The past year has seen an increasing number of Instagram-Based Curators who are filling our daily feeds with virtually fascinating imagery that we just simply cannot escape from.
From the latest in Fashion, Architecture, Land-Scape Photography, Celebrity Images, Music & More.These pages get it right every time... and they are on the clock 24/7, documenting history as it happens.These are called "Archive Pages", an instagram-based curator / researcher, as it's described by one, a "digital librarian ".
Over the last week, I interviewed one of them, The.Thinkings is what he calls himself, a page with little over 17.000 followers at the time as I write these words.
@the.thinkings // Courtesy of Instagram
To start from the beginning, I met The.Thinkings in late 2020, when his page had no more than 900 followers at the time, I liked the content he posted, very exclusive and hard-to-find imagery that pleased my visual needs.
From exclusive Louis Vuitton, to Kylie Jenner wearing Takashi Murakami, and everything in between. I DM'ed him expressing my gratitude for his content, we talked for a bit as we shared the same passion for Fashion and Arts, a bond was made. Later on he posted some of my pictures on his page (fun fact: OFF-WHITE shared them on Instagram Story), we kept in touch, as he grew bigger and bigger, meeting new industry giants and forming connections, as it is later described by The.Thinkings himself.
His page is now followed by the likes of: Virgil Abloh, A$AP BARI, Takashi Murakami, just to name a few.
I caught up with The.Thinkings last Sunday and we discussed for a bit about his page, the Fashion Industry, and where is he heading next:
*the following is that discussion
NODIS: First of all, I'd love a proper Introduction, not for me, but for those who's first time seeing an archive page is today, so tell me.... Who You Are & What You Do?
The.Thinkings: I go by Thinker or The Thinkings. I run what I like to call my digital library or what others call an archive page. I share content with the world that I find and that others may share and enjoy together. What I do is hard to describe as it has lots of personal emotion and passion put into it.
NODIS: Tell me about the content you post.
The.Thinkings: The content that I post is anything that I like or have an interest in. Everything on my page is a representation of my own tastes and knowledge, whether it be music, culture or fashion. The idea of it being a representation of my mind and who I am is where I got the name The Thinkings and Thinker’s Cloud.
NODIS: As a consumer of your content, I am really intrigued, what does it mean for you to document history as it happens ?
The.Thinkings: I love sharing what's new and vibrant in the world with people. I always have. Whether it is something fresh or something historic. I wish people would go and look back on my earlier posts. There is so much unique content and events that can be found that I posted at the time. I do it myself sometimes, it gives a very nostalgic feeling which brings a whole new meaning to my page. Staying in the present is fine too.
NODIS: Do you see your page as a "Fashion News Outlet" or a diverse Media Outlet ? If not, How do you see it?
The.Thinkings: It’s honestly inbetween. I see my page as a place for people to discover different topics and educate themselves. I see it mainly as a massive digital library of free information or inspiration. My library is huge and is only going to continue to grow. There is a little something for everyone. I have had many ideas of expanding into a full fledged media or news outlet, but I think I'll wait until I have gained more of a following. I still would run something personal on the side. Honestly I have thousands of ideas and campaigns that I want to do. Hopefully I'll be able to bring something to my fans soon!
NODIS: Do You See Yourself as Part of the Fashion Industry ?
The.Thinkings: I would. Fashion is my life. Nearly everything on my page is fashion related. My love for fashion is the original inspiration for this page as well as the love for other arts. I hope to continue pursuing my dreams of finding my place in the fashion world. I have always wanted to make an impact on something and to be remembered.
NODIS: Tell me about some of the people you've met along the way, as well as a story you find interesting that happened because of your work
The.Thinkings: I’m still in disbelief by how many role models and genuinely awesome and inspiring people I have met on this journey. From Takashi Murakami and Virgil Abloh to even people in the community with pages such as Undercoverosh, Samutaro, Yungwatergun and Welcome.jpeg. My experience with the Grailed team has also been crazy, when they asked me to do some posts for them I thought I was dreaming. But if I had to say one particular story, it would be when I first spoke to Takashi Murakami. When my page was at around 600-800 followers he reached out to me asking to identify someone wearing his mask. That person was Kylie Jenner, who I can't believe he didn't recognize. I told him that it was her and how much I loved his work and masks. I had no idea he would reply to me with “OK, I can send some things. Give me your address.” He ended up sending me a signed letter thanking me, 3 masks, a binder and a Always Wetboy x Kaikai Kiki T-Shirt. Other names that I can’t not mention is, Lucien Clarke, A$AP Bari, Rick Ross, Taz Arnold, Don C and some members of the Louis Vuitton menswear team. Being able to talk to and be recognized by these big names is so crazy to me. I am so appreciative of every person I meet and talk to, as well as grateful of where I am now. I hope people continue to like my content and support me along the way.
To emphasise the message of what The.Thinkings (and other worth mentioning pages like Hidden.NY, Yungwatergun & Samutaro )...Culture & 'Streetwear' that has now transformed in just 'Fashion', we as misfits, street-kids, who didn't deserve to reach a high pedestal in Fashion & Arts, we kept calling ourselves outsiders, but the outsiders, are now in.....and are playing on the carpet with sneakers on.
This is the end of "The Pages that Document "History" as It Happens: @The.Thinkings"
Thank you for making it this far,
I wish you a nice day !!
-- Ionut Nodis --
This will be a reoccurring appearance, every Sunday Morning, on www.createdbyns.com
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Sources:
Google / Instagram