The latest collection from the global sports brand PUMA is an effort to reduce the impact of fashion on the environment.

As we move towards a more sustainable future, it’s no surprise that retailers are taking a cue from consumers. This environmentally considerate twist on consumerism is a step in the right direction for the fashion industry and environmentalists alike. According to The Pretty Planeteer, 95% of textile waste can be recycled and that mass comes in as a whopping 13 million tons of missed opportunities globally. It sounds massive (because it is) – and it’s brought about because the average consumer discards about 31,75kg of clothing per year.

Apart from thrifting, clothing swops and buying less – we can also shop more sustainably. This can take the form of buying from local, small businesses or reaching for an international brand that’s made an effort to honour the growing environmental concern. PUMA’s latest collection, RE.GEN is a great example of making the most of materials (that would ordinarily go to waste) to produce items of clothing and footwear that tick both the sustainability and style box. 

In a move towards revaluing recycled material and giving what would ordinarily be discarded a second chance, the PUMA RE.GEN collection combines recycled material from three sources: PUMA’s leather off-cuts, cotton off-cuts from the textile industry and plastic that is recycled to produce polyester.

The collection is inspired by the recycling process and falls in line with PUMA’s goal to have nine out of every 10 products made sustainable materials by 2025. “In our sustainability strategy, we focus on making the largest possible positive impact, so our customers know that by buying a PUMA product, they buy a sustainably sourced product,” said Stefan Seidel, Head of Corporate Sustainability at PUMA. “We will continue to push hard to live up to our mission statement of being ‘Forever Better’.”

The collection features the RE.GEN Oslo Maja (R1 899), Cropped Jacket (R1 799), Tee (R649), AOP Tee (R799), Wide Leg Pants (R1 299) and Woven Skirt (R1 299) for women while men’s gear includes the RE.GEN Oslo City (R2 299), Jacket (R2 499), Woven Pants (R1 799) and AOP Tee (R899). Completing the collection are the RE.GEN Shoulder Bag (R799), Deconstructed Low Curve Cap (R399) and RE.GEN Short Visor Cap (R399).

PUMA RE.GEN is available from Thursday, 20 May from PUMA.com, PUMA stores, Archive online, X-Trend, Superbalist, Shesha and selected retailers.

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This remote Australian home featured on NEVER TOO SMALL, is designed to connect you with nature, without being obtrusive within its astounding surroundings.

Two separate containers feature a fold-away double bed, providing extra space during the day and offers guests a unique opportunity to experience off-the-grid living in a remote location with expansive views and a one-of-a-kind container lifestyle.

With minimalism at front of mind, owners Alice and Robbie custom-designed fold-away and hydraulic features to enhance space, with a simple decor aesthetic that brings the outdoors to centre stage.

Architect Ben Edwards helped to create the vision of the simple life in the Australian countryside, building a space that adapts to its conditions and minimises the eco-footprint on the bush.

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Check out this tiny seaside attic.

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Halo Dish Covers, started by the team behind Spaza Store in Cape Town, offers a solution to single-use plastic food coverings while simultaneously promoting young entrepreneurs and their art.

With an aim to put a dent in the single-use plastic market, Halo Dish Covers contain no harmful toxins, are size flexible and machine washable – an eco-friendly choice for food storage and outdoor dining food protection.

Each handmade Halo Dish Cover promotes the work of a local artist. The covers currently feature work created by Anushka Davids, Johanna Linde, Gabriele Jacobs, Chelsea Gordon and Miro van der Vloed, with the brand planning to expand its range to include more local talent in the near future.

Miro Van der Vloed

For each cover, the Halo team brainstorms a theme and calls for submissions via colleges, universities, social media and a database of designers, inviting young artists to submit a one-page pitch motivating for their design to be featured.

Gabriele Jacobs

Featured themes include edible flowers, chosen by Anushka Davids and Johanna Linde, marine life chosen by Miro van der Vloed, and kitchen utensils, which inspired Chelsea Gordon and Gabriele Jacobs’ creations.

For more information, visit halodishcovers.com.

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Calling all design students! Keen to design a sustainable planter? Submissions for local brand Plantr‘s Annual Design Challenge 2020 are now open.

The challenge, in partnership with VISI, the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), African Institute of Interior Design Professions (IID) and KeyShot Pro, is open to design school students across South Africa, providing a platform for up-and-coming talent.

The brief calls for students to submit two or three planter designs in a variety of sizes that not only embody the aesthetic of the Plantr brand, but are also environmentally friendly and sustainable, using a maximum of three materials.

Judging will be based on innovation and originality, sustainability, aesthetic design, detail, presentation and adherence to the brief.

Winning entrants will receive an exposure package, production of their winning design, a commission package, a VISI magazine subscription, the design featured on VISI platforms, a KeyShot Pro rendering course, a GBCSA Interiors Course, and an IID membership.

Read the full brief, submission process and terms and conditions here. Entries close on 15 August 2020. For more information about Plantr, visit plantr.co.za.

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Award-winning Joburg-based furniture maker David Krynauw has designed a series of Living Pods – small, moveable and low-impact habitable spaces.

A space doesn’t have to be big to be beautiful, says David Krynauw. “Carefully considered and well-crafted design can add value to a small space. This permeates into the mind of the occupant which, in turn, creates a sense of wellbeing,” he explains.

Sitting lightly on the earth was top of mind when David set about designing his Living Pods. The task involved careful planning and conceptualising to create something eco-conscious, mobile and aesthetically pleasing. “Coming from a product design background, I’d like to think of the pods as large-scale furniture pieces,” he says.

“Each ‘piece’ is made for a specific application to suit its environment/space and specific requirements. It considers and interacts with its environment.”

David’s life-long experience with wood and its potential to be sustainable made it an obvious material choice. “To my mind it’s the best building material in the world,” he says. “I’m interested in the encapsulation of the entire value chain, so we take the timber from seedling to end product. The idea is to use the entire tree and the waste associated to keep it as close as possible to the original material.

“The Europeans have perfected this and it’s not really being done to full potential in South Africa. My aim is to change that. In theory, one could create a self-sustaining cycle with very limited external input in terms of materials and energy.”

Completely modular, collapsible and lightweight, each Living Pod is easy to assemble – making it the perfect option for remote and secluded locations out in nature, or on rooftops. “It can take anything from a few hours on a small structure to two weeks on a bigger building. This process is also enjoyable as seeing the structure pop up in a short amount of time is very rewarding.”

For more information, email david@davidkrynauw.com.

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From detailed illustrated travel journals and a whimsical café to a vibrant collab between LEGO and Camille Walala, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 317.

1. LEGO X Walala

LEGO has released a new series of flat 2D tiles, which artist and designer Camille Walala has used in the House of Dots, a series of shipping containers transformed into bright, bold spaces using two million pieces of the new LEGO Dots.

Images via dezeen.com

2. José Naranja’s Travel Journals

José Naranja documents his travels through detailed illustrations and typography, creating meticulous works of art in the process. His mixed-media pages each centre around an individual theme based on where he finds himself at the time.

Images via thisiscolossal.com, courtesy of José Naranja 

3. HUSK eco luxe

Local brand HUSK eco luxe was founded by two friends focused on preserving the planet. Their range of products, including bags, wallets, laundry baskets and planters, is produced using washable craft paper, a bio-degradable alternative to plastic.

Images via huskecoluxe.com

4. Feya by FormRoom

London-based design studio FormRoom has created a bold new interior for café Feya’s flagship store, featuring a daring maximalist and whimsical design aesthetic.

Images courtesy of FormRoom

5. The Tubmarine

These eco-friendly, easy-to-assemble wood-fired hot tubs from Tubmarine heat up in under two hours and require no electricity. The ideal spot to relax!

Images courtesy of tubmarine.co.uk

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 317 on picks of the week 31.

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From a kaleidoscopic auditorium installation and Benjamin Hubert’s cocoon-inspired lamps for muuto to adorable pet photography and eco-friendly ’80s-nostalgia sneakers, these are the top VISI picks of the week series – week 302.

1. Emmanuelle Moureaux’s 1 000 Colours Wave

For the IMABARI Colour Show in Imabari, Japan, architect and artist Emmanuelle Moureaux created a kaleidoscopic palette of 1 000 colours, which she used to dye pieces of cloth. These were then upholstered over 1 002 seats in the Imabari City Auditorium, designed by world-famous architect Kenzō Tange.

Images via emmanuallemoureaux.com

2. Benjamin Hubert’s LAYER Studio Lamps

These striking pendants by Benjamin Hubert (of design agency LAYER) for muuto are inspired by the spun cocoons of silkworms. Entitled Strand, the lighting collection is made up of four different lamps, each with a lightweight steel structure which is then sprayed with a fibrous polymer material to give the cocoon-like effect.

Images via dezeen.com

3. WADO Sneakers

WADO is focused on creating timeless sneakers that aim to inspire and help people and the planet. The shoes are all constructed from organic and recycled materials and for every pair purchased two trees are planted. Its first collection has a theme of ’80s nostalgia, with an off-white base and six complementing colourways. Read more at the Indiegogo campaign below.

Images via indiegogo.com

4. Acme Studio Eames Pins

Acme has released a new limited-edition range of pins inspired by world-famous designers and architects Charles and Ray Eames. Each brass pin features handmade cloisonné enamel and fastens with a butterfly.

Images via acmestudio.com

5. Dogscapes Fine Art Pet Photography

Dogscapes offers out-of-the-box pet photography. Pets are photographed out in nature in an environment that lets their personality shine. Plus, Dogscapes shoot the dogs and cats available for adoption at DARG to increase their chances of finding a happy home.

Images via facebook.com/dogscapesza

Browse more like VISI picks of the week series – week 302 on picks of the week 91.

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Like Evolution Products’ stainless steel drinking straws, which replace the single-use plastic versions, the range of totes was designed to be used as an alternative to plastic shopping bags, which often end up in our oceans, harming the wildlife.

Evolution Product was assisted by The South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) when it came to the designs featured on the products. The team at the Institute found a rare book dating back to 1908 by William Tyson, showcasing a collection of pressed Sea Algae, and shared the discovery with Evolution Product, who in turn translated the pressings into a pattern.

Through its offering, Evolution Product aims to create awareness about the plight of our oceans and natural habitats, inspired by David Attenborough’s continued conservation work, as well as the work of Dr Kerry Sink, who after five years of campaigning has managed to increase Marine Protected Areas in South Africa from 0.4% to 5%. The new areas will advance ocean protection by approximately 50 000 km2, an area two and half times the size of the Kruger National Park. Through this unique approach, South Africa establishes itself as a leader in developing country strategies for sustainable oceans. 

Evolution Product has also reduced its own waste by introducing biodegradable plastic bags, brown wrapping paper and paper tape for product packaging.

For more information and to shop online, visit evolutionproduct.co.za.

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Water is absolutely necessary to survive. And yet, every year, eight million tons of plastic end up in our oceans. Dopper wants to turn this tide with one reusable water bottle that will make all the polluting, single-use plastic water bottles a thing of the past.

With patented, reusable designer water bottles made of high-quality synthetic material and steel, Dopper contributes to the reduction of plastic pollution. Dopper bottles are produced with a net zero carbon footprint, are free of BPA and encourage the use of tap water as an affordable and less environmentally harmful alternative to bottled water.

Dopper estimates that for every Dopper bottle sold on average, 40 single-use water bottles are saved per year.

5% of Dopper’s net turnover goes to the Dopper Foundation, which invests in water initiatives such as The Ocean Cleanup and reducing plastic waste. Locally, Dopper SA is partnering with organisations such as Clean C, WWF and Endangered Wildlife Trust to assist in creating awareness around the current plastic crisis.

This international brand, which has sold over 10 million units, has launched in South Africa with three collections.

The Ocean Collection (R199, 450 ml) features three ocean-inspired colours, namely Dark Pacific Blue, Blue Lagoon and Pure White. The Perfect Paradise Collection (R199, 450 ml) features the vibrant Hakuna Mintata, Sunshine Splash, Sea Green and Pink Paradise shade, while the Dopper Stainless Steel Collection was designed to be sustainable, practical and fashionable. Dopper Stainless Steel is available in a large 800 ml design (R499) as well as a lighter 490 ml (R399) design. Dopper bottles are available at Wellness Warehouse, Superbalist, Faithful To Nature and Yuppiechef.

Ocean Collection

Perfect Paradise Collection

Dopper Stainless Steel

For more information, visit dopper.com.

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These luxury eco-friendly domes blend into their natural surroundings in the mountainous woodlands of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François in Canada.

The Dômes Charlevoix eco-resort was designed by Canadian architecture firm Bourgeois/Lechasseur architectes. The initial phase of this experimental project is the construction of three prototype domes, with plans to expand the tourist project into larger developments, while keeping the dwellings discreet, natural and unobtrusive.

Each dome is set on a wooden patio and houses a private spa that overlooks the surrounding forests. The structures are made from canvas, insulating heat with built-in fireplaces for chillier days. The concrete floor also aids in insulation, while south-facing windows give natural light.

The kitchen is a sleek and streamlined area in the centre of the dome, while a second bedroom is located up a staircase.

For more information, visit domescharlevoix.com.

(h/t) dezeen.com

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