Happy Monday! The new week is here and with it comes the chance to delve deep into some fresh culture and fashion. Here’s your latest look at the i-D Guide.
Wear… Balenciaga’s technoclogs
If you are bored of not being looked at, count on Balenciaga to create a shoe to solve your problem. Their technoclog — it literally is just like a Dutch clog, albeit juiced up — comes in many different colourways, including a sleek black (£770), of course, and a trompe l’oeil wood panelled version (£985). Bound to be a collector’s item in years to come. You can buy yours here.
Buy… Loewe’s liquorice hand soap
Loewe’s lifestyle offshoot brand remains totally unrivalled. Their liquorice handsoap (£53) is one of their best. Buy it here.
Watch… Kokomo City
A Sundance-premiering hit with critics (it currently has 97% on Rotten Tomatoes), Kokomo City is a documentary in which four Black transgender sex workers recount their life stories and reflect upon what it means to live that life in a politically contentious America. It hits UK cinemas on Friday 4 August.
Read… I Will Greet the Sun Again
Author Khashayar J. Khabushani makes his debut with this novel about a young queer Iranian boy growing up in the San Fernando Valley with his family. When he returns to California from a family pilgrimage back to his ancestral home, he soon discovers that his sense of place is distorted; unsure of where he belongs to. Buy it physically (£19.50) here, or on eBook or audiobook.
Listen to… Sona Blue
Looking for a new lo-fi alt-pop project to get your ears around? You’ve just found it in Sona Blue’s EP, Drifter. With it, the Hackney-based singer, songwriter and producer soundtracks his frustrations navigating the music industry and watching a relationship slip away. A series of self-directed music videos complete the tidy, emotional package from this promising young artist. Hear the full EP here and follow Sona Blue on IG here.
Listen to… A.G. Cook rework a classic
It has been nine chaotic years since PC Music founder A.G. Cook released “Beautiful”, a euphoric track that appeared on the label’s original compilation, PC Music Vol. 1. and has remained a fan favourite. Last Friday, the producer gifted those fans with this new, 2023 edit — fun! Since they announced in June that the label will longer be releasing original music, perhaps this is the first of many archival reworks? Stay tuned and read Selim Bulut’s thoughts on PC Music’s true impact on the industry in the mean time.
Go to… a delicious plant-based charity dinner
London collectives Baesianz and Eastern Margins are teaming up with Spoons — vegan Indonesian chef Rahel Stephanie, not the beloved high street pub — on a fundraiser event to raise money for trans communities in Indonesia. Your ticket gets you a stunning plant-based lunch set (including pandan berry blondies!) followed by DJ sets by Eastern Margins artists. The event takes place at Avalon Cafe in south-east London on 20 August. Tickets are available here.