Freak Deluxe – Page 107

ASOS AFRICA SS14

Inspired by traditional African occasion wear, the ASOS Africa SS14 collection boasts authentic African lace partnered with sheer black organza overlays. Sourced and produced in Nigeria, these unique laces are mixed with digital monochrome prints on trousers and tunics, perfect for layering. Shades of spearmint and pastel pinks work with pretty scallop edges to soften sporty chevron jersey binding and baseball top styles.

ASOS Africa aims to help growth and empowerment in Africa, encouraging artisans and community groups as well as larger producers across the continent. ASOS will donate £2 from the sale of every SS14 ASOS Africa item to contribute to food and welfare facilities for SOKO workers.

ASOS Africa SS14 will launch this week!

F&F SPRING SUMMER 2014 CAMPAIGN

With vibrant colour and touches of luxury, F&F introduces Spring Summer 2014 from the heartbeat of Rio. The Womenswear collection is F&F’s most on-trend, directional campaign yet, inviting the creativity and energy of favela culture into its every detail.

The campaign, shot in authentic Rio, took place in the favelas, now globally renowned as a culturally inspirational and creative hotspot, providing the inspirations for many patterns and details on the swim and beachwear styles.

In a rainbow of colours seen in the street art of Santa Marta, the eclectic womenswear collection celebrates the originality and hedonism of an everyday life in style. Artful embroidery in colourful yarns and dramatic patterns cover super luxe swimwear, printed jumpsuits, shorts and maxi dresses. Bleached and embossed denim, Aztec motifs and blanket stripes rule here.

Available exclusively at F-F.com and selected Tesco Stores. Prices start from £3

7 STEPS TO SPRING CLEAN HIS SKIN

With Spring having sprung, ladies up and down the land are scrambling to shave their winter legs and pedicure those forgotten-about feet. But what about the Gents? Skincare Expert and Facial Therapist Amanda Elias has the solution, with 7 Steps to Spring Clean his Skin.

1: Soften that winter skin with a gentle moisturiser that contains alcohol or perfume, particualrly after shaving. It’s essential to moisturise so that you rehydrate the skin; shaving will strip the skin of its natural moisture.

2: Don’t have a cleansing routine in place? Spring’s the time! Use a face gel/wash for oily, combination skin when cleansing – and a cream cleanser for dry skin. Cleanse daily; once in the morning and twice in the evening.

3: Shave off that winter face fuzz but never dry shave; this can seriously irritate and dry out the skin. Always use a shaving gel or oil. If you have sensitive skin, avoid any products that contain menthol.

4: Consider new products. When it comes to your spring skincare, you don’t have to use just the brands targeted for men. If you have similar skin complaints to your girlfriend/mother/sister ask to try their products to see how they work for you.

5: Get rid of those dry lips by applying a lip balm regularly throughout the day. A stick lip balm is easier and quicker to apply then the balms in little pots. Why not leave one on your desk at work as a reminder to apply?

6: Dispel of dry hands with an exfoliator to remove the dry, dead skin and then moisturise. Start by mixing a little sugar and olive oil together and scrub your hands for roughly a minute, rinse off and then apply some of the olive oil in to your dry hands. For best results, gently warm the olive oil (warm not hot), apply to your hands and then cover your hands with a pair of cotton socks. Leave for a few hours or for even better results, leave on overnight. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, why not treat yourself to a Man-icure?

7: Don’t leave sweaty skin after your new year workouts. If you notice breakouts on your body after exercising, use a medicated wash to cleanse the skin as soon as possible after each session. If you don’t have time to shower, quickly wipe over your skin with a clean, cotton flannel and change out of your sweaty workout clothes. Always use a clean flannel and towel.

DECORATING IDEAS FOR THE KITCHEN

The kitchen is at the heart of the home and nowadays, and combining yours with the dining-room can really optimise this space. There are umpteen ways to create a modern slick style for entertaining while also accommodating your busy schedule that demands a space of your own…

Steps for a black & white theme

To have that clean and striking black and white design, simply concentrate on the accents as there will be an absence of ‘colour’ and your decorating forte will come through your accessories. This style will accomplish elegance.

Appliances

Depending on your budget, whether you’re going to stick with your existence appliances or buy a whole set to match, colour coordinating the smaller ones such as the toaster, coffee maker etc can make a huge difference. You can always touch them up with an appliance paint to make them like new again, or there are plenty of reasonable home decorating shops now to cater for all tastes. Having a fresh and shiny coat will do wonders!

Walls

Kitchens in particular need a new coat of paint at least every six months and in this case, white will need extra care. When opting for white, do not opt for a cream or ivory but really check that it is a pure, bright white and buy enough for the ceiling as well! Regarding the trim for the windows this depends if you want them to stand out from the walls or blend in. Black will be dramatic and white will offer the opposite effect.

Flooring and counter tops

Creating the black and white effect will depend on these two choices working together simultaneously. If you decide on a black floor for practical reasons then your top will need to stand out. However there is always the option to integrate the two by creating a black and white pattern like this checkerboard effect which will need to be mirrored onto the counters. The tiles correspond with the walls, linoleum with laminate and so forth.

Cabinets and Lighting

Keep the question in mind as to how much you want these elements to blend in or to contrast against each other. The black and white look can be everywhere or have just accents working for you here and there. The scenario could be as follows; white appliances, floors, counter tops etc with strong black appliances or following through with a more dominant contrast which will then be white floors, white cabinets, black counter tops etc.

With the cabinets you can also decide whether you would like the handles to be white or black or metallic (silver, chrome or gold and brass) and crystal. The lighting needs to be stable and as striking as the rest of your space. Why not go out all out there and fit some small chandeliers such as http://www.lampcommerce.com/en/catalogue/brands/de-majo-traditional/glaca-suspension-chandelier or just minimalist spots for the working surfaces and the island.

For flair and elegance in any room of your home, black and white creates the right balance and is uber stylish. You will bring colour!

ADIDAS ORIGINALS X TOPSHOP COLLAB

Adidas Originals X Topshop collaboration for SS14 is out this week (March 20th). With sport inspired fashion currently at the top of its game, the 20-piece collection, called Topshop X adidas Originals, sees the retailer giving the sports brand’s designs a fashionable twist.

Topshop tears through the adidas Originals archives in this exclusive summer collaboration, bringing sportswear to fashion streetstyle. Reimagining heritage classics for the concrete catwalk, a unique take on the SS14 trends promises to pioneer a range that will cement icons while pushing the limits of city styling.

Styles in the collection include tailored, slim fitting three-stripe tracksuit bottoms along with cotton vests with scoop arm holes and sweatshirts adorned with a print inspired by London landmarks, created by Topshop’s designers. Footwear also gets a make-over with adidas Originals’ Superstar, Tech Super and Attitude silhouettes reworked in brand new leather and print combinations.

Kate Phelan, Topshop’s creative director, says the collection aims to bring some “femininity” to adidas Originals sports designs, and notes that the collection is designed to be worn as a fashion range.

This SS14 adidas Originals proves its place at the forefront of exciting and innovative collaborations, partnering with this highstreet powerhouse. The collection launches globally on March 20th and will be stocked in select U.K. Topshop stores.