£450k for trainers: why vintage fashion is the new smart investment
In a booming market for Birkins, Baguettes and ‘Lux Anaconda’ shoes, the traditional auction houses are getting in on the act
In focus
One hell of a city: how Birmingham embraced its heavy metal legacy
A new exhibition about Black Sabbath finally cements the Midlands’ reputation as the home of a global musical phenomenon
Catwalk cover-up: how the west is falling for modest fashion
The flowing sleeves and long hemlines favoured by Muslims are inspiring designers around the world
Regime change: 10 steps to perfect skin … but you might need a chemistry degree
The pursuit of a flawless complexion has gone far beyond cleanse, tone and moisturise. We venture into the baffling but fast-growing world of high-end skincare
Influencers can combat fast fashion’s toxic trend
We need the young to turn their fire on an industry that could soon account for a quarter of all global carbon emissions
I never set out to stick my knife into a restaurant – but some just deserve it
The Observer restaurant critic’s most biting reviews have now been collected in a book. Here, he defends the art of negative criticism – after all, it’s just a part of the job