News 29.04.2021

Need to Know

The Future Rocks subverts diamond trading, beauty competitors team up to challenge packaging waste and why UK Generation Z might forego parenthood.

The Future Rocks fosters community around jewellery

The Future Rocks by AKQA

US and Global – The platform is serving a gap in the lab-grown diamond market by providing an ethical marketplace with an editorial and community-centric focus.

Launching with a progressive campaign by AKQA, The Future Rocks platform seeks to profile lab-grown diamonds through an inclusive and engaging lens. The marketplace is supporting emerging jewellery designers by providing them with a space to sell products as well as communicate their unique stories and values. Meanwhile, shoppers are provided with a channel to access ethically sourced, quality jewellery.

‘We hope to ignite and capture the hearts of both jewellery lovers and people who’ve never bought jewellery before,’ says Anthony Tsang, CEO of The Future Rocks. ‘We wanted a bold campaign to resonate with a new consumer base, reflecting progressive values that they embody – such as inclusivity, ethics and diversity.’

In a similar vein, editorial platform Dimepiece takes a subversive approach to the luxury watch industry, targeting younger women consumers normally overlooked by watch marketers.

A sauna-art hybrid promising enlightened states

TikTok teamLab Reconnect, Tokyo TikTok teamLab Reconnect, Tokyo
TikTok teamLab Reconnect, Tokyo TikTok teamLab Reconnect, Tokyo

Tokyo – Art collective teamLab is partnering with social media platform TikTok on an exhibition combining art and sauna experiences to alter mental states.

The exhibition, TikTok teamLab Reconnect, is an immersive environment where visitors replicate the process of entering a sauna, having a cold shower and then taking a rest, before engaging with artworks. The intention is for visitors to enter a ‘sauna trance’. According to teamLab, this sensation prompts the senses to sharpen, as well as clearing the mind and allowing people’s environments to be experienced more fully.

‘By taking alternating hot and cold baths, visitors open their minds, experience an ever-expanding physical sensation and become one with the art,’ says teamLab in a statement. The artwork on show takes inspiration from the laws of nature, building on teamLab’s new art project, Supernature Phenomenon.

As we explore in Enlightened States, the notion of Meditative Museums is helping the public to reach a calmer state of mind.

Ren’s beauty campaign invites collective eco-action

US – Skincare brand Ren has announced a collaborative campaign as an environmental call to action for the beauty industry.

For the campaign, #WeAreAllies the brand has formed an alliance with four of its industry competitors: Biossance, Caudalie, Herbivore Botanicals and Youth To The People. Shunning any competitive associations, the brands are working together on a shared goal of improving the environmental impact of the beauty sector. With a particular focus on packaging, the brands are supporting each other in becoming planet-friendly, and ideally operating on a zero-waste basis.

‘Taking action to reduce waste in the beauty industry is a challenge; together we can share ideas and pioneer new solutions to reduce packaging waste while raising awareness and inspiring other brands to join us with their sustainability efforts,’ says Arnaud Meysselle, CEO of Ren.

Recognising that collective action is stronger than individual efforts, brands are engaging in Symbiosis Strategies that allow them to work together on shared goals. Discover this trend within Elastic Brands.

#WeAreAllies by Ren, US

Stat: Gen Z prioritise early retirement over parenthood

LittleHumans by Petit Pli, London LittleHumans by Petit Pli, London

As Generation Z enter the workforce and begin to reflect on their financial futures, new research from Pension Bee reveals a link between child-free lifestyles and the option of early retirement.

According to the research, one in 10 childless 18–23-year-olds in the UK are considering foregoing parenthood, citing an aim to retire early as a key driver of their decision. This compares to 4% of Millennials with the same mindset.

The choice not to have children as a way to bring forward retirement was also found to be more common among people living in London, with 5% of respondents across all generations saying this. Of note, not a single respondent living in the northeast of England expressed this mindset. Opting to go child-free was also more likely to be considered by those in average to higher-paid jobs – particularly those earning £25–55k ($35–76k, €29–63k).

While we’ve previously explored people’s environmental and financial motivations for having a child-free lifestyle, the lure of early retirement and perceived 'freedom' is emerging as a priority.

Previous News Articles
The Trend: Scent Retail Futures

News

The Trend: Scent Retail Futures

In a bid to provide more immersive and personalised guilded experiences, luxury fragrance retailers are focusing on creating the perfect experience.
Retail : Luxury Fragrance Retail : Scent Retail Trends
The Big Idea: Brand Innovation Debrief: Selfridges

News

The Big Idea: Brand Innovation Debrief: Selfridges

In 2023, Selfridges reported a 29% increase in revenue to £843.7m ($1.09bn, €985m) for the 52 weeks ending 28 January 2023, according to The Indust...
Retail : Selfridges : Hyperphysical Retail Experiences
The Campaign: Label Emmaüs destigmatises second-hand gifting

News

The Campaign: Label Emmaüs destigmatises second-hand gifting

As the holiday season approaches, Label Emmaüs, the community-centric e-commerce platform of the French Emmaüs movement, has launched Christmas Bac...
Retail : Second Hand : Label Emmaüs Christmas Campaign
The Viewpoint: Upstream’s Fashion Remix

News

The Viewpoint: Upstream’s Fashion Remix

The Upstream app, which is only available in the UK at present, self-defines as the ‘world’s first fashion streaming service powered by music and ...
Retail : Upstream : Gen Z Fashion Trends
The Space: Nike House of Innovation transformed into breath-focused experience

News

The Space: Nike House of Innovation transformed into breath-focused experience

Amsterdam-based Random Studio, in collaboration with Nike House of Innovation, has re-imagined the Paris-based store as an embodiment of the brand’...
Retail : Nike House Of Innovation : Holistic Fitness Campaign
Download the Future Forecast 2025 report

News

Download the Future Forecast 2025 report

Now that you know what shaped 2024, discover what’s on the horizon. Download our Future Forecast 2025 report comprising 50 new trends across 10 key...
Future Forecast 2025
The Trend: Deep Sea Wellness

News

The Trend: Deep Sea Wellness

The beauty and wellness industries are looking to the ocean as a new research and innovation hub for skincare and hydration solutions. 
Health : Wellness : Beauty
Download the Future Forecast 2025 report

News

Download the Future Forecast 2025 report

Now that you know what shaped 2024, discover what’s on the horizon. Download our Future Forecast 2025 report comprising 50 new trends across 10 key...
Future Forecast
The Big Idea: Wellrooms in 2035

News

The Big Idea: Wellrooms in 2035

The bathroom is evolving into the wellroom, expanding in size, intelligence and function to meet consumers’ health and wellness needs. 
Health : Wellness : Design
The Campaign: LG unveils AI-activated Menopause Mode air conditioning units

News

The Campaign: LG unveils AI-activated Menopause Mode air conditioning units

LG is beta testing Menopause Mode, a new initiative aimed at alleviating the intense hot flushes experienced by menopausal women.
Health : Wellness : Menopause
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