Latest news with #FitFlop
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Without pregnancy cravings, the Dubai chocolate bar wouldn't have been born
We fell in love with Sayaka Murata's Convenience Store Woman – the story of Keiko Furukura, a woman in her late 30s who has worked at the same Tokyo store for 18 years – when it was published in English in 2018. In her new novel, Vanishing World (Granta, translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori; $30), Murata continues to push boundaries – cultural, narrative and those of her readers. Set in a dystopian Japan where all children are conceived via artificial insemination and sex between married couples is taboo, the story follows Amane as she navigates a society ruled by rigid norms around reproduction and relationships. Fair warning: this novel isn't for the faint-hearted. It's strange, and not as immediately approachable as Convenience Store Woman. But the weirdness serves a purpose – forcing us to question the legitimacy of social structures, and why some vanish while others remain. Melanie Kembrey WEAR / Slide show My first thought on beholding a freshly unboxed pair of Gen-FF Buckle 2 Bar shearling leather slides ($220) was, 'Cute, but how do you wear them?' (Answer: with a wide pant, ideally, and possibly a tonal ankle sock.) My second, a few seconds after placing my tired trotters inside them, was, 'If every shoe had a shearling foot-bed, no one would ever wear anything else.' And so it has come to pass; off-duty, I'm now wearing them with everything. These newcomers feel every bit as magical as they look, and it's not just about the shearling: designed by FitFlop, in consultation with Calgary's Human Performance Lab, their raison d'être is to bestow serious comfort by way of cutting-edge biomechanics. This is probably why they have a little bit of a wedge, too, because wedges make everything comfier. All of which is to say, a slide in midwinter? Hell, yes. In Chocolate Brown or Stone Beige. Sharon Bradley LISTEN / Teen dream When she was a teenager, Shima Oliaee was a contestant in America's Junior Miss pageant. Renamed Distinguished Young Women, it's an annual competition held in Mobile, Alabama, where 50 high-school girls – the best and brightest from each US state – compete to win a $US40,000 ($62,000) scholarship. Two decades later, Oliaee, who's now a journalist, returns as a judge. Her podcast, The Competition, is both a fly-on-the-wall look at the intense pressure-cooker nature of the two-week competition – which includes scholastics, fitness, talent and public speaking – and a reflective journey for Oliaee as she looks at who she was then and who she is now. With Roe v Wade being overturned mid-competition, it also trains a spotlight on what it means to be a young woman in America today. Barry Divola SHOP / Snap chat The Polaroid Flip is a retro-cool, instant film camera packed with sharp smarts and serious style ( $399). Under the flippable lid? Four automatic lenses, sonar autofocus (yep, it uses sound waves to measure the distance between camera and subject) and Polaroid's brightest flash yet. It even lets you know when your shot's overexposed. Pair it with the app for double exposures, timers and manual controls – or just point, shoot and let the magic happen. Compatible with i-Type and 600 film and USB-C-rechargeable, the Flip is built for capturing real life in bold, beautifully imperfect prints. Frances Mocnik WATCH / Friends in high places Some watch the Sex and the City sequel And Just Like That … for the fashion, the friendship and the fellas, but what you should really be keeping an eye on is the real estate. While Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker, below with Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon) and co will always have my heart, season three promises a big change: Carrie is no longer a West Village girl. Yep, she's swapped her one-bed, brownstone apartment with its magical closet for a $US5 million ($7.7 million), four-bed townhouse in Gramercy Park in the heart of Manhattan – a 30-odd-minute walk away (longer in Louboutins). Timing is everything. New York Magazine has lamented the takeover of Carrie's old, once-Bohemian enclave by 'West Village girls', who dress the same, only drink three cocktails a night and spend their time working out. There goes the neighbourhood and there goes our girl – forever ahead of the curve. On Max from May 30. Louise Rugendyke
The Age
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Without pregnancy cravings, the Dubai chocolate bar wouldn't have been born
We fell in love with Sayaka Murata's Convenience Store Woman – the story of Keiko Furukura, a woman in her late 30s who has worked at the same Tokyo store for 18 years – when it was published in English in 2018. In her new novel, Vanishing World (Granta, translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori; $30), Murata continues to push boundaries – cultural, narrative and those of her readers. Set in a dystopian Japan where all children are conceived via artificial insemination and sex between married couples is taboo, the story follows Amane as she navigates a society ruled by rigid norms around reproduction and relationships. Fair warning: this novel isn't for the faint-hearted. It's strange, and not as immediately approachable as Convenience Store Woman. But the weirdness serves a purpose – forcing us to question the legitimacy of social structures, and why some vanish while others remain. Melanie Kembrey WEAR / Slide show My first thought on beholding a freshly unboxed pair of Gen-FF Buckle 2 Bar shearling leather slides ($220) was, 'Cute, but how do you wear them?' (Answer: with a wide pant, ideally, and possibly a tonal ankle sock.) My second, a few seconds after placing my tired trotters inside them, was, 'If every shoe had a shearling foot-bed, no one would ever wear anything else.' And so it has come to pass; off-duty, I'm now wearing them with everything. These newcomers feel every bit as magical as they look, and it's not just about the shearling: designed by FitFlop, in consultation with Calgary's Human Performance Lab, their raison d'être is to bestow serious comfort by way of cutting-edge biomechanics. This is probably why they have a little bit of a wedge, too, because wedges make everything comfier. All of which is to say, a slide in midwinter? Hell, yes. In Chocolate Brown or Stone Beige. Sharon Bradley LISTEN / Teen dream When she was a teenager, Shima Oliaee was a contestant in America's Junior Miss pageant. Renamed Distinguished Young Women, it's an annual competition held in Mobile, Alabama, where 50 high-school girls – the best and brightest from each US state – compete to win a $US40,000 ($62,000) scholarship. Two decades later, Oliaee, who's now a journalist, returns as a judge. Her podcast, The Competition, is both a fly-on-the-wall look at the intense pressure-cooker nature of the two-week competition – which includes scholastics, fitness, talent and public speaking – and a reflective journey for Oliaee as she looks at who she was then and who she is now. With Roe v Wade being overturned mid-competition, it also trains a spotlight on what it means to be a young woman in America today. Barry Divola SHOP / Snap chat The Polaroid Flip is a retro-cool, instant film camera packed with sharp smarts and serious style ( $399). Under the flippable lid? Four automatic lenses, sonar autofocus (yep, it uses sound waves to measure the distance between camera and subject) and Polaroid's brightest flash yet. It even lets you know when your shot's overexposed. Pair it with the app for double exposures, timers and manual controls – or just point, shoot and let the magic happen. Compatible with i-Type and 600 film and USB-C-rechargeable, the Flip is built for capturing real life in bold, beautifully imperfect prints. Frances Mocnik WATCH / Friends in high places Some watch the Sex and the City sequel And Just Like That … for the fashion, the friendship and the fellas, but what you should really be keeping an eye on is the real estate. While Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker, below with Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon) and co will always have my heart, season three promises a big change: Carrie is no longer a West Village girl. Yep, she's swapped her one-bed, brownstone apartment with its magical closet for a $US5 million ($7.7 million), four-bed townhouse in Gramercy Park in the heart of Manhattan – a 30-odd-minute walk away (longer in Louboutins). Timing is everything. New York Magazine has lamented the takeover of Carrie's old, once-Bohemian enclave by 'West Village girls', who dress the same, only drink three cocktails a night and spend their time working out. There goes the neighbourhood and there goes our girl – forever ahead of the curve. On Max from May 30. Louise Rugendyke
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's best kept secret beach revealed, with a stretch of golden sand, rock pools and a kids play area
WITH the stunning weather in Scotland at the moment, thousands of people are descending on beaches. But there's nothing worse than arriving at a coastal spot to find it wall-to-wall with people who've had the same idea. 3 The Fire beach is a true hidden gem Credit: ALAMY 3 Roome Bay comes out tops Credit: ALAMY However, experts have now compiled a list of the best kept secret bays across the country. And number one on the ranking, from walking shoe gurus FitFlop, is a stunning seaside spot you've likely never heard of. Forget Ayrshire's Troon beach or West Sands in St Andrews, top of the hidden gems is Roome Bay, in Fife. The gorgeous little-known destination is in Crail, right on the Fife Coastal Path. It is made up of a sandy upper beach and is dotted with rock pools, teeming with sea life. It's a peaceful haven with an old disused swimming pool at one end that is now a magnet for all sorts of wildlife. And it's backed by a sloping grass area where there's a brilliant and children's playground. It's also a short walk to an incredible caravan park with an outdoor pool. The FitFlop team said: "The data highlights just how many Google searches there are each month per beach location, on average, to unveil the beach bays under the radar as the least researched online." And for another secret, solitary summer escape, coming second in Scotland is Elie Bay, also in Fife. Hidden gem Scots caravan park with luxury hot tubs that's just five steps from the beach This sheltered, sandy beach is backed by large dunes with stunning views over the Firth of Forth. It's another perfect place for spotting wildlife and there's also wild camping pitches nearby. 3 Sandend beach is a perfect place for a solitary escape Credit: ALAMY And finally, Sandend comes in third. This pretty bay is set in the small fishing village of the same name, located between Portsoy and Cullen on the Moray coast. It's a magnificent sandy beach where surfers can head out on the waves and is a beautiful location to get away from the hustle and bustle. Coming top of the list in the whole of the UK is an unspoiled spot on the north-west coast of Pembrokeshire. The experts say Abermawr Bay is a true gem for beach walkers seeking peace, beauty and connection with nature. COASTS WITH THE MOST HERE is the top 15 in full: Abermawr Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales Kingsand Bay, Cornwall, England Knockinelder Bay, County Down, Northern Ireland Brown's Bay, County Antrim, Northern Ireland Mowingword Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales Roome Bay, Fife, Scotland Elie Bay, Fife, Scotland Temple Bay, Glamorgan, Wales Barricane Bay, Devon, England Presipe Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales Southend Westcliffe Bay, Essex, England Aberffraw bay, Isle of Anglesey, Wales Sandend bay, Sandend, Scotland Hayle bay, Polzeath, Cornwall Seaford bay, East Sussex, England The team said: "This secluded shingle beach is framed by rugged cliffs and backed by a whispering woodland of wind-sculpted trees to offer an atmospheric experience that feels miles away from the modern world. "Stroll along the shore and listen to the rhythmic sound of waves rolling over the pebbles or follow the coastal path above the bay to admire the panoramic views over St. George's Channel, which offers opportunities for birdwatching and spotting marine life."
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Why this 'impossibly comfy' slide is fast becoming the 'IT shoe' of winter 2025
A cosy new shoe is taking on the likes of Crocs, Teva and Birkenstocks as the unlikely 'IT shoe' of the season - and it's not hard to see why. With comfy and practical shoes all the rage thanks to the rapidly rising 'coastal grandma' trend - it's easy to understand why everyone's talking about the new FitFlop Curly Shearling Leather Slides. Described by some as a 'designer slide meets Ugg', the slick sandals combine luxurious comfort with modern style and are the perfect addition to a pair of jeans, trackies or Pilates get-up. The best part is that they are built with the brand's advanced ergonomic technology and offer superior support and cushioning - no unsightly bunions or blisters. The latter explains the premium price of $219.95 - but those who have tried them out say they're worth every cent. Available in chocolate brown and stone beige, the slides feature a premium leather upper with curly shearling detailing for a plush feel. Complete with a two-bar design, the slide is then accented with adjustable buckles, ensuring a secure and customisable fit. And the reviews speak for themselves, with hundreds gushing about their slides - and other designs from the brand - online. 'They're comfy they're cute they're cosy... you'll see me in these daily,' Tate of the Sunkissed Folk said, wtith fans raving about her new kicks. 'Oh I need this,' one wrote. 'Love them,' agreed another. Robynn Kelly, a Marketing Specialist at Bstore, said the rise of practical, comfy footwear reflects today's fast-paced, wellness-focused lifestyle. 'People want style and support - they are prioritising wellness and want shoes that feel as good as they look,' she told FEMAIL. 'Comfort is no longer a luxury; it's a must. FitFlop is doubling down on this space, continually evolving our tech-led designs to offer even more versatile, stylish, all-day-wear options 'Chunky sandals, sporty sneakers, clogs, and minimalist slides are big [this year]. Think comfort-first with a modern edge.' Robynn believes the slides' success is down to the comfort and transitional style. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tate. (@thesunkissedfolk) What is the 'coastal grandma' trend? Think of this style as a perfect mix of lifestyle and fashion trends combined. Popularised on TikTok, 'Coastal Grandma' evokes a relaxed, elegant, and carefree vibe reminiscent of wealthy women living in picturesque seaside towns. Think linen everything, relaxed fits, cosy knit cardigans, scuffed shearling slippers and the perfect basket bag to hit the farmers' market with. 'With soft leather, plush shearling lining, and bold buckles, they blend comfort with effortless style,' she said. 'Perfect for transitional dressing, they move seamlessly from indoors to out - pairing just as well with knits as they do with summer dresses.' FitFlop was founded in 2007 by Marcia Kilgore, a serial entrepreneur passionate about wellness and innovative design. Her vision was to create footwear that combined style with biomechanical support - shoes that feel as good as they look. Collaborating with expert biomechanists, FitFlop developed ergonomic soles that empower wearers to move more freely and comfortably. Today, the brand is known worldwide for pioneering fashion-forward designs that prioritise all-day support.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The UK's top secret beach bays without the crowds
Tired of jam-packed car parks, overpriced ice creams and never-ending toilet queues at some of the UK's most bustling beaches? Then it's time to ditch the crowds and head to the nation's most secluded bays instead. As Brits brace for a season of sunny spells and scorching temperatures, walking shoe experts, FitFlop, have shared the ultimate solution to the summer stampede. By analysing Google search data for 915 beaches across the UK, they've revealed the least searched - and most secluded - bays in Britain and Northern Ireland, perfect for a tranquil escape. The data highlights just how many Google searches there are each month per beach location, on average, to unveil the beach bays under the radar as the least researched online. Topping the charts are the likes of Abermawr Bay in Wales and Knockinelder Bay in Northern Ireland - all averaging just ten monthly searches, making them the least-known and most peaceful spots in the UK. For those seeking a destination with multiple secret spots, then Wales is the best region overall, with four of its bays making the top ten. Read on to discover the most secluded beaches in the UK that offer a secret, solitary summer escape: 1. Abermawr Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales Rated 4.5 on Tripadvisor and nestled on Pembrokeshire's north-west coast, Abermawr Bay is a true gem for beach walkers seeking peace, beauty, and connection with nature. This secluded shingle beach is framed by lush greenery, rugged cliffs and exposed tree stumps of a drowned forest. Ideal for reflective walks and birdwatching, its coastal path offers stunning views over St. George's Channel. Dog-friendly and rarely busy, it's a haven for nature lovers - and there's even a local woollen mill for cake and craft browsing after a long, scenic walk. 2. Kingsand Bay, Cornwall, England Tucked in Cornwall's 'Forgotten Corner', Kingsand Bay offers a quiet escape with historical charm. With just 100 Instagram tags and no TripAdvisor reviews, the bay remains blissfully under the radar. Visitors can wander through narrow lanes, take in traditional Cornish cottages, and enjoy panoramic coastal walks to nearby Cawsand or Rame Head, away from the summer bustle. 3. Knockinelder Bay, County Down, Northern Ireland Located on the Ards Peninsula, Knockinelder Bay offers golden sands, rock pools, low dunes, and sweeping sea views. With only 46 Instagram tags, this spacious and generally uncrowded beach is perfect for long beach walks or exploring the surrounding coastal paths. On clear days, try taking the Coastal Path that links the bay with nearby beaches like Cloughey Bay and Kearny, where the backdrop of the Irish Sea and the distant Mourne Mountains adds a magical touch to the serene stretch of shoreline. 4. Brown's Bay, County Antrim, Northern Ireland Another Northern Irish gem, Brown's Bay sits at the northern tip of Islandmagee. Shaped like a horseshoe and backed by green headlands, the beach is known for its calm waters and tranquil setting. Follow coastal paths for elevated sea views or simply enjoy the peaceful sounds of lapping waves and distant seabird calls. Walkers can enjoy a coastal loop by linking Brown's Bay with nearby Portmuck or follow informal trails over the surrounding headlands, offering elevated views of Larne Lough, Scotland's Mull of Kintyre, and the wide expanse of sea beyond. 5. Mowingword Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales Perhaps the most hidden of them all, Mowingword Bay is a secret cove only accessible by a 400-yard low-tide swim from neighbouring Box Bay. The cove reveals a mix of sand, pebbles, and sea-polished rock formations (including Pinnacle Stack) surrounded by steep, vegetated cliffs and some enormous sea caves - one of which has a blow-hole reaching right to the top of the cliffs. With no Tripadvisor reviews and just three Instagram tags, this wild beach also offers dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and total isolation. It's perfect for adventurers ready to explore its raw, untouched beauty.
