The May Specials: Tailoring, Raffia, and Designing for Scents
Plus, a yard sale where I’m selling all my things
Welcome to May’s Specials, a list of things I’ve been collecting this month to share with you.
A HOME TOUR YOU’LL LOVE
If you’re on Design TikTok at all, you’re familiar with the “Home Decor Icks” guys, Ethan Gaskill and Robert Gigliotti. And if you’re not, allow me: Ethan and Robert are two LA-based content creators with great taste in interiors, and they make videos (together and separately) about designing their respective homes, things they’ve scored at the flea market, and the trends they love or hate. I really enjoy their content because it’s pretty relatable—a lot of their decor is thrifted, and they admit to a lot of things they’ve tried and hated, or things they’ve grown out of, but it’s all in good taste.
A couple of weeks ago, interiors Youtuber Paige Wassel toured Robert’s house and it was a really charming watch. Highlights include Robert randomly pulling a gift for Paige out of a cabinet mid-tour and a baby blue home office ceiling (a risk that paid off). I’m a fan of home decor content that feels like an antidote to HGTV farmhouse-style blahness, and these three are doing it really well.
ON THE WISH LIST
Re: the theme of the Met Gala earlier this week and the exhibit at The Met that inspired it, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, exhibit curator Monica L. Miller published a book of the same name that digs into the history of menswear across 300 years of Black culture through the concept of dandyism. The book also features a photo essay by Tyler Mitchell (my favorite) that highlights the work of contemporary Black designers (including Grace Wales Bonner—another favorite). I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but with a cover like this, I have no doubt it’s going to be worth owning. I just ordered it in the middle of writing this paragraph. Grab a copy here.
FOR THE FASHION HISTORY ENTHUSIASTS
Speaking of fashion history, a video by fashion designer and researcher
popped up on Notes (Substack’s version of Twitter) the other day about the cultural differences between British and American hunting and how the design of hunting jackets (like Barbour and Filson) differ as a result. I love stuff like this. Ever since I binged Articles of Interest a couple of years ago I’ve become really interested in these types of nuggets of information. I’ve since watched more of Ken’s videos, including some on the science of wool, dad jeans, and why we still use indigo dye, even though it fades.A RECENT ACQUISITION
COS, per usual, is killing it. I really struggle with summer dressing (more on that later—I had my
session this week and I’m still processing!) but COS makes it easy on me with basics-that-aren’t-basics and silhouettes that look like they could be from The Row. I bought a couple of boat-neck tanks (black and navy, returned the stripe) and a dark brown raffia bag that I will be wearing over and over for the next several months. (That tote keeps going in and out of stock, but if you’re antsy, all of their raffia bags are really good.)
CAN YOU SMELL DESIGN?
I really enjoyed this piece by Ritupriya Basu for It’s Nice That on the role of design and art direction in the fragrance space. It discusses how, for a long time, fragrance marketing was rife with glossy, high-shine graphics, sexy celebrity voice-overs, and gender-coded materials (rose gold for women, leather for men), but now brands like D.S. & Durga are challenging the old tropes in favor of taking a more nuanced approach to communicating a scent through a screen. When it comes to design there’s a lot to love about what’s happening in fragrance right now (Serviette comes to mind—a new line that’s already built a strong brand world), and I’m looking forward to seeing how more and more brands push themselves beyond the norm. (Unfortunately, Boy Smells seems to have taken a step in the opposite direction.)
THIS IS MAYBE A LITTLE INSIDE BASEBALL
Honestly, I try not to write about brand stuff or Substack culture here (even though both are big parts of my job) because I imagine most of you aren’t interested in such minutiae. But because I have a foot in both worlds, I find myself in a lot of conversations with people on both the brand side and the writer side about how brands want to show up on Substack.
My friend
is a strategist who works with brands to figure this type of thing out (among other things), and last week she wrote a really interesting newsletter on her Substack, , on the topic. I’m asked pretty frequently by clients about how I think they should break into this platform, and this line Jess wrote sums up my advice: “Brands should invest in partnerships with Substack writers. Founders should launch a Substack if they’re interesting and represent the brand. But most brands shouldn’t launch a Substack.”Anyway, if you’re in this world too and have been wondering how your business can engage with this platform, read Jess’ post and all the thoughtful responses she collected from others in the industry, too.
A GREAT COLOR COMBO
I never would have thought to pair an olive gold-green with a bright emerald, but I found this shot from the Michael Kors RTW Spring 2011 show the other day and I’m inspired.
ON THE BULLETIN BOARD
Three items of note:
My friend
hosts these insane yard sales at her house in LA and next week I’ll be joining her! I’m bringing a ton of clothes and accessories (Ganni, Sezane, Reformation, and lots more, plus vintage!) and even a few home items (art, lighting, books). Coffee By Carino will be making drinks, La Reinita will have baked goods, and Chloe will be selling her famous sandwiches (which always sell out before I can get my hands on one). There will be other vendors too—Maddy Pease, Lauren Lotz, and more—so don’t miss this if you’re in town. DM Chloe on Instagram for the address. I’ll see you there!
I spoke to
a bit about the “Nancy Meyers aesthetic” and what I think people are actually connecting with when they strive for it. Spoiler alert: it’s not white cabinets or rattan patio furniture. Read it here:If you’re in LA, save the date: On Saturday, June 7th I’ll be popping up at Platform in Culver City to launch something really exciting that I can’t quite tell you about yet! I’ve been working so hard on this for the last few weeks and I’m dying to spill but I just need another week or two to get the details together. Trust me, it’ll be worth it. More soon!
AND FINALLY, A MOOD ASSESSMENT
x
Ali
If you enjoy reading À La Carte and want to help it grow, throw a “like” onto this post, leave a comment, or upgrade to a paid subscription! Your support means the world.
Art Snack: Jack Penny’s Chaotic, Debaucherous Dining Rooms
Snacks are short-form, midweek drops featuring brands I just discovered, shops I stumbled onto, artists I think you’ll love… little odes to the things I find that I’m sending straight over to you.
Beautiful Versions of Boring Things, Pt. 2
Last fall I wrote a newsletter that went semi-viral. It was filled with objects you’d find in any ordinary home, but the least aesthetically offensive versions of those objects. I wrote about how so many brands from the last decade have sought to “disrupt” everyday items—pet accessories, cookware, gardening tools—and how, as a result, we’ve all ended up with a bunch of plasticky, candy-colored junk.
How to Turn Your Living Room Into a Cozy Wine Bar
Welcome back to Room Recipe, a column on À La Carte where we stare at an image of a room we love for a very long time, then break down its “ingredients” into specific items and themes. The goal is never to copy, but instead to get to the bottom of why certain rooms just *work* and to understand how we can translate that inspiration into real life.
Raffia bags are quite timeless. Especially the ones you’re posting. Love that MC! Also…. Taco Bell 😂 perfection
LA is so far away... but I can try to be there in spirit.