This week, we investigate the emergence of TikTok Shop, exploring its bizarre interface and offerings as representative of a new era of e-commerce and consumer psychology. We discuss the redefinition of the “small business,” the vulgarity of commerce as content, and strategies of pathological guerilla marketing. We also take a stroll through the Shop ourselves to observe the “gyatt pajamas,” chamoy pickle kits, and pheromone oils that are sweeping the nation.  
 TikTok’s official Shop press release TikTok Shop in the New York Times Chamoy pickle kit explainer Dr. Candice Lin on Zheng Xiangxiang FV Makeup foundation videos China Too Cool: Vernacular Innovations and Aesthetic Discontinuity of China – Yijing Zhou UX in China: More Is More, Super Apps, and Community - Yuan Qing Lim (Config 2022) Livestream Shopping Is Not Going to Take Over E-Commerce – Forbes Twitter as a Payment Processor – Financial Times Indonesia’s TikTok Shop Ban – Financial Times Teens Selling on TikTok Shop – NBC, Financial Times TikTok Shop’s Snail Mucin Dupe Problem – Wired 

Ep. 68: TikTok Shop

A podcast about culture and fashion brought to you by three opportunistic one-time nymphets.

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Full episode available on Patreon <3 In this episode, inspired by the widespread panic surrounding the Death of the Club, we assess the contemporary state of nightlife and the sartorial, musical, and social considerations of the Going Out experience. Drawing from our own fieldwork as well as numerous studies, we discuss bottle girls, pickup artists, natural wine bars, section mindfulness, the infamous events of the TikTok Rizz Party, and much more.  
 TikTok Rizz Party (original) TTRP Lana edit TTRP Sylvia Plath edit The Man Who Has Everything: Mark Fisher on Drake’s Nothing Was The Same  Venkatesh Rao — The Gervais Principle  Millennials vs Gen Z in the club on Reels (lol)  Sizing Up The Nightlife: A Study on Status Distinction Why Gen Z Gave Up on Clubbing — The Telegraph Gen Z and Nightlife Safety — Hunger Magazine Gen Z Tell Us What They Think of Millennials’ Party Habits — VICE  Boiler Room and Charli XCX Presents: PARTYGIRL 


Ep. 81: The Club [TEASER]

In this episode, the hosts are joined by our favorite fashion theorist and Rick Owens collector, Rian Phin, to analyze the recent rise of post-apocalyptic desert drip, inspired by the release of Dune 2. We discuss the different factions of Rick Owens wearers, the influence of Middle Eastern fashion, climate absurdism, exoskeletons, and hero worship in uncertain times. With the insight of our honored guest, we speculate on the battle for fashion futurism and the legacy of the Rick Owens house.  Links:
 Image board
Interview with Dune costume designer Jacqueline West — Vogue 
Luca Maxim worldbuilding wiki
Luca Maxim on TikTok
Coperni Futurism — Vogue Rian Phin on Youtube
Rian Phin on Twitter
Rian Phin on Instagram
Rian Phin on TikTok 

Ep. 80: The DRKSHDW Desert w/ Rian Phin

In this episode, we reflect on what we call the Loner Girl aesthetic, an eccentric style epitomized by the vulnerable yet spunky YA protagonistas of decades past, best accessorized with a messenger bag, sneaker flats, and a starry-eyed disposition. We reinvigorate the teen traumacore literary canon, including the works of John Green and Ellen Hopkins, and discuss its associated social phenomena, mental health themes, and expression through personal style. We also take stock of Manic Pixie Dream Girl discourse and discuss early-career Marc Jacobs, "Banal Eccentricity" at Prada, the forgotten appeal of eggplant purple, and our own personal thirteenth reasons ... Links: 
Image board 
Thirteen Reasons Why book cover styling
Related aesthetics on CARI: Hipness Purgatory, Corporate Grunge
When Miuccia Prada Invented Ugly Chic – NSS Mag (Prada S/S 1996)
Marc Jacobs Fall 2005 RTW
Your Fave is Problematic: John Green
The Teen Whisperer (John Green 2014 New Yorker profile)
Why John Green Likes Writing for Teenagers (2019 NYT interview)
 John Green and his Manic Pixie Dream Girls – LA Review of Books
 Mori-kei – Japanese Fashion Wiki  Find exclusive episodes here <3

Ep. 79: Loner Girl

Full Episode Available on Patreon <3 In this exclusive episode, we discuss a litany of misguided rebrand attempts, interrogating the dogwhistles of Gen Z bizarro cash-grab styling. Inspired by the ignominy of Camila Cabello's new "era," we unpack the major influences behind alternative rebrands, from Myspace celebrities to the visual identity of PC music. We investigate the authenticity crisis, the definition of hyperpop, being niche gay famous, the digital camera and camcorder renaissance, and more!  Links: 
Image board
Camila Cabello for PAPER Magazine (came out after we recorded LOL)
Call Me Back by James Charles
Charlotte Rutherford Photography
Trisha Paytas shot by Alyssa Kazew
Ayesha Erotica Twitter Rant
The Media's Succession Obsession
Tara Yummy's 1 Million Subs Party

Ep. 78: The Alt-Print [TEASER]

In this episode, we conduct a meeting of the minds with brilliant wordsmith and beauty industry critic Jessica Defino. Together with Jessica, we embark on an impossible journey of cosmetic ethical dilemmas, unpacking the undulating discourses of makeup and skincare. Tune in as we ask questions that keep us up at night: are Sephora Tweens canaries in the coal mine of disintegrating self-esteem? Can the age of the multi-hyphenate sustain the explosion of celebrity beauty brands? Is self-actualization possible in a minefield of appearance optimization? Why is there such a thing as baby skincare?  
 Read Jessica’s Work: Jessica’s Website The Unpublishable – Substack Ask Ugly – The Guardian 
 Links: Sephora Tweens ISAMAYA  2016 Makeup Nostalgia  Tarte Brand Trip Controversy   A Guide to Every Celebrity Beauty Brand

Ep. 68: TikTok Shop

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