Capsule #2 ft. Nancy Best

Hi my loves

Happy Friday and welcome Capsule issue #2! The sequel, if you will.

In extremely large news for a new baby like Capsule, we’re heading to Cannes Lions next week to mingle with other creative and media heads and tell them what we’re up to. My key goals: spot Emma Chamberlain, go on a yacht, remember that the ’s’ in Cannes absolutely shouldn’t be pronounced. I’ll be sharing some fun updates over on Instagram if you’re nosey like I am.

In a major pinch me moment, I’ll be on a panel there with Kenya Hunt, Editor-in-Chief of Elle UK. I’ve followed Kenya’s career since I was maybe 14 so send wishes my way for keeping calm and coming across cool 😎. We’re talking about the future of women’s media, and I reckon I’ll say stuff like “the pandemic” too many times.

I hope you have nice things planned for your weekend and that this issue helps to ease you in. I’ve added a little feedback link at the end so you can let me know how you’re finding it!

Holly

Won’t shut up about…

Natural fibres. My friends joke that I only discovered wool last winter, which is not entirely true, but it was news to me just how warm knitwear was compared to my standard sweatshirts. Truly fit for purpose. A combination of my friends’ knowledge, the menswear dude on Twitter, and simply reading the labels of my clothes has taught me that natural fibres are the way to go where you can, especially in the heat. Cotton will keep you cool. You can wash it easily. It won’t harbour an unconquerable smell. I’m sure you all know this, but if you’ve ever sat for a glass of wine with me, you’ll know I don’t mind repeating things we all know are true just to make chat.

Had to chime in on…

The Louis Vuitton Microscopic Handbag from MSCHF, the creatives who brought us the big red boots a few months ago. I enjoyed reading the comments under Vogue’s Instagram post on this, most of which centred around price and utility. Both are fair points, but miss the mark more broadly on what this is all about. Dirt published an article earlier this year during peak red boot times, neatly summarised in the title: The Idea is the Design. We’re supposed to talk about it, explore how new materials and technology made the design possible, and ultimately share it with our friends. And when you view it through the microscope, kind of chic, no?

A moment of appreciation for…

The humble ribbon, as modelled exquisitely by my friend and colleague, Clodagh. Where to use: in lieu of a bobble, woven through braids, tied to a strappy top to add a cascading layer of beauty. Where to find? Literally your local haberdashery, or Etsy. I like these muted gingham ones, and this red velvet ribbon, which you’ll end up keeping for Christmas wrapping, too.

The moment belongs to…

Ice Spice, who is everywhere at the minute including the new Teen Vogue cover. I just got back from New York and spotted so many inspired orange afros. I love it when this happens. Like Dua Lipa’s blonde strands or Rihanna’s red era.

This week, Nancy Best popped into Capsule to share what’s 🔥hot🔥 and what’s not 🙅‍♀️ …

Nancy is the founder of Ladies Who Crunch, an online strength training community built for busy women. She's been featured in Stylist, the Daily Telegraph, the Independent, Marie Claire and Women’s Health.

📺 Watching: Honestly not much when the weather is this nice! I started ironically watching these ‘what to pack for a festival’ videos on YouTube then stuck around because the tips are good. I enjoyed this one, for the Scouse accent and her amazing one liners: “I don’t know how to get the things to pop up on the screen”, “don’t be using a crappy bottle”, and “I’ve done a holdall before. Never again.”

📖 Reading: This interview with critic and writer Rayne Fisher Quann on ‘believing your own voice’. It speaks to anyone who feels a bit like an imposter a lot of the time, but doesn’t want to get in their own way.

🎧 Listening to: Amaarae’s new album Fountain Baby, especially loving ‘Big Steppa’.

Max loves thinking about how pop culture influences trends. And he thinks it’s only a matter of time before we’re all buying vampy lipsticks, given that Olivia Rodrigo’s new single ‘Vampire’ arrives later this month. The song coincidentally drops on the same date that The Twilight Saga: Eclipse came out (13!) years ago, just in case any of us were in doubt.

If you’d like to adopt Max or one of his friends, click here to learn more.

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear how you’re finding Capsule - let me know here. See you next week 💋