Fans of the mind-bending and eerily prophetic series are already busy crafting new theories. One theory suggests that the episode “Joan Is Awful” was inspired by real-life entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes and her infamous company, Theranos. Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker confirmed that the premiere episode of season 6 drew inspiration from his own viewing of the Hulu series The Dropout, which chronicled the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes. The striking similarities between the two cases fueled speculation among fans.

The link between “Joan Is Awful,” and the overarching Black Mirror universe becomes apparent to those who have watched the episode. It follows the story of an ordinary woman whose life is transformed into a series by a prominent streaming platform. What makes this connection even more intriguing is the confirmation from the fictional streamer in the Black Mirror universe, known as “Streamberry,” which supports a long-held fan theory: every episode of Black Mirror coexists within a shared universe. This theory warrants further exploration and discussion.

Fans have pondered the idea that Black Mirror explores the concept of a digital afterlife. The series frequently explores the corruption of humanity through advanced digital consciousness. Episodes such as “White Christmas,” “San Junipero,” and “U.S.S. Callister” all feature the presence of digital consciousness or “cookies,” leading fans to speculate on the deeper meaning behind these connections within the series.

Another intriguing theory suggests that all six seasons of Black Mirror share a single universe. In the episode “Joan Is Awful,” as Joan and her fiancé search for something to watch on Streamberry, they come across titles like “Loch Henry” (a reference to an episode in season 6) and “The Callow Years” (a fictional docuseries about a prime minister featured in the first-ever Black Mirror episode). This subtle connection between episodes, along with previous instances of cross-referencing within the series, has led fans to believe in the existence of an interconnected Black Mirror universe.

With its thought-provoking themes and intricate storytelling, Black Mirror continues to captivate audiences and ignite their imaginations. As viewers delve into the new season, these theories add an extra layer of intrigue to the already compelling narratives that have made the series a cultural phenomenon.

This month, Ralph Lauren introduced The Hoffman Collection, which is a limited-edition capsule of prints in Hawaiian style and inspired by the legendary surfer Walter Hoffman and his personal archives.

The Polo Collection Uses Three Hawaiian Prints from Walter Hoffman’s Personal Archives

When he served at Pearl Harbor way back in the early 1950s, Hoffman was one of the members of the U.S. Navy surf and swim teams. After his service was over, he started selling tropical-print fabrics using his family’s textile business, called Hoffman California Fabrics. It was founded further back in 1924 and had its headquarters in Mission Viejo, Calif. Hoffman is credited with popularizing the iconic aloha shirt and creating the basis for what is known today as modern surfwear.

The Polo Collection Features Shorts, Canvas Sneakers, and Camp Shirts

Hoffman-inspired camp shirts, canvas sneakers, and shorts for men are the basis of the new Polo collection. They come in three original floral prints directly from the Hoffman archives. The prints are Coconut Grove Floral, South Pacific Floral, and The Big Kahuna. Hoffman has previously stated that good surfwear has to be beautiful and have good colors. According to him, the goal was to always create prints that make the one wearing them happy and that brought a good feeling.

Contemporary artist and photographer Joe Termini was also hired to shoot an accompanying campaign in Hawaii. It featured surfer Isaiah Moniz who hails from the famous Moniz surfing family. On it, he can be seen wearing the collection on his bike, board, and while he was just hanging around in his hometown. Keepsakes from Hoffman’s family archives are also included as additional imagery.

The Hoffman Collection has price tags of $198 for the shirts, $148 for the shorts, and $125 for the shoes. It is sold on the Polo app and in select Ralph Lauren stores. Fans and enthusiasts can also find the items on the Ralph Lauren e-commerce site, which sells in the U.S., U.K., and APAC. According to Ralph Lauren’s website, The Hoffman collection celebrates Hawaiian artistry, a timeless beach lifestyle, and the American coastal frontiers.