Role Model’s break-up, the ethics of auto-fiction, and how has the ‘kinda chic’ trend altered our vocabulary?

Maggie is back from her Europe trip, meaning we're back with a pop culture episode for you!

First up, Role Model and Dakota Johnson have broken up. But wait? Didn't she just feature on a song from his brand new album? Yes. Yes she did. Lena Dunham and Carly Rae Jepsen have teamed up to maximise their joint slay with a “10 Things I Hate About You” musical. Plus, Rachel Cusk’s new book is making headlines in the literary world after the main character in Life of M had some striking similarities to a famous actress. We reference this article from The Cut.

According to social media, everything is chic. But what happens when social media trends hit fever pitch and become meaningless? Earlier this month, Berlin-based fashion editor and influencer Brenda Weischer posted a Substack that picked up a lot of heat. We read from the Substack titled oh my god. we're in template slop? and another by type designer Paola Kassa titledHow Typography is Making People Famous.  

We also deep dive on the word 'chic' itself and reference RIP “Chic” – The Word Has Finally Lost All Meaning by Lauren O’Neill, for British Vogue from 2025. What Is Chic? Race, Aesthetics, and the Politics of Elegance by India Low for Liverpool Guild of Students and The Slipperyness of Chicby Marie Solis for The New York Times. 

In Bookmarked, Maggie recommends the movieThe Friend’s House Is Here and Jas recommends The Chronology of Water which is in Australian cinemas now. 

Thank you for listening! You can follow us on Instagram here and our Substack here. 

Jas & Mags xo 

Role Model&rsquo;s break-up, the ethics of auto-fiction, and how has the &lsquo;kinda chic&rsquo; trend altered our vocabulary?
Maggie is back from her Europe trip, meaning we're back with a pop culture episode for you!
First up, Role Model and Dakota Johnson have broken up. But wait? Didn't she just feature on a song from his brand new album? Yes. Yes she did. Lena Dunham and Carly Rae Jepsen have teamed up to maximise their joint slay with a &ldquo;10 Things I Hate About You&rdquo; musical. Plus, Rachel Cusk&rsquo;s new book is making headlines in the literary world after the main character in Life of M&nbsp;had some striking similarities to a famous actress. We reference <a href="https://www.thecut.com/article/is-rachel-cusk-new-book-really-about-natalie-portman.html">this article</a> from The Cut.
According to social media, everything is chic. But what happens when social media trends hit fever pitch and become meaningless?&nbsp;Earlier this month, Berlin-based fashion editor and influencer Brenda Weischer posted a Substack that picked up a lot of heat. We read from the Substack titled <a href="https://brendahashtag.substack.com/p/oh-my-god-were-in-template-slop">oh my god. we're in template slop?</a> and another by type designer Paola Kassa titled <a href="https://paolakassa.substack.com/p/how-typography-is-making-people-famous">How Typography is Making People Famous</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
We also deep dive on the word 'chic' itself and reference <a href="https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/rip-chic-the-word-has-finally-lost-all-meaning">RIP &ldquo;Chic&rdquo; &ndash; The Word Has Finally Lost All Meaning</a> by Lauren O&rsquo;Neill, for British Vogue from 2025.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.liverpoolguildstudentmedia.co.uk/2026/02/14/what-is-chic-race-aesthetics-and-the-politics-of-elegance/">What Is Chic? Race, Aesthetics, and the Politics of Elegance</a> by India Low for Liverpool Guild of Students and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/21/style/chic-kinda-tiktok-trend.html">The Slipperyness of Chic</a> by Marie Solis for The New York Times.&nbsp;
In Bookmarked, Maggie recommends the movie <a href="https://miff.com.au/program/film/the-friends-house-is-here">The Friend&rsquo;s House Is Here</a> and Jas recommends <a href="https://www.cinemanova.com.au/films/chronology-of-water-the">The Chronology of Water</a> which is in Australian cinemas now.&nbsp;
Thank you for listening! You can follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cultureclubpod/">Instagram here</a> and our <a href="https://substack.com/@cultureclubpodcast">Substack here</a>.&nbsp; Jas &amp; Mags xo&nbsp;

Culture Club is a weekly podcast analysing pop culture, the arts, and the internet, hosted by writers and editors Jasmine Wallis and Maggie Zhou.

Culture Club is a weekly podcast analysing pop culture, the arts, and the internet, hosted by writers and editors Jasmine Wallis and Maggie Zhou.

Culture Club

The “Kinda Chic” & Yellow Font Epidemic, Plus Role Model’s Break-Up & Auto-Fiction Ethics

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/a7f96bd4-bece-4a6e-a63f-b4b000bc2756/transcript