Hasta La Ideas

The queer-minded brand’s new summer and swimwear collection plays with the idea of gendered fashion

There is nothing shy about FANG. Neither their high-cut underwear, pearl-strung swimwear nor their tank tops bound by chokers leave much room for coyness. Instead, the bold menswear brand is upfront about sensuality and femininity. The brand’s form-fitting silhouettes, subversive cutouts and asymmetric dresses expand men’s fashion and critically challenge conventional constructs of masculinity.

Founded by Fang Guo in 2021, FANG grew out of a lack of options in menswear—something Guo quickly learned when he moved to the US from Beijing to pursue a degree in fashion. “One thing I realized is that a lot of things are super ill-fitted and they’re huge. So then I ventured into womenswear and had my ‘aha!’ moment,” he tells us. “There are so many cuts and silhouettes and fabric choices and color offered in womenswear that are not in menswear at all. Why is that?”

While apparel intended for women often accentuates the body, contemporary menswear remains bogged down by archaic notions of masculinity. This means loose, boxy silhouettes in dark or primary colors often fill clothing racks. It’s this category, geared toward straight and cisgender men, that motivated Guo to change what men’s fashion looks like. In April, he founded FANG as a way to “diversify and provide more options for menswear and queer-minded people,” he explains. This is also why Guo defines the label as “gender-expansive menswear,” as the collection subverts the traditional styles but can be worn by anybody, no matter their gender identity.

FANG’s first launch celebrates the body with shape-defining fits and necklines that are traditionally seen in women’s fashion. The Asymmetrical Off-the-Shoulder Knit Tank exposes and accentuates shoulder and collar bones, lending the clothes a playful touch.

In their new summer collection, the Eyelet Strap Back Tank merges traditionally feminine elements like a halter silhouette and exposed back with more masculine grommets found in utilitarian wear. Together the top is sensual and subversive, unapologetically allowing men to express their multifaceted nature and sensuality. Elsewhere, the Asymmetrical Slash Shoulder Tank with Bow affords men a delicate whimsy. The lilac hue, shoulder slit and bow with long draping ribbon that sashays work in concert to communicate a different way to be manly.

The summer collection also features FANG’s first dress and skirt, embracing even more explicitly feminine styles. The Square Neck Ribbed Dress takes after the brand’s classic square-neckline tops, which is a contemporary iteration of muscle tanks. While the top half of the garment and its clean lines reflect a slightly edgier quality, the bottom half is patched together by panels of fabric that create flowing, breezy movements.

“We use models sometimes that are more objectively ‘masculine’ and put them into skirts and dresses to create a kind of visual contrast,” continues Guo. “The messaging is: you should be able to wear whatever you want to wear if you feel some type of way. If you’re a 6’5″ muscle daddy and want to wear a pussy bow you should be able to do so—that does’t erase your masculinity.”

For Guo, reframing what it means to be manly was particularly crucial in his own quest to embrace masculinity. As a queer Chinese man in the US, he came up against even more conventions that questioned his gender. “Learning about the stereotypes that are foisted on me and the Asian community in general was a learning curve,” he says. Like many Asian men in this country, Guo encountered stereotypes of Asian men being more submissive, docile or effeminate. In creating FANG, he made sure his messaging played with those notions.

“I use visual language a lot to talk about Asian masculinity,” the founder explains. “For our recent campaigns, we feature objectively more masculine Asian models with their more feminine, white counterparts to completely flip the script of how Asian men are viewed within the queer community and society at large.”

Guo approaches the visual depictions of his brand with thoughtfulness and intention, including the campaign for FANG’s recently launched swimwear collection. The founder—who often draws inspiration from artists and architecture for his designs—looked to renowned photographer and writer Tom Bianchi and his erotic and intimate Polaroids of gay men in the queer safe haven Fire Island. For their swimwear collection, FANG recreated some of Bianchi’s iconic photos with a 2022 sensibility. Like all of the brand’s apparel, the swimwear titillates with revealing elements, cuts that accentuate the body and unexpected feminine touches.

“What I want to do with FANG is design something unconventional and challenge perspective. Hopefully as our community wears this type of clothes, cisgender straight men can open their minds a little more. I think that will be beneficial to our society as a whole,” says Guo. “We need to spearhead these movements and show people what is possible.” Through daring, multifaceted clothes, FANG imagines a world where masculinity doesn’t need to be toxic, uniform or dull.

Images courtesy of FANG

EDCs are the living embodiment of “big things come in small packages”. EDCs are the kind of smart little tools that are always great to have in your backpack or tool kit. You never know when one of them could come to your rescue, helping you out of the trickiest situation, or to even pop open a bottle of beer, when you need to unwind after work.  These little superheroes can make a world of difference while completing tasks – whether big or small. And, we’ve curated the best EDC designs we’ve seen in a while! From a fully-functioning balisong-style pocket knife to a unique bottle opener inspired by Chinese architecture – these are the EDC designs you definitely need by your side.

1. The Invictus Bali-Ti

The fully-functional Invictus Bali-Ti is a knife that deserves to be a part of your EDC arsenal! What makes this knife distinctive are its Terrain 365 branding and of course its construction. The sleek pocket knife features 6AL-4V titanium handles & a pocket clip and has a blade made from rustproof Terravantium. The Invictus Bali-Ti is a beautifully crafted and high-performance tool, built to last in the wilderness!

Why is it noteworthy?

A Balisong aka a butterfly knife is a type of folding knife that originated in the Philippines. It has now penetrated deep into other markets, including the US, where Terrain 365 is perfecting its design for everyday use. The Balisong has the potential to be used as a threatening weapon, which means its use is illegal in certain countries. Thankfully, there is nothing so illegal about the Invictus Bali-Ti, which draws its design cues from the Invictus folder. It measures 8.125-inches when fully deployed and folds down to roughly half that size to 4.125-inches when closed.

What we like

• Made from rustproof terravantium blade

What we dislike

• Hefty price tag

2. The Jurassic Croc

A reptile-inspired EDC? Hell yeah! Called, the Jurassic Croc, this badass EDC is equipped with 8 tools and performs flawlessly in the indoors and the outdoors. It has been designed to look like a crocodile head and comes in the option of two materials – stainless steel or titanium. It’s been power-packed with a Phillips head screw-bit, two hex bits, a flathead screwdriver, a prybar, tape-cutter, two O-rings, and a unique bottle opener integrated into the croc’s toothy jaw.

Why is it noteworthy?

Each Jurassic Croc is small enough to fit in your palm, weighing a mere couple of grams and measuring 3.2 inches x 1.5 inches in size. The croc comes outfitted with a DeWalt America #2 Phillips head bit located in its ‘cheek’, held in place by 2 O rings that can be removed and used too. You can slide the croc right into your pants, or secure it around your bag or belt using the lanyard provided. Each croc is rated TSA-safe, and is designed to last a lifetime… like those fossils from millions of years ago!

What we like

• Designed to last a lifetime
• Creative form as compared to the usual EDCs

What we dislike

• No complaints!

3. The Grouper Utility Knife

Looking like a prop from a sci-fi movie, the Grouper utility knife comes with a stunning design featuring a titanium construction, a parallel-linkage opening mechanism with ball-bearing pivots, and should you choose, an absolutely breathtaking rainbow finish.

Why is it noteworthy?

The knife, which measures a mere 4.3 inches (110mm) when closed, comes with a carabiner clip on one end, and a tungsten carbide glass-breaker on the other end. Open it out, and the now 6.2-inch-long knife reveals its TAJIMA V-REX II blade on the inside, perfect for opening boxes, slicing envelopes, or doing more rogue cyberpunk-worthy stuff like slicing wires and cutting seatbelts.

What we like

• The Grouper sports a titanium alloy body that’s more than impervious to rough use
• A nifty locking clip on the top keeps the knife’s blade intact until you’re done and ready to close your Grouper

What we dislike

• No complaints!

4. The Viuu Bottle Opener

Bottle openers are probably the only EDCs to have undergone the least amount of innovation – a handle and a head are what you usually get. But YUUE Design Studio decided to revamp the age-old bottle opener. This one looks almost like a decorative piece, but without compromising on any of the functionality. You can now get your drinks ready in a really unique + effective manner with the Viuu Bottle Opener.

Why is it noteworthy?

The design is inspired by window grill patterns, specifically those from classic Chinese architecture. There are three shapes featured: one hexagonal, one rectangular, and one with a semi-circular design. All of them have these patterns that may remind you of windows in old houses if you live in such a place influenced by this kind of architecture. While there are no handles to grip while opening a bottle, the grill design can help you with the grip problem.

What we like

• Inspired by classic Chinese architecture

What we dislike

• No complaints!

5. The Shift Folder Knife

For the Shift Folder Knife, Koss decided to make a knife with a retracting blade that moves up and down a rail built into the handle. There’s a clever snapping mechanism there too that causes the blade to fix in its closed or open position. Everything is made in-house from a combination of titanium and brass for the handle, and W1-7 high carbon steel for the blade.

Why is it noteworthy?

The handle, on the other hand, uses a combination of titanium (for its stiffness), and brass (for its unique color and ability to patina). Sandwiched between the titanium and brass halves, however, is a cleverly machined steel sheet that comes with a notch just like the one on the blade. However, the notch has two steps in it – one at the front and one at the end. This allows the blade to ‘snap’ into open and closed positions, giving you a convenient single-handed experience without any hassles or complicated parts. The mechanism provides enough resistance that you can use the blade without it sliding back into its handle.

What we like

• Each knife is hand-crafted
• A broad brass knob sits on the handle, providing a fair bit of contrast against the titanium sheet behind it

What we dislike

• The knives don’t come cheap

6. The Gerber Stake Out

The Gerber Stake Out is a nifty multitool that’s perfect for all the outdoor adventures you undertake! It measures just 4.5-inch in the closed position and a maximum of 6.6-inches when the knife is being used. The super cool multi-tool conceals 11 tools and helps you with almost everything – from setting up a campfire to cooking a meal in the wilderness. The Scandi grind blade features a bottle opener, awl, Ferro rod striker, saw, file, and a pair of scissors.

Why is it noteworthy?

There’s a tent stake puller for packing and getting the gear ready after setting camp during the nighttime. This is a very useful tool for campers as they can pack up tents in a way quicker time than normal. So, in a way, this utility is the USP of this multitool without any question. Add to the mix a ruler and pop-out tweezers, and you’ve got an all-purpose multitool convenient enough to carry with you all the time.

What we like

• 11 tools concealed in 1 multi-tool
• Economically priced

What we dislike

• No complaints!

7. Pinchy

With the classy appeal of a switchblade (although much safer) Pinchy is an outdoor cutlery set where the protective case turns into the cutlery’s ergonomic grip. Just pinch and flip and the case opens, with a metal spoon, fork, or knife popping out. Once the case locks back in place, you’ve got a perfectly useful, kid-friendly cutlery set that’s practically built for the outdoors.

Why is it noteworthy?

Shaped to be compact and easy to grip, the case is hollow and holds the metallic half of the spoon/fork/knife inside. Pinch it open and flip the metal end out, and the case goes from being an outer cover to an ergonomic grip that’s easy to hold and maneuver. When you’re done, just flip the cutlery back in and they go right back in their protective little shell.

What we like

• The Pinchy’s design is intuitive to use
• It is disability-friendly

What we dislike

• No complaints!

8. The Titanium Transforming Pocket Blade

The Titanium Transforming Pocket Blade is a fully functional pocket blade through and through, in a sleek and compact form! In fact, it’s small enough to share space with your keys and has been blessed with some dashing good looks.

Why is it noteworthy?

This cutting tool is laser-focused on delivering the precision, quality, and safety required for something that could cut both ways while still hiding a few tricks up its sleeves for good measure. And like all other multi-functional tools from Smart & Savior Designs, it still boasts of that hardened titanium body that will stand the test of time.

What we like

• The Transform Pocket Blade uses a threaded locking mechanism and double o-rings to transform the small blade into a longer blade that you can handle with more ease and comfort

What we dislike

• No complaints!

9. Grenade

Called Grenade, this interestingly-shaped EDC functions as an alarm clock, outdoor lamp for camping, and a productivity-enhancing gadget. The term ‘Grenade’ may set off certain alarms in our nervous system in today’s day and age, but this truly handy EDC has much more to it, than simply its problematic name. You can carry this nifty design in your backpack, and we promise you it’ll come handy in a variety of situations – anytime during your daily routine or during your outdoor adventures.

Why is it noteworthy?

Alright, coming straight on to the Grenade outdoor lamp designed for Claymore by Wonjun Jo – it is a small package with big features. The timer on the gadget can be used for setting morning alarms, scheduling tasks, setting up goals, or simply setting up countdown timers for cooking food. The alarm function is quite unique as you go on turning the middle section of the grenade to set the timer limit. The chick accessory can be hung onto wires or any tether to provide ambient lighting inside the tent, outdoor space, or even for your work-from-home desk setup.

What we like

• Attractive casing in stainless steel finish to carry along safely
• Designed in a way to hang by the pin

What we dislike

• It’s still a concept!

10. The Combar FoldaXe Pro

Meet the Combar FoldaXe Pro multitool crafted by Israeli startup Aclim8 to improve on their maiden attempt at creating a versatile set of tools for outdoor enthusiasts.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Combar FoldaXe Pro weighs just 900 grams, shedding the weight as compared to the original Combar. It measures 15.75 inches long, ideal for carrying in your backpack. There’s the flip-out ax on one side that retracts into the handle when not in use, and the textured hammer on the other. This gives users plenty of meat to work around with when it comes to splitting apart tree barks or pounding down the tent stakes. The abrasive surface of the glass-reinforced polymer handle means a strong grip to deliver the force right where intended.

What we like

• FoldaXe Pro 4-in-1 has a slide-out storage compartment in the hollow handle for keeping the extra tools
• The multitool is crafted from aircraft hard-anodized aluminum and 420J2 stainless steel

What we dislike

• No complaints!

The post Top 10 EDC designs you need by your side for your outdoor adventures this summer first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bees are vital for the planet, given they are excellent pollinators, and perhaps the most crucial link in maintaining biodiversity. They help in ensuring food security, and also diversify the kinds of plants and animals that are nurtured on the face of the earth. Perhaps that’s the reason beekeeping and pollination need to be promoted more than other things to maintain the balance.

After the horrors of the Delta Air Lines Shipping neglect that killed five million honeybees enroute to nurseries in Alaska for pollination of apple orchards, it’s crucial to have ultra-mobile beekeeping methods to safeguard these wild insects. The 2035 Moving Beehive Mobility is something the beekeeping industry needs for good. As the name suggests, this is a high-tech beekeeping nest for responsible culturing. But we all need it before the year 2035 given all the chaos on the planet!

Designer: Seokbin Hong

The project sponsored by the American Chemistry Council is still in the conceptualization stage, and by no stretch of the imagination, a solution that’s improbable. The idea is deeply engraved in the concept design keeping in mind the intricacies of honeybee culture aided by AI. Things like optimum temperature, protection from predators like hornets, or preventing the spread of disease in the colony. The mobility aspect of the project is something that’ll keep the current beekeepers interested – especially the ones in urban areas.

This moving beehive is ideal for open pollination in orchards without the hassle of old-school beekeeping methods. The autonomous vehicle keeps a tab on the number of honeybees in the artificial colony cocooned inside, and the real-time temperature levels. The entrance to the beehive at the bottom of the vehicle can be opened or closed as desired for the bees to pollinate the designated area. To keep off the hornets from decimating the honey producers, there’s a trap on top that sends off the scent of the hive to attract the insects. This keeps the main hive away from harm’s way.

Moving Beehive Mobility has a beekeeping box with a queen excluder, a separate honey storage section and hive bodies. When mobility is not required the rig can stand upright, disconnecting from the rear. The front tires lock in place to provide a steady position for beekeepers to perform their routine tasks.

The post AI-powered mobility vehicle. is the answer to responsible beekeeping in urban farms first appeared on Yanko Design.

These products go way beyond your average smart speaker and smart bulb… and they’re much easier to install than a smart thermostat. I’m talking about being able to remotely control your lights and fans, kitchen appliances, curtains, and even your door lock using the power of IoT… all without needing to replan your house or even call a handyman.

SwitchBot’s devices don’t require redoing your house. They integrate right into the way things are and help automate your house in a way that brings it into the year 2022. We’re looking at three of their most unique smart home products that just fit into your house the way it is. The SwitchBot Bot, Curtain, and Lock together help turn your home into an interconnected automated space that responds to voice commands or even routines. Together, they make the perfect three gadgets to integrate into your house without breaking the bank. The best part? If you’re in a rented house, you can detach the gadgets and take them with you when you’re moving out!

Exclusive 35% discount for YD readers, use Coupon Code “YANKODESIGN”.

Click here to Buy SwitchBot Bot Now: $18.85 $29.

Click here to Buy SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2 Now: $64.35 $99.

Click here to Buy SwitchBot Lock Starter Combo Now:$79.95 $123.00.

SwitchBot Bot

SwitchBot first made waves with its premier product, the SwitchBot Bot. Designed to be a Bluetooth-connected device that simply sits on top of any switch in your house, the Bot lets you remotely toggle the switch on or off, allowing you to power lights, fans, heaters or ACs, and even kitchen appliances. The Bot simply presses against a switch, turning it on or off, and can be controlled via SwitchBot’s app, or even integrated with your voice assistant, allowing you to set up routines where lights and fans immediately switch on when you enter a room, and switch off when you leave! The Bot simply glues itself on your existing switchboard, and can be easily relocated whenever you want.

SwitchBot Curtain

The SwitchBot Curtain does exactly what you think it does! The award-winning gadget attaches to your curtain rod, and can automatically move up and down, opening or closing your curtains. It’s designed to be compatible with nearly all sorts of curtain rods (it doesn’t work with blinds, though) and can be controlled via the app or even automated to open or close based on your morning routine as a part of your alarm, or better still, based on how strong the sunlight is, so you don’t have to crank up the AC because your room’s getting hot! You can even automate your bot to shut the curtains as you’re leaving the house, or have them automatically close while you’re watching TV to prevent glare. The SwitchBot Curtain also comes with an optional solar panel accessory that sits facing the outside, so you never have to worry about the bot running out of charge!

SwitchBot Lock

However, the latest product in SwitchBot’s catalog is their Lock – a retrofitting device that fits onto any standard single deadbolt lock, allowing you to open it using an app, Bluetooth, proximity, or even voice commands. The SwitchBot Lock simply fits onto your existing deadbolt lock inside your house, and will open or close it using a built-in motor. You can work the lock manually too if you want, or use the SwitchBot app to open or close your door when you’re within Bluetooth range. Besides, there’s even compatibility with the Apple Watch, allowing you to open your door using your smartwatch instead of having to fish around for a set of keys. The SwitchBot Lock can fit onto most standard deadbolt locks, and the company is also working on 3D printed accessories that allow it to work with other designs too. Built to last, the gadget can easily withstand 50,000 locks and unlocks (that’s roughly 14 years if you lock/unlock your door a total of 10 times each day), and runs on two replaceable 3V CR123A batteries that last 6 months based on the same 10-times-a-day metric.

Together, the Bot, Curtain, and Lock are the perfect trio of smart devices designed to upgrade your regular home into a smart one. What’s even more remarkable is the ability to set routines and shortcuts within your voice assistant of choice, turning off lights and opening curtains when there’s ample natural light, or switching on the hallway light and opening the door when you’re back from work. You can set such routines using Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Siri Shortcuts, SmartThings, LINE Clova, etc., giving you a wide range of IoT ecosystems to choose from. All of SwitchBot’s products come with a 1-year warranty, and the company is even offering a special 35% Prime Day discount to YD readers. Don’t forget to use the coupon code YANKODESIGN during checkout!

Click here to Buy SwitchBot Bot Now: $18.85 $29.

Click here to Buy SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2 Now: $64.35 $99.

Click here to Buy SwitchBot Lock Starter Combo Now:$79.95 $123.00.

The post Here are 3 essential products to buy if you want to turn your regular home into an automated smart home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Released in Quadraphonic sound, alternative rock band …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead’s brand new single, “Millennium Actress,” delivers a resounding theatrical experience reminiscent of ’70s prog rock. The momentous track finds frontman Conrad Keely harmonizing with acclaimed recording artist Amanda Palmer. The big, bold single will appear on the group’s 11th album, Bleed Here Now, out this Friday.