Fits "on the Move" Edit: Aug 31
A lot has happened this week in the world of fashion—starting with some key news that really hit home for me.
I haven’t had an original thought all week—mostly because I’ve been caught up in my own worries about my place in the fashion world and how to make the most of the skills and experiences I’ve gained. But I can’t shake the feeling that we’re losing important resources and “recipes” for success. Job offers, access, and opportunities feel scarce, and sometimes I wonder if it will take a sacrificial lamb to change my destiny.
With Ssense filing for bankruptcy, I’ve been reflecting on how much I admired their e-commerce layout and fangirled over their social media content. It felt right to finally research the team behind the distinct visual tone of Ssense. Yes, I discovered emerging brands through their international range, but more than that, I dreamed of contributing to a platform that evolved from a simple e-commerce site into an editorial and cultural hub with unique storytelling and aesthetics. Before I knew about Ssense, I was a self-proclaimed stylist on Polyvore, but I didn’t have the clarity or confidence to turn my passion project, Fits et Bits, into a leading global fashion platform. One can only dream—and keep developing.
That Vogue Runway app is officially going subscription-based too. Instead of providing access for fashion enthusiasts eager to learn about the culture, this move makes fashion feel even more elitist than it already is. Who truly benefits from placing art and valuable fashion archives behind a paywall? Vogue is one of the few fashion institutions known for its accessibility, and now that’s being limited. It feels like a step backward in making fashion culture available. “Literally NOBODY has the money to subscribe to every single little thing on the internet — subscription culture is getting completely out of hand.” — @GgV0gue Honestly, I’m not sure I ever used the app to its full capacity since its updates and changes, and I doubt I’ll miss it. I came for the runway content—which they still haven’t fully archived anyway. Holding tight to my other sources this coming fashion week.
Sept Issues
I’ve been full-on fangirling over September issues this week—especially the Face cover featuring Erykah Badu x Telfar It’s been so overdue! You all know how much I love the Telfar world, and I’m proud to be part of the community—five Telly shoppers strong over here. I honestly can’t put into words how excited I am for the upcoming Telfar x Timbaland collaboration. The brand has already reached its loyal customers intentionally, and now they’re going global with this collab. Funny enough, my shopping journey this summer perfectly lines up: at Paris Fashion Week, I spotted a couple of stylish girls rocking the yume yume fisherman boot, another is thigh high hunter wellies (I heard my calling). After some digging they’ve been sitting in my basket for winter ever since. Now, seeing a similar silhouette in the Telfar x Timbaland line feels like it was made just for me. My shoe budget maxes out at 250 euros—don’t let me down, Telfar!
But more on magazines I’m enjoying so far, WSJ digital cover star @awarodhiang, phenomenal shoot, commemorating this women’s power dressing trend. Loving the Anok, Sheila Bawar, and Duran covers for The Perfect magazine (although that shipping price is not the latter) , plus I-D’s Teyana Taylor, Complex’s cover star Quenlin Blackwell - WHO’S THAT GIRL with fabulous ‘At home glam’ styling (Zakkaij) & storytelling, and Charlie’s XCX 12 Pop covers???. Maybe magazines aren’t dead after all—certainly not in this household. This feels like a timestamped art collection, and I’m so happy about that. As a growing magazine archivist, I know that beyond books, the journalism in magazines is deeply important. Studying archives really has you diving into old blogs and websites that always spill the tea!
Navy or Die
The tweet was “Rihanna accomplished SO much before she even turned 30. If she wants to just have babies and sell lipstick now, I’m not mad at her”. I’ve lived through every album era in real time—feeling treated year after year, the Navy was fully fed with ANTI, which changed my life and shifted my perspective on womanhood. I talk about Rihanna’s style every day because she constantly pushes the envelope. From street style to album era, business mogul vibes, to pregnancy fashion. It’s not just that she has style, it’s how she shapeshifts authentically, revealing different parts of herself with every era. 20 years on, her iconicity still impacts me deeply. The most fabulous thing? How she’s always supporting emerging brands before they blow up—always ahead of the curve. The day we get a documentary with a 20-minute segment on her style evolution and a peek inside her legendary wardrobe, that’ll be my ultimate moodboard manifestation.
The ones left behind, need education on Twitter, they don’t even know about these iconic music videos! Mariah Carey is set to Receive the Video Vanguard Award at 2025 MTV VMAs next week, so I’m sharing my top 7of my favourite. This whole vibe gave me the perfect excuse to spend the evening deep diving into Mariah’s legendary visuals—still feeling inspired, motivated, and ready for love. LOL, queen forever! 💖✨
Heartbreaker (remix)
Despite the already iconic music video for Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker," directed by Brett Ratner (1999), that had a fun comedic tone, Jay-Z's cameo and creative use of animation (which remains my favorite element in music videos, honestly not enough of it out there), the video cost $2.5 million & naturally is fan favourite for its empowering message. However my guilty pleasure, as you already know, is the girl rap aspect of the “Desert Storm Remix” of Heartbreaker—featuring Da Brat and Missy Elliott, (the song was produced by DJ Clue). It samples Snoop Dogg’s "Ain’t No Fun"—my favourite Snoop track ever, so this remix perfectly blends my two worlds. This version has its own black-and-white music video, which includes a cameo by Snoop Dogg - directed by Diane Martel. I was genuinely obsessed with Da Brat during my girl-rap discovery journey—she was edgy and totally inspired my tomboy style. And Missy’s line, “Baby, I’m the real thing, so why you got me consistently sweating, you baby?” has replayed in my mind with every failed crush ever!
The Shake It Off
The Shake It Off music video, directed by Jake Nava, is styled as a continuous, uncut shot that visually captures Mariah Carey's journey of moving on from a relationship. Set against multiple backdrops and vulnerable nonchalant scenes, the video unfolds like a Broadway-style performance, with fluid transitions through various luxurious settings and multiple wardrobe changes. As Carey walks away from her past, cameos by Jermaine Dupri and Chris Tucker and tasteful casting in love interests. I always felt she reinforced the theme of being liberating from a no good ass man with a dramatic, theatrical vibe and I lived for it.
Get Your Number
The music video for “Get Your Number,” directed by Jake Nava and released in 2005, features Jermaine Dupri as a supporting artist and (perfectly cast) Michael Ealy as Mariah Carey’s love interest in a club setting. I was eight that year, and genuinely believed grown-up club life would look exactly like this. The vibrant colors, the sleek furniture—I clearly developed my taste in home décor early.
Unfortunately, I’ve been disappointed by the reality of the club scene... and the cost of nice meubles. Still, I love the aspirational lifestyle the video set—it was luxe, flirty, and full of energy. One fun detail I caught was how the women gave their numbers in such elegant, creative ways—basically shooting their shot, and doing it with style.
I’ve never been shy about asking for what I want—did this video plant that boldness in my subconscious? Who knows. What I do know is: I hate a DM. Let’s get this over and done with in real life.
Honey
The "Honey" music video, directed by Paul Hunter and conceptualized by Mariah Carey, unfolds like a full-blown action film with a James Bond-inspired plot. Carey stars as "Agent M," a seductive secret agent who escapes captivity from a lavish mansion, blending high-stakes espionage with glamour and playful adventure. The fashion definitley blew me away—was styled by Joe Zee. He assembled iconic pieces, including D&G dresses and Tom Ford-era Gucci pumps (happy belated birthday to the King of Sex), which became legendary in their own right. Notably, for the famous balcony-to-pool escape scene, Yee worked with Betsey Johnson to create velcro-front dresses that could be torn away underwater—true fashion smoke and mirrors.
boy i need you
The "Boy (I Need You)" music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, blends Japanese pop culture aesthetics with a futuristic cityscape and features Mariah Carey's alter-ego, Bianca Storm. The vibrant, anime-inspired visuals enhance the playful tone of the song while showcasing Carey in a dual persona. This is hands down my favourite Mariah song and video. Cam’ron’s feature flows effortlessly every single time. And once again—this video elevated my taste in furniture and futuristic tech. I mean, Mimi gets dressed by a robot within the first 20 seconds, there’s a cartoon billboard of her, and she’s serving looks in the most stylish studio setup ever. Peak early-2000s fantasy!
Breakdown
Okay I’m late to the The "Breakdown" hype, but wow - what a masterpiece. The music video, co-directed by Mariah Carey and Diane Martel, is set in a Las Vegas casino and features Carey in multiple glamorous and dramatic roles - our ultimate showgirl!, She’s always had so much fun embodying different characters in her videos, and this one is no exception. The video includes appearances by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Jermaine Dupri, and Redman, who plays a magician, adding to the video's surreal, theatrical vibe. I sat with the song today, and that chorus? Mariah has penned emotions I’ve never even been able to articulate. That’s the power of her pen—a true lyrical genius and one of the greatest poetic writers of all time.
Say Something
Wait, Big went to Paris and Mariah was also there—with Pharrell, Snoop, and André Leon Talley? I'm today years old…
The ultra-glam music video for "Say Somethin’" was directed by Paul Hunter and filmed in Paris in March 2006. Featuring Pharrell as Mariah’s love interest, Snoop Dogg, and a fabulous cameo by fashion legend André Leon Talley—I gagged. I love that he’s immortalised in this video. I can’t believe I only discovered this today! the video oozes luxury and style. Shot inside Louis Vuitton’s flagship store on the Champs-Élysées (yes, they shut it down for her), it mixes high fashion with some real paparazzi moments included in the shots. The Louis Vuitton Cases were set up nicely—can we talk about the idea of Mariah and André having a matching trunk collection? Also… am I doing too much, or did Pharrell low-key manifest his Louis Vuitton appointment with this cameo?
