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TECHNOLOGY Monday 12 June 2017

New Google project digitizes

world’s top fashion archives

JOCELYN NOVECK
AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Anyone
who has waited on a long,
snaking line to get into a
fashion exhibit at a top
museum knows just how
popular they’ve become
— and more broadly, how
fashion is increasingly seen This screen image released
as a form of artistic and by Google shows a section of
cultural expression. the new Google project, “We
Google Inc. is acknowl- Wear Culture.”
edging this reality by ex- Associated Press
panding its Google Art of the Google Art Project
Project — launched in 2011 (now called Google Arts & In this July 10, 2012 file photo, Uber CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick arrives at a conference
to link users with art collec- Culture) explained that he in Sun Valley, Idaho.
tions around the world, on- wasn’t initially clued into Associated Press
line — to include fashion. the possibilities for fashion,
The new initiative , “We because at the tech giant, New York Times sources say Uber
Wear Culture,” which “we all wear hoodies.”
launched Thursday, But, he said, collaborating
uses Google’s technology with an institution like the discussing leave for CEO
to connect fashion lovers Met showed him that “art
to collections and exhib- and fashion have a long BERNARD CONDON turned. engineer Susan Fowler
its at museums and other history together.” AP Business Writer Reuters and the tech wrote on a blog that she
institutions, giving them There are several virtual NEW YORK (AP) — The blog Recode reported had been propositioned
the ability to not only view reality films included in board of Uber was meet- the board meeting ear- by her boss in a series of
a garment, but to zoom the project. A 360-degree ing Sunday to consider lier. The Wall Street Journal messages on her first day
in on the hem of a dress, video displays the Met’s placing the CEO of the also was citing unnamed of work and that superiors
examine a sleeve or a bit conservation studio, with ride-hailing company sources about the meet- ignored her complaints.
of embroidery on a gown conservators explaining on leave, according The ing. Uber has hired the Uber set up a hotline for
up close, wander around how they keep delicate New York Times and other law firm of former Attorney complaints after that and
an atelier, or sit down with clothing strong enough for news outlets. General Eric Holder to re-
Metropolitan Museum of display — one of them ex- The Times reported that view policies and recom- hired the law firm of Per-
Art costume restorers. plaining, for example, how three people with knowl- mend changes. A report kins Coie to investigate.
The project partners with the team uses needles de- edge of the matter have by his firm, Covington & That firm checked into 215
more 180 cultural institu- signed for eye surgeons. complaints, with 57 still un-
tions, including the Met’s It is the ultimate fragil- confirmed that Uber’s Burling, was expected to der investigation.
Costume Institute, the Vic- ity of clothes, though, that board was meeting to be made public soon. In addition to firing 20 em-
toria & Albert Museum in makes the project appeal- consider recommenda- Uber announced last ployees, Uber said Tues-
London, Japan’s Kyoto ing to museum curators, tions from a law firm hired week that it fired 20 em- day that it was hiring an
Costume Institute, and the explained Andrew Bolton, to review Uber’s corpo- ployees for harassment Apple marketing execu-
Musee des Arts Decoratifs the Costume Institute’s rate culture and that the problems. tive, Bozoma Saint John,
in Paris. The site also offers head curator — whereas board may decide to put Under CEO Kalanick, Uber to help improve its tar-
specially curated exhibits. many garments are too CEO Travis Kalanick on has shaken up the taxi in- nished brand. Saint John
You can click your way delicate to be perma- temporary leave. dustry in hundreds of cities
to, for example, a curat- nently displayed, digitizing The newspaper says its and turned the San Fran- most recently was head of
ed photo exhibit on Tokyo a collection makes it view- sources requested ano- cisco-based company global consumer market-
Street Style, or an explora- able forever. The Costume nymity because they into the world’s most valu- ing for Apple Music and
tion of women’s gowns in Institute has provided 500 were not authorized to able startup. Uber’s valua- iTunes.
the 18th century. of the objects on display, speak for Uber. tion has climbed to nearly Uber has been plagued
You can search by design- noted Loic Tallon, the Met’s Uber Technologies Inc. $70 billion. by more than sexual ha-
er, or by their muse — ex- chief digital officer. has been rocked by ac- But Kalanick has acknowl- rassment complaints in re-
amining, say, Marilyn Mon- cusations that its man- edged that his manage- cent months. It has been
roe’s love of Ferragamo Making a pitch to young agement has fostered a ment style needs improve- threatened by boycotts,
stiletto heels, via the Museo users, the site also features workplace environment ment. The 40-year-old sued and subject to a
Salvatore Ferragamo in YouTube personality In- where harassment, dis- CEO said earlier this year federal investigation that
Florence, Italy. grid Nilsen in short videos, crimination and bullying that he needed to “fun- it used a fake version of its
At a preview demonstra- in which she explains the are left unchecked. damentally change and app to thwart authorities
tion this week, Amit Sood, evolution of the hoodie, Calls and emails to Uber grow up.” looking into whether it is
director of the Google Cul- the choker, or colorful Jap- spokesmen were not re- In February, former Uber breaking local laws.q
tural Institute and designer anese “Sukajan” jackets.q