1.
“Thank You, Dr. Zizmor,” March 1–14
For New York’s latest issue, editor-at-large Stella Bugbee introduced readers to the surging New York–centric style in dress: Zizmorcore. Bloomberg’s Pat Regnier responded, “The story that explained to me why, after 48 years of not being a Hat Guy and not really liking baseball, I’ve been wearing a corny Brooklyn Dodgers hat since this summer.” Polly Mosendz wrote, “I’ve bought literally dozens of pieces of New York City local business merch during the pandemic year. I absolutely love this story, which I read while wearing my Gem Spa hat and my dry cleaner’s T-shirt.” Journalist Ben Adler joked, “I was wearing a Yankees hat and T-shirts from Sahadi’s and Roma’s before it was cool.” Some readers pushed back against Bugbee’s trendspotting. @ShanleySmalls countered, “This has always been a true NYC thing, not all of a sudden because the fashion industry just caught wind of the ‘streetwear aesthetic.’ This shit is a NYC lifestyle, not an aesthetic.” The Real Deal’s Amy Plitt wrote, “It’s the packaging and commodification of this into a trend that bugs me, I think. Can’t we just wear NYC shit and not have it be a thing?” Still, when CBS2 interviewed Bronx Native owner Amaurys Grullon about the trend, he said, “I think there’s been a resurge after the pandemic. I feel like people feel more proud to be from New York City.”
2.
“Wang Off Duty,” March 1–14
Angelina Chapin and Matthew Schneier reported on new allegations of sexual misconduct by fashion designer Alexander Wang. On Instagram, @rachelintransit wrote, “Alllllll the fashion people, and I mean high up in the industry, that I follow with the exception of Diet Prada have been silent on this and it has been disheartening to say the absolute least.” On March 9, Wang addressed the allegations on his Instagram: “A number of individuals have come forward recently to raise claims against me regarding my past personal behavior … I’ve listened carefully to what they had to say. It was not easy for them to share their stories, and I regret acting in a way that caused them pain. While we disagree on some of the details of these personal interactions, I will set a better example and use my visibility and influence to encourage others to recognize harmful behaviors.” Attorney Lisa Bloom, who is representing some of Wang’s accusers, released a statement of her own on Twitter: “My clients had the opportunity to speak their truth to him and expressed their pain and hurt. We acknowledge Mr Wang’s apology and we are moving forward.”
3.
“4 Minutes With Jill Biden,” March 1–14
Olivia Nuzzi wrote about grieving her own mother’s death while reporting on the First Lady. The Atlantic’s Caitlin Flanagan responded, “You never know what someone else is going through. A young reporter could be interviewing someone very professionally — and also coping with a great sorrow. The one life lesson I keep trying to learn: take it easy on each other.” And the Los Angeles Times’ Molly O’Toole observed, “A beautiful piece of writing about a shattering moment that so many have experienced over the past year, though not — and never — quite like this.”
4.
“The 101 Best Movie Endings of All Time” (March 1–14)
In “The Culture Pages,” our editors narrowed down “The 101 Best Movie Endings of All Time”. As expected, the list ignited debate. Director Peyton Reed tweeted, “A ‘101 Greatest Endings in Movies History’ list that doesn’t include Planet of the Apes (1968) is inherently worthless.” Susan Finnerty wrote to the magazine, “I can’t imagine how An Affair to Remember, 1957, directed by Leo McCarey, did not make the list. As many times as I have seen the movie, I still hold my breath in the last few moments with tears streaming down my face praying that Cary Grant will not walk out on Deborah Kerr.” Brad Mellesmoen tweeted, “Timothée Chalamet did not cry into a damn fireplace for three minutes only to be left off this list.” @shannonandswift tweeted, “No Chinatown? Psycho? Citizen Kane? The Graduate? I picked the wrong week to break my ban on reading movie lists.” Other readers enjoyed the repartee. As critic Joe Reid pointed out, “A good list makes you want to watch a billion movies again, and this list absolutely does that. Even though apparently Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci dancing around a kitchen table full of finger foods isn’t a good enough ending for some people.”
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