News 13.05.2020

Need to Know

Algae-powered footwear, Swedish socially distanced dining, multi-sensory musical chairs, and anti-pollution growth in the male skincare market.

Synesthesia X1 elevates the musical experience

Synesthesia X1 by Synesthesia Lab

Japan – Synesthesia X1 is an experiential and holistic device created to make listeners feel fully absorbed in sound.

Incorporating two speakers and 44 haptic actuators, the reclined-chair device allows users to ‘see sounds’ and ‘hear colours’. With vibrations and light-focused technologies creating a multi-sensory experience, users are able to feel fully immersed in ‘a sensory musical experience where your body becomes the medium and your consciousness is honed,' according to its designers.

Encased within a giant cube, it invites people to discover heightened sound sensations as part of a whole body experience. With consumers increasingly prioritising experiences that focus on self-discovery over shared spectacles, Synesthesia X1 raises the bar for hyper personal, high tech listening experiences. For more, read our macrotrend on Enlightened States.

Algae shoes for sustainable families

Native Shoes Native Shoes
Native Shoes Native Shoes

Canada – Native Shoes is expanding its 'waste-to-wellness' footwear line with the launch of Rise by Bloom, a new range of slip on shoes made from algae.

With consumers becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of fashion, the need for more Sustainable Footwear is especially front of mind. As such, the brand’s new collection is formulated with a two-fold process in which toxic algae is swept from lakes and freshwater ecosystems and transformed into a high-performance material for their functional footwear.

To further their sustainable mission, Native Shoes have also integrated Bloom-based technology in their Jefferson Kids range. Created as part of a wider eco-initiative, the brand has a goal of giving 100% of their shoes an end of life solution by 2023.

Covid-19: Sweden’s ‘Table for one’ restaurant

Sweden – A one table, one person restaurant, called Bord för En, has opened in the country of Värmland in west-central Sweden as a conceptual dining initiative.

Located in the middle of a meadow, the food is sent to the solitary diner via a basket on a string from the chef’s kitchen window. Created by Rasmus Persson and Linda Karlsson, the concept was inspired by the couple’s own experience of self-isolation and delivering food to family members.

The three-course, vegetarian menu is created by Persson, with drinks by acclaimed Swedish bar Joel Söderbäck. Recognising that everyone is in a different situation due to Covid-19, the restaurant operates on a ‘pay what you can’ basis.

The food and drinks industry has experienced dramatic impacts since Covid-19. All catering businesses, from restaurants to delivery services, are having to operate according to contingency plans. But none have gone to such extremes as this... yet. To keep up to speed with the latest developments in this industry, go to our Food & Drink section.

Bord for En

Stat: Men’s anti-pollution skincare set for significant growth

Male skincare by Disco, US Male skincare by Disco, US

According to a new report by Technavio, the men’s skincare market is set to grow by £803m ($1bn, €915m) during 2020-2024.

Overall, the CAGR is expected to progress at about 3% during the forecast period. The research also shows that 52% of the men’s skincare demand between 2020 and 2024 will originate in the APAC area, with a key driver being the growth of anti-pollution skincare products for men. Technavio reports that rapid increase in urbanisation, industrialisation and pollution has led to the deterioration of air quality – and therefore a major impact on skincare needs.

With people living in cities increasingly impacted by Smog Life, anti-pollution skincare is becoming essential for consumers.

Previous News Articles
ITB Berlin 2025: The future of the travel experience and YouTube’s influence on tourism

News

ITB Berlin 2025: The future of the travel experience and YouTube’s influence on tourism

Day two of ITB Berlin 2025 provided insights into the shifting landscape of global travel, with industry leaders highlighting the rise of immersive...
Travel : Itb Berlin : ITB
Saint Laurent opens Sushi Park inside Parisian flagship store

News

Saint Laurent opens Sushi Park inside Parisian flagship store

Saint Laurent is expanding its footprint in the world of luxury hospitality with the opening of Sushi Park Paris, an intimate omakase dining experi...
Luxury
Stat: Podcasting goes visual as viewers embrace video-first formats

News

Stat: Podcasting goes visual as viewers embrace video-first formats

YouTube has surpassed 1bn monthly podcast viewers, reinforcing its position as a key player in the podcast sector and intensifying competition with...
Media : Streaming : Popular Culture
ITB Berlin 2025: Navigating the future of cruises, Arabian tourism and the Chinese traveller

News

ITB Berlin 2025: Navigating the future of cruises, Arabian tourism and the Chinese traveller

On the first day of ITB industry leaders tackled over-tourism, what's next for cruise travel, the evolving expectations of Chinese consumers and th...
Travel : Itb Berlin : ITB
Sony's exoskeleton tech unlocks new frontiers in human skill

News

Sony's exoskeleton tech unlocks new frontiers in human skill

Sony Computer Science Laboratories (Sony CSL) has unveiled a breakthrough training method that enables skilled performers to exceed natural physica...
Technology : Mobility : The Synthocene Era
Stat: US consumers halt spending as political boycotts reshape retail

News

Stat: US consumers halt spending as political boycotts reshape retail

A February 2025 Harris Poll reveals that four in 10 Americans are altering their spending habits based on moral and political beliefs, with 24% aba...
Retail : New Codes Of Value : US Market
LS:N Global Just Got Smarter

News

LS:N Global Just Got Smarter

Meet our new AI tool, Ember.
The Future Laboratory
Walmart levels up immersive commerce with gaming mini-series

News

Walmart levels up immersive commerce with gaming mini-series

Walmart is expanding its footprint in immersive commerce with the launch of Walmart Unlimited, a gamified mini-series developed in collaboration wi...
Retail : Gaming : Spatial
Nordstrom elevates luxury styling experience with star stylist Catherine Bloom

News

Nordstrom elevates luxury styling experience with star stylist Catherine Bloom

Luxury department store retailer Nordstrom has appointed Catherine Bloom as its first director of luxury styling.
Fashion : Retail : Luxury
Stat: PC gaming dominates as developers prioritise the platform

News

Stat: PC gaming dominates as developers prioritise the platform

The PC gaming industry continues to thrive, with 80% of game developers actively working on PC titles, more than double the percentage of those dev...
Gaming : PC Gaming Trends : Gaming Trends
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