Coming in 2026 my next book…
I traced the origins of K-pop and the journey of the biggest band in the business — BTS — whose 2026 comeback tour and album is highly anticipated, and which many hope will re-energise the musical genre. I loved charting the evolution of their personal style and impact on fashion and beauty, and hope ARMY supporters will collect and enjoy it too! 💜
You can pre-order from Waterstones, Foyles, Barnes and Noble, and other select bookshops worldwide. If anything buy it for the pretty pictures of the boys :-) @bts.bighitofficial@rkive@jin@mnijungkook@thv j.m @agustd@uarmyhope With many thanks to my publisher @hachetteuk@hachetteus and its Welbeck imprint #BTS #방탄소년단 #bts_arirang #bts2026
My book is arriving in stores this week! Thank you endlessly to Welbeck and Hachette for the opportunity to write about a designer close to my heart — and the timely reminder by delivering a box-load of them to my home this morning
Things I saw & experienced in Tokyo!! ᵔᴥᵔ
*All the women have excellent manicures
*Nobody wears sunglasses even if it’s sunny out of fear of looking like a celebrity and/or standing out
*Boxy cars <3
*Matcha lattes are actually not that common but drinks where you add your own syrup are
*Generous gifting culture persists so don’t show up to a meeting empty handed
*Using the classic excuse of going to the bathroom to discreetly pay the bill
*Asian customs are ultimately rooted in being considerate and thinking of others not just yourself
*Japanese menswear is killing it
*Happy to see dover street market continue to spotlight emerging brands like august barron which has prime spot by the escalators and new zine
*The first Soho House in Japan has finally opened and it’s nice, and so are the OT denim uniforms
*Remember to take restaurant bill and pay as you exit, not at the table!!!
*New developments like Tanakawa gateway
*So much ample green space and the communal flowers and plants are even labelled to great detail
*Public toilets everywhere too, lets normalise this
*Judy doll mascara and Liese bangs reset have now become my donki donki essentials
Notes from Seoul my fourth home! ❤️
*Do not enter/exit the car from the left side!!! I have beefed with many a driver over this I’m sorry
*Amuse teaming up with monchichi for its distinct IP is where brand collabs have been heading
*Recto space is beautiful. On the whole Seoul gets retail right. No cookiecutter spaces here
*Much like in NYC, korean indie brand stores are scattered across town in places that only make sense to them. What business does PAF have being in Yaksu
*Local south korean brands share many of the same struggles as london designers :-(
*Wide roads and tiny dogs in Gangnam
*Kiko Kostandinov’s entire floor takeover of Addicted Seoul is a great market fit
*Reactivated Naver and Kakao to get around
*Sooooo many Starbucks, on every street corner
*Singles Inferno irl: Kim Goeun curation at Joy Gryson
*Nudake and osulloc I’m here for the teas~~
*Best matcha has to be at mother offline which coincidentally has partnered with ami
*Rokh pop up <333
*My BTS king V is on every ad around town
*Visited Amorepacific chipperfield hq again :-) I’m pretty sure it features in Beef 2 did you catch it
*Seokchon lake park at night - stunning
*Finally tried the viral salt bread in Seongsu and let me tell you the ones in London cannot compare !
*One day I will make it to jeju & icheon ceramics village
My eternal paradox: Back in London with family and friends <333 but missing Asia big time
Some recent highlights
*Nothing beats at-home yakiniku
*Matcha places are multiplying at a clip across Hackney, we’ve been going to @lookleftbyyugu and @jujuhomecha which also double up as lifestyle spaces
*Back to @pizzapilgrims and @bobbobricard for first time in over a decade and they’re still as good as ever
*Someone must have vlogged about the lil sushi bar next to Kintan because the queue is now nuts - why???
*Loving the menu and wine list at @the_parakeet , cod collar and sea bream were 🤌🏻🤌🏻
*Have become a regular at @beautyeditmayfair for their K-beauty facial, which includes @medicube_global_official zaps - possibly the most satisfying and effective skincare device ever
*Elite cheeses and more at @jumicheeselondon
*Reliving my Asia travels through @nu_dake
My biggest regret this week is not taking a photo with Nigo himself! I got to meet the legendary creative force when he was in London for the opening his first international show (it’s one of the reasons I’m back from Asia!!) Given Nigo’s extensive influence — everyone from Pharrell Williams and Kim Jones to the late Virgil Abloh has cited his impact on their work — it is extraordinary that he has never had an exhibition outside of his native Japan until now. I am grateful to have been granted one of the few interviews this time around. Thank you Liv, Dan and Nigo san, and Esme who curated the show 🙏🏻 read it on @cnn@cnnstyle
Outside of Bangkok’s glitzy shopping malls, I visited and loved these stores — several of which aren’t new builds but rejuvenated, existing spaces steeped in history and cultural heritage. And more than just places to sell products, they act as community led third spaces, which are on the rise and redefining retail across not only Thailand but Southeast Asia.
Gorgeous songkran (Thai new year) campaign by @loewe under newish designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez. During this period people take time off work to engage in water fights, splash talcum powder, and spend time with family and close friends. The rituals are meant to gesture rejuvenation, cooling, and a fresh start. It might be an obvious bid to appeal to more Southeast Asian consumers but few other luxury brands have previously engaged in this way
One of my last few London outings at one of the best retail townhouses (@jessica_mccormack ’s, who else? and captured by lovely @iona.wolff ) before I’m out of here for a short while and following that undergo a lil operation. Eek. I hate hospitals but I know it’ll be ok. Life sure takes you in weird directions
