Latest Stories from Flo
Opinion – Kourtney’s collaboration with Boohoo deserves criticism
The reality star has been mocked on social media for her new role as fast fashion brand Boohoo’s Sustainability Ambassador. But while it may be hard to believe, Kardashian’s latest collaboration is no laughing matter. Reality stars and fast fashion are no strangers to one another. Despite strides to unpick this deep-seated relationship, and a growing disdain for fast fashion amongst young consumers, Gen Z are still addicted...
Nigeria bans use of foreign models in advertising
Despite a population of 200 million, Nigeria has historically relied on foreign faces in advertising. A new ban on white and non-Nigerian models is a big step in representation, but will it work? When you think of Nigeria, you don’t tend to imagine white models and actors with British accents. But in a large portion of Nigerian pop culture, foreign faces take centre stage. Cultural assassination in Hollywood has driven the...
Opinion – Hadid Palestine backlash shows importance of identity
Bella Hadid has admitted to losing ‘so many jobs’ and experiencing harassment from both strangers and friends after vocalising her support for Palestine. Today Bella Hadid would be considered as an ‘it girl’. Her fashion sense drives global trends, her hairstyles have triggered viral tutorials, and her facial features have boosted the popularity of niche surgical treatments. With this fame has come equal parts criticism. Bella’s privileged upbringing, white complexion, and...
The bottled water scam is destroying the planet and our pockets
Ever thought about why we choose to spend money on something we can get free from the tap? Is there really any benefit to drinking bottled water – or is this $283 billion industry the ultimate case study in powerful marketing? Water has always been the de-facto drink for achieving health and wellness. This narrative has ensured bottled water is one of our favourite beverages, with market giants like...
Opinion – Why HS2 may be a huge infrastructural failure
The new high-speed railway will connect Manchester, Birmingham, and London as part of government efforts to ‘level-up’ the North. But with numerous contingencies, mounting costs, and environmental damages, HS2 might be the biggest major infrastructure failure in recent memory. HS2 was first proposed by Labour government in 2009. A massive rail infrastructure project, it was designed to ‘level-up’ the North of England by providing better transport links throughout the...
Should we normalise taking regular social media breaks?
Actor Tom Holland has announced he will be taking a break from social media for the sake of his mental health. Does his openness mark a turning point in our attitudes toward anxiety, depression, and the internet – particularly amongst young men? Celebrities announcing their withdrawal from Instagram and Twitter is nothing new. Especially when the hiatus is driven by a concern for mental health. But these very public admissions...
The Academy finally apologises to Sacheen Littlefeather
Apache activist and actress, Sacheen Littlefeather, was booed off stage after accepting an Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando. Now, 50 years later, the Academy has finally apologised. When Marlon Brando won an Academy Award for ‘The Godfather’ in 1973, he wasn’t there to receive his accolade. Instead, indigenous actress Sacheen Littlefeather, of Apache heritage, walked on stage to collect the Oscar on Brando’s behalf. Littlefeather’s surprise appearance was part of...
Jack Wills capitalises on Blackness in cringeworthy rebrand
The preppy-cool brand that dominated the early 2010s is distancing from its past after major losses. But Jack Wills has come under fire for commodifying the same people it originally excluded. Jack Wills was once king of the high-street. The brand’s navy gilets and polo shirts, striped bedding and matching welly boots, were cult must-haves for millions of teenagers. Founder Peter Williams originally created Jack Wills as a ‘University Outfitters’, a...
Tate gallery pays six-figure settlement to three artists
In a huge breakthrough, Tate – one of the biggest institutions in the world – has payed a six-figure legal settlement to three artists after the gallery was sued for victimisation and race discrimination. When I read on Sunday that Tate had agreed to pay Amy Sharrocks and Jade Montserrat – both sculptors and performance artists – a six-figure legal settlement, I found myself in a state of shock. Tate is...
Why are all AI assistants feminised?
Ever wondered why Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant all answer our beck and call in sweet dulcet tones? The female gendering of AI technology is pervasive and largely unquestioned – but does it enforce damaging stereotypes? Rather disconcertingly, AI assistants are now an omnipotent presence in day-to-day life. Whether you use them for weather updates, fun-facts, or quick math equations (guilty), most of us interact with AI on a regular...
