Latest news with #collaboration
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Moroccan women embroider ‘art with purpose'
SIDI RBAT, Morocco: In a small village on the coast of southern Morocco, women gather in a house to create collaborative works of textile art, and also earn a living. Several hunch over large canvasses, embroidering their latest piece at the women-only workshop, in the village of 400 people. Some of their works have been shown internationally. 'This project has changed my life,' said Hanane Ichbikili, a 28-year-old former nursing student turned project creative director. 'And yet I had never held an embroidery needle before,' she told AFP. Just 19 percent of Moroccan women hold steady jobs, according to official figures, and in rural areas they are particularly affected by poverty, unpaid labor and a lack of opportunity. An artist with roots in both Morocco and France has tried to make a difference. Margaux Derhy founded the workshop in 2022 in her father's native village of Sidi R'bat, around 70 kilometers (45 miles) south of Agadir, to fulfil her 'dream to make art with purpose.' The project uses textiles and old photographs to explore her family heritage before they left the country in the 1960s, turning sepia-toned portraits and scenes into large silk-and-linen canvases. The North African country was a protectorate of France before gaining its independence in 1956. The project is more than just personal for Derhy — it also provides local women in the small fishing village employment. 'I wanted to be engaged on the ground,' said Derhy, adding that she hired 10 local women to work full-time for a monthly salary exceeding Morocco's private-sector minimum wage of 3,045 dirhams ($330). The women's hands glide over frames that were once used by Paris's prestigious Maison Lesage, the world-famous embroidery house that has worked with some of the greatest names in fashion. The creative process is collaborative, with Derhy drawing an outline and the team then gathering to choose the threads and color palette for each section. A canvas can take up to five months to complete. The finished works, priced at up to $5,620, have been shown in exhibitions in Marrakech, Paris and Brussels. Future exhibits are planned for Casablanca's L'Atelier 21 and Tabari Artspace Gallery in Dubai. The workshop has also helped to challenge perceived ideas about women in the village. 'At first, some of the women had to hide to come because it was frowned upon,' said Khadija Ahuilat, 26, who oversees operations. She said some people thought the project 'was nonsense, and a woman should stay at home.' 'But we managed to change that. I'm very proud to have contributed to this change, even if on a small scale.' Her mother, Aicha Jout, 50, a widow who once gathered mussels and raised livestock to support her family, is now one of the embroiderers. 'It changes a lot for me to be here,' she said. 'I love the idea of embroidering on pictures, but also of passing on the craft to other women.' Jout learned to embroider at the age of 12, and has trained the rest of her mostly single or widowed colleagues. 'There aren't really a lot of job opportunities here, so when the chance came I didn't hesitate for a second,' said Haddia Nachit, 59, one of the workshop's most efficient embroiders. Her nickname among the women is 'TGV' — after France's high-speed train. Seated next to Nachit, Fadma Lachgar, also 59, said the work allowed her to help her family. 'Resuming embroidery at my age, after 20 years of stopping, is a blessing,' she said.
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Selima Optique And Zankov Launch Capsule Sunglass Collaboration
The Aleksandr style in black and cream. Ph Credits: Courtesy of Selima/Zankov. According to social media (and many Gen X and Boomers who live here), there is a yearning for the glory days of old New York. In the bygone era, many attributes were the sort of magical connections that took place in IRL and were not masterminded in boardrooms or via digital platforms. Instead, these kismet moments happened when creative worlds collided while out and about, most likely in New York's social scene. A meeting such as this was the genesis for a new eyewear collaboration between Selima Optique and ZANKOV. That's how the collaboration between these two creatives happened. It was while both were dining at the classic eatery Il Buco, a NoHo staple since 1994 and just down the street from Selima Optique, which opened in 1993. The eyewear institution Selima Salaun is also a bit of a NoHo fixture, and spotted Henry Zankov dining in the restaurant. Curious by nature, the optical entrepreneur approached the fashion designer she had seen around town and introduced herself. It turned out that Zankov was also a fan of Selima's work. The bond over the mutual love of fashion was instant. Several chance meetings followed; thus, the pair was certain it was fate that they collaborate creatively. The result is a three-style limited-edition capsule sunglass collection that 'celebrates the intersection of bold design and effortless elegance, an embodiment of the spirit shared by both,' according to a release. The styles debuted with the Spring 2025 ZANKOV collection and hit retail distribution this week. The Toni sunglasses in Capri blue. Ph Credits: Courtesy of Selima/Zankov. From a starting point of styles core to Selima Optique's oeuvre—the Aleksandr, a bold square acetate frame with dynamic color contrasts between the face and arms; the Toni, an aviator style with a lightweight metal frame, inspired by the eyewear worn by Italian police in the 1970s and the Carolyn, a minimalist classic inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy—Zankov applied his strong color combos in bright hues to the frames. This is especially prominent in the Aleksandr and Carolyn styles, which demonstrate Zankov's bold color aesthetic. Nary, a pair of black frames is found in this collection. Instead, frames in hues such as red and lavender, navy, royal blue and Electric yellow, Carrot orange, and Capri Blue prevail. The sunglasses are available at Bergdorf Goodman and Selima Optique. The duo hosted a party at Selima Optique at 7 Bond Street to fete the new partnership.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shakira and Alejandro Sanz Reunite — Again! — for Love Song ‘Bésame'
They're back! After multiple hit collaborations, including 'La Tortura' and 'Te Lo Agradezco, Pero No,' longtime friends Alejandro Sanz and Shakira have reunited again for 'Bésame,' a new collaboration featured on Sanz's new EP, ¿Y Ahora Qué? 'I'll tell you the truth, if life is beautiful, you and it are so similar/ In the end I don't dare let fate decide/ If there's any risk of seeing myself without you, I don't want to bet,' sings Sanz in Spanish on the love song, before Shakira chimes in with shining vocals. More from Rolling Stone Remy Bond Channels the 'Diamond Sadness' of the Seventies in 'Moviestar' Video St. Vincent Taps Mon Laferte for Spanglish Duet of 'Violent Times' Connie Francis Reacts to Going Viral on Tiktok for 1961 B-Side 'Pretty Little Baby' The new track comes just a few days after the stars linked up on stage in Charlotte for a performance of 'La Tortura' during Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour. 'That was probably one of the very few songs that played in Spanish in America on American radio,' Shakira told Rolling Stone about that moment. 'So, it's like celebrating after 20 years the road that we've traveled, and how many obstacles as artists we have overcome.' 'Bésame' marks the third time they've worked together on a song. Twenty years ago, Sanz joined Shakira for Fijación Oral, Vol. 1's biggest hit. The pair then reconnected on his LP El Tren de Los Momentos in 2006 for 'Te Lo Agradezco, Pero No.' Sanz has been teasing the new collaboration on social media, sharing clips of their performances and snippets of the new song's lyrics. 'A thousand years may pass, along with a thousand more, but what happens to us on stage will remain one of a kind!' Shakira wrote on Instagram after they performed together. Sanz commented, 'Our chemistry is kept for the stage, but my love for you travels with me everywhere.' Sanz's new EP features tracks with Grupo Frontera on 'Hoy No Me Siento Bien' and Manuel Turizo on '¿Cómo Sería?' The new project follows 2021's self-titled album, Sanz. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amyris Buys Ingredion's Stake in the Real Sweet Joint Venture
Amyris and Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR) have agreed to end their RealSweet joint venture. A close up of a baker stirring a bowl of flour and sugar in a bakery. Amyris will take complete control of the Precision Fermentation Plant in Barra Bonita, Brazil, as part of the new agreement. As a result, Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR) is granted exclusive access to Amyris' fermented Reb M technology for production and marketing, setting the stage for future collaboration. Both businesses will benefit from improved operational focus and commercial clarity as an outcome of the strategic pivot. Amyris, a synthetic biology pioneer, will fully oversee its Brazilian laboratory, strengthening its vertically integrated approach. Sustainable components used in products all around the world are produced by the company's in-house fermentation platform. Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR), a worldwide ingredient producer with $7.4 billion in sales in 2024 and operations in more than 120 countries, will use its exclusive rights to fermented Reb M, a sugar substitute. Through this collaboration, Amyris fortifies its core production capabilities for future expansion, while Ingredion expands its portfolio of functional sweeteners. While we acknowledge the potential of INGR to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than INGR and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this READ NEXT: and . Disclosure. None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Open Cooperation and Development Conference of "Nanjing Tour of German Enterprises" Convenes
NANJING, China, May 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from JSBC: On May 23, the Open Cooperation and Development Conference of "Nanjing Tour of German Enterprises" brought together C-suite executives from Germany's Fortune Global 500 corporations, niche market leaders ("hidden champions"), and industry leaders to explore collaborative opportunities. Zhang Wenwu, Vice Chairman and executive director of CITIC Group, and Dr. Clas Neumann, Chairperson of the Board of German Chamber of Commerce in China - East China addressed the conference. At the conference, Nanjing's high-quality business environment was presented under the theme "Transcending Boundaries through Shared Vision: Collaborative Pathways to Mutual Prosperity." Zhang Wenwu emphasized that the event exemplifies concrete support for German enterprises investing in China and Nanjing, reflecting CITIC's commitment to sustainable multi-stakeholder partnerships. He vowed to strengthen CITIC's role as a bridge, deepening Sino-German economic ties, enhancing Nanjing's development capacity, integrating industries with technology, and upgrading financial services. Dr. Clas Neumann noted that the event provides a vital platform for German-Nanjing collaboration. He praised Nanjing's robust industrial base, efficient transportation, abundant educational resources, and favorable business climate as ideal for investment. According to him, Nanjing has allocated substantial resources to new technologies and sustainable development technologies. Many German companies in the city are actively engaged in sustainability-focused sectors such as wind power, hydropower, and related industries, while numerous enterprises are also investing in digital transformation to drive sustainable practices. Meanwhile, traditional industries including automotive, chemical, and pharmaceutical sectors remain crucial in propelling economic growth. Expressing strong confidence in Nanjing's future, Neumann pledged the Chamber's commitment to guiding more German enterprises to explore opportunities and foster win-win partnerships. A panel discussion on "Sino-German Future Industrial Collaboration" was held. Dr. Xiao Song, Global Executive Vice President and President & CEO Siemens Greater China, delivered a keynote speech. Panelists included Armin Necker, CTO and COO of ThyssenKrupp Rothe Erde Group; Hua Ning, General Manager of DB Schenker; Huang Yixin, Chairman of Nanjing Iron & Steel Group; and Li Chao, Vice President of Estun Automation. The event featured the launch of the Nanjing-CITIC Global Investment and Trade Service Network and the CITIC-Nanjing Multinational Innovation Hub which are meant to assist European enterprises in investing in Nanjing while supporting local enterprises in expanding overseas through comprehensive services. A business license was awarded to Yangtze River Sci-Tech Development Co., Ltd. of Jiangbei New Area, followed by multiple project signings. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE JSBC Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
