magazines

Cartier Trinity x Emma Corrin



Emma Corrin Cartier Trinity in HTSI

Loving Emma Corrin in the FT’s HTSI this weekend.

To celebrate the centenary of Cartier’s Trinity ring, Emma is showing off the new ‘cushion shape’ (jeweller-speak for square with rounded corners) in both the ring and bangle update. The Cartier Trinity ring with its three intertwining bands of yellow gold, rose gold and white gold is famous for its radical simplicity and gender-fluidity, which chimed with 1924’s garconne era of flapper dresses and gamine haircuts. While fashion lore ascribes its creation to Jean Cocteau, it was in fact designed by Louis Cartier. (Cocteau was an avid fan though, so that’s endorsement enough for me.)

Bonus points here for Harry Lambert’s styling and Indigo Lewin’s photography. Never not loving an extreme close-up cover and a skinny leather tie… (more…)



The existential poetry of the overstuffed bag



Miu Miu SS24 main

Will we ever not be eternally fascinated by the ‘what’s in my bag’ trope? This SS24 – surprise! – capacious bags are trending, and not only are they big, they’re stuffed to the brim. Aligning with the outpouring of Jane Birkin love (and hot takes on her bulging Birkin), Miu Miu’s SS24 show was lauded for its chaotic bag energy – each exit showed a model toting a classic bowling bag, top handle or tote overflowing with spare shoes, keys and clothes. As you do. (more…)



Merch watch: are you consuming culture as a performative act?



The Gentlewoman x Arket tee

Rachel Cusk and Zadie Smith have become, in effect, literary brands — once their names are removed from the context of a book’s cover and placed on a hat or a tote bag.” Terry Nguyen, New York Times.

The merch machine refuses to die. In fact, I would argue it’s only just getting started. The New York Times recently published this article on literary merch, explaining the relatively new popularity of #litcore caps (and totes and tees) that show allegiance to revered writers while telegraphing the wearer’s (perceived) intellectual superiority. The Guardian calls this “consuming culture as a performative act”, while comedian Dan Rosen simply calls it “liberal cringe” (ouch #guilty).

It’s also rampant in media, with mainstream and niche publications going all out on taste signallers. (more…)



Print media – but make it French



Harper's Bazaar France March 2023

Digital media is in meltdown. Again!

Buzzfeed news is dead, Paper followed suit and things aren’t looking too rosy for Vice. Meanwhile, everyone’s sick of Instagram and TikTok is burning us out, one braincell at a time.

It’s enough to send one running to the calm, serene refuge of print mags – particularly French ones. (more…)