AIA names Evelyn Lee, Head of Workplace Strategy at Slack, as its 2025 President.

Evelyn Lee has been inaugurated as the 101st President of the American Institute of Architects, becoming the third consecutive woman to hold the position. Lee emphasizes technology-driven solutions, business leadership, and community building in her vision for the profession. She calls for architects to address rapid change with empathy and collaboration, positioning them as leaders in both construction and societal progress.

Prada Group renews its eyewear licensing agreement with Essilor Luxottica for 10 years.

Prada Group and EssilorLuxottica have extended their eyewear licensing partnership for another decade, reinforcing a relationship that has thrived for over 20 years. While other luxury groups like LVMH and Kering have shifted away from licensing, Prada remains committed to collaboration, leveraging EssilorLuxottica’s expertise to drive innovation. 

On the cover of the Weeknd’s latest album, an early Jean-Michel Basquiat painting.

The Weeknd’s collector’s edition of Hurry Up Tomorrow features an early Jean-Michel Basquiat drawing, created when the artist was just 17. The piece, titled Upon Leaving the Norm, depicts figures beneath a cityscape and reflects Basquiat’s signature style in a collaboration that highlights the musician’s admiration for Basquiat.

LVMH has purchased a 12-room, $51 million Cannes villa for brand activations.

LVMH has purchased a $51 million villa in Cannes to host exclusive events for its luxury brands during the city’s high-profile festivals. The historic 12-bedroom property, featuring pools, terraced gardens, and panoramic views, aligns with the conglomerate’s strategy of blending experiential marketing with real estate investments. This acquisition complements LVMH’s broader push into entertainment and hospitality, reinforcing its presence at star-studded events like the Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lions.

U.K. creatives reject a proposal to allow free use copyrighted material in AI training data.

A coalition of UK creative industries, including musicians, authors, and media organizations, has strongly opposed a government plan to allow AI companies to use copyrighted material for training without prior permission. They argue the proposal undermines copyright protections and call for AI developers to secure licenses and compensate rights holders to ensure fair use. High-profile figures like Paul McCartney and Kate Bush have joined a broader campaign urging amendments to UK copyright law to prevent unlicensed AI exploitation of creative works.

Today’s attractive distractions:

Tensions between the U.S. and China could jeopardize Nvidia’s growth.

JW Anderson’s unstoppable year continues—with a Uniqlo collaboration.

Industry bigwigs reflect on the golden age of office holiday parties in New York.

An adorable cooling case makes the Mac Mini M4 look like a tiny Mac Pro.