Charities say ‘tip of iceberg’ figures show government is not fulfilling pledge to halve violence against women and girls
Almost one in 10 adults in England and Wales have experienced domestic abuse in the last year, a survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has found.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) found that 9.6% of people aged 16 and over had experienced domestic abuse in the last year – which equates to about 4.7 million people.
Blackcurrant in perfumery is frequently categorized by its tart, verdant top note-a fleeting burst of green acidity that defines the fruit's role in summer scents. However, the structural placement of this accord shifts its olfactory function entirely when supported by warmer base materials. Rather than acting solely as a freshener, blackcurrant can serve as a bridge between citrus brightness and resinous depth, altering the composition's trajectory from ephemeral to grounded. Seven compositions illustrate this range, where the berry's specific interaction with floral and woody elements determines whether the result leans toward effervescent lightness or dense, amber-like weight.
In Diptyque L'Ombre dans l'Eau, the blackcurrant is paired with bergamot and mandarin, creating a bright opening that quickly transitions into a rose heart. The base of grey amber and white musk provides a clean, dry anchor, ensuring the fruitiness does not drift into synthetic sweetness but remains tethered to a subtle, powdery dryness.
Giorgio Armani Sì Intense approaches the accord through a lens of velvet and bitterness. Here, the blackcurrant's natural tartness is contrasted by artemisia and rose, which lend a medicinal, slightly soapy edge. The foundation of patchouli and benzoin grounds the composition, transforming the fruity start into a thicker, darker scent profile where the berry acts as a textural element rather than a dominant fruit note.
The winter puffer, long relegated to the status of a utilitarian shield against the elements, is undergoing a structural shift for the Fall/Winter 2026/2027 season. The focus has moved away from mere thermal efficiency toward a deliberate manipulation of the wearer's silhouette, where the choice of volume determines the entire composition of the outfit.
The most aggressive departure from the standard puffer is the "blanket" silhouette. Defined by an extreme, oversized volume, this cut allows for heavy layering-such as chunky knitwear-without restricting movement. However, the visual weight of the blanket puffer necessitates a counter-balance in the lower half of the body. Pairing these expansive tops with slim-fit trousers or straight-leg jeans prevents the wearer from being swallowed by the fabric. Crucially, the effectiveness of this look relies on length: the silhouette succeeds when it is either decisively cropped or extended to a full maxi, as mid-thigh lengths tend to disrupt the intended architectural proportions.
Structural Variations and Materiality
Conversely to the blanket's expansiveness, a return to the cinched waist is altering how puffer jackets integrate with formal wear. Through the use of leather belts or engineered darting that mimics an hourglass shape, the puffer is no longer an amorphous block. This shift in proportion allows the garment to pair naturally with a pencil skirt or heeled boots, moving the jacket from a purely athletic context into a more structured, feminine ensemble.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bridget Griswold, the 25-year-old CEO of Lean In, who lives in San Francisco. It's been edited for length and clarity.
I fell in love with technology at Brown University, where I studied computer science and business. I worked with two female professors to build a robot. I interned at a semiconductor manufacturing company and also loved design and art.
Product management felt like a really wonderful combination of all those interests, and that was my role at Meta a year after graduating from college. My team and I redesigned the Instagram search grid, so now when you search for large Instagram accounts, you're routed to the search results page rather than directly to those accounts. I'm very proud of that.
While at Meta, an incredible female mentor connected me to Sheryl Sandberg. Meeting her felt so surreal and is what led me to start my role as CEO at Lean In in March. It feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do mission-driven work.
Griswold started working at Meta two years after Sheryl Sandberg stepped down as COO.
Gabriela Hasbun for BI
I was a swimmer as a kid, and as my swim coach used to say: "You get out of swimming what you put into it." I think that applies to many things in life: The more you put in, the more you get out.
Here's a day in my life.
I wake up to my needy, angelic cat around 7:30 a.m.
The second I wake up, I pet my crying and whining cat. She's an angel but very needy.
I'm not a breakfast person, but I need coffee immediately. I have many cups of coffee throughout the day. One of the first things I do is make some at home.
I always tidy up my apartment while brushing my teeth
The most productive two minutes of my day are when I brush my teeth. I clean and tidy my apartment at the same time.
I'm probably not super focused on brushing my teeth, which is maybe a problem, but I'm also making my bed, emptying the dishwasher, feeding my cat, or starting the coffee maker.
I always move really quickly; I don't like to sit still. Brushing my teeth and standing still would make me antsy, so I like to get something else done at the same time.
I'm still adjusting to West Coast hours
I moved from New York City to San Francisco in August.
In New York, I went to Solidcore classes before work every day. Working on the West Coast, the workday starts earlier than on the East Coast, so I'm still learning whether I like to work out in the morning or after work.
When I take the bus to the office three days a week, I often use that time to catch up on personal housekeeping tasks like scheduling appointments or texting back my friends who live on the East Coast.
I come to the office around 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m.
A majority of my in-person time is spent in meetings. As CEO, I enjoy being involved in all aspects of the team.
I'll meet with our content and research team — we spend a lot of time digging into data, such as some really exciting new research on trad wives in the manosphere. I also often meet with our product and tech team, as well as many of our partners, to help grow our programs.
We have lunch in the office — my favorite is a salad-plus-smoothie combo — and it's a really wonderful time to connect with the team.
Most of Griswold's workday consists of meetings.
Gabriela Hasbun for BI
I also love connecting with our Lean In community. One thing we're focused on is closing early gender gaps in AI usage. Our flagship program, Circles, consists of groups of 8 to 12 women who meet regularly to support each other in their careers — we have over 170,000 members. It's a perfect forum to hold each other accountable for upskilling in AI.
Every week, I send AI tips to our network leaders. A recent one encouraged the use of AI notetakers, as women are more likely to take notes during meetings and miss out on participating.
Lean In is in over 180 countries, and it's really heartwarming to see that our commitment to our mission has a positive impact on women's careers. Getting to speak with them is really energizing and rewarding.
I rehearse for meetings by talking to myself on walks
If I have a presentation or interview coming up, I'll set up a Zoom and practice speaking to myself. Talking for a long time is sort of an unnatural act, and the first time you do it is probably not going to be your best.
Sometimes, I'll even go on a walk and wear headphones, pretending like I'm in a meeting or on a phone call, but I'm actually talking to myself and practicing.
When there's a bug, I usually fix the code myself
Because of my background in computer science, I spend a lot of my time finding bugs or things I believe we should change on our platform. I'll code and fix those on my own. Thankfully, with AI, it's so much faster to code now than it was a few years ago.
Our team is busy, and my goal is to enable everyone to have as much impact and move as quickly as possible. If I can help unblock the tech team or resolve an issue rather than add it to their plate, I'm always more than happy to do so.
I leave work around 6 p.m.
I continue to work until I go to bed pretty much every night.
It's nice to have that time at home, when I'm not running around between meetings, to focus, give feedback on documents the team has sent, write, respond to emails, and brainstorm my own ideas.
I take breaks to tidy up my apartment and make dinner. Living in New York got me out of the habit of cooking, so I'm taking the initiative to cook more meals, like rice bowls.I would say about half the time I order takeout, like pho, and the other half I cook, which is progress for me.
Griswold continues working when she gets home, catching up on more deep work when she doesn't have meetings.
Gabriela Hasbun for BI
If my work doesn't require intense focus, I'll do it from the couch and put a happy TV show on, which right now is "Schitt's Creek." I think it's a nice balance between relaxation and getting things done.
I usually get in bed around 10:30 p.m.
I've been trying to make a habit of reading every night instead of going on my phone, which has been a really positive change. I like anything I read to be a distraction. I'm currently reading "Big Little Lies" and enjoying it.
It's nice to spend 30 minutes reading something like fantasy that's completely different from what I think about at work. That way, I'm not spinning on all the things I need to do or coming up with new ideas that can't get done in my sleep anyway.
Weekends are for the beach and farmers market
My boyfriend works in Los Angeles and flies up to San Francisco every weekend. We've made a tradition of going to the Fort Mason Farmers Market on Sundays for fresh produce to cook an at-home meal that night.
I also enjoy seeing friends over the weekend. My preference is to go on a long walk or go to the beach. I also enjoy fitting in some work — emails, deep-focus work, or reading — throughout the weekend.
The pencil skirt has long been the rigid anchor of the corporate uniform, defined by a strict adherence to knee-length hems and the mandatory pairing of pointed pumps. However, recent collections from Miu Miu, Jacquemus, and Balmain suggest a shift in the garment's geometry. The focus has moved away from the seamless, tailored suit toward a deliberate clash of proportions, where the skirt functions as a slim base for an oversized silhouette.
The Architecture of Contrast
The most visible change is the pairing of a tight lower half with a voluminous top. A heavy, oversized knit sweater or a chunky cardigan worn loose replaces the tucked-in blouse and fitted blazer of the 2010s. This shift in volume removes the formal sterility of the look, transforming the pencil skirt from a piece of office equipment into a tool for structural contrast.
This play on shape extends to outerwear. A leather bomber jacket or a man-style oversized blazer creates a heavy upper frame that emphasizes the narrowness of the skirt. The footwear has undergone a similar liberation; high boots that disappear under the hemline, loafers worn with thick socks, or heavy-soled boots have replaced the stiletto, altering how the wearer moves and how the garment sits on the body.
Facial self-massage is a non-invasive practice that relies on mechanical manipulation to address muscle tension and fluid accumulation. The technique involves applying soft pressure to specific anatomical regions to influence the state of the underlying musculature and lymphatic circulation. Proponents of the method, as outlined in a recent article from the health blog Healthy, identify three primary zones where regular stimulation is claimed to reduce the appearance of aging and bloating.
The core mechanism of the routine is the relaxation of muscles in a state of hypertonus. By physically engaging these tissues, the practice aims to alleviate the stiffness that can contribute to a heavy or tired appearance. The specific protocol focuses on three distinct areas: the temples, the region behind the lower jaw, and the muscular band running along the side of the neck.
Mechanics of the Routine
Each target area requires a specific physical action designed to engage the corresponding muscle groups without applying excessive force. The instructions emphasize gentle, controlled movements rather than aggressive kneading, with the goal of maintaining tissue integrity while promoting relaxation.
Measures would remove some penalties for those helping women access abortion but are ‘small-scale step’, say campaigners
Poland’s lower house of parliament has approved two bills aimed at loosening a near-total ban on abortions, in what campaigners have described as a “small-scale step” ahead of protests calling on the government to fulfil its promises to overhaul the country’s laws.
The new measures, which are likely to be vetoed by Poland’s nationalist president, would remove some of the criminal penalties for those who help women to access abortion care and allow terminations in cases of foetal abnormalities.
Measures would remove some penalties for those helping women access abortion but are ‘small-scale step’, say campaigners
Poland’s lower house of parliament has approved two bills aimed at loosening a near-total ban on abortions, in what campaigners have described as a “small-scale step” ahead of protests calling on the government to fulfil its promises to overhaul the country’s laws.
The new measures, which are likely to be vetoed by Poland’s nationalist president, would remove some of the criminal penalties for those who help women to access abortion care and allow terminations in cases of foetal abnormalities.
The utility of a sweater has long been measured by its warmth, but for the Fall/Winter 2026/27 season, the shift is moving toward the architecture of the garment. The most notable change is the return of the structured shoulder. By elevating the shoulder line and sharpening the silhouette, the knit sweater ceases to be a soft layer of insulation and begins to function like a blazer, providing a framed, intentional shape that anchors a pair of relaxed jeans or a sharp pencil skirt.
Proportions and Patterns
Visual weight is being redistributed through bold, graphic choices. The traditional thin stripe is replaced by wide, rugby-inspired bands in deep emerald, chocolate, and burgundy. This creates a more dynamic, athletic presence than the classic navy-and-white palette. Similarly, the Argyle pattern has expanded; the diamonds are larger and more graphic, moving away from the collegiate cliché and toward a statement piece that can be layered over contrasting prints like checks or stripes.
The knit polo has also undergone a structural relaxation. The once-rigid collar now yields to a dropped shoulder and a softer drape, allowing it to be worn as a standalone top or as a mid-layer over a contrasting tank. This flexibility extends to the deep V-neck, which serves as a frame for layered shirts or lace tops, altering the neckline to elongate the silhouette and bridge the gap between office formality and weekend ease.
The tension of winter dressing often settles at the crown of the head: the choice between a tight-knit beanie that preserves warmth but flattens a hairstyle, or the risk of exposure for the sake of volume. The solution appearing on the Fall/Winter 2026/2027 runways, most notably at Burberry, is the hooded scarf. Unlike the compression of a hat, this garment introduces a structural void between the fabric and the scalp, altering the silhouette from a closed circle to a draped frame.
A hooded scarf is defined by a voluminous hood integrated into the center of a long scarf. The utility lies in the drape; the hood provides cover while the extended ends wrap around the neck, creating a layered barrier against the wind. While it shares a lineage with the traditional capote or headscarf, the modern iteration prioritizes a loose, architectural fit over a snug seal.
The Mechanics of Volume and Fit
The visual effectiveness of the piece depends on the distance between the material and the face. A functional hooded scarf avoids the tight grip of a sweatshirt hood, instead creating a pocket of air that allows the hair to retain its natural lift at the roots. The depth of the hood is the critical measurement here; it must encompass the crown and nape without pulling backward, ensuring the hair is sheltered rather than compressed.
Court of appeal decision prevents woman from suing police and CPS for disclosing her address to violent ex-partner
The Labour MP Jess Phillips has said she hopes the UK’s highest court “sees sense” and overturns a ruling preventing a domestic abuse survivor from suing Sussex police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for disclosing her address to her violent ex-partner.
Phillips said that if the supreme court upheld the court of appeal’s decision when it hears the case on Wednesday and Thursday, it would prevent police from being held accountable for failures in cases of violence against women and girls.
Student told the university’s police department that assault by two men occurred in August during a night of drinking
A sorority member at the University of Arizona has alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men at a fraternity house during a night of drinking in late August.
The student told the university’s police department that she consensually kissed one of the men at one point while at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on 26 August but doesn’t remember agreeing to sex, according to search warrant records posted Monday night by KOLD-TV in Tucson.
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Commissioner Cathy Engelbert revealed in a letter that “only women are eligible” to compete in the WNBA. In a letter addressed to Reps. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Erin Houchin (R-IN), and Zach Nunn
The tension in a wardrobe often exists between the desire for armor and the inclination toward softness. In the Fall/Winter 2026 capsule from Leonie Hanne for GUESS, this conflict is not resolved by choosing one over the other, but by layering them into a single silhouette.
The most immediate signal of this approach is the burgundy croc-embossed leather maxi trench. Its rigidity-the stand-up collar and the heavy, lacquered surface-establishes a sharp, architectural boundary. However, the wearability of the look shifts when that structure is paired with the fluidity of lace skirts or the matte drape of cashmere palazzo pants. By placing a heavy leather exterior over a weightless fabric, the outfit moves from a statement of sheer power to a study in proportion.
The Shift in Texture
Where a traditional professional wardrobe might lean entirely on structured tailoring, this collection introduces a specific collision of materials. The juxtaposition of coarse leather against delicate lace changes the visual meaning of the ensemble; the leather no longer reads as purely utilitarian or rebellious, and the lace ceases to be solely romantic. Together, they create a balanced silhouette that allows a wearer to transition from a rigid, decisive presence to a more relaxed, tactile softness without changing the primary garment.
Modern cosmetic tattooing of the eyebrows has shifted away from the dense, graphic lines of previous years toward a philosophy of transparency and soft transitions. This transition is driven largely by the physical behavior of pigments in the skin: heavily saturated dyes with rigid contours often shift in hue over time, potentially developing gray, blue, or red undertones as the body reacts to the foreign substance.
Because removing deeply embedded pigment is a complex process requiring multiple sessions, current practices prioritize techniques that avoid over-saturation. The outcome of any pigment implantation remains conditional, depending heavily on the client's skin chemistry and the depth of the needle penetration.
Mechanisms of Application
Powder browsing involves the pinpoint delivery of pigment to mimic the effect of brow shadows. Rather than creating a solid line, the pigment is deposited in a stippled fashion to produce a soft gradient. This is typically used to create an illusion of density in sparse brows without defining a hard border.
The reliability of blue denim often borders on the predictable, a wardrobe staple so universal it can flatten the visual impact of an outfit. The shift toward brown denim offers a specific adjustment in tone that alters the mood of a look without requiring a complete departure from a casual silhouette.
While black denim provides a sharp, formal contrast, deep shades of chocolate and coffee introduce a softness to the lower half of the body. This change in hue shifts the garment from a utilitarian piece to something that interacts more fluidly with autumn textures. When paired with the matte finish of suede or the weight of heavy wool, a pair of dark brown jeans anchors an outfit in a way that feels grounded rather than stark.
The Logic of Palette and Proportion
The versatility of brown lies in its ability to bridge the gap between neutral and accent colors. A coffee-toned straight-leg jean allows for a seamless transition when paired with cream, grey, or black tops-colors already prevalent in most closets. However, the visual effect changes based on the specific pigment: caramel and chestnut tones pull the eye downward, turning the pants into the focal point of the ensemble, whereas bitter chocolate tones recede, functioning much like a traditional neutral.
For the 2027 holiday season, nail design is moving away from the high-saturation reds and heavy glitter traditionally associated with New Year's Eve. The current direction favors deeper, more muted palettes and subtle textural shifts that extend usability beyond the winter break. The focus has shifted from decorative excess to the structural integrity of the shape and the specific optical properties of the finish.
Texture and Optical Depth
One of the most distinct alternatives to standard sparkle is the "pearl champagne” effect. This look relies on a milky beige base with a soft pearlescent sheen rather than large, visible glitter particles. The difference is mechanical: a fine, micron-level powder or "inrube" (rub-in pigment) creates a uniform, mirror-like luster that only becomes apparent when the hand moves. This avoids the visual clutter of chunky sparkles, allowing the natural light to reflect off a smooth surface. This finish is most effective on short nails cut in a soft square or oval shape, where the clean line of the free edge complements the subtle shift in light.
Conversely, deep emerald green offers a saturated, jewel-like alternative to red. The key to this look is the finish. A high-gloss top coat is essential here, as it mimics the refractive quality of a polished gemstone. Because the pigment is so dense, adding rhinestones or complex graphic lines often detracts from the elegance. The color itself serves as the primary visual element, requiring a cold undertone to maintain its depth against skin tones.
For Pamela Anderson, Hailey Bieber, Zendaya, and Victoria Beckham, the latest aesthetic choice is the absence of color. On the fall-winter 2026 runway for Marc Jacobs, models walked with bare nails, signaling a shift away from the glossy, long-lasting finishes that have dominated beauty culture for years. The movement toward a "no-mani" look is not merely a stylistic pivot; it represents a fundamental change in how the nail plate is treated, prioritizing structural integrity over superficial enhancement.
The visual distinction of this approach relies on specific mechanical choices rather than chemical ones. Where gel systems cure under UV light to create a rigid, artificial layer, the natural alternative depends on gentle filing and preservation of the nail's own keratin structure. This shift changes the finish from a manufactured shine to a translucent, pink-tinted surface that reflects the health of the underlying tissue. The durability of this look is not measured in weeks of wear resistance against chips, but in the resilience of the nail plate itself, which requires a different set of maintenance tools and techniques.
Material and Technique Shifts
The transition from salon-based extensions to home care involves a specific change in equipment. Traditional manicure tools, often metallic and abrasive, are being replaced by glass or ceramic files. These materials allow for smoother filing in a single direction, a technique that minimizes the risk of splitting the nail plate at the cuticle or free edge. For length reduction, softer files with an abrasiveness of 180 to 240 grit are recommended over standard coarse files, reducing the friction heat and structural stress placed on the nail.
A shift in makeup selection is moving away from traditional color theory toward the specific archetypes of the rising zodiac sign. The visible difference lies in the strategic choice of finish and intensity-switching from a matte, minimalist approach to high-contrast textures-depending on the perceived energy of the sign being emulated.
The technical variation centers on the interaction between texture and light. For those aligning with the "ethereal" aesthetic of Pisces, the technique relies on translucent highlights and light-reflective pigments to create a diffused glow. In contrast, a look inspired by Scorpio shifts the variable to depth and density, utilizing matte, velvet-finish shadows and sharp, graphic liners to create high-contrast definition around the eyes.
The Variable of Intensity
The application changes based on the desired psychological projection. A "Leo" influence introduces metallic pigments and saturated lip colors, where the focus is on maximum light reflection and bold saturation. A "Virgo" approach removes these high-impact variables, replacing them with sheer coverage foundations and muted, natural tones that prioritize skin texture over color overlay.
For many, the autumn wardrobe refresh is a moment to audit what is still in the closet. A common observation among style professionals is that garments worn too tightly, even when they are clean and intact, can alter the perception of age and vitality. The issue often lies not in the fabric's condition, but in the relationship between the material and the body. A silhouette that compresses the frame can create a visual weight that feels dated, regardless of how modern the color palette or grooming may be. The current shift toward ease of movement suggests that the fit of the garment, rather than its strict tailoring, is the primary driver of a fresh appearance.
Outerwear and Structure
The change in outerwear is visible in the move away from short, glossy, and body-hugging puffer jackets. These items, which cling closely to the hips and shoulders, often resemble styles from a decade ago. In contrast, longer, straight-cut down jackets with wide quilting or structured leather jackets offer a different proportion. These cuts introduce space around the torso, creating a sense of volume that feels less restrictive. The visual effect is one of lightness; the wearer is not boxed in by the shell, allowing the movement of the body beneath to remain the focus.
Knitwear and Denim
Similarly, the state of knitwear plays a role in how an outfit reads. Worn sweaters with stretched shoulder seams or pilling lose their structural integrity, which can make the upper body appear less defined. The preference now leans toward dense, structured knits with a distinct shoulder line. A zip-up model with a high collar, for instance, provides a clear framework that pairs naturally with straight-leg trousers, avoiding the slouch that can blur the line of the neck and shoulders.
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