WHAT WE'LL BE LOVING FOR THE YEAR AHEAD...
Check out our 2016 Hot List...
Now that Christmas is a distant memory (although it was only two weeks ago!), it's time to look ahead and predict what we'll all be loving over the next 12 months. With Rio 2016 this summer, fresh new singing talent and the rise of creative, crafty hobbies, there's no doubt that 2016 will bring us lots of fun! Here's what we're excited about here at Bluebella HQ...
DUA LIPA
Part of the BBC's Sound of 2016, singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has certainly kicked off the year in the right way. Born in London, the 20 year old was raised on Bob Dylan and David Bowie and her first record she purchased was Nelly Furtado (remember her?!) Securing a modelling contract a few years ago was the start in her journey and in 2012 she began uploading her original tracks onto Soundcloud. It wasn't long before she caught the attention of non other than Lana Del Rey's managers, who immediately signed her up and started her up with collaborating with the likes of Bruno Mars and, of course, Lana Del Rey. We love her deep, smokey and pop-filled sounds and her current track Be The One is full of fun and fresh beats - just what we need to beat the January Blues! Look out for her first UK tour this year.
BLUEBELLA SS16 COLLECTIONS
Of course a new year brings two brand new seasons! First up, we have our SS16 collection which we're really excited about. The first few products have already started to drop on bluebella.it, with styles such as Tala, Blake and Alanna all making Bluebella debuts. Our SS16 collection is an expression of dramatic sensuality inspired by soft satins, sheer mesh and contemporary lace, coupled with a confident colour palette that brings in delicate golds and perfect pastels. Keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks for more of our SS16 products arriving on the site and be the first to shop the new styles!
HER NAME IS RIO
It doesn't feel like two minutes ago since it was London 2012 and what a summer that was! It's hard to imagine ever finding another Olympics quite so exciting when it's not on your doorstep BUT if London 2012 did one thing for pretty much everyone, it was to show us that every man and his dog - whether a sports lover or not - could fully enjoy the games and reap the benefits. Kicking off on Friday 5th August in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, we can't wait to see what the incredible Team GB can do once again. Stella McCartney is responsible once again for ensuring the sports starts look and feel their best as she exclusively designs the Team GB 2016 kit and we're excited to see what the likes of Dina Asher-Smith, Jessica Ennis-Hill, swimmer Lucy Hall and boxer Nicola Adams will all bring and whether they'll walk away with the Gold. For us, it's sure to bring a summer-filled fun-fest with friends as everyone gets together to watch - we can't wait!
GET CRAFTY
As more of us strive for a less stressful life, more and more of us are taking up creative and crafty hobbies in a bid to enjoy precious 'me' time that doesn't just involve sitting infront of the TV for a marathon Netflix session. Having a hobby is not only on the rise, but it is also good for your mental health PLUS means that if you have a class booked in for 6pm every Tuesday, there's no excuses to stay behind at work. We're big fans of photography and learning how to create gorgeous images with a semi-professional camera (and not just our iPhone!). Other hobbies that more and more of us are turning to include floristry, life drawing and even ballroom dancing. And there isn't a better time than the start of the year to kick off with something fresh!
FASHION FOCUS
And of course, it wouldn't be a Hot List without a little look at what the fashion world will bring us this year. With London Fashion Week AW16 next month, it won't be long before next winter's trends are revealed but we can only just about deal with this winter at the moment! If we look ahead to the Spring/Summer season, we'll see trends such as the dainty slip-on (yes, of the Nightwear variety) making an outerwear comeback, soft gingham, vivid prints, exciting ruffles and graphic stripes being style staples for the summer months. We can't wait!
Picture credit: MarieClaire.co.uk