NowVIZ / ANNA HALL by NowVIZ magazine

INTRO

INTRO AD

Olympic heptathlete Anna Hall recently made history scoring a world-best 7032 points and taking second on the all-time list. Cover photo by Andrea Mead Cross.

INTRO

INTRO AD

FIRST STORY

STORY

SECOND STORY

STORY

THIRD STORY

STORY

INTRO

INTRO AD

STORY

ANNA HALL TRACK HEPTATHLETE

SANTINO FERRUCCI INDYCAR DRIVER

NOWVIZ

Above The Clouds

Opens its first flagship outside of Sydney,

Sydney, Australia

Above The Clouds officially opened its flagship store outside of Sydney. The striking, two-level space is at the high-traffic intersection of 80 Collins Street, Melbourne and was designed in collaboration with a local studio called, Pattern.

Rather than gut and rebuild, the team worked with the site’s existing materials, reimagining the space with a mindset of creative reuse. The result is a store that feels intentional and lived-in, along with a layered, tactile environment where raw edges meet refined finishes and where nothing is wasted.

Inside the layout leans into dualities featuring rough OSB textures that are paired with plush, moss-toned carpets, while pastel-hued displays break up the neutral palette with flashes of brightness. Lighting design is key here: a sculptural, ice-blue rotunda—the footwear wall’s glowing centrepiece anchors the upper floor, with RGB light settings that bathe the store in colour by night.

True to Above The Clouds’ DNA, the store doesn’t conform to traditional retail rules. Instead, it feels like a hybrid between a gallery, a community hub, and a curated fashion destination.

Team up for unorthodox MSCHF and

As part of NYCxDesign Festival from May 15 to 17, 2025, Mercedes-AMG and the U.S. artist collective MSCHF will be presenting their collaboration. The artist collective is known for its extraordinary and attention-grabbing creations in a wide variety of fields, including fashion, culture, live performance, electronics and apps. Most recently, their Big Red Boots went viral and quickly sold out.

This new collaboration with Mercedes-AMG marks a milestone, transforming original AMG components into exclusive furniture. Blending Mercedes-AMG’s precision engineering with MSCHF’s signature ready-made appropriation, these pieces continue the radical design tradition by turning everyday objects into art.

The pieces in the concept collection “Not for Automotive Use” pay homage to Italy’s Radical Design counterculture movement of the 1960s. In the tradition of this movement, MSCHF experiments with form and materials to reimagine a high-performance machine—a Mercedes-AMG performance model—transformed into an everyday object like a standing light, or an ergonomic chair. The design process of the artist collective tips its hat to Achille Castiglioni (1918-2002), the Milanese designer who took proletarian repurposing to new heights by integrating tractor and bicycle seating into his seat designs.

The very exclusive furniture pieces with AMG vehicle components are intended as conceptual explorations. They are available on an exclusively made-to-order basis in very limited quantities. The original AMG components are integrated creatively into the product. For example, a seatbelt buckle becomes the switch for a floor lamp. The designers also worked with iconic and characteristic AMG design elements such as the radiator grille, the silhouette of an AMG GT, the AMG performance seat, and the AMG forged cross-spoke wheel.

An exclusive capsule collection with graphical prints of AMG car parts complete the offering. MSCHF worked closely with the AMG design team in Affalterbach, Germany, to conceive and design all elements.

Made from milled aluminum stabilized by five double-ended and yellow. Each can and maintain even tension of the rack has four while also doubling

SEAT BELT RACK

aluminum shelves and framing, the rack is double-ended sets of seatbelts in AMG red can be independently clipped and unclipped, tension throughout the shelf. The top panel slots that accommodate a range of hangers, doubling as a top shelf.

PING PONG TABLE

INSPIRATION by Mercedes-AMG interior details

Chair design integrating seat belt straps.

CAR PEDAL TRASH BIN

The art collective turns the car pedal into the foot of a trash bin.

Framed within an Interlagos wheel, the Wheel Fan has a fully graded knob for speed adjustment and sits on a base of milled anodized aluminum.

WHEEL FAN

This long charcoal grill takes its shape radiator grille, on a geometric base made planks. The grill has a removable steel adjustable bottom and lid vents.

shape from the profile of an AMG made from solid anodized aluminum steel cook surface, coal grate, and

CHARCOAL GRILL

Extra deep with a 70s-throwback lounge back and finished in microfiber, the Headlight Couch incorporates functional AMG headlights as well as working turn signals. The geometric planes of the couch create a frontal vehicle silhouette with automotive lines throughout.

HEADLIGHT COUCH

For the world premiere, MSCHF is opening its studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn to select visitors for the first time. Until now, the collective had not revealed the location of the studio or published any pictures. Now the studio, previously shrouded in mystery, will become an exclusive hot spot for a special kind of vernissage. Much of the studio equipment will serve as installation design for the premiere. The collection was born from this workshop and is displayed in its natural environment.

ADIDAS

Designed to make a statement—the new collaboration brings Avavav creative director Beate Karlsson’s unconventional vision to adidas Originals.

Beate Karlsson’s AVAVAV is famous for its playful subversions, and the brand’s ongoing adidas Originals collaboration—first introduced for Fall/Winter 2025 and now entering its second iteration—is among the tongue-in-cheek designer’s best work.

Despite adidas Originals’ sportswear roots, AVAVAV’s take is not intended for the court; in fact, the brand comically bills the latest collab as “High Fashion, Low Performance.”

The AVAVAV-ificiation of adidas Originals is full of experiments, illusions, and breakthroughs. Hooded tops are avant-garde enough for a Berlin club. Puffer vests are so bulbous they might as well double as armour. Pants are rouched for the drama, and shorts purposefully leave little to the imagination. New Moonrubber Megaride runners and warped Superstars are fit for aliens.

“Beate is a creative director who has a very distinct vision, that we looked forward to seeing applied to Adidas product,” says Torben Schumacher, general manager Originals, Basketball & Partnerships at Adidas. “As with all our collaborators, we are here to be a partner and with that comes the trust in their creative vision. Beate has built a brand with a distinct style—one that is playful, rebellious, and unique. For example, her take on the Superstar sneaker, complete with a shell toe attachment featuring Avavav’s iconic four fingers—it is a perfect fusion of Avavav’s experimental spirit and Adidas’s heritage.”

There’s also a trio of short films starring champion basketball player Kahleah Copper , skateboarder Marcos Montoya, and tennis star Maria Sakkari—all of whom successfully complete impressive athletic feats before models try!

Feature story

The athletics world is built on stories of grit, resilience, and the pursuit of greatness. One such story that stands out is that of American heptathlete, Anna Hall. At just 24 years of age, Hall has not only overcome a series of injuries that would derail the career of most athletes, but she is proving herself to be one of the world’s most exceptional athletes.

Raised in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Anna Hall grew up in a household passionate about sports. She and her three sisters participated in a dizzying range of different sports, from skiing and swimming to soccer and tennis. As the family watched the 2008 Beijing Olympics on TV, it was no surprise, then, that Hall, seven-years-old at the time, decided one day she would achieve that level of sporting greatness. Even when her father, an athlete himself, explained that the two events she wanted to participate in—the high jump and 1500m—weren’t typically paired, she wasn’t deterred.

By high school, the determined athlete was breaking national records in the pentathlon and heptathlon. She was a three-time New Balance Nationals pentathlon champion and set pentathlon and heptathlon national high school records. At age 17, she made her international debut, finishing ninth in the heptathlon at the World U20 Championships in Finland. Then she bettered her result in 2018 becoming the World U20 champion in the heptathlon and defended her title again in 2019.

Later that year, Anna began her collegiate career at the University of Georgia, competing in the 2020 and 2021 NCAA seasons as a Georgia Bulldog, while also focusing her attention on the delayed Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021. At the US Trials, Hall crashed into the eighth hurdle of the 100m hurdles, breaking the navicular bone in her left foot. In that devastating moment, her Tokyo Olympic dreams were over. It’s an experience no one wants to see happen and a setback that would become a difficult challenge for the young athlete.

“I cried for months,” she told media later. “But honestly, I think it was God’s way of telling me I needed to change the way I looked at track.”

For the 2022 college season, Hall transferred to the University of Florida and worked hard to recover from her broken foot injury. By February she was back on the track winning the SEC pentathlon indoor title and recording a personal best. She then won both pentathlon and heptathlon titles at the indoor and outdoor NCAA Division I Championships, and helped the Florida Gators clinch their first NCAA women’s indoor title in three decades. Hall’s momentum continued at the Texas Relays winning and breaking the heptathlon collegiate record and setting a new American record in the heptathlon 800 meters. She was also named USTFCCCA Women’s Outdoor National Field Athlete of the Year.

Later that year at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Hall took bronze in the heptathlon. She became the third-best female in American history and set a new NCAA record. While there she met four-time Olympian, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who won Olympic heptathlon gold and silver medals. She was one of Hall’s own career inspirations and Joyner-Kersee became a mentor to the up-and-coming heptathlete.

The following year saw the 22-year-old earning silver at the World Championships in Budapest. But with the 2024 Paris Olympics now on the horizon, she found herself once again having to manage an injury. This time it was a serious knee issue that required surgery. Despite lingering pain and less then six months recovery, Hall won the US Olympic Trials and finished an admirable fifth in Paris with 6615 points. Still, her full potential had yet to be realized.

That changed in 2025. At the Hypomeeting in Götzis earlier this summer, Hall recorded an astonishing world lead of 7032. She set personal bests in four of the seven events that included a 1.95m high jump and a time of 2:01.23 in the 800m setting a new heptathlon world record for the distance. She’s now tied with Sweden’s Carolina Klüft for the second-highest score in history, placing her just behind the all-time leader and her mentor, Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

“Finding my joy again,” Hall wrote on social media, a comment that marked the end of a long battle with injuries and signaled a new and exciting path forward. She is only the 5th woman in history to break the magical barrier of 7000 points and her history has proven she fights through tough times. She’s a warrior, her potential is limitless, and she’s just getting started.

NowVIZ: You won the bronze medal in the heptathlon at the 2022 World Championships, the silver medal at the 2023 World Championships, and you are the North American indoor record holder for the pentathlon! In 2024 you competed at your first Olympics in Paris—(we believe one of many!) Will you talk about the experience and the vision you have beyond?

Hall: My first Olympic Games in Paris was a huge blessing in so many ways. I’ve dreamed of competing on that stage since I was 7, so it was truly incredible for me to turn that dream into a reality and finally get there. That being said, 2024 was still incredibly bittersweet for me, as finishing 5th at the Games was honestly gut-wrenching. Seeing what I was capable of in the years prior to Paris, I know that when I’m at my best, I should be in the hunt for the podium. But I experienced an unfortunate knee surgery in January of 2024. I fought my absolute hardest to get healthy, and qualifying for the Olympics having just come off knee surgery was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my career! I am extremely proud of that, but competing at a meet you’ve always dreamed about winning and not being at your best was definitely a tough pill to swallow.

I am excited about how that experience will prepare me for the rest of my career, including LA 2028 and beyond. I think my experiences in 2024 have given me a stronger self-belief about what I can endure to make my goals come true.

I now think to myself a lot during training or harder moments in life that if I could endure that under such a tight timeline and so much pressure, whatever I am dealing with in the moment is nothing. I am doing everything in my power to be the best heptathlete that I can be, and I am excited about what the future holds for me. And yes, the opportunity to represent my country on home soil in LA in 2028 would be an absolute honor, and it’s an opportunity that I will not take for granted. In a weird and very bittersweet way, I think God wanted to test me in order to prepare me for the rest of my career.

NowVIZ: You went to University of Georgia then transferred to the University of Florida achieving significant milestones that included multiple NCAA titles. How did the training in college help you advance as an athlete competing in both pentathlon and heptathlon?

Hall: I owe so much of my success to my college training, so much so that I still train with my coaches at the University of Florida. I believe NCAA track and field is arguably almost as competitive as the pros, and combining that competitiveness with the world-class support that both universities offer creates magic. I grew so much as a person and athlete during my years competing in college and, most importantly, it taught me how fun chasing a common goal with a team is. Although I am not competing with a team now as a professional, I still feel like I am on one with the village I have surrounding me at UF.

ACTION

NowVIZ: Would you tell us about growing up in Denver, Colorado and the journey to how you became interested in the pentathlon and heptathlon?

Hall: I grew up in a close knit, big sports family. I was chasing my big sisters around trying to keep up with them before I could remember. I started track when I was 7 years old because my sisters we’re doing it, and I felt left out. The first events I tried were the high jump and 1500m, and I immediately loved both!

Later that year, we watched the 2008 Summer Olympics as a family and I told my dad I was going to be the first person to do the high jump and the 1500 in the Olympics (two events that don’t go together at all). He kind of explained to me that it probably wasn’t possible and, at some point, I would need to narrow my events down.

I was a pretty stubborn kid though, so I kept doing both. When I kept refusing to pick an event as I got older, he put me in a pentathlon to try, and I loved it. I was still playing a ton of other sports, but I knew right away the heptathlon was what I wanted to do.

NowVIZ: You just won the hepthlon at the famed Hypomeeting in Götzis, Austria, with an epic performance totaling 7032 points! Would you walk us through this seven-event meet record and becoming second on the all-time heptathlon list!

Hall: The weekend was incredible. I don’t think I’ve processed the gravity of it, but more than anything, I felt joy and relief to be back at and above my pre-surgery self. Since the Olympics I have struggled a lot; it took a long time to get my body pain-free and even longer to get my mentality into a productive place. I was fighting these mental battles all the way back from the injury, and, to me, this performance was a decisive victory over them.

Since my injury, my speed events (100m hurdles and 200m) have been lagging and they still have so much room for progress (which is exciting!!). But my speed is one of my core identities as an athlete, so coming into Götzis, I was just looking for progress. While I wasn’t at my lifetime records in those events, we made a lot of progress. Then in the other five events, I had four lifetime bests. It was almost like I was focusing so much on how my speed wasn’t fully there that I forgot how much progress I’ve made as an athlete as a whole. Even with my speed as a work in progress, I’ve come so far in the other events that my total score exceeded my expectations for the weekend. That felt so good!!! It was so satisfying to know that all the long hours working on my weaker areas and grinding in the technical events paid off for me in a huge way. I felt so proud of the athlete my team and I have worked so hard to create. And looking back at the big 7032 score, what’s even more exciting is knowing I have so much room for growth.

I am ecstatic to be #2 on the all-time list and to accomplish some of my lifetime goals. But more than anything, this reignited my belief in myself and made me hungry to chase down the goals and milestones I proved I am capable of.

Anna is only the 5th woman in history to break the magical barrier of 7000 points.

NowVIZ: You’ve faced some difficult situations and challenging issues early on in your career—a broken bone in your foot caused by hitting the eighth hurdle at the 2020 Olympic trials and knee surgery this past January 2024. It’s an incredibly difficult time for an athlete. How did you navigate the healing process both physically and mentally?

Hall: Yes, unfortunately, the start to my professional career has had its share of adversity. But I have navigated this process by continuing to show up and fight no matter what.

During both injuries, there were times when I got really, really low, and even if I couldn’t find an ounce of positivity, I just told myself to keep showing up and giving my best in every single PT session, cross training workout, etc. Injuries can be so demoralizing in those little moments when you can see how far from your normal self you really are. But focusing on the little wins and little progress everyday makes coping with it much easier.

During my foot injury, I really had no faith in the outcome. I was just young, working my absolute hardest, and listening to the amazing people around me. Thanks to all the long hours crosstraining (which was all I could do for a while), I ended up coming out of the injury with a new strength, a drastically better 800m. That proved to me that being sidelined, while super miserable, is a great chance to develop a new strength in whatever performance area you can train— whether that is cross-training, core, upper body, etc. I’ve come to realize and appreciate that while recovering from an injury, you also have an opportunity to build new strength in other areas along the way. And I was able to take these lessons and carry them through with me as I battled my knee injury.

When recovering from my knee surgery, I knew time wasn’t on my side to be ready in time for Paris, but I just kept telling myself I was going to do everything in my power to get there and be competitive. I wasn’t going to leave any stone unturned, and I committed to working my heart out every day in PT and training. So, if it didn’t happen, I knew I gave it everything I had and it just wasn’t physically possible, and that would be a lot easier to live with.

NowVIZ: Your family is super sports-oriented! Your father is a 3-sport athlete; football, decathlete, and basketball at University of Michigan(UMich), and you have two sisters playing tennis and track at UMich! What was the family sport atmosphere like growing up!?

Hall: The family sport atmosphere growing up was super competitive and super fun. My parents instilled in all of us the importance of working hard at everything we do. One of our “Hall Rules” growing up was to “do your best” whether that was school, sports, art, music, or helping around the house. While an amazing life lesson that I am so thankful for, it also happened to add to the competitiveness of our household! We would compete about grades in school, piano book levels, and who was the best at what sport at what age. While we competed against each other hard, we also always had each others backs and were able to be each others loudest cheerleaders. It was all we knew, but now that I am older, I realize how special that really is.

NowVIZ: What is your motivation to train and push yourself every day?

Hall: On hard days, I remind myself that I have set out with goals to do some really hard things, so I can’t listen to any voices in my head complaining about the work. It’s very easy to listen to the part of you that wants to be comfortable now. But if I’ve set some lofty goals for myself, and I know it’s going to be hard, reminding myself of that brings me back to reality.

My motivation comes from my passion for the sport, the love of competing, and the belief in myself. I do not want to look back at my career and think I could have done more. I don’t want to wonder, “If I had just been more disciplined or just pushed a little harder, what would I have been capable of?” I want to be the best heptathlete that I can be, and I know that I’m putting in the work to do that each and every day. I have faith that the rest will take care of itself.

NowVIZ: Every top athlete seems to have or has had a mentor, friend, or someone in their corner to offer guidance. We wondered if you do and how they have helped.

Hall: I have been so spoiled in this area. My biggest blessing in life is my huge support system, which includes my family, coaches, team, friends, and some of my incredible role models in the sport, like Jackie Joyner-Kersee. All have helped me, guided me, and encouraged me in so many ways. But no part of my life would have been possible without my family.

I am extremely close with my sisters; we talk every single day — about the heavy stuff, the fun stuff, all of it! They are such strong women in their own lives and have inspired and lifted me out of so many holes. And, of course, my parents. I truly think I have the most supportive parents in the whole world. They’re with me through every jump, every throw, and always there when I need them, and even when I don’t.

BTS or

Behind the scenes with Olympian Anna Hall and photographer Andrea Mead Cross.

“She who has conquered herself is the mightiest of warriors.”

NowVIZ: How do you fuel your body nutritionally throughout the season? Is there a specific diet or regime you follow?

Hall: Nutrition has been a key area for me. When I got to UF, we realized I was unintentionally extremely underfueled. I went through two years of college and had no idea one of the biggest barriers to my breakthrough as an athlete was because I was simply not eating enough. I’ve come to learn that a lot of female athletes are challenged by this. After I started fueling my body with proper nutrition, I was able to actually see the results and strength gains from the training I was putting in.

Day-to-day now, I just focus on eating three balanced and clean meals (a full breakfast is key for me) and hitting my protein goals (I eat a ton of carbs and fats for fuel but protein is where I struggle). No counting calories and no restricting food. The snacks in between and dessert at night are the only variables that may change.

My team keeps a great pulse on where I’m at. So, if I am low on a vitamin or need to make a small weight change, it is pretty easy to make adjustments outside of the main meal time.

NowVIZ: As a one of the top heptathletes how do you prepare yourself both physically and mentally to pace yourself through seven events?

Hall: I think the biggest mental skill I’ve learned as a heptathlete is compartmentalization. I’d say this allows me to not pace myself at all really. With every event, I lock into it completely as if I am only doing that one event. I give my best, then I move on to the next event.

A huge tool that helped me really master this has been my journal. Before each heptathlon, I write down my goals for each event along with two or three simples cues that are most important for that event. It helps me to view each event as its own mission, and when one event is done, I check it off like you would a to-do list, next!

NowVIZ: What is your passion outside the sports world?

Hall: One of my biggest passions outside of the sports world has always been fashion and beauty. Growing up with sisters we were always talking about different looks or new products.

Sports has started to give me the platform to lean into it and start experimenting in order to find my own fashion. I was able to attend a Stella McCartney x Adidas show at Paris Fashion Week, which was so much fun.

The nature of my job means I spend a lot of time sweaty and in athletic clothes, so something that’s been really fun for me has been growing my jewelry collection. I love that I can wear some of the pieces 24/7 and even to compete. I’ve tried to invest in quality pieces since I put them through a lot. I bought my first piece of fine jewelry as a little self-reward after winning the silver medal at the World Championships, and that’s one way I love to treat myself after accomplishing a goal (and it’s a little motivation for me too)!

A huge goal of mine is to leave track and field better than I found it. I am passionate about growing the sport, especially the heptathlon, in any way that I can! I hope I can help bring more eyes to the sport and help bring opportunities for young athletes to have access to track and field. One of my biggest goals is to encourage more girls in America to try track and field. I believe there is so much to be gained from it! Not just the sport itself, but what it teaches you about yourself and life.

Additionally I just want to add that I am so excited about the growth of track and field in the US. Track and field still has ways to go, but I’m hopeful we can use the new momentum as a runway to LA 2028!

I’m optimistic that the next few years can be used to inspire the next generation of girls to pursue sports and give them a chance to gain the valuable life lessons sports can provide. Even if sports is not their life path, the healthy lifestyle habits, confidence, and perseverance learned in sport can help shape girls lives the way it has shaped mine.

We Are Ona enlists Carsten

The German artist’s “Brutalisten”

Höller for latest Pop-Up

“Brutalisten” restaurant arrives in Paris.

For the edition of Art Basel Paris, the culinary renowned artist Carsten Höller to create a striking Set in a historic Parisian train station, the exhibition-like black-and-white scenography—except for the food

The unique event is inspired by Höller’s Brutalist collaboration with his restaurant, Brutalisten. bring the concept to life from October 14th to

To learn more about this creative culinary collaboration, overall concept of the pop-up, Luca Pronzato, We Are Ona talked about the process.

culinary studio We Are Ona partners with striking monochromatic pop-up dining experience. exhibition-like project promises a fully immersive, food and drinks, which provide a vibrant contrast. Brutalist Kitchen Manifesto and is developed in Brutalisten. Chefs Coen Dieleman and Stefan Eriksson to 20th.

collaboration, including the design, materiality, and Pronzato, Founder and Creative Culinary Director of

Walk us through the overall concept of the pop-up experience.

Pronzato: We’ve been really fortunate to base this experience on the Brutalist Kitchen Manifesto, which is rooted in a very unique concept. One of the key ideas is to cook a dish using only salt and water, with just a single ingredient. The simplicity of cooking one ingredient with salt and water is central to the manifesto, allowing the essence of that ingredient to really shine. To enhance this concept, Carsten decided to create a restaurant that plays with chromatic contrasts. The entire restaurant will be designed in black and white, immersing guests in a monochromatic experience. The only colors present will come from the food, the wine, and, of course, the guests themselves. It’s one of those things where you either go all in or you don’t do it at all, so it requires a lot of precision. From the black tables to the black, white, and gray elements— everything needed to fit into this color palette. Carsten believes the gray tones are an essential extension of this concept, creating a certain atmosphere. So, we have black chairs, gray napkins, gray uniforms, and white plates.

We’ve been really fortunate to have Flos involved—they’re installing an incredible lighting installation throughout the space that complements and enhances the experience. Even the windows had to be covered with a special paint to maintain the monochrome setting. It’s really something special. The amount of work that goes into each of our pop-ups is huge. We put a lot of effort into respecting the scenography and creating an honest, fully immersive experience.

Can you tell us more about the location, the train station?

Pronzato : When we decide to do a pop-up in different cities with We Are Ona, we always make sure to respect the time and place. It’s important to us that the location represents the essence of the city we are in. This particular pop-up is really special because it’s set in a historic and iconic train station in Paris. Inside the station, there’s an old bank—a raw, untouched space—and that’s where we’ll be creating this experience.

From old buildings to water reservoirs and now, a train station, your settings capture industrialism and the passing of time. How would you describe your approach to context-based scenography?

Pronzato : I’m a big fan of the idea of ‘time and place.’ I love the concept of guests connecting with the city—or even reconnecting with their own city, especially when it’s a place they’ve lived in for years. There’s something magical about pushing open a door and discovering a new way of seeing New York, Paris, or London through a culinary experience.

For visitors, it’s not just about the food but also about understanding the city they’re in, because the building itself represents the essence of that place. The culinary experience enhances this, almost like an art exhibition—but here, you’re living in the art. You consume the design, the art, and the space, making the experience alive and immersive.

For me, location is an extension of the geography we’re in. It’s the foundation of our work. Whether it’s a raw, industrial space, a historic palazzo in Venice, or a skyscraper in New York’s financial district, the location reflects the city we’re in. It’s not always about brutalist or raw spaces—it’s about finding venues that truly represent the city, and they’re often places that aren’t traditional restaurants.

Luca Pronzato and Carsten Höller

Culinary studio We Are Ona has returned to Paris, bringing with it little bit of Stockholm. For its latest pop-up, the studio collaborated with artist Carsten Höller to bring his Stockholm-based restaurant Brutalisten to the French capital, on the occasion of Art Basel.

As with all of We Are Ona’s pop-ups, the dining experience is truly immersive. The design of the space, which in the past has been created by the likes of Harry Nuriev and Willo Perron, is a hugely important part of setting the scene.

On this occasion, the team behind We Are Ona worked alongside Höller and Brutalisten to realise an entirely monochromatic space, where furniture and tableware was either black or white. The food and drink, however, were the exception.

In the case of the food and drink, this was largely based on Höller’s Brutalist Kitchen Manifesto. For this, the artist devised a so-called “manual for eating and cooking brutalistically”, with the core principle being that each dish can only be made from one ingredient.

As-per the manifesto, food served at the pop-up followed suit. “It very much sprung from my style of eating,” Höller said at the time of the restaurant opening. “My greatest food experiences come from simple and perfectly-cooked ingredients. This could be freshly-picked, sautéed wild mushrooms, recently-caught shellfish or a particular wild bird roast.”

Ahascragh Distillery presents

Founded seven years ago by husband-andwife team Gareth and Michelle McAllister, Ahascragh (pronounced Ah-Hass-Crah) is Ireland’s first eco-distillery. By blending heritage with modern innovation, they aim to creat award-winning, zero-emissions whiskey and gin to be enjoyed around the world.From the outset, the McAllisters set out to break away from the industry’s fossil fuel-heavy past. But their vision for sustainability extended beyond production. When they discovered a derelict 18th-century mill in Ahascragh village, they saw potential—not just for a distillery, but for restoration. Instead of building new, they preserved the original stonework, salvaged old equipment, and even restored the old water wheel that once powered the mill. Then they set about creating their spirits.

The distillery’s Family Bond series has since earned global acclaim, featuring UAIS Irish Whiskey and Clan Colla Irish Whiskey. UAIS—named after the 4th-century High King of Ireland, Colla Uais, an ancestor of the McAllisters—is a bold triple blend of pot still, single malt, and grain whiskeys, aged in ex-bourbon and virgin oak casks. True to Ahascragh’s mission, the bottle is made from 100% recycled glass, with a recycled paper label, a sustainable wood stopper, and a biodegradable vegetable-based seal. “Sustainability is more than just switching energy sources,” says Gareth. “We source local ingredients, reduce water usage, and make every element of packaging as eco-friendly as possible.”

For the McAllisters, creating great spirits is just part of the mission—they want to show the world that sustainability and tradition can go hand in hand in the 21st century. By prioritizing local producers and carbonneutral operations, they’ve turned a small village distillery into a global brand—one that’s setting a new standard for the spirits industry.

For further information, cask-buying, or to locate stores near you supplying Ahascragh spirits— www.ahascraghdistillery.com

Clan Colla Irish Whiskey pays tribute to Colla Uais and his legendary two brothers who together led the Clan of Colla in a long-ago Ireland of heroes and High Kings. It’s a whiskey crafted with a nod to both the past and present —just like the the distillery itself.

AD AD

CLAN COLLA

An Irish Whiskey Making the Traditions of Tomorrow

XIN GIN

Blending European and Asian botanicals

Xin Gin reflects both Celtic and Oriental influences in its flavor and design, and has already earned top honors, including a Masters Medal Spirits Competition, and Best in Ireland at The Gin Guide Awards three years running. at The Global Gin Masters 2023, Double Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World

“I’m thrilled to continue with Santino in the number 14 car,” said Team President Larry Foyt, who signed Santino Ferrucci to a multi-year agreement for 2025 and beyond. “We have really gelled over the last two seasons and he’s a big part of our recent success.” This marks Ferrucci beginning his third year with AJ Foyt Racing and his seventh year racing in the NTT IndyCar series.

Santino Ferrucci began his racing career growing up in Connecticut. He started kart racing at five years old and by the age of twelve had pretty much won every kart racing trophy the US scene had to offer. He then went to Europe to continue his race career and was able to drive German Formula 3, British Formula 3, European Formula 3, Formula 2, and then became a test and reserve driver for the HAAS F1 Team. In 2018 he moved back to the States to try his talents in IndyCar. And since then he’s not only solidified a spot on the grid, but he’s also established himself as a substantial threat in the NTT IndyCar series.

In 7 out of 7 Indianapolis 500 race’s he’s finished in the top 10 and in 2023 made the podium for third, while leading laps, and contending for the win.

“I think Larry Foyt has done an incredible job building the AJ Foyt Racing team and we are now in a position to win an Indy 500 and compete for championships,” Ferrucci said, “And to be able to drive for AJ Foyt Racing and represent the 14# car is insane—AJ is a living legend!” AJ Foyt is one of the greatest drivers of all-time and the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, the Daytona 500, the 24 Hours of LeMans, and the 24 hours of Daytona, all four races highlighting very different skill sets. He also holds the record for seven IndyCar series championship trophyies and a record 67 IndyCar wins. He has secured his spot as a motorsport icon.

In Ferrucci’s case it’s been extremely beneficial to have a living legend such as AJ to talk to. “He’s sharp as a tack—it’s unbelievable. And the willpower he has is something I strive for and try to emulate,” says Ferrucci. “He’s someone I definitely look up to without a doubt and that’s pretty cool. Yeah.”

The 2025 season is in full-swing and Santino is looking incredibly strong, pushing his campaign forward. In May, he took fifth in the Indianapolis 500, followed by a personal best finish P2 at the Detroit Grand Prix, another podium finish for third at Wisconsin’s Grand Prix Road of America, and he sits top 10 in the NTT IndyCar championship standings. Ferrucci is clearly utilizing all his resources with the experience of AJ Foyt in his corner, the full support of the AJ Foyt Racing, and driving the 14# car. Santino isn’t holding back. AJ once said, “The winner ain’t the one with the fastest car, it’s the one who refuses to lose.” It’s advice Ferrucci has definitely taken to heart and he’s having a blast.

Santino Ferrucci in the #14

NowVIZ: You grew up in Connecticut and started racing at the age of five! Will you talk about how you got your start?

FERRUCCI: My dad was into drag racing, he actually worked on the cars, and his background is in mechanics. One of the few drag racing drivers he worked for was a guy named Grumpy Jenkins. We also ended up buying a go kart track in upstate New York as a business. So I would work at the track on weekends and then in the summer I lived out there. I fell in love with it and that’s where my passion for motorsports came in. I’ve always loved cars for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been about speed!

NowVIZ: You’ve raced everything and everywhere! Kart racing, Europe F3, F2, and F1 test, reserve, and developmental driver for the HAAS F1 Team, the NASCAR Xfinity series, and since 2018 the NTT INDYCAR series. Will you discuss your race journey to date?

FERRUCCI: I definitely feel like I have one of the most diverse racing careers of any driver I compete with, racing everything from karts to cars, dirt bike racing, and even some midget racing. Honestly, the only thing I really haven’t raced is probably boats or planes! It has helped me in all conditions and it has served me well going to IndyCar with the different types of tracks we race from road courses, street courses, short ovals, and big super speedways. To have that indepth knowledge in every aspect of racing has really help me with my overall performance.

NowVIZ: How did your racing start in Europe?

FERRUCCI: I went to Europe because I was winning everything on the karting scene in America. There were a couple people that thought I would have a chance at making it into Formula One. So like every young kid when you get that chance you give it a shot! The biggest thing was finding funding and I had a couple of sponsors that helped me. So I went to Europe and drove through all of the ranks, from go karts all the way up into Formula One. And then I had the opportunity to come back to the States and race IndyCar full-time and I took it. Plus there’s nothing better than being home and being in this country. Traveling is different here and a lot less stressful. Also I can have a life outside of just being a race car driver.

“I mean, what drivers today don’t understand is the grit and charisma AJ has, he’s such a well-rounded human being. But the talent he has not just on the track but off the track is insane.”

NowVIZ: You have compiled an amazing record finishing in the top 10 in seven out of seven Indianapolis 500 race’s. Will you talk about what your connection is with this race?

FERRUCCI: I do want to say a big part about the Indy 500 is who I drive for and that’s AJ Foyt. He’s a living legend and being able to represent the 14# car is insane. I mean, the amount of fans that I have there! There’s 400,000 people on that day! So the walkout makes you feel like a legend, or as close as it gets! Also I’ve been able to make history there leading laps and almost winning it twice. I will win that race one of these days, that’s for sure! But this race is just the pure enjoyment of being a race car driver. It’s just a completely different race compared to all the other events we do. You get to be a rock star for a weekend, which is why I love it so much! Lol!

NowVIZ: This is your third season racing the #14 car for AJ Foyt Racing and AJ is a motosport icon. Can you give us a run down of what it’s like to race for such a living legend?

FERRUCCI: When you say living legend, he is the last of his kind. I mean, what drivers today don’t understand is the grit and charisma AJ has, he’s such a well-rounded human being. But the talent he has not just on the track but off the track is insane. You have to remember, he grew up in a time where he worked on his own car, built his own motors, and was the engineer. He would design and build his own car. He was at the forefront of development when it went from front engine, little, tiny cars racing on brick to the “downforce” era. And most drivers wouldn’t touch a wrench today. They’ll look at you and go, what’s this for? But I like to wrench on things! I enjoy mechanic work. I enjoy engineering. Not a lot of drivers are like that anymore, but I believe it helps me to be well rounded. It’s not necessary but I think it has helped me be better as a driver. But as far as working with AJ and the stories, I get the opportunity to hear things no one knows I mean it’s nuts! He’s sharp as a tack it’s unbelievable. And the willpower he has it’s something I strive for and try to emulate. It’s someone I look up to without a doubt and that’s so cool. Yeah.

Behind the scenes with Santino Ferrucci.

NowVIZ: Is there a particular race or achievement in your career to date that has had a lasting impact? If so what would that be and why?

FERRUCCI: There are a few but the 2012 Karting Championships is one of them. I love seeing that trophy on the wall every time I go home. It solidifies I was the best of the best! And I think the Poll I won in Portland last year was a big achievement. I’ve always struggled in qualifying and it was a mental hurdle to be able to win the Poll. And then the P3 at the 2023 Indy 500, leading as many laps as I did, and coming close to the win. Those were huge moments in my career and I’ll always remember them when I look back.

NowVIZ: What is your motivation to train and push yourself everyday?

FERRUCCI: Honestly, I push myself to control what I can control. I may not be able to control every outcome of every race every weekend, but I can control how I prepare myself. I can control my fitness, I can control my mental ability, and how I conduct myself. Those things I’m always working on. And I’m still learning. I’m not perfect, I‘ve made mistakes. I’m constantly changing and growing trying to be a better version of myself.

BTS

“Expect nothing, accept everything.”

NowVIZ: Every top athlete seems to have or has had a mentor, someone in their corner to offer guidance. We wondered if you do and how have they helped?

FERRUCCI: I’ve had a couple of people through my career. One is my late friend, Chris Rock, a New York State trooper I grew up with in Connecticut. He was my mentor for a long time, other than my dad. Chris was always there for a lot of my big achievements in Europe, coming back into IndyCar, and then he passed away almost a year and a half ago now. But honestly my closest mentor and friend is my boss, Larry Foyt. I rely on him for a lot of things. He was in my box (on track) and he’s just someone that can keep me cool and my head in the right space.

NowVIZ: H ow do you fuel your body nutritionally throughout the season? Is there a specific diet or regime you follow?

FERRUCCI: It’s different for everybody and since I’m on the younger side I have an incredibly fast metabolism. I kind of just eat whatever I want. The only thing I do try to avoid is dairy; I’m a bit lactose intolerant. I try to avoid that and soda on race weekends. But other than that, I mean, I’m taking down steaks, chicken, fish, you name it! It’s awesome. In the off season I drink a little bit more than in season. And I’m actually a lighter weight in the off season than when I ‘m in season. But my training in the car is a lot more consistent when I’m eating more. I’m one of the lightest drivers on the grid—I’m only 128 pounds—so for me it’s easy to drive the car right now. I don’t need to over train or carry too much muscle. I don’t have fatigue, my cardio is perfect, and my heart rate is about 180 inside the car. I can talk to you like we’re having a conversation!

BTS

We want to thank 1thirtyone Motorcars, Ft. Worth, TX. for their hospitality.

NowVIZ: Would you talk about with the charities you represent?

FERRUCCI: I represent and donate to the Hometown Foundation charity at the Indianapolis 500 every year. It’s a charity local to Connecticut and benefits police, firefighters, Special Olympics, and they also host a big event every year called, Dream Ride. I like to donate some of my merchandise profits (I don’t take a profit from my merch). Then the foundation we represent during the Indy 500 is a very big deal to me too, It’s Homes For Our Troops, benefiting post 911 injured veterans. They provide incredible assistance such as building homes for injured and disabled vets, help with financial planning, help pay their bills, manage their finances, help with day to day life struggles. It’s a huge deal for these men and women. I mean, they’ve helped build this country, so to be able to help them is a very big deal for us. And I get to spend a lot of time with the vets during the 500—they are incredible! It’s something I like to spend time on during the month of May.

NowVIZ: What is your passion when you’re not on the track?

FERRUCCI: When I’m not on the track I love mechanics and video games. Also I love just driving, I do a lot of road trips. So I get my dogs and there’s nothing like the open road and a calming mind. So, yeah that would be it!

ACTION

MUSIC WHAT THEIR LISTENING TO .

ANNA HALL, OLYMPIC HEPTATHLETE:

I have a pretty broad music taste! I listen to a lot of pop, R&B, and worship music. My favorite artists right now are Noah Kahan, Tems, Gracie Abrams, and SZA. My friends never know what they’re gonna get in my car. And of course I am always liable to play some Taylor Swift :)

SANTINO FERRUCCI, NTT INDYCAR DRIVER:

I’m kind big into classic hiphop right now, a little bit of the 90s hip hop and always Eminem. But I like AC/DC, Journey, all those guys. Almost anything but country. My go to race day playlist would definitely include some Eminem!