drinking gaza cola + eating sexy collard greens
conscious consumption is en vogue
Hello hello to you all 😊
Hoping this week is treating you very well. In this edition we’re spotlighting some photo-worthy moments from across this year, the secrets behind UNIQLO’s success, the aftermath of Wicked’s rocky press tour, and more.
This week’s edition is all good news on purpose. We all need a little bit more of that in our lives, so let’s get into it!
📸 Time for a photo-op
2024: Pictures of the Year – national geographic
You’ll have to give up your e-mail to National Geographic to see these, but it’s totally worth it. Capturing all kinds of incredible breakthroughs (think liquid fuel from the sun + white rhino babies born from IVF) and stunning moments in nature, this year’s catalogue reminds us of all that’s to be discovered – and protected – in nature.
Inside the race to be crowned North Carolina’s sexiest collard farmer – telegraph
A UK-based farmer called Peter Glazebrook became an internet favourite after posting wholesome photos with his gigantic vegetables online. Now, farmers in North Carolina are competing on Facebook to be the states’s sexiest collar farmer. Some competitors, opting for more risqué entries (partial nudes), have been stifled by Meta’s content rules, while others are taking a note out of Glazebrook’s book and keeping things wholesome. Once the winner is crowned, the photos will be turned into a calendar with all proceeds donated to a Hurricane Helene relief fund.
🪄 Style + culture
Why is UNIQLO the anti-fast fashion fast fashion brand? – high snobiety
Though UNIQLO mass produces its stock, the brand succeeds because it focuses on ‘classic’ instead of micro fashion cycles. It develops close partnerships with well-respected high fashion designers, like Lowe’s JW Anderson and the modern luxury expert Christophe Lemaire, while constantly innovating and improving its fabric technology. With fair prices and products that at least feel higher quality than other brands, it shouldn’t be surprising that UNIQLO’s drops regularly go viral online and that one third of its 2023 sales came from women under the age of 29.
'Wicked' soars at the box office – business insider
The press surrounding the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked hasn’t exactly been entirely positive. From rumours of a raunchy affair to concerns that the film’s two key stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, are having a ‘skinny off’, many believed that the film was being overshadowed by its ongoing controversies. But upon its release, praise for the film’s execution has been almost unanimous. Whispers of Oscar nominations can be heard online, and it’s rolled in an estimated $164 million at the box office in its first week. Have you seen it? I’m thinking I need to see this.. like neeowwww.
🌍 Our world
Cop29 in Azerbaijan accomplished very little – thred.
We’re not exactly surprised, but the annual climate summit hosted in Azerbaijan this year was a big fat flop. Climate finance talks saw all other subjects sidelined during the two week event. Still, the final offering of $300 billion per year has left Global South nations – who stated they needed at least $1 trillion annually – feeling cheated and insulted. To gain the full picture of what went down at the event, check out this timeline.
‘Genocide-free’ cola makes a splash in the United Kingdom – al jazeera
Pro-Palestine supporters have been engaging in boycotts for over a year now and they are, indeed, having an impact. Major brands with business and economic links to Israel – Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Coca-Cola – have reported major financial losses in recent quarters as a result of this form of activism. Now, Gaza Cola is taking off in the UK, offering thirsty customers an ‘apartheid-free’ alternative to boycotted brands.
📚 Recommendations
I picked up this recommendation while visiting a gorgeous spot in Edinburgh called Typewronger Books. Written by Asmaa Alghoul, an outspoken Palestinian woman born in the Rafah refugee camp, this autobiography offers a daringly honest perspective on the beauty and pitfalls of growing up, living, and working as a journalist in the Gaza Strip, especially one that’s unafraid to criticise both Hamas and Fatah governments.
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Until next time,
