Vogue’s most diverse cover to date, long-overdue conversations on the policing of women’s bodies in sports, Madewell’s new jean recycling program, and more!
01 Vogue makes a statement with their September cover featuring trans and plus-size models
In response to recent criticism over its attitudes towards inclusivity under Anna Wintour’s leadership, the behemoth fashion magazine launched a September cover that celebrates “New Beginnings.” The cover, which features familiar faces like Bella Hadid and Lourdes Leon — in addition to plus-size models Yumi Nu and Precious Lee, trans model Ariel Nicholson, and Chinese-American model Sherry Shi, among others — is designed to challenge conventional definitions of beauty and encourage “an industry-wide reckoning.”
02 The Tokyo Olympics kick-started a long-overdue conversation on the policing of women’s bodies in sports
ICYMI, the Norwegian female beach handball players made headlines (and were fined) for the egregious act of wearing spandex shorts rather than the traditional bikini bottoms (*gasp*). And then there were the German gymnasts who, in order to combat the sexualization of their sport, decided to wear mid-sleeved, long-legged unitards rather than the typical outfit cut high up on the thigh. Both have ignited conversations on sexism, the objectification of the female body, and who is the authority on what is considered “appropriate” attire in sports.
03 The most viral jeans on TikTok are from Target and...get this...come in at only $25
When 23-year-old, LA-based TikToker Tiana Peña posted a video of herself trying on a pair of utility-style jeans from Target, it ignited a FRENZY. The jeans, which are part of the Wild Fable line, are super high-rise, straight leg (because remember, Gen Z is not into skinny jeans), and light wash — not to mention totally affordable. But hurry! We can’t imagine these’ll stay in stock for much longer.
04 Madewell joins Reformation in launching a new jean recycling project
You can now bring a pair of unwanted (or should we say “preloved”) jeans into a Madewell store to get $20 off a new pair…not too shabby, right? But that’s not all. The chain — which is part of the J. Crew family — has also partnered with ThredUP to sell more second-hand apparel online in a new collection called “Madewell Forever.”
“73% of preloved clothes are sent to a landfill or incinerated instead of being reused or recycled,” according to the site. “It doesn’t have to be so. When you give a pair of jeans a second life, you reduce its environmental impact by 82%. That’s why we launched Madewell Forever with ThredUP, a new way to do well.”
05 “Genderless” may be a marketing buzzword, but for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s nothing new
So why aren’t we giving queer and trans people — people who have stepped out of the gender binary far before it was “trendy” — the credit they deserve? That’s the very question that writer Isiah Magsino explores in his feature in W Magazine.
“Brands worldwide have applauded and embraced the shift,” writes Magsino, “noting their customers’ shopping habits and, in turn, putting out collections and capsules that celebrate gender fluidity or aren’t relegated to the men’s/women’s section. But while this, frankly, elementary release from the binaries of womenswear and menswear spreads throughout fashion, I wonder: Where was the applause for queer and trans people who have been stepping outside the fashion gender binary for centuries?”
Magsino proceeds to spotlight pioneering figures, including Philip I, Duke of Orléans, who rejected fashion binaries during his 17th-century reign over France (yes, really!) and trans model Moon Mendoza.
06 It is now required in Norway for influencers to disclose photo retouching
ALL OTHER COUNTRIES, TAKE NOTE!!
The legislation, which was introduced by the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs, is designed to combat unrealistic depictions of beauty and what’s called kroppspress, which translates to “body pressure.” Included under the broad umbrella of “retouching” are Instagram filters, retouching apps like Facetune, erasing blemishes, enhancing waistlines and/or lips, or altering proportions.
“A requirement for retouched or otherwise manipulated advertising to be marked is one measure against body pressure [that] will hopefully make a useful and significant contribution to curving the negative impact that such advertising has, especially on children and young people,” said the Ministry, who explained the violators will be subject to steep fines. “Body pressure is present in the workplace, in the public space, in the home, and in various media. Body pressure is always there, often imperceptibly, and it is difficult to combat.”
07 We can’t get enough of this upstate New York hiking group, whose mission is to encourage body positivity and self acceptance
When Alexa Lastowski was growing up, physical activity was usually always associated with weight loss. As a plus-sized person, she always felt as if she was “failing,” a feeling that led her to avoid exercise entirely. Until, that is, she decided to shift her way of thinking about movement away from a means to a weight loss end.
This led her to found Plus Sized Hikes of the Hudson Valley, a group that offers plus-sized people an inclusive, safe, body-positive environment to be outside and just have fun, with no “expectations” attached.
“This is part of my healing,” explains Lastowski, “but if I can inspire others to heal and accept themselves and love themselves and deem themselves worthy, then that’s the point of this whole thing. It’s not just about me.”
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