Welcome to Refinery29 Loves, the monthly news bulletin where you’ll find the best things to shop and see in fashion and beauty right now.
Yes, April enjoys giving us showers every now and then, but the smell of spring is in the air, meaning the chances of having sunny days in a row are getting closer by the minute.
For the beauty fans, the arrival of Coachella marked a major moment in the makeup calendar, with Hollywood flocking to Palm Springs in an array of desert-designated looks. Megan Fox proved that blue is the color trend of the season by adding wavy extensions to her new seafoam bob. Gwen Stefani wore face gems and glitter liner for her performance with No Doubt, while Chloe Bailey had us reaching for our nearest purple shadow thanks to her heavenly all-lavender look.
But if you’re searching for some fashion and beauty inspiration beyond the stage and screen this month, we’ve got you covered with an array of new products and collections turning heads.
To discover all the launch news that has us excited this April, read on ahead…
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by us. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, we may earn a commission.
Pool weather is here — according to Skims, at least. The Kim Kardashian-owned brand just debuted its Swim Shop, which features brand-new styles, prints, and colors (think: mesh cover-ups, snake-print separates, and a bold ruby red) that will seriously up your beach style game.
New York-based fans of RIXO — which is known for its vintage-inspired, pattern-forward pieces that have been worn by Kate Middleton — have reason to celebrate: The British fashion house has finally opened a pop-up shop in NYC’s SoHo neighborhood. Running for three months, the pop-up will offer a curated selection of core RIXO pieces, plus items from its SS24 collection in person. There will also be on-site styling sessions, panel talks, shopping events, and other community-focused events during the pop-up’s run.
Upcycling takes center stage in the new collaboration between clothing rental subscription service Nuuly and Brooklyn-based designer Zero Waste Daniel. For the collection, Zero Waste Daniel upcycled 1,300 denim pieces from Nuuly’s retired rental inventory and used them to create 10 styles that have been added back to the service’s offerings. An A-line skirt, for example, was transformed into a Denim Cross Top, while the leftover material was incorporated into the Scrap Jacket. The capsule collection is part of the Re_Nuuly initiative, in which Nuuly repurposes old stock. Learn more atnuuly.com
Re_Nuuly x Zero Waste Daniel Patchwork Scrap Jacket, $, available at Nuuly
COS’ latest Atelier Collection — which debuted on a runway in Rome in March — is here, and it’s just as covetable as you’d expect. Once again, for the line, the Swedish brand put the spotlight on the artisans and craftsmanship behind its stylish pieces, and for spring/summer 2024, the limited-edition line looked to the elongated silhouettes and fluid fabrics of the ’90s for inspiration. Find extra-long boleros, crinkled chiffon blouses, bandeau maxi dresses with flared skirts, leather goods, and unisex jewelry.
Darlings, Ms. Tilbury has just announced a new emotion-filled fragrance collection and we are intrigued. Made with neuroscience experts and master perfumers, the collection aims to ignite deep feelings with the power of scent. While it’s well known that scent can unlock memories, the perfumes aim to trigger the olfactory receptors in the brain to feel emotions like love, calmness and even seduction. Our favorite of the scents has to be the happiness-inducing Joyforia, a warm and floral scent with notes of vanilla, coconut and ylang-ylang. However, for those who prefer something more woody, go for the Magic Energy, with notes of bergamot and palo santo.
Shop from April 30th at Charlotte Tilbury
The Jones Road Miracle Balms might have put the brand on the map, but this month we’ve got our eye on the new tinted Lippie Sticks. For those who enjoy a traditional twist up lip balm, this thick stick is perfect for nourishing lips while still giving a subtle wash of color. For those who like a deep shade, the Blackberry tint is ideal for a just-bitten finish. But for those who are looking for something light for the spring season, Buff is the perfect peachy pink. Available in 11 different shades, the balm (made from plant-based oils and cocoa butter) is best for those looking to achieve a barely-there beauty look, engineered by a mastermind makeup artist.
Spring may have just arrived, but Damson Madder is going full high summer with the launch of its Golden Hour collection this month. Featuring 22 pieces of 100% cotton clothing, the color palette is all about bright, sun-inspired shades, including pink striped linen pants, orange broderie co-ords and cherry red mini dresses. Food is also a major motif in the collection, with papaya- and lemon-printed shorts and shirts standing as some of the standout styles. For those searching for something to wear for their first dip of the year, the swimwear is another major draw, thanks to its cocktail-themed bikinis and leopard-print shirred swimsuits.
UGG is synonymous with utilitarian winter boots, but thanks to the Tasman silhouette getting the It-Girl seal of approval (Selena Gomez is a fan!), the brand is back into the forefront of fashionable footwear. For the spring/summer season, the footwear brand is stepping away from the shearling linings and into the world of hot weather-appropriate styles thanks to a new collaboration with Collina Strada. Teaming up with the New York designer, the latest collection includes six new silhouettes, including floral lace-up sandals, Mary-Janes with spiked silver hardware and beaded flamingo-printed clogs. Bonus: The colorful collection is entirely vegan.
Okay, the Inkey List may have made their name with super-affordable face products, but now, the internet-favorite brand is taking their talents over to body care. The first of the two products is the PHA Exfoliating and Hydrating Body Water Cream, a daily-use two-in-one lotion that promises to to exfoliate and add moisture with its non-comedogenic formula (ideal for those with breakout prone backs and chests). However, Inkey’s second body care product is the one we have our eye on, promising to target skin concerns like KP bumps, ingrown hairs and breakouts. The Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick, which comes in a deodorant-like formula, combines spot-fighting salicylic acid with glycolic acid and shea butter to tackle rough skin in all forms.
Known best for its array of Hailey Bieber-approved earrings, Heaven Mayhem is now making waves with its belt category. Featuring eight new statement designs, the newest collection is animal inspired and features glistening gold and silver hardware. For those wanting a sexy adornment, the Los Angeles brand has a premium pebbled cream leather design with an 18k gold-plated buckle. For those who enjoy a more simple silhouette, there’s the chic bean belt with a thin waistband and smooth stone-shaped detailing.
When you think of Cartier, you likely think of the two-tone Panthère watch or the Love bracelet. But while Cartier might be most famous for its array of iconic jewelry, it also has a selection of luxury leather accessories. This April, the brand has launched a new luxury tote bag in two tasty colorways, including a deep cherry red and midnight black. Featuring elaborate embroidery with the maison’s initials, the large tote bag features a detachable leather pouch on the inside for extra storage. Created using textured calfskin, both designs feature a golden hot-stamped “Cartier” signature on the inside, for that added sprinkle of elegance.
Shop now at Cartier
Nike x Bode Team Up For Bode Rec.
Nike’s latest designer collab is here. The athletic brand has joined forces with luxury New York-based label Bode for Bode Rec., a capsule collection that brings a playful retro vibe to sportswear essentials: track jackets, woven shorts, jerseys, and more. There’s now sold-out collection also includes a new take on the Nike Astrograbber, a waffle-soled sneaker style that dates back to the ’70s but hasn’t been rereleased since then.
We all know that SPF is important all year round, but as the sun starts to rear its head a little more in spring, it’s something we should be seriously focusing on. Skincare brand Kate Somerville has a new formula just in time for the changing of the seasons, promising a hydrating and illuminating finish. Containing a high concentration of zinc oxide to protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays, the product also includes ectoin, a nourishing amino acid that supports the skin barrier and aims to combat skin damage caused by pollution. Plus with a light tint added into the formula, the SPF also promises to rid any white cast for a natural radiant finish that suits all skin tones.
Mild spoilers forChallengersahead. The logos in the opening scenes of Challengers come flying as fast as the serves between the protagonists of Luca Guadagnino’s new film about a tennis player love triangle. There is the crisp-white Uniqlo uniform and On sneakers worn by pro player Art (Mike Faist). Then there are the Cartier watch and Chanel espadrille flats that his wife and coach, Tashi (Zendaya), flashes as she watches the match. While the couple oozes success with their carefully crafted exterior and undeniable wealth signifiers, on the other end of the net, down-on-his-luck (and last buck) player Patrick (Josh O’Connor) screams anti-establishment with his mismatched plaid shorts and “Impatto” muscle tee. Before the viewers get a sense of the trio’s history, the characters are defined instantly by the costumes, created by Loewe and JW Anderson designer Jonathan Anderson.
As a costume designer, Anderson used clothes to tell the part love, part coming-of-age, part competition story. When Tashi’s backstory is built out, 13 years prior to the opening scenes, she is already a presence and a famous face with a promising career ahead of her. This is reflected in her meticulously put-together clothing choices as the then 18-year-old seamlessly goes from sporting a spotless white Adidas tennis dress for a junior championship match to a jacquard blue evening dress with black tulle detailing to celebrate her win. While Tashi has a carefully curated image and a strong sense of self from the moment the viewers meet her, Art, and Patrick, who have no qualms about pursuing the same woman, are the epitome of carefree boyishness, sporting ill-fitting polo shirts, khakis, and jeans when they are not in sports brands ranging from Nike and New Balance.
The clothing evolves, as do the characters. As Tashi finds confidence and a new sense of power following an injury that ends her tennis career, she trades her preppy tennis skirts and dresses and Stanford Athletics for a new uniform — one made of quiet luxury-esque knits, tailored pants and jeans, and stilettos. In pursuit of a similar picture-perfect image, Art, too, trades his mismatched sports separates for matching sets and a put-together off-duty look fitting of a champion in the making (and worthy of Tashi’s approval). Meanwhile, Patrick, who remains steadfast in his pursuit to play tennis for the joy of it, continues to wear the “I Told Ya” shirt — a nod to a shirt worn by John F. Kennedy Jr., who inspired O’Connor’s character, according to Anderson — he once shared with Tashi.
Anderson’s touches are all over the film, from the can’t-miss-if-you-tried placement of Uniqlo (even the wristbands boast the logo), which his label JW Anderson has an ongoing collaboration with, to the appearance of the Loewe Flamenco bag and On sneakers that the Spanish luxury label has partnered with. When it comes to his designs, Anderson is a master of subversion (see: the custom Loewe tennis ball-adorned heels and grass green-colored gown featuring tennis motifs that Zendaya has been wearing as part of the press tour). Rather than leaning into the boring, albeit trendy, tenniscore trend (which is bound to reach a fever pitch following the film’s release), this cheekiness translates into pieces like the aforementioned “I Told Ya” shirt — which, in a brilliant publicity move, will be sold at Loewe starting April 26 — a pink Juicy Couture zip-up jacket that Tashi wears when away from the public eye, and the type of cork-heel platforms that were only acceptable in the late ’00s.
As the tension builds and the clothes are no longer able to mask appearances and hide the true desires of the trio, Tashi breaks her carefully curated image one last time, trading the exquisite silky nightgown she wears with Art for a simple T-shirt that looks borrowed from her junior pro days to meet Patrick in the equivalent of a break point of the film.
The outdoor brand behind the iconic Boat and Tote tote has teamed up with the internet-beloved swimwear brand for a limited-edition collection that has launched today. You’ll find a range of swimsuits (in sizes 2 to 24), coverups (XS to 3X), and accessories, each of which was co-designed to speak to both brands’ customer bases — gorpcore-, adventure- and nature-lovers, and those who love the sophisticated yet playful aesthetic of Summersalt.
The collab lineup includes staple silhouettes and fabrics from both brands in four trendy colorways: Sea Urchin & White Sand (a classic black and white), Calypso & Deep Sea (an on-theme blue), Strawberry (a summery pink), and Sea Foam & Harbor (a bold teal). In terms of styles, Summersalt has reimagined some of its bestselling styles, such as the Perfect Wrap One-Piece and the one-shoulder Sidestroke swimsuit. Meanwhile, L.L.Bean has offered its soft and airy 100-percent cotton Cloud Gauze material for the cover-up pieces, which range from a mini skirt to wide-leg pants, a cropped button-up T-shirt, and a button-front midi dress. The collection also includes the Perfect Wrap Tankini Top, a brand-new swimwear silhouette.
The capsule also includes men’s swim trunks, children’s styles, rash guards, and beach-ready accessories, like bucket hats, folding chairs, sandals, towels, inflatable paddle boards, and, of course, a special edition of the classic L.L.Bean tote bag.
According to the press release, this marks the largest collaboration for both brands, and it’s the first time that a Summersalt collab has resulted in pieces beyond swimsuits and coverups. Previously, Summersalt has teamed up with designers like Tanya Taylor, Markarian, Diane von Furstenberg, and more to reimagine its trademark swimwear, while L.L.Bean and Blundstone created an ultra-functional Chelsea boot together just last fall.
L.L.Bean x Summersalt is available to shop online at llbean.com and summersalt.com now, with prices ranging from $20 to $650.
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Just in time for your seasonal wardrobe refresh, Uniqlo and JW Anderson have released a spring/summer 2024 collection that’s filled with wardrobe staples. The latest drop from this long-running designer partnership is serving up practical, timeless pieces that will ease your morning dressing woes and keep your wardrobe looking fresh. Think: flowy midi skirts, light jackets and layerable tops — all with a designer-level attention to detail.
The collection — available to shop since April 18 — is all about simple transitional pieces that shine. “For this season we drew inspiration from 1940s through 1960s Britain to showcase garment craftsmanship and durability,” Anderson said in a press release, while also referencing traditional British furniture (namely its simplicity and primary colors) as another form of inspiration.
The collection offers smart additions to any capsule wardrobe, from classic silhouettes like A-line skirts and relaxed-fit pants, to spring-appropriate fabrics including sheer cottons and linen blends. To help you navigate the newness we’ve rounded up our five favorite items from the collection, along with our own styling tips, too.
Scroll on to explore the Uniqlo x JW Anderson spring/summer 2024 drop, plus all the pieces we’ve got our eyes on.
This jacket packs a lot of potential into one piece. While the oversized fit makes it easy to style, its versatility lies in the drawstring hem and adjustable silhouette (the collar can be worn up or down). Available in off-white and navy blue, you can breezily throw this jacket over any spring outfit.
A short-sleeved sweater is the spring layering hack we didn’t know we needed. As with all Uniqlo x JW Anderson pieces, details like colorblock stripes and subtle logo embroidery take it from a simple basic to a stylish staple. Plus it’s available in black, white and canary yellow— one in every color, yeah?
Schoolgirl kilts, though on trend, aren’t always the easiest to style, especially in warmer weather. This skirt has elements of the same casual, youthful aesthetic, with more movement and breathability thanks to its linen-blend composition. Bonus points for the belt-strap detailing, which was all over the fall 2024 runways.
This blouse ticks lots of boxes: it can be easily layered, dressed up and down, and has a trendy edge with its semi-sheer fabric. Pair with a vest or waistcoat, fitted trousers and platform loafers for an office look, or with a mini skirt or shorts for a casual weekend outfit.
Add a belt to a shift dress and you’ve got a timeless piece for years to come. This dress, which can be tied at the front or the back, is the quintessential throw-on-and-go style. Wear with knee-high boots and a leather jacket for cooler weather, and trainers and ankle socks for a casual, sporty look.
Uniqlo x JW Anderson’s SS24 collection is available on the Uniqlo site, here.
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