FKA Twigs x The Isamu Noguchi Foundation Collab for the Woolmark Prize 2022
To recognize the seven 2022 finalists of the Woolmark prize, FKA twigs directed and stars in short film, “PLAYSCAPE,” which coincides with the Woolmark theme for this year, play. The film is a partnership between The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum. “Isamu Noguchi was one of the 20th Century’s most important and critically acclaimed sculptors; he designed several “playscapes” where the public could directly interact with sculptures in ways typically not possible in a museum.” Noguchi inspired Twigs heavily for “PLAYSCAPE” with looks from the finalists Ahluwalia, EGONLAB, Jordan Dalah, MMUSOMAXWELL, Peter Do, RUI, and Saul Nash seen on her, Kai Isaiah Jamal, and more in the film. Each year the Woolmark Prize pushes designers to think about sustainable supply chain practices; the designers in part use wool to create their collections, with this year’s winners announced on April 26th. One finalist will be awarded the International Woolmark Prize by a prestigious panel of industry experts, including Naomi Campbell, Edward Enninful OBE, Ib Kamara, and Pieter Mulier. The finalist will receive AU$200,000 for the development of their business. At the same time, The Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation will also be presented, with the winner receiving AU$100,000. All finalists will have the opportunity for their brands to be stocked in some of the world’s leading stores through the International Woolmark Prize retailer network.
CFDA Is Venturing Into Web3 With Metaverse and NFT Collab
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, AKA the CFDA, is launching its first Metaverse and NFT partnership with consulting agency 5Crypto, working with The Sandbox and Polygon Studios to begin a Web3 blueprint for American Fashion in the metaverse. With this partnership, the CFDA aims to grow its digital creative community and educate/introduce a larger consumer group to virtual and crypto spaces through professional development and resources. Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, said, “This is a remarkable opportunity for the CFDA to guide the American fashion industry into the future of commerce and creativity.” It’s no secret that the Metaverse might be a potential billion-dollar industry, as KPMG industry analysts “predict the growing demand for luxury goods in the metaverse could reach $50 billion by 2030.” [WWD]
Brazil Hosts First Indigenous Runway Show
In April, Brazil hosts its Intercultural Exhibition of Indigenous Fashion in the Brazilian Amazon’s largest city. Starting with a runway show with the creations of 29 indigenous designers, with “designers using natural elements in their creations, including the spearlike teeth of the peccary — an Amazonian boar — the red guarana fruit, acai seeds, and coconut shells.” A presenter shared the ethnicity of each model with the audience and explained the symbolism behind the clothes and accessories they wore during the show at the Rio Negro Palace. This early 20th-century building now serves as a cultural center. “It’s a form of resistance, a way to overcome stereotypes,” said Reby Ferreira, the event organizer. The show is also very timely and a call to action towards protecting indigenous rights. President Jair Bolsonaro favors opening indigenous reserves to mining and farming companies, which have already been significantly impacted by deforestation. [France 24]
Jennifer Venditti Releases First Book, “Can I Ask You a Question?”
Veteran casting director Jennifer Venditti is behind some of the most hit shows and movies in pop culture. Venditti cast cult classic Uncut Gems and brought in Julia Fox, worked on Euphoria and discovered Hunter Schafer, who at the time was only modeling, Angus Cloud, Dominic Fike, Barbie Ferreira and more. Venditti published the book through indie production company A24 and the title comes from the phrase she usually asks strangers when she casts, “Can I ask you a question?” The book stands as a visual exploration of her distinct casting process through the years featuring over 300 pages of original casting content with interviews and contributions from collaborators director Josh Safdie, photographer Alec Soth, casting scouts Eleonore Hendricks and Michele Mansoor, and more. You can find the book here.
Bonnie Panasenko Launches An NFT Platform To Help Raise Funds for Ukrainian Children
Ukrainian model and artist Bonnie Panasenko launched “THEIR FUTURES,” an initiative to help displaced Ukrainian children impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war. In partnership with VERSE, Panasenko sourced and digitalized over 50 drawings from children ages 3-14 in Ukraine. Through a charitable marketplace, viewers can browse the NFT collection and bid on pieces—each titled with the name and age of the artist. The auctions begin on April 18 and will run for two weeks. All proceeds from THEIR FUTURES will go to Hand to Hand, a Ukraine-based NGO providing funds directly to medical professionals, activists, and humanitarian workers. Visit the website here to learn more.
Nastya Abramova Print Sale for Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces
Ukrainian model Nastya Abramova used her passion for photography to launch a prints sale to raise funds for the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, where her father currently serves. The collection of 36 film prints includes images from Abramova’s last visit to Ukraine in 2021, and the funds aim to help supply first aid military kits. Here is the website.
