Monthly Themes – Page 2 – Sphere Trending

Inspirational Retail

By Riann Henkel, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Interior Home

In a world of screens, AI-everything, bots and having almost anything you need available at the blink of an eye without ever leaving your house, sometimes it’s refreshing to get out and go analog – and get rewarded with a dose of inspiration.

As trend forecasters, we are constantly looking for inspiration all around us, from a color palette inspired by an amazing sunset to patternwork in a building’s architectural façade. Retail in one of many tools in our toolbox, but post-pandemic it is a reminder of how you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. At the end of the day, there is nothing like getting out in the middle of a city and immersing yourself in the pulse points to observe consumer patterns and product trends.

Retail as Art

Exhibit-style evolving retail keeps the shopping experience fresh and interesting. Recent exhibits while retail trendspotting in Paris included “at my grandmother’s house – ‘chez ma grand-mere-” at Merci and Ole, Ole! – a celebration of Spanish design – at Le Bon Marche.

Beyond Brick-and-Mortar–retail all around

Sphere Trendspotting – The Signature 5th Ave Fragrance by Nest

Sensory experiences tie in to product and retail. With scent being so strongly tied to memory, both Nest Candles and Bath and Body Works got creative for the holiday NYC season. Nest featured immersive outdoor scents to reach shoppers on the street, while Bath and Body Works rolled a gigantic candle into the streets to celebrate their annual Candle Day.

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Material Innovation

By Susan Yashinsky, Sphere Trending Vice President of Innovation

I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings in new material innovation as we push the boundaries in sustainable products as well as manufacturing techniques, style and fabrication.

Fueled by a rising creative class across all industries, today’s experience economy is focused on new material attributes, application and design evolution. Here are three we’re watching:

1. Fully Circular

ARCHISONIC® Cotton is a circular solution made in Italy from renewable materials. 100% of the acoustic absorbers can be returned to the production process, making it fully recyclable.

2. Climate Solutions

Cooling Ceramic from City University of Hong Kong

A significant breakthrough in developing a passive radiative cooling (PRC) material has been announced by researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityU). The material, known as cooling ceramic, has achieved high-performance optical properties for energy-free and refrigerant-free cooling generation. Its cost-effectiveness, durability and versatility make it highly suitable for commercialization in numerous applications, particularly in building construction.

3. AI Innovation

Researchers from Google DeepMind and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have introduced GNoME, an advanced AI system that has uncovered over 2 million potential materials for applications such as batteries, solar panels, and computer chips.

Stay tuned to hear from the rest of our team on what they are grateful for – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

The Year of Brave Commerce

By Mandi Mankvitz, Sphere Trending President of Possibilities

As we began 2023, artificial intelligence felt futuristic, shopping on social platforms felt cumbersome and we were still contemplating the Metaverse’s potential. Fast forward to the end of the year and I am grateful for how bravely we’ve embraced the new ways tech-enabled commerce is making our lives more efficient, inspired and seamless.

In 2024 consumers won’t be defined by a single journey or a single source of inspiration and will increasingly allow innovative technology to assist them in unique ways. Here are three things we’re watching:

1. The AI Personal Shopper

Mastercard launched a new generative AI shopping tool called “Shopping Muse” that can take users’ colloquial language and turn it into tailored product recommendations. Shopping Muse is able to understand modern trends and phrases like “cottagecore” or “beach formal.”

“Nearly 90% of Gen Z say online shopping will improve using AI for product selection, price comparisons and more.” ROTK SURVEY

2. Social Commerce Goes Mainstream

The success and widespread adoption of TikTok shop will influence other platforms and inspire consumers to be brave and try social commerce. According to The Information, TikTok is hoping that sales through TikTok Shop will exceed $10 million per day in the U.S. by the end of 2023.

3. The Metaverse Rebrands Itself

J.Crew’s ‘Winter Sports’ Virtual Store Experience

Gen Z’s approach to experiential retail means gamified environments that reward people for spending time. Shopping is a bonus. Virtual stores such as Crate & Barrel’s exact virtual replica of their new NYC flagship and J.Crew’s gamified, ski-themed, immersive holiday shopping experience are subtle nods to the metaverse as virtual retail reinvents.

Don’t miss the rest of what we’re grateful for in 2023! Click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Holiday Windows

By Cathy Schneider, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Color Theory

Throughout the year we visit cities at home and abroad to look for new shifts. I just returned from holiday retail trendspotting in New York, and I feel so fortunate to be able to scout out seasonal trends during this special time of year. Of course, the trip includes documenting the iconic and always breathtaking window displays throughout New York City, but it’s not just limited to windows anymore. Murals, such as the one at the Louis Vuitton flagship store, are getting a lot of attention as well. Three of my favorites are shown below.

1. Isn’t It Brilliant

Sphere Trendspotting – Bergdorf Goodman NYC

Brilliant lights, mirror mosaics, and chrome decorate the displays of Bergdorf Goodman in New York, along with vintage inspired themes and touches of neon.

2. Joyeuses Fetes

Sphere Trendspotting – Louis Vuitton NYC

The new Louis Vuitton Christmas mural is up at their flagship New York store at 1 East 57th Street at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, aka Billionaire’s Row.

3. Give Love

This year the displays at Macys celebrate the magic of friendship with Tiptoe the reindeer as she enjoys activities with her friends, Polar Bear and Penguin.

Stay tuned to hear from the rest of our team as we close out the year on what they are grateful for over the next week – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

New Trend Conversations

By Emily Siwek, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Architectural Design

What We’re Grateful For

This year as the holidays roll around, I am grateful for the new inspiration and micro trend conversations happening in social media that give us a more complex and nuanced way to talk about style beyond the four major buckets of casual, modern, eclectic, and traditional.

Many homes and spaces are no longer defined by a single style and these fresh trend conversations let us push the boundaries and invite more layers into our rooms. For example, Living, Etc. just listed 27 new trends that will be ahead of the curve for 2024. Here are three we’re watching:

1. Recluttering

Just in time for the holidays – recluttering, is here! The trend, according to The Spruce “is making the rounds across social media and among home decor enthusiasts. It’s all about learning to love your stuff rather than constantly focusing on decluttering and organizing.” As Apartment Therapy reported, “recluttering is a celebration of your stuff.” This can include patterned surfaces, wallcoverings, and tile that add more visual impact to a room like this kitchen by Emily Winters Design.

2. Sea Shanty Chic

Inspired by the Sea Shanty craze on TikTok, modernizing traditional folk songs, nautical décor takes a turn towards warm, cozy, and ship shape. This bar by designer Liz Caan strikes the perfect balance between land and sea.

3. Midwest Modern

While Farmhouse is on the decline, a new designer influenced Midwest Modern is emerging with the same approachable appeal but a new touch of luxury and warmth. Designer Amy Storm has coined the term “Midwest Modernish” which she describes as “Modern house, modern kitchen but thoughtful selection of materials, refining of layout and subtle but exquisite details make it family friendly, inviting and livable.”

Stay tuned to hear from the rest of our team on what they are grateful for over the next few weeks – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Category: Monthly Themes