People are craving comfort. Amid what can feel like a state of constant crisis – a layering of traumatic societal events – it can sometimes seem like we’ve lost a sense of scale and cohesion. In the face of this, the desire to retreat into nostalgia is more seductive than ever.

Walmart’sWirkin, a dupe of Hermès’ iconicBirkin bag, has gone viral on TikTok. The meme has reignited the debate around luxury, authenticity, and accessible fashion, and underscoring how dupe culture is pushing brands to demonstrate value beyond their labels.

The Italian luxury house is ushering in the Year of the Snake with a limited edition capsule. Its decidedly minimalistic approach stands out in the sea of Chinese New Year campaigns, showing how brands can create local resonance in unexpected ways to court discerning Chinese audiences.

Leaning heavily into traditional notions of masculinity, Trump’s cologne launch has sparked debate about the future of men’s grooming. With gender conservatism on the rise in the US, experts think representations of masculinity in this space will grow increasingly polarized.

Polyester is a stalwart feminist publication that has grown from strength to strength for over a decade. As feminism faces new challenges globally, we talked to its founder, Ione Gamble, about fostering a loyal community and building an inclusive and diverse movement for the future.