In this week's comments update, readers are debating whether a fashion student who deliberately failed to present a collection at her graduate show deserves to pass.
Fashion killer: readers are divided over Royal College of Art fashion student Laura Kraup Frandsen's refusal to present a physical collection at her graduate show. She instead staged a demonstration in protest against overconsumption and the climate crisis.
"Fashion graduate doesn’t make clothes for end of uni exam and lots of fuss ensues.... seems like the emperor’s new clothes to me. Think she chose the wrong degree," said Matt Su.
This reader agreed:
"Maybe she did go into the wrong course of study," replied VC. "But people grow and change while they are at school and she has the right to do this too. I think it takes a lot of courage to take a stand like this, especially when the course of your career is at stake."
"Bravo," praised Jon Hall. "It will take bold statements like this to make the fashion industry sit up and take notice, however 'moronic' they may seem."
"Very good project," added Bras Cubas. "This kind of radical contestation reminds me of the 80s. How can we do something similar in architecture?"
What do you think of the protest? Join the discussion ›
Slating it: Japanese architect Junya Ishigami has completed this year's Serpentine Pavilion, but the interior hasn't gone down well with commenters.
"From the top it's beautiful. Love the texture. But a lot of interior support posts," observed Troy Smith Designs.
John McWaters elaborated: "You see the shingles sitting on a wire mesh with no light penetration at all. This yields a dark void beneath that doesn't look inviting to sit, and the mesh seems a bit too utilitarian of a solution when juxtaposed with the abstractness of the roof as a whole."
"It seems to work as an elevation, but ultimately boring to inhabit," added BT76. "No attention seems to have been paid to the ground plane at all."
This reader was less than complimentary:
Brian was also unforgiving: "Might be the most underwhelming Serpentine Pavilion built."
Are you a fan of this year's Pavilion? Join the discussion ›
Sensitive issue: commenters are baffled as to why the Sensodyne Daily Care toothbrush, which uses 45 per cent less material than standard toothbrushes and retails for just 30 pence, has won this year's DBA Design Effectiveness Award.
"How has a plastic toothbrush won a design competition in 2019?" asked Stephen Belcher. "The fact that they can be made by the billions for the huge Indian market is worse."
JJ Mills was equally outraged: "You have got to be kidding! Winning an award for designing another plastic toothbrush? How about design a toothbrush out of a biodegradable material allowing areas where there is poor refuse and recycling infrastructure to just dispose of it as compost?"
"Why carry on using plastic toothbrushes that would end up in a junkyard when eco-friendly alternatives exist?" asked Gaelle.
"Sainsbury's used to sell basic toothbrushes for 10 pence," added Dan. "They were better looking and didn’t use multi-shot moulding that makes them harder to recycle."
This reader had an important question:
Should the toothbrush have won the award? Join the discussion ›
Less is more: an almost windowless house designed by architecture studio MORQ in Perth, Australia, is being admired by readers.
"Utterly gorgeous," said Think. "Bit of a shock for Perth, I imagine."
Nice Job was also enthusiastic: "What a lovely contrast to the overly exposed life most of us have nowadays. I'd love to get home and have the comfort of privacy, seclusion and silence. Not to mention the brute beauty of concrete."
"Monkish and sublime. Beautiful concrete work," added Three Floating Orbs. "Not for everyone, but quite powerful."
Madbarka was less convinced though: "Home for a depressed hermit."
This commenter was also unsure:
Could you live in a windowless house? Join the discussion ›