The world is full of of outdoor ancient art, sites where past civilisations have created magnificent works of art for reasons we can only speculate about. We've put together a wishlist of 10 distinctive art destinations, each of which could be the centrepiece of an art-lover's trip. The Nazca Lines of Peru and the Ajanta Caves in India are our favourites, but all 10 are special in their own right.
If you visit even a few of these places, you may well be left pondering why their creators felt the urge to leave their mark this way. If you are, you'll be in good company, joining the many people who have asked the big, timeless question:
What is Art Really For?
Using sustainable materials to make the fabrics which are then shaped to create clothes is the perhaps the most basic way to achieve sustainable fashion design. This article, part of our series on Sustainable Fashion, explores 5 innovative materials that are sustainable alternatives for designers. They've appeared in the last couple of decades, but aren't yet widely known to consumers. Most are in use today, and all create new options for designers with an eye on sustainability.
Most women put much more effort into choosing shoes, jewellery, handbags and scarves than they do glasses. The exceptions realise the unique power of fashion eyewear to enhance or transform a look. You can see this in our picks from 6 of our favourite eyewear designers, covering the exotic to the elegant everyday.
If you consider glasses a necessary evil, only have 2 or 3 pairs, or are relieved you don’t need them (yet), you may not think our selection is for you.
But you might surprise yourself - especially if reading this starts a process of thinking harder about why, when and how you choose and wear glasses.
The “Shoe that Grows” is a brilliantly simple idea of creating durable children’s shoes that expand as their feet grow, ensuring well-fitting shoes throughout childhood. It’s an inspirational story of a man who wanted to make a difference, and is doing so. But another fascinating aspect for us is how much great design thinking there is to learn from this story – not just design of the shoes, but design of the business that goes with it.
Tibetan Mandala refers to one of the most exquisite, fascinating forms of art you're likely to discover. But as you'll see, very few people will ever have the privilege of seeing one in real life. We were fortunate enough to do so a few years ago, and it's a memory that will never leave us. If you know what Tibetan Mandala is, understanding more is an important part of appreciating it fully. But if you've not heard of it before, you're in for a treat.
It’s finally possible, practical and commercially viable to do something about the damage the fashion industry does to our planet through huge amounts of waste and pollution. Our guide to Sustainable Fashion contains the most important things you should know to form your own view, including how each of us can make a real difference.