The Design Dispatch offers expertly written and essential news from the design world crafted by our dedicated team. Think of it as your cheat sheet for the day in design delivered to your inbox before you’ve had your coffee. Subscribe now.
Have a news story our readers need to see? Submit it here
Zoo as Zoo Channels Dune for 424’s Melrose Boutique
The upmarket men’s fashion brand 424 has become a streetwear favorite for its collaborations with Arsenal and FIFA, but its new Melrose store is anything but bro-y. Founder and creative director Guillermo Andrade worked with Zoo as Zoo to create a home for 424’s suiting-inspired outerwear, tailored separates, and distressed leather and denim statement pieces. Instead of a typical, glass-box retail setup, the studio evokes a wind-blown cave straight out of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. Against the shop’s cave-like walls, everything from pillowy shearling biker jackets to its buttery leather boots stands out in sharp relief. —Jenna Adrian-Diaz
Rendering of 520 Fifth Avenue by KPF. Image courtesy of Binyan Studios…
Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates has unveiled renderings of a new residential supertall on Fifth Avenue. The 1,000-foot-tall structure features a distinct facade with fluted casing arched windows arranged in modular bundles, continuing the arched motif into the lobby with an arched colonnade. The building’s design draws inspiration from nearby architectural landmarks like the New York Public Library, Grand Central Station, and the Chrysler Building, blending Art Deco elements with a modern twist. It’s slated to be the second-tallest tower on Fifth Avenue and will offer private residences, office spaces, and recreational areas upon completion in 2025.
Graffiti artists Bates and Patrick Griffin, brother of the late graffiti artist Nekst, have filed a lawsuit against the fashion brand Guess and retailer Macy’s in Los Angeles. They allege that Guess used their graffiti tags and signatures on a line of “graffiti-inspired” clothing without permission. The lawsuit accuses Guess of reproducing their tags verbatim on clothing to lend credibility to their brand. While Guess and Macy’s seemed to stop selling the items after the lawsuit, some items allegedly depicting Nekst’s signature can still be found on streetwear reselling websites. This isn’t the first time Guess faced accusations from street artists, as Banksy previously criticized the brand for using his work in their advertising without permission.
A New York Mets tote bag designed by Joel Mesler. Image courtesy of the New York Mets…
The New York Mets have revealed their promotional merchandise for the 2024 season, featuring collaborations with artists Joel Mesler and Rashid Johnson. Mesler has designed a beach tote with an image of balloon-like baseballs and the word “New York” in the team’s orange color on a blue background. This tote will be given to the first 15,000 fans at a Mets game against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. Johnson’s collaboration, a bucket hat, will also be handed out to the first 15,000 fans at the team’s game against the Colorado Rockies on July 13.
Simon Porte Jacquemus will receive the 2024 Neiman Marcus Award for Innovation in the Field of Fashion for his approach to brand building. Neiman Marcus recognized Jacquemus for his distinctive show presentations, marketing strategies, and merchandising techniques. His ideas, such as Jacquemus handbag-cars, shows at locations like Versailles, and vending machine pop-ups, have resonated with fashion enthusiasts. The awards will be presented during Paris Fashion Week in March. Neiman Marcus also plans to expand its partnership with Jacquemus, including launching men’s ready-to-wear along with carrying the label’s handbags.
Shigeru Ban Architects has announced a special project in collaboration with students from The Cooper Union Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Philip Johnson’s Brick House at the Glass House in New Canaan, CT. The project involves the assembly of a Paper Log House prototype, previously deployed in various locations worldwide, on the Glass House grounds from April 15 to Dec. 15 for public exhibition. The installation coincides with the $1.8 million restoration of the Brick House and precedes other site-specific installations as part of the Glass House’s enhanced visitors’ program.
