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We all know when ‘that time of the month’ is just around the corner. One minute we’re crying over the latest episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, and the next we’re biting our partner’s head off for buying the wrong kind of pasta. Fast forward a day or two and good old mother nature rears her bloody head, spoiling our brand new lace thong. When you think of periods, we’re sure there’s a few words that come to mind. Annoying. Painful. Exhausting. Luxury? No, we didn’t think so. But according to some governments, who slap a tax of up to 27% on our period products, menstruation is just that. A luxury. This so called ‘tampon tax’ puts sanitary products in the same tax bracket as items including jewellery, beer, wine, and cigarettes. Menstruation, cramps, PMS, and 5 days of leaking blood from our vaginas, what a luxury right? As women, we have come to accept that periods are a personal issue that we should deal with and pay for on our own. But, sanitary products are a necessity that half of the population have to buy for half of our lives. We don’t choose to have periods. We don’t book in a week every month for a ‘luxury vacay’. We don’t look forward to cramps or PMS. So why are we being charged extra as if we are? While there are some EU countries that have worked to remove or reduce the VAT on sanitary products (round of applause for Ireland, Cyprus and the UK), some countries are still charging women a premium. The problem is this; while most of us are lucky enough to be able to afford our period products each month, luxury tax or not, there are millions of women worldwide who can’t. Whether that’s a single mum who has to choose between tampons or dinner for her kids, or a teenage girl skipping school because she doesn’t want to bleed through her uniform. The bottom line is that the tampon tax puts women at a disadvantage. And why should we be put at a disadvantage for having the almighty-life-giving-power-source that is the vagina? Despite the fact that half of us have to deal with periods once a month for the majority of our lives, they have this secretive stigma around them. For some reason, we don’t talk about our periods, in fact, we actively try to hide the fact that we all have them. Why are we secretly sliding tampons up our coat sleeve when we go to the toilet, or awkwardly worrying what people are thinking if we take our handbag to the loo? Being open about our periods and making menstruation more visible is the first step in removing this stigma and normalising something that is so. freaking. normal. The more we shine a light on the fact that half the world is bleeding from our mf vaginas at any given time, the more that politicians are going to realise this isn’t a choice and this isn’t a goddamn luxury. What can you do to get involved? Sign a tampon tax petition in your local area, and pledge a donation to the #freeperiods movement on crowdjustice.com. You can also share this blogpost to your socials, and post a photo of your period products haul to insta with the hashtag #tamponsarenotaluxury. But, don’t forget, the easiest way to free the period is to simply get talking about it! Written by Jade BiggsOriginal cover artwork by @thisisaliceskinner

Japan has long been known for it's love of nail art, from the most minimal of styles to the almost inconceivable (sushi roll on your fingertip anyone...?!).  But alongside the crazy and kawaii creations comes true artistry, in a country that takes beauty and self care extremely seriously.Take Tokyo for example; a place bursting with new talent in an industry where competition is high.  So in a city so full of people and with nail salons on each and every corner, how does one set itself apart from the next and furthermore, how do they survive? We met with ISLA's new nail artist, Miu, to discuss some of the answers. Originally from Osaka, Miu trained at art school before moving to Tokyo to pursue her career as a nail artist working alongside some of Japan's most successful artists.  Working in Tokyo's fast lane for three years, Miu soon established her own style which led her to work in New York, London, Melbourne and now ISLA in Berlin.I: How did your career in nail art begin? M: After attending art school, my original plan was to become a tattoo artist.  However, in Japan tattoos are still not widely accepted so working in that industry felt a little risky.  Nail art appealed to me because it is a way to express yourself as an artist and create unique designs yet somehow in a less controversial way.I: Why do you think nail art is so popular in Japan? M: Nail art is such a huge part of our culture now.  In Japan, we love things to be 'kawaii' (cute) and nail art has become an extension of that.  It's another way that we can express ourselves and our personalities. I: With so much competition in Tokyo, how do you think nail salons survive?  M: I think the key for each salon or artist to be successful is to find their own style or genre that makes them different from other artists.  In Japan we are almost spoilt because we have so many options to choose from.  The demand is huge and clients often have very high expectations so it is important that each artist really excels at what they do.I: Who are your main influences and how would you define your style? M: During my time in Tokyo I worked at a nail salon in Harajuku called Avarice (@nailsalonavarice_harajuku) where I met a talented artist named Yuko (@yko1220) who was also from the same hometown as me.  She creates extremely detailed, almost fine art designs and I immediately related to and admired her style - I really learned a lot from her.  My work is also heavily influenced by artists such as Dali and Magritte whom I studied at art school.  I love how their paintings are so detailed and transport you to another world. I: How do you think nail art designs differ between Europe and Japan? M: In Japan, most people generally prefer to keep their nails short and use the natural shape and length as the base to create designs, whereas in Europe clients are more willing to experiment with long, acrylic nails and embellishments.  I'm enjoying learning the differences between what clients want in Berlin and the challenge of creating different styles for them.  It's a constantly evolving industry, always open to new possibilities which is what I love about it. I: How did you discover ISLA and what do you hope to bring to your new clients in Berlin? M: I discovered ISLA through Instagram shortly after arriving in Berlin and began searching for work as a nail artist.  There are very few places in Berlin doing nail art in the way they do so I was immediately drawn to ISLA's style and contacted ISLA directly hoping they might be looking for a new nail artist.  I love to create detailed artistic designs so this is something unique I can bring to ISLA. I: You've been in Berlin for a month now; how are you enjoying it so far? M: I love how liberal and free it is here, it seems like individuality is really embraced in this city.  I have only been here a short time so have lots to explore but so far I particularly love the east side as well as the street art which really inspires me.  Being a vegan, I also love having so many options of where to eat here!I: And finally, who would be your dream client? M: I am a huge fan of Quentin Tarantino movies and love Samuel L. Jackson.  He might not be into nail art but I would just love to meet him!To meet Miu in person and experience her unique nail art designs, contact ISLA for an appointment on +49 162 9741809 or via email contact@islaberlin.com Written by Hazel Hedges  

With so many new items at ISLA lately, how could we not share with you all the latest looks of the season!? For SS19, we wanted to get creative and pull together a lookbook that not only showed off the coolest collections in-store and online, but also to showcase some of the powerful female energies in the ISLA network.Noor, or Noorcie as her friends call her, is in her own words “a panafrican, mathematician, consultant, creative, and all round lover of life.” “I read somewhere that the numbers in 2019 indicated that this year would be transformational and I can only testify to that. I’m growing a lot as a person” she said.Steffi, a 21 year old creative with a Cuban background combines art and fashion with her brand Oshosix. “I’ve been trying to find my place in space,” she said, “last year was about feeling comfortable all round, socially and fashion wise. This year is about embracing what I really want or need and not making as many compromises as I used to.” “I’m learning my value and have started treating myself and others around me better” she said, “that’s what I’m proud of.”Rapper singer and all-round female boss Gianni Mae hails from the Caribbean island of Curaçao and is making some serious waves in the Berlin music scene. “I’m proud of the fact that I have my first EP on the way and that I have some great shows planned this summer, like splash! festival,” she said. In 2 years time she plans to have her “songs playing worldwide, traveling, and doing shows all over the world” and we’re so excited to see where this rising star ends up. Wanna know more about these incredible women? Support a sis and give them a follow over on the 'gram. Catch them at @noormalso, @stefanixmoreno, and @giannimae. Take a journey in to the dreamy days of Summer freedom with our Those Hazy Days lookbook. Lose yourself in the rebellious fantasy of the long, warm summer to come, photographed by Toni, hair and makeup by our talented Adiam and styled in-house by the ISLA team.Shop the full collection online and in-store at ISLA.    

If you’ve spent any time on Facebook or Instagram recently, we’re sure you’ve seen the ads for those low-cost fast-fashion items that just seem too good to be true.Whether it’s a pair of platform sneakers for €10.99, or a handbag for just €7, more often than not these products are knock-offs of independent designers who have worked hard to produce their items.Sites like AliExpress have saturated the market with cheap products that manufacture low-quality replicas of the real deal.“Bolstered by stolen images, aggressive ads, and images of certificates from places like PayPal, the sites regularly sucker consumers into buying clothing straight from China - and it often bears little resemblance to the pictures they saw online” said a report from Buzzfeed.“If and when the garments finally arrive, shoppers say they’re frequently small enough to fit children, their color is off, and they are made from flimsy materials,” the report adds. “Sometimes they smell like chemicals. And, customer service, typically located in China, is barely reachable, especially when it comes to returns and refunds.”But, more importantly, mass produced knock offs like these impact the business of small independent designers whose unique ideas are being stolen.Here at ISLA we recently came across one of our pieces being replicated and sold on the site AliExpress; one of our all-time favourite items, the Pussy Grabs Back Dickini in collaboration with Namilia.Out of curiosity we decided to order the “dickini” and see how the quality compared to the real deal. The photos speak for themselves really, and you can clearly see the difference in quality between the knock off, and the authentic item. Ever heard the saying “you vs the man she tells you not to worry about”, we think you catch our drift!!Remember, next time you see a deal that’s too good to be true, it probably is. So, if you want the real deal, you don’t need to go far, buy the authentic and original Pussy Grabs Back Dickini in-store or online at ISLA.

Been feeling down lately? Stressed, or out-of-sync with yourself? Chances are your astrological signs might be playing a little havoc on you.Did you know that your star sign is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mapping your stars? The way the stars and planets were aligned at the exact time you were born are thought to play a part in the essential make-up of your personality. It’s really easy to work this out, and there’s plenty of sites online that will make your birth chart for you, like this one here.Astrology is a big these days, and it seems you can’t go anywhere without someone asking what house your moon’s in or telling you mercury’s in retrograde and about to fuck all your shit up.Lately, the stars have been speaking to us, and we’re feeling seriously inspired by these astrological looks on Instagram.  Stay wild moon child View this post on Instagram A post shared by AZ NAIL ART (@clawsbyjohnnie) on May 4, 2017 at 4:46pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kaylee 🌸 (@kayleehazacupcakee) on Mar 5, 2015 at 3:51pm PST Starry night sky View this post on Instagram A post shared by ˗ˏˋ 💄 ˎˊ˗ (@ipsy) on Mar 15, 2018 at 11:03am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by 장서지 (@j_seo_j) on May 29, 2017 at 5:04pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ohbijou By Rana (@rana.nail) on Jan 30, 2017 at 12:13pm PST Gaze up at the galaxy View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🌹 B.A.D Nails For Bad Bitches🔪 (@fuegonailsldn) on Oct 26, 2018 at 12:08pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by @eeunjung___ on May 17, 2017 at 12:25am PDT Feelin' Spacey View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vero Ro (@vero_ro_nailartist) on Jul 27, 2017 at 8:01pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nail Artist - Courtney Cook (@99.nails) on Mar 2, 2019 at 11:48pm PST   Book in to get your nails done here, and head over to the ISLA Instagram for more inspiration!

Converse and JW Anderson continue their strong collaboration with a new take on the Chuck 70 Hi, available in-store and online now at ISLA.The latest addition pays homage to Converse’s American history with a stylish split pair, boasting the classic ‘Stars and Stripes flag’ on the shoes, combined with the iconic JW Anderson branding.“While existing at different ends of the fashion spectrum, Converse x JW Anderson celebrates and explores the provocative, daring space of opposing ideas and complementary ideals” says Converse.The Converse x JW Anderson shoes look perfect paired with rolled up or cropped distressed denim jeans, a basic slouchy tee, accessorised with a hoody tied around the waist, and a messy bun complete with a scrunchie to pull this no-effort-needed look together.Style the shoes with the Star Rhinestone Hairpin, Obey Vandal Overalls, No Shade Crop Top, and Fila Retro Sweatshirt for a seriously fresh lewk for Spring.

We’re all about spreading body positivity and self-love here at ISLA. So when Girls* Support Girls* approached us to host a Body and Sensuality workshop, it was a big yes from us. “The forever controversial and objectified female body is commented on, criticised, praised, and shamed by the whole world - especially when it comes to expressing sexuality, sensuality or body positivity” says Andra, who’ll be running the workshop on 12th May. Do I need to show skin to be sexy? When is a woman a woman? Do I need to show skin to be sexy? Gym, eyebrows, make up, nails, waxing: Am I perfect now? These are just a few of the “constant fights in our heads and with society/males”, says Andra. “The female body is actually one of the most beautiful forces of nature” she adds, so “females should feel free to explore their body and sensuality.” And Andra’s Body and Sensuality workshop is your chance to do exactly that. A regular on the ballroom voguing scene, Andra competes in a category called Sex Siren that allows her to set her “sexual energies free in a safe space”. The ballroom scene “made me a more confident woman” she says, “and I wanna share this liberating journey with you.” The workshop will be split into three categories; talk, exercise, and play. The talk session is all about sharing experiences in our fem bodies. During the exercises, we’ll connect with and gain confidence in our bodies and senses. Finally, during the playground session, there’s time to experiment with your body and find your own way of expression. Andra will be hosting Body and Sensuality at ISLA on May 12th from 4-7pm and the workshop is open to all female identifying people and non-binary fems. There are limited spaces though so make sure to register via soextraberlin@gmail.com to secure your place. The event is donation based.  Wear whatever you want to the workshop, but make sure you personally feel sexy in your lewwwwk and get ready to work up a sweat too! See you there... View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zueira Mizrahi Angels (@zueira_miza) on Mar 25, 2019 at 3:13am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zueira Mizrahi Angels (@zueira_miza) on Mar 31, 2019 at 4:39am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zueira Mizrahi Angels (@zueira_miza) on Apr 2, 2019 at 11:41pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zueira Mizrahi Angels (@zueira_miza) on Mar 27, 2019 at 7:24am PDT

When you think of a french manicure you’re probably visualising a nude nail with a plain white tip right? Think again. French tips have had a modern-day makeover. Gone are those beige shades, and in their place are neons, flashy patterns, and exxxtra af embellishments. Who would have ever thought the simple french tip could have made such a stylish comeback? Welcome to the era of the fresh tip! We’ve been loving all your french tip requests lately, so we decided to put together a few of our faves to give you some inspiration for your next trip to ISLA... Neon tips  Everyone's favourite colourway of 2019 is getting hotter and hotter, and what better way to show off your summer tan than some seriously stand-out talons? View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Apr 11, 2019 at 11:02am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Nov 27, 2018 at 10:55am PST Patterned tips Who ever said that less is more clearly wasn't doing things right. Here at ISLA we're all about more is more, whether it's a garish animal print or a tip dripped in logos. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Mar 30, 2019 at 9:18am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Feb 9, 2019 at 3:08am PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Feb 1, 2019 at 11:28am PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Jan 23, 2019 at 6:10am PST Abstract tips Say goodbye to the classic mani silhouette and switch things up with an abstract take on the french tip. Go for a cut away perspex look, or try out some pretty trippy swirls. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Mar 16, 2019 at 10:49am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Jan 5, 2019 at 2:14am PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Nov 17, 2018 at 3:02am PST Reverse tips We can't get over the cutest look of the season, cut-out moon manicures. Perfect for shorter nails, these reverse tips are a playful take on the french tip as we know it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Jan 1, 2019 at 9:08am PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Dec 23, 2018 at 3:18am PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Dec 17, 2018 at 2:45am PST Jelly tips If you've spent any time this year on Instagram then you won't have missed this year's hottest nail trend, jelly nails! Make sure yours stand out from the crowd and go for a jelly nails/french tip collaboration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Mar 20, 2019 at 10:43am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Mar 24, 2019 at 9:22am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Feb 25, 2019 at 6:04am PST Head over to our Instagram for more inspiration, and click here to book in and get your nails did!

Tattoos have been around for centuries. From Cambodian monks who were tattooed with symbols of their beliefs, to Pacific Islanders who used tattoos to display respect for their Gods and attract good health. Towards the 1800s, tattoos started being used as an art form by British sailors who adorned their bodies with tattoos showing off their lovers, birthing the pin-up girl and the iconic old school tattoo era. Fast forward a couple of hundred years and it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t decorated their body with a tattoo or two. From minimal linear designs to intricate shaded pieces, tattooing has truly taken on its own world. Whether you’re already a walking artwork yourself or looking to get your first inking, here’s a few of our fave artists out there at the moment. Soju Princess Hot on the tails of her residency here at ISLA, how could we not include our sis Soju Princess? Yvonne is a self confessed “Molotov cocktail in an ocean of professionals”. We love the way she blends linear minimalism with quirky designs like this dragon, banana man, and T-Rex. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kjøkkentatoveringer (@soju_princess) on Mar 30, 2019 at 5:41am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kjøkkentatoveringer (@soju_princess) on Apr 28, 2018 at 4:51am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kjøkkentatoveringer (@soju_princess) on Mar 1, 2018 at 10:08am PST Soto Gang Manuela Soto, aka Soto Gang isn’t just a tattoo artist, she’s also one hell of a woman with some seriously sick nails too. Her artwork gives us sexy anime vibes and is the perfect blend of cute but bad-ass. We love this cowgirl babe and bad-bitch street girl chica, and we're totally inspired by Anouska Anastasia’s soto-nails. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑺𝑶𝑻𝑶 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫𝑾𝑰𝑫𝑬 ✨Shinin' (@soto.gang) on Mar 21, 2019 at 5:47pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑺𝑶𝑻𝑶 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫𝑾𝑰𝑫𝑬 ✨Shinin' (@soto.gang) on Mar 17, 2019 at 2:45pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑺𝑶𝑻𝑶 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫𝑾𝑰𝑫𝑬 ✨Shinin' (@soto.gang) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:45pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑺𝑶𝑻𝑶 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫𝑾𝑰𝑫𝑬 ✨Shinin' (@soto.gang) on Mar 16, 2019 at 4:51pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝔞𝔫𝔬𝔲𝔰𝔨𝔞 𝔰𝔠𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔢𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔞𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔰𝔦𝔞 (@anouskaanastasia) on Mar 15, 2019 at 7:27am PDT Ruda Alina Resident of our neighbours @future_berlin, Alina Ruda blends quirky designs with colour and textured lines. Her designs evoke fun and childhood reminiscence, from this skateboarding dog, to a tiger with lady legs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by THIS GAME HAS NO NAME (@ruda_alina) on Feb 17, 2019 at 8:55am PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by THIS GAME HAS NO NAME (@ruda_alina) on Mar 31, 2019 at 5:55am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by THIS GAME HAS NO NAME (@ruda_alina) on Sep 25, 2018 at 7:30am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by THIS GAME HAS NO NAME (@ruda_alina) on Jul 10, 2018 at 8:43am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by BERLIN📍tattoo collectiv (@future_berlin) on Apr 4, 2019 at 1:00pm PDT Rozita Tattoo A regular here at ISLA, Rozita has really made a name for themself in the Berlin tattoo scene. Riding the wave of the popular hand-poke tattoos, Rozita’s are both abstract and emotionally evocative. Check out their work over at @fantasy_berlin, a queer tattoo collective serving up some seriously weird and wonderful designs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by handpoke tattoos (@rozita_ttoo) on Mar 30, 2019 at 1:46pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by handpoke tattoos (@rozita_ttoo) on Mar 15, 2019 at 9:14am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by handpoke tattoos (@rozita_ttoo) on Jan 4, 2019 at 7:27am PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by ISLA Berlin 💅🏼💅🏾💅🏿 (@islaberlin) on Aug 9, 2018 at 6:56am PDT Madame Buraka Designer of the ISLA logo and international tattoo and photography sensation, Madam Buraka describes herself as “not a woman” but “a world”, and we couldn’t agree more. Her designs are slick, sensual, and instantly recognisable, from her depictions of the female form to animal and lettering collages. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MADAME BURAKA (@burakatattooflash) on Apr 4, 2019 at 10:01am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by MADAME BURAKA (@burakatattooflash) on Mar 15, 2019 at 1:57pm PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by MADAME BURAKA (@burakatattooflash) on Feb 18, 2019 at 10:53am PST

What happens when you mix one part fashion student, and one part synth pop star? Cult label X-girl was born in 1994, founded by stylist Daisy von Furth and Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon. “Back in the 90s, you weren’t cool if you weren’t wearing X-girl” says Dazed magazine’s Morgan Nyfeler, “with its logo t-shirts, A-line dresses and androgynous look, the brand established itself as the go-to for skater girls.” Kim and Daisy designed clothes that they wanted to wear and the label was considered to be “a pioneer of the ‘girls movement’ in the fashion industry.” They wanted “something that was really of the moment” said X-girl pattern maker Wendy Mullin, “at the time, ‘girl power’ was coming out and this idea of ‘anything boys can do, girls can do better’.” “It was really part of that early 90s feminist thing happening” said Wendy. Reminiscing about the brand, Vogue’s Rebecca Johnson said “it was the gateway fashion drug for 90s girls like me who were anti-establishment, anti-mainstream, anti-consumer, strictly secondhand, skate-schooled, reared on DIY ethics, on punk, hip-hop, with a shot of indie rock.” In 1998 the brand was bought out by a Japanese company, and fast forward 20 years later X-girl continues to churn out cult-classic looks “inspired by rock, military, outdoor, sports and many other street culture factors.”With the growing reemergence of cult 90s clothing, blended with the iconic styles of the y2k era, the X-Girl look is back on trend. The brand’s most recent collections ooze punk girl power, and add just the right amount of 90s feminist aesthetic to any look. Some of our fave pieces are the X-Girl Plaid Skirt, X-Girl Wide Jacket with Big Pockets, X-Girl Flowing Earclips and the X-Girl Desert Camo Pants. Check out the X-girl lookbook below and shop the brand instore and online at ISLA.