The Daily Valet. - 7/12/21, Monday

✔️ A Space Race

Monday, July 12th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

And we’re back ...

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s Big Story

The First Billionaire Reaches Space

Does Richard Branson’s successful Virgin Galactic flight mean space tourism is officially here?

Richard Branson seems to have won the new space race. He flew to the edge of space on Sunday aboard his rocket-powered plane—more than two decades after he created the Virgin Galactic brand that aims to lead a brand-new tourism industry.

Branson said he started the morning off with a visit from fellow space enthusiast Elon Musk, who was in New Mexico to watch the mission in person.

The flight reinforces the hopes of space enthusiasts that routine travel to outer orbit may soon be available to private citizens, not just NASA astronauts. Jeff Bezos, another billionaire with his own rocket company, has plans to make a similar jaunt to the edge of space in nine days, reports the New York Times.

According to the Associated Press, Bezos sent his congratulations, adding: “Can’t wait to join the club!” Though he also took to social media a couple of days earlier to enumerate the ways in which be believes his company’s tourist rides will be better.

The nearly 71-year-old Branson and five crewmates from his executive team reached an altitude of 53.5 miles over the New Mexico desert—enough to experience three to four minutes of weightlessness and witness the curvature of the Earth—and then glided back home to a runway landing.

The only disappointment from the historic flight was when the live feed in the capsule failed during the two minutes of actual space travel. Spectators were denied a view of Branson and crewmates spinning in weightless bliss. (The closest we got was about three seconds of heavily pixelated limbs waving around.)

Ready to fly? I hope you have some money saved. Virgin Galactic plans to resume ticket sales this fall after suspending them following a 2014 accident. More than 600 had already paid up to $250,000 apiece, and thousands more paid $1,000 to join the line when sales reopen.

↦ Counterpoint: The Atlantic asks the space billionaires to “read the room ... could there be a worse time for two über-rich rocket owners” to blast off?

Djokovic Wins Wimbledon

With 20 Grand Slam titles, he could now break a three-way tie with Federer and Nadal

Novak Djokovic bested Matteo Berrettini in the 2021 Wimbledon men's final Sunday, tying the men's record for most tennis Grand Slam victories.

“I have to pay a great tribute to Rafa and Roger,” Djokovic said during the on-court, postmatch interview. “They are legends of our sport and they are the two most important players that I've ever faced in my career.”

As for the greatest in history, the Serb said he would leave it to others—noting the difficulty of comparing players across different eras, given the evolution in recovery methods and racket technology.

But if he does win his fourth U.S. Open in September, he'll break the three-way tie he currently holds with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, to stand alone atop men's tennis history.

↦ FYI: Djokovic has collected 8 of the past 12 major trophies—all since turning 30, the most by a man past that age.

Beware of ‘Shrinkflation’

Manufacturers are putting less in packages but keeping prices the same

As prices for consumer goods continue to rise, experts are ringing alarm bells over so-called “shrinkflation.”

What is that, exactly? It's a term used to describe “implicitly increasing the price of an item by slightly decreasing the amount or quantity in a package,” Steve Reed, an economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tells ABC News.

If you're not paying attention, you could miss it entirely. According to NPR, the changes are subtle but distinct. Take the new boxes from General Mills. They're taller and skinnier—they look larger, but these bigger boxes hold less cereal.

The “r/shrinkflation” thread on Reddit allows people to upload images of examples they find. And it's happening in more places than you think—from deodorant and paper towels to your favorite snacks.

↦ Meanwhile: Last month, General Mills announced that the rising cost of ingredients, packaging, labor and trucking was forcing it to revamp its business.

Call It a Comeback

Giant pandas no longer classed as endangered species

Here's some good news to kick off the week: Giant pandas are no longer an endangered species, Chinese officials have announced, in a massive win for conservation efforts in the country.

Since the 1970s, China has ramped up its efforts to expand the panda's natural habitat, and it has resulted in the giant panda population growing to 1,800 in the wild.

According to NBC News, it's notoriously difficult to get pandas to breed both in captivity and in the wild. China has also created expansive nature reserves in an effort to protect the bears' habitats.

In China, the giant panda has long been considered a national treasure and has been a protected species since the implementation of the wildlife conservation law in 1958.

↦ FYI: Beijing has engaged in “panda diplomacy” for decades, lending the cuddly-looking creatures to zoos around the world as gestures of friendship.

In Other News

↦ Italy Crowned European Soccer Champions After Shootout Win Over England

↦ Here’s Why You Probably Won’t Need a Booster Shot Against the Delta Variant Anytime Soon

↦ Even With Cardboard Beds and Recycled Medals, Olympics Take Flak Over the Environment

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

This sleek cold brew maker

S’mores

Bella’s golden lungs

A Big Name in Fashion Returns

The former creative director of Celine is returning to fashion with an eponymous label

Phoebe Philo is returning to fashion after a three-year hiatus, not as the creative director of a major luxury house, but as the majority owner of her own clothing and accessories label “rooted in exceptional quality and design.”

According to Business of Fashion, French luxury group LVMH has taken a minority stake in the new venture, leaving the British designer firmly in the driver's seat.

You've likely heard of Philo, but if you need a refresher: After her understated, minimalist reinvention of Celine, she emerged as the leader of a quiet luxury fashion movement that gained traction in the wake of the Great Recession. It turned Celine into one of the most influential labels in the luxury industry.

More information about what, exactly, Phoebe Philo-the-brand will be is promised in January. (Will it only be for ladies? Women's wear and men's wear? Unisex?) The New York Times wonders if she will bypass the seasonal show wheel entirely for a new version of slow fashion, one that is altogether more sustainable.

↦ Rumor Mill: This puts to rest the speculation that Philo would assume the creative director role for such brands as Burberry, Chanel, Ferragamo and Loro Piana.

Stuff We Want

This summer, go big. That is, size up a button-down shirt. Preferably one that's lightweight, like this linen style from Everlane ($60). A boxier fit makes for a easy, breezy feel that's deliberately flowy. Layer it over a tank top or undershirt and wear it with some casual chinos to look at once relaxed and put-together.

↦ Want More? The five stylish items to buy this week