Making Sense of a Strange Year: Friends of SSENSE Review 2024
From the best-dressed person to the guiltiest of purchases to the scam of the year, we asked 14 of the coolest, smartest, and funniest people we know to weigh in.
- By: Chris Gayomali, Hyunji Nam, and Alex Kessler
2024—a lot happened. Most of it was bad, some of it was good, and much of it was unintentionally hilarious. To help make sense of a strange and often surreal year, we reached out to 14 creative friends of SSENSE and prompted them with a handful of questions, like: Who was the best dressed person of the year? What shoes did you wear to death? What even was brat?
For answers to those questions and much more, read on.
Hunter Harris,
writer
@hunterh
Selfies courtesy of subjects. Top Image: Sojin Oh and her cat.
Best-dressed person of the year:
Ayo Edebiri.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
Kendrick Lamar hating Drake.
Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:
Baggy jean shorts and knee-high boots.
Most binged TV series:
OG _RHONY—_from season one!
Location where you took the most selfies:
Ubers where I said I was “5 mins away” and hadn’t even left my neighborhood.
Most unexpected link-up:
My divorced parents sitting next to one another at a show I was doing. (Very expected: Not a word to each other.)
Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:
Underrated: Nitehawk before they changed their burger.
Overrated: We need a federal investigation into how bad Casino is.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
Sandy Liang ballet flats.
Scam of the year:
The Harris campaign.
Taka Arakawa,
creative producer
@takaresaka
Best-dressed person of the year:
No one. I don’t pay much attention to other people’s clothes.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
Obscene Magazine, where I worked as editor-in-chief. We collaborated with Ellie Grace Cumming, Nick Haymes, Petra Collins, and many other amazing artists.
Guiltiest purchase:
A table, a sofa... and artwork from an artist.
Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:
‘80s fashion?
Location where you took the most selfies:
Elevator mirrors.
Most unexpected link-up:
The Tokyo Art Book Fair with a Taiwanese photographer.
Most underrated and most overrated restaurants:
Noda.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
Hokas.
Scam of the year:
The overall shift in the economy.
What’s the moral of 2024?:
Go with the flow.
Yasmine Diba,
photographer
@yasminediba
Best-dressed person of the year:
Too hard to pick one <3 Bella Hadid, Devon Carlson, Amelia Kring, and Cara Friedman who does Bluey Denim—she’s put me onto a lot of fun stuff this year.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
PERFECT Magazine issue seven editorial.
Guiltiest purchase:
There are too many to name. But maybe Oasis tickets.
Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:
Not that this trend first appeared in 2024, but layering.
Most binged TV series:
Sex and the City. Always.
Location where you took the most selfies:
The mirror in my living room.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
My Uggs and Ann Demeulemeesters come in a close tie.
Sojin Oh,
nail artist
@sojinails
Best-dressed person of the year:
MIUCCIA PRADA ALWAYS
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
JEWELRY COLLAB WITH HEAVEN MARC JACOBS
Guiltiest purchase:
SALMON SPERM INJECTIONS ON MY FACE
Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:
3D NAILS
Most binged TV series:
PLANET EARTH + SEX AND THE CITY B2B
Location where you took the most selfies:
KSPA STEAM ROOM FOR MY MAN
Most unexpected link up:
WILLEM DAFOE & MIU MIU !!
Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:
HOLBOX IN LA. MOST $$$$ SPOTS IN LA ARE OVERRATED.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
CHANCLAS!!!! THEN MM6 PILLOW BOOTS IN BLACK AND WHITE (GOT ON SSENSE)
Scam of the year:
EREWHON SMOOTHIES
What’s the moral of 2024?
DISASSOCIATE AND MOVE-ON
The current state of men’s fashion is:
VERSE
The current state of women’s fashion is:
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Blake Abbie,
actor, editor
@blakeabbie
Best-dressed person of the year:
I’ll go with Alex Kessler, who asked me to do this survey. I like a pair of shorts, so does he. I like red, so does he. 1+1=2. Easy.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
We launched two projects with A Magazine Curated By Glenn Martens’s issue, which was a feat—something special—as I think you learn about new parts of Glenn you didn’t know about. And then we did a special project SYNTHESIS to coincide with the Olympics in Paris supporting Youssouf Fofana, the creative director of Maison Château Rouge, which explored a new idea of identity of a mix of immigrant but namely North African and French backgrounds in the 18th arrondissement of Paris and took over the iconic Tati building at Barbès to celebrate.
Guiltiest purchase:
I’ve been leaning more and more into nice hotel stays. Realize that with all my travel I need to be taken care of by my space. A little hometown hotel moment is cute too to feel rejuvenated—also I have no issue spending money on wellness and health treatments. I got hit by a car a year ago and taking the time to treat my recovery is a top priority—health is wealth.
Most binged TV series:
The Ultimatum has to be the most unhinged choice of a television show, but I can.
Location where you took the most selfies:
Airplanes; never share them though, it’s always terrible lighting.
Most unexpected link-up:
Chopova Lowena and Hellmann’s, and it can be vegan.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
I recently resurfaced this pair of vintage wholecut oxfords I bought in grade ten. They’re in perfect condition and go with everything—and I don’t have to worry too much about them cause they’ve lasted forever.
What’s the moral of 2024?
Never tire. Always risk. Remember yourself.
The current state of men’s fashion is:
Deranged, feels like we’re being pulled in all directions just to be the polar opposite of what’s happening on the other side of the spectrum. As much as I love dressing to dress, sometimes I just want good classic clothes.
Raven Smith,
author and columnist
@raven_smith
Best-dressed person of the year:
It’s me, isn’t it? Did anyone else say me? I’m saying me.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
When I planned Yasmin’s wedding in Industry
Guiltiest purchase:
NAD+
Most binged TV series:
The Olympic pole-vaulter hitting his cock on the bar
Location where you took the most selfies:
My face
Most unexpected link up:
Russell Brand and God
Scam of the year:
I thought I got scammed on a rug from Pakistan, but it turned out the seller had COVID.
What’s the moral of 2024?
Vote
The current state of women’s fashion is:
Lacking buccal fat.
The current state of men’s fashion is:
Annoyingly quiet and luxurious.
Last question: _______ is brat.
Nothing is brat anymore. Whatever happened to brat?
Dean DiCriscio,
designer and stylist
@deandicriscio
Guiltiest purchase:
Fancy hand soap. (The brand is called Homecourt, scent is Cece. Trust me.)
Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:
Workout clothes that make you look like you’re in Swan Lake, sweater shrugs, prairie dresses, and giant water bottles.
Most binged TV series:
The Bachelor (Maria<3)
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
Black Acne loafers.
What’s the moral of 2024?
Flop.
The current state of men’s fashion is:
A shift from streetwear to tailoring, which is very exciting. It’s kind of scary how many men dress well now, I feel like I have to try so much harder!
The current state of women’s fashion is:
Paris.
Last question: _______ is brat.
My Volkswagen Jetta.
Delia Cai,
writer
@deeeliacai
Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:
The TikTok method of turning your scarf into a balaclava/hood.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
These Reformation Ludo Toe Ring sandals were my warm-weather MVP. Dressy yet indestructible enough to wear literally day-to-night in New York at its most sweaty and sewer-y.
What’s the moral of 2024?
Good friendships make everything not only surmountable but also kind of hilarious as one surmounts.
Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:
Cervo’s is too salty!! Xian’s Famous Foods is the best restaurant in NY.
May Kim,
art director
@guttimay
Best-dressed person of the year:
Veneda Carter. Best-dressed with killer collaborations this year.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
Aimé Leon Dore x Porsche, and the campaign videos. It’s art.
Guiltiest purchase:
NewJeans x MURAKAMI collaboration key ring. I couldn’t help myself.
Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be recreating in 2044:
Tbh I think the mob-wife look.
Most binged TV series:
Culinary Class Wars from this year; very late but Top Boy series.
Location where you took the most selfies:
Airplane bathroom. (Sorry fellow passengers, it’s an unfortunate desire)
Most unexpected link-up:
Me and Pharrell in Seoul honestly. Life-changing. Also many unexpected link-ups in K-pop: Rosé and Bruno Mars, Jennie and the Weeknd, Rosalía and Lisa. Oh, IVE and David Guetta was a strange one.
Most underrated and most overrated restaurants:
Most underrated: Paradiso Perduto in Venice, and Blue Nude in Seoul. Most overrated: Flat Iron in London. I was expecting an insane steak but I didn’t really get the hype.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
Nike Air Max DN “All Night.” It’s a good one!
Scam of the year:
Maria Grazia Chiuri Fall/Winter 2024. Let’s be honest.
What’s the moral of 2024?
“Girl, so confusing.” Entire lyrics of this song.
The current state of men’s fashion is:
POST ARCHIVE FACTION.
Last question: _______ is brat.
“My give-a-fucks are on vacation.”
Tish Weinstock,
editor
@tishweinstock
Guiltiest purchase:
Any time I Deliveroo a coffee.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
I should probably say my book: How to Be a Goth. But also shooting the cover of Luncheon with Paolo Roversi and John Galliano.
Most binged TV series:
Slow Horses.
Location where you took the most selfies:
In bed.
Scam of the year:
Fake LOEWE collab invites.
What’s the moral of 2024?
Things can, actually, get worse.
Last question: _______ is brat.
Brat is brat is brat is brat.
Adam Powell,
photographer
@a_damp_owl
Best-dressed person of the year:
My girlfriend, Naoko.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
Republishing of Lars Tunbjörk’s Office by Loose Joints, or LOEWE Spring/Summer 2025 campaign by Juergen Teller.
Guiltiest purchase:
A Mazda.
Most binged TV series:
Lost.
Location where you took the most selfies:
A semi-abandoned furniture store in Queens.
Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:
Gatekeeping the most underrated, (because gatekeeping is OK in the Tiktok era.) Most overrated is Whole Foods’s hot counter.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
Slides procured from Bathhouse.
Scam of the year:
Health insurance, rent, parking tickets, having 30 different subscriptions.
What’s the moral of 2024?
Mind your business!
José Criales-Unzueta,
writer
@eljosecriales
Best-dressed person of the year:
Me, closely followed by my friend Chloe King. Special shoutouts to Chris Horan for how fab Charli XCX has looked this entire year and Cole Escola for clearly having a fantastic time with fashion.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
It’s such a basic answer but it has to be brat—it’s just been really cool to watch the rollout and see it become massive and mainstream.
Guiltiest purchase:
I feel no guilt, but I guess I really didn’t need a Diotima wooden bead dress. But also Rachel Scott is the one, and I wore it on my birthday, so back to feeling no guilt.
Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:
They’ll dress up as “trad-wives” and question whether people in 2024 were serious about dressing like people in the ’50s. It’ll be great and a little scary but mostly embarrassing.
Most binged TV series:
Heartstopper hands-down. Shoutout to Scandal though, I watched it for the first time through the election and… Shonda Rhymes, you will always be famous.
Location where you took the most selfies:
I finally bought a grown-up mirror, so I guess my apartment. But also discovered how fabulous the mirror walking into the Vogue offices is, so definitely that one.
Most unexpected link up:
The internet and the shooter.
Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:
Have never been to an underrated restaurant. All of you people only overrate these expensive places pls stop lying to me.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
A pair of Western boots I took from the office when I worked at Coach after they dropped the samples.
Scam of the year:
Celebrity lookalike contests. Somebody lied to y’all several times.
What’s the moral of 2024?
We need to log off. Also, like “camp” in 2019, everyone is misusing “brat.”
The current state of men’s fashion is:
brat, actually, but only on the runway. Men IRL are boring and still wearing either skinny jeans and puffer vests or chore jackets and Sambas.
David Siwicki,
publicist
@davidsiwickicommunication
Best-dressed person of the year:
I am a huge fan of the mega chameleon Andrea Riseborough—I’ve talked off the ears of more than a few friends about her style. But also forever a fan of Cate Blanchett, who looked great while wearing many of our clients this year, like Hodakova, Emmanuelle Khanh, and Meryll Rogge—team Elizabeth and Jordan. Or the very supportive Chloë Sevigny, who looked great wearing pieces from Justine Clenquet, Renaissance Renaissance, and Meryll Rogge.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
SSENSE alum Durga Chew-Bose’s debut feature film Bonjour Tristesse that premiered at TIFF. I was so happy to see the hard work of so many friends come together on the big screen—can’t wait for everyone to catch it when it hits theaters.
Guiltiest purchase:
A new velvet couch from HAY.
Most binged TV series:
Below Deck with my mom and partner over any and all holiday breaks.
Most unexpected link-up:
VIP super-stylist Danielle Goldberg happily surprised me with some unexpected new clients like Solange and Saoirse Ronan this year. We must learn to never be surprised by team DG.
Location where you took the most selfies:
I have matching full-length tinted mirrors at the office and home—only those ones for the occasional selfie.
Most underrated and most overrated restaurants:
Underrated in Paris—my fave lunch spots: Tsubame or Le Bal Café near my office. They easily encourage those lovely two-hour European lunches, but just occasionally.I also really love Rue Keller in the 11th. It has a few great restaurants and bars as well as a refreshingly odd strip of cosplay stores, and both metal and gay bars.
Overrated in Paris—Le Petit Lutetia is seemingly only adored by visiting New Yorkers and I’m not having it. Your visiting friends deserve more!
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
Adieu Type 188 Chelsea Boots in gray and black. Rain or shine—perfect for anyone perpetually lied to by Apple’s crappy weather app.
Scam of the year:
The electoral college.
What’s the moral of 2024?
Valuing authenticity and storytelling over mass-produced luxury merch.
The current state of men’s fashion is:
Borderless but otherwise whatever Commission says it is—can’t wait for its Spring/Summer 2025 collection delivery.
Last question: _______ is brat.
Chris Horan is brat.
Nicolaia Rips,
writer
@nrips
Best-dressed person of the year:
My beautiful friend Allegra. Also Addison Rae.
Most exciting creative project of 2024:
Climax Books.
Guiltiest purchase:
The Shark Hair Wrap. I am trying new things, okay!!
Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:
Soccer fashion as fashion-fashion.
Most binged TV series:
Arrested Development, you will always make me laugh.
Location where you took the most selfies:
C or E train. Never ever the L.
Most unexpected link-up:
Meryl Streep and Martin Short.
Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:
Under is Tomo21, my favorite place in the world, over is literally any Italian restaurant in downtown Manhattan.
Pair of shoes you wore the most:
A busted pair of Repetto ballet flats.
Scam of the year:
Color analysis… unless. I don’t know. I love scams.
What’s the moral of 2024?
Humor is about how you tilt your head.
The current state of men’s fashion is:
The only man in fashion I pay attention to is my father Michael Rips. Robes out, boots in.
The current state of women’s fashion is:
Fidan Novruzova.
Last question: _______ is brat.
Watching a billion youtube videos instead of a single movie.
- By: Chris Gayomali, Hyunji Nam, and Alex Kessler
- Date: December 20, 2024
