Dreamlike and futuristic, the work of designer Iris van Herpen is set to show at the Brooklyn Museum in New York in May 2026. The opening will mark the North American debut of the traveling exhibition, dubbed Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses, which brings more than 140 couture works into dialogue with design and scientific artifacts.

The museum has a long history of fashion exhibitions, and this one situates Iris van Herpen’s practice within a broader design conversation. Exhibits showcase how her garments operate as constructed environments for the body, shaped by material research, digital fabrication methods like laser-cutting and 3D printing, and a sustained engagement with natural systems.

Iris Van Herpen, Morphogenesis Dress, from the Sensory Seas collection, 2020. laser-cut and screenprinted mesh, duchesse satin, and laser-cut Plexiglas. collaborator: Philip Beesley. model: Yue Han. photo © David Uzochukwu

digital fabrication for dreamlike creations

Throughout the galleries of the Brooklyn Museum, Iris van Herpen’s garments appear as sculptural forms in motion and unaffected by gravity. Laser-cut meshes, layered polymers, and translucent synthetics register subtle shifts in posture and movement. This way, the designer gives each piece a sense of responsiveness as rippling designs often hover between rigidity and flexibility.

Many works foreground the mechanics of making. Three-dimensional printing, hand pleating, and experimental bonding techniques remain visible, so that the visual language is defined by its fabrication processes. This emphasis on construction aligns the exhibition closely with industrial design and architecture, where form is guided by material behavior rather than just decoration.

Iris van Herpen, Labyrinthine Kimono Dress, from the Sensory Seas collection, 2020. glass organza, crepe, tulle, and Mylar. model: Cynthia Arrebola. photo © David Uzochukwu

iris van herpen’s scientific references

Scientific reference points shape the exhibition design of Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses, as marine biology, anatomy, physics, and astronomy inform the sequencing of the Brooklyn Museum galleries. As such, the progression of spaces moves from themes of aquatic environments toward cosmic scales. But these disciplines are more than just backdrops. They influence how garments occupy space and how viewers circulate among them.

Scientific artifacts and contemporary artworks appear alongside the couture pieces to reinforce this approach. Fossils, skeletal structures, and even optical experiments echo the garments’ geometries. The effect remains measured and deliberate, encouraging close observation rather than quick a walkthrough.

Iris van Herpen. Sensory Seas Dress, from the Sensory Seas collection, 2020. PETG and glass organza. collaborator: Shelee Carruthers. models: Cynthia Arrebola and Yue Han. photo © David Uzochukwu

Iris Van Herpen, Morphogenesis Dress, from the Sensory Seas collection, 2020. laser-cut and screenprinted mesh, duchesse satin, and laser-cut Plexiglas. collaborator: Philip Beesley. model: Yue Han. photo © David Uzochukwu

project info:

name: Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses

artist: Iris van Herpen | @irisvanherpen

museum: Brooklyn Museum | @brooklynmuseum

location: 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY

opening: May 16th, 2026

photography: © David Uzochukwu | @daviduzochukwu

The post iris van herpen’s ethereal garments to show at brooklyn museum this may appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

As 2025 draws to a close, we’re once again looking back at the stories that shaped the intersection of architecture, art, design, and technology. This year, fashion delivered its own share of striking moments: unexpected, imaginative, and sometimes delightfully bizarre. These are the creations that twisted familiar garments and accessories into something entirely new, earning their place under our fashion design phenomena tag. Because for every piece that gets it perfectly right, there’s always one curious outlier that gets everyone talking.

From Iris van Herpen’s haute couture illuminated by reactive bioluminescent algae and Vollebak’s virus-killing copper jacket to Gustaf Westman’s viral spiral baguette holder and a wearable AirPod backpack by Bravest, here are the top 10 fashion stories that captured our attention and defined the past 12 months.

REACTIVE BIOLUMINESCENT ALGAE DRESS BY IRIS VAN HERPEN

image courtesy of Chris Bellamy of Bio Crafted

Surrounded by darkness, Iris van Herpen’s dress came to life with the glow of reactive bioluminescent algae during Paris Haute Couture Week 2025. Co-created with biodesigner Christopher Bellamy, also known as Bio Crafted, the piece features 125 million bioluminescent algae, illuminated against a runway set designed with light sculptures by artist Nick Verstand. In an interview with designboom, Bellamy explains that he initially developed the technique for encapsulating the microalgae in collaboration with indigenous artists and scientists in French Polynesia. ‘A bespoke 35-step process was developed, which encapsulates the algae in a nutrient gel and protective coating, allowing them to survive for many months,’ he says.

Once encapsulated, the algae require only regular sunlight to photosynthesize and maintain their circadian rhythm. The biomaterial can thrive for months, even in hot conditions, and Bellamy notes that some samples have survived for over a year. ‘However, as this material is still highly experimental, we are continuing to study its behavior and understand exactly how it functions,’ he adds.

read more here 

VIRUS-KILLING COPPER JACKET BY VOLLEBAK

image courtesy of Vollebak

From illuminating the runway with millions of living microalgae in Iris van Herpen’s couture to actively defending against invisible threats, fashion this year explored the power of the microscopic in bold new ways. Vollebak’s Full Metal Jacket takes this concept from spectacle to protection, using copper to neutralize viruses and bacteria before they can even grow. The technical garment features three layers of textile woven with 11 kilometers of copper wire, transformed from industrial rods into fine, uniform yarns using precision lasers.

Each strand is carefully measured for softness and consistency, coated with a thin layer of lacquer to prevent corrosion, and then woven through a six-day curing process that includes scouring, heat-setting, and drying. The copper layer is paired with Vollebak’s c_change membrane, a waterproof and breathable barrier that adapts to temperature and humidity. In hot conditions, the jacket opens to release heat and moisture; in cold weather, it closes to retain warmth, offering both protection and comfort.

read more here

UNIFORMS WITH BUILT-IN ELECTRIC FANS BY ANREALAGE

image courtesy of Anrealage

Just as Vollebak used copper to defend wearers from microscopic threats, Anrealage turned to airflow and cooling to help humans adapt to their environment. At the NTT Pavilion during  Expo 2025 Osaka, the brand decided to equip staff uniforms with built-in electric fans, keeping wearers comfortable in the heat while pushing the boundaries of functional fashion. Inspired by the concept of parallel travel, the clothing uses wind to evoke the sensation of moving through time and space. Hundreds of blue dots across the white fabric symbolize connection with distant beings.

The staff uniforms consist of five pieces: outerwear, a polo shirt, a bag, a hat, and a logo badge. It’s the outerwear that houses the electric fans, allowing staff to stay cool while moving through the Expo. The fans are positioned on the lower-left side of the jacket, with protective grilles to prevent any contact with the spinning rotors. When activated, the airflow causes the outerwear to balloon, giving the wearer the ethereal appearance of a floating ‘cloud.’

read more here

ZZZN PUFFER JACKET FOR SLEEP

photo by Yusuke Maekawa courtesy of ZZZN SLEEP APPAREL SYSTEM

While Anrealage focused on external comfort and climate adaptation, other designers explored clothing that responds to our internal rhythms. ZZZN’s Sleep Apparel System takes this concept to the next level, transforming a puffer jacket into wearable sleepwear that helps users rest anywhere, anytime. It uses biometric data monitoring as well as headphones that play two types of music with frequency bands to help people fall asleep. The ZZZN puffer jacket for sleep modernizes Yagi, which is a traditional Japanese winter or nightwear. The apparel has drawstrings on the sleeves and hem, all adjustable to fit the user’s body type. The wearer can also adjust the cuff tabs to their fit, making sure that they’re comfortable when they’re about to sleep.

The ZZZN puffer jacket for sleep uses photoelectric fiber as its padding. With this in mind, the sleepwear is lighter than it looks. It also keeps the internal temperature warm for the users, especially during cold and extreme weather conditions.

read more here

RICE STRAW-MADE RAINCOAT AND MICRO-SHELTER BY FABULISM

photo by David Carson courtesy of Fabulism

The piece is shaped to provide shelter, forming a dome-like silhouette that covers the wearer’s upper body. Its elongated, rounded top fits comfortably over the head without adding weight, allowing the raincoat to function as both an expressive fashion statement and a lightweight, wearable umbrella.

read more here

HARIBO GUMMY BEAR CROCS

image courtesy of Crocs

From natural‑materials protection to pop‑culture delight, fashion doesn’t just serve function; it also indulges in fun. Enter Crocs’ gummy-inspired collaboration with Haribo, turning the classic clog into eye‑candy footwear. The upper is made from a translucent material that mimics the look of the candy, giving the shoe a playful appearance. The design comes with Jibbitz charms, including oversized Goldbears, one of Haribo’s most recognizable symbols. Even the sole of the clog features embossed Goldbears, making the Crocs Haribo Classic Clog a novelty footwear piece.

In addition to its themed design, the footwear is water-friendly and buoyant, so users can wear it in various settings, including wet or outdoor environments. It is lightweight, weighing only a few ounces, which enhances comfort and reduces strain during prolonged wear. 

read more here

HAVAIANAS’ FIRST-EVER 3D PRINTED FLIP-FLOPS BY ZELLERFELD

image courtesy of Zellerfeld and Havaianas

Staying in the world of clogs and sandals, Zellerfeld and Havaianas have introduced the brand’s first-ever 3D printed flip-flops, featuring a rounded toe cap for added comfort and protection. The footwear’s top still has a Y-shaped strap, a familiar design of the sandals company’s products. It connects between the big and second toe and extends along the sides of the foot.

The brand’s name is printed on the strap, along with a textured pattern, which is a prominent part of the 3D printed design. The toe area is covered with a rounded front piece, wrapping over the front of the foot and linking it to the base. This toe covering helps to hold the foot in place and protect it from being exposed. 

read more here

SANDALS SHAPED LIKE ZIGZAG PAVER BLOCKS BY PDM BRAND

image courtesy of PDM Brand

Continuing in sandal territory, PDM Brand took things a step further with unisex sandals shaped like zigzag paver blocks, designed so that wearers ‘fill in’ gaps on the sidewalk as they stroll. Chunky like the real blocks but made from a cushiony, rubbery material instead of stone or concrete, the sandals maintain a concrete-gray color, helping the wearer blend in while staying safe on uneven surfaces. The sandals feature a matching toe strap, and even the packaging mirrors the design of real concrete bricks. 

read more here

SPIRAL BAGUETTE HOLDER BY GUSTAF WESTMAN

image courtesy of Gustaf Westman

From rethinking how we walk to reimagining how we carry, Gustaf Westman has designed a spiral baguette holder that carries a loaf of bread like a handbag. The playful accessory is designed to fit a baguette snugly around three loops and is part of a summer-long pop-up experience, in which the designer takes over private residences across different European cities instead of traditional exhibition spaces.

read more here

AIRPODS WEARABLE BACKPACK BY BRAVEST

image courtesy of Bravest

If Gustaf Westman made bread portable in style, Bravest makes gadgets wearable in the most literal way. The streetwear brand’s AIRPACK is a backpack shaped like Apple AirPods, featuring removable ‘earbuds’ interior pouches. The backpack stays faithful to Apple’s original design: the white AirPods shape is scaled up, and instead of a magnetic lock like the AirPods case, it has a zipper that runs around the bag. Unzipping the top reveals two removable interior pouches shaped like the iconic earbuds themselves. 

read more here

see designboom’s TOP 10 stories archive:

2024 — 2023 — 2022 — 2021 — 2020 — 2019 —  2018 — 2017 — 2016 — 2015 — 2014 — 2013

The post TOP 10 fashion design phenomena of 2025 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Everbloom turns organic waste such as discarded down, wool, and cashmere into usable garment fibers braided by AI. The startup describes the textile as softer than merino, more indulgent than cashmere, and stronger than silk. The production process starts with throwaways that already exist and collects these protein-based materials from textile waste and agriculture. Instead of binning them, the team treats them as raw input, sorted by type and cleaned by the in-house developed AI system named Braid. It is designed to separate protein waste based on its source, condition, and composition, and it collects data from these inputs to study how they react during processing.

The model analyzes how proteins behave under changes in temperature, moisture, and molecular weight, and from this data, it predicts the properties of the final fiber before production starts, including how it will respond to tension, dye, and wear. Based on these predictions, Braid AI suggests adjustments, and they’re translated into settings for the melt-spinning machines. The model also allows different waste streams to be combined into one system, so instead of treating each input as a problem, it treats them as variables to scale production. This link between software and hardware reduces trial-and-error testing. What once took months in a lab can now be done in weeks, and this AI model shortens development time and lowers the cost of producing usable garment fibers.

all images courtesy of Everbloom

Making the usable garment fibers for the fashion industry

Now back to the material: after cleaning the discarded organic waste, the proteins are extracted, but they’re not ready to be transformed yet into AI-churned usable garment fibers. They must be changed at a molecular level. Using protein engineering and molecular biology, Everbloom adjusts the structure of the proteins to control how the material behaves later in production. The processed protein is then turned into pellets, which are easy to store, move, and measure. They also allow the material to fit into existing manufacturing systems as well as help stabilize quality and make the process repeatable. The pellets are designed to work with standard melt-spinning machines, the ones already used across the textile industry to produce synthetic fibers. 

In this case, the startup’s pellets can replace polyester in this system. When heated and stretched, the pellets form long filaments, and this allows manufacturers to adopt the AI-churned usable garment fibers without rebuilding their factories. Once the filaments are created, the next step is yarn production, taking place in Italy. The yarn is produced according to clear targets, including stretch, resistance, and hand feel, and each parameter is defined before production begins. The yarn can then be knitted or woven into fabric, and at this stage, the material is ready for use in garments. Most fibers used today are made from fossil fuels and don’t break down after use. At the same time, large amounts of protein waste are discarded each year. Everbloom positions its system as a way to connect these two issues by replacing synthetic input and reviving discarded waste into regenerated biological material at scale.

Everbloom turns organic waste into usable garment fibers braided by AI

the startup describes the textile as softer than merino, more indulgent than cashmere, and stronger than silk

the yarn is produced according to clear targets, including stretch, resistance, and hand feel

the yarn can then be knitted or woven into fabric

detailed view of the woven fabric

view of the resulting material

project info:

startup: Everbloom 

The post proteins from discarded feathers, cashmere and wool return as usable garment fibers appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Shelter Wear presents a wearable outer garment that transforms into a livable tent with sleeves that double as backpacks. Created by Tokyo-based fashion student Yoon Myat Su Lin, the design concept originates from her memory of an earthquake in Myanmar, where many people were suddenly displaced and left without safe, temporary shelter. That moment stayed with her, forming the basis of a garment that functions beyond being streetwear. 

Instead of looking at fashion as just a form of creative expression, she channels practicality, asking how a wearable object can support someone during a crisis. At the center of the project is a simple idea: clothing is always with the user, so why not allow it to transform into what they urgently need? This starting point leads to a design that shifts between everyday wear and emergency structure, as the wearable shelter garment converts into a tent, with its sleeves operating as backpacks. Each element is part of the same design, avoiding the need for separate items.

all images courtesy of Yoon Myat Su Lin | photos by Anatolii Ozarto

Sleeves double as backpacks for essential item storage

The wearable shelter garment with tent and backpacks, inspired by the works of fellow designer Aojie Yang, is portable, so users can wear it like any standard outerwear, carrying shelter without the weight or bulk associated with tents or emergency kits. This supports people who need mobility, especially in unpredictable environments, so if a crisis occurs, the user already has what they need on them. Then, it transforms easily, as the garment expands into a tent structure by just unclasping the buckles and unfolding the temporary structure. The way the sleeves shift into backpacks also helps users during rapid movement, as they can store basic items easily at times of distress. 

The design of the wearable shelter garment with tent and backpacks is efficient, too. Instead of producing multiple separate items, fashion student Yoon Myat Su Lin merges them into a single outerwear. This not only reduces material use but also helps users carry only the essential needs during emergencies. The design supports the tent’s shape while remaining wearable when folded, and such hybridization is central to why the design received recognition at the 25th YKK Fastening Awards, earning the YKK Special Award. By embedding protection and usability into clothing, Yoon Myat Su Lin shows how fashion can react to social realities instead of trends.

view of the wearable shelter garment when folded

unbuckling the clasps roll out the tent

the tent comes with sleeves that double as backpacks

rear view of the emergency clothing

the tent resembles a skirt when the user puts the outerwear on

view of the tent

project info:

name: Shelter Wear

design: Yoon Myat Su Lin | @yoon_myat_su_lin

photographer: Anatolii Ozarto | @ozartopro

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Researchers at Cornell University have developed a method that allows them to create the darkest fabric ever made, inspired by the ultrablack feathers of the magnificent riflebird. In the study, the group says that material can be used to improve solar thermal systems as well as camouflage clothing designed for thermal control. It is because the bird’s feathers can absorb almost all light with their complex physical structure and the melanin inside them. Ultrablack in this context means a surface that reflects less than 0.5 percent of incoming light, and the group has been able to make the textile using a method based on natural structures found in the feathers of the fowl. The project began in the Responsive Apparel Design Lab, which is part of the College of Human Ecology at the university. The team used white merino wool knit fabric as the base material and applied a two-step process. 

First, they dyed the wool with polydopamine, which is a synthetic form of melanin. They chose this dye because melanin is the pigment that helps many animals produce ultrablack surfaces. For the process, the dye went deep into the fibers of the wool, coating every section of the textile and making it hold the dark color. The second step in creating the darkest fabric ever made was plasma etching. The researchers at Cornell University placed the dyed merino wool inside a plasma chamber, which removed small amounts of surface material. After this process, the outer fibers of the wool developed nanofibrils, or the tiny growths that stand up from the fiber surface, which are a shape that traps incoming light. In this case, when light enters the space between these structures, it bounces repeatedly and doesn’t ‘escape’ from the fabric, preventing reflection and producing the ultrablack effect. 

all images courtesy of Cornell University

Light-absorbing material can be applied to solar thermal systems

The researchers at Cornell University studied the riflebird feathers to understand how similar structures function in nature. In their study, tests showed that the new fabric had an average reflectance of 0.13 percent, making it the darkest textile reported so far, they say. The darkest fabric also stays ultrablack across a wide viewing angle of 120 degrees, and the team considers this a breakthrough because existing ultrablack materials often change appearance at different angles, so the Cornell University process has managed to solve this. So far, the design team has used only common materials: merino wool, polydopamine dye, and standard equipment available in textile labs. 

The method can also be used on other natural fibers such as cotton and silk, and the group explained that the process is simple and scalable for larger production. It also produces a textile that can be worn and moved without losing its light-absorbing properties. The team explores potential uses for the darkest fabric inspired by ultralight feathers, with solar thermal systems as one potential. In these systems, absorbed light is converted into heat, and the ultrablack textile could increase the amount of light absorbed. Another potential use is camouflage clothing designed for thermal control, because the textile traps light and could help regulate heat exchange. The team has applied for patent protection and plans to move their research toward commercial use.

the team used white merino wool knit fabric as the base material

the researchers dyed the wool with polydopamine, which is a synthetic form of melanin

dress designed by Zoe Alvarez, a fashion design major, which uses the ultra-black material | photo by Ryan Young

the researchers draw inspiration from the ultrablack feathers of the magnificent riflebird

detailed view of the dress by fashion major student Zoe Alvarez

the ultrablack material stands out from the ‘typical’ dark textile

project info:

name: Ultrablack wool textiles inspired by hierarchical avian structure

institutions: Cornell University, Responsive Apparel Design Lab, College of Human Ecology, Cornell Lab of Ornithology | @cornelluniversity, @cornellhumec, @cornellbirds

researchers: Hansadi Jayamaha, Kyuin Park, Larissa M. Shepherd

study: here

The post how a bird’s ultrablack feathers inspired researchers to create the darkest fabric ever made appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Vollebak’s virus-killing copper jacket can wipe out different kinds of germs and bacteria before they can even have the chance to grow on it. Named Full Metal Jacket, the technical clothing contains three layers of textile with 11 kilometers of copper wire. The design team uses industrial lasers to convert the copper into yarns, which they then weave into a wearable protective piece of clothing. The yarns are made from industrial copper rods that are stretched and reduced in diameter multiple times using laser-controlled machinery.

Each strand is measured by lasers to make sure it stays soft and uniform, and once the strands are ready, they are heated and coated in a thin layer of lacquer to protect the copper from corrosion. After coating, the yarn goes through a six-day curing process where it is woven, scoured, heat-set, and dried. The copper layer is combined with a c_change membrane, which is a waterproof and breathable barrier. This part can react to changes in temperature and humidity, so when the weather is hot, the virus-killing copper jacket opens to allow heat and moisture to escape. Then, when the weather is cold, the structure closes to retain warmth and keep the wearer away from frost.

all images courtesy of Vollebak

Using lasers to turn metal into yarns

The idea behind the virus-killing copper jacket was to build a wearable fabric that uses one of the oldest and most useful metals known to humans. Although metal is usually hard, copper’s atomic structure allows it to bend without breaking. This structure is called a face-centered cubic crystal, which gives the metal both strength and flexibility, making it possible to weave copper into textile form while keeping it functional as a fabric. The design team also picked copper for its ability to conduct heat and electricity and for its believed natural ability to resist bacteria and viruses (although the team admits to not having tested the clothing yet to prove the hypothesis). When microbes touch copper, electrically charged ions disrupt their outer membranes and destroy their DNA, preventing them from reproducing and letting Full Metal Jacket stay cleaner and resist contamination. 

There are three layers in Vollebak’s clothing, with the third one being a soft inner fabric that makes contact with the skin. These combined parts then create a textile that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable, and the seams are sealed to stop water from getting in, and all zippers and snaps are water resistant. The jacket weighs about 1,400 grams and is designed to be easy to maintain and can be wiped clean instead of washed. There are two side pockets with fleece lining and water-resistant zippers found on the virus-killing copper jacket. Those plus two large front bellows pockets with angled storm flaps and metal snap fasteners; each of these pockets can hold small tools or a tablet. Hidden behind storm flaps are two chest pockets for phones or other small objects and another internal pocket on the right side, both of which are for extra storage. 

Vollebak’s virus-killing copper jacket can wipe out different kinds of germs and bacteria

the technical clothing contains three layers of textile with 11 kilometers of copper wire

the design team uses industrial lasers to convert the copper into yarns

the yarns are made from industrial copper rods that are stretched

rear view of the clothing

each strand is measured by lasers to make sure it stays soft and uniform

the yarn goes through a six-day curing process where it is woven

project info:

name: Full Metal Jacket Copper

brand: Vollebak | @vollebak

The post virus-killing copper jacket can get rid of germs and bacteria before they can even grow on it appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Studio Seven releases a palm-sized retro digital toy camera that hooks around belts or bags for portable picture- and video-taking.  A means to celebrate its seventh-year anniversary, the device resembles a toy but is actually functional and can capture images and videos the retro way. The camera is compact and lightweight, measuring small enough to fit in the palm of a hand and weighing around 15 grams. Its body is made from molded plastic with a smooth surface finish, and the color design follows the studio’s signature palette, which is orange and white.

The lens sits on the front in a simple circular housing, and a small button above it serves as the shutter control. There’s a small viewfinder, and next to it, users press the button to capture images and videos directly. The design takes inspiration from early film cameras, especially compact point-and-shoot models from the late 20th century. But unlike those analog versions, the retro toy camera is digital and stores images and videos on a microSD card. In this way, the stored files can be transferred to a computer using the included USB cable.

all images courtesy of Studio Seven

Single shutter button refers to disposable cameras in the past

Specs-wise, the device can save images with a resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels and AVI video files in 640 x 480 pixels. These settings are basic and designed for casual use, plus the built-in sensor captures color images that are slightly grainy, imitating the visual effect of older film photographs. This gives the output a low-resolution appearance similar to early digital and toy cameras. The device’s body includes a metal keychain ring, which allows it to be attached to bags, belts, or clothing. This makes it possible to carry it easily and use it whenever needed.

The package also includes a strap, a USB cable for charging and data transfer, and an instruction manual. The camera does not include any internal memory, so users must insert a microSD card before shooting. A note from the studio that the retro digital toy camera is not waterproof or dustproof, so it is not intended for outdoor use under harsh conditions. The gadget also operates with a single button, meaning one press for photos and a longer press for videos, to keep it simple, similar to a disposable film camera but with the ability to reuse and download images.

Studio Seven releases a palm-sized retro digital toy camera

there’s only a single shutter button

there’s a mini viewfinder, too

sample shot taken by the device

the device can save images with a resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels

the visual effect mimics the ones taken by older film photographs

project info:

name: Retro Digital Toy Camera

brand: Studio Seven | @seven.official

The post palm-sized retro digital toy camera hooks around belts or bags for portable picture-taking appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Footwear brand Chupps creates a biodegradable billboard shaped like a sandal that is designed to disappear and dissolve in the rain. Made from natural materials, the project was installed at Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai, India, and had long disintegrated when it rained during the monsoon season. Chupp’s sandal-shaped biodegradable billboard came to life by combining mud, hay, bamboo, cow dung, and clay. The mixture was built onto several bamboo frames, which held the display for as long as it could. Over time, it broke down naturally and with the rain.

The main visual element was a large three-dimensional sandal sculpted out of mud and clay. The word CHUPPS was marked across it in white lettering, and this shoe form was integrated directly into the billboard’s flat surface, making it appear as part of the structure. The design mirrored the company’s actual product, which is simple footwear made from eco-friendly materials. Passersby were able to see the billboard disappear in front of their eyes in real time, leaving the two bamboo pillars and lattice structure with the remnants of the biomaterials used to create the stunt.

all images courtesy of Chupps and INTO Creative Agency

Footwear designs naturally break down within 24 months

The goal of Chupps is to show how its footwear designs face their lives. The company produces biodegradable footwear, so its shoes naturally break down within 24 months after being discarded. To reinforce this message, Chupps collaborated with the agency INTO Creative and built the biodegradable billboard shaped like a sandal that shared the same qualities as what they’re offering: materials that disappear over time. Below the display, there was a text written: ‘100% biodegradable. Just like this billboard.’ It was the direct link between the brand’s footwear and what they wanted to convey. The project also focuses on material science and natural processes. 

During the dry months, Chupps’ sandal-shaped biodegradable billboard remained stable, but once the monsoon rains arrived on October 16th, 2025, the mud began to soften and fall away, starting from the edges and top surfaces. Over time, the shape of the sandal and the billboard background slowly disintegrated, completing the intended life cycle. The campaign carried a message about responsible design, that even advertising can be made to fit within natural cycles. Instead of remaining as waste, the billboard returned to the soil, leaving no permanent trace.

the display came to life by combining mud, hay, bamboo, cow dung, and clay

the mixture was built onto several bamboo frames, which held the display for as long as it could

below the display, there was a text written: ‘100% biodegradable. Just like this billboard’

over time, it broke down naturally and with the rain

the project was installed at Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai, India

view of building the display before it disappeared in the rain

project info:

brand: Chupps | @chuppslife

agency: INTO Creative | @into.creative.agency

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This is the Makeshift Traveler, a solar-powered backpack by HomeMore Project that comes with a sleeping bag and pillow and supports individuals looking for permanent housing. An initiative by the HomeMore Project, the accessory is tailored to the needs of the individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, allowing them to sustainably navigate their situation until they obtain permanent shelter. For the team, the Makeshift Traveler should be the last backpack that the user will carry on their back, the mark that signals the end of their journey on the streets.

Looking at the design of the solar-powered backpack, the hardshell exterior allows for a weatherproof surface so the individuals’ personal belongings are safe and stashed inside regardless of the environmental conditions. On top of it lies the solar panel that stores the energy within the accessory’s battery bank, letting the individuals charge their devices using a USB port. The latter part also features cables to charge the backpack as soon as the user has access to a wall charger. At the bottom of the MakeShift Traveler, the HomeMore Project team embeds a urethane-coated nylon pillow in their solar-powered backpack. In this way, users can rest without needing to bring an extra pillow, lockable using a double zipper system to ward off thieves and protect the individuals’ personal belongings, too.

all images courtesy of HomeMore Project

Makeshift traveler includes useful kits in the accessory

The pillow and panel aren’t the only ones individuals have when they carry the solar-powered backpack by the HomeMore Project. The Makeshift Traveler also includes an FM/AM radio and a pair of headphones, a rechargeable LED flashlight with three modes, a 24-ounce water bottle, a rain pocket coat, a hygiene kit, a security lock, and a pair of bombas socks. There’s also a foldable tent included to temporarily shelter the individuals from extreme weather conditions, and outside, strapped at the bottom of the solar-powered backpack, the team from HomeMore Project even adds a sleeping bag with a nylon outer and a fuzzy inside to keep the users warm day and night.

The HomeMore Project worked on developing the Makeshift Traveler for 18 months after gathering first-hand feedback and observations in the Tenderloin Neighborhood of San Francisco, California, where many individuals seek shelter on the streets. On October 1st, 2022, the team launched the solar-powered backpack, delivering more than 1,200 models to individuals experiencing homelessness across 25 cities in California. In 2025, they’re set to launch the fourth and upgraded design of the accessory, anticipating a delivery of over 2,000 models in 2025 alone. The team has also set up a contribution page to allow readers to donate a Makeshift Traveler to those who need it.

HomeMore Project’s solar-powered backpack comes with a rolled-up sleeping bag

the kit includes a hygiene pack, a rechargeable LED flashlight, some socks, and more

detailed view of the solar panel on top of the accessory

view of the embedded weatherproof pillow

in 2025, the team is set to launch the fourth and upgraded design of the accessory

project info:

name: Makeshift Traveler

initiative: HomeMore Project | @thehomemoreproject

The post solar-powered backpack with sleeping bag and pillow provides shelter for the homeless appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Casio continues its series of functional watch rings with the release of the downsized G-SHOCK Nano made of bio-based resin. A miniature model of the DW-5600 digital watch, it reproduces the shape and functions of the full-size G-SHOCK at about one-tenth of its scale. It is designed to fit on a finger like a ring, just like the first functional watch ring of Casio following its toy version.

Every part of the Nano version, including the buttons, buckle, and LCD display, is replicated using stainless steel and resin components, similar to the materials used in the full-size watch. The strap includes multiple holes to adjust the fit for different finger sizes, ranging from about 48 to 82 millimeters in circumference. The case and bezel are produced from bio-based resin, a material derived partly from renewable organic sources, and this material still makes the model robust while reducing environmental impact compared to conventional petroleum-based resin.

all images courtesy of Casio

Functional LCD display with calendar and dual time

The inner structure of the Casio G-SHOCK Nano watch ring follows the same construction principles that define the series’ identity. A miniature case made of glass fiber-reinforced resin provides the core strength, and around this, a urethane bezel completely covers the case to absorb shocks from external impacts. Tight sealing is achieved with internal gaskets and a reinforced backplate, allowing the Nano to achieve 20 bar water resistance. It is a digital watch after all, so even if the LCD display is miniaturized, it is still functional and shows hours, minutes, and seconds, along with secondary information such as a calendar, dual time, and stopwatch. The display uses a 6-digit format, identical to that found on the DW-5600. Although the digits are smaller, contrast and clarity are maintained through adjustments in the segment layout and reflective layer. 

Three functional side buttons are integrated into the miniature body, and each performs specific tasks such as changing display modes, activating the stopwatch, or turning on the light. The light function is achieved through a miniature LED system that emits a soft, flashing glow, and it can be scheduled to activate at a chosen time. The frame keeps the classic shape of the DW-5600 series, with its square case, recessed screen, and segmented strap structure. Each Nano is produced with accurate reproduction of the bezel edges, strap texture, and buckle details. Even the buckle is made of stainless steel, consistent with the metal used in the full-size version. Casio offers the G-SHOCK Nano watch ring in three color versions: black, yellow, and red. These colors are among the most recognized from the DW-5600 line and connect the miniature watch to the brand’s long history.

Casio continues its series of functional watch rings with the release of the downsized G-SHOCK Nano

it is a miniature model of the DW-5600 digital watch

detailed view of the model

every part of the Nano version is replicated using stainless steel and resin components

project info:

name: G-SHOCK Nano

company: Casio | @casiowatches_official, @gshock_casio_official

The post nano version of G-SHOCK continues the series of fully functional watch rings by casio appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.