Hola Bohemian Jewellery Tattoos

             I briefly relocated My London Dream to Barcelona to give Bohemian Jewellery Tattoos a spin! What better place to show off the British-based brand’s temporary metallic tattoos than in sunny Spain? Darel Russell and his sister Shar Alexandra first launched the brand in September 2014. I met Russell at a fashion show hosted by London Fashion Kick in April (read the post here) and have been obsessed with the products ever since.

            After I was very kindly sent over the Rihanna collection of temporary tattoos, I knew that packing accessories for Spain would be a no-brainer. There are 13 collections to select from, each containing four sheets of transfers. It’s always a worry to take precious necklaces, bracelets, and fiddly earrings on holiday, in case they are misplaced, lost, or in the worst-case scenario, stolen. Bohemian Jewellery Tattoos provides a creative and unique solution to this problem. All I had to do was pop my packet of temporary tattoos in my suitcase and I was set!

Look One: A Pool of Embellishment

             Whilst on my trip, I compiled three different looks to show how I would wear Bohemian Jewellery Tattoos. (Please note that the necklace tattoo I’m wearing above is taken from the Alexandra collection, while the rest are all from the Rihanna collection). They’re incredibly versatile, especially in terms of where they can be worn or how they can be styled, which means each individual can rock them in their own way. The application process is simple: cut out your desired tattoo, remove the plastic film, place the design on an area of your skin, hold a damp cloth on the tattoo for 30 seconds, and remove! I say 30 seconds just to be safe, but you’ll know once the design has started to lift from the paper to your newly “inked” skin.

Look Two: Gilded Florals

             Bohemian Jewellery Tattoos come in at £16.95 a collection. Sure, there are cheaper alternatives on the market, but when you scrimp on price, you’ll pay for it in quality and durability. Bohemian Jewellery Tattoos are unrivaled in both of these areas, their sparkle and texture creating the illusion of real gold or silver. As well as being waterproof and lasting up to five days, when I tested my tattoos by attempting to scrub them off, they would not budge! While this is great, if you need to remove them quickly, Bohemian Jewellery Tattoos recommends rubbing alcohol or baby oil. However, I found that Vaseline worked like a treat and is a lot less messy (and smelly). Spread Vaseline on the tattoo you would like to remove and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. The design should then disintegrate when you use a damp cloth or tissue to massage the area in circular motions.

Look Three: Blackberries & Coconut, Triangles & Love

             When I was younger, I remember that temporary tattoos were all the rage, but it appears that they are now making a comeback for grownups – stronger, bolder, and more fashionable than ever before. Replacing cartoon characters or silly symbols, Bohemian Jewellery Tattoos add sophistication and distinction to the temporary, while bordering on the realistic.

             Now it's time for you to go and experiment with your temporary tattoos! Purchase collections on the Bohemian Jewellery Tattoos website here or in various retailers throughout the UK. 

Dive Into Love Brand & Co.’s First Women’s Collection

Gina Kushka, the new face of Love Brand & Co.'s women's collection, photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Last September, I took a very apropos journey to an area of Chelsea called “The Beach,” where Love Brand & Co. is backing up style with substance. I met with Oliver Tomalin, the founder and creative director of the company, who was kind enough to share his vision with me. (Read the full interview here.) Since 2011, Tomalin has devoted himself to the cause of elephant conservation, ensuring that five percent of all sales are donated to charities (Elephant Family, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and Tusk Trust) that work towards bettering the situation of endangered elephants through conservation efforts.

             At the time of my visit, Love Brand & Co. only stocked beachwear for men, but less than a year on, I am proud to introduce their first bikini range for women. South African singer-songwriter Gina Kushka is the debuting face of the line and has attributed the partnership to fate. Due to her upbringing in Africa, Kushka has been familiar with the conservation and care for animals since she was born.

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             She began writing her own songs at the young age of 12 and taught herself how to play the guitar and the keyboard. Categorized by an ambient-come-ethereal electro/pop sound, Kushka will be releasing her first EP this year. Much like Love Brand & Co.’s laidback vibe and fuss-free aesthetic, Kushska has been described by Tomalin as someone who is cool and beautiful without really trying. Thus, it was a “no-brainer” to cast her in the new campaign.

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Borrowing the same basic designs from the men’s collection, expect six statement-making block colors from the women’s collection. Oh, and that “Ice White” shade? To die for with a bronze glow. The bikinis are sophistication at its finest, available in four main styles and five sizes: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 (by British standards).

Photos courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Tomalin, ever attuned with the needs of his customers, has designed the bikinis with a “mix and match” concept in mind. Honing in on the wishes of women everywhere, Tomalin’s new collection delivers them with what they want, but are usually unable to find. I can openly attest to this, having tried but failed to diversify my assortment of bikinis through experimenting with different tops and bottoms. Indeed, the cool tones of Love Brand & Co.’s line really take the cake for creating options, as evidenced below in a few examples I have put together:

Photos courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Who would have thought that “fashion for the love of elephants” could look so, well…fashionable? Tomalin pulls it off by mastering up timeless pieces that also serve as a reminder of their underlying mission. In the men’s collection, the shorts’ drawstrings are emblemized with silver tusks and a red screw to represent the bloodshed of elephants. The women’s collection does much the same with their bottoms, but in a majestic gold. Giving back to the world in a positive way is surely the most tasteful accessory of any season and of any timeframe. Better yet? It never goes out of style.

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             The bikinis might be hanging prettily at the Love Brand & Co. boutique, but in order to do a whole lot of good, they need for you to go and buy them! I have a feeling you won’t need much convincing when you get there. Guys, make sure you tag along too! Once you hit the water, your equally lush Love Brand & Co. ensembles will marry up to stir some poolside jealousy and possibly cause a few ice creams to drop!

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.

             Suit up in bikini tops for 59 pounds and bikini bottoms for 49 pounds. Whether it's for an exotic island beach, the pool down the road, or just your own backyard, you're bound to be spoiled for choice with Love Brand & Co., and left feeling good regardless of your location. To get your hands on these effortlessly chic beauties, shop the women’s collection here, surf the rest of the Love Brand & Co. collection here, or take a trip to “The Beach” and visit them at their flagship boutique. To keep up to date with Kushka and her music, check out her website here.

Photo courtesy of Love Brand & Co.