In a pilot project aimed at finding a more sustainable textile printing process, Finnish companies Marimekko and Origin by Ocean have partnered to replace synthetic chemicals and reduce the overall use of chemicals in Marimekko's printing process.

Origin by Ocean is a Finnish technology and material innovation，specializes in developing products based on algae. Through a patented bio-refining process, the company extracts bio-based chemicals from harmful algae and ecologically farmed seaweed.

During the pilot project, Marimekko replaced a synthetic thickener with an algae-based thickener from Origin by Ocean in the print paste. Marimekko used Origin by Ocean Caerulo alginate, a print paste thickener made from marine biomass from the Dominican Republic, to print a set of textile products.

The use of thickeners is essential in textile printing as they form the main component of the paste. By experimenting with bio-based thickeners in the printing process, it becomes possible to reduce the quantity of chemicals utilized in the supply chain.

Photo：us.fashionnetwork.com

K-pop stars further cement relationships with luxury brands

South Korean pop artists, who are celebrated as icons both in their home country and globally, are now also representing European luxury brands. Over the past few months, several Korean artists have been appointed as ambassadors for leading luxury labels.

South Korea, a country that blends Asian and Western cultures, has emerged as a crucial market for luxury brands. On April 29, Louis Vuitton and designer Nicolas Ghesquière unveiled their 2023 Fall/Winter pre-collection fashion show at the Jamsugyo Bridge in Seoul. In May, Gucci showcased its 2024 cruise collection at the Gyeongbokgung Palace, situated in the South Korean capital on the northern bank of the Han River.

K-pop is a significant contributor to South Korea's soft power, with its energetic and inspiring singers and dancers, often organized into bands, achieving international success. These "idols" have become fashion icons for European luxury brands, who have appointed them as ambassadors. Two groups that stand out are BTS and Blackpink. Blackpink, the most prominent girl band, and its members Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa, represent at least two brands each, including Tiffany & Co. jewelry, Chanel and Saint Laurent dresses, Jacquemus bags, and Cartier watches. The Korean artists' every action and gesture are scrutinized and analyzed by their highly engaged fan community, resulting in tremendous visibility for these luxury brands.

Numerous collaborations between K-pop stars and luxury brands have been announced recently. Taeyong, a member of the NCT group with 11 million Instagram followers, has been an international ambassador for Loewe since June. Dior, which already includes Jisoo (Black Pink) and Park Jimin (BTS) among its ambassadors, partnered with Haerin from the NewJeans group at the end of April. Following suit, Kenzo, helmed by Japanese designer Nigo, declared in June that Vernon from the Seventeen group would be joining their ranks. Most recently, in late July, Hyunjin (Stray Kids) was named as the fresh face of Versace.

Photo：us.fashionnetwork.com

Marguerite Humeau plants a resilient crop of Land art in Colorado

The San Luis Valley, located in southern Colorado, is the world's largest alpine valley, covering an area that is approximately the size of Slovenia and situated between the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountains. Despite its inhospitable terrain, which includes perpetual winds, sandy soil, minimal rainfall, and frigid winter temperatures that often make it the coldest place in the contiguous United States, humans have inhabited the valley for thousands of years, from the Ute Indians to Spanish, Mexican, and American settlers. The valley's underground aquifer, which dates back to its days as a large lake, has made its agricultural industry surprisingly productive despite the harsh conditions, with crops such as potatoes, barley, alfalfa, oats, and others thriving during its 90-day growing season.

Photo：www.theartnewspaper.com

According to Humeau, "Every artist should begin with a project in the San Luis Valley since it's akin to a testing ground that challenges you on every level. Technically, it's an incredibly harsh environment, with scorching sun during the summer, bone-chilling cold in the winter, and extreme winds that cause a sandstorm-like effect as soon as they pick up."

Orisons, Humeau's Land art project in the San Luis Valley, is presented by the Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum based in Denver and centers on the land itself as the focal point of the work. The artist, whose research-driven approach encompasses various media but often focuses on specific natural phenomena and species, initially envisioned the project as a large-scale earth-moving endeavor akin to canonical Land art projects by Robert Smithson and Michael Heizer. However, it evolved into something much more subtle, with Humeau aiming to increase visitors' environmental awareness through understated sculptural interventions.

Humeau refers to certain plants as "superheroes" that people often consider to be weeds or invasive species. These plants, when activated by the constant wind blowing through the valley, serve as musical instruments of sorts in her mind. "Marguerite recognized that the plants that can thrive in this environment are something to be praised, perhaps even more durable than our own species," explains Cortney Lane Stell, the executive director and chief curator of Black Cube.