Posts in category: Life Style

Your past may be haunting you, Aries, and that is completely okay. It is normal to look back and wish we did things differently. It is normal to feel bad about our decisions in hindsight. It is only human to do this. However, it is also up to us to turn the page and write a new story. You are safeguarded, you are loved and you are watched over. Your fears around commitment, love or even heightened emotions may be stemming from past wounds, but you can really ask your Angels and the cosmos to intervene and help you heal. Give it to the Universe for healing to welcome a much needed secure change in life.

Cosmic tip: Cherish your friendships and relationships without fear of loss. With mutual watering, everything gets better.

Rihanna chose a very fashionable way to announce her third pregnancy: the 2025 Met Gala red carpet.

Tonight, the singer and Fenty founder showed off her baby bump in a Miu Miu dress as she departed the Carlyle Hotel to walk the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the first Monday in May.

After all, she had to show up and support her man, A$AP Rocky, who is serving as one of the stylish co-chairs this year. And in typical Riri fashion, she did not disappoint with her own look.

Rihanna has always enjoyed a high-profile pregnancy moment: she announced her first while wearing a hot pink Chanel puffer jacket and ornate body chains. A little over a month later, she showed up at the Dior show wearing a sheer black lace babydoll dress that showed off both her stomach and her lingerie underneath. “When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself, There’s no way I’m going to go shopping in no maternity aisle. I’m sorry—it’s too much fun to get dressed up. I’m not going to let that part disappear because my body is changing,” she told Vogue at the time about her pregnancy style.

This will be her third child with partner A$AP Rocky. Currently, they have an almost three-year-old son RZA and a one-year-old son Riot Rose.

As a seven-time Met Gala attendee, Rihana is a seasoned pro at delivering a head-turning fashion moment on the Met steps. When she first attended in 2007, she went the more classic and glamorous route in a white empire-waist Georges Chakra dress, complete with rhinestone embellishments. As the years have progressed, however, her Met Gala looks have only gotten more elaborate and avant-garde.

One of her most famous Met Gala looks to date was back in 2015, when Rihanna hit the red carpet in a yellow Guo Pei coat-dress featuring an elaborate 16-foot train. In 2018, for “Heavenly Bodies,” she made internet waves in a Maison Margiela papal look. For her most recent appearance, meanwhile—at the 2023 Karl Lagerfeld-themed exhibition—she chose a white Valentino floral cape and gown.

Tonight, however, she and Rocky proved yet again that the Met is their event. Everyone else comes close.

There are few urges as powerful, and as poorly timed, as the sudden need to change your hair. Sometimes it’s heartbreak, sometimes it’s boredom, sometimes it’s a fleeting obsession with a trending cut, like the slicked bob that’s everywhere this spring. And sometimes, it’s just that your current hairstyle feels like an emotional burden you can no longer carry.

For me, it was time. I’ve been through the works—pixie cuts, waist-length waves, even a few regrettable experiments with purple and green (orange was an accident, we don’t talk about her). But one thing I hadn’t revisited in years? Bangs.

What you should know before cutting a fringe

So why had I never tried bangs? The main culprit: my natural curls. They aren’t exactly bang-friendly. They’re tricky to cut, high-maintenance to style, and generally prone to chaos. And what kind of fringe even works with curls? There are trends, of course. Curtain bangs are especially popular in 2025, breezy and face-framing. But when you’re getting them for the first time, it has to be about what suits you, not just what’s on the moodboard.

Which is exactly why we made our way to Wiesbaden to meet Alexander von Trentini. He’s the man behind the hair of global celebrities, including Leni Klum, and styles clients at Coachella. His golden rule? No cutting bangs on a whim. Get proper advice, find the right shape for your face and hair texture, and most importantly, don’t underestimate the styling commitment.

#1 Pick a style that suits your face shape

According to the expert, the first step is understanding your face shape and choosing a fringe that balances it out. “It’s important that bangs complement your features,” says von Trentini. “For example, if you have a round face, the bangs should angle outwards to create the illusion of a heart shape. Beth Ditto is a great example, her fringe frames her face beautifully. If your face is long and narrow, go for something softer, like curtain bangs or longer fringes that skim the sides of your face to add width.”

This year, wispy bangs are especially popular. They’re feather-light, fall gently across the forehead, and suit a range of face shapes. They offer a soft-focus effect that looks just as good with your hair down as it does tied up.

#2 Consider your hair texture

Your face shape matters when you’re cutting bangs, but your natural hair texture plays just as big a role, especially with bangs. “It’s something you should always discuss with your hairdresser beforehand,” says von Trentini. “Ask if the fringe you want is realistic for your hair type. Do you have enough density in the front to pull it off? Or could the hair actually be too thick, making it bulky and hard to style? Sometimes the temples are too sparse, or there are gaps that expose the scalp. In that case, a full fringe might not be the best option.”

#3 Curls and bangs can work, but there’s a method to the madness

Bangs and curls aren’t the easiest pairing, but they can work beautifully with the right approach. “The first decision is whether you want to keep the fringe curly or style it straight,” explains von Trentini. “If you’re keeping it curly, the key is to avoid pulling the hair down with tension while cutting. That’ll only cause the fringe to bounce up and sit far too short. Instead, gently pinch the curls and check how much they spring back before making any cuts.”

Every year, event planner Raul Ávila is given a daunting task: to transform the Met Gala interiors into an otherworldly spectacle. For 2019’s “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” he created a 25-foot flamboyant flamingo centrepiece comprised of 30,000 flowers. In 2018, he erected a rose recreation of a papal crown for “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.” And those are just examples of floral formations: In 2007, for “Poiret: King of Fashion,” he filled a gilded birdcage with live peacocks. Minor chaos ensued when one escaped. “Everyone at the museum was chasing after her to get her back into the cage,” he recalled.

Each event brings an adventure: in 2013, Ávila and his team flew in a chandelier from London and rigged it with razor blades for that year’s punk-themed bash, and ‘Heavenly Bodies’ saw the Met’s grand staircase alight with thousands of candles. Then there are the table settings: 2019, for example, saw tablescapes with bamboo flatware, feather lampshades, floral plates and shocking pink tablecloths.

2023’s soirée, ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,’ honoured the Chanel creative director with its decor. The Temple of Dendur boasted a set that resembled Lagerfeld’s home library, while the tablescapes took aesthetic cues from the famous wedding reception he threw for Paloma Picasso. Meanwhile, 2024 saw Ávila and the Vogue special events team turn the Temple of Dendur into an enchanted forest.

This year’s event—‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’—and its sure-to-be fantastical decor will take place on May 5. So until then, take a spin through the Met Gala interiors throughout the years, from 2005’s Chanel-themed soiree to the most recent affair in 2024.

Sleeping Beauty: Reawakening Fashion

Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty

In America: An Anthology of Fashion and A Lexicon of Fashion

Camp: Notes on Fashion

Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination

Rei Kawakuno /Comme des Garçons: Art of The In-Between

Manus X Machina: Fashion In An Age of Technology

China: Through The Looking Glass

Charles James: Beyond Fashion

Punk: Chaos to Couture

Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity

The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion

Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy

Poiret: King of Fashion

Anglomania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion

Chanel

This article first appeared on Vogue.com

Blood of Zeus storms back for its third and final season, and it’s not holding back. With the Titans unleashed and Kronos (voiced by Alfred Molina) eyeing a cosmic comeback, Olympus is in full-blown crisis mode. Heron, our reluctant demigod hero, is once again caught between divine dysfunction and epic destiny, juggling newfound powers, godly politics and more backstabbing than a Greek tragedy should reasonably allow. Known for turning ancient mythology on its head with audacity and flair, this season promises thunderous battles, emotional farewells and secrets that could rewrite the godly rulebook.

Streaming on Netflix

Forever (May 8)

Cosmic tip: Embrace your multifaceted, unique nature.

Your mind is crafting new worlds into life, and here you are, wishing and hoping it all comes about. At the threshold of something new and exciting, Leo, the trick of the game is for you to be in the world but not of it. Detachment may feel challenging, however, that is the simplest way to supercharge your manifestation electrons. When you want something, instead of letting it consume you, ask yourself why you feel you are not worthy of receiving it and work on healing that part of your being – and through this, you will master detachment because you will subconsciously realise that whatever you wish is here if you simply open your door.

Cosmic tip: It’s time for deep healing, you are ready.

You may be feeling like you’ve plateaued in life, Virgo – you’ve gone about sowing seeds, you’ve looked after your closest chosen few, you’ve also sort of sunk into a comfortable spot in your life. However, even though comfort is not the problem, you either seek something more, or fear losing it all. For now, your angels remind you – Enough of thinking about how others would feel, enough with making someone else’s voice in your head louder than yours, and enough worrying about how you are perceived in the world. When you shut down from the outside world, your intuition will tell you different stories about yourself. That is the truth of it all. Hold onto that and make your way through life.

Cosmic tip: Your fears around abundance and relationships are unlikely to materialise.

Its as though you’ve been doing some aerial yoga in life, suspended in mid air and now you are consumed by a flickering idea or thought that you’ve really marinated in. Libra, it is now time to see this through from step one to step ten and marvel at your skills and abilities to get this done effectively and speedily. You may feel blank or as though you don’t know where exactly you are headed, however, remember that as you make a move, the Universe will make one too. And before you know it, you would have already walked a mile in this direction. Be it a relationship or any other opportunity – don’t overthink it.

“I am still grappling with becoming completely comfortable with my body,” says Sonam Kapoor. “I’ve always had a battle with body image, and I think it’ll go on for the rest of my life, like most girls and boys.”

It’s a soft, quiet admission. One that feels both intimate and universal, coming from a woman who’s been the subject of endless scrutiny for over a decade. And yet, there’s no drama, no self-pity. She continues, “I truly feel like you need to love yourself and I am constantly trying to do that,” before adding, “I have to stop being hard on myself like everybody else.”

Her beauty rituals reflect that quiet tenderness, an attempt at softness in a world that often demands perfection. “I like my silk eye mask, my silk pillowcase, silk Dior pyjamas. It’s all silk.” A seemingly indulgent collection, but it’s a choice grounded in practicality, too. Silk, unlike cotton, keeps moisture locked in, preventing hair breakage and skin dehydration. There’s an elegance to the simplicity of it all, but also a deeply personal commitment to nurturing herself through comfort and care.

Her hair care is equally thoughtful. She shares a recipe her family has been mixing for years: “Almond oil, vitamin E and coconut oil.” It’s become a staple she turns to more frequently these days. The blend speaks to the simplicity of nature’s offerings: almond oil for strength and shine, coconut oil for hydration, and vitamin E for protection. More than ingredients, they are a part of a ritual, a mindful pause in the rush of daily life.

As for beauty trends, her clear stance is refreshingly grounded. Overnight sheet masks? “So uncomfortable.” Facial icing? “It’s not as good as people think it is. You’d rather go and do cryotherapy on your face.” And a hard pass on heavy contouring. “I’m all for the natural look.” Her preferences feel more like a quiet rebellion against an often loud and aggressive beauty culture. She gravitates towards authenticity, a preference for what feels right over what’s trending.

Motherhood, of course, has brought its own set of shifts. “I was unsettled, so I spent the night with my sister,” recalls Sonam Kapoor, reflecting on a moment of vulnerability while her husband was away. “Companionship is necessary.” The transition to motherhood has altered her routine, too—no longer rigid, but more fluid, adaptive. A change that’s not just physical but emotional. Her wellness rituals, be it oil pulling or drying brushing in the morning, now exist between obligation and self-care, grounded in the chaos and the quiet moments alike.

“Influenzaaaa,” a friend jokingly commented on one of my posts, poking fun at how I’d suddenly become so consistent with my Instagram updates. It was meant to be playful, but it made me feel conscious, judged. After the release of my debut romance novel, Red Flags and Rishtas, I knew that building a personal brand on Instagram was crucial to market the book and connect with authors and readers worldwide. It felt like a no-brainer. I started posting every day, stepping out of my comfort zone to experiment with reels and trends. But as I spent more time curating my digital presence, I quickly noticed that not everyone around me was as supportive as I had hoped. What began as a professional effort to expand my reach soon became a source of surprising tension. Some peers unfollowed or muted me, presumably because I was posting too much, others questioned why I was dedicating so much energy online instead of focusing on writing.

And they weren’t entirely wrong. I would have loved to invest all that time into writing my next book, but what’s the point of that if it wouldn’t find its audience? As much as ‘serious artists’ don’t like to admit, social media is the most powerful marketing tool in this digital age, and ignoring it isn’t the smartest decision. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, freelancer or artist, visibility is currency. More followers mean more opportunities, more connections, more impact and more sales. And that’s the motivation driving so many people today to build a presence on social media. It’s not about living a glamorous life, scoring freebies or travelling the world like influencers of the past. “People often confuse consistency with craving attention. But building a brand—especially a personal brand on Instagram—takes strategy, creativity and consistency,” says Smriti Agarwal, founder of wedding social media brand Mush Me Too. At times, you may even wonder if your friends are secretly laughing at your feeble attempts to increase your followers or worse, dissecting it on a group chat with you. Put on blinders. “If someone sees it as ‘wannabe influencing,’ that’s their lens. I know it’s passion, not performance,” Agarwal adds.

When your online journey starts moving beyond personal expression and into a more niche, business-driven space, some people—even those you think of as friends—will inevitably drop off, and that’s okay. For Samarth Khanna, founder of fashion brand Kaleshkari, this is a natural part of the process—what they like to think of as digital ‘natural selection’. “If people are not engaging with my content or are unfollowing me, then that means that this is not the kind of content they want to see. I don’t take it personally. It’ll only take me closer to the kind of community that I do want to build,” they explain.

Blake Lively wears Atelier Versace and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry at The 2022 Met Gala celebrating In America: An Anthology of Fashion. The annual event was held at the The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 2, 2022.. (Photo by Chris Polk/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)WWD/Getty Images

2021: In America: A Lexicon of Fashion

Andrew Bolton, The Costume Institute’s Wendy Yu Curator in Charge, told Vogue he centered 2021’s event around the question “who gets to be American?” which was originally posed on a red, white, and blue silk sash from Prabal Gurung’s tenth anniversary collection. “American designers are at the forefront of conversations around diversity, inclusivity, sustainability, gender fluidity, and body positivity,” he said. “The framework of the show enables us to focus on the younger designers who are engaging thoughtfully and deeply with those ideas.” It included over 100 pieces from American designers, ranging from Marc Jacobs to La Réunion.

Guests included co-chairs Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman, and Naomi Osaka, who abided by the night’s official dress code: American independence.

2020: “About Time: Fashion and Duration”

The 2020 gala was postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic, but its theme is still worth revisiting: In honour of the Met’s 150th anniversary, “About Time” took a look back at a century-and-a-half’s worth of fashion. Bolton found inspiration in Orlando, the 1992 film based on the Virginia Woolf novel of the same name. “What I like about Woolf’s version of time is the idea of a continuum,” Bolton said. “There’s no beginning, middle, or end. It’s one big fat middle. I always felt the same about fashion. Fashion is the present.”

2019: “Camp: Notes on Fashion”

For 2019’s exhibition, Bolton drew on Susan Sontag’s seminal 1964 essay, “Notes on ‘Camp’.” The essay describes a sensibility marked by performance, excess, and a kind of winking bad taste exemplified by figures like Oscar Wilde and outré aesthetic movements such as Art Nouveau. Among the pieces on display were dazzling looks from Off-White, Schiaparelli, Moschino, Dior, Thom Browne, and lots more.

2018: “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”

2018’s divine theme had hundreds of holy items on display, including dozens of artifacts and objects sent over from the Vatican (most of which had never seen the light beyond Rome). Guests rose to the occasion at the annual gala, with Rihanna dressing as the pope and Katy Perry as an angel (wings and all).

2017: “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between”

The Met gala toasted the legendary Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo and featured her “objects,” as she likes to call them. Some guests, like Rihanna and Caroline Kennedy, stuck to the theme and sported original pieces, while others interpreted the topic through other designers. The event was co-chaired by Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams.

2016: “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology”

The Met Gala 2016 event went back to the future with tech at the forefront. Stars like Claire Danes literally lit up the ball in a glowing gown, while Emma Watson wore a five-piece Calvin Klein Collection set, which was made from recycled plastic bottles. The exhibition itself focused on the dichotomy between handmade and machine-made fashion, displaying more than 100 pieces of haute couture and ready-to-wear.

2015: “China: Through the Looking Glass”

The 2015 gala celebrated China’s influence on Western fashion with a theme fit for an emperor. The exhibition was a joint effort between the head of the museum’s Department of Asian Art and the Costume Institute, showing looks from Chanel, Alexander McQueen, and Christian Dior Haute Couture. Attendees from George and Amal Clooney to Rihanna (wearing a stunning yellow robe by Chinese designer Guo Pei) dressed on-theme for a night at the museum.

2014: “Charles James: Beyond Fashion”

The museum celebrated a major figure in the fashion world, but one less known to the general public. The Charles James theme was lively and highly anticipated, with a display of 100 of his most important designs. Co-chaired by Sarah Jessica Parker, Bradley Cooper, and Oscar de la Renta, the 2014 party was filled with ball gowns of the sleek and larger-than-life variety.

Lately, Bhumi Pednekar’s experiments with diverse silhouettes and accents have resulted in an intriguing moodboard of hues and textures. One ensemble that stood out in the parade was the champagne-gold sari by Ekaya Banaras that she wore to the WAVES Summit held in Mumbai.

The liquid-gold ensemble from the designer’s ‘Pastels’ collection relied heavily on the intricate detailing of French lace and Banarasi textiles. Handwoven in pure tissue silk, it featured one of the oldest weaving techniques of Banaras–silver jangla work that is characterised by a dense network of creepers, flowers, and jaal.

A modern nod to the weave steeped in centuries of tradition was the sleeveless blouse featuring a keyhole cutout at the centre. The actor chose to centre the look with a gold bangle and statement earrings adorned with blue stones and pearls. Her hair and makeup were kept appropriately unfussy: soft waves and dewy, nude tones perfect for summer.

Whether traditional or contemporary, of late, Pednekar’s picks have consistently leaned into a summery palette of pastel colours. Think back to her recent appearance in an ivory satin gown by Surya Sarkar, styled with a diamond choker and earrings, or her gold tissue kurta set by Dhaaga & Co., that celebrated chikankari and kamdani embroidery. Metal, pastel, and lightness have come together to define her key wardrobe choices.