The Weekly Roundup (week of 2/27)
A few things that caught my attention and drove conversation.
1. What’s The Value of Viral Fashion?
As the competition for attention endlessly rages forward, brands are starting to reflect on just how much value stunts can provide. Many have noticed that fame and virality can be a double-edged sword (just ask Demna), however, it goes without saying that the earned media and added value from dominating the cultural conversation are essential for growing a business. Click the proper story through this link to avoid the BoF paywall: https://linkin.bio/bof
2. Balenciaga’s Path Forward
Demna Gvasalia’s return to the runway is this Sunday, March 5th; four months after an enormous scandal shocked the world and angered people from across the political spectrum. After taking some time off, re-evaluating their position, and more than likely simply riding out the scandal until the dust settles, Demna, and the Balenciaga team are finally back with a collection focused on silhouettes and hoping to redeem themselves in the eyes of their consumers. Read more here
3. The European Way to Die
The L’enfant Terrible of French literature, Michele Houellebecq, wrote a compelling essay on the issue of euthanasia. He provides his point of view on the highly controversial practice that has grown tremendously in popularity across Europe and more recently Canada. He discusses the dystopian future it could potentially create, but which will almost certainly prove to be the next contentious culture war battle in the United States. Read more here
4. Meet the “Bad Art Couple”
Sorry to include some mindless gossip on this list but we all need a little break from reality once in a while to consume the lowest of low media. I can’t help it. This fascinating story is allegedly about a viral job posting as an assistant to none other than Tom Sachs and his wife. The original article was posted by the New York Times without attribution to any specific person, but after the article went viral, people around the internet seemed to recognize some of the language in the posting and its fixation on “systems” to be highly specific to the esteemed artist. Read more here