Month: September 2021

Kendall Jenner was just named creative director of luxury e-tailer FWRD.

Kendall Jenner has yet another role to add to her ever-growing resume. On September 1, the supermodel was named creative director for luxury fashion e-retailer FWRD. The online brand, which is owned by parent company Revolve Group, said it will be using Jenner’s guidance to “deliver a next-level fashion experience for shoppers.”

Jenner is no stranger to a side project — along with being the world’s highest-paid model, she co-runs the Kendall + Kylie apparel line, is a collaborator with oral care brand Moon and even has her own tequila brand, called 818 — but what kind of responsibility would a role like this actually entail?

As creative director of FWRD, Jenner will be in charge of “the look and feel of the site,” according to a press release from the brand. It added that she will be responsible for the curation of brands sold on FWRD, along with monthly trend and style edits. She will also take on “marketing ideas, brand partnerships and brand activations.” That alone sounds like a full-time job.

Jenner is just one of many celebs who have been appointed this kind of major-sounding role. Take, for instance, Emily Ratajkowski, who was named creative director of the face mask brand Loops in October 2020. Jennifer Aniston was given a similar title when she was named creative director and spokesperson for Vital Proteins in December 2020.

For brands, the benefit of this kind of partnership is clear: with the formal involvement of a celebrity as a creative director, fans associate the brand with the star who reps it, thus driving up sales and increasing brand awareness. In exchange, celebs are often compensated with some sort of equity in the brand, as reported by Glossy.

But with their jam-packed schedules, how could celebs like Jenner and Aniston possibly fulfill all of the responsibilities that come with the executive-level appointment, on top of the many jobs they already have? Creative directors have the power to completely shift a brand’s image (think Karl Lagerfeld with Chanel or Phoebe Philo with Celine) and no doubt take on a huge amount of responsibility when accepting such gigs. So, are these vanity titles? Or is the celebrity creative director more of an occasional consultant than a full-time employee? That remains to be seen (although we do love the idea of Kenny making herself a morning Nespresso in the FWRD office kitchen).

“Kendall is the epitome of luxury fashion, and there isn’t a better fit for this position,” said Raissa Gerona, Chief Brand Officer of Revolve Group, in the release. “As leaders in the industry and innovators in marketing, we are always looking for fresh ideas, staying ahead of the curve, and being at the forefront of style trends. The world looks at Kendall to lead the industry, and we are beyond excited to have her vision for FWRD come to life.”

With her established SoCal aesthetic and high-fashion allure, Jenner fits in well with the ethos of the California-based brand. She also meets parent company Revolve’s influencer-focused standard — the brand famously takes social media influencers on highly documented trips as a part of their advertising.

“I grew up loving fashion and have been incredibly fortunate to work with some of the most brilliant people in this business,” said Jenner in the brand’s release. “As FWRD’s Creative Director, I am excited to help curate the site’s offering with emerging designers and brands.”

The model will start in her new position during New York Fashion Week, which begins September 8. With Jenner in this type of role, we wonder if the trend of celebrities as creative directors will continue to rise even more.

A-list stars like Helen Mirren and Penelope Cruz dressed to impress at the 78th Venice Film Festival.

While September is notorious for signalling the end of summer and the start of school, it’s also the kickoff to film festival and award show season. With the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) starting on September 9 and the 2021 Emmy Awards just ten days later, all eyes are currently on the Venice Film Festival as stars head to Italy for the 78th edition of the international event.

Hosted at the Lido Di Venezia (Venice Lido), the fabulous fete debuted on September 1 with a sumptuous red carpet that included Penelope Cruz in a timeless black and white Chanel gown and up-and-comer Milena Smit, who dazzled in an avant-garde set by Marine Serre. The grand opening also saw models and faces of Armani Beauty Greta Ferro, Barbara Palvin and Sara Sampaio decked out in decadent dresses from the designer’s couture collection.

Although it’s still early in the schedule, if the Venice red carpet 2021 looks are any indication of the upcoming award show season, monochromatic ensembles are going to be on the menu. Another look we’re loving is pairing understated hair and makeup and minimal jewellery with over-the-top glamorous couture.

Behold the best Venice red carpet 2021 looks so far, and be sure to check in as we’ll be updating the gallery regularly!

Welcome to Texture Talk, a column that celebrates and deep dives into the dynamic world of curly hair, from crowns of curls that are free flowing to strands that are tucked away in a protective style.

We’re always wondering how to get long, healthy hair (at the quickest rate possible!) — and the methods and products to get us there. While there’s no shortcut to growing hair faster (hair grows about half an inch a month), you can increase the amount of hair follicles that are growing and prevent breakage so that when it does grow, you retain the length. For those of us with 4C hair, growth is often hard to track because of factors like shrinkage and fragile strands. The good news is that it 4C curls grow at the same rate as any other texture.

We tapped celebrity hairstylist Glenna Sandy (who has styled Issa Rae’s famous curls) and Salon Académie owner Nancy Falaise, and Amika global artistic director Naeemah Lafond for tips on how to achieve the inches we’ve been vying for, plus product recommendations to help us along the way.

Don’t skip wash day

Since textured hair is thick, oils don’t travel down the hair shaft as easily, which is why you may not get that telltale greasy look when it’s in need of a wash. While you might be convinced that you can go weeks or even months without washing your hair, Falaise stresses that anything beyond the two-week mark will cause product build-up, sweat, dirt and oils to accumulate and prevent actual hair growth. Sandy suggests establishing a wash day routine with a shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner and a styler.

Embrace the scissors

It might seem counterintuitive, but in order to retain length, getting your hair trimmed is key. Since dead and split ends stunt the growth of your hair, getting rid of what’s no longer healthy will actually give strength to the root of the hair to encourage growth, says Falaise. If you regularly wear your hair curly, regular trims will also give the appearance of bouncier, more defined curls.

Heat is not your friend

Heat can definitely make life with curly and coily hair a lot easier. It can help elevate certain styles, assist in identifying growth and cut your drying time in half. However, be wary of potential heat damage. Lafond suggests using a heat protectant like the Amika Blockade Heat Protectant Serum to ensure there’s a barrier between your hair and your heat tool of choice to prevent heat damage and maintain your true curl pattern.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Make daily hydration a top priority, says Sandy. Incorporate products that have humectants (like glycerin) to attract and retain moisture. Honey and aloe vera are excellent natural humectants — add them to your deep conditioning masks for an extra boost of hydration. And, use a nourishing oil to lock in any moisture that you add to the hair, says Lafond. Since curly and kinky hair need plenty of moisture to thrive, we often compensate with hydrating hair products. Staying quenched is a great way to ensure you’re providing moisture to the hair from the inside out.

Handle with care

Hair is delicate but curly hair is especially fragile. Since each strand is unique and has a slightly lifted cuticle, it allows for the internal structure of the hair to become exposed making the hair more prone to damage. Ditch the towel (the smallest tugs from the fibres can cause knots and snags) and wrap your hair in a cotton t-shirt or a microfibre towel like this one from Pattern Beauty. When detangling hair and styling, use a leave-in conditioner that contains a lot of slip or a specialized detangling product. Since over-manipulating your hair can also lead to breakage, embrace the wide range of protective styles that are available for textured hair.

Missed our last Texture Talk column? Click here.

The October 2021 cover star is always game — whether to play a daredevil spy, model a hefty Thom Browne gown or shoulder the pressure of the hotly anticipated ‘Dune’ co-starring Timothée Chalamet.

Rebecca Ferguson does not like to be boxed in.

So posing for FASHION in a gold look by Thom Browne that’s part fitted tuxedo and part corseted gown was rather challenging. Of course, the Swedish-born Ferguson, who was tough as nails as daredevil spy Ilsa Faust in the last two Mission: Impossible films and has yet another COVID-be-damned sequel on the way, rarely turns down a challenge.

“The angles were stunning,” says Ferguson about the duvet-like dress, likening it to the “enormously heavy” costumes she wore while filming her breakout role in the Starz series The White Queen, which was set in the 15th century. “The wealthier you were, the more fabric you had. This creation really reminded me of that. But once it was on, I couldn’t move.”

She was also hobbled by a pair of Givenchy boots with extreme wedge heels that wouldn’t be out of place in either a Lady Gaga video or her upcoming space epic — the long-heralded remake of Dune. “They were gorgeous but absolutely bonkers; I couldn’t walk in them,” says Ferguson. “When I put them on, my hair designer had to put me on his back and run me to the location. This is why fashion is so much fun — I have no idea what’s going to be there when I arrive at a shoot.”

It was less than 10 years ago, in 2014, that Ferguson got her first taste of Hollywood perks: a business class flight to Los Angeles for her Golden Globe nomination for The White Queen. She had never borrowed a black-tie outfit before, let alone walked a red carpet. “Just having a real fitting for a dress was huge for me,” she says. “I’d never had that before. There were hotels and meetings and lunches — it was a weekend of pure ecstasy.” There was also an encounter with Cate Blanchett. “I’d never been so blinded in my whole life,” she says of all the photographers snapping Blanchett’s image. (They also snapped a few of Ferguson herself, thankfully.)

Ferguson recalls “peeing in a stall next to Drew Barrymore” during a bathroom break at the main event at the Beverly Hilton. “She asked for loo paper, and I excitedly passed it to her under the stall,” she says. “She was so cool. You know actors — in Hollywood, they all know each other.”

Once Dune is released next month, it will be difficult for anyone to not know the 37-year-old Ferguson, who lives in Richmond, a borough of London, England, with her daughter and husband. Based on the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, Dune is a movie that fans have been wanting for, well, decades — or at least since the last big-screen adaptation, in 1984, directed by David Lynch, flopped with critics and at the box office. Ferguson plays Lady Jessica, mother to potential world saviour Paul Atreides, played by red-hot Timothée Chalamet, whom Ferguson describes as “just magic.” “I wasn’t a fan of Lynch’s version,” she notes. “I think I fell asleep. It’s dated, but there’s a beauty to the datedness.”

Thanks to French-Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, the new version is a filmic spectacular that is both painterly and laden with astounding never-before-seen special effects. “For me, it was probably the best experience I’ve ever had on a movie,” she says. “I actually cried when I saw it for the first time. I was so blown away. I just want people to see it in the cinema.” She also heard that her co-star Jason Momoa sat through the two-and-a-half-hour movie and then promptly asked the projectionist to screen it for him again.

Ferguson’s next project, Apple TV+’s adaptation of Wool, is another sci-fi/fantasy epic, and it will, for the first time, give her a producing credit. Our chat takes place while she is travelling by car from a costume fitting for the project. “I need comfort on a day like this,” she says, referring to her jeans and Zara top and clogs that she can “whip in and out of.”

When she was a teenager, Ferguson wanted to be “one of the cool chicks.” “I didn’t look cool enough,” she says. Acting helped her to be in the moment, to trust her gut. She started performing nearly by accident. “I feel like a lot of people are raised into it, but I was such a novice,” she says of her first foray into performing. “I didn’t go to plays, and the idea of drama school terrified me. I didn’t want to learn a monologue, green from the street, and then stand in front of the jury deciding my fate. I didn’t want to put myself through that.”

By happenstance, someone asked Ferguson to try out for a Swedish soap opera. “I thought, ‘Why not?’” she says. During the audition, she forgot the camera was there. “It just rolled,” she recalls. She got the part and then paid for private acting lessons out of her own pocket. “It ended up being a great learning curve, and I could cry really fast. I really enjoyed it.”

It turned out that acting is also a clever way to keep her monkey mind steady. Years of therapy have also helped, she says. “I’m quite blunt — too blunt sometimes. I overanalyze things, and it’s quite tiring. You move so fast with film and television. I love going into different rooms I haven’t been in. It helps take my foot off the accelerator of overanalyzing.”

Ferguson has come a long way since then, having acted opposite two of the world’s most famous “TCs”: Tom Cruise (she actually refers to him as “TC”) and Chalamet — not to mention Hugh Jackman, with whom she starred in The Greatest Showman and this summer’s Reminiscence.

“I never dreamed of these roles,” she says. “Sweden was big enough, and so was the idea that I was a somewhat successful actress there. I learned a lot from Tom on Mission: Impossible. I can see he makes movies for his audience. Sometimes I’m quite selfish; I don’t care what the end product is because I’ve moved on. Tom sees everything from the viewer’s point of view: how to construct the drama — every story line and not the selfish needs of one character.”

Cruise also encouraged Ferguson’s adventurous side. “I’m not a thrill chaser to the extent that Mr. TC is; I don’t throw myself off planes,” she says. “I’m not hyper in that I have to move all the time. But I do want to experience things.” When Cruise broke his ankle on Mission: Impossible — Fallout and production shut down, Ferguson took the time to go diving for fun. (She got her diving certificate during a stint in Thailand in 2004.)

Diving, she says, is how she finds a meditative space to reconnect with herself: “I love merging into water. I love that I’m a guest in someone else’s habitat. It’s very quiet and very still. I like that I can’t hear anyone around me. It’s nothing like acting, but I do love to throw myself into things that are completely different.”

Photography by ROYAL GILBERT. Styling by KAREN CLARKSON. Creative direction by GEORGE ANTONOPOULOS. Hair by ALAIN PICHON FOR KEVIN MURPHY. Makeup by EMMA LOVELL FOR THE WALL GROUP/CHANEL. Nails by REBECCA JADE WILSON FOR THE WALL GROUP. Photo technicians: JOSHUA HEAVENS ONABOWU AND MONIQUE WATSON. Digitech: ALEX CORNES. Post-production: VALLALI. Styling assistant: MOLLY ELLISON.

Just last week, Hearst Magazine collaborated with Hearst Black Culture and HearstLab to debut the first Celebrate Black: A Virtual Style Summit. Hearst partnered with Nike to host three-day series that was moderated by Hearst’s very own staff members as they spoke and the important work being done within the company that helps amplify the voice of Black creators, brands, and entrepreneurs. Accompanied by the moderators were Black leaders in fashion, beauty, marketing, and entertainment. The topics covered throughout the three-day series were about diversity in fashion, sports, corporate America, the beauty industry, and more.

Here are the recaps of each session below:

Day One: Being A Black Leader In Fashion

Harper’s BAZAAR digital director, Nikki Ogunnaike, moderated as she welcomed guest designer Victor Glemaud, who discussed his journey in the fashion industry and the development of his clothing label. Glemaud’s best advice came when he emphasized that Black creators should be clear about their goals and what they want to do in life. He shared a personal story of calling every week for six months for a possible internship because he believed in himself.

WATCH NOW

Day One: New Guard Roundtable

Ogunnaike spoke to new Black image-markers: Yashua Simmons (Fashion Stylist), Latisha Chong (Published Hairstylist), Jasmine Plantin (Nike Apparel Designer), and Raisa Flowers (Makeup Artist). In the roundtable, the rising stars discussed their career trajectories, cultural influence, and future collaborations with Hollywood’s biggest stars. Chong’s best advice? Knowing how to treat people is vital. Kindness in this industry goes a long way. What was most inspiring was a full-circle moment for Raisa Flowers who started in makeup by taking a class from the makeup artist for Rihanna, Priscilla Ono, and now just walked in the Savage X Fenty fashion show herself.

WATCH NOW

Day One: Reshaping The Look of Sports

Ogunnaike also sat down with Emiko McCoy (Nike’s Women Apparel Designer) and Jarvis Sam (Nike’s Vice President of Global Inclusion & Diversity) and spoke about hot button topics; diversity and equity. The Nike execs also shared discoveries from two Nike initiatives: The Serena Williams Design Crew apprenticeship program and The Nike WIN program.

WATCH NOW

Day Two: Cultivating Your Calling

Oprah Daily senior digital director, Arianna Davis, moderated as Sarah Mensah, Nike’s Head of North American Marketing, shared her journey in the marketing field and provided advice for women of color who are navigating in corporate America. Mensah shared the gem of learning to enjoy the journey and making sure we all own our whole self at work.

WATCH NOW

Day Two: Don’t Just Change The Packaging

Chloe Hall, Beauty Director at ELLE, sparked an in-depth conversation with Shibishah Johnson (Brand Strategist at Credo Beauty), dermatologist Dr. Camille Howard-Verovic, and Christina Tegbe (Founder of 54 Thrones) about inclusivity in the clean beauty space. They discussed how communities of color created natural ingredients and wellness and how those communities are being unrepresented in the clean beauty conversation. Tegbe and Dr. Howard-Verovic also spoke about how they are changing the narrative in wellness representation.

WATCH NOW

Day Three: The Power of Choice

Angel Lenise, ELLE‘s Senior Producer, spoke to Empire actress and entrepreneur Serayah and Gossip Girl actress and brand ambassador Jordan Alexander about their fame in the entertainment industry. Lenise led the conversation as the two actresses conversated about their influence, entrepreneurship, and the importance of fashion in their careers.

WATCH NOW

Day Three: Style X Capital

Moderator Jalaine Johnson (Senior Director of Membership at Hearst) was accompanied by Unique James (Founder & Executive Producer at CompoZition), Carla Nelson ( Creator, President & CEO, Black Fashion World Inc.), and Reham Fagiri (Co-Founder & CEO at AptDeco) for a live-stream segment about black woman business owners. During the lunch conversation, the woman discussed their personal experiences and provided guidance to entrepreneurs in the style space.

WATCH NOW

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Periods don’t have to bring our sex lives to a halt. In fact, getting busy while menstruating has benefits.

I’ve never had sex on my period on purpose. There are only two circumstances in which this would’ve occurred — by accident, or at the bitter end of my cycle when I couldn’t wait to get it in. Two halves of my brain fight against each other when it comes to period sex: The part that is a raging feminist and wants to smear my endometrial lining on any man who dares cross my path, and another part that feels ashamed I even bleed at all.

I grew up in the ’90s and got my first period at 13. Periods were a dirty secret — I didn’t tell my mom or my friends for a year when I got mine. I hated it and the constant reminder from *gestures vaguely* society that I was dirty. At school, we were discouraged from even mentioning it outside of sex ed class and at the time, many public washrooms weren’t even equipped with pad or tampon dispensers. We used passive terms for it like “Aunt Flo” or “monthly visitor” instead of calling it what it is. Pads are commonly called sanitary napkins when nothing is unsanitary about them at all. Now 30 years old, I still refer to my period as “Shark Week” to help ease the tension of discussing periods with my sexual partners. They always laugh, so, mission accomplished?

But as I’ve come into my own in my late twenties, carrying around this weird shame — among many others, namely my body size — has become my ball and chain. For at least one week every month, my menstrual cycle runs the show. She dictates what I eat, how much exercise I do (or don’t do), whose head I bite off, how I feel about my body, how horny I am and the fact that I can’t have partnered sex — or so I thought.

Rachael Newton, the founder of period-care brand Nixit, wants to change that.

She first got the idea of creating a sustainable period product while living abroad on an island, and noticing just how much waste she was producing from tampons and pads alone. But while shopping for a menstrual cup, sifting through confusing information from some leading brands and chatting with friends about their period troubles, she finally decided to design one of her own.

It took three years for the Nixit menstrual cup to come to fruition. The brand’s silicone cup, unlike tampons and other leading period cups, doesn’t use absorption or suction to stay in place. Instead, it uses gravity and our bodies own unique natural forms to sit comfortably in place. It’s super light, ultra flexible body leans against the pubic bone and vaginal fornix, higher up that most other products that sit at the base of the cervix in the vaginal canal, like a diaphragm. The material is thinner, lighter and more pliable, and the lack of suction allows for comfortable movement and shifting into the perfect position for you. And because it doesn’t use suction, it’s actually a lot easier to insert and remove; while it sits higher, it’s easier to reach and take out with your fingertips — no awkward pinching and tugging required.

And yes, it’s perfect for period sex. Unlike other menstrual cups, Nixit sits higher up in the vaginal canal, not only reducing the amount of blood that can leak during sex, but also actually allowing for more comfortable penetration while it’s inserted.

Orgasming during your period can help relieve menstrual pain

“Some people are totally comfortable with [period sex], and that’s fine for them,” Newton says. “But for a lot of people [who aren’t comfortable with it], it opens up the conversation because they’re like, ‘I’ve got this product [and] it doesn’t matter that I have my period.’”

There are many reasons people may want to have sex on their periods, she explains. For some, their sex drive runs high while menstruating. And furthermore, orgasms can help with relieving cramps.

Research shows that having sex on your period can relieve cramping pain thanks to the oxytocin and endorphins released after orgasm. Research by former professor and author Beverly Whipple found that women’s pain tolerance and detection increased by 74.6 and 106.7 percent respectively after orgasm.

Additionally, for those who experience pain during intercourse, period blood can act as extra lubricant during penetration, thereby increasing pleasure — for both parties.

Having period sex can be an act of sexual self-confidence and empowerment

Beth* grew up knowing her period was a secret, encouraged by her mother to stay quiet about it and always feeling awkward bringing it up with partners. As she matured, being able to have sex on her period became an important part of her life and relationship with her partner, who’s always been open to learning.

“I want to know that my partner is comfortable with all of my body, and period sex is a big part of that for me,” she says. “And having a longer than average period has meant that being comfortable with period sex is almost a necessity.”

Using Nixit has allowed Beth the freedom to not have to plan around her period, but rather make it a part of her life — a move that’s helped improve her sexual confidence tenfold.

“When I used a menstrual cup previously, I found it difficult to get excited about sex because planning around my complex menstrual cycle started to become a burden,” she says. “Using Nixit as a means of having mess-free period sex … gave me flexibility to have sex whenever I want.”

On the other hand, when Stephanie* got her first period, her family took her out for dinner to celebrate.

“My parents never told me to hide it or not talk about it, and definitely never mentioned it was dirty” she says. The most she was concerned about was smelling bad in high school, but periods were never an issue when it came to having sex.

“If sex was initiated, I would just say, ‘By the way, I have my period right now,’” she says. “It’s never been an issue. The usual reaction from a partner was, ‘let’s get a dark towel or try the bathroom counter, to avoid making too much of a mess.’” Now, “if we’re in the mood, it’s a non-issue,” she adds.

Period sex also has a lot to do with building body respect

Millie* grew up in a period-friendly household; her grandfather was even a gynaecologist. But because her friends weren’t as vocal about periods, she didn’t talk about it as much. The more comfortable she got with her body, the easier it became.

“In the beginning, I only ever mentioned my period as a ‘warning’ before sex,” she says. “As I become more comfortable with my sexuality and my partners, it would become a more open conversation.”

“What’s most important to me is that my partner respects my body … That includes not shaming me for something that’s natural to my body.”

At the end of the day, being able to enjoy our bodies on or off our periods is paramount to building a positive relationship to our own beings — whether it’s sex with ourselves or sex with our partners, or exploring our bodies through using period cups.

*Names have been changed at the source’s request. 

Zackery Michael

Never has it been clearer that fashion is ripe for change. It’s an empowering moment to reimagine the life cycle of your wardrobe and to seek out repurposed staples that are crafted to last. This autumn, a bag from the Coach (Re)Loved Collection feels like a step in a more responsible (not to mention stylish) direction. The iconic NYC label designs by the principle that better-made things equate to a better-made future, and the pre-owned, restored bags in the collection take an imaginative approach to sustainability that mirrors this set of values.

There are four categories in the Coach (Re)Loved Collection: Coach Restored, Coach Vintage, Coach Upcrafted, and Coach Remade. The trade-in program begins when you bring in your gently-used, authentic leather Coach bag to one of 15 pilot stores to be refreshed, reimagined, or recycled in exchange for store credit (from $10 up to $140). If it’s still in good condition (light scratches, no discoloration), you bid adieu to your bag for good, and it’s whisked away for a revamp by Coach’s in-house workshop of craftspeople. If it’s rough around the edges and not eligible for trade-in, the Coach Cares team will help you explore other avenues (such as repairs) to extend the lifespan of your well-loved bag. Whichever route you choose, you’re helping create a less wasteful way of doing things.

The trend cycle is always evolving, and so too should your taste and fashion preferences. But rather than shelving (or tossing) a bag whenever the trend winds shift, this season, consider trading in it in to buy a pre-loved masterpiece or enlisting the Coach team to breathe new life into your existing bag. These four picks from the Coach (Re)Loved Collection show how you can be part of a more circular and sustainable way of shopping.

VINTAGE

Zackery Michael

For those who are energized by the perfect old-school find, Coach’s game-changing Vintage program is where you can discover a handpicked edit of rare and archival styles from decades past, all lovingly and meticulously restored. And because these Coach pieces are coming straight from the source, uncompromising authenticity is always a guarantee.

ZACKERY MICHAEL

RARE AND VINTAGE COACH BAGS YOU LOVE, BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED

This white Knapsac—a silhouette originally introduced in 1974—was expertly cleaned, conditioned, and restored by Coach leather specialist Debi Barros. Its minimal color palette and sleek shape give a nod to an iconic moment in America’s fashion history that you can carry into the 21st century, all thanks to the Coach community member who traded it in rather than letting it possibly end up in a landfill.

RESTORED

Zackery Michael

For bags that have been artfully refurbished to their original condition, the Restored program reigns supreme. This collection proves that you should never give up on a bag due to subtle wear and tear; all it takes is a little Coach-assisted TLC to render your bag like new.

Zackery Michael

GENTLY WORN BAGS, RESTORED TO THEIR ORIGINAL CONDITION

This gently-worn Callie design made its way to the Coach Repair Workshop and—thanks to the technical skill of their talented craftspeople—she’s got a new lease on life. Crafted in a convertible clutch silhouette with a chain strap and featuring a patchwork of signature canvas, leather, suede, and genuine exotic snakeskin, it can be worn three ways: on the shoulder, as a crossbody, or carried as a clutch.

UPCRAFTED

Zackery Michael

The Upcrafted collection is where gently used bags are masterfully reimagined by Coach’s craftspeople. Think of it as a step up from simple repairs and a transformation with one-of-a-kind artisanal elements like painting, embellishment, or whatever other brilliant touches the team dreams up.

Zackery Michael

ONE-OF-A-KIND BAGS REIMAGINED BY COACH CRAFTSPEOPLE

Take, for example, this Rider Bag made from black glovetanned leather. It arrived at the Coach workshop with a broken frame hinge, a missing strap, and light marks and scratches. After replacing the strap and frame, designer Rose Oliva hand-painted a clever pattern motif, a process that took over seven hours to complete. Et voila—a classic black bag with a playful, repurposed personality.

REMADE

Zackery Michael

Coach’s Remade program is ideal if you live for a makeover moment (don’t we all?). Rescued and remade from deconstructed pre-owned bags, this collection features gifts like trays and pouches crafted from leather bags that previous owners have decided to part ways with.

Zackery Michael

RESCUED AND REMADE FROM DECONSTRUCTED, PRE-OWNED BAGS

In a former life, this pouch was once the siding of a much-loved Coach tote bag. When the bag was no longer usable, the brilliant hand of the Coach team strategically spliced and salvaged the materials from the tote to create an assortment of items, including a leather jewelry tray, a luxe cup holder, and two chic little coin pouches. Consider your holiday gift ideas found.

Art Direction by Sonja Georgeovich, Styling by Cassie Anderson; Styling Assistance by Laynie Rouch; Hair by Nai’vasha Johnson; Makeup by Nolan Eakin; Collages by Lola McDonnell.

Look 1: Jacket by Stetson; bra by Araks; jeans by Levi’s; earrings by Jennifer Fisher; necklace by Daisy London. Look 2: Coat by Schott x Coach; bodysuit by Skims; boots by Stuart Weitzman; earrings by Jennifer Fisher; bracelet by IVI; ring by Past Midnight. Look 3: Trousers by Khaite; belt the stylist’s own; earrings by Jennifer Fisher; watch by Tabio. Look 4: Dress by Retrofete; boots by Stuart Weitzman; earrings the stylist’s own; bracelets by Jennifer Fisher.

After years of racist, homophobic and anti-Asian comments, the warm reception of the brand’s Alta Moda collection in Venice demonstrates just how short fashion’s memory really is.

For the last 72 hours, my social media feeds have been overflowing with praise for Dolce & Gabbana. As A-list celebrities, supermodels and top-tier stylists flocked to Venice, Italy to celebrate the Italian brand’s Alta Moda — their take on haute couture — presentation on August 29, I descended into the depths of Instagram, only to return hours later feeling really…uncomfortable. 

Had everyone suddenly forgotten Dolce & Gabbana’s history of racism and homophobia? Did I miss the memo that D&G had atoned and been forgiven for, among other things, their deeply tone deaf 2018 campaign mocking Chinese culture? The fanfare around this unabashedly extravagant event seemed to imply as much.

At every swipe, a new, more lush image illuminated my phone: models and guests arriving via glamorous gondolas; a selfie between Kardashian supermom Kris Jenner and Princess Diana’s niece Kitty Spencer; a video of a golden Jennifer Hudson (both literally and figuratively, as she was dressed like an actual princess) belting out “Nessum Dorma” from the Italian opera Turandot; a Venetian gothic runway, that used the iconic landmark of Piazza San Marco as its backdrop; ornate and ostentatious gowns, dripping in kaleidoscopic patterns, lavish fabrics and intricate embroideries; crowns and floral headpieces as far as the eye could see. And I haven’t even mentioned J.Lo’s jaw-dropping ensemble.

But for every beautiful image and celebrity photo, I was reminded of fashion’s problematic short-term memory.

For those unfamiliar with or in need of a quick fashion history refresher, Dolce & Gabbana is well-known for at least two things. The first is their quintessentially Italian and over-the-top design aesthetic. Minimalism is not in creative directors Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s vocabulary and their dedication to exuberance — despite the continued rise of streetwear and a more relaxed approach to dressing — is loved by many.

The second and far less positive defining characteristic is the brand’s history of racism, misogyny and homophobia.

In no particular order, Dolce & Gabbana once named a shoe the “slave sandal” and jewellery as “Blackamoor earrings;” Elton John called for a ban against the designers after they called children born from In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) “synthetic children;” Stefano Gabbana called Selena Gomez ugly for no apparent reason other than misogyny; and the brand is now infamous for supporting former First Lady Melania Trump, having dressed her on multiple occasions during her time at the White House. The luxury house even poked fun at anti-Trump administration protestors and their continued support of the former President through a bizarre series of #boycott Dolce & Gabbana T-shirts. 

However, it’s perhaps the Italian brand’s 2018 controversy that speaks the loudest — and reverberated the most.

Ahead of Dolce & Gabbana’s 2018 fashion show — ironically conceived and designed to woo its Chinese clientele — the luxury fashion house released a series of racially insensitive videos featuring a Chinese model attempting to eat Italian foods with chopsticks. The backlash on social media was instantaneous and forced the brand to delete the series from its Weibo account. Adding more fuel to the fire, Gabbana began personally responding to critics insulting both China and Chinese people in the process, as his DMs quickly leaked online and resulted in the cancellation of the brand’s 500-look show — and the cancellation of the brand as a whole.

In the wake of the aftermath, Diet Prada was at the forefront of the public condemnation of the brand and published the founder’s screenshots. It wasn’t until earlier this year that they revealed they have been battling a lawsuit from the Italian brand since early 2019, claiming defamation. The media outlet wasn’t alone in their criticism. Net-a-Porter and other e-tailers removed D&G products from their websites, Kim Kardashian West deleted a photo of her wearing one of their designs from her Instagram and customers around the globe starting returning their purchases.

Seeing as anti-Asian hate crimes have risen in the last 18 months due to racist rhetoric and misinformation around COVID-19, for major fashion outlets and celebrities alike to embrace Dolce & Gabbana so eagerly and effortlessly is disappointing, but perhaps not that surprising.

Fashion loves a comeback story (or is just too quick to forgive and forget for the sake of a free trip/gown/lavish party, depending on who you ask). Think John Galliano, who was infamously fired from Dior for anti-Semitic comments in 2011 and is now celebrated as the creative director of Maison Margiela.

The internet can be quick to cancel people and brands, but who stays cancelled and who is once again publicly embraced after a reprieve is much murkier. As celebrities, companies and media figures alike are examined under a microscope of political correctness, cancel culture has led to tangible results. Ellen DeGeneres is perhaps the best recent example, as public accounts of her fostering a toxic work environment prompted the comedian to cancel her daytime talk show after 19 years. Cancelled for now? Yes. But will Ellen be back in a year or two with a comeback project? Chances are, also yes.

It took less than a year for much of the fashion community to welcome Dolce & Gabbana back into the inner circle. D&G gowns started to once again appear on red carpets in 2019 when Emilia Clarke wore the designers to the TIME 100 Gala, and then at least seven A-list celebs wore them to the 2020 Oscars. An entire editorial centred around the brand appeared in British Vogue, featuring an interview with the designers.

Dolce & Gabbana got un-cancelled relatively quickly, and whether they did the real work to change after offending so many communities is up for debate.

The brand has undergone something of a rebranding. After the backlash of the 2018 Chinese campaign, both designers issued apologies and remained relatively quiet for several months as they rebuilt their image. Gabbana has since deleted his personal Instagram account. Kerry Washington’s 2020 Emmys look was auctioned off to benefit the When We All Vote, the nonprofit dedicated to voter registration founded by Former First Lady Michelle Obama. The luxury house pledged to make a “significant donation” to the NAACP on #BlackOutTuesday in June 2020. And they partnered with the LGBTQIA+ charity The Trevor Project for their 2021 Valentines Day campaign (above).

But is this enough? Is it as simple as forgiving and forgetting?

Vanessa Friedman, fashion director and chief fashion critic at the New York Times, told Fashionista in March 2021 about D&G mounting a comeback that when it comes to the luxury fashion house, or really any brand or person you choose to align with, it’s all about living with your choices.

“If you are going to publicly support — and fund — a brand that has acted in a hurtful way in the past because you believe they have learned from their mistakes, I think you should then be able to say, ‘I understand what they’d done in the past, and I feel this, and I thought this about it, and I made this decision; to me, that’s completely acceptable. But I wish that people would do that instead of either pretending that there wasn’t an issue or revealing that they haven’t bothered to think about their choices and are ignorant of the issue.”

When it comes to cancel culture and accountability, memories can be dreadfully short. Influencers, celebrities and shoppers have seemingly never been so woke and more vocal on social media, but the regular resurrection of cancelled celebrities and brands suggest the public are not following through when it comes to who they align themselves with, whether via their wallets or double taps. An angry online mob might be quick to form, but distractions — like a glamorous party and an extravagant outfit — arise just as fast. It’s up to the rest of us to continue the conversation.