News 26.08.2020

Need to Know

Benched reframes the visual language of social distancing, a microsite that eradicates stigma around PMDD and furloughed Britons keep working from home.

Else Cinema takes a slower approach to adult streaming

Welcome to Else by Else Cinema, Global

US – The latest streaming platform by ethical adult film-maker Erika Lust targets viewers seeking a cinematic exploration of erotica.

Erika Lust Soft Edition – known as Else Cinema – is the film-maker’s first on-demand video platform that offers less-explicit feature-length films. With cinematic storylines that tap into various sexual fantasies, from group sex to passionate affairs, the service bills itself as a safe space that makes softer erotica more accessible to women, couples and younger consumers.

As well as directing many of the films, Lust and her team hand-pick films from a growing movement of ethical and sex-positive directors who positively portray female sexuality. As well as films, Else Cinema will host interviews, behind-the-scenes content, photography and editorial content, providing subscribers with an ad-free experience that aims to change the face of adult entertainment.

As explored in Conscious Deceleration, erotica is undergoing a female-driven transformation, as consumers seek a slower approach to pleasure in the form of Sensory Stimuli.

A bench for socially distant city living

Mirror Bench by Studio 212 Fahrenheit Mirror Bench by Studio 212 Fahrenheit
Mirror Bench by Studio 212 Fahrenheit Mirror Bench by Studio 212 Fahrenheit

Amsterdam – Benched is a new public design intervention created by Buro Bordo and Studio 212 Fahrenheit that symbolises social distancing through the use of a trompe l’œil.

Transforming the humble city bench, the wood and highly polished stainless steel design features an elongated 1.5-metre middle section, which represents the current social distancing measures citizens are recommended to take. ‘The reflection creates a physical distance but at the same time it makes the distance invisible,’ states the design studio. By making the ends of the bench visible, the design further communicates the necessity to retain and promote in-person human interaction.

As lockdown eases in some cities, a new visual language is emerging with the intention to communicate the new normal in a positive and appealing way. Benched is a key example of designers creating inspiring and optimistic activations for city-dwellers. For more, explore the Positive Barriers Design Direction.

Period positively spotlights pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder

PMDD awareness by PMDD awareness by "period", Global

Scotland – The non-profit-making organisation and content portal is sharing stories of pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Period is the brainchild of Natalia Fernandez, a 20something who was diagnosed with hormonal mood disorder PMDD in 2017, who found a dearth of resources, treatment options and awareness of the condition. The resulting Period platform combines awareness, research and merchandise to inform people of the lesser-known disorder, with all proceeds from the range of fashion products and accessories going to the We Deserve Better Foundation, which supports PMDD related research.

According to a press release, PMDD affects about 375m of the world’s population, with average diagnosis time of 12 years. With symptoms of the condition including depression, anxiety and fatigue, Fernandez believes that sharing stories of those affected is crucial, as the disorder touches on mental health stigma, sexism and period shame.

With increased awareness and decreased stigma around conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, brands that empower female life stages should also consider those affected by PMDD.

Stat: Furlough hasn’t stopped UK employees from working

Rent the Runway drop-off service at WeWork, US Rent the Runway drop-off service at WeWork, US

A new study conducted by economists from the universities of Oxford, Zurich and Cambridge reveals that, while some workers have been put on furlough schemes during the pandemic, many have continued to work.

Out of 4,000 UK employees surveyed for the research paper in April and May 2020, two-thirds of all furloughed workers say they had done some work despite being paid not to work during this time.

Only 37% said that they have not worked at all, while 19% of furloughed UK workers report being explicitly asked to work by their employer. Further, women – and mothers – were more likely to be furloughed in the first place than men, with the study finding that women were less likely to work while on the scheme, with speculation that this was due to caring responsibilities at home.

During the pandemic, additional pressure has been placed on workers adapting to new routines, yet many companies and organisations have failed to understand the importance of putting the wellbeing of employees first.

Previous News Articles
Burberry revives archival outerwear for National Geographic documentary

News

Burberry revives archival outerwear for National Geographic documentary

Burberry’s latest archival display at its London Regent Street store celebrates Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary 1914 Antarctic expedition.
Luxury : Pop-culture & Media : Fashion
Gob launches mycelium-based earplugs

News

Gob launches mycelium-based earplugs

Gob is revolutionising the earplug market with a mycelium-based alternative that promises to eliminate the environmental impact of traditional disp...
Sustainability : Health & Wellness : Design
Brenda Lee’s holiday classic enters the AI era with Spanish re-release

News

Brenda Lee’s holiday classic enters the AI era with Spanish re-release

Brenda Lee’s iconic holiday song, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, has been re-imagined as Noche Buena y Navidad in a Spanish-language release po...
Technology : Pop-culture & Media : Society
Stat: US Gen Z are the most likely to hide their voting choices

News

Stat: US Gen Z are the most likely to hide their voting choices

An October 2024 Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll reveals that nearly half of Gen Z voters (48%) in the US have lied about their voting prefere...
Society : Youth : Politics
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
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