The Birmingham Jewellery Biennial has announced that its flagship exhibition will take place at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) during the festival’s inaugural edition in May 2027. Organisers have appointed jewellery historian and former Victoria and Albert Museum curator Sophie Morris as Exhibition Curator, alongside unveiling a 12-member expert jury that will help shape the exhibition and select artists through an open call launching this August.
The flagship exhibition will showcase contemporary jewellery by makers from across the UK, displayed alongside works by leading practitioners in one of the country’y foremost museums. Morris, who recently served as Curator of the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection at the V&A, returns to Birmingham, where she began her curatorial career at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, to oversee the exhibition. She will work closely with a jury comprising prominent figures from across the jewellery, design and craft sectors, including designer Hannah Martin, gemmologist Joanna Hardy, Dover Street Market’s Mimi Hoppen and artist Lee Lapthorne.
The exhibition forms part of the first-ever Birmingham Jewellery Biennial, taking place from 1–31 May 2027 across the city’s historic Jewellery Quarter and beyond. Co-founded by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust and Birmingham City University, the festival follows Birmingham’s designation as a World Craft City for Jewellery and Allied Trades in 2025.
An open call for the flagship exhibition launches in August, inviting jewellery artists from across the UK to submit work for the chance to exhibit at BMAG and compete for thousands of pounds in prize money.
Marketing strategies help marketing andsales teams big time. But without leads, there are no sales conversations. No product demos. No closed deals. In fact, recent data shows that50% of marketers view lead generation as a top priority. Yet finding, qualifying, and reaching the right prospects has become one of the most time-consuming parts of the sales process. And oftentimes, a spreadsheet of leads turns out to be half-bounced emails and outdated job titles. That’s exactly where AI tools for lead generation make the biggest difference.
Identifying companies that fit ideal customer profiles. Uncovering buying signals. Enriching data. Personalizing outreach at scale. The rightAI tools automate much of this work. Hence, this article shows you the strongest options that let sales teams focus on building relationships. No more chasing spreadsheets.
Top Five Best AI Tools for Lead Generation
Apollo
Apollo pairs a database of over 240 million contacts with AI-powered prospecting and a sales engagement suite. Beyond that, it’s on the list because of its lead generation tool. It allows users to search millions of companies, filter prospects, and identify decision-makers. That makes it easier for teams to build targeted lists faster. Beyond prospect discovery, Apollo’s AI layer also supports outreach. There are tools for email sequencing, lead scoring, and CRM integrations.
Key Features:
Chrome extension for tracking the best-fit leads online
Intent signals about a prospect for better-timed outreach initiatives
Access to high-value lead recommendations based on proven prospecting tasks
Pricing:
Free Package
Basic Package – $65 per month
Professional Package – $99 per month
Organization Package – $149 per month
Real Use Case:
SaaS startups can use Apollo to identify HR directors at companies with hundreds of employees. The tool’s lead generator allows them to prioritize high-fit accounts and launch personalized outbound campaigns more efficiently.
Clay
Image Credit: Clay
Moving beyond a traditional database, Clay routes each contact through a waterfall of more than 50 data providers until it finds a match. Its AI research agent, Claygent, analyzes company websites, hiring activity, funding announcements, and other public sources. This makes Clay particularly ideal for building highly specific, non-generic lists that no single database could produce on its own. The result is a richer understanding of every prospect. Such enrichment makes personalized outreach significantly easier.
Key Features:
Deep lead enrichment using multiple data sources
CRMs, Make, and Zapier integration
Automated company research and personalization
Pricing:
Free Package
Launch Package – $185 per month
Growth Package – $495 per month
Enterprise Package – Custom Pricing
Real Use Case:
Clay allows e-commerce companies to pull allShopify Plus stores that have just launched a new collection page. Its AI agent can scan every site and ping those with no active email pop-up. At this point, it would be a good opportunity to include the outreach email’s opening line.
Cognism
Cognism leans hardest into data compliance. It also offers stronger international coverage, particularly in Europe. This option lets users reach contacts at speed using business emails and direct phone numbers. It also provides buyer intent cues that help sales teams prioritize prospects who are already researching relevant products or services. Top-tier actionable signals. In short, Cognism helps teams prospect with more precision and do higher-quality outreach.
Key Features:
Seamless syncing with HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Salesforce
Prospecting and enriching data
Phone-verified data for connecting with prospects faster
Pricing:
No Free Package/Trial
Standard Package – Custom Pricing
Pro Package – Custom Pricing
Real Use Case:
Cloud software providers can use Cognism to enter European markets more easily. With features for finding IT managers who actively look for cloud infrastructure solutions, representatives can prioritize prospects with stronger purchase intent. All while interest is fresh.
Seamless AI
Image Credit: Cognism
Growing revenue is what Seamless AI delivers. It does so using real-time web scanning for lead finding. No need to worry about outdated or inaccurate data. This platform continuously updates its database. That means users get access to updated contact details. Seamless AI also houses several tools for prospect engagement and automated outreach. What’s more, its Pitch Intelligence feature pulls public information to help tailor a message.
Key Features:
Real-time contact verification with advanced search filters
Monitoring key moves and identifying who’s ready to buy
Building accurate lead lists much faster
Pricing:
Free Package
Pro Package – Custom Pricing
Enterprise Package – Custom Pricing
Real Use Case:
Urgent hiring pushes are possible with Seamless AI. Recruitment firms can use it to establish a list of HR executives and operations leaders. This notably cuts the time needed to build qualified prospect lists.
Instantly
Instantly knows that finding prospects is only half of lead generation. That’s why it focuses on turning qualified prospects into sales conversations. This is on top of its tools for finding and enriching leads. It handles inbox rotation, improves deliverability, tracks campaign performance, and scales outreach. Smart triggers are also part of its offerings. These lead to adjustments in sequences from open rates or replies. Plus, it provides the infrastructure needed to book more meetings consistently.
Key Features:
CRMs, Google Calendar, and Slack syncing
Lead Finder Agent for automated prospect hunting
AI Workflows to reduce manual setups
Pricing:
Free Package
Growth Package – $37.6 per month
Hypergrowth Package – $77.6 per month
Light Speed Package – $286.3 per month
Enterprise Package – Custom Pricing
Real Use Case:
Agencies running outreach for a client with no existing list can benefit from Instantly. The built-in lead finder can pull ICP-matched contacts. It can also do a multi-step sequence. That way, the warmest leads get contacted first.
Choosing the Leading AI Tools for Lead Generation in 2026
Lead generation depends on more than simply collecting contact information. The AI tools for lead generation on this list show that. Apollo simplifies prospect discovery. Clay enriches leads. Cognism delivers buyer intent signals. Seamless.AI accelerates prospect research. Instantly converts prospects into real conversations.
Before investing in any platform, make sure you know what struggles you have with your current process. For finding prospects, prioritize prospect discovery tools. If personalization takes too much time, focus on enrichment. To achieve outreach for growth, invest in smarter campaign automation. Match the tool to the bottleneck you’re actually facing.
Generating the overarching plan with theAI tools for marketing strategies is just the beginning. You’ll still have to follow through with a specific execution tactic. And one good route is email marketing. A Forbes report reveals that email is a key part of the marketing strategy for81% of companies. But growing an email list is difficult. Keeping subscribers engaged is even harder. A generic email can quickly go ignored. But writing better emails is no longer enough. Email marketing requires sending the right message to the right audience at the right time. That’s the gap that today’s AI tools for email marketing are built to fill.
Every campaign competes with dozens of unread messages. So this guide rounds up the must-tryAI tools that help every email work harder.
Top Five Best AI Tools for Email Marketing
HubSpot
Image Credit: HubSpot
In the marketing hub in HubSpot, users can find a range of tools. They’re for creating, personalizing, and optimizing marketing emails. It uses AI to generate subject lines, email copy, and CTAs. Every output connects directly with CRM data. So users can expect that every email becomes more relevant to each recipient. HubSpot even allows users to schedule campaigns using the smart send time feature. This ensures that marketers automate workflows based on recipient behavior for smarter follow-up actions.
Key Features:
Customizable marketing email templates for customer engagement
A/B testing to surface top performers automatically
Analyzing email marketing delivery, engagement, and performance
Pricing:
Free Package
Starter Package – $20 per month
Professional Package – $890 per month (billed annually)
Enterprise Package – $3,600 per month (billed annually)
Real Use Case:
HubSpot can help a SaaS company send onboarding emails to new trial users and re-engagement emails to those who have gone quiet. Pulling data from the CRM, they can personalize follow-up sequences based on each contact’s actual product usage.
Klaviyo
Klaviyo is one of the leading AI tools for email marketing used by e-commerce brands. Users can craft on-brand emails with a drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates. What’s more, it built its reputation on predictive analytics. Expected next-order date. Customer lifetime value. Churn-risk scoring. All calculated per subscriber and usable as segmentation criteria. That means users send customers “the right message at the right time, every time.”
Key Features:
Smart Send Time feature for maximum engagement
Automated abandoned cart, browse abandonment, and post-purchase flows
Built-in testing tools to avoid spam folders
Pricing:
Free Package
Pricing model depends on the chosen solution and the number of profiles
Real Use Case:
Shopify andWooCommerce sellers can use Klaviyo to build highly personalized campaigns. This drives repeat sales. And the tool works based on each customer’s shopping habits. As such, brands can automatically recommend complementary products after every purchase and send replenishment reminders.
ActiveCampaign
Image Credit: ActiveCampaign
Autonomous marketing automation, that’s what ActiveCampaign specializes in. With its Active Intelligence layer, marketers can instantly transform ideas into on-brand campaigns. This platform also runs an analysis across customer data points to deliver the next best actions. No need for manual segmentation. That’s why ActiveCampaign doesn’t just send emails. It decides who should get them and when, based on real engagement signals. Personalized content, send times, and subject lines.
Key Features:
Generating campaigns using natural-language prompts
Win Probability scoring to identify leads that are likely to convert
Seamless integration with over 1000 marketing stacks
Pricing:
Free Trial
Starter Package – starts at $15 per month (billed annually)
Plus Package – starts at $49 per month (billed annually)
Pro Package – starts at $79 per month (billed annually)
Enterprise Package – starts at $145 per month (billed annually)
Real Use Case:
ActiveCampaign can help B2B software companies automatically place prospects into different email sequences. Using Active Intelligence, they can personalize their actions based on whether the customers downloaded a white paper or stopped engaging with the last campaigns.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is especially designed for small businesses and startups. Its Content Optimizer scores drafts and suggests specific fixes before users hit send. The Creative Assistant generates full email templates from brand assets. But what stands out are its added AI tools. Users can now access features that recommend audience segments, optimize send times, and provide performance insights. It’s the easiest entry point for small teams to sell and engage customers on the fly.
Key Features:
Syncing with more than 300 tech stacks
Predictive automations for propelling revenue
AI-powered product recommendations
Pricing:
Free Package
Essentials Package – $13 per month
Standard Package – $20 per month
Premium Package – $350 per month
Real Use Case:
Mailchimp can help a local bakery chain use AI-generated email drafts while automatically scheduling campaigns. This makes it easier to promote seasonal menu launches.
Brevo
Image Credit: Brevo
Formerly Sendinblue, Brevo offers an affordable approach to AI-powered email marketing. It comes with an AI agent called Aura. This smart assistant handles content generation and campaign suggestions. More to the point, Brevo features AI tools for generating email copy, automating customer journeys, segmenting audiences, and optimizing communication across multiple channels. Every campaign also delivers clear insights, personalized product recommendations, and best send times.
Key Features:
Predictive sending for higher engagement
Detailed statistics to monitor email performance for better campaigns
No-code marketing automation
Pricing:
Free Package
Starter Package – $9 per month
Standard Package – $18 per month
Professional Package – $499 per month
Enterprise Package – Custom Pricing
Real Use Case:
Brevo allows dental clinics to cut down missed appointments without increasing administrative work. It happens by automating appointment confirmations through email. All while sending SMS reminders before scheduled visits.
Choosing the Leading AI Tools for Email Marketing in 2026
Segmenting audiences. Automating customer journeys. Predicting buyer behavior. Personalizing content. Optimizing campaign performance. Modern AI tools for email marketing do far more than draft subject lines.
Determine your audience, marketing goals, and workflow first. That’s because there’s no single best pick here. HubSpot shines in CRM-driven marketing. Klaviyo focuses on e-commerce personalization. ActiveCampaign is good at advanced automation. Mailchimp offers an all-around solution. Brevo provides affordable multichannel marketing. So let your struggles decide which tool to use. Not the other way around.
San Francisco is a city known for its “tech bro” uniform; fleece vests, Patagonia hoodies and sneakers with chinos.
In this era of casual menswear, you might spot an anomaly: a 24-year-old walking down San Francisco’s Montgomery Street in a razor-sharp, double-breasted blazer, high-waisted trousers and immaculate leather loafers.
That’s Biel Valldosera. The Spanish-born digital fashion strategist and content creator has gone viral for his reels, Instagram posts and YouTube videos helping men dress up in our jogging pant-friendly work-from-home era. In Northern California, Valldosera is single-handedly staging a quiet sartorial revolution in men’s style.
Bridging high-end, old school European suiting aesthetics with a fresh, Gen-Z sensibility, he has become one of the few top menswear creators in San Francisco bringing an upscale luxury edge to an intentionally casual city.
Across his multi-channel digital presence, Valldosera commands a collective monthly reach exceeding 1 million viewers. On Instagram, where he delivers high-end lifestyle content and tailored styling guides, he has built a dedicated community of over 200,000 followers, averaging 45,000 likes per post. Over on TikTok, his videos regularly go viral—with a single post racking up over 5.5 million views—attracting an audience of over 100,000 followers. As a global creator on YouTube, his channel boasts over 17,000 subscribers and features content shot across 12 international cities.
Valldosera’s digital footprint reflects a level of national and international recognition rarely seen among regional creators, especially since San Francisco has a population of roughly 800,000 inhabitants. With a global audience spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, Valldosera’s analytical breakdown of modern menswear has captured the attention of international trade publications, global fashion weeks and luxury retail brands.
His ability to make classic tailoring approachable for Gen Z has established him as a key figure in modern menswear strategy—a media presence that continues to propel his trajectory and cement his standing within the fashion ecosystem.
With representation from the Dallas-based Sun Talent Agency, Valldosera’s analytical approach to fashion content has made him a coveted partner for world-class labels who are seeking results. His portfolio of brand collaborations spans global powerhouses like Hugo Boss, SuitSupply, Todd Snyder, Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, Levi’s, and the Four Seasons.
Locally, he has collaborated with premier San Francisco institutions like Monaco Hair Studio, one of the city’s top-rated barbershops. His client base is equally diverse, ranging from tech executives and CEOs looking to sharpen their personal image to global fashion weeks seeking digital strategy.
What makes Valldosera’s trajectory so compelling isn’t just his aesthetic; it’s the strategic foundation behind it. Holding a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA) from EAE Business School in Barcelona, along with a Master’s degree in International Business with Analytics from Hult International Business School in San Francisco, Valldosera approaches menswear not merely as an art form, but as a discipline of intent, communication, and market dynamics.
As we approach fall runway shows and fall fashion, Valldosera notes that this season’s upcoming trends mark a return to intentionality. As fashion runways in New York, London, Milan, and Paris shift back toward formalwear and classic tailoring, with heritage fashion houses like Zegna showcasing elevated, vintage-inspired suiting, younger demographics are eagerly taking note.
“I believe great style never really disappears,” Valldosera explains. “Fashion moves in cycles, but timeless tailoring and classic menswear have always been relevant because they’re built on quality, craftsmanship, and elegance rather than trends.”
According to Valldosera, the current revival of formalwear among Gen Z is a direct response to years of over-saturation in the fast-fashion ecosystem.
“After the pandemic, I think a lot of people—especially Gen Z—started looking for something more intentional,” he says. “For years, fashion became heavily driven by fast fashion, micro-trends, and constant consumption. Now there’s a growing appreciation for investing in fewer, better pieces that have longevity and personal meaning. That’s why classic tailoring is making such a strong comeback.”
In a tech hub where relaxed dress codes have long been the default, Valldosera’s commitment to classic tailoring offers a fresh narrative for local men looking to elevate their daily routines.
“Living in San Francisco has made that even more meaningful,” Valldosera says. “It’s an incredible city, but it’s not traditionally known for classic menswear. Seeing more young people become interested in dressing well, asking for advice, or even starting to create similar content themselves, following in my footsteps, has been incredibly rewarding.”
While classical tailoring often carries a reputation for being prohibitively expensive, Valldosera has built his platform around making sharp dressing accessible without compromising on sophistication. A key component of his philosophy centers on “high-low” dressing—the deliberate art of pairing luxury investments with high-street basics.
“I actually think mixing luxury and affordable pieces is one of the smartest ways to build a wardrobe,” Valldosera notes. “Great style isn’t about wearing expensive clothes from head to toe—it’s about knowing where quality matters and where it doesn’t.”
For men looking to refine their aesthetic without exhausting their bank accounts, he suggests a calculated approach to building a closet. “If you’re still discovering your personal style, don’t start by spending thousands of dollars on luxury pieces; experiment first with brands like Uniqlo, COS, SuitSupply or Zara,” he says. “They’re a great way to understand what silhouettes, colors, and fits work for you without making a huge investment. Once you’ve developed a clear sense of your style, that’s when it makes sense to invest in timeless pieces you’ll wear for years—a well-made blazer, a great pair of loafers, a quality coat, or a watch.”
Valldosera practices what he preaches, frequently pairing a luxury timepiece with structured denim or tailored trousers from accessible retail brands. “I might wear a Longines watch with a pair of Zara jeans simply because I love the fit,” he says. “For me, style isn’t about logos or wearing luxury from head to toe—it’s about creating a balanced outfit that feels authentic to you. The best-dressed people aren’t necessarily the ones spending the most money. They’re the ones who understand proportion, fit, and how to combine pieces thoughtfully.”
Ultimately, Valldosera views clothing as a tool for personal respect and non-verbal confidence. Whether guiding clients through custom fitting consultations or releasing instructional videos—such as his popular YouTube guide, Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Suit—his core ethos remains anchored in purpose.
“At the end of the day, my message has always been the same: your appearance speaks before you do,” Valldosera says. “The way you dress isn’t about impressing other people—it’s about showing respect for yourself and communicating who you are before you say a single word.”
If you love a fast-moving plot that centres on morally complicated protagonists, the latest Korean series trending on Netflix might be just what the doctor ordered. The Apartment Job is equal parts bizarre and intriguing, which should be enough to draw in viewers looking for a little escape.
The dramedy has already spent two weeks on the Netflix charts and is one of the most-watched non-English shows on the platform. With 3.3 million views last week, it’s also a Top 10 show in 19 countries. Could this mean that a follow-up is on the way? Here’s what we know so far.
The Apartment Job Season 2 Release Date
At the time of writing, there’s no official news about a potential The Apartment Job season 2.
Unfortunately, the title is listed as a limited series on Netflix, so it’s likely that one season is all we’re going to get.
The Apartment Job Cast
Ji Sung as Park Hae-gang
Ha Yoon-kyung as Kang Ha-ri
Park Byung-eun as Lee Chung-won
Moon So-ri as Jang Suk-jin
Kim Won-hae as “Lizard”
Baek Hyun-jin as Seo Kang-won
Jung Seung-gil as Choi Young-jae
What Is The Apartment Job About?
The Apartment Job follows Park Hae-gang, a former gang boss. Desperate for cash, he comes up with an audacious scheme.
Hae-gang targets the enormous reserve fund belonging to a massive apartment complex. To get access to the money, he must win the residents’ association election and become the building’s representative. Before long, he teams up with Kang Ha-ri, an aspiring lawyer.
However, what begins as a straightforward con quickly turns complicated. Hae-gang uncovers corruption within the apartment complex and becomes tangled with the powerful people trying to control its future. Maybe he is an accidental hero after all? You’ll need to tune in to find out. So far, the series has managed to weave together several moving parts, which may be enough to keep viewers coming back for more.
While The Apartment season 2 is unlikely, the show is still ongoing. New episodes drop weekly on Netflix, with the finale scheduled for August 16.
Are There Other Shows Like The Apartment Job?
If you enjoy The Apartment Job, you might also like the popular Netflix series Money Heist.
The latest series to take Netflix by storm is an enchanting mix of horror, palace intrigue, and fantasy. Throw some compelling characters into the mix and The East Palace is a treat for anyone who prefers their entertainment with a side of mystery.
Audiences at large seem to agree. The Korean production is currently one of the most-watched non-English titles on Netflix. With 4.9 million views last week, it’s also the #1 show in two countries. Could more episodes be on the way? Here’s what we know so far.
The East Palace Season 2 Release Date
At the time of writing, there’s no official news about a potential The East Palace season 2.
The title is listed as a limited series on Netflix, and Korean dramas are often a one-and-done affair. Plus, the palace mystery is resolved by the time the final end credits roll. Unfortunately, all signs point to this being a single-season series.
That said, you never know. If The East Palace becomes a global phenomenon, anything is possible.
The East Palace Cast
Nam Joo-hyuk as Gu-cheon
Roh Yoon-seo as Saeng-gang
Cho Seung-woo as the king
Jang Young-nam as the queen dowager
Kwak Dong-yeon as the crown prince
What Is The East Palace About?
A dark fantasy period drama, The East Palace is set in a fictionalised Joseon-era Korea. The story revolves around Gu-cheon, who can move between the human and the spirit realm, and Saeng-gang, a court lady able to hear the voices of the dead.
When a series of supernatural incidents threatens the royal palace, the king secretly brings the two together to investigate a deadly curse. As Gu-cheon and Saeng-gang delve deeper into the palace’s history, they discover there’s more to the conspiracy than meets the eye. Expect vengeful spirits and hidden royal secrets to keep you glued to the screen.
By the time the show wraps up, Gu-cheon and Saeng-gang have really been through it. Viewers learn who was responsible for the deaths, and the finale is as gripping as it is bittersweet. All in all, the central mystery is solved.
While The East Palace season 2 is unlikely, there are ways to continue the story. We wouldn’t mind sitting down for another dose of supernatural thrills.
Chaotic Netflix series The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On has returned with season 4, which sees six couples willing to put their relationship on the line. As always, many viewers are keen to discover whether this wild amount of pressure can actually make a bond grow stronger.
So much so that the series is currently among the most-watched titles on the platform. With 1.9 million views last week, it’s also a Top 10 show in 12 countries. Does that mean more seasons are on the way? Here’s what we know so far.
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 5 Release Date
At the time of writing, there’s no official news available about a potential The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On season 5. Netflix is likely still assessing viewership, so it all might come down to how many people continue to tune in.
The casting website is still up for now, and the fact that the series has cracked the Top 10 is a positive sign. As long as the streamer gives the green light, new episodes could arrive in 2027 or 2028.
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On Season 5 Cast
Since the show hasn’t been renewed, we don’t know anything about who might join the cast for season 5. If you need a refresher on the season 4 participants, check out their profiles here.
What Is The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On About?
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On follows couples whose relationship is on shaky ground.
One partner is ready to get married, while the other is uncertain about taking that step. An ultimatum is issued, the couples temporarily separate, and each person chooses a new partner from among the other participants.
They then live together in a trial marriage before returning to their original relationships. The experiment forces everyone to confront their doubts and decide whether they are ready to commit. As you might expect, the format invites drama, so the show makes for an interesting watch.
In season 4, six couples put their relationships through the show’s high-pressure experiment in Las Vegas. After a couple of early exits, remaining participants faced the usual mix of jealousy and conflict. Without spoiling too much, not everyone made it out of the show unscathed.
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On season 5 will probably follow the same format, allowing a new batch of couples to question whether marriage could solve their problems. Whether not that happens, it remains to be seen.
Are There Other Shows Like The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On?
If you enjoyed The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, check out spin-off series The Ultimatum: Queer Love.
The modern film set is undergoing a quiet operational overhaul, and it has very little to do with what is appearing on screen.
As physical production timelines contract and the volume of required deliverables multi-platforms, Hollywood’s physical line producers and production managers are facing an execution crunch.
For Los Angeles-based producer Andrii Svistunov, staying ahead of this curve has meant turning away from industry anxiety surrounding artificial intelligence and instead treating the technology as a structural layer for physical organization.
Svistunov has built a reputation across the commercial and narrative landscapes for his ability to bridge heavy business logistics with creative execution. While his short film work has consistently made waves on the competitive festival circuit, earning official selections at the AFI Film Festival, Beverly Hills Film Festival, and twice for the HollyShorts Comedy program, his day-to-day corporate workflow involves managing high-stakes, multi-million-dollar advertising campaigns for multi-billion-dollar enterprise brands.
It’s in this ultra-accelerated commercial space that Svistunov has begun building custom, AI-driven infrastructure to handle the brutal administrative realities of pre-production.
“I use AI as a producing tool rather than a creative substitute,” Svistunov said. “While some believe that AI will replace creativity in film and commercial production, I see it as a tool that strengthens collaboration rather than replaces it. In real-world production environments, every shot carries significant costs, and every department must remain aligned around the same creative vision.”
Svistunov is seeing AI become valuable in the areas where communication and speed matter the most—organizing creative references, streamlining workflows, quickly generating visual materials, and making information instantly accessible across departments.
He’s also aware of the high stakes world of video advertising, where slick presentation is paramount. Agencies and enterprise corporate clients demand real-time transparency across dozens of moving creative elements.
For a single commercial campaign containing sometimes in the hundreds of shots, a producer must track variables spanning location logistics, talent casting, wardrobe design, camera vectors, and practical props. Traditionally, a single late-stage revision from a client could trigger an administrative nightmare, forcing production teams to manually re-build breakdown sheets and alert all the departments overnight.
To mitigate this friction, Svistunov began engineering his own custom, AI-assisted workflows tailored directly to his physical production pipelines, which are set on demanding deadlines.
“The AI systems I built help organize and synthesize these moving pieces within minutes, allowing the team to react faster without sacrificing precision,” Svistunov explains. “What interests me is not removing human involvement from the process, but removing repetitive labor that limits creative bandwidth. As a producer, my goal is creating systems that allow teams to spend less time managing information and more time making creative decisions.”
This approach has allowed his teams to absorb hyper-compressed timelines that would otherwise destabilize a traditional set structure. “Commercial schedules would sound impossible to a regular person—it’s often the case that the notes come in at 6 p.m. to be implemented before 7 a.m. the following day,” he notes.
“Instead of manually rebuilding documents, shot breakdowns, or presentation materials overnight, we can update entire production decks, schedules, and departmental breakdowns in a matter of minutes, ensuring that every team—from camera and art to wardrobe and locations; is aligned by the time we step on set.”
Despite his reliance on advanced digital systems, Svistunov is clear about where the boundary lines must be drawn. As a producer who has sat on major industry screening panels and festival juries, including serving as a judge for the North Star Film Festival and working on the selection committees for the San Diego and Santa Fe International Film Festivals, he maintains that human instinct remains the ultimate gatekeeper of quality.
“I am especially careful with tools that try to replace creative decision-making instead of supporting it,” Svistunov said. “Producing is ultimately a people-driven profession built on trust, communication, and instinct. Technology can organize information, accelerate workflows, and solve logistical challenges, but it cannot replace taste or human understanding. I use tools that strengthen collaboration and help teams move faster, and I avoid tools that make the process feel more automated but less connected.”
Ultimately, the goal of integrating AI into the production pipeline isn’t to create a tech-centric set, but rather an invisible infrastructure that allows the crew to focus entirely on physical execution. By centralizing bureaucratic bottlenecks like onboarding, call sheets, and vendor coordination into integrated, automated platforms, the actual art of filmmaking takes center stage.
“For me, the real breakthrough is not in isolated features like text or image generation, but in how AI can sit inside the production pipeline itself,” says Svistunov. “When it can understand the hierarchy of a project—from script to schedule to budget—it becomes genuinely useful on set and in pre-production. That shift is what I’m paying attention to right now: moving from AI as a creative assistant to AI as a production infrastructure layer.”
Goth fashion has always stood apart from passing trends. While mainstream styles change from season to season, the goth aesthetic continues to evolve without losing its identity. Rooted in individuality, creativity, and a love for dramatic silhouettes, it offers a timeless approach to dressing that feels just as relevant today as it did decades ago.
Building a goth wardrobe doesn’t mean filling your closet with extravagant pieces or committing to a single interpretation of the style. Modern goth fashion is surprisingly versatile, blending influences from Victorian elegance, punk, grunge, industrial fashion, and contemporary streetwear. The key is choosing pieces that can be mixed, layered, and worn in different ways over time.
Start With Versatile Foundations
A wardrobe that stands the test of time begins with reliable basics. In goth fashion, that doesn’t mean plain or boring—it means selecting pieces that work effortlessly with the rest of your clothing.
Well-fitted black trousers, long skirts, oversized shirts, structured jackets, and classic boots provide the foundation for countless outfits. Once these essentials are in place, it’s much easier to introduce more expressive garments without making every look feel overwhelming.
One of the smartest additions to any alternative wardrobe is a collection of gothic tops. From lace blouses and mesh long sleeves to corset-inspired designs and oversized graphic shirts, they instantly add personality while remaining easy to style with everyday basics. Because they come in so many different silhouettes, they also make it easy to create outfits that feel unique without requiring an entirely new wardrobe.
Focus on Texture Instead of Color
One of the defining characteristics of goth fashion is its predominantly dark color palette. Since most outfits revolve around black or other deep shades, texture becomes one of the most important design elements.
Combining lace with leather, velvet with denim, or mesh with structured fabrics creates visual interest without introducing bright colors. These subtle contrasts make monochromatic outfits feel layered and sophisticated rather than flat.
This approach also allows individual garments to stand out naturally. A velvet top paired with tailored trousers creates a refined look, while a sheer mesh layer can completely change the mood of a simple outfit. Instead of relying on bold prints or vibrant colors, goth fashion uses materials to create depth and character.
Build Around Layers
Layering has always been central to gothic style. It not only adds warmth during colder months but also gives outfits more dimension and personality.
A lace blouse beneath a structured blazer creates an elegant silhouette, while a fitted mesh top under a slip dress introduces subtle texture. Long coats, oversized cardigans, waistcoats, and cropped jackets can all be combined to create outfits that feel intentional without becoming overly complicated.
The beauty of layering is that it allows the same pieces to be styled differently throughout the year. A wardrobe built around adaptable layers naturally offers more outfit combinations, making it both practical and visually interesting.
Invest in Timeless Statement Pieces
Not every purchase needs to follow the latest trend. In fact, some of the most valuable additions to a goth wardrobe are the pieces that remain stylish year after year.
A beautifully tailored coat, a quality pair of leather boots, a structured corset-inspired top, or a classic silver necklace can become staples that elevate almost any outfit. Choosing timeless designs rather than trend-driven pieces helps create a wardrobe that feels cohesive over time.
Instead of constantly replacing clothing, it’s often more rewarding to gradually collect garments that reflect your personal style and can be worn across different seasons.
Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Styles
Modern goth fashion is incredibly diverse. Few people dress exclusively in one specific substyle, and that’s part of what makes the aesthetic so exciting today.
Combining gothic elements with grunge, minimalist fashion, punk influences, or even subtle Y2K details creates outfits that feel personal rather than predictable. A lace top with wide-leg jeans, combat boots paired with a tailored blazer, or a velvet blouse worn with contemporary trousers can all capture the spirit of goth fashion without looking overly theatrical.
This flexibility makes the style easier to incorporate into everyday life while encouraging experimentation and creativity.
Accessories Complete the Look
Clothing forms the foundation of an outfit, but accessories often define its personality. Silver jewelry, layered necklaces, decorative belts, rings, chokers, and statement bags can all reinforce the gothic aesthetic without requiring dramatic clothing choices.
Rather than wearing every accessory at once, focus on selecting a few pieces that complement the textures and silhouettes of your outfit. A carefully chosen necklace or ring often has more impact than an excessive number of accessories competing for attention.
The goal is balance. Every element should contribute to the overall look without overwhelming it.
Build Your Wardrobe Slowly
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to create an entire goth wardrobe overnight. Building personal style takes time, and there’s no need to own every iconic piece immediately.
Start with versatile garments that you genuinely enjoy wearing, then gradually introduce more distinctive items as you discover what suits your taste. Over time, your wardrobe will naturally become more cohesive and more reflective of your personality.
This slower approach also encourages thoughtful purchases, helping you invest in clothing that you’ll continue to wear for years rather than pieces that only appeal because they’re currently trending.
Final Thoughts
A timeless goth wardrobe isn’t built by chasing every new trend or copying a particular aesthetic. It’s created through carefully chosen pieces that work together, offer versatility, and reflect your own interpretation of gothic fashion.
By focusing on quality, layering, texture, and adaptable staples, you’ll create a wardrobe that remains stylish regardless of changing trends. Goth fashion has endured for decades because it celebrates individuality above all else—and that’s precisely what makes it timeless.
DIIV have announced that their new album is called ZIRP!, and it arrives on October 30. The shoegazers’ follow-up to Frog in Boiling Water was produced by A.G. Cook, fresh off his work on Charli XCX’s latest album Music, Fashion, Film. Check out the cover artwork below.
DIIV didn’t share the tracklist or any singles from the album along with the announcement, opting instead for cryptic teasers. Cook posted about the album on his Stories, and some fans received business cards in the mail that led to the band’s website. The pre-save page introduces ZIRP! as such: “This is the new alternative. A new genre for the 21st century.” It sounds in line with the post-genre framing of Cook’s own 2024 album Britpop.
