Counterfeit Sneaker Technology

Counterfeit products have been a huge problem in the fashion world for a number of years now, but who knew sneakers counted for 40% of all counterfeit goods in the US?

Sneaker brand Greats have tried to work around this problem by using technology and creating 3D smart tags that can track the sneakers back to the factory and are impossible to fake.

Greats designed a smart tag for their Beast Mode sneakers, each 3D printed smart tag has a unique identifying code stamped into it, linking it to a specific pair of shoes, a encrypted NFC chip like ones you find in a passport is found inside, this can be tracked by scanning with a smart phone.

The chip is baked into the smart tag during the 3D printing process, this means its impossible to break it out of the plastic without destroying it.

The designers of this chip Chronicled and Origin have created their own blockchain, specifically designed for sneaker transactions.

When the tag is scanned you can not only tell if they item is authentic, but everyone else who has ever owned that pair of sneakers. If you sell your sneakers on you just transfer ownership of the smart tag within the Chronicled app.

So a new and clever way to stop counterfeit items, will other brands start using technology like this?

Fred Perry Subculture

On Sunday the 29th I had the amazing opportunity to work with Fred Perry Subculture at the Dot to Dot Festival in Nottingham collecting content for their social media pages and website.

We are collecting images of the bands performing, interviews and street style photos.

I thought I would show you the outfit I decided to wear and some of the images I took of the bands performing.

I would like the thank again Fred Perry Subculture for giving my this opportunity, I had an amazing day and really didn't want it to end.

 Same Streets

Johnny Lloyd

Sundara Karma

Augustines

Mystery Jets

Espadrilles

The other day I was speaking to a friend about the much coveted Chanel espadrilles and how much we love them, but she then introduced me to the new trend of wrap around espadrilles. She had seen an Instagram post of a girl wearing some from River Island and was determined to buy them.

After speaking to her about them I have seen them everywhere!! I know River Island and Zara have really caught into the trend and have bought out some great styles and colours.

A great piece to transition you into the warmer months and great for those exotic summer holidays!

Jeans and Belts

While browsing my favourite fashion blogs I have noticed the trend of blue high waited jeans and a black belt with heavy hardware is a new popular trend.

Wear with a white tee and leather jacket or crisp white shirt from a desk to happy hour style!

This is a perfect trend to try out as all you may need to purchase is a belt, all the rest are wardrobe staples!

Nail Inspiration

Pastel nail colours are the newest Spring/ Summer trend. In a previous blog post I spoke about Pantone's Colours of the Year and their collaboration with Sephora.

Pale pink and blue ('Rose Quartz' and 'Serenity') are the most wanted pastel hues. Here are some Essie nail colours which will make you right on trend!

Lady Like 

Salt Water Happy

Lilacism

Muchi Muchi 

Virgin Snow 

Summer Red

When the weather starts to warm up I like to start applying the gradual tan to make taking off the jumpers a little bit easier.

When I start to have some colour I love to experiment with brighter lipsticks, especially red oranges and fuchsia pinks.

My favourite lipsticks to wear are Avon Matte Lipstick in Coral Fever and Sephora Luster Matte Long- Wear Lip Colour in Magenta Luster.

Give these bright colours a go and see if they will be your new summer accessory!!

Blush Suits

Recently I purchased a pair of blush trousers from Zara, I am really enjoying styling them from a girly night time look to a casual day time more masculine feel.

I feel it's a way to update your spring wardrobe and add an item to your wardrobe which is versatile and can be worn with excising items.

From this I started to see other people not only wearing pink trousers but full blush suits, perfect for the office or a summer wedding.

Match with nude and neutral accessories such a tans or whites for a crisp chic summer look.

Sun Hat Personalisation

The newest trend at the moment with brands such as Mango and Reformation getting on the band waggon is personalisation and in this instance its with your summer hat!

Now you can pick your favourite slogan, nickname or summer word to wear all summer long with the online store Edit58.

You can pick your colour and exactly what you want your hat to say! There you go, your Instagram will now be filled with your own individual unique summer style accessory.

Sunset Shades

The weather has been a bit odd over the past couple of days in the UK, we've had snow, rain, hail and sunshine but, that still won't stop me from noticing all of the bright and vibrant colours on the high street at the moment.

Reds, oranges, hot pinks and yellows have been seen in cropped tops, jumpsuits, statement trousers and my favourite at the moment, the stand out jacket. This could be in a bomber style, a blazer or a biker jacket.

Whatever your style, try and ditch the monochrome and add some sunset shades into your wardrobe.

Summers come early!

Flatform Trainers

Last year we had flatform sandals, now it's the flatform trainer!

Easy to pair with blue jeans and a summer knit, or your black skinny jeans and a cropped tee, these will take your style to a more alternative level and also give you a bit of added height.

Could terrazzo be the new marble?

Marble has been the go to item for home decor, lifestyle products and the flat lay background for bloggers for a while now, from lamps, kitchen accessories, even marble effect laptop cases, everyone has been loving the trend but, now Terrazzo could be the new 'it texture'.

Modern homes and trendy restaurants have been taking advantage of the new texture/ material and its giving great results.

So over the next couple of months, keep an eye out for this new texture, maybe you will even buy into the trend yourself.

New Nike Summer Shades

I have been a fan of Nike for a while now and have a few pairs of trainers by them but, they are all black. I feel like black trainers go with everything, if i was at the gym, running errands and for attending university.

However, over the past couple of weeks I have seen a lot more bloggers and style influencers styling lighter shades in the trainers they wear like whites and soft pastels. 

Maybe its time for me to purchase a pair of a lighter shade of trainer, may be harder to keep clean but, they will not look as harsh against my Spring/Summer wardrobe like my black ones do. 

Tech Must Have- Dome 8

I recently saw on Instagram people raving about Dome 8 phone cases. The cases, which have been made to fit a range of mobiles, allows you to keep your headphones plugged into your phone and stored on the back of the case for when you need them. You will not loose them and they won't get tangled in your bag or pocket, always ready to use.

The case also has shock absorbing protection, so that time when you accidentally drop your phone on the floor or on your face when trying to tweet in bed, you won't have to worry, the raised edges will protect your screen.

New Look For Calvin Klein

While on Instagram I saw this post from Asos showing a new range of Calvin Klein underwear. We all know that his signature sets have become a huge trend in recent months with a range of high street stores such as Topshop, Urban Outfitters and even John Lewis selling the garments.

However, when I saw his new collections I thought it was a little bit different for the designer, still casual and young, but I feel a lot more sporty, the trend of Athleisure really has become huge!!

I went onto Asos to see they have quite a large selection of his new range which doesn't just include underwear sets in this range but swimwear which also includes this sports luxe style and banded brand logo.

Will this style become as popular as the original or will it just be a one season thing? We will wait and see how this is taken with the Insta famous!

(Images from Asos)

Colour Trend Restaurant Interior- ZIZZI

I went to the Italian restaurant Zizzi in Brindley Place in Birmingham and was obsessed with the interior colour trend they had used. 

(My Image)

I loved the pastel colours they had used the the chairs and wall decorations. I feel it gave the space a nice, open and clean looking interior, great for casual dinners. 

(Images from Zizzi Website) 

I feel that the colours they have used would be great inspiration for me to use in one of my InDesign projects. 

Instore Fragrance- NEXT HOME

Another post about Next and there use of fragrance!! I visited a Next Home store and as soon as I walked in you could smell a lovely scent immediately. I have never noticed this in any other Next store before so was intrigued to see if this was being featured in every store.

While paying at the till point I noticed a sign which told you which Next scent you were smelling in the store. I thought this was a great idea for Next to have the customers experience the scent first hand, the customer will then walk to the home fragrance section to view this fragrance and all the other options, then they may make a purchase.

I'm interested to see if the other Next Home stores and the Next clothing stores introduce this and if they will all use the same scent or have a different Next Home scent in different stores. I will keep you posted!!

Fragranced Nail Polish - NEXT

While shopping the other day in Next I was looking at there beauty section. They have released a new range of nail polishes in a range of finishes-
- Matte
- Glitter
- Gel
- Metallic Pearl
- Gloss Effects

While looking at all the new colours I noticed a light pink with a matching pink lid, on the top I noticed the varnish was fragranced with one of Next's signature scents 'Just Pink'.

As I am in the middle of a fragrance project on my FCP I found this very interesting. I looked through all the other colours and couldn't find another shade which had been fragranced. 'Just Pink' is one of there best selling fragrances so another beauty product in that range would hopefully be popular and be purchased by the fragrances fans.

The New 'It' Shoe

People are loving their bright and bold Stan Smiths and Adidas Originals but the Tubular Viral from Adidas are bringing a sportier footwear choice for fashionistas. 

Super comfy and understated no wonder people are taking this shoe from the gym to evening drinks. 

What do you think about this new 'it' shoe? Will you be rushing out to buy them or are you still working your way into the sports luxe world?