Polka dots are this summer's quiet obsession
On the spring/summer 2025 runways, polka dots showed up in more ways than one—splashed across flowy dresses, tailored outerwears, and even simple tees. Valentino, Jacquemus, and Acne Studios all gave the print their own spin, cementing the humble print place in the season's language. Valentino spring/summer 2025 Courtesy of Valentino Jacquemus spring/summer 2025 Filippo Fior Acne Studios spring/summer 2025 Isidore Montag
And if you've been keeping up with Coachella—and the smorgasbord of outfits that came with it—it's no secret that Addison Rae's surprise appearance with Charli Xcx made a statement. The rising pop princess' hot pink polka-dotted bodysuit was a standout: playful, Y2K-coded, and unmistakably loud. Meanwhile, at the Grammys, Clairo channelled a whole different kind of energy in a dreamy white polka-dot dress layered with silk, the kind of outfit lifted straight from a soft girl Pinterest board. Addison Rae with Charli Xcx at Coachella 2025. @addisonraee
So what's behind the resurgence? Maybe it's the return of softness in a moment when everything else feels chaotic. A collective gravitation toward silhouettes and prints that feel familiar, grounding, a little romantic.
And styling-wise, polka dots are disarmingly versatile. The simplest (but no less beautiful) option is a dress, but you can also wear them as a top, dressed up or down. And for the commitment-phobes, accessories offer a subtler route, and you can add a playful yet personal touch with pieces like a striking bag, a cute bow tie, or even classy pumps.
This summer, softness speaks loudest. Below, check out Vogue Singapore's picks for some of the must-have polka dot pieces. @oliviarodrigo
1 / 16 Dress it up Courtesy of Valentino
2 / 16 Valentino dress, $6,706
Available at Valentino. Courtesy of Farfetch
3 / 16 Dolce & Gabbana midi dress, $3,300
Available at Farfetch. Courtesy of Moda Operandi
4 / 16 Posse Paloma polka dot cotton maxi dress, $589
Available at Moda Operandi. @dualipa
5 / 16 Pop of colour Courtesy of Farfetch
6 / 16 Fendi polka dot tulle skirt, $1,922
Available at Fendi. Courtesy of Farfetch
7 / 16 Versace x Dua Lipa printed midi dress, $3,611
Available at Farfetch. Courtesy of Net-a-porter
8 / 16 Cara Cara polka dot shirt, $557
Available at Net-a-porter. @jenaissante
9 / 16 Top it off Courtesy of Ssense
10 / 16 All-In Pink pinned pyjama tshirt, $373
Available at Ssense. Courtesy of & Other Stories
11 / 16 & Other Stories ruched balloon sleeve blouse, $133
Available at & Other Stories. Courtesy of Farfetch
12 / 16 Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini dot print halterneck top, $472
Available at Farfetch. @reinyourheart
13 / 16 Finishing touch Courtesy of Farfetch
14 / 16 Etro polka dot print silk bow tie, $194
Available at Farfetch. Courtesy of Acne Studios
15 / 16 Acne Studios bag, $2,750
Available at Acne Studios. Courtesy of Farfetch
16 / 16 Kate Spade leather pumps, $411
Available at Farfetch.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vogue Singapore
8 hours ago
- Vogue Singapore
Korean artist Woo Kukwon on his first solo exhibition in Singapore
There lies a certain magic in stepping into a world that is made entirely from its own fabric. At Tang Contemporary Art, Woo Kukwon's first solo exhibition in Singapore, Universe's Universe , allows visitors to do just that. Distinct and whimsical, his art provides a glimpse into a cosmos shaped by mythology, literature and the quiet wonder of everyday life. The title of this exhibition carries dual meaning. For one, it calls to mind the endless imagination and wonder that the concept of the universe evokes. But more profoundly, Universe's Universe is a world inspired by Woo's young daughter Woojoo—whose name translates to 'universe' in Korean—and the way she views and experiences life. The Lady and the Unicorn is a series of six paintings that explores the symbolism of the senses and the emotional resonance of the inner self. Courtesy of Tang Contemporary Art Woo's signature style is unmistakable: vibrant colours, thick textures and a playfulness that reveals his vast imagination. His works bring together the magic of fairytales with visual storytelling that feels alive, open-ended and emotionally resonant. Over the course of his career, collaborations with brands like Dior, Valentino and BMW have transformed his paintings into wearable art and immersive experiences, drawing a global collector base that includes the likes of BTS's V, Blackpink's Jisoo and actress Son Ye-jin. Working closely with Yonni Park and Sue Oh, the directors of Tang Contemporary Art Seoul and Singapore respectively, Woo shaped the exhibition to highlight both his technical mastery and the intimate storytelling at the heart of his practice. Through 24 works, visitors encounter a parallel reality that boasts child-like wonder as well as a deep understanding of the human experience—a vision of the world seen through the eyes of artist, father and daughter all at once. 'Waterfall (Kirifuri)' by Woo Kukwon. Courtesy of Tang Contemporary Art Take us back to the start of your career as an artist. What were your earliest inspirations for making art? Art has been woven into my life from the very beginning. My father, a lifelong literati painter, filled our home with the quiet hum of artistic discipline. In his studio, the scent of ink, the rhythm of brushstrokes, and the ever-present images became the texture of my childhood. But it wasn't all romantic. From close up, I saw how gruelling an artist's life could be. Creativity often came wrapped in solitude. To live as an artist was to grapple endlessly with oneself. There was even a time I swore I'd never follow that path. But the impulse to draw never left me. After years of emotional searching, I found myself returning to art—not with resistance, but with clarity. Looking back, I don't think I ever had another option. Art wasn't a career choice. It was already inscribed in the way I lived and understood the world. You have a very whimsical, vibrant and distinct art style. What drew you to this and how has it evolved over the years? I've always felt ill at ease with rigid structures. The conventional, the orderly—these felt more foreign than freeing. So my work began much like spontaneous mark-making, almost like doodling. To this day, I try to maintain that sense of openness. I don't set rules when it comes to colour, texture, image or text. I experiment freely, sometimes painting with sticks or coloured pencils instead of brushes to achieve more visceral, expressive surfaces. The thick textures that now define my work weren't part of some master plan. They began as small gestures to amplify parts of the canvas, and gradually, they took on a life of their own. I see my process not as completing a form, but as exploring the possibilities that lie beyond it. There is no fixed destination—only the continuous act of searching. 'I hope to recover something forgotten—a clarity only visible when seen without the interference of adulthood' Can you tell us more about the motifs that appear in your art? My motifs often emerge from the space where personal experience intersects with impressions left by literature, philosophy, music, and religion. As a child, I was immersed in books. I was captivated by the moral ambiguities, the symbolic layers, and the profound questions about good and evil, love and sacrifice. Rather than quoting these sources, I deconstruct and reimagine them. They become part of a new fable—one told through my own visual language. Each painting builds a narrative of its own, not from what was, but from what could be. 'The Old Man and The Sea' is inspired by Ernest Hemingway's novel of the same name. Courtesy of Tang Contemporary Art Tell us about the thought process behind this exhibition. What inspired the pieces, and what was the process of creating them like? The exhibition title, Universe's Universe , holds many meanings—but for me, it is most intimately tied to my daughter, Woojoo. Her name also means 'universe.' Her birth was a big emotional shift and made me reconsider everything I thought I knew. That transformative energy lives in these works. Since her birth, the image of a child has appeared again and again in my paintings—not just as a portrait of Woojoo, but as a vessel for a purity I've long yearned to rediscover. Through Universe's Universe, I hope to recover something forgotten—a clarity only visible when seen without the interference of adulthood. This is your first solo exhibition in Singapore. How do you feel about bringing your art to a Singapore audience? I'm deeply grateful for the warm welcome I've received here, especially as a first-time visitor and exhibiting artist. This city left such a positive impression on me—clean, calm, kind. I already know I want to return, next time with my family. I look forward to continuing this connection and plan to take part in the next art fair in Singapore. This is not a farewell—it's a beginning. 'The Lady and the Unicorn' by Woo Kukwon. Courtesy of Tang Contemporary Art Having worked with fashion brands like Dior and Valentino, what do you think is the relationship between fashion and art? When I first collaborated with fashion, I was both excited and apprehensive. How would the emotional texture of my paintings translate into something wearable? The process of adapting painterly elements into tactile materials was challenging, but also deeply inspiring. What struck me most was the brand's commitment to evolving their identity without losing its essence. I was moved by their energy—how fashion, like art, can expand meaning while preserving core integrity. To me, fashion is a wearable sculpture. It's not just a commodity; it's an aesthetic language that brings art into daily life. Like a painting, it speaks of its time. What do you hope people take away from your art? There's no fixed message in my work, and I never hide secret meanings. I want viewers to construct their own stories, shaped by their own eyes and lives. The imagery may seem familiar, but its significance isn't universal. Some might feel joy; others might find irony or melancholy in a small detail. I want to leave that ambiguity intact. Some elements may clarify a theme, while others invite metaphor. Ultimately, I hope people see the work as it is, and feel it as they wish—unfiltered, unprescribed. If it leaves a personal impression, however faint or fleeting, then it has done its part. Universe's Universe runs from 26 July to 30 August 2025 at Tang Contemporary Art Singapore.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
Pop star Beyonce wins first Emmy for NFL halftime show
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NEW YORK - Nearly three decades into show business and 35 Grammys later, Beyonce has won her first Emmy. The American pop star won a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding costumes for variety, nonfiction or reality programming alongside five collaborators for Beyonce Bowl, her NFL halftime performance that streamed live on Netflix on Christmas Day 2024 during a game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens. The award was one of several announced on Aug 12 by the Television Academy in juried categories that recognised creative achievement in animation, costume, emerging media programming and motion design. For juried categories, entrants are screened and evaluated by a panel of professionals with the possibility of one, more than one or no one winning an award. 'As a result, there are no nominees but instead a one-step evaluation and voting procedure,' a news release from the Television Academy said. The honours will be presented in September at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. Beyonce's 13-minute western-themed performance – which took place in Houston, her hometown – showcased songs from her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, including 16 Carriages, Blackbird and Ya Ya, and was a precursor to her 2025 world tour of the same name. It commenced in April in Inglewood, California and concluded in July in Paradise, Nevada. Her performance, which was part of Netflix's first foray into live professional football streaming, drew an audience of 27 million, according to Nielsen. It also led to the hashtag #BeyonceBowl outranking #Christmas on X, according to the streamer. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: SCDF says PMD battery could have started fatal blaze Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia India, Singapore ministers discuss deeper tie-ups in digitalisation, skills, industrial parks Business More seniors remain employed after retirement and re-employment ages raised in 2022: MOM study Asia From Brazil to Vietnam: How footballer Rafaelson became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' Singapore To Vers or not to Vers: How will this scheme affect HDB prices? Asia Malaysian MP Rafizi says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack, threatened with Aids Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength For her work on Beyonce Bowl, the 43-year-old singer is also nominated for two additional Primetime Emmys for outstanding directing for a variety special and for outstanding variety special. Before this win, Beyonce had received several other Emmy nominations: four for her 2019 documentary concert film Homecoming; two for her 2016 Lemonade HBO special; one for her On The Run HBO special with her husband, US hip-hop star Jay-Z, in 2014; and one for her Super Bowl halftime show from 2013. NYTIMES
AsiaOne
6 days ago
- AsiaOne
Taylor Swift announces new album called The Life of a Showgirl, Entertainment News
Superstar Taylor Swift on Tuesday (Aug 12) announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. Swift, who has won 14 Grammys including an unprecedented four trophies for album of the year, announced the album in a podcast episode with her boyfriend and US football star Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce. "This is my brand new album, The Life of a Showgirl," Swift said while holding a blurred-out version of the album cover, in a clip of the New Heights podcast on Instagram. The full podcast episode is set to release at 7pm local time. Swift's website said the official release date of the album would be announced later. The vinyl version of the album is available for pre-order on Swift's website at US$30 (S$38.59). The cassette version costs US$20, and a CD with a poster of Swift is available for US$13. The megastar, whose record-breaking Eras tour was the first to surpass US$1 billion in revenue, announced the album after she purchased the master recordings of her first six albums in May, giving her control of all of her music after a dispute with her former record label. Swift's last album The Tortured Poets Department sold 2.61 million albums and streaming units during its first week of release in the US, with Billboard scoring it the largest streaming week for an album ever and the largest sales week for an album on vinyl in the modern era. Spotify said Poets was its most-streamed album in a single week, surpassing one billion streams. She is among several of music's top artists releasing albums recently. Fellow pop artist Sabrina Carpenter will release album Man's Best Friend in August, while singer Ed Sheeran is releasing an album in September. Swift, 35, has been setting music industry milestones and boosting local economies with The Eras Tour, a phenomenon that some economists have termed "Swiftflation." The term is used to describe how her massively popular tour has created temporary surges in local prices — particularly in sectors like hotels, dining, travel, and entertainment. [[nid:720486]]
