To mog, or not to mog ... This week, we take a trip to the Mogwarts School of Profound Self-Improvement to check in on the next generation of looksmaxxers and their charismatic leader, Kareem Shami. We discuss key figures of the male beauty pantheon—male models Jordan Barrett, Chico Lachowski, and Sean O'Pry— and discover what they represent to young men today. We also dive into the dark history of looksmaxxing, from the Legend of Zyzz to the alleged crimes of orthotropic madman Dr. Mike Mew.  Links:
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Young Men Seek Answers to an Age-Old Question: How to Be Hot – New York Times
 Mogwarts Official Website
Kareem Shami aka @syrianpsycho on TikTok
Inside Jordan Barrett And Fernando Casablancas’s Celebration Of Love In Ibiza – Vogue
Dr. Mike Mew Tribunal – The Guardian
More Dr. Mew evidence – BBC
Mikhaila Peterson interview with Dr. Mike Mew
Weston A. Price research overview (see "Our Children" section) 
The Legend of Zyzz video essay
"full looksmaxxing playist" on YouTube Find exclusive episodes here <3

Ep. 71: Welcome to Mogwarts

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

Find exclusive episodes and more on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/nymphetalumni

Find them on Instagram:  

Alexi @alexineutron 
Biz @markfisherquotes
Sam @bloodgobbler

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This week, we're excited to announce our new episode format, STUDY BREAK, in which we take a hiatus from our usual fact-finding and forecasting to discuss trending topics and events in our orbit (many requested by you, our listeners!). In the inaugural episode of this series, we discuss the miscellany of this year's Met Gala, The Hunger Games saga as perma-reference, the slay mama brainrot of Charli XCX's "360," the spectrum of psychosexuality from YZY Porn to Challengers, blokette Vogue employees, BBL Drizzy, and much, much more.  Links:
Met Gala Eat the Rich content
Blokette Vogue employee
Charli XCX – 360 (Official Video)
Zendaya's Louboutin So Kates
Doja Cat and Guram Gvasalia in NYC

Ep. 82: Study Break – Mother Toilet Plumbing Department

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:
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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: 
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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: 
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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. 71: Welcome to Mogwarts

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