Let the Summer Hating Begin!
Plus, Missoma and Eny Lee Parker collab, and an actually good travel makeup bag.
Please consider donating to The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights if you’re able to. ICE has no business in Los Angeles or anywhere else for that matter.
I sometimes often overthink my newsletters. Chalk it up to my years at The Cut where I received some of the best training possible for everything from writing headlines to thinking up funny angles. But there are occasions when it’s fine to go with your initial instinct and let it flow. So, no overwrought funny headline here, I’ll get straight to the point: these were all little bits of fashion-related news that caught my eye and gave me joy. And whew, joy and distraction is definitely nice during a week like this.
SSENSE’s Anti-Cruise Collection
This week was the first time it really felt like summer in New York City and of course, I absolutely fucking hate it!!!! Anyone who says they loooooove when it’s 90 degrees and humid is delusional, especially here where all of the concrete make things infinitely worse. It’s great timing then, that the newest SSENSE campaign is for their HEAT collection, a capsule of pieces designed for hot days in the city. The image say it all — you can feel the sun baking against your neck as she walks across a concrete parking lot. They’ve tapped the likes of Maryam Nassir Zadeuh, Aaron Esh, Conner Ives and Martine Rose among others for this, with some exclusives as well. I’m really into this because finally, someone else agrees with me that the idea of “cruise” and being able to escape to some far flung destination isn’t possible, nor is the height of summer as pleasant as we like to delude ourselves to think.
Hands down this is my favorite from the collection. I love the draped, low back and the asymmetric hem. The black satin trim dresses it up but it’s not too fussy. And the way it moves and channels air? Honestly, the only way to survive. My only fear is that I’d sweat and stain it but the shape is so good.
I’ve been in a long shorts phase lately between my Comme des Garçons sequin pair and the North Face x Cecilie Bahnsen ones, hence why I’m super into these from Martine Rose. They remind me of wearing boxer shorts to gym class back in high school (my high school was most def not the most athletic, if you can’t tell) and have that grungy 90s meets Miu Miu girlie vibe. I love the idea these with a little tank and slides. There’s also a fun blue pair from Conner Ives.
Usually I’m not into anything in the brown/beige family but I will say this is a great price for an easy skirt that can also be thrown over swimwear. Not for me but definitely good for someone else!
And these are not a part of the Heat capsule but some other SSENSE summer pieces that I have my eye on:
Another summer staple: Pleats Please dresses in light colors like this beige one that’s on sale. It looks like they have plenty of sizing aka the different hem lengths.
My Pleats Please turtleneck gets so much wear most of the year until summer hits. Do I need a summer iteration? Not no….
If I were to go to Cowboy Carter and required an on-theme look, I would 100000% be wearing Toga Pulla, namely these flats. Despite mesh ballerinas being a big thing two years ago, with the popularity of the Aläia ones, it’s apparent that they’re not going away any time soon. These are a different take on the trend at a good discount for those looking. Plus, plenty of sizing.
I bought a similar one when Matches was shuttering last year (RIP, that closing sale was elite) and I get so much wear out of it. Normally I’d rail against expensive tank tops but this is one that I can stand behind — it has some sort of detail to keep things interesting.
Getting your hands on a Bao Bao bag in Asia is insane — they limit you to one per person and stuff sells out quickly. So the thought of finding one on sale is not even within the realm of possibility there. Here, it’s a different story and you can find good ones for slightly off retail. I love a metallic Bao Bao so much! Also, this is a teaser because I have something fun planned next week for the newsletter so stay tuned — it’s pegged to their new shop in New York City.
The New Minimalist Shoe Brand to Know: Christen
Last month I stopped by Bergdorf Goodman to check out Christen and meet with the designer. Founded by Nina Christen, she’s the mind behind some of your favorite designs at the likes of Loewe, The Row, Bottega Veneta, and Céline. Those braided mules that are somehow both practical and cool? Her. The kooky Loewe balloon shoes that subsequently led to plenty of TikTok DIY attempts? Also, her. The most perfect Old Céline boots? Yup, you guessed it — that was Nina.
Nina has been quietly working on her eponymous line for awhile now but it hasn’t been available in the U.S. — until now. Bergdorf along with SSENSE are carrying the line, with the former being where the designer decided to host appointments to walk editors through the brand. The first, is the wedge pictured above which was in an extremely supple leather and featured a cushioned footbed. I can genuinely say that these shoes are comfortable and not in the sense that heels are “comfortable”. They’re like a much better designed pair of Naturalizers you wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen in. Other styles I loved include her version of the thong sandals as well as her minimalist sandals. They’re sexy and well-made. And that brings me to the next point: the price point. It’s solidly in the luxury territory but given that she’s a small brand, you can understand why.
But if I had to choose the one pair that won me over, it would be her take on the Tabi flats. Nina’s version is two-toned and takes all the trappings of traditional ballerinas from the likes of Repetto or Chanel, transforming them into something new. The toe cleft is a little more delicate than the Margiela version. I love variations on a theme! Also, another fun tidbit she shared with me was that all of the clothes in her imagery is also designed by her. There was an incredible leather jacket that I absolutely loved and this shearling jacket is also so good.
Missoma x Eny Lee Parker
I’ve been a fan of Eny Lee Parker’s home designs ever since I saw them at my friend Geraldine’s place. With their rounded, playful, and plump shapes they were definitely indicative of the neotenic trend that first popped up in early 2021. This was also the time that the Mario Bellini Camaleonda made its comeback and obviously, being that I own one, I am all in on this aesthetic. Something about the softness and volume speaks to me, especially in contrast to the more stark elements in both my home and wardrobe. So when she announced she was doing a collaboration with Missoma, I was definitely intrigued.
Drawing from her signature puffy designs, she created the dangly drops seen here as well as a stud version and hoops. There are also pendant necklaces, stacking rings, and cuff bracelets. Ranging from $105 for a sterling silver ring to $558 for the big 18k gold plated cuff, the collab feels fun and fresh. You can’t see it in the picture here but they also happen to perfectly match the Cecilie Bahnsen x The North Face shorts, which I wore to the launch dinner.
An Underpinnings Update
I’m not a lingerie person, never has been my thing and never will be. I generally either go braless, opt for nipple covers, or wear cotton bras. There is nothing I hate more than an underwire and a push-up. I love strictly minimal pieces in fabrics that move and breathe like Uniqlo’s Airism line (it’s the BEST underwear hands down.) That said, the one thing I did need was a more streamlined bralette to wear under sheer knits or very unbuttoned white shirts — my favorite combo during transitional weather. I’m trying out this Fleur du Mal one made from a four-way micro stretch and so far, so good! It has just enough sheen to set it apart from cotton ones bralettes, which can read borderline sports bra-like. Cut to reveal just enough side boob, it’s neither trying too hard to be sexy nor covering up too much.
On that note, see you next week!
Requisite disclaimer here: If you click on a link, I may get a small commission which helps support this newsletter. Also, sharing is greatly appreciated!