Giggs turns 40: Celebrating the life and career of one of the UK’s most successful rappers

Today, we celebrate the 40th birthday of one of the UK's most successful and influential rappers, Nathaniel Thompson, better known as Giggs/Hollowman. Born in Peckham, London, Giggs has been active in the music industry since the mid-2000s, when he released one of his most notable mixtapes, "Hollowman Meets Blade".

Giggs' debut studio album, "Walk in the Park", was released in 2008 and was met with critical acclaim. Since then, he has released several successful albums and mixtapes, including "Landlord" in 2016, which charted at no. 2 in the UK albums chart, the highest charting album of his career.

Although he has dabbled in grime, Giggs primarily makes road rap, and his music is often praised for its raw emotion and honesty which has earned him a loyal fanbase over the years. His most successful song is 2007's "Talkin' The Hardest", often referred to as the unofficial national anthem of the UK. 

Giggs' stage name is derived from his childhood nickname of Giggler, which is a testament to his fun-loving personality. Over the years, he has won several awards, including a MOBO and a BET award, which is a testament to his talent and hard work.

As Giggs turns 40 today, we celebrate his talent and his contributions to the music industry and the impact he has had on the UK scene. His unique sound and style have inspired many artists and young people such as myself, and his music continues to resonate with fans around the world.

Happy birthday, Giggs! Here's to many more years of success and great music.

Sustainability meets Sportswear: Ding Yun Zhang x adidas

Dingyun Zhang, the fashion designer known for his innovative and sustainable designs, recently took to Instagram to tease a collaboration with sportswear giant adidas. The designer, who previously worked with Ye at YEEZY and helped design the YEEZY 700 Wave Runner, posted an Instagram story featuring an adidas shoebox with his eponymous label's branding alongside the adidas trefoil logo.

The collaboration with adidas is not entirely unexpected, as both Dingyun Zhang and adidas have previously collaborated with Moncler Genius. The Moncler Genius collaborations have resulted in some of the most innovative and exciting fashion designs in recent years and the collaboration between Dingyun Zhang and adidas has the potential to do just the same.

Zhang is a graduate of Central Saint Martins, one of the best fashion universities in the world. He has been making waves in the fashion industry with sustainable and functional designs prioritising long-term comfort and functionality. His manifesto is "a theoretical bond of sustainable ideas about long-term comfort, materials, and functionality."

Fashionlover4, my favourite YouTuber, has an excellent video that explores Dingyun Zhang's approach to fashion design which you can find here.

As one of the biggest players in the sportswear industry, adidas has a long history of collaborating with designers to create cutting-edge designs that push the boundaries of fashion and function. The collaboration with Zhang has the potential to be something truly exciting, and fans of the designer are eagerly anticipating its release.

Dingyun Zhang's collaboration with Adidas is sure to be one of the most talked-about fashion collaborations of the year. With the designer's focus on sustainability and functionality and Adidas' reputation for pushing the boundaries of sportswear design, this collaboration is sure to result in some truly innovative and exciting products. I can't wait to see what Zhang and Adidas have in store for us!

5 Visionary Designers You Need to Know

 As someone interested in fashion, design, and art, it’s always exciting to come across new talents and inspiring individuals whose work stands out. In this post, I want to share with you my 5 current favourite designers, from interdisciplinary artists to patch makers to futuristic fashion designers.

Yaz Exall

Yaz Exall is an interdisciplinary artist based between East Sussex and London. She explores themes such as nature, life, death, and artificiality through her work in sculpture, fashion, and prosthetics. Yaz graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2022 and has worked with well-known artists such as FKA Twigs, Bjork, and even Craig Green. Her work is stocked at Fantastic Toiles @fantastictoiles, a space that houses some of the finest talents in the world spanning across various mediums. What I love about Yaz’s work is how she blends different mediums and disciplines to create thought-provoking and captivating pieces.

Bailey N/A

Bailey N/A is another artist whose work is stocked at Fantastic Toiles. Bailey is a sculptor and fashion designer whose work explores themes of family, queer identity, and more. Bailey grew up in Portsmouth and graduated from Chelsea College of Art. Their work is deeply personal, and I find myself relating to it in a way that is hard to put into words. Bailey lost contact with their family after prolonged abuse, and their work reflects the complex emotions that come with such experiences.

Patch Futures

Patch Futures, also known as Ellis, is a patch maker and designer from Brighton but based in Lewisham who is also stocked at Fantastic Toiles. Ellis graduated from Fine Art at Goldsmiths University and works in photography, music, fashion, and more. What drew me to Ellis’ work is how unique it is. He has a distinct style that sets him apart from other designers, and his work in music is also worth checking out. I especially enjoyed his Turning Silver album under the Sirius moniker with his partner artist and musician Katie Mess.

Adam Poulter

Adam Poulter is a designer who explores themes of family and technology. His graduate collection effortlessly explored and blended masculinity and sensuality. His designs have caught my attention for their seamless blend of contrasting themes and elements. I find myself drawn to his use of fabrics and colours that evoke a sense of intimacy and vulnerability.

Charlie Constantinou

Charlie Constantinou is a Cypriot designer whose work is inventive and subversive. He was a semi-finalist in this year’s LVMH prize, and his designs look like they're straight out of a sci-fi movie. His use of futuristic elements and bold textures make his work stand out from the crowd. What’s even more impressive is that Charlie is only 24 years old but he has already collaborated with brands such as 66 North, and I can’t wait to see what else he has in store.

These are my 5 current favourite designers whose work spans different mediums and themes. From Yaz’s interdisciplinary approach to Bailey’s deeply personal work to Elliot’s unique style to Adam’s exploration of contrasting themes, to Charlie’s futuristic designs, each of these designers brings something unique to the table. I look forward to seeing how their work evolves and grows as they do in the future.