Saje Launches Skincare + More Beauty News You Missed This Week

Saje skincare is here!

Vancouver-based wellness company Saje is is getting into the skincare game introducing a line of plant-powered products (from $26). And there’s plenty to choose from. There’s the three-step soothing Calm-O-Mile line, which is formulated for those with sensitive skin; antioxidant-rich Glow On products protect against environmental damage and is best for those with normal or combination skin; the rejuvenating True Dew delivers moisture and radiance, especially on mature skin; and clarifying Claritea products are formulated with botanicals like tea tree and aloe vera to treat acne-prone skin.

T3’s new styling tool promises a salon-worthy blowout

Heat styling at home just got a whole lot easier. The new T3 AireBrush Duo hot air styler ($225) features two interchangeable brush attachments and 15 speed and heat combinations so you can find the best setting that works for your hair type and texture. Using the brand’s IonFlow technology, the sleek device delivers a ton of power to quickly provide a shiny, frizz-free look, and it includes a handy volume booster switch for easy results. After a smooth, super straight look? Opt for the paddle brush. Or, try the round brush for something more full and bold.

 

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Cheekbone Beauty hits Sephora Canada

Major Canadian beauty news: Indigenous-owned brand Cheekbone Beauty will be shoppable at Sephora.ca as of September 21. A curated selection of the brand’s beloved Sustain products — like the super pigmented Sustain Lipstick and shine-boosting Sustain Lipgloss — will be available to order on the retailer’s site. To celebrate the news, founder and CEO Jennifer Harper has also launched two new products that will be found exclusively online at Sephora: Sustain Mascara, which promises lightweight length, and Sustain Blush/Bronzer, a sheer duo available in three different shades.

Olaplex introduces new toning shampoo

There’s a new Olaplex product vying for your shelf space. The beloved haircare brand’s No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo — the first of its kind for the company — is a purple shampoo formulated specifically for blonde, lightened and grey hair. The sulfate-free, highly concentrated product promises to neutralize brassiness, and soften, strengthen and protect hair, all while cleansing and hydrating, too. It’s also gentle enough to use every time you shampoo, and the brand says that the longer you use it, the brighter the results.

 

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A refillable blush from Beautycounter

We’re always looking for new ways to reduce the amount of waste we produce, so a new refillable blush from Beautycounter is welcome news. The Cheeky Clean Blush is now available in eight, buildable shades and the reusable compact is made, in part, with PCR (post-consumer resin) plastic. The creamy and lightweight blush is formulated with jojoba and squalene, which work together to moisturize and create a perfectly dewy finish without looking greasy.

Kérastase expands its Spécifique hairline line

Kérastase’s Spécifique line is known for promoting scalp health and combating issues like sensitivity and itchiness. Now, the luxe brand is adding four new products to the collection, designed to revitalize your scalp and nourish oily and dry strands. Spécifique Serum Potentialiste is a defense serum that hydrates, protects from pollution and balances your scalp’s microbiome. Then there’s Spécifique Bain Divalent, a fresh, nourishing shampoo for oily roots, and purifying Spécifique Argile Équilibrante, a cleansing treatment made with a blend of kaolin and montmorillonite clays. Finally, there’s Spécifique Masque Rehydratant, a lightweight gel that’s perfect for oily roots and dry lengths.

 

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Eva Longoria on Representation in Beauty and Film

Eva Longoria has achieved representation on her own terms. The multi-hyphenate’s career trajectory took her from a starring role in Desperate Housewives to working behind the scenes as a director and producer to starting her own production company to see hire more women and people of colour in Hollywood. Add her philanthropy work, ambassador role for L’Oréal Paris, and her most recent venture as the co-founder of Casa del Sol, a newly launched tequila brand, and suffice to say she’s extremely busy.

Most recently, Longoria joined this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) virtually to discuss her experiences in the film industry as a woman. We also had the opportunity to speak with the star about representation in film and beauty, the power of telling diverse stories, and the importance of supporting women.

What type of beauty did you see represented in media when you were growing up?

There wasn’t the celeb culture that there is now and obviously no social media. The closest beauty representation I got to see was my family — my sisters, my mom and my aunts. They’re the ones that taught me my beauty secrets. They’re the ones that taught me to shave my legs. They’re the ones that taught me to apply cream [in an upward motion]. Other than that, we didn’t have disposable income to buy fashion magazines, we had three channels on TV and didn’t go to the movies. I looked very close and saw this radiant beauty within my sisters and my mom.

Do you think the traditional ideal of beauty is changing and what do you hope to see more of?

If you look at the rainbow of ambassadors that L’Oréal has, it’s just an example that beauty comes in many colours, sizes and forms. That’s the world we live in. There’s beauty in diversity. To be able to be with a brand that not only represents it, but also celebrates it is really important.

Flamin’ Hot will be your feature film directorial debut. What drew you to this project and what was the experience like?

I just wrapped and slept for five years. It’s the true story of Richard Montañez, a janitor who worked at Frito-Lay and worked his way up to vice president over 40 years. He’s the godfather of Hispanic marketing. He was the first person to tell a major company, ‘Hey, there’s a huge market you’re missing out on. We buy stuff, too.’ He helped launch this billion-dollar brand. It’s the number one snack in the world today. All because this man said, ‘Hey, we should put chile on a chip.’ It’s really his story. It’s not really the documentary of Frito-Lay. It’s a story about rags to riches, the American dream, perseverance and succeeding against all odds.

Is there anything you wanted to do differently as a director working behind the camera rather than in front of it?

This was my first time directing a feature, but not my first time directing. I was able to spread my wings as a filmmaker, whether it was camera choreography, composition, trying new shots, new equipment or new lenses. I had an amazing cinematographer, Federico Cantini, and we were two peas in a pod. I was surrounded by all of these people who understood my vision and elevated it. To be able to work so closely with all these talented people was truly a gift.

What was the inspiration behind your production company?

You just look at the statistics and the small percentage of women who are employed as directors. We’re out there; we’re just not getting the opportunities. There’s a small amount of women and people of colour that are represented in television and film — the data is there. As content creation has shifted and there are so many avenues to express that content, you have to break through the noise of studios, streamers, cable, YouTube and social media. There’s so much to consume so you have to be innovative with the content you create and the only way to be innovative is to be diverse. In creating my production company, I wanted to build that pipeline of diverse talent that normally wouldn’t get the opportunity. Once you tap into a different perspective of storytelling, all of a sudden it becomes fresh and new, even though you’re talking about universal themes.

This year, L’Oréal Paris focused on the importance of supporting women in film at TIFF. In what ways have women supported you in your career?

Kerry Washington was a big reason why I even directed my first feature film. First of all, she gave me permission to be great. She said, ‘You should do this. You should direct this. You are qualified. You are ready.’ Then we went to the studio together and she said the same thing to the studio execs. I don’t think either step would have happened without Kerry. Sometimes as women, we’re just waiting for permission. We’re waiting for someone to say, ‘Do it. Go for it.’ She was one of those people who did that for me.

You have a really unique career trajectory as an actress, producer, director, philanthropist, activist and entrepreneur. Was that always the plan?

I crafted my career because the opportunities weren’t there. My career path was very intentional and purposeful. Time is my most valuable asset so where I put that time has to be carefully evaluated. Building my production arm, my acting career, my philanthropy and my activism — all of it is tied to my DNA. You have to be strategic in your daily activities and tasks and how you’re working towards that dream.

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Lily-Rose Depp Rules TIFF Red Carpet in Chanel

Lily-Rose Depp practically shrieks with laughter when asked if the pink Chanel fabric that hugs her waist is stretchy. “No, it’s not stretchy!” she responds between poses for a photographer after the world premiere of Silent Night at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). “It’s a corset.” It’s only when she turns around that we see the delicate lacing that crisscrosses up her back, giving the impression that the dress has been moulded to her middle. Which it pretty much has. As a Chanel ambassador, the couture atelier in Paris would have a dress form of Depp’s torso on which they create her red carpet looks.

Depp’s wardrobe in the film isn’t nearly as fancy. She plays Sophie, the youngish girlfriend among a close circle of school friends who reunite for Christmas in the English countryside. It’s everyone’s last Christmas, actually. Silent Night, which is written and directed by Camille Griffin, starts off as a rather typical holiday tale. But things get dark quickly and in the end, (almost) everyone dies. The spoiler is intentional, so that viewers who might be triggered know what they are getting themselves into. But for a doomsday story, it’s surprisingly funny. Though Depp’s character delivers some of the more doleful moments.

Motherhood in the spotlight at TIFF

“Sophie broke my heart in a lot of ways,” Depp says. “She’s a mother-to-be and feeling all these maternal instincts of wanting to protect her baby. But life is being taken away from them in real time. And we see her not be able to fulfill that primal desire.”

Griffin’s own three sons also star in Silent Night, including Roman Griffin Davis, best known as JoJo Rabbit in the film of the same name. And we can’t help but feel that Griffin wove her own emotions as a mum into much of the script.

Would it be a different film if it had been written by a man?

“Absolutely,” Depp says. “Motherhood is an important part of the story. And even more so for Camille because her own three children were in the movie. And the concept came from her kids watching some catastrophe movie and asking her, ‘What would happen if this really happened to us?’”

Motherhood was also top of mind for Keira Knightly, who plays the hostess of the Christmas gathering.“Keira first read the script when she was pregnant and then had a little baby when we were making the movie. So I’m sure that informed a lot of her decisions.” Depp adds that she would like to be a mother herself someday.

Chanel advancing women writers

The female point of view is precisely the reason why Chanel has created a new Women Writers’ Network in partnership with TIFF. The multi-year program will provide funding to help advance the careers of women and non-binary writers. The network includes access to script consultants and established screenwriters, peer-to-peer sessions with emerging filmmakers, and a talent summit that allows writers to showcase their work to producers and other industry insiders.

Is that the sort of thing Depp sees herself doing down the road? “I’m a big journaler, but professionally not at this moment,” she says. “But never say never.”

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Texture Talk: Kaya Marriott On Her Natural Hair Journey and the Pinterest Collaboration That Followed

Meet Kaya Marriott: The Canadian content creator, influencer, and blogger behind Comfy Girl with Curls. In 2016, she started a natural hair blog dedicated to sharing resources, tips, and tricks to make life with textured tresses a little easier. Earlier this month, Marriott was tapped by Pinterest to help launch the visual discovery platform’s latest natural hair search tool, which allows users to refine their hair inspiration searches by six different hair patterns: protective, coily, curly, wavy, straight, and shaved/bald.

We caught up with the Vancouver native to chat with her about how she overcame her initial hesitation on wearing natural locks, the impact of being vulnerable on social media and the importance of representation online.

Did you embrace your natural curls while growing up?

I am very fortunate that I grew up with a mom who celebrated my natural hair, but I did not accept it. I felt unattractive and different, especially growing up in Vancouver. My hair was unmanageable, with no resources for how to take care of it. So I grew up blow-drying my hair straight and using a flat iron. In high school, my mom finally gave in and allowed me to get it permanently straightened. I did that for a couple of years. As media started to change and I saw more people embracing their hair, I was like, ‘You know what, maybe my hair is beautiful.’ Since then, I’ve been natural for about seven years, accepting my hair, styling it and owning it.

Did your personal natural hair journey lead you to create Comfy Girl with Curls?

Definitely. When I decided that I wanted to go natural, I wanted to be able to document the experience and my hope was that at least one other person out there could say, ‘You know what, my hair is like hers and it worked for her, maybe I can do it too.’ That was essentially my goal in creating Comfy Girl with Curls. It wasn’t necessarily a massive mission to fill a gap that I wasn’t seeing online; it was that hopefully, I’d be able to help one other person out there.

Has the goal for Comfy Girl with Curls shifted in the past couple of years?

As my platform has grown, I have expanded into categories like fashion and lifestyle. I started very niche with natural hair and as time has gone by, I found that representation is lacking across the board. It’s not just seeing natural hair content and inspiration that people need, people need to see beauty content with natural hair — that’s really powerful. So now, my content might not strictly be natural hair, but it features my natural hair as an added layer of representation.

What’s been the biggest surprise for you since sharing your story?

It’s two-fold. How many people my content has resonated with and also how I’ve been able to connect and have deep connections with people I’ve never met — which is funny for me as an introvert. Opening myself up has allowed me to have genuine connections and that is so wonderful to experience.

Speaking of connections, how did you get involved with Pinterest and what are your thoughts on their new hair pattern search tool?

I’d been in contact with Pinterest in the past, but when they approached me to help shine a light on this amazing initiative focusing on content related to hair and hair patterns, it was an intermediate yes. I loved that a brand like Pinterest was even thinking about hair search tools in that way.

 

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What was your experience using the hair pattern search tool for the first time?

It really caught me off guard with how impactful it was. The first style I typed in was “wedding hairstyles” — the bar popped up where you could choose different hair patterns and I got very emotional. I am so used to searching for hair content and needing to put in qualifiers, whether that be “natural hairstyles”, “natural wedding hairstyles” or “hairstyles for black women.” I didn’t realize how othering it felt. I would type in the default, and I wouldn’t be anywhere to be seen. There was no representation.

What would you say is the biggest impact this tool provides?

Everybody is on the same playing field. It’s the only search engine that really puts visuals at the forefront. Everyone has the same user experience. It benefits every user. The tool is designed with inclusivity in mind — whether you have straight hair or coiled — and I find that incredibly profound.

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Okay — Let’s Talk About The Nicki Minaj Vaccine Twitter Debacle

Nothing gets the internet talking quite like inflated testicles. That’s the latest falsely claimed Covid-19 vaccine side effect that has been gaining widespread attention, thanks to pop culture titan Nicki Minaj. We didn’t want to engage in this objectively messy topic, but the situation has resulted in international furor — multiple global health experts and even the U.S. White House have gotten involved — so we feel we have to. It’s important to debunk false information, especially when it’s coming from someone like Minaj, who has substantial social media platforms (22.7 million Twitter followers, to be exact). After tweeting false information about the Covid-19 vaccine earlier this week and angering a long list of health officials, Nicki Minaj was contacted by the U.S. White House, who offered to put her in touch with a doctor to discuss vaccine safety. Here’s everything you need to know about the Nicki Minaj vaccine tweets that led to this strange turn of events:

It all started on September 13, or Met Gala Monday, when the rapper responded to fans who noted her lack of public appearances over the past year. Minaj reminded her followers that she has been caring for her baby ​​— who was born in September 2020 — and was, therefore, “not risking his health to be seen.” Perfectly understandable. Commendable, even! But she didn’t stop there, sadly. Nicki Minaj went on to say that she wouldn’t be at the Met Gala (which she has attended in previous years) because she didn’t meet the event’s vaccine mandate. “If I get vaccinated it won’t [be] for the Met,” she wrote. “It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now.”

They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one 🙏♥️

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021

It only gets worse. Minaj, who was born in Trinidad, went on to say that her cousin in Trinidad refuses to get a vaccine because of some serious genital health issues his friend experienced after getting it. Specifically, she said her cousin’s friend “became impotent” and “his testicles became swollen” after getting the jab. She added that “his friend was weeks away from getting married, [but] now the girl called off the wedding,” — and to that, we say: what kind of person backs out of a marriage because their partner is suffering genital inflation?! Moving on. The anecdote unsurprisingly sparked a social media frenzy.

My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021

The attention surrounding vaccine-induced testicle swelling prompted prominent health officials to chime in. England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, rejected the claims, saying they are untrue and that Minaj “should be ashamed” for spreading this misinformation. Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health for Trinidad and Tobago — the country where her cousin’s friend allegedly had his unfortunate health concern — also dispelled Minaj’s claims at a press conference on September 15. “One of the reasons we could not respond yesterday, in real-time, to Miss Minaj, is that we have to check and make sure that what she was claiming was either true or false,” he explained. Deyalsingh said he and his team “wasted so much time” trying to run down this false claim, but confirmed that “there is absolutely no reported such side effect or adverse event of testicular swelling in Trinidad.” The incident even caught the attention of notable U.S. doctors Sanjay Gupta and Anthony Fauci, who both assured the public that inflated testicles are in fact not a side effect of the Covid vaccine. So, there you have it: perhaps the most widespread Met Gala-related controversy to date.

all because someone asked if she was going to the met gala… pic.twitter.com/3j32etC3OG

— ▫️ᴅʀᴇᴡ▫️ (@drewgoinbadd) September 15, 2021

Minaj’s controversial statements led to further speculations about whether other celebs who were absent from the Met Gala are also unvaccinated. This prompted model Bella Hadid — who skipped fashion’s biggest night — to assure fans she’s inoculated by sharing a picture of her getting the vaccine.

The situation is a lesson in the responsibility that public figures like Minaj have to not spread misinformation, and how comments like hers can derail vaccine progress. These types of conspiracy theories are what fuel the anti-vaccine demonstrations we’re currently seeing in Canada, with extremists protesting vaccine mandates outside of hospitals and disrupting the healthcare workers who have put their lives on the line throughout this pandemic.

It’s important to note that vaccine hesitancy among marginalized communities is rooted in the historical mistreatment of racialized people by medical professionals, leading to mistrust between communities and healthcare institutions. A July 2021 survey confirmed unpublished public health data that vaccine hesitancy is higher among Black Canadians than among white or non-Black racialized people. While Minaj certainly didn’t approach the topic in the best way, vaccine hesitancy is a nuanced issue that deserves thoughtful attention.

Minaj tweeted that she was “invited” by the White House, implying that she would be making an in-person visit. But White House representatives have said that they offered her just a phone call. Regardless, Minaj seems keen to meet with U.S. decision-makers, tweeting, “I’ll be dressed in all pink like Legally Blonde so they know I mean business. I’ll ask questions on behalf of the [people] who have been made fun of for simply being human.” Hopefully, something constructive can come from these controversial past few days. Perhaps this debacle will even result in Nicki Minaj being a leading voice in reducing Covid vaccine skepticism. One can dream.

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Aurora James Takes Centre Stage as the CFDA Fashion Awards Return In-Person

The fashion world has been anything but boring this week — VMAs, TIFF and Met Gala, we’re looking at you. To continue this wave of excitement, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has just announced the nominees and honorees for the upcoming 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards.

Aside from the official news that the ceremony will be happening in person (!) on November 10 after being held digitally in 2020, the equally exciting announcement is that Canadian designer Aurora James will be taking the spotlight with both an honour and a nomination. CFDA has granted the Guelph-born creative with the coveted Founder’s Award for her initiative: the 15 Per Cent Pledge.

James launched the 15 Per Cent Pledge in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests demanding material action against anti-Black racism and white supremacy. The organization urges retailers to commit to giving at least 15 per cent of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. In Canada, Indigo was the first major retailer to take the pledge, followed by The Hudson’s Bay.

In recognition of her NYC-based brand Brother Vellies, James was also nominated for the American Accessories Designer of the Year award (even though she’s Canadian). James is one of several Black designers nominated at this year’s awards, with almost every category (excluding the International Women’s Designer of the Year, unfortunately) featuring at least one Black nominee.

This is the second time that James has been at the forefront of fashion news this week. After she designed congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s now-famous “Tax the Rich” Met Gala gown, social media quickly erupted into a bloodbath of opinions coming from every angle. The designer continues to turn heads in the fashion industry, and we’re so glad to see her being recognized.

Read on for the full list of 2021 CFDA Awards nominees and honorees, with more to be announced in coming weeks:

The Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert:
Aurora James for the 15 Percent Pledge

The Environmental Sustainability Award:
Patagonia

The Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard:
Nina Garcia

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award:
Dapper Dan

The Board of Directors’ Tribute:
Yeohlee Teng

American Womenswear Designer of the Year Nominees:
Catherine Holstein for Khaite
Christopher John Rogers
Gabriela Hearst
Marc Jacobs
Peter Do

American Menswear Designer of the Year nominees:
Emily Adams Bode for Bode
Jerry Lorenzo for Fear of God
Mike Amiri for Amiri
Telfar Clemens for Telfar
Thom Browne

American Accessories Designer of the Year nominees:
Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row
Aurora James for Brother Vellies
Gabriela Hearst
Stuart Vevers for Coach
Telfar Clemens for Telfar

American Emerging Designer of the Year nominees:
Edvin Thompson for Theophilio
Eli Russell Linnetz for ERL
Jameel Mohammed for Khiry
Kenneth Nicholson
Maisie Schloss for Maisie Wilen

International Women’s Designer of the Year nominees:
Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta
Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons for Prada
Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino
Simon Porte Jacquemus for Jacquemus

International Men’s Designer of the Year nominees:
Daniel Lee for Bottega Veneta
Dries Van Noten
Grace Wales Bonner for Wales Bonner
Rick Owens
Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton

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The Met Gala Was Full of Powerful Queer Meaning

Since the coveted return of the Met Gala on September 13, the internet is still buzzing about how guests interpreted and executed this year’s theme of “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.”  Some outfit designs had spelled-out messages (literally), like congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who wore a gown by Canadian designer Aurora James with the words “Tax the Rich” splashed on the back. Or model Cara Delevingne who sported a Dior power suit that featured the statement “Peg the Patriarchy.” (That phrase that was reportedly first coined by Toronto-based designer Luna Matatas and used without her consent …yikes). Other attendees, however, came donning designs that had more imaginative meanings. Queer history is an inseparable part of America, and fortunately, many LGBTQ+ guests used that to inspire them on the Met Gala red carpet.

There was no shortage of queer excellence at this year’s Met Gala, from Lil Nas X pulling off three— yes, three ​​— shimmering Versace looks that he said symbolized his coming out process, to Canadian actor and Gossip Girl reboot star Jordan Alexander turning heads in a multicoloured dress that Teen Vogue noted was inspired by the LGBTQ+ flag. But among our favourite queer-inspired outfits were the historically rich ensembles sported by Dan Levy, Nikkie de Lager and Elliot Page. These guests went a step further with symbolic nods to LGBTQ+ culture that had us Googling queer historical figures all night. Read on for the breakdown of what those looks represented.

Dan Levy

 

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The always-fashionable Schitt’s Creek co-creator debuted an absolutely show-stopping ensemble by Spanish fashion house Loewe. The Canadian actor and writer wore a button-up shirt with over-the-top puffy sleeves that featured a world map design. At the centre of his shirt was an outline of two men kissing while standing amid a shimmering water pattern. Not only was the outfit hand-embroidered, but it’s also full of historical significance. The design pays tribute to the late David Wojnarowicz, an American artist and AIDS activist. Wojnarowicz’s art was inspired by his struggle with AIDS, and Levy’s Met Gala look specifically paid homage to his 1984 piece “Fuck You Faggot Fucker,” a powerful reclamation of homophobic language and symbols.

Nikkie de Jager

 

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In January 2020, YouTuber Nikkie de Jager (known as Nikkie Tutorials) came out as transgender, revealing that she had been blackmailed and coerced out of the closet. The tactic of blackmail against LGBTQ+ people is sadly nothing new — it has been used throughout history to intimidate and endanger queer people. But at this year’s Met Gala, de Jager channelled American LGBTQ+ icon Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans liberation activist who was at the forefront of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. The flower crown and matching tulle gown was a nod to Johnson’s famous headpiece. According to Johnson, the “P” in her name stood for “pay it no mind,” and this phrase was printed on a sash flowing down the front of de Jager’s dress.

Elliot Page

 

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The Canadian actor, who came out as a transgender and non-binary person in 2020, wore a classic black Balenciaga suit with a simple green carnation pinned on — an emblem of queer history. The flower seemingly channelled Oscar Wilde, an Irish poet from the late 19th century who was jailed for being gay. At a time when openly sharing your sexuality could lead to extreme social punishment, Wilde and his followers wore green carnations, and though its meaning was never explicitly confirmed by Wilde, the green carnation hinted at queerness. The flower became a secret identifier for gay men and a subtle yet powerful historical symbol.

Now that’s how you do a Met Gala theme. For the comprehensive list of all our fave looks from the 2021 Met Gala, click here.

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Tiffany & Co.’s Sparkling Love Affair with Beyoncé and Jay-Z Twinkles On

Did we have any doubt that Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s day-to-day is filled with private jets, chauffeured cars and lots of bling? Which is why their intimate new campaign film for Tiffany & Co. could probably double as a documentary.

In the Beyoncé Jay-Z Tiffany film, Queen B sings “Moon River,” the song made popular by the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, while winging towards Jay-Z on a private jet.  Not quite the “two drifters” that Audrey Hepburn sang about in the film while sitting on a window ledge looking out onto a fire escape in the film. Just before the film closes, Beyoncé pulls up in a chauffeured car to reunite with her hubby at Orum House, an architectural masterpiece overlooking Bel Air.

Another clip has Beyoncé tinkling on a grand piano, while the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond dangles down her back. That would be the same mega rock that played a starring role in the Tiffany & Co. print campaign released in August. Jay-Z , who in one scene watches a home video he shot of his beloved in (where else?) a private screening room, wears cufflinks reimagined from the legendary Jean Schlumberger Bird on a Rock brooch.

Tiffany & Co. describe the film as “stripped down and raw, capturing the Carters’ indescribable chemistry through stolen moments of intimacy.” The longing felt between the film’s co-stars is tangible as they share various tender moments.

On this project, Beyoncé is reunited with Ghanaian-Dutch director Emmanuel Adjei following their previous work together on 2020’s visual album ‘Black is King’.

In addition to the Beyonce Jay-Z Tiffany film, the jeweller has partnered with BeyGOOD and the Shawn Carter Foundation to create the Tiffany & Co. About Love Scholarship Program. Tiffany & Co. has pledged USD $2M in scholarship funding for students in the arts and creative fields at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

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Kim Kardashian and Rihanna: The Looks that Broke the Internet

It’s the Tuesday after the second Monday in September, and unsurprisingly all anyone can talk about is Kim Kardashian, and Rihanna on the 2021 MET Gala red carpet.

After a COVID-induced hiatus, fashion’s most prominent event celebrated its glorious return with stylish stars serving looks inspired by “American Independence,” the theme of this year’s exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute.

Arguably the most anticipated arrivals of the night — which is saying something considering the A-list attendees — Kim Kardashian and Rihanna donned similar all-black ensembles, both by creative director Demna Gvasalia for the French house, Balenciaga.

 

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A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian)

The reality star appeared first in a unique couture gown that came with a matching mask and train. As the ensemble completely obscured Kim’s face and body— which didn’t stop the Skims founder from spending hours on her makeup — the Kardashian’s entrance sent whispers into the crowds until Kendall Jenner greeted her sister and unmasked (pardon the pun) the guest’s identity. Kim was accompanied by Balenciaga’s designer for the evening, contrary to popular belief that it was a hidden Kanye.

Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Rihanna arrived fashionably late (because of course she did), and she didn’t come alone. Making their official debut as a couple, A$AP Rocky and the Fenty Beauty founder coordinated their looks, both rocking voluminous puffer pieces. While the rapper chose a colourful confection by American designer ERL, Rihanna wore a dark monochromatic Balenciaga dress, accessorized with Bulgari jewels and a ring by Nigerian designer Thelma West.

It has to be said, the gowns that Kim Kardashian and Rihanna wore were odd.

In a sea of denim, red, white and blue, Western motifs, patriotic icons and politically-fuelled looks all paying homage to ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,’ the stark and somewhat minimalist approach the two fashion muses took was a little off-beat. As neither are strangers to dressing on-theme at the MET Gala (see Rihanna’s 2017 Pope impression or Kim’s camp look from 2019), it’s unclear how wearing a head-to-toe black ensemble by a French designer pays homage to the United States.

But did they stand out from the crowd? Yes. And that’s precisely the point.

Simply put, it took less than a few hours for the two celebrities to go viral. You’ll be hard-pressed to find any global media outlet that hasn’t reposted photos from the MET Gala red carpet and only a sprinkling who haven’t included Kim Kardashian and Rihanna in their photo lineup.

And you can bet Twitter came through with all kinds of reactions, jokes, and memes. While Rihanna was spared for the most part (although there were a few trash bag references), Kim was most definitely not. The Internet’s current favourites include comparing her Balenciaga dress to a Dementor from Harry Potter; commenting on the difference aesthetics between her and Kendall Jenner, i.e. “me and my anxiety when I go out;” and then general quotes about hiding in public à la “Me trying to hide from the plans I wish I never said yes to.”

spot the difference 🤣
Kim Kardashian x Dementor #MetGala #MetGala2021 pic.twitter.com/lcaQta7jXv

— khaled 🦉 (@el_khxled) September 14, 2021

But that’s what the MET Gala does best — it creates buzz. Considering how short the live event actually is, the press before and after can last for days, sometimes weeks, resulting in a complete social media takeover worldwide.

What makes this such a marquee and trending event is the unparalleled creative opportunity it presents to designers, stylists, and stars. For almost any other red carpet, the clothing can’t be seen as “wearing the person;” the artist has to look good but simultaneously shine in their own right. In this case, the exact opposite is true as the line between fashion and costume blurs into an over-the-top outfit that virtually consumes its wearer.

Kim Kardashian and Rihanna understood the assignment. Maybe not in terms of the “American Independence” theme of the exhibition, but they made their mark in the cultural zeitgeist, which is what really counts. After all, becoming a meme is the Internet’s highest honour.

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Hidden Lingerie Is Making Intimates More Comfortable for Women with Crohn’s and Colitis

It is a truth universally accepted that bras and underwear are the worst. In a journey akin to searching for the Holy Grail, the hunt to find those magical and perfect undergarments can feel like an endless series of challenges. Whether shoppers are looking for lift, coverage, size, colour, fabric, style or anything (and everything) in between, what unites most bra wearers is the struggle for comfort. For women with Crohn’s disease and colitis, this pursuit can feel especially exhausting.

Toronto-based brand Hidden Lingerie is trying to change that. Featuring an array of bralettes and undies in muted tones, founder Natalie Jones created her company with the hope of “changing the way women who have Crohn’s and colitis feel about their bodies.” Jones has from Crohn’s disease herself and describes how hard it is for women who like her, who suffer uncomfortable and painful inflammatory bowel diseases, to wear traditional intimates. That’s because the tight elastic found on bras and underwear naturally sits around the chest and hips, adding stress on the already sensitive stomach and bowel region.

Crohn’s and colitis are “diseases that inflame the lining of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract and disrupt your body’s ability to digest food, absorb nutrition, and eliminate waste in a healthy manner.” According to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, symptoms can include abdominal pain and cramping, severe diarrhea, rectal bleeding, bloating, nausea and vomiting. Currently there is no known cure for either but sufferers can take steps to reduce symptoms such as various medications, surgeries, and wearing comfortable clothing that puts less unnecessary pressure on the area.

As you can imagine, bras and underwear have typically been excluded from the “comfortable clothing” list.

With that in mind, FASHION spoke to Jones about Hidden Lingerie, the importance of comfort, and tips anyone can use for their next underwear shopping excursion.

 

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What motivated you to create Hidden Lingerie?

​​I was unexpectedly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when I was 19, so my early twenties were quite tough as I navigated through trying multiple medications; I even went through a couple of surgeries to remove portions of my intestine. Through that time, I noticed that there weren’t any comfortable undergarments that I could wear all day, and I found myself always coming home from work and immediately changing. I have a background in fashion and I’ve always loved designing and creating, so I was inspired to start making my own bralettes. It started as a hobby, as I used sewing to take my mind off how I was feeling so I first began making them for myself and then for family and friends, and then my basement apartment became my design studio. My goal essentially was to create the perfect undergarments that would make me feel comfortable and confident all day, even when I didn’t feel it.

Of all the garments to make, why lingerie?

Crohn’s disease can cause bloating and extreme abdominal discomfort. When I was going through tough times with my disease, I found myself changing clothes multiple times a day — I never felt quite comfortable in my skin or my clothes. A bra or pair of underwear was the last thing I wanted to wear because it would exacerbate my symptoms as they are often restrictive and tight. I wanted to create a non-wire bralette that seamlessly moves with your body and is soft against the skin so I decided to start making my own. I began to feel more confident in what I was wearing under my clothes and I thought perhaps I could help others feel the same. Lingerie can be very empowering because it isn’t about looking sexy for someone else. Lingerie should be something that women buy and wear for themselves to make them look and feel as good as they deserve.

 

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Where does the name Hidden come from?

Crohn’s disease is often referred to as an invisible illness because those suffering might not look sick to the naked eye. But between the symptoms and the scars, it takes its toll on the body. Sometimes it can just get too much, and it feels impossible to hide. And that’s why I named the brand Hidden — it comes from [Crohn’s or colitis] being an invisible disease and the fact that lingerie hides underneath your clothes.

What makes Hidden products unique?

People with Crohn’s and colitis are always on my mind when I design. Our pieces are delicate and feminine, but they also provide comfort and support — just because something is pretty or sexy doesn’t mean it has to be uncomfortable. Lace against the skin can be itchy, so that’s why we use soft stretch lace on the outside and mesh on the inside. Also, our hook closures at the back are specifically designed, so they don’t dig into you. We really want it to be a second skin so that anyone can wear our products.

Also, on the production side, we use deadstock lace and mesh, as well as organic cotton and rayon, all of which are purchased from Canadian wholesalers. Our pieces are also sewn in small batches in Canada, so we’re supporting the local economy and not creating garment waste.

Photography by Natalie Jones

How did the fitting process affect your designs?

When we started, we reached out to a few people I followed on social media who had Crohn’s or colitis. We sent them products and asked them to tell us how they felt while wearing them. There were some tweaks early in the process. A couple of people I sent pieces to had a stoma bag (a pouch that basically your intestine leaks into so it doesn’t go through your whole bowel), so we adjusted the underwear to fit one and that’s why a lot of our styles are high-waisted. It was important to me that what I created made those people feel as comfortable and confident as I felt in our products because that’s who we were making it for.

What advice would you give to women (with or without Crohn’s or colitis) before they go bra shopping?

I would tell them to remember that comfort is most important but to enjoy the different styles of bralettes that are out there. Use lingeries as a way to celebrate your own femininity and confidence within yourself. It’s about you and no one else!

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Author and Museum Curator Colleen Hill Talks About Her Love of ’90s Fashion

Museum curator Colleen Hill loves ’90s fashion so much that she wrote a book about Tom Ford, John Galliano and other stars of the period.

What are your earliest fashion memories?

“I recall that the preschool I attended in Lansing, Michigan, where I grew up, had a dress-up room with beautiful stained glass windows, and it was full of jewel-toned chiffon scarves I was really interested in. Another standout moment was seeing the cover of an ABBA album — I loved their platform boots. (I still do!) And something that influenced both my style and my career was a book called Radical Rags: Fashions of the Sixties by Joel Lobenthal. I found it at the local library when I was about 10 years old. The cover has a great photograph of Lauren Hutton wearing a clear vinyl Betsey Johnson mini-dress with decals stuck on it, and the spine of the book is bright pink. My young self was really attracted to it. I checked it out of the library many, many times, and from that point on, I always wanted to dress like it was the ’60s. I went to thrift shops and made my own clothes and eventually segued into becoming a fashion historian.”

Photography courtesy of Colleen Hill

How did you land on the topic of your latest book, Reinvention & Restlessness: Fashion in the Nineties?

“I’ve always loved ’90s fashion; I’ve been buying my dream wardrobe slowly, now that I can afford the pieces I couldn’t at that time. And I’ve also been very interested in how FIT students have been dressing like it’s the ’90s for a number of years now. The benefit of working at a design school is that the students are fashion-forward — you always know what the next trends will be before other people. And we’ve been getting lots of donations of great clothes from that era. It’s at the point where a lot of people who have great Jean Paul Gaultier pieces, for example, are ready to part with them after having had them in their closets for a few decades. And more and more of these pieces can be found on sites like 1stDibs, for those who can afford and are interested in them. I was also interested in revisiting the decade. There are a few texts by Caroline Evans, Rebecca Arnold and Teri Agins that look at ’90s fashion around the end of the decade or in the early aughts. I wanted to build on those and look at it — as well as topics like cultural appropriation, which wasn’t called that at the time — through a contemporary lens and examine the key moments in the many trends that were occurring.”

Who are some of your favourite contemporary designers?

“Stella Jean is one of them. Her work has a vibrancy and colour that I’ve loved since childhood, but I think it’s really challenging to balance that with something that also looks really chic and wearable; she excels at that. I’ve always thought that Pierpaolo Piccioli’s work is exceptional. I love Phillip Lim for my own wardrobe. He really understands how to flatter the shape of any woman’s body; I’m five foot four and I always find his pieces flattering. I also have pieces of his that I’ve had for at least a decade, and they still look great. And then there’s Mimi Prober, a New York-based designer who typically works with scraps of found material dating anywhere from the 18th century to the early 20th century. There’s a lot of old lace, for example, and she uses lots of natural-dye techniques. This is how she has always worked; it’s not trend-driven.”

Photography courtesy of Stella Jean

What’s your ’90s “grail” purchase?

“A wonderful Azzedine Alaïa leopard-print motorcycle jacket from 1991. We have the gingham version in the museum collection, which is also great. It’s funny, though, because I do tend to shy away from buying vintage things that could or should be in a museum collection. For me, it’s more about preservation than personal wear, thanks to my profession.”

What’s your most prized piece in your closet?

“A 1930s black velvet capelet with gold embroidery that I bought on Etsy about five years ago. I purchased it to wear to the opening of an exhibition I curated called Fairy Tale Fashion — my favourite of the exhibitions I’ve done so far. I really laboured over what to wear to this opening; I didn’t want it to be really obvious, but it needed to be on theme. I will have it forever — I’ve only worn it that one time, but I will wear it again.”

Did you make any purchases of note during Covid?

“I bought one really special thing: a collector’s print Alexander McQueen scarf. One of the things I’m focusing on in my PhD is cabinets of curiosities and how that idea can be translated into a fashion exhibition. I had no idea how long the scarf would be available, and it’s enormous. I ended up using it as a video-call backdrop in my apartment. I don’t really have plans to wear it so much as to display it in the exhibition and have it as a memento of my research.”

Click through for some of Colleen Hill’s favourite labels from the ’90s:

Photography courtesy of The Museum at FIT

Photography by Keith Beaty/Getty Images

Photography by Jon Levy/AFP via Getty Images

1/3

Maison Margiela, Spring 1990

2/3

Anna Sui, Spring 1993

3/3

Todd Oldham, Spring 1996

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