Happy Monday! The new week is here and with it comes the chance to delve deep into some fresh culture and fashion. Here’s your latest look at the i-D Guide.
Go to… Ramble in the Cosmos: From Primeval Fireball Onward
Artist Cai Guo-Qiang recently collaborated with Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello on a global daytime fireworks event titled When the Sky Blooms with Sakura, seen everywhere from Shanghai to London. Their new exhibition, Ramble in the Cosmos: From Primeval Fireball Onward, opened last week too. Supported by Saint Laurent, it continues the themes and materials used in When the Sky Blooms…, giving audiences the opportunity to interact with work from across his decades-spanning career. Head to the National Art Center Tokyo’s website for more information.
Go to… Classical Pride
What better way to round off your Pride month than by watching an LGBTQ+ community chorus, a world-renowned orchestra and a handful of impossibly talented soloists perform the theme from The White Lotus? Ok, so not just that but also a selection of classical music by queer composers, all carefully hand-selected by young London conductor Oli Zeffman. The concert takes place this Friday 7 July at The Barbican, London. Tickets are available here, with proceeds going to LGBTQ charities.
Go to… Alasdair McLellan’s HOME and AWAY 1987-2022 launch
The legendary fashion photographer has unveiled a new photobook, capturing 25 years of work on his home turf and further afield. What’s more, you have the opportunity to have your own copy signed at Dover Street Market London this Thursday. For more information, head to the IDEA Books Instagram.
Go to… Wireless Festival
Back for its 18th year in the UK, Wireless — the festival for epic, mosh pit-inducing rap performances — returns to Finsbury Park this weekend boasting yet another star-studded lineup. From hip-hop royalty including heavy-hitting American A-listers such as Lil Uzi Vert and Travis Scott, to rising stars like Latto, Ice Spice and Dreya Mac, there’s something for everyone. Keep an eye out for i-D’s Lea Ogunlami hunting down the most stylish festival-goers over the weekend too!
Buy… everything from the AMI sale
Alexandre Matiussi’s slick, uber-hyped fashion brand — the talk of Paris — gives us all the opportunity to grab some of their coveted clothing for less. From tank tops to dressier fare, you can shop the AMI sale here.
Buy… Oway’s new skincare range
Conscious Italian lifestyle brand Oway, known for its eco-friendly products and use of zero-mile plants (using biodynamic farming methods on their estate in the hills of Bologna) is branching into skincare. There’s an exfoliating body scrub, a body cream that beautifies the skin, and a moisturising and nourishing foot repair cream, all full of essential oils. Much like their other products, there will be no plastic used in their packaging.
Wear… Fruity Booty’s new collection
Purveyors of gorgeous, timeless underwear, swimwear and now (exciting!) ready-to-wear too, London’s Fruity Booty just dropped their latest capsule collection, Chéri. Think: gingham seersucker bikinis with vintage-inspired shorts, frilly-hemmed dresses, and the prettiest lace bolero set we’ve ever seen. The best bit? 80% of the brand’s products are made from surplus fabrics, sourced from the UK, that would have otherwise gone to landfill. Conscious holiday shopping sorted, basically.
Wear… Boiler Room x Umbro football kit collab
The love affair between fashion and football is continuing to flourish. The latest demonstration of the connection comes in the form of a new capsule collection from London-based music broadcaster Boiler Room and classic British sportswear brand Umbro. The 7-piece collection, shown off in new a rave-inspired campaign lensed by Ewen Spencer, includes a pin-strip tracksuit and football jerseys perfect for on and off the pitch. Get yours here before they sell out.
Listen to… Boy Bleach
A bunch of lads from Leyton are next in line to become Britain’s best boy band. Their new track “East End Boys” features pop-punk singer Lozeak. Stream it above and follow their Instagram here.
Listen to… Joe Hisaishi’s A Symphonic Celebration
The composer behind Studio Ghibli’s classic scores over the past 40 years has unveiled a new collection of his favourites, recorded live with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. If the music from My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away gives you shivers, this will be your kind of thing. Stream it above and pre-order the vinyl here.
Read… Bellies
Nicola Dinan’s debut novel Bellies is an illuminating and masterfully crafted love story; one of the best books about being young in contemporary London life we’ve read. In it, Tom and Ming are a queer couple who run into each other at a student drag night. They fall in love. But when Ming decides to transition, it offers up questions about the boundaries of their relationship and what they ask of each other. Buy it here or get the audiobook here.