The Weekly Roundup (week of 2/20)
Here's a few things that caught my attention.
1. The Airpod Max has become the ultimate fashion accessory
It was inevitable…. designer @yalocaloffgod on IG has made quite the splash designing and 3D printing these custom Airpod Max add-ons. I’m not entirely sure how practical they are but boy do they look cool. The general trend around headphones I’ve noticed is that over-the-ear is back and better than ever. Step aside AirPod pros, your stylish, sleek (and more expensive) younger brother is here.
2. Architectural Digest is the New MTV Cribs
I had to steal this one from my friend’s newsletter at Day 1 Agency (they’re awesome, work with them). But it’s just so true, Architectural Digest has filled the MTV Cribs-shaped hole in my heart, and though it’s not as depraved and they don’t reveal the inside of their fridge just to reveal a bottle of Cristal champagne I gotta say that it does the trick. It’s more elevated and reserved but it gives its own unique spin on the concept.
3. ALD IS BACK BABY YEAH!!!!
ALD is an interesting story. The brand once beloved by many hit a peak in popularity, and with the attention came its fair share of criticism. People were sick of the brand and especially the shitty coffee… What seemed to be a moment of saturation has perhaps inspired them to dig deep and put out an impressively strong collection for Spring/Summer ‘23. I know what I’ll be going for, better get that wallet ready and be prepared to eat ramen for the next few weeks.
4. Jeff Koons Goes to the Moon
GQ recently did a profile on famed artist Jeffs Koons, and while the writing felt harsh and borderline scathing at times, it is a fantastic dive into the world and mind of the esteemed artist. One gets the impression that Koons runs a very tight ship, like Thomas Kellerman at the French Laundry or Bill Belichick with the Patriots:
“His studio in New York, housed in a newish space in Hudson Yards, is composed of around 50 painters, sculptors, and technicians. As he led me around, there was some low-level tension—studio hands stiffening almost imperceptibly as Koons darkened their work stations. He is there almost every day, questioning, prodding, pushing forward with his own tireless hunger and rigorous demands for solving the problem. What problem? Technical, spiritual. Whose problem? Only his.”
Read the full profile here: https://www.gq.com/story/jeff-koons-moon-profile
5. Zane Lowe interviews Damon Albarn, lead singer of the Gorillaz
This really feels like the one thing Apple Music has going for them… good job Zane Lowe. Keep doing those interviews.