Fashion

The Creator of L.A.’s Favorite Jelly Cakes Is All About Integrating Fashion and Food

Inspired by the Sanrio era and color blocking from Marni and Jil Sander, Lexie Park is a home cook turned Instagram sensation with her jelly cake company, Nünchi….

Taking inspiration from “the Sanrio era, being a ’90s baby,” and “color blocking from Marni and Jil Sander,” Park worked with a friend who is a pastry chef to learn the proper technique for jelly cakes, such as suspending objects within the substance. “Initially, I didn’t know I was going to be making edible cakes,” she says. “I thought at first I just wanted this to be more of an art project. I still haven’t even done all the things I want to do…I’m really into textures, especially just working in fashion, playing with fabrics all the time. Jelly just seemed like a cool substance to start with.”

Those textures have resulted in endless regrams, and captured the attention of brands. Park was recently commissioned to make cakes for Nike, as well as the shaving company Billie, and has more top secret fashion collaborations coming before the end of the year. She also just launched her first dessert available at a restaurant. The aforementioned violet-blue corn on the cob is made of almond jelly sitting in a chicha morada syrup, a popular Peruvian beverage made from purple corn. It will be available at Opening Ceremony Founder Humberto Leon’s new restaurant, Chifa.

pJelly corn for Chifa.p — Jelly corn for Chifa.

The Creator of L.A.s Favorite Jelly Cakes Is All About Integrating Fashion and Food — Photo: Courtesy of Nünchi

The Chifa collaboration was inspired by her first jelly corns, which she makes in a cheerful yellow. “Koreans are really obsessed with corn. It’s a cultural thing,” she says with a laugh. “I found a mold and I was like, ‘oh my God, I have to make it.’ I try to tie everything back to my culture.”

Park, who started Nünchi in July 2019, now makes about 200 cakes a month in her home kitchen, supplying both a la carte and custom orders. Each one is completely different, based on what Park has available and her inspiration. She sources local and fresh ingredients from her farmer’s market in Santa Monica or Hollywood. “Some people want the same thing, over and over again,” she explains. “I try to tell them, I don’t really want to be making the same cakes over and over again. But what’s cool is they’ll tell me, it’s for this person and here’s their Instagram, and that will kind of spawn something and I’ll kind of go off of that. I like making each cake pretty personal for who’s eating it.”

When she’s not baking cakes, Park is working on expanding the Nünchi brand, launching her own home goods collection and merch in the next month or so. She’ll be selling aprons, lazy susans and more. She’s also working hard to have her cakes available beyond the west coast, and hopes to be able to ship from New York in the near future. Her main mission? “I want to integrate fashion and food continuously.”

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Artist Spotlight

Rare Nike Air Foamposite One Yankees Sample Hits the Market

Sneaker culture is all about exclusivity, and sometimes, a truly special pair comes along that gets everyone excited. One such sneaker is the Nike Air Foamposite One Yankees Sample, a unique blend of basketball history and baseball style. With its striking look and connections to two famous sports worlds, this rare sneaker has just hit the resale market, and collectors are eager to get their hands on it. Originally created for basketball star Penny Hardaway, the Foamposite One became a staple of ’90s sneaker fashion. Its innovative design was groundbreaking at the time.

However, this special Yankees-themed version takes it a step further. It features a deep navy blue and bright white color scheme, resembling the classic pinstripes of the New York Yankees, one of the most celebrated teams in baseball. The unique wave design that runs across the upper part makes this sneaker stand out, giving it a dynamic look and feel. Unlike the regular versions sold in stores, this sample was never mass-produced, which adds to its appeal among collectors and passionate Yankees fans. Currently listed on Index PDX in size 9 for an impressive $3,500, the price reflects how rare it is.

However, what really matters is the story behind it. From basketball courts to everyday life, the Foamposite One has always been a symbol of performance and fashion. This Yankees edition connects two sports that have captured the hearts of fans for generations. For those lucky enough to own this sneaker, it’s a statement piece. It showcases Nike’s dedication to exploring and celebrating sports culture. Whether proudly displayed or worn to show off hometown pride, the Yankees Foamposite One serves as a reminder of the unforgettable moments shared between basketball and baseball.

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Artist Spotlight

Kim Kardashian’s Tesla Robot Photoshoot Sparks Social Media Firestorm

Kim Kardashian is no stranger to stirring up controversy, but her latest photoshoot has generated quite a surprising backlash. Recently, she shared a striking set of images for Perfect Magazine, where she posed alongside a humanoid robot from Tesla and sat on top of a shiny Cybertruck. The shoot was intended to playfully highlight her reputation as being “robotic,” something she feels has been used to describe her in the media. “I think the big joke about doing the shoot with the robot is that I feel like I’m so robotic,” she explained. However, not everyone found it amusing.

Many people online expressed their disapproval, and it wasn’t just about the futuristic look of the photos. Critics viewed the shoot as a nod of support for Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, who is currently a controversial figure facing boycotts. One commenter remarked, “She definitely picked a side,” while another harshly suggested that the Cybertruck could be iconic only if it were on fire! The discussion quickly expanded beyond fashion, with some linking the imagery to international conflicts. “Well, that’s a very clear side just picked, the same one that sides with Russia. Not great,” one user stated.

This incident highlights how public figures like Kardashian are closely watched for their choices and associations. Even what might seem like a fun photoshoot can carry significant meaning. While she intended the shoot to be lighthearted, the timing raised concerns for many fans, especially with Musk’s political connections currently under scrutiny and Tesla facing criticism. Despite the backlash, Kardashian has chosen to stay quiet and let the photos speak for themselves. As always, she is navigating between bold fashion choices and cultural debates, showing that whatever she does, people will have something to say about it. It remains to be seen if she will respond to the controversy or move on to her next big moment.

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