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An exhibit exploring algae’s architectural future

Bit.Bio.Bot by EcoLogicStudio, Italy

Venice – Algae could play a vital role in the future of urban architecture, according to the latest exhibition from design practice EcoLogicStudio.

On show at the Venice Architecture Biennale, the studio’s Bit.Bio.Bot exhibition invites visitors to grow their own algae and consider future use cases for the biomaterial in urban design. Having worked with the resource for the past decade, EcoLogicStudio is further experimenting with the architectural applications of algae – presenting the idea of ‘living cladding’ that allows walls to become air purifiers, and vertical gardens for algae farming.

‘Bit.Bio.Bot contributes to questioning and redesigning… which led us to the current health crisis,’ explains Claudia Pasquero, co-founder of EcoLogicStudio. ‘If we, collectively, daily and locally, will contribute to transforming air pollutants and water contaminants into highly nutritious aliments, there will be fewer opportunities for unbalanced viral ecologies [to] cause us harm.’

By highlighting the multiple use cases of algae in architectural design, this exhibition points to an urban future imbued Air-purifying Algae.

Netflix is co-designing a high-end fashion line

Halston and Netflix

US – The streaming platform is collaborating with luxury label Halston on a capsule collection as a form of cross-promotion for both brands.

Created in line with the release of Netflix’s new biopic of the designer, the 10-piece collection will include gowns inspired by archival Halston designs featured in the series. The garments are the result of a partnership between Robert Rodriguez, chief creative officer at Halston, and Jeriana San Juan, the Netflix series' costume designer, with both creatives recognising the opportunity to ‘…bring back iconic gowns that Halston himself created, but re-interpret them to make them more modern.’

Through this collaboration, Rodriguez hopes to connect the brand with new and younger audiences. He says: ‘Netflix has such enormous reach that the show is going to introduce a younger generation to the brand that did not know Halston. It will bring the Halston name back.’

To discover more about the ways in which luxury brands are experimenting with media partnerships, delve into Luxtainment.

Wacoal’s AI app augments bra fittings

My BraFit, Wacoal, US

New York – Intimate apparel brand Wacoal is launching an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered app to support its customers in accurately determining their bra size.

Dubbed mybraFit, the app takes measurements through a secure body scan that considers details such as breast tissue type, shoulder slope and preferred fit. An in-built proprietary algorithm considers all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicities to create a detailed recommendation. After using the app, customers will receive an email containing their suggested cup size and band number, along with product recommendations from Wacoal.

‘For too long, the industry has relied on the consumer to provide the information needed for accurate sizing,’ says Miryha Fantegrossi, vice-president of merchandising and design at Wacoal America. ‘The mybraFit app is a transformative solution, and by using our vast knowledge of fit and style expertise, we've created a personalised, time-efficient and foolproof sizing tool for everyone.’

This innovation showcases ongoing design development in the Digital Fit sector, reflecting the continued demand for intelligent tools that support e-commerce experiences.

Stat: UAE car-buyers favour second-hand vehicles

Vision Urbanaut by Mini, UK

According to research by YouGov, drivers in the UAE show the highest demand for new vehicles when compared with Australia, Germany, Britain and the US.

Two in five drivers based in the UAE plan to buy a new car in the next 12 months, while in Britain and Germany, fewer than one in 10 people are looking for a new vehicle.

Interestingly, almost a quarter (23%) of UAE drivers would like to buy a second-hand car in the next 12 months. This percentage is similarly high in Australia, where 19% are seeking second-hand vehicles, but just 8% of Britons and 7% of Germans report the same mindset.

While the UAE is less commonly associated with pre-owned products than other regions, the automotive sector has the potential to drive new behaviours in second-hand purchasing. With this in mind, brands have an opportunity to court these new car-buyers with engaging automotive retail concepts.