NewsFusion | 092

NewsFusion for March 2026

Science...

• NASA shares plans for Moon and Mars | CNN
• Turns out, cloning has limitations | Nature
• String Theory may still be the best answer for explaining the universe | Quanta Magazine

Design...

• The Finnish embassy in New Delhi is still a Nordic architectural icon | Monocle
• AI's impact on Indigenous Knowledge in Fashion | Vogue
• Volvo's new VNL semi truck offers increased safety and fuel efficiency | Volvo

Culture...

• Museum of Youth Culture now open in London | The Guardian
• Jingle Dress class promotes healthy and culture | PBS Wisconson
• Moroccan Forum of Cultural and Creative Industries continues to grow | Africa24 TV

Stylish Scientist | Lizzy Harley

Future-ish is excited to promote a project of Olya Yarychkivska on her blog, Lunarka's Treasure Box. Each week, Olya posts a real life stylish scientist. This week, Olya selected London-based evolutionary biologist Lizzy Harley as her muse. Follow the hyperlink above for more pics and bio. It just so happens that Lizzy has her own stylish scientist blog, Scientist Chic, so make sure to surf over there too.

ModerniTea | Eclecitc by Tom Dixon

Tea is timeless. People around the world have enjoyed the aromatic, delicious, and soothing beverage for centuries. Here at Future-ish, we love it when ancient traditions evolve and flourish in our modern times. So, finding people, products, and ideas around contemporary tea culture is one of our favorite pastimes.

Our latest find is the Eclectic tea set from the Form line of London-based designer, Tom Dixon. Slightly retro but thoroughly forward thinking, the set elevates the tea time experience to an inspiring new level.

Flashback | Tweed Runs

Here at Future-ish, we love when everything old is new again...we love it even more when it's done well.

So it should come as no surprise that we are HUGE fans of the Tweed Run, a "metropolitan bicycle ride with a bit of style!" The event was started in London in 2009 but now there are Tweed Runs around the world. For a list of upcoming Tweed Runs, check out the very natty Riding Pretty blog.

2012 London Design Festival | Sept 14-23

The 2012 London Design Festival is just around the corner and it is shaping up to be the best ever. For nine days in September, London will become the center of the design universe. First staged in 2003, the London Design Festival is one of the world's most important annual design events. The festival programme is made up of over 280 events and exhibitions staged by 200 partner organisations across the design spectrum and from around the world.

BMW i to Debut in 2013

The long-awaited BMW i just got a little closer to being on the market. In June 2012 the BMW i Store opened in London to showcase the BMW i3 and BMW i8 as they approach their release in 2013. The concept cars will take a year-long seven city world excursion in the BMW i Born Electric Tour that will finish up Shanghai in 2013. We're certainly excited about the electric vehicle, but we must be honest...we're even more excited about the design.

Below you will find the tour teaser:

David Byrne Dubs London's Tempo

During his 3-day residency in a riverboat perched atop Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, David Byrne created a song from field recordings that he made of sounds around the city. His song, Get It Away, is the tempo of London, which Byrne said is 122.86 beats per minute. Very precise.

The temporary residence's installation is itself called A Room For London and celebrates London's Olympic year. Its design inspired by the riverboat in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the unique space gives its residents a new perspective on one of London's cultural centers.  BP

Plunge by Michael Pinsky

This thought-provoking art installation in London marks the height to which sea level will rise in 1,000 years using low-energy LED light rings affixed to monuments there. The placement of the rings follows the future course of the Thames if nothing is done to curb emissions.

A span of time so vast as 1,000 years is difficult for the human mind to comprehend. It won't be that high in London for a long time but sea level rise is already impacting many nations, the artist notes.  BP

Retail Art

A London boutique has given us our first glimpse of 21st century shopping. LN-CC (aka Late Night Chameleon Café) recently expanded from a virtual space to an actual brick and mortar shop. Well, the terms 'shop' or 'boutique' don't quite describe it as the concept actually includes a bookstore, gallery, photography studio, and music venue. Consider it retail as art instillation. What caught our eye was the future-fabulous architecture and fixtures throughout the space. The concept is a collaborative project by John Skelton, Dan Mitchell, Conor Donlon, Mickey Boyle, and Gary Card. Geometrics, art and music, and a stellar book nook...sounds like a dreamy confluence of science, design, and culture to us.

Fab Facets - Futuristic Flask

OK, there may be too many F words in the title but this little hipflask by London-based product designer Tom Cecil is pretty fantastic. Each flask is hand made and stamped with its own design and serial number. You can even get your initials stamped in. The flask holds 50ml (1.6oz - a healthy shot). Cheers!

Holly Fulton's 22nd Century Fashion

There is fashion forward and then there is fashion WAY forward. The designs of London-based Holly Fulton are definitely in the latter category. Fulton has consistently cast her "Fulton ladies" in bold graphics, deco designs, and striking metal and gem bling. Fashionistas probably see Egypt, art deco, and old Hollywood in her work but being design AND science geeks here at Future-ish, we see future retro with references to Bladerunner, Battlestar Galactica (both the original and the remake), and Stargate. Fabulous, striking, inspired. We can't wait for more.

Safura's High Tech Silk Chiffon Dress

Azerbaijani singer and saxophonist, Safura Alizadeh, awed the fans of Eurovision 2010 with her futuristic fashion statement...a VJ controlled gown that featured 5400 LEDs. The gown was designed by London-based Francesca Rosella and Ryan Genz of CuteCircuit and is just one of their many wearable technology products that range from gowns and scarves to t-shirts and leggings. Image: Erik F. Brandsborg

The Future of Fashion: Age AND Beauty

The future of fashion was revealed in the Fall of 2010 when two premier European fashion designers featured seasoned models on their shows. Designer Giles Deacon placed Veruschka von Lehndorff, still stunning at 71, front and center in his show (far left) and Spanish designer Juan Duyos had several 60+ 'silver sirens' stomp his catwalk including (left to right) Sabine Jost, Socialite Eloisa Bercero, Paola Kortis, and Marie-Ange Schmitt. Cheers to aging gracefully and glamorously.