Opinion β social media is stifling our style and individuality
We now live in a time where the term βmicrotrendβ doesnβt suffice to describe the short lifespan of social media trends. βNew year, new usβ right? And with that, new conversations online about how weβll improve our unique style and find our identities this year.Β But are we truly trying to...
Current in Fashion + Beauty
Indigenous craft is still being co-opted by the fashion industry
Actor Lily Gladstone has called out Valentino, the latest brand to copy Indigenous designers. Protecting these cultural crafts from the capitalist machine is a longstanding βΒ and often exhausting βΒ battle.Β By now, itβs a familiar cycle: a fashion house unveils its latest collection, the press fawns, social media unearths its problematic...
Cosmetic vagina surgeries are hugely popular among Gen Z
βDesigner vaginaβ surgery is one of the fastest growing cosmetic procedures among young people worldwide. Recent research has uncovered that this is due to a lack of education and diverse representation. Itβs never been easier to look at a vagina. In the digital age β unless parental controls are active β...
Gen Zβs latest accessory? Ear plugs
The unlikely trend has made ear safety stylish. Whatβs the harm?Β The soundtrack of your teens and twenties usually involves crowded festivals, loud nightclubs, and headphones dialled up to high-volume. But Gen Z are starting to reject this cacophony with help from an unlikely accessory: the earplug. Studies have shown that...
New California law requires companies to recycle unwanted clothing
The legislation intends to reduce the amount of textile waste going to landfill.Β California is widely considered a harbinger of progressive legislation, leading the charge in areas from emissions control to consumer privacy. The stateβs latest step is a decisive push against textile waste. Under a new law, manufacturers of...
Opinion β does βluxuryβ fashion still exist?
Luxury fashion has gone from being revered for its high quality, to now being coveted for its exclusivity. It's no secret that luxury brands have abandoned value for money and traded it for an exclusivity-price ratio.Β Many consider this a marketing strategy, especially in an era where social media incentivises us...
Chappell Roanβs merch highlights the true cost of fashion
The singer has faced backlash for high prices, but sustainable clothing comes at a cost.Β Chappell Roan has established herself as a no-holds-barred, unapologetic breed of celebrity. Despite being only 26-years-old, the singer has made headlines for speaking out against harassment and candidly sharing her struggles with mental health and fame. This kind of boldness isnβt without consequences, of course. The media have jumped on Roan relentlessly since she entered...
Exploring the cost of the pursuit of beauty
In an era where people are willing to do anything to fit in, health has become a secondary priority.Β If you are a woman, you may have heard the phrase 'beauty is pain'. This phrase is usually accompanied by a comment suggesting we change something about our physical appearance to 'look better'.Β Society has been led to an era where we believe that beauty can only be achieved through the use of...
Dupe culture still isnβt going anywhereΒ
Knockoff fashion is an increasingly popular way to take a stand against overpriced products. Once upon a time, buying a designer knockoff was probably something you kept under wraps. Today, however, dupes are becoming something akin to a badge of honour. Thousands of TikTokers are building dedicated followings by proudly sharing their affordable Amazon finds as perfect alternatives to luxury fashionβs βmust-haveβ items. βDupeβ has become a buzzword in 2024, a...
The Met Galaβs latest theme is timely and necessary
The Met Galaβs 2025 theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, marks a rare moment of clarity for an event more often consumed by its own pretensions. After years of abstract, at times baffling, themes β Camp and Heavenly Bodies come to mind βΒ next yearβs Met Ball will focus on the history of Black menswear. The concept feels grounded, if not overdue. Itβs a crucial nod to the sartorial excellence of Black...
