“I Turned My Grandparents’ Interracial Love Story Into Music”: BEKA On Legacy, Identity & EP Your Skin

“I’ve really been exploring me, where I come from and how I came about,” says BEKA, beaming over Zoom, all vibrant in her trademark red lip. “It felt important to put down in words this kind of deep revelation that I was having.” The deepest of these revelations form part of the singer-songwriter’s self-penned EP Your Skin, a collection of atmospheric, hope-filled pop, exploring themes of legacy and identity, beauty and self-confidence. We meet just before the EP’s release, during rehearsals with her band and before she joins electronic music duo HONNE on their world tour. BEKA is, as she puts it, “ecstatic”. After a string of standout performances supporting acts like Laura Mvula and Griff, she’s more than ready to share the music she describes as a “magic, medicinal thing” that allowed her to heal. read more

12 Contemporary Asian Fashion Designers to Know Now

Today we’re sharing some of our favorite new-guard designers that have caught the attention of our editors. If you want to brush up on some of the more veteran designers who have shaped modern Asian fashion, we’ve got you covered there, too. When we chatted as a group about some of our favorites, the beautiful diversity of the designs stood out, from romantic dresses and minimalist bags to grunge knits and edgy jewelry. read more

15 Zara Pieces to Create Your Capsule Work Wardrobe

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Today’s definition of workwear applies to clothes that look professional enough to be worn in an office setting (whether virtually or IRL), yet still convey a sense of comfort and practical ease. Stiff pencil skirts or button-down shirts might be difficult to incorporate into your wardrobe again, especially after months of staying home and working remotely. Instead, wear-everywhere cardigans, relaxed shirts, and polished midi dresses are in favor. read more

My Tinder Boys: A Photographer Flips The Gaze On Her Dating App Matches (NSFW)

Ultimately, Li wonders if, in the digital age, the gaze is less focused on just women, and more focused on everyone, all of the time. Dating apps have a lot to answer for in that respect, she thinks, but she’s quick to add that she doesn’t believe they’re all bad either. “I think they’re a very efficient and easy way for people to meet each other, especially for people who aren’t very sociable or outgoing. But I guess the problem is that it is too accessible, which sort of flattens everyone and makes things quite boring,” she says. She’s intrigued by the ways in which dating apps are designed to keep people swiping and interacting, and she thinks that’s what needs to change most of all. “I don’t think we can change how people behave, or should change what they want in terms of relationships or connection,” she says, “but if dating apps were designed with a focus on actually meeting people, as opposed to being a game that aims to keep people playing, then they would become less draining and more fulfilling.” As for Li herself, she doesn’t use Tinder anymore, and even if she wanted to, she couldn’t, she laughs, because she’s banned now anyway. Using it for purposes other than the pursuit of romance was never going to last, but it was a fun and thought-provoking experiment while it did. read more

For the “Pachinko” Costume Designer, Every Garment Carries Significance

Since its much-anticipated debut in late March, “Pachinko,” based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, has captivated viewers with its gripping story of one Korean family through four generations. While “Pachinko” is a work of fiction, the Apple TV+ series — like the book — effortlessly weaves historical authenticity into the lives of its fictional characters. In fact, authenticity was the “bedrock” of the show, as Soo Hugh, the creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer, has frequently spoken about maintaining the historical accuracy of Korea throughout the 1900s. Hugh captures the era through the characters, the beautiful sets, the vivid food, and of course, the clothing. read more