A love letter in disguise?
Fine art photographer Brad Walls collaborated with former athlete Katrina Ann to bring the images to life
Today brings exciting news for Bridgerton‘s millions of fans: an intriguing prequel series is in the pipeline. The spin-off series will explore the origins of Queen Charlotte, the fan favourite character played by Golda Rosheuvel in the main Bridgerton series. Queen Charlotte does not appear in the original novels by Julia Quinn – she was created especially for the Netflix series – so writer Shonda Rhimes will have plenty of room for manoeuvre in crafting her backstory. In addition to introducing the young Queen Charlotte, the spin-off series will also explore the backstories of young Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury, the characters played in Bridgerton by Ruth Gemmell and Adjoah Andoh. Deadline reports that Netflix has also announced that Jess Brownell will serve as showrunner for seasons three and four of Bridgerton, which have already been ordered by the streamer following the show’s enormously successful launch. Chris Van Dusen served as show runner on season one and is also overseeing the eagerly anticipated second season. Rhimes will oversee the Queen Charlotte spin-off series. “Many viewers had never known the story of Queen Charlotte before Bridgerton brought her to the world, and I’m thrilled this new series will further expand her story and the world of Bridgerton,” said Netflix head of global TV, Bela Bajaria. “Shonda and her team are thoughtfully building out the Bridgerton universe so they can keep delivering for the fans with the same quality and style they love. And by planning and prepping all the upcoming seasons now, we also hope to keep up a pace that will keep even the most insatiable viewers totally fulfilled.” Rhimes added: “As we continue to expand the world of Bridgerton, we now have the opportunity to devote even more of the Shondaland fold to the Bridgerton-verse. We’ve worked with Jess Brownell for over a decade and have long wanted to find the right project to place in her hands. When it came time to pass the baton, I knew this unique voice was vital to the future of the show.” So, there we have it: some good news for Bridgerton fans to help compensate for Regé-Jean Page’s devastating departure. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The Man Who Pays His Way: Hampshire to Morocco by sea? I’m in
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After six months in lockdown, Greece’s long-awaited tourism reboot in the Cretan capital of Heraklion was a bit of a non-event. At 11am on May 14, despite temperatures of 27°C in the shade, the museums were empty, many shops were shuttered and only pigeons strutted along streets that had bustled with life pre-Covid. “It’s not just that there are no tourists, its Greeks, too, who are missing – they have no money,” said Evgenia Chasapidou, manager of Capsis Astoria, one of the few city hotels that stayed open during lockdown. “I think it will not be an easy season for us here in Crete. So far all the bookings are last minute. People all want to be vaccinated before travel – to feel safe.” In the race to win British tourists back to the Mediterranean, Greece was doing well and then lockdown fatigue set in and cases spiked. “People became careless, especially younger people – they wanted to go out; to have fun,” said the hotel’s restaurant manager, Giorgos Terizakis. With the country currently recording around 2,000-3,000 new cases per day, Greece has also been hampered by the slow vaccine rollout – as of today’s date only 1.4 million people, around 13 per cent of the population –have received both shots.
Who needs another documentary on the sadistic British murderers? As a new show rehashes tired gangster cliches in the name of true crime telly, Fiona Sturges hopes it’s the last time culture provides cover for the brothers’ evil
Hottest front-room seats: the best theatre and dance to watch online. From live streams of new plays to classics from the archive, here are some of the top shows online now or coming soon The stage on screen: our guide to films about theatre
Do you ever feel as though it’s TikTok‘s world – and the rest of us are just living in it? Well, the app’s latest boss move sounds like another step towards digital domination: an expansion into the recruitment market. According to Axios, TikTok is testing a dedicated recruitment channel targeted at Gen Z users. It won’t be part of the main app, but will be easily accessible from it. This spin-off recruitment channel will reportedly allow brands to post job listings – in particular, entry-level roles appealing to Gen Z users. According to the report, “several big brands” have already been approached about getting involved. It will also allow users to search for jobs and connect with potential employers. Because it’s aimed at Gen Z, users will reportedly be invited to post a video résumé instead of a typical written CV. They’ll also be able to share this video résumé to their main TikTok profile. Though the recruitment channel sounds as though it’s very much a work-in-progress at the moment, it’s hard not to feel a little excited. After all, video résumés sound like a great way of displaying creativity to potential employers and bypassing some of the boring and drawn-out recruitment process. It could even help to disrupt the job market in fields that are currently lacking in diversity and dominated by thinly veiled nepotism. In the meantime, we can continue using TikTok for skincare advice, sleep hacks and breakfast trends – as well as to keep an eye on the dark side of Sylvanian Families. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
“I ran upstairs as fast as I could. I was crying. I was shaking.”
Old guidebooks bought cheaply off the internet have been getting me through lockdown. I have armchair-travelled to Italy and France in 1960 and to India in 1965. I don’t think the Hides had a copy of Fodor’s Great Britain 1975 on a family day trip from Yorkshire to London that year. But I do remember seven-year-old me riding on the Tube, being allowed to choose a toy at Hamleys on Regent Street and, the ultimate treat, a knickerbocker glory in the café at Fortnum & Mason before the train home. If we had stayed overnight, Fodor’s might have pointed us to moderate category hotels in Earl’s Court that started at £5. Or, we could have splashed out on luxurious properties, such as the Hilton on Park Lane or the Ritz, from £17 and up, including pesky 10 per cent VAT, which had been introduced two years earlier. But it’s not just London’s grande dame properties (which can reopen to leisure guests for overnight stays from Monday, May 17) that have stood the test of time… a number of their distinguished staff have too. Peter Sweeney, 77 Doorman at The Goring, joined 1965 “I started off in the merchant navy taking Ten Pound Poms down to Australia. My younger brother got a job at The Goring and loved it, so he persuaded me to join in 1965, which wasn’t difficult because the pay was better. I’ve been here ever since… 56 years isn’t bad, is it?
Some familar faces are back
The drama will also follow young Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury
The relationship between a person and their hairstylist is sacred — even more so when that stylist is your mom. In this week’s episode of Hair Me Out, Zharia McRoberson gets 25-inch knotless braids courtesy of her mom, Lena Jaye, a celebrity hair artist. The captured style sesh was one of many regular appointments McRoberson has in her mom’s chair. “I mainly get my hair done by my mom for free because I’m her daughter,” McRoberson says. “My mom does my hair, like, every month.” This time, the style involves jumbo braids with wooden beads at the end. “I feel like hair and braids are a form of expression,” Jaye says. “I teach my daughter that her hair is beautiful in all stages. It can enhance her beauty, but it doesn’t define her beauty.” To start, Jaye pre-sectioned her daughter’s hair before stretching it with a heat-powered brush. “Pre-sectioning the hair is my road map to protective styling,” she explains. Once Jaye separated her daughter’s hair, it was time to start braiding. McRoberson helped her mom by braiding the ends to complete each plait. When all of the jumbo braids were installed, Jaye decorated the ends with wooden beads. In an adorable moment, the teenager — already thinking ahead — envisioned an adult life where her mom wouldn’t be able to style her hair frequently. “When I leave home, it’s going to be a lot harder to find someone to do my hair because she’s not always going to be there to do it,” McRoberson says. “This is a bonding time for my mom and me.” McRoberson’s final look is super-cute braids made with extra love. “I had really high expectations,” she says of her mom’s skills, “and she lived up to that.” Click play to see her style come to life. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Take in the glorious views on this magnificent train
As a kid, I lived directly across the street from my elementary school, leaving me ample time to watch TV directly before and after school. Pre-homeroom, I’d turn on the TV to catch reruns of Charmed while I ate breakfast. Following the last bell, I’d race home to watch Gilmore Girls. The latter, to this day, is my comfort watch — I’ve probably seen every episode more than a dozen times. And though the show is more flawed in my 25-year-old mind than it was when I was 11, a few things about Gilmore Girls have held up: (1) Jess Mariano (played by Milo Ventimiglia) in a band T-shirt (preferably worn with short shorts), and (2) Lorelai Gilmore’s (Lauren Graham) underrated sense of style. While I’ve always been a fan of Lorelai’s quirky, early aughts wardrobe, it only hit me recently how many of her pieces live inside my closet — fitted graphic tees, cut-offs, and cowboy boots. But while previously combining a bandana, a baseball tee, and sunglasses with coloured lenses would have been outlandish for me (to wear in Manhattan at least), after spending the last year at home alone, I’ve found myself trying new combinations style-wise, and taking more risks than I would have pre-pandemic. That’s how I found myself in the “laundry day” outfit, famously worn by Lorelai on Rory’s first day at Chilton (Season 1, Episode 2). I wasn’t intentionally copying her look; instead, after a day of work, I looked in the mirror and noticed how uncanny the sartorial resemblance was. My version included a slightly too small Connecticut Huskies T-shirt with jean shorts, and black, knee-high boots. After observing the likeness to Lorelai’s iteration — her shirt was pink tie-dye and she wore it with a long, black coat — I slipped on a coat of my own, for good measure. Wondering if the look was recognisable to anyone else, I posted it on Instagram stories, asking my followers if it looked familiar. To my surprise, at least a dozen people responded — some even calling out the exact episode she wore it in. In an attempt to determine if years of watching Gilmore Girls reruns had actually left a mark on my personal style, I looked at the clothing already in my wardrobe to see if I could recreate any other outfits. And, after a few days of experimentation, it was Lorelai’s weekend looks that I discovered were most in sync with my own wardrobe. Shrunken T-shirts and worn-out jeans are my go-to for a Saturday afternoon. Sound familiar? Add a corduroy, leather, or, dare I say, Juicy Couture jacket — tried-and-true picks for Lorelai — and I’m off, looking like a carbon copy of my TV mum. (Admittedly, her choice of accessories, which often included belts, bucket hats, and headbands, were a bit too kitsch for my taste.) My attempts to recreate her signature Friday night dinner ensembles, however, were met with more resistance. Spaghetti strap dresses and shrugs don’t make frequent appearances in my day-to-day life, nor do silky blouses and slacks. Still, a recent slip dress purchase seemed like just as good an opportunity as any to try, so I dug out a ‘90s white button-up that I stole from my aunt and a to-go coffee mug (obviously). Unlike the time Lorelai had to get rid of a spider the size of a Buick, my venture into her dressier side was another surprising success. It would be naive of me to give full credit to my favourite childhood television series for my sudden urge to wear bandanas, baby tees, and cut-offs with boots. Trends from the ‘00s — trucker hats, low-rise jeans, heeled flip flops, and more — are rising in popularity. Still, since her outfits truly live rent-free in my head — years of re-runs will do that — something about Lorelai’s takes on the trends feel especially stylish. Given that Gilmore Girls was up against style-forward shows like Girlfriends, Ally McBeal, and Sex and the City, Lorelai’s nonchalant, yet totally over-the-top looks never quite acquired the kind of following her Go-Go’s T-shirt collection deserved from the fashion world. This is why it’s now time to recognise Lorelai Gilmore as the early-aughts fashion muse that she was. I’ll wait — there’s plenty more in my closet. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Sophie Turner Wore A Controversial '00s TrendTrucker Hats Are Making A Comeback — Yes, ReallyFashion Has Long Loved A Visible Thong
When a body piercing closes, it often leaves a scar. This is exponentially more likely if you don’t go to a professional and you pierce yourself or let a friend stick you with a needle. In those cases, you can expect an infection, scar, or a keloid if and when the hole closes up. For example, when Sincere Williams was in high school, she let her best friend pierce her belly button — a poor decision that has since left her with a crooked hole and scarring where it closed. Now, as an adult, Williams finds herself missing the “glam” of her vintage belly button charm and wants to bring it back this summer, but needs the help of a trained professional to pierce around the scar tissue. In the latest episode of Refinery29’s YouTube series Macro Beauty, Williams visits Aesthetic Ambition, a licensed piercing studio in Marina Del Rey, California, where she books an appointment with the brand’s seasoned navel piercer, Luci Doll. “Belly button piercings have been popular since the ’90s — since the Britney Spears revolution — and they really haven’t gone out of style,” Doll explains during Williams’ consult. “They’re still a very popular piercing that I do all the time.” For Williams’ case specifically, because she’s being re-pierced, the process is a bit trickier. “When we have a scar from a previous piercing, especially with a belly button, it can be pretty significant,” Doll explains. “In this case, the fistula of the scar is pretty long, so unfortunately we can’t pierce through it because the skin will have the heal a brand-new fistula. Luckily, the scar is slightly off-centre, which makes it pretty easy to get around it.” Doll marks the skin where she’ll pierce with a sterile marker then preps the soft tissue with Iodine. “I have Sincere take a nice deep breath in, as soon as she exhales, that’s when the piercing happens,” Doll narrates. “Once we are through, I transfer the jewellery through the piercing and attach the top. Once the jewellery is in place, I clean off the excess Iodine and marker, and she is set to go.” For the aftercare, Doll tells Willams to apply a sterile saline solution to the piercing 1-2 times a day. “The belly button is a soft tissue, but it’s a high movement area, so it usually takes about six months to fully heal,” she explains before showing Williams her re-pierced belly button. “It’s so cute,” Williams exclaims, admiring the new opal charm that sits level in her navel. “And it’s straight; I’m really happy that you can’t see my previous scar. I can’t wait to go to the beach and show my friends.” Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Let Demi Lovato Convince You To Pierce Your NippleInside NYC's Dainty Piercing Hotspot, StudsDakota Johnson Pierced Her Belly Button At 14
The Bridgerton-verse is expanding!
The series is set in the mythic mid-American landscape in 1890
Woman in the Window, Amy Adams as Anna Fox Spoilers are ahead. Based on the best-selling thriller of the same name by A.J. Finn, The Woman In The Window attempts to answer the question: can a movie have too many twists? (The limit, apparently, does not exist.) However, fans of the novel might not be too surprised, as the Woman In The Window ending stays pretty close to that of the book. Anna Fox (Amy Adams) is agoraphobic. Her only connection to the outside world are her nightly phone calls with her estranged husband Ed (Anthony Mackie) and her daughter Olivia (Mariah Bozeman), and her brief interactions with David (Wyatt Russell), her tenant who lives in the basement. That is, until the mysterious Russell family moves in across the street. But it’s not until Anna witnesses Jane Russell (Julianne Moore) being stabbed to death, only for another Jane Russell (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to show up, alive and well, that things really take a turn. Is it all in her head? Or is there more to the Russell family than meets the eye? Meanwhile, Anna takes an interest in the Russell’s teenage son, Ethan (Fred Hechinger). As a child psychologist, she recognises his skittish behaviour as a sign that he might be abused, and her conviction only gets stronger when she sees how afraid he is of his overbearing father Alistair (Gary Oldman). Long story short: once Anna realises that she really did see a woman killed — the woman was not Jane Russell, but Ethan’s estranged birth mother — and that it wasn’t all a hallucination, she convinces herself that Alistair must have killed her. Now, here’s where fans of the book might get a little thrown off. In Finn’s original thriller, it’s Ethan who confirms that that the woman Anna saw was real, she just wasn’t Jane Russell. He also assures her that he’ll talk to his parents and get them to turn themselves in for her murder. In the film, it’s David who reveals the woman’s true identity. He had a one night stand with the birth mum, but let Anna believe she was hallucinating because he doesn’t want to get involved with the police. But the main difference between The Woman In The Window the movie and the book isn’t so much David’s involvement as it is the unravelling of Ethan and Anna’s relationship. In the book, when Ethan tells Anna about his birth mother, she is hopeful that he’ll be able to be free from his parents, that she’s helped him escape an abusive home. It’s not until later that Anna realises something is off with Ethan, and he attacks her. It turns out, Ethan killed his birth mother, and his parents have been covering it up. In the movie, the timeline is accelerated, with Ethan attacking right after David reveals the truth. After that, the movie follows the Woman in the Window‘s original ending pretty closely: Ethan tries to kill Anna, which forces her to run away to the rooftop, but she ends up besting him, pushing him off the roof to his death. As for how we’re supposed to feel about the Woman in the Window ending, director Joe Wright is hoping that it might inspire a liberation from fear. “I hope the audience have a sense of having had this nail-biting experience but feel a sense of release and relief at the end from fear,” he told Entertainment Weekly prior to the film’s release. Just as Anna is liberated from her fear of the outdoors (and of being murdered by a baby serial killer), we too are liberated from the fear that we might have to watch Amy Adams die on screen. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Who's Who In Netflix's Woman In The WindowThe Top 10 Titles Streaming On NetflixThis Delayed Thriller Is Finally Coming To Netflix
Social media has formally written the recipe for a hot girl summer: being vaxxed and waxed. But while you're making preparations to return "outside," don't overlook the hairstyle celebrities are springing for as we move toward some semblance of normal (whatever that means).Stars on the 'gram have been showing off fresh haircuts, proving that a sharp bob is the icing on top of a summer look. "Bobs are on fire right now because they are easy and stylish," celebrity stylist Larry Sims says. "A great bob cut can go from super relaxed to super edgy quickly, which is why I love them."Regina King, one of Sims' A-list clients, stole the show at the 2021 Academy Awards with a razor-sharp angular cut that made a strong case for blunt ends. Meagan Good's newest chop also made the rounds on social media as the ideal wispy style for the season. Ahead, we rounded up some of our favourite looks, and all signs are pointing to a real hot bob summer.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 the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission. Meagan GoodIf you were one of the 678,000 double-tapping (and staring) at this mirror snap of Good, you already know: Aside from the actress being stunning per usual, it was her haircut that really got our attention. Hairstylist Jasmine Ashley is responsible for Good's chop, which sits right above her chin. The side-parted style has the perfect amount of blunt and body, and was co-signed by stars in the comments, who credited Good as their new hair inspo. "Makes me miss my short hair," Christina Milian wrote. "I love this look," Good's longtime hair guru Dr. Kari Williams commented. Halle BerryHalle Berry's Oscars bob left the internet divided, but confirmed that a bold short cut is sure to turn heads. Sara Seward took a dramatic angular approach to the style, making Berry's hair tapered towards the back, longer along her cheeks, and topped off with a wispy baby fringe.Regina KingSims got his client's bob so sleek for the Oscars using Flawless by Gabrielle Union Shine Enhancing Heat Protection Spray and Blow Dry Cream. Before cutting, he flat ironed in small sections to create a straight canvas. "Depending on the bob, I’ll cut bluntly or notch cut for a softer finish," he says. To finish King's style, Sims smoothed flyaways with the Flawless By Gabrielle Union Restoring Exotic Oil Treatment. Do you see that shine?Simone BilesLast summer, Simone Biles made a strong case for a fresh bob and silk press, and the service is still a popular choice for the gymnast. Biles posed with a shoulder-grazing cut with choppy ends that'll also look cute styled in loose waves.Hunter SchaferFlipped-out '70's hair isn't limited to longer styles — take a page from Hunter Schafer's book and blow the ends of your chin-length bob outwards for a retro look.Niecy NashThis subtly waved cut on Niecy Nash erased any doubts we had about shedding a few inches. Ray Christopher was responsible for the actress's look, which is slightly shorter in the back and gets longer and more chiselled towards her chin. Tiffany HaddishChristopher also hooked up Tiffany Haddish's icy blonde wig for an Ellen Show appearance with an off-centre parting and slight bends for dimension.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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