011. On the fashion internet

Based on what I'm hearing...

The post-holiday haze, where anticipatory trend lists, how-tos, and recommendations dominate every corner of the fashion internet, is both exhausting and inevitable. November and December overflow with curated gift guides and affiliate-savvy shopping savants, showing us what to buy, who for, and what selections say about both the giver and the receiver. The new year, new me propaganda that follows in January lends itself to a disinterest in more lists, of more things, to make us more (or less) aligned to our ideal selves. This disinterest, however, is now on trend (and therefore available in list form) !!!

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Yes, W13 has a new logo. I’m new year new me-ing!

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Before I continue, allow me to define “the fashion internet.” Admittedly, it’s not the most sophisticated name choice, but for our purposes, it works. The fashion internet isn't a cohesive entity; it's a mosaic of trade press and independent journalists, culture-driven & trend-literate Substackers, social media commentators ranging from casual to couturier, and consumers with a similar variance from passive scrollers to fervent commenters.

The clearest way to spot an inhabitant of this ecosystem, and their role in its maintenance, is content & consumption around the new year. January is when everyone from capsule wardrobers and seasonal cleaners to maximalists and archivists restate their mission and audit their wardrobes accordingly. There are moments, though, when it feels like everyone is operating under the same guiding principles. Last year’s 75 hard style challenge by

Mandy Lee @oldloserinbrooklyn

was one of those moments.

Regardless of your seat on the fashion internet bus, you knew of this challenge (Bravo Mandy!)

And so, participating in it or theorizing around it was a clear signal of fashion internet membership.