05 : 02 : 21 : Weekly Debrief

1. Nike’s hinged trainers let wearers go hands-free

US – Nike is launching its first hands-free shoe, the Nike Go FlyEase, in a bid to create a more accessible product for wearers.

While the brand has been experimenting with adaptive footwear in recent years as part of its FlyEase department, the Nike Go FlyEase is the first shoe that can be slipped on completely hands-free. The design features a ‘bi-stable hinge’ that enables the shoe to be secure in both open and closed states. Wearers remove the shoes by putting pressure on the kickstand heel on the opposite foot – a design cue that mimics the action many people subconsciously perform while removing their shoes.

When designing the shoes, Nike initially spoke to people with disabilities to discern their footwear needs, but later realised that the technology can support a variety of people – from pregnant women to anyone who wants a more seamless experience with their footwear.

In a similar vein, we previously identified Juniper Unlimited as tapping into the adaptive apparel sector through its disability-inclusive fashion marketplace.

3. SEEN’s skintelligent shampoo won’t clog pores

US — SEEN is a new haircare brand designed to be non-irritating or pore clogging for skin on the face and back.

Developed by Harvard-trained dermatologist Dr. Iris Rubin, the brand considers the impact that residue from shampoo and conditioner can have on people's skin post-shower. While something most haircare brands overlook, SEEN recognises the importance of formulations that are created similar to skincare.

Launching with a shampoo, conditioner, a blow dry cream and a curl cream, the products are made without harmful ingredients like sulphates, silicones and parabens, while fragrance-free options are offered for people with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.

In this way, SEEN is placing dermatology at the core of its offering. ‘Aspiring to be more than just a beauty company, SEEN’s mission is to build people’s confidence by promoting great skin and great hair – without compromises,’ explains the brand in a press release.

In our Skintellectual Haircare microtrend, we consider the ways that skincare rituals are informing people’s hair routines, while SEEN takes this a step further by focusing on the impact of haircare residue on overall skin health.

5. A salad brand adopting fast food aesthetics

US – Design agency &Walsh has taken inspiration from fast food restaurants in a visual identity update for vertical farming company Plenty.

Helping the salad brand to stand out from traditional green clichés, the rebrand includes a bright colour palette reminiscent of McDonalds and a sans serif font that aims to make the produce it grows more appealing to a mass audience. This aesthetic extends to Plenty's website, social media platforms, packaging and new merchandise line to unite its messaging and create a friendly persona.

‘Fast food companies often use red and yellow colours in their branding, which have been shown to make people feel hungry, [so] why not use this technique for healthy foods?’ states Jessica Walsh, founder of &Walsh. Deviating from the 'typical green visual cues' of other healthy food brands, Walsh adds that ‘we wanted to create a friendly and happy brand that also stood out on the shelf from the competition.'

Plenty’s rebrand will capture consumers tired of overused design tropes that feel inauthentic or worthy. Discover more food brands taking visual cues from junk food in our macrotrend Total Tastes.

To future-proof your world, visit The Future Laboratory's forecasting platform LS:N Global for daily news, opinions, trends, sector specific insights, and strategic toolkits.