DESIGN DISPATCH

Sofia Coppola Creates a Cozy Cashmere Collection, and Other News

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Photography by Melodie McDaniel, courtesy of Barrie

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Sofia Coppola’s Latest Debut: A Capsule at Chanel’s Cashmere Go-To

As a prodigious fan of menswear, it means something when Sofia Coppola endorses womenswear. On the heels of its 120th anniversary, Barrie, the Scottish cashmere house and knitwear arm of Chanel earned a high seal of approval from the filmmaker as a collaborator in her latest endeavor: a 17-piece collection inspired by the idea of one perfect wardrobe for work, travel, and leisure. Cashmere-silk tees put a sleek spin on the wardrobe staple, and cashmere-wool-silk puffer coats give the ski style a leisurely slant. Pink, a Coppola signature, appears throughout in beanies, color-blocked pullovers, and a delectable cashmere jumpsuit. —Jenna Adrian-Diaz

Image courtesy of Drift Museum

Drift will open the Drift Museum, their own experiential exhibition space, in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is set to welcome the Drift Museum, an expansive experiential exhibition space located within the renovated Van Gendt Hallen, in 2025. Artist duo Drift, comprising Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta, has partnered with building owner Eduard Zanen to bring the project to life. Architecture firm Braaksma & Roos is leading the design of the museum, which will showcase Drift’s performance-based and large-scale artworks, including innovations like hovering concrete blocks and drone displays. The Van Gendt Hallen building, originally designed by architect Dolf van Gendt in 1898, will house the museum in two of its halls, with the others hosting various activities, creating a vibrant space where art, technology, and sustainability converge on over 269,000 square feet of floor space.

WeWork is reportedly planning to file for bankruptcy protection as early as next week.

WeWork is reportedly planning to file for bankruptcy as early as next week, according to the Wall Street Journal. The company, which once reached a valuation of $47 billion during the startup boom, faced setbacks with its initial public offering and challenges to its co-working model due to the pandemic. In a recent filing, WeWork stated that it has been in discussions with creditors to improve its balance sheet and rationalize its real estate holdings. The company entered into a forbearance agreement with creditors that will expire in seven days, while a spokesperson emphasized their commitment to ongoing strategic efforts to enhance the capital structure and their long-term vision for the future.

Atelier 11. Image courtesy of L’AiR_Arts

The Paris studio where Modigliani once worked is seeking donations for restoration.

Atelier 11, a historic Paris studio where artists like Amedeo Modigliani and Paul Gauguin once lived and worked, has initiated a crowdfunding campaign for a significant restoration project. The studio, located in Cité Falguière, has seen minimal renovations since the late 19th century. The nonprofit L’AiR Arts is leading the campaign to raise $158,000 for essential repairs, with Mission Patrimoine contributing €105,000 ($110,562). The restoration aims to preserve original elements, address structural issues, improve insulation, and modernize all interior aspects, ensuring the studio’s continued use as a space for international artists.

Bienal de São Paulo workers describe “terrible working conditions” in an open letter.

Workers on the current edition of the Bienal de São Paulo, Latin America’s leading biennial, have penned an open letter about what they described as “terrible working conditions.” Published anonymously on October 18, the letter accused the biennial of projecting diversity publicly while maintaining a culture of discrimination privately. It detailed issues such as below-market insurance, inadequate food, strenuous workloads, excessive heat, and intimidating behavior. The foundation managing the biennial responded by asserting that salaries align with market standards and that working conditions comply with labor laws, pledging to investigate the allegations.

Studio Gang will lead the initial $2.8 million transformation of Denver’s Civic Center.

Denver’s Civic Center park, known for hosting events like climate protests and festivals, is slated for a transformation with a $2.8 million design contract awarded to Studio Gang. The project, called Civic Center Next 100, aims to preserve the park’s history while enhancing its links to other city landmarks. Studio Gang will focus on improving the Greek Theater, the Central Promenade, and creating a new Central Gathering Space and extending Bannock Street for additional gathering and event spaces. The city envisions making the park more accessible and adaptable for various events while respecting its historic significance.

Image courtesy of Lapse

Today’s attractive distractions:

This artist reimagined the original 151 Pokémon as Renaissance paintings.

A photo app called Lapse has entered the fray, but we’re not sure it’ll last.

New York’s Metrograph theater is screening rare films by Cecilia Vicuña.

Astronomers discover a “fast radio burst” that traveled for eight billion years.

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