THE SMALL TALK

RETAIL: Is PrettyLittleThing's rebrand all about appearances?

PrettyLittleThing just ditched its bubblegum pink for a more ‘sophisticated’ monochrome look, all part of Umar Kamani’s plan to rebrand the fast fashion giant. The new collections and website makeover are supposed to signal a fresh start, but TikTok isn’t buying it. Users are calling out the brand for swapping logos and hiking prices without actually upgrading the quality. With last year being its worst yet, this rebrand feels more like window dressing than a real transformation.

UK: A long-overdue win for women’s rights.

In the UK, 1 in 8 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Women and their partners can now get two weeks of paid leave if they experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks. Previously, only those who lost a baby after 24 weeks were entitled to paid leave, leaving many to return to work right away. This change is part of a broader update to the Employment Rights Bill and a significant step forward in supporting those dealing with early pregnancy loss.

FASHION: Is Prada about to seal the deal on Versace?

Prada is about to secure a €1.5 billion deal to buy Versace from Capri Holdings, and honestly, it might be the glow-up Versace needs. The brand hasn’t been ‘hot’ for a while, but with Prada and Miu Miu’s current momentum, this could be a game-changer. If the deal goes through, Prada will level up in the luxury world, taking on giants like LVMH and Kering. Capri, which has been struggling since buying Versace in 2018, could definitely use the win.

CULTURE: Jay-Z isn’t backing down.

Jay-Z has filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman who accused him of rape and later withdrew the claim. He says she admitted the story was made up and that her lawyers pushed her to go forward for money. The lawsuit also accuses her lawyers of extortion and claims the false allegations cost Roc Nation about $20 million. Meanwhile, her lawyer is firing back, denying everything and accusing Jay-Z's team of intimidation.

• The US has officially kicked off tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

• Bella Hadid’s collab with Frankies Bikinis has dropped!

• Boots is recalling over 110,000 packs of 500mg paracetamol tablets thanks to a labelling error.

• Domino’s has finally launched stuffed crust, 30 years after Pizza Hut. Better late than never.

• Paris’ Printemps has officially landed in New York.

• Millie Bobby Brown called out the press for bullying over her appearance, prompting an apology from Matt Lucas.

Butter yellow is making a big comeback this spring, but since it's still too cold for dresses and tank tops, here are some warmer ways to add it to your wardrobe right now:

This week’s Little Black Book is all about New York, and with heated Pilates taking over the city, we’re sharing the studios you need to know about:

The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector: Often considered her masterpiece, Lispector’s final novel follows Macabéa, a poor young woman in Rio de Janeiro who scrapes by as a typist, idolizing movie stars and clinging to a worthless boyfriend. Narrated by a detached writer who both pities and resents her, the story explores poverty, identity, and fate, revealing an unexpected freedom in her obliviousness to her own misery.

My Fault London: When 18-year-old Noah moves to London with her mother, she’s thrown into a world of wealth and privilege after her mother marries a powerful businessman. Drawn to his rebellious son, Nick, she can’t ignore their connection, but as she falls in love for the first time, a past she hoped to escape threatens to catch up with her.