they're everywhere... aren't they?
+ suede, waistbeads, dopamine decor, and more
Greetings, it’s Ilze. Lately, I’ve been haunted by this bag. I’ve seen it almost every day for the past week, and I couldn’t shake it until I figured out what it was. It’s Ölend. Seeing it so often, it’s baggy design has started to annoy me. Fashion is subjective, sure, but what’s really bugging me is how much it’s everywhere. Or is it just me noticing it more?
There’s a term for that—Baader-Meinhof phenomenon or frequency illusion. It’s when something you’ve just learned about suddenly seems to be everywhere. EVERYWHERE. Actually what’s going on is that your brain’s just primed to notice it now, even though it was probably always there. I’m sure you’ve experienced this too.
It’s a solid reminder that separating real trends from your mind just playing tricks ain’t easy, but here’s our very cutesy, very demure, very mindful attempt.
P.S.
Yesterday we dropped some real talk on burnout. Check it out if you missed it HERE.
“ChatGPT, roast my feed”
Instagram users are jumping on ChatGPT to get it to roast their Instagram feed, inviting the AI to humorously critique their profiles (here’s an NBC article on it). This relatively new Insta Guru section of ChatGPT is the (not so great) social media manager AI replacement that’s now on every other Insta story with a cheeky roast of people’s feeds.
While everyone’s having a laugh, some are side-eyeing the trend—are we just feeding the AI more data for free? Are we feeding the machine, or was it always taking the food anyway? Sure, it’s fun, but the speed this trend took off feels a bit... calculated. Almost like a strategic marketing effort to gain consent to more data.
Small plates no more
We’re growing tired of calculating how many small plates we need just to avoid going home later and making PB sandwiches. But don’t get it twisted—it’s not the end of meal sharing. Quite the contrary, we’re just maxxing the sharing game with huge plates that everyone can take a helping from. This kind of eating has already been embraced by trendsetting art galleries and food studios.
Suede
Jackets, bags, shoes, everything. It’s the material of the upcoming season. Makes sense with all those burgundy and earthy green tones dominating fall collections from Gucci to Zara.
Waist Accessories
Waistbeads and waistchains are making waves everywhere—from casual outings to beach days. These accessories, often colorful and intricate, are being embraced for their beauty and cultural significance.
Waistbeads have deep roots in African cultures, traditionally worn for various reasons like symbolizing femininity, fertility, and spiritual well-being. Now, they’re a fashionable statement, paired with edgy waistchains to create unique looks. Whether you’re adding a pop of color or some metallic flair, this trend blends African cultural heritages with modern style.
Dopamine decoring
Austere, minimalist interiors with no signs of personality have become, you guessed it, cringe. The steady macrotrend in design, known as dopamine decorating, is all about filling your space with vibrant colors, bold, clashing patterns, and playful trinkets that add character.
Dezeen recently highlighted how even Scandi designers are breaking away from their traditional minimalist roots. You’ve probably seen Gustaf Westman’s curvy, pastel dishware popping up in influencer dinner party photo dumps.
Creative director who?
Since when did people outside the fashion world start knowing the names of creative directors of fashion labels? Call it Pharrell-effect, but we've become obsessed with speculating who's going to be the next creative head at various brands. Just look at the buzz around Alessandro Michele's next move after Gucci.
Nss Mag recently touched on how this “creative reshuffling,” often involving designers, is used as a strategy to revive brands. It’s certainly providing some beloved goss.
Red Leather
This style of red leather large tote bag is popular — especially among people in their early 20s.
Some owners we talked to on the streets say it’s the perfect statement piece that’s functional - big enough to fit their laptop (Macbook 13'“, mostly) and anything else they might need for the day - while already have been in their closet. When did they buy it? A vague ‘sometime this year’, ‘saw it on TikTok’.
We’ve tried tracking it down, but everyone seems to be buying from different brands, all rocking a similar red (vegan) leather.
New in… VENICE (and nine other cities)
A new night train from Brussels to Venice is set to launch in winter, offering a stunning and sustainable way to explore Europe.
This exciting route connects nine cities, including Munich and Milan, with tickets starting at just €49. It’s a perfect blend of adventure and eco-friendly travel, making it easier than ever to wake up in Venice after a scenic overnight journey. Perfect for those craving a unique, leisurely way to experience Europe! (more info here)
+ Instagram's latest update lets users create digital collages and post up to 20 photos in a single carousel - all these updates cropping up at once - what’s Instagram know what we don’t yet?