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It would seem unlikely for clothing designers to get their wheels turning by thinking about what happens to garments when people are through with them, but thats exactly the sort of backward thinking that led to Under Armours new regenerative sportswear collection, created in collaboration with Portland, Oregon-based Unless Collective. The collection, which is making its debut in Italy this week during Milan Design Week, comprises footwear and clothing made entirely from plants and plant-based materials. That means theyre biodegradable and compostable. All of our products make good dirt, says Eric Liedtke, Unless cofounder and Under Armour EVP of brand strategy, who spoke with Fast Company from Milan. Unless was acquired by Baltimore-based Under Armour last summer, and Liedtke says that its allowed Unless to tap into Under Armours large base of resources and partnerships to expand its offerings and development operationsthe new regenerative collection is the result. Were here to introduce the idea of regenerative fashion,” he says. “What we mean is that things come from plants and minerals, natural materials, and then go back to being natural materials. . . . When youre regenerative, you add value back to the ecosystem, rather than being destructive. Liedtke says that 70% of clothing is created from petroleum-based feedstock, mostly various types of plastics, which never completely vanish or go awaythey break down into microplastics and end up in the food and water supply. But his new clothing line does break down and go away; once youre through with one of Unlesss garments, for instance, you can bury it in your backyard garden, and itll compost away. In an industrial composter, an Unless tee shirt will decompose within weeks. [Photos: Under Armour] The new collection features shoes, jackets, vests, shirts, and more that are made from a variety of plant materials. For instance, shoe liners and soles are made from coconut husks and natural rubber latex, buttons are made from corozo nuts, Kapok cotton is used for insulation in vests and jackets, while cotton remains a staple for shirts and other garments. Liedtke says that the garments are built to last, too, and could be compared to products from companies like Russell, Champion, Carhartt, or Dickies. And for those worried about their clothes decomposing while they sit in a dresser, he says not to worry: It takes very specific conditions to initiate the composting processconditions hopefully not present in the typical closet or bedroom. The collection is meant to be provocative, in some ways, and bring attention to the pollution that modern fashion and clothing manufacturing produces. In that way, its not too different from how companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Meat disrupted the meat industry, or how EVs have shaken up the auto market in recent years. Liedtke hopes that at least some clothing manufacturers will follow suit and start using more natural materials, rather than plastics, to cut down on waste and pollution. The future is regenerative, he says. The question now is scaling it, and telling people about it.
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E-Commerce
What does the future of computing look like? Is it voice chat? Floating holographic displays? A generative AI fever dream with no escape? At Salone de Mobilethe annual design fair in MilanGoogle is suggesting something less literal: Its light thats as pliable as fabric. [Photo: courtesy Google] Since first attending in 2018, Google has become a staple of Milans annual design festival, where the installations draw long lines and buzz. The company has measured how different rooms make you feel, demonstrated that water informs their design, and explored the ties of color and emotion through immersive spectacles. This year, Googles project is called Making the Invisible Visible, on display at Garage 21 in Milan from April 7 to 13. Its a series of what I might only describe as a series of light showers that stand six feet in diameter. Laser light rains down from a halo above, and by running your hands through the beams, they react in a dynamic animation that falls somewhere between a draping textile and the strings of a harp. The architectural approach was inspired by conversations Ivy Ross, chief design officer of consumer devices at Google, and artist Lachlan Turczan had around the role of technology in our lives. Turczan explores the intersection of light and the environment, with surreal works placed in nature that blend the wild and the technological. Squint and you can almost see a vision of ambient computing. [Photo: Lachlan Turczan/courtesy Google] Over several conversations, Ross and Turczan spoke about how Humanity shapes technology, and technology shapes humanity back. Turczan has been developing these sculptures, dubbed Lucida, out of those conversations. At this moment in time, we’re questioning what role does technology have? What does it mean to be human? says Ross. We have to come to that place where we’re not competing [with technology], but we are interacting together, moving modern life forward. The light showers in Making the Invisible Visible are meant to explore that theme, not necessarily literally, but as a more generalized ethos. [Photo: courtesy Google] Then through the rest of the installation, Google goes on to articulate how its made the invisible visible within their own products. That includes the Pixel Buds which required laser scans from 3,200 ears to get its one-size-fits-all geometries, along with the new Nest thermostat, which sits quietly until it senses your approach, and displays its user interface. Then in the final room, Google designers share some of the actual objects that have inspired their approach to productslike river rocks for an earbud case, and a macron for a speaker. (The design team is given a budget to acquire bits of inspiration in their travels around the world, which they deposit inside their design studios private library.) [Photo: courtesy Google] While the installation is built for the public, Ross sees the benefits this annual practice brings to her own team. Its giving them an opportunity to work at a different scale with a different set of challenges, which I think is really good to feed their creative muscle, says Ross. And [the other benefit] is the joy they get from manning these exhibits. Because we dont usually get to interact with the public about what we do. /p>
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E-Commerce
From AI resources to upskilling growth programs, LinkedIns annual Top Companies list reveals top employers are investing in making the workplace a place to grow and succeed. “These are companies that make a commitment to their employees and their employees know that they’re not alone in their career,” said Andrew Seaman, editor at large for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News. “I think you can use the methodology in your own job search too.” Published on Tuesday, the list uses LinkedIn data on upskilling, attrition and retention, gender diversity, ability to advance, and more to rank the top 50 U.S. companies for career growth. The list not only honors the companies, but serves as a tool for members looking for jobs. Each honoree will receive a badge on its company page. And according to LinkedIn, all of those top companies are hiring right now, with more than 129,000 job openings across the companies. Landing at the top of the list, Googles parent company Alphabet takes the number one spot, followed by Amazon and Wells Fargo, which ranked last year as well. AI companies also took the spotlight, with NVIDIA and ServiceNow landing on the list for the first time. Among the 50 honorees, which span across various industries, employers are using AI-powered resources for employees, like Bank of America’s (no. 11) AI virtual assistant Erica; Moderna’s (no. 43) AI academy which customizes learning for employees’ needs; and AT&T’s (no. 7) conversational productivity assistant “Ask AT&T.” AI upskilling initiatives further advances this year’s top skill on the rise, equipping employees with AI literacy. Beyond AI, many top companies shared growth programs for employees like cross-practice rotations. Some of the companies include Walmart (no. 10), which invested $1 billion in week-long training and certificate degrees, creating a pathway for in-demand jobs; and Kearny (no. 46), which offers rotational programs and six-month individualized coaching programs. LinkedIn’s methodology is based on eight pillars: ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity, educational background, and employee presence in the country. It can feel really lonely navigating your career, and it’s nice to see companies that invest in their employees and have a vested interest in seeing them succeed, Seaman said. Here are the top ten companies for 2025 in order: Alphabet Amazon Wells Fargo Northrop Grumman PwC Capital One AT&T JPMorgan Chase EY Walmart
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E-Commerce
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