News 23.07.2020

Need to Know

An eco-first Indian school, sexcare meets skincare in an inclusive lubricant line, and affluent Chinese consumers are optimistic about spending.

A forest school focused on the environment

Forest by Nudes, Pune, India
Forest by Nudes, Pune, India
Forest by Nudes, Pune, India

Mumbai – Architecture firm Nudes' nature-inspired construction aims to provide a healthy school environment for children from nursery age to 18 years.

Given the name Forest, it is the winning entry in a design competition for a new educational facility in Pune, India. The school will provide hands-on learning for children that highlights the interdependency of health and wellness and the surrounding environment.

It features two cylindrical towers wrapped in greenery, an infinity-shaped cycling track on the roof, and a swimming pool and tennis courts in the basement. Set to be built in 2021, the design is a response to the environmental problems associated with urbanisation in India. ‘The green live skin serves to purify the air from pollutants and related challenges affecting the health of the inhabitants of a city,’ says Nuru Karim, founder and principal of Nudes.

In response to a growing understanding of nature’s therapeutic effects, architects and designers are rewilding urban spaces. For more, read our Enlightened States macrotrend.

Cake delivers sexual pleasure without labels

Cake, Los Angeles Cake, Los Angeles
Cake, Los Angeles Cake, Los Angeles

Los Angeles – Cake’s line of lubricants are inspired by skincare and take a fluid view of gender and sexuality.

Positioned as a wellness brand for the bedroom, its product line focuses on anatomy and sexual preferences, rather than traditional gender labels, as a way to respond to people’s sense of pleasure and curiosity. Cake’s playful tone of voice and design cues refer to pleasure in a no-nonsense way; products include a Let’s Do It All kit that encourages exploration for couples, individuals and group experiences.

Hunter Morris, CEO and co-founder of Cake, explains: ‘Regardless of gender or sexuality, we want to offer specialised products that enhance your sexual experiences – especially those open to trying something new in the bedroom, but not exactly sure where to start.’

With conversations about pleasure becoming increasingly inclusive, sexual wellness brands should remain aware of the importance of creating genderless products.

An energy bar for Covid-wary commuters

London – Sports marketing agency Dark Horses has launched Home Run, a plant-based energy bar aimed at physically active yet Covid-conscious commuters.

Designed for those who want to avoid public transport during the pandemic by running or cycling their commutes instead, the energy bar is positioned as a nutritious snack to fuel their journeys.

At part of the launch, Dark Horses has created a buddy scheme for first-time runners or cyclists called Home Run Commuter Routers, helping to ease people into their new routines.

‘We understand that people may be apprehensive about taking public transport again, but also worried about running or cycling in the city for the first time,’ says Steve Howell, creative partner at Dark Horses. ‘Our Home Run Commuter Routers will take all of that stress away.’

In our Food & Drink Tribes collection, we explore the Fastronomic Foodies, who use food as fuel to navigate their daily lives. Discover what drives them and three other food and drink Tribes by downloading the report here.

Home Run by Dark Horses, London

Stat: China’s HNWIs power through the pandemic

Zalando Sneakers FW19, Superimpose Zalando Sneakers FW19, Superimpose

Luxury consumer confidence has been tried by Covid-19 – yet a study by Agility Research & Strategy reveals that HNWIs in Asia continue to feel positive about their financial prospects.

Despite short-term worries about the economy, many affluent consumers – including 54% of Chinese HNWIs – expect their disposable income to increase in the next year. This mindset around disposable income is also apparent among other Asian consumers, and is echoed by 30% of affluent South Koreans.

According to the report, many respondents said that luxury purchases are helping to provide a sense of normalcy as the pandemic evolves, and in particular since they are unable to undertake activities they normally enjoy, such as travelling the world.

As we have previously identified in The State of Luxury: China, local HNWIs are increasingly nuanced in their spending. Look out for a Chinese Luxury Market update soon.

Previous News Articles
Camdom is the world’s first digital condom for safer intimacy

News

Camdom is the world’s first digital condom for safer intimacy

This Sexual Health Awareness Month, condom brand Billy Boy and creative agency Innocean Berlin unveiled Camdom, an app that acts as a digital condo...
Health & Wellness : Technology : Pop-culture & Media
Resting Reef memorialises pets as eco-friendly marine reefs

News

Resting Reef memorialises pets as eco-friendly marine reefs

Eco-friendly funeral company Resting Reef has launched a pet memorial service that blends pet ashes with crushed shells to create eco-friendly unde...
Design : Health & Wellness : Sustainability
Netflix new unveils Moments feature to save and share scenes

News

Netflix new unveils Moments feature to save and share scenes

Netflix has launched a new feature called Moments, allowing subscribers to bookmark, save and share their favourite scenes from shows and movies.
Technology : Pop-culture & Media : Society
Stat: Mars’ study reveals strong pet devotion

News

Stat: Mars’ study reveals strong pet devotion

Mars has unveiled ‘the largest global pet parent study to date’ of more than 20,000 pet owners across 20 countries.
Pets : Society : Retail
Samsonite’s new durable suitcase can survive travelling to the edge of space

News

Samsonite’s new durable suitcase can survive travelling to the edge of space

Samsonite has unveiled its latest innovation, the Proxis Space collection, setting new standards in travel gear with sustainability and advanced te...
Luxury : Travel & Hospitality : Design
The Saudi Investment Bank celebrates national identity with bespoke typeface

News

The Saudi Investment Bank celebrates national identity with bespoke typeface

The Saudi Investment Bank and creative agency Impact BBDO have launched I am Saudi, a campaign celebrating national heritage with a bespoke typeface.
Design : Advertising & Branding : Finance
Foresight Friday: Simar Deol, foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Simar Deol, foresight analyst

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. This week, ...
Society : US Elections : The Power Of Precision Micro-Influencing
Stat: Rapid increase in e-waste raises need for circular solutions

News

Stat: Rapid increase in e-waste raises need for circular solutions

As AI computing demands surge, researchers warn of unprecedented e-waste levels that could equate to discarding more than 10bn iPhones each year by...
Technology : Sustainability : Society
Emteq Labs unveils emotion-sensing smart eyewear

News

Emteq Labs unveils emotion-sensing smart eyewear

Brighton-based Emteq Labs has introduced Sense, a wearable technology innovation that uses nine optical sensors embedded in lightweight glasses to ...
Technology : Health & Wellness : Design
El Departamento turns Barcelona’s historic building into cultural learning hub

News

El Departamento turns Barcelona’s historic building into cultural learning hub

Architecture studio El Departamento, led by Alberto Eltini and Marina Martín, has repurposed Barcelona’s Casa Degli Italiani, a Renaissance-era bui...
Youth : Architecture : Design
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