The 2022 documentary about gender and trans issues presented by conservative shock jock Matt Walsh became one of the most-watched films on the internet after Elon Musk promoted it on X. While transphobic in its orientation and message, the film proved the impossibility of a singular definition of womanhood.

What is a Woman?

Homoerotic stories about men or male beings falling in love, written almost exclusively by and for straight women, are the most popular genre of fiction in China. Offering an escape from daily life, danmei provides a kind of feminist-utopian pornographic fantasy that helps women explore their hidden desires.

Danmei fiction 

When the male head of the Spanish football association was forced to resign as a result of a forced kiss – which took place in front of a packed stadium and global TV audience – it ignited an international debate about the sexual harassment and coercion women face in and outside of sports.

#MeToo lives on

A new crop of online influencers is promoting not just 1950s homemaking skills but also submission to their husbands, never working outside the home, resistance to feminism, and – in some cases – extreme conservative politics. Yet the trad wife aesthetic also often includes surprisingly earnest criticisms of life under capitalism.

Trad wives La La Land

Responding to the persistence of normative gender roles, economic recession pressures, and the hellscape of dating apps, a growing number of men and women believe that heterosexual relationships are inherently flawed and unequal, and that these differences make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to form healthy and fulfilling bonds.  

The rise of ‘heteropessimism’

While testosterone replacement therapy is commonly used by cis men, post-menopausal women, and trans men in transition, an increasing number of non-binary and gender-fluid individuals are microdosing the hormone to gradually experiment with their bodies and improve their mental health.

Microdosing testosterone

A growing number of young women and girls identify as sex-negative feminists, openly criticising things like porn, hookup culture, and the objectification and exploitation of female sexuality in popular culture, even when its key figures are deemed progressive and empowering, such as Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B.

Sex-negative feminism among Gen Z women 

Gen Zers are often at the forefront of micro-trends heralding new archetypes of masculinity, from ‘hot rodent men’ to ‘golden retriever boyfriends’. But how are Gen Z men navigating the tricky terrain of shifting masculinity in an increasingly polarized and atomized society?

How are young American men redefining masculinity? 

Do people value creativity over convenience in their homes? How are older generations redefining care and retirement? In what ways is the shift in modern masculinity impacting relationships? Where is the perfect balance between social connections in the online world and IRL?

Home and Relationships Sector Snapshot: July 2024

While Sephora teens – predominantly young girls – have been taking over online conversations around skincare and beauty, teenage boys are increasingly developing their own regimens. This new interest is part of broader shifts in notions of masculinity that are set to transform the beauty market.

Teen boys are making investments into beauty regimes 

American singer and songwriter Chappell Roan has become one of 2024’s biggest breakout artists following her recent hit “Good Luck, Babe,” which has captured the spotlight. Her playful approach to identity and authentic lyrics have made her particularly popular among Gen Zers.

How Chappell Roan reflects Gen Z’s playful identities

Amid economic and societal pressures in Japan, more and more people are choosing not to get married. Many also work as ‘nonregular workers’ and like being alone. What does the future of dating and relationships look like in Japan, and what can brands learn from these shifting preferences?

Why Japanese people are choosing to stay single

Jinro Soju, locally known as Chamisul, is one of the only manufacturers that adopted a softer branding image instead of a masculine one as it taps into the female market. How is it maintaining its status as the world’s most popular spirit brand amid falling alcohol drinking rates in South Korea?

Why Jinro Soju toasts the softer drinking habits of Koreans

A new campaign by the government in Victoria, Australia, is encouraging people to confront their biases, raising awareness of how discrimination impacts the wellbeing of trans and gender-diverse people. This follows rising anti-transgender sentiment, acknowledging the desperate need for action.

Campaign tackles trans and gender-diverse discrimination

Hulu dramedy The Bear spotlights the sounds and images of kitchen life, but its secret ingredient is potent social commentary. It dismantles toxic masculinity stereotypes, exposes the restaurant world's pressure cooker, and sparks conversations about worker wellbeing and different cuisines.

How The Bear rethinks modern TV through culinary chaos

Indian jewellery retail chain Senco Gold has launched its Pride campaign in collaboration with LGBTQ+ actor Sushant Divgikar. With brands shying away from open displays of support for Pride, those that continue to pledge their support may appeal to audiences who value consistent brand action.

Senco Gold celebrates queer Indians with Pride anthem

While online dating is now a well-established way of finding partners, heterosexual men are struggling with the gamified nature of apps and the narrow vision of masculinity they perpetuate. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Treena Orchard about how brands can champion more beneficial dating experiences for men.

Treena Orchard on masculinity and online dating

Chicago-based retailer Tie Bar is launching a limited-edition collection of neckties and accessories in partnership with British fashion staple Laura Ashley. The collaboration points to the latter's growing resurgence as a heritage brand and demonstrates shifting perceptions of masculinity.

Laura Ashley x Tie Bar showcases shifting masculinity

Miu Miu has taken over newsstands worldwide to celebrate the work of three seminal female authors. Fashion plays a central role in how Gen Zers express their identities, and as the BookTok boom shows, literature has also become performative. Miu Miu's combo taps into the Gen Z's expressive desires.

Miu Miu Summer Reads project distributes feminist texts

As sex-positive TV becomes more popular, a new sub-genre is resonating with a growing number of queer Thai women seeking more authentic representation and normalisation of queerness in media. Girls’ Love shows explore the relationship between two women, making a case for queer-based Asian cinema.

Why Thailand is championing Girls’ Love series

The beauty market is growing more diverse with the rise of gender-neutral products, subsequently changing how Gen Z and Y men perceive and purchase a range of cosmetics. How is this shift impacting the ways they collect and use fragrances specifically? And what kinds of scents attract them?

How Gen Z and Y men are approaching scent in 2024

Data from Airbnb reveals that Gen Z is driving an uptick in queer travel – with a 300% surge in bookings by the young cohort. There is an opportunity for brands to meet the diverse needs and interests of the LGBTQ+ community by looking beyond rainbow washing and catering to their diverse needs.

Gen Zers drive an international queer travel spike

Acknowledging the higher rates of road accidents caused by men than women, a French road safety campaign is encouraging the former to 'drive like a woman'. But as modern masculinity is experiencing an evolution, reverting to gender stereotypes may be less effective than showcasing role models.

French men are urged to 'drive like a woman' to be safer

Former American professional basketball player and father of a transgender daughter, Dwayne Wade, has launched Translatable, an online community dedicated to supporting transgender youth. The platform signals the need for a greater understanding of transgender experiences, particularly among adults.

Dwyane Wade creates transgender education community

Elon Musk has officially made ‘cisgender’ a slur on X, contributing to several changes to the platform that have made it an unsafe environment for transgender users. As prejudice against the trans community grows in the real world, a lack of digital safety only heightens anti-trans rhetoric.

Elon Musk officially makes 'cisgender' a slur on X

Sports melodramas like 2024's The Iron Claw, Creed III, and Ferrari examine and critique toxic masculinity narratives, offering audiences a more nuanced perspective on male competitiveness and its emotional toll. Films and TV are increasingly challenging the idea of the invincible, hyper-masculine hero.

'Boy melodrama' films deconstruct toxic masculinity 

Female representation and participation in combat sports is increasing, but amid ongoing gender-based discrimination within these environments, how can brands and organisations push towards equality? And how are women and girls engaging with physical sports for empowerment?

Mapping gender-based shifts in combat sports

Male nannies are gaining popularity, marking a positive shift in caregiving dynamics and providing valuable role models for children. However, they often confront harmful stereotypes perpetuated by both toxic influencers and traditional societal norms about masculinity.

Male nannies are being hired as positive role models

Long before the ‘hot girl’ movement propelled reading into the mainstream consciousness, China was already a country filled with bibliophiles. Today, its bookstores are fulfilling a new role, serving as community hubs and brand opportunities to strengthen customer loyalty.

How China’s bookstores are evolving experiential retail

Dove Chocolate is helping mothers return to work with the launch of its AI tool, the ‘Mom Experience Translator’. Aiming to bridge the gap between motherhood and career skills, the move speaks to changing attitudes to gender and expectations of brands to do better to address them.

AI tool helps bridge the motherhood career gap

‘Barstool conservative bros’ and their adjacent media are challenging existing right-wing cultural narratives. What should brands know about this heterodox group that many see as the future of the Republican Party? And how might intra-conservative conflict impact American consumer culture?

Who are the Barstool conservatives?

The release of Netflix's animated series Blue Eye Samurai has sparked a global interest in the intersection of Japan's history and culture with a story of blood, revenge, and violence. Its strategic marketing efforts pulled non-viewers of animation and Asian women looking for cathartic media.

How Blue Eye Samurai reanimates a rage for Japan’s history

Masc – short for ‘masculine’ – fashion is on the rise in France, with luxury designers and vintage resale platforms tapping into genderless designs and tailoring while ripping up fashion’s old rulebook. How can brands design items and lines across gender divides to be worn by all genders?

How are French women repurposing masc fashion?

The Netflix series Baby Reindeer has captivated global audiences with its compelling portrayal of male experiences of sexual violence. The show’s success underlines the power of pop culture to challenge dominant beliefs about masculinity and facilitate deeper cultural conversations about rape.


Baby Reindeer highlights male sexual victimisation

Japan is facing a population crisis, primarily stemming from challenges within its dating scene. With marriages and romance growing out of fashion locally, Pairs jumps in to reignite love’s flames by creating a safe space for serious relationships to develop and empowering women.

Why Pairs lets women reignite Japan's dating scene

The smash-hit romantic drama Challengers has animated audiences by sparking cultural conversations about sexiness, polyamory, and modern love. With young people increasingly turning to alternative relationship ideals, brands have the opportunity to cater to more diverse models of romantic bonds.

Challengers spotlights polyamory narratives 

South Koreans are struggling to balance age-old beliefs and values as new ones emerge due to technological advancements and the material demands of a modern capitalist society. How is this affecting their dating lives, and what can brands do to align themselves with these new shifts in values?

What does dating look like in South Korea today?

How is Japan’s shrinking, ageing population impacting locals’ decisions? Are government efforts to regulate work hours actually leading to shifts in Japan’s notoriously overworked society? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats to explore the behavioural norms shared by people in Japan in 2024.

A Cultural Snapshot of Japan: 2024

Athletics has created a bold brand for Alba Hurup Larsen, highlighting her individuality in motorsport racing and her connection to the sport’s history. Alba’s branding reflects a broader trend of women embracing their endurance and extreme sports and redefining what ‘girls' workouts’ look like.




Alba's branding by Athletics celebrates women in sports

A US bar devoted to showcasing and celebrating women's sports has revealed its intentions to expand and franchise the establishment. While sports bars play a vital role in connecting fans, they frequently cater to men's sports, presenting an opportunity to explore avenues for inclusive sports viewing.

Oregon women's sports bar plans expansion

Apple TV's documentary Girls State delves into the experiences of ethnically and ideologically diverse teenage girls participating in a week-long immersive program in Missouri. Media brands have the opportunity to innovate with Gen Z girls' political, social, and emotional empowerment.

‘Girls State’ spotlights Gen Z girls’ political power

Portraying herself as the all-American E-girl next door, June Lapine aka Shoe is disrupting existing narratives about LeftTube, gender, pop culture, and expected progressive positions. What can brands learn from her idiosyncratic content to authentically engage younger audiences?

Why Shoe’s 'bimbo populism' engages diverse fan bases

The buzzy streaming adoption of Patricia Highsmith's classic novel The Talented Mr. Ripley centres on a sexually ambiguous protagonist and his crimes. As LGBTQ+ representation broadens, audiences are increasingly drawn to pop cultural narratives that explore class and sexual transgressions.

Ripley spotlights queer anti-hero narratives

To mark its 100th anniversary, Unilever's LUX has joined forces with VML Singapore to create 100 new, empowering names for Chinese women. Drawing attention to the harmful impact of names with outdated and even sexist meanings, the brand joins an effort to rework attitudes to gender and femininity.

Campaign highlights the damaging impact of sexist names 

In the UK, teenage girls can feel unwelcome and unsafe in parks largely designed for boys. Make Space For Girls is a charity campaigning for parks and public spaces to be designed gender-inclusively, raising awareness of issues while ensuring the voices of girls and young women are heard.

How Make Space For Girls prioritises teen girls’ safety

With Australian society having a hot-and-cold relationship with sexuality, The Hook Up podcast dares to discuss elements of modern romance and sex as it is truly experienced by Australian Gen Zers and the growing LGBTQ+ community in the country looking for a safe digital space.

Why The Hook Up unfilters sex talk for Aussie Gen Z

GagaOOLala, Asia’s pioneering LGBTQ+ streaming service, aims to spotlight queer stories in mainstream media. The platform mirrors a surge in demand for queer content and the progress of the community’s rights in Asia, catering to a group that had little to no media attention up until recently.

Why GagaOOLala uncensors the stories of queer Asians

Economic challenges, marketing saturation, changing relationship patterns, and the move towards digital interaction have diminished the vibrancy and engagement usually associated with Valentine’s Day and White Day – one example of Korean and Japanese people’s fatigue surrounding ‘Day’ marketing.

Does the decline of White Day prove people are getting tired of ‘Day’ marketing?

American music icon Willie Nelson teamed up with young queer singer Orville Peck for the gay country duet 'Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other'. Artists, brands, and content creators are increasingly subverting heteronormative narratives of traditional Americana.

Country legend Willie Nelson celebrates cowboy queer love

Responding to long-running fan demand, ABC firefighter drama 9-1-1 has introduced a bisexual storyline. Once hidden away in corners of the internet,  brands are increasingly inspired by the creativity of fan fiction to create bold, nuanced, and unapologetically queer narratives.

9-1-1 queer romance spotlights engaged fandom

By defiantly rejecting social expectations and aesthetic labels, American Gen Z women are rewriting the fashion rulebook, torn between upholding and subverting feminine styles. Canvas8 spoke to six of them about their sartorial choices, gender politics, and the changing nature of femininity.

The future of American femininity in a post-Barbie world

After 2023’s year of fervent girlcore, it's clear that femininity is crucial to how Gen Zers express themselves. Canvas8 spoke to eight Gen Z women from across the UK to discover how their perceptions of femininity and gender politics shape their fashion and style choices.

The future of British femininity in a post-Barbie world

Boys’ Love media usually features fresh-faced male characters encountering slightly varied struggles. Heaven Official’s Blessing smartly subverts these tropes, placing a queer couple in a distinctly traditional Chinese context and putting their character development at the centre of the story.

Why Heaven Official’s Blessing rewrites Asian boys' romance

Social media can be a powerful tool for social change, but it's also a repository for many harmful ideas about what masculinity should look like. Danny Dyer’s How to Be a Man hosts conversations about changing notions of masculinity that social media has struggled to make space for.

Danny Dyer uses TV to advocate for modern masculinity

Conservative media and wellness personalities are calling for young men to turn to nicotine pouches, framing them as aspirational lifestyle products that amplify traditional masculinity. This highlights the febrile position of masculinity in culture and opportunities to support open dialogues.




Right-wing media touts nicotine pouches as 'manly' fix

Black progressive cultural commentator F.D Signifier is one of the most prolific Gen Y content creators. Focusing on politics, pop culture, and Black men’s wellbeing, he challenges traditional narratives and dismantles harmful gender stereotypes through his engaging video essays.




F.D Signifier spotlights Black masculinity perspectives 

The ‘Patron Saint of Situationships’ returns! Following the success of her single, ‘B.A.D,’ Filipina R&B artist Denise Julia has released ‘Sugar n Spice,’ a feel-good track embracing same-gender attraction, which resonates deeply with listeners seeking representation and authenticity.

How Denise Julia revives Filipino R&B for global listeners

Come for explicit photos of celebrity crushes, stay for the community. From an Instagram page to organising physical exhibits, Y2K Kabaklaan’s intentions are simple – to usher in a safe space for pent-up gay desires and to document an unforgettable epoch in Filipino pop culture.

Why Y2K Kabaklaan archives Filipino queer desires

Beauty brand Sally Hansen has unveiled its first-ever male-led partnership with basketball player Jared McCain. As expectations of masculinity continue to shift, brands can partner with male athletes and icons who can champion new and inclusive archetypes of masculinity.

Sally Hansen's beauty campaign champions male icon

Popular internet personalities like Andrew Tate are having an impact in Australian schools, as teachers report struggling with students who watch his videos. The government has launched a project that works to address misinformation online around gender-based stereotypes and violence.

Aussie teachers struggle with Andrew Tate’s influence 

Period product brand Nana is using Dubai Fashion Week to tackle period taboos in the Middle East. Featuring transparent handbags, or ‘Taboo Totes’, with Nana products visible inside, the campaign draws attention to and aims to disrupt the harmful effects of persistent menstrual taboos.

Nana tackles period stigma with transparent bags

Girls’ wrestling has become the fastest-growing high school sport in the US, driven by a significant increase in the number of states that now have women-only wrestling teams. As Gen Z continues to defy traditional gender roles, many young people feel empowered to try new things.

Girls' wrestling increases in popularity in the US

No country anywhere in the world offers women the same career opportunities as men, according to a new report from the World Bank, which accounts for the impact of childcare on the labour market. Women are looking for employers to acknowledge and account for gender-specific issues in the workplace.

World Bank report signals need for more maternity leave

As beacons of queer excellence, Drag Race spin-offs in Asia have brought a wave of inclusivity to screens and stages. The series bites into the appetites of millions of underrepresented members of the LGBTQ+ community and more as it just keeps getting bigger, more popular, and better.

Why Drag Race sashayed into Asia with queer excellence

REI Co-op's spring collection isn't divided by gender. The new Active Pursuits range is genderless, with more options available for color, height, and width across the offerings – designed to give everyone their own choice of what feels comfortable, no matter their body shape.

REI blends functionality with genderless fashion

In honour of Women’s History Month, Wolverine Boots launched a campaign to reaffirm its long-standing commitment to challenging gender norms. By harnessing its history of supporting women in skilled trade, the brand has acquired a credibility that strengthens consumer trust.




Wolverine leverages its history to support women

Drag Den features the Philippine drag scene by being a drag reality show for Filipinos by Filipinos, demystifying the country’s queer culture and its roots. Promising authentic queer content made accessible to the mainstream, it treads both TikTok virality and global streaming.

How Drag Den models the unfiltered joy of Filipino queer politics

Men are ready to express themselves through beauty – and Obayaty is here to provide the tools to just do that. The new-gen brand is pushing aside basic skincare products and is filling a gap in the market for practical-meets-playful make-up that gives those who identify as male a creative outlet.

Why Obayaty adds personal color to masculine beauty

The market for engagement rings for men is booming as people look to more expansive models of masculinity. This trend speaks to a wider challenge to the traditionally gendered roles assigned within heterosexual partnerships, as well as eroding expectations of rigidly masculine style choices.

The sales of men-focused engagement rings are booming

Survey data has shown that US Gen Z adults are more likely than other generations to identify as LGBTQ+. Following a year of rampant political attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and ahead of elections in 2024, these stats paint a picture of a landscape primed for growing resistance and polarization.

US Gen Z adults are most likely to identify as LGBTQ+

Several high-profile male athletes have taken to painting their nails on the field regardless of any derision from fans, pointing to a softening of gendered norms in sports. As even the most macho elements of culture soften, men are creating new archetypes for an updated masculinity.

Athletes' painted nails speak to softening gender norms

Chinese game developer Papergames has launched Love and Deepspace, an immersive 3D-style dating sim that’s garnering massive hype in China. Its success speaks to how virtual romance games are providing Chinese women with an alternative outlet to assert agency over their intimate lives.

Sci-fi dating sim captivates Chinese women gamers

California Naturals has unveiled a campaign starring Owen Wilson as the brand’s ‘Chief Shampoo Officer’. As people become desensitized to celebrity-backed beauty brands, there’s an opportunity to put a fresh spin on star power as a strategy to enhance authenticity, not diminish it.

California Naturals harnesses Owen Wilson's icon status

'Babygirl' has arisen as a Gen Z term of endearment for rugged yet sensitive men, like heartthrob actor Jacob Elordi – offering a tongue-in-cheek way to lovingly describe a new masculine archetype. Expectations of masculinity are shifting as people pick and choose aspects of conventional identities.

'Babygirl' moniker challenges rigid masculinity

The popular romantic fantasy All of Us Strangers explores mid-life loneliness, queer love, and past trauma. Media brands have the opportunity to challenge outdated narratives of Gen X queer sexuality by showcasing raw and diverse expressions of desire and emotional fulfilment.

'All of Us Strangers' spotlights queer Gen X experiences

With only one Southeast Asian stop in The Eras Tour, Filipino Swifties saw daylight in the form of Taylor Sheesh. The drag queen recreates Taylor Swift’s performances in local mall shows and private events, making the concert hype accessible for fans while pushing queer visibility to the mainstream.

Why Taylor Sheesh’s drag enchants Filipino Swifties

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Gen X explores how menopause has become an issue central to culture and wellbeing, how this cohort is prioritising age-specific needs in the workplace, the increased visibility of men’s mental health, and their quest to find relatable and inspiring role models.

2024 Generational Snapshot of Gen X

From himbos to daddies to bisexual heartthrobs, mainstream ideals of masculinity are evolving, partly due to cultural shifts and social movements influenced by women. How can brands tap into these changes and create more nuanced and inclusive products and services for their audiences?

How women are fuelling new archetypes of masculinity

Dodgers megastar Shohei Ohtani’s endorsement of Japanese skincare brand Decorté has sparked more interest in the brand among Japanese men. It’s reflective of sports fandom as the gateway to brand discovery, where companies are increasingly leaning into athletes to reach under-served audiences.

Baseball star piques Japanese men’s interest in beauty

Queer group QI.X has employed useful strategies to secure a loyal fanbase despite facing some challenges throughout its rise in the K-pop world. The group exhibits how Korea’s conservative society does not necessarily have to hold back non-traditional bands – as long as they go global.

How QI.X serenades global K-pop fans via queer activism

Thai business mogul Anne Jakrajutatip (informally Anne JKN) appeals to the relevance of beauty pageants in today’s world by reforming Miss Universe qualifications. Her business ventures are testaments to controversies and advocacies surrounding gender and beauty in a socially conscious world.

Why Anne JKN fuses pageant legacy and inclusive beauty

Tyler Perry, an Atlanta-based writer, director, and actor, is one of the most commercially successful African-American filmmakers in history. His storytelling delves into the struggles and triumphs of everyday Black people, offering a sense of relatability and humor that transcends cultural barriers.

How Tyler Perry inspires middlebrow Black Americans

Ensuring gender parity at the 2024 Olympics is crucial for promoting sport equality. But with progress slow and major setbacks in online trolling, how can brands move forward with balanced representation that empowers female athletes and how will these efforts break down barriers for everyone else?

Can brands counter 'the dream deficit' at the Olympics?

Indian streetwear label Huemn has tapped seventh-generation perfumer Ola Originals to launch its debut fragrance, Pheromones. It’s speaking to people’s shifting attitudes toward sexual expression in a largely conservative culture by marrying sex positivity with an homage to Indian perfumery.

Huemn reinterprets Indian heritage through sexual liberation

Brands are still leaning on lazy sexist clichés that should have been left in the noughties but women are no longer wanting to be overlooked, nor pandered to. With many people seeing gender roles and binary labels as outdated, how can brands innovate to appeal without appearing tokenistic?

How gendered booze marketing lost its fizz

As people grapple with the strain caused by the cost of living crisis, political polarisation, and global conflicts, there is a demand for a fresh and relatable approach to festive magic. How can brands create a sense of reprieve and celebration while fostering empathy at the same time?

How have brands tackled Christmas ads in 2023?

Aura Freedom has launched its 'The Body Bag For Her' campaign, aiming both to raise awareness of the prevalence of violence against women in Canada and to dismantle gendered advertising tropes. Using the imagery of a pink body bag, the hard-hitting campaign subverts viewers' expectations for impact.

The Body Bag For Her raises femicide awareness

Tough-love self-help gurus are schooling women online on how to ‘level up’ their lives by detaching from toxic relationships and embracing unapologetic selfishness as a lifestyle choice – and Gen Z women on TikTok are loving it. What’s behind this and what can brands take away from it?

Why Gen Z women seek ‘femininity gurus’ on social media

Giorgio Armani is launching a genderless sartorial collection focusing on comfort and confidence. This collection – available at Selfridges in December – aligns with the evolving suit-wearing trend after the pandemic, emphasising relaxed, oversized, and gender-neutral styles and body concerns.

Giorgio Armani launches genderless sartorial collection

The coming-of-age film How to Have Sex offers a hyper-realistic examination of British youth culture and sexual consent – spotlighting confusion among Gen Z about what constitutes sexual assault. Young people are looking for authentic and meaningful representations of themselves and their culture.

‘How to Have Sex’ elevates conversations about consent

Southeast Asia is poised to become a global fashion hub, with Thailand as a source of fast fashion. This shift brought the Thai brand Gentlewoman to the worldwide scene, becoming an iconic and recognisable name for young Southeast Asian women and inspiring knockoffs internationally.

How Gentlewoman brings Thai fashion to Southeast Asians

Hailed as a wacky mash-up of American Pie and Fight Club, the film Bottoms has become an unexpected critical and commercial success. Sexually provocative and celebrating female ferocity, the dark teen comedy speaks to younger audiences’ hunger for original and idiosyncratic queer content.

Lesbian sex comedy Bottoms ignites cult appeal in Gen Z

Tiffany & Co. has partnered with the National Women's Soccer League for the first redesign of its championship trophy since the league was founded. Seeing its rising popularity, more brands are looking to partner with women's sports, but people call for concrete, committed support. 

NWSL partners with Tiffany for new championship trophy

Modibodi is tapping into the Gen Z zeitgeist through a series on TikTok, bagging awards and recognition. 'I'm Dying Inside' captures how young people navigate through relationships, identity, and their periods through the cost of living crisis and underlines the generation's need for more support.

Modibodi highlights period poverty through TikTok series

In Germany, men's uptake of vegan diets is considerably lower than women's. To increase adoption, 'vegan bro' influencers have curated impressive physiques to show how masculinity and veganism can co-exist. But with changing notions of masculinity, the aesthetic is losing its relevance.

Hyper-masculine messaging deters men from veganism

Gen Zers are embracing anti-aesthetic fashion and re-evaluating what it means to be individualistic. The movement disregards conventional fashion rules and offers sustainability and comfort, fostering inclusivity and self-expression. How are these attitudes reshaping the fashion industry?

Why Gen Zers are embracing anti-aestheticism in fashion

From fashion campaigns and catwalks, to controversy sparking music videos, the aesthetics of kink are more visible than ever before, while apps like Feeld and Pure continue to boom among the sexually curious. How is the mainstreaming of kink, BDSM, and polyamory playing out?

How the aesthetics of kink have gone mainstream 

In honour of China’s International Women’s Festival, L’Oréal Paris premiered a short film spotlighting the issue of sexual harassment. Utilising its platforms and resources, the collaboration underscores the significant role businesses have in addressing societal issues and driving effective change.

L'Oreal campaign tackles sexual harassment in China

Australian singer Troye Sivan is captivating diverse audiences with his queer-positive and emotive representation of masculinity. His music, complemented by his relatable online presence, allows him to sing candidly about the joys and tribulations of being a young gay man.

Troye Sivan: a sensual voice of queer masculinity

Using intimate imagery of uncomfortable bra impressions and up-riding underwear, Boody asks women to demand more of their drawer. Women are challenging the normalisation of unseen burdens they carry, from simple decisions around delicates to the invisible labour at home.

Boody confronts women’s silent discomfort in underwear

Dominant fears around the vulnerability of young girls online are perpetuating the gender divide in access to digital devices and shaping negative self-perceptions for women. Brands wanting to lend a hand to bridge the access gap could affect positive change by promoting safer spaces.

Fears of online vulnerability fuel digital gender gap

Lifecycle

People are interrogating the meaning of gender in a polarised society