Need to Know   20 : 06 : 18
Habitation Module by Philippe Starck at Axiom Space Station, US

Need to Know
20 : 06 : 18

Axiom offers travellers a luxury experience to space, Hugo Boss’s new shoe collection is made from pineapple leather, Microsoft sinks data centre to save on energy costs.

1. Axiom offers luxury space travel experience 2. Hugo Boss endorses eco-luxury with pineapple textiles 3. Microsoft sinks data centre to save energy costs 4. New app aims to reduce and revive fashion purchases 5. Consumers prefer digital tokens in loyalty schemes 6. Thought-starter: Yes, gaming can be good for mental health

1. Axiom offers luxury space travel experience

Habitation Module by Philippe Starck at Axiom Space Station, US
Habitation Module by Philippe Starck at Axiom Space Station, US
Habitation Module by Philippe Starck at Axiom Space Station, US

Houston – Due to open in 2020, the world’s first commercial space station Axiom Space has announced the launch of a new tourism programme that will offer guests the chance to visit the International Space Station (ISS).

Priced at £42m ($55m, €47m) a ticket, Axiom will fly guests to the ISS for a 10-day expedition. A two-year intensive training programme at Axiom Space Station is required to ensure individuals are prepared for their time in space. French designer Philippe Starck has been enlisted to create the luxurious interior of the habitation module at the station, while Italian outerwear brand Moncler will design the flight suit.

‘The interest in space tourism for private individuals has gained momentum as our capabilities of exploration continue to develop,’ says Michael Suffredini, CEO and president of Axiom Space.

Luxury travel experiences are becoming the new collectors’ items, offering consumers access to unexplored destinations. Axiom is taking this further with an experience that also challenges consumers’ physical and mental abilities as part of their exploration.

2. Hugo Boss endorses eco-luxury with pineapple textiles

Pinatex shoes by Hugo Boss Pinatex shoes by Hugo Boss
Pinatex shoes by Hugo Boss Pinatex shoes by Hugo Boss

Global – Luxury fashion house Hugo Boss has developed its first men’s footwear collection produced from Piñatex, a natural material made of pineapple leaf fibres.

As synthetic leathers become increasingly recognised as more sustainable alternatives to traditional leather, luxury fashion labels are beginning to incorporate and promote the use of such materials in their collections. Billed as ‘vegan shoes’ by Hugo Boss, the brand has used Piñatex in the upper part of a limited-edition collection of men’s trainers in its BOSS Menswear range. The raw material that forms the base of Piñatex is the by-product of pineapple harvesting that has minimal environmental impact and provides additional income farming communities.

For more on leather alternatives formed from natural products, read our Synthetic Leather market focus.

3. Microsoft sinks data centre to save energy costs

Scotland – Technology giant Microsoft has submerged a data centre under water in an effort to make its practices more sustainable.

Located just off the coast of the Orkney Islands in northeast Scotland, the prototype centre can hold data for up to five years without maintenance. The low sea temperatures will ensure it remains cool, saving on energy costs. In an area known for its renewable energy research, tidal turbines and wave energy converters will generate the electricity to power the centre, which is part of the Project Natick research programme, while nearby regions and coastal areas could benefit from faster and smoother internet access.

‘Creating solutions that are sustainable is critical for Microsoft, and Project Natick is a step towards our vision of data centres with their own sustainable power supply. It builds on environmental promises Microsoft has made,’ says Cindy Rose, CEO of Microsoft UK.

Microsoft Data Centre underwater, Orkney Island, Scotland

4. New app aims to reduce and revive fashion purchases

Save Your Wardrobe, UK Save Your Wardrobe, UK

London – Save Your Wardrobe is a new app that encourages consumers to document their wardrobe in an effort to reduce future purchases.

Registered users can upload the contents of their wardrobe through email receipts or from photographs that are then stored in an inventory. All of the information – from style and colour to size and brand – is recorded alongside each individual item. The app’s AI technology will create personalised lookbooks to inspire users to continue wearing items already in their wardrobe, rather than making new purchases.

‘We are building the platform around the belief that we can disrupt fashion consumption by giving our users a tool to manage their wardrobe mindfully and effortlessly. Our challenge is to increase the number of items we wear on a regular basis or find creative ways to give them a second life,’ explains Hasna Kourda, co-founder and CEO of Save Your Wardrobe. ‘We are curating an eco-system of services as a way to upcycle and extend the life of garments.’

For more on how brands can play an active role in the evolving fashion industry, download our Fashion Futures Report here.

5. Consumers prefer digital tokens in loyalty schemes

As the perception and manifestation of money changes with each generation, consumers are becoming increasingly interested in digital currencies. The Point of Loyalty’s annual report found that 36% of loyalty programme members would rather be rewarded in cryptocurrency than with traditional points systems, suggesting consumers would prefer more tangible monetary rewards that allow them to pay for products using digital tokens.

For more on how brands are using cryptocurrencies to tap into the rewards and incentives market, see our microtrend here.

6. Thought-starter: Yes, gaming can be good for mental health

The World Health Organization has officially recognised gaming as an addictive disorder, but it fails to contextualise this against gaming as a positive influence on mental wellbeing.

It has been a turbulent week for the gaming community. On 18 June the news broke that The World Health Organization (WHO) now officially recognises gaming as an addictive disorder in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

The WHO’s diktat means that governments are under pressure to ensure they provide some form of treatment for those debilitatingly addicted to games. This is not, as many global tabloids and news sites have presented the news, confirmation that gaming is a scourge on society. Rather, it is recognition of gaming’s mainstream reach. It is no longer a niche pursuit, but something enjoyed by everyone from pre-schoolers to retirees. And with this, games are playing a crucial role in expanding our understanding and experience of mental health conditions.

One example is Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, produced by Ninja Theory. Created in collaboration with mental health experts, people who have experienced psychosis, and the Wellcome Trust, the game immerses players in the visual and auditory experience of people suffering from mental health issues.

Read the full opinion piece here.

Face ID by Apple
Discover More News
Squarespace bridges digital and physical worlds in new campaign

News

Squarespace bridges digital and physical worlds in new campaign

Self-build website platform Squarespace has released three new short films as part of its Change Your World campaign, which encourages business own...
Technology : Advertising & Branding : Design
Vyrao debuts Mamajuju fragrance for digital detox

News

Vyrao debuts Mamajuju fragrance for digital detox

Vyrao founder Yasmin Sewel has introduced Mamajuju, her eighth fragrance aimed at counteracting stress from excessive screen time.
Beauty : Health & Wellness : Luxury
Microsoft uses flight simulator to build Earth’s digital twin

News

Microsoft uses flight simulator to build Earth’s digital twin

Microsoft is advancing its Flight Simulator franchise in November 2024 with an unprecedented simulation experience that approaches the concept of a...
Design : Technology : Society
Stat: Future EV buyers are older and more cost-conscious

News

Stat: Future EV buyers are older and more cost-conscious

As environmental concerns and fuel costs push more consumers toward electric vehicles (EVs), the current EV market remains relatively small, making...
Society : Sustainability : Mobility
Supernatural adds group-based workouts to VR fitness app

News

Supernatural adds group-based workouts to VR fitness app

VR fitness platform Supernatural has introduced a new feature called Supernatural Together, where users participate in real-time group workouts.
VR Fitness App : Society : Technology
Target and Dr D’Wayne Edwards debut expanding shoes for growing feet

News

Target and Dr D’Wayne Edwards debut expanding shoes for growing feet

Target has teamed up with renowned footwear designer Dr D’Wayne Edwards to launch an innovative new shoe brand, Ünos by Sz, which hit stores in Sep...
Youth : Sustainability : Design
Oatrageous launches dairy-free cream liqueur as a plant-based alternative

News

Oatrageous launches dairy-free cream liqueur as a plant-based alternative

Oatrageous has introduced its new line of dairy-free cream liqueurs, a plant-based alternative with no dairy products, gluten, lactose, high fructo...
Alcohol : Food & Drink : Society
Stat: American Gen Z have mixed feelings about social media

News

Stat: American Gen Z have mixed feelings about social media

A survey by The Harris Poll of 1,000 Gen Z adults (aged 18–27) found their perspectives regarding social media and smartphone usage are more pessim...
Youth : Pop-culture & Media : Society
Johnnie Walker joins forces with Netflix’s Squid Game

News

Johnnie Walker joins forces with Netflix’s Squid Game

Johnnie Walker has unveiled a limited-edition Black Label Squid Game bottle, featuring designs ranging from 001 to 456, in celebration of Netflix’s...
Food & Drink : Pop Culture : Media
 Meta sees right through the future of augmented reality glasses with Orion

News

Meta sees right through the future of augmented reality glasses with Orion

Meta has announced the launch of Orion, a groundbreaking pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses designed to blend digital and physical experiences ...
Technology : Wearables : Ar
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN