What's a Hedi boy?
And what sunnies is he wearing this summer?
Ashe on the intro this week - and here to confirm I should never gamble.
Not on sports, but on blind-boxes. I’ve been a Popmart purchaser since before most knew what Popmart was; I’ve got two Yuki figurines to prove it. But my downfall came recently when I bought “just one” Soft Flower Girl blind-box… three times in five minutes. All because I desperately wanted the secret.
The unwritten rule for me is: only buy if you’d be happy with every pull in the collection.
But the recent blind-box hype has increasingly turned buyers into bulldozers - chasing every rare, reselling the rest. Trading seems to be increasingly becoming a lost art; you’re better off waiting for influencers to have give aways with their PR packages.
Yes, ‘bulldozering’ is maybe just the business model. But Popmart’s new Labubu release shows how capitalist collector behavior and inflated trendy ‘demand’ is impacting what made the company successful in the first place; there’s clear declining standards in quality checks and empty boxes. Some store workers now recommend filming yourself opening the blind-box. Just in case there’s an issue.
And this isn’t just some ‘toy’ interest; this is a nearly $20 billion industry. Resellers, in a single day, saw demand so massive that it allegedly unseated the PS5 as the most traded product. Even lads like Central Cee and Dillon Brooks sport their Labubu as a money flex.
Moral of the story? Popmart’s boom might be signalling its bust - and I, once again, should not be trusted with chance.
🗞️News
GTA 6 trailer is here; the game has been pushed for release to 2026.
Max has detransitioned back to HBO Max, and the internet is having a laugh ‘bout it.
Eurovision week: Ilze’s putting her money on Estonia’s Tommy Cash, while bookkeepers bet on Sweden.
Vinted is now the #1 clothing retailer in France, surpassing Zara etc. fast fashion labels. Go France!
The Lyst Index Q1 2025 just dropped and everyone’s “shocked” COS is 6th, right after Miu Miu and Prada. Are we though?
Cannes Film Festival has begun: red carpet nudity ban; new stuff from Wes Anderson, Joachim Trier (The Worst Person in The World), Richard Linklater etc and directorial debuts from Kristen Stewart, Michael Cera, Josh O’Connor and Scarlett Johansson.
Hinge is now on Substack. Summer fling inspo?
Ilze downloaded Hinge this week to procrastinate her way through writer’s block, and can report that now every 3rd guy has a photobooth/ passport photo.
Stephanie Soo (RottenMango) is covering the P. Diddy case straight from the court. True Crime mukbanggers are getting to do journalism now.
First look at the upcoming Spider-Noir live action series on Prime.
Netflix is allegedly removing its own interactive originals - but pushing their gaming section. Is anyone playing these “Netflix games” over Bandersnatch?
Sinners has become the fastest 2025 release to hit one million watches on Letterboxd. Thunderbolts* may be next.
🧂Trends
Sandals
Flip-flops are out, sandals are in — especially those Miu Miu-coded rope ones, but also the timeless Teva and classic fisherman styles are hot for both men and women. And KEEN x Gramicci is already on the feet of the ultra-rizzlers. KEEN will be the new Salomons. Mark our words. Oh, and yes, socks with sandals are fully allowed, if not encouraged.
Fisherman Core
The term’s popularity is higher this year than ever according to Google Trends. Think sailor stripes, chunky knits, rope details, fish accessories - ‘fits that say “I might own a boat” (but don’t).
Pinterest flagged it early, and now Vogue even highlighted fish lure nails as an unexpected trend directly opposing the ‘clean girl’ vibe everyone seems to be going for. Guess Ashe isn’t the only one obsessed with fish lures.
If last summer was sardines and seafood boards, this one’s layering slouchy sweaters like it’s foggy around the lighthouse.
Vinyls at cafes
The ultimate doing it for the clout move for cafes these days — from specialty coffee joints to bakeries — is plopping a record player in the corner with a token stack of records, while blasting Hermanos Gutiérrez on Spotify.
Hedi boys
Born from the dark, moody brain of Hedi Slimane (Dior Homme, Saint Laurent, Celine), Hedi Boys are a new breed creeping on TikTok and specialty coffee spots.
Mostly in the UK and Paris, they’re the lanky dudes wearing cowboy boots, skinny jeans, and vintage Hedi, smoking cigs, drinking black coffee A veteran Hedi Boy dater has confirmed: this Esquire rundown is painfully accurate.
100 Kettle Bell Swings Challenge
The kettlebells are about to be off the rack and misplaced around the gym once again, with the popularization of this 30-day challenge of doing 100 kettlebell swings.
It’s not just about VO2 maxing this time - it’s been rejuvenated as the ‘perfect’ full body workout to look like you’re actually in your #FitnessEra.
Most trainers and physiotherapists are worried about people injuring themselves; doing too much with little rest and improper technique.
Bring a Random Item Trend
New corporate trend just dropped. Is it marketing? Or “team building” with ✨extra steps✨?
The latest TikTok trend has people bringing the most unhinged random items to work or school; a traffic cone, a medieval helmet, a full-size skeleton, trying not to laugh as each cursed object is unveiled.
Peak sunnies
Hate to break it to anyone still clinging to their Miu Miu-like micro frames, but the tiny sunglasses era is over. Finito! Summer ’25 is all about volume—Elton John squares, bug-eyed Jackie O specs, chunky aviators. But the it shade of the season is peak, cat-eyed, ignited by Phoebe Philo.
Chako Lab
These water bottles are the latest in the ‘trendy’ water vessels among the quirky youth.
We’ve seen the Stanleys, Owalas, and Hydroflasks become ‘too mainstream’ for the younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha to signify their individuality with, so these chubby, insulated, colorful pieces from a growing Asian brand seems to be gaining traction.
Let us know what you want to read more of at couldyoupassthesaltplease@yahoo.com
Please anything but kettlebell swings 😂