The Weekly Roundup (week of 8.28)
it's been quite the week... im not gonna bother including the Supreme/Tremaine stuff because, no shit, you're prolly up to date there
1. The Cloutbombing Report - Brad Troemel
Another stellar report from artist/art critic Brad Troemel. The report dives into the phenomenon of cloutbombing (images featuring large groups of micro or macro celebrities) to uncover changes in how we relate to one another, from the social to the parasocial to the anti-social. Really solid report, but you can’t expect anything other than excellence from Brad. Watch here.
2. Welcome to Brain Dead World
For much of its time in the limelight, starting around the early 2010s, streetwear has operated as a prescriptive mode of dress. At its most banal, fans simply tried to get as close to looking like Kanye West as possible. This gave way to a starter-pack culture, the idea of treating dressing like arithmetic by adding up a few approved items to create an outfit. “It gets very formulaic and very systemic until, like, what's cool?” Ng asked. Streetwear was less about actual taste than knowledge of the correct signifiers.
Streetwear acted similarly to an older brother. Once you discovered, say, Supreme, the brand would get to work putting you onto what it thought was the really cool shit: artist George Condo, rapper Raekwon, and porcelain ceramists Meissen. This felt prescriptive, too, creating a list of co-signed artists and musicians. “I think so many people don't even care about the real cultural side,” Ng said. “They care about the fashion side. I always think about what's our responsibility as a brand nowadays? Because now streetwear or the brand is trumping the authentic movements that existed before it.” Ng instead wants to start with community, making physical groups and places—once the backbone of any subculture—part of the experience again.
3. Throwing Fits x LUAR
Another solid interview from Throwing Fits, this time with Raul Lopez, the designer behind the rising luxury brand LUAR and co-founder of the legendary brand Hood By Air.
4. Carlos Alcaraz Is Bringing the Thrill Back to Tennis
Tennis is steadily beginning to gain more cultural caché; luxury labels have been investing in the newer crop of tennis stars, while streetwear brands also tap into the aesthetic through collaborations and tennis-inspired imagery. As much as I hate the term “quiet luxury,” there is certainly an obsession with the country club look right now, epitomized by the brand Sporty and Rich. With Federer and Nadal leaving the sport soon, many were worried about who could fill their shoes and bring some excitement back into the sport. Good thing Carlos Alcaraz showed up. Read here.