@brycehall #stitch with @centennialworld ♬ original sound – Bryce Hall

While the moment may have been seemingly innocent, some of the aforementioned TikTok creators didn’t think so — and they were pissed. The day after the show, content creator Bryce Hall responded to Eilish’s comment in, what else, a TikTok. In the video, Hall sarcastically apologized for not “bowing down” to the singer at the event and informed Eilish that Hall, alongside fellow creators like Chris Olsen, Alix Earle, and James Charles, were invited to the event by the People’s Choice Awardsorganizers. Hall wrapped up his video by telling Eilish that as a fan, “Now I don’t think I can renegade to any of your songs anymore. So thanks for taking out all my content.” So yeah, not pleased to say the least.

While the Eilish/TikTok-er feud will most likely blow over by the time the next viral trend comes around, the Billie Eilish People’s Choice Awards comment brings up an interesting debate over the role TikTok creators have at awards shows in general, and if they should even be there at all. Consider the following.

TikTok stars are the new era of entertainment

In 2024, the reality is that the entertainment industry has been taken over by social media stars, specifically TikTok. This isn’t a new phenomenon. Before TikTok, there was YouTube, with now mainstream stars like Canadian (and former FASHION cover star) Lilly Singh and Emma Chamberlain getting their start and building their fanbases on these platforms. Since welcoming fans into their lives via YouTube videos in the mid 2010s, both Singh and Chamberlain have gone on to amass millions of followers, branching out from their initial video content to the mainstream, becoming history-making late night TV hosts and launching coffee empires, respectively.

 

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In the same way the Kardashians crossed entertainment boundaries, ushering in reality stars as the new type of celebrity, Youtube, Instagram, and now TikTok content creators have started to do the same. We’ve seen this with OG creator Addison Rae, who used her TikTok celebrity to launch a beauty brand, make a foray into acting with He’s All That, and launch a (kind of successful, at least catchy) music career. As the highest grossing app in 2023, TikTok has over 1.5 billion active users a month, many of them from Gen Z, meaning that users are turning to the app for every part of their daily lives; fashion advice, cooking tutorials, and entertainment.

In this way, showing up at awards shows like the People’s Choice Awards makes sense for these content creators. They are the entertainment — and the people — that mainstream audiences turn to. In many cases, through views, likes, and shares, they are the people’s choices. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t also be critical of the role TikTok and its prominence in the entertainment industry does play, or that we even need to necessarily like it.

But virality comes with downsides

While content creators have become more aligned with mainstream celebs over the past several years, there are some ways in which they differ, specifically when it comes to visibility and the need for it. As opposed to a traditional Hollywood celeb like Selena Gomez or Dakota Johnson, who value privacy off-screen, the whole idea behind TikTok content creators and what have propelled them to stardom is the very opposite, the fact that they’re scarily unfiltered. They need to be, because their livelihoods — and virality — depend on it. Which can add a level of invasiveness and surveillance into these awards shows that didn’t exist before, with moments captured and shared for viral views. And this continues even after the show is over.

@oliveluvsyoux100 The way hes distracted looking in her eyes 🥹 #kyliejenner #timotheechalamet #goldenglobes ♬ My Love Mine All Mine – Mitski

Because another thing audiences have seen on the rise this awards season are lip reading videos, with TikTok creators taking snippets of private convos between celebs, at the Grammys,  front row at Fashion Week, on the sidelines of football games, and at the Golden Globes and incessantly dissecting them — then sharing their findings with literally everyone on the internet. Like many things, it all started with the Kardashians. During the January 7th stream of the 81st Golden Globe Awards, a video of couple Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet intimately chatting went viral, with hundreds of people attempting to determine what 2023’s most surprising couple talk about on the down-low. (The actual convo is still TBD, ranging from the young duo cooing “I love you” to each other, to Jenner complimenting Chalamet’s necklace. Ah, young love).

Later that same night, lip readers of TikTok struck once again when BFFs Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and Keleigh Teller were caught seemingly gossiping on camera about Jenner and Chalamet, with many on the social media app saying Gomez was denied a photo with Chalamet by his girlfriend. It was, to say the least, a frenzy.

@jessweslie #greenscreen #kyliejenner #timotheechalamet #kyliejennertimotheechalamet #selenagomez #goldenglobes #goldenglobes2024 #fyp ♬ original sound – Jessica Weslie Arena

And while I’m all for some good, grade A celeb gossip like this Billie Eilish People’s Choice Awards drama (blind items are my life’s blood), there’s something that feels a little icky about taking tangible private moments and conversations between celebs and blasting them all over the internet. Even if there’s no harm initially meant by it,  it inevitably leads to said celebs having to become extra vigilant and guarded. Since the Golden Globes debacle, celebs like Swift and even Billie Eilish have taken to shielding their mouths while on camera or in photos talking to people around them, reinforcing the idea and feeling that just because these people are celebrities they’re not allowed an inkling of privacy. Which is a fallacy I thought we got over a long time ago.

Regardless of whether or not TikTok-ers pop up at the Oscars or any and all awards shows to come, one thing’s for sure — they’re probably here to stay.

The post Billie Eilish Has Thoughts On TikTok Stars — And So Do We appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Taylor Swift, Ice Spice, Lana Del Rey and Blake Lively react to the Chiefs winning the #SuperBowl.

pic.twitter.com/iQR4YZbZJI

— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 12, 2024

Although they shared a box with Ice Spice, Lana Del Rey and other celebs, Taylor and Blake only had eyes for each other (and the field) during the almost four-hour game. The famous friends shouted, screamed, swore, drank, danced, hugged, and overall just looked like they were having the time of their lives cheering the Kansas City Chiefs on to victory. Of course, later on Taylor and her new beau shared a High School Musical-like moment when she congratulated him on his hard-fought win but honestly, we were more interested in the platonic love that has seemingly blossomed overnight between the two blond bombshells. (Or did it?)

Below, we’ve created a brief timeline of Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s friendship.

How did Taylor Swift and Blake Lively meet?

 

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Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s meet cute wasn’t actually that cute — at least, not at first. In 2015, the former Gossip Girl star shared a photo from a L’Oréal campaign that referenced Swift’s “Bad Blood” music video with the caption: “Soooo, turns out this WASN’T a video shoot for John Legend’s cover of “Bad Blood.”

While some fans initially mistook the caption as Blake throwing shade towards Taylor, Lively quickly revealed she was a total Swiftie and didn’t mean any harm. The two eventually met up in Australia and the rest is herstory.

What was their first viral moment?

 

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The year was 2016; the era was 1989 Girl Squad; the occasion was the Fourth of July, and the vibe was full frontal PDA, minus Ryan Reynolds. At the height of the Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston summer love tour, the couple made their relationship Instagram-official with a *suspiciously* affectionate snap of them cuddling on a lawn chair. Beside them was Blake with her husband, who looked slightly less than happy to be there, and to say the internet noticed is a bit of an understatement.

Many commented the Deadpool actor looked “dead inside” while others mirrored his cringe reaction to the over-the-top PDA of Hiddleswift. Ryan later explained that he didn’t know there was a photo being taken and that his natural resting face is “one of a man dying.” Still, the photo might be gone, but it was never forgotten.

How many times have Taylor Swift and Blake Lively worked together?

BLAKE AND RYAN ARE SO CUTE REACTING TO GORGEOUS pic.twitter.com/iEWlxSL4Xd

— “the lovely sofia jain 💕” 🥺✨ (@avocadoswifts) July 29, 2018

If you consider Blake Lively’s kids an extension of her (which we do), then the super duo have worked together three times. The first was in 2017 when Blake’s eldest daughter, James, was featured on T.Swift’s song “Gorgeous.” The second was when she name-dropped all three of the Reynold’s children (James, Inez and Betty) in her Folklore song “Betty.” And the most recent time was when Blake directed the music video for “I Bet You Think About Me” in 2021. Honourable mention: Ryan’s Bob Ross-inspired cameo in “You Need To Calm Down.”

Is Taylor Swift a good aunt?

@much Oh to be #blakelively’s child in this moment… 🥹 #taylorswift #erastour [🎥: @The Eras Live ♬ original sound – MuchMusic

If this video of her with Blake Lively’s daughters at her Eras Tour is any indication then Auntie Taylor is definitely a favourite in the Lively-Reynolds household. Not only did Tay dress up as a squirrel to go trick-or-treating with the family in NYC in 2021, Ryan Reynolds has previously admitted to many at-home dance parties, going as far to say that his kids had no idea “Auntie Taylor” was famous, until they went to one of her concerts.

How has Blake supported Taylor’s relationships?

Reason number 10,987 why Blake Lively isn’t like Serena Van Der Woodsen — she’s supportive of her friend’s relationships, both old and new. When Taylor was going through her breakup with Joe Alwyn, who was there to go to every hot spot in NYC? Blake. When the “Cruel Summer” singer needed a date to the film premiere of Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour? Blake suited up. Then, when Taylor Swift started dating Travis Kelce, who attended games in the fall, plus the 2024 Super Bowl? I think at this point you can guess.

What have Taylor Swift and Blake Lively said about each other?

 

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In the immortal words of T.Swift, it’s a love story, baby just say yes! Taylor Swift and Blake Lively have expressed their love for one another many times in many public ways. While there are perhaps too many to name some of our favourites include Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2021 Grammy Awards, when she won Album of the Year for Evermore and thanked “James, Inez and Betty and their parents who are the second and third people who I play every song that I write,” (the first, at the time, being ex Joe Alwyn).

She also name dropped her bestie when she won Favourite Pop Album at the AMAs — “”I want to take a moment to thank someone who directed the music video ‘I Bet You Think About Me,’ my beautiful, brilliant friend, my director Blake Lively.”

Not to be outdone, Blake has shown her love on Instagram. In honour of Taylor’s 30th birthday, she posted a photo of them hugging and wrote “Somehow, she’s even better in real life.” Similarly, back in 2020 she posted a closeup of Taylor and said “There was happiness because of you.”

Who else is part of Taylor Swift’s squad in 2024, besides Blake Lively?

 

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Well, if Taylor’s rumoured $1.8 million box at the 2024 Super Bowl is to be believed, Ice Spice, Lana Del Ray, Keleigh Teller (Miles Teller’s wife), Ashley Avignone and mama Kelce herself, Donna. Other famous friends that weren’t in attendance include Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, Emma Stone, the Haim sisters, Sabrina Carpenter, Queer Eye’sAntoni Porowski, Sophie Turner, Zoë Kravitz and of course, her favourite producer, Jack Antonoff and his new wife Margaret Qualley.

The post Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s Friendship Was the Real Star of the Super Bowl appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

On January 26, Meg released “Hiss” the third track off her upcoming album. It’s a certifiable banger from the H-town Hottie and while it has fans in a tizzy, Minaj apparently has other thoughts.

After the release of the song, Minaj took to social media to respond to the track, hinting at the release of a diss track of her own. And on Monday, the Minaj released a song clearly aimed at Meg. And it was personal. 

 

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But how did this all start? And what are the two rappers even feuding about? Below, everything you need to know about the biggest feud in rap right now.

Who are Nicki Minaj and Meg Thee Stallion?

For those who may be unfamiliar with the two women at the heart of this conflict, first of all: You’re missing out. Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion are two of the biggest names in rap right now, and have been for years.

One of the first big female rappers of the current generation, Minaj first came onto the scene in the 2000s when she started working on mixtapes with rapper Lil Wayne. In 2009, she signed with Wayne’s label, Young Money Entertainment and went on to release her first album under them in 2010. Pink Friday made it to the top of the Billboard 200 chart, with hits like “Moment 4 Life” and “Roman’s Revenge.”

Minaj is probably also well known for her working and personal relationships with Canadian rapper Drake (the reigning king of “will-they-won’t-they” romance speculation) and viral songs like “Anaconda.” And Minaj has the sales to back up her resume; as the best-selling female rapper of all time, she’s also been referred to as the Queen of Rap by industry insiders as well as her fans (affectionately known as “Barbz”).

Megan Thee Stallion has similarly had a rapid rise to the top of the rap world. After coming onto the scene in 2016, the Houston rapper really took off with the release of her 2019 hit “Hot Girl Summer.” Since then, she’s gone viral on TikTok, released two albums, been featured on songs alongside other rap royalty like Cardi B and Lil Nas X, and worked with artists like Maroon 5 and Ariana Grande. In 2021, she also took home her first Grammy for Best Rap Song, for 2021’s “Savage.” So, not too shabby.

How did the Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion feud start?

Rumblings of tension between the two stars started in December of last year when Minaj released her latest album, Pink Friday 2. According to Variety, many fans though Minaj was making  a veiled diss at Meg in her song “FTCU,” rapping: “Stay in your Tory Lanez, bitch, I’m not Iggy.” While it may seem random, it’s a pretty pointed lyric if you know Meg’s history with rapper Tory Lanez.

In July 2020, the former flames were in an altercation in a car that ended with Lanez shooting Meg in the foot. It was a traumatic experience for the rapper, especially given the discourse around it in the weeks and months following the incident, with many people in the rap community coming to Lanez’s defense. One of these people was Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, who reportedly wrote a letter in support of Lanez during his trial. Last year, Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the shooting.

Calling in to radio show The Breakfast Club on January 26, shortly before the release of her latest track, Meg said “Hiss” is about anyone who uses her name to get attention online. “When a snake feel like you’ve been playing and like doing a whole bunch of swaying, it’s basically telling you to back off. I hear you, I see you, get up off me now,” she said on air. “Basically, that’s what it means.”

“I’m saying, a hit dog gon’ holler. That’s it. Whoever feel it, feel it,” Meg added. Essentially: If her bars resonate with anyone, they’ll know it’s about them. *Eyes emoji*

 

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So, why’s everyone talking about that “Megan’s Law” line?

While Meg only outright names a few people in “Hiss” — Mariah Carey and Kris Jenner — it’s a line about someone unnamed that really has people in a state. Meg raps: “These hoes don’t be mad at Megan, these hoes mad at Megan’s Law.”

Megan’s Law is a federal law in the United States that requires police to let communities know when someone on the sex offender registry moves into their neighbourhood. And the reference isn’t actually all that happenstance. In October 2019, the same year Minaj and Meg collabed on “Hot Girl Summer,” Minaj married her now-husband Kenny Petty. In 1995, Petty was convicted of attempted first-degree rape when both he and the victim were 16. In 2022, Petty was put on probation and fined when he failed to register as a sex offender in California.

What was that about hit dogs, again? While Minaj and her husband weren’t named, many people — including Minaj herself — have taken Meg’s lyric as a direct dig at Petty.

Wait — I thought Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion were friends?

They were; or at least they were collaborators. In 2019, Minaj was featured on Meg’s hit song “Hot Girl Summer,” which at the time was a *moment.* The song — released in August of that year— became the anthem of the year and the mantra by which everyone lived by, with fans declaring their own “Hot Girl Summers” and living their life to the fullest with their girlfriends.

It’s also become Meg’s identifier of sorts, with the rapper known as “Hot Girl Meg” and her fans known as “Hotties.”

Tomorrow
3PM PST #BIGFOOT pic.twitter.com/vPa7yATEU3

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) January 28, 2024

How did Minaj respond to Megan’s song?

In short, she was pissed. Shortly after “Hiss” hit the airwaves, Minaj responded on social media, taking to X to share her displeasure, writing: “Megan’s law. For a free beat you could hit #MeganRAW.” 

Later, she announced the release of her song “Big Foot,” alongside a photo of Meg crying.

On January 29, she released the song. And Minaj had *a lot* to say. And it was far from subtle. The title alone, “Big Foot,” seems to be a reference to not only Meg’s height (she’s a statuesque 5’10”), but her assault by Lanez, both literally and figuratively. Bigfoot is an urban legend and Minaj hammers home the implication that Meg is lying about what went down with Lanez in her lyrics, rapping: “Big foot, but you still a small fry / Swearin’ on your dead mother when you lie,” a reference to Meg’s deceased mother.

Later in the song, she also says Meg lied about cheating allegations against ex boyfriend Pardison Fontaine and criticizes the Houston Hottie’s rap skills. Minaj ends the song with a warning, telling Meg — and listeners — “I don’t think you want the next installment of this song.”

What has happened since?

Since Minaj released her track there’s been no direct response from Meg, but on Friday Meg shared a photo of herself laughing on Instagram Stories. This came shortly after Minaj shared a snippet of “Big Foot” on social media.

For her part, Minaj shared on X that she has five songs (yes, five!) lined up for Megan Thee Stallion, to be released if she “[breathes] wrong.” So it looks like things could probably get a lot messier in the days to come.

So, what is this Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion feud really all about?

At the end of the day, feuds are part of the culture when it comes to rap music. They’re a way for artists to not only practice their craft, but also garner visibility and sales — which is exactly what this feud is doing. Within its first 24 hours, “Big Foot” (Audio)  received over 2.45 million views on YouTube, making it the biggest opening day debut for a solo female rap song this year (mind you, we are only a month into 2024). And on Tuesday morning, Meg announced her 2024 Hot Girl Summer Tour, coming this summer.

So the Stallion is doing just fine. Whether or not someone comes out on top or “loses” their feud, chances are people will be talking about them — and really, that’s all anyone can ask for.

The post What Is Going On Between Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

king kylie is back..2024 is the new 2014 pic.twitter.com/6eLFIwycL9

— popcultureangel (@lohanisgod) January 16, 2024

For those not in the know, Jenner’s photos and caption were a tongue-in-cheek reference to the 2014 to 2015 period of time known as the “King Kylie” era. It’s mythic, marking an era of the internet when a 16-year-old Jenner seemingly first stepped out of her sisters’ shadows and into her own individuality. As Highsnobiety noted, in opposition to her sisters’ curated feeds at the time, the then-teen was sharing makeup tutorials and vines with friends, and giving fans a glimpse into her teenage life.

And people ate it up. Jenner’s every move — and interaction — was obsessed over and emulated by fans online. You’ll remember it well: Jenner was dating rapper Tyga (which is arguably perceived as even more controversial now than it was then), she leaned into an edgy aesthetic, rocking skulls, sky-high cage heels, leggings and heavy black eyeliner, and — most importantly — she changed her hair colour like it was her job. Rotating between teal-dyed tips, a lime-green blunt bob, and peach-coloured hair, to name only a few, King Kylie was a hair chameleon.

A decade later, King Kylie is back. While this is a big change for the makeup mogul, it’s also kind of a big deal for us, too. This is our sign that in 2024, after years of feeling isolated and sad, the year ahead is all about doing what serves you.

To refresh your memory: In 2014, there were *a lot* of big things happening in pop culture. Celebs — and by extension audiences — were truly living for themselves. After establishing herself as an industry icon, Taylor Swift had officially made her crossover from country music, releasing the OG version of 1989 and pushing back on her narrative as a man-eater in “Blank Space.”  Kim Kardashian broke the internet with her Paper cover unabashedly embracing her body and not caring what the haters said, Solange and Jay-Z’s infamous elevator scuffle went down, and Gone Girl, a film about a woman who punishes her  philandering husband by framing him for her murder, was released. Plus, this is the era that precedes Canadian rapper Drake’s Views album and the phenomena that would become the Summer of 2016 (an unarguably peak period of time).

It makes sense that we’d be lusting for a time when everything was simpler and more engaging. Research suggests that people feel nostalgic for the past during periods of time in which they have negative emotions or feel lonely.

The past several years have been rough, to put it lightly. Many people are still feeling the long-term effects of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, housing is out of reach for millennials, groceries cost about as much as a mortgage, and in our neighbouring country to the south, human rights are being rapidly stripped away from women, marginalized communities and trans folks. It’s bleak. In Hollywood, celebs and those who love entertainment, are coming off a months-long SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America Strike, meaning a dearth of stimulating creative content as they fought for fair pay. Many people just don’t feel like themselves right now.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that the 2014 to 2015 time period was all fun and games. The same year King Kylie started dying her hair on the reg was also when Jenner began her infamous and now storied relationship with lip filler (which would eventually lead to the launch of her Lip Kits and Jenner’s now billion-dollar Kylie Cosmetics empire). While we’re all for people making the decisions they want about their bodies (it is their bodies, after all), there’s no arguing that Jenner’s lip plumping-era was problematic. Jenner denied having any work done until 2015, causing fans to find fault in their own natural beauty, then launched a beauty empire off the back of these teens and tweens wanting to change their appearances. And this was arguably the start of the Kardashians now long history of creating unhealthy body ideals for the people that follow them.

@kyliejennerheard its 2014 vibes this year♬ Suga Suga – Instrumental – Baby Bash

And as FASHION’s Natalie Michie noted in a June 2023 article about the evolution of Jenner’s style, the adoration over Jenner’s lips — and the popularity of the ill-advised “Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge” — was a contrast to the stigma that women of colour have historically endured for having naturally fuller lips. So, it hasn’t all been great.

Chances are that this latest foray into Kylie Jenner of the past is nothing more than a marketing stunt. There are rumours that a “King Kylie” lip kit is coming, and it’s no coincidence that Jenner would have the internet alight just days before Kylie Cosmetics launched foundation for the first time — this is, after all, Kris Jenner’s daughter. Not to mention the fact that the reality star’s aesthetic has evolved, with Jenner even dabbling in cottage core (!), since she started dating actor Timothée Chalamet in 2023.

It’s safe to say the nostalgic pink hair likely isn’t here to stay. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t take what we want from this moment and apply it in our own way.

In this case, let’s embrace Jenner’s marketing ploy as a reminder to ourselves to embrace our own individuality — be it in fashion, beauty, or making a decision about where we want to go with our career this year — and do what serves us and what feels good. Meaning, if you’re looking to embrace the trending #eclecticgrandpa aesthetic, get a new job, or just finally get bangs — you should do it. Because in 2024, me, myself, and I are the people that truly matter.

The post King Kylie Is Back. What Does That Mean For Us In 2024? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Update: Turns out the tea might not have been quite as chaud as people thought. Selena Gomez responded to an Instagram post by E! News that read “Was Selena Gomez gossipping about Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet at [the] Golden Globes? Here’s the truth,” writing: “I told Taylor about two of my friends who hooked up. Not that that’s [anyone’s] business.” There you have – just standard BFF gossip, not celebrity tea. Gomez has since announced she’s taking a break from social media to focus on “what really matters.”

 

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You know those besties you tell everything to? That’s Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift. And honey, the tea was seemingly piping hot at the 2024 Golden Globes where Gomez was spotted sharing more with Swift than a limo to the award show.

Talking about the weather? I don’t think so. The intense interaction, which occurred during a commercial break and was shared on social media by an unknown source, immediately sent the internet into a frenzy, with everyone from diehard Swifties to casual Globes viewers dying to know what they were talking about.

And who can blame them? Between Gomez’s “can you believe it?” nod and smirk to Swift and Keleigh Sperry’s (Miles Teller’s wife and Swift’s plus one) shocked reactions, you just know the gossip was juicy.

Lucky for us (and for all nosy people out there) Twitter’s best lip readers immediately got down to business and concluded that Gomez had asked Timothée Chalamet for a photo but Kylie Jenner, who was Chalamet’s date for the evening, shut it down.

Though this is just speculation, some claim that they can even hear Sperry saying “with Timothée?” in another video of the exchange, which has only fuelled the rumours.

Even if this is true, you might be wondering why it’s such a big deal. Well, while Chalamet and Gomez been friends for the past few years (they worked together in 2019 on Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day In New York and have publicly interacted many times since then), both Gomez and Swift also have a tumultuous history with Jenner.

Many will surely remember the infamous brow feud that went down between Gomez, Jenner and Hailey Bieber in early 2023, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Gomez, Jenner and Swift’s combined history.

Besides Gomez’s messy past with Jenner (which is linked to years of drama between her and Bieber, with whom Jenner is close friends), Swift also went through a very public scandal with the Kardashians in 2016. Although Swift’s Kardashian drama mostly involved Kim and Kanye, it doesn’t appear that Swift has ever been chummy with any members of the Kardashian family ever since.

While the Chalamet-Jenner-Gomez drama seems to be the prevailing theory as to what the gossip sesh was about, the internet had fun thinking of what else could have made Swift and Sperry’s jaws drop — including everything from Gomez telling Swift about her thoughts on the Chiefs to her fast food troubles.

Although we may never actually know what Gomez really said to Swift at the Golden Globes, the viral moment kicked off awards season with some good old fashioned celebrity drama — and really, what more could we ask for?

The post We Know What Selena Gomez Told Taylor Swift at the Golden Globes appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Although Grande is no stranger to her personal life being dissected by the public, her new romance stirred up controversy in 2023, and fans think her new music is alluding to the rumours.

Here’s everything we know about Grande’s new music and why the internet is so interested in her latest relationship.

Ariana Grande’s new single “yes, and?” is coming

On January 7, the 30-year-old singer shared an Instagram post revealing the title and artwork for her latest single “yes, and?” which will be released this January 12. Both the single’s title and artwork, which is a blurry, up-close photo of Grande wearing bright red lipstick and her signature cat-eye, are cryptic, but the internet quickly assumed what the new track may be about.

In recent months, Grande has caught some heat for her rumoured romance with her Wicked co-star, Broadway performer Ethan Slater (more on that later). Some social media users seem to think that the single’s title is Grande’s response to her critics, implying that she’s saying “yes, and?” to all the criticism she’s received over the relationship.

While she just made the official announcement that new music is on its way, the singer has been teasing her comeback for weeks now.

Grande began sharing new photos of her in the studio in late 2023 through a series of Instagram posts. In between pictures of the singer working away on the new album, one post featured a photo of her smiling to the camera with tears in her eyes in a (presumably) post-recording selfie.

Of course, every video that Grande shared so far has been without sound, so we have no clue what the music sounds like just yet. Regardless, many of her famous friends, from Nicki Minaj and Selena Gomez and Liz Gillies, have shown their support and excitement for Grande’s new era in the comments.

 

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This will be Grande’s seventh studio album and her first since she split from her longtime manager, Scooter Braun, who also formerly managed Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato.

After laying low for much of 2023, Ariana Grande is slowly emerging

Grande remained relatively low-key for most of last year, having spent much of it filming the upcoming Wicked movie (she stars as Glinda alongside Cynthia Erivo) and recording her latest album.

However, around the holidays, Grande was seen in NYC with Slater in a rare public outing.

About a week later on January 4, Ariana Grande was photographed strolling through NYC wearing a black crewneck sweatshirt with white text that read, “yes, and?” — which we now know is the name of her new single.

Despite the controversy that has surrounded her in recently months, Grande looked relaxed during the outing, pairing the “yes, and?” sweater with straight-leg jeans, fur-trimmed black booties, the Devon leather bag from The Row and an extra dramatic winged eyeliner.

This isn’t the first time that Grande has teased an upcoming music release through clothing. In 2018 she donned a “No Tears Left To Cry” sweatshirt ahead of that single’s release and diehard fans will also remember how Grande wore a “Dangerous Woman” T-shirt ahead of her album’s release in 2016.

The Ethan Slater of it all

After officially separating from her now ex-husband Dalton Gomez in the summer of 2023, Grande was rumoured to begin dating her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater.

Although some social media users commented on how fast Grande seemed to have moved on from her marriage, the real issues began once more about Slater’s relationship history was uncovered.

Slater had been married to Lilly Jay, his high-school sweetheart, since 2018. The pair welcomed their son in August 2022 and seemed to be going strong up until the summer of 2023, with Slater even posting a sweet Mother’s Day tribute to his then-wife (which Grande liked) in May 2023.

Things took a sharp turn when news about Grande and Slater started to make headlines in July 2023 and, by July 26, Slater had filed for divorce from Jay.

The following day, Jay told Page Six that Grande is “not a girl’s girl” and said that her family “was just [the] collateral damage” of the situation.

By September 2023, Grande and Gomez both filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences,” as reported by TMZ.

Since then, Grande and Slater have seemingly been going strong, and have been photographed together on a few occasions, although neither has confirmed the relationship.

Needless to say, people have pretty such strong feelings about Grande and Slater’s messiness, but the title of Ariana Grande’s forthcoming single seems to imply that she accepts that. Thank you (for your concern), next (topic)?

The post Is Ariana Grande’s New Music Inspired By Her New Relationship? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Sitting firmly in the realm of things nobody asked for but everyone will happily accept, the four-track project is a dedicated ode to his Grammy-nominated ballad, “I’m Just Ken.”

The cover image shows our favourite Mattel-made rascal in his finest form, staring at the camera with a dubious look in his eyes. He’s popping the collar of his denim vest, his eyebrow is arched just so and his blown-up bubble gum is on the verge of popping. He looks like he’s got something to say.

The EP — which was created in collaboration with Mark Ronson, Barbie’s soundtrack producer — opens with the aforementioned holiday tune, “I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie).” Accompanied by a brand new music video, this remix brings some seasonal jubilance to the famously introspective solo.

His echoey vocals feel almost otherwordly with the addition of church-like bells and festive strings. There’s a powerful chorus of background singers. At the very end, Ken’s mysteriously sexy speaking voice comes in. “Merry Christmas Barbie…Wherever you are,” he coos. Get this man a Grammy, stat!

But that’s not all. There’s “I’m Just Ken (In My Feelings Acoustic),” a mellow rendition for the sensitive girlies. We have “I’m Just Ken (Purple Disco Machine Remix),” an infectious electro-infused trip that will most likely put you in some kind of trance. And of course, it includes the classic “I’m Just Ken,” an irresistible serenade that put Kenny on the music map.

Through it all, it’s the Christmas special that feels particularly timeless. Is it basically the same song with a few seasonal-themed special touches? Yes. Have I had it playing on a non-stop loop since it was released? Also yes. After all, what better way to immortalize an artist’s body of work than by making it holiday-themed?

Such jingle-filled carols are the reason for the season. They’re designed to descend into our ears at the same time each year. They’re the only genre of music that is socially acceptable to play over and over again. As with sufficiently silly romcoms, they’re a major provider of Christmas cheer!

With Ken The EP out in the world, Ryan Gosling and Ken are now canon to holiday hullaballoo. And that’s a pretty big deal.

Thing is, writing a hit Christmas song is famously no small feat. Mariah Carey didn’t get where she is today by being just OK. Michael Bublé has cornered the market on a very specific kind of winter wonderland whimsy. Frank Sinatra may no longer be with us, but his verified TikTok account regularly goes viral sharing decades-old “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” performances.

That’s what makes Ryan Gosling and his Ken-fuelled obsession so delightfully different. Take it from Ronson, who conceptualized the new versions of Ken’s hit. As he explained on Instagram, they didn’t set out to make a Christmas song, things just kind of worked out that way.

We’d call that a Christmas miracle.

The post Ryan Gosling Wishes You a Ken-Filled Christmas appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Who is Benny Blanco?

 

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After Gomez confirmed her romance, the first question on everyone’s minds naturally seemed to be, who exactly is Benny Blanco?

According to Business Insider, Blanco is a prominent music producer who has worked with notable entertainers such as Rihanna, Maroon 5, Halsey, Gomez herself and yes, her famous ex, Justin Bieber (more on that later).

In addition to producing her latest song, ironically titled “Single Soon,” Blanco has worked with Gomez to create some of her biggest hits, including “Same Old Love” and “Kill ‘Em With Kindness,” which were released in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

When did Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco start dating?

The exact timeline of the new couple’s relationship is blurry, but Gomez did let fans in on some details when she publicly announced the romance through a series of Instagram interactions on December 7.

It all began when Gomez liked a post from the celebrity news Instagram account @popfactions which addressed rumours that she had started dating Blanco. This interaction then prompted the media website to share another post stating that Gomez had seemingly confirmed the relationship, to which the singer then commented “Facts.” Enough said.

Soon after, Gomez hard-launched the relationship on her Instagram story, posting a photo that had her snuggling into Blanco’s shoulder. Afterwards, the Rare Beauty founder wrote “[Blanco] is my absolute everything in my heart” in a separate @popfactions post. 

After confirming her updated relationship status through both the social media interactions and her own Instagram story post, Gomez responded to a fan’s comment on Instagram revealing that she and Blanco have been together for six months (there seem to be inconsistencies with this timeline — more on that later as well).

Are they engaged?

If news travels fast on social media then rumours must fly at lightning speed, because just a day after Gomez confirmed her new relationship, murmurs of the pair being engaged were already swirling. This began after Gomez shared another Instagram story  showcasing a “B” wrap ring on her left hand’s ring finger on December 8.

Though Gomez didn’t respond to any of the engagement comments, she was also seen wearing the ring when she stepped out in New York City that same day. According to Page Six, the piece is a custom Jacquie Aiche design and features .44 carats of pavé diamonds.

Why are people upset with Selena?

Although some fans were happy for the star and her new romance, others didn’t share the same feelings. Fans quickly took to @popcrave’s comment section to voice their disapproval of the relationship, especially since Blanco had allegedly spoken badly about Gomez in the past.

Not one to shy away from an upsetting comment or two, Selena Gomez began responding to the drama and fans’ criticisms, going as far as to respond to some by saying “If you can’t accept me at my happiest then don’t be in [my] life at all.”

@kierabreaugh #selenagomez #bennyblanco ♬ original sound – Kiera Breaugh

Soon after, people began to call out Gomez for what they perceived as hypocrisy. This included fans sharing receipts of when Gomez was caught liking shady comments about the Biebers on Instagram and TikTok. A few followers also brought up an old Instagram screenshot that showed Gomez being critical of Justin for defending his then-girlfriend against haters on Instagram, telling him to “stop posting pictures of your girlfriend” if he couldn’t handle the hate. People quickly noted that Gomez’s defence of Blanco on social media seemed to be in direct opposition to the old advice she gave to Bieber in the screenshot.

Then came the aforementioned timeline issue. Speculation on social media suggested that, if Gomez had indeed been dating Blanco for six months, the star wasn’t actually single while she was promoting her latest song, “Single Soon,” (which, as the title suggests, is about celebrating single life). Why does this matter, you ask? Because Gomez has made being single a fundamental part of her branding — posting TikToks and even selling merchandise that promoted this narrative — many of her followers feel as though they’ve been lied to.

How is Taylor Swift involved?

After confirming her new relationship status on Thursday night, Gomez joined her bestie Taylor Swift as well as other friends Cara Delevingne, Anya Taylor-Joy and Zoë Kravitz for a girls’ night out in New York City.

Why is a dinner causing so much fuss? Well, fans have noticed a trend that has connected many of her recent public outings with Swift. Apparently, after Gomez has been caught in drama on social media, it’s become common for her to be seen hanging out with Swift the next day. Some social media users have speculated that these conveniently timed hangouts are done to benefit Gomez with some positive PR. (It’s worth noting that Gomez and Swift have long been genuinely good friends. So, to be fair, the timing of these outings could be purely coincidental.)

Regardless of all the online drama, Gomez seems to be stress-free IRL. While she was defending her relationship with Blanco under the @popcrave post, the actress shared that she’s planning on taking a break from social media until she has to use her platforms for work purposes again.

Wherever this story goes, we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for new updates on Selena Gomez and any other drama that comes her way in the coming weeks. And in the meantime, perhaps we can all just let her dine out in peace.

The post Everything To Know About The Latest Selena Gomez Drama appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Sandwiched within an Instagram carousel of a recent photoshoot for France’s M Magazine, Ratajkowski, styled by Charlotte Collet, stands in a pair of faded, oversized (for her) Maison Margiela jeans. With her signature seductive stare, she looks into the camera while holding the waistband of the pants inches from her body, highlighting how big they are on her. Immediately, I think of Jared Fogel, the man famous for losing 200 pounds eating Subway sandwiches and taking his “fat jeans” on tour, who’s now serving a 15-year prison sentence for child sex tourism and possessing child pornography. So, not a great first impression.

 

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Unlike a lot of celebrity controversies, this one isn’t at all divisive in the comments section — and that’s of Ratajkowski’s own making. For someone who has built a reputation for being a politically minded feminist who challenges the objectification of women’s bodies, and has collected a fanbase of likeminded people, this isn’t a good look.

Many pointed out the hypocrisy of the fashion industry in general, lamenting over the fact that brands can make oversized clothing for thin people, but not actually make plus-size clothing for fat people. “I’ve been looking for those jeans in the second photo. If you could please return them, that would be cool,” model Tess Holliday comments, poking fun at the fact that the jeans certainly aren’t Ratajkowski’s size. “Designers won’t make plus sizes unless it’s for a photo opp where a thin person can be quirky,” another person pointed out.

For fat people, this is nothing new. We see thin people buying out larger sized clothing at thrift stores to achieve the oversized look. We see brands like The Frankie Shop advertising their oversized jeans (yes, that’s the actual style name) on thin bodies, while only selling up to an Australian size 12 (that’s around a U.S. size 8).

a tweet making fun of these women has 100k likes but i swear to god if bella hadid wore this exact outfit it would be on a million “80s casual inspo ❤️” pinterest boards bc, as always, fashion is judged exclusively by the bodies that wear it pic.twitter.com/eBZ6P3Zrmh

— rayne fisher-quann (@raynefq) July 14, 2020

We see supermodels like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner being called stylish for wearing baggy clothes, while fat people are called sloppy or unfashionable for wearing the same thing. And even if fat people wanted to buy the Margiela jeans Ratajkowski wears in the photoshoot they aren’t available on Ssense, the online retailer the magazine links to. The largest size the brand goes up to is an Italian size 50, the equivalent of a U.S. size 14 (the average American woman is a size 16 to 18).

If I hadn’t already dealt with this my entire life, I’d be enraged over witnessing how easy it would be for brands to make clothing for bigger bodies if they actually wanted to. But I know the truth is most of them don’t want fat people wearing their clothes at all. Got it.

And although I don’t expect much from Ratajkowski, the real knife to the heart is seeing a photo that so obviously replicates the millions of before-and-after images that were commonplace in the ’90s and aughts in which newly thin people flaunt their weight loss by showing how big their old jeans are on them now. As someone who’s been varying degrees of fat her whole life, I desperately wanted that too-big jeans moment for myself. And as someone who accepts her body as it is now on the best days, I just want a pair of jeans that fit me.

 

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Outside of the obvious hardship fat people face when it comes to finding clothes is the feeling that our bodies and our sizes are so often the butt of a joke; a costume thin people get to try on for fun before going back to their lives as skinny people. It’s hilarious when a small person wears clothing clearly too big for them, like clowns in too-big shoes. It’s an amusing spectacle that emphasizes their thinness as the ultimate fashion statement or accomplishment. At least, that’s what appears to be the point, because what the f*ck else could it be?

The rest of the comments on Em Rata’s post are echoes of the same sentiment — disappointed, but not surprised, that a thin person who’s made money off discussing the pressures placed on women’s bodies would turn around and make money capitalizing, intentionally or not, on a body size she’s never been. As Stephanie Yeboah, known as one of the first writers to popularize body positivity on social media, questions in the comments: “And you wrote a book about body image?”

If we wanted to entertain those coming to Ratajkowski’s defense, claiming that she probably has little say in the direction of her shoots, we’d then ask how this got through the entire team, from direction to photography to styling, without anyone batting an eye. (Likely answer: There wasn’t a single fat person on the team credits listed and France is pretty infamous for its fatphobia.)

Emily Ratajkowski seems to have forgotten that true feminists don’t just fight for their own bodies, but the bodies of all marginalized people — including fat ones.

But if we wanted to give Ratajkowski the responsibility she’s afforded herself by being outspoken about the treatment of women and the need to take control of her image, we’d ask why she didn’t think this was wrong, or why several days and thousands of comments later, she still hasn’t removed the photo or apologized. With her presumed wealth and proven influential voice, could she not have spoken up or just turned down the gig entirely? Those in positions of privilege need to practice what they preach.

Ratajkowski’s stance, since first rocketing to fame as a dancer in the music video for Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” has been that women can show off their bodies and still be feminists. True. Her book of essays My Body questions how she capitalizes on her sexuality to make money and affirms her desire to fight back against a world that wants to make her an object. Amazing. But she seems to have forgotten that feminists don’t just fight for their own bodies, but the bodies of all marginalized people — including fat ones.

Being aware of your privilege, which Ratajkowski is, according to her own words in her book, is just the beginning. Critically thinking about what the images you share say to your fans requires you to act accordingly. Maybe those jeans are just too big for her to fill.

The post Hey, Emily Ratajkowski — My Body Size Isn’t a Joke appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: How to Achieve the Quiet Luxury Look On a Budget

According to TMZ, the 37-year-old and her husband Louis Eisner welcomed a son named Otto with sometime within the past few months. The mystery-shrouded affair is pretty on par with Olsen’s public-facing persona (or lack thereof). She and Eisner’s 2022 wedding was kept confidential. The couple doesn’t publicly comment on their relationship. And, in true Olsen fashion, there are no images or confirmations concerning her pregnancy or their firstborn child’s arrival — no matter how intrigued fans are. Ashley Olsen is a pro at starving the world for details. And you know what? Good for her.

The thing is, in recent pop culture history, powerful pregnancy declarations have become a staple of celebrity-fan relationships. In the aughts, it was standard for tabloids to speculate on who was expecting, and A-list stars would regularly reveal baby bumps via magazine cover shoots. Over the years, there’s been unfair pressure put on famous people to disclose when they’re expecting — leading to moments like Ellen DeGeneres emphatically offering Mariah Carey Champagne in an effort to reveal whether she was pregnant in 2008. (She was, and she later miscarried. See the problem?) More recently, celebrities have taken some of the power back through carefully crafted viral social media moments. Enter: Rihanna.

Last year, the Fenty Beauty mogul dominated fashion news cycles with boundary-breaking ensembles that pushed back on the traditional notions of maternity wear. Since then, loud pregnancy announcements and out-there-everywhere bumps have reigned supreme. Keke Palmer gave the world a stylish reveal while hosting SNL. Lindsay Lohan has been embracing a bump-accentuating style since breaking the internet with a “baby on the way” post. Then there’s Rihanna, who announced her second pregnancy through an unforgettable 2023 Super Bowl Halftime performance and has been turning heads with every subsequent street-style outing.

Needless to say, it’s the age of boldly broadcasted pregnancies, where daring maternity dressing is rightly celebrated and announcements are met with floods of comment-section support. But it’s important not to make this into a mainstream expectation. Cut to Ashley Olsen’s ultra-private move, which not only subverts this norm — but perhaps even hints at a new one.

Of course, hiding a high-profile pregnancy is not a novel concept. (Who can forget when Kylie Jenner retreated entirely from public view before giving birth in 2018?) But there’s something particularly striking about Ashley Olsen keeping her mom-to-be-status under wraps. We’re in an era when parasocial relationships are at the forefront of stardom culture. And in fashion spaces, the Olsens have arguably never been more popular, with their brand The Row being the framework for this year’s leading trends of quiet luxury and stealth wealth. These days, a sartorial hush blankets the style landscape, via minimal accessorizing and muted colour palettes. Ultimately, that makes her purposely private milestone all the more relevant.

2023 marks a time when we’re retreating to minimalism, subtle sensibilities, and generally looking more low-key. It seems only fitting that this could extend to the personal lives of celebrities, which have long been publicized online. It begs the question: In the seismic shift to decidedly discreet dressing, could “quiet” personal lives be next? It wouldn’t be the first trend the Olsens set.

The post What Does Ashley Olsen’s Secret Pregnancy Say About Celebrity Culture? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Introducing FASHION’s September Cover Stars: 5 Iconic Canadian Supermodels

 

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If the decisive word of the 2010s was “epic” (think epic win, Epic Meal Time, epic bacon), then the mot du jour of our current day may well be “iconic.” A vocabulary staple uttered everywhere from runways to RuPaul’s Drag Race, the word is now used to describe everything from candid photographs of celebrities to a fictional character’s wardrobe (cough, Shiv from Succession). No longer reserved for those who have reached the apotheosis of celebrity (or at least in their professional field), “iconic” has become ubiquitous, casually tossed off to express a baseline level of esteem or admiration. So what does it really mean to be iconic? And if everything from Harry Styles to platform Crocs can be considered iconic, has the designation officially lost its lustre?

In The Star as Icon, academic Daniel Herwitz strives to understand the phenomenon — “that endlessly talked about and little understood persona, object of adulation, fantasy and cult.” He suggests that iconicity is defined by a fizzy chemical reaction that happens when beauty, charisma and fame collide. An icon is a supernova of fame — a distillation of pure desire. If everyone contains some degree of allure, then icons have been blessed with a heavily concentrated version of it: a gallon of eye-watering 192-proof rocket-fuel vodka compared to the average person’s one-ounce cocktail.

Depending on who you are, an icon might be an assemblage of qualities you strive for but never quite reach — your stylistic North Star.

But rewind to the eighth century and an icon wasn’t the Middle Ages equivalent of Zendaya; it was a religious painting. Derived from the ancient-Greek word “eikṓn,” meaning “image” or “likeness,” an icon was a Modigliani-esque portrait of a biblical figure like Saint Peter, the archangel Gabriel and, of course, Jesus Christ. According to Brisbane Catholic Education’s Catholic Identity page, “it is prayer to just look attentively at an icon and let God speak.” Each icon was usually depicted with a halo of light encircling their head to denote a saintly aura.

Modern icons may be missing their halos, but, arguably, a whiff of spiritual ascendance still clings to the moniker. If ancient icons were meant to be a portal to all things holy, then our current icons tread familiar terrain. Icons are usually women we want to look at, be in close proximity to and develop a parasocial relationship with, like Addison Rae or Emma Chamberlain. We crane our necks to look up at them, creating a natural hierarchy that places them on top. They may not be sacrosanct, but icons give us something to worship.

 

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And similar to saints, each icon represents something different. Icons are unique and irreplaceable. No star has come close to Sevigny’s singular proclivity for risk taking when it comes to both acting roles and outfit choices. And there’s an air of mystery behind the familiar facade that allows us to project our own fantasies onto her as well. Could we be just like Sevigny if we purchased her old Depeche Mode T-shirt or Versace mini-dress? A true icon leaves us with more questions than answers.

That everything is iconic now speaks to the overall widening of our cultural gaze. The people who command our attention are no longer a select group of movie stars and musicians but are relatively regular, yet undeniably attractive, people who happen to be somewhat entertaining, good at dancing or great at selling products. But the most important quality of an icon is that they have a lasting impact — something that can only be assessed in hindsight.

 

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Calling something or someone iconic is perhaps the highest compliment a person can bestow. It’s not something to be taken lightly. Depending on who you are, an icon might be an assemblage of qualities you strive for but never quite reach — your stylistic North Star. For a certain type of fashion-obsessed person who fetishizes the cultural era of downtown New York in the ’90s (a.k.a. me), Sevigny is definitely one. It’s natural and human to want to claim some of that stardust for ourselves. So perhaps it’s ironic that as society moves toward greater inclusivity, the biggest compliment is undergirded by exclusivity. But so what? Aren’t we all, in our own way, a little bit iconic?

This article first appeared in FASHION’s September 2023 issue. Find out more here.

The post What Does It Mean To Be “Iconic” in 2023? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Update: Lizzo has publicly denied all allegations of mistreatment and sexual harassment in a statement shared on Instagram on the morning of August 3. “These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” she writes. “My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”

Lizzo went on to discuss the lawsuit in more detail, claiming that the allegations are coming from former employees who have already “publically [sic] admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”

She also called the stories against her “sensationalized” and said that while she has to make hard decisions sometimes, it has never been her intention to “make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team.”

In response to allegations of body-shaming and putting employees in uncomfortable sexual situations, Lizzo wrote, “I am not here to be looked at as a victim, but I also know that I am not the villain that people and the media have portrayed me to be these last few days…There is nothing I take more seriously than the respect we deserve as women in the world.”

She ended the post by thanking her supporters for reaching out to her during this time and explained that, while she’s hurt by the situation, she will not let the allegations overshadow “the good work [she’s] done in the world.”

In response to Lizzo’s statement, the plaintiffs’ attorney Ron Zambrano released a statement to NBC News on the morning of August 3 saying that the singer’s, “dismissive comments and utter lack of empathy are quite telling about her character and only serve to minimize the trauma she has caused.”

 

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Lizzo is facing shocking allegations of sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment. The pop star — who is known for her lyrics of empowerment and body acceptance advocacy — had a lengthy lawsuit filed against her by three former backup dancers on August 1. Here’s what you should know.

Who are the plaintiffs?

All three plaintiffs are dancers who worked on Lizzo’s Special Tour. Two of them, Arianna Davis and Crystal Williams, began performing with Lizzo after competing on her Amazon reality show, Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, in 2021. The third, Noelle Rodriguez, was hired to perform in a 2021 music video and was brought on as part of her dance team. Davis and Williams were allegedly fired and Rodriguez resigned.

RELATED: Lizzo Wants to Help Girls Struggling with Self-Confidence

What are the details of the lawsuit?

The suit relates to a string of instances between 2021 and 2023, alleging claims like disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment — along with sexual, religious and racial harassment. It names Lizzo (née Melissa Viviane Jefferson) as a defendant, as well as her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring (BGBT) and the captain of her dance squad, Shirlene Quigley. Not all complaints pertain to every defendant.

Which allegations involve Lizzo?

One claim describes a night on tour in Amsterdam when the dance crew went out to a nude bar in the Red Light District. Dancers allege they often felt pressured to go on routine party outings to preserve job security and to remain in Lizzo’s good favour. On this particular outing, Davis says she was pressured repeatedly by Lizzo to touch the breasts of one of the performers, even after saying she felt uncomfortable. “Plaintiffs were aghast with how little regard Lizzo showed for the bodily autonomy of her employees and those around her, especially in the presence of many people whom she employed,” the suit says, as reported by NBC.

The dancers go on to claim that in April, Lizzo falsely accused them of drinking before performances. She allegedly had them all re-audition, saying that if she wasn’t pleased with their work they’d be fired. This turned into an “excruciating” 12-hour day, in which dancers allege they felt scared to leave the stage, with Davis saying she was too afraid to use the bathroom. According to Davis, that same month, Lizzo body shamed her via “thinly veiled” concerns, with the singer reportedly telling her she seemed “less committed” due to her apparent weight gain.

According to the filing, Williams was fired in public after pushing back on Lizzo’s accusations that dancers had been drinking before shows. Davis says she was fired in May, after recording a meeting where Lizzo gave performance notes to review them later — a decision she said was based on a health condition that makes her disoriented in stressful situations. Davis was later “berated” by Lizzo, says the suit, and subsequently forced to remain in the meeting room so that security could go through her phone. That incident allegedly prompted Rodriguez to resign.

What are the other allegations?

Many accusations involve Shirlene Quigley, who has been accused of pushing her religious beliefs onto dancers and repeatedly making sexually explicit comments in front of them. The plaintiffs — who are all women of colour — also say that the BGBT production team was mostly made up of white people. They allege that BGBT management treated Black members differently than other members, accusing them of being “lazy, unprofessional, and having bad attitudes.”

Has Lizzo responded?

At the time of publishing, Lizzo has not responded. The same day the suit was filed, she posted to her Instagram without acknowledging the accusations. It has been met with thousands of comments urging her to make a statement.

Has anyone else spoken out?

Since the lawsuit was filed, some of Lizzo’s ex-colleagues have come forward to show their support for the dancers’ claims. Filmmaker Sophia Nahli Allison says she dropped out as director of Lizzo’s documentary Love, Lizzo in 2019 after being mistreated. “I witnessed how arrogant, self-centred, and unkind she is,” she wrote on Twitter, adding that she felt “gaslit” and “deeply hurt.” She noted that seeing the other reports made her realize the severity of the situation. “This kind of abuse of power happens far too often.”

Courtney Hollinquest, a dancer who used to work for Lizzo, shared that she could relate to the plaintiffs’ claims. “For clarification, I’m not a part of the lawsuit — but this was very much my experience in my time there,” she wrote on Instagram. Lizzo’s former creative director Quinn Wilson reposted Hollinquest’s message on her Instagram Stories. “I haven’t been a part of that world for around three years, for a reason,” she added. “I very much applaud the dancers’ courage to bring this to light.”

What’s next?

The plaintiffs are seeking damages covering emotional distress, lost wages and attorneys’ fees for an undisclosed amount. Lizzo has long been outspoken about the body shaming she experiences on the internet. Many have noted that while the allegations against Lizzo undermine her message, they’re not an excuse to body shame her. In the long run, fatphobia perpetuated on the internet — along with any other kind of hateful messaging — only hurts victims more.

With files from Stephanie Davoli

The post Lizzo Has Responded to the Allegations Against Her appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

The legend that is Madonna turns 61 today and to celebrate, we’re taking a look at some of her most memorable style transformations. One thing’s for sure: the evolution of Madonna’s style has been a wild ride.

The Marilyn Monroe moment in Material Girl

Madonna had only been on the scene for a few years when she recreated Marilyn Monroe’s famous Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend look for her 1985 film clip for Material Girl. Giving an early hint to her unrivalled transformational abilities, the fur stole, fuchsia pink satin gown and drippings of diamonds made for a major moment.

The shaggy pixie crop in Papa Don’t Preach 

It might have been 1986 but Madonna’s bleach blonde pixie crop and thick eyebrows are the stuff Pinterest boards are filled with in 2019. Paired with a Breton stripe, oversized leather jacket and a black belted bustier jumpsuit, the controversial clip (many were enraged as they thought it promoted teen pregnancy) proved that a good crop (and great eyebrows) work in any situation.

The curls, cross and slip dress in Like A Prayer

Although the slip dress has become a street style must-have and mainstay in many wardrobes, Madonna was an early adopter of the look, sporting a body-con version of the item in her 1989 film clip for Like A Prayer. Paired with her mop of black curls and a stained lip, it’s one of the singer’s most iconic looks of all time.

The Gaultier cone bra

Speaking of iconic looks, a round-up of the musician’s style evolution wouldn’t be complete without a look at the Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra of 1990. Madonna unveiled the look on the first stop of her Blonde Ambition tour in Japan and no-one has stopped talking about it since. Interestingly, Gaultier admitted earlier this year in that he actually first designed the bra for a teddy bear he had growing up.

The new era in Ray Of Light

In a huge sartorial turn, Madonna appeared in the music video for her 1998 hit Ray Of Light in a double denim look, soft beach waves and (because it was still the ’90s after all) a sequin belt. The release of the single coincided with her conversion to Kabbalah following the birth of her daughter, Lourdes, in 1996, and is one of her most pared-down to date.

The witchy Frozen era

That look didn’t last long however with Madonna crooning in the desert with long black hair in a flowing maxi dress for her 1998 hit Frozen. Serving up a desert witch vibe, the singer continued the look (albeit with a higher fashion twist) for her VH1 Fashion Awards appearance in the same year when she wore a corseted yellow gown by Olivier Theyskens, essentially putting the Belgian designer on the map.

The gangster-cowboy hybrid in Music

Madonna ushered in the new millennium with yet another style shift, this time for her Music film clip. In it she rocked an all-white ensemble finished with an oversized fur jacket, multiple chains and rings and a bejewelled cowboy hat.

The ’70s vibe in Hung Up

Madonna proved age is only a number in 2005 sporting a low-cut fuchsia wrap-front top over a red high-leg bodysuit in her film clip for Music. The ’70s looked was completed with a curled, side-parted bob, 3/4 flesh-coloured tights and a purple sequinned belt.   

The Met Gala moment

Never one to shy away from a theme (see eight previous examples), Madonna is always one-to-watch on the annual Met Gala red carpet. Her first official appearance at the event was in 1997 but 2009’s outfit was the talk of the town. Strictly adhering to the theme ‘The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion’, the Grammy Award-winning artist rocked a Louis Vuitton mini dress (designed by Marc Jacobs), thigh high black leather boots and custom couture bunny ears for the night. It made worst-dressed lists over the world but it kicked off a yearly countdown to see what she’d wear next.

The ultimate transformation to Madame X

As with many of the aforementioned looks, the transformations were tied to album releases and Madonna’s style follows suit. Referring to herself as Madame X (which is also the name of her 14th album released back in June), the 61-year-old is rocking a bejewelled eyepatch on the reg paired with an array of edgy fashion looks from Versace, Prada, Miu Miu, Burberry, Fausto Puglisi and more. There’s elements from some of her previous iterations subtly woven into the new persona, though we’re certain this isn’t her last.

The post Madonna’s Style Evolution and Her Most Memorable Transformations appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

UPDATE: On June 16, Doja Cat released “Attention,” a new track that leans into the singer’s reputation for viral beauty transformations. The lyrics quip at those who call her “ugly,” and the music video shows her covered in red paint, one of her most shocking looks yet. With this release, Doja Cat cryptically announced on Twitter that “Scarlet is here,” which is speculated to be a new alter ego. On Instagram, her latest beauty look shows her with blood-shot eyes, facial piercings and a decidedly edgier aesthetic. With her fourth studio album slated for later this year, Doja Cat’s penchant for transformation remains front and centre of her artistry.

 

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When it comes to makeup, Doja Cat is a woman of the world. She had her E-girl phase. She long embraced an alien aesthetic. Now, after shaving her head and eyebrows, she has entered an “I’ll try anything” era. And we’re all better for it.

To mark the start of Paris haute couture fashion week on January 23, the pop star further cemented herself as a boundary-breaking beauty icon — no catwalk necessary. Sitting front row at the Schiaparelli Spring 2023 show, Doja Cat was adorned head to toe in ruby-red Swarovski crystals. The look — which reportedly took nearly five hours to complete and involved 30,000 hand-applied gems — was created by famed makeup artist Pat McGrath, and speaks to the Planet Her singer’s multidimensional beauty prowess.

The post Doja Cat Proves Yet Again She’s the Master of Reinvention appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: The Best Looks From the 2023 Cannes Film Festival

As the festivities took place over the last ten days on the French Riviera, countless A-listers graced the red carpet in their best black-tie attire and most glamorous, jaw-dropping gowns. Some even sported the recently revived exposed bra trend while others opted for uniquely puffy and playful silhouettes. The excitement didn’t just stay on the carpet, though, as many behind-the-scenes moments made waves on social media too. After all, would it even be Cannes without a little drama?

Check out our wrap-up of some of the top moments from the 2023 Cannes Film Festival below.

Rawdah Mohamed stole the show in Robert Wun’s “The Scorched Bride” couture dress

We can’t begin to talk about fashion at this year’s festival without mentioning the stunning Robert Wun gown that Somali model Rawdah Mohamed wore to the premiere of La Passion De Dodin Bouffant. The couture look is known as “The Scorched Bride” dress from Wun’s Spring 2023 horror-themed collection and with the dramatic burn marks on the beautiful silk fabric, it certainly lives up to its name. Stunning details such as its distressed veil and detailed train also make the outfit a red carpet standout. The dress also proves that modesty has a place on red carpets, which is a principle that Mohamed has long been an advocate for.

Brie Larson shuts down a journalist who asked her about Johnny Depp

During a press conference for the jurors at this year’s event, Brie Larson had a tense exchange with a reporter when she was asked about her opinion on about Johnny Depp’s new film, Jeanne du Barry, opening the festival. This comes after months of Depp being in the news for his controversial abuse case with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. Larson was visibly confused by the question and told the reporter, “You’re asking me that? I’m sorry, I don’t understand the correlation or why me specifically.” The reporter explained that since Larson has been a vocal supporter of the Time’s Up movement (and was a member of the cause’s celebrity advisory council), he was curious about her thoughts on Depp’s involvement in this year’s festival and if she’d watch his film. In response, Larson ended the awkward exchange by saying, “Well, you’ll see, I guess, if I see it and I don’t know how I’ll feel about it if I do.”

Helen Mirren sported a bold blue hairdo

There were tons of exciting beauty moments (we’re really tempted to get bangs now) on this year’s Cannes red carpet but a standout has to be Helen Mirren‘s colourful hairstyle that perfectly matched her gown. As she attended the premiere of Jeanne du Barry, audiences were blessed with the surprise of seeing Mirren in a beautiful blue dress with a matching azure updo. Fun fact: Lady Gaga sported a similar look back at the 2019 Golden Globes. Who said “feeling blue” is always a bad thing?

Jennifer Lawrence wears flip-flops and Cate Blanchett ditches her high heels 

The “no flat shoes” ban for women at Cannes has been a topic of conversation yet again this year as both Jennifer Lawrence and Cate Blanchett seemingly took a stand against the alleged “rule.” While she didn’t speak out directly on the ban, Lawrence caught lots of media attention when she changed from her red high heels into a pair of black flip-flops before descending the famous Cannes red carpet steps. Blanchett made a more direct statement by telling her audience exactly why she was taking off her heels while presenting the Breakthrough Artist Award to Iranian-French star Zahra Amir Ebrahimi. We’ll certainly be paying attention to the footwear choices at Cannes next year!

An influencer doused herself in artificial blood on the red carpet to raise awareness for the Ukraine war

In one of the more shocking moments from this year’s festivities, a Ukrainian blogger named Ilona Chernobai made a daring political statement ahead of the premiere of the sci-f horror film Acide. As she posed in a blue and yellow dress, which represents the colours of Ukraine’s flag, Chernobai suddenly grabbed two small packets of artificial blood from her dress and poured them on herself before being quickly ushered off the carpet. In an unverified English translation of a statement Chernobai posted on her Instagram account after the protest, the influencer allegedly said, “I took my chance and with this act, I reminded what is happening in Ukraine!!!…People should not forget about us!”

Sam Levinson’s The Idol premiered — and social media had a lot of thoughts

The award for the most controversial screening at this year’s festival has to go to The Idol, a new HBO show from the minds of Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) and producer Reza Fahim starring Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp. The buzzy series focuses on the life of an up-and-coming pop star (played by Depp) and acts as a cautionary tale for the dark side of Hollywood. But why’s it so controversial? In March 2023, Rolling Stone exposed the drama that was going down on the show’s set while explaining how its plot romanticizes abuse and even called it a tale of twisted “torture porn.” Users on social media chimed in to critique the show as well, with many connecting Levinson’s troubling directorial choices to similar Euphoria plotlines while celebrating the bad reviews for the series as they came out. Despite the controversy, Levinson still claims that the series will be “the show of the summer”  — will you be watching?

The post The Buzziest Moments From the 2023 Cannes Film Festival appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: What Is Mermaidcore?

When we hear a celeb is going “method,” we can have an unsavoury impression of what that means. The controversial technique is known for seeing an actor throw themselves fully into a role, on and off camera. Think Jared Leto reportedly sending his castmates unwelcome gifts in the name of playing the Joker, or Lady Gaga adopting an Italian accent and living in character for 18 months while filming House of Gucci. Method dressing, on the other hand, is innocuous (and impressive), because it involves submerging oneself into a role using only clothes and accessories. At its core, method dressing is when actors take aspects of a film — like the plot, the scenery, and the characters — and apply them to their red-carpet or street-style ensembles. Simply put, it’s sartorial storytelling at its finest.

Case in point: Ahead of The Little Mermaid‘s premiere on May 26, Bailey has stuck to an array of Ariel-approved ensembles. When performing on American Idol, she donned a custom Michael Fausto mermaid silhouette, inspired by the Disney princess herself. At the UK premiere, her Miss Sohee look had a subtle tail shape and an ornate beaded headpiece. A week earlier, she went viral in a metallic number from Valdrin Sahiti, featuring a shell-like bra and corseted bodice resembling splashing water. When attending the premiere in Mexico City, she emerged in a Georges Chakvra pearl-embellished dress, her billowing skirt made with netted detailing.

This under-the-sea oeuvre is nothing if not intentional. It’s a narrative that Bailey’s stylist, Nicky Good, has been crafting for months. At the Oscars, Bailey sported a gauzy blue Dolce & Gabbana princess ballgown before slipping into a sculptural Maison Yeya after-party dress reminiscent of flowing water. At the Met Gala, her white Gucci cape garnered comparisons to sea foam, coral, and jellyfish tendrils. Of course, with each new look, hype for the film has only grown. Herein lies the tried-and-true power of method dressing.

Zendaya and image architect Law Roach have long been masters of this pr strategy. Over the years, Roach has weaved references into Zendaya’s red-carpet looks when promoting a new project. Take Spider-Man: No Way Home. To the premiere in 2021, Zendaya wore a custom Valentino gown with spider web embroidery and a superhero eye mask. At another screening, she sported an Alexander McQueen suit jacket dripping with crystal web detailing and statement spider-web earrings.

In advance of 2017’s The Greatest Showman, Zendaya wore exuberant colour blocking that referenced the circus setting, while her suited ensembles channelled a ringmaster. For 2021’s Dune, each of her showstopping get-ups paid homage to the sci-fi universe, from her character’s uniform to the desert of the fictional planet Arrakis.

The beauty of this technique? It allows the actor to establish a defining career era in line with each respective project. Exhibit A: Jenna Ortega has been faithful to goth aesthetics since starring in Netflix’s Wednesday, making her basically synonymous with the character. Then there’s Zoë Kravitz, who reliably stunned in sleek leather trenches as well as bat and cat motifs to mark her role as the elusive Catwoman in 2022’s The Batman.

Unlike method acting — which can cause stars to get stuck in the fictional mind of the person they’re playing — method dressing flourishes on the premise of reinvention. When promoting 2015’s Cinderella, Lily James embraced a princess-style alter ego with voluminous ballgowns and glass slippers. Cut to 2022: She had a decidedly sexier look to promote her role as Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy, even cosplaying the ’90s icon in a Baywatch swimsuit-inspired dress.

But perhaps some of the best method dressing of all time took place surrounding the Maleficent series. Starring Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora and Angelina Jolie as the titular witch, the leading duo consistently mirrored their starkly contrasting aesthetics. At the 2019 premiere, Fanning wore a Gucci fairytale-like design emblazoned with droplets of blood — a reference to the tale of Sleeping Beauty pricking her finger. The same night, Jolie opted for a severe Versace gown with a scorpion brooch, evoking unmistakable sorceress imagery. In dressing as polar opposites, they brought the film to life.

Ultimately, method dressing sees stars skillfully play up their roles without assuming the entire personality of the character, making it all the more interesting. As for whether Halle Bailey really is an undercover mermaid? It’s still up for debate. She certainly looks the part, though. And that’s the whole point.

The post Halle Bailey, <Em>The Little Mermaid</Em>, and the Art of Method Dressing appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

TikTok beauty influencer. CBD gummy entrepreneur. Low-key party animal, first-time restaurateur and, now, Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover star. Media mogul Martha Stewart is feeling herself, living it up and still making serious bank—at age 81.

From her coastal grandmother aesthetic (which she rebukes for the record), to her genuinely close friendship with Snoop Dogg, the model-turned-stockbroker-turned-caterer-turned-DIY-icon continues to delight and surprise us.

Here are just a few of the reasons why Stewart is having the last laugh.

 

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Her social media posts are an exercise in self-love

Ever since the famously reserved Stewart stunned fans by posting her first smouldering thirst-trap from her East Hamptons pool last July, she’s been leaning into the pure joy that is her selfie game. Just a few weeks ago, for her 81st birthday, she shared a shot of her gravity-defying face—revealing a little bit of tipsiness and a whole lot of confidence.

In true DIY fashion, Martha Stewart also generously shares her hot tips which anyone can use at any age: “Just look good and pose with a provocative look on your face,” she tells Insider. Her smize would make Tyra Banks proud.

She’s still checking off her life goals

Stewart is a savvy businesswoman. She modeled—for Chanel among others—from her teens to her early twenties to supplement her Barnard College scholarship. She’s published 97 cookbooks to date. At one time, she was worth a billion dollars. She’s never needed her own restaurant, but she’s always wanted one, so why not now? At the media luncheon for her first ever full-service eatery, The Bedford by Martha Stewart at Paris Las Vegas,  the doyenne of domesticity recreated a larger-than-life replica of her upstate New York farmhouse. (Unfortunately, sans roaming peacocks and donkey baths.) It’s an ode to the home Stewart has lived in for more than 20 years, where she spent the early part of the pandemic concocting Martha-ritas, and where, 17 years ago, she served the five-month home confinement part of her sentence for insider trading. (Her prison nickname was M. Diddy). If Martha Stewart has taught us anything, it’s that it’s never too late to rebrand, no matter your age.

 

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She’s having more fun with fashion

The dame of good taste has always had iconic style, but in her golden years, she’s taking on more risks—and glitter. At The Bedford opening party, Stewart wowed on the red carpet in a yellow, feathered Valentino gown. She knows high fashion, but she can also go low. The next morning, her Instagram outfit of the day was a sparkly and inexpensive sweatsuit by Fashion Nova paired with matchy Simon Miller clogs. The OG influencer cleverly used this playful fashion moment on TikTok too, with a montage of her younger years to the track of the 2000s hit single “Teenage Dirtbag.”

 

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Her youthfulness is also a state of mind 

Stewart is a knockout who clearly takes her looks seriously (her very expensive face looks a few decades younger than it really should), but she has no trouble poking fun at herself, which makes her even more appealing.In a series of chic-yet-hammy TikTok beauty videos she starred in for Clé de Peau earlier this year, she plays along with her famous “it’s a good thing” meme and  “parodies not only herself but the whole idea of hard-sell beauty ads,” writes the New York Times. From her “thirst trap 101” explainer to her viral “recipe for hydrated skin,” Martha Stewart is pumping out the beauty content, and we can’t get enough. The latter has been viewed more than 48 million times.

 

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She hasn’t given up on love (and odd friendships)

It might still surprise people that the octogenarian queen of crafting is friends with Snoop (not to mention Drake and Justin Bieber), but the pair have been consistently showing up to support each other for years. They hit it off when he came on her show to make “green”  brownies for Christmas and they’ve since collaborated on many fun business projects together, including her eponymously named wine on his 19 Crimes label: Martha’s Chard.

And even though Stewart laughed off rumours she was dating her longtime friend, Pete Davidson, 28,  after he and Kim Kardashian split up,  she’s been open about wanting a romance in her life, joking that she’s waiting for her friends to “just die” so she can date their husbands.

For Martha Stewart, aging can also be “a good thing” and it’s never too late to try something new.

The post No One Is Having More Fun Than Martha Stewart in Her 80s appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

November 16, 2010 is a day that will go down in history. After seven years of dating, Prince William and Kate Middleton announced they were engaged. Finally! And for the fashion world, it was the day the “Kate effect” was born. Within minutes of appearing at the photocall, Catherine’s blue Issa London wrap dress sold out in the UK — and it went on to sell out in 43 countries including the United States. Such has been the case for so many Kate Middleton outfits since.

RELATED: Colour, Tailoring and Hats Reigned Supreme at King Charles III’s Coronation

Kate gave her first press interview that day, sitting down for the traditional engagement interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby, and she didn’t give another one for nine years. But like Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and countless people in politics (hey, Michelle Obama), Kate’s clothes tell us her story. Her engagement dress established who the Duchess of Cambridge would be as a royal: perfectly appropriate, full of symbolic gestures — the sapphire blue colour of the Issa dress was a subtle nod to Princess Diana’s own engagement outfit — and always flying the fashion flag for Britain. “I think she’s acutely aware of the power she wields which is why we see her choose the labels she wears so carefully,” Bethan Holt, author of The Duchess of Cambridge: A Decade of Modern Royal Style, tells FASHION.

There is a message behind every blouse, necklace, handbag and pair of shoes Kate wears. And as the duchess reaches a decade of marriage (and royal duty) on April 29, her power is becoming clearer than ever. Here, we dive a little deeper into those fashion choices and the story they tell.

Soft diplomacy at its finest

“Kate is a future queen and wife and mother to two future kings so she chooses outfits which encompass that,” says Holt. “They’re elegant, regal and epitomize how seriously she takes her role by supporting British designers and symbolizing the royal family’s soft power.” Shortly after her engagement, Kate had her first day on the job at a royal engagement in North Wales. She somehow had to show the world that this commoner was ready to one day be queen consort. A fascinator was obviously the solution. Designed by British designer Vivien Sheriff, the fascinator featured military badges, including the Royal Welch Fusiliers, of which Prince Charles is Colonel-in-Chief. It was a subtle nod to the family she was joining and its role supporting the Armed Forces.

But Catherine’s most symbolic fashion moment was undoubtedly her Alexander McQueen wedding dress. The royal family’s job is to “strengthen national unity” and Kate weaved that duty into her gown’s bodice and skirt. Beautifully intertwined in the lace were roses, thistles and shamrocks representing England, Scotland and Ireland respectively, as well as daffodils for Wales. This might be the most stunning example of soft diplomacy.

The Duchess of the high street

When the Duchess of Cambridge left Buckingham Palace after her wedding, she walked across the palace lawn in a $90 Zara dress. “She knows that people love to see her as ‘normal,’” Holt says. The duchess joined the royal family at a unique time, explains Holt. The Queen and Diana didn’t have to contend with the internet, and fans being able to identify what they’re wearing (and where to buy it) within minutes. Fashion sleuths have quickly found Kate’s $65 Topshop maternity dress, $30 Gap pants and $8 Zeen earrings (among many other items).“There was also this growing expectation for the royal family to be more ‘relatable’ when Kate came onto the scene so it made sense for her to make wearing [the] high street her ‘thing.’”

A new work uniform

In 2018, we saw a new Duchess of Cambridge. Fresh from her third maternity leave, she sashayed into the Victoria & Albert Museum in a tweed Erdem dress with an edgy neckline, zippy hemline, bold earrings and velvet shoes. Holt says there was definitely an “I’m back and better than ever” feel to Catherine’s look that we never saw after her previous mat leaves. “It felt like a signal that she was ready and willing to take on more royal responsibilities, to step into her future and to use fashion very cleverly to do that,” Holt explains.

Over the following months we saw small tweaks to Kate’s wardrobe — there were still coat dresses, clutches and her beloved nude pumps, but she added wide-legged trousers, handbags and block heels. It was a spin on the uniform she frequently wore to royal engagements for her early years’ work, showing how seriously she took her duties (and how seriously she wanted to be taken). “The duchess is astute enough to understand that glamour is a huge part of her appeal and that she can harness that to make even more impact in her work,” Holt explains. Say, the glamour of a duchess arriving at an event in a Gucci blouse, purposely worn backwards. The media went wild and her picture (and her work supporting children) was on front pages everywhere. “She was reluctant to embrace this too much in the early years of her marriage but now she’s learnt to use it for good,” Holt says.

Flying the flag for Britain (and shopping local)

From her very first day as a royal-to-be, Kate has supported British fashion (remember the Issa dress?). And she’s done a damn good job of it, boosting the British fashion economy by $1 billion a year. But like the rest of us, she’s changed her shopping habits over the last year. “She’s joining the huge movement towards shopping small and local which has been fuelled by lockdowns,” Holt says. In September 2020, Kate stepped out wearing a new necklace with each of her kids’ initials. The piece was made by Irish brand All the Falling Stars, who had orders from around the world for the necklace Kate wore. The designer has had to enlist help from her family and friends to help with shipping orders! Later in 2020, the duchess debuted a new leather bag by Grace Han and the Kate effect struck again. Sales doubled for the London-based designer. “It’s a combination of her ever-growing confidence and her consciousness that she can really elevate the brands that she wears,” Holt says.

Our future Princess of Wales

The next decade poses a new duty for Catherine — becoming the Princess of Wales when her husband becomes King of England. Does that mean a new style? “I don’t think there will be radical changes but we might see the duchess adopt more and more of a uniform, like the Queen,” says Holt. And truly, who better to emulate in fashion and duty than Her Majesty?

The post Kate Middleton’s Style and the Soft Power in Her Fashion Choices appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

RELATED: Gen Z Revives Y2K Fashion and Its Obsession with Thinness

Grande’s appearance, like that of every other person in Hollywood, has long been a topic of conversation. But over the last few weeks, celebrity-watchers-turned-health-watchdogs have picked up on something new. In a since-deleted video that’s now been endlessly stitched, duetted and quoted, a TikTokker says they’re concerned about Grande “wasting away over the years.” The kicker? They compare a photo of her when she was 15 to a current photo of her at age 29 to illustrate this perceived Ariana Grande body change.

“I don’t do this often,” Grande begins in her three-minute video statement that’s garnered a whopping 60-million views. “I don’t like it. I’m not good at it. But I just wanted to address your concerns about my body, and talk a little bit about what it means to be a person with a body and to be seen and to be paid such close attention to.” OK, you have my attention.

@arianagrande♡♬ original sound – arianagrande

“There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful. And personally, for me, the body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body,” she continues. “I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly and at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider my healthy, but that, in fact, wasn’t my healthy.”

Her confessional continues in the same vein, stressing that “healthy can look different,” that you never know what someone is going through and that everyone is beautiful, “no matter what weight, no matter how you like to do your makeup these days, no matter what cosmetic procedures you’ve had — or not — or anything,” she says.

It is, by all accounts, a desperate grasping for humanity, something often elusive to celebrities (and, mind you, to anyone who doesn’t fit the mold of the Western standard of beauty). It’s a desperation that I can’t, as a normie, understand on Grande’s level, but can as a woman with a body that’s very much on the internet, never to be erased, and as a fat person who deeply empathizes with the fervent need to address the “but” in these conversations, as Grande does in her statement. But I’m healthier now. But I’m happier now. But look at me now. But I was sad then. But.

Here’s the bigger picture: As a society, we fail to agree on the fact that no one — no celebrity or regular ass human being — owes anyone anything as it relates to their bodies. No explanations about weight loss or gain, about plastic surgery or procedures, about genitalia or gender representation.The list goes on. We fail at this perhaps because we love to, for lack of a better word, consume them. We eagerly scroll through paparazzi photos. We look at before-and-after pictures to make us feel better about ourselves; to remind ourselves that celebrities aren’t, in fact, infallible. I’m not immune to this. I want to feel less alone, too. I want to know that it isn’t just me; that even the richest, most famous people in the world share my struggles, too.

 

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But there is a delusion around celebrity, the delusion being that we (the public) have the right to comment on their bodies; a right justified by these people choosing to be in the limelight and therefore choosing to be critiqued and picked apart relentlessly. What we really mean to say is we feel badly about our own bodies, and prefer to be critical of others — the ones who deserve it. The ones who asked for it. What we don’t see is how doing this means we’re doing it to ourselves and to each other, too.

And when we don’t feel comfortable doing that — commenting on celebrity weight gain and loss because we allegedly know right from wrong — we pivot to “health.” Because caring about someone’s health is legitimate, despite not being their doctor (or any kind of healthcare professional, period), right? What happens now is not the fault of Grande’s, but the conditioning of a world and a wellness pedagogy that says true beauty is health, that if you’re healthy then you must be beautiful, too, and that we owe health to ourselves and to the world. This kind of health can be seen and performed (read: gorgeous skin, a lean body, drinking green juice, going to the gym). At least, we think we can see and do it.

We can’t. And unfortunately, Grande assuring that “healthy can look different” and that hers looks like what she implies — getting off antidepressants, drinking less, eating healthier and getting smaller as a perhaps unintended result — feeds the idea that we have to be healthy to be respected at all. Because that’s what she’s asking for; an understanding and respect from the millions of people who “know” her that this is her version of healthy.

RELATED: I Identify as Body Positive, But I Still Think About Losing Weight *A Lot*

On a smaller scale, I know what it’s like to be held under a microscope. As someone who has been an athlete, who likes to move their body, I feel the pressure to justify why I’m “still fat,” to address those aforementioned “buts.” As a person who’s been sober for five years, I feel the pressure to explain my own weight gain and to reckon with the fact that people definitely thought I looked healthier when I was keeping myself small using drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, and by over-exercising and monitoring everything that went into my body. Do you want me to be healthy, or do you just want me to be smaller? is a question that used to torture me. Now the answer to this rhetorical question is a sad truth I hold with compassion and a gentle knowing that it doesn’t f-cking matter.

There’s a reason why celebrities escape the spotlight when something is wrong. They go to rehab, they stop touring, they hide. This is why. We’re so preoccupied with other people’s bodies and by proxy our own that we, Grande included, can’t see the bigger picture. The picture being that healthy doesn’t look like anything at all. It’s not a number on a scale or a pant size or clear skin or long, glossy hair. It’s not a diet or an absence of needing medication to get by. It’s not a lack of mental illness, of chronic conditions, of needing substances to cope with the pain of *gestures vaguely* this.

Yes, we should, as Grande says, be less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies and health. But we should also feel less pressured to justify our own, and instead reframe how we think about health entirely — and the things we absolutely owe no one but ourselves.

The post Celebrities Like Ariana Grande Don’t Need To Justify Their Bodies appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

As many questionable decisions do, it all started with a TikTok — nay, a short film. From the gate, it is delightfully unhinged. “Make a vodka sauce pasta with me because I’m grounded,” she says at full tilt. Why the stay-at-home punishment? She goes on to casually explain that it’s because she tried to charter a helicopter on her dad’s credit card to go have dinner with a friend from camp (as one does). “Okay, let’s get started.”

Maybe it’s the fact that the video shows all her movements at 2x speed. Perhaps it’s her confession that she doesn’t know the difference between garlic and onion — before preceding to cut a shallot. It’s hard to place, but there’s something utterly cinematic about the whole thing.

Our narrator goes on to explain why she’s making the video, with no decipherable punctuation in earshot. “I thought I would do this since I’m already grounded because my parents’ biggest rule is that I’m not allowed to have any public social media accounts, because they don’t want me to be a nepotism kid,” she says. “But TikTok is not gonna make me famous so it doesn’t really matter.” (Famous last words.)

There are other cameo appearances, too, like her father’s Grammy Award, her dog, and most importantly, her babysitter’s boyfriend, Ari. “My parents are never home so these are my replacement parents,” she says. Next, babysitter boyfriend Ari goes on to change filmmaking — and the English language — forever, by proposing that the term “fiasco” be rephrased to “fiascA,” because, in his words, “It’s women’s history month.” Gender equality, at long last.

Unlike other nepo-baby-self-referential content, this post has been overwhelmingly celebrated. Why? She’s not trying to be relatable. She’s not hiding her parents’ Hollywood success (see below). Her candid spiel doesn’t come off as unlikeable, or even mildly annoying. In fact, in the grand scheme of wildly privileged teens, wanting to visit her friends at camp seems like a totally reasonable request, actually.

If anything, it’s poetry. Think about it: Sofia Coppola’s signature subject matter (Bling Ring; Virgin Suicides; Marie Antoinette) focuses on the distant melancholy of white, thin, affluent teenage girls. Now, her daughter has debuted on the world stage with an undoubtedly similar oeuvre of ennui. Life really does imitate art!

Is it irony? We may never know. And it doesn’t really matter, because regardless, it’s pure entertainment. It has drama. It has intrigue. It has vegetable-related befuddlement! The video has since been deleted, but there’s an element of expectation still lingering in the air. As Romy Croquet Mars said herself at the end, “I will see you in part two, where I actually make the pasta.” Talk about a cliffhanger.

The post Is Sofia Coppola’s Daughter the Nepo Baby We Deserve? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

On how The Shift came to be:

“The Shift came out of frustration [with] what I was not seeing in media. I felt like there wasn’t a place that was allowing certain viewers and audiences to feel seen and heard and I was done just talking about it. So I started putting in the work by thinking about, if I were to have a show in sports that made me feel seen or heard, and that didn’t require me having to stream American ESPN to see myself represented on television, what would it look like? Once I came up with the show idea and how I wanted it to look, I eventually went into a brand partnership at TSN who helped me pitch it to Dell at the time.

 

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“I created The Shift during a time when there was a lot of trauma within marginalized communities being highlighted. I wanted the show to be a place where that was spoken about and where we could hold space for the really rough and tough conversations that needed to be had. But, I also high key wanted it to be a place where it also really highlighted joy — Black joy. I thought that, as media, we weren’t doing a good job in terms of balance — talking about a community’s lack but also highlighting what a community has. The Black community already knows what it doesn’t have. I feel like there needs to be reminders of what we do — of what we have done and what we can create. Reminders of the groundwork that we have already laid and where we’re headed next. I wanted a show that really embodied all of that.”

On pushback and difficulties she faced along the way:

“There were naysayers who would comment like, ‘Oh, she’s just getting a show because she’s Black and because of the climate right now. This is the trend right now.’ There was definitely that element to it. But at some point you have to turn off the noise and do your thing and understand that I’ve put in years and years into my craft and my place in this industry. I would expect good things to happen to someone who works incredibly hard to position themselves.

“There was also [pressure of feeling] like the show had to make sense to everybody — even to people it probably would never make sense to in the first place. I faced comments like, ‘It’s not going work. It’s not going resonate.’ I think when you push something on the mainstream, you always have these thoughts in the back of your head like, how is this content digestible? How is it going to be monetized? But often, you’re gearing those types of questions towards a white audience only. I had to let go of all of that to prove that it could be done — and not only done well but received well, too.”

On overcoming biases and microagressions throughout her career:

“I remember someone had the audacity during my very first on-air experience to tell me that ‘Someone who looks like you should be lucky that you even have a job.’ And with me being a woman — a Black woman — around professional athletes, there have been people over the years (never the players themselves) who have objectified me. To them it’s like, ‘God forbid this ‘object’ actually has something to say about sports. She must be here for other reasons.’ It sometimes feels like, as a woman in this industry, you are hyper-sexualized in that sense. Also, when you start to advocate for yourself as a Black woman, some people can often take that as ‘she’s angry’ or ‘she’s defiant.’ That’s how you’re automatically described when you set boundaries for yourself. So for the longest time, as a result, I would dress a certain way and talk a certain way — hide my true light so that I could fly under the radar and not be seen as ‘other,’ because I just wanted to feel safe at work and safe in this industry. Eventually, I had to check myself because it was taking so much energy trying to be who I’m not and I knew I wouldn’t get far playing that game. I’ve discovered that the more authentic I am, the more things flow my way.”

 

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More on being a woman in the sports space:

“It’s still a very male-dominated industry, but there are a bunch of women that have entered the game. I’m seeing sideline reporting done by predominantly women. I’m seeing more women in front office positions, in tech and also in the sports science space, which is great! But it’s been this old boys club for a very, very long time, so certain conversations have been slow moving — there are certain rules that haven’t been made, boundaries that haven’t been established. It’s one thing to have women in this space, it’s another to make us feel safe, supported and like we are allowed to have a sense of balance. Like when I got pregnant with my son, I remember not wanting to tell anyone for months, and trying to figure out how my professional and personal goals could coexist — because it felt like the groundwork had been laid for them not to be able to coexist. It’s not like anyone had told me that flat out, but it felt like there was this unwritten rule or suggestion that once you have a baby your career is done. That it’s time to find something else. That’s the assumption I had and I know it didn’t just come out of nowhere. It wasn’t a story that I was simply telling myself. So I rushed back six weeks after I gave birth because I felt like I was going to be forgotten about.”

 

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How fashion and personal style play a critical role:

“I know I have a great personality — I love who I am — and I’m really learning to enjoy it by expressing myself more, especially through the clothes I wear. I like to play in both the masculine and feminine worlds with my style; I adore my sneakers but can easily go into a heel, and I feel good in a nice dress moment or even a tech fleece. To me, fashion gives my personality permission to show up. It helps me get into the mindset that I can be whoever I want to be on any day. I’m not saying that I adapt my personality to my clothes. It’s more that clothes allow me to adopt the concept of, ‘Kayla, you are many things and you are allowed to be many things — and those many things look pretty dope, too.’ I feel like I do my job that much better coming at it with a certain confidence because, for me, my outfits help set the tone.”

 

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On her relationship with beauty:

“I love to play with my hair and I love a good nighttime routine: heavy face cream, eye cream — all of those things. I really believe in the practice of settling down and ‘taking off’ the day. And I love to play with makeup. I think because for so long I wasn’t getting makeup artists who knew how to properly work with my skin tone — today I work with a really good artist — I found fun in watching YouTube and Instagram videos (these days I’m all about TikTok) and learning how to do things on my own. They made me fall in love with the process of getting ready and knowing that I have the tools myself to make myself look my best.”

 

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On the future of The Shift:

“I see The Shift becoming a completely different show, owned by a completely different network and produced by a completely different person. What I’ve created is just a starting point. I want someone else to eventually go out there and create the next Shift, but like ten times better with ten times more resources. I want The Shift to be a testament to what you can do when you put pen down to paper from your ideas and actually see them through. I hope that the show sparks others to go for it in their own ways, and not limit or cap things. I want abundance for what the show has already brought and the team and staff behind it that I’m so lucky to work alongside. Bigger, greater things ahead are what I see.”

The post Sports Reporter Kayla Grey on Style, Authenticity and Highlighting Black Joy appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

The 49-year-old American multi-hyphenate is an established titan in the music world, with accolades including 13 Grammy awards and two Oscar nominations. The “Happy” singer has a prolific resumé that spans industries, including work with non-profits, music festivals, film and fashion. In 2003, he co-founded the streetwear label Billionaire Boys Club with designer Nigo. And in the decades since, he has become a fixture of fashion show front rows, known for his experimental and influential personal style.

“Pharrell Williams is a visionary whose creative universes expand from music, to art, and to fashion — establishing himself as a cultural, global icon over the past twenty years,” the fashion house said in a press release. “The way in which he breaks boundaries across the various worlds he explores aligns with Louis Vuitton’s status as a Cultural Mason, reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneer spirit and entrepreneurship.”

In this role, Williams will be succeeding Virgil Abloh, who passed away in November 2021 at only 41 years old after battling a rare form of cancer. Abloh made history as the first Black artistic director of the French retail company. He was widely credited for revolutionizing the fashion industry by bringing streetwear aesthetics to the forefront of luxury and attracting a younger clientele to Louis Vuitton. With a fanbase that transcends industries, Williams is expected to continue that legacy.

In 2004, the artist co-designed a line of eyewear for Louis Vuitton — called the “Millionaire” collection — which was later recreated by Abloh in 2018. In 2008, Williams teamed up with the fashion house yet again to design a jewellery line. Throughout his career, the producer has worked with fashion brands such as Chanel, Adidas and Uniqlo, and he was presented the Fashion Icon Award at the 2015 CFDAs.

“I am glad to welcome Pharrell back home, after our collaborations in 2004 and 2008 for Louis Vuitton, as our new Men’s Creative Director,” said Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s chairman and CEO, in a statement. “His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter.”

What exactly that chapter will entail is yet to be revealed. But with Williams’s extensive experience and creative prowess, it’s sure to be exciting.

The post Pharrell Williams Is Louis Vuitton’s New Men’s Creative Director appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

But why is fashion so willing to forgive and forget?

After rising to prominence in the late 2000s with his eponymous label, the designer established a New York City party-goer aesthetic, both through his work and personal brand. In 2019, this captivating image came into question when Alexander Wang faced allegations of sexual assault. After model Owen Mooney alleged that he was groped by Wang in 2017, other accounts began to surface on social media accusing the designer of drugging, non-consensually touching and exposing the genitals of victims, many of whom were trans women.

Though he initially denied these claims, Wang later met with his accusers in March 2021. He then issued a statement on Instagram expressing remorse. “A number of individuals have come forward recently to raise claims against me regarding my past personal behaviour,” it read. “I support their right to come forward, and I’ve listened carefully to what they had to say. It was not easy for them to share their stories, and I regret acting in a way that caused them pain.”

He added that he and his accusers “disagree on some of the details of these personal interactions,” but that he will “set a better example” and use his influence to “encourage others to recognize harmful behaviours.” Since then, he’s been mostly laying low. That is, until now.

After marking his initial comeback with a Los Angeles runway show in April 2022, Wang’s return to the New York fashion scene has been met with a questionable amount of industry backing. Take Julia Fox, who closed the February 8 show. When confronted about her decision to support the contentious designer, she defended Wang on TikTok. “We do need to leave room for rehabilitation and for those who put in the work and heal and learn from their mistakes,” she wrote in part. But what “work” has Alexander Wang done?

Even in the thick of being “cancelled,” the designer’s label hasn’t exactly suffered. Since the allegations, Alexander Wang has been building his brand presence in China with new stores and investors. He has maintained an exclusive celebrity client roster from Rihanna to Kylie Jenner. He’s even outfitted A-listers for high-profile red carpets, including the 2023 Critics Choice Awards. Through it all, his company reportedly makes more than $200 million in sales annually. This momentum, paired with his return to the New York City fashion landscape, points to the skewed power dynamics between Wang and his alleged victims. But really, his comeback should come as no surprise.

After all, Alexander Wang is not the first authoritative fashion figure to evade controversy. For years, Kanye West spewed hate toward minority groups without facing real repercussions. Despite his racist remarks and fatphobic rhetoric, Karl Lagerfeld is being honoured at the 2023 Met Gala. And even with a track record of racism and homophobia, Dolce & Gabbana continuously proves to be infallible thanks to endorsements by celebrities like the Kardashians. Instead of taking victims seriously, the fashion industry has a habit of repackaging unethical actions into subversive aesthetics.

As such, Alexander Wang’s refreshed brand presence is leaning into the trendy counterculture du jour. A recent promotional video shows fraudster-turned-fashion-icon Anna Delvey flashing her ankle monitor. The label’s new standout runway stars, Fox and Bechtel, are best known for their viral rebellious beauty choices. And thanks to his collection of low-slung pants, faux fur jackets and animal print motifs, Vogue proclaimed that the designer “still has a handle on what the kids want.” In other words, Alexander Wang is cool now.

With a stronger global audience and new financial backing, Alexander Wang is arguably more influential than ever, allegations and all. Somehow, this means a reputation fraught with sexual assault accusations can be repackaged as new and on-trend. Unfortunately, his return to fashion’s good graces is indicative of a system that prioritizes those who have power and ignores (or exploits) those who don’t.

By propping up provocative figures to garner flashy moments of shock factor, the fashion industry reliably views controversy as its most valuable currency. But when will it embrace accountability?

The post Why Is the Fashion Industry Supporting Alexander Wang? appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Want to make a lipstick statement? Look no further than Estée Lauder’s new Pure Color Lipstick launch. Formulated with a Moisture Lock Complex and naturally derived ingredients, these lipsticks are the brand’s most conditioning and long-wearing lippies yet. And they’ll also be the most luxe-looking on your vanity with their newly designed fluted bullet lipstick housed in a chic golden metallic case. Available in 55 shades from nude to berry with matte, crème, and lustre finishes, these Estée Lauder lipsticks are made to flatter all skin tones and deliver a blast of captivating colour with just one swipe. Talk about range.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez is the new face of Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk

Charlotte Tilbury has announced that actress Michaela Jaé Rodriguez is the first American beauty to join the brand’s iconic Pillow Talk family alongside Brits Kate Moss, Twiggy and Jourdan Dunn. After scoring a Best Actress in a TV Drama Series win at the 2022 Golden Globes for her breakout role as Blanca Evangelista in <Pose, Rodriguez became the first transgender actress to take home the award. Now, she continues to be both an inspiration and advocate for the LGBTQIA community through her powerful work. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Pillow Talk franchise, Rodriguez stars in Charlotte Tilbury’s new Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wands campaign — and introduces a new line of lightweight liquid blush in the brand’s signature beauty light wand packaging.

Yves Rocher drops two new French skincare products

We all know the French have major stakes in the beauty game, so the announcement of two new skincare launches from French beauty brand Yves Rocher is très exciting. First up, The Illuminating Cure, a groundbreaking product that seeks to regenerate the appearance of skin and revive its natural glow with anti-aging Precious Botanical Nectars. And with a focus on skin smoothing and soothing comes the newly released Rose Oleo Infusion, a rose petal-infused oil that reduces the appearance of wrinkles with each use.

Laline’s Shea Glam Collection is fit for a spa

Valentine’s Day may be fast approaching, but Laline has made gifting easy this season with the release of their Shea Glam Collection. Elegantly curated to channel the ultimate spa experience, this collection combines luxurious product packaging with the brand’s Shea & Kukui line made to moisturize your skin with shea butter while filling your bathroom with the aroma of sweet kukui nut. Add to the experience with the collection’s baby pink satin robe and glass candle for maximum spa vibes.

CoverGirl drops clean beauty-approved eyeshadow palettes

If you’re looking to convert to clean beauty products, start with CoverGirl’s new highly-pigmented Clean Fresh Color Quads, eyeshadow palettes that are free of talc, mineral oil, paraben and fragrance. Universally gorgeous, each of the colour combinations include matte, shimmer and metallic finishes across three bold burgundy, smokey brown and nude-based palettes.

Omy Laboratories believes in personalized and travel-sized skincare

A person’s skincare regimen is entirely personal. This Quebec-based brand upholds a personalized skincare philosophy while eliminating the hassle of shopping around to customize your routine. In 2018, a chemist and a cosmetician collaborated to create Omy Laboratories, the first Canadian beauty company that offers fully customized facial creams and serums. Through their online Skin AI tool, consumers can analyze their complexion and order custom skincare formulas directly from their website. Want to test the brand? Shop their latest drop — a travel version of their best-selling BHA Active Foam Cleanser made to deep cleanse the skin while leaving behind a refreshed and radiant glow.

e.l.f. Cosmetics’ viral Power Grip Primer just got even better

Makeup junkies, are you listening? e.l.f Cosmetics’ viral Power Grip Primer just got a bright new upgrade. Behold, the Power Grip Primer + Niacinamide. Infused with skin-adoring four percent niacinamide to even out your complexion and add brightness before you go in with glam, this gel-based formula is designed to grip makeup and make it last *all* day. Plus, it’s translucent so it’s ideal for all skin tones.

The post Estée Lauder Launches New Long-Wear Lipsticks + More Beauty News appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Born in Russia, Anna Delvey (née Sorokin) moved to New York City in 2014 and infamously posed as a German heiress. Living in luxury, despite having virtually no money of her own, Delvey worked her way into exclusive circles and effectively scammed the elite, until of course, she got caught. After being released from immigration detention in October 2022, Delvey has transformed from a faux socialite fraudster to a real-life influencer. And, like with all things surrounding her, this aggressive ascension is both hard to ignore and almost too easy to applaud.

For starters, Anna Delvey is nothing if not consistent. Though on strict house arrest, the ex-con is making herself relentlessly visible. She’s secured lengthy features with The Cut, Vogue and The New York Times. She’s been snapped by the paparazzi. Her social media following has sky-rocketed. On TikTok, she’s been aestheticized into an elusive, glamorous style legend with a bejewelled ankle monitor. And if recent coverage is any indication, her career is going better than ever. She’s selling original art. She’s venturing into the NFT business. She’s starting a podcast, writing a book, and perhaps even soon doing a law apprenticeship.

From the books she’s reading, to a tour of her apartment to the outfit she’s wearing to meet her parole officer, it seems like Delvey is everywhere. As fashion publications jump at the chance to secure exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes shots of her life, there’s an air of inflated importance surrounding her. The overarching message is that this is someone we should be talking about. But why?

Perhaps it’s because her story — and by extension, her personhood — has been hyper-glamourized from the start. In 2018, New York Magazine introduced the world to Delvey via a salacious exposé printed alongside a striking image of the con artist with messy hair and smudged eye makeup; the portrait of a beguiling party girl. And ever since, there’s been a cultural desire to figure out who the real Anna Delvey is.

Netflix’s adaptation of the New York Magazine feature, Inventing Anna, further positioned her as an mysterious, kooky protagonist to a global audience. With this scale of sensationalization, Delvey’s image has been packaged into a consumable product. To some, she embodies a crafty socialite aesthetic. To others, she’s an emblem of the anti-establishment. Across the board, no one can seem to deny her impressive audacity in scamming people so out in the open. By wearing expensive clothes and simply lying about her background, Delvey swindled banks, hotels and actual rich people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. And that’s kinda remarkable.

The thing is, we all grow up (hopefully) learning right from wrong. Lying, cheating and stealing? Bad. And yet, the ethical lines of Delvey’s scenario have been blurred by the notion that her white-collar crimes — which largely preyed on multi-million dollar companies — were victimless. But in reality, people got hurt, too, like her former best friend Rachel DeLoache Williams, who has spoken out against Netflix’s sympathetic portrayal of the fraudster. Not to mention, Delvey’s inherent privilege as a white woman permits her to glamourize going to prison, while people of colour are disproportionately criminalized without ever being propped up on a public pedestal. Even still, her enduring determination to be front and centre of the zeitgeist has made her something of a pop culture legend.

Ultimately, it’s not that hard to figure out why fashion is obsessed with Anna Delvey. For one, she’s a provocative icon. Time and time again, contentious figureheads are revered not in spite of their polarizing actions, but because of them. On top of that, Delvey dresses like a winner: she wears chic designer outfits, walks around in high heels, and adorns her ankle monitor with bedazzled initials. The act of showing little to no remorse for doing something objectively wrong — all the while looking fabulous — is the type of scandal the fashion industry devours, for better or worse.

Sure, there’s been something undeniably alluring about her brand of blatant criminality. But as her widespread glorification continues, Anna Delvey is being positioned as an icon, or at the very least, someone worth talking about. So I ask: should that really be the case?

The post The Icon-ification of Anna Delvey appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

“I blocked that stolen tape out of my life in order to survive, and now that it’s all coming up again, I feel sick,” Canadian-born Anderson says in the trailer, referring to her ex-husband Tommy Lee’s personal sex tape that was stolen from their home in the 1990s and uploaded to the internet as a pornographic film. 2022’s wildly popular Pam & Tommy recreated this ordeal, detailing not only how it led to the end of their tumultuous marriage, but the victim-blaming and trauma that Anderson endured because of it.

Here’s everything to know about Pamela, A Love Story.

What is the Pamela Anderson documentary about?

According to Netflix, it’s an “intimate and humanizing portrait of one of the world’s most famous blonde bombshells” that “follows the trajectory of Pamela Anderson’s life and career from small town girl to international sex symbol, actress, activist and doting mother.” After decades of living a relatively quiet life, and having to relive the trauma associated with her stolen sex tape all over again through Hulu’s Pam & Tommy, it’s clear that Anderson is finally ready to tell her story, her way.

How can I watch the Pamela Anderson documentary?

Pamela, A Love Story is a Netflix original documentary, so you’ll need a Netflix subscription to watch it on the streamer.

When will Pamela, A Love Story be released?

The Pamela Anderson Netflix documentary about Anderson’s life after surviving the leaked sex tape is set for release on January 31, 2023.

Watch the first trailer for the Pamela Anderson Netflix documentary here:

The post Pamela Anderson Is Reclaiming Her Narrative in the First <em>Pamela</em> Trailer appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Vivienne Westwood, who died December 29 in London at age 81, is widely credited for being the “high priestess of punk.” But she was so much more than that. Westwood was a visionary whose designs always led, never followed. She was a wit who could skewer aristocratic snobbery with a shrewdly mangled plaid. She was irreverent and provocative, receiving her Order of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace panty-less and putting the Queen with a safety pin through her lip on a T-shirt. But beyond being fashion’s foremost provocateur, Vivienne Westwood is the reason corsets, crinolines, rubber, leather and latex are accepted aspects of modern dress.

“She was revolutionary in so many ways,” says George Antonopoulos, FASHION’s creative and fashion director. “She took historical elements like corsets and coquette silhouettes and made them supercool and exciting.” S&M gear and fetish wear became “normalized” in her hands. “And back in the ‘80s, she was the very first gender bending designer,” he says. “She created unisex clothing and showed men’s and women’s together on the runway and it all made sense.” She was also one of the first designers to use her platform to raise awareness for political and social issues including nuclear disarmament and climate change.

Ever the non-conformist, Westwood seemed to get particular pleasure from sending up British culture. “She took traditional elements like tailoring and tartans and Harris tweed and turned them upside down,” Antonopoulos says, adding that Westwood was the first designer he ever spent money on as a teenager. “I loved how disruptive she was. She was the designer that made me fall in love with fashion.”

In the ‘70s, Westwood met Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols, and together the pair shaped the punk movement — he with the music and she with the clothes. They were romantic partners too, though Westwood later married her current husband Andreas Kronthaler, a designer who has worked alongside her since they married in 1992. In typical Westwood fashion, the union raised some eyebrows — he was 25, she was 50. But she could hardly care what others thought — a theme that ran throughout her career.

Perhaps that is why Westwood is also one of the most respected creatives of our age and one whose ideas have been referenced by so many who followed her. “She was a designer’s designer,” Antonopoulos says.

Below, a look at some of Dame Vivienne Westwood’s signature designs, from tartan to corsets, on the runway.

Photography by Getty Images

Photography by Getty Images

Photography by Getty Images

Photography by Getty Images

Photography by Getty Images

Photography by Getty Images

Photography by Getty Images

Photography by Getty Images

Photography by Getty Images

Photography by Getty Images

1/10

A model in the first show Westwood presented outside of London

2/10

Kate Moss, 1993

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Naomi Campbell, 1994

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Eva Herzigova, 1995

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Kate Moss, 1994

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Linda Evangelista, 1995

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Kate Moss, 1996

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Pamela Anderson, 2009

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Two models, 2017

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Bella Hadid, 2020

The post Vivienne Westwood Was “a Designer’s Designer” appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Update: On December 19, SZA pushed back on the characterization of her songs as “sad girl” music. “Ignoring songs like Sos, Psa, concieted, low, forgiveless, seek n destroy, notice me, or ex pack … to pretend I only make sad girl music is dumb,” she wrote on Twitter. In a separate Tweet, she questioned why she can’t be perceived to have “a FULL spectrum of emotions,” instead of just unhappiness.

Cancel your weekend plans, there’s been an emergency. SZA released her latest album, SOS, and it urgently calls for a days-long marathon of crying in solitude. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.

Released on December 9, the record comes five years after her era-defining debut album CTRL. Exploring topics like self-worth, femininity and growing up, the 2017 Grammy-nominated project established SZA’s reputation for radical vulnerability. Half a decade later, the artist is still hitting us where it hurts with her all-too-accurate, brutally honest introspection. Who needs holiday cheer, anyway?

With SOS, it seems the songstress has decided to close out the year in a characteristically chaotic way: by messing with all of our emotions. Her newly released 23-track project is yet another ode to muddled feelings, with lyrics about body image, being misunderstood and (theoretically?) killing an ex. Clearly, SZA is not here to give us a party playlist — she’s here to make us sob.

Spanning multiple genres from pop to alternative to R&B, SOS has range. Take “F2F,” (co-written by Lizzo) which has scream-along lyrics reminiscent of early 2000s pop-rock. Or “Conceited,” an unapologetically upbeat ode to none other than herself. But in true SZA form, the genre-blurring record features more self-reflective ballads than danceable bops. It pays homage to slightly unhinged — yet objectively iconic — fictional women in pop culture, with titles like “Kill Bill” and “Gone Girl.” It tackles self-comparison on “Far” — “Lately, I feel less cool than before” — and destructive thoughts on “F2F” — “I hate me enough for the two of us.” Above all, listening to SOS is akin to receiving an emotional gut punch. And with that, she gave the people what we needed!

In 2022, there is an undeniable appetite for open expressions of gloominess. With the rise of “sad” beauty aesthetics and TikTok’s romanticization of notoriously glum figures like Lana Del Rey, we’re in an age of embracing emotional instability. And while this trend may be widely deemed a “sad girl” trope, it transcends gender altogether. First and foremost, it’s about acknowledging unhappiness when you need to. Ultimately, no one embodies that catharsis quite like SZA.

With ample critical success under her belt, some find it shocking that the superstar still struggles with not feeling worthy. But that’s the magic of her stream-of-consciousness songwriting: She shows that self-love is a complicated, non-linear process filled with growing pains. In other words: There are layers to these emotions.

While music legends Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have gifted the world with upbeat albums in recent months, SZA has offered us something we may have needed even more: a tracklist for revelling in conflicting feelings.

After all, sometimes nothing feels better than being a little bleak. SOS gives us that permission, and so much more. It supplies a soundtrack to re-evaluate your self-esteem. It encourages self-destructive behaviours like texting an ex. Not to mention, it’s the perfect playlist for putting your speaker on full blast, taking a scalding hot shower and dissolving into a puddle of tears on a Friday night. Hypothetically.

SOS makes one thing clear: SZA is okay with leaning into sadness. And once again, she welcomes us all to join her.

The post SZA Says <em>SOS</em> Is Not Just “Sad Girl” Music appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

There are tender moments of connection, heart-wrenching pieces of footage from Harry’s childhood, countless non-famous friends offering their perspectives of Meghan and Harry’s courtship, and, blessedly, a definitive answer to the burning question: how did Harry and Meghan meet? The most revealing — and ultimately relatable — nugget of information, in the first episode of Harry & Meghan is, in my opinion, that the couple first connected on Instagram in the summer of 2016 after the prince saw a video of his future wife on “a mutual friend’s” profile. And, AND, she was using none other than the extremely 2016 dog Snapchat filter. Yes, the one with the floppy ears and the big tongue. According to the pair, they then started chatting over DMs and text and eventually met in person for the first time when Meghan next travelled across the pond.

Now, this account does somewhat differ from how Meghan and Harry previously described their initial meeting, telling the press they were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend without ever revealing the role that Instagram (and that fateful doggy filter) played. But fair play for not wanting the world to know their love story started with a Snapchat filter, like so many modern romances do.

The Netflix series goes on to explain how after the aforementioned nameless mutual friend (who many have speculated was either Harry’s childhood friend Violet von Westenholz or fashion designer Misha Nonoo) told Meghan that a pal was interested in her, Meghan promptly asked the friend to show her the royal’s secret Instagram feed. When asked why she didn’t just Google Harry, Meghan explains that the barometer for getting an impression of a high-profile person is “not what someone says about you, but what you put out there about yourself.” Lucky for Harry, Meghan was taken by the “beautiful photography” and “environmental shots” in Harry’s Finsta feed and the rest is history. Stars (and royals)… they really are just like us.

The post Turns Out Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Met On Instagram appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

As far as beauty is concerned, hairstyling is often the final act in the holiday party prep process. The crowning glory! Short, long, up, or down — your hair ties the whole look together. Formal Christmas functions and elegant New Year’s Eve nights become opportune moments to experiment with hairstyles we’ve waited all year to try.

From gold-flecked afros and bow-shaped buns to fun Y2K revival updos, look to celebrities for eight show-stopping looks to recreate. Taking inspiration from Bella Hadid, Rihanna, Hailey Bieber and more, scroll on to find holiday party hairstyles worthy of a Gatsby gathering. We promise you’ll be the life of the party.

 

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A post shared by Caroline Trentini (@carolinetrentini)

Since May, we’ve had our eyes on this updo worn by Brazilian model Caroline Trentini on the Met Gala red carpet. Sculpted by Erol Karadag, this bow in the front, bun in the back style is ideal for party-goers looking to try something a little avant-garde this year. Sure, this look will take a little extra planning (and maybe practice), but if you start now the payoff will be well worth it. Besides, what could be more festive than looking like an actual gift yourself?

 

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A post shared by dani ❤️ (@runwayrih)

Protective style wearers are likely no strangers to adorning their hairdos with cuffs and beads, but Rihanna’s bejewelled braids will surely serve as new inspiration for those who’ve tucked their natural hair away for winter. Crafted by Naphia White, RiRi’s go-to hairstylist as of late, the incorporation of treasured beads and baubles are the finishing touch you just might be missing.

 

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A post shared by Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber (@haileybieber)

If it’s soft simplicity you seek, look to Hailey Bieber’s take on a ’90s updo styled by Amanda Lee. “It’s been such a nice journey of kind of just doing less and learning that less is more,” the trendsetting model told People this summer of her newly minimalist approach to makeup. This less-is-more philosophy seems to have translated to Bieber’s hairstyling as well. Though there is often an element of elegance to her looks, there is equally a sense of ease that still works sublimely for a night out.

 

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A post shared by Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys)

We hope you don’t mind being the centre of attention, because you’re sure to steal the show with this impossible-to-ignore bedazzled hairdo. As confirmed by this tour look from Alicia Keys, it’s clear that Euphoria-esque rhinestones aren’t going anywhere, and we’re pleased to hear it. Add a little interest to a jumbo twist-pony like this one with rhinestones around the perimeter of the face to keep all eyes on you, all night. A little spotlight never hurt anybody, right?

 

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A post shared by Dhairius Thomas|Celebrity Hairstylist (@dhairiusnyc)

In 2022, we find ourselves in the midst of an early aughts revival — and if you’ve made it through the year without giving in to Y2K trends, that defiant streak may very well end here. Blame your acquiescence on Cassie with her imposing spiked bun updo and face-framing tendrils. “It’s giving Masterpiece,” says stylist Dhairius Thomas of his creation in an Instagram caption. Masterpiece, indeed.

 

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A post shared by Bella 🦋 (@bellahadid)

This is not the viral middle-parted Bella Hadid bun that garnered 19.5 million views (and counting) on TikTok’s #bellahadidbun hashtag, but it is a sophisticated offshoot of the star’s signature model-off-duty hairdo. At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Hadid elevated her usual slicked-back style with a braided bun and strategically placed tendril by Evanie Frausto, a hairstyle upgrade just begging to be recreated for your next festive outing.

 

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A post shared by Danai Gurira (@danaigurira)

At the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiere in London earlier this month, actress Danai Gurira served the statement hair of the season, sporting a cropped afro adorned with gold flakes to match the embellishments on her Elie Saab couture gown. If there’s any gold involved in your holiday gathering get-ups this season, seize the opportunity to recreate this gilded work of art.

 

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A post shared by Andrew Fitzsimons (@andrewfitzsimons)

The versatility of Megan Fox’s messy bun-meets-updo allowed for the star to pair it with two contrasting looks for two separate events in one night, so it’s guaranteed to be a reliable option regardless of your outfit or makeup. Carried out by stylist to the stars Andrew Fitzsimmons, this “après sexe” style stuns from every angle with its face-contouring waves and romantic texture.

The post 8 Celebrity Hairstyles to Recreate for Your Next Holiday Party appeared first on FASHION Magazine.