Prompt No. 1: Does This Ring Stack Look “Editorial” To You?
For twenty years, I have wanted to create my own publication. Something that elevated the style, surroundings and stances of those daring to become a force. Without the academic or professional credentials to speak on fashion, design or art, I told myself I could start once I read the right books. Had the right wardrobe. The right house. The right furniture. The right ring stack.
Yes. The right ring stack. Years ago, I watched a YouTube video of makeup artist Gucci Westman applying blush; too many of her fingers heavily laden with diamonds and chunky gold for an otherwise minimalist look. As her hand danced across a poreless cheekbone, emitting grace and opulence, I became convinced I could not speak authoritatively on any topic until my hands gave the same energy.
You may think that meant acquiring a Chanel Coco Crush to precariously sit atop a Cartier Trinity and vintage Paris Nouvelle Vague before I could type a sentence. No, I wish it were that simple. It meant establishing a new arbitrary aesthetic benchmark to hit in order to see myself as a valid voice in style. Never mind the vision to create something more accessible.
The same week I decided to plow through the procrastination, I sat on the perfect loveseat in my (nearly) perfect office and listened to a guided meditation on Open. Just as my mind began to wander, the instructor quoted Pema Chodron: “Drop the story, feel the feeling.” I took it literally — release the content — and figuratively: let go of all the stories I tell myself of who I need to be and what I need to have in order to see this idea through.
That said, old habits die hard. After staring at a blank screen for an hour, I brought every ring to my desk and tried them on in every plausible combination until I felt I’d sufficiently channeled Miss Gucci. Only then did I begin to type.
This spring, A Sunday Journal examines our attachment to the stories we tell — what we believe luxury communicates, whether millennials have killed the guest and writer’s room, and how model minority status makes for brutal observations.
Until then, there’s Prompt — the accompanying biweekly newsletter.
Orphaned Header: In an era where marginalized people demonstrate conspicuous influence over fashion and style, “Quiet Luxury” emerges as an elitist bludgeon.
©SIMONE LEIGH/PHOTO TIMOTHY SCHENK/COURTESY THE ARTIST AND MATTHEW MARKS GALLERY
An ArtForum headline reading “The Difficulty of Black Women (A Response)” sent me down a rabbit hole that required rereading Harriet Jacobs’ “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”, combing through a Seph Rodney review for misogynoir, and attempting to capture the chills of Black Girl Magic through YouTube. In October, Simone Leigh became the first black woman to present her work in the U.S. Pavilion of the Venice Biennale. As part of her exhibit, Leigh brought together writers, artists curators and performers for a three-day symposium, Loophole of Retreat: Venice, to “explicitly focus on the inextricability and irreducibility of black women’s intellectual and creative labors.” The ArtForum opinion piece written by Rizvana Bradley provided depth and complexity to Rodney’s terse understanding of the event and articulated the need to meet those labors with rigor. The most low stakes art drama but I lost an entire Saturday to it.
As Aforementioned (on Live): The Cut’s “The Promise of Pyer Moss” committed to answering “what happened to one of fashion’s most celebrated young designers”; no one said we would like the answer.
Business of Fashion asks whether Everlane can get back on track with Mathilde Mader’s “Editions” and determines it’s unclear. In a world where consumers are critiquing everything from composition to creative direction, Mader has determined a capsule collection will resurrect the brand. Glamour deemed the first “Edition” the perfect capsule, stating “the collection’s biggest draw is that it requires zero effort to style, unlike the random collection of fall clothes that you just dug out of your closet.” Ooof. That said, Recession Core is a thing — but only for the wealthy. Criticized as a sort of poverty cosplay (which it isn’t), the trend favors minimal branding and wardrobe staples in classic cuts and colors. It’s a way for the rich to avoid being housed like a Big Mac. Meanwhile the rest of us are looking for ways to stand out, feel successful and sure of our futures with secondhand Loewe Puzzle bags and Bottega Veneta Drop dupes. Good luck, Everlane.
*No judgement. The Puzzle Bag is simply an excellent example of a highly recognizable luxury design from a fashion house known for surrealism; the antithesis of Recession Core.
ACQUISITIONS.
ACQUISITIONS.
Stop. Play this Prompt’s playlist for the full effect.
2,917 day old Mole Madre infused with flower rosin CBD may change the nightly routine. An overnight repair treatment for hands and new carafe already make for an indulgent evening.
It stands to reason that a Boy Smells collaboration with Taurean icon Grace Jones would quickly become a favorite. With top notes of black pepper and the ever-faithful bergamot, this candle throws off big scent without overwhelming small spaces.
While everyone treks to their nearest IKEA for the Varmblixt lamp, some say the tray from the collection is the true star.
Everything Else: Wow, Joe Columbo. Going art deco for Renaissance, as inspired by Grace Jones. The Row this, The Row that — what about Michael Kors-era Celine? Will someone pair this Yamamoto blazer with a Wolford x Mugler stirrup legging —is that too much to ask?
NOTE: Acquisitions is a glimpse into items that have caught our attention. None of this is necessary to live a beautifully curated life.
