Rick Owens A/W 2024. Images courtesy of Owenscorp…
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Rick Owens Brings the Runway Home
Rick Owens normally stages his runway shows on the monumental forecourt of the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. But in response to the “barbaric times through which we’re living,” fashion’s resident rule-breaker opted for more intimate environs when debuting his latest collection. This season, he opened the doors to his and Michèle Lamy’s home on Place du Palais Bourbon, the former headquarters of the French Socialist party, where he first sold his collections two decades ago. Sparsely populated with Brutalist furniture contrasting the historic molding and cornices, the cavernous digs proved an ideal setting to showcase comfort-inspired garments like architectural puffer jackets and cashmere, alpaca, and merino space suits. —Ryan Waddoups
One of Hood Design Studio’s proposals for Charlotte’s former Polk Park. Image courtesy of Charlotte Center City Partners…
Hood Design Studio has revealed three potential designs for the revamped McColl Park in Charlotte, North Carolina, formerly known as Polk Park. Each draws inspiration from the site’s historical significance and the city’s heritage. The first proposal, Floating Nest, incorporates wood elements hovering above a public plaza surrounding a reflecting pool, evoking the state’s forests. The second, Crown Datum, features a curved pavilion, a tall spire representing the city’s center, and lush vegetation. The third, Verdant Crown, emphasizes greenery with hooped archways wrapped in leafy greens and a subtle reflecting pool, paying homage to the “Queen City.” The community’s input will play a crucial role in shaping the final design of McColl Park.
A fire has destroyed most of Abkhazia’s art collection, housed at the National Art Gallery in Sukhumi, the capital of the breakaway region controlled by Russia. The blaze consumed more than 4,000 paintings, including 300 by Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze. Investigators suspect an electrical short circuit as the cause of the fire, which quickly engulfed the wooden building. Locals had long called for a safer location to store the artworks, which were housed in cramped rooms. Russia has pledged specialists to restore the 150 rescued paintings rescued while Georgia’s president Salome Zourabichvili decried the neglect of cultural identity.
WeWork’s New York headquarters. Image courtesy of WeWork…
WeWork, in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings, has reduced its long-term lease expenses by 16 percent, totaling $3.7 billion, through lease rejections and amendments. While bankruptcy law permits companies to reject unfavorable contracts, WeWork has sought better terms for many of its locations, leading landlords to negotiate. Faced with a challenging office real-estate market and the difficulty of finding new tenants, landlords often prefer to keep WeWork but must gain approval from mortgage lenders for revised lease terms, as lower rent payments can impact property values securing loans. This situation has left landlords in a dilemma, needing to satisfy both WeWork and their lenders. WeWork has engaged in discussions with 500 landlords globally, resulting in about $1.5 billion in long-term savings through various lease adjustments.
Azizi Developments in the United Arab Emirates has started construction at the Burj Azizi, a $1.5 billion commercial high-rise in Dubai. While the tower’s final height and architect are yet to be revealed, the building is planned to have 122 stories and is expected to become Dubai’s second-tallest structure upon completion. Positioned close to the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Azizi will feature a vertical mall, luxury residences, and an observation deck. The developer is still seeking approvals for the tower’s final height, but completion is expected by the end of 2028.
Lagos State in Nigeria has implemented an immediate ban on the use and distribution of styrofoam and other single-use plastics due to their adverse environmental impact. Announced by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the decision comes in response to the clogging of drainage channels with styrofoam waste despite regular cleaning efforts. The State Waste Management Authority and the Kick Against Indiscipline have been directed to enforce the ban and clamp down on styrofoam production and distribution outlets. Businesses and individuals using styrofoam are urged to find alternatives or face fines.
Figure’s prototype humanoid robot. Image courtesy of Figure …
