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Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and few know that better than Clarté NYC CEO Isaac Douek.

Alongside his wife and co-founder, Marielle Douek, the designer creates custom lab-grown diamond pieces that have caught the eye of Alix Earle and Bethenny Frankel, with a focus on making fine jewelry feel a little more within reach.

“I spent about six years working in the diamond industry before launching Clarté, so I understood the business and knew there was an opportunity to do things differently,” he tells ET.

For Douek, that meant putting a fresh spin on the classics.

“I never understood why beautiful jewelry had to feel unattainable. A woman should be able to wear the diamond size and design she truly loves without paying an enormous markup simply because of a name on the box,” he explains.

“Lab-grown diamonds allow us to offer incredible size, quality, and design at a much more approachable price. We are not trying to make jewelry feel less luxurious, we are giving more people the opportunity to experience that luxury,” the entrepreneur adds.

Among the brand’s star-studded offerings are The Alix Pear Pendant and The Bethenny Heart Necklace, created and named for the social media creator and reality television star, respectively.

“What makes it so special is that Alix and Bethenny speak to two different generations, yet Clarté feels equally relevant to both. That really demonstrates the versatility and dynamic nature of the brand. … It shows that great design can connect with women across every age group,” Douek shares.

The line has plenty of other gems, too. Eternity bands, engagement rings, tennis necklaces, and diamond studs remain favorites, while personalized options let shoppers select everything from shape and carat weight to setting, metal color, and chain length.

And once you find something you love, there’s no reason to keep it tucked away in a jewelry box for a fancy night out.

“Diamonds are meant to be worn every day. You do not need a wedding, gala, or special occasion to wear something beautiful. … If you love it and feel good wearing it, it works. … Jewelry should become part of your life and not sit in a safe waiting for the right moment,” he says.

In fact, the jeweler thinks a little sparkle can make even the most laid-back outfit shine.

“The right piece of jewelry does all the work. … The moment you add a great diamond necklace, beautiful studs, or a ring stack, the entire look feels elevated. … Some of my favorite looks are a major diamond necklace with a white T-shirt, an incredible pair of studs with workout clothes,” he notes.

“Mix white and yellow gold, layer different diamond shapes, and wear a tennis necklace with a sweatshirt. …The most stylish looks are usually created when someone makes the jewelry their own instead of following a formula.”

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Walking into one of the most iconic theaters in the world, to be greeted by characters you have known for years yet never seen up close or met, is inherently strange. Rhaegar Targaryen, Lyanna Stark, Elia Martell, and the Mad King, Aerys Targaryen, himself have existed largely as ghosts throughout A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones, with the choices, the decisions and the mistakes they made almost entirely shaping the bloodshed that would follow throughout every word we read and every scene we saw in decades of books and eight seasons of epic television. George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King gives those ghosts flesh and fire and blood, transforming one of the most important pieces of Westerosi history into an enormously ambitious four-hour theatrical epic that doesn’t always justify the Balerion-sized run time, even if it’s quite magical when all the pieces fall together.

‘The Mad King’ Is Not HBO’s Westeros

Perhaps the smartest decision director Dominic Cooke and adapter Duncan Macmillan make is refusing to treat The Mad King as a theatrical prequel to HBO’s Game of Thrones. After all, what we see on stage is recognizably Westeros, but the visual language is distinct. Even the banners and sigils have been redesigned. The Targaryen dragon, for example, has a longer, more serpentine appearance than the wyvern-like creature familiar from television, which immediately establishes that this is not a prequel to the television series, but rather its own piece of lore.

Those details help because ensuring it’s clear this is not a prequel to the show will make it easier for those diehard fans rushing to see the play to process the fact that some of your heroes will not resemble those you see on television. We have spent years associating characters such as Robert Baratheon, Ned Stark, and Jaime Lannister with the actors who played them on television, and seeing someone else wearing those names can initially be distracting. Curiously, characters who never really existed on screen have an advantage. There is no definitive live-action Rhaegar or Aerys lodged in the imagination that Noah Ritter or Michael Shaeffer must displace in your mind’s eye. Once you get your head around that, The Mad King becomes something much more interesting than a nostalgic exercise.

‘The Mad King’ Chronicles the Fall of the Targaryen Dynasty

Image via Royal Shakespeare Company

The first half takes place around the legendary Tourney at Harrenhal, where Prince Rhaegar Targaryen (Ritter) hopes to gather support against his increasingly unstable father, King Aerys II (Shaeffer). What follows brings together an extraordinary collection of characters whose relationships will eventually tear the Seven Kingdoms apart: Lyanna Stark (Harmony Rose-Bremner), Eddard Stark (Michael Abubakar), Robert Baratheon (Callum Woodhouse), Elia Martell (Elizabeth Ayodele), Ashara Dayne (Tanisha Spring) and Brandon Stark (Luke Brady), among many others.

This is where the play is at its strongest, because Harrenhal gives the huge company the chance to breathe and allows relationships to develop — you see the political chessboard in action as various factions attempt to make their moves, and get a glimpse of what might have been. Particularly key is the fact that, following a vile moment where Aerys performs a dreadful act of cruelty upon a grieving Robert, the Starks pledge their banners to Rhaegar. The world would look extremely different had Rhaegar not been so impetuous.

The play is also considerably funnier than you might expect. Robert’s utterings get plenty of laughs, such is the way that character was always depicted across all forms of media. A big lad with a short temper is always funny when he’s had a drink, and he meets a pretty girl. The supporting characters help to steal the show. Hughie O’Donnell’s hilariously poisonous Varys and Richard Hansell’s simpering, mewling Grand Maester Pycelle threaten to steal scenes by leaning into heightened versions of the characters audiences already know. The performances are exaggerated without becoming outright impersonations, and the humor rarely diminishes the threat lurking beneath everything.

Noah Ritter and Michael Shaeffer Shine as Rhaegar and Aerys II

Image via Royal Shakespeare Company

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Ritter’s Rhaegar is particularly fascinating because The Mad King resists turning him into the perfect lost prince that decades of Westerosi mythology have created. He is intelligent, romantic, and well-intentioned, that’s true, but what hasn’t previously been depicted is how politically immature, dangerously obsessive, and reckless he is. There’s an air of Hamlet to him; he’s overwhelmed by expectation but he’s utterly incapable of turning that conviction into effective action. You also suspect that, were he placed amongst the Targaryens of House of the Dragon, he would be eaten alive by the likes of Rhaenyra, Daemon, and especially Aemond.

There is a wonderful irony in Aerys and Rhaegar’s relationship, too. Despite his self-admitted madness, Aerys is the only person capable of seeing through Rhaegar’s folly. The king is unquestionably insane, yet even he possesses enough clarity to recognize how foolish it is for Rhaegar to convince himself that he must be the answer to an ancient prophecy. Shaeffer’s performance finds shadows of humanity within Aerys but never asks us to side with him, and his memories of both the tragedy at Summerhall and Rhaegar’s birth are particularly effective because it allows us to see who he was before the monster. But make no mistake, Aerys is a monster. This is a man who visibly laughs at death, at suffering and sorrow, and he relishes in the twisted glee of being the one who causes it.

Rhaegar’s relationship with Rose-Bremner’s Lyanna ultimately becomes our focus as the play continues. They have a sincere romance, and an entirely joyful meet-cute, but the production never endorses their decisions. In fact, one of the benefits of the four-sided stage is that we’re able to get better looks at the reactions of those around them as their obsession with each other and their poor decision-making causes more damage. They never understand that the consequences of their actions spread far beyond the little world they’ve created together, and the whole thing becomes much stranger and sadder for it.

The Performances in ‘The Mad King’ Bring Characters Out of the Shadows

Image via Royal Shakespeare Company

One of the production’s biggest treats is Woodhouse’s Robert Baratheon. This isn’t yet the drunken, exhausted, and very fat king played by Mark Addy that audiences met at the beginning of Game of Thrones. This is a man who, despite his grief, could inspire people to follow him and to depose a king. Woodhouse is imperious, and his Robert is charming, very funny, and surprisingly vulnerable, particularly when discussing the death of his parents, but when the fighting begins, he is terrifying. For perhaps the first time outside Martin’s prose, it becomes immediately obvious why Abubakar’s Ned Stark would follow this man into a rebellion and why soldiers would rally around him.

And of course, we’ve been cursed with the knowledge of what victory will eventually do to Robert. Here, he still has something to fight for, because he hasn’t yet won the crown, hasn’t yet lost the woman he believes he loves, and hasn’t yet discovered that achieving everything he wanted is going to leave him purposeless and a soft man at the end of it all.

The ensemble surrounding these characters is strong and sturdy, too. Ayodele gives Elia far more agency than the tragic footnote she could easily have become, while Spring’s charismatic Ashara is enormously entertaining. You can see why, with that level of energy, people would have suspected she was the mother of Jon Snow as Catelyn once accused of Ned. Mariah Gale makes an extraordinary impression with relatively little material as both Queen Rhaella and Lady Shella Whent, and while Jaime is only a supporting presence, Maxim Ays may be the most immediately convincing piece of visual casting in the entire production. He is perfectly pompous, and he looks entirely the part in his white Kingsguard attire, all swagger, smugness and self-confidence. Meanwhile, Abubakar, who brings the requisite heart and stoicism to Ned, commands a different sort of physicality from that of Sean Bean, who, for many, was the original face of Westeros.

Westeros Looks Incredible on Stage

The technical achievement is frequently jaw-dropping. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre has been transformed around a four-sided, cross-shaped stage, with an imposing arch across it, that brings the action remarkably close to the audience. Director Dominic Cooke uses every side of it, creating the sensation that you’re sitting within Harrenhal rather than watching it from a safe distance. An enormous weirwood and the Iron Throne emerge dramatically from the stage. The opening Targaryen procession will live long in the memory, as they cross the stage on their horses with ominous music playing. It makes them seem ethereal, or alien, but then the Targaryens and Valyrians have always been considered different even in a world as foreign as Westeros.

And then there’s the puppetry, which is extraordinary, particularly when viewed at close range. Horses thunder through Harrenhal at the hands puppets, while Gregor Clegane becomes an enormous, largely voiceless construction, a genuine mountain of engineering. A gigantic dragon appearing during a vision is one of the production’s most magical images, as Rhaegar witnesses the future that will bring Daenerys Targaryen to power with her three dragons, Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion.

But the puppetry isn’t perfect, as they occasionally substitute for performers during combat, and while technically impressive, the Battle of the Trident loses some of the personality that comes from watching two human beings physically confront each other and try to bash each other’s skulls in. That’s a very minor quibble because, while you lament that on one front, you marvel at the technical wizardry. The production also repeatedly freezes the surrounding company while important conversations continue. When your attention remains exactly where Cooke wants it, the effect is excellent, but there is a downside to this, and that’s the unintended humor that you may find when you end up spotting a reveler in mid-dance with a frozen face of ecstasy and glee while a morbid conversation about fate is going on in the background. This may need some refinement, but it’s a clever idea.

Four Hours Is Simply Too Long for ‘The Mad King’

Image via Royal Shakespeare Company

If the Tourney at Harrenhal demonstrates everything The Mad King can be, the second half is where the stage limits the story that it’s trying to tell. The first half is set over a couple of days, at one location (for the most part), and at one event. This is probably what the whole play should have been like, but attempting to tell the story of Robert’s Rebellion in full across roughly two hours is an almost impossible task. The production races between locations, deaths, battles, and political upheavals, occasionally reducing enormous events to mere moments and, as a result, relationships that deserve more time — particularly Ned and Robert’s — inevitably get shortened. It’s not that any of this isn’t interesting, far from it; it’s just that there is too much to say and too little time in which to say it.

It’s an odd, paradoxical conundrum because, at approximately four hours, including an interval, The Mad King is too long and yet it feels rushed in that second half. Cutting 30 or even 40 minutes would not seriously damage the story, particularly if the material were streamlined around its strongest characters rather than attempting to touch so many pieces of Robert’s Rebellion.

The final image, with Ned returning to Catelyn (Marty Breen) and introducing the infant Jon Snow, certainly provides recognition for Game of Thrones fans, but that feels more like a nod to fans, particularly those who flew the R+L=J flag for so many years, rather than focusing on the inevitable conclusion of the tragedy we’ve just watched, and tragedy is probably the thing the play does the best.

These aren’t historical figures moving towards predetermined positions on a Westerosi timeline; they’re all young, impulsive, and foolhardy people making decisions we can sympathize with and understand, even if we know they’re making the worst mistakes they could ever make, without knowing they will be vilified or canonized in later years. Rhaegar isn’t yet the melancholy prince remembered in songs, admired even by those he fought against for his nobility and honor. Robert isn’t the fat king drinking himself into an early grave. Ned isn’t the legendary honorable Lord of Winterfell. Lyanna isn’t a statue in a crypt. They’re just people, young people, not realizing they’re pawns in a greater game being played from the bowels of Casterly Rock.

That is where Game of Thrones: The Mad King works best, because it doesn’t need to imitate HBO’s Westeros. Martin’s world existed long before television gave it a face, and Cooke and Macmillan have instead created their own version of it: theatrical, strange, funny, a bit too much at times, but it will also knock your socks off. There is probably a tighter, even better version of The Mad King hiding somewhere inside these four hours, but what is already on stage is a very worthy addition to George R.R. Martin’s world, and it gives life to those ghosts about whom we’ve only heard songs of ice and fire.

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Author

Written by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke

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Genre

Drama, Fantasy

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Publication Date

First performance August 8, 2026 in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England

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Pros & Cons

• The staging, puppetry and atmosphere is utterly exceptional.
• Strong performances bring previously forgotten characters to life.
• Characters like Robert Baratheon, Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen are superbly fleshed out.

• Long-time fans may have difficulty with some casting choices.
• The second half of the play tries to do too much.
• The play feels too long at almost four hours.

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Martha Stewart is expanding her media footprint through a major content deal with Netflix. 

The lifestyle mogul is bringing two of her popular projects to the streaming platform following the success of her documentary. The new series features broad discussions with prominent figures across entertainment, culinary arts, and corporate leadership.

This new venture comes on the heels of the unexpected end of Meghan Markle’s time with Netflix, after which the streaming giant terminated its deal with her lifestyle brand.

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Netflix is expanding its relationship with Stewart by acquiring her audio interview project and culinary show. Building on the momentum of her 2024 documentary, the streaming provider has added both video episodes of her self-titled podcast and her culinary program to its catalog.

The video version of her interview series arrives on the platform on Wednesday through a partnership between Netflix and iHeartMedia. While the audio remains accessible across podcast feeds, full-length video recordings will stream exclusively on the service. Additionally, her cooking show premieres on the platform on Tuesday, August 25.

Expressing enthusiasm about the launch, Stewart shared her thoughts on expanding into video format.

“I’m delighted to bring my podcast to Netflix, and with that, introduce the medium of video to the series,” Stewart said, per Entertainment Weekly.

“Netflix is the perfect partner to share and amplify the thoughtful and informative conversations the show is known for with an even greater audience,” she added. 

The debut streaming episode features Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian for a conversation covering personal goals, family dynamics, business ventures, and life alongside his spouse, Serena Williams. 

Meanwhile, a few months ago, Netflix appreciated Markle’s vision for her lifestyle brand, while announcing that their business partnership was coming to an end. 

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Before securing her new Netflix program, Martha Stewart voiced sharp opinions regarding Meghan Markle’s venture into culinary media.

According to The Blast, when asked about Markle’s attempt to establish herself as a culinary personality, Stewart expressed skepticism regarding the shift from acting and royalty to home entertainment.

“If you’re an actress, it’s hard to then transition from a princess into a homemaking guru on a television show. It doesn’t sort of follow,” the 85-year-old remarked.

The lifestyle authority emphasized that shifting across such disparate industries lacks logical career continuity. 

Representatives Dispute Claims Regarding Dinner Party Discussions

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Following Stewart’s public critiques, individuals close to Markle disputed claims that the Duchess openly discussed private royal matters at the California event.

The exchange followed a confidential family gathering in the United Kingdom, where Markle, Prince Harry, and their children met with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove. 

Although Buckingham Palace requested privacy for the event, Stewart reportedly said she overheard Markle discussing the trip with fellow guests, according to The Blast. 

“I had dinner with Meghan Markle the other night. We were both guests at a dinner party in California. And she had just gotten back from the palace. I didn’t talk to her really more than to say a couple words, but I know she was talking about it,” Stewart had stated.

In response, an insider said Markle only mentioned enjoying a European holiday, adding, “I think she must have been confused.” Additionally, the event host said Stewart’s narrative was false, confirming that Markle only said her family enjoyed their trip. 

Martha Stewart’s Statements Reportedly Caused Personal Distress for Meghan Markle

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Despite the public clarifications, Stewart’s commentary reportedly caused significant distress for the duchess.

Addressing the tension, a media insider framed Stewart’s comments as intentional positioning within the industry.

“Martha is very territorial and very catty,” the source claimed, as reported by The Blast. “Of course she knows that her words carry a lot of weight. No one thinks it’s an accident that she managed to make Meghan look bad and get herself a load of attention in the process.”  

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Stewart is no stranger to letting her products do all the bragging for her brand. Last year, the entrepreneur marked her birthday by announcing a major brand launch. 

The Blast reported that she shared a post revealing her luxury skincare company, Elm Biosciences, developed alongside dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali.

Detailing the extensive development process on social media, Stewart expressed excitement about debuting the line after years of preparation.

“After 5 years of working behind the scenes, hundreds of prototypes, and endless hours of research—we can’t wait to finally share @elmbiosciences with you all,” she wrote. 

It’s hard to know what bottoms to wear at this time of year. Shorts feel too summery, jeans are too stiff and dress pants read as stuffy. Thankfully, Gwyneth Paltrow inspired Us with a hybrid style that we’re calling capri trousers — and yes, it’s as chic as it sounds.

In an Instagram post, Paltrow shared snippets of her 48 hours in Paris, including tea, art and chic outfits. In one shot, the actress wore a comfy cardigan with trendy white capris — a duo that screamed ‘summer to fall’ from across the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Fashionistas are copying the look for in-office days, brunches and beyond.

Get the Flamingals Capri Pants for $50 (was $53) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

These Flamingals Straight-Leg Capri Pants nail Paltrow’s French-girl style, featuring a mid-calf length, roomy silhouette and trendy patch pockets. In fact, these functional wonders have six pockets altogether, so you can ditch your bag for coffee runs.

Better yet, these capri trousers are made from wrinkle-resistant fabric that keeps you looking crisp, whether you’re running errands or heading to business meetings. Nobody would ever know they’re skin-soft and stretchy, almost like loungewear. It’s really the best of both worlds!

One five-star reviewer wrote, “I wear them to the office. They look professional even though they are more of a comfort item.”

Their versatility has also earned these pants tons of five-star reviews. Another happy shopper wrote, “Very well-made. Worth the money. Love to wear them with sandals and a T-shirt. Very comfortable to wear with boots in the fall.”

Translation: these are three-season pants that play nicely with everything in your closet, from linen tees to chunky knits.

With clean lines, a neutral palette and a design that feels stylish without being too out-there, these effortless bottoms will have you look like a Parisian rich girl. Even Gwyneth Paltrow, whose wardrobe leans Cali-cool, pulled them off, so follow her lead with this capri pants style.

Get the Flamingals Capri Pants for $50 (was $53) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more chic pants, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping
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“Ain’t nobody” needed for Chaka Khan.

The 73-year-old music icon revealed in an interview with the U.K.’s Observer newspaper published on Thursday, August 20, that she is happy on her own after going through two divorces.

Khan made the admission after being asked about the inspiration behind a lyric on her new album, Chakzilla. “I’ve been waiting all my life for this moment,” she sings on the title track.

Quizzed on what exactly it is she is waiting for, the singer responded, “I don’t want to discuss that, because if I talk too much about what I would like to have, somebody will try to arrange it for me. So I’m just going to mosey along and let life do what it do. One of them is not necessarily a partner. I’m not looking for that.”

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“I’m partnered out,” Khan said candidly.

Khan married Hassan Khan in 1970 when she was 17; however, they divorced a year later. She later wed Richard Holland, with whom she shares son Damien, in 1976. The couple divorced in 1980. (Khan has been coy about Damien’s exact age. In a 2022 TikTok video to mark Damien’s birthday, she said, “Something very special happened to me on March 22, 1978, or 9. I’m not going to tell you which one. How’s that?”)

Between her marriages, Khan welcomed daughter Indira, 52, with Rahsaan Morris in 1973.

In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, the “I’m Every Woman” singer detailed how her second marriage caused tension within Rufus, the funk band she fronted in the 1970s.

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Going their own way. For some musical artists, they needed to leave their former bands to explore opportunities as a solo act. Zayn Malik did just that in 2015. He left his longtime One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne to embark upon a solo music career, dropping his debut […]

“They didn’t want me to have a husband,” she said at the time. “When the band first went on tour, every night, after a gig, they would all do a walk-through of my room to make sure I was by myself. They didn’t care who it was – no one could come and visit me. They were just very possessive of their little diamond.”

In a 2017 interview with The Guardian, Khan reflected on both of her marriages, revealing that they each left her questioning herself.

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“I’ve been married twice. Both times I was constantly wondering which person they loved: Chaka Khan or the real me — Yvette Stevens,” she said. “It would take a man of biblical proportions for me to marry again. I don’t have time for a man unless he can bring something big to the table, like a huge amount of money.”

In the same interview, the music star said she adopted her granddaughter, Daija Jade Holland, Damien’s daughter, when she was a child. The pair share the same birthday.

“There’s a lot of things I missed as a young mom, because I was too busy growing up myself. I’m better at it now,” she recalled. “I adopted my granddaughter — my son’s daughter — when she was 9. She’s just turned 16. Becoming a mother again later in life was meant to be.”

I don’t need another reason to get excited about fall dressing, but Amazon’s massive new shoe selection gave me one anyway. Its Fall Shoe Shop is overflowing with 2026 trends I’ve been seeing everywhere, including finds featuring deep burgundy hues, soft suede, animal prints and throwback silhouettes. I narrowed down the seemingly endless options to 13 pairs I actually want in my closet.

The real appeal is how easily these shoes can breathe new life into clothes you already own: Add a statement sneaker to straight-leg jeans, pair a polished ballet flat with work trousers or let a tall boot take your favorite mini dress into cooler weather. There are also easy slip-ons for school drop-offs and errands, plus dressier options for dinner plans when heels sound like too much work. You can start refreshing your rotation for $20.

13 Top Picks From Amazon’s 2026 Fall Shoe Edit

Sneakers

1. My Favorite: Leopard print is having a major moment for fall, and these chic Adidas sneakers might be my favorite way to wear the look. The retro silhouette and creamy stripes make the bold print surprisingly easy to style with everything from jeans to trousers.

2. Retro Refresh: These caramel-brown Naturalizer sneakers are practically made for crisp fall days. The sporty stripes, suede-like finish and rich neutral shade will pair effortlessly with all the pants in your rotation.

3. Burgundy Beauties: Burgundy is one color that instantly makes an outfit feel more fall-ready, and these Sam Edelman sneakers nail the look. The tonal suede detailing and chunky retro shape make them feel especially luxe.

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Flats

4. Chocolate Fix: Chocolate brown is shaping up to be fall’s richest neutral, and these Naturalizer Mary Janes lean all the way in. The soft suede and tortoiseshell buckle make them look especially polished.

5. Statement Flats: These zebra-print Mary Janes from Sam Edelman can turn jeans and a plain sweater into an actual outfit. Between the chocolate-brown stripes and shiny gold buckle, they bring plenty of personality without requiring any styling effort.

6. Velvet Crush: Nothing says ‘fall’ quite like rich velvet, and these $20 Mary Janes come in the dreamiest burgundy shade. Pair them with jeans now, then dresses and tights once temperatures drop.

Loafers

7. Our Favorite: If there’s a loafer I’d build my fall wardrobe around, it’s this soft suede pair. The mushroom hue works with practically every autumn neutral, while the classic penny-loafer shape keeps them timeless.

8. Rich Red: If you love cherry red for summer, these deep burgundy loafers from Steve Madden are the natural next step. The moody hue and textured finish make them feel sophisticated enough for workdays and dinners alike.

9. Quiet Luxury: These light suede loafers have that understated, old money look that makes an outfit feel instantly polished. They’re crafted from genuine leather with cushy memory foam insoles for a comfy-meets-chic finish.

10. Throw-On-and-Go: For days when sneakers feel like too much effort, these genuine suede clogs are an easy alternative. Just slip them on with jeans, leggings or sweats for a cozy fall look that still feels styled.

Boots

11. Our Favorite: There’s something undeniably chic about a burgundy boot, and this sleek ankle pair has me ready to retire basic black. The streamlined shape and kitten heel give them a sophisticated, fashion-forward finish.

12. Boot Season: These burgundy knee-high boots are making me want to skip straight to sweater weather. The rich wine hue feels especially luxe, while the chunky heel gives the sleek silhouette a walkable-looking finish.

13. Western Moment: These camel cowboy boots are an easy way to bring fall’s Western trend into your everyday wardrobe. The tonal stitching and lived-in finish make them look especially cool with denim, flowy dresses and mini skirts.

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Shopping is literally my job, which means I spend a good chunk of every day scrolling through new arrivals, tracking launches and figuring out what’s actually worth your money. This month’s lineup includes everything from beauty products I’ve already been testing to fashion finds, home upgrades and kitchen gadgets I can’t stop thinking about. While […]

Martial arts movies aren’t as prevalent as they were during their rise to international fame in the 1970s, but the 2020s have proven the genre is far from dead. From the absurd Best Picture-winning sci-fi action-comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once to the brutal The Raid spiritual successor, The Furious, and gun-fu’s bloody crescendo, John Wick: Chapter 4, filmmakers from across the industry have made this an era of creative and thrilling features honoring and iterating on what came before. We Are Not Alone director Fergal Costello is now looking to deliver his own riotous spin on the genre with Kung Fu Deadly, a comedic supernatural action-adventure starring popular YouTuber and actor Steven He. Ahead of its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, Collider can exclusively share a new image of He fighting through the pain during a deadly battle.

Kung Fu Deadly revolves around two inseparable friends — Danny (He) and Frank (Michael Tient) — trying to get by in Dublin while running their rinky-dink pest control company. Everything changes, however, when they stumble upon a gang of Chinese criminals trying to resurrect a Jiangshi, and the Taoist guardian who’s trying to thwart their evil scheme. Upon meeting, Lien immediately deduces that Danny is meant to be the other guardian fighting alongside her because of his lineage. While Danny has remained completely unaware of this truth and hasn’t spent a moment of his life training for such a duty, he’s now struck at a crossroads, forced to choose between his current blissful tedium and saving the world. Fortunately, he and Frank have plenty of bumbling experience in extermination.

Killing vermin and vanquishing evil beings may be similar in principle, but are far apart in practice. Our exclusive still sees Danny struggling to hone the kung fu skills needed to combat the supernatural threats and the criminals he’ll come across. He’s seen battling Min Chun (Fiona Xie) wielding two sai, holding one of her strikes back with a staff while desperately gripping the other blade with his hand. It’s clear he’s not quite the fighter his fellow guardian is, but he’s not alone, at least. Kung Fu Deadly is, at its heart, billed as a positive story about the power of friendship against the backdrop of a funny martial arts movie made by creatives with serious experience creating stylish action.

‘Kung Fu Deadly’ Is Full of Martial Arts Veterans

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Accompanying Costello behind the camera is action director Lee Huang, known for his work designing and coordinating stunts for Netflix’s cult favorite Warrior Nun series, as well as The Matrix: Resurrections and countless other projects. The set was packed with veteran stunt performers as well to ensure that, even if humor and heart were front and center, Kung Fu Deadly would still offer worthwhile action to match. The cast of up-and-coming stars also includes Gemma Chua-Tran, who is part of the cast of the much-anticipated live-action Gundam movie with Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo, as Danny’s fellow guardian Lien, alongside A Thousand Blows‘ Jason Tobin and Mortal Kombat II‘s Max Huang. Paul Markey and Paddy McDonald, meanwhile, penned the script.

Kung Fu Deadly is set to world premiere at Fantastic Fest, which will be held at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin, Texas from September 17 through 24. Check out our exclusive image above and stay tuned here at Collider for further sneak peeks at some of the most exciting entries heading to the genre festival this year. More information on all the film and episode projects can be found on the official film guide.