Taylor Swift is back and live from…Travis Kelce’s podcast studio in Kansas City? It’s true! Revealed tonight on the New Heights Instagram account, Swift will be joining her boyfriend and Chiefs’ tight end (and presumably his brother, Jason) for a very special episode.
If you’re into the Swiftaverse, this may be considered one of the many Easter eggs the singer has been dropping as of late. First came a post by Taylor Nation, the official Instagram of Swift’s management team, which shared a 12-image carousel of the singer in orange ensembles to the sound of 2020’s “August.” The caption? “Thinking about when she said ‘See you next era…’” This was 14 hours ago.
Next (a mere 13 hours ago!), the New Heights Instagram teased a special episode with a “VERY” special guest—capitalization directly pulled from the caption and possibly written by Swift’s own boyfriend. The comments were filled with fans who recognized the shape of that cutout—certain it was Swift herself. And of course, it was revealed to be the singer just moments ago through a video.
One thing we certainly noticed? The orange font overlay—another Easter egg if Swiftie lore is to be believed. The star’s also forgone her classic red lip for something much different… would we dare even say, orangey?
So are we getting TS12? Just 32 minutes of the two flirting while brother Jason watches on? A special appearance by cats Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button? (PLEASE!) Only time will tell—tune in this Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Josh Brolin is tired of “all the same shit” that’s on streamers, so that’s why he boarded Zach Cregger‘s Weapons.
The Oscar-nominated actor recently shared with Collider how the horror mystery pic is the solution to all the boring content he said is currently offered on streaming services.
“You’re looking for great filmmakers, and you’re hoping that there’s another new good filmmaker out there,” he said. “Right now, with so much content, you’re just watching things on whatever streaming service you’re on, and you’re just going, ‘Fuck, why is this so boring, man? Why?’ And just go to the next thing. It’s all the same shit.”
Brolin added of Weapons, “And then somebody not only takes the horror genre, but then fucks with it and then does something on the edge of absurdity, and it’s sort of humorous, so it’s keeping you off-[balance] enough for him to have an emotional impact, ultimately.”
The film, which also stars Julia Garner, follows a community in chaos after all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanishes on the same night at exactly the same time. The small town is then left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. Weapons not only won over critics and audiences but also came in more than $10 million ahead of expectations for its opening weekend with $42.5 million.
Cregger previously told The Hollywood Reporter that “it seems like horror is one of the few outlets for real creativity right now on a big scale.”
“Without horror, you go to the theater, and you get people in tights for $200 million, and there’s not a lot of room for risk in those movies. And no shade, I’m all for entertainment, entertaining. But, it’s a shame that there’s not a lot of room for anything else,” the Barbarian director continued. “I love horror, my creative tuning fork resonates strong with horror, so I’m lucky in that regard. I dearly wish that we could have cool, edgy weird comedies back in the movie theaters. Or dramatic fare for adults in the theater. I feel like there’s not a lot of movies for grown-ups anymore.”
Despite the breakout success of One Day, star Ambika Mod said she still receives auditions for roles that seem to solely prop up the “interesting white leads” of a given project.
In a recent interview with The Times U.K., the This Is Going To Hurt alumna discussed the difference between the opportunities available to her and co-star Leo Woodall, a topic she has previously been candid about.
“Not really. I mean, it’s the truth!” she said when asked if she regrets pointing out the disparity earlier this year. “This is nothing I’ve not said to Leo’s face, by the way … Obviously it’s not personal. It’s just the industry and the way that our society works. You either get asked to audition for brown roles, which are usually, the doctor, the dentist, the policewoman.”
Though those aren’t the only performances she is being asked to be seen for, she added, “Even in the past year and a half, I have been asked to audition for the rookie cop who investigates the story of the two interesting white leads.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Mod noted that she initially turned down the chance to audition for One Day a number of times, saying she “just didn’t see” the role for herself and it “almost felt too good to be true.” In the aftermath of her turn in the show, the Black Bag actress said, “I’ve read the most unsavory things about myself on the internet, but I think that’s rooted in racism and misogyny,” adding “I really covet not being conventional … I’m not your conventional leading lady. I think that’s my superpower.”
In an interview with Deadline earlier this year, Mod also discussed the unspoken pressure to be a representative for all South Asian people, and how she hopes to be judged on the merit of her work rather than her skin color.
“When people talked about my white co-star’s performance, they would often talk about his acting and the quality of his work, whereas with me — not all the time — it was about how amazing it was that I’m brown, and what a change-making casting choice it was. I would think, ‘What about my performance and my work?’” she said in part.
Hours after Taylor Swift fans started buzzing on Monday (Aug. 11) due to clues that a major announcement might be imminent — and that the superstar’s 12th studio album might be the subject of that announcement — a mysterious countdown clock appeared on Swift’s official website on Monday night. The countdown ends in a few hours, at… 12:12 a.m. ET, on Aug . 12. (See the countdown here.)
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On Monday morning, New Heights — the podcast hosted by Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother, fellow NFL star Jason Kelce — teased “a VERY special guest” for their new episode on Wednesday, with a social teaser suggesting that Swift would be making an appearance on the show. Minutes later, Taylor Nation, the official fan account for Swift, posted a series of 12 photos of Swift wearing the color orange — hinting at the long-held fan belief that Swift’s next era will have an orange theme.
Late Monday night, New Heights officially revealed that Swift would be their guest this week, with Taylor ending the new teaser by saying “We’re about to do a f—ing podcast!”
Although the timing of the New Heights post and the Taylor Nation message nodded toward a major announcement arriving Wednesday, Aug. 13, Swift might be making a splash on the 12th instead. Billboard has reached out to Swift’s rep for comment.
Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, was released last year and scored the biggest Billboard 200 debut of her career, along with another album of the year Grammy nod. The superstar has been relatively quiet since her record-breaking Eras tour wrapped up last December, although the May news that she successfully bought back the master recordings of her first six studio albums did prompt a streaming resurgence for those projects, as well as her entire catalog.
Jason Momoa has revealed that he nearly drowned while surfing in his native Hawaii, leading him to quit smoking.
The “Chief of War” star, in an appearance on the “Smartless” podcast with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, recalled going to the renowned big wave surfing break Pe’ahi (Jaws) in Maui when — while almost a mile offshore — the leash connected to his surfboard snapped.
“It’s so windy on Maui, and so the board just went. I couldn’t even see it anymore,” said the actor, who had paddled 13 miles down the coast with friends at the time.
Momoa, who wanted to be a surfer growing up and who hails from a family of celebrated surfers and watermen, said he “trained pretty well” for such situations, but he “took quite a few” to the head as 10-foot high waves rolled in.
“It’s actually, this place is called Shitfucks, and it’s literally because there’s all this water that pulls out … and it just pulls you out and you just get hit with these waves,” he explained.
“So I was stuck in this crazy spot, which is probably the outer reef, and unknown to me, I was really on the outer reef, and they couldn’t see me, and I had my paddle, and I was waving it, and they couldn’t see me. And the waves were so big, it basically took my shorts off they were so fucking big.”
Momoa noted that he began to think of his daughter, who was 3 months old at the time, and he was unable to move his arms and legs.
“Like I literally gave up, and I’m screaming inside, and my foot just hits the outer reef. And I don’t know if it was a fucking whale or like just could be one rock, but I just reached down, grabbed it, I jump up, I get hit by another wave,” he said.
“I dig my feet into the coral, and I’m literally in the middle of the ocean, and I’m just, I could barely put my lips above it just to breathe and get a break, but I had already given up. So it’s like, you’ve already given up and died and have a second chance at it.”
He said one of his friends came to the rescue, but it was “brutal” getting out to safety, adding that his feet were “covered in blood.”
Momoa said he used to smoke two to three packs of cigarettes a day before the experience.
“I couldn’t stop for my kids, I couldn’t stop for my ex, I couldn’t stop smoking,” he said.
“The moment I came out, I never smoked again. I just died. I just died. I tried and tried, but I couldn’t do it again because I just, I gave up. Like, I gave up my life.”
Angelina Jolie eyes life overseas after selling L.A. mansion
Angelina Jolie is all set to move out of her “beautiful” Los Angeles house as she plans to move abroad.
A source privy to People reported that the 50-year-old actress is officially putting “the house up for sale” as eying to move to another country.
The insider noted that the Maria star was left with no choice other than to stay in L.A. due to her legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt
Jolie “never wanted to live in L.A. full time. She didn’t have a choice because of the custody arrangement with Brad,” the tattler claimed.
The tipster further noted that Jolie is currently waiting for her twins Knox and Vivienne’s 18th birthday.
The Maleficent star “plans to relocate as soon as Knox and Viv turn 18 next year. She’s eyeing several locations abroad. She’ll be very happy when she’s able to leave Los Angeles.”
Gushing over her Los Angeles 1913-built house, which Jolie bought in 2017 for $24.5 million, the source added, “It’s a historic masterpiece and truly such a beautiful estate.”
For the unversed, Jolie and Pitt finalized their divorce in December 2024 following their almost decade-long legal battle.
The former couple share six children together: Zahara, 20, Maddox, 24, Shiloh, 19, Pax, 21, and twins Knox and Vivienne.
Efforts to resolve allegations that hip-hop producer Metro Boomin raped a woman in a Beverly Hills hotel nine years ago have broken down, setting the stage for a trial to begin next month.
A new court filing signed by lawyers on both sides and obtained by Rolling Stone says a mediation held with a judge on July 18 was unsuccessful. “The parties mediated in good faith. However, the litigation did not resolve,” a joint status report filed Monday in federal court in Los Angeles reads. “After the mediation, the parties have continued limited settlement discussions, which have proven unsuccessful,” it states.
Metro Boomin, whose real name is Leland Wayne, is now set to begin trial in the case on Sept. 23. The plaintiff, Vanessa LeMaistre, filed her lawsuit last October, alleging the Grammy-nominated producer sexually assaulted her after they became friends and he invited her on multiple occasions to spend time in his studio, listening to music and processing her grief over the recent death of her 9-month-old son.
LeMaistre claims she took half a Xanax the night of the alleged attack and was handed a shot of alcohol at the studio. After she fell asleep on a couch, she woke up on a bed in a different location with Wayne allegedly raping her, the lawsuit claims. She claims Wayne later told her they were at a hotel in Beverly Hills. She says a chauffeur-driven SUV took her back to the studio, where her car was waiting.
“At no point during this encounter was Ms. LeMaistre able to consent to any sexual activity, and Wayne’s conduct without question constituted rape and sexual assault,” the lawsuit alleges. LeMaistre says she later learned she was pregnant and terminated the pregnancy.
According to the lawsuit, Wayne produced the song “Rap Saved Me” in 2017 with lyrics that paralleled what happened. “She took a Xanny, then she fainted. I’m from the gutter, ain’t no changing. From the gutter, rap saved me. She drive me crazy, have my baby,” the lyrics listed in the lawsuit read.
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LeMaistre’s lawyer, Michael J. Willemin, tells Rolling Stone that his client is eager to get the case in front of a jury. “When we first filed this case, Mr. Wayne’s lawyers predictably claimed that the allegations were false and that he would ‘defend himself in court.’ Since then, as outlined in our recent motion, Mr. Wayne has failed to comply with basic discovery obligations and court orders in an apparent effort to avoid accountability for his actions. Meanwhile, we and Ms. LeMaistre have pushed the case forward aggressively, and, because of that, we are headed towards trial on September 23, 2025. We look forward to holding Mr. Wayne accountable in front of a jury of his peers,” Willemin says.
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Wayne’s lawyers did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. His attorney Lawrence Hinkle II, previously called the lawsuit “a pure shakedown,” in a comment to TMZ. “These are false accusations,” Hinkle said last year. “Mr. Wayne refused to pay her months ago, and he refuses to pay her now. Mr. Wayne will defend himself in court. He will file a claim for malicious prosecution once he prevails.”
With the trial looming, Wayne is also promoting the new mixtape he released earlier this month. Titled Futuristic Summa, the sprawling double album includes guest appearances from Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Quavo, Lil Baby, T.I., Gucci Mane, and up-and-coming artist Breskii, among others.
Finneas O’Connell may be a Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and the creative force behind some of Billie Eilish’s biggest hits, but even he isn’t immune to an awkward celebrity moment.
In a new interview, Finneas opened up about what he calls his “most cringeworthy run-in with a celebrity,” and it just so happened to be with none other than Taylor Swift.
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Finneas Opens Up About Hilarious Blunder With Taylor Swift
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When speaking with The Guardian, the 28-year-old recalled a moment at a 2021 birthday party.
“I said ‘Thanks for coming’ to Taylor Swift. At her birthday party,” he laughed. “She said, ‘Thank you so much for coming,’ and I said, ‘Thank you for coming!’”
The bash, hosted by Swift and Haim’s Alana Haim, was packed with music industry heavyweights. Finneas clarified that he meant to thank Swift for inviting him, but instead blurted out the wrong thing entirely. “I still think about it,” he admitted.
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Hidden Talents, Dream Reality Show, And The ‘Child Labor’ Job He Had As A Kid
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The hitmaker, who’s currently promoting his work with his band The Favors alongside singer Ashe, also revealed a few fun facts about himself during the interview, including a hidden talent.
“Impressions,” he admitted, before quickly adding, “And I’m not doing one for you. The one I do the most is probably Benny Blanco.”
When asked which reality TV show he’d love to join, Finneas didn’t hesitate to say “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” with Ty Pennington. “I loved Ty Pennington growing up,” he said.
And as for the strangest job he’s ever had? The musician laughed about growing up in Los Angeles, where he participated in something called “market research” as a kid.
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“They’re like, do you want to watch a show or play a game and then talk to a panel of adults who are working on the thing for many hours in exchange for literally $15?” he said. “You’re probably eight. You’re very young. And you get a dial that you turn as you watch the show for like, ‘I’m enjoying it’ or ‘I’m not enjoying it.’”
Looking back now, he can’t help but see it for what it was: “As a kid, you’re like, ‘Sweet,’ and then as an adult, you’re like, ‘That was child labor.’”
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Finneas Reflects On Producing Billie Eilish’s No. 1 Debut Album From Their Childhood Bedroom
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Back in 2019, he opened up about producing Billie Eilish’s record-breaking debut album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” almost entirely from the bedroom of their family home.
The siblings’ DIY approach became part of their legend, especially after Billie’s meteoric rise from posting a track to SoundCloud in 2015 to becoming the first artist born in the 21st century to score a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 by April 2019.
By then, Eilish had already racked up more than a billion on-demand streams, with nearly every track from the album landing on the Billboard Hot 100. At the time, Finneas said the emphasis on that bedroom setup was flattering, but not the whole story.
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“It was lovely to make an album there, but I think it’s really important to work wherever you are, or wherever you have your tools,” he explained, per Mix Online, adding that adaptability has always been key to their success.
New Debut Album Coming This Fall
Finneas is stepping into a new musical chapter, and he’s not doing it alone.
The Grammy-winning producer has teamed up with singer-songwriter Ashe to form a brand-new band called The Favors, with their debut LP “The Dream” set to drop September 19.
“We made a band. It’s called The Favors. Announcing our new album, ‘The Dream,’ out September 19,” the pair shared in a joint statement, also revealing that fans won’t have to wait long for new music.
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Finneas And Ashe Drop First Single
Their first single, “The Little Mess You Made,” was already released on Friday, June 6.
“We deeply loved making this music together in secret and can’t wait for it to finally make its way to you,” they wrote.
Finneas took to Instagram Stories to give even more insight, adding, “Over the past 18 months, Ashe and I have been toiling away on this album and I really mean it when I say I could not be more proud of it, David Marinelli on drums, Ricky Gourmet on guitar, I love being in a band.”
In Pakistan, our biggest source of entertainment, besides food, is movies. The film culture is thriving in our country. Whenever a new movie comes to the big screen, moviegoers flock to the cinemas. Our indigenous film industry, also known as Lollywood, has experienced many ups and downs over the years. Despite facing challenges, the industry is alive, and films – though few in number – are still being made each year. Some make it to the box office, while others bomb, but that’s part of the game.
In the last seven months several movies have been released including ‘Baap’, ‘Kabeer’, ‘Qulfee’, ‘Lambi Judai’, ‘Deemak’ and ‘Love Guru’. The latter two movies have done pretty good business. Now, ‘Welcome to Punjab’, a highly anticipated movie, is ready to be released on August 14th.
Written and directed by Shahzad Rafique, ‘Welcome to Punjab’ promises a blend of humour, cultural exploration, and entertainment. The film introduces Aadi Khan alongside Zara Hayat, a fresh face in the industry. Together, they bring a new energy to this much-awaited project. Along with fresh faces, the film also boasts of an ensemble cast including veteran actors like Mumtaz, Bushra Ansari, Adnan Siddiqui and Javed Sheikh. The film is produced by Safdar Malik and marks the comeback of Shehzad Rafique as a director after an eight-year hiatus, and Mumtaz after a long break from the film industry.
“Welcome to Punjab is more than just a film – it’s a journey of culture, emotion, and dreams. Being a part of this project is an honour that I will cherish forever. From the colours of our land to the depth of our hearts, this film celebrates the soul of Punjab. I am beyond grateful to be part of a story that is so close to our roots, our people, and our identity,” shares Zara Hayat Khan on her Instagram.
The story centres on two families – one based in Karachi, the other in Lahore. Due to unavoidable circumstances, the family from Karachi is compelled to travel to Lahore. From the trailers and teasers, it’s evident that the film highlights cross-cultural encounters and delves into themes of identity, family, and tradition, all delivered with a comedic twist. The narrative brings together characters from different backgrounds, weaving a mix of quirky, light-hearted moments with emotionally resonant scenes.
According to Shahzad Rafique, the film aims to highlight unity and cultural exchange between Pakistan’s provinces. “It is essentially a love story – but with a twist. There’s romance, some family drama, and a deeper message of harmony woven into the narrative,” shares Shahzad, who has been a part of the film industry for 30 years. The film explores and celebrates Pakistan’s rich cultural diversity, using a romantic storyline set against the backdrop of interprovincial understanding and togetherness.
Veteran filmmaker Shahzad Rafique, known for directing acclaimed titles such as ‘Nikah’, ‘Ghunghat’, ‘Rukhsati’, ‘Salakhain’, and ‘Mohabbataan Sachiyaan’, has high expectations from his latest project, ‘Welcome to Punjab’. “Audiences want to see fresh faces,” says Shahzad. “In this film, I’ve introduced newcomers Zara Hayat and Aadi Khan.” He adds that giving new talent a platform has always been a priority for him. Over the years, he has launched several, now-prominent actors in Lollywood, including Ahsan Khan in ‘Nikah’ (1998), Ahmed Butt and Sajid Hasan in ‘Salakhain’ (2004), Adnan Khan and Maria Khan in ‘Mohabbataan Sachiyaan’ (2007), and Wiam Dahmani in ‘Ishq Khuda’ (2012).
‘Welcome to Punjab’ marks Shahzad’s sixth directorial venture following ‘Rukhsati’ (2001), ‘Salakhain’ (2004), ‘Mohabbataan Sachiyaan’ (2007), ‘Ishq Khuda’ (2012), and ‘Salute’ (2016). Reflecting on his journey, he shares, “I began my career as an assistant producer in 1996, but direction was always my true calling. The last film I directed was ‘Salute’ in 2016. After a hiatus of eight years, I’m returning with ‘Welcome to Punjab’. I was away from the scene for quite some time, but now I’m back with a renewed passion and a brand-new film,” describes Shahzad.
When asked about his experience working with Zara Hayat and Aadi Khan, Shahzad says, “My script required fresh faces, and I guess Zara Hayat and Aadi Khan were the right choices. Working with both of these actors was a delightful experience. During the shoot, I did not face any starry tantrums. Since the main cast was new, there was no issue with dates. They were committed to their work and always arrived on time.”
While praising other cast members Shahzad expresses, “Senior artists like Bushra Ansari, Sajid Hasan, Adnan Siddiqui, and Javed Sheikh were also very cooperative. The Wall City, Pakistan Railway, and Al Hamra Arts Council were all very supportive. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Sir Ganga Ram, Mr Kamran Lashari, and Mr Yousaf Salahuddin for their unwavering support throughout the filming process. The film’s shooting went smoothly and was completed in a record time of seven months. And for your information, these days I am working on a new project. The film is called ‘Heer Ranjha’. It’s a classic Punjabi film.”
Shahzad is of the opinion that concrete steps should be taken for the revival of cinema. “We need international film festivals. They provide an excellent opportunity to meet different filmmakers under one roof. It’s also a great market strategy. We must support young directors and incorporate modern technology into our films. Film should be included as a subject for aspiring filmmakers. Seminars on different aspects of films, such as cinematography and storytelling, should also be held regularly,” he emphasises.
Shahzad Rafique
While highlighting the steps taken by the Punjab government for the revival of cinema Shahzad tells, “Punjab government has launched a Chief Minister Film Fund of PKR 2 billion, attracting nearly 2,500 applications from filmmakers nationwide seeking grants, infrastructure, and training support. An eight-member Film Fund Disbursement Committee now oversees transparent grant allocation. Key infrastructure proposals include Punjab’s first Film City, a dedicated studio complex, post-production lab, and a national film school within Lahore’s IT City.”
During his conversation with this scribe, Shahzad also pointed out a very relevant issue: the high cost of film tickets. “Film tickets should be made cheaper. This multiplex culture has made watching movies so expensive. Films were once a poor man’s entertainment, but no longer. We need to open cinemas in small towns too, to reach a wider audience. We need to promote regional cinema. There was a time when 50 to 60 Sindhi films and more than 100 Punjabi movies were made in a single year. But now, hardly any regional films are being made,” he laments.
When asked about his expectations for ‘Welcome to Punjab’, he replies, “Each director gives his best shot, but luck plays a major role in deciding the fate of the movie. So, let’s see whether the film will make it to the box office or not.”
Casualwear today is defined by ease, versatility, and an understated sense of polish. It’s no longer confined to loungewear or off-duty dressing – it has evolved into an everyday uniform that feels relaxed yet refined.
Gulabo Casuals by Maheen Khan captures this shift with a line of thoughtfully designed separates that bring structure to softness. From sharply cut co-ords with bold button details to fluid duster coats that add dimension and movement, each piece is built to layer, pair, and repeat. These are the staples you reach for when you want to feel put-together without overthinking your look. With breathable
fabrics, tailored silhouettes, and subtle design touches – pleats, frills, cap sleeves – the collection balances comfort with a strong aesthetic, allowing every outfit to carry its own effortless confidence. This week You! takes a look at standout pieces from the collection and how to style them with ease…
Classic polka dots meet a contemporary silhouette in this two-piece satin set. The loose boat-neck top with dolman sleeves brings fluidity, while the straight-cut trousers anchor the look with ease. Best styled with flats for daytime or statement earrings after hours – and yes, the trousers come with pockets.
With a soft drape and cuffed sleeves on the coat, the olive toned outfit is designed for effortless layering. The muted green tone adds depth to summer dressing, especially when styled over earthy palettes or crisp whites. The coat can belted or worn open, as it brings an understated polish.
In slate grey, this duster coat offers a subtle statement for transitional weather. The delicate frill detail at the sleeve adds a feminine contrast to its otherwise clean lines. Ideal for pairing with soft neutrals, denims, or its matching set, it’s a refined addition to any warm-weather wardrobe.
A timeless black co-ord elevated with sharp tailoring and oversized golden buttons – the kind that command attention without effort. Ideal for day-to-night dressing, this set strikes a balance between structure and ease. Pair with minimal gold jewellery and a sleek clutch for a refined finish.
The duster coat remains a defining piece in this collection – and in neutral sandstone, its versatility is unmatched. The waterfall front and wide collar lend movement and structure, making it ideal for layering over monochromes or tonal separates. Best styled with light trousers or a co-ord set for a relaxed yet put-together silhouette.
Text: Wallia Khairi l Model: Trinette Lucas l Designer: Maheen Khan l Photography: Hussain Piart l Makeup: Nabila’s
