Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the rooms that inspired Europe
BBC Charles Rennie Mackintosh was lauded in Europe but struggled in Britain Charles Rennie Mackintosh was largely unappreciated in Britain during his lifetime but in Europe he was admired as a leading figure in avant-garde art and design. While Glasgow was largely indifferent to the genius in its midst, in Vienna students transported Mackintosh through […]
Saudi women respond to cleric’s advice on acceptable attire
GCShutter Women in Saudi Arabia have criticised a Saudi cleric’s advice that they should not wear embroidered clothes and avoid make up. Mohammed Alarafe, a prominent Muslim scholar in Saudi Arabia, issued the advice on the abaya, a loose fitting robe which covers the whole body except the face, feet and hands. It is mainly […]
How much should your boss know about you?
Getty Images The Ford Sociological Department was created to investigate and monitor the personal and work lives of employees (Credit: Getty Images) If you thought surveillance just extended to CCTV in your workplace, think again. We’re all being monitored and graded. If you worked for Ford in 1914, chances are at some stage in your […]
Selling plus-size clothing isn’t only about pleasing shoppers
Omar Fairclough (Credit: Omar Fairclough) An increasing number of brands are extending size ranges. It’s an improvement for plus-size consumers – but are companies’ motivations always in the right place? Nothing makes Aisha Fairclough feel more like a valued shopper than when a retailer’s clothing fits her. “Being able to walk into a store and […]
The future of Japan’s master artisans
Shiho Fukada and Keith Bedford “I can make anything,” says craftsman Noriyuki Mishima, who’s been making fake food since 1953 (Credit: Shiho Fukada and Keith Bedford) As the nation ages, the number of Japan’s deeply devoted craftspeople is dwindling – but some of the younger generation is carrying the torch in surprising ways. Japan is […]
The world’s most exclusive clothing
Feng Li/Getty Images Chinese patrons make their picks from the Hu Sheguang Haute Couture collection. (Credit: Feng Li/Getty Images) Houston philanthropist Becca Carson Thrash made her first foray into haute couture clothing more than 15 years ago, after being seduced by a pair of Christian Lacroix pants embroidered with Lesage beading. On a whim, Carson […]
Tajikistan ministry’s book tells women how to dress
Tajik Culture Ministry/Asia-Plus The ministry recommends traditional Tajik dress, and advises against both overtly Western and Islamic wear A book published by the government in Tajikistan is telling women what they should – and should not – be wearing. The “Book of Recommendations” is published by the Ministry of Culture, and is filled with photos […]
In pictures: Africa’s first AfroPunk festival
Thousands of people attended the first AfroPunk festival to be held on the continent. The celebration of alternative black culture was held in the South African city of Johannesburg recently. Setumo-Thebe Mohlomi The festival describes itself as “a blank space to freak out in, to construct a new reality, to live your life as you […]
How Rachel Hislop relaunched Okayplayer
BBC Rachel Hislop became editor-in-chief of Okayplayer in 2017 June was an unforgettable month for Rachel Hislop. Just not in the way she expected. For the last two years, she’s been plotting the relaunch of the ground-breaking and influential hip-hop website Okayplayer. Once one of America’s most popular online music destinations, its reputation had dipped […]
Its contributions to the world
Getty Images In celebration of Canada’s 150 years as a country, BBC has asked Canadians who are making waves in the worlds of science, technology, art and design how the country has influenced and supported their work, and how this country and its citizens will impact on the world in the future. Science In 2015, […]