Armani Makeup Artist Linda Cantello on Refillable Makeup and a More Sustainable Future

“I’ve always been very vocal about how much I hate powder makeup,” says Linda Cantello, international makeup artist for Armani Beauty. “I’ve always felt that the skin always looks really good until you put powder on,” she laughs. “And then you look 20 years older and you have that mask-y effect.” Known for her ability to create looks that feature glowing, lit-from-within skin, she was skeptical when she was first introduced to Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Glow Fusion Powder. But thanks to a presentation from Armani’s lab team highlighting the product’s groundbreaking technology, Cantello was sold.

“They demonstrated how a traditional powder mixed with water got really clumpy, like mud,” she says. “But when Glow Fusion Powder was mixed with water, it became this beautiful smooth liquid.” The powder, which is essentially a dehydrated version of the brand’s bestselling Luminous Silk foundation, uses water memory technology, allowing it to blend with moisture from the skin’s surface upon application and transform into a creamy, fluid texture.

 

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The new Luminous Silk Glow Fusion Powder is packaged in a refillable compact ($82), which Cantello says is a move in the right direction: “We have to find new ways of thinking about makeup packaging and move toward cleaner, greener products.” She says she comes from a family who has always been “ecologically conscious,” but this past year has heightened her concerns and provided her with an opportunity to envision a more sustainable future. “It’s not enough to add a new ingredient to a product and call it ‘clean,’” says Cantello.

“It’s more difficult when a big company [goes green] because there’s such rigorous testing,” she says. “There are a lot of small brands that say they’re green or organic when in fact they haven’t gone through the stringent tests that a large company like [Armani] has. We’ve always been about what we can take out, rather than what we can put in. We [prefer to include] the bare minimum, with the best quality ingredients, transparent bases, etc. You take one ingredient out and the whole balance is shifted, so there’s a lot of testing involved, a lot of looking for the right ingredient and just trying to make it [perform] better too. It has to be new and improved, not just new and clean.”

If this all sounds like a lot of work, Cantello says, well, it is. “We’re actually working on a few reformulations right now. For instance, we’re developing a replacement of another foundation and we’re up to 102 tries [to get it just right].” Still, she insists that the work must be done. “We have to think radically about the future of the planet.”

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Body Positivity Activist Margie Plus on How Her Signature Neon Hair Became a Call to Action

Toward the end of Rihanna’s most recent fashion show for her Savage x Fenty lingerie brand, Paris Hilton appeared in a hot-pink bodysuit with generous cut-outs and mesh leggings, her blond hair framing the sunglasses on her face. The camera then panned to Margie Plus. The size-18 body-positivity activist and Savage x Fenty brand ambassador was wearing a nearly identical outfit with her neon-yellow hair pulled back into two thick braids. Two women, two signature looks. This shouldn’t have been remarkable to see, but for Plus, it has been a journey.

“I feel the most myself when I have neon hair — it’s like my own art,” says Plus, whose real name is Margie Ashcroft, of the vibrant-yellow hair she has sported since 2016. Growing up in the small city of Spokane, Wash., she liked to stand out. It prepared her for an editorial internship at Condé Nast at a time when plus-size bodies were not represented in magazines — or on staff. On her first day commuting from her friend’s place in Jersey to the company’s Midtown Manhattan office, she ran into Anna Wintour outside the elevators. “I was wearing these off-brand scuba shoes my mom had given me for the walk from Port Authority,” she recalls, laughing. “From that moment on, I was like, ‘I need to serve every day — be that confident girl and just be me.’”

Plus started a plus-size fashion column for Lucky, the now-defunct magazine, and went on to have her own blog. Then, in the mid-aughts, she went through what she calls her “Eat, Pray, Love” time of self-discovery. “I tried out every hair colour under the sun: turquoise, blue, lilac, pink. Then I did yellow and it was like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s me. That’s who I am.’ And that’s been it ever since.”

 

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While the fashion industry has become more inclusive of plus-size bodies in recent years (Plus has worked with brands like Nike, ASOS and Forever 21), it has not been a blanket acceptance. “Even plus-size brands have this ideal: You need to be snatched at the waist, you have to have big, thick hips and your face needs to look like a Kardashian’s,” says Plus, who has been booked for campaigns on the condition that she cover her neon hair with a more natural coloured wig. “It’s like, ‘We gave you a little bit, but we’re still kind of keeping you in that box’ because the beauty has to be so on point.”

As you might expect, neon hair requires a lot of upkeep. To maintain the vibrant hue, Plus colours her hair every two weeks. “Some people can look in the mirror and see roots and they’re like, ‘It’s fine; let me just be beachy,’” she says. “But when my hair is styled and the colour is perfect, I find so much joy. It really alters my well-being and my mood.”

After bleaching her hair (Plus refers to her natural colour as a mousy brown), she applies a secret blend of yellow and green Pravana hair dyes. “For vivid colour, there’s nothing better,” she says. To counter­act the frequent colouring, she deep conditions: Redken argan oil, Olaplex and It’s a 10 leave-in conditioner are in her current rotation. Changing her styling tools has also made a big difference in her hair’s health: “I was getting a lot of damage from my brushes, so I switched to The Y by Yusef thermal ceramic brushes and carbon combs, and that really helped.”

A solid routine is important to maintain what Plus says will likely be her hair colour for life. “I want to be able to express myself and be appreciated for being different,” she says. “The message behind my hair colour is so me: Be loud, be bold, be different, be who you are. If I can do it, you can do it.”

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The Met Gala Is Back

Fashion’s biggest night had to be cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 2021 Met Gala is back. And while the show must go on, the star-studded fundraising event will look a bit different than it has in previous years.

Here’s what we know about the 2021 Met Gala so far.

When is the 2021 Met Gala? 

Traditionally, the Met Gala is held on the first Monday in May at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. That’s not the case in 2021, however. Instead, the event will be held in two parts: A smaller, more intimate ceremony will take place on September 13, coinciding with New York Fashion Week, which will hopefully also be able to occur live (instead of completely virtually, as it has in recent seasons) in some capacity. This is all TBD based on evolving public health guidelines.

The 2021 event will be followed up with the 2022 gala returning to its usual first Monday in May spot on the calendar (in this case, May 2, 2022). The two events will be linked thematically.

What’s this about a 2021 Met Gala theme? 

Every year, the Met ball helps launch a new exhibition at the museum’s Costume Institute, which determines the dress code for the event. (A notable example, for instance, was 2019’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion.”) The 2021 Met Gala takes its theme from “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” a new exhibit that will open in the Anna Wintour Costume Center in September. According to a press release, the display will be built around a fictional American house and will feature 20th and 21st century fashion pieces that “reflect the customs and behaviors of the imagined occupants.” Part one is also meant to celebrate the Costume Institute’s 75th anniversary and will “explore a modern vocabulary of American fashion.”

The second exhibition, which will open in May 2022, is called “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” and will offer a more historic look dating back to 1670. Both shows will run at the Met until September 2022.

“I think that the emphasis on conscious creativity was really consolidated during the pandemic and the social justice movements,” Andrew Bolton, the curator in charge of the Costume Institute, told Vogue about settling on the theme. “And I’ve been really impressed by American designers’ responses to the social and political climate, particularly around issues of body inclusivity and gender fluidity, and I’m just finding their work very, very self-reflective. I really do believe that American fashion is undergoing a Renaissance. I think young designers in particular are at the vanguard of discussions about diversity and inclusion, as well as sustainability and transparency, much more so than their European counterparts, maybe with the exception of the English designers.”

Of course, how the celebs in attendance will interpret these themes for their elaborate outfits is yet to be seen — but that’s all the fun of the Met Gala.

Who will be at the 2021 Met Gala? 

As of right now, we don’t actually know who will be in attendance at the small September 2021 event. Of course, we can count on Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour to be there as she’s been the long-time chair of the event (and handpicks the guests herself). Wintour also usually asks a few celebs to help co-host the evening every year, though the lucky few have yet to be confirmed yet. We can hopefully expect an official announcement soon, however, according to the New York Times, Tom Ford and poet/activist/recent Vogue cover star Amanda Gorman are rumoured to scored the gig at the September gala.

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What’s the Deal with Lil Nas X’s Satan Shoes and the Nike Lawsuit Against Them?

It’s hard to tell what’s generated more buzz online over the past few weeks: The catchy new Lil Nas X single (and his second number one hit) “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” or the parody Nike sneakers — dubbed “Satan shoes” — the artist designed in collaboration with online design studio/streetwear brand MSCHF to coincide with the track’s drop.

One thing’s for sure: They both created plenty of controversy, with Nike even launching a lawsuit against MSCHF for the shoes, which were actually customized Air Max 97s. And though the lawsuit between the two brands has now been settled, we have a feeling this won’t be the last we see of the now infamous sneakers. Here, we break down everything you need to know.

So what’s the deal with Lil Nas X and these “Satan shoes” anyway? 

To understand the story behind the shoes, you’ll first need a little background into “Montero.” A nod to the 22-year-old’s given name (and the queer novel/film Call Me By Your Name), the track is about embracing his queer identity. “This will open doors for many other people to simply exist,” the singer wrote in a note to his 14-year-old self, which he shared after dropping the song. The single was also accompanied with a cinematic music video, which includes Lil Nas X sliding into Hell on a stripper pole, giving Satan a lap dance and other satanic imagery, so… you can probably guess why certain corners of the internet (especially those inhabited by conservative commentators) were vocal in their contempt for both the song and video.

That brings us back to the Satan shoes. A true child of the internet, Lil Nas X knows how to cause a stir online and use it to his advantage. Shortly after dropping the song, he revealed the collab with MSCHF: a limited-edition run of Satan shoes with only 666 pairs available. (Get it?) The modified Air Max 97s are black with red accents, feature a pentagram charm and have “Luke 10:18” written on them, which is a reference to the Bible verse in which Satan falls from Heaven. The iconic Nike swoosh is also clearly visible on the shoes. But the true pièce de résistance? The New York Times reports that a drop of real human blood, willingly provided by MSCHF employees, is mixed into the sneakers’ red air bubble. Again, you can probably guess why the shoes were immediately branded as controversial.

Despite being priced at over $1,000 USD, the sneakers sold out in less than one minute when they were made available online.

 

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How did the Nike lawsuit come about? 

MSCHF made it clear from the beginning that Nike was not at all involved in their Satan shoes. Unsurprisingly, the brand did not love being associated with satanic imagery, issuing a statement to the New York Times that read: “We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF. Nike did not design or release these shoes, and we do not endorse them.” The athletics company also faced backlash online from some of the track’s vocal opponents who believed the brand had signed off on the shoes.

The next day, Nike sued MSCHF — Lil Nas X was notably absent from the legal paperwork — over the sneakers, saying that the “unauthorized Satan shoes are likely to cause confusion and dilution and create an erroneous association between MSCHF’s products and Nike.” The lawsuit asked that MSCHF immediately stop fulfilling orders on the sneakers. According to The Verge, the brand also asked that the shoes be destroyed and that MSCHF pay damages.

It’s worth noting that this kind of splashy drop is very much in MSCHF’s oeuvre. Back in 2019, the art collective released a pair of “Jesus shoes,” another modified pair of Nike Air Max 97s, this time with holy water in the soles. Those sneakers, however, did not end up the subject of a lawsuit.

What’s this about a settlement in the Nike Satan shoes lawsuit? 

Less than two weeks after the lawsuit was launched, it was reported that Nike and MSCHF had reached a settlement. While the specific terms of the agreement haven’t been revealed, we do know some details — namely that MSCHF is offering a full refund to any customers who purchased the shoes in a voluntary recall. What will happen to the sneakers that are returned, however, is currently unknown.

MSCHF had also held onto a single pair of the Satan shoes for Lil Nas X to give away, but will now be keeping the unsold shoes instead.

While it may ultimately seem like a victory for Nike, MSCHF doesn’t seem too upset about the settlement. In a statement to The Verge, the collective’s lawyers said they were “pleased” with the outcome. “With these Satan Shoes — which sold out in less than a minute — MSCHF intended to comment on the absurdity of the collaboration culture practiced by some brands, and about the perniciousness of intolerance,” they said, arguing that the lawsuit “dramatically amplified” their point. “Having already achieved its artistic purpose, MSCHF recognized that the settlement was the best way to allow it to put this lawsuit behind it so that it could dedicate its time to new artistic and expressive projects.”

Can I still get a pair of the Lil Nas X Satan shoes for myself? 

Technically, MSCHF and Lil Nas X are not allowed to continue to put the shoes into circulation. But, as true sneakerheads know, there’s always another way. Some of the lucky people who were able to snag one of the 665 pairs have listed their shoes for resale on Etsy at a range of different prices — though we suspect you’ll have to act fast if you’re serious about adding the Satan shoes to your collection.

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The Best New Beauty Products Launching in April

While April showers may currently be in full swing, May flowers are just around the corner. That means it’s time to start thinking about all of the fun beauty buys that come with warmer weather, like sunny new scents, bright, summery makeup and ultra-refreshing skincare picks. Below are some of our favourite April 2021 beauty launches that you need to have on your radar. Happy shopping!

Chanel Rouge Coco Bloom

Chanel Rouge Coco Bloom Lipstick, $52, chanel.com

Chanel’s latest lipstick collection, Rouge Coco Bloom, has just launched after an impressive three years in development and over 140 different iterations and tests conducted at the brand’s research labs in both Japan and Paris. The collection features 20 shades and new two-phase technology: the first phase deposits the colour, while the second produces an ultra-shiny plumping effect.

Belif Aqua Bomb Brightening Vitamin C Cream

belif Aqua Bomb Brightening Vitamin C Cream, $56, sephora.ca

Launched just last week, the newest addition to Belif’s cult fave Aqua Bomb offering is the Brightening Vitamin C Cream, a lightweight gel cream formula that’s formulated with vitamins C and E, as well as four types of hyaluronic acid for a plumping effect. The brightening vitamins have been infused into the cream and developed to burst onto the skin upon application.

Louis Vuitton On The Beach

Louis Vuitton On The Beach, $310, louisvuitton.com

Your search for summer 2021’s signature scent is officially over. The latest from Louis Vuitton, called On The Beach, is a unisex fragrance that blends yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit), pink pepper, thyme and neroli. The result? An aromatic, woody scent that’s inspired by sunny, sandy summer days.

Tata Harper Superkind Fortifying Moisturizer

Tata Harper Superkind Fortifying Moisturizer, $150, holtrenfrew.com

Formulated specifically for reactive skin, Tata Harper’s new Superkind moisturizer is ultra-gentle (read: made without fragrances, essential oils, BHAs or exfoliants) but powerful enough to rebalance the skin’s microbiome, contributing to overall healthy skin in a longterm way.

REN Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF30 Mattifying Face Sunscreen

REN Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF30: Mattifying Face Sunscreen, $47, sephora.ca

As far as April 2021 beauty launches go, sunscreen should be pretty high on your list of priorities. REN Skincare’s new mineral SPF 30 is a great mattifying option, if that’s your thing. The silicone-free formula is made without oxybenzone and with 22 percent zinc oxide for broad spectrum protection. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and the packaging is made with recycled plastic. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Nars Sunkissed Bronzing Cream

Nars Sunkissed Bronzing Cream, $50, sephora.ca

‘Tis the season for bronzer. Nars‘s latest is a cream-to-bronzer formula with a silky smooth texture that glides on with ease, leaving behind a long-lasting matte finish and natural sun-kissed warmth. If you’re on the hunt for a bronzer to warm up your complexion without leaving behind a dreaded shimmery finish, this is the bronzer for you. Bonus: it even blurs skin and minimizes the appearance of pores.

bareMinerals 10% Phyto-Retinol Night Concentrate

bareMinerals 10% Phyto-Retinol Night Concentrate, $81, sephora.ca

Want to explore the benefits of retinol, the skincare industry’s gold standard when it comes to anti-aging, but worried about the harsh effects of the vitamin A derivative? The latest from bareMinerals, the Phyto-Retinol line, features botanical extracts (from the Picão Preto plant, specifically) that promise to deliver the same results as retinol, sans potential dryness and irritation. “When we saw the research
on Picão Preto, we knew it was a game-changing ingredient,” says Gail Boye, bareMinerals senior vice president of product development. “Now we can offer a natural alternative to retinol that truly delivers on its skin-improving promises.”

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser, $20, Shoppers Drug Mart

TikTok’s favourite skincare brand has just released a cream to foam cleanser that effectively cleanses and removes makeup, while hydrating your skin and never disrupting the skin barrier. The rich cream transforms into a lathering foam as you wash, and is rich in ceramides, hyaluronic acid and amino acids, putting moisture into your skin as you cleanse, so it never feels stripped of its natural oils.

Coola Sunless Tan Sculpting Mousse

Coola Sunless Tan Sculpting Mousse, $70, coolasuncare.ca

Featuring 99 percent ingredients from natural origins, Coola’s organic suntan lotion has arrived just in time for spring and summer. Formulated with the brand’s highest concentration of DHA — which has been naturally derived from sugar beet — the mousse is lightweight, ultra-fast absorbing and transfer-proof. Most importantly, it also has a delightful Piña Colada scent that we could all use right about now.

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How the Royal Family Is Paying Tribute to Prince Philip

The royal family is mourning Prince Philip.

The 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh died peacefully on April 9 at Windsor Castle, a few weeks after being hospitalized for an infection and undergoing surgery for a preexisting heart condition. He was the longest-serving royal consort in British history, and had retired from public duty in 2017.

Now, ahead of his funeral — which will take place on April 17 at St. George’s Chapel — Prince Philip’s loved ones are honouring the late royal. Here’s what they’re saying.

Prince William 

Prince William shared his touching and lengthy tribute to his grandfather with a never-before-seen photo of Prince Philip and Prince George. The pic, which was taken in Norfolk by Kate Middleton in 2015, shows a smiling Duke of Edinburgh sitting next to his great-grandson, who is holding a book.

“My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service — to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family,” William wrote on Instagram.

“I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life — both through good times and the hardest days,” he continued. “I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her. I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!”

“My grandfather was an extraordinary man and part of an extraordinary generation. Catherine and I will continue to do what he would have wanted and will support The Queen in the years ahead. I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job.”

 

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Prince Harry

Prince Harry shared his own heartfelt tribute to his grandfather after arriving back in the U.K. for the funeral. (Meghan Markle, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child, stayed at their home in California after being advised by her doctor not to travel.)

In a statement shared on the Archewell site, Harry wrote: “My grandfather was a man of service, honour and great humour. He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm — and also because you never knew what he might say next.

“He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the Monarch, a decorated serviceman, a Prince and a Duke. But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ‘til the end.

“He has been a rock for Her Majesty The Queen with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, ‘Oh do get on with it!’

“So, on that note, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely missed, but always remembered — by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts.”

The message ends with the Latin phrase “Per Mare, Per Terram,” the Royal Marines motto that translates to “By Sea, By Land.” As royal reporter Omid Scobie notes, Harry had taken over as Captain General of the Royal Marines from Prince Philip in 2017 until 2020, when he and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties.

Prince Charles 

To remember his “dear papa,” Prince Charles shared a personal video message over the weekend, reflecting on the loss of Prince Philip.

“As you can imagine, my family and I miss my father enormously. He was a much loved and appreciated figure and apart from anything else, I can imagine he would be so deeply touched by the number of other people here and elsewhere around the world and the Commonwealth, who also, I think, share our loss and our sorrow,” he said. “My dear papa was a very special person who I think above all else would have been amazed by the reaction and the touching things that have been said about him, and from that point of view we are, my family, deeply grateful for all that. It will sustain us in this particular loss and at this particularly sad time.”

The Prince of Wales pays tribute to The Duke of Edinburgh on behalf of The Royal Family. pic.twitter.com/tDP0rkKGzc

— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) April 10, 2021

Princess Anne 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s only daughter, Princess Anne, also took to Instagram to share her grief.

“You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready,” she said. “My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate. His ability to treat every person as an individual in their own right with their own skills comes through all the organisations with which he was involved.”

The statement went on to read: “I regard it as an honour and a privilege to have been asked to follow in his footsteps and it has been a pleasure to have kept him in touch with their activities. I know how much he meant to them, in the U.K., across the Commonwealth and in the wider world.

“I would like to emphasise how much the family appreciate the messages and memories of so many people whose lives he also touched. We will miss him but he leaves a legacy which can inspire us all.”

 

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Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen has not actually made an official statement herself about the passing of her husband, as she is currently in an eight-day mourning period, during which she will be taking a break from state affairs. But the official royal family social media accounts did repost a lovely quote from the monarch that she had said about Prince Philip in 1997. “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”

After attending a church service on April 11, Prince Andrew —  who “stepped back” from public duties in 2019 after being connected to convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein and giving a disastrous interview about their relationship — also made a rare statement to the press. When asked how his mother was doing, he answered: “The Queen, as you would expect, is an incredibly stoic person. And she described his passing as a miracle. And she’s contemplating. She described it as having left a huge void in her life,” he said, but also mentioned that the royal family is “rallying around to make sure that we’re there to support her.”

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Canadian Gossip Girl Star Jordan Alexander Is Something to Talk About

Jordan Alexander has some very big — and fashion-forward — shoes to fill as part of the Gossip Girl reboot coming to HBO Max this year. But she has done her best to turn any jitters into an advantage. “I always try to channel any intimidation I might feel into an energy that empowers me rather than makes me cower,” says the Vancouver-born, Toronto-raised talent over the phone as a siren wails faintly outside the window of her New York apartment. She moved to the Big Apple when shooting for the show began last year, although she says she hasn’t been able to fully explore it due to the pandemic.

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Jacket, $1,190, and top, $725, Acne Studios. Bottom hoops, $160, Mounser. Drop earring (on right), $85 for a pair, Jenny Bird. Earcuff (on left), $120, Jennifer Fisher.

And she has first-hand knowledge of why it’s so critical that she stay close to home. Alexander’s sister Sydnie is a nurse who has been working on the front lines throughout the COVID-19 crisis; the actress, of course, extends a heartfelt thank you to health-care workers. And it’s Sydnie we should thank for urging Alexander to take up acting in the early 2010s. Since then, she’s had roles in several productions, including alongside Juliette Lewis in last year’s Sacred Lies, in which she demonstrates her acting and singing chops. Music, not acting, was initially her thing. Her debut album, The Lonely Hearts Club, was released in 2016; she has toured Canada with Bif Naked, performed alongside Carly Rae Jepsen and opened for Kehlani at Pride Toronto; and her most recent single, “You,” came out last summer. Alexander took guitar lessons when she was a preteen, and her parents even gave her a drum set when she showed an interest. Her mother — whom Alexander describes as a “free spirit who loves the arts” — volunteers at a therapeutic riding stable for people with special needs, and her father is a musician. “We play guitar together when we can and love to sing together,” she says.

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Dress, $3,330, pants, $1,455, boots, $1,990, and necklace, $685, Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello.

Gossip Girl promises to further showcase Alexander’s range and charisma; in it, she plays Julien Calloway, a character who “brings the drama with fashion.” In an image leaked during the first season of production, Alexander appears in a corseted, bustled gown by New York-based designer Christopher John Rogers, who won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award in 2019. It’s a couture-style contrast to Alexander’s punky haircut, signalling the contemporary spirit of the new Gossip Girl’s aesthetic and narrative ambitions. “I do hope that it provides escapism; I feel confident that it will,” she says, noting that she re-watched all six seasons of the original last year. Alexander and her co-stars, including Evan Mock and Whitney Peak, embody a sense of relevance that’s imperative to making the aughts’ prime-time hit work for today. “There’s going to be an osmosis of sorts in terms of the diversity of the cast and challenging social norms and the status quo,” she explains. “So while you’re in this escapism vibe, you’re still absorbing important lessons that I think are instrumental in terms of progress and change at large. Good art does that.”

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Jumpsuit, price upon request, JW Anderson. Bra, $85, Cuup. Shoes, $870, Alexandre Birman. Hat, $505, Esenshel.

Publishing phenom Tavi Gevinson also has a role in the show: the reportedly “ambitious” Kate Keller. As a young fan of Gevinson’s Rookie, Alexander says she was slow to admit to her colleague how much the magazine meant to her and that she ardently recommended it to any customers she crossed paths with while working at a Toronto location of Book City. “It was so well curated and full of art and interesting things,” she says, noting that, unsurprisingly, Gevinson is “very strong and brave and fearless in the way that artists are.”

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Dress, $17,000, and bra and briefs, prices upon request, Dior. Boots, $1,235, Alexander McQueen.

Alexander, who is of German-Irish and mixed African-American heritage, emanates a similar sense of integrity and self-awareness. When discussing her shaved head, she says with a laugh that she “really didn’t care” about making the leap a decade ago. “My older sister didn’t think I would do it, and my younger sister said my mom cried,” she recalls. “I don’t think my dad cared at all [laughs]; I don’t think my grandpa cared either. My grandma thinks it’s cool but likes it ‘just a bit longer.’ Most of the time, I completely forget that it’s even there — or should I say ‘not there’? When I first did it, I don’t think I was necessarily as confident in my choices as I am now. But what I felt mattered so much more.

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Top, $1,330, and pants, $1,150, Prada. Earrings, $110, Jenny Bird.

“It was great,” Alexander goes on to say about the moment her then girlfriend helped her make the tonsorial transition, noting that she “wanted a hairstyle that required little to no maintenance” and that this is what motivated her to embrace a sheared look. “I got into the shower and I’ll never forget the feeling of touching my shaved head for the first time,” she says. She adds that there’s a gap in her acting resumé that coincides with the bold move. “I didn’t feel like I wanted that anymore,” she says. “I was really into making my music, and I pretty much let go of acting.”

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Top, $1,330, and pants, $1,150, Prada. Earrings, $110, Jenny Bird.

But Alexander has come back with an assured sense of comfortability in doing her own thing — on her own terms — that seems to pervade all corners of her life. It’s no surprise to hear that she considers multi-hyphenate Janelle Monáe a style icon. Alexander’s own fashion tastes favour the work of Toronto’s @TheyCallMeSoftHoney on Instagram, The Hundreds and Indigenous-owned labels like OXDX, and she touts the offerings of Black-owned personal-care business Garner’s Garden. She also says that she’s a big thrift shopper and that her approach to style ties into supporting value-driven independent labels.

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Coat, top, shorts and shoes, prices upon request, Miu Miu.

Her passion for supporting such brands could easily be linked to her grandmother, Penny Heaton, who owned her own boutique called Images decades ago. “She is so incredible and such a trailblazer in fashion as well as in life,” says Alexander. Her own style awakening started with playing dress-up in Heaton’s lingerie and loungewear pieces. “I was definitely influenced by her a lot,” she says. “My little sister and I would go into her closet and wear all her clothes; they were so glamorous and fun, and we didn’t care that none of them fit.”

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Jacket, $1,690, and pants, $1,120, Stella McCartney. Bra, $85, Cuup. Shoes, $920, Kwaidan Editions. Earrings, $520, Alighieri. Necklace, $130, Jenny Bird. Brooch, $975, Gucci.

They would also go on special shopping trips to Canadian retailer Holt Renfrew; now, in a full circle moment, Alexander stars in the luxury store’s Spring 2021 campaign, sporting leather by Miu Miu, florals by Valentino and a voluminously sleeved frock from Bottega Veneta while singing Bruce Cockburn’s classic folk-rock hit “Lovers in a Dangerous Time.”

With her newest character, Julien, Alexander appears to have the ability to act with authenticity. This steadfastness will serve her well as she navigates her public profile and the trappings that come with it. She says that she wants to augment the efforts of Indigenous activists who are fighting to protect natural resources and gain access to clean water in their communities.

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Jacket, $1,690, and pants, $1,120, Stella McCartney. Bra, $85, Cuup.  Earrings, $520, Alighieri. Necklace, $130, Jenny Bird. Brooch, $975, Gucci.

“I have a solid group of radical people around me who will definitely check me and make sure that I’m staying true to my course and what I believe in,” says Alexander. “I feel like Spider-Man: ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ But it’s true! And I embrace that.”

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Jumpsuit, price upon request, JW Anderson. Bra, $85, Cuup. Hat, $505, Esenshel.

Photography by ARKAN ZAKHAROV. Styling by ERIK ZIEMBA. Creative direction by GEORGE ANTONOPOULOS. Set design by MEGAN NISHIYAMA. Makeup by ASAMI MATSUDA FOR ARTLIST PARIS/SHISEIDO. Manicure by AJA WALTON FOR SEE MANAGEMENT/ESSIE. Fashion assistants: AMBER ROSE SMITH, JORDAN SORENSEN.

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A New Must-Have Lightweight Moisturizer + More Beauty News This Week

Goop Beauty’s latest launch, GOOPGLOW Glow Lotion, is Apple Martin-approved

 

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On the hunt for a new moisturizer to take you from spring to summer without being too heavy or sticky, but that’s still nourishing enough for all of the weather changes that lie ahead? Look no further than the latest launch from Goop, GOOPGLOW Glow Lotion (say that 10 times fast), a lightweight moisturizer formulated with spirulina enzyme, kakadu plum and vitamin C. Clinical testing on the latest launch from Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand shows promising immediate and long-term results, like improved texture, smoothness, and hydration. Want to learn more about the launch? You can check out how Gwyneth’s daughter, Apple, uses the product in her morning routine. “It gives me a little…I don’t know — it feels like silk going on your skin,” she says.

Danessa Myricks Beauty is now available in Sephora stores

 

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Beloved celebrity and editorial makeup artist Danessa Myricks has been working in the industry for years, both as an artist and educator, and behind-the-scenes in product development for brands such as KISS and Benefit Cosmetics. Today, her five-year-old namesake makeup brand launches in over 300 Sephora stores in Canada and the U.S. with a product assortment that includes her cult favourite Dew Wet Balm, a highlighting and hydrating balm that’s a must for the coveted glass skin effect. Read more about Danessa’s inspiring story in our interview with the makeup artist here.

Canadian brand Fika Beauty just launched their spring collection

 

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Canadian brand Fika Beauty has just released their spring 2021 collection, including both reformulated faves and new additions to the line. The brand, which focuses on clean and sustainable products, was launched just last year, at the start of the pandemic. To get your arms and legs ready for warmer weather, turn to the new Grapefruit Glow Exfoliating Body Scrub, featuring dead sea salt, pink Himalayan salt and ground pumice stone for mega exfoliating benefits, plus aloe butter to hydrate and soothe skin.

Valmont’s latest luxe fragrance, Fizzy Mint, is here

Earlier this week, Swiss luxury brand Valmont launched its latest fragrance as part of its Palazzo Nobile collection, a refreshing scent called Fizzy Mint. Bright and bubbly and perfect for summer, Fizzy Mint is a citrusy blend of bergamot and fresh mint with a lemony twist. Think of it as wearing the scent of a bright and refreshing mojito, if you will.

The post A New Must-Have Lightweight Moisturizer + More Beauty News This Week appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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Nordstrom SPACE Partners With Dover Street Market Paris + More Fashion News to Know

Nordstrom SPACE and Dover Street Market Paris partner to highlight emerging global designers

ERL, designed by Eli Russel Linnetz.
Photography courtesy of Nordstrom SPACE x Dover Street Market Paris.

This week marked the launch of Nordstrom SPACE and Dover Street Market Paris’s exclusive partnership. With a goal of discovering nascent creatives and independent labels all over the world, Nordstrom SPACE will house all seven indie brands under Dover Street Market Paris — Vaquera, Rassvet, Weinsanto, ERL, Liberal Youth Ministry, HFD and Youths in Balaclava — in an exclusive retail experience. Youths in Balaclava, a Singapore-based creative collective, serves as a platform to rebel against political inequality through unisex streetwear, while Rassvet, meaning sunrise in Russian, aims to mirror a new dawn in Russian youth culture. These special pop-ups will last for six weeks starting April 5, and can be shopped online at nordstrom.ca and in-store at Nordstrom Vancouver, New York and Los Angeles.

ai Toronto Seoul collaborates with Canadian media personality Tanya Kim

Photography courtesy of Jared Leckie

Fashion and dog lovers alike, rejoice! Canadian contemporary fashion brand ai Toronto Seoul has joined forces with TV personality Tanya Kim on the launch of a vegan leather belt bag and matching, hands-free dog leash. The limited edition set is named after Kim’s rescue dog, Mabel, and becomes available for purchase on National Pet Day (April 11).

“As a brand founded by Korean-Canadian women, we felt an instant connection to Tanya and it quickly became apparent that we shared a core set of values; including a commitment to cruelty-free fashion, animal welfare and advocacy,” said Hannah Kim, co-founder of ai Toronto Seoul. On top of being crafted from a creamy caramel vegan leather, The Mabel leash is waterproof and durable for up to 1000 lbs of tug, while the bag’s interior is lined with fabric made from 100 percent recycled plastic water bottles.

Nicky Hilton and French Sole launch eco-friendly shoe designs

Photography courtesy of French Sole

Nicky Hilton has teamed up with footwear brand French Sole for a fourth seasonal collection, this time including sustainable designs. The nine-piece spring roster will include classics like chic loafers, espadrilles and ballet flats, four of which are crafted from recycled, organic and animal-free materials. Hilton notes that it is “a small — yet big — step in the right direction.”

A more sustainable approach is a first for Hilton in her fashion design escapades, noting that her “awareness around the importance of sustainability in fashion has grown a lot over the years,” and that it is something she is very passionate about. “All shoes wear out eventually, so creating footwear with materials that aren’t harmful to the planet and can eventually be recycled is extremely beneficial.” The Spring 2021 collection is available to shop now, via luxury ethical fashion platform Maison De Mode, nickyhilton.com, frenchsoleshoes.com, zappos.com and select specialty stores.

2nd Coming releases new capsule “Against All Odds”

Photography courtesy of 2nd Coming

Concept brand 2nd Coming has just launched a new capsule called Against All Odds. Helmed by Edmonton-based creative Josué Ngimbi, this latest drop draws deep and personal inspiration from his background between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Canada. The intention-driven designs are born from Ngimbi’s own life story, including the unique trials and tribulations that have shaped his character. With Against All Odds, 2nd Coming aims to inspire self-empowerment, and the limitless feeling to stop at nothing.

Knix leaks the news of a virtual spring warehouse sale

Photography courtesy of Knix

The Knix team is bringing accessible retail to yet another stay-at-home period. Their spring 2021 virtual warehouse sale is kicking off on April 13 at 12:00PM PST (3:00pm EST), and will see its most popular products marked down by as much as 50 percent off. This sale’s offering of intimates is larger than any warehouse sale they’ve hosted in the past, meaning customers can snap up a three-pack of leakproof undies at 40 percent off, the LuxeLift Bodysuit at half-off and the LuxeLift Pullover Bra at 35 percent off, to name a few favourite styles. Visit the sale via knixwarehouse.ca and move quickly — the Canadian brand anticipates a quick sellout.

Looking for more fashion news?

The upcoming Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards will be vitural – and this year, we’re all invited to watch the festivities.

Sustainably-minded Canadian brands Poppy Barley and Lezé have collaborated on a limited-run promotion.

Here’s what the stars are wearing to get their COVID-19 vaccinations.

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