Have We Reached Peak Celebrity “Fashion?”
In the first of our monthly round ups, we share the USP teams current inspiration across culture, events, fashion, food, lifestyle and much more. Out and about on a regular basis, we like to think we have our finger on the pulse of the cultural zeitgeist and while we regularly share our thoughts in our team meetings, we thought it could be interesting to our subscribers to see what’s on our radar.
- TEEN DRAMA
Maddy’s New Years Eve Outfit
January is the month for staying in and catching up on box sets and we have been loving the second series of Euphoria, for all the drama, as well as the extravagant beauty looks and cult teen fashion. Maddy’s (Alexa Demie) New Year’s Eve outfit – a black cut-out bodycon mini dress from Akna – was a highlight in the first episode, with Lyst reporting an 890% increase in searches for “black cut-out dresses” after it aired. This season, we’re obsessed with laidback character Fez, played by Angus Cloud, who was scouted for the show on the street and is back for S2 despite rumours he was to be killed off in S1.
See more inspiration on our Euphoria Beauty USP inspire report and our Close To Season Cut Out & Cropped report.
- #justiceforsteve
For those enough old enough to remember Sex and The City, Just Like That has been a welcome return to the glamorous lives of Miranda, Charlotte and Carrie as they grow older and sometimes wiser. Divisive on many levels, we think it’s important to remember that it wasn’t real life back in 1998 when it was first released and it isn’t now. Funny, indulgent and sometimes ridiculous, we are there for the fashion and fun, and ahead of the final episode this week still have many questions…
Why didn’t Carrie call 911 straight away?
Why do Charlotte and Harry’s children share a room – surely their apartment has more than two bedrooms?
Why are they all still wearing high heels? Post pandemic and also age, wouldn’t they be wearing, chunky boots, Gucci loafers or Birkenstocks like the rest of us?
How much will that custom designed, limited-edition Fendi x Sarah Jessica Parker baguette bag cost – and can we sell a vital organ to pay for it?
Will it work out between Miranda and Che? Actually I think we all know the answer to that!
- NEIGHBOURHOOD EATS
Max Rocha – son of John, brother of Simone – who worked at The River Cafe and St John Bread & Wine and during lockdown ran a delivery kitchen from A Flower Shop on Chatsworth Road, quietly opened Cafe Cecelia in August 2021, on a previously neglected stretch of the canal in Hackney. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner (only on Friday and Saturday), the blend of Irish/British meat, fish and vegetable dishes that change with the seasons tick not only our style boxes (think staff wafting around wearing Simone Rocha) but also our love of delicious food. Oh and we can walk there from our studio.
@cafececilialondon
Open lunch Weds-Sun, noon-3pm; dinner Fri & Sat only, 6-9pm (last orders).
Canal Place, 32 Andrews Rd, London E8 4RL
PS. Also check out the viennoiserie bakery, Yeast, right next door, we have’t been yet but it looks lush and suitably Instagramable.
- BEST CHEESECAKE EVER
Even closer to our studio (three minutes walk to be precise) is Elliots, the second restaurant (the first is in Borough Market) from Samantha Lim and Brett Redman. The beautiful space was designed by international architects Hesselbrand, and features a large, curved bar made of sustainably sourced eucalyptus wood and brushed stainless steel. On the menu you can find pizzas, Isle of Mull cheese puffs and various incredible small plates. We held our USP Christmas party there and loved it. Not only did we have a delicious meal, we spotted Arlo Parks having dinner in their private room – and we are still talking about their signature woodfired cheesecake.
@elliotslondon
121-123 Mare Street,Hackney, London, E8 3RH
- FASHION FAVOURITES
PFW S/S 22 Dior Mens
The Pre-Fall collections continue (do they ever end?) and Mens Fashion Weeks are finally over. As we trawl through hundreds of images to make sense of the emerging trends for our overview reports, there are always some personal favourites that make our heart skip a beat. Fashion Director Jo is obsessed with these insane embellished shoes from the Dior mens show. She’s also been fangirling over influencer @kristenvbateman & her Mum’s quirky style at the S/S 22 Couture shows.
@kristenvbateman & her Mum
MSGM Pre-Fall 22
Catherine our Design Director cant get enough of the MSGM Pre-Fall collection. She’s been scanning the internet for chunky cord and loves their over-dyed mottled denim cargos.
D Sqaured, Tory Burch, Etro, Pre-Fall 22
Creative Director Jane is inspired by mash ups of colour, print and pattern from D Sqaured, Tory Burch and Etro and wondering if she can get away with any of these looks on a grey February Tuesday in Hackney?
- PLAYFUL COLOUR
Yinka Llori
One of our favourite artists @yinka_ilori has created Listening to Joy, a colourful maze-like installation exploring the difference between how adults and children approach space for @vadunde. The vibrant installation uses pattern, music and colour to shape and inspire joy and delight.
One to visit if you love colour and are in Scotland, alternatively check out Yinka‘s joyous homeware collection.
- CERAMIC LOVE
Fable Things, Brittany Mojo, Henry Holland Studio
And lastly we are all slightly obsessed with ceramics here at USP! The DIY craze through the pandemic saw a lot of people picking up new creative hobbies (which we loved to see) including a lot of ceramics. The handcrafted, DIY aesthetic, which seems set to stay is informing a lot of designers. One designer we are loving for gorgeous handcrafted pottery inspiration is Brittany Mojo, whose wobbly forms and retro aesthetics are imperfectly perfect. We are also coveting the new terracotta and white checkerboard ceramics from Henry Holland Studio and the stripe crumple dishes from our friends at Fable Things.
