Weekly Digest đ¤ Forget Traditional Retail, Awake NY's Lower East Side Flagship Is a Cultural HubAs the brand prepares to open its first physical location, founder Angelo Baque discusses the power of community and the key to providing memorable experiences. Why It Matters: A one-on-one conversation with Baque is a history lesson, a philosophy course and a jovial conversation all rolled into one â fitting for a man who half-jokingly had âLife Coachâ in his Instagram bio for several years. And when it comes to his brandâs forthcoming flagship, Baque has plenty to say. Equal parts experiential and practical, the store is both a new chapter for Awake NY and a callback to the legendary early-â00s New York boutiques that influenced Baque. In an increasingly digital world, Awake NY feels that itâs more important than ever to have a physical retail presence, a belief thatâs firmly in step with the brandâs community-focused ethos. Spinning Words Into Actions: âI think the store will naturally be a community center; after that, the rest of it is on us as a brand. How do we build on that idea? Letâs be real: both you and I know that everyone likes to use âcommunityâ as a f*cking buzzword these days. What Iâve been saying a lot recently is that the most important part of community building is taking action: initiating, cultivating and nourishing that community.â Read the full article here.  đ Hereâs What Went Down at Appleâs WWDC 2023The tech industry gathered at Californiaâs Apple Park to witness CEO Tim Cook unveil new computers, software and the long-awaited Vision Pro headset. Why It Matters: In the words of CEO Tim Cook, Appleâs Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) marked âa historic dayâ for not only the company but the consumer tech industry at large. Though the conference technically spans the entire week, the first day, June 5, is when Cook delivers a keynote address, announcing the new product and software updates that can be expected in the coming year, while the ensuing days largely consist of demos and lab consultations geared towards app developers. On The Horizon: From the introduction of the Vision Pro to a 15-inch MacBook Air âthe worldâs thinnest 15-inch laptop,â, Apple looks to increase its hardwaresâ capabilities while furthering innovation with its mixed reality headset, a project âyears in the making.â Software updates, starting off with the iOS 17, consists of updating a few of its apps, along with FaceTime messaging and phone calls. Mac got its own software overhaul, macOS Sonoma, supplying customization options for creatives and working professionals while those with an Apple TV can use it to call their friends and family on FaceTime and will be able to locate a missing remote using the FindMy service. Read the full article here.  đ´ď¸ Why Luxury Fashion's Fascination With Korean Pop Culture Is Not Just a TrendHouses like Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Gucci pave the way for luxury brands in the Hallyu movement. Why It Matters: As the world collectively makes its way back to a new sense of normalcy post-pandemic, the fashion industry is finding its footing in Asian markets. In particular, many high fashion Western brands have found themselves infatuated by the ever-growing trends coming out of South Korean pop culture, leading luxury brands flocking to the countryâs capital. With the rising interest in the market, it begs the question of why luxury brands are so intent on having a presence in South Korea. Weaving Sectors: The global popularity of South Koreaâs cultural exports in pop culture, entertainment, music and more, has become a point of appeal for luxury brands. While it appears that brands have embraced the countryâs cultural phenomenon â better known as the Korean Wave or Hallyu in recent years â it is not new. The current boom in the Korean economy further proves that the wave is not just a fad, but rather an important part of the industryâs evolution in intertwining Asian pop culture and Western luxury brands. Read the full article here.  𧾠Meet the Bold Gen Z Designers Behind Gushersâ Black Voices Create Fashion CapsuleTurning the lens on emerging fashion brands SAIbysai, Expired Citizens and RENĂE and their splashy approach to deconstructed design. Why It Matters: Ushering in an inclusive environment for the next generation of changemakers, Gushersâ Black Voices Create spotlights rising Gen Z creators who are challenging conventions, breaking norms and sharing new stories through their art. Black creators are an integral part of the fashion and streetwear community, but often the work of these creators is overlooked and overshadowed by talent with access to mainstream resources and visibility. Contrary to popular belief, one size doesnât fit all. A Helping Hand: In todayâs climate, itâs paramount to celebrate diversity in creative spaces and uplift creators that dare to break the mold. Since 2020, Gushersâ Black Voices Create platform has amplified the work of young Black creators while celebrating inclusive access to the arts. The program aims to platform Black creators in social, digital, fashion and the arts by providing access, exposure and financial compensation, closing the value gap for emerging contributors in the space. Read the full article here. Videos To BingeDrops To Put On Your Radar
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