2021 was significant for many. We bounced in and out of lockdowns, becoming wearier as we worked from home, turning to pleasure dressing to boost our moods, and leaning into the power of community. Some grappled with lockdown-related burnout, leading us to re-think our priorities, pursuing happiness and mental wellbeing over work and other commitments.
As we reflect on the year that was, here are five must-read articles that resonated highly with our readers — whether they provoked thought, provided escapism, or simply made us smile.
1. 14 versatile dresses that will take you anywhere
Is there anything better than a go-to dress that you can pull on for a polished and cohesive look in no time at all? Whether you pair it with a blazer for work, sneakers on the weekend, or over your swimsuit at the beach, Fashion Director Danielle Clausen’s 14 versatile dresses that will take you anywhere was a trending edit for a reason.
2. How to emerge from lockdown with happy and healthy skin
During lockdown, all that extra screen time, stress, and a lax beauty routine meant our skin required a serious reset. And these six tips for repairing and nurturing our complexions were truly a saviour.
3. Meet the faces of the Fashion Quarterly and L'Oréal Paris True Match Foundation search.
A highlight of the year was spending the day with 20 extraordinary New Zealand women from all different walks of life. We bonded over the all-to-common struggle to find the right foundation shade and discussed the lack of representation in the beauty industry. With the help of L’Oréal, these beautiful faces were matched with their perfect foundation shades, participating in the photoshoot of their dreams. Meet them here.
4. Independent designers to know and support
Here are 11 young designers across Aotearoa who are challenging the status quo with their brand values and business models while bringing a lot of fun to wardrobes in the process. There’s no time like the present to support this new crop of talent who are, undoubtedly, the future of fashion.
5. Whitewashed, elitist, and drenched in QAnon: is wellness as we know it over?
In a year where wellness became more prevalent, so too was it reduced to a ‘buzzword’, with many questioning whether the pursuits promising to make us well were doing the opposite. Read on for Isabelle Truman’s investigation into spruiking expensive products, treatments, and detoxes in the name of ‘self-care’.
