Speed and convenience have become the consumer norm. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, when people worldwide were introduced to instant access to goods and services via apps and digital platforms, the supply and demand considerably grew and splintered. The 'I need it now' culture shows no signs of slowing down, ye...

Be it Aurora, Mulan, or Jasmine, Chinese Gen Zers are dressing up as ‘Escaped Disney Princesses’ on social media to challenge the status quo. This demonstrates how young people are embracing some aspects of femininity while also reinterpreting what it means to be a powerful woman.

Having emerged from Tumblr and established a presence on TikTok, the cottagecore subculture has seen young Americans go online to post pastoral aesthetics and participate in activities that are more common in rural areas. But what exactly is driving Gen Z’s interest in quaint lifestyles?

With people spending more time at home, they’re turning to entertainment to break the monotony of the everyday and channel their anxiety into something more hands-on. But can escapism really help people feel more empowered? And how do they want brands to speak to them during a pandemic?

Putting its own fun spin on a more buttoned-up past, Netflix’s Bridgerton series traces the adventures of young aristocrats as they search for love and marriage prospects. A high-production romp of a period piece, Bridgerton offers a welcome escape to pandemic-era boredom.