Detailed Summary of "The Review of Mess" Episode: David Cronenberg For The Girlies

Release Date: May 5, 2025

Hosts:

• Jessica DeFino – Writer of The Review of Beauty
• Emily Kirkpatrick – Creator of I <3 Mess

1. Introduction and Event Updates

The episode opens with Jessica and Emily welcoming listeners back to The Review of Mess. They reflect on their previous guest, Josh Gondelman, praising his humor and sharing personal anecdotes about laughing with him.

Notable Quote:
"He reminded me of so many weird things from my youth in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was very nice." – Emily Kirkpatrick [00:44]

The hosts also discuss their upcoming live podcast event, seeking participation and sponsorship from listeners' connections, such as Domino's franchises or beef tallow brands.

Notable Quote:
"We're really piling it all into this one event. It's our everything party." – Jessica DeFino [02:26]

2. Coachella Fashion Trends: The Rise of Steampunk

Transitioning to the main content, Jessica and Emily delve into the fashion trends observed at Coachella, particularly highlighting a surprising surge in steampunk aesthetics.

Notable Quote:
"The biggest takeaway for me is, like, it was very steampunk." – Emily Kirkpatrick [03:56]

Steampunk Elements Discussed:

• Travis Scott's Attire:
  Emily points out Travis Scott's unique blend of post-apocalyptic athletic gear, likening his look to a "zombie quarterback."

  "It really seems like, like zombie quarterback, I guess." – Emily Kirkpatrick [05:48]

• Prada Spring 2025 Sunglasses:
  The hosts admire the innovative design of Prada's sunglasses that integrate goggles into headscarves, reflecting a retrofuturistic vibe reminiscent of the 1960s.

  "They’re goggles built into a headscarf... kind of like the 1960s retro futuristic." – Emily Kirkpatrick [06:27]

• Julia Fox's Look:
  Julia Fox's ensemble combines a monk's cowl with nude corset tops and shiny tights, embodying a mix of gothic and steampunk influences.

  "It's sort of like a weird leather shrug... looks like leg braces from the 1920s." – Emily Kirkpatrick [12:13]

• Belts and Diapers Trend:
  Celebrities like Alix Earle and members of Blackpink adopt a trend combining belts to mimic diaper-like appearances, blending fashion with a nod to past styles.

  "It's like chastity belt, but extremely secure chastity belt." – Emily Kirkpatrick [13:27]

3. Time 100 and the Beauty Industry Influence

Jessica and Emily analyze Time Magazine's 2025 Time 100 list, noting a significant increase in influential figures tied to beauty brands.

Notable Quote:
"More than 10% of the list has a beauty brand or is prominently affiliated with a beauty brand." – Jessica DeFino [21:46]

Key Points:

• Celebrities with Beauty Partnerships:
  Figures like Serena Williams, Scarlett Johansson, and Elon Musk are highlighted for their associations with beauty brands, reflecting the industry's growing influence across various sectors.

• Trend Analysis:
  The hosts observe a 100% increase from previous years, suggesting that beauty has become a central element in the cultural landscape, transcending traditional boundaries.

  "Beauty is more publicly taking up like big space in culture today." – Jessica DeFino [21:46]

• Critique of Celebrity-driven Beauty Initiatives:
  Emily expresses skepticism about celebrities leveraging their fame to launch beauty products, questioning the necessity and authenticity of such ventures.

  "Why am I giving her my money?... You have all the money, you have all the resources." – Emily Kirkpatrick [24:26]

4. Celebrity Excess and Recession Indicators

The discussion shifts to the opulent lifestyles of celebrities, particularly criticizing the excessive number of bathrooms in celebrity homes as a sign of disconnect from reality.

Notable Quote:
"Have you ever had that? Like, you have five bedrooms and you have 20 bathrooms." – Emily Kirkpatrick [24:55]

Additional Rants:

• Overconsumption and Luxury Failures:
  Emily vents about billionaires' lack of taste and the absurdity of luxury items like Lauren Sanchez's Balenciaga coffee mug clutch, deeming them unnecessary frivolities.

  "The creative director of that brand... Demna is parodying you as the fashion consumer." – Emily Kirkpatrick [107:08]

• Anti-Christian Bias Task Force:
  The hosts briefly touch upon societal shifts, mentioning the re-emergence of groups like the Anti-Christian Bias Task Force, reflecting ongoing cultural and political tensions.

  "I look forward to seeing how probably the K Pop Stans will take care of it for us." – Emily Kirkpatrick [35:12]

5. Mess of the Month: Lauren Sanchez's Balenciaga Clutch

Each month, the hosts highlight fashion missteps they've observed in pop culture. This episode's "Mess of the Month" is Lauren Sanchez's Balenciaga coffee mug clutch—a $6,000 accessory parodying everyday items.

Notable Quote:
"It looks exactly like a to-go coffee cup, but it's made out of leather." – Emily Kirkpatrick [99:53]

Analysis:

• Absurdity of High-Priced Replicas:
  The hosts mock the impracticality and vanity of such high-priced fashion pieces that mimic mundane objects.

  "It's stupid on many, on many levels." – Emily Kirkpatrick [101:15]

• Critique of Luxury Brand Direction:
  They discuss the creative intentions behind such designs, suggesting that while designers aim to parody fashion elitism, consumers' participation undermines the satire.

  "You are selling back to you... That's the joke." – Emily Kirkpatrick [105:48]

6. Interview with Emilia Blickfeld: The Ugly Stepsister

The episode features an in-depth interview with Emilia Blickfeld, writer and director of the new film The Ugly Stepsister. Emilia discusses her inspiration, thematic focus, and the film’s exploration of beauty and body horror.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's a grim gothic fairy tale body horror... about the stepsister and her journey." – Emilia Blickfeld [70:03]

• "Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder. Beauty is in the eye of the culture of the beholder." – Emilia Blickfeld [86:48]

Key Discussions:

• Concept of "Beauty Horror":
  Emilia introduces "beauty horror" as a genre intertwining aesthetic beauty with bodily horror, emphasizing the destructive nature of societal beauty standards.

  "It's a continuum... What is beauty? It's an eye of the culture of the beholder." – Emilia Blickfeld [74:34]

• Critique of Traditional Fairy Tales:
  She critiques how classic stories like Cinderella have historically linked physical appearance with moral virtue, a trope she aims to subvert in her film.

  "Disney made it real into the standard idea... if you're ugly, you're mean." – Emilia Blickfeld [77:50]

• Personal Connection:
  Emilia shares her personal struggles with societal beauty pressures, highlighting the film as a reflection of longstanding cultural issues.

  "We were conditioned to think our value is in our looks... it's a catch-22." – Emilia Blickfeld [82:34]

7. Personal Tales: Jessica's Eyebrow Bleaching

In a vulnerable segment, Jessica recounts her own "mess of the month" involving eyebrow bleaching—a response to her struggle with trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder).

Notable Quote:
"I just felt less exposed in a weird way... I have to illustrate how stupid I am." – Jessica DeFino [39:03]

Story Highlights:

• Attempting a Solution:
  Jessica bleaches her remaining eyebrow hairs to create a uniform look, believing it would mitigate the distress caused by uneven brows.

  "I thought it was really funny to wear a shirt that says butter face to a beauty industry event." – Jessica DeFino [39:10]

• Outcome and Reflection:
  While initially feeling liberating, Jessica grapples with the unsustainability and self-contradiction of her actions, highlighting the ongoing challenges of self-image.

  "I feel like I'll never stop apologizing for it my whole life." – Jessica DeFino [41:03]

8. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with Jessica and Emily reflecting on their discussions, emphasizing the complex interplay between beauty standards, personal agency, and societal expectations.

Notable Quote:
"It's about owning your own hotness... It's the same as a continuation of regular vaginal shaming." – Jessica DeFino [48:40]

They encourage listeners to engage with their content and participate in future events, signifying the ongoing mission to critique and analyze the intricacies of pop culture's "messes."

Conclusion

This episode of The Review of Mess offers a comprehensive critique of contemporary beauty standards, celebrity culture, and the enduring impact of societal expectations on individual agency. Through fashion analysis, societal observations, and personal narratives, Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick provide a multifaceted exploration of the "messes" permeating modern pop culture.