An inaugural note about "The Talented Mr. Ripley"

Good morning,

Last week, I rewatched the two film adaptations of Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. Two thumbs up.

Tom Ripley, sent on a mission by the elder Greenleaf, entangles himself in young Philippe Greenleaf's elegant lifestyle in Italy. Tom comes from a poor background, and he wants to be a wealthy dilettante like Philippe. He tries on Philippe’s fine clothing, and imitates his way of speaking. Tom fixates on becoming Philippe. This envy leads to murder.

In both the 1960 and 1999 film adaptations, the outfits the entire cast wears are beautiful to watch. You may catch yourself envying Philippe’s life too — every jacket perfectly tailored, and each casual afternoon at a cafe is a postcard-worthy scene.

The imagery is so powerful that it still turns up in the zeitgeist decades later. Just last month, the Financial Times published an article admiring Jude Law’s “tattered Gucci loafers and carelessly creased bespoke jackets, cut to look Roman-made.” Tom Ripley himself could have written the article: it is bluntly titled “How to look rich.”

Did we miss the point? Yes, the enchanting shots can make us forget that Philippe is selfish and Tom is evil. When the credits roll and we emerge from the trance, we must remind ourselves that the clothes don’t always make the man.

This Month’s Calendar

Sartoria Solito Napoli in Los Angeles

Kamakura comes to New York and Miami

Qemal Selimi in New York

Steed in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, Dallas, and Houston

Taillour in New York, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco

Ambrosi Napoli in Hong Kong

The Anthology in London

Ring Jacket in Hong Kong

See the dates and other details on Trunkville →

Moodboard

Reading

• The Financial Times draws lessons from The Talented Mr. Ripley’s Dickie Greenleaf (& co.) in How To Look Rich (paywall)

• Kim Gordon, of the legendary rock band Sonic Youth, meditates on the the intersection of avant-garde art and popular culture for Artforum

• Level up your cooking: learn how to make creamy harissa and chorizo pasta in 15 minutes.