Cart Curator #79 - Twas the night before the VS show...
Cart Curator #79 - Twas the night before the VS show...
The VS show is back - again, plus I share the best dupe of a dupe(??) and the hair tool that will save your hair from a crispy blow out.
Hey friends,
I bet you didn’t think I would be back…
Kidding, but thank you to everyone who messaged or emailed. I’m so glad you enjoyed my first solo issue of CC.
Since we last spoke I’ve been bopping around a very temperamental London that has alternated from rain, to blinding sun and back again all within the space of 10 minutes. Some highlights include discovering Choosing Keeping, the most incredible stationery shop in Covent Garden where you can find everything from wax seals to French mints infused with the holy water of Lourdes (essential).
I also had a Sunday roast at The Princess Royal in Notting Hill which is now one of my favourites due to the high volume of dogs, beautiful interiors including a cosy conservatory looking out to a terrace, and fresh and perfectly done menu.
Okay enough about what I’ve been up to!
Enjoy,
Jess x
Popshop
Our favourite pop culture or industry moment of the week.
Okay, I was planning on doing this in a single issue reviewing the lead up to the show and then thoughts on the execution and show response but the show dates and the CC live time aren’t on my side. Sooo this week we are discussing the lead up to the show, I am writing this on my Tuesday night a mere few hours before the show, and next week we will discuss the actual show which I plan to force my housemate to watch with me first thing tomorrow morning. I did think about doing an all-nighter to see it but then we would have missed all of the post show content you know?
So for those that missed it, the Victoria’s Secret show returned last September after a four-year hiatus - we recapped the whole thing here for anyone wanting to know more. To summarise it briefly the Tour ‘23 was very confusing and pretty much left everyone bewildered as to what it actually was die hard fans (like myself) were left underwhelmed and wanting a traditional show with the musical performances, glamour, and star power that they had become known for - with the additional and much needed changes (diversity in the casted models amongst other things) of course.
Additionally, it's worth reading about what went on behind the scenes and some of the problematic comments made by the VS C-suite that led to this hiatus and the general disdain for the VS brand. Amy Odell of Back Row did a brief summary recently as well as a condensed excerpt of the recently released Selling Sexy which goes into how VS grew to be the powerhouse it is today which is also worth a read.
Back to the show and fast forward to this year and the 2024 VS show launch plan. Fans of the old-school style show might have their prayers answered with iconic elements visible throughout their pre-show social campaign. In the TikTok below you can see they have played up this year's location (New York) which was frequently the location of the OG show and this once again places an emphasis on the huge musical acts that will appear in 2024, once again taking the show back to its roots.
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In further evidence of the brand returning to its roots and giving the people what they want, there is a huge number of angels returning to the runway including Gigi Hadid, Taylor Hill, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Jasmine Tookes, Barbara Palvin (who actually drummed up an influx of comments requesting her return on other casting announcement videos), Tyra Banks (!!!!! we love the age diversity) and drum roll…. Alessandra Ambrosio + Adriana Lima. Who are arguably some of the most iconic angels to take to the VS runway.
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The biggest twist (apparently) that VS continues to highlight in content is that the whole thing will be live - what this means for how the show is filmed and cut together, who knows but we shall see. I don’t know about you but one of my favourite things about the old show was seeing the casting and fitting process and how hard models worked to get to the show (as problematic as their health and fitness journeys were).
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For now, I will leave you with the backstage snippets that continue to go live of the models getting ready (very old school VS). Is it just me or am I feeling a bit of hype for this?! Is the VS show back?
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Add to Cart
What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.
Free People Cruise Aviators
I’ve previously mentioned how much I love the Tom Ford aviator style sunglasses but obviously haven’t pulled the trigger due to that hefty price tag, however, I saw someone recently on TikTok post with these sunglasses and besides looking like a style with a heftier price tag, they in general look so effortlessly cool. For anyone who prefers a more minimal style or is looking for a piece to throw on when they just can’t be bothered pulling together a ‘look’ an oversized pair of glasses is the answer to your prayers.
If you are opting for a larger style I would always go for something other than black as this can make them look too overpowering on your face - for most people at least so always try to opt for a tortoiseshell, olive etc.
Weekday Rowe Extra High Straight Jeans
Weekday hands down, has the best jeans I have ever tried and purchased. At this point, I’m seriously considering never opting for another brand again.
Having been a fan of the Astro style for quite a while I went into their Regent St store to have a look at their other styles, looking for a slim/straight leg pair comparable to the KHAITE Danielle jeans that have grown a cult following and found the Rowe style which is the BEST dupe I have seen. What's even better is all of their jeans are available in 30”, 32” and 34” lengths making them pretty much perfect for every height.
Given the line of these jeans, they make legs look like they go on forever especially when worn with a pointed toe heel, like the boots I have worn below. These jeans also retail for £50 so what $100 AUD which for a pair of jeans in this economy is pretty good. Also when you compare them to the viral KHAITE dupe from Reformation which is £168 this dupe of a dupe really starts to have its appeal.
If you’re not into this blue the Rowe also comes in 10+ colours as do most of Weekday’s styles.
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I hadn’t previously heard of the brand Buci but this dress is flawless giving ethereal Grecian goddess meets early 2000’s pop princess. This seriously has me racking my brain for any event I could justify buying this for (once it gets warmer obviously). The Moonstone shade is the perfect grey/taupe colour that is so flattering with a tan and the combination of the necktie with the babydoll dress is giving big Carrie Bradshaw vibes.
Buci is on the pricier side but it is so nice to see some different event wear styles for once and this piece is 100% silk so when you consider that aspect alone you can start to see how this is justified.
Beauty Counter
Prod of the week.
Amika Blowout Babe Thermal Brush
Last week I had my first very needed cut and colour in London (thank you Edward James salon) and had my grown out bob transformed with the help of some layers and face framing fringey bits (very Jennifer Anniston/Rachel Green circa season 3 of Friends). With this new haircut comes great styling responsibility and having had my hairdresser style my hair using a traditional round brush/hairdryer blowout method I wanted to revisit some of the round brush tools on the market having not had a successful relationship with the Dyson Airwrap.
The Amika Thermal Brush has a LOT of fans on TikTok and given it's available in-store at Space NK I decided to pick one up. All I can say is this tool is stunning. This tool is the easiest thing to use and is a cross between a curling tong and a blow-dry brush (without the air). You can use it to smooth hair and add a flick under at the ends or a more classic curl with volume.
Unlike traditional straighteners and curling tongs, the most noticeable absence with this tool is the crispy feeling you often get instead of being left with smooth strands due to the bristles and movement of hair over the hot barrel instead of holding the heat for an extended period.
One to Try
Recent openings and discoveries.
My places to try list is overflowing at the moment and a location that has remained at the top of my list is Goodbye Horses which sits between Islington and Dalston. Nothing will get me as excited as the combination of wine and a small plate but when you add interiors this good including their hand painted sheer curtains and wooden benches shrouded in candlelight you have yourself a winner.
As for the menu, you can find everything from a cheese toastie to oysters and clams so no doubt something for everyone. I have a friend visiting London this weekend so I will no doubt be giving this a go at some point - stay tuned for thoughts.
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Lottery Win
A girl can dream.
I love this new take on The Row’s Margaux bag transforming it into an oversized clutch. Let's be honest, when you see this bag styled on TikTok or Pinterest (yes in the brown suede) it’s often being folded or squished under a very chic person's arm and not carried as an oversized bowling bag tote so a clutch modification was overdue.
This colour wouldn’t usually be my vibe but when mixed with the silver hardware I really love it for winter - especially given it isn’t a tone we have seen much of before. In the past week, this bag and colour have sold out on The Row website so I would say one to watch.
Consumables
What we can’t stop binging.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
This show strikes the perfect balance between trashy reality TV about nothing and something at the same time. By now I would say most of us have had members of the MomTok group appear on our FYP if not all of the drama surrounding the swinging scandal. The series kicks off from there and centres heavily around ‘keeping MomTok together’ which is the crux of the entire show and something obviously the general public doesn’t really care about but this makes for lots of drama and a general theme to follow.
Without making a reality TV show too serious this show obviously shares a lot about the Mormon faith, what is expected from women, and how these gender roles impact their lives. Expect double standards, controlling behaviour, and shame for the female breadwinners of these Mormon families. Whatever way you look at it there is entertainment and shock factor to be found.
IYKYK
Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.
If you’re on the UK side of TikTok you would have no doubt seen the hype over the £6.50 ($13 AUD) chocolate bar from M&S. I’m not the biggest chocolate eater but leaning into all things UK and especially M&S I thought I would give into the hype. I can’t tell if it’s a good or bad thing that I did because I couldn’t stop sneaking bites of this thing. If you’re a lover of peanut brittle/Snickers/Reeses then don’t get this because you won’t be able to put it down. The whole bar is coated in a layer of milk and dark chocolate with the inside containing a layer of gooey caramel that gives a cheese pull-like effect when bitten into plus a crumbly peanut butter layer with chunks of roasted peanut. Dangerous.
If you’re new to Cart Curator, take a read of some of our recent editions.
Cart Curator #78 - And then there was one...
Cart Curator #77 - Feeling A Bit Beady?
Cart Curator #76 - Don't Sleep on this Trend
Cart Curator #75 - Swimwear that makes a splash
Cart Curator #74 - Florals? For Spring?