Rarify Presents Historic SOM Furniture Collection in NYC Exhibition
Rarify has unveiled a significant collection of furniture, artifacts, and photographs from the renowned architecture firm SOM. This inaugural exhibition, "Furniture by SOM: Design 1950–1991," is being held in a New York City store, showcasing over 60 pieces spanning four decades of SOM's interior design work. The display, coinciding with New York Fashion Week, highlights the studio's commitment to design innovation across various disciplines.
Lidl and Nik Bentel Launch "Trolley Bag" for London Fashion Week
Lidl has once again collaborated with designer Nik Bentel to unveil the "Trolley Bag," a distinctive handbag inspired by the familiar supermarket trolley. This steel-crafted accessory, featuring Lidl's signature colors, aims to inject an element of fun and high fashion into the mundane act of grocery shopping. Launched just in time for London Fashion Week, it represents a fusion of utilitarian design and contemporary style.
Gustaf Westman's Innovative Curling Bowl Design for Winter Games
In anticipation of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Swedish designer Gustaf Westman has unveiled a unique snack bowl concept that ingeniously reinterprets the traditional curling stone. This functional yet playful design features a hollowed-out base for snacks and a bisected handle designed to hold stemmed glasses, reflecting Westman's characteristic blend of humor and practicality in design.
Simone Brewster, a renowned multidisciplinary creative, recently shared insights into her professional journey and current exhibition at the London Design Museum. Her diverse portfolio, which includes furniture, jewelry, apparel, and painting, is deeply rooted in her architectural training. Brewster elaborates on how this foundation, acquired at institutions like the Bartlett School of Architecture and the Royal College of Art, shapes her unique approach to design, allowing her to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Brewster's unique educational background, which included architecture and design products, initially presented an unconventional path. However, it ultimately broadened her creative scope. She emphasizes that her architectural understanding of scale and proportion is transferable across various design disciplines, from large-scale installations to intricate jewelry. Her current display at the Design Museum showcases this versatility, featuring pieces such as totem-inspired planters and a faux fur jacket, all stemming from her architectural perspective. Notably, her early exposure to architectural design in Trinidad ignited a lifelong fascination with how space influences human experience.
A significant aspect of Brewster's work involves examining the representation of the body in culture, particularly through her furniture pieces like the 'Negrita bench', which confronts historical objectifications of the Black female form. Her 'heritage necklaces' further exemplify her ability to blend historical influences with contemporary aesthetics, drawing inspiration from warrior breastplates. Beyond her creative practice, Brewster is dedicated to demystifying the creative career path, especially for young designers. She encourages students, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to embrace their unique perspectives and integrate their cultural heritage into their designs, fostering a more inclusive and expansive understanding of architecture and design.
Brewster's career exemplifies a powerful message: creativity is not confined to a linear trajectory. Her journey highlights the importance of asking fundamental questions and allowing curiosity to lead the way. By doing so, designers can create meaningful objects and spaces that resonate deeply within culture and society, enriching the human experience.