Taste Log 001

Giorgio Armani, American Fiction and fancy mascara.

First, something to consume
Ahead of tonight’s Oscars, or even after, read this, ‘Before Armani, the Oscars was not about fashion’. 

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I want to say thank you to everyone who’s subscribed, mentioned my newsletter, or shared my posts. I really appreciate the support, especially with something that I wasn’t sure was a good idea but knew I wanted to do it for myself. I love the idea of continuing to form an intimate community of people who are down to go on this journey with me. With this newsletter, I knew I wanted to do a monthly roundup of things that I’m loving, hating, buying, discovering, and coveting as I do think tracking what you're consuming and curious about helps to develop your taste and figure out what you like.

Welcome to ‘Taste Logs’, a space where I talk about things I’ve consumed, my personal style and taste processes, and anything I really really want to recommend. Essentially, a braindump. If there are questions from readers about things I would recommend or anything else, I’m happy to answer them here (just DM me, or email me at tahairston24@gmail.com). 

Some things I saw 

Women Dressing Women at The MET
My experience was tainted by the fact that I went on a busy Saturday (big mistake), but overall I was extremely underwhelming. I’m not the biggest fan of the layout of the Anna Wintour Costume Center, it’s in the basement of the museum, and it feels like it, and my neck feels it too as it strains to read the artwork labels that are a few inches from the floor. While the subject matter here was interesting, the curation was bland (all white walls and mannequins) and it didn’t have anything to say beyond the obvious. It was very cool to discover some new designers and see some designs I’ve dreamed of in person (Bonnie Cashin, Ann Lowe, and the Celine Yves Klein dress). I walked away wanting to read more books on female designers and look at old fashion shows on Vogue Runway, so that’s something. But, there hasn’t been a fashion exhibit at the Met that’s moved me since the Mcqueen one in 2011 and I stand by that. 

Past Lives
Past Lives lacks what that I think makes a great movie: emotion and depth. I watched that movie and felt that the director Celine Song wanted us to have deep feelings for these characters based on the fact that many viewers could identify with the situation, instead of actually giving more depth to the characters and the story. I really wanted to like it because as a writer I’m truly a sucker for television shows and movies about them. The film was also beautifully shot. It’s a film that has all the right ingredients, but depends too much on vibes to be exceptional. It reminded me of the emptiness of dating today; no real passion. Instead, watch David Lean’s The Passionate Friends which has it all and is now one of my favorite movies. 

Earth Mama 
Wow, what a beautiful film that was handled with so much care from the cinematography to the casting to the score. Earth Mama is the first feature film of director Savanah Leaf, and I can’t wait to see everything she does after this. It’s a film that explores the inner life of a single pregnant mother in recovery and the bigger systems at play that make it hard for her, and other mothers like her, to win. I was in awe of Leaf’s ability to tackle such a big, complex topic without heavy-handedness, and with so much empathy and intimacy. I also want to see Tia Nomore, who played the main character, in more things! 

Exhibiting Forgiveness 
Ever since I watched The Knick, I’ve been a fan of André Holland (Call me!). What a solid directorial debut for Titus Kaphar. It was nice to have a film about an artist and the art actually be good. I really love that the film was about forgiveness and didn’t end in a perfectly wrapped bow, staying true to its complicated nonlinear path. It also did a really great job of showing how trauma manifests in your body, even when you think you’re fine, and showing that parents are just imperfect people with their own trauma. 

The Color Purple
I’ve seen The Color Purple on Broadway and the original Steven Spielberg movie. While there were some great performances in this movie (shoutout to Danielle Brooks), I don’t think the musical needed to be made into a movie for a number of reasons including that some of the characters felt miscasted and the emotion of the original source material didn’t translate on-screen. Instead, read the book. 

American Fiction 
This movie didn’t do it for me on every level – the banal direction, the lackluster dialogue, and the point it attempted to make. My main two issues were the film’s lack of critique of Black middle class and the overwrought portrayal of tone-deaf white people, which in reality is subtle. I left the theater wondering who this film was made for and why people thought this was good, Oscar-worthy even. But, please put Erika Alexander in more things! I also want to Erasure now.

Tokyo Vice
I really love television shows in which not only am I on an entertainment journey, but an educational one too. Tokyo Vice does that for me. I’ve been having so much fun reading about the history of yakuzas and Japanese media after each episode. Sato is my favorite character on the show, so prideful but tender. I also really love the moodiness of direction and cinematography. Season 2 is even better than Season 1. 

The Vince Staples Show 
I have always thought Vince Staples was interesting and hilarious from his interviews and his new Netflix show proves it even more. The bank robbery scene from episode 2 of the show is now one of my favorite scenes in television history. Please give him more things! 

Some things I read

‘American Fiction’ and The Wet Eyes of The Sentimentalist  + The More You Try to Erase Me 
Both of these brilliant essays better explain what I didn’t like about American Fiction. 

All Due Respect 
A profile on Jake Adelstein, whose book Tokyo Vice is the basis for the show. He seems to be a very unlikable person who is also a good reporter.

Galliano in the Wilderness 
I re-read this article after watching Margiela’s couture show. It was written two years after John Galliano essentially lost his place in the fashion industry due to an Anti-semetic rant that was caught on video. I think this piece does a great job at exploring what rehabilitation looks like on a personal level, a level that is seen as acceptable to the people you hurt, and a level that allows you to be accepted back into the fold. Ingrid Sischy really eats this piece and does a great job at observing little details and providing more than enough information to leave the reader to consider what rehabilitation looks like. 

Chemena Kamali Talks Chloé
Chloé’s FW 2024 runway show was fantastic and it was great to read this interview with the new designer about her deep history and obsession with the brand and what she thinks women want. 

The sharing not caring economy 
A lovely piece on ownership and how the antithesis to overconsumption is caring for the things that we already own. I also bought Eula Biss’s book Having and Being Had after reading this. Planning to write something on this topic in the coming months! 

Rachel Tashjian on Paris Fashion Week  
Literally everything Rachel wrote for PFW is worth reading. One of my favorite thinkers and fashion writers. 

Some things I ate 

Roman’s 
This is one of my favorite restaurants in New York City. I think I’ve been here at least 30 times and lucky for me, I ate here three times last month. The food is the perfect balance of interesting and comforting with the menu changing frequently, but with staples they always go back to like their delicious olive cake and bolognese. They also do half-servings if you want to try more than one pasta or are splitting with friends. My one gripe is that they don’t have straws for their highball drinks which makes them rather annoying to drink, so I always ask what type of glass my drink will be served in. But, what a place. 

Lalou 
I ate the best carrots I’ve ever had in my life here, twice. I want them to win a prize, just the carrots. They are roasted and served with an extremely crispy spigarello (which is a green I recently discovered but now my favorite green), vadouvan sauce and a little lime. A beautiful dish. I also had the most delicious brisket and a chocolate flan with a dark cherry sauce (which is no longer on the menu). Imagine being a wine bar but then deciding to have the best food too, it’s Lalou. Yum. 

Some things I bought 

Giorgio Armani trench + suits 
I’ve been obsessed with looking at old Armani runway shows and ads which has turned into an obsession with searching for vintage items on Ebay and The Real Real. So far, I’ve scored a green-ish gray trench with a gorgeous drape, a grayish tan suit with a collarless neckline and a black single-breasted collarless suit. All of these purchases felt like forever wears. 

Arena pull kick pro
Not to be dramatic, but this pull-kick is so beautiful, especially the lime green one. I’m a new lap swimmer and I tried a larger pull-boy and a larger kickboard and both felt so cumbersome, the combination of the two in this sleek design was the perfect solution for me. 

Owyn protein shakes 
As a person who sometimes forgets to eat and then once I’m starving I panic because I don’t know what to eat, these protein shakes have been a lifesaver. Plus, they are very good. I get the chocolate ones but I’ve heard great things about chai and cookies and cream, which I’ll be trying next. 

Some things I used (over and over again) 

Canaan & Durban Jane 
What a combo! Maison d’Etto has been my favorite fragrance brand for the last few years. The house reminds me of Frederic Malle; complex fragrances but with a more feminine touch. I’ve been wearing Durban Jane and Canaan either alone or layering them on top of each other. Always ending with a little bit of Olo Fragrance’s Dark Wave fragrance oil on top. 

Saie Concealer 
I am not a makeup girl, but I’m slowly trying to perfect my base makeup and a more fancy look or two. As I love makeup, it’s just something I never really learned how to do. I’m super grateful to all the brands that are coming out that make the learning process so much easier. What stands out for me with Saie’s concealer is that it’s hydrating and the finish is skin-like and not cakey. 

Le Prunier Body Cream + Sidia Body Serum 
My lovely friend Asia gifted me the Le Prunier body cream and now I’m upset because it looks like I’m going to have a $80 body cream habit. Every day since using this I’ll touch myself and be amazed at how soft and smooth my skin is. Underneath it, I’ll use the Sidia, which has squalene and hyaluronic acid, and smells divine. This is my favorite nightly routine. If I have even more time I’ll layer with Flamingo Estate’s Rose & Bergamot Body Oil. 

Ami Cole Setting Powder
In my new makeup journey, I’m also using setting powder now. I saw this photo of myself from an event and my face looked so shiny and I needed to do something about it, stat. In comes this Ami Cole setting powder. I’m no expert, but I do like that this powder melts into my skin and doesn’t sit on top of it. I’m all about looking like me but better. 

Westman Atelier Mascara 
What a gorgeous bottle of mascara; the weight and the punchy red color. This is the type of mascara you want to sit out and show off. Plus, it does a great job at making my eyes look brighter without a natural finish. 

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Next Time: An RLT interview with my friend and writer Melvin Backman.