Fashion and Style

Women Who Launch: Chatting with Florence Macovei &...

“I’m not going to lie, the fashion industry is very focused on who you know,” says Florence Macovei, who spent years building her little black book of contacts whilst working as a model and hostess for brands such as Hermes, Ferrari, Cartier, and Bulgari. “If you have the right connections, you can have very big advantages. The contacts and knowledge I’ve made definitely helped me through my entrepreneurial journey,” she adds. However, it wasn’t just contacts that helped Macovei when she pivoted from fashion insider to founder. Her keen ability to unlock what women want has allowed her to launch AFTERHOURS, a fashion brand which makes incredibly wearable, sleek, and sophisticated clothes for the modern woman. I recently road-tested the AFTERHOURS oversized linen shirt on a trip to Mexico and it was the perfect item to wear over my swimsuit whilst still staying fresh and stylish on the beach. Whether it’s breathable fabrics or flattering silhouettes, Macovei has a deep understanding of her customers’ needs and also leveraged her own experiences to build her first collections. “I always looked for clothes that were luxurious yet affordable while being versatile, and I always struggled, so that’s why I decided to start AFTERHOURS,” she shares. In this edition of Women Who Launch, we speak with Macovei about the mentors who provide a guiding light as she builds her brand and the piece she loves most from her current collection.

The Insider's Guide to London Fashion Week

For fashion enthusiasts who love to dress and fawn over the latest designer fashions, the question remains; what actually happens at fashion week? Think of me as your fairy god sister, giving you the low-down on what goes on at London fashion week and how to get involved. Fashion Month is a bit of an ‘if you know, you know’ event. Outside of the fashion and arts industry, there isn’t much information publicly available, and it’s not until you’re inside that you really understand what goes on. Fashion Week’s purpose [though now changing] was for the people who would promote these new collections to get the inside scoop; editors, writers, stylists, publicists and celebrities - and now, most importantly, influencers.

Diamonds [and Lab Diamonds] - For Dummies

It’s just like they say; Diamonds are a girl’s best friend - and one of the most coveted gemstones in the world. Prized for their beauty and rarity, the stones are formed within the Earth’s mantle [between the Earth’s crust and core] in a natural process when carbon deposits into the earth and is subject to a combination of heat and pressure. Though the exact measure of time isn’t available, it is thought to take millions of years, resulting in the high price of diamonds, depending on clarity and carat.

Featuring The Sybarite's Best Dressed Celebs at the BAFTAs

Featuring How the V&A explores Africa's global impact on the...

Iconic African designers, such as Kofi Ansah and Alpahdi, have given the public the opportunity to explore never seen before designs amongst the array of garments and objects on display for the exhibition. I was absolutely blown away by the artistry that was on display, solidifying how much I will be supporting African designers moving forward. You have to visit to understand the magnitude of greatness when it comes to design. When asked what pieces evoked raw emotion, it was difficult to choose. Numerous parts of the exhibition evoked multitudes of sentiments which, to me, is the true aim of fashion. From extreme joy and pride to see such dimension, craft and skill, and at other times, sadness and disappointment to know that African designers aren't given the recognition and platform they deserve to be able to thrive as significantly as the designers we love today.

5 things we learned from Berlin Fashion Week

Berlin has demonstrated that they are fast becoming one of the fashion capitals of the world, with a mixture of eclectic and minimal style found amongst the bustling streets of the popular city. You may not find all your favourite, trending designer brands but the city gives platform to some incredible & unique smaller labels that perfectly reflect Berlin; colourful, full of character, and well connected.