Neiman Marcus to Close Dallas Flagship

Neiman Marcus is closing its downtown Dallas flagship store on Sept. 30, Saks Global confirmed Tuesday. The Dallas flagship first opened in 1907. Neiman Marcus plans to focus resources on its second Dallas NorthPark store. Since filing for bankruptcy in January, Saks Global closed 18 Saks Fifth Avenue stores and three Neiman Marcus stores. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

OTB Acquires All of Viktor&Rolf

OTB has acquired 100% of Viktor&Rolf after first acquiring a 51% majority stake in the label in 2008. OTB further increased its stake to 70% in 2019. This move follows the agreement signed last year, which reconfirmed Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren as creative directors of the brand for another five years. {OTB}

British Fashion Council Names Recipients of BFC Fashion Trust 2026

The British Fashion Council (BFC) announced the recipients of the BFC Fashion Trust 2026: Clio Peppiatt, Conner Ives, Nicholas Daley, Paolo Carzana, Patrick McDowell and Tolu Coker. The winning recipients receive a grant through the BFC Foundation and access to mentorship. Peppiatt and Daley were also recipients of the 2025 edition. {Fashionista inbox}

Fashion Trust U.S. Opens 2027 Applications

Applications for the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2027 are now open. U.S.-based designers who have been in business for two to seven years, as well as recent graduates from accredited design programs who completed their studies in 2024, 2025 or 2026, are welcome to apply. Submissions will be accepted through the Fashion Trust U.S. portal until December 2026. {Fashionista inbox}

PVH Corp. Reports 2% Sales Bump in Q1 2026

PVH Corp., the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, reported its Q1 2026 results on Wednesday, which showed a 2% sales increase to $2.025 billion. Tommy Hilfiger's revenue increased 3% compared to the prior year period, while Calvin Klein's sales increased 1%. Direct-to-consumerrevenue rose 6% and wholesale revenue was flat. {PVH Corp.}

California Naturals Closes Series B Funding, Names New CEO

California Naturals has closed a Series B round led by Align Ventures, with participation from existing investors like Elizabeth Street Ventures. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The capital will fuel the personal-care brand's growth in retailers such as Target, Ulta and CVS and support the launch of new categories. California Naturals appointed Hayden Hiatt as its new CEO. Hiatt, who previous served as the brand's chief operating officer, succeeds founder Shelby Wild. {WWD/paywalled}

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Board certified dermatologist Dr. Elyse Love isn't one to mince words or go along with industry trends. She thinks most at-home skin-care devices are a scam, isn't a fan of how celebrities "all seem to be morphing into the same face" and doesn't underestimate the importance of a good (drugstore!) facial cleanser.

At her GlamDerm office in New York City, she focuses on results-driven treatments that cater to all skin tones (she's a big fan of the SkinPen microneedling device, for example). But Dr. Love also thinks there's still a ways to go when it comes to developing better in-office treatments. "We need more devices that are safe in all skin types, but give really powerful results," she told Fashionista during a recent interview.

In the video below, Dr. Love gets honest about even more, including her most controversial beauty hot take, the skin-care trend she thinks is a scam, the cheapest part of her own beauty routine and more.

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If you're anything like us, you find it really hard not to pack your entire closet for a summer getaway. How do you know what bag you'll feel like wearing when the day comes? What size makes sense for the occasion? Unless you're packing multiple checked bags, chances are you're going to have to keep it pretty minimal.

That's why we believe in the "day and night philosophy." (Yes, we made that up.) It works every time. As long as you have one small-to-medium carryall that fits your wallet and/or passport, some makeup, a protein bar, hand sanitizer, sunglasses and a handful of other necessities, you're all set for any daytime activity. You don't want the bag to be too big — this isn't your airplane carry-on that will weigh down your body while exploring. Coach's popular Brooklyn Bag is perfect for this.

The understated hobo style delivers an effortlessly cool look without spending your entire vacation fund. The largest size, the Brooklyn 39, retails for $495 and is roomy enough to add a laptop and water bottle to your essentials. If you're looking for something a bit smaller (and even more affordable), the Brooklyn 24 still has plenty of room for just $295.

Now, what about when you head to a dressy dinner? Or out dancing? You'll be looking for something sleeker and smaller to carry just your phone, wallet, keys and pack of gum. That's where the Coach Nolita bag comes in. The compact handbag is fashion-forward for a night out, but lightweight and priced at only $119-$135. It also transitions easily into a wristlet and can simply be placed inside your Brooklyn bag if you don't feel like transferring the contents back and forth.

Each bag comes in everyday neutrals and bold prints so there's something for everybody. We recommend getting one of each so you're sure to have exactly what you need while away from home. Shop our favorite Brooklyn and Nolita bags, below.

Shop the best Coach bags for summer travels:

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28 in Suede/Brass/Clay, $295, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39 in Smooth Leather/Brass/Merlot, $495, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28 in Straw/Brass/Dark Fuchsia, $250, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39 in Suede/Brass/Light Denim, $495, available here

Nolita 19 In Haircalf With Cow Print, $139, available here

Nolita 19 in Pebbled Leather/Gold/Black, $119, available here

Nolita 19 In Signature Canvas, $119, available here

Nolita 19 With Newspaper Print, $95.20, available here

Editors' Picks are the Fashionista team's true (#notspon) fashion and beauty obsessions, handpicked by professionals who see it all.

Warning: Spoilers for the "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series below.

At risk of sounding like a "Harry Potter" millennial, I'm a massive fan of the entire Sarah J. Maas universe, better known on BookTok as the "Maasverse." For the uninitiated, Maas' second fantasy series, "A Court of Thorns and Roses" ("ACOTAR"), follows heroine Feyre Archeron's descent into the faerie realm called Prythian and her spellbinding journey of survival (sprinkled with a touch of romance). The five-book saga has become a viral sensation, and now, Alex and Ani is releasing an exclusive jewelry collection inspired by the Night Court.

View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

With prices ranging from $44 to $58, the eight-piece collection references fan-favorite characters in the Inner Circle through engraved lockets, sculpted rings and charm bracelets. Out of all the Prythian-inspired pieces, I'm captivated by the gold oval-shaped locket that spotlights a flower-adorned crescent moon on its front. Upon opening, a silhouette of Feyre and Rhysand (a.k.a. the High Lord of the Night Court) emerges, revealing an inscription reading, "Feyre Darling." However, the engraved quote on the back of the locket — Rhysand's first words to Feyre — ties the entire design together: "There you are. I've been looking for you." (IYKYK.)

A second locket features silver Illyrian wings concealing a starry depiction of Velaris, the hidden capital of the Night Court. The mantra of Rhysand's Court of Dreams covers the back of the locket: "To the stars who listen — and the dreams that are answered."

Alex and Ani also designed charm bracelets for the series' three sisters: Nesta, Elain and Feyre. Each $58 bracelet includes charms referencing the sisters' personal storylines, including a wolf, arrow and tattooed hand for Feyre; flowers and a cake for Elain; and the Dread Trove linked by silver flames for Nesta. An Illyrian sword has also been molded into a silver cuff, bearing its own twisting design across the blade.

An assortment of rings close out the collection, with three silver bands honoring Rhysand, Cassian and Azriel, or the brotherly trio "ACOTAR" fans lovingly refer to as the "Bat Boys." Nesta and Cassian also have their own ring set featuring clasped silver hands linked by a gold chain, symbolizing their mated bond. A key quote for the couple lines the inside of the ring band: "Keep reaching out your hand."

This jewelry collaboration — the first in an "ongoing collection" — coincides with an exciting time for the fandom: in March, Maas announced the next two installments in the "ACOTAR" series, releasing on Oct. 27 and Jan. 12, 2027, respectively. Fans have more Alex and Ani x SJM collaborations to looks forward to, as the brand teased in a press release that there are "additional story-inspired collections to come this year."

Without exaggeration, I've thought about "ACOTAR" every day since finishing the series, and now I can finally sneak pieces of the story into my jewelry wardrobe. See Alex and Ani's full "ACOTAR" collection, below.

Fashionista's audience includes 1 million site visitors, 110,000 newsletter subscribers and 4.74 million social media followers. Want to know how to reach them? Learn more.

Hero Product:Memoir Mother Pearl Ring ($208), Aura Mother Pearl Earrings ($198), Momento Earrings ($258)
Stockists:Anthropologie
PR Representation: Myra Joloya
How to get in touch: info@munsthebrand.com

Origin Story

In 2015, the sisters and co-founders, Bianca and Paola Muns, came together with a shared vision to create high-quality, distinctive designs rooted in the philosophy of "less is more." They began by buying and selling pieces and later moved on to designing their own handmade jewelry line, Muns. They soon built an environmentally conscious brand grounded in quality, longevity and purpose. As a Latin woman-owned small business, Muns is committed to growing responsibly and continuously refining its production methods without compromising its values or craftsmanship. Throughout the duo's journey, the company remains 100% self-funded, growing the business through brand collaborations and pop-ups, culminating in the opening of their store in Old San Juan. The retail space and studio have become a hub for collaboration with other creatives.

Inspired by gallery spaces, the store's interior design is modern, artful and engaging to guests and clientele. More importantly, the duo wanted to take a different approach by making a 100% local store, from the handcrafted fixtures to the merchandise.

The week opened with the second annual Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame (SIHOF) Honors Night, hosted by Camille Kostek and co-chaired by Monday Swimwear's Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman. It honored photographer Ellen von Unwerth, model and entrepreneur Leomie Anderson, Chromat founder Bex McCharen and designer Melissa Odabash.

From there, it was a blur. The newly reimagined Delano Miami Beach anchored a chunk of the programming (a von Unwerth photography exhibit and Sinesia Karol's runway show included). Plus, emerging brands got their close-up on a runway built directly over the pool at the art deco Kimpton Surfcomber via Paraiso's new RISE platform. The whole thing closed out with a Von Dutch party at Mary Lou's, where Megan Thee Stallion came back for round two, this time stretching Hot Girl Summer into menswear and, well, petwear.

Now for the fun part — the swimwear. Here are the seven biggest trends we saw at the Paraiso runways and the brands that did them best.

Oversized Everything

The move this summer is to go big, and Monday Swimwear made its case with accessories. The brand stacked its runway with supersized extras: jumbo raffia totes, oversized clutches, jumbo-brim hats and wide hair pieces, including a headscarf that doubles as a headband. None of it is subtle, and that's the point. Pack a bigger suitcase.

A Ruffles Revival

Ruffles are back, and Shan didn't keep them confined to the swimsuits. Frills turned up everywhere you looked with dramatic tops, frothy accents on otherwise simple one-pieces. 3D skirts moved with every step, and statement mesh jackets looked like they were created for a post-pool entrance.

Animal Instincts

Leopard is always in, and apparently so is zebra, snake and anything else that lives out in the wild. Prints prowled across the runways this season: Fae kept things fun with bold hues and mixed textures; Oséree took a sexier route with high-cut bottoms and cut-outs; and Kulani Kinis, Luli Fama and Oceanus went full safari-by-the-pool.

All That Glitters

There wasn't a dull moment in Miami with so many runway looks made to catch the light. Metallics and high-shine finishes were everywhere. Oséree leaned all the way into its Studio 54 fantasy; Monday Swimwear gave its resort pieces a glossy sheen; and even minimalist-leaning Fae worked in a little glimmer.

Jewels for the Pool

This was the season swimwear started moonlighting as fine jewelry. Beaded fringe, oversized studs, sculptural connectors and metal hardware held everything together (sometimes literally) at Oh Polly and Oséree, where the suit itself doubles as the accessory.

Hitting the Tropics

Somewhere, a palm tree is collecting royalties. Tropical prints came in hot this season. Luli Fama brought its signature riot of color and Kulani Kinis its breezy beach motifs, while Oceanus and Sigal piled on patterns loud enough to hear from the next cabana.

Under the Sea

Mermaidcore refuses to dry off. Oceanus went deep with its "Sol del Trópico" collection, featuring hand-beading, embroidery and high-gloss finishes, plus eyewear made from recycled ocean plastic by way of its SOJOS team-up. Sigal added its own shimmer-from-the-depths moment.

The Downfall of Glamour

Glamour, once known as a hard-hitting women's magazine, has downsized to a shopping-centered digital destination. The publication recently underwent significant staff cuts — including the departure of its Editor-in-Chief, Samantha Barry — with the remaining masthead predominantly composed of commerce writers and editors. For years, Glamour has been struggling with fluctuating site traffic, little ad interest and uncertainty about its target audience. {The New York Times/paywalled}

Macy's Inc Shares Q1 Report

Macy's Inc's Q1 2026 report reveals a steady start to the year, with a 3.1% jump in sales at $4.7 billion. Breaking it down by retailer, Macy's sales were up 1.6%, Bloomingdale's sales increased 10.2% and Bluemercury's sales went up 6.4%. The company credits its success to prioritizing customer experience. {Macy's Inc}

U.S. Proposes New Tariffs Over Labor Concerns

The Trump administration is suggesting new tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from 60 trading partners, citing concerns about forced labor. The proposal comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump's attempt at implementing emergency tariffs. Global lawmakers are fighting back at the latest proposal, calling the move unjustified. {Reuters}

Ulta Beauty to Open Flagship in Times Square

UIta Beauty is opening a Times Square flagship in New York City, set to open in late 2027. The store will be an experiential destination, offering immersive events and brand activations, said Ulta CEO and president Kecia Steelman in a statement. The move is part of the retailer's ongoing store expansion plan. {WWD/paywalled}

Inditex Reports Q1 Sales Growth

Zara's parent Inditex reported a 5.8% sales increase ($10 billion) and 5.4% net income jump ($1.62 billion) for Q1 2026. The company's stable trajectory is thanks to "continual investment in its store network, the advances made to the online sales channel and the improvements to the logistics platforms, with a clear focus on innovation and technology," per the press release. {Inditex}

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AVIDLOVE, an emerging brand known for its trendy intimate apparel, made its way to Miami Swim Week over the weekend, where it presented its latest collection at the historic pool of the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel. Titled "Sparks Fly," the runway included everything from casual daytime matching sets to sexy styles made for a night out — proving that lingerie is no longer confined to the bedroom.

Among the standout looks: a deep-V-cut purple cami, a cutout halter top paired with a brown lace mini skirt and a black bodysuit featuring scalloped hemlines and ruffle detailing. For the grand finale, the closing model walked in a lacy, fringed white set and massive angel wings.

AVIDLOVE 's lingerie-as-outwear collection proves that intimate apparel is not only versatile, but also easy to style from day to night and across a range of aesthetics. See all the standout looks from AVIDLOVE's Miami Swim Week debut below.

Location: New York City, Financial District
Type: Internship (Part-Time)
Duration: Summer 2026 (June 1 - September 4)
Compensation: School Credit, Travel Stipend

About Us
Westway Communications is a boutique fashion and beauty PR agency representing emerging and established brands across fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle. Our team specializes in media relations, influencer partnerships, brand strategy, event production, and VIP placement.

We thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment and are looking for a highly organized,
motivated intern eager to gain hands-on experience in the world of public relations. For more insight into our work please view our Instagram @westwaycomms.

Responsibilities

• Assist the PR team with daily administrative and client support tasks
• Research editors, stylists, influencers, celebrities, and media contacts
• Build and update press lists and influencer databases
• Coordinate product shipments, messenger deliveries, and sample trafficking
• Monitor media coverage and compile press clippings and reports
• Support event planning, influencer mailers, launches, fittings, and activations
• Assist with showroom organization and inventory management
• Track trends across fashion, beauty, wellness, and pop culture
• Help with Westway social accounts, posting and support

Qualifications

• Strong interest in fashion, beauty, wellness, and public relations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Proactive, resourceful, and eager to learn
• Familiarity with Instagram, TikTok, and influencer culture
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Launchmetrics, and Canva is a plus
• Previous internship or PR/showroom experience is preferred but not required
• Be available for an in-person internship for a minimum of 2 days per week from 10 AM – 5 PM.

How to Apply
To apply, please send resume to john@westwaycommunications.com with a brief cover letter on how you’d be a best fit for the team as well as your availability.

@westwaycomms

Price Range: $24-$46
Hero Product:Problem Solver Gel-Cream Moisturizer ($38)
Stockists:LGBTQ Outpost
How to get in touch: hello@smoodbeauty.com

Origin Story

Smood Beauty started because Founder Andrew Lau spent over 10 years dealing with acne-prone, sensitive skin and feeling like skin care was either too harsh, too boring or made for skin that wasn't his.

He wanted products that could actually support his skin without stripping it, irritating it or making breakouts worse. A lot of acne-focused products felt aggressive, while a lot of "gentle" products felt like they didn't do enough. Smood was born somewhere in the middle.

Inspired by Korean skin care and his own experience with frustrated skin, Lau created Smood Beauty to make skin care that feels fun, gentle and effective without being intimidating.

Smood isn't only for acne. It's for all skin types, but every formula is made with acne-prone and sensitive skin in mind, so you can feel confident using it even if your skin breaks out easily. Smood's goal is simple: help skin feel calmer, healthier, more hydrated and more balanced without overcomplicating your routine.

For decades, American consumers have been enamored with Korea's ingredients-led skin-care products and aesthetic treatments. According to a report released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in May, Korea’s cosmetics exports reached $11.4 billion in 2025, a 11.8% jump from a year earlier. Korea is the world’s second-largest cosmetics exporter after France, with the U.S. as its largest destination.

Similar to its skin-care counterpart, K-hair is heavily ingredient- and treatment-driven, with a popular focus on scalp health and "glass hair" (a sleek, super-straight hairstyle with a high-gloss finish). Major retailers are betting big on the category this year: Ulta Beauty added 13 brands to its assortment, six of which are available in-store; while Sephora is rolling out four brands, in addition to an ongoing partnership with K-beauty retailer Olive Young (which just opened its first U.S. location in Los Angeles). 

Related: Inside Korean Beauty Retail Giant Olive Young’s First U.S. Store

But as K-hair expands into the West, it raises the question of where kinky- and coily-textured shoppers fit into the mix. 

Per NielsenIQ, Black consumers spent $16.2 billion on beauty products in the U.S. 2025. That spending power presents a major market opportunity for Korean hair brands. However, coily hair types are uncommon within Korea's local demographic and differ greatly from looser patterns in terms of density, dryness and moisture retention. Meaning, brands looking to attract a wide breadth of U.S. consumers must ensure their products address those differences. 

And several are — conducting the proper research, developing the right formulations and rolling out appropriate marketing tactics that don't leave Black shoppers behind. As a spokesperson for Unove's R&D team put it, "We see inclusivity not as a separate category, but as a core principle in product development."

Ahead, South Korean hair brands share their strategies for attracting a diverse clientele, and hairstylists weigh in on their effectiveness. 

Formulating for the Right Needs

Caring for coarser textures requires using ingredients that deliver lasting moisture retention and help prevent breakage, says Kaleel Joy, a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Olandria Carthen, Serena Page, Rita Ora and Chelley Bissainthe. How are Korean hair brands meeting that need?

"While traditional Korean formulas focused primarily on shine and smooth movement, highly textured hair requires prioritizing two new factors: elasticity and friction reduction," says Daye Choi, founder of Narka, a K-hair label that recently landed in Ulta. The brand focuses on maximizing slip, barrier protection and anti-frizz performance. "Our R&D process focuses not on simple surface coating, but on internal penetration capability and long-lasting pliability as key performance indicators," she says. "Our formulas are designed to deliver nutrients between the cuticle layers and enable styling optimized for each hair texture."

Brands such as Mise en Scène and Unove also focus on moisture improvement, frizz management and damage repair. Unove formulates with proteins such as keratin and panthenol to support structural repair without sacrificing curl integrity. 

Related: K-Beauty Brands Are Still Expanding to the U.S., Despite Tariffs

Meanwhile, premium hair brand Dr. Groot believes its "scalp first" philosophy works across all hair types: "While we do test across a range of hair types to validate efficacy, our formulations are built around treating underlying scalp conditions and symptoms that impact overall hair health," Beth Stokes, the company's brand marketing manager, explains. Although scalp accessibility is more difficult with denser textures, the brand's fluid design makes it easy to apply. Plus, its key ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide work for all curl patterns "because they work at the scalp level rather than on the hair shaft itself," Stokes says. "As a result, the underlying science holds regardless of whether someone has fine, straight hair or dense, coily hair."

Admittedly, none of the interviewed brands use ingredients traditionally included in Black or Brown hair-care brand formulations. Such ingredients include shea butter, glycerin, ceramides, amino acids and oils like jojoba and argan, according to celebrity hairstylist Elizabeth Semande, who has styled hair for Coco Jones, Ming Lee Simmons and Zuri Hall. While all the labels are open to creating tailored hair-care lines in the future, their goal isn't to copy Black-owned brands, but to adapt their existing formulas to be effective for a broader clientele. 

Of course, formulation is only one part of the equation — proper testing is another. Ahead of Unove's U.S. expansion, it broadened its testing approach to source human hair samples that reflect a wider range of textures, including recruiting coily- and curly-haired lab participants. It plans to permanently incorporate these changes into its clinical testing protocols.  

Dr. Groot also widened its test pool to include more hair types and created a dedicated U.S. team to better understand the American consumer demographic. Meanwhile, Narka introduced standardized models using human hair tresses sourced globally with varying curvature patterns and collaborated with a U.S.-based consulting firm to receive advisory support across multiple areas, including brand diagnosis, key SKU selection and brand messaging, Choi says. 

Observing Product Performance

From a hairstylist's perspective, Korean hair products are still hit-or-miss for coily and kinky textures. Korean stylistSeoha Yoon, whose clients predominantly have slightly wavy textures, admits there's room for improvement: "Overall, Korean hair-care products tend to have pleasant textures and are easy to use," she says. "However, I personally feel that there are still not many products that are specifically designed to address the unique needs of curly or highly textured hair."

The learning curve goes both ways: Due to a lack of familiarity with Korean hair offerings, Yoon's majority-Asian clients are hesitant when introduced to the category, she says. "At this stage, clients still seem somewhat cautious when it comes to trying Korean hair-care products," she shares. "Their reactions can be relatively reserved."

To address that, brands are exploring ways to demonstrate the performance of K-hair products across hair textures. For example, Narka presents before-and-after content using diverse influencers and consumers. "In Western markets, persuasion ultimately comes through results," Choi explains. "Some consumers may assume that Asian hair products are not suitable for them. However, Korea itself has a wide spectrum of hair textures."

Related: Meet the Internet-Famous Hairstylist Bringing $75 Curly Cuts to the Masses

Celebrity hairstylist Jazmin Kelly, who has worked with Mary J. Blige and Iman, hasn't personally used Korean hair brands yet, but she's researched them and is impressed by the high-quality formulas that "in theory" would work with textured hair. However, "My honest professional observation is this: The creams and hydrating formulas in the K-hair space don’t yet deliver the weight and richness that coily textures truly need," she adds. "In practice, if a client with textured hair were using K-hair products, I would recommend always following up with a dedicated moisturizer to seal in hydration."

Semande, who has also yet to try Korean hair products on her clients, is open to testing them in the future. "As the beauty industry becomes more global, I think there is tremendous value in learning from different approaches to hair care and adapting them to meet the needs of diverse hair types," she says. 

On the other hand, Jenny Cho, a Unove brand ambassador and hairstylist whose celebrity clients include Greta Lee, Jung Ho-yeon, Ana de Armas and Laufey, has seen her clients embrace Korean products after an initial trial. "There's a lot of curiosity at first, especially given that Korean skin-care products are so beloved," she says. "With Unove being Korea’s top hair-care brand, there’s an immediate sense of credibility — and once clients experience the softness, shine and manageability, that trust is reinforced across different hair textures."

Cho works across all hair types — straight, wavy, curly and coily — and while each texture has its own set of needs, hair health remains a common throughline. For coily hair specifically, she's found that repair-driven, deeply conditioning products are extremely effective. "I always tell clients to pay attention to how their hair responds," Cho says. "Ingredients like proteins, amino acids and conditioning agents are great, but it's also about how the formula feels – does it help with detangling, does it soften the hair, does it support elasticity? You want something that enhances the hair's natural pattern while still delivering long-lasting moisture and strength."

Hairstylist Joy has also had a positive experience with K-hair products, noting that he appreciates the focus on scalp health and use of innovative ingredients. "Many products feel luxurious and perform well," he shares. His main critique? "Some may need more moisture for coily textures."

Cho agrees there's still a lot of room for improvement. "There will always be opportunity to grow in education and representation — making sure that a range of hair types are not only considered in formulation, but also reflected in how products are tested, marketed and demonstrated," she says. But she's optimistic that the industry can meet those expectations. 

Diverse Marketing is Equally Important

As K-hair brands expand their presence in the West, the right messaging is also essential. 

Dr. Groot takes a multi-channel approach that includes influencers, affiliates, collaborations and both internal and external seeding, all with intention to reach various communities. "We prioritize building a diverse roster of creators and stylists in our campaigns because their audiences trust them, and their feedback helps us show up more authentically," Stokes says. "We also recognize that hairstylists in particular carry significant authority in these communities, so their endorsement carries real weight in building credibility."

The strategy has paid off: A quick search on TikTok will show that, among popular Korean hair brands, Dr. Groot has by far the most endorsements from Black and Brown content creators (many of which are unpaid).

"We are clear about who we are: a Korean hair-care company with a scalp-first philosophy, not a textured hair-care brand," Stokes adds. "What we can say honestly is that our products have proven to perform well for Black and Brown consumers, and because of that, it's important to include those voices in our marketing to provide visibility into experiences that may resonate with different hair types. Staying grounded in that honesty helps ensure our intentions remain clear and reduces the risk of inauthenticity."

Narka, too, works with diverse influencers to show off product performance. However, it does promote texture-specific solutions. "In markets where similar products already exist, we propose a differentiated perspective: There is no single solution that fits all hair textures," Choi says. The hope is that, by seeing the subtle differences in how Narka products treat various hair types — lightweight freshness for fine hair and curl retention for kinky hair — consumers will get drawn in.

Meanwhile, Mise en Scène primarily uses social media to educate, using before-and-after comparison content and explanatory captions to help users find the right products for their hair types. It also combs through Reddit to get performance insight, a representative shares. It's worth noting that upon looking through Mise en Scène's social pages, there is little to no coily hair representation, and the brand declined to comment on how Black and Brown influencers play a role in their marketing strategy.

While it's clear there's still a lot of progress to be made in including diversity within the Korean hair-care category, there are actionable steps being taken in the right direction.

"K-hair brands looking to serve a diverse clientele authentically: Listen first. Engage directly with hairstylists and consumers who work with textured hair every day," Kelly says. "Invest in formulating richer, more emollient products — creams, custards and leave-ins with genuine slip and long-lasting moisture payoff. When K-hair gets that balance right — combining its world-ingredients with the density and hydration that coily textures require — the results will be extraordinary."

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Corvino started The NY Archive as a side hustle in 2023, launching the company out of her childhood bedroom. Once she planned on pursuing it full-time, she quit her job at a start-up; but when it couldn’t pay out the equity she’d been promised, Corvino knew that she had to take matters into her own hands. 

“I had gotten into debt strategically with the hopes that, by doing my time there, I'd be able to pay myself out...it was an investment in this future that I was trying to cultivate,” she tells Fashionista. Leaving her corporate job behind, although risky, was the motivation Corvino needed to make The NY Archive what it is today. “The only option was to succeed,” she says.

Three years after launching with an online-only drop model, Corvino has expanded her brand from a showroom located in her family’s apartment on the Upper East Side, into a full-fledged retail space in Chelsea.

The result is The NY Collective, where Corvino — alongside a rotating slate of vintage dealers and small contemporary brands — has created a living, breathing monument to the city’s tight-knit community of independent fashion businesses.

“I wanted to bring people into this world and make it feel like it’s something that they resonate with on an emotional level, beyond just being a store. Because anyone can sell vintage,” she explains.

Because she trades predominantly in vintage footwear, bringing other vendors on board felt like a natural extension of Corvino’s brand. The Collective’s current roster includes rare handbags from Seven Moods, ‘90s- and Y2K -era Victoria’s Secret slips from Sadly Vintage and repurposed retro frames from AZYR Specs. Prices for vintage items range from $45 to $5,000, while contemporary pieces cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000.

“The hope is that you come here and feel like you're never getting the same experience twice,” Corvino says.

The design of her nostalgia-fueled storefront was inspired by films and television shows like "Uptown Girls," "13 Going on 30" and "Sex and the City." Floor-to-ceiling shelves, painted shocking pink, boast everything from pony-hair Prada platforms to classic Chanel flaps. Chandeliers (sourced from Facebook Marketplace) are draped in ribbons and designer heels, while hand-painted motifs of shoes, purses and perfume decorate the dressing room.

Within 50 days of signing the lease, Corvino completely transformed the two-room studio with help from her local handyman, who’s worked in her family’s building since she was a child. “He really helped my dreams come true,” she says.

Corvino knew she’d outgrown her original showroom when a line of 250 people queued down the block. In the Chelsea space, she still plans to have customers reserve dedicated time slots on weekdays, but weekends will be open for walk-ins and ticketed events — that way, there are multiple options for shoppers to “play dress-up.”

“I want to inspire confidence and let people feel like big kids again,” Corvino says. “Because how often do you get to do that?”

The NY Collective is now open at 150 West 25th Street, Suite 401. Operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

Alexa Demie Covers i-D's New Zine

Alexa Demie is the cover star for i-D's new, limited-edition print zine. Photographed by Petra Collins and styled by Brynn Jones, Demie wears 1930s gold lamé wings, a 1950s showgirl cape as a skirt and Fruity Booty underwear on the cover. In conversation with Ottessa Moshfegh, Demie talks starring in "Euphoria," grappling with fame and her own introversion. The limited-edition zine is available now at i-D.co, and will be available at Architecture Books in L.A. on June 5 and at Climax in New York City on June 9. {Fashionista inbox}

Black-Owned Brand Founders Feel Alienated by Target

Target has pulled back from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in recent years, leaving some Black-owned brand founders feeling alienated. Brands like Afro Unicorn, Alikay Naturals and Oyin Handmade have disappeared from the retailer's shelves. Some brands may have been removed from Target due to their sales performance. Target is adding new Black-owned brands to its assortment (like KBB by Kahlana), but it has burned bridges with many others. {Modern Retail/paywalled}

Victoria's Secret & Co. Q1 2026 Sales Jump 15%

Victoria's Secret & Co. shared its Q1 2026 results on Tuesday, which showed a 15% bump in sales to $1.56 billion. This places the company above its guidance range of $1.49 billion to $1.53 billion. Victoria's Secret & Co. reported operating income of $76 million in Q1 2026, compared to its Q1 2025 operating income of $20 million. {Victoria's Secret & Co.}

McQueen Has a New CEO

Kering has appointed Gianfranco D'Attis as Alexander McQueen's CEO, effective June 3. D'Attis previously served as Prada's CEO, oversaw Christian Dior Couture in the U.S. and has held senior positions at brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre and Chloé. D'Attis succeeds Gianfilippo Testa, who will leave the group later this year, according to Kering. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

Estée Lauder, Puig Merger Fell Through Due to Cost

The potential merger between The Estée Lauder Cos. and Puig fell through because of the ​price tag, according to Estée Lauder President and CEO Stéphane de La Faverie. He added that the company is still open to acquisitions ​if they make financial sense. "If we cannot reach the growth and the profitability at the right price point, then that is not an option," de La Faverie said at a ​Deutsche Bank consumer conference in Paris. "And ​this is ​why, obviously, ⁠this deal didn't go through, because it was not at the right price." {Reuters}

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The fashion-packed week is hosted by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), which is also responsible for putting on Paris Fashion Week. The organization is comprised of three committees — Haute Couture, Womenswear and Menswear, to be exact — which each work to develop their respective specialities. The Haute Couture Committee builds upon the legacy of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture that was first established in 1911.

Today, Haute Couture Week spotlights unparalleled innovation and creativity (read: the best of the best), featuring mainstay maisons like Schiaparelli, Dior, Chanel and Balenciaga, among others.

Related: Your Fashion Week Calendar for All of 2026

What's New

Indian couture designer Manish Malhotra is making his Paris Haute Couture Week debut on July 8. Malhotra, who launched his namesake label in 2005, recently dressed Camila Mendes and Karan Johar at the 2026 Met Gala. This season, fashion insiders can also look forward to Pierpaolo Piccioli's first couture show for Balenciaga since joining the Spanish house in 2025, as well as Duran Lantink's debut couture collection for Jean Paul Gaultier. Valentino now shows during January's couture week, so the Alessandro Michele-helmed label is sitting out this July.

Paris Haute Couture Week Fall 2026 Provisional Calendar

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Company Description
EVNA PR is a strategic communications agency working across beauty, fashion, and interior design, building brand equity through earned storytelling, affiliate, brand partnerships, events, and awards. Founded in 2017 by Simona Rozhko, the agency operates at the intersection of brand, culture, and commerce, partnering with founders and companies that are defining their categories, not following them. With teams in New York and Los Angeles, EVNA PR is known for shaping how brands are seen, understood, and experienced in the market. Web: www.evnapr.com Social: @evnapr

Role Description
EVNA PR is seeking a Publicist to support strategy and execution across a portfolio of beauty, fashion, and interior design clients. This is a public relations role focused on earned media, brand partnerships, events, award submissions, and strategic influencer seeding. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator who enjoys pitching, relationship building, and securing media coverage. They should be highly organized, proactive, curious, and comfortable managing multiple deadlines and client priorities simultaneously. 

Key Responsibilities

• Earned Media
  Develop and execute proactive media outreach across beauty, fashion, lifestyle, business, and design media Write and distribute pitches, media alerts, press releases, and briefing materials Build and maintain targeted media lists Secure product placements, founder interviews, trend features, launch coverage, and brand stories Monitor editorial calendars, media opportunities, and industry trends Track, report, and analyze earned media coverage
• Brand Partnerships & Collaborations
  Research and identify brand partnership opportunities for clients Support outreach to prospective brand partners Assist in developing collaboration concepts and activation ideas Coordinate partnership logistics and communication
• Events & Activations
  Support media events, launch events, dinners, previews, and experiential activations Manage guest lists, invitations, RSVP tracking, and media attendance Coordinate with venues, vendors, and client teams as needed Assist with event-day execution
• Awards & Industry Recognition
  Research relevant awards opportunities across beauty, fashion, business, and design Draft award submissions and supporting materials Manage awards calendars, deadlines, and entry requirements
• Influencer Seeding
  Research and identify relevant influencers, creators, editors, and tastemakers for gifting opportunities Coordinate product shipments and seeding lists Track placements, mentions, and resulting coverage

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in public relations, communications, or a related field
• Strong writing, pitching, and communication skills
• Experience securing earned media coverage
• Excellent organization and project management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Positive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented mindset
• Interest in beauty, fashion, interior design, and consumer brands

Bonus Points

• Existing relationships with editors, writers, producers, and freelance contributors
• Experience supporting media events and brand activations
• Experience with award submissions
• Familiarity with affiliate and commerce media
• Proficiency in Muck Rack, CoverageBook, Canva, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Slack

Requirements added by the job poster

• 2–4 years of experience in Public Relations
• Based in New York City or Los Angeles

To Apply: Please send your resume to careers@evnamedia.com.

The next CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund cohort is here.

On Tuesday, the prestigious fashion incubator and competition revealed its 10 finalists for 2026, selected on Monday at the CFDA office. This year's participants are: Aisling Camps, Amir Taghi, Terrence Zhou of Bad Binch TongTong, Emily Dawn Long, Jamie Haller, Julia Ferentinos of Juju Vera, Zane Li of Lii, George Inaki of Milamore, Claire Sullivan of Miss Claire Sullivan and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen.

The winner will take home $300,00, and the two runner-ups will receive $100,000 each. All finalists receive business mentorship opportunities.

"The 2026 finalists reflect the depth of talent and creativity emerging across American fashion today. Their unique perspectives and strong sense of purpose represent the future of our industry," Steven Kolb, CFDA CEO and president, said in a press statement.

Over the next few months, the finalists will compete in specialized brand challenges, such as the Material Innovation Challenge (sponsored by first-time partner Humane World for Animals). The first designer presentation will take place on June 10.

This year's Selection Committee includes Aurora James of Brother Vellies and Fifteen Percent Pledge, Nicole Phelps and Chloe Malle of Vogue, Eva Chen of Instagram, model Paloma Elsesser, designer Christopher John Rogers, Denise Magid of Bloomingdale's, Yumi Shin of Nordstrom and designer and CFDA Chairman Thom Browne.

These leading fashion voices will choose the Fashion Fund winner, who will be announced on October 20 at a dinner gala in New York City.

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Price Range: $290 - $330
Hero Product:223 Butler St ($290)
PR Representation: Redgert
How to get in touch: info@sideeye.com

Origin Story

Founded by two friends who met during their first day of the MBA at Columbia Business School in New York, Side Eye was created in response to an eyewear industry often driven by inflated markups and superficial branding. Side Eye combines refined New York design with exceptional Italian craftsmanship, working exclusively with independent family-run factories in Italy. Every frame is handcrafted with a focus on quality, longevity and timeless design rather than trend-driven consumption.

The brand also brings a more personal and intentional perspective to luxury. Each style is named after a meaningful New York address, creating a subtle connection between the collections and the founders' shared experiences, memories and the city that shaped the brand.

"Alex and I weren't necessarily itching to become entrepreneurs," Hashim tells Fashionista. "It just started from a conversation that would not end where we were like, 'Why is [mineral sunscreen] so bad? Why can't I find something? Why do I, being a Black woman, have to make a sacrifice to get a 'cleaner' product?'"

With the shared goal of revamping the mineral sun-care category, the duo officially launched Good Weather Skin in 2025. After all, their bond transcended Everlane's walls: "We were this two-headed monster and we knew that we would keep working together," Spunt quips. Despite launching last year, Good Weather Skin's lengthy development process began two and a half years prior. The mineral sun-care brand started as a side hustle, with the co-workers-turned-co-founders combining Spunt's previous "clean" beauty research (published in her co-authored book "No More Dirty Looks") with Hashim's wide-ranging marketing expertise.

While clocking in at Everlane during the day, Spunt and Hashim spent their free time scouting labs and chemists to help them develop a differentiated mineral SPF. The traditional sunscreen category is riddled with application woes ranging from greasy textures to lingering fragrances, with mineral formulations often skewing into thick, chalky territory. Mineral SPF also leaves a white cast on the skin due to ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that reflect ultraviolet rays.

"It became really clear that most people just weren't satisfied with their sunscreen experience," Hashim says. "They knew that they should do it, but they didn't want to do it. That last step of their skin-care routine ultimately was the worst step."

To transform consumers' lackluster sunscreen experiences into skin-care-level indulgences, Good Weather Skin debuted with its The One Daily Sun Cream ($48), a mineral SPF 30 powered by non-nano zinc, squalane, sea buckthorn oil, peptides and niacinamide. It's an intentionally skin-forward sunscreen, with squalane to boost skin's moisture barrier and niacinamide to smooth texture. The SPF's star ingredient is sea buckthorn oil, which boasts high levels of antioxidants and omegas. The plant-derived oil also gives The One its signature buttery color that helps reduce the appearance of a white cast on all skin tones.

"We wanted the product to make your skin look better than before you put it on, which is pretty much antithetical in the mineral sunscreen world," Spunt expands.

Back in the development phase, Good Weather Skin's co-founders narrowed down two formulas that achieved their desired moisturizing finish: the OG batch that ultimately became The One and a milky formula that immediately sunk into the wearer's skin. They initially tabled the latter, but as the duo continued to play around with lab samples, an idea sparked: "We were like, 'Is it crazy if we made this a body [SPF]?' But we didn't want just a body, we still wanted face," Hashim explains. "And then it unlocked that insight of, 'Why are those two things so different?'"

In pursuit of bridging the ingredient gap between face and body sun care, All-Over Sun Milk ($54) was born. Launched this May, the SPF 50 milky mineral formula mirrors The One's core ingredients (non-nano zinc, squalane and sea buckthorn oil), but omits actives like peptides and niacinamide to keep the product affordable given the bottle's larger size (120mL compared to 30mL). All-Over can be used — you guessed it — all over, thanks to its spreadable formula that glides across the skin and delivers a lightweight sheen.

Good Weather Skin also expanded into lip care in March with its Daily Lip Sun Gloss ($24), a hydrating SPF 30 gloss packed with non-nano zinc, hyaluronic acid, mango butter and rosehip oil that comes in two tints. As Hashim says, the underpinning of Good Weather Skin's entire collection rests in one question: "'Is it pleasurable?'" Translation: No chalky sunscreen sticks or drying SPF-spiked chapsticks here.

Beyond elevating mineral formulations, Good Weather Skin also set out to upgrade sunscreen's status on consumers' vanities with branding that feels "sexy" and "on par with beauty and the fashion world," Spunt says. Rather than hiding SPF bottles in dark drawers, Good Weather Skin wants to rub elbows with the high-end serums and moisturizers decorating consumers' skin-care stashes. The brand diverges from the beach-themed branding and electric color schemes of some mainstream SPF lines, instead housing The One in a sleek red-and-black bottle. This positioning delivers a clear message: sunscreen is not merely a requirement for outdoor activities, it's a lifestyle.

Nordstrom was one of the first to subscribe to the Good Weather Skin lifestyle, as the sun-care brand first launched with the retailer in 2025. As the label looked to scale beyond Nordstrom and its direct-to-consumer website, it entered Violet Grey, Revolve and Credo Beauty (which Hashim calls a "North Star" for the brand) all in its first year. Good Weather Skin's presence at these three retailers "gives us both breadth and then some really important credibility," she adds. Plus, consumers are showing up for Good Weather Skin: At Credo alone, Hashim notes, the brand "four x'ed" its initial plan in its first months at the retailer.

With a solid foundation of four core SKUs, Spunt and Hashim are focused on building the wider "Good Weather world." The duo is brainstorming in-person experiences and pop-ups to engage with the brand's community in ways that make sense for their everyday lives. For example, Good Weather Skin hosted a patio picnic party in Brooklyn for guests to play games and socialize in a relaxed setting, rather than opting for a sunny (albeit stereotypical) beachside pop-up.

As Good Weather Skin charts its future, the rising brand wants to continue upgrading the mineral sunscreen category as a whole, effectively raising the bar for its competitors and consumers alike.

"We understand why we built [Good Weather Skin]," Hashim says. "We understand our very tight assortment, and now we get the pleasure of building this really beautiful world around it because its foundation is so clear and strong."

Please note: Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making.

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They're back. Three years after their August 2023 collab sold out in just an hour, Sandy Liang and Baggu are rolling out their second collection on June 3 at 9 a.m. PST — and we think they exceeded expectations with this drop. The 16-piece collection features Liang's nostalgic bows, stars and plaid across new Baggu Market Bags and classic styles fans know and love.

Influencers have already started sharing their gifted hauls on social media and it seems the buzz for these two brands hasn't died down. In the comments of videos from @libbymay, @sushirollangel and @torikohrt, shoppers appear to be most excited about the Baby Bow Baggu ($20) and the Dopp Kitt ($40) in pink, plus the fan-favorite Crescent Bag ($64). I have my eye on the Mini Nylon Market Bag ($68).

I also think the Cloud Carry-On ($96) would make a great summer work bag.

Others are going crazy for the Large Nylon Market Bag ($84), which comes in both pink and blue plaid. In an interview with Baggu, Liang shared her inspiration for the collection. "The market plaid is so important to me and feels so right for me because I grew up with my aunts and uncles and my grandma with all these bags," she said. "I think it's just a fun take on a bag I've seen in Chinatown and grew up with."

She also spoke about the other two prints in the collection, Terminator Bunny and Folding Stars, which are available across the Go Pouch Set ($54 for three pouches), Standard Baggu Set of 3 ($54) and Puffy Glasses Sleeve ($24).

"Terminator Bunny [came] from me wanting to make my own little character for fun one season," she said. "And so we drew up this bunny... I watched the 'Terminator' movies a lot growing up because I grew up with an older brother, and when I first did the Terminator Bunny it was a piece of jewelry with red crystal eyes like the Terminator. I love this print because it's an ode to canal street and playing with that."

The Folding Stars print is a recreation from her Fall/Winter 2025 collection. "I feel like so many girls in the 2000s and '90s folded stars," she said. "That's what I used to do a lot, and if you folded 1,000 stars, then you put them in a jar, you have a wish come true."

On Wednesday, limited styles will be available at Liang’s Lower East Side store in New York City, with the full line on baggu.com.

Shop the collaboration below.

Mini Nylon Market Bag, $68, available here

Mini Nylon Market Bag, $68, available here

Mini Nylon Market Bag, $68, available here

Medium Nylon Crescent Bag, $64, available here

Large Nylon Market Bag, $84, available here

Large Nylon Market Bag, $84, available here

Cloud Carry-On, $96, available here

Go Pouch Set, $54, available here

Baby Bow Baggu, $20, available here

Baby Bow Baggu, $20, available here

Standard Baggu Set of 3, $54, available here

Dopp Kit, $40, available here

Puffy Glasses Sleeve, $24, available here

Puffy Glasses Sleeve, $24, available here

Puffy Picnic Blanket, $76, available here

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Target's Fashion Revival Strategy

Target has been doubling down on brand collaborations as part of its revival strategy. The retailer is struggling with slow sales growth following a revenue decline last year and ongoing fallout from its retreat from DEI initiatives. Isaac Mizrahi is rumored to be Target's next designer collaboration, which could help attract the retailer's core customer — middle-class women who shop for chic, yet affordable, fashion. {Puck/paywalled}

Bridgepoint Group to Acquire Obagi Medical

Waldencast, Milk Makeup's parent company, has sold clinical skin-care label Obagi Medical to U.K. investment firm Bridgepoint for $460 million. The move allows Waldencast to have a sharper focus on Milk Makeup — its now sole asset — and for Bridgepoint to gain a stronger presence in the physician-led skin-care and aesthetics space. {Waldencast}

Friends of the CFDA Names New Chair

Friends of the CFDA — an invite-only charter founded by Thom Browne that includes members passionate about fashion and philanthropy — has named filmmaker Allison Sarofim as its new chair. She succeeds theater producer Jordan Roth. "I look forward to building upon its remarkable foundation while exploring new ways to grow our community across the country, cultivate enduring networks of support and help shape a more dynamic and inclusive future for American fashion," Sarofim said in a press statement. {CFDA}

'The Cutting Room Floor' Inks Multi-Year Deal With Patreon

Recho Omondi's fashion podcast, "The Cutting Room Floor," has landed a multi-year partnership with Patreon, enabling the podcast to grow its operations through new content formats, community events, expanded editorial slate and collaborations with creators. The partnership positions Omondi to turn her platform into a larger independent media company. "This partnership is ultimately about delivering more for [our audience]. More formats, more voices, more insights," Omondi said in a statement. {Fashionista inbox}

Why Magazines Are Hiring Influencers

Both legacy and digital titles are hiring influencers for editorial teams — in addition to training longtime staffers to grow their online presence — to stay relevant. In today's landscape, click-based media is no longer the most important metric; now, subscriptions, affiliate marketing and social media search are the largest revenue drivers. The ability to sell products via digital channels without compromising journalistic integrity is a crucial skill that outlets are hiring for and that content creators possess. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

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Related: Inside Korean Beauty Retail Giant Olive Young’s First U.S. Store

Related: Indie Designers Take the Cannes Red Carpet

Related: Fashionista's May Shopping List: 11 Items Our Editors Love

Related: The 11 Best Beauty Products Fashionista Editors Tried in May

Related: Which Beauty Retailers Are Winning the Indie Perfume Race?

Related: Henry Zankov Is Diane von Furstenberg's First Artistic Director

Related: Summer’s New Fragrance Mood Is Salty Skin and Ripe Fruit

Related: How I Shop: Anok Yai

Related: Weekly Drop Watch: Diesel x Tinder, Charlotte Tilbury's Eye Shadow Sticks, Skims' New Bra and More

Related: See Every Look From RISD's 2026 Student Fashion Show

Homepage photo: Loamis Rodriguez/Olive Young

Fashionista's audience includes 1 million site visitors, 110,000 newsletter subscribers and 4.74 million social media followers. Want to know how to reach them? Learn more.

Forward Artists is looking for a highly organized and proactive individual to support a Senior Beauty Agent with administrative responsibilities and day-to-day talent management. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, adaptable, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

Communication & Coordination:
• Communicate with clients, agents, managers, and celebrity clientele, maintaining a high level of confidentiality.

Administrative Support:
• Organize artists' calendars.
• Send call sheets and create deal memos.
• Prepare travel itineraries.
• Reconcile department and artist expenses.

Talent Management:
• Coordinate artists' travel and work schedules.
• Facilitate holds and bookings for artists.
• Log booked jobs and sponsorships in the internal database.

Email Management:
• Handle 300+ emails daily, prioritizing tasks effectively in a high-pressure environment.

Qualifications:
- Availability to work 40+ hours per week, with on-call availability during evenings and weekends. (overtime eligible)
- Residence in the Los Angeles area, with the ability to work onsite in Beverly Hills 3 days per week.
- Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and professionalism.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook, and MacOS.
- Prior experience in an agency setting is a plus.

Equal Opportunity
Forward Artists USA Inc is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected status, in accordance with applicable law.

Full Time / $28.00 /hour USD / Overtime Eligible

Benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• 401(k) w employer match

To Apply: Please send your resume to apply@forwardartists.com

@forwardartists

Phia Reveals New Celebrity Backers

Phia, the AI shopping app launched by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kiann, announced the investor cohort behind its $35.5 million Series A round. New celebrity backers include Khloé Kardashian, Alix Earle, Alexandre Arnault, Mindy Kaling, Karlie Kloss, Cait Bailey, Jessica Alba, Shaboozey, Ashley Graham, Halsey, Jay Shetty, Wendi Murdoch, Olivia Culpo, Amy Griffin, Lilly Singh, Brooks Nader, The Nader Sisters, Chriselle Lim, Codie Sanchez, Zack Bia, Bobbi Brown, Sophia Amoruso, Rachel Zoe, Winnie Harlow, Alex Pall & Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers, Lori Harvey, Leila Hormozi, Ice Spice, Gunna, Eileen Gu, Sydney Sweeney, Paris Hilton and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. {Fashionista inbox}

Allina Liu Forced to Halt Production

In an Instagram post shared on Thursday, designer Allina Liu announced that her namesake label's Spring 2026 production styles were lost in transit. Liu shared that her team has attempted to track the shipment down, but it is now considered lost. "Unfortunately, replacing an entire production run isn't financially possible for me right now, which means those styles won't be releasing as planned," Liu wrote. {Instagram}

Dime Is Lowering Its Prices

Starting May 31, skin-care and fragrance brand Dime is decreasing its pricing across 17 SKUs in its portfolio by an average of 20% ($4-$6 per SKU). The wider beauty industry is currently facing a wave of price increases due to a challenging economic climate, but Dime is deviating from that trend by offering consumers lower prices. According to the brand, "this move reflects Dime's long-standing belief that consumers should not have to choose between quality, efficacy and accessibility." {Fashionista inbox}

Related: How This Indie Skin-Care Brand Is Able to Drop Prices in an Uncertain Market

Gap Inc. Reports 1% Sales Bump in Q1 2026

Gap Inc. released its Q1 2026 earnings report on Thursday, which showed a 1% increase in net sales to $3.5 billion. Store sales increased by 3% compared to last year, while online sales decreased by 2%. Old Navy (+1%), Gap (+10%) and Banana Republic (+1%) all saw positive sales growth in the first quarter, but Athleta's sales were down by 12%. {Gap Inc.}

Kering Approached Puig For a Minority Stake

After discussions regarding a potential merger between The Estée Lauder Cos. and Puig fell through, Puig Executive Chairman Marc Puig revealed that Kering previously approached the Spanish company "about a potential long-term licensing agreement for its beauty brands in exchange for a minority stake in Puig and a cash consideration." A transaction was not reached between the two parties. {WWD/paywalled}

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Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making.

An unspoken truth about interning in fashion, is that your outward appearance can feel nearly as important as your work performance in terms of making a good impression. This summer, whether you're running around the city handling clothing samples or sitting in the office all day on your laptop, you'll want to look your best through it all. A chic handbag that's both fashion-forward and sensible is key to achieving this.

Residing in that sweet spot between fashionable and practical is the bestselling Coach Brooklyn Bag, an easy carryall to tote around without sacrificing style. Known for its simple, slouchy design and roomy interior, the Brooklyn Bag is the perfect way to convey low-key, effortless style without breaking the bank. At $495, its largest size (39) has more than enough room to fit all work essentials, including a laptop, a wallet, keys, a water bottle and even an extra pair of shoes. If you don't need a laptop, even its smallest size (24) is still spacious enough for carrying around everyday necessities — at $295, it's a no-brainer.

And once the internship has wrapped up? As the ultimate high-quality everyday staple, the Coach Brooklyn Bag is made to last and classic enough to wear year after year, regardless of the season or occasion.

From timeless neutrals to playful patchwork, the best Coach Brooklyn Bags for summer interns are available now, below.

Shop the best Coach bags for summer interns:

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39, $495, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39, $495, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39, $495, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 34, $395, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 34, $395, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 34, $395, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28, $295, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28, $295, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28, $295, available here

Each designer created at least a six-piece collection, and while their approaches were unique, a common thread was the exploration of materiality. From innovative uses of knitwear to deconstructed denim to textile patchworking, each designer clearly brought hand craft to the forefront.

"[Every senior is] given time to experiment with and develop their ideas — free from the constraints of commercial logic — producing bespoke work that demonstrates meticulous attention to material selection," Apparel Design Department Head Gwen Van Den Eijnde said in a press statement. "Each of our graduating students has a unique signature that celebrates the intelligence of the human hand...These collections invite us into imaginative and largely joyful worlds. Amid the challenging realities of today's world, we are all in need of hope, joy and optimism."

Ahead, see all the looks from RISD's 2026 Student Fashion Show.

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For our Weekly Drop Watch column, Fashionista scours the market to curate the most noteworthy releases from our favorite fashion and beauty brands. Keep scrolling for this week's highlights.

Fashion Launches

Diesel x Tinder

In celebration of Pride 2026, Diesel and Tinder partnered on a 17-piece capsule collection designed by the Italian fashion label's Creative Director Glenn Martens. Entitled "For Successful Loving," the capsule spotlights men's, women's and unisex ready-to-wear, denim and accessories ranging in price from $60 to $595. Women's pieces include trompe l'oeil lace lingerie, while men's polos feature an all-over lace burnout. Drag icon and fashion designer Gigi Goode fronts the campaign. Shop the capsule now in select Diesel stores worldwide and on diesel.com.

Jeremy Scott x Longchamp

American fashion designer Jeremy Scott teamed up with French luxury house Longchamp to unveil a limited-edition Jeremy Scott x Longchamp Pliage bag dedicated to New York City. The "Greetings from New York City" bag, which features a post card-inspired design, marks 20 years since Scott's first collaboration with Longchamp in 2006. Shop the $385 bag in all of Longchamp's New York boutiques and online at longchamp.com.

On x Erewhon

Swiss sportswear brand On and L.A. grocer Erewhon announced a multi-year partnership that kicked off with the launch of the On x Erewhon Wellness Club. With neutral tones and pops of orange mirroring Erewhon's organic produce selection, the run collection features the Cloudsurfer Max shoe ($200), Performance T-Shirt ($100), Short Tights ($100), Collective Hoodie ($160) and more. Shop the On x Erewhon collection at on.com.

Skims' New T-Shirt Bra

This week, Skims launched the Ultimate T-Shirt Bra ($64), which features the brand's teardrop shape without additional padding. The lightly-lined silhouette is designed to disappear under clothing, and includes concealed underwire, adjustable straps and a hook and eye back closure. Shop the collection at skims.com.

Catbird x Clairo 3.0

Catbird and Clairo joined forces once again to launch the third iteration of their jewelry collaboration. The eight-piece capsule collection titled "A Dream This Time" spotlights a ship in a bottle, a custom alphabet with gothic lettering and a teardrop-shaped aquamarine. Priced between $68 and $898, the collection is available in 14k gold and sterling silver. Shop the capsule at catbirdnyc.com and in Catbird stores.

J.Crew x Timex

J.Crew and Timex collaborated on a limited-edition reimagining of Timex's MK1 design, which is inspired by military field watches. The $198 exclusive edition features a small brook trout detail on the face, along with a gold-toned stainless steel case and a braided brown leather strap. Shop the collaboration at jcrew.com and timex.com.

Beauty Launches

Charlotte Tilbury Launches Eye Shadow Sticks

Charlotte Tilbury is expanding her Exagger-Eyes collection with "self-priming" eye shadow sticks. With 12 shades spanning matte, satin and glow finishes, the eye shadow sticks boast a wear time of up to 24 hours, according to press materials. The vitamin E-packed formula is also crease-proof, waterproof, fade-proof and transfer-resistant. Shop the $32 eye shadow sticks at charlottetilbury.com.

YSL Beauty's Met Gala-Approved Cushion Foundation

First teased in Charli XCX and Laura Harrier's Met Gala 2026 beauty looks, YSL Beauty officially launched its Skin Affair Soft Glow Cushion Foundation this week. Priced at $49, the foundation features a lightweight texture, buildable coverage and a hydrating formula boosted by 3% squalane, polyglutamic acid, niacinamide and jasmine petals. Shop all 31 shades at yslbeautyus.com, sephora.com and macys.com.

Evolvetogether's New Hand Lotion

For Evolvetogether's latest launch, the California-based personal-care brand released a $78 Restorative Lotion for the hands and body. It's formulated with vitamin B5, vitamin E, argan oil, avocado oil and glycerin, which work together to boost hydration and enhance elasticity. The lotion is available in three fragrances: Havana, a woodsy blend of cardamom and cedarwood; Monaco, a rosy scent grounded in oud and patchouli; and Taormina, a breezy white floral bouquet of orange blossom, jasmine and geranium. Get it at evolvetogether.com.

Tarte's Tubing Liquid Liner

You've heard of tubing mascara, now meet tubing eyeliner. Tarte launched its Tartlette Quick Stick Tubing Liquid Liner ($24) on Thursday, which uses "SmartFlex Tube Tech" to adhere to the lash line with no cracking or flaking. To apply, shake the liner up, flex the tip, glide along the lash line and let it dry for a few seconds. Just like tubing mascara, the liner removes in tubes with warm water. Shop the liner at tartecosmetics.com.

Violette_FR Unveils Plume Blush and Le Kabuki

Inspired by the Renaissance painting technique velatura (where thin layers create a translucent haze), Violette_FR's Plume Blush ($34) starts as a cream and settles into a soft powder. Available in five colorways, Plume Blush is formulated with peach kernel oil, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E for a soothing finish. The beauty brand also launched Le Kabuki ($38), a densely-packed brush delivering an airbrushed effect. Shop the new products on violettefr.com and sephora.com.

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Ramassia – North American Distributor of Anne et Valentin & THEO

We’re looking for a Wholesale Client Relations Coordinator to join our team in-office.

At Ramassia, we partner with a network of independent optical boutiques across North America. This role is central to supporting our accounts and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across orders, returns, and communications.

What You’ll Do

• Manage communication with retail accounts
• Manage communications with our teams in France and Belgium
• Process orders, returns, and exchanges
• Coordinate with warehouse and shipping teams
• Support sales ambassadors with account needs
• Assist with internal tracking and documentation

What We’re Looking For

• Strong attention to detail and organization
• Clear and professional communication
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Positive, team-oriented personality
• Ability to remain composed and organized under pressure
• Collaborative approach and willingness to contribute across teams
• Appreciation for design, culture, and thoughtful client experience
• Customer service or operations experience preferred
• Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP a plus)
• Working knowledge of Excel (basic data entry and organization)
• In-office availability

Schedule

• Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Weekends off

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental coverage
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 1 yearly eye exam
• Two complimentary frames with prescription lenses per year

Compensation: $45,000–$50,000, with flexibility for the right candidate

To Apply: Please send your resume to steven@ramassia.com, subject line Wholesale Client Relations Coordinator.

@ramassiainc

Here's a fun fact about Anok Yai: She's a painter. Yes, as in she sits in front of a canvas and creates paintings. There is a catch, though: "Girl, I'm one of the slowest painters that I know," she says laughing over a video call. "I always need someone to be like, 'Go paint, paint, paint.'"

But to give her some grace, she is one of the busiest models in the business right now. The supermodel has walked the runway for nearly every top designer, including Gucci, Chanel, Lanvin, Coperni, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Versace, Fendi and counting. She's posed in campaigns for Marc Jacobs, Acne Studios, Jacquemus, Ferragamo and Alaïa and fronted covers for Vogue, i-D, W and V.

Over the past couple of years, Yai's also been busy as a Mugler Fragrances ambassador. Most recently, she starred in the Alien Pulp campaign — a project featuring the brand's newest juicy fragrance — for which she portrayed a siren.' Being able to play in the water and then be feminine and sensual and be presented as how I would genuinely want to was really fulfilling," she reflects.

While her budding art career might be on hold, Yai has found other ways to show off her creative side, from collaborating on campaign direction to styling herself. "As a model, your job is to take these characters that are given to you by designers, and then you imbue them upon yourself," she says. "You're basically a different person every single job. So my job has allowed me the leeway to try every character until I found the one that I liked."

Ahead, Yai shares her current favorite aesthetic, the runway moment that changed her career trajectory, her most coveted fashion purchase and more.

"I love the vampire vibe. My vibe has always been edgy and a bit dark, but right now it's vampire on a night out. She's elegant, she puts in effort, but she doesn't try too hard.

"I love very feminine clothing, but I also like the clothing to have a bit of edge to it, whether it's dark leathers or soft silks. I really love playing with textures. In terms of colors, I like neutrals. I hate neon.

"I like my red carpets to be a collaboration between the designer and my stylist. And I try different things. During the Time100 Gala, I was styled by Terrence Munn and he put me in this Ashi Studio couture look (above). It was the green crocodile-style dress. It wasn't real crocodile — don't let PETA come get me. It was a very specific look. I love playing with different shapes and really bold, strong colors and I like to push the envelope as much as I can.

"My favorite red carpet look right now was my last Met Gala look. When I found out about the theme, my initial reaction was, 'I have to be a statue.' When I was explaining the look to my team and to the designer, they're looking at me confused like, '[You want] prosthetics and bronze, gold tears?' They're like, 'What are you talking about?' I told them, 'I promise if we do it right, it's going to be insane.' So we took the chance. Then I found the prosthetics and hair and makeup teams to do it. When I did my fitting and showed the designer the full makeup look with the dress, he was so excited, and it was one of my most exciting Mets I've done.

"I'm not going to lie, my favorite [runway look] was when I did Mugler [Spring 2024] (below). I had the mask on, the runway had the wind machines and I wore the corset that was brown and black on the bottom. When we were doing the fitting, the Mugler team was just like, 'Yo, this is going to be a moment.' But I didn't realize how much of an impact that moment was going to have on fashion and then especially on my own career. I feel like that was the turning point for me, when I felt like I went from a model to a model, and that was really exciting for me.

"I hate shopping in person. I am not good at waiting. I don't like looking for clothes and then trying to see if anything is there. I like it when I see something online, and then I try to get that. I get nervous if I'm just looking for stuff and I don't end up finding anything. I'm like, 'Oh, I just wasted all day looking for something.' I won't say I'm specifically an online shopper or an in-person shopper. I'm a shopper who, when I see something, I want it, and I'm going to find a way to get it.

"I'm not really shopping by brands right now. I made a whole Pinterest board, and I'm shopping by colors. I'm looking for the perfect blue, like a deep blue — not too dark, not too light. The board has a lot of lace, tights, long boots and really crazy shaped bags. And I love heels that have something — like all my clothes — weird about it.

"I went to Venice and there was this small, cute boutique that I saw had a bunch of corsets. I went inside, and they made me a custom corset, and it was all lace. I'm waiting for the right time to wear it. [The designer] put crystals all over it. So it looks like there's rain dripping from the corset. That's one of my favorite pieces.

"What's a trend that I want to set for this summer? I'm playing with my hair. I'm trying to figure out the perfect shade of dark tips and Auburn hair.

"I remember before I even started modeling or before I even entered fashion in general, I used to always watch videos of the Mugler fashion shows... The whole world of Mugler interested me so much that I became obsessed with it. Then I started modeling; all of us models, we would talk all day, and I was like, 'I'm trying to get a Mugler look. I'm going to get a Mugler look.' So when I heard that I was going to be the ambassador, I can't even put into words the joy that I felt.

"When I smelled the Alien Pulp, I got so excited because I was like, 'This is going to be my official summer scent.' It has a lot of fruity and floral notes, so it's really fresh and you feel like a sparkling sensation when you wear it. But the notes are sensual enough that you can balance it between day and night.

"I want to get more into doing more creative direction and doing really cool editorials where I creatively direct them. And then I really, really, really want to have my artwork incorporated into fashion somehow."

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Each month, Fashionista editors try a *lot* of beauty products. And while not every formula we test is a winner, we're constantly unearthing new favorites. Here, we've rounded up our latest hair, skin, fragrance, wellness and makeup discoveries — whether fresh-to-market drops or merely recent additions to our personal routines.

In between re-upping our sunscreen stashes and planning summertime vacations, team Fashionista got to work updating our beauty troves. We're stocking our makeup bags with a silky liquid blush, a shimmering eye shadow liner stick and an adaptable CC cream. Fragrance — in multiple formats — also played a starring role in our beauty routines this month via a tomato-scented candle, a refreshing laundry-like perfume and a coconut-forward body lotion.

Ahead, see (and shop!) all of team Fashionista's favorite May beauty discoveries.

Sol de Janeiro Body Badalada Moisture Melting Lotion, $28, available here: "Sol de Janeiro is known for its scents, and this coconutty one is lovely, but it's the texture of the body lotion that has me obsessed. Described by the brand as a 'milk-to-butter melting lotion,' it starts out somewhat runny, but becomes more viscous as you rub it in. The effect really does feel like it's melting into skin — and it leaves super glowy, hydrated, summer-ready skin in its wake." —Steph Saltzman, Beauty & Style Director

Tarte Shadow Liner, $26, available here: "I tend to stay away from glittery shadows due to poor experiences with fallout and too much shine. But when Tarte released its new shadow liners, I decided to set my skepticism aside. These creamy sticks address all my past problems: Upon application, the shadow liner clings to the lid and stays put all day. They're highly pigmented with a slight shimmer that's not too distracting for everyday wear. While each stick works solo, it's been fun to layer them to create a smoky eye effect." — Janelle Sessoms, Staff Writer

Schwarzkopf Osis+ Elastic Hairspray Light Hold, $24, available here:
“I am definitely not a hairspray person — the only (sort of) exception is when I get a blowout and need a little humidity production (lest my curly-girl frizz emerge) and waterless heat protection (IYKYK). This is my new post-blowout go-to as it provides both and lacks all the things I hate about hairspray: stickiness, hardness, that gross feeling after a couple days, borderline suffocation while sprayed, etc.” —Dhani Mau, Editor in Chief

Noyz Rinse Cycle Eau de Parfum, $85, available here: "My fragrance moods shift all the time, but smelling like a fresh load of laundry will never get old. Noyz's Rinse Cycle delivers a bright burst of guava, Anjou pear, lemon and musk flower that, to my surprise and delight, embodies the scent of freshly cleaned clothes. With base notes of sandalwood and vanilla bean, it dries down into a warm, skin-like scent that I've been spritzing on all month long." — Catie Pusateri, Staff Writer

LolaVie Speed Dry Heat Protectant Spray, $30, available here: "I've been using Jennifer Aniston's hair-care brand since it launched in 2021. It's unfussy, with low-key packaging and stellar ingredients. It just works on my dry and damaged hair. (Friends with different textures love it too.) The newest launch is both a heat protectant and a frizz reducer. Plus, it has what the brand calls its "Speed Dry Complex" with amino acids to help reduce blow-dry time without alcohols." — Elizabeth Denton, contributor

Erborian CC Cream Color-Corrector, $46, available here: "This CC cream has been beloved by beauty editors (and general good-skin-havers) for years, but I somehow hadn't tried it until recently. And it exceeds all the hype: The lightweight cream starts white, but adapts to your skin tone as you rub it in (magical!), offering medium coverage, evening out your complexion and reducing redness. The blurred finish is sort of velvety, but not totally matte — there's still a bit of healthy glow there. I also love the SPF 25 protection, which is not enough on its own, but a nice extra layer of defense over actual sunscreen. My only critique is that, with three shade options ('adaptable' as they may be), it's not an inclusive product that will work for every skin tone." —Steph

Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30 Lip Balm, $14, available here: "I'm a big fan of Vacation's whipped sunscreen, so I had to give its lip balm version a try. While lacking the same whipped-cream-like texture, it comes with the fun applicator and mildly sweet coconut scent. It's functional, too: Powered by shea butter, hyaluronic acid, peptides and aloe vera, the lightweight formula leave my lips hydrated, moisturized and smoothed. Plus, it effortlessly glides onto my lips without leaving a sticky sensation, and its transparent sheen layers well in my typical lip combo." — Janelle

Bali Body Sheer Glow Sunscreen Gel SPF 50, $31, available here: "Out of all the pre-summer SPF launches, this shimmering sunscreen gel took me by surprise. I was skeptical of its 'no transfer' claim, but my tote bag (and everything else I touched) remained unscathed by the bronze-y SPF 50. Formulated with vitamin E along with coconut, grape seed and sweet almond oils, it offers a luminous glow that feels lightweight on my sensitive skin. As an added bonus, it smells like vacation in a bottle with notes of coconut, banana cream and vanilla." — Catie

Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Tinted Flexible Lifting Gel, $21, available here: "I have the most unruly brow hairs, and Rare Beauty’s brow gel is one of the only products that keeps them in check. I've been wanting a tinted version forever — for that naturally full and fluffy look — and my beauty prayers have finally been answered. There are six shades, but I love Rich Taupe for medium-to-dark blonde hair (even if its fake, like mine.)" — Elizabeth

Le Monde Gourmand x Jon + Vinny's Tomate Bébé Candle, $26, available here: "Much like the caprese salads I always bring into heavy rotation for summer, the candle category is full of tomatoes lately. But this one, created in collaboration with L.A. restaurant fave Jon + Vinny's, is the standout to me. With notes of ripe tomato leaf, basil and 'a hint of lush greens and pepper,' it's crisp, lively and full of freshness." – Steph

Nars Insatiable Liquid Blush, $36, available here: "I've tried a lot of liquid blushes, and this peptide- and ceramide-packed formula stands out thanks to its silky texture and buildable pigment. I keep reaching for Behave, a cool-toned mauve, which adds a subtle flush to my cheeks without disrupting my surrounding makeup. Plus, it doesn't disappear after a long day of running around the city, with Nars promising up to a 16-hour wear." — Catie

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I didn’t have to wait very long because Olive Young is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in the United States on May 29, right in my city of Los Angeles. Well, Pasadena, to be exact. (A second location is also set to open at the Westfield Century City mall in the next few weeks.) While the product assortment won’t be exactly the same, thanks in part to U.S. regulations on items like sunscreen, the unique sense of excitement and fun the retailer brings to IRL shopping is very present.

The 27-year-old retailer had U.S. expansion in mind because the country is a huge part of its business: In the first half of 2025, “more than half of global sales were generated by U.S. customers, who also accounted for over 40% of total sales growth during the same period,” Rena Kim, global communications lead at CJ Olive Young, told Fashionista via email.

“The U.S. is not only the world’s largest beauty market, but also one of the most influential in shaping global beauty trends, content and consumer behavior,” she added. “For Olive Young, it was a natural and strategic next step in our global expansion.” In addition to the store opening, the retailer is launching a U.S. e-commerce site to make shopping faster and easier.

L.A. was selected first because it’s a “global epicenter for fashion, beauty and wellness trends” with a “diverse population and wide range of lifestyles [that] create an environment where new cultural movements are naturally embraced and amplified,” Kim said, adding, “Within the greater Los Angeles area, Pasadena was specifically chosen for its vibrant community, where consumers are highly engaged in personal wellness and open to experiential retail.”

And the retailer didn’t start small. The sprawling 8,647-square-foot store sits at 58 W. Colorado Blvd., one of Pasadena’s main commercial streets in what is probably its most well-known area. Lined with coffee shops, restaurants and trendy stores including Alo, Vuori and Free People, the area is likely to draw in shoppers searching for the latest trends in Korean beauty — probably because they saw it on social media.

Olive Young noticed that social media influence is similar across both South Korea and America: “Both markets share a very strong alignment: a shift toward discovery-driven shopping that is heavily inspired by social media, peer communities and creator content,” Kim said.

She added that approximately 70% of the top-purchased items among global visitors shopping in South Korea overlap with those purchased by Korean consumers themselves, suggesting international shoppers are increasingly interested in authentic K-beauty routines, rather than just individual viral products.

“American consumers are already discovering K-beauty organically through TikTok and social media, and we believe K-beauty is now evolving beyond a niche category into a true mainstream beauty movement,” Kim said. “Olive Young aims to become a space where consumers can not only discover trends online, but also experience them firsthand and connect them to their own beauty routines and lifestyles.”

That sense of personal connection is what, in my opinion, Olive Young does best. It would be easy to get overwhelmed in a store with 400 brands and 5,000 SKUs. But this location, like many in Seoul, is broken up into category-specific zones. “Rather than shopping only by brand name, customers are encouraged to explore based on specific concerns, trending ingredients, textures, and routines, from barrier repair and cooling skincare to inner beauty and wellness categories,” Kim said.

And you can try it before you buy it. Around the serums, toner pads, sunscreens and beauty devices, there are water-basin stations designed for you to get in and cleanse your hands or face.

I was hoping the U.S. Olive Young store would also feature some of the services I tried in Seoul. Kim confirmed that, “much like our stores in Korea, the U.S. locations will offer experiential elements such as simple skin analysis and personalized consultations designed to help customers discover skincare routines tailored to their individual skin type and lifestyle." The retailer’s complimentary skin-scanning technology even recommends products tailored to your complexion. The process feels genuinely interactive.

“One of the most important elements we wanted to preserve from Korea was Olive Young’s identity as a discovery-driven ‘beauty playground’ rather than a traditional beauty retailer,” Kim said. “In Korea, customers visit our stores not simply to purchase familiar products, but to browse, test, and discover emerging trends, new textures and personalized routines in an immersive way.”

They’ll learn things, too. In The Beauty Lab zone, customers can take “skincare lessons” covering topics such as sunscreen, toner pads, serum layering and double cleansing.

When it comes to the actual products, shoppers will discover both buzzy new brands and longtime favorites. The assortment includes K-beauty names like Anua, Biodance, fwee, Mediheal, The Face Shop and CNP Laboratory, alongside global brands such as CeraVe, Hero, Kiehl’s and Urban Decay — plus some of those snacks I was talking about.

While shoppers won't find South Korea's famous sunscreens in their original formulas (here, sunscreen is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an over-the-counter drug, which slows the approval process for new UV filters), I’ve heard directly from many Korean brands that they’re working hard to create U.S.-approved sunscreens we’ll love (almost) as much. Otherwise, “for the vast majority of products, formulations remain the same as those sold in Korea,” Kim said.

But it’s not just about the products — it’s about the experience. After spending time inside stores across Seoul, it’s easy to see why the retailer became such a phenomenon. Now, American shoppers finally get to experience a version of that for themselves.

Sara Byworth is looking for an experienced Senior Account Executive that will work across multiple retainer and project clients in the fashion and design worlds. The ideal candidate is a passionate, organized self-starter with strong client communication skills who has existing relationships in the editorial fashion or design spaces.

The Senior Account Executive will report directly to the Account Director and oversee Public Relations Assistant. This role is based in New York and is a hybrid working environment with a minimum of 4 days spent in office each week/as needed.

Sara Byworth LLC is a public relations consultancy firm with retainer and project-based clients in the contemporary and luxury fashion, design, and lifestyle industries. Retainer clients include FRAME, Jimmy Fairly, Métier, POLOMI, Sézane, The RealReal, and The Rug Company.

Across both retainer and project-based work, the role involves executing PR strategy inclusive of editorial, influencer, and VIP initiatives, as well as concepting and executing events including dinners, runway shows, store openings, and brand collaborations.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Someone who is excited and interested in the fashion, interiors, and celebrity PR landscape and is an avid consumer of media and popular culture.
• Excellent verbal and written skills and organizational and time management skills.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, ambitious, and eager to learn. A self-starter comfortable leading day-to-day conversations with clients.
• Possess a strong understanding of fashion, influencer, and VIP landscape. Ability to multi-task and balance multiple projects and clients at once in a fast-paced environment.
• Has existing relationships within the editorial fashion or design spaces.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and working knowledge of Gmail/Google Docs, Photoshop, Dropbox, and MuckRack or Cision.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of fashion public relations experience beyond internships required. Agency specific experience is a plus.
• Strong experience in celebrity and VIP relations preferred.
• Experience in managing an intern program is a plus.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day communication with clients across all projects, launches, and events.
• Create pitching calendars and craft and send pitches based on trends, cultural events, and product launches. Be motivated to achieve strong results for clients and be creative in ways to secure those results.
• Assist with the creation of strategic short and long-term PR plans for clients.
• Assist with meeting agendas for weekly or monthly meetings with clients.
• Create weekly, monthly, or event specific coverage reports for retained and event clients.
• Track industry trends and identify relevant opportunities for clients.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with editors and stylists.
• Manage in-person appointments with editors, stylists, influencers, tastemakers,  and VIPs on behalf of select brands.
• Assist with seasonal influencer and VIP gifting.
• Lead event planning and execution for both retainer and project clients. Source and contact vendors for events and scout locations. Create and manage invite lists. Manage budgets and VIP talent contracts. Oversee assistant in creation of face sheets, shot lists, and other event associated materials. Coordinate event related dressing and private transportation for VIPs. Attend and support the team on site at all events.

Oversee and provide constructive feedback to a team who…

• Manages sample trafficking for editorial and VIP press requests including scheduling messengers and shipments.
• Tracks and monitors editorial and VIP placements, clips credits, and updates placement trackers.
• Researches and maintains editorial calendars, research docs, and media lists as well as maintains master contact lists.

Benefits:

• Federal holidays observed. Companywide closure last week of the year.
• PTO: Two Weeks
• Starting Salary: $70,000 annually.
• Medical benefits.
• Eligible for raises and bonuses based on performance.

Applicants can submit resumes to:noreen@sarabyworth.com

@sarabyworth

Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making.

There's a reason the two-piece set has become the unofficial uniform of women who have their lives together, or at least look like they do. It's one decision, one grab, one outfit that works. Cable & Gauge has quietly become the brand women keep coming back to for exactly that.

The brand offers softly tailored silhouettes, comfortable fabrics and flattering cuts that feel put together without trying too hard — just really wearable women's clothing that slots into a modern wardrobe and earns its place there. The versatility is what makes these sets so easy to love.

View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

Wear the lounge set together for an easy polished look, or split the pieces up. The top pairs with your favorite jeans. The bottoms work with a fitted sweater. Suddenly one casual set becomes several outfits, and your morning just got a lot simpler.

Cable & Gauge's tops and sweaters also incorporate the right trends at the right time: crochet detailing, texture play and silhouettes that feel current without being costume-y. It's the kind of women's clothing that interprets what's happening in fashion and makes it wearable for real life.

And shoppers have noticed. Cable & Gauge sets have sold out twice, and it's not hard to see why. If you're ready to simplify your getting-dressed routine without sacrificing your look, start here. 

Shop the Cable & Gauge sets collection and find yours.

Patrick Ta Addresses Transition Blush Backlash

Patrick Ta recently released the Liquid Transition Brightening Blush ($34), the Transition Blurring Blush Duo ($30) and the Dual-Ended Transition Blush Brush ($40), which quickly faced online backlash. Consumers argued these are unnecessary products and that he was taking credit for a look popularized by makeup artist Ngozi Esther Edeme (a.k.a. @paintedbyesther). Ta addressed the claims in a TikTok post, and he and his team expanded on the backlash with Glossy, sharing that the brand had hoped to partner with Edeme in an official way, to launch the Transition collection. {Glossy}

Signet Jewelers Acquires The Clear Cut

Signet Jewelers is acquiring The Clear Cut in a move to strengthen the luxury positioning at its Blue Nile brand. The Clear Cut is a small, New York-based natural diamond jewelry brand known for its bespoke bridal and fine jewelry. The Clear Cut will be integrated into Blue Nile, which is one of Signet's core brands along with Zales, Kay and Jared. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. {WWD/paywalled}

Condé Nast Reaches $400,000 Settlement With Fired Employees Who Confronted Boss Over Layoffs

Last fall, four Condé Nast employees were fired after confronting Chief People Officer Stan Duncan about layoffs at the company. Now, Condé Nast has agreed to a $400,000-plus settlement with three out of four of the former employees. As part of the settlement, the three fired workers were reinstated so that they could resign and be given letters of recommendation. Their disciplinary records were also expunged. {WWD/paywalled}

Salomon Taps Jisoo as Global Ambassador

Salomon has named Jisoo as its newest global ambassador. Future creative projects and collaborations with the South Korean singer will be revealed over time. "Jisoo represents a generation embracing openness, curiosity and fluidity between sport and fashion," Kristof Cavazzana, Salomon's global VP product & experience, said in a statement. "Her perspective and global influence resonate with how Salomon continues to evolve today, bringing mountain heritage, outdoor lifestyle and style into broader cultural conversations." {Fashionista inbox}

Faith Xue Promoted to EVP at Gallery Media Group

Coveteur Editor-in-Chief Faith Xue has been promoted to EVP at Gallery Media Group (GMG). While maintaining her role as Coveteur's editor-in-chief, Xue will oversee brand vision and cultural strategy across GMG, which includes Coveteur, PureWow and @Cocktails. Her new role will focus on accelerating brand awareness, social growth, experiential activations, talent partnerships and new commerce opportunities. {Fashionista inbox}

Lanvin Names New CEO

Lanvin has appointed Barbara Werschine as CEO. Werschine will steer the brand's global strategy, accelerate its development and strengthen Lanvin's positioning on the international stage. She succeeds Andy Lew, who held the top position since July 2025. Werschine most recently served as CEO of Eric Bompard. {Fashionista inbox}

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After a particularly brutal winter, we're welcoming summer (and its accompanying fruit-forward fragrances) with open arms. Zara Larsson's "Midnight Sun" is on repeat, Aperol spritzes are ordered and solar floral scents are back in the spotlight. This season, classic summertime notes — think tropical fruits, salty breezes and all things citrus — are getting an upgrade, with independent fragrance brands leading the charge.

"Summer fragrance today is less about traditional 'freshness' and more about emotion, atmosphere and escapism," Givaudan Senior Perfumer Christina Christie tells Fashionista over email. "Consumers want fragrances that feel comforting, radiant, intimate and easy to live in."

For those manifesting an oceanfront getaway, mineral scents (or salty, marine-inspired blends) deliver a refreshing burst of seaside bliss, achieving the desired "sun-warmed skin after vacation" vibe that Christie notes consumers are increasingly gravitating toward. Musky, skin-like fragrances are also having a moment, while tea notes like matcha and chamomile offer an updated take on summer's calming scents. Of course, tropical fruit fragrances (we're talking mango, pineapple, banana and passionfruit) reign as timeless summer scent combinations, but brands are now elevating the juicy notes with deeper bases.

Ahead, we've rounded up 27 warm weather-approved fragrances, with an emphasis on independent and niche brands shaking up traditional summertime scent wardrobes.

Spill The Tea

Tea stands out as summer's most underrated fragrance note, Christie says, as "mate, matcha, black tea, Earl Grey and chamomile offer a fresh, yet comforting, alternative to classic citrus or aquatic fragrances." Sure, a hot cup of tea may not immediately come to mind when imagining summer-y scents, but these refreshing notes play well with fruit-centric blends by offering an airy, grounded core. Take Liis' Ethereal Wave, for example: Its white and black tea notes soften its deeper base of blonde woods and velvet musk.

"These tea notes feel calming, modern and sophisticated while aligning with the growing consumer interest in wellness, ritual and mindfulness," she continues.

Tropical Fruits 

Smelling like a deliciously ripe fruit salad fits right in with warmer temperatures, but Brown Sugar Babe Founder Maekaeda Gibbons predicts these juicy summer notes "are heading in a more complex direction." But don't worry, fruit fragrance devotees: "Those notes are not going anywhere, they are just being done in more mature ways," she says. Some fruity blends can skew one-dimensional (if not artificial), but new launches are embracing more sophisticated formulas boasting flashes of spice via pink pepper, ginger and tonka.

This "warm-weather complexity," as Gibbons calls it, takes center stage in Henry Rose's Ripe, which anchors notes of watermelon sorbet and lychee rose with black pepper and cardamom.

Your Skin (Scent), But Better

So-called "skin scents" — or subtle aromas mirroring your own skin — have taken the fragrance industry by storm with their whispers of warmth and built-in versatility (after all, everyone smells different). According to Violet Grey Director of Merchandising Rachel Richman, this summer's popular scents include "solar musks that feel like an addictive second skin, with a familiarity that's hard to pinpoint and even harder to ignore. Hint: it's probably Iso E Super or Ambroxan."

These "your skin, but better" fragrances interpret summer's inherent freshness through a slightly musky lens, as seen in 5 Sens' Right There and Noyz's Rinse Cycle.

Salty, Mineral Notes 

For those without beachside vacation plans this summer (this is a self-callout), mineral fragrances are the next best option to actually lounging by the ocean. Mineral notes are markedly earthy, conjuring up visions of wet stones, seaweed or sandy beaches. Try DedCool's Mineral Milk for bursts of ocean mist and salty breezes, or Chambre52's Soleil Tonka for a hint of seaside sweetness.

"This summer is less about the sweet, fruity perfumes we've become accustomed to and more about the scents that transport you to that perfect summer vacation," Richman says. "Think sea salt and marine notes — cooling and refreshing, but with real depth."

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Despite New York City expertly rotating through every season this month, team Fashionista is in a summer state of mind. Before June's heatwaves start rolling in, we're updating our warm-weather wardrobes with vacation-approved staples and comfortably chic footwear.

This month, our editors loved breezy summertime pieces, including loose-fitting white shorts, a flowy puff-sleeve blouse and a sleeveless roll-neck sweater. Modern takes on the beloved "dad" sneaker and square-toe ballet flats topped our footwear wish lists. Plus, May's standout accessories included a colorful beaded anklet and stylish black handbags.

Ahead, see (and shop!) all of our editors' favorite fashion finds from May.

New Balance 204L sneakers, $120, available here: "New Balance's chunkier 'dad' styles have been my go-to everyday sneakers for years, but lately I've been looking for something with a slimmer silhouette. The 204Ls fit the bill perfectly; they have a modern, low-profile structure without sacrificing the brand's familiar and subtly retro running-shoe aesthetic. I'm obsessed." —Dhani Mau, Editor in Chief

Agolde Lydia Short in Chalk White, $188, available here: "It's officially shorts season, and my spray tan and I are really loving this comfy pair from Agolde. The paperbag waist with sporty elastic cording lends the style a cheeky bit of sportiness, while the structured nylon fabric makes them elevated enough to wear out to dinner." — Steph Saltzman, Beauty & Style Director

Cole Haan Alexandria Shoulder Crossbody Bag, $298, available here: "I took this compact black handbag out for a test run during a recent night out, and I must say, she's a keeper. The purse had plenty of room to carry my essentials — keys, phone, lippies and Kindle — with space to spare. I mainly wore it as a handbag, but I love that I can convert it into a crossbody if needed, thanks to the detachable long strap." — Janelle Sessoms, Staff Writer

Hunter Bell Mare Top, $365, available here: "Once the summer weather turns hot and sticky, you'll catch me only wearing breezy blouses like this ruffled V-neck style from Hunter Bell. It's made of silk-cotton voile, meaning it feels lightweight and breathable even in NYC's heatwaves. I also love the top's lace detailing, which adds a romantic touch to its puff sleeves and pleated bodice." — Catie Pusateri, Staff Writer

Leset Kyoto Pocket Short, $240, available here: "As the weather heats up, I've realized my summer wardrobe is really lacking when it comes to shorts. I'm especially interested in those of the breezy, loose, baggy variety — and this 100% cotton drawstring pair by Leset is at the top of my shopping list right now." — Dhani

Alex Mill Taylor Vest in Cotton, $148, available here: "A cotton roll-neck sweater is a summer classic, and Alex Mill's sleeveless vest take on the style absolutely screams 'instant wardrobe staple.' I love the butter yellow shade, but it also comes in a variety of other colorways, including striped versions." —Steph

Hoka Stinson One 7, $185, available here: "I'll admit, for a long time I only thought of Hoka as a shoe brand my dad loves, but now I get why he hypes it so much: I wore these sneakers during a recent trip to Savannah, and they were not only cute to style but also extremely comfortable. They are designed for lifestyle use (no running or intense training), but I definitely see myself flaunting these during my leisurely long summer walks." — Janelle

Franco Sarto Franco Oakes Mary Jane, $135, available here: "I ambitiously wore these suede ballet flats out for the first time on a trip to The Met, and I'm happy to report my feet were comfortable and blister-free after my two-hour visit. The square-toe silhouette and gold buckle embellishment elevate the classic Mary Jane shoe, making it a versatile addition to my wardrobe." — Catie

Verafied Black Club Bag, $498, available here: "My search for the ideal chic and functional travel bag has come to an end. This style is ultra spacious with a wide opening, but the shape allows it to fit under an airplane seat when closed. It also has a hidden zippered compartment that fits a laptop, and is made from a sturdy leather that's both buttery-soft and ultra-thick for durability. It looks great whether it's on my shoulder or sitting atop a suitcase, but doesn't feel too precious to sit on the ground (and it looks far more expensive than it is)." —Dhani

Dorsey Enamel Moissanite Anklet in Lune, $180, available here: "This time of year makes me crave the friendship bracelets of my summer camp days, and Dorsey's colorful enamel capsule is a perfect (grown-up!) way to fill that void. I'm particularly obsessed with the color combo of this thin, moissanite-studded anklet." —Steph

Kulani Kinis Double Ruffle Underwire One Piece, $98, available here: "I may have screamed the entire time while swimming with stingrays down in Florida this month, but at least my swimsuit was on point. I love this vibrant beach-themed print, which stands out among my go-to black one-piece suits. And the underwire kept everything supported and secure while swimming (and squealing)." — Catie

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Everlane Co-Founder Launches New Brand

Michael Preysman (pictured above) announced Tuesday he is launching a new brand built around the same values of sustainability and "radical transparency" as Everlane, the brand he co-founded in 2011 and was the CEO of until 2022. This time, he says, the label will not work with private equity or venture capital ownership. The announcement comes days after news broke that fast-fashion retailer Shein had acquired Everlane. Waitlist sign-up for the new brand is now open here. {Fashionista inbox}

Givenchy's New Creative Hire

Givenchy has named Marco De Vincenzo as head of leather goods design. He will work under creative director Sarah Burton and be responsible for growing the brand's leather goods category. Previously, De Vincenzo held roles at Etro and Fendi and ran his own brand, which closed in 2020. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

Jacquemus' Latest Campaign Fronts Pamela Anderson and Her Sons

Pamela Anderson and her sons, Brandon Thomas Lee and DylanJagger Lee, star in Jacquemus' latest campaign. The campaign celebrates the beauty of everyday family life, with each scene capturing the small, intimate moments. Key pieces from the "Le Paysan" and "Plage" collections, as well as new variations of the "Le Valérie" bag are spotlighted throughout the campaign. {Fashionista inbox}

Gucci Sponsors F1 Team

Gucci is sponsoring the Alpine Formula 1 Team as its title partner, with the squad set to compete in Gucci colors and under a new banner, starting next season. The sponsorship also introduces Gucci Racing, "a new business and experiential platform built around the values of performance, precision, discipline and excellence at the intersection of luxury and sport,” the Italian fashion house said in a statement. {Fashionista inbox}

Tod's CEO Exits

Tod’s CEO John Galantic has exited the company after less than two years in the role. His successor has not been named. Galantic has not shared his next steps, but a representative cited "personal reasons" for his departure. {Bloomberg/paywalled}

Bella Hadid's Fragrance Brand Announces Funding, New CEO

Bella Hadid's fragrance brand 'Ôrebella closed a Series A funding round led by Silas Capital and with participation from Celebrands, which helped Hadid launch the company. Alongside the fundraise, 'Ôrebella announced its first CEO, Anish Agarwal, who was most recently CEO of T3 Micro. While amount of capital was not disclosed, the investment will also help with global expansion and product development. {WWD/paywalled}

Veronica Beard Names Stephanie Unwin CEO

Veronica Beard has promoted Stephanie Unwin from president to CEO. In her new role, she will continue to shape the company's strategy, growth and operations. "I feel honored to be leading this incredible brand, and am grateful to the Veronicas and to our board for their support and trust. [...] We believe in an abundant future, and I am excited to continue our expansion across the globe," Unwin said in a statement. {WWD/paywalled}

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More than 1,000 guests gathered at Jungle Plaza in the Miami Design District to see the work of graduating students selected by Dean of Fashion Mario Braghieri to represent IMM's class of 2026. Titled La Grande Bellezza, a nod to the school's Italian roots, the evening opened with a message from Miami-Dade mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who congratulated the student designers while recognizing IMM's status as the first international fashion school in the United States to receive official accreditation.

Across the runway, the work moved from menswear to womenswear, between discipline and abandon. Intersections, whether between personal identity, fashion genre or cultural influence, became a thread connecting many of the collections.

Among the designers, Danna Anton described Fluid Void as an exploration of "the fragile point where beauty and danger meet," a phrase that suited her sculptural column gowns and outerwear. Sarah Berto's To the Line injected motorsport aggression into black tailoring through leather, denim and raised red embellishment. Mariana Jimenez lent workwear a fresh patina through rust-effect denim and Swarovski embroidery, while Cristina Uribe's standout sculptural pieces turned Colombian craft into physical architecture, combining woven forms and monumental accessories.

From mermaids rendered in shell shimmer and pearled iridescence to Brutalist silhouettes drawn from architectural force, the range of work on show was impressively diverse and powerfully coherent.

Since opening in 2018, Istituto Marangoni Miami has built a school that brings European fashion expertise into a city shaped by North, South and Central American cultures. The presence of Karolina Kurkova added industry wattage, but the evening's focus rightly stayed fixed on a fresh generation of design talent emerging from Miami's particular heat.

"I have always been surrounded and inspired by strong women and Diane is the ultimate embodiment of that," Zankov said in a statement. "The DVF woman is a rebel – confident, curious and independent. It is an honor and privilege for me to build on Diane's legacy and to carry the brand into the future."

Zankov launched his own eponymous knitwear label in 2020, and will continue to steer operations at his own brand in addition to his responsibilities at Diane von Furstenberg. With a knack for color play and adventurous silhouettes, Zankov won the CFDA American Emerging Designer of the Year Award in 2024.

The designer's new role is a homecoming of sorts. He previously joined Diane von Furstenberg in 2014, and stayed for four years before venturing out to unveil his own brand. Last September, Zankov also designed a capsule collection with Diane von Furstenberg at Bergdorf Goodman.

Von Furstenberg founded her namesake label in 1972, and quickly established herself as a fashion industry icon by inventing the wrap dress in 1974. The label has since evolved into a global brand with an emphasis on bold colors and prints that emphasize, rather than constrict, a woman's silhouette.

"I applaud Graziano [de Boni, DVF CEO]'s vision. I am excited to watch Henry's designs, sense of color and effortless sensibility seduce a new generation," von Furstenberg said in a statement.

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Printemps’ perfume setup is vastly different from those inside other retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and even Sephora. Mass-marketed designer scents have long been the bread and butter of department stores’ fragrance offerings. But those established perfumes simply aren’t cutting it for today’s diehard fragrance consumers.

The perfume boom, which really took off during the Covid-19 pandemic, completely transformed how we experience fragrance. Perfume became a key element of self expression, Asia Grant, fragrance creator, consultant and founder of Scent Social Club tells Fashionista: “As people go through the process of exploring themselves and understanding their own nuances, they often crave a perfume that can do that alongside them.”

This has led to a rise in independent perfume brands, which fragrance enthusiasts find “offer more soul and storytelling,” notes Grant. Now, more than ever, shoppers are turning their noses up at mainstream scents, and actively seeking out indie options. According to a report by Business Research Insights, 58% of consumers want unique scents. As a result, the global niche perfume market is projected to expand from $8.55 billion in 2025 to $22.47 billion by 2035.

The numbers are significant, and retailers recognize this. If they don’t expand their perfume offerings beyond big names, they risk missing out on a growing clientele. It’s become a race for retailers to acquire these customers. The question is: Who's winning?

I spoke with Sephora, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and Printemps, and they all said — in one way or another — that niche perfumes are an important part of their business. Moda Operandi and Violet Grey declined to comment, but they, too, have expanded their fragrance edits to include a variety of under-the-radar and emerging brands. All of them make an effort to provide distinct shopping experiences. 

Printemps, for example, visibly prioritizes the indie offerings with the front-and-center marble table display. Ariel Fantasia, the store's head of beauty and jewelry buying, tells Fashionista the goal was to create a “playground of discovery” for shoppers.

“Not only is finding smaller fragrance brands incredibly rewarding — and so much fun — it also gives us a point of differentiation from other multi-branded retailers,” Fantasia says. The in-stock selection includes a range of classic scent categories, more esoteric aromas and exclusives found only at Printemps. “When buying our inventory I try to make sure that there is as little overlap as possible, [in terms of scent profiles or note combinations], between brands,” she adds, “which builds upon the sense of discovery and playfulness for customers — and they’re truly responding to it.”

Related: Why Indie Beauty and Wellness Brands Are Betting on In-Person Consumer Events

Stéle, a New York-based independent fragrance store, is similarly built around discovery. “Instead of curating a store based on what you’re ‘supposed to sell’ — brands with heavy marketing backing and manufactured demand — we built what we wanted to see,” says Stéle co-founder Matt Belanger, who launched the business alongside co-founder Jake Levy. “We focused on what we, as consumers, are drawn to: human-led independent brands with strong ethos and a distinct point of view.”

It’s easier for an independent store like Stéle to give smaller brands their shining moment, and typically, in an environment that's more inviting for customers. I know I’ve felt pressured to buy something at department stores because of pushy salespeople; that behavior is the antithesis of what Belanger and Levy have built: Stéle is more experimental and relaxed — patrons are encouraged to explore (if they want assistance, an associate can and will gladly help) and, because the team is always bringing in new brands, finding something you’ve never seen before is a virtual guarantee. “In a large chain environment, indie can quickly feel ubiquitous. But in a tightly curated setting, it still feels like discovery. That difference is everything,” Belanger and Levy say.

What’s interesting is department stores haven’t always put indie perfumes on the back burner. Steven Gontarski, the senior manager of brand and public relations for Luckyscent and Scent Bar, considered Barneys to be the niche perfume maven in its heyday. “When Barneys closed, that left this big void in the world of niche perfume and some brands just kind of lost their home,” he says.

From there, niche and indie perfumery weren't on many department stores' radar. Independent retailers have greatly benefited from this lapse and grown their clientele as a result. Scent Bar, for instance, has experienced immense profitability and continues to grow; it currently has four locations — two in Los Angeles and two in New York City — with plans to open another in Dallas. 

With the success of independent fragrance retail, as well as the proliferation of #perfumetok and creators sharing their most unique fragrance finds, traditional retailers are finally catching on to the fact that niche perfume brands are major sales drivers. “I think department stores are now trying to figure out ways to keep their sales going,” says Gontarski. “And in perfume, they see that there's excitement with niche brands.”

Sephora caught on relatively early. “When Sephora launched over 25 years ago, fragrance was our largest category and what many clients initially knew us for,” Carye Campbell, SVP of fragrance merchandising at Sephora, says. As the retailer grew, its priorities shifted to focus on makeup and skin care, but it's attention has returned to fragrance over the past few years. 

Due to Sephora’s reach, marketing initiatives and social media, the indie brands the retailer brings on tend to go viral — think Phlur, Commodity and Skylar. This allows the labels to toe the line between indie and mainstream, making Sephora the ultimate incubator for brands that want to scale.

Recent additions to Sephora’s indie fragrance lineup include Borntostandout and Fugazzi. However, while both have created some quirky, off-the-beaten-path scents, Sephora stocks only their more palatable options that have mass appeal. Sure, these brands will get more eyes on them, but shoppers lose out on a deeper sniffing experience. This is where Sephora lags in the niche race. 

“Retailers need to be okay with taking a bit of a risk when bringing in niche brands," says Tynan Sinks, host of the Smell Ya Later podcast. “Uncertainty is never easy when there’s money to be made, but it’s not only about the smell. How shoppers learn about the scent and the lengths they go to in order to source it are also part of the fun.”

Personally, I’ve struggled to get a feel for any scent in Sephora’s fragrance department because of the omnipresent perfume clouds caused by over-spritzing, as well as a lack of sampling. (Note: While Sephora does offer some perfume samples, they do not carry vials of every scent sold in store.)

Nordstrom, on the other hand, is doubling down on its sampling initiatives. According to Pierre Vouard, an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Cosmetic and Fragrance Marketing Program, the retailer's New York flagship keeps empty one-milliliter vials stocked, and sales associates can fill them with any fragrance. “They also have this tool where you can search for notes on a screen, and it will help you decide what to smell,” he says. “This technology enhances the experience.”

Sampling and new technology are just part of Nordstrom’s niche perfume strategy. “We are working to be a place of discovery, and sometimes that means tapping into immersive experiences,” Autumne West, Nordstrom’s national beauty director, shares.

Related: Meet S.S.K. (Labs), the New Indie Fragrance Brand Demystifying Scent Experimentation

The most recent example coincided with the launch of Amouage Love Hibiscus: The brand built a large-scale immersive installation at Nordstrom's New York flagship. “Love Hibiscus launched exclusively at Nordstrom, so this was truly a discovery moment you could only have with us,” West says, adding that shoppers loved it. “This reminded us that customers want more than a transaction — they want to discover something, to play and to be inspired. These activations let us show up for them in a way that feels really fun and intentional.”

For fragrance consumers who actively seek out indie perfumes, it’s not enough to just fall in love with a scent; they want to learn the inspiration and be fully immersed in the story of it. Bloomingdale’s noticed this and curated a full calendar of fragrance masterclasses at locations nationwide. 

“We bring fragrance to life through hands-on workshops led by experts and perfumers, where our customers can really engage with the craft, from understanding raw materials to exploring layered notes and fragrance families,” Marissa Galante Frank, the retailer's beauty and accessories fashion director, says. “Fragrance Fair is also a key moment for us. On May 9, it takes place across all stores, bringing together leading perfumers and brands through interactive experiences that help customers discover their next signature scent.”

For indie fragrance brands, immersive experiences are a key part of winning over new customers, as well as fostering stronger retail partnerships. “The brands don't just want any shelf space, especially because they're telling a very specific story and trying to create a very specific experience,” says Grant. The retailers that are, in essence, "winning the race" intersect exploration with storytelling within their stores. “It’s so much more than stocking the product.”

Please note: Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making.

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Job Title: Senior Marketing Manager
Reports To: CEO/Founder
FLSA Status: Full Time, In-Person
Location: Miami, FL (33138)

About Peixoto
Peixoto is a Miami-based, Colombian-made resortwear brand focused on elevated, feminine dressing designed for life under the sun — from beach to brunch to vacation dressing.

After 15 years in business, Peixoto is carried by major retailers including Revolve, Anthropologie, Shopbop, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue, in addition to over 100 specialty stores and hotels.

We're not looking for someone to manage a calendar of posts. We want a builder with taste. Someone who thinks like a CMO, has a genuine eye for elevated, aspirational, fashion-forward brand-building, and can balance aesthetics with performance without sacrificing either.

The Role
As Peixoto’s Senior Marketing Manager, you'll own our entire marketing function, from brand to digital, paid, organic, and DTC. You'll set the strategy, execute it, and report on it. You need to be just as comfortable writing a creative brief for a photoshoot as you are pulling a Shopify analytics report or briefing a freelance designer.

You'll work closely with the founder on collection launches, seasonal campaigns, brand positioning, and storytelling.

What You’ll Own

• Brand identity, voice, and visual standards across all channels
• Seasonal campaign direction: creative briefs, photoshoots, storytelling
• Paid media strategy and spend (Meta, Google, TikTok): independently and with agencies
• Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and email content strategy
• DTC performance via Shopify: merchandising, product launches, CRO
• Customer journey, retention, AOV, and returning customer behavior
• Influencer partnerships, affiliate strategy, and creator gifting
• Structured reporting: CAC, ROAS, LTV, acquisition efficiency
• Inventory and best-seller analysis to support DTC and wholesale
• Marketing calendar tied to product launches and business objectives
• Freelancer and agency briefing and management
• Collection launch strategy alongside the founder

Who You Are

• 5-8+ years of marketing experience in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or contemporary apparel - resortwear,
  swimwear, or luxury strongly preferred
• You have genuine taste: you understand the difference between elevated and overly commercial, and you
  can defend that instinct with clarity
• You're as analytical as you are creative. You question decisions, trust the data, and translate it into clear
  business recommendations
• You understand how modern fashion brands grow digitally
• You understand the difference between brand awareness and performance marketing
• You've run paid social campaigns with real budget and can challenge agency strategy, not just approve it
• You've lived in Shopify, understand merchandising, product launches, conversion flows, Klaviyo
• You're comfortable in the back-end of Shopify
• You're a self-starter built for a fast-moving, founder-led environment where no two weeks look the same
• You think strategically and you understand both brand and business
  Nice to Have
• Experience at a premium swimwear, resortwear, or contemporary fashion brand
• Comfortable supporting with photoshoots, from casting, mood boards, on-set creative feedback
• You can write a compelling caption or subject line yourself
• Experience supporting the DTC channel growth
• Familiarity with affiliate platforms (ShopMy, LTK, AWIN)
• Experience with CRO tools
• A strong personal Instagram or fashion sensibility that shows your eye
• Experience scaling a brand

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

To Apply: Please send your resume to careers@peixotowear.com, subject line Senior Marketing Manager.

@peixotowear

C86 Holdings acquires The Face

C86 Holdings has acquired The Face, a British music and fashion magazine founded in 1980, from Wasted Talent Limited. After relaunching in 2019, The Faceshuttered earlier this year. The Face's website currently states that it "will return," though an exact relaunch date has not been announced. "The work now is to carry [The Face's] legacy forward with the care and ambition the brand deserves," Kuok Meng Ru, founder and principal of C86 Holdings, said in a statement. {C86 Holdings}

Isabel Marant Names New CEO

Catherine Jacquet has been appointed CEO of Isabel Marant, effective next month. Jacquet most recently served as chief operating officer at Fear of God, and before that was general manager of Paris fashion house Lemaire. She succeeds Anouck Duranteau-Loeper, who is "stepping down to pursue other professional opportunities," according to a statement. {WWD/paywalled}

Loewe Partners With Spain's National Soccer Teams

Loewe has entered a four-year partnership with Spain's national soccer teams. Loewe will provide a complete travel wardrobe through tournaments around the world, from North America in 2026 through to Spain, Portugal and Morocco in 2030.  The partnership debuts with travel tailoring, casualwear, shoes and leather goods for the men's national team. {Fashionista inbox}

Richemont Sales Up 11% in Q4 2026

In Q4 2026, Richemont's group sales were up 11% to €22.4 billion ($26 billion). Its jewelry maisons, which include Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, saw sales rise by 8% to €16.5 billion ($19.2 billion). Richemont's full-year sales were higher than the prior year across all regions, led by the Americas and Middle East & Africa. {Richemont}

British Fashion Council Expands London Show Rooms in Paris

The British Fashion Council (BFC) announced a four-year commitment to strengthen and expand its London Show Rooms (LsR) presence in Paris. LsR brings together BFC Foundation designers, BFC Designer Members and Fashion East designers to showcase British menswear. The BFC will host LsR during Paris Fashion Week Men's from June 25 to June 30at The Architect's House at 77 Rue Vieille du Temple. {Fashionista inbox}

Sephora Accelerate Gets a Revamp

Sephora's Accelerate program, which is designed to help build emerging beauty brands, is unveiling updated curriculum including courses on scaling a business and brand launch fundamentals. The six-month program will now focus more on operational readiness and long-term viability. Carolyn Bojanowski, EVP of merchandising at Sephora in the U.S., says the updated Accelerate program will take a "holistic view of brand building." {Beauty Independent}

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New York, NY
Freelance Role
Full-time

Micaela Erlanger Studios is a New York–based luxury styling and creative direction studio operating at the highest levels of fashion, entertainment, and media. The studio manages red carpet appearances, global press tours, editorial projects, and brand partnerships with precision, discretion, and excellence.

We are seeking a highly organized, operationally sophisticated Studio Manager to oversee the day-to-day infrastructure of the business on a freelance basis.

This is not an assistant role. This is a strategic operations position.

Role Overview
The Studio Manager serves as the operational backbone of the studio. This individual ensures that internal systems, logistics, financial tracking, scheduling, and team coordination operate seamlessly so that creative output remains elevated and uncompromised.
The ideal candidate thrives in high-performance environments, anticipates needs before they arise, and brings structure to fast-moving, high-visibility projects.

Key Responsibilities
Studio Operations & Logistics
● Oversee daily studio operations and workflow management
● Manage calendars for fittings, pulls, returns, travel, press tours, and major events
● Supervise shipping logistics, tailoring timelines, and inventory tracking
● Maintain styling closet organization and digital inventory systems
● Ensure fittings are fully prepped (racks, look boards, accessories, emergency kits)

Financial Oversight & Vendor Management
● Track invoices and client billing
● Reconcile expenses in coordination with accounting
● Manage vendor payments (couriers, tailoring, assistants, freelance teams)
● Identify and flag cost-saving opportunities

Team & Project Management
● Oversee assistants and freelance stylists
● Lead weekly team check-ins
● Develop and manage project timelines for premieres, press tours, and award season
● Ensure deadlines are met across all active projects
● Improve systems and documentation to support scalability

Client & Brand Liaison Support
● Coordinate logistics with PR teams and brand partners
● Manage pull confirmations, deliveries, and returns
● Maintain white-glove communication standards
● Assist company CEO on other creative projects such brand partnerships, social partnerships, collaborations, etc

Systems & Infrastructure
● Build and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
● Optimize digital systems and operational trackers
● Develop scalable workflows to support growth

Qualifications
● 3-5+ years of experience in operations, production management, or creative studio management
● Experience within fashion, entertainment, PR, or other high-touch environments strongly preferred
● Fashion market knowledge is a plus
● Strong financial tracking and organizational skills
● High emotional intelligence and absolute discretion
● Calm under pressure and capable of managing high-stakes and fast paced environments
● Strategic, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset
● Fluent in English (written and spoken) required

This is an opportunity to step into a leadership role within a world-class styling studio, supporting projects at the forefront of fashion and entertainment.

TO APPLY: Please send your resume to studiomanager@micaelaerlanger.com, subject line Studio Manager.

@micaela

Across the two-week event, this year's participants unsurprisingly delivered major fashion moments. But what was surprising was how many indie designers landed coveted Cannes red-carpet placements. Standouts include: New York darling Andrew Kwon dressing "Traitors" star Maura Higgins; Australian designer Tamara Ralph's pink dresses for Alia Bhatt and Aja Naomi King; Parisian fashion label Matières Fécales' avant-garde Barbie-core pink gown for Demi Moore; and Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria's structured take on the LBD for Barbara Palvin.

Ahead, see the standout indie designer looks at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

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Related: Shein Reportedly (and Confusingly) Acquires Everlane [Updated]

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Related: Weekly Drop Watch: Ganni x Melissa, Notte x Affection Blvd, Victoria Beckham Beauty and More

Homepage photo: Courtesy of Everlane

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The Estée Lauder Cos. and Puig End Merger Talks

The Estée Lauder Companies and Puig confirmed they were in discussions regarding a potential merger, but they have now terminated thoe talks. "Today, we are reiterating our confidence in the power of our incredible brands, our talented teams and our strength as a standalone company," Stéphane de La Faverie, president and CEO of The Estée Lauder Cos., said in a statement. {The Estée Lauder Cos.}

War in Iran Is Straining Beauty Indies and Conglomerates

The war in Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have caused shipping delays as well as rising freight, fuel and oil costs. This is inflating the cost of everything from plastic pumps to ingredient sourcing for both independent beauty brands and conglomerates. For example, Korean skin-care brand Then I Met You has had to push back its launch timelines and product seeding efforts, while E.l.f. Beauty is projecting a $15 million to $20 million hit from surging freight and oil prices. {Beauty Independent}

Alphalyr Wins 2026 ANDAM Innovation Award

Paris-based data analytics company Alphalyr won the 2026 ANDAM Innovation Award. Alphalyr uses AI to help the fashion industry produce right, sell better, waste less and understand consumers' complete journey. Its clients include Ami Paris, Balmain, Galeries Lafayette and the SMCP group. The company was awarded a grant of €100,000 and access to ANDAM's networking opportunities. {WWD/paywalled}

Missoni Group Finalizes Ownership Restructure

Italian equity firm FSI will become the controlling shareholder of the Missoni Group as the Missoni family sells its equity stake. FSI previously held a 41.2% stake in Missoni and now has become the majority shareholder at 73%. Bogner owner Katjes Quiet Luxury, the subsidiary of German brand group Katjes International, has taken the remaining 27% stake. {Vogue Business/paywalled}

How Weird Shoes Are Sparking Sales

Brands are increasingly emphasizing innovation in their footwear designs to drum up excitement and sales. Chanel unveiled a soleless sandal at its Cruise show that only covered models' heels, Maison Margiela's Tabi has gone mainstream and sneakerinas are all the rage. "People are tired of perfection and obviousness and are drawn to things that feel unexpected. Shoes can have that tension," Tory Burch told Business of Fashion. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

Oura Files Confidentially for IPO

Smart ring company Oura Health Oy filed confidentially for a U.S. initial public offering (IPO). The number of shares and the price range have yet to be determined. The company is working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Allen & Co. and Jefferies Financial Group Inc. on the IPO. Oura plans to go public later this year. {Bloomberg/paywalled}

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Instead of returning home to Toronto after graduating from Parsons School of Design, Kaelen Haworth ended up staying in New York City for another 15 years building her two fashion brands, Kaelen and Second Sight. Haworth always wanted to open her own store ("I'm better at curating and editing than I was at designing, that's just the truth," she confessed), and once she moved back to Toronto in 2023, she decided it was time to jump into retail. Absolutely Fabrics — an independent multi-brand boutique stocking emerging and established labels alike — opened its doors that same year to become a hub for brand discovery.

"There's a lot of opportunity here [in Toronto]," Haworth said. "There's a lot of people who are really interested in fashion, but don't have access to a lot of these brands because no one's buying them in Toronto."

Absolutely Fabrics stocks well-known names like Marni, Proenza Schouler, Fforme and Christopher John Rogers alongside up-and-coming designers like Conner Ives, Ashlyn and Torishéju. Now, the boutique is expanding beyond its 613 Queen St. West location to a 7,000-square-foot flagship in Toronto's Summerhill neighborhood this fall, which Haworth said will help the retailer further reach its core consumer.

On The Fashionista Network, Haworth discussed Toronto's fashion scene, who the Absolutely Fabrics customer is, why brick-and-mortal retail is "thriving" right now (" if you're looking in the right place," she added), the lessons she's learned while growing her business and more. Watch the full interview on YouTube below.

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Fashion videos promising to expose viewers to “niche,” “underrated,” “cool-girl” brands have flooded the feeds and are gaining traction, particularly across Instagram and TikTok. They speak to a recent evolution away from those fleeting trends that require instant participation before dying at week’s end. Now, people are searching for a visually appealing style that speaks to them and offers a semblance of individuality. It's for that reason that these “niche cool-girl brands” videos tend to do well and catch the eye of the fashion-curious.

Mia Jacobs, senior strategist for youth fashion at trend forecasting firm WGSN, believes “we’ve moved past the era of micro-trends and core aesthetics and entered a period of hyper-individuality, where the focus is on developing personal style.” She continues: “Niche is the new norm for Gen Z; they are prioritizing authenticity and ‘IYKYK’ (if you know, you know) culture to signal community and personal values.”

This video format is how Yagmur Tok found her digital footing. The writer-turned-creative strategist-turned-content creator began by focusing on “underrated Turkish cool-girl brands” to platform designers from her home country. After seeing how her audience responded, she expanded to other independent and vintage brands she deemed niche or underrated. “People are sick of shopping at the same five shitty places and buying the same things,” she tells Fashionista.

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Being the subjects of these videos is quite an interesting experience, according to designers like Leeann Huang and Ella Mae, both owners of eponymous independent labels dubbed as “niche” or “cool girl” by voices on the internet.

Mae tries to limit social media use in her personal life, but she's quite familiar with it as a brand owner. She was introduced to this trend after being tagged in various videos of the sort. “Sustainable,” “L.A.-based,” and “whimsical” are the descriptors most commonly associated with her brand within the “cool-girl” umbrella. “I'm happy to be mentioned and included, and I do hope they're genuinely helpful for people too, who are trying to find a shopping niche,” she says.

The videos she's most thrilled to be featured in are the “sustainable” cool girl ones, as they affirm that people are thinking consciously about their shopping habits — "because then people are doing something good, even if it's just for the sake of the trend,” she says.

Fellow Los Angeles-based designer Huang is used to seeing this type of content and believes it is in line with the rise of quicker, short-format information spreading. “People are hungry to learn these things, but it’s harder, attention span-wise, nowadays to have to read through an online article," she says. "It's fun when people learn about my brand, and it's interesting to hear what they have to say. I do think they're pushing me out to their audience, which is always helpful.”

When formatting this content, Tok aims to strike a balance between curation and education. Her goal is to people discover where to go for their particular interests and educating them on larger fashion topics — such as runway shows and trends — without explicitly telling them to “buy this outfit” or “wear this top.”

Tok and the designers see these curated videos as one solution to the overwhelm the digital sphere can invoke. With social feeds that can feel overpolluted, it can be helpful to have influencers do the research to uncover hidden gems, regardless of the subject. They also believe more consumers would shop at smaller brands if they knew where to find them. Tok says quite candidly, “Nobody knows what the hell they’re doing [including myself at times], and there’s so much pressure for women and a lot of noise from random people.”

As Mae adds, “the content machine never stops,” so having parameters to go off of — while still feeling a sense of autonomy to explore — can provide the relief many are searching for. “There's an aspirational piece to the cool girl,” Tok says. “Like, ‘if I buy this, then I could be a better version of myself.’”

Examining consumer behaviors and desires further, Jacobs says the popularity of this trend points to three factors. First, “the online fashion community is shifting from passive consumption to more active curation, where the focus is on building a wardrobe that reflects authenticity and self-expression rather than rigid style rules,” she explains. Second, “consumers also want to be part of a designer’s journey or ‘fandom’ rather than just an end user, which leads to stronger brand affinity for independent labels.” And finally, “in an AI-saturated landscape, we’re seeing a renewed reverence for human craftsmanship and the transparency of slow fashion — knowing exactly who made your clothes is becoming a status symbol.”

Jacobs notes that trend forecasters are seeing the rise of “anti-algorithm dressing,” which rebukes generic styles primed for AI replication, as well as “low-consumption” and “de-influencing” trends that seek to promote “high-quality, versatile pieces with long-term appeal while also encouraging consumers to seek out unique items that set their wardrobes apart.” This marks a significant departure from the “buy now” content on the other side of these apps.

Tok shares that, both anecdotally and through direct numbers, she has seen her audience opt into shopping vintage brands and indie labels, as opposed to the familiar fast-fashion conglomerates.

When independent designers are featured in a viral “cool-girl” style video, they at the very least experience a boost in exposure. “I definitely think keywords like ‘this cool niche brand’ rings in people’s minds and gets their attention,” Huang says. While the higher price point of their slow-produced garments may lead to a slower customer buy-in, the exposure broadens their audience and eventually leads to more sales. Huang and Mae both confirm that there are specific pieces that continue to sell out due to this online virality. They have now become recognizable markers for their brands. (For example, the Monday dress in Ivory and Twisting Vines skirt for Ella Mae, and Fruit Sticker Bags or Blinking Eye skirts for Leeann Huang).

When Huang first released the Blinking Eye skirt, she knew she had something special, yet the units priced at $330 each weren’t selling. Then came the viral video showcasing how cool and unique they were, and she sold 35 skirts, leading to approximately three times the revenue from the month prior.

Seeing what resonates with content creators’ audiences, as well as their own organic ones, also allows designers to understand which audiences their work resonates with. For two SoCal-based independent brands, social media is the central avenue through which their designs are able to reach places such as New York, San Francisco, London, Japan and Australia. It has created opportunities that may not have been possible without the capital or foundation needed to weather the traditional, often gatekept fashion industry. While this expansion in consumer base can also be attributed to their own marketing efforts and traditional press, the sheer impact of social media is undeniable.

Tok is able to track the tangible effects her content has on brands through the ShopMy platform. Thousands of clicks, followers, sold-out items and hundreds of dollars in affiliate commission can be attributed to her highlighting a brand and linking it on the platform. To that point, she cannot stress enough how valuable she believes ShopMy can be for independent designers today.

“It's awesome to uplift these designers," she says. "I try to share Turkish designers, Palestinian designers, a lot of designers from the Middle East, Africa and Europe. I want to [uplift] point of view, quality and craft.”

There are limitations to these types of videos, however, which makes Tok feel conflicted at times. The price point for one can be a deterrent to her audience, who may either experience economic constraints or, due to fast fashion, are now woefully unaware of the true price of ethical clothing production. Secondly, and more conflicting, is the limited sizing many, but particularly vintage niche brands, carry.

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Huang highlights how difficult — and often deal-breaking — it can be for brand owners who cannot quite grasp the concept of “always-on” social media culture. Meanwhile, Mae shares that establishing legitimacy amid the online noise can be a challenge. Though social media provides an equal platform, it can blur the lines between established businesses and DIY creators, prompting consumers to believe they can replicate designs rather than invest in the brands themselves. “Do you sell the patterns for this? I want to make my own,” is a real question Mae receives regarding her designs.

In a similar vein, social virality can make independent designers more susceptible to fast-fashion dupes; while dupes affect brands at all levels, they can be especially damaging to smaller designers that lack the notoriety, support or investment of larger luxury labels.

“It’s a delicate balance," Jacobs notes. "Viral exposure can create a sudden surge in orders that can overwhelm a small brand’s infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities or stock levels, and can be even more challenging depending on the brand’s geographical location.”

While supporting independent brands takes a multi-tiered approach, all parties agree there is a growing desire for fashion with a more personal touch, and “cool-girl” branding may just be the clever marketing angle needed to carry this shift forward.

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For our Weekly Drop Watch column, Fashionista scours the market to curate the most noteworthy releases from our favorite fashion and beauty brands. Keep scrolling for this week’s highlights.

Fashion Launches

Ganni x Melissa

Copenhagen-based fashion label Ganni partnered with footwear brand Melissa to create a summery limited-edition collaboration. The collection comprises two styles: the Melissa Thong Kitten Heel ($150) and Flip Flop Slim ($115), featuring ruffled straps and black, yellow red, blue and leopard colorways. Shop the collab at shopmelissa.com and ganni.com.

Larroudé x Ciao Lucia

Vacation-y footwear collabs are having a big moment this week: Ciao Lucia and Larroudé teamed up on their own sandal capsule collection featuring six toe-baring styles, priced from $290-$330. With colorful beads and shimmery paillettes, the collection includes flat, heeled and wedge styles. Shop them now at larroude.com and ciaolucia.com.

Isabel Marant x Havaianas

Three's a trend: In yet another footwear collaboration, Isabel Marant and Havaianas reimagined classic flip flop silhouettes with the designer's signature tie dye, textured finishes. The capsule also introduces a new puffed silhouette, "adding bold volume and a more fashion-forward edge while still maintaining the comfort and wearability [Havaianas] is known for," per a press release. Shop the styles at havaianas.com.

Dissh Summer 2026 Starring Coco Schiffer

Australian label Dissh unveiled its Summer 2026 collection this week, along with a New York City-shot campaign featuring Coco Schiffer. Shop the new pieces — which include babydoll silhouettes, warm-weather matching sets, lace an fringe detailing and pops of red — at dissh.com.

A$AP Rocky x Puma's New Footwear Style

A$AP Rocky and Puma introduced their latest footwear style, the Mostro 3.D Mule ($250), which was first seen on the runway at Rocky's New York Fashion Show in February. In addition to blue and black colorways of the slide-on style, the drop also includes socks custom-designed as part of the A$AP Rocky x Puma partnership. Shop them at puma.com.

Net-a-Porter x Toteme Travel Collection

Net-a-Porter and Toteme released an exclusive travel collection, "designed to transition seamlessly from city streets to coastal escapes," per press materials, this week. The lineup features relaxed shirting, pleated trousers, sculptural eveningwear and understated sandals in a color palette of sky blue and buttercup yellow (among neutrals). The accompanying campaign features model Kirsty Hulme. Shop the collection at net-a-porter.com.

Notte x Affection Blvd

AAPI-founded emerging labels Affection Blvd (handbags) and Notte (jewelry) teamed up in honor of AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month to create a limited-edition bag capsule. The collab reimagines Affection Blvd's signature Sweet Heart Box Bag in a mini style, which can be paired with two different Notte-designed strap options in black onyx or carnelian and ceramic beads sourced from deadstock beads. (The straps can also be worn separately from the bag as necklaces.) Shop the bag for $159 at affectionblvd.com.

Frank & Eileen x Chloe Fineman and Ellen Gunn

Frank & Eileen partnered with actor Chloe Fineman and her mother, artist Ellen Gunn, on its first limited-edition House of Frank & Eileen collaboration. Described in marketing materials as a "a celebration of mother-daughter relationships, shared closets and personal style," the collection incorporates the duo's "shared obsession with blue and white stripes. The line, which is priced from $258-$268, is available at frankandeileen.com.

Kinn Studio x Prince Tennis

In partnership with Prince Tennis, fine jewelry brand Kinn Studio dropped a sporty collection of jewelry and merch. Priced from $25 for crew socks to $8,520 for a yellow gold tennis necklace, the collection includes T-shirts, a baseball cap and a quarter-zip, as well as necklaces, pendants, a chain earring, bracelets and rings. Shop them all at kinnstudio.com, as well as at Kinn Studio's Los Angeles and New York City brick-and-mortar locations.

Beauty Launches

Victoria Beckham Beauty Launches Posh Gloss

Good news for Spice Girls fans (hi): Victoria Beckham Beauty introduced a new and improved lip product this week, and it's named after her pop star persona. Meet Posh Gloss, a revamped formula of the brand's lip gloss available in nine shades, including the new Cabana pink (above), which is reportedly Beckham's personal favorite. Shop them for $33 each at victoriabeckhambeauty.com.

5 Sens Drops New Fragrance

Indie fragrance brand 5 Sens launched a summery new scent: Right There Eau de Parfum ($75 for 30 mL; $33 for 10 mL). Described as a "skin scent" and "the pause, bottled," the eau incorporates notes of apricot, freesia, blush peony, skin musk and amber woods. Get it at 5sens.co.

Make Up For Ever's New Foundation

Make Up For Ever expanded its complexion offerings this week with the introduction of its HD Skin Balancing & Perfecting Foundation ($49). Per the brand, the 38% water-based formula was developed over several years and went through 430 iterations. It is available in 40 shades (including olive undertones), touts "flawless, 24-hour wear," and incorporates skin-care ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Shop the product at sephora.com and makeupforever.com.

Dune Suncare's New Sunscreen

Indie SPF brand Dune Suncare dropped its latest formula — The Melt Stick ($27) — this week. Described in a press release as a "buttery-soft, high-performance mineral sunscreen stick for face and lips that glides on completely sheer," it delivers SPF50 protection. Get it at dunesuncare.com.

Meet New Sunless Tanning Brand MSK Labs

Celebrity spray tan expert Mishel Chernyavskiy unveiled her sunless-tanning brand this week, launching with two products: The Quickie (express self tanning gel, $45) and The Night Affair (overnight tanning mask, $40). (There is also a mitt that retails for $10.) The patent-pending formulas combine tanning actives with "clinically relevant skin-care ingredients including hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, lactic acid for gentle exfoliation squalane for barrier support and niacinamide to help improve the look of skin tone," per the brand. Shop the products individually or bundled together for $85 at msklabs.com.

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As the days get longer and warmer around this time of year, our usual handbag rotation starts to feel a bit stale. When the vibe outside is light, breezy and fun, we tend to want our accessories to match that energy. So in preparation for the official start of summer, we narrowed down the five trending handbag styles that evoke the spirit of the season.

For maximalists, there's a wide assortment of eye-catching printed and embellished Coach styles — including a nostalgic newspaper-printed Nolita mini and a Teri crossbody with a bow-adorned strap (both under $200). Minimalists, meanwhile can reach for a brown or olive-toned woven straw Brooklyn tote or an ultra-soft, clean white Tabby shoulder bag.

Shop these and more trending handbag materials and embellishments below.

Woven Straw Handbags

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28, available here

Teri Mini Crossbody Bag, $179, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28, available here

Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 34, $295, available here

Embellished Handbags

Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 With Crystal Beaded Fringe, $695, available here

Teri Mini Crossbody Bag With Bows, $179, available here

Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 With Charms, $995, available here

Unique Printed Handbags

Chain Tabby Shoulder Bag With Sketch Print, $650, available here

Nolita 19 With Newspaper Print, $96, available here

Nolita 19 With Deer Print, $129, available here

Denim Handbags

Teri Mini Crossbody Bag in Signature Denim, $179, available here

Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 in Regenerative Cotton Denim, $450, available here

Nolita 19 in Signature Denim, $109, available here

White Handbags

Tabby Chain Crossbody Bag 19 With Quilting, $295, available here

Teri Mini Crossbody Bag, $179, available here

Nolita 19, $109, available here

Soft Tabby Shoulder Bag, $395, available here

Alex Consani Covers Harper's Bazaar

Alex Consani fronts Harper's Bazaar's Summer 2026 issue, on newsstands starting June 2. Photographed by Jonathan Frantini and styled by Rae Boxer, the supermodel poses on the cover wearing a gold Louis Vuitton dress. In the accompanying cover story, she discusses her budding acting career, supporting trans youth and staying grounded within her success. {Harper's Bazaar}

Ralph Lauren Sees Double-Digit Revenue Increase in Q4

Ralph Lauren's Q4 report shows a 17% jump in revenue to $2 billion, and reflects that the company crossed $8 billion in revenue for the full 2026 fiscal year. The company attributes its success to an increase in customers — it attracted 6.5 million new direct-to-consumer shoppers — product offering elevation and strong global expansion. {Ralph Lauren}

British Fashion Council Announces NewGen Recipients

The British Fashion Council's 2026 NewGen Recipients are: A Letter, Charlie Constantinou, E.W.Usie, Johanna Parv, Karoline Vitto, Liza Keane, Leuder, Octi, Oscar Ouyang, Pauline Dujancourt, Petra Fagerstrom, Steve O Smith, The Ouze and Yaku. The prize supports emerging designers through financial grants, mentorship and offering industry visibility. Each designer will also present a collection during London Fashion Week this fall. {Fashionista inbox}

The CFDA's Newest Board of Directors Members

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has appointed Gabriela Hearst and Joseph Altuzarra to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Current board members include CFDA chairman Thom Browne, with Vice Chairs Prabal Gurung and Aurora James, Treasurer Stacey Bendet and General Secretary Maria Cornejo, as well as Bethann Hardison, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren, among others. {CFDA}

Louis Vuitton Presented Cruise 2027 in NYC

On Wednesday, Louis Vuitton presented its Cruise 2027 collection in New York City. Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière was inspired by the dualities of New York and Paris. VIPs including Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Chase Infiniti and Cate Blanchett sat front row. {Fashionista inbox}

The Rise of In-Store Resale

A growing number of fashion retailers are launching in-store resale experiences. Concepts range from secondhand shop-in-shops to in-store trade-ins. The strategy is in response to a growing consumer demand for vintage products and younger shoppers incorporating secondhand items into their day-to-day wardrobes. {Modern Retail/paywalled}

Inside the Quiet Decline of Blake Lively's Hair Brand

Blake Lively's hair brand, Blake Brown, is steadily declining in sales, currently doing about $90,000 per week at Target (a low number compared to other brands sold at the retailer). Puck's Rachel Strugatz credits the brand's drop-off to poor timing — it launched during Lively's legal feud with Justin Baldoni — and a lack of ongoing public promotion from Lively. Give Back Beauty, the Milan-based beauty manufacturer and incubator behind Blake Brown, allegedly wants to exit the brand. {Puck/paywalled}

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