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Editor in Chief: Cynthia Medina

JUNIE B. DAZZLED💎

Graduating from the Filipino inspired disco skirt is the era of embellishments. 

Creator @christopher_grave’s rhinestone embellished face reminded me of the So Random skit “Bedazzle-zit” covering acne via bedazzling, much akin to the Starface Face Sticker and Olivia Rodrigo’s famed Sour album cover. Commentator @art_lust remarks on the historical parallel to the phenomenon “horror vacui”, the fear of empty space, as the video progresses with increasingly more rhinestones being applied. Jack Cantley from FWMOMA remarks that horror vacui in visual art can stem from an artist’s overwhelming compulsion (perhaps related to mental illness) to leave no space vacant or from a conscious aesthetic decision to forgo negative space. Visually contrasting the quiet luxury style, it remains tethered to the ideals of class and wealth through its adversely flamboyant showmanship. 

Tracing back thousands of years, this gemstone-laden art style is notably associated with royal regalia. Gemstones served as an artistic display of wealth and were believed to have divine properties known to heal, protect, and enhance spiritual awareness. Gen Z is no stranger to the practice of collecting gemstones and engaging in spirituality (at least when presented in a gentrified manner), and this novelty practice of collecting physical social currencies begets consumerism.

Beaded embellishments, exhibitions of pure craftsmanship and labor have been scattered across runways– a subtle version of this bejeweled phenomenon. Trading blinding glitz and glamour for a more subtle yet increasingly intricate sheen is beaded garments and accessories. Drawing from the artistic renaissance stemming from rapid technological industrialization, beaded embroidery is explicitly tedious and time consuming. Ricamour Embroideries showcases the artistic complexities and dimension through reimagining embroidery via beading placements, movement, and architecture. Some exhibitions of this lean disco ball-adjacent with reflective materials like Fendi’s SS26 peekaboo bags. 

Whether you enjoy the consumerism of it all or the pure glitz and the glamour, indulge in the dazzling fun of it all!

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MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL SPRING 🧚🌷

For those of us trying to adopt a new aesthetic for the warmer months, goodbye Depressed Goblin Nightmare Man, hello Manic Pixie Dream Girl, there is no shortage of whimsical, dreamy trends to dive into. For anyone with their head in the clouds and their feet nowhere near the ground, this season feels especially full of possibility.

On the film and television front, Euphoria season three recently released its first and second episode, and while the show may have traded some of its glitter-bomb makeup and electro-pop energy, it still gives us the blueprint for some of modern television’s most iconic Manic Pixie Dream Girl aesthetics. No one here would ever say no to a season one rewatch.

And for a little more personal expression, these nails by @Tinted_Tips are such a playful way to bring out your inner fairy. Buttons, lockets, brooches, and beaded bracelets all feel perfectly in step with spring, and I am especially into the button-inspired claw clips from Hey Ricochet.

Karol-chella Has Arrived🎶

Last Sunday, Karol G became the first Latina to headline Coachella, and she did not disappoint. Her performance, and her outfits, felt like a love letter to her home country and to Latinos everywhere, reminding us that in moments like these, music brings people together, unity matters, and community is everything.

While her set was easily one of the most memorable of the night, her fashion choices were just as bold and dynamic. The Colombia-born artist wore five looks styled by her longtime stylist, Brett Alan Nelson, each one building on the last while honoring her roots in a way that felt vibrant, modern, and unmistakably her.

She began in a custom Etro look designed in collaboration with Brett Alan Nelson, paired with a Luar headpiece, custom Shoe Lab Doheny boots, and Swarovski crystal work by @discodaddystudio.

She also wore multiple looks designed by Brett Alan Nelson and created by Michael Schmidt Studios, styled with Gentle Monster sunglasses in one appearance and custom Reebok shoes in another.

Another standout came from THE BLONDS, created in collaboration with Nelson, while one of the final looks featured a top and arm pieces by Adan Terriquez, a custom skirt by Doni Nahmias, Courrèges shoes, and Swarovski crystal work by @thediscodaddy.

What makes all of these looks so striking is the way they reference the Colombian flag and traditional dancewear while still feeling fresh and modern. Becoming the first Latina to headline Coachella is a huge moment, and Karol rose to it fully, delivering looks that stayed true to her roots while also carrying a powerful message of pride, unity, and celebration.

Explore Peru with purpose

See Peru through the eyes of the women who call it home on Intrepid’s brand-new Women’s Expedition.

With an expert local leader out front and a small group of like-minded women by your side, this trip connects you with the local communities you visit ,giving you a unique insight into Peru’s culture and traditions.

With an expert local leader out front and a small group of like-minded travellers by your side, this trip gives you a unique insight into Peru’s culture and traditions.

Part of Intrepid’s Women’s expedition range, this eight-day adventure has been thoughtfully designed to support local women in tourism while delivering immersive experiences specifically for women travellers.

You’ll traverse the lesser-known Chinchero to Urquillos trail in the Peruvian Andes alongside an all-female crew, spend time in an Andean village learning about daily life, take part in a traditional textile workshop led by local women and experience a spiritual cleansing ritual guided by a female shaman.

Find your adventure

The Garment District: A (Not-So-Comprehensive) History (pt. 1)

When you think of fashion capitals of the world, New York City is nearly always part of the conversation. As someone that lives here and is immersed in the fashion scene through modeling, the energy around fashion here is infectious and electric. There are so many creative ideas from brilliant designers of all backgrounds, bringing their perspectives to life, season after season. 

At the heart of the fashion industry in NYC is the Garment District (also known as the Fashion District). Located in the heart of Manhattan, dangerously close to Times Square, this neighborhood spans approximately 24 blocks, roughly between 34th and 40th streets between Sixth and Ninth Ave (although these boundaries are blurred, depending on who you ask).

Nowadays, the district is bustling with casual sewing hobbyists and fashion students acquiring materials to complete their latest assignments, intermingled with more established designers ranging from 5 to over 50 years of experience in the industry. But you might be wondering…how did this area become the heart of fashion in NYC?

Garment production became prominent in the US post-Civil War, where the wave of new immigrants made good use of their sewing and tailoring skills to earn a living in their new country. What started as small tailor businesses operating out of tenements eventually grew into small but mighty multi-person affairs. As more of these businesses sprung up, there was then enough demand to create larger fashion enterprises, with every aspect of the clothing supply chain being covered: designing and buying textiles, creating patterns and cutting the fabric, and sewing together clothing.

Next week, we’ll dive deeper into the Garment District’s history and come closer to learning how it became what it is today.

When the Audience Takes Over🎸

Last weekend, I went to a jam session at Le Baiser Salé, and it ended up being one of the most fun nights I’ve had in Paris. The evening began with a core group performing covers of well-known songs, but nothing about it felt rigid or overly rehearsed. There was an easy, fluid energy to the whole night, the kind that made it feel like anything could happen.

As the night went on, people from the audience started getting up to sing or play, and somehow it all came together effortlessly. What stood out most was the level of talent. Every person who stepped up brought something different, and each performance felt confident, distinct, and genuinely exciting to watch. It was not just about skill, but also the joy they brought to the room.

The atmosphere made the night even better. The space was intimate and lively, and it felt easy to strike up conversations between sets. I ended up meeting so many kind and talented musicians, which made the whole experience feel even more special.

It also left me wondering whether I will find the courage to get up there myself before leaving Paris. Either way, I would absolutely go back.

See you next week!