Black Friday with Farfetch

Wave ya hands in the air like ya… KNOW BLACK FRIDAY IS COMING…!

As your email inbox miiiiight be alerting you, Black Friday is heading straight towards us, with discounts too good to ignore. Whilst this bargain-heavy day can be enjoyed online, your digital elbows need to be just as ready, so preparation is KEY, people!

On Friday morning I intend to be hopping straight on the Farfetch website, as not only do they sell all the top designer pieces each season, they also sell gorgeous clothing and accessories from an unparalleled number of emerging designers. On a day I can feel a little less guilty for treating myself, I plan on investing in a little summin’ summin’ from one of these new designers that you’ve probably seen all over your favourite Instagram accounts this year.

I’ve had my eye on this cherry’licious and watermelon bag for the last few months. Each one of Susan Alexandra’s whimsical bags take six weeks for designer Susan Korn and her team to make in New York’s Chinatown, with each one consisting of between 300 - 1500 beads each. I feel they would be tantamount to carrying around pieces of pure sunshine. Shop Cherry Bag Here / Shop Watermelon Bag Here.

Despite only being founded in 2016, By Far already boasts a huge celebrity following. The brand’s contemporary and hard-wearing designs are handmade in a family-run factory in Bulgaria, and these winter white and lizard brick red ankle boots, made with sustainable Italian leather, will go with evvvverything, all year round. Shop White Boots Here / Shop Brick Red Boots Here.

Miaou, pronounced ‘Meow,’ create the most distinctive denim, and for a loud and proud, crazy cat lady like myself, these cropped leopard print jeans would be purrrrfect for any season. If you feel you need to roar a little louder, pair your jeans with the matching jacket. Shop Jeans Here / Shop Jacket Here.

I already own one Vampire’s Wife dress, and nothing makes me feel more regal, feminine or glamorous. The label is the brainchild of English model Susie Bick, taking its name from her husband’s abandoned book project. Taking this season’s trend for corduroy to the next level, these dresses with their ruffle trimmings are total classic, day to night investments. Shop Navy Dress Here / Shop Brown Dress Here.

I fell hook, line and sinker for London-based, Korean-born designer Rejina Pyo at her first ever London Fashion Week show, and each season her unique silhouettes are always at the top of my wish list. I can’t decide what I love more, this brown, grey and orange print wool duffle coat with its oversized collar and adorable toggle fastenings, or her blue Olivia leather box bag?! Mind you, the two would go terribly well together... And remember, when it comes to Black Friday, it’s not what you spend, it’s what you saaaave ;) Shop Coat Here / Shop Bag Here.

Photography: Joseph Galvin, Dress: Karen Millen, Hair: Taylor Taylor London

Trend: Trench Coats

After the most SCORCHIO of British Summers that I can remember, I can’t say I’m not a little relieved to hanging up my slightly weathered rosé hat. During this sweet spot between balmy and baltic, it was with total Autumnal anticipation I reached for my favourite trench.

I think we all can agree that the timeless trench coat is one of those key inter-seasonal layers that everyone needs.  Possessing all the Audrey vibes one could hope for in a trench, this wee Marks and Spencer's number I got last season is set to work just as hard this year, as it did the last…  And that’s the thing with trenches, they just never go out of style.

Although this balloon-sleeved beauty is sadly no longer in stock, Marks and Spencer have just launched their new style, an affordable Trench Coat made from sustainably sourced materials, which uses clever clogs Stormwear™ technology, increasing your protection against wind and rain (remember those ol'things?!)  Chic AND practical - WE LIKE! 

Another goodie I've spotted which won't be hanging around on their digital shelves for long is Rejina Pyo's love-and-wear-forever Double Breasted Belted Trench Coat from her second collaboration with Label/Mix. Rising fashion-star Rejina Pyo's show during London Fashion Week has become one I really look forward to, and being able to purchase some of her striking designs with their signature sculptural buttons, more affordably than her mainline layers, gives me such a sweet fashwunnnn high. 

Lastly, the other trench that understandably caught my eye was Gabriella Hearst's statement Armonia Coat that debuted on her Fall '18 runway.  With its wool and cashmere-blend, this style is considerably more expensive, but as they say, a trench is for life, not just this Autumn.  Ok, 'they' don't say this - but I just did, and I feel it works, so let's go with it...

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Photography: Joseph Galvin

Klorane: A French Pharmacy Favourite

Jane Birkin, Jane Seberg, Caroline de Maigret, Clemence Poesy… In my mind, when it comes to effortless style and seemingly natural beauty, French women will always come up le trumps.  I say ‘seemingly,’ as that well documented, and much envied, ‘je ne sais quoi’ our trop belle neighbours possess, is as much the direct result of the ritualistic use of reliable, high quality products as it is the dose of good genes they frequently are blessed with.

 I think this is why us Brits have always incorporated a lengthy and joyous perusal in a French Pharmacy into any travel itinerary, and why we have suddenly seen so many more French products pop up on our shelves this side of the channel in recent years.  

Despite now being able to pop to Boots to stock up on all my French faves, there are still few places more exciting to visit than a French Pharmacy.  Case in point; Last Easter, my girlfriends and I derailed our entire ski group in Courcheval, so we could visit a French Pharmacy… A little Après Skin before our Après Ski.  One friend, Emma, was raving about Klorane, and specifically their cult product, the Oat Milk Dry Shampoo.  Watching her purchase several cans, le FOMO kicked in and I also grabbed one myself. 

In all honesty, up until this point, I had always assumed dry shampoo was a quick fix for greasy hair, used if running late for work, or for a quick freshen up at a festival… Given I have major OCD and wash my hair most days, I just hadn’t ever imagined dry shampoo being a staple in anyone’s beauty regime, let alone my own. The reality is, French women don’t wash their hair every day, believing that frequent washing can strip the scalp of nourishing oils, so prefer to wash their hair only a couple of times a week. 

Launched in the ‘80’s and still considered the best in its field, Klorane’s Oat Milk Dry Shampoo decreases the need to wash your hair, and what I’ve found, is that it rather helpfully extends the life of my blow-dries.  Rather than leaving your hair feeling stiff, the result of others I’ve tired, the oat milk in Klorane’s Oat Milk Dry Shampoo seems to soften and protect your hair, even giving your doo some volume within just a couple of minutes. It took a while for me to relax into not washing my hair every day, but knowing that I’m looking after my hair and scalp, whilst also rocking some serious French chic, bed head vibes, it’s been worth it. Just pass me some red lippy and a Breton, already! 

Above: Shake Klorane's Oat Milk Dry Shampoo well before use and spray evenly 30cm away from hair roots… Leave for 2 minutes and brush out thoroughly, et voila! 

Above: Klorane’s Oat Milk Dry Shampoo is also available in a mini size for touch ups and added texture throughout the day. 

After discovering this total hair hero, I wanted to learn more about Klorane. In 1966, Klorane has a well-documented history in pharmaceutical ethics and is dedicated to protecting both plant heritage and the environment.  We all know I love incorporating more ethical purchases into my life, and it seems Klorane is putting the care in to the hair care, by donating a portion of its sales to supporting the activities of the Klorane Botanical Foundation. 

Keen to try some more of Klorane’s products, I decided to give their Mango Butter Range a go.  Having spent a chilly few months in London hiding under a beanie, and being about to head back to Africa for Christmas, I felt my hair could do with some serious nourishment. 

The Klorane Mango Butter Shampoo, and Conditioner, contain fatty acids that really act to repair your hair and bring back its suppleness and shine. 

Klorane's Leave in Cream serves as a protective coat, making your hair easier to style. Oh, and I should mention, the smell… Ooh La La! Heavenly. 

I’ve really been enjoying using Klorane’s Mango Butter Range twice a week, with interim touch ups using the Klorane Oat Milk Dry Shampoo.  My scalp is definitely appreciating being left alone a little more, and my hair is super shiny thanks to the oils I’m clearly allowing to hang out a little more. 

Being now able to stock up on these affordable Klorane products within the U.K, rendering those heavy beauty hauls back from Paris on the Eurostar less necessary, has also been massively helpful (and now there’s plenty more room to smuggle back cheese…!)

Klorane is available at Boots, Escentual, Birchbox, Look Fantastic and independent pharmacies.

In collaboration with Klorane

Photography: Eva Salvi

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