When you get an opportunity to speak with someone as like Adwoa Aboah, you take it. Obviously, I was excited—and a bit nervous—to meet with the British model who’s been a name on everyone’s lips this year following her historic British Vogue cover, standout street style moments, and a number of collaborations with iconic fashion houses from Burberry to Versace. To say that it’s been Aboah’s year is an understatement.
She arrived in Los Angeles fresh off the heels of a jam-packed fashion month—Aboah walked for Fendi, Marc Jacobs, and Chanel, just to name a few—to celebrate with Ugg for their 40th-anniversary collection. The California heritage brand tapped the model to be the face of their campaign, alongside another industry disruptor, designer Heron Preston.
Ugg is no stranger to working with some of the most innovative talent in the fashion industry, as their track record of collaborations with everyone from Jeremy Scott to Y/Project shows. But to celebrate their 40th anniversary, the brand went back to its bread and butter styles and launched a limited edit of the most well-known styles like the short and mini boots in its classic sand colorway.
As for Aboah, well, one look into her closet reveals that she’s one of the Ugg brand’s biggest fans (her personal collection is vast). “I think they’re definitely paving the way,” she shared with me. Aside from her beloved boots, we also talked about the key to her next-level style (“more is more”) and what she hopes for the fashion industry down the road. To read our interview with Aboah and get a look at her campaign images with Ugg, keep reading.
Meghan Markle loves wearing well-known labels like Gucci and J.Crew, but she doesn’t exclusively wear boldfaced brands. She also has a penchant for shining the spotlight on more up-and-coming labels, including Strathberry and Martin Grant. In that vein, for her latest appearance during her royal tour of Australia, Markle wore one of her favorite shoe brands that’s poised to make it big: Sarah Flint. The Duchess of Sussex styled her sandals with a Reformation dress and Karen Walker sunglasses, but it’s far from the only way to style the shoes.
Given Markle’s incredible fashion influence, she has arguably put Sarah Flint on the map, also wearing the brand during her very first outing with Prince Harry last year. Among the other celebrities who’ve helped make the label famous are Blake Lively and Cindy Crawford, so Markle is certainly in good company. Scroll down to shop our Sarah Flint picks.
On Meghan Markle: Reformation dress; Sarah Flint Grear Sandals ($245); Karen Walker sunglasses
It’s no secret that we comb Reformation’s new-arrivals section on the regular. The eco-friendly brand launches a new collection every Monday and Thursday, and you can bet we check the site like clockwork. To ensure that you too are in on it, we share our favorite picks from the latest drop every week. From ultra-flattering printed dresses (like the number that gained a 2K-person waiting list) and off-the-shoulder tops perfect for updating your next denim look to the coolest striped pants and affordable basics like simple T-shirts and tanks, Reformation is at the top of every fashion fan’s shopping list when it comes to outfit-making pieces. Shop this week’s best items from Reformation’s latest collection below (including all the holiday items we’re currently talking about).
Very into this emerald green hue. You’ll get so much wear out of this top after holiday season. Such a luxe color for the velvet material. All the chandelier accessories please. Wouldn’t be a holiday collection without sparkles. The little black skirt you’ll wear on repeat. Join the waitlist for this sleek number. This metallic fabric adds just the right amount of shine. Such a pretty print and unique color combo. All about the ruffles here. For a non-boring LBD option. You’ll get so much wear out of this comfortable holiday dress. Up next, shop the coolest new shoe trend for fall.
If you grew up in the ’90s and/or know anything about fashion from that decade, there’s probably a special place in your heart for Dr. Martens. I, for one, remember my first pair of Dr. Martens boots like it was yesterday, and how cool I felt when wearing them. That nostalgia, and the fact that all things ’90s are now (still) cool, probably has something to do with the impressive return to popularity the brand has experienced as of late.
In case you had any doubt, Footwear Newsjust confirmed exactly how popular Dr. Martens are right now. The brand made its earnings public today for the year ending in March 2018, and the data shows that earnings climbed 33% to a whopping $57.4 million, with sales advancing 20%. They also pointed out that sales for the Originals category, which is a favorite of It girls like Gigi Hadid (pictured above), Kaia Gerber, and Hailey Baldwin, represents 55% of the brand’s total revenue, rising by 29% over the past year.
Feeling the need to have a new pair of Dr. Martens in your life? I feel you. See how cool girls are styling them on Instagram and shop my picks below.
Party season is getting closer, and our first item when planning a look is statement shoes. Because if you can’t wear a pair of taxi shoes (as we like to call them) in at this time of year, when can you? From Mulberry’s bejewelled heels to Balenciaga’s cult-status boots, 2018’s party shoes certainly don’t disappoint.
Peach is officially our new favorite colour. Wear these with a cream suit for maximum impact. These bow mules are made even more extra with glittering anklets. We love. Pearls are one of this year’s biggest designer details. These flats will dress up any plain frock. We know—we couldn’t believe these were high street either. This hue will look gorgeous set against dark and olive skin tones. Uterqüe never fail to disappoint where statement shoes are concerned. Pair these slingbacks with cropped jeans and a silky camisole for understated cool. The cord texture looks just as luxe as velvet or satin, and is so on-trend. Whoever said boots weren’t party-appropriate clearly never saw these beauties. Kurt Geiger’s sell-out Kingly mules have been reissued as Princely for autumn/winter 2018. Forget your lapel—now, it’s all about wearing corsages on your ankle. The padded buckle says retro, but the architectural heel says 2018.Wear these blue slip-ons with gold sequins for a gorgeous color combination. We predict these will sell out fast. Mulberry has some of the best party shoes around. These brilliant pumps are a mere drop in the ocean. We can always count on Zara to make could-be-designer footwear.
In case you haven’t heard, the Mega Millions jackpot is currently a mind-boggling $1.6 billion, which is a WILD amount of money, and also the biggest Mega Millions prize in history.
But here’s the thing: Assuming there’s a single winner, they’re not going to get $1.6 billion. According to the Mega Millions website, the cash option is an estimated $905 million, but federal tax withholding of 24 percent will automatically shave $217 million off the prize.
And on top of that, state taxes will take a big bite out of the winnings, too, so around 45 percent of the lump sum will go to taxes, leaving you with around $500 million. But still, half a billion dollars is not too shabby.
Before you get all excited and run out to the gas station for some lottery tickets, though, keep in mind that your odds of winning are extremely slim, at one in 302.6 million.
However, you never know what’s going to happen and you might win and end up with more money than you’ll know what to do with.
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas on what to do with half a billion dollars, here are some genius ideas for the winner of the jackpot, with an assist from the fine folks at CNBC.
1. Buy 86 Bugatti Divos
When you’re a multimillionaire, anything is possible — including buying yourself 86 Bugatti Divo hypercars, which will set you back $5.8 million per car.
With a 1,500hp W16 engine, the diabolical Divo goes from zero to 62 miles per hour in 2.4 seconds, with a top speed of 236 miles per hour. A nice way to spend your winnings, if you ask me.
2. Buy 454 bottles of the world’s most expensive whiskey
At $1.1 million a bottle, you could go out and hypothetically buy 454 bottles of Macallan Valerio Adami whiskey — a.k.a. the most expensive whiskey in the world — if you win the lottery.
I say hypothetically because 1) There were only 12 bottles ever made, and 2) You haven’t won the lottery and probably won’t win it. You know, statistically speaking.
3. Take 2,500 friends to space
For $200,000 a ticket, you and 2,500 friends can go to outer space on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin pods and try to spot aliens or whatever…or you can ditch your friends and just go to space 2,500 times.
Super unnecessary, but that’s the definition of having “Fuck You Money.”
4. Buy 7.7 tons of gold bars
With your Mega Millions jackpot, you can invest your $500 million in gold and get 7.7 tons of gold in bars, which is pretty fucking baller and a smart move.
5. Spend 6,666 nights in the most expensive hotel room in America
According to CNBC, “The Mark Hotel in Manhattan, New York has the most expensive hotel suite in America, a 10,000-square-foot penthouse that costs $75,000 a night.
And for $500 million, the Mega Millions winner could spend 6,666 nights, or around 18 years, in the lap of luxury.
NICE.
6. Buy Necker Island from Richard Branson, and then buy 7 other islands
“Virgin Group founder Richard Branson famously purchased 74-acre Necker Island in the Caribbean for just $180,000, a fraction of its $5 million asking price. In 2006, Branson estimated the island’s value at about $60 million, according to Business Insider,” explains CNBC.
So, if Branson wanted to sell it for $60 million (that’s petty cash compared to your $500 million), you could buy that island with ease…and then buy seven more islands, just because you can.
7. Buy one of the most expensive houses in America
Located in Bel Air, this 34,000 square foot home is currently one of the most expensive houses for sale in America, listed at $180 million.
If you buy it, you’ll have $320 million to spare, with which you can construct a couch out of stacks of hundred dollar bills.
If I’m being honest, this would be my choice of action. Can you imaging coming home after a long day of spending money and unwinding on your couch made of cash? Amazing.
8. Buy 22 Airbus H160 helicopters, a.k.a. “The Bugatti of the Skies”
At $22 million per helicopter, the lucky winner of the Mega Millions jackpot can splurge on 22 epic Airbus H160s, which can cruise at 185 mph with a range of 500 miles.
If you’re thinking to yourself, “Why would I buy 22 helicopters?” Let me follow up with a counter-question: Why wouldn’t you?
Exactly.
9. Buy 282,485 shares of Amazon
“In September, Amazon made history when it briefly reached a $1 trillion market cap, the second public company in the U.S. to ever do so. Want a piece of that pie? The person who wins the Mega Millions can afford it,” CNBC writes.
At $1,770 per share, the winner can buy 282,485 shares with their $500 million.
10. Eat 83,333,333 cronuts
At Dominique Ansel Bakery, one of the most unnecessary but also most famous pastries of modern days was born: the cronut. Half croissant, half donut, this unholy hybrid goes for around $6, which translates to over 83 million cronuts.
Think of it this way: If you eat 83 million cronuts, will you die? Probably. But are you a multi-millionaire who can do any goddamn thing he wants? Yes. So, bon appetit!
