Art & Fashion

It's not anything new, but it is making a public comeback - more and more men are proudly painting their nails. Whether it's keeping up with the fashion or defiant self-expression, nail art is no longer exclusive to feminine identity. Actors, rappers, and rockstars alike are donning a fresh set. It's hard to deny that male nail art is resurging. Just look at the Met Gala this year, where mainstream celebrities like Harry Styles donned a turquoise and black gel mani. Or Jared Leto's frequent paparazzi sightings catch him with varying bright licks of a coat. Take a look at the men who are defying double standards, and how they're going about enamel art.

The rise of thrifting; we've all been witness to it. What was once a shameful secret is now a booming business with a considerable future. Buying second hand-clothes has been a way to repurpose someone's unwanted items where they are new and interesting to another. Thrifting also allows you to discover the original vintage items you would otherwise try to raid your mom's closet for. Online consignment and thrift store ThredUp predicts that the sector could swell up to $51 billion by 2023, over double than its worth in 2018. And this popularity surge in used clothes is good news for the planet, as less demand for new and "fast" fashion means a reduction in the environmental impact.

In light of much political and social unrest in Hong Kong, visual art is acting as an outlet for expression and a force for uniting a community. "Seek truth from facts;" once a Chinese philosophical statement, it was adopted by Mao as he encouraged the nation to "emancipate" their minds. Its relevance has circled back around amidst mass dissatisfaction in the country, as the public come together to protest undemocratic practices. "Recent incidences have really demonstrated the amazing tenacity, unity, and integrity of the Hong Kong people, and I have never been so proud to count myself as one of them," claims artist Oliver Chang. While a large proportion of Hong Kong's citizens fight for their freedoms and rights, there is a solace to be found in the voice of the community. Take a look at some of the visual art coming out of the rebellion movement.

The term "hyper-realism" emerged in the '70s as a descriptive for the super-realistic works of art and sculpture that was growing in resurgence. Today, hyper-realistic artists are using their jaw-dropping skills to create works of art that supersede details seen by the naked eye. There are a few sculptors that have been pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved, using a variety of materials and a boat-load of patience to execute their ideas flawlessly. Take a look at the must-know contemporary artists that are challenging people's perception of reality with their exceptional talent.

The peacock chair has taken its seat in history, the wicker style furniture was popular during the Victorian era, and has been around for thousands of years. So how did this unlikely pop culture prop start becoming the ultimate fashion accessory for high society people and celebrities alike?

Kanye's certainly created something of a running meme with his controversial fashion line Yeezy, and his footwear collaboration with Adidas has been no exception to public scrutiny. In light of Paris Fashion Week, people are ever-more curious as to what lies in store for his line. You'll be all too familiar with the Adidas Yeezy Boost sneaker and it's signature textile fit, but you'll likely not be aware of the leaked information about what's to come! At Popular Everything, we're bringing you the 2020 prospective for Yeezy footwear - sure to be accompanied by a hefty price tag!

Far away in a secluded Southern California desert lies miraculous display of psychedelic painted folk art displayed on a 150 feet wide and 50 feet tall mountain of trash. However this mystical mountain has a deeper meaning.

You might not know it yet, but you've likely had many run-ins with the concept of Afrofuturism. At Popular Everything, we're bringing you a necessary overview of the philosophy and aesthetic whose growing interest sees it further represented across the spectrum and acknowledged as important. Music, fashion, art, and film - Afrofuturism has exploded on to the scene of mainstream media and we're grateful it's being seen. Today, it defines conversations or depictions of the African diaspora in a futuristic context. But more than just representing Black people in science fiction, it imagines a future where African/Afrodiasporic culture is celebrated.

Brooklyn based Doreen Garner is a tattoo artist, performance artist and contemporary sculptor who is using her talents to facilitate community and inclusion. In her tattoo parlor, Invisible Man Tattoo, she has created a platform that specializes in catering to the black community. "I had always felt uncomfortable in most tattoo shops," she admits. The lack of representation in the inked community became her catalyst for creating a Black-friendly, as well as female-friendly, space where people of color would feel welcome and safe.