Nº 59: Nina Maria
The fashion writer talks beetroots, (white) Fitzcarraldo editions and Viscose Journal.
We’re back with Nina Maria. Read on to find out what she’s into, and if you’re new here, hit subscribe for secret recommendations every Monday.
Nina Maria is a fashion writer, vintage collector and is on her way to being blacklisted by every major PR agency. Oh, she loves books and pastries too.
☞ PAPER AND CUP, ARNOLD CIRCUS: My latest (or ever-growing, call it what you want) obsession in London is Arnold Circus. I found out that it used to be a council estate in the Victorian times. These days, there is a lovely laundrette (Community Laundrette it is called). A wonderful produce shop, Leila’s shop, which has the best bread of East London, but also Hackney-approved prices, with a large tray of Kumquats (citrus fruit, apparently good for you, as my fitness obsessed brother told me) greeting you. If you love designer clothing (like me) but have a small budget (like me) you have to go to Paper and Cup. It is a small charity shop and coffee place, but it is full of good-quality, sometimes even designer clothing. I assume it is the donation point of rich people, living in the centre of gentrification. Recently, I even found a Marc Jacobs dress, which was featured on Gossip Girl – if you know, you KNOW. The other day, I also saw a Versace top in there. Great shop, also stocking a variety of wonderful art-related books.
☞ CLAIRE DE ROUEN BOOKS: Alright, on the topic of books – I love Claire de Rouen books in Bethnal Green. It is one of those hidden gems that actually aren’t hidden, because most people know about them. The have the most fabulous selection of books obviously. The space is beautiful, and sometimes it is so nice to go there and just sit down on their sofa and browse.
☞ BEETROOTS: Sometimes, I actually put thought into what I cook. I love pasta, so often I fall into a trap and eat nothing but that. The European inside me is joyful, the healthy side not so. So, whenever I have to pull myself out of a pasta slug, I try something new. Recently I came across beetroots, which are wonderful. First of all – they are pink. Who wouldn’t want a pink dish? Second, they taste like heaven. Paired with some mint, they are great in a salad or with a spread of your choice.
☞ (WHITE) FITZCARRALDO BOOKS: When I was in Claire de Rouen the last time, I spoke to the store’s co-director, Lily. I said how I don’t understand how Fitzcarraldo publishes white books. I complained about the fact that no matter what you do, they always get dirty. She said how beautiful that is – you see the lifeline of a book on its cover. I love them now. My Annie Ernaux book has stains from dying a dress and my copy of The Undercurrents has stains of my nail polish. That way they tell their own story.
☞ THE DUSTY KNUCKLE PIZZA IN HARRINGAY: I can’t believe that I am leaking this, but The Dusty Knuckle has the best pizzas in London. Their Harringay shop is transformed into a pizza/wine place from Thursday to Sunday night. Trust me when I say this – it is the best pizza in all of London. You will be blown away by how tasty this is. Plus they have amazing wine. I would recommend a glass of orange wine with anything on the menu.
☞ TRYING EVERY VEGAN SAUSAGE ROLL LONDON HAS TO OFFER: Even though I am not a full vegan (who knows might happen one day in the future), I love vegan sausage rolls. I am trying to find the best ones in all of London, and sadly, most of them are dry, not properly baked, or just outright bad. So far, I love the most from Dunn’s the most. Dunns is a bakery situated in London’s best kept secret, aka crouch end and Muswell hill. Their vegan sausage roll is a dream of mushrooms and walnuts. The best thing about it is that it’s only £2.40.
☞ VISCOSE JOURNAL: So, I am a fashion journalist (at least trying to be) and there is nothing I hate more than modern-day fast food fashion journalism. I know, print is expensive, but if I treat myself to a physical magazine (happens rarely these days), I buy Viscose Journal. Viscose is a critical fashion publication, by Jeppe Uglevig. I love that for every issue, the magazine invents itself in a new way (e.g. layout, design, etc.) and actually publishes interesting fashion content through a critical lens. If you need a break from everything or anything, I highly recommend giving this one a go.
☞ STEPHANIE LA CAVA: Admit it – we all love a sad girl book, and Stephanie La Cava, a writer from New York, does it excellently. Always writing about nepo babies in the art and culture world, she takes their self-destruction to a new level. Her latest novel, I fear my pain interests you, is about the daughter of two posh punks who can’t feel physical pain. Excellent read for a rainy day.
☞ ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED: I am sure most people have already seen it, but I can’t stress enough how good All the Beauty and the Bloodshed is. The film is by Laura Poitras and shows Nan Goldin’s activist group P.A.I.N and their activism against the Sacklers and OxyContin. I have barely left the cinema this speechless. If you can, book a ticket to see it – and don’t support art institutions that take money from the Sacklers. Note from editors: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed is on BBC2 at 10pm this Sunday, 4th June.
☞ OLD EPISODES OF DON’T TELL THE BRIDE: Being cultured doesn’t exclude shows like Don’t Tell the Bride. Recently I’ve gotten into watching ten year-old episodes of the show, and to be honest, it’s pretty jokes. It won’t sustain you for long though, the show is so predictable that you pretty much know what will happen from the start.
☞ POSTING OPINIONS ON INSTAGRAM: Okay, last one. I love it when people have an opinion on the internet. When I did my master’s degree in fashion journalism, we were almost told to never have one, because it could cost us jobs. In an industry full of madness and strange narratives, having an educated opinion shouldn’t cost the world, should it?
♪ LISTENING TO:
Rose Colored Lenses by Miley Cyrus
Blood and Butter by Caroline Polacheck
Taylor Swift, all of it, always
☠ HATES:
Next in Fashion
West London
The pastries at Fuckoffee
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