The Digest 07
Replacing your AM social media doom scroll
Welcome back
to The Digest, the weekly result of many hours of scouring the internet and collecting the best news on books, bodies, and culture into bite size information so you don’t have to. I hope you enjoy and take your time to Digest.
Throughout the week when I see something I would send to someone who liked the same things as me, I add it to a collection in my notes app, and that collection eventually becomes The Digest. Enjoy your curated morning paper, ideally with coffee in hand and a soothing morning playlist on in the background.
x Jo
Did we need a nepo baby hot sauce brand? Maybe not. Do I kinda really like the packaging? Yep
As an avid fan of Taco Bell hot sauce, however, I do think their hot sauce packet collabs could be the next in-demand partnership opp for celebs + brands. A new iteration of the Erewhon smoothie for a different subset, if you will
Even amidst her many flops lately, Katy Perry also joins the Erewhon smoothie ranks
“Why Are All the Characters in Sally Rooney’s Novels So Thin?” (incredible intersection of my interests)
“Rebecca Minkoff Is Ready for RHONY. Is RHONY Ready for Her?” + “Fashion’s Uneasy Relationship with 'Real Housewives” (*I* am ready for RHONY)
Chloe Cherry seems to be having a moment
“In Coralie Fargeat’s new feminist horror movie The Substance, harmful societal beauty standards are the real monsters”, plus a great write up from
on the real life parallels. Like Emily, I was reminded me of many of the aesthetics-based body-horror books of late (Natural Beauty, Aesthetica, Youthjuice)Whimsy continues to weave a playful thread, most recently with Bottega’s beanbag chairs front and center at their MFW show
Could this be the new airport security tray trend?
I received an ARC of Jami Attenberg’s new book A Reason To See You Again and am excited to dive in after reading these two pieces (+ thanks to the cool cover)
19 Fall Soups to Keep You Cozy is important news to me personally
Ester Manas is a new-to-me brand but quickly became one of my favorite shows this season. I love the body diversity (ofc) and the color palette, specifically the pairing of bright red with lavender and soft neutrals. The technicality is incredible. Purely obsessed
“These Perfumes Come With Notes of Blood, Latex and Floorboards” - people are more interested in smelling unique than smelling good. I do love a signature scent
Stark individuality was also a theme in a recent episode of After School, where
founders shared that, above anything else, Gen Z wants pieces that no one else hasPigmy hippo Moo Deng is becoming a beauty icon (ps: her name means “bouncy pork”)
I have positive feelings about the YSL show. Big shoulders and office wear inspired looks are nothing new (just lately we’ve had “office siren”, “geek chic”) but I enjoy this take. Really didn’t need anything after look 34 though
The strong shoulders and workwear threaded through the Bottega collection as well - although Bottega created juxtaposition with more casual flannels, another hot ticket item right now
“The Biggest Thing at LFW? Small Brands”
Maed Beauty is available to shop now and features a three step lip care routine
Cofounder of Starface / Julie / Blip / Futurewise launches Overdrive Defense, “life saving drug test kits”. The irreverent and smartly positioned brand is tackling the fentanyl epidemic in America. Great deep dive here
61% of people in a study by Lululemon said they feel “overwhelming societal expectations to appear well”. Almost half say they’ve experienced “wellbeing burnout”. I’d venture to say Lululemon isn’t exactly helping with this phenomenon
I’ve never wanted to read an article behind a paywall so badly
But it did lead me to this post RE: Chopova Lowena x Hellmann’s Mayo collaboration, highlighting their synergy + how it honors female pioneer Margaret Hellmann - “girls only want one thing, and it’s takeaway mayo in a @chopovalowena bag”
I’m seeing Momcore + mom everything, everywhere. I suspect these ladies have something to do with it
Roughly 1 in 8 people in America have worked at a McDonald’s (including Kamala Harris). Here’s how the fast-food chain plans to bring them together for exclusive programming (I like this)
“New Report Finds Shoppers Value In-store Shopping” - seems like even more of a reason to continue pushing for plus sizes to be included in stores
“Secondhand fashion has invaded fashion month” including an Ebay fashion show styled by Wisdom Kaye
People are not pleased with the casting of Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights - really not pleased
I don’t think I would personally call it “strait jacket aesthetics” … but the funnel neck / extravagant neckline trend has fully taken hold
I would look incredible in Sezane’s gorgeous fall collection - if they carried my size. The accessories are also beautiful, and I love all the patent khaki. Unfortunate for their bottom line that they don’t consider me a viable customer, though
If you made it this far, let me know what your favorite link this week was. This helps me continue to evolve The Composite to best serve you and your interests <3
~ A little of my own scrolling for you~
*There may be affiliate links in this post. If you purchase an item through these links, I’ll earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support*
Loved the soup link and nod to the small brand at fashion week. Also found some sweaters at Sezane via your link that I like. Btw, your newsletter is perfect for those of us who have abandon IG but still want to know what’s happening, lol. Thanks!
First read of the day and this was lovely! I really enjoyed the in-store shopping and Vogue Business articles. I’m also keeping my eye out for how Starface’s Defense kits develop and if they’ll work to get them in the hands of those most vulnerable…