Futuristic throwbacks and fast fashion nightmares: what I’ve saved on Instagram this week

Every Monday, our Deputy Digital Editor trawls through her saturated ‘saved’ folder on Instagram and recaps her thoughts on the week’s weird and wonderful social media happenings. This week? Abstract art and extra-long captions

This exciting new exhibition from the best of Irish design

As a long-time follower of Helen Cody (she even featured on our fashion podcast Smart Casual, don’t you know), I’ve known about her love and support of ARC Cancer Support for a while now, and of course, the brilliant fashion-focused events she curates to help the cause.

It looks like 2019, though, will be one to remember, as I spotted the details of a very special photography exhibition kicking off at the end of this month in Dublin’s Dawson Street.

Who is featured, I hear you ask? Oh, just Richard Malone, Simone Rocha, Philip Treacy, Natalie B. Coleman, Paula Rowan and many, many more. You know, legends only. From September 26, with all the proceeds going straight to ARC.

A sharp tribute to Peter Lindbergh

Fashion lost one of its greatest stars last week, as legendary photographer Peter Lindbergh passed away on Tuesday. His work was featured in Harper’s Bazaar, the Pirelli Calendar, and of course Vogue, where he was often credited with kicking off the Age of the Supermodel, with his 1990 British Vogue cover starring Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz, Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington.

It seemed a cruel irony that his final cover was British Vogue‘s September issue just last month — still producing work as fresh and as interesting right up until the end. Instagram was flooded with tributes to the man last week, but this photo, taken 29 years ago in Brooklyn, New York, was just magic. Featured on the Sunday Times Style Magazine‘s Instagram.

A futuristic throwback to the iconic Paco Rabanne mini dresses

I did a double-take when I saw this caption paired with this photo.

Posted by velvetcoke, a throwback account specialising in 20th-century pop culture with 859,000 followers, the gold chain-mail mini dress wouldn’t look out of place in our upcoming October issue, when in fact, it dates back to the swinging sixties.

Paco Rabanne’s metallic creations were certainly of the future then, but have stood the test of time and are still serving as our inspiration for party season.

A shocking statistic about the state of fast fashion

We’re a fashion magazine. Of course, we’re excited about Fashion Month. We’re now in full swing, and looking ahead to our closest neighbour’s schedule next week, but this statistic by Business of Fashion got me thinking.

While designer clothing may have less to answer for than its online fast fashion counterparts, the over-the-top bi-annual indulgence of fashion weeks around the world certainly doesn’t help the planet.

Even when you draw away from the clothes themselves, the environmental impact of travel to shows; the logistics of events; the noise and air pollution of an influx of influencers are black marks against fashion’s already darkened reputation against the planet.

It’s no coincidence that Sustainable September clashes with fashion weeks — which are you tuning into?

A head-scratcher (in the best way) of a quote

Ah, the age-old question of what do you want to be when you grow up? Does anyone ever actually figure this out? I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that we don’t.

The idea of flow – that elusive state of mind where the task you’re completing fully immerses you, and you pay it full, undivided and joyful attention – is something most of us stop feeling when we reach adulthood. Too many bills to be paid for any of that.

But what if we brought back some flow into our daily routines? And what would your flow state stem from if you did?

Answering the above quote, I’m pretty sure mine was doodling — I’ll get the pencils on my way home.

Read more: Peter Lindbergh: supermodels pay tribute to a fashion legend

Read more: The best vintage finds as worn by IMAGE staffers

Read more: Posting your self-care routine on Instagram is not self-care