RECO uses deadstock leather to make luxury handbags
Born out of a pandemic project, RECO takes deadstock leather from the factories of the world’s biggest brands and transforms it into exclusive, luxury handbag collections. As the fashion industry comes under increasing pressure to lower its ranking on the environmental destruction index, the world’s most sought-after brands are starting...
Current in Style
Opinion – the pandemic has dampened our zeal for life
Those of us who somehow avoided falling victim to the mental health crisis induced by years of on-off isolation have found ourselves emotionally coasting, a defence mechanism we developed to protect us from becoming overwhelmed that’s resulted in us feeling very little. In the aftermath of Covid and the mental...
Balenciaga’s Paris sneaker and the problem with the ‘poor aesthetic’
Balenciaga’s latest creation is the stuff of nightmares – a £1,290 shoe that looks like it crawled straight out of a Wes Craven movie. But perhaps the scariest thing about these trainers is that Balenciaga thought it reasonable to launch them at all, co-opting a controversial ‘poverty aesthetic’ to...
How reading can improve our mental health
Warmer weather and longer evenings are finally here. A welcome respite from endless winter days, summer is often seen as a chance to get outside and focus on our mental health. And while it may not involve much physical activity, reading a book in the sun may be just...
Opinion – it’s time to stop makeup shaming
Makeup has been around for thousands of years and is truly multipurpose. Today, it’s used for multiple forms of expression. Does wearing makeup mean giving in to mainstream beauty standards, or is it a form of empowerment? Let’s discuss. The debate surrounding makeup is becoming as blown out of proportion...
Gen-Z TikTok account Rag Report dominating app’s fashion corner
An account called Rag Report operates solely on TikTok and prides itself on being a magazine inspired, collaborative fashion project. Stumble upon Rag Report’s account on TikTok and you’ll find an online domain rich in fashion knowledge, comprehensive style archives, and all things clothing-related, created by and for Gen-Z. Getting started...
How tech is helping people with ‘normative discontent’
New research shows that unreliable body image perception is far more pervasive than initially assumed. Fortunately, state of the art digital therapy to tackle this is in the works. If you criticise your appearance every time you see your reflection – even in the smallest way – or feel constant unhappiness whenever glancing in the mirror, chances are you’re experiencing ‘normative discontent.’ The phrase, which was originally coined in the...
Can sustainable fashion exist at the Met?
The 2022 Met Ball was a show of sustainable fashion, with guests wearing an array of up-cycled materials, vintage looks, and small-name designers. But with all the stigma burgeoning around the event, has the Met established itself as a tone-deaf distraction from fashion’s biggest sins? In-case you missed it, the 2022 Met Gala took place last week, returning to its annual spot on the first Monday in May since Covid-19...
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...
Opinion – the Met Gala is officially washed
C-list celebrities gaining entry, underwhelming outfit choices, and a totally tone-deaf theme — is it time to admit the Met isn’t what it used to be? If it feels like you’ve blinked and it’s the annual Met Gala again, don’t be alarmed. The last was rescheduled due to a well-known flu virus and occurred a mere 6 months ago in mid-September. As such, celebrity stylists were left with a short time...
