Yet, as the world evolves and new ideas like feminism continue to reshape society, women now have more chances than ever to prove themselves. Despite this progress, many clichés persist. Beautiful women, for example, are still assumed to lack intelligence, and if we are asked to visualize an over-achieving student, what comes to mind is often a dorky-looking, messy-haired, glasses-wearing boy sitting in the front row.
One of the most iconic breaks from this pattern came with the release of Legally Blonde. Almost everyone knows the story of Elle Woods, the pink-loving blonde it-girl who made it into Harvard Law School. Underestimated because of her looks, she proved herself both in the classroom and courtroom. After the movie’s popularity, characters like her began appearing more frequently in movies, books and online spaces. This “movement” gained popularity and momentum on platforms like Pinterest, gradually influencing real life: Celebrities, influencers, and singers started embodying the balance and spirit of Elle Woods, with GenZ and their online creators eagerly following suit. A particularly striking wave began with K-pop idol Jang Wonyoung, whose confident statement in a video, “I don’t care—you are you, I am me,” became the anthem of the hyperfeminine trend dubbed “Wonyoungism.” Centered around her, it emphasizes self-care, studying, Pilates and exercise, and pink products.
This trend also revolves around the “Beauty with brains” phenomenon, even if that exact term isn’t used. Carla (@carlacrnt), an influencer and law student in Geneva, embodies this this value in her posts A fashion enthusiast who invests high energy and focus into her education, she maintains a feminine yet traditionally elegant aesthetic, showing that femininity can take many forms Both she and figures like Jang Wonyoung have even appeared at Paris Fashion Week, highlighting how their influence is starting to be recognized on major stages. During my attendance at KIMHĒKIM’s Spring/Summer SS26 collection, I Feel Love, I was struck by how profoundly the collection celebrated femininity. Unlike many other shows, it captured the magical feeling of femininity, often absent from other collections. It was a pleasant breath of fresh air and contrast to the mainstream and modernist women’s fashion that are not all that interested in women feeling great in our bodies.
Its key elements-bows, pearls, heart motifs- are more than just decoration, they truly help women feel their best in what they wear and are symbols of tenderness and self-expression. Seeing the collection reminded me of how Christian Dior spoke about women and the dresses he designed for them: “After women, flowers are the most divine creations”
Just like Dior, Kiminte Kimhekim though not a woman himself, creates designs that make women feel both beautiful and confident. In post-show interviews, he spoke about being aware of the women who wear his clothes, women who not only care about their appearance but also value their intellect and education. He sees them as embodying the modern balance of beauty and brains. When we design clothing that express both grace and intelligence, women no longer need to choose between looking good or nurturing their minds. Perhaps the real balance, the one inspired by figures like Elle Woods, Carla, and Wonyoung, begins when men also recognize this need and support women in pursuing beauty and brains, marking a new beginning.
