In this episode, we introduce the concept of whimsimod to explain the recent trend of pattern-printed and adorably tailored fashion among sensitive indie starlets and Instagram baddies alike. In the process of unpacking this polished yet playful re-envisioning of femininity, we discuss the aesthetic shift from “kiki” to “bouba” over the past year, the history of girly youth diffusion lines like RED Valentino and Blugirl, the current hemline crisis and the accompanying novelty hosiery movement, seminal lady designers including Carolina Herrera and Kate Spade, and more. We also provide a forensic cultural history of the polka dot throughout the decades. Links: Image board“The Power Of Two Claires: Miss Claire Sullivan Talks Designing Clairo’s Grammys Look” — Nylon“Reflections of Clairo” by Clairo — Bylinebeabadoobee — “Beaches” Jimmy Kimmel Live performance on YouTubebeabadoobee slayful Getty ImagePatternalia: An Unconventional History of Polka Dots, Stripes, Plaid, Camouflage, & Other Graphic Patterns by Jude Stewart“The Polka Dot’s Past Is Weirder Than You Think” by Nancy MacDonell — The Wall Street JournalBlondita, Lauren Perrin, Ben Doctor, Lucila SafdieTJ Maxx psychosis monologue TikTok (?)Miu Miu Fall 2023 Ready-to-Wear Collection — Vogue RunwayAddison Rae’s polka dot catsuit by Miss Claire Sullivan at CoachellaAddison Rae Vogue France cover storyDisney Channel’s Former Costume Designer Doesn’t Get the Y2K Resurgence Either — Vogue Paloma Sandoval on Instagram“That’s So ’80s:” Wes Gordon Finds Treasures in a Scrapbook From Herrera’s Past — Interview“Carolina Herrera: Portrait of a Lady” by Anamaria Wilson — Harper’s BazaarLynn Wyatt's Glamorous Life: Celebrities, Couture, and Castles | Paper Trail on YouTube@chloyorkcity’s 80’s Excess series on TikTokSurrey glasses on EyeBuyDirect“The Enduring Legacy of Kate Spade’s Witty, Misunderstood Life” by Rory Satran — The Wall Street JournalVogue’s extremely belated trend report on statement socks and tights at NYFW“1960s-Style Tights Are Back. How to Wear Them in 2022.” by Nancy MacDonell — The Wall Street JournalCero Magazine Issue 9 — Kiko Kostadinov Special Edition featuring our interview with Laura and Deanna Fanning! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nymphetalumni.com/subscribe
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Ep. 120: First Glam Ever in Space | Study Break
In this edition of Study Break, we discuss the emancipatory joy of Justin Bieber’s public glow-down, shocking displays of tactical romantic psychosis by girls online, the despair wrought by the all-female Blue Origin space flight, the self-titled musical bonanza of Addison and Jonatan, the subversive pots-and-pans earworm Gnarly by Katseye, reflections on Californian millennialism from HAIM to Meghan Markle, our field trip to Pope Francis’s memorial mass, and more. To stay subscribed to exclusive episodes and all the glamour of our premium content, head to https://www.nymphetalumni.com/subscribe and add your payment info Links:“Hailey Bieber’s Dangerous Decade-Long Obsession [Reupload]” on YouTube Justin Bieber e-bike bong photoshoot“I’m Dating A Fan” by Caspar Lee on YouTube (and his gf’s viral TikTok)Benny Blanco reveals Selena Gomez used to wait outside his house for 30 minutes before datesAlexandra French’s “First Glam Ever in Space” Instagram postKaty Perry Sings in Space, Reveals “Lifetimes” Set ListLevi Coralynn by Elizaveta Porodina for Alla Carta “The Untold Story Of America's Southern Chinese” (Mississippi Delta Chinese population documentary) on YouTubeAddison Rae’s Elle April 2025 cover storyKATSEYE (캣츠아이) “Gnarly” Official Music VideodearALICE by SM Entertainment (boy group whose name i couldn’t remember lol)PSYCHIC FEVER “Just Like Dat” Official Music VideoEncyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship) by Pope FrancisMichelle Obama on the Shocking Cost of Living in the White HouseMeghan Markle Netflix snarking on YouTube This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nymphetalumni.com/subscribe
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Ep. 119: Sam's Jurassic World (Minisode)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nymphetalumni.comIn this solo debut episode, Sam introduces us to her fantastically anachronistic obsession: dinosaurs and their recurring impact on fashion and culture. From the “Bone Wars” of the Gilded Age to the fossilized postwar fantasy of The Flintstones to the mass Dinomania surrounding the release of 1993’s Jurassic Park, Sam explores paleontological and prehistoric aesthetics as a reflection of cultural anxieties and technological advancements. She also walks us through major fashion moments including Jeremy Scott’s electroclash cavewomen (S/S 2010) and Gucci’s retro roadside dinosaur encounter (F/W 2017).
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Ep. 118: Mukbang
In this very special video episode of Nymphet Alumni, we convene in Hell’s Kitchen to perform our first-ever mukbang. Filmed the evening after our tiki-themed Substack launch party, we attempt to recover with 30 Chick-fil-A nuggets, two Cokes, two large fries, one chicken sandwich, and six Crumbl cookies. Along the way, we unpack the economics of fast food franchising, explore the theological divide between Protestant and Mormon desserts, debate the integrity of Chick-fil-A’s pickle batter and more. Bon appétit! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nymphetalumni.com/subscribe
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Ep. 116: Hari Files w/ Hari Nef
In this episode, superstar model-actress-writer and certified Tumblr icon Hari Nef joins us to discuss the electric energy of the mid-2010s New York fashion scene— VFILES, Hood by Air, Eckhaus Latta, and more— and the collision of early online content and the fashion industry that birthed some of the most brilliant creative personae of our generation. We learn about Hari’s cutthroat electioneering of the Dazed 100, her double life of uptown collegiate excellence and downtown nightlife chaos, street casting in SoHo and shitposting on the main grid, reflections on a decade of woke ideology, and so much more. We also get exclusive scoop on Hari’s upcoming Candy Darling biopic!Links:Image boardHood By Air – FW 2014 RunwayHood By Air – FW 2013 RunwayKalifa (fka Le1f) profile in The Washington PostVenus X on the origins of GHE20G0TH1K, a club night that shaped the 2010s – DazedVFILES Model Files Episode 5: Nodels (Not Models) on YouTubeVFILES Model Files Season 2 Episode 1: Save SoSo on Youtube“Where Fashion Blogging Began” (Fashin F*gs profile) in The New York TimesBlythe Marks on Instagrami-D Meets: Hari Nef on YouTubeHari Nef for the Dazed 100Hari’s scarily spot-on gay identity prediction tweet from 2014Enigma (dir. Zackary Drucker) in Variety@FilmUpdates announces the upcoming Candy Darling biopicHari Nef’s Hottest Fashion Opinions – The Run-Through with Vogue@marcitlali’s legendary amish b***h Tumblr post This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nymphetalumni.com/subscribe
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