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 – and often exhausting – battle. By now, it’s a familiar cycle: a fashion house unveils its latest collection, the press fawns, social media unearths its problematic...
Current in Fashion + Beauty
Cosmetic vagina surgeries are hugely popular among Gen Z
‘Designer vagina’ 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. It’s never been easier to look at a vagina. In the digital age – unless parental controls are active –...
Gen Z’s latest accessory? Ear plugs
The unlikely trend has made ear safety stylish. What’s the harm? 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. California is widely considered a harbinger of progressive legislation, leading the charge in areas from emissions control to consumer privacy. The state’s latest step is a decisive push against textile waste. Under a new law, manufacturers of...
Opinion – does ‘luxury’ 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. Many consider this a marketing strategy, especially in an era where social media incentivises us...
Chappell Roan’s merch highlights the true cost of fashion
The singer has faced backlash for high prices, but sustainable clothing comes at a cost. 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...
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. 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'. Society has been led to an era where we believe that beauty can only be achieved through the use of...
Dupe culture still isn’t going anywhere
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 fashion’s ‘must-have’ items. ‘Dupe’ has become a buzzword in 2024, a...
The Met Gala’s latest theme is timely and necessary
The Met Gala’s 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 – Camp and Heavenly Bodies come to mind – next year’s Met Ball will focus on the history of Black menswear. The concept feels grounded, if not overdue. It’s a crucial nod to the sartorial excellence of Black...
Gloucestershire’s ‘Wear Not Waste’ campaign is encouraging clothing reuse
The organisation wants you to think twice before tossing that jumper. As far as environmental catastrophes go, your wardrobe may not be the first culprit that comes to mind. But Gloucestershire Recycles, a coalition of the country’s councils, is here to remind us that our favourite fast-fashion impulse buys are part of the problem. Their latest campaign, ‘Wear Not Waste’, is encouraging people to start thinking of clothes as renewable...
