I was 13 years old when I discovered Vivienne Westwood. The music came first. From the moment I heard the album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, I was hooked. Within a few months, I was spending my pocket money on a knock-off Westwood design — tartan bondage trousers. My punk look was… Continue reading Fashion, sex and drag — Vivienne Westwood’s queer legacy
Kim Kardashian has broken the internet again — but this time it’s with fake pubes, not latex. “How funny are these merkins!” the Skims CEO chortled, holding up a pair of her line’s latest release to the camera: faux pubic hair underwear. The reaction has been mixed. Some think it’s marketing brilliance; others are worried… Continue reading What Skims’ latest release can tell us about the state of body image in 2025
“Elegance is not standing out, but being remembered”. Following Giorgio Armani’s passing on 4 September, it’s fitting to reflect on his fashion legacy and the brand he established. Armani introduced unstructured Italian tailoring to both European and American fashion markets, creating timeless ready-to-wear designs that dismantled the restrictive silhouettes of the 1970s. The name was… Continue reading The lasting legacy of Giorgio Armani
Fashion has a notorious environmental footprint, accounting for up to 10% of global carbon dioxide output. This is exacerbated by a fast fashion business model which encourages the frequent purchase of low-priced and non-durable items. Around 30% of online purchases are subsequently returned, much of which goes to landfill. In 2020, an estimated 2.6 million… Continue reading Fast fashion — why your online returns may end up in landfill
One of the most renowned and valuable timepieces in the world, the Breguet No. 160 “Marie Antoinette” watch, will go on display for the first time in the UK at the Versailles: Science and Splendour exhibition, opening at the Science Museum in London on 12 December 2024. This masterpiece, designed by legendary Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis… Continue reading Marie Antoinette’s Breguet watch to be displayed in London
Fast-fashion brand Shein expressed interest last year in listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). But — having met some opposition from US politicians, including Republican Florida senator Marco Rubio — it has now reportedly turned its attention to London. While this would be a boost for the London Stock Exchange (LSE), which has… Continue reading As governments crack down on fast fashion’s harms, could Shein lose its shine?
In 2012, Prada took an unconventional approach by recruiting actors renowned for their villainous roles to showcase their suits, in which the phrase “the devil wears Prada” took on a literal meaning. For the fall 2012 men’s show at Milan Fashion Week, Prada opted for a twist by featuring a cast of notable antagonists instead… Continue reading Defoe, Oldman and Brody are Prada villains
In the highly anticipated Dune: Part Two, it’s not just the stellar performances by Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Austin Butler that steal the spotlight; it’s the fashion. The film’s costume design, reminiscent of Rick Owens’ aesthetic, is a standout feature, resonating with today’s fashion trends. For decades, science fiction has influenced fashion designers. Raf Simons… Continue reading Dune: Part Two’s fashion takes inspiration from Rick Owens and contemporary trends
“Larry David is one of the best-dressed men on television,” declared New York magazine in 2020. Stylist Allison Bornstein, among others on TikTok, has celebrated David as an “accidental style icon,” praising his “classic, layered, and practical” fashion choices. His “laid-back dad style” has been lauded by fashion publications, and he has even graced the… Continue reading The Larry David style — a closer look at the fashion evolution of the Curb Your Enthusiasm star
You face a dilemma. You’ve found the perfect shirt, and it’s an absolute bargain, but you notice it’s “Made in Bangladesh”. You’re conscious it was probably made using cheap labour. Do you buy it, or walk away? Today Oxfam released its annual Naughty or Nice list. This list highlights retail brands committed to transparent sourcing,… Continue reading We know sweatshop clothing is bad — and buy it anyway. Here’s how your brain makes excuses
