Design

What’s in the box: the business of beauty advent calendars



unpacking the business of beauty advent calendars

On October 25th, 300 people queued around the block of Liberty’s department store before 8.30am. Not for a new i-gadget, or a half price techy telly, or even a celebrity collaboration. No, they queued for make-up. Or more specifically, for the privilege of buying a £175 box of beauty products, albeit worth over £500.

Welcome to the frenzied, hype-commerce world of beauty advent calendars. A business that’s been booming for the last couple of years and is still growing (according to Google trends). (more…)



Positive fashion: No label labels



Lemaire Aw17

Black Friday, black schmiday! I don’t really go mad for these sales unless I need something practical (I’m currently Googling printers #fml) but otherwise I would approach them the same way I do any other sale season; look for the ‘investment buys’ that I couldn’t usually afford.

For me that means hunting out the Christophe Lemaire, Sofie d’Hoore and Margaret Howell goodies that have a long lifespan and won’t date. (more…)



THE DRG STYLE INDEX: Mr Porter, Glossier, Tiffany, Anya Hindmarch and more!



Here’s the latest weekly DRG STYLE INDEX ranking, a round-up of the brands and industry stories currently buzzing on my radar…

1. INTRODUCING MR.P – FUTURE-PROOF FASHION FROM MR PORTER

Mr P by Mr Porter
Mr Porter has entered the own-label fray with Mr P, a collection of ‘future-proof’ pieces. Alongside core staples, there will be five limited-edition capsules every year, each inspired by a style icon. (more…)



Buy it now: trouser jeans



Me+Em wide leg jeans
I’m very pleased with my new Arket trouser jeans. I wanted something smarter than my runaround 501s and Nudies and these fit the bill. They’re in a rigid indigo denim, quite high waisted and straight through the calf so they can be worn over heeled boots. And they’re a mere £55. (more…)