Fraying at the Edges: Daniel’s Monthly Favourites
As we slowly ease lockdown and heal from the traumatic events of the recent past, many of us are re-deciphering our relationship with politics. In the space of a year, movements like Black Lives Matter, Gay Pride and Anti-Asian Hate activism have held those in power accountable for facilitating hate speech. As a result, there have also been swift changes in fashion, with many brands exploring the definition of identity, for instance, what it means to be an American or English person, and to break with patriotic stereotypes. I have been considerably inspired by this, and have started to investigate fashion pieces that are a little more frayed at the edges, and perhaps provide a comment on our current state of affairs.
Balenciaga
I have recently been fascinated with products from Balenciaga, especially their original concepts and imperfect perfections. One product that especially caught my eye was the Sneakerhead Medium Top Handle Bag. Made from the same material used in their iconic track shoes, this product is a play-on their staple hourglass bag, which has seen several successful adaptations and colour launches. This new release looks a complete transformation of the product from a sleek and elegant accessory to one emerging out of a war zone! Wrapped in bandage-like, restrictive laces, there is a frighteningly violent edge to this handbag even as it still mimicks the essence of the track shoe. This is a brilliant addition to the Balenciaga collection, demonstrating that versatile designs can be used in many different ways. The bag retails at £1,550.00.
“If wearing one striking pair of sneakers isn’t enough, you can now wear two, thanks to Balenciaga. The Paris-based fashion house unveiled a collection of handbags inspired by footwear—and the internet can’t get enough. In fact, the luxury label’s designs are quickly going viral because fashion obsessors like myself simply can’t stop talking about them.” - Grazia
Another Balenciaga favourite is one of the new looks from their recent Spring 2022 collection (which you can read more about here). Look 6 is a wide-leg, black pantsuit pinned together at the blazer. Even though this look is quite minimalist, the way the creases of the suit follow the natural silhouette of the model's body is both elegant and sophisticated. It’s a subtle reminder of Balenciaga's master tailoring, manipulating an over-sized fabric to look structured and smooth. Price: Xpensive.
Glossier
This is not a new release, and chances are if you know the brand then you know the product, but I have recently got into doing my eyebrows using Glossier's Boy Brow. Having previously tried the tinted blonde version, I found the application quite difficult and the product itself too dark. It was when I purchased the transparent version that my addiction started - and it has become a staple of my daily skincare ritual. The application is much easier given its transparency, and it is easy to use on the eyebrow to make for a cleaner, sharper statement. Its retail price is £14.00, which is relatively cheap for the product and how much you are getting.
The Ordinary
I am in love with The Ordinary's Squalane Cleanser and Natural Moisturiser Factors (+HA), and have been using them for the last six months. Just before purchasing these products, I was starting to get stress breakouts - studying in a pandemic with a shrinking sense of direction is no fun at all. If you have sensitive skin, then these items are a must-have due to their clean, simple ingredients. They are also great for my dry skin, and don’t feel irritable or difficult to apply. In usual cases, I apply the cleanser and wash it off immediately, with my skin feeling clean and healthy immediately after. I apply the moisturiser twice daily, in the morning and evening. Importantly, these products don’t feel sticky or oily - something I found incredibly frustrating in the past due to my need for hydrating oil-based skincare products. The retail price for the cleanser is £5.50 for 50ml and the Natural Moisturiser is £4.90 for 30ml. I would recommend getting the 100ml moisturiser, which is only £6.80. If you are looking for affordable skincare, The Ordinary is a no-brainer.
