The heatwave's top tipple — plus more trends to know
Bored of your souped-up martini and flavoured spritz? Make way for a surprise summer drink: white port and tonic. With notes of almond and grape, it's already big in Lisbon and Porto. 'People love it because it's so easy and sippable, especially in this heatwave — it's the perfect balance of refreshing and light,' says Marco Mendes, co-founder of the Casa do Frango restaurants, London.
He recommends it as an aperitif with some salted almonds, cheese or ham. Or sup it with a plump gordal olive at Bar Valette, Shoreditch. Meanwhile in Edinburgh, try Noto's Porto Ibis cocktail (strawberry-infused white port, sherry and balsamic vinegar and tonic). Cheers to that!
Wanting to scratch that White Lotus-slash-Capote vs the Swans itch? You're in luck, because pop culture right now is all about socialites in trouble. Great Black Hope, the recently published debut novel by Rob Franklin, takes a satirical swipe at the New York social scene when the black, gay protagonist is arrested at a Hamptons party after cocaine is found. Later this month is Netflix's Indonesian drama A Normal Woman, about a socialite forced to adapt to a new life after getting a mystery disease, while on the big screen Jessica Chastain's film Dreams focuses on a doomed love affair between an illegal immigrant ballet dancer and a one-percenter. Poshos in peril never looked so good.
Christmas may feel a lifetime away but the fashion world is already celebrating. At least it seems that way with boozy burgundy and festive claret emerging as this summer's hot palette. Wine-inspired garbs are all over the shops, from cotton sundresses in deep burgundy (try Mango and Zara) to merlot-hued linen (Arket) that's perfect for the beach. Instead of party shoes and black tailoring, summer burgundy looks best worn head to toe or alongside other punchy colours. Try sky blue if you're feeling especially merry.
Ever since Stormzy bigged up FeYi Flowers on social media a few months back — sending out 100 of the brand's bouquets — the east London company founded by Eni Awoyemi, 31, has been going great guns. Each bouquet is wrapped in newspaper with phrases like 'You were made to bloom' in bold lettering. 'We want our bouquets to feel like a fashion item rather than just florals,' she says. Instead of formal training as a florist, Ayowemi — who used to work in PR for Channel 4 — spent years honing her skills arranging displays at home. The idea for FeYi Flowers was born three years ago, at the same time as Ayowemi's daughter, the brand's namesake, but it was a collaboration request from the coffee chain Blank Street last year that gave her the push to transform FeYi Flowers into a booming business. Since then she has made bouquets for Ciara and Tina Knowles among others. 'Feyi means joy, so we want our flowers to make you feel that.'
If in your head you're already on holiday, it's probably time to invest in the perfect beach-ready hat. The luxury raffia take on the bucket is Mulberry's answer to sheltering from the sun this summer. Add great swimwear — and a piña colada, of course. £165, mulberry.com
Additional words: Karen Dacre and Chi Muchauraya
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