It’s your Mi-Week Fashion Fix with Ronnie & Amanda on Mi-Soul Radio
Welcome to September and the (kind of) start to Autumn. In this issue we’ll touch on a bit of Men’s autumnal fashion, as it’s feeling nippier in the UK right now, plus M&S is nailing it yet again with another great collaboration, this time with eBay’s pre-loved re-sale team, and we’ll also explore the new ‘tacky’ ways couples are claiming back their wedding funds.
But starting with a big rumour, leaked this week.
Pamela Anderson, who started the makeup-free movement, looks like being the face of MAC’s invisible line ‘Barely There’ – already selling out worldwide.
She has been explaining what make-up free means to her, saying “The world has been trying to see me without makeup for decades, now they can – thanks to BARELY THERE”.
While Pammy has embraced a more natural, makeup-free look recently, this has previously been presented as a personal choice rather than being connected to a marketing campaign. Not anymore it seems – but why not make something out it? I would.
Pammy has gained attention for her embrace of a more natural, makeup-free look since 2023, which she has described as liberating – and a way to show her freckles. Her decision to appear without makeup at events such as the 2025 Met Gala has been interpreted as a positive challenge to traditional beauty norms.
Although I haven’t seen the range as yet, it’s rumoured to include products to accentuate your natural features, like light foundations, nude lip glosses and lip pencil shades.
I’m waiting for a formal announcement from MAC Cosmetics for definitive information about the partnership with Pamela Anderson. When it happens, I’ll be all over it, because I’m loving the natural look.
What could possibly be in store in the big pants agenda in 2025? Instead of worrying about fit, you should think about construction. And if there’s one thing to keep a close eye on, it’s trousers with twisted seams. Weird seams – whether curling around the front or back of the leg – have all the makings of enjoying a breakout year: they’re an approachable touch of roughed-up freak with a healthy dose of Y2K nostalgia.
2. Clasps on fire
I’m seeing classic styles – peacoats, truckers, waxed jackets – get updated with clasps reminiscent of vintage fireman jackets. The simple change gives a workwear edge to more formal pieces, meaning you can still enjoy the classic style’s functionality, but without the associations that come with a big Barbour zip, or some giant rounded peacoat buttons.
3. Bulked-up boat shoes
Boat shoes are hideous but have come back in the past couple of years. But within this time, they’re bulkier, more sturdy, more structural ones are infinitely more interesting — and more utilitarian. I’m seeing them everywhere, worn with everything, in every context. Maybe this one is less of a trend and more of a mainstreaming, but either way it’s happening.
4. Plucky pinstripes
You don’t have to be an accountant or Lawyer to pull off this cold-weather pattern today. I love chilled-out suit but the most righteous way to flex your suit this year is a little more severe: brash lapels, strong shoulders, nipped waist, and a healthy dose of swaggering PINSTRIPES. Navy & white is the way to go.
5. Rough rings
Shiny silver has been getting more and more scuffed up. I don’t see the trend stopping. So the rougher, the better, basically.
6. Crewneck cardis
There’s plenty of knitwear moves you can make right now but the best one this season is the most simple. The rise of the crewneck cardigan is here, and like the demure assurance of a grandmother, it can support your fits like no other sweater can. The simple tweak of the neckline gives you more occasions to wear them than your standard cardi.
7. Tiny Watches
I’m not feeling this one as I like a big watch on a man, but apparently it’s all about the women’s watcj model (even though I wear a men’s size). I have dainty wrists – and most men don’t, but a classic 70s teeny women’s watch seems to be a big trend for men this Autumn 2025.
M&S have nailed yet another awesome (and very “now”) collaboration, this time with a dedicated resale partnership with eBay, creating an official M&S x eBay store to sell pre-loved clothing and accessories.
Powered by Reskinned, the initiative allows customers to return unwanted M&S items.
How the partnership works:
Trading in clothes: Customers can return their used M&S clothes and accessories to M&S.
Vouchers for returns: In exchange for their returned items, customers receive M&S vouchers.
Resale on eBay: The returned clothing is then resold through the dedicated M&S x eBay store.
Support for Oxfam: 15% of the profits from the eBay sales are donated to M&S’s charity partner, Oxfam.
Sustainability: The partnership helps to reduce fashion waste and supports M&S’s sustainability goals by giving clothes “Another Life” and promoting a circular economy.
Resale is a growing market. In recent years, I‘ve seen a number of brands dabbling in the resale space, from Gucci to Lululemon.
Customers will be able to send in their pre-loved items via a free local courier service. For every return that includes an M&S-labelled item, shoppers will receive £5 off a £35 spend for fashion, home and beauty products online at the high street retailer, in a bid to incentivise people to trade in the pieces they no longer wear.
The ‘tacky’ way brides and grooms are trying to earn their wedding fund back
We talk a lot about ‘tacky’ wedding guest etiquette. Like wearing a white dress (of course, you shouldn’t outshine the bride), not RSVPing on time, or using your phone during the ceremony.
But it seems as if the (wedding) tables have turned. It’s now the newlyweds themselves who have been called out instead for ‘tacky’ and cavalier behaviour.
On X, people have shared how newly wedded friends held a ‘plate auction’ at their reception to raise cash for their honeymoon, with the winning guest donating £1,113 for the privilege of being served the wedding reception meal before anyone else.
Although there were some who saw the funny side, the backlash was intense, with some writing: ‘Sucks that weddings are just a money grab. Selling a plate of banquet food, that has already been paid for, at your wedding to your close friends and family, is shameful behaviour.’
It’s not the only way brides and grooms are trying to recoup costs. Some couples are asking attendees for donations for tracks being played at the reception, at between £19 to £75 per song request.
Another ‘ploy’ is sending out ‘You Were Missed’ cards to those who couldn’t attend the wedding, with a note at the end directing them towards the gift registry.
In the US – a new sideline is to ‘sell tickets to strangers’ for up to £150. Truly appalling. The film ‘Wedding Crashers’ comes to mind.
To be fair, weddings put everyone out of pocket. Given the average wedding now comes in at £23,250, it’s (somewhat) understandable that couples are looking for creative ways to manage their budgets, but surely striking the right balance between making the day unique and ensuring guests feel welcome and valued is paramount.
While some guests might find these approaches fun and light-hearted, others could feel uncomfortable about being asked to pay to participate in the celebration – especially when they have probably already laid out quite a bit to be able to attend itself. Think hotels, transportation and the the wedding outfit… etc.
I’d suggest that the most delicate and elegant way to have guests contribute to wedding costs, is requesting honeymoon funds instead of gifts, a request that is becoming increasingly popular.
Welcome to Amanda Zips It Up and your mid-week fashion fix, as featured on Mi-Soul Radiowith Ronnie Herel LIVE at 5pm every Wednesday
Here we are – mid-August already… and tomorrow I’m off on my summer holidays for a couple of weeks, so this is the last instalment of Zips It Upuntil September.
We all know that a good holiday works wonders for your mental health, sometimes making you look and feel 10 years younger, but here’s a guy who has an alternative method to achieving the same goals – without the holiday. Someone who drinks his own urine every day, claiming it has ‘cured’ his depression and saying it makes him look 10 years younger. Meet Harry Matadeen, from Hampshire.
The 34-year-old first started drinking his own pee in 2016. He noted in an online interview: ‘It was beyond my wildest imaginations how powerful it was when I drank it.
“From the moment I drank the urine, it woke up my brain and removed my depression. I felt a new sense of peace, calm and determination. I thought – wow I can produce it for free and always keep myself in this happy state”. He drinks a 200ml cup of pee each day, some of it nearly a month old.
Harry described the fluid as an ‘acquired taste’ and added that his more-aged urine tends to have a more ‘refined’ taste.
He added: ‘Fresh urine is never as bad as you imagine – it is neutral smelling and not a bad taste unless you are really toxic. But the aged urine is always smelly and the taste is a refined and acquired one.’
A doctor explains that urine is made up of water, ammonia and salts, bacteria and other waste products.
He says “Urine is a waste product that contains about 90% water. There are no known reported health benefits from either drinking or rubbing your own urine onto your body (or anyone else’s urine for that matter). Orally, it is much worse though – it can actually speed up the dehydration process and potentially introduce bacteria. Waste products are waste for a reason.”
When he’s not drinking his own pee, Harry can also be found rubbing it on his face. He says it leaves his skin “young, soft and glowing”. He added: “Aged urine is the best food for the skin that I have found to date. When you rub it on, it softens the skin and keeps it youthful and elastic.”
If you think that’s nuts, here’s the latest Gen Z craze trending on Tik Tok. Something with the potential to cause lifelong harm. Youngsters are risking permanent disability by dropping miscellaneous items onto their feet.
It is as absurd as it sounds, Gen Z’ers wince online as they drop everything from computer chairs to air fryers onto their toes. They then rate the pain felt on a scale of 1 to 10 in the hope that their videos garner millions of views – despite the risks.
19-year-old Nathan Bolingbroke has 19,000 followers on TikTok, and when he recently got involved in the trend, he generated 3.8 million views and 350,000 likes. He described the experience:
“Part one started with me dropping a teddy bear onto my foot, which scored zero on the pain scale. Then I dropped a hardback book and rated it 3/10. Next was a laptop, which scored a six, and finally, a toaster, both of which were old and lying around the house. The toaster scored an eight and was much closer to the unimaginable pain level.”
Nathan, who lives in Brighton, says it remains his most-viewed video, with over 11,000 people commenting. “I’d estimate 75% found it hilarious, 20% were concerned and calling me stupid, and 5% were just the usual bots you get under every post”, he recalls.
“In hindsight, it seems quite bad, but with the attention and views the trend was gaining, it seemed like a no-brainer in helping to grow my account, which was my ultimate goal.”
And on that weird thought, I’ll leave you to ponder on that and go and catch my plane OUTTA HERE!
In this week’s instalment we look at Mia Regan (Romeo Beckham’s It Girl-Friend) for H&M, Rave Fans and how to style them, plus Boxing Fashion for men.
Happy summer holidays everyone, see you on the other side.
From underground gyms to luxury looks, boxing isn’t just a sport, it transcends the genre as a cultural force, and fashion is stepping into the ring like never before.
Chito Vera walks the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week
BOXING is influencing some of the most happening luxury and ‘street’ menswear that’s out there. Think tough silhouettes, utilitarian layering, and the kind of swagger you only get from stepping into the ring.
Boxing and fashion have long shared a visual language — from Jack Johnsons Cut Down Boots in the early 1900’s to Muhammad Ali’s iconic style in the ‘70s and even Mike Tyson’s street-luxury crossover in the ’90s. But today’s connection runs deeper.
It’s not just about athletes as fashion icons — it’s about how fashion is absorbing boxing’s spirit, using its symbols and stories to shape a more intense, grounded aesthetic.
STONE ISLAND X OLEKSANDR USYK
When Oleksandr Usyk, one of boxing’s most cerebral and composed champions, steps out in Stone Island, it’s a natural fit. The collections blend of technical innovation and militant cool mirrors Usyk’s calculated style inside the ring. Stone Island doesn’t chase trends — it builds uniformity, purpose, and quiet dominance. Usyk wears it like armour.
AMIRI X CANELO ÁLVAREZ
Then there’s Canelo, the pound-for-pound fashion killer. His link-up with Amiri channels the crossover energy between LA streetwear and luxury edge. Amiri’s elevated denim, leather bombers, and crystal-studded takes on athletic wear feel tailor-made for Canelo’s bold, star-power persona. He’s as comfortable front row at Paris Fashion Week as he is ringside — and so is Amiri.
ADIDAS X WILLY CHAVARRIA
No brand is using boxing imagery more effectively right now than Adidas x Willy Chavarria. Their campaigns feature gritty gym backdrops, wrapped fists, and sweat-slicked bodies — raw, emotional, and real. Chavarria’s vision reclaims boxing’s symbolism, infusing it that working-class identity and the cultural heritage & dominance from the region — pushing the sport’s aesthetic into radical new territory.
MARLON “CHITO” VERA
UFC’s Marlon Vera may be MMA by trade, but his boxing-heavy fighting style — and sharp, rebellious image — align perfectly with ZOO Fashions’ most gritty-luxury brands. You’ll see Vera in labels like Stone Island, Amiri, and Palm Angels, capturing that tough-but-polished energy today’s menswear craves.
It’s officially HOT right now. If you’re off to any festivals this weekend (Funky Dory, hello!) or any outdoor events or garden parties, you’ll need one important accessory.
From thumping basslines to glittery outfits and al fresco dancing, festivals are all about high energy self-expression. And between the heat and the crowds, staying cool becomes essential. Enter the RAVE FAN—an iconic accessory blending style, function, and undeniable vibe.
More than more cooling tools, rave hand fans have become a staple in festival fashion.
What Are Rave Hand Fans?
Rave fans—also called festival hand fans, EDM fans, or rave folding fans—are large, dramatic hand fans designed to make a statement. Often lightweight and foldable, they’re perfect for both flair and function.
History of Hand Fans in Culture and Raving
Hand fans have deep roots in history—from Ancient China and Egypt to 18th-century Europe, where they symbolized elegance, status, and subtle communication.
Why Fans Belong in Your Festival Bag
Let’s be real—raves and music festivals aren’t just high-energy; they’re also high-heat. Between nonstop dancing, packed crowds, and direct sun, temperatures rise fast. That’s where a festival fan goes from fun accessory to absolute essential.
Lightweight & portable: Compact enough to fit in your small bag or clip onto a strap
Instant cooling: Just a flick of the wrist brings a refreshing breeze
Made for the moment: Whether you’re dancing, posing, or cooling down, fans bring both style and function
Energy-efficient: No batteries or charging required—just your vibe and a little movement
Match your festival aesthetic: Whether you’re channelling the neon vibes of the rave scene or the laid-back boho energy of the beach, your fan will complement your style seamlessly
Add flair to your dance moves: A fan in hand is more than just an accessory; it becomes an extension of your rhythm, adding movement and excitement to every twirl and wave.
How to Choose the Right Fan
Size
Go for large rave fans (13″) for drama and better airflow. Smaller versions work for minimalists.
Material
Look for sturdy bamboo, cherry wood, or FSC-certified wood for eco-friendly vibes.
Design
Whether you like animal print, holographic designs, or text-based slogans, your fan should match your personality.
When and Where to Use Your Rave Fan
Peak Sun Hours
Use your fan to shield yourself from harsh midday rays while waiting in line or scoping out your next stage. A fan isn’t just dramatic flair—it’s portable shade.
Crowd Surges
When things get tight, snap that fan open to create personal space and airflow. It’s your cooling system and social buffer all in one.
Grand Entrances
Walking into a new stage? Reuniting with friends? That single, satisfying snap adds drama, announces your presence, and sets the tone.
In the race to be the IT GIRL of summer 2025, there can be no denying Romeo Beckham’s girlfriend Mia Regan – model, influencer and hiking fanatic is a front runner. Known to her almost 600,000 followers as Mimi Moocher, it all began at 14, when she was scouted at the Birmingham Clothes Show, and soared thanks to her high-profile, five-year relationship with Romeo Beckham, the middle son of David and Victoria. They met while at school.
The British model has now teamed up with H&M for a 17-piece capsule collection that feels like a love letter to all things vintage, with a cool-girl twist. Inspired by her travels to the boho epicentre, Ibiza, muddy British Glastonbury, retro films, and sun-drenched European getaways with friends, the line blends ‘90s silhouettes with earthy palettes and unexpected details. You’ll find asymmetric hemlines, slinky slip dresses, and utility-inspired separates that are as wearable as they are fun.
Mia claims that she never drinks too much (“I’m actually very reserved; everyone teases me because I never lose it”), limits her screen time to an hour on Instagram and an hour on TikTok per day (“I try not to overdo it”) and hardly wears make-up (“just maroon mascara, I had bad hormonal acne last year, so I wash my face, moisturise, that’s it”). And it all seems to work.
Welcome to Amanda Zips it Up and your mid-week fashion fix.
As we head into August, the nights are (regrettably) slowly drawing in and the days are getting shorter. Images of sunny beer gardens, packed in midsummer at 10pm, are gradually disappearing like Marty’s parents in Back To The Future.
Do you find yourself eating later in the middle of summer, compared to the time you eat in the evenings during the winter? Well, the answer to this could be how old you are, where you live and how healthy your lifestyle is.
Whether you’re a Gen X or Gen Z, diners, especially those who live further out of town, are swapping late-night wine-fuelled culinary indulgence for early evening sobriety — and restaurants are taking note.
Across the country, restaurants are adapting their timetables to meet demand from customers who want to eat earlier. Fashionably late is out — in 2025, it’s the early diners who are filling the tables.
Data from OpenTable, the online restaurant reservation service, reveals a sharp rise in 6pm reservations, up 11 per cent in London and 6 per cent across the UK compared with the same period last year. Zonal, the hospitality tech service, pegs the new national average dining time at 6.12pm, with nearly half of all bookings falling between midday and 6pm. This summer, one London restaurant – Counter 71 in Shoreditch – has introduced a £50 early evening set menu aimed at the growing crowd of purposeful post-work diners. But it’s more than a menu tweak — it’s a response to a cultural shift.
Post-covid work patterns and wellness-focused professionals are driving this change in attitudes, along with the sober-curious and the cost-conscious.
People who work from home tend to start and finish earlier, which naturally leads to earlier dining. Factor in the lack of a commute, and people have far more flexibility to eat out earlier. There’s also now broader public awareness that late-night eating isn’t great for one’s health.
It’s not just about health though. Younger diners especially are making choices that bolster their financial health. Earlier dining helps avoid expensive late-night drinking.
And on the subject of Shoreditch, this area of London (EC2) has just celebrated 20 years since it began being regenerated from one of the grimmest neighbourhoods to one of the most vibrant. In other London news, a recent survey announced that the top 5 areas to live in London for wellness – and the fashion forward – are the following postcodes (although South Londoners might have something to say about this!):
5 – Wembley
4 – Twickenham (my childhood town)
3 – Shoreditch
2 – Stoke Newington
1 – Walthamstow.
Onto this week’s instalment, and we look at Dad fashion, Kim Kardashian’s double chin lift hack and how to dress stylishly for that flight.
There’s no escaping it… age catches up with us all – and it generally starts with the chin and boobs. But what should we do if we can’t afford (or don’t want) expensive creams, boob jobs or even face-lifts?
Kim Kardashian believes she has the answer. Her Skims brand has released, essentially, a piece of Velcro to wrap around your head for ‘targeted compression’. Whatever that means. Yes, Kardashian promises a lifted jaw and collagen-plumped skin, thanks to SKIMS’ first foray into the beauty world.
From the website:
“The Ultimate Face — our first-ever face innovation, made with signature sculpting fabric and infused with collagen yarns for ultra-soft jaw support, it’s a must-have face wrap for everyday wear, which offers “strong, targeted compression for shaping & sculpting.”
Beware the massive hype – as one should with anything the Kardashians do – but do exercise particular caution when it comes to purposefully controversial products.
Another KK product promises permanently erect nipples with the Skims padded bra with built in nipple shapes. This bra automatically lifts your breasts when worn through a T-Shirt with higher than high nipples. It also looks like you’ve had your nipples pierced.
But back to their double chin preventer… what’s the deal? What is collagen yarn? Is this face wrap the answer to youthful, snatched-looking skin?
Collogen yarn is a textile infused with collagen to moisturise and improve texture in the skin. But does this facial wrap penetrate the skin deep enough to really make a significant difference? Wearing a tight garment like this can temporarily reduce puffiness and swelling, and has an almost shaping effect because it reduces fluid in that area. But then, surely, things will just go back to how they were before? Generally, a product like this is safe to wear; however, continuous use might have consequences. Constant pressure on the face can affect lymphatic drainage and the skin barrier, causing irritation and so on.
While the concept of using straps or bandages to shape the face has existed in different cultures for centuries, the Kardashian name gives their product a huge head start.
Amazon’s cheaper version £25
With a rise in popularity for everything from weight loss injections to facial taping and buccal fat removal, it’s hard not to feel cautious about Kim’s latest product release. Yes, we all want to feel good about ourselves, take care of our skin and perpetuate its longevity, but in my view a Seamless Sculpt Face Wrap may not answer such age old problems
