Distraction Is the New Addiction

The TikTok-ization of Fashion, Claude Lalanne’s Gilded Fingertips And Those Fierce Nina Ricci Couture Reds

In the past week, I have been reflecting on an excellent Substack post by Ted Gioia titled: The State of the Culture 2024, which described the "TikTok-ization" of our online experiences as a form of addiction. “The fastest-growing sector of the cultural economy is distraction. Call it scrolling, swiping, wasting time, or whatever you want. But it’s not art or entertainment, just ceaseless activity” he notes. The key is that each stimulus only lasts a few seconds and must be repeated—and many benefit from this.

When it comes to fashion, the new dopamine hit isn’t wearing bright colors or florals for a good mood; it's fast fashion offering countless options at super low prices. The thrill of the sale is our addiction and needs to be revisited once the rush wears off. In that sense, the faster we recognize the fast fashion empire as an addiction, the easier it will be to understand its popularity across all segments of society.

In more personal news, my conversation with Ellen Atlanta on her debut book, Pixel Flesh is now up on the exciting new platform NightStand Service. I am also working on a fresh new article on luxury fashion’s sky-high prices so feel free to send any ideas or suggestions my way.

Regular fashion finds follow.

The gilded fingertips created by Claude Lalanne for Yves Saint Laurent’s AW 1969 haute couture collection.

The unique conceptual art by Jade Kuriki-Olivo, known by the pseudonym Puppies Puppies.

Maximillian Raynor’s AW24 collection photographed by @christophlangenberg for @hungermagazine.

Look 1 of Mimi Yoo’s 2024 BA Graduate Collection with metal fabrication and gfrp work @studiojibyji.

Gracia Ventus and her unique design approach to fabric layering.

All the fierce reds in Nina Ricci Haute Couture Fall Winter 1995 collection.

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