The new normal: Forum celebrates the steady rise of luxury

The event began with lunch by Blanch & Shock Food Design, which, inspired by the luxury theme, served food featuring both delicate and daring ingredients, such as unctuous slow-cooked duck eggs and carrots sprinkled with grasshopper garum. 

The afternoon began with an Introduction and Global Market Overview presentation from The Future Laboratory co-founders Chris Sanderson and Martin Raymond, who examined the key directions emerging in the sector. This was followed by a conversation between Andy Millns, creative director of Inition, and LS:N Global senior journalist Peter Firth about how technology can make luxury even more experiential. Throughout the day delegates were also invited to try out Inition’s two Oculus Rift virtual reality installations that replicated its work for Topshop and Gareth Pugh during London’s autumn/winter 2014 Fashion Week. 

Next, Peter Firth and Martin Raymond explored the New Luxury Consumer, including how Millennials, who are entering the wealth accumulation phase, will shake up the sector, and how FABs, affluent businesswomen aged 50 and over, are changing the penny-pinching reputation of Generation Jonesers. 

The guests took a break for luxury tea time, when they sipped Fortnum & Mason tea and sampled sumptuous cakes by Christopher Murphy of Tuck-Box. After tea, delegates were introduced to the latest luxury trends, including Luxury Tech and Fly-and-Flop Philanthropy. LS:N Global senior journalist Rowland Manthorpe spoke to Isabella Macpherson, co-founder of Arts Co, about how the creative production agency helped to create immersive hotel experiences. The audience was then treated to a presentation of the innovators in the luxury sectors – from Kenzo to Selfridges – who are striking out and taking risks to surprise bored consumers.

Next LS:N Global visual editor Joanna Tulej spoke to Rémy Clémente and Morgan Maccari, co-founders of design studio Bonsoir Paris, who travelled from Paris to discuss Digi-luxe Design. This was followed by our Luxury Interiors Showcase, which featured the top 10 luxury interiors of 2014, including The Row in Los Angeles and Hotel Hotel in Canberra.

The event concluded with a conversation between LS:N Global insight editor Hannah Stodell and David Palmer, founder and executive creative director of LOVE, who spoke about the agency’s work on the Johnnie Walker houses worldwide, and how it is reframing the conversation around whisky. The day was rounded off with an early evening champagne reception in the courtyard.

For more on luxury futures, buy the report, now available in The Future Laboratory shop. 

For more information on forthcoming LS:N Global events, contact Alena Joyette.