Pete Davidson is starring in “Gen Z’s worst nightmare” (a horror-comedy full of gaslighting and triggers from the fine folks of A24); Camila Cabello is the face of Victoria’s Secret new bilingual campaign; and Tyra Banks is making a reality show about teen drag queens.
THE FALL OF ‘BLANDING’: DTC LABELS REBRAND TO KEEP UP WITH THE ERA OF MAXIMALISM, glossy
Millennials drove the original DTC revolution (and aforementioned “blanding”), while Gen Z is helping to fuel the current shift towards maximalism and boldness — a much-needed break from boring.
“If you’re talking to a generation that’s a millennial versus someone who is approaching her 50s, they’re looking for different things. It’s really important to actually not follow the color trends, but to actually [consider], ‘Where’s the opportunity?’” said Aruh. “Brands need to have that discipline. Otherwise, you lose your way very quickly, and then you’re just following trends that have nothing to do with what you’re trying to message.”
CHLOE CHERRY FRONTS PARADE'S "NEW:COTTON" COLLECTION, hypebae
It kind of feels like Parade just can’t miss. Let’s start with the totally genius casting. Chloe Cherry is the 24-year-old breakout star (though “breakout star” is putting it mildly) from season two of Euphoria; before Hollywood, she was an adult film actress. As for the collection itself — which is Parade’s 100th micro-drop; the micro-drop model is another stroke of brilliance — this is the lingerie brand’s “most sustainable yet.”
IS IT TIME TO TRY SPEED DATING?, nyt
Several new companies are catering to app-fatigued singles — in some cases, at a steep price. Founded in December by Ms. Montasser, 29, and Victoria Van Ness, 25, Ambyr Club is positioning itself as a counter to the current crop of dating apps. Their services come at a cost — they charge a cool $150 admission fee (open bar included).
2022 GRADS ARE SET TO OUTEARN LAST YEAR’S COHORT—AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT, fortune
This year, companies will hire 26.6% more college grads from the class of 2022 than they hired from the class of 2021. Moreover: 81% of recent college grads are confident they’ll get a job offer that matches their career goals. Interestingly, though, 58% “still believe employers have the upper hand in the entry-level job market” (are they not reading headlines these days?!) (they are not).
GEN-Z IS MODERN CHINA’S UNLUCKIEST GENERATION, bloomberg
Chinese universities are expected to send a record 10.8 million graduates this summer into an economy headed for its slowest growth in decades. Unemployment for those aged between 18 and 24 was 16% in March, and the outlook may have worsened since.
One last thought: