Collected Agenda with Sam Falb

Guest Edit #1

Introducing Guest Edits: I have always been drawn to the diary as a medium, to the confessional details in the mundanities of one's daily routine, to the visceral ways in which one interacts with the world around them. Collected Agenda has so far been fragments of my own mind and my own plans as such, and yet there’s a lot more happening than my week and my life alone can capture. I’m excited, therefore, to introduce guest edits - where creative people tell us WHAT THEY DID and WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. There is truly no one who does more than the author of this first guest edit.

Introducing Sam Falb: (Instagram) (Substack)

Sam Falb is a writer and creative producer who I met first on Instagram, and then at Cafe Gitane. Within a few moments of speaking with Sam, it became clear that this is someone whose Collected Agenda is always full. Sam seems to be everywhere, and it seems he is wildly in the know about everything. He wryly describes his policy towards event attendance as: “you don’t know if you don’t go” and Sam is always going. 

Writing primarily across fashion, art, and nightlife, Sam’s recent bylines include a column that takes readers “Behind The Seams” in CFDA, a “Reframe” column discussing New York’s most timely gallery shows in Elephant, a party report for the launch of photographer Ethan James Green’s new exhibition and book in Vogue, “A Moment With Björk” in V Magazine, a conversation on preservation and curation in PIN-UP, and more. Sam also recently launched his own substack; HOME Gallery – “a digital, biweekly exhibition of thoughts old and new, images, and xyz.”

Sam is unique as a writer and as a person in the remarkably authentic engagement and attention to detail with which he views subjects, individuals, events, and industries. Everyone can be at everything if they’re redacted  (not many) years old and just don’t sleep, but not everyone can engage with such a broad range of subjects with integrity, clarity, and depth. 

So; I’m extremely grateful to Sam Falb for being the first guest here to tell us WHAT HE DID and WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. It’s probably an agenda worth heeding.

WHAT SAM FALB DID

Monday, September 30

Monday was a comparatively quiet day. This was perhaps the perfect accompaniment to a cozily rainy weekend and prior week of going here, here, here, and here, for various stories, friendly meet-ups, and fact finding missions of the highest order (where to eat on a nauseous stomach). 

I reflect on the month that’s passed by and the month to come. I finish the first edition of my new Substack HOME Gallery and let my mind wander. Halloween? Costume ideas float in and out my head, but nothing sticks quite yet. 

Tuesday, October 1

I have back-to-back appointments: therapy, then an interview with redacted artist/photographer in advance of a comprehensive interview of their work for an art magazine. They’re currently in Paris, and we chat lightly about international travel, upcoming projects, and a secondary list of subjects for me to chat with – some cool folks. 

Next, I have a meeting with an art market connection to discuss industry paths and gauge experience. I think writing, as much as I love it, will serve as a springboard to another opportunity, but pinning down what that looks like is currently in process. If anyone has a constructive thought, email me! (shfalb@gmail.com)

Speaking of, my late afternoon is capped by a course on art finance in the global market. It’s one of the highlights of my week. The professor is extremely savvy, and being in a classroom again is welcomely stimulating. 

Wednesday, October 2

I go to an early morning press preview for a legacy women’s brand, where they offer me cashmere gloves as a gift. I have them embroidered with my mom’s initials and tuck them away for a Rosh Hashanah present later that evening. Perfect timing. 

I swing back downtown for a preview of MOCA’s new Magazine Fever: Gen X Asian American Periodicals exhibition. Excellently rich in historical documentation of Asian American magazines, I flip through copies encased in laminate and read most of the exhibition text for each presented work. This show will be in my upcoming monthly art column (last one here), and I grab the exhibition notes at the front desk before leaving. 

Next, I meet with an art publicist at St. Ambroeus to discuss a recent studio visit and chat. We have fun! I love these types of meetings, given that you’re usually paired with a like-minded person who’s passionate about similar topics. 

I peel my way home after running some errands to write and pack for the holiday. I’m on a 9:45pm Metro North with my UWS-based sister, who’s meeting me for the ride. I gingerly place a bouquet of flowers and the gloves in my tote, and grab my overnight bag. Let’s ride.

Thursday, October 3

Services occupy most of this day. There’s a (repeated) shofar blowing, reflections on the past year mixed with thousand-year-old blessings, and a variety of fashions that give the wandering mind something light to consume while the cantor sings. 

Cod with a garlicky, crunchy crust and a delightful selection of salads follow the morning’s prayers. A worthy treat for the gathered 20-odd family members. My mom loves the gloves. I make it back to the city in time to meet up with Meka, who’s in town from LA for a few days, and we stop with a combined group of friends to the Kartik Research pop up at the old Chickee’s location, which is now Sorbara’s down the street. 

Friday, October 4

I have a morning coffee with a longtime New Yorker writer who has come out with two books. We met at a Kapp Kapp opening a few weeks prior and exchanged cards. I love his profiles and tell him so. The spot we meet at in the West Village is new for me, but the Italian pastry institution has clearly seen decades of writers, creatives, tourists, and birthday-cake orderers of all sorts in its space – a new gem. I dash home with a tidy bag of sushi and miso soup for a quick lunch before a chat with a member of Meta’s fashion partnerships team. Lovely and full of stories, the chat is informative and now I finally know what their team does. Phew. 

I go on a walk for a chocolate chip cookie between writing, and the cashier recognizes me at my regular spot. I leave with two treats, not knowing it until I open the bag back in my apartment.

The night’s order is Sara Cwynar at 52 Walker. She will be in my column, and I’m going to the opening with a friend. I buzz Carolina’s door with the extra cookie in-tow, and we chat about the week as she gets ready. The walk over sees us grab Mai, who runs a very cool shop and was closing up. It’s like a party at the opening: buzzy, sweaty, and festive. A great amalgamation of art meets fashion in the outfits and characters on view in front of the world. 

Next, I’m meant to meet a friend out at a dancy, queer club night that’s new for both of us. So, the night (and the weekend) begins in darkness – bodies, bass, and blood-pumping beats to come. 

WHAT SAM FALB THINKS YOU SHOULD DO: 

Get Somebody Flowers

Many good days of mine have started or ended at Da Hing Plants, where you can get a $7 or $8 bouquet wrapped in crinkly, brown or printed paper for a significant other, friend, or otherwise. They’re the sweetest team, and the flowers really do run the gamut of color, composition, and combination. It’s the easiest thing to do to bring a smile to someone’s face, and the payoff is always special and heartwarming. Get flowers!

Use The Last Warm Day (Proverbially Speaking)

Before it gets wickedly cold, you should definitely walk around and check off a bunch of fun indoor-outdoor to dos. Here’s this Saturday’s plan: 

Go on a gallery walk – see the Doug Wheeler exhibition at David Zwirner’s Chelsea gallery. It’s immersive, like walking into a murky universe of fog and mystery. The nearby Gladstone Gallery also has a particularly splashy show of paintings. You could then get ice cream, whether at Cafe Panna, that weird Venchi or the aforesaid Pasticerria Rocco in the West Village, or one of the new Salt and Straw locations. As the sun sets, leisurely bike downtown to my friend Taryn’s photography book launch. You might find yourself on the patio at Basement, Singer’s, or that bar to cap the night off. 

Get on Are.na

This moodboarding software has fundamentally changed my approach to creativity. Like Pinterest, but exclusively populated by artists, graphic designers, and their allies (me), the well of compelling imagery that’s crowdsourced on this platform is phenomenal. Plan shoots, concept out vacation attire, or make seasonal projections with friends. It’s never too late to start and always fun to try. 

Yellow Tees, Cashmere, and Wool Top Coats

As the seasons change, ask yourself: what’s a sartorial need? For me, I want a crisp yellow tee from Olly Shinder, Club Mel via RE/DONE, or Gimaguas. Drape a TSE cashmere sweater over the back of the tee (probably black or cream), and throw a deeply cozy, black, wool top coat over the combination. This is the impending winter uniform of choice. Insulated, style-forward, and bright in its accent. All I need now is a shoe. 

Do Something You’re Afraid Of

It was hard to think about a non-cringe inducing title, but the theme holds true. Some of my best decisions have come out of throwing my hands up and making decisions that can drag feet or beg “what ifs” til the end of time if not addressed directly. Just go for it. Then at least you’ll know, and you can move on to the next fun thing! Like buying flowers ;)