Out with London and even Berlin, it's Warsaw that's buzzing, writes HTSI [How to Spend It] [IG] March 1, 2025 issue. Supermodel Malgosia Bela is lensed by close friend Mark Segal [IG] wearing the modern, pedigree looks she prefers. / Hair by Daniel Gryszke; makeup by Marianna Yurkiewicz

Josh Hickey narrates the story about the city he loves and lives in, writing:

Following years of repressive government interference, museums are reclaiming their vigour and the contemporary art galleries are flourishing, thanks to a thriving artist community and the collectors supporting them. The weight and trauma of its history – for decades taboo – is lately being processed with clarity and courage by postwar generations of Varsovians.

Fashion world — or some brave nonprofit not headquartered in America — should organize an online series of sessions with Hickey and definitely Anja Rubik, a true leader in turning around Polish politics.

In Poland, Restoring Rights Has Been Difficult

We American creatives need some help on best efforts to ward off authoritarianism in the USA. Add the complications of Elon Musk acting as America’s co-president president, and we are in a damn mess of epic proportions right now.

In Poland, ‘our crowd’ was so determined to restore lost rights in the country, that — in advance of the October 2023 elections — people MOVED to more rural and conservative parts of the country. Some were tech-employed people who were accustomed to working remotely. Others were young, unmarried and willing to move to these communities and downgrade their personal lifestyles for their country. They took on more menial jobs just to pay the rent in the six months or so before the election.

They won the election, but new Prime Minister Donald Tusk has treaded carefully and lost some important votes along the way. Poland’s near-total ban on abortion – a key demand of female voters and young supporters of the coalition — has not been restored.

Nevertheless, writes the Centre for European Reform — which Trump wants to destroy — “The restoration of democracy in Poland is a slow-moving process, but it offers valuable lessons to other member-states.”

Sorry for the diversion, but Hickey opened the door, and AOC ALWAYS runs through that open door when democracy is under assault. ~ Anne