ThirdLove bills itself as a progressive, feminist, woman-led leader in lingere. In this expose (https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/9/16/20864206/thirdlove-bra-company-women-employees-quit-ceo), evidence is offered that it is something rather different. The following quote is a summary of the culture, one incompatible with a staff primarily made up of women: “This about-face was compounded by company norms — don’t negotiate your…
Leibniz is father to one of the most unusual metaphysics proposed by a philosopher. A great mathematician and scientist, he had a profound intuition about the individuality of all things. Amongst many startling ideas, he corrects Thomas Aquinas’s idea that each angel is a species unto itself. In the Middle Ages, this idea was…
Fashion journalism needs to improve. This weekend, Dior is perceived to have made a “slur” by an ad using Native American imagery for a perfume named Sauvage. I certainly get the absurdity of Jonny Depp dressing and dancing like a Native American. I understand that Dior had consultants from that community but surely…
In an extremely interesting article, Eugene Rabkin mulls over the changing face of luxury (https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/luxury-fashion-appeal-lost-today/). Luxury houses have long sought to shift product but avoid brand dilution. The balance has often been difficult. The new strategy is going swimmingly, the only real cost, justice. Supreme led the way: keep cheap stuff scarce. Rabkin…
Adam Smith’s 1759 The Theory of Moral Sentiments is beyond a classic. To my mind, it is one of the most astute books ever written. One of his many brilliant contributions to ethical theory is his analysis of the spectator. It is the idea that our lives are monitored by the sense we have that…
Recently gave a paper on disenchantment at the old Catholic seminary in the north of England, Ushaw College. The seminary buildings have been absorbed by Durham University. Ushaw is a huge, barn of a place, with a beautiful chapel by Pugin. One room was hosting an excellent temporary exhibition of Arts & Crafts inspired…
Liverpool Football Club has announced that its players and officials will be kitted out in bespoke suits locally made in the city and invoking classic British suit lines. Excellent decision stylistically and morally! https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/359932-liverpool-fc-signature-bespoke-partnership
Perhaps no revolution in history brought so much misery and brutality to people’s lives than the Russian. Apart from the carnage, there was also a drabness to help crush the spirit. Here are a few pictures of the last ball thrown by the Czars: http://www.openculture.com/2019/07/the-romanovs-last-spectacular-ball-brought-to-life-in-color-photographs-1903.html Another cost was fashion. How sad that no one…
Arguably, the master of fashion, here is a super review of an exhibit in Madrid that draws out the religious and Spanish character of Balenciaga’s creations: http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20190724-what-inspired-the-master-of-fashion It’s a very good read and some lucky enough to be in Madrid will get to see the beautiful clothes he made.
I am just back from ten days in County Durham, a place I strongly recommend. The main attraction is the city of Durham with its Romanesque cathedral and prestigious university. The city is very old and the university prettily spread about in charming lanes around the cathedral. Close by is Bowes Museum, a purpose…