Nymphet Alumni

Marisa Meltzer, a journalist and bestselling author known for her work on cultural commentary, dives deep into the life of the iconic Jane Birkin. She shares fascinating insights into Birkin's transformative romance with Serge Gainsbourg, detailing the stark contrast between her glamorous public image and tumultuous private life. The duo explores Birkin's style evolution, the irony of the famous Birkin bag, and the modern 'It Girl' phenomenon versus influencers today. Meltzer encourages embracing life's messiness and enjoying personal expression through fashion.

In this episode, Alexi is joined by writer, editor, and dear friend Olivia Kan-Sperling to discuss the aesthetic universe of her brand new novel, Little Pink Book, a lyrical and decadent romantic tragedy set in Shanghai. In unpacking her wide range of influences, we explore shabby chic Orientalism, avant garde florists, Chinese romantasy web novels, baroque bespoke beverages, the emerging field of Wasian studies, the triggering qualities of Clairo’s “Pretty Girl” music video, the possibility of Labubu as a literary format, and much more. Links:Image boardLittle Pink Book by Olivia Kan-Sperling from Simon and SchusterOlivia’s websiteOlivia on Instagram @dianadiagramAlexi’s interview with Olivia in Interview magazineDiane Severin Nguyen: In Her Time (Iris’s Version)Empire of Signs by Roland BarthesMolly Tea’s domineering CEO romance receipt promo via Dr. Candise LinThe Architecture of Taste by Pierre Hermé - Lecture to the Harvard Graduate School of Design (2013)Julian Castronovo review of Little Pink Book in BOMB magazineShanzhai: Deconstruction in Chinese by Byung-Chul Han 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

In this episode, we welcome back none other than the “Freud of Fashion” herself, Dr. Valerie Steele, to discuss the Museum at FIT’s latest exhibition, Dress, Dreams, and Desire: Fashion and Psychoanalysis. Dr. Steele walks us through central theories on mirrors, masquerade, and eroticism, exploring the deep-seated fears and fantasies that drive what we wear. We dissect how the theories of Lacan and Freud play out on the bodies dressed by Schiaparelli, McQueen, Versace, and many more fashion history greats. Links: Visit Dress, Dreams, and Desire: Fashion and Psychoanalysis at the Museum at FIT (up until January 4, 2026)!Register for the Fashion and Psychoanalysis Symposium at the Museum at FIT, Friday November 14th!Audio Analysis for Dress, Dreams, and Desire (four items) 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

In this emergency roundtable report, we discuss how clownery has become a dominant mode of aesthetic and ideological expression, perhaps symbolizing the defeat of authenticity. Recent carnivalesque incidents include the chaotic spectacle of this year’s VMAs, the meteoric rise of the Savannah Bananas, Jay Guapo’s Italian Brainrot Block Party, the political role reversal of the troll and the triggered, Audrey Hobert’s debut album Who’s the Clown, and more. Links: Top Clown Town outfits at the VMAs: Conan Gray in Erik Charlotte, Megan Stalter as hot dog vendor, Doja Cat in Balmain, Ariana Grande’s outfit changes, Sabrina Carpenter in ValentinoSabrina Carpenter Performs “Tears” | 2025 Video Music Awards“I need to see you spin first, sista” from Sex and the City S4 E18Chappell Roan Performs “Pink Pony Club” (Live From The 67th Grammy Awards)“Chappell Roan on the Queer Origins of her Signature Makeup Look” – Gay TimesFlash Mob! The Savannah Bananas Crash The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon“As Savannah Bananas ursue ‘a billion fans,’ are they real competition for MLB?” – The New York TimesJay Guapo’s Brainrot Block PartyTyler Robinson’s bullet casing inscription breakdown – PBS News HourThe story behind FBI Director Kash Patel’s seemingly random ‘Valhalla’ referenceTrump’s presidential portraits from 2017 to 2025“What Is ‘Dark Woke’?” – The New York Times“Why has Gavin Newsom gone ‘dark woke’?” – BBCMexican influencer Marian Izaguerre dies after posting goodbye video in clown makeupAudrey Hobert Who’s the Clown interview in Teen Vogue“The Clown at Midnight: Coulrophobia, Counterculture, and the Decadent Pierrot Mask” by Samuel Love – Sequitur Passages from Mikhail Bakhtin on the grotesque body and the carnivalesque sense of the world 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

Dive into the captivating world of the Magazine Girl, where aspirational allure and gritty realities collide. Explore the legacies of fashion icons like Diana Vreeland and Anna Wintour while examining the emotional dynamics in the industry. Reflect on the decline of cultural refinement in magazine media and the nostalgia for past glamour. Discover how powerful female figures shaped fashion journalism and the ongoing evolution of style, revealing the complex interplay of identity and social commentary in today's landscape.

In this edition of Study Break, we discuss the suspiciously overblown controversy of Sydney Sweeney’s AE ad spot, our box office takes on Ari Aster’s Black Lives Matter COVID Western and the new Superman, fascinating late night musical debuts from Pinkpantheress and Jessie Murph, the summer of female sexual aggression, our love of senior dating and romance, and more. Links: Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans – American EagleBrooke Shields Calvin Klein Jeans Commercial (1980) Biz on the genes/jeans of it all Sydney Sweeney as Lacanian super predator tweet@default_friend on AE’s busted copy“The Disembodied Body of Marilyn Monroe” by Wendy LesserThere You Are: Brad Pitt for Chanel No. 5 CommercialPamela Anderson and Liam Neeson editorial for You magazine Liam Neeson racism backlash“Sex After 60 in Sag Harbor” by Candace Bushnell for New York magazineA24’s Eddington dir. Ari Aster – Official Trailer “Everyone Wants a Piece of Pedro Pascal” – Vanity Fair cover story“Can David Corenswet Save Superman?” – GQ cover storyRyan Murphy Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy styling backlash“Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters hits No. 1 on BillboardPinkPantheress: Illegal/Girl Like Me/Tonight Medley on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonRhythm Heaven music edits by @therealstoinkle Jessie Murph: 1965 on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonChappell Roan - The Subway (Official Music Video)Sabrina Carpenter brings out Earth, Wind & Fire at LollapaloozaManon and Lara of KATSEYE lez out on stage at LollapaloozaRachel Zegler’s gratitude surge at Evita curtain callRFK Jr. launches federal crackdown on 7-OHLola Young - One Thing (Official Music Video) 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

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nymphetalumni.comThis week on Nymphet Alumni, Biz interviews New York newsletter phenom and Feed Me founder Emily Sundberg. They discuss the West Village-ification of America, the curious case of Hamptons face and what’s aspirational to young people in New York in 2025. Plus, Emily shares her advice on how to find your voice and how to protect your digital soul.

In this week’s episode, we explore the cryptic and chaotic world of Opium, the record label founded by Playboi Carti in 2019 that has since evolved into a full-blown subculture of chronically online and fashionably darksided super-fans. From botched merch capsules and vampire cosplay to early TikTok dances and baby mama drama, we descend the Opium iceberg and trawl the Cartinese dark web in attempt to understand the Chrome-bejeweled and Rick-adorned figures shaping youth culture in their image. Links: Image boardr/playboicarti on RedditOpium (Record Label) on KnowYourMeme“Playboi Carti Against His Own Game” by Nolan Kelly – Spike Art Magazine“Playboi Carti and His Offspring Ponder Life After Rage-Rap” by Jon Caramanica – The New York TimesIs Playboi Carti Rap’s Next—or Last—Rap Superstar? – Popcast “The Rowdy World of Rap’s New Underground” by Jon Caramanica – The New York Times [PHOTOS]Misc. video essays on YouTube: * The Opium Aesthetic Explained* The Rise of Opium: Playboi Carti's Unstoppable Label* The Opium Iceberg Explained“Will Playboi Carti Ever Drop His New Album?” – Rolling StoneNEVEREVER by Ken Carson kitten videos on TikTok“The History of Playboi Carti’s Baby Voice” by Greg Gaffney – ComplexRanking Playboi Carti Ad-Libs“Playboi Carti Emoji Combos“Playboi Carti on His Cut-and-Sew Fashion Line ‘Narcissist’” – Paper Magazine“5 Things You Should Know About VLONE” – NSS MagazineBiz on 2hollis 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

In this edition of Study Break, we discuss the mass psychosis of Love Island USA, major couture debuts at Dior and Celine, the sauceless hypergamy parable of Celine Song’s Materialists, Cate Blanchett’s chilling epilogue cameo in Squid Game, and current Latina affairs from Katseye’s “Gabriela” to the Sanchez-Bezos midlife nuptial extravaganza. We also review Addison’s stadium debut at Wembley and report on courtroom happenings including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Min Hee-jin. Love Island USA Hearts on Fire Challenge – Teaser on YouTubeCierra Ortega apology video on YouTube @loveislandusastyle on Instagram“Cierra & Vanna & Ethics & Vanity” – The Review of Beauty by Jessica DeFinoBad tattoos on Love Island USA The New York Times on the Sean “Diddy” Combs VerdictTiny Harris reacts to the Diddy verdict on InstagramDior Homme Spring 2026 Menswear (J. W. Anderson debut) – Vogue RunwayCeline Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear (Michael Rider debut) – Vogue RunwayMarc Jacobs Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear – Vogue Runway“Materialists Costume Designer Talks About Style Symbolism” – The Zoe ReportCate Blanchett cameo in Squid Game finale on YouTubeKATSEYE (캣츠아이) "Gabriela" Official MV on YouTubeThe Daytona Wind Acting Challenge from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14 on YouTubeLauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos Wedding Exclusive – VogueAddison Rae opens for Lana del Rey at Wembley NewJeans / HYBE / ADOR / Min Hee-Jin Megathread on Reddit 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

In this edition of Study Break, in which we subtly celebrate Sam’s birthday, we discuss a variety of women’s issues: the discourse meltdown brought on by Sabrina Carpenter’s chauvinist comeback and her aesthetic shift from pastels and pin-ups to Helmut Newton and Halston; the mass crisis of female reproductive unwellness; Addison Rae’s kaleidoscopic showgirl debut; and the upsetting regression of Sydney Sweeney’s bathwater hustle. We also discuss some boy issues: Luigi Mangione’s lovably centrist birthday dispatch from prison, putting the Guy Fawkes mask on and embracing Redditism, Trump and Elon’s toxic yaoi best friend breakup, 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 <3Links:“How Sabrina Carpenter Dream-Come-True'd Her Whole Life” – Rolling Stone Sabrina Carpenter Man’s Best Friend album coverJ. G. Ballard on Helmut Newton in The Art Newspaper, 1999Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild (Official Video)Sports betting based on period cyclesRecent PCOS/PMDD celebrity press: Lorde, Bella Hadid, Miley CyrusNadya Okamoto/August on TikTokAddison Rae – Addison Pitchfork Review (8.0)Addison Rae Interview: From $20 TikToks to Pop’s Most Promising Prospect – PopcastAddison Rae with superstar vocal coach Eric VetroAddison Rae – Times Like These (Official Video) (feat. Gio the line cook!)Luigi Mangione’s gratitude-pilled birthday letter from MDC Alex Cooper Accuses Her College Soccer Coach of Sexual Harassment – Vanity FairMartin Lawrence on The Jennifer Hudson Show (interview flop)Sydney’s Bathwater Bliss by Dr. SquatchSydney Sweeney W Magazine cover storyBelle Delphine bathwater PayPal controversy – Business Insider 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