Balenciaga’s quest for redemption has had the opposite effect
The luxury brand’s brush with accusations of paedophilia has united haters and fans in shared concern. But the controversy also points to systemic issues of exploitation and power within the fashion industry. Publicity stunt? Mindless oversight? Elite satanic conspiracy? Whichever best explains Balenciaga’s latest controversy – triggered by two campaigns that...
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New report links global fashion consumption to inequality
A new fashion report by Berlin’s Hot or Cool Institute presents data on how fashion consumption exposes global inequalities, reveals how many outfits we really need in our closets, and makes suggestions for improving sustainability within consumer behaviour. Whether you already live by the advice of sustainable fashion advocates or...
The Fashion Pact establishes new renewable energy agreement
After a quiet two years, the CEO-led coalition has announced the launch of a promising sustainability initiative that seeks to accelerate the industry’s green transition. By now, I’m sure you’re well aware that fashion has an acute sustainability problem. If you’ve somehow missed out on the details, however, allow me to...
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...
Vestiaire Collective bans the resale of fast fashion on its platform
Seeking to fight waste and encourage consumers to buy ‘quality over quantity,’ the pre-loved online marketplace has announced it will now prohibit brands including ASOS, boohoo, and SHEIN from being bought, sold, or listed by its users. Buying second-hand clothing has never been easier or more common. Offering consumers a way...
New documentary goes undercover inside SHEIN’s factories
Available on Channel 4, the documentary reveals that workers making clothing for the fast-fashion giant SHEIN are paid as little as 3p per garment while working 18-hour shifts. Most of us aren’t blind to the fact that the availability of ultra-cheap clothing is impossible without the exploitation of workers who...
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 and the ways in which it seemed to have lost its allure. From its tone-deaf theme to its oversaturated invite list,...
Adidas launches new swim cap line for Black and afro hair
In collaboration with the British company Soul Cap, the global sportswear giant has introduced another inclusive product to its athletic wear collection. This time, it’s a swim cap designed to fit swimmers with long, voluminous, or Black and afro hair. Last year, Adidas launched a marketing campaign that showcased how a one-size-fits-all approach to sports bra design has resulted in women lacking adequate breast support during their fitness routines. Today, the...
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 most straight men still recoil when being convinced to get a tidy-up mani-pedi (trust me, I’ve tried), the promotion of...
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 carbon dioxide per event. As soon as this information was made public, demands flew in for London, Paris, Milan -...
