Zara

Bringing back the blazer and jeans



Paris Vogue

Who’d have thunk it: blazers are about to make a post-Covid come back.

It’s been widely noted that the novelty of WFH sweats has worn off and some of us like a bit of corporate-lite cos-play. For those going back to offices, even if it’s part time, they want to dress the part. And for the never-going-back-to-the-office brigade, a tailored blazer is still the easiest thing to throw on for impromptu Teams calls. I guess old habits die hard.

The best route for this then is ye olde blazer and jeans combo and fortunately it’s an easy one to shop your closet. Here’s three ways to wear… (more…)



High Street fragrance update: Zara X Jo Malone, Urban Outfitters, M&S, Glossier



Glossier You EDP

I just noticed that the Urban Outfitters Gourmand fragrances* that I raved about a couple of years ago (below) are back in stock. I assumed they had been discontinued. I get a lot of traffic from searches on this fragrance line, which isn’t that surprising; it’s £14 and very good. Sweet and marzipan-y if you like that ‘brunch-at-the-patisserie’ kind of smell, and the bottles are good looking too. (more…)



The DRG retail index: John Lewis & Partners, M&S, Jigsaw, Zara X Giorgia Tordini, Reformation



Zara fall 2018 trends Giorgia Tordini

Here’s ALISON FARRINGTON’S latest monthly retail round up, celebrating experimentalism and innovation on the high street. We are more than ready for autumn/winter collections newness, so it’s preview time for John Lewis & Partners, M&S, Jigsaw, and Zara’s latest Studio Collection. Meanwhile there’s a late summer high-low fashion fix in-store from Reformation’s relaunch in the UK, courtesy of Browns.
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The DRG retail index: Nyden’s tribes, H&M’s modestwear, Jigsaw’s new destination, Zara’s robots



Fornasetti display at The Shop at Bluebird concept store Covent Garden

Here’s our latest monthly retail round up celebrating experimentalism and innovation on the high street. From the latest social campaigns to exciting new collections and retail formats, we’re watching – and shopping.

/NYDEN’S INFLUENCER DESIGN ROSTER

Nyden Dua Lipa

Just when you thought influencer-commerce had had its day, something new comes along.

H&M’s newest ‘streetwear’ brand, /Nyden had a soft launch (on social media anyway) back in February, with email teasers sent out to early adopters talking about ‘tribe building’ and rewards for your community. Now we see why. With seasonless drop-culture at the heart of the influencer-slash-celebrity themed collection, H&M is pitching /Nyden as a community brand. Via collaborations with music or sports talents (more…)