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Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I went to the Topshop runway show - it was more than just a comeback'
I went to Topshop's runway show in Trafalgar square, it felt more than a comeback - from the crowd to the clothes, the energy was undeniable; the brand truly felt like itself again Over the weekend, Topshop took over Trafalgar Square, marking their return to the fashion industry. For the first time in seven years, Topshop took to the runway, debuting their latest collection at an open-air fashion show in central London. The event also celebrated the relaunch of its standalone website, signalling a new sense of independence for the brand after years of sitting under ASOS. Topshop has been part of ASOS since 2021, after being acquired following the collapse of Arcadia Group. But with ASOS stocking over 800 brands, Topshop's identity has often felt hidden in plain sight. But this year, they're stepping forward and doing it boldly. In May, they hosted a exclusive pop-up with Defected Records - where they showcased a new collection inspired by Ibiza fashion, followed by another campaign pop up at Tottenham Court Road's Outernet, this time featuring an exclusive live DJ performance by Wes Nelson. READ MORE: 'My AI boyfriend proposed - I was surprised but the ring he chose is stunning' For me and many others who attended, it felt like a blast from the past - a reminder of when Topshop wasn't just a store, but a fashion mecca. A place that brought a community together through style. Trafalgar Square was packed; from loyal Topshop fans to supermodel Cara Delevingne and even London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Speaking to Sky News, Cara said: "It was like nostalgia mixed with something eclectic but also something brand new. For me, it really brings back a time of exploration of my own fashion sense because I think for me at Topshop I got to discover so much." The energy was high, with a live DJ playing music that perfectly matched the fits coming out. The collection tapped into Topshop's signature staples, with standout pieces like structured leather jackets, oversized tailoring, dramatic coats, and a strong focus on denim - which so many people have missed. Sleek eveningwear and layering knits also featured, showing the brand's renowned range. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. The choice to return with a physical runway show felt intentional and was a clear signal of confidence in their relaunch. The vibe was infectious - from the music to the clothes. Having gone to all three of their events this year, this one stood out. It felt nostalgic and powerful. Not many brands can come back after years of silence and still draw a crowd like that. The crowd itself was diverse, stylish, and expressive; helped by the fact that there was no dress code. That choice made the event feel true to what Topshop has always represented: individuality, self-expression, and style that doesn't need to follow rules. I was initially unsure what to wear, but I quickly realised there was no wrong answer - and that was the beauty of it. Denim was always a defining part of Topshop's identity, and it was good to see that legacy reflected and felt like the brand was acknowledging its roots but looking ahead. I've been to other Topshop events this year, but this one felt different. It was bold, loud, and hard to miss - a clear statement that Topshop is stepping out from ASOS's shadow and reintroducing itself on its own terms. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
E.L.F. Cosmetics 'overpriced beauty' ad controversy explained as fans boycott viral brand
e.l.f. Cosmetics have faced backlash over their new ad campaign, which stars controversial comedian Matt Rife as fans threaten to boycott the beauty brand in retaliation E.L.F. Cosmetics has responded to criticism over its latest advert featuring the contentious comedian Matt Rife. The beauty brand is still dealing with backlash from their campaign, leading many people to boycott their products. The ad, titled and schmarnes: Affordable Beauty Attorneys, stars Matt Rife and drag queen Heidi N Closet. In the promotional video, the duo play two solicitors advocating for more affordable makeup products. Following the ad's debut, numerous individuals took to YouTube to voice their anger over Matt being the face of it, given his past jokes about domestic violence. This controversy comes after Matt raised eyebrows by purchasing the infamous Connecticut property of Ed and Lorraine Warren, home to the haunted Annabelle Doll. It comes as the murky history of the doll, now in Matt's possession, was revealed. The cosmetics company released a statement admitting they had made an error with the campaign, stating: "You know us, we're always listening and we've heard you. This campaign aimed to humorously spotlight beauty justice. We understand we missed the mark with people we care about in our e.l.f. Community. While and schmarnes closes today, we'll continue to make the case against overpriced beauty." For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Matt and Heidi N Closet portraying barristers dubbed "affordable beauties" nods to the former New York personal-injury law firm Cellino and Barnes - who sought to protect their clients from "overpriced makeup products." Rife states in the advert: "I know a thing or two about red flags. And pricey makeup? You deserve better than that." Critics slammed the decision to feature the comedian on social media - arguing he wasn't appropriate given he cracked a joke about domestic violence in his 2023 Netflix special, Natural Selection where he said: "My boy who I was with was like, 'Yeah, I feel bad for her, man, I feel like they should put her in the kitchen or something where nobody has to see her face.' And I was like, 'Yeah, but I feel like if she could cook, she wouldn't have that black eye.'" One individual remarked on the brand's Instagram post regarding the advert, "Oooooh. Matt Rife? The guy who jokes about DV? In an ad targeted to women? That's, um. A choice." Despite issuing their statement, the campaign and its promotional images remain live on its social media channels. Soon after E.l.f. published their statement, the company's Global Chief of Marketing Officer Kory Marchisotto also tackled the backlash. He told The Business of Beauty they were "very surprised" to see the online backlash, adding: "There is a big gap between our intention and how this missed the mark for some people. We always aim to deliver positivity, and this one didn't. So we find ourselves in a position where, quite honestly, that doesn't feel good for us." Calls to boycott the brand have taken off on several social media platforms, with beauty influencers, including those who have previously partnered with e.l.f., leading the charge. Some even posted videos of themselves throwing out their e.l.f. products.
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Money-saving trend could help Brits push back on overspending with simple change
From skipping expensive dinners with friends to passing on a weekend trip, loud budgeting encourages open, honest conversations about money with friends and family Discussing personal finance is often considered a taboo subject, leading many to endure financial stress in silence while maintaining a façade of wellbeing. However, the emerging trend of loud budgeting is breaking this cycle of secrecy by encouraging candid discussions about money matters. Opting out of a costly dinner with friends or foregoing a weekend getaway, loud budgeting promotes frank conversations about finances with friends and family. It's all about prioritising your goals and savings over feelings of guilt and succumbing to social pressure. Zoe Brett, a financial planner at EQ Investors, has shed light on the essence of loud budgeting, its growing appeal, and tips for incorporating it into daily life. "Loud budgeting is really just about being open and honest with people about your finances," explains Brett. "So, rather than trying to keep up with the Joneses and pay for dinner at that trendy restaurant or the latest outfits, just because your friends or your family are, you are just honest and say actually, I don't want to spend my money on that, I'm budgeting." The advice comes after news that thousands of Brits are set to get a letter from HMRC after a drastic new tax rule comes into force. Brett says people feeling "fed up" is why the trend is gaining popularity as of late. "It's so hard for people to get onto the housing ladder these days, and everyone's been really impacted by the cost of living and are finding it increasingly difficult keeping up with certain lifestyles," she acknowledges. "Everything just feels very expensive and I think people are just a little bit fed up of feeling broke all the time." Brett has also observed an uptick in social media chatter about living paycheck to paycheck, even among those earning six-figure salaries. "I think a lot of people, especially Gen Z, often feel like there is no future for them so they overspend, which has created a little bubble of people who are now trying to unwind that and be a bit more fiscally responsible," Brett notes. One immediate benefit of loud budgeting is supposedly its positive impact on mental health. "In the short term, I think that it is actually pretty good for your mental health to stop having to struggle silently to try and keep up with your mates," Brett says. "Once you just take that first step, it builds momentum." Over time, this mindset can contribute to building financial security. That said, Brett has provided some practical tips for putting the loud budgeting trend into practice. The first is about "ripping the band-aid off" and getting over any reluctance about talking about money. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and hot takes from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. "The first conversation is always the hardest, and it might be super awkward, but then once you've ripped the band aid off, you will realise that it's not actually as scary as it seemed," says Brett. She also notes its important to speak your financial goals into existence. and sharing your objectives with friends can even help maintain your accountability. "If you've got the right people around you, then they should honour that and support you, and may suggest things that are cheaper," she says. Taking the initiative to advocate for and propose cheaper activities and restaurants is another way to practice loud budgeting. "Rather than waiting for someone to invite you to something, suggest something to them that is within your budget such as drinks in the park, or cooking a meal at home or going to a free gallery." Just as much as emphasising your goals and struggles, it's also important to celebrate your financial achievements. "If you've done amazing and have really under-spent one month, remember to give yourself a pat on the back." Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Expert-approved walking routine is better than 10k steps - and takes half as much time
Japanese Walking is the new fitness technique that has been viewed as more effective as walking 10K steps a day, and this is how to incorporate it in your daily routine. The 10K steps a day challenge has been on every Brit's fitness regime for what may seem like a lifetime, but in Japan they have their own take on the infamous walking trend - and more people are following suit. The challenge of walking 10,000 steps a day encourages you to focus on the quantity of your steps, but with 'Japanese walking' it's about varying your pace from brisk walking to relaxed walking in intervals. Alex Lovén, MBE, Founder and MD of Sports Equipment platform, Net World Sports highlighted how the Japanese version is more effective than 10K steps a day and said that "switching between walking paces helps raise and lower your heart rate repeatedly, which can lead to burning more calories, boosting heart health, and improving overall fitness." "10,000 steps, on the other hand, tends to be a steady, moderate effort. This can be great for staying active, but it isn't as challenging for your body. It's more about quantity than quality," he continued. Swapping your usual 10,000 step routine for the alternative also helps you gain more health benefits in much less time. "Walking 10,000 steps can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, which is a big ask for many people juggling work, family life, and other responsibilities," Lovén said. Japanese walking, which was founded in the 1960s purely for marketing reasons has finally received scientific backing as researchers at Shinshu University in Japan "developed and studied this walking method, showing that it can significantly improve your aerobic fitness, muscle strength, weight control, and blood pressure." For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Lovén explained that you should try Japanese walking "whenever and wherever you can, whether that's on the school run with your kids, during your morning commute, or while walking the dog." If blocking out a specific time feels like a chore then this walking method is much easier to build into your already established routine. Lovén said to keep it fun by creating a "playlist of songs that are roughly 3 minutes long to guide your pace changes. Music can be a great motivator and help you to stay on track." Finally, ensuring that progress is tracked by "using a smartwatch or pedometer." Checking the stats for "calories burned, heart rate, or steps taken can help you stay motivated and notice real improvements over time, making the routine much easier to stick with." Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Doctors names red flags to spot before booking filler that's 'too cheap to be true'
As the government cracks down on regulations in the aesthetics industry, we speak to world-leading cosmetic doctor Dr Rosh on the red flags to look out for before booking with a cheap practitioner It's no secret cosmetic procedures can be expensive - so it's no wonder people can be tempted to book with cheaper practitioners, but it comes at a huge risk. With so many cases of botched filler and Botox out there, most commonly from unregulated injectors, I spoke to world-leading doctor and specialist in aesthetics Dr Rosh on red flags to look out for before you book yourself in with an injector who's paying less than average for their services. Manchester becoming filler capital of the UK, there is so much filler available - you can get it out the back of a van, in a backroom of a hairdressers or even someone's basement. As a result Health Secretary Wes Streeting is to introduce a raft of new laws to deal with dodgy cosmetic surgery in the UK. On a mission to campaign against the unregulated beauty industry, Dr Rosh, a Manchester-based leading specialist is calling on change from the government in a petition to tighten the rules - including those who offer cheap treatments. He told The Mirror: "I find myself diffusing so many situations where people have been botched with unregulated filler and Botox. One patient I had told me she couldn't leave the house because it had affected her confidence so badly and this is where it's going to wrong. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. 'The problem with the UK is you have non-medics genuinely believing they are better than non-doctors. They say doctors should stick in the NHS, and non-medics think they are better. But they can't fix issues when they go wrong, they can't prescribe and they can't make things better if there are complications. Anyone can inject and they believe it's safe." So according to Dr Rosh, here are some of the bigget flags to look out for when booking in for cosmetic work... When filler is too cheap to be true The expert, who is loved by many big name celebrities said one of the biggest problems in the UK are the filler packages. He noted: "I find myself dissolving a lot of these packages. 5ML is just too much in one sitting, I limit myself to 3ml, and 5ml for an 18-year-old is too much, it needs to be done in a gradual way but people are doing it to just make money." Filler costs about £100/£120 for 1ml, so if someone is doing it for less than £200, which raises the alarm for Dr Rosh. "£60 filler is alarming, I don't know what they are injecting. People are making fake filler from home, and these fake products are becoming an epidemic," he added. "It's becoming such a saturated market and people are able to book in for a 5ML filler package for around £200/£300, everyone is in a race to be the cheapest. The fact people are selling it so cheap is so dangerous," and it raises the question of how are they doing it at less than the cost price of filler. Past medical history and allergies aren't checked before your appointment Dr Rosh also urged people to visit a prescribing professional, as those who aren't medically trained can't reverse issues or fix problems. "Poor injections are happening and when things go wrong, unregulated practitioners can't fix the issues and they can't manage complications effectively," he said. While the lower price may be tempting, it's also crucial to be checked over with any past medical history and allergies - and if that's not done in a consultation, alarm bells need to be rung. Your practitioner isn't insured In most countries including Dubai and Germany, procedures like these are always done by doctors who will be insured and able to fix any issues if they ever arose, but the expert argues it's becoming too easy for non-medics to inject without real training. He advises to always do your research and check if your injector is medically trained or not. "Every other country is doctor led, so why aren't we?' Anyone in this country can pick up a syringe and get insured and that's why we're seeing this bizarre and overfilled result and a lot of patient harm'. There's no aftercare contact or package According to research conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health, of the 1,617 complaints made to Save Face, the national register of non-surgical cosmetic treatment practitioners, over 4 in 5 complainants were ignored or 'blocked' by their practitioner when they sought help and over three quarters believed that their practitioner was uninsured or saw no evidence of adequate insurance. One of Dr Rosh's patients Bethany Roberts knew this all too well. When she was offered free filler in her nose, that led to a blocked blood vessel in her nose, she realised she wasn't given any number to call or aftercare advice to turn to when needing help. "I was informed of the risks, but in terms of the aftercare I didn't have anything or even a number to call, so at 5AM I had to go onto Instagram and was messaging everyone who worked at the clinic on their personal Instagram accounts telling them I knew I had a vascular occlusion and I need your help," she told The Mirror. Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
