Uniform Journal SS002

So much to read, so little time.

Sep 01, 2024

We've each become our own platform, a reality that's been true for a while now, though the channels have evolved. But let’s be real, media is failing, and it’s been left to the independents and individuals to create what the most feel is not being covered or talked about enough. For me, I’ve been focused on doing what I can to diversify the channels I use to communicate. So much content is being suppressed, if it’s not what a certain app is prioritizing, and I’ve never been one to act positively when it feels like my hand is being forced. Not only is every app morphing into one another, but they have all become worse at what they started out doing. So what’s left to do? I recently read this piece on Aggregation Theory which I thought was spot on. Even though we’re all just aggregators now, my hope is that my interests are slightly different than a majority of what is being served. I’m a week out from my latest UJ collection, there are a few items here if you missed it, so my time to write has been limited, but looking forward to keeping this going as regularly as I can.

American prep clothing finally finds its edge w/ Academy by Chris Echevarria

LA Times contributor Dave Schilling recently wrote a nice piece about Academy by Chris Echevarria. The conversation centered on American menswear and the new “prep”. I’ve really enjoyed what Chris has created with all of his brand, especially with his new retail space at 242 Mulberry. If you missed my chat with him a few months back, you can download it here.

Are brands dead?

Bobby Hundreds is back again with another banger — BRAND IS DEAD. This article puts forward the idea that brand loyalty, as it were in its purest definition, is a thing of the past in a world where consumers think about the product rather than brand identity. When social contacts are weakened, the role of brands as a "friend" that is to be trusted also diminishes, and it leaves us having to cope with market fragmentation. Today's consumers strive for product quality, reliability, and an experience, rather than selling stories around a brand. I definitely agree with that to an extent. But it is a broader trend in society: a trend toward loneliness and digitalization in which relations between people, as between brands, are reduced to transactions. Maybe the future will turn out to be a place of products that last, that have a more meaningful, quality-based relationship with the consumer.

How Directors Dress

Hagop Kourounian, founder of Director Fits on IG, recently released How Directors Dress. The quintessential utilitarian uniform belongs to those behind the camera. We always see them on the mood boards, the fits are always so effortless. They know what works for them and have perfected it, sometimes it’s for the look, but most times it’s for the function. After listening to his convo with Lauren Sherman, also a contributor in the book, I was sold. There are a lot of synergies between Hagop’s and my thoughts on the uniform. It’s definitely worth checking out and adding to the library.

In Vogue: The 90s Official Trailer

Coming September 13th to HULU, each episode of this six-part series centers on a defining 90s moment that changed fashion forever.

Benjamin Edgar x Beams T

The man of many companies strikes again. This release seemed to be for Japan only, but keeping an eye out for a stateside landing. An interview with Hypebeast Japan also dropped around the release — article here.

social signal 2024_v1

If I had to rank my interests, they would be fashion, marketing, and then social trends. I read any and every report I can get my hand on these days. The latest one (200+ slides) come from Matthew Stasoff, Group Social Strategy Director at Anomaly, and it is worth every second.

MoMA x Nike Everyday Socks

We all know the history of Nike x MoMA, if you don’t there’s more here. Bimma thinks this is Nike being thirsty and Fast Company thinks it is Something Sneakerheads can drool over. I was right in the middle, they’re just socks — no need for storytelling or a deep narrative to get me to buy. People have been customizing Nike socks for ages, so when they do it themselves, why is everyone so shocked? They look nice. Most colors are out of stock in M & L on the site, but if you’re in NY, you can visit the MoMA design shop in person.