Press Roundup: Dior, Kate Spade, Sardines, and Ties

Even an astronaut floating in the International Space Station could stream the show on YouTube.

Jun 03, 2025

What Caught My Eye is a daily column about internet culture, people you should know about, business, shopping, and fashion.

Hello everyone, happy Tuesday!

Today I have a news roundup for the WCME feature, and 5 sexy/charming/preppy/elegant-for-the evening/&quirky TIES to buy (as a gift, or for yourself). They’ll come in handy now or in 10 years. Even if you don’t wear ties daily, just symbolically having a curated set of ties in your closet is a reminder of that polished version of you.

Then, if you haven’t already, you can read here about how I am shopping for Fall-Winter clothes in June—yes!! Fashion waits for no one. And the benefit to this is that I am getting good deals!

I could still use a hoodie, a solid pair of white jeans, a messenger leather bag, and new loafers as my Fall basics though. But personal style curation is not a race. Once I lock things down, I’ll be sharing outfit pics. For my readers who share their outfit pics on Notes, your pictures are very inspirational, and I’ll be jumping in on the fun!

Finally, if you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while and want to support my work, I ask you to consider upgrading to a paid subscription. It’s $45/year or $5/month. Every contribution means the world, and keeps this letter going.

Alright—let’s get to the news.

WCME: News Roundup

Dior-ama

Yesterday Christian Dior announced that Jonathan Anderson was officially the new creative director of both men’s and women’s brands. I’m excited for this! My only concern is that one designer helming 10 collections a year is a lot of centralization, and that can get a little boring, if not painful for the brand. The job is up there with Miuccia Prada at Miu Miu and Prada, and Matthieu Blazy at Chanel.

I don’t doubt that Jonathan Anderson’s Dior can become a dress to impress affair, whose makeup and perfume lines have somewhat of a cultish following, and that if he has the mind of a Lagerfeldian type of character, that celebrities and clients will come in flocks to the stores.

These brands have become so global, that everyone with an iPhone will be in on it (and share their opinion). In theory, even an astronaut floating in the International Space Station could stream the show on YouTube. I know I would. The entirety of the $9 billion worth of Dior is on the line.

In light of the appointment, Jonathan Anderson has put his brand, J.W. Anderson, on hold. His first men’s collection will be shown in Paris on June 27, as announced on the provisional Paris Fashion Week calendar.

Set your calendars a reminder for my review of the first collection. I’ll be firing away collection reviews from the field in Paris, and logging in my step count on the iPhone health app.

What To Read At Your Book Club: Who Was Kate Spade?

If you’re looking for an activity that can get you out of your comfort zone this summer, or to simply try something new, consider joining a book club. I recently joined one, and it’s been somewhat of a light challenge to take my mind off work-related stress.

One book that’s caught my eye is a new memoir written by Elyce Aarons, friend of the late-Kate Spade, who chronicles the life, and to a personal degree, the career, of Kate. The two became roommates at the University of Kansas, where Kate showed up “clad in a pop-collar polo shirt, baggy khakis and Weejuns loafers”, writes The New York Times.

The friend-duo eventually joined forces in New York, where each nurtured a job in magazines and became business partners. Kate Spade, the brand, became a sensational hit in the shoulder bag space. Besides the classic black bag, colorway variations resembled that of a candy store, and led the aesthetic way from the 90s to the second coming of a burst in pop culture in the early 2000’s not seen since the days of Andy Warhol.

When Kate Spade took her life in 2018, in what was a shock to the fashion world, Aaron tells the Times, “I was very angry that she’s gone. I still am. It’s complicated. I knew, obviously, that there were issues. But how can you blame someone who has health issues? I get mad that I still want to pick up the phone and call her every single day but can’t.”

The coming of age in 90s New York magazines memoire, ‘We Might Just Make It After All’, comes out on June 17, 2025 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.

The Latest Protein Obsession: Sardines

**Vogue, July 1990. Photo by Arthur Elgort.**

What is tiny fish doing on a fashion newsletter? Vogue writes, “beyond fashion, it makes sense: The tiny oily fish has many benefits when it comes to your skin, hair, and body”. During my holiday week I took to Sardine cans for daytime snacks, lunch, and even dinner. They go great with crackers, or bread, butter and lemon, salted avocados, as a side to a salad, and with a glass of Pouilly Fumé if you’re feeling cheeky.

Sardines are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are a “healthy” fat that can do a little bit of everything. They’re recommended 2-3 times a week as a fresh summer (or winter!) snack.

The only caveat to incorporating this omega-3 rich super snack is if you suffer from high cholesterol. “If you're watching your cholesterol, sardines might not be the best protein choice for you”, Vogue wrote.