Welcome back to the Open Book! If you are new here - we are a monthly literary open mic series that meets every third Wednesday at Fiction Bar! We’re excited to present the 13th episode of the official Open Book Podcast (hosted by Matt Jancer and skillfully edited by
) ! This episode features Olivia Feldman, friend of WUTI, and a millennial like many of us who are experiencing the harsh reality that the world we grew up with is fleeting and strange to the likes of AI-users who most likely didn’t know life without the World Wide Web or a smartphone. Although, fear not, this podcast and Olivia’s piece is not all existential doom. It reminds us why it is important to revel in what was before, what may have felt us feel seen, and to reminisce about them now with those who can relate and also just trying to simply keep on keepin’ on in these times.
A little bit about my friend and fellow writer Olivia….Olivia Feldman is both New York and Florida grown and is proud to be a product of each state. She enjoys writing about music, arts and culture (read some of her work published here ! ) , as well as her strange and profound life experiences. When she’s not threading words together, she’s eating her way through NYC and trying in vain to stay up for late-night DJ sets. I can say from knowing her that her Spotify playlists and knowledge of the scene(s) are not to be missed- go talk words and music and all the things with your new friend Olivia!
Take a listen to her most recent fave tune here:
Again, our sentiment is consistent. Got to keep on!
Now back to the writing, the episode, why this post exists.
On this week’s episode Olivia writes about the nostalgia of losing the spaces in our beloved Malls of America, our hangout spots, our Sbarro soirees, our third spaces, or just where many of us spent our ‘becoming’ years if we didn’t have a basement large enough or it was too cold to be outside… shopping fast fashion and then waiting for our parents to pick us up. You may have heard of the recent bankruptcy announcement of the iconic retailer- Forever 21. Yes, you heard that right, Forever 21 has finally been stumped, pranked, it’s past their bedtime, buy your basics and temporary trends and fixtures now as they begin to close stores and liquidate the goods to other retailers and well, the earth. Happy Earth Month?!
Quick intermission to settle in, unzip your pants after a long day, switch into your hoodie and listen up- I, Becka.Dots, have worked in Fashion for 15+ years and although much of my work has been in the fast fashion footwear space I have spent so much of my time surrounding those office hours outside thrifting and advocating to save our planet and still look good. I know Olivia is also a fan of a good find and has sported some gems that she’s found or held on to (just ask her about her Middle School swim team windbreaker from her early days growing up in Brooklyn-it’s rad). A lot of us are out her fighting for sustainability, inclusivity, less waste, and a cleaner world. So when I see that F21 is closing their doors I see this as an opportunity for their customers to go elsewhere for their party looks and everyday threads- to look to the used and the stories found in other people’s clothes that feed a circular economy and community, that our world and the fashion industry needs to see more of. Now, before I go on and speak the foul word of tariffs and every other scary thing corporations, small business owners and end consumers are facing I’ll stop for now…(because I have so much to say!!!!)
Now back to the writing, the episode, why this post exists.
When Olivia read this piece aloud at Open Book (March 2025) it really hit. I don’t think this was just a fashion, culture piece. The way that Olivia writes and memorializes her past is so relatable, I still recall the feeling left in the room after she read her piece. We either wore the same outfit she described or knew someone that did. More importantly, we all remember a time that feels out of reach- but through the power of our words and our art we can revisit them again. We can find the F21 of our lives and bail them out.
Please, I ask of you, all ages that adorn the varying audiences we see month to month of Open Book, please keep bringing your past and your present to the stage. Please bring the outfit you never thought you’d wear. It is all welcome here.
Thank you for reading and thank you Olivia for sharing your stories and words with us at Open Book and on the podcast.
Comment below with your fave F21 outfit pic or memory ! hehe
Lastly, please subscribe, tell a friend, call your mom, all the things!
I can’t wait to hear more and hear from all of you.
Happy Reading/Writing,
-B.Dots/Open Book
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