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- Lazaris Report 002
Lazaris Report 002
Your direct line to the ideas, artistry, and strategies shaping branding, design, and cultural influence. This is our curated dispatch from the front lines of design.
Alex Lazaris
29 Mar • Reading Time: 5 minutes
This is the second edition of The Lazaris Report. Our reports bring you, studio insights, creative intelligence, cultural pulse, and design assets. This week’s top story isn’t a fun one, but one that needs addressing. If you want to skip the politics hit this button to go straight to the fun stuff.
OH THE HUMANITY!
AI slop of Severance key art
At this point, I am sure that you’ve seen the countless Studio Ghibli-fication of images that people are posting online. As with any AI generated image, these are also environmentally, morally and ethically bankrupt, however this trend feels even more offensive due to how outspoken Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki has been about not wanting his work used for in anything AI and that he would never use AI in his work.
Hidden in the onslaught of Ghibli-fied images has buried the lead about OpenAI’s policy changes. They have announced their “Freedom Era”, and an opening up of their content moderation and policies in their tools, aligning more with the Trump admin.
On Thursday March 27th, The official White House posted a crass and humiliating AI image in the style of Studio Ghibli depicting an accused fentanyl dealer crying during her arrest by ICE agents. The 36 year old is being held in federal custody while the charges against her, which pertain to reentry after deportation pend in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The Fun Stuff:
Our Elaio Olive Oil work is live!
We just launched our Elaio Olive Oil branding and packaging project, a greek olive oil brand that is designed from the ground up to stand out on shelves and against the competition. We said no to the ornate over the top frivolous design choices of the past, and built a friendly brand that’s backed by a money back guarantee focused on quality and camaraderie.
Interior Design and Art:
Design.Space this weekend!
An IRL-to-URL shopping experience happening down the street from our studio in West Hollywood, with exclusive products from a select group of designers, artists, galleries and brands. Both online and offline previews are limited to friends and family of Basic.Space, Design Miami and 50+ partners participating in the inaugural LA edition. The event looks like it’s shaping up to be incredible, and hope to see ya’ll there.
Art Basel Hong Kong is this weekend
Louis Vuitton's exhibit opened Art Basel. Takashi Murakami was invited to celebrate the second release of his highly sought-after partnership with the French luxury brand. The team showcased his own sculptures and archival pieces, including a never-before-seen rug with the artist's signature floral print.
Big money on Basquiat piece
Basquiat's Saturday Night sells for $14.5 Million Friday night (March 28th, 2025) at the Henderson during the Christie’s Auction.
Fashion’s Musical Chairs Continues
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, the celebrated design duo behind Proenza Schouler, will take over as creative directors at Loewe, the Spanish luxury house announced Monday. They succeed Jonathan Anderson who stepped down last week after an influential 11-year run that elevated Loewe into a major global brand, achieving annual revenues exceeding a reported $1.5 billion.
Let’s Build the Future Together
This is just the beginning. Expect more. Expect the unexpected. If you know any artists, sculptures, fashion designers or jewelers, who want to collaborate, send them our way!