The Weekly Roundup (week of 8.5)
making a newsletter from scratch
1. The Life and Death of a Political Meme
A good writeup about how the Kamala campaign staffers are crushing their meme game. Yes, the BRAT meme is completely done-to-death and oversaturated but their ability to stay nimble, adapt, and come up with highly sticky viral memes that reflect the genuine excitement on the ground for the campaign has been astonishing to watch. One thing is for certain and that is Twitter has remained and will remain the most influential political platform for this election. Read here.
2. How Lucky Blue and Nara Aziza Smith Made Viral Internet Fame From Scratch
The 22-year-old viral TikTok sensation (her) and the 26-year-old supermodel (him) make a content feast out of their beautiful young family and idyllic back-to-basics life in Texas. So, why do millions of followers tune in?
I’ve never seen a more harmless influencer infuriate this many people before, but for Nara Smith, it only helps with her reach. The now infamous couple has been riding their internet fame strong and continue to grow their presence through simple cooking or family centric videos that invoke unimaginable rage in people all over the internet.
3. Cashing In on Her Cultural Influence
Though not a household name, Ms. Nguyen, 33, has, through a multi-hyphenate career, made a name for herself in various industries.
She is a fashion stylist and consultant who has worked with clothing brands like Kallmeyer and magazines like HommeGirls. She is the living editor at Family Style, a quarterly food and culture magazine. She is the owner of a home-goods store, Beverly’s, and became the first Asian American woman to have a shop at Rockefeller Center when she opened a Beverly’s pop-up in the plaza in 2021. (It has since moved to a permanent location on Orchard Street on the Lower East Side, not far from where Ms. Nguyen lives in Dimes Square, a neighborhood buzzing with young creative types.)
4. Paulin Paulin Paulin and Nike present SOUND.TRACK.SPACE
SOUND.TRACK.SPACE., is a multi-sensory exhibition designed by @zakgroupoffice that merges running, music, and innovative design.
Pierre Paulin’s never-before-seen 1985 vision for Video Barnum comes to life, including an internal sound system and immersive video.
“VIDEO BARNUM WAS CREATED IN 1985 BY PIERRE PAULIN AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SHOWCASED IN THE GRAND PALAIS, IT FINALLY NEVER BEEN COMPLETED. THE IDEA OF MY FATHER WAS TO CREATE A TOTAL ENVIRONMENT USING SOUND AND VIDEO TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO SHARE IN A PEACEFUL SPACE. WE ARE VERY MOVED TO BE ABLE TO FINALLY BRING THIS CONCEPT TO LIFE AND TO RECEIVE WONDERFUL ATHLETES AND MUSICIANS TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE WITH NIKE.”
I love that Nike is playing in this space of furniture design, and tapping someone like Paulin Paulin Paulin whose ubuiquitous Dune couches are seen on countless moodboards and IG vibe accounts everwhere. It’s a clear signal that they’re paying attention to the right people.