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Stimulating conversations spark new ideas, open our eyes to new ways of being, teach us to be better listeners, challenge us, and connect us to one another. For these reasons, we talk to people who inspire us, revealing and sharing the methodology, motivation and some of the magic behind their work. Whether it’s emerging designers, acclaimed artists, musicians or chefs, there’s endless insight to be gleaned from the dialogue. Below are 10 such stories from 2022 that best capture the invigoration and ingenuity that comes from the conversation.
Toro and Moi for his multifaceted project Mahal
Chaz Bear – aka recording artist Toro y Moi – has always been something of a switch. From the soft synth-pop of his 2010 debut album. The causes of this, to lush and instrumental indie-rock For what? to house-inflection, psych-pop of External peacethe multi-hyphenated artist immerses himself in a mix of genres and sounds, making each one unique to himself. Mahal, Bear’s seventh studio album is no exception; it traverses the psyche of the 1960s and 1970s with funky bass lines and mind-blowing melodies to explore and lament the mass consumerism of capitalism. Conceptual and multi-layered, Mahal— which also includes a new short film featuring Eric Andre — is a seemingly chill, groove-filled project, but grows more complex with each listen… Read more.
Oaxacan culture, heritage and ancestral wisdom irrigate magical water
A little over two years ago, a chance meeting at a gas station in Mitla (located about an hour from Oaxaca de Juárez) between Rogelio Juan Hernández and Rafael Shin led to the creation of Agua Mágica, an ultra-premium mezcal underpinned by tradition and Oaxacan culture. The bright, smooth, gently smoky elixir is perfect for sipping, and the whole process is steeped in folklore, poetry, romance, ancestral wisdom and a bit of magic… Read more.
Interview: Whipsaw Founder, Designer and CEO, Dan Harden
Despite winning over 290 design awards and filing over 1,000 patents, Whipsaw—a highly regarded strategy, industrial design, digital design and engineering consultancy—doesn’t aspire to be the most famous or prosperous company. For Whipsaw, success lies in designing solutions, meaningful experiences, and above all, a better world. Since their inception in 1999, these ideals have been demonstrated through their widespread work, including the Tonal home fitness machine, the Medostic medical product, and the sleek Bizzy home robot. At the helm of the company is the equally prolific CEO and founder Dan Harden, who has not only amassed another 300 design awards, but also guides the firm with an innovative and altruistic design philosophy… Read more.
Bristol Studio’s exquisite combination of basketball, Japanese design and nostalgia
Founded by Luke Tadashi, with MAASAI Ephriam, Jake Fenster and Rashaad Dixon, Los Angeles-based studio and lifestyle brand Bristol Studio burst onto the scene in 2015 and has shown no signs of slowing down. Inspired by basketball but steeped in Japanese design and steeped in nostalgia, Bristol Studio apparel is conceptual yet practical, contemporary yet classic. There is a certain charm and authenticity to each design as they are inspired by childhood and teenage memories playing basketball. Thanks to all these combined elements, the brand is building a niche that blurs basketball and sophisticated yet relaxed style. We recently spoke with co-founders Tadashi and Ephriam about Bristol Studio’s cultural mix and future plans… Read more.
Sundance 2022: The Cow That Sang a Song in the Future Directed by Francisca Alegria
From the moment a long-dead mother rises from the waters of a polluted river as a school of fish sings a haunting chorus from their own deathbeds, writer/director Francisca Alegria’s feature debut The cow that sang a song about the future encompassing a world both fantastical and heartbreakingly real. This stunning cinematic escapade, which was filmed in Chile, is a story of environmental damage, secrets revealed and belated reconciliation, developing personal identity and strengthening family bonds… Read more.
Interview: Marcel Wanders on design in all spheres
Marcel Wanders is all about ideas, stories and senses. The widely admired Dutch designer and art director (perhaps best known for his Knotted Chair) approaches all his projects with a fresh perspective and an innate conceptual understanding of design. At the helm of Marcel Wanders Studio (which focused on product and interior design until Wanders went out of business earlier this year) and Moooi (a furniture and lighting company he co-founded with Casper Vissers in 2001), he combines innovation , tradition and technology with digital and physical elements. Last month we met him at Moooi An extraordinary life installation during Milan Design Week to discuss the brand’s recent collection, the return of in-person events, the role of digital in design, as well as the metaverse and sustainability… Read more.
Sneaker brand Lilith NYC centers women and women in Streetwear
Although regularly worn by both genders, highly coveted streetwear sneakers are branded, styled and shaped for men. “If you look at the history of most athletic brands, they are rooted in men’s sports, male athletes. All shoe silhouettes are made for them,” says Sarah Sukumaran, founder of Queens-based sneaker company Lilith NYC. “The Sheryl Swoopes basketball shoe is the only ’90s shoe for a WNBA player,” she continues. In fact, in the nearly 25 years since the WNBA’s inception, only nine players have earned signature shoes, compared to the NBA, which has seen 22 signature sneakers in 2021 alone… Read more.
The Evolution of Innocence series by photographer Jordan Millington featuring Suzanne Barch
An impressive, diverse and theatrical set of images featuring New York nightlife legend Suzanne Barch, the photographer of Jordan Millington Evolution of Innocence the series elucidates the electric connection between artist and muse. The entire collection – which explores our ever-evolving emotional view of the world – makes its debut at Lume Studios this weekend, a dream come true for Millington. Inside, each photo is as thought-provoking as the next… Read more.
Interview: Lee Broome on his first illustrated monograph, Fashion Design
Earlier in 2022, English designer Lee Broome celebrated the 15th anniversary of his eponymous label with a showcase of relaxed, ethereal and downright stunning beauty for Milan Design Week. Continuing his accolades in this landmark year, Broome released his first monograph, Fashioning Design, written by seasoned writer and editor Becky Sunshine and published by Rizzoli. Broome began work on the book in April 2020 as other projects were put on hold due to the pandemic and his anxiety needed to be channeled. Sunshine and Broome communicated via Zoom for hours-long sessions during which they crafted the narrative that now accompanies hundreds of images representing more than 100 products and exhibits. The resulting work offers so much to those who admire Broome and admire his design work… Read more.
Song Cai’s sumptuous gins embody the diverse terroir of Vietnam
Founded by Daniel Nguyễn, Sông Cái was the first gin produced in Vietnam – a feat that seems surprising given that the country’s rich forests abound with aromatic botanicals ripe for spirit production. However, much of Vietnam’s mountainous landscape is mistakenly associated with rice paddies and deltas rather than vast habitats. To showcase the country’s diverse terroir, Nguyen cultivates the rare flowers and fruits inherited from Vietnam, using local methods to craft decadent and unique sips, and in doing so, reimagines the dry gin category… Read more.
Character image courtesy of Dali Nellium for Magic Water
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