The Material Review

Issue 027: Q&A with How Long Gone's Chris Black and Jason Stewart, Yohji Yamamoto, Sauna Meetings, Venmo and a Spotlight On: Optics.

Michael Williams

and

Taylor Stacey

Sep 04, 2024

Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.

Fashion Designer Yohji Yamamoto Says Work Is a ‘Prison’

The industry veteran on office culture, cemetery walks and finding pleasure in suffering [WSJ]

The Bookshelf Tells All

“A Revealing Supporting Player” [The Contender]

How to Fall in Love With Baseball

“Radio play-by-play taught me about the game’s stark beauty — and who my grandmother was.” [NYT]

‘Whatever Happens in the Sauna Stays in the Sauna’: Diplomacy, Conducted in the Nude

“The Finnish Embassy offers one of the hottest invitations in Washington: a chance to discuss serious topics in a sauna.” [NYT]

The Last Social Network

“Venmo has become the best way to see what the people you know are up to.” [The Atlantic]

A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.

As hosts of the popular “bi-coastal elite podcast”, How Long Gone, longtime friends Chris Black and Jason Stewart have built a loyal following for their refined views on everything from pop culture and music to fashion and food. We spoke with them about some of their recent memorable purchases, go-to travel items and what they’re reading.

What's a memorable recent purchase you've made?

CB: A great button-down shirt by Auralee from C'H'C'M and "The AL" sunglasses from Thistle.

JS: Breville Panini press that I’m returning today because it doesn’t have an “on” switch

What is something you've had your eye on?

CB: A Paul Jasmin photograph from Fahey/Klein Gallery in Los Angeles.

JS: Concept 2 rowing machine

What luggage do you swear by?

CB: Rimowa Original Cabin Plus in silver aluminum, Rimowa Original Trunk Plus in silver aluminum, Air Mail Tote Bag

JS: Rimowa roller with a Pacific Tote on top

How do you work out when traveling?

CB: I find the best local gym and happily pay the fee. Hotel gyms can work in a pinch, but most major cities in the USA and Europe have real gyms. It is worth the effort and cost to stay on my routine. The smoothies usually suck, though.

JS: Take an edible and roll around the hotel gym floor for a while after walking backward on the treadmill and doing 19 pull-ups in several short bursts.

What do you bring on the plane in your carry-on bag?

CB: 12" MacBook Air, AirPod Pro headphones, Carmex, Santa Maria Novella Hand Cream, Visine, a GoMacro Bar, Contax T3, a J. Crew cashmere sweater, and whatever book I am reading.

JS: MacBook, Sony headphones, my podcast kit in an old Patagonia dopp kit (my wife just got me a new RRL dopp that's massive), international adaptors (never take them out), and whatever book I’ll stop reading 40 pages in and leave in the seat back on accident.

What are you reading / what do you subscribe to?

CB: The Fence Magazine, Neptune Papers, Middle Plane, Scenery, How To Spend It, The New Yorker, Fantastic Man, Space, Line Sheet, Opulent Tips, The Lefsetz Letter, and the Best Of A A Gill.

JS: Twitter

The Material Review

Issue 027: Q&A with How Long Gone's Chris Black and Jason Stewart, Yohji Yamamoto, Sauna Meetings, Venmo and a Spotlight On: Optics.

A weekly Q&A with friends of the program centered around buying intelligence.

Optics

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