I <3 Mess

I <3 Mess

Essays

Publicity Is the Art of Capitalism
Another deep dive into Ways of Seeing by John Berger.
Jun 18 • 
Emily Kirkpatrick
Why are we so afraid of fashion?
My essay for the 1-year anniversary of Letters & Sodas.
May 29 • 
Emily Kirkpatrick
The Death of Celebrity Aura
Some vague, half-baked musings about Walter Benjamin, Ways of Seeing, and why famous people feel especially lame right now.
Apr 10 • 
Emily Kirkpatrick
Burn the Tabloid
It's time to give up the ghost.
Jan 28 • 
Emily Kirkpatrick
Welcome to the Build-A-Body Era
A harrowing exploration of why celebrities are suddenly constructing exaggerated curves via their outfits.
Jan 3 • 
Emily Kirkpatrick
Chain Mail as Pre-Capitalist Yearning
Or how we found ourselves in the midst of a good ol' fashioned Renaissance Fayre Fall.
Oct 24, 2024 • 
Emily Kirkpatrick
Did the Brazilian wax ruin sex?
The Hole Debate!
Oct 4, 2024 • 
Emily Kirkpatrick
Fashion's Alt-Right Flirtation
Is it possible to co-opt the aesthetics of extremism without also espousing its ideology?
Oct 1, 2024 • 
Emily Kirkpatrick
A Unified Theory of Bagmaxxing
Or how we're all being sold the commodified Jane Birkin fantasy.
Sep 25, 2024 • 
Emily Kirkpatrick
© 2025 Emily Kirkpatrick
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