Those of us following the Instagram account @oldceline aren't the only ones still mourning the Phoebe Philo era of Celine. Travis Scott appears to also have thoughts about Hedi Slimane's debut at Celine, too. That, or he just raided his de facto brother-in-law Kanye West's closet.
'Ye, of course, has a well-documented love for the designer, as any die-hard Yeezy or Philo stan knows, dating back to 2010. That's when he first rapped on the opening track of his critically-acclaimed album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. In the song “Dark Fantasy," the future Yeezy designer shouts out Céline, saying: “And my bitch in that new Phoebe Philo.”
West also credits Philo with ushering in a new era of fast-fashion, making us all “New Slaves,” quoting his own track from the 2013 Yeezus LP. In a now-infamous interview with BBC One’s Zane Lowe, West explained: “You can have on a Zara pant, right? And a girl walks in with the Céline version, and you feel like shit. That is the problem. I'm talkin' about us, the new slaves, the people who love fashion. I'm talking about us, you know? 'Cause I'm a slave to it. I love it. I love it!”
West first shared his Philo-philia in 2011 at Coachella, where he wore a silk Celine blouse from that year's collection. Cut to Travis Scott wearing what appears to be West's shirt on Instagram in 2018. On Sunday, the younger rapper posted two photos of himself wearing the silk women's blouse captioned "cactus" and "305 to the elbow," respectively. When 'Ye wore the shirt, he styled it with jeans, a few gold chains, and a wrist full of colorful bracelets. Scott put his spin on the top with a diamond chain, jeans, and Supreme Nike x Comme des Garçons Air Force 1 sneakers.
If Scott is actually digging in West's archives, what are the odds the Stormi Jenner's father will try 'Ye's "Japanese-style" sandals? Hey, Virgil Abloh like them.
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It's no secret that Amazon owns our shopping habits. So much so, it's become our go-to for everything from a 10 pack of Pocky sticks to designer dresses, sending us down a rabbit hole that results in a cart full of items we hadn't planned on purchasing. If you can think of it, Amazon probably has it.
But coming across more unique and worthy finds, like a novelty plant holder or a new pair of heels, isn't as easy a task. Too many products, so little time. So, we're doing the grunt work and digging through the deepest reaches of Amazon for the best goodies around. Tech, beauty, fashion, wellness, home; there's not one category we're excluding from our search.
From the most buzz-worthy eyeliners on the market to affordable furniture that only looks expensive, our editors are rounding up the best Amazon has to offer. Even better, we're bringing you a brand spanking new list of items, every week. Check back here each Monday for the latest round of Amazon available products you'll want to add to cart, sans the toilet paper.
Be sure to shop our brand new Amazon storefront, updated daily with new and unique finds.
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If you are a Facebook user, you may have noticed that the site went down earlier today. And though, as of 2:30 p.m., the social media site seems to be back up and running, the topic is still trending on Twitter.
Facebook has yet to release a statement outlining what exactly happened, but for a window of time this morning and early afternoon the social media site displayed an error message for some users that read: "Sorry, something went wrong. We're working on it and we'll get it fixed as soon as we can."
Refinery29 reached out for comment and a Facebook spokesperson said: "Earlier today, a routine test caused users to have trouble accessing or posting to all Facebook services including WhatsApp and Instagram. We quickly investigated and restored access for everyone. We’re sorry for the inconvenience."
In true Twitter fashion, users got the hashtag #FacebookDown to achieve trending status worldwide. Reactions to the outage were mixed; some were indifferent, others were freaking out. No matter how one was feeling, though, it's clear that during and following the outage, Twitter provided the perfect platform to gripe about and poke fun at the social media giant's mishap.
When transgender models began walking the runways — back in the '80s, mind you — they walked with confidence, like any other model, but they walked in stealth mode. The fashion industry had not yet embraced the reckoning we're witnessing today, which meant that transgender models who revealed their gender identity, or were "outed," did so at the risk of losing their careers. Thanks to a new wave of transgender pioneers, however, the modeling industry is changing. But the gender conversation is vast, and genders themselves are more polysyllabic than ever — so what about all the others?
Enter: Oslo Grace, the 21-year old, Californian model who happens to be non-binary transgender. Fun fact: After a bad rugby accident in school derailed athletic ambitions, Grace took up modeling as a hobby. Today, they straddle both the male and female boards of their agency and walk both men's and women's runways. In their own words, being transgender and non-binary means they consider themselves "the ultimate mix of a boy and a girl." Grace's big break was the fall 2018 Gucci show where they carried a baby dragon down the runway (yes, you read that right). And, after last Fashion Month, which saw them walk every show from Armani to Courrèges and more, their star continues to rise.
But the industry remains ill-equipped to confront other genders on the spectrum. Grace, along with many others, frequently experiences misgendering on set and off (which is easy to avoid, if industry makes the effort to brush up on gender terminology) and has to do most of the legwork when it comes to educating those around them. In the interview below, Grace opens up about fashion's gender renaissance, why they aren't hard-pressed to settle on one gender, and how the industry can cater to models who don't always see themselves in a designer's vision. Oh, and they had something to say about that Victoria's Secret interview, too.
In your own words, what does being transgender non-binary mean? OG: "Transgender is the big umbrella that I'd consider myself under. And that's where my gender identity doesn't match up perfectly with my sex assigned at birth. Ultimately, how that manifests is ... a childhood that was incredible but also filled with a lot of clear examples of what I now can point out as blatant gender dysphoria that I just didn't have the vocabulary to describe when I was that young.
"Non-binary is sort of an umbrella term underneath transgender that means I'm somewhere in between the binary of a girl and a boy. I feel like I am a mix of the two, which makes me non-binary."
How is it decided which castings you go to and which runways you walk? OG: "Within each agency I belong to, I'm signed to both their men's and women's boards. For each men's and women's board in an agency, there are men's and women's bookers. So, let's say, around 12pm my women's booker will email me so I know that I have to wear the women's casting attire, and then I'll get an email from my men's booker at 1pm saying that I have to show up for a men's casting, so that's sort of how that manifests into an actual job.
"But yes, I usually present very binary on the runway because runways aren't usually non-binary. But I present more masculine in my day-to-day."
Does that ever make you feel dysphoric? OG: "Yes. In the beginning, I had incredible amounts of crippling dysphoria every time I had to wear a dress at a shoot or on a runway, but I did it knowing that, eventually, I'd be able to choose my jobs (which would end up being more masculine). But along the way, I was actually able to get more comfortable with my femininity and that's why it's not as much of an issue anymore. Through this, I'm still exploring and experiencing my genders."
How do you feel about male and female boards at agencies in terms of labels? OG: "I actually find it sort of gratifying that I'm able to disturb both boards because it shows me that kids like me have the opportunity to somehow disrupt the system even though we're subscribed to the system. So, even though I'm modeling and it's a binary world, it's just almost funny to me how that translates into mixing that up to where the fashion industry maybe isn't comfortable with it or used to it yet."
What's your experience like off the runway? OG: "You really have to develop thick skin. I'm constantly misgendered in the workplace and it is still something that I really have to learn how to deal with. But other models are usually very kind. It's moreso the older people in the technical jobs. I've worked with some incredible makeup artists and hair stylists but those are usually the people that give me the hardest time, or quiz me on my gender, or say, 'Hey, didn't you walk a men's show this morning? Why are you a woman now?' It's a lot of misgendering — point blank."
So, how can the fashion industry do better? OG: "It can happen in a bunch of different ways. Most recently, I've been trying to figure out my own way of confronting people about my pronouns that's in a gentle, affirming, and encouraging way instead of in an abrasive way. We could have call sheets that have gender neutral pronouns on them and how to do it, models with name tags and their pronouns, not hiring transgender model just because they're transgender and hiring them more than once (and not for diversity points) — just stuff like that."
What are your thoughts on the recent comments made by Victoria's Secret's chief marketing officer of L Brands, its parent company, Ed Razek? OG: "The use of 'transsexual' shows how outdated and uneducated the vocabulary of some people can be. But honestly, I wasn't surprised. I hate to say that but Victoria's Secret has been one thing for a very long time and I don't know if it's gonna change. I sort of think the avenue to that, though, is education. It's the only avenue I've seen to push someone who isn't with it, who isn't aware of us, or doesn't know we aren't something to be fetishized or put to the side.
"We are people like everyone else. It's a shame that this person thinks we can't be seen in that light because we definitely can. But ultimately, we're going to have to go at this from the ground up. That's why people like me and others in the industry are trying to infiltrate it and then talk about our identities so we can change these bigger corporations."
Do you find it's easier to model without bringing up your gender identity, i.e. in stealth, at the start of your career and then start to spread that message later? OG: "That is how I've done it, from the beginning but it's more a comfort thing for me. I don't think you can be more or less successful when you talk about your identity or don't. I do sit in my cis-passing privilege for both genders quite comfortably. I'm not, and never have been, completely comfortable voicing my gender identity online or in interviews because everyone has a different level of comfort with that.
"But when you do speak out, you are quickly put into a box, as ironic as that is. You become a niche model and I have been trying to avoid that just so I can infiltrate the cis, binary fashion industry as much as I can."
To that point, what do you say to those people who might ask why you want to be a part of that space anyway, as opposed to creating a new one? Especially since cis and binary people haven't been accepting of non-binary people until recent? OG: "We don't want to normalize being transgender, but we want to normalize our existence. And to do that, we have to learn to build bridges with the cis community. Trying to branch off is a beautiful thing but I think trying to burn bridges with them and face them in a way that is defiant, I agree with, too, but ultimately: if we want to make a change within our everyday society, we need some warriors to go in there and try and fuck shit up."
So, what's next? OG: "I'm going to continue my work as a high-fashion model. That's a level that I've wanted to put myself on since the beginning and I've been fortunate so far that it's worked out. I'm going to take a few months to continue working, but also to prioritize my physical transition — which is very exciting to me but also daunting, as every trans person can relate to — and just staying true to myself. That's what I try to tell every trans and non-binary person when they're starting a platform or business: You have to be yourself because you can't let anyone dictate your voice. That's not going to get you anywhere and you're eventually going to sell yourself out."
Welcome toMyIdentity. The road to owning youridentityis rarely easy. In this yearlong program, we will celebrate that journey and explore how the choices we make on the outside reflect what we're feeling on the inside — and the important role fashion and beauty play in helping people find and express who they are.
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We don't always realize it, but our hair affects our mood way more than we think. After finding out that only one in 10 women claims to feel like she has consistent good-hair days, R29's resident host Lucie Fink set out to see how changing up her styling routine would impact the way she feels. Does bringing her hair up and out of her face make her more productive at work? Will glittery space buns make her suddenly more spontaneous? Can a cool fishtail braid make her feel any more adventurous? Watch how she transforms her hair — and minimizes damage with Pantene 's Repair & Protect collection — throughout the week, just below.
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Dr. Lee is also expanding her pimple empire to cover merchandise. That's right, the world's most entertaining dermatologist just dropped a full line of official Dr. Pimple Popper-branded holiday gifts, and they make the perfect stocking stuffers for any fan. Whether it's a shot glass gag gift or a pro-approved extraction tool kit, find the perfect present for any popaholic in your life, ahead.
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Many dread the holidays due to gifting apprehension. And while we understand the worry that surrounds savvy budgeting and perfect purchases, we actually find the upcoming season to be the most liberating of all shopping occasions. Where gifting on other special days (like birthdays or V-Day) can call for particular goods sharply pre-groomed by recipients, during the holidays these strict shopping wheels come off. Meaning we get a creative license back on our buys.
In the spirit of embracing the season ahead as a festive gifting free-for-all, we tapped a unique shopping source for inspiration: Wayfair's Hidden Gems. Much to our delights, the mega online home store contains a page dedicated solely to a slew of surprising and affordable finds. From whimsical kitchen gadgets to decor, furniture, and even goodies for furry friends, we pulled out the best giftable buys from the eclectic selection ahead. Instead of getting caught up in strict lists this season, scroll on to shop the hidden gems that your nearest and dearest won't know they needed until they open (and love) them.
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BeautywithMi, hosted by Refinery29's beauty writerMi-Anne Chan, explores the coolest new trends, treatments, products, and subcultures in thebeautyworld. Never miss an episode by subscribing here.
As soon as I decided to bleach my hair last year, people started warning me that once I did, I'd never want to go back to black. Since then, I've been three different colors: pink, purple, and now, blue. It sounds fun, but I have the breakage to show for it, from little wispies around my face to short strands through my crown and plenty of dry ends. But for the most part, my hair is healthy — or at least as healthy as double-processed hair can be.
It turns out, that first warning is proving to be very true. So much so, my colorful hair has become a huge part of my identity. I like to think of it as a built-in accessory that makes me feel confident and put together, whether I'm all dolled up or just rolling out of bed.
My colorist Madison at Spoke & Weal does an incredible job minimizing damage to my hair, but it's the at-home work that can mean the difference between a straw-like feel and a soft, healthy one, no matter your natural texture. After dying my lilac hair blue last month, I really looked at my hair care routine, throwing out all the lackluster products I'd been trying, and just sticking to things I know actually work. You can watch the full transformation above, then stick around for my updated hair routine in the second half of the video.
Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo, $28.50, available at Ulta Beauty; Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner, $30.50, available at Ulta Beauty; Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, $28, available at Sephora; Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, $28, available at Sephora; Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, $28, available at Sephora; Gisou Honey-Infused Hair Mask, $68, available at Revolve; Ohii Magic Hair Wand, $12, available at Urban Outfitters.
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When asked what item we wear the most, we rarely realize that above our trusty puffer jackets and vintage jeans, the real answer is probably our pajamas. And when we're in something that often (every night, lazy Sundays), it may be time to start giving it the attention it deserves. In plain speak: Ditch the worn-out college tee and ramp it up with a matching two-piece set.
We're debunking the idea that "staying in" is synonymous with "dressing down," which means replacing those stretched-out elastic bottoms with super-soft silk pants, cute camisoles, and oversized button-ups. Home hang-out time is the perfect excuse to dress for yourself, so we've found 16, dare we say sophisticated, pajamas to wear on andoff of your couch. These sets are equal parts cozy and flattering — so much so you'll have a hard time convincing yourself to take them off.
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President Trump has never made his contempt for the press a secret. In recent weeks, as the country has seen multiple mass shootings, a groundbreaking midterm election, and devastating wildfires, the president has used his platform to hammer home his belief that the greatest threat facing America is the "Fake News Media, the true Enemy of the People."
At a press conference last Wednesday, after the midterm election results revealed that Republicans would maintain control of the U.S. Senate but lose their majority in the House of Representatives, Trump spoke with reporters for nearly 90 minutes. In that time he told a Black journalist that her question about white nationalism was "so racist" and used the body of a young female intern as a weapon to take away the microphone from CNN's Jim Acosta.
On Friday, while giving an address on the south lawn of the White House, Trump stayed on message, telling another journalist that her question about Robert Mueller was "stupid." In a tweet, MSNBC political analyst Joy Reid pointed out this was the third Black female journalist he'd berated in 48 hours.
We asked Dr. Jack Brown, a body language and emotional intelligence expert, as well as a physician, to break down some of Trump's most recent interactions with the press so we can further understand the president's behavior. Dr. Brown explained that body language analysis can be a useful tool for countering our own personal confirmation bias of a "familiar" person, such as President Trump.
"Using nonverbal tells is an objectivity tool — a way of checking our own opinions when, as human beings, we are inherently biased," he told Refinery29.
Ahead, Dr. Brown analyzes Trump's latest spars with journalists.
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The fall collections have spoken and it looks like fleece is the word this season. We can't quite remember the last time we got excited over the teddy-like sweaters, save for when they made up half of our college uniform.
Traditionally, the fuzzy popcorn-like material has belonged to photos from the '90s, all of upstate New York, avid hikers, and the many Manhattan dwelling bros that grace the feed of @midtownuniform. But after NYFW indie darling Sandy Liang debuted her line-up of fun fleeces (which even Gigi Hadid can't get enough of), the fashion world has been decidedly hooked.
If you haven't yet, give into the sporty, textured look this fall. The prints and colors are so free-flowing you'll forget about the ho-hum, plain black fleeces of yore. Whether you opt for the classic route with a Patagonia pick or adventurously delve in to the streetwear friendly Columbia x Opening Ceremony collab, let this cozy trend take over your fall closet.
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There's a lot that feels counterintuitive about shampooing your hair with a chunky scrub. To start, the heavy oils used in some formulas seem as if they'd leave any texture a greasy mess — and we haven't even mentioned how odd it is to massage big ol' salty granules into your scalp. But stick with us here, because when properly formulated, hair scrubs actually do and feel quite the opposite.
For one, chunks of salt or sugar quickly disintegrate with a rinse of warm water (rather than getting wedged between stands or feeling overly gritty). And thanks to some smart concocting, oil-based options work to hydrate ends without leaving hair looking like an oil slick.
There's even more at work here, according to stylist Derek Yuen, whose celebrity clients include Constance Wu. "These scrubs are an amazing way to detox and purify the scalp leaving it in a better condition to promote healthier hair growth," he says. "They will help lift dry skin and remove any type of buildup from the hair."
Impressive, yes, but here's what really sold us: After trying a handful of options, we found these exfoliating shampoos work wonders to lift hair at the roots and add overall body without making hair feel squeaky clean. Because some formulas can be drying, Yuen suggests those with medium and thick hair look for ingredients like coconut oil, while stylist Michael Dueñas advises those with C3 and C4 curls limit scrubs to just the scalp. See a few of our favorites, ahead.
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Velvet. Wool. Fringe. Tulle. If you haven't already jumped on the latest fashion bandwagon, buckle up, because crazy-cool textures like these are about to take over your wardrobe in full force this season. The eye-catching fabrics instantly elevate any standard silhouette (why wear black skinny jeans when you can wear a leather iteration?), plus these are the kinds of styles that feel just as amazing on as they look.
So for all of you tactile trendsetters out there, we've rounded up 10 of our most-wanted night-out essentials from H&M that are proving playful textures are here to stay for the holidays and beyond. From fringe-adorned boots that'll set you apart in a sea of black stilettos to the formal velvet jumpsuit that'll make any LBD feel like old news, click through for all of the pieces making us look and feel like a million bucks.
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When Raf Simons rebranded Calvin Klein Collection to Calvin Klein 205W39NYC, there was a noticeable shift, both in the mindset of the line as well as in the clothing. One of the styles that has now become synonymous with the brand is the square-toe boot, a silhouette that's finally seeing the trickle down effect. In the continuous life cycle of fashion, the runway shoe has filtered through our favorite fast fashion shops and can now be found everywhere from Net-a-Porter to Amazon.
Your standard black ankle boots, those made of this season’s it-print, snakeskin, and even western-inspired styles have adapted this trending silhouette. We're not opposed since we've been eagerly awaiting a new boot shape after tiring of last year's sock boot. Plus, there's something about that cute that adds a bit of a vintage flair, meaning they'll pair well with everything you already own. Mix them with some straight-leg denim, a pleated midi skirt, or even cropped trousers.
Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite square-toe styles that we can’t stop dreaming about.
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With the chilly winter weather starting to settle in, it’s now a requirement, not an optional fall privilege, to bundle up before you go about your day. Hats, scarves, gloves; they're no longer something you can leave behind so the ones we choose to wear might as well be as stylish as possible. Ever since the introduction of the smartphone, gloves are a bit more of a hassle to wear when you’re constantly taking them on and off to check your messages. While one solution has been the emergence of "touchscreen friendly" gloves, their effectiveness has proven to be hit or miss. So we're turning towards a simpler solution — fingerless gloves.
Luckily for us, fingerless gloves have evolved far beyond the ones John Bender wore in The Breakfast Club. Not only do they come in more options than motorcycle-ready leather, they're kind of chic. There's still a slight masculine edge to them — they haven't completely lost their grungy edge — but they also come adorned in feminine details like pom-poms and faux fur accents.
If you goal this winter is to be able to scroll through Instagram while still keeping warm, check out these 14 pairs of fingerless gloves. They're guaranteed to make your winter a little more bearable.
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I grew up in the South — North Carolina to be exact – but I never exactly fit the stereotype of a Southern Belle. From an early age, I owned too much black for that. But I did own my fair share of clothing that could be described as the "southern look": think floral tops, cowboy boots, belts, flannel shirts, and jean shorts. But, primarily, think above-the-knee printed dresses paired with my previously mentioned cowboy boots to football games and class, with pumps to church and brunch, and with strappy sandals or heels for hanging out with friends. Growing up, I was taught a printed dress was the most versatile and essential piece of clothing, and with the right accessories, it could take you from a tailgate to the theatre.
Slowly, those print dresses were replaced with more structured, solid pieces of clothing, primarily in black. It wasn't an overnight change. My dorm room closet was filled with print dresses freshman year of college, but by graduation, many of them had been discarded. There was a direct correlation between the number of days left until I moved to New York and the decreasing number of prints in my wardrobe. I still had a few trusty pieces when I moved to my first apartment in Chinatown, but over the last six years and moves to apartments further and further uptown, they were replaced by solid color dresses in black, grey, navy, pink, red, and burgundy.
There were a few reasons for this: I felt like I needed to look "adult," and somewhere along the way decided that meant leaving prints behind. I think I wanted to stop associating myself with where I was from. I was also buying into the lie that curvy women are told, that wearing prints will make them look larger. (Plus-size women, to reiterate, this is a LIE. Everyone looks good in prints, and they come in so many different iterations.)
By my mid-20s, getting dressed wasn't fun anymore. I didn't feel like myself every morning — until I remembered the potential power of the right pieces of clothing. I wasn't taking risks, and my closet didn't really reflect me. This is when I started embracing being plus-size and finding clothing that really worked for me instead of wearing whatever I could fit in from regular stores. I integrated colors and different cuts back into my repertoire and started to find my fashion identity again. I still didn't buy any prints.
Why? Back then, I had a rigid idea of what an adult that had it all figured out looked like— and I never saw myself wearing prints in that fantasy future. Yet, I was surrounded by "adults" (honestly, the older I get, the less sure I am what that word means) who not only wore prints but dominated in them daily. In fact, most of the stylish and very accomplished women in my life wear prints regularly. Refinery29's Global-Editor-in-Chief and co-founder, Christene Barberich, has a collection of beautiful printed dresses that I covet. Our Senior Feature Writer, Connie Wang, has one of the most eccentric and cool collections of prints I've ever seen. She is the antithesis to prints being paired with pearls and cowboy boots to football games. And, then there’s my mom, one of the most stylish and creative people I know, who has a distinct look full of abstract prints in teals and purples. Any piece of her clothing could be framed and hung on a beach house wall – ironic, since she’s not a beach person.
My mom desperately wanted me to wear prints. Every joint shopping trip, she would pick out some printed tops and tell me how great they’d look on me. She would send me texts with printed skirts and ask me if I liked them. In person, I looked at her like she was crazy and shook my head. I ignored her texts altogether. I love my mom. She’s one of my favorite people on the planet, and undoubtedly my biggest cheerleader, but I didn’t understand her obsession with dressing me in prints.
My late 20s have been both wonderful and horrible. I grew up more between the ages of 26 and 28 then I did all of my early 20s. Somewhere between the death of two close friends, the 2016 election, making my first big purchases without parental help, and climbing the corporate ladder, I experienced the moment that arguably makes you an adult: the realization that there is no such thing as an adult who has it all figured out. Every adult guesses and hopes it works. Every adult goes to sleep at night knowing they didn't complete half of their to-do list. Every adult wakes up in the morning and just tries to do their best.
That realization is lonely. It made me appreciate the adults in my life more — especially my mom. It's impressive, truly, that parents are able to convince their kids they know what's going on all the time. Or ever, really. It was after this moment of recognition that, I finally reached for a print again. I was home with my mom shopping, having just returned from a funeral, and she picked out a floral to show me. It wasn't a floral that you would imagine on grandma's sofa, but a big, demanding floral on a black background. This time, finally, I said yes.
At the time, I thought I said yes because I wanted to make my mom happy. Because it felt like home and security. In mourning, I needed nostalgia. But, soon thereafter, I bought more. I bought printed tops, skirts, and dresses. They weren't the same prints of my childhood — think less Lilly Pulitzer and more stripes, polka dots, grids, and florals on black or dark backgrounds. Prints that I paired with pencil skirts, skinny jeans, and knee-high boots.
Recently, I had a big presentation at work and I wasn't sure what to wear. After rejecting three or four outfits and running out of time before I needed to start my commute, I heard a voice — my overly confident 16-year-old self, to be honest — saying "wear a printed dress, it works for any occasion." It worked.
No, I'm not the fantasy adult I once envisioned. I will always be a combination of where I came from (florals, included), I will always be my mother’s daughter, and I will probably always be working toward the idea of "adult" I have in my head. Honestly, adulthood is messier than I thought it would be, but I wake up in the morning determined to do the best I can. In prints.
Welcome toMyIdentity. The road to owning your identity is rarely easy. In this yearlong program, we will celebrate that journey and explore how the choices we make on the outside reflect what we’re feeling on the inside — and the important role fashion and beauty play in helping people find and express who they are.
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When designer Christopher Kane sent his fall 2018 collection down the runway back in February, he sparked conversation at a time – post-#MeToo, post-Time's Up – when talking about sex and sexuality felt tricky.
Inspired by The Joy of Sex: A Gourmet Guide To Lovemaking, an erotic manual first published in 1972, Kane's show explored varying notions of sex, from provocative fabrics like leather, lace and marabou feathers to the dress that rounded off the show, featuring an explicit line drawing from the manual.
"I first came across the book in my college library around 16 years ago," Kane tells Refinery29. "Years passed, and I have always looked into the world of human behavior and science and nature as a source of reference. I have done so many collections based on sex: resort 2014, 'Sex Education' (spring 204), life drawings made into lovers lace (fall 2015). My love of drawing made me remember the famous book that contains the most beautiful life studies by the artist Chris Foss of lovemaking. They serve a purpose and really educate you in the art of being a better lover."
While sex most certainly sells, the piece that emerged triumphant from Kane's collection is his 'More Joy' slogan T-shirt. "I thought it was a very powerful statement, and it has surpassed its original connection to the sex manual," Kane explains. "It’s became my daily mantra. Don’t we all need a little more joy in our lives?"
If Dior's We Should All Be Feminists tee ruled 2017, then Kane's ruled 2018. Worn by everyone from off-duty models to Susie Lau and Julia Restoin Roitfeld, the joyful call-to-arms is a reflection of how we're all seeking a little more positivity. We asked the designer what and who brings him joy, and why we need it more than ever in 2018.
What has been the most joyful time in your life? Christopher Kane: "I’m generally a happy person. Showtime is always a real high, and after any show you feel so much relief and joy at the idea of closure and pride to have accomplished another collection."
What are three things that always bring you joy? CK: "My family and friends. My dog, Bruce Tito. Working in the studio with my sister Tammy and an amazing team around me."
If we're struggling to find it, how can we experience more joy in our lives? CK: "I think today we are so involved in everyone else's business, thanks to social media opening our eyes to others, that we need to focus on ourselves more and stop comparing ourselves to everyone. I also find traveling to other parts of the world, especially places that have a completely opposite way of life to me, helps to really ground me and prove how lucky I am."
Which song or album brings you joy? CK: "I really love the gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and her version of 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee' is truly a remarkable song and it gets me every time."
What is something that brings you joy but shouldn't? CK: "Lots of things, but at the moment I’m enjoying being back in the gym and working out. Endorphins from the workouts are giving me a new lease of life."
How does fashion bring you joy? CK: "Fashion is full of surprises so it always keeps me on my toes – that's the fun part."
Christopher Kane 'More Joy' T-shirt, $225, available at Christopher Kane.
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Frequent visitors and the born-and-bred alike know that New York City is known for a lot of major firsts, like the first bank-issued credit cards, the first teddy bear — even the first plate of eggs Benedict was served in the kitchen at the now-shuttered Waldorf Astoria.
And in addition to being the original home to our favorite brunch entrée, New York is also the birthplace of the very first nail salon in the U.S. Fast forward 140 years, and the city is home to more than a thousand of them. And while we can all appreciate giving ourselves a good DIY mani while binge-watching The Office, let’s be honest: Nail care is one beauty ritual that most people are happy to outsource.
To avoid the potential staph infections and design booklets of bad nail art, ahead are the go-to spots worth a standing appointment. Whether you're looking for one-of-a-kind designs or a simple gel manicure, these are the best New York nail salons to try today.
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Of all the beauty woes we're struggling with, scalp issues are certainly among the least glamorous. While it’s a bit of an awkward subject — because things like dandruff have long been taboo — a lot of people suffer from scalp flare-ups. And these somewhat embarrassing issues are not only problematic in the dry, winter months, but through sweaty summer days, too.
We assure you that scalp problems are nothing to be embarrassed about. There’s a slew of solutions to soothe itchy dryness, greasy product build-up, and the flaking and irritation that tend to follow. To prove it, we tapped Stephen D. Pullan, a trichologist at the Philip Kingsley Clinic, to give us the lowdown on exactly how to alleviate these uncomfortable issues.
Ahead, seven tips for saving your scalp — whether you’re suffering from a little sunburnt irritation or a wet-looking muck of product buildup. Click through to find an answer to your dandruff dilemmas.
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Holiday season approacheth, which means food, family, and over-spending. So as part of Operation: Holiday Bank Account Damage Control, we asked you, our readers, to give us your best savings hacks, from buying LaCroix in bulk to using only a few tablespoons of laundry detergent instead of the full cup. Whether you bring an avocado in your purse so you don't have to pay extra to add it to your takeout salad, or split a Netflix membership between five of your friends — we don't judge, we just want to save, too!
Ahead, 10 millennial women share their best cheap living hacks for saving on food, transportation, beauty, travel, and everything in between.
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