Inside Frank Sinatra’s make-up kit



Inside Frank Sinatra's makeup kit

I’ve inadvertently stumbled down a Bobbi Brown rabbit hole and found her online ‘archive’, which is a kind of blog. I feel it’s about time for another Bobbi Brown book…

Anyway, I love this story…

“One day, out of the blue, a girl walked into my then studio and dropped off a bag and asked the team to give it to me. I’ll never forget opening it and pulling out this cool, vintage makeup kit and reading the note. It was Frank Sinatra’s make-up kit. (more…)



The culture of fashion: Steve McQueen Small Axe series



Scene from Steve McQueen Small Axe series for the BBC

I can’t wait for Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series telling the Black British experience story, which starts on BBC tonight at 9pm. As a born and bred West London girl, I’m always interested to learn more about local history and this series hopes to be an important social history lesson for everyone.

Serious business aside, I will also be watching avidly for the style and music references. McQueen talks about some of them as part of his brilliant Observer New Review takeover. (more…)



Shop the post: Where to buy the perfect cardigan



Thakoon cropped wool cardigan

Back when I worked full time on magazines, we had something called an office cardigan. I‘m not sure if that’s solely the domain of ‘fashion cupboards’, where random fashion samples routinely go unclaimed, but the – usually oversized, grandad style – cardigan would be duly summoned whenever the air con was a little over-zealous, or someone was feeling a bit hungover under the weather. Working from home though, my very own ‘office cardigan’ comes into its own. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s the most versatile part of a stay-home wardrobe.

There are so many things you can do with a granddad cardi. Tie it round your waist; Tie the sleeves round your neck like a scarf (or let Le 17 September* do the job for you); wear it school uniform-smart buttoned over a shirt, or layer a plain one over a stripy tee (a very ‘me’ look – I’d opt for Joseph’s camel number*). (more…)



TRP Travel Retail Style Index: November 2020



Alison Farrington travel retail news

Welcome to our travel retail column for DRG by Alison Farrington aka The Retail Planner (TRP)

As global travel slowly picks up, we look at the business and shopping trends of the travel retail world. In recent weeks we’ve seen a spike in beauty sales in Hainan, China; K-beauty going global and a luxury brand experience with phygital appeal. (more…)