Lauren Rottet, FAIA, FIIDA, internationally celebrated architect, designer, founding principal/president and owner of Rottet Studio, was presented with the prestigious Prize Designs for Modern Furniture + Lighting® Award from Global Design News and The Chicago Athenaeum for her Rottet Collection 2023 Seating and Bed range. She claimed additional honors from the Swiss-based SIT Furniture Design Awards for the Ovo Mirrors and Willow Table as well as accolades from Houston’s 2024 Paper City Design Awards. “I am thrilled to receive both national and international recognition for my product designs,” said Rottet.
Originally founded by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 1959, the Prize Designs program has been relaunched seven decades later by Global Design News in tandem with The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. It was conceived to encourage the best of contemporary design. The jury convened in June and selected over 70 new designs worthy of the Prize from over 24 nations.
Rottet Collection’s 2023 Seating range emphasizes the manipulation of light and materials (Light and Space Artists) and form (Cubist Artists), themes that Rottet continues to champion. Featured award winners include; Montauk Float Chair, inspired by the unobstructed views of the George Nelson House in Montauk, the chair appears to hover above its bent acrylic base; New Canaan Lounge Chair, highlighting the site of Philip Johnson’s Glass House, and composed of an acrylic base with a stainless-steel frame; Comice Chair inspired by a shapely pear frame constructed of solid wood and accented with a metal band around the base of the seat cushion; and the Wood Float Chair, crafted from solid walnut. Also celebrated, Rottet’s Bed Collection launched with DUXIANA, including the Essex Bed.
Rottet’s introductions for 2024 including her Cake Lamp (right), and Luminosa Screen – along with the New Canaan Lounge Chair and other 2023 seating introductions – all received accolades from her hometown of Houston in the 2024 Paper City Design Awards. “A fun way to bring task lighting to those spaces that are often hard to reach,” one of the judges was quoted saying. The annual awards attract the best of Houston’s talent, highlighting architecture, interiors and product design.
The Rottet Collection can be viewed at the Rottet Collection Showroom, 29 West 30th St., 6th Floor, New York, N.Y. For an appointment, call 1-866-400-4777. www.rottetcollection.com.
Gucci announced the appointment of Jin, the renowned artist and member of 21st century pop icons BTS, as its latest Global Brand Ambassador.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS have become a global sensation, winning multiple ‘Top Social Artist’ awards at the Billboard Music Awards and making history as the first Korean artists to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In October 2022, Jin showcased his versatility and individual talent with the release of his debut solo single, ‘The Astronaut.’
As Gucci’s Global Brand Ambassador, Jin will represent the House across a range of initiatives and events showcasing its innovative spirit. Gucci welcomes Jin to its roster of Ambassadors and anticipates collaborations that will both captivate and inspire fans around the globe.
An iconic Barbican apartment interior has received a modern refresh by award-winning design studio, Black & Milk. London based studio Creative Director, Olga Alexeeva, leads the interior architecture and design practice that tackles spatial challenges with substance and refinement through modern design – and the case of this redesign of the ‘Type 71’ apartment in the capital’s famous brutalist housing estate is no exception.
Originally completed in 1969, Gilbert House is raised on concrete pilotis over the Barbican Lake below, and the brutalist architecture of the Barbican Estate is iconic of its genre. This particular apartment is a ‘Type 71’ configuration; the L-shaped plan faces south and has a running balcony, linking the bedroom and living room, looking out over St Giles Church. The apartment was very much in need of some modernisation.
Responding to the brief, the new design is intended for a couple who recently retired and wanted a retreat within the romantic surroundings of their favorite brutalist inner city. In her approach, Olga employed a minimalist touch, maintaining the 20th century character of the apartment interiors which was frozen in time with pink fabric walls and bright pops of green paint, whilst reviving the space with contemporary interventions and mod-cons.
Complementing the architecture and honing on the previous elements, such as the original kitchenette and walnut paneling, Black & Milk created a new eclectic aesthetic, taking inspiration from Barbican cultural influences and refining them into a harmonious design. On unveiling the new style, the space is now filled with a collection of vintage and modern furniture and art and of great importance on the quality of the materials and design detail was considered when renovating the Grade II-listed flat.
Whilst maintaining the historic floor plan, a strategic approach was implemented within the spatial configuration of the apartment. As there are limitations to what can be removed structurally, the open plan living area flooring was intentionally divided with oak wood and bespoke olive-green leather tiles to distinguish the living and dining spaces whilst also providing functionality.
A bespoke kitchenette designed by Black & Milk pays tribute to the Brutalist’s apartment original characteristics designed by Chamberlin Powell & Bon. Enriched with modern interventions, eco-friendly materials were selected throughout and with a contrasting fibreglass finished used for the sliding upper cabinet storage and the decor remained clean and simple, based on craft and the original design’s modernist approach.
The Barbican was developed from designs by architects Chamberlin, Powell & Bon as part of a utopian vision to transform an area of London left devastated by bombing during the Second World War. Latterly described by Queeen Elizabeth as “one of the modern wonders of the world,” the estate is now widely considered a masterpiece of Brutalist architecture and a shining beacon of potential for inner-city high-density residential schemes.
Designing for over 20 years, Black & Milk has recently unveiled designs for other residential projects across London, including an apartment in the iconic Battersea Power Station.
Speaking about this project, Olga Aleeeva, comments, “The scheme attempts to show a thoughtfulness and direction of how these important interiors can be updated and modernised while still respecting the original architectural character and atmosphere,” said the team. “These new spaces sit happily alongside original interiors through a shared knowledge and a close attention to detail.”
Justin Johnston is a highly regarded audio-visual veteran in the industry, with an intuitive yet receptive design acumen that caters to his clients’ needs as well as applications. With an innate sense of style and integrity, he is on par to become an arbiter within the realm of immersive and bespoke smart spaces.
ABOUT JUSTIN JOHNSTON
Justin Johnston, who has more than twenty years of experience in the Custom Integrator industry, is a seasoned professional who is committed to enhancing home experiences through innovative design and technology. Justin, who received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Women’s Studies from Saint Mary’s College of California, uses his extensive knowledge and keen eye for detail to create living environments that are unmatched. Justin’s expertise in lighting and AV solutions enables him to tailor every project to meet the unique needs and desires of his clients. He is a trusted advisor who transforms homes into personalized sanctuaries thanks to his commitment to excellence and passion for state-of-the-art technology.
ABOUT BRAVAS
BRAVAS, a national technology integrator, offers beautiful places and smart spaces for their customers’ living, working, and playing environments. More than 3,500 residential and commercial projects are completed across the US every year by BRAVAS, focusing on the luxury market segment. They sell and support everything from lighting, shades, and audio/video equipment to networking, security systems, and power management.
The Gucci Fall Winter 2024 men’s collection will launch in stores worldwide starting in July, with curated pieces previewing in select boutiques in June.
The urban music scene in Colombia celebrates an unprecedented milestone with the release of 1 Of 1, the first album created by two Colombian urban artists – Maluma, a global icon with multiple awards and recognitions and Blessd, the rising young reggaeton star with a unique style. This duo comes together to create a project that reflects the greatness of each artist and their deep commitment to Colombian culture, from Made in Medellín to the entire globe.
1 Of 1 is more than a product, it’s an accurate portrait of the experiences and daily life in Colombian neighborhoods. Maluma and Blessd captured the reality of the different social classes, the essence of the streets and stories of struggle and perseverance that define their society in each song. “This work will have a very positive impact. We’ve had dreams since we were kids and seeing that they can come true is a source of pride for those who see us as role models,” both artists affirmed.This release is an invitation to dream for all those who, like Maluma and Blessd, have started from the bottom and have faced difficulties to achieve success. It’s also a clear message to new artists to stay motivated and not lose hope.
“A full production between two Colombian artists had never been done before. If it’s the first, it can’t be done twice,” Maluma stated, emphasizing the historical importance of this project. Grateful to Blessd and his team, Juan Luis recognizes how this album has motivated him to reconnect with his essence and show once again who he is as an artist and what made him Maluma.
“Releasing something again with Maluma and being able to make an album together is super dope. It’s the first time two Colombian artists in the urban genre come together to do something as big as this album, and further, to do it in the neighborhood where it all started while expressing many things that Juancho and I share. Friends like Ronaldinho and the world’s #1 jeweler, Jacob & Co., joined us on this journey which is something really special for me, as a new star. Being with these superstars was a dream…Si Sabe,” explains Blessd.
The album comes paired with visuals for “CALL ME,” filmed in the Antioquia neighborhood in Medellín, the artists’ hometown, where we see Maluma and Blessd as friends recounting their adventures of what daily life was like in the neighborhood.
Moreover, 1 Of 1 pays tribute to previous generations of Colombian artists, whose legacy and work have inspired Maluma and Blessd get to where they are today. This album is the continuation of that legacy and of that dedication of those who paved the way for them in this industry.
This album was created with the support and teamwork of the companies behind each artist: Royalty Records, Cigol Music Group, Dímelo Jara Company, Sony Music Latin, Warner Music Latin, who together made history with this top notch production.
E P 1 OF 1 M A L U M A / B L E S S D
Producers: “MadMuscik” y “The RudeBoyz”
1 OF 1 CALL ME OE BEBÉ MANRIQUE SISAS NADA FT HADES66 GOYARD /GTA
“1 Of 1” is available on all digital platforms starting today.
‘Banksy is one of the most influential artists in the street art community. It’s promising to see his work properly immortalized.‘–Vaughn Lowery
The presence of The Banksy Museum in New York City has been confirmed. SoHo is now the home to the world’s largest collection of Banksy’s life-sized murals and artwork. Located at 227 Canal Street (at Broadway), NYC The Banksy Museum is now open, in preview, to the public. The official press opening is Wednesday, May 15. Tickets are now available online at MuseumBanksy.com and on site at the museum. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged.
Displaying over 160 works by the world’s most famous-yet-anonymous street artist, The Banksy Museum recreates the revolutionary and often ephemeral art that Banksy has painted on surfaces in London, Bristol, Paris, Venice, Bethlehem, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. Visitors to the museum will immerse themselves in an environmental experience, giving viewers access to Banksy creations, much of which has long since been whitewashed or dismantled. Beyond the iconic street art, the exhibition also features some of the artist’s studio work, as well as animated visual and video elements.
The New York Banksy Museum experience, an American premiere, follows successful exhibitions in Paris, Barcelona, Kraków and Brussels. The new exhibition, a New York premiere, is expanded to over 160 recreations, making it the largest display of Banksy work ever seen in a single setting.
Is it even possible to create a museum that celebrates the work of an artist who once said “the only thing worth looking at in most museums of art is all the schoolgirls on day trips with the art departments”?
Banksy Museum founder Hazis Vardar initially had his doubts. “Street art belongs in the raw setting of the streets,” said Vardar. “But if people can’t see it, is it even art? Little of Banksy’s works are visible to the public at large. Most have been stolen for resale, inadvertently destroyed, or erased by overzealous city cleaning teams. Most of this transient art could only be viewed on tiny smartphone screens, which is no way to experience the scale or emotion of Banksy’s work. So we knew that we needed to create an exhibition that would bring Banksy’s art back before the public.”
Creators of The Banksy Museum faced the challenge of mounting an exhibition that was as unconventional and transgressive as the art within. “If we only trapped Banksy’s work in guilt frames on a wall, this would antithesize all that Banksy’s art represents,” says Vardar. “So we set out recreate the artworks in a life-size, re-imagined space that reflects the street experience. We employed a team of anonymous street artists, like Banksy, to recreate the work. The outcome was, truly, a magnificent reflection of Banksy’s energy, defiance, and raw talent.”
Banksy is undoubtedly, the world’s most celebrated and elusive guerrilla street artist. Armed with little more than spray paint and stencils, the man behind the pseudonym Banksy has fostered an alluring identity that doesn’t embrace tradition, but shreds it. There’s still much we don’t know about the mysterious artist since he first made his mark in the ’90s, but what we do know is that Banksy’s striking, satirical work always delves into political and socio-critical discourse. Banksy’s artwork is characterized by striking images, often combined with slogans.
His work often engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy, and greed. Common subjects include rats, apes, policemen, members of the royal family, and children. In addition to his two-dimensional work, Banksy is known for his installation artwork. A hero to some, a vandal to others, Banksy’s artwork has been known to sell for record-breaking sums, with landowners rushing to profit from – or whitewash – buildings chosen as his latest canvas.
Banksy maintains an oxymoronic relationship with the art world, demonstrating hostility to capitalism while being one of the most sought-after and collected contemporary artists. Celebrities who’ve collected Banksy art include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Christina Aguilera, and Lance Armstrong to name a few.
Banksy was nominated for an Academy Award for his 2010 documentary feature Exit Through the Gift Shop, an examination of the relationship between commercial and street art.
In Wall and Piece, one of his four books containing photographs of his work complemented with his own thoughts, Banksy says “copyright is for losers” and encourages non-commercial use of his work for activism and the public’s personal enjoyment.
Banksy’s art has been further amplified by worldwide media coverage of his rebellious pranks. Between 2003 – 2005, Banksy made headlines by covertly placing his artwork beside masterpieces at The Tate and The British Museums in London; The Louvre in París; and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Brooklyn Museum and The American Museum of Natural History in New York. In 2018, Banksy shook the art establishment when he orchestrated the self-destruction of his canvas, “Girl with Balloon,“ having it drop through a shredder built into the bottom of its gilt frame just moments after it sold for $1.4 million at Sotheby’s. The first artwork in history to have been created live during an auction, the work was renamed “Love Is In The Bin” and resold for $25.4 million just three years later.
The art world has coined the phrase “the Banksy effect” to illustrate the increased interest in other street artists, largely due to Banksy’s overwhelming international success.
Tickets: Tickets are now available online at MuseumBanksy.com and on site at the museum. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Tickets are $30 for adults; $26 for students & seniors; $21 for children, 6 – 12 years. Admission is free for children 5 years or younger.
Group tickets: Group tickets are available for groups of 5 or more at $26 each, and $21 each for groups of 10 or more. Family bundles (maximum 5 tickets, which must include at least 1 adult and 2 children) are available for $21 each.
How to get there by subway: N, R, Q, W, A, C, E and 6 trains to Canal Street.
Family friendly: All ages are welcome to The Banksy Museum. This is an experience that all family members can enjoy.
About the venue: The Banksy Museum is an indoor, air-conditioned venue. The museum is located on the 2nd & 3rd floors.
Accessibility: Located on the second floor, the venue is accessible, with an elevator. Guests requiring assistance throughout this experience are entitled to apply for one free pass for their personal assistant/support worker.
How long does the experience last?: Visitors are welcome to enjoy the exhibition at their own pace. The exhibition, on average, takes an hour to experience.
Parking: There is no parking at this venue, but parking is available in the neighborhood.
Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection, Pharrell Williams’ first pre-collection with the Maison, is now available in stores worldwide. The collection illustrates the connective power of travel through nautical themes with codes of surfing and tropical floral prints.
Pharrell reflects on the multicultural influences present in familiar wardrobe staples around the world through sailor-inspired dandy silhouettes, Neptune-inspired patterns, and surf culture motifs. Celestial navigation inspires sailor-themed garments with intricate details like pearl buttons and shell embroideries, while surf culture influence manifests in scuba suits, tropical prints, and raffia footwear.
Billie Eilish has revealed details on her highly anticipated third studio album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT which will see its global release on May 17 via Darkroom/Interscope Records.
Her most daring body of work to date, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is a diverse yet cohesive collection of songs, ideally listened to in its entirety from beginning to end. The album does exactly as the title suggests: hits you hard and soft both lyrically and sonically while bending genres and defying trends along the way. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT journeys through a vast and expansive audio landscape, immersing listeners into a full spectrum of emotions. It’s what the multiple GRAMMY® and Academy Award winner does best, continuing to affirm Billie Eilish as the most exciting songwriter of her time.
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT was written by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, her brother and long-time collaborator, who also produced the album.HIT ME HARD AND SOFTwill be available on all digital platforms, and in a continued effort to minimize waste and combat climate change; across all physical formats in limited variants on the same day, with the same track-listing and using 100% recyclable materials. For more information on all sustainable practices for this album release, please visit the official website.
Dolce&Gabbana unveiled 888 Brickell, its first real estate project in Miami, in collaboration with developer JDS Development Group. The project will be the tallest building in the city at 1,049 feet (319.74 meters). 888 features 259 custom residences interior designed comprehensively by Dolce&Gabbana, and a 5-star hotel — altogether a place to savor the splendor of luxury, and to experience the authentic Dolce&Gabbana lifestyle in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
The façade, designed in collaboration with architects Studio Sofield, features an elegant and restrained combination of ivory travertine and matte black steel beams that give the building an expressly vertical appearance, setting it far apart from its neighbors.
Each of the 259 residences, encompassing a range from 1-4 bedrooms, is meticulously curated by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. From bespoke hardware and rare wood and stone species to impeccably tailored furniture and hand-crafted millwork, Dolce&Gabbana brings its signature glamour and grace to every square inch of the residences at 888.
Dolce&Gabbana and JDS Development conceived, designed, and programmed every inch of the 115,000 square feet of amenities throughout the property. The idea is to just show up, and everything is taken care of. From the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep, every whim and desire is anticipated.
“Dolce&Gabbana is the perfect partner to realize this new chapter and future vision for our iconic tower. The global fashion house’s pursuit of quality and detail in design — together with their ability to create a beautiful world of authentic lifestyle filled with incredible hospitality — ensures we are absolutely embarking on a successful, creative journey for our future residents and visitors alike.”—Michael Stern, developer
The Specs + Amenities
1049 feet
90 stories
259 units
1 to 4 bedrooms
44ft lap pool
hot & cold plunge
indoor padel court
golf simulator
IV therapy
massages
meeting rooms
office suites
screening room
theater space
wine cellar
juice bar
signature restaurant
Price Point
$3.5 to 35 million
NOW SELLING PRE-CONSTRUCTION FOR 2027 DELIVERY
CONTACT HOPE GAINER INTERNATIONAL TO SELECT YOUR DOLCE & GABBANA RESIDENCE
