Fantage: A Glittering Digital Ghost Town
Ah, Fantage—a flashback to the days when the internet felt like a freshly discovered galaxy. Imagine it: 2008, an era where the internet was less algorithmic and more anarchic, where the hottest trend wasn't about who had the most followers, but who had the most neon-clad avatar in an online game designed for kids. Fantage was the digital utopia for the tweenage crowd, a place where your biggest dilemma was whether to splurge your hard-earned Stars on a new virtual outfit or save up for a more exclusive hairdo. It was a pixelated paradise, until it wasn't.
Vapourwave: The Aesthetic of Digital Dystopia
Exploring the Dreamlike Nostalgia of an Internet-Born Subculture The 2010s saw the birth of countless digital subcultures, but none have lingered in our collective consciousness quite like Vapourwave. What started as a niche internet movement has become a defining aesthetic for a generation that’s both obsessed with and critical of the past. Dismissed by some…
So… Why Are Trinkets Now Cool?
The trend of collecting things obsessively, from tiny figurines to trading cards, isn’t just a fleeting fad—it’s a deep-seated part of our culture, one that has been constantly evolving yet ever-present. Whether it’s Sonny Angels, Pokémon cards, or even vintage annuals, there’s something magnetic about the act of collecting that resonates across generations.
How “Very Mindful, Very Demure” Became the Internet’s Latest Phrase
Because nothing says “I’m totally unbothered” like meticulously curated restraint. The internet, a wild and unpredictable beast, never fails to surprise with the phrases it decides to bless—or curse—us with. This time, it’s the delightful “very mindful, very demure,” a phrase that’s somehow managed to infiltrate our collective consciousness, especially on TikTok, turning everything from…
Charli XCX’s Brat Era Takes Over Dress to Impress
This Might Be the Best Brat Collab Yet Just when we thought our favourite digital dress-up game, Dress to Impress (DTI), had reached its peak, they’ve gone and outdone themselves. If you read our recent piece, “The New Era of Digital Dress-Up: How Roblox’s Dress to Impress Captivates a Generation”, you’ll know we’re completely besotted…
City Pop: The Soundtrack and Aesthetic of 1980s Japan
Exploring the vibrant music and visual culture that captured the essence of Japan’s urban lifestyle during its economic boom, and its resurgence in the digital age. You’re walking through the neon-lit streets of Tokyo at night. The city is alive with the hum of life, from the buzzing sounds of arcades to the chatter of…
The New Era of Digital Dress-Up: How Roblox’s “Dress to Impress” Captivates a Generation
In recent years, many female gamers have found themselves nostalgic for childhood staples like GirlsGoGames and Disney’s Pixie Hollow—once thriving, now long gone. Nearly two decades after its launch, Roblox is keeping the spirit alive, turning outfit creation into a competitive, multiplayer experience.
The Rise of Inclusive, Low-Pressure Communities
In a world of hyper-competitive and often toxic gaming environments, women look for a sanctuary to simply enjoy their games without the noise of exclusion. In the increasingly noisy world of online gaming, where hyper-competitive environments and toxic behavior often dominate, the need for alternative spaces is more crucial than ever. These spaces aren’t necessarily…
What Makes or Breaks a Video Game to Screen Adaptation?
Examining the Evolution and Future of Video Game Adaptations It’s the early nineties, and video games have just experienced a boom in popularity. As two extremely visual mediums, film adaptations of video games felt like a no-brainer. Turning an already extremely popular intellectual property into a blockbuster film should be a guaranteed success, like the…
Frutiger Aero: The Iconic 2000s Tech and Corporation Aesthetic, and its Sub-genres.
Written by Nataly Ornelas It’s 2007. After a long day at school, you’ve come home to try out the new Windows OS. You sit down on your good-old ergonomic chair and scoot up to your wooden desk, booting up your bulky PC and monitor. After a minute of watching the agonisingly slow loading screen, you…