Latest news with #BritishFashionAwards
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Gen Z's Aesthetic Is Quietly Pivoting to a New Era—and It Looks Messy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The "clean girl" aesthetic, long the defining look of social media's minimalists and wellness aspirants, is being eclipsed by a new wave of chaotic chic. The rise of the "messy cool girl" signals a shift in how beauty, style and authenticity are being reimagined by Gen Z—and it is anything but beige. "Beauty is such an accessible way to signal who we are and how we are feeling," Angie Meltsner, founder of cultural research studio Tomato Baby, told Newsweek. "The move away from clean girl comes at a time of major uncertainty in the world, and a way of coping with that uncertainty can be embracing a kind of chaotic, subversive energy, which is being channeled into these bold, maximalist, playful looks." This pivot from polished to unfiltered, driven by stars like Addison Rae and Olivia Rodrigo, is gaining traction across TikTok and beyond, where wired headphones, oversized bags, and deliberately scruffy yet still effortlessly chic hair are being celebrated as part of a wider pushback against curated perfection. From left: "Messy cool girl" Alexa Chung attends the British Fashion Awards, London, in 2008; and "clean girl" Hailey Bieber walks around Los Angeles, California, on December 13, 2024. From left: "Messy cool girl" Alexa Chung attends the British Fashion Awards, London, in 2008; and "clean girl" Hailey Bieber walks around Los Angeles, California, on December 13, 2024. Getty Images Gone are the dewy no-makeup makeup looks and neutral-toned outfits epitomized by trendsetters like Hailey Bieber and Matilda Djerf. In their place, messy buns, indie sleaze layering and a cigarette hanging from the lip à la 2000s-era Kate Moss signal an aesthetic marked by attitude over appearance. Anne Valois, a 31-year-old creator who posts under the handle @curatingambiance, laid out the trend's momentum in a TikTok video from July 7. "After years of Minimalism and quiet luxury, the messy cool girl is back," she said. "The idea was polished and optimized, but lately that [clean girl] aesthetic is starting to unravel; it's not just a vibe." @curatingambiance The messy era is back. And by no means do I mean the song. I mean an actual cultural shift: away from beige minimalism, toward character, chaos, and mood. If you're building a brand or working in marketing, this isn't just an aesthetic trend - it's a real consumer shift, backed by data. Platforms like Particl make it traceable ✨ Not just what brands post - but what actually sells. The Messy Comeback is here. Might want to take notes. Annonce #trendforecast #stylesignals #particl #culturalshift ♬ original sound - Anne Valois Valois noted that this is more than a superficial trend reversal. Pointing to real-time consumer data tracked by the platform Particl, she highlighted surging interest in products and behaviors far removed from the clean-girl canon. "Tobacco products are up 843 percent; alcoholic beverages, up nearly 1,000 percent in the past 12 months," she said. Valois also cited brands such as Coach and Ganni as beneficiaries of this shift—labels with a looser, more character-driven design ethos than the quiet-luxury titans that dominated in recent years. "Suddenly, having a beer in cowboy boots feels more aspirational than having a green juice and going to Pilates," Valois said. "It's less about optimization and more about character, pleasure and mood. Day-to-night dressing is trending, and imperfect beauty is back." Anne Valois, who splits her time between Mexico, Florida and Europe, said that the increasing presence of the messy cool girl trend is a reaction to "a collective unraveling" of the clean girl aesthetic and a return of character. "What began as a calming, minimalist ideal has become something more rigid," Valois told Newsweek. "The clean girl look became more about performance than personality, and people are exhausted by the pressure to look the same, behave the same and follow identical routines. From left: "Messy cool girl" Addison Rae performs with Arca at the Gobi Tent during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 13, 2025; and "clean girl" Hailey Bieber attending the 2025... From left: "Messy cool girl" Addison Rae performs with Arca at the Gobi Tent during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 13, 2025; and "clean girl" Hailey Bieber attending the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 2, 2025. More "Conformity used to be a status symbol, looking like everyone else was once aspirational, but now it reads more like a lack of imagination or algorithmic compliance." Cultural researchers see the change as deeply entwined with larger social dynamics. "Young people are feeling fatigued with the pressure of a hyper-manicured perfection that dominates social media and influencer culture," Meltsner said. "They yearn for some hedonism and a sense of letting loose without judgment." The clean-girl look—"glazed doughnut" skin, slicked-back hair, pastel and beige palettes, a matcha latte in hand—once symbolized control, health, and upwardly mobile chic. It aligned with minimalist tech aesthetics and the aspirational self-branding of a generation raised on Instagram. But, over time, its uniformity began to chafe against a broader cultural desire for imperfection and uniqueness. "We're also living in the age of algorithmic-driven cultural flattening," Meltsner said, "and a way of rejecting that is by embracing personal taste and expression, leaning into the quirks that show that we're unique and human. "We're seeing this through more analogue and DIY-inspired looks like wired headphones or 1990s and Y2K aesthetics, and even intentional typos to signify non-AI writing." Addison Rae as Today's Messy Cool Girl The aesthetics of the messy girl are not sloppy—they are intentional, playful and referential. The look channels late-2000s It-girls such as Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller and Gossip Girl character Serena van der Woodsen, all known for tousled hair, oversized sunglasses, thrift-store finds and nonchalant confidence. Addison Rae, former TikTok star who more recently pivoted into movies and music, is being heralded as the current poster girl for the messy cool girl revival. With indie-style music videos and unedited social media posts strongly resembling a MySpace or Tumblr profile from over a decade ago, Rae leans into an undone aesthetic. The "Diet Pepsi" singer has been applauded for showing more authentic, no-makeup and disheveled hair looks than her more traditionally glam Gen Z peers in showbiz, like Sabrina Carpenter. Rae has also collaborated with resident cool girl, Charli XCX, who spearheaded the "Brat summer" trend of 2024 and is known for leaning into indie sleaze and hyperpop. Rae, by association, has become synonymous with this cool girl archetype, softening it slightly, making her a perfect addition to the messy cool girl's Pinterest board. Gen Z singer Olivia Rodrigo has also been held up for conveying a more authentic look, often made up from attainable 2000s and 90s inspired soft grunge pieces. On TikTok, where trends can crystallize in seconds, other creators are celebrating this new mood with posts that show off bedhead and oversized tote bags brimming with personal clutter. Alexan Ashcraft, posting as @trendsofthetimes, declared in a March 31 update that the messy girl's appeal lies in her "carefree spirit" and in being herself. Ashcraft, the 25-year-old founder of digital magazine Trends of the Times, told Newsweek: "The messy girl comeback is not just another TikTok trend, it's a mindset shift, a cultural reset." Much like Valois, Ashcraft said that trends can be more complex than they appear, often reflecting deeper social changes. "We live in an age where visibility is currency, and image can make or break your chances of it," she said. "On the surface, the clean girl might have symbolized simplicity and polish, but it has just become another symbol of pressure to keep up, look perfect, stay relevant, and be seen. "In contrast to the clean girl–polished, on trend, and picture perfect–the messy girl is disheveled, unplugged, and unbothered, she opts out of the algorithm, and she does not subscribe to trends; she does not dress or buy for posts, likes, or to be seen." Ashcraft added that the messy girl's so-called dismissal of trends is what makes her cool, captivating and a source of intrigue in the first place. Eagle-eyed creators like Valois and Ashcraft believe the trend reflects a rejection of Minimalism and productivity culture, while signaling a desire for depth, humor and human messiness—the kind that resists optimization. As Valois put it: "It's not just aesthetic fatigue; it's cultural realignment."
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kate Cassidy and Liam Payne: A love story marked by devotion and loss
The late Liam Payne who was a former member of the popular band 'One Direction,' was in a close relationship to the social media influencer Kate Cassidy, who was known for her international travels and active lifestyle. Their relationship, which started in October 2022 and lasted for around two years, was full of highlighting events in both their personal and professional lives and also a lot of support until Payne's tragic death in October 2024. From Halloween costumes to red carpet debuts Cassidy and Payne were first spotted together at a Halloween party in London, dressed as Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee. Their chemistry quickly became public, as Cassidy shared photos from their Rome trip showing Payne. In the month of December 2022, they made their red-carpet debut at the British Fashion Awards, eventually confirming their relationship. C by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like My 4-year-old kidneys are failing, only you can help Donate For Health Donate Now Undo assidy often posted affectionate captions and behind-the-scenes peek of their life together, including their appearance at Louis Tomlinson's film premiere in the month of March 2023. Their closeness was quite evident, and Cassidy soon became part of Payne's inner circle. Breakup rumours and public defense In May 2023, speculation about a breakup surfaced after the couple had not been seen together for months. However, by June, they were photographed holding hands in London, ditching the rumors. Following the event, Kate shared a photo on her Instagram, tagging Liam Payne with a cheeky caption that read as: "Who is that lucky lucky dashing young man next to seriously you look fantastic I coulda just told you that as your on the sofa next to me but you know tech and phones n stuff. " Payne even defended Cassidy publicly when a fan accused her of being with him for money. He responded with a heartfelt Instagram story, saying their love was genuine and transformative. A relationship built on healing In spite of Payne's struggles with mental health, Cassidy stood by him throughout the time. They vacationed together in Saint-Tropez, celebrated birthdays on yachts, and embraced quiet moments away from the spotlight. Cassidy further on revealed that she had manifested their relationship and felt they were building a life together. The tragedy that changed everything On October 16, 2024, Liam Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Cassidy addressed the loss two days later, sharing an emotional Instagram story. Writing: "I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days has felt real. I ask and pray that you'll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private. Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you, Liam."
Fashion United
16-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Former Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri receives honorary doctorate from UCA
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) has awarded an honorary doctorate to Marco Bizzarri, former chief executive officer of Gucci and Bottega Veneta. He is also the co-founder of the Milan-based venture capital fund Forel. Through his family holding company, Nessifashion, he invests in fashion, luxury and design companies. He is a member of the board of directors of Illy Caffè, Visionnaire, Elisabetta Franchi and Golden Goose. In his acceptance speech, according to a statement from Elisabetta Franchi Usa, Bizzarri expressed his gratitude for the honorary degree, stating: "It is a privilege to receive this honorary degree from the University for the Creative Arts and to speak at a place that trains the next generation of creative minds and leaders." With a career spanning over 35 years in the fashion industry, Bizzarri has received numerous awards. These include being named International Business Leader of the Year at the British Fashion Awards three times. He was also awarded the title of Knight of the Legion of Honour in France. Since 2013, he has been featured in the Business of Fashion 500, the definitive index of the people shaping the global fashion landscape. During his tenure at Gucci, Bizzarri repositioned the brand at the top of the luxury market, tripling its turnover and doubling its workforce in seven years. Addressing the 2025 graduates, Bizzarri said: "I truly hope you find people who believe in you. No one is born a CEO or creative director. There is someone at some point who decides to appoint you to that role. They throw you the ball and you start running. For me, that person was Robert Polet, who was CEO of Gucci Group when he appointed me CEO of Stella McCartney in 2005. He was a person who believed in me more than I believed in myself. Looking back, the thing you will appreciate most will be the people who have been with you along your journey." Bizzarri joins Jonathan Anderson, who was awarded an honorary degree from UCA last year, and Remo Ruffini, chairman and chief executive officer of Moncler, who was honoured in 2023. This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@
Fashion Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Marco Bizzarri receives honorary doctorate by University for the Creative Arts
He's 'one of Italy's foremost figures in luxury and fashion' so it's fitting that has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the UK's University for the Creative Arts (UCA). Recognised for his 'visionary leadership', the former CEO of high-end luxury house Gucci and president and co-founder of Milan-based venture fund Forel, his career has so far spanned over 35 years at the top end of the fashion industry. During his tenure at Gucci, he's cited as 're-establish[ing] the brand's leading luxury status, tripling revenue and doubling the organisation within just seven years'. And by 'focusing on people, talent, culture and values', he's also recognised for 'revolutionising the approach to business leadership', and led the Italian fashion house 'into the strongest period of financial growth and critical success in more than 20 years'. Through his family holding company Nessifashion, he also invests in companies within the realms of fashion, luxury and design. Previously, Bizzarri has also been named British Fashion Awards International Business Leader of the Year three times and France's Knight of the Legion of Honor. In his acceptance speech, he said: 'It's a privilege… to speak in a place that shapes the next generation of creative minds and leaders.'
Fashion Network
15-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Marco Bizzarri receives honorary doctorate by University for the Creative Arts
He's 'one of Italy's foremost figures in luxury and fashion' so it's fitting that has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the UK's University for the Creative Arts (UCA). Recognised for his 'visionary leadership', the former CEO of high-end luxury house Gucci and president and co-founder of Milan-based venture fund Forel, his career has so far spanned over 35 years at the top end of the fashion industry. During his tenure at Gucci, he's cited as 're-establish[ing] the brand's leading luxury status, tripling revenue and doubling the organisation within just seven years'. And by 'focusing on people, talent, culture and values', he's also recognised for 'revolutionising the approach to business leadership', and led the Italian fashion house 'into the strongest period of financial growth and critical success in more than 20 years'. Through his family holding company Nessifashion, he also invests in companies within the realms of fashion, luxury and design. Previously, Bizzarri has also been named British Fashion Awards International Business Leader of the Year three times and France's Knight of the Legion of Honor. In his acceptance speech, he said: 'It's a privilege… to speak in a place that shapes the next generation of creative minds and leaders.'
