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Business of Fashion
15 hours ago
- Health
- Business of Fashion
Beauty's Great Menopause Conundrum
In the early to mid 20th century, beauty brands such as Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein touted an ingredient that later became long-lost: Oestrogen. A 1949 ad for Arden's Joie de Vivre hormone cream warned that '30 is often the critical age for beauty,' telling women just exiting their 20s that they needed the cream's 'abundant supply' of 'natural hormones.' Regulations classifying oestrogen as a drug helped to bring an end to the fad at the beauty counter. But more recently, oestrogen skin creams are back in full force, thanks to telemedicine startups like Alloy and Midi, with more on the way. They join a wider wave of wellness and beauty labels tapping into opportunities in skincare, telemedicine and hormone alternatives such as All Golden, Naomi Watts' Stripes and Womanness. Investors see big profit potential for an underserved consumer, driven by celebrity- and influencer-led visibility and retailer demand. A report by women's health VC firm Amboy St. Ventures valued the US menopause wellness market at $131 billion in 2025, calling the category an overlooked 'ghost market' estimated to include around 63 million US women. In September 2024, Ulta Beauty launched menopause wellness brand Joylux and expanded it to 300 physical stores this month, growing a roster of brands that started with Womaness in 2022. Walgreens released a torrent of advertisements this summer intending to 'reframe' the stage — #MenopauseIsHot — and directing customers to the supplements and medicines stocked in its pharmacy. 'They're really doubling down on women's wellness, and specifically menopause, because that really resonates with their customer base,' said Joylux founder and CEO Colette Courtion. But whether brands can successfully marry menopause with beauty is another question. Some early companies in the space have already shuttered or had to relaunch, and newcomers have honed their messaging and widened their audiences. They also face challenges speaking to customers who have long felt ignored, or overmarketed to. 'There's, unfortunately, a lot of mistrust, gaslighting and dismissal of women in the health care system today, especially when it comes to menopause,' said Ally Tam Tumasova, a former investor who left the VC world to co-found the menopause wellness platform Respin Health with actress Halle Berry. Can Beauty Mix With Menopause? Beauty and wellness have long been intertwined, but menopause is a category where their links are strongest, tying together endocrine system support with claims about looking and feeling better. Demand for these prescriptions has led directly to a boom in hormone telemedicine startups like Alloy and Midi, created in response to women's difficulty in obtaining hormone therapy — and ushering in an oestrogen skincare resurgence. Menopause-focussed company Alloy expanded its two-year-old M4 oestrogen skincare into a multi-product line with serum and eye cream last week. Respin launched hormone telemedicine on July 28 so its audience could access prescription-strength solutions, and later plans to enter skincare with an oestrogen offering in luxe packaging. These join a market of oestrogen skincare offerings from other telemedicine companies like Midi and generalist Musely. 'It was just this really sort of hidden secret that not many people knew about,' said Anne Fulenwider, the co-founder and co-CEO of Alloy Women's Health and former editor in chief of Marie Claire. The 'beautification' of menopause isn't a good idea to everyone. Dr. Jen Gunter, an OB/GYN known for criticisms of Goop's health claims, took aim at the oestrogen face cream market in a February 2025 article for her newsletter 'The Vajenda.' She described the products as 'woefully understudied' and lacking in oversight from the FDA, given the fact that they're made from compounding pharmacies that are frequently used by telemedicine companies. 'It sure seems that for some influencers, the need for women to have quality science is flexible based on what is making money or getting a video to go viral. And right now the gold rush is fueled by [oestrogen] face cream,' she wrote. To address scientific doubts, Alloy commissioned clinical studies in both 2023 and 2025 to back up its claims. The M-Word Beyond telemedicine, early 2020s launches have already resulted in some failures for menopause-centred beauty startups. Glossier's former president Henry Davis created the skincare brand State of Menopause with influencer Stacy London, which closed in 2023, while 'menopause-centric' skincare brand Pause Well-Aging shut down in 2024. Others have undergone revamps. Stripes is still in business after being sold at auction for $500,000 in 2023, while P&G-backed Pepper & Wits was eventually rebranded to Kindra. According to founders who have launched brands for the 40+ shopper since then, the earlier brands were a bit too enthusiastic about using the m-word in their marketing, and are taking a different approach by emphasising positive ageing. 'There are a bunch of brands that really jumped in the market very focussed on menopause, which on the one hand, was great that it wasn't stigmatised and people were talking about it, but on the other hand, it was like, 'Okay, now am I just about my menopause?'' said Sarah Kugelman, who launched skincare brand All Golden for the 45-plus age group in December 2024. (Kugelman previously founded the brand Skyn Iceland, which was acquired by the Amerikas in 2024.) She uses the word menopause 'a little bit' in marketing language, instead focusing on 'well ageing' and product innovation. She's doubled down on TikTok traction for All Golden's full-eye wraparound mask. Others like Jones Road, Sarah Creal Beauty and Yse Beauty have avoided the word, instead positioning themselves as brands for Gen X or 'mature skin.' As Yse Beauty founder Molly Sims told InStyle earlier this year, 'I don't want to talk about beauty during menopause or being someone's grandmother.' Still, the conversation is flourishing as beauty businesses approach the category. Mainstream brands are starting to co-opt the terminology, targeting elder Millennials with discussion of perimenopause: Paula's Choice's offers a Phytoestrogen Elasticity Renewal Serum and L'Oréal-owned Vichy has a Neovadiol Peri-Menopause Day Cream. As celebrity founders and influencers are also helping to drive chatter, some hope that stigmas around talking about menopause are finally waning. 'I didn't even use the word menopause ever on the air as a journalist; we never talked about this,' said Tamsen Fadal, a former broadcast journalist and the author of the book 'How to Menopause,' who discusses menopause with her 1.6 million followers. She's planning on launching her own menopause brand, which she said will be squarely in the wellness arena rather than beauty. 'We just didn't even have the conversations, more or less, the opportunity to use the words.' Sign up to The Business of Beauty newsletter, your complimentary, must-read source for the day's most important beauty and wellness news and analysis.
Graziadaily
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Everyone Is Wearing This Preppy Skirt Style For Summer
It's funny how things you think are completely uncool when you're younger, suddenly become cool again. Take ballet flats, for example. I vividly remember hating the way the shoes looked (particularly those with bows on front), now, lo and behold I'm wearing them with midi skirts, mini dresses and pretty much anything this summer. Another example would be the skinny scarf, which has also done a 180 this year, making a departure from its Disney-actress-pedal-pusher past into something entirely cool again. But, the latest item to transition? The pleated skirt. It's no secret that fashion is very much in its uniform-obsessed era. From the polished tennis whites seen at Wimbledon (no, we're still not over it), to the school playground nostalgia at Miu Miu's spring/summer 2025 runway, where leg warmers were paired with grey blazers and pointed kitten heels, the dress code is unmistakably institutional. Naturally, then, we've been taken with pleated skirts for the summer, and while Miu Miu makes excellent minis, there's another brand making some of the best pleated skirts we've seen. Enter, Moncler. You might not usually associate the brand with frills and femininity, after all, it's a brand that has carved out a reputation for puffer jackets and down coats, but Moncler have somewhat surprisingly nailed the preppy skirt trend with an offering packed full of soft pleats. ©Instagram/@noaestheticc__ Shop: Moncler's Pleated Mini Skirt Cotton Gabardine Pleated Mini Skirt Moncler Price: £460 View offer This pleated skirt is not your average, oh no, it's more feminine than that, thanks to its delicate navy and red braided trim. Lean into its almost sporty aesthetic by pairing it with a tank top or collared blouse. Price: £460 View offer There are four standouts from Moncler's pleated skirt line-up. Two miniskirts – one that leans into the more classic collegiate style, and another that's more sporty. Both are smartly tailored but unfussy, far from the stiff skirts you likely wore to school. Style the beige minis with a boxy t-shirt or a fine-knit tank top and chunky sandals for the summer, and transition into the cooler months by layering an oversized blazer on top. If you're after a longer style, the Pleated Midi Skirt features deeper pleats and a below-the-knee length, which is perfect for styling with chunky loafers and a polo shirt, or dressing up with kitten heels and a boho blouse. Meanwhile, its Wool Blend Pleated Midi Skirt borrows slightly more from your secondary school staple, but it's still equally as chic nonetheless, especially when paired with a fitted roll neck and flat knee-high boots (a staple for a wet summer too). ©Instagram/@thetamiajanaee There's something incredibly ironic in the way Moncler's pleated skirts are trending at the beginning of the summer holidays (although expect the trend to continue well into term time). While classrooms sit empty and uniforms are folded (or most likely, shoved) to the abyss at the back of the wardrobe, designers are doing the exact opposite – leaning into pleats and structure with a new, more grown-up energy, and we're firmly on board. Shop: Moncler's Best-Selling Pleated Skirts Pleated Cotton Blend Mini Skirt Moncler Price: £425 View offer Moncler describes this skirt as a 'nod to collegiate style', mainly because of its pleated design and side zip closure that's reminiscent of the type of skirt you used to wear to school. Made from a cotton blend, style in the summer with platform sandals and a baby tee, and in the cooler months with a roll neck and chunky boots. Price: £425 View offer Pleated Midi Skirt Moncler Price: £640 View offer If you prefer your skirts with a little more coverage, Moncler also has a couple of midi lengths. Its Pleated Midi Skirt has a cool adjustable waist and narrow pleats. Style with chunky loafers and a sheer knit. Price: £640 View offer Main image credit: Instagram/@noaestheticc__ Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she's hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she's going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Vicky Pattison's Wimbledon midi dress is £400 - but we found one that's 75% less
Vicky Pattison wowed at Wimbledon in a £400 chic tailored midi dress from Self Portrait – but we've managed to track down a lookalike that'll save you hundreds of pounds We're almost finished with the first week of Wimbledon, and whilst we might be leaving the actual sport to the tennis pros, one thing we are becoming quite the expert at is tracking down our favourite celebs' Wimbledon outfits. The best dressed stars have been showing up in their chic courtside outfits in droves, and there's been plenty of great ensembles catching our eye. One of the latest looks we've been coveting is Vicky Pattison's, who opted to put a different spin on the tennis whites theme with her light beige Twill Midi Dress from Self Portrait. As much as we love the presenter's gorgeous dress, its £400 price tag may be a little out of budget for some, which is why we were thrilled to see this more affordable option from Karen Millen. The Tailored Polished Cotton Halter Midi Dress is a great alternative to Vicky's tailored Self Portrait dress, coming in the same light beige shade that makes it look sophisticated and smart whilst still being wearable for any occasion. Usually priced at £239, it currently has 40% off, slashing the price to £143.40 and making it almost £260 cheaper than Vicky's. It has a beautiful tailored silhouette which cinches in at the waist with the help of a removable wide waist belt, and flares out into a full skirt to create a flattering silhouette. Whilst it also has a halter neckline, it features an unusual cross over design rather than a traditional collar, giving it a modern look. The open back also bares some extra skin, making it perfect for summer whilst still looking classy and demure. Unlike traditional 'Wimbledon whites' outfits which definitely wouldn't make the cut for a re-wear at a summer wedding, the beige Halter Midi Dress can be re-worn for countless occasions – without worrying about clashing with the bride. If you're looking for something a little more affordable, this Bengaline Pencil Midi Dress with Wrap Around Button Belt from ASOS is just £45 and modest enough to wear to both events and the office. For a shorter hemline, Reiss' Rosalie Cotton Pleated Shirt Dress In Neutral has a more laid back look that could still be styled for almost any summer occasion, and is currently on sale down to £98 from £148. If you want a bolder colour than the neutral beige shade, the Tailored Polished Cotton Halter Midi Dress from Karen Millen also comes in bright red. You can still shop both colourways in sizes six to 16, with all sizes still in stock at the time of writing.
The Irish Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I styled Dunnes Stores skirt with flattering fit three ways for summer sunshine look – here's what I wore with it
DUNNES Stores shoppers are in a frenzy over a new skirt that is ideal for summer weather after it landed on racks. The retailer has been releasing its Advertisement 3 The Savida Floral Tiered Midi Skirt is a bargain €25 Credit: Instagram/@ 3 She pairs the skirt with a graphic t-shirt from Asos Credit: Instagram/@ 3 This is the perfect outfit for when the temperatures drop in the evening Credit: Instagram/@ One fashion fan has taken to In the caption of the post, she wrote: " Finding ways to style the skirt from my previous video! " The stunning skirt is perfect for summer, coming in a light pink shade with a black floral design scattered across it. Advertisement READ MORE IN DUNNES STORES The Savida Floral Tiered Midi Skirt is a bargain €25, and comes in sizes XXS to XXL. First, she pairs the skirt with a graphic t-shirt from This is the perfect Next, Elaine added a white top with ties up the centre, which is also from Advertisement Most read in Fabulous This is the perfect outfit to wear while on The beautiful Savida White Cotton Bow Tie Front Poplin Waistcoat Top is just €20. 'I adore this colour', cries Dunnes Stores fan as she tries on €40 'ultra-feminine' dress The dainty top has two bows that tie in the centre and a V neckline. Its description reads: 'This cotton poplin waistcoat from Savida features a flattering tie-front design and delicate lettuce-edged trims. Advertisement 'Adorned with all-over perforated embroidery, it offers a light, breezy feel that is perfect for sunny days.' The cute summer top, in white, ranges in sizes XXS to XXL. She also kept the black sandals for a summery vibe. Finally, she adds a simple white t-shirt from Stradivarius and a copper coloured cardigan from Very. Advertisement She keeps the black sandals on, creating the perfect outfit for when the temperatures drop in the evening. 'GORGEOUS' In the caption of the One viewer took to the comments section to share their opinions on the outfits. They described them as "gorgeous!" Advertisement The skirt is available in stores across the country and online now. THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit. Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland's first 'shopping frenzy'. During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne's 'Better Value' bargains. Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 - starting with apples and oranges. The retailer said: "Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town. "Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong. "Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas." The retailer's first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960. They added: "In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed. "Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England." Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.
Daily Mirror
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Faye Winter's floral midi dress is on our Wimbledon outfit wishlist and £125 off
Faye Winter wore a Karen Millen floral midi dress to the Royal Windsor Horse Show recently, and we've already got our eye on it as a perfect Wimbledon outfit now it has £125 off It's almost time for Wimbledon to kick off, and if you're planning on heading courtside, you'll need an outfit to suit the occasion. Although Wimbledon has a smart casual dress code, it's no secret that guests love to make an effort with their looks, and we've found the perfect midi dress that nails the brief. The Karen Millen Rose Embroidered Cotton Organdie Midi Halter Dress was spotted on former Love Island star Faye Winter as she attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May, and it would be perfect for the tennis event. Fans were quick to praise Faye's look on Instagram too, with one writing: 'Where is this dress from @faye__winter it's beautiful.' Another agreed: 'Wow, that dress is adorable you look absolutely stunning love you Faye,' whilst others added: 'Stunning!!! That dress' and 'Love this dress.' Usually priced at £359, it's currently on sale with 35% off, slashing the price down to £233.35 and saving you £125.65. Whilst it's admittedly a splurge, the chic floral midi dress is perfect for all kinds of occasions, from events like Wimbledon, to evening dinners on holiday, garden parties and even the office with a simple clever swap of accessories and shoes. The Embroidered Midi Halter Dress ticks all the boxes for Wimbledon; it comes in a breezy white 100% cotton fabric that's floaty, lightweight and breathable, and features contrasting red rose embroidery giving it a British garden theme. The halterneck has a collared neckline and button up front, giving it a modern, feminine twist. Its flattering cut is thanks to the fitted bodice and flared skirt which has a slight A-line silhouette. The addition of a tie belt letting you choose whether to cinch in your waist for a defined look or leave it loose (or removed altogether) for a more relaxed fit. If you want a more fitted silhouette, New Look's Red Rose Print Halterneck Mesh Midi Dress is £32.99 and has a classic slip design, with spaghetti straps and a figure hugging fit. It features a white and red rose print, with mesh overlay and a cowl halterneck that's flattering on all bust sizes. For a slightly more laidback look, Joe Browns' Rebecca Roses Vintage Printed Midi Dress is £50 and has a vintage-inspired tea dress silhouette. The short puff sleeves are perfect for giving a little more coverage, whilst the subtle V-neck, shaping around the bust and shirred waist at the back create a comfortable, flattering fit. However if Faye's stunning Karen Millen Embroidered Midi Halter Dress is your top pick, now is the time to get your hands on it. Size 16 has already sold out, but you can still get it in sizes 6 to 14.
