In a city where you can find a party for almost any niche interest, from celebrity lookalikes to indie sleaze, a new event has emerged that celebrates something uniquely singular: your old, sticker-covered laptop. On Saturday, May 16, the viral recommendations newsletter-turned-media platform Perfectly Imperfect teamed up with the second-hand tech marketplace Back Market to host “Ugly Pretty,” a celebration of flawed electronics that deserve a second life.
The event, held at the buzzy listening bar Silence Please, tapped into a growing cultural fascination with tech nostalgia and sustainability. The gathering was inspired by Back Market’s recent campaign highlighting the character of pre-owned MacBooks, specifically those bearing the remnants of past owners’ sticker collections. Hosted by turtlewithhat, the night offered attendees a chance to revisit retro relics—including the original Gameboy—while enjoying free tattoos and a dedicated station to customize their own devices with new stickers.
The atmosphere was a vibrant throwback, with many guests dressing in Y2K-inspired fashion that perfectly complemented the evening’s tech-focused theme. The sonic backdrop was provided by DJ Thank You, nation, and velvette blue, keeping the energy high as the crowd engaged with the intersection of vintage hardware and modern circular economy values.
As the event demonstrated, there is a growing appetite for finding beauty in the “ugly” or imperfect aspects of our digital lives. By giving old tech a platform, Perfectly Imperfect and Back Market successfully turned a conversation about e-waste into a stylish, community-driven party.
