Dear Frances x Pope Francis

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Rapidification is a central complaint of Pope Francis (details at V&R Chapter 2).  Here is an article about some fashion companies building the idea of slowness into clothes: in how they are made, how long they last, and suitability for different social events (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/fashion/what-is-slow-fashion.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ffashion&action=click&contentCollection=fashion&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront).  Francis approves.

New book update

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I mentioned awhiles back that I have a new book that expands on some of the claims made in V&R.  Well, it is still doing the rounds trying to find a publisher: the process is somewhat drawn out as the manuscript has to be peer-reviewed.  While I wait for news, I thought I’d post here…

Are there really any iconic fashion objects?

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*Loyola hosted theologian Brendan Sammon this week.  Brendan teaches at St. Joseph’s University, the Jesuit university of Philadelphia.  This post is prompted by his talk.   A recent fashion exhibition identified a range of objects said to be iconic (https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/moma-makes-a-list-of-iconic-fashion-items).  But are they?  Can any fashion object be iconic?   Leading phenomenologist, Frenchman Jean-Luc Marion,…

Utterly charming video: Brutsch Mopetta

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Another tremendous video from the car people at Petrolicious.  The setting could not be better: the streets of London.  The owner, a happy fellow, bringing joy to many. Truly charming video: https://petrolicious.com/films/1957-brutsch-mopetta-smiles-per-gallon?utm_source=Petrolicious+Newsletter&utm_campaign=937b832bb1-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ff9b060c1d-937b832bb1-296390737&mc_cid=937b832bb1&mc_eid=8cd60b3e66 Even if you are not remotely interested in mechanical things on wheels, this video is joyous. Do note the very last frame and the…

Louis Vuitton x Edmund Burke

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An extremely interesting reflection on the heritage of a design company: http://www.documentjournal.com/article/louis-vuittons-creative-director-nicolas-ghesquiere-looks-to-the-past-to-se Louis Vuitton’s artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière: “There are many designers that succumb to a wistful affection for the past, and stay there. Then there are others that are constantly looking for the next best thing, and they forget about their core customer. To be…

Ken Okuyama: fascinating chat about design with Jay Leno

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A little primer on the man and his sense of the future (http://www.businessinsider.com/r-in-the-rearview-mirror-car-designer-warns-on-google-game-changer-2015-10), but the real joy is this video where Okuyama discuses design with Jay Leno. It’s about the recent car he has built but his comments transcend just cars.  Super interesting comments from a man with a design legacy second to few.