From the Shore to the Streets

August 04, 2023

Louisa Ballou started her eponymous brand in 2019 with the intention of creating swimwear that transcends the beach. Inspired by the remarkable landscape and vibrant surfing culture of her hometown, Charleston, South Carolina, she has since expanded her range to include ready-to-wear. Based between New York and SC, the brand is made domestically with high quality materials imported from Italy.

To showcase the versatility of her garments, Ballou has decided to partner with photographers to capture her garments in real-life, everyday settings. Her first installment with Paris-based photographer Sam Hellmann finds us in downtown Manhattan, where the beachy aesthetic of her FW23 harmoniously intertwines with the energy of the concrete jungle. Her beautifully hand-painted and cut-out designs sculpt Leyla's body like water.

Text by Mariah Jolie
Photos by Sam Hellmann
Styled by Louisa Ballou
Model Leyla Greiss

Fashion

The Scene Bag Steals the Show

Fashion

SSENSE Got Steamy This Paris Fashion Week

October 09, 2026

On October 2nd, SSENSE celebrated a number of emerging designers at their Paris Fashion Week popup, Salon des Refusés. The name is a callback to the 1863 exhibition, where artists were rejected from the conservative jury of the official Paris Salon. Here, in 2026, SSENSE puts the designs of Kanika Agarwal, Laura Andraschko, MERRMA, Petra Fagerstrom, RESCHA, SECONDA, and Stephen Jones on a pedestal for one day only.

Usually functioning as an online platform, SSENSE brought the showroom to visitors to participate with the designs. Shifting from a purely digital experience, the visitors got to try on products right there while engaging with the designers themselves.

The pop-up was followed swiftly by a steamy afterparty, with a DJ set by Memphy, followed by a showcase by electronic duo Smerz. SSENSE has long been a platform for cultural discovery, and with Salon des Refusés, they bring the essence of the former outcast exhibition to a physical reality that brought together music, art, fashion, and community.

Words by Jack Devitt

Fashion

SATISFY and Oakley Are Back for Round Eight

October 09, 2026

SATISFY and Oakley are back with Chapter VIII of Equipment for Our World, bringing together futuristic eyewear, technical running gear, and a good amount of early-2000s energy.

At the center of the collection are two very different silhouettes. The Scar, originally introduced in 2001, makes a comeback in Falcon and X-Silver Metal, while the spiked Suture Jacket looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Both come equipped with specially designed vented Prizm lenses, keeping things functional despite their otherworldly appearance.

The lineup also includes a perforated long-sleeve tee, a lightweight trail cap, and a silver-foil bandana. All designed with breathability in mind, whether you're actually hitting the trails or just dressing the part.

The collection drops October 13 at SATISFY and Oakley.