Why Gen Z is leaving luxury fashion on the shelf
High-end brands are failing to resonate with younger customers. What does this mean for the future of fashion? For luxury fashion brands, Gen Z are a confusing bunch. They have money to spend (with many of their cohort approaching the latter end of their twenties, and a healthy bunch splurging...
Current in Fashion + Beauty
What is a ‘swag gap?’
TikTok’s latest colloquial term ‘swag gap’ refers to couples or partners who have an obvious difference in aesthetic and style choices. Could you be part of a ‘swag gap’ couple? TikTok has graced us with another new slang term, this time focusing on couples and their outfit choices. Yes,...
What does Vogue’s new editorial lead mean for the brand?
Chloe Malle has been named editorial lead of American Vogue. The self-confessed ‘nepo baby’ marks a new chapter for a former fashion mecca that seems to have lost its way. Anna Wintour stepped back from American Vogue in July of this year, signalling a seismic shift for the editorial powerhouse...
Rare Beauty and the importance of accessible packaging
The makeup brand has launched a new fragrance with disabled consumers in mind. It raises important questions around a lack of inclusivity in one of the world’s most popular industries. Selena Gomez has done a lot of things. She’s been a successful actor, then pop star, and now beauty mogul...
The paradox of vintage fashion hauls
Gen Z may have an affinity for second-hand clothing, but that won’t change their longstanding love of overconsumption. When I was growing up in rural England, second-hand shopping meant reluctantly traipsing around a charity shop with my mum and hoping nobody from school spotted me. The clothes smelt like damp...
How science is changing plastic surgery of the future
Cosmetic enhancements led by AI and advancements in stem cell research are about to transform how we think about plastic surgery, deal with the healing process, and feel about ageing forever. In 2025, it’s not uncommon to hear someone say they’re considering getting cosmetic tweakments or aesthetic procedures like Botox,...
The paradox of vintage fashion hauls
Gen Z may have an affinity for second-hand clothing, but that won’t change their longstanding love of overconsumption. When I was growing up in rural England, second-hand shopping meant reluctantly traipsing around a charity shop with my mum and hoping nobody from school spotted me. The clothes smelt like damp and usually had more than one dubious stain. Needless to say, it wasn’t the height of fashion. Things started to change...
Why has eyelid surgery suddenly become so popular?
Statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reveal that eyelid surgery (officially known as blepharoplasty) is now the most sought after procedure in the US. Why do people want to cut skin from their eyelids? For decades, breast augmentations and liposuction were the two most popular aesthetic procedures sought by patients in the United States. In recent years though, more and more people are headed to aesthetic surgeons...
Iris Van Herpen debuts ‘living dress’ at Paris Couture Week
The Dutch designer’s latest collection Sympoiesis featured a glowing ‘live dress’ grown with 125 million bioluminescent algae, blurring the lines between nature, fashion, and technology. The world of couture has a long-standing reputation for pushing the boundaries of what can be done with fashion. From incorporating unique sewing techniques, creating breathtaking structures, and incorporating novel materials, each new fashion week sees designers deliver on innovative creations that impress and allure. Dutch designer...
Are synthetic hairstyles putting women’s lives at risk?
Reports have found that synthetic fibres contain dangerous and carcinogenic chemicals. A Consumer Reports study has found that the ingredients used in synthetic hair across a range of popular brands – including Magic Fingers, Sensationnel and Shake-N-Go, have the potential to cause cancer. Braids have been the site of care and resistance for centuries within the Black community, serving as protection from the heat and other environmental factors. This follows a rich...
