Balenciaga’s Paris sneaker and the problem with the ‘poor aesthetic’
Balenciaga’s latest creation is the stuff of nightmares – a £1,290 shoe that looks like it crawled straight out of a Wes Craven movie. But perhaps the scariest thing about these trainers is that Balenciaga thought it reasonable to launch them at all, co-opting a controversial ‘poverty aesthetic’ to...
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Opinion – it’s time to stop makeup shaming
Makeup has been around for thousands of years and is truly multipurpose. Today, it’s used for multiple forms of expression. Does wearing makeup mean giving in to mainstream beauty standards, or is it a form of empowerment? Let’s discuss. The debate surrounding makeup is becoming as blown out of proportion...
Gen-Z TikTok account Rag Report dominating app’s fashion corner
An account called Rag Report operates solely on TikTok and prides itself on being a magazine inspired, collaborative fashion project. Stumble upon Rag Report’s account on TikTok and you’ll find an online domain rich in fashion knowledge, comprehensive style archives, and all things clothing-related, created by and for Gen-Z. Getting started...
Can sustainable fashion exist at the Met?
The 2022 Met Ball was a show of sustainable fashion, with guests wearing an array of up-cycled materials, vintage looks, and small-name designers. But with all the stigma burgeoning around the event, has the Met established itself as a tone-deaf distraction from fashion’s biggest sins? In-case you missed it, the...
‘Make do and mend’ is the hottest new eco-friendly trend
Gen Z, the very demographic most devoted to throwaway fashion, understands the importance of wearing an article of clothing many times to justify its environmental cost. For this reason, the repair revolution – an integral part of the industry’s push for sustainability – is well underway. Resale, rental, regeneration –...
Opinion – the Met Gala is officially washed
C-list celebrities gaining entry, underwhelming outfit choices, and a totally tone-deaf theme — is it time to admit the Met isn’t what it used to be? If it feels like you’ve blinked and it’s the annual Met Gala again, don’t be alarmed. The last was rescheduled due to a well-known...
Opinion – the concept of ‘clean’ beauty is a myth
The ‘clean beauty’ industry has boomed in the past few years, and continues to rise as consumers prioritise ‘non-toxic’ and ‘chemical-free’ formulas. But if our bodies are composed of chemicals, why do we avoid them in our skincare? Nowadays, the words ‘clean’ and ‘beauty’ seem entirely synonymous with one another. TikTok has seen the rise of the ‘clean girl’ trend, whose proprietors are slicking back their hair, combing their brows,...
Underwear brand Parade expertly encapsulates Gen-Z’s values
Not only is the company committed to using sustainable materials and delivering products designed for everyone, but a recycle and reward program is already underway. Tired of buying underwear that’s focused more on aesthetics than comfort? Worried that all the underwear you’ve ever owned is piling up in some landfill site halfway across the world? Don’t get your knickers in a twist, there’s now a lingerie company that’s centred around everything...
Luxury fashion looks into developing lab-grown fur
Livestock-free replacements for conventional animal-based materials are all the rage these days. That’s why LVMH is attempting to create a plastic-free, sustainable alternative to fur using keratin, the main protein in hair. Big news in the luxury arena: high fashion that’s suitable for vegans. Yep, you heard that right, the designer side of the industry is starting to make bids towards adopting more eco-friendly practices, with LVMH leading the charge. Trust...
Shein vs Zara: proof that fast fashion is truly ruthless
The Amazon of the style realm stands accused of copying its retail rival after dozens of images were shared on social media showing virtually identical garments from the two outlets. Here’s why this paints a terrifying picture of the Earth’s future. A year ago, I asked where we were in the ongoing fight against fast fashion after seeing numerous headlines touting its demise. Almost a year into the...