Why Lululemon has anti-coal campaigners fired up
Environmental activists have called out the multibillion-dollar clothing company Lululemon over concerns that the pollution churned out by its production practices is inconsistent with its ethical branding. One of the largest, fastest growing, and most profitable fitness apparel brands in the world has come under fire for continuing to rely...
Current in Fashion + Beauty
How California’s plastic ban will challenge the beauty industry
The Golden State has announced a new bill that will ban the sale of single-use plastics by 2032. What does this mean for the hundreds of beauty brands that create and sell their products in California? Plastic is arguably the world’s most convenient synthetic material, but it has become an...
Stella McCartney wants to create a genuinely sustainable skincare market
As more brands adopt sustainable practices in favour of environmentally damaging ones, the beauty industry looks to be on the cusp of foregoing greenwashing, a tactic that continues to hinder progress in our fight against the climate crisis. This week, designer and sustainability champion Stella McCartney – who has,...
Barbie launches its first doll with hearing aids
A huge step forward in disability representation, Mattel’s latest collection is a notable effort to celebrate a much broader view of beauty. In 2019, Mattel unveiled a range of gender-neutral dolls to reflect changing social landscapes as the world continues to celebrate the positive impact of inclusivity. A year later, in...
Are white celebrities ‘retiring’ a Black aesthetic?
A recent article by ‘Dazed’ suggests famous white women, most notably the Kardashians, have abandoned the Black aesthetic they’ve appropriated for the past few decades. But can racial and cultural identity be reduced to a ‘look’? And does the white monopoly over global beauty standards show any signs of...
Opinion – we should approach compostable beauty with caution
With greenwashing tactics increasingly difficult to navigate, environmentally conscious consumers remain sceptical when faced with new sustainability buzzwords adopted by brands pushing cosmetics and skincare products. As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, so too do the companies eager to generate revenue in the age of hyperawareness. Though it isn’t...
Are ‘reef safe’ sunscreen brands simply another example of greenwashing?
The term ‘reef safe’ is not regulated, meaning any sunscreen brand can include the phrase on its product labels. What does ‘reef safe’ mean and are these claims greenwashing? If you’ve been keeping up with skincare trends, SPF for your face and body are likely near the top on your holiday packing list this summer. The last few years have seen sunscreen promoted as the most important product in our daily...
Perfume makers are leaning into gender-fluid scents
Perfume brands begin to pull back from focusing on gender-orientated marketing, as women tire of being told to smell like a precious flower and men reject tree-like scents - and some just want a wonderful mix of both. I might only be speaking for myself when I say this, but there are few simpler pleasures in life than knowing that you smell good. Scents are capable of evoking emotions and memories,...
Lionfish-derived leather alternative heals ecosystems
After witnessing how lionfish have devastated populations of Florida’s native tropical species, a team of diving enthusiasts figured out how to solve the problem: by inventing a new sustainable material. In recent years, the fashion industry has faced increased pressure to become more eco-conscious. The ever-worsening climate crisis demands rapid, substantial change, and the pandemic has forced brands to halt their operations and reassess long-term priorities. As a result, we’ve...
SHEIN launches purpose-driven clothing line
The notorious fast fashion offender has announced a new collection it claims is made entirely from responsibly-sourced materials to help consumers invest in people and planet. Ah, SHEIN. The Amazon of the style realm that’s renowned for profiting off unsavoury labour practices while contributing significantly to the climate crisis. One of the most notorious (and popular) fast fashion offenders, it’s repeatedly come under fire for stealing and...
