Fashion’s copycat dilemma prevents industry-wide sustainability
Multibillion dollar companies like SHEIN are stealing, recreating, and cheaply mass producing the original ideas of independent designers. Until this stops, fast fashion lives on. In February, I asked where we were in our ongoing fight against fast fashion. Unfortunately, the answer was somewhat bleak. Though the number of people shopping...
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Opinion – why it’s time we ditched the phrase ‘summer body’
Perpetuating the toxic narrative that we need to alter our physical form for a season is having a serious toll on our mental health. Here’s why we should put the notion behind us once and for all. Trigger Warning: this article contains mention of eating disorders. Every year, as the warmer...
Could non-surgical cosmetic work become prescription-only?
MPs have warned that the ‘complete absence’ of regulations for non-surgical cosmetic treatment is dangerous and must end, with a call for new rules to be introduced. In February, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority ruled that social media influencers were, by law, to disclose when using beauty filters to promote...
Researchers discover ‘forever chemicals’ in beauty products
Researchers have found signs of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that can cause lasting damage to health and the environment in more than half of 231 product samples. When shopping for cosmetics, it’s pretty standard to see a lengthy list of ingredients on almost every item, but a recent...
Could 3D printing clothes be the future of fashion?
An outlandish concept that successfully tackles growing concerns of sustainability, is being able to download and print out our garments the answer to over-consumption? When you think about constructing a three-dimensional object from a digital file, being able to print an entire outfit might not necessarily be the first thing...
Should we really be buying vegan leather?
Vegan fashion is on the rise, with the UK’s accessories sector seeing a 56 percent increase in ‘vegan’ items stocked year-on-year. But are these products really a sustainable alternative? Ever found yourself purchasing a ‘green’ clothing item from your local retailer? Veganism across the board has seen a huge surge in...
Exclusive – The future of sustainable fashion lies in the hands of the agriculture industry
With COP26 on the horizon, a growing number of fashion brands are embracing regenerative agriculture in order to meet eco-friendly consumer demands. ‘Regenerative agriculture is a powerful movement in fashion that I think is going to catch fire,’ says Oliver English. English is the CEO of Common Table Creative (CTC), a production company with the primary goal of exposing the unsustainable nature of our relationship with the planet, both in...
Beauty brands support LGTBQ+ communities for Pride Month
Pride is different this year, with celebrations cancelled or postponed. Even so, there are plenty of ways to show support by donating to charities or shopping with brands who give back. Time is up for performance activism. As young consumers, we are far more aware of the philosophical values of the companies we choose to purchase from than previous generations. Brands must now align their values with ours, be vocal about...
Ariana Grande is giving away $2 million in free therapy
The singer has partnered with a mental health support organisation to encourage today’s youth to seek help without feeling judged. On Tuesday, long-time mental health advocate Ariana Grande took to Instagram to announce that she’s giving away $2 million in free therapy to the public. The sizeable contribution has been made in partnership with BetterHelp, an app which aims to normalise seeking treatment by matching users to licenced therapists. Those who sign...
The IUD debate proves female pain is seldom taken seriously
Women have begun sharing harrowing stories of their experiences with the contraceptive device on social media, saying they felt under cared-for and misinformed during the insertion process. It’s inherently clear that women find it much harder than men to have their bodies understood within the medical sphere. Last month, responding to an article published in the Times titled ‘why we all need pain relief when having an IUD fitted,’ BBC’s Naga...