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Balmain X H&M: Men's And Women's Lookbook Finally Released

October 15, 2015, 3:28 am
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The H&M X Balmain collection is one of the most hotly anticipated fashion launches this year - and if you're desperate to see the range, the wait is over...

And not just because someone leaked the whole thing online last week (those Instagram photos were swiftly taken down).

H&M has officially released the Balmain collaboration lookbook, for both the womenswear and menswear ranges, ahead of the clothes hitting stores and digital shelves on 5 November.

balmain hm

In theory the line is every inch as Olivier Rousteing-afied as you'd expect - with the embroidery, military touches and luxe-looking fabrics seen on recent Balmain catwalks.

But does it translate to high street fashion? The jury's still out on that one. We can't help but think the less-than-couture textiles don't quite carry off the bold designs, but that's something that can really only be judged in the flesh (or fabric, if you will).

Plus, some of the menswear range really wouldn't look out of place on an exchange student channelling 90s Michael Jackson and we're not sure anyone's really ready for that outside of Paris Fashion Week.

See the womenswear collection in full below:



And the menswear range here:



SEE ALSO:

This Year's Primark Christmas Jumpers Are Here

Hilarious Instagrammer Shows How Ridiculous The Life Of A Model Can Be

Next Year's Met Gala Just Got Very Exciting...
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#NeverByMySelfie

October 15, 2015, 3:28 am
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Breast cancer charities don't have an easy job, do they? Last week saw M&S chastised by breast cancer sufferers and survivors for overtly connecting the disease with sex to sell lingerie (and hopefully raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness at the same time). Read here why #ShowYourStrap exposed not just bra straps but also an insensitive marketing campaign. This week we're gratefully alerted to an altogether more authentic campaign for this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, by a charity that my sister has actually used: The Haven.

In case you haven't heard of The Haven, it provides FREE psychological and complementary medical support to those going through "the intolerable side effects of breast cancer treatment". In this way the charity ensures ('cos it's FREEEE!) that sufferers are supported and not alone. This means counselling, massage, sauna too. Just how cool are these people? Just how valuable is this service?

The Haven, along with Savannah Miller, designer, and ASOS, online retail outlet, have initiated a social media campaign promoting a t-shirt to raise money for the work they do. You buy the t-shirt here, put it on, take a selfie, and put it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Vine with the hashtag #NeverByMySelfie.

Now for why this hashtag appeals to me...

Let me come clean. I'm a Buddhist and have been for years. There's a famous joke about the Dalai Llama: what kind of pizza does the Dalai Lama order? Answer: One with Everything! The wisdom behind the jest is that Buddhists believe, that at the very core of our lives, we are all one. Check out the 'theory of dependent origination' here, but basically, in my everyday life it translates that I cannot really be happy and at ease unless those around me are also happy and at ease. This is why The Haven's #NeverByMySelfie campaign for raising funds to do their work reaches places other campaigns haven't reached. It feels real, it feels true, it feels human.

When my younger sister was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer at the age of 41 and had a bilateral mastectomy, and my Mum aged 71 was diagnosed with Grade 3 breast cancer just the next month, (lumpectomy and all her lymph nodes removed on that side), it wasn't possible for me to feel happy knowing how very much they were suffering. Let no-one convince you this "Pinktober" that anything about breast cancer, or its treatment, is pink and fluffy. It is tears, it is vomit, it is blood, it is pain, it is a change in personality, it is - frankly - the pits. Illness is a great isolator if one lets it be, and I was determined that neither of them should feel alone with fear and pain if I could help it. This wasn't always possible (obviously), but knowing they were suffering alone only increased my own suffering. That's mutual interdependence for you!

Just for the record, they have both survived, not necessarily intact, but survived they have. And, of course, Loose Debra (a way to find great clothes for a flat chest) is one of the effects of the journey. We keep it light but real, fashionable but hopefully not too frivolous, and we seem to have gotten away with not attracting too many pervs (well, come on, a website about not wearing bras!) as yet.

So, breast cancer charities don't have an easy job, trying to attract support and funds without offending, whilst keeping it real. But we think The Haven, illuminating the kind of support and service they offer with #NeverByMySelfie, are really on the money.

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Nicola and I had a lot of fun wearing the Tees and doing some pics for this Blog. Nicola is a breast cancer survivor herself, and writes a brilliant Blog about growing through cancer,.

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I'm wearing the wild horses one (all about freedom) and Nic's wearing the beautiful butterflies (letting go!). I have to 'fess up that we are both wearing bras due to the potential see-through nature of a white T-shirt - not something we'd normally promote on Loose Debra, but these Tees are gorgeous, soft and long, and sold for the best of causes.

You can get your own limited edition @Savannah Miller at Asos tee here. £10 goes to The Haven. Show your support by buying one, putting it on, and posting a selfie with the hashtag that actually means something, #NeverByMySelfie.
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Alexa Chung Scares Neighbours In Floral Valentino Dress

October 15, 2015, 4:29 am
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Alexa Chung may have looked every inch the fashion princess in a couture ballgown last night, but it didn't stop her from scaring her neighbours.

But why on earth would this stunning Valentino floral maxi dress offend anyone? It might be what Ms Chung got up to in it...

A photo posted by Alexa (@chungalexa) on






Sharing the above photo with her 1.9m Instagram followers, Chung wrote: "Diamonds are forever (or just for tonight) @bulgariofficial #foreverome dress by @maisonValentino

"Ps. I walked around the halls of my apt building pretending to be a ghost for a good 15 minutes before I left which was as creepy as it was under appreciated."

As you do...

alexa chung

The 31-year-old model attended the Bulgari Eternal Inspiration Opening Night at their Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York on Wednesday evening.

The luxury brand, who are famed for their high-end jewellery, lent Chung her stunning diamond earrings and hair clip for the occasion.

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At least she made a very well dressed ghost.

SEE ALSO:

Alexa Chung Joins The Campaign For More Diversity In Fashion

Alexa Chung Proves She's Not Perfect (And We Love Her For It)

5 Topshop Dresses Alexa Chung Would Definitely Wear


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Why Modelling Agencies Need to Change

October 15, 2015, 4:41 am
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When I wrote an open letter to the agency that dropped me for my size on Facebook two days ago, I didn't expect the response it received. In fact, I genuinely didn't expect it to go public at all. Everyone has a breaking point, and I'd reached mine.

I have been blown away by the support and, needless to say, I am slightly overwhelmed by it all. I have been so inundated with messages that it's been hard to keep up. I have been contacted by women (and men) from around the world, signalling to me that this is a global problem. Fashion affects everyone in a modern society and young people from all cultures.

Models, young women, mothers, agencies, photographers and the press have all written to me about the pressures of the fashion industry and how it has made them or their friends' feel. Being you, or the best version of you, is not enough for the majority of agencies.

The response I've received is merely a sign that the industry needs to change.

I have spoken to models who have shot for some of the world's biggest brands, including Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Harrods and Vogue, who have thanked me for speaking up.

However, I can't help but feel ashamed for not being brave enough to stand up to my agency and for my body shape earlier (best described as a 'pear').


charli howard

There's no doubt about it - modelling itself is fun, hence why I said I'll continue to do it on my own terms. But it is not a career. There's no guarantee of money nowadays or landing a huge campaign. It is a game that many girls can't play long enough. It has a shelf-life, which is why agencies will push you as hard as possible.

I would like to reiterate, however, that not all agencies are bad. Different countries have different beauty ideals, and one market might like models thinner or bigger (Japan vs. Miami, for example).

It's simply difficult for models, because these ideals are hard to balance or get right. Your body will ultimately suffer from these continual changes in the long run, especially if you model internationally.

Agencies ultimately hold the power when it comes to choosing the models they represent, and will often choose measurements over beauty. Measurements should not, and DO NOT, define someone's beauty.

That's why agencies like IMG, who are arguably the leaders in their field, book the world's best jobs and represent the best models. They're the perfect example of an agency putting beauty before numbers.

Unlike segregating girls by placing them in a plus size division, the more "curvaceous" girls - like Crystal Renn, Lara Stone and Ashley Graham - sit on the main board amongst the shorter girls, like Bambi Northwood-Blythe, and tall, athletic Victoria's Secret models. Collectively, they are some of the world's most beautiful women, yet are all unique and celebrate varieties of the female form. That, to me, is worth celebrating.

IMG girls like Ashley and Gigi Hadid are quite clearly booking jobs at the size they're at. They've become brands and role-models in their own right. It works, so tell me - why are other agencies not following in their footsteps?

Finally, I'd like to mention that I do not feel victimised or "body-shamed" by this experience. It's simply the unfortunate reality of working in the fashion industry as it currently stands.
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Halloween Makeup Ideas: 5 Easy Styles You'll Want To Wear All Year Round

October 15, 2015, 7:28 am
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Can't decide what to go as this Halloween? You're about to get some serious beauty inspo from Instagram.

These 5 talented makeup artists prove you don't always have to go all-out on All Hallows' Eve, you can get in the spooky spirit with wearable looks.

From vampy red lips, to smokey gothic eyes, there's a look to suit every skill level.

Plus, even if you don't have a costume on hand, these fun makeup looks will have you instantly Halloween-ready.

1. This cute cat-eye.







2. This pumpkin inspired eye shadow.







3. This glam gothic makeup.







4. This vampy red look.







5. This bold purple lip.




SEE ALSO:

This Makeup Look Takes Halloween A Little Bit Too Seriously...

This Double Vision Halloween Makeup Tutorial Will Trip You Out

The Coolest Things To Do For Halloween In London


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How To Fix Broken Powder Makeup With Alcohol In Four Simple Steps

October 15, 2015, 8:44 am
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Eyeshadows, bronzers, blushers... no powder makeup is exempt from the dreaded smash.

It could happen when you drop it, or simply just from knocking about in your handbag, and it's always a million times worse when it's that sold-out limited edition piece from MAC you can't get hold of anymore.

Luckily, the beauty geniuses at Buzzfeed are here to help - with their new video showing you how to fix a broken compact with alcohol (which is ironically, most likely the number one cause of dropping makeup).

broken makeup

Watch the video above for their quick and easy guide, or follow the steps below to try it at home:

1. Break the rest of the powder inside the compact.

2. Soak with rubbing alcohol or surgical spirit.

3. Smooth it out with a flat knife or spatula.

4. Let it dry completely.

Et voilà, your makeup is rescued.

SEE ALSO:

5 Halloween Makeup Looks You'll Want To Wear All Year Round

Kylie Jenner's Beauty Trick Will Change The Way You Apply Moisturiser

Mariah Carey's MAC Collection Is All We Want For Christmas


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When Yoga Pants Are More Than Yoga Pants: How Small Start-Ups Have a Big Role to Play in Fashion Today

October 15, 2015, 9:30 am
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This post was co-authored by Helen Mincher. Fellow founder of Flip The Dog.

After a decade of long, anti-social hours in digital communications, we both began to feel the same unrest with our situation. A desperate and innate need to do something more creative. Something with a 'physical product'. And something that generally bought back some balance to our lives.

Building a product around a passion point seemed like a good route forward. And after failing to find anything other than black yoga pants for a retreat, the creation of a techni-colour variant seemed like a good idea. So despite being new to retail, manufacturing and garment design, we set about on a journey of discovery.

Some of the things we uncovered were quite startling
As consumers we had no idea about the impact of current buying trends and 'fast fashion'. A monotonous cycle of buying and binning clothes, rapidly eating through finite resources and shattering local ecosystems.

Or about the millions of women and children that are exploited with minimal pay and terrible working conditions

Or about fashion as the second largest polluter in the world. Incredibly, behind only the oil industry.

Wanting to flip things and do it differently
The pursuit of profit at the expense of both people and planet is a pretty hard road to continue down knowingly. So we decided we wanted to do things differently.

This isn't (just!) because we're especially nice people. Given the scale of the issues that the current models pose, quite frankly, anyone in fashion today should want to do similar.

Cosmetic enhancement through CSR greenwashing or token donations to charity don't go far enough. This is much more fundamental. It's about having a conscience and ensuring that it's embedded throughout the business. It's about driving forward change, establishing new models, and working with consumers to provide sound alternatives.

Not the easy option but opportunities exist even for start-ups
However whilst sustainability isn't a difficult choice, it's certainly not the easy option. It requires you to be relentless in your aims and not give in to the temptation of anything easier or cheaper. But it's also pretty motivating to know that every time you ask some questions and dig a little deeper there's the potential for doing some good in the world.

We've found that even at a start up level, there are opportunities to make an impact. Questions you can ask include:

Raw materials: How are these sourced and what is their provenance? What is the production process? What are the by-products? And what is the producer's position on sustainability?

Manufacturing: Where will you look to do this? Who is involved in that process and how are they treated? What levels of reassurance can they give you? How can your carbon footprint be reduced through transportation and logistic considerations?

Closing the loop: What happens when the product (or packaging) is at the end of its life? Will it break-down easily or can it be reused in some way? What can you do to encourage, or better still prevent, it from ending up in landfill?

So what are we doing?
It's still early days for us. We started with a desire to create a beautifully crafted product and tested fabrics for their durability. (This at a basic level is a sustainable product: a garment that continuously performs and that a consumer can cherish and rely on for years). But we pushed much further as we progressed our understanding of the industry and its impact.

Of course we can't afford to do everything we want straight away. Like most start-ups these days, we're being lean and launching with the minimum we need in order to be viable. Although as we (hopefully) become more successful, our buying power and options will increase helping us to further realise our vision. Sustainability then for us is very much a journey along which we'll continue optimise.

Sustainable fashion as an agent of change
Businesses that are transparent in their approach e.g. Riz Board Shorts, Tom's Shoes, People Tree, Wool and the Gang and many others, aren't just sustainable fashion companies, they're important change agents. They're shining the light on a new way of doing things, creating a narrative that resonates and providing an educated choice.

So we are making yoga pants and we are bringing balance back to our lives. But we're also incredibly excited about being involved in something much bigger. By being mindful about trying to give back as much as we take, in a small way we get to help bring balance back to people and planet as well.

Flip The Dog launches in November. Stay tuned for Twitter updates at @flipthedogyoga or visit www.flipthedog.co.uk

This image was created by United Nations Photos and is published under a creative commons license.
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These Women Are the Reason I Wanted to Work in Fashion

October 15, 2015, 9:51 am
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I bet you can't remember the last time you sat across from someone at dinner and neither of you reached for your phone. The last time you sat through an episode of something on Netflix and didn't find yourself double screening. Well, if the truth be told, I couldn't either. We all know that life should me more about flitting between five different platforms for five seconds at a time on your mobile. Which got me thinking, where's the place that girls my age can get real advice from their peers about how to be successful, amazing and sisterly? There wasn't one, so using my position as Deputy Fashion Editor at ASOS Likes, I decided to establish ASOS's My Big Idea Panel Talks.

I'm a keen feminist (as everyone in the office is already aware) and my love of all things girl-gang related is well documented. Way back when in September of last year, I managed to wrangle the main tent at Somerset House (thanks to the lovely people over at the British Fashion Council) over fashion week and also managed, even more jammily, to gather some of my peers-come-idols to have an hour and a half-long chat about their own career journeys.

The first person I reached out to was now-Fashion Features Editor Pandora Sykes who had given me one of my first breaks as a journalist (you could say she'd been integral to me getting my job at ASOS), commissioning me on everything from Lidl's fashion range to how not to look like a tool at Carnival. Needless to say she was on board. We also bagged Sharmadean Reid of WAH Nails, Mel Ashley of Digi Fairies, and now-Kanye West's BFF, SHOWStudio's Lou Stoppard. Not a bad line-up, I'm sure you'll agree. Well, tickets sold out in like, two minutes, it was live-streamed to our 59,000 YouTube followers and featured questions tweeted in from around the world. No. Biggie.

Naturally I was desperate to get the ball a-rolling again, and I'm now proud to tell you that it's fully a-rolling and this Saturday ASOS Likes is throwing the biggest, baddest series of panel talks at the V&A's beautiful lecture theatre (it's ceiling is total Instagram fodder, FYI).

It's actually five panel talks (I'm quite tired, yeah) featuring a very exciting gang of seasoned and just-starting-out fashion industry professionals and academics, some friends, some people who I've yet to meet. We're being graced by world-class fashion lecturers Hywel Davies and Roger Tredre; bright young designers Mary Benson and Clio Peppiatt are on the list (check their SS16 presentations, now). We're hosting i-D's Managing Editor Lynette Nylander, as well as in-demand journalists Tilly Macalister-Smith, Bertie Brandes and Harriet Verney.

We're also lucky enough to have PR guru Liz Matthews on hand, plus Style.com's Jane Gorley, stylists Mischa Notcutt, Siobhan Lyons and Char Roberts, Condé Nast's Katy Copland and ASOS' very own Head of Fashion, Zeba Lowe. Basically, the panels bring together some of the fashion industry's most active and influential individuals working today, and you can be in attendance at all four talks for just a tenner.

If you don't live in London or you can't make it down, we're of course streaming the whole thing. That's really the beauty of ASOS, and one of the many reasons that I'm proud to work here - the reach. I'm excited to think that girls sat in their bedrooms in Manchester, or at their desks at uni in Edinburgh, will be able to tune in and get involved by clicking onto www.asos.likes.com. It's one big girl-gang really.

Disclaimer to any family and friends: if you don't hear from me next week, that's because I'll be asleep. With my phone on silent.

Buy tickets for the event here
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Plunder East London's Fashion Treasure This Weekend

October 16, 2015, 1:29 am
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A handful of London's most exciting mens and womenswear designers are throwing a bargain-laden bash in East London's Vyner Street this weekend for our fashion-loving pleasure. It'll be a haven of treasured one-off garments and samples as well as a lucky chance to grab pieces from Louise Gray, who has taken a break from producing collections for several seasons. It's a chance to purchase iconic and rare pieces from some of East London's most talented and experimental fashion designers. I'm thinking of it as Frieze for Fashion: wearable art. Go explore!

Here's a roundup:

Louise Gray: Exuberant and playful. Want to look like fun? Louise will make it happen.

Liam Hodges: A crafty collage of urban sportswear with more edges than a dodecahedron. Printastic!

Lou Dalton: Menswear that's beautifully crafted and mighty desirable.

Sibling: Knitters who don't take knit one purl one too seriously. Obviously I'm a fan (and friend).

Noel Stewart: Hatter of glorious extremes (sporty/glam/classic) for men and women.

Horace: Balinese handcraft + British cool = Horace, for boys and girls.

Sue Tilley Tees and prints: Oft referred to as 'Lucien Freud's muse, Big Sue', Sue is an artist and print maker in her own right.

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A selection of pieces from Lou Dalton, Sibling, Louise Gray and Noel Stewart on sale at the event

Event details: 11am - 8pm, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October, 25B Vyner Street, Hackney E29DG. Prices from around the cost of a weekly travelcard. Shop and strut, people. It's a steal!
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Interview With Sedge Beswick, Global Senior Social Media & Stylist Manager at ASOS

October 16, 2015, 1:40 am
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I love online shopping. It comes in particularly handy when I'm racing against time to find the perfect fashion fix for an impromptu party. My first step is to look up @ASOS_Megan on Instagram to see what she's been wearing lately, perhaps drop her a tweet if I can't find the link, then I'll have a quick browse at the ASOS #AsSeenOnMe hashtag for further inspiration. With next day delivery I can have a quick office fashion show in the morning, select my favourite and return the rest for free. Voilà, I'm all kitted out.

Wowzers, social media has completely changed the way we shop. But who is behind it all? Que Sedge Beswick, Global Senior Social Media & Stylist Manager at ASOS. I caught up with Sedge to find out more about her role, the pressures that come with managing a 3.3 million strong Instagram account, her career highlights, overcoming #EpicFails and how you too can tweet your way to success...

Tell us a little about your journey to becoming Global Senior Social Media & Stylist Manager at ASOS

I can't lie, it's been a pretty fun journey. I actually got into social via a social competition! The entrants had to see who could get the most Facebook friends onto one page within a week, my page was called "Sedge's Seriously Social Page" and with 8K followers in seven days, I came in second... and as the lyrics go, "The winner takes it all". The winner threw an epic competition for Three UK and I thought that was that.

Whilst at university in Nottingham I organised events at a club with a brand strategy that focused on secrecy and mystery. Social played a lead part in the events as it gave us an opportunity for consumers to discover more about the brand, outside of club hours and online. The event was a huge success and off the back of it, I was asked to go to Pretty Polly for three months to set up their social. A day or two after graduating, Three UK called and explained that they were setting up a social team, off the back of the competition and my crazy Facebook competition, the winner didn't take it all, I was offered my first full time job.

Three was incredible, it taught me a ton and most importantly, about the world of mobile which is imperative in today's world. I had two very geeky years at Three before moving back into the world of fashion (my degree was in Fashion Marketing and Communications at NTU), I've nearly done four years at ASOS now, it's been superb for my development and progression. I've learnt a lot and had a few epic fails along the way, that of course, is the joy of social.

ASOS has 3.3m followers on its Instagram feed alone, it must feel daunting to manage such a large account. People are often afraid of using social in case they make a mistake or get it wrong. What do you say to that?

Mistakes are proof that you're trying! We try to be as relaxed as our 20somethings are when they're posting onto social, there's no million and one sign off processes. Social is supposed to be fun, we inject the same level of fun and enthusiasm into our content. I have, however, had one of my biggest social faux pars on ASOS' Instagram - I was at the NFL, few beers in when I had the "I'm supposed to be looking after ASOS' Instagram fear. I took my phone out, quickly regrammed a picture of a girl in ASOS jeans with her dog. Threw my phone in my pocket, relieved that I'd remembered to post and carried on drinking/enjoying the game. At the end of the game, I took my phone out my pocket again and felt like Beyonce - I've never, ever received to many texts, tweets, WhatsApps, calls... I'd made an epic typo. Instead of saying "Nice ASOS jeans, cute dog too - can we borrow him?", I'd put "Nice ASOS jeans, cute dog too - can we bottom him?". Not my finest moment, the call to our customer care team was an interesting one. BUT, we're only human - these things happen.

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What is a typical day like for you at ASOS?

Typically, there's no such thing as a typical day. ASOS still has a very start up mentality so there's lots of buzz and excitement, all day, every day. That also means that there's always a hell of a lot to do so you'll often be pulled in different directions to deliver the absolute best thing for our 20something audience. A typical day has a lot of meetings, a lot of Diet Coke and the occasional N-Sync song blasting out from someones Spotify account.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Ooo, good question! My biggest highlight was being invited to Number 10, Downing Street to host what they call, an "Inspiration talk" to their digital teams. It was amazing to be invited (& of course, to get the picture outside the door!).

What advice could you give to bloggers that would like to work with ASOS?

Get a social channel, that you love, and keep it up to date. You don't have to be interested in Fashion, we're looking for people who are huge lovers of social and really understand the platform, and understand the amount of time it takes to define your tone of voice, create content, engage with your community. I am the ultimate social stalker when I'm recruiting, the worst is when people either don't promote any social handles or when they do promote them and they're completely redundant.

I have a real passion for educating people on social, and careers in social so I've written a book, 140 Ultimate Twitter LOLs, which is aimed at students and I often mentor and lecture at universities across Europe (currently typing whilst stranded in Florence due to a storm, post talk).

Favourite Instagram profiles and blogs to follow and why?

I'm all about Instagram, that's my platform of choice. My favourite accounts are:
  • ASOS_Ashley: Okay, I'm biased but there aren't enough great streetwear and menswear Instagramers out there. Ashley has a real eye for a strong pair of sneakers.

  • FatJewish: No explanation needed, just look at the feed. That guy has me in stitches, daily.

  • SRSLYsocial: Also, biased but I've just launched a t-shirt company focused on social slogans, we've got 9K followers in 9 weeks so I'm pretty chuffed and our engagement rates are amazing, our first line sold out in 24 hours. If you haven't seen the tees yet, check 'em out here.

  • FashionGrunge: Mainly because I'm Kurt Cobain obsessed but also because this account has such a clear aesthetic and interest (that obviously taps into my own).


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If you enjoyed this post head over to the People and Projects section of LedByLucy where I regularly feature interviews with inspirational women working within the creative field. You may also like the Fashion and Beauty section which does what it says on the shoe box.
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Man Bun Instagram Accounts: 10 Guys You Need To Follow

October 16, 2015, 4:07 am
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Man buns, love them or hate them, you can't deny their omnipresent force in society. Not just in Dalston, but everywhere. On celebrities, at universities, at Tescos in Grimsby.

Not letting the small fact that they might make you bald get in the way, men are still wearing their man buns with pride - and we salute them for it.

So in the hipster hair-themed spirit, we bring you our favourite man buns on Instagram (and even if you're not a fan, these may well convert you...)

1. @ben_acaibrothers - Because man buns are useful for keeping hair out of your face during exercise and strenuous puppy-holding.







2. @manbunsofdisneyland - Love man buns? And Disneyland? The happiest place in the world just got happier.

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3. @dailymanbun - A great curation of the Internet's best man buns.

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4. @samhandler32 - How could you say no to following this face? LOOK AT IT.

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5. @zaach_sto - It's like we died and went to Justin Bobby from The Hills heaven. Those eyes.

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6. @bendahlhausofficial - Because man buns have important jobs, too.







7. @brockohurn - So much man, so much bun.

A photo posted by Brock O'Hurn (@brockohurn) on







8. @peaceoot - Also a fan of the 'hun' (half up-half down man bun).

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9. @christophermason_ - A real life Jax Teller from Sons Of Anarchy. But even better looking.







10. @manbunmonday - Last, but definitely not least, the original man bun-appreciation account.

A photo posted by @manbunmonday on




SEE ALSO:

This University Just Banned Man Buns

Your Man Bun May Be Making You Bald

If You Want To Get A Man Bun, You Should Probably Watch This
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Ashley Graham Interview: 'I've Been Brainwashed Into Calling Myself Plus Size'

October 16, 2015, 5:06 am
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It's been a big year for Ashley Graham. Her curve-celebrating TED talk went viral, she's graced the pages of everywhere from Sports Illustrated to Vogue, and most recently debuted her lingerie line at New York Fashion Week.

It's this lingerie line Graham is most excited to speak about, her seventh collection for Canadian brand Addition Elle, and a range she describes as "supportively sexy."

The new Black Orchid collection, launching just in time for Christmas, is now available for the first time in the UK as of today - on plus size clothing website Simply Be.

ashley graham model

Graham, who is a UK size 16, first decided to design lingerie in 2012 because she was having a hard time finding fashionable styles that fit her properly.

"Companies have been coming out with sexier lines for larger cup sizes but it's a slow process," she said, revealing she'd like to extend her ranges sizes beyond a G and an H in future.

But don't expect any OTT bedazzling: "Because it’s holiday season I wanted to put a little bit of shimmer in it but, I hate anything bedazzled", Graham laughed.

"I think a lot of plus size retailers are putting bedazzled on booties way too much, like jeans. I still cringe every time I see it."

To celebrate her new collection, HuffPost UK Style spoke to the Graham about body confidence, the word 'plus size' and learning to love yourself.

ashley graham model

On the term 'plus size'...

It’s fantastic when I’m not labeled as a plus size model in any interview or editorial I do. It makes a statement for women out there, 'look she’s not being described by her size, she’s being honoured by the things that she’s doing in the world'.

I think that I’ve been brainwashed for the last 15 years into calling myself plus size. You’ll still hear me say it, especially when referring to things in the fashion industry. I understand where it’s needed and not needed, but I still stand firm on believing that labels don’t need to be involved with anything. Especially when you’re describing a woman.

On body shaming...

Women are finally wanting to talk about body shaming, they’re finally wanting to fight back and they want people to look up to in the media. I’m happy to be that woman because I am that woman.

I have hated by body and I still have my days of feeling like the world is gonna end because I can feel a roll hanging over my jeans, but at the end of the day we’re all in it together.

SEE ALSO:

Ashley Graham On Why You Shouldn't Call Her A 'Plus Size' Model

Models Ashley Graham And Denise Bidot's Secret To Success

Ashley Graham Stuns On #NYFW Runway


On body confidence...

Right now, I’ve just got out of the shower and I'm laying on my bed butt naked. I don’t have any hair and makeup done and still feel pretty damn sexy.

I haven’t always been body confident. I’ve always portrayed an element of confidence in myself, but I haven’t always been able to look in the mirror and be satisfied with what I saw. I think a lot of it had to do with being young, gaining a lot of weight in a short about of time and not being able to own my own body.

On learning to love herself...

It was over the course of a few years that I started to embrace the woman I saw in the mirror and be able to say 'I love you' to myself. There are still mornings when I wake up and think ‘oh my god I’m so fat’ or ‘I hate this roll right here’ but I have to remind myself you can't just take a pill and it’s all fixed, or say something in the mirror like ‘you’re beautiful’ once and it’s all done. It’s a process.

It takes years of healing and years of encouragement and that’s really why I wanted to create a community of women to be able to talk about these body woes and insecurities and body shaming that a lot of women have within themselves because you’re not alone.

I felt for so long that I was alone, but now with the power of social media and the platform I've been given, I am able to let other women know that they aren't

ashley graham model

On feeling good in lingerie...

Show off your best asset. Hopefully every woman has at least one thing they love about their body, so play it up. If you like your boobs, get a push up bra. If you hate your stomach, get a bustier, and start from there. A chemise is perfect for a girl who wants to cover up but still look sexy.

Play around with what you like. Look in the mirror and really tell yourself you look good, don't just wear it for your partner but wear it for yourself - that builds confidence.

On what changes she wants to see in plus size fashion...

I think a lot of plus size companies also don’t fit their clothes properly. A lot of them have one fit model. The beautiful thing about curvy plus size women is that we’re all shaped so differently, so it’s really hard to say that one pair of jeans or one t-shirt would fit the vast majority of women out there who are curvy.

I think having more cut options would be a good idea for plus size companies, I'd also love to see more high quality in plus size fashion.

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How To Get Rid Of Sweat Stains On White T-Shirts

October 16, 2015, 5:39 am
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For something seemingly so simple to design, a nice white t-shirt is pretty damn expensive. That's why it's completely crazy to have to replace them all the time because of annoying yellow armpit stains.

Short of investing in botox injections or actually finding an industrial strength deodorant, there's not a lot that can be done.... right?

WRONG, idiots! You can actually get rid of the things with some simple at-home remedies.

white t shirt

To see which one works best, we put four DIY sweat stain removal hacks to the test: vinegar, aspirin, citrus and a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

The winner? The miracle mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide!

Watch the video above and save yourself from chucking out your favorite t-shirt.

SEE ALSO:

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Marks & Spencer Seriously Underestimated The Men Of Britain

This Is How Often You Should Actually Wash Your Hair


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What You Do With Your Handbag Says A Lot About Your Manners

October 16, 2015, 8:20 am
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Most of us make an effort to sit up straight, make eye contact and try not to interrupt, but did you know your handbag could actually say as much about you as your social skills?

According to etiquette experts, what you do with your handbag reveals a lot about your manners and personality. Apparently people pick up on how you handle them - whether it's an oversized shopper, evening clutch or fancy designer tote.

Where do you put yours when you dine? Which hand do you hold yours in? Jessica Barron of Handbag Clinic reveals the ins and outs of modern-day handbag etiquette.

handbag

How To Hold Your Handbag

The Queen is renowned for always carrying a handbag that perfectly matches her outfit. But, have you ever observed which hand she holds it in?

You should always carry your handbag on your left side, leaving your right arm free for shaking hands and socialising.

What To Do When Dining Out

Whatever you do, don’t put your bag on the table as it’s considered rude (not to mention unhygienic), by etiquette experts, as is stated in the 1922 book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home.

A typical clutch tends to be the right size to place behind you in your chair at the small of your back, or else on your lap underneath your napkin, advises Barron.

If it won’t fit there, (or you don't like the idea of keeping your bag on your chair) use a handbag hook to hang it under the table, or tuck it beside your chair on the floor. But Barron cautions: don’t forget to pick it up at the end of the evening!

When There's A Morning Dress Code

Events with a morning dress code are few and far between. But they do include certain race meets and royal occasions, (now is not the time to admit you didn't get that invite from Harry).

For women, this code means a smart day dress with hat, heels and, crucially, according to Debrett’s - the trusted source on British social skills, etiquette and style, - a matching handbag.

If you can’t find a bag the exact colour, Barron has some more sage advice: You could always have the hue changed professionally!

SEE ALSO:

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Carrying Over The Shoulder Bags

If your bag has shoulder straps, then by all means, carry it over your shoulder. But, it is considered uncouth to hold a short-handled bag in your hand while slinging it over the shoulder . Besides, unless you protect your bag, then carrying it in-hand will lead to the transfer of natural oils and those from hand creams and moisturisers.

Signaling Someone Is Boring

If you’re ever lucky enough to be invited to dine with or meet the Queen, then note what she is doing with her handbag so you know if you are boring her.

If she wants to leave a dinner in five minutes, she is said to break etiquette rules and put her bag on the table. She moves her bag from arm to arm to alert aides if she is tired of talking to someone.

You could always take a tip from HRH and ask a friend to look for signs that you need rescuing at a party or dinner.

Getting Good Luck

We’ve discussed why you shouldn’t put it on the table, but in many cultures, placing your handbag on the floor is said to be unlucky. In China and Portugal, it is believed putting your bag on the ground could lead to money problems. So perhaps Barron's chair trick is the only safe bet.

Keeping It Clean

No matter how much your bag cost or how high-end the label, it is never going to attract admiring glances if it is grubby and unhygienic, cautions Barron.

Recent research revealed 90% of our handbags contain grossly high levels of bacteria.

As well as wiping down with a damp cloth regularly, bags will typically need a more thorough clean by a professional or using specialist cleaning products every two to three months to keep them in top condition.

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How To Be Cool, According To Vogue

October 16, 2015, 8:42 am
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Do you want to be cool? The kind of cool even cool people would think is cool? The kind that leaves a trail of copy-cats in your wake and turns admirers to ice with one withering stare?

Well, according to British Vogue, this is how you do it. Within the hallowed pages of the fashion bible's new November issue, sits '30 New Codes Of Cool' - an article listing 30 ways that, you too, can reach the loftiest of pop-culture heights this season.

Some advice we can get on board with: "visit Camber Sands", "wear slouchy boots", "try acupuncture" - these are all perfectly reasonable things to tell a person.

But then something strange happens... Vogue out-Vogues itself, getting caught up in what seems like a barely comprehensible Zoolander-esque parody - hell bent on destroying the lives of anyone who reads it.

Here's 10 cool things Vogue wants you to do (but we really don't):

A photo posted by Vogue (@voguemagazine) on







1. Keep your bullshit food allergies to yourself.

"Save the abstruse dietary requirements for morning visits to The Juice Well, W1. After 6pm, they're just not sexy."

Yeah, so we know you might die if you eat those sesame seeds Karen but could you just shut the hell up about it.

2. Get a tiny fringe.

"Grow out the mullet: a shoulder sweeping chop and inch-short fringe is the calling card of the season. See hairstylist George Northwood for model Kiki Willem's style."

The weirdest thing about this, - aside from the fact that unless you are flawlessly beautiful these fringes will make you look terrible and take years to grow out, - is WHO HAD MULLETS? Were we supposed to have a mullet?







3. Wear a bra to a club in Brixton.

"Wear Chloé's decadent smoking-lounge trousers with just an Eres bra to Local Brixton's high-jinks dance party."

Because, darlings, it's fine going south of the river if you're wearing couture.

4. Go to the pub.

"Meet you at the hotel bar? Not this time. Go off-piste and venture back to the pub."

Groundbreaking. Just. Groundbreaking. We're not quite sure when pubs became off-piste but it's probably around the time we started losing our heads up our steamed vaginas.

A photo posted by Vogue (@voguemagazine) on







5. Have tits.

"Break away from the cult of skinny. The woman who plumps for a generous cleavage goes intriguingly against the glam."

There is a lot wrong with this sentence, but we'll just leave you with the fact that a magazine that helped to invent said 'cult of skinny' is telling big-breasted women they're not typically 'glam'. Yay.

A photo posted by Vogue (@voguemagazine) on







6. Only communicate through clothes.

"Leave the friend request hanging and advocate retro dance moves instead. The "call me" t-shirt by skateboarder Alex Olson's cult label Nine One Seven should do the trick."

Are Vogue really telling you to sack off your friends for a t-shirt that says 'call me'? Yes. We can't help but think they have some sort of sinister secret anti-social media agenda here. "Leave Instagram, we dare you," they also urge.

A photo posted by Vogue (@voguemagazine) on







7. Wear sunglasses in the office.

"Add a rock-star edge to your office attire. Optician David Clulow will transform your summer shades with tinted prescription lenses."

Now Vogue has slowly isolated you from most of your friends and family, it's time to get you fired too.

8. Be insanely reckless with your cash.

"Don't deliberate on a purchase. Download Quiqup and have that Céline pompom scarf delivered to your desk in time for cocktail hour."

Forget that people are starving, spend your entire rent on a pompom scarf. *Laughs self off the face of the planet*

9. Get pissed.

"Channel the Brit spirit - cornish potato vodka Aval Dor tastes as luxuriously clean as sake."

OK, so you're friendless, fired and completely broke. It's obviously time to get drunk. But make sure you only do it on artisan potato-based spirits to keep up appearances.

A photo posted by Vogue (@voguemagazine) on







10. Wear a ball gown on the tube.

"Give a new meaning to rush hour: there's something indisputably romantic about taking the Tube in a dazzling evening gown long after the city has closed its doors."

This is a really easy way to get sectioned.

SEE ALSO:

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Gwyneth Paltrow Steams Her Vagina. Wait, What?

The Craziest Things Ever Seen At #LFW


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Shift in Power: the Blogger and Vlogger Influence on the World of Fashion

October 16, 2015, 8:46 am
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Zoella, Sprinkle of Glitter, Inthefrow, That Pommie Girl; these are all names that are currently having an impact on the world of fashion, and with hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions) of adoring fans it's no wonder PR companies and brands have switched on to promoting their products through them.

However, because of this, there has been a real shift in power when it comes to bloggers and vloggers and they are now celebrities in their own right with real influence over what people buy.

Zoella (Zoe Sugg) is the strongest example of this. With 3.77m followers on Twitter, 2,404,527 likes on Facebook and a subscription list consisting of 9,172,815 viewers on YouTube at the time of writing, she has a lot of credibility with a lot of people. The 25-year-old earns £20,000 a month from advertisers alone, who all want to feature their products alongside her beauty videos and lifestyle posts.

This shift in power, from the usual advertising platforms to those talking into a camera lens, is a trend dominating the fashion industry currently. Vloggers and bloggers are huge influences on their Internet-hooked audience. They are changing the face of marketing, with many brands adopting the more prolific bloggers for their cause.

When Company magazine enlisted the online star for a cover photo, the magazine enjoyed an 87% increase in web traffic once Zoella announced it to her followers. Editor Victoria White said: "Our site had its biggest month ever thanks to content about her. To put this into context, we often feature behind-the-scenes videos with celebrities, such as Jessie J or Demi Lovato, that don't get nearly as many views."

Lydia Elise Millen is a good example of one of the many bloggers who works closely with fashion brands. She has featured in campaigns for online fashion store Blue Vanilla and has recently worked with auction site eBay on their #Littlebigvictory campaign.

Leanne Walker is currently working with Schwarzkopf and Helen Anderson has worked with Simply Be on a human interest campaign. Fashion brands are recognising that bloggers are the people to turn to when it comes to marketing.

But are traditional publications, website banner ads and TV adverts losing out to this new spectrum of sharing? Has this shift in power hit the marketing industry hard? After all, before bloggers realised they could charge for this advertising, brands were being sneaky and getting their products shared by sending free items or samples.

There are a lot of hoops to jump through now when it comes to bloggers and advertising. Everything must be stated as an advertisement or promotion if the blogger is sharing a product and has been paid to do so, meaning the subtlety that brands once enjoyed is gone due to disclaimers on posts and videos.

Bloggers and vloggers are having such an influence simply because they are 'regular' people - or at least they were when they started out. They are the ones people turn to when they want an honest review of a product, instead of a hyped up advertorial they can read in any glossy magazine.

While they might be considered the average Joe (although Zoe Sugg can no longer seriously boast that title now that she has a waxwork in Madame Tussauds), they are building businesses worth thousands of pounds from their hobbies, going from grainy videos and out of focus images to glossy websites, HD filming and high spec microphones to capture every detail of what they have to offer.

These behind the camera celebrities are overtaking the glossy publications we once used to turn to for fashion advice, simply because they are there at all hours of the day behind a screen, replying to tweets and sharing fun content. Because of this shift in power they are the real influence on the world of fashion.

For some fashion journalists, these bloggers could be perceived a threat. After all they have no training, no real experience in the industry but are able to dictate what people buy and wear. They're even dipping their toes into print publications, with the Oh My Vlog magazine published as a one off in July and being considered as a regular publication if it peaks people's interest.

The shift in power, from the usual channels to bloggers and vloggers, in the fashion industry is one that isn't going to stop anytime soon. Instead of fighting against it we need to accept that this is the new era of celebrities, giving young people a voice and a place in the world of fashion.
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'Sexy' Halloween Costumes That Went Way Too Far

October 19, 2015, 3:06 am
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Kylie Jenner Instagram Video Debuts Her New Short Hair Cut

October 19, 2015, 3:24 am
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Kylie Jenner is officially the biggest hair chameleon of the Kardashian clan - going from black, to blonde, to green, and back again in the space of a few months.

But it seems the reality star is keen to keep things low-maintenance in the hair department right now, as not only has she switched back to her natural colour, she's also ditched her beloved extensions.

King Kylie posted the slow-motion video below to Instagram, showing off a dramatic new haircut to her 39.6 million followers.

A video posted by King Kylie (@kyliejenner) on







The chic new 'do was the handy work of celebrity hairstylist Priscilla Valles, who Jenner thanked "for the dope blunt haircut" in the video's caption.

We don't know about you, but that oddly mesmerising video has sort of hypnotised us into cutting all ours off too. Just look at how swishy it is...

SEE ALSO:

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Alleles Is The Brand Striving To Find Fashionable Solutions For Amputees

October 19, 2015, 4:03 am
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Amputees are showing off the intricate designs of a company striving to make fashion available for all.

Alleles, based in Canada, aims to prove that covers for prosthetic limbs can be fashionable as well as practical.

Specialising in leg plates for amputees covered in illustrated designs, the company create each product uniquely to suit individual customers.

The project was launched by McCauley Wanner, who thought up the idea at University of Calgary in 2011. Wanner masterminded the idea during exploration into how fashion affects a person's sense of self.



The designs are made to measure for each customer




Despite formulating early ideas in 2011, it wasn't until Wanner combined forces with her business parter, tech guru Ryan Palibroda in 2013, that the project began to fulfill its potential.

Wanner and Palibroda have stated their mission is: "to help amputees express their creativity, individuality and confidence through providing more cosmetic options for their prosthesis.

"Being influenced by the eyeglass industry, we will use fashion and design to transform prosthetic cosmesis from a medical device into a new stream of fashion."



A model wears one of the leg covers


Using covers designed in a 3D computer, Palibroda went on to create the moulds using plastic sheets.

He then fabricated the covers using CNC, a digital process that uses a computer-controlled cutting machine.

The technolgy used means that Alleles can provide a cheaper product for customers. Each made-to-measure item costing around $400 (approx. £250.00) to buy.

SEE ALSO:


On the label's website, Wanner wrote: "When I started the Alleles Studio with Ryan, we were doing what we’ve been trained to do: solve problems with design.

"As a byproduct of that work, our clients and models are seeing themselves in ways they’ve always imagined — or never imagined before."



Some of the intricate plate designs




During an interview with Mashable, Wanner explained: "Everything on the market to date is trying to hide the fact that someone is missing a limb.

"Many products use inexpensive, flesh-tone foam carved into the shape of a human limb, to camouflage the fact that something is missing... It actually does the opposite of what one might expect.

"It automatically applies a stigma to a device, which is what we are trying to remove."

More of Alleles designs can be viewed on the company's instagram page
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ASOS 'Halloween' Bindis Spark Cultural Appropriation Debate

October 19, 2015, 4:10 am
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Cultural appropriation has become a hot topic in the fashion and beauty world of late, and ASOS are the latest company to spark an online debate.

The issue started when the website labelled a range of bindis by brand In Your Dreams as Halloween items.

The packaging makes no reference to the Bindis being intended for use on Halloween, or as part of a costume, and many shoppers took to Twitter to express their distaste at the ASOS marketing.













ASOS replied to one Twitter user today, tweeting the below message as a response to the question above from Rawnie Cally.




But it's not the first time the website has come under fire for cultural appropriation.




In a response to this article, a spokesperson for ASOS told HuffPost UK Style: "In Your Dreams is one of the brands available on ASOS.com. It is never our intention to knowingly offend anyone, therefore these products will be removed from ASOS.com."

We have also reached out to In Your Dreams for comment and will update this feature on reply.

SEE ALSO:

Valentino Uses White Models For 'Africa' Themed Show, Twitter Reacts

This Magazine Is Under Fire For Teaching White Women How To Get An Afro

5 Halloween Makeup Looks You'll Want To Wear All Year Round


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