LSN : News : African Speculations explores the impact of urbanisation

H&M debuts fine scents for all styles

A Wardrobe of Fragrances, H&M

Global – In collaboration with renowned perfume house Givaudan, H&M has launched a wardrobe of fragrances offering 25 different scents.

The collection is divided into three distinct groups that fall on a spectrum of complexity and price. The Singles collection offers 10 foundation scents that revolve around a single note such as vanilla or yuzu. The Reveries range is more complex, with multifaceted fragrances designed to evoke an emotion or mood. The final group, The Essences, is a collection of five fine fragrances crafted with high-quality raw ingredients such as sandalwood and patchouli. Prices for the scents range from £3.99 ($5.24, €4.48) to £19.99 ($26.23 ,€22.45).

With perfume playing an important role in an individual’s identity, brands are exploring how to create fragrances in new formats or with niche ingredients that complement consumers’ evolving characters. Louis Vuitton recently launched a wardrobe of fragrances to assist men who are becoming both experimental and creative with fashion.

Vegan liquid egg plans European expansion

Just Egg

Just EGG

Europe – Following success in the US, JUST, a company that produces a plant-based liquid egg substitute, hopes to make its mark in the European market.

The company has entered an agreement with Eurovo Group to bring JUST Egg to European consumers that follow vegan or plant-based diets. The substitute egg is made from mung bean protein, which allows the product to cook in the same way as conventional hen’s eggs while offering a similar amount of protein.

With recent reports suggesting that veganism could help to save the environment, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of their eating habits on natural resources and emissions. Businesses are also recognising their responsibility to provide plant-based products in order to give consumers a choice at the point of purchase.

Celmatix uses personal data to predict fertility outcomes

US – Health start-up Celmatix has recently launched a free online tool that uses personal data to calculate a woman’s chance of getting pregnant.

MyFertility Compass asks the user 14 questions based on her personal health and wellbeing. The questions will query lifestyle choices, sexual activity and history of health conditions, from which it will generate a report that reveals the likelihood of getting pregnant within the next 12 months. Based on published research and Celmatix’s database, the report will inform the user whether she is within the normal guidelines to get pregnant with ease or whether it will require additional analysis and assistance.

In line with our Modern Fertility microtrend, Celmatix represents a new generation of devices that are offering health advice and diagnosis to predict and overcome fertility problems.

MyFertility Compass, Celmatix, US

African Speculations explores the impact of urbanisation

African Speculations by Christopher Marcinkoski and Javier Arpa Fernández, Munich

Munich – A recent exhibition, African Speculations, curated by Christopher Marcinkoski and Javier Arpa Fernández, academics from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design, examined the impact of various speculative urbanisation projects proposed in Africa since 2005.

Despite demand for urban improvements throughout Africa, many projects are rarely orientated towards the populations that need them, and are used instead to pursue singular economic gains for local governments, brands or businesses. The exhibition warned of the possible political, social and environmental disasters that could be caused if such development models are realised.

With the UN forecasting that two-thirds of humanity will be living in urban environments by 2050, cities must be able to sustain growing demands on their infrastructure. If governments are not able to support such demands, the role of citymaker may fall entirely to private corporations – a decision that will require careful implementation to support the rights and interests of the local population. For more on the development of future cities, explore our Branded Cities report.

Stat: Supermarkets are struggling to recycle plastic packaging

Almost a third of plastic packaging from UK supermarkets is difficult to recycle, according to a new study by consumer research group Which? Despite a number of recently implemented initiatives, the analysis found that the budget supermarket Lidl had the lowest proportion of widely recyclable packaging at 71%, followed by Iceland (73%), Ocado (74%) and Sainsbury’s (75%).

With concerns still growing about plastic’s environmental impact, supermarkets and retailers are beginning to reduce their reliance on the material through the introduction of plastic-free aisles and alternative packaging. For more, read our recent Listicle.

Thought-starter: How luxury repairs are becoming an essential retail service

Vanessa Jacobs, founder of The Restory, on the growing demand for luxury goods repairs – and why brands and retailers must pay attention.

Luxury brands invest heavily to drive desire and build long-term relationships with their customers, and they know that for high-value luxury products such as jewellery and cars, the client relationship shouldn’t just end at the point of sale. For goods such as shoes and bags, however, customers often expect the retailer to assist when there has been legitimate wear and tear. But there is a point when a luxury brand or the retailer shouldn’t or can’t be responsible. That’s where a service such The Restory steps in.

When referring to sustainability, Jacobs explains: ‘We used to buy, wear and dispose. Now, we buy, wear, rent, resale and retouch. There has long been pent-up demand for repairs and restoration of goods, but it has just been affected by skills atrophy, and the lack of investment by brands into the experience of having something repaired, or aligning repairs with the retail space.’

Read the full interview with Vanessa Jacobs here.