Who. What. Where? No. 70

For your culture fix this week, we’ve got exhibitions and events both in the UK and abroad. First up, it’s Softer, Softest, a group show running at Clapton’s Guts Gallery until the 21st of May. The group exhibition – featuring up-and-coming artists like Emma Beatrez and Kyler Garrison – collates together work which plays on the condition of softness and how that’s expressed in art. Moving away from harsh lines and symbols of modernity, Softer, Softest is a celebration of more transient emotions and sensations. If you happen to be in Berlin over the coming few weeks, we’d also recommend popping along to Callum Eaton’s show at DUVE Berlin. Running until the 6th of June, If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it presents work by the London-based artist that continues his preoccupation with rendering objects of late-capitalism as hyperrealistic portraits. Finally, it’s the opportune time to grab yourself a ticket for an event that’s happening at everyone’s favourite bookshop in East. On the 29th of May, it’s in Pages of Hackney that there’ll be a conversation taking place between Nicola Dinan (author of Bellies) and Annie Lord (Vogue columnist and author of Notes on Heartbreak). You can grab yourself a ticket to that here.

With summer round the corner, it’s about time to grab yourself some beach-ready accessories, and this year our sunnies will be courtesy of Swarovski. Their SS24 eyewear collection – made in collaboration with Italian eyewear brand EssilorLuxottica – features frames which feel like they’ve been borrowed from Britney Spears in her y2k heyday. Think oversized ombré wraparound lenses mounted on metal frames, each crowned with typically Swarovski crystals. There’s also more scaled back frames for the more minimalist-inclined of you, though each and every frame has that touch of Swarovski playfulness. How do you know these are the sunglasses to take you from beach to club on everywhere from a Greek island to the south of France? Because the campaign was shot by none other than legendary photographer Steven Meisel. They’re already available to shop here.

This Friday, the music releases to put on your radar come in the form of albums from Jessica Pratt and Charlotte Day Wilson. Here In The Pitch, Pratt’s fourth album, will be released on the 3rd of May. Though you probably know Pratt as the voice behind arresting, melancholy tracks like “Back, Baby”, Here In The Pitch is something a little different for the artist. In a piece for City Slang, it was described how the album begins with “a percussion roll that nods instantly to the grand, orchestral style of ’60s pop hits like the Walker Brothers”. Also releasing music on the 3rd of May is Charlotte Day Wilson, who’s offering up her sophomore album Cyan Blue. This time round, the voice that appears on that brilliant track with BADBADNOTGOOD is putting out music that’s been described as “a smoothly woven cyan tapestry of her eternal influences; thumping gospel piano, warm soul basslines, atmospheric electronics, and penetrating r&b melodies”.

In terms of fashion this week, it would be hard not to highlight Loewe’s “I TOLD YA” collection. Paying homage to the iconic tee worn in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers – which Loewe’s JW Anderson designed the costume for – the limited edition collection sees the provocative slogan emblazoned on some timeless silhouettes. Though simple, the tees and sweatshirts, which come in both white and grey marl, have those Loewe touches that will make them a sexy summer staple. They’re the perfect relaxed fit, and they’ve got that little Loewe logo embroidered on at the nape of the neck. They’re available now, and we reckon you’ll want to get your hands on one pretty quick given the furious hysteria around the film. There’s also the SS24 collection from HH-118389225. The who now? HH-118389225 is, of course, the name given to Helly Hansen’s archival collection, which dips into the iconic brand’s past to deliver some of the most gorpcore fits on the scene at the moment. Featuring staple outwear pieces given a contemporary flair with OTT panelling and exaggerated silhouettes, the collection the perfect piece for a traipse around a mountain… or Hackney. You can take a look at the campaign here.