Kate Winslet’s objections to re-touching in Mare Of Easttown, reactions to Naomi Osaka’s big announcement, a new plus-size collection from Torrid, and more.
01 The new Disney movie, “Cruella,” proves yet again that Hollywood loves the “fashion is toxic” narrative
And as Vanessa Friedman argues in The New York Times, it’s this very demonization of fashion that has positioned the industry as “a shorthand for all that is morally corrupt and venal in the world.” In the movie, the message is communicated in no uncertain terms when the Baroness tells Estella, “You can’t care about anyone else. Everyone else is an obstacle. You care what an obstacle wants or feels, you’re dead. If I cared about anyone or thing, I might have died like so many brilliant women with a drawer full of unseen genius and a heart full of sad bitterness.”
Slight variations aside, it’s this cutthroat persona that’s been presented to us time and time again — who can forget Meryl Streep’s performance as the dictatorial editor-in-chief in the 2006 classic, “The Devil Wears Prada”? What’s interesting about the demonization of fashion, explains Friedman, is that everyone has been exposed to the industry on some level because, well, everyone has to wear clothes. It’s this universality that leads people to begin forming opinions, opinions that are often impacted by the experience of being told what to wear — or what not to. As if the topic isn’t nuanced enough, Friedman also brings up the fact that fashion was, for so long, one of the few industries where women could rise to the top, leading to discomfort by those on the outside.
02 Meet Fang, a new queer-focused knitwear brand
Yes, Fang is a fashion brand. But for Beijing-born, New York-bred founder Fang Guo, it’s also a way to encourage self-confidence and self-love among the queer community. The form-fitting pieces take a different approach to classic men’s looks with the addition of bows and strappy backs, plus unconventional colors such as emerald green and tangerine — creative decisions, says Guo, that allowed him “to turn toxic masculinity on its head.”
“Now that I’m in my 30s, I’m a lot more confident with my sexuality, gender identity, and style,” explains Guo. “Everyone has the right to dress how they want to dress. And there’s a piece in the collection for everyone.”
03 Kate Winslet fought back against any and all retouching during the filming of Mare of Easttown
In Kate Winslet’s latest role as a grieving detective in Mare of Easttown, she was adamant that the “bulgy bit of belly” not be cut from her sex scene with Richard Ryan and that promotional materials for the film not be re-touched. The goal? Authentically showcase the middle-aged character in a way that’s true to her age.
“I will be 46 in October,” explains Winslet, “[and] I guess that’s why people have connected with this character…because there are clearly no filters. She’s a fully functioning, flawed woman with a body and a face that moves in a way that is synonymous with her age and her life and where she comes from. I think we’re starved of that a bit.”
04 Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open has kick-started many (overdue) conversations
ICYMI, four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open after refusing to attend her press obligations — a decision she made in order to preserve her mental well-being. Responses to her announcement have run the gamut. Some admit that, while not ideal, press is necessary in order to promote the sport. Others have eschewed empathy to harp instead on the less-than-perfect way with which she went about the announcement, and others have focused instead on just how bold it was of her to challenge arguably antiquated rules rather than sitting back and accepting the status quo. As Tumaini Carayol posits in The Guardian, it’s impossible to discuss this topic without considering that “Osaka is also a black and Asian woman charged with fielding questions to an audience of majority white men, a dynamic that has led to numerous uncomfortable questions over the years.”
05 Circ is on a mission to make fashion more sustainable by recycling polyester-cotton blends
When Circ was founded, it was intended as a tool to take material (such as the fibrous stalks remaining from tobacco farming) and transform it into pulp for paper — that is, until savvy entrepreneurs Peter Majeranowski and Conor Hartman realized that it worked on polyester-cotton blends as well. For some context, polyester-cotton is the most common textile in fashion. The reason it was so problematic for environmentalists is that any process that preserved the polyester polymers would also degrade the cotton, and vice versa, leading to a buildup in waste. Circ’s solution involves water, heat, pressure, and chemicals to break down and purify the fibers while recovering 90% of the materials — a solution so innovative that activewear brand Patagonia has invested in it.
06 Madonna’s son David rocks a gorgeous gown in defiance of gender norms
The 15-year-old stunned in a white silk dress designed by Mae Couture — plus chic rectangular sunglasses to round out the look. It was posted on Madonna’s Instagram account with the caption… “Confidence is Everything.” We couldn’t agree more.
07To celebrate two decades of plus-size fashion, Torrid launches a new collection
The limited-edition line, called “Retro Chic” leans into the brand’s nostalgic, vintage roots. If you recall, the company — which was originally associated with Hot Topic — first debuted back in 2001 in response to the high demand and *lacking* supply for plus-size clothing. Fast forward to today and inclusive sizing has entered the mainstream, with the OG player in the space supposedly planning an IPO.
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