What the FJ team has been reading, watching and wearing this month
words by fashion journal
On repeat.
As Fashion Journal team members, it’s practically our modus operandi to be obsessed with culture and content in all its forms. It’s not enough to write about it during the working day, either. Our five-to-nines are just as jam-packed, consuming novels, films, TV shows and albums, while staying across the latest fashion and beauty releases. Luckily, we love it.
Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section.
Below, we share the best of what we’ve been reading, watching, listening to and wearing this past month, so you, too, can be the most informed (and impressive) dinner party guest or date this weekend.
Lara Daly, Senior Editor
Wearing
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Like everyone else, I’ve been watching Love Story and so far, I’ve resisted the urge to buy a tortoiseshell headband. Mostly, I’m inspired by the cosy ‘90s interiors in the show, in particular Carolyn’s bachelorette pad apartment.
Also, did anyone notice her underwear? Black, side string, mid-rise, more coverage than a thong but still a bit cheeky? Obviously, it’s an old Calvin Klein style you can’t buy anymore, but it made me remember these perfect String Bikini briefs from New Zealand-based lingerie brand, Underlena. I’ve since stocked up and they’re the comfiest undies I own.
Reading
I recently finished reading Workhorse by Caroline Palmer and really loved it. In saying that, I’m a sucker for any fashion magazine memoir set in New York City in the early 2000s. Although I related maybe a bit too much to the main character’s imposter syndrome, I appreciated the fiction book’s plot twist into a bit of a crime thriller near the end.
Listening
What have I been listening to? Full albums all the way through. There’s not really an option when your car only takes CDs but it’s been a nice reminder to listen to music this way rather than AI slop playlists. I’ve been playing the new Exek album on repeat lately. They’re a local Melbourne post-punk band, you should definitely check them out.
Holly Villagra, Branded and Content Coordinator
Watching
I’ve been deep in my YouTube era lately – sue me! I’m a self-proclaimed fashion nerd, so any video that dives into in-depth fashion analysis but keeps it fun and under 20 minutes has my attention. One channel I’ve been watching for a while is Loïc Prigent.
A French documentarian, he covers all the luxury designer runways in-depth, including Dior, Schiaparelli and Jacquemus. His videos are lively and entertaining, packed with celebrity moments, runway commentary, and best of all, they offer a behind-the-scenes look with the creative directors discussing their collections as though they’re talking to a friend.
Reading
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I’ve been reading Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy this past month as part of my book club. Roy looks inward in this memoir, examining the experiences that shaped her while also focusing on her relationship to her mother, Mary, who she describes as both “[her] shelter and [her] storm”.
Secondly, if you’re looking for someone to tell you what to read and why, I’ve been hooked on Daisy, our Assistant Editor’s Substack, Second Thought. I’m admittedly biased but she’s genuinely one of the most well-read people I know. Her insight and perspective are sharp, and she has a distinctly curatorial eye, something that translates effortlessly to the literary space.
Listening
I’ve been really enjoying The Grill podcast, co-hosted by beloved FJ alumna Izzy Wight. It’s funny, light, and feels like you’re sitting down with the hosts at a pub with a drink in hand. I laugh a lot listening, and honestly, that’s exactly what we all need right now: a bit of a giggle.
Wearing
I’m known in the office for having arguably the driest skin in the Sahara, so I’ll literally try anything to rescue the dead zone that is my skin barrier. Recently, I was given a sample of the Bon Elliot Hydrating Performance Serum to try and I’ve been really happy with how it makes my skin feel. It delivers a serious dose of hydration and now it’s officially been released, so I’ll be adding a refill to my cart. Plus, it doesn’t flare up my eczema, thank god.
Daisy Henry, Assistant Editor
Reading
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy of Yesteryear recently and couldn’t put it down! A debut novel by Caro Claire Burke, it follows a famous tradwife who wakes up and finds herself flung back into the past, though not everything is as it seems… It’s a captivating read if you need help making your way out of a reading slump.
I also loved reading Strangers by Belle Burden, a memoir about her marriage breakdown and A Life’s Work by Rachel Cusk, which offers a starkly honest account of her experience becoming a first-time mother. Next on my list is Discipline by Randa Abdel-Fattah.
Watching
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I went to an early screening of The Voice of Hind Rajab a few weeks ago and couldn’t recommend the film more highly. Based on true events and calls recorded by the Palestine Red Crescent, it tells the story of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl who was trapped in a car under fire in Gaza, while on the phone with emergency services. I really recommend everyone making the time to see this – it’s on at quite a few independent cinemas at the moment, so book in.
Wearing
I recently wrote about Camper’s Nina Ballerinas as part of our recent investigation into the perfect ballet flat, and they’ve been glued to my feet ever since. I also picked up some plain T-shirts from Assembly Label (the best place to find quality basics) and found a black Valentino midi-skirt at Goodbyes. Thank you op shop gods!
For more book recommendations, try this.
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