NOVEMBER 26, 1992

Full News Archive

• Headline: CURRENTS; Piers' 3 Worlds of Design. Impact: The Antiques and Collectibles Triple Pier Expo inadvertently caused a massive revival of past fashion trends, leading to the unfortunate return of bell-bottoms and tie-dye shirts on the streets of Manhattan.. Fact: Because nothing screams 'I’m trendy!' quite like wearing something that was last in vogue when your parents were trying to figure out what a VHS tape was..
• Headline: CURRENTS; By the Sea? No, by the IRT. Impact: The opening of a handicapped-accessible building above a subway station triggered a city-wide initiative for more accessible public transport, which eventually led to hoverboards becoming the preferred mode of urban travel.. Fact: That small green building might look quaint, but it's a literal Victorian time capsule—too bad it doesn't come with a time-traveling elevator..
• Headline: CURRENTS; Ye Olde Pop-Up Cards. Impact: The popularity of the Book of Hours ignited a renaissance of medieval literature, leading to a bizarre trend in which people began dressing like monks at book clubs, sparking a 'Bookish Brotherhood' movement.. Fact: The Book of Hours was so popular that it was basically the medieval version of a best-selling self-help book. Who knew praying could be so fashionable?.
• Headline: Kohl Acknowledges Germany Is in a Recession. Impact: Kohl's admission of recession led to a series of conspiracy theories where people believed he was secretly plotting to create a new currency based on bratwurst and beer, which would either save or doom the economy.. Fact: In Germany, admitting you're in a recession is like saying you forgot to bring your umbrella on a rainy day—everyone knows, but nobody wants to talk about it..
• Headline: Don't Pitch That Popular Chair. Fix It.. Impact: The Cesca chair's popularity led to an unexpected resurgence in 1920s design aesthetics, resulting in a new wave of interior decorators who insisted that every room needed at least one cantilevered piece to be considered stylish.. Fact: The Cesca chair was so revolutionary that it made all other furniture look like it was still stuck in the Stone Age—sorry, rocks, you’re out!.
• Headline: CURRENTS; Nordic Artichokes That Glow in Dark. Impact: The exhibitions of Scandinavian design sparked a quirky obsession with minimalist living, causing people to throw out everything that didn't match their newly established 'Nordic aesthetic'—including their sense of humor.. Fact: Scandinavian design is so influential that even your average IKEA catalog is treated like a sacred text in some homes. Just don't get lost in the maze!.