Why cork is becoming sustainable design’s favourite material
Members of the design world are on a mission to locate materials that bring us closer to achieving sustainability targets, while also being beautiful and long-lasting. Cork is becoming a prime candidate. When we think of cork, we’re likely imagining popping open a celebratory bottle of champagne or pinning our...
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PETA’s founder to leave behind grisly bodily gifts upon her death
PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk has announced her desire to leave behind a grisly set of assets upon her death. This includes a luxury handbag made from her skin, her lips to be delivered to the US president, and parts of her bowel gifted to Salt Bae. As Argentine revolutionary Che...
Utrecht’s newest apartment block will become a vertical forest
The Dutch city of Utrecht is getting a new apartment building covered in 10,000 plants and trees. It will emit 41 tons of oxygen annually once it is completed in 2024. In imagined depictions of a utopian future, it’s very often that we see views of cities full of...
Why are we all so obsessed with astrology?
Astrology is booming. Driven by younger generations, countless websites and platforms now cater to the astrologically inclined. We examine why this concept has taken over the zeitgeist again – and how it might be causing problems. While it may be a laughable concept to many, astrology now permeates almost...
MTV News becomes latest outlet to permanently shut down
The beloved, old-school division MTV News has shut down for good. It follows Vice, Vox, Buzzfeed, CNN, and others in laying off staff and shrinking workforces, leaving a gap in legitimate news coverage that caters to younger audiences. MTV News has officially closed down. Once a hub for older millennials...
Ed Sheeran wins lawsuit against Marvin Gaye’s heirs for copyright
The world-renowned singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has faced multiple legal allegations of theft, most notably for his single ‘Thinking Out Loud.’ His win clears him of any wrongdoing, and ensures other artists are still free to use chord progressions in any manner they see fit. Ed Sheeran has won a...
Fundraiser launched after floating shop sinks due to pollution
The founder of Rubber Ducky Records, Myles Greenwood, has launched a fundraising campaign after his floating independent record shop was destroyed en route to Manchester last week. Myles Greenwood turned his boat into an independent music shop and venue, housing over 2000 pieces of vinyl and recording equipment. Since October last year, the boat has been drifting through Britain’s waterways, bringing vintage vinyl and radio shows to towns and cities across...
Coca-Cola launches AI art contest using ChatGPT-4 and DALL-E 2
Coca-Cola is launching a competition prompting AI fans to create digital art using its iconic imagery. The best submissions will be showcased on billboards in Manhattan and London. The possibilities for generative AI are pretty much endless, and yet the assignment here is to create the coolest image possible… featuring a cat in a space suit. Okay, I’m being facetious. It’s more complicated than that. Coca-Cola is inviting digital artists, or just...
Barbie’s latest attempt at inclusivity has mixed reviews
Mattel announced its latest Barbie last week, a doll with Down’s Syndrome. But customers are undecided on whether this new stab at inclusivity has been successful. Toy company Mattel has been churning out Barbie’s of all shapes and sizes recently. From a Barbie with hearing aids, to the first transgender doll, 2022 was a year of inclusivity for Barbie fans the world over. Adding to the roster, Mattel announced...
Are sustainability documentaries really that radical?
Becky Hutner’s new documentary ‘Fashion Reimagined’ follows a designers efforts to create a purely sustainable clothing line. But are these kinds of projects more self-congratulatory than profound? Fashion designer Amy Powney has made a name for herself as the creative director of Mother of Pearl, a sustainable, London-based luxury brand. Powney has been vocal about her sustainability goals since taking the helm, and Mother of Pearl has made a name...
