Fits & Bits: March 23 2025 Newsletter - Weekly Recap
Formerly a monthly newsletter but now each week, we’ll bring you a curated roundup of our favourite trends, standout stylists, and street style highlights. Expect fashion podcast episode reviews, seasonal shopping wishlist and playlist recommendations, our most-used and best-loved products, and, of course, all the hottest fashion tea.
fave podcast episode this month
While listening to this Business of Fashion podcast episode featuring Thom Bettridge, one quote instantly struck a chord with me: “Fashion was the place where that was happening in the most interesting way,” he said, referring to media and magazine curation. I couldn’t agree more. As I dusted off my magazine shelf, I was reminded of my own journey—writing for Swvnk_mag, contributing two features to my university magazine at London College of Communication, and realising that this was exactly what I wanted to do in fashion. So, naturally, I stayed locked in for the entire episode.
Thom Bettridge speaks to BoF about his new role as Editor-in-Chief at i-D magazine, reflecting on his time at 032c, where it was unconventional to spotlight behind-the-scenes figures like Steven Meisel over the models. That mindset—learning from those who’ve carved their own lanes in the industry gives me valuable insight and inspiration. some of my favourite magazine articles included hearing about Mel Ottenberg’s journey from styling editorial shoots to becoming the creative director of Interview magazine is wild, and David Fischer’s grind (who once wrote 40 articles a day) with Highsnobiety proves how consistency and a strong POV can build an empire. It’s mad inspiring to see how they transitioned and expanded their influence. Learning from these indirect mentors—who have achieved what I aspire to—is both motivating and fascinating. That perspective resonates with me—shifting the focus to the creators rather than just the cover stars.
For those who admire fashion but struggle to define their personal style, purchasing magazines offers a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of what they’re buying. Just like developing a hobby or drawing from lived experiences will enhance your taste, magazines serve as a research tool to help individuals curate their own identity. Similar to how luxury fashion consumers are drawn to fashion magazines, there is a diverse range of fashion books to suit every individual. These publications offer a broad range of fashion topics and fashion history than just interviews or articles highlighting the latest trends—they also provide valuable insights and inspiration for developing a personal style that reflects one's changing tastes. Consumption of these resources plays a key role in the continuous evolution of print media.
Bettridge weighs in on the widespread negativity toward major publications—the original sources of fashion news. He emphasises the necessity of real journalism: research, fact-checking, and curating relevant cultural discourse. In an era where AI-generated content and opinion-driven takes flood the internet, and everyone has their own publishing platform, the editor's role must be restored—to provide a clear, authoritative point of view. He emphasises making the magazine about the magazine itself, rather than who’s on it. As someone drawn to magazines and media, I relate.
Magazines are about fostering a sense of community, with interviews serving as the intimate meeting point between creator and reader. As magazine buyers, we represent the audience that truly matters—not the five million who scroll past an article, boosting impressions without truly engaging. This reminds me of the recurring Twitter debates when a celebrity beloved by mutuals lands a magazine cover, but the execution—whether the photography or the storytelling—doesn’t immediately resonate. People dissect how the creative process should have played out, often missing the deeper narrative woven throughout the magazine’s pages beyond just the cover image.
The key takeaway from this interview is i-D's goal to transition into "an era of retention rather than an era of attention." The smart brands have shifted focus from pursuing fleeting viral moments to building a narrative that resonates with their audience. Magazines play a crucial role in bridging this gap.