I look in the mirror and stare at the parts of my body that don't match what I feel the ideal body looks like. I hope that when the zip is done up, suddenly I'll be transformed into one of the women I see in fashion adverts or on Instagram. Obviously, I'm disappointed. I pull and pinch the bits of skin that form rolls over waistbands, and that's when the tears start.
This week alone I wore two items of clothing with large, wafty sleeves in the name of being a bit summery. But both times I had to really, really try hard to keep them safe from bodily fluids, wine or spaghetti bolognese sauce. Here are seven times bell sleeves proved completely impractical...
Early on in building our first brand we developed a philosophy that went "Red or Dead would be the world's first affordable designer label for people that grew up not knowing what design was and if they did couldn't have afforded it anyway" Admittedly this was a bit of a mouthful and ultimately we shortened it to "The first affordable designer label".
I was beginning to feel that way with this faux leather skirt. I live in a small Welsh countryside town where the majority wear jeans each day and that is very much the norm and generally the done thing.
For fear of judgement from others, older women tend to play it safe fashion-wise, sticking to a handful of brands that we see our peers wearing and giving up on anything that we perceive to represent 'young fashion'. In truth, many women my age feel that they've lost the right to wear what they want. But, as I've said many times before, and will continue to do so - fashion is ageless!
People relate to and identify with those of their own gender. If the visual portrayal of our gender is so proscribed then perhaps it is no wonder that so many women experience 'Imposter Syndrome' - a belief of being unworthy
While the majority of brogues sold are still classic and stylishly traditional, the characteristics of brogues, including the perforations, toe-caps and the serrated edges, can now be found combined with trainers, heels and even boots!
Plunging, cutaway and Bardot necklines, cut-out backs, delicate straps and barely-there slip dresses dominate the high street. If you need support your only hopes are strapless bras, sticky 'breast lift' contraptions (FYI these are truly dire) or tit tape and a prayer.
But what struck me as I peddled through city after city, each offering a kaleidoscope view into how our clothes, textiles, tiles, electronics to even our door knobs are made, is how disconnected Western people are with the impact of our consumption on communities around the world.
Every season has it's key pieces, the indispensable: these are my top 5. If you don't already own them then you should treat yourself. They will effortlessly update your style for the cold season ahead.
As a Personal Stylist and Personal Shopper I'm always looking out for wearable trends. Having just arrived back to London from Paris Fashion Week, the following are my selections - some playful, others practical
The trend to wear lingerie as outerwear is growing momentum. With Vogue showing us how to perfect the lingerie as outerwear trend and with the most recent lingerie inspired catwalks, it got me wondering. Will it ever be acceptable for you or I to reveal the underwear beneath our clothes?
Hands up if you have recently made an instantaneous clothing purchase to find that you don't actually love the item when you get round to wearing it a couple of times? I know I am not alone, the UK sends over a million tonnes of clothing to landfill sites a year.
I realised that the cheaply made, mass produced, fast-fashion I was buying was promoting unethical working conditions, environmental destruction and costing me a fortune. I decided that something drastic needed to change and set myself a personal challenge - to simply stop buying for a year.
I have put together styling ideas of what to wear to London Fashion Week for you to be able to make an outfit your own. I do hope you are able to take these ideas and make them into your own unique style.
n 2013 they called it a fad. In 2014 they, again, said it would be a fad. In 2015 it was the fashion trend of the year, and momentum shows no sign of slowing. As London and Milan gear up for their annual September-end fashion weeks, 'athleisure' again looks set to feature on the runway as a designer and consumer favourite.