement around designers like Jil Sander, The Row, Georgia Armani and Max Mara.

Even the Hollywood elite and British royalty are turning their backs on ostentacious, or obvious, displays of wealth. Recycling dresses on the red carpet was big at this years Oscars. Kate Blanchett being a case in point. The likes of Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes and The Princess of Wales are also making considered and purposeful purchases, repurposing gowns and opting for understated luxury brands like Métier.

Proving that unostentatious luxury is always chic the London based brand specialise in timeless accessories, combining the finest materials and meticulous handcraftsmanship. Kate Middleton is a huge fan of Métier, and is often photographed with the Roma Mini Suede Shoulder bag.

For a masterclass in quiet luxury take a closer look at the outfits worn by the Roy’s in Succession; Savile Row suits, silk shirts, well-cut wool trousers. Luxurious fabrics, impeccable fit. Logos and embellishments are seldom present. Based on the brutal machinations of a Murdoch-like media dynasty the show uses clothing to witty and devastating effect.

Costume designer Michelle Matland explains, The Roys “have been brought up in a very European sensibility. They were trained in how to behave and also how to dress. I think there is a decorum about that.” The Roy family are above using logos to display status. In their private world, they have no-one to impress. The Moncler padded vests the family wear to blend in at a tech retreat being a case in point…

When Cousin Greg’s date arrives at a family get together carrying a Burberry check tote he’s taken aside by Tom who fashion-shames his date. “So I hear you’ve made an enormous faux pas and everyone’s laughing up their sleeves about your date.”

To which Greg innocently replies “What, why?”

Tom: “Because she’s brought a ludicrously capacious bag. What’s even in there, huh? Flat shoes for the subway? Her lunch pail? I mean, Greg, it’s monstrous, it’s gargantuan. You could take it camping. You could slide it across the floor after a bank job.”

Another brilliant use of fashion is Kendall’s powering up wardrobe. As he strives to assert his position he ditches the Gucci and the Balenciaga in favour of a stealth wardrobe that minics his dads. Similarily, Shiv steps up her ambitions, and her look, by trading in her safe and conservative cardigans for gossamer thin polo necks, backless evening dresses and clinging silk shirts, which Matland describes as an early Carolyn Bessette look. Very simply, beautiful and lean. “It’s a look that tells you, ‘I’m here, I’m ready to fight you if I have to.’ It’s both cool and standoffish.

Meanwhile, husband Tom is ridiculed by the Roy siblings for his label defining wardrobe of off-the-peg suits. The reason we are all so obsessed with Successions’s ‘quiet luxury’ is that for most of us it’s simply not achievable. To truly understand it, you really do need to be on the inside.

 

How to do 20,000 sit ups without breaking into a sweat

As a beauty writer you become very adept at dismissing headlines that simply sound ‘too good to be true’.

But then there’s always a tiny part of me that secretly wonders ‘what if’?  Which is why I ended up trying Emsculpt.

I figured, summer’s around the corner, what have I got to loose? A few lunch times and potentially a wobbly tummy?

So the press release read, ‘ this new body contouring procedure builds muscles and burns fat by powerfully contracting muscles to a level that standard exercise cannot achieve.’

I mean, come on, you’d be tempted right?

Before and after EmSculpt

Before and after EmSculpt

Especially with the summer holiday and the prospect of wearing a bikini on the beach fast approaching.

Well HIFEM (high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology) delivers the equivalent of 20,000 sit-ups without you having to do a thing.

HIFEM produces high-intensity muscle contractions causing a release of epinephrine that breaks down fat. Activating 100% of the muscle it’s the equivalent of 20,000 sit ups in a 30 minute time period. I mean seriously, has anyone ever actually managed to do that many sit ups?

Surely not even Britney Spears in her hey day was doing that many?

They are big claims. Tempting claims. Which is why I jumped at the chance to try it. With two kids under my belt and a slipped disc in the mix sit ups aren’t exactly top of my to do list these days.

But dazzled by the science I thought I’d give it a go. I visited Riverbanks Aesthetic & Wellness Clinic in Hertfordshire to satisfy my curiosity.

So how does it work?

Dr Ravi Jain explains, "Unlike the traditional approach towards body shaping through freezing or other aesthetic devices to generate fat cell death, this is a non- surgical contouring treatment which uses an electromagnetic field to simultaneously build muscle and cause fat cell disruption. Muscles represent 35% of the human body, but existing aesthetic treatments only address fat.  This is the first device that goes beyond waist-line reduction and addresses not only fat loss but abdominal contouring through muscle tone.”

A fan of the treatment he also explains “What I love about HIFEM is that it's so simple yet incredibly effective – with noticeable results in muscle tone and strength after just a few sessions. With HIFEM, I am offering my patients a safe and pain-free treatment that will make them feel stronger from the very first session. They can also leave the clinic and immediately resume their normal routine, with no aftercare or downtime required. This makes HIFEM an easy and convenient option for anyone looking to build strength, confidence, and comfort in their body.”

The principle is that by dramatically increasing the metabolic rate of what’s going on around the muscle and with the hyper contraction of the muscle, the fatty acids on the muscle cells leak out. This results in a 15% fat burn on top of the muscle building.  The fat-burn effect is more of a residual effect from what the device is doing to your muscles.

What does it involve?

The process is relatively painless. A typical treatment takes around 30 minutes and a course row 4 sessions is recommend for optimum results. The device straps on over your stomach area and then a practitioner turns up the power.  Dr Ravi Jain started at a lower power then worked up. Starting at 80% or 100% can hyperstress the muscle.

It’s essential you find a trained practitioner who knows exactly how to handle the device. The contractions occur a few seconds apart and feel strange, like a super-intense vibration that reaches your very core. There is no downtime so you can return to your daily activities after each session. Expect to see results two to four weeks after the initial session and you will continue to see improvements for several weeks following the procedure.

It’s not an alternative to exercise and a health lifestyle but it’s an effective treatment for targeting the tummy.

Best results will be seen after 3-months with continued improvement over a 6-month time period.

Who’s it good for?

Anyone that wants to tone their tummy or thigh area.  It's also proving popular with women struggling with diastasis recti, which is when the two muscles that run down the centre of the stomach separate after pregnancy.

This treatment does not claim to be a dramatic fat loss treatment. I liked it because it targeted the deeper muscles that I was unable to work out because of my back problem.  After the course I felt able to start moderate exercise and I am now spinning twice (?) a week. So for me it helped me get back into exercise. Do I have a 6 pack?  Don’t be ridiculous.

Why every woman needs an afternoon with Trinny Woodall

Within five minutes of arriving at Trinny Woodall’s London offices, I’m in the make-up chair.

My foundation is off – removed by the woman herself – and she’s busy telling me I should chop four inches off my dress (“that’s not a flattering place to cut off the leg”), showing me how to apply my eyeshadow differently (“lift and swipe to stop your eyelids looking droopy”) and telling me why mom jeans and kitten heels have no place in anyone’s wardrobe (eek, I love a kitten heel).

Trinny, 58, is a whirlwind, as I quickly discover when we chat about beauty, make-up, fashion, social media, empowerment and a whole lot of other stuff.

She’s as upfront and honest as she was in her What Not To Wear days in the early noughties, alongside partner-in-crime Susannah Constantine.

The duo became famous for their forthright approach as they doled out style advice and makeovers up and down the country. On the show, Trinny had a gift for getting inside women’s heads, helping them believe that with the right outfit, they could take on the world.

Fast-forward nearly 20 years and it’s clear one of her biggest gifts is this natural ability to sum people up in seconds.

She genuinely wants to help people – in fact, she can’t stop herself. This is because she knows how powerful change can be in her own life. “I had acne, and felt really ugly for many years,” she says. “I hated dating. After I got rid of it I had a new confidence.

“When I did makeovers, I could see how much the women shifted. I like seeing that shift.”

So it’s no surprise the makeover queen has now turned her attention to the transformative power of make-up with her range Trinny London. It has been a labour of love from the start.

Trinny London's blush stack

After raising ÂŁ150,000 from investors, Trinny ran out of money during the research and development phase. Her solution? To sell a sizeable chunk of her wardrobe.

“This raised £80,000, which enabled me to work for another year,” she says. And her hard work paid off. Her brand, Trinny London, is one of Europe’s fastest-growing direct-to-consumer startups, valued at £180 million [$250 million]. One of Britain's most successful beauty entrepreneurs, newly filed documents reveal her brand Trinny London more than tripled its turnover in a year to a huge £44.2million.

When it comes to make-up, Trinny says less is definitely more. She recalls seeing Kylie Jenner in a restaurant in Portofino, Italy, over the summer.

“She was sitting in this beautiful restaurant wearing so much make-up. She just didn’t need it.

“I’ve just started this new thing where I go up to people in the street and re-do their make-up.

“Women tend to use foundation as armour. I want to give them the opportunity to see something different, which will empower them.”

She is just as opinionated about fashion as ever and admits to being something of a control freak about her own look.

“Some stylists over the years may have had some not very nice things to say about me,” she laughs. “It’s hard when I go on a shoot, and someone thinks they know how to dress me. I can’t let go of what I know really works.” But she is more than happy to laugh at her own style mistakes. Yes, she regrets the too-short short skirts, the orange fake tan and the poker-straight ironed hair of her younger years.

Throughout our chat, Trinny has been busy directing her make-up artist telling him exactly what to do. It’s weird because he doesn’t really feel like he’s putting much make-up on me at all. At one point I’ reprimanded, “What’s going on with your eyes Amber? Looking dry…just here…” I feel like I’ve let her down, and I really don’t want to let Trinny down…

The end result is undeniably good – she really has knocked years off me.

I ask Trinny how she feels about getting older, saying a lot of my friends say they now feel invisible. She tackles this subject in her typical no-nonsense style. “Feeling old is about what’s going on inside your head,” she says.

“If one week you suddenly don’t feel good in something, or no longer feel attractive, it’s not real. Nothing has changed outwardly in seven days. “Rather than worrying, ask yourself how you can shift gear. I use guided meditation. It’s about resetting yourself internally.”

For Trinny, it’s all about confidence. “Walking into a room with real presence is something we should all be able to do until we die,” she says.

“And what do you need to get that? Well, the right clothes are a good start. It’s about that that first impression. And finding your style allows you to do that.”

And with that, she’s done. I take one last look at myself in the mirror and head for the door, determined to take my new found sense of Trinny-ness with me.


Why doesn't love a Princess Di inpsired quirky knit?

I think I can safely say Lockdown round two has been saved by the fourth series of The Crown. And while the plot seems to have caused some minor upset there’s no disputing the fashion has been good. Award winning costume designer Amy Roberts has done an outstanding job of replicating the late Princess Diana’s outfits. Looking back at her 80s wardrobe has taken me back to the days when I used to write about her style every day.

Princess Diana

Working at The Mirror the then Fashion Editor Ollie Picton-Jones and I spent the better part of a decade documenting every outfit she wore. We watched her metamorphosis from ‘Shy Di’ to Versace clad style queen. And while we relished the fashion icon she became I still have a soft spot for the outfits she wore in the early days. In particular the Fair Isle sweater (complete with Llama motif) she wore posing for photographs alongside Prince Charles at Balmoral following the announcement of their engagement. Incidentally Miu Miu have done a strikingly similar style this season….and yes I am tempted.

Diana loved a natty knit and I vividly remember a red sheep print jumper she wore to watch Prince Charles play polo. I also recall a pink pullover with “I’m a Luxury” emblazon on the front which she wore while pushing William and Harry on a swing set. It’s the off-duty Sloane Ranger Diana I look back on with nostalgia.

And now thanks to The Crown, and the fact it’s cold and we’ve all turned to cosy comfort clothing, her jumpers are having a bit of a style moment. So I encourage us all to invest a loud and proud Diana inspired knit, I guarantee a sheep or a llama will put a smile on your face.

Miu Miu oversized Fair Isle alpaca blend sweater ÂŁ665 netapor

Miu Miu oversized llama print sweater
Alunui sheep print jumpber
Boden Fair Isle jumper

What to wear if you're planning a 'romantic' date in a pub car park this weekend

When TalkRadio host Kevin O’Sullivan invited me onto his show to discuss ‘what to wear on a date in a pub car park’ I can’t deny I was slightly horrified.

This is not exactly the romantic first date scenario most of us would naturally dream of. But as we come out of isolation for many this is now the first date ‘new norm’.

The word pub car park sends chills down my spine - but that being said they weren’t all created equal. 

If you live in the country side you could be heading to a beautifully lawned pub garden with manicured grass and elegant rattan seating.

Linen puff sleeve midi dress ÂŁ95 & Other Stories

& Other Stories puff sleeve dress

In this case what to wear is a bit of a no brainer - this is the weekend to dig out your best floaty dress and slip into a pair of summery ankle tie wedges. After months of hiding at home in a track suit this is your chance to shine.

Castanar ‘Carina’ suede wedges £96 Laredoute

Castanar Laredoute wedges

And if you happen to be one of the lucky women to have bagged one of the first haloed hair dressing slots then this also presents the opportunity to channel your inner Kate Middleton with a big bouncy bouffant blow-dry.

Sadly for most of us I fear the harsh reality will be a tarmacked yard complete complete with wheelie bins.  Looking your best in this situation is the ultimate sartorial challenge. Obviously 4 inch heels are a no no.  Wedges aren’t exactly called for either.  Sadly I think you’re in trainer territory. Not exactly sexy. But called for.

Then of course one of the biggest pitfalls will be the British weather.  Outside dates present a whole host of unique and terrifying first date problems. Far from basking under flattering soft candlelight light you’ll be subjected to harsh sun light that has the nasty trick of amplifying every skin wrinkle in HD clarity.  And that’s if you’re lucky enough for it not be be raining. This is not the day for tinted moisturiser. You need professional level coverage here. 

If you’ve got the flair for it a hat could be your best friend. Filtering the light onto your face will not only make you look 10 years younger but you’ll look super stylish to boot. A pair of designer sunglasses is another accessory you might want to consider.

Alexa Chung Instagram

For style inspiration think Alexa Chung in a timeless trench and a pair of the latest must have shades. Your hair might not be quite as on point as hers (which is why you need that hat) but you’ll look car park ready.

If that’s even a thing.

How to decide what hair style to opt for when the salons finally reopen

So it looks like our hair and beauty needs are out ranking our desire to eat out and socialise post lockdown. Research carried out by Kantar media has confirmed beauty therapy is the number one activity costumers are looking forward to once Coronvirus lockdowns are lifted. 

Hmm, why am I not surprised?  Home hair colouring was fun for five minutes but I’m going to need upwards of five hours in John Frieda to sort my locks out. I’ve already messaged my colourist to warn her.

How to hair Daisy Edgar-Jones Normal People

I can only go on conversations and Zoom calls I’ve had with friends BUT ‘hair’ and ‘when salons will reopen’ are definitely hot topics in my world right now.

Data insights firm Kantar scanned social media content around quarantine and identified beauty therapy is outranking eating out and socialising. 

The questions is when you are finally settled back in the safety and sanctity of the hair dressers chair what are you going to have done? Apart from, in my case, covering the random greys?

The French fringe

Normal People’s Marianne (AKA Daisy Edgar-Jones) gave good fringe during this pandemic and we have that, and a few other things, to thank her for. Her hair has caused a lot of excitement over the past few months and even has it’s own Instagram account @marianees_bangs. Anyone struggling with DIY fringe trimming at home was no doubt inspired by her chic french look and tutorials aplenty on ‘how to recreate her look’ popped up all over Instagram. 

How to hair Marianne Normal People fringe

For anyone debating whether to get a full fringe post lockdown this might just have persuaded you. I for one am tempted.  So much cheaper than Botox for one. The nuance to this fringe is the slightly jagged undone element.  Cut in a triangular shape that goes quite back this is not for novices. And it’s DEFINITELY one to get cut by a professional if you’re starting from scratch.

If you decide to take the plunge the upside to this look is it lends itself to poker straight hair, loose waves, messy buns and half up half down dos.  

Consider your face shape first. The general rule is that fringes don’t work on longer faces.  And a word of warning. Fringes require work. I remember a brief foray with a fringe 20 years ago and I remember investing a lot of time and money research hair products and I had to set my alarm 10 minutes earlier every morning to tackle it. On the positive side you will look like a sexy french goddess. 

Chunky highlights

So if your bored of balayage and you’re looking for an alternative this might appeal to you.  Chunky highlights are back but fear not, far from being fresh from the 90s (I’m not going to reference the All Saints) they’ve had a bit of a makeover. 

This time around they are less harsh and more flattering having borrowed some face framing tips from more traditional high light techniques. 

How to hair chunky highlights

Apparently icy streaks are a thing (maybe one for the kidz) but there really are plenty of colour options to tempt you. Jennifer Lopez has been showcasing her new caramel tones which I recommend for any one past the age of forty. 

The natural ‘beachy wave’ perm

OK so what if I were to tell you never need to tong your hair or mess around with rollers again? Well thanks to hair salon Taylor Taylor this is now a viable option. They’ve developed a new semi permanent treatment called Reform that adds texture and a natural blow dry effect to your hair.

Taylor Taylor London How to hair

The treatment involves two sessions (total time invested 3.5 hours).  On the first visit your hair is wound around specially adapted rollers and the solution is applied. Chemicals are added similar to those used in a perm but they are much kinder than the harsh treatments of old. A neutraliser is added and then a protection treatment is applied.

You’re not allowed to wash your hair for 48 hours post treatment as the process still needs to set and activate.  Then on the second session you are shown how to wash and dry your new hair and given staying advice and product tips to keep your hair in top condition.

The treatment lasts between 3 to 6 months and prices start at ÂŁ250. taylortaylorlondon.com

The Bob

The reason this hair style remains popular and comes back into fashion time and time again is that it’s so stylish and works for everyone. There are so many variations of this style it can be tailored to suit all face shape. 

How to hair Fearne Cotton Bob

And to be honest there’s nothing more chic than a chin length bob in my book.  As a general rule round and heart shaped faces should opt for a long bob that goes past the chin while long oval faces work well with blunt bobs that enhance a strong jaw line.

For inspiration Saoirse Rona, Fearne Cotton and Lilly James are just a few of the celebs that have gone for the chop lately. 

The Pixie

Before I go any further you really need to confident before making the decision to go for a drastic chop like this. It’s really fashionable right now and perfect for anyone looking to make a statement.

On the right person the Pixie can look amazing.  If you have a round face then this could just make your face look rounder. But opting for a longer or side swept fringe can counter balance this.

How to hair Charlize Theron

Cara Delevingne, Zoe Kravitz and Charlize Theron are proof of just how incredible this style can look but then to be honest they are all so beautiful they would look good with any hair style.  My advice, talk to your hairdresser, work out exactly how short, choppy or sleek to go and make sure you get the fringe just right.

7 surprise fashion trends to emerge during the coronavirus lockdown

On March 23rd it was impossible to predict what lockdown would look like.  And not many would have predicted fashion would play a major part.  After all who thinks about clothes in the midst of a crisis? 

Baking, gardening, Netflix binging maybe.  But shopping for clothes wasn’t exactly high on anyone’s list.  

But as we settled into our new normal and embraced new home lives a few strange things started to happen. In a desperate bid to step up our stay-at-home Zoom game we started to get creative and improvise.

Here’s at closer look at what lockdown has looked like for many. 

Tie dye

No one saw this coming and it’s hard to pin point down the exact moment it happened but at some stage during lock down tie dye became a thing.  Fashion stylist and beauty guru @TrinnyWoodall posted an Instagram live feed showcasing her tie dye efforts and suddenly everyone was reaching for the Dylon.

Trinny Woodall Instagram Tie dye fashion trend

Trinny Woodall featured her tie dye t-shirt as her OOTD proving with a little bit of effort the results can be surprisingly good. Maybe it was the desire for a simple DIY trend or the fact tie dye reminds of us of happier more carefree times?

All hail the midi

Desperate to find the perfect walk-to-workout dress we all turned to the humble midi for salvation. The mid calf-does-it-all-dress has taken us from Zoom calls to fixing lunch in the kitchen to walking the dog and back to the laptop. Enough said.

FreePeople 'Love of My Life' midi dress

@Connellschain

Thanks to our obsession with the BBC’s must-see drama ‘Normal People’ Connell’s chain got its own Instagram account. @connellschain went viral amassing 106k followers and the rest as they say is history.

With the simple heading ‘We stan Connell Waldron’s chain’ the Instagram account was the brain child of Stylist magazine columnist Billie Bhatia.

@connellschain Normal People Instagram

For anyone who hasn’t watched it ‘Normal People’ is the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel. This modern day love story charts the relationship between the two central characters Connell and Marianne from school through to college and adulthood. It also happens to contain the longest sex scene ever aired on national television which you could argue, mid lonely lockdown, has contributed greatly to it’s phenomenal viewing figures. Oh and Connell, played by Paul Mescal, wears a silver chain. Yup, it’s really that simple.

Man jewellery is now set to the biggest trend to come out of lockdown with searches and sales of silver chains booming. 

The work from home ‘suit’

Not too surprisingly as we looked for comfort in our new home lives we swapped our tailored trouser suits for the cotton coord variety, Ă  la Mrs Beckham. Even Victoria Beckham ditched the midi skirts and heels in favour of a tracksuit officially making it acceptable attire.

Victoria Beckham

Tracksuit sales have spiked to levels not seen since the Juicy Couture frenzy in the early 2000’s.

“Luxury loungewear, tracksuits and activewear have definitely become more and more in demand, which is not much of a surprise,” Tiffany Hsu, the fashion-buying director at Mytheresa reported.

Socks became the new shoes

Just because we weren’t leaving the house and wearing actual shoes that didn’t stop the majority of us putting our best feet forward. When footwear suddenly became redundant for 23 hours a day the statement sock took centre stage. Fashionable socks were already ‘a thing’ so this a trend we just ran with really. Seeing an opportunity to showcase a truly useful trend brightly coloured/designer/sporty look-at-me socks became our favourite go to lockdown look.

Tabitha Simmons Instagram NIke socks

#homecouture

Created by George Serventi (@skindin), a London based designer, this trend swept across social media feeds and involves taking high-end catwalk looks and recreating them with bits and bobs around the house.

George’s concept was that “…quarantine queens across the world can doll themselves up, Cinderella-style, with scouring-pad ball gowns, toilet-roll palazzo pants, and saucepan fascinators.” 

#HomeCouture @skipdin

Using materials we all have at home like tin foil, bin bags, newspaper and cellophane the resulting creations have included sculptural dresses by Comme des Garcons and tulle Galliano couture gowns.

“Materials we all have at home like tin foil, bin bags, newspaper, and cellophane work surprisingly well,” Serventi explains, “but so do Pot Noodles and broken plates.”

#TheQuarantinePillowChallenge

Another DIY style challenge to emerge the quarantine pillow challenge started by @myforteisfashion and @stylebynelli at the beginning of April. The challenge is simple enough and involves cinching a pillow around your waist with a belt to make a strapless dress. Proving even celebs have been bored during lockdown Halle Berry and Amber Davies got in on the action.

Halle Berry #quarantinepillowchallenge

How to delay the dreaded greys until the salons reopen

With the salons closed and everyone self isolating there’s really only one option where grey hairs are concerned.  Yes, and you might not want to hear this, it’s time to learn to love the dreaded box dye again.

Unless you’re willing to let your greys get the better of you there really is no other option.

And yes I know what you’re thinking. In the grand scheme of things a few grey hairs really aren’t the be=all-and-end-all. Of course they’re not.

BUT we do have a bit of extra time on our hands so for those that can be bothered here’s how to tackle the problem head on.

L'Oreal

For really natural semi permanent results my hairdresser Jo at John Freida recommended L’Oreal Professional Chromative. The range comes in 17 shares of natural and intense colour and doesn’t contain any ammonia or peroxide.  I simply applied the Chromative No. 6 dark blonde (ÂŁ8.95 coolblades.co.uk) along my centre parting after washing and towel drying. 

Then I popped the plastic cap on and waited, then hey presto. NO more greys and super shiny hair. Obviously I was lucky because my hair dresser helped me out here and told me exactly which product and colour to use.  I have brown hair but interestingly was recommended the dark blonde so the trick is not to go too dark when choosing.  

7 simple steps:

Wash hair

Towel dry

Comb hair into centre parting

Apply product along the hair line covering about 2 inches either side

Apply conditioner from middle to lengths of hair

Apply plastic cap

Apply some heat using a hair dryer to the top of the head

Wait for 40 minutes.

Nutritint

Another product you could use is Naturtint (ÂŁ10.99 naturtint.co.uk) which offers complete grey coverage from the very first application.  This is a permanent hair colour and perfect for anyone that’s not just dealing with a few stray greys. Free from ammonia, resorcinol and paragons this is a great product. The website also has a handy section on choosing the right shade. 

6 beauty brands helping the Coronavirus relief effort

The world welcomed the news that French luxury cosmetics and fashion company LVHM are using their perfume labs to mass produce free hand sanitiser on Monday.

The company is expected to produce 12 tons of hydroalcoholic gel by the end of the week.  But the good news is they’re aren’t the only beauty company doing their bit for the COVID-19 relief efforts.

Lipslut

From politically active makeup brand Lipslut to Lady Gaga’s beauty brand Haus many are donating profits for the cause. 

Which means we can help the COVID-19 relief efforts and the economy whilst we’re navigating the impact of social distancing and working from home.

LVMH have also pledged $2.3 million to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation to provide medical supplies to areas hit the hardest.

Small Indie brand Farmacybeauty.com is donating 10,000 meals a day for 30 days to leading hunger relief fund Feeding America.  They are also matching every contribution made by consumers; check out their Feeding American donation page.

Politically active makeup brand Lipslut.com, formed in reaction to the 2016 US presidential election, have announced they are donating 100% of its profits.

And online shaving brand mybillie have revealed plans to donate $100,000 to immediate COVID-19 relief efforts.

Billie

Haus Laboratories , Lady Gaga’s beauty brand, have announced it will be donating 20% of last weeks profits to local food banks in LA and NYC

Haus

And beauty conglomerate L’Oreal have pledged a staggering $720,000 to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation to fund urgent medical supplies, masks and protective clothing.

These brands should be applauded for doing their bit to make a difference during these unprecedented times.