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fashion

Billabong X Andy Warhol

“I came out of the womb on a surfboard” said Andy Warhol infamously back in his day, so it was only a matter of time before a surf collection was created. Who other than the world’s most popular sun, sand and surf brand, Billabong, to take on his iconic designs and turn them into a unique capsule collection called ‘Warhol Surf’. Andy Warhol X Billabong

The brainchild of the brand’s LAB – a division which supports local talent in a variety of pillars, from musicians to artists, designers, photographers and of course surf icons. The collab with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts helps to bring to light his little known fascination with surf culture and their convention-challenging styles. Having partnered in the past with Bob Marley and Metallica, Billabong is no stranger to rebellious spirits. Andy Warhol X Billabong

Bikini’s feature florals in muted tones and charcoal backgrounds, all in their signature shapes, including a surf perfect paddle suit. Sunset pastels add a more summery vibe to the halter-neck bikinis and for men, grey and white palm trees on darker t-shirts and board shorts give a subtle nod to Warhol’s 1968 Southern Californian surf video ‘San Diego Surf’. Andy Warhol X Billabong

Available only at selected outlets across the Middle East and Asia, grab your limited edition bikini or rashie down at their store exclusively in The Dubai Mall.

fashion

H&M: Holding Fast Fashion Accountable

I love it when great minds come together and the team at one of the most famous high street brands in the world, H&M, are certainly on the right track. It is estimated that more than 1 million tonnes of textiles are thrown away every year, most of which ends up in landfill sites. So sustainable textiles have to be the future. H&M Conscious Collection

Launching their latest CONSCIOUS EXCLUSIVE collection, H&M are without a doubt pushing forward in this industry, with 20% of their pieces now made from more sustainable materials, with the aim each year to increase this share. One of their key elements in this is BIONIC; a recycled polyester made from plastic shoreline waste. H&M notes that they are one of the world’s biggest users of recycled polyester and one of the biggest buyers of organic cotton. Their goal is ultimately to have their cotton 100% sustainably sourced by 2020. H&M Conscious Exclusive

This year, supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova starred in their campaign too, so don’t think that the pieces are in any way lacking style, just because they use a different material…

H&M Conscious Exclusive

fashion Fitness

When Speedo Got Sexy

No we’re not talking banana hammocks here either… the Speedo brand has long been synonymous with swimmers and the more athletic water warriors, but it’s had a bit of a refresh with its H2O Active collection and I have to admit, i’m a fan! SPEEDO AQUACYLE

We jumped in to the nicely heated outdoor pool at Fairmont the Palm to put the collection to the test. They have an aqua-cycle class i’ve been dying to try out so it was a great way of seeing what all the hype was about. SPEEDO AQUACYLE

The collection itself ranges from multi-strapped bikinis with spliced waistbands, to one-pieces with added bra tops and open backs and also includes water wearable leggings! I chose the one-piece for a bit of added warmth in case it was a bit nippy that early in the morning. SPEEDO AQUACYLE

Check out the H2O Active range for yourself:

AED325

AED325

AED375

AED225

AED295

AED225

AED120

#GetSpeedoFit

fashion

The Outnet: Luxe Activewear

For someone who has just cleaned out their activewear drawer, the January sales come as a bittersweet reward. I’ve now currently divided my leggings into sweat-worthy, workout suitable and travel appropriate. So when The Outnet.com (an online designer discount haven) emails me to say HEY, come check out our new luxury activewear, what am I supposed to do… not look?

Styling it as an ‘essential,’ this shiny new workout wear with golden logos has me reaching for my wallet before i’ve even clicked through the emailer. But in all honesty, the clothing that see’s the most usage in my wardrobe is the ones I care the least about sweating in… i.e. older collection/print, slightly too loose (or tight) and would maybe consider painting a house in (the formula for all my clothing that is to either remain hanging or be forever drawer-ed.)

So just where will these new pieces go? My theory is that if I can picture it with a large jumper, boots and a nice wooly scarf, they are ski-suitable and will end up on the travel appropriate pile, just like a plethora of other leggings that I have saved away for those ‘special occasions’ (once every 2 years!). But if you expect me to actually workout in them, then they need to be softer than soft, skin-like and not remotely see-through in a downward dog, so realistically – after the high-calorie holiday – not required right now.

Channel your inner Cara Delevigne and travel luxe in these shiny new pieces:

www.theoutnet.com - nike free-5-0-mesh sneakers

www.theoutnet.com lucas hugh_electric-feel-stretch-jersey-paneled-mesh-t-shirt

www.theoutnet.com Core Performance stretch leggings

www.theoutnet.com lucas hugh stretch-jersey-sports-bra

www.theoutnet.com Etre Cecile color-block-printed-cotton-sweatshirt

fashion Fitness

New Year, New Workout Gear

Ever feel like your workout wardrobe is better than your evening one? I certainly do… but that means it’s time for it to get a bit of a karmic cleanse too (I mean who wears neon to the gym anymore!?). I always wear my newest gym gear, because like everything, when it’s new, I feel confident in it. Admittedly there’s a few colour heavy/trendy pieces mixed in with the more classic black leggings, but all in all, I can honestly say I’d be happy to downward dog in just about everything in there.

Even though it’s my current favourite gym wear, it’s worth recycling the pile every so often. If you can’t work out what to throw out, turn the pile upside down and see if you go for those forgotten leggings next time you book a class or if you pull from within the pile itself!

For me though, a workout isn’t just in the gym! My swimwear also gets a refresh every January – to whittle out those few favoured bikinis that are turning a little see-through…

Check out my fave new pieces you can buy online in the U.A.E!
Workout Gear for the New Year THE UPSIDE paddle suit from Sun & Sand Sports

Workout Gear for the New Year DHARMA BUMS leggings from yApparel

Workout Gear for the New Year BODY LANGUAGE capri leggings and crop top from Sun & Sand Sports

fashion

Dedicating Time With D1 Milano

There’s elegance in perfect simplicity.

What started as a marketing thesis by Dario, who currently heads the company with sister Alessia and long-time friends Alessandro and Mattia, quickly gained ground as one of the Italy’s fastest growing fashion accessories brands. Born in Milan during the MFW 2013, it’s now present in the world’s leading fashion stores, and here in the U.A.E it’s exclusive to Harvey Nichols!
Harvey Nichols Dubai

D1 Milano is actually pronounced ‘The One’ and is known for its rubberised style, which has a huge following in Asia. Launching their first local pop-up at SOLE DXB this year gave them an urban edge, as their affordable luxury collections were in high-demand, having just launched their exclusive and lim.ed. ‘Dubai’ watch too.

Here’s what I was wearing… D1 Milano at Harvey Nichols
D1 Milano at Harvey Nichols
D1 Milano at Harvey Nichols

fashion

Ray-Ban: Eye Candy Redefined

If we think about it… accessories are much more than just eye candy, they are adornments of culture, individuality and status (anthropologically speaking). But more than that, they help us to defy authority and regiment by interjecting elements of our personality outwardly.

I can try to rationalise why I have 400,000… earrings, rings, necklaces at home, but really, we buy accessories because they make people notice that little extra bit of effort you put in, that little added detail. Out of all my hoarding, i’ve got a real penchant for sunglasses, they frame the face and automatically make people (me) more attractive I think.

Which is why Luxottica’s press day at the gorgeous Culinary Boutique hotspot on Beachroad had me wishing I had more heads to wear them all on! Ray-Ban is a brand in particular I feel suits my lifestyle well. There’s an element of heritage, style and yet we’re not dealing with full on face-furniture 😉

Timeless style, authenticity and freedom of expression from its debut in 1937, I think their pieces are particularly perfect for the beach – bar scenario which is most of my weekends at the moment. Here’s my favourite pieces from the Ray-Ban at Luxottica round up: RayBan at Luxottica

RayBan at Luxottica

RayBan at Luxottica
And of course… my pair:
RayBan at Luxottica
RayBan at Luxottica

fashion Fitness

GAP Fit Launches in the Middle East

Famed all-American clothing brand Gap has partnered with Al Tayer Group to launch the first Gap Fit standalone store in the world! Based down at JBR, The Beach, the shop is full on fitness so it’s only natural that we had to put it to the test. Gap Fit
Gap Fit
The Warehouse Beach gym played host to a morning of circuits, and even though it was first thing in the morning, being outdoor in the not-yet-wintry weather made it tougher still. The GapFit gear held up nicely despite the rigorous testing it got, so we headed straight to the store to stock up! Gap Fit
Gap Fit
GAP is an iconic brand that’s really best known for its denim, but by launching GapFit this year, it’s opened up the brand again for me personally. Expect a collection full of activewear and i’m especially fond of their leggings that offer good compression, breathability, stretch, and their new blackout technology. Not strictly for women either, the launch has a full range of comfy activewear for guys too! Gap Fit

fashion Recommended travel

Vitamin Sea with Sapia Simone

In there like swimwear… I just cannot get enough of this brand. Not only is its founder, whose long-steeped history with fashion design, Sapia Simone a lovely human being, she launched her first collection at only 23, so she’s a total inspiration to me. With vitamin sea vibes, Sapia Simone was born and her SS17 collection is now officially live.
Sapia Simone
It’s more than just swimwear though, her resort collection features some gorgeous trousers and shirts that’ll make you feel totally tropical. Her pieces can be found in over 12 stores globally, but she’s based in Dubai now. Not so far a cry from having originated the brand where else, but the original sunshine society, Miami!
Sapia Simone
With an Italian background and education at Instituto Marangoni, (where D&G and many more hail from) Italian born Sapia Simone herself knew from a young age where her passion for fashion was taking her, and one incredible adventure in Zanzibar brought the dream to life.
Sapia Simone
Making it her aim to encourage and inspire a fresh perspective on ‘beach chic’. Her mission is to make playful and beautiful swimwear silhouettes, styles and resort wear that celebrate the active and adventurous female living across the world in a variety of sunshine societies.

I’m sold.

fashion

6 Swimsuits We’re Coveting This Summer

Summer means swimwear! Everyone right now seems to be in Greece/Spain or the South of Italy soaking up the (normal) sunshine, but even though it’s actually too hot to go outside in Dubai, i’m still scouring the shops for one pieces to wear round the pools as I test out my Privilee card!

Shopping online is a lot easier for me, but I’m not your average body shape – smaller ribs, wider hips and a bum that my mum isn’t even sure where it came from, means two things – I have to work harder to keep it all together AND I do not suit these high riding bikini bottom styles that are everywhere right now… nor for that matter do I look particularly symmetrical in the harry high-pants either.

Swimsuits are my ultimate piece of summer apparel. When I go shopping, their stylish simplicity means I’m not fighting the crowds looking for two different sized pieces that match! Also, with the bodysuit making a resurgence this season, I’m perfectly on trend pairing my one piece with a pair of high waisted shorts too.

Here’s my current covets from some of my favourite brands:

Acacia Swimwear
Acacia Swimwear
Sapia.Kang
Sapia.Kang
H&M
H&M
Billabong
Billabong
Vitamin A by Amahlia Stevens
Vitamin A by Amahlia Stevens
L*Space
L*Space