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Jean Paul Gaultier taps Ludovic de Saint Sernin as the house’s eighth guest couturier.
Jean Paul Gaultier has confirmed that Ludovic de Saint Sernin will design a one-off couture collection, which will debut at Paris Couture Week in January. Known for his bold approach to gender fluidity and body positivity, de Saint Sernin will follow in the footsteps of other guest designers who have reinterpreted Gaultier’s body of work. The appointment follows de Saint Sernin’s departure from the top creative job at Ann Demeulmeester at the close of last year.
After substantial layoffs and a months-long legal investigation, AIA’s future is uncertain.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently laid off 16 percent of its staff amid financial struggles stemming from the sale of its contract documents business and a $13.5 million budget shortfall. CEO Lakisha Woods, who was previously cleared of misconduct in an external investigation, has faced criticism over luxurious retreats and management decisions, sparking concerns about AIA’s financial direction. Additionally, the AIA is entangled in a lawsuit with former general counsel Terry Ona, who alleges wrongful termination and discrimination following his dismissal.
Oscar Wilde’s grandson condemns a London sculpture of Wilde as “absolutely hideous.”
A forthcoming sculpture of Oscar Wilde by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi has been harshly criticized by Wilde’s grandson, Merlin Holland, for its gloomy and fragmented depiction of the writer. Holland believes the segmented head fails to capture Wilde’s wit and brilliance, instead evoking his tragic downfall.
LA’s Century City will get a new wellness center with the arrival of The Estate.
The Reuben Brothers’ Century Plaza development in L.A.’s Century City neighborhood has secured a lease for a 12,500-square-foot health and wellness center called The Estate, which will open there in 2025. Created by Sam Nazarian’s SBE and Tony Robbins’ Fountain Life, the center will focus on prevention, diagnostics, and improving quality of life adding to Century Plaza’s current offerings, which include restaurants, residential towers, and the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel.
Foster + Partners has been tapped to revitalize Manchester United’s stadium district.
Foster + Partners has been appointed by Manchester United to develop a masterplan for the Old Trafford Stadium District, aiming to create a world-class soccer destination integrated with mixed-use development for the local community. The project will involve collaboration with fans, local authorities, and the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, with plans to attract new residents, boost employment, and enhance the area’s vibrancy with the existing stadium positioned as the development’s centerpiece.
Today’s attractive distractions:
A venerated video game designer leads an IRL treasure hunt.
Russian bots are on a roll, beating top researchers at online poker.
A 200- year-old message in a bottle has surfaced near Normandy.
In Milan, Zigzag-core seems to be the latest runway microtrend.
