Royal Ascot Isn’t Just a Horse Race—It’s a Fashion Power Play with a 200-Year Head Start
Forget Coachella. Ditch the Kentucky Derby. If you want hats the size of dinner tables, necklines that bow to royal protocol, and celebrities who whisper instead of scream “look at me,” Royal Ascot is the moment. Every June, Britain’s most stylish week gallops into view at Ascot Racecourse, turning what should be a traditional equestrian tournament into a full-blown fashion editorial—complete with top hats, tailcoats, and paparazzi-proof fascinators. But make no mistake: this isn’t just about vibes. It’s history. So, what is Royal Ascot really? Held in Ascot, England (about an hour outside London), Royal Ascot is a five-day horse racing event—and yes, the horses are fast, but it’s the fashion that truly steals the show. The event dates back to 1711, thanks to Queen Anne, who founded Ascot Racecourse because she loved horses (and probably a bit of glam too). The actual “Royal Ascot” as we know it began in 1807, with the now-iconic Gold Cup trophy. Today, the event still starts each day with a royal procession, a flex King George IV started back in 1825—and you better believe it still goes strong. Also? The venue is still Crown property. Regal, right? The dress code? Oh, it’s not just a suggestion. This is not the event to pull a Zendaya Met Gala entrance in nothing but concept. Royal Ascot has rules, and depending on which enclosure you’re in, you might need to channel your inner Bridgerton extra or just your Sunday best. Here’s the fashion breakdown: But really, who shows up? Besides horses? British royalty—and lots of it. Queen Elizabeth II was a devoted regular (and let’s be honest, the event basically lost a bit of its sparkle when she passed). But don’t cry yet—Kate Middleton keeps the crown polished, and Princess Diana’s legacy still floats in every polka-dot moment. Celebs like Joan Collins, Elizabeth Hurley, and Helen Mirren have all dropped by in the past, keeping things glitzy without ever crossing the line into “Hollywood red carpet.” Royal Ascot is less “look at me” and more “behold this refined slay.” Royal Ascot Looks That Still Live Rent-Free in Our Heads: 1934 Elsa Schiaparelli went surrealist and bold when bold wasn’t even trending yet. 1955 Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret brought ‘50s cloche hat realness. 1990 Princess Diana in pink and purple Catherine Walker? Yes, mother. 2018 Meghan Markle’s minimalist Givenchy gown + Philip Treacy hat = chef’s kiss. 2021 The Queen’s mint ensemble with her mother’s Cartier brooch? Iconic until the very end. 2022 Kate Middleton channeled Diana again in polka dots by Alessandra Rich and a hat by Sally-Ann Provan. Say less. If you’re attending this year (Royal Ascot runs June 17–21), make sure you check the rules and bring your A-game. And if you’re not? Well, stay tuned—because we’ll be rating every hat, every hemline, and every royal wave.
Real Warri Pikin Dropped the Sweetest Father’s Day Surprise—and Oh, There’s a Baby on the Way Too
The Asuoha family said “Happy Father’s Day” in the most Real Warri Pikin way possible—with coordinated outfits, a soft glow of love, and a surprise baby bump that had our entire timeline clutching our hearts. Anita Asuoha (yes, the comedian-slash-queen-of-heartfelt-content you know as Real Warri Pikin) casually posted what we thought would be a sweet family video. And it was sweet—but also sentimental, stylish, and sneakily serving major life update energy. The vibe? Full-on wholesome. The kids are giving Pinterest-core in matching brown and white—adorable dresses, white sneakers, baby brother in a brown suit that lowkey matched dad’s look to a T. Cute, clean, cohesive. They’re singing Spyro’s Father’s Day song to their dad, and the energy is so pure, you can practically feel the group hug through your screen. But then, just as you’re melting into the softness of it all, Anita enters stage left in a flowing off-shoulder brown dress—and boom, we’re hit with the real surprise. A baby bump. Glowing. Serene. Barely-there, but impossible to miss. Cue us rewinding the video like, wait, what just happened?! But of course, Anita didn’t stop at a soft reveal. In the caption, she penned a love note that felt less like text and more like a prayer wrapped in gratitude. She wrote: “One of the best decisions I’ve made in life was saying ‘yes’ to my husband.Because in choosing him, I didn’t just get the most loving partner, I gave my children the best father.” From there, it’s all tears and tenderness. She describes him as “loving, caring, steady, strong, super supportive, and fiercely committed to family—and most of all, God.” Honestly? Goals. Then, with the calm confidence of a woman living her best chapter, she slips in: “As we prepare to welcome another heartbeat into our family, I’m reminded again that this life, our life, is a gift.” Anita, please. We weren’t ready. The whole thing—between the looks, the music, the message, and that quiet, beautiful glow—is the kind of content that reminds you what actually matters. And somehow, even while revealing something major, Anita kept it chill, sweet, and so authentically her. So yes, Happy Father’s Day to Mr. Asuoha. But also, congrats to the whole family—y’all just made the internet collectively swoon. Photo Credit: Anita Asuoha/Instagram
8 Time-Saving Work Hacks That Help You Log Off Without Guilt (or Overtime)
You know that one coworker who clocks out right on the hour—gracefully, calmly, without looking back? Her to-do list is efficient. Her tabs are closed. Her Slack is on snooze. I used to think she was a myth. Now, I’m trying to become her. What helped me reset? A handful of deceptively small (but seriously effective) time-saving work hacks. Not the recycled “wake up earlier” or “drink lemon water” kind—but tricks that actually help you work smarter, preserve your energy, and most importantly… log off with your sanity intact. Let’s get into them. 1. Treat Your Inbox Like Dirty Laundry Answering emails as they arrive might feel like productivity. It’s not. It’s multitasking’s evil twin. Instead, batch your email check-ins—just like you’d do laundry. Think of your inbox as a laundry basket, not a sock conveyor belt. Check it 2–3 times a day. Sort messages into piles: “Respond,” “Read,” “Revisit.” You’ll feel less frazzled and more in control—plus, you won’t spend your entire day toggling between half-drafted replies and passive-aggressive follow-ups. 2. Use “Busy Blocks” Like Digital Moats Your calendar isn’t just for meetings. It’s your digital territory. Mark it wisely. Create “busy” blocks to protect time for actual work (radical, I know). Whether it’s the first hour of your morning or the last half-hour before log-off, block it out. Your team doesn’t need to know you’re just trying to finish that report without someone booking a “quick sync.” Bonus: You look booked and busy. Because you are. 3. 🤖 Treat AI Like Your Free Personal Assistant Still writing every meeting recap by hand? Manually planning your entire week? You’re doing too much. Tools like ChatGPT can organize your to-dos, summarize meetings, or even write your Slack updates in 30 seconds flat. Workflow tools like Tango and Notion AI can automate your repetitive tasks. Use AI not just to save time—but to protect your brainpower for the big stuff. 4. Rewrite Your To-Do List (Like, Actually) You might be addicted to completion bias. (Same.) The rush of checking off easy tasks while the big scary ones linger untouched? Classic. Switch to a “First Things First” list. Instead of writing vague monsters like “Finish project deck,” break it down: “Draft opening slide,” “Pull client stats,” etc. Smaller wins, less mental chaos, and better progress tracking. 5. Use Your OOO Message When You’re Not Even OOO Your out-of-office message isn’t just for beach days. It’s your polite-but-firm boundary during deep work mode. Try setting your autoresponder to: “Currently heads down. I’ll get back to you tomorrow.” No long explanation needed. It keeps the pings at bay and signals that you’re not being rude—you’re being focused. Revolutionary. 6. Swap Your Spotify for Binaural Beats Yes, we all love a Taylor Swift productivity loop. But if your brain is foggy and your inbox is loud, try this: binaural beats. These sound frequencies help train your brain into a focused state. Think of it as sonic caffeine—but without the crash. Ideal for long-form writing, spreadsheet hell, or recovering from your third Zoom call in a row. 7. Make Distractions Just a Little Less Easy You don’t need a digital detox. You just need friction. Move Instagram off your home screen. Log out of TikTok. Put your phone in another room. Create just enough resistance to stop the mindless scroll before it starts. (And no, this doesn’t mean deleting everything—just making it mildly annoying to access.) 8. Schedule a Scary Hour We all have “those” tasks. The ones that sit untouched all week because they’re annoying, boring, or mildly terrifying. Give them a home: Scary Hour. Pick a day, set a timer, knock them all out in one go. Think: inbox purging, budget reconciling, client updates. You’ll be shocked how little time they actually take—and how much lighter you’ll feel once they’re done. These hacks won’t make your job easier. But they’ll make you feel more powerful doing it. No more overstuffed digital luggage. Just a clear desk, a calm mind, and a laptop that closes before sunset. Now go forth. Be the girl who clocks out on time.
Another Sick Royal? Queen Camilla Reportedly Struggling With Hidden Health Issues
If you thought the only drama in the royal family came from feuds and family group chats, think again. Amid King Charles’ cancer diagnosis and Princess Kate’s long-awaited public return post-treatment, there’s now growing concern for another senior royal: Queen Camilla. According to RadarOnline, Camilla’s health is allegedly “rapidly declining”—with sources claiming she’s “on her last legs… literally.” From foot deformities to rumored surgeries, the Queen Consort may be dealing with more than the public has been led to believe. Over the past few years, royal watchers have swapped tiaras for thermometers. First came King Charles’ unexpected cancer announcement, followed by months of speculation about Kate Middleton’s vanishing act, only to reveal she was battling cancer herself. The Palace kept both cases incredibly private—fueling a public appetite for information, conspiracy theories, and concern in equal measure. Now, Queen Camilla is reportedly the latest royal to face health challenges that the Palace may be trying to downplay. What We’re Hearing About Queen Camilla A source reportedly close to the royal inner circle says Queen Camilla is struggling to walk unaided and is battling a string of health issues, including bunions severe enough to require custom-made orthopedic shoes from a London brand, Sole Bliss. These shoes are said to be hand-tooled to conceal growths on her feet, and she allegedly has them delivered to the palace “by the truckload.” The same source added that despite advice to consider a wheelchair, Camilla is resisting—possibly out of pride. “She’s too vain to admit she needs a wheelchair,” they claimed. “Her spending on medics and specialists is through the roof.” That’s not all. Camilla reportedly had liver surgery in the past—blamed on “decades of drinking”—and has also recently suffered from pneumonia. With Charles battling cancer, the Queen’s current health strain is being compounded by the emotional toll of supporting her husband during treatment. What’s Really Going On Behind the Palace Gates? While none of this has been officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace, the narrative aligns with the recent royal trend of tight-lipped health management—releasing information only when absolutely necessary. And it’s not just Camilla under the microscope. Royal correspondent Camilla Tominey recently revealed that King Charles’ cancer is reportedly incurable, though manageable. There are “tentative” plans in place for his 80th birthday celebration in 2028, but some insiders suggest that he may live “with” cancer rather than die “of” it. Interestingly, health may be the bridge to healing old wounds. Talks of a public reunion between King Charles and Prince Harry at the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham are already circulating. Sources say Harry hopes to reconcile with his father “while there’s still time.” And while the logistics—and the drama—remain unclear, there’s growing awareness that the royal rift can’t drag on forever, especially under the weight of fragile health and public scrutiny. Fragile, For Now So where does this leave Queen Camilla? If the rumors are true, her health may be more delicate than anyone’s letting on—and if we’ve learned anything from recent Palace PR, it’s that silence often means something is going on behind the scenes. Between quiet treatments, carefully worded statements, and a fiercely controlled public image, it’s clear that the British Royal Family is navigating a difficult era—one where crowns and titles come with more IV drips than glittering galas. Stay tuned. Because if the Palace won’t talk, you know the internet absolutely will.
Is Addison Rae the Next Pop Princess or Just a PR Plant? The Internet Has Thoughts
Certified bops. Polarizing bikinis. Alleged industry planting. And one handshake with him. Addison Rae’s new pop era is in full swing—and like clockwork, the backlash is bubbling louder than a club remix of Aquamarine. With vibey synth beats creeping onto curated playlists and Pitchfork of all places calling her debut “legitimately good,” Addison Rae seems to be slipping from TikTok fodder into full-blown pop girl territory. But if your FYP is anything like mine, then you know the internet has a lot to say about it—and not all of it is cute. So what’s the drama? Why are people so mad about Addison Rae… again? Addison Rae Backlash, Explained: Why the Internet Is Mad (Still) Even with co-signs from Charli XCX and a growing catalogue of dancefloor-ready tracks, Addison’s road to music credibility is riddled with speed bumps—and yes, it all starts with that handshake. In 2021, Addison voluntarily introduced herself to Donald Trump at a UFC event, like she was meeting her dad’s problematic golf buddy. It didn’t go down well. Fans who value basic human rights were understandably rattled, and the Trump-supporter accusations stuck harder than her lip gloss in a heatwave. Things got messier when internet sleuths pulled out receipts: a now-deleted “All Lives Matter” post from 2020 and her then-flirtationship with Bryce Hall, an open Trump apologist. Cue widespread digital side-eyes. Addison eventually apologized, telling the LA Times she didn’t support Trump and was “just being friendly.” Which… okay, girl. That’s one word for it. The Bikini, the Choreography, and the Controversy Parade Addison’s “minor offenses” have kept her trending—whether she meant to or not. Exhibit A: That white bikini. The one that had “Father” and “Son” scrawled across each boob with “Holy Spirit” (presumably on the crotch). It was giving theology, but make it slutty. Christians were not amused. Exhibit B: The infamous Tonight Show moment where she performed viral TikTok dances… that she didn’t create. Many felt she used her platform to profit off the work of (often Black) creators without giving them proper credit. And then there’s the general TikTok-to-mainstream pipeline struggle—where influencers-turned-musicians (especially women) get raked harder than actual pop flops. Is She an Industry Plant or Just Really, Really Committed? Here’s where things get tinfoil-hat-level spicy. Some Reddit threads and TikTok comment sections have taken a sharp left into conspiracy-ville, accusing Addison of being a highly curated “industry plant.” Apparently, Addison’s fame can’t possibly be organic—it must be the product of shadowy PR teams rigging streaming numbers, planting fan responses, and hiring screaming mobs to swarm her in public. Yes, when fans crowded her in NYC, Twitter trolls insisted they were paid actors. (No proof, of course—just vibes and paranoia.) The same people think Addison’s positive press is bankrolled, not earned. But let’s be real: that kind of energy has been hurled at almost every pop girl who got too popular, too fast. Final Verdict: PR Puppet or Pop Star in Progress? Listen. Is Addison Rae breaking new artistic ground with her breathy vocals and synth-heavy beats? No. But that’s not the assignment. She’s not trying to be Björk—she’s aiming for bimbo euphoria with a budget and a whisper track. And honestly? She’s getting closer to the bullseye than most of her TikTok peers. So, if Diet Pepsi slaps and 2 Die 4 is already a playlist staple, maybe Addison doesn’t need to justify her rise at all. As RuPaul would say: Let the music play. If she’s the real deal, we’ll find out soon enough.
The 7-Point Rule: TikTok’s Favourite Styling Trick That Makes Your Outfit Make Sense
Coco Chanel once famously advised that we should all remove one accessory before leaving the house. The goal? Elegance via restraint. But fast-forward a few decades—and a few thousand #OOTDs—and the problem isn’t knowing what to take off. It’s knowing what’s missing. We’ve all had that moment: you’re fully dressed, technically stylish, and yet something feels… off. Not wrong, just underwhelming. Like your outfit ghosted its own potential. Enter: TikTok’s now-viral 7-Point Rule—a little fashion math (don’t panic) that’s currently saving wardrobes and mirror meltdowns everywhere. So, what is the 7-Point Rule? It’s less about what you wear and more about how much your outfit is doing. Think of it as a checklist-meets-scorecard that helps you figure out why one outfit looks editorial and another just looks… dressed. Each piece you wear gets assigned a point value. Staples earn one point, while statement pieces earn two. The goal is to hit that sweet spot: a total of seven to eight points. Too few? Your outfit might feel flat. Too many? You might be tipping into chaos (though, if that’s the vibe, by all means—go for 11). Let’s break it down. 1-Point Items: The Foundations These are your everyday essentials—reliable, neutral, maybe even a little boring on their own. But they build the canvas. TLDR: If your outfit is made entirely of these, you’re probably not getting compliments from strangers. Yet. 2-Point Items: The Disruptors This is where the personality kicks in. These pieces draw the eye, add texture, or disrupt a neutral palette with something interesting. Rule of thumb: If your aunt would ask “what are those?” when you walk in, it’s probably worth two points. A 7-Point Outfit in Action Let’s say you’re wearing: Total: 10 points. Technically over—but maybe you want to be a little much. The beauty of the 7-point rule isn’t that it boxes you in, but that it explains the feeling. Feeling like an outfit is “too busy”? Count the points. Something feels missing? You’re probably sitting at a sad 5. Is this rule for everyone? Nope. But it might help those of us who vacillate between dressing like a Sim with only base-game clothing or going full Pinterest board explosion. It’s not gospel—just a gentle guide. Because sometimes, you need to take something off before leaving the house. Other times, you just need to add a red shoe and a cat-eye. And thanks to the 7-point rule, you might finally know which.
Faith Morey Is La Mode Magazine’s 96th Edition June 2025 Cover Star
We are proud to unveil the phenomenal Faith Morey as the cover star of our 96th issue — a woman who doesn’t just wear elegance, she commands it. Gracing the June edition of La Mode Magazine, Faith steps into frame not merely as a model or muse, but as a force — of fashion, femininity, and fearless authenticity. Her presence, both bold and unapologetic, anchors this month’s theme: “Beyond Beauty – Her Story, Her Style.” But this isn’t just a theme — it’s a movement. A celebration of women who turn their personal narratives into power statements. Women who live fashion with purpose. Women who rise from the pages of their past and rewrite the rules — in stilettos, strategy, and strength. Faith Morey embodies this spirit in every frame, every word, every win. From high fashion runways to the heart of advocacy, from motherhood to mogulhood, Faith’s story is layered, luminous, and legacy-bound. This cover isn’t about the surface.It’s about the substance. Dive into this special issue for exclusive interviews, arresting visuals, and the unfiltered essence of a woman who is so much more than a beautiful face. This is her truth. Her style. Her power. Cover Credit Cover Personality: @moreyfaithPhotography : @lucasworksMakeup : @BeatbyKweencindyCustomized swimwear: @tmo_internationalGraphics: @benzikmediaPublisher/Editor in Chief: @sandraodigeInstagram: @lamodemag
After Beyoncé’s Historic Win, the GRAMMYs Suddenly Split the Country Category. Coincidence?
In February, Beyoncé made history at the GRAMMYs—again—becoming the first Black woman to win Best Country Album for her genre-bending opus Cowboy Carter. She beat out names like Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Kacey Musgraves, and even Post Malone (yes, that happened). And while the Beyhive rejoiced, the industry? Well… let’s just say it’s reacting in classic fashion. Fast-forward a few months and the Recording Academy has announced a structural change: the Best Country Album category will now be split in two—Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album. The only category tweak ahead of the 2026 GRAMMYs, and its timing couldn’t feel more… precise. Beyoncé herself seemed stunned by her win, thanking “all the incredible country artists that accepted this album,” and subtly calling out the genre’s historically rigid boundaries: “I think sometimes genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists.” She wasn’t wrong. Despite Cowboy Carter’s chart dominance and cultural reach, Beyoncé was snubbed by the CMAs—yet again. (The same CMAs that gave her backlash for daring to perform Daddy Lessons with The Chicks in 2016.) When she announced Cowboy Carter, she even acknowledged the cold shoulder, writing: “It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t.” But let’s talk about that new GRAMMY split. According to Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., the proposal for a two-category system had been submitted multiple times before, but only now did it get approved. The stated goal? To reflect the diversity within the genre. The real question: whose diversity? The Traditional Country definition is heavy on “fiddle,” “banjo,” and “adherence to sound structures.” It reads like a musical history class designed to gatekeep. Meanwhile, fans across social media have been quick to point out the suspiciously strategic timing. One tweet simply read: “Best Traditional Country Album. How subtle.” Another? “A Black woman won best country album, NOW we need two categories? Interesting.” Some fans have called it what it feels like: a post-victory reshuffle designed to quietly keep future Cowboy Carters from sweeping “traditional” territory. Others noted how no one blinked when country music flirted with pop for years—but the moment Beyoncé dominates, the Academy suddenly rediscovers genre purity. Because let’s be honest: Cowboy Carter wasn’t just an album—it was a movement. It pulled dusty corners of country into the light, reclaimed Black influence in a whitewashed genre, and still had time to serve looks, lyrics, and a historical reset. So, is the category split progress or preservation? Evolution or exclusion? A long-overdue update or a cleverly veiled reaction? Maybe it’s all of the above. But as one viral tweet so perfectly put it: “Rules always change when Black people start breaking in.”
Wizkid Did Not Come to Play at Chanel’s Tribeca Artists Dinner
A Chanel dinner in NYC. A documentary premiere. And Wizkid in the mix like it’s second nature. Fresh off the premiere of Wizkid: Long Live Lagos at the Tribeca Film Festival, the star showed up to the 18th annual Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner hosted by Chanel—because apparently, being a global music icon wasn’t enough for the week. Now he’s adding Chanel-approved dinner guest to the list. The soirée, which brings together award-winning filmmakers and the artists who created original works for the festival, was packed with Hollywood’s finest. Blake Lively was there. Robert De Niro? Of course. Jon Hamm, Whitney Peak, Anna Osceola—and Wizkid, who pulled up like he belonged (because he did). Let’s not forget the real moment: Wizkid: Long Live Lagos isn’t just a music documentary. It’s a love letter to his city, his sound, and the story behind the stardom. With appearances from Femi Kuti, Julie Adenuga, and Jada P, the film traces how a kid from Surulere became a legend with stadiums on his checklist and Lagos in his lyrics. The Chanel dinner was a fitting follow-up—culture meeting couture, and Wizkid sitting right where he should be: in the heart of it. Credit: Wizkid/Instagram
Kaia Gerber Fronts Sarah Burton’s First Givenchy Campaign
Call it a new chapter or a quiet revolution, but Sarah Burton’s debut at Givenchy is rewriting the codes of power and femininity in fashion—and she’s chosen Kaia Gerber as her leading lady. In a campaign that feels more like an art house film than a brand announcement, Burton’s vision leans into intimacy, storytelling, and the nuanced complexities of the female gaze. Gone is the bombast. In its place: stillness, tension, beauty. Shot with the tone and texture of auteur cinema, the campaign tells a story before it sells a silhouette. Kaia Gerber, now just 23, has never looked more assured. The supermodel moves through Burton’s universe not as a mannequin, but as a muse—an actress in a silent drama between herself and the lens. It’s soft. It’s stylized. It’s very Givenchy 2.0. For Burton, this isn’t just a new job—it’s a creative manifesto. Following her storied legacy at Alexander McQueen, she’s now shaping a new vision at Givenchy—one rooted in female collaboration and emotional strength. “The connection between an actress and a director was the starting point,” Burton shared. “It’s about women seeing women, and building something that speaks to that connection.” If fashion is often about image, this is about authorship. And with Kaia at the center of it all, it’s clear: the next era of Givenchy isn’t just feminine—it’s formidable.