In June, it was revealed that Bombshell London, the favorite fashion label of celebrities like Nigella Lawson, had gone bust after 17 years. The company owes £578,000 to 37 creditors, including HMRC, with outstanding VAT and employee taxes. Scottish publisher Peebles Media Group was one of the companies left with unpaid debts, expressing their shock and anger at the situation. Staff have also been left unpaid, with total debts including holiday pay and employee wages. The owner and designer, Katya Wildman, said she was ‘heartbroken’ by the company’s demise, with famous fans of the label including Anjelica Huston and Jerry Hall.
Nigella’s loyalty to the 1950s-inspired label was evident, with her once purchasing 12 dresses in the same design. Other famous women who favored Bombshell London include Ruth Jones and Angela Rippon. The company ran up a £549,000 loss on £2.1 million worth of sales in the year leading up to its liquidation. Individuals like Evaldas Sultonas, owner of Universal Processing London, expressed their sadness at the closure of Bombshell London, with debts amounting to nearly £5,000. Companies such as British Gas, Barclays, BT, and EDF Energy are also among those owed money by the brand.
Actress Lily James recently made her music video debut on Australian singer Ben Abraham’s new track ‘Never Been Better.’ The video shows Lily performing the song live while sitting on a park bench in Los Angeles. Lily, who is known for her acting roles, also featured as a guest vocalist on Mahi Sona (The Wedding Song) in her 2023 film ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’ Blake Lively, on the other hand, discussed her avoidance of cover shoots in the past and her ability to control her own narrative through social media. Lively, who is married to Ryan Reynolds, is now fronting Vogue’s September issue.
Pink Floyd frontman David Gilmour shared an amusing anecdote about his daughter Romany’s reluctance to sing on his latest album. Gilmour’s daughter was unimpressed at being dragged away from her studies to perform on his new single, Between Two Points. Meanwhile, Cambridge University’s alumni magazine, Cam, is transitioning to a largely digital format, requiring recipients to make special requests for physical copies. This shift may be a cost-cutting measure, but it also reflects the broader trend towards digital publications. It remains to be seen if alumni periodicals will continue to be published in physical form.
King Charles has introduced a range of silk scarves at his Highgrove estate, featuring prints of his watercolor paintings. Priced at £150 each, the scarves depict locations like Highgrove, Windsor Castle, and Corfu. Described as ‘wearable masterpieces,’ these scarves are designed to embody the spirit of Highgrove Gardens and offer a stylish accessory to customers. Overall, these stories highlight the challenges faced by businesses like Bombshell London, the creative pursuits of celebrities like Lily James, and the evolving landscape of publications like alumni magazines.
