LSN : News : Arc’teryx and Skip launch wearable robotic trousers

Joonbyrd embraces affective wellness with nostalgic design

Joonbyrd. Identity by Almighty, UK

UK – London-based skincare and wellness brand Joonbyrd is carving out a new niche in the beauty industry by blending emotional wellbeing with physical benefits. Founded by dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite, the brand has introduced ‘affective wellness’, a concept that seeks to evoke joy and emotional connection through beauty products.

To bring this vision to life, Joonbyrd partnered with Chichester-based design studio Almighty, which was tasked with crafting a brand identity that balances credibility with a playful and immersive experience. Joonbyrd aims to stand out by rejecting the minimalist aesthetic that dominates the beauty market.

Instead, Almighty leaned into ‘credible nostalgia’, drawing inspiration from the vibrant aesthetics of the 1960s and 70s. The result is a joyful, maximalist brand identity featuring a rich, candy-coloured palette and a signature JB pattern reminiscent of lava lamps. This design language extends across packaging, including custom-designed, refillable glass bottles, making Joonbyrd’s products not only visually captivating but also environmentally conscious.

By integrating emotional appeal with a solid visual identity, Joonbyrd is set to redefine how Accredited Beauty and wellness products connect with consumers.

Strategic opportunity

Beauty consumers no longer want to entertain binary debates around nature versus science, or science versus fun. Integrate these ‘opposites’ into your marketing and comms to appeal to a broader audience

Arc’teryx and Skip launch wearable robotic trousers

MO/GO by Arc’teryx and Skip, Canada

Canada – Outdoor wear brand Arc’teryx and human movement and accessibility start-up Skip have partnered to launch MO/GO, powered trousers aimed at enhancing human mobility.

Designed to boost stamina and reduce pain for those affected by ageing, fatigue and injury, the MO/GO trousers utilise wearable robotics to provide a 40% leg muscle boost during climbs and knee support during descents.

Originally a Google X project, Skip specialises in movewear for mobility challenges. Co-founders Kathryn Zealand and Anna Roumiantseva collaborated with Arc’teryx’s Advanced Concepts team to integrate a battery-powered motor and sensor suite within Arc’teryx’s Gamma Pant, known for its breathability and durability.

By combining outdoor wear with wearable technology, the MO/GO trousers appeal to Longevity Lifestyles by enabling consumers to partake in their healthy outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain climbing even when affected by reduced mobility. For more functional accessibility solutions, head to our Mobility topic.

Strategic opportunity

How can your brand design clothes that assist humans in living longer and healthier lives? Explore functional, tech-integrated garments that enhance mobility or mental wellbeing to appeal to evolving consumer needs

AI travel planning gets a boost with Mindtrip’s Start Anywhere tool

US – Travel start-up Mindtrip is revolutionising vacation planning with its new AI-powered tool Start Anywhere. This innovative feature allows travellers to create detailed itineraries using just a single photo, URL or even a YouTube video as a starting point.

As global travel experiences a resurgence, the challenge of planning detailed trips remains a common pain point. Mindtrip’s tool addresses this by offering itineraries that include recommendations for restaurants, activities and sights, which can be tailored to individual preferences. Users can either book the suggested itinerary directly or modify it to suit their needs.

Start Anywhere leverages the capabilities of ChatGPT alongside Mindtrip’s extensive travel data, setting it apart from standard AI chatbots. The tool also allows travellers to integrate their existing hotel or flight reservations into the itinerary, streamlining the planning process.

In addition, the Mindtrip Creator program provides a way for travel writers and influencers to monetise their content by generating referral links. When users build an itinerary based on this content, creators receive a cash payment, thereby addressing concerns around AI’s use of digital content without permission. This is especially important as more travellers are turning to content creators for inspiration, as revealed in TikTok Travel Agents.

AI imagery by The Future Laboratory, UK

Strategic opportunity

Collaborate with cultural and socio-historic collectives on your AI tool to enhance travel itineraries while supporting local communities and businesses

Stat: Beyoncé, Blur and Harry Styles propel UK economy through record high tour-ism

Renaissance World Tour, Beyoncé, The Netherlands

UK – The live music industry in the UK soared to unprecedented heights in 2023, due to blockbuster tours and festivals headlined by artists such as Beyoncé, Harry Styles and Blur. According to a report by UK Music, these events generated £8bn ($10.3bn, €9.54bn) for the economy, driven by 19.2m travelling attendees, a 33% increase from the previous year.

Music tourists, defined as those travelling at least three times the average commuting distance or from overseas, contributed significantly through direct spending on tickets, travel, accommodation and food, alongside indirectly supporting services such as security. London emerged as the top destination, attracting 6.9m music tourists and generating £2.8bn ($3.6bn, €3.3bn). North-west England, including Manchester and Liverpool, followed with 2.3m visitors spending £735m ($950m, €880m).

Despite these successes, a cost-of-touring crisis is having an impact on many artists. ‘Grassroots venues and festivals face tough economic pressures,’ said UK Music’s CEO Tom Kiehl, urging government support in order to sustain the music ecosystem.

In our The Great Concert Comeback report we analysed the ‘revenge return’ of mega tours spurred on by people’s desire for real-life experiences following life in lockdown during the pandemic.

Strategic opportunity

Partner with travel agencies and hospitality providers to create all-inclusive concert travel packages for the growing cohort of tour-ists. These organisations can bundle tickets, accommodation, local transportation and exclusive experiences such as meet-and-greets or behind-the-scenes tours