Cart Curator #23 - in collaboration with Alice Carrett
Sydney's PR cool girl shares her wishlist, the power of the Swift PR machine and a plethora of make-up recs.
Hi CC friends,
We’re back with another collaborator!
This week we’re joined by Alice Carrett - a Sydney-based PR specialist. Alice heads up Communications at Hatrik House, a new age 360° Creative Agency that specialises in everything from PR, Content, Eventing and Design and whose clients and projects range from Bread Haircare and Monday Swimwear to Sephora and U Bank.
“We have an all-female office and it’s honestly the greatest thing,” says Alice.
In terms of how she’s spending her time at the moment: “I am getting married next year so honestly having the best time planning crazy invite concepts with the work girls.” If her work at Hatrik House is anything to go off, we can’t wait to see both her invites and the wedding itself.
Outside of her 9 to 5, Alice somehow finds the time to run a travel website called Cool Guides Club that speaks to you - guessed it - cool people about their favourite restaurants, hotels and sights around the world.
We’ll be back next week, and Jess is also working on a sneaky Berlin special for you in the meantime,
Popshop
Our favourite pop culture or industry moment of the week.
As we all know, 2023 has undoubtedly been the year of Taylor Swift as she continues to make her way around the world, performing 146 shows as part of her Era’s tour. However, it’s Taylor’s off-tour behaviour that has us gawking at the sheer power of the Swift PR machine.
Now, we all know that celebrities typically lay low in-between projects, preferring to put their heads down as they work before resurfacing and jumping back on the PR trail when it comes time to promote their new album, movie, cover, tour etc.
But Taylor’s strategy is something worthy of a multi-billion dollar brand. Actually, come to think of it - that’s exactly what she is.
Like with the rise of the Kardashians, we’ve been conditioned to see through the façade of the celebrity PR move. So we’re fully aware that Taylor, queen of the Easter Egg, knows just how to manipulate a PR story. However unlike the KarJenner tribe, it seems the world is willing to turn a blind eye and we all just continue to lap everything up everything she does time and time again.
Since Taylor’s split with Joe Alwyn (who we’ve forgotten already, proof to always drop the dead weight ladies), it has been pretty uncommon for the superstar to not to be making headlines at least once a week. Now, we aren’t saying that we’re above loving every second of the Taylor media circus, some moments are making us cringe, but you have to admit it’s been a back to back series of iconic moments.
It seems that after years of meticulous brand management, Taylor’s latest PR strategy appears to have taken a f*ck it approach, with a string of moments that seem like we are just watching on as she lives her life.
Which begs the question - PR move or personal life made relaxingly public?
Starting strong and with a personal favourite - TSwizzle having the time of her life at the VMA’s. In a series of clips circulating online she could be seen downing drinks and singing and dancing along to performers. Apparently she’s just a wine gal at heart. PR message? Relatable.
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God this moment has us torn. Quite obviously everything about this day was extremely over manipulated (the car driving off into the sunset, his 1989 inspired outfit, the shots of Taylor cheering along with his mum), leaving us with no doubt this is a stunt. BUT reports are surfacing online that this romance may have been happening behind the scenes for months, so maybe this is a bit of column A, bit of column B? Her PR team’s way of reminding us that no one does a public relationship debut better than Taylor.
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This theory leads nicely into our next Taylor moment. Did someone say girls girl?
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Yes we had to bring this iconic image back for a second week in a row. They say an image is worth a thousand words, but this is worth a whole marriage.
One that we would personally love to forget. Taylor’s rumoured romance with The 1975 frontman Matty Healy. For us (and many passionate fans), this was definitely a strange pairing and potentially damaging to her image given Matty’s problematic history PR message? She’s shedding her polished image and embracing chaos.
Let us know what you think of these recent moments - PR stunts or otherwise? Have any others to share?
And, we take you back to Alice! Read on to look at what is currently on her wish list.
Add to Cart
What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.
Alice
Like everyone I am having a big singlet moment. I have tried nearly every kind but my favourite hands down is the Neuw Denim Jonesy Singlet. It's so flattering and holds its shape really well. For a cheaper option this one from Cotton On is also great.
I have had my eye on these for so long. I love everything that Sandy Liang does, and the Mary Jane are the shoe of the season. Another option would be some classics from Carel. All I know is I can’t get enough of a Mary Jane shoe right now.
Beauty Counter
Alice
Smashbox Always On Skin Balancing Foundation
I have worked in beauty for over 7 years and dare I say, tried every foundation on the market. The new Smashbox foundation honestly took my breath away. It’s buildable, not to sheer but still leaves your skin looking hydrated and lasts all day. Genuinely makes your skin just look like the best version of itself - skin that looks like skin!
Espressoh Glassy Blush & Lip Gloss
The best dewy blush of all time. Espressoh has also just launched this lip gloss situation that everyone in the Hatrik House office has on their desk right now. Maybe the longest lasting balm I have ever tried.
Because Alice is a make-up girl at heart, we let her go a little rogue here and share some additional products she can’t live without currently.
Huda Lipliner in Warm Brown or Terracotta - My go-to lip liner
Huda Fauxfilter Luminous Matte Liquid Concealer - Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, you want a concealer that does the hard work with coverage that can also be blended out so it doesn’t look cakey. This is the only one that achieves that.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Sculpt Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara - my favourite mascara.
Chanel Kohl Eyeliner - I am living for the smokey / slightly siren eye at the moment.
This Eyeliner Brush from Zoeva - I buy this for every friend that wants to level up their liner. All you need is eyeshadow and an angled brush for a chic everyday look in any colour.
One to Try
Recent openings and discoveries of the food and beverage kind.
I have had Kisuke on my wishlist for so long! This is a six-seater Omakase restaurant in Potts Point, that looks insane. The menu is left completely up to the chef and changes daily according to the freshest ingredients available, so you just get to turn up, sit back and enjoy (saké in hand of course).
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Lottery Win
A girl can dream.
As mentioned earlier I am getting married next year and very into the idea of a chic Chanel shoe moment. I personally love the fancy pensioner aesthetic, so have been lusting over these Chanel Mary Janes all year. I can’t get them out of my head, I’m having visions of wearing them with white stockings. If I won the lotto you would only see me in head to toe Chanel if I am going to be honest.
IYKYK
Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.
Korean Day Spas
I love a Korean Day Spa, and this one in Rhodes does one of the best facials I have ever experienced. They are so well priced and you come out glowing. Not for the faint hearted because they will absolutely tell you how it is and it is by no means a place for meditation - you are there for a skin overhaul.
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We had to add this in on Alices’s behalf because she is a clearly master thrifter. I mean who else is finding Chanel and Acne in Vinnies?
Love our Collaborator Series? Read some of our past issues below.
Cart Curator #19 - in collaboration with Hannah Collingwood English