A Journey Through Time

Many designers looked to the past for inspiration, combining vintage references with modern sensibilities. Maria Grazia Chiuri, the creative mind behind Dior, drew from “the creativity of past centuries”, presenting designs inspired by 1950s Yves Saint Laurent, such as draped skirts, trapeze dresses, and crinolines. This collection paid homage to the rich legacy of couture while introducing new forms and silhouettes.

Daniel Roseberry, artistic director at Schiaparelli, also explored time travel in his collection. Inspired by 1920s and 1930s ribbons, his designs prominently featured corsets, a nod to the haute couture of the past, alongside modern twists on classic silhouettes. Kendall Jenner was among the models showcasing his work, highlighting how the past and present can seamlessly merge in couture.

Escapism Through Fashion

For many designers, couture serves as a form of escapism—an opportunity to create beautiful, fantastical worlds far removed from current events. Zuhair Murad, drawing from his experiences in Lebanon, presented a collection inspired by a tropical island, symbolizing a peaceful refuge from the chaos of the world. The collection conveyed a sense of utopia, offering a serene contrast to the harsh realities of modern life.

Franck Sorbier, on the other hand, took a more direct approach to current global conflicts in his show, “Symphonie Barbare”. This theatrical performance featured “warriors of peace” and “barbarian” men, symbolizing the duality of conflict and peace. The show ended on a hopeful note with Sorbier himself emerging in a black anorak that read “peace and love”, delivering a powerful message on global unity.

Addressing the Future

The future of fashion also played a role at Paris Couture Week. Viktor & Rolf presented a collection that riffed on the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), sending out 24 variations of the same dress. Each was announced with a robotic voice, showcasing a human interpretation of the limitless possibilities AI presents for fashion.

Changes Among Fashion’s Elite

Amidst the couture glitter, musical chairs among top designers continued. Stella McCartney announced her departure from LVMH, while Glenn Martens was appointed artistic director of Maison Margiela, succeeding John Galliano. Speculation also surrounded Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior, with rumors suggesting a potential shift to Jonathan Anderson of Loewe.

Chanel too is undergoing a leadership transition, with Virginie Viard’s sudden departure in June, leaving the brand’s latest show crafted by its creative studio. Matthieu Blazy, who was appointed as Viard’s successor, is not expected to present his first collection until September.

Couture Traditions and Bold New Designs

As tradition dictates, many collections concluded with bridal looks, but this season’s gowns took a modern twist. From short in the front, long in the back styles to Jean Paul Gaultier’s feathered, transparent gown, designers continued to push the boundaries of haute couture.

This year’s Paris Couture Week offered a visual feast of creativity, nostalgia, and escapism, reaffirming the importance of fashion as both an art form and a mirror to our rapidly changing world

The post Nostalgia and Escapism: Highlights from Paris Couture Week appeared first on Magzoid Magazine.

Drawing from the timeless charm of her farmhouse, Hesse’s paintings evoke a sense of nostalgia and tranquility. Each brushstroke serves as a testament to the enduring beauty found within the walls of her home, imbuing her work with a sense of warmth and intimacy. Through her art, she invites viewers to explore the rich tapestry of memories and emotions woven into the fabric of her everyday surroundings.

Hesse’s artistic journey has seen her participate in numerous exhibitions across Canada and the United States, where her work has been met with acclaim and appreciation. Her ability to capture the essence of her environment resonates with audiences, offering a glimpse into the quiet beauty of rural life and the timeless allure of the natural world.

Central to Hesse’s artistic practice is her unwavering commitment to authenticity and sincerity. Each painting is a reflection of her personal experiences and emotions, rendered with care and precision to convey the essence of her surroundings. Whether depicting the play of light filtering through a window or the subtle nuances of everyday objects, Hesse’s work captures the subtle poetry of the ordinary.

In a world that often moves at a frantic pace, Hesse’s paintings serve as a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Through her art, she encourages viewers to find solace in the simple joys of life and to rediscover the magic hidden within the familiar.

As Emma Hesse continues to devote her time to painting, her work serves as a testament to the enduring power of art to evoke emotion, spark imagination, and forge connections across time and space. With each brushstroke, she invites us to embark on a journey of introspection and discovery, where the beauty of the ordinary is celebrated and cherished.

The post Emma Hesse: Capturing the Timeless Beauty of Rural Life Through Painting appeared first on Magzoid Magazine.

At the heart of Soden’s artistic practice lies a fascination with the transformative power of time on once-thriving spaces. Through her lens, she captures the poignant juxtaposition of life and decay, infusing each image with a sense of narrative and emotional depth. Rather than adopting a purely documentary approach, Soden imbues her compositions with a lyrical quality, guiding viewers on a journey through the concepts of time and memory.

Characteristic of Soden’s work is its distinctly painterly aesthetic, which elevates her photographs beyond mere representations of abandoned spaces. Each image is carefully composed to evoke a sense of atmosphere and mood, drawing the viewer into a world where the past and present coexist in a delicate balance. From derelict asylums and closed schools to ex-military compounds and city power stations, Soden’s subjects span a diverse range of locations, each imbued with its history and sense of nostalgia.

However, Soden’s work is not without controversy, as she often gains unlicensed access to restricted areas to capture her images. This element of risk adds a layer of complexity to her work, reflecting the physical demands of her process and the passage of time evident in the abandoned locations she explores.

In many ways, Soden’s photography pays homage to the Romantic poets who came before her, offering viewers an opportunity to reflect on notions of beauty and decay, calmness and devastation. Through her evocative imagery, she invites us to contemplate the transient nature of existence and the enduring allure of the forgotten and overlooked.

As Gina Soden continues to push the boundaries of photographic expression, her work serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty that can be found in unexpected places. With each image, she invites us to glimpse into the past and contemplate the stories that lie hidden within the crumbling walls and forgotten corridors of abandoned spaces.

The post Gina Soden: Exploring Abandoned Beauty appeared first on Magzoid Magazine.

Rooted in the exploration of life’s natural highs and lows, Benmore’s work embodies a delicate balance between organic, introspective musings and pop-infused, vibrant aesthetics. With each brushstroke, he delves into the depths of human nature, inviting viewers to ponder the fleeting moments of sentimental memory and introspection that define the human experience.

Themes of societal issues, politics, equality, and consumerism permeate Benmore’s work, offering subtle commentary on the state of the world while hinting at popular iconography and symbols. In his most recent pieces, he delves deeper into his personal experiences with growing up, mental health, and the challenges they entail, weaving his narrative into the fabric of his art.

As someone who grapples with invisible illnesses, Joshua Benmore finds solace in bringing beauty to the forefront, even in the face of adversity. His colour-filled canvases act as cheerful facades, concealing sincere messages beneath their vibrant exteriors. Through juxtaposition and subversion, he encourages viewers to question their thoughts and stories, finding personal meaning in the layers of his work.

Flowers, symbols of nurturing and comfort, feature prominently in Benmore’s art, mirroring the resilience of the human spirit. Titles such as “Flowers will grow again” and “the light through the dark” serve as beacons of hope amidst the turmoil, while signs of encouragement emerge from beneath layers of paint, guiding viewers toward moments of strength and positivity.

Inspired by music, mid-century modern aesthetics, and pop surrealism, Benmore’s artistic style evolves with each piece, embracing new methods of image-making while retaining an organic, childlike quality. Viewers are invited to uncover hidden notes and thoughts scattered throughout his work, each viewing offering a new perspective and a fresh revelation.

In essence, Joshua Benmore’s art is a testament to the power of creativity as a means of introspection and connection. Through his vivid imagery and heartfelt narratives, he invites viewers on a journey of self-discovery and contemplation, leaving them with a sense of comfort, nostalgia, and hope.

The post Joshua Benmore: Exploring Nostalgia and Resilience appeared first on Magzoid Magazine.

Piano’s artwork draws inspiration from the realm of childhood games that were prevalent in the 1980s. These games, with their distinct aesthetics and cultural significance, evoke a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality among those who grew up during that era. Through his art, Piano aims to capture the essence of these games and their ability to transport us back to a time when life was simpler and carefree. He views these games as a window into a world of innocence and boundless imagination, a world where the worries and complexities of adulthood had yet to take hold.

In his artistic journey, Piano’s work bears the influence of renowned artists like Fernandez Arman and Piero Gilardi. The echoes of Fluxus Art, a radical and experimental art movement, are also evident in his creations. This artistic heritage has provided him with a unique perspective on the blending of art and everyday life, a theme that resonates strongly in his work. His art is not just a reflection of the past, but a fusion of artistic traditions that have shaped his creative vision.

One pivotal moment in Piano’s artistic evolution was his discovery of the versatility and expressive potential of resin. This revelation completed the circle of his artistic exploration, allowing him to capture the essence of the childhood games he celebrates with depth, texture, and a vibrant sense of life. The medium of resin became a powerful tool for encapsulating the emotions, colors, and memories associated with these games, creating a dynamic interplay between the real and the nostalgic.

Alessandro Piano was born in 1979 in Genoa, Italy, and his art has resonated far beyond his place of birth. His works have been exhibited nationally, as well as in international locations such as Monaco, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. These exhibitions reflect the universal appeal of his art, which transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, touching the hearts of viewers from various backgrounds.

Alessandro Piano’s artistic journey is a captivating exploration of the power of nostalgia and the art of preserving cherished memories. His work serves as a testament to the enduring influence of childhood and the simple joys of yesteryears. Through his unique artistic vision, he reminds us of the timeless connection between play and the profound memories that shape our lives. Piano’s art invites us to relive the magic of childhood and embrace the playful spirit that resides within us all.

The post Alessandro Piano: Artistic Ode to 1980s Childhood Games appeared first on Magzoid Magazine.

Her distinctive collection of oil paintings is a testament to her creativity and unique perspective. Lily-Rose’s artistic focus revolves around colourful, nostalgic still life compositions, where she infuses magic into ordinary objects that are often overlooked due to their mundane nature. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and cherished memories, she breathes beauty and life into her artwork, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Based in bustling Melbourne, Australia, Lily-Rose devotes every spare moment to improving her practice and expanding her knowledge of art. Her dedication to honing her craft is apparent as she spends her days in the studio, surrounded by her cats and fueled by the comfort of a cup of coffee.

For Lily-Rose, painting is not just an escape from reality; it is also an acceptance of it. Through her art, she embraces life’s moments and emotions, and she hopes that her creations evoke the same feelings of joy and a sense of ‘home’ in her viewers as they do for her. Her paintings are a heartfelt invitation for others to connect with the beauty and nostalgia of life’s simple pleasures.

As a full-time artist, Lily-Rose has embraced her true passion, and her devotion to her art shines brightly in each stroke of her brush. Her collection of oil paintings is a testament to the power of following one’s heart and finding joy and purpose in creating art that resonates with the soul.

The post Captivating Nostalgia: The Extraordinary Oil Paintings of Lily-Rose appeared first on Magzoid Magazine.

Seeking to unlock feel-good memories, the brand hosted an exclusive blind taste preview of its new SubMelts with six unwitting participants from across the region. With each bite, the tasters were asked to describe their experience in vivid detail – everything from the first bite, the stretch of the cheese, and their perfect last mouthful. The results did not disappoint, with each participant unlocking nostalgic, feel-good memories of diving into their favourite cheese sandwich.

Inspired by the region’s love of extra cheese, the SubMelts took each contestant down memory lane, recalling times of joy – from childhood moments of breakfast with the family to post-game rituals with siblings and more. As the contestants relived these fond memories, Subway’s tech team transcribed their every word, feeding it to Midjourney, the latest A.I. imaging machine. Midjourney then created custom A.I. portraits for the contestants, combining their first impressions of the SubMelt with their favourite memories.

The first participant, reminded instantly of her late-night movie nights when she bit into the sandwich, received an image illustrating a cosy, quiet weekend with a SubMelt. The next mentioned how the SubMelt took him back to his younger days with his brother when they began their lunch tradition. With the story fed to Midjourney, the A.I. engine created a picture of him and his brother sharing a meal. The third, whose son loves to spend time on the beach, received a depiction of a sunset beach picnic with her son, all enjoying a hearty and delicious SubMelt. And so, with each picture printed, the participants reminisced the beautiful memories and were transported to the moments they had described.

Subway is known for its endless customization of subs, but with the introduction of SubMelts, the brand has crafted four unique builds by experts that speak right to those cheese lovers, bringing consumers in for more! To get the new SubMelts to life with a bang, Subway partnered with Vertex, the renowned 3D production house, to bring the sandwiches to take over the streets. The unique video produced sees hot and cheesy SubMelts soar across the skyline with the help of drones as an epic stretch of melting cheese manoeuvres the sky.

In addition, to emphasize the element of nostalgia and reinforce the SubMelts’ role as the ultimate comfort food, Subway teamed up with Cinema Akil, the GCC’s first independent cinema known for its vintage theatre aesthetic, offering guests complimentary SubMelts to indulge in as they binge on their favourite feel-good movie.

The Subway SubMelts, available at outlets across the UAE, KSA, and Kuwait, feature four speciality panini-style toasted sandwiches – The Big Cheese Steak, Chicken and Mushroom Supreme, Dynamite Chicken, and Bella Mozzarella. With these, customers have the convenience of hearty food with the same Subway taste that people love.

The post Subway launches SubMelts with first-of-its-kind A.I. powered campaign appeared first on Magzoid Magazine.

The artist Relna embellished her style by using hyper-realistic portraits. The unconditional love between a mother and child, lovey-dovey moments, etc. are saturated in her works and each has a story to communicate. She always reflects a deep connection with the moments she portrays. Her first ever book cover illustration for reputed writer Ms. Preetha Vasan’s book was published recently. She is looking forward to making the world more fascinating with her art.

The post Magical illustrations by Relna Olivia appeared first on Magzoid Magazine.