I really appreciate this very thoughtful piece, as an old dame who's coming more and more into my own slapper-ness in my 60th year and increasingly valuing personal STYLE over "fashion" (particularly as "fashion" doesn't care or want we olds to partake of their offerings).
This distinction was very challenging at first - after I found that I'd become invisible when I entered my 50s - but that superpower of invisibility is now so very freeing and empowering, as I can rock whatever fun and funky 'fits finger my fancy and not give any fu*ks. There have been times where in reading Blackbird Spyplane, I've wondered if I'm too old and not the right "demographic" to be subscribing to it . . . but articles like this one re-enforce my wise decision to ride on the Spyplane.
Oh this post is dope! I have nothing really to add except that Mizutani from Les Rallizes Denudes always looked fly in any era. Same with like Diamanda Galas. Maybe a select few goths can have timeless style. Er time-reduced? Idk whatever
In that book Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy, said woman travels to a future utopia based around communal values. Because people need material beauty, they honor the need with a library of beautifully crafted objects. People can check out a sick bracelet for a while and return it when they'd like. Then someone else can appreciate the sick bracelet. Just a nice little idea to imagine
To build on Rothfeld’s point, maybe “useless wants” like good-looking clothes are actually a “need.” Even hunter-gatherers had special, celebratory clothes, didn’t they? It's a question of proportion.
This reminds me of our biological attraction to sugar and fat. We need them. But modern consumer culture’s overabundance can flip our relationship to these things, converting something essential into something vacuous or harmful.
And so ends BBL Drizzy's two-week reign as the thing most often on endless loop in my head, replaced by brand new chart entrant 'drip on these swagless goofies with a closet full of slappers'
Thank you. I love thinking and talking about clothes and fashion but don't have anyone in my life who enjoys these things as a topic of conversation. I appreciate your thinking and writing so much!
The other “article” I read today (it was a four piece slideshow story on IG) was about Gucci’s abysmal show yesterday and how their parent company is flailing miserably - balenciaga Gucci and one other brand who can remember- and it made me think about John Galliano’s recent triumph. His one show that took them years to put together that made people look up and feel inspired and connected. That is the vibe that got me into clothes in the first place. True self expression that doesn’t bow to the constant clicking of the camera.
PS
The kimono with the mini skirt is a great look too. Those movie sisters should collab. Would buy.
PPS. Was discussing recently how design is flattened by constant exposure. What exactly grows out of these ashes of ideas I can’t say. Finding virgin ground is hard but vital to our personal moment in cultural history not being a total bust. Or will this moment be remembered as the time when our choices seemed myriad but in fact were “already made for us by the people in this room.”
This is inspiring and grounding! I spent probably 2+ years admiring the brands Stoffa & Factor's, but it felt too intensely priced for me to go for it on a whim. Then for the occasion of my wedding, I got some custom fits put together, with fittings done IRL. Waiting and admiring made the journey more satisfying as I spent plenty of time along the way being a voyeur before going in.
Just a comment on the insightful commodification of community topic: While commodification has the power to strip a community of its human essence for the soulless purpose of sales, this is not a necessary condition of commodification, as it can also serve as a simple introduction to new cultures and technologies. Instead of being solely for the commodification of others, if a community chooses to present itself in a way that commodifies their image, this can be used as a means to protect and/or share group dynamics while also providing organizational and expansive practice for those involved in the community. The problem is that money itself is the primary means of organisation and expansion, and growing money is itself a base practice that does not depend on quality, but rather presentation, psychology and association. As such, commodification tends to be a race to the bottom at the expense of the cultures themselves. But yeah, not necessarily so.
Oh boy wait til you watch all (nearly) 5 hours of the director’s cut of Until the End of the World 😳 great soundtrack and clothes but also predicts addiction to smart phones and social media.
This is why we subscribe. Great piece. As soon as you got into the film script, I thought, this sounds like an Adam Curtis doc. Was pleased to see it referenced later. Dear BBSP community, if you haven't seen any of Adam Curtis's work, find it and prepare to have your mind served to you on a platter.
My two fav days of the week (aside from weekends haha) are Tuesdays and Thursdays cause its "sletter time"! Fantastic write up and thank you as always. Love...
I think you guys would enjoy the book Trading Up by Michael Silverstein and Neil Fiske. It was written in 2003, so it’s slightly outdated, but it gives an insider look into how luxury goods are created and marketed.
I really appreciate this very thoughtful piece, as an old dame who's coming more and more into my own slapper-ness in my 60th year and increasingly valuing personal STYLE over "fashion" (particularly as "fashion" doesn't care or want we olds to partake of their offerings).
This distinction was very challenging at first - after I found that I'd become invisible when I entered my 50s - but that superpower of invisibility is now so very freeing and empowering, as I can rock whatever fun and funky 'fits finger my fancy and not give any fu*ks. There have been times where in reading Blackbird Spyplane, I've wondered if I'm too old and not the right "demographic" to be subscribing to it . . . but articles like this one re-enforce my wise decision to ride on the Spyplane.
Thank you.
🙏🏻
Oh this post is dope! I have nothing really to add except that Mizutani from Les Rallizes Denudes always looked fly in any era. Same with like Diamanda Galas. Maybe a select few goths can have timeless style. Er time-reduced? Idk whatever
In that book Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy, said woman travels to a future utopia based around communal values. Because people need material beauty, they honor the need with a library of beautifully crafted objects. People can check out a sick bracelet for a while and return it when they'd like. Then someone else can appreciate the sick bracelet. Just a nice little idea to imagine
Cool!
To build on Rothfeld’s point, maybe “useless wants” like good-looking clothes are actually a “need.” Even hunter-gatherers had special, celebratory clothes, didn’t they? It's a question of proportion.
This reminds me of our biological attraction to sugar and fat. We need them. But modern consumer culture’s overabundance can flip our relationship to these things, converting something essential into something vacuous or harmful.
One of the best posts yet, can/should be referenced in the Spyplane “best of” links for new readers. 🫡
And so ends BBL Drizzy's two-week reign as the thing most often on endless loop in my head, replaced by brand new chart entrant 'drip on these swagless goofies with a closet full of slappers'
Ahahaha
Thank you. I love thinking and talking about clothes and fashion but don't have anyone in my life who enjoys these things as a topic of conversation. I appreciate your thinking and writing so much!
The other “article” I read today (it was a four piece slideshow story on IG) was about Gucci’s abysmal show yesterday and how their parent company is flailing miserably - balenciaga Gucci and one other brand who can remember- and it made me think about John Galliano’s recent triumph. His one show that took them years to put together that made people look up and feel inspired and connected. That is the vibe that got me into clothes in the first place. True self expression that doesn’t bow to the constant clicking of the camera.
PS
The kimono with the mini skirt is a great look too. Those movie sisters should collab. Would buy.
PPS. Was discussing recently how design is flattened by constant exposure. What exactly grows out of these ashes of ideas I can’t say. Finding virgin ground is hard but vital to our personal moment in cultural history not being a total bust. Or will this moment be remembered as the time when our choices seemed myriad but in fact were “already made for us by the people in this room.”
Love a good Ozu-induced existential reexamining
Profound, moving, and inspiring. Great way to start the day, I’m about to PTSO and think about some things.
Let’s get it
This is inspiring and grounding! I spent probably 2+ years admiring the brands Stoffa & Factor's, but it felt too intensely priced for me to go for it on a whim. Then for the occasion of my wedding, I got some custom fits put together, with fittings done IRL. Waiting and admiring made the journey more satisfying as I spent plenty of time along the way being a voyeur before going in.
Wow. Fantastic piece. My favorite yet. Well done.
I really enjoyed reading this email.
Just a comment on the insightful commodification of community topic: While commodification has the power to strip a community of its human essence for the soulless purpose of sales, this is not a necessary condition of commodification, as it can also serve as a simple introduction to new cultures and technologies. Instead of being solely for the commodification of others, if a community chooses to present itself in a way that commodifies their image, this can be used as a means to protect and/or share group dynamics while also providing organizational and expansive practice for those involved in the community. The problem is that money itself is the primary means of organisation and expansion, and growing money is itself a base practice that does not depend on quality, but rather presentation, psychology and association. As such, commodification tends to be a race to the bottom at the expense of the cultures themselves. But yeah, not necessarily so.
Oh boy wait til you watch all (nearly) 5 hours of the director’s cut of Until the End of the World 😳 great soundtrack and clothes but also predicts addiction to smart phones and social media.
This is why we subscribe. Great piece. As soon as you got into the film script, I thought, this sounds like an Adam Curtis doc. Was pleased to see it referenced later. Dear BBSP community, if you haven't seen any of Adam Curtis's work, find it and prepare to have your mind served to you on a platter.
My two fav days of the week (aside from weekends haha) are Tuesdays and Thursdays cause its "sletter time"! Fantastic write up and thank you as always. Love...
It’s sletterday baby
I think you guys would enjoy the book Trading Up by Michael Silverstein and Neil Fiske. It was written in 2003, so it’s slightly outdated, but it gives an insider look into how luxury goods are created and marketed.