News 22.10.2021

Need to Know

Custom sneakers hint at the future of footwear, Coldplay experiments with net zero music events and why hotels are failing to connect with Gen Z.

A one-man factory rethinks sneaker manufacturing

Pixel Shoe by Tidhar Zagagi

Israel and Amsterdam – The Pixel Shoe project by Israeli designer Tidhar Zagagi harnesses the versatility of polyurethane (PU) foam to create custom-made footwear moulded in the shape of the wearer’s foot, reconfiguring the typical relationship between customer and manufacturer.

Using the portability of 3D printing technology, Zagagi built a mobile wooden cart that allowed him to travel across Israel producing personalised shoes in a matter of minutes, and is now displaying his concept to Dutch Design Week. A self-described ‘one-man-factory’, Zagagi allows his clients to customise the design and fit of their shoes according to personal preferences and foot shape.

By embracing a low-tech approach, Zagagi can create one-of-a-kind products in high volumes at affordable prices, envisaging a future where mass production is replaced by mass customisation – and pioneered by independent, unbranded designers. It points to an interesting future for those operating in the Sneaker Hub Market, as sneakerheads navigate their relationship with conglomerates.

Strategic opportunity

Not all brands can operate one-man factories, but they can take note of Zagagi's versatile approach to customisation and create in-store workshops that allows footwear to be manufactured to customers' exact preferences

Myya digitises post-mastectomy bra fits

Myya, US Myya, US
Myya, US Myya, US

US – In response to demands for inclusive and accessible post-mastectomy bras and prosthetics, start-up Myya is providing a digital solution for women who have had breast cancer.

With a focus on inclusivity, Myya’s silicone prosthetics – which are covered by US health insurance – are available in a range of colours to match all skin tones and come in more than 200 sizes. Through this service, the brand is humanising Digital Fit services through a hyper-personal and attentive approach that mimics in-store experiences.

When the pandemic hit, Jasmine Jones, founder of Myya, was concerned about the future of the best friend’ in-store service she provided to customers. 'That's when I knew I needed to take what we were creating in-store online.’

Its direct-to-consumer model takes the fitting experience away from medical settings, instead offering an appealing e-commerce experience supported by specially trained experts. As we forecast in Certified Wellness, there is increasing demand for lifestyle sectors to bridge the gap between medical products and design-led aesthetics.

Strategic opportunity

Clinical aesthetics can create a sense of otherness. From fashion and luxury to technology and homeware, industries can work with medical professionals to co-create health-led products that are also visually welcoming

Coldplay’s next world tour will be net zero

UK – Two years after refusing to perform live for environmental reasons, Coldplay has announced a world tour that will use technology and nature-based solutions to achieve a net zero carbon footprint.

The band plans to use direct air carbon capture technology in collaboration with Swiss company Climeworks to remove carbon dioxide from the air and preserve it for commercial use. The first-of-its-kind world tour will be powered by a rechargeable battery that runs on renewable energy designed by BMW. Beyond this, the band will also implement nature-based solutions including reforestation, soil restoration and rewilding to offset any further emissions generated by the tour.

As we go into 2022, a year in which thousands of cancelled live music events will finally go ahead, entertainment risks coming under attack for high energy consumption and unsustainable production models. By embracing new technologies, Coldplay is adapting to the emergence of Eco-Clubs and applying this concept to the live music sector.

Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour Sustainability Initiatives

Strategic opportunity

Post-pandemic, the economic future of live events is in flux. The entertainment industry must be quick in adopting new technologies, such as carbon removal, to reduce its ecological footprint

Stat: Hotel brands need to step up to engage Gen Z

Dubai Presents by Dubai Tourism Dubai Presents by Dubai Tourism

With more consumers returning to tourism experiences, hotel brands have an opportunity to re-engage travellers through loyalty programmes. However, research from Morning Consult finds that awareness of loyalty schemes remains low among American Generation Z – a core demographic for the hospitality sector that are often left out of the conversation.

Its research finds that some 61% of American Gen Z are unaware of hotel loyalty programmes. Meanwhile, despite few members of the generation considering themselves to be the primary planner when it comes to leisure travel, a majority (80%) say they have some responsibility in the process. This share is naturally set to increase as the group’s spending power surges.

As the travel sector rebuilds loyalty schemes for the inter-Covid period, there is an even greater need for hotel brands to target young travellersprioritising incentives that are experiential and eco-conscious in nature.

Strategic opportunity

Hospitality brands should rethink existing loyalty services to suit the needs of young travellers. In the inter-Covid period, prioritise benefits like flexible bookings, voluntourism schemes and discounted rates

Previous News Articles
Lululemon taps 78-year-old fitness influencer Joan MacDonald for new campaign

News

Lululemon taps 78-year-old fitness influencer Joan MacDonald for new campaign

Lululemon is challenging ageist fitness stereotypes with its latest campaign, featuring 78-year-old fitness influencer Joan MacDonald.
Sports & Leisure : Advertising & Branding : Youth
Black Tomato introduces AI-powered Feelings Engine for emotion-driven travel

News

Black Tomato introduces AI-powered Feelings Engine for emotion-driven travel

Luxury travel company Black Tomato is marking its 20th anniversary with a groundbreaking AI-powered booking tool, which curates trips based on trav...
Travel & Hospitality : Society : Health & Wellness
Stat: Gen Z are being priced out of the nightlife economy

News

Stat: Gen Z are being priced out of the nightlife economy

Rising costs and safety concerns are keeping young people out of the UK’s nightlife scene, according to a new report from the Night Time Industries...
Nightlife : Youth : Finance
The Lighthouse launches Venice campus to provide content creators with a creative workspace

News

The Lighthouse launches Venice campus to provide content creators with a creative workspace

Creator and social agency the Whalar group has launched The Lighthouse, a campus in Venice, California that will serve as a hub for 150 curated cre...
Pop-culture & Media : Youth : Advertising & Branding
Foresight Friday: Olivia Houghton, deputy creative foresight editor

News

Foresight Friday: Olivia Houghton, deputy creative foresight editor

Every Friday, we wrap up the topics, issues, ideas and viral moments everyone’s been discussing. This week, deputy creative foresight editor Olivia...
Foresight Friday : Health And Wellness : Climate Crisis
Stat: Millennials to overtake Gen X in beauty spending by 2034

News

Stat: Millennials to overtake Gen X in beauty spending by 2034

Gen X is currently the dominant force in global beauty spending, with the generation set to contribute an additional $150bn (£119bn, €141bn) to the...
Beauty : Society : Retail
LS:N Global Just Got Smarter

News

LS:N Global Just Got Smarter

Meet our new AI tool, Ember.
The Future Laboratory
Samsung’s Galaxy AI becomes the ultimate everyday companion

News

Samsung’s Galaxy AI becomes the ultimate everyday companion

BBH Singapore has launched a global campaign for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series, positioning Galaxy AI as an essential part of daily life. 
Technology : Advertising & Branding : Society
Victoria Beckham brings contemporary art to Dover Street store

News

Victoria Beckham brings contemporary art to Dover Street store

Victoria Beckham has collaborated with Sotheby’s to curate an exhibition of 10 contemporary artworks at her Dover Street boutique, featuring pieces...
Luxury : Retail : Finance
Stat: TV overtakes mobile as primary device for YouTube viewing

News

Stat: TV overtakes mobile as primary device for YouTube viewing

YouTube’s dominance in streaming is shifting screens. According to CEO Neal Mohan’s annual letter, TV has now overtaken the mobile as the primary d...
Technology : Pop-culture & Media : Society
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