Latest news with #Zillennials
Daily Mirror
a few seconds ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Harry Styles' sold-out sex toy range proves rules around intimacy are changing for Gen Z
From sold out shows to sold out sex toys, former One Direction singer Harry Styles has satiated his fans worldwide with the launch of his new vibrator range via his brand Pleasing Harry Styles has satiated fans worldwide with the launch of his sex toy range. The former One Direction member first launched his brand, Pleasing, in 2021 and launched originally with a line of nail polishes. Since then, products like crewneck sweaters, knitted bags, and more have been added to the online store. But now, the brand is living up to its name, diving headfirst into the world of sexual wellness, and who better to be at the helm than 'boyband sex god' Harry Styles. According to The Mirror US, the Pleasing shopping experience oozes allure. An employee behind a small velvet curtain slides out a silver platter for you to put your notecard on. Then you pay, and a brown paper bag labelled "Pleasing" slides out from behind the curtain containing your items. It comes after Harry was seen sharing passionate kiss with mystery woman at Glastonbury. Available for fans while they wait in line are free condoms served in martini glasses that have the words "I'm for Planned Parenthood" written on them. Stickers are also free with the drop's slogan, "Please Yourself Like You Mean It." And, to no surprise, fans are lapping it up as two new products sold out "within minutes" both in the US and UK. After all, Directioners were named one of the most powerful fanbases in the world. Although One Direction disbanded in 2016 and Harry has since made a name for himself as a solo artist and wellness guru, the frenzied-Directioners-turned-Styles-mega-fans purchasing Pleasing's sex toys are relishing in the X-rated offering from Styles. "I feel like we've been so deprived from Harry, you know, anything and everything," one fan told The Mirror US. "We'll take what we can. I really hope he releases new music soon." She also noted that her first ever concert was at 18 years old when she saw Harry Styles perform at Madison Square Garden. "I came in as a girl, I went out as a woman," she said. Another said: "When I heard it was this type of drop and selling sex toys, I'm kind of here for it. I'm excited to get anything from him, so I'll take it." For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Given Harry Styles' audience, largely Gen Z and Zillennials, sex therapists are intrigued by the unlikely crossover between celebrity and sexual wellness and champion Styles for amplifying conversations around self-pleasure. 'We often see reports about how little sex Gen Z is having, but those conversations tend to dismiss the rise of self-pleasure,' Samantha Marshall, Head of Brand at Smile Makers Collection told The Mirror. 'The reaction to this news shows there's a real appetite among younger people to explore their own bodies, to own their pleasure, and to build confidence in that. It's a huge opportunity to make pleasure education more accessible for a generation that's rewriting the rules around intimacy,' Marshall added. Styles' crush-worthiness has also helped to break the ice around the taboo of using sex toys and his nonchalant approach to sexuality is just the cherry on top. 'It supports this idea that pleasure should be unremarkable in the best possible way. Because, I truly believe that play should be both fun and mundane. Owning a vibrator? It shouldn't be a big deal.' Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!
Tokyo Weekender
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Sylvanian Drama TikTok Creator Sued for Copyright Infringement
The creator behind the explosively popular Sylvanian Drama TikTok account, which features darkly comedic skits starring Sylvanian Family figurines, has reportedly been sued by the Japanese toy giant Epoch Company. The toy brand is seeking damages for copyright infringement and acts of false endorsement. As of this week, according to the Irish Independent , the parties have entered settlement talks. Thea Von Engelbrechten, who is based in Kildare, Ireland, started the TikTok account in her childhood bedroom out of boredom in January 2021, never imagining that her videos would amass millions of fans. Combining the innocence of Sylvanian Family toys and the absurd hilarity of soap opera scenarios involving murder, kidnappings and infidelity, the skits quickly gained a cult following — 2.5 million followers on TikTok and 1 million on Instagram . In the past few years, she has collaborated with major brands like Netflix, Asos, Sephora, Taco Bell, Burberry and Marc Jacobs, to name just a few. from Epoch Company's court complaint, filed April 7, 2025. Epoch Company, which originated the Sylvanian Family toys in 1985, claimed in a lawsuit filed in the US this April that Von Engelbrechten was 'creating, publishing and disseminating online advertising videos' using the dolls without the brand's permission. Both parties are now actively engaged in settlement discussions, and the initial pretrial conference is set to take place on August 14. Epoch's original complaint states that Von Engelbrechten will continue to 'cause irreparable injury' to the company's 'goodwill and reputation' through her account unless enjoined. According to Epoch, Sylvanian Drama content could confuse potential customers by giving the impression that the videos were officially produced, authorized or endorsed by Epoch. Sylvanian Drama has not posted a new video on Tiktok or Instagram since January 2025. Behind the Meteoric Rise of Sylvanian Drama At a bleak time when Zillennials were being bombarded by a never-ending scroll of disposable content on TikTok, the Sylvanian Drama skits immediately stood out for their deadpan humor, plot twists and questionably adorable visuals. Often set to 2010s pop hits, the skits communicate dialogue solely through text overlays, with rapid sequences of one liners, dramatic zoom-ins and internet lingo. Uniquely hypnotic and addictive, the videos take a comedic approach to topics like modern dating, diet culture and politics with layers of internet and pop culture references. A Sylvanian Drama skit, image courtesy of The Face Thea Von Englebrechten, who is in her early 20s, dropped out of her multimedia degree once her account took off, turning Sylvanian Drama into her full-time job. She has said that it takes about five hours to make one short-form video, as she goes through the entire production process — the intricate sets, costumes, lights and all — without an assistant. Sylvanian Drama's first brand deal was with luxury fashion giant Burberry, and it involved a critter toting a miniature Burberry Lola Bag. While discussing her partnerships with Marketing Brew last year, Von Englebrechten expressed that she would 'definitely be interested' in a collaboration with Epoch, 'but it's not something that has happened.' Although Von Englebrechten initially started the project as a joke, inspired by campy TV shows like Desperate Housewives and Pretty Little Liars , the aspiring film director has shared that she hopes the account will help her branch out into writing for the screen. 'I'm still surprised that people even watch the videos because they're so stupid … I'm surprised I'm not already cancelled,' she said in an interview two years ago. 'Comedy can be quite hard because it's so niche and weird. But the biggest thing I've learned is that, if you find something funny, some other people will.' Related Posts Japanese Company Buys Original Birkin Bag for ¥1.47 Billion Pompompurin Wins 2025 Sanrio Character Ranking McDonald's Chiikawa Collab Causes Chaos and Controversy
