Cart Curator #80 - Umm where are the bombshell waves??
Cart Curator #80 - Umm where are the bombshell waves??
I unpack the highs and lows of the 2024 VSFS as well as share a London restaurant responsible for potentially the best food I've ever tried and a light bulb that will help you sleep better.
Hey friends,
Coming to you live from Rome…
I’ve had a very busy couple of days. Over the weekend, I had my first London visitor, and yesterday I flew here.
Surprisingly, Rome is still quite warm, which is a nice change from London but not so nice when you come dressed for London… I have been visiting some of my favourite places, all of which have been mentioned in the Italy Euro Special (finding the link to include here made me revisit the essentials I need to stock up on cc Yovis + ISDIN HydroLotion + Pomodoro chips).
Enjoy,
Jess x
Popshop
Our favourite pop culture or industry moment of the week.
Ahhh Victoria’s Secret. How I was so sorely mistaken.
Don’t get me wrong this year's show was getting a lot closer to what the fans have wanted from the return of the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. I’ve got to say myself and the internet has a lot of notes. In fact, I sat there watching the show the morning of the 16th of October with my notes app open, eagerly awaiting something empowering and full of sheer joy. Instead, I was furiously typing away trying to decipher what was missing in this year's VSFS.
I wanted to kick things off with this little thought starter…
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Now that we have set the tone I’m going to run through and recap what exactly I scribbled down whilst watching the show (both good, bad, and observations). Flagging that I have condensed this a lot as I’m sure we've all been inundated with content but this is something I am particularly passionate about so let’s get started.
Pink Carpet
I did like the pink carpet that took place before the show with the countdown in the bottom corner - this definitely helped build some anticipation.
The hosts and guests walking the carpet seemed to be very TikTok leaning with hosts Olivia Ponton, Tefi, Xandra, and Remi Bader featuring.
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If anyone has yet to watch the show please make a drink and use the pink carpet as a drinking game - take a sip anytime someone says icon/iconic.
The Pink Carpet set this version of the VSFS up to be way too commercial for consumers - especially when compared to the old style of the show.
Obviously, the event has to be commercially driven for Victoria’s Secret to warrant the investment however this year's partnership with Amazon just felt like it cheapened the event. The Pink Carpet hosts repeatedly mentioned the shoppable aspects (as they would have been briefed to) and having Meredith Silver (Director of the creator team at Amazon) being interviewed on the carpet just took the sparkle off the excitement. Consumers now are very wary of brands/events/influencers trying to sell products so having this done so blatantly was a massive turn off for me.
The VS team didn’t miss the chance to plug that the show featured 50 models from 25 different countries - highlighting how diverse the mix of models was (a huge feedback point from previous years)
Performers
From Cher’s interview on the pink carpet to her actual performance - she was there to get her cheque and give nothing else.
Although Cher is beyond iconic (take a sip) she didn’t add anything to the show for me. On the carpet, she featured with her boyfriend and downplayed her performance, outfits, etc., and then once on stage, she was very clearly lip-syncing (which I’m sure many of the performers do but this was just blatantly obvious).
Also, I didn’t love the image montage on the big screen which strayed very far from what we came to know from the OG style of shows.
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Lisa from Black Pink was good but I’m not sure her solo songs have the popularity the VS catwalk needs especially when you compare her to previous performers like Taylor Swift, Justine Bieber, etc.
Having Black Pink all together would have been amazing as their songs are super fun and recognisable.
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I loved Tyla’s performance but one thing that threw me about both her and Lisa was that they both had wings which was a first. Previously it was such a big moment when models received their first set of wings and this would feature heavily in the footage throughout the show so this feels like they have just taken away their value.
Cast + Models
LOVE LOVE LOVE the inclusion of x2 trans models in the casting and we definitely need to see more of this. Alex Consani’s pre-show interview around her journey to get there and being confident in herself was really powerful and gave some meaning to the show.
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I WANT TO KNOW WHO MADE THE CALL TO HAVE ADRIANA IN A SLICK PONYTAIL. I mean obviously, she still looks incredible but she was made for the bombshell blowout and this seems all kinds of wrong.
God, I love Kate Moss but why was she there???? She’s definitely giving heroin chic vs bubbly ray of sunshine so I want to say she just felt a bit out of place there.
Irina Shayk felt like she was giving true VS model energy and she was definitely one of my standouts from the show.
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Other standouts included Alessandro Ambrosia, Ashley Graham, Bella Hadid (loved the surprise appearance) and obviously Candice Swanepoel.
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Tyra Banks gave a huge amount to the show but I feel like her coming out as the closer and then being joined soon after appearing by all the other models ruined it potentially - like give us a full walk and end pose.
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The hair styling for the WOC was beyond disappointing feeling like more of an afterthought - especially given how much they spoke about the diversity of the cast it just felt like their team only catered to the white women.
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Production
I think my main issue with the look and feel of the show set was the lack of an actual stage.
The crowd was sitting on the same level as the stage and it somehow made it feel less special when combined with the severely underdressed stage.
Loved footage from the old shows with the crowd, partners, etc. looking up at models making them seem more aspirational.
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There was a huge emphasis placed on this year's show being live but in that, I feel we missed a lot of the cheeky backstage shots of models being silly, running around, and a bit of the chaos
In general, the show was missing some cheek with boring walks and bland moments when it came to posing at the end of the catwalk
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But in saying all of this…
Very interested to hear everyones thoughts!
Add to Cart
What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.
WoodChuckSato Black Leather Tabi Split-Toe Sandal
I have mentioned in previous issues that I am dying for a pair of Tabis which earned me a stern talking to by some of my friends. These are a style that you either love or hate which is absolutely fine and isn’t it lucky we are all so different?! I identified a black ballet flat sized hole in my wardrobe so I decided to bite the bullet and buy a pair from WoodChuckSato which I had seen many good reviews about.
First of all, they offer sizes 35 - 45 in all of their styles and as a size 41/42 (let's be honest probably 42 but I’m feeling gaslit with high street fashion sizing) I was over the moon to know that no matter what there would be a size that fits me which isn’t usually the case when shoe shopping.
The packaging of these shoes when you receive them is so beautiful with tissue, dust bags - the whole shebang.
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As we know brown suede is the trend of the moment with none other than the Row Margaux reigning supreme as the it bag of fall/winter. Quite a few brands have done their take on the oversized tote style ranging from Zara to River Island to Reformation but this design from M&S actually has to be my favourite I have seen to date. This shape doesn’t lean too heavily into a certain aesthetic so I think this could be a versatile piece for someone who likes to dip their toe into any aesthetic. I mean can’t you see this with outfits inspired by Chloe (modern boho) to The Row (simple minimalism)?
For a 100% leather bag, £130 isn’t too bad at all however given the texture you obviously need to take the proper precautions to protect it from being ruined on the first wear (cc waterproofing spray).
4th & Reckless Grey Pinstripe Tailored Oversized Maxi Coat With Scarf- Melia
Coats with inbuilt scarves made a big splash last year with the Toteme Scarf Coat quickly becoming the must have piece of Winter 2023. Again this year we are seeing this combination but less so in cheaper dupe form and more so in a wide range of styles including this maxi coat from 4th & Reckless. I have been on the hunt for a longer blazer style jacket and I like that the pinstripe fabric of this style gives that look but with wool in its fabric mix, it will give some warmth. I surprisingly like the built in scarf in the matching pinstripe whereas I have been a bit unfazed after seeing some cropped styles from brands like Zara and Cos.
Beauty Counter
Prod of the week.
Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray
Bury me with this product. I love that in the past I have said I’m so not a hair product person and now that’s all I feel like I can talk about. I haven't tried Living Proof products for probably 10 years (don’t quote me on that) but I used to use their shampoo and conditioner and loved how it made my hair feel and smell. After picking up the thermal brush tool I mentioned last week I decided I needed a bit of grit and volume added to my hair and walking around Space NK this product was recommended via on-shelf signage.
This product sits between a texturising spray and a hairspray finish. I have been using it on clean hair to give it a bit of grit and hold before using the thermal round brush to style. It's also great for going back in to refresh hair and give it a bit of extra oomph after styling. Like with the shampoo and conditioner, this product smells incredible - honestly bottle this up and make a perfume a la OUAI, please.
One to Try
Recent openings and discoveries.
This past weekend I finally went and tried out Jolene in Newington Green after having it on my list to try since before I moved to AUS. Nicole and another friend got me a voucher for a going away present which was sooooooo thoughtful and honestly gives me an experience based gift any day. Jolene is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday - Sunday and operates as a bakery on Monday and Tuesday and I have heard nothing but good things. The space is so warm and cosy with dim lighting and candle-lit tables but the food is just something else. This has been the best meal I've had in London and one of my top 10 meals ever.
The team recommended 4 to 5 plates between two people and on the night we selected fresh bread and butter, burrata and tomatoes, Panisse (chickpea flour fries), smoked beetroot with pair and walnuts, and broccoli rabe pasta. Honestly, the food was 10/10 and I have no notes. The portion sizes were also amazing and we were so full by the end of the 3rd dish so keep that in mind should you go.
Lottery Win
A girl can dream.
Gucci Women’s Horsebit Slippers
These are the perfect combination of too much and just enough and I need to add these to my shoe collection now. Slipper style shoes have had such a resurgence and I love this Gucci take in their classic GG print and canvas material which is actually really good at hiding wear. The horsebit hardware went through such a prominent stage with the success of the Gucci slip on loafer but adding it to these slippers makes for the perfect casual throw on shoe for any everyday look.
Consumables
What we can’t stop binging.
The Midnight Library - Matt Haig
I tried to start reading this book quite a while ago amid a quarter life crisis and if you’ve read it you know that that is definitely not the headspace to be in while reading it. Having now finally finished it I recommend this book to anyone and everyone - let's be honest most people have probably already read it! To give you a brief overview the story centres around a woman who is able to explore different versions of what her life could have been should she have made different choices along the way for a woman in her 20’s this feels extremely relevant and something that I know myself and friends think about regularly.
IYKYK
Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.
Colour Changing Smart Light Bulbs
After a few too many big nights out I have really been trying to get my sleep back on track by developing a solid wind down routine before bed including making my bedside lamp light red before bed. Red light is supposed to help improve sleep and also boost the production of melatonin and find using this light when reading in bed helps me get sleepier much quicker and isn’t as jarring as having a normal white/yellow light on. You can get smart bulbs pretty much everywhere (Amazon, supermarkets, etc.) but obviously make sure it is the colour changing kind so you can have white/yellow any other time and red reserved for bedtime!
If you’re new to Cart Curator, take a read of some recent editions.
Cart Curator #79 - Twas the night before the VS show...
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