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Nilufar Makes a Grand Entrance in Mexico City
When Nilufar founder Nina Yashar launched Open Edition at this past year’s Milan Design Week, the result—an energetic curation of contemporary collectible design by the likes of Gal Gaon and Sophie Dries—presented a compelling snapshot of vanguard design talents. That curation has now landed at Mexico City Art Week at the home of late architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, a modernist marvel with a secluded courtyard, wood-paneled rooms, and religious paintings by his wife, Olga. The offbeat environs provide a welcome backdrop to the lustrous hues and adventurous forms of Open Edition’s furniture, objects, and lighting, among them ceiling glass lamps by Analogia Project and fluid-like 3D-printed vases by Audrey Large. They also join handmade rugs that Bethan Laura Wood and David/Nicolas created for CC-Tapis.
The showcase establishes local design retailer Studio 84 as the premier destination for Mexico’s surging design sphere to source Nilufar’s range. It speaks not only to the prominence of art fair Zonamaco on the cultural calendar, but how Yashar leverages design to spark cross-cultural conversations. “Design, at its core, is a dialogue—about society, the convergence of eras, routines, and aspirations,” Yashar says. “It’s a conversation that must unfold among its creators. This collaboration provides exactly that opportunity, affirming that the timeline of design is endlessly unfolding, navigating an imprecise and concurrently precise path through time.” —Ryan Waddoups
MAD Architects has transformed the Jiaxing Train Station in China into a “train station in the forest,” replacing an outdated station with a recreation of the original 1907 structure alongside a floating metal roof. The project involved collaboration with experts to analyze historical data, with the station built using mud bricks from the nearby South Lake. With a focus on creating a more humane and efficient complex, MAD designed underground platforms and commercial spaces, while above ground, a park was expanded with 1,500 trees forming a canopy over the site. The design includes cultural and commercial buildings dispersed across a central lawn, creating urban public spaces that blend transport functions with natural ecology and cultural life.
The Eldorado Ballroom, a cornerstone of Houston’s Third Ward, stood as a vibrant Black music venue for three decades, hosting legendary musicians during the Jim Crow era. Despite facing fires and societal changes, its cultural significance endured. Restored by Project Row Houses and Stern & Bucek Architects, the venue now serves as a revitalized community hub, preserving its original charm while adding modern amenities. Through meticulous restoration efforts like uncovering original features and respecting its historical integrity, the Eldorado Ballroom stands again as a symbol of resilience and cultural heritage in the neighborhood.
LVMH’s Chaumet has revealed the official medals for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, crafted from the original iron of the Eiffel Tower and embodying themes of heritage, radiance, and setting. The hexagonal shape of the medals pays homage to its architecture, while embossed lines symbolize the radiance of the event and athletic vigor. Chaumet’s design includes claws inspired by the Eiffel Tower’s rivets, securing the emblem in place, with distinctive elements for each set of medals. For the Olympic medals, spikes and a depiction of Nike evoke the ancient Games in Greece, while the Paralympic medals feature a view from beneath the Eiffel Tower and inscriptions in Braille, emphasizing accessibility and inclusivity.
Neiman Marcus Group has decided against using Farfetch’s e-commerce software to overhaul its online platform and joining Farfetch’s marketplace. The luxury department store partnered with Farfetch in 2022 when the latter invested $200 million in the chain. Despite Farfetch remaining a minority investor, Neiman Marcus will allocate its original capital toward developing its own e-commerce technology. This move follows the recent acquisition of Farfetch’s assets, including FPS, by South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang, amidst investor discontent.
Francisco Costa, the founder of Costa Brazil, has announced the relaunch of his brand, which he founded in 2018 and was acquired by Amyris in 2021. Following Amyris’ bankruptcy and the closure of Costa Brazil and Onda Beauty, Costa successfully bid $4.55 million to reclaim his brand, including the release of claims against Amyris. Other Amyris brands, including Biossance, JVN Hair, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s Rose Inc., and Onda Beauty, have also been auctioned off to various buyers, signaling a shift in ownership amidst Amyris’ financial struggles.
