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Presented in Partnership with iF Design

A Closer Look at the Award-Winning Lucid LIVE

Why the EV brand won an iF DESIGN AWARD Gold prize for their User Experience design

CH Studio

4 October 2024

The 2024 iF DESIGN AWARD spotlights exceptional innovation and creativity in a range of disciplines spanning global product design, architecture, communication design, UI/UX and more. Over 11,000 designs were submitted, fewer than 4,000 won and only 75 received the top Gold prize. Among the Gold winners was Lucid Motors for their Lucid In-Vehicle Experience (LIVE).

Lucid Motors’s design philosophy shines through in their Lucid In-Vehicle Experience (LIVE), an innovative screen-based UX for electric vehicles that reimagines the interaction between drivers and their cars. In an age where digital tools are pivotal to sustainability, LIVE merges advanced technology with intuitive design to make the shift to electric vehicles seamless and engaging.

LIVE stands out for its user-centered design, blending physical and digital worlds without overwhelming drivers. Many in-car experiences rely on numerous, often cluttered displays; Lucid offers a clean, intuitive interface across two integrated displays. At the heart of this experience is a reduction in distraction while still enhancing functionality. LIVE’s layout is minimalist and refined, avoiding the pitfalls of overloading drivers with too much information at once.

A key aspect of LIVE’s UX is its ability to create a more emotional and natural connection between the driver and vehicle. Through the use of natural gestures and capacitive physical controls, drivers can seamlessly access advanced features like navigation, climate control and infotainment. The interface feels more like an extension of the driver’s intentions, rather than a detached digital tool. This holistic approach allows drivers to focus on the road while still engaging with the technology that supports them, promoting both safety and convenience.

What sets LIVE apart from competitors is its thoughtful integration of “digital detox” principles. Lucid’s design team identified a common pain point in modern vehicle interfaces: digital overload. By stripping away unnecessary features and simplifying interactions, they’ve created a system that fosters focus and control. The streamlined interface ensures drivers can access only what they need when they need it, whether it’s through haptic steering wheel controls or voice-activated commands.

LIVE also capitalizes on the promise of electric vehicles by blending cutting-edge hardware with a user experience that reduces the friction of EV adoption. The system educates drivers on EV advantages while simplifying range management and charging station locations, making the shift from traditional vehicles feel natural. Ultimately, LIVE bridges the gap between sustainable transportation and luxury, delivering an experience that is not only forward-thinking but emotionally resonant, encouraging more drivers to embrace the future of mobility.

Learn more and enter the 2025 iF DESIGN AWARD here. Entries will be accepted until early November 2024.

iF Design is an active member of the international design community committed to excellence, objectivity, transparency and impact since 1953. Owned by the iF Design Foundation, a German non-profit organization, the iF DESIGN AWARD is one of the world’s most prestigious design awards

Read Food + Drink

Presented by COUNTDOWN Energy

COUNTDOWN Energy Drink

A hemp-derived cannabis beverage with caffeine crafted to deliver a refreshing and bold experience

CH Studio

26 June 2024

COUNTDOWN Energy drinks are a bright spot in a saturated market. Created to maximize your leisure time—going out with friends, going to a concert, gaming or other fun, social times—COUNTDOWN Energy drinks deliver 10mg THC and 100 mg caffeine (the same as in an average cup of coffee), providing an uplifting, bright and fun buzz without alcohol. Impressively, the drink contains sparking water, simple syrup from cane sugar, natural flavor, cannabis extract and caffeine; you won’t find any artificial sweeteners or flavors.

What you get is an easy-sipping lightly flavored sparkling water beverage as an efficient means of delivering THC and caffeine in a controlled manner. There are several benefits to drinking your THC, but the two most significant are the timing of effects (in 10-15 minutes) and the ability to easily find just the right amount that feels right. Your mouth and bloodstream start absorbing the water soluble THC in COUNTDOWN Energy drinks efficiently, so you can sip slowly and easily moderate your buzz to your desired level reliably. Edibles, on the other hand, can take an hour or more, are absorbed differently by everyone and dosing can be complicated.

COUNTDOWN Energy keeps their three flavors simple—Berry Force, with raspberry, cherry and lime flavors; Orange Blast, like an orange sherbet with a twist of citrus; and Cosmic Lemonade (our favorite) with a fusion of tart and sweetness. Each 12 ounce can delivers 10mg of hemp-derived THC and 100mg of caffeine and goes down easily over ice or from a chilled can. Each flavor is available in four ($25), 12 ($70) and 24 ($132) packs, and a Launch Pack of 12 assorted flavors is available for $67. Use the code STARTER to receive a $15 discount and free shipping. A monthly delivery subscription saves you 20%.

You have to be 21 or over to enjoy it, and should not drive, operate machinery or do anything else similar.

Some of you may be familiar with COUNTDOWN products, which have been available in dispensaries since 2022. Though the flavors are the same, those beverages are made from marijuana-derived THC, are available in a range of higher doses for more intense experiences, and do not include caffeine.

COUNTDOWN Energy is currently available in liquor stores in Ohio, Massachusetts, Minnesota and NJ and can be widely shipped (currently to 23 states).

Read Design

Presented in Partnership with iF Design

Three Product Design Winners from the 2024 iF DESIGN AWARD

A piano, a walker and a staircase each reimagined for today’s world

CH Studio

19 June 2024

The 2024 iF DESIGN AWARD spotlights exceptional innovation and creativity in a range of disciplines spanning product design, architecture, communication design, UI/UX and more. Over 11,000 designs were submitted, fewer than 4,000 won and only 75 received the top Gold prize. These winners from the product design realm stood out for us. The Ravenchord Piano by Whipsaw from San Francisco stands out with its futuristic form and advanced acoustic technology, projecting sound directly toward the audience. The Camino Smart Walker by Ritual from Los Angeles revolutionizes mobility aids with smart features like Auto-Boost and Auto-Brake, enhancing user safety and independence. Lastly, Bcompact Hybrid Stairs from Peyton, CO, transform everyday living with their space-saving, foldable design, blending functionality with modern aesthetics. Each of these designs showcases the pinnacle of contemporary ingenuity and craftsmanship.

Ravenchord Piano by Whipsaw from San Francisco, CA

The Ravenchord Piano, designed by Whipsaw, redefines the traditional piano with a sleek, modern and innovative design. The body of the piano features a seamless, flowing line that curves sharply on one side as it drops to the base, then slowly lifts to the other end of the wide, flat top. This form, akin to a paisley, gives it a futuristic and elegant appearance. Unlike any other piano that uses the lid or a wall to reflect sound, Ravenchord is designed to project music directly out the front towards the audience while the pianist faces the audience head-on. Even with a modern design the Ravenchord Piano promises a rich, full-bodied sound through state-of-the-art acoustic technology, ensuring both professional performance quality and casual playing enjoyment.

Conceived by Whipsaw’s Founder and CEO, Dan Harden, the piano’s exterior combines a striking black finish with polished metal accents, creating a visually stunning contrast that enhances its modern look. By blending traditional craftsmanship with a modern perspective, the Ravenchord challenges conventional perceptions of what a piano can be. Its minimalist aesthetic, advanced features and sustainable design make it a standout piece in contemporary design, appealing to professional musicians, design enthusiasts and digital composers alike. This piano is more than an instrument; it’s a statement piece that reflects the future of musical design and technology.

Camino Smart Walker by Ritual from Los Angeles, CA

The Camino Smart Walker, designed by Ritual, is a revolutionary mobility aid designed to enhance the independence and safety of individuals with mobility challenges. Crafted from lightweight yet durable materials the walker’s form is familiar, yet clearly updated, given its clean lines and ergonomic contours. The walker features an intuitive handlebar control system that adjusts to the user’s natural movements and its foldability allows for easy storage and transport, making it an ideal companion for both urban and suburban environments.

Innovatively, the Camino Smart Walker incorporates a range of smart features that set it apart from traditional walkers. Auto-Boost adds a small amount of power to its wheels to ease uphill walks and Auto-Brake ensures downhill safety. Cameras on the walker monitor and analyze gait to identify when power assists and brakes are needed and also to track walking patterns. Lights on the front automatically turn on in low light. By blending cutting-edge technology with elegant design, the Camino Smart Walker redefines mobility aids, prioritizing user autonomy, safety and a sophisticated user experience.

Bcompact Hybrid Stairs from Peyton, CO

The compact folding staircase from Bcompact exemplifies ingenuity in space-saving design. Crafted to blend seamlessly with modern interiors, it folds neatly against the wall, transforming a functional element into an intriguing piece of art. The mechanism, which allows for easy folding and unfolding, is a testament to precision engineering, ensuring both safety and durability. Available in a variety of finishes, the staircase can be customized to complement different decor styles, enhancing its versatility.

What sets the Bcompact’s folding staircase apart is its innovative approach to everyday living. By reimagining the traditional staircase, it addresses the growing need for efficient use of space in urban environments. The staircase’s compact form when folded minimizes its footprint, allowing for more flexible use of living areas. This design not only maximizes functionality but also adds a dynamic element to interior design, as the staircase can transition from a practical structure to an eye-catching feature. Bcompact’s solution exemplifies how thoughtful design can enhance both the aesthetic and functional aspects of a home, making it a pioneering example of modern architectural innovation.

Learn more and enter the 2025 iF DESIGN AWARD here. You can secure Early Bird pricing of €250 per entry until 28 June 2024. Subsequent entries will be accepted until early November 2024 at a higher rate.

iF Design is an active member of the international design community committed to excellence, objectivity, transparency and impact since 1953. Owned by the  iF Design Foundation, a German non-profit organization, the iF DESIGN AWARD is one of the world’s most prestigious design awards.

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Presented in partnership with iF Design

iF Design’s 2024 Trend Report and Conference

Comprehensive insight into transformative design gleaned from over 10,000 entries to the organization’s annual design award

CH Studio

21 May 2024

The iF Design Trend Report 2024 is a valuable resource for understanding how design is adapting to the rapidly changing landscapes of technology, society and the environment. Created in collaboration with The Future:Project in Frankfurt, the report offers a cross-disciplinary perspective on design trends and their interplay with key technological and societal transformations. This year’s report (available for free until 19 July 2024) is organized around six major themes shaping our future: Human Digitality, Conscious Economy, Eco Transition, Glocalization, Mindshift Revolution and Co-Society. To complement the report, iF Design held their first ever Trend Conference in Berlin this past April, the day after their iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT gala.

The Trend Report’s design is both functional and highly visual—an interactive PDF that allows readers to navigate non-linearly between different sections. Each of the identified trends are clearly defined and supported by data, insights and case studies. The use of sidebars and footers for navigation make it easy to access relevant information quickly.

What sets this iF Design Trend Report apart is its extensive coverage and interdisciplinary approach. The process included analysis across diverse industries, combining expert perspectives with findings from the iF DESIGN AWARD which received 10,800 entries from 72 countries. This extensive dataset provides a rich reflection of current developments in the design world, which was then analyzed with experts from various countries including Austria, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

To celebrate the launch of the report and bring its insights to life, iF Design organized their first-ever Trend Conference the morning after the award show in Berlin. Hosted by Lisa Gralnek, US Managing Director and Global Head of Sustainability + Impact at iF Design, five engaging speakers presented recent research and work, touching upon the themes in the Trend Report.

Anne-Liese Prem discussed “The Future of Branding in the Metaverse,” exploring how brands could evolve in the latest emerging digital landscape. Her presentation aligned with the Trend Report’s Human Digitality section, exploring how design humanizes technology, making digital interactions more intuitive and emotionally engaging by fostering community within various virtual worlds of the metaverse. These trends highlight the increasing importance of creating user-friendly and emotionally resonant technological experiences, and Prem contextualized them within digitally rendered virtual worlds.

Bridging Human Digitality to Conscious Economy, two sections of the report, Ziyuan Zhu presented “Humanizing AI in Design,” focusing on integrating AI as a collaborator in the design process and exploring AI embedded in physical objects ranging from the Tamagotchi of the 1990s to this year’s hot-new-thing, the Rabbit. Zhu brought to life the importance of tone of voice, mannerisms and unpredictability as elements that can make an AI more relatable. She also points out how the rise of AI technologies is reshaping work environments, making them more efficient and adaptable—a clear example of the The Conscious Economy which focuses on the shift from a performance-oriented society to one that values creativity, health, sustainability and collaboration.

Nadine Clarke and Richard Trigg from Tangent London spoke about “The Green Interface: Digital Design with Sustainability in Mind,” addressing how sustainable UX principles can reduce the carbon footprint of digital products and services. The duo offered best practices and a list of tools, like Eco Grader, to quickly evaluate and optimize the energy consumption of any website. Their talk aligned with the Eco Transition section of the Trend Report which focuses on how design can drive climate action and sustainability through three major tasks: design for circularity, design for climate adaptation and design for regeneration.

Giulia Frittoli from Bjarke Ingels Group gave a talk called “Social Nature—Designing Cities for People and the Planet,” emphasizing the integration of nature and urban spaces through a deep case study of the firm’s Gelephu Mindfulness City project in Bhutan. Their masterplan for the ground-up creation of a new city embodying Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness index and commitment to remain a carbon-negative country epitomizes the intersection of the report’s remaining three sections: Glocalization, Mindshift Revolution and Co-Society. Glocalization examines how design can bridge the gap between global and local contexts, emphasizing the importance of cultural interpretation in brand design and the creation of products that resonate with local identities while maintaining global relevance. The Mindshift Revolution section explores how design is supporting new approaches to wellbeing through the creation of environments and products that promote mental and physical health, such as ergonomic workplaces and spaces that foster creativity and collaboration, and Co-Society focuses on how design can enhance public spaces and contribute to community well-being.

The iF Design Trend Report 2024 provides a comprehensive and insightful look into the current and future landscape of design, dominated by AI and environmentalism. By addressing the six major transformations the report not only highlights the challenges facing designers today—it offers practical examples and strategies for leveraging these trends to create impactful products, projects and services. For designers and industry experts this report serves as an essential guide for navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing world and shaping a future that is both innovative and sustainable. Download your free copy here.

Read Culture

Presented in partnership with The Momentary

At The Momentary, An Art-Driven, Impassioned Plea for the “Enduring Amazon”

Art and science align for this powerful new exhibition in Bentonville, Arkansas

CH Studio

20 November 2023

The artistic allure of Bentonville, Arkansas is often anchored in the architectural gravity of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, as well as its renowned permanent collection and temporary exhibitions (like the engrossing retrospective Annie Leibovitz at Work, or the wondrous outdoor Listening Forest by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer). While Crystal Bridges is reason enough to visit Bentonville, it’s not the only pioneering art institution in town. In fact, its 63,000-square-foot sibling, The Momentary, reopened this past weekend after a design refresh following an initial launch in February 2020. Once a Kraft cheese factory, the sprawling multidisciplinary space has transformed into a warm, welcoming cultural hub for art, music, food and drink. Its centerpiece from now until April 2024 is the free, immersive exhibition Enduring Amazon: Life and Afterlife in the Rainforest, featuring attention grabbing contributions from five contemporary artists.

Enduring Amazon utilizes art as a vehicle to direct attention toward one of our greatest environmental emergencies: the declining state of the Amazon rainforest. The informative, often emotional exhibit pairs wildly diverse, equally powerful pieces from David Brooks, Susannah Sayler and Edward Morris, Richard Mosse, and Ben Frost, to a resounding, sensorial effect. The overall impact is spectacular and sweeping—even though each artist delves into the subject matter in their own voice, through their own craft. This is thanks to impeccable curation by Joseph Thompson, The Momentary’s curator at large, and Elise Raborg, the organizer of the exhibition and curatorial associate.

Though the exhibition features moments requiring careful contemplation, the beauty (or, in some cases, the eccentricity) of each work acts as a reprieve. “Even as you witness the tumult and the devastation,” Thompson says, “you see it through imagery that is unrelentingly beautiful and detailed and sharply observed. These installations ask us to look closely and listen closely.”

The work of Mosse, a critically acclaimed environmental photographer and filmmaker, sets the introductory tone. Stylistically enhanced large-scale images depict beauty and tragedy. Mosse’s enhancements are not only aesthetic in nature, but a code to unlocking information. “Richard toes the line of art and science as a documentary photographer,” Raborg says. “These photographs were created by incessantly layering imagery from GSI, geographic information systems, and drone photography of ultra-wide wavelengths to reveal colors and conditions that are not visible to the human eye. “

Red represents forest degradation. Milky tones in a river denote pollution. “This is a false color palette,” Mosse says. “This is how scientists see the forest. The types of cameras are called multi-spectral cameras. They have numerous bands—18 or more—while our eyes only have three: red, green and blue. They are narrow bands of spectral reflectance of the environment. When you combine them using GSI technologies, and you apply red, green and blue, you start to see invisible things—aspects of deforestation, the release of gases, the amount of evaporation. A lot of these maps show us instances of various fronts of deforestation, illegal logging, industrialized mining, an aluminum refinery. There’s artisanal gold mining. Cattle farming accounts for 80% of deforestation. It’s for cheap beef in fast food. They are all interwoven, these environmental crimes.” Mosse spent years in the Amazon capturing the images himself and then imbuing them with coded data.

Mosse couples his photographic pieces with one utterly magnetizing 74-minute film, Broken Spectre, presented on a 70-foot-long, multi-screen panoramic display. Mosse shifts between tight shots that teem with and celebrate colorful life to black-and-white scenes of dire large-scale destruction. The film includes an impassioned plea from an Indigenous woman for help—for the violence enacted upon the Amazon to stop, for viewers with resource to do something. As the film ends, its resonance remains.

“We spent about four or five years in the field, trying to understand the processes that are unfolding across the Amazon,” Mosse says. “It’s world’s largest tropical rainforest; it spans nine countries. How do you find a lens wide enough to convey that? The processes themselves are so abstract—climate change, global warming—you can’t see it with the human eye. I asked myself ‘how do we take a picture of that?’ Photography is so concrete.” Mosse found a way to make something intangible burrow into human consciousness.

David Brooks’ Lonely Loricariidae conceptual installation takes a very different approach. “It’s composed of a set of stadium bleachers with fish tanks on them,” he says. “In the fish tanks are living fish from a large family called Loricariidae, specifically from the Amazon.” Brooks has been working since 2005 with conservation biologists throughout various river systems in the Amazon that are being threatened—areas where hydroelectric dams are being built, where there are artisanal gold mine operations or fossil fuel extraction.

“One of the ways conservationists can set aside or move NGO dollars is if they can taxonomically describe what is in the river. You cannot just say it is biodiverse. You have to describe each new species,” he says. “What you have in these fish tanks are fish that are unknown to science. They are not yet described because it is a family of fish that’s so incredibly biodiverse it really challenges science itself.” In the installation, Brooks provides a phylogenic tree of all the species that have been described by science so far, and a much longer list of what’s for sale in the aquarium market for undescribed species.”

“What we have done here is work with biologists to select fish from that aquarium trade, ones that are specifically unknown to science,” he says. “A minimum of two of these will be described in the next four months as part of the artwork. This is to instigate a crossflow of art and the actual taxonomic describing of the fish.”

Composer and sound designer Ben Frost‘s artistic contributions to Enduring Amazon are both the subtlest and most bombastic. Twisting for 65 feet skyward, Frost’s first-ever sculpture almost appears to be a sonic skeleton connected to The Momentary itself. “It’s a reinterpreted line array of speakers,” Frost says. “It’s 22 channels of audio and it has a score. The soundtrack is entirely synthesized—from a range of influences which are inevitably drawn from nature, these elemental forces that we are meddling with that are looking for a way to exist, and still existing in spite of us. I want you to have this feeling that this new organism, this reimagined nature, is connected to the world around us. It does not exist in a vacuum.”

Invisibility was the impetus behind the piece. “I work with sound,” Frost says. “The puts me in close connect with a hidden ecosystem of sound technology. When you are looking at a stage, right in front of you there’s something called a line array, which is a string of speakers hung in a perfect row on either side. They are designed with an inherent invisibility. For me, this invisibility is something that I find interesting. These speakers themselves are inevitably constructed from a lot of the extracted materials that Richard speaks to in his work—paper, steel, copper. A lot of these elements are right in front of us and all around us. They’re strangely ignored. I am interested in reclaiming that invisibility but also trying to find a new way to interpret that and bring nature back into the raw material that’s at the heart of it.”

Frost is the connective tissue throughout the exhibition. In addition to his spiraling tower, he composed a score to accompany Brooks’ installation, as well as the enchanting, hopeful and layered animation by Susannah Sayler and Edward Morris. “I also worked closely with Richard and cinematographer Trevor Tweeten on the creation of Broken Spectre, both as a composer and as a sound recordist in the field,” Frost says. In the way that a musical composition influences the emotional aptitude of a movie, Frost’s sonic ecosystem for Enduring Amazon is both comforting and antagonizing, provocative and inspiring. Oftentimes, sounds overlap from different spaces at The Momentary and create their own artistic dialogue—as one would imagine occurs in the natural soundscapes of the Amazon.

Enduring Amazon expresses the curatorial capabilities of The Momentary, but the institution is more than one expansive exhibition. Programming ranges from a year-round series of culinary events to outdoor concerts and activations, and enveloping spaces include an Onyx Coffee Bar lobby (complete with a new Beeple digital artwork) and Tower Bar, with vistas stretching beyond Bentonville. As with Crystal Bridges, The Momentary is conveniently located, easily accessible and well worth the visit.

Read Culture

Presented by Art dealer's association of America

Previewing ADAA’s The Art Show 2023

Ruminating on the historical and contemporary works that will be shown at this year’s 35th edition of the beloved art fair

CH Studio

30 October 2023

Amidst the extensive art world landscape of New York City, The Art Show (running this 2-5 November) has established itself as one of the most inspiring yet intimate annual events. Presented by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA), The Art Show’s distinct blend of contemporary and historical works from member galleries—coupled with a navigable layout inside of the iconic Park Avenue Armory—provides attendees access into a survey of the art world’s most impressive voices. This year, the fair will host booths from 78 ADAA member galleries, with 57 of those being exhibitions dedicated to one artist. And, as with every previous iteration, all ticket sales from the entire event (not just the opening night preview gala) will benefit Henry Street Settlement, a social service, arts and health care organization in New York.

The Art Show is unlike any other art fair in NYC—and that’s thanks to the ADAA. “The ADAA was founded over 60 years ago,” Maureen Bray, ADAA/The Art Show’s Executive Director, tells COOL HUNTING. “It’s a membership-based trade association of over 200 of the country’s best art galleries and art dealers. Our job is to be a voice in the industry—for the contributions that those dealers make to the community as a whole—and to act as an advocate for them in Washington DC and in local and state legislature. We also provide our member galleries access to expertise and resources to help their small businesses thrive.”

The Art Show’s experiential environment sets it apart. “For the 35 years of its history, which is one of the longest continuously running art fairs in the US, The Art Show has been held at the Park Avenue Armory,” Bray continues. “Being there allows for a unique, intimate experience with our members’ booth presentations. This means that it moves at a slower pace. It gives you time to do some serious looking. That’s helpful especially because sometimes a fair environment can be loud or distracting.” In an age of art fatigue from large-scale events, The Art Show aims to welcome but not overwhelm.

“There’s also a vetting process that’s slightly different than other fairs,” Bray continues. “Every member of the ADAA is invited to apply to The Art Show. 50% of all of the exhibitors at The Art Show are accepted into the fair that year by a vote of everyone who submitted a proposal. The other 50% is determined by an art show committee that is also made up of our members. It’s about the peers coming together to bring each year’s presentations together.” This year, The Art Show will feature several prestigious new members, from Perrotin to Shulamit Nazarian, Nicelle Beauchene and Eric Firestone Gallery.

The show’s interwoven nature allows for focused thematic presentations—some of which are composed of historic works, while others are contemporary. An exchange occurs between it all. This year will see presentations by Kiki Smith with Pace Gallery, Faith Wilding with Anat Ebgi Gallery, Tom Wesselmann with Almine Rech, Roy Lichtenstein with Castelli Gallery, Tavares Strachan with Marian Goodman Gallery, Sheila Hicks with Sikkema Jenkins & Co and so much more. “I’d recommend that you allow yourself to walk down the aisles,” Bray says. “The floor plan is very simple. Allow for all of the surprises to happen as you move along. Because it is more intimately scaled, you have the opportunity to look down an aisle and see centuries worth of work in dialogue.”

“From the very beginning of the fair’s founding, there has been a collaborative partnership with our charitable partner, Henry Street Settlement,” Bray notes, of arguably the fair’s most important attribute. “All of the ticket proceeds throughout the entire run of show go to Henry Street. 100%. That’s very important to us. They’re our partner in every sense of the word.” Henry Street provides more than 50 programs to people of all ages—from Meals on Wheels delivery to mental health counseling, job-readiness training and even theater performances. Their efforts directly support some 50,000 New Yorkers.

“I hope people take away how fantastic our member galleries are and how serious they are about their dedication and loyalty to their artists and providing a context for their artists, whether historical or contemporary,” Bray says. “This allows the work to shine and either expands on or establishes scholarship for that particular artist. Our members are fantastic at that. What we hope to do is to provide an environment within the fair that allows our members to do the jobs they do so well.” As The Art Show continues to thrive, ADAA members benefit—and so do attendees in search of something spectacular.

The Art Show will run 2-5 November at the Park Avenue Armory, with an opening night benefit preview gala taking place on 1 November. The Art Show and gala tickets can be purchased online.

Read Style

Presented by Bugatchi

Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Bugatchi Clothing

Whether in the office, working remotely or off the clock, the stylish brand has you covered

CH Studio

20 July 2023

As we approach the weekend each week our outfits begin to shift along with our frame of mind. From buttoned-up Thursdays to casual Fridays, whether we’re in an office or working remotely, our clothing expectations have changed and often align more with what we wear on our time off. The stylish menswear brand Bugatchi—through continued material innovation, as well as a unique blend of staple items and fashion-forward pieces—is one of the few ready-to-wear destinations that covers all of the requirements of this weekly cycle. To prove this point, we dove into this one-stop shop for men’s clothing and accessories, and put together three outfits which we paired with professional items we’ve already integrated into our daily lifestyle.

Thursday

For Thursday, we dressed it up for some office time and a client meeting. Bugatchi’s collared James Solid OoohCotton Shirt paired with the brand’s dressy and comfortable Solid Flat Front Chino Pants. A tote was perfect for all of our gear for the day.

James Solid OoohCotton Shirt

Crafted from Bugatchi’s beloved proprietary OoohCotton material (which is wrinkle resistant, breathable, quick drying and offers eight-way stretch and thermal comfort), the James Solid OoohCotton Shirt ($179) looks classic but feels comfortable. Stylistically, the long-sleeved shirt features a pointed collar and a French placket along the buttons. It comes in many different patterns and solid colors, too.

Solid Flat Front Chino Pants

Made in Italy from a cotton blend that stretches for comfort, the classic Solid Flat Front Chino Pants ($179) can be dressed up or dressed down and go with the flow of your day. Plenty of pockets—angled side pockets, a coin pocket and buttoned jetted back pockets—offer enough areas to stash whatever you need on hand.

Utility Tote – Landscape – Dyneema from DSPTCH

A tote should be as light as possible, and yet still provide ample organizational tools. That’s what we’ve found with DSPTCH’s lightweight, durable and thoughtfully designed Utility Tote ($266). It’s made in the US from proprietary Dyneema Composite Fabric, as well as Ballistic Nylon with DWR coating. Inside, there’s plenty of space to store a laptop and your daily carry..

Friday

Fridays no longer look like they used to. For many people, there’s greater flexibility in working hours and telecommuting in (arguably even more so during summer Fridays). For work on the go, we selected Bugatchi’s Jackson Abstract Print Short Sleeve Shirt, which underscored the seasonal vibes. We complemented it with the brand’s relaxed Linen Bermuda Shorts (also available in a range of colors). To keep up with video calls from our remote workspace, we popped our iPhone into the Snap Stand Power Set from MOFT, too.

Jackson Abstract Print Short Sleeve Shirt

An elegant take on a floral shirt, Bugatchi’s Jackson Abstract Print Short Sleeve Shirt ($179) speaks to summer daydreams and supports the season’s weather, too. The latter is thanks to a material that’s a blend of viscose and linen. Aesthetically, the shirt sports a wide camp collar and incorporates genuine shell buttons. It’ll work in an office, out for dinner or a drink as well.

Linen Bermuda Shorts

Composed of 100% linen, Bugatchi’s Linen Bermuda Shorts ($139) pair a straight-leg design with an elasticized waistband, a drawstring and zipper. They service the warmer months best—or vacations all year long. They’re chic enough shorts that wearers wouldn’t mind being seen in them by a professional colleague.

Snap Stand Power Set from MOFT

Despite being slender and pocket-sized, MOFT’s Snap Stand Power Set from MOFT ($80) delivers a lot of functionality. It can act as a sleek, magnetic phone stand while simultaneously providing backup power. The minimal, faux leather set is s a three-card wallet, too.

Saturday

A sunny weekend spent in or beside the water is one we’d consider a success. To get to the shore, we slipped into Bugatchi’s highly functional UV50+ Performance T-Shirt; for swimming we wore the brand’s playful Max Floral Swim Trunks. The perfect accessory under the sun’s rays is Utu’s SPF30 moisturizing sunscreen.

UV50+ Performance T-Shirt

From fit to functionality Bugatchi’s short-sleeved crew neck UV50+ Performance T-Shirt ($89) over-performs as an everyday basic—and while the lilac is our favorite colorway, we’d recommend snagging a few different hues. The soft, stretchy fabric provides UV50+ protection and dresses up or down alongside the rest of your outfit.

Max Floral Swim Trunks

With the pattern featured on the Max Floral Swim Trunks ($149), Bugatchi strikes the perfect balance of playfulness and sophistication. Composed of 100% comfort stretch polyester, the bathing suit is quick-dry and resistant to UV rays, chlorine, salt and sunscreen. With an elasticized waistband and a drawstring closure, as well as a breathable stretch mesh lining, it’s as functional as it is style-forward.

SPF30 Moisturizing Sunscreen

A fragrance-free, broad spectrum SPF30 Moisturizing Sunscreen ($44), Utu’s formulation aims to protect against rays but also nourish the skin. It does so with a proprietary blend of Hyaluronic acid, squalane and sea buckthorn, as well as 20% non-nano zinc oxide. The water-resistant product comes in recyclable packaging—and the brand is committed to sustainability.

Read Design

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Singulart

Editors’ Selects: Six Transportive Art Pieces from Singulart

Our curation of compelling artworks for your home drawn from a range of styles and pricepoints

CH Studio

12 July 2023

For individuals who can spend hours pouring over art pieces to adorn their walls as well as those who want the process of decorating their home to be quick and easy, the online art gallery Singulart has become an unmatched resource. Representing an international roster of more than 12,000 artists and designers—who had to apply and be selected by Singulart’s France-based curatorial team—the destination offers paintings, sculptures, photographs and more at a range of prices. A suite of tools for discovery (including access to art advisors) and editorial curation (from what’s trending to interviews with artists) enables visitors to explore the site and build a connection with artworks. A frictionless acquisition process means a work makes its way to the buyer in only seven to 10 days.

Founded in 2017, Singulart has already established itself as an art market disruptor. To demonstrate the depth and breadth of their offerings, COOL HUNTING’s editorial team spent time parsing through the site’s abundance of inspiring art. The following six pieces underscore the fact that diversity (the artists on Singulart are from 110 different countries and 49% of them are women) and accessibility (prices start around $450) are key parts of the brand’s mission. Our picks are just a sliver of a vast site that aims to have something for anyone interested in buying art.

Inez Froehlich’s “A New Game” (2023)

From German artist Inez Froehlich (one of Singulart’s best selling artists), the abstract work “A New Game” ($4,280) is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas. Rich shades of blue complement coppery gilding to create a dreamlike, expressive scene. It measures 59.1 by 47.2 inches and arrives ready to hang.

Shelton Walsmith’s “Concentric” (2018)

It’s easy to get lost gazing upon “Concentric” ($450), an archival inkjet print of a new media collage from Brooklyn-based artist Shelton Walsmith. Even though it’s a static image, the implied movement acts as a magnet for attention. Measuring 10 by 10 inches, the astounding piece can be framed upon request for an additional cost.

Sumit Mehndiratta’s “Egyptian vase of spring” (2023)

From India-based, multidisciplinary artist Sumit Mehndiratta, the”Egyptian vase of spring” ($2,020) is crafted from ceramic and adorned with an artistic rendition of a tree painted in acrylic over the round vessel. The enchanting sculpture rises 17 inches.

Rikki Kasso’s “Sleep Study #03” (2019)

A minimal acrylic on paper artwork, “Sleep Study #03” ($2,190) depicts a serene figure gently entangled in bedding. The artist, US-based painter and photographer Rikki Kasso, has already exhibited internationally to much acclaim. This figurative work measures 47.6 by 36 inches and can be framed by request for an additional fee.

Sylvia Paul’s “Walking Through Tokyo” (2016)

With “Walking Through Tokyo” ($1,400), UK-based artist Sylvia Paul uses acrylic paint and collage work to convey the sensation of strolling across the Japanese city. For the reverent mixed-media work’s collaging, Paul utilizes traditional decorative origami papers she collected on research trips to Tokyo. As it’s on canvas, stretched across a wooden frame, the 19.7 by 15.7 inch piece arrives ready to be mounted on a wall.

Marius van Niekerk’s “Urban Conversations- Conversations with Shadows 4” (2022)

Sweden-based, South Africa-born photographer, filmmaker and activist Marius van Neikerk‘s “Urban Conversations- Conversations with Shadows 4” ($3,560) provides an abstract vision of light, shadows, shapes and figures. The mesmerizing digital photograph on paper is limited to an edition of ten. It measures 45.3 by 68 inches and can be framed upon request for an additional cost.

Visit Singulart to get inspired, find an art work for your home or office, or to surprise a loved one with a gift that keeps giving.

Images courtesy of Singulart

Read Travel

Presented by Summit

The Summit at Sea Community Sails This May

Get out on the water for a three day that seeks to empower its participants to live more authentically, creatively and sustainably

CH Studio

4 May 2023

Summit is back on the water this month with Summit at Sea cruising 18-21 May in and out of Miami. Summit always brings together a diverse and talented community of leaders, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs and activists. Their immersive experiences seamlessly blend education, impact, entertainment and wellness through a meeting of the minds where the community gathered has as much to offer as the speakers on stage. This month Summit at Sea will be onboard a Virgin Voyages ship and Richard Branson will participate in the programming.

The multidisciplinary experience features speakers, workshops, performances, adventures and networking opportunities across six pillars including thought leadership talks, health + happiness + biohacking, visual and performance art, culinary experiences, impact and more.

Summit at Sea is more than just an event—it’s a movement that seeks to empower its participants to live more authentically, creatively and sustainably. It is an opportunity to connect with like-minded people who share a vision for a better world. It is an invitation to embark on a voyage of discovery, learning and transformation. The Summit community is always welcoming new members who share their passion for making a positive impact in the world. If you are interested in joining Summit at Sea, please send an email to coolhunting@summit.co and you will be connected to a community curator. To see the lineup of musical acts, speakers and teachers, among all the other details, visit summit.co. Pricing starts at $5,150 per person.

Images courtesy of Summit

Read Food + Drink

Sponsored by OTO CBD

Enhance Cocktails With Botanical OTO CBD Bitters

This premium non-alcoholic component amplifies flavors and elevates mood

CH Studio

6 April 2023

Amidst the blanket of brands and products woven into the expansive CBD market, few stand alongside UK-based OTO CBD with regard to purity and purpose. Every OTO CBD product draws a line between its premium ingredients and intended functionality—and each is designed to achieve something specific, be that rest and relaxation or an elevated mood. The latter is thoughtfully accessed in a way unlike any competitor: OTO’s CBD Bitters. This zesty, botanical and non-alcoholic creation easily enhances cocktails and Mock (both of which we explore below), and the blend of CBD and botanicals within yields a delightful sense of connection. To correspond with an OTO CBD Bitters promotion (you’ll find details at the bottom of the story) we’re diving deeper into the brand’s origins.

OTO was founded by Gemma Colao, the brand’s creative director, and her husband, James Henry Bagley, their CEO. Their journey began in California, where Bagley went to run Naked Wines in the US. Colao, who was immersed in the intensity of a fashion career, looked for alternative sleep aids and was suggested CBD by a colleague. After substantial research, she gave it a try. “I couldn’t believe that this natural ingredient existed and there was all of this science behind it but I didn’t even know about it,” she explains. “It worked for me. I started sleeping better and I became less anxious.” When Colao and Bagley moved back to London, the former wanted to commit to something meaningful and CBD became the answer. 

“OTO was born from a desire to help people discover the power of these plants”

“It was being talked about in the press. People were starting to see it as an interesting ingredient that had wonderful benefits,” she says. “I was excited personally to be able to buy it in London but I found that there was no efficacy at all. All the products had ridiculous levels of CBD and yet they didn’t work. There was also no consideration about the other ingredients and terpenes. Everything was caught in a cannabis trope. We started thinking about the opportunity to create products that were life changing. OTO was born from a desire to help people discover the power of these plants.”

As OTO took shape, they wanted to develop products that naturally fit  into people’s lifestyles. “We thought about the moments of the day and the rhythm of people throughout their week. We came up with this idea that all of our products would fit into this natural flow: from your morning moment to arriving to work, to amplify, which is the social moment that requires a connection, and then the nighttime calming moment which is about sleep and regeneration,” Colao says.

“Our CBD is sourced from organic hemp grown by a collective of farmers in Colorado. Pure CBD isolate is extracted using CO2 extraction, like other cannabinoids, but goes through an extra refinement process to isolate the pure CBD molecule. We use pure CBD isolate as it is the only way we can guarantee the strength and consistency of every OTO formula batch after batch,” Colao shares with us about their sustainable source. It’s tested by scientists in the US, and then twice in the UK, one of which is by OTO’s in-house team. It’s rigorous for a reason.

“Pure CBD isolate also ensures there is 0% THC in any of our products, which means we can create formulas with high effective dosage without any risk of getting high. While the world is opening up to CBD and its many powerful benefits, most cannabinoids—such as THC, CBG and CBN—remain prohibited ingestible substances in many markets, including the UK,” she says. “Pure CBD isolate is the only cannabinoid exempt from the Word Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list.” To enhance the benefits of their pure CBD, and increase the effectiveness of their products, OTO blends their CBD with complementary ingredients.

The ingredient list for the complex, alcohol-free, flavorful OTO CBD Bitters, which were meticulously crafted to accompany cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages, incorporates purified water, gentian, licorice, lime, cinnamon, lemongrass, cardamom, cacao husk and other organic active elements. “It will remind you of other bitters you’ve had—and cocktails you may have had, even if you’re having a non-alcoholic drink,” Bagley shares. “There are flavors that enhance the other ingredients. That’s the magic of these bitters.”

The vision behind the bitters, he says, “is all about amplifying shared moments. It is all about being present.” As for his mission behind the brand, he says, “Our view was of the power and potential of CBD and lots of other progressive plant-based ingredients. In the UK, CBD had been held back by a lack of consumer understanding, mistrust and tropes in the propaganda space. There was also the problem with low quality product and players. We knew we needed to create something aspirational and effective.” The bitters epitomize this.

Including OTO CBD Bitters into your routine is easy. Try a Bee’s Knees at home, a simple, cheery cocktail or mocktail reminiscent of spring. We shook up one iteration with a non-alcoholic spirit that references the bouquet of gin, and one with gin. We added three dashes of OTO CBD Bitters to each—a surprisingly small amount that delivers all the flavor and a full dose of CBD. The verdant nature of the bitters bolsters the floral flavors of the beverage and adds a bit of citrus, too. Altogether, the profile of the Bee’s Knees is tart but easy to soften by increasing the amount of homemade honey syrup.

Bee’s Knees
2 ounces gin (or NA gin-like spirit)
3/4 ounce (or to taste) freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 ounce (or to taste) honey syrup
Garnish with a lemon twist

OTO CBD Bitters are available online in the USA, UK and Europe. Each bottle includes 1,350mg of CBD and sells for $102 in the US including shipping; £76 in the UK and Europe, currently offered with a discount of 20% at £60.80 through 30 April 2023.

OTO is currently hosting a promotion, available to those in the US and UK. One person will receive a $500/£500 OTO gift card, OTO CBD Cocktail Bitters and designer glassware from Tyler Barry (pictured above). Five runners up will win an OTO CBD Cocktail Bitters.

Images by Josh Rubin for CH Studio