News 22.01.2021

Need to Know

Transforming an airport runway into an urban park, Net-A-Porter’s digital beauty festival and Europeans are choosing to wear their clothes for longer.

Shanghai’s Runway Park used to be an airfield

Xuhui Runway Park by Sasaki, Shanghai
Xuhui Runway Park by Sasaki, Shanghai
Xuhui Runway Park by Sasaki, Shanghai

China – Global design firm Sasaki’s latest project has transformed a former airport runway into a linear urban park.

Built on the site of the former Shanghai Longhua Airport, the Xuhui Runway Park is 1,830m long, and takes design cues from the historic location, incorporating the original direction markings pilots would follow during landing and take-off. Other features of the park include designated pedestrian and cycle paths and divisions of smaller gardens for those who want to linger and enjoy the surroundings. Integrating circular measures, the park is designed to harvest rainwater to power its fountains and water the greenery.

By purposefully designing the Xuhui Runway Park to neighbour an adjacent urban development, Dou Zhang, senior associate director of Sasaki Shanghai, hopes that it will be 'a space of recreation for nearby communities as well as a respite from the high-density redevelopment around.'

Prioritising urban wellbeing, the park signifies how – as citizens embrace more sustainable modes of living – the design of our built environment and infrastructure will align. For more, explore Consumption Redesigned in our macrotrend, Post-growth Society.

A positively messy rebranding for Karma Kitchen

Karma Kitchen identity by Droga5 Karma Kitchen identity by Droga5
Karma Kitchen identity by Droga5 Karma Kitchen identity by Droga5

London – Creative agency Droga5 has tuned in to the honest side of food preparation with a playful rebranding for Karma Kitchen.

The London-based commercial catering company, which offers food and catering companies access to shared and private kitchens, has opted to rebrand after a surge in interest in its services during lockdowns in the UK. It hopes to better communicate its culture and concept through a vibrant rebranding that reflects the 'messy' reality of food innovation, preparation and catering.

Simplified graphics reminiscent of kitchen pans and equipment sit alongside capitalised typography. Meanwhile, imagery of real food shot close-up by photographer Maisie Cousins is purposely raw. Karma Kitchen says of the visuals: ‘[They] have nothing to do with overly styled food porn and everything to do with the visceral, messy business of cooking and eating.'

Moving away from refined aesthetics, more food and drink companies are using their branding to communicate the pleasure and escapism found in food – a design direction we explore in Frivolous Foods.

A virtual retail festival for beauty fans

Digital beauty festival by Net-A-Porter Digital beauty festival by Net-A-Porter

UK – Retailer Net-A-Porter is gathering influential names in the beauty and wellness sectors for its first digital beauty event.

Dubbed The Beauty of You, the social-first retail experience will feature original content covering a topics such as self-care rituals and confidence with colour cosmetics. Industry expert Dr Barbara Sturm will offer skincare education, while Charlotte Mensah will discuss hair maintenance.

Positioning The Beauty of You as a multi-channel event, viewers can tune in to industry panels or learn via tutorials, presented as Instagram Live streams, shoppable Reels and shoppable TikToks. Not forgetting its most loyal customers, Net-A-Porter will offer them access to invitation-only private beauty events online.

With this event, Net-A-Porter is uniting beauty aficionados with high-profile brand founders and tastemakers, while implementing interactive shoppable features. For more, our microtrend Luxtainment details the luxury brands exploring new content marketing opportunities that combine entertainment with expertise and acquisition.

Stat: Europeans are wearing their clothes for longer

Treadler by H&M Treadler by H&M

Consumers in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK are making more sustainable decisions when it comes to clothing.

According to a survey by Fashion Revolution, 62% of people say they wear the clothes they buy for 'at least a few years'. This behaviour varies across countries, with 71% of Britons making their garments last longer, compared to 39% of Italians.

A similar disparity was also found among genders when it comes to passing on unwanted clothes: 62% of women donate clothes to friends or charity, compared to 44% of men. This data suggests that, although there is widespread adoption of sustainable values, consumer mindsets and actions vary among demographics, offering brands an opportunity to connect with people in more nuanced ways.

As fashion continues to struggle with its environmental impacts, new innovations are emerging to empower consumers to make more sustainable decisions. Discover our Fashion 2030 scenario for future predictions in this area.

Previous News Articles
The Future Laboratory and Bacardi investigate cocktail culture in 2025

News

The Future Laboratory and Bacardi investigate cocktail culture in 2025

Bacardi, in collaboration with The Future Laboratory, has released its cocktail trend report for 2025, forecasting a transformative year for the sp...
Drink : Spirits : Food
LG Display unveils world’s first stretchable display with 50% expandability

News

LG Display unveils world’s first stretchable display with 50% expandability

LG Display has achieved a major milestone in display technology with the launch of the world’s first stretchable display, capable of expanding by u...
Technology : Design : AI
New research finds that cannabinol significantly improves sleep

News

New research finds that cannabinol significantly improves sleep

Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Lambert Initiative have found new evidence supporting cannabinol (CBN) as an effective sleep aid.
Health : Wellness : Medicine
Stat: Teens face weekly exposure to conspiracy theories

News

Stat: Teens face weekly exposure to conspiracy theories

A new study by the News Literacy Project reveals that teens encounter conspiracy theories on their social media feeds at least once a week, yet mos...
Pop Culture : Youth : Media
Chester Zoo rebrands as a force for nature

News

Chester Zoo rebrands as a force for nature

Chester Zoo has unveiled a rebrand developed in partnership with branding agency How&How. 
Sustainability : Design : Advertising
Gobi Cashmere revitalises brand identity with Mongolian roots

News

Gobi Cashmere revitalises brand identity with Mongolian roots

Mongolian cashmere giant Gobi has unveiled a refreshed brand identity deeply rooted in its heritage and sustainable ethos.
Culture : Design : Fashion
Mall of the Emirates reveals new arts hub with musicals, plays and shows in mind

News

Mall of the Emirates reveals new arts hub with musicals, plays and shows in mind

Mall of the Emirates is set to debut New Covent Garden, a cultural landmark for Dubai’s thriving arts scene.
Retail : Entertainment : UAE
Stat: Demand for green talent surges as supply struggles to keep pace

News

Stat: Demand for green talent surges as supply struggles to keep pace

The global drive for sustainability is transforming job markets, with demand for green talent increasing annually by 5.9% between 2021 and 2024, ac...
Sustainability : Workplace : Youth
Elie Saab marks 45 years with a show of unapologetic grandeur

News

Elie Saab marks 45 years with a show of unapologetic grandeur

Elie Saab, a master of haute couture, celebrated the 45th anniversary of his eponymous fashion house in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fashion : Luxury : Design
Friendswithyou, fuzzy AI robots exhibition opens at Cleveland Public Library

News

Friendswithyou, fuzzy AI robots exhibition opens at Cleveland Public Library

Art duo FriendsWithYou has unveiled The BAND, a playful installation of five fuzzy, autonomous robots at Cleveland Public Library.
Design : Technology : Youth
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