Goodbye May and hello June – but not before we squeezed some serious watching, listening and reading in. There were plenty of mediums holding our divided attentions this month – from live fashion shows to ancient Greek texts, International Booker Prize shortlisted books and French cinema.
Our May calendar was brimming with events – from the 2026 Australian Fashion Week to our third annual Literary Showcase event at The State Library – but not full enough to keep us from our TBR lists, headphones and local cinemas, it would seem. Below, what the RUSSH editors watched, listened to and read this May...
Samantha Corry
Social Media Coordinator & Writer
Watch … This month is feeling like October with the amount of horror films I have been watching. Luckily, it’s my favourite genre. Starting off strong with Obsession — that movie is just perfect in every way. The cast, script and editing was chef's kiss. Most recently I watched Backrooms and that has got to be my favourite movie this year. I have never seen a film like it before, and every second I had no idea what would happen next. I also watched Finding Emily — actually, it was last month but I can only just talk about it now that its embargo is lifted. I really loved it; Spike Fearn was a stand out for me in it.
Listen … I’m back listening to the After Work Drinks podcast now that I am officially a Patreon member. And Olivia Rodrigo’s two new songs, which I'm really loving. Every song she releases I get more hooked.
Read… I just picked up The Director by Daniel Kehlmann. It’s on the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist. It mixes my two favourite genres: film and history. I’m only two chapters in and so far so good.
Cassandra Dimitroff
Features and Production Editor
Watch … Before Sunrise. Finally. And it was just as life-affirming as everyone said it would be. Itching to watch Before Sunset next.
Listen … SLAYYYTER’s WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA album. Catch me queuing for a ticket to her Australian shows later this year. And Spotify’s Peaceful Piano playlist. I really existed in multitudes this month.
Read … Embarrassingly, not much. I hit a bit of a wall with my TBR pile and have taken a hiatus this month. I’m about a chapter into the third book of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet – Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay – so will be aiming to polish that off on an imminent long-haul flight.
Koby Dulac-Daley
Fashion Assistant
Watch … My May was consumed by watching fashion shows. Whether that was at Australian Fashion Week, Wings Independent Fashion Festival, Nicola Louise's debut standalone show or the Cruise shows throughout the world – from Dior in Los Angeles to CHANEL in Biaritz. My standout at AFW was The Frontier show (which showcased six incredible emerging designers including Haluminsous, Ouse, Rose Guiffre, Paris Jade Burrows, Madre Natura & Suzaan Stander). The runway was set at Sydney Theatre Company wharf theatre, which made for an atypical runway backdrop. Another standout was Maticevski, which felt like a true Haute Couture Parisian show from the name cards on the seats, to the venue itself, and the true sculptural work of Toni's brain. A moment I can't stop thinking about is the closing bride from the show, which turned out to be RUSSH's May Cover star Stella Hinton.
Listen … This month a lot of my listening has consisted of my favourite songs from the fashion show soundtracks, including Heaven Scent by Soul Wax, and Jóga by Björk. I didn’t think these words would be coming out of my mouth but I have been loving Rock Music — the new song by Charli XCX to be specific. Freaks by Haute & Freddy has also been on repeat.
Read … This month my reading mainly consisted of the show notes found on my seats at Australian Fashion Week.
Magdalene Shapter
Designer and Producer
Watch … I finally watched Anatomy Of A Fall and I can’t stop thinking about it – about all of the pensive, charged silences! I heart French film.
Listen … Chanel Beads is on repeat ahead of their Sydney show in a few weeks, along with the playlist that RUSSH’s Music Editor Alys Hale curated for the recent RUSSH x Archie Rose Whisky and Records night at the Opera House, which is full of perfect songs like Taste Of Blood by Mazzy Star and Music For Lovers by Nina Simone.
Read … I’m reading Honor Levy’s My First Book in bursts and absences. The experience of reading it is like sitting in Levy’s brain, or rather, having a second, concurrent brain to your own. The effect is total neurotic surrender.
Sophia Serafin
Implementation Manager
Watch ... Currently infatuated with the new season of Rivals (for obvious reasons), and also watching Margot’s Got Money Troubles in tandem, featuring Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer. I also noticed Bugonia on Netflix over the weekend, which was an eye-opening watch.
Read ... I finished Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, and am now intrigued to watch the film adaptation. I’m in need of a short-witty-romance next, so any and all suggestions welcome.
Listen ... Maia Toakley’s new single, Space Song, and my 'All-Time Top Songs' playlist as curated by Spotify with my listening data est. 2014.
Jaime Carmody
Digital Marketing Specialist
Watch … I finally watched Wuthering Heights and let’s just say I loved every second. The cast, the costumes, the soundtrack, the cinematography… j’adore. I genuinely didn’t think it was possible to fall any more in love with Jacob Elordi, but it’s become very clear that’s simply not true. I also went and saw The Devil Wears Prada 2 with my Mum at the movies and despite hearing mixed reviews, I thought it was such a fun watch. Maybe nostalgia got the better of me.
Listen … Genesis Owusu has been on repeat lately, closely followed by Annie Lennox. A pairing that somehow makes perfect sense to me and absolutely no sense at all.
Read … I’ve just devoured Lena Dunham’s memoir Famesick and adored it in a deeply obsessive, intimate way. I’ve always loved Girls and pretty much everything Lena Dunham touches, so this came as no surprise.
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
Watch … I waited for Million Dollar Secret S2 to release all episodes so I could binge it all at once. Safe to say it was a great season. Also enjoyed game one of the State Of Origin.
Listen … A lot of the Goo Goo Dolls recently, as well as Élise de Lune.
Read … I’m starting The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. A beast at over 600 pages. I’ve never read The Odyssey by Homer, so that will be up next (I want to read it prior to seeing the movie in July).
