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...
Current in Style
Plant-based version of nylon fabric is on the horizon
As the fashion industry looks for ways to shrink its environmental footprint, two companies have partnered up to create a sustainable nylon fabric from plant-based materials. Nylon was the fashion industry’s first ever lab-made fabric. Today, it stands as the most environmentally problematic. Nylon first gained popularity during the 1940s, replacing...
Loewe pairs with Spanish designer for plant-covered collection
While it may not be the most practical fashion choice, wearing fabrics that support growing plant life could bring us closer to nature. At Loewe’s Spring 2023 fashion show in Paris, spectators were pleasantly surprised to see models strut down the runway in unique garments covered in greenery. Think sneakers decorated...
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...
Exclusive – Rebecca Cappelli explores fashion’s animal problem
We spoke with award-winning filmmaker and dedicated animal rights activist Rebecca Cappelli about the far-reaching culture shift she hopes to bring about with her latest documentary, Slay. Every year, billions of animals are killed so that their fur, wool, and skin can be passed on to the fashion industry. Lining...
Could outdoor swimming benefit our mental health?
Scientists in the UK have launched a study examining how immersion in cold, open water could work as an alternative option to medication for people with depression. If you’ve even a rudimentary understanding of mental health, likelihood is you’re familiar to the concept of going for walks to improve...
Nigeria’s young designers embrace genderfluid fashion
In a country where homosexuality is illegal, the fashion industry is upending gender norms to explore identity and queer resilience. Before Covid-19 disrupted the fashion industry as we then knew it, a movement was building amongst Nigeria’s young designers. Masculine shapes were swapped for feminine cuts and fabrics. Silk, frills, and fuchsia began to appear in menswear collections, disregarding rigid ideas of gender. This fluid approach to design is hardly unfamiliar,...
When will we finally close the door on toxic body trends?
While the body positivity movement has never been stronger, an almost overnight rejection of the BBL trend signals that we haven’t completely let go of ever-changing standards for women’s bodies. Few things change faster than society’s view of the ideal woman’s body type, and despite ‘body trends’ being highly problematic, the constant ebb and flow of which shapes and sizes are deemed desirable remains a sad reality. A look at women...
Retouched influencer photos may soon come with a warning
In the wake of Norway’s recent legal amendments, the UK is now weighing up whether or not to include transparency warnings on social media posts featuring digitally altered bodies. Despite a welcome emphasis on authentic platforms like BeReal, social media is still plagued with ultra-curated, digitally enhanced content. In other breaking news, water is still wet. Numerous studies have highlighted an undoubtable link between the aesthetic side of social...
Farfetch launches sustainability tool with Good on You
Luxury fashion brands can now access a tool called Good Measures to secure a sustainability rating on the Farfetch website. The goal is to increase transparency on the environmental impact of the industry while incentivising brands to improve their practices. Now more than ever, the fashion sector is under immense pressure to sharpen its sustainability practices. With fast fashion giants like SHEIN and Fashion Nova generating more than enough waste to...
