All posts by : AyFa Collections

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You’d be hard-pressed to find a wellness fad I haven’t tried. Butter coffee, propping my legs up against a wall (crucial for pre-bed anxiety spikes), sweating my life away in an infrared sauna–if someone (anyone) has said it’s good for you, then I’ve done it. My latest fixation is one of my more controversial: nightly castor oil stomach wraps.

As a pre-bed ritual, I’ll take a palmful of castor oil, rub it onto my stomach in a clockwise motion, then wrap a beige piece of medical-looking fabric over the top to protect my pyjamas and sheets from oil stains. It’s a bit like wearing a huge, ugly belt. In the morning, I’ll whip it off, jump in the shower and go about my day.

The benefits I’ve noticed include substantially less bloating in the morning, and better and much more regular bowel movements. An overshare, perhaps, but if you’re a hormonally-challenged person, constipation can exacerbate already painful symptoms due to a build-up of excess oestrogen that can’t be excreted. Buoyed by my own observations,  I went in search of an expert to help me understand exactly why it’s been working.

Does castor oil wrapping actually work?

If you go by the thousands of social media videos showing people, like me, using castor oil on their stomachs, then yes. Doctors and medical professionals, however, take a much more dim view of the whole thing.

“It possibly works,” Dr Vijay Murthy, functional medicine and ayurvedic doctor and founder of the Murthy Clinic, says when I ask. “There’s a small study signalling castor oil can help ease constipation symptoms in older adults.” But, he cautions, that clinical trial didn’t show an increase in bowel frequency – just improved symptoms over a short period of time.

Murthy agrees that there are benefits to using castor oil packs for comfort, warmth and relaxation – he just can’t go as far as to suggest that applying castor oil topically can do much to help with aiding digestion. It’s also not recommended to use a castor oil pack during menstruation, as it can increase cramping and, in some instances, bleeding.

Castor oil contains something called ricinoleic acid, which stimulates smooth muscle (the small and large intestines each contain multiple layers) and can mimic the effects of a laxative. Taking castor oil orally, though, is not recommended for many people, including pregnant women, as it can trigger “uterine-stimulation”, or early labour, and interact with certain medications.

Being truly seen and loved is something that, for a while now, was thought to only happen in romantic relationships. But women’s friendships, even though they’re platonic, have a pull of their own: They can deliver the same intimacy, connection and support you’d expect from a partner through your highs, lows and messy in-betweens.

“For a lot of women, the relationships with our female friends are actually the centre of our lives,” says Joy Harden Bradford, PhD, licensed psychologist and author of Sisterhood Heals: The Transformative Power of Healing in Community. “When we look at who’s really been there for us when things were difficult, when we weren’t sure who we were, it really is our girlfriends who help us find our identities through the years to get stronger.”

So why do women’s friendships feel so different—and often stronger—than friendships between men? According to Dr. Bradford, these are the unique factors that set them apart.

1. Women bond by confiding, not just through shared activities

“Even as children, girls are often socialised to interact with their peers through storytelling, secret keeping and secret sharing,” Dr. Bradford says. From the playground to the dorm rooms, they’re encouraged to talk about what’s happening in their lives—confiding about crushes, work stress or family drama—to narrate the small, daily moments that shape their world.

Boys, on the other hand, tend to form bonds around shared activities, Dr. Bradford explains—like video games, sports and other collaborative hobbies. While these moments do provide solid common ground to build an organic friendship, they also leave less room for the kind of open, vulnerable conversations that foster emotional intimacy, seen as the foundation of many female bonds.

2. Women are socialised to be more vulnerable

For so long, toxic masculinity has made it feel unnatural, even embarrassing or shameful, for men to cry about disappointment, express their hurt feelings or confront a friend about something that bothered them (like repeated lateness or a passive-aggressive comment).

“Only recently are we coming around to discussing a healthier approach to masculinity: that it’s okay to be in touch with your feelings and cry,” Dr. Bradford says—something that has long been normalised, practised and encouraged amongst women.

3. Women pay attention to the small details

Dr. Bradford has noticed that women, in particular, are great at remembering the small but meaningful details of each other’s lives—the big presentation you were nervous about, for instance, or that annual checkup you kept postponing, or the Tinder date you off-handedly mentioned during a happy hour.

No longer just a supporting neutral, brown bags have solidified their status as a wardrobe staple in recent seasons, and in some cases, surpassed black bags as the accessory of choice. No doubt “mocha mousse”, Pantone’s colour of the year, had some sway in brown becoming the new black; likewise, the heightened interest in earthy-toned, boho-leaning looks, following Chemena Kamali’s triumphant takeover at Chloé.

On the runways, bags rendered in chocolate and hazelnut shades emerged at Acne Studios – the Swedish fashion house’s creative director, Jonny Johansson, created a textured leather version of the brand’s iconic Multipoches bag, alongside a large folded leather tote and top-handle briefcase. Prada, meanwhile, opted for structured silhouettes in walnut brown, and Isabel Marant showed bags in soft, caramel suede and a warm, walnut-toned leather, among others.

Isabel Marant autumn/winter 2025.

Chloé autumn/winter 2025.

There are a wealth of brown bags available right now made from suede, supple leather and even nylon. Whether slouchy or structured, small or sizeable, there’s a brown bag for every style or occasion. Here, Vogue edits some of the best.

Which brown bags to invest in in 2025?

Acne Studios- Brown Multipocket Bag

Chloé- Medium Leather Camera Shoulder Bag

Isabel Marant- Suede Shoulder Bag

Marks & Spencer- Suede Studded Shoulder Bag

Prada- Prada Suede Arque Shoulder Bag

DeMellier- New York Leather Tote

Zara- Canvas Weekender Bag

Kurt Geiger London- Large Chelsea Slouch Hobo Bag

Liffner- Mega Sprout Suede Bag

Anthropologie- Woven Faux-Leather Tote Bag

Prada- Prada Buckle Belted Suede Bucket Bag

Reiss- Chocolate Suede Shoulder Bag

Miu Miu- Beau Patent Leather Shoulder Bag

WANDLER- Hortensia Mini Suede Top-Handle Bag

H&M- Large Leather Tote Bag

COS- Folio Hand-Woven Bag

Bottega Veneta- Knot Lock Leather Shoulder Bag

& Other Stories- Leather Bowling Bag

Valentino Garavani- Nellcote Embellished Suede Tote

Coach- Empire Carryall Bag 34

JW Anderson- Suede Loafer Bag

ME+EM- Oversized Circular Bag

Gucci- Gucci Giglio Small Tote Bag

WANDLER- Suede-Leather Tote Bag

Gucci- Gucci Jackie 1961 Medium Bag

Chloé- Paddington Textured-Leather Shoulder Bag

This story first appeared on Vogue.fr.

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Cosmic tip: Unleash your magic by reclaiming your inner strength and ask yourself—what do I like about myself and my life now?

Zoom out and relax, Leo. Have you been taking your life too seriously? Have you been worrying incessantly, and have you been trying to micromanage the cosmos unto infinity? Well, your guides suggest you open up your eyes to your present moment and really notice the synchronicities and serendipities that are surrounding you. Prioritise your health in the near future by prioritising it in your present—mental, emotional, spiritual and physical. You are walking through a doorway that is lit up just for you, and you can make it whatever you like.

Cosmic tip: Strengthen your resolve, your boundaries and your willingness to shine.

This is a time to nourish your relationships and really bring them back to life, Virgo. Your guides and the cosmos are both reminding you of the importance of your personal power at this point, and you, my dear friend, are not to take defeat as your result. Keep powering through whatever it is that you are currently experiencing and, in turn, cherish your sacredness. The light that will help you see the way forward is right beside you—simply lift it, look within and light up your inner worlds.

Cosmic tip: Remember who you are, you magical soul.

If you are stuck together—be it within a relationship, a partnership or a recurring situation—and there is no way that you see out of where you are, Libra, perhaps addressing the root might help heal the situation—either accept it or make peace with it to get to the core. You can always learn to adapt, change and grow—and while yes, this can feel frustrating, you must remember that this is the only way forward. In the eyes of the cosmos, everything follows an order—even the seeming chaos. So find that calm within to detangle your life now.

Cosmic tip: Your health is your greatest asset—invest in it now.

Scorpio, you don’t need more rules; you need more love, more room to grow and to allow things to take their own shape. What you really need is to open your heart and your soul to the possibilities that arise when you stop imposing limitations upon yourself or others, or even what is possible. For you to bring heaven to earth, what you need more of is not structure and order—but a willingness to receive, a belief in yourself and an inclination to see what can bloom if you allow it to. Rigid rules and decorum are for the 3D; flow, faith, surrender and courage are for the 5D. You are no longer creating your physical life from what is available—you are being encouraged to bring the energetic realms to life within your reality by simply staying open, consistent and choosing peace.

This week, the eyes did most of the talking. Priyanka Chopra’s return to Mumbai for Bvlgari’s Serpenti Infinito opening came with smoked kohl and feathered lashes against a taut bun and white drape. For Durga Puja, Alia Bhatt wore the same rimmed gaze, softened by washed lids and a bindi that pulled the look into tradition. Tamannaah Bhatia carried the thread into colour, blending lilac shadow with a glossy pink lip to mirror the bow of her gown. One feature, handled three ways, shapes the week’s strongest beauty looks.

Priyanka Chopra paired the sweep of a white draped gown with pulled-back hair, smoked kohl eyes and a muted rose lip. Her base was kept matte with light contouring to carve out cheekbones, lashes were feathered to give lift without heaviness, and brows brushed into shape. The stripped-back palette and taut bun gave her backlace the stage.

For the exhibition’s opening, Diana Penty paired a navy scalloped neckline with centre-parted S waves that skim the shoulders. The makeup sits warm against the cool set: a satin base with subtle warmth through the cheekbones, a light wash on the lids, black liner pressed into the upper waterline, lifted lashes and brows brushed to a natural arch. A tea-rose nude lip in a satin finish echoes the blush tones.

Sanya Malhotra’s skin was luminous with a natural colour along the cheeks, paired with a glossy nude-pink lip. Eyes were softly defined with blended-out kohl and feathered lashes, while brows held shape without looking overdrawn. A cobalt bindi pulled focus to the eyes and echoed the blue tones of her lehenga for a festive finish.

Kriti Sanon’s makeup builds around a luminous base with gentle sculpting through the cheekbones, lids brushed with a muted mauve and softly blended into the crease, and lashes left defined but not heavy. Brows are full and brushed upwards, giving structure, while the lips are a glossy mirror of the lids.

Ali Bhatt paid her respects at Kajol and Rani Mukherji’s families’ Durga Puja pandal in a classic look by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Her hair fell in soft waves tucked behind her ear, drawing attention to the ornate drop earrings and hair jewellery that graze the neckline. Skin is left natural, the flush on her cheeks echoed by a pink-toned wash across the lids, paired with kohl-rimmed eyes. The lips are in a rosy beige, keeping the focus on the eyes and the bindi.

The Durga Puja pandal in Mumbai, hosted annually by Kajol and Rani Mukerji’s families, saw a star-studded turnout this year too. Among them was Alia Bhatt, who made her way to pay her respects with friend and director Ayan Mukerji, in a custom olive green Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla sari.

Her sari is a handwoven Dhakai Jamdani sari, a handloom that finds its origins in West Bengal and Bangladesh. With its roots in the region and its deep cultural symbolism, the textile felt like a sartorial homage to Durgotsava, the foremost festival of Bengali Hindus and a celebration of tradition, devotion and artistry. “Alia Bhatt is an absolute dream in custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Couture,” the designer duo shared. “She wears a deliciously delicate, fine handwoven Dhakai Jamdani sari that was handwoven over three months. The border is accented with intricate zardozi borders in gold and silver,” they add, elaborating on the creation that starts a dialogue between handwoven textile and handmade embroidery.

There are some colours that sit comfortably in the neutrals section, while others can’t help but make a statement. Burgundy, however, smartly straddles the line between the two – easier to style than a glaring fire-engine red, but bolder than a simple brown.

Over the past few seasons, wine-cellar red has been making a name for itself on the runways. Harking back to Sabato De Sarno’s “Rosso Ancora” – a rich maroon colour that was introduced as part of Gucci’s spring/summer 2024 collection and remained a mainstay while De Sarno was at the helm. Now with Demna taking the reigns, it’s clear from his debut collection that burgundy isn’t going anywhere just yet. Both look 6 and look 20 from the spring/summer 2026 collection featured rich, maroon hues in all their glory.

Gucci spring/summer 2026.

Gucci spring/summer 2026.

Although Gucci has proven its transeasonal versatility, burgundy is a shade commonly associated with autumn – hence its prominence throughout the autumn/winter 2025 collections. Saint Laurent, Prada, Max Mara and Burberry are just a few of of the fashion houses that embraced this merlot tone, and so unsurprisingly this has influenced this month’s street style scene.

Burberry autumn/winter 2025.

Saint Laurent autumn/winter 2025.

Whether you opt for a burgundy accent by way of a bag or a chic pair of shoes, or prefer to pull out the stops with a head-to-toe wine-toned outfit, there are plenty of ways you can incorporate this shade into your autumnal wardrobe. Scroll on for eight of our favourite ways to wear burgundy, right now.

A Strong Pour

A burgundy maxi dress will make a striking impact, during or after business hours, so you can keep the rest of your look simple with slick boots and gold jewellery.

Net-A-Porter – Iana gathered maxi dress

Net-A-Porter – Bailey ribbed tank

Massimo Dutti – Heeled leather boots

Net-A-Porter – Stowaway leather shoulder bag

Net-A-Porter – Celia gold-plated hoop earrings

Net-A-Porter – Astrid medium gold vermeil cuff

Just to Taste

Add a bit of texture to your typical maxi skirt look with a fuzzy burgundy knit. Bright white ballet flats add just the right pop of contrast.

Net-A-Porter – Natalia brushed-cashmere sweater

Mango – long flared skirt

Everlane – The Day ballet flat

SSENSE – Banana cross-body bag

Mytheresa – Courant 18kt gold single earring

Another Round, Please!

Switch up your typical skirt or suit set by trying it in shades of burgundy. We love Loulou Studio’s sweet suiting vest layered over a white tee and under a cropped leather jacket.

Net-A-Porter – Teora stretch-wool vest

Net-A-Porter – Samos stretch-wool maxi skirt

Massimo Dutti – cropped nappa leather trench coat

Saks fifth avenue- Mariela crewneck t-shirt

Net-A-Porter – The Piped patent-leather loafers

Net-A-Porter – The Diana sterling silver earrings

Well-Balanced

An easy off-duty look gets a bit of a boost with a burgundy barn jacket and quirky accessories.

Net-A-Porter – Intrecciato shell down jacket

COS – oversized faded t-shirt

Net-A-Porter – Low Curve wide-leg jeans

Bergdorf Goodman – Vivian metallic ballerina flats

MYTHERESA – Galaxy 18kt gold ear cuff

SSENSE – Pillow medium tote

Bottoms Up

Burgundy trousers are an unexpected way to elevate your typical office outfit. We love them paired with deep brown and a dusty green jacket.

Net-A-Porter – Antone pleated wool pants

Net-A-Porter – convertible belted trench coat

Net-A-Porter – Rollup small leather shoulder bag

Net-A-Porter – 18-karat recycled gold bracelet

Net-A-Porter – leather sneakers

Gets Better With Age

Leather skirts continue to be a must-have item for fall, and we’re loving them in shades of burgundy. Add texture to your look by layering a poplin shirt under a collarless jacket, and adding a pair of leather knee-high boots.

Bergdorf Goodman – Mona double-face wool jacket

Banana Republic – leather skirt

J.CREW – Étienne oversized shirt

Net-A-Porter – Arla leather knee boots

SSENSE – gold double knot earrings

Full-Bodied

Take a cue from The Row’s fall collection by pairing burgundy with a dusty pink. Brown corduroy pants and shiny loafers finish the look.

Saks fifth avenue – Sanza wool-blend coat

Everlane – The Must-Have shirt

Bergdorf Goodman – Le Slim Palazzo corduroy jeans

SSENSE – week-end belt bag

You Had Me at Merlot

One of our favourite ways to transition our go-to summertime skirts is by teaming them with cropped, twill jackets for coverage—and a hint of the outdoors! Add a drip of merlot with Coach’s classic bucket bag.

Sporty & Rich – Prep H&W Crest embroidered cotton-twill jacket

Coach – Bleecker bucket bag

Dôen – Elowette floral-print skirt

This story first appeared on vogue.com

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Cosmic tip: True wisdom is appreciating all that you have going for you while working through the stuff that needs refinement.

Tired of trying, but you know, Scorpio, it is going to work out. You know things are going to move and you know at a deep cellular level they are transforming. Scorps, it all comes together one fine day and it is then that you will thank yourself that you never stopped. Your perseverance is what will lead you to where you need to be. And your vision is what will keep you in the let-me-keep-going mode. So hold onto it dearly.

Cosmic tip: Keep going despite the odds.

Whatever else may be going however else in your life, Sag, love is one sphere that is taken care of—be it the romantic kind, the platonic kind, the familial kind or even one that you share with your pets. Sag, instead of looking at your life as individual branches, have you considered looking at it from a perspective of your life being the trunk of a tree and all your experiences, desires, wishes being branches and fruit? So keep focusing on how sturdy your trunk and roots feel rather than the season fruit it bears. You will find blessings wherever you go.

Cosmic tip: Connect with the earth for wisdom and grounding.

You are hard working, you are diligent, you are perseverant, you are resilient, you are creative, you are empathetic, you are inspiring—yet you doubt yourself. Capricorn, everyone has those parts that they could change—but you know a bigger truth? As children, we are born knowing our strengths but we are only later taught to focus on our weaknesses through societal conditioning and that is exactly what keeps us playing small. The point? Stop being so hard on yourself and step into the vibrant being you naturally are.

Cosmic tip: Be the glitch in the matrix you were meant to be.

What is your calling, Aquarius? What do you feel so drawn to that it keeps you up at night? What do you feel so called to do that you just can’t help doing it? Allow yourself to explore new lands—metaphorically and mentally. Allow yourself to explore who you really are. And then, make peace with your life the way it flows. You will find your rhythm, you will find your blueprint, you will find your signature style. Stay free, choose wisely.

Cosmic tip: You are as divine as you are earthy.

This is the time when your destiny shifts gears and you truly enjoy the fruits of your labour and perhaps even the life you once envisioned to enjoy. Pisces, as good luck surrounds you, how are you going to make sure this string lasts? Through a long-term vision, balancing your mind and heart and perhaps even investing in the long term. Disappointments are a thing of the past, and you are now ready to shine. How will you make the most of this glorious time in your life? Think it through and have fun along the way.

Cosmic tip: Cut through the confusion and stand in your own personal authority.

The week’s fashion highlights spanned celebrations, exhibitions and festive rituals, with silhouettes ranging from body-hugging couture to intricately handwoven textiles. Jewellery, fabrics and thoughtful styling punctuated each moment, turning garments into statements of craftsmanship and mood.

At Mumbai’s Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, Priyanka Chopra ushered in Bvlgari’s first-ever India exhibition in a look that was both architectural and fluid. The luxury maison’s global ambassador arrived in a white Raisa Vanessa gown from the label’s 2025 haute couture collection. Its silk tulle base was sculpted into off-shoulder pleats that wrapped and gathered around the hips before releasing into a sheer train with a centre slit from mid-thigh. Styled by Wayman + Micah, the gown’s draping found its counterpoint in slicked-back hair and smoky eyes. Her Bvlgari jewellery consisted of diamond solitaires paired with the Serpenti necklace set with rubellite, rubies and turquoise against a fully diamond-encrusted body, underscoring the evening’s high jewellery spotlight.

Genelia Deshmukh joined the guest list at the Bvlgari exhibition in a structured look that was styled by Devki Bhatt. Her black maxi dress by Forever New comprised a tailored vest bodice punctuated with oversized gold buttons that opened onto a fluid, pleated skirt. Black pumps streamlined the look while a gold beaded potli from Ruby’s Boutique and rosette-shaped gold earrings echoed the metallic accents. With a sleek side-parted hairstyle, winged liner and a pink lip, Genelia Deshmukh’s styling stayed polished and unfussy.