Jute Rugs and Biophilic Design: Why Natural Fibers May Create Brain Bliss

Jute Rugs and Biophilic Design: Why Natural Fibers May Create Brain Bliss

6 Reasons Why Interior Designers Vouch For Jute Rugs | AOC Agrees

Almost every interior decorator is raving about jute rugs, and there must be a reason behind it. It’s as if something ancestral — almost primal — happens when we talk on jute rugs, and especially in bare feet.

Working on a recent AOC post Raffia: AOC Launches Earth-Friendly Fibers Sustainable Inquiry in Fashion and Design, we came across the same concept twice in a couple hours: “biophilic design”. Fast Company summed up the concept this way:

Biophilic design dates back to the early 1980s, when the biologist Edward O. Wilson outlined his philosophy of biophilia, hypothesizing that humans have an innate, biological affinity for the natural world. Biophilic design takes this idea one step further: Because humans today spend 90% of our time indoors, according to the 2001 National Human Activity Pattern Survey, it’s necessary to bring the outdoors in and create indoor environments that reference nature in both obvious and subtle ways.

As a reminder, modern humans may be awash in a sea of plastic, but 99% of human life has been lived in concert with nature. Biophilic design assumes that core aspects of nature have contributed to our health and wellbeing, and this connection can be scientifically measured.

Quannah Chasinghorse by Inez and Vinoodh for Vogue Japan June 2021 Is One to Watch

Quannah Chasinghorse by Inez and Vinoodh for Vogue Japan June 2021 Is One to Watch

IMG model Quannah Chasinghorse covered the May issue of Vogue Mexico and now Vogue Japan’s June 2021 issue. Currently based in Fairbanks, Alaska, Chasinghorse—who is Hän Gwich’in and Oglala Lakota — has lived in Alaska since age seven, and signed with IMG in December.

George Cortina styles the 18-year-old, who is a committed activist in the fight to preserve her state’s Arctic National Wildlife Refugee, a 20-million-acre ecosystem that is fully endangered due to global warming. Photographers Inez and Vinoodh captured her spirit in ‘Modelo A Seguir’ [a model to follow].

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Mango Committed 2021 Campaign Advances Strong Sustainability Goals

Mango Committed 2021 Campaign Advances Strong Sustainability Goals

Models Felice Nova Noordhoff and Hamid Onifadé front Mango’s Committed Campaign SS 2021. Julia Sanchis Meseguer styles the couple in relaxed silhouettes, made of natural fabrics such as linen and cotton in terracotta and ecru tones. Ronan Gallagher [IG] photographed the campaign ./ Hair by Paolo Soffiatti; makeup by Egon Crivillers

The Barcelona-based global fashion retailer is raising its sustainability goals, most-certainly as a reflection of evolving consumer mindsets. Currently, 79% of the Mango assortment is “Committed”, meaning that they are recycled or have sustainable characteristics. By 2022, Mango hopes that 100% of every item meets this criteria, writes WWD.

Note that Mango is not asserting that these garments are fully-sustainable in every way. But the company does have an ambitious environmental agenda.

Mario Sorrenti Flashes Anok, Imaan, Kendall and Naomi for V Magazine #130 in 'Supernova Summer'

Mario Sorrenti Flashes Anok, Imaan, Kendall and Naomi for V Magazine #130 in 'Supernova Summer'

As the world emerges from COVID-quarantine, V Magazine #130 launches a sizzling swimsuit season with ‘Supernova Summer’. Four mega-watt women Anok Yai, Imaan Hammam, Kendall Jenner and Naomi Campbell wear season-ready swimwear and Cartier jewelry styled by George Cortina. Mario Sorrenti is behind the lens with creative direction by Stephan Gan./ Photo and bookings direction by Goran Macura

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Vittoria Ceretti in 'Call Her Name' by Luigi & Iango for Vogue Japan July 2021

Vittoria Ceretti in 'Call Her Name' by Luigi & Iango for Vogue Japan July 2021

Top model Vittoria Ceretti ditches her golden riches, couture extravagance and pares down her style for a second fashion story in Vogue Japan’s July 2021 issue. Anna Dello Russo styles Ceretti in ‘Call Her Name’, sea goddess images lensed by Luigi & Iango [IG]./ Makeup by Georgi Sandev; hair by Luigi Murenu

Lisa Han, Valentina Sampaio Present Pre-Fall Pattern Frenzy in V Magazine June 2021

Lisa Han, Valentina Sampaio Present Pre-Fall Pattern Frenzy in V Magazine June 2021

Models Lisa Han and Valentina Sampaio are styled by Aryeh Lappin in ‘All Eyes On Pre-Fall’, for V Magazine. Max Papendieck [IG] captures the bold pattern artistry from Burberry, Chanel, Dior, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Valentino and more. / Hair by Evanie Frausto; makeup by Seong Hee Park

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Akuol Deng Atem Poses in Luxe Indy Designers Looks Lensed by Jesse Laitinen for Vogue Italia

Akuol Deng Atem Poses in Luxe Indy Designers Looks Lensed by Jesse Laitinen for Vogue Italia

Rising model Akuol Deng Atem poses in a special online Vogue Italia editorial ‘How long is forever’. Thea Lewis-Yates styled Atem in a wide range of spring summer 2021 collections of independent designers (and more). Photographer Jesse Laitinen [IG] captures Atem in he large fashion story for VI online.

Cass Bird's Studio Images with Rianne Van Rompaey for Harper's Bazaar US May 2021

Cass Bird's Studio Images with Rianne Van Rompaey for Harper's Bazaar US May 2021

Top model Rianne Van Rompaey is styled by Samira Nasr in a crisp, modern fashion statement lensed by Cass Bird for Harper’s Bazaar US May 2021.

Rianne shared her thoughts on beauty with Jenna Rosenstein, and the top model had quite a lot to say. Speaking about growing up in the Netherlands, the model stressed that people are reserved, and it’s better to fit in.

Being online a lot as a teenager gave Van Rompaey a different view of pop culture — and especially in America.

I think it’s so beautiful how different everybody looks. I wish people could celebrate that.

I thought, “Wow, there are actually people out there who are completely, unapologetically themselves and are not trying to fit in.” I think that’s true of American pop culture: You’re allowed to be seen, and you’re allowed to be loud. To me, that was very liberating because I am quite loud.

Vulnerability attracts her, especially among women. To the model, it makes women beautiful. Every kind of emotion attracts Rianne — even anger — as long as the expression is authentic.

Lila Moss by Angelo Pennetta in British Vogue's June 'Landmark Moment'

Lila Moss by Angelo Pennetta in British Vogue's June 'Landmark Moment'

Rising model Lila Moss, Kate Moss’ daughter, makes her modeling debut for British Vogue. Moss is styled by Julia Sarr-Jamois in a celebratory, post-COVID, warm-weather return to London’s favorite spots. Photographer Angelo Pennetta [IG] captures Lila’s pared-down, lean, black and white luxury in the fashion story ‘Landmark Moment’. / Hair by Syd Hayes; makeup by Petros Petrohilos

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Vittoria Ceretti Wears Couture Splendor Lensed by Luigi & Iango for Vogue Japan July

Vittoria Ceretti by Luigi Iango Vogue Japan July 2021 (8) TN.jpg

Vittoria Ceretti Wears Couture Splendor Lensed by Luigi & Iango for Vogue Japan July

Top model Vittoria Ceretti has the digital cover of Vogue Japan’s July 2021 issue Anna Dello Russo styles Ceretti in regal splendor from Alexandre Vauthier, Giambattista Valli, Maison Valentino and more — fit for a Medici ball. Photographers Luigi & Iango. [IG] shot the fashion story in Puglia at Castillo di Santo Stefano./ Makeup by Georgi Sandev; hair by Luigi Murenu

Jennifer Lopez in 'Fly Girl' by Pamela Hanson for InStyle US May 2021

Jennifer Lopez in 'Fly Girl' by Pamela Hanson for InStyle US May 2021

Many of Jennifer Lopez’s friends and business/cultural collaborators weight in on her 30 years of success — her work ethic, more than any other attribute. The admiring lineup includes Ben Affleck, Donatella Versace, ex-husband Marc Anthony, Michelle Obama

Hana Jirickova Wears Nature-Inspired Lipstick by Dan Martensen for Vogue Germany

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Hana Jirickova Wears Nature-Inspired Lipstick by Dan Martensen for Vogue Germany

Model Hana Jirickova is styled by Nicola Knels in ‘Vorzüglich’, a beauty editorial lensed by Dan Martensen [IG] in the May/June issue of Vogue Germany [IG]./ Hair by Cim Mahony; makeup by Lucy Burt

The focus is not the health benefits of eating organic. Nor is it longevity tied to eating fruits and veggies. AOC feels a bit stupid trying to discover any meaning behind the visuals. The answer: lipstick shades!

Given the miraculous new innovations in biomaterials coming from MycoWorks (vegan leather from mushrooms) and Desserto (vegan leather from cactus), I thought we were about to break news of German innovation with this fashion beauty story. No such luckk, but now that we know it’s about lipstick, we get the message. Food art by Soren Westh.

Martha Hunt's High Drama Style Lensed by Jack Waterlot for Harper's Bazaar Turkey May

Martha Hunt's High Drama Style Lensed by Jack Waterlot for Harper's Bazaar Turkey May

Photographer Jack Waterlot [IG] captures model Martha Hunt in dramatic elegance styled by Lotte Elisa, choosing Jil Sander, Monot, Prada and more. The new Bulgari ambassador covers the May 2021 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Turkey./ Hair by Rolando Beauchamp; makeup by Frankie Boyd

Camille Summers-Valli Flashes 'La Vacanza Mini' VERSACE SS2021 Beachwear

Camille Summers-Valli Flashes 'La Vacanza Mini' VERSACE SS2021 Beachwear

Everyone in COVID breakout mode can feel good about the new VERSACE Spring Summer 2021 beachwear collection. Called ‘La Vacanza Mini’ campaign, the model lineup includes Blesnya Minher, Evie Harris, Loic Namigandet, Lucas Barski, Rozabbe Verduin, and Simone Bricchi.

Fashion photographer Camille Summers-Valli [IG] captures the crew, styled by Allegra V Beck in Liguria./ Hair by Patti Bussa; makeup by Luca Cianciolo

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Paloma Elsesser Dives Into H&M Sustainable Swimwear SS 2021 Lensed by Amber Grace Johnson

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Paloma Elsesser Dives Into H&M Sustainable Swimwear SS 2021 Lensed by Amber Grace Johnson

Global fashion powerhouse H&M delivers a physical and emotional power punch with its Spring Summer 2021 Swimwear campaign. Led by superwoman Paoma Elsesser, the campaign takes a deep dive into the terrain of unapologetically feminine strength with a cast that celebrates all body types and forms.

The brand comes straight at us with a definitive statement that’s light years away from the “flawless” messages (one of the most harmfull words in modern marketing in the opinion of AOC) of summers past.

Dive in & enjoy the silence

Hey, you! It's your summer, done your way. Don't let self-doubt, other people's opinions and negativity tag along. Dive into the water, swim away from the noise, follow your own voice, and come back recharged.