Analog Bliss

The inspiration that comes from thumbing, not scrolling

Yesterday was rainy and cold. I was overwhelmed with work. But I had waited four months to get my coveted hour-long appointment at Library 180. So I went, and I’m so glad I did.

Library 180 (@library.180) opened last year and the fashion world took notice including beauty greats like Pat McGrath.

Here was my experience. Please don’t judge my disheveled appearance, I forgot my umbrella and was rained on.

The place has endless assortments of Vogue from the U.S., Italy and France… Interview Magazine with Warhol asking Cher questions you would never see in print today. Giant, gorgeous books from the 70s, 80s and 90s devoted to supermodels, stylists, editorial writers, art buyers, photographers, art directors and typographers.

As my friend Jessica Navas (who has her own impressive collection of fashion magazines going back decades - IG @jess-monkey) says: “scrolling is brainless but magazines and books have STOPPING POWER.”

In studies that listen to women talk about the power of social media in their lives - (which they don’t feel good about, by the way) they speak nostalgically about magazines.

“I have been a lot more intentional with the types of media I consume. There has been a lot of fatigue around constant scrolling, over stimulation and overload from creators, and so much pressure to be PERFECT.” - C, Gen Z, NYC

Luxury buyers tell us they prioritize content that is non-fiction and related to their professional interests.

“When did our lives become about becoming sober, skinny and self-optimization? KPIs, leverage, circling back and - the worst - bandwidth?” - Me

For your 90-nostalgia pleasure, see random pictures below that were some of my fav’s (a young Tom Ford blowing bubbles!)

Of course, these images are all digitally available, if you search for them. The point is they took my breath away when I saw them in large form. They made a different imprint on my brain. It’s a very different effect. I literally had chills.

FLASH POLL: how would you feel if fashion magazines with beautiful photography made a popular comeback?

Snapping pictures from magazines like the ones below made me think - what has our daily life become? Are we turning into robots ourselves? My Alice-in-Wonderland experience into the world of beautiful books and magazines that celebrate more joyous, impulsive decades (80s, 90s - I’m obsessed) now has me feeling rebellious. Starting now, I’m definitely going to prioritize friendships, fun, fishnet stockings, experimentation, reading Virginia Wolf, listening to Kate Bush, Bowie, and letting loose a bit more.

Stay curious, Malinda