
‘Devil Wears Prada’: Vogue divides opinion with controversial job posting for Anna Wintour’s assistant
Fashion lovers can now live out their Devil Wears Prada dream (or “nightmare”), as Vogue is hiring an assistant to none other than Anna Wintour. This week, Vogue publisher Condé Nast posted a job listing for Assistant to the Editor in Chief of American Vogue and Global Chief Content Officer in New York City. Much like Anna Hathaway’s character Andy Sachs in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, Vogue is looking for a candidate to assist with coordinating meetings, managing events and engagements, and overseeing the overall flow of communication and information that comes in and out of Anna Wintour’s office. The ideal candidate is extremely organised, deadline-oriented, and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment. Perhaps knowing the difference between turquoise, lapis, and cerulean wouldn’t hurt, or where to pick up an advanced copy of the seventh Harry Potter book. Minimum requirements include a college education, one to two years of work experience in administrative support, and strong writing skills. The salary range is $60,000 to $80,000. “This is a tremendous opportunity for an ambitious, business-savvy professional who is passionate about culture, fashion, digital media, and content,” the listing reads. Unsurprisingly, the new job listing sparked many comparisons to the beloved movie The Devil Wears Prada, in which Meryl Streep stars as Miranda Priestly – an intimidating magazine editor largely inspired by Anna Wintour. The 2006 film was adapted from a book of the same name by Wintour’s own former assistant, Lauren Weisberger. Since it was posted, many people have shared their reactions to the job listing by posting memes and iconic moments from the film. “A million girls would kill for this job!!!!” tweeted author Matt Ortile, along with a screenshot of the job posting. “Y’all didn’t watch The Devil Wears Prada?” one person asked. “This sounds like a nightmare actually,” another user said. “Does it come with the makeover from Stanley Tucci,” someone else joked. Meanwhile, others couldn’t help but point out the annual job salary, which ranged from $60,000 to $80,000 per year. Some people believed it was too low of a pay day, considering some of the tasks Anne Hathaway’s character had to do for her boss throughout the film, while others felt it was an unsustainable salary for living in New York City – where monthly rent has soared to record-high numbers. “Salary is a f***ing travesty for vogue they should be ashamed,” claimed one user. “u can’t afford to live in nyc based off of this salary alone”. “If Andrea Sachs was actually paid the $80k (and in 2006, no less), I’d understand her sticking with Miranda for so long,” said someone else. Another person wrote: “The salary range on this is *interesting* but speaks to who gets to occupy space in fashion – oftentimes a demo [demographic] who do not need to work for a living. In turn, the way that demo approaches work + their coworkers/office is……” Anna Wintour has served as Vogue editor-in-chief since 1988 and global chief content officer for Condé Nast since 2020. Lauren Weisberger, one of Wintour’s two assistants from 1999 to 2000, wrote the novel The Devil Wears Prada in 2003 based on her experience working at Vogue. However, it seems that the fashion giant has no recollection of the former personal assistant who wrote the famed novel. In Amy Odell’s 2022 book, Anna: The Biography, she claims that Wintour didn’t know which of her assistants could have written the 2003 fiction novel. “On May 21, 2002, Women’s Wear Daily reported that The Devil Wears Prada had sold to Doubleday for a reported $250,000. When Anna learned about the book, she said to [Laurie] Jones, ‘I cannot remember who that girl is,’” writes author Amy Odell. Odell also claimed that a friend of Wintour’s, William Norwich, said she “didn’t really didn’t care” about The Devil Wears Prada, even after it spent six months on The New York Times best-seller list. “‘I don’t think Anna is as interested in the cultural phenomenon that she is as the rest of us are,’ he said. “Anna has said to friends, ‘I’m so bored by me’. This is one reason she doesn’t plan to ever write a memoir. Norwich explained, ‘She doesn’t want to stop working to reflect,’” Odell writes. However, the author noted that Wintour did attend the premiere of the film adaptation dressed in Prada, alongside her daughter, Bee Shaffer. “Anna had a seat at the end of the row and, though she had a habit of dashing out of plays that bored her, watched the whole movie,” Odell wrote. “At one point, Bee turned to her and said, ‘Mom, they really got you.’” Read More ‘Worst one ever’: ‘Art world family’ sparks backlash with personal assistant job ad Anne Hathaway explains why The Devil Wears Prada wouldn’t work today Anne Hathaway responds to her ‘accidental’ Devil Wears Prada outfit at NYFW: ‘It was kind of nuts’ Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes makes British Vogue cover debut aged 82 Miriam Margolyes reveals the secret to her 54-year relationship Edward Enninful reflects on closeted upbringing and finding freedom in fashion
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8 Awesome Mustaches of World War I
Facial hair as aggressive as the World War I combatants.
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Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes makes British Vogue cover debut aged 82
Miriam Margolyes says she “never had any shame about being gay” as she makes her British Vogue cover debut aged 82. The award-winning actress, known for her foul mouth and lovable eccentricity, said gay people are “not conventional” and she “wouldn’t want to be straight for anything”. Margolyes is known for a wide range of work in the TV and film industry, including roles in Blackadder, Babe and the Harry Potter franchise. She features along with other “LGBTQ+ pioneers”, including Ncuti Gatwa and Emma D’Arcy, in the July edition of British Vogue. In an accompanying interview, she discusses her sexuality and says she has always tried to “make people feel good about themselves”. “It’s a strong position if you’re not afraid to be who you are,” she said. “We’re all so insecure. People are frightened such a lot of the time and what I’ve always tried to do… (is) make people feel good about themselves.” Margolyes came out as a lesbian in 1966, a time when homosexuality was illegal, and lived through the HIV crisis of the 1980s – during which she lost 34 friends. She has been with her partner – academic Heather Sutherland – for 54 years. “I never had any shame about being gay or anything really,” she told British Vogue. “I knew it wasn’t criminal because it was me. I couldn’t be criminal.” She added: “I think gay people are very lucky, because we are not conventional, we are a group slightly apart. It gives us an edge. “We’re good artists, we’re good musicians. And I like being gay. I wouldn’t want to be straight for anything.” The full interview with Miriam Margolyes can be read online on British Vogue’s website.
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From Lupita Nyong’o and Jessica Chastain: 6 of our favourite looks at the 2023 Tony Awards
The red carpet at the 2023 Tony Awards on Sunday night (11 June) was awash with some of the biggest names on Broadway, as stars turned up in their finery. The annual ceremony has been recognising the biggest achievements in theatre since 1947. This year, the show was hosted by Ariana DeBose, who made a statement when she opened the show by referring to a “blank script” due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike in pursuit of a fair deal. Meanwhile, the two biggest awards of the night were clinched by Leopoldstadt for Best New Play and Kimberly Akimbo was named Best New Musical. You can see the full list of Tony Awards winners here. Yet among the dozens of actors, musicians and performers who strutted down the red carpet, only a few truly dazzled with their outstanding sartorial choices. Here are our six favourite looks from the 2023 Tony Awards. Lupita Nyong’o Lupita Nyong’o’s striking look became a talking point among fans watching the awards show. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star wore a metallic custom-made breastplate moulded over her own chest. The silver breastplate, which was created by Pakistani artist Misha Japanwala, covered the front of Nyong’o’s entire torso, from her neck to her waist. The actor wore a black velvet suit jacket and trousers over the piece and accessorised with a Venezia box clutch by The Bella Rosa Collection, along with large diamond earrings and geometric silver rings. It wasn’t just her outfit that turned heads. Nyong’o also sported an intricate henna tattoo on her shaved scalp by artist Sabeen Marghboob Sharing her look on Instagram, Nyong’o wrote: “Honoured, humbled, strengthened and energised to don this breastplate created by @mishajapanwala, which she cast and moulded of my body.” Dylan Mulvaney Comedian and TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney debuted a dramatically different hairstyle at this year’s Tony Awards. The transgender rights activist swapped her usually dark brunette hairstyle for platinum tresses, which were styled as wavy strands framing her face. She wore a sparkly black off-the-shoulder dress with a corset-style waist and a full skirt by Christian Siriano. Mulvaney first showed off her new hair in an Instagram post on Friday (9 June) and last night was the first time she wore it out at a public event. J Harrison Ghee Some Like It Hot star J Harrison Ghee made history at this year’s Tony Awards when they became one of the first openly non-binary actors to win an award. Ghee made a splash on the red carpet in a bright blue structured gown with a plunging neckline and off-the-shoulder collar. They wore matching blue opera gloves, as well as a layered choker around their neck and dangling earrings, as well as a large diamond ring on their left pinky finger. On social media, fans described Ghee’s dress as “gorgeous”, with one person writing: “This is a fabulous outfit J Harrison Ghee got on, we love when winners dress to win.” The 32-year-old won Best Lead Actor in a Musical for their dual role in Some Like It Hot and dedicated their award to “every trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming human who was ever told you couldn’t be seen”. They continued: “People often see me and say, ‘Well, I could never wear that or I can never do that’ and this whole season, I have been living in this mantra: You have to free yourself to see yourself.” Jessica Chastain Jessica Chastain was a bright ray of sunshine as she walked down the red carpet in a bold yellow Gucci down with a matching cape. The A Doll’s House star’s stunning dress featured a sweetheart neckline and a bodice that cinched in at her waist. The skirt fell in straight, tiny ruffles, while her cape swept dramatically across the floor as she walked. Chastain kept her red hair off her face in a sleek ponytail and wore a large chain necklace with an oversized glittering pendant. She was nominated for Best Actress (Play) alongside Jodi Comer (Prima Facie), Jessica Hecht (Summer, 1976) and Audra McDonald (Ohio State Murders). Comer emerged victorious at the end of the night. A Doll’s House was also nominated for a number of awards, including best play revival, best supporting actor for Arian Moayed, and best direction for Jamie Lloyd. Alex Newell Alongside Harrison Ghee, Alex Newell also became one of the first openly non-binary actors to clinch a Tony Award last night. Newell won Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for their part in the 2022 musical Shucked. The 30-year-old star was dressed to the nines for the evening in a sparkly gold off-the-shoulder gown with a corset waist and draped floor-length skirt. In their acceptance speech, Newell thanked the crew, cast and creative team behind Shucked and their mother for “loving me unconditionally”. They added: “Thank you for seeing me, Broadway. I should not be up here as a queer nonbinary fat Black lil baby from Massachusetts. “To anyone that thinks they can’t do it, I’m going to look you dead in your face [and say] that you can do anything you put your mind to.” Stephanie Hsu The Everything Everywhere All At Once star brought goth glam to the Tony Awards in a beautifully structured black off-the-shoulder gown by Markarian. The structured dress featured puff sleeves and a fitted bodice, with a voluminous skirt. Hsu kept her jewellery simple by wearing dangling pearl earrings that stood out against her jet-black hair. Although Hsu is best known for her role in the Oscar-winning film, as she starred alongside Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, she has regularly appeared in Broadway musicals including Be More Chill and Spongebob Squarepants The Musical. Read More Shapewear is booming, and body image experts are worried: ‘It’s really dangerous’ Tony Awards 2023: The 5 biggest talking points Tony Awards 2023: Full list of winners Shapewear is booming, and body image experts are worried: ‘It’s really dangerous’ Chanel’s classic 1926 little black dress added to fashion exhibition in Scotland 6 innovative self-tan products to help you get your best-ever faux glow
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Shapewear is booming, and body image experts are worried: ‘It’s really dangerous’
In a number of scenes in 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary, our heroine – a thirtysomething singleton played by Renée Zellweger – squashes the skin of her lower torso into an array of Lycra shapewear, all in an attempt to make herself appear slimmer. When Hugh Grant’s Daniel Cleaver sets his eyes on her high-wasted, nude-coloured underpants in one memorable scene, Bridget blushes with embarrassment. “Well, hello mummy,” Daniel purrs. At the time of the film’s release, control shapewear – or tummy-tucking underwear designed to smooth its wearer – was marketed predominantly at people like Bridget, someone who was told by society she was “fat” or undesirable unless she had a flat stomach. Today, though, shapewear is branded differently, marketed to young women as a sexy, must-have fashion accessory. Shapewear products are not only promoted as stomach-smoothing fixes, but for anyone who wants a narrow waist or their figure to resemble a contoured, Kardashian-style hourglass. Skims, Kim Kardashian’s self-owned shapewear brand that she founded in 2019, sells viral sculpting bodysuits geared towards achieving this particular body shape. They start at £70. Since the launch of Skims, as with anything that a member of the Kardashian clan wears or makes, fast fashion knock-offs have swelled the market. Online retailer PrettyLittleThing, which has a murky track record of contributing to a harmful cycle of fast fashion, sells duplicates of the Skims viral bodysuit for around £20. They also sell waist trainers – a corset-style casing worn underneath clothes to aggressively teach your waist to be narrow – for just £12. “Doll cinch your waist in an instant with this waist trainer,” the item’s description reads. The product has boning to make it stiff and restrictive. Venture onto TikTok and you’ll find viral dresses with Spanx-style shapewear, designed to minimise the width of a person’s waist and accentuate their bottom, built into the clothing itself. While Skims is not solely responsible for this recent boom in shapewear, it has contributed to transforming how we view it – Bridget’s “granny pants” are now glamorous and aspirational. For the brand’s latest collection, for example, buzzy British singer-songwriters Raye and PinkPantheress were enlisted to promote it, along with viral Bronx rapper Ice Spice. The resulting campaign wouldn’t look out of place in the pages of Vogue. What this marketing tells us is that fashion isn’t just about the garments you wear, but the apparently malleable shape of the body on which they’re worn. Early shapewear emerged in the 16th century, not as a trend or body sculpting device, but for practical support. Karolina Laskowska, a lingerie designer and director of the underwear archive The Underpinnings Museum, tells me that the primary purpose of shapewear back then was to support the body much in the same way that a contemporary bra is made to support the breasts today. “A pair of stays [a corset style bodice] would have offered bust and back support for women who worked,” she explains. “These styles were more functional and supportive, rather than trend-driven.” The beginnings of the shapewear we see today were first seen in the Sixties, when the invention of Lycra, a synthetic-based elastic fibre, allowed for stretchier fabrics. What Laskowska dubs the grandparent of modern shapewear was the “Little X Girdle” by a British brand called Silhouette. “It was a turning point for a shift from traditional structured corsetry into elasticated shapewear,” she says. The item was a seamless, pull-on girdle – an elasticated corset extending from waist to thigh – and was eventually licenced to sell in over 32 countries as turnover increased exponentially. We then saw the evolution of more comfortable, everyday shapewear, like those made by Spanx, an American brand founded in 2000. They’re so uncomfortable, but they’re so afraid of what others will think about them due to their body size Victoria Kleinsman By contrast, modern shapewear is now geared towards sculpting the body to appear differently underneath clothes. And now, fast fashion is getting involved, too. But lingerie designers like Laskowska are increasingly worried about the consumer physically “hurting” themselves with badly made undergarments. “We’ve seen fast fashion adopt corsetry and shapewear trends but it’s not made to fit the human anatomy, since it’s made to be as cheap as possible,” she says. She adds that people could “injure” themselves with elasticated shapewear if they buy a size too small, meaning they could potentially restrict their blood’s circulation. Victoria Kleinsman, a self-esteem expert and body love coach, works with women between the ages of 13 to 60, and says that she’s seen how her younger clientele are feeling the pressure to wear shapewear in order to conform to the cult of thinness. Some clients have bought pantyhose with built-in cushioning to make the bottom look larger and perkier. Others will wear layers of shapewear to sculpt the body, particularly the waist and stomach, to look slimmer or flatter. To Kleinsman, wearing modern shapewear allows people to apply an “IRL [Instagram] filter” to their bodies. She speaks to women each day who are “crying” to her on Zoom calls because they’re worried about what their bodies look like. “It’s to the point when it’s boiling hot weather [but] they’re wearing spandex shapewear and tights, and they’re so uncomfortable, but they’re so afraid of what others will think about them due to their body size.” The expert fell into her line of work after she struggled with an eating disorder – she also wore a waist trainer when she was dealing with her own body image issues. “I would go to the gym wearing it because apparently you ‘sweat more’ and therefore lose ‘water fat’,” she says. “Which is b******! It’s physically painful to your physical body and even more painful to your emotional and mental well-being.” Kleinsman doesn’t think that this type of elasticated shapewear has anything to do with fashion and it should not be marketed as such. “It’s really dangerous,” she tells me. “Shapewear gives you a fake ‘confidence’ but then underneath it all when that comes off, then, who are you?” The popularity of Skims and their various knock-offs doesn’t seem likely to decline any time soon, but Kleinsman is hopeful that more women will soon have epiphanies about the shapewear revival. “Fatphobia and body image trauma is still the norm,” she sighs. “There has never been more [appropriate] a time for us to embrace our natural bodies.” Read More ‘The models are skinnier than ever’: Has London Fashion Week stopped caring about body diversity? Hostage to fashion: Margot Robbie’s Chanel problem speaks to a wider red carpet crisis Jeans shopping is still a total nightmare Kim Kardashian says Kris Jenner gets ‘sad’ thinking of how fame changed her family Kanye West and wife Bianca Censori cause confusion with Sunday Service outfits Chanel’s classic 1926 little black dress added to fashion exhibition in Scotland
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Chanel’s classic 1926 little black dress added to fashion exhibition in Scotland
Curators are “delighted” to have secured a little black dress designed by Chanel in 1926 to open an exhibition on the success of the garment over almost a century. Beyond The Little Black Dress, which launches at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh next month, will bring together more than 60 looks from collections and designers around the world. It opens with a long-sleeved black day dress designed by Gabrielle Coco Chanel in 1926, which was hailed by US Vogue as “the frock that all the world will wear”. The silk crepe dress is on loan from the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts) in Berlin. Georgina Ripley, principal curator of modern and contemporary design at National Museums Scotland, said: “The dress is incredibly significant for its own merit anyway, but for our exhibition it’s really pivotal because we are opening the exhibition with the idea that this is kind of the birth of the little black dress. “The well-known story within fashion history is of Chanel being the inventor of the little black dress and 1926 being the date, and that’s because a very simple long-sleeved day dress of silk crepe de Chine was featured in US Vogue in the October edition and it called this dress the ‘frock that all the world will wear’. “The dress that we have on loan from the museum in Berlin is not the exact dress that featured in that Vogue article, but it is the exact same style, made from the same sort of fabric, and it’s incredibly rare to actually find little black day dresses from that date in collections. “It’s been amazing for us to be able to locate one, to be able to tell this really important story within the history of the little black dress.” Vogue compared the dress to Henry Ford’s model T motor car, linking it to the idea of the democratisation of fashion, although it would still have been very expensive and only affordable to the wealthy. The dress drew on the functionality of menswear and of clothes worn by those working in the service industry, such as maids and shop workers. Chanel’s contemporary Paul Poiret described the style as “poverty de luxe” – things that have humble origins elevated to couture-style clothing. While black was already in fashion before 1926 and other little black dresses had been created, something about Chanel’s design was seen as being an important moment in the modernisation of women’s fashion. The exhibition was originally due to open in 2020 but was pushed back due to Covid, and curators were “thrilled” they could still borrow the dress from the museum in Berlin this year. Ripley said: “This is such a natural place to start this story because it’s known in fashion history and we also wanted to confront head on that it really is just a moment that has been picked upon as the origin of the little black dress, but it would be really strange to tell that story without having that dress. “We had our heart set on telling the story in that way and opening with this dress, so we’re delighted we’ve been able to see that mission through.” The exhibition looks at fashions through the decades, from early pieces by Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and Jean Muir to contemporary designers and brands such as Gareth Pugh, Simone Rocha and Off-White. Areas of the exhibition are dedicated to highlighting black British designers whose work explores both blackness in terms of identity and the role the colour plays in crafting a futuristic, sci-fi aesthetic. It also considers how perceptions of the colour black differ in a global context. The exhibition runs from 1 July until 29 October. Read More Jennifer Lawrence steps in to clarify theory about her Cannes footwear Qantas ditches mandatory heels and embraces make-up for flight attendants of all genders Love Island line up: Meet the contestants and couples of the 2023 summer edition Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
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6 innovative self-tan products to help you get your best-ever faux glow
Every fake tan devotee has their Holy Grail formula – the one that glides on like a dream and leaves you with the perfect, streak-free, naturally bronzed glow. While it’s tempting to stick with a trusty favourite, with skincare innovations happening all the time you could be missing out on an even better bronze if you don’t deviate from your usual routine. Right now, there’s a host of hot new sunless tanning lotions, mists and foams that beauty buffs are loving – just in time for summer. Here are six self-tan launches that could become your next go-to… 1. Bondi Sands Technocolor Emerald 1 Hour Express Self Tanning Foam, £19.99 Introducing not one but four new formulas, Bondi Sands Technocolor range of one-hour foams is designed to suit different skin tones and avoid any orangey-ness. Sapphire creates a cool-toned tan for fair skin types; Emerald imparts an olive tan on medium skin tones; Magenta delivers a rich tan on olive to deep skin tones; and Caramel creates a warm glow on deeper skin tones. 2. Skinny Tan Limited Edition Birthday Cupcake Self-Tanning Whip, £21.99 Celebrating 10 years of terrific tans, Skinny Tan (named because of the slim ingredients list) has given its bestselling whipped mousse formula a birthday makeover. The overnight formula – which is enriched with cocoa butter and vitamin E, and develops in six to eight hours – now has a scrumptious vanilla frosting scent. 3. Utan x Jamie Genevieve CBD Tanning Water Facial Mist, £18 Utan has teamed up with make-up artist and beauty influencer Jamie Genevieve to create a complexion-enhancing tanning mist. The lightweight, antibacterial fluid delivers a subtle glow in four hours, doesn’t need rinsing off and has reportedly helped to get rid of acne breakouts. 4. St Moriz Luxe Body & Face Bronzing Mist Medium, £18.99, Boots Infused with organic rose water and soothing goji berry extract, this flora-scented spritz develops in eight hours. Use it as the last step in your skincare routine at night and you’ll wake up with a gorgeous glow. 5. Rose & Caramel Skinstant Instant Tanning Spritz, £19.99 Left it too late to do an overnight tan? This spray gives you glowing skin in minutes, drying quickly to leave a bronzed hue that washes off in the shower. Simply spritz on and blend with a tanning mitt or the Rose & Caramel Blending Brush (£12.99) to ensure a streak-free finish. 6. Xen-Glow Dark Lotion, £29.99, Beauty Flash Celeb-approved Xen-Glow (previously known as Xen-Tan) is back after a rebrand, with reformulated products. Tan-aholics will love the Dark Lotion, which comes with an olive guide colour and develops in three hours. Leave it on overnight for an even deeper bronze.
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Glastonbury Festival 2023 — what to wear this year
If you’re lucky enough to have secured tickets for Glastonbury 2023, you’ll soon be packing up your camping gear, sunnies and snacks ready for five days of musical magic. Wondering what to wear this year? While your wardrobe will be somewhat dictated by the weather, all being well you’ll be able to bust out some fabulous summer outfits for dancing the days and nights away. We asked style experts for their predictions on the festival fashion trends that will be taking over Worthy Farm this year… Crochet “Crochet is a must-have festival fashion trend this year for so many reasons,” says Talia Johnson, senior creative manager at PrettyLittleThing, who thinks bolder is better when it comes to the boho look. “Opt for a versatile crochet co-ord set in a vibrant colour of your choice,” she suggests. “If the Somerset weather isn’t up to par, a crochet set can easily be matched with a faux fur coat for a really breezy day or a cropped denim jacket for a ‘just in case’ scenario.” Celebrity stylist and presenter Kay Wyer is loving the retro 70s glam look. “This trend is all about crochet anything and everything, like cut-out tops and wide-leg trousers teamed with embellished belts,” she says. “If boho chic isn’t your thing, you can add a fringed jacket or shorts to a simpler, minimal outfit or accessorise your look with a crochet hat.” Matalan Pink Swing Crochet Lace Vest Top, £19 FatFace Crochet Phone Bag, £25 Cowgirl cool PrettyLittleThing Shape Indigo Denim Raw Hem Edge Cropped Jacket, £23 (was £25); Shape Indigo Denim Low Rise Micro Mini Skirt, £20 (was £22), boots, stylist’s ownThe cowgirl trend is still going strong, and this summer there are two ways to wear it. “The coastal cowgirl trend is a Western-inspired style that has taken over social media this year and is simple to embrace into your festival style,” says Johnson, who recommends double denim outfits to “perfectly combat unpredictable UK weather”. And, of course, cowboy boots: “There are so many different styles when it comes to cowboy boots, whether it’s a suede material, a fringed hem or a stitch detail, the choice is yours and you’ll certainly stand out in the crowd.” The other, more colourful, cowgirl look is ‘Western Barbie’. “Unlike your usual cowgirl outfit with muted tones and washed-out denim shorts, this trend is bold and vibrant,” Wyer says. “It’s all about layering up an all-pink outfit, adorned with embellishment or metallics and paired with some eye-catching cowboy boots. Be sure to have at least one statement piece – you can’t go too far with this look.” Oliver Bonas Glam Metallic Cowboy Hat, £29.50 Goldsmith Vintage Striped Pattern Shorts, £32.95 Suit up A jazzy jumpsuit or printed playsuit is your shortcut to festival cool. “From dazzling sequins to shimmery mesh, to bell sleeves and an extreme halter neck, all-in-ones are practical yet glamorous fashion statements that you can quickly throw on and go,” says Johnson. “For even more bust support while dancing the day away, feel free to wear a brightly coloured bikini underneath to highlight the raver vibe.” Very X Lucy Mecklenburgh Long Sleeve Bardot Beach Playsuit, £25 Mesh moment A trend that started on the catwalks last year, mesh and macrame fabrics are big news this summer. “Mesh can be playful and edgy or sheer and sexy, depending on how much you want to cover,” says Wyer. “You can opt for a beachy open-knit dress or a flowy sheer ensemble, worn over a silk slip dress or a bikini and shorts. Team with a pair of statement sunglasses and some chunky boots and you’re good to go.” River Island Orange Mesh Long Sleeve Top, £26 Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 11 ways to work white into your interiors Archewell donates £10,000 to get diverse book in all secondary schools How to react kindly to people with Tourette’s – and what not to say
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What to wear to Glastonbury this year
If you’re lucky enough to have secured tickets for Glastonbury 2023, you’ll soon be packing up your camping gear, sunnies and snacks ready for five days of musical magic. Wondering what to wear this year? While your wardrobe will be somewhat dictated by the weather, all being well you’ll be able to bust out some fabulous summer outfits for dancing the days and nights away. We asked style experts for their predictions on the festival fashion trends that will be taking over Worthy Farm this year… Crochet “Crochet is a must-have festival fashion trend this year for so many reasons,” says Talia Johnson, senior creative manager at PrettyLittleThing, who thinks bolder is better when it comes to the boho look. “Opt for a versatile crochet co-ord set in a vibrant colour of your choice,” she suggests. “If the Somerset weather isn’t up to par, a crochet set can easily be matched with a faux fur coat for a really breezy day or a cropped denim jacket for a ‘just in case’ scenario.” Celebrity stylist and presenter Kay Wyer is loving the retro 70s glam look. “This trend is all about crochet anything and everything, like cut-out tops and wide-leg trousers teamed with embellished belts,” she says. “If boho chic isn’t your thing, you can add a fringed jacket or shorts to a simpler, minimal outfit or accessorise your look with a crochet hat.” Matalan Pink Swing Crochet Lace Vest Top, £19 FatFace Crochet Phone Bag, £25 Cowgirl cool PrettyLittleThing Shape Indigo Denim Raw Hem Edge Cropped Jacket, £23 (was £25); Shape Indigo Denim Low Rise Micro Mini Skirt, £20 (was £22), boots, stylist’s ownThe cowgirl trend is still going strong, and this summer there are two ways to wear it. “The coastal cowgirl trend is a Western-inspired style that has taken over social media this year and is simple to embrace into your festival style,” says Johnson, who recommends double denim outfits to “perfectly combat unpredictable UK weather”. And, of course, cowboy boots: “There are so many different styles when it comes to cowboy boots, whether it’s a suede material, a fringed hem or a stitch detail, the choice is yours and you’ll certainly stand out in the crowd.” The other, more colourful, cowgirl look is ‘Western Barbie’. “Unlike your usual cowgirl outfit with muted tones and washed-out denim shorts, this trend is bold and vibrant,” Wyer says. “It’s all about layering up an all-pink outfit, adorned with embellishment or metallics and paired with some eye-catching cowboy boots. Be sure to have at least one statement piece – you can’t go too far with this look.” Oliver Bonas Glam Metallic Cowboy Hat, £29.50 Goldsmith Vintage Striped Pattern Shorts, £32.95 Suit up A jazzy jumpsuit or printed playsuit is your shortcut to festival cool. “From dazzling sequins to shimmery mesh, to bell sleeves and an extreme halter neck, all-in-ones are practical yet glamorous fashion statements that you can quickly throw on and go,” says Johnson. “For even more bust support while dancing the day away, feel free to wear a brightly coloured bikini underneath to highlight the raver vibe.” Very X Lucy Mecklenburgh Long Sleeve Bardot Beach Playsuit, £25 Mesh moment A trend that started on the catwalks last year, mesh and macrame fabrics are big news this summer. “Mesh can be playful and edgy or sheer and sexy, depending on how much you want to cover,” says Wyer. “You can opt for a beachy open-knit dress or a flowy sheer ensemble, worn over a silk slip dress or a bikini and shorts. Team with a pair of statement sunglasses and some chunky boots and you’re good to go.” River Island Orange Mesh Long Sleeve Top, £26
1970-01-01 08:00

Is it safe to buy secondhand swimwear?
Sustainable fashion is booming, with shoppers who want to reduce their environmental impact – and save money – flocking to charity stores, vintage boutiques and sites like Depop and Vinted in search of secondhand bargains. Having cut ties with fast fashion brands, Love Island is partnering with eBay again for its summer season, bringing preloved going-out gear into the villa for the reality show’s contestants to wear in the evenings. The islanders always wear new bikinis, one-pieces or swim shorts, however, so does that mean it’s not hygienic to buy secondhand swimwear? We asked doctors to talk through the pros and cons of preloved swimming gear… Health risks “By the nature of what they are for, swimsuits are not very breathable and hence an easy trap for moisture,” says personal physician and private home visiting GP Dr Suhail Hussain. “The area it covers – your genital region – is particularly susceptible to reacting badly to prolonged contact with moisture.” This means the fabric could become a breeding ground for fungal or bacterial infections. “It may also contain traces of the previous owner’s skin cells and skin flora such as staph aureus – the nose and perineum being the most common sites for this bacterium,” Hussain continues. “Norovirus and MRSA are also other potential pathogens that could be found and transmitted.” However, the actual risk of becoming ill – as long as you wash your swimwear properly – is low. “It is unlikely that you will develop any serious infection from such pathogens, even if they do exist,” Hussain says. “And this phenomenon is not exclusive to used clothes – research has found that any/all of these bugs can exist on new clothes.” He also points out the idea that you could catch a sexually transmitted disease via swimsuits is a myth: “These can generally only be transmitted from person to person contact or via contaminated blood, needles etc, the same way you can’t contract an STD from a public toilet.” Wash before wearing To minimise the risk of illness, make sure to wash a secondhand bathing suit before you wear it. “I recommend the first wash should be at 60C or above,” says Dr Sarah Brewer, medical nutritionist and brand ambassador for Origins. “That’s because fungal spores – such as candida albicans, which causes thrush – aren’t killed at lower temperatures. This higher temperature will also kill scabies.” After that you can go back to 30C washes, which also save energy. Hussain agrees: “Putting swimwear in the washing machine before wearing is a good idea – used or new.” He recommends one further precaution when shopping: “Don’t forget to wash your hands after having tried on swimwear.” Personal preference Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if secondhand swimwear gives you the ick (to borrow a term often heard on Love Island). “While I’d personally draw the line at wearing someone else’s secondhand underwear, I’d happily buy a secondhand swim suit,” says Brewer. “Let’s face it, most people only use their swimsuits a few times a year – perhaps when on holiday – and if they’ve given it away and it’s in good shape, then go for it.” Love Island returns to ITV2 and ITVX on June 5. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 10 of the best affordable gifts for dads of all ages Top tips to avoid garden injuries Planning an LGBTQ+ wedding? Why inclusivity can be a driving factor for couples
1970-01-01 08:00

Jeans shopping is still a total nightmare
Taking off yet another pair of jeans that simply wouldn’t fit, I was on the verge of tears. Under the harsh glare of the dressing room lights, my reddening face felt even more humiliating as I shimmied myself back into my own clothes. I had dedicated the day to jeans shopping and started it feeling optimistic, but this was quickly waning. This was the sixth store, and the seventh pair I’d tried on. None of them were happening. I question why I’ve spent hours traipsing around Oxford Street, dodging crowds and trying not to get hit by a black cab. Jeans shopping is not fun. It’s a mission. More than three years ago, I swore off jeans for the foreseeable future. At the time, I was practically living in a pair of faded black M&S high-waist, straight-cut jeans that were cropped right above my ankle. The search for those jeans had also been painful, so when I found this perfect pair, I told myself that was it – I was never going to buy jeans again. But at the start of 2023, I was devastated to find my severe lack of a thigh gap had led to a rather large hole being rubbed into the inner thigh of my beloved jeans. I resolved to get the hole fixed and am still planning to do so, but I recently become enamoured by the idea of blue jeans. It’s been a long time since I owned a pair of blue jeans I really liked. Maybe it was time to start the search again? I initially felt buoyed by the knowledge that size ranges are more extensive than ever before. In the jeans section of Asos alone, you can filter the type of denim you want to unprecedented levels of specificity: choose from 17 different styles, over 30 “jeans families”, dozens of brands, colours, and washes, six “body fits” from Curvy to Petite, and sizes up to UK32. It’s a dizzying array of choices, but surely meant that it’d be easier than ever to find what I was looking for. Yet, this couldn’t be further from the truth for many women, particular those of the larger, curvier variety. I am currently extremely average in size at a UK14. But due to the aforementioned lack of thigh gap, combined with wide hips, a generous posterior and thick, muscly calves, I’ve struggled to find jeans that are both comfortable and flattering. It’s always one problem or another: gapping at the waist, unable to get them up past my hips, too tight to sit down comfortably, too baggy to look good, too long, too suffocating, too unforgiving. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, things are even worse for plus-sized women. A friend of mine, a size UK18, has been burned so often that she was ready to give up. She told me that when she visited Khloe Kardashian’s Good American outpost in Selfridges, she tried on one pair of jeans and nearly walked out when it didn’t fit, thinking none of the others would either. The sales assistant had to stop her and tell her she would help her find something else – and they did. The look on my friend’s face when she showed me the jeans later was priceless, like butter couldn’t melt. It struck me how rare this experience is. Women just want jeans that not only make them feel confident, but are also comfortable and are worth paying a bit more for Sonia Robinson Jones Part of the reason jeans shopping is so demoralising is the lack of consistent sizing in the fashion industry. On social media, some influencers have highlighted this by trying on jeans in the same size in different stores and showing how vastly different the fits are. A UK12 in H&M can fit just right, but a UK12 in Zara might barely zip up. The same size in River Island won’t even get past your thighs, while a pair from Next might be a bit too roomy. Unreliable sizing and poor quality construction makes clothes shopping such a headache, but still the high street brands persist with the status quo. According to Sonia Robinson Jones, associate lecturer in fashion at the University of East London, this is because fast fashion brands “tend to cut their [garment] blocks for the younger body size and grade their sizes up accordingly”, rather than allowing for the fact that women tend to become curvier as we age. “In essence, jeans need to be contoured to a wider selection of body shapes… Women just want jeans that not only make them feel confident, but are also comfortable and are worth paying a bit more for.” Then there is the question of sustainability. I had initially set off with a list of criteria for my perfect jeans: dark blue, high-waisted, no rips, straight leg, preferably from a company with sustainable credentials. My holy grail jeans would have been ELV Denim, which sources unwanted jeans from warehouses around the UK and reconstructs them into entirely new pieces – but at a starting price of £255 per pair, I’d have to save my pennies for another time. Other sustainable brands such as Nudie Jeans and Lucy & Yak were at a more digestible price point, but I wasn’t keen on the idea of returning jeans that didn’t fit and adding to my carbon footprint. Aja Barber, contributing editor at Elle UK and author of Consumed, which explores the effects of fast fashion on the planet, tells me she gets around the horror of it all by shopping for second-hand jeans on eBay. “I have one style that’s my go-to and they’re widely available because the maker over-produces, so I’d rather buy them secondhand than have them become landfill waste, which is what happens to a lot of secondhand clothing that doesn’t get bought,” she explains. “Plus some brands aren’t great on ethics or sustainability and I’d rather not give them my money even if they make my size. Secondhand is a work-around for this.” She also recommends thinking hard about whether you need lots of pairs. “The best route here is to realise you don’t need five pairs of jeans,” she says. “Two pairs max and spend the most you can on getting the best possible pair.” Barber is also an advocate for getting clothes custom-made for a better fit, if it’s within your financial abilities. “I think we shy away from ideas like getting your clothes made because it sounds inaccessible and fancy, but if you’re plus-size like I am, it can be a godsend. I think instead of trying with stuff on the rack, it might be best to take this route.” As for myself, I eventually caved and decided to try buying jeans online from US brand Everlane, which partners with ethical factories and uses recycled materials, organic cotton and less water to create their clothes. I ordered two pairs of jeans from their Curvy collection, knowing that I would not be sending them back, and prayed they would fit. When they eventually arrived, I was ecstatic. The jeans fit. They actually fit! And now, I will never buy another pair of jeans again. Promise. Read More Flip-flops, nudity and ‘up the vajayjay!’: How the red carpet became a platform for protest Women with body hair remain a cultural taboo, and I can’t see it changing Why I’m suspicious of the silver fox Edward Enninful steps down as British Vogue editor-in-chief amid reports of rift Barbie stars Margot Robbie, Issa Rae and Simu Liu react to their own doll replicas Amanda Holden’s most extravagant fashion from the BGT live shows
1970-01-01 08:00

Edward Enninful steps down as British Vogue editor-in-chief to take on new role at Condé Nast
Edward Enninful, the Ghanaian-British journalist known for championing diversity in the fashion industry, will step down from his role as British Vogue editor-in-chief. The fashion editor is set to take on a new role at Condé Nast as global creative and cultural advisor of Vogue. On Friday (2 June), the 51-year-old editor announced in an internal memo to staff that he will step into an “editorial advisor” role in 2024. In the memo, per Vogue Business, he addressed the heads of editorial content at Vogue France, Vogue Italia, Vogue Spain, and Vogue Germany, all of whom report to him. The move seemingly marks the end of his historic run as British Vogue’s first man, and first Black editor, to hold the title of editor-in-chief. “I am excited to share that from next year I will be stepping into the newly appointed position of editorial advisor of British Vogue and global creative and cultural advisor of Vogue, where I will continue to contribute to the creative and cultural success of the Vogue brand globally while having the freedom to take on broader creative projects,” the memo read. "For now everything remains the same, and I’m so excited about what the future holds for us. I would like to thank Roger [Lynch] and Anna [Wintour] for their continued support,” he said. Since his induction as editor-in-chief of British Vogue in August 2017, Enninful has made strides towards diversity and inclusion in fashion. Most recently, he helmed the magazine’s first braille editions for blind and partially sighted people, and included activist Sinead Burke as one of five stars with disabilities on the cover of British Vogue’s May 2023 issue. The new position comes amidst rumours of a rift between Enninful and Anna Wintour, the longstanding editor-in-chief of American Vogue. Despite speculation that Enninful will replace Wintour as the head of American Vogue when she eventually retires, Condé Nast insiders believe that there has been a “great tension” between the two fashion powerhouses. His stepping down comes just two days after Wintour announced the second annual Vogue World will make its way to London in September ahead of London Fashion Week. Sources say that her decision to hold the fashion extravaganza, which aims to celebrate British art and culture, in Enninful’s so-called dominion was “incredibly annoying for him” and that the US-based editor was treading on his toes. Perhaps the biggest loss is for Condé Nast, who seemingly chose the 73-year-old global editorial director of Vogue over Enninful – despite his impact in fashion and diversity. However, both Enninful and Condé Nast have previously denied rumours of a rift between the fashion giants, and he thanked his former boss in the memo announcing his departure. Enninful, who had once been considered a protégé of Wintour, began his career at Condé Nast when he was appointed fashion director at W magazine in 2011. He has also contributed to Italian Vogue since 1998 and American Vogue since 2006. He succeeded Alexandra Shulman as British Vogue editor-in-chief in 2017, a role she had previously held for nearly 25 years. In his internal memo, Enninful noted that Condé Nast will begin its search for “head of editorial content” at British Vogue, rather than the coveted title of editor-in-chief. He will continue to report to Wintour in his new role as global creative and cultural advisor of Vogue. Read More Vogue editor Anna Wintour announces Vogue World 2023 is coming to London British Vogue’s first braille edition released to ‘delight’ of editor Edward Enninful condemns lack of diverse models during Fashion Month Barbie stars Margot Robbie, Issa Rae and Simu Liu react to their own doll replicas Amanda Holden’s most extravagant fashion from the BGT live shows Brooke Shields says she ‘fought’ against her daughter becoming a model
1970-01-01 08:00