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By Gio graphy August 11th., 2025 NYC ExposureTrap Exposure doesn’t pay rent. Tags don’t buy groceries. Followers don’t keep the lights on — unless you’re heating your apartment with likes. I ’ve been offered “exposure” more times than I can count. “I can’t pay you, but I’ll tag you in all the photos.” It’s pitched like a VIP pass to success. Spoiler: it’s a one-way ticket to Disappointmentville — population: every creative person who's ever agreed to it. Exposure ≠ Payment Visibility is nice. Rent money is better. HubSpot’s State of Marketing 2024 confirms what I’ve learned the hard way: only 26% of marketers say social media directly drives sales. For photographers, that number is even lower. Unless the audience is already in your niche and actively booking, a tag in a caption is about as effective as putting your business card in a bottle and throwing it into the ocean—technically possible, but highly unlikely to bring results. A tag might be buried under a meme before lunch — or replaced by someone’s cat video by dinner.tossing it out to sea. I Give Work, They Give Vapor Photography isn’t “just clicking a button.” It’s scouting, shooting, editing, delivering — hours of labor. What I would get in return for “exposure” is often a tag that’s forgotten… or never shows up at all. According to Influencer Marketing Hub’s 2022 Fraud Report, 68% of photographers report missing or incorrect credit when working with influencers. Translation: your name disappears faster than free champagne at a gallery opening. The Wrong Crowd Work for free, and you’ll attract clients who expect free forever. Shopify’s 2023 Discounting Strategy Guide warns that this not only draws bargain hunters but also erodes your brand’s perceived value over time. Once you’re the “free photo person,” it’s harder to rebrand as “worth every penny.” Free work is a neon sign for cheap clients — and those people travel in packs. The Bottom Line I’m not here to be generous for someone else’s feed. I’m here to build a sustainable career. And that requires real payment — every. single. time. If you’re a photographer starting out, hear me: your work has value.*  Charge for it. Exposure fades. Fair pay lasts. And hashtags? They can’t pay the electric bill… no matter how many you stack in a caption. If you don't want to pay people for their work, you might not value their time and skills enough, which could lead to exploitation and hurt relationships. Studies indicate that unpaid or inadequately compensated labor leads to burnout and resentment, particularly within creative and freelance sectors (Friedman, 2014; Hesmondhalgh & Baker, 2011). This kind of behavior can hurt my reputation, lower the quality of work I get, and make things worse by creating an unsustainable dynamic based on inequality instead of mutual respect ( Vogue Business , 2021). In the NYC modeling and photography world, unpaid work is becoming more common because of too many people in the industry, incentives based on prestige, power imbalances, and a culture of gatekeeping. All of these things create a cycle where exposure is seen as payment, which is bad for creative professionals. *Do Note: Taking lots of pictures doesn’t mean you have a talent for photography. However, I recognize that you may define yourself as a photographer. The concept of a photographer is shifting. While some value professional standards and payment, others derive fulfillment and self-definition from the simple act of creating and loving photography.  Sources: HubSpot, State of Marketing 2024  —   https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/state-of-marketing Influencer Marketing Hub, Influencer Fraud Report 2022  —   https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-fraud-statistics Shopify, Discounting Strategy Guid 2023  —   https://www.shopify.com/enterprise/discounting-strategy Freelancers Union, Freelancing in America 2023  —   https://freelancersunion.org Friedman, S. (2014).   The Price of the Ticket: Rethinking the Experience of Social Mobility. Discusses the emotional and financial toll of unpaid labor, especially in cultural and media industries. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0038038513490355 Hesmondhalgh, D., & Baker, S. (2011).   Creative Labour: Media Work in Three Cultural Industries. Explores how unpaid and underpaid work contributes to exploitation and inequality. https://www.routledge.com/Creative-Labour-Media-Work-in-Three-Cultural-Industries/Hesmondhalgh-Baker/p/book/9780415677738?srsltid=AfmBOorRafk7VS7r6kYmGyDAkpROFbBavwGSHIq_UKBrB2KYrZuSCszF International Labour Organization (ILO) (2020).   Global Wage Report. Highlights how fair compensation is crucial for sustainable, dignified employment. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@dcomm/@publ/documents/publication/wcms_762534.pdf Webb, Bella. "Fashion’s Freelancer Problem Exposed." Vogue Business , 19 April 2021. The article highlights how freelancers in the fashion industry face persistent financial instability , inconsistent work , late payments , and poor mental health , exacerbated by the lack of clear contracts and support systems. https://www.voguebusiness.com/fashion/fashions-freelancer-problem-exposed-financial-instability-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com

By Sixten Rebel, May 30th, 2025 Hello, I’m a middle-aged guy who enjoys writing and freely expressing my thoughts, so I decided to start a (photo) blog to share my stories with others. The use of an AI writing tool would result in quicker results. Though I’m that old-fashioned guy who enjoys the creative writing process. Why, you might ask. Well, the imaginary brain, dreams, and thoughts exist. They are what separates the writing experience as unique and personal. The act of putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard allows me to use my creativity and bring my ideas to life. So, why not take the time to enjoy writing and express your creativity? I know that kids are very interested in artificial intelligence (A.I.) for the purpose of creating bizarre songs, memes, and other amusing content to gain likes and laughs. Yet, there is something unique about the authenticity and depth of creativity achieved without the use of technology. Producers and musicians use it to create music and videos. Photographers use it to create quick high-definition images, and models may use it to make their content more appealing. But why? I see it’s simple to let a computer generator be creative; it takes less time and effort, and the results are much faster achieved. However, we all know that almost everything on the internet is fake news. In those photos, A.I. equals six fingers, world leaders dance while playing guitars and pianos, Elf on a Shelf transforms into Elf on an Erotic Shelf, creativity without being creative, and singing without actually singing one note. So you get my point: the online world isn’t real, but we put ourselves out there—our real stories, our real lives—for likes and hearts. We crave validation and attention in the digital age, even if it means sacrificing authenticity. Isn’t that the biggest contradiction you can find? Trying to connect with humans through AI-generated content. It’s like trying to fill a void with emptiness only to find that the void is growing deeper and deeper. Me,I enjoy going for walks in the woods, where raw nature calls and birds in the trees whisper your name. I enjoy taking raw, unprocessed photographs while walking through the woods or on the streets, as well as attending concerts where people play real instruments and write their own lyrics. The flaws of reality have a beauty that artificial intelligence cannot replicate. It’s not that I dislike Artificial Intelligence. I’m just that guy who encourages himself to stay true to himself and embrace life’s imperfections and rawness. @sixten_rebel_photos

By Sixten Rebel, July 1st., 2025 A sleeping baby lies peacefully on moss, while soldiers cautiously advance in the background, highlighting a poignant contrast between innocence and the presence of conflict. A False Normal: Why the World Is Not What It Seems The reality that people currently perceive as normal and act on is, in my view, false. Respect and violence. Respect in general. War on a larger scale is spiralling in powerful nations led by dominant figures, and smaller scale violence lingers even in the Netherlands' narrow, quiet streets. It's a difficult relationship that alternates between hatred and greed. The world in 2025 — it’s intense, chaotic. There is a lot to comprehend and process. It's sometimes close to home, with your growing children drinking beer or smoking a joint at 14, or 13-year-olds getting pregnant or robbing a petrol station with a machete. The latest events make headlines in the local newspaper, right next to global news that’s constantly circulating on social media: a president referred to as "daddy" by another president, one dropping bombs and the other closing borders. I could go on and on about this misery, but will that help? No, but is it helpful in general? No, not really. Everyone is aware of it; everyone is in the same situation; everyone sees and hears the same thing. The various points of view alternate, and I am currently writing a blog about it, but I am not saying anything. At the very least, I am not saying anything new, right? A group of teenagers harassing a peer From Feuds to Wars: The Roots of Human Conflict War, quarrels, violent situations, and so on existed in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, but today's social media truly involves everything. Yes, it is a lot now because we are constantly reading, seeing, and hearing about everything from Los Angeles to Moscow, and so on. But what motivates people to act, to use violence? Why do humans thrive on violence in all forms and sizes? Why have we been fighting against everyone and everything for over 3000 years? I honestly don't know... or do I? I believe that greed, jealousy, ego, and religion...are major causes of everything from minor disagreements among brothers and sisters to large wars between countries and their leaders. Industrial Oil refinery plant But Sixten, why are you bothered with this? Why are you writing about this? Simply put, people need to start looking at all of the incredible things we can do and show or let be heard. A Brief Reminder to Enjoy Existing Many people forget that the chance of being born is roughly 1 in 400 trillion. That’s an incredibly small probability, which only emphasizes how unique and extraordinary it is that you exist at all. And yet, despite how special that is, people go around fighting instead of—bluntly put—making love. (In times of war, birth rates typically decline during the conflict, but may experience a bounce back afterward.* Over thousands of years, we humans have evolved from animals to what we are now. Yes, wars and violence may seem inevitable, but so are love, joy, happiness, and the health we share with one another. Honestly, when you consider the past 3,000 years—and the one-in-400-trillion chance that you ended up here—isn’t that amazing? You were there, and that’s why you exist. Now, it’s your responsibility to create something meaningful for the next hundred years. Because in about a century, no one alive today will still be here. A new 8 billion people will walk this Earth, and they’ll need to make something beautiful of it too. The reason we’re here doesn’t really matter. What matters most is that we got to be here at all. So enjoy it—shouldn’t be too hard, right? Well, that’s that. I’m glad you’re here. *Source: Sobotka, T., Skirbekk, V., & Philipov, D. (2011). Economic Recession and Fertility in the Developed World: A Literature Review. Population and Development Review, 37(2), 267–306. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2011.00411.x

Harley De Oliveira is a Brazilian independent fashion designer who lives in New York. His work is at the meeting point of art and sustainability. Harley makes clothes based on the desire to cut down on textile waste, using the phrase "passion + fashion = Harley." He fights textile waste with bold new ideas and upcycle couture. On February 15, 2025, at CPR NYC, we saw his first solo runway show, "Power of the Future Fashion." He showed off his vision with clothes that were bold, sculptural, and unapologetically experimental. Each uniquely handcrafted piece is a wearable argument for sustainability and innovation. He says he turns waste such as bottle caps, plastic table cloths, orange mesh plastic bags, recycled toys, and dead stock fabrics. and even LEGO bricks into high-fashion statements. He is using the different colors, shapes, patterns, and textures of nature as inspiration his designs. The shapes often have uneven pleats, corseted shapes, and layered deconstruction, which show off both technical skill and a sense of fun rebellion. Lego Dress worn with fearless energy by @itss_malaysia A Playful Collision of Fashion and Childhood: The LEGO Dress Redefining Avant-Garde Style The LEGO Dress is a wearable sculpture that merges art, play, and design. The dress is a riot of color and texture, made from hundreds of interlocking LEGO pieces. The material palette consists of standard a variety of shapes and pieces, and a LEGO figurine combined with plastic bottle caps. The dress features a structured A-line cut, a squared-off neckline, broad shoulders, and a doll-like effect. The skirt flares out slightly from the waist, creating a youthful sensibility. A pale pink fabric hem frames the bottom of the skirt, adding a touch of softness. It's a celebration of individuality, creativity, and the enduring appeal of play. Malaysia is delivering a fearless energy here—a mix of elegance and edge that says: “Yes, I’m wearing art. And I know it.” @m0rgancraft wears the look like a quiet revolution. The Thoughtful Rebellion The garment surprisingly blends rigidity with softness, clashing materials and shapes. The garment has a translucent white mesh foundation with asymmetric sections for movement and dimension. With a cropped vest in a bright navy-and-cream plaid, the outfit has a rustic, even academic feel. Puffed, sculptural sleeves in muted khaki add dimension and surrealism to the clean, contemporary lines. Ties and exposed seams suggest deconstruction and workmanship, as if the dress is becoming—half clothing, part concept. It seems like a garment that defies tradition with delicacy and deliberation, communicating innovation and restraint. Harley's work pushes the boundaries of traditional fashion by using unexpected materials, dramatic textures, and sharp tailoring. It also blurs the line between costume, sculpture, and ready-to-wear. Every piece has a story to tell, some of which are about defiance and some about reinvention. Bravo, well done and congratulations!

Photographed by Trudy Giordano, October 2024 B ased in Brooklyn, NY, Rahel Tadesse has been a fashion stylist for over ten years. Style is more than just clothes; it’s a language, an attitude, and a trademark. Together with her sidekick, sister Genet Tadesse, they are well-known for their ability to translate clothing into a medium for self-expression. Genet works mostly behind the scenes in close collaboration and complements Rahel’s creative direction. Tadesse is dedicated to sustainable fashion and usually dresses in ethical companies. Demonstrating how closely elegance and sustainability can coexist. Central to her success is not only her creative vision but her strategic partnerships—most notably with two influential New York City showrooms: The Confessional Showroom and Doors NYC. These collaborations serve as the backbone of her editorial and runway work, providing access to some of the most cutting-edge emerging designers and global fashion talent. By focusing on magazine editorials, runway displays, and brand partnerships, Rahel has been helpful in fulfilling designers’ aspirations. Her work at Fashion Week Brooklyn is evidence of her mastery in assembling collections with an impact both on and off the runway. Apart from her fashion expertise, Rahel manages an online lifestyle company called STYLE BY RAHEL. It’s for people who constantly travel yet still want to look their best. Her attention to the fashion business is shown by the care with which she buys clothes for her customers, which not only reflects their uniqueness but also the newest trends. @stylebyrahel1 @ genet11 @fashionweekbrooklyn

As we celebrate Juneteenth and think about how we got our freedom, we also need to think about how we are still not free right now. People sometimes call human trafficking "modern-day slavery," but it's not simply an issue in other countries. It is a catastrophe in the United States that is hidden in plain sight. People, many of them youngsters, are being bought, sold, and used for their own gain in cities, hotels, suburban houses, and even on the internet. When we think about slavery, we often picture a horrible part of history that is hidden away in books. It includes shackles, cotton fields, and the Emancipation Proclamation. But slavery isn't ended yet. It has only changed shape, gone underground, and become more complicated. The Global Slavery Index from Walk Free says that almost 1.1 million individuals are living in modern slavery in the US. Yes, in the country of freedom. The New Face of Slavery Forced labour, sex trafficking, domestic servitude, and child exploitation are all forms of modern slavery that are happening right now in the shadows of daily American life. Traffickers take advantage of people's desperation to force victims to work for them. Victims might be foreign nationals who are tricked into taking fake jobs or American citizens, such as runaway teens, survivors of domestic abuse, and illegal labourers. These people are typically taken advantage of through threats, violence, unpaid salaries, and mind control. Forced labour helps some industries, such as: Farming Building Housework Processing food Welcome At the same time, internet platforms have become new trafficking hubs, where people who are weak are promoted and sold like goods. Why is this happening in the United States? Walk Free's study shows that there are a number of structural issues: Weak protections for workers: In many fields, especially those that use immigrants and low-wage workers, there isn't much control, and abuses go unpunished. Bad supply chains: American shoppers unintentionally buy seafood, clothes, and gadgets that are related to forced labour in other countries and in the US. Immigration policy: Victims often don't come forward since there aren't any safe methods to migrate and they are afraid of being deported. Under-identification: A lot of survivors don't think of themselves as trafficked or are afraid of the police. Law enforcement and other providers often miss the indications. A Crisis Right in Front of Us You may have unwittingly come across contemporary slavery today, like a domestic worker in a gated house, a kid being used for money on social media, or a migrant picking crops under duress. These aren't just one-time events; they're signs of an economic and legal system that lets exploitation happen without anybody noticing. What Can We Do? It might be hard to handle everything, but we can do it. As people, shoppers, and communities, we can do something: Support groups run by survivors that are trying to help people rebuild their lives with dignity and freedom. Ask firms to be clear about where and how they make their products. Know the indicators of trafficking and call national hotlines if you see something strange. Vote for measures that make it easier for workers to preserve their rights, immigrants' rights, and the fight against trafficking. Beyond Awareness: Moving Towards Responsibility We can't celebrate freedom when millions of people are quietly held captive. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is a promise that is continuously being kept, not only in the past, but all across the world and even here at home. It's time to face a terrible truth: America's moral leadership doesn't mean much if we don't do something about the chains that still hold too many of our neighbours. We shouldn't just look away. Let's take a deeper look. Let's do something. No one should ever have to live in slavery, anywhere. Not once. Source: Walk Free's Global Slavery Index: United States Country Study, which can be found at https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/country-studies/united-states/, is the source for this editorial. Image (c): All Images are generated with AI imaging software Kling 2.0

By Refilwe Queen, May 30th, 2025 Late-night shopping sprees of cheap clothing, fueled by endless scrolling and Incredibly low prices, might soon become a fond memory. A trade loophole, the “de minimis” rule, which allowed inexpensive goods to flood American shores duty-free, is facing closure. New tariffs on the small packages used by fast fashion giants will likely reshape the clothing landscape in the U.S., impacting not only consumers’ wallets but also sustainable style. For years, the “de minimis” rule – a policy that permits goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. without tariffs – enabled fast fashion to grow as large as it has. Brands like Shein and Temu leveraged this loophole to ship ultra-cheap packages directly to consumers. The savings on each individual shipment, multiplied by millions of purchases, kept prices low enough to enable the rapid consumption of disposable clothing. Now, as these tariffs go into effect, the economics that allowed this system to thrive are undergoing rapid change. So, what happens when that once-irresistible $5 t-shirt jumps to $10 or $15? The sticker shock might initially turn people away, but it could also foster a more sustainable future. As rock-bottom prices disappear, consumers may turn their attention to alternatives that have been struggling to compete: secondhand stores, clothing rental services, and the growing number of American brands prioritizing ethical and environmentally conscious production. This pivot could inject enough momentum into the U.S. sustainable fashion industry for it to finally gain necessary traction. However, this transition comes with pitfalls. Higher prices might cause some consumers to simply reduce their clothing purchases. Others could seek out alternative sources of cheap fashion from regions with even weaker environmental and labor standards. And if sustainable U.S. brands aren’t able to scale their operations or maintain reasonable prices, the gap between affordable and sustainable clothes could widen, disproportionately affecting low-income shoppers and slowing the adoption of sustainable practices. Fast fashion has an undeniably problematic track record regarding labor and environmental ethics. Its model of rapid production and disposal is responsible for an estimated 10% of global carbon emissions and a staggering amount of water waste. Slowing the sale of disposable garments is a step in the right direction. But if production only shifts to other low-cost nations with lax environmental regulations, or if U.S. brands increase manufacturing without sustainable efforts, the environmental benefits might be minimal. Conversely, this disruption could cause innovation within the fashion industry. Brands might invest more heavily in circular fashion models by exploring recycled and upcycled materials and on-demand production to minimize waste. The changes could also incentivize the reshoring of manufacturing jobs and lead to greater transparency and ethical oversight of supply chains. However, trade policy shifts rarely result in straightforward outcomes. While tariffs are intended to reduce cheap imports, businesses might seek unethical and even illegal ways to circumvent increasing costs, which might result in the growth of counterfeit markets and other illicit trade. Some fast fashion brands might simply pass the higher expenses onto consumers without making any meaningful improvements in their sustainability. The decline of cheap Chinese fast fashion would cause more than just a change in clothing prices; it could also cause a turning point in how America engages with clothing. Consumers might re-evaluate their relationship with trends and challenge brands to innovate rather than only offering the lowest prices. For the American sustainable fashion industry, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Success depends on the ability of businesses to balance affordability with ethical production, scale operations without compromising quality, and educate consumers about the often hidden costs of clothing choices. Soon, your wardrobe might evolve beyond mere style. It could reflect a conscious engagement with values and contribute to the future of sustainable fashion. As that $5 t-shirt increases to $10 or more, the question becomes: what will you choose to wear? @refilwequeen

We all like a good deal, but cheap clothes cost a lot of money. The Geneva Environment Network's research shows how fast fashion companies like Shein and Temu are making the world dirty, full of trash, and too much stuff. It's too much. Some countries are thankfully stepping up. For example, France plans to fine ultra-fast fashion brands, and the EU is pushing for stricter laws on sustainability. But we have to be the ones to make change happen. What we buy and how often we buy it are important. It might be time to take it easy, buy less, and make better choices. Fashion should feel good, not just look good at the expense of the Earth. Haute couture, which is one of the most exclusive and expensive parts of the fashion world, can surprisingly offer a long-term answer. Even while not many people will ever buy a custom Chanel dress or go to a Dior fitting, the ideas underpinning haute couture might help make fashion better. What we really need is the will to change how we think about haute couture. If we want to move beyond quick fashion, here's why haute couture can make sense for everyone. It is possible to make custom couture that is economical, but only if you discover a balance between: 1. Quality above quantity Fast fashion is all about making a lot of cheap clothing that break apart quickly. Haute couture, on the other hand, is all about high quality—clothes that are crafted by hand and are supposed to last for decades. Why it matters: A culture of "buy less, buy better" means that people have closets full with clothes that will last. People that care about quality buy fewer clothing, throw away less, and stop the cycle of always buying things. 2. A celebration of skilled work People know that fast fashion pays garment workers too little and sends production to factories with bad working conditions. Haute couture gives craftspeople like tailors, embroiderers, and pattern-makers more important jobs and rewards them for their skills. Why it matters: A fashion sector that appreciates workmanship may make people want to buy clothes that are made in a way that is fair to workers, trains them, and pays them properly. This makes supply chains healthier and gives back respect to creating clothes. 3. Lastingness By being creative Haute couture houses are generally the first to try out new ways to employ eco-friendly fabrics, slow procedures, and ways to cut down on waste. What starts on the runway gradually makes its way down to fashion that is easier to get. Why it matters: Couture's new ideas, such using natural colours and recycled materials, can encourage regular manufacturers to be more environmentally friendly. When done on a large scale, even tiny measures towards sustainability may have a tremendous effect. 4. Design that lasts instead of trends that come and go Fast fashion makes money by selling clothes that are only in style for a short time. Haute couture creations, on the other hand, last for a long time. These garments are meant to be loved, not thrown away. Why it matters: People are more likely to establish wardrobes that are emotionally and visually meaningful when they change their way of thinking from following trends to developing their own style. Fewer things bought on a whim, more things that last. 5. Fashion as Art and Who You Are Haute couture sees clothes as a way to express yourself and connect with your culture, not merely something to wear. Every piece of clothing has a narrative and was made with a purpose. Why it matters: This way of thinking makes people value clothes. People take better care of their clothes when they perceive them as a means to be creative. This helps them get away from the wastefulness of throwaway society. How to Make These Values Available Most individuals will never buy high fashion. But the mentality behind it might affect the decisions we make every day: Buy fewer things, but make sure they are of good quality. Buy clothes from brands that are ethical, local, or independent. Learn how to fix, change, or take care of your clothes. Put imagination ahead of following the rules. Even capsule wardrobes, thrift shopping, and the slow fashion movement show these principles in a way that is easy to understand. In conclusion, haute couture is a guide, not a product. Haute couture isn't the answer to rapid fashion, but it does hint to the answer. Its principles of longevity, workmanship, sustainability, and purpose are very different from fast fashion's wasteful speed and disposability. If we, as customers and citizens, start to accept the ideas underlying haute couture, even in little ways, we will be well on our way to a more ethical and long-lasting fashion future.

Photographed by Paul Walker, October 2024 Earthlings live-moss gown Held in the centre of Brooklyn’s creative scene, the event highlighted both new and seasoned designers who stretched the boundaries between fashion, sculpture, and performance. Standout collections of presented clothing as rich in colour, texture, and meaning, canvases. Wearable tech, live-moss and hand-painted fabrics, and avant-garde shapes challenged conventional design. From couture pieces fit for a museum to the electric energy of street-style influences, the show was a dynamic celebration of imagination and uniqueness. Fashion Week Brooklyn demonstrated once more how art walks, moves, and speaks rather than merely hangs on walls. With activist designers setting the stage, clothing is both an art form and a statement about the issues that matter most. Fashion is not just about what you wear but also about what you stand for. Earthlings On the runway, The Glide Goddess, a visionary designer and performance artist, showcased a colour paint spatter 5” Tall Nefertiti Kufi Crown and live-moss gown made of biodegradable and regenerative materials like plant-based textiles and recycled fibres. Earthlings is a brand and movement promoting an inclusive, environmentally friendly future. Manifest by Catterspace is turning newspaper into wearable fashion from headlines into hemlines. Fashion is undergoing a revolution in a time when sustainability and creativity coexist peacefully. Newspaper is one unanticipated item headed from the recycling container towards the runway. Newspapers, lightweight, easily accessible, environmentally friendly, provide a special platform for experimental fashion; creating clothing from newsprint is more than just art; it’s a strong statement about waste, awareness, and innovation. Why the Newspaper? Newspapers are plentiful, flexible, and biodegradable. Turning it into fashion not only helps to cut waste but also produces provocative designs challenging established textile standards. Often blurring the line between clothes and wearable art, repurposing newspapers into clothing is popular in eco-fashion circles, student exhibits and even high-concept runway shows. Manifest by Catterspace @shootmenycmodels @fashionweekbrooklyn

By Airco Caravan, May 30th, 2025 As an experiment, Airco Carava asked ChatGPT to create a bio of her person and list her 5 most well-known artworks. The outcome was, to keep it “positive”, a “parody”; here is the result. ChatGTP Prompt: What are the five most famous artworks by Airco Caravan? Airco Caravan, a Dutch multidisciplinary artist, uses her background in journalism to create socially engaged art that confronts global issues like labor exploitation, conflict, and displacement. Known for works like Made in China and Occupied Spaces, Caravan combines photography and installation to explore power dynamics and ethical concerns, transforming art into a platform for activism and social reflection. Airco Caravan’s work spans a range of social and environmental issues, with several key pieces standing out as particularly impactful in her career. Here are five of her most important works: 50 Children 50 Artists – This is perhaps Caravan’s most widely recognized project, honoring the lives of children. Through 50 unique portraits created with the help of other artists, Caravan memorializes these young victims, offering a poignant reflection on the importance of historical memory and human rights. Oil & Water – This series critiques the environmental destruction caused by the oil industry, particularly in indigenous and vulnerable communities. Caravan’s powerful visuals shed light on the consequences of industrial exploitation and advocate for environmental justice, encouraging viewers to consider the urgency of sustainable practices. My Enemy – In this project, Caravan photographs individuals from opposing sides of conflicts, whether historical or current. By portraying both perspectives, she challenges prejudice and emphasizes shared humanity, inviting viewers to reconsider assumptions and foster empathy and reconciliation. Who Cares? – Addressing the plight of refugees, this project highlights the struggles faced by displaced people worldwide. Caravan uses stark images and installations to evoke empathy and encourage awareness of the refugee crisis, aiming to humanize and amplify the voices of those often marginalized. Safe House – In this installation, Caravan creates an immersive experience simulating a temporary shelter, offering audiences insight into the lives of people living in unsafe, transient conditions. The work sheds light on the physical and emotional aspects of displacement and insecurity, fostering a deeper understanding of vulnerability. These five works reflect Caravan’s commitment to using art as a medium for social change, connecting her audience with issues of memory, environmental ethics, empathy, and humanitarian crises. Through her work, she inspires reflection and calls for a more compassionate, conscientious world. None of the above is true. These texts were used as prompts in Photoshop to create the artwork with a ‘generative fill’. The next day, Chat GPT mentioned five different ‘5 most famous artworks’. AI is unaware and unable to comprehend what it is doing, even for the most basic tasks. Look at the portrait’s arms, which were also created with generative fill. AI is biassed: Despite not specifying a skin tone, I tried 50 times and received only white portraits. In contrast, ‘My Enemy’ produced colour portraits. People who believe AI is extremely intelligent are going down another rabbit hole of false realities, threatening the real world. My advice: don’t believe artificial intelligence. @Airco_caravan @Pest_ac