Nymphet Alumni

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

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 <3Links:“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

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).

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

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

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.nymphetalumni.comIn our first exclusive episode on Substack (yay!), we discuss the Ibiza fashion craze, unpacking the sparkling, sunset-hued resortwear fantasy that looms over the coming summer. Using our revolutionary theory of “trickle-down Ibizanomics,” we leave no sequin unturned, from the couture treasure trove of Annie’s Ibiza to the injection-molded accessories of Amazon influencer storefronts. We analyze the aesthetic’s cultural context through the Balearic club scene’s seedy history, 2000s rom-com costuming, White Lotus hypergamy discourse, EDM tourism, traditional Indian fashion, the moodboard-to-stimboard-to-vision board pipeline, and more.

In this week's episode, we take a deep dive into Grisch, the fascinating niche style gaining traction among Sweden's affluent youth. Drawing on our listeners' firsthand accounts and a century of Scandinavian cultural history, we dissect its surprisingly long lineage— from fin-de-siècle dandies and Eurotrash dudebros to gangster rappers and old money influencers—all culminating in a high-stakes world of designer denim, puffer vests, and luxury low-profile sneakers. We ponder how the complex relationship between class, age, nationalism, and masculinity embodied by Grisch might result in its global domination.Special thanks to Charles, Elsa, Justine, Iman, Matilda, Ebba, and Jesper for their insights! Links:Image boardSelected TikToks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7Chris Heyn Jr. on TikTokeric_roth2 on TikTokMarcus Rolf on TikTokYour Ultimate Guide to Scandinavian Fashion by The Daily ScandinavianAbout Us – Garde GrischDe Vet Du – Sture P (Music Video) Peder Fogstrand aka Greven"The Law of Jante" (on Janteloven) by Michael Booth for The Paris ReviewThe Murder of Einar (Swedish rap legend) – YouTubeAzealia Banks announces her move to Stockholm in Swedish radio interviewYung Lean @subwaytakes InterviewConsumers that are middle and upper class in Nordic countries 2024 – Statista 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, journalistic superstar Ezra Marcus joins us to chronicle his journey from the ashes of millennial digital media to the frontlines of today's most exciting investigative reporting. We extol his epic track record—the Sarah Lawrence sex cult, the culinary horror story of Horses, the galaxy gas epidemic, and more— and discover what draws him to the shady fraudster kingpins that personify online hustle culture. We also discuss the true crime documentary slop machine, moonlighting as a party-pumping DJ, the idea that men are the new women, and what it means to stand at the brink of the Chinese century.Links:Ezra Marcus's Website Ezra Marcus on InstagramSome of Ezra's greatest hits:The Next Drug Epidemic is Blue Raspberry Flavored The Package King of MiamiThe Stolen Kids of Sarah LawrenceThe Cat Who Could Kill HorsesThe ‘E-Pimps’ of OnlyFansHow Do You Make a Weed Empire? 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.comIn this edition of Study Break, we discuss the Hollyweirdness of the Oscars (notably that James Bond humiliation ritual), Pretty Little Thing's rebrand from Love Island resortwear to halal clean girl prison clothes, the Losercore undertones of Prada's FW 2025 show, the abjection of the Shrek 5 trailer and the gravity of Shrek's highbrow legacy, the revolt against millennial burger joints and craft breweries, plus Biz makes a special announcement.Links:James Bond Musical Tribute at the 97th Oscars (Lisa, Doja Cat, Raye)Pretty Little ThingFeatured PLT monstrosities: sage tailored cropped blazer/dress, burgundy soft rib two piece set, grey bardot ruched dressPLT founder Umar Kamani on their rebrand – DrapersBoohoo/PLT/Nasty Gal class action settlementPrada Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Vogue RunwayShrek 5 Official Trailer on YouTubeEuphoria Season 3's "Silver Slipper" strip clubKyle Gordon's "We Will Never Die" on TikTokMillennial burger spot roast on TikTokTate McRae – Revolving door (Official Music Video)Flew out to Atlanta TikTok storytime (Girl's POV)Flew out to Atlanta TikTok storytime (Boy's POV)Appalachian hair texture discourse on TikTokStephanie Soo/Rotten Mango Ash Trevino Deep Dive on YouTube

In this week's episode, we discuss the legacy of Losercore, an aesthetic of the late 90s and early 2000s that celebrated the awkwardness of young adulthood and the sartorial idiosyncrasies of social outcasts, from orthodontia and ill-fitting gym uniforms to wire-frame glasses and dishwater-blond hair. We analyze the socioeconomic conditions that led to this period of loser glorification, identify key players (Todd Solondz, Paul Dano), cinematic touchstones (Napoleon Dynamite, Little Miss Sunshine), and generational anthems ("Teenage Dirtbag," "Buddy Holly"), and reflect on how the Internet has transformed today's young losers into threats to themselves and others.Links:Image board"The Birth—and Maybe Death—of Yuppiedom" by Walter Shapiro for Time"Loser: The Hero of the 1990s" by Grunge Included on SubstackThe Trap by Adam CurtisThe Nineties by Chuck Klosterman@yungkombucha420 on TikTok"Americans Need to Party More" by Ellen Cushing for The Atlantic"The Anti-Social Century" by Derek Thompson for The AtlanticLoser Generated Content: From Participation to Exploitation by Soren Mork PetersenBillie Eilish on having no friendsCelebrity with no friends blind item ("not Jessica Chastain")Emma Chamberlain closet videoBed rot talking stage TikTok / "Love in the Time of Bed Rotting" by Isabel Unhinged on Substack"The Story Behind The Song: Beck and the crowning of the ‘Loser’ generation" – Far OutTeenage Dirtbag – Wheatus (Offical Music Video)Buddy Holly – Weezer (Official Music Video)Losercore TikTok boys: Slushy Noobz, Thomathy, Ben Awad, William ConradMarc Jacobs, Circa 2003: Long Hair, Neck Brace & Sweaty (PHOTO)Prada Spring/Summer 1996Marc Jacobs Spring 1999Marc Jacobs Fall 1999Vetements Fall 2019 MenswearBalenciaga Pre-Fall 2021 "Gucci's Beautiful Losers Hit New York" – Business of Fashion"The Book of Gucci According to Alessandro Michele" – 032c"Student Teaches Teacher" aka Jeff Bliss aka Friggin Packet Yo (Original YouTube Video)"Who's Afraid of Hasan Piker?" – Slate"Still Life (Betamale)" by Jon RafmanParty in their Blood – Cloudy Heart (Official Music Video)Bully (formerly @bully.incel.simp.hero) Duane Hanson – Saatchi GalleryDadsgiving by Chris Maggio 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