Josephine Meckseper approaches art like an archaeologist. She mines signs and symbols that are widely present across society and re-presents them to the world under a critical framework. Simon Lee Gallery in Hong Kong is showcasing a new solo exhibition by Meckseper spanning work she’s made over the last two years. Thematically, the latest artworks explore the concept of recycling, tracing, and capturing matter and memory as experienced by the artist during the uncertainty ushered in by the pandemic, the threats of war and the climate crisis. The Empire of Signs is a new wood and glass vitrine encasing objects that are only loosely connected by their current or previous functions. Inspired by Roland Barthes book of the same name, Meckseper alludes to the French essayist’s concept of a “nov...
“Every creation starts from within, a unique point of view that’s molded by each individual’s experiences and ideas.” As a self-taught creator/designer, how did your creative journey begin? My creative journey started when I found myself completely in love with and fascinated by movies and art. Some of the clearest memories of my childhood are related to experiences like going to see the original Star Wars trilogy with my parents at the theater, discovering my mother’s art books, or being gifted a copy of The Lord of the Rings. That fascination with sci-fi and fantasy worlds led to a very active imagination, and an early appreciation of art and pop culture in general. Subsequently, I wanted to pursue a career in Graphic Design, which felt like a combination of the things I loved but with a...
“Typically during a monthly cycle there is a peak of the female sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) during ovulation,” explains Laftah. “Levels of both hormones rapidly fall in the absence of a fertilised egg resulting in your period. Plus, prior to your period, levels of testosterone (a male hormone) increase, stimulating the sebaceous (oil) glands to produce more sebum, which leads to blocked pores and acne breakouts.” On top of this, our hormone fluctuations can also be impacted by additional factors including stress, genetics, and lifestyle. “When someone experiences high levels of stress for a prolonged period of time, elevated stress hormones can drive breakout activity and suppress wound healing, meaning breakouts take longer to heal,” explains Victoria Evans, Educa...
It makes sense that the spring runways would be filled with the kind of light layers and liberally skin-baring silhouettes that can only be worn during the warmer months. And while we’ll have to patiently wait for winter to melt away before wearing the majority of the season’s top looks, we did spot one standout trend that we’re already inspired to start wearing now: floor-length coats. Designers in Paris, Milan, and New York introduced maxi-length coats to the 2023 style lexicon, and since ankle-grazing hemlines in dresses and skirts are already popular this year, there’s no question this outerwear take will also be a hit. Whether they were coated in luxurious leather like the tonal versions Saint Laurent sent down ...
Right now, I have a load of washing that’s been sitting in the machine for over five hours, a passport to renew, a fringe that’s basically empty and a letter sitting on my desk that I wrote over a week ago that I’m yet to post. My point being? It’s hard to have everything together at all times. Some weeks, I fly through my to-do list with ease, have a clean house, and I’ve messaged all of my friends back on WhatsApp. Others? Even the bare minimum seems like a chore. I can’t magic away all the tasks you might have at hand, but I can make it look as if you’ve got yourself together by way of your outfits. Interested? I thought you might be. As a fashion editor, one of the questions I’m most commonly asked by my friends, family an...
Bottega green has, without a doubt, been one of this year’s biggest nail trends, and this winter, it’s set to really come into its own. “Green has had a little moment this year, with designers such as Bottega paving the way. There are so many beautiful green shades that you can try if you’re wanting a little pop of colour adding to your look,” says Shelton. While deep, glossy forest greens make for the perfect pairing with a chunky knit, a brighter green is the ultimate way to add some colour to gloomy winter days. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by chatting, sharing...
Now is the time to wear all of the strong autumn looks you have left in your wardrobes, with a few extra cold-weather pieces layered in. Determined to make this the most stylish month of the season, I have searched high and low for fresh, new outfit inspiration in a bid to bring you an edit of the perfect outfits to wear for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for something easy to wear for date night, something polished for the office and post-work drinks, or just an everyday casual look for the weekend, I’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling for, seven outfits that are perfect to wear this November and beyond. It’ll save you plenty of time getting ready in the morning. You Deserve to Make Money Even W...
The next big non–skinny jeans trend is here, and it couldn’t be chicer. While skinny jeans will truly never die, nor do we want them to, we’ve spotted a number of emerging denim trends that are pretty much the antithesis of skinnies. We’ve already mentioned how flares and loose jeans are on the rise, and, well, we’re adding another of these non-skinny styles to the top of our lists: high-rise wide-leg jeans. These are full-length jeans with a trouser-like wide leg and a high rise. We know that wide-leg jeans can be intimidating if you’re not used to wearing them already, which is why the high rise is crucial here. It hugs you in all the right places and creates some nice dimension for the overall silhouette. Some of the stand...
If you came to this story thinking that there’s a new pair of Ugg boots out there that only costs £35, I regret to inform you that that will probably never come to be, but there is a £35 Ugg item that’ll add a cool, protective boost to your boots and sneakers. This magical item is the Ugg Boot Guard, which fits over the sole of your boots to keep the rain and snow away from the suede. The Boot Guard actually came out in 2021, but for one reason or another, it’s picked up steam as of late. While the waterproof Boot Guards were made to protect Ugg’s collection of boots, GQ recently reported that sneakerheads were also using them with their beloved Nikes and New Balances. Whatever type of shoe you choose to pair it with, Ugg’s Boot Guard ...
We all want to keep the chicness levels of our outfits high, even when the temperatures are low, but the journey to fashion nirvana in the winter months is anything but easy. No one wants to look like the Michelin Man, even if they are in a white puffer coat. This, however, is why we’ve sought a little guidance from some women who know what they’re talking about when it comes to cold-weather styling. They might reside slightly closer to the equator than we do, but the French also experience severe cold snaps in the winter months. At least, those in the northern regions do. So what do French-girl winter outfits look like? We’ve scouted 10 stylish looks from nine of our favourite French influencers, each of which we’d happily re-create for ourselves this winter....
I’m just going to admit it, I’m a fully-fledged #MangoGirl. Well, that’s what I like to believe, anyway. I feel as though I can instantly spot when some of the most stylish women on Instagram post a top-to-toe Mango look. Mainly because I spend my life trawling the ‘new in’ sections for ‘work’ (read: often just pleasure) but it’s also because the high street brand is, quite honestly, killing it right now. With so many expensive-looking items—we’ve all seen that sell-out shearling jacket—to be had, it’s no surprise that plenty of Mango’s new season pieces have become instant It items. The bejewelled heels that have graced the grids of almost every fashion girl over the past few weeks? Yes, I bought them. And t...
It’s almost impossible to count the number of times that I’ve been stopped in the street and asked where an item I was wearing was from and the answer has been Marks and Spencer. What usually follows is surprise, but after years of uncovering hidden gems from the high-street hero, I’m always confident in the brand’s ability to deliver accessible takes on runway pieces, and it’s given me a lot of bragging rights. Marks and Spencer has had a particularly good run of transitional pieces and standout accessories in the last few months, and now that we’re fully in the throes of a crisp and cold autumn perfect for boot season, I’ve found the latest piece about to be a best seller, and it...