The Mappa Mundi by Fra Mauro, created around 1450. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

Before satellites and air flight, one might think mapping the contours of continents and the shores of seas accurately was nearly impossible. However, careful research alone could sometimes produce useable, surprisingly accurate renditions of geography. In the 15th century, a medieval monk known as Fra Mauro bucked cartographic tradition and carefully crafted a massive eight-foot by eight-foot map of the then-known world. Created for King Afonso V of Portugal, this Mappa Mundi (World Map) features over 3,000 locations across Africa, Europe, and Asia. While some may have fantastical stories and illustrations, the contours of this world match quite well the real boundaries of the land.

Fra Mauro was born around 1400, and he spent part of his youth traveling on merchant and military ships. He eventually became a monk at the Monastery of St. Michael, an outpost of the Camaldolese order that was perched on the Venetian island of Murano. There, he received a commission to create a world map for the king of Portugal, and he set to work. The map, completed around 1450, was essentially “crowd-sourced” like a medieval Google Maps, says Atlas Obscura. Living in a center of robust Mediterranean trade, the monk actively solicited insight and myths about the far corners of the then-known world from sailors, merchants, soldiers, and pilgrims. He then compiled them, with some assistance, into a map.

At a glance, one may not recognize the continents, as the map was drawn “upside down.” Stretching to the edges of the globe are the southern coast of Africa, Scandinavia, and the outer edge of what is now Russia. Ships, some labeled in Chinese, dot the wavy waters as far away as India. Almost 3,000 cities and sites are labeled and illustrated. Some are accompanied by troglodytes, seven-headed serpents, or gold lakes.

Clearly, the monk did not believe every legend he was told, noting in some places his disbelief. Impressively, this is the first European map to correctly depict Japan as an island. It also eschews certain Biblical fictions by not placing the Garden of Eden and its inhabitants at the center of the physical world. While not the only world map produced with accuracy, compared to the Hereford Mappa Mundi created about 150 years prior, the precision of Fra Mauro's map is especially stunning.

Fra Mauro, a 15th-century Venetian monk, created a large map of the world then known to Europeans.

Comparing the map to the real planet. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

Despite fantastical contents, this Mappa Mundi surprisingly tracks the outlines of actual continents.

A close-up of Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

Watch this video to learn more about Fra Mauro's stunning feat of cartography.

h/t: [Open Culture, Atlas Obscura]

Related Articles:

Insightful Map Reveals Different Etiquette Practices Around the World

Artist Spent Three Years Drawing Map of the World with 1,642 Animals

Incredible Sky Map Details Over 900,000 Stars, Galaxies, and Black Holes

Explore the Impressively Accurate Medieval World Map by a 12th-Century Islamic Scholar

READ: 15th-Century Monk Crowdsourced Info to Create Shockingly Accurate World Map

What do you do with old train tickets? If you're like most people, you probably throw them out once you get to your stop. But for one X user, who simply goes by the username of Yota8nsx, train tickets are something to be appreciated. Their entire account is dedicated to documenting the history of the Japanese Hankyu Railway from the 1950s and 60s, and when they are not posting photos of old train cars, they have another passion—sharing old train tickets.

If you think you know what train tickets look like, think again because what Yota8nsx posts is nothing short of art. Many of the designs feature famous sights from around Japan, including Mount Fuji. The paper normally has brightly colored, abstract designs in the background, firmly giving the tickets a 60s pop art feel. Foliage is often painted in with a brush pen, giving the tickets a beautiful, handmade feeling.

The themes of the tickets also correspond to which train they belong to, with several tickets having nighttime designs for evening routes. Others have minimalist maps printed at the bottom, with little drawn icons of landmarks that correspond to each of the stops. Each ticket is a testament to the skills of the artist, as no two designs are alike.

To see when Yota8nsx posts next, be sure to follow their X.

Yota8nsx's Twitter account is dedicated to posting vintage Japanese railway photos, including beautifully designed tickets.

Some feature drawings of iconic Japanese landmarks and the country's natural landscapes.

Others have dazzling nighttime themes, as the tickets likely corresponded with an evening route.

Each ticket is a testament to the artist behind it, as they are all gorgeously detailed and painstakingly printed.

Yota8nsx: X
h/t: [Kottke]

All images via Yota8nsx.

Related Articles:

Japan’s Most Luxurious Scenic Train Is Coming to Hokkaido

Japanese Train Station Protectively Built Around a 700-Year-Old Tree

This Japanese Train Ditched Conventional Fuel and Now Runs on Leftover Ramen Broth

This Unusual Japanese Train Station in the Middle of Nowhere Has No Entrance or Exit

READ: Stunning Vintage Japanese Train Tickets Are Works of Art

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Japanese stationary company PLUS just released a set of three of the cutest erasers. Featuring some of 18th-century Japanese woodblock printmaker Katsushika Hokusai‘s most popular prints of Mount Fuji, the erasers are perfect to use when channeling your inner artist.

Famously, The Great Wave off Kanagawa features a stunning wave in the foreground with a snow-topped Mt. Fuji in the distance. Yet that was just one panel of his series called Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. The panels titled Surface of the Koshu Misaka River and Fine Wind and Clear Weather are The Great Wave's companions in this set. You might think their cuteness will be a problem once you actually need to erase a mistake, but don't worry. There's a clever trick within them that only ups the ante.

These erasers have the prints on their clear holders, but when you start to erase with the seemingly typical rectangular pieces of rubber, a snow capped Mt. Fuji is revealed. These erasers are a special limited-edition trio, but are part of PLUS's Air-In eraser series which feature designs, including their own rendition of Mt. Fuji, that are revealed once used. Using two layers of resin, users must erase evenly at the corners if they want to construct their own mountain. When you return them to their boxes, they turn into three-dimensional pieces of miniature art.

Hokusai's works inspired artists around the world, including Impressionists like Monet. Now you can be inspired to risk making some mistakes with erasers that you can't wait to use on hand. They're a great incentive to quell your inner perfectionist. The erasers are available at Amazon Japan and other stationary stores. They are retailing for ¥880 or roughly $5.50 on Amazon Japan, but at the moment only PLUS' standard Mt. Fuji erasers are available on Amazon in the U.S.

Japanese company PLUS released a limited-edition set of erasers that feature panels from Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji

PLUS: Website | Facebook
h/t: [Spoon and Tamago]

Related Articles:

LEGO Kit Lets People Make Their Own Version of Hokusai’s ‘The Great Wave’

LEGO Unveils a 2,125-Piece Architecture Set of Japan’s Iconic Himeji Castle

Doc Martens and The Met Team Up to Pay Homage to Japanese Master Hokusai

18 Quirky Pencils That Will Let You Sketch and Scribble in Style

READ: Fun Hokusai-Inspired Erasers Designed To Turn Into Mount Fuji the More You Use Them

Nowadays, there are a wide range of speakers available in different shapes, colors, and materials to suit every style. But despite all the models available in stores, a clever crafter has come up with something truly unique that you won’t find in stores. Content creator Mohsen Shirmohammadi, best known for his YouTube channel Penguin DIY, created a bluetooth speaker…inside a walnut!

Shirmohammadi, a mechatronic enthusiast, creates quirky gadgets from unexpected items. To show how he makes it all work, he captures his process in detailed videos. For example, in the walnut bluetooth speaker video, we see him go from polishing the inside walls of the walnut, to installing a rearranging tiny 5 V power bank module to make it fit inside the shell.

In one half of the walnut shell, the crafter stacks and fits a MH-MH18 Bluetooth audio module and an HXJ8002 mini audio amplifier module, managing to extend the LEDs and wire them up despite the lack of room. On the other side of the compact space, he fits a 4Ω 2 W mini speaker. For the sound to come out, the content creator drills a series of little holes in the shell. As finishing touches, he installs three tiny switches for play/pause, previous and next track, and volume control.

“From the choice of the perfect walnut shell to the installation of modules, amplifiers speakers, and a rechargeable battery, this project is a fusion of nature and technology,” writes the imaginative inventor. “Join us on this unique journey of creativity and innovation. Don't miss out on this extraordinary walnut shell speaker project—a must-watch for DIY enthusiasts and music aficionados!”

To stay up to date with Shirmohammadi's latest creations, you can subscribe to Penguin DIY's YouTube channel.

Penguin DIY: YouTube

Related Articles:

Kintsugi-Inspired Bluetooth Speaker Cracks Open To Beam Light and Play Sound

Designer Reimagines New York’s Flatiron Building as a Luxury Speaker

This Amazing Eco-Friendly Shower Speaker Runs On Hydropower

Man Builds a Pressure-Sensitive Coffee Table That Lights up When It Is Touched

READ: Watch a Clever Designer Turn a Walnut Into a Bluetooth Speaker

Gold is most often found in jewelry and coins, but that's far from the limit of its creative possibilities. Lin Chao, a China-based shop specializing in gold, creates a myriad of highly detailed items. Making sure to capture the entire crafting process on video, the public can see that many of their pieces begin as a humble sheet of metal, reminding us that sometimes the real preciousness lies in the work of artisans that spend years honing their craft.

One of the best examples of this is a gold teapot that has charmed many around the world. At first, it's easy not to think much of an irregularly shaped piece of metal. But after being carefully cutting it into a circle, the real magic begins. Armed with a hammer and a welding torch, the gold begins to take shape in the artisan's hands. Once the basic form is achieved, the jeweler initiates the decoration process, carving out some details and adding others by cutting and forging smaller pieces together.

“This is a gold ware [where] we cannot afford to make mistakes. Starting from the ‘one-piece' process, the splendor of this work will be presented bit by bit with every knock,” writes the company. “Originality is life and love to us. Behind every proud work is repeated torture, which challenges the height of craftsmanship, incorporates new techniques, and also makes breakthroughs in patterns. Each time is a brand new Linchao.”

The gold teapot has a steep price tag that matches both the material and the craftsman’s thorough work. Since it contains between 450 and 500 grams (1 and 1.1 pound) of gold, it retails for ¥600,000 or $84,000. “This Yangyang Zesheng handle pot strives for change in both the format and design thinking,” explains Linchao. “Breaking the inertial thinking of engraving patterns, the pockmark engraving that is generally used on all sides to highlight the main pattern is changed to filling in the pattern, and the dense pockmarks collide with the elegance of the entire pot surface, and the high-end texture emerges spontaneously. Although it is a subtle subversion, it can also present a stunning visual charm.”

Beyond the gold teapot, other objects Linchao has produced are goblets, lockets, and bas-relief pendants. No matter the size or the shape, one thing is certain—these pieces belong in a museum. To stay up to date with their creations, take a look at Lin Chao’s BiliBili channel.

Lin Chao, a China-based shop specializing in gold jewelry, creates a myriad of highly detailed items.

One of their most visually astounding pieces circulating online is of an ornate teapot.

Making sure to capture the entire crafting process on video, the public can see that many of their pieces begin as a humble sheet of metal.

Their process reminds us that sometimes the real preciousness lies in the work of artisans that spend years honing their craft.

Linchao: BiliBili | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

Related Articles:

Vintage Japanese Gadgets Are Reimagined With Golden Kintsugi “Scars” to Give Them a Second Chance

Costco Is Now Selling 1-Ounce Gold Bars for Under $2,000

Artist Gives Scrap Metal Second Life by Transforming It Into Stunning Sculptures

Artist Upcycles Scrap Metal Into a Majestic Menagerie of Animal Sculptures

READ: Watch How This Artisan Turns a Single Sheet of Gold Into an Ornate Teapot

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Gab Bois (@gabbois)

Even the most mundane objects you come across every day has great untapped potential. Artist Gab Bois knows this all too well. By looking into the meaning and origins of common things, she emerges with a surrealist composition that turns objects into so much more than what they are known for. Bois' sharp eye for design and creative touch unveils the double identities of everyday items.

The Montreal-based artist's work is powered by her boundless imagination. And it's only through a very open heart and mind that she gets to subvert all the objects she uses into a museum-worthy piece. “Influenced by childhood experiences of playing pretend, she brings a distinct element of fantasy to her body of bizarre tableaux and whimsical props,” reads her website. “Her unique visual language, informed by design, fashion, pop culture and advertising, approaches the mundane with a sharp sense of humor.”

In her deft hands, a couple dozen credit cards become a fashionably colorful tube top and a horde of turtle plushies is seen with fresh eyes as a green turtleneck. Unconventional accessories are also aplenty in Bois' work, whether a money clip is reimagined as a hair clip—with a dollar bill included—or a pair of croissants are turned into high heel shoes. Some of the multidisciplinary artist's most striking pieces are arguably those that include home appliances, such as a chandelier made of colorful dice or a lounge chair composed of woven seat belts.

This vision has led Bois to launch her own fashion imprint, incorporating unexpected elements to garments and their complements. The heels of her Clementine pump cleverly emulate a fruit, while the rhubarb purse looks like a freshly picked leaf bent into shape.

“Her work is a place where the double entendre of hyperrealism and the commonness of the familiar object happily coexist,” Bois' website states. “Through her imagery, the artist challenges the viewer to question what they are seeing while at the same time modifying their perception of reality. Having a deep interest in paradox, Bois positions her work at the intersection of reality and simulation, futurism and nostalgia, affect and object.”

To stay up to date with Bois' work, follow Bois on Instagram.

By looking into the meaning and origins of common things, visual artist Gab Bois emerges with surreal compositions.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

Her work turns ordinary objects into so much more than what they are known for.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

It's like suddenly every item you've ever seen has a double identity—and a very cool one.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Gab Bois (@gabbois)

Bois' work is powered by her boundless imagination. And it's only through a very open heart and mind that she gets to subvert all the objects she uses into a museum-worthy piece.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Gab Bois (@gabbois)

“Influenced by childhood experiences of playing pretend, she brings a distinct element of fantasy to her body of bizarre tableaux and whimsical props.”

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Gab Bois (@gabbois)

“Her unique visual language, informed by design, fashion, pop culture and advertising, approaches the mundane with a sharp sense of humor.”

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

This vision has led Bois to launch her own fashion imprint, incorporating unexpected elements to garments and their complements.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

“Her work is a place where the double entendre of hyperrealism and the commonness of the familiar object happily coexist.”

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gab Bois (@gabbois)

Gab Bois: Website | Instagram

Related Articles:

Artist Uses Household Items to Brilliantly Recreate Masterpieces From Art History

Artist Creates “Skeleton Key” Skull Made Out of Vintage Keys

Artist Recreates Famous Paintings From Paper Clips and Other Everyday Objects

Artist Transforms Fresh Foods into Mind-Bending Arrangements of Tasty Patterns

READ: Surreal Artist Turns Ordinary Objects Into Unexpected Fashion and Delicious Design

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

June is Pride Month. Now, more than ever, it's important to keep LBGTQIA+ issues at the forefront and let your Pride flag fly.

Pride is about affirming the identities and increasing the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people—those who have been marginalized and told that who they are doesn’t matter. Making art can be therapeutic as well as productive, and there are many creatives who express themselves in doing so. Some sell what they produce on Etsy.

Often, these shops fill in the gaps where products for LGBTQIA+ people are lacking. Little Pickle Memories, for instance, was born after moms Emma and Nat struggled to find a baby book that accurately represented their family. What started as one book is now a range of products that feature all sorts of families, from same-sex couples to single parents.

Scroll down to support LGBTQIA+ makers producing creative products to celebrate during Pride Month and beyond.

Here are Etsy shops that help support LGBTQ+ makers.

Queerly Designs

Photo: Queerly Designs

Based out of Philadelphia, Queerly Designs produces t-shirts and sweatshirts for all aspects of the rainbow. From feminist hoodies to trans Pride t-shirts, there's always a fun, clever design to be found in this popular Etsy store.

Say It Proud

Photo: Say It Proud

Say It Proud is dedicated to creating “positive and encouraging messages centered around LGBTQ+ major milestones and life events.” Their shop contains colorful cards and prints that commemorate gender affirmation surgery, adoption for same-sex parents, Pride, and much more.

GRRRL Spells

Photo: GRRRL Spells

If you’re into horror and the occult, you’ll want to check out GRRRL Spells, a queer and feminist apparel and art brand. Their stock includes pins, patches, prints, shirts, socks, and more—all with a spooky twist.

The Crown Arts

Photo: The Crown Arts

At The Crown Arts, a queer-owned and woman-owned business in New Hampshire, you'll find everything from creative enamel pins to fun stickers and prints.

Wild Fancy Design

Photo: Wild Fancy Design

With its handmade jewelry and decor, Wild Fancy Design is the perfect place to purchase sustainable, ethically-made pieces that show off your Pride. The shop is filled with fun and funky items to up your style game.

Junebug and Darlin

Photo: Junebug and Darlin

Known for their “subversive cross stitch kits for modern makers,” Junebug and Darlin empowers everyone to get sewing. Many of their kits use words and phrases as a way to convey progressive messaging.

Little Pickle Memories

Photo: Little Pickle Memories

Little Pickle Memories started in 2016 after Emma and Nat struggled to find a baby book that reflected their two-mom family. They’ve since expanded their one book into a range of books and products for all types of families.

Johnna Joy Designs

Photo: Johnna Joy Designs

From beautiful statement earrings to creative art prints, Johnna Joy Designs is filled with exceptional finds. Based in Iowa, this queer-owned business also provides custom orders.

Clean Candle Therapy

Photo: Clean Candle Therapy

These soy candles are created using organic essential oils as a way to promote the healing of the mind, body, and spirit. Clean Candle Therapy began when the owner wasn't able to find candles that didn't contain toxic or synthetic substances, and it has blossomed into a thriving business.

In Our Own Words

Photo: In Our Own Words

Etsy shop In Our Own Words was created after the owners couldn’t find greeting cards for LGBTQ+ family and friends that “weren’t crude, inane, sarcastic, or vulgar.” They had also amassed a collection of vintage photographs featuring proud men, women, and children. The sentiments feature these images as cards for a variety of occasions. All the cards are printed using wind power and crafted by local HIV+ men & women.

Fabulously Feminist

Photo: Fabulously Feminist

Callie Garp is the creative mind behind Fabulously Feminist, which focuses on producing art for social and eco-justice. Her illustrations, which have a retro feel, adorn apparel, totes, mugs, stickers, and much more as a way to help you show love for the causes near and dear to your heart.

John Paul Snead Art

Photo: John Paul Snead Art

Illustrator John Paul Snead has a delightful shop filled with original art and accessories that celebrate diversity and Pride. His pastel rainbow art embraces Pride and is available on everything from bags and sweatshirts to glassware and posters.

Sootmegs

Photo: Sootmegs

Sootmegs has created a selection of pins that help say things you might be tired of talking about or things you want to tell people without speaking them. Calling the items “functional badges,” they intend to spread awareness to make hard days easier and the invisible visible.

Studio Drizou

Photo: Studio Drizou

Based in Athens, Studio Drizou creates elegant queer home decor and gifts, including wooden Pride flags that make spectacular wall art. They also have a selection of pronoun pints and queer art.

Pride State

Photo: Pride State

Specializing in apparel for the LGBTQ+ community, the Detroit-based Pride State is filled with cool contemporary designs that celebrate all the colors of the rainbow and their allies.

This article has been edited and updated.

Related Articles:

52 of the Best Creative Gifts You Can Find on Etsy

16 Black-Owned Etsy Shops Selling Creative Products to Support

15 AAPI-Owned Etsy Shops to Support During AAPI Heritage Month and Beyond

20 Dazzling Jewelry Stores on Etsy That Specialize in Beautiful Handmade Designs

READ: 15 LGBTQ+ Makers on Etsy Crafting Creative Products During Pride Month and Beyond

Torn cushions, scuffed up carpets, and scratched furniture—many cat owners know this sight all too well. For some pet parents, this is simply seen as their beloved cat's claw maintenance. It can't be helped! Still, there seems to be a better outlet for your kitty to file their claws—with a chance of you even celebrating what they've done. Luckily, industrial designer Zhenyang Yan of Shanghai-based company Livelyhood LTD. has designed Catvas, a scratching pad for cats to claw at and express themselves on, resulting in a one-of-a-kind piece of art you can actually hang on your wall.

Catvas challenges the idea that cat scratching posts and pads are lowly consumables bound for the trash can once they've been used throughly. Instead, they can be mementos of your cat's life in a way that a photograph could never capture. After all, cats leave pheromones while scratching, creating a sense of territory and emotional connection with the object they've scratched. It is also what keeps them healthy as it not only removes the outer layer of their nails, but also helps them vent their emotions.

To make this idea work, Catvas has a double layer of fabric that results in colorful designs as cats scratch to their heart's content. When enough time (and scratching) has passed, the color underneath will begin to show in a unique pattern. The L-shaped structure is designed to fit the natural stretching habits of cats, with the removable panels allowing for easy replacement. Once done, you can frame the panels and be proud of what your cat has made.

What's best, Catvas is constructed from mostly recyclable materials, including wood, aluminum, and fabric made from old cloth and mycorrhiza. To make it easier for cats to scratch it and for you to get a cool design, the top layer is thinner than the bottom one. It also has easy-to-assemble components, significantly reducing packaging costs and waste.

This clever conception has been awarded the 2024 Iron A' Design Award in Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design. “Catvas is a new pet product that reshapes scratching from a destructive behavior into a creative process,” writes A' Design Award. “It gives both people and cats the chance to co-create their living spaces together.”

Catvas is a scratching pad you can easily turn in into wall art once your cat has left its marks on it.

Rather than being seen as consumables, Catvas proposes that scratching posts can be mementos of your cat's life in a way that a photograph could never capture.

To make this idea work, Catvas has a double layer of fabric that results in colored “brushstrokes” as cats scratch to their heart's content.

When enough time (and scratching) has passed, the color underneath will begin to show in a unique pattern.

Zhenyang Yan: Behance | LinkedIn
h/t: [Yanko Design]

Related Articles:

Stylish Cat Furniture Can Be Reconfigured Different Ways for Endless Fun

Modular Cat Furniture Offers Infinite Possibilities for Curious Felines Who Love to Explore

Modular Cat Furniture Doubles as Chic Wall Art That Pet Parents Will Love

70 Artists Are Celebrating Fierce Felines With a ‘Cat Art Show’ in Los Angeles

READ: Exhibit Your Cat’s Creations With a ‘Catvas’ Scratching Pad That Can Be Displayed Like Wall Art

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)

When looking up the history of fashion, it's almost irresistible to browse through that various styles of garments made for women over the years. Tracing the history of female fashion is a colorful adventure filled with diverse silhouettes. Unbeknownst to many, male fashion history can be just as compelling. And no one has made a better case for this than multi-hyphenate model-stylist-photographer Wisdom Kaye. The stylish young man has compiled an insightful “High Fashion Time Travel” video, going back thousands of years—and even daring to peek into the future—to show the evolution of male outfits.

Kaye begins his fashion voyage in a place rarely regarded for the clothes of the time—the year 10,000 BCE, or the Paleolithic era. But rather than commissioning a bespoke outfit or turning to a museum archive, the model recreates the furs and capes of the era with garments designed and sold by contemporary luxury retailers. In fact, he does so for every decade, century, and millennia he showcases.

After 10,000 BCE, Kaye's fashion timeline skips forward to the age of empires and ostentatious robes before showing us suits from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, like the ones depicted in museum portraits and historical documents. After the turn of the 20th century, Kaye relishes in slowing down and savoring the intricacies of each decade's fashion, even showing how outfits evolved every few years. It's as if he's challenging the notion of 70s or 90s fashion and conveying how intricate and mutating they were.

Towards the end of his voguish video, he presents how outfits have changed before our eyes over the last couple of decades. His fashion expertise captures the evolution in broad strokes—something that's hard to notice happening, when you're in the middle of it all or if you're not a fashion connoisseur. As the cherry on top, he takes a few seconds to predict the fashion of the years 3000 and 3333—the latter much more experimental than the former. With a little luck, just like he nailed each look from the past, he will ace his vision of the future.

To stay up to date with his daily fashion and creative styling, you can follow Kaye on Instagram and TikTok, where he often experiments with looks inspired by followers' requests.

Wisdom Kaye is an extremely stylish model who shares his fashionable everyday looks.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)

He has made a name for himself as a man who expresses himself and his passions through fashion.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)

Kaye also shows how to translate pop culture favorites into wearable fashion.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)

@wisdm8 Replying to @west ♬ original sound – Wisdom Kaye

@wisdm8 Replying to @user9381720148560 ♬ original sound – Wisdom Kaye

His knowledge of fashion history is apparent in the way he styles himself.

@wisdm8When y’all thought i was 30 when i was 19♬ original sound – Wisdom Kaye

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)

Given his expertise in style, he can even make skinny jeans look cool.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)

In one of his most impressive compilations, Kaye time travels through history, showing how men's fashion has evolved over the centuries and even millennia.

@wisdm8 Replying to @Richmond okeke ♬ original sound – Wisdom Kaye

Wisdom Kaye: Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

Related Articles:

Fashion Designer Creates Stunning Geometric Outfits Including World’s First 3D-Printed Wedding Dress

Timeless Fashion in Bloom: The Most Beautiful Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet Looks

Iconic Movie Villains Teamed up for a High-Fashion Prada Runway Show That Looked Wickedly Good

Tokyo’s Rockabilly Subculture Takes Over Park With 50s Music, Vintage Fashion, and Smooth Moves

READ: Stylish Guy Shows How Male Fashion Has Evolved Over the Last 12,000 Years

Photo: cowardlion/Depositphotos

Japan's geisha tradition has long captured the world's imagination. Many of us have read or watched Memoirs of a Geisha; some have even traveled to Japan to experience geisha culture. These consummate hosts and incredible artists are known for many things, but perhaps their striking makeup stands out the most. Thanks to the TikTok account Facts_About_Asia, we can see for ourselves the preparations that geisha undergo to transform themselves.

In a video played over 36 million times, a young woman carefully applies makeup to her face. She appears to be a maiko or apprentice. The white foundation, known as oshiroi, is also used by kabuki actors and is applied using a brush to the entire face, even covering the lips and the eyebrows. Though it's not shown, she would have first primed her face with a special wax that helps achieve the final look. After using powder to set the makeup, she's on to the next phase.

She then uses a small brush to apply red makeup to the corners of her eyes and to paint on thin eyebrows before filling in her red lips. Black eyeliner is also used to emphasize her eyes. At that point, she moves to the next step, making sure to apply enough of the white foundation to cover anything that will be seen once she puts on her kimono.

Lastly, she slips on a wig with the ornate hairstyle geisha are known for, completing the look. The video, as well as several others, are fascinating looks at the world of geishas. In one, we see another maiko having her makeup applied, but this time, the eyes are different, with red dots rather than the winged look of the first video. This allows us to see firsthand that there is great meaning even in the makeup, as there are not only regional differences but also differences depending on whether the geisha is a maiko or has become a full-fledged geisha.

Scroll down to see the videos and then follow Facts_About_Asia on TikTok to see even more about geisha.

A TikTok account has been publishing a fascinating look at how geishas apply their makeup.

@facts_about_asiaGeisha white makeup♬ Celtic Music/Fantastic/Fantasy(1324312) – Akihiro Kasuga

@facts_about_asiaGeisha makeup ❤️♬ Celtic Music/Fantastic/Fantasy(1324312) – Akihiro Kasuga

The videos often show maiko—apprentices learning the art of geisha.

@facts_about_asiaMaiko (an apprentice Geisha) white makeup♬ In the Forest – Lesfm & Olexy

@facts_about_asiaMaiko (Geisha) back neck makeup♬ Celtic Music/Fantastic/Fantasy(1324312) – Akihiro Kasuga

Fact_About_Asia is filled with incredible videos demonstrating this important part of Japanese culture.

@facts_about_asiaOiran ❤️♬ Celtic Music/Fantastic/Fantasy(1324312) – Akihiro Kasuga

@facts_about_asiaGeisha dance full video♬ original sound – Facts about Asia

h/t: [Reddit]

Related Articles:

The Changing World of Japan’s Geisha

How Zen Gardens Became the Ultimate Expression of Japanese Culture

Photographer Reveals the Secrets of Japanese Sumo in an Enlightening Book

Irezumi: Explore the Ancient Techniques and Evolution of Traditional Japanese Tattoos

READ: Fascinating Videos Reveal How Geishas Apply Their Makeup