Why You Should Try These Cruelty-Free Perfumes- Part 2

More luxurious, sweet & cruelty-free perfumes for your wish list

In the first instalment, I recommended You by Glossier, Pop by Stella McCartney, The Coveted Duchess Rose by Penhaligons and 101 by Bon Parfumeur. These beautiful scents prove that you don't need to go against your morals to wear a luxury scent. As I referred to previously, many famous luxury brands, including Chanel, Armani and Dior, still sell in mainland China (where animal testing of products is usually still a requirement). However, there are many cruelty-free choices that deserve more appreciation and are worthy of being your signature scent.

1. Delicious Rhubarb & Rose by Molton Brown.

Molton Brown are a high quality, cruelty free option. Delicious Rhubarb and Rose eau de parfum. 100ml costs £120. Click image for link.

The ultra-feminine fruity and floral notes make this perfume a summery, mood-boosting scent. I would recommend this as a cruelty-free alternative to Armani Diamonds, as they both feature raspberry, lychee, rose and vanilla.

2. Tiger by her Side by Sana Jardin

Tiger by her Side eau de parfum by Sana Jardin. £95 for 50ml. Click image for link.

Tiger by her Side is an exotic and head-turning 'floriental' fragrance. As well as being cruelty-free, Sana Jardin seek to empower women through sustainable movements, including helping Moroccan female flower harvesters to upcycle flower waste. According to Cult Beauty, this strong and empowering perfume is inspired by the myths of Ancient Egyptian High Priestesses, whose powers allowed them to walk with tigers by their side.

3. Flower Moon by Pacifica

Flower Moon spray perfume by Pacifica. 29ml for £24. Click image for link.

Released in 2021, Flower Moon is a dreamy, musky and ultra-sweet scent by Pacifica. Pacifica products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. They have a wide range of scents available and many of them are fruity and/or floral. With Flower Moon, I particularly love the combination of jasmine and peach and the pink and purple ombré bottle.

Please share in the comments if there are any more cruelty-free perfumes that you recommend. I plan to share a part three to this post in the coming weeks. Thank you for reading, Gina.

Emulate Jane Birkin's Style with these Standout Pieces

From bright red heels to the underappreciated cape; these items will enhance your wardrobe

Jane Birkin, the highly admired artist and style icon, sadly passed away on 16th July 2023. When considering her iconic fashion style during the 1960s and '70s, many images come to mind. Signatures include flared jeans, the basket bag, the black mini dress, the baby doll mini, knee high boots, short shorts and delicate white blouses. While she always looked camera ready, her style was underlined by a casual, bohemian quality. Also, she is famously the influence and inspiration behind the highly sought-after Hermès Birkin bag, which blends practicality with style.

The Hermès Birkin was introduced in 1984 and, according to Evening Standard, is reported to sell from £8,000 to £150,000 (standard.co.uk, July 2023). (Image via independent.co.uk)

Of course, Jane Birkin will be remembered for much more than her fashion style. The English Francophile had a free, artistic spirit which she channelled into her film and musical projects. However, as demonstrated by Alexa Chung and Kate Moss, incorporating elements of Jane Birkin's classic style into your wardrobe is sure to make you look more stylish. For this post, I've chosen some of my favourite, and often overlooked, facets of her wardrobe:

1. The Metal-Look Dress

Jane Birkin posing on a beach in an ultra-short, metallic mini dress in 1970. (Image via harpersbazaar.com)

Topshop sequin shift mini dress in silver. Available in UK sizes 4 to 18. £150. Click image for link.

Karen Millen slinky chainmail ruched cap sleeve mini dress in copper. Reduced to £90 from £150. Click image for link.

Mango nude crystal mesh mini dress. £159.99. Click image for link.

2. Bright Red Heels

Jane Birkin was photographed wearing red shoes on numerous occasions, including ballet flats, peep toe heels and platforms. Here she is pictured wearing red platform slingbacks in 1973. (Image via harpersbazaar.com)

RAID Aamira platform heels in red satin. Available in 4 colours. £39.99. Click image for link.

Janysa Heels in red patent from American brand Bebe. Available in 4 colours. $100. Click image for link.

Classique 01 red faux leather peep toe heels from Banana Shoes. Available in a range of colours. £57.90. Click image for link.

3. The Statement Gold Coin Necklace

In 1970 Jane added a boho touch to her black mini dress and nude ballet flats with a statement gold coin necklace. (Image via harpersbazaar.com)

Cleo apatite long coin wrap necklace from Azuni. £105. Azuni plant 5 trees for every purchase. Click image for link.

Ben Amun gold choker necklace with coins and crystals. Made to order. £460. Click image for link.

4. The Velvet Cape

Jane Birkin in 1971 wearing short shorts, a light blouse, Mary Jane shoes and a velvet cape. (Image via sg.finance.yahoo.com)

The Midnight Cape by Annie's Ibiza x Clio Peppiatt. Embroidered by hand with reclaimed beads on midnight blue velvet with a pink silk lining. £1,795. Click image for link.

Black velvet cape by NARRO. Reduced to £179 from £297. Click image for link.

Rock Star black velvet embellished cape with Peter Pan collar and studs by Free People. £250. Click image for link.

For me, the thing that stands out the most when looking at pictures of Jane Birkin is her smile. She radiated a positive, carefree energy and really seemed to embrace life. Please share your thoughts on this post in the comments. Also, which element of Jane Birkin's style is your favourite?

Writing Sources

'The Birkin Bag- An Evolution of the Ultimate Fashion Status Symbol' by Maddy Mussen. Evening Standard. July 2023.

https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/birkin-bag-hermes-history-price-resale-expensive-b1094810.html

Non-Linked Image Sources

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/g5024/vintage-jane-birkin-photos/?epik=dj0yJnU9YzlMZV9PT0EtaE1pTHFqbXZGRFo4cGdOMS1nU3R5RDkmcD0wJm49YUtyTWlZcURCcjlRMVo1T29xN0p3dyZ0PUFBQUFBR1M1TF9N

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/culture/fashion-jane-birkin-bags-hermes-b2376584.html

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/great-outfits-fashion-history-jane-160000838.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALK4o4Q_d-NGpyX7BXMaaI5aD6-443uNUAwKfGgycvX9PZDQWiu2esTa5VPCSzNaRnGIxIeWUMID66i9wKjj9jLZsAsOfitG1ZEHKez3JjII3m07k1RShOBqh26jNf0EfTe0IBBxvPryb_zyigw9bQg9EK4DnCcMwqr6QoAmAAyU

YouTube Channel Gems for Vintage Fashion Lovers- Part 1

If you appreciate vintage fashion, you will love these dives into the past

Models on the catwalk during the third Italian high fashion show in 1952. (Kurt Hutton/ Getty Images via harpersbazaar.com)

While Vogue and The Fashion Channel are obvious YouTube destinations for the fashion lover, these channels are underappreciated gems:

1. Glamourdaze

Glamourdaze is my favourite vintage fashion channel on YouTube. The restored, and often colourised, footage of past places and events give a glimpse into a past that almost feels like time travel. When viewing very old black and white footage it can be hard to feel a connection, but Glamourdaze brings past eras back to life. The below footage shows the high energy and colour of life in 1920's Berlin:

2. Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum channel shares an appreciation for beautiful artwork including historical clothing, outfits made for cinema and extravagant fine jewellery. If you are ever able to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London I really recommend it. In terms of fashion items alone, the quantity of historical and significant pieces that they have on display is staggering. The video below takes a closer look at, "the pinnacle of dressmaking", designs by Schiaparelli:

3. The 1920's Channel

If, like me, you are fascinated by all things 1920s, the 1920's Channel is a treasure trove. The 1920s were a time of great cultural change, excitement, hedonism and creative expression. At the time, a sense of rebellion transformed women's fashion. The 'flapper' aesthetic, in which women wore bobbed hair, knee-length gowns with loose waists and red lipstick, was epitomized by actresses including Colleen Moore, Louise Brooks and Clara Bow. The 1920's Channel covers all aspects of 1920's life, culture and thought. It includes videos ranging from political issues of the time to creative trends and futurism.

My favourite videos on the channel are those that share authentic magazine articles. These give a rare glimpse into the trends, glamour and fashion lingo of the era. Perhaps due to there being few remaining copies, fashion books and magazines from the 1920s tend to be expensive. For instance, original 1920's Vogue magazines sell for hundreds of dollars. Therefore, I really enjoy a free glimpse into the fashion articles of the time, like the two shared below:

4. Vintage Fashions- presented by British Pathé

Vintage Fashions is a YouTube channel, with a focus on the fashion world, that shares retro British Pathé newsreels. British Pathé newsreels, originally shown in cinemas, informed viewers of significant news stories, cultural events and aesthetic developments. They now allow modern viewers a taste of the past.

5. Fashion History Sessions

Fashion History Sessions shares elegantly made documentary-style videos on the fashion world of the past. It includes videos focused solely on particular decades and videos about the lives and creations of particular designers. The videos are relaxing and informative, sure to increase your fashion knowledge and are accompanied by calming music. As a sketcher and lover of vintage fashion illustrations, I find the artwork shared in the video below really inspiring:

While choosing these YouTube videos, I didn't realise how 1920s centric this post would be. I clearly have an even greater weakness for 1920's culture than I had realised. In the comments, please let me know which of these YouTube channels you find the most appealing and why? Also, which fashion era fascinates you the most and are there any more vintage fashion YouTube channels that you recommend?

Non-Linked Image Sources

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-week/g26238514/old-fashion-week-photos/