Pantone, a renowned authority on color, has designated an "inspiring soft brown" as the color of the year for 2025, upholding a tradition that has now spanned over twenty-five years. In an announcement made on Thursday, the international color expert revealed that Mocha Mousse was chosen for its "mild brown tone imbued with a tactile and soothing warmth." The company further described the shade as "a rich, warming brown that offers comfort through its association with the delightful flavors of cacao, chocolate, and coffee, catering to our yearning for solace."

Unearthing remarkable finds is often the domain of archaeologists, but some individuals experience an exceptionally fortunate—or peculiar—day each year. The year 2024 was no exception, with a construction worker uncovering a hidden, ancient marble statue, an art historian spotting a missing artwork on social media, and an amateur digger discovering a perplexing Roman artifact. Experts also made headlines with the discovery of the earliest cave paintings in South America and the oldest scientifically documented lipstick, in a bold shade of red. Here are some of the most significant art historical and archaeological discoveries of the year.

The Miss Netherlands beauty pageant has been discontinued, as its organizers have declared that a transformation is necessary. The competition will cease to exist, and in its stead, a new initiative has been launched with the goal of "inspiring" young individuals in various aspects. This decision comes barely a year after the pageant's judges awarded its first transgender winner, Rikkie Kollé, with the crown. A statement on the competition's website has announced the discontinuation and the launch of a new platform titled "Niet Meer Van Deze Tijd" (translating to "No Longer of This Time"). The statement reads: "After a history filled with glamour, talent, and inspiration, Miss Netherlands is bidding farewell to a name that has touched the hearts of many. However, this is not a conclusion; it is a fresh start. As the world evolves, so do we. 'Miss Netherlands' is evolving into 'No Longer of This Time': a platform that focuses on mental health, social media, diversity, self-expression, and much more. Gone are the crowns, but in their place are stories that foster connections. Absent are the dresses, but present are dreams that become reality. 'Here, we inspire young people to embrace their true selves in a world that is in constant flux.'"

Conceptual artist Lorraine O’Grady, renowned for her insightful critiques on identity, passed away in New York at the age of 90. Her gallery, Mariane Ibrahim, confirmed the news via email, stating that her death was due to natural causes. O’Grady embarked on her artistic journey relatively late, beginning in her early 40s, and labored for two more decades in relative obscurity before her work gained widespread recognition in the early 2000s. She was a part of the pivotal 2007 exhibition “WACK!: Art and the Feminist Revolution” at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the 2010 Whitney Biennial in New York. In 2021, the Brooklyn Museum celebrated her extensive body of work with a major retrospective, “Lorraine O’Grady: Both/And,” during which the artist, then in her late 80s, introduced a new performance art character donning a full suit of armor. “I anticipated a grand moment during the retrospective when I would step into the galleries and see all of my work together, in one place, and experience a profound revelation,” she shared with New York Magazine in 2021. “The interaction with the audience, which includes a dialogue of questions and answers, was what was missing.”

In the world of high fashion, few announcements are as anticipated as the appointment of a new artistic director for an iconic house. Chanel, the epitome of French elegance and timeless style, has once again captured the industry's attention with the revelation of its latest creative visionary. Matthieu Blazy, the former creative director of the esteemed Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta, has been entrusted with one of the most influential roles in fashion, becoming only the fourth lead designer for the French fashion house since its inception in 1910. Following in the footsteps of Virginie Viard, Karl Lagerfeld, and the founder Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, Blazy steps into a legacy that spans over a century, a testament to the brand's enduring influence and relevance.

For individuals who are unable to make the journey to the Tokyo National Museum to view Iwasa Matabei's renowned 17th-century gold leaf masterpiece, "Rakuchu Rakugai Zu Byobu," there is an alternative. This December, the Gagosian gallery in London is exhibiting a grand-scale replica of the artwork. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that this is not a mere replication.

Last year, French photographer François Prost dedicated countless hours to scouring Google Maps, meticulously planning an expedition to capture the essence of Japan's "love hotels"—unique establishments that provide hourly rentals and, most importantly, a sanctuary of privacy for their patrons. However, as he embarked on his extensive 3,000-kilometer (1,864-mile) journey, these hotels were anything but inconspicuous. While some were marked by heart-shaped or lip-themed signs (with names such as Hotel Passion, Hotel Joy, or Hotel BabyKiss, to name a few from his travels), the hotels were most readily identifiable by their whimsical architecture, which, paradoxically, was far from being discreet. "You can spot spaceships, boats, and even a massive whale, which seems quite childlike," Prost remarked in a Zoom interview from France. "And numerous of them are designed to resemble castles," he added, referring to the facades of approximately 200 love hotels featured in his latest photographic series.

For a multitude of American Millennials, the vibrant and feminine attire of Limited Too was a defining part of their childhood memories. Now, the brand has made a comeback, this time catering to adults.

Although modern runway shows typically last no more than 15 minutes, they require extensive preparation, often involving months of work, substantial financial investment, and a team of highly skilled professionals including technicians, set designers, and tailors. These brief spectacles have the potential to establish a designer's reputation for a lifetime. Even for those who are not avid fashion enthusiasts, some iconic moments on the runway are well-known—think of the robotic spray-painters at Alexander McQueen's Spring-Summer 1999 collection or Chanel's life-sized rocket launch during its Fall-Winter 2017 show. If you've missed these groundbreaking events, they are now part of a new exhibition in London titled "Vogue: Inventing the Runway," displayed at the Lightroom. The exhibition features a mix of behind-the-scenes and runway footage projected onto the venue's towering 39-foot walls, immersing visitors in the heart of fashion's history. "This is an opportunity to bring people into the experience," said Chioma Nnadi, the head of editorial content at British Vogue, at the exhibition's opening. "They get a glimpse of (what it's like to attend a runway show) on their phone, but this is the full immersive experience," she added.

A snapshot that might have been captured at any festive gathering depicts three young ladies in elegant attire, standing together in a cozy living space adorned with balloons and festive decorations. Their long, chestnut tresses cascade beyond their waists, suggesting a bond that could be friendship or sisterhood. However, their averted gazes from the lens hint at a reason for their anonymity and a profound message behind their unveiled locks. These young women reside in Kabul, under the scrutinizing gaze of the Taliban, who reclaimed control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the abrupt withdrawal of American forces. Initially promising to respect women's rights, the Taliban has since nearly vanished women from public view, relegating them to the privacy of their homes, even for celebrations such as the one depicted. This image, captured earlier this year by Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Kiana Hayeri, is part of a larger collection of works spanning six months, illustrating the lives of Afghan women as the Taliban progressively stripped them of their fundamental rights, including mandatory veiling in public, silencing their voices, and barring them from secondary education, much of the workforce, and numerous social settings.

A distinguished university structure, celebrated for its architectural excellence and accolades, is facing demolition barely three decades after its construction, a decision that has drawn significant backlash.

Danish national Victoria Kjær Theilvig has achieved a historic milestone by being crowned Miss Universe 2024, marking the first time a Danish participant has secured the prestigious title. The 21-year-old, who is known for her competitive dancing, entrepreneurial spirit, and aspirations in law, triumphed over more than 120 contestants at the annual beauty pageant held in Mexico City on a Saturday evening. As she received the tiara from the outgoing Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, Theilvig was met with applause from her fellow contestants on stage.

Amidst the bustling streets of New York City, the Flatiron Building stands as a beacon of architectural grandeur. Yet, nestled beside this iconic landmark, there lies a less-celebrated but equally captivating structure—a slender, high-rise building adorned with an opulent golden dome. Currently, the luxurious penthouse that graces this golden pinnacle, along with the two-story octagonal cupola it surmounts, is available for purchase at a staggering $25 million.

In the annals of cultural heritage, the recent repatriation of over 1,400 looted artifacts from the United States to India marks a significant chapter in the global fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. This event, announced by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, is not merely a transfer of objects; it is a restoration of history, a reaffirmation of cultural identity, and a testament to the enduring spirit of international cooperation.

After a nearly seven-year hiatus, construction on the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, poised to become the world's tallest skyscraper, has recommenced. The project, which was halted in the midst of a nationwide anti-corruption crackdown, is now set to be completed by 2028, as announced by the Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), the consortium spearheading the development, during a recent ceremony on the construction site.

In the hallowed halls of history, the Notre-Dame de Paris stands as a sentinel of time, a testament to the enduring spirit of human ingenuity and faith. On a recent Friday morning, the echoes of its bells pierced the silence that had draped the cathedral since the devastating fire of April 2019, a fire that had scorched not only the timbers and stones but also the collective heart of Parisians and the world over. The return of the bells' peal, a symphony of metal and might, was not just a technical achievement but a resounding affirmation of resilience and rebirth.

After a six-year pause, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show made a triumphant return on a Tuesday evening in Brooklyn, signaling a significant shift in the brand's narrative. The event was a testament to the brand's commitment to being shaped by women, with a female-centric approach that was evident throughout the show. The production boasted an all-women musical lineup and a diverse array of models donning more sophisticated and, in some instances, more comfortable lingerie, such as leggings and sheer overlays.

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