From sustainable streetwear to catfights and plenty of snogging... what happened this week?

CULTUREWhat the f*ck!
Written By Phoebe Shardlow

This is WHAT THE F*CK!, your weekly pop culture round-up of nail-biting news, need-to-know trends and never-to-be-ignored topics. Think of it as your own personally curated list, prepped and preened with things that deserve your undivided attention or disapproving glances. Allow us to do the hard work for you (we’re your own little tattle-tale) and let us show you what to check-out and check-off this week.

 

THE GIRLS ARE FIGHTING!
Arianators take on Swifties

On Friday, pop girlie Twitter was ravaged by war… #ARIvsTAY. Just the mere usage of the hashtag was enough of a call to arms for ARIANA GRANDE and TAYLOR SWIFT stans. Think of it like a modern version of the Peloponnesian War, but instead of Ancient Greece we’re on stan Twitter, and instead of a military, you have a plethora of fancams to be deployed when anyone questions the legitimacy of 7 Rings or Lover. With alliances quickly forming, CARDI B stans sided with Taylor while AZEALIA stans (myself included) opted for Team Ari.

 

SANITISED SEX BUBBLE SUMMER
Love Island Returns

You’ve probably already noticed that Love Island has returned just from the dominating discourse on your Twitter timeline alone. I’ve always been a big believer in the ‘if you can’t beat them join them’ sentiment, which is why I’ve gone full throttle with the Island of Love this summer. So from now on, you’ll find me at 9pm every weeknight on the sofa marinating in coconut scented fake tan and clutching a Diet Coke whilst yelling ‘nah that’s well muggy’ at the TV, dreaming up what my PRETTY LITTLE THING capsule collection would look like…

 

NATURE CALLS!
Bene Culture release their new collection

Did you know that BENE CULTURE is Birmingham’s leading streetwear brand and that they’ve just launched their latest nature inspired collection? (Seriously, have you been living under a rock????) Founded by a trio of British Asians with only £50 as their start-up capital, this youth-led Brummy brand quickly drew a crowd of eager fans while also gathering a tidy collection of 200,000 followers on DEPOP (and here I am with someone trying to haggle down my £5 Spice Girls tee from when I was in primary school). Featuring a dreamy selection of vintage inspired floral graphics in peony pinks and muddy browns on their staple graphic tees and hoodies, the collection was inspired by our daily lockdown walks and is now available to buy online or in-store at Birmingham’s Custard Factory.

 

SNOG MOMENT!
Zendaya and Tom Holland caught making out

Barbz across the world are devastated today as Spiderman stars ZENDAYA and TOM HOLLAND confirmed their romance via a paparazzi shot depicting the pair having a silly little snog in the car. Perhaps for context I should butt in and add that in the NICKI MINAJ Cinematic Universe there is a long standing joke that Ms. Minaj and Tom Holland are happily in love. I wish I could explain where, how or why this joke started but I cannot! All I know is that the Tomdaya make-out sesh has birthed some incredible Barbz memes.

 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN… THE WEEKND
Are The Weeknd and Angie an item?

Rumours have been swirling about Hollywood this week that THE WEEKND and Angelina Jolie (yes you are reading this correctly) have coupled up. After the pair reportedly had dinner together this week in Los Angeles and were spotted leaving a restaurant together, all I can say is… what the f*ck?????

 

IS IT A BIRD? IS IT A PLANE?
No, it’s Uniqlo and Flock Together

Continuing with the nature theme this week, UNIQLO has collaborated with POC birdwatching collective FLOCK TOGETHER, a community that brings young people together in a natural setting, providing mental support to its members and creative mentorship to future generations. Celebrating the innovation of the Japanese brand’s AIRism, the collection is made from “special fibers that wick moisture away from the skin to release heat,” and we’re gonna be honest…breathable fabrics for the great outdoors never looked so good.

 
Phoebe Shardlow

Phoebe Shardlow (23) is the Culture Editor of Check-Out, East London-residing, Prada heels clacking, fashion journo grad from CSM. Her graduating beauty magazine, Slap!, was a vivacious story of selfies, hot boys, gamy teeth and Kylie Minogue. She’s previously written for publications including Elle and CR Fashion Book. Her plans for 2021? To become the perfect amalgamation of Larry David and Maura Higgins from Love Island. 

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