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Thursday, July 23, 2020

Andrew Coimbra Talks Recycled Fabrics and Genderless Options for Spring 2021

If you’re ready to start fantasizing about your Spring 2021 wardrobe, Toronto’s Andrew Coimbra has options for all. When it comes to dressing, the designer’s instincts have manifested in an array of thoughtful pieces that nod to the work of artists including Pierrette Bloch and Jean (Hans) Arp; think flowing lines mixed with a tailored refinement, finished with idiosyncratic details. We caught up with Coimbra to talk about the forthcoming offerings, his design ethos–which includes ungendered considerations and working with recycled and deadstock materials, and what he’s optimistic about as we look to the future.

The new collection is beautiful. What about Arp and Bloch’s work inspired you this season?

My first love, and skill set, was always in the visual arts–drawing and painting, with a side of sculpture. When I was more heavily in that realm of creativity, while studying at OCADU, I was always drawn to works by artists like Pierrette Bloch, Jean (Hans) Arp and Henry Moore, to name a few. Visually, I really enjoy the organic quality of their work, and more specifically how it often feels like a perfected organic, if that makes sense.

When looking to develop the Spring 2021 collection, I wanted to create something that of course had a superficial beauty to it, but a beauty that came from something that felt organic and real. Bloch’s collection of works use materials typically thought of as ‘sans frills’, and her hand style is very loose and natural. When I found the cotton and silk-blended shirting the can be seen on mainly the ready-to-wear pieces, I was immediately reminded of her 1990 piece, ‘Sans Titre’.

On the other hand, Arp’s sculptural pieces are smooth, refined, often polished versions of an organic idea. The lines and layers in his work were a great source of inspiration when thinking about developing pieces that had transformative properties to them, and that echoed the core lines of the body.

andrew coimbra ss21
Photography courtesy of Andrew Coimbra.

Tell me about the fabrics used in the pieces–in particular, the recycled polyester.

In my sourcing process, I happened upon a company that has a pretty great selection of recycled polyester materials that also offers custom printing. The manufacturer transforms PET, or polyethylene terephthalate–say that ten times fast–bottles into threads to weave into bolts of fabric. It is then blended with a new-production polyester thread, which I suspect is done for a couple of different reasons including the water resiliency of a particular fabric that I’ve used, as well as to ensure that any custom-printing is long term. It’s a really cool fabric, and it’s promising to know that these sorts of technologies are being applied in a practical way.

With the exception of the recycled polyester blend items, I tried to focus on using mostly natural or natural blend materials like silks, cottons, ramie, linen, mohair, wool. It was important for me to focus on natural materials not only to balance out the synthetics used, but to echo the organic inspiration, to keep the collection feeling luxurious and refined, and of course in hopes of not wanting to amplify or be party to any potential waste pollution through manufacturing. It is hard to avoid as a smaller label, but it’s something I try to consider when sourcing.

andrew coimbra ss21
Photography courtesy of Andrew Coimbra.

Why is it important for you to use deadstock and recycled fabrics in your collections?

Since the inception of my brand, I have always sourced from and used deadstock fabric. It has always been a forefront thing for the label for a plethora of reasons, all centred around being mindful of the space I have in my studio, limiting waste, and being economical.

Using recycled fabric was important to me because I felt like it is representative of myself as an individual, in addition to as a designer. I believe in the power of recycling, and think that as individuals we should all be conscious of how we contribute to global waste. I’m certainly not perfect, and I don’t think I will ever be a person who will collect and convert my shower water into drinking water or whatever that character on Netflix’s The Politician does, but I like to think I do my part!

andrew coimbra ss21
Photography courtesy of Andrew Coimbra.

What’s one of your favourite pieces in the collection and why?

I think my favourite pieces in the new season are a firm tie between the convertible blazer from the genderless collection–made of a blend of wool, mohair, and silk–and the asymmetric wrap top from the ready-to-wear collection, made of a cotton and silk-blend shirting fabric.

The convertible blazer is great not only because it’s particularly unique as a concept; the idea has been around for decades, but largely in the womenswear sphere. As someone who has always shopped both departments–because I like options, hello–it’s important for me to design things that are available for those who identify as men to shop and enjoy, that don’t just fall into the long-standing idea of what is acceptable for men. This piece I think fully represents the ethos of the genderless line. There are also really great design details, like the curved back element of the detachable bolero, the super-long sleeve vent with eight horn buttons, and the stirrup-style side hem with belt loops that secure it to the vest with the belt.

The asymmetric wrap top is just really beautiful. I designed it as a cool updated take on similar styles that cropped up in the 1970s that kind of allude to this feeling of being on a holiday. The asymmetric curved style detail along the bust has become what I like to think of as a signature detail for the ready-to-wear collection, and it’s largely due to the influence of the works of Arp, Moore, [Isamu] Noguchi and [Pierre] Paulin in my designs.

andrew coimbra ss21
Photography courtesy of Andrew Coimbra.

It sounds like your creative juices were really flowing in conceiving these pieces; how are you staying optimistic right now?

It might seem crazy to say, but I don’t think it’s too difficult to stay optimistic right now. As wild and uncertain as the news has been lately, there are just as many truly inspiring moments. All of the initiatives by individuals and companies that have surfaced because of insecurities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic have been refreshing and heartwarming; it’s a great testament to the power of a global community.

And the All Black Lives Matter movement, which ultimately gave birth to this discussion around Defunding the Police–which has shed light on gaps in social assistance, including education and healthcare systems and programs–are all the start of a necessary discussion about priorities, humanity, and how we value each other. All this to say, I’m looking forward to things not “going back to normal”, but to things being better in the near future–and a time when we can feel as good as we look.

The post Andrew Coimbra Talks Recycled Fabrics and Genderless Options for Spring 2021 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.



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Are You Eating A Heart-Healthy Diet?

HHDA heart-healthy lifestyle involves regular exercise, a balanced diet, and steering clear of fast foods and other damaging vices, such as smoking. An unhealthy heart can lead to a string of illnesses, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and increase susceptibility to viral attacks. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of what constitutes a […]

The post Are You Eating A Heart-Healthy Diet? appeared first on Be Healthy Now.



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Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Chanel Opens its First Beauty Studio in Canada

As lockdown measures begin to ease across Canada, brands are finally able to welcome customers back into stores – and Chanel is marking the occasion with a brand new space in Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street. The new Chanel Beauty Studio in Toronto is the first of its kind in Canada for the brand, and is described as “a new creative destination for makeup and skincare” which will allow customers “to discover the Chanel beauty universe through a new experiential journey.”

The chic space includes stunning physical displays as well as digital integrations which serve to facilitate an “interactive” experience. There’s also a Beauty Creative Table that allows customers to interact with the new collections.

To celebrate the opening of the space, Chanel has a series of activities planned. On July 30, the first 100 visitors to the Beauty Studio will receive a special gift from the brand, and beginning in early August, the brand will host live makeup tutorials with a Chanel makeup artist through which customers will be able to preview the Fall/Winter 2020 collection, Candeur et Expérience – Acte II ahead of its official launch on August 15.

Chanel is the latest luxury beauty brand to open a new counter at Holt Renfrew in Toronto. Last week, Dior unveiled its newly renovated space in the store.

It’s been a busy few months for Chanel, with the launch of its Métiers d’Art collection, the first to be designed by Virginie Viard, as well as the launch of its first digital Cruise presentation in early June.

 

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TRENDING NOW – VIRTUAL FITNESS TRAINERS

Working out to keep fit is a non-negotiable activity for some. Years of training have helped the dedicated know what exercise works best for them and the intensity level of it. For the rest of us, this may just be a start or maybe we’re looking to switch to another fitness activity. They say that […]

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Trending Bridal Lehenga Designs 2020

As the wedding day approaches fast, buying the perfect bridal lehenga online for yourself is the most important decision you will make for the big day. There is no denying the fact that the bride is the most noticed-upon person on the occasion of her wedding. To top it all, the bridal lehenga is one asset that is being viewed upon and talked about by almost every guest at the wedding. This is the reason why bride-to-be go all excited and anxious at the same time when it comes to selecting the best-ever trending wedding lehenga for themselves.

While deciding the perfect ensemble for your wedding, there are several thoughts that might cross your mind –right from the color of the lehengas to its design, style, whether or not it is following the trend. Whatever might be your consideration, choosing upon the best wedding lehenga that is trending is of utmost importance.

For your ease, here is the summarized list of the top trending online bridal lehenga designs for 2020. Have a look:

All-over Pastel Palette:

Since Anushka Sharma wore a classic pastel pink lehenga on her wedding day, the evergreen pastel palette has entered the trending wedding scene for the brides. You can come across innumerable brides adorning light pastel shades beautifully. Usually, pastel ensembles for weddings are great for daytime weddings. The given lehenga patterns are pearl-embellished or white stone embroidery on some pastel-shaded base. As such, these appear to shine throughout the day while imparting a sober & elegant appearance to the bride.

Night Wedding Pastel Lehengas:

As a bride, if you are adamant about going for the lovely pastel hues –even for your night wedding, then also you are going to make quite a wedding trend. There are specific pastel designs that you can confidently adorn during the night weddings while looking as attractive as ever. You can go for choosing the brighter pastel hues like pastel peach featuring golden crystal detailing. The lehenga can also be amplified by using some dabka traditional embroidery or zari work for your lehenga to shine like no other outfit.

Floral Lehengas for Day and Night Weddings:

The latest trend that is rocking the bridal outfit domain is the concept of adorning beautiful floral lehengas. There are high-end fashion designers who greatly emphasize presenting ecstatic floral lehengas set with amazing hues. You can try out floral lehengas in embroidery or print on a pastel-shaded base for your day wedding outfit. For the night wedding, you can go for heavy floral embroidery or dabka detailing, stonework on pink, beige, or a dark base, or even a zardozi for the ultimate night wedding outfit.

Minimal Detailing with red Lehengas:

When it comes to talking about the trends associated with bridal lehengas, there is no missing out on the ever-classic and timeless red bridal lehenga online India. Until now, red lehengas with heavy threadwork or embellishments were quite common amongst the brides. However, modern brides prefer something lightweight and minimal for a fun-filled wedding. This is wherein the concept of bright red lehengas with minimal detailing comes into play.

Color Play:

Why stick to a single color when it comes to bridal lehenga? With the multitude of color options and a wide spread of shade combinations out there, brides are increasingly opting for bright hues and combinations like monochromes, multiple shades, contrasts, and so more to enhance the appearance of their wedding outfit. You can go for multiple colors detailing on any part of the outfit –be it the dupatta, lehenga, blouse, or sleeves.

These are the most popular patterns and styles for bridal lehengas that are trending in 2020. If you would like to know more about in-trend designs you can get a vast range of fashionable crafts and latest designs for Bridal Lehenga online browsing through the collection of women’s traditional clothing with Indian Wedding Saree.

The post Trending Bridal Lehenga Designs 2020 appeared first on Readiprint Fashions Blog.



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Creole Shrimp Étouffée

Creole Shrimp Étouffée is a classic southern stew is full of tender shrimp, the “Holy Trinity” of veggies, and flavored with a decadent golden roux. This stew has a subtle heat thanks to seasoning, but served over rice is the ultimate in Louisiana comfort food!

Celebrate Louisiana and their food culture with this comforting stew. Simple ingredients are used to create a masterpiece thanks to taking some time to prepare them. To complete your Southern experience make sure you try out this New Orleans Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, and this Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp.

Creole shrimp étouffée over top rice in a bowl topped with scallions.

Shrimp Étouffée

Louisiana is an area of our country that is rich in history and that history shines in the foods that are made and enjoyed there! Due to being on the gulf coast, shrimp is a popular option as a protein when it comes to cooking. And the shrimp truly shine in this deeply flavorful stew broth.

Etouffee is a French word meaning “smothered” which refers to the protein being smothered in a sauce. Etouffee is a dish that can be found in both Cajun and Creole cooking that are both highlights of Louisiana cuisine. This particular recipe I’m sharing today is a creole style Shrimp Etouffee. It is a thick stew, loaded with tender shrimp and served over rice. 

How to Make Shrimp Étouffée:

  1. Prepare Shrimp: peel and devein the shrimp, plus remove the tails to make enjoying the meal easier. Cover and place the shrimp in the refrigerator until ready to add to the stew. 
  2. Make broth: this is an optional step. If making your own broth, save the shells from the shrimp and add to a large stock pot or dutch oven. Add in scraps from the celery, onion and bell pepper, a wedge of lemon, garlic cloves and water. Bring this to a boil and simmer for 45 mins to 1 hour. Strain and use the broth in the recipe. 
  3. If NOT making your own broth: a combination of chicken broth and clam juice gives a seafood style broth and uses store bought ingredients, this saves time if needed. Plus you can buy shrimp that has already been peeled, deveined and tails removed which saves time when prepping the recipe. 
  4. Lightly Brown Roux: the base of the étouffée sauce is made by lightly browning a combination of flour with butter or other fat, like oil. The longer the roux cooks, the darker it becomes. For our étouffée we want a nice golden roux. This is what gives a thick gravy like texture to the sauce, and gives a depth of flavor to the stew. Make sure you stay close and stir this while it cooks, the roux can burn very easily.
  5. Add “Holy Trinity”: this is a phrase that describes the classic combination of onion, celery and bell pepper that is a staple in most cajun and creole cooking. Let these veggies cook in the roux until softened. 
  6. Add broth and simmer: add the broth to the veggies and roux and mix together, add additional seasonings. Bring to a low simmer and let this cook for 10-15 minutes.
  7. Cook Shrimp: the shrimp can be cooked in a skillet with some creole seasoning and served on top of the finished dish. OR you can add the shrimp to the stew and let them cook in the stew for about 10 minutes. This is my preferred method. 

Does Étouffée Have Tomato? 

This is purely preference. Creole cooking typically does have a tomato based sauce. Cajun cooking on the other hand does not. If you are not sure which style you would prefer, add all of the ingredients for the sauce minus the tomatoes, bring to a simmer, taste and decide if you want tomato to be added. 

What is the Difference Between Étouffée and Gumbo? 

Etouffee is a thicker stew since we are only cooking our roux to a nice golden color. Gumbo involves cooking the roux to a deep brown coloring, which also affects the thickening power of the roux. 

Gumbo also will traditionally have more than one protein included, shrimp and sausage or some other type of meat. 

Creole shrimp étouffée in a large pot being stirred with a wooden spoon.

More Southern Recipes to Enjoy: 

Print

Creole Shrimp Étouffée

Creole Shrimp Étouffée. This classic southern stew is full of tender shrimp, the "Holy Trinity" of veggies, and flavored with a decadent golden roux. This stew has a subtle heat thanks to seasoning, but served over rice is the ultimate in Louisiana comfort food! 
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword shrimp etouffee
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 People
Calories 370kcal
Author Serene Herrera

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs shrimp medium to large
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup all purpose flour
  • ½ cup yellow onion diced
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • 1 green bell pepper seeds and membranes removed, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup clam juice
  • 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
  • 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce can) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups white rice cooked

Instructions

  • Prepare the shrimp by peeling, deveining, and removing the tails. Place the shrimp in a medium size bowl, cover and store in refrigerator. If making your own shrimp broth save the shells, instructions are in notes below to make your own Shrimp Broth.
  • Melt butter in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Sprinkle with flour and stir to combine.
  • Cook this roux over medium heat for 12-15 minutes until the roux is a golden brown color. Stir constantly while cooking to prevent burning.
  • Add in the onion, celery and bell pepper. Stir to coat in the roux. Continue to cook another 5 minutes or until the veggies have softened. Add in the garlic and stir.
  • Pour in the broth and clam juice, stir to combine. Then add in the additional seasonings, worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Stir in the tomatoes. Let this come to a simmer, cooking for 8-10 minutes.
  • Add the shrimp to the broth, cover and let cook for 10 minutes.
  • Serve the shrimp etouffee over cooked white rice. Garnish with fresh parsley or sliced green onion if desired.

Notes

Homemade Shrimp Stock: if desired make your own shrimp stock to use in this recipe! Make sure you purchase Unpeeled shrimp. 
  • Shells from peeling shrimp
  • Scraps from celery, onion, and bell pepper
  • lemon wedge
  • 2 quarts water
Bring this to a boil, cover and let simmer for 45 mins to an hour. Strain out the veggies and shells. Use this broth in the recipe above. 

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 301mg | Sodium: 1506mg | Potassium: 274mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 673IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 3mg


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If the Rugby League can do it, then why can’t national politics provide a fair competition?

Peter McInnes writes: Prime Minister Scott Morrison loves to watch his beloved Rugby League team the Sharks play. In a pandemic, that can be controversial. As a skilful politician he must be aware of the signals he is sending through his attendance at Rugby League matches.  The Sharks have long […]

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Whether a ratings chase or ideological war, News Corp’s coronavirus coverage is dangerous

Introduction by Croakey: A strong, sustainable public interest journalism sector is an important determinant of health, as we at Croakey have been arguing for some time. Conversely, media that is not operating in the public interest can be harmful for the health of individuals, communities and societies. At a critical time […]

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If You're Looking For Another Way to Silence the Head Noise, Try This App

The minute I get anxious, I retreat into my head. I start to unpack and over-analyse the situation until I get so emotionally worked up that my anxiety turns physical.

One of the coping mechanisms I've adopted, after seeing it on Instagram, is the Think Ladder app. Think Ladder is a mental health and wellness app that helps you identify your limiting beliefs or negative thoughts and literally re-write them. This small way of shifting your perspective can be a massive help when you're in an anxiety spiral.

So how does it work? Well, once you download and open the app, you're prompted to pick a theme. Each theme has a user-friendly heading and description so you can easily identify how you're feeling, think of themes like: Correction & Criticism, People Pleasing, I Must be Dumb, Comparing Myself to Others, Anxiety, Compassion Fatigue - to name a few. Once you've selected your theme, you're given a bunch of one-liners to choose from that best describes your current situation. Then you're sent on a journey to re-shape and shift your thinking around that particular situation. It'll prompt you to start journaling and answer some thought-provoking questions.

I think the reason this app works so well for me it because it gives me a moment to step outside the situation that's making me anxious. It distracts me while simultaneously making me confront my negative self-talk head on, while giving me positive ways to re-approach things.

Within the app you can also do some gratitude practice journaling, guided audio meditations and a tool kit for when you're feeling overwhelmed and may need additional support.

The app is completely free and worth downloading if you struggle to get out of your head. You can download the app for both iOS and Android.



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All the P.E Nation Workout Wear Worth Buying in The Iconic's 25% Off Sale

Oooft, The Iconic is having a massive sport and fashion frenzy sale and slinging 25 percent off at the checkout. Meaning if you've been eyeing off some P.E Nation threads for a while, now is the time!

Feature a range of their best-selling leggings, crops, singlets and bags, all you need to do is add your lusted-after pieces to the cart and your discount will be applied at the checkout.

Scroll to shop our edit of the sale.



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My Story: Yu-Chen Shih, Founder of Orcé Cosmetics, is Disrupting Toxic Beauty Ideals

Meet Yu-Chen Shih, The Taiwan-born, Singapore-bred, LA-based founder of Orcé Cosmetics, a niche six-shade range of foundations made specially for Asian complexions. The luxe, skin-enhancing formula, which launched in 2019, also addresses common skin concerns of Asian skin. Yu-Chen, who formerly worked in diversity marketing, has been a longtime makeup lover and created Orcé in just under two years after being fed up with failing to find a foundation on the market that not only properly matched her skin tone, but worked with—not against—her skin. Here, she shares, in her own words, the mission behind her makeup brand and how skin-tone biases have long vexed Asian communities.

On what motivated her to start a beauty brand:

“The reason I decided to create foundation was because that was the biggest issue I’ve had. I’ve been a lifelong makeup lover — I started doing makeovers at the age of 11 — and foundation was just one of those things that I wanted to love but I just couldn’t find any options for myself. Eventually, I just felt like maybe foundation wasn’t for me because, first of all, the formulas almost always broke me out. And then in comes the skin tones. A lot of foundation lines on the market, no matter how wide their shade range, the undertones always seemed a little bit off from my own skin. I found myself having to often settle for a shade that I knew was not right for me. It was often too pink or too orange, and I’d have to mix mixing two to three shades every day to find the perfect colour. So, I wanted to create foundation for Asian women who have traditionally been overlooked in terms of shade ranges. Foundation is one of the hardest cosmetics to make, but it’s the most important: It’s the basis of every look.”

On landing on her brand name, Orcé Cosmetics:

“Orcé is a made-up word derived from the word force. The reason I chose this name was because when worked in diversity marketing, I always had an issue with the way a lot of brands portrayed Asian women as softly-spoken and fragile. Some even go to the extent of portraying Asian women as being submissive and hiding behind a veil. I used to do advertising strategy for a global Asian beauty giant, and their signature ad is a model hiding behind a translucent veil. And, of course, Hollywood does not help. I think the way that brands portray Asian women is not only untrue, but also limiting. A lot of the fiercest and most capable women that I know are Asian. And so, with Orcé, I want to start creating change by portraying Asian women as a force to be reckoned with.”

Image courtesy of Orcé Cosmetics

On the product development process and confronting colourism along the way: 

“When I started, I had no idea what it entailed to create not only the formula, but also the shades. I thought it would be easy: I first went to Japan and to Korea and I collected some of the top-selling foundation lines and brought them back to the States. I then started testing them one-by-one on myself and women around me. But these brands from Japan and Korea, which are purportedly made for Asian women, don’t actually really match our natural complexions. I noticed, and I’m generalizing here, that a lot of the Korean foundations tend to have a pinkish, even ashy finish, and that Japanese brands tend to oxidize a lot and they kind of have a pinkish, reddish finish. I learned later from some Japanese friends that these brands are really big on complexion correction because Asian women want to look porcelain — they want to eradicate the yellow undertones in their skin. Skin tone is a very sensitive topic for the Asian community, and like colourism here in the West, colourism exists in Asia also. We’ve been taught that only fair is beautiful. I’m someone who, in the Asian world, is considered darker, so my natural skin colour wouldn’t be covered by a lot of these Korean and Japanese beauty brands. My team ended up having to scrap all of the foundations we brought back from Japan and Korea and we started creating shades from scratch, which we were able to narrow down to six that are spread between light and deep. Each shade was tested for rounds and rounds on real women.”

On personally facing colourism growing up and its deep-seated connection to her brand’s DNA:

“I developed a complex when I was younger. When I was still living in Asia, I was extremely self-conscious about my skin tone because I was darker. My father’s from Malaysia — from an aboriginal tribe called the Melanau — and he’s also part Middle Eastern, so I looked very different from my friends and many relatives. I was made fun of a lot and called names. People would kind of insinuate that I was uncivilized, poor and barbaric because I was dark. That generally is the sentiment towards darker-skinned people in Asia. Perhaps not as much today, but there’s still some of that, especially within older generations. My mother put me through skin-whitening treatments since I was 10-years-old and, by the time I was 14, she started more aggressive treatments like hooking me up on IVs that contained skin-whitening ingredients such as glutathione. When I moved to the States for college, I started to let go of all of that. The extent of skin-whitening in our culture is just so unhealthy, so with my foundation line, I made sure to create shades that matched our natural complexions. I want to encourage women to embrace the skin that they’re in. You don’t have to correct your skin tone. You’re beautiful the way you are.”

Portrait courtesy of Yu-Chen Shih

On what she’s learned about the cosmetic industry at large when it comes to foundation:

“Overall, there’s a lack of thought and a lack of research in terms of skin tones. The cosmetics industry, let’s be honest, is traditionally geared toward Caucasian women. It’s only a recent trend to start including minorities. When I was developing my shade range, the manufacturer I started working with gave me a Pantone skin colour book and said, ‘Go ahead and pick however many shades you want from this book and we’ll make it for you.’ I just sat there dumbfounded — my customers are not pages of a book; they’re real people — and the manufacture told me that a lot of brands do that. I think that a lot of brands on the market are just copying each other, or there’s not a lot of research done on real women.”

On the models she chose for her brand’s marketing campaign:

“Initially, we got a bit of backlash from the Asian community, especially from those in Asia, for the models we chose for the website. Traditionally, [the Asian community] has a very strict and narrow standard of beauty. Like, if you go to Korea, almost all of the models and spokeswomen look the same. There’s only one face that represents beauty: fair skin, large eyes, a tall nose and a tiny face. With the models that I selected for the brand, I wanted to challenge that. I feel that women come in all shapes, sizes and forms, and we need to celebrate beauty that’s different. So, I mostly chose models that are not traditionally considered as beautiful in the conventional manner. But in my eyes, they’re stunning! That’s the first thing I wanted to convey with my brand: That no matter your facial features or your skin tone, you’re beautiful.”

Campaign image courtesy of Orcé Cosmetics

On Orcé’s signature ingredients:

“We have three ingredients that I like to call our star trio. The first one is Tahitian pearl extract, which has a very long history in traditional Chinese medicine; pearls have been used for beauty and health purposes for centuries, dating all the way back to Empress Wu. Empress Wu is a legendary character in history, and she was widely known for consuming pearls as a supplement and using it in her skincare. Pearl is an adaptogen that balances out inflammation in your body if you consume it. Topically as an extract or in the form of powder, it helps to speed up wound healing and helps encourage collagen production. It also helps with hyperpigmentation, which is one of the most common struggles faced by Asian skin.

Second (and my personal favorite) is hyaluronic acid. Asian skin has a really thin stratum corneum (the top most outer layer of the skin which acts as our protective barrier). When it’s thin, not only are we more vulnerable to harsh ingredients and environmental stressors, we’re also more prone to transepidermal water loss, which is when moisture just escapes through your skin. So, throughout the day, the skin is just getting more and more dehydrated. At the same time, Asian skin has really active sebum production; we tend to be oilier than other ethnicities. This is a recipe for acne: dehydration and oil. So, I wanted to hydrate the skin without using oils, and hyaluronic acid is the perfect ingredient to do that.

Last but not least, is a Chinese herb called Evodia fruit. In Mandarin, we call it wu zhu yu. It’s a strong anti-inflammatory ingredient and when I was formulating this product, the chemist I was working with showed me that when used topically, it actually helps to improve skin texture, boost radiance and protect skin from environmental stressors.”

On the non-negotiables of her foundation formula:

“Number one: It had to be oil-free. I consulted with dermatologists and the general consensus is that if you have really oily skin and you’re breaking out, you shouldn’t be adding any additional oils onto your skin. There are other ways to moisturize your skin without using oils specifically. Number two: It had to be non-comedogenic. I’m surprised that a lot of foundations on the market are still clogging pores. Lastly, fragrance-free because fragrances are the number one cause of any negative reactions or allergic reactions in sensitive skin.”

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Easy Crustless Spinach and Feta Pie

This Easy Crustless Spinach and Feta Pie is savory and delicious filled with spinach, Feta and Asiago cheese, dill and scallions. Perfect to bring to a potluck!

Crustless Spinach and Feta Pie
Easy Crustless Spinach and Feta Pie

Served with a salad, you can turn this into a main dish, or cut it into smaller wedges to serve as an appetizer. This is similar to my Crustless Summer Zucchini Pie if you would like to try a zucchini version.

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How to Watch Dior’s Cruise 2021 Show Live From Italy This Week (Without Leaving Your Couch)

Update (21/07/20): On July 22, Dior will present its Cruise 2021 collection to the world. And although the show is taking place in Italy – we’ve got your front row ticket sorted. Kicking off at 2:45pm ET, the show is being held in Lecce, an historic town in Southern Italy, but with no audience present as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The brand has revealed very little about what to expect from the show, however it did share that Maria Grazia Chiuri’s inspiration for the collection was the Puglia region. “The people of Puglia share some of the stories and passions of their picturesque and historical home, a place filled with beauty at every turn, and a stronghold of age-old traditions and craftsmanship,” the brand wrote in a caption accompanying a video on Instagram. It added that the new Cruise collection “pays homage to the magical region in which [Chiuri] has family roots.”

Below, catch all the action live from the runway from 2:45pm ET tomorrow:

Original (22/06/20): Despite a handful of brands opting out of physical runway shows in favour of digital presentations, Dior has announced that it will host a runway show for its Cruise 2021 collection on July 22 in Lecce, Italy.

Despite the physical nature of the show, there will be no audience present. In a call with press this morning, Pietro Beccari, the president and CEO at the brand, said there were three reasons the show is going ahead. “The first one for Maria Grazia and I, but I think we are not the only ones: luxury is emotions and when it comes to fashion there is nothing that carries the emotion of a real fashion show, a live performance where art is performed without a safety net.” He added that the other two reasons were to allow the brand to continue to support everyone involved in the show, from the artisans who produce the clothes to the models who wear them and everyone in between, and the fact that both he and Chiuri are Italian. “The support for our country is important for both of us, [as is] the support for the Puglia region, which was so badly hit by the crisis and on the edge of bankruptcy, but with a strong will to fight.”

Beccari also confirmed that Dior will indeed show at Paris Fashion Week in September, saying, ” We hope to be able to have some audience , if not a full room.” However the brand will not present a live show for its upcoming Fall 2020 couture collection, though the brand did not offer any further information on what the new format will be.

The announcement follows that of Fendi last week with the brand announcing it will host a co-ed show for its Spring 2021 collection at its headquarters in Rome on September 22.

The post How to Watch Dior’s Cruise 2021 Show Live From Italy This Week (Without Leaving Your Couch) appeared first on FASHION Magazine.



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Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Apple Commits to Being 100 Per Cent Carbon Neutral By 2030

When you’re one of the world’s biggest tech companies, every decision you make has a big impact. Today, Apple announced that it would be working towards becoming carbon neutral across its entire supply chain and product life cycle by 2030.

The company’s global corporate operations are already carbon neutral but this latest move means every Apple device sold will have net zero climate impact, a necessary step towards bringing its entire carbon footprint to zero.

“Businesses have a profound opportunity to help build a more sustainable future, one born of our common concern for the planet we share,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, in a statement. “The innovations powering our environmental journey are not only good for the planet — they’ve helped us make our products more energy efficient and bring new sources of clean energy online around the world. Climate action can be the foundation for a new era of innovative potential, job creation, and durable economic growth. With our commitment to carbon neutrality, we hope to be a ripple in the pond that creates a much larger change.”

The company’s 10-year plan aims to lower emissions by pursuing a low carbon product design that utilizes recycled materials, innovating new methods of product recycling, and expanding energy efficiency at its corporate facilities. Apple pledges to remain at 100 per cent renewable energy for its operations, focusing on creating new projects and moving its entire supply chain to clean power, and will also be investing in forests and other natural ecosystems around the world to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Apple will be sharing details on its approach to carbon neutrality so that other industries may use it as a roadmap for reducing their own environmental impact. The California-based company will also be establishing an Impact Accelerator to focus on investing in minority-owned businesses that drive “positive outcomes in its supply chain and in communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards.” This accelerator is part of Apple’s recently announced $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative focusing on education, economic equality, and criminal justice reform.

The post Apple Commits to Being 100 Per Cent Carbon Neutral By 2030 appeared first on FASHION Magazine.



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Ulta Beauty Postpones Canadian Expansion Plans

Really sorry to have to ruin your Tuesday with this news beauty lovers but Ulta Beauty has announced it is postponing its expansion into Canada.

Last year, the American beauty giant announced it was planning to offer both brick-and-mortar and a local e-commerce function in Canada for the first time. It was expected that both would open during 2020. The move – celebrated by all beauty junkies in the country – would have marked the brand’s first international expansion, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the company to re-evaluate its plans.

According to WWD, expansion into Canada will be put on hold until mid-2021. In a statement, the company said it anticipates that the COVID-19 pandemic will “create new real estate opportunities” that will ultimately support their goal of expanding across the US and into Canada. As recently as March, the company had originally planned to open 75 stores this year, but will instead now only open 30, all based in the States.

The company offered no further information as to expected dates or locations of its Canadian stores. For now, you can still shop Ulta’s extensive offering via its US site as shipping to Canada is available. Stay tuned for more updates.

 

The post Ulta Beauty Postpones Canadian Expansion Plans appeared first on FASHION Magazine.



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