CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Being bombarded with constant media about the pandemic can seem relentless and take its toll on our mental health. Especially for those of us who’re more vulnerable, live alone, or live with anxiety or depression.

For those of us who’re well, healthy, and not in social isolation, we should consider reaching out to older or more vulnerable members of our community to offer our time and support. Something as simple as picking up a prescription, doing a food shop, or even having a quick phone call to check-in can be a huge help to many people.

Tamara Willner, a registered nutritionist  with Second Nature, an NHS-backed ‘smart diet’ which allows people to diet at home through an app, has qualified dietitians who can comment on topics ranging from what to eat to boost your immune system, to eating healthily while at home. The digital programme is more relevant now than ever, particularly with practising healthy habits to keep our bodies as healthy as possible

It’s incredibly important that we all take steps to protect and prioritise our mental wellbeing, for example:

1) Chat to friends or loved ones

Staying socially connected via digital platforms is essential for our mental health when our social contact is limited. This might be calling or FaceTiming family members, neighbours, and friends on a regular basis.

2) Meditation or deep breathing

Meditation is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety. If you’re new to meditation, try practising deep breathing with your eyes closed in a quiet room for 2 minutes each day.

3) Practise yoga 

Yoga encompasses the benefits of both exercise and meditation. One of the ways meditation is so effective is through controlled breathing, which is also practised in yoga. Yoga also increases our release of serotonin – the ‘happy’ hormone 

4) Use adult colouring books

Colouring provides a cognitively stimulating mental activity, which can relieve stress and anxiety by providing our minds with a distraction.

5) Monitor media exposure

It can be overwhelming to receive constant notifications about the virus, which lead us to panic and lose control of our thoughts. It’s important to stay informed right now, but consider checking reliable sources (e.g. NHS or WHO websites) for information once each day and turning off notifications in between.

Words by Emily Regan

It’d be surprising to most, if you were completely unaware of Nirvana, arguably the greatest rock band of the ’90s. Here’s the story behind how lead singer and one of the most legendary music icons, Kurt Cobain rose to fame and unknowingly sported some of the most significant fashion trends which we still see today.

19 October 1987 marked a stock market crash in the US, otherwise known as “Black Monday”. The lack of employment led young people into complete melt-down and the ‘slacker’ generation was born. Cobain was one of the teens with no prosperity, there were little opportunities available and his family situation wasn’t most fortunate.

This rebellious, lazy generation of dropouts began to express themselves creatively, quitting school to produce music or artwork and Cobain followed suit.  He regularly attended studio sessions where he would produce and write songs, these often expressed his desperate attitude and angst towards his poor quality of life. Metaphors would suggest drug abuse, exploring themes of vulnerability and desperation. Cobain developed his music with friends and as various member joined and dropped out he finally formed Nirvana alongside drummer, Dave Grohl and guitarist, Krist Novoselic.  

Celine

They released first album, ‘Bleach’ with Sub-Pop indie label and soon reached global success, attracting ratings from the likes of NME, beginning their European tour in late 1989. Nirvana landed a record deal with DGC records in 1990 and Cobain met Courtney Love, soon to become his wife and embarked on a tempestuous Rollacoaster of a love affair. 

Balmain

Throughout his years of fame, Cobain sported various looks, the fan base grew due to the couple’s relatable lack of wealth and motivation.  People began to idolise Cobain and dress like him, he had certain items which became a uniform for a generation, Converse hi-tops, oversized knitwear, plaid shirts, distressed denim and on occasion he wasn’t adverse to a floral flock.  He revolutionised thrift shopping and arguably began the grunge movement, but more importantly became a style icon and inspiration for the fashion industry from Hedi Slimane at Celine, Olivier Rousteing at Balmain and Alessandro Michele at Gucci, not to mention TOPMAN, H&M and BoohooMAN to, literally name a few. 

Gucci

The sun is shining, so whether you’re taking a stroll around your neighbourhood or your own garden to get a hit of fresh air and some Vit D, there’s no excuse not to let your feet feel great.

Inspired by five generations of expert leather craftsmen and women. Sharing a selection of beautifully crafted, hand sewn men’s summer shoes from British shoe brand Billy Ruffian, which are made to fit and built to last they offer style & substance. Their shoes are made on traditional English lasts, using only the finest of leathers, by master shoemakers they have worked with for decades. The brand has a range of Brogues, Oxfords, Cheslea Boots, Chukka Boots, Loafers and Boat Shoes all in a variety of colours –  offering something for everyone. Style your look with a red Loafer to give it some pop, or an english tan leather Chelsea Boot to smarten an outfit.

The key shoes styles that particularly caught our eye are;

A long time preppy staple, currently having a comeback moment. They epitomize summer and have us all dreaming of long holidays on a superyacht (never going to happen, but we can dream…). Finish the look with some no-show socks and a cropped fit trouser and get out the champers

A more formal summer shoe – the loafer is versatility at its finest. It’s the perfect slip on shoe to have as a staple in your wardrobe, working with a range of dress codes – taking your looks from chill to smart in no time. Loafers look cool with a suit while giving you a modern, sharp edge

A boot that can serve you year-round. The Chukka boot is a lightweight boot that pulls an outfit together when trainers just don’t cut it. They smarten up an outfit in an instance without being overly stuffy and too formal and are the perfect for the transitional season.

It’s never too soon to start reading with your child. Helping them learn to love books and develop a love for reading is an important part of their development and can make a significant impact on their learning skills later down the line.

Offering an established Holistic Development Programme at each of their thee London locations, Abacus Ark,  one of London’s leading pre-school education facilities, are on a mission to ensure that children become well-rounded individuals through a careful focus on cognitive, emotional, and physical skill training. Here, they offer us their top 5 reasons why it’s important to read with your child.

1. Language development – by reading stories, your child quickly recognises the connection between sounds and the words on the page. This cognitive

development is essential in the speech and language learning process. Even the most basic of books will start to make an impact on development.

2. Stimulates imagination – imagination and imaginative play are other areas of key development and reading stories can form the basis to many happy hours of make believe. Read a variety of books and let your child’s imagination soar as they enter different worlds and meet different characters.

3. Supports learning – reading with your child helps support learning across the curriculum. Alongside words and language your child will also recognise shapes and the patterns you point out to them. Books are also a great way to introduce your child to numbers and make the connection between shape and sound.

4. Helps make sense of the world – hearing stories about the world they live in can help your child make sense of the environment around them. Introduce books that help explain a new situation, a new baby brother or sister for example. Books can help your child feel reassured that they aren’t alone when facing a new challenge or change in routine.

5. Allows children to express themselves– books can help your child to better express themselves. With new vocabulary comes greater ability to find words that express how they’re feeling and work through a range of emotions. This in turn helps your child to become more confident in their ability to express their thoughts and opinions.

When the original Breitling Top Time was launched in the 1960s, it was a watch with a clear mission. Willy Breitling announced that his brand’s new watches were “particularly suited to the needs of the young and active professionals. We are designing a superb range of ultramodern chronographs, led by a completely new model, the Top Time.” The sports watch appealed to that demographic, who were drawn to its bold new lines and its undeniable elegance. And now, Breitling is reintroducing the Top Time, a collectors’ favorite with one of the most recognizable dials in all of watchmaking.

More than half a century after introducing its Top Time watch, Breitling is launching an updated and upgraded model. Like the 1960s model that inspired it, the new Breitling Top Time has an unconventional design that makes a bold style statement. A first glance at the dial, which has long been known to collectors as the Zorro dial, makes it clear that this is a watch that doesn’t take itself too seriously. But that playful face doesn’t disguise the superb chronograph performance, which is pure Breitling.

Breitling CEO Georges Kern commented: “Breitling aficio- nados have always loved the Top Time’s dial. When it was released more than 50 years ago, it was a watch that ap- pealed to a younger audience committed to enjoying the freedom and the spirit of the 1960s, and, amazingly, after all this time, it continues to stand out. The Top Time is an important but often-overlooked part of our heritage, and we know it’s going to resonate with men and women who love this blend of history, design, and great performance.”

Inside the Top Time’s 41-millimeter stainless-steel case is a Breitling Caliber 23 chronograph movement with a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. Its accuracy is confirmed by its status as a COSC-certified chronometer. The red hour and minute hands as well as the dot mark- ers for each hour are coated with Super-LumiNova, a luminescent material that ensures legibility in all lighting conditions.

The new Breitling Top Time’s modern retro look is perfectly complemented by its brown nubuck leather strap. This striking watch is limited to 2000 pieces, and its caseback is engraved with “ONE OF 2000.”

The Breitling Top Time Limited Edition will be the brand’s first watch offered with a blockchain-based digital passport, which confirms the authenticity and ownership of the watch with a single click. Owners can access the watch’s digital passport at any time and transfer ownership – if they choose to do so – with a simple blockchain transaction. Offered in cooperation with Arianee, the digital passport will also complement Breitling’s innovative digital warranty program by offer- ing the absolute security that can only be provided by a blockchain system. This cutting-edge technology, which makes it possible for customers to engage with the brand anonymously, allows Breitling to add new online services ranging from advanced clienteling to a revolutionary care program.