#fashion industry evolution

[jadeannbyrne]

Rebirth of Wings: Behind the Pink Curtain at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2024 Triumphant Return To Flight

Jade Ann Byrne: The Great Imposter Bringing Wings Back to the Victoria’s Secret Runway By Jade Ann Byrne, Live from the Pink Carpet New York, New York I wasn’t just a spectator. I wasn’t just another press pass dangling from a lanyard. I was embedded, deep within the heart of one of fashion’s most highly anticipated events—today. A mystery shopper in designer heels, slipping through backstage…

[trending-vibes]

The Fashion Industry's Evolution in the Age of Social Media

In the past decade, the fashion industry has undergone a profound transformation, largely influenced by the rise of social media platforms. With the emergence of Instagram, TikTok, and other digital platforms, fashion has become more accessible, interactive, and democratized than ever before.

One of the most significant impacts of social media on the fashion industry is the democratization of influence. In the past, fashion trends were predominantly dictated by high-end designers, fashion magazines, and celebrities. However, social media has empowered individuals from all walks of life to become influential voices in fashion. Through platforms like Instagram, fashion bloggers, influencers, and even everyday users can share their unique style perspectives, garnering large followings and shaping trends in the process.

Moreover, social media has revolutionized the way fashion brands market and promote their products. Traditional advertising channels such as print and television ads have been supplemented, if not replaced, by social media marketing strategies. Fashion brands now leverage platforms like Instagram and TikTok to showcase their latest collections, engage with their audience, and drive sales. Influencer partnerships and sponsored content have become integral components of many fashion brands' marketing campaigns, enabling them to reach wider and more targeted audiences.

Furthermore, social media has facilitated direct engagement between fashion brands and consumers. Through platforms like Twitter and Facebook, brands can interact with their customers in real-time, responding to inquiries, addressing concerns, and soliciting feedback. This direct line of communication has not only strengthened brand-consumer relationships but also allowed brands to gain valuable insights into consumer preferences and behavior, informing product development and marketing strategies.

Additionally, social media has played a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity and diversity within the fashion industry. Historically, the industry has been criticized for its lack of representation and narrow beauty standards. However, social media has provided a platform for marginalized voices to be heard and celebrated. Influential figures from diverse backgrounds, body types, and identities have emerged as trailblazers, challenging traditional norms and advocating for greater inclusivity in fashion.

However, despite its numerous benefits, social media has also presented challenges for the fashion industry. The prevalence of fast fashion and influencer culture has contributed to issues such as overconsumption, environmental degradation, and unrealistic beauty standards. Moreover, the rise of counterfeit products and influencer fraud has raised concerns about authenticity and transparency within the industry.

In conclusion, the integration of social media into the fashion industry has revolutionized the way fashion is consumed, produced, and perceived. While presenting unprecedented opportunities for creativity, accessibility, and inclusivity, social media also poses complex challenges that the industry must navigate. Moving forward, it is essential for fashion brands, influencers, and consumers alike to leverage the power of social media responsibly and ethically, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future for the industry.

[beingjellybeans]

Julia Barretto named Tanduay's 2024 Calendar Girl

While many brands follow a rigid set of criteria for selecting their calendar models, Tanduay takes a distinct approach. The renowned rum brand looks for women who embody strength, confidence, daring spirit, fearlessness, and a willingness to take risks while still finding time to revel in life’s celebrations. This year, Tanduay has chosen actress Julia Barretto to represent these qualities as…

[dyggtheway]

Fashion and the Messaging Machine: Balancing Authenticity🎸

Fashion has always been a dynamic and expressive industry, constantly evolving to reflect cultural shifts and societal trends. However, in recent years, the emphasis on influencing has led to concerns about authenticity. Are these brands prioritizing controversey over substance?

Join Us Down the Rabbit Hole

The fashion industry has undergone significant transformation over the decades. From haute couture to ready-to-wear, and now the dominance of fast fashion, the industry's evolution has been marked by its ability to adapt and innovate. Streetwear culture, with its roots in urban environments, has significantly influenced mainstream fashion, bringing a new level of edginess and relevance.

Streetwear has revolutionized fashion by blending fabrics, labels, and attitude for the daily life. Gaining power from empowering the individual, the antidote to a long history of exploitation that continues to push back.

Messaging in Fashion

In the flurry between the Battle of the Brand crossfire, messaging is vital.Communicating values, social stances, and cultural relevancy. This messaging shapes identity and influences perception. However, with this power comes the responsibility to ensure that messaging is genuine and not just a marketing ploy.

Fashion Marketing Hangovers: Greenwashing-Rainbow Washing-Woke Washing

Greenwashing refers to brands falsely promoting themselves as environmentally friendly.

Rainbow washing occurs when brands use LGBTQ+ symbols during Pride Month to generate revenue without actually supporting the community.

Woke washing involves brands adopting social justice rhetoric, imagery or even labels to seem socially aware and progressive.

Who's To Blame? Brands that feature representation in their ads but lack representation within their corporate structures, leading to the erosion of trust and pain at the bottom line.

Encouraging Authenticity- begins and ends with people. In the People First model we can retrace our roots and regain integrity.

To quote Nemo it's time to break ,"The Code".

Fashion's relationship with messaging is complex and multifaceted. Want in on the conversation? Explore our Free Online Fashion Design Courses and start creating your unique designs today. And when you're ready to bring your creations to life, print them with Unique Boutique Streetwear.

Let's make magic, together!🤘🍑

[nomiqbomi]

Updated designs for Fophid and Lepignito commissioned by my friend @plus-sizedscribe! Plus a new middle form, Impodster, and 4 distinct formes that Lepignito can take, based on the environment it evolves in.

More info under the tab!

Fophid are timid creatures with many predators. Their carapace has evolved to blend in perfectly with an arboreal environment. When provoked, it wields the branch-like appendage on its abdomen like a lance. It has no venom, it's quite sharp!

Impodster attaches itself firmly to tree limbs, disguising itself as a small branch. Once it has done this, it is impossible to detach until it evolves. (It would be much easier to take the entire branch with it!) It does not budge, even after being discovered. Individuals who have camouflaged themselves poorly can often be found with leaves full of holes, made by bird Pokemon that attempted to carry them away.

When Impodster evolves into Lepignito, it takes on a perfect likeness of its immediate environment. Four unique patternings, based the biomes it occurs in naturally, have been officially recorded; however, it is believed that new patterns could be created by evolving the pokemon in a unique environment.

Even when their immediate environment does not match the markings on their wings, they somehow still manage to obscure themselves from view. Many theories have been pose as to how they are able to do this, but none have been proven, as this behavior is quite difficult to observe.

It prefers to sit motionlessly and evade detection, but when provoked, it uses its stealth to confound opponents and catch them unawares. Once the opponent has become disoriented, it flies off into the shadows, never to be seen again.

---

The line is based on the Peppered Moth, which are a famous example of natural selection that has actually been observed and recorded in real-time. The moth originally evolved to camouflage against lightly-colored trees, but a melanic mutation became more genetically favorable during the industrial revolution, when the trees became blackened with soot. After environmental standards were introduced, the white variant became common again. Today both variations can be found, and they are often mistaken for different species!

Plussized-Scribe helped conceptually with the variations/typing, with his own rom-hack in mind. I may add more variations for my own fan project.

I had originally designed Fophid to camouflage with the forest floor, but during my redesign I found out that the peppered caterpillar camouflages itself as a tree branch. I thought that was neat, to I went with that angle instead.

I also added a middle form to make it a better counterpart for the Pareyeva line who use the opposite form of self defense!

Edit: @plus-sizedscribe wrote some really great Pokedex entries for his hack that he allowed me to share here as well:

"Unlike Sewaddle, the leafy bits Fophid sport are not fashion statements, but specialized organs for camouflage. In autumn, their bodies release chemicals to redden the organs and match the foliage.

The base of the headcrest pulls double duty as a third mandible. Thus, Fophid can chew better while also maintaining camouflage, as the shaking of the crest resembles a leaf trembling in the breeze."

"Having secured themselves on a sturdy tree trunk, Impodster steadfastly await evolution. Very little can dislodge these Pokémon, which are nearly helpless if they happen to end up on the ground.

Impodster with poor camouflage are often found with leaves full of holes. These are made by naïve bird Pokémon attempting to carry them away, only to realize they picked almost the worst prey they could."

"Some people claim to have fallen for a person who always wore a long coat, only for their lover to turn out to be a Lepignito. The veracity of these bizarre anecdotes is suspect, to say the least.

Lepignito live in trees whose bark match their wing patterns. They boast different patterns to blend in with the available types of trees in the regions they inhabit. At least 25 different varieties are known."

[modelsof-color]

Rahul Mishra is a renowned Indian fashion designer making significant contributions to the world of haute couture.

Rahul Mishra was born and brought up in Kanpur, a small industrial city in Uttar Pradesh, India. Growing up in a modest middle-class family, he was encouraged to pursue his dreams. Mishra discovered his passion for fashion at a young age and started experimenting with design and stitching. Rahul started his journey as a designer in Mumbai, where he  worked with embroiderers who lived in the urban slum locality called, Dharavi. He attended the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, where he honed his skills and developed a unique design philosophy rooted in sustainability and craftsmanship.

In 2014, Rahul Mishra created history by becoming the first Indian designer to win the prestigious International Woolmark Prize. He competed against talented designers from around the world and impressed the jury with his collection inspired by the beauty of rural India. This achievement brought global recognition to Mishra and opened doors for him to showcase his work on international platforms.

Rahul Mishra’s journey as a designer encompasses not just creating beautiful garments but also making a profound impact on the fashion industry. Through the Hand embroidery and how it plays a pivotal role in Rahul Mishra’s creations. His commitment to reviving traditional craft techniques led him to collaborate with artisans across India. Mishra’s intricate embroidery work showcases the skill and artistry of these craftsmen while adding exquisite detailing to his designs. Through his work, he not only preserves ancient embroidery traditions but also empowers and supports the artisan community.

Commenting on the topic he said : "My objective is to create jobs which help people in their own villages; I take work to them rather than calling them to work for me. If villages are stronger, you will have a stronger country, a stronger nation, and a stronger world. My entire philosophy revolves around that. The product will go through evolution… it will change, improve, but the philosophy is constant.”

Rahul’s work in preserving local cultures and crafts in India as well as his  efforts in sustainably are among the many reasons that the designer has been featured on the global influential list of ‘BoF 500’ for four consecutive years as well being awarded the title of “International Fashion Award for Sustainable and Ethical Brand’ by Chambre Monegasque de la Mode at the Monte Carlo fashion Show. 

[quillpokebiology]

Pokemon Crossbreeds: Schema (Part 2)

(Name from @mutsuowo)

Schema is the name for members of the Espurr line with members of the Eevee Line fathers. They get their name from it being a term for psychology and coding, referring to Eevee's multiple evolutions. (First post)

+Glaceon

Schema Meowstic crossed with Glaceon gain pointed patterns instead of the usual circular ones and lighter fur. This breed is rare since Espurr isn't usually found in colder climates. If you want your Schema Espurr to evolve into this version of Meowstic, take it to a cold climate and hope for the best.

+Leafeon

My personal favorite of the Schema Meowstic breed. This variant gains teal fur and the messy patched fluff that resembles Leafeon. This breed isn't uncommon, but it's still hard to get since most Schema Espurr that live in the forest will evolve to have Espeon traits instead of Leafeon.

+Jolteon

This variant gains staticy fur and spiked markings. Schema Espurr most often evolve into this breed during thunderstorms, but u wouldn't recommend purposely trying to get it because it can be dangerous. The breed's fur is more staticy and can give a small shock when touched, but nothing painful.

+Flareon

My second favorite of this variant! Meowstic crossed with Flareon are slightly bigger and a lot more fluffier with larger tails. They also gain flame-like patterns on their bodies. The breed is slightly warm to the touch and is very popular in the fashion industry due to how much they shed. Getting the breed is difficult though, unless your in extreme temperatures), since even if they're in hot weather, Schema Espurr will still most likely evolve into the Espeon variant.

+Vaporeon

Meowstic crossed with Vaporeon going thinner tails more suited for swimming and whiskers that resemble the fins of Vaporeon, though they aren't actually find themselves. The breed is most commonly found near beaches. This breed appears in many Kalosian fairytale as mermaids. While they can do better in the water, they don't gain water typing and can't breathe underwater like Vaporeon can, so be wary if that when training them!

//My designs can be used by anyone if you credit me for the original design!

[morganeactually]

How Björk's avant-gardism breaks the fetichization of music genres beautifully

Hi everyone ! For this week's post, I would like to introduce you to my favorite female artist : Björk. Her genre-melding approach is the reason why I find her musical identity particularly remarkable. In constant evolution, the latter is marked by a fearless exploration of the new and the unfamiliar. Indeed, she refuses to be confined by only one style or tradition and chooses instead to continually redefine her music. Björk's unique sound embodies both cultural fluidity and artistic freedom. Her albums embrace diverse influences such as the British electronica movement of the 1990s, pop music, jazz, classical music, folk and traditional Iceland music, world music, etc.

For instance, in "Homogenic" (1997), she creates, through the mix of orchestral strings with industrial beats, a soundscape that opposes easy categorization. Furthermore, both Asian culture and Björk's Icelandic roots served as inspirations for the album and its cover. They underscore the themes of identity and self-reinvention. On the one hand, her stylized hair and kimono-like dress remind of the traditional attire of a geisha. On the other hand, the minimalist aesthetic echoes the unembellished beauty of Icelandic landscapes : the cold and metallic tones of the color palette resemble its glaciers and volcanic rocks. The futuristic vibe is connected to Iceland's reputation as a land of myth and mystery.

Björk is also known for her experimental approach, breaking new ground with new technologies and unconventional sounds. In the album "Biophilia" (2011), she blends organic and digital elements by integrating nature sounds and interactive apps. She displays her engagement for both nature and technology in a holistic way. Additionally, the artist combines a wide range of global influences (Icelandic folklore, British multimedia apps, Asian and African percussions, European classical music and American electronic music). She doesn't reduce them to stereotypes but celebrates their complexity. Thus, the artist creates a rich and multifaceted album that defies borders and genres at the same time. Björk's dress on the album cover bridges the gap between the natural and the artificial just like her music. Her voluminous flame-like hair gives a visual representation of the album's boundary-pushing and innovative spirit.

Björk's music videos and stage performances are genre-defying as well because they incorporate avant-garde fashion, digital art and theatrical elements like surrealism and performance art. In this way, they connect high art with pop culture. To illustrate, her song "All Is Full of Love" mixes high-tech visuals with a classical string arrangement. It challenges the elitism associated with classical music, making it accessible and relatable. The clip blending robotic imagery with sensual themes proves that technology and emotions can coexist. The lyrics were inspired by love in spring. According to Björk, “The song, in essence, is actually about believing in love. Love isn't just about two persons, it's everywhere around you. Even if you're not getting love from Person A, it doesn't mean there's not love there.“ The video depicts Björk as a robot being assembled in a factory, who kisses another robot passionately. The robots are humanized : they have a heart and are able to fall in love and to express their desires. The clip is considered as one of the milestone of computer animation.

[whomstwedointheshadows]

I am howling at the sky for the look tonight that Harvey Guillén staked to death, spat on, and made it beg on the red carpet. Instead of just ranting to my queer fashion/fandom retail friends again, I took our collective slobber and tears to outline my plea to the fashion gods.

Why doesn’t this man have a ‘mens’wear line in every American mall? There is a gap in the market for adventurous, queer friendly suiting available through a retailer like Macys/J C Penney. Yes, retail is dying and wedding industry more so, but that’s particular to what’s available for consumers as well. Suiting is turned from off the rack into iconic by proper tailoring, but let me tell you from working all sides of the bridal salon, even up-scale clothing lines are getting rude as hell about quality and assembly to prevent tailoring and longevity.

This kid’s Disney charm would be perfect for introducing a plus size, inclusive line of fashion-forward pieces which include, say a QR code video about taking your own measurements, how adjustments work, with pieces designed to be sleek, with enough allowance for tailoring, and minding the lines in the garment to make the adjustments for plus size bodies easier. It’s no more adjustments than are made on straight size bodies, it’s just straight size bodies have more options to find a line which works with their natural shape.

But in my experience, it’s gender non-conforming folks and plus sized folks who get pushed out of finding pieces they can actually use for celebrations or work, much less pieces with actual personality that spark joy. This man has been killing it for years, really getting some clutch looks for events and invites in the fashion world. He’s showing proof of concept every time he steps in front of a camera.

Watching Harvey’s fashion evolution, I trust his fashion team and judgement to create a mid/high line for workwear to events suiting embracing a gender nonconforming audience. I can’t think of anyone better situated to become the ambassador of a brand with *the* formal wear for queer events and special occasions. I was tickled to see he sells his own merch and hope this experience convinces him of the joy working with artists and connecting their visions to a wanting public, dipping toes into the new ethical, sustainable trends in fashion. His looks alone shows he’s done his homework over the years about timelessness and early adopting trends.

For the years I worked selling/tailoring wedding dresses, there was the prophetic ‘someday… along will come the man who revives men’s fashion for events again’ to save the David’s bridal/men’s wear house lines who keep dropping plus sizes like mine and dying off. As the pet butch in the bridal salon I pleaded to the sky for better suiting options. Add that to my butch lezzy ways and trans masc circle of friends I legit spent this past Friday night drunk in a bar with a seam ripper adjusting jackets and darting pants in an unplanned sewing circle for a bachelorette until it was my round of karaoke. This isn’t the first time I’ve spontaneously started tailoring for the queers, I can’t keep up with the demand! Y’all we are in our twenties to mid thirties there should be better options than this that don’t require a vacation to LA/NY!!

I have ethical, sustainable fashion preferences about slipping in a retailer versus an online brand. But for the vision of accessible clothing to the masses pushing the envelope of the kind of quality only vintage pieces are affording the general public, this is the only celebrity really posed with the image, high energy, and bona fides to be the face of it. His connections in the fashion game are only growing as WWDITS wraps up.

If this man opened a pop-up suiting/fashion shop I’d take my limited time and resources to really dig in to the designers he promoted. I’d be howling in the streets for my celebrants to go get a Gullién. There’s no shortage online pattern makers, but there is a shortage of queer friendly shops to really get pieces that pop and it feels safe to enjoy in a retail environment. For average people wanting to engage with fashion that affirms their identity on their special day, there’s too much fucking compromise. Honestly it’s nice that I have a side hustle sewing to pattern, but I’d give it up in a fucking heartbeat for there to be actually sustainable and approachable options. I wish there was an in between of being ‘affordable’ gnc suiting in an American mall but add plus size availability and it gets sad for your most thrifty, creative friends. Someone needs the step in the gap, and why not someone at the top of the game?

Even if it was just a pop up line every few years, I’d fucking salivate over every image in that catalogue two thousand miles away for what it can teach home sewists just by virtue of curating those artisans with the express goal of queer, fat friendly designs playing together. Just the existence of vintage shops like Proud Mary creates a boom across the inter-webs of new sewists per post. Could anyone really imagine if there were actually accessible stores in key cities/supported by an online catalog with a personable, rising star as the brand face?

Please feed us more fashion, Harvey. Keep those stylists and designer friends close. Please. I cannot stress how many mascs/nb-bebes keep dropping your name every fitting consultation across this nation and it’s for good reason.

[historicity-was-already-taken]

History Blog recs

One of my Very Specific interests over the last...idk 10 years, has been reading blogs about the A Song of Ice and Fire series, by historians. I'm not sure what it is about those books: the complex, multi-layered narrative, the author's claim to work creatively with real world history, the micro-arguments contained in every arc, or what, but historians have the most FASCINATING shit to say about those books.*

I've learned so much about the logistics of civilization, the intellectual history of leadership theory, the history of subsistence agriculture, the type of agriculture needed to sustain societies of a certain size, the evolution of military theory, etc from this very specific, Historians Engage With ASOIAF and its Television Adaptations genre of blog.

There is, of course, the late great Steven Attewell's @racefortheironthrone, but I recently discovered this gem: A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry by Dr. Bret C. Devereaux. I just finished his series analyzing, problematizing, and ultimately debunking George RR Martin's claim that the Dothraki "were actually fashioned as an amalgam of a number of steppe and plains cultures… Mongols and Huns, certainly, but also Alans, Sioux, Cheyenne, and various other Amerindian tribes… seasoned with a dash of pure fantasy."

In Part IV, he writes:

... declaring that the Dothraki really do reflect the real world (I cannot stress that enough) cultures of the Plains Native Americans or Eurasian Steppe Nomads is not merely a lie, but it is an irresponsible lie that can do real harm to real people in the real world. And that irresponsible lie has been accepted by Martin’s fans; he has done a grave disservice to his own fans by lying to them in this way. And of course the worst of it is that the lie – backed by the vast apparatus that is HBO prestige television – will have more reach and more enduring influence than this or any number of historical ‘debunking’ essays. It will befuddle the valiant efforts of teachers in their classrooms (and yes, I frequently encounter students hindered by bad pop-pseudo-history they believe to be true; it is often devilishly hard to get students to leave those preconceptions behind), it will plague efforts to educate the public about these cultures of their histories. And it will probably, in the long run, hurt the real descendants of nomads.

Which just. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. Y'all know how deeply concerned I am a. with the outsize influence the entertainment industry has on memory; and b. how little that industry gives a shit about responsible use of its own power. So like, this is my shit. I'm still exploring this blog and it is a TREASURE TROVE.

*I do not include myself in that grouping. My thoughts are like: BUT WHICH ONES ARE THE JEWS DANY IS MY UNPROBLEMATIC QWEEN/AZOR AHAI/PRINCE THAT WAS PROMISED/STALLION THAT'S GONNA MOUNT THE WORLD/ETC I CAN'T WAIT TIL SANSA SHOWS HERSELF IS DANY GONNA BURN IT ALL DOWN AND EMERGE FROM THE FLAMES LIKE THAT ELMO GIF IS ARYA GOING TO RIDE A WOLF WOW I DON'T CARE ABOUT BRAN I THINK THE RHOYNAR ARE THE JEWS WHERE IS THE GODDAMN FUCKING WINDS OF WINTER

**Also, I never watched more than 2 episodes of the show. I hated how it added in sexual violence and nudity for no reason when there was already PLENTY of that in the text, most of it with narrative purpose. But then I read the books because it was 2012 and I wanted to keep up with pop culture.

[lasalebete]

I DIDNT . REALISE YOU HAVE OCS. GIVE

[crawls out of a hole wiht dirt caked up under my nails, covered in blood and coughing up violently] I'm a mentally ill queer on tumblr, of course I have OCs!

i also want to preface this by saying im writing it while watching a show and listening to a song on repeat. dunno how coherent this'll be

Okay, so! There are, like. An endless number of little guys is living in my brain. So. The one I'll present here is the 'verse I've been doodling obsessively for two days and which got beamed into my head during a six hours nap literally yesterday.

So, literally the base for this is that They Have Wings, but, um. Make it complicated.

The first recorded mutations have no really known date, but they've been around for long enough that we had centuries worth of data surrounding them, and so we can observe their evolution. The most common mutation is simply winged individuals, following the schemas of birds found in nature. Therefore, there are multiple categories of individuals based on which species they're the closest to, but they're also categorized by the type of mutations they're affected by, eg if they only have the usual wings, the size and function of said wings, the presence or absence of a tail, having more than one pair of wings, etc.

Mutations are visible since birth, except for some rare ones that develop later in life, although there has been a slight increase of those in the latest years.

Not all winged individuals are capable of flight. It greatly depends on the size, anatomy and placement of the wings. Some mutations also bring out disabilities, like when wings replace the individual's arms, or when a small pair of wings replace the ears and render the individual deaf (regarding this, a modified sign language is available to those people where then can use their wings for punctuation, intonation and such, for which people without this additional feature have to use their face only. This addition makes it easier for people who struggle with facial expressions to communicate).

Regarding wings' sizes, there are MANY existing possibilities. Some individuals have proportioned wings that allow them to fly just fine, those sort of common. Some have small wings that do not allow them to fly, and they are still a major part of the population. Some are subject to gigantoalastia, a pathology that causes a GREAT disproportion, making the wings gigantic. These individuals are capable of flight, which requires a lot of effort, but need to do a lot of stretching and back muscular reinforcement because it causes lots of back pain.

The fashion industry is hell, btw. Like if you have gigantoalastia or if wings replaced your arms, your clothing options are quite limited.

Non-winged humans still exist! Around 12-13% of world population is not affected by any kind of mutation. But! That number is actually decreasing, slowly. We might be looking at an all-winged population in a few days or centuries. Mutations are also starting to make individuals more and more birdlike, with characteristics like tails or bird feet. Some beaked individuals have also started to make their appearance, with characteristics developing after birth. Scientists are wondering what this means for the future of our species, and also begs the question of our ancestors!

Both these questions greatly distress people btw. Religious groups primarily. They're divided in different factions, some think at the beginning we were all non-winged humans and that we're evolving towards something holy, some think that at the beginning we were something Other and we lost our whatever-privileges along the way and are only able to reclaim them now. Ofc then there's also exclusion, thinking that non-winged individuals should all be killed, that certain mutations should be wiped out, yk. All that. Which is not even especially religious but can also just be bigotry/eugenics. YK.

OH YEAH ALSO MALFORMATIONS!!!! Disability has of course been Thought About. Some people are born with malformed wings and so fundamentally unable to fly. Other mobility aids are more or less equal to those we have today but flight ones are harder to come by and also hard to design.

Also also sometimes people like to customize their wings with piercings and such :3 dyes are also a thing but temporary because of. Well. Shedding.

(theres supposed to be like. two main guys but actually i thought about the whole entire world before even finding their names. so all you get to know is that they're gay and in a toxic relationship . because thats my brand)

[doamarierose-honoka]

Today, SEGA announced an exciting collaboration between Sonic the Hedgehog and leading streetwear jewelry brand, King Ice. The new collection, priced at $150 USD per piece, includes iconic characters Blaze, Metal Sonic, Silver and Super Silver!

Read more information on the collaboration and view screenshots of the products in the next section of the article.

King Ice Drops Bold New Sonic the Hedgehog Streetwear Jewelry Collection, Merging Gaming Icons with Urban Culture

LOS ANGELES – Sept. 26, 2024 – King Ice, the leading streetwear jewelry brand, has once again shaken up the industry with its latest collaboration, this time tapping into one of gaming’s most enduring franchises: Sonic the Hedgehog™. The new collection, priced at $150 USD per piece, includes pendants and necklaces featuring Blaze, Metal Sonic, Silver, and Super Silver—characters that represent not just Sonic’s rich history but a new bridge between gaming culture and street fashion.

In an age where pop culture and streetwear continue to intertwine, this partnership between King Ice and SEGA® comes at an intriguing time. As gaming explodes into mainstream culture, these pieces blur the line between nostalgia and modern urban style, offering something fresh and unexpected. The collection is making waves not just among Sonic fans but also among fashion insiders, as it challenges the conventional boundaries of what streetwear jewelry can be.

Each character was carefully chosen for their iconic status within the Sonic universe:

Blaze the Cat: Blaze’s fiery persona and powerful abilities have made her a fan favorite, but her sleek, determined aesthetic translates seamlessly into this bold streetwear design.

Metal Sonic: Known for his sleek, robotic form, Metal Sonic’s pendant represents both technological innovation and street style, embodying a futuristic vibe that’s already attracting attention in the urban fashion scene.

Silver and Super Silver: With their futuristic look and time-traveling narrative, Silver and his super form offer a modern twist to the collection, symbolizing evolution and the enduring relevance of the Sonic franchise.

King Ice’s partnership with SEGA marks a significant moment in the ongoing fusion of gaming and streetwear. What’s particularly fascinating is the timing: this collaboration comes as fashion brands are increasingly looking to capitalize on gaming’s cultural explosion, especially in urban spaces. With gamers now at the forefront of fashion and music, this collection serves as a bold statement of how two seemingly disparate worlds can create something exciting and new.

This release is poised to attract not just hardcore Sonic fans but also streetwear aficionados looking for their next standout piece. King Ice’s ability to capture both audiences shows that gaming and fashion are more aligned than ever—and this collaboration is just the latest proof.

[transmutationisms]

do you have further thoughts on darwin as a lamarckian?

what's defined as 'Darwinian' versus 'Lamarckian' in the Anglo and Francophone literature has very little to do with anything Darwin or Lamarck themselves wrote or thought. Lamarck's name and evolutionary intellectual milieu were already associated with various strains of republican, materialist, and atheist sentiment throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, and under the Third Republic, many French liberals took up an overtly nationalist 'neo-Lamarckian' party line for this very reason, seeking to contrast an invented French priority claim to the evolutionary treatises Darwin published in 1859 and 1871. additionally, the legacies of Kammerer and Lysenko have really altered public perception of Lamarck and 'Lamarckian' mechanisms of heredity. meanwhile Darwin took great care to claim he was NOT engaging in "Lamarck nonsense" when he finally published On the Origin of Species, and generally his proponents and popularisers, especially in the London set, also quite liked this narrative. then in the 1960s with the birth of the 'Darwin Industry' in historical scholarship, the then-dominant theory of genetics combined with the English nationalist interest in Darwiniana made it popular and even profitable to claim a sharp distinction between 'Darwinism' (non-teleological, mechanistic, natural selection) versus 'Lamarckism' (purposive, inheritance of acquired characters). interestingly, these days there is a vogue for claiming that research into epigenetics is 'redeeming' Lamarck over Darwin, though I wouldn't put much stock into it; it's still based on a poor reading of both men's actual ideas and anyway, analogous claims were also fashionable during the early 20th century, particularly among certain American biologists but even in the English set as well.

anyway since arguably the main point of contention here concerns the 'inheritance of acquired characters': Darwin also believed in this, as did virtually anyone advocating for evolutionary ideas from the mid-18th century onward. it was not controversial and is still not controversial, except in its cartoonishly extreme forms like Cuvier's line (propagated by Lyell and then to Darwin) about Lamarck thinking that a giraffe could just magically wish itself to have a longer neck and then pass that along to its offspring. this is not what he thought (he conceived of biological change on a massive, multigenerational timescale and considered it mediated by habitual actions).

more to the point it decontextualises evolutionary theory from its home base in discourses on animal and plant breeding, which matters because the idea that humans could alter the forms, behaviours, and temperaments of living beings was from the get-go also applied to ideas about the alteration of the human species. these proto-eugenic Enlightenment ideas make clear the political stakes of the nineteenth century debates over evolution, which gradually coalesced into what we now recognise as the overtly eugenic positions of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries (where French positions tended to lean more toward natalist, associationist, 'positive' eugenics and English positions in a more Malthusian, 'negative' direction). so yes Lamarck was a 'Darwinist' and Darwin was a 'Lamarckian' but what's more critical here imo is that this simple nationalist narrative of precursors and priority claims greatly distorts our ideas of what it even meant to be an 'evolutionist' (transformiste) and how these biological ideas were ideological, eugenic, and racial from day 1. as Emma Spary points out, we would really be better off understanding 19th century 'evolution' as situated in a broader matrix of concerns about how to engineer a 'better' society, and how the ideal citizen and indeed human was defined and justified in biological terms.

[culthermag]

⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀❝ 𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐘𝐀𝐇’𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 ! ❞

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀AALIYAH’S UNFORGETTABLE FASHION SENSE ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀EXPLORED, ─── AN ARTICLE WRITTEN & PHOTO ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ EDITS MADE BY MIA GOLDS

If you ask anyone in the world to define the legacy of Aaliyah, you’ll receive a myriad of responses. Some will praise the rising IT Girl whose precious life tragically ended too soon, while others will reflect on the profound impact she’s made on their existence in one way or another.

Many others will recount her evolution from a young R&B sensation to a mature artist exploring pop music and other sounds on the brink of her prime. But regardless of the response you get, one thing reigns true as the definition of her essence: her iconic fashion sense.

From the moment she burst onto the music scene in 1994 with her first album “ Age Ain’t Nothing but A Number “ as a fresh-faced teenager, Aaliyah captivated audiences not only with her angelic and smooth vocals but also with her distinctive sense of style.

In her early years, she came out the gate pushing the envelope of what it means to be a budding artist and a free-spirited young black girl. Many of her looks effortlessly blended streetwear stylings with subtle couture pieces, rocking oversized sports jerseys and baggy pants paired with sleek, feminine touches like crop tops and crop jackets to create uniquely balanced silhouettes and cuts.

A fashion format she carried throughout the entirety of her career, through time she changed the way she presented it but the elements of it remained. As she soared into her stardom and maturity as an artist, so too did her fashion sense.

Later she embraced more feminine and refined aesthetics, favoring sexy silhouettes, tailored gowns, and minimalistic elegance. Her iconic tomboy ‘ sweet but street ‘ chic look became synonymous with effortless coolness, and inspired countless fashion trends.

Establishing her as the true style icon she was, ahead of her time and still remains today. Regardless, it was her ability to seamlessly transition between various fashion personas that truly set her apart from any of her peers.

Whether she was rocking a glamorous gown on the red carpet or effortlessly slaying in a baggy tracksuit on stage, Aaliyah exuded confidence and authenticity in every ensemble.

That very same confidence and coolness continues to resound in the world around us today. From celebrities and influencers, to everyday fashion enthusiasts who pride themselves in their physical expression.

The beauty of creating art is that it is big— and permanent enough to live beyond us. Within her short time on earth, she continued to push boundaries and explore new musical territories, and her fashion choices unwound alongside her, reflecting her growth as an artist and into a woman.

From the streets of Brooklyn to the stages of the world, Aaliyah's fashion journey was as dynamic and diverse as her music, leaving an unforgettable imprint on the industries of fashion and music alike.

𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: From Tomboy to Tommy Girl

During her debut era in 1994, Aaliyah not only captivated audiences with her smooth, soulful vocals on hits like “ Back & Forth,” “ At Your Best ( You Are Love ), “Old School, “ & “ Age Ain’t Nothing but A Number “— the title track of her debut album, to name a few… but also with her distinctive sense of fashion.

The way she dressed didn’t just resound the casual and laid-back lifestyles of the R&B & Hip-Hop scene of the 1990s, but it also reflected her confident, humorous, yet collected personality.

There wasn’t a single teen girl in America that didn’t want to be like Aaliyah. Black girls everywhere aspired to make oversized jerseys, baggy pants, cropped tops, statement sunglasses, numerous colored bandanas, and baseball caps look as chill as she did. Her uniqueness quickly made her a sensation and role model to look up to.

In addition to her loose-fitted hoodies and starter jackets, a wrist full of silver bangles and standout nail polish colors added feminine contrast to anything you’d see her in, and how could we forget her “ A “ initial necklace? Simple but effectively iconic.

Her early appeal and aesthetics can be attributed to the legendary fashion stylist Derek Lee. From 1994 onward through her career, Derek was instrumental in crafting her trendsetting tomboy aesthetic. It was his hard work and vision that helped to shape her distinctive fashion sense and solidify her status as a style icon.

Under his guidance, she became known for her effortless blend of masculine yet sweetly feminine elegance, taking risks, setting trends, and inspiring fans worldwide. Derek has also styled Lil Kim, Bobby Brown, and Macy Gray, to name a few.

As his muse, Aaliyah landed her first significant collaboration campaign for Tommy Hilfiger in 1996. Tommy Hilfiger is a brand whose name still holds the same weight today as it did in the 90s.

Becoming a Tommy Girl allowed Aaliyah to express her creativity in a new way. Their collaboration blended urban streetwear-inspired styles to cater to the day's youth and offered a sense of high-quality exclusivity. Her laid-back touch perfectly complemented Tommy’s preppy dynamic and made a memorable partnership that we still recognize and associate with the R&B star.

Working with Tommy also introduced Aaliyah to her best friend, Kidada Jones, the fashion stylist and designer, who is also the daughter of music legend Quincy Jones. Their shared interests in music, fashion, and culture are said to have led to a natural connection and friendship over time. The two young women were just alike.

𝐖𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: Get it? Anyways, Aaliyah’s Evolution from Teen Idol to Full Blown Superstar!

In the Mid to Late 1990s, Aaliyah’s style evolved into something with the makings of a rebirth—a renaissance for her womanhood. The teenage tomboy crooner had grown into a young woman navigating mainstream success, and her fashion began to reflect that portion in her narrative.

Many of those who adored her for her music also adored her fashion sense as it became less practical and increased in intricacy. She traded her baggy pants, oversized leisure wear, and cropped tees for sleek leathers, fitted dresses, and high-fashion-grade ensembles that added more contrast and texture to her wardrobe.

Though she never shied away from wearing color, her palette during this era took on a more toned-down colorway to emphasize her maturity: rusted earth tones, browns, grays, and lots of black.

Her red carpet looks became increasingly refined during this era, showcasing her versatility and ability to transition between different fashion personas seamlessly. As she navigated her way through the entertainment industry, tackling acting roles and additional modeling campaigns, how she presented herself began to attest to her evolution as a person with each project she put out.

Her ‘One In A Million’ era was the dawning of a new point in her career, with the sophomore album marking a transition into a more cultivated sophistication in her artistry and welcoming bolder accessories for her coming-of-age narrative. She showed versatility as she was praised on cover shoots for teen magazines nationwide and reserved her edge by allowing her signature shades, oversized jackets, and necklaces to appear.

Her self-titled “ Aaliyah “ album era was the last project released during her time here. This era was the pinnacle of her evolution. This portion of her art saw her embracing sultry vocals and lyrics, all the while coming into the glamor of stardom and confidence with every public appearance. Statement pieces and bold colorways once again found themselves in her look. Avante-garde designs, high fashion designer-brand labels, and intricate detailed pieces and patterns, to name a few— demonstrated her fearless approach as a trendsetter and tastemaker.

This era leaves a bittersweet imprint in the minds of many. While we applaud the woman she was becoming, we cry for the sweet spirit we lost so tragically and too soon.

𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐘𝐀𝐇, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄: Her Homage to High Fashion

Her partnership with Tommy Hilfiger in the mid-1990s was a groundbreaking moment, as she became the face of Tommy Jeans, effortlessly blending mainstream fashion with hip-hop culture.

Aaliyah's influence also reached luxury fashion houses like Versace, Gucci, and Alexander McQueen, where she was admired for her daring fashion choices and ability to push boundaries.

She seamlessly incorporated pieces from these brands into her wardrobe during photoshoots, music videos, and other public appearances, showcasing her impeccable taste and fearless approach to style.

Aaliyah's affinity for luxury fashion not only elevated her image but also helped raise the visibility of these brands within the urban music and fashion scenes.

She famously wore a custom-made Tom Ford for Gucci leather jumpsuit in the music video for her song "Try Again," a look that continues to be complimented.

She rocked a stunning black silk organza gown from Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2000 collection in her final music video for "Rock the Boat." Along with designs by Thierry Mugler, including a metallic silver jumpsuit during her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1998.

Her legacy as a style icon inspires designers, artists, and fashion enthusiasts worldwide, solidifying her status as a timeless muse for high fashion designer brands with an unstoppable influence.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄: 23 Years Later…

Aaliyah's influence on fashion transcends time, resonating even in present-day trends 23 years after her untimely passing. The entire thesis of this exploration is to emphasize how her style continues to inspire a new generation of fashion enthusiasts, celebrities, and influencers all these years later. I aim to stress how her incredibly unmatched talent and passion for fashion collaboratively created a legacy that still holds her light.

Modern-day stars like Zendaya, known for her boundary-pushing fashion choices and effortless blend of streetwear and high fashion, often cite Aaliyah as a source of early inspiration.

Similarly, Ciara's bold and glamorous style pays homage to Aaliyah's rule-breaking approach to fashion, with her outfits and statement accessories reminiscent of the late icon.

Tinashe, an independent artist and producer, embraces Aaliyah's signature tomboy-chic aesthetic, infusing it with her own modern twist to create a unique and captivating look.

Aleali May, who in my opinion is a fusion of Aaliyah & Kidada Jones’ essence, is a designer stylist and continues to be a rising star in the fashion world, channels Aaliyah's relaxed and understated elegance in her streetwear-inspired looks and all of her designs, proving that Aaliyah's influence knows no boundaries.

Even global superstar Rihanna, known for her daring and trendsetting style, acknowledges Aaliyah's impact on fashion, paying homage to her in her music and fashion choices. Along with the beautiful and eclectic Teyana Taylor further attesting to the power of a legacy as well.

Beyond celebrities, influencers and public figures across social media platforms continue to celebrate Aaliyah’s fashion that came before her time, reinterpreting it for the digital age and keeping her legacy alive for generations to come.

Aaliyah's style and unapologetic individuality continue to serve as a reminder that true fashion icons are immortalized not only in memory but also in the enduring influence they leave behind. Great art never expires.

━━━━━━━━━━━━ 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐒 & 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀:

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COPYRIGHT & REPOSTING NOTICE: All written content and picture edits in this Tumblr post are original creations by me, from my own mind. Reposting or unauthorized use without permission is strictly prohibited. Please respect my work. I also have stated numerous times I do not own the original images used in my edits for this post. I claim no ownership over those. © MIA GOLDS / CULT HER.

━━━━━━━━━━━━ 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄!

[heavensent2001]

The Style Evolution of JT: From Federal Prison to City Cinderella ✨

3 minute read

As one half of the rap duo the City Girls, rapper JT’s fashion was not a main talking point in her career. Now, as an emerging solo artist, JT arguably has some of the best fashion in the entire music industry. From working with brands such as Poster Girl and Mowalola, it’s clear that JT is the perfect fashion icon for the girls that get it.

At the beginning of her career, (2017 ish) JT wore almost exclusively designer brands, reminiscent of someone who just came into a large sum of money. She was dripped out in Dolce and Gabbana, Chrome Hearts, and Moschino - all brands popular for their very large price tags. But as the old saying goes: Just because you have money, doesn’t mean you can dress. To be clear, JT had money AND was into fashion before starting her rap career (she stated in an interview she was able to buy herself a Classic Chanel bag before the fame). In my opinion, her industry connections after she signed to record label Quality Control helped her focus not so much on wearing expensive clothes. Instead, seasoned stylists and designers helped her craft her own unique aesthetic, while focusing on pieces that accentuate her silhouette and new tax bracket.

JT pictured with fellow City Girl Yung Miami (left)

JT made her daring new style debut at the 2023 MTV VMA’s, sporting a pink, Mirror Palais ss24 gown and matching Marc Jacobs boots. This look (one of my favorites) was a turning point in her fashion career. It showed that she was more in tune with the fashion world. By wearing a lesser known designer, her affinity for big label brand flashiness was over. Now, I viewed her as a true fashion girlie, by sourcing and styling runway and archival pieces. Her unique style, which incorporates the “coquette” aesthetic, features latex pieces, corsets, platforms shoes, choker necklaces, and dainty bows. It is a style distinct to her, and not many could pull it off without looking crazy.

JT is on her way to becoming a fashion icon. Her outfits are always daring, meticulous, and true to her, which is the most important thing in fashion. She often collaborates with female designers and doesn’t care if you like what she’s wearing or not. In an iconic line from her song No Barz, she brags about being a “Hood bitch dressed like a weirdo”, to which I must agree. JT is a “weirdo” in the best way possible. Her unique fashion sense and dedication to it is refreshing and inspiring for girls that look like her and myself. JT is currently doing a club run tour in the United States, while steadily building a strong, supportive fan base. I am very excited to see all the iconic looks to come in this new era of her career!

by Heaven Sent ™

[audehtz]

David Bowie's Influence on Fashion and Identity in Music

David Bowie wasn’t just a musician, he was a cultural icon. Throughout his career, he blurred the lines between music, fashion, and identity in ways that still resonate today. Known for his constant reinvention, Bowie used his platform to challenge conventions, particularly in how society perceives gender, individuality, and creativity.

One of Bowie’s most iconic personas, Ziggy Stardust, was a radical departure from anything the music world had seen. With bright orange hair, extravagant outfits, and alien-like makeup, Ziggy embodied glam rock’s spectacle. Bowie used this character to explore androgyny, pushing against the rigid gender norms of the 1970s. The combination of glam fashion and theatrical performances created a persona that wasn’t embodied by traditional masculinity, inspiring future generations of artists to experiment with their own identities on stage.

This persona not only helped redefine rock music but also opened the door for a deeper conversation around the fluidity of identity. Bowie, through Ziggy, made it okay to be different, even celebrated. Musicians like Lady Gaga, Janelle Monáe, and Harry Styles have continued this legacy by embracing fluid fashion choices and personas that challenge the norm.

Each phase of Bowie’s career came with a new look, symbolizing the evolution of his musical sound and the ever-changing nature of his persona. His audacious choices empowered others to express themselves freely, influencing not just musicians but also the broader fashion industry. Designers such as Alexander McQueen and Jean-Paul Gaultier have cited Bowie as a major inspiration in breaking boundaries between fashion and art.

Redefining Gender and Sexuality

Long before gender-fluid fashion became mainstream, Bowie was already challenging traditional norms. In a famous 1972 interview, Bowie declared himself gay, later clarifying his bisexuality: something revolutionary at the time for a major public figure in rock music. His fluid approach to gender and sexuality was often reflected in his clothing and performances, encouraging fans to embrace their true selves without fear of judgment.

Artists today, like Sam Smith and Lil Nas X, owe a great deal to Bowie’s courage in breaking down these barriers. His embrace of queer culture and non-binary expression allowed others to find their voice, both in music and personal identity.

In an era where identity is increasingly fluid and fashion plays a key role in how we express ourselves, Bowie remains a pioneer. He taught us that music is more than just sound but a full sensory experience, where image, style, and individuality come together to create something truly revolutionary.