Asafo flags

Graceful and practical in equal measure, the parasol has a long and colourful history when it comes to creating shade. Deborah Nicholls-Lee takes cover

YOU WILL NEED ■ DROPS Safran (100% cotton, 50g/160m) 1 ball of each: Turquoise (30) Apple Green (31) Sunshine (11) Magenta (75) ■ A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse

To mark VJ Day 80, Fiona Bruce focuses on some touching family treasures

There can’t be many shops that have received the distinction of being commemorated by the Royal Mint striking a coin in its honour. Not just any coin, but a £5 model, either in plain gold at £3,965, o

This year the iconic London store Liberty celebrates its 150th anniversary. Acclaimed for its quirky, imaginative style – and renowned for its sumptuous, printed fabrics – a century and a half on the

As summer temperatures continue to soar, fans–long considered a fashion anachronism–are back in the style spotlight, says Jack Watkins