Soaring Gold Prices Draw Illicit Miners—and Armed Gangs—to Colombia's Jungles
Traces of the precious metal are enough to supplant the pedicures and dye jobs she used to provide for a pittance. 'What you earn in a month in a regular job, you can make here in an hour or two,' said Mosquera, 47 years old.
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Forbes
30-06-2025
- Forbes
2025 Beachwear: 15 Outfit Ideas For A Stylish Summer
Hunza G Gingham Bikini Hunza G Summer is here, and with poolside lounging and beach days ahead, you might be looking for a wardrobe refresh. You've come to the right place — we've curated swimwear, beachwear, day-to-night outfits and accessories to get you through the season's hot days and nights. Our selection spotlights some of the top designers from around the world; earrings from Colombia, bikinis from Australia and of course, plenty of U.S. independent designers represented on our list. FAE Bikini FAE 1. FAE – Gypsy Top and Hailey Bottoms This fire engine red bikini set will match the scorching summer temperatures ahead. The Gypsy top is ultra-flattering yet still supportive while the Hailey Bottoms accentuate your derriere perfectly. Drape a sheer red beach cover-up over the bikini for an easy monochromatic all-day look. Kulani Kinis Kulani Kinis 2. Kulani Kinis - Strapless Bandeau Bikini Top and Minimal Full Coverage Bikini Bottom in Rodeo Romeo Rodeo style made a big splash in fashion this year and this bandana-print bikini has us saying yeehaw, especially the bandeau top perfect for minimizing tan lines. Wear this on your next beach vacation with a pair of cutoff shorts for a casual yet cute cowboy-inspired look. Monday Swimwear Montego Swimsuit in Chili Pepper Monday Swimwear 3. Monday Swimwear – Montego One Piece in Chili Pepper Everyone needs a sexy one-piece on speed dial and this Monday Swimwear bathing suit looks excellent poolside or paired with a skirt as an impromptu sexy bodysuit. The chili pepper hue is as spicy as you would expect and you'll reach for this swimsuit again and again thanks to its sexy silhouette. Sabrina Swimsuit Hunza G 4. Hunza G - Gingham Seersucker Sabrina Bikini Nothing says summer like gingham, and we love this Hunza G bikini in a classic black and white print. Lightweight and quick-drying, the classic shape of this set will carry you through the season —bonus points if you pair the matching headscarf for a little Y2K-inspired edge. The bikini also comes in red as can be seen in the featured image. Beach Outfits With Jean With Jean 5. With Jean – Liv Dress Whimsical yet practical, this white lace cover-up will be your go-to look for easy summer beach days. Throw it on over a white bikini with some sandals for a white-hot look that stuns on a sweltering day. L'Agence Geraldine Pants L'Agence 6. L'Agence – Geraldine Cover-Up Pant These fuchsia paisley lace pants are the pop of color your summer wardrobe needs. Like a refreshing sorbet for the eyes, you'll love their relaxed fit and how well they pair with both muted and bright colors. Pair with a white T-shirt to create a vibrant yet simple summer outfit. Retrofête Alivia Top Retrofête Alivia Top 7. Retrofête – Alivia Top A scarf top is a pool day MVP — easy, breezy and ideal for putting on or taking off a bikini top when needed. The shell print could not be more summery and silk material is breathable and slinky. Wear it as a top or bandana this summer. Day to Night Tillie Dress Significant Other 8. Significant Other – Tillie Maxi Dress This bold dress features intricate piped rope detailing to accentuate all of your curves. The pull-on style is easy peasy after a day on the beach to segue into sunset cocktails, as the fiery hue enhances your tan. Sable Set Saylor 9. Saylor – Sable Set Heading to Greece or the Amalfi Coast this summer? This set by Saylor is picture perfect for photos at sunset with you as the focal point against sweeping sea views. The crop top features a beaded neck closure and the entire set is light as air made from breezy cotton. Midnight Paisley Dress Donde Esteban 10. Donde Esteban - Midnight Paisley Wrap Mini Dress This Donde Esteban number is the ultimate summer wrap dress with its flattering shape and mini length to show off your legs this summer. This dress can take you from the beach to the bar with a nice pair of sandals, or when paired with platform heels it's the perfect night-out dress. Accessories Paula Mendoza Paula Mendoza 11. Paula Mendoza – Cassini Earrings These statement earrings look absolutely perfect with a high ponytail or slickback bun on a sweltering day. Surprisingly lightweight, these earrings elevate even the most casual outfit to a head turning look. Pair with a sexy dress or a simple T-shirt — you'll wow either way. Past Midnight Past Midnight 12. Past Midnight – The Retro in Yellow These bold oversized sunglasses will elevate any of your summer outfits. The gold accents sparkle in the sun and the frame is lightweight and comfortable. Pair them with a neutral tank top and wide-legged pants for an effortless summer look. Scorpius Pearl Earrings MISHO 13. Misho – Scorpius Pearl Earrings These pearly beach creatures are perfect to wear on your ears for your next beachside soirée. These scorpion earrings are a great conversation piece, as well as comfortable and light to wear. The Lapis Link Bracelet in Gold LUV AJ 14. Luv Aj - The Lapis Link Bracelet Gold and blue are simply perfect for each other, which is why you'll love this lapis stone bracelet. Stackable and chic, it comes with a magnetic clasp that makes it easy to accessorize after a day by the pool. Constance Flower Sandals Alameda Turquesa 15. Alameda Turquesa – Constance Flower Sandals Everything is in full bloom this season, why shouldn't your feet be too? These Alameda Turquesa sandals are vibrant and fun, ideal to spruce up an all-white look or colorful set. Wear these to a tropical destination and match the lush greenery with your footwear.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Your Luckiest Color, Based on Zodiac Sign
Your Luckiest Color, Based on Zodiac Sign originally appeared on Parade. Colors add spice and flavor to the zodiac signs. Each star sign has a signature color that brings them luck, backed by expert astrologers. Surrounding themselves with the hue is beneficial for adding positivity and optimism to their lives and auras. From gold for Aries to lavender for Pisces, the colors' spiritual meaning aligns with the signs' attributes, giving them abundance and prosperity. These shades reveal your signs' best qualities, opportunities, and characteristics. Read on for your Sun, Moon, and Rising. READ: 4 Signs & Omens You're About to Manifest Success, Per Experts Gold is the color that will bring Aries luck and confidence since they are the firstborn of the zodiac and deserve to be honored as leaders. This color represents divinity and legacy. This fire sign will relish wearing and surrounding themselves with this hue all year round. Green is considered a fortunate color for earthy Taurus because it represents growth and stability. It also brings abundance and wealth to those who surround themselves with it and helps calm the senses. The color is best suited for a living room to attract such energies. Yellow is commonly associated with Gemini because of its Mercury-like nature. The color embodies curiosity, energy, and intellect, which are all traits that represent this air sign. It's no surprise that yellow serves as a powerful catalyst for positive communication for Geminis! Additionally, it acts as a great source of strength during retrogrades. Cancers will feel prosperous with a white opalescent color, reminiscent of their cosmic ruler, the Moon's illumination on Earth. The serene color will help the crab lean into their emotional nature, ignite their nostalgic senses, and connect with their intuition throughout upcoming days and nights. Leo is born in the heart of summer, so a bright orange color will give them the energy they need to spruce up their vibe. Orange represents the sun, and it is aligned with vitality and creativity, which is what the lion is known for. A rich, earthy chocolate brown will keep Virgo's energy on point and grounded. They'll also be able to match this hue with their practical minds, making it a win-win for them to decorate their homes. This efficient color will win over their hearts, luck, and wardrobes. A soft pink is the ideal color for Libra, since Venus rules both the hue and zodiac sign. Pink will bring them romance and money. This color also creates a better dynamic in how they express themselves with those they adore, as it heightens affections and connections. The color black is a known source of psychic protection, which means that Scorpios will find it helpful to keep themselves emotionally safe and in check. No one can interject or read their energy, which is essential to the water sign, which constantly keeps its mysterious sentiments close to its heart. The archer is ruled by Jupiter, who is expansive, fortunate, and adventurous. Their favorite collar, a rich shade of purple, is known to add those qualities to those who adorn it. Purple will suit Sag's thrilling adventurous spirit by pointing them in the right direction and bringing prosperity to them. Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn, which is karmic and sets boundaries. The color gray is known to set limits with others and also keep Capricorns in check, allowing them to lead a drama-free life. This is vital to their excellence and ability to succeed in all areas. Blue is the perfect color to ensure the water-bearer's vibes stay chill, especially since they tend to overthink and get on their soapbox. Blue allows Aquarius to embrace and enhance their feelings of peace, harmony, and compassion. Luck follows when wearing the color of the sky for the air sign. As the visionary of the zodiac, Pisces leans into their creativity and instincts for inspiration. The color lavender is known to heighten emotions, help them embrace their imagination, and aid in manifesting their dreams easily. Lavender is what hopes and aspirations are made of, which is the essence of Pisces. Your Luckiest Color, Based on Zodiac Sign first appeared on Parade on Jun 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
18-06-2025
- Forbes
The Colombian Designer Who Turned Beach Waste Into Fashion Gold
Baobab's high summer collection 2025 features vibrant designs in candy hues The scene is vivid: a 22-year-old law student in Bogotá, Colombia, surrounded by legal textbooks, bra cups, stretchy fabrics, and scissors, working late not for her upcoming exams, but for her passion project. What came after was no surprise in hindsight — instead of pursuing a career in law and politics, Isabella Espinosa saved her lunch money to buy bikini materials and began building what seemed like an impossible dream. 'It started as an emotional decision rather than a logical one,' Espinosa speaks of the early days of her brand Baobab, a sustainable swimwear brand that has exploded from $250,000 in revenue in 2020 to over $9 million in 2024. Today, Espinosa's stylish and versatile range of resort- and swimwear has drawn a loyal fanbase — counting close to half a million followers on their Instagram account alone; her flagship stores span from Bogotá to New York's West Village, with her designs sold in boutiques in over 450 locations across 50 countries, all topped with a growing B2C strategy to ensure direct engagement with customers. Baobab's humble beginning started with what can be seen on Colombian beaches in abundance: waste coconuts falling from trees. 'What if we pack the bikinis into coconut shells?' Espinosa thought, before going on to create the distinctive packaging that would catch the attention of Victoria's Secret and launch her brand into the global spotlight. Working with artist Pilar Hernandez, she transformed these discarded shells into the now-iconic 'Coco Bag' — sustainable packaging in its most original form, which also doubles as a beach bag. Baobab's line of resort-inspired accessories also contributed to the brand's popularity The innovation was born from necessity — 'I couldn't afford the high minimum orders required for traditional packaging,' Espinosa explains, before adding: 'It was sustainable, reusable, and completely plastic-free.' A perfect solution that summarizes her brand's philosophy (in a nutshell, literally): turning limitations into opportunities, waste into luxury. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, Baobab faced an existential crisis like many privately owned and funded fashion brands. Who needed swimsuits in a lockdown? 'I doubled down,' Espinosa says, and recalls how she spent her time during the pandemic to innovate with coral reef restoration programs, create versatile 'beach-to-bar' designs, and expand in wholesale by speaking to retailers. The strategy proved brilliant. Within a year of partnering with Intermix, one of the brand's first big account secured during this period, Baobab grew 2,250% within their stores. The 'Beach to Bar' philosophy subsequently became a crucial part to Baobab's DNA. To date, the brand's vibrant and joy-inducing pieces are created with versatility in mind, making them the perfect vacation picks allowing seamless transitions from swimwear to evening wear. 'It's not just about what we wear, but how we wear it,' Espinosa explains. As unconventional as its founder's journey, Baobab's marketing strategy is key in the brand's rise to stardom. Instead of reinvesting in seasonal trade shows, the brand focused on storytelling, launching stunning runways in iconic locations like the Seine River and the Amazon rainforest. These spectacular shows, including presentations in Madagascar's Baobab Tree Valley and Dubai's desert, have become signature events that spiked Baobab's brand awareness on a global scale with breathtaking content created for the brand's ever-growing online community, while ensuring the brand stay true to its nature-inspired ethos. Isabella Espinosa (center), founder of Baobab, with models at the brand's runway show at the Baobab Tree Valley in Madagascar Beyond fashion and vacation pieces, Baobab is working on a mission to better the planet. In 2023, the brand recycled three tons of waste through its Cascade program under the Baobab Foundation. Every piece is made from recycled ocean plastics and discarded fishing nets, while the dyeing process uses a steaming technique that generates zero water waste or chemical residues. Espinosa shows further commitment: for every swimsuit sold, a tree is planted, and proceeds go to supporting coral reef restoration in Colombia's San Andrés archipelago. Last year, Baobab made its debut at PARAISO Miami Swim Week and hosted its first Miami pop-up in the Design District, in addition to opening its first flagship boutique in New York. This year, the brand is showing no signs of slowing down, having launched on Moda Operandi and its high summer collection, 'Le Soleil', that continues to draw inspiration from Colombia's biodiversity. This week, Baobab announced its collaboration with New York It girl Leah McCarthy, unveiling a 30-piece range of swimwear, dresses and accessories that embodies a touch more playfulness on top of the brand's usual elevated aesthetics. Looking ahead, Espinosa's vision remains uncompromisingly ambitious. 'Growth should never come at the cost of our values,' she insists. With the Baobab Foundation pushing initiatives like the Latin American Cascade Challenge powered by LAFS, she's expanding her zero-waste mission across the region. 'For us, growth isn't just about revenue, it's about impact,' Espinosa reflects. 'We're not just building a brand; we're building a movement that can set fashion as a tool for change.'
