Latest news with #fashion
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Meet Odd Muse founder Aimee Smale: the 28-year-old ex-Asos buyer built a multimillion-dollar ‘affordable luxury' clothing brand from her bedroom, but is it really ‘slow fashion'?
Aimee Smale was only 22 years old when she launched her own clothing brand, Odd Muse, from the comfort of her bedroom amid the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Modelling her own designs and piggybacking off of TikTok's rapid growth at the time, Smale managed to use social media to market her 'affordable luxury' brand. Odd Muse founder Aimee Smale in the brand's Miami Mood collection in May. Photo: @aimeesmalex/Instagram Since its launch, Odd Muse has become a staple for fashion influencers, peddling an 'old money' aesthetic and quality pieces. The brand, known for its dedication to slow fashion, has gone viral more than once and even made a splash when debuting at London Fashion Week in 2023. Advertisement Today, Odd Muse is a multi-million dollar business with two stores in London's Covent Garden, and SoHo in New York City. The brand also has over 500,000 followers on TikTok and over 960,000 on Instagram at the time of writing. Here's everything you need to know about Aimee Smale. She was a fashion student Aimee Smale in a Bentley. Photo: @aimeesmalex/Instagram Raised in Essex, England, Smale is the first of her family to attend university, according to an interview with The Times in February. She mentioned that it was her father, who ran his own shop selling kitchen appliances, that inspired her to become an entrepreneur herself. 'I've got such fond memories of my father starting his business and taking things into his own hands,' she said. After Smale graduated from Ravensbourne University London in 2021 with a degree in fashion buying and brand management, she began working as a fashion buyer's assistant at Asos, the fast fashion retailer. She stayed in the position for a little over a year while saving money through designing logos for small businesses. Aimee Smale with a rack of Odd Muse clothing. Photo: @aimeesmalex/Instagram 'I was earning USD$26,000 a year at Asos, and I thought I would give it a shot on my own. I had no expectations other than it would be nice to match my wage,' Smale told Business Insider last year. Focusing on slow fashion
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The one small clothing tweak that could entirely change the way people treat you
If someone decides to 'make more of an effort' with their clothes when they go to work, they will likely experience an 'overwhelming' and advantageous difference in the way others treat them, according to a style influencer. UK TikToker Ryan Barton, whose videos help viewers look refined without spending a fortune, published a clip in which he explained exactly why a polished appearance can control other 'people's behaviours'. Ryan, who works in an office where jeans and gymwear are acceptable and typical, told how he swapped casual clothing for 'shirts, tailored trousers [and] loafers - and that 'the difference it made was overwhelming'. The youthful influencer, who was 51,000 followers on TikTok, said: 'Nothing else changed. I still had the same desk, I still had the same job'. But, having embraced a more formal look, Ryan noticed that others started to treat him better. He added: 'People started to say "Hello" when they'd never said "Hello" before. I started to get asked for my input in meetings when I'd never been asked before.' Yet, the 'subtle' but 'noticeable' change that Ryan experienced was not a fluke. Rather, it has been observed by psychologists and even has a name: The Halo Effect. Ryan explained: 'When you look put together, people assume you're more confident, maybe even smarter, before you've even said a word. @ryanjbarton Dressing well isn't just about looking good, it literally changes how people treat you. Here's why your outfit speaks before you do, and what psychology has to do with style, confidence, and first impressions. #mensfashion #mensstyle #mensstyle #menswear #classicmenswear #officeoutfit ♬ original sound - Ryan Barton 'So, by being intentional with the way that you dress, you kind of trick people into thinking that you're a more capable and should be more respected.' But what someone decides to wear doesn't just influence how others perceive and treat them - it also affects their own behaviour. Ryan added: 'There's also something that's called "Enclothed Cognition". That's when what you wear starts to influence how you behave. 'So, the better that you dress, the more assured that you become - and the more that people will naturally reflect that energy back to you.' The influencer summed this up by saying that if you 'dress sharply, then the world will adjust its tone towards you.' He also acknowledged that the way someone dresses is more important than what they say when it comes to earning the respect of others. He concluded: 'If you feel like you're not getting the respect or the recognition that you want within your workplace then try out this trick'. Ryan's video received an amazing 241,500 views in a matter of two days and amassed more than 14,000 comments. Fellow TikTok users were quick to comment on Ryan's video - but not everyone agreed it's worth dressing up for work Many TikTok users were convinced by the influencer's theory - but some were sceptical. One person wrote: 'The older I get, the more I realise dressing well is important. It's about [the] self-discipline [required] to maintain the upkeep every single day'. A second agreed: 'Facts. Dress how you wish to be addressed.' Another shared their experience of 'enclothed cognition', adding: 'I wear a suit working from home, to be honest for same reason. [It] looks smart on meetings and my dog treats me differently'. A fourth person said: 'Gymwear should never be worn in the office, ever.' But a fifth explained that their approach was slightly different. They commented: 'White Ralph Lauren shirt plus Under Armour shorts for Zoom meetings'. Under Armour is a popular gymwear brand. A sixth person, however, shared an entirely different approach: 'I use the Halo Effect for the reverse - going totally casual. It's lovely and peaceful'. While a seventh pointed out: 'I've found from working in corporate for 15 years that the more you earn, the less fancy you dress'. Someone else expressed a more controversial opinion, writing: 'A perfect suit signals narcissism.'
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Chicanjuku: Mexican designer Italia Segovia fuses Chicano culture with Harajuku to create bold, experimental fashion
MEXICO CITY, June 20 — In a leafy park in Mexico City, beside colonial era fountains and food stands, Italia Segovia's designs are turning heads, as usual. A pink ruffled dress with white lace and big bow; a high-school vibe tartan dress tied with a pale yellow shawl imprinted with Mexico's patron saint the Virgin of Guadalupe, all accentuated with loud heavy makeup. Segovia, known to her friends as Kumiko, calls her work Chicanjuku: a fusion of Mexican-American Chicano culture and Japanese Harajuku style, named after the Tokyo district renowned for its bright colored accessories, outlandish makeup, and elaborate hairstyles. 'It's like a food blender of styles,' Segovia said of her designs, which have also become a core part of her identity. Chicano style was popularised by Mexican-Americans in the US who felt out of place in both countries because of their mixed backgrounds, said Segovia. Though she is not Mexican-American, she has several relatives in the US who inspired her deep love for the style she now draws from. Segovia, who has almost 30 thousand followers on Instagram, mashes the oversize shirts, khakis and flat brim caps analogous to Chicano culture with the candy-floss fairy-tale pop of Harajuku. The makeup might include dark lining around the lips and eyeliner that emulates Japanese Geisha style. Mexican designer Italia Segovia. — Reuters pic 'You can always experiment with fashion and art as long as it's from a place of knowledge and respect,' Segovia said. Segovia's distinctive aesthetic has even caught the eye of admirers in Japan. In June, she made special outfits for three Japanese E-Queens, a subculture of electronic music dancers, who she connected with months earlier online. The group met up in Mexico City for a photo shoot and street dance, dressed in Segovia's outfits. 'I love how she uses texture,' said Shirendev Oyun-Erdenen, a Japanese E-Queen who dances under the name Maaya the Bee. 'Helping people feel free to experiment and not be afraid. That's what it's all about,' Segovia said. — Reuters
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Bloomberg
Private Clubs Just Aren't What They Used To Be
I recently met a man who's lived in New York for about 25 years. Like most people who've been here that long, he was lamenting that the city isn't what it used to be. Back in the 2000s, he told me wistfully, you could go to some random event — and he knew whereof he spoke, he is an events planner — and meet someone who could change your life, or at least your career. Now things are much less organic: Instead of crashing a fashion party in a Soho loft, he said, people are just retiring to their private club. I nodded sympathetically, though in my New York of the 2000s, a Soho fashion party may as well have taken place on Jupiter. I spent most of those years alone in a library working on my economics PhD dissertation. I would never have known about such a party, let alone had the social capital or wherewithal to go.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Royal Ascot is awash with eye-catching hats, vibrant gowns and matching ensembles as glamorous revellers kick off the weekend early
Stylish racegoers have dusted off their best frocks and put their best fashion foot forward as they arrived for day four of Royal Ascot. Revellers created a sea of vibrant colours as they prepared for another day of watching nail-biting action on the racecourse in the 28C heat. Flamboyant hats and gowns were front and centre as the event at the Berkshire racecourse kicked off on Friday. While some revellers bet on horses hoping to win big, others simply came along to soak up inspiration, as race day style has become just as famous as the race itself. As ever, lavish millinery turned heads, with many revellers commanding attention in vibrant creations adorned with feathers, flowers and lace. Stunning floral ballgowns, sizable fascinators and dapper top hats were also all on display as hundreds of well-heeled race enthusiasts made the most of the hot weather which is a rarity in the UK. Glamorous revellers showed off their fashion prowess by donning one of the trendiest colours of the season - hot pink. Dressed to the nines, groups of classy racegoers also opted to coordinate their attire for the annual occasion, rather than wearing their ensembles solo. One elegant reveller stepped out in a stunning white mesh frock embossed with delicate cream and lilac flowers complete with detachable puff sleeves. She paired her eye-catching dress with an extravagant headpiece which was adorned with lavender feathers and ivory-coloured flowers. Revellers sporting elegant attire appeared to be in high spirits as they kicked off their weekend early, queuing up to enter the racecourse when it first opened at 10.30am. Royal Ascot, known as the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, will welcome hundreds of thousands of punters during the five-day meet. Whilst no dress code rules apply in the Windsor Enclosure, although the majority of guests choose to dress up regardless, a strict dress code operates across the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures. Hats are a must in both Royal enclosures. Alternatively, a headpiece or 'hatinator' with a minimum base diameter of 4 inches (10cm) is also acceptable. Dresses must be knee length or longer and forget spaghetti straps - all shoulders must be a minimum width of 1 inch (2.5cm). Strapless, off-the-shoulder and one shoulder items are also banned in the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures. Shorts of any kind are not permitted. But having been included in the dress code since 1971, trouser suits remain a popular choice - although they mustn't be mismatched. From 2017 onwards, jumpsuits have also been accepted as Ascot worthy, while men must stick to black dress shoes worn with ankle socks, but there are no footwear specifications for women. The Royal Family - who are known to adore equestrian sports - make appearances at Royal Ascot every year. The Prince of Wales attended Ascot solo last year as it came a couple of months after Kate first announced to the world that she had been diagnosed with cancer. This year, William also went to the event without the Princess of Wales by his side, as he was pictured alongside his father, King Charles. He instead sat beside Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud, a member of the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia, and opposite Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, as they made their way to the racecourse by carriage as other revellers looked on. It has been reported that pulled out of attending the prestigious five-day meet at the last minute as she continues to 'find the right balance' following her battle with cancer. Racegoers had been hoping to catch a glimpse of Kate as William was named as one of the figures awarding race prizes during day two of the festival. The history of fashion at Royal Ascot Late 1700s It was Beau Brummell, a close friend of the Prince Regent, who decreed that 'men of elegance should wear waisted black coats and white cravats with pantaloons' and this set the tone for the dress code that is still adhered to by men in the Royal Enclosure. 1830s Queen Victoria's visit to Royal Ascot saw her arrive in a pretty lace dress with a full bell skirt and shawl. She also started a craze for the porter bonnet, shielding the wearer from male eyes. 1890s As the dawn of a new century arrived, fashion took on an almost celebratory tone. Skirts were less full, but silhouettes made a greater statement with angular hips and puffed sleeves. Hats were large and full of feathers and adornments. 1900s One of fashion's most iconic images; that of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady was inspired when costume designer Cecil Beaton saw images of Black Ascot, The 1910 Royal Ascot meeting was in full mourning over the death of King Edward. 1920s Hemlines were shorter and cuts were smaller in the 1920s reflecting a post-war generation's rebellion against old traditions. Pearls and furs were the accessories of the day. 1950s Christian Dior's New Look, a small waist and full skirt, was proving popular however it was when the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth and her stylish sister Princess Margaret wore the style at Royal Ascot that it was cemented in history. 1960s Royal Ascot's glamorous profile elevated when Italian actress Sophia Loren was photographed in the Royal Enclosure. In modern times some of the biggest names in Hollywood and fashion have attended. 1970s Trouser suits became more popular following their introduction to the dress code in 1971. Gertrude Shilling, The Ascot Mascot, delighted the press with her extravagant outfits. One year, one of her son David's millinery designs outgrew the Shilling's long-wheel-based Rolls Royce, so the hat had to follow in a van behind. 1980s Sharp lines and bright colours took centre stage during this decade. With statement hats and pointed heels, there was little room for floaty florals in 1980s glamour. 2012 Royal Ascot officially launches its Style Guide to racegoers outlining dress code regulations for the Royal Enclosure and Queen Anne Enclosure (formally known as Grandstand). 2017 The jumpsuit is formally accepted in the Royal Enclosure Dress Code and the Queen Anne Enclosure Dress Code is extended to the new Village Enclosure. 2018 Royal Ascot introduces Style Guides for the Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure. 2020 Royal Ascot runs behind closed doors for the first time in the event's history during the global COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 Navy morning suits were permitted in the Royal Enclosure. Source: Royal Ascot Ascot officials had announced in a published list at 12pm that the Princess was due to be with William in the second carriage in the royal procession - which is marking its 200th anniversary this year. But less than half an hour later, Kensington Palace confirmed just before 12.30pm that Kate would not be attending - and a revised carriage list was published by Ascot. MailOnline understands the Princess was 'disappointed' not to be in attendance 'but she has to find the right balance as she fully returns to public facing engagements'. However, Kate's mother Carole Middleton did attend on Wednesday - alongside her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet, the wife of Kate's brother James Middleton. The 43-year-old Princess has been making a gradual return to public duties since it was announced in January that she was in remission from cancer. But in the past week she has attended three high-profile events - Trooping the Colour, the annual Order of the Garter service and a visit to a V&A storage facility in London. The King and Queen were joined at Wednesday's event by Zara and Mike Tindall, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. Charles also hosted Lady Sarah Chatto, the daughter of his late aunt Princess Margaret and a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. She was joined on the fourth carriage with her artist husband, Daniel Chatto. Despite her closeness to Her late Majesty, Lady Sarah is known for keeping a low profile, and while she's attended Ascot in the past, she's not regularly seen with the royal family, aside from a handful of key events. The King and Queen, both fans of racing, were also joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
