I saw an interesting note on the London Underground recently. It said, “recognise where you are in life and be happy with it.” I spent the rest of the day thinking about that one line. In many ways, I agree about taking stock of your current situation and acknowledging the positives. However, I couldn’t help but debate with myself about life not being as simple as that. It’s not really, is it? If the world’s population thought only about the good things, there would be no reason for invention. Life is a journey of discovery, which leads to innovation, and as a result of recognising that something could be improved or done better, often a brand new creation will emerge. This is the space where exciting things happen – just think of all the innovators of our age, people like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg who changed the way we communicate and fundamentally live. In my view, progression is essential.

Many features in this issue discuss the subject of evaluation, which inevitably leads to innovation. Utopian Bodies surveys how fashion can be harnessed to create a better future. We take a look at the iconic spaces that are today’s museums; collectively, these awe-inspiring structures are transforming cities into popular tourist destinations, driving a boom of investment, both in creativity and in a financial sense. She Who Tells a Story: Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World opens in Washington DC, and offers insight into the multifaceted identities of a region that is often misunderstood. We also look at lighting design: how it is evolving within our interiors and its impact on artistic modes of work.

In photography, we survey a vast range of works, from the subtle nuances of Eric Ogden to the beautiful undertones of Julia Hetta, while Roger Frei captures the essence of buildings and beauty by means of repetition, and Saul Leiter’s mid-20th century New York street photography recalls a time gone by. Olivia Malone, our cover photographer, presents a sense of freedom through carefree imagery. Finally, the Last Words goes to Do Ho Suh who recreates memory through architecture.