“The Crash and Burn of Dolce & Gabbana” by Vanessa Friedman and Sui-Lee Wee, from the New York Times

(https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/fashion/dolce-gabbana-china-disaster-backlash.html)

I first learned of the Italian luxury brand’s history of racism through self-proclaimed favorite boy band of America, BROCKHAMPTON—specifically, a verse from “QUEER”—and have wanted to learn more ever since. When I happened upon this article, it seemed like fate. The write-up details a recent global outrage, within and without the fashion community, sparked by a series of racist videos created by the brand to promote a celebrity-studded fashion show in Shanghai planned for mid-November. The article itself subverts the design of a typical news article by subtly and sarcastically mocking the fashion house and makes for a nicely engaging read.

“Speak Your Fears Into the World: An Interview With Bo Burnham and Elsie Fisher” by Tavi Gevinson, from Rookie magazine

(http://www.rookiemag.com/2018/07/speak-your-fears-into-the-world-an-interview-with-bo-burnham-and-elsie-fisher/)

In light of the recent announcement that Rookie, an online magazine I’ve loved for years, was shutting down, I thought it fitting to include an article from it. Here, the director and star of Eighth Grade are interviewed by Tavi Gevinson in the context of making a movie about the Internet from the perspective of someone who has known nothing else. The interview, like the movie, is sweet, funny, awkward, and yet reassuring.

“Marionettes, Inc.” by Ray Bradbury, from The Illustrated Man

(Narrated by the late Leonard Nimoy here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YuxBLT5DYQ)

In typical Bradbury fashion, this story begins eerily enough but quickly devolves into pure Twilight Zone terror. The deceivingly brief short story bears the plights of two married men, aching to get away from their wives, who find the perfect solution to all of their problems—clones.

“Camp Flog Gnaw Attendees Blended Glamor and Comfort Perfectly” by Juliana Pache, photographed by Alex Welsh, from Fader magazine

(https://www.thefader.com/2018/11/13/camp-flog-gnaw-street-style)

Compared to the predictably boho styles of Coachella or Hawaiian shirt-clad attendees of Hangout, Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw produced predictably unpredictable looks from its Dodger Stadium patrons. The few similarities between the looks—dyed hair, graphic tees, and monochromatic outfits—are styled so differently you could swear they shared nothing in common whatsoever.

“Palm Frond with Its Throat Cut” by Vickie Vértiz, from her book of the same name

(Find Vértiz reading some of her other works here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G-dIddUxVo)

Vértiz’s diction shines in this short piece inspired by a found object sculpture by Danny Jauregui. I recommend the rest of the book, too, as it shows off the diversity of her writing skills as a poet.