Emma Banister has recently graduated from Norwich University of the Arts where she completed a Fashion Design and Textiles degree. Her designs and graduate collection were characterised by the use of unorthodox materials such as rope and expired parachutes. The utilisation of these sustainable and unique fabrics caused her designs to have a great texture and form. The inspiration for her designs came from the sea and the flow and structure of her designs reflect that. This young designer has showcased great skill in creating stunning pieces from neglected materials and aims to keep sustainability at the forefront of her designs.  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/banisterfashion

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Almost all of us, at some point in our lives have not liked our body or a particular part of it and have remained preoccupied and conscious about it.

We start hating our bodies, and end up having eating disorders, health issues and low self-esteem and confidence. To avoid these ill effects, there is a new movement of body positivity. Being body positive is about accepting and celebrating all body types and sizes as beautiful. It’s all about loving your body despite stretch marks, sagging skin, acne, cellulite and achieving self-confidence. This movement is evident with trend of many brands using plus size model, clothing, mannequins and many other ways.

With being constantly reminded that we not good enough it’s very difficult to maintain body positivity. So, we have put together below some ways to feel good and positive about your body while being a plus size -

1. It’s All In The Mind

In order to embrace your body just the way it is, you have to start with the right mindset. What we think is what we become! Remember your body is a vehicle in which you have to travel in your entire life. So, you have to give it that love and nurturance. Avoid hating on your body and calling yourself names. Instead whenever you feel like doing this, think of 1 thing you love about your body. In fact, every day you could practice gratitude, by stating 3 things you are grateful for. Be grateful you woke up, you have a working body, good health, etc. Embrace positivity and it will affect all areas of your life, even in terms of your body.

2. Wear Your Crown

Once you’ve got your clothing sorted, it’s time to focus on your hair do. Give yourself a little makeover. Did you know by just getting a haircut and styling your hair different, you can enhance you plus size look. The best hair styles for plus size ladies with a round face are bobs, pixie cut, long layers, bangs, etc.

 3. Detox Your Social Media

We are continuously bombarded with images of skinny model and actors all over the Internet. As much as you’d want to, remember that these pictures are photoshopped and far from reality. Comparing yourself to other is a being a thief of your own happiness. Instead of cursing yourself for your weight and feeling low, I would suggest you revamp your social media feeds. Follow people who actually believe in body positivity. Just google – ‘accounts for body positivity’ and you have. This will have a drastic change on your outlook and your body image.

 4. Ditch The Scales

When we are unhappy about our weight of when we are planning to lose weight, we have this tendency to keep weighing ourselves and taking our measurements. And then we get stressed about the weight we’ve gained and take drastic steps like strict diets, fasting, detox, etc. Ditch these habits of regularly checking your weight and in fact do it as rarely as you can. This will reduce any stress related to your weight and also help develop a positive body image.

 5. Swing In Style

This the most important advice – wear what you love and want to wear. Don’t let you weight be a barrier for you clothing preferences. Don’t shy away from trying latest trends. As long as you are comfortable and confident in what you wear, you can wear what you want. Develop your own style with the kind of person you are and your preferences and comforts.

Don’t think that just because you’re a plus size that you have to always hide your body in loose-fitted outfits. In fact, wear clothing that flatters your best features and your body type. You can find various charts and write ups about what suites what body type. High waisted pants and simple layered outfits are way to go.

A general rule to keep in mind is if you’re wearing a fitted top pair it with loose pants and if you wear a loose top wear a fitted pant.

Also, on terms of size, many brands differ in their sizing so it’s better you still try the out to see if it fits. In fact, a lot of brands now offer a great collection and style in plus size garments.

 6. Inside Out

Your outfit may be on point but something doesn’t feel right. Invest in good inner wear. Get a bra or underwear that fits you well and is comfortable. If you wish you could also invest in good shape wear. A nice sports bra, corset or shape wear can enhance and flatter your features. This is completely your choice. Do whatever make you feel comfortable and feel good.

 7. Get Inspired

It important for you to look up to people who have embraced their plus size and garnered body positivity. Read on their journey, how they made it to who they are. Look for outfit and hairstyle inspirations. Search quotes on body positivity. There will be days you feel shitty about your weight and the way you look; those days are when these inspirations will help you get over the negativity.

8. Make Some Pals

Don’t surround yourself with people who put you down because of your weight and size. Try finding people who are positive and accept you for who you are. If possible, search for people who are plus size and on the same journey of body positivity as you. In this way you could form a small community where you’ll could support and motivate each other.

 9. Health Over Appearance

Accepting your plus size is important. But not doing anything about it, is not. Don’t just be a couch potato and say I am happy about my weight and everything is ok. This is not body positivity! Don’t use body positivity as an excuse for remaining obese. Remember being overweight has many health risks. So, give more importance to your health that your external appearance. Add some form of exercise to your daily routine. Choose something you enjoy and something that will make you feel

Love your body and cherish it!

Even though there are a few weeks to go before summer comes to an end and the idea of shopping for winter wear may seem far off, the cooler temperatures will be here before you know it.

Rose Brown grew up in Welsh countryside and graduated from the Manchester School of Art in 2018. Her goal is to create things that are truly never seen before, using unconventional textiles and concepts derived from the weird and wonderful place that is the inside of her head. She strives to find out what it means to be truly different and to be it.

Her collection is called Aprés Lunar, which means ‘After the Moon’. Taking inspiration from 1980s skiers and WW2 flight suits, it brings the excitement of adventure from the Space Race, back to the 21st century.

The main inspiration is a light art installation by Christopher Schardt, which was displayed at the festival Burning Man. The piece is called ‘Firmament’ consisting of a series of LEDs, draped in triangular form across the sky.

This inspired her angular pattern cut and her use of reflective materials that represent electric light.

Her realisation moment was when she was dancing on a stable in the French Alps. It helped her to understand how skiwear can morph into party wear and vice versa. She had to live it, to make it.

Each look has reflective properties that come to life under the flash of a camera, transforming the collection. Her metallic spacemen dance the night away, lighting up the slopes as the go.

The six look collection is a glowing series of blues, coppers, silvers and metallics. It is outerwear heavy, mixed with shining leggings, scuba tops and salopettes. She made her own fabric by bonding aluminium and copper onto cottons to create garments treading the line between wearable and unwearable.

After graduating, she was selected and flown to China for the International Youth design competition (IYCD) in the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology. She has also attended charity fashion shows with her collection, in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Wolverhampton. Glasgow raised £34,139 for Simon Community Scotland. 

She now has a studio space so that she can continue her work, with a new collection to be released AW19.

Instagram: rosebrownlangtry

Cabrini Roy represents a new age of luxury ready to wear fashion, with her innovative way of creating bold silhouettes whilst staying true to her minimal style. Emerging from London College of Fashion, Cabrini explores ways to visually represent her story whether that be drawing inspiration from her childhood to create contemporary streetwear or taking influence from her filipino culture. The garments create a distinct style yet stays comfortable enough to be worn every day. Each design includes a touch of Cabrini Roy, a woman who hopes to empower through her pieces, with an emphasis on setting your own trends with no boundaries on the numerous amounts of ways to style each essential piece.

Fan Lingshan graduated from the University of Central Lancashire. She believes that in creating a design, it must resonate with the viewer, and awaken people's sense of social responsibility, such as with the environment, culture, etc.

 Her graduation designs are inspired by the child’s nature of liking the new and hating the old. This behavior will cause many toys to be thrown away. On the other hand, in order to meet the children's consumption needs, manufacturers quickly update products and environmental pollution caused by overproduction of toys.

 The work takes the doll as the entry point, through the child’s perspective,

Design use the colorful print, A large number of discarded dolls, the resulting silhouette of fingers, torso, and arms, the She uses her knitting and crochet skills as the texture to expressed the shape. In the series, the head of the doll is used as a bag and accessories, and the eyes of the doll are also as prints and the decoration of the clothes. The design was earned runner-up of David Textiles award and Finalist of fashion Design portfolio award.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lingshanfan1993

BO-BORSA abrand that is changing the the face of fashion is the first brand to bring Tyvek® onto the UK fashion scene.

Fashion trends come and go and can be really fun for a while. Everyone wants to wear the ‘it’ style but after some time, something new comes around and the cycle starts again. There is nothing bad in that, fashion is supposed to be fun.

Sometimes people don’t want something that’s just fun but also sustainable and consequently, there has been a rise in the minimalist lifestyle. Whether it comes to clothes, stuff you own around the house, sometimes it’s best to only have the minimum. That way everything becomes a little clearer.

This is a list of 5 essential items that will help you be stylish on any occasion. A birthday party, engagement party or a joyful Christmas office party, these clothing items won’t let you down.

Leather Briefcase

Every busy man needs to put all of his essential items in one place. There are simply never enough pockets for everything. Phones are getting bigger than ever, so many of them can’t even fit into a pocket. Cargo pants are a good choice for putting everything in one place, but they aren't suitable for every occasion.

So the best thing you can do to resolve this irritating problem is to invest in a high-quality bag. Briefcases, handbags or messenger bags are all very stylish and will make you look more put together. It’s greatly recommended to invest in a high-quality leather bag because they are very sustainable, look professional, elegant and will last you for decades. If you want to achieve this kind of elegance Got Briefcase has wonderful high-quality leather bags for men!

A Chambray Shirt

Chambray shirts are the perfect blend of professional meets casual. It has been said multiple times that chambray is a cousin to denim. They do have similar shades of blue like indigo, but chambray shirts differ in many ways. They are made usually from cotton, linen or cotton/linen blends and can come in a variety of colors.

Chambray shirts are very soft and smooth to the touch and breathable. You can wear them in any kind of weather and on any occasion. You can style them with a formal suit. A chambray shirt will do good as any other button-down shirt.

Chambray shirts can be styled in a quirky kind of way, where you can wear jeans, a blazer, a tie, some silly socks, and dress shoes. Everything is set but those silly socks show your fun side! Without them, it would just be a great put together outfit!

Casual Chinos

Jeans are all over the place, and it seems as though every single person on the planet has at least one pair. They are pretty casual and you can style them with almost anything. The thing is, they can get really boring and if you’re tired of wearing the same old jeans day in and day out, you should invest in a pair of casual chinos.

Like chambray being the cousin of denim, chinos are the cousin to jeans. You can style them in absolutely any way, formal or casual, they will do the perfect job. You can treat them like denim jeans, so if you want to style them with a flannel shirt, go for it! If you want to style it with a navy blue blazer go for it! The difference between casual and formal chinos is in pockets, flat-felled seams and standard hem.

Chelsea Boots

The past couple of years have been a game-changer for Chelsea boots. Like the rest of the list, they have become an all-time favorite for every occasion. Surely you won’t go hiking in them but everything else should be considered. Some men just aren’t comfortable in dress shoes, they feel too formal or just don’t like the way they look.

These boots are not only easy to put on but also really badass looking. As it was mentioned before you can style them in almost any way you like. When do you think about Chelsea boots what first pops into your mind? In the past Chelsea boots became the staple for badass men riding motorcycles and being just so cool. Maybe these boots will help you get the same feeling.

Hats

A lot of men tend to forget about all of the options they have when it comes to hats. Fedoras aren’t the only thing you can wear. And besides who says they aren’t cool anymore? Overused maybe,  but certainly fun to wear. Depending on the occasion you can choose from a variety of different hats. Beanies are perfect for Autumn and Winter. They are casual when you need something to protect your head from the cold wind.

Ascot caps can really channel your inner Sherlock Holmes. Just think about the BBC’s Sherlock Holmes series starring Benedict Cumberbatch - he’s smart, cynical, cool and occasionally wears ascot caps. Flat caps can also bring your inner Sherlock out for everyone to see. Greek Fisherman hats have been very popular among ladies these days, but they are also made for men. Why not give it a try?

Conclusion

Hopefully, this list has given you an insight into how you can style your clothes in a fun way. The key, of course, is to find items of clothing that will serve you and your wardrobe whatever the occasion. All the clothing items above are casual but elegant, super comfortable and will meet all of your needs!

As a concept and bespoke designer not afraid to think and design ‘outside the box’, versatility within conceptual, statement and original designs is where Celine Zara’s creative flare lies. She holds a strong belief that any design should tell a story, create atmosphere, provoke emotion and most importantly, have meaning. Celine’s collections are often inspired by reflections on society and aim to produce a positive message to make people think and reflect. Using physical objects for design details and silhouette Celine produces creative, unique, structured designs with a strong emphasis on remaining true to the concept research. Passionate about using unconventional materials, her recent Graduate collection featured metal structures, inspired by the internal structures of Cavendish Pianos, which adorned the body, working beautifully with the garments in order to create the overall shape and look of  the collection ‘Sonata in F’. She thrives on using her unique creative vision to find beauty and inspiration in the most unconventional of places, pushing the boundaries of fashion in order to create something truly inspiring.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/celinezaradesign
Website:  www.celinezaradesign.co.uk

Laura-Shannon Harding is a recent Welsh, Fashion graduate from Leeds Arts University. 

Having a love for colour, Laura-Shannon creates fun and playful pieces that feature a heavy use of embellishment, texture and print. An appreciation for festival culture and it’s judgement-free atmosphere has informed the eccentric aesthetic and silhouettes of her designs within the ‘Make Everyday A Festival’ collection that was featured at Graduate Fashion Week 2019. 

The intricate panelling and the hand-sewn sequins, equal with the overall great attention to detail and 3D shape construction of some of the pieces allow the collection to really catch the eye.  

Instagram is www.instagram.com/laurashannonfashion