Latest news with #designers
Zawya
9 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Innovating for Impact: Hansgrohe's exclusive evening on water-saving solutions
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Last week, architects, interior designers, and developers in the UAE gathered for an exclusive sustainability evening hosted by premium sanitaryware brands hansgrohe and AXOR. The event served as a powerful platform to spotlight Hansgrohe's unwavering commitment to water conservation and showcase its innovative, resource-saving solutions designed for the residential, hospitality, and leisure sectors. Held at the state-of-the-art Hansgrohe/AXOR showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road, the evening underscored Hansgrohe's ambitious goal: to equip 100% of its water-bearing products with resource-saving technologies by 2030. A significant stride towards this objective includes the commitment that 75% of its hand-held and overhead showers will feature EcoSmart technology by the end of 2025, promising a remarkable reduction in daily water consumption by up to 60%. Guests were immersed in Hansgrohe's dedication to sustainable innovation through key product showcases. These included Raindance Alive, an evolution of Hansgrohe's iconic shower series featuring EcoSmart technology for luxurious performance with minimal resource use, and the Zesis S Faucet with EcoSmart+ technology, which reduces water flow to just 4 liters per minute. Hansgrohe also introduced Hydraloop, a revolutionary greywater recycling system that can reduce household water consumption and wastewater emissions by up to 45%. This innovation underscores Hansgrohe's dedication to sustainable living and resource efficiency. Bens Ezhuthanavayalil, Hansgrohe's Head of New Ventures, reflected on the evening's success, stating, "It was a privilege to connect with key architects, designers, and developers shaping the region's future. These meaningful conversations reaffirmed our commitment to lead in water sustainability through innovation—growing together with our partners to protect our planet's most vital resource.' Representing Hansgrohe at the event were Ben Reed, Key Account Manager – Global Projects; Bens Ezhuthanavayalil, Head of New Ventures; and Fawzy Tello, Regional Sales Manager – MEA, Marija Cerauskaite, Marketing Manager – MEA along with the dedicated Dubai-based team. As the UAE continues to prioritize water as a finite resource and embed robust sustainability targets into its built environment, Hansgrohe is exceptionally well-positioned to drive the future of water solutions. Through this inspiring sustainability evening, Hansgrohe empowered the design community to embrace eco-conscious practices and redefine the possibilities of water-saving innovation. This strong commitment to sustainability has not gone unnoticed. The Hansgrohe Group has been awarded the Platinum Medal in the EcoVadis sustainability rating, the highest accolade for its sustainability performance. This places them among the top 1% of all 130,000 companies assessed. About the Hansgrohe Group – Setting the Beat of Water. Since 1901. With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group, based in Schiltach/Southern Germany, enjoys a reputation as a leader in innovation, design and quality within the bath and kitchen industry. Founded in 1901 in the Black Forest, the company gives water form and function with its faucets, showerheads and shower systems. In combination with sanitary ceramics and bathroom furniture, the company offers individual design options from a single source for holistic bathroom experiences. The 124-year history of the company is marked by innovations, such as the first hand-held shower with multiple spray types, the first pull-out kitchen faucet, and the first wall bar to hold a hand-held company holds more than 23,000 active property rights. The Hansgrohe Group stands for long-lasting quality products and for responsibility towards people and the environment. Sustainable production of resource-conserving products is central to the company's business activities around the globe. By developing innovative technologies for faucets and showers, Hansgrohe achieves the greatest possible effect on protecting water as a resource and limiting and adapting to climate change during the usage phase of its products. As part of its consistent sustainability strategy, Hansgrohe is equipping all water-bearing products exclusively with water-saving technologies by 2030 within its "ECO 2030" initiative. With 35 subsidiaries and 22 sales offices supplying products in more than 145 countries, the globally active company in the sanitary industry is a reliable partner to its customers in all regions of the world. The Hansgrohe Group, its brands and products have won numerous awards, including more than 800 design prizes since 1974. The products of the Hansgrohe Group are found around the world: on renowned cruise ships, in luxurious 5-star and boutique hotels, in international metropolitan cities, in extraordinary spas, exclusive bathrooms of lodges and luxury villas, public facilities, as well as in countless private homes. The Hansgrohe Group's high quality standards are ensured by eight wholly-owned production facilities: four in Germany, one each in France, in Serbia, the United States and China. In 2024, the Hansgrohe Group generated a turnover of EUR 1.387 billion. It employs around 5,600 people worldwide, about 60 percent of whom work in Germany.
New York Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
Who Was Kate Spade?
'Baby, baby,' Kate Spade would squeal, about to tuck into a tasty sandwich, party with friends or, on occasion, sell her cheerily colorful handbags to a fancy store. In 'We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship With Kate Spade,' Elyce Arons remembers her pal as a force of nature with a curiously reticent streak. In the memoir, out this month, Ms. Arons, who was Ms. Spade's former business partner, ally and confidant for nearly 40 years, details the peaks, and rare valleys, of their lasting friendship. It was one that endured until the designer took her own life in 2018, an event that stunned and saddened a world of admirers. From the time the two met as dorm mates at the University of Kansas, Katy, as Ms. Arons calls her, combined an unshakable work ethic with a disarmingly infectious charm. At a glance, they could not have been more different, Ms. Arons, a farm girl from Kansas, Ms. Spade, then Kate Brosnahan, the quintessence of Midwestern prepdom, clad in a pop-collar polo shirt, baggy khakis and Weejuns loafers. 'Whenever I did anything that Katy thought was kind of 'farmy,' she would refer to me as Jethro,' Ms. Arons writes, confiding that she, on the other hand, initially found Ms. Spade's buttoned-up style a trifle dull. Still, the two became all but inseparable, enjoying frat parties, shopping for secondhand clothes — it was all they could afford — and aspiring, like their idol Mary Richards on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' to glam careers in the big city. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
The Real Value of Photorealistic Rendering vs. AI-Generated Images
The Difference Between Realistic Rendering and AI-Generated Images It is commonly stated that a picture is worth a thousand words. In design and real estate, a photorealistic depiction is far more important than showing only blueprints or 2D drawings. The goal of photorealistic rendering—whether it's Interior Rendering, Exterior Rendering, or even Aerial Rendering—is to accurately portray a design concept that will eventually be built. It is a visual representation of an unbuilt project, demonstrating how it would appear in real life. In contrast, AI-generated graphics frequently resemble visually appealing photographs with little relevance to the underlying design concept. Many AI businesses promote these visually appealing graphics, yet they fail to capture the architectural goal. Instead, they create pictures that, while enticing, are frequently unrelated to actual real estate ventures. This disparity highlights the gap between the concept of photorealistic rendering and the often-misleading results of AI-generated Value of Photorealistic Rendering in Design Projects A high-quality photorealistic depiction serves more than just aesthetic purposes. It conveys the designer's vision by precisely depicting the finishes, materials, and spatial relationships of a planned environment. For architects and real estate developers, this is critical since it provides a realistic glimpse of the finished result. Unlike AI-generated graphics, which may change design components arbitrarily, photorealistic renderings—including those produced by expert studios like RENDEREXPO —adhere to the desired concept, assuring consistency from design to execution. The true benefit of photorealistic rendering lies in the finish line or "last mile" of design. This last step of visual representation must accurately reflect the designer's concept, including the proposed environment's textures, colors, and lighting conditions. While AI might introduce unnecessary changes or embellishments, professional renderings prioritize accuracy and context, ensuring a reliable preview of the final product. Why AI Fails to Deliver Real-World Accuracy Despite the amazing graphics that AI may create, they sometimes fail to translate into practical applications in design and real estate. AI-generated visualizations sometimes lack the contextual foundation required for real-world application. Finishes, for example, may appear too polished or materials portrayed incorrectly, resulting in visually appealing but impractical architectural solutions. The difficulty with AI-generated photos is their lack of specificity. Designers and architects want professional-grade renderings—such as high-quality Interior Rendering or realistic Exterior Rendering —that carefully adhere to the planned materials and structural aspects. AI's proclivity to include visually appealing but unrelated characteristics might drastically distort the intended message, resulting in confusion rather than clarity. Photorealistic Rendering as a Tool for Real Estate Success Photorealistic renderings are effective marketing tools for real estate agents and clients alike. These illustrations build trust and confidence among stakeholders by correctly showing the project as it will appear once completed. AI-generated visuals, on the other hand, can deceive potential investors and clients, resulting in a loss of reputation. The cost of using AI for architectural renderings does not outweigh the benefits, especially when the purpose is to demonstrate realistic, buildable ideas. While AI may have a place in academic or conceptual work, such as efforts by architectural students investigating theoretical worlds, it falls short of the precision required for professional design visualization. Companies like RENDEREXPO specialize in delivering detail-rich renderings—be it for Aerial Rendering to showcase large-scale developments or nuanced Interior Rendering for luxury spaces—that truly reflect what will be built. The Future of AI in Design Visualization While AI technology is fast advancing, it is still a long way from achieving the subtle precision of traditional photorealistic rendering. Realistically, AI-generated photos may take several years to achieve the same degree of detail and contextual correctness. Until then, using AI purely for design visualization is impracticable. Professionals in architecture and design should continue to use photorealistic rendering as their primary visualization tool. As technology progresses, incorporating AI into this process may potentially improve speed and inventiveness, but for the time being, photorealistic rendering—delivered by specialized studios like RENDEREXPO—remains the gold standard for properly depicting unbuilt environments. Conclusion: Choosing the Right Visualization Approach The decision between photorealistic rendering vs AI-generated Images comes down to accuracy vs aesthetics. In architectural and real estate ventures, realism is most important. Until AI can perfectly reproduce the careful integration of materials, finishes, and spatial relationships, photorealistic rendering—whether through Interior Rendering, Exterior Rendering, or large-scale Aerial Rendering—will remain the favored way for experts. It's more than just making a visually appealing image; it's also about communicating a design that accurately reflects what will be created. Media Contact Company Name: RENDEREXPO Contact Person: Louai Alsaman Email: Send Email Phone: (202) 455-4032 Country: United States Website:
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Boise Fashion Week 2025: Setting Fashion into Locomotion at the Historic Boise Train Depot
Boise Fashion Week 2025: Setting Fashion into Locomotion at the Historic Boise Train Depot BOISE, ID, UNITED STATES, June 2, 2025 / / -- The heart of Idaho's fashion scene is pulsing with energy this week as Boise Fashion Week (BFW) returns with more creative firepower than ever before. This year's showcase promises to be a landmark celebration of design, diversity, and innovation with 15 spectacular runway showcases and 30 talented designers presenting their collections in one of the city's most iconic locations — the Boise Train Depot. With the theme 'Setting Fashion into Locomotion,' BFW 2025 is embracing the spirit of movement, transformation, and momentum, all set against the vintage charm and architectural grandeur of the historic Train Depot. This inspired venue offers more than just a breathtaking backdrop — it captures the cultural and artistic dynamism that defines the fashion-forward direction of Boise's design community. A Platform in Motion Now headed into its 3rd year, Boise Fashion Week–a nonprofit– has grown into a marquee event for emerging and established designers, attracting thousands of attendees, influencers, media, and tastemakers. As BFW's reputation expands, it continues to prioritize inclusivity, sustainability, and creative authenticity — giving a stage to designers who aren't afraid to speak through their stitching. 'This year's theme, 'Setting Fashion into Locomotion,' reflects our belief that fashion is not static — it's an engine,' said Erica Becker, Executive Director of Boise Fashion Week. 'Every stitch, every silhouette, every story told on the runway is part of a larger movement. And what better venue to capture that momentum than the Boise Train Depot — a literal and symbolic hub of journeys, arrivals, and departures.' The depot, a historic architectural gem perched above the city, offers panoramic views, vaulted ceilings, and a design steeped in both Art Deco elegance and Western heritage. Its railway roots serve as a fitting metaphor for fashion's role in cultural transport and evolution. The Designers: A 30-Strong Collective of Vision This year's BFW lineup boasts 30 designers whose work spans eveningwear, streetwear, avant-garde couture, sustainable fashion, and adaptive apparel. While many are beloved names in the regional fashion scene, BFW 2025 also welcomes several first-time participants, including designers from diverse backgrounds who bring new textures and perspectives to the runway. Returning crowd favorites like Oxana Ake will showcase bold new pieces, while fresh talents like Ashlie LaTourne debut collections that are pushing innovation with the fusion of technology and textile. Each of the 15 shows is curated around a unique narrative or style, creating a multi-sensory journey for guests. Live music, digital projections, and interactive installations will complement the fashion, making every runway event not just a presentation, but a full experience. A Community Affair Boise Fashion Week is more than a series of runway shows. It's a year-long celebration of community, collaboration, and cultural growth. Beyond the catwalk, the community can look forward to: Pop-up shops and local maker markets featuring jewelry, fashion accessories, home goods and fragrances. Industry panels and workshops hosted by stylists, editors, and sustainability experts, aimed at educating aspiring creatives. Networking mixers and VIP events for artists, fashion professionals, and media to connect and collaborate. Local businesses and sponsors have rallied behind BFW 2025, underscoring the event's positive economic and cultural impact. From restaurants to photographers, makeup artists to set designers, dozens of community members have played key roles in bringing this vision to life. A Locomotive of Change True to its theme, this year's Boise Fashion Week emphasizes momentum — not just in fashion, but in how fashion intersects with other urgent dialogues: environmental impact, representation, technology, and resilience. Organizers have taken steps to make BFW 2025 one of the most environmentally responsible events yet, with reusable set materials, minimal packaging, and carbon-offset partnerships in place. 'We're in a moment where fashion can lead to meaningful change,' said BFW's Design Director, Laura Rabehl. 'And in Boise, we're not waiting for the world to notice — we're setting our own pace. Our designers aren't just following trends; they're charting new tracks.' Ticketing, Access, and Media Opportunities Each day the doors will open at 6pm for shopping and the events will run daily from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM throughout the 3 day event. Tickets can be found on Press passes are available upon request, with designated media lounges, access to designer interviews, and photography areas. Closing Show: Grand Finale on the Tracks The week will culminate in a Grand Finale Showcase on Saturday, June 7th — a collaborative show featuring a selection of standout looks from across the nation. This special closing event, set quite literally 'on the tracks' of the Train Depot platform, will be an immersive fusion of fashion, performance art, and live music — a celebration of movement, both literal and metaphorical. As the sun sets over Boise and the trains of history rumble in the backdrop, fashion will take its place center stage, illuminated by creativity, courage, and a community in motion. About Boise Fashion Week Boise Fashion Week a nonprofit that is Idaho's premiere fashion event, designed to support and spotlight innovative designers, foster industry connections, and elevate the city's cultural presence on the national stage. With a strong focus on sustainability, education, and inclusion, BFW continues to empower creatives of all kinds to shape the future of fashion. Contact: Erica Becker Executive Producer Boise Fashion Week Erica Becker Boise Fashion Week Inc [email protected] Visit us on social media: Instagram Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Mail & Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
HONOR 400 Lite: The torch has been passed, now it's running its own race
Now, the HONOR 400 Lite picks up the baton with real upgrades to battery life, camera performance, everyday usability and sleek styling, all wrapped in a body so slim it's almost unfair. And it's already proving it can keep pace with the energy, ambition and variety of Mzansi life. One phone. One day. Five different lives. Still going. Let's imagine the 6:00 AM – The Early Starter A personal trainer grabs the phone on the way to gym. It's light at just 171g, responsive and glove friendly. One press of the 9:00 AM – The Hustler on Campus A student scans a timetable using Google Lens. The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen stays bright and clear, even under harsh morning light. At 3,500 nits, it's built for outdoor clarity. Timetables, notes and admin? No problem. 1:00 PM – The Creative in Motion A small business owner jumps between design tools, messages and delivery tracking. There's no lag. That's the MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra processor, backed by up to 24GB of RAM with HONOR RAM Turbo. 4:00 PM – The Family Navigator A nurse turned road trip driver heads north with Maps running the whole way. The 5,230mAh battery still shows over 40 percent. No low-battery warnings. No stress. 11:30 PM – The Night Owl A teacher winds down, scrolling messages and playing a podcast. The Circadian Night Display softens the screen light, giving tired eyes a break. Still no charge needed. 'The HONOR 400 Lite builds on the trust we earned with the HONOR 200 Lite. We do realise that every device must echo and amplify this benchmark – which is why we made sure the The HONOR 400 Lite is made to move, switch and stay charged and looking the part in Mars Green and Velvet Grey. It suits people, not just profiles – with features that go the distance without making a scene.
