It is currently 22:50 on a Sunday night, I am dreading 9am tomorrow where I have to be in my office job. I don’t do anything there. I sit at my desk and waste away, thinking of all my potential wrapped up inside me like an elastic band waiting to be released from someone’s fingers.

I do like my coworker though, we have become great friends and always have a laugh together, without her work would have silently strangled me a long time ago. Since graduating from journalism I have been trying to get a job in the industry. With a handful of interviews there hasn’t been much luck.

The interviews always go well, however, I am met with the “unfortunately it was just down to experience.” Every recent graduates nightmare sentence. How am I supposed to get experience if no one is going to give it to me!!!!!!! I scream into the voice of repetitiveness and a mocking crowd.

LinkedIn has become a humiliation ritual I must take part in everyday, I swear the app feels like an old medieval town square, where I am held tightly in a pillory so the townspeople can throw rotten tomatoes at me. Alas, it’s the only way.

I have been published four times since graduating and the thrill of getting the yes from an editor has been like no other. The excitement coursing through me turning into the immediate dread of ‘oh god I actually have to do this now.’ The articles have been great though. Giving me just enough confidence to keep going, the carrot and the stick method. Constant teasing, I’m squeezing a toe in the glass door.

I suppose I’m writing this because I’m frustrated, I'‘very much hit a wall and I’m fed up. Why can’t everything just be easy and fall into place. Sure, I know the answer, nothing that comes easy is worth keeping, like my current job.

I’m not here to complain that the system has failed me and the government aren’t providing enough resources or it’s someone else’s fault. Because frankly, it’s not, there are grad programmes that I could have applied for but I didn’t. There were probably things I could have done better but I didn’t. There are also things I really tried at and it worked and things I researched endlessly with no reward and it wasn’t fair. This is life, it’s hard, but if you keep going eventually by scientific law (or common sense) you have to end up somewhere. I just hope it’s somewhere I’m proud of and makes me fulfilled and happy to work everyday.

Thank you for listening to my rant xx

Just have a look at these images.

Natures Colour Blocking is crazy tbf, I would actually never put those colours together.

The veins of the lab bleeding pink is so cute!!!!

It’s just so perfect, I would love to know the science behind it, I understand why certain plants look certain ways but why does it always look so good.

Even the texture is perfect.

I mean it’s where so many fashion designers and renaissance painters get their inspiration.

Natures even got lace detailing down, but I mean of course it does, all of our materials before polyester came from her. She was the OG.

I think what I’m trying to say as we stray so far from nature and become more dependent on what we see on a screen, looking at nature to see that colours have always been a way to represent different plants and animals, let someone be a snail and understand you yourself are can be a shell.

I decided to write this article because these were things that helped me stay climate conscious without losing my mind and going down the what’s the point route. Don’t get me wrong we do need to be concerned but let’s lead this concern into action rather than backing away out of fear.

1. Sign petitions:

Honestly this is such a small action that genuinely takes 5 minutes to do and you really do feel like you have at least made some effort and impact. Petitions work, collective consciousness leads to change. Create an account on change.org and sign as many as you like. It’s just as easy as online shopping yet SO much more rewarding.

https://www.change.org

2. Learn how to recycle

   

There’s a great documentary on how recycling works and when you recycle, individual people go through your rubbish and sort it into recycling. Make sure you understand that recycling has to be :

Clean

Dry

Plastic

It’s a small thing where you can know that your plastic isn’t going to a landfill it will be used again and turned into something else. The individuals job is all about reducing the amount of waste, not changing the world.

https://www.rte.ie/player/series/what-s-next/10002445-00-0000?epguid=IP10002446-01-0004

https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2019/0912/1075557-what-really-happens-to-our-recycling/

3. Lower your red meat consumption

Production of meat and dairy contributes to 72–78% of global food-related greenhouse gas emissions and 15% of total global emissions (Gerber et al. 2013).

Meat—particularly beef—drives climate change in two ways: first, through cows’ emission of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and second, by destroying forests as they are converted to grazing land- Science American.

By simply reducing the amount of red meat you and your family consume can have a huge impact on the environment. I’m not saying cut it out or become a vegan but maybe choose a chicken or dare I say a tofu replacement. I’m not a vegetarian myself but I do mostly buy only beans, tofu, chickpeas and certain fish for my grocery shopping and then when I’m at a restaurant and I fancy a meal with meat I’ll go for it and enjoy it!!

4. Email your local representative about climate issues:

Here is an email template I got from Irish influencer Keelin Moncreiff about smiling your local representative on climate issues and how they are handling them. By showing your local government that you will not vote for them unless climate policy is a part of their campaign you create pressure which results in change.

Again, it’s the same as emailing for a refund on a Shein dress but you don’t have to feel guilty. It’s productive encouraging first hand policy change.

Dear [name of your TD],

I am writing to you as a constituent of [your constituency] because I want to see more positive action to combat climate change.

As of recently, there have been a concerning amount of extreme heatwaves which I know will result in a loss of local biodiversity, flash floods and droughts.

I understand the need to reduce water consumption during periods of drought and I am prepared to do my part however there appears to be an incredibly disproportionate responsibility on regular citizens rather than large scale industries, particularly data centres around the country, who are using up most of our fresh water resources.

I would like to know what measures you are taking to ensure:

• We are reducing our greenhouse gas emissions that are negatively contributing to ecological breakdown

• We find an alternative, more sustainable solution for industrial cooling

• We have a more robust climate action strategy to help communities deal with heatwaves, periods of drought and flash floods

I would appreciate your response outlining your position on these issues and any actions you intend to take or support in the Dáil. I also hope you will advocate for policies that ensure the responsibility for water conservation is shared fairly across households, industry, and government.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[your name]

[your address]

5. Read the news- good and bad

Follow the wildfires, stay informed on how the temperature is rising, be afraid and be angry. This is how people come together, protest and create change. However, follow the positive climate news pages. Understand that there is hope, people all over the world are doing everything they can to ensure that we stay protected on this earth.

Environmental science is making huge changes to the way we can run the world, it’s so important that you know you're not the only one and that your actions aren’t pointless. Here are some positive instagram accounts I follow that make me feel a little better.

@Relauren

6. Please try and limit your use of AI

Now I know AI isn’t a popular tool on Substack for writers (or at least I hope it’s not), but if you have an AI app please delete it. You didn’t need it a year ago, you don’t need it now. That’s all I have to say for that one, A.I makes you dumber, it slows your critical thinking skills down and turns your brain to slug, just resist using it please.

7. Unfollow influencers that promote overconsumption

If you follow influencers who promote complete tat and do fast fashion hauls that are sponsored it's like voting for them. An unfollow shows that you are not in support of that, enough unfollows does create change, be the one to start the trend. Follow influencers who support action, who are sponsored by sustainable brands, who promote activities. It can be done and it’s not hard.

I hope this helped you to feel a little less overwhelmed because action and knowing you are doing something often alleviates stress and worry over something that you aren’t in control of. Be in control of this and go forward thinking of our climate.

Leave some tips in the comments!!

Source: Coiteteur

Fur stays for Fall

Anyone who purchased an overprices Penny-Lane suade fur or a Cruella De Ville (although we hope is Faux/secondhand and not Dalmatian), texture is a focal point this orange season. We saw a seres of shearling and fur looks at Louis Vuitton and Chanel Haute Couture was all about scarecrow-esque jackets.

Office- locked in

Structured, well fitted, serious clothes for serious women were showcased from Tom Ford, Ferragamo and Jim Sander. The pencil skirt suit namely was a huge hit.

Patterns, Prints and Cozy.

Paris Fashion Week showcased a plethora of tartan and gingham. Get your old granny’s jumper or Poncho out, it’s a very Burberry season. Cozy up with the pattern lined trench and a chai latte. Check prints and open fires will always be a staple of Autumn.

Lace

Although cold, breezy and light. Lace was a huge part of detailing for outfits on the runaways particularly at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Expect a lace trimming, or Lacey headbands to make this seasons accessories.

New Deco

A style i have been waiting for. New York fashion week showcased old Chanel references, with dropped waists, shift dresses and intricate beading for evening wear this Autumn.

Comme des Garçons Rare Clothes Going Up For Auction

“Australian collector Ocatavius La Rosa, founder of Australian resale store and site Doc Comme, is bringing 265 rare pieces to Kerry Taylor Auctions,” WWD reported

September 15th will be the date the auction is held. Comme des Garçons clothing is so sought after because of the designers history. With no formal training the designer Rei Kawakubo received the nickname ‘The Architect of Anti-Fashion.’

Kawakubos Ready to Wear designers are timeless but always with a slight modern and incredibly unique touch. Thus making his designs desirable and collectable.

Perceived price list from Penelopes archive

Observed price ranges :

• Conceptual catwalk pieces : 5,000 – €25,000 and more

• Iconic vintage collections : 2 000 – 15 000 €

• Limited collaborations : 150 – 6 250 €

• Play line and accessories : 100 – 1 500 €

Recent documented sales :

• Rare knit sweater (1983-84) : 4 750 $ – acquired by a museum

• Lumps and Bumps dress (1997) : 4 500 € – specialized sale

• Sun Dot” dress (2007) : 11 000 £ – international auctions

• Broken Bride” set (2005) : 4 200 $ – luxury market

• Ensemble Supreme collaborations : 6 250 $ – prestigious sale

Manila Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 27

MLNFW are focusing on designers who are brands themselves this year for their Spring/Summer run.

It’s are returning for its second edition on September 3-6 with four days of back to back runway shows. 11 Pinoy designers, pop-up galleries and cultural displays will position Filipino fashion to “stand alongside the great fashion weeks of Asia and the world.”

“If there’s one thing I want MNL Fashion Week to be remembered for in the next three, five, or ten years, it’s that we brought the Filipino fashion community together. I want it to be a celebration of Filipino fashion, not a showcase. I don’t mind if it stays small or grows, as long as Filipinos know there’s a celebration waiting for them once or twice a year,” John Lozano the Executive Director of MNLFW said.

Free The Youth Streetwear Brand Collab with Air Jordan.

The Ghanian streetwear brand, Free The Youth brand is collaborating with Jordans to create the Air Jordan 16.

The Shoe was released on August 15th, however, they are only available in certain retaliates and are a semi-limited edition shoe. Costing at $255 only selected retailers will carry the release.

Free the Youth was founded in 2010 in Ghana beginning as a grassroots social media showcasing of street style. The brand has now developed globally and into a Muti-branches company. They are a fashion brand, creative agency and NGO. Their mission works to the goal of promoting art based, youth-oriented movement for creative freedom and community development.

Seeing Free The Youth and their collab with Nike is an admirable example of how through social media and online community we can build something bigger than ourselves.

Street style was a central element for this fashion week, over sized clothes styled with lace.

CPHFW are the leading sustainability, in 2020 they have brands three years to meet a minimum of 18 years to meat sustainability standards. Rule including banning plastic hangers to the type of textiles that can be used.

Initially brands were unsuccessful in complying to their regulations. However, now over more than 30 brands are championed in CPHFW. Britain and Germany fashion weeks are following in CPHFWs steps.

Such an incredible step to take for the fashion industry as fast fashion is known for its greenwashing, overproduction and one of the biggest reasons for pollution in the world. The fashion industry as a whole is incredibly problematic and damaging to the climate we must demand policy changes and support the champions of development.

Ralph Lauren collaborate with Gee Bend quilters

Gee’s Bend are a remote community of quilters in Alabama. The tradition of their craft has been practiced for over a century. Ralph Laurens new project ‘Artist In Residence’ programme invited artists practising traditional crafts to participate in collaboration.

The Gee Bend project centres on two original quilts made by the textile artists that have been reimagined and re worked onto clothing, home accessories and pillow. Each items central theme is the quilt.

I really enjoy this collaboration idea, it’s mutually beneficial- Traditional practices are celebrated, advertised and seen while Ralph Lauren get fresh ideas and can benefit off of traditional cultures. Fashion brands have been doing this for years, taking fabrics from India or structural inspiration from China or designs from Africa, that was never going to stop so I think that now these traditional practices are getting recognition and are highlighted is important.

How Fashion Brands Greenwash You

Earhday.org published an information piece on how high street brands market themselves as eco friendly and climate conscious to entice you to buy.

It’s important to understand these knifing tactics and avoid at all costs. Earthday gave examples of brands like Shein, Zara and H&M all being found guilty of greenwashing. Sheins ‘green and recyclable’ materials were advertised as supporting the circular economy. However, they faced a 1.16 million dollar fine as it was found their stamens were vastly obtuse and over exaggerated. H&M are launched a Conscious Collection (a wildly ironic title) in 2010 to promote recycled materials. However, after a lawsuit in 2022 Quarts reported that the environmental statements were overstates and in many cases, completely false.

Here are some ways Earthday reported to avoid greenwashing:

• Vague terminology: using broad or undefined terms, such as “eco-friendly” and “all-natural”

• Hidden tradeoff: claiming sustainability based on a particular aspect of a product, to the exclusion of other significantly detrimental environmental impacts

• No proof: not providing evidence for a sustainability claim

• Irrelevance: emphasizing an environmental claim that is either irrelevant or legally required

• The lesser of two evils: comparing a product favorably to competitors while ignoring the environmental harm associated with the overall industry or product category

• Greenwashing by unsubstantiated affiliation: falsely implying third-party endorsements or certifications

• Fibbing: making false or deceptive environmental claims

Source: Earthday.org

Lately I’ve really been feeling the burn out, I’ll give you a bit of context before I jump into the routine so if you would like skip to the headline down below to read how I de-rot myself.

Why I’ve been feeling burnt out

I work a full time job well 30 hours a week which is more than manageable. However, I am also trying to start my freelancing journalism career and I have been incredibly lucky to have two of my articles published in a national newspaper which is amazing and I'm so lucky!! All my spare time was used to work on researching, pitching, interviewing and writing which I am completely grateful for. While also doing this I travelled down the country to work at a festival, this involved two hefty travel days and a long working day but it was worth it because I got to see my best friend who had been working down there all month- so it was almost a free holiday! On top of this, I am also a freelance stilt walker and jobs get busy in the summer so I just spent the last three days at another festival where I was pre-entertainment for the comedy festival guests. Again this is something I enjoyed doing, I was able to take my friends to a couple of free shows, bring them backstage and talk to the comedians. It’s been great really, but on top of all the work I still have to do my washing, cleaning, partying, seeing my boyfriend- it’s all gotten a little out of hand.

I found myself neglecting myself, I was giving everything to everyone else, I was drinking too much and staying up too late. I was up in the air the ground couldn’t find me if it tried.

So today I’m spending my time relaxing and Substacking because that was one area I simply could not keep on top of. Something had to give, I was really sad as well because I had been doing so well my consistency was paying off. People were reading my articles and now I’m worried everything I had worked for is going to fall off. Anyway here’s my reset routine.

Resetting the Burn Out

If you’ve read my stuff on creativity, burn out and routine you know I’m not one for the strict routine or 5am meditations. My philosophy is to look inward and ask myself, how do I feel? What do I need?

We rely so much on our aura rings to analyse and tell us how we slept, how fast our heart is beating but when was the last time you closed your eyes and felt your heart beating too fast or woke up and thought I might have only gotten 6 hours sleep but I feel great.

My getting-out-of-a-rut routine is starting today and I began by setting my alarm later than usual but you still want to wake up early enough to avoid the groggy and guilty feeling of slugging yourself out of bed at 12pm.

Here we go

Ideal set time to wake up: 9am and stay in bed till 10am, I like to put some music on and lie there with my eyes closed still half asleep. The get up and make yourself a coffee that you can sit with, in your pjs something you don’t have to chug down. Enjoy it, make it last.

Address what you’ve been neglecting straight away: During the burn out things get neglected, which is only natural. We don’t eat properly, work takes over, emotions lead the journey. So take what you’ve been ignoring and do it right after your nice coffee. Whether it’s writing your Substack (which is exactly what I’m doing now) or if it’s your load of washing. If you can get that done you’ll already feel a sense of accomplishment and you can allow yourself to realign with your old routine.

Move your body: You don’t have to go to the gym, go on a 10km run simply because it’s your only day off, but do move your body intuitively. I like to sit on my yoga mat and just move, stretch my neck , the top of my shoulders where all my tension has been sitting and just physically release myself of the burnout. You will feel it mentally too.

Watch some TV with your lunch: Make yourself a lovely lunch and treat yourself to watching a full episode of your favourite TV show. Sit on the couch and just enjoy it, the important thing about this routine is to be present allow this as a self-care day. Don’t start thinking about tomorrow or the ideal to-do list, you’ll get to it trust yourself.

Get creative: After you’ve been fed and watered get creative! this can be cooking, writing in your journal picking up a dusty instrument or paint brush and really get into it!

Clean your space: I promise it will make the rest of the week so much easier and you’ll feel grateful every time you walk in. Again it doesn’t have to be a deep clean just take the clothes off of your chair for god sake.

Be Selfish: Spend your evening however you want to, if that’s seeing friends, going on a walk, watching a movie, reading a book. Just do it today is the day for it and be proud of yourself for it.

Shower, Meditate and Sleep: I like to get a bit witchy when I need to reset, I think it’s because it helps me feel grounded. So I might do a little ritual or tarot reading just for fun and to unwind my mind by comforting it in knowing that my future is in safe hands. Journaling is something I put off but here’s a couple of prompts that I like to do when I feel burnt out:

1. List five reasons why your proud of yourself and why

2. Write a letter to 80 year old you about all your concerns and worries.

3. Reply to your letter as 80 year old you, tell yourself about the life you’ve lived.

4. What did you struggle with this week? what do you feel you neglected and how do you think you can avoid that next time?

5. How can you implement small things in your routine to keep yourself grounded and in control.

There you go, that’s my self-care routine after a stint of burning out and tiredness. I hope it helped, even just if it’s hearing someone else is wrecked too!

Johnathan Anderson bring Dior to Dublin Ireland

Ireland born Creative Director of Dior Johnathan Anderson has announced that their Winter/Fall 2027 show will take place in Trinity College Dublin.

This is the first time that Dior will showcase their collection in Ireland. The runway show will take place on December 4th in the Old Library in Trinity.

This is an incredibly exciting time for fashion in Ireland. The country isn’t known for their global fashion recognition. However, the indie fashion scene is booming and to have this representation is a big deal for the country.

He announced the show with a four leaf clover on Instagram.

“So excited and so proud to be able to show the fall 2027 collection @trinitycollegedublin Friday 4th of December @dior," Johnanthan Andersons Instagram

Source: RTE News, BBC

Spring/Summer 2027 London Fashion Week Schedule has been Unveiled

Returning veteran brands and exciting new generation of Creative Directors will be present at LFW 2027.

“The schedule reflects the confidence and momentum of British fashion today, bringing together established houses, emerging designers, and industry partners on a platform that continues to shape global fashion. Together, they reaffirm London’s position as the global home of creativity and a catalyst for innovation, opportunity, and growth,” Laura Weird the BFC CEO said.

Ceo Laura Weir

Alexander McQueen will be showcased with their new Creative Director Seán McGirr and home grown labels such as Burberry will close the week.

There’s room for everyone at London Fashion Week, with medium sized brands such as Simone Rocha and fresh faces like Sweden’s Petra Fagerström will make her debut.

This is Weirs third fashion week who was previously a journalist transitioned into an exec who has been features in British Vogue, Selfridges and the Evening Standard. Under Weir, London Fashion Week aims to put the designers first.

I know I’ll have my eyes on London Fashion Week for the new creatives. I think the new gen runways are always incredibly fresh and reimagined, you can tell the hunger is there.

Source: Vogue.

A Historic Auction for Margiela

Mason Margiela if you remember held an auction two weeks ago in Paris, the mysterious designer showcases and auctions off sketches, shoes and clothes.

The most shocking of his collection was a pair of Tabis being sold for 364,000 euro. Officially the most expensive Tabis in the world.

“Far more than a simple fashion auction, the event transformed into a profound dive into the designer’s intimate world. Working documents, everyday objects, prototypes, and sketches drew a diverse circle of buyers,” NSS magazine.

The Fabric is Alive

The Scientific American publication have reported on a fabric that is actually alive, question is- would you try it on?

The material is made of fungi and even after production and manufacturing it remains alive. The future should be going in this direction, of utilising what we have engineering plants rather than pouring out money and water in ai.

The fungi material can regrow its surface to renew it if it’s damaged and it can also host engineered microbes- organisms that change its colour or that add a layer of ultraviolet protection said the SCAM publication.

However exciting this material is, it’s not ready to wear as it has to be stored in specific conditions and keeping it alive for longer than 6 weeks is a difficult task. So while it’s innovative and exciting, it’s not quite a ready-to-wear collection just yet.

Source: Scientific American

That's all for this week! What’s your top fashion week story?

Yes, you heard that right Balenciaga are the first fashion brand to invest in Subtack writers with Substacks new native sponsorship programme.

Balenciaga are looking for creators in fashion, music and cultural spaces, its marketing aim is to support independent creators. While this might be true, you have to remember they are only doing this to benefit themselves not the small creator. A mutual beneficiary, I like to think.

It’s no surprise that Balenciaga is the first fashion house to come onto Substack, they are always digitally ahead. From hosting VR fashion shows, creating high fashions kind for Fortnite, it’s no shock they’re the pioneers of this sponsorship programme.

The reason that Balenciaga have been pulled towards the independent Substack writer is because Substack gives Balenciaga a new way to subtly market their products. They collaborate with writers for their newsletters, live events and conversations.

It is also a way to get ahead of traditional SEO (search engine optimisation) strategies on the likes of Google. By partnering with Substack they guarantee attention from target audiences who engage in lonform, slower content.

Look, I think it’s an innovative, exciting thing for Substack writers to potentially collab with Balenciaga and monetise their work. However, I worry like every other social media Substack will eventually become filled with pairs partnerships, advertising and simply a platform to sell you things you don’t need or can’t afford. What do you think?

Sources: Fashion Network, A2z Fashionmag, Rush

Taylor Swifts Wedding Extravaganza

The internet and all of New York City has been on Taylor Swift talk for the last three days.

Wedding guest lists, no bridesmaids or groomsmen, outfit analysing. The controversial Karlie Kloss showing up in a golden dress. But the most important thing, Ms Swifts dress, or should I say Mrs Swifts dress.

The public have yet to the brides gown but it has been confirmed that it was designed by the Irish Johnathon Anderson. Creative Director at Christian Dior Haute Couture. It has been said that he worked closely with the bride and groom to design custom attire for their wedding.

I am personally dying to see this dress, I think it’s going to be a classic fairytale, with lots of tule a corset boned top and a stunning vail. It’s her fairytale and we’re just living in it.

Sources: RTE

Mason Margiella is Selling His Archive

The fashion world is starting to meld into the art world, with famous Archive being treated like famous paintings- and I’m so here for it.

Margeilla is famous for his mysterious aura and his anonymity. He his behind his brand and observed quietly, never taking part in interviews, press junkets he always kept to himself.

This makes it even more exciting that the public get a glimpse into the person behind the brand. Traditionally the sale of an archive is done after the designer has died, but Magellan has orchestrated this whole thing. He will be selling pieces from his personal collection in Paris this month.

God, I’d love to be a fly on the wall in that auctioneering building, we can only imagine the pieces being sold and the prices they’re going to go for.

Sources: Vogue, Harparz Bazaar

Marc Jacobs New Collection

Playing with opacities and hinting at his colour palate through his nail art Marc Jacobs has created an incredible collection for spring 2027.

Tacky, sweaty and jelly-like clothing that are so fun.The transparency of the onlooking colour to reveal a thick contrast heavy pop of colour underneath is an excellent experimentation on layering and rainwear.

The tones of these outfits all fit so well, the brown and blue hues, yellow and neon orange. The texture ugh I want to bite it. Love the reminisce of my jelly shoes from the early 2000’s

Source: WWD

My Year of Rest and Relaxation authored by Ottessa Moshfegh and released in 2018 is a novel set somewhere around early 2000s, New York. The book surrounds an unnamed early twenties, recent Columbia graduate living in the upper East Side.

Burdened with model looks, money, no real problems and disinterest, this woman decides that her passion for the year will be a chemically induced sleep aided by a cooky psychiatrist she found in the yellow pages. Her dream to sleep all day was induced by her world of loneliness, emotional neglect and numbness from her recently deceased parents and ex-situationship Trevor.

Her mother a classic WASP, bedroom alcoholic who fed her valium as a baby to get her to sleep. Her father focused on work and was rarely emotionally present in her life, her childhood reminds me of Normal People’s ‘Marianne’, living in luxury but hallow emotionally. Neither were abusive or evil just simply not there.

“The worst way to hurt someone is by not loving them enough,” the great Taylor Swift.

Her last ex-situationship Trevor ended things on his terms as did everything in their relationship. He slept with other women, left after sex and again was numb to any feelings of love.

The only constants in this young woman’s life were the Egyptians she got her coffee from during her hour or two of consciousness and her so-called best friend Reeva, who just won’t leave her alone. Reeva is the only thing that interrupts her sleep, where she rants about her affair, her weight, her looks and her need of status. This only evokes irritation in our main character and it seems to be the only emotion she feels.

The protagonist is not one of likability, she simply doesn’t care about anything but her sleep and Whoopi Goldberg. She remains unnamed which I thought was an important detail, as to her life didn’t matter. She was almost non-existent in the time we get to know her. Her goal was to waste away on the couch watching movies in and out of sleep. After a year of this she would be re-born, her mind would have rested.

The raw obsession and self-destruction between the protagonist and Reeva is compelling as both are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. One of them does nothing except waste away, barely eat, barely feel, her obsession is sleep and numbing her mind. Reeva’s on the other hand is obsession with food, she suffers with bulimia, there’s a lack of control in her life that she solves with exercising, binge eating and crash dieting. The main character is disgusted by this try hard and controlling way of life and Reeva cannot comprehend her bestfriends lack of productivity. Yet they are one and the same, a way of controlling your feelings when your world is completely chaotic. Both characters are numbing themselves in different ways, doesn’t everyone to some extent?

Binging on Netflix after you 9-5 until it’s time to sleep, going out on the weekends and nursing your hangover becomes a priority so you don’t have to consider your issues. Overworking yourself at a job you hate, money, looks, social status, all ways of numbing your true self.

This main character is not likeable at all but that is not the point, she doesn’t care about anything even her job at an art gallery she only got because she was pretty. Why should she care if clearly no one has ever cared about her. People have only cherished her looks, her status and her thinness. No one has looked to her for advice, for her mind, her talents. Even she says “I want to be an artists but I have no talent,” she has no inner voice of care, encouragement only one of apathy. If no one has shown her empathy, compassion, belief why should she feel any of those things about herself or anyone else.

The reader gets glimpses of the characters maybe real personality, who she used to be when she was naive to her desatuated life. We see this when she takes ‘Infermatol’ a heavy drug made to conk someone out which it does however, she ends up blacking out and performing self-care rituals on herself or going her Reeva’s mothers funeral. This unconscious act of still living or her peaking through even if unconscious is still her. Or is it just the patriachery just so ingrained within us that she still got her bikini line waxed and facials while deep in her subconscious.

These glimpses of what her life might’ve been like are short lived once she wakes up she no longer feels anything for she was doing. There is little self development, little realisations no tangible growth. Yet, we understand her, she is not completely evil, not abusive, not dangerous just not really here.

This book is highly controversial due to the privilege that she was born with. She has never known struggle, she has a starting point that people have worked their whole lives to only dream of. However, I think that’s the point, depression can hit anyone it doesn’t matter who you are, what you have or what you do. Now I do understand if she had been like this and lesser well off she would’ve been made redundant and likely homeless, but I do think it’s an interesting perspective on society and how anyone can have anything and still feel nothing.

We are all so obsessed with productivity and achieving our goals that someone sleeping for a whole year, even though it doesn’t affect anyone else anyone else is absolutely preposterous and we are angered by it. It’s a completely anti-capitalistic idea that we cannot fathom as not many of us have the privilege of testing her hypothesis.

Also I’ve seen people saying she was horrible to Reeva, I disagree. I think she was honest to Reeva, she told her to stop coming over and Reeva never listened. I believe Reeva continuing this friendship was purely for selfish gain. Her whole character derives from a need to be in high society and the protagonist provides that for her. Reeva only cares about herself, rarely she asked if there was something wrong with the main character, she only ever noticed her thinness where she said in envy “no fair’,” she was not concerned. I think this friendship was mutually destructive and self-centred. The main character never questioned Reevas bulimia and Reeva never questioned why she was going away for 6 months. She was only delighted to take home the protagonists designer wardrobe and never speak to her again. This is something that we all do, we become friends with people that reflect our problems in different ways so we can judge them and also find comfort in their liked struggle. Both of these characters have issues and this often results in self-obsession and a lack of consideration.

By the end of the book she comes out of her slumber for the final time, she is ready to face the world again. She goes out and through a series of events the world is the exact same, her lets face it materialistic friendship with Reeva is over, her pretty privilege is still ever-present and business continues as usual. Yet, she sells her parents house, we see her move through her grief, she gets rid of her phone, she has let go, and that’s all we see. No real joy of emotion, no character development but I like to believe she has changed, she will continue to go on with her life and live it as normal except maybe with more glimpses of joy. But we don’t get to see that.

I really enjoyed this book, it made me reflect consider her situation and wonder would I ever do something like this. It’s surrealism to me, not to be taken too seriously but has a deep reflection on the current state of our culture. I get why people don’t like it, I mean the market is completely oversaturated with privileged white women being sad and skinny. However, that did not make this any less enjoyable. I thought it read well and was true to the characters inner voice. I think you have to like getting to know a section of someone’s life, good, bad or uninteresting to enjoy this book.

I agree with many of the complaints about this book, which is another reason I like it. It stirs conversation, it makes you discuss privilege, class, society, the culture, art and that’s exactly what a good commentary book does. You debate, you disagree, you have different perspectives. I think that’s exactly what this seemingly flat, one dimensional, unbothered book does. This book is not something to be romanticised, it’s something to reflected upon.

What are your thoughts?

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‘Have I been influenced, or is this actually me?’ How personal taste fell out of fashion

The Guardian wrote a really interesting piece that reflects the one I just wrote about How To Develop Your Style instead of following micro trends. The piece follows the idea that technology has given us an absurd abundance of choice so we don’t really know what we like anymore.

“It used to go something like this. We experienced the outside world – including arts, culture and fashion – via a combination of community, geography, mass and specialist media, and serendipitous accidents. Exposed to a range of styles, genres and ideas, we would decide what appealed to us, and then attempt (with varying degrees of success) to consume and engage with those things.”

They discuss how taste is not a something to be deemed as frivolous to have taste to to have opinions, critical think skills and an analysis of your surroundings. You have to translate your world to develop your own personal style.

If you’re interested in how AI, PR marketing and algorithm studiers and shaping what you like you should give the original article a read.

I loved reading this piece and its reflection on how style used to be a hunting/gathering method and now it’s served up to us on a silver screen.

The World Watched New York Go Crazy Over Knicks

It feels like every week there’s a new crossover with fashion and sport. However, this is just too good not to talk about. New York united over basketball team that won the NBA finals for the first time in over 50 years.

The Knicks team resulted in casual celebrity endorsements from Taylor Swift and the HAIM sisters in customised Knicks tee’s. To Timothé Chalamet and the Mayor of New York all coming out in complete support for the Knicks win.

New York was taken over by seas and suns of Blue and Orange, the colours of the penultimate New York summer. I’m sure we’ll be seeing many Knicks jerseys being sported around the city. Basketball shorts and tiny tops are already in season so this is a no brainer for any trend forecaster.

‘The Last Supper’ for Pompidou before shutting its doors for multi-million dollar renovations.

Pompidou is a building complex in Paris where Europes largest art museum lives. It’s being closed due to renovations which could take years to complete.

This commemoratory dinner had the crem de la crem of fashion designers, artists. Say Who reported that gallerists Emmanuel Perrotin, Kamel Mennour, Michel Rein, and Thaddaeus Ropac; artists Jean-Michel Othoniel, Christian Boltanski, Rick Owens and Adel Abdessemed; plus important art world figures like Jennifer Flay, Jean de Loisy, Jérôme Sans and Bernard Blistène, as well as the architect Jean Nouvel.

The decor of the dinner was inspired by the works of the museums collections. With nearly 900 guests the dinner was in a bid to raise funds for this renovation and I’m sure there was no problem achieving their fundraising goal with the guest list.

“The food was as graphic and colourful as contemporary art — the dessert a dead ringer for Maurizio Cattelan’s 2019 controversial “Comedian” sculpture: a banana duct-taped to the wall,” WWD reported.

EE72s editorial fashion magazine has chosen Rhianna as its cover celebrity for its summer edition. The photographer of the shoot Szilveszter Makó has once again created a fantastical world of surrealism that transcends fame and glamour.

Rhianna, whether she has intended or not she has been at the forefront of music, fashion and beauty since her debut album. It only makes sense that she is the cover of EE72’s summer edition.

Makó is a Hungarian born photographer who bases his photography in Milan. His studio photography and portraits of celebrities have absolutely shattered the glass ceiling that we’ve put on magazine covers lately, he has undoubtedly set the new standard for photoshoots. Slapping a celebrity in front of a plain background with logos plastered on top has been put to shame.

With a painting background and influences from surrealism, dadaism and reference to renaissance style, Makó’s photos create a dreamscape of storytelling where the subject of the photo becomes one with the background. Makó chases simplicity and when simplicity is conducted well it’s astonishing what you discover. His concise almost journalistic style of photography gives the viewer the ability to see the portrait in its most digestible setting even with complex layers and detailed compositions.

Makós previous shoots have included the viral portrait of Rama Duwaji the American animator, illustrator and First Lady of New York. These portraits blew up and completely shocked the world. He has also shot incredible pieces with Willem Dafoe, Kate Blanchett, and Elle Fanning.

His ability to flatten the subject into the background gets rid of any preconceived ideas of whoever came into the studio. Once a celebrity has been captured, their status is no longer important, they are simply part of a story in a piece of art. “I don't treat celebrities differently from others: let's enter the studio as equals. The set is not a hierarchy, it is a shared workspace,” in an interview with Artribune.

His signature box structure surrounding of the portraits gives a frame-like structure to his pictures, furthermore informing the viewer that what they are looking at is classic art paintings. “It's a refuge, a grounding structure, a rule. I evolve with scenography in a natural way. The elements emerge and, when they can no longer be reinvented, they slowly vanish,” said Makó.

The post production of his shoots are super interesting. Makó discusses how he uses the history of analog photography in his photographs. “My post-production does not persue perfection, but idealisation. I prefer to stop on the romantic margin of the gaze, where reality begins to deform,” he said. I would love to understand more about analog photography and how it informs Makós development of a finished piece, but for now I must stare in a hazy amazement at his grainy, sub-conscious speaking photos.

The poses he conducts are essential in capturing the essence of his photos, he discussed how he has certain poses ready in his back pocket but any one of them can be used at anytime. The way he uses his muse as a prop is completely intentional and has nothing to do with how perfect the model looks. It’s all about composition and the shape the subject can iterate the story to the viewers. The flattened picture is brought to life by the obtuse shapes thrown in a boxed image.

There is so much to discuss about Makó’s work, yet not a lot out there on Szilveszter himself. The enigmatic photographer keeps a low profile, only making his work more mysterious and enticing. I truly believe that this is appreciation for art in all forms, fashion, painting, photography and storytelling. Makós creations have transcended the meaning of photography and photoshoots for fashion covers.

Makós sets are often acquired through hand-made objects or recycled items from previous shoots, he uses natural lighting. “It makes you peaceful inside, it was so close to nature, we did so many arts and crafts, and we learned languages like Ancient Greek and Latin. It provided a very interesting point of view on today’s world,” said Makó in an interview with WePresent when discussing his childhood and where his love for organic photoshoots came from.

What do you think of Makós work?

When I was younger I hated drawing and painting, I just couldn’t do it like everyone else. My eyes were wonky, dresses were stiff triangles, and don’t even get me started on hands. I had pretty much stopped drawing once I discovered people had necks.

However, I’ve started painting again with my flat mate and I had a revelation, painting is simply drawing shapes. It’s a circle here, a triangle there, you’re not painting the whole picture until its’s finished. Now I love painting because it’s not as hard as I once thought, you have to look at the minute details before you look at the whole picture. I had never been one for details.

This is what inspired me to write this, fashion and stying yourself is not looking at the mirror the whole time, it’s looking at seams, cuts and how something hangs. The details of matching a cut of lace to glass earrings. Learning how to paint was great for me to learn detailing of putting an outfit together. It was great for garment construction.

Developing your style

Your style should be a reflection of who you are not who you think you are or who you want other people to think you are. Sure you can buy trendy clothes, wear them, dump them and buy more when they're inevitably embarrassing to wear again. There’s no fun in that though, it’s also incredibly unsustainable. Once you have a wardrobe that feels personal to you, there are endless ways to style your pieces and have it reflect everything you love.

When developing your style look away from your clothes, it might sound contradictory but turn your head to your interests. What's ‘s your favourite album, favourite sport to watch, favourite movie?

Style is art reconstructed

Architecture

Style does not appear overnight it comes from consuming art, looking at the architecture around you. Take Dublin for example I’m always inspired by Georges Street Arcade, it’s a huge building filled with arches, spikes, details and incredible details. I love the burnt red and there used to be a red coffee shop below which made the building pop and now I like to pair burnt orange and a deep red together! The circular windows against the sharp pillars and hard edges is what makes it interesting and unique. Also look at your everyday life for colours you think go together, another one I like is ironically Dublin Bus I actually enjoy the yellow and green pairings. Take your everyday life into account, think of textures, gravel on the road beside the newly painted white line. Think of ripped up tights and lace. There are endless comparisons.

Film

Watching films will teach you about garment composition, watch beautiful films with thought put into every scene. Take for example ‘Before Sunrise’ this slow, foggy film is stunningly nostalgic. The scenes are created in a dreamscape memory, pastel colours, and layers of details with the buildings in the background. Go out of your usual movie catalog, watch old movies like ‘It’s a wonderful life’ watch how they styled clothing for black and white movies. Another fantastic movie is ‘La Haine’ a French film that’s shot in black and white but is crisp and incredibly aesthetic, with countless scenes for inspiration.

Classic paintings

Go to a museum and look at the paintings, don’t just stare, sigh, look back and move on. Look at the brush strokes, everything is chosen with intention. there is detail in the eyelashes. Look at how they paired the colours, what they symbolise, see how they drape their dresses. Take the background look how they blended the shades of blues together used pops of colour in weird places. I find abstract art to be a great way to ingest styling, colours and shapes together.

Music

Pick your favourite album and dive into its full rollout, usually there’s a colour pallet that the singer abides by, what were the colours used on the album and why those colours. Colours represent so much more than just looking good together, they evoke feelings and memories. Listen to the lyrics and think about that you would dress someone in if they were signing this on stage.

Find your style by being more educated, more creatively well rounded, read books, watch movies, see with intention. I’m not saying I’m the most stylish person in the building but these little shifts of perspective have taught me my style, what I like, not what is just presented to me.

I was sitting at a bus stop with no bus to catch,

There’s time to spare but no change at that.

Sitting down, the people march on and off,

it’s a merry go round the carousels of thank yous are so soft.

The bus driver is the only constant between the moving doors,

except also the man asleep on the upstairs floor.

We can be anything when we’re on the bus, time doesn’t exist!

It’s quite amazing the freedom it can give.

Double decker busses are mad to imagine,

stairs in a moving vehicle, who could’ve planned it.

Yet here we are grasping at hand rails and straws,

saying excuse me, sorry, abiding by social law.

There’s human connection so fleeting, it barely meets the eye,

The inch of a nod or a wink to get by.

It started to rain at the bus stop I was at,

all of a sudden there were umbrellas and hats,

how did everyone know? I never think to bring any of that.

I curse my late bus but still say to exchequer please,

To be nice is to be kind to be rude is a breeze.

For it’s not the bus drivers fault that it was late, or cancelled, or I started to freeze.

Maybe he let someone cross the road or waited for a running boy.

Maybe he helped someone on that was really very old.

This bus stop is a metaphor for life,

It starts in the morning and goes on all night.

I see people as they wait for something out of their control.

See sighs of relief when they’re on the way home.

There are all sorts of people on the bus you will cross

Some good, some bad, some plain lost in thought.

Everyone assumed I was waiting for a bus to take me away

but I just come here for somewhere to sit without looking out of place

To admire the faces and the plainness of the everyday parade.

A silly little poem :)

Fashion has always been political, the clothes we wear reflect the state of society and Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection showed models walking down the runway in aprons. These aprons range from country popkin blues and pinks to leather and gaberdine materials.

Surely Miuccia Prada knows what she’s doing, this is a commentary on the tradwife and rise of conservatism. However, how is this message coming across, is it celebration or condemnation?

The apron classically being known as a functional garment a piece of outer clothing to protect ones everyday wear. The Miu Miu apron go for around 1,600 euro thus becoming occasion wear, a performative piece.

Perhaps Ms Prada meant this collection as an understanding of the unseen and unrewarded labour women do as traditional ‘homemakers.’ Vogues incredibly interesting article discuss the origins of decadent aprons and how this is a glamorisation of labour with strong thoughts on women’s labour.

Is Miu Miu selling the fantasy of womanhood, perfection and control in a chaotic world? “Watching those aprons shimmer under the runway lights felt like a reclamation of the very things women are told to conceal—the sweat, the strain, the work behind the work,” Elle Magazine.

This may be a celebration of womanhood regardless of the meaning behind the message, upfront it looks like a celebration of women staying in the kitchen. With the quick scroll, the scan of a headline this collection to me appears a backwards or ill thought dream scape of womanhood. Another capitalisation of traditionally women’s labour. I think both messages can be true.

The World Cup or Global Fashion Competition

All eyes are on the players and teams for this World Cup, some looking at skill others looking at jersey colour combos.

Fashion and sport has always been interlinked, the Netherlands are collabing with national streetwear brand Patta. France were seen training in Nike Air Max, very hip with the kids. Spain has a contracted agreement with Loewe, we can expect to see many well constructed suits. Dunhill are working with the Japanese team, they were seen in incredibly well tailored three piece suits. PEACEMINUSONE X Nike to dress Koreas Football Associations off-pitch wardrobe.

Nike have taken over for The World Cup by pairing 7 national teams fashions biggest names. Jacquemus with France, Palace for England, Patta for the Netherlands, Nocta for Canada, Slawn for Nigeria, Virgin Abloh archive for the US.

High street brands and global fashion houses are absolutely making the best of this football competition to be seen, heard and most importantly bought by spectators.

Sources: The Guardian, News, Daman

Rapid Fire

Jaden Smith has released his first collection with Christian Louboutin

Jaden Smith was announced as the mens collection Creative Director for Christian Louboutin.

“This collection is inspired by the history of working men throughout the centuries, The Stone Masons, The Scribes, The Doctors. It’s Inspired By The Lost Epochs Of Time & Made By Hands Born From Stars Forged Under Immense Pressure Deep In Cosmic Space.” - Jaden Smith.

Smith brings together vintage, old-fashioned style with modern cuts and pops of red. I really liked this collection, I thought it had a great concept that was well executed, fresh and the garments are ready to wear.

Source: Christian Louboutin, WWD

Alexander McQueen has a new CEO

Gianfranco D’Attis is the new CEO of Alexander McQueen leading the iconic fashion brand into new direction.

"I am very happy to welcome Gianfranco to the group. He brings a powerful combination of strategic vision, operational rigour, and deep experience in luxury. His ability to refine the brand's identity while ensuring disciplined execution will be essential to refocus Alexander McQueen and unlock its full potential. I am convinced that, together with his teams, he will lead the maison in this new phase of development," said Luca de Meo, CEO of Kering.

Source: FASHION network

Collaborations are a necessary endeavour to creatively develop by bringing what the other can’t to the table. Some brands abide by this ethos, others are simply a financial choice; which never does anyone any good.

Nike x Converse announced a collab last week and I can assume it was purely a financial decision. Converse sales have been down and Nike has been struggling to compete with its opponents for quite sometime now. A boring collab that will likely produce bland and predictable footwear. A tick on the check-list for converse.

However a collab that intrigued me this week was seeing Louis Vuitton X Keith Haring last week. The late Keith Haring was an iconic American artist and activist . Haring devoted much of his life and art to public works to create colourful yet jarringly important messaging. Global, elite fashion house Louis Vuitton showcased their Harring bags at New York fashion show.

The concept behind the show was to acknowledge “the friction of uptown and downtown” New York. He said he wanted to celebrate that duality, although I liked the collab and understand Harin has been involved with other luxury brands such as Coach, it doesn't make me wonder wether the late Keith Haring would want this for his brand which started out accessible and on the street?

Source: The Guardian, Nike

Vogue Comes in Clutch and Flip Flop with their Summer Predictions

That’s right flip-flops are back, every tell the 2010’s real housewives, heeled flip-flops diamond flip-flips, the more outrageous the better. The Isabel Marant X Havaianas fun and fabulous collection confirms.

Apparently the kitten heel will no longer be kitten sized; heel tights are set to grow according to writers back from Australia fashion week. Recession indicator? no idea.

My personal favourite, fringe is back! we’ve seen this teased on boots and suede jackets recently but the sandy fringe of the 2010s is back. Hang on, a trend seems to be patterning within the trend prediction. Maybe skull t-shirts and skinny jeans are next.

With the World Cup coming it’s no surprise that jerseys are back in style. We had a brief and confusing moment of bloke core a while ago but here we are again, jerseys and collabs from Picciolo X the NBA and Palace X Rizzla.

Super size bags and sheer dresses are likely to drop into the fashion world again. Ah predictable as anything fashion swings like a pendulum, we had the micro bags now we’re sick of them, bring bag the Mary Poppins bags and throw in a see-through dress while you’re at it.

Boots are back in? I’m not sure they ever left Vogue.

Styling silk scarfs has been making the rounds and it’s here to stay. Something I think can go though is the upcoming neon trend, personally not a fan of this one.

Source: Vogue, Dazed

The French open gets fashion heated as Naomi Oskara responds to snide fashion comment.

Laura Seigmund, Germanys tennis player said she “was not here for a fashion show” after Osaka wore a sequinned waist cote blouse and mesh train over her layered yellow-brown and gold match dress.

Osaka responded by saying that she “liked to keep people on their toes” and that it’s “really fun".”

Can we blame her? Sport has always had its fashionable moments, Serena Williams in custom Nike, Lewis Hamilton covered in Dior, sports, fashion and politics are always interlinked.

Source: Sky News, Harpers Bazzaar

Accessible and Fashionable Clothing!!

Emily Rhodes was diagnosed with a brain tumour and found clothes hard to come by that were comfortable, fun and functional!

After her passing Emilys brother and mother created the clothing brand EmAble that specialising in accessible clothing.

"Obviously I couldn't help Emily but I wanted to make a clothing line that would assist people going through treatments that you could just throw on, feel really comfortable, go and have your treatments done and then just hang it up for the next time you go,” said Joanne to the BBC.

"There's adaptive clothing on the market, but things that are fun and people want to wear lift you up on those days that may be a little bit harder."

This is incredible, all I have to say, fashion is art you can wear and it should be designed with everyone in mind, these brands becoming more visible is an amazing and uplifting story.

Source: BBC

Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett started an internet wide debate on lifestyle, health, fitness, wine and enjoyment.

The podcaster, author and health extremist said on his podcast that having a couple glasses of wine ruined his life for three days.

Bartlett discussed how he “never ran the experiment of not drinking for a while” so he stopped drinking and then after a year he decided to see what the effects would be if he started again.

Bartlett discovered that a couple of glasses of wine effectively ruined his life for the foreseeable. Ruining his life consisted of his sleep being poorer, eating worse the next day because his dopamine system or the cortisol system was all messed up and he podcasted worse. Now if that’s what ruining your life looks like a reality check might be required.

He mentioned how he could see all of this because he could track every metric of his health data on his watch. Frankly, the robotisation of the human body is becoming freaky.

Dr Young describes biohacking as “exciting and cutting edge,” but in the age of AI and instagram face how much tracking, measuring, quantifying and perfecting is too much?

I understand the concept of being as healthy as possible to live well for as long as possible, but if it impacts actually living your life what’s the bloody point?

We see, record, picture and post perfection everyday; red light therapy, IV drips and the omnipresent vitamins on shelves or on my screen is taking over. It’s all an incredibly well crafted marketing strategy to make money, nothing else.

“The wellness industry hit a record of $6.8 trillion and is forecast to reach $9..8 trillion by 2029", according to The Global Wellness Economy in 2025. These companies do not care what’s good for you or not. Anything that profits that much does not care about you.

I understand you can say the same for alcohol, cigarettes, makeup, clothing everything out there that grosses such a grotesque amounts of money only sells. Yet, the wellness industry is veiled in happiness, optimising your life, caring about the individual, well they don’t.

Bartlett was discussing his health tracking he said, “hashtag sponsored, hashtag Ad whatever,” proving the point that it’s all a bid to sell. It doesn't mean the information or scientific data is incorrect it just means they are utilising another aspect of our life to profit off of us. I know it’s obvious but sometimes the obvious has to be stated.

A glass or two of wine with your friends, feeding the soul with good music and staying up too late. Watching the light surround curtains at 5am because you lost track of time. Yes it might draw a line in my face or lower my REM but I’m not going to think about the graph on my apple watch or how little I aged when I die am I?

Gen Z are already labeled the loneliest generation, finding comfort in the computer, priding ourselves of solo dates, solo travelling and solo dinner. None of which are problematic however living an itemised life just sounds so god damn sad.

The average healthy person does not need to cross examine their sleep with their diet, their steps and their skin elasticity. They do not need to monitor their cortisol shift between 7am and 8:45. It’s not normal and it’s not living. We are not an experiment, the only thing that separates us from AI (because we may not be the most intelligent thing on the planet in a few years) is our ability to feel, make connections and understand nuance. We are on the way to eliminating those qualities one wellness step and apathetic scroll at a time.

Nuance is the most important part of this article, of course bio hacking and understanding our health is interesting and important way to manage and avoid potential risks. However, when it leads to isolating yourself at 9pm every single night to do your night time routine so you get your perfect sleep score I believe it’s a problem.

This promotion of excessive health tracking is just the veil of companies pretending to care about you when all its wellness sells right now, that’s it. We are living, breathing animals, let’s stay that way.

Balenciaga X Manolo Blahnik release the IT Slingback for this Spring/Summer season

Balenciaga’s newly appointed creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli has successfully announced a collaboration with the iconic Manolo Blahnik. The Carrie Bradshaws of the world must be going crazy right now. In fact, I think Sarah Jessica Parker would have to take a cheeky look herself.

The Spanish Couture House has been the centre of memes and controversy in previous year. However, with Picciolis new perspective we might be seeing a new, classier Balenciaga. The past Hype beast flashy logos might have to take a seat in the shade under Picciolis reign. The current Creative Directors decision to collab with Manolo Blahnik is said to have been because ‘he simply likes the brand.’ I personally feel it’s more than that, it is an incredibly smart re-brand for Balenciaga. The official ‘cool girls’ on social media are all living their Sex in The City life and showing off their kitten heels in bars. Balenciaga pairing with the timeless shoe is a quick and seamless pivot from loud luxury to a chic must wear brand.

Manolo Blahnik x Balenciaga have released three new satin covered and silver leaf embellished show with slingback and mule models, with the option of a low or higher heel.

Source: WWD, The Guardian, Manolo Blahnik, Vogue Adria

The Son of Founder of Mango was Arrested Following Suspicious Death of His Father

Isac Andik the founder of Mango fashion brand died after falling 100m while hiking with his son in Spain in December 2024.

The initial investigation into the death of the Mango founder concluded that his death was an accident. However, it was released that the case is now being treated as possible homicide. His son was released on bail of 1million euro after possible connections with his father’s death arose.

The son Johnathan Andic is now Vice President of Mango and was arrested on Tuesday, he appeared in front of a judge which concluded Andic to be released on bail. He was ordered to stay in Spain, to surrender his passport and have weekly judge appearances.

Family feud or fatal fall, was this the price of greed or an unfortunate accident only time will tell.

Sources: The Guardian, The Irish Times,

Outrage sparks with the return of the Babydoll dress

Pop-star Olivia Rodrigo has sparked controversy with her performance in Spain by wearing a babydoll dress, bloomers and docs.

Oh boy the audience were not impressed, comments on Rodrigo infantalising herself, styling herself as a sexy baby. According to the internet the babydoll dress was an inappropriate and unacceptable wardrobe choice.

The girlie, flowy ‘babydoll’ dress originated as nightwear in early 1940 as post-war design to save fabric. Women’s nightwear became shorter during fabric shortages, it was a nameless design born out of necessity. The 1956 film “Baby Doll’ was where the dress was given its name after multiple scenes fashioning the 1940 dress, it popularly became known as the babydoll dress. This trend continued into the 60s introducing the babydoll into everyday wear by playing with styles and fabrics. Then in the 90s it was worn as an anti-establishment, punk outfit often paired with docs; famously Courtney Loves signature outfit.

So the outfit was never born out of the idea of fantasising herself, the dress was never meant for children or to resemble children. I understand in a world full of grotesque people it’s important to be careful but I think it’s incredibly sad that at the end of the day it’s still a woman who gets the lightning.

Again, without proper research I can see where the comments are coming from, but you cannot say that it was Rodrigos to purposefully dress with that intention. The babydoll dress is political, fashion is always political.

In fact, bloomers, the shorts under Rodrigos dress actually originated from the suffragette movement. Bloomers allowed women to move around, ride bikes etc.

I this take, while might have been born out of genuine discomfort and care, ultimately I think it was another under researched hot-tale and yet another reach to tear down a young woman.

Sources: The Guardian, Vintage Katie, Big Small Talk Podcast

Shein, the Worlds Largest Fast Fashion Chain Buy Eco-friendly Clothing Brand Everlane

Everlane has confirmed that the brand has been bought by fast-fashion giant Shein.

The ethos behind the ethical Everlane is providing modern clothing from organic and regenerative fabrics. The current Everlane CEO Chang has promised to stay true to its sustainable values and remain as an independent brand.

The climate conscious brand sales have been depleting and Shein can provide them with financial stability. It is widely known that Shein have been wrapped up in controversy around worker rights, clothing waste and ultimately it being the worst brand in the world for over-producing plastic garments at an incredible rate.

Shein buying Everlane may benefit both parties, it allows Everlanes doors to stay open and Shein to look better. However, this may come at a cost Everlanes customers I cannot imagine will be happy about this decision. Potentially resulting in a backfire, losing out on customers and reputation. Shein appears to be the winner in this deal, I imagine they will market this choice as ‘ethically conscious’ justifying the brands fast fashion.

It’s an interesting decision that was likely the only choice Everlane had. I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see.

Source: The Guardian, NPR, Vogue

Bonus:

Cannes Film Festival has returned with celebrities sporting some incredible looks, including a tribute look to princess Dianas jaw-dropping icy blue dress she wore at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival.

Source: Vouge

“I’m working 9-5, what a way to make a living, barely getting by it’s all taking and no giving,” said the messiah, Dolly Parton.

The office job life looks great on LinkedIn with its benefits, simple schedule and regular routine but it’s just so bland. Creative people often get sucked into the vortex of data entry and constant contact communication emails. It is completely necessary that you nurture the creative side of yourself or else everything becomes just a shade of grey.

My obvious yet effective ethos

Don’t worry I’m not a 5am get up and I’m on my grindset. There is no workmaxxing or lifemaxxing for me. The opposite in fact. I manage my days with a common self-help TikTok quote, but surprisingly it actually works. People love to complicate things but when you actually think about it, it’s easy, the problem is that it just has to get done. That’s what we don’t like.

Now does this get achieved every single day? No. Somedays I don’t do anything for my mind, soul or body but occasionally that’s what you need.

I start everyday with the thought, what do I want to do for these three things and a lot of the time it changes.

Some examples

For my mind it could be:

Reading a book

Reading the news

Doing a crossword or soduko

Writing, in my journal, on substack whatever

It could be painting

Sewing

When I’m tired, shamelessly allowing myself to binge watch shows

For my body:

Yoga, pilates

A walk with a friend; this hits all three mind body and soul

A run

A simple three minute stretch

A deep breath

Washing my face

Having a shower

Painting my nails

Opening a window

When I’m tired, shamelessly allowing myself to binge watch shows

For my soul;

Similar to the mind

Painting, playing music, seeing friends, writing

Going for drinks

Cooking a good meal

Being consistent with one thing

Talking to family

Thrift shopping

Going for a coffee

Tennis

Meditation (haven’t done that one in a long time)

When I’m tired, shamelessly allowing myself to binge watch shows

How I actually incorporate this into my day

I can incorporate at least three of these into my day. The secret is, not thinking about it. Don’t make it a big deal. Just open the window, then sit down and pick up a book it can be one page or 200, put the book down and sit at a piano, then stand up from the piano and stretch your legs and arms. There you go all three done like that. I find the most important part for me is knowing that if I don't want to do it, I don’t have to. Often I find when I give myself the choice I end up really wanting to.

Somedays you’ll be more motivated than others and you might spend an hour at each or get a full project done, but you won’t do that everyday. So leave yourself be, as long as you keep gentle track you’re fine.

After work I come home and cook myself something, the most important part for me is that I don’t sit on the couch and watch TV straight away. I know!!! It’s difficult but if you eat your food and then do something good for one of the MBS, this usually has a domino effect and you can get all three done in an hour. Then relax and binge to your hearts content.

The quality of the activities don’t matter it’s just that you’re getting it done, the more you do something the better you get. Soon enough you’ll find that you want to come hoe and immediately start.

Weekends

Weekends are your saviour, I like to have a nice long lie in on a Saturday morning, have a coffee in bed with my book. Then set an hour timer for chores. That’s it, one hour. You’ll be surprised by how much you can do with one focused hour of cleaning. Then I go for my MBS activities which are often fun for me now!! Then I get ready to go out for the night. Partying and having a good nightlife is essential for letting loose and letting go of responsibilities!!! Don’t get too caught up in the whole my body is a temple. Then Sunday is whatever it is, sometimes it’s a reset, sometimes it’s filled with anxiety, sometimes it’s a great day with people.

Life has so many ups and downs, everyone’s life is different, everyone’s body, mind and soul crave different things. Mine might look completely different to yours. Honestly, do what you like and what makes you feel good. That’s it, oh and try stay off the couch all day. I have a habit of that, never makes me feel good.

Subtle, effective and playful product placement in blockbuster movies seems to be a thing of the past. Think of the adorable E.T enjoying Reece’s Pieces, FedEX being integrated into the plot of Cast Away or the Manolo Blahnik obsession in Sex and The City. There used to be a sub-conscious desire to want what the HollyWood movies promote now products are shoved down our throats. It’s a less desirable need for said promotional content and more of a toddler not wanting to eat the broccoli off the spoon.

The iconic, classic, timeless and hilarious Devil Wears Prada has released its long awaited and highly anticipated sequel, its evil twin Diet Coke has come along with it. The inescapable Diet Coke sponsorship follows the movie promotion around like a bad smell. Cheapening its once glamorous and untouchable aura to what 3 dollars?

Advertising, sponsorship and brand partnership are of course expected in movies and Tv shows but does it have to be so blatant and sloppy? Netflix originals are known for their focus shot zoom in to read the fine print of specific products. This is something you can accept and digest because well it’s Netflix, an at home streaming platform. However, when the Diet Cokes are perfectly poised on a tray at the cafeteria in the Devil Wears Prada 2 with the logo front-facing it’s a little hard to stay in the bubble of high fashion and elegance.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is only one example of many recent movies oversaturated with promotional content. For example, Wicked and Barbie had an exorbitant amount of products. The two minute Chevrolet car chase scene in the movie was pretty much a classic car ad commercial. They almost executed the in a post-ironic ‘we know what we’re doing and we’re making it funny’ but it still came across as distracting and frankly, annoying. Wicked colours being plastered on everything in sight from laundry products to Wicked Robinsons squash is completely unnecessary.

I’m not claiming that Barbie, Wicked or The Devil Wears Prada 2 are high art cinema or something deeper than they are, I watched them all and loved them despite the ad campaigns. However, where there used to be class in movies there are now slow zoom ins and not so subtle, bulky promotional material in the script.

Is it contractual that these blatant ad breaks in movies have to be constructed so overtly or is it laziness in writing and shooting? I’m not sure. It feels as though we cannot exist without a ‘try this now!’ or ‘get *insert product here*’ Canva produced campaign. Soon coffins are going to be sponsored by McDonalds and powered by late stage capitalism.

We have become so accustomed to ads and promotional content appearing on every third tap through Instagram stories or every five swipes on your TikTok page that we don’t even notice it anymore. Let’s leave the obvious want, want, want and buy, buy, buy culture out of the cinema. What would Miranda think, that’s all.

It’s so grey and comfortable here,

The loneliness connecting us together.

Where would we be without this weather?

The cold grey, in your bones it rains.

The same old same, “put your coat away,”

before the darkness gets your soul.

Before you lose your control, you sit by the fire.

The flames extinguish the pain and the orange you admire,

it’s so warm in here, you relax, it goes away.

“Take your shoes off son its been a hard day.”

“I could feel the clouds on my shoulders, did you see the grey?’

The old man boulders, “all I’ve known is the grey, at least it was a nice shade.”

It’s always the same, the shops, the change, the smell of the air.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” they all despair.

The pints are great to be fair, but it doesn’t heat the heart.

I guess whiskey does, but not in the way I love.

It loves me, it fools me,

Then leaves me without any warning.

I guess it’s the Irish goodbye forming.

But we love the people, we really do, sure we get to complain.

Get to say “we’re on our last legs if God will grant another day."

“Sure, why would you leave when you’ve grown so comfortable with the grey?”