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Author name: Saskia Clarke

Opiates

Championing Originality: Jaguar and the Royal College of Art’s 2026 Shortlist

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Championing Originality: Jaguar and the Royal College of Art’s 2026 Shortlist image courtesy Andreas Larsson The Jaguar Awards 2026 shortlist offers a compelling look at the future of contemporary art. Selected in partnership with the Royal College of Art, the twenty shortlisted artists work across painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, installation, and digital media, reflecting the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of creative practice today. Across the shortlist, themes of identity, transformation, memory, technology, and belonging emerge through innovative materials and experimental approaches. From AI-generated imagery and biological pigments to traditional craft techniques, the artists challenge conventional boundaries and embrace uncertainty as a space for discovery. More than a celebration of emerging talent, the shortlist highlights the importance of originality in a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Together, these artists demonstrate that the most exciting contemporary work is often found where disciplines overlap, materials evolve, and new perspectives take shape. image courtesy Anna Lugovska

Music

Alesso Returns to Stockholm for Landmark Summer Show at Skansen

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Alesso Returns to Stockholm for Landmark Summer Show at Skansen This weekend, global EDM star Alesso returns to his hometown of Stockholm for a major live performance that is set to be one of the standout events of the 2026 season in town. On Saturday 27th of  June 2026, he will take over the Sollidenscenen stage at Skansen for his first headline show in the city in more than a decade.   For an artist whose career has taken him to the world’s biggest festival stages, this homecoming carries particular significance. Born Alessandro Lindblad, Alesso grew up in Stockholm, and this return marks a rare opportunity to reconnect with his roots through a large-scale standalone concert. “The One” – A New Live Concept The show will be presented under The One, Alesso’s new live concept designed to transform Sollidenscenen into a fully immersive performance space. Rather than a standard outdoor concert, the production promises a specially crafted experience combining music, visual design, and atmosphere.   According to event details, the stage will be reimagined for a single night with arena-level production, exclusive versions of his biggest tracks, and a show built specifically for the open-air summer setting.   Alesso rose to prominence during the EDM boom of the early 2010s, becoming known for emotionally driven electronic tracks that bridged festival energy and pop sensibility. His catalog includes defining hits such as “Calling (Lose My Mind),” “If I Lose Myself,” and “Heroes (We Could Be),” which helped shape a generation of electronic crossover music. Over the years, he has collaborated with major artists including Katy Perry, Sebastian Ingrosso, Calvin Harris, Tove Lo, David Guetta, and Zara Larsson, reinforcing his status as one of Sweden’s most successful global music exports. He has remained active in recent years with releases such as “Surrender” with Becky Hill, “Inside Our Hearts” with Martin Garrix, and “Destiny” with SACHA. His latest collaboration, “In Your Eyes” with OneRepublic, continues to build anticipation ahead of the Stockholm performance. What makes the Skansen show particularly notable is the contrast between its setting and its scale. Sollidenscenen is one of Stockholm’s most iconic summer stages, but this event is being positioned as something far more ambitious, a globally polished EDM production placed in an intimate, historic open-air venue. The result is expected to blend nostalgia, spectacle, and summer atmosphere into a one-night-only experience, rather than a standard tour stop. For fans, the performance is being framed as a rare opportunity to experience Alesso not just as an international headliner, but as an EDM star returning home for a defining moment in his career. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster (https://www.ticketmaster.com), the official ticketing partner for the event. image courtesy Eddie Diaz

News

Etnodim and the Meaning of Summer Within Us

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Etnodim and the Meaning of Summer Within Us Etnodim’s latest collection, Summer Within Us, turns the language of home into something poetic and deeply wearable. Based in Kyiv, the brand has spent the past 17 years building a distinctive identity rooted in Ukrainian heritage, reworking traditional embroidery through a contemporary fashion lens. Founded by designer Andriy Cherukha, Etnodim has cultivated a loyal following for its ability to transform historical craft into clothing that feels both culturally resonant and strikingly current. In Summer Within Us, that dialogue takes on a more intimate tone. The collection reflects on the emotional architecture of home and the subtle relationship between interior spaces and the world beyond them. Its central motif – the curtain – becomes more than a household object; it emerges as a metaphor for softness, privacy, and connection, marking the threshold between exposure and shelter. This idea is carried through with fluid silhouettes, natural fabrics, cutwork embroidery, and semi-sheer details that suggest light, movement, and transparency. There is a quiet sensuality to the pieces, but also a sense of restraint – a balance that allows the collection to feel reflective rather than nostalgic. image courtesy Etnodim

Opiates

BIRKENSTOCK 1774 celebrates the iconic Boston with the new Northeast Providence collection

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BIRKENSTOCK 1774 celebrates the iconic Boston with the new Northeast Providence collection BIRKENSTOCK 1774 captures the quiet ease of the North American Northeast with its new Northeast Providence collection, drawing inspiration from the understated charm and relaxed rhythm of Providence, Rhode Island. Rooted in the city’s casualwear heritage, the collection reimagines the brand’s most iconic silhouettes through elevated materials, subtle detailing, and a refined colour palette.   Marking the 50th anniversary of the Boston clog in 2026, the collection celebrates the enduring appeal of BIRKENSTOCK’s signature closed-toe mule alongside fresh interpretations of the Arizona, Gizeh, Sylt, and Naples. Rich shades of Cinnamon, Midnight Navy, and Ginger Brown are complemented by tactile canvas, raffia, smooth leather, and nappa leather, creating pieces that feel both timeless and contemporary. Tonal buckles and thoughtful material contrasts add understated depth, while the brand’s original anatomical footbed remains at the core of every design, balancing comfort with craftsmanship.   Blending heritage with modern sensibility, Northeast Providence is a considered expression of everyday luxury—where natural textures, effortless silhouettes, and functional design come together with quiet confidence. The BIRKENSTOCK 1774 Northeast Providence collection launches on June 25, 2026, at 1774.com and selected retailers worldwide. image courtesy Birkenstock

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