Hi friends! Another week in h*ll, though I have felt spurts of optimism due to fashion(?!).
Arguably a lot of the stuff that appeals to me on the runway right now is a Phoebe Philo reheated nacho special, but as I talked about on IG Stories this week, fashion is often 5-8 years ahead of the cultural current. The meme nihilism from a few years ago has been reflected in the mainstream of politics, the western/Americana was a dog whistle… That said!
Some of the clothes now, and the set designs to me signal a possibility and hope for better, or for at least creating a world view that is new.
In other news, Christina Monroe and I really want to throw a subscriber dinner in November! If you’re in NY, please express your interest.
And if you’re a brand and want to sponsor/plan this together, hit us up! Our newsletter is read by marketers and decision-makers at leading agencies and brands like Nike and Edelman, as well as investment firms including M13 and USV.
This week’s picks include regenerative clothing, weed via carrier pigeon and how video games are shaping a generation of boys.
Christina’s weekly scroll—
Trust in media hits a new low of 28%, down from 50% in 2021.
babe are you ok you’ve barely touched your Nicolandria Ranchy Baddie Bowl…
Love that Sandy Liang brought her Gap story to life with an actual illustrator <3
Over the past 15 years, boys have more than doubled the time they spend gaming each week. Really enjoyed this thoughtful breakdown of how video games shape and impact young men.
Sooo… who do we think will win the first-ever Instagram Rings?
Another week, another Erewhon smoothie.
Love this Goodreads-inspired creative from Soft Services.
Ai Yazawa’s NANA is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special “Vivienne Westwood Edition” manga, featuring a brand-new cover illustration.
Gilmore Girls x Bliss with Kelly Bishop?
Céline Dion for Charlotte Tilbury Holiday 2025 (fab!), featuring the “I’m Alive - Celine Dion x Charlotte Tilbury Remix” lmao.
For her PFW show, Stella McCartney debuted a plant-based alternative to feathers. Looks great to me!
Nikita’s weekly scroll—
I want to understand this badly. I guess my third eye is just not open enough. Paloma looks great, though.
“I have a feeling we’ll be longing for a simple, less cynical Silicon Valley very soon.”
Me after saying fashion is instilling a sense of optimism in my spirit: *reads this depressing ass Yohji article*
Great week for my favorite fashion girl Ayo. Vogue AND a Chanel contract? Especially one where the clothes are triumphant?
“To be called a “foodie” now is the equivalent of being hit with an “Okay, boomer.” But the ideals the foodie embodied have been absorbed into all aspects of American culture.”
The type of brief I wish I had in my inbox right now.
This just in: seeing your friends for things other than highly produced hangs is good and healthy even.
Union Square Travel Agency is training a fleet of carrier pigeons. Sometimes the plug is a bird…
I think it’s very good, cool and normal that every company is basically a bank now and that our economy is just being held together by AI.
This is not shade to the Anthropic team, but shade to thought leaders. I think you all need to get a grip. In the words of Phillip, “they released a hat with the word “thinking” on it at someone else’s store.” Picking up a book and knowing what you’re talking about is actually ok!
It’s not just hideous color grading on a multi-billion dollar streaming app, the world is literally getting darker, lmao.
Natalia Bryant directed the Lakers’ first in-house brand campaign.
Full disrespect to all involved, bring back Dean & DeLuca.
Something I am observing — clients wanting a take on the world that is optimistic. Are we replacing toxic positivity with something else?
If I wanted to experience optimism and hope this weekend I’d save this link for like next Wednesday.
Congrats to Rachel Seville Tashjian on her new gig at CNN! Secondly, read this!
˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ Little Treat Corner ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
Christina’s weekly report:
READING:
EATING: Siggi’s vanilla yogurt with bee pollen and maple syrup.
PLAYING:
OBSESSING:
RECOMMENDING: The Other Two. I’m so late to this one, but it’s hilarious. 10/10.
TREATING: Myself to the new Doja Cat skins on Fortnite.
Nikita’s weekly report:
READING:
EATING: Çilbir :)
PLAYING: Revisiting this.
OBSESSING: All the Chanel pumps this season.
RECOMMENDING: Taking the early morning flight.
TREATING: I finally re-upped my matcha stash.
If you want to share a link, a tip, or just chat, leave a comment or email us at hello@blankprojects.co.
NYC dinner would be wonderful!
The carrier pigeon news made my day (also would be down for an NYC dinner!)