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S w e d i s h   S w i m  S h o o t

As we are prepping madly at Peach Trail HQ for the Dessous London show, our Swedish swim wear shoot seems a million years ago. Looking through the images and picking our favorites, bring back some amazing memories of the weekend and the reminder of how lucky we are to live somewhere where mosquitos don't bite your face when you are asleep. For the shoot the PT team and our amazing photographer Esme Mai  headed to the beautiful lakes of the Värmland County in Sweden. A location where no photo will do it justice. Basically heaven with a side order of mosquitos and giant ants with shark like teeth.

Anyway, as a team of 4 made up of friendships that have lasted many line ups of the Sugababes, we flew to Oslo, debated how to work an automatic car, and drove the couple of hours to Sweden (via a supermarket where we discovered the only thing cheap in Sweden is vogue cigarettes- hurrah) to Annicas lake house. Annica is an old friend of the PT team and a force to be reckoned with. I honestly think if it wasn't for her we would all still be stuck on a lake trying to figure out how to row a boat. After a relaxing evening of amazing food and being coxed into the freezing cold lake for what I think was a baptism to scare away all our city spirits and become one with Sweden, we settled down in our little out house with a toilet that was hollow and a front door that didn't even lock (apparently not needed in the Swedish outback) On the day of the shoot our model Donna turns up looking all early twenties and like she too has just dropped from heaven, and we set her the first challenge, of walking through the forest in the rain and mud with us over eager 30 odd year olds wittering on about the latest horrendous date we had been on, or why the hell our mothers won't just shut up.

Don't worry, she survived challenge one.

Challenge two was model our fun new swimwear, designed to tease, in a shared fisherman hut whilst said fisherman kindly showed us the days catch. Guts a kimbo and all. (vom). And challenge three, was getting brave Donna to do a change of bikini pants in a wet rowing boat in the middle of a lake with an audience. This girl is invincible! She is scared of nothing! Believe me, we threw everything at her. Except insect repellent.

Then after walking through more forest in the rain, we settled in for the night in our perfect little summer house and laughed our heads of at all the photos that we ourselves featured in, whilst Donna filled us in in her studies and work.

This girl has brains and beauty.

And even though a small part of me was jealous of her youth and confidence, it also made me so grateful that MY 20's are over. And never to be revisited. Lock that shit away please.

Day 2 featured some more lake side shooting, enough to get a bit of a name for ourselves in the local region. We don't like to leave anywhere without being gossiped about. And then we took the leap and actually dressed ourselves, brushed our hair, and went for coffee and cake in the local town of Arvika. I don't know if any of you have ever had Prinsesstårta cake but I recommend it. Don't be put off by the unnatural lime green colour of the icing, it's actually the best thing that will ever pass your lips.

After we dropped of Donna at a train station with no idea if trains even stopped, we headed back to our little home to drink and eat ourselves silly, dressed up in a variety of fur hats we found in places that were not meant to be found, discussing our real lives which seemed so far away.

As well as providing the most beautiful back drop for Peach Trail’s first Swim Collection, these short but sweet 3 days in Sweden reminded me that, of all the adventures we have been on and are still yet to come, I'm so glad to be doing it with my Sugababes line up.

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M e ,  J o y c e  &  J u n o

This weekend I took myself of to the Saatchi Gallery for a date day for one hoping to feel inspired by the self-indulgent exhibition of SELFIE

Due to my constant binge on social media, a lot of the photos were not new to me. Though the concept I enjoyed.

 The one image that caught my eye, and probably has yours too, was the image of Juno Calyspo in the heart swimming pool flirting outrageously with herself in multiple mirrors.

 Once reading the blurb on this photograph and short film (where at one point she is covered in green paint, Beetlejuice Beauty Queen style) I was struck by the sadness of the construction instead of the bold self-assured beauty. But maybe I have read this all wrong.

 The sexy, retro shoot is from Juno’s collection called the Honeymoon Suites and is based around a character called Joyce.

This is Joyce’s 3rd series.

 After 2 decades of taking pictures of herself in private (before you judge, we all joined Myspace about 15 years ago, so we are not far behind) Juno began a series of self-portraits staged as a fictional character called Joyce.

Like most people with a beautiful vision, I think Juno was excited about the idea, and thought she would worry about the meaning later.

Joyce began appearing in rented bedrooms and taking photos of herself whilst her companions / hosts were sleeping….it’s ok we have all been there.

As stated by Juno ‘Once alone I used Joyce to reenact the private underlife of a woman consumed by the laboured construct of femininity, carried out to the point of ritualised absurdity.’ (and) ‘The Honeymoon’ is a continuation of the ‘Joyce’ series.’

Art is how the viewer depicts it. I see Joyce, lonely, and though sometimes around other people, still so trapped in her own self-acceptance and that she can’t move past the idea of how others view her.

Or is that me.

Juno spent a week alone, at various couple-only honeymoon resorts in Pennsylvania. For me, this is self-indulged torture at its most high. Most people watch The Notebook with ice-cream. Personally, myself and my friends watch The Craft and make voodoo dolls of our exes. Juno just goes ONE BETTER.

She packs wigs and wedding lingerie and displays her adventures as a travel writer, so the hotels and resorts give her access to various rooms.

Once inside she creates these hypnotizing self-portraits of lonely moments of Joyce, preparing or waiting for a honeymoon.

‘Joyce appears alone, absorbed and exhausted by her own reflection.’

I believe the concept is to make you feel the way Joyce feels, perhaps, in anticipation for said honeymoon.

I however cannot get my head around Juno.

Checking into honeymoon suites, dressing up and taking video, or photo selfies whilst engrossed in the act of self-awareness. Cue a Lana Del Ray number.

 Maybe I am being too sensitive, but to put yourself into a lonely situation, pretending to be someone else in an awaiting situation, gives me anxiety. And gives me amazing respect for Juno.

I have since become engrossed in series one and two of Joyce, I can see that she has always had an interest in beauty and how she looks. I mean, she’s even invested in one of those slightly scary electronic face masks.

But the dark side starts to appear in the second story. I think around the time Joyce attempts to OD on Pork Luncheon Meat, and you start to see this bored unsettled character roaming around in lingerie and nightwear.

I am imaging Joyce has married a wealthy man, perhaps 20 years her senior, and she is spending her house wife days slowly getting more and more bored and looking at herself in the mirror for too long. I like her, I think I would do the same.

 Juno studied at Chelsea School of Art and London college of Communication and is defiantly someone to keep tabs on. Her creation of beauty lures you in, and her concept of self-awareness will make you addicted unsettled and hooked.

Images from @junocalypso Instagram

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I T ’ S  A  M A T C H !

Whether you are on Tinder, Happn, Bumble, Grinder, Her, or just Instagram stalking your imaginary girlfriend, the online dating scene will have been your favourite/most annoying, time-consuming hobby if you are single, or have been in the last 4 years.

According to a survey done by match.com, Millennials (that’s all of us over 25 I am afraid) are 48% more likely to sleep with someone on the first date to ‘check there is a spark.’

You don’t want to be stuck with a bad lay for life after all. 

Dr Helen Fisher, chief scientific advisor at Match even refers to this as a sex interview:

“We have a real misunderstanding of Millennials, I think they are very career-oriented, so sex before the first date could be a sex interview."

Well, congrats to me for getting through to the next round!

God knows how, my sexual CV is worse than my hair cut history. 

I must off impressed in the practical.

In November 2016 Tinder released an update so there is now 37 different gender options for you to pick. I can’t even work that out.

But this is amazing news, as now everyone gets the chance to meet someone new. 

Sarah Karlan, Buzzfeed's deputy LGBT editor, said: "It's super important for dating apps and dating websites to be trans-inclusive because there are trans people who want to date and use these apps”

And now with an estimated 50 million users, acknowledging the Millennials needs and creating these updates is obviously working well for them.

I dismissed Tinder many moons ago, as it went through a very sex-obsessed stage. I mean, I know it’s just for fun but the clientele and smutty messages all got too much for me.

The final straw was when I matched with Jamie from Made In Chelsea. Mortified. He’s small, blonde, and a loud mouth. Not my type at all, except for the huge bank balance. And I love a McVities biscuit.

Though this is the factor of these apps that you have to remember. 

At no point do you tick the pointless boxes of things you like in a man/women, like a dating website will do.

We have chosen the quick and easy route, so we must continue.

 I tried Bumble for approximately a week, before I realised I am just an old town girl, living in a lonely world, who does not want to message first.

Then Happn, or as I like to call it (NothingWill)Happn. 

Here I just gained the information of where a lot of semi-good looking men lived.

And then no one talks.

So, with my heels dragging, I go back to Tinder with the rumour that the sex-fest was over, because the Apps slutty little sister Thrinder has entered the party and literally will talk to anyone, especially two people at a time.

And it worked for me!

I mean, don’t think this is a Disney story.

There were still a few frogs and sappy princes’ lurking before I found my Gaston (because LET’S BE HONEST, a spoilt prince with anger issues, or an assertive old fashioned man? Belle, you picked the wrong one.)

But like anything, persistence is key.

And so is a good get out clause. I don’t believe in the lemon law

**The Lemon Law is created to avoid spending too long on a date that is going nowhere. The Lemon Law entitles a person to call off the date within the first five minutes with no repercussions.**

I mean I do, I just do not have the guts to do it.

I believe in sending an emoji to my girls WhatsApp group which means ‘RING ME NOW, HIS PICTURE WAS PHOTOSHOPPED’ or also useful if their hobby is painting Ouija boards with their own blood. (It’s a thing apparently).

I suggest you chose your emergency emoji, and get back on Tinder because this ladies, is the best chance you have to find your match.

Or at least a decent fuck buddy.

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5 things to do this Valentines if you are flying solo.

There is no need to find yourself in the bath, crying over an empty bottle of wine this Valentines.

We Peaches do not want to see any ice cream, any tissues, or any Bridget Jones. We want some serious solo sensuality.

Pull yourself together, and join us for some mindfulness and spiritual wellbeing.

ONE – BE HYGGE

Relaxing like a Danish is becoming very popular as a lifestyle trend, with books like ‘The Little Book of Hygge’ by Meik Wiking and ‘Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness’ by Marie Tourell Søderberg, both guiding us through the laid back, self-indulgent way of losing time.

Reminding us that simple things like drinking hot chocolate (or wine) under a blanket whilst watching TV, or doing a jigsaw puzzle are easy, relaxing and cheap ways to spend an evening spoiling yourself in some much needed homemade TLC.

Just light a candle, get comfy, and turn your phone on silent.

TWO – CLEAN OUT YOUR WARDROBE

You need to do it, don’t deny it.

That old dress you said you would wear to this Christmas party – and then bought a new one. Those jeans you don’t fit in anymore and you are just blaming Christmas. And all those under £15 sale embroidered blouses that you know deep down you are not going to wear on the beach next summer, (as your holiday allowance is rapidly disappearing in Zara), need to be sold or donated.

Clear wardrobe, clear mind.

Cancer Research collects unwanted clothes and the money they make from your donation goes towards their necessary research and life-saving work.

Take a photo of your items and submit your contact details with the Gone for Good App http://goneforgood.org.uk/

This is an easy way to sort a collection, either as a one-off or regularly.

THREE – COOK

Find a new recipe and cook it.

Not to train to be a good housewife, and not to eat yourself to death. But to relax, be productive and maybe save money by making enough for the week.

Our new one to reference at Peach Trail HQ is the Scandinavian Comfort Food book by Trine Hahnemann.

Following on our Hygge obsession, this beautiful book has healthy, yet rich meals made easily from ingredients you already know.

Whether it’s the chicken soup with herbs and root vegetables or rhubarb trifle with rye crumbs, something in this book will get you excited, and full of fresh winter comforts.  

 FOUR – WORK OUT

Go to the gym….it may be quieter. Also, not that we’re looking, but any hot men/women in there will be single, or wanting to be.

Get some sexy gym gear on and imagine yourself in a Jane Fonda workout video.

Off the other half? Make use of the empty space and sweat it out till you beat that target you’ve been promising yourself since early January.

Sweaty Bettys legging line offers a variety of styles and comfort for any workout situation. The Zero Gravity leggings are my personal favourite. Signatured as the ‘bum-sculpting superhero’ these leggings are made from Sensitive Sculpt, Polyamide Elastane and I am presuming magic.

Sensitive Sculpt fabric offers muscle support and slims the body, as well as keeping its stretch and matt finish after many machine washes.

Coming in cropped or long length with various print styles, these are a treat you need.

Even if just to wear around the supermarket with a baggy sweater, pretending you’ve been running around the park.

 FIVE – A DATE WITH NOA

Lelo states to be the home of Valentines, and it’s not wrong. Including a Valentines for one.

Met Noa.

http://www.coco-de-mer.com/products/lelo-noa-rechargeable-couples-vibrator/

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A U T U M N   I S   H E R E …

Autumn is the perfect time to be cozying up inside with the most beautiful lingerie. I know, being lingerie obsessed, this is the time I like to invest in some new seductive underwear, alongside some cozy sleep and loungewear to keep me happy as the nights get longer and darker…

Here are our top pics, all available on Peach-trail.com  

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We love the new Freolic shoot! It’s making us really excited about the autumn and long drawn in nights snuggled up in seductive underwear. All available on Peach Trail.

www.peach-trail.com  

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A G E N T  P R O V O C A T E U R  AW16 C A M P A I G N...

Can we stop a second to gawp at the new AP AW16 campaign?

In an unmistakable shift from their SS16 campaign. Both the products and the images have a dark sultry romance to them – possibly steering slightly away from AP’s usual overly glamorous and sensual images and giving a more raw, relaxed feel. 

The new designs feature pale, delicate laces contrasted commonly with sheer black. The interesting combination of striped peach and black laces brings an edge to classic shapes whilst still being unquestionably AP designs. A favourite of mine would have to be the sheer jumpsuit, as you don’t tend to see enough lingerie/loungewear jumpsuits, and it makes me think of some kind of dark, gothic circus! 

Antique gold lace confirms the luxuriousness of this collection, and as a bonus, this colour looks great on anybody. The favourite halterneck bra shape is back once more with a fabric revamp and delicate detailing (the beading detail is so 1970s but it totally works). 

The whole campaign seems to be a mix of inspiration of ethnic influences, the 1970s and hippie culture with an injection of 1990s grunge, and signature AP glamorous cuts. I can’t wait to see the collection in person and hear some reviews on the products. 

What do you think of the new collection? Are you a fan of the campaign images? Leave a comment below! All products can be found for sale at www.agentprovocateur.com 

By LAUREN SMITH 

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D O R A  L A R S E N....

Exciting things are happening at Peach Trail. We would love to introduce you to Dora Larsen. The new lingerie brand with the most beautiful soft colours, in the most luxurious eyelash lace (always a favourite at Peach Trail)

‘High-quality mesh ensures the best possible fit. eyelash lace elevates the style. and, in a lingerie world saturated in nude and black, dora larsen takes colour as its chief inspiration’. 

Coming soon to Peach Trail

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F O L L O W  T H E  P E A C H  T R A I L...

We’ve been lucky enough to be featured in One&Other magazine. See it here and hear us talk about fetish, femininity and our inspirations. 

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We are delighted to announce that we have started stocking Yolke. The perfect night to day transitional garment, for the pyjama dressing trend, or simply for snoozing at home. 

Friends Ella and Anna, the girls behind the brand met whilst working at Temperley London back in 2006. Ella, textile designer and Central St Martins alumni brings her creativity to the prints and weaves at the heart of the brand, whilst Anna sees to the nuts and bolts. 

The brand focuses on timeless design that lives beyond the season. Once reserved solely for the bedroom, pyjamas have made the transition into daywear.

Shop now on Peach Trail.

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T H R E E  B O D Y S U I T S  T O  B E  W O R N  N I G H T  &  D A Y...

The best thing about a body, is how it can also magically turn from a playful bedroom piece, to a flawless outerwear item to be worn with your favourite skinny jeans, or under a sheer top. 

Here are three of our favourites, perfect for Spring seduction....

01 Emily Body Peach Trail

02 Playboy Bunny Body Fleur Du Mal 

03 Lana Body L’Agent 

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F O R  L O V E  A N D  L E M O N S 

Lavish devore, embroidery, inovative strapping and halter bow ties, our favourite ‘For Love and Lemons’ have done it again. 

California based brand, have become the most creative directional brand in the lingerie market. The 2016 collection includes swimwear, and some erotic bridal pieces (finally someone is doing this!). 

Think of this brand as ‘seductive boho', worn to be seen not hidden.

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FEMINISM IS NOT A TREND.

We love the ME and YOU ‘Feminist’ pants. This is underwear, for YOU! Its comfortable, cute and demand is high. These pants sold out in a matter of weeks.

Real life BFF's Mayan Toledano and Julia Baylis, founders of Me and You, met in fashion school and bonded over their mutual love of all things girly. The Me and You world encompasses things like, friendship, feminism, messy bedrooms, temporary tattoos, Nancy Sinatra, name necklaces, kisses....and celebrates the nostalgia of being a girl.  

We all know that Feminism is no longer a dirty word. Who wouldn't want to achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women? 

Me and You have collaborated with our favourite Petra Collins and Arvida Bystrom so create honest and beautiful photography.

‘We are lucky enough to be part of a movement of female artists who are doing incredible things and changing the scope of art and design, so we wanted to include that on the site. Fashion is so fluid now, it's no longer about an elite group of people telling you what to wear and how to look’

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AUBADE COLLABORATES WITH CHRISTIAN LACROIX 

Oozing french tradition and nostalgia, Inspired by Marie Antoinette and the French city of Versailles, the capsule collection is due to hit stores in October. Sizing will go up to a G cup (exciting) and featuring acid pastels and the clash of pink and black, will be stocked in Harrods and Rigby & Peller, alongside others.

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FRAULEIN KINK SNEAK PEEK!

''La Vie en Rose'' which translates to ''Life in Rosy Hues'' is the newest collection of luxury accessories by Fräulein Kink.  Featuring a sensual color palette of Metallic Rose Gold, Blush & Black leathers. Luxurious vintage rose Swarovski® crystals rivets & hand tied blush ballet ribbon bows are key accents in this romantic collection.

See you in Paris Fraulein Kink! 

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THE BEST BRA WE HAVE EVER EVER SEEN.

Cristina Aielli...WE ARE READY. 

This amazing lingerie designer, with made to measure exquisite lingerie, has the most beautiful pieces we have seen in a long time.  Her website is under construction and will be ready any day now, so keep your ears to the ground, but as a little tease, check her Instagram here to get as excited as we are. 

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&Other Stories have released the most perfect, body positive, honest lingerie campaign for their latest collection. The Swedish brand, feature ‘real women’ with visible tattoos, body hair, birthmarks and scars. It’s refreshing that the images remain untouched and the lingerie mostly unedited. Shot by female photographer Hedvig Jenning (previously featured in Hunger magazine for Marc Jacobs, alongside Sleek mag and many others) this shoot feels like the first of many more honest shoots to come. Unrealistic ‘face tuning’ and photoshopping is surely growing tiresome and becoming an unhealthy ideal to live up too? Could this be the beginning of more anti-Photoshop shoots within the fashion industry? We hope so! 

Shop the collection here.