— Ben Giles, Butterflies, 2022
INSPIRATION
A rotating journal of what's inspiring me . . . in no particular order.
Writing Technique
Black-Out Poetry
— c. 18th Century
Blackout poetry, sometimes called erasure poetry, is the art of uncovering the hidden voice within an existing text. By selectively obscuring or blacking out portions of the original, the artist reveals a new narrative—one that emerges not from what is written, but from what is left behind. It’s a quiet act of transformation, where absence becomes expression and forgotten fragments find new resonance.
Brand
D'heygere
Accessories label D’heygere, founded by Belgian designer Stéphanie D’heygere, reimagines the ordinary through a lens of surrealist wit and conceptual minimalism. Rooted in a fascination with everyday objects, the brand transforms cigarettes, pens, nail tips, and lockets into poetic, functional adornments—subverting luxury through play and practicality. Having worked with names like Maison Margiela, Dior, Vaquera, and Jacquemus, D’heygere balances form and absurdity, crafting pieces that blur accessory and art.
Book
Black in Fashion: 100 Years of Style, Influence & Culture
— Tara Donaldson, Tonya Blazio-Licorish
From the minds of Tonya Blazio-Licorish and Tara Donaldson, Black in Fashion: 100 Years of Style, Influence & Culture draws on the archives of Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) to spotlight the legacy of Black designers, models, and tastemakers who have shaped the fashion industry over the past century. Through images, articles, profiles, interviews, and cultural context, the book honors pioneers from Stephen Burrows to Virgil Abloh who have shaped fashion’s past and future.
Fashion Director
Chloe King
Chloe King, Fashion Market and Editorial Director at Neiman Marcus, curates a distinctive style that blends textural layering, bold pattern clashes, and vibrant color play. During the Fall 2025 fashion month, King traversed the top fashion capitals, curating architectural ensembles that seamlessly mixed diverse aesthetics, rich textures, and dynamic hues. She elevated her looks with playful accessories, adding an element of intrigue and showcasing her talent for transforming high-concept fashion into wearable art.
Podcast Episode
H&M's AI Models and the Future of Fashion Marketing
— The Business of Fashion Podcast
BoF’s Marc Bain and Haley Crawford discuss H&M’s use of AI-generated “digital twins” in marketing, a move that’s sparked backlash over job loss and the erosion of creativity. As AI spreads across fashion—from fast fashion to luxury—the episode explores concerns around transparency, ethics, and how creatives might adapt by pushing artistic boundaries to stand out.
Accessory
Pillbox Hat
— Fall Trend
An enduring classic, the pillbox hat made a strong showing this fall fashion month, from New York to Milan and commonly rendered in felted wool and ushanka-style fur. For FW25, the pillbox subverts formality by updating trendy Corpcore looks with retro-infused glamour and edgy streetwear styles with elegant authority, taking even the simplest of looks to new heights, literally and figuratively. Making a renewed statement in 2025, this accessory is inspiring fashion tastemakers around the world.
YouTube Channel
Broey Deschanel
— Cultural Analysis
Broey Deschanel (Maia) is a Canadian video essayist and graduate student who delves into media analysis, cultural studies, critical race theory, and politics in videos that blend film analyses, retrospectives, and political commentary. She often "overanalyzes" pop culture, delivering thoughtful exploration of topics such as the portrayal of women in film and the intersection of media and social issues.
