Althea McNish's Vintage Textiles Fetch £250,000 on Roadshow
7.16.25
Althea McNish, a Trinidadian-born designer who immigrated to the UK in 1951, had a successful career with famous clients including Queen Elizabeth II and Liberty department store. Her designs for Danasco Of London were also notable. A guest brought an archive collection of her textiles to the Antiques Roadshow, which was valued at over £250,000, with some fabrics selling for £2,500 per square meter due to their vibrant colors despite being five decades old.
Artists Boycott Francofolies Over Amir's Israel Ties
7.16.25
Several artists, including Lovelace, Nicou, CHOSE, and Mado, have signed a statement opposing Francofolies de Spa's decision to program Amir due to his perceived pro-Israel stance. Yoa, a Franco-Swiss singer, has cancelled her participation in the festival over Amir's attendance at an event supporting the Israeli army and his involvement with the far-right Habayit Hayehudi party. Following Yoa's withdrawal, Brussels DJ RaQL and activist DJ LibraRomea have also announced their exit from the festival. The organizers of Francofolies de Spa claim they cannot "morally assess the entirety of Amir's personal trajectory" but acknowledge receiving numerous messages calling for his removal due to anti-Semitic hatred.
Beyoncé recently made changes to her Cowboy Carter tour after a terrifying stunt in Houston where she was left hanging midair during a concert. The singer debuted a mechanical gold horse at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, replacing her previous red Cadillac convertible prop that suddenly tilted and caused her to stop the show. Beyoncé has used horses as props before, including a sparkling silver one during her Renaissance Tour in 2023. Her Cowboy Carter Tour, which supports her 2024 album of the same name, will conclude on July 26 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas after stops in Atlanta and other locations. An arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect who stole unreleased music from Beyoncé's tour stop in Atlanta on July 8.
Bombay Court Rejects PIL Against Prada's Kolhapuri Chappals
7.16.25
The Bombay High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) by six lawyers against Prada for allegedly misusing Kolhapuri chappals, stating that only registered Geographical Indication (GI) rights holders can take legal action. The court questioned the petitioners' locus, as they were not the aggrieved persons or owners of the footwear.
Bopper Media, a London-based creative agency, has created an AI-generated brand film for BSV Association, a global blockchain organization. The eight-week project used a combination of legacy and emerging AI platforms to produce over 5,000 images and sound design elements, significantly reducing its environmental footprint. The film tells a human story about the potential of blockchain technology, highlighting its scalability, efficiency, and ability to drive positive change. Victoria Stout, Creative Director at Bopper Media, praised the use of AI for its creative freedom, cost efficiency, and sustainability, allowing the team to bring the story to life within a tight budget and timeframe.
BTS concerts are expected to have a significant impact on the Korean economy, with estimates suggesting they can inject up to $895 million into the economy and create as many as 10,000 jobs. According to Chae Jee Young, a senior research fellow at the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute, the passion of BTS fans is likely to lead to a bigger economic boost than previous events.
Davao Students Dominate Saan Ka Lulugar? Competition
7.16.25
The 2025 edition of "Saan Ka Lulugar?" was successfully held across key locations in Mindanao. The flagship program of the National Committee on Architecture and the Allied Arts under the NCCA featured student participants from Davao Del Sur State College, who stood on top of Kublai Millan's Agong House at the Kublai Art Garden in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Deauville Honors Late Tunisian Director Moufida Tlatli
7.16.25
The Deauville Film Festival is set to honor late Tunisian director Moufida Tlatli with a retrospective screening of her debut film "The Silences of the Palace" at its upcoming edition. The Arab Women In The Arts showcase, organized by the San Francisco-based Arab Film & Media Institute (AFMI), will also celebrate Tlatli's work, featuring screenings of her films "The Season of Men" and "Nadia and Sarra". The event will take place in New York and San Francisco from July 22-27.
District Commemorates 2024 July Uprising with Events
7.16.25
The district administration has planned various month-long programmes to commemorate the 2024 July Uprising. These initiatives include a symbolic marathon, tree plantation drives, a graffiti competition, cultural events celebrating martyred children through art and music, a 'Mothers of July' assembly, a 'July Heroes' award ceremony, film screenings, and a special video message from the chief adviser.