su•per•la•tive
/suːpɜːlətɪv/
adjective
1. Of the highest kind, quality or order, surpassing all else, or others. Supreme.
No Manners wraps up every week with a finely curated list of fashion, entertainment and pop culture’s “most” and “best” moments—the world’s hottest news, biggest stars and anything that made headlines worldwide.
And just like that, June is here.
Between highly awaited music releases and sports events, the first week of the month flew by. On the internet, pop icons like Sabrina Carpenter and Britney Spears sparked conversations with their latest style and music endeavors. Elsewhere, European brands Burberry and Longchamp dominated our social media feeds with new campaigns and latest events.
Keep reading as No Manners guides you through this week’s superlatives, from the catchiest music release courtesy of Sabrina Carpenter to the most Parisian pop-up experience organized by Longchamp.
The Most Y2K: Britney Spears for Balenciaga
Ahead of his exit from the Parisian fashion house, creative director Demna Gvasalia unveiled his last collection for Balenciaga. Before stepping down from the role he has held for almost a decade, the designer linked music and fashion with a limited edition collaboration between the early aughts icon Britney Spears and Balenciaga Music.
The collection comprises nostalgia-infused apparel and accessories such as hoodies, graphic tees, hats and flags. Additionally, Gvasalia’s partner, BFRND, remixed Spears’ hit songs “Oops!…I Did It Again” and “Gimme More” in an EP titled Britney4Ever, available on music streaming services.
The Catchiest: Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter
Just over a year since her explosive summer hit “Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter expanded her cinematic universe with “Manchild.” After a sudden announcement shared on social media, Carpenter released another country-inspired pop banger. As the first single not affiliated with Short n’ Sweet, the release sparked interest in Carpenter’s plans for her next album rollout.
In the cinematic music video, Carpenter troubles herself with various lovers. As she showcases endless summer-ready outfits—I counted at least 30—the singer gives fans a glimpse into the myriad emotions associated with early adulthood.
The Most Searched: Labubu
By this point, it feels as though the name Labubu is inescapable. The Pop Mart character, who rose to popularity as a plushie charm, has completely taken over social media feeds worldwide. According to Google Trends, search volume for “Labubu” has hit a new peak every day this week, as consumers navigate purchase hurdles and ample dupes. Some fans have even taken to customising their Labubus to further personalise them.
The most interesting part? Labubu, as a character, debuted in 2015 in a picture book illustrated by Kasing Lung. Now, a decade later, Labubu blind boxes from Pop Mart are retailing for hundreds of dollars, while simultaneously inspiring interest in other characters. This week, the Chinese retailer even hinted at the Labubu product range expansion with the launch of the Wacky Mart Series Figures. Talk about longevity and impact!
The Longest-Ever French Open Final: Alcaraz Vs. Sinner
Following an epic comeback after two sets down, Carlos Alcaraz added another title to his career portfolio. The Spanish tennis player faced Italy’s Jannik Sinner in what became the longest-ever final at Roland Garros. The match lasted five hours and 29 minutes, with Alcaraz eventually claiming his fifth title.
While Alcaraz and Sinner displayed the highest level of sportsmanship on the court, countless celebrities excelled with their style courtside. International names such as Lily Collins, Natalie Portman, Stromae and Hande Erçel brought high-octane fashion to the stands.
The action, however, was not exclusive to the men’s singles final. A day prior, Coco Gauff became the first American woman to win the French Grand Slam since Serena Williams. And she, of course, did it in style, sporting New Balance and Miu Miu to the match and award ceremony.
The Most Parisian: Longchamp’s The Parisian Art of Living Pop Up
Longchamp celebrates the Parisian art of living with a series of pop-up stores worldwide. The launch commemorates the debut of a capsule collection in collaboration with Constantin Riant. The Parisian artist is recognized for artful illustrations in deep shades of blue that depict Paris’ lifestyle and tradition.
Channeling the collection’s inspiration (the city’s creative spirit), the pop-up highlights the city’s artisans, with settings that recreate iconic Parisian spaces, from flower shops and boulangeries (bakeries) to leather shops and bookstores.
In Paris, the French label celebrated its Constantin Riant capsule with the opening of a pop-up café in the Marais, which will be open to the public until September 2. Elsewhere, the pop-up experience took over local malls, with the attendance of A-listers such as Anson Lo in Hong Kong; Freen Sarocha and Gemini in Thailand; and Younghoon, Kim Sejeong and Lee Joonyoung in South Korea.
The artists made headlines with their casual looks, which included items from the brand’s Constantin Riant capsule and mostly adhered to the collection’s blue and white colorways. Freen, for example, opted for a Little French Scarf paired with white overalls and a Épure XS Bag. Meanwhile, Anson Lo sported blue overalls styled on top of a T-shirt adorned with Riant’s illustrations.
The Most Musical: Burberry Festival Campaign
British luxury brand Burberry drew inspiration from the ‘90s Brit music scene for its newest ad campaign. The imagery pays homage to British musical culture with depictions of the classic festival aesthetic—think of Glastonbury during the late 1990s. Sound systems, stages and people enjoying the festival-scape dominate the portraits, shot by American photographer Drew Vickers.
Brit icons such as Liam Gallagher, Alexa Chung and Goldie lead the all-star campaign. Meanwhile, new school stars, including Loyle Carner, Chi Cartier and John Glacier, showcase Britain’s new generation of musicians. The wild card? Korean singer Seungmin, whose presence in an otherwise all-Brit cast reflects Burberry’s commitment to reaching a global audience and representing the new music landscape.
