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fashion Recommended

Summer’s Here with Black Coral XO

As the weather heats up at home, you get the feeling that we’ve missed out on a season or two… after all it’s in the early 40’s already. We’re all in the mood for summer, but not ready to face the scorching sunshine that goes with it. If like me, you were looking for a little escape from the sun, that relieves some of the heat-shock with somewhat cooler currents, then I would highly recommend a weekend away in Sri Lanka. Without a doubt it’s the easiest place to pack for too, I only bring with me swimwear and flip-flops! I absolutely love Aussie online boutique Black Coral XO for their summer-personified collections, beachwear and resort wear.

Only four hours away with FlyDubai or Emirates, this Indian Ocean hotspot is the ideal weekend escape. Hop on a late night Thursday flight and be sipping coconuts by breakfast. There are plenty of boutique hotels to choose from along the coastline, but I would definitely recommend heading south to Galle as a base. Unawatuna, Mirissa, Welligama are all great places to look at, especially if surfing is on your list.

Here’s my top 5 favourite swimsuits for your weekend away:

Sweet Disposition One Piece

 

Lazy Palms One Piece

 

Summer Safari One Piece

 

Malibu One Piece

Long Island One Piece

Fitness Recommended

Eco-Conscious Activewear from H&M

Blending fashion with function and fitness, H&M has announced that its latest activewear collection is made from totally eco-friendly, sustainable materials. Now we know H&M are great when it comes to encouraging conscious consumerism with their sought-after conscious collection, it’s great to see it transpire across more of the clothing in-store. “Inspired by nature and positive, strong women” the collection revolves around the theme of ‘In it for the long run’ …as we all want our most-washed items to last.

The collection includes; tights, sports bras, hoodies and tops for training, running and yoga. With a precedence on nature and sustainability, the prints and the colours feature Earthy greens, blacks and beiges. So where’s the Eco element? The clothes are made with recycled polyester and elastane and for an added bonus, are made for our quick gym-tan-laundry turnaround too, with quick-dry and seamless finishings.

“By bringing together the functional and feminine, the aim is to give customers a stylish, conscious sports collection. And not just through the fabrics – we utilized a new knitting technique that creates seamless garments while using less yarn or fabric waste. Blending function with sustainable thinking and fashion in this way is the way forward,” says Petra Smeds, head designer of sportswear.

What are we eyeing:

Recommended

Strip Off This Winter

Because it isn’t always cold in December. If you’re from the southern hemisphere you’ll probably be preparing to hit the beach rather than the slopes this winter, so if you’re looking for something with a little less fabric, we’ve spotted some gorgeous new swimwear for you to strip off for.

Creatively driven, with a touch more soul, & Other Stories is a one-stop styling destination filled with collections from three design ateliers in Paris, Stockholm and Los Angeles. Open at The Dubai Mall, it’s a H&M affiliate that’s just as addictive with both summer and winter collections.

With a bit more heart than your average store too, it’s great to see how brands are jumping aboard the eco-train and getting with the laundry program. Fashion is a high water-consuming industry and most fabrics end up as wastage, so with & Other Stories, you can bring your old clothes to one of their stores and they’ll give them a new life… (not currently in the U.A.E. but stay tuned.)

Here’s five gorgeous pieces from & Other Stories that’ll help persuade you strip off for our southern summer’s… it’s what we’re here for after all. Skip the clothes and adorn “spirited-hues and confidently feminine frills in figure-defining swimsuits”.

Because stripes are always a solid option.

Swimsuit aed 249

Baywatch eat your heart out.

Swimsuit aed 189

Butter wouldn’t melt.

Swimsuit aed 189

The little black swimsuit.

Swimsuit aed 189

Feeling a little more tropical…

Swimsuit aed 299

fashion

Alilia.com Launches In Dubai

Online shopping has to be one of my absolute favourite ways to fill up my wardrobe with season staples and i’m super excited about this new portal! Alilia is a Swedish based brand that is launching its first collection and Ramadan specials here in the Middle East.

Walking into the press day felt like taking a step into St. Tropez. A fully boho-chic white wardrobe on one side, full of embroidery and broderie pieces that can be worn anywhere from weddings to walks on the beach, and a day-night collection on the other side that promotes a more bohemian way of life.

The brand is based on creative designer Ali ́’s eclectic life journey, who has collaborated with some of the leading fashion houses throughout Europe including most recently Zara. “Alilia is a brand that evokes feelings of freedom, memories, creativity and love. The passion and emotion put into every detail results in collections full of timeless pieces. I don’t see fashion in individual shapes and forms. I see women who know they are all unique and will let their story be told with Alilia.”

Have a scroll through all the colorful dress prints and lacy tops, beaded skirts and chic kaftan’s which are made from fine fabrics and feature a real attention to detail. Check out my favourite pieces below…

DESIDERIA 1

_MG_5667

KAISA 1

SALMA 1

JANELLA 1

Alilia.com

Alilia.com

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

Bikini Ready with Blue Ink Beachwear

Another day and we’re another step closer to summer here in Dubai. As the saying goes, summer bodies are made in the spring, so it’s also true that the bikini’s we’re buying to wear in the summer, we’re shopping for now.

There’s a new designer on the net who’s highlighting the maillot in exciting ways. Designed by Anisha Lalani, Blue Ink Beachwear is a pretty mixture of prints and pastels that have us wanderlusting after the long sunsets in the Med. Designed in Belgium and made in Italy, Blue Ink is made using carefully selected luxury fabrics, that are both girly enough and sexy enough to excite us here at TBS.

With a focus on ‘strong is the new sexy’ Blue Ink furthers our mantra for a more confident summer outlook!

Check out our favourite pieces from their inaugural collection and the details that made us fall in love with them: Swimwear - Saint-Tropez Side

Swimwear - Havana Back

Swimwear - Cannes back

Swimwear - Bahamas back

Saint-Maxime Side