TDT (Thought dump Thursday)
On today’s TDT agenda:
Olivia Dean and her impeccable styling
LDFW
Sand trafficking (yes, that’s a real thing)
Blue-tinted sunglass-wearing men
Mk.gee
A) I couldn’t find any formal articles on Olivia Dean and how long she’s been working with her stylist Simone Beyene but from the IG stalking I did on Simone’s page, I think she’s been styling Olivia since 2021. She also styles other British pop girls including Mahalia and Mabel, both of which I listen to. She styles Olivia in these easygoing, somewhat boho inspired, feminine outfits that parallel the vibe of her music well. The tour outfits recently especially match the vibes of her latest album Messy which was released in June of last year. I first listened to the album in February and have been obsessed with Olivia since. Including some of my favorite recent outfits of hers.
B) These were the only shows that really caught my attention. Biggest takeaways: sequins, bubble hems & peplum silhouettes are here to stay for SS25!
Simone Rocha: I’m seeing circus and ballerina imagery throughout the collection but in a more interesting, high fashion way which is just really fun. Simone Rocha loves to play with silhouettes and symmetry and this collection was no different in that regard. I am IN LOVE with this pink tutu look coupled with this tan cutout jacket. I would wear the whole look right off of the runway. I also love the satin looking jacket and bubble shorts set- I think commercially, this will be a hit. This collection also deliciously uses texture and it just feels so spring. The knit socks with flower embroidery, the models wearing little floral clips in their hair, the intricate beading- I could gush about this collection forever but instead, I’ll just include an insane number of pictures.
JW Anderson: I think this was kind of a classic JW Anderson collection with Jonathan doing what he does best, but this time with less adventurous silhouettes. There’s a lot of motifs that have been featured in past shows and have become brand signifiers: knits, trompe l’oeil, sweater dresses with vertical strips of fabric that emulate high-rise buildings- all the classics. In an interview, Jonathan talked about how he’s looking at the overconsumption and overproduction of the fashion industry and how he’s interpreting ideas to scale back, which is seen in the minimal accessorizing and overall simplicity of some of the ensembles. Not my favorite JW Anderson collection but by no means unexciting.
Burberry: I feel like this collection was made for a dystopian trilogy and I mean that with utmost praise and respect. I love the intricate jackets with nine million pockets and belts and zipper in these gorgeous shades of blue gray. Obsessed with the pop of orange and lilac in an otherwise more neutral and cool toned collection. There’s a sprinkle of sequins and these interesting military-esque jackets with the Burberry emblem embroidered that feel nostalgic for some reason. I’m perplexed by the sandal shoe choices in a few looks, but besides that, a major win for Burberry in my humble opinion.
C) I saw a video on TikTok about sand trafficking so decided to do my own research. It’s an industry worth over 200 billion dollars and in many countries where it’s prevalent, multiple levels of government officials are involved, as with every other corrupt industry, which makes it extremely difficult to regulate and stop. It’s insane how massive the sand market is but when you realize what it’s being used for, it makes sense. Construction grade sand for cement is the largest use of sand but it’s also used in consumer electronics, smartphone cameras, processors, glass bottles, windows, cosmetics etc. Construction grade sand is likely to run out by 2050, just 25 years away. It’s such an indescribable sort of panic that I feel every time I learn about a random industry to realize it's built on the most unsustainable foundation and always at the expense of poor people and the earth. Modern day society is just fast tracking ourselves towards self-extinction.
Inside the Crime Rings Trafficking Sand | Scientific American
Sand Depletion - A Global Crisis | CDE (cdegroup.com)
D) I saw one TikTok video about men wearing blue tinted glasses and plaguing the dating scene and now my entire feed is filled with gorgeous, blue-tinted glasses who are probably the worst people I’ve never met. I also now keep getting this one girl who’s living in Paris explaining the saga of some blue-tinted sunglasses guy who she dated and is now sending her death threats or something. It’s all just feeling a little bit cursed.
E) Who is Mk.gee and why is the whole world obsessed with him? I feel like out of nowhere, I’ve been seeing a wild number of videos from his tour and people talking about his album. I think he’s just in a genre of music I don’t listen to, which is totally fair, but I’m just confused on why now he’s blowing up in my sphere. Anywho, the propaganda has worked and I’ve decided to give his most recent album a listen to see if I can tap into what people are loving so much about him. If a man is loved by Amelia Dimoldenberg, then I’m sure there’s something about him I’ll enjoy.
