Nymphet Alumni

In this week's episode, we're joined by the inimitable Emma Glenn Baker, NYC personal trainer and host of the podcast STARGIRL, to discuss all things body and the cultural status of fitness as it relates to body, brand, and spirit. We discuss activewear power players from Gymshark to Lululemon to Skims, the rise of the erotic fitness-inspired editorials, the sublime embodiment of Gen Z sweethearts Livvy Dunne and Addison Rae, the spiritual consequences of a life lived in stretchy clothes, and more. Listen to STARGIRL, join the Patreon, and follow Emma on IG!Links: “Athleisure, barre, and kale: the tyranny of the ideal woman” by Jia Tolentino in The GuardianToxic gym motivation trend on TikTok “Make Yourself a Gift” by Emma Glenn Baker in Real LifeEquinox “Want It All” ad campaignThe Official Gymshark Story“Musclebound” in A Dedicated Follower of Fashion by Holly Brubach 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 week's episode, we define the Pastel Protestant Grandmother aesthetic, a cozy visual universe recognizable to anyone belonging to the American Middle Class, or anyone who's ever been to an antique store in America. We discuss the hypnotic sedation of low-definition media, nostalgia-based commodities from Precious Moments figurines to dusty dollhouses, anti-intellectualism and sentimentality in American culture, the social history of craft, Christian kitsch and camp, the dark side of elderly matriarchs, and more.  LinksImage boardPastel Protestant Grandma – Our Official Playlist! Anti-Intellectualism in American Life – Richard HofstadterRed Hat Society”The Forgotten Everyday Origins of ‘Craft’” – Sarah Archer Cræft: An Inquiry into the Origins and True Meaning of Traditional Crafts – Alexander LanglandsHobbies: Leisure and the Culture of Work in America – Steven M. Gelber“Do Protestants Have a ‘Low’ Aesthetic?” – Front Porch Republic“A Defense of Christian Kitsch” – Paul GriffithsGaither Music on TikTokListen to exclusive episodes here <3 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 Mel Ottenberg's new denim line and its adjacent clean boy creepshot visuals, the two-pronged cultural force of the Sweat/Short 'n' Sweet tours, our prediction for Disney adult chic following Coperni's S/S '25 show, Lady Gaga's disastrous Harlequin styling and Ryan Murphy's indelible impact, Dark Brainrot and weirdcore developments, recent cinematic triumphs including Megalopolis and The Substance, and more.Links:Club Mel – Mel by RE/DONETikTok King Bach Buquen is Hot, Viral, and French – InterviewSabrina Carpenter's Short 'n' Sweet Tour – Rolling Stone Gracie ABramSCoperni Spring/Summer 2025 at Disneyland ParisCoperni Vinted Disney merch controversyChloé Spring/Summer 2025Joker Folie à Deux x Louvre – Lady Gaga, Mona Lisa   Francis Ford Coppola explains the origin behind "Wow Platinum"Aubrey Plaza vs. Patti Lupone – Hot Ones VersusSmartschoolboy9 – An Internet Rabbit HoleMr. Prada Murder TrialAt New York Fashion Week, Designers Search for America – AnOtherHurricane Helene Relief Efforts:North Carolina Disaster Relief FundOne SC FundUNC Asheville Disaster Relief

In this week's episode, we ascend the great champagne tower of history and proclaim the existence of Continental Luxury, an evocative aspirational aesthetic that has bewitched the palates of tastemakers across generations. We discuss the history of luxury hotels, the evolution of the boutique hospitality industry, Old World cuisine and interiors as status symbols, and we summon a cast of characters including Anthony Bourdain, Nancy Drew, and Keith McNally to unpack the oyster-laden, gold-trimmed, cherry-garnished lifestyle of our collective dreams.Links:Image boardRitz and Escoffier: The Hotelier, the Chef, and the Rise of the Leisure Class by Luke Barr"Towards a Political Geography of Hotels" by Ruth Craggs"A Legend as Big as the Ritz" – Vanity FairCésar Ritz: Life and Work by Chastonay, AdalbertThe History of Tourism: Structures on the Path to Modernity – Institute of European HistoryThe Tourist: A New Theory of the Leisure Class by Dean MacCannell“The Social and Material Life of Colonial Hotels" by Maurizio Peleggio Hotel: An American History by A. K. Sandoval-StrauszHome on the Rails: Women, the Railroad, and the Rise of Public Domesticity by Amy G. RichterThe romantic journey; the story of Thomas Cook and Victorian travelTravel influencer rice farm controversy in The Daily Mail"The World's Revolt Against 'Bad Tourists'" – BBC 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 investigate the cultural landscape of the 1990s with the help of a most legendary guest: NYT pop music critic and Popcast host Jon Caramanica. We discuss slackerism and authenticity discourse, the rise of alternative and independent media, the intricacies of subcultural style, the twin flames of rock and hip-hop, the surprising parallels between Gen X and Gen Z, white rappers, child rappers, Tommy Hilfiger grails, and much more.Links:Listen to PopcastJon on InstagramLady Gaga on the Doritos #BoldStage at SXSW, 2014How SoundScan Changed Music Charts – BillboardPop Music's Middle Class by Shaad D'Souza – New York TimesIce Spice vs. Cleopatra Drama Explained – Rolling Stone  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 most pressing topics facing fashion and culture, featuring analysis of Sabrina Carpenter’s grindhouse pinup comeback, Addison Rae's arthouse cult single "Diet Pepsi," reflection on Simon Porte Jacquemus's legacy (and speculation on his rise to the Chanel throne), Hollister nostalgia-baiting, global fashion updates from the UK and Mexico, and more.Links:Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet – Video Playlist"Diet Pepsi" by Addison Rae (dir. Sean Price Williams)"Breakaway" by Bruce ConnorThe Birthday Party by Harold PinterChanel's New Kaiser – Lauren Sherman for Puck NewsHollister long-sleeve babydoll tops on TikTok"Archive" Hollister tops from 2022 on TikTokHalley Kate v. Sophia La Corte drama summaryTribal trend in Mexico (some TikTok examples)Intentalo by 3ballMTY 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 embark upon a swashbuckling anthropological journey into one of the most mysterious aesthetics of the menswear universe: Male Pirate Dressing, a style beloved by prestige actors and aging rockstars alike. Along with our two expert witnesses, James Harris and Lawrence Schlossman of the Throwing Fits Podcast, we ask some of life’s most difficult questions: Why is midlife crisis boho such a prevalent phenomenon? Are indie sleaze icons destined (or doomed) to succumb to over-accesorized fashion piracy in the years to come? Do men know about John Galliano? Tune in to find out!Links:Image Board Alexander McQueen Spring 2003 Ready-to-WearHeidi Slimane Wearable Pirate UniformThe Trouble with Johnny Depp – Rolling StoneWere Pirates Foes of the Modern Order, or Its Secret Sharers? – The New YorkerThrowing Fits on SubstackThrowing Fits on Instagram  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 the third installment of our Study Break series, we turn our attention to the world of sport, analyzing the Broquette SKIMS campaign and all things Olympics, including Ralph Lauren boater costumes, the radical European uncoolness of the Opening Ceremony, and our own creative styling concepts for Olympic athletes. We also discuss Mark Zuckerberg's rebrand, "Brat hangovers," and Kamala Harris's Loewe tomato girl potential. (Disclaimer: this episode was recorded July 28!)Special thanks to our sponsor Croissant! Download the Croissant App here to easily add the Safari extension to your mobile browser: shop with a guaranteed resale price and unlock an effortless resale experience.Learn more about Croissant on their website!LINKS: SKIMS Summer Uniform CampaignNicola Coughlan for SKIMS Soft Lounge Campaign2024 Paris Olympics Opening CeremonyHow Team USA's 2024 Olympic Outfits Were Made By Ralph LaurenMark Zuckerberg personally fuels the rumors of his Supreme takeoverJ. W. Anderson Gucci rumorsAlexi's Kamala-core Pinterest board Adam Lambert, ‘Moana’ Star Auli’i Cravalho Taking Over Lead Roles in Broadway’s ‘Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club’Fragrances by Sabrina Carpenter 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 week's episode, we revisit the '90s does '60s phenomenon and discuss the parallels between the two decades—swinging youth culture and nightlife, technological optimism, design innovation—while also finding surprising similarities to our contemporary moment. We highlight the Austin Powers trilogy as this sensation's most brilliant high-camp cultural artifact, unpacking its satire of free love, modern masculinity, and British cheekiness. We explore Space Age fashion, the British Invasion(s), pop environmentalism, Volkswagen Beetles, iMac G3s, the Powerpuff Girls, and much more.Special thanks to our sponsor Croissant! Download the Croissant app here to easily add the Safari extension to your mobile browser: shop with a guaranteed resale price and unlock an effortless resale experience.Learn more about Croissant on their website!Links:https://pin.it/tXaQphpiEConsumer Aesthetics Research Institute's "Groovival" Are.na Board"Austin Powers-core" musical subgenre TweetAustin Powers: International Man of Mystery – fashion photography montageObituary of Pierre Cardin – The New York TimesIndustrial designer Karim Rashid"BBC" by Ming Tea – Official Music VideoDressed to Regress: Interview with Austin Powers costume designer Deena Appel (1999) – LA TimesDeena Appel interview – From Tailors With LoveThe Peacock Revolution: 1960s Menswear – Victoria & Albert MuseumPeter Bogdanovich on the lasting influence of Austin Powers in Goldmember – The New Yorker‘A real stroke of genius.’ How Apple’s iMac G3 became an object of desire – CNNAWOLTrends on BlobjectsPrada's spacesuits for NASA's 2025 Moon mission – ForbesThe Low Earth Orbit Economy – NASA"Bye Bye Sixties" – Nancy Sinatra, Goldie Hawn, and Ruth Buzzi (1969) 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 dive into the history of pin-up and rockabilly fashion to analyze this aesthetic's continuous deployment in the 21st century pop landscape. We discuss the exaggerated gender dimorphism of the 1950s, the striking similarities between pin-up girls of the '40s and Instagram starlets of today, rockabilly's morbid legacy and the Overton window of obscenity, the decadence of Americana foodstuffs, and the raunchy, feminine stylings of Amy Winehouse, Katy Perry, and, most recently, Sabrina Carpenter.Links:Image boardWelcome to the Club: The Women of Rockabilly (2001)Rockin': The Rockabilly Scene by Andrew ShaylorRockabilly: The Twang Heard 'Round the World by Michael Dregni Dave Hickey on Rockabilly in Air Guitar: Essays on Art & Democracy  Sabrina Carpenter "Nonsense" Outros Compilation"What Happens When a Pop Star Isn't That Popular?" by Shaad D'Souza – New York TimesSabrina's custom "Espresso" swimsuit vs. Marilyn Monroe's in How to Marry a MillionaireKaty Perry performing "One of the Boys" in 2008Rolling Stone on the backstory behind Katy's Teenage Dream coverRolling Stone review of Teenage Dream upon release in 2010TASCHEN's The Art of Pin-up by Dian HansonAlexander Thompson's photographs of Mexican-American RockabilliesProperty from the Life and Career of Amy Winehouse – Auction Catalog"A Sly Wink to Pinups of the Past" by Ruth La Ferla – New York Times (2012)Caroline Gnagy's Work**Full interview with Caroline Gnagy will be available here on Patreon! 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