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The Times & The Sunday Times •

Silver linings: why we’re embracing our grey hair

For far too long, going grey had been stigmatised for women – as if showing their age was a failing rather than something to be celebrated. Meanwhile, men were said to “get better with age”, with greying hair giving them “silver fox” status.
But now, with more women embracing their natural greying hair, it’s increasingly being reappraised not just as a mark of maturity but as a statement of confidence and individuality. This shift isn’t accidental – it stems from economic, cultural and social fo...
The Times & The Sunday Times •

Why designer sunglasses are the new ‘it bag’

Google Trends data shows that over the past few years, several brands have suffered a gradual but substantial fall in the number of searches for their luxury handbags. Due to unprecedented turbulence in the top-end market, some maisons that previously relied heavily on this core accessory have had to rethink their strategies. 
Many labels began investing in other products, eyewear in particular. The surge in online searches for this category was most noticeable from early 2020 onwards, as design...
The Times & The Sunday Times •

Lone rangers: the rise in solo holidays

Google Trends data has shown that there was a substantial increase in searches for “solo travel” after the Covid-19 pandemic. The surge in searches began in January 2022, just as the Covid restrictions started to ease and international travel reopened, and peaked in July.
The pandemic disrupted movement for years and many felt the urge to escape once restrictions were lifted, with a sense that it was “now or never” – making up for missed holidays during lockdown, even if it meant going alone.
So...
Black Ballad •

How To Advocate For Yourself As A Neurodivergent Black Woman In The Workplace

Over the past few years, ideas about what neurodivergence is and who it impacts have expanded. It has arguably become the next frontier of identity politics, and with increased awareness, more Black women are settling into what this new layer of intersectionality means for their everyday lives.Neurodivergence comes in many forms – ADHD, autism, OCD, dyslexia, etc. – that can often come intertwined. They are legally considered as disabilities in the UK due to barriers like struggling with sociali...
The Times & The Sunday Times •

The lipstick effect: how make-up sales measure the nation’s nerves

The “lipstick effect”, a curious consumer tendency observed during every major economic wobble, remains a key indicator of financial anxiety.
Take, for example, the final, gloom-ridden months of 2023: as the UK economy officially tumbled into a recession, searches for luxury lipsticks – Dior, Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury – hit a five-year peak.
This unprecedented surge signalled that, for a recession-weary Britain, a £15 tube of luxury pigment had become the ultimate coping mechanism..
Facing a s...
The Times & The Sunday Times •

On trend: how windswept moors helped Burberry come back in fashion

British heritage is back in vogue, and so is Burberry. After several difficult years, when it arguably lost its way, the brand has made a remarkable recovery.
Before the pandemic, maximalist aesthetics were dominating fashion. But during the recession that followed, people tended to opt for quiet luxury instead of flashy logos.
In times of uncertainty, it’s no surprise that a lot of trends have leant into British heritage ideals: stability, timelessness and reliability – qualities people crave d...
The Times & The Sunday Times •

Is virality the only way to fill cinemas now?

The film industry has undergone seismic change over the past few years. A picture’s fortunes have become harder to predict and opening-weekend box office figures no longer offer the reliable snapshot of success that they once did.
In the past, ticket sales served as a measure of popularity that sized up the crowd turning out for each release. Covid-19 shattered that system. Cinema revenue collapsed to historic lows and attendances haven’t fully recovered.
Since audiences shifted to streaming pla...
The Sun •

Spain and Turkey top internet searches for holiday Brits

BRITONS have searched for flights to Spain more than for any other European destination nearly every year for the past five, data shows.


It makes sense – second favourite Turkey is primarily known for affordable all-inclusive coastal resorts and Istanbul city breaks. 

But Spain retains top spot because it offers so many different types of holidays. 


With regions that boast their own food, culture, vibe and even climate, there are endless places to explore.


After the Covid-19 pandemic,...
The Sun •

‘Clean girl’ to ‘mob wife’ – the rise of social media makeup trends

THE “clean girl” aesthetic has been a glowing success for years – and it’s showing no signs of scrubbing off. 


Searches for the look, which centres on stripped-back beauty and pared-down fashion, hit a massive peak in August 2024 – and they’ve stayed impressively high ever since.

The clean girl trend exploded on TikTok in 2021, with glossy lips, brushed brows and barely-there makeup replacing statement lips and heavy styling.


After months of bare faces and baggy loungewear, people were qu...
Photo by Mica Asato on Pexels
The Sun •

Are skinny jeans really making a comeback?

THERE’S a rumour doing the rounds that we need to address: skinny jeans could be set to return.


The jeans style that dominated the mid-2000s and early 2010s was officially cancelled by Gen Z at the start of 2021, when they declared a style war against millennials and laughed at anyone still squeezing into skintight denim. 

Then came the Covid-19 cultural shift, and suddenly comfort became non-negotiable – even with jeans! 

After months when people wore cosy sweats, searches for baggy and w...
The Sun •

Home Alone or Elf? Top 5 Christmas movies

FAMILY on the sofa, food coma setting in, the annual arguments are raging. 


But there’s one thing we can all agree on: the best Christmas films are the ones we already know the words to.

Forget the streaming giants’ flops; Google’s latest trends data proves we are still watching the same five classics we’ve seen a hundred times.

According to Google search rankings for December 2024, the only movies that matter are: Home Alone (1990), Love Actually (2003), Elf (2003), Die Hard (1988), and T...
The US Sun •

How low-rise styles and playful ads are winning the ‘denim wars’

LOCKDOWN did a strange thing to our relationship with jeans — it basically set us free. When people finally started socialising again after spending months in sweats, they emerged with a new non-negotiable: comfort.

Gone were the days of restrictive skinny jeans; in came more relaxed, roomy silhouettes that actually let you breathe.

This shift in denim tastes set the stage for an advertising showdown between two brands that had been battling it out for years: American Eagle and Gap.


For m...
The US Sun •

Has Alaska become Americans’ dream vacation?

MORE Americans are looking to vacation in the States — and search data reveals the surprising destination that’s leading the way.


According to Google Trends, it seems as though we have started to ditch the beach for icy thrills, with record-high numbers of us looking up “Alaska cruise”.

Interest in domestic travel has surged in the past few years since the pandemic.

After months stuck indoors, we clearly rediscovered our love for fresh air, wildlife spotting and larger-than-life landscape...
Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews •

Next Wave #1151: Karis Taylor | Next Wave | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews

In a dimly lit room in Stoke Newington, Karis Taylor passed out disposable cameras, asking the crowd to capture the night from their perspective. It was the launch of her debut EP, ‘Favourite Feeling’, and every chair faced her as she played. Within minutes, the room was quiet, caught in a daze, most definitely transported back to the moments when someone had stomped on their hearts.


Love songs can feel a bit exclusionary, “I’ve always struggled to relate to the classic love songs about being...
The Times & The Sunday Times •

Love, Suite Love

Ever dreamed of a holiday where luxury feels effortless and romance is woven into every detail? Step aboard Cunard's Grill Suites
experience - designed for couples who want to slow down, appreciate the moment and create lasting memories.
When cruising with Cunard, elegance is a given. Inspired by the past and crafted for the future, its fleet of four
"Queens" - Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne - sets the standard for ocean travel, as the company has done since
1840. And with a Cunard Grill Suite, you'll have the ultimate romantic escape. From the first glass of champagne to the last lingering sunset, everything is made perfectly for two.
The River •

Comment: under the surface, Kingston’s racism problem - The River

When I chose to attend Kingston University, I was thrilled by its reputation for diversity. As a mixed-race woman who wears her hair naturally in an afro, I felt confident that this environment would embrace and respect my cultural identity. And in many respects, my expectations were met during the day.  


However, after living in Kingston for three years, I quickly discovered a different reality: while the university is diverse, the town is not. I presume it is because many people of colour c...

Almost 70% of KU students are single -

Over two thirds of KU students identify as single, according to a recent survey of over 100 students.

Despite the prevalence of dating apps these singles are avoiding them – 71% said they don’t use them. Instead, almost 80% of are making efforts to meet people face-to-face, with 44% relying on friends to introduce them to potential partners and a third attempting to meet new people through social events.

However, this seems to be the correct approach as “don’t use dating apps!” was the reoccur...

Comment: under the surface, Kingston’s racism problem -

When I chose to attend Kingston University, I was thrilled by its reputation for diversity. As a mixed-race woman who wears her hair naturally in an afro, I felt confident that this environment would embrace and respect my cultural identity. And in many respects, my expectations were met during the day.

However, after living in Kingston for three years, I quickly discovered a different reality: while the university is diverse, the town is not. I presume it is because many people of colour commu...

Kingston alumni shortlisted for awards at the BFI Future Filmmakers Festival  -

Two films by Kingston illustration and animation graduates were shortlisted for awards at the 18th annual BFI Future Filmmakers Festival. The festival is the UK’s largest for young screen creatives aged 16-25, screening 54 films and awarding filmmakers across 10 different categories.

Grac Talbot (they/them) and Chen Ma (she/her) were part of the select group of films shortlisted for awards, with Ma nominated for Best Animation and Talbot for Best Director and Best Film. The pair graduated from...
The River •

Notes from the street: homelessness in Kingston - The River

Philip, 49, moved to the UK from Cape Town at 19 and recently came to Kingston because he wanted a change of scenery. Despite nine years of homelessness, he genuinely enjoys it.


When I arrived at his corner of Kingston, behind the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, a cup of tea awaited him when he woke up. He thanked Patrick, the kitchen manager. Phil said: “They’re very nice to me. All the staff here at Gourmet Burger Kitchen are constantly bringing me smash patty burgers.”


Phil shared how he was bu...

Comment: Pxssy Palace and the importance of safe spaces for queer people of colour -

Pxssy Palace stands out as the only nightclub in London that specifically caters to queer people of colour. However, it has announced it is entering a new era and stepping away from its bigger themed parties. It’s not yet clear what this means for the future of the club and the shift has left many within the queer community, particularly queer people of colour (POC), feeling anxious about what the future holds for their nightlife.

Venues such as Pxssy Palace  are not just venues for entertainme...

Young people take action as protests sweep across Africa -

This year has seen a wave of demonstrations across Africa, with young people playing an integral role.

Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and most recently Mozambique have all faced unrest for different reasons.

Social media has played a crucial role in empowering African youth, offering a platform for free speech and global visibility. It has allowed people to document events, share information, and engage in discussions that might not be possible through tradition...

Notes from the street: homelessness in Kingston -

Philip, 49, moved to the UK from Cape Town at 19 and recently came to Kingston because he wanted a change of scenery. Despite nine years of homelessness, he genuinely enjoys it.

When I arrived at his corner of Kingston, behind the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, a cup of tea awaited him when he woke up. He thanked Patrick, the kitchen manager. Phil said: “They’re very nice to me. All the staff here at Gourmet Burger Kitchen are constantly bringing me smash patty burgers.”

Phil shared how he was buildi...