Feathers in a Coronation Cap

Reporting here from the Department of Great State Occasions, Minutiae Division. Subject: swan plumes. On the occasion of the long-awaited coronation of King Charles III, expect, please, several gem-barnacled crowns (one St. Edward’s, one Imperial and one recycled from Queen Mary and containing the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds); varied items of sanctified regalia;…

Roland Mouret Gets a Fresh Start

A look from Roland Mouret pre-fall 2023.Courtesy of the designer In the darkest days of his career, Roland Mouret got a very welcome call. Han Chong, the owner of the brand Self-Portrait, was on the line. It was November 2021, and Mouret’s two-decade-old brand had just declared bankruptcy. Chong had an idea. But first, an…

My Weekend With an Emotional Support A.I. Companion

For several hours on Friday evening, I ignored my husband and dog and allowed a chatbot named Pi to validate the heck out of me. My views were “admirable” and “idealistic,” Pi told me. My questions were “important” and “interesting.” And my feelings were “understandable,” “reasonable” and “totally normal.” At times, the validation felt nice.…