Have you been binge-watching a series and felt the instant urge to revamp your wardrobe or look through secondhand stalls for '80s outfits? No worries: TV series are influencing your fashion.

Many fashion enthusiasts predicted the 90s trend would be coming back and it's finally here. Inspired by some of the most influential pop stars, cult films and lifestyle brands synonymous with britpop and the all American dream.

Is skincare a too complex science? The web has plenty of information within everyone's reach but false myths are quite abundant. N°7 Beauty Company announces the launch of an innovative skincare education programme in partnership with the British Beauty Council.

On Oxford Street, the Capital's shopping avenue, a corner shop like no other made its temporary appearance. LTK celebrated its relaunch and makeover with this peculiar pop-up space and a panel to discuss the future of retail and the role of content creators.

Image courtesy of LTK

Fashions Finest team stepped into LTK abstract store for an exclusive panel discussion with LTK co-founder, Amber Venz Box, Vicky James, head of brand marketing at Missguided, and LTK creators Mollie Campsie, Louisa Hatt, and Josie LDN.

The world is literally in the palm of our hands as many actions can be taken with a simple tap, including shopping. The pop-up space in Oxford Street had a door like many other stores but the QR codes stuck on the window opened the real shop for us. This is a very peculiar 'store': LTK.

LTK Creator Shops in Oxford Street. Ph. V. Chirico

A popular name among the youngest and social addicted, LTK - formerly known as LikeToKnowIt - was founded in 2010 by Amber Venz Box and her then-boyfriend, now husband, engineer Baxter Box. Back at that time, blogging was an enjoyable hobby but the couple managed to turn Amber's passion for blogging and fashion into a means of living. With the monetisation platform rewardStyle first and the app LikeToKnowIt soon after, the Boxs changed the way people shop online forever but also, and especially, the way people source for inspiration.

At the LTK exclusive panel discussion with Missguided: 'The Role of Creator Commerce in Retail'

The panel discussion hosted by Robin Ward, head of sales at LTK, delved into this topic and explored today's shopping landscape brought by LTK with the four panellists.

What Is LTK And How It Works

LTK is an app and platform where content creators - bloggers or influencers - brands and the audience meet, creating a virtual space beneficial for the creators and helpful for the shoppers.

LTK inglobes Amber Venz Box and Baxter Box's brainchildren: rewardStyle and LikeToKnowIt. Ever wondered what the person next door, more realistically an influencer or a celeb, is wearing? LTK answers that question for you. You can tell this is a winning idea by its long 'shelf life'. Ten years of LKT suggests it is a brilliant concept with a real purpose. It could not be otherwise. Amber, a former personal shopper and fashion-obsessed from Dallas, knows the market as she turned her free shopping services as a blogger into an empire with 350 people working with her all over the globe.

CEO and Co-founder of LTK, Amber Venz Box

What Amber knows is that people do find shopping-related content entertaining and they actually spend on goods worth 10$ billion dollars after social recommendations by LTK creators. However, she is also well aware of the short lifespan of online content and the many new platforms launched every single year. Not so many 'spaghetti stick on the walls' and content is easily forgotten, lost under a shower of freshly made posts. The new updates implemented the LTK platform with helpful features for both the influencers and users. LTK creators will have a creator shop, a technology with marketing built-in, and access to analytics. Analytics are not just addicting and fun to explore, as noted by Molly, but also 'keep you in touch with your audience' - added Josie

LTK Makeover: New Functions For Your Experience

The LTK updates were made to create an 'elegant shopping experience' (Amber). Old and new uses can find now a richer tool to fish for inspiration and then shop online. The new LTK app features:

• Price drop alerts - Real-time notifications telling shoppers when one of their saved items or something in their wish list goes on sale.
• Automatic follows - A new function allowing users to follow a creator's LTK Shop automatically when they click through to any creator LTK post from Instagram or any other social media.
• Home screen badges - A little badge appearing on a creator’s avatar, showing how many new posts are waiting to be seen
• Gift Guides - A separate section for festive shopping (i.e. Christmas, Black Friday and Cyber Week) with gift guides within creator LTK profiles.
• Search filters - A much-awaited function to filter by brand name and media type on a creator’s LTK Shop.
• Localisation - Shoppers in the UK are now immediately recommended UK-creator content first in product search.

Asked by Robin on the meaning of influencer marketing, the panellists explored the role of influencers in today's virtual landscape by recalling their personal paths (Mollie, Louisa and Josie) and what is the relationship between brands and creators (Vicky).

LTK creator Mollie Campsie, Vicky James next to her

Coming from different backgrounds and representing different niches, the panellists offered a larger spectrum of opinions on the matter. For Mollie, a former plus-size model who joined LTK 18 months ago, 'an influencer is somebody in a given space - which for me was cut due to my size - (someone) who has authority in that space and who is able to influence purchasing decisions and add value to their audience.'

LTK creator Louisa Hatt shares her view and experience

Louisa, from Edinburgh and in LTK for 18 months, shared the same vision and deepened the view by pointing at 'trust and credibility', two strengths and essential components in the emerging role of influencers. Trust, authority, credibility, engagement, and humanity have been highlighted throughout the discussion.

LTK creator Josie LDN
Josie, who has a background in marketing, knows that marketers have to count every pound spent in their campaigns and found the positive side of being a creator as 'she can truck what she invests in because it is all digital.' She has been with LTK for seven years when the platform for influencers was called rewardStyle.
'Every penny has to make worth a pound', Vicky agreed with her and moved on by offering her experience as the voice of a brand dealing with the 'new brands', the creators. A brand like Missguided seized this new opportunity. Influencers' creative works can actually benefit different areas of marketing. In fact, the brand has been engaging with creators as a catalyst during that time when working from home made shooting particularly difficult to organise. Creators provided new content from different points of view as well as a source of inspiration for styling.

Robin Ward, head of Sales at LTK, hosts the panel

What emerged during the panel - probably the most relevant conversation topic for us at Fashions Finest - is inclusivity. Influencers and content creators are people like us and represent the variety of today's society with its different social, aesthetic and ethnic backgrounds. Mollie is sorting problems for many women who do not feel represented by models at all. Her activity has something emotional for her, 'it humanises everything which is the core of what influencer marketing is'. Louisa has never seen herself as a brand until other fellow creators suggested to her some products which might have been suitable for her personal style. That ordinary experience opened her eyes but it was the collaboration request from a British traditional heritage fashion label that brought her to a new realisation. People got back in touch to tell her they finally saw themselves in the brand's wealthy style code.

Content creators may have a privileged relationship with brands and enjoy enviable attention but what they really do is give voice and space to the real people. Creators are not models, they stand for those who were invisible in the media and marketing products ten years ago.

After London, LTK is planning to open more pop-up spaces around the globe (image courtesy of LTK)

When questioned by Robin, Vicky sounded quite comfortable with the statement 'creators are the new brands': 'as a brand, collaborating with creators strengthens your own brand. They are that authentic voice that people are looking for'.
'Creators are filling that gap between consumers and commas', added Josie. Creators like Josie, Mollie, and Louisa do something they love and, Josie continued 'while doing something you love, you do not realise but you are building this incredible relatable organic brand'.
Josie is not wrong at all. The equation is real and actual: 'creators are the new retailers; they are the ones curating new products for their followers', stated Amber while introducing us to LTK new makeover. Content creators are not competing with brands but they are now recognised as perfect partners and an endless source of inspiration for shoppers who finally find shapes and personalities closer to them.

LTK proved to foresee the change and shape the industry, surviving the coming-and-going destiny of all digital products. What we can wish for in the future is a democratic market, a fashion reality open to everyone and we can feel it is already happening.

The '70s are back! An era full of glam, disco, Bowie, Jagger, bell bottoms, bold prints, crochet, dagger collar blouses and so much more. '70s style pieces are full-fledged on again. So, stock up your autumn wardrobe with these five essentials that should not be missed in anyone’s closet this autumn season.

Ph. Julian Myles, Unsplash

'70s kaleidoscopic style is the hottest fashion trend on Instagram, a good source of inspiration to make vintage looks truly yours. Perfect vibes for the upcoming autumn season, these are our 5 essentials for your wardrobe.

Retro aesthetics of the ‘70s are taking over our social media pages, and surely we all know what this era’s fashion stands for, right? You may have a lot of associations but read on to find out how you can also adapt those to contemporary trends.

Penny Lane Coats

A black & white example embellished with silver star and moon stitching, seen on influencer @hannahlouisef.

Showcased on everyone’s Instagram feed at the moment, contemporary brands like House of Sunny and Saks Pott brought about the resurgence of an absolute classic, the Penny Lane coat. Not only do they look fabulous, but also keep you warm and cosy throughout those stormy autumn days about to be faced. Simultaneously, these statement piece coats are spreading huge ‘Almost Famous’ vibes, whose character of Penny Lane is where its name originally stems from.

Formerly better known as Afghan coats, the style was brought into mainstream fashion mainly by celebrities, especially musicians like The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix throughout the late '60s and early '70s, which created all the associations it has with Rock n’ Roll nowadays. Available in plain suede or embellished with stitching and embroidery, they add an effortlessly chic twist to even the most basic outfit, a real no-brainer. Penny Lane coats are here to stay!

Funky Prints

London-based influencer @mounakae effortlessly sports a '70s-inspired swirl patterned set. The halter neck top adds to an overall retro atmosphere.

Battle the upcoming gloomy autumn days with ever more vibrant colours and funky prints. They appear in numerous forms and can be incorporated through basically every form of clothing. No matter if it is a top, blouse, trousers, skirt, jacket, or if you do not want to go all the way simply add a colourful headband or scarf. Chevron and flame stitch, argyle, paisley, swirls, zebra, floral and abstract geometric patterns are just a few infamous '70s patterns to be named. All were influenced by folk and psychedelic rock of the era. Matching sets are an easy way to pull off a nice fit without much effort. Bright colours and bold patterns can complement each other or clash in an offbeat way. This season there is no such thing as too radiant or vibrant. Multi-coloured clothes all the way, it is about mixing and matching, so be bold.

Flared Trousers

@hannahlouisef wears a classic denim flare with a middle line seam.

First popularised by Cher and Sonny in the mid-'60s, flared trousers became a staple piece of the era, and are interconnected with the counterculture hippie movement.

They are extremely versatile and can be styled in either '70s Americana style, feminine chic, androgynous with a pantsuit, or in a glam rock/disco manner for those nights out and about. Extra points if they are corduroy or in flower print, for the ultimate retro style. A more classic approach would be a pair of simple blue denim in true Farrah Fawcett manner, worn with a colourful top and white trainers. The choice of fabric is key here, they are available in either denim, cotton, corduroy, or polyester and vary in terms of how wide they flare at the bottom and whether they have an additional split hem. One thing is for certain, every kind of flared trousers will give legs for days since the shape is known to elongate the silhouette.

Platform Boots

@letsgetflashy goes all in with a Bowie-esque approach on colour coordinating platform boots, perfectly fitting her ginger mullet. (Ph. Alexandre Alaux)

The '70s surely were an innovative decade for fashion, as the clothing represented youths newly found carefree mentality and desire to deviate from their parents' generation’s norms regarding outward appearances and attire. The way they dressed was an act of rebellion in itself. Platform boots were mainly popularised by glam rock performers like Elton John, the New York Dolls, and especially David Bowie during his alter ego Ziggy Stardust phase. This made the trend gender-neutral, since Bowie incorporated various queering elements in his stage performances and photoshoots, so a lot of men adopted this element and could be spotted wearing heels.

Due to being considered the era’s disco shoe, the connection to present events seems fitting. Now that clubs have reopened after long months of social distancing, expressing a newfound sense of liberty is once again expressed through head-turning clothes. Online shops frequently advertise new 'going out wear' with phrases and puns referencing a need for customers to prepare for their comeback to the club floors with fitting party outfits, predominantly targeting teens and 20-somethings. Just like the trend was originally about catching attention, the intention remains the same. On a side note, the shoes are particularly petite friendly and can add a good few inches of height, while also keeping your feet dry when stomping through those leaf-covered parks and forests once foliage hits the ground.

Bulky Square-shaped Tinted Sunglasses

@annacascarina stuns in a simple, yet eye-catching black-framed model with yellow/orange-tinted glasses, which harmonizes very well with her floral printed Resume blouse.

A drastic opposition to the previous tiny sunglasses trend, originally stemming from the '90s. Now the motto certainly is 'the bigger the better!'.

Don’t shy away from colourful tinted glasses to give your fit this extra pop of colour. Particularly popular now are blue, yellow, amber, and red-tinted glasses with a tortoiseshell look frame. A perfect companion when having to hide nasty dark under-eye circles or puffy eyes in the morning.

Where To Get The Look?

It is apparent that these trends are interconnected in cultural significance, socio-political influence, and historical context. A feeling of exuberance seems to be around, which is expressed and underlined through fashion.

Though all items are in some form currently available at the established high street fashion houses, we recommend you take a look at your local thrift store or browse online through secondhand apps like Vinted, Depop, and Etsy to find a truly unique and long-lasting piece of clothing with an attached history. Not only is the quality of fabric and construction usually higher, but buying used clothes contributes to more conscious and sustainable consumption, therefore helping to protect our planet and spreading awareness. If these options do not fit size-wise, upcycling in DIY, or bringing it to a local tailor can easily fix any issue and simultaneously make it more distinctive and individual. Fashion cycles have always existed and will continue to do so, however, now with constant online access to fast-fashion retailers they are speeding up more and more. Nevertheless, the aforementioned trends are certainly not fleeting or just adaptable for this season, because true vintage never goes out of style.

Celebrities all over the globe are an endless source of inspiration for everything beauty and fashion-related. Admiration often turns into emulation, and a new study can today reveal that Kylie Jenner is officially the world’s most influential celebrity!

The research, run and published by RY, offers an interesting insight into global beauty ideals. The study analyses Google search queries to reveal the most loved and copied celebrity beauty looks and today's top celebrity influencers. 

The Research: How To Spot The Influencers

RY made a list of 232 global celebrities, the most buzzed in glossy magazines of the likes of Allure and Glamour. Then, it put together the most typed queries on Google and combined the two lists to cover a full year. The research found which stars have the biggest influence in our quests for hair and makeup inspiration and more.

The Top 10 Most Popular Celebrity Looks

Kylie Jenner wins the round for the most popular and copied look. It does not come as a surprise; Kylie's look with her signature nude plumped lips made her fortune. Following, we can find Ariana Grande and Jennifer Aniston. Jennifer Aniston - who arrived in our houses as Rachel Green in Friends - is an astonishing example of fresh beauty over 40s.

Top 3 Most Popular Celebrities For Hair Inspiration

Jennifer Anniston is the top global hairstyle inspiration with her effortlessly healthy honey-gold locks. Follows Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande with her superbly sleek ponytail.

Top 3 Most Popular Celebrities For Makeup Inspiration

Kylie wins once again for the most popular makeup on Google. On a rushed morning, her nude makeup all about glowy skin and luscious lips is a successful choice. She can sport both natural and full glam looks but - it is not a secret - her lips are behind Kylie's empire with her Kylie Lip Kits. Ariana Grande arrives second with her cat-eye flick and glossy lips; while Selena Gomez arrives in the third position with her warm beauty and down-to-earth presence. We have no doubts, her makeup brand, called Rare Beauty, will reach the top globally.

Top 3 Most Popular Celebrities For Skincare Inspiration

Rihanna's glowy skin gives her the crown as the most popular skincare celebrity. The Barbadian singer is not simply known for her inimitable voice but also for her clean skin. Her cosmetic brand, Fenty Beauty, offers a chance to reach that perfection. Jennifer Lopez seems not to feel time passing. Now in her 50s, JLo can show a superb silhouette and a flawless complexion. She shares her secrets for dewy and younger skin with fans and the public with JLo Beauty. This time, Kylie Jenner settles for a third position with solely 50,000 searches every year for her skincare tips.

Top 3 Most Popular Celebrity Beauty Inspiration From The Past

The research also looks into the not-so-far past with a chart crowded with Hollywood actresses. The most influential of all is, of course, Marilyn Monroe with her iconic bombshell look.
Follows Twiggy and David Bowie, who left an undiscussed mark in the history of music with his talent and artistic self-expression.

Top 3 Most Newsworthy Celebrity Beauty Icons

RY's research spots also the most covered VIPs in magazines and online articles. Meghan Markle has always been in the news since her royal wedding; Kim Kardashian is just second, followed by Taylor Swift.

Read the full research online at RY

The science of beauty is perhaps as old as civilisation itself. From the stunning painted bust of Nefertiti to the glamorous court of Marie Antoinette to the inimitable style of Coco Chanel, we’ve long been fascinated by the beautiful.

Salina13, Pixabay

Across the millennia, we’ve been searching for the tools to enhance our beauty, tools to help us reach our fullest potential. For centuries, we’ve used paints and powders, unguents and ointments to bring out the goddess that had always lurked within.

The beauty industry, even before it became an “industry” per se, has always been married to science. Today, however, as we move into the second decade of a new millennium, the partnership between science and beauty has never been stronger.

Even more importantly, beauty consumers have never had more access to information or more choice when selecting the latest and greatest scientifically tested and approved products to add to their beauty regimen.

The Power Of The Beauty Influencer

Freestocks, Unsplash

Perhaps one of the most important beauty trends to emerge in recent years isn’t a cosmetic, a skincare product, or an aesthetic procedure at all. Rather, it’s in the rise of the online beauty influencer.

In 2021, the authority of the influencer is likely only to grow, and it is not at all difficult to understand why. Today’s influencers aren’t just successful professionals in the media or the beauty industries. Many bring with them some pretty impressive credentials in some pretty formidable fields such as chemistry, microbiology, and even the medical and environmental sciences.

Now more than ever, we’re turning to science beauty influencers to help us understand the science behind our favourite products and procedures and to introduce us to promising new advancements on the horizon. The particular importance of these science influencers is that they are uniquely qualified to speak with depth and to provide empirical evidence on everything from product ingredients and sourcing to processing and use.

Best of all, because many of these influencers have their own careers, they’re often not on the payroll of the companies whose products they review. That means you can breathe easier knowing that what you’re getting is far more likely to be both objective and trustworthy than a company-produced advertisement or a paid endorsement.

The Power Of The Consumer

Freestocks, Unsplash

Of course, today’s beauty influencers wouldn’t be rocketing into the social media stratosphere if there weren’t a lot of exciting new products reaching the market every day. In the past, some distressingly dubious practices have been adopted by history’s most celebrated divas to help them cultivate their storied looks.

From the consumption of arsenic to achieve the pallor so prized by the Victorians to the use of lead-based cosmetics, or the application of Belladonna to dilate the pupils of the eye, the thought behind some of history’s most infamous beauty trends has been doubtful at best and dangerous at worst.

Thankfully, today we have far more resources and far greater scientific knowledge at our disposal. And that is only serving to grow an already expansive market of products deeply rooted in cutting-edge science and designed to meet the particular needs, interests, and expectations of a diverse consumer base.

Take, for example, the increasing demand for environmentally-friendly, organic, vegan, and cruelty-free, and even CBD-based options. Whatever the consumer demand, beauty scientists are working to meet it, using evidence-based approaches to develop new products and modify existing ones to meet evolving market demands.

Likewise, if you’re experiencing a particular issue or concern, finding evidence-based information is a snap, provided you know where and how to look, including evaluating the data that underlies the information provided and checking — and confirming — the author’s credentials.

For instance, medical researchers are increasingly recognising the role of vascular health in the appearance of the skin. Varicose veins, for example, are now understood to be a leading cause not only of skin blemishes but also of ulcers on the legs. Fortunately, there are plenty of credible medical resources available to help you treat, and prevent, varicose veins non-invasively and with minimal expense or effort.

And that means, no matter what your particular interests or requirements for your beauty regimen, odds are you have a litany of great products and invaluable science-based resources to choose from!

Even better, however, is the fact that beauty scientists are increasingly seeking to develop tools and products that can bring such product customisation to the next level. For instance, extensive research is currently underway into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies to help consumers define their individual beauty needs, identify products and procedures that can meet them.

The Takeaway

Beauty, at its heart, has always been a fascinating combination of art and science. Never is that more apparent than today. In 2021, beauty science is increasingly grounded in technology, in cutting-edge research, and the needs and interests of the consumer above all.

We're living in an age where celebrity status is no longer confined to traditional 'celebrities'.

Image Source - Unspash

These days, if you’re not an influencer, chances are you have at least one in your life. It’s a pretty tempting and interesting hobby that can turn into a lucrative job. That’s why so many stylish people, people who love to travel, those who know how to write or are amazing makeup artists have turned their focus from something else and opted for a career change. So, if you want to show appreciation for the person who is always giving you fashion and lifestyle advice, give them something related to their job. If you’re feeling lost, that’s totally okay.

We’ve got you covered with the ultimate gift, so you never make a mistake again. After all, a bad gift is worse than no gift at all.

If You’re Feeling Generous

Image Source - Unspash

Those amazing photos they post don’t just come out of thin air. There is a lot of equipment and editing involved, so make sure to subtly enquire how happy the person is with their camera or lens. If they express dissatisfaction, do a little research and find the best camera for their needs and get it for them. You have no idea how much this will mean to them. Seriously, the camera is crucial for their job, and they will love you forever for this gift.

If You Want To Be Practical

Image Source - Unspash

Influencers are constantly glued to their phones. They either post stories, IGTV videos and even Instagram posts. No wonder their phone’s battery life is so short and everywhere they go they look for a place to ‘plug in’. Well, if you want to lend your influencer a helping hand, you will get them the strongest power bank there is. This way, they can safely scroll, post, answer messages and check their comments without worrying about running out of ‘juice’. You will be seen as a real life-saver.

If You’re Not Fashion Or Beauty-savvy

Image Source - Unspash

It’s completely normal that you don’t know what the hottest bag or shoe or even makeup brand is this season. You’re not the one checking out every fashion show and following all the fashion Instagram accounts – you’re pardoned. Therefore, if you want to do something nice but are completely clueless, simply get your influencer a memorable prepaid Visa card. This way, you’re not giving them money per se, you’re giving a kind of a gift card, which has a lot more warmth to it. By doing this, you’re giving them the chance to buy what they have been craving and not something you randomly picked out. Don’t get us wrong, you may have great taste, but they are influencers for a reason; they are rarely impressed, but they definitely will be by this savvy move.

If You’re A Genius

Image Source - Unspash

You may not know this, or perhaps you even do, but influencers love a good #flatlay photo. They work very hard to set up each detail that will wind up on Instagram, so one of the things you can do is get them a yearly subscription to Vogue magazine. It doesn’t seem like the most creative gift, but trust us, sometimes a cover page of Vogue can save an entire pic. You will be the hero who saves #flatlay, and more than that, you will show that you are actually interested in what the person in your life does and loves.

If It’s Staring You In The Face

Image Source - Unspash

Let’s face it, every influencer loves a designer something. It can be a wallet, a bag, a belt with the brand’s logo or even a pair of shoes. When it comes to designer goods, especially accessories, there is essentially no way you can do it wrong. A Gucci or a Carolina Herrera belt will make her scream with happiness, and if your budget allows you, check out some of the trendiest bags of the season and snag one of them. She will literally be the happiest girl on the planet. We promise you this.

Everything Newest

Image Source - Unspash

In order to get this one, you would have to be obsessed with makeup, and you’re probably not. That is why we are here.

You see, influencers are supposed to have all the new makeup launches first, and if yours isn’t already on PR lists, she has to snag them herself. This is where you come in. One of the newest things all beauty gurus are buzzing about is the Cherry collection by Urban Decay. This is a great gift, especially for fall and winter as all the colors are very warm and season-appropriate. Then, there are tons of new releases from one of the hottest brands of the day – Fenty Beauty. You can get her the new Gloss Bomb in shimmering pearl, one of the new Stunna lip paints and the Diamond Bomb highlighter. She has to show off her look using only the newest products, so surprise her with the knowledge you have on makeup and grab these goodies. Don’t worry, we won’t tell we gave you the skinny.

Shopping for an influencer can be difficult, but that’s why you have us. Hopefully, we have you covered for the next couple of birthdays and important anniversaries. Good luck, shop smart!