News 19.03.2020

Need to Know

A platform to combat self-isolation loneliness, Frank Chou designs a lamp for everyday sterilisation and men’s activewear is on the rise.

Guide Beauty enhances the usability of make-up

Guide Beauty, US Guide Beauty, US
Guide Beauty, US Guide Beauty, US
Guide Beauty, US Guide Beauty, US

US – Guide Beauty is an adaptive make-up brand designed for people with Parkinson’s disease.

The brand has been launched with four products: an eyebrow gel, mascara, potted gel eyeliner and an eyeliner tool, all developed with ergonomic experts to ensure easy application. To make the products easier to use for differently abled consumers, grip-applicators act as a finger rest to provide a steadier and more controlled application.

Guide Beauty also offers an online tutorial library, making it easier for buyers to achieve make-up looks. The brand was founded by make-up artist Terri Bryant after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. ‘It wasn’t just my livelihood, but it was my creative outlet and the way that I’ve connected with women and men over the years, I didn’t want to let it go,' she tells Allure.

Differently abled consumers have been long overlooked by the beauty industry. However, new brands like Guide are encouraging the sector to adapt to consumers’ diverse needs. For more, read Adaptive Beauty.

Covid-19: A platform to combat quarantine loneliness

Excellent Quarantine Ideas by Rifke Sadleir Excellent Quarantine Ideas by Rifke Sadleir
Excellent Quarantine Ideas by Rifke Sadleir Excellent Quarantine Ideas by Rifke Sadleir

Global – Excellent Quarantine Ideas is a website dedicated to documenting inspiration and advice for self-isolation.

The platform was created with the aim of encouraging optimism and a community spirit among those social-distancing around the world, as well as to combat the difficulties associated with loneliness and uncertainty.

With ideas such as ‘find your worst (selfie) angle’ and ‘become a motion designer’, the site provides users with links and resources that take a more light-hearted approach to dealing with the pandemic. Launched by a freelancer used to working from home and staying indoors for long periods, the site also accepts user-generated content through anonymous submissions.

As we explore in Mood Retail, brands that provide content to suit a variety of emotions are likely to gain traction among audiences seeking serendipity and inspiration.

Covid-19: A sterilisation lamp designed for the home

China – Frank Chou hopes the lamp will fight the spread of bacteria on everyday items such as phones, keys and wallets.

The sterilisation lamp uses an ultraviolet (UV) light, and is designed to be kept by the entrance to a user’s home, where people can place common objects such as keys. Created in response to the rapid spread of Covid-19, the product is activated as users apply pressure to the body of the lamp, concealing the items for 60 seconds as it sterilises them.

Chou hopes the ‘unconscious design’ of the lamp, created to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, will help the product blend into the home and become part of people’s daily routines. The lamp provides an easier alternative to conscious disinfection methods.

As consumers find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, brands are stepping in to create everyday solutions for an increasingly Dislocated World.

Frank Chou, China Frank Chou, China

Stat: Men’s activewear overtakes women’s sales

According to a study by the NPD Group, women’s activewear sales in the US remained flat in 2019 compared with the previous year, while the men’s market grew by 2%. For a third consecutive year, men’s sales grew at a faster rate than women’s – with the market as a whole generating £42.7bn ($50.3bn, €46.4bn).

Matt Powell, vice-president and senior industry adviser at the NPD Group, says: ‘The women’s athletic apparel market remains the sports industry’s greatest failure, yet its biggest opportunity.’ Despite women’s growing presence in sports overall – the percentage of female athletes set to compete in the Tokyo Olympic Games is 49%, according to the International Olympic Committee – the apparel market still lacks the same momentum as menswear.

As the men’s activewear market grows, communications are changing to reflect modern attitudes towards strength and masculinity.

Previous News Articles
JD Sports celebrates modern families in Christmas campaign

News

JD Sports celebrates modern families in Christmas campaign

JD Sports is redefining the meaning of family this holiday season with its 2024 Christmas campaign, Family.
Society : Identities : Home
Louis Le Joly Senoville debuts wearable chess set

News

Louis Le Joly Senoville debuts wearable chess set

Central Saint Martins graduate Louis Le Joly Senoville has introduced a groundbreaking wearable chess set as his final-year project.
Design : Fashion : Sport
Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

News

Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

Every Friday, the Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. Here, direc...
Foresight
Stat: Sober Christmas parties are on the rise

News

Stat: Sober Christmas parties are on the rise

Christmas celebrations are being reshaped because of shifting consumer attitudes to alcohol, with health, inclusivity and experiential elements dri...
Society : Holidays : Food & Drink
The Future Laboratory and Bacardi investigate cocktail culture in 2025

News

The Future Laboratory and Bacardi investigate cocktail culture in 2025

Bacardi, in collaboration with The Future Laboratory, has released its cocktail trend report for 2025, forecasting a transformative year for the sp...
Drink : Spirits : Food
LG Display unveils world’s first stretchable display with 50% expandability

News

LG Display unveils world’s first stretchable display with 50% expandability

LG Display has achieved a major milestone in display technology with the launch of the world’s first stretchable display, capable of expanding by u...
Technology : Design : AI
New research finds that cannabinol significantly improves sleep

News

New research finds that cannabinol significantly improves sleep

Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Lambert Initiative have found new evidence supporting cannabinol (CBN) as an effective sleep aid.
Health : Wellness : Medicine
Stat: Teens face weekly exposure to conspiracy theories

News

Stat: Teens face weekly exposure to conspiracy theories

A new study by the News Literacy Project reveals that teens encounter conspiracy theories on their social media feeds at least once a week, yet mos...
Pop Culture : Youth : Media
Chester Zoo rebrands as a force for nature

News

Chester Zoo rebrands as a force for nature

Chester Zoo has unveiled a rebrand developed in partnership with branding agency How&How. 
Sustainability : Design : Advertising
Gobi Cashmere revitalises brand identity with Mongolian roots

News

Gobi Cashmere revitalises brand identity with Mongolian roots

Mongolian cashmere giant Gobi has unveiled a refreshed brand identity deeply rooted in its heritage and sustainable ethos.
Culture : Design : Fashion
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN