Sustainability and Body Positivity: The Latest in Fashion & Beauty News

A look at fashion and beauty news from PR Newswire in March and April that you might have missed.

By Carli Claar | Published May 2, 2023

Spring has sprung, and with it comes a renewed focus on wire-worthy content at PR Newswire. Throughout March and April, the world of fashion and beauty has embraced a sunny outlook for the rest of 2023, and we’ve noticed!

Every month, we track and analyze thousands of wire releases to identify key topics that influence the way brands reach their audiences. We love helping the brands we work with produce creative content to get them that little something extra. 

With Gen Z coming of age, even the most seasoned names in fashion and beauty are modifying their approaches to garner more meaningful interactions with this unique and valuable consumer subset. For Gen Z, how a brand treats our planet and relates to its customers is incredibly important, so it’s no wonder we’ve seen more and more releases on topics like sustainability and inclusion this year. March was Women’s History Month, and we’ve seen a nice uptick in copy about women’s empowerment and achievements as well.

Let’s take a closer look at the noteworthy trends we’ve seen across the fashion and beauty wire in March and April.

Some of the Most Popular Fashion and Beauty Releases:

Over the last two months, these fashion and beauty releases stood out from the crowd regarding overall views, engagement, and uniqueness:

• New 2023 Dove Self-Esteem Project Research shows 8 in 10 youth mental health specialists say social media is fueling a mental health crisis, especially among girls. Dove called for action in their April release.
• Aesop, a popular luxury beauty brand, will be acquired by industry goliath L'Oréal later this year.
• The Kaleidoscope X Da Brat Styling Collection sold out in six minutes!
• H&M U.S. took steps to make the brand more inclusive for the plus-size community, offering a more comprehensive and diverse assortment of sizes for all body types.
• David's Bridal is looking for a buyer as the 70+-year-old bridal retailer is works through Chapter 11.

Fashion and Beauty News Trends

Throughout March and April, we distributed over 800 fashion and beauty focused press releases and we took notice of a couple of popular topics and events:

Body Positivity and Inclusion

Gen Z’s focus on mental health, particularly on body acceptance and inclusion in fashion and beauty, is front and center for brands looking to create more meaningful identities. We’ve noticed an uptick in copy promoting size and age inclusion, limiting the use of filters on social media, and encouraging consumers to live authentically.

If brands can approach this concept with empathy and a deeper understanding, the potential for impact is huge. Focusing on accepting consumers as they are and promoting a new brand identity rooted in positivity and self-care — these are trends moving in the right direction.

Here are some excellent examples from March and April:

• Live, unapologetic and unretouched, Knix debuts an all new swim campaign in real time
• Laura Geller Beauty Sheds Light on The Invisible Woman
• Dove Invites You to Take a Stand and #TurnYourBack to Digital Distortion
• Carol's Daughter Celebrates Third Annual National Curl Crush Day
• TULA Skincare Partners with Ulta Beauty to Celebrate #EmbraceYourSkin Day Nationwide

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Spring is about rebirth and all the natural beauty our planet has to offer. But what are we doing to protect that beauty, and is it enough? Climate change is already happening, and we’re going to have to adjust on a massive, global scale to avoid some of its worst effects.

A brand can become part of this meaningful shift, too. We’ve seen more copy than ever dedicated to sustainability this year, and we hope this kind of dedication is more than just a trend.

Over the last two months, we’ve seen plenty of copy about recycling, minimizing environmental impact, and responsible consumerism, including:

• How Pact Customers are Supporting the Planet; Sustainable Alternatives Show a Major Shift in the Fashion Industry
• The Body Shop US Expands Its Refill Program with the Introduction of Refillable Makeup
• David's Bridal Debuts Exclusive Eco-Minded Bridal Collection for Spring 2023
• H&M U.S. Launches "H&M Pre-Loved" Powered by ThredUp
• Eyebuydirect Launches New Sustainable Collection, Bohemia Renewal

Women’s History Month

March was Women’s History Month, and in a female-dominated industry like fashion and beauty, there was no shortage of exemplary content on the wire.

Companies were eager to show their support for women and empower us all to foster environments that facilitate true gender equality. We may still have a long way to go before equal opportunity for women is realized, but every step in the right direction counts!

Here are some good examples from March and April:

• St. John Announces Shonda Rhimes in #OwnYourPower for Spring 2023 Campaign
• eBay Marks Women's History Month with First-of-Its-Kind Sneaker Drop
• Jane, a female-driven online marketplace, celebrates International Women's Day
• Guess Watches Celebrates International Women’s Day Supporting Dress For Success®
• It's a 10® Haircare, Be A 10™ Cosmetics & Ex10sions Celebrate International Women's Day with Annual 50% Off Sale

The New Collection Section

Who doesn’t love something new for spring? One of the best parts of the fashion and beauty industry is the constantly changing scenery. And while some trends come and go quickly, the wire never sleeps!

We see all kinds of new products, lines, styles, and offerings coming from the brands we work with. Here are some of our favorite new, notable, and unique collections from March and April:

• Bath & Body Works Announces Legacy-Inspired Launches in Celebration of National Fragrance Day
• HOKA® Debuts First-Ever Youth Collection for the Next Generation of Athletes
• Subtle Love Launches T-Shirt Subscription Service Focused on Spreading Love
• Formula 1® and Pacsun Drop Merchandise for 2023 Season
• Molly Sims Launches YSE Beauty
• SANUK x STONE BREWING Release New Ltd. Edition Capsule Collection
• Bloomingdale's Launches Exclusive AQUA & Kristopher Brock Collection

Conclusion

Spring brings that feeling of new growth, and it seems like fashion and beauty brands have taken this to another level in 2023, with content that offers meaningful messages to consumers, aligning with a new set of values we see emerging, largely a result of Gen Z’s increased spending power.

It’s not enough to just produce a catchy slogan or offer nice visuals — today’s consumers need more. They need real, authentic engagement, backlit with the promise of large-scale, positive change in a postmodern society experiencing major growing pains. And we’re here for it!

We’re thrilled to watch this industry blossom into a new era, and we’ll continue to bring our clients insights so they can bloom bigger, too.

About the Author

Carli is a Senior Content Specialist at Cision PR Newswire. Since 2015, she has worked with a wide array of PR, IR, and communications professionals, helping organizations and brands of all kinds deliver their messages more effectively. When she's off the clock, she can be found (or not found) hiking in the woods, singing and learning to play guitar, or listening to true crime and history podcasts on the couch with her partner Matt and their three fur babies, Troy, Marceline and Butters.