Another well-written report by Suzy Menkes. This time, she makes an acute observation on lifestyle in Berlin and new technology, and notably, how the two interact with one another.
Passages I found interesting:
"Cities, like music, have their own rhythms. They rise and fall in fashion, from Paris in the Belle Époque to Swinging London in the 1960s."
"The essence of modernity is new technology...luxury brands today are faced with unprecedented changes in actions and attitudes. "
"In this brave new world of individual expression, comments — both sweet and tart — go viral so fast that they give a whole new meaning to the words “fast fashion.”"
"It is the speed of change that is the most dramatic effect of new technology. Just as the Berlin of today is markedly different from even five years ago, so the commercial world is obliged to click repeatedly on the refresh button. As soon as one piece of social networking is absorbed into the system, another is invented. Yet these changes are not just part of a wired world. They are also in the minds of people who feel that anything can — and maybe should — be challenged, from the way we can now buy and sell, to the way we feel" ("Gritty Glamour in Berlin").
I like Menkes' writing because she thinks. Her subjects are always interesting too, but more than anything, her pieces reflect what she does best: "look[ing] beyond the immediate trends to analyse changing style in a social context" (Suzy Menkes - The New York Times).
According to NYT, "[Menkes] has examined the phenomenon of the working mother as it impacts on the burgeoning branded baby wear market; she has studied Italian family fashion houses and questioned the future of La Famiglia" (Suzy Menkes - The New York Times).
I am constantly fascinated by her ability to draw connections between matters that often go undetected by others. She writes passionately about her subjects, and as an avid reader of her writings, I find her to be a reliable observer.
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image source: NYT
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