11 December, 2017

Craft work

Daniela Dregis reversible cashmere nylon jacket Tiina The Store

Now that the temperature’s dipped to around the 1-degree mark, I just want to stay in and hibernate. My default winter work-from-home-wear is Heat-Tech, a Hanro long sleeve tee, three fine-knit merino sweaters topped off by a shrunk-in-the-wash men’s Margiela nubby knit and Levi’s.

The nubby knit is important. Chunky, textured jumpers and socks are all I want to wear now and they’re all the rage. Partly because they feel good and partly because a crude, craftsy sensibility is permeating everything as a counterpoint to tech fatigue. I wrote about this for BON magazine’s autumn issue, which you can read here. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 1 Comment Design, Magazines, Shopping, Trends BON magazine, dsign, knitwear, retail concepts, shopping, Tiina The Store, trends

9 December, 2017

Festive beauty for for minimalists

I struggle with festive style. I cannot abide a novelty ‘Christmas jumper’, anything too sequinny makes me think ‘Julien Macdonald for Debenhams’, and sparkly eyeshadow makes my eyelids look like they’re disintegrating.

Instead, I resort to my default option of silk shirt (my black Levi’s one with navy stars is as jazzy as I go) and tailored trousers with a cocktail ring or two and one of my Judith Leiber ~~vintage minaudieres~~.

Chanel’s Numéros Rouges limited edition Christmas collection is rather jewel-like too, with newly red-encased lipsticks replacing the classic black packaging. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 1 Comment Beauty, Brands, Design, News, Retail concepts, Shopping beauty, Chanel, design, fragrance, make-up, shopping

4 December, 2017

Buy it now: Golda sphere soap

The humble bar of soap is experiencing a renaissance, but this one has a difference. Golda Hiba handmade soap by Studio Cue LA comes in a black or golden sculptural sphere. Both soaps are made using Aomori Hiba essential oil, known for its anitmicrobial, germicidal, insect repellent, and deodorising properties. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 1 Comment Beauty, Shopping beauty, shopping, soap, Studio Cue LA

27 November, 2017

What’s in the box: 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…)