Dezeen Magazine

Minimal sex toys by Unbound

This week, designers prepare for Brexit and sex toys go minimal

This week on Dezeen, Brexit causes uncertainty for designers ahead of Milan design week and sextech startups give vibrators a minimalist makeover.

Many sextech brands are moving away from phallic shapes, it emerged this week, towards minimal and genderless products that users can be proud to own.

Among them are New York brands Unbound and Dame Products, which are aiming to close "the orgasm gap" by making discreet sex toys for women.

Salone del Mobile photo by Saverio Lombardi Vallauri.
Brexit uncertainty causes problems for British furniture brands ahead of Milan design week

Meanwhile, the ongoing uncertainty over Brexit is causing problems for UK furniture brands as they prepare for Milan design week. The country was due to leave the European Union 10 days before the major international design event, although it is now looking more likely to be delayed.

Exhibiting brands have been preparing for shipping delays, while others are staying away entirely.

Owen Hopkins argues that Brexit could, in fact, offer architecture a rare opportunity to rebuild contemporary British society.

World's most expensive car Bugatti's €11 million La Voiture Noire is the "world's most expensive car"
Bugatti's La Voiture Noire is the "world's most expensive car"

In transport news, car manufacturer Bugatti unveiled the world's most expensive car made from carbon fibre, which has already been sold to an anonymous enthusiast for a price of €11 million.

Meanwhile, Italian architect Beatrice Bonzanigo has unveiled her patented design for a micro home that is transportable, adaptable and off-grid.

Alita: Battle Angel sets offer a "respite" from dark sci-fi dystopia, say production designers

Following the release of cyberpunk blockbuster Alita: Battle Angel, we interviewed production designers Caylah Eddleblute and Steve Joyner.

They revealed that they looked to the "welcoming" nature of colourful Cuban and Latin American colonial architecture when creating the lively sets for Robert Rodriguez's film.

Nike unveils Women's World Cup kits for 14 national teams
Nike unveils Women's World Cup 2019 kits

Nike revealed the new home and away football kits for 14 national teams ahead of this year's FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

And the countdown started for the opening of the world's tallest indoor waterfall. The 40-metre-tall Rain Vortex is the centrepiece of Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport, which is scheduled to open on 17 April.

World’s tallest indoor waterfall in Moshe Safdie's Changi airport
Photos reveal world's tallest indoor waterfall inside Safdie Architects' Singapore airport building

Dezeen also launched its very own account on WeChat. Unveiled at the Design Shanghai fair in China last week, the WeChat account will allow users to access Dezeen content in both Mandarin and English across the giant social media, messaging and payment network.

Micha Weidmann, the graphic designer who created Dezeen's identity, made a special version of the logo for Chinese readers, featuring the Chinese characters for "design magazine" above the famously lopsided Dezeen wordmark.

With a number of Chinese designers and architects being honoured at international design events this year, the country is gradually positioning itself as a creative frontrunner on the international stage.

Cabin at Rones by Sanden+Hodnekvam Arkitekter
Cabin at Rones by Sanden+Hodnekvam Arkitekter overlooks Norwegian fjord

Popular projects this week include a noise-cancelling kennel for dogs by Ford, a minimal wooden cabin in Norway by Sanden+Hodnekvam Arkitekter and a vintage furniture collection featuring mid-century designs by CB2.