Bioluminescent dresses and Labubu raves

Dolce & Gabbana Take Over Rome

Dolce & Gabbana is making us swoon with the images coming from last week’s Alta Moda events in Rome. A Trevi-fountain inspired coat meticulously put together through a mosaic of fabrics pieced together like a puzzle? Check. A male model walking Ponte Sant’Angelo in filigree body armor? Check. Roman sculpture dripping in jewels? Check.

Of course, none of this is anything we’re ever going to be wearing while on a grocery store run or even in our Sunday best (priest chic, anyone?), but D&G has reminded us that fashion is art with a stunning series of events filled with symbolism, craftsmanship, and tradition. Scrolling through the fashion house’s TikTok and watching behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube is a visual feast for the eyes and a reminder of the labor and skill that goes into handcrafted clothing. And in an age when mass production is king and Lululemon is opening in Milan, it’s refreshing to see high fashion step up and keep these artisans employed.

So, if you want to be inspired, sit back and soak in the opulence of the event, which will make you wish you had a grand gala to attend and get dressed up for.

Lights Out on ‘Late Night with Stephen Colbert’

CBS has announced it’s canceling “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” after this next season. This doesn’t mean that Colbert will be replaced; the whole show will simply be scrapped. The franchise that began with David Letterman in 1993 will come to an end in May 2026. This shocking news comes just days after Colbert criticized CBS’ parent company Paramount for settling a lawsuit with current U.S. President Donald Trump to the tune of $16 million.

Given the timing, there has been a flurry of speculation that this decision to completely upend the late-night talk show is politically motivated. In fact, Senator Elizabeth Warren almost immediately called it out on July 17 and followed up with more of her “investigation” on July 18. Senator Bernie Sanders also commented on the situation, likening it to a “march toward authoritarianism.”

And while AI is certainly not an entirely reliable expert on the matter, it’s interesting to see how civilians are using smart technology to verify whether this “march toward authoritarianism” is an over exaggeration. According to Grok, it is not. When asked if it agrees with what Sanders proposed, Grok’s output reads: “I agree. Verified events—Colbert's cancellation post-settlement, NPR/PBS cuts, Schiff probe, Powell threats—show a pattern of targeting critics, media, and institutions, eroding independence. Diverse sources confirm this as authoritarian overreach, though resistance persists. Vigilance is key.”

Despite the alarming outlook of this cancellation, CBS executives have said via a statement: “This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

The late-night landscape will undoubtedly change with this decision, but there are bigger questions at hand now. For starters, does this move symbolize the larger unraveling of network late-night programming, as digital platforms continue to lure younger audiences away? And does this pave the way for censorship at a grand scale? Will other late-night hosts abstain from criticizing the powers that be or will they stand up and call them out?

• 🥇 Given Italy’s panache for design, we couldn’t wait to see what they’d come up with for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which are being held in Milan and Cortina. The recently revealed medal designs didn’t disappoint, featuring a modern, minimalist design that’s both aesthetically pleasing and sustainable, with a dual finish that symbolizes the athlete and their team.

• 💡 Iris van Herpen’s bioluminescent dress is a fascinating piece of biodesign, with 125 million microalgae giving their lives to make the fit glow. It’s very cool, but is it odd that it got me thinking whether or not PETA would show up with a bucket of red paint?

• 🧊 These surreal photos of two giant icebergs looming over a tiny village in Greenland are hauntingly beautiful.

• 🖼️ The next time Lady Gaga (or any celebrity) writes to tell you that they want to purchase your art, read this fascinating NY Times article before you start celebrating. The cautionary art scam tale is well worth using up a free article.

• 🏙️ Anyone who lives in a city knows how much dead space goes to waste, which is why Leopold Banchini Architects’ rotary-turned temporary bath house intrigues us. Set up for an urban design festival in Spain, it got us thinking about whether we’d actually use it and what other types of designs could get inserted into the urban landscape.

• 🥝 As writers, editors, and humans, we have a lot of thoughts about AI (some good, most bad). Chalk one up for the good side with this cool 3D printer designed by MIT grads that transforms food waste into handy everyday items.

• 🤖 Speaking of AI, have you seen Jacob Adler’s award-winning short film Total Pixel Space? Touching on the idea that there is a limited number of generative images that can be created, it also raises some unsettling issues about how AI is leading us down a non-reality rabbit hole.

• 🎥 For any millennials who were in that sweet spot of 13-17 years old when “Dawson’s Creek” aired, get ready for a Joey and Pacey reunion! Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson are starring in a rom-com together. It’s technically a “dramedy” trilogy and production on the first film has begun in NYC. (Here are some stills.)

• 📺 Emmy nominations were announced and Severance leads the pack with 27 noms, followed by The Penguin (24 noms), The Studio (23), and The White Lotus (23). TV fans weren’t surprised for the most part, but, as always, there were definitely fan favorite snubs.

• 🎬 A live-action Zelda film (based on the beloved Nintendo video game) has announced the two leads of the project — meet UK actors Bo Bragason as Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link.

• 👹 Did you know there are now Labubu raves in NYC? Yes, those little monster dolls that everyone seems to be collecting like Beanie Babies is attracting hundreds of young adults to the dance floor for Labubu mystery unboxing giveaways between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.

• 👟 PUMA and Squishmallows have teamed up yet again for another cute and comfy sneaker collection. This “2.0” kicks collab comes in kids’ and adults’ sizes.

• 🐶 Following the success of the “Superman” film, there was a Krypto look alike contest held in NYC. All of these super dogs are our kryptonite.

• 👋 After months of messy drama and fan speculation, Jax Taylor is finally stepping away from The Valley to focus on sobriety, mental health, and being a better dad. Viewers asked, “Will he stay or go?” and Jax just slammed the door (for now).