United Kingdom

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(Image Credit: Finbarr Toesland)

Not content with being just one of the Big Four global fashion capitals alongside New York, London and Paris, Milan deftly manages to offer some of the most exciting and innovative cuisine to be found in Europe. Thoughts of Milan as an 'industrial' city, full of concrete buildings, which lack the more refined elegance of Rome or the wondrous scenery of Tuscany have been firmly left in the past, thanks in part to the arrival of World Expo 2015 and the Salone del Mobile design fair.

Milan Fashion Week is unquestionably one of the most important dates in the fashion calendar, with industry insiders from Anna Dello Russo to Daisy Lowe coming from around the world to grace the Front Row. Fashion week can be a rather daunting experience for the uninitiated, with the seemingly endless back-to-back shows, dinners and afterparties draining even the most energetic fashionista, especially in the almost 40°C heat Milan ever so kindly provides.

When it comes to traditional dining options the elite of media, fashion and society flock to the opulent Ristorante da Giacomo, designed by Renzo Mongiardino, who has been hailed as an exceptional twentieth century designer. We quickly decided on the Garganelli with little squids and mullet roe, spider crab salad in Veneziana style and Giacomo's bomb. The quality of ingredients in all the dishes was clear to taste, with Giacomo's bomb being an indulgent treat to finish off the lunch.

(Image Credit: Finbarr Toesland)

Although we reached our seats just after the restaurant opened its doors at 12:30pm, within a mere 15 minutes the well-heeled fellow diners had already packed most of the eatery. The sudden influx of customers was well received, as we were beginning to feel rather self-conscious with four waiters floating solely around our table. The atmosphere is the real reason why Giacomo appears to be so oversubscribed, particularly due to the eclectic decor.

Next on the itinerary was Mantra Raw Vegan, which describes itself as 'the restaurant that does not cook anything'. I must admit to being somewhat apprehensive before visiting Mantra, as I had not been exposed to a great deal of vegan food previously, let alone raw vegan cuisine. The kelp noodles with pepper cream and chocolate brownie stuck out to us on the menu, with the next two dishes newly created by the chef showing an experimental streak.

(Image Credit: Finbarr Toesland)

Mantra's skill is not to simply make good vegan dishes, but good food, full stop. While I personally enjoyed all four courses, my dining companion, who happens to be vegan, found some of the tastes to be a little too variety and busy for her palate. The unusual White Charcoal water filter, which is meant to naturally adsorb impurities from water and release vital minerals, is certainly an interesting talking point for the table.

A mix of models, designers, bankers and socialites manage to muster enough energy to have late night rendezvouses at Just Cavalli Milano, which unlike many other designer branded night clubs always stays seasonal, with the decor being changed every season to ensure trends are followed exactingly. The location within the largest city park in Milan, Parco Sempione, gives Just Cavalli a distinctively exclusive and hidden away vibe.

(Image Credit: Just Cavalli Milano)

For the morning after the night before Pavé, in the up and coming Porta Venezia area, provides much needed respite from the bustling city streets, with the homely and friendly feel it offers. This pastry and bakery shop has already been recognised as one of the 20 best bakeries in Italy by food and wine magazine Gambero Rosso and is currently looking for another location in Milan to expand into.

(Image Credit: Finbarr Toesland)

Fendi was a standout show with designer Silvia Fendi saying after the presentation that "these are just young, everyday basics, done in a more sophisticated way." Models entered on a faux-wet granite runway, as Silvia placed synthetic and organic materials against one another, blurring the difference between the two. Although the pieces were minimalist in nature, the fabrics used betrayed the understated design. The Roman house turned potentially unglamorous looks into luxe items for the everyman inside consumers who pay far much more than everyday prices.

(Image Credit: Finbarr Toesland)

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(Image Credit: Finbarr Toesland)

The commercially focused collection saw the addition of the "Bug" mascot to two bomber jackets, amidst the unstructured and boxy silhouettes on display. The craftsmanship took priority in the menswear pieces, with the oversized tees and sweatpants still appearing meticulously constructed.

(Image Credit: Finbarr Toesland)

Backstage saw Fendi family scion Delfina Delettrez and Leonetta Luciano mingle with Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte, who also opened the Vivienne Westwood show, and Boyhood's Ellar Coltrane, while discussing the latest collection.

(Image Credit: Finbarr Toesland)

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Every summer, New Designers lands at the Business Design Centre in London's Angel. And within it's walls are over 3000 graduate talents from leading design courses across the country. As a past exhibitor at New Designers myself, it's a show I return to each year to witness the new and the next. Split across two weeks and a multitude of disciplines, there is an overpowering amount of budding creatives who are fresh from their studies and ready to showcase their work. So one sunny evening, I went down to see some of the work on offer and here are a few of my Rich Pickings.

Vilas Silverton - Zen Rogues

It was hard not to fall for these Zen Rogues by Vilas Silverton, which held their position overlooking the second floor balcony of the New Designers exhibit. The pieces come from imaginary portraits the artist created and then moved onto large clay figures. They stand out due to their large scale and untypical demeanor. When you think of busts, you imagine some chiseled figure staring intently into the distance, where as these sit nonplussed with their eyelids at half-mast. I find them to be very warm and characterful portraits and each encapsulates a real charm and humor.

Leah Jensen - The Death of Lucretia

Each year they have an area of the exhibition named 'One Year On', which showcases a curated range of designers who have been one year in the industry since studying. One of those designers was Leah Jensen, who caught my eye with her painstakingly intricate hand-carved porcelain vessels, joint together with burnt wood. When I first saw the display, I inquired whether they were 3D printed, as their was a great uniformity and precision to the work, so it is unbelievable how much work must go into these. It was interesting to learn that the structure pattern comes 14th-16th century European paintings being applied to the unfired clay, and then pins are used to map out a hidden geometric structure within the work. She describes the hand carving technique as "anti-digital", as it is pushing her own stills to be as complex and clean as if it was made by machine.

Bethany Dixon - Betty & the Lovecats

Inspired by religion, pop culture and drag queens - Bethany Dixon has created a range of risqué ceramics and sculptures, sure to start a conversation over the dinner table. She has a great illustrative talent that is complimented with considered touches of colour and metalic gold. Although some of the work may make your Gran blush, Bethany likes the fact that it provokes an opinion, and it doesn't matter what it is as long as you feel something.

New Designers Week Two runs from the 1 - 4 July and includes design disciplines of furniture, product and illustration - to name a few. Now celebrating it's 30th birthday, the talent on show is as strong as ever and I was more than impressed by all the graduates efforts. When I exhibited at New Designers, I remember enjoying the chance to talk about my projects outside of university for the first time, and it's great to see the next generation doing the same now. I'm sure many of them will return a few years down the line and look back with fondness in the same way I do now.

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Alexandra Shulman, editor-in-chief of Vogue, was brutally honest this weekend about the impact going on maternity leave can have on a woman's career (in an interview in The Times magazine).

I do think you have to accept there can be consequences from not being there. Office life has to go on. People don't just leave your job, your role, the you-ness of it, in aspic, waiting for you to come back and refill it

It was good to hear a successful woman speak about maternity leave in an honest way. This is one area where women can sometimes have quite mad expectations. Having a baby is truly transformative - you aren't the same person and everything changes. So why would you expect your work environment to stand still whilst you're gone? The reality is that new people will join, these people (not just young, feisty women by the way) will take on some of your role and there's likely to be some restructuring of your team in your absence. People aren't going to stand by your desk staring mournfully at your stapler until you return.

When I went away on maternity leave I felt anxious about what direction my career would take. I felt a certain level of defensiveness and didn't want anyone taking over my territory. I felt quite grumpy. I wanted to have a child, have a year off and pick up exactly where I'd left off.

But then once my daughter was born those concerns were blasted out of the water to be replaced by full-blown baby anxiety. Here was a tiny creature who didn't sleep, didn't eat enough and cried all the time. The only time I went on my laptop was to watch some really unhelpful video with a chirpy Mum explaining how easy it was to get your baby to 'latch on'.

Meanwhile back at work people were busy. They were furthering their careers and doing lots of stuff. They were writing presentations and staying late. They were coming up with new ideas that made their brains ache. Things were changing and shifting and no one had noticed my lonely stapler.

My own mother had a very different experience of maternity leave. For a start it was much shorter. When my sister was born (in the late eighties) my Mum went back to work after two weeks. She hadn't qualified for paid leave so had to leave my sister with a child-minder when she was tiny (my sister was tiny, not the child-minder). I don't remember Mum complaining about it (but she had a permanent frown on her face and didn't brush her hair for four years). And it was only when I had my own child that I realised how tough it must have been. She knew someone else would get her job unless she got back to work quick smart.

In contrast I took a year (Shulman apparently only took four months) but still didn't feel equipped to step back into the world of work. After a year! What a spoilt pig! But I'd now changed into this Mum person and wasn't sure what my working title was anymore. (I also think it never feels like the right time to come back whether you take two months or two years).

Those first few days and weeks were difficult. I faked a certain level of confidence and wore a pristine white shirt to give an impression of being on top of things. I was constantly worried that I would start singing 'One Little Duck Went Swimming One Day,' at an inopportune moment. I found it a challenge to make small talk as my brain was hardwired to talk about weaning, sleep patterns and box sets.

I also missed my daughter really badly.

When I returned everything had changed. There were lots of new faces and new roles and new systems. But I also found the changes quite liberating. For a start everyone knows how tough it can be being with a child all day. Even a child that you really love. The days are relentless and you look at the clock and then feel guilty. We in the Western world are spoilt (we have loads of gadgets and time-saving devices) but it's hard work nevertheless. Work felt liberating because it was a break from doing that stuff.

Pretty quickly I accepted that everything had changed. I found it invigorating to get involved in the things I wanted to be doing (rather than the things I'd landed up with). I started thinking about my role and what I wanted. Sure I had the odd pang when I thought about the past but the past was a different person doing a different job.

Two things shaped the fact that my experience was positive. My employer was fair. They didn't try and pull a fast one. But it was also my attitude - I accepted that taking a year off would have consequences. I tried to use these changes to my advantage.

And I haven't got it sussed completely and I have good and bad days but I think Shulman has a point. We need to accept that things will change and be flexible and realistic.

Time never stops but hopefully you can use it to your advantage.

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There's very little I feel as strongly about as I do shoes. No really, hardly anything. My boyfriend, sure. Friends and family, of course. Even pizza - well, perhaps that's on parr. But shoes? They're my thing.

When your jeans don't fit, your shoes always will. You might go up or down a dress size (thanks to the pizza), but your shoe size stays the same and isn't that just magical?

Think about it. You have this dress. It's a very nice dress and it suits you, but until those killer Kirkwoods you picked up in last seasons sample sale adorn your feet, it really isn't all that special, now is it?

And how about if you add in a little cuff? Maybe a clutch and definitely a skinny little waist belt over the dress and cropped jacket combo you've finally decided on, to show off your skinny little waist of course!

Didn't I tell you it was magical?

Accessorising really is an art. Scary to some and a regularly basked-in element for perhaps a select few, nothing feels as good when it comes to fashion, as accessorising does.

And it really doesn't have to be feared. It's just misunderstood. Accessorising isn't about having one brown shoe and bag combo and another in black, as much as our glamorous elders would have us believe. Nor is it about having every combination possible. Accessorising works best when you work with what you have. Or at least yearn to have.

The biggest mistake that can be made with accessorising, is overthinking it. Not the actual act of accessorising itself. If you think about it too much, you'll end up looking like a Christmas tree - and as much as we all love Christmas trees, there really is a time and place (preferably not on the approach to summer and not on your arms).

Accessorising has the power to perfect an outfit - make it even. It dots the i's and crosses the t's. You wouldn't leave the house without a full face in the morning, so why walk out the door half dressed?

Not everyone is a huge fan of accessorising and that's okay - we're all different - but for me, it just works. I've built up my own sense of style based around the whole concept and can end up wearing the same jeans daily, feeling inspired by accessories alone.

It's the same with my inspirations. We all have them and whether they're in the media, live down the street or even stars of yesteryear, they shape and style the way we dress. For me, there's only ever really been two big hitters. Yes I have a crazy love for Audrey Hepburn and I'll never fall out of love with the character of Blair Waldorf, but it's Olivia Palermo and Blair Eadie that are my mega heroes.

Now these girls can accessorise!

But when you look at them, do you see what I see? It's not an over-accessorising thing. It's more of an accentuating the outfit or just keeping it pretty and polished thing. A girl can thrown on a breton stripe and jeans (like both girls often do) and really transform the whole look with jewels, embellished flats, a chunky belt and a uncoordinated bag. And that's what I love.

See how both girls just have fun with dressing. It's not about pressure, it's not about feeling uncomfortable and it's definitely not about too much. It's always just enough.

Olivia has always described her style as accessorised and it suits here. She doesn't have one defined style, but then I don't think many of us really do. We're all evolving and that's so inspiring. One day you'll spot her in her Marchesa best and the next she's in shorts and a shirt, but it's her accessories that hold her together and set off her signature style.

It's the same with Blair. She's built her image based on wearing what she loves - and it always comes accessorised. When you put together a simple midi skirt and came combo, you might feel a little flat, like it's missing something - and that's because it is missing something - the accessories. Oversized shades, a little something in your hair, a statement belt and the right shoes will spin it into something completely, completely different. And that's the art of accessorising - the power of it even.

And that's what accessorising can be, powerful. When your look is just not working, or feels incomplete, accessories save the day. They're easier to buy and are so much harder to part with. So when you're next feeling a little flat or uninspired, take yourself to the accessories department for a little me-time and redefine your style.

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My reflection on the latest Men's Fashion Week, London...

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With the sun shining brightly and models and celebrities dashing to and from the catwalk shows, I spent most of my time during the British Fashion Council's latest London Collections Men SS16 event wondering two things:
How much of what was on the catwalk would my husband wear?

Will London Collections Men ever be as successful as the women's collections at London Fashion Week?

My husband is not very adventurous when it comes to fashion, so I quickly dismissed my vision of him attending a business meeting in a lace-piqued Burberry trench ensemble and instead decided to focus my time and energy on getting an answer to my second question, so:
...

Will London Collections Men ever be as successful as the women's collections at London Fashion Week? ...How big a deal is the men's fashion business? ...How much can it grow?

This is what I found out:

2015 saw the biggest 'men's version of London Fashion Week' yet, with a record number of designers and participants involved

London Collections Men (NB. I am sorry, personally I would call it 'Men's Collection London' to make it sound more sensible but I do realise this is fashion dahhhling) has significantly increased in size over the last three years

There were 47% more UK and international press and buyers at London Collections Men than in 2012

Quality British menswear brands encouraging industry growth

Data from international research firms widely supports this upward and encouraging trend. Euromonitor finds that globally, menswear was worth almost £300 billion in sales in 2014. Sales will reach £325billion by 2019. Global forecasting firm Oxford Economics also reports that the men's fashion industry contributed £12.9billion to the UK economy last year, an 18% increase between 2008 and 2013. When you look at the fantastic brands the UK has to offer in menswear, it is no wonder there is so much growth: Saville Row, Jermyn Street, Tom Ford, Dunhill, The Tailors, Burberry for Men, Paul Smith, Belstaff... I could go on!

Positive change in male consumer behaviour

So, what has changed? Well, several things: men are taking more and more of an interest in what they wear; they are influenced by social media; internet shopping makes it far more convenient for them to shop (without hitting the stores and from the comfort of their own couch). According to global market research firm Mintel, there was a whopping 65% increase in the number of men online-shopping for fashion in 2014, meaning a 13% jump from 2013. Data from IBISWorld shows 17.4% growth in online sales of menswear over the last five years, outpacing all other categories. Its analysts believe the online menswear market will grow more than any other related category, on average 14.2% per year from now until 2020.

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Fashion industry leaders driving progress

The numbers are compelling. And when you speak to the experts, it makes even more sense. Over the past ten days I have been able to chat with two fashion icons who rarely give interviews. One being Burberry CEO and chief creative officer Christopher Bailey - who, for the first time, sent female models down the runway during the men's collection - and the other, Natalie Massenet, founder and executive chairman of Net-a-Porter. During an exclusive interview*, Massenet told me she strongly believes "men's fashion could become as big an industry as women's".

An accessible and inviting online marketplace

Digital has a core part to play in this. Men's access to trends-information is increasing thanks to digital. Doing everything online can be a dream way of shopping for men because it is systematic, organised and largely pain-free! Ultimately, if the high-priestess of e-commerce [Massenet] says it, I kind of subscribe to it. When shopping, men in particular are proven to like to: 'get in and get out'; buy multiples of the same thing; look at things they already own and buy more of them; have purchases arrive fuss-free... Remind you of anyone you know?

Moving with the times

What I have not yet touched on is the way that our working environments are changing, and how this will influence men's fashion. Massenet says that "in ten years we are going to have bigger closets... Move over women, the men will want more wardrobe space" and that "the way we work as organisations and companies, the roles are shifting. The economy is shifting towards a more creative tech-based economy. You have people showing up to work in all sorts of different things. Now they can express themselves much more through style and belong to different style tribes - the creative, the finance - all of those come with different fashion typology, so I think that men's fashion is going to explode". She is right. Office spaces are changing and fashion will change alongside. As our day-to-day roles evolve, how we present ourselves to the world will also change.

What to wear?

So, what should we be wearing? After posing this question to several of 'those in-the-know' at London Collections Men, most answers conclude that it really depends on the occasion. British model and actress Suki Waterhouse, who I met at the Burberry show, says her ideal man would wear "some kind of gorgeous beige cashmere turtle neck with possibly camel suede shoes, sitting by a fire" (for the record my ideal man would not, and nor would there be a fireplace involved). And to settle once-and-for-all my oldest work feud with my co-anchor - tie or no tie? - I asked Christopher Bailey whether ties were 'in or out'. Ever the diplomat, and not knowing which side I was on, Bailey told me "it depends on where you are, what kind of build you have, your personality". You have to dress for the occasion. Now, I end with a gentle plea to my dear co-anchor: on the occasion of being on air with me for two hours presenting a show, a tie will always be most welcome.

*'Leaders with Lacqua: Natalie Massenet' airs 7pm Wednesday 1 July on Bloomberg Television

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Thunderstorms and freak cold snaps aside, summer is pretty much upon us in glorious Britain. With sooooooo many potions and products out there falsely promising 'Fantasmagorical Mega Radiance Glow' skin or 'Super Silky Holy Aphrodite-esq' hair, we at Icon UK thought it might be best to cut through all the jargon by assembling some of the team here to give their own top tips to help get the most out simple, and most of all inexpensive products, to help achieve the ultimate summer skin.

Whether it's recycling old ground coffee beans as a makeshift body-scrub from makeup master Michelle Phan, to using simple self tanning moisturiser from Irish Youtube sensation Melanie Murphy our girls are here to help.

Check back soon when our resident nutritionist Madeline Shaw cooks up a storming gluten free pizza. YUM!

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I wasn't particularly looking for a career change, although something less physical and strenuous than fitting carpets for a living had crossed my mind from time to time, especially after 30 years in the job. It was around five years ago I was sunbathing in a London park, when two model scouts came over to me from The Eye Casting. They asked if I would be interested in testing for a television commercial for a shaving brand. It did come as a surprise, as I was 50 years old at the time and always thought that models were much younger or looked like David Beckham or David Gandy. I said I would think about it and they arranged to call me a couple of days later. By the time they called back, I had decided to go with it and although I didn't get the TV commercial, they signed me to the agency. Not long after that, I started to get lots of bookings. At first it was for adverts in magazines but this soon lead into more moving image jobs like music videos, short films and commercials. After shooting one of the music videos, the directors approached me about trying for the lead in the new feature they were planning to shoot later that year. After auditioning and testing, they offered me a lead role in the movie. I was absolutely thrilled, as this was only eight months after I'd been scouted and I had never had any acting training. The fact that I haven't had any training is something people are always curious about and ask me about. This however is something I don't dwell on too much. I just read the script and totally believe I am that person in that situation. It's more of an instinct thing.

It was early one summer morning in 2011 then that I set off in my carpet van for our location. Home for the next five weeks was to be Folkestone in Kent. With me were a small crew of 25, all of them passionate and talented, albeit new to the feature length films. The title of the film is Everyone's Going to Die, a black comedy with a twist of romance, directed by a talented duo, Max Baron and Michael Woodward, known collectively as Jones. My co-star and leading lady was to be Nora Tschirner, a very experienced German actress and presenter. The first week was spent with Max and Nora, rehearsing and perfecting the script and performances, while Michael and the film crew checked the locations and worked on the technical side. I remember the very first scene we shot involved me sprinting 100 yards being chased by a ferocious dog. But as the saying goes, 'Never work with children or animals,' and we had to retake the scene 10 times! Exhausting!

Another time, Nora and I had to swim across an icy cold harbour at two in the morning, then stop in the middle and have a conversation! It makes me smile every time I see the uncontrollable shivering. One of our producers somehow managed to persuade Jaguar to loan us a luxury car for my character to use in the film, and our lovely main producer, Kelly Broad, let me use the car for the whole five weeks while she drove my old carpet van! Fun times and good memories.

The film has been screened in many of the world's film festivals, with a world premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas and a UK premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival. It won an arthouse cinema award in Mons, Belgium and the jury at the Dinard film festival gave us a special mention for our performances. We now have a UK release for the film in selected cinemas from June 26th. I've worked in three more features since we made this film, the latest one being a part in Guy Ritchie's new film, Knights of the Round Table, where I play Mordred, a druid King. Coming to a multiplex near you, 2016...

In between my roles in film, I have my modelling work. I have had some great jobs where I got to travel to different cities around the world, some of my favourites being Paris, Venice and Johannesburg. Recently though, I landed one of my best jobs to date, here in the UK for H&M, in a new campaign directed by Mark Forster. This was a TV commercial, playing pool with David Beckham where we had a great time filming, walking around the table and staring each other out for two days. It was all acting though, as I have to say that David really is a nice guy and we had great fun shooting it.

So glad I was in the park that day and the way things are going, I'm really excited about the future and doing more films. It sure beats working for a living!

Everyone's Going to Die is in UK Cinemas now and will be available on VoD from July 6th.

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No really, I am. When you look at twenty somethings that love beauty, skincare and fitness, what do you see? Are you one of them? Is it all about the here and now, looking good and feeling good, or is it so much more than that?

It is for me. I'm a twenty-something and I love beauty, skincare and fitness, but not because it makes me feel good (well, that probably helps a little). My obsession stems from something much, much deeper than that. I really am just looking out for my 60-Year-Old self.

I've always been a planner. I like to know what I'm doing days or weeks (sometimes, months) in advance - much to the annoyance of my loved ones. I try to live in the moment and even though I do manage it every now and again, I'm not all that good at it. I like to be prepared. Things should have a time and a place and I guess, to me, that also applies to beauty, skincare and fitness.

As children, we drink our milk and eat our vegetables to grow big and strong. As teens, we follow the advice of our elders, rushing to become adults. But when we get there, hitting our mid-twenties, what's next? Not everyone tells you to look out for your older-self.

But I always will.

I definitely look after my skin for agelessness. Despite suffering with acne, it's the early signs of ageing that gets to me the most. Blemishes are easy to treat once you know how, but fine lines and wrinkles - they require so much more once they set in. So, I'm doing my best to hold that off for as long as possible.

Years ago, I was that terrified I felt that I'd definitely look to cosmetic surgery as soon as I needed it. Now, I'm firmly on the prevention is better than cure fence.

And why shouldn't I be?

I write about skincare, nutrition and health for a living and have built quite the obsession with it. Taking care of my body so that breezes its way through life, as much as possible, has become a bit more than just fun for me and nutrition plays a big part in that.

Finding foods that are good for collagen production has become a bit of a mission and I'd quite happily eat an avocado a day to keep the cosmetic doctor away.

It's the same with water. It's not easy to up your intake, but if you just give it a try, it becomes addictive. Yes running to the bathroom a few times an hour isn't always that glamorous, but do you know what is? Healthy, glowing skin and a well-functioning body. It really is true what they say, water works!

I fully intend on only letting one thing give away my age as I grow - my boyfriend (or, hopefully, Husband by then). He tans well and loves the sun, but refuses to take my advice on skincare - opting for the more rustic way of looking after himself.

But as I opened with, this isn't all about beauty, it's just as much about healthcare as it is skincare.

Sometimes, beauty and fitness efforts can seem superficial and while I'm not going to defend or shame them (that's definitely not what this post is about), I can't speak for everyone, but what I will say is - there's a reason for mine.

I want to be able to run, dance and still do yoga as I age. I want to take care of my body so that it stays strong and healthy throughout the whole of my life. I don't ever want to reach a point in life where I look back and wish I'd taken better care of myself and with the way I live, I really don't think I will.

So the next time I scatter my love of pizza with a whole lot of greens, proteins and juices to balance out my biggest weakness, I'll know I've only got me in mind.

Are you planning ahead just like I am? I'd love to know if you have any beauty, skincare and fitness tips to share!

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If I read about another celebrity who states, 'I'd never have anything done cosmetically' I will eat my hat. Both smug and annoying it suggests those that do are somehow lesser. Some people are blessed genetically, but why be so quick to judge those who seek a little help.

The rise in popularity of these non-invasive cosmetic procedures is not too dissimilar as getting your hair coloured, or your nails done, or getting a fake tan for a night out to cover up your blotchy pale skin. If every woman stopped colouring their hair we would all see the difference.

If people get some cosmetic assistance what's the problem? It's their body and face. I'm thinking of someone suffering from depression who's spent too many hours with a furrowed brow making them look permanently angry and wants to try Botox just to soften the lines a little. Is there anything wrong with wanting to look a bit fresher and happier?

The lines on our faces create a map of your life and it might be interesting for others to look at, but when you see your reflection every morning it's not always a pleasant sight. If filler under your eyes means they are less sunken, then it means less time putting on make up to conceal them and less people saying, 'Oh my god, you look exhausted.' When actually you are not exhausted, you just have dark circles genetically.

These treatments, which are simple, relatively affordable, fast, and now ubiquitous can make people feel better about themselves. Just ensure you go to a reputable clinic with proper certification; there are cowboys out there with accompanying horror stories.

This same celebrity was dismissive of women who undergo breast augmentation surgery. If someone goes for ginormous implants I admit they can look weird, but what about a woman who has had breast cancer and needs breast reconstruction and implants? That woman is just trying to reclaim her body ravaged by a disease. And what about women who choose to breastfeed, not for a few months, but perhaps a year or two, with each consecutive child. The toll on the breasts is often not spoken about and tacitly accepted. After breastfeeding, the breast tissue atrophies leaving empty sacks where there were once ample bosoms (not in all cases). And sometimes the nipples can droop. Are women expected to just love and embrace their bodies? How can they when, often, all we see are pert, pneumatic breasts on giant billboards?

Working in Asia, I see women who are practically half naked, in shorts, with their legs out and their hair perfected. You will not see a hairy leg in sight; laser hair removal is big business. There's massive pressure on women to look a certain way and I can see, just by scanning a room that most have bought into the beauty concept, including myself. I take care over my appearance and want to look good for my age, it's something that was drilled into me since I modelled from the age of 16. When I look at old modelling photos, I see how lighting can transform me into someone other. I know it is an illusion, but it is still intoxicating to look at and has made me understand the allure of image and surface.

On the day of the shoot I was tired but it was airbrushed away to make me look in my 20's, I was 36 at the time.

When you walk through an airport billboards are screaming at you to buy expensive products so you, too, can look like the airbrushed perfection they are selling. It's a fabricated manipulated con but the images are impossible to ignore sticking in our consciousness in a pernicious way that can make women, especially, feel wholly inadequate.

If we lived in a society were we saw a diverse range of faces and bodies: old, wrinkly, black, brown, yellow, saggy, short, tall, thin, fat, oblong, this silent quest for perfection, that many of us tacitly accept and unwittingly pursue, would not be so pronounced. There is pressure, on men and women, to look good. If you look good life will be better - that's the theory. It would be preferable if the emphasis were more on how you behave, your personality and how you treat others. Unfortunately, how you look matters - at every level of our lives, professional and personal.

But let's not be so dismissive of people who undergo such cosmetic procedures? Just don't over do it because who wants to look like a clown. Getting a small dose of help, now and then, is just fine.

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As a transgender woman I have been a victim of transphobic hate crime for a very long time now. When I tell people about my experiences of hate crime their reactions are "OMG. Why don't you report it?", well... if I was to report every single hate crime I faced then I would be in court every single day!

It's not that I don't want to report it because obviously I would love to see justice over this kind of abuse, but over time it has just become something that I'm used to so It just makes my life easier to brush it off.

A third of transgender people in the UK are victims of transphobic abuse every year and statistics show that up to 80% go unreported! Personally I don't like to think of myself as a victim and that I feel many people of the transgender community can relate to because it takes a lot of bravery and courage for a person like myself to live a life like this knowing that this is what we're up against. It completely destroyed my pride when I had to involve the police in an incident where I found myself being held at knife point, because I felt I had such a strong armour after many years of holding my head high and not letting bigots like this get to me. So for the first time I felt like a victim. For a long time I think we've been fighting this issue on our own and its time for not only authorities to step up but society in general.

Here is a list of just some of the comments I receive on a daily basis: "OMG. That's a MAN!', "ERR. I'm not going near that", "Go kill yourself!", "You were born a man, so be a man!", "Your mum should be ashamed", "You dirty tranny", "I'm going to smash your face in, watch!", "you're going to hell". The list is endless.

The subject of transgender is not easy to get your head around unless you've experienced gender dysphoria yourself.. Some people just don't feel happy identifying themselves as the gender they were born in and therefore live in the gender role that they feel is more comfortable them. At the end of the day you do what makes you feel happy. Regardless of whether you understand that individuals choices in life or not, if they're happy and not harming anyone else then let them be. I don't understand some religions but I don't go around abusing and ridiculing them because of it.

Personally I think the issue lies with the perpetrators and the education of these people. They don't understand people that are transgender and therefore their natural reaction is to hate it, just like I don't understand algebra so I hate it (but obviously I'd never condemn abusing it). But I think the more society is educated on this subject the more people will begin to understand us and It doesn't mean to say they have to agree with our lifestyle or our choices but to just simply acknowledge that we too are human beings that deserve some respect.

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How many of us feel the pressure to present the right image? Even young people are acutely image conscious and brand aware. Try to persuade a young person to wear a cheaper make of supermarket own brand trainers; it would be regarded as the ultimate humiliation!

TV, magazines and social media treat sporting a particular make of clothes and accessories or using the latest technology as an essential part of having street cred. For young people this is especially important as it puts them on a par with others in their peer group, makes them feel they belong and maybe even elevates them to Elitist Level if they're able to sustain each latest up-to-the-minute look.

Adults like to think they're less judgmental than young people. They recognise that much of the pressure to conform is media driven, is looking to support sales, introduce new trends and products, be seen to be dynamic and innovative. Many adults would hate to be perceived as superficial or unduly affected by another's possessions, clothes or presentation of themselves, but image is often a significant factor in our relationships with others. We all make instant decisions, form instant impressions of people when we first meet.

And caring about our appearance, dressing well, looking after ourselves can be perceived as taking responsibility for ourselves as well as displaying good manners and consideration for the company we keep, whether it be for our partners, friends and family, employers, customers and clients. It demonstrates that we regard ourselves as important, we care enough to want to make a good impression and we're prepared to invest time, money and effort into looking good when we're committing to be with other people.

Wearing a smart suit, a pair of killer heels, a dash of lipstick, an expensive aftershave, having a beauty treatment, a new hairdo makes us feel much more confident, knowing that we're looking good. When we feel we look the part we're often able to raise our game and portray that positive persona. We stand taller, feel more in control.

However, putting ourselves under massive pressure to earn the money to sustain the expensive wardrobe, designer handbags, expensive homes, cars, holidays and school fees can put an inordinate amount of strain on our quality of life, relationships, health and wellbeing. Stopping and reflecting on what's important in life can sometimes result in spending less money and enjoying a camping trip rather than a 5 star luxury holiday, can prompt the decision to work fewer hours and come home earlier to be with our children in order to discuss what's happening in their lives.

Image pressure can cause a significant amount of personal stress. The pressure to be a certain body shape or size, exceptionally slim or muscular and ripped can cause body anxiety in young and old, male and female as they strive to eat less or work out more. The incidence of eating disorders, once seen as the province of young females, is escalating in young men and older people as they feel the pressure to look good through media defined eyes.

Maintaining a positive look as we start to age is important too as part of our ongoing image and desire to be accepted in certain spheres of life. Feeling the pressure to look young, hide the signs of ageing can at times compel some of us to consider the need for surgical and non-surgical procedures, sometimes at great cost financially, physically and psychologically. Many people dye their hair to disguise evidence of their advancing years, spend time agonising over ways to hide the signs of their hair loss.

And, yes, fitting in, being received in a positive way, regarded as someone who is successful, attractive, professional can give an important boost to our confidence as we go about our daily lives. Wearing the right clothes, looking fit and attractive is often a key aspect of the impression we give.

Some people feel extra confident when wearing a smart company uniform; it portrays a specific image, a corporate brand identity with all its associated professionalism. A uniform can bring a certain dignity and gravitas to a situation where staff find they feel positive as part of the corporate team. Compulsory school uniform negates the need for schoolchildren to compete with each other over their daily clothing but the school uniform from a highly regarded school can be something that parents aspire to for the sake of their children; it conveys an elitist image.

But, that aside, let's not ignore the role that managing stress, looking after ourselves can play in our lives and work to sustain a healthy, positive way of life. A nutritious diet, regular exercise routine and stress free lifestyle are all recognised as effective ways of taking good care of ourselves and counteracting the effects of ageing and excess. When asked what they found most attractive about others many people commented that it was their natural, relaxed manner, their infectious sense of humour and their kind nature that was most appealing!

Maybe we should devote more time and energy to learning ways to relax, to focus on what's really important in our lives and pay less heed to the pressures of advertising and the media when we decide what to wear, how to look and how to live our lives.

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The heat is on! Whether you have a terrace, balcony or patio - it's that time of year when you want to make this space look as amazing as your interiors. In this fantastic weather, it's only natural that you'll want to spend more time in the sun, so here are my top tips on how to get your outdoor space ready for enjoying and entertaining!

There's nothing more quintessentially British than a picnic during summertime, so this is a great way to make an outdoor space more appealing to entertain in. Find fabulous throws and cushions to create a picnic area in your garden. I love informal dining and this is the perfect way to translate this to the outside. Organic shaped tableware, like my Zen collection from Kelly Hoppen London are the perfect neutral base to serve food on and let your decoration shine through.

Think outside the box when it comes to decorating the space for entertaining. Have a random selection of glasses heightens the informality of the meal and will make everyone feel a little more relaxed. Fill plant pots with knives and forks for a more rustic look, which will also add an element of fun to the space.

To create a fantastic layout for any al fresco table, use runners down the centre of tables as a starting point. Once you have this in place, use natural elements like leaves and flowers to decorate the base and then introduce some quirky additions, for example milk bottles or jam jars which can be filled with flowers to bring the whole look together. Complete the look napkins, tied with string to keep them looking relaxed but organised.

Now you are ready to serve! Summer salads and light bites work really well when it's hot outside, so why not make it more casual with a buffet-style meal. That way, guests can interact and it certainly takes the pressure off the host. Have your cutlery ready for your guests to use by taking the labels of old ice cream tubs for a fun, alternative way to display flowers or have your utensils handy!

I hope you have a fantastic summer and these tips help you to create the perfect summer party, no matter what outdoor space you have - Cheers!

Love Kelly xx

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So, you are out of your maternity clothes, and are now facing an entirely new wardrobe crisis. The breast feeding wardrobe... Something you didn't prepare for when you were pregnant, bet you thought you would just wear your old clothes didn't you!

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I spent most of my pregnancy creating a mental wish list of all the clothes I would wear after having her - not even 10% of this list turned out to be even remotely practical for the new lifestyle that was ahead.

You need to feel comfortable feeding in public so choosing tops that will keep this discreet is key. These are the rules to follow when shopping:

Avoid anything too tight or fitted, these ride up your back when nursing and can make you feel quite vulnerable from behind! Not to mention cold...

Go for good quality even with your basic tees so they don't lose their shape with all the stretching they'll endure

If you find a top that requires feeding from above the neckline, wear with a scarf or a vest that you can pull up under the top so that you don't feel too exposed on your chest.

It is best to layer than to wear a bulky top for breast feeding so that yourself and baby don't get too hot

Steer clear of pastel shades, these are the worst at showing wet patches and sick!

Floaty tops are great for draping around your baby when feeding, these make for the most discreet nursing

Go for support instead of aesthetics when it comes to your underwear, I recommend Panache and Emma Jane, if you are anything bigger than a D you can forget gorgeous brands such as Elle Macpherson and Hot Milk!

It is extremely hard to find nursing clothes that are anything other than "practical" so I would like to share some stylish essentials that I have bought this time around that work for me...

Vests

A loose vest will be your best friend in the heat whilst trying to breastfeed in public and the best I have come across are from Warehouse. They are such a nice shape and are flattering tucked in or worn loose. There is a huge selection of colours and are only £10. STOCK UP! I get through 2 most days thanks to baby vom...

Image Credit: Warehouse

Stretchy Jeans

Whilst I love a good pair of skinny jeans, comfort comes first right now! I've just discovered Jack Wills do a brilliant pair of stretchy jeans and they are slightly higher waisted than I normally wear which again, covers any bulges when discreetly breastfeeding.

Image Credit: Jack Wills

Skirts

Dresses are simply out of the question when breast feeding, which is devastating when all you want to do is sling on a maxi and be done with it! So to stay cool, skirts are the only option but trying to find a flattering one for a 30 something is harder than you would think! I picked up a couple at Jack Wills and mix and match them with a selection of my new loose vests.

Image Credit: Jack Wills

Shorts

For those park days when a floaty mini skirt simply isn't practical, you need a good pair of shorts to rely on. Most shorts are just too short these days (and yes I know exactly how I sound when I say that) but I have found these from Zara which are practical and very stylish!

Image Credit: Zara

Shoes

Head straight to Marksies for a comfortable version of the latest catwalk trends! These fabulous suede gladiator sandals have quickly become my new favourite summer shoe.

Image Credit: Marks & Spencer

For more posts like this, please check out my other blog over at Scarlett and Me!

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'Will it rain today?', 'Is this outfit windproof?'

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate every ray of sunshine we get, but true to English weather, each day brings something inconsistent and is wreaking havoc with my wardrobe choices! I don't know about the rest of you, but I wake up each morning scanning my closet in despair, launching each unsuitable item into a pile on my floor.

In need of some inspiration I turned to the net and my trustworthy glossy magazines. Feeling suitably equipped with ideas, a shopping spree was on the agenda.

I've put together my top five fail-safe garments that are worth the investment this season.

The Tailored Sleeveless Jacket

This is a great layering piece, without the heaviness of full-length sleeves, (and a great cover-up if you're wearing something white or a little sheerer when the heavens open)! Pair with skinny jeans and a basic tee for a smart-casual polished look. Embrace nude hues with Topshop's Raw Edge Sleeveless Jacket or master the soft military image with River Island's Crepe Sleeveless Trench Jacket.

The Jean

Now this item I don't think I, let alone anyone else, could live without. Perfect for any season, a timeless piece, the jean can be dressed up with heels or down with Birkenstocks. Skinny, Straight, Bootcut, Boyfriend, white, grey, black or blue, these are a fabulous base for any outfit to work with. Try Gap for a vast selection of quality well-cut styles - ever so important when purchasing your new best friend.

The White Boyfriend Shirt

Comfortable, cool and classic. Flattering for almost any silhouette, the oversized shirt hides a multitude of body sins and can be worn in so many ways. Buttoned down over a little summer dress, a cover-up on the beach, or simply teamed with denim - loose, tucked in or tied at the front - for a simple but chic look. I've got my eye on Joules Longer Length Tippi Shirt.

The Playsuit/Jumpsuit

Screaming versatile and effortless, this is an all-in-one, (literally), outfit you can throw on, walk out the door and it speaks for itself. Choose from laid-back corduroy dungarees, like this throw-back from Topshop, to office-appropriate elegant jumpsuits such as this wide-leg crepe must-have from Warehouse.

The Maxi Dress

It's hard to go wrong with this staple summer dress. Seasons later and it's still ageless and seamlessly glamorous. Chiffon, jersey, cotton, this attire can take you from day to night, from festival to wedding, with a little savvy accessorising. An absolute steal at £14.99, I'm in love with this basic A-line maxi dress from H&M in Khaki. For that special occasion, this Lilac Floral Super Full Maxi Dress from ASOS is absolutely charming.

Plus, it has the all-important advantage of not showing those lacy brazilian briefs* you so thoughtfully put on this morning, should you get caught in the breeze!

*Who am I kidding? We all reach for the extra comfy pink spotty pants we picked up from Primark.

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When a celebrity shares a photo while having a beauty treatment we will often cover it on HuffPost UK Style as we love getting a glimpse into the beauty routines of the rich and famous.

However, when Serena Williams uploaded an Instagram video showing her getting her eyebrows shaped we avoided covering it as a news story because... well, to put it bluntly... it made us feel uncomfortable.

Lol finally getting them shaped! Hahahha #haters I love you!!! Hahah but I still like them all natural! But for now you win lol

A video posted by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Jul 14, 2015 at 3:52am PDT

It wasn't the close up of the beautician wielding the scissors so close to Serena's face that made us squirm, it was what she had written in the caption:

"Lol finally getting them shaped! Hahahha #haters I love you!!! Hahah but I still like them all natural! But for now you win lol"

The #haters she refers to took to Twitter in their droves to comment on all aspects of Serena's appearance following her Wimbledon matches.

Now I want to point out that I don't think there is anything wrong with Serena Williams getting her eyebrows shaped - as Beyoncé would say, she's a grown woman, she can do whatever she wants.

Nor is there anything wrong with Serena choosing to share a photo of the experience, nor sharing the fact that Twitter trolls' spiteful comments have affected her.

What unsettled me was Serena's admission that her #haters have "won".

They have beaten her - something that no woman at Wimbledon was able to do.

The Instagram post should make Serena's Twitter haters feel ashamed, as it is proof that they aren't just sending their hateful messages out into the abyss - they have a very real, and very human, recipient.

But I have a sinking suspicion that many of those trolls will be gloating and relishing their power to chip away at a champion athlete's confidence.

Sadly, the Twitter vitriol against Serena in the face of her success is not unusual.

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has previously spoken about how she had a nose job after being bombarded with abuse on Twitter, while world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle was subjected to a stream of tweets slating her appearance while competing in the Olympics.

Serena's video is the latest in a long line of high profile evidence of the effect trolling can have and that is why it deserves a second watch:

To remind ourselves that even after a colossal accomplishment our self-confidence is fragile and we all have a responsibility to each other to think before we tweet.

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Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that marks the conclusion of Ramadan, was filled with Muslim brothers and sisters bringing out their best outfits for the weekend celebration.
Up and down the country there was the beautiful sight of celebrants spilling out of mosques looking more and more like fashionistas from London Fashion Week, but still keeping their traditional attire alive. Here are my top 5 picks.

@TheZafShabir went to town with this ensemble. Zaf had on Sunglasses from: RayBan, Waistcoat: Ottoman inspired oversized Waistcoat from Cyprus, Tunic/Trousers: Designed by Zaf, Reversible Woven Shawl: Madina, Saudi Arabia, Footwear: Shahnameh Heritage Wear.

@SugarCoatedMuaHijab wears a full Abaya with adjustable belt from: My Batua including Hijab, matching emroidered Hijab cap and princess sleeves. Footwear: New Look

@ImogenLeroux added a contemporary twist to her Eid outfit. She wore an Abaya from: Aywa London, Footwear: Aase Hopstock, Accesories: Skinny Dip London and Butterfly Jewellery

@SamahSay kept it clean, simple and chic with her get up. She wore a Hijab from: Al Madina Hijabs, Top: NewFashionTrendShop, Jeans: H&M, Bag: DKNY, Shoes: H&M

@JunaidShaheen fuses western and Pakistani culture with his Waistcoat from: Dulha House, Polo T-Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Trousers: ZARA, Watch: FOSSIL, Sandals: Known as 'Kolhapuri Chappal', traditional Indian handcrafted leather slippers.

Pic/Instagram Credit: @SamahSay @SugarCoatedMuaHijab @JunaidShaheen @ImogenLeroux @TheZafShabir, Halima Begum

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We live in a society with countless sources of information. Millions of tweets, instagrams and status' are posted every second. We analyze so many different social media, we keep up to date with so many influencers, and we are constantly reinventing ourselves. Fashion and music evolve and change so fast, that in the blink of eye the trends have switched into a different direction. It is safe to say that most of our information is processed from internet sources, and with this type of platform that is instantly updatable magazines need to move fast or risk seemingly falling behind. Trends are actively being created and shopped online before they are even printed. Although it can be pleasurable to hold a physical piece of paper in your hands, it needs to become a more interactive and personalized experience.

We have so much variety in this day and age and an infinite amount of ways to style ourselves and form our identities. Fashion week is amazing but is more of an art form then it is a creator of trends. To know the trends even before magazines write about them follow these three things:

1. Always keep up to date with great street style. Drive to the most fashion forward neighborhood in your city and just observe. Go to Soho when in New York, Sunset Plaza in Los Angeles, le Marais in Paris or East London. You will soon find yourself immersed in the fashion world, and keeping up to date with all the new boutiques and capsule collection drops. These people browsing the stores and walking around are the ones starting the trends and living them. Are floral prints coming back? Is pastel the new white? You can find out all these things by going to these areas, or observing the street style during big fashion weeks. Keep up to date with hashtags such as: #NYStreetStyle #MilanStreetStyle #PFWStreetStyle and on different fashion apps or blogs.

2. Use your social media/ social shopping apps to keep up to date. We place a huge importance on the appearance of other people, especially influencers, and use them as a guiding point to our own lifestyle. Would they wear it to the red carpet if it wasn't in? Absolutely not. Often times they wear high end brands but it is the overall style that counts, so keep the look, not the price tag. Top shoppings apps like Shopstyle, Polyvore or Shopcade, carry multiple brands and offers are a good place to look for trendy yet affordable outfits that celebrities have been seen wearing and connect the user with top items for best prices.

3. Classic never dies. There has been great trends like pea coats in the winter, and rather questionable ones like sneaker-heels. Those that were truly amazing have remained timeless. Who can criticize the classic looks? Like the great Coco Chanel said "Fashion changes, style endures." It is always good to be trendy, but don't buy into any fads that seem ridiculous. Remember to do what feels right to you individually. Sometimes classic is the way to go, people still look as cool in a leather jacket and a white t-shirt as they did 20 years ago. So go to the shed and dust off those iconic pieces and include these items in with your regular day-to-day style.

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Living and working in a city like London, it's not unusual to meet people doing at least two jobs - chasing a dream or trying to get a side-career off the ground while holding down a day job that pays the bills. I'm one of those people, but my careers span radiography and fashion design and they coalesce, so I guess my story is a little less linear and a little more hybrid than most. I like to think I'm 50% science, 50% design - each part is inspired by and dependent on the other.

It was while performing a CT head scan at the North Middlesex Hospital in London in 2008 that it struck me how textural and beautiful the brain scan images were. As they appeared on the screen slice by slice I saw the brain's structures form and recede, changing from light to dark grey and black as the x-rays sliced through the different anatomical structures, as if for the first time. It set off a creative spark in me that continues to this day.

As a radiographer and fashion designer I use medical images to inspire fabric designs, crossing over between two careers that may seem miles apart, but actually compliment each other beautifully. I have been a radiographer since the late 90's but always craved a creative career. It wasn't until I graduated from a fashion degree in London in 2005 and began juggling both careers that I realised how creative and artistic radiography and medical imaging can be, particularly with advances in 3D image reconstruction software for CT, Ultrasound and MRI scanning. We're exploring and imaging the human body in new ways, giving rise to aesthetic images that excite the imagination and give me bursts of creative ideas to turn medical images into fabrics and then clothing, accessories and home furnishings.

The chance idea in the CT scanner at the North Middlesex Hospital led me to a knitwear factory in Italy in the pursuit of translating CT head and sinus scans into knitted fabrics. I had a basic understanding of knitting after three years working part-time for a knitwear designer, but I had been focussed on the technical side of making clothing (pattern cutting and garment construction) rather than fabric design. The factory owners let me loose with some basic programming knowledge and a computer. Armed with scans given to me by friends and family I began developing digital designs from the sinus and brain scans in the format required by the Industrial knitting machines. I went through a process of assigning each pixel in the scan to a needle on the knitting machine. It was an experimental process that was a technical and painstaking challenge. Once achieved, the knitting process began and I mixed wool, cashmere, silk, nylon, camel hair, viscose and bio-ceramic yarns to explore colour, texture and fabric properties. It was the most exciting experiment I had ever done. To realise my idea and refine it to create final knitted fabrics, then create a fashion collection to present at London Fashion Week was exciting, rewarding and terrifying (sinus scan fashion... what would the reaction be?) It was at that point that I decided to launch my fashion label because I had found an exciting connection between medical imaging and design and I wanted to spread the message of how inspiring medical images, and our insides, can be. I wanted to celebrate the beauty in the images and start a new conversation to bring science, technology and fashion closer together.

Over the course of my blog I will share my hybrid designs worn by inspirational women from the fields of science, technology and medicine alongside news from my journey fusing medical imaging and design, starting with images of the first ever sinus and brain scan knitwear collection below. Stay tuned and if you're interested/inspired/wired get in touch via twitter or the conversations section.

Brooke Roberts Autumn/Winter 2010 collection:

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Brooke Roberts Website
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At the risk of being TMI, the idea for this post came to me whilst I was shaving my legs... a task I'd neglected for longer than I care to mention, as it's such a bloomin' faff. It struck me that us girls and all our beauty prep must look pretty damn weird to you fellas...

I went travelling with a fellow female friend and her boyfriend for three months, and he always found our beauty habits truly bizarre... from dousing ourselves in a face mask to curling our eyelashes, the poor boy looked genuinely befuddled each time we brought "what looks like a torture device" to hover around our eyes, or emerged from the bathroom with a bright green face...

So today, I thought I'd debunk the myths men have amassed about beauty over the years...

1. We put on makeup for you.

The majority of girls will agree with me when I say: we put on makeup for ourselves... sometimes other girls, but mainly us.

2. You prefer the natural look.
You say that, then you see us without makeup on...

... and you look terrified.

Trust us, sometimes you don't want to see what's under that foundation and concealer... and we are all aware we look better with it on.

So when we do wear it, feel free to make a fuss.

3. By wearing makeup, we are lying to you.
If you're stupid enough to think we naturally have gold, shimmery eyelids, ridiculously long, thick eyelashes or bright red lips, you are beyond any help we can give you.

4. Applying makeup is easy.
In most 'My Boyfriend Does My Makeup' videos on YouTube, the guy will proclaim he will easily be able to apply a full face of makeup to his girlfriend's face... it rarely ends with the girl loving her finished look and vowing to wear her makeup that way forever more.

The skill that goes into that perfect winged eyeliner, that perfectly sculpted cheekbone or those magnificently defined eyebrows is akin to fine art, we'll have you know.

5. That luxe-looking lipstick? It cost a fiver.
Errrr... it probably cost the same as a weekly food shop... but you know what?

All GIFs sourced from giphy.com

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Fashion is always hungry for the next big thing. New ideas to respond to a Society always on the move. Some of the best schools in the world are in London and never fail to demonstrate that many of the most talented designers are here.

However, due to high rents and costs is very difficult for these graduates to access the market. Jasio, a long experienced promoter in the creative industry, decided to open a space in Soho, Jasio's Boutique in Smith's Court, off Brewer street, to become a window for these creators to expose their latest collections and to blossom within an alternative to chains and repetitions.

The majority of the clothes and accessories for sale are unique.

Jasio in front of the space. Courtesy Jasio.

As Jasio says:

"After 22 years in advertising and sponsorship sales, covering everything from Lifestyle to Oil and Gas, a period which included 14 years of organising art exhibitions and jazz and rock gigs, I have now decided to step into the weird and wonderful world of Fashion Retail. Some long-standing relations with fashion and accessories designers has led to a unique concept whereby emerging designers can give their creative juices a shop window."

Womenswear by Diana Piatek. Courtesy the designer.

Passion, Creativity, Work and Talent... These are the very tools that help Diana Piatek to form the dream and to transform the vision into the reality. Since then, her passion for design and sewing has been paving her path toward uniqueness and very feminine style. As a woman herself she intuitively knows, that somewhere deep there, every woman is longing for beauty and appreciation, aesthetics and uniqueness, elegance and seduction.

Her friends describe her as

"... beautiful inside and out, a person who always has time for friends... unless the sewing machine gets her attention first".

As an achievement is part of the success, she measures it through the strenuous hours dedicated every day to the meticulously cut and shaped every last bit of the 'Haute Couture to be' fabric.

Piatek is one of the few selected to receive the L.E.D (London Emerging Designer) Award 2015 which will take place in a ceremony in South Kensington, London, on the 1st of August.

Headwear by LinmiR Millinery. Courtesy the designer.

LinmiR Millinery is a London-based award-winning maker of stunning, purely handmade, bespoke headwear.

LinmiR Millinery has showcased at the Young Designer and Crafts/Radical Awards, Fashion Finest during the London Fashion Week AW and Mahogany Bridal Show in London as well as Dublin's From Africa with Love and Maryland Fashion Week (USA). More than once, LinmiR has also featured in Vogue Magazine's Hat Stand and Bride Magazine.

2015-07-22-1437597699-9524273-b1da3f8b4784307a9866c8c2cffa22a3.jpg

Womenswear by Erwin Michalec. Courtesy the designer.

Erwin Michalec's designs have a mixed media of ethnic influences. He is fascinated by Haitian voodoo and the strong connection between Polish and Haitian.

Inspired by the Caribbean and African culture has become a signature element throughout his collections.
Erwin does not use any digital processing throughout the development of his designs:

- The clothing is painted by hand
- Every design is different and as unique as possible
- There are not any printed works on any of his dresses
- It is real paint which is directly applied to the fabric

Jewellery and accessories by Marina Prokopiva. Model Victoria Golub, makeup by Valerie Vonprisk, hair by Yas Kosaka at Charlie Wan Studio. Courtesy the designers and the model.

Marina Prokopiva is an award-winning designer of exquisite jewellery, accessories and clothing. For a number of years she has lived and worked between Amsterdam, London,Moscow, Paris and NY. Marina Prokopiva's designs, using her unique technologies, were recognized by Editor's Choice Award of the International Jewellery London 2012 for the Best Visual Impact. Her innovative creations have appeared at the London Fashion Week, Art Basel Miami, Festivals and Awards Ceremonies, including Euro Vision Song Contest, Empire and TV Choice Awards.

Her designs are essentially an art of balance.

She greatly depends on her conviction from which she visualizes her "real woman-to-be". Marina believes that her concept of style with contemporary edge creates a wonderful combination of sensuous power and playful provocation, providing the exhilaration of fun, adventure and confidence.

Her pioneering shows have been taking place in the most unpredictable fashion and art set-ups (from a University Botanical Garden to a Japanese Casino) and have always attracted a lot of enthusiastic attention from the media and the public.

For more information about Jasio's Boutique or a specific designer, please click on the name.

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