28. I spent a fortune in Seoul and learned 10 things you need to know
We're all fashion peasants because their stores are just better.
Today’s letter includes: Black Friday sales that have already started, my deep dive into Seoul’s beauty obsessions (yes, including salmon sperm skincare), Skims hitting $5B because apparently we needed more proof Kim knows what she’s doing, and the $230 iPhone pouch that made me nostalgic for Terrace House.
Hi friends,
It’s been almost two week since I got back from Korea and it feels like things are finally back to business as usual. So much so that this morning my husband texted me this:
Reflecting on my time there, I’ve compiled the 10 trends I saw everywhere. You can read them at the link below.
But if you don’t feel like clicking over, here’s the high-level:
Bag and phone charms
Mary Janes
Baggy pants
Knee high boots and tiny skirts
PDRN
Cosmetic surgery
Korean designers
Claw games
Vienna coffee
Glow cushion foundation
Next week I will tell you about my Korean treatments/services.
Skims is worth $5B after funding round. Does it really need more funding?
The government shutdown is over. I’m sure you’ve heard by now. Holiday travel (and airline shareholders) are saved.
Time to hoard Italian Pasta. 107% tariffs on pasta from 13 major Italian companies including Barilla, La Molisana, and Rummo are set to take effect in January after the Commerce Department finalizes its anti-dumping review (the preliminary decision came down in September).
If brands pass the costs to consumers, that $3.99 box of Rummo could jump to $7.99—or disappear from shelves entirely. Some NYC chefs, like Salvo Lo Castro who goes through 200 pounds of pasta a week at his restaurant Casasalvo, have already stopped importing and started making pasta in-house.
If I were in LA... I’d be ordering Thanksgiving dessert from Valerie. 🥵
These are indeed some very good dresses. Indulge in my favorite Olivia Dean song as you view them.
The ISSEY MIYAKE and Apple collab is cool but not for the price. It’s called the iPhone Pocket ie. a singular 3D-knitted pouch designed to fit any iPhone. I like the one with long straps but not for $230. Luckily you can enjoy some wholesome quotes where the ISSEY team explains deeply thoughtful ideas that informed what is essentially just a simple pouch for free. It made me nostalgic for my Terrace House era.
“The design of iPhone Pocket speaks to the bond between iPhone and its user, while keeping in mind that an Apple product is designed to be universal in aesthetic and versatile in use,” shared Yoshiyuki Miyamae, design director of MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ deemed ineligible For BAFTA Film Awards. Netflix made a special appeal over the theatrical release which took place after the film’s streaming launch in the UK but as Amy Winehouse said, the answer was: “No, No, No.”
GANNI is having a private sale. It’s up to 50% off. If I hadn’t just spent a small fortune in Korea I’d be seriously considering snagging this winter coat, this dress if this fit my body type at all, these amazing pants, and this pleated skirt if I wanted to fit in with the Hongdae girls.
Do your holiday shopping IRL! For my Bay Area friends this is a good list of small shops to check out from Viv Chen.
Other sales that already started: King Arthur is doing 15% off your $60 order. Kulfi beauty Holiday Sale early access starts November 20 and you can sign up here. GAP is 40-60% off (but honestly when is it not lol).
Soft Services is changing their formula for their Carea body lotion so you can get the old formula for 50% off with code CAREACAREA through Sunday night, 11/23. They’re also doing a collab with Dedcool for an XTRA MILK scent which I do love and will unfortunately need to buy.
Sijo bedding is doing 20% site wide. I just bought the FlexCool Pillow. If you need a new office chair, now is the time with the rare 20% off at Herman Miller sitewide.
Rumor has it that Substack is suppressing free content. If you’d like to resist the algorithm pushing paid content only, then liking, sharing, quoting and restacking this newsletter will help! <3
