Opinion – beauty’s attempts at sustainability are misguided
So-called sustainable beauty products are everywhere. But with a new beauty line coming out almost every month, is less production the only way to achieve more in terms of true sustainability? It seems counterintuitive to say that the beauty industry is becoming more complex, especially when our understanding of which...
Current in Fashion + Beauty
Is the Met Gala’s 2023 theme problematic?
He may have been one of the most talented and influential fashion figureheads of the 21st century, but like most in positions of power, Karl Lagerfeld’s fame wasn’t without controversy. Is the Met Gala wrong to idolise him at next year’s event? Last year, I wrote about the Met Gala...
Do we really need gender-specific skincare products?
For decades, skincare routines and other beauty regimes have been viewed as rituals carried out solely by women. But as the boundaries of gender become further blurred, gender-neutral skincare products are increasing in popularity. Was the concept of gender-specific skincare ever legit to begin with? Despite the fact that...
Could sustainability make a bigger impact at next year’s Fashion Week?
Although the fashion industry is not blind to the worsening climate crisis, only a handful of designers have shown serious commitment to utilising sustainable materials in their collections. From next year, things could look quite different. According to CFDA reports, New York Fashion Week emits around 48,000 metric tons of...
The sustainability potential of Bella Hadid’s Coperni moment
Proving just how far fashion’s relationship with tech has come in recent years, a viral video of Bella Hadid being sprayed into a dress marks the next step in environmentally-friendly fabrics. For the last few weeks, as models have sauntered down runways in the fashion capitals of the world, online...
The resale market is fast fashion’s latest greenwashing ploy
We’ve a long way to go before the fashion industry can be deemed sustainable. Is the option to resell our fast fashion items back to retailers a step in the right direction or a novel way for business as usual to continue behind the scenes? Buying second-hand clothing has never...
The Love Island to fast-fashion influencer pipeline is far from over
This summer, the UK’s favourite reality dating programme clothed its stars in second-hand threads from eBay to promote circular fashion. But following their exit from the villa, contestants have already secured record-breaking deals with fast-fashion companies. Love Island season presents the opportunity to witness good-looking people argue, neck each other, and regurgitate lines like ‘you’re my type on paper’ on national television while wearing multiple outfits a day – all...
This no-waste body wash comes in dissolvable packaging
The beauty industry is a top contributor to plastic production and water waste. Helping us get closer to fully sustainable self-care is PLUS, a brand that delivers its products in fully biodegradable, waterless pouches. Unless you tend to use bars of soap or have already started buying solid shampoo, half of the toiletries sitting in your bathroom are likely housed in single-use plastic bottles. The beauty industry is a major contributor...
How is the beauty industry prioritising transparency online?
As the industry continues exploring digital spaces, community-centric platforms that allow the vetting of cosmetics and skincare products in real time are proving the most popular. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but online consumer engagement has become a top priority for the beauty industry. Anyone who’s been paying attention over the last decade or so will have noticed many leading beauty brands rapidly shift their focus onto online...
Patagonia’s founder gives company away ‘to planet Earth’
Yvon Chouinard is transferring ownership of Patagonia – valued at $3bn – to a specially-designed trust and non-profit organisation that will help fight the climate crisis. ‘Hey, friends, we just gave our company to planet Earth,’ tweeted Patagonia last night. ‘OK, it’s more nuanced than that, but we’re closed today to celebrate this new plan to save our one and only home.’ The apparel brand, which is renowned for...
