culture porn 11/10
our weekly playlist
screenshot me:
get gotti (netflix)
i have a vague memory of being an intern at STAR magazine (circa age 19) and somehow getting my hands on unopened beauty samples left behind in victoria gotti's makeup sample closet in the AMERICAN MEDIA INC offices. so, it somehow felt appropriate to watch NETFLIX's new docuseries on the FBI's long road to prosecuting her dad, john gotti - NYC crime boss. unfortunately the docuseries felt a little....generic? i found scrolling victoria gotti's instagram more interesting in comparison.
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killers of the flower moon (apple tv+)
seeing this on the big screen does justice to jack fisk's sweeping production design for this scorsese epic. as with OPPENHEIMER, i was on the edge of my seat for all 3+ hours. award-worthy performances (lily gladstone, di caprio, de niro) fuel this heartbreaking tale of the osage nation's decline at the hands of greedy white men. i hope the portrayal of the native peoples feels as sensitive to them as it seems to me.
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poppy the prairie dog (instagram / youtube)
yes i'm adding a prairie dog to our playlist! because her "wahoo" sounds (in prairie dog world, apparently these yips are used to communicate) are mesmerizing to me. poppy throws her whole body into it, and -- i'm totally anthropomorphizing here - seems to do it as an expression of joy, love, and excited contentment. i did wonder the natural question: do i need a prairie dog? no, and btw they are highly susceptible to plague! thank you, internet.
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roman stories: jhumpa lahiri (knopf / audible)
reading this short-story collection feels like eavesdropping on the private thoughts and memories of people whose names and backgrounds go unsaid, but which feel immediately universal. lahiri (one of my fave authors, eg THE NAMESAKE) wrote in her adopted language of italian, then translated into english, giving the prose an ethereal quality that makes big impressions from the smallest moments.
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dear sugars (wbur / apple podcasts)
though this advice column-style podcast ended a few years back, it's new to me! hosted by cheryl strayed and steve almond, the theme is "radical empathy" - it was based on a long-running advice column on website THE RUMPUS that they both wrote for at varying times. this life is so complicated and wildly interesting, and this podcasts makes it feel a little more humane.
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zainab johnson: hijabs off (amazon prime video)
staging her show in the round makes this stand-up act feel more like a welcome, sharp-tongued bar night with friends. johnson's take on life as a Black Muslim woman is relatable for anyone who's been an outsider (like me), but her dual cultural background arms her with uniquely funny insights and anecdotes. i liked, didn't love, but will definitely keep an eye on her.
insights & inspo
3_TRENDS_Vol.25: sarah unger: aspirational stability, blurred (platform) lines + psych edu
our founder, sarah unger, shared her 3 favorite overlooked cultural trends in matt klein’s ZINE: aspirational stability, blurred (platform) lines, and psych edu.
more insights here
‘america does not deserve me.’ why black people are leaving the united states
after the murder of george floyd, a growing number of black american’s fed up with anti-black discrimination and violence in the US have decided to leave the country. this movement, often referred to as ‘blaxit,’ is believed to be one of the most significant emigrations of black americans since the first half of the last century. driven by a desire for a better quality of life without the emotional and psychological strain caused by political and racial divisions, many expats are building communities abroad in an effort to heal from the traumas of living in US.
more insights here
mara hoffman’s gorgeous new dress can be recycled again and again and again
fashion brand MARA HOFFMAN aims to revolutionize the apparel industry with the debut of her new poppy-colored dress made from textile waste and with an offer to take the dress back once it’s reach the end of its life cycle. hot on the heels of it’s release, mara hoffman was honored with the CFDA’s environmental sustainability award this past week, spotlighting the brand’s shifted mission towards a more sustainable future for all of fashion.
more insights here
make sure to check out MIDWEEK with CULTIQUE every wednesday
#LOokforward🌅 with linda ong
even we were wowed by heidi klum's halloween costume this year – created in collaboration with our partners at CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, showcasing their craft and agility as an otherworldly peacock!
if you're one of the loyal foodies mourning the closing of MOMOFUKU, head to AMAZON where you can buy multi-packs of david chang's famous ramen, and pick up a jar of trendy FLY BY JING chili crisps while you can! i've topped my versions with chicken and salmon.
more yummy stuff is hard to ignore when roaming the aisles of LA-fave EREWHON MARKET, which started its growth just as i got to town. now their celebrity smoothies are giving WHOLE FOODS a run for its money, attracting national attention to its expensive–but-healthy wares.
more insights here