FROW News is heating up 🔥From Crocs to Cardi B Joining SKIMS and GANNI X 66°North to JLo's New Lingerie Collection, we have it all. 🤩

Hey FROW fam, the cold might be setting in but this Black History Month is certainly packing some heat! The Black British Book Festival is just around the corner and we can’t wait to hear the powerful voices of black authors and creators. Speaking of books, our founder attended the book launch event of Afua Hirsch’s new book Decolonising My Body. It was a beautiful event with some great discussions between Hirsch and Adjoa Andoh.  If you want to be part of something similar, we’re sure the BBB festival will give you that. 

In such a vibrant time of empowerment for the black community, we at FROW also want to show support for the innocent lives who are suffering in the war-torn Gaza. We pray for peace in Israel and Palestine 🤍 

Out here in London, another event worth mentioning is the launch party of the capsule lingerie collection by Intimissimi in collaboration with JLo, at the brand’s Oxford Circus store. Big names like Laura Whitmore, Leomie Anderson, Vick Hope, and Maura Higgins made the event even grander. If you want to know more about this sexy collection, we’ve got all the deets down below. 

In a more local scene, there is a big change coming in the Bullring Shopping Centre in Birmingham. M&S is opening a huge new store spread across 2 floors, forever closing its doors in the High Street location. The Bullring store is set to open on Tuesday, the 7th of November and we can't wait to see it's sleek look! Till then, at least we have Big Brother to keep us entertained. The second set of eviction nominations are out and we’ve also seen the notorious two who broke house rules to share who they nominated to kick out of the house. But as they say, Big Brother sees everything. What did you think about this absurdity? Head over to Twitter/X and let us know. 

We’ve got some amazing new launches from Crocs, Cardi B, Issa Rae, Ruby Hammer, Plantmade and more, so the more you scroll, the more you’ll find out… 

Welcome to Croctober! 🐊🥾

Crocs have certainly kicked off October with a bang, after a month long celebration of Croc Nation in honour of their fan-base to releasing their new, classic Cowboy Boot. The brand's dedicated this month by spreading love to their fans and redefining their values of creativity and self-expression through their fabulous motto ‘Come As You Are’. To keep up the buzz, they've launched one of their most requested shoe designs in brand history, the croc-inspired cowboy boot! The fabulous new shoe features a shiny croc-embossed texture, western-inspired stitching, unique metallic Jibbitz charms and their very first spin-able charm attached to the backstrap! To finish with the rivet detail, their iconic crocodile mascot has gone country, dressed with his very own cowboy hat🤠. How cute! You can find the new Classic Cowboy Boot launch online and in selected Crocs stores on October 23rd with prices starting from $120.

In need of a party outfit? Live Unlimited London are your go-to 💃🏽🪩

We’re back with a striking new launch, Live Unlimited London announced their exclusive ‘Limited’ collection! The plus-size experts are bringing a fresh, partywear capsule of stylish kimonos, dresses and chic tunic vests with a longline shape designed to flatter. The ‘Limited’ range is a sparkly addition to their existing ready to wear collection through hand embellished beading and sparkly sequins designed ready for a winter party. This classic collection comes in sizes 12-28 and we love this inclusivity! You can find their new collection online and in selected John Lewis stores with prices between £79-£245.

TISSA FONTANEDA makes her debut in the UK 🏬🛍️

We're so excited! Tissa Fontaneda’s first flagship store! Located in London, Motcomb Street in the heart of Belgravia, Tissa opens the doors to her dream shop for viewers. The space is beautifully built into a white wood carpentry façade and parquet lightened up with Ljusdesign's spotlight to make her metal toned furniture shine. How inviting! Tissa created a space of luxury and the utmost chic experience through a collection of gorgeous handmade bags and accessories for women. The store will also debut a UK exclusive ready-to-wear range designed from refined materials, alongside their very first menswear collection! Check out the new Tissa Fontaneda store and share some pics online with us!

Feel confident with Jennifer Lopez’s new lingerie collection 🌹 

Any JLo fans? Intimissimi joins together with the goddess Jennifer Lopez to launch an exclusive lingerie capsule! As Lopez recently took the role of their brand ambassador she has gone on to design their latest ‘This Is Me Now’ capsule collection that takes inspiration from her new, upcoming album which represents her evolution and self-reflection. Blending her unique style with Intimissimi’s fabulous quality, the collection consists of delicate embroidered details, refined laces and smooth silk fabrics to give that luxurious appeal! Jennifer created each piece with a small hummingbird accessory to symbolise vibrant energy, luck and resilience as these qualities hold a close place in her heart. We’re in such awe of JLo! The collection offers a trio of appealing colours like champagne, eluding black and jade green. You can find the ‘This Is Me Now’ collection online with prices starting from £24.

Embracing kindness with the Pangaia X Headspace collection 

We’re talking all things self-care girlies, as Pangaia partners up with the mindfulness expert, Headspace, to present a limited edition capsule! The collection aims to bring kindness, harmony and creates a movement of a more accepting world🌍. Both brands encourage individuals to stop and reflect on the importance of self-care, as each piece acts as a gentle reminder to be caring to ourselves and others around us. We absolutely love this message! The range includes a t-shirt, hoodie and tracksuit set, all made from 100% cotton whilst designed in a variety of blissful colours like sweet yellow and mood blue. When you thought that was all, to add to their empowering messages, every purchase includes a one-month subscription to the Headspace app! Could a collection get any sweeter? The Pangaia X Headspace limited-edition collection is available online with prices starting from £65.

Carhartt WIP and New Balance bond through heritages 👟

Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) has collaborated with New Balance on redesigning the iconic ‘Made In The USA 990v6’ trainer! With their signature utility touch, Carhartt revamped the shoe with their rustic colour palette of burnt sunlight and their statement Hamilton brown shade - new trainer in the basket? These earthy tones will appear across the upper, suede overlays and synthetic overlays of the shoe whilst various colours surround the inner linings, mesh underlays and midsole. Of course not forgetting, it features the classic ‘N’ logo in military green across every trainer. You can find the ‘Carhartt WIP X New Balance’ collaboration on both the New Balance, and Carhartt WIP's online stores and in selected retail stores with suggested prices of £220.

Cardi B meets SKIMS  👯♀️

Kim K sure knows what she’s doing! The Grammy award-winning rapper, Cardi B, models in SKIMS all-new cotton collection for their latest campaign. The brand was inspired by Cardi’s undefeated influence, impact on pop culture and continuous music success. Along with her love for her culture and influential voice to this generation, from music, to tips and current issues, she's a diverse talent and they chose brilliantly! 🥳Go Cardi! The international star is showcased in the upgraded cotton collection featuring all new eccentric colours, cuts and waistbands - from underwear to leggings and dresses. Which piece have you got your eye on from the new range?! You can find the ‘SKIMS Cotton Campaign’ featuring Cardi B on the online SKIMS store.

Outerwear is off the charts with GANNI X 66°North

GANNI pairs up with 66°North for not their first but fourth collaboration! This Fall the Copenhagen and Icelandic duo will launch a 14-piece collection ranging with versatile, high-performance outerwear. GANNI’s design team returned to their first collaboration lifting some of their most-loved pieces from their archives to recreate styles such as their staple ‘SS19 Kria Jacket’ inspired by 66°North’s early pieces in the 1990’s. It’s giving vintage! When playful meets practical, the collaboration consists of fresh new fabrics such as Gore-Tex with wind-stopping qualities to Seaquel, a recycled polyester made from plastic waste. The collection includes a mixture of bombers, longline coats, cozy zip necks, cargo pants and skirts all designed in a nature toned palette. Check out the GANNI X 66°North collaboration in both stores online and in selected retail stores with prices starting from £195.  

New album to new footwear with our Jorja Smith 🎶

Launching their first collaboration together, Clarks has partnered up with Jorja Smith to reimagine their suede mule! Debuting her latest album ‘Falling or Flying’, independent singer-songwriter Jorja has soared through the music industry winning a number of awards for her bold talent. From this, she has become a style icon, debuting her take on Clarks Originals by designing a new mule variant. Who's excited to see? The shoe features a sustainable footprint, recycled laces, silver dual-branded fobs and a precise top-stitching with crepe soles that altogether represent Jorja’s look. These homely, new kicks come in black with a white colourway. Check out the ‘ Clarks Originals™ X Jorja Smith’ collaboration online and in selected stores priced at £160.  

Plantmade lands on Sephora UK online! 

The timing could not be more perfect. Plantmade, the herbal haircare brand, is a black business that has been making rounds with its science-backed, plant-based formulas and the promising results that many are seeing. As Black History Month continues to empower us, The brand has also stepped into a new phase of its journey: they’ve landed on Sephora, making their products much more accessible across the country. Whether you are struggling with hair growth, balding, weak hair or beard issues, Plantmade has a trusted formula for your every hair concern, their results are truly fantastic. The brand itself was created when the founder, Ama, struggled with her skin and hair concerns but it was even harder to find reliable products that didn’t use harsh steroids and chemicals. That is why the haircare brand's handmade products are completely vegan, and cruelty-free and use only natural ingredients with no harsh chemicals. They have hair oils, creams, sprays as well as naked wash day gems and skincare for all. Join their mailing list for deals and hair care information and protect your crown as the weather changes and beyond. Oh they're that confident in their hair products that they have a money back guarantee 😉 Prices start from just £12, so check out Plantmade on Sephora UK here or visit the brand’s own website.

Blush Away With Ruby Hammer’s Cheek Colour 

Who else could use a pop of colour on their skin for a healthy, flushed glow? That’s why we for one can’t wait to try the newly launched Cheek Colour by Ruby Hammer! MBE makeup artist, entrepreneur and beauty expert Ruby Hammer brings her three decades of expertise into all her products, and this cheek colour was carefully made the same way. Formulated in Korea with skin-friendly ingredients, the cheek colours are hydrating yet non-greasy while seamlessly melting into the skin. The buildable cream cheek colour comes in three colours - Red, Pink and Natural - so you can pick what compliments your skin tone🪞. The cheek-stick packaging makes it easy to use directly from the package, or with the help of a brush or your fingertips. Just dab it on and blend it upwards and outwards till you get your desired rosy cheeks! The Cheek Colour is priced at £24 and is available at Sephora, CultBeauty and on the brand's website. 

Obagi Breaks Down The Science Behind Lush Lashes🔬

Science-backed skincare brand Obagi Medical just made a new miracle in their labs. Now they have launched their first ever Nu-Cil™ Eyelash Enhancing Serum and the results are out. From their clinical trial, about 90% of participants said their lashes looked fuller and healthier after 16 weeks. So, could we have finally found a solution to fix our lash-less lives? Dr Laurence Dryer at Obagi. said “Over time, the natural lash cycle can be altered by factors such as hormones, stress level, or just the ageing process. As a result, eyelashes can deteriorate and decrease in volume, density, condition, and pigment. By delivering the right blend of ingredients, the eyelash enhancing serum targets the anagen phase of the lash cycle to support overall improvement in the appearance of lashes in as little as 8 weeks.”  The serum is a smart product that makes use of some efficacious ingredients that are then paired with NouriPlex, their patented delivery system that targets each lash. On clean and dry skin, put a thin layer of the lash serum on the upper lash line and wait for it to completely dry. So if you’re ready to try this out, head to Skin Station to get your Eyelash Enhancing Serum for £120. 

Nosheen’s Hair Nectar Is Nature’s New Golden Syrup 🌼

We all have those days when our skin is glowing and our fit is gorge, but our hair is absolutely lifeless and dull. Brush it, wash it or style it, nothing is going to fix it. That’s where Nosheen’s Hair Oil comes into play to give your locks the love they need! Their new Hair Nectar is made with 100% natural oils, it's lightweight, has a leave-in formula that helps smooth hair, tame frizz and repair damage to dull hair. The star ingredients here are rosehip oil which is packed with antioxidants to help strengthen hair while adding shine, lemongrass oil gives you smooth hair and combats stress-related hair loss, and lastly geranium oil which also prevents hair loss with its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. On dry or damp hair, use the dropper lid to a pea-sized amount on your palm, warm it up and apply it to the lengths of your hair for that boost of moisture. The Nosheen Hair Nectar is available for £38 for 30 ml, so shop for it at their website now!

Kylie’s Got A New Concealer In 40 Shades! 💫

Say goodbye to blending two different shades to get the right colour or wearing a shade that looks off, Kylie Cosmetics’ new Power Plush Longwear Concealer has arrived! #inclusivity! The new concealer is not only weightless, buildable, vegan and cruelty-free but it also comes in a range of 40 shades! It brightens, blurs, and smooths dull skin to show a more flawless you. It is formulated to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier while offering long-lasting pigmented coverage for up to 12 hours. Your 9-to-5 might be tiring you out, but your makeup will be going strong sis! And if you’re like us and struggle to get an even application in those hard-to-reach spots, Kylie Cosmetics is also launching their Concealer Brush 02 to help you out. The concealer is priced at £20 whereas the concealer brush is yours for £17, both available at Selfridges, Harrods and Boots from November 1st. 

A Toast To Issa Rae’s New Prosecco 🥂🍾

*Clink, clink, clink* Issa Rae’s own prosecco is here! Yep, our Awkward Black Girl is now a proud creator and founder of Viarae Prosecco, a bright and crisp Italian bubbly perfect for any celebration big and small. Rae is a long-time Prosecco-girl, both on and off-screen and teamed up with world renowned E. & J. Gallo Winery to create it. I mean, her character Issa Dee’s signature drink in the hit HBO show 'Insecure', was prosecco so we definitely see the pattern 👀. Now the multi-talented artist is sharing her love for prosecco with the world, and we are ready to toast to that! “I am thrilled to share my love of Prosecco with everyone through Viarae. It’s carefully crafted, deliciously crisp, and the perfect beverage to celebrate La Dolce Vita,” stated Issa Rae. Founding her own Prosecco label was apparently the natural next step for Rae, who has been working towards this goal for several years now. Viarae Prosecco is Rae’s vision of her dream drink, the perfect prosecco for joyous family occasions or candid times with friends and loved ones. It is refreshing, bright, crisp and subtly dry, offering a new take on the classic Italian sparkling wine. And in Black excellence, Rae highlights representation with its gold and brown packaging. Vintage-dated Viarae Prosecco D.O.C. is crafted from 100% Glera — the traditional grape of Prosecco. The Prosecco is available only in select markets, so visit her website to check where you can get your own bottle of bubbly for a good time.

It’s Always Sunny At Liforme 🌞🧘🏾♀️

Liforme is keeping the energy bright and sunny. We’re talking about their new Radiant Sun Yoga Mats, which is the new addition to their best-in-class mats that are unmatched in the industry. The mats come with the Radiant Sun AlignForMe® Guide, which is Liforme’s signature physiology-based design to assist solo practice so that your alignment is always, well, aligned. Apart from that, these mats are high quality, non-toxic and eco-friendly. They come with a waterproof barrier and a great grip so that you’re not worried about the mat when you sweat (and you should sweat)! Their CleanGrip® technology helps the mat be your best yoga partner as the top surface wicks away moisture from your hands and makes your grip even tighter. Our sweaty palms are high-fiving! The mats remain more hygienic and easy to clean as they have a patented waterproof barrier to protect the rubber material. Liforme founder, James Armitage, said: “Like all of our mats, Radiant Sun is longer and wider than regular yoga mats, provides firm stability and soft cushioning and is planet-friendly and body-kind.” Grab the new Radiant Sun mat in warm yellow, orange or red, for £140 from www.liforme.com, along with a complimentary bag. 

These Sisters Talk About ‘The Mixed-Race Experience’ 📚

Founders of anti-racist advocacy and platform Everyday Racism, sisters Natalie and Naomi Evans have released their new book, ‘The Mixed Race Experience’, which is much more than an experience. The book opens the readers' eyes to the realities of growing up mixed race in Britain today and the conflicts that arise from it as well as within a mixed-race person. Some thought-provoking interviews from other such individuals shed light on some myths and biases within communities. The book also shares practical advice that keeps it real when dealing with topics such as handling racism within your own family, navigating microaggressions and unlearning internalised racism. The Mixed-Race Experience is available for £10.99 at Amazon, Waterstones, W.H.Smith, The Bookshop.org and many other platforms.

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Some thought-provoking interviews from other such individuals shed