Yes, Dolls - Another Instagram Update

Yes Dolls, you read that right, another Instagram update. Now you may remember that just a few weeks ago we wrote a blog all about an Instagram update and now we are updating you again!

 This time it’s for Reels, which if you aren’t already, you need to be creating content here! Reels is just the TikTok of Instagram + is a great way for prospective clients to come across your account organically. 

The new update is that original content will rank higher than reposted content. What this means is, when you see those accounts who just repost viral content all of the time instead of creating their own content, those people will be shown less than the actual original creator. In other words, let’s get creative Dolls! 💖

Now, being the creator of original content will give you the opportunity to grow and get more engagement. So make it your own, Dolls or let The POSH PR Dolls help!

The Met Gala ✨

We might have covered other events before, but none of them were THE Met! We love to cover all things fashion here with you Dolls, but this years Met really only had a few stunners. 

First, Blake Lively absolutely left us speechless with her reversible dress. She looked incredible and truly brought the theme, Gilded Glamour, to life! Her dress was meant to mimic The Statue of Liberty and how she has beautifully aged over time. 

The second stunner was none other than Kim Kardashian, who wore the exact dress that Marilyn Monroe divisively wore to sing Happy Birthday to JFK in Madison Square Garden. The dress last sold for $4.8 million and has not been touched since. We aren’t exactly sure how Kim got her hands on it, but she looked just as stunning in it in 2022 as it looked in 1962. Kim stated that she had to wear gloves when trying the dress on and only got to wear the actual dress across The Met carpet and stairs before she had to change into a dupe for the rest of the night.

Thoughts Dolls? We want to hear them! Head over to our Facebook Group & comment on our ‘Wednesday Doll Dispatch’ what you think!

Xo The PR Dolls
Comments, questions, or have a news highlight to submit? Send us a message here!

The Grammys in Review - Fashion Edition

Well Dolls, the Grammys were not quite the action packed Oscars that we experienced with Will Smith & Chris Rock, but they were filled with some fashion icons!

The Grammys took place on April 3rd, 2022 and while there were many perfectly styled celebrities, there were a few that really caught our eye! Can you guess what color they were wearing (if you said pink you are absolutely correct!!)?

First is Dua Lipa, who absolutely stunned in a sheer metallic and pink gown from Versace. She then changed for a beautiful ballgown that was the perfect mix of pink & purple, only to magically complement her hot pink bedazzled microphone for her performance.

Our second favorite look of the night was the Jhené Aiko in Monosoori. This massive tule two-piece made it look like Jhené Aiko was floating on a perfectly pink cloud of dreams.

Both of these looks are truly what dreams are made of! Let us help you build the life of your dreams ✨. Contact us or schedule a Doll Date so we can start building the luxury lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of!

That’s Right, Glass Bags are In

If you follow the Kardashians, you know that they are known for their extravagant fashion statements. Whether it was Kendall & Kylie at the Met Gala or Kim at the Met Gala, we honestly have no way of predicting what they will be up to next.

This past week, Kylie Jenner posted a picture with her latest fashion piece, a hand blown glass purse. Yes, you read that correctly, a glass purse. We aren’t exactly sure how you would actually use it, so we are labeling a truly extreme fashion statement.

That being said, is this glass purse trend actually going to last? How much do one of these even cost?

Here is what we know:

1. The bag that Kylie was specifically wearing was from a glassware brand called Heven who did a collab with Coperni. The bag debuted in a Fall 2022 runway show.

2. The exact bag Kylie had was a steep $2,700.

3. Other celebrities have quickly hopped on the trend, including Tinashe & Doja Cat.

   Thoughts Dolls? We want to hear them! Head over to our Facebook Group & comment on our ‘Wednesday Doll Dispatch’ what you think!
   

Xo The PR Dolls
Comments, questions, or have a news highlight to submit? Send us a message here!

FASHION WEEK…IN THE METAVERSE

Dolls, can you believe we are even saying this? Who would have thought the next fashion week would be in a magical world that, well, isn’t real. While it’s hard to wrap our heads around, luxury fashion houses like Dolce & Gabbana and Etro made their appearance in the Metaverse this past week. Dolce & Gabbana really took the show with ‘cats’ walking the ‘catwalk’ in custom D&G wear. According to viewers, the Metaverse fashion show was full of glitches and a small number of attendees, despite the news surrounding the event. Dolls, all of these advances in technology can be a lot to take in, and we are all learning as we go. It will be exciting to see how the fashion world will change and adapt to the Metaverse. What are you thoughts - do you think the Metaverse Fashion Week will be the next big thing?

THE BEST RAIN BOOTS THIS SEASON

Well, Dolls, March & April can sometimes feel like a drag. We are so close to warm weather here in Virginia and eagerly waiting for all the summer activities. So, while you may feel in a rut this season, we can at least look cute while getting through it!

The Affordably Cute: These basic black beauties would be perfect for every outfit & would be great for the fall and winter. At $85, they are on the lower side of most comparable rain boots.

The Luxury: Wow, wow, WOW! These Chloé rain boots are to die for. They are sure to elevate any look and turn heads wherever you go.

Xo The PR Dolls
Comments, questions, or have a news highlight to submit? Send us a message here!

FASHION NOT SO NOVA

The hit fashion retailer sported by icons like Cardi B and Kylie Jenner has recently paid 4.2 million in court to settle allegations that they failed to provide negative reviews to customers. Hiding bad reviews is a big no-no, and this is the first time the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has gone after a retailer. Although Fashion Nova did not admit to this claim and reportedly claimed they would have won in court if they proceeded, they settled the case to prevent lengthy and costly time in court. Fashion Nova was under fire earlier last year due to claims of failing to give customers a chance to cancel their orders when they failed to ship on time.

PINTEREST POSSIBILITIES

Dolls, if Pinterest isn't already a part of your digital marketing strategy, it's time to make an account! Pinterest currently has 444 million active users, with an ever-expanding demographic. If you aren't familiar with promoting your brand or services on Pinterest, the metrics you will want to track are similar to those you probably are looking out for on platforms like Instagram. You can see the impression, engagement, monthly viewers, and save through Pinterest to assess how your pins perform. Write a blog? Share your post to Pinterest! Have a weekly trend you post to Instagram? Share it to Pinterest too! Your ways of connecting are ever-expanding in this digital age!

Xo The PR Dolls
Comments, questions, or have a news highlight to submit? Send us a message here!

REMEMBERING ANDRÉ LEON TALLEY

André Leon Talley, fashion icon and the former creative director for Vogue, has died. Talley was a proponent of change in the fashion world expressing the challenges of promoting diversity in the industry. You may recognize Talley as a former judge on "America's Next Top Model" and from the Documentary The Gospel According to André. Talley has been described as a leader in paving the way for diversity and equality within the fashion industry. He spoke on Instagram of the hills still needing to be overcome in systemic racism and inequality. Outpours of love and remembrance are flooding social media as he is remembered today.

STAYING ETHICAL WITH VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS

What a world, Dolls! If you haven't heard, there are more than 200 Virtual Influencers hosted on Instagram. The most well-known examples are Shudu and Lil' Miquela. At first glance, it can be hard to tell that these accounts are not real people. However, this is exactly what makes them so ideal for brand and product promotions. They can be used for partnerships 24/7. With Virtual Influencers comes the concern for unrealistic body standards and unclear representation. With VR and AR technologies placing digital characters on large platforms, the digital connection will become a new norm, however, clear boundaries must be established to avoid harm. It will be interesting to follow along with how these technologies further develop!

TIME TO GET FUNKY!

Dolls, it's time for a cut and color! LA hair guru, Daniel Moon, says it's time to take the leap and have fun with your color! Known for color treatments that defy any color found in nature, Moon has encouraged all of us to try a funky, fluorescent color for 2022. Moon has styled the heads of Kanye West, Madonna, and Kid Cudi. The belief that a salon experience should be a creative journey is part of what has encouraged this movement of brave, bold colors! A new hairstyle can break down barriers, create memories, and start new life chapters! We don't know about you, Dolls, but I think we may stick to our Blonde around here...unless we all dye our hair pink!

INSTAGRAM MOVING TOWARD AN ALL-IN-ONE SERVICE

Dolls, you know we love Planoly as our go-to tool for carefully curating our Instagram grid. Well, the news is, Instagram is playing around with a new option that will enable users to reorder their posts on their grid. Now, if launched, this isn't technically a tool that will replace our beloved Planoly. However, we love the idea of rearranging posts to create an even more curated feed! I mean, how often have you gone to post and regretted placing an image where it's been placed? We love seeing the goals Instagram is setting for this new year and are excited for more to come for our Instagram feeds!

EXPANDING YOUR INSTAGRAM CONTENT

Are you a beauty expert, fashion icon, lifestyle influencer? Maybe you're even all of these or none of these! Your followers follow you because they are interested in your content, in your life, in your day-to-day! Marianna Hewitt spoke about these lines being blurred, how fashion girls are showcasing their beauty routines, and vice versa. Your audience may follow you because you're an expert in one area, but they really do appreciate your overall taste and are interested in what interests you. One industry impacts the other, and a large way to grow your following is to expand your content! A great way of understanding what your following may be interested in, is to simply ask them!

Y2K SWEATPANTS CHILLING

Dolls, we said it before, 2022 will be all about Y2K fashion. The PR Dolls are divided on this one, but we are ready to see what trends start to set sail as we have officially entered the New Year! We are crossing our fingers that low-rise jeans don't become trendy, though the fashion forecasts say otherwise. When you think of Y2K accessories, your mind probably drifts to chunky platform sandals, baguette bags, and an overwhelming amount of layered on jewelry, well Dolls, you're right. Y2K fashion isn't stopping just at bubble dresses and bright colors, the rhinestoned accessories are making a comeback too! Now, 2022 isn't all about revising the early 2000's. Many of us are still working from home and we don't see sweatpants being unfashionable 'work' attire anytime soon! While shopping for your perfect platforms, be sure to treat yourself to some comfy WFH attire too!

INSTAGRAM VS TIKTOK

Did anyone else notice the similarities this year between Instagram and TikTok? After TikTok gained traction, we saw Instagram step up their game with Reels, and now the PR Dolls find themselves in a limitless scroll through content on both platforms. Instagram plans to keep the focus on the Reels game in 2022. The video front grasps more user attention and engagement than stories and posts ever have (take note, Boss Dolls!). Any predictions on which social media platform will take the lead in 2022?

2021 LOVED Y2K STYLE

Dolls, from the street to the runway, we saw heavy fashion influence this year from the early-'00s! This year we witnessed everything from low rise jeans to tube tops, and I don't know about you Dolls, but we're hoping 2022 brings back jeans above the waistline! While we love the unique, effortlessness of the early-'00s, some of it was a bit colorful for our taste. Y2K was not afraid to pattern mix, and we love the boldness! Any predictions on what 2022 fashion will bring?

KEEPING UP WITH PETE DAVIDSON

Dolls, we'd love to know your opinion on the whole Pete Davidson, Kim Kardashian romance. After divorcing Kanye, Kim Kardashian (41) has a new man for the first time in nine years, Pete Davidson (28). Kim hosted SNL in October, where the couple allegedly met and began their romance. Davidson has dated everyone from Cazzie David to Ariana Grande, so we shouldn't be too shocked that Kim K is now in the mix. Dolls, we have to be honest, this is an interesting pairing, but we're so interested in how this plays out!

ADAM SANDLER: UNOFFICIAL AMBASSADOR OF PANDEMIC STYLE

That's right, Dolls, Adam Sandler. From the oversized basketball shorts, sloppy branded tee, and shoes that too often are untied, Adam Sandler is the face of the past 18 months in fashion. The actor with a net worth pushing $350 million looks like he solely gets his clothing second-hand, and you know what, there's something we admire about that. All jokes aside, Dolls, fashion labels have created everything from Sandler Shots, basketball shorts with the suggestion of sizing up to achieve 'the look' to a whole fashion term around his get-up, calling it Sandlercore. There's something we love about this, but don't worry, Dolls, we're not giving up on our Louis Vuitton quite yet!

POP CULTURE MOMENTS THAT DEFINED OUR YEAR

Between memes of Bernie in mittens, countless filters on Instagram, and hashtags that seemed to define a generation, we're looking back on a few of our favorite moments on Instagram this year. To start, the Free Britney hashtag flooded our feeds, and the news of her conservatorship ending was a hard one to miss on the Gram, we're happy you're free, Britney! The Friends reunion left us with nostalgic feelings and had us rewatching all our favorite episodes on repeat. And Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindling their flame made us remember that, in fact, she still is just Jenny From the Block.

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER VS THE ALGORITHM

Dolls, what side are you on? Are you team chronological or team algorithm? Instagram has announced that by early 2022 users will have the option of viewing their feed in chronological order in the OG 2010 Instagram fashion or sticking to the algorithm we are now so accustomed to. The current algorithm received a lot of fire when it first launched. However, Instagram said the change was necessary; without an algorithm, they estimated that users were missing out on about 70% of posts in their feed. The algorithm reportedly shows users the content they interact with and enjoy most. However, users have been pushing for chronological order to come back, feeling as though their content is being buried and they are missing posts from friends and creators they once enjoyed. Here at the Doll HQ, we're loving the heated debate around being Team Chronological or Team Algorithm! What side are you on?

BRITNEY IS BACK!

We are fully Team Britney here at the Doll HQ! Since her 13-year long conservatorship under her father was lifted (yay!), Britney has been outspoken about the control her dad had over her and her money. She most recently spoke out about the harsh interview with Diane Sawyer after her 2003 breakup with Justin Timberlake. Sawyer was accusatory towards Britney, made Spears cry, and overall, conducted an interview quite triggering to Britney at that moment in her life. Britney goes on to speak out about her first time recently being able to withdraw her own money out of an ATM to Christmas shop and buy herself wine. We're cheering on this new, independent Britney!

GRAB YOUR PUFFER COAT

Bundle up, Dolls! Your puffer coat is your new winter wardrobe staple! We've been seeing this cozy staple from the streets to the runway with stars like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and Billie Eilish sporting this look. Dolls, we're all for this. We love a pair-with-anything staple, and warm and cozy is a trend we can easily get behind this winter!

Xo The PR Dolls
Comments, questions, or have a news highlight to submit? Send us a message here!

INSTAGRAM SAYS TAKE A BREAK

Dolls, we use Instagram for everything! From engaging with you to keeping up with clients to running our business, you’ll probably never catch us going a day without being on the ‘Gram. However, with the growing dependency on social media, especially with younger generations, we’re pretty happy to see Instagram taking steps to help promote a break from staring at your screen. We’ll definitely be implementing this tool with our personal accounts!

The new feature prompts a message that asks how long you’d like to take a break. Then suggests non-screen activities such as taking a deep breath, journaling your thoughts, listening to music, and checking an item off your to-do list. Instagram already has a feature allowing you to limit time on the app by setting a daily time limit for yourself, and we love seeing the additional steps being taken!

2010 FASHION ON THE RISE?

You read it right, and Dolls, we are a bit unsure about this one too! Currently, we're seeing the early 2000's styles all over TikTok, and rumor has it 2010 styles will be making a debut soon. Ari Arvand mentioned the current short-lived trend cycles we're seeing right now and how the younger generation is focusing on turning these trends into personal expressions and DIY'ing looks. Trend forecaster, Mandy Lee, says we'll see these trends come back in modernized ways, so plan to see updated versions of that classic 2010 denim vest and circle scarf! It's not just TikTokers hinting at a resurgence of 2010 styles though, fashion labels like Givenchy and Valentino have debuted styles such as gladiator sandals and peplum silhouettes.

HOUSE OF GUCCI

Okay, Dolls, we're obsessed! It is probably no surprise that this is the movie we're most excited about this year. We love the drama, the scandals, and of course Lady Gaga. A marriage leading to divorce and ending with murder, even knowing the storyline we were on the edge of our seats. Grossing 21.8 million during it's 5-day opening, House of Gucci did not disappoint. It's a long movie (over two and a half hours)! However, for Gaga and Gucci, we would happily sit through this.

REMEMBERING VIRGIL ABLOH

After privately battling a rare form of cancer for two years, Virgil Abloh passed away on Sunday, November 28th. The founder and CEO of Off White and designer for Louis Vuitton was adored, loved, and an inspiration to many. As the first Black artistic director for Louis Vuitton, Abloh focused on unlocking the door for future generations and believed that the power of art would inspire and pave way for greater equality in the industry.

Abloh was able to pull in a younger demographic to Louis Vuitton by combining high fashion and streetwear. Unafraid to push gender norms and boundaries in the art world, Abloh was a constant reminder of what is possible; and a glimpse at what is to come.

Models such as Haley Bieber, Gigi Hadid, and Cara Delevingne took to Instagram to share memories, their heartbreak, and love for the late CEO and designer.

NEW INSTAGRAM FEATURE

Dolls, have you ever uploaded a carousel of photos to Instagram and then decided against a photo in the series after posting? Instead of deciding whether to cringe over this photo for internet eternity or delete your sweet post altogether, Instagram now allows you to delete individual photos from your carousel! To do so, you’ll tap the three dots in the top right corner of your post, select edit, and you’ll notice a trash can in the top left corner of each photo. We’re pretty excited about this new feature!

SUPPORTING SMALL THIS HOLIDAY

Dolls, we love to shop and know we’re all brainstorming that perfect gift for the Boss Doll or loved one in your life! For small businesses, 78% of owners were reported saying holiday sales this year will be a determining factor for whether they survive into 2022. It’s been a challenging couple of years for entrepreneurs and small businesses alike, so remember when gifting this holiday season to show your favorite small business some love! And if you are a small business owner, check out this Forbes article on how to prepare and persist this holiday season!

LUSH EXITING SOCIAL MEDIA

Have you heard the news, Dolls? British cosmetics brand, Lush, has made the decision to exit four major social media platforms. What does this mean for the future of Lush? Will other brands follow in their footsteps? If you want to learn more about this bold decision and the potential risks and rewards the company may face, click here.

BACHELORETTE RELATIONSHIP DRAMA

Dolls, if you’re one to keep up with Bachelor Nation, you won’t want to miss this article by E! Former Bachelorette, Katie Thurston, and season winner, Blake Moynes, have recently ended their relationship. After going their separate ways, Katie rekindled a relationship with a contestant from early in her season. Click here to find out which former contestant stole Katie’s heart!

PAUSE ON MOBILE IDS

If you aren’t aware, Apple recently mentioned they would release a feature that will eventually allow you to store your ID in the company’s Wallet app just like your debit and credit card! This feature was set to release in late 2021 but has now been moved back to sometime in early 2022. Click here to find out what locations will accept this new feature!

INFLUENCERS IN ACTION

For years, celebrities have been the face of everything and now it’s time for young influencers to take the stage! Companies have been recently upgrading influencers’ roles to help them move closer to new, young audiences. Why would a successful influencer on social media with flexibility and solid income wish for a traditional 9-5 job? Well, these creators say it’s a great opportunity to understand how a larger company operates which will lead them to even greater opportunities in the future. Read more here!

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

As part of this week’s recent social media news, Snapchat announced earlier this year that it would add Layers to Snap Map, making the social product more interactive. Today, the app is launching its first two layers: Memories and Explore. Memories will show you old Snapchats that you sent from particular places. Explore shows public photos and videos submitted by Snapchat users around the world. Can’t wait to check out these new features!

HOLIDAY HIRING HUSTLE

Dolls, we all know how crazy holiday shopping can be! Retail and e-commerce sales are expected to boom this year with an expected 1.3 trillion dollars between November and January. With so much demand, companies are scrambling to find new hires to help support their business through this holiday season. Read here to find out more on how these businesses can find the right amount of new employees!

Xo The PR Dolls
Comments, questions, or have a news highlight to submit? Send us a message here!

WORKING REMOTE

As the economy rebounds from the pandemic, job growth is recovering with it. October saw 531,000 jobs added to the market presenting the fact that the US job sector is bouncing back with rapid pace. However, the pandemic has had a deep effect on people’s outlook on the positions they fill. Many individuals now demand to work from home, and if they aren’t awarded this opportunity, they go elsewhere. This could present a challenge for the service industry such as restaurants and hotels. This is very problematic for these types of businesses because people are beginning to want to travel and go out again after being deprived of that during the pandemic. What does all this mean? If you have a business, or are thinking of starting one offering the flexibility to work from home or the office could be a great decision. Also, if you are in the service industry you need to pay your employees accordingly in order to ensure you attract top talent and are able to fill all the vacant positions!

ASTROWORLD NEWS

Dolls, we know you’ve probably heard the devastating news surrounding the events that transpired at the Travis Scott Astroworld festival this past weekend. Eight people were killed and over 300 people were treated for injuries. Investigators said a crowd surged toward the stage, but the cause remains unknown. To learn more about this horrific event and to see what Kylie and Travis had to say about the tragedy in Houston, click here.

CONTINUED SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES

Holidays can be tough for all businesses, big and small. However, supply chain issues this year have caused many challenges for small retailers in specific. Delays, shortages, and other supply chain disruptions have caused small retailers to lose out to giants like Amazon and Walmart who have millions to spend on moving their supplies and merchandise efficiently. Independent business owners who have less resources, say they’re often the last in line for products because manufacturers prioritize larger, more lucrative contracts! Click here to read more on these supply chain issues!

WHAT’S NEXT FOR INSTAGRAM

Dolls, earlier this year, Instagram was exploring ideas of introducing a subscription-based approach for content creators and all other users. It seems the company is positioned to launch creator subscriptions into further testing! According to app intelligence services, Instagram has recently added in-app purchase options that are intended for Instagram subscriptions. Subscribed users will see the content of their favorite creators while others who do not pay the subscription service fee will not be able to view this content. Do you think it is a good idea for Instagram to introduce a Subscription service?

Xo The PR Dolls
Comments, questions, or have a news highlight to submit? Send us a message here!

SO META

Have you heard the news, Dolls? Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Thursday at his company’s Connect event that its new name will be Meta. He said the name Facebook doesn’t fully encompass everything the company does now, and is still closely linked to one product. In relation, Zuckerberg said, “But over time, I hope we are seen as a metaverse company.” Dolls, do you think this rebranding will be successful? Read more about the name change decision here!

THE FUTURE OF ZILLOW

Dolls, Zillow shares fell more than 20% on the news that it's exiting its house-flipping business and laying off much of its staff. The decision, reached by the board of directors on Tuesday morning, sent the company’s shares plummeting! It also raised big questions about what comes next for Seattle-based Zillow, which had staked its future on the idea that its data scientists could power a business that buys and sells thousands of homes a month. What do you think the future holds for Zillow? Read more here!

GUCCI GANG

On Tuesday night, Hollywood Boulevard was shut down to make room for a highly anticipated Gucci Fashion Show. Creative Director, Alessandro Michele brought to life visions of old Hollywood Glam and enlisted the help of some of the most famous customers while doing so. Find out here which A-list celebs were in attendance to experience this timeless magic of Hollywood!

Xo The PR Dolls
Comments, questions, or have a news highlight to submit? Send us a message here!

KNOW YOUR WORTH

Dolls, we know many of you are probably familiar with the smash hit “Squid Games”, that is now the most successful show in Netflix history! In the wake of the show’s success, you would imagine the show’s creator would be set for life financially. However, this has not been the case! Creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, first developed the idea for Squid Games in 2009. Desperate to get a deal, he shopped around everywhere eventually landing with Netflix. After production, the show cost Netflix around 15 million dollars and they have now eclipsed 650 million in earnings directly related to the show! Generating such massive amounts of revenue in such a small timeframe should have set up Hwang for life. This was not the case though, as he did not negotiate a performance-related clause within his contract. The lesson this displays is twofold, one believe in yourself and bet on the success of your doings. Two, the details are so important in business situations. A small performance clause could have earned him millions!

JETSETTING

After announcing a deal with private equity firm, Blackstone, Spanx founder and CEO, Sara Blakely, celebrated by gifting each employee with two first-class plane tickets to anywhere in the world along with $10,000. WOW! What a generous gift! Read more about these impressive presents here!

IT’S ELECTRIC!

News flash Dolls! Uber is acquiring 50,000 Tesla vehicles to rent to its drivers as part of an ambitious plan to electrify its fleet in the US by 2023! The ride-hailing company is working with rental car company, Hertz, which announced yesterday that it had ordered 100,000 Teslas. The move comes as car companies and transportation providers around the world are coming under regulatory pressure to phase out gas-powered vehicles in favor of those that produce zero emissions. With these cleaner means of transit in mind, is it possible for Uber to meet their goal to go 100% electric by 2030? Click here to read more here about this partnership!

FENDI X SKIMS

Another iconic fashion collaboration is in effect, Dolls! Fendi and Skims announced the release of a joint collection, which will include an assortment of dresses, outerwear, loungewear, shapewear, and lingerie. According to the release, the idea for a collab came when Fendi creative director, Kim Jones, realized his coworkers were all waiting for a Skims drop in the middle of a meeting: “I thought: let’s do something together.” We are so excited to see this full collection released on November 9th!

SAVING CHRISTMAS

Dolls, did you know that the current supply chain issues are mostly related to the shortage of qualified drivers to transport goods? This shortage of drivers has created a freight backlog at ports around the country and much needed supplies and products are not being delivered to the businesses on time. Small business owners are hoping that these issues will be resolved soon and before the quickly approaching holiday season!

FELL IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL AT THE ROCK SHOW

“Kravis Forever,” said Kim Kardashian about her sister, Kourtney’s, recent beachside proposal from musician, Travis Barker. According to the article, the couple confirmed their relationship in January and have recently tied the knot! Read here to find out more this celeb couple’s romantic proposal!

LATEST IN SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram’s upcoming launch of “Live” tools will help align their playing field to match up more closely with other digital platforms such as Youtube, TikTok and Facebook.  Live creators will be able to schedule their Live creator scheduling up to 90 days in advance of their roll out. It will also include a “practice mode” which will allow the creator to test their connection, lighting and any pre-show prep that they will need before the actual live post!

STAY WARM THIS SEASON

Baby it’s cold outside!! Candice Swanepoel and Montreal-based label Nicole Benisti are partnering up to offer lux coats for this upcoming chilly season. Their collection will offer shearling coats, down-filled puffers, tweed jackets and layering must haves such as mohair and cashmere. Read here to find out how to get your hands on some amazingly stylish & cozy outerwear for both fall and winter!

STAY POSITIVE

The big news for Apple on Monday, October 18 is…. battery life!! The MacBook Pro will now be capable of 17 hours of video playback, while the 16-inch version can go 21 hours. Apple says these are the first MacBooks with fast-charge capability. This means that the computer’s battery will charge up to 50% in 30 minutes. The reason these computers are so much more power efficient is that their new chips resemble the processors found in iPhones which have high performance while maintaining power efficiency! These are much more efficient than the chips that were once used and were made by the Intel Corp.

SOCIAL MEDIA & SEO

Here’s something to think about, Dolls! Social media allows marketers to engage and easily communicate with potential customers through a variety of platforms. With this being said, having strong digital marketing strategies is essential for business owners in order to expand reach and connect with targeted audiences. Social media, particularly backlinks, plays an important role in search engine optimization (SEO). Backlinks are simply links from a page on one website to another. When relating backlinks to social media and SEO, useful and meaningful content are more likely be distributed from one user to another throughout the social media community, therefore creating more backlinks. Search engines are then aware of the useful content that has been created, and have boosted overall SEO rankings. By posting relevant, meaningful content on social media platforms, you can naturally enhance your overall reach!

COMING TO YOU LIVE!

Who would’ve thought the Kardashian Family could get even MORE entertaining?! This past Saturday, Kim Kardashian West had the opportunity to host Saturday Night Live and she absolutely killed it. Clearly, the SNL writing team held nothing back while mining for material from Kim’s personal life that was sure to fill the audience with comedic relief. From jabs at her ex-husband, Kanye, to mocking OJ Simpson, her opening monologue did not disappoint! Click here to see the standout performance from this first time host!

THE FABRIC OF OUR LIVES

News flash, Dolls! Cotton prices haven’t been this high since 2011, reaching $1.16 per pound. One of the main contributing factors to these climbing prices is the ban of importing cotton from Chinese manufacturers. This has caused many disruptions and obstacles for cotton’s supply chain. Another factor that has contributed to inflated prices is instances of extreme weather which has affecting total cotton output! So what does this mean for consumers and retailers? The spike in production costs overseas has caused retailers to increase their prices on cotton goods, leaving consumers with more expensive products. Although these prices have been increasing, retailers are still able to achieve pricing power with the consumers still willing to pay the higher prices on cotton goods. Learn more about the recent surge in cotton prices here!

FINDING THE PERFECT CANDIDATE

So many of us understand that being a small business owner is a tough, but rewarding job! Finding the perfect employees for your business has always been challenging, and now we are seeing staggering numbers that truly reflect this issue. Over 90% of small business owners are saying they are having extreme difficulty finding qualified applicants to fulfill the responsibilities of their job openings. We certainly do not want this for you! If you are having trouble getting the perfect Doll for your business, you may need to get creative in the hiring process! From making applicants feel comfortable throughout the recruiting process to sprucing up those job descriptions, show why working for your business is so appealing and make sure to highlight your unique offerings! Creativity will help you overcome this challenge and help you find the perfect candidates for your company!

TAKE A BREAK, DOLLS!

Dolls, after recent events of a whistleblower making remarks that Facebook prioritizes profit over restricting content that may be harmful to individuals mental health, multiple social media platforms are looking to implement some changes. As you all know, here at the Doll HQ, we love social media, but there is still a ton of room for improvement! Social media can be a breeding ground for negative side effects in regards to mental health. This update that Facebook and Instagram are proposing will help “nudge” people away from negative content for something more beneficial. Also, it will introduce a “take a break feature" that is going to encourage users to limit their time on the various apps. Social media is such an amazing and powerful tool when used for the right purposes, but unfortunately people can take advantage of using it for bad reasons. We LOVE to see that Facebook understands the effects social media can have on mental health, and are taking the steps necessary to ensure it is a safe place for its users!

THE LATEST IN SOCIAL

One of the reasons we LOVE instagram is because they’re always innovating their features to make for a more enjoyable user experience. Do you find yourself constantly missing posts from your favorite accounts? Well, Instagram is currently in the process of adding a “‘Favorites” feature which will allow users to choose which accounts they would like to prioritize and show higher in their feed! How cool!? You can make sure you see posts from accounts that you just NEVER want to miss! Looking forward to seeing this feature come to life!

SAY GOODBYE ‘FUR’ GOOD

Big news, Dolls! Luxury fashion brands are continuing to find ways to increase their environmental awareness and importance placed on sustainable clothing. As consumers are becoming more aware of the harmful effects that come with incorporating fur into designs, we have seen a huge drop in demand for these products! In fact, French luxury group, Kering, COMPLETELY discontinued designs involving fur!! Read here to see what other luxury brands have been influenced by this decision to phase out animal fur!

TIKTOK & YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

We care so much about your mental health, Dolls. Although social media platforms can pose certain mental health concerns for many individuals, there are some ways to help make social media a safer space for our minds. TikTok is one of the platforms that is implementing new mental health resources for its users. With the recent suicide prevention month, one of the tools added is an in-app resource list of crisis hotlines around the globe! The safe space on TikTok is also emphasized by the prevalent use of mental health hashtags and a video category dedicated to well-being. We LOVE seeing platforms provide these critical resources!! Although there is still SO much work that needs to be done in order to eliminate the connection between social media and negative mental health effects, adding these resources is certainly a step in the right direction!

DO YOU ACCEPT THIS ROSE?

Pop open that champagne, Dolls! If you keep up with Bachelor Nation news as much as we do, we are SO excited to finally have a list of Michelle Young’s official contestants for season 18 of the Bachelorette! There’s so much to look forward to this season with the great looking group of men! Here’s to hoping for some exciting drama!! 😉

HOW TO COMBAT CHINA’S ENERGY CRISIS

Heads up, Dolls! China has been in the news recently for their energy and power restrictions. Chinese manufacturers have been hit with strict business hour regulations in order to cope with the impending energy crisis. This could have serious implications for your business, and we want to make sure you are ready! As we know you are well aware, many of our goods are sourced from China. With this being the case, getting the supplies necessary to run your business could become far more difficult with this disruption of supply chains. We do not want to see you miss the opportunity to improve that pretty little brand or take on new clients because you are unable to get your eloquently branded packaging in time! A couple tips to combat this problem are:

1. Forecast - order enough product in advance to sustain client demand

2. Contact a U.S. manufacturer - See if there is an American based manufacturer that can help you meet demand if you cannot get enough inventory

As things gear up for the holiday season, let’s make sure we are ready to crush it by taking the proper precautions!