New here? A quick rating in Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps other innovators find it.
In this episode
1Fashion and Style
Balenciaga marks 25 years of its Le City bag with flagship pop-ups worldwide
A quarter of a century on, Balenciaga is giving its slouchy, studded Le City bag a chaptered campaign and an artist collaboration. Flagships worldwide are also hosting immersive Le City House experiences.
Why it mattersPutting this much behind a bag the house already owns is cheaper than inventing a hit, and the recognition comes built in. It fits a wider run of brands finding their freshest material in what they already have.
Stella McCartney and Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara release a third collection together.
The Rock 'n' Roll Forest capsule includes ready-to-wear knits, accessories and an SPW64 sneaker made from 100 percent responsible and deadstock materials. The limited-edition collection launches globally on 11 November with dedicated pop-ups.
Why it mattersMaking the knits and sneaker from deadstock gives McCartney a sustainability story and a naturally limited run in one 11 November drop.
Amman's Darat al Funun holds to its mission of championing artists.
Darat al Funun, whose name means House of the Arts, brings art, architecture and archaeology together as a refuge for artists in Amman. Its founder, Suha Shoman, says artists are witnesses of their time.
Why it mattersSuha Shoman frames artists as witnesses of their time, which gives Darat al Funun a reason to back work that records difficult history.
Founders behind billion-dollar firms in batteries and lidar are starting over with robots.
CB Insights profiled 14 founders of robotics companies started in 2024 or later. Each previously held a founder or C-level role at a billion-dollar company in areas such as e-commerce, smart locks, batteries or lidar.
Why it mattersEach of the 14 led a billion-dollar company before, so robotics firms founded in 2024 or later start with leaders who have already scaled a business.
Balenciaga is celebrating its original Le City bag, Stella McCartney cut her Nara capsule from deadstock and Wild Horse Nine dressed actors in vintage. Each found its freshest idea in old stock, archives and rails.
How this thread grewWe first picked up Balenciaga on Thu 12 Mar, and this is the 10th episode to cover it. Before this it came up on 6 Nov, 7 Oct and 12 Jul. Every episode
The case against
Fans buy the Nara pairing, not the reused fabric.
Mike's take
Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh dressed Sam Rockwell in actual period vintage for Wild Horse Nine. Somebody had a very good time on the rails.
One to watch
The film's costume designer, Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, will earn a Costume Designers Guild nomination by 28 February 2027.
Know what's moving in culture before the brief lands. Under five minutes every weekday for innovators shaping brand, marketing and strategy. Follow in your podcast app, or get it by email. Free.