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Has Fashion Become Old-Fashioned?

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Last week revered trend forecaster, Li Edelkoor, made the 'shocking' claim that 'Fashion Is Old Fashioned'. In her 'Anti-Fashion' manifesto she offered a critical examination of today's Fashion Industry.

As I read her manifesto, I let out a huge sigh of relief. Because finally a leading industry expert is calling out the Fashion Industry for what it has become:

1. Stale

When I was in my teens I used to love trends. Vogue was my bible and I always wanted to wear the latest, hottest designs. But around the age of 19 something changed: I got bored. What once seemed fresh to me became stale. Trends were constantly being recycled and I could predict what would be fashionable every year. I became hugely uninspired, and that's when I decided to focus on individual style instead.

As Edelkoor noted, we no longer have clothes that 'change the way we walk, the way we stand, the way we flirt'. Every look has been seen and done. When we think of past decades, we know there were defining style moments that define them. But when I think about the defining style moments of the 00s, I'm not quite sure what they are. Spray on skinny jeans perhaps? Yes we have had trends, but each one has usually just been a slight reinterpretation of a past fashion.

In my opinion, there are two key reasons for this. 1. The Internet. 2. The recession.

We all know the internet and globalisation has been a double edged sword. Whilst it has connected the world, it has also lead to unforeseen consequences. Purely from a 'trend' perspective, the issue is that images and designs have become so accessible these days. If you want a 70s style top, you can get it. Or if you want a 50s style skirt, you can get it. You don't have to wait for it to become a trend for it to be in the shops - because you can pretty much find whatever 'trend' you're looking for immediately online.

Moreover, because of how quickly news spreads these days, new news becomes old news within less than a week. Things go viral within minutes, and then it's history. Once a new look has been published from the catwalk shows, it's seen online within moments, reproduced within a matter of days by fast fashion brands, and remains fashionable for only a few months.

It's the same reason why we havn't seen a major defining period in music since the millennium. For trends or 'movements' to make a profound, lasting impact, they need to take time to gain momentum and grip society so that they become ingrained. But because we're over 'new' concepts so quickly these days, there isn't a chance for this to happen.

And then there's the impact of the 2008 recession. A few years ago, I met with a businessman in Milan who has owned some of the world's leading luxury brands. And he even mentioned how bored he'd become with Fashion. He was explaining that the recession had resulted in designers becoming fearful that anything new wouldn't sell. So instead of pushing the boundaries in the way that Fashion used to, they just rehashed styles that had been selling before. And also kept to very safe colour pallets.

Whilst this is completely understandable, it has had a sad, lingering impact on the industry. And given the economic uncertainty we're now in again, it's unlikely this is going to change. Every season I thoroughly research the labels that are showing at the trade shows, and more often than not I can't tell the difference between the majority of them. And when that happens, I immediately dismiss them - because I'm only interested in selling unique style - not generic designs.

2. Marketing obsessed

The inevitable consequence of this is that Fashion has become centred around marketing. Because if you're product isn't that different, the only thing that can make it seem that way is how you brand yourself. In the past 5 years there have been some huge fashion success stories, but when when you strip away the branding, a lot of them are not much different to those they have superseded.

In an Industry that was once so inspiringly creative, it's quite sad that it's become a case of who's marketing budget is the biggest. In my opinion, the money should be invested in supporting workers, offering excellent customer service, and improving quality and design.

The only way to break this is for consumers to endeavour to look past branding, and really consider what the brands are offering. Is it something different? Do they support the right values? Are the pieces designed well? Once that happens, the Fashion Industry won't be able to rely on marketing anymore, and will be forced to actually become creative once more.

3. Business conservative

Despite its recent morphing into a marketing machine, the Fashion Industry is, quite paradoxically, conservative. Or at least it is when it comes to business.

For an industry that is meant to be forward thinking, it has been a shocking experience realising how much it is stuck in the past. Some brands don't want to support new start ups and innovative business models, whilst others believe the traditional sales channels and advertising methods are enough. There are other labels that embrace new concepts, technology, and ideas - whom I applaud - but sadly they remain few and far between.

It's something I struggle to get my head around: how an industry that is meant to be so creative is equally so narrow minded. But what I've come to realise is that there is a lot of fear in the Fashion Industry. It is very volatile: one season you can be hot, and the next one you're not. So when brands find a system that has worked for them before, they're unwilling to take a risk on changing it.

But we don't live in the same world that existed 10, 20 years ago. So the industry has to start adapting. Otherwise it will just fall behind.

4. Unethical

The other key point Edelkoort made was how fast fashion has distorted our perspectives. As she eloquently put it "these [low] prices imply the clothes are to be thrown away, discarded like a condom before being loved and savoured."

Disgusting working conditions and wages have been the way to keep costs down but, when we actually consider the amount of time and labour put into that garment, it is quite shocking to think how little we pay for it. As Edelkoort noted "how can a product that needs to be sown, grown, harvested, combed, spun, knitted, cut and stitched, finished, printed, labelled packaged and transported" only cost a few pounds? We're happy to pay for other services and products that clearly require skill, time and labour. So why do we treat clothing in such a dismissive way? Are those who work in the Fashion Industry less deserving of the way they earn a living than others?

Fashion and clothing can easily be dismissed as something frivolous. But, unless you're planning on becoming a naturist, it something you're always going to need. As with other commodities, you can spend as much or as little as you want on them. But either way that will always come at a price: either quite literally, or at the expense of someone or something else.

What now?

Now that everyone from top to bottom is criticising the industry, we've reached a critical turning point. Now, more than ever, we have the chance to steer the Industry in the direction we really want to see it take. And the more of us that collectively speak out, the more the Industry will be forced to listen.

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Bella Thorne Is Not Here For Your Body Hair Shaming

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It’s Bella Thorne’s body, and she’ll shave it if she wants to. Or not! 


Celebrities regular field unprompted opinions and commentary on every aspect of their existence, typically ignoring the exorbitant amount of troll activity that floods their likely muted social media notifications.


When they do answer, however, it’s typically for good reason, and it’s typically pretty rad.






Twitter user @Zurek23 took it upon himself to offer his 2,041 followers an opinion on “hot beautiful sexy perf” Thorne. “@bellathorne is hot beautiful sexy perf but wtf SHAVE UR LEGS!!”


It’s for some reason still something of a taboo to do whatever the hell you want with your own body hair, but celebrities and regular folk alike have been outspoken on not giving a you-know-what about other people’s opinions. The 19-year-old responded succinctly yet perfectly on behalf of everyone, everywhere. 






“HAHAHHA NEVER,” she wrote.


HAHAHHA NEVER, indeed. Bye, body-shamer! 


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The Best And Weirdest Celebrity Tattoos Of 2016

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By Megan Gustashaw for GQ.

2016 was a hell of a year and, in order to cope, folks got some intense ink. Celebrities were no exception. Micro tattoos were popular with the famous ladies of Instagram (see: Kendall Jenner's "meow" tattoo), but some celebs took things a bit farther than that. From aggressive neck tattoos to highly emotional tribute tats, nothing was left on the table. Here, some of the most daring ink choices we saw over the last twelve months.

Justin Bieber’s Whole-Torso Tattoo



Justin Bieber got this massive "Son of God" tattoo across his stomach in tandem with quitting Instagram and calling it "the devil". He might be going through something.

Zayn Malik’s Star Wars Tribute



In a highly nerdy move, Zayn Malik got a UV-light activated light saber tattooed on his middle finger by JonBoy, king of the micro tattoo.

Kevin Durant’s Tupac Portrait



Over the summer, the NBA all-star commemorated his move to the Golden State Warriors with this tribute to the West Coast rapper.

Shawn Mendes’ Sensitive-Guy Forearm Tattoo



The Vine star turned actual star followed in the footsteps of Pinterest users, getting this forest tattoo in the shape of a guitar on his forearm.

David Beckham’s Neck Ink



After taking his kids to the Pablo pop-up, Beckham added this horse head to his collection of neck tattoos while on the Sunset Strip.

Rihanna's Camo Shark



Fans hypothesized that this ink was based on a stuffed animal Drake gave Rihanna on a date at the aquarium.

RELATED: Drake and Rihanna Are Certainly Dressing Like They’re a Couple

Drake’s Camo Shark



Drake got the same tattoo on his forearm. In short, Drake + Rihanna 4 eva.

Also: Drake’s Flaming Skull



Dr Woo also did this flaming skull on Drake's shoulder a few weeks ago. It's sort of hard to find fault with, like practically everything Drake does.

Shia LaBeouf’s Double Missy Elliotts



Shia got these double Missy Elliott tattoos on a dare while filming American Honey. He also has portrait of Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac in the same location.

Adam Levine’s Whole Back Tattoo



Before becoming a father, Adam Levine dyed his hair pink and added a ton of ink to his growing collection of back tattoos. We feel you, buddy.

Miley Cyrus’ Homage to Vegemite



Miley Cyrus got Liam Hemsworth’s favorite (and highly divisive) food, Vegemite, tattooed on the back of her arm, courtesy of Los Angeles ink god, Dr Woo.


Joe Jonas’s Hipster Hand



Tattoo artist Curt Montgomery does some pretty racy tattoos but this '80s-vibe ink is pretty safe. Because Joe Jonas is a good kid.

Aaron Carter’s Raging Neck Tattoo



Trump supporter Aaron Carter's neck tattoo might say "Love" but there's something very angry about those flames.

Lady Gaga’s David Bowie Tribute



We appreciate Gaga's straightforward portrait of David Bowie. She got this ink a few days before performing a tribute to the music legend at the Grammy Awards.

Cara Delevingne's Creepy Eyes



Cara Delevingne did that whole Suicide Squad group tattoo thing this year, but the eyes she got tattooed on the back of her neck were a million times freakier.

Liam Payne’s Bouquet of Roses



Payne played catch up with his former One Director bandmates this year, getting a ton of new ink — including this floral hand tattoo — and signing a record deal with Republic Records.


More from GQ:


The Best Celebrity Haircuts of 2016


The Hottest Women of 2016


The Greatest Sneakers of 2016


The 10 Hottest Calvin Klein Underwear Ads of All Time


The Best Haircuts for Men


The GQ Guide to the Best Underwear Out There


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The Magical Ways Ashley Graham Completely Nailed 2016

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2016 was a god awful year and the dread of what’s to come in 2017 is getting ever closer. But there were some good things to come out of this past year, and Ashley Graham’s increasing presence in the public eye is one of them. 


The model, designer and body activist has led the way toward shifting beauty standards in the fashion industry, whether it be through spreading her own message of body positivity or landing jobs historically reserved for models of a smaller size. It’s hard to think of a single person in fashion who had a better, more impactful year than the 28-year-old model. 


Still not convinced? Allow us to break it down for you chronologically. We could essentially create a running list of every successful minute of Graham’s year, but that would be creepy and we’d be here all day. So herewith, her biggest, boldest wins of 2016. 



#1


Graham kicked off the year with a bang in January by being named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 in Art and Style, thanks to her growing roster of magazine covers and a successful lingerie line.  


#2 


Then, in February Graham landed the cover of the iconic Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, becoming the first plus-size model to ever earn the highly coveted spot, and catapulting her to stardom. 



#3


Just a few weeks later, Graham co-hosted E!’s Academy Awards red carpet coverage on Feb. 22 alongside Zanna Rassi, Kris Jenner and Giuliana Rancic wearing one insanely beautiful dress.



Had a wonderful time with these gorgeous ladies on @enews tonight! #Oscars // dress by @baotranchi //

A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on




#4


March brought the in-demand model to Paris, where she walked in H&M’s show at Paris Fashion Week. C’est bien!



#5


She covered Maxim’s April issue, and then Cosmpolitan’s August issue and Self in October, to name a few. Shall we go on? 


#6


We shall. In May, the supermodel appeared as Joe Jonas’ love interest in the video for DNCE’s “Toothbrush.” Jonas, Graham and DNCE were all praised for the move. The super sexy video didn’t hurt, either. 





#7


Graham was unsurprisingly named one of Glamour’s Women of the Year in early November, but the month ended up being a double win when she was presented with a Barbie made in her likeness, complete with touching thighs



#8


The very last day of November left us with one reason to be excited for 2017 ― she became the first plus-size model to land the cover of British Vogue.



#9


Finally, Graham made her debut as a judge on the “America’s Next Top Model” reboot on Dec. 12, alongside Rita Ora, stylist Law Roach and photographer Drew Elliot. 


Bow down. 2016 was a great year for Graham.




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The 31 Best Non-Book Gifts For Book Lovers

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The holidays are the perfect time to show everyone you love that you notice the special quirks that make them tick: the gardener, the chef, the bookworm. A well-selected book always makes for a welcome present to a reader ― and if you’d like to gift books this holiday season, we have a few humble suggestions ― but maybe you’re worried you won’t know the right genre or just want to mix things up. 


Not to worry! A cozy throw to snuggle under while enjoying a long novel, a clever mug to hold steaming tea, upcycled book art; there’s no shortage of wonderful odds and ends that will make your favorite bookworm’s life better. To aid your search, here are 31 of our favorite non-book gifts for book lovers:


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Intimate Photos Take You Inside The Bedrooms Of NYC’s Ballerinas

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Onstage, ballerinas are focused and poised, translating an explosive amount of energy and emotion into perfectly crafted characters and movements. At home, in their bedrooms, things are a little different.


For the better part of six months, HuffPost Arts & Culture accompanied photographer Damon Dahlen on a tour of ballerina’s apartments in New York City. We trekked across boroughs, visiting the spaces that women like Cassandra Trenary, Zhongjing Fang and Ebony Williams call home. The dancers ― who perform for the American Ballet Theater and the Dance Theatre of Harlem, as well as less traditional dance companies ― invited us into their bedrooms for an intimate series of photographs that show a different side of ballet. Without their costumes and tights, these women opened up about what makes a personal sanctuary and what helps them unwind after a big performance.


Check out the series ― and a few clips of audio from our interviews ― below.



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ELINA MIETTINEN, Corps de Ballet member at American Ballet Theater


Elina Miettinen was born in Russia, lived most her life in Finland, and now resides with her husband and a yorkiepoo in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. She describes her space as “sophisticated,” “modern,” and “romantic.”


“In rehearsal, I am obviously very focused on what I am doing and I don’t really like to talk to people much at work or during rehearsal,” she told HuffPost. “But outside of work I am completely different. I like to go out and socialize. And then in the bedroom, I am just obviously really relaxed and I just feel like myself. I feel like I can finally be like, OK, this day is over. I can take it easy and go to sleep and be with my husband and my dog. It’s two completely separate things.”




INGRID SILVA, Dancer at Dance Theatre of Harlem


Born in Brazil, Ingrid Silva lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her French bulldog, Frida Kahlo. She described her room as the place where she thinks, relaxes, sleeps ― and sometimes eats and works, too.


“I usually get back from work around six or seven,” she told HuffPost of her nightly routine. “Then I take Frida for a walk. Usually, I cook dinner and prepare food for the next day so I can take it to work or rehearsal. And then I watch TV shows and relax.”




CASSANDRA TRENARY, Soloist at American Ballet Theater


Born in Georgia, Cassandra Trenary lives in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan with her husband, fellow ABT dancer Gray Davis. She describes her bedroom as “cozy,” “simple,” and “country-ish.”


“I feel like when I’m on stage I really kind of attack whatever it is I’m given to do,” she told HuffPost. “I feel like I’m the most confident onstage. I’m just serious most of the time, unless the role requires it to be otherwise. I take it so seriously; it’s my passion, it’s my art. When I’m at home, you’re just so relaxed and you just want to not put on a face and not be somebody else. Because our job is to be other people, which is super fun. But when you come home, it’s the best because you can just above all be exactly who you are. Just relax.”




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EBONY WILLIAMS, Freelance dancer and choreographer


Ebony Williams welcomed us into her New Jersey apartment during a rare break from traveling with Beyoncé’s “Formation” tour. Since she often falls asleep on her comfortable couch, we photographed Williams in her living room, which she describes as “colorful,” “feminine,” and “dynamic.”


Discussing her nightly routine, she said, “I take a nice hot shower or bath. I play Sade, I’m so corny. I f**king love Sade. It gets you all the way relaxed. And I stretch. I roll a lot. Rolling is my friend. [...] I get myself right where I need to be. I have tea every night. Sometimes I put a little whiskey in it depending on how I feel. Or sometimes I have a nice glass of red wine. And then I go to sleep. A deep, nice long sleep.”




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ZHONGJING FANG, Corps de Ballet member at American Ballet Theater


Originally from Shanghai, China, Zhongjing Fang now lives in vintage furniture-filled studio in Manhattan. She described her space as “dreamy,” “comfortable,” and “relaxing.”


“I usually get back home and I like to make some food for myself,” she told HuffPost of her nightly routine. “I either cook some pasta or salad. I like eating Chinese food, too, because I’m from China. After eating, I will watch some movies on Netflix. That’s what I like to do ― it helps me. I also like to take a bath in my bathtub. That’s pretty much it. Just rest.”




DANIELLE SCHULZ, Dancer at the Metropolitan Opera and freelance artist


Danielle Schulz lives in a shared apartment in Brooklyn, which she describes as “bright,” “organized,” and dictated by feng shui.


Asked what her favorite part of her bedroom is, she said: “My closet. With dance, and especially freelance, I’m mostly at the Metropolitan Opera. But it’s not a full-time gig. So you kind of have to supplement it with other choreographers or print work or however it comes out. There are a lot of things that are out of your control. So with my bedroom and my house in general, it is pretty neat. I have a very organized closet. It’s nice, when you have all of these things that are out of your control, to come home to this at the end of the day.”




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SKYLAR BRANDT, Soloist at American Ballet Theater


Skylar Brandt invited us into her childhood bedroom in Manhattan, which she describes as “quiet, “clean,” and “beautiful.”


What is her nightly routine? “It depends on how exhausted I am,” she told HuffPost. “Typically I come home, shower, eat dinner, and then get into bed and watch some of my favorite shows ― ‘Family Guy’ or ‘Adventure Time.’ And then go to sleep, just to be able to wake up for the next day.”




KATHRYN BOREN, Corps de Ballet member at American Ballet Theater


Born in Dallas, Texas, Kathryn Boren lives in a studio in Manhattan. To describe her apartment, she used the words “clean,” “organized,” “purple,” and “bright.”


“On stage and in rehearsals, I’m very professional and composed. And I take it very seriously,” she told HuffPost of her persona at work. “When I’m at home, I just goof around and I like dancing in my underwear to pop music or whatever. I try to keep my home environment as stress-free as possible.”




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CAMILLE WORKMAN, Freelance dancer


Camille Workman lives in a unique one-bedroom in Manhattan that opens up to a sprawling roof terrace. She described her space as “beachy,” “trinket-y,” and “relaxing.”


On the difference between her personas onstage and off, she says: “Onstage I’m a maniac. I’m a ‘yes man.’ If a choreographer asks me if something is possible, the answer is always ‘yes.’ At home is my lazy, beachy kind of self.”




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DEVON TEUSCHER, Soloist at American Ballet Theater


Devon Teuscher describes her Brooklyn bedroom as “dark,” “quiet,” and “minimal,” adding,It’s very much my little oasis. Like, my place. I don’t really like many people coming in here.”


When asked if her persona on stage differs from her persona at home, she replied: “I feel like they’re actually quite similar because, for me, I’m completely free onstage. To me I’m not holding back anything. That’s where I am most comfortable. And again, like I said, this is also where I feel comfortable. [...] So I think they’re quite similar in that sense ― feeling the most content.”




CATHERINE HURLIN, Corps de Ballet member at American Ballet Theater


Catherine Hurlin, a New York City native, lives in a DIY-friendly two-bedroom in Manhattan, which she describes as “super girly.” Her favorite aspect of her home? Her bed.


“My bed was the first thing that I bought,” she explained to HuffPost, recounting the early moments of living on her own in NYC. “So I feel pretty proud of it because it was my first piece of furniture [...] It was the first big purchase that I made in my life.”




REBEKAH LETCH, Freelance dancer


Born in Singapore, Rebekah Letch now resides in a spacious one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn with her husband and dog. She described their space as “contemporary” and “warm.”


“I love my bed and I love my pillows and I love the color white,” she told HuffPost. “I travel a lot and hotel rooms are always white. I actually bought the mattress and the sheets and the pillows off a hotel website. Just because I really need to recover! Yeah, I take it a little far. [...] Also, my dog sleeps with me and she has arthritis and I want her to get a good sleep, too.”




ELISE KING, Performer with Jennifer Muller/The Works and Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company


Elise King grew up in South Bend, Indiana, and now resides in a shared apartment in Manhattan. She describes her space as “open,” “zen-y,” and “filled with character.”


When asked how her persona on stage compares to her persona at home, she noted a difference. “Especially, with Jennifer’s choreography, a lot of it is very fierce and dynamic and really intense, which I love. I love showing that type of passion on stage,” she told HuffPost. “But I’m really soft in person. I’m a nice, kind person and love talking to people. So sometimes I have this really fierce stage persona, whereas in person I’m really calm and gentle and chill.”




STEPHANIE RAE WILLIAMS, Dancer at Dance Theatre of Harlem


Born in Texas, Stephanie Rae Williams currently lives in Manhattan. She describes her bedroom as “colorful,” “cave-like,” and “good-smelling.”


“I really enjoy a glass of wine,” she told HuffPost, recounting her nightly routine. “I like to cook dinner or get takeout. Take a shower. And I like to just sit on my couch for like half an hour and just decompress and relax. I’m still at that age when I get FOMO. So if I do get, like, I want to go out and see what’s happening, I might take a walk. But then I usually remember that I’m exhausted and I want to go to sleep.”




STEPHANIE LO, Royal Court Dancer in “The King and I” National Tour


When we visited Stephanie Lo, she was sharing a two-bedroom apartment with her roommate in Queens, which she had organized according to the KonMari method. She described her space as “minimal,” “chill,” and “transient.”


“I love being on stage. I can do so many things on stage that I couldn’t do in real life,” she told HuffPost, nursing a foot injury at the time. “In real life, my last name is Lo and everyone says, ‘YOLO! YOLO! Do people call you that?’ And I’m like, no, that’s not really me. I just want to live methodically [...] I like things to be really chill and really organized.”




SHANNON MAYNOR, Freelance dancer and artist with CelloPointe


Shannon Maynor has lived in her shared apartment in Manhattan for the past four years. She describes her bedroom as “peaceful,” “spacious,” “homey,” “artsy” and “fantastic.”


“My nightly routine involves elevating my legs for at least five minutes. I usually put them up against the wall and just let everything drain. Because by the end of the day, everything is just filled with fluid and stress. I teach as well. So sometimes I’ll rehearse all day and then go and teach until 10 o’clock at night. So that’s the first thing I do ― elevate.”




Want more? Check out some of the amazing outtakes from the shoot in the gallery below.

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Kim Kardashian Kind Of Returns To Instagram In Typical NSFW Fashion

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Kristmas came early, because it looks like Kim Kardashian just gifted us with two presents: her (kind of) return to Instagram and Kimoji news.


(Oh, and if you thought the reality star would be back on the photo-sharing app with a more conservative image, you were wrong.)


On Tuesday, a Kimoji Instagram account appeared online. It was updated with a video (posted three times) of a woman in black underwear, which we’re assuming is Kim, twerking in front of a holiday-appropriate sparkly background. 



DECEMBER 16

A video posted by KIMOJI (@kimoji) on




A few hours later, the account was updated with yet another super sexy shot, again posted three times, featuring two scantily clad women. We’re going to go ahead and say that Kim’s chest and perhaps her sister Kylie Jenner’s behind are the stars of the photo, because we all know how much Kylie loves her high-cut, sporty underwear



DECEMBER 16

A photo posted by KIMOJI (@kimoji) on




On Wednesday, a third video was uploaded (yes, three times), again featuring a woman (Kim?) twerking.  



DECEMBER 16

A video posted by KIMOJI (@kimoji) on




Each post was captioned with “DECEMBER 16,” leading us to believe that’s when we’ll get new Kimojis and/or new Kimoji merchandise.  


Now, of course, we aren’t certain that’s actually Kim (or Kylie) in the videos or photos, but we do know the account is verified. In that sense, we think it’s pretty safe to say the posts are at least coming from someone on Kim’s team. (We’ve reached out to Kim’s rep to confirm who’s in the clips.)


Most commenters on Instagram were excited about Kim’s return ― she’s been mostly absent on social media since being robbed at gunpoint in Paris in October ― but some, including blogger Perez Hilton, had higher hopes. 


“I was expecting so much more form your return to social media,” Hilton wrote, garnering some pretty nasty remarks from Kim’s fans. 



At the end of the day, though, Kim can, and will, do whatever she wants on social media, regardless of what anyone thinks. She’s proven that over and over, one naked selfie at a time. 

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Dad Hilariously Narrates Daughter's Makeup Tutorial, Is Such A Dad About It

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Parents just don’t understand, which makes them perfectly suited to participate in their children’s endeavors in the most hilarious way. 


YouTuber Megan ― or Meggs and Bacon, as her channel is called ― posts on a range of subjects from baking to travel to makeup tutorials. Recently, Megan called on her dad to narrate a beauty tutorial showing off her “everyday makeup routine.”


Hilarity almost immediately ensues as her dad explains that the ELF brand primer Megan uses is “made from the sweat of elves.” He also explains what Too Faced products do (“If you don’t have enough face, this will give you a little bit more face”) and refers to a Beautyblender as a “little egg that’s squishy.”


He also calls his daughter out for things many a makeup lover will find too familiar, like using a “very expensive brush. I could use any brush, but I like this one because it makes me look fancy,” and using just one or two shadows in a large eyeshadow palette. “This is a very expensive palette and I only use a couple of them, but don’t tell my dad because it’s kind of a waste,” he says.


Watch the hilarious video above. 


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Woman Poses In Varying Pants Sizes To Make A Point About Body Image

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Deena Shoemaker was organizing her closet when she was struck by the realization that her pants come in a range of dramatically different sizes, and that her size 6 pants fit her exactly the same way a size 12 did.


This mattered to her as she’s been working with preteen and teen girls for years, first as a camp counselor and church youth leader and now as a mentor coach at a nonprofit organization that supports at-risk kids.


When she noticed the varying sizes in her closet, she flashed back to the countless heartbreaking questions and statements she’s heard from young women about their weight. 


“I remembered all the times I’ve heard girls say they’re ‘fat’ because they went up a pant size, or talked about all the diets they’ve been on,” Shoemaker told The Huffington Post. “I’ve tried telling them it’s not true but they never really seemed to believe me. All the pieces fell into place for me when I saw my own pants. The lies they were believing were coming from something so commonplace that they didn’t even recognize it as the source of their hurt.”


So the 27-year-old Kansas resident posted a photo collage on Facebook that shows just how misleading the number on the tag actually is.





“... When you resize a girl’s pants from a 9 to a 16 and label it ‘plus size,’ how am I supposed to fight that?” she wrote. “Photo manipulation is one thing but how do you expect me to convince her that the number printed inside her clothes is a lie too? How do you expect me to convince her that she doesn’t need to skip dinner for the next month because her pant size didn’t ‘actually’ go up by seven digits?”


She had hoped that some of the girls she has worked with in the past would see the post. Instead, it went viral, with over 52,000 shares. While she never expected to reach so many people, she’s glad her message to the fashion industry and young girls is getting out there.


“STOP telling my girls that a size 4 is the ‘ideal body size’ and the ‘epitome of beauty’ if you’re going to change a size 4 into an 8 or a 12 or whatever number you feel like on any given day,” she wrote.


Many of the kids in Shoemaker’s mentoring program have been abandoned by one or both parents, and as a result they may struggle with everything from cutting to suicidal tendencies to anorexia and bulimia. 


“They’re dealing with some pretty intense stuff as it is,” Shoemaker told HuffPost. “When you’ve got the fashion industry telling them they’re not good enough because they’re the wrong size, that’s just added stress on top of everything they’re already dealing with. They deserve something better than that. They deserve to know their true value.” 


Although getting every clothing retailer on board with a standard sizing scale doesn’t seem likely, Shoemaker ultimately feels that the most important thing society can do to promote positive body image is to focus on health over size, and to remember that lower sizes don’t always equate to healthier people. 


The powerful message at the end of her post says it all: 


“And to you; my dear beautiful girls, my size 2 girls or my size 18 girls, your size doesn’t determine your beauty; your life does. The size printed inside your clothes is subjective to the fashion industry’s personal taste and it fluctuates rapidly. Stop believing the social normatives about who and what you should be. You are lovely and you are loved.  exactly the way you are.”

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This Tea Bag Trick For Broken Nails Will Blow Your Mind

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Breaking a nail isn’t the worst thing in the world, but it’s definitely one of the most annoying beauty mishaps. You’ve likely just filed the nail down or covered it with clear nail polish, but this remedy using a tea bag blows those fixes out of the water.


This amazing trick has been around for quite a while, but a new video posted to the Facebook page Eyeliner Addict renewed our faith in using a tea bag and clear polish to make that pointy, uncomfortable nail look good as new.


How does it work? Cut a small strip of a dry tea bag to fit over your nail. Paint on a base coat, adhere the strip to your nail, paint another coat of clear polish over the top and file down the excess bag when it’s dried. After gently buffing the nail and putting on a coat of polish, voila! You’ve got this in the (tea) bag. 


Check out the mind-blowing tutorial above and never look at your morning cup of tea the same way again. 


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Pics Of Chubby Asian Babies Will Warm Your Cold, Despondent 2016 Heart

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Brace yourself. You’re about to see the most delightful thing on the internet. 


Instagram page “Tiny Gentle Asians” features happiness-inducing photos of chubby, adorable Asian babies alongside hilarious, meme-worthy captions. 



Poutout to my main girl @kyliejenner

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




The page launched about two years ago and since then, it’s racked up more than 50,000 followers, even attracting famous fans like Chelsea Handler.



One small step for (wo)man, one giant leap for mankind #

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




But we can probably all agree that’s not surprising at all. The little guys are so cute, your face will start to cramp from smiling so hard. 



Maybe she's born with it⁉️ Maybe it's Babylline!

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




Just look at their smooshy lil faces!



When your friend looks good and you look bad but she posts that pic anyway. # #baddog

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




Mel Kenny, the genius behind the page, told The Huffington Post in an email that it all started purely out of “irrepressible love” for tiny gentle Asians, or “TGAs” as she lovingly calls them. The name, Kenny says, perfectly captures what these little nuggets are all about. 



It me, @skrillex

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




“The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells me gentle means ‘free from harshness, sternness, or violence,’” she said. “How can babies really be anything other than those things?”



If anyone needs to borrow some sugar hmu. Rgds, your friendly neighbour Totoro. #sweetcheeks #totorolls

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




Kenny’s posts range from Asian babies in precious costumes or stuffing their faces Asian babies chillin’ with pets, among other ridiculously cute moments that score a 10 on our extremely official cuteness scale. 



Stand up and let your voice be heard #depacifyme

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




Kenny, who’s a writer, editor and social media consultant mentioned that part of the draw of chubby Asian babies on Instagram lies in the way their preciously pudgy features are captured.



“What I have observed is that Japanese and Korean mothers seem to take a more theatrical approach to documenting their babies.”




I was once a peasant like you.

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




“What I have observed is that Japanese and Korean mothers seem to take a more theatrical approach to documenting their babies,” she said. “This approach is most definitely steeped in humor – using unflattering angles to best accentuate a baby’s chubbiness, for instance.”


Another reason why the page is so popular is because TGAs are, well, all of us, Kenny noted.



7 Steps To Creating The Perfect Smoky Eye (you'll never believe #3!) @bonmilk_rani

A video posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




“The average person finds enlarged babies from Asia rather relatable,” Kenny, who’s Thai, told HuffPost.


She added that people often tag their friends when seeing TGAs that perfectly illustrate different moments in their lives: “Going ‘hi @friend remember when we skipped the gym in favour of that Family Pizza Meal Deal?’ is just another way people communicate with their friends during the day.” 



I am so smart like Albert Einstein or Jennifer Lawrence

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




But when it boils down to it, the Instagram page is really just proof of the awesome, uplifting power of the interwebs, Kenny said. 


 “Joy can be cultivated via digital screens and it is contagious!”  



If you can't afford extravagant pillows, a naturally cushioned face is just as good

A photo posted by Tiny Gentle Asians (@tinygentleasians) on




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The Sky is the Limit for Holiday Hair

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It's that time of year again. The holidays are here and many of us have calendars that are filled to the brim with everything from company parties to children's concerts. With all this activity, we want to feel that we look our best for all the seasonal events while avoiding wearing the same hairstyle that we wear during our everyday routines.

For me, the go to for ideas is always the red carpets of Hollywood. Each year I look forward to watching the Critic's Choice awards because the show typically falls right in the middle of the holidays. It's great to watch my favorite Hollywood headliners dressed in the colors of the season which they pair with everything from casual to exquisite hairstyles.

So many different starlets caught my eye this year. Let's start with Evan Rachel Wood and her asymmetrical look. When I say "asymmetrical", I am referring to when the hair is cut, or appears to be cut, different lengths on each side. This is a style that we have seen in the past and I promise you, it's going to stick around for the future. It's a great look and you can create it easily with a soft textured bob.

We also saw some of our red carpet beauties with hair that was one length. Some opted for very long hair as well which supports what I have said all year in regards to natural looks being popular.

There were also several stars that put their own spin on long hair by wearing one side shorter than the other. I love this creativity. They sky was definitely the limit when it came to wearing unique styles. If I could suggest one thing to focus on this season, I would say that it's up to you and your imagination when creating a look.

For example, you can construct a classy and trendy style by combing all your hair to one side and pinning it back or spraying it. This keeps it away from your face creating the illusion that your hair is shorter on one side. This is especially fun if your hair is not cut in an asymmetrical way.

Drastic changes can bring some sizzle to your style, too. I can think of several superstars over the years who have shaved one whole side of their head and selected to leave the other side to fall in a loose natural way. How cool is that?

I am still seeing a lot of texture. I am mentioning this because there are many ways to create all types of different textured looks. Let's take Kate Micucci and her textured bob, I thought that she looked fabulous and the texture brought her style to life.

Lisa Bonet was another terrific example of texture. Consider for instance her updo. Since her hair is naturally curly, it allowed her the option to pull it up and leave beautiful pieces dangling loosely on one side which made for an extremely modern yet sexy look.

Both Janelle Monae and Jessica Beil illustrated that they were all about texture as they walked the red carpet like the superstars they are. I loved it! Not only did the gorgeous Jessica Beil have long textured locks, she rocked her bangs with a full textured look as well. What an awesome way to draw attention to your hair as an asset!

To sum it up, you can take any hairstyle and create your own kind of texture. This can be accomplished through using different colors such as Evan Rachel Wood did. Along with the asymmetrical cut that I mentioned earlier, she had one side of her hair that was very blonde and wore the other side very dark. This is a striking look that contributed to her textured look.

It could be that you have very long hair and you want to create texture by using a curling iron to create different lengths, types of waves, curls or even finger waves. Plain and simple, now you're dealing with a whole different avenue for designing your style. This goes hand in hand with wearing braids and twist. Add these two items to your hair arsenal and your updo takes on a whole new persona.

Then there is always the bread and butter. Meaning, ask your stylist to take out their sheers. Request some long cut layers, choppy layers or bangs be added to your hairstyle. And again, don't stop there because like I said earlier, the sky is the limit!

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Marshawn Lynch - From Star NFL Athlete to Fashion Designer

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From an NFL star athlete to now fashion designer, Marshawn Lynch showcased his Beast Mode collection for the first time on the runway at Fashion On The Square on November 13, 2016 in San Francisco. Marshawn Lynch, who recently retired from the NFL, is a leading example of how to take a decorated athletic career to the next level and invest in an industry, fashion, that speaks to every ethnicity, age, culture, ethnicity both nationally and internationally.

During the Best Mode segment at Fashion On The Square, there were looks for men, women and even for the 'fluffy girl' as I affectionately call our 'plus size' models. When the 'fluffy girl' came down the runway, it was a standing moment for Marshawn as he was video recording the entire segment. To see him raise to his feet in excitement about seeing this model rip the runway excited the crowd beyond measure. Also, one of several crowd favorite looks was a women's black sweatshirt with the words 'BLESSED' written in all white very large print on the back. From the crowd applause, it was certainly a showstopper. Many of the women's wear pieces were worn with heels which gave the overall look something very sophisticated and beyond just athletic wear.

Marshawn opened his flagship store, Best Mode, in October 2015, at 811 Broadway St., in Oakland, CA. He visits the store often and on any given day or time of day you will see traffic in the store because the collection is just that outstanding. From the logo to the line, Marshawn Lynch's landing into the fashion industry has many paying close attention to his growth and from millennials to baby boomers, they all want a piece of his collection in their wardrobe.

Marshawn doesn't just talk the talk when it comes to giving back to his hometown community, but he walks it and it's seen in the charitable activities he hosts where he is giving back to at-risk children and teens throughout Oakland through his Fam 1st Foundation. It's been one of the best feelings ever to see a native of Oakland give back and do it continuously.

For more information about the Beast Mode Collection visit www.beastmodeonline.com. To see photos from the fashion show visit www.fashiononthesquare.com.

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The First Photo Of Prince Harry With Meghan Markle Is Here, And It's Adorable

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You’ve seen the Instagram posts, spotted the friendship bracelets and read Prince Harry’s noble defense of his girlfriend.


Now, at last, you can see first photos of the prince and “Suits” actress Meghan Markle together in public for the first time.


The Sun snapped the couple braving the brisk British weather in beanies on Wednesday evening, as they headed for the play “The Curious Incident of the Dog at the Nighttime” at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End.


The 32-year-old prince and Markle, 35, appeared relaxed as they walked “hand in hand.” And they didn’t care much that someone was photographing them, according to the British tabloid.


The lovebirds even shopped for a Christmas tree together, The Sun reports.






Markle is reportedly staying with Harry at his two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace.


The actress flew from her home in Toronto to London on Sunday to see her prince charming. The two are also planning a getaway vacation.


They’ve reportedly been dating for about five months after meeting in May in Canada, where Harry was promoting the Invictus Games, the athletic competition he founded for injured military vets.


At first, they kept it relatively quiet, though both were spotted wearing the same blue-beaded bracelet. Markle posted a few shots of herself with the wrist bauble on Instagram.




And then there was this: 




In November, Harry warned the press to stop harassing “his girlfriend,” who’s been stalked by paparazzi, citing safety concerns. The prince was “deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her,” according to a statement from Kensington Palace. The statement also called out the “outright sexism and racism of social media trolls.” 


This is why Harry is our favorite prince.



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Natalie Portman Radiates Glamour In A Showstopping Maternity Gown

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Natalie Portman is surrounded by Oscar buzz for her portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in “Jackie”, but it’s the pregnant star’s red carpet style that has us even more excited.


Portman attended the Huading Global Film Awards in Los Angeles Thursday night in an extremely elegant, embellished navy and black Erdem gown with a pattern that only kind of reminds us of very fancy drapes.



She paired the look with a simple sleek updo, and while she always looks beautiful, her makeup was especially on point, too. 



Portman took home an award during the ceremony, which was also attended by the likes of Bryce Dallas Howard and Hilary Swank. If you ask us, she should get an award for pulling off this elaborate look, too. 



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Great News: Nike's Expanding Its Plus-Size Offerings

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Nike’s been high atop our “brands we love” list ever since the company started making a more concerted effort to represent diversity on social media platforms.


Now, it has the inventory to match.




Refinery29 reported Wednesday that the beloved athletics brand is widely expanding its plus-size offerings to 81 pieces this holiday seasons and will have nearly 200 items available by spring.


That the brand is becoming more inclusive and casting an array of gorgeous women to model its clothing is obviously great. But we’re also excited about the fact that the clothing available in larger sizes is actually super cute. There are printed leggings, matching long-sleeved cover-ups and racer back tanks. 



Far too often we’ve seen brands sacrifice style for size, further perpetuating the stereotype that women over a certain size don’t care about fashion or, in this case, fashionable fitness. Bravo to Nike for yet again breaking down that barrier. 



To all the other fitness brands out there who might be considering expanding their offerings: Just do it. 


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15 Stores To Hit Up On Free Shipping Day

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Procrastinators, rejoice! Free Shipping Day is here to make sure your loved ones get their holiday swag on time, and for cheap.


The Free Shipping Day tradition ― which started in 2007, according to Money ― involves more than a thousand online retailers who agree to offer free shipping for purchases made on Dec. 16, with delivery by Dec. 24. The master list includes some retailers whose free shipping deal extends through the weekend and others who offer free shipping year-round.


Here are some of our favorites. Additional free shipping dates were not specified unless noted:



  1. Lululemon

  2. Free People

  3. Kate Spade

  4. Nine West 

  5. American Eagle

  6. Ugg

  7. Superdry

  8. Bloomingdale’s (Free shipping through Dec. 21)

  9. Target (Free shipping through Jan. 1)

  10. Forever 21 

  11. J.Crew Factory (Clearance items only)

  12. ModCloth (Free shipping until 8 a.m. EST on Dec. 17)

  13. Aldo (Free shipping through Dec. 18)

  14. Toms (Free shipping through Dec. 20)

  15. Puma (Free shipping through Dec. 17)

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Chrissy Teigen Got Creative When John Legend Couldn’t Be In Santa Pic

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John Legend didn’t need to be present for Chrissy Teigen to get an adorable family photo.


The 31-year-old model’s husband is currently traveling, so she had someone fill in for him when she took their daughter, Luna, to meet Santa for the first time.


“When your husband is in Paris but you gotta get your Santa on,” she wrote as the caption for a very funny photo she posted to Twitter.






And, of course, people loved her ingenuity.










Including Legend himself.






Luna, however, did not seem to be fooled by her mother’s game.






The cuteness doesn’t end there, either. Teigen posted a few more choice photos of Luna on Twitter and Instagram that will make you light up like a Christmas tree:



I love the holidays

A photo posted by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on








All we want for Christmas is more of this, please.

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Can Ugly Christmas Sweaters Get Any Uglier? (Fingers Crossed)

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Can you remember a time when Christmas sweaters weren't intentionally ugly?


A time when the ugliness was based purely on the hideous patterns and garish colors, and not on elements like edgy humor?


Me either.


These days, it's not the holiday season until the first ugly Christmas sweater is taken out of moth balls.


We know people who spend months searching for a jumper that is cringeworthy enough to win an ugly Christmas sweater contest. 


That's where HuffPost Weird News comes in. We've done our due diligence to find the most tasteless, insulting, loveably awful and, yes, ugly Christmas sweaters available this year.


You're sure to win the big prize with these beauties.


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Watch Chrissy Teigen Get Physical For Fries In Barely There Bodysuit

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And on the 16th day of December, Chrissy Teigen blessed us with our new favorite workout video, all in the name of junk food and wine. 


Every year, Love magazine counts down to Dec. 25 with a video advent calendar featuring the Instafamous and and some actual celebs doing super     ~ artsy ~ things


Now, it’s Teigen’s turn to strut her stuff for an ‘80s-inspired video in which she shows some serious skin wearing a tight blue bodysuit, a red headband and wristbands and, duh, leg warmers.


We knew the model-turned-TV-host had a passion for culinary delights, but who knew she’d go this far?!





BRB, we finally found something to do at the gym. 

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