Issue #085

Welcome to your weekly dose of TooXToo, this week featuring the Women’s 2023 World Cup Branding, the Credit card rewarding ‘climate smart’ spending, Arup’s ‘symbolic gift to the future’ exhibition, and Balmain’s collaboration with Netflix.

The women’s 2023 World Cup branding

Australia and New Zealand are set to host the 2023 World Cup tournament. The branding and identity have been curated by Design studios Public Address and Works Collective, in collaboration with local artists. The result has been unveiled for all to see ahead of the event in 2023.

Key is that this identity has been designed as a departure from tradition. The tournament logo at the centre wants to represent “The spirit and values of the host countries". The logo depicts the 32 nations that shall compete by featuring 32 colourful squares.

Both Public Address and Works collective explain that the circular nature of the motif is meant to be a homage to “many indigenous Australian and New Zealand cultures”. The message too, of bringing people and nations together after the pandemic is especially important- this brand identity wants to emphasise “the power of the collective”.

The colour palette used in the logo and identity are modern, and dynamic- but are also derived from colours found in both the countries vibrant landscapes. From deserts, to forests, mountains, and large bodies of water- the designers working on the identity wanted to tie the branding to the cultural roots of Australia and New Zealand.

Though a couple of years away, the release of the Women’s world cup branding has already framed the event which shall evoke inclusivity and convergence. As well as the logo, there will also be a film launched that, “celebrates the greatness of women’s football around the world- past, present and future”.

The credit card rewarding ‘climate smart’ spending 

With discussions, meetings and events taking place during the COP26 summit, there are various innovations being explored by brands which endeavour to make a positive impact on the climate. Maryland based ‘Future’ is a brand hoping to make waves with their newly announced Visa ‘Futurecard’, which aims to mitigate the negative consequences that spending has on the climate.

From oat milk to train tickets- this new credit card rewards purchases that have a lower carbon footprint with a 5% cash back. Any product or service that is deemed to be providing a more climate friendly option to the common alternative is labelled ‘green’ by the Futurecard.

There are, of course other innovations that have tied individual spending to our impact on the environment. For example, ‘Aspiration’- founded In Los Angeles launched their ‘DO-card’ a few years ago: a carbon offset credit card. The resurgence of this trend, however, shows that consumers are becoming more mindful of how their spending habits directly impact the climate.

As more and more people invest in initiatives like ‘climate smart spending’ not only will awareness rise, but so too will social pressure surrounding people’s intentions in light of the COP26 headlines and happenings.

Arup’s ‘Symbolic Gift to the future’ immersive exhibition

To encourage consumers to engage with new services like Futurecard, which aims to combat climate change- what first must be created is an awareness and emotional connection to the planet. And that is exactly what Arup’s ‘Symbolic Gift to the Future’ exhibition, aims to do.

At the Glasgow Science Centre, art, engineering, and science are being blended to create an immersive experience for people to become inspired by. Arup has collaborated with British Antarctic survey (BAS) and Royal college of Art phd student Wayne Binitie. The result? An exhibition that connects people to visiting the Antarctic- an environment Arup explains is hard for people to picture due to it being so far away.

The exhibition is comprised of two sections. The first, has been named ‘Ice stories’ and features quotes from scientists and Antarctic explorers describing the very real and frightening reality of the endangered Antarctic. This part of the display is designed to “set the tone” of the exhibition through creating “A very calm, contemplative space”.

The other section to this ‘Symbolic gift to the future’ comes in the form of an ‘egg-shaped’ room. In this room there are sculptural pieces fusing science, art and design. The room has been fully sound proofed to allow it to be separate from the rest of the exhibition and aims to fully immerse visitors.

The exhibition opened this week, and as Binitie implores- hopes, “people who experience these works will gain a better understanding of humanity’s impact”.

Balmain X Netflix 

Netflix have announced the global release of their new Western film ‘The Harder they Fall’ starring Idris Elba and to celebrate have decided to also roll out a limited edition clothing line in collaboration with Balmain.

This will mark Netflix’s first luxury fashion collaboration. The collection has been curated to amalgamate the iconic finesse of the Balmain runway, with the film’s resolute look. Oliver Rousteing (creative director at Balmain) has designed fringe-heavy clothes and accessories for both men and women to capture the Western spirit of the film.

Jeymes Samuel (writer, director and producer) commented on the partnership with Balmain: “For me, partnering with Balmain was a natural fit. It’s the same way that every aspect of this movie was assembled, with instinct and a belief in the people positioned in their respective roles”.

The clothing line launched on Balmain’s website, as well as Netflix and Farfetch on November the 3^rd.

Fancy unleashing your inner cowboy? Look no further than the Balmain x The Harder They Fall collection.