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Colour, Culture, and Carnival – Highlights from Notting Hill 2025 

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Notting Hill recently burst with colour, music, and energy as Europe’s largest street festival returned for its 59th edition. Over two million people filled the streets, swept up by the rhythms of Caribbean sound and dazzled by a spectacle of costumes, parades, and celebration.

Dancing from Dawn to Dusk

Photo: @nhcarnivalldn – Instagram

The carnival kicked off with J’ouvert at sunrise, a messy, lively start marked by paint, powder, and playful chaos. By Monday, the grand parade unfolded through the neighbourhood, with dancers in feathered, glittering outfits weaving past cheering crowds. Soca, calypso, steelpan, and samba rhythms flowed naturally, pulling everyone into the moment. Brazilian samba schools and local mas bands like Mahogany and Chocolate Nation brought their own flair, merging tradition with showmanship in a way that felt natural and smooth.

Overcoming Obstacles

Photo: @nhcarnivalldn – Instagram

Behind the scenes, the event almost faced cancellation. Funding concerns threatened the carnival, but a last-minute £1 million boost from local councils ensured it went ahead. Security was tighter than ever, with around 7,000 officers deployed, and facial recognition technology was used to help keep the crowds safe. Despite these precautions, the carnival’s energy never wavered. Attendees laughed, danced, and celebrated as if nothing could interrupt the weekend’s unadulterated joy.

A Future Worth Fighting For

Photo: @nhcarnivalldn – Instagram

Even as the music faded and the streets emptied, organisers reminded Londoners that the carnival’s survival isn’t guaranteed. Rising costs and logistical challenges mean support is crucial if this iconic celebration is to continue. For now, Notting Hill’s streets remain a canvas of colour, culture, and unforgettable energy, proving the power of community and tradition when they collide in the heart of the city.

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2025 Fashion Awards: London’s Night of Style and Influence

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London’s Royal Albert Hall hosted the 2025 Fashion Awards, where the blue carpet highlighted how celebrities interpret formalwear with a focus on precision, material and proportion. Across the evening, arrivals reflected a clear sense of individual style while staying rooted in structured design, offering insight into current trends in red-carpet fashion.

Anok Yai

Anok Yai – Instagram

Anok Yai arrived in a custom Dilara Findikoglu gown with a pronounced corset and a sculpted skirt. The satin fabric held its form from bodice to hem, while the ruffled base extended elegantly behind her. The outfit was widely photographed and noted in several galleries for its striking combination of structure and composure.

Rita Ora

Rita Ora – Instagram

Rita Ora wore a slim, silver gown with a smooth, reflective surface. The dress followed a close line from shoulder to hem, and minimal jewellery allowed the design to remain the focus. Photographs from multiple outlets captured the simplicity and refinement of her choice, highlighting her as one of the night’s most memorable arrivals.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett – Instagram

Cate Blanchett selected an evening look from Sarah Burton for Givenchy, blending structured tailoring with formal detailing. Sharp lines across the shoulders and torso provided definition, while a subtle lace element added texture. Media coverage emphasized the precision of the ensemble, reinforcing Blanchett’s reputation for carefully considered eveningwear.

Lila Moss

Lila Moss

Lila Moss appeared in a black 16Arlington dress built from layered lace, sheer panels and feather accents. The textures added dimension to the base slip, creating visual interest without overwhelming the overall form. Fashion galleries described the outfit as a youthful and modern interpretation of evening dressing.

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo – Instagram

Colman Domingo attended in a tailored dark suit, with a clean-cut jacket and straight-leg trousers. The understated ensemble relied on sharp proportions rather than embellishment, fitting seamlessly into the event’s menswear-focused coverage. Multiple outlets included him in their best-dressed lists for the evening.

Alex Consani

Alex Consani – Instagram

Alex Consani wore a sculptural dress that hugged the torso before widening with a defined architectural line. Press images emphasized the balance between form and modern construction, with Vogue noting the look’s streamlined and contemporary style.

Raye

Raye – Instagram

Raye appeared in a straight-cut off-shoulder dress that maintained a clean line from neckline to hem. The fabric provided a smooth, uninterrupted surface, allowing the outfit’s simplicity to be clearly visible in photographs. Galleries highlighted her appearance as one of the refined, minimalistic evening choices.

FKA twigs

FKA twigs – Instagram

FKA twigs chose an ensemble with bold proportions and contrasting textures, creating visual depth while keeping the lines defined. Photographs showed how the combination of materials gave the outfit a distinctive presence, earning her placement among the night’s most discussed appearances.

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue – Instagram

Kylie Minogue wore a reflective satin evening gown with a streamlined cut. The fabric caught reflections without distraction, and the gown maintained a vertical flow from shoulder to hem. Coverage across major galleries noted her for understated glamour and careful execution.

Joe Alwyn

Joe Alwyn – Instagram

Joe Alwyn appeared in a classic tailored suit with a structured jacket and straight-cut trousers. Minimal accessories and clean lines emphasized the precision of his look, which photographers captured consistently in the evening’s menswear-focused coverage.

The 2025 Fashion Awards demonstrated a clear emphasis on tailored lines, thoughtful construction and attention to fabric quality. Across these ten verified appearances, designers and their clients showed that well-executed structure and proportion can dominate the red carpet without relying on excessive embellishment, offering a clear view of contemporary eveningwear trends.

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Burgundy Dresses: Six Ways to Wear This Winter’s Must-Have Colour

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Burgundy has become one of the most reliable colours for autumn and winter dresses in 2025. On recent London and Milan AW25 catwalks, designers presented burgundy in a variety of fabrics, including velvet, satin, and wool, showing how versatile the colour can be for both day and evening wear. Retailers have responded by making burgundy dresses a key item in their winter collections.

Photo - Getty Images

One option is a velvet mini-dress layered under a long black wool coat. The combination balances texture and structure, suitable for evening events or holiday dinners. A satin slip dress can also be styled with a heavier coat, such as faux fur or wool. Metallic heels and a clutch make it suitable for night occasions, while a simple bag keeps it practical for daytime outfits.

Photo – Getty Images

For colder days, a burgundy knit or sweater dress works well. Paired with a wool or camel-tone coat, it provides warmth while maintaining proportion. Adding a belt defines the waist and keeps the outfit tidy. Burgundy also pairs effectively with neutral outerwear, such as beige, taupe, or grey. A few gold accessories, such as earrings or a bracelet, can complement the deep red tone without overwhelming the outfit.

Photo – Getty Images

For a more coordinated approach, a monochrome look using different shades of burgundy in the dress, coat, and accessories produces a unified effect suitable for winter parties, dinners, or street-style outfits. Alternatively, layering a burgundy dress with a denim or leather jacket and pairing it with clean sneakers or simple flats adapts it for everyday wear, showing how flexible the dress is across occasions.

Burgundy works in winter wardrobes because it suits a wide range of skin tones and fabrics, and it can be dressed up or down with minor changes in outerwear, shoes, or accessories. In a season often dominated by black and grey, a burgundy dress adds variety and interest while remaining practical and suitable for multiple settings.

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Hailey Bieber Is Firmly on Team Going‑Out Top

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For Gen Z, the “going-out top” has made a comeback as a versatile eveningwear choice. Lightweight, strappy, and sparkly tops are worn not just for clubs or parties, but to show personal taste and contemporary style. The trend mixes early 2000s influences with practical, modern pieces that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Hailey Bieber has become one of the most visible proponents of this trend. After years of minimalism and understated streetwear, she’s embracing these tops for night-time looks in ways that feel natural and deliberate. Her choices are being noticed for the way she balances glamour with a grounded approach.

Hailey Bieber – Instagram

At a recent concert in Los Angeles, she wore a sheer black lace top that revealed just enough skin without feeling overdone. She paired it with straight-leg jeans and a cropped faux-fur coat, creating a balance between relaxed and refined, which reflects her current style.

On a date night, she chose a tie-front black blouse that hung loosely, paired with tailored black trousers and open-toe mules. The top draped comfortably, creating a confident evening look rather than an overly flashy one.

Hailey has also experimented with bold crop tops. She recently wore a bra-style top in white broderie anglaise. Her choice shows she’s exploring younger, edgier styles while keeping the overall look thoughtful and intentional.

Hailey Bieber – Instagram

Her approach combines elements from past trends with contemporary styling. Glittering, Y2K-inspired pieces are included in ways that feel modern rather than nostalgic. These tops are not just trendy items. They reflect her current fashion priorities: clothes that are stylish, deliberate, and wearable.

The trend also highlights a shift in how millennials and Gen Z who grew up with off-duty model style are approaching evening wear. It’s not about maximum sparkle or over-the-top effects; it’s about selecting pieces that feel right for the wearer and reflect where they are now.

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