Rebecca Perry Blog

Women sometimes get a bad rap for having a hard time deciding what to wear, but leave it to a uniform supplier to try to quantify just how much time they spend pondering outfits before heading out the door.

A study of 2,000 women, commissioned by U.K. uniform supplier Simon Jersey, finds the average woman spends more than an hour per week — for a total of three days each year, or five months over a woman's working life from age 18 to 65 — choosing what to wear. It breaks down to about 12 minutes every workday morning, 10 minutes every weekend morning, and about 27.5 minutes before a night out.

You think that's bad? Half of women also worry about their outfit the night before or before getting out of bed in the morning.

Even with all that planning, two-thirds of women admit to trying on multiple outfits before leaving the house; about 15 percent have regretted their choice and returned to pick something else. It's no surprise, then, that about 25 percent say they've arrived late to work because of deliberating what to wear. What's to consider, exactly? Well, 37 percent of women who say choosing an outfit is stressful cite concerns about whether their choice is suitable for work. Other worries relate to the dress code, weather, looks, and whether it's flattering.

Simon Jersey concludes that uniforms could save time and stress; its survey doesn't explore how long men stand in front of the closet, but KIRO 7 has a theory: "They probably take just as long as women do. Maybe Simon Jersey doesn't have as many male uniforms to sell."

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They don't hide it any more. In fact, after international models scorched the runway flaunting the granny hair trend in the major fashion walks in the US recently, it has become one of the most-sought-after looks of late.

While some celebrities like Judi Dench and Helen Mirren have set the bar high with their elegant grey hairstyles, younger celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Rihanna, Ellie Goulding and Marina Diamandis have boldly sported the granny hair look. Here are a few celebrities who made grey the new black.

Judi Dench's pixie cut is textured, funky yet very elegant and fit for those who dont like to spend time in styling their mane.

Helen Mirren's uber stylish bob is ideal for the ones with thinning hair.

80-year-old model Carmen Dell'Orefice has been sporting her naturally grey and shiny hair for years now. And yes, she still manages to make a statement with it.

Jamie Lee Curtis's bold and edgy pixie is easy to maintain and makes her face look slim and defined.

Diane Keaton's messy and layered hairstyle with nearly-white highlights is a clear winner.

Olympia Dukakis's fashionable short hairstyle with bangs in the front is for those who like to keep it short and sweet.

Younger celebs who have sported the granny hair look.

Singer Ellie Goulding's platinum grey hair made her a style icon.

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin's silvery-lavender pixie cut was quite a rage.

Reality TV star Kylie Jenner also posted a picture of long dyed grey hair.

Lady Gaga was the face of granny hair for quite some time.

Singer Marina Diamandis is known to be the one who revived the grey hair look.

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Designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka will visit Publicolor's Summer Design Studio at Pratt Institute on Thursday, July 30, WWD reported.

Publicolor is a New York-based nonprofit which engages inner-city students in their "disconnected education through design-based programs, academic support and by teaching career-readiness skills," according to its website. It was founded by the organization's current president Ruth Lande Shuman.

Badgley and Mischka will be speaking with 70 students from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Harlem who are currently involved with Publicolor's seven-week program for at-risk teens. The summer curriculum teaches them textile design through dyeing, weaving, sewing and pattern-making, according to WWD.

The Badgley Mischka designers will review the students' work and before offering some light school and career advice. This will be the first time Badgley and Mischka has been involved with Publicolor.

The middle and high school Publicolor students get the opportunity to stay at Pratt this summer, giving them a chance to feel more comfortable about pursuing college. Many of the students will be the first members of their family to do so, according to WWD. The nonprofit helps college-bound students secure any necessary financial aid and subsidizes any possible shortfalls.

Many luxury designers have been sharing their skills, knowledge (and personal funds) to help nonprofit organizations across the globe.

For example, nonprofit organization God's Love We Deliver opened an expanded facility — called the Michael Kors building — in Soho last month.The program works to supply meals to New Yorkers living with illnesses.

"When you think about how God's Love started, it was a basement of a church. It really was all about, let's look at the problem and what can we do to solve something," Kors told WWD.

"That's what God's Love is about: taking a stranger and turning them into a neighbor," the designer added.

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I have goose pimples on my goose pimples and while my teeth aren’t yet chattering, give me another few minutes and they will be.

It’s so cold that not only can I see my breath, I’m pretty sure that if I leaned against one of the walls, I might actually freeze to it - and surely it’s only a matter of time before my lips go blue...

Though it’s hot and muggy outside, I’ve not persuaded my local restaurant to let me seek refuge from the heat in their industrial freezer.

Instead, I’ve come to Snow Paradise at West London’s K Spa, a kind of beauty ice box that, devotees claim, will send the blood coursing round my body and zap any lurking cellulite. It’s one of a handful of such facilities in the UK.

At Lion Quays in Shropshire, Thornton Hall in the Wirral and Butlins in Bognor Regis, you’ll find Snow Caves, while County Durham’s Rockliffe Hall boasts an Igloo.

Here at Snow Paradise it is definitely snowy. The room, about 2m x 2m, which uses “cold-generating compressors” and “the latest technology” to create snow “made exclusively of air and water and containing no chemical additives”, is part of a thermal suite that also includes a steam room, sauna and sanarium (like a sauna but cooler).

“The idea is that these sort of “fire and ice” treatments work to stimulate circulation,” says Daphne Metland, the director of The Good Spa Guide.

Heat causes the blood vessels to dilate, bringing blood to the surface of the skin, while cold temperatures cause contraction of the blood vessels. Alternating between hot and cold boosts the circulation, which, if you believe the hype, has untold benefits for your health and beauty.

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“It gets rid of toxins, stimulates your immune system, is excellent for tackling cellulite and is very good for your skin, as it brings blood to the surface, feeding the skin with oxygen and nutrients,” enthuses Lyudmyla Nagirnyak, manager at K Spa. “It’s like the glow you get from exercise, because it boosts circulation in the same way.”

But not everyone is convinced that the whole hot-cold thing is quite so magical. “It definitely improves circulation, but I’m not sure how much solid evidence there is for the other claims,” says Daphne.

Either way, the world has embraced the idea. The Swedes and other Scandi types are known for following their saunas with dips in icy lakes, the Germans are devotees of Kneipping, which involves alternating between hot and cold showers or baths, and sports stars praise cryotherapy - which uses baths of ice, or rooms cooled to minus 135c - for speeding up muscle recovery after training, a big game or competition.

But in the world of spas, this oversized cool box is a bit different.

Indeed, I’ve encountered icy plunge pools and snow fountains, curiously reminiscent of the large ice makers you find on American-style fridges, which churned out handfuls of slushy ice that I rubbed into my shivering flesh after luxuriating in a sauna. I’ve even been to spas in ski resorts where you’re encouraged to nip outside and roll in the snow after boiling in a hot tub. But I’ve never actually stepped into a human-sized freezer before.

“There is no hard and fast protocol,” says Lyudmyla. “You have to listen to your body, but the idea is that you warm up in the sauna, then go into the Snow Paradise, and keep alternating. Some people can stay in there for a few minutes, others only a few seconds.”

I’m determined to tough it out. And, after about seven minutes in the sauna at 88degC, I emerge in just a bikini and towel and step through the first door that forms a sort of airlock between the ice chamber and the rest of the spa. I can feel the temperature drop a bit, but given how warm the spa is, it just feels pleasantly cool. Then, I open the second heavy door and step in. It slams behind me and I have a fleeting panic I’ll get locked in and die of hypothermia. But having checked the door doesn’t have a lock, I relax.

Because it’s not that cold. It doesn’t give me that first genuinely breath-taking, heart-stopping, skin-tingling, oh-my-goodness, wow-now-I-feel-alive moment that I’ve had from plunge pools and snow rolls. It feels, well, just a bit chilly.

Looking around, I see that the walls seem like the side of a mountain after a snowfall, while the ceiling is a sort of metal grid mesh that’s like the sort of thing you’d find in an office.

And what I assume are the cold-generating compressors are cleverly hidden behind rustic-looking wooden slats. It’s terribly atmospheric, but, so far, a little, er, warmer, than I’d anticipated. So much so that, after a couple of minutes, I decide that, despite Lyudmyla’s warning that I had to wear flip-flops otherwise there’s no way I’d be able to tolerate it for more than a few seconds, I slip one of them off and place my foot on the snow-covered ground.

Okay - wow! - now that is cold. I slip the flip-flop back on and decide to get closer to the snow.

I scoop up a handful of the light, fluffy stuff, compact it into a ball and start rubbing it across my arms and legs. It feels so cold it’s almost burning, and that’s when I get the goose pimples, and start to worry about my lips turning blue.

“Anything wet always feels colder on the skin,” says Daphne. “Water conducts heat far better than air, so cold water, or snow, will conduct heat away from the skin far more quickly than cold air.

“In terms of boosting circulation, it doesn’t really matter if you cool yourself more slowly, and it makes it more comfortable for people who don’t like that sudden shock.”

After slathering my limbs with ice, it’s too cold to hang around, so I hotfoot it to the sauna, and feel the warmth as the blood rushes back to my skin. I repeat the sequence a few times, skipping straight to the ice-rubbing bit, although I stop short of rolling around in the snow. By the time I leave, my skin has a rosy glow, and I head out into the sunshine feeling invigorated.

The added bonus is that having languished in an 88degC sauna, the 27degC heat in London feels like a breeze.

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Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra is set to present Couture Soiree, an evening reminiscent of the old world charm from the 1950s, at the forthcoming Amazon India Couture Week 2015 in New Delhi.

"At Amazon India Couture Week, I will bring to you Couture Soiree, an evening reminiscent of the old world charm from the 1950s, when western fashion was being revolutionised and fashion shows had a sense of an intimate experience and luxury," said Malhotra in a statement.

"Guests at the viewing would come to witness iconic moments in fashion. This finale show at the couture week is going to be a departure from what you've seen, with an intimate setting as we are going to present a preview of our limited edition Manish Malhotra London Label."

"It is even more special to me as it also marks the celebration of successful 10 years of my label Manish Malhotra in August 2015," he said.

Known to be the frontrunner in Bollywood, creating a niche for stylists, he has added unadulterated sparkle to leading actresses' wardrobes with his dazzling collections for over 25 years now.

Best known for his bridal wear, strong sense of colour and revival of the crafts sector, the designer's dedication to his aesthetics has catapulted him to fame.

"We are delighted to announce that India's most popular designer Manish Malhotra, who has the biggest brand recall amongst GenNext, will be adding an interesting third dimension to the Amazon India Couture Week 2015" said Sunil Sethi, president, Fashion Design Council of India. .

"His magical drapes and captivating cuts will add perfection to a week of pure indulgence," Sethi added.

Spanning five days, Amazon India Couture Week 2015, will be held from July 29 to August 2 at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi.

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Last month, a New York Times investigation revealed the illegal and abusive work conditions faced by many manicurists in New York City. We were glad to see New York governor Andrew Cuomo take swift action by conducting emergency investigations into nail salons. And now, the state has implemented new legislation aimed at protecting the rights and safety of those workers.

The legislation, which was signed into law today, will make operating an unlicensed salon a misdemeanor punishable by jail time and will authorize the state to shut down any business that violates the new regulations. It will also make it much easier for nail-salon workers to work toward getting a license at a reasonable cost. It will create a complete set of training requirements and lower the language and cost barriers that manicurists previously encountered. The bill was passed by the New York State Senate on June 19.

Under this law, an unlicensed worker will be able to register as a trainee at a nail salon and work legally as an apprentice to a licensed worker, a boon to the many people trying to find work in the industry who have been so vulnerable to exploitation. And the law sets a $20 limit on fees to register or renew a license. It addresses health concerns, too: The training will include curriculum on proper sanitation and infection control, and salons are now required to provide gloves and face masks. What's more, the salons can no longer prohibit employees from taking these safety precautions.

"My parents were immigrants to this country and small-business owners. I know firsthand how vital it is to protect vulnerable workers from unsafe working conditions,” said Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas. “This legislation puts employers on notice that exploitive labor practices will not be tolerated in New York State.”

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When the next edition of New York Fashion Week kicks off Monday, there will be something new on the catwalks: a bunch of dudes, wearing dude clothes. It will be the first event devoted solely to menswear.

Previous events did show menswear, but it was a bit like those technical awards at the Oscars: the little part of the big event that nobody watches. Now, just like in European fashion capitals, dudes and dude clothes get their own party. And menswear designers are excited about the opportunity for a showcase where they won’t be upstaged by women’s fashion.

Granted, the men’s event won’t be as big. The marquee fall event typically attracts about four times the number of designers participating next week. But even a smaller event is still a powerful platform for big names like Calvin Klein and Michael Kors, as well as small labels looking to break through.

“Fashion Week is traditionally the place that allows designers to be able to get press attention, get buyer attention in a very efficient way,” says Wendy Liebmann with WSL Strategic Retail.

The event comes amid a growing interest in selling to men. In the U.S., men’s apparel sales hit more than $60 billion dollars in 2013, according to NPD Group.

Having a male-focused Fashion Week in summer also aligns it with stores and the way they buy clothes. When menswear lines went out along with the women’s lines in the fall event, many designers felt it was useless.

“The menswear will be bought during the summer time and the womenswear will be bought during the fall,” explains Veronique Hyland, fashion news editor for The Cut. “They would be showing collections that they had actually already sold.”

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Is the constant change in weather showing on your face too?

Opportunity may knock anytime and anywhere — the question is: Are you ready to seize it? Getting rid of a stubble will not only be a relief in the prevailing environment but would also make you look more attractive.

Be it that wedding you need to attend or the meeting you are running late for, is it the weekend party or a date night; the clean shaven look ensures that you do not compromise on the man in you. Grasp the opportunity, impress all or make the day yours in one simple shave which will leave you looking your best and feeling confident to seize everyday opportunities.

Rahul Dravid, known to sport the clean-shaven look every day says, "After having used the Gillette MACH3 Turbo razor, I can testify that it is a shaving technology that gives me an optimal shave and zero redness guaranteed. Even when travelling, a superior razor ensures a quick and comfortable shave, making you look clean and confident in a jiffy." Here are some quick shaving tips if you want a look like Dravid's:

Redness alert: Avoid razor burns, razor bumps (ingrown hair) and thereafter irritation and redness. Avoid applying grooming products to dry skin; wet your facial hair and you are set.

For happy mornings: A good, close shave, the right facial wash and aftershave moisturizer.

Accessories: Use a quality pre-shave gel and a sharp razor for the smooth clean-shaven look.

Usage: Go in the direction of the beard growth. Start with the sides, then the moustache area and then the chin. The chin hair are the toughest, hence the longest time to soften under the shave cream.

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