Le cose belle arrivano quando non le cerchi.
/Beautiful things come when you're not looking.
Welcome to Hyperreality, a weekly letter from the writers of This Is Glamorous, the much-loved international publication that first came to life in a quiet corner of the internet in 2007. Whether you’re new here or have been with us since the beginning, this space is for long-form reflection – essays, reviews, and thoughtful conversations reminiscent of blogging’s golden age.
In a world of fleeting scrolls and fast takes, Hyperreality offers something slower. Here, we return to introspection, aesthetics, and philosophy – ideas that transcend trends and explore the deeper layers of life. From culture and art to literature, film, design, and the existential, we seek the extraordinary in the everyday.
Have you ever had a moment when a new perspective shifted the way you see everything? That’s the energy we’re hoping to bring to this corner of the internet. Occasionally, P., who typically works behind the scenes, will join in to share his thoughts, adding his unique voice to the mix. Remember the early days of This Is Glamorous, when every comment led to a meaningful conversation and left us feeling like we’d discovered something new? That's the kind of atmosphere we hope to rekindle here.
So, here's to new voices and old friends. To conversations that make us think, laugh, and maybe see the world a bit differently. We're excited about this new chapter, and we hope you are too.
Back in 2007, Roséline started This Is Glamorous from one of those quiet, easily overlooked corners of the internet – the kind you only find if you’re paying attention. It began as her own search for beauty in the everyday, small moments that anchor a life. But then people started arriving, from everywhere, as if drawn by some shared instinct, and suddenly the project wasn’t just hers anymore.
By 2014, Roséline began expanding her creative world in new directions. She introduced an online shop, offering readers the chance to bring TIG’s aesthetic into their own homes. That same year, she co-founded Belgrave Crescent, a British accessories brand that soon gathered a loyal following for its quiet, understated elegance – an appeal to those who valued subtlety over show.
The winter of 2019 brought a new chapter when Roséline moved to Spain. Surrounded by orange trees and ancient cobblestones, she found herself drawn to creating a fine jewellery collection in solid 18k gold and natural pearls, capturing a romantic and timeless aesthetic. The Mediterranean light and local craftsmanship inspired two additional ventures: a wicker and rattan line handmade by Spanish artisans, and a collection of elegant suede loafers handmade in the country's southern ateliers.
The winter of 2019 marked a new chapter when Roséline moved to Spain. Surrounded by orange trees and ancient cobblestones, she was inspired to create a fine jewellery collection in solid 18k gold and natural pearls, shaped by a romantic, timeless sensibility. The Mediterranean light – and the region’s deep tradition of craftsmanship – brought about two more ventures: a wicker and rattan line handmade by Spanish artisans, and a collection of elegant suede loafers made in ateliers in the country’s south.
As creative director, Roséline works in that space where design, photography, and writing blur into one another. She captures images – some arranged, others caught in the drift of the day – and pairs them with the kind of writing that leads readers straight into TIG’s orbit of design, culture, travel, fashion, and art. Over the years, the combination has given her a certain authority: brands and creators seek her out because she knows how to build a world, not just a product.
For years, her way of seeing has helped readers make sense of their own – an instinct for beauty, for meaning, for the small moments that hold everything together. With Hyperreality, a weekly newsletter, Roséline steps into more personal ground, writing essays that move between memory and observation. It’s a place where design, art, literature, film, travel, and fashion overlap, and where the everyday sometimes reveals something sharper, stranger, more extraordinary.
[Follow Roséline: Notes / Instagram / Pinterest]
In 2014, PFM launched an accessories brand with a vision to bring British craftsmanship into the digital age. Working with materials sourced from Italian and French ateliers, he created pieces that fused traditional design with modern aesthetics, each one reflecting his commitment to meticulous artistry and thoughtful innovation.
His work spans both the physical and the digital. As a designer, he has reimagined online spaces for publications like This Is Glamorous, creating immersive digital experiences that elevate editorial content. As a writer, his essays on music and culture offer fresh perspectives, marked by nuance and curiosity.
Whether designing an accessory, writing a reflective piece, or building a digital environment, PFM approaches every project with the same sensibility: refined, culturally aware, and quietly subversive. His work consistently bridges artistic vision with practical application, inviting others to see the familiar in new ways.
Over the years, we’ve watched the internet change – from the golden age of blogging to the dizzying, fragmented now. Some things disappear. Some things stay.
We’ve seen ideas echoed, phrases borrowed, aesthetics replicated – sometimes down to entire About pages (ours). It’s a strange thing, to watch your voice reflected elsewhere. Flattering, perhaps. But also a reminder of how long we’ve been shaping this space, and how deeply rooted this work is in real life and real time. It wasn’t built overnight.
And there is a difference, and those who’ve been here a while can feel it. This is not a trend. It’s not a performance. It’s not AI-generated. It was never engineered for algorithms. This work wasn’t shaped by templates or cycles. It is living, evolving, and entirely our own – the result of years of creative pursuit, built from the ground up.
If you’ve been with us since the early days, thank you. If you’re just joining now – welcome! Everything here has been built slowly, deliberately, and with great care.
Hyperreality is a thoughtful digital companion for the intellectually curious – a place for slowing down and thinking deeply. Through long-form essays, critical reviews, and personal reflections, we explore how art, design, philosophy, literature, and aesthetics shape the way we live and see.
This is not content for content’s sake. There are no algorithms here, no ad sponsors. Only thoughtful writing, funded directly by readers. This project is for those who crave depth, beauty, and meaning – in both digital and real life.
We tried Patreon. We considered podcasting. But nothing felt quite right until now. With Hyperreality, we’ve found a way to connect again – without filters or distractions – in a format that honours thoughtfulness.
We spend an incredible amount of time and energy creating content for you, and after creating free content at TIG and Instagram for many years, we’re excited to have a different way of sharing our ideas. We flirted with Patreon, bought all the equipment for podcasting, but neither of these have felt quite right. We felt it time to evolve, and offer something new, and here, we can do it without the pressure of ever-changing algorithms or the need for sponsored content. This newsletter is completely funded by subscribers and you will be directly supporting our work.
SUBSCRIPTION PLANS
Monthly: $7/month (billed monthly)
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Each plan gives you full access to:
Long-form essays on design, art, and culture
Critical reviews of books, films, and media
Personal reflections and conversations
Bonus posts for paid subscribers & full archive access
(If you opt for the yearly plan, it comes with savings)
FOUNDING MEMBERS
For those who want to support this project at a deeper level – becoming a Founding Member helps us dedicate even more time and care to the work. It means the world to us.
GIFTING A SUBSCRIPTION
You can also gift a subscription to a friend, colleague, or loved one – a simple way to share thoughtful content with someone you think will appreciate it.
We’re building something slower, more intentional – and we’re glad you’re here. Whether you’re a free reader, a paid subscriber, or simply passing through, thank you for taking the time to read and reflect with us.
If the work resonates, consider subscribing or becoming a Founding Member. It’s the best way to support what we’re creating – and to help shape a space where depth still matters.
Here’s to slower thinking, deeper beauty, and more meaningful connection.
