Nymphet Alumni

This week, we discuss the great mascot of modernism and one of our personal favorite archetypes: the dandy. We reflect on dandy theory from Baudelaire to Baudrillard and investigate the roots of dandyism as a reaction to “the great masculine renunciation” of the Age of Revolutions. We mourn tragic dandies past and honor their self-sacrifices at the altar of decadence, and we speculate on 21st century dandyism and its expressions online— and Sam shares her michelada recipe!Links:The Dandy, from The Painter of Modern Life by Charles BaudelaireIn Praise of Cosmetics, from The Painter of Modern Life by Charles BaudelaireSimulacra and Simulations by Jean BaudrillardThe Rebel: An Essay on Man in Revolt by Albert CamusBeau Brummel and English Dandymania – National GeographicGreat Moments in Dandyism – The CutParis Fashion: A Cultural History by Valerie SteeleDandyism and women’s fashion in the 1980s – The GuardianEdward Preble on Tik TokEthan Wong on InstagramMexican street corn devilled eggs Instagram recipe

This week, we’re bopping our heads through the last weeks of summer— to the tune of Eurodance! We reflect on the high BPM European dance music that soundtracked the ‘90s and 2000s, from hits like “Barbie Girl” and “I’m Blue” to CGI-characters-turned-chart-toppers like Gummibär and Crazy Frog. We discuss the controversy around Sweden’s supremacy in music production, Eurodance aesthetics as a blueprint for Mass Bushwick, the Euro-exoticism of Albanian pop stars, and more.Links:Image board 'Why Don't We All Go Bonkers?' – The Rise and Fall of Happy HardcoreSNAP! – Rhythm is a Dancer Albanian pop star conspiracy Twitter threadGreen Day’s Anti-Sweden billboardFlat Pack Pop: Sweden’s Music Miracle – BBC Why Backstreet Boys 'I Want It That Way' Lyrics Are so ConfusingThe Soviet Spy Who Invented the First Major Electronic Instrument – Smithsonian Magazine  Planet of the Bass Official Music VideoThe Eurodance EncyclopediaFreestyle Disco Dancing Championship

Subscribe on Patreon to hear the full episode <3In this episode, we discuss the past, present, and future of one timeless category of T-shirt design: the BOLD STATEMENT TEE. From Katharine Hamnett and House of Holland to Anna Bolina and Jaded London, we decode the social and political bygones permanently etched onto masses of XL blanks. We talk human billboards, wearing your Instagram caption on your sleeve, truism thirst traps, dropshipping scandals, and more! Links:Image boardKatharine Hamnett profile - The GuardianWham - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go MVQueen’s 1985 Rock in Rio performanceAnna Bolina Interview - i-DAnna Bolina knockoffs calloutstomach of your dead soulmateHouse of Holland’s 10th Anniversary - Harper’s BazaarHenry Holland’s DIY Tutorial - Teen VogueJaded London Tik Tok adJaded London’s graphic teesOGBFF profile - Fashionista

Following the passing of icon of effortlessness and honorary Frenchwoman Jane Birkin, we examine the mythology of the French girl — from the culture of chic aphorisms that surround her (Don’t be afraid of aging! Wear a black bra under your white blouse!), her philosophy as a form of IDGAF-ism, and how the most beloved representatives of French style aren't even French at all. Plús, we discuss Franco-American relations, the French girl digital media microeconomy, the subtle art of the basket bag and... le goûter!! Links:Image boardHow to be Parisian Wherever You Are (full book!)Alexa Chung's farewell to Jane BirkinSixty Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong: Why We Love France But Not the FrenchBringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting (NYT review)Seducing the French: The Dilemma of Americanization by Richard KuiselThe French Way: How France Embraced and Rejected American Values and Power by Richard KuiselJane Birkin Vogue France interview (2018) Language policy in France"Fashion Foreplay" by Holly Brubach (NYT on French dating profiles in 1995)Find exclusive episodes here <3

In this week’s episode, we three devise a plot to revive one of the most iconic female archetypes in Western culture: the Bond Girl! We discuss the merits of a tropical, action-packed lifestyle, debate the gendered impact of the James Bond franchise, and unpack the taxonomy of the bikini marketplace, all while conferring with actual Bond Girl Caroline Munro (The Spy Who Loved Me) and her lovely daughter Iona Munro. Links:Caroline Munro’s FilmographyBond Girls: Body, Fashion, and Gender by Monica GermanaDaddy, or The Death of Fantasy by Sam KrissFemininity, Seriality, and Collectivity: Rethinking the Bond GirlGrowing up a Bond Girl Follow Iona on Instagram!Image Board:https://pin.it/2farTIr

Subscribe on Patreon for the full episode :)The Broquette saga continues as we enlist the help of world-renowned Broquette expert and veritable style icon Naomi. We discuss Barbour lifetime guarantees as a metaphor for privilege, joggers as the death of Southern frat boy culture, and viral PowerPoint presentations about sorority girl sexcapades, all while Naomi recounts her Greek life experiences at Duke University during the dog days of Bro culture. Links:Karen Owen Sex ScandalKaren Owen PowerPointKorean “High Teen” aestheticSorority Freak-Out EmailAmericancoreFollow Naomi on Instagram !

In this ambitious follow-up to last year's viral Blokette episode, we hereby announce the second coming of sporty-cute style: Broquette, an All-American, booze-soaked celebration of athleticism, youth, and hedonism. We chart the rise and fall of Bro culture and explain how Bros invented the media landscape of the Internet as we know it. Through discussions of white rappers, boat shoes, Greek life, and more, we predict that sleaze is on the decline and raunch is on its way back up. Links:Image board Thousands of College Kids Paid to Work for a Viral Party Kingpin. What Could Go Wrong? - The New York TimesHow to trick people into thinking you're good looking - Jenna MarblesI Love College - Asher RothJordan Belfort - Wes Walker feat. DylDude, Here's My Book - The New York TimesThe Four Basic Aspects of Being a Bro - NPRAll ERL Collections - Vogue RunwayThe Label Giving Prep a Saucy Makeover - Vogue (Raimundo Langlois profile)The Rise of the Portmanbro - Oxford Dictionaries

Subscribe to our Patreon to hear the full episode!What do skinny vanilla lattes, cheese cubes, and dodgy tattoos of Chanel logos have in common? They’re all fashioncore, darling! For the 50th episode of Nymphet Alumni, we summon the spirit of fashion itself — 𝓯𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓸𝓻𝓮 — first coined by none other than Megsuperstarprincess during her 2021 podcast appearance. Armed with a lifetime of vocal fry and metaphorical martinis with extra olives, we discuss the impact of fashion media from America’s Next Top Model to Audrey Hepburn’s Funny Face. Topics du jour include fashioncore disciples as the last of those bound to dutifully slay, fashioncore as the cure to the false promise of quiet luxury, Sasha Baron Cohen as the fashioncore voice of a generation, and more!Image Board:PinterestLinks:Elena Velez’s NYT Style profileToo Funky by George MichaelBruno “That is so pre 9/11”ANTM CompilationSATC CompilationRian Phin Fashioncore TakeSupport Megsuperstarprincess for more Fashioncore:The F ListLe Hipster Portal 

In this special episode, we're joined by longtime friendo'thepod Liam Hall aka grandma. A veritable rockstar fresh off the heels of a North American tour, he consults with us on the mysteries of masculinity as we attempt to unpack the aesthetic universe that young men navigate today. We discuss skinny jeans, fluffy hair, self-care thirst traps and other forms of visual rizz, and our predictions for a post-softboy society.. Subscribe to our Patreon <3Pinterest BoardLinks:Liam / grandma <3WebsiteApple MusicSpotifyInstagramBefore and after skinny jeans videos (one, two, three, four)Bell bottoms thirst traps (one, two, three, four)Self-care thirst traps (one, two)Rockstar thirst trap, lumberjack thirst trapImpossible beauty standards for young men by @thestyleturnernyc@syrianpsycho on TikTok@un.ermite on TikTok@samstailor on TikTokEverybody Wants a Piece of The Dare by Samuel Hine for GQTrauma dump beach YouTuber negative rizz ?? 

Wake up shabby heads! To mark the return of flowering blooms and the internet’s reckoning with Magnolia Pearl, we’re drawing back the aged lace curtains on your mom’s favorite aesthetic: shabby chic! We investigate shabby chic’s Old World origins, its popularization by Portobello Road elite Rachel Ashwell, and its various contemporary forms — from TJ Maxx faux-distressed decor to New Orleans crust-twees. Plus, we reflect on Galliano’s homeless-inspired collection, stealth wealth and recessioncore, and Grimes sailing down the Mississippi in a DIY houseboat. Wishing you all a shabby chic summer!Pinterest boardMagnolia Pearl Official WebsiteMagnolia Pearl Mom TikTokRachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic (1996)Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic TV episode on Roses (2000)Liberties; Haute Homeless via The New York TimesSubscribe to our Patreon <3

Subscribe to hear the full episode!In this exclusive episode, we finally come forward about the events that took place on the evening of May 1st, 2023. This includes, but is not limited to, discussions of Kristen Stewart's tomboy excellence, Dua Lipa's beachy waves, Nicole Kidman's grunge sophistication, the menswear uprising, and our renouncement of theatre-kid antics. We also perform a wellness check on our beloved muse, Barry Keoghan, who has once again been sabotaged by his stylist.See the looks here! 

For part one of our Met Gala special, we paint a psychosexual portrait of Karl Lagerfeld through an assemblage of fascinating anecdotes. We theorize on his self-emojification, the influence of his German heritage, his paraphilic idiosyncrasies, and his infamous rivalry with Yves Saint Laurent. We also present “fashioncore” as a framework for understanding Karl and Chanel and offer our pre-Gala predictions. Links:Baroque and Bildung in the Creative Practice and Personal Style of Karl Lagerfeld by Michael A. LangkjærKarl Lagerfeld didn’t have a signature design — but he invented a new kind of designer – The Washington PostKarl Lagerfeld, a man possessed — by possessions | Financial TimesAnna Wintour Breaks Down 13 Karl Lagerfeld Chanel Looks – VogueKarl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent's Rivalry Changed Fashion Forever – W MagThe Private Provocations of Karl Lagerfeld – W MagSupermodel Amber Valletta Breaks Down 15 Looks From 1993 to Now – VogueThe Chiffon Trenches by André Leon TalleyThe Beautiful Fall: Fashion, Genius, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris by Alicia DrakeThe Cut: Who Even Was Karl Lagerfeld? on Apple Podcasts

This week, we dive head first into America’s most beloved national tradition: PROM!! We discuss the discreet charm of the bedazzled Sherri Hill prom dress, the tomfoolery of mid century teens, the history of Drake as prom chaperone, Chik Fil A themed promposals, and more! Pinterest BoardLinks:Kate Upton, Will You Go To Prom With Me?Good on Kate Upton for Not Going to Prom With a Nerd via The Cut NPR piece on prom send-offsComing of age at the High School dance via Fashion Institute of TechnologyThe History of Prom via Bustle

Subscribe to hear the full episode! In this episode, we narrow in on the latest trends in Latina fashion and collective nostalgia for Latinized aesthetics of the 2000s. We discuss Sofia Vergara's casual bombshell stylings, Alexa Demie's retro Chicana glam, the telenovela-esque narrative of Shakira's recent comeback, the dark temptation of buchonas, and much more. Pinterest boardLinks: Televonola hair trend - 1, 2Rubí makeup trend - 1, 2, 3Cork wedges trend - 1, 2'Sofía Vergara, Hollywood’s Hysterical, Business-Savvy, Unapologetic Sex Symbol' Vanity Fair cover storyShakira's expose-rapBuchona - Emma Coronel, Jenny 69, Sandra BeltranALEXA DEMIE’S “YO VOY” LIP GLOSS VIDEO!!!!

Subscribe to our Patreon <3This week, we consider the lasting impact of Takashi Murakami's Superflat art movement on the chaotic visual landscape of the 21st century. The youthful funkiness of "Frutiger Metro," the punk orientalism of Tokidoki, and the dystopian cheekiness of Gorillaz all epitomize the hybridization of cultural symbols between East and West and the flattening of art and consumer culture. We reflect on the Y2K revival of Atompunk, nostalgia for the utopian promise of Microsoft Windows, and the importance of lime green in a girl’s bid for independence.Pinterest BoardLinks:Tokidoki: Cute and Sexy Fantasies between East and West Tragedy and the Superflat by Daniel Moldoveanu for SpikeWhat is Frutiger Aero? by Laura Holliday for DazedSuperflat Pop via CARI InstituteFrank Ocean's Homer vs Kareem Rashid's DigipopHappy99NEW YORK - night n day album artTokidoki Character GuideTokidoki Healthy Besties Blindbox

In this week's episode, we discuss the legacy of Frou-Frou in fashion, from its Belle Époque origins to the (New) Romantic taffeta explosion of the 1980s to the coquettish hyper-femininity of today's thotwear and couture alike. Over the course of over 150 years of fashion history, we weave together the can-can harlots of the Moulin Rouge, Princess Di's flounced and frilled wedding party, and the subversive stylings of Cafe Forgot.   Subscribe to our Patreon <3Pinterest BoardLinks:Fashion History Timeline: 1860sLe Frou-Frou magazine coversDown with Frou Frou by Elizabeth Taylor and Lou WilsonJohn Duka on Reaganite fashion in the NYTThe Vogue History of 20th Century Fashion: 1981 "Setting Free the Frou Frou" by Barbara Ehrenreich and Jane O'ReillyThe Laura Ashley Collab UniverseFanci Club's Lethal Roses collectionFabian Kis-JuhaszSophia Dowling on The Return of 1980s Decadence 

Subscribe to hear the full episode! Annyeong, beloved listeners! On this very special episode of Nymphet Alumni, K-Pop conscripts Biz and Sam tackle Course 1 of the koreaboo masterclass, taught by world-renowned seonsaengnim Alexi. We define and deconstruct some of K-Pop’s most notable aesthetics: saccharine second-gen synth-pop, dark romantic neoclassical androgyny, the hypebeast techwear fantasy of "girl crush," the creepycute slice-of-life stylings of New Jeans, and more! Links:Girls Generation - GeeBTS- Blood Sweat & TearsBTS x Seo Taiji - Come Back HomeBlackpink - DDU-DU DDU-DU Everglow- Bon Bon ChocolateLOONA - Hi HighNewJeans - DittoLESSERAFIM - Antifragile 

In this episode, we take a stroll through time to discuss the legacy of historical costume in today’s trending fashion, from the high camp historicism of iconic ‘90s runway shows to the horrors of fast fashion corsetry and Netflix-sponsored “regencycore.” We also discuss ancestral divination via TikTok, Austen heroine beauty, fashion history “edutainment” at large, and musical influences from Celtic Woman to Caroline Polachek. Links: Javali’s “pov you’re immortal”The Ancestor Trend on TikTok via MashableImage Board:https://pin.it/7kIN0Sg Subscribe to our Patreon <3

In this episode, we demystify the correlation between bimbos and the esoteric realm. Why do so many of our most surged-up, hard-bodied sex symbols undergo New Age-y spiritual transformations? Which path will you choose: bottle-blonde crystal healer, or the dark-sided occultism of succubus chic? We discuss The Secret, breast implants, the new Pamela Anderson documentary, the cult of Oprah’s Book Club, flea market jewelry, and more!Links:Barbara Ehrenreich’s Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America Sue Collins' Anatomy of a BimboImage Board:https://pin.it/7lyvj0xSubscribe to our Patreon <3

Subscribe to hear the full episode!Hear ye, hear ye! All ye PR girls, afterparty gays, and noble models.com theys, we hereby present to thee the first episode produced exclusively for the Nymphet Alumni Patreon!  On this very special occasion, noted fashion expert Vica joins Nymphet Alumni to review the Spring Summer 2023 collections, from Schiaparelli’s controversial beasts to Giambattista Valle’s black tie frou-frou, and interrogate the contemporary condition of fashion, from the sleeper-hit charm of an American in Paris to aesthetics as false intelligence. Plus, we ask the hard-hitting questions: does Casey Cadwallader hate women? (Yes.) Did Tyra deserve the KidSuper karmic humiliation ritual? Who is Viktor and who is Rolf? ‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵‿Links:Panic! At The Runway by VicaVica’s SubstackVica’s InstagramWe Need to Talk About Faux Fur by Blythe Marks Shows discussed:SchiaparelliKidSuperMuglerGiambattista ValliValentinoLudovic de Saint SerninLoeweLouis VuittonHaider Ackermann for JPGSaint Laurent