A 'meh' Calvin Klein ad as cultural barometer
A chill has fallen. Not even Jeremy Allen White lounging by a fire can help. Plus: the billionaire romantic hero, what Trump and tradwives have in common, and more in the weekend roundup.
Happy Sunday. You made it, again.
In this week’s roundup, I’m leading with lighter culture links, followed by some State of the World.
A programming note: I’m skipping the Thursday essay this week because of the holiday. See you next Sunday. <3
To the links…
This new Calvin Klein ad with Jeremy Allen White feels like a real litmus test—personally, maybe even culturally? The little spoon in his mouth is doing something to me. Otherwise, the campaign makes me feel awfully “meh,” which is perhaps an indicator of post-election pop cultural deflation. (Also Hannah Einbinder giving him a run for his money here.) Not even Brian Jordan Alvarez’s dances can make me feel anything anymore.