Trend report: Copenhagen fashion week and the Gen-Z heels

Summary

Style-ish Podcast Episode Summary Episode Title: Trend Report: Copenhagen Fashion Week and the Gen-Z Heels
Host/Author: Shameless Media
Release Date: August 12, 2025

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1. Copenhagen Fashion Week Insights [01:28 - 04:33]

Joanna Fleming shares her enthusiasm and experiences from Copenhagen Fashion Week, highlighting the city's vibrant fashion scene and the distinctive Scandi design aesthetic.

• Love for Copenhagen:
  "I actually went to Copenhagen for the first time in 2019 and fell like, literally head over heels in love with the city. The people are so fucking cool. Like, you think you're cool, you go to Copenhagen and, like, you get put in your place." [01:28]

• Experiential Retail Excellence:
  "Every brand goes all out. They do so many concepts. It's like a palette cleanser." [02:41]

• Balancing Aspirational and Practical:
  "Cecily Banson did these voluminous dresses paired with Asics, making aspirational design practical." [03:07]

• Trend Highlights:
  Polka dots, metallics, chocolate brown, and innovative flip-flop designs stood out.
  "There's so much chocolate brown, you guys. Jo's so happy." [03:58]

2. Mecca Megastore Preview [07:28 - 19:08]

The hosts discuss their exclusive preview of Mecca's new megastore, emphasizing its comprehensive offerings and the significant impact on Melbourne's CBD.

• Overwhelming Experience:
  "I was completely overwhelmed. I had to go home and have a lay down." [08:19]

• Holistic Retail Approach:
  The store features an apothecary, naturopaths, a florist, a manicurist, a cafe, and 80+ services.
  "There wasn't a single square metre that wasn't used effectively." [09:22]

• Advanced Beauty Treatments:
  Seven treatment rooms offering services like Clear and Brilliant laser treatments and Dr. Barbara Sturm’s offerings.
  "I've got to say, that's one of the best facials I've ever had." [12:18]

• Economic and Community Impact:
  The megastore is poised to revive Melbourne's CBD with increased foot traffic and economic benefits.
  "What this will do for the Melbourne CBD economy cannot be ignored." [14:13]

• Team Pride and Humility:
  Acknowledgment of the Mecca team’s hard work and the founder’s humility.
  "She was like, what do you think? And she's like, you know, we'll probably get things wrong." [10:51]

3. Fitness Culture: Making Us Sad and Boring? [21:56 - 31:04]

The hosts delve into the implications of the current fitness culture, questioning its impact on mental health and social lives.

• Obsession with Tracking:
  "The Apple Watch and Fitbits have made us more obsessive about tracking our fitness goals." [24:41]

• Negative Social Impact:
  Excessive focus on fitness can lead to reduced social interactions and unhealthy addictions.
  "It can make you quite obsessive." [25:24]

• Personal Anecdotes:
  Madison Sullivan Thorpe shares her struggles with balancing fitness tracking and social life.
  "I was half running just to not feel guilty about not meeting my step goals." [27:05]

• Generational Shifts:
  Comparison between pre-pandemic social norms and Gen Z’s approach to fitness and socializing.
  "It's very much enmeshed between the two." [28:34]

4. Skims Face Wraps: Innovation or Gimmick? [31:05 - 40:10]

A critical analysis of Skims' latest product—the seamless sculpt face wrap—and its reception among consumers and professionals.

• Product Overview:
  "Our first ever Face Innovation is here. This must-have face wrap boasts our signature sculpting fabric..." [31:19]

• Professional Skepticism:
  Cosmetic surgeons argue the face wraps lack scientific backing for long-term benefits.
  "It's not going to have long-lasting effects." [33:13]

• Hosts’ Perspectives:
  Annika Joshi Smith and Madison Sullivan Thorpe express disappointment in the product's claims and question its efficacy.
  "It's just a little bit of one of those gimmicky things." [34:02]
  "But to me, I'm like, is this just the equivalent of like an under eye patch?" [35:12]

• Marketing Genius vs. Practicality:
  While the product sold out quickly, its actual benefits remain dubious.
  "Respectfully, I kind of disagree on some degree. I agree with you on the claims being bogus for sure." [35:07]

5. Gen-Z’s Revival of Louboutins: Trend or Statement? [40:47 - 46:42]

Exploring the resurgence of Christian Louboutin heels among Gen Z, the hosts discuss its implications on fashion trends and social perceptions.

• Resurgence Details:
  Louboutins are experiencing a comeback in the secondhand market, with Gen Z buyers leading the charge.
  "The realreal Louboutin purchases have nearly doubled year on year." [42:28]

• Styling Shift:
  Unlike previous generations’ polished aesthetics, Gen Z embraces a more casual, mixed-style approach with Louboutins.
  "Pairing the stilettos with ripped Levi's and a white tank. Very Addison Rae." [43:14]

• Comfort vs. Status Symbol:
  While traditionally seen as uncomfortable, some Gen Z wearers report comfort, blurring the lines between practicality and status.
  "I have friends who say they're the comfiest heels they've ever worn." [43:30]

• Cultural Impact:
  The trend reflects a blend of high fashion with everyday casual wear, signifying a shift in how luxury is perceived and worn.
  "There's always a part of them that is a little undone. It has that realness." [46:03]

6. Conclusion and Future Implications

The episode wraps up by connecting the discussed trends to broader cultural and economic impacts, particularly emphasizing the revitalization of Melbourne’s CBD and evolving fashion norms among younger generations.

• Economic Revival:
  The opening of new retail spaces like Mecca’s megastore is expected to boost local economies and attract more foot traffic to Melbourne’s city center.

• Evolving Fashion Trends:
  Gen Z’s embrace of both traditional luxury items like Louboutins and innovative products like Skims face wraps indicates a dynamic and multifaceted approach to fashion.

• Balancing Health and Social Life:
  The conversation on fitness culture highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle that fosters both physical well-being and social connections.

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Notable Quotes:

• "Every brand goes all out. They do so many concepts." — Joanna Fleming [02:41]
• "There wasn't a single square metre that wasn't used effectively." — Annika Joshi Smith [09:22]
• "The Apple Watch and Fitbits have made us more obsessive about tracking our fitness goals." — Annika Joshi Smith [24:41]
• "It's not going to have long-lasting effects." — Joanna Fleming [33:13]
• "I am itching to see the following TikToks because I’m sure people will be reviewing it." — Annika Joshi Smith [39:57]

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This episode of Style-ish provides a comprehensive overview of current trends in fashion and beauty, offering insightful commentary on Copenhagen Fashion Week, innovative retail spaces like Mecca’s megastore, the nuanced impact of fitness culture, controversial beauty products, and the evolving fashion choices of Gen Z. The hosts blend personal experiences with expert opinions, delivering an engaging and informative discussion for fashion enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

Transcript

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Foreign. This episode of Stylish is brought to you by Telstra and the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7. Next gen innovation meets self expression.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

This is Stylish, the podcast for all things fashion, brand, business and beauty. My name is Madison Sullivan Thorpe. My co hosts today are Annika Joshi Smith and Joanna Fleming. H. Hello.

[Joanna Fleming]

That was very sweet. Hello.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Are we all having a lovely week thus far?

[Joanna Fleming]

Just splendid.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah. Annika and I are recovering from a cold that I think we both shared.

[Joanna Fleming]

We did.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

From spending too much time together.

[Joanna Fleming]

Brought a stunning accent to the show today. So if you love my Kiwi accent, well, this one's just a little bit more twangy.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I definitely got on our whip on Friday. Before we record, we always catch up just to chat what we're going to talk about. And I was like, yeah. Any chance we can just pull the chairs back a little bit? Because both of them were like, in robes in their bed. Like, oh, yeah. And we could. I was like, ah, okay. Bring my Glenn. 20. Jo, what are we talking about today?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Okay, so today we're talking about our experience previewing the new Mecha Megastore last week, where the fitness culture is making us sad and boring. Skims face wrap, including my take on it and why Gen Z is bringing back Louboutins and what this might mean for footwear trends. But first, the swap. Anika, I'm looking at you.

[Joanna Fleming]

Thank you. Okay, so I don't know about you guys, but my feeds have been filled with everything Copenhagen Fashion Week related and for good reason. I actually went to Copenhagen for the first time in 2019 and fell like, literally head over heels in love with the city. The people are so fucking cool. Like, you think you're cool, you go to Copenhagen and, like, you get put in your place.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Did you go to Fashion Week when you were there?

[Joanna Fleming]

No, I was actually working a trade show called Sif and it was insane. It was like such. There was like big stalls by rotate and they're like big experiences. Like speaking of experiential retail with Mecca, it's like that vibe and on steroids. Every brand goes all out. They do so many concepts. And it's just like, I think arguably the fifth fashion capital of love that the world. The world. It's like the what of the world. But I think as well this year, just looking at fashion as a whole, I think we kind of go through cycles and we've talked about the secular trends before, but I really felt like Copenhagen Fashion Week was like a breath of fresh air and everything felt like A real palette cleanser. And I think something I love about Scandi design as a whole is how they make it practical, wearable, but still quite aspirational.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

And there were some really good examples of that, like Cecily Banson. They did these big, voluptuous, like, oversized, voluminous dresses, and they were really intricate. But then they all paired them with Asics. So it's like taking kind of, like, you know, aspirational design, but making it really practical at the same time. Opera, sport, they show showcase the most beautiful. Actually, you can see both of you guys in these collections, but, like, intricate detailing, really beautiful pastels. I'm looking at you, Jojo.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Don't look at me.

[Joanna Fleming]

And they had, like, the most stunning femme, intricate, detailed outfits. And they were all paired back with Havianas, and they actually did something really cool, which was like a chunky 3D printed flip flop. And it was like, one of its only kind. You might have seen them on socials because they kind of looked like Yeezys.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I haven't seen.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I didn't see.

[Joanna Fleming]

Okay, we'll have to show.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

We will.

[Joanna Fleming]

We'll have to link it, because they were quite, like, a statement in itself. But then Rotate closed Fashion Week, and always. I think Rotate just does an exceptional job at, like, joyful and playful, but really kind of fun and aspirational dressing. And they kind of had their boho revival nod. So we're still seeing that come through for the trends in SES 26 next year. But there was a lot of the trends we've spoken about. So polka dots, metallics, chocolate brown. We're seeing so much chocolate brown, you guys. Jo's so happy.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yay.

[Joanna Fleming]

And also an array of muted tones. And I think we've also talked about how we're seeing flip flops everywhere, but flip flops. Now we're in, like, pony hair kind of styles as well.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Oh, really cute.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah. And, like, two kitten heels, which I can totally get around. Stiletto. No. But the kitten heel I will be around. So that's my little CPFW trend report for you.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Love that.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

It has been all in my feed. I just feel like the textures, the patterns, the color. No other fashion week does it. Like Copenhagen Fashion Week. It's just so much more interesting to watch.

[Joanna Fleming]

I feel so interesting, and I feel like, as well, even just the whole culture, like, they ride their bikes to the show, they park up outside. They're just very, like. That's just how they are. It's a way of life. And I'm like, sign me up to this way of life.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

When we were talking Scandi fashion, Ali Whittle, who is a Sydney creator, she's there at the moment and I feel like she just blends right in. Like she was born to be there.

[Joanna Fleming]

She's a vibe.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. And her outfits were absolutely immaculate. And she was there with her husband. Like, they're the coolest couple I've ever met. I'm like, yep, they fit right in there. Yeah, they look right at home.

[Joanna Fleming]

Love that.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Mads, what are you going to swap in today?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

So my swap is a nice, easy one. You know, I love a hot girl walk with George and I feel like as it's warming up a little bit in Melbourne at the moment, I'm struggling because I'm used to wearing my puffer jacket with my leggings. But, you know, obviously after we had the debate, still have not broken up with them. But it's the windproof stand jacket from Uniqlo. It's 79.90. It's such a goodie. It's quite chic. It's got like a funnel neck around it. Also a hood in case there's a little rain. But I got it in a taupe. I'm usually an exclusively all black.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I'm shocked to wear this.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I know, guys, she's crazy.

[Joanna Fleming]

Jumper over her shoulders, are we?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

She would normally do black activewear, though.

[Joanna Fleming]

She used to do ridge jumpers as well.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yes.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Okay, look, she's growing up. Jo, what have you got for us?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

So my swap is a beauty product.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Great.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Because I just started using it recently and I'm like, why does my foundation look so good? And it was because I started using a new brush.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

It's by a brand called La Base.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I don't know if you know this makeup artist. Her name is Serena Wiley. She's pretty well known for doing Zoe Foster Blake's makeup.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yes.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

She's a very well established makeup artist in Australia and she created a brand called Le Base. And it has like a complexion product. And then it's got, I think, like a clutch kind of thing to carry your stuff in. Like a kind of like a makeup bag handy. And then she does a makeup brush as well. And the blend on this brush, it's quite fluffy for a foundation brush.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I love a fluffy front.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

See, I've never. Feel free to say that again if you'd like.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. If, you know. Always good. If I can speak in English on the podcast, I love a fluffy foundation brush.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I have never really dabbled in a fluffy foundation brush.

[Joanna Fleming]

It's really hard to say fluffy foundation.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Brush, but the blend that you get out of it, I will say I feel like I'm using more product.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

But it just blends so seamlessly on my skin. So. Highly recommend.

[Joanna Fleming]

Have you used it today? Right.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Hot tip.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yes, I use it today.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Your skin looks impeccable.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Thank you.

[Joanna Fleming]

You literally look.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I mean, it always does.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Flawless.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Flawless.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

It's just not hard to blend with. So if you find that you get streaky marks and you know your foundation clings in certain spots, obviously a little bit of that is around skin prep and skincare, but also your tools are very important. So I would recommend that foundation brush. Really good quality.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I'm very passionate about a good makeup brush, so I will definitely be checking that out.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Any speaking of makeup recommendations, let's recap the Mecca opening. Because much like Copenhagen Fashion Week, I feel like the Mecca Burke street opening was absolutely dominating my feed. Oh, yeah. And I. I was there, so I don't know if it's just that, like, my phone knew that I was in the vicinity. And so every second video I got was from creators that were at the event and shooting content while we were there.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I feel like I saw more of it on my feed than I did being in a space.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah. You genuinely need to be in there for three hours to see the entire thing. So a few weeks ago, we covered what their new Melbourne megastore would be like, and each of us was lucky enough to attend the actual special media preview. And so we got a sneak peek at what to expect from the store. And I think all of us could say that we were absolutely mind blown.

[Joanna Fleming]

Oh, yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Like, I was completely overwhelmed. I had to go home and have a lay down. It was a lot. There's just. It's almost like absolutely no expense was spared.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

And it probably wasn't looking at the interiors and the technology and all of the separate spaces that were created to come up with this holistic experience that I've just yet to see anywhere else in the world.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. I think the only thing that's orbiting anywhere near what we saw on the Wednesday is the Selfridges beauty floor.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I've never been.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, I would say that's the only thing going anywhere near it, but it is out of this world. Phenomenal. Like, incredible.

[Joanna Fleming]

Honestly feel I was so overwhelmed for all the right reasons, but it was just like there was so much to take in. Like such a sensory overload that I'm with you guys. I felt like I saw more on socials than when I was physically there. And we spent a decent amount of time, but, like, that amount of time was just not enough. Like, there was so many, I think, surprise and delight elements. So many things that I just did not expect and it was just such an experience.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

There wasn't a single, like, square metre that wasn't used effectively.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

It's like there was no wasted space. And to recap on what was actually offered or what is offered in the store, which we spoke about a few weeks ago, there's an apothecary, there's, like, in house naturopaths, there's a fricking florist.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Like, there's a manicurist, there's a cafe. Like, this list is endless. There are 80 services that are being offered in that space. I felt immense pride going in there, I have to say, because I worked at Mecca for a number of years and this was spoken about from the day that I returned to work on the relaunch of Kit. I've seen sketches, I've seen materiality tiles and things like that. This just surpassed every expectation. And I had inside access to what it was going to look like, feel like, sound like, and I was just blown away. And so many of the team members were there. And I've just never seen people look more proud than people that I worked with. And they deserve every ounce of that pride in the most humble way, too. Like, I caught Jo Horgan as I was walking out, who is the founder of Mecca, and she got up and spoke at the opening, but she was like, what do you think? And she's like, you know, we'll probably get things wrong. Like, of course we're gonna get things wrong, but, you know, the team, and it's the team. And then I ran into Kate Blythe, who's the chief marketing officer, and they were the same. It's the team. It's the team. And it does, like, it's no mean feat by Jo. It's exceptional what she's done. But I loved the humility of, like, it being about the team.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, that's beautiful.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

A lot of people had to pour effort into that store.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Imagine the Mecca team members in there stocking those shelves before it opened. That's all I kept thinking about. There is so much product in this store.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

So much product. Not to mention all the separate people that needed to be hired. Like, you've got trophy wife in there doing nails. They've then got an entire clinic dedicated to treatments, which we did speak about a few Weeks ago and we were very curious to see what they were going to offer and luckily we did get confirmation of what was going to be offered. So the aesthetica part of the store was kind of trialed at High Point.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yes.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

And so they were offering a few. I think they had the. I think they had the biologic research treatments there. You could obviously buy the product there, which is typically quite hard to get in Australia.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

They also had some exclusive brands like Zoe Skin Health and stuff on the shelves when we went and had a look at it at the Bourke street store. But they've got seven treatment rooms in this esthetica clinic and it really is separated from the store. You feel like you've walked into a clinic off the street, although you've walked through the whole store to get up there and it's like a space away from the space. Yeah. So there's seven treatment rooms, there's dermal clinicians, there is injectors there doing injectables, which they did confirm with us. They've got treatments like Clear and Brilliant, which I've spoken about on this podcast before. It's a non ablative fractionated laser. They've got the biorepeal, which is a type of chemical peel. They're doing like Dr. Barbara Sturm treatments. They're doing the biologic research treatments they're.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Doing, which I've had, by the way. I've got to say, that's one of the best facials I've ever had. So they work on cold theory that the skin shouldn't be hot when you're having a skin treatment. So everything is done with cold water.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I like that.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

It feels amazing. I actually like. It's very rare for me to go and get a skin treatment and buy into the products because I'm like, yeah, right. And I was like, I'll take one of the three things that you used on me. I cannot afford to buy the full range, but I will take the cleanser. I will take, you know, the PW50. Like I was obsessed. Yeah. One of the best facials. Noticeable difference in my skin.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

My rosacea would like the cool therapy. I think I'm a slut for a hot towel.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, me too.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Who isn't? Who isn't? But I thought that was really interesting that they're doing these quite advanced treatments in there. They've got dermal clinicians on staff working in the store, in the clinic. It's just like. It's absolutely mind blowing, this whole thing.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

The level of service and I think the level of technology is a bold statement from Mecca to say, we are here, we are world class and we are, are ready to absolutely take on the behemoth. And how incredible that an Australian female founded business is doing that at a time when retail is being talked about as the toughest it's ever been. Bricks and mortar, struggling ASX listed companies openly sharing financials that are showing they are bleeding.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah, yeah. I saw a TikTok in the days after the launch, obviously where a lot of creators were sharing stuff about it and the girl that did the TikTok was like, oh, is anyone kind of, you know, eye rolling? I can't remember the exact sentiment of what she said, but are people eye rolling at this Mecca opening when we're in a cost of living crisis? And I went into the comments and one of the most liked comments was basically saying, well, hang on a second, this is creating a lot of jobs for people.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

And so you've got to think about the economic benefits that's bringing to Melbourne as a city and all of the other benefits that come around. Employment.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Totally. And I'd love to touch on that because I think a big one is the CBD in general. So the traffic for the CBD has been down post Covid. And so according to data from the Tourism and Transport Forum, total visitation, which is workers plus visitors to Melbourne CBD have only reached 84% of pre COVID 19 levels. And that was as of mid last year.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Wow. But it's pretty astronomical that we're still not back at 100% pre Covid.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And the Melbourne CBD used to be so buzzy, like such a heartland. I know I grew up in regional Victoria and I know when I was quite young, like my nana and my grandmother, like it was a really big deal to get the train in to the city, get off at Flinders street or Southern Cross, totter down, go shopping. Like it is a really big deal and people travel from, you know, smaller areas or smaller regions, country towns, whether it's on a train or on a plane to go and visit things like this. What this will do for the Melbourne CBD economy cannot be ignored. And I think the only other person that I look at who has driven a lot of buzz into the Melbourne CBD and is very passionate about injecting back is Chris Lucas, who has a lot of restaurants with the Lucas Group and I think about the cafes and the restaurants around Mecca's store that will have natural buzz and foot traffic because you grab a coffee on the Way I know Mecca have the cafe, but the reality is people will totter from the train station or where they've parked their car. The car parks. Like people will be parking their cars there. Like there's so many different avenues that will be like haloing this support.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah. Not to mention like the GPO and Melbourne Central and what's the other one called?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Emporium.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Emporium, yep. All of the traffic that they will get as a result of people traveling through there from Melbourne Central train station, for example, to get to Meckerburg Street. I feel like even from a tourism perspective, people will be travelling from regional Victoria or maybe from other states just to go there. Like that 90 minute service where they do your hair, makeup and nails all at once.

[Joanna Fleming]

It's incredible.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Absolutely iconic school formal. Why didn't anyone think of that beforehand?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

One thing that I loved about it as well, that I do hope has additional traffic because I think it is world class, is the ngv. So Mecca have had a long standing relationship with the ngv. Jo Horgan is very passionate about women in the arts. Of all of the international galleries, women are less than 1% of the artists featured within those galleries.

[Joanna Fleming]

Wow.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

So that's a personal passion project of hers and intern Mecca's. So there are 24 female artists who have been featured within that space who have commissioned works for the flagship. And I really hope that that partnership helps bounce people from Mecca to the ngv, because I just think the NGV is spectacular. I. It's one of my favorite places to go. I could talk about it all day, but I'm hoping there's a bit of bounce back there too.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Gosh.

[Joanna Fleming]

It's honestly just so nice, I think listening to the passion coming from both of you right now as well. And I think they have really disrupted in the best way possible. And everything about the experience was just so curated. Like, I actually think my favourite part was actually talking to the staff. Now we don't call them staff, we call them hosts, don't we?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Hosts.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah, hosts.

[Joanna Fleming]

And I actually think Jo and I had a beautiful tour in the aesthetica. And just listening to that woman, I was like, you can do whatever the hell you want to my face. Like, I trust you.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

So informative.

[Joanna Fleming]

And I felt like even listening to you talk to her, like you were just in your element. It was actually the best thing.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

It was literally just two skin nerds jamming out.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I was firing off the question.

[Joanna Fleming]

She really was. And even though, like, I actually had a moment in just like the makeup section and I found this gorgeous girl who had very similar tones and complexion to me, and I literally bought everything that she was telling me to purchase because I was like, make me look like you. But they were just the most influential, informative, educational, soft and genuine people.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

And speaking with them, I was like, okay, this is gonna bring people back. This is what Mecca stands for. This is about that customer first attitude, which I think we've seen roll out through the stores. We've seen how loyal people are to the brand. And I honestly just, like, was speaking to people from New Zealand as well. It's all over, like, New Zealand feeds and people are like, anika, this is outstanding. Like, I cannot wait to visit. And it made me feel proud. Like, I know I'm a token, but like, no, you're a jewel.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I am.

[Joanna Fleming]

You're a jewel. I was born here. What am I talking about?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I never knew that about you.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, I know.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Hi.

[Joanna Fleming]

I'm actually Aussie, but I actually think it's just something that in a time where retail is suffering and we're hearing about it constantly from our buyers, from our retailers, people are really trying to push the needle and get creative about how to draw traffic in. And I think this is just gonna set us up for, like our spring summer. It's gonna be so good for retail as a whole. And I'm genuinely so for what this is going to do for Melbourne, CBD and that whole.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

That will be bloody buzzing when the Australian Open is my words. They will be activating hard in that space at that time.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I'm glad you brought up it making its way to New Zealand because Sophie Hood, who is an Aussie, she has a brand, she's living over in London at the moment and she had a TikTok talking about how proud she was as an Australian just seeing this brand all over her feed when she's in the uk. But we've got to talk about this being a marketing masterclass. Like, oh, yeah, there is no mistake that this just happened to be on your feed. They invited like 300, 350 people to that opening. From Melbourne, from Sydney, from Adelaide, from New Zealand. They flew people in. They wanted to make sure that that was on everyone's feed. And kudos, Meka. I always get the clap. Can't be heard. It sounds like a little clap. There's my pixie clap. Well done, Mecca. I'm they. That would have been no easy navigation to be doing. But yeah, safe to say it was over every single feed.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

And we know that other brands changed around their events because they found out this is going to be on the same day. So yeah, there was, there was a little bit of shuffling in the PR world.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

There was one thing I did say last week to a friend who's also in the industry was, oh my God, if I was working in PR this week and had a cosmetic launch, I would be hating life. Yeah, I'd be saying to my brand client, oh, I just hold that one a week or two. If we, if we, if I could softly suggest Next, we're going to be discussing whether fitness culture is making us sad and bored. But that will be right after a word from today's sponsor.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

It goes without saying our listeners are seriously stylish. If you consider yourself style obsessed, I'm going to guess you're obsessed with your phone too. Think about it. We use our phones a lot in relation to our style. We shop online to find the perfect outfit, we scroll and save looks on social media, and some of you are content creators that document your looks. Well, recently we've been playing around with the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and can confirm it's the ultimate smartphone for us fashion girlies. Not only does it look good as a sleek, foldable device, but it features Samsung's cutting edge technology on Australia's best mobile network, Telstra. In other words, it'll fit in with your wardrobe and keep up with your life. Whether you're creating content or just juggling a crazy schedule, you're invited to head into a Telstra store to experience the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 for yourself. And if you order one before September 8, you can also redeem a Galaxy tablet through Samsung, valued at $1,049. Just imagine the content redeemed via Samsung by 8 October. Eligibility criteria and redemption limits apply. Thank you so much to Telstra and Samsung for making this episode of stylish possible. Next headline could fitness culture be making us sad and boring?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yes.

[Joanna Fleming]

Absolutely.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. Okay.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Well, it goes without saying that exercise is incredibly important and it's essential for both physical and mental health. And for many, well, maybe some of us, it's also an enjoyable activity. Only if it's Pilates for me personally. But a recent Dazed article written by Laura Pitcher posed a question that caught our attention. Is fitness culture making us sad and boring? To be clear, the article isn't referring to a balanced, healthy approach to exercise, and it's referring to a more obsessive approach to things, where people become so fixated on meeting fitness goals that they cancel their plans. They socialise much less. And they don't allow themselves little treats like we do every single Monday.

[Joanna Fleming]

Staring at the snakes in this studio.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

My Coke Zero and my sugared clouds.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Next to me, Laura writes. While the broad consensus is that 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, or half as much if it is intense, is enough to lower the risk of premature death and many diseases, this is rarely the message we see plastered across gym inspiration posts online. As fitness influencers proudly proclaim their gym addiction causes them to work out twice a day every day and high schoolers gloat about skipping prom for a workout, getting sucked into extreme gym culture can pull your goals and aspirations away from being well rounded, interesting and socially connected. While the article goes on to explain that the subset of people who over exercise is relatively small and that many people don't actually exercise enough due to the nature of our social media algorithms where extreme content is often prioritized, it's easy to become overexposed to over exercise culture online, which I would agree with. I think that it's. You see these 5am wake ups, you see the clean eating around the clock. Like, I personally could not do steamed chicken in the mornings. I really couldn't.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

No. Or like eight egg whites. I'm like, hell no.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yes.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I'd gag at the thought.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah. We were just talking about how we go off eggs sometimes. Laura points to the Daily Steps recommendation as an example of the way our expectations around exercise and how much of our lives it consume have ramped up. The bar for how much exercise you should be getting is constantly raised across social media. For years, everyone posted about getting 10,000 steps a day, but now many are swearing by 20,000 being the key.

[Joanna Fleming]

That's so.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I've never really ever done, done 20,000 steps when I've been like, in Europe.

[Joanna Fleming]

Like, you look like a tourist.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, I did 20,000 steps yesterday. What?

[Joanna Fleming]

Oh my.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Where do what?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I just went for a couple of walks. A couple?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

How many? Two. How long were they?

[Joanna Fleming]

We're two. Was it a date?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

No.

[Joanna Fleming]

Just trotting along.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Okay.

[Joanna Fleming]

Hot girl.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Well, you know, health is. Well. Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Well, we can talk about curse for everything. Obviously it's Mads driving this trend.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, yeah, mate, it's all me. Clear FID SPO over here.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Well, yeah, she's always posting about her dog walks with George.

[Joanna Fleming]

She got that new jacket and she's like, off.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I drop can break up a sweat. Now I'm nodding a puffer.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Do you feel like. In my opinion, I think the Apple Watch and Fitbits and whoops and OURA rings, they have really just made us more obsessive about tracking our fitness goals. And so I've never had one of these devices. I don't intend to get one, But I think it's a way to get people being obsessed with what they're doing because they feel like they should be punishing themselves if they don't meet those goals. And so for very driven people that want to, like, like, you know, reach whatever they're trying to reach, I think it can make you quite obsessive, to be honest.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I agree.

[Joanna Fleming]

And I feel like, as well, like, if you have got an addictive personality, it's like that dopamine hit.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Joanna Fleming]

You want to keep getting your new personal best and challenging yourself. But it's like, at what point does that become an unhealthy addiction? Because it's like, I mean, for me, my dopamine hits are when I'm shopping, but it's like I'm not getting my dopamine hits when I'm out there paving the pavement. Wait, Pounding the pavement. That may be madness.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Do you know, it's a really interesting thing that you brought up. We spoke about it ages ago when we did the sleep episode. I've, like, had a bit of deja vu because we were talking about the OURA ring, and I remember, I think, refilled in that episode and asked if I would get an aura ring. And I shared that I had never kind of been conscious of tracking anything or, you know, what I ate or how much I exercised. And I honestly think what kicked it off was F45. I did an F45 challenge, and it was like you were getting weighed and they were telling you your fat percentage and giving you a meal plan. And it's quite a toxic environment to be put in where you're, like, getting on and being told either well done, you came here five days a week for the last four weeks and now you've lost the weight, or. Yes, you ate that for. You know, I was in, like, early mid-20s and had never really thought about it like that and then naturally bought an apple watch because, you know, then I was an F45 girly. It was really dangerous for me, for sure. It was. There was a touch and go area where I think it got really unhealthy. I mean, it wasn't touch and go. It was incredibly unhealthy. I'll just call it what it is. I don't know why I'm trying to convince myself I was, you know, Halfway through I was like, you know, tracking everything. I would, you know, leave home at 8, 9pm at night, which I would never do to walk because that's dangerous.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And I would be like, oh, didn't, you know, didn't finish those steps. Or if I left my apple watch at home when I'd gone for a run or a walk, I would go for another one so that the watch knew like it's. And I was not someone who was ever obsessed with, with food or calories or exercise, but I am someone who likes achievement and I love the dopamine hit of achieving a goal.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Our high achiever and your type A. Yeah. I think that your personality type and whether you have like an addictive personality, I think that really ties into this a thousand percent. Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

And I've recently started running and I am not running with the watch.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

She's now mentioned it twice.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Everybody, sorry, but I won't run with the watch. I don't know that I can go back to running with the watch.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Okay.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Because for me, I think I just didn't love who I was for these exact reasons. I felt like I said no to things socially or I wouldn't go and have two or three glasses of wine with a girlfriend on a Friday because I wanted to be able to run as fast and as hard as I could on the Saturday where I can go and get the wine now and still go for the run on the Saturday. Cause I don't know how fast I'm running. It's just about did I enjoy it? I stop when I don't feel like it's so I'm probably running like a kilometre at this rate. But I'm like, it's just for joy.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

That's so interesting. And it's funny how these devices and things actually can like that perception piece, like change your enjoyment levels. Like are you tracking yourself? Why am I doing this? And actually just being able to get outside and do it for like your own personal reasons, like an actual mood boosting reasons as well. Like I'm all for. But I am all for promoting like healthy lifestyles and balanced lifestyles. And I definitely have to say I have seen such a shift even like post Covid but I guess from our generation like growing up like preteens and early 20s compared to like Gen Z now. Like I know they're at Pilates, they're.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

In the sauna, they're in the ice.

[Joanna Fleming]

It's different.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Like it's.

[Joanna Fleming]

So maybe they're more informed and maybe they're Just much wiser than I was. But, like, I grew up in the club, I was drinking Red Bull vodkas, I was sweating it out on the D floor until the early hours, like getting my 10,000 steps in that way. And I'm not saying that's healthy, but it was like, it never made me compromise my workouts or like actually still going and exercising throughout the week. We just did both. And I felt like it was so socially normal. Like it was kind of the behaviours that we wouldn't be judged about. Or you'll feel like, oh, shit, I can't not go and have like a coffee or like a date with someone this week or I can't do things because of my exercise commitments. Like, it was very much enmeshed, I think, between the two.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Have you noticed with your own friendship groups, like, people now do you find, like, your relationships sometimes are impacted by people who do prioritize exercising over socializing?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Gorgeous. I have friends who've been training for marathons and things like that. And I think, yeah, I've definitely. We've definitely altered how we catch up. It'll be like, oh, you know that they've got a big run the next day, so, like, you're doing a really early dinner that's pasta or carb based for them. Or, you know, you're not doing a weekend wine because, you know they've got the long run.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Like, I think a lot of people have to amend what they're doing depending on, I guess, the level of intensity of the exercise that they're doing. Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

I've noticed it definitely in my friendship group and I think, like, we're now hitting like the 40 mark and I'm like, well, we're slowing down, like, way down. Like, I'm the spring chicken of the group. Just.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I'll let everyone know.

[Joanna Fleming]

So I'm like, come on, guys, let's go do something fun. But it's actually really interesting to see those priority shifts. And even I actually have reassessed my health and wellness goals as well. And it's just really interesting to see the shift and how it does actually impact sometimes your social life as a whole. But I'm really trying not to let it impact my.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah, I'm really only a Pilates girl, so I won't do any kind of exercise I don't like doing. Like, I would. I'm not a runner.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I'll be honest, neither gonna be one.

[Joanna Fleming]

I would fall over.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I feel like everyone's got it in. I think we need, like, a stylish club or something?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Absolutely not, Madison. Do not suggest that.

[Joanna Fleming]

I actually saw Send us a DM.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

If you want us to style it.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Okay, well you can host it. I won't be there.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

You two can be at the coffee shop after to meet us.

[Joanna Fleming]

Okay.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Both said it so under such duress. Okay, well from one sort of exercise to I guess an unconventional kind of exercise of a different kind, we have Skim's new face wraps. Have you guys seen these?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

We couldn't not talk about this on today's episode.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

We couldn't. I feel like you'd be really hard pressed to have missed this on socials, but this product launched last week and Kim Kardashian brand Skims released very peculiar looking face wrap that really divided the Internet. You'll want to google a picture of it if you haven't seen it yet and if the image comes up and you think this can't be real, I promise you it is. But the brand's seamless sculpt face wrap is being marketed as a wrap that has strong targeted compression to shape and sculpt the jawline. The product description on SKIM's website reads as followed. Our first ever Face Innovation is here. This must have face wrap boasts our signature sculpting fabric and features collagen yarn ones for ultra soft jaw support. Velcro closures at the top and nape of the neck allow for easy everyday wear. Every day is not really what I had in mind when I saw it. It's $88 AUD and the face wrap sold out in under 24 hours so there was clearly a demand for it. But cosmetic professionals have been pretty up in arms about it, saying that the invention has no scientific backing and makes makes inaccurate claims. Speaking to USA today, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Vinod Chopra said that face wraps like this would usually be recommended to his patients after they underwent a facelift or other face specific surgeries like neck liposuction or buccal fat pad removal. He told the publication. The best use of a product like this would be post surgical to help reduce swelling and to help maintain the shape of a surgical result for common day to day use. I think that as you use something like this it's going to decrease swelling or fluid in the area secondary to the compression itself, but it's not going to have long lasting effects. Jo, I'm so keen to hear your thoughts on this.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I mean I concur with the experts that were interviewed in this article like it is a temporary kind of result that you may achieve. I do agree that the claims on the product page are pretty crazy to actually say those things because how can you prove that? Like, I just don't think that you could prove that that's going to make a structural change to the face. And skin laxity is not something that is going to improve with the use of a compression garment. Unless you've had a facelift or you've had liposuction under the jawline or you've had buccal fat removal. Yeah, that's the only instance where I think that would be important to have a compression garment. I don't think you're going to get that long term change in the skin. You can get collagen fibres or proteins kind of woven into a fabric.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I'm not surprised that skims have a fabric like that, but as far as I'm aware, that kind of fabric doesn't really do anything aside from be soft. So, yes, it might provide some comfort if you're wearing it around the face, especially so tightly, but it's not going to replace the collagen in your skin or lost collagen in your skin. Which same goes for collagen in skincare.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

A lot of people tout collagen as a really important ingredient in skincare. The reality is, is its molecular weight is too high to get down into the lower layers of the skin. So really it only works as a humectant, which is an ingredient that draws moisture into the top layers of the skin. So it's not replacing lost collagen in the deeper layers of the skin, unfortunately. But we've got ingredients like peptides, like retinoids, like acids, that do make quite noticeable change in the skin. Collagen is just not one of those things. It will provide some hydration, but that's about all it will do. So I think it's just a little bit of one of those gimmicky things. I'm kind of disappointed to see it from Skims, to be honest. Cause I feel like the way that skims went about their shapewear range was actually really smart.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

And it made sense. And now I'm just like, oh, come on, we didn't need this.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

So, respectfully, I kind of disagree on some degree. I agree with you on the claims being bogus for sure. I kind of see this as genius, but not effective. Because for me, everything skim stands for and that Kim stands for is a about contouring the body and sculpting the body. And in a way that's essentially unnatural because you're using fabrication to do it. So they've done that for the body. Kind of the idea of like lifting or contouring the face kind of makes sense as an extension of their brand now, whether it works or not permanently. I mean, we clearly know now, thanks to experts and our in house expert, you, that it doesn't. But to me, I'm like, is this just the equivalent of like an under eye patch? Like it does that thing where you're like, you put it on, you're not going to get age defying results from your under eye patch being there for 15 minutes. But is this like a great thing to pop on pre event if you're like wanting to look a little, you know, sculpt and smooth around the jawline. But I don't think the claims are helping that if that's the case.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah. But also like skims shapewear, it works, right? And it's, it's touted for being like the best shapewear around, especially these days. And then they come with a product like that and make those claims. I'm like, why would you ruin your reputation like that? You're really not credibility 100%. And also I think that this face wrap thing, it could potentially make you look a little bit more puffy because it's not really allowing blood flow to really circulate in the face and you might get kind of lines indents in the sides of your face from wearing it, I guess.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

So maybe don't do pre event. Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

How long are you actually supposed to like wear this to actually get the results?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Great question. I actually don't know.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Should I get it up?

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah, yeah. Cause I honestly like when I first saw this, my initial thoughts were what the fuck, Kim?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

And then I actually read so many positive reviews.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Really?

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah. There was so many positive tiktoks about it. And I was like, okay, hang on a second, Kim. Are we onto something?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

But then I also struggle to understand and believe that a piece of fabric can have such long standing and like long term impacts and positive effects on this area. Cause like, I don't know if it's just me, but I've always found this area for me is so stubborn. Like just a real TMI right now. But my brother, my whole entire life, he used to like bully me for hearing call this froggy. Like he'd walk past me and go under my chin and go, hey, froggy, froggy. So it's like when I saw this, I was like, do I need to Buy this. Will it fix my froggy?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

No, but it will not be fixing my froggy.

[Joanna Fleming]

It's just. Yeah. I don't know, I feel like I'm kind of on the fence. Maybe I just need to go and be that girl that tries it. And then in New York, you'll see me wearing it every day and you'll be like, I need to please stop.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

The room in Mill will be that you've had a facelift. It doesn't say on the website how long to leave it on for, so maybe one of us is going to have to buy it. It won't be joked by the sounds.

[Joanna Fleming]

Well, guess it'll be me. I'm going to New York soon.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I can probably claim it on tax, but it's kind of tying into the. What do they call it? The morning shed, where you've got all these different things on your face. Like, sleeping is meant to be for resting and recuperating. And people are wearing the eye patches, they've got those collagen masks on. Then they've got these face wraps, nose tape, they've got their hair thing, the heatless curls in. Like, how are these people sleeping? Is what I would know.

[Joanna Fleming]

Honestly, there's no way. Like, there's just. I feel like there's something new coming out and it's just like beauty standards now are just getting pushed further and further. And I'm like, okay, so we got to invest in all these things, like the castor oil and wrap your belly. I'm just like, does that even work?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Does it?

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I think this kind of goes to the point of the conversation we've just had about fitness as well, though. It just feels like everything is in extremes. There seems to be no room for just. Just dabbling in something or partaking ever so slightly. It's like you can't be someone who uses a cleanser, a serum and a moisturiser. You need to have 12 steps or you need to wash your face with soap. You can't just leisurely run. It's like, what are you training for? Is it a half or a full marathon or are you doing an ultra? Like, it's just extremes of everything and then it's pushed on social. No wonder we all feel like we're, like, slipping behind.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I did a TikTok over the weekend, actually, where I was talking about habit stacking. Just like, at the moment where it's like, we have to be so efficient in doing all the things. And everyone was like, I feel this so deeply. Like, I can't go for a walk without feeling like I should be like, working on something on my phone or like listening to a podcast that's going to help me be more efficient in another corner of my life. I'm like, what happened to SoFresh 2016? And just like, yes, chilling the fuck out for an hour.

[Joanna Fleming]

I know. Our lives are just so online now. Hey, I actually find if I don't post a story, my friends will be like, are you okay? Okay? And I'm like, jesus Christ, can't a girl just have like a little privacy? Not possible.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah, extremities for sure. But definitely interesting from Kim. I'm sure she no doubt made absolute bank in the 24 hours this sold out.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Well, I'm keen to see the following TikToks cause I'm sure the people that sold it out, they will be reviewing it. So you can always loop back to this.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Absolutely would love to circle back on this.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

So we didn't even think we needed a new phone until we got our hands on the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7. It's the latest and chicest Z series foldable device that will become your new favorite accessory. Plus, the performance is seriously impressive on Australia's best mobile network, Telstra. Visit your local Telstra store and order the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7. And for a limited time, you'll get a Galaxy tablet worth $1,049 when you order by September 8th. Eligibility criteria and redemption limits apply. Redeemed via Samsung by the 8th of October. Thank you so much to Telstra and Samsung for making this episode of stylish possible.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Okay, our next headline is R Gen Z's Bringing Louboutins Back. If you have watched any of pop star Addison Rae's recent music videos or scrolled through her social media, you'll have noticed how fond she is of one style of shoe in particular. A red bottom Christian Louboutin high heel. The red bottoms, as they are colloquially known due to their infamous scarlet soles, have traditionally been seen as a status symbol. Not only are they extremely expensive, but they are also known for being pretty fucking uncomfortable. I have had so many friends buy Louboutins for their wedding and they're like, ouch. The girls online were not lying. Oh yeah. But I mean, then I have other girlfriends who tell me they're the comfiest heels they've ever worn. Okay, jury's out. So they've been dubbed as both costly and uncomfortable, but what is behind their resurgence is what we are asking. Well, in A recent article in the New York Times Style they spoke about their revival among younger generations. Writer Liana Sattenstein writes the Louboutins resurrection may indeed be tied to the current mid 2010s trend cycle when the red soles, regularly dotted Pinterest boards and Tumblr scrolls. She goes on to say that while there is buzz around the shoe, there's not been a significant uptick in new sky high Louboutin purchases according to the shopping platform list. But the secondhand market shows a spike that points to a thriftier generation. According to a spokesperson for secondhand reseller, the realreal Louboutin purchases have nearly doubled year on year searches are up 34% and new Gen Z buyers are up 82%.

[Joanna Fleming]

Wow.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

While the Louboutins have been a staple on celebrities feet and red carpets for decades, since the brand launched in 1991. Hello, Zendaya, like it's commonly known, that is like the only shoe her and Laura Roach will wear aside from the on partnership she obviously has as well. Gen Z's revival of them feels a little different from the megaglam put together aesthetic that accompanied them previously. It's a bit messy, it's a bit undone. Think pairing the stilettos with rip Levi's and a white tank. Very Addison Rae. Something else setting Gen Z Louboutin lovers apart is they tend to embrace a scuffed red bottom, whereas prior generations went to great costly lengths to resole and ensure those red bottoms were well protected. What do you guys make of all this? Of this?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I'm shocked to see this comeback in this age group because I thought they were all wearing sneakers to the club.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Same. I love that we've spoken about the club so much. Joe's like drooling at the mouth for a wet pussy shot. I mean, they're also fucking expensive.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Let's do 100 bucks. Yeah, most of them anyway. I don't know what the price range is, but I think the average is 1500.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Do you think this signals that high heels are bad?

[Annika Joshi Smith]

I do.

[Joanna Fleming]

And like I just think that's such an interesting and unexpected choice for Gen Z. Like I think of this shoe and I think classic, traditional, like I'm not thinking cool, trendy, like no shade towards Louboutin wearers. But I wasn't into them back in the day and I'm not into them now. I just don't think it's my aesthetic. But I do have to admit like the icon status and I have to give it Credit where it's due because they are arguably one of those shoes that would grace every red carpet. They are the go to shoe to complete any, like, polished and put together look.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

But it made me wonder, actually, I think now, as Gen Z is also getting older and entering the workforce, is it like that kind of like complete, put together, like, outfitting again, where it's like we were doing our pencil skirts and we're doing like our really chic shirting and it's like that sophisticated shoe.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Like, I don't know, wearing a pencil skirt and a shirt.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Hello.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I feel like all of our dilemmas and tiktoks are about them wearing, like, short skirts and whatever the fuck they feel like.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

But in saying that, though, I feel like I'm seeing more content with the shirt and the pencil skirt and the little mew mew. The little plastic.

[Joanna Fleming]

Yeah. I feel like we've gone.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Are we doing, like.

[Joanna Fleming]

But she's almost a little bit more like corporate vixeny and a little bit more modest. Like, I'm seeing her and if I'm seeing her.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

God, you're like, you should have seen her three months ago.

[Joanna Fleming]

Come on, Mads.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I'm not going to lie. I am a Louboutin. Stan. I think they are one of the Chicago shoes. Yeah, I see that. I'm short. I love a point. I think if you're short and you want to elevate your stature, a pointed high stiletto will always make you look long and lean. And I am 5 foot 3. All I want is to look tall and, you know, like, I have more stature. So for me, I think it always looks great. I think a mini with a like, so Kate. Oh, like, talk dirty to me.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Yeah.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

The Z, the new style that they launched in honor of Zendaya, like, yeah.

[Joanna Fleming]

Like, we're also seeing, like, I don't know, Kerry Bradshaw, obviously. Like, she's such an icon. And I remember seeing when she was gracing our screens on Sex and the Sea and she would always wear her lubes. And that for me was like, I think being like a fashion girly, I was like, oh, maybe I'll get around it. But then I tried them on. They are so fucking uncomfortable. Like, my poor bunions would have grown two sizes. Actually, like, give women credit when I see them wearing them because I'm like, how the hell you're in the club in those. And also, like, running around doing your 9 to 5 and everything else in between. Yeah, incredible.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

I think also it just speaks to the way that Gen Z. Like, obviously, we've touched on their work wardrobe, but I think think in their personal life, much to your point, Joe, going, like, I thought they were just wearing sneakers. I think they're doing one or the other. Like, they're wearing a dress and sneakers, or they're wearing a tee or tank with jeans and then putting on a Louboutin. Like, I kind of love that there's always a part of them that is a little undone. Like, I really think there's something we can kind of take out as a styling reference for all of us. It's what you love about Copenhagen Fashion Week. Like, there's a little undone part within the way they dress that I has that realness.

[Joanna Fleming]

Okay. I like that.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. It's really hard trying to be polished and put together all the time. It's exhausting.

[Joanna Fleming]

It's painful.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Yeah. Well, so are the shoes for you, apparently. That is all for this week's episode of Stylish. Thank you very much for joining us. And of course, thanks very much to you both, Annika and Jo, and you, Mads. Thanks so much. Remember, you can drop us an email if you want to start a run club. Let us know anytime at style-ishameless media.com au or you can slide into our DMS over at Stylish Pod. And we cannot forget to thank our wonderful team, our audio engineer, Jonathan Last, and the shameless media team, head of podcast Lucy Hunt and senior podcast producer, Kate Emmerburg. We'll be right back in your ears next Wednesday. See you then.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Bye. Bye.

[Madison Sullivan Thorpe]

Ciao.

[Joanna Fleming]

This podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri land.

[Annika Joshi Smith]

Always was, always will be aboriginal land.