DESIGN DISPATCH

Maison Margiela Debuts a Film Dedicated to the Craft of the Tabi Silhouette, and Other News

Plus, OpenAI enlists Julliard students to help with its music generator, and Lilly Allen and David Harbour's $8M Carroll Gardens townhome hits the market.

Maison Margiela created a film dedicated to the lore of the Tabi within its house codes.

Maison Margiela has released A Tabi Film, a short dedicated to the craft, history, and symbolism of the house-favorite split-toe silhouette. The film follows the Tabi’s creation from concept to completion, documenting an eleven-person team whose handwork defines the process—from carving the wooden mold to final stitching. It reflects on how the Tabi, first introduced in 1989 and inspired by traditional Japanese footwear, became a lasting emblem of the Maison’s design philosophy. Archival footage underscores its enduring presence within Margiela’s visual and cultural language.

Open AI is reportedly enlisting Juilliard students to help develop a music generation tool.

OpenAI is reportedly working on a new A.I. tool that can generate complete musical tracks from text or audio prompts, extending its reach into sound production. The company has enlisted Juilliard students to annotate scores, refining the data used to train the model. Early testing suggests potential uses in video scoring and vocal accompaniment, with the tool likely to integrate into ChatGPT or OpenAI’s broader video platform. The project enters a fraught landscape for A.I.-generated music, where questions around licensing, artist consent, and compensation remain unresolved.

Courtesy of Compass

Lily Allen and David Harbour’s Carroll Gardens townhome has been listed for $8 million.

Lily Allen and David Harbour have listed their five-bedroom, four-bathroom Carroll Gardens brownstone for $8 million following their split. The 19th-century townhome was transformed into a maximalist residence by AD100 designer Billy Cotton and architect Ben Bischoff, blending English, Italian, and modern influences with bold wallpapers, patterned carpets, and eclectic furnishings. The home spans five levels and includes a full-floor primary suite, a cream-colored kitchen with a gingham-clad banquette, and a backyard with a sauna and cold plunge. Allen references the residence and its design in her recent album, which reflects on the couple’s contentious time together in the New York City home.

Eight exhibitors—blue chip galleries among them—have dropped out of Art Basel Miami Beach.

Eight galleries—including blue-chip names like Miguel Abreu, Chantal Crousel, and Luisa Strina—have withdrawn from Art Basel Miami Beach just weeks before the fair opens. Some, like Altman Siegel and Tilton, closed earlier this year, while others cited shifting priorities, high costs, or competing commitments such as Frieze Masters. The exits come amid a softer art market that has pushed many dealers to reassess the financial strain of global fair participation. Despite the departures, organizers say nearly 220 exhibitors are returning, with a record number of Miami-based galleries joining the main sector.

The tariff crisis could be coming for your holiday decor shopping plans.

Tariffs on imports from China are threatening to limit the availability of holiday decor this season, including artificial Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands, most of which are manufactured there. Retailers are reducing or halting shipments, raising the risk that popular items could sell out before the traditional holiday shopping rush around Black Friday. Shoppers may face higher prices as a result of these trade tensions, making early purchasing essential to secure desired pieces. Experts recommend starting holiday shopping now to avoid shortages and ensure a fully stocked seasonal setup.

Rendering courtesy of Al-Futtaim Group

Today’s attractive distractions:

Tadao Ando has shared his plans for the Dubai Museum of Art. 

A study by King’s College London reveals that looking at art can minimize stress. 

A new exhibition in Palm Springs exalts the art of the women’s nude. 

The wellness industry has zeroed in on the members club craze

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