FASHION STYLE & BEAUTY

Have you noticed a dazzling sparkle creeping its way into the Indian fashion scene? It’s not sequins, it’s not glitter, it’s something a little more…reflective. We’re talking about tiny mirrors, strategically placed to catch the light and add a dynamic, folksy charm to everything from everyday kurtis to high-end couture. This isn't just a fleeting trend; it's a vibrant resurgence of a traditional craft, making a serious statement in the modern world of fashion. For centuries, mirror work, also known as shisha embroidery, has been an integral part of Indian textile traditions, particularly in regions like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana. Historically, these gleaming embellishments weren't just for show. Some believe they were used to ward off the evil eye, reflecting negativity away from t...

Okay, let's be real. We've all been scrolling through Instagram or TikTok lately and seen some seriously bright, colorful, and just plain fun nail designs popping up. We're not talking about your classic French manicure or even a sophisticated nude. We're talking bold hues, playful patterns, and generally nails that scream "good vibes." This, my friends, is the "Dopamine Nail" trend, and it's taking the beauty world by storm. But is it just a catchy name, or is there actually some science (or at least, some feeling) behind it? So, what exactly are Dopamine Nails? In essence, they're manicures designed to spark joy. Think vibrant colors like sunshine yellow, electric blue, hot pink, and lime green. Not afraid of a little extra? Patterns are your friend! Checkerboard designs, abstract swirl...

Blonde stereotypes are stereotypes of blonde-haired people. Sub-types of this stereotype include the "blonde bombshell" and the "dumb blonde". Blondes have historically been portrayed as physically attractive, though often perceived as less intelligent compared to their brunette counterparts. There are many blonde jokes made on these premises. However, research has shown that blonde women are not less intelligent than women with other hair colors. The blonde bombshell is one of the most notable and consistently popular female character types in cinema. Many Hollywood celebrities have used it to their advantage, including Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Brigitte Bardot and Mamie Van Doren. There are several aspects to the stereotypical perception ...

Lessons from the fashion industry: Why some DEI efforts fail to resonate with consumers. United States President Donald Trump and his administration have set their sights on the “tyranny of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion policies,” firing federal staff and purging public institutions like the Smithsonian of their commitments to racial history. Although many of Trump’s executive orders have focused on the federal government, some firms and private businesses have followed suit, rolling back their own commitments to DEI. For example, META and Amazon cut back their DEI efforts while some major retailers have severed ties with Black-owned businesses. Figures located within the fashion and beauty industry have also floundered in their commitments to DEI, investing in brief and u...

Fake models for fast fashion? What AI clones mean for our jobs — and our identities. In the heart of New York City’s Times Square, there are signs of an artificial intelligence (AI) revolution in marketing. In a health supplement store, a popup by British tech startup, Hypervsn, showcases life-size holograms. From behind the glass, a virtual humanoid avatar with spunky pink hair waves to passersby. Down the street, H&M — the Swedish fast-fashion giant — offers a new kind of immersive shopping experience. The flagship store showcases a room covered in mirrors equipped with virtual environments, encouraging shoppers to make social media content while they try on merchandise. And last month, H&M made waves with its newest AI venture: cloning 30 real-life models using “digital twi...

The ‘morning shed’: a brief history of the sometimes dangerous lengths women have gone to look beautiful. In TikTok’s latest viral beauty trend “the morning shed,” beauty influencers “shed” hair and skin products that have been worn overnight. These include hair styling items, skin masks and creams, and physical products such as chin straps and mouth tape, which are intended to help with breathing through the night and keep away the drooping of the jaw that happens with age. While this trend has come under fire for alleged unsustainability and over-consumerism, it is only the latest beauty fad in a long line of time and money consuming “hacks” that women have been undertaking for centuries. From tapeworms to tuberculosis, women have taken part in a laundry list of beauty hacks in order...

Mae Reeves used showstopping hats to fuel voter engagement and Black entrepreneurship. Mae Reeves and her husband, Joel, pose with her hats at Mae’s Millinery in Philadelphia, circa 1953. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture/Gift from Mae Reeves and her children Donna Limerick and William Mincey Jr. Lula “Mae” Reeves, one of the first Black women in Philly to own her own business, created one-of-a-kind and custom hats for celebrities, socialites, professionals and churchgoing women in downtown Philadelphia for over 50 years. She made hats for everyday wear, hats for special occasions, and magnificent “showstoppers,” as she called them. Her celebrity clients included Eartha Kitt, Marian Anderson, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald and mem...

Congo’s stylish sapeur movement goes beyond fashion – 5 deeper insights.   In the two Congos, there’s a cultural movement by the Society of Ambience-Makers and Elegant People (Sape), known as “sapeurs”, who blend fashion, culture and social resistance. Though it was rooted primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo, the movement is now spreading worldwide, through Congolese migration. As a researcher, I have studied Sape in its cultural, social and symbolic dimensions. Sape is far more than a fashion trend. Here are five key things to know about this movement. 1. The history of Sape Sape emerged during the colonial era, first in Brazzaville and later in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa), when young Congolese began adopting and reinterpreting ...