With fall officially here, there’s a chill in the air, leaves are falling, our couches are calling us to cozy up with a good book, and (in my opinion) it’s the best fashion season. To dress us for all the fall activities (and help us channel our best Cathy), Old Navy has teamed up with Altuzarra on an enchanting collaboration.

“Drawing inspiration from the Regency and early Victorian literary eras, the collection reflects the romance and mystery of classic Romantic and Gothic fiction,” according to a press release. Inspired by Wuthering Heights, these designs are meant to be worn passionately (and to frolic through wide fields in). It’s also the first time one of Old Navy’s collaborations features styles across women’s, girls’, and toddlers’ for matching family moments.

Ahead, I speak with Old Navy’s Chief Creative Officer Zac Posen and Altuzarra’s Creative Director Joseph Altuzarra to learn about how this collaboration came about and their favorite styles to build fall outfits with. Then shop the limited-time collection, which ranges from $24 to $140, on Old Navy’s website on September 30.

With fall officially here, there’s a chill in the air, leaves are falling, our couches are calling us to cozy up with a good book, and (in my opinion) it’s the best fashion season. To dress us for all the fall activities (and help us channel our best Cathy), Old Navy has teamed up with Altuzarra on an enchanting collaboration.

“Drawing inspiration from the Regency and early Victorian literary eras, the collection reflects the romance and mystery of classic Romantic and Gothic fiction,” according to a press release. Inspired by Wuthering Heights, these designs are meant to be worn passionately (and to frolic through wide fields in). It’s also the first time one of Old Navy’s collaborations has featured styles across womens, girls, and todders for matching family moments.

Ahead, I spoke with Old Navy’s Chief Creative Officer Zac Posen and Altuzarra’s Creative Director Joseph Altuzarra to learn about how this collaboration came about and their favorite styles to build fall outfits with. Then shop the limited-time collection, which ranges from $24 to $140, on Old Navy’s website on September 30.

Old Navy has done many viral collabs at this point. How did this one come about? Who approach who and how has the process been working together?

Posen: This is actually our third collaboration with a designer. This came to be because Joseph and I ran into each other at a cocktail party and he kind of said: “I’d love to do something with you.” And then I went to one of his beautiful fashion shows, and the idea of doing designer collaborations was just percolating.

And I said, let’s stand for American design for an iconic American brand. And I knew I wanted Joseph. I was sitting in his fashion show, and I was just totally enchanted by the work and by him. And then his kids came running on the runway, and I knew that he was an Old Navy guy, too.

Why did a Regency and Victorian-inspired collection feel like a natural fit for both brands?

Altuzarra: Well, I think there was a really beautiful tension between what Old Navy stands for, which is this American sportswear and optimism and joy, and then I think the romanticism and femininity of Altuzarra. When I was thinking about how to bring those worlds together, I had just read Wuthering Heights. I had read Pride and Prejudice. And I think this idea of storytelling through literature and books and having that kind of bind everything together felt really authentically Altuzarra, but also felt really interesting as a starting point for this collaboration.

Are there specific pieces that you think are Wuthering Heights-coded or that a specific character would wear?

Altuzarra: Well, honestly, everything when I was drawing it and when we were fitting it, I was sort of imagining everything kind of like windswept, like on a cliff somewhere in Scotland. But you know, I really imagined these tiered skirts blowing in the wind. A lot of the colors came from these sort of harvest festivals. So everything is coded in that way. And then I think the whole storytelling aspect with books and reading in the collection will make everything really feel cohesive.

Posen: And I was imagining bringing that romanticism onto the city streets and that moment of when fall just starts to hit. And how great this collection would look from drop off at school to a special occasion or just everyday elevation of your wardrobe; making pieces that can last a lifetime.

Which pieces are inspired by the Altuzarra archive?

Altuzarra: There are a bunch of styles that are inspired by the archive. The first piece that I designed was this parka, which was really inspired by one of the first parkas I designed in 2011. It was sort of a military-inspired era in fashion.

Also the balloon pants with these really great pleats in the front. I think this is such a relevant shape right now. We showed a version of this on the runway, and it was amazing to be able to bring it to a broader audience with Old Navy.

Which pieces make up your favorite outfit combination?

Posen: I never pick a favorite child… Okay, well, multiple moments. I love the parka; love it next to this yellow. I love the front-pleated trousers, and I love the black tailored jacket with the multi buttons. It’s such a great take on a classic jacket and I love that paired with the front-pocket Joseph Altuzarra Old Navy jeans, because we are the denim destination.

Altuzarra: I love the mix of this great cotton poet blouse with the kind of American sportswear jacket that has broken-down embroidery paired with this great tailored pant and these gloves with faux fur. I think there’s something so idiosyncratic and interesting and very “capital F fashion.”

And more for myself, I also love this look: this kind of wider denim in this great wash and then this Sherpa patchwork fleece with this yoke in knitwear. I just love how easy and how cool this looks and that it speaks to Old Navy but also Altuzarra.

Is there a piece you think is most versatile that everyone needs in their closet?

Posen: Wow, that’s hard. I think when I look at this heathered tropical wool front trouser, I think it’s such a pickup look for a way for somebody to be romantic but also professional and give that sort of sense of whimsy. That’s a keeper.

Alutzarra: I definitely think everyone needs this in their closet. I would say everyone who’s tried it on has fallen in love with it. Also, don’t sleep on these pants. I think the balloon pant is amazing with a suit jacket, with a little sweater, and great on a weekend. And then I also feel like some of the underpinnings like these great little T-shirts are so easy. And obviously because it’s Old Navy, I think the denim is just so easy. Everything goes back to denim.

This is the first time for an Old Navy collab to include children’s apparel. Why was this the perfect opportunity to do it together?

Altuzarra: Well, I think for me, it just feels really authentic and organic because I have three kids, and so I’m constantly dressing kids and thinking about kids’ clothes. And I buy a lot of Old Navy kids’ clothes. So it felt like a really exciting way to continue the story from grown-ups into kids.

Posen: I mean, I’m all about mommy and me. Family matching moments are a really wonderful, whimsical part of Old Navy’s DNA. You see it in Jingle jammies. And I thought, what a great opportunity, especially within print and the shapes, to bring that moment into a collab. And I knew that Joseph was the man to bring it to life.

Do you have a favorite kids apparel piece

Altuzarra: I mean, no contest, I love this one. I love the kind of feeling that it’s a little bit of a ’90s dress. And I love that it’s sort of a full look in and of itself.

Posen: I love this sweater. This is so cute. I just like how it has this dropped arm and relaxed quality. Super cute.

Where do you hope shoppers and fans wear these outfits out this fall?

Posen: Wherever their own story takes them.

Altuzarra: Good answer!

for matching family moments.

Ahead, I speak with Old Navy’s Chief Creative Officer Zac Posen and Altuzarra’s Creative Director Joseph Altuzarra to learn about how this collaboration came about and their favorite styles to build fall outfits with. Then shop the limited-time collection, which ranges from $24 to $140, on Old Navy’s website on September 30.

Old Navy has done many viral collabs at this point. How did this one come about? Who approach who and how has the process been working together?

Posen: This is actually our third collaboration with a designer. This came to be because Joseph and I ran into each other at a cocktail party and he kind of said: “I’d love to do something with you.” And then I went to one of his beautiful fashion shows, and the idea of doing designer collaborations was just percolating.

And I said, let’s stand for American design for an iconic American brand. And I knew I wanted Joseph. I was sitting in his fashion show, and I was just totally enchanted by the work and by him. And then his kids came running on the runway, and I knew that he was an Old Navy guy, too.

Why did a Regency and Victorian-inspired collection feel like a natural fit for both brands?

Altuzarra: Well, I think there was a really beautiful tension between what Old Navy stands for, which is this American sportswear and optimism and joy, and then I think the romanticism and femininity of Altuzarra. When I was thinking about how to bring those worlds together, I had just read Wuthering Heights. I had read Pride and Prejudice. And I think this idea of storytelling through literature and books and having that kind of bind everything together felt really authentically Altuzarra, but also felt really interesting as a starting point for this collaboration.

Are there specific pieces that you think are Wuthering Heights-coded or that a specific character would wear?

Altuzarra: Well, honestly, everything when I was drawing it and when we were fitting it, I was sort of imagining everything kind of like windswept, like on a cliff somewhere in Scotland. But you know, I really imagined these tiered skirts blowing in the wind. A lot of the colors came from these sort of harvest festivals. So everything is coded in that way. And then I think the whole storytelling aspect with books and reading in the collection will make everything really feel cohesive.

Posen: And I was imagining bringing that romanticism onto the city streets and that moment of when fall just starts to hit. And how great this collection would look from drop off at school to a special occasion or just everyday elevation of your wardrobe; making pieces that can last a lifetime.

Which pieces are inspired by the Altuzarra archive?

Altuzarra: There are a bunch of styles that are inspired by the archive. The first piece that I designed was this parka, which was really inspired by one of the first parkas I designed in 2011. It was sort of a military-inspired era in fashion.

Also the balloon pants with these really great pleats in the front. I think this is such a relevant shape right now. We showed a version of this on the runway, and it was amazing to be able to bring it to a broader audience with Old Navy.

Which pieces make your favorite outfit combo?

Posen: I never pick a favorite child… Okay, well, multiple moments. I love the parka; love it next to this yellow. I love the front-pleated trousers, and I love the black tailored jacket with the multi buttons. It’s such a great take on a classic jacket and I love that paired with the front-pocket Joseph Altuzarra Old Navy jeans, because we are the denim destination.

Altuzarra: I love the mix of this great cotton poet blouse with the kind of American sportswear jacket that has broken-down embroidery paired with this great tailored pant and these gloves with faux fur. I think there’s something so idiosyncratic and interesting and very “capital F fashion.”

And more for myself, I also love this look: this kind of wider denim in this great wash and then this Sherpa patchwork fleece with this yoke in knitwear. I just love how easy and how cool this looks and that it speaks to Old Navy but also Altuzarra.

Is there a piece you think is most versatile that everyone needs in their closet?

Posen: Wow, that’s hard. I think when I look at this heathered tropical wool front trouser, I think it’s such a pickup look for a way for somebody to be romantic but also professional and give that sort of sense of whimsy. That’s a keeper.

Altuzarra: I definitely think everyone needs this in their closet. I would say everyone who’s tried it on has fallen in love with it. Also, don’t sleep on these pants. I think the balloon pant is amazing with a suit jacket, with a little sweater, and great on a weekend. And then I also feel like some of the underpinnings like these great little T-shirts are so easy. And obviously because it’s Old Navy, I think the denim is just so easy. Everything goes back to denim.

This is the first time for an Old Navy collab to have children’s apparel. Why was this the perfect opportunity to do it together?

Altuzarra: Well, I think for me, it just feels really authentic and organic because I have three kids, and so I’m constantly dressing kids and thinking about kids’ clothes. And I buy a lot of Old Navy kids’ clothes. So it felt like a really exciting way to continue the story from grown-ups into kids.

Posen: I mean, I’m all about mommy and me. Family matching moments are a really wonderful, whimsical part of Old Navy’s DNA. You see it in Jingle jammies. And I thought, what a great opportunity, especially within print and the shapes, to bring that moment into a collab. And I knew that Joseph was the man to bring it to life.

Do you have a favorite kids’ apparel piece?

Altuzarra: I mean, no contest, I love this one. I love the kind of feeling that it’s a little bit of a ’90s dress. And I love that it’s sort of a full look in and of itself.

Posen: I love this sweater. This is so cute. I just like how it has this dropped arm and relaxed quality. Super cute.

Where do you hope shoppers and fans wear these outfits out this fall?

Posen: Wherever their own story takes them.

Altuzarra: Good answer!

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As Latinas, we come from a long lineage of people, especially matriarchs, who lived as one with the land. But it’s a connection that colonialism disrupted in our homelands and that racism and xenophobia in the United States have continued to keep us from.

The disconnection runs so deep that even now, places where our ancestors once lived, cultivated, gathered, prayed, and healed, can feel like areas we don’t belong to when, in fact, they are where we remember and where we become. And there’s something about being separated from that — from a place of healing, from a place of blooming — that feels cruel and intentional. It feels like something we should shamelessly reclaim.

In this episode of Sin Vergüenza by Somos, host and deputy director of Somos Raquel Reichard speaks with Evelynn Escobar, the founder and executive director of Hike Clerb, an  intersectional, decolonial nonprofit, outdoor collective, and hiking club. Since 2017 the Guatemalan-Black American Escobar has created community spaces for queer, trans, and women of color to return, reclaim, and heal in nature.

Throughout the conversation, we explore the barriers that have historically made parks, trails, and other natural spaces feel inaccessible or unwelcoming to racially or ethnically marginalized people, the healing and community that can come from taking up space together, and the ancestral relationship Latinas have to the land. We also talk about what it means to move beyond the idea of “getting into nature” as a lifestyle trend and instead see it as a return, a remembering, and a way of reconnecting with ourselves and one another, even if you don’t consider yourself a hiker.

Stream the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or watch it above.

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R29 babes, there comes a time in our lives when we can clearly see what our future can become, and we also know that the main thing standing between that vision and where we are now is our willingness to get out of our own way and dedicate ourselves to our passions. That time has arrived. Mars enters Leo this week and begins a six-week transit that all zodiac signs are likely to feel strongly, because Mars is the planet of action and Leo refuses to hide from its talents, gifts, creativity, or power. This energy wants us to take ourselves seriously enough to be seen: to put the work out there, take the leap, shoot our shot, and give more consistent energy to the passions that make us feel alive. The more you dedicate yourself to what genuinely excites you, the more aligned you’ll feel with the next chapter that is already trying to unfold.

At the same time, this week carries a very different undercurrent. Mercury enters Scorpio, and on October 3rd Venus begins its retrograde in Scorpio, turning our attention inward around relationships, finances, desire, creativity, and what we truly value. Past lovers, unresolved feelings, old spending patterns, unfinished creative work, or questions about what — and who — we still want may resurface over the weeks ahead. So while Mars in Leo is yelling, “Go! Be seen! Take the risk!” Scorpio energy is asking us to make sure every move has intention behind it. With these energies squaring off, skymates may feel a push and pull between visibility and solitude, bold action and deeper reflection. You can put yourself out there while still being discerning; the real art of this chapter is knowing when to take center stage and when to step back long enough to understand why you want what you want.

Read your horoscopes for your Sun and Rising signs for the most in-depth forecast.

Aries Sun & Rising:

Aries, Mars entering Leo this week is a major glow-up for your energy, confidence, and appetite for life. Your ruling planet has spent the past six weeks in Cancer, where its drive can feel more emotional, defensive, and homebound, so this shift into fellow Fire sign Leo may feel like someone turned the lights back on. Mars now activates your fate, romance, creativity, fame, and inner child zone, making you more flirtatious, magnetic, sexy, playful, and willing to take chances on the things that excite you. Attention may increase, your creative instincts may sharpen, and you could feel much more motivated to put yourself out there socially or professionally. Enjoy the popularity and momentum, but stay grounded enough to remember that being desired and being aligned are not always the same thing.

Near the end of the week, the energy gets much deeper. Mercury enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding in Scorpio on October 3rd, activating your intimacy, merging, shared-resources, and transformation zone. You may find yourself revisiting old patterns around trust, sex, money, jealousy, dependency, or who gets access to the most vulnerable parts of you. This is a better time for reflection than for making dramatic soulmate decisions, especially if something from the past resurfaces and suddenly feels loaded with meaning. Let the retrograde show you where certain patterns began, what they’ve been protecting, and whether you still need them now.

Taurus Sun & Rising:

Taurus, Mars entering Leo this week activates your home, family, and roots zone, and because Leo squares your sign, the shift may feel motivating and irritating in equal measure at first. You could suddenly feel much more driven to change something about your living situation, address a family dynamic, relocate, renovate, or protect your peace more fiercely, but the urgency may clash with your usual preference for moving at your own pace. If tensions rise at home, treat them as information about what has been simmering beneath the surface rather than proof that everything is falling apart. This transit can push you to create a stronger foundation, but the real growth comes from acting with intention instead of reacting just because you are uncomfortable.

Then Mercury enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by your ruler Venus retrograding in Scorpio on October 3rd, shifting the focus directly toward relationships, vulnerability, and the people standing closest to you. Over the next several weeks, old romantic patterns, trust issues, unresolved feelings, or even a past connection may come back into view, especially if there is something you never fully understood the first time around. This is less about rushing to define where a relationship is going and more about noticing what intimacy brings up in you: where you over-give, where you shut down, where you crave reassurance, and where you may still be protecting yourself from being fully seen. Venus retrograde in your partnership zone can be deeply revealing, so let the truth unfold slowly.

Gemini Sun & Rising:

Gemini, Mars entering Leo this week gives your mind more heat, confidence, and follow-through, which can feel like a relief if you’ve been stuck in analysis mode. This transit activates your communication, learning, writing, and local community zone, so ideas may come faster, conversations may become more direct, and you could feel unusually motivated to say the thing, pitch the concept, or turn a passing thought into something real. The contrarian part is that this isn’t necessarily about talking more… It may actually make you more selective about which ideas deserve your voice and which conversations are just noise. Your words carry more impact now, so use them where they can actually move something forward.

Then Mercury enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding there on October 3rd, shifting the focus toward your work, wellness, and daily habits. Venus retrograde here can be surprisingly revealing because it may expose where you’ve confused “being useful” with being valued, or where your routines have quietly been built around pleasing other people. You might find yourself revisiting an old job dynamic, rethinking how much care you give to your body, or realizing that a habit you once considered productive is actually making you less creative and less alive. Let this retrograde help you renegotiate your relationship with effort, pleasure, and responsibility so your daily life feels more sustainable and less like a permanent group project you somehow got assigned to lead.

Cancer Sun & Rising:

Cancer, Mars finally leaves your sign this week, and you may feel the difference immediately. For the past six weeks, Mars in Cancer may have made everything feel more personal, more urgent, and at times more emotionally exhausting, because your body, identity, and reactions were carrying so much of the heat. As Mars moves into Leo and activates your money, security, and self-worth zone, that intensity becomes easier to direct toward something tangible. You may feel more motivated to earn, save, negotiate, or make stronger decisions around what your time is worth. The shift can also help you separate emotion from action a little more, which is useful after a stretch where one bad mood could feel like a five-alarm fire.

Then Mercury enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding there on October 3rd, and this Water sign energy harmonizes naturally with your Cancer nature. The focus moves toward romance, creativity, inner child healing, and the part of you that wants to feel deeply without having to explain every feeling. You may become more sensitive, nostalgic, protective, or even moody around love and desire, especially if an old connection, creative dream, or emotional pattern resurfaces. Let yourself notice what makes you want to retreat into your shell versus what actually makes you feel safe enough to open up. This retrograde can help you understand your romantic and creative patterns with much more honesty, and that insight can be deeply healing if you resist turning every feeling into a final verdict.

Leo Sun & Rising:

Leo, Mars enters your sign this week, and the volume on your confidence, magnetism, ambition, and sheer presence gets turned way up. After six weeks of Mars moving through Cancer and stirring more private, emotional, or behind-the-scenes territory, this shift can feel like getting your fire back. You may feel more decisive, more physically energized, more willing to take risks, and much less interested in waiting for permission before going after what you want. This is one of the strongest periods of the year for putting yourself forward, leading, creating, flirting, launching, and reminding people exactly who you are. The only thing to watch is overextension; having more momentum does not mean every opportunity deserves a yes.

Then Mercury enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding there on October 3rd, and that energy squares your Leo nature from your home, family, and emotional foundation zone. So while one part of you wants visibility, movement, and applause, another part may suddenly become more sensitive, private, nostalgic, or protective of what happens behind closed doors. Old family dynamics, relationship patterns rooted in childhood, or questions around where you actually feel safe could resurface, which can make this week feel paradoxical but incredibly transformative. The lesson is learning how to let yourself shine without abandoning the deeper emotional work that makes that confidence sustainable.

Virgo Sun & Rising:

Virgo, Mars entering Leo this week is a strange little paradox for you: the planet of action is moving through your solitude, spirituality, and behind-the-scenes zone, so your biggest moves may not look very public yet. You could feel more restless in private, more motivated to clear emotional clutter, or suddenly aware that certain habits, fears, or unfinished chapters are taking up way too much psychic space. This transit can make rest feel oddly productive because your energy is being redirected inward, toward healing, closure, and preparation. If you feel less interested in proving yourself and more interested in protecting your peace, trust that instinct. You are still moving forward, just in a way that may be invisible to everyone else for a while.

Then your ruler Mercury leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding there on October 3rd, shifting the tone from polite, balanced thinking into something much more penetrating. Your communication sector becomes the focus, so you may start questioning what you really mean, what you have been avoiding saying, or why certain conversations keep looping back around. Venus retrograde can also bring old messages, unresolved feelings, sibling dynamics, or a past connection back into your mental space, especially if there is still something to understand beneath the surface. The lesson isn’t to overthink every word until it loses meaning; it’s to get more honest about the emotional truth underneath what you say, what you withhold, and what you’re finally ready to name.

Libra Sun & Rising:

Libra, this week feels a little like your social life just opened twenty new tabs while your heart asks you to close a few. Mars enters Leo and energizes your friendship, community, social media, and future-goals zone, making you more motivated to connect, collaborate, attend events, grow your audience, and put more energy behind the people and dreams that genuinely excite you. You may feel more popular, more visible within your circle, or more willing to initiate plans instead of waiting for someone else to set the tone. This is especially powerful for long-term goals because Mars in Leo helps you act on the vision, not just talk about it, and the right community can make your next move feel much bigger and more possible.

Then comes the emotional whiplash. Mercury leaves your sign and enters Scorpio on September 30th, and just a few days later your ruler Venus begins its retrograde there, shifting your attention toward money, self-worth, security, and what you truly value. You may go from feeling socially expansive to suddenly questioning whether certain relationships, purchases, or goals are actually worth the energy they require. Old financial habits or insecurities around being valued could resurface, and because Venus rules you, this retrograde may feel especially personal. Let the contrast teach you something important: popularity and connection can feel exciting, but the deeper question is whether your choices are also protecting your peace, your resources, and your sense of worth.

Scorpio Sun & Rising:

Scorpio, Mars entering Leo this week is basically daring you to take up more space professionally, even if every instinct in you wants to control the timing, the optics, and who gets to witness the process. Mars activates your career, reputation, and visibility zone, pushing you to lead more boldly, pursue recognition, and put real force behind your ambitions, but because Leo squares your Scorpio energy, that confidence may feel easier to admire in theory than embody in practice. You may become more aware of fears around being judged, exposed, or misunderstood once the spotlight gets brighter. Work with the tension instead of waiting for it to disappear. Let yourself be seen before everything feels perfectly polished, because the friction itself can be the catalyst that moves you into a more powerful professional era.

Then Mercury enters your sign on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding there on October 3rd, and the entire tone becomes more introspective, nostalgic, and emotionally loaded. Thoughts, memories, old desires, and unresolved relationship patterns may come back with enough intensity that pretending you’re “over it” stops being convincing, even to you. Venus retrograde in Scorpio can make you question how you love, what you attract, what you value, and even how you see yourself, so give those feelings room without letting them dictate every move. The paradox of the week is that Mars wants you visible while these Scorpio transits wants you inward, and learning how to honor both could be deeply transformative.

Sagittarius Sun & Rising:

Sag, Mars entering fellow Fire sign Leo this week feels like someone finally cracked open a window and reminded you there’s still a whole world out there waiting for you. This six-week transit activates your expansion realm, making you more eager to travel, teach, publish, study, explore, or take a leap that widens your life in some meaningful way. Your confidence around bigger decisions can return quickly, and you may feel more willing to trust your instincts instead of overthinking every possible outcome. This is excellent energy for pursuing something that excites you enough to scare you a little, especially if you’ve spent the past few weeks feeling emotionally bogged down or stuck in maintenance mode.

Then the mood shifts near week’s end as Mercury enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding there on October 3rd, pulling more of your attention into your solitude, subconscious, and healing zone. The contrast may feel strange at first: one part of you wants to book the trip and chase the horizon, while another suddenly wants to disappear, process, sleep, and sit with old feelings that have resurfaced. Let both be true. The Scorpio transits can bring nostalgia, unresolved love stories, private fears, or creative ideas from the past back into your awareness, and they need space to be felt before you can fully understand what they are trying to teach you.

Capricorn Sun & Rising:

Capricorn, Mars entering Leo this week pushes you into deeper territory around trust, money, intimacy, and shared power, and it may feel more activating than comfortable at first. This six-week transit energizes the part of your chart connected to merging, outside resources, debt, investments, and emotional vulnerability, so situations you would normally prefer to handle quietly or strategically may suddenly demand action. You could feel more motivated to pay something down, renegotiate a financial arrangement, ask for support, or get more honest about where you are carrying too much in a relationship. The key is to use the intensity productively instead of trying to control every variable. Sometimes the breakthrough comes from admitting that you cannot white-knuckle your way through every transition alone.

Then Mercury enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding there on October 3rd, shifting your attention toward friendships, community, and long-term goals. This can bring an old friend, collaboration, social dynamic, or future dream back into focus, especially if there is unfinished emotional business attached to it. You may become more selective about who you trust with your plans and more nostalgic about connections that once mattered deeply, but the retrograde is also asking whether those relationships still fit the person you are becoming. Let the next few weeks show you which bonds still have depth and which ones mainly have history.

Aquarius Sun & Rising:

Aquarius, Mars entering Leo this week turns up the heat in your partnership zone, so other people may suddenly feel a lot louder, bolder, and harder to ignore. Over the next six weeks, relationships can become more passionate, competitive, energizing, or confrontational depending on what is already simmering beneath the surface. You may attract people who challenge you to be more expressive, direct, and emotionally present, or you may simply notice that you are less willing to stay detached when something actually matters to you. Because Leo opposes your Aquarius energy, this transit can feel like a mirror: the people around you may reflect the confidence, courage, or vulnerability you’re still learning to embody yourself. The goal isn’t to win every interaction, but to let connection wake something up in you.

Then Mercury enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding there on October 3rd, shifting the focus toward your career, reputation, and public image. This can feel intense because Scorpio squares your sign, and Venus retrograde may have you revisiting old professional ambitions, past collaborators, questions around recognition, or even whether the version of success you’ve been chasing still feels meaningful. You may become more private about your next move even as Mars in Leo keeps your relationships highly activated. Let the contrast work in your favor: you do not need to announce every evolution while it’s happening. Some of your most important professional recalibrations may need to happen behind the scenes before you are ready to show the world what has changed.

Pisces Sun & Rising:

Pisces, Mars entering Leo this week brings a noticeable surge of energy to your work, wellness, and daily routine sector, and the real opportunity is learning how to use that fire without burning yourself out. Over the next six weeks, you may feel more motivated to get organized, move your body, take your health more seriously, or finally tackle the tasks you have been procrastinating on. Leo adds pride and creativity to even the most ordinary parts of life, so your routines may start feeling less like chores and more like a reflection of how much you value yourself. Just watch the tendency to overcommit because you suddenly feel capable of doing everything at once; sustainable momentum will serve you better than one dramatic burst of productivity.

Then Mercury enters Scorpio on September 30th, followed by Venus retrograding there on October 3rd, activating your expansion, travel, education, publishing, and belief realm. This Water sign energy harmonizes beautifully with your Pisces nature, but Venus retrograde can make that expansion feel more reflective than straightforward. You may find yourself revisiting an old dream of living somewhere else, returning to a subject or spiritual practice you once loved, reconnecting with someone from another chapter of your life, or questioning beliefs you’ve carried for years without examining where they came from. Let yourself wander back through the past a little. Sometimes the next horizon becomes clearer when you understand why an older one mattered so much in the first place.

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The MTV Video Music Awards have never exactly been known for playing it safe. While other awards shows tend to favor polished gowns and predictable glamor, the VMAs have always been the place where celebrities get to have a little fun. Back in the day, it’s where Jennifer Lopez would show up in white jeans and a matching bandana, and where Lady Gaga would gag us with an ensemble more shocking than the last. The performances may be legendary, but the fashion moments are often just as unforgettable. Year after year, the VMAs have delivered the kind of red-carpet looks that spark headlines, inspire Halloween costumes, and become permanently etched into pop-culture history. From daring silhouettes to downright unexpected styling choices, these are the outfits that helped define the spirit of the VMAs.

The VMAs return on Sunday (Sept 27) and we can’t wait to see what the stars have in store. But throughout history, there are the looks that need no introduction, like Destiny’s Child bringing coordinated girl-group glamor to the ceremony, creating a visual time capsule of late-’90s and early-2000s style that feels instantly nostalgic and still relevant today. Over the years, the red carpet has given us barely-there looks, questionable accessories, major fashion risks, and outfits so memorable they practically became pop-culture landmarks. And some of the onstage looks have been just as quintessential (think less Britney Spears with the snake and more Britney in the rhinestone catsuit that sparked a thousand puritan complaints).

The most iconic moments belong to the women who understood the assignment long before “viral fashion moment” was a thing. From jaw-dropping gowns to boundary-pushing ensembles, these moments capture what makes VMA fashion so uniquely entertaining: There are no rules, and the bigger the statement, the better. Here are 10 of the most iconic looks to ever hit the MTV VMAs.

Lady Gaga, 2010

Lady Gaga’s 2010 meat dress wasn’t just a red-carpet look — it was a full-blown pop-culture moment, turning one of the VMAs’ most outrageous outfits into one of the most instantly recognizable fashion statements of the decade.

Madonna, 1984

Madonna’s 1984 bridal VMAs outfit is the blueprint for the kind of fashion moment the show would become famous for. Climbing onto the stage for “Like A Virgin” in a white lace bustier, tutu, layered jewelry, and “Boy Toy” belt, she turned bridal dressing on its head and made an instantly recognizable pop-culture statement.

Destiny’s Child, 2000

At the 2000 VMAs, Destiny’s Child leaned all the way into coordinated Y2K glamour, serving up colorful, curve-hugging looks that perfectly captured the maximalist spirit of the era — and cemented their place in VMA fashion history.

Sabrina Carpenter, 2025

As VMA fashion has gradually traded some of its anything-goes chaos for safer, more polished red-carpet dressing, Sabrina Carpenter’s 2025 look proved that a little old-school glamor can still make an impact. The retro-inspired ensemble was polished and playful without feeling predictable — a reminder that you don’t need a headline-grabbing gimmick to deliver a memorable VMA fashion moment.

Lil Kim, 1999

Lil’ Kim’s 1999 VMAs look remains one of the most daring red-carpet moments in pop culture history. The purple one-shoulder jumpsuit, complete with a strategically placed pastie and matching wig, was unapologetically revealing, gloriously campy, and so unmistakably Lil’ Kim that it instantly became a fashion moment. And led to an iconic on-stage moment with Diana Ross jiggling Lil Kim’s breast that is etched into our memories forever.

Miley Cyrus, 2015

By 2015, Miley Cyrus was firmly in her rebellious era, and her VMA look was every bit as unapologetic as the persona she had embraced. The futuristic, barely-there ensemble — paired with sky-high platforms and a playful space-age vibe — captured the anything-goes spirit of her style at the time and made sure she arrived ready to steal the spotlight.

Cher, 2010

Cher’s 2010 VMAs look felt like a full-circle fashion moment — and an especially poignant one now following the death of her longtime collaborator Bob Mackie. Wearing a look reminiscent of the sheer, skin-baring glamor of her iconic ’80s look, one of Mackie’s signature creations, she proved that the visual language the pair created together still had plenty of staying power decades later.

Rihanna, 2016

Rihanna’s 2016 VMAs look proved that an onstage outfit can be just as memorable as a red-carpet one. Performing in a casual-chic ensemble topped with feathered bralet and a mesh durag, she made the accessories feel like the centerpieces rather than an afterthought, effortlessly channeling the cool, Black as hell, streetwear-meets-pop-star sensibility that has long defined her style.

Britney Spears, 2000

Before the snake, there was Britney Spears’ 2000 VMAs look: a barely-there, Swarovski-crystal-covered bodysuit that left very little to the imagination. The sheer, sparkling ensemble was considered shockingly revealing at the time, but it also captured Britney at the height of her pop-star ascent — turning controversy into one of the most talked-about fashion moments of the night.

Jennifer Lopez, 2000

Jennifer Lopez arrived at the 2000 VMAs in a look that was pure early-aughts J.Lo: a white Sean John tracksuit, crop top, white bedazzled bandana, and plenty of swagger. The coordinated streetwear moment captured the era’s hip-hop-meets-Hollywood glamor (her date was a man we no longer acknowledge), while the casual-meets-sexy styling became, once again, an instantly recognizable snapshot of peak Y2K fashion.

The 2026 MTV VMAs will air Sunday, September 27that 7:30pm ET/ 4:30pm PT on CBS, MTV and Paramount+

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Are you ready for the merry-go-round that will consume our lives from September 27th to May 14th? If so, then jump aboard, because Mars in Leo is going to spin us round more times than a club kid on a hot summer night at The Palladium circa 1993 or Bianca Jagger at Studio 54 in its heyday in the late 1970s. 

Mars in Leo is a powerful transit; we aren’t afraid to keep our secrets within and share our goals wholeheartedly. Taking action seems as seamless as roaring under the sun, as we assert our hopes, take on ventures, and inspire creativity within ourselves. The energy we give is more than what we receive, because we want to make others happy by spoiling them with presents, compliments, and good vibes. The desire to live the high life is more than a flex; it’s a mindset.

The way we define loyalty is changing in the next several months. On the surface, being committed to someone means sharing their views and supporting their aspirations; however, once we dig deeper, we’ll see it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll agree with your bestie all the time. You can agree to disagree. What keeps you together is the affinity and connection you share, knowing that you can speak up about a situation, argue your points, and feel secure in the foundation. It’s not about conforming to the mob, the status quo, or what is popular, but believing in your views and having friends who encourage unique thoughts. What is important is that you’re both accepting and understanding. 

Courage and boldness are also two other themes that will be looked at during Mars’ transit in Leo. Being fierce means taking steps outside your comfort zone: don’t let anyone or anything hold you back as you move toward your hopes and visions. To avoid combustible moments, surround yourself with people who are open-minded and not judgmental. You’re free to be whoever you wish to be. Therefore, Mars in Leo is the chance to harness the lion and take a walk on the wild side. Doing that transcends us from being the cowardly lion into greatness. 

This is the timeline breakdown for the seemingly never-ending cosmic backspin of Mars retrograde. On November 5th, Mars comes into the pre-retrograde zone in Leo. As Mars begins to slow down, it creates the vibe that we’ll be focusing on during its planetary moonwalk. Mars stations retrograde on January 10th, 2027, in Virgo, moving back into Leo on February 21st, 2027. Mars turns direct on April 1st in Leo, re-entering Virgo on May 14th, 2027. On June 7th, 2027, Mars will exit the post-retrograde shadow in Virgo, completing the cycle that began months before. 

Mars retrograde in Leo may bring out our defenses, lack of vitality, and frustrations. A joke could turn into a major blowout, and an evening of sleep could last all day. The key is not to let energy vampires throw the evil eye at what we do as we try to live positively. Solitude might force us to struggle with group settings and dynamics, but it’s ideal for gearing up for spring and strategizing the best way to win going forward.

Finding inner peace and resolve is important to get through the coming months. No one should dim our light. Our true pals are the ones who ignite our sparks.

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So when the same products kept coming up throughout the day, Refinery29 editors took notes. For this year’s Beauties, we’re highlighting the items generating excitement within our community on Threads, along with the beauty finds that surfaced throughout the full day of activations, demonstrations, panels, and those very unofficial but extremely persuasive you need to try this exchanges happening all over the Rolling Greens campus.

Some came from brands we already know well. Others made us wonder where they had been hiding. And a few solved beauty problems so specific that we immediately DoorDashed a Sephora order.

These are the products that managed to cut through the Beautycon noise, and earn a spot on our 2026 Beauties list.

The Skin Savior

La Roche-Posay

Sunscreen has one fairly important job, yet finding one you actually want to put on every morning can feel unnecessarily difficult. So Beautycon took the question straight to its Threads community: “What sunscreen would you recommend to someone who hates sunscreen?” Among a very crowded field of SPF favorites, La Roche-Posay came up more than once. One community member simply answered, “@larocheposayusa anthelios,” while another doubled down: “@larocheposayusa for sure! Sooo many options to choose from!”

And options there are. The Anthelios lineup spans lightweight face formulas, mineral SPFs, tinted options, and higher-protection formulas, making it considerably easier to find one that doesn’t make applying sunscreen feel like a daily chore. When the assignment is convince someone who hates sunscreen to wear sunscreen, getting independently named-checked twice by the Beautycon community feels like a pretty convincing endorsement.

The Breakout Destroyer

Beautycon involves thousands of people, a full face of makeup, lots of touching things, and approximately 700 opportunities to wonder, Should I really be putting my hand on my face right now? Enter Personal Day’s hypochlorous acid spray. The mist is designed for acne-prone skin and gives you an easy spritz-and-go step when your face could use a refresh. Personal Day already has Beautycon history too: founder Lili Reinhart previously dropped by to discuss acne and the relationship between skin and mental health. This year, we spotted the bright-green bottle being enthusiastically pulled from an attendee’s Beautycon haul. Coincidence? Our pores think not.

The Body-Care Hero

Some lotions moisturize. Others make the boring act of hydrating your skin feel slightly more like you have your life together. SANTU’s Lima Mexicana Body Lotion is aiming for the latter. The silky formula popped up among the Beautycon haul discoveries we spotted after the event, and its lime-inspired proposition immediately stood out in a sea of face serums and lip products. Because your skincare routine technically does not stop at your neck, no matter how much your neglected shins would have you believe otherwise.

The Post-Shower Perfume

We love a product with an identity crisis when the result is this good. Despite being called a Body Splash, Her Fantasy Box’s Santal Driftwood is a hydrating body oil with a fragrance-forward sensibility (exactly the sort of hybrid product that makes getting out of the shower considerably more interesting). It also arrives during a major growth moment for the brand: Her Fantasy Box expanded into more than 4,000 CVS locations this summer and participated in Beautycon during ESSENCE Festival before turning up again among the products Beautycon LA attendees couldn’t stop talking about. If body care and fragrance are going to keep flirting with each other, we’re happy to third-wheel.

The Forever Glow-Up

Before seemingly every skincare product promised glass, glazed donut, dolphin, or some other variety of suspiciously reflective skin, there was Pixi Glow Tonic. The 5% glycolic-acid exfoliating toner has been around long enough to qualify as a beauty throwback, yet there it was again the superstar of Beautycon Universities student hauls. And maybe that’s the point. In an industry obsessed with whatever launched five minutes ago, there’s something deeply satisfying about a product that simply refuses to leave the group chat.

The Brow Freeze

If your brow hairs have independent thoughts, hopes, and travel plans, NYX would like to put an end to that. The Brow Glue Crazy Lift promises up to 24-hour wear, and its built-in styling comb is designed to give brows that brushed-up laminated effect without booking an appointment. It was another product staffers couldn’t stop talking about and a superstar in haul videos. For brows that constantly consider staying in place as a mere suggestion, class is officially in session.

NYX Brow Glue The Brow Crazy Lift Brow Lamination Gel

The Meal-Proof MVP

A lip combo can look flawless in the mirror. The real test begins when the appetizers arrive. So when Beautycon asked its Threads community, “What’s the lip combo that survives eating?” I had an immediate answer: “Anything that starts with Make Up For Ever’s lip liners.” Makeup artist Joslyn Spurlock cosigned the note with a heart. And Beautycon’s response? “Oooh!! Love!!”

And, yes, we stand by it. A good lip liner is the insurance policy of a great lip combo, giving your color a defined base before gloss, lipstick, or whatever else you pile on top inevitably meets a coffee cup, cocktail straw, or dinner reservation. Make Up For Ever’s liners have become the kind of beauty-bag staple we reach for when the goal isn’t merely a good lip. It’s one that has plans afterward.

The Dewy Delivery

There comes a point in a long beauty day when applying another layer of anything sounds exhausting. That’s when a mist starts looking very attractive. Anua’s PDRN mist delivers the kind of quick, satisfying skincare step that requires almost no effort: spray, bask in the dewiness, carry on. And at an event where everyone is moving between panels, activations, photo opps, and product discoveries, we’re especially appreciative of skincare that doesn’t require finding a bathroom mirror first.

The Pocket Treasure

Beautycon gave us plenty of elaborate routines to think about, but sometimes the product that wins you over is simply the one you keep reaching for. eos Cashmere Lip Butter takes the brand’s famously dessert-coded approach and shrinks it into something you can stash in a pocket, purse, or the increasingly chaotic bottom of a Beautycon tote. It’s a soft, sweet, uncomplicated beauty treat (and proof that not every award-winning item needs a 12-step instruction manual).

The Damage Controller

There is “my hair feels a little dry,” and then there is we need to call someone for professional help. UNOVE’s Deep Damage Repair Hair Mask is for the latter mood, no appointment required. The Korean hair-care brand’s treatment is built around intensive conditioning for damaged hair, making it especially interesting in a Beautycon lineup full of products devoted to styling, slicking, and asking quite a lot of our strands. We first spotted UNOVE among the mountain of product coming out of Beautycon VIP totes, but it kept coming up in the zeitgeist thanks to its fast-working ingredients. Consider this our apology letter to everything we’ve put our hair through before discovering UNOVE.

The Cutest Clean-Up

Hand sanitizer winning a beauty award? Hear us out. After a day spent swatching products, opening testers, grabbing freebies, shaking hands, and digging through tote bags, sanitizer becomes less of a practical afterthought and more like Beautycon survival gear. The Fruit Fusion verison makes the whole thing considerably more fun, which is why one attendee’s reaction to receiving it couldn’t go on without highlighting how cute the keychain it comes with is. Sometimes innovation is just as simple as making the thing you already need cute enough that you remember actually to carry it.

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