Jul 26 2017

Earlier this month, WGSN editors and global experts led a series of thought-provoking keynotes and panel discussions focused on Asia’s future consumer. As a first time Futures attendee, it was rather amazing to have the chance to fly from Shanghai to experience this event in person and see what the Hong Kong team worked together to create and deliver to the packed room of senior executives. And what a day it was! A dedicated app enabled guests to digitally network, ask questions and look for more information about the different speakers and sessions via their smartphones, providing a clever value-add convenience. While key themes focused on everything from how we’ve reached man-to-machine tipping point and why tech needs to have more empathy. Key takeaways included: Thinking about how technology can bring us together rather than tear us apart, acknowledging that we’ve reached the death of stuff (aka peak product) and so, what you deliver to the consumer has to mean something, and finally the growing appeal of self-empowerment in the region (and what that means for brands trying to tap into the market). In between all the insightful need-to-know thoughts related to a changing business landscape, my favourite guest speaker was environmental advocate David Yeung, Founder of Green Monday & Green Common. I thoroughly enjoyed David’s passionate talk about the emissions cost of meat consumption (note to self, eat less meat or maybe switch to none?). Another highlight included Simon P Lock, the Founder and CEO of ORDRE.com who took us on an engaging journey through the fashion industry’s change from an analog to a digital age and how it will continue to evolve due to tech. The WGSN Futures Hong Kong event location was yet aother highlight. The talks were held in the city’s highest observation deck, sky100, attendees enjoyed a breathtaking view of the city that had many a smartphone user regardless age, snap happy. Speaking about the location, Patricia Wong, Senior Marketing Specialist of APAC said: “We wanted to have a relaxed environment to network and share ideas. We believed that being high up with a breathtaking view would help to spark conversations and ideas!” Beyond the Instagram-worthy decor, there were premium natural relaxation drinks to try from Tranquini and fascinating (but sensorially confusing) hot and cold candy made by Flavour Sense Nation. Available at the WGSN Advisory (formerly Mindset) table, they were also passed out as part our the “The Future Of Living Experience” keynote, delivered by Head of WGSN Lifestyle & Interiors Lisa White. The day was also nicely broken up with fun five minute talks from speakers such as Nashua Gallagher, the Financial Times Senior Manager of Acquisition and B2C marketing APAC who referred to creativity as both a fidget spinner for the mind and cognitive grazing. Yes, please. We could all use more outside of the box thinking in today’s unpredictable world. For more, subscribers can click here to read the WGSN Futures Hong Kong: Big Ideas report written by our Insight Senior Editor of APAC, Erica Ng. The post WGSN Futures Hong Kong Insights: Global Brands and Asia’s future consumer appeared first on WGSN Insider. http://ift.tt/2uy72CM

from Umbelas.com http://ift.tt/1Ioewak
via IFTTT

Jul 26 2017

In the recent seasons, colour has grown to become the first, kick-off step when designing, instead of being relegated as an afterthought in the design process. This is really important, because colour is the driver of almost 90% of all decisions we make – in fact 90 seconds are enough to set one’s mind, and 93% of people say it is the visuals that make the difference. After all, sight is indeed the strongest developed sense of our five, therefore it is understandable that it’s also the first one to impact how we perceive, evaluate and therefore react to the surrounding world. Monochrome colours Colour is the game changer in how we feel, what we do and how we do it. Now, it is starting to influence our lifestyles as well – and brands are embracing and celebrating this with designs and displays that bring colour centre stage. In fact, across the trade shows and exhibitions we explore, as well as newly launched collections, we see a predominance of a one, bold, immersive, all-encompassing shade. The Instagram-wow factor plays a big role of course, as the impact these matte, solid colour statements have is eye-catching and memorable (the social media platform has become a primary window to surprise, captivate and engage with visuals). If we look at the recent collections launches, Missana is definitely one to mention – this family-owned Spanish brand in 2012 took a leap of faith and trusted Masquespacio with their creative direction : the creative agency has a fondness for a bold use of tonalities, and brought Missana to the fore with extremely curated and colour-heavy pieces and styling. This fresh, hyper-visual approach continues in the latest designs, with tonal compositions and a focus on highly pigmented, saturated spaces. The extreme matteness of the images also entices tactility, highlighting the upholsteries of the pieces showcased – that are the core business of the brand after all. The much-talked about collection of the moment, the HAY x IKEA Ypperlig collaboration, also just released the first visuals and here too, monochromatic colour blocking and layering drive the styling. Available from October, the designs range from furniture to decor and the lookbook enhances the mixing and matching of the pieces – against a saturated, matte and solid colour backdrop. Colours tend towards the darks with a richness of elements. In tech accessories, cool-and-trendy brand Urbanears recently added a wireless radio to their range – and launched it with a campaign that emphasises the radio’s capacity to actually blend into the environment. Their previous campaign for their iconic headphones also relied on monochromatic compositions as well, and for this recent one the tonal styling across domestic and workplace spaces plays on the lack of cables, and once again the richness of pigments and a super matte effect are key. Borderline between fashion and interiors, Kipling’s latest campaign for luggage, accessories and back to school jumps on this bandwagon as well – there is a fantastical feeling to the settings, and photographer Eli Rezkallah plays on the total colour immersion of the scene narrated in the shot, while letting the brand’s product being the only out-of-place item standing out. Love this? As we work on S/S 19, we’ve dedicated a report on the impact that colour and light have on our mind, mood and body – subscribers can check out our In Touch forecast, and find out about the latest directions in colour usage in our Colour Inspiration section. The post Monochromatic Is The Way To Go For Interiors appeared first on WGSN Insider. http://ift.tt/2uXXbHm

from Umbelas.com http://ift.tt/1Ioewak
via IFTTT