I've fallen down an unreasonable number of rabbit holes, but I've brought back souvenirs :)
“One book” always leads me to five more. Psychological studies send me careening down black holes of perception, and before I know it, I have seventeen tabs open, a new set of erasable highlighters (yes, these exist, and yes, they’re just as fucking sexy as they sound), and an entirely new subject to investigate.
For almost two years (a sentence I cannot believe I'm writing), you've been asking me to share my reading lists, research sources, and everything else that fuels my obsession with style psychology, and I've finally made good on my promise.
Introducing Public Library
Public Library is a free, downloadable collection of books, essays, academic research, and open-access resources, curated by yours truly.
The first edition is organized into five subjects:
Style & Dress: The history, language, and cultural significance of what we wear.
Psychology: The theories and research behind human thought, behavior, and self-perception.
Perception: How we see, interpret, and form judgments about people and the world around us.
Identity: Self-concept, individuality, performance, and belonging.
Aesthetics: Beauty, taste, symbolism, and visual theory.
I’ve also included a sixth, less academic section called Personal Canon, which is essentially just a collection of all my favorite books, everything I’m reading when I’m not researching.
Everything in the five research sections is freely accessible, with direct links to the original material.
A library without a due date
I’ve designed Public Library to be a living collection. I’ll continue adding material as I find it, and updated editions will be available as the collection grows.
There’s no prescribed reading order, absolutely no rules whatsoever. Follow whatever interests you. Open something you’ve never heard of. Read three pages, discover a new hyper-fixation, spend the rest of the afternoon with headphones on and cyberpunk synth blasting. Guarantee, it’s the recipe for the best kinda day.
Cheers to keeping curiosity free of charge. I'll see ya somewhere down the next rabbit hole. :)
With great personal aesthetic,
Alexandra Diana
Contribute to the Collection
Have a book, essay, archive, or subject you’d like to see included? Send ‘em my way. All additions are reviewed before being included in future editions.
L🧡VE this !!! Thank you!!!
Okay WOWZAH. This is so generous!!! Thank you.