An interview with fashion writer Max Berlinger, in which we discuss the state of menswear, the techno-demise of style, exciting menswear brands, and creative life.
" I remember in May of 2020 when Dries Van Noten and all these big designers signed this open letter saying the fashion system was broken. They told us the current system needs to stop — but then eight months later, they're like, “Never mind! We're kidding! Can you guys get on a plane so we can show you our pre-fall collection?” - felt this one so hard. Thanks for such a great interview
Such a great conversation and an important one to be having. I see a shift happening with my own tiny brand where clients are proactively searching out the special and unique, they are excited to support small responsible/ethical businesses models, are starting to understand why buying 2 high quality pieces instead of 20 is important and are getting why things cost more if made this way. They are also curious about the process too and coming to visit our studio is something they ask to do. It’s wonderful to see this change happening and hopefully it continues, I’m optimistic on this front but the algorithm and AI is another story 🫠 … keep this discourse going!
thank YOU for reading!!!!!!! this is...reassuring to hear — and gives some hope, as it can feel really BLEH given all the mega corporations in fashion making people think these are the only options. love that people are getting curious! and getting to know and supporting their local designers and makers!!!!! cheers to that! we'll all keep it up for sure! also your clothing is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
This was a fantastic interview. I say this as someone for whom fashion is noise and static, the way that some people see football as just guys crashing into each other. But I hung on to every word. What's happening in fashion is writ large into the broader splintering of capitalism and culture, and it was fascinating to read this perspective on how shifts in money, influence, and information are impacting a major sector of the world's economy. Bravo.
omg thank you!!!! first off, you deserve a TROPHY for getting through it because it is a BIG one and second...yes. we realized this as we were discussing not-the-task at hand that this is sort of a great expression of a really yucky aspect of life/culture right now. but we shall survive! and hopefully inspire the change we want to see in this world!!!!
Your points about the blurred lines between opinion and criticism really resonate with me! It can be a gray area for sure; and I totally agree context matters. A lot. The idea that fashion is becoming more algorithmic is a bit wild! It definitely sparks some interesting chats about what real taste and authenticity look like these days. Especially with everything getting digitized. Great, honest convo.
" I remember in May of 2020 when Dries Van Noten and all these big designers signed this open letter saying the fashion system was broken. They told us the current system needs to stop — but then eight months later, they're like, “Never mind! We're kidding! Can you guys get on a plane so we can show you our pre-fall collection?” - felt this one so hard. Thanks for such a great interview
ofc!!! thank YOU for reading it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Such a great conversation and an important one to be having. I see a shift happening with my own tiny brand where clients are proactively searching out the special and unique, they are excited to support small responsible/ethical businesses models, are starting to understand why buying 2 high quality pieces instead of 20 is important and are getting why things cost more if made this way. They are also curious about the process too and coming to visit our studio is something they ask to do. It’s wonderful to see this change happening and hopefully it continues, I’m optimistic on this front but the algorithm and AI is another story 🫠 … keep this discourse going!
thank YOU for reading!!!!!!! this is...reassuring to hear — and gives some hope, as it can feel really BLEH given all the mega corporations in fashion making people think these are the only options. love that people are getting curious! and getting to know and supporting their local designers and makers!!!!! cheers to that! we'll all keep it up for sure! also your clothing is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you! Xo
This was a fantastic interview. I say this as someone for whom fashion is noise and static, the way that some people see football as just guys crashing into each other. But I hung on to every word. What's happening in fashion is writ large into the broader splintering of capitalism and culture, and it was fascinating to read this perspective on how shifts in money, influence, and information are impacting a major sector of the world's economy. Bravo.
omg thank you!!!! first off, you deserve a TROPHY for getting through it because it is a BIG one and second...yes. we realized this as we were discussing not-the-task at hand that this is sort of a great expression of a really yucky aspect of life/culture right now. but we shall survive! and hopefully inspire the change we want to see in this world!!!!
Your points about the blurred lines between opinion and criticism really resonate with me! It can be a gray area for sure; and I totally agree context matters. A lot. The idea that fashion is becoming more algorithmic is a bit wild! It definitely sparks some interesting chats about what real taste and authenticity look like these days. Especially with everything getting digitized. Great, honest convo.