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Byredo’s Debut Jewelry Pieces Are Fluid, Wearable Totems
Never content on staying in his comfort zone, Ben Gorham has pushed Byredo squarely into the realm of a “lifestyle brand” with every new launch, whether mounting a memory-evokingMilan Design Week installation with Dozie Kanu or designing a speaker-shapedfragrance bottle with auditory maestroDevon Turnbull. Now the cult fragrance brand has ventured into fine jewelry with a debut collection hearkening back to the simple principles of piercing and adorning.
Named Virasaat after the Hindi word for “inheritance,” the collection of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings employs rounded pearl shapes interlocking with graphic bars to form a fluid, wave-like pattern that can be repeated and extended ad infinitum. Each piece was made in Italy using precious metals such as silver and gold, ensuring the totemic objects can be passed down from older generations to the next like a birthright. The collection enjoyed an exclusive pre-launch in Paris yesterday with the global launch in Byredo’s flagship boutiques starting on January 25. —Ryan Waddoups
The Azabudai Hills district in Tokyo by Heatherwick Studio. Photography by Raquel Diniz, courtesy of Heatherwick Studio…
Heatherwick Studio’s long-anticipated Azabudai Hills District in Tokyo officially opens.
Heatherwick Studio is celebrating the long-anticipated completion of the Azabudai Hills mixed-use district in Tokyo. This culmination of a 30-year regeneration effort by Mori Building Co. encompasses a 20-acre design in Minato ward, featuring temples, office and retail spaces, residential buildings, a school, and 5.9 acres of open green areas for public enjoyment. Neil Hubbard, a partner and Group Leader at Heatherwick Studio, highlighted the blend of Tokyo’s distinctiveness with innovative elements in the scheme, offering diverse vistas and spaces for exploration. Founder Thomas Heatherwick emphasized the emotional connection, creating a joyful and one-of-a-kind public space. The project includes the studio’s first K-12 design and expects to achieve various sustainability certifications.
Reddit taps Pentagram to rebrand its logo, typeface, brand colors, and alien mascot.
Reddit has unveiled a fresh rebrand featuring a new logo, typeface, brand colors, and an updated version of its alien mascot, Snoo. This rebrand comes amidst a period of significant change and controversy including debates over API changes for third-party apps. The redesign, executed by the renowned branding studio Pentagram, signifies Reddit’s maturation and potential preparations for a 2024 IPO. It aims to streamline the brand, catering to its growing user base and global expansion, while retaining its essence and fostering a more consistent identity. The redesign introduces a 3D Snoo and a sleek wordmark, incorporating conversation bubbles, along with a broader color palette. The rollout will be gradual, with elements appearing on various platforms over the coming weeks.
Nairy Baghramian’s facade commission for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photography by Bruce Schwarz/courtesy the artist, Kurimanzutto, and Marian Goodman Gallery…
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced the artists it will collaborate with for its rooftop and facade commissions next year. They include Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj, who will present a biographical sculptural installation on the rooftop in April. South Korea’s Lee Bul will contribute four sculptures to the Fifth Avenue facade in September—she’s known for her distinct blend of classical sculpture with machine-like elements. Taiwanese artist Tong Yang-Tze will showcase two large-scale calligraphy works in the Museum’s Great Hall starting in November. Max Hollein, the museum’s director, praised all three artists as boundary-pushers in their respective fields.
Michael Gove, the U.K.’s housing secretary, is reportedly considering intervening in the planning application for the MSG Sphere London in Stratford after Mayor Sadiq Khan’s recent decision to block it. Gove has the authority to overrule Khan’s decision, and his department has requested that the application be referred to him for review by the London Legacy Development Corporation, the planning authority for the Olympic Park area. The planning application for the illuminated sphere had been rejected by Khan due to concerns about its impact on residents. If Gove decides to call in the application, it will undergo a public inquiry before a final decision is made. The proposed MSG Sphere in London would be 295 feet tall and 394 feet wide and designed by Populous for the organization behind New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Elon Musk has voiced concerns about the company’s upcoming Cybertruck, citing challenges in production and complexity. The Cybertruck will be Tesla’s first high-voltage vehicle, offering faster charging but posing potential difficulties in manufacturing—it relies on in-house battery cells that are behind schedule. Musk has acknowledged that addressing these challenges will require significant effort and time, estimating 12 to 18 months of work before achieving substantial production volumes. Despite its bold design and features, the Cybertruck’s unique aspects and production difficulties have raised questions about its potential success.
