ADORNO and APOC closes NYFW with a show inspired by metallic and transparent earbuds from Nothing
Concluding New York Fashion Week, a unique collaboration unfolds on Canal Street, bringing together fashion, design, and technology in unexpected ways. APOC Store and ADORNO, two influential platforms in their respective fields, are joining forces with Nothing for a four-day exhibition and pop-up inspired by the launch of Nothing’s Ear (3).
The partnership marks a significant moment for all involved: APOC’s U.S. debut, ADORNO’s expansion into fashion dialogue, and Nothing’s exploration of design culture beyond traditional tech launches.
Nothing as Creative Catalyst
Nothing’s Ear (3) is the conceptual foundation for the exhibition. The new earbuds’ distinctive transparent design language, featuring an aluminum body, and commitment to thoughtful technology inform every aspect of the curation, from the spatial design to the pieces on show.
“Nothing has always been about intentional design that stands apart,” said Jane Nho, Head of North America PR and Culture at Nothing. “With Ear (3), we’ve paired metal with our signature transparent elements — and this installation explores how those design values can be reimagined across creative disciplines.” The device will appear throughout a scenographic installation by NY artist John Black, integrated as both a functional object and design statement.
Nothing’s partnership will elevate the exhibition beyond a typical fashion showcase, positioning it as an exploration of how thoughtful technology intersects with contemporary creative practice.
Timeless Designer/Maker Fashion
APOC Store will bring its carefully curated network of independent designers from New York to the first part of the pop-up. Each participating designer — CD1974, Greco, Harlot Hands, Oriens, The Corner Passed, and Zohra Rahman — will invite an additional emerging voice into the platform, expanding APOC’s collaborative model.
The fashion selections will emphasize craftsmanship and conceptual rigor. CD1974’s architectural approach to garment construction resonates with the overall ethos of the show, while Harlot Hands’ jewellery work brings a timeless, futuristic, yet post-medieval aesthetic that we see unfold.
This won’t be a traditional fashion week presentation but rather an investigation into how independent designers approach their craft.
Functional Art in Action
ADORNO curates works from their international roster of makers, creating a dialogue between fashion and object design. The selection includes a tight curation of glass and metalwork Andy Kim (KR), Basia Pruszyńska (PL), BOND Hardware (US), DAAE Studio (DK), MOCK studio (US), Romain Basile Petrot (FR), Saturday Yard Work (AU), Studio S II (US), Szklo (PL), Lucas Cambier (FR), and Swati Jain (IN).
Each piece has been selected for its relationship to transparency, reflection, and thoughtful making — concepts central to Nothing’s design ethos. Glass works by Studio S II and Szklo will create visual echoes with the clear housing lid of the Ear (3)’s, while functional aluminum pieces from Andy Kim and MOCK studio mimic its sand-blasted aluminum detailing.
“This collaboration shows how functional art can serve as a bridge between industries”, says Martin Clausen, co-founder of ADORNO. “The pieces on show are just as sculptural as they are functional, and I’m excited to witness this switch towards a more pragmatic design language.”
Spatial Integration
Weaving the exhibition together, scenographer and NY-based artist John Black has created an environment where Nothing’s Ear (3) becomes integral to the experience. His metallic installations, mimicking raw aluminum, incorporate the earbuds as both functional elements and sculptural objects, allowing visitors to experience the product while exploring the broader design conversation.
The space will emphasize transparency and connection — core Nothing values — through materials and sightlines that encourage exploration and discovery.
Programming
The opening night will feature a performance by Kidä, showcasing unreleased music, and the four-day event will attract fashion insiders, design collectors, and tech enthusiasts — audiences that rarely converge in meaningful ways.
This cross-pollination reflects Nothing’s broader cultural ambitions and APOC and ADORNO’s commitment to expanding their communities. The collaboration aims to prove that technology brands can engage authentically with creative culture when partnerships are built on shared values rather than marketing objectives.
Extended Experience
The exhibition will run in two phases: the initial exhibition (September 18–21) followed by an expanded pop-up (September 25–28) with a refreshed APOC curation. This extended timeline will allow for deeper engagement with the concepts at play, moving beyond Fashion Week’s typical show-and-move model.
With Nothing’s involvement in part one, they reinforce their commitment to the creative industries, treating PR as cultural investment rather than promotional activation. With the Ear (3) being central to the experience, it demonstrates how thoughtful technology can enhance rather than dominate creative spaces.
Ultimately, the APOC x ADORNO curation, in partnership with Nothing, demonstrates how cross-disciplinary dialogue can create new contexts for experiencing design. The project continues the conversation about how technology, fashion, and objects intersect in contemporary creative practice.
Event Details:
- Opening Party: September 18, 6–10 PM, with performance by Kidä (9 PM)
(RSVP: [email protected]) - Pop-up (Part 1): September 18–21
- Pop-Up (Part 2): September 25–28
