Latest news with #KittyJoseph
Times
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Seven of most exciting new things to do with children in London this summer
The British capital is a lot of things: historic, sure, but also expensive and busy. It's also full of parks, free museums and some of the world's best tourist attractions, all things that appeal to younger visitors and their parents looking for entertainment during the long summer holiday. London is a patchwork of villages with their own charming individual flavour — from Dulwich to Dollis Hill, Walthamstow to Wandsworth and Barking to Bayswater — and thanks to a world-beating public transport system, it's easy to zip around them all. Throw in a welcoming spirit and you've got the best city in the world for families. As long as you stand on the right on the Tube escalators, of course. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Kids and adults alike can practise their swing at this pop-up flower-power themed mini golf course right by the O2. Unusually for London, there's no booking required (£3, until August 31; There's plenty going on at the Greenwich Peninsula this summer: wander along the Tide, an elevated riverside walkway full of public art, including the brightly coloured ribbons and flags from designer Kitty Joseph; and catch free theatre shows at the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival (until Sept 6; Kids will love a ride on the IFS cable car, which zips across the river from North Greenwich to the Excel Centre and back again (one way from £4 for children and £7 for adults; It might seem like madness to take your children to a computer game-themed activity when you're doing all you can to get them off screens, but they will love you for it. At least in this version of Minecraft they'll be standing up, jumping and running between a series of rooms. They can play a supersized version the game, across interactive floors to stomp on and collect diamonds, then, at the end — their favourite part — throw snowballs (real balls this time) at moving digital enemies (children £26, adults £31, until September 28; It's attached to Corner Corner, a cool food hall that's home to Cafe Sireli, which serves Armenian-eastern Mediterranean dishes, and has outdoor seating overlooking the waterside benches and gardens of Surrey Quays (mains from £8; The Southbank is a brilliant place for children. There are eye-popping river views from the waterfront promenade, splash pads for hot days and — deep breath — the London Eye. Plus, the superb Southbank Centre always has a reliable rotation of activities for young children, usually every few months. This year they include Replay, a playground made from recycled waste materials, with wooden tunnels, slides and a ball pit (from £8, until August 24; There are also plenty of crowd-pleasing restaurants with great kids' menus and alfresco tables overlooking the Thames. • 17 of the best family hotels in London Londoners groan about the cliché of open-top bus tours, but this one from Tootbus is specially designed for little ones with short attention spans. The Tootbus London Kids' Tour is a condensed version, taking just 45 minutes to zip around big-hitters including the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Piccadilly Circus. Grab a seat up top for the best views. On board, children are fed fun facts, given activity books with games and puzzles along the way, and can join in with quizzes (£24; The Baddies is another smash hit from the Gruffalo author and illustrator duo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The playful stage show features magical characters including a witch, a ghost and a troll, and runs at Cadogan Hall, a small theatre off Sloane Square in Chelsea, until August 24 (from £19.50; Scoff some Baddies goodies at a themed afternoon tea afterwards at the nearby Rubens at the Palace hotel, a 15-minute walk from the theatre (children from £45, adults from £70; Standing for The Way I See Things, Twist is a den of bafflement featuring optical illusions and immersive science that is better value than its Oxford Street location might suggest. Room after room is filled with mind-warping exhibits that mess with perception and perspective. Stick your head in a mirrored revolving tube to see your face reflected a zillion times, stand inside a kaleidoscope and enter a faux café with warped proportions. Weeks themed around topics such as science and music run through the summer, offering extra workshops (children £21, adults £28; • Read our full guide to London What kid doesn't love dinosaurs? This show, at entertainment space Neon in the shadow of reinvigorated Battersea Power Station, takes families on an immersive journey to Isla Nubar, the home of Jurassic World. On a wander through the world they'll spot giant animatronic brachiosauruses, velociraptors and even a giant T. rex (children from £20, adults from £26; The power station is also worth a wander, either by the riverside or via its colourful wooden playground ( How are you entertaining your kids in the capital this summer? Let us know in the comments
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Shopping sprees shouldn't cost the earth - a designer gives tips on eco-conscious clothing
Fashion designer Kitty Joseph reveals the tips and tricks to how you can build a more environmentally friendly wardrobe and what shoppers should keep an eye out for when buying new clothes While there are many initiatives, such as low-water consumption garments and recycled fabrics, that support a more sustainable fashion industry, consumers are still surrounded by misleading information and constant greenwashing. High street fashion often promotes greener incentive s, from recycling used clothing to free alterations. However, a study by the Changing Markets Foundation found that 12 of the largest British and European fashion brands, including ASOS, H&M, and Zara, have identified that 60% of their environmental claims could be classified as "unsubstantiated" and "misleading". It's no surprise that fast fashion and mass consumption have a detrimental effect on the environment. For years, consumers have been warned about the effects of overconsumption and the impacts of fast fashion. According to the UN Environment Programme, the fashion industry is now the second-largest consumer of water and is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. Interestingly, more than double the amount of 18-34-year-olds (33%) compared to 35-54-year-olds (14%) prioritise sustainability over style when building their wardrobe. Nearly half (46%) of those young people who care most about shopping sustainably do not know where to find these options or how to style them (35%). However, an increasing number of consumers want to make more environmentally conscious decisions when purchasing clothing, but it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Fashion designer, Kitty Joseph, tells The Mirror: "Sustainability in fashion isn't just about the clothes we wear—it's about the choices we make and the values we support. "While fashion may never be entirely impact-free, we can all strive to make better choices that lessen our footprint and contribute to positive change. At KITTY JOSEPH, we're proud to exclusively use recycled and organic fabrics in our designs, ensuring that every piece reflects our commitment to a more thoughtful future for fashion" Shop second-hand The most sustainable way to welcome new clothes into your closet is by shopping second-hand. By purchasing a garment second-hand, shoppers reduce waste and conserve scarce resources. By giving an item a second life, fashion fans are preventing more garments from ending up in landfills or being incinerated. Which ultimately avoids the environmental impact of new manufacturing and transportation. There are now several platforms that make second-hand clothing accessible to everyone. Apps like Depop and Vinted are two popular reselling marketplaces that allow sellers and buyers to browse thousands of products while also protecting both parties from potential scams. Kitty Joseph explains: "Beyond shopping, there are so many ways to make a difference. Charity shops and vintage stores are treasure troves for unique, pre-loved finds, and supporting local independent brands helps sustain smaller businesses that are working hard to do things differently. Why not organise a clothes swap party with friends to refresh your wardrobe without buying new clothes? And most importantly, take a moment to pause before purchasing—ask yourself if it's something you'll truly love and wear often." Research fabrics When purchasing clothing, it is essential to educate yourself on the various materials and fabrics. Many popular fibres, such as polyester, nylon, rayon, and acrylic, are synthetic and classified as by-products of petroleum. According to GENeco, clothing made with these materials will take 200 years to decompose, posing detrimental effects on the environment. These materials are commonly found in many garments and offer little benefit to the wearer. Synthetic fibres are notorious for retaining odours and do not allow the body to regulate its temperature naturally. Additionally, they are unable to wick moisture away and can shed thousands of microplastics into our water whenever they are washed. Instead, when purchasing new clothing, look for natural fibres like silk, linen, cotton and wool. These materials are derived from plants and animals and are a much more sustainable option than synthetic fibres. Not only are they more environmentally friendly, but they also provide the wearer with numerous benefits like temperature control and breathability. Buy better, buy less Next time you make a purchase, consider investing in higher-quality items. Although fast fashion has a reasonable price tag, its value is often reflected in the quality. Fast fashion is notorious for breaking easily, hence the low price. So, the next time you need a new jumper or shoes, invest in a more reliable brand known for quality. Kitty Joseph emphasises the importance of how even small changes can have a big impact. She explains: "Every small, intentional step adds up. While perfection isn't possible, striving to do our best is a meaningful way to shape a brighter, more sustainable future for fashion." It's not necessarily about spending more money on garments; it's about analysing the product. Look at the composition on the label. What is it made out of? Look at the seams. Are they even and double-locked, and is there any tension on the seams? Additionally, ensure the colour and style complement your existing closet, as the most sustainable products are those that receive the most wear. Don't buy into trends With the rise of social media, buying into trends has never been more tempting. Each day, we consume masses of content that reflect new and emerging trends, showing shoppers the must-have bag, shoes, or dress, which will have its moment and then be thrown into landfill once the hype dies down. When making a new purchase, ensure that the item is practical and suitable for your needs. Consider carefully the outfits you would wear with the new product. It's essential to make sure you're not buying a viral item solely for the sake of it. Repair, don't replace Lastly, next time a trusty garment in your wardrobe gets damaged, try repairing it instead of replacing it. Repairing clothing can be a fun and exciting new skill, while allowing you to give your clothing a new lease of life. There are many ways to repair an item, but learning a few simple stitches can be a game-changer for a quick and simple repair to a split seam. Alternatively, for larger rips, consider using iron-on patches. This can be a unique way to personalise your clothing and extend its life. Alternatively, if you prefer to leave it to the professionals, many local dry cleaners offer basic damage repair services for a small fee. So, take your beloved item in and see what they can do.
