Neelam Mistry-Thaker's spring summer fashion trends
By Eastern EyeMar 10, 2022
A new season results in shops being filled with the latest trends, reimagined from high-profile catwalks around the world.
This year after two years of loungewear, there is an added sparkle as we emerge from the darkened depths of Covid-19, with eye-catching colours, bold prints, daring styles and interesting revivals.
Eastern Eye got Neelam Mistry-Thaker, a fashion expert, personal stylist and style coach to give a rundown of her top six trends for Spring/Summer 2022, and how she would style them. Before selecting the super six trends she said: “Before you get sucked into a new trend, ask yourself is this a fleeting fad or a really good addition to your wardrobe? As a Personal Stylist I always look out for the latest trends, but also think about how my clients can get the best use out of it, instead of wearing it for one season and then ditching it to the back of the wardrobe. So, think about pieces you are missing, what suits your body, which colours will make you glow and styles that are going to give everyone a glimpse into you and your personality.”
Colour: Belt- ed collared jumpsuit; £120; www.stories.com
Colour: I love seeing colour on the high street. I’m here for it! You’ll see some top shades on the high street like spring greens, barbie pinks, bright oranges and very peri, the purple Pantone colour of the year. You can experiment with a more relaxed look with dressed down denim or go for an all-out party dress in a statement colour. Remember colour can also be worn in accessories like brights in a bag or shoes to give a subtle touch of energy and personality. Wear your favourite shades closer to your face to brighten your complexion and make a statement. You can try pairing complementary colours together like bright greens and blues or for a romantic look try purples with pinks!
Prints: Short printed dress; £49.99; www.zara.com
Prints: I love experimenting with prints in bold and bright colours, clashing prints for a not so safe look and monochromatic prints for a more classic look. The trick with a print is to wear it in the area of your body you want to draw attention to. If you are feeling daring, pair prints with more prints or for an easier look pair a print with a block colour. Remember as well that they can be layered to create extra interest! They are a great way to add personality and colour to an outfit. I like to wear a print with a statement piece of jewellery with either complementary or clashing colours to give an extra dimension to an outfit.
Ultra mini skirt: Seamsmini skirt; £35.99; shop.mango.com
Ultra miniskirts: Get your legs out for the ultra mini skirt! You’ll see them all over the high street in bold prints and colours to make the biggest statement. You can pair a mini with knee length boots or a pair of strappy heels for the ultimate bold look. To layer, try with a long open coat or a short biker jacket for an edgy look. Think the shorter the better! You’ll see them in matching co-ord options to create long clean lines of colour or print. Super elongating, for a more petite frame.
The pleated midi skirt: Probably one of the most wearable options that won’t easily date in your wardrobe. Try in different colours, fabrics, and prints. Experiment with the pleated skirt teaming with a crop top, loose fit t-shirt, knit or blazer to stay on trend, stylish yet timeless. It is probably one of my favourite pieces and can instantly add femininity to your wardrobe. Wider pleats add more width to the lower half of the body, so think about your proportions and how to create balance.
Cut outs: Yes, they are back! Cut out knits and dresses are everywhere. Let the cut out do the talking and avoid any other distractions. Think cut outs on the chest, shoulders, or waist to draw attention. I would pair a cut out knit with a smart wide leg denim and hair back for a sleek and sophisticated look.
Biker jackets: A true wardrobe staple making a big comeback this year! I would style with a simple and clean look to let the jacket make a statement. You can go for a black classic leather look in silver or gold detailing, or try suede and coloured options to add interest to your wardrobe. Easily paired with any piece in your wardrobe; denim, dresses, trousers. It can easily bring a whole outfit together.
These are some of my top trends for the season that are wearable when done right! Remember when investing in a trend ask yourself if it suits your body shape, compliments your natural complexion, and shows off you and your personality. The pieces that do will be your best investment. Happy shopping!
Instagram: @NeelamPersonalStylist, Facebook: Neelam Personal Stylist and www.neelampersonalstylist.com
Hundreds of British holidaymakers are facing potential disruption to their summer travel plans following the collapse of travel company Great Little Escapes. The firm is no longer licensed to operate under the UK’s financial protection scheme for package holidays, the Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (Atol).
Atol protection withdrawn
As of 13 June 2025, Great Little Escapes ceased trading as an Atol holder, according to a notice issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This means the company is no longer authorised to sell Atol-protected holiday packages, leaving current and future bookings in doubt.
The CAA said it is currently collecting information from the company and will provide further updates in due course. A statement on the regulator’s website advises customers not to submit claims until the data collection process is complete.
Company background and operations
Great Little Escapes, based in Sandhurst, Berkshire, has been operational since September 2002, according to Companies House records. The firm offered international travel packages and promoted “holidays to the most iconic cities in the world” through its official channels.
The company also operated under several brand names, including Your Holidays, Tunisia First, and Great Little Escapes. Associated websites included:
themaldives.co.uk
yourholidays.co.uk
thecaribbean.com
greatlittleescapes.co.uk
These brands and websites were all listed by the CAA in its update on the firm’s trading status.
Refunds and next steps
The Atol scheme is designed to protect UK travellers who purchase package holidays. If a travel provider with Atol protection ceases trading, customers are typically entitled to refunds for unfulfilled bookings or assistance to complete their trips if they are already abroad.
However, as the CAA is still gathering information, customers are advised not to initiate refund claims immediately. Further instructions will be issued once the authority has reviewed the company’s situation.
Broader industry troubles
The collapse of Great Little Escapes is the latest in a series of closures among UK-based travel firms. In April, Balkan Holidays UK also ceased operations after nearly six decades in business. The company had provided holiday packages to destinations such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Malta and northern Cyprus, along with winter ski trips.
Earlier in March, Jetline Holidays lost its Atol protection and shut down, leading to significant uncertainty for customers who had booked cruise packages through the company. Cruise lines including Princess, Cunard, and Holland America reported contract breaches that led to widespread cancellations.
Travellers urged to check Atol status
In light of the recent closures, UK travellers are being encouraged to verify that their holiday bookings are made through Atol-protected providers. The CAA offers an online tool for checking whether a travel company holds a valid Atol licence.
For those affected by the Great Little Escapes collapse, updates and guidance will be published on theCAA’s official website.
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The Matinee stage at Manchester’s Heaton Park was closed on Sunday evening
Crowd control concerns led to the early closure of one of the main stages at the Parklife festival on its final day, prompting the cancellation of two anticipated DJ performances. The Matinee stage at Manchester’s Heaton Park was closed on Sunday evening, 15 June, after organisers acted on safety advice from their event team.
Attendees were instructed to leave the area as the show was paused. Later in the evening, festival organisers confirmed that the stage would remain shut for the rest of the night.
Josh Baker and Chris Stussy unable to perform
Local DJ Josh Baker and Danish artist Chris Stussy were both scheduled to perform at the Matinee stage. Baker, who was due to play from 6.30pm to 8pm, shared a message on Instagram, saying: “Unfortunately, I will not be performing at Parklife due to reasons outside of my control. I deeply apologise. I can't really put into words what today was going to mean for me.”
Chris Stussy had been due to headline the stage with a three-hour set from 8pm to 11pm. He also addressed the cancellation on Instagram, saying he was “really gutted” and emphasised that “safety comes first,” noting the stage was shut due to overcrowding.
Festival issues official statement
An in-app message from the Parklife festival initially alerted attendees that the Matinee stage show had been paused, with further updates to follow. A full statement later explained the rationale behind the decision.
Festival organisers confirmed that the stage would remain shut for the rest of the night.Manchester News
“As a result of crowd movement at the Matinee Stage and on the advice of our safety team to remove the risk of any potential incidents, Parklife made the decision to close the stage for the remainder of the final day of the festival,” said a spokesperson.
Safety prioritised over rescheduling
Organisers added that it was not feasible to move the affected performances to another venue within the festival grounds. “Unfortunately it has been impossible to relocate Josh Baker’s and Chris Stussy’s performances to a new stage,” the statement said. “The safety of our festival attendees is always our utmost priority.”
Despite the disruption at the Matinee stage, the rest of the Parklife festival continued as scheduled, and no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
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The house, designed as a symbol of enduring love and modesty
In Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, Anand Prakash Chouksey has built a striking replica of the Taj Mahal — not as a monument to grandeur, but as a tribute to his wife. The house, designed as a symbol of enduring love and modesty, has captured the internet’s attention following a viral video tour.
The house is a four-bedroom property built using Makrana marble — the same stone used in the original Taj Mahal in Agra. While the original monument's dimensions are in metres, Chouksey’s version was constructed using scaled-down measurements in feet. This results in a structure roughly one-third the size of the original, but retaining key architectural elements such as domes, carved pillars, and Mughal-style arches.
Located on school campus founded by owner
What makes the house even more distinctive is its location within the grounds of a school established by Chouksey himself. In a now-viral video shared by content creator Priyam Saraswat, Chouksey offers a tour of the home and highlights personal touches embedded in its design.
One notable detail is a buffalo motif on the floor — a nod to Chouksey’s early life distributing milk. He explained that this reminder of his humble beginnings serves as a daily lesson in staying grounded and avoiding arrogance.
Viral video receives overwhelming praise
The video, shared on Instagram, quickly gained traction, racking up over 6.5 million views within just eight hours. Viewers were drawn not only to the impressive architecture but also to the emotional story behind the home.
Comments across social media praised the gesture and the message it conveyed. “Uncle has a more beautiful heart than his Mahal,” one user wrote, while another highlighted the buffalo symbol as a meaningful lesson in humility. Many also remarked on the positive energy and “cool vibe” of the homeowner.
Promoting unity through design
Inside, the home reflects a blend of traditional Islamic design and modern interiors. Future plans reportedly include placing the Indian national flag on top of the structure and adding symbols from India’s major religions on the minarets. According to Chouksey, the aim is to promote a message of unity and peace in an often divided world.
The replica Taj Mahal in Burhanpur stands not only as an architectural feat but also as a reminder of love, simplicity, and the importance of staying connected to one’s roots.
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A one-hour delay in sleep routine is linked to a sharper drop in cognition over time, the study found
A night owl, or an evening person with a late sleep-wake cycle, could be at a higher risk of cognitive decline with age compared to an early bird or a morning person, a study has found.
Chronotype refers to one’s sleep-wake type or times during the day when one naturally tends to be awake and asleep. A ‘night owl’ chronotype is said to have a later sleep-wake cycle, compared to an ‘early bird’ or a ‘lark’.
“Are you an early bird or a night owl? It’s hard to adjust what your biological clock – your so-called chronotype – is, but you can adjust your life to it as best you can,” study author Ana Wenzler, from the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands, said.
Analysing the performance of about 23,800 participants on a cognitive test over a period of 10 years, the study found that ‘evening’ people decline cognitively faster than ‘morning’ people. The findings have been published in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.
“Unhealthy behaviour such as smoking, drinking and unhealthy eating happens more often in the evening,” Wenzler said.
“In our study, we also saw this: evening people smoke and drink more often and exercise less. Twenty-five per cent of the risk of cognitive decline can be explained from our research by smoking and poor sleep,” she said.
A greater decline was seen in higher-educated people – a delay of an hour in the sleep-wake cycle corresponded to a decline of 0.8 in cognition per decade. Wenzler said the decline might be related to their disturbed sleep rhythm.
“They are often people who have to go back to work early in the morning and are likely to sleep too short, giving their brains too little rest,” she said.
The author explained that people’s biological clock can change with age.
“Children are morning people. That changes when you reach puberty, when you become an evening person. Around your 20s, that gradually shifts back towards morning people for most people. By the age of 40, most people are morning people again,” Wenzler said.
However, this is certainly not the case for everyone, which is probably why evening people deviate from the norm, according to Wenzler, who recommended working against one’s body “as little as possible”.
“’You can try to go to sleep earlier, but if your body is not yet producing melatonin (sleep hormone), it will not work,” she said.
Wenzler added that if people are forced to work against their natural rhythm, their brains may not get enough rest, increasing the risk of unhealthy habits. “It would help if evening types were given the option to start work later,” she said.
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Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion
Father’s Day is often seen as a time for cards, tools or a family lunch, but across the globe, it carries a much deeper significance. Beyond the commercial promotions, Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion. While some mark the occasion with grand gestures, others focus on quiet reflection, respect and the bonds that define fatherhood.
Thailand’s day of respect
In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on 5 December, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The day is as much about honouring the nation’s former monarch as it is about celebrating fatherhood. Citizens wear yellow, the king’s birth colour, and present canna lilies to their fathers as a symbol of gratitude and respect. It’s a cultural blend of familial and national reverence.
Germany’s tradition of brotherhood
Germany takes a different approach. Known as Vatertag, or Father’s Day, it coincides with Ascension Day and is often marked by groups of men going on hiking trips, pulling wagons of food and drink. While it may appear more social than family-oriented, the tradition is rooted in camaraderie and shared responsibility among men and father figures.
Remembering fathers in Mexico
In Mexico and across parts of Latin America, Father’s Day is a time to honour both the living and the departed. Families often visit cemeteries to pay tribute to late fathers and gather to share stories and memories. It’s a day that highlights legacy over materialism, where the emotional role of a father is celebrated beyond life itself.
The expanding meaning in India
In India, Father’s Day doesn’t have deep historical roots, but its popularity is growing among urban families. Influenced by Western customs, it is increasingly used to recognise not only biological fathers, but also mentors, guardians and elders who provide support and guidance. The day is evolving into a broader celebration of male role models across generations.
A shared message worldwide
Though celebrated in different ways, Father’s Day across cultures shares a central idea: appreciation. Whether through a gift, a walk, a meal or a memory, the day is about acknowledging the role fathers and father figures play in shaping lives. In a time when traditional family structures are changing, this occasion also highlights that fatherhood is defined not just by biology, but by love, responsibility and care.
A thoughtful reminder
Rather than focus on finding the perfect present, Father’s Day offers an opportunity to be present. A simple message, a phone call or a shared moment can mean more than any physical gift. In a fast-moving world, slowing down to recognise those who’ve quietly supported us is perhaps the most meaningful tribute we can give.