Sorry Demna Gvasalia, the Spice Girls were there first. By Ella Alexander
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THE SPICE GIRLS are getting back together. No one quite knows how or in what form (although they won't be touring), but the evidence points to a reunion of some description for their forthcoming documentary. In celebration of this exciting moment, we look back at how their playful, bold style influenced today's trends — plus the looks that we truly hope stay in the past.
Long before Maria Chiuri Grazia launched her 'We should all be feminists' cult T-shirt, the Spice Girls were singing about girl power and female solidarity – politics and ideals that they often communicated via their clothes.
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Animal print
Calvin Klein, Tom Ford and Victoria Beckham all paid homage to animal print in their respective autumn/winter 2018 shows, but Mel B was early to the game on this one, always showing a committed propensity towards leopard and zebra prints.
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Retro sportswear
Get off the overground at Peckham Rye on a Saturday night, head into the Bussey Building and you'll see that pretty much everyone under 25 is dressed like Mel C, complete with retro branded sportswear. Not all go in for the full tracksuit combo so popular with Mel, but the rise of athleisure is undeniable.
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Little black dresses
Victoria Beckham appreciated the value in keeping in classic, understated and elegant even during her Spice Girl days, with a love of little black dresses and fuss-free strappy heels. That's not to say she always hit sophistication bang on the head, but she was the only band member to show an understanding that sometimes less is more.
As part of the '90s style renaissance, Buffalo platforms were revived by Browns last year — a move that sparked instant waiting lists among its clientele. The Spice Girls were, of course, the first to offer the toweringly high shoes their patronage (although rumour has it Victoria Beckham always hated them).
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Small sunglasses
They may have fallen out of favour over the last decade, but Gigi and Bella Hadid, as well as Selena Gomez and Rihanna have started wearing tiny sunglasses again, proving that Victoria Beckham was about 20 years ahead of the game.
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Dad trainers
An extension of the athleisure trend, dad trainers are now officially a thing. Balenciaga's chunky, futuristic styles never stay in stock for long, and are often seen on the feet of fashion editors and influencers. Mel C saw the potential in a pair of spongy, colourful trainers – and not just for the gym – long before the luxury fashion world did.
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Bikinis as tops
Of course, not everything the band wore worked. Sorry Ms Beckham, bikini tops should remain holiday attire only.
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Union Jack fashion
Geri Halliwell's bold mini dress sparked a million copies back in the 90s, but those were different times. In a post-Brexit Britain, no one wants to look like an advert for the Ukip campaign.
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England football shirts
The 90s uniform of tomboys everywhere might have been comfortable, but is of its time. Blame the poor sporting abilities of the current England football team if you like, but these shirts are still best left to Danny Dyer films.
While DDG wore a Santa hat and a white tee, Halle wore colorful pajamas, with full glam makeup and intricately braided hair.
However, fans honed in on the moment the film star rose from her seat to get a spatula, noting how she stood very slowly and grabbed the table for support.
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Other fans spotted clues in videos of the couple baking cookies[/caption]
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After The Shade Room shared the clip on Instagram, one fan said: "She had to get up slow! She just had that baby lol I know that slow get up."
A second agreed: "Oh yea even by the way she got up.. she JUST had that baby."
"Slid off that chair like a new mom, congratulations," wrote a third social media user.
A fourth claimed: "They just low-key revealed that the baby is here LOL. Congratulations!"
Another fan joked: "She spent nine months hiding her stomach, and it all came to an end baking some cookies."
'IT'S SO OBVIOUS!'
DDG also shared a video of their cookie-baking experience on his Snapchat Story.
However, his video was resurfaced on TikTok where fans swore they saw a baby product in the background.
In the video, the couple mixed ingredients and rolled out dough.
At the beginning of the clip, fans zoomed in on the background where a baby rocker appeared to be underneath their lit-up Christmas tree.
"Halle had her baby," the poster wrote over the clip.
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In a YouTube video uploaded by a friend, fans swore they heard a baby crying in the background[/caption]
Viewers flooded the comments section to share their thoughts about the star's supposed secret birth.
"Because he's so used to sharing everything so he like playing and giving a little subliminals to people but he's trying to respect Halle," one person theorized.
"He's literally baking cookies…. No one would thinks folks would zoom in on the background. They hid the pregnancy. They're not dropping any hints," another said.
"DDG be slipping up with that damn camera it's killing me," remarked a third.
"That's a baby rocker it's so obvious," pointed out a fourth, while several others agreed.
While Halle was not in the video, fans thought they could hear something revealing in the background.
A user reposted the clip onto X, formerly Twitter, for followers to focus on.
They titled the video: "A newborn baby can be heard crying on DDG's Christmas vlog, prompting more speculation that Halle Bailey had his child."
Faint crying could be heard in the background of the video and fans believed that Halle and DDG's absence was due to a newborn baby.
The original video, reposted by XXL Magazine was captioned: "A newborn baby can be heard crying on DDG's Christmas vlog, prompting more speculation that Halle Bailey had his child.
Someone wrote: "Speculations? Lol, she done had it."
The rising star went make-up-free while hanging out in her home.
She seemingly had a furry white blanket around her while wearing a black shirt underneath and a heart-shaped necklace.
"Today, for me was a super chill day I've literally just been relaxing, I took a nice steamy shower, I've been in bed watching movies," she said.
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Last week, Halle checked in with fans on her Snapchat, revealing that she was at home and relaxing[/caption]
She then urged fans to send her photos of them posing next to the movie poster at their local theaters so she can repost them on her Instagram Stories.
"Me and Darryl had our anniversary a few days ago and I wanted to show what we did that night, I forgot to post them, but it was the day after Christmas. It's so exciting, two years it's so sweet I love him so much with all my heart. We've just been having so much fun," Halle swooned.
He revealed that he does not have a baby girl, and slammed fans for prying into his personal life.
"I don't know why people are so invested in what I have going on or what we have going on. Bro, mind your business," DDG, 26, pleaded.
The social media influencer then encouraged his followers to focus on other things rather than what's happening in his world.
"I love my supporters and s**t, but in real life, Bro, I don't know you. That's just the truth. Like you guys, let me live my life," Halle's boyfriend begged.
However, DDG appeared to only fuel rumors further, with many believing his response hinted that he and Halle welcomed a baby boy.
"They must have a son," one person wrote in the comments.
"So his son name Halo," another guessed.
"Awee he has a son! I could've sworn the vlogs said she was having a girl but either way CONGRATS," said a third.
"The baby just got here, and he stressed," suspected a fourth.
In the collection, the actress shared throwback photos, including images from her flicks, The Little Mermaid and The Color Purple.
She also posted an image of herself surrounded by children.
The Chloe x Halle singer flaunted her flat tummy as she donned a tight greenish crop top with matching velvet pants.
As the collection concluded, the singer held her hands behind her back as she donned a red skirt with an oversized ruffled shirt.
Halle captioned the post: "2023 is a year I will never forget.
"Looking back on this year, I can't believe this is my life."
She continued: "I'm so thankful to God. Also thankful to all of you for your unwavering support."
Halle concluded: "Let's bring in this new year stronger than ever. Life is what we make it," with an emoji of a baby angel emoji.
In the comments sections, fans assumed the baby angel emoji and the image of the red dress meant she had given birth.
"I just knew a baby was gonna be at the end of this!" one person gushed.
Another theorized: " I guess the red dress photo represents the baby by being in her tummy."
A third fan speculated: "I see a little baby with the angel emoji."
"She knew what she was doing when she put that angel baby emoji!" a user added.
A commentator chimed: "It's the baby emoji for me! Congratulations on all the blessings."
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While answering a fan question regaring if they had a child, DDG begged people to mind their business[/caption]
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In an Instagram post celebrating her 2023, Halle said: Let's bring in this new year stronger than ever. Life is what we make it, with an emoji of a baby angel emoji.[/caption]
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More Suff #us #uk #world #nz #HappyHour #la #ca #nyc #lndn #manila #politics #ArmUkraineASAP #sport #showbiz #fashion #PicOfTheDay #celebrities #motors #tech #InstaGood #top #QuoteOfTheDay #news #All the 'clues' Halle Bailey's fans think prove she 'already secretly given birth' to first child | YJGO4AY | 2024-01-04 21:55:19 Source: ALEX MAG
Step aboard the private yacht where the food is as breathtaking as the views
Indulge in a panoramic, gastronomic dining experience like no other aboard Le Ponant. By Dani Maher, in partnership with Ponant
JULIEN FABRO
WHEN YOU THINK of fine dining, you likely don't think of being afloat. But Le Ponant is the luxurious yacht seeking to challenge that, offering memorable dining experiences celebrating the unique gastronomic journey on which you sail.
Le Ponant is the flagship vessel of French cruise company PONANT, which takes its name from the old French naval term for 'west', or 'where the sun sets' — in homage to the company's evergreen search for endless, beautiful horizons at sea. And naturally, as the only French cruise company, PONANT offer a truly unique experience with that je ne sais quoi unrivalled by any other.
One of the finer elements of the French lifestyle is surely the savouring of gourmet dining experiences — so naturally, these are part and parcel of your voyage aboard Le Ponant.
Since 2016, PONANT has partnered with Ducasse Conseil — the catering centre of excellence run by DUCASSE Paris, which was itself founded by Alain Ducasse, one of the world's most celebrated chefs with nine Michelin stars to the three restaurants he currently helms in Monaco, Paris and London. As such, the dining experience aboard Le Ponant offers culinary delights of stellar quality.
The diamond of the ship's gastronomic offerings is fittingly Le Diamant, the panoramic restaurant situated on the Zéphyr Deck. Seating 34 guests, it offers an intimate yet world class dining experience with breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean as it stretches out before you on your voyage. The cuisine served up at Le Diamant is crafted from exceptionally high quality organic local products, highlighting both the fare of the sea on which you travel, as well as the unique ingredients of the coastal areas you visit on your trip — so your tastebuds can trace the journey of your adventure for a truly holistic cultural culinary experience.
Meals are complemented by Veuve Clicquot champagne, as well as a selection of wines from French artisanal producers and the regions visited.
In the wake of her recent multimillion-dollar refurbishment, Le Ponant boasts 16 luxurious staterooms and suites with an impressive 1:1 guest to crew ratio.
Should you wish to experience this culinary delight for yourself, Le Ponant is available for both exclusive private charters and bookings as she sails through the pristine wilderness of Cape Verde for the remainder of 2023, before embarking on voyages through the idyllic waters of the Caribbean and the Mediterranean in 2024.
For more information, contact your preferred travel agent or a PONANT consultant on 1800 878 671 (AUS) | 0800 854 777 (NZ) – or visit au.ponant.com.
Tromsø, Norway is among the best places to spot the aurora borealis, with myriad excursions on land and fjord. By Ariana Marsh
MARTIN ANDERSEN
Tromsø — on the island of Tromsøya in northern Norway — is among the most spectacular places on Earth to catch the northern lights. Just over 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle and right in the heart of the aurora oval, the small city boasts some of the brightest and most frequent displays of the otherworldly phenomenon — which, thanks to the region's stunning fjords and dramatic mountains, can be experienced in a range of different ways. Although a sighting is never guaranteed, plan your trip to Tromsø between late September and mid-April, when days are shorter, for your best shot. (During the polar night season, from late November to mid-January, there is faint twilight from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; otherwise, it's dark.) Clear skies are crucial, no matter when you visit.
With a bustling downtown filled with charming restaurants and shops, a unique sauna experience, and plenty of adventurous land and sea tours all available nearby, Tromsø promises ample activities to enjoy besides the aurora borealis. For an unforgettable encounter with nature, visit between November and January and book a whale-watching cruise. During that period, the region's fjords become a haven for humpback whales, orcas, and harbour porpoises.
For sleek, affordable digs and extreme convenience, consider Moxy Tromsø, a stone's throw from Tromsø Airport and a 10-minute drive from the more bustling downtown. More toned-down than other Moxy hotels, this location still provides a welcome cocktail and playful touches of pink, but the decor of its 208 rooms — which are both sizable and comfortable — embraces a more minimalist, Scandi aesthetic. The best part of the hotel is undoubtedly its lobby, bar, and dining area, on the top (11th) floor, which boasts ample seating and floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy unobstructed views of the Tromsøysundet strait. On especially clear nights, lucky travellers can play a game of pool inside the lounge and pop out onto its conjoined deck to watch the northern lights dance overhead.
The Moxy Tromsø lounge | COURTESY OF MOXY
Where to see the Northern Lights
The best way to see the aurora borealis is undoubtedly on an outdoor excursion, and Tromsø offers many options.
If staying on land is more your style, consider going to the top of Mount Storsteinen, which sits nearly 1,400 feet above sea level and boasts panoramic views of Tromsø and the surrounding fjords below. Reach the peak via a rewarding hike that takes you up 1,200 stone steps, or take it easy on the Fjellheisen aerial tramway and enjoy the scenery on the four-minute ride up. Once at the summit, take a load off at Fjellstua, which offers everything from coffee and cakes to reindeer burgers and wine, and then head outside onto the restaurant's viewing deck to wait for the greatest light show on the planet.
The view from Mount Storsteinen | TRULS TILLER
A more relaxed yet equally gratifying way to chase the aurorae is on a dinner cruise — Brim Explorer's ships run on electric engines and therefore provide an especially peaceful experience. Float along the inky fjords while enjoying a meal of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, and look out of the boat's 360-degree windows or from the outdoor deck. On the water and far away from light pollution, the polar lights can appear especially clear.
A Brim Explorer vessel | COURTESY OF MOXY
For some, one night of light chasing might not be enough. Legendary Adventure, a travel company run by Tromsø native Espen Minde, offers two multiday northern lights tours for more intrepid seekers. Go dog sledding and snowshoeing, camp underneath a blanket of shimmering stars, and visit local Sámi people (the Indigenous people of the northern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula and large parts of the Kola Peninsula) to learn about their traditions, lifestyle, and history, all while in hot pursuit of the aurora borealis.
Other activities to enjoy
Invigorate your body and mind with a trip to Pust, a reservable floating sauna on the Tromsø harbour. Change into your swimsuit when you arrive and heat up in the windowed steam room looking out onto the water before heading outside and down a ladder for a quick plunge into its frigid waters. Cycling through this routine a few times will help clear your head, energise your skin, and revitalise your spirit.
Pust | ARIANA MARSH
To see more of the area's fjords and striking islands, hop aboard the Hermes II, a gorgeous restored wooden boat from 1917. Choose from a one-hour tour of the Tromsø sound, an informative history tour lasting just over two hours, or an extended fishing cruise where you'll get to enjoy all the natural beauty the area has to offer — and maybe catch (and then eat) a giant cod.
Hermes II COURTESY OF MOXY
Pet and play with pups at the Tromsø Wildnerness Centre, home to around 200 Alaskan huskies. Founded in 1988 by dog sledder Tove Sørensen, the family-run business is more tour- than competition-based, providing hours- and days-long dog-sledding trips throughout the winter. During the summer, the dogs enjoy mountain and glacier hikes with staff members and public volunteers alike.
Dog sledding with the Tromsø Wilderness Centre | ISAK DALSFELT
In the first, she sat in a tattoo parlor with her father.
Travis sat in a chair while an artist worked on his hand while he threw up a peace sign and posed for Alabama's camera.
Alabama also threw up a peace sign and took up half of the frame with her hand.
She captioned it: "Tatted together."
A later Story posted by the star was of the side of her hand with a brand-new tattoo of a small quote.
The black cursive writing said: "Isn't she lovely."
Alabama captioned the Story: "Fun fact: I was rocked as a baby to that song almost everyday!"
'NEGLIGENT'
This dad and daughter activity came after Travis was accused of supposed inappropriate parenting.
She posted a TikTok on December 24 to commemorate her 18th birthday.
Alabama posed in a black lace dress with no bra underneath, which showed off her curves.
The dress also had a huge cutout in the midsection which revealed her body.
"Im legal now what ?! Oh ok," the daughter of Travis and his ex Shanna Moakler, 48, wrote in the caption of the video.
FAN RESPONSE
Fans took to Reddit to slam Travis for allowing his daughter to post the video deemed by many as inappropriate.
"She posted this on tiktok on her birthday… it's very telling what kind of parents she has. they are so negligent. i hope to god she doesn't start an OF, just for her sake," someone wrote.
Another added: "If my dad liked my Instagram photos I'd die."
"What's up with the oversexualised image people are trying to have these days? She literally just turned 18, what kind of parents are out there," a second slammed.
"And her father just likes everything she posts including this," a third noted.
A fourth said: "Omg this is horrible. Her parents failed her."
"Omg wtf she looks disgusting. Her parents are sick," another said.
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Travis has previously been accused of inappropriate parenting[/caption]
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Alabama posted herself in a risky outfit online[/caption]
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Travis was already heavily tattooed[/caption]
More Suff #us #uk #world #nz #HappyHour #la #ca #nyc #lndn #manila #politics #ArmUkraineASAP #sport #showbiz #fashion #PicOfTheDay #celebrities #motors #tech #InstaGood #top #QuoteOfTheDay #news #Alabama Barker gets new tattoo with secret link to Travis Barker after dad accused of 'failing as a parent' | YJGO4AY | 2024-01-04 21:55:19 Source: ALEX MAG
Elizabeth Day on friendship and the beauty of talking about failure
"My error was trying to treat everyone the same and exhausting myself. I was the worst friend trying to be the best friend." By Jane Rocca
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BRITISH JOURNALIST, author of Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict and How to Fail podcast host Elizabeth Day tells it like it is; and doesn't shy away from sharing all that's personal in her world.
From being ghosted by a best friend to her fertility journey and making peace with it, to falling in love when she thought it wasn't on the long-term list of possibilities, she's the queen of home truths and other try-this-at-home narratives.
From the insightful chats on How to Fail to the platonic times of despair reassurance we need in Best Friend Therapy which she co-hosts with her BFF Emma Reed-Turrell, Day knows how to emotionally fine-tune us — particularly with her quick wit and relatable take on common topics.
Day is coming to Australia for An Intimate Night With Elizabeth Day, a chance for cult followers and the curious alike, to spend an evening with her, waltzing through her favourite topics of friendships, failures and how they've made us grow. She teaches us how to tap into unguarded moments in life and get us thinking how they can lead to personal epiphanies.
"I was raised in the emotionally repressed '80s and '90s," begins Elizabeth Day via Zoom.
"I think being so emotionally in tune and unguarded with my thoughts is a reaction to that period in my life," she said.
Day is referring to growing up in Belfast, Northern Ireland for a few years where her father Tom Day worked as a surgeon treating bomb victims and conducting other day-to-day surgeries. It was a stressful tween childhood but indeed a loving one too; ever aware of the work pressures on her father and how that impacted her own thought processes at the time.
"I was around people who kept thoughts to themselves and I wanted to do the opposite very early on in my life," she began "Connecting with people came naturally to me at a young age and being on stage talking about feelings is an extension of that."
My ERROR was trying to treat everyone the same and EXHAUSTING MYSELF. I was the WORST friend trying to be the BEST friend
Being on stage is her mighty adrenalin fix; but for every olive branch she extends, she needs to balance it with some down time at the end of a hectic schedule on the road.
"I am an introvert which sounds ironic doesn't it?" she asks. "I do love to give a lot of myself, but then I need a few days in the dark, in a bathtub and only see my husband Justin for a few days to reset."
Day says the beauty of talking about failure so frankly has given her access to vulnerability and there's no regrets.
"I'm lucky I get to show up as myself and others respond in a similar way. If you come to one of my shows, chances are you have listened to a podcast or read my books. You already know me. That's a safe space for me to be in, and I love that sense of community it brings."
Best Friend Therapy has taught Day a lot about boundaries, not being afraid to let go of friendships as they change shapes, and not to treat them with a blanket code of conduct.
"Not every friend is the same kind of friendship," said Day. "It was while writing Friendaholic that I learnt something interesting about friendships ending. I am conflict avoidant, but sometimes that causes more pain by not stating what is bothering you. The lack of narrative and silence can cause more pain and I realised that when ghosted by a friend."
She continued, "You feel the worst and it takes ages to forgive yourself. I am all about talking about ending friendships with love, the same love that with it was nurtured. Ending a friendship doesn't make you a failure."
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From Day's ride or dies to inner circle friends, the writer acknowledges there are many other people in her life — particularly, those that exist in her wider circles — whom also perform major functions in her life.
"My error was trying to treat everyone the same and exhausting myself. I was the worst friend trying to be the best friend," she said.
If she could teleport her inner circle to her dining room right now, it would be her actress friend Phoebe Waller-Bridge, beauty entrepreneur Trinny Woodall, podcasting bestie Emma Reed-Turrell and Australian friend Haylie Fisher; nee Ecker [you'll remember her as the violinist in the successful crossover pop/string quartet Bond].
"If you're someone who is addicted to connection as much as I am, there is always an opportunity to make new friends in life," said Day.
"It's about being engaged and remaining curious about life. Sometimes when people get older or move to a different city, they feel isolated and fearful of making that first move, whereas my interpretation of fear is excitement."
As for making new friends in her mid 40s, she said anything is possible.
"Trinny [Woodall] and I are in different age groups but that doesn't matter at all. We go to Zara shopping together and meet once a month in London for catch-up breakfasts together. It's such a joy," she said.
"I also think she'd get along well with Phoebe [Waller Bridge] which is why they're on my dinner date dream list to happen soon."
Sydneysiders and Melburnians can see An Evening with Elizabeth Day on February 26 and 28, respectively.
