Jerry Buss bought the Lakers in 1979 and understood immediately that the game was only part of what people were paying for. Forty-six years and two sales later, the team belongs to Bob Iger. The team is what changed hands. It isn't what I'm having trouble with.

It feels like every week there’s another club. Running, reading, coffee, ceramics, wine. Maybe the activity is only part of the reason. We want somewhere to go, someone to meet there, and eventually, a reason to come back.

Inspired by Salvador Dalí's melting clocks, the Exaequo Softwatch turned surrealism into something you could wear. What it asks about time is harder to shake.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: where we’ve been, what we’ve been building, and what happened while A Refined Curatorial was quiet. Somewhere between bottles of wine, Friday evenings, new friendships and a growing community, the world around this publication kept growing.

As life becomes faster, smarter, and more disposable, old things continue to pull us back. From records and watches to worn denim and film cameras, our fascination with the past may be less about nostalgia than the stories, rituals, and traces of life that objects carry with them.

Sade’s music transcends time, weaving together emotion, elegance, and cultural impact. Her blend of R&B, jazz, and soul continues to inspire, resonating deeply across genres like hip-hop, where her influence is felt in samples and lyrics alike. Sade’s work stands as a testament to the enduring power of authenticity and artistry.

Sean “Diddy” Combs reigned as a cultural titan, shaping hip-hop, fashion, and entrepreneurship. Yet, recent allegations cast a shadow over his legacy, prompting a reckoning with celebrity worship and the systems that allow power to flourish unchecked. This moment challenges us to reconcile art, accountability, and the fragility of fame.