Everyone is losing their shit over the fact that Barbie can now wear flat shoes - and we can't quite get my head around it.
Suddenly, fully-grown women are unable to contain their inner six-year-old excitement, because Mattel changed Barbie's feet from being permanently pointed to having adjustable ankles.
Now, they say, Barbie is finally representing women.
Erm have we missed something?
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Once upon a time Barbie was in the firing line for promoting negative body image among young girls and not accurately reflecting women and girls in general, but now that she's able to slip on some pumps a la Phoebe Philo all appears to be forgotten.
The real news - in case anyone missed it (because it's buried about four or five paragraphs down most news stories) - is that Barbie has finally become more ethnically diverse.
The new Fashionista Barbie line, which is previewed on the site, will be available with eight different skin tones, 23 hair colors, 22 hair styles, 14 facial shapes and 18 eye colours.
And this is a big deal.
Granted, this doesn't solve the issue of Barbie's unrealistic body proportions (tiny waist, legs up to her armpits and bug-like eyes) but it's at least a step in the right direction...
What do you think of the new collection? Let us know in the comments below
I was out shopping the other day whilst my boyfriend was at work, just looking for clothes and makeup really. I'd spent two hours so far looking through shop after shop, trying on various different pieces of clothing and having absolutely no luck with anything. Everything was either too tight, too loose or just didn't look right. Frustrated, I went for coffee and some breakfast to call my friend to see when he was coming to meet me. He'd said he'd be another hour. I sighed, and wondered what on earth I was going to do until he got here (an hour normally meant two in his case).
I thought about what else I could possibly attempt to shop for without getting annoyed. I'd already bought new makeup and am not really a jewelery person. I'd got a new notebook and already bought all My Chemical Romance's old albums (yes I was one of THOSE kids). And then it hit me... underwear! I have never, ever, EVER shopped for underwear. Not once. Unless you count those times your mum buys you them as a present because she realises you've been wearing the same sets for the past five years? (All clean of course!!)
I didn't really know how to go about this. And to be honest, I doubted I'd find anything I felt comfortable with. I anxiously wondered around shop after shop noticing that nothing had been designed for people with an ostomy. I knew this would be the case, but there was still a little bit of hope I'd find something. I had seen one underwear set in New Look, it was so pretty! But I was certain it wouldn't look right. I was trailing around for something high waisted. I planned to wear something for my boyfriend when he got home from work. I wanted to look nice. But how can I pull off anything "sexy" with an ostomy?
It was getting late and shops were starting to close down, and I still hadn't found anything. I felt like I wanted to cry. Everything was tiny and designed for those with nice tummy's they wanted to show off.
I left the shop and was about to head off to wait for my friend before I had a thought. A thought that changed the rest of that day.
"You write a blog on body confidence and embracing your body. You write out to thousands of people and tell them to love yourself. What a hypocrite you would be to shame your body over a pair of underwear that YOU feel isn't designed for you. Who says it's not? Who says you haven't got a nice tummy? You? Do you think those scars that saved your life deserve to be shamed and hidden away? No. Now get your arse into gear and feel good about yourself".
And with that one thought, I headed over to New Look and picked up the pretty bra I'd first seen. And underwear, too of course!
I'm really angry at myself for putting myself down that day, and letting myself feel so negatively towards my body. But I'm so grateful I was able to step out of that so quickly. I felt really positive for the rest of the day, and waited for my boyfriend to finish work - in my new underwear (makeup done and everything)! And it's safe to say he absolutely loved it. (I won't go into detail - don't worry). But there, it just goes to show that you never know until you try. From now on I won't let personal negativity limit my choices. I will overcome every hurdle that lays be for me and remember that if you don't do it, you won't overcome it. And no, I'm not trying to give a Shia LaBeouf 'Nike' inspirational speech here...
We've got that Friday feeling and it looks like Secretsales.com does too!
From today until Monday, the UK's leading flash sale website is playing host to a Christian Louboutin extravaganza with a purse-friendly 30% off some of the designer's most sought-after shoes.
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From red carpet worthy styles, to must-have (and more walkable) summer sandals, you're sure to find a pair of signature red soles to suit your wardrobe.
Louboutin's chic leather handbags are also featured in the sale but, as expected, are all selling out fast. Get in there quickly to avoid disappointment.
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Christian Louboutin So Kate 120 nude leather heels (£299, was £425), Christian Louboutin So Kate 100 cobalt high heels (£319, was £425)
1950s style included feminine and romantic silhouettes - full circle skirts, fitted pencil skirts and A-line shapes - that marked women's return to home and hearth after the war years. Fashion designers who dominated the scene in the 1950s included Dior, Balenciaga (credited with designing the popular chemise and sheath dresses of the period), Chanel (who created her signature slim suit in the 1950s) and Hubert de Givenchy, who designed the ladylike, polished clothes Audrey Hepburn would make famous.
It was also influenced by glamour girls like Marilyn Monroe, the wholesome styles of Doris Day and Sandra Dee, and the sexier pin-up influences of the likes of Bettie Page in her frilly, halter-necked bikinis.
The 1950s is also saw the emergence of the teen subculture. Influenced by rockabilly music and stars like Elvis, pompadour hair, oversized blazers, leather jackets and Hawaiian shirts were copied by men around the globe. Marlon Brando and James Dean also influenced men's fashion with their basic - and timeless - uniform of T-shirt and jeans.
In Britain, Teddy Boys had an instantly recognisable style inspired by dandy dressing; they wore Edwardian-style, tailor-made clothes paired with brothel creepers and chunky brogues.
It's over, you've broken-up, yet you're still friends with each other on Facebook. His mug popping up in your news feed alongside a bitchy status or photos of him moving on with his life? Yep, it's the norm. You don't want to come across as immature, you want to be grown up about it all, but guess what? It's definitely okay to 'unfriend' your ex on Facebook...
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"I hope we can still be friends," I said to my ex boyfriend as I left him standing alone at the train station after a long-winded but surprisingly dry-eyed breakup. And do you know what? I totally believed my own BS. In my eyes, there was no reason we couldn't remain pals. He had different ideas.
Within hours his profile had vanished from my Facebook 'friends' list and all that was left was an inbox message saying something like, "I hope you don't find me deleting you off Facebook childish." In all honesty, it was a bitter pill to swallow and although I wasn't the one who'd just been dumped I was pretty pissed off. But now, looking back, I'm pleased he did it.
I'd committed the ultimate social networking sin and declared myself "in a relationship" on my Facebook wall (note to all FB users, stay away from your relationship status until you're married) and had been stressing about how long I should leave it until I switched it to "single" after things ended.
Fortunately for me, by the time I got home from the aforementioned scene of the breakup he'd done all the legwork for me. Not only had I been unrelationshiped but, according to the internet, we weren't even friends anymore. Bummer, right? Wrong.
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Around breakup time I'd read an article on The Frisky, "5 Reasons Not To Defriend Your Ex" and was starting to come round to their quite frankly ridiculous five point plan - which included justifications like: you may want to keep in touch in the future, it won't make the memories go away, he needs to see what he's missing, you can keep tabs on him and you'll look immature if you delete him - before he hit unticked the 'friends' box.
As I said, in that moment I was pretty pissed off but just days later I was thanking my lucky stars that it wasn't I who'd had to bear the 'unfriend' finger. I wasn't responsible. No one could accuse me of being immature. Nor was I the stalker'ish ex girlfriend keeping tabs on him like article suggested. Phew!
But here's the thing. Even if he hadn't digitally ostracised me I would've had to do it to him at some point. And after this experience, I'm inclined to say the sooner you dump him on social media the better and here's why...
1. No one likes a stalker Before the advent of social media, it took some serious dedication to spy on a former flame. Prising information from friends or hanging out at their favourite haunts was the only real way to get any info. And I'm guessing you wouldn't be caught dead doing such things, so why are you flicking through all his pictures and religiously checking his relationship status online? Stop it now. No one likes a psycho stalker ex and you certainly don't want to be one.
2. No one likes a stalker 0.2 Who's to say you'll be the one stalking. Your ex might be having a nose at your profile. And while it's all very good to show him what he's missing yada, yada, yada but all you're going to end up doing, according to author and relationship expert Natalie Lue, is feeling like you can't say and do what you want on Facebook and censoring yourself.
3. You'll start reading into things You know that Alanis Morissette video he posted on his timeline? That wasn't aimed at you, but you totally thought it was. Okay, well maybe it was aimed at you a little, but hey, most of his updates aren't and you shouldn't have to bear the brunt of the ones that are. So don't. Delete him now.
4. A study says you should If there's one thing you should live your life by, it's a gotta be some sort of poll, survey and/or study. So, on that note, Brunel University found that those who remained Facebook "friends" with an ex experience more distress and took longer to move on compared with those who immediately clicked "unfriend". See, it's science.
And one last thing to remember. There's no such thing as etiquette on the internet and Facebook doesn't care who dumped who IRL. On FB it's anyone's game. If he ditched you it's get your own back time and if you dumped him I'm guessing you didn't want him in your life anymore - so why would you want him on your timeline?
So the ear cuff is back, apparently, and while MyDaily's Ellen Stewart is still trying to shake off the memory of its last fashion outing (think Victoria Beckham, when she had the blonde hairdo and a penchant for push-up bras) everyone who's anyone has been attempting to rock one on the red carpet...
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They're all at it. I thought it was just a Met Ball thing, but no, the ear cuff didn't turn into a pumpkin when the lights came on at the punk-themed party and now celebs are wearing them like they're going out of fashion.
And it's not just the likes of Cara swear-to-God-I'm-A-Rebel Delevingne - the seemingly sensible, prim and proper have been cuffing up with squeaky clean stars Jessica Alba and Emma Watson donning a bit of extra bling upon their cartilage.
It's a trend that has infiltrated every sector of the fashion market with cuffs on offer in Claires Accessories for £3.50 to Repossi designs up for a cool £9,515 on Net-A-Porter. So, with a beyond extensive range of ear gear available to buy in the shops and online (see Asos' impressive selection for proof) should we be following suit and jazzing up our ears?
If you're thinking about taking the plunge and investing in the "must-have" accessory of the season perhaps you need to pause and remember the last time these things were in Vogue.
I'm not sure of the year exactly, but it was back when Victoria Beckham was still referred to as Posh. She had bleach blonde highlights and hung around with Dane Bowers. It was the worst of times - I'm pretty sure there was a fake lip ring involved.
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But now, now famous faces (or should that be ears?) like Nicole Richie and Sienna Miller are wearing them again and I feel confused. I kinda like them - they're decadent, they're edgy - but I can't quite shake those Posh Spice inferences.
Thanks to a cloud of negative ear cuff-related memories I thought it would be better to say what to avoid when ear cuffing, because we definitely know how it can go wrong. So here's NOT how to wear one...
First things first, you are not Cara Delevingne - sorry to burst your bubble but you're not - so don't go strapping on an over-elaborate cuff for all occasions. She can get away with it because she turns a lot and has a weird finger tattoo. Oh, didn't you know finger tattoos and ear cuffs come in pairs? If Karl Lagerfeld did a Noah and built an ark those are the kind of two-by-twos he'd instate.
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This isn't your all-day everyday accessory and would look totally dreadful teamed with the skirt suit you wear to the office. Why? Because those contrasting ideologies would literally fight with each other on your body. Plus everyone around you would feel incredibly uncomfortable with your awkward accessorising.
Ear cuffs are grungy, they're punky, they don't take shit from anyone. And d'you know what doesn't scream, "I'm so misunderstood, but I don't care"? Anything you have to iron.
On a similar note if you ARE or even slightly resemble Emma Watson you should never, I repeat, never wear these otherwise brilliantly rebellious accessories. Starring in a flick wherein you play a badass does not make you a badass IRL. Ear cuffs, a super-neat updo and a fresh face of barely-there makeup do not compute. It's like your trying to impress the bad girls at school but not really committing to the cause.
However, even if you are a bit of a dissident and already have a piercing halfway up your ear, do yourself a favour and don't rock a cuff as well.
Take it from someone who knows (yeah, I'm a massive rebel) I've got a bit of my ear cartilage pierced and I'd never ever, like ever, attempt to don a statement cuff in the same ear. Because sometimes less is more and too much is just too much.
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We've all seen people with multiple piercings all linked together with some sort of ornate chain (think Bollywood, think Beyonce's belly shackle), thought it looked good for about two seconds and then imagined the horror if said chain were to get stuck in say your jumper or... a car door.
Once you've mastered how not to wear a cuff what occasion should you almost definitely NOT wear said cuff to? Simple. A first date and/or job interview. Essentially anywhere that you need to make a good impression. An ear cuff is a pretty bold statement and I can't promise people won't judge you upon first sight if you decided to waltz around with a load of bling in your ear.
Yes, it may be a conversation starter. But think to yourself. Is that the kind of conversation you want to start? Plus you won't be able to get Out Of Your Mind by Dane Bowers and VB out of your, er, mind. It will become the soundtrack to your life. And nobody wants that. Take this as a warning. Handle an ear cuff with care. Unless, of course, you're a graphic designer who only pops up in pop ups in Hipstervilles. Naturally you're probably over this trend anyway...
Are you lucky enough to have a large living room, or are you looking for one versatile sofa as an alternative to the outdated three piece suite? Then a corner sofa or modular sofa could be perfect for you.
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We've chosen the chicest corner sofas to suit every style, from rustic to modern to minimalist with shapes to suit all room shapes and sizes.
Whether you want a style with a chic chaise or modular units you can combine to create the perfect fit, shop our edit of the 10 best corner sofas, below...
Still stuck on which style will work best in your sitting room? Here are our top tips...
Got an unusual shaped room? You can still get a corner sofa to fit a space with tricky dimensions - try Ikea's modular Soderhamn range which is made up of a seat, arm rest and corner section which you can combine to create your dream combination. Modular sofas are also great for versatile living as you can always separate them out and move them around to create separate zones.
Keen to make a statement? Be brave and opt for a style in a bright colour or with a striking shape like Ergo's modern collection. Alternatively choose a muted shade in a sofa with a chaise which can sit against a wall, so you can make a real feature of it by backing it with colourful cushions.
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Short on storage? Some clever corner sofas come with hidden storage beneath the chaise or built into each modular unit. Try House by John Lewis' Flex range, which has masses of built-in storage for your clutter.
From Marilyn Monroe's bombshell appeal to Grace Kelly's icy-cool beauty (and perfect brows), the Fifties were a time of seriously gorgeous make-up looks, which continue to inspire.
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Desperate to unleash your inner Bettie Page? Fifties make-up is all about the eyeliner, eye lashes, brows and lips, explains London-based make-up artist Melissa Kassinen, who shows us how to recreate a pin-up ready Fifties make-up look.
Owning a chintzy, OTT, light up jumper for the office party, all those festive lunches lined up with friends and - potentially - on the big day itself, is essential.
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The Christmas jumper craze gets bigger and more blatant every year - we're talking 3D motifs, sparkly snowflakes, buttons, belts, glitter and unfathomable amounts of fluff.
Updating last year's is a must, which is why we've picked 22 affordable styles for you to shop. Take a flick through this gallery and let the festivities begin!
If you're after something cheap and overly cheerful, Primark is your go-to destination. And don't leave it to the last minute - believe it or not, these beauties always sell out. The best buys? We're torn between the 3D Christmas patchwork jumper (£12) and the red 3D stocking one (£12) this year.
Then there's New Look's Coca-Cola Christmas sweatshirt (£19.99) - it's perfect if you're a sucker for the whole 'Holidays are coming' thing. The Rudolf style from George at Asda (£10) is also super cute and Boohoo.com has a whole line of styles if you want something that nods ever so slightly towards stylish.
That said, the Christmas jumper is not about "fashion." It's about festive spirit, cheer, and concealing the Quality Street-filled tum you've got going on. Happy shopping!
Carrie Bradshaw's Sex and the City wardrobe has been lusted after for almost two decades and now, thanks to SJP herself, her style is actually buyable!
Sarah Jessica Parker's shoe line, SJP Collection, has just launched a new bridal range featuring a pump incredibly similar to those blue Manolos worn by Carrie in the first Sex and the City film when she finally married her Mr Big.
We know what we want our "something blue" to be...
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SJP 'Maddalena' Pointy Toe Pump
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Carrie marries Mr Big in the New York Library (post-jilting fiasco)
The actress-turned-designer announced the shoe collection back in October last year and this month starred on the cover of Martha Stewart Weddings to show off the new styles.
Unlike most bridal shoe ranges, satin and cream aren't the only options. The line features a range of hues, from pale green and plum to more traditional ivories.
St. Damien provides high quality medical treatment for disadvantaged and sick children in Haiti, however the hospital has recently lost funding resulting in cutbacks in staff and a decrease in the number of children that can be treated.
All proceeds from sales of BeyGOOD t-shirts go directly towards aiding St. Damien hospital in re-opening an abandoned wing and continuing to aid the people of Haiti.
To help support the campaign, Teespring will also make a donation to Saint Damien for each t-shirt sold.
For more information on the BeyGOOD Haiti project, visit Beyoncé's website
Neutral with pops of colour and an enveloping serenity, Amelia Liana has turned her London apartment into a haven that's stylish and uncluttered. Alice Casely-Hayford takes a peek inside...
Though a relative newcomer to YouTube, beauty blogger Amelia Liana is a natural, and her easy-to-watch demeanour means she's racked up a loyal fanbase of over 23,000 subscribers in just five months.
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The 22-year-old uploads directional videos with fun tips and easy tutorials from how to contour like Kim Kardashian to Top 10s under £10.
Unsurprisingly, she has possibly the most enviable hair in the beauty blogosphere and a pretty covetable wardrobe to boot. Did we mention she's also the sweetest girl you'll ever meet?
We visited her elegant and uncluttered, monochrome apartment to find out how she styles her home and get some shopping tips...
How would you describe your interior and do you think it reflects your sartorial style?
I like wearing plain things and choosing one bold accessory like bright shoes, a bright handbag or a big necklace. My house is quite neutral. It's nice to have little accents of colour - perhaps a blue pillow - whilst everything else is neutral.
I follow trends but I don't stick to them religiously. I'd like to say I do because of the current monochrome trend. Got there first – I've been doing that for years!
Where do you like to shop for yourself and your home? I love Zara, Topshop, Net-a-Porter and The Outnet and prefer shopping online. For the house, I love The White Company. I have all my cotton pads in little pots from there as it's really pretty and classic.
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What about make up storage? Muji is my best friend. I have their extra-large drawers, they come in two and you can stack them as high and as wide as you want, so I have mine pretty high! I have a mini one which has my blog name, Liana Beauty, on it and I keep all my daily things in there like eye crayons. My brush holder is from Paul & Joe which is really cute and then I have a lipstick holder which I ordered online. I have everything categorised – bronzer drawer, blush drawer, two concealer drawers, foundation drawer and a MAC eyeshadow drawer.
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Biggest indulgence for the house? I love flowers, they make me smile. I'm about to finish my first Diptyque candle and I can't wait to use it as a brush holder! I went on this Perricone clear skin diet and you just have salmon and eggs for three days. There's a Jo Malone candle called Sweet Almond and Macaroons and it was my sugar fix while I was doing it!
Dream home? I'd like somewhere really homely and quite traditional in the countryside, with a working fireplace and a big garden for all my animals - I'm obsessed with horses.
Everyone thinks I'm a town girl but I'm a country girl at heart.
I'd love somewhere where lots of my family could come and stay, a nice escape that's still in England - I really like that country house style where everything's wooden and cosy.
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When working from home how do you get into work mode? I'm Beauty Editor for Suitcase magazine and I do online videos for Cosmopolitan so I'm out for a lot of the day. I have my routine: I get up and walk Duke, check my emails and have my schedule for every day be it meetings or filming. I have my computer in a separate room where I work and then when I get into bed I don't bring my laptop with me. Then I can switch off... though my winding down time is watching a Youtube beauty video! I feel so lucky because I do something I love and I don't get bored of it.
See the full shoot of Amelia's amazing apartment by Phoebe-Lettice Thompson - full screen is a must...
We never imagined when we were younger that our passion for makeup and creativity would result in us actually being able to forge a career and allow us to run our own business.
In my teens I developed severe anxiety issues. I worried constantly about everything, from thinking I'd upset someone with a throwaway comment or thinking I wasn't good enough at school. I found it hard to communicate these thoughts with people, so these worries would get bottled up until it all became too much and I'd have a teary breakdown and think I couldn't cope with anything. It was a vicious cycle.
This is something that I still struggle with today and have to work very hard in order to manage my anxiety issues. Over the years I have managed to pinpoint the triggers and try to control it the best way I can. I avoid being in confined, busy spaces and I make sure I regularly go for walks and do exercise, as this clears my mind and rejuvenates my mental attitude.
Nic on the other hand had a tricky few years at school. She struggled with the work but didn't realise at the time that she had dyslexia. It's something that is ongoing for Nic and there are times she is criticised for a small spelling mistake but she continues to work hard to improve her spelling.
We've both come to realise that these qualities don't have to define us. They're part of who we are and they certainly aren't weaknesses.
We were incredibly lucky growing up as we had the most supportive family and always knew we could turn to someone in times of need. It was family who encouraged us to fulfil our dreams and aim for a career that would make us happy. We couldn't have wished for a more amazing and inspiring mother.
Nic and I have both been interested in beauty products from a young age. Our mum loved fashion and we used to watch in awe as she experimented with differed looks, hairstyles and products. As soon as we were old enough to be given pocket money, we would instantly spend it on makeup products. I remember buying a pale blue eye shadow once. I loved it. I used to put it on over my whole eyelid and all the way up to the eyebrow! I thought it looked brilliant at the time!
Our mum saw the passion we had for the beauty industry and supported the pair of us in making a career out of it. Our Aunty was also a makeup artist and she also encouraged us and allowed us to shadow her.
At 16 we left school and studied a two-year media make up course in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. We learnt so much from our two years of studying, but we learnt even more in our first jobs. Working gives you a true sense of responsibility but it also gives you an enormous sense of pride and achievement.
Pixiwoo came about in a very roundabout way. A friend of mine asked if I could explain how to get the smoky-eye look. I've always found it tricky to write down makeup instructions, so I decided to film it and I posted it to YouTube for my friend to see. I didn't even consider for one minute that anyone else would watch it so couldn't believe it when people started commenting and sending in requests for other looks. Not long after, Nic joined me and that's when it all started!
The name Pixiwoo was a bit of a fluke. Years ago, as a teenager, my friends and I created silly nicknames for each other. We each created our first email address using these nicknames and mine was Pixiwoo. When I posted my first YouTube video, the username was automated from my email address, so it was uploaded from 'Pixiwoo'. And it stuck!
It sounds as though all of this fell into place quite easily but this couldn't be further from the truth. For the first few years we didn't make a penny! We spend our days and nights, working our socks off to make sure the business is going in the right direction but it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and patience.
We know how lucky we are. Especially when we know how many young people are out there, unemployed, reeling from the aftermath of the recession. Although the climate has picked up, there are hundreds of thousands of young people out there who left school during the recession, entered unemployment and are now competing with today's school-leavers and graduates for vacancies.
This is why we are supporting youth charity The Prince's Trust. They believe every young person deserves a chance to succeed.
We know that there are too many young people out there who are lacking in self-belief. Some of these young people have no-one to turn to and are left feeling hopeless and desperate. This can have a devastating effect on a young person's life and we need to help now before it is too late.
Having confidence in yourself is key. We've turned down opportunities with huge brands because we felt that their aims and values didn't align with our own. It's hard to stand up to people sometimes, but we've come to realise that you have to follow your heart and do what you truly believe in.
We're taking part The Prince's Trust #sub60 campaign, which sees celebrities and business experts sharing their life and job advice in just 60 seconds.
We're demonstrating a simple makeup look which will look professional in job interviews (because that's what we're good at) and on The Prince's Trust #sub60 playlist you'll find supportive videos to help you whatever stage you are at in the getting-a-job journey - from confidence-boosting tips to writing your first CV.
With the right support and a little bit of self-belief, it is possible to achieve your dreams. We are living proof of that. So let's all make sure the next generation has as good a chance as we did.
Ellie Goulding has teamed up with MAC to release a new makeup range, based on her signature beauty look.
The 28-year-old singer is styled like a retro golden goddess in the newly-released teaser shots from the campaign and the collection will no doubt be an instant sell-out when released.
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Goulding gave fans a sneak peek of the range on 4 June when she made the announcement by sharing the photo above on Instagram, and it soon received more than 165,000 likes.
She captioned the snap: "Oi oi SO excited to finally share what I’ve been working on with @MACcosmetics!!! #MACEllieGoulding drops in Dec/Jan!".
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The Ellie Goulding x MAC collection will include a peachy pink lipstick, a shimmering champagne gloss, and a rose-gold lip and cheek crayon. There's also a smoky neutral eyeshadow quad, corner lashes and a bronzer/blusher duo on offer.
The Hereford-born star is in good company with the cosmetic brand, joining their star-studded line up of previous ambassadors including Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga.
"The letters of the brand playfully decorate the looks."
Photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, the trio of models pose in a secluded staircase to show off the collection, with a sea of black complemented by their brightly-coloured outfits.
I had a a bit of a cultural epiphany the other day. After a wonderful long weekend holiday on the Kent coast, I saw recently reformed Nineties rock band Babes in Toyland at the Shepherd's Bush Empire.
For those unfamiliar with Babes In Toyland, frontwoman Kat Bjelland and her cohorts inspired Courtney Love to become a rock star and were pivotal not just to the grunge scene, but the riot grrrl movement and arguably, the last wave of feminism.
In a packed Shepherds Bush Empire grungers, rockers, riot grrrls, indie kids and even a heavily pregnant office girl dressed in black were going crazy to Babes tunes like a 'Bruise Violet'.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The reformed Babes in Toyland
Everyone seemed united with a shared love - I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was a certain *look* about everyone there too. The band were powerful, visceral, funny, entertaining and possibly tighter musically than they were first time around. Kat was a snarling, passionate embodiment of rock, her body a slave to her involuntary dance moves, so strongly did she allow the power of music to possess her.
It was 1991 all over again. I was transported back to when I had spiked hair, wore charity shop dresses coupled with brothel creepers, and listened to Babes while studying feminist film theory as part of my degree at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. But as well as nostalgia, I felt the feminist fire in my belly and comradeship with a tribe all over again, something I hadn't felt in years.
Frankly, Babes and in particular crazy-haired, bovver-boot wearing, body spasming Kat, are required viewing for today's lily-livered, fourth-wave, no-platforming feminists. She is the embodiment of not giving a shit.
But it made me think - what kind of young feminist role models do we have in music now? Where are the new subculture tribes in the 21st Century?
Where are the youngsters picking up a guitar and screaming songs about the patriarchy in such a compelling way? Why are there not more young people dressing crazy and going mad for their particular brand of music? And outside of feminism, what new subcultures are there for young people to join, to believe in and celebrate?
Is the seeming lack of new tribes today because our internet-driven mass culture is so all pervasive, persuasive and homogenous? Where every new tune, video, fashion or thought is instantly available for consumption in the palm of your hand without ever having to try and seek it out and really think about what you are searching for? Even if that is to help you form your identity?
Perhaps our obsession with nostalgia is a result of this.
It could be that it's more satisfying to seek the counter cultures of yesterday and identify yourself through a prism of history - like Nineties alt rock and indie - where perhaps not every single is on Spotify and a bit of crate-digging research is required. Perhaps that also explains the comeback of other Nineties bands like so-called shoegazers Ride or My Bloody Valentine, grungers L7 and the resurgence in popularity of Northern Soul. It seems every 'new' scene, whether fashion or music, is a celebration of something past. And the Goth Weekender in Whitby is more popular than ever.
Which brings me back to my weekend before seeing Babes spent in Kent.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Down to Margate...
I was in Margate for the Ace Cafe-curated Margate Meltdown, which is a celebration of the old days when mods and rockers had a punch-up on the seafront on Bank Holidays past (the Ace Cafe being a famed bikers hang-out on Hanger Lane in London).
As a result, tens of thousands had descended on the seafront. And it was chuffing marvellous.
Margate wasn't just awash with mods and rockers. Of the huge crowds, alongside the bikers, there were teens bringing old tribes bang up to date in the 21st Century - Teddyboys and girls, steampunkers, hippies, ravers, cyberpunks, bobbysoxers, soulboys, Amy Winehouse-channelling beehive and tat sporting fifties freaks. As well as your more run-of-the-mill folk and maybe still quite 'alternative' sorts like me.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. You're never too old for a tribe
It was brilliantly British in so many ways, and left me thrilled that there are still so many tribes out there, celebrating and identifying and being just a little bit eccentric.
You just knew the mods had spent hours tracking down vintage accessories for their scooters, both mod men and women scouring secondhand shops for the perfect vintage tonic suits and dresses, the bikers polishing their vintage bikes they'd spent years restoring or targeting on eBay to within an inch of their lives, and the Ace Cafe stage DJs playing tunes they had spent years amassing and were never, ever for sale on Amazon.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Mods and rockers together at last...
But when you think about the booming fashion in vintage style from the likes of Liam Gallagher's Pretty Green and Paul Weller's Real Stars Are Rare, to Wayne Hemingway's vintage festivals, nostalgia really is more huge than ever and it seems the vast majority of subcultures now are looking back.
I'm old and lucky enough to have witnessed and participated firsthand in the subcultures of indie, acid house, grunge and Britpop through the Eighties and Nineties. That's four major youth counter culture movements in little over a decade. In the 20 years since, how many have we had?
There might not be a new youth counter culture on the horizon anytime soon, but when the retro ones are so much more fun, can you blame the kids for wanting to be in the oldies gang?
Being one step ahead of the pack is Michelle Phan's speciality.
She was one of the first people to start sharing beauty vlogs way back in 2007, and she taught her 7.2 million YouTube subscribers how to fake bigger lips long before the #KylieJennerChallenge took off.
“Last year I posted a video showing how to create larger looking lips without going under the needle," she explains.
"I showed how to take a circular cup and place it over the lips, then suck the air out to create a vacuum, and that gives the illusion of larger lips.
“It was just a fun trick I never thought anyone would actually do it, so when I saw the Kylie Jenner Challenge start to become a trend I was cracking up. It was hilarious.”
The lip swelling trend faced some criticism, but Phan thinks it is just a bit of fun and in her opinion there's another "beauty crime" which is far more worrying:
“I'm a huge believer in trying everything once, even the Kylie Jenner Challenge," she says.
"The only exception is over-plucking your eyebrows - never do that, because it takes months for them to grow back and for you to recover from that.”
Phan's career is going from strength to strength. She has just launched a new blogging network called ICON, which hosts content from dancer, model and Instagram star Danielle Peazer, beauty vlogger Kaushal Beauty and Millie Mackintosh's nutritionist Madeline Shaw, to name but a few.
A photo posted by Danielle Peazer / IDLE LANE (@dcp1006) on
Phan's impressive CV also includes her subscription service, Ipsy, her cosmetics line, beauty contracts and a beauty book: Make Up Your Life.
Not to mention achievements such as reaching more than one billion views on YouTube and earning a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
So how did Phan get to where she is now?
"I actually became a beauty vlogger after being turned down for a job at a department store beauty counter," she admits.
"That really inspired me to open my own doors and explore my own journey. And for me, that door happened to be a laptop and that laptop led me to YouTube.
"So two months after I was turned down for the beauty counter job, I shot my first video.
"I had to learn everything on the sly and it was very awkward at first shooting my own makeup tutorial, but I wanted to try something different and that was just another creative outlet for me to explore.
"So I uploaded the video on YouTube back in 2007 and didn’t expect anyone to really watch it, but in the first week I had garnered over 40,000 views - and that was the beginning of my online career.
"At the time I was a full-time college student and I was also working as a waitress on the weekends to make ends meet.
"It wasn’t until three years later that I was finally able to make a little bit of money from my YouTube videos - and even then it was only like around 25 cents a day.
"I understood that if I could take more time to upload more content on my channel and gain more subscribers, I would in turn get more money.
"So I took a leap of faith right after the economy crashed in 2008 and told my employers I was going to quit and focus on YouTube. They all thought I was crazy, but I was certain there was a future in beauty vlogging and I wanted to be a part of it
"Having more time meant I could focus on creating more exciting content and that was the turning point of my career."
One of the keys to Phan's success is that she has an eye for spotting beauty trends before they go viral. So where does she find inspiration?
"Inspiration is everywhere, you just have to look," she says.
"You might be surprised to know that a lot of the latest beauty trends originally come from local makeup artists, whose work I find by looking at indie magazines within the art and beauty space, as well as Instagram accounts that are dedicated to editorial shoots.
"I also keep an eye on what’s happening in Asia too. A lot of the trends out here in the States originated in Asia, for instance BB cream and now the cushion compact.
"So I look at what the rock stars and pop stars are wearing out there and also the fashion and style of vloggers and that inspires lot of ideas for me.
“Also, I really find a lot of inspiration for content from my online community. I follow a lot of my followers’ Instagram and Twitter accounts, as I like to see what they’re posting and that inspires ideas for my channel."
Phan describes her personal style as being quite "simple", but her beauty idols are people who don't play it safe.
"Celebrity-wise I think Rihanna’s beauty looks are stunning," she says. "I love how she’s a chameleon and is always transforming herself.
"Another beauty idol I love is from Asia and it’s a guy.
"His name is G-Dragon and he’s a popstar.
"His style is androgynous, which is a look that's becoming very popular within the beauty world. G-Dragon wears makeup, but he does so in a very cool understated way. That’s another person who inspires me."
There is one area of her career that Phan is particularly proud of - and that is being part of a community that is helping to challenge narrow definitions of beauty.
"It's really exciting how the beauty space has changed and ideals of beauty have completely transformed in the last few years," she says.
"When you’re online it's a free for all. You can find beauty anywhere and everywhere.
"I definitely think the internet has changed the beauty aesthetic, there’s no longer an idea of a 'one size fits all' look.
"There's now more of an understanding that beauty can be found everywhere, in all cultures, diversities, skin colours and genders.
"That really is a big step forward for the beauty industry, because we need to start celebrating diversity and inspiring more people, especially impressionable young girls who don’t normally see some who looks similar to them on the cover of a magazine.
"But they’ll see that person on an Instagram account and if that person has hundreds of thousands of followers, then that's positive validation for them too.
"I really believe we are going to be living in a generation of more confident girls and that’s what we need.
"We need more confident girls who love themselves, and believe in themselves, and can really fulfill their potential in life because their insecurity is banished."
The Beauty Trends Michelle Phan Will Be Wearing This Summer
1. Larger lips
"Use a technique called over-drawing," Phan advises. "Take a lip liner that matches your natural lip colour and outline your lips to creating the illusion of extra fullness."
2. Highlighting
"Dewy skin is going to be very popular," says Phan. "Use highlighters and a darker bronzer to create luminous glowing skin, which looks great in selfies."
3. Blue mascara
"Apply a really nice electric blue mascara to your upper and lower lashes and they will look stunning," says Phan. "It’s beautiful and is going to be really popular during the music festival season."
ICON UK is creatively led by Michelle Phan and is Youtube’s ultimate lifestyle destination for young women
I had a a bit of a cultural epiphany the other day. After a wonderful long weekend holiday on the Kent coast, I saw recently reformed Nineties rock band Babes in Toyland at the Shepherd's Bush Empire.
For those unfamiliar with Babes In Toyland, frontwoman Kat Bjelland and her cohorts inspired Courtney Love to become a rock star and were pivotal not just to the grunge scene, but the riot grrrl movement and arguably, the last wave of feminism.
In a packed Shepherds Bush Empire grungers, rockers, riot grrrls, indie kids and even a heavily pregnant office girl dressed in black were going crazy to Babes tunes like a 'Bruise Violet'.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. The reformed Babes in Toyland
Everyone seemed united with a shared love - I couldn't put my finger on it, but there was a certain *look* about everyone there too. The band were powerful, visceral, funny, entertaining and possibly tighter musically than they were first time around. Kat was a snarling, passionate embodiment of rock, her body a slave to her involuntary dance moves, so strongly did she allow the power of music to possess her.
It was 1991 all over again. I was transported back to when I had spiked hair, wore charity shop dresses coupled with brothel creepers, and listened to Babes while studying feminist film theory as part of my degree at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. But as well as nostalgia, I felt the feminist fire in my belly and comradeship with a tribe all over again, something I hadn't felt in years.
Frankly, Babes and in particular crazy-haired, bovver-boot wearing, body spasming Kat, are required viewing for today's lily-livered, fourth-wave, no-platforming feminists. She is the embodiment of not giving a shit.
But it made me think - what kind of young feminist role models do we have in music now? Where are the new subculture tribes in the 21st Century?
Where are the youngsters picking up a guitar and screaming songs about the patriarchy in such a compelling way? Why are there not more young people dressing crazy and going mad for their particular brand of music? And outside of feminism, what new subcultures are there for young people to join, to believe in and celebrate?
Is the seeming lack of new tribes today because our internet-driven mass culture is so all pervasive, persuasive and homogenous? Where every new tune, video, fashion or thought is instantly available for consumption in the palm of your hand without ever having to try and seek it out and really think about what you are searching for? Even if that is to help you form your identity?
Perhaps our obsession with nostalgia is a result of this.
It could be that it's more satisfying to seek the counter cultures of yesterday and identify yourself through a prism of history - like Nineties alt rock and indie - where perhaps not every single is on Spotify and a bit of crate-digging research is required. Perhaps that also explains the comeback of other Nineties bands like so-called shoegazers Ride or My Bloody Valentine, grungers L7 and the resurgence in popularity of Northern Soul. It seems every 'new' scene, whether fashion or music, is a celebration of something past. And the Goth Weekender in Whitby is more popular than ever.
Which brings me back to my weekend before seeing Babes spent in Kent.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Down to Margate...
I was in Margate for the Ace Cafe-curated Margate Meltdown, which is a celebration of the old days when mods and rockers had a punch-up on the seafront on Bank Holidays past (the Ace Cafe being a famed bikers hang-out on Hanger Lane in London).
As a result, tens of thousands had descended on the seafront. And it was chuffing marvellous.
Margate wasn't just awash with mods and rockers. Of the huge crowds, alongside the bikers, there were teens bringing old tribes bang up to date in the 21st Century - Teddyboys and girls, steampunkers, hippies, ravers, cyberpunks, bobbysoxers, soulboys, Amy Winehouse-channelling beehive and tat sporting fifties freaks. As well as your more run-of-the-mill folk and maybe still quite 'alternative' sorts like me.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. You're never too old for a tribe
It was brilliantly British in so many ways, and left me thrilled that there are still so many tribes out there, celebrating and identifying and being just a little bit eccentric.
You just knew the mods had spent hours tracking down vintage accessories for their scooters, both mod men and women scouring secondhand shops for the perfect vintage tonic suits and dresses, the bikers polishing their vintage bikes they'd spent years restoring or targeting on eBay to within an inch of their lives, and the Ace Cafe stage DJs playing tunes they had spent years amassing and were never, ever for sale on Amazon.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. Mods and rockers together at last...
But when you think about the booming fashion in vintage style from the likes of Liam Gallagher's Pretty Green and Paul Weller's Real Stars Are Rare, to Wayne Hemingway's vintage festivals, nostalgia really is more huge than ever and it seems the vast majority of subcultures now are looking back.
I'm old and lucky enough to have witnessed and participated firsthand in the subcultures of indie, acid house, grunge and Britpop through the Eighties and Nineties. That's four major youth counter culture movements in little over a decade. In the 20 years since, how many have we had?
There might not be a new youth counter culture on the horizon anytime soon, but when the retro ones are so much more fun, can you blame the kids for wanting to be in the oldies gang?
Have you been searching for the perfect summer bikini? Well today's the day to make a purchase!
Monday 8 June is set to be the most popular day of the year to buy swimwear online, according to a new study.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Fashion marketplace Lyst.com studied search traffic, website sales and stock uploads to create this new infographic of our online shopping habits.
Apparently we're splashing out on swimwear this summer too, with customers spending 32% more on luxury swim pieces compared to this time last year.
The most popular beachwear colours of 2015 were also revealed (below).
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
The study showed that we'll be more covered up on Britain's beaches, with a 124% increase in search for high waisted styles and a 56% increase in search for swimsuits.
Fancy a spot of shopping? Check out our pick of the top 10 bikinis on the high street:
Today I'm talking about the big ole world of 'Social Media' and how I feel about it. But before I rant on I just wanted to include a brief disclaimer; of course there are so many positives to social media and aspects that I and others really enjoy about it, this blog being one of them! Whether you're using it to draw inspiration or to communicate with a loved one that lives on the other side of the world it most definitely has massive upsides, however, if like me sometimes you need a bit of a reality check, reassurance or guidance on it's use the following tips may be of some to use to you...
As a blogger that mainly focuses on female beauty it's only natural that I keep up with the latest trends and influences so therefore a lot of my work involves regular use of social media for research, inspiration and promotional purposes, not to mention the occasional snoop and entertaining myself with funny dogs (I'm only human). This evening, like any other, I found my self getting lost in social media; constant scrolling, updating and refreshing and for the first time in quite a while I took a step back and fully reflected upon how this made me feel; the outcome wasn't at all positive...
'I wish my hair looked like that', 'I could never pull off that outfit', 'her skin is SO clear', 'dear lord that handbag probably cost a year's salary', 'I should probably go to the gym more', 'I uploaded that same photo and didn't get as many likes as that', these are just a choice selection of some of the statements/thoughts that occur during/following a standard social media 'scrolling mission'.
Now these may just sound like the ramblings of an insecure twenty-something and I can't apply this effect to everyone that uses social media, however after conversations with various friends I realised I'm not alone. Not only have I had these feelings first hand, I've noticed this daily from other social media users; just one example is the comments found on my own and other YouTube channels from subscribers who are disgruntled at their lack of a 'perfect body, face or life'. It seems social media has pushed us into a world where we're all comparing ourselves to everyone else a lot of the time rather than just focusing on ourselves and our own lives.
There's so many further questions I started to ask myself once I acknowledged the effect that it had had on me, I first looked to myself; why does this happen? Why do I feel like this? Have I always been like this? Am I jealous? Can I not be happy for others? Am I missing something? Am I taking social media too seriously? The list could and does go on.
I found myself searching for a mechanism to deal with these feelings when they arise so I've come up with a brief self help guide on how to prevent/combat these feelings when I encounter them; a 'Social Media Defence Guide' if you will. I've had this post written for so long and sometimes when I feel down I like to come back and read it...
Reality Check
Remember. Remember what actually makes you happy, remember that no one is perfect, remember that everyone has something they like about their self, remember that the majority of people work hard for what they have, remember you don't know what someone is going through, remember that you don't know exactly what someone's daily life involves and remember that everyone is not a threat.
Think Positive
Positive Outlook. Following on from my previous strategy and as a general rule in daily life, a good way of combating social media negativity is to view social media activity with a positive or neutral attitude, so, if Jane Bloggs with 400K Instagram followers is jetting off to the Bahamas with her designer bag and toned derriere try and keep negative thought processes at bay by remembering that she has probably worked hard to get there and that this should in no way what so ever make you feel inferior. Look toward the positives you have in your life. STOP THE COMPARISON. You are you and therefore will never be the same as anyone else. This counterproductive rut of thinking will only prevent you from being the best version of you you can be!
Don't Obsess
Turn off. This is quite an obvious one but let's be honest we don't NEED to be attached to our phones, laptops, tablets etc. 24/7 and it's certainly not imperative to surf, browse, scroll or click for hours. For me this is before going to sleep, a time usually when my mind tends to run wild and triggers me to feel bad about myself. As a result I've decided to focus my attention on other activities; reading, watching a good film, running a bath, going for a walk, maybe even talking to another human being (wild concept I know). I actually just posted a 'Beauty Sleep Aids' blog post on products that help me sleep too!
Sometimes getting lost in social media can obscure our priorities and what is ACTUALLY important. It's vital that we don't warp our perception, view or angle of social media; it's a bit like staring at a word for too long eventually it starts to look incorrect or different, take social media for face value and don't over think or process.
I think in a nut shell it all needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Hopefully I'm not the only person to feel this way! What're your thoughts on it? I would really love to know how you feel in the comments over on www.emmagriffy.com
