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...
Current in Fashion + Beauty
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...
Beauty takes a stand against anti-abortion laws
Over 60 brands have signed a joint statement in support of reproductive rights. Called ‘Don’t Ban Equality,’ the initiative seeks to show corporate solidarity with womxn’s health. Earlier this month, a Supreme Court document indicating the abolition of the Roe V Wade bill was leaked to the public. For almost fifty...
Is the concept of anti-ageing beauty dying out?
The beauty industry is oversaturated with products that claim to turn back the clock on our appearance, but is the rejection of growing older being replaced by new values? Scan the descriptions of pots and bottles shelved inside any beauty store and it’d be difficult to suppress the feeling that...
Why we must cut our new clothing purchases by 75%
If you favour human and environmental wellbeing over the ever-growing consumption of throwaway fast fashion, switching to a smaller wardrobe may be your only option. Regardless of how tempting it is to buy into the flurry of new aesthetics, cores, and microtrends that flood our feeds, there’s no ignoring the...
TikTok’s face tape trend has been newly co-signed by a major star
Next up on the list of questionable TikTok trends is using tape to achieve a temporary face lift or to prevent the formation of wrinkles while asleep. But is it legit? Scroll on TikTok and you’ll stumble upon beauty hacks ranging from traditional to taboo, helpful to downright dangerous, or...
How will the UK plastic packaging tax impact beauty?
From April 1, any company manufacturing or importing packaging containing less than 30% recycled materials will be taxed £200 per tonne. For an industry that’s renowned for its insurmountable reliance on plastic, this may well pose some issues. Earlier this month, ‘the most important international deal since the Paris climate accord’ was approved by the United Nations Environmental Assembly in an effort to tackle the mountains...
You decide – is beauty glamourising drug culture?
Harry Styles’ long-awaited cosmetics brand just dropped a psychedelic-inspired collection. Aesthetic visuals aside, there may exist a wider issue with the way these products are being marketed. Whether we like it or not, psychedelics are having their moment. Permeating both mainstream media for their extraordinary medical potential and our social media feeds as young people struggling with mental health conditions increasingly look into them for personal development, hallucinogenic...
People on Twitter are freaking out about adidas’ new bra campaign
When does marketing take things too far? According to many people online, showing uncensored, unfiltered pictures of real women’s bodies on Twitter is the answer. adidas has just announced its latest range of sports bras with a powerful, yet controversial campaign. The ad is for the brand’s line of 43 new bras, designed to offer support for all body types, and was launched by sharing a photo grid of 25 pairs...
Rihanna’s maternity style sparks debate on pregnancy beauty standards
In encouraging a new generation of expecting mothers to flaunt their bellies as they see fit, the singer-cum-business mogul is advocating the importance of rejecting societal expectations regarding what women should be wearing during those nine months. When those iconic pregnancy reveal pictures graced our feeds back in January, they were – for the most part – met with an overwhelming influx of adoration from die-hard fans and humble observers...
