Whether you are hours or days into your self-isolation, getting used to your own company (or the company of others) can be a challenge. But worry not, we’ve got you covered. Escape from social media’s COVID-19 hot-takes and 24/7 news speculation with our guide to staying inspired, entertained, educated and sane.
Things To Watch
In the mood for a movie? Already seen every season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Wire and The Americans? Forget torturing yourself by watching Frozen II and instead try Kanopy, a streaming service for ‘thoughtful entertainment’. Several hard to find fashion/model documentaries are available and you can access the service for free through many libraries.
If you’re looking for something a little more binge-worthy consider the iconic Absolutely Fabulous (available on Netflix or Amazon Prime), the tizzy legends Kath & Kim (available on Netflix or Amazon Prime) and the always entertaining Project Runway (available on Hulu, iTunes or Amazon Prime). It’s over ten years old but there’s also Nathan Barley (available on Amazon Prime), a timely series from the creators of Black Mirror.
If you don’t have access to streaming services but need a fashion-related fix, there’s always YouTube. Giocurve is a channel full of fashion’s finest and cringiest television moments. Watch the documentary Pretty Boy for a glimpse into the world of a male model during the 2000s (whatever happened to Edwin?!). Or you can venture even further back in time with the British Pathé Vintage Fashions Channel.
Things To Read
Anyone with a New York Public Library card can access the online archives of Vogue Italia, Vogue US, Harper’s Bazaar and other women’s interest magazines for free. If you’re not in NY, check the e-resources of your local library–many have access to the Vogue US Archive and digital newsstands.
If you’re looking for a more substantial read we recommend Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington, Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women by Michael Gross, No Lifeguard on Duty by Janice Dickinson and Trick Mirror: Reflections of Self Delusion by Jia Tolentino.
Don’t rule out amazing journalism! Longreads highlights the best of long-form articles. Try browsing by topic–Arts & Culture, Crime and Profiles & Interviews are particularly full of fascinating reads. If you can’t get enough of the weird and the wonderful it’s also worth having a look at the column of ephemera collector Jim Linderman or the London cultural history blog Another Nickel in the Machine (check out the posts tagged fashion).
Things To Browse
Feeling nostalgic? Want to see what fashion magazines contained in the past? Uomoclassico has a database of men’s fashion advertising from 1977-2009. Strip-Project also has an interesting curated archive of fashion imagery.
Wondering what do artists and freelancers do all day? Studio Visits looks at the studios of artists based on the West Coast. If you’re just in the mood to look at nice things then explore the Rijksmuseum collection or take a look at vintage headshots and movie promotional photography at Doctor Macro.
Craving some art that’s a little more out of the box? Learn about incredible outsider artists at the Art Brut Collection in Lausanne or make like it’s 2012 and get your Tumblr on at Cabinet de curiosités du Dr Zongoh.
Want to know how other people are living? Tired of your own place? Look no further than Dollar Street for some reality or McMansion Hell for some surrealism. But if you’ve spent a little too much time with your relatives and want to fantasize about belonging to a different family then Family Archive could help.
Things To Do
Photographers currently devoid of material to shoot can try taking on something from Photo Requests from Solitary.
Itching to create or be inspired? Go DIY by creating a zine dedicated to your passions, possessions, or opinions. Not sure what a zine is? Here’s a good introduction and Le Fanzinophile and Zines further illustrate the art of self-publishing. Get an idea of what others are designing at Fonts In Use, a site displaying typefaces used in old and new printed media.
And finally, don’t forget to stay healthy. For those who feel the need for a workout there’s Blogilates, which has a mixture of cardio, pilates and yoga/stretching that you can do in the comfort of your bedroom or living room. If you need to pump iron but can’t get to a gym find new ways of staying yoked at Bodyweight Fitness. And gourmands fear not, 4 Ingredients has plenty of recipes for those with a limited pantry.
