FM Weekly Round up: That's Hot

This is FM's weekly roundup. Fresh Mercado is here to deliver the goods on the future of visual culture. Think of it like a bodega, where we are unloading boxes, and what you see is what you get.

Hey Arnold was such a NYC kid experience because whenever a heatwave comes to the city, I have a vivid memory of watching that episode in the summertime. This week, though, has made me really think about taking stock as the Earth gets warmer. Paris heatwave has been on my mind as PFW has opened up the 7th circle of hell (looking at Pharrell). But it's hard to look away from Venezuela, where the earthquakes this week have been devastating. Our minds are trying to conceptualize polarizing feelings amidst one of the biggest contextual collapsing summers

We mix this with a World Cup, and it feels like this is the most outside we’ve been since the pre-pandemic era. I’ve been thinking about this idea of pivots, changes that we often don’t even notice, that then suddenly unearth and feel like it’s falling on your lap. That’s the pivot or moment that I’m trying to talk about in July.

This is part of a bigger split of the K-shaped economy where the middle consumer disappears, and brands are forced to pick a side: ultra-luxury or value, nothing in between. We called this in January, the feudal structure. PFW in a heatwave is just the runway version of the same thing. The perception through our diluted media literacy is showing one thing, but the reality in publications globally talks about guests on the verge of passing out, and designers needing emergency pivots that could be hidden BTS and not seen from the viewpoint of the images of the runway. Discomfort becomes the affordance of the performance; in this case, imagery also becomes a part of the performance.

Europe is in a heatwave, and it’s pressure-testing digital infrastructure that is raising questions about whether the computing demands that are driving its growth are actually necessary. This can feel incredibly niche for a visual culture market, but is it? In the media, seeing the play of Apple’s increase on Mac products due to the chip shortage, for one tells us that these are no longer mutually exclusive, and yet insanely marketed towards the consumer. On one hand- the hydration breaks in the World Cup, which have been a controversial nuisance to some, the marketing opportunity and budgets for others.

There is also on the other hand, the increase of marketing products for cooling, portable fans, and showing that cooling gear is going to be a new consumer trend for this global heatwave. It’s not solving climate change, but instead purchasing around it. Cooling gear is the new consumer trend. We’re not solving climate change, we’re purchasing around it, it’s a mix of true enshittification/AI pricing increasing. It costs to make tech, which we talked about back in March.

Asking what this has to do with creativity: well, a pivot in what consumer products will be selling. I giggle and yet wince at the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool fan that came out earlier this year, targeting Coachella festival goers, because it tells the story of me, a party girl with curly hair who was hot at the club. Mind you, the fan costs 100 dollars, so it becomes a premium. Climate change as an aesthetic trend is crazy, but it’s actively presenting itself this summer, and we’ll see more of this. The portable fan market is valued at $640 million in 2026 and projected to nearly double by 2035.

A potential trend indicator: There will be two or three types of consumer brands: brands buying into climate change consumerism more. brands masking thrifting or “authentic made” for eco sake at a premium, but still using AI as a part of their creative infrastructure. The third: consumers attempting to gain transparency from teams in the next 6-12 months if this continues. Purchasing from creative teams who go “anti-AI” in the process and finding proof they do so. I’m imagining brands promoting “we do not use AI in our process”.

DJT posted this painting on social media on Sunday and when we talk about everything all at once, this vision board says a lot. This print is by artist Ray Simon, which gives AI on a giclée. We see Washington, Iwo Jima, the moon landing, Trump, and a Tesla Optimus robot sitting beside a colonial figure and a little boy, framed as a bridge between America’s founding heritage and the possibilities of tomorrow. As we go into America’s 250 this week, and thinking of July as about the pivot, the small recalibration, the thing you put down because it isn’t serving you, this is what happens when the creative process is gone from the vision.

I’ve been building my website on Claude code this past month, and during a two-week sprint, I burned through my weekly credits so fast that I had to put it on hold, where I then decided to take two full weeks off from portfolio/website building and instead take a type of rest, where I got to see mobile kits on the go from May in action. In looking into maintenance from within, some of the most fun things I’ve experienced this month were also trialing on a truly on-the-go, jam-packed June to see what has landed as must-haves. From meet-ups to events to going to the club to sporting outings- I couldn't have. Here are some of the things I cannot live without for the summer, thus far.

Zeiss Lens Cleaners: This is the must-have for the 2026 Summer. It’s hot, sweaty, I’m spilling and dripping and moving. I’m touching that damn lens on my phone. I am not an addict when it comes to cleaning my lens - not only on my camera, but the sunnies. omg this has changed my summer. i didn’t even realize i had an OCD for cleaning my lenses, and here we are. i purchased the Zeagg box and it’s worth it for everything daily.

Sonic Sma Sta organizing pouches- I loved my small one so much, I got a second, larger one. One for everyday, another for electronics. These pouches have magnets that snap up and can make the pouches sit upright, which I can’t get enough of when moving around. Moving fast and switching bags, instead of rummaging through packages, this helps my neurospicy ass get in line, find things fast, and get out the door.

Lume Cube Panel Mini & its Laptop/Cell clip: The Lume Cube has been an MVP for a full year for me. It’s obnoxious in some cases, but in my photo shooting days, I loved a lighting setup, so it’s a yes for every use case, even to help find something on the dance floor. The add-on clip has made my Lume Cube my always-have and its CC-size fits in my pocket or a small purse (not this one tho).

Anker slim charger: Doesn’t have the Anker MagGo, but fits beautifully everywhere and doesn’t add extra bulk.

Moment Bluetooth Remote: (Gatekeep this one), This was one of the best $20 remotes I’ve ever owned. I pair it with the MOFT wallet when I’m alone, trying to capture some content, or when I’m attaching the Octobuddy and taking a picture with my friends. I’m telling you, but tell no one. Only con: turn it off after use, the battery does drain!

Kodak Charmera: She’s beauty, she’s grace, she takes small pictures that feel little to no pressure, and everyone loses it over the playback. Every time I leave my house, I get a bit sad if I forget it. Until I find a cute equivalent mini to my Canon Powershot, I’ll stick with her on the belt loop, the bag— but not the keys if you don’t want scratches.

MOFT Magsafe, findable wallet: When I first reviewed it I was a bit on the fence and since I’ve been really liking it as a phone stand when I’m on the go or actively working on my desk. It works as a stand and helps me not lose my bag in my phone or around me. The bonus has been the Bluetooth button that serves as a wireless remote, and its NFC has been a lifesaver when the phone isn’t on my MagSafe. Cons: To save battery, the button turns off due to inactivity, which I don’t love when I have to reactivate esp when using it as a remote. The wallet can be a tad top-heavy, so ensuring you don’t over-tilt is important. Better to practice before, let’s say, a championship parade. Another note: the card holder holds ~3 cards, which doesn’t leave room for cash.

—Nicole 🫠

Where to donate for Venezuela:

There are many links for GoFundMe- here are two from photographer Silvana Trevale, whom I also recommend.

• Impaktemos Respuesta Humanitaria · Terremoto Venezuela 2026

• Guest Editions is donating all profits from Trevale’s book, Venezuelan Youth, to the Venezuelan Earthquake Appeal

Go to this:

• June 25 - July 31: b chehayeb, Victoria Palacios, Eilen Itzel do Espirito Santo, and Rosalie Smit at Pablo’s Birthday

• June 4 - September 12: Notes from the Margins: Allen Ginsberg and Vivian Maier at Howard Greenberg Gallery

• June 25 - August 15: Frank Paulin: Unseen Color, 1956 - 2008 at Bruce Silverstein

• June 11 - September 28: Yves Saint Laurent and Photography + Photobooks USA 2000–25 at ICP

• May 22 - October 25: Hujar: Contact at the Morgan Library

• Through August 2: Sophie Rivera: Double Exposures at El Museo del Barrio

• Through August 17: Greater New York 2026 at MoMA PS1

• June 11 - August 14: Alex Prager: Matinee at Lehmann Maupin

Apply to this:

• Due July 1 - Cafecito Applications

• Due July 1 - Partnership Edition Artist Open Call 2026

• Due July 2 - Stanley Greene Foundation Emerging Photographers Grant (free)

• Due July 17 - The Kyoto Retreat

• Due July 31 - TED & POSCA Global Artist Search

• Holiday Club Substack