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.

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.

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Most unexpected link-up:Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:Pair of shoes you wore the most:Scam of the year:

Ayo Edebiri.Kendrick Lamar hating Drake.Baggy jean shorts and knee-high boots.OG RHONY—from season one!Ubers where I said I was “5 mins away” and hadn’t even left my neighborhood.My divorced parents sitting next to one another at a show I was doing. (Very expected: Not a word to each other.)Underrated: Nitehawk before they changed their burger. Overrated: We need a federal investigation into how bad Casino is.Sandy Liang ballet flats.The Harris campaign.

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:Location where you took the most selfies:Most unexpected link-up:Most underrated and most overrated restaurants:Pair of shoes you wore the most:Scam of the year:What’s the moral of 2024?:

No one. I don’t pay much attention to other people’s clothes.Obscene Magazine, where I worked as editor-in-chief. We collaborated with Ellie Grace Cumming, Nick Haymes, Petra Collins, and many other amazing artists.A table, a sofa... and artwork from an artist.‘80s fashion?Elevator mirrors.The Tokyo Art Book Fair with a Taiwanese photographer.Noda.Hokas.The overall shift in the economy.Go with the flow.

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Pair of shoes you wore the most:

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.PERFECT Magazine issue seven editorial.There are too many to name. But maybe Oasis tickets.Not that this trend first appeared in 2024, but layering.Sex and the City. Always.The mirror in my living room.My Uggs and Ann Demeulemeesters come in a close tie.

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Most unexpected link up:Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:Pair of shoes you wore the most:Scam of the year:What’s the moral of 2024?The current state of men’s fashion is:The current state of women’s fashion is:

MIUCCIA PRADA ALWAYSJEWELRY COLLAB WITH HEAVEN MARC JACOBSSALMON SPERM INJECTIONS ON MY FACE3D NAILSPLANET EARTH + SEX AND THE CITY B2BKSPA STEAM ROOM FOR MY MANWILLEM DAFOE & MIU MIU !!HOLBOX IN LA. MOST $$$$ SPOTS IN LA ARE OVERRATED.CHANCLAS!!!! THEN MM6 PILLOW BOOTS IN BLACK AND WHITE (GOT ON SSENSE)EREWHON SMOOTHIESDISASSOCIATE AND MOVE-ONVERSEFINANCIAL DISTRICT

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Most unexpected link-up:Pair of shoes you wore the most:What’s the moral of 2024?The current state of men’s fashion is:

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.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.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.The Ultimatum has to be the most unhinged choice of a television show, but I can.Airplanes; never share them though, it’s always terrible lighting.Chopova Lowena and Hellmann’s, and it can be vegan.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.Never tire. Always risk. Remember yourself.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.

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Most unexpected link up:Scam of the year:What’s the moral of 2024?The current state of women’s fashion is:The current state of men’s fashion is:Last question: _______ is brat.

It’s me, isn’t it? Did anyone else say me? I’m saying me.When I planned Yasmin’s wedding in IndustryNAD+The Olympic pole-vaulter hitting his cock on the barMy faceRussell Brand and GodI thought I got scammed on a rug from Pakistan, but it turned out the seller had COVID.VoteLacking buccal fat.Annoyingly quiet and luxurious.Nothing is brat anymore. Whatever happened to brat?

Guiltiest purchase:Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:Most binged TV series:Pair of shoes you wore the most:What’s the moral of 2024?The current state of men’s fashion is:The current state of women’s fashion is:Last question: _______ is brat.

Fancy hand soap. (The brand is called Homecourt, scent is Cece. Trust me.)Workout clothes that make you look like you’re in Swan Lake, sweater shrugs, prairie dresses, and giant water bottles.The Bachelor (Maria<3)Black Acne loafers.Flop.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!Paris.My Volkswagen Jetta.

Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:Pair of shoes you wore the most:What’s the moral of 2024?Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:

The TikTok method of turning your scarf into a balaclava/hood.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.Good friendships make everything not only surmountable but also kind of hilarious as one surmounts.Cervo’s is too salty!! Xian’s Famous Foods is the best restaurant in NY.

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be recreating in 2044:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Most unexpected link-up:Most underrated and most overrated restaurants:Pair of shoes you wore the most:Scam of the year:What’s the moral of 2024?The current state of men’s fashion is:Last question: _______ is brat.

Veneda Carter. Best-dressed with killer collaborations this year.Aimé Leon Dore x Porsche, and the campaign videos. It’s art.NewJeans x MURAKAMI collaboration key ring. I couldn’t help myself.Tbh I think the mob-wife look.Culinary Class Wars from this year; very late but Top Boy series.Airplane bathroom. (Sorry fellow passengers, it’s an unfortunate desire)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: 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.Nike Air Max DN “All Night.” It’s a good one!Maria Grazia Chiuri Fall/Winter 2024. Let’s be honest.“Girl, so confusing.” Entire lyrics of this song.POST ARCHIVE FACTION.“My give-a-fucks are on vacation.”

Guiltiest purchase:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Scam of the year:What’s the moral of 2024?Last question: _______ is brat.

Any time I Deliveroo a coffee.I should probably say my book: How to Be a Goth. But also shooting the cover of Luncheon with Paolo Roversi and John Galliano.Slow Horses.In bed.Fake LOEWE collab invites.Things can, actually, get worse.Brat is brat is brat is brat.

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:Pair of shoes you wore the most:Scam of the year:What’s the moral of 2024?

My girlfriend, Naoko.Republishing of Lars Tunbjörk’s Office by Loose Joints, or LOEWE Spring/Summer 2025 campaign by Juergen Teller.A Mazda.Lost.A semi-abandoned furniture store in Queens.Gatekeeping the most underrated, (because gatekeeping is OK in the Tiktok era.) Most overrated is Whole Foods’s hot counter.Slides procured from Bathhouse.Health insurance, rent, parking tickets, having 30 different subscriptions.Mind your business!

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Most unexpected link up:Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:Pair of shoes you wore the most:Scam of the year:What’s the moral of 2024?The current state of men’s fashion is:

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.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.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.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. hands-down. Shoutout to though, I watched it for the first time through the election and… Shonda Rhymes, you will always be famous.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.The internet and the shooter.Have never been to an underrated restaurant. All of you people only overrate these expensive places pls stop lying to me.A pair of Western boots I took from the office when I worked at Coach after they dropped the samples.Celebrity lookalike contests. Somebody lied to y’all several times.We need to log off. Also, like “camp” in 2019, everyone is misusing “brat.”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.

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Most binged TV series:Most unexpected link-up:Location where you took the most selfies:Most underrated and most overrated restaurants:Pair of shoes you wore the most:Scam of the year:What’s the moral of 2024?The current state of men’s fashion is:Last question: _______ is brat.

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.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.A new velvet couch from HAY.Below Deck with my mom and partner over any and all holiday breaks.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.I have matching full-length tinted mirrors at the office and home—only those ones for the occasional selfie.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!Adieu Type 188 Chelsea Boots in gray and black. Rain or shine—perfect for anyone perpetually lied to by Apple’s crappy weather app.The electoral college.Valuing authenticity and storytelling over mass-produced luxury merch.Borderless but otherwise whatever Commission says it is—can’t wait for its Spring/Summer 2025 collection delivery.Chris Horan is brat.

Best-dressed person of the year:Most exciting creative project of 2024:Guiltiest purchase:Fashion trend from 2024 that teens will be re-creating in 2044:Most binged TV series:Location where you took the most selfies:Most unexpected link-up:Most underrated restaurant and most overrated restaurant:Pair of shoes you wore the most:Scam of the year:What’s the moral of 2024?The current state of men’s fashion is:The current state of women’s fashion is:Last question: _______ is brat.

My beautiful friend Allegra. Also Addison Rae.Climax Books.The Shark Hair Wrap. I am trying new things, okay!!Soccer fashion as fashion-fashion.Arrested Development, you will always make me laugh.C or E train. Never ever the L.Meryl Streep and Martin Short.Under is Tomo21, my favorite place in the world, over is literally any Italian restaurant in downtown Manhattan.A busted pair of Repetto ballet flats.Color analysis… unless. I don’t know. I love scams.Humor is about how you tilt your head.The only man in fashion I pay attention to is my father Michael Rips. Robes out, boots in.Fidan Novruzova.Watching a billion youtube videos instead of a single movie.