Acid House As It Happened, a new photo book by Dave Swindells



Acid House As it Happened book by Dave Swindells
‘We sat on the stairs watching a group of football fans and erstwhile hooligans who were sat a few steps below us as they hugged and (literally) made daisy chains together. Andrew [Wetherall] gestured towards them and half-whispered: “He’s a Chelsea fan, that one’s Millwall, those two are ICF [West Ham’s Inter City firm of hardcore fans], he’s Arsenal and I’m not sure about those two wrong-‘uns behind them but you can bet that a couple of weeks ago they’d have happily been kicking chunks out of each other. This “Summer of Love” thing could be getting out of hand.”‘

This quote from Dave Swindells comes from his new photo book documenting the Acid House raves, warehouse parties and clubs of 1988, the year that dance music changed British culture and society (if you want to get really deep). (more…)



Shop the post: Uniqlo x Theory



Uniqlo x Theory

I’ve been noticing Theory a bit more recently, with an eye on their basic trousers and knits particularly. I didn’t know Joe McKenna was styling their campaigns but now I do, I’m invested. (I found out via the #joemckenna hashtag on Insta; ‘following’ hashtags is a handy way to keep up with news on your favourite subjects.) Theory has also been on my radar lately since it cosied up more closely with its stable-mate Uniqlo. In London they’re sharing a new retail space in Regent Street, in the old Superdry building (next door to Burberry).

In tandem, the latest Uniqlo x Theory capsule collaboration* has just dropped. (more…)



Culture of Fashion: a look inside Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris



Yves Saint Laurent by Andy Warhol

A brief work trip to Paris a couple of weeks ago allowed me to experience the Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Avenue Marceau, the former premises of YSL couture. Part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of Yves Saint Laurent, the latest exhibition, ‘Yves Saint Laurent au 5, avenue Marceau’ focuses on the archives and know-how of the designer and his coterie of technical specialists and as such is just a joy for process nerds. (more…)



The YouTube lifestyle sell-ebrities aren’t happy



Emma Chamberlain

“I just don’t like being famous. You’re lying to people to try to make them seem like you’re their friend for the sole purpose of selling things to them.”

This is a worthwhile read from Vox, on the tenuous career of YouTube influencers, of whom a minority make a profitable career from selling their lifestyle to followers, while the rest are burnt out, broke, cancelled and more. Read more here. (more…)