Architect Stefano Boeri to lead massive urban regeneration project for Rome, Hospitality Design introduces this year’s Wave of the Future honorees, and influential fashion designer Issey Miyake passes away. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Legendary fashion designer Issey Miyake dies at 84
A portrait of Issey Miyake, taken by photographer Irving Penn in 1988; courtesy of Ella Verrijke/Flickr
Japanese clothing designer Issey Miyake died on Friday August 5th in Tokyo following a private battle with liver cancer, The New York Times reports. He was 84. The singular designer gained global fame for his catalog of clothing that promoted freedom of movement. However, Miyake’s genius shined through most via his innovative micro-pleating technology. His Pleats Please clothing, which first hit the market in 1993, comprised weightless polyester and featured no buttons, zippers, snaps, snug armholes, or delineated waistlines. Most importantly, thanks to Miyake’s proprietary heat-treating system, the pleated designs never lost their shape and could be machine-washed. Insisting he made clothing instead of fashion, the timelessness of his distinctive creations made it onto the cover of Artforum in 1982 and led to numerous collaborations with photographers and architects. Some of his designs have been entered into the Museum of Modern Art in New York as well. He also received Japan’s highest honor, the Order of Culture, in 2010 for contributions to the arts.
Fancy Feast debuts temporary New York eatery
Gatto Bianco by Fancy Feast, shown in a rendering
If you’re like Nomi Malone and have a taste for pet food, Fancy Feast is about to deliver. Purina, Fancy Feast’s parent company, has opened a pop-up Italian trattoria in New York’s West Village inspired by the feline palate. People magazine reports that Gatto Bianco by Fancy Feast will treat diners to a complimentary tasting menu developed by Michelin-starred chef Cesare Casella and Fancy Feast’s in-house chef. Only open August 11–12th, Gatto Bianco will serve cuisine that draws inspiration from new flavors featured in Fancy Feast Medleys.
Rome to undergo ecological transition by 2050
View of Rome from Castel Sant’Angelo, Italy
In adherence with the United Nations agenda for climate neutrality by 2050, the Roman City Council has established a new urban regeneration laboratory. According to ArchDaily, Laboratorio Roma050 – il Futuro della Metropoli Mondo will focus on producing several scenarios that will initiate and guide public urban regeneration policies and choices that will impact upcoming city programming like the 2025 Jubilee and Expo 2030. Roma2050 is expected to last 18 months. Architect Stefano Boeri will lead the lab’s team of 12 architects and urban planners, all of whom are under the age of 35. Four architects will also participate on the project as mentors.
Ai Weiwei to curate exhibit by incarcerated artists
Ai Weiwei’s Iron Tree; courtesy of BLTP Photo/Flickr
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has revealed plans to curate a show this October at London’s Southbank Center that highlights work exclusively from incarcerated artists. The Freedom exhibition is organized by the Koestler Arts charity, which promotes and sells work by incarcerated people, as well. Work will reflect individual experiences with incarceration, including works created by people in prison, mental health facilities, immigration detainment centers, and institutions for youth offenders, ARTnews reports. Freedom will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Koestler Awards, a prize honoring the artistic achievements of detainees across the UK justice system.
Meet HD’s 2022 Wave of the Future class
Young enough to be considered visionary, but tested enough to be accomplished, HD’s Wave of the Future class for 2022 has been revealed. The 10 honorees will be featured in Hospitality Design’s October issue and celebrated during the HD NextGen Forum event, hosted this year at Virgin Hotels Nashville, October 26–27th. The 2022 Wave of the Future honorees are: Aaron Anderson, cofounder, The 26 Co; Linda Boronkay, founder and creative director, Linda Boronkay Design Studio; Atit Jariwala, CEO, Bridgeton Holdings; Diana Martinez, senior design director, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants; Elide Rathborne, director of design, Bond Collective; Kane Sarhan, cofounder and CCO, The Well; Pooja Shah-Mulani, partner and design director, LW; Nick Solomon, CCO, AvroKO; Crystal Vinisse Thomas, vice president and global brand leader for lifestyle & luxury brands, Hyatt Hotels; and Kia Weatherspoon, president, Determined by Design.
