Football legend Michael Owen: My four kids all have opinions about my fashion choices
If there ever was a day Michael Owen could relive, it would be the 2001 FA Cup final. With about three to four minutes left of the match between Liverpool and Arsenal, he sprinted past Lee Dixon and Tony Adams, and scored the winning goal for The Reds, proving that he has a strong left foot after all. “It was the exact moment my boyhood dreams came true,” says the 43-year-old, who also played for Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Stoke City, and England (89 times), before hanging up his boots in 2013. “When I was a kid, the FA Cup final was one of the biggest games of the year. But lifting up that trophy is just the icing on the cake. The true feeling is the 10-15 seconds after scoring a goal and realising that you are going to win. That’s the moment. “You have an adrenaline rush and lose touch of where you are. Listen, it’s been 10 years since I retired and I [still] can’t find anything in life that gives me the same feeling. Just incredible.” Owen, who is also a regular TV pundit, doesn’t miss playing football but has found other ways to maintain his “absolute love” for the game. “I watch games from a different perspective now, especially since doing a lot of TV work. I’m always thinking about how I can inform the viewer, share insight, and bring my own experience into it,” he says on a Zoom call from his home near Chester. “I’m also at the stage in my career and life where clothes are pretty important to me too. I’m not running around the pitch or promoting energy drinks and sportswear anymore. My work is now about being seen on TV and appearance is a big part of that. So it’s important to look presentable and feel good when you are about to go on air.” Owen’s personal style has always been pretty consistent: classic, smart, and gentlemanly. He stays within the boundaries of never wearing anything “really outlandishly mad” and doesn’t mind a bit of colour here or there. “But I’m a father of four and my children are at the age — my eldest is 20 now and my youngest is 13 — where they all have their own opinion about my fashion choices. I get more tips nowadays than I ever have before,” he says. So when England’s 11th most-capped player started working on his own menswear collection, called The Michael Owen Edit, with British high-street brand Peacocks, it was an eye-opening experience. The collection includes casual staple pieces, such as chinos, knitwear, a bomber jacket, smart polo shirts, and stretchy jeans, all in high-quality materials. “I wanted the collection to fit and suit me. It felt right straight away. I had no idea so much thought and attention to detail went into a simple t-shirt,” he says. “I’ve loved learning more about menswear and helping design pieces that I think represent my own style.” His love for learning new things is also what convinced the former professional footballer to buy a farm at 24 and turn it into Manor House Stables. It’s at the heart of Cheshire near Malpas, and the home of his business, The Michael Owen Racing Club, which allows racing fans to experience racehorse ownership with an annual membership of the club for £95. “I’ve been trading at Manor House for 20-odd years,” Owen says. “I started very small. We were trading 10-15 horses, now we’re trading 110-115 horses. It’s a big business — we employ 40-odd people — that has been really popular for people who want to get a piece of the action for a small amount of money. “It’s a sport I feel like I know, because there’s a relationship between football and racing. We are doing the same thing. We’re trying to train a body and mind to be fast and durable. It’s a competition. It’s people. It’s social. The whole thing is a massive passion of mine. “And [the] horses are magnificent animals that we treat with utmost care. We give them the best feed, the best care, the best everything, to be legends themselves in many ways.” Owen didn’t know what he had to do to lock in his status as an England football legend, but he’s really grateful. “You don’t get called that at the start of your career, and I was always so focused on the next thing and never really looked back. I don’t think about it much or know how to feel. “It’s why I have great admiration for footballers such as Marcus Rashford and Jude Bellingham, who are brilliant on and off the pitch. I know this path and how hard it is. You’re only taught to be a footballer, but because you are a footballer, you get pushed in front of hordes of press to speak on behalf of the nation. But even though our voices travel far and wide, we aren’t politicians. “It’s about being confident and learning fast; understanding what’s right and wrong. My family always teases me and says I think I’m bloody good at everything. If I was playing Tiger Woods in golf, I’d probably think I’m going to beat him even though I’ve got no chance. But I’m a bit delusional like that. And I guess football has driven that since I was a kid.” The Michael Owen Edit is available now online and across the 340 Peacocks stores nationwide. Peacocks offers fashion for all the family at affordable prices and great quality.
2023-09-14 15:56
4 key activewear trends for autumn workouts
The new season calls for a change in sportswear, as we say goodbye to summer and get in gear for autumn activities. The latest activewear collections have landed and they’re full of stylish pieces for exercise enthusiasts – whether you’re pounding the pavement on morning runs, getting sweaty at spin class, stretching it out at yoga or jumping around with a HIIT workout. Here are four essential fitness fashion trends to know about now… 1. Quarter zip tops If you buy one thing for working out this season, make it a slim-fit quarter-zip top. Versatile and practical, these breathable mid-layers are great for warm-ups or outdoor workouts on chilly days. Available in cropped and longline styles, they come in a huge range of colours and prints. Nike Air Crop 1/4 Zip Top, £73; Nike Air Flare Leggings, £60, JD Sports Adidas Techfit Cold.Rdy 1/4 Zip Long Sleeve Training Top Preloved Yellow, £55 2. Pink Fabletics Corey SculptKnit L/S Top Very Berry, £49 for members (£64 for non-members); High-Waisted SculptKnit Panelled 7/8 Very Berry, £54 for members (£69 for non-members) Barbie’s favourite colour is still going strong for autumn, especially in the athleisure department. Bring some brightness to your workout wardrobe with everything from pastel pink to fuchsia. Very X Lucky Mecklenburgh Seamless Training Bra Pink, £25; Seamless Cycling Shorts Pink, £25 Puma Ultraweave 2-in-1 Running Jacket Women, £90 3. Bodysuits Gymnastics-inspired unitards are a sleek, all-in-one solution for yoga and Pilates buffs. A workout onesie will take you from the gym to brunch – just throw on a baggy sweatshirt and your outfit is complete. Tala SkinLuxe Unitard Shadow Black, £56 Sweaty Betty Super Soft Bodysuit Trek Green, £110 4. Eighties aesthetic Go retro with 1980s-inspired sportswear – think bright, clashing colours and bold logos on everything. Team an oversized tee or sweatshirt with bike shorts, ribbed ankle socks, chunky trainers and a baseball cap for a cool, vintage vibe. Berghaus Logo Boyfriend T-Shirt, £30, JD Sports Castore Navy Silverstone Core Monobrand Cap, £22
2023-09-07 16:46
JW Anderson is teaming up with a major tennis star for new collection
Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson is collaborating with former tennis player Roger Federer for a new collection with Uniqlo. Federer posted a picture of him with Anderson on Instagram with the caption: “Excited for this one… stay tuned.” The nine-piece unisex collection mixes Anderson’s gender-fluid aesthetic with elements of sporty style. Fleece jackets, sweaters, shorts and parkas are offered in neutral colourways – blacks, whites, greys and blues. Polo shirts are a big feature of the mini collection – and were also seen in JW Anderson’s recent Milan Fashion Week show, where models wore sporty styles and rugby-inspired tops. This is the first time Anderson and Federer are teaming up, but both have long relationships with the Japanese retailer. Federer, 41, has been a brand ambassador for Uniqlo since 2018. This was when he broke off his long-standing deal with Nike, and started wearing Uniqlo outfits on the court. In 2018, it was reported that Uniqlo would be paying Federer around £22 million a year for the next decade. Outside of sportswear, Federer – who retired from professional tennis in 2022 – also models the brand’s lifestyle clothing. The Swiss sportsman told Uniqlo: “My style tends toward simple, muted tones and classic looks. That’s me.” Anderson – who is also the creative director of luxury fashion house Loewe – has been creating collaborative collections with Uniqlo since 2017. His most recent spring/summer Uniqlo collection was described as “a modern interpretation of quintessential British style, as always through JW Anderson’s elegant and playful lens”, and was “inspired by the traditional sports of British universities, putting an athletic twist on classic wardrobe staples”. Federer told WWD: “I’ve always wanted to have a collection perfect for playing tennis while also versatile for the other parts of daily life. “I’m fortunate that Jonathan shared this vision. Together we were able to create a stylish and comfortable line rooted in a classic tennis style. Jonathan is talented, creative and incredibly down-to-earth. It has been a pleasure to work with him on this collection.” Anderson told WWD he was “influenced by watching Roger play” when designing the clothes. He said: “We designed a collection that could be worn in an actual match, for a classic look or just as easily be worn around town. We’ve got something that feels elevated, and it is kind of timeless.” Uniqlo’s Roger Federer Collection by JW Anderson will be available in-store and online on August 28, although that might vary in different regions. Prices range from $39.90 to $89.90 (£31.20 to £70.40). Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live N-Dubz cement comeback with first new album in 13 years Irregular sleep patterns linked to harmful gut bacteria, study suggests Babies as young as four months have taste in fine art, study shows
2023-08-02 19:29
What you need to know about the massive LVMH deal with the Paris Olympics
The LVMH group has announced a significant partnership with the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. The luxury goods conglomerate – which owns brands including Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Tiffany & Co, Moët & Chandon, Hennessy and Dom Perignon – unveiled the news one year ahead of the XXXIII Summer Olympics, set to begin on July 26, 2024. The partnership will include providing products for Olympic events, crafting medals and sponsoring athletes. “It was only natural that LVMH and its maisons be part of this exceptional international event,” said Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH. “Sport is a tremendous source of inspiration for our maisons, which will unite creative excellence and athletic performance by contributing their savoir-faire and bold innovation to this extraordinary celebration.” The first athlete to receive LVMH sponsorship is swimmer Léon Marchand. A strong medal contender for France, the 21-year-old has won three world champion titles and is the world record-holder of the 400-metre individual medley. Make-up brand Sephora will be a partner for the Olympic Torch Relay, while Moët Hennessy wines and the LVMH spirit brands will provide beverages for the Games’ hospitality program. Parisian jeweller Chaumet will design the Olympic and Paralympic medals, and luxury fashion labels Louis Vuitton, Dior and Berluti will lend their expertise in the run-up to the event. LVMH has also committed to expanding its charitable efforts, starting with an initiative with longstanding non-profit partner Secours Populaire Francais. The scheme will facilitate access to sports for 1,000 children and young people aged four to 25 who live in vulnerable situations via funding for sports association memberships, training programs and beginner classes. “LVMH already supported us during our bid for the Summer Olympics and we are thrilled to have the Group with us 100% for this exciting adventure,” said Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee. “With its exceptional know-how, the LVMH Group will bring its immensely creative talent to this project and enable us to benefit from its extensive experience.” LVMH jewellers and leather goods brands have a long history of creating trophies and travel cases for major sporting competitions. The Super Bowl and US Open trophies are created by Tiffany & Co, while the leather trunks that house the World Cup, NBA Championship and Monaco Grand Prix trophies are all made by Louis Vuitton. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Bisexual people ‘experience worse health than other adults’ What’s the coolest bedding to survive summer heat and night sweats? How to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden
2023-07-25 18:58
4 key men’s swimwear trends to rock this summer
Along with sunscreen, flip flops, your favourite sunnies and a good book, swimming shorts are essential if you’re heading off for a beachy break this summer. Whether you’ll be lounging by the pool, snorkelling in crystal clear waters, getting active with adventurous water sports – or all of the above – you’ll need beachwear that suits your vacation mode and your personal style. From stripy shorts to sleek trunks, here are four major men’s swim trends to try this holiday season… 1. Sporty stripes Buffalo Swimming Shorts, £38, Freemans Go retro with classic side stripes and bright colour blocking, paying homage to Seventies and Eighties styles. Nail the athletic aesthetic with swim shorts in bold hues and flashes of neon. Regatta Men’s Benicio Swim Shorts Rocco Red Navy, £19.95 (were £40) Nike Colourblock 5 Volley Swim Shorts, £38, Jacamo 2. Surfer shorts Tap into surfer style with relaxed-fit board shorts in snazzy prints. Think Hawaiian florals, aquatic motifs and sunset shades. FatFace X Marine Conservation Society Coral Swim Shorts, £36 Animal Deep Dive Mens Printed Boardshorts, £35 George at Asda Orange Palm Tree Swim Shorts, £8 3. Geometric prints The coolest way to do nautical style is with subtle geometric prints. A pair of blue and white shorts are on trend now – and will last you for many a summer to come. Ted Baker Popov Dark Blue Geometric Swim Shorts, £60 Threadbare Men’s Navy Geometric Print Swim Shorts, £20 4. Bold briefs Make a summer style statement in a pair of bright briefs. Whether you’re doing laps in the pool or want to minimise tan lines, these swimmers are sleek and chic. Speedo Men’s 7cm Logo Brief Blue/Lilac, £17.15 (were £24.50)
2023-07-20 16:47
As Katie Boulter takes Wimbledon by storm, we look at her best on-court fashion so far
All eyes are on the nation’s new number one tennis player Katie Boulter. The 26-year-old — who plays right-handed and is about 180cm tall — has been in British Vogue, on the cover of Tatler, and had deals with Nike, Wilson and Jaguar, and Airbnb. She won the International Tennis Federation (ITF) doubles title in 2013, was supported by the NTC Pro Access Programme, which offers the highest level of support to developing players between 16 and 24, with the best chance of reaching the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) or The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) top 100 singles players, and claimed her first WTA title at the Rothesay Open Nottingham, this year. The Leicester-born star is now into the second round at Wimbledon after beating Daria Saville, despite the interruption by a Just Stop Oil protestor, who scattered pieces of jigsaw orange confetti on the court. Boulter is in a relationship with Australian Alex De Minaur — also a Tennis player ranked No 17 in the world — and the pair will play mixed doubles at Wimbledon. Here are some of her best looks on the court. Boulter celebrated her victory over Daria Saville on day three of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, in a layered white snug-fitting Nike tennis dress made with a mix of mesh fabrics, leaving the two-layer skirt to flow and flare as she moved. Whilst playing against France’s Caroline Garcia at the Rothesay Classic Birmingham at the Edgbaston Priory Club, Boulter wore a one sleeved patch-worked tennis dress in a yellow and green palette. She paired it with a white Nike sports visor and sweat bands. This web-patterned Nike tennis dress may be one of Boulter’s favourite on-court looks. The two-layers take the traditional tennis skirt in a new direction. She first wore the lilac and black version at the French Open tournament at Roland-Garros stadium in Paris, France. And then repeated the outfit in another colour at the Rothesay Open in Nottingham. Boulter celebrated her victory over Clara Burel on day two of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships in a white Nike tennis dress with a mesh detailing around the collarbone, and exaggerated pleated sides. She paired it with another white Nike sports visor, but no sweat bands this time. This royal blue Nike vest top and white tennis skirt combo was perfect for when Boulter represented Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup in Glasgow singles tournament, last year. She played against Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-07-06 19:19
5 of this summer’s hottest swimwear trends
Holiday season is here – and when it comes to packing for summer getaways, swimwear is of the utmost importance. Whether you’re jetting across the globe or staycationing in the sunshine, a stylish swimsuit or two-piece is a must-have – and there are plenty of incredible pieces to choose from this season. From vintage-inspired prints to bold colours and figure-flattering shapes, these are the five key swimwear trends to know about now… 1. Retro florals The groovy Sixties and Seventies fashion trend spills over into beachwear with flower-powered swimsuits and bikinis. Amp up the vintage vibes by teaming yours with cork wedges, a floppy sun hat and a crochet cover-up. Orla Kiely X Regatta Seagrass Passionflower Swimsuit, £27.95 (was £40) Ted Baker Telisea Cut Out Detail Bikini Top, £45; Tiffnei Bikini Bottoms, £40 2. Barbie pink After what feels like years of anticipation, Greta Gerwig’s live-action Barbie film lands in cinemas right in the middle of vacation season – on July 21 – and the all-pink-everything trend is still going strong. With a plethora of pink swimwear on the high street – everything from string bikinis to sporty suits, in every shade from pastels to fuchsia – everyone can live their best Malibu Barbie life this summer. SimplyBe Crinkle Plunge Swimsuit and Scrunchie, £32.40 Reign Studio Rosa Fuller Bust Bikini Top Fuchsia Pink, £50; Rosa High Waisted Bikini Bottoms Fuchsia Pink, £32 Monsoon Lace Trim Bikini Top with Recycled Polyester Pink, £40; Lace Trim Bikini Bottoms with Recycled Polyester Pink, £35 3. Bandeau After several seasons of lingerie-inspired multi-strap swimwear that leaves you, more often than not, with very weird tanlines (we’re blaming Love Island), minimalist styles are back. Strapless swimsuits and bikinis are sleek and chic. Mix and match block colour separates for a sporty look or make a style statement with a printed two-piece. Seafolly On Vacation Clip Back Bandeau Bikini Top in Azure/Multi, £55; Seafolly On Vacation High Waist Bikini Bottoms in Azure, £65, John Lewis & Partners Jets Australia Oia Sunset Bandeau One Piece, £177 And/Or Shirred Bandeau Bikini Top Blue, £24; Side Shirred Bikini Bottoms Blue, £18, John Lewis & Partners 4. Ring details Bring vintage glam to your poolside look with a ring-detail bikini or bathing suit. Tap into the Seventies trend with paisley or marble print, or go au naturel in caramel and coffee tones. Very Lucy Mecklenburgh Ring Detail Halter Neck Bikini Top in Orange, £18; Ring Detail High Waisted Bikini Brief in Orange, £15 Peacocks Womens Brown Leaf Print One Shoulder Control Swimsuit, £24 5. One shoulder Asymmetrical designs combined with cut-out detailing make for one of the sexiest swimwear trends of the year – and it’s a look celebs and fashion influencers are loving. Go for Grecian glam with a white one-shoulder bikini or jazz it up with a colourful print. Boux Avenue Java Textured Crop Bikini Top White, £25; Java Textured High Waist Bikini Briefs White, £20 Matalan Be Beau Multicoloured Wiggle One Shoulder Swimming Costume, £21 Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Teenagers with obesity should be offered weight loss drug, say experts Harry and Meghan ‘not contacted by royal family’ after car chase in New York Women urged to check blood pressure – here’s what you need to know
2023-05-18 14:57