Hana Tajima: Creative to the brim

Best known as the designer behind former fashion label Maysaa, her evolving creative career is an extension of her former pursuits as a kid raised by two artist-parents. She spoke to Meaghan Brittini. She spent her childhood typing out her own newspapers and magazines on typewriters, playing with fabrics, and intently watching her parents create. “Most … Read more

‘Happy British Muslims’ sparks unhappiness

The “Happy British Muslims” video to Pharrell’s hit is trending, but Elest Ali explains why it’s not just harmless fun. If you’ve been plugged into social media lately, you’d know about the video-meme phenomenon for that Pharrell Williams “Happy” track, which spawned a new viral: the one with the very enthusiastic Muslims in it. Brought to us by … Read more

Lagos photo festival: Turning negatives into positives

Azu Nwagbogu sits in a futuristic, almond-green armchair created by a young Nigerian designer in his Lagos home, surrounded by hundreds of books and dozens of photographs from floor to ceiling. Nwagbogu is the founder of LagosPhoto, an annual festival started five years ago that has since become one of the biggest photography festivals in … Read more

Cut-off Turkish Cypriots seek hope in presidential vote

Erham Tayfor lowers the black woollen shawl she knits outside her market stall and ponders the business she might have were her homeland not deemed illegal by almost every country on earth. “I hope we can change things,” says the 62-year-old, who lives in the northern part of the walled city in the Cypriot capital … Read more

Banknotes or airport? Singapore mulls Lee Kuan Yew tribute

Lee Kuan Yew International Airport? A banknote with the founding Singaporean leader’s face on it? A new national holiday? The death of the widely revered leader known as “LKY” last month has sparked a vigorous debate in Singapore over how to honour its first prime minister, who famously disdained personal monuments. His son, Prime Minister … Read more