Red UK June 2022

It takes a certain amount of optimism being a summer obsessive living in the UK. One can count down the months until the season arrives, only to have a handful of golden days and the rest a washout, or worse, just a bit grey and chilly. In my experience (as a signed-up summer devotee), the secret is to start early. Yes, I’ll admit even I was a bit premature to pack my first picnic basket and insist on a barbecue on a recent sunnyish weekend when it snowed the following one, but I’ve learned to embrace the opportunities when they present themselves. To that end, this issue has been planned to get you in the mood for the months ahead. Our interiors story on page 102 is all about bringing a…

RACHEL EDWARDS shares her experience of being a stepmother on page 60. THE TASTE OF SUMMER IS… spanking-fresh seafood, water lapping at my feet. ON MY SUMMER SHOPPING LIST ARE… killer sandals and facial serum. ROKSANDA ILINČIĆ reveals her best holiday and the album she never grows tired of on page 178. THE TASTE OF SUMMER IS… ripe, juicy, sticky peaches eaten with your hands. ON MY SUMMER SHOPPING LIST ARE… melon, ripe tomatoes, feta and strawberries. ARYA JYOTHI delves into the life of a data scientist on page 59. THE TASTE OF SUMMER IS… a colourful fruit salad with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. ON MY SUMMER SHOPPING LIST ARE… a pair of sunglasses and the latest romance novel. Red is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine…

PICNIC PRINTS Embrace the quintessentially British charm of ditsy floral prints and picnic-cloth gingham, because the tea-party dress code is in full swing. Add hints of suede and patchwork for a western twist or keep it classic with ballet pumps. JUICY FRUIT With a mouthwatering mix of tutti-frutti shades in pink, orange, yellow and green, the catwalk went bright and bold with the colour block trend. Dramatic dresses call for neutral accessories for instant elevation. CLUB TROPICANA Embrace the playfulness of the flower-power vibe. This summer’s hottest pattern – whimsical oversized florals – has a punchy retro nostalgia that instantly transports us poolside. Simply layer with gold and raffia accessories. SUNSET BOHO The faded and sun-bleached tones of ochre, terracotta and lilac bring a new, romanticised bohemian mood to the nomad aesthetic. The pared-back approach calls for…

SEE CLEARLY Take a look at the new Liberty x Specsavers collaboration. The range of heritage art nouveau-inspired designs will add a chic retro edge to your summer look. All adult styles are £129 and come in an iconic Liberty print case. The only dilemma? Which ones to choose. NEW BRAND TO KNOW Naya Rea’s spring collection is inspired by the idyllic French seaside and is a joyous riot of crisp floral cottons, silk and seersucker. Voluminous sleeves, scallop hemlines, ruffle collars and puffball silhouettes give the pieces a nostalgic, romantic feel, while the colour palette of cream, grape and baby blue adds a contemporary edge. BRIGHTEN UP There is something seriously moodboosting about a poppy red summer dress. From Aje’s beautiful backless cotton maxi with bow-tie detail to Self-Portrait’s pretty off-the-shoulder fit-and-flare, there is…

1 MODERN WOMAN It’s time to celebrate, as midi brands Rixo, Sleeper and Self-Portrait have all created fab collections for brides who are looking for something different without breaking the bank. STAR BUY: PINKO Having an invite to THE wedding of the season calls for a showstopper gown. Pinko’s asymmetric maxi dress is instant wow-factor. 2 L. K. BENNETT The Royal Ascot x L. K. Bennett collection of shimmering lamé dresses and vintage floral prints makes for truly romantic guest attire, ideal for attending more traditional wedding invitations. 3 SOMETHING BORROWED With everything from voluminous white Cecilie Bahnsen and Aje gowns to cult-status The Vampire’s Wife dresses, rental site Hurr has something for every event in your calendar. 4 PERFECT MATCH Fashion confident brides might want to break with tradition and turn to Chanel’s 2022 couture catwalk co-ord for…

New York-based fashion stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson is busy making her mark on the fashion world with her inclusive and refreshingly energetic approach to dressing. ‘I often say style is my inheritance,’ she says. ‘The playful and elegant way my family have dressed over the generations is an eternal spring of inspiration to me. Everything I do that is aesthetically driven is a bit of a family affair.’ Her new collaboration with Weekend Max Mara, aptly named ‘Family Affair’, has a sense of fun, ease and individuality at its core. It’s a bold collection that fuses a heritage Italian brand with Karefa-Johnson’s own multicultural and eclectic new-gen aesthetic. Think bright, highly patterned, easy-wear pieces with a particular focus on standout breezy dresses that imbue the wearer with a certain confidence and pizazz. ‘My…