Feeling low? Hit refresh with these ten trends …
1 ANTHURIUMS FOR SPRING?
Designer Jonathan Anderson looked to nature for the inspiration of his surreal SS23 collection for Loewe. Models wore various sizes and shapes of the anthurium flower, which were also placed on shoes and bags; a style trick we can easily copy. Anderson believes they represent “a product of nature that looks like an object of design”. Other designers have touched on this “perverse banality” giving normal clothes a natural edge.
2 CAPSULE COLLECTION
Boosting our natural immunity to viruses is paramount this winter. In Natural Life’s Irish Botanica range, powerful botanicals are minimally processed so their benefits are retained. Take Mushroom Complex, a blend of lion’s mane, cordyceps and reishi mushrooms with vitamin C, to maintain immune function. €29.99; www.naturallife.ie. Jessica Sepel’s JS Health range includes Hair + Energy, €28.99, with iodine and zinc, to help restore hair strength and support hair growth. €28.99; eu.jshealthvitamins.com. Somega’s Liposomal Vitamin B-Complex + C has eight B-vitamins and 500mg of vitamin C for a January mood boost. €54.95; www.gosomega.com.
3 BIOPHILIC BEAUTY
Redecorating? Bring the beauty of the outdoors inside in a more maximalist way than just adding a few pot plants. Take inspiration from Hintze Hall at London’s Natural History Museum, which is adorned with illustrated panels showing flora and fauna from around the world and replicated by luxury wallpaper brand Divine Savages; www.divinesavages.com. Alternatively, reupholster furniture in fabulous Fungi toile de jouy prints from Stella McCartney’s collaboration with B&B Italia; www.bebitalia.com.
4 HEALING HONEY
For some of the downsides of winter – including cold sores, dry lips, spots and irritated skin – many swear by the natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory that is manuka honey. Mahoni’s little 15ml tube of pure New Zealand manuka is a highly concentrated natural remedy, and delicious to use. www.mahoni.health.
5 YEAR OF THE RABBIT
Beginning on January 23, the Year of the Rabbit heralds a year of hope, according to Chinese astrology, which associates the rabbit as a symbol of peace, prosperity and longevity. Celebrate from January 21-29 during the Dublin New Year Festival, which has many free workshops, tours and talks at venues around the city, showing the best of Asian-Irish culture too; www.dublinlunarnewyear.ie.
6 ENDORPHIN RUSH
We’re booking Pure Results with Kathryn Thomas, a two-day wellness weekend at The K Club, Co Kildare, on January 28-29. The focus is on food, fitness and fun with plenty of time to enjoy the facilities (the K Spa, swimming pool, hot tub and steam room) as well as the gorgeous 550-acre park. Yoga classes and coaching workshops will ensure all guests return home feeling rejuvenated. From €475 per person sharing; www.pureresults.ie.
7 INFLATION CHIC
“You have to save space for joy,” believes designer Jeremy Scott. His playful SS23 show for Moschino featured ladylike dresses accessorised with actual inflatables including flamingo floaty stilettos, pumped-up bucket-and-life-raft hats. “With the news cycle being so dramatic and everyone talking about inflation, I thought, how do I bring inflation to the runway?” he asked. In times that feel like rough seas, these are clothes to keep you afloat.
8 PASS THE MOCKTAILS
Dry January is more interesting at Dublin wellbeing bar, The Virgin Mary. Its alcohol-free cocktail list, created by Alex Morrell, uses natural highs to create a euphoric experience minus the hangover. These “functional cocktails” use adaptogens or “uplifting botanicals” which provide natural benefits to bodies and minds while delivering interesting flavour journeys. For example, the PBJ has flavours of raspberry, peanut and pineapple with an added mood-booster of CBD oil to enhance “social stimulation and lower inhibitions”. Love Potion No 9, a natural aphrodisiac, has hints of peppermint and peach, while the Good Hope, with coconut and chamomile, helps you to relax and unwind; www.thevirginmarybar.com.
9 FUNGI FACTS
Some people get mild hallucinations, called “visuals”, from taking psilocybin or magic mushrooms, making them giggly and euphoric. Much safer is adopting Mushroomcore, a concept peppered throughout the SS23 shows including those of Alexander McQueen, Gabriela Hearst and Stella McCartney. The latter used mycelium, made from fungi, as a leather alternative, perhaps something that can be developed in Ireland. The mushroom industry is valued at €119m.
10 POSH FOOD BOXES
Customers of HelloFresh can choose from five preferences (Calorie Smart, Quick Cook, Veggie, Classic and Family) before receiving pre-portioned ingredients and recipe cards that make cooking easy while also minimising food waste; www.hellofresh.ie. New fasting boxes from the renowned Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic (in Überlingen and Marbella) contain all you need for a five-day re-set at home. At-home fasting participants receive daily digital support from the Buchinger Wilhelmi team, via video messages, €199; www.buchinger-wilhelmi-shop.com.
