Creative Chronicles: Floral Fashion, Skate Parks, and Empowered Women in Design

This month’s design highlights span a spectrum of creativity, from a revived 1980s funfair to a groundbreaking skate park at Chelsea Flower Show. Here’s a roundup of the latest design news:

1. Luna Luna: A Funfair Resurrected Luna Luna, a 1980s funfair featuring creations by renowned artists like David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Salvador Dalí, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, has been resurrected after 35 years of lying dormant. The carnival, conceived by Viennese artist André Heller, showcases avant-garde artists’ contributions to mainstream entertainment. Originally exhibited in Hamburg in 1987, Luna Luna is making a comeback with a tour planned for the coming year, thanks to rapper Drake’s DreamCrew company.
2. Atelier E.B’s Big Tobacco Collection The collaborative creative collective, Atelier E.B, consisting of Brussels-based artist Lucy McKenzie and Edinburgh designer Beca Lipscombe, blurs the lines between art and fashion. Their latest collection, “Big Tobacco,” draws inspiration from women’s tennis, reflecting on the historical connection between sports and tobacco advertising. The collection includes cashmere jumpers, shorts, bracelets, and dickies, showcased at Cromwell Place, London, from 14-25 February.
3. Uno: Chic Mastectomy Bras Architect Katy Marks, a breast cancer survivor, founded Uno, a line of bras designed for women who have undergone mastectomies. The Uno bra, created in collaboration with lingerie specialists Aimee McWilliams, Sarah Raskino, and Maxine Wells, prioritizes both chic aesthetics and comfort. Crafted from wood-derived fibers, Uno also offers a bikini made from recycled ocean plastics. Marks aims to empower women embracing their bodies post-surgery, challenging societal norms around appearance.
4. Skateboarding at Chelsea Flower Show RHS Chelsea Flower Show is set to feature its first-ever skatepark in “The Planet Good Earth Garden,” supported by Project Giving Back. This innovative garden includes a skate ramp and 100% edible plants to promote the joy of playing and growing. Urban Organic is producing the plants, and Betongpark is designing the skatable structures. The garden will find a permanent home in Hay-on-Wye after the Chelsea Flower Show.
5. 100 Women: Architects in Practice The book “100 Women: Architects in Practice” offers illustrated interviews with leading women architects from every continent, sharing insights into their major projects, societal contributions, and personal experiences. Recognizing the underrepresentation of African and Asian designers, the book features 25 from each region. It delves into the challenges faced by women architects globally, touching on issues like climate change, colonialism’s legacy, and limited funding, providing a broader perspective on the human condition.

This diverse array of design ventures showcases the intersection of creativity, empowerment, and social impact across various fields.