Must Read: Leyna Bloom Wants to Be the First Transgender Victoria's Secret Angel, Kourtney Kardashian Lobbies for Cosmetics Reform
These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Tuesday.
Why Leyna Bloom wants to be the first transgender Victoria's Secret Angel
Earlier this month, model Leyna Bloom launched a viral Twitter campaign to become the first trans woman of color to be cast in the Victoria's Secret Runway Show. On Tuesday, Bloom penned an essay for Them to further elaborate on what becoming an angel would mean to her: "We need models who will be radical and disruptive," she writes. "We need more people that are going to stand up and call out things that are politically and ethically wrong. We need models that will demand to be included in casting decisions, because the world is changing." {Them}
Kourtney Kardashian takes Capitol Hill to lobby for cosmetics reform
First, Kourtney Kardashian took Miami with Khloe, and then, she took New York with Kim. But now the eldest Kardashian is taking on Capitol Hill to lobby for cosmetics reform. According to The Hill, Kourtney is teaming up with the Environmental Working Group to fight for updated legislation concerning beauty products to make them more safe for both people and the environment. She's set to make an appearance with Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) on Tuesday. Will Kourtney's date with congress have an impact on Kylie's glitter concoctions? Only time will tell. {The Hill}
Britney Spears to launch line of fashion and lifestyle merch
Last month, Britney Spears made her high-fashion debut as the face of Kenzo's Spring 2018 campaign, and on Tuesday, the Princess of Pop announced that she's partnering with Epic Rights to launch a line of branded merch. Her lifestyle collection is expected to drop next spring and will contain apparel, hair care, accessories, exercise gear and electronics. {WWD}
Why branded content fails to drive strong results
Former Cosmopolitan.com Editor Amy Odell argues branded content often misses the mark, because brands do not put enough trust in publishers who know their audiences best. "Branded content is a tricky proposition for both publishers and advertisers," Odell writes. "These campaigns are expensive for publishers to create and what advertisers get in return is often something unquantifiable like 'enhanced brand storytelling' rather than, say, sales. Branded content can work, but publishers and advertisers have to be honest about goals. And brands have to trust publishers to create stories and videos that they know will resonate with their audience." {Business of Fashion}
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Recycling alone can't lower fashion's massive carbon footprint
Circularity in fashion has become a buzzword to describe the industry's focus on reducing waste, but more specifically, recycling clothing. And while recycling is important, a narrow focus on reusing clothes fails to acknowledge the hyper production of clothing and the fossilized energy used to recycle the clothing, which is predominantly coal, and it fails to focus on the fossilized energy inside the clothing, which is predominantly plastic. Fast Company argues a "genuinely circular agenda would focus on slowing down the cycle of fashion production and consumption and getting these fossil fuels out of every aspect of our clothing." {Fast Company}
U.S. tariffs threaten to move Puma's production out of China
Puma currently makes about a third of its products in China, but it is looking to move some production to other Asian markets if U.S. tariffs are imposted on footwear. In a statement to Reuters, the German sportswear maker's chief executive, Bjorn Gulden, dismissed the idea that tariffs could shift footwear production back to the U.S., but said the company is working on contingency plans to move some sourcing of footwear and apparel to countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Bangladesh. {Business of Fashion}
Raf Simons and Sterling Ruby discuss collaboration and the future of fashion
When it comes to creative collaborators, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more prolific duo than Raf Simons and artist Sterling Ruby. The two have a longstanding work relationship, from their joint collection for Simons's eponymous label in 2014 to Simons's stint at Dior to Ruby's work designing the Calvin Klein runway sets and boutiques. In an interview with Dia Art Foundation Director Jessica Morgan at the Harvard Graduate School of Design on Monday night, the pair discussed their friendly mergers, Virgil Abloh and the next generation of fashion designers. {Garage}
Cos to become the first fast-fashion brand to show at Pitti
Cos, the H&M-owned minimalist label, will present its capsule menswear collection at Pitti Uomo in June, marking the first time the Italian trade show has named a fast-fashion brand as a special guest. The brand sees the opportunity to show in Florence as a way to reinforce its menswear offerings and connect with more customers around the world. {Business of Fashion}
Yara Shahidi, Aly Raisman and Iskra Lawrence star in Aerie campaign with their mothers
On Tuesday, Aerie released a new campaign starring its current ambassadors — Aly Raisman, Yara Shahidi and Iskra Lawrence — along with their mothers. This campaign is a continuation of the #AerieReal Role Model campaign, which debuted in January and sheds light on the women who use their platform to advocate for themselves and others. You can view the campaign imagery in the gallery below. {Fashionista Inbox}
