News 09.12.2021

Need to Know

A radical renovation of a Texan post office, mindful clothing to bolster self-care and US Black-owned businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

Houston’s historic post office is now a community hub

Barbara Jordan Post Office by OMA, US
Barbara Jordan Post Office by OMA, US
Barbara Jordan Post Office by OMA, US

Houston – At a whopping 500,000 square feet, POST is a multi-purpose space renovated by architecture firm OMA that re-imagines the potential of disused retail destinations. Breathing new life into the long-abandoned Barbara Jordan Post Office – a historic hub for locals – the renovation refurbishes the cultural landmark with all the amenities necessary for contemporary life.

Situated at the vibrant heart of Houston, the renovated space boasts a food hall, rooftop garden, concert hall, recreational areas and co-working spaces. Divided into three atriums, the enormous building is rendered more manageable with the addition of three monumental staircases that lead visitors into different areas in the space.

‘By cutting into the building and drawing people in and through it, we are aiming to fold different programmes into every corner – weddings next to food halls next to concerts next to new ways of working – and to turn Houston to a view that reveals the city's radical ambition,’ explains Jason Long, partner at OMA.

Updating public infrastructure for contemporary use, this project highlights how the Repurposed Retail Market can continue to develop and break new ground.

Strategic opportunity

Multi-purpose spaces are growing in popularity. Companies should consider including new activities centred on community and celebrating an area's history and future growth

These emotional garments can stimulate mindfulness

Emotional clothing by Iga Węglińska, Krakow Emotional clothing by Iga Węglińska, Krakow
Emotional Clothing by Iga Węglińska, Krakow Emotional Clothing by Iga Węglińska, Krakow

Poland – Designer Iga Węglińska is challenging conventional ideas about clothing with an intelligent collection that supports mental and physical health. The Emotional Clothing collection comprises two garments, both using biofeedback to signal psycho-physiological changes taking place in the wearer’s body.

Each garment responds to elements including body temperature, galvanic skin response, heart rate and proprioception. Through this project, Iga Węglińska is exploring the potential for clothing to form part of our Synchronised Care rituals. ‘The intelligent materials used in them [the designs] are supposed to stimulate cognitive involvement and mindfulness – a sense of taking part,’ explains the designer in a press release.

As material innovation continues to evolve, there is a lucrative opportunity for designers to integrate healthcare elements into clothing. Elsewhere, we’ve explored the ways that garments can support immune systems by integrating live bacteria into the fabric. Discover this innovation in our Beauty & Wellness Futures 2020 report.

Strategic opportunity

Clothing retailers must elevate their efforts to create functional garments that support people’s mental and physical health. Consider, for example, how such additions can be applied to activewear to aid fitness performance and recovery

Dua Lipa establishes email correspondence with fans

US – In the age of digital fandom, pop star Dua Lipa is finding new ways to reach and communicate with her fans with the launch of an email newsletter, Service95. This free weekly dispatch will cover a variety of cultural topics, and will include recommendations, political thought and more.

Inviting fans into Dua Lipa’s orbit, the newsletter will offer a more intimate glimpse into the life of the singer. Instead of creating new content, the project will include lists of the musician’s favourite nail salons, books and restaurants – echoing the rise of Curator Kids, who swap content creation for curation. With over 75m followers on Instagram, the project feels like a natural evolution for the young musician and influencer.

As newsletters become a source of lifestyle tips and advice, they represent a fresh opportunity for celebrities to forge deeper connections with their fans. Further, as the role of the contemporary tastemakers continues to shift, new business opportunities are proliferating, a topic which we have previously explored on LS:N Global.

Service95 by Dua Lipa

Strategic opportunity

The media opportunities for actors and musicians are growing. Brands could consider co-sponsoring a celebrity’s newsletter to reach wider audiences

Stat: US Black-owned businesses need greater support

Shopify Hardware Campaign Shopify Hardware Campaign

Research by McKinsey & Co reveals that US Black-owned businesses are disproportionately affected in their first few years of trading. Just 4% of US Black-owned businesses are still in operation after three and a half years, compared with an average of 55.5% for all businesses.

Despite these figures, nearly half (45%) of consumers in the US agree that companies should pledge to support Black-owned brands, suppliers and vendors. Meanwhile, 68% of consumers say their social values shape their shopping choices. In the beauty industry, 92% of Black consumers say that supporting Black-owned brands is important when making their buying decisions.

In the age of the inclusive consumer, harnessing the power of retail can increase demand for Black-owned brands. As we explore in Black Lives Matter: The Business Response, brands and their employees have a responsibility to support Black enterprises.

Strategic opportunity

Brands across sectors must support businesses run by marginalised groups, both through financial incentives and inclusive communications. Create long-term initiatives that continuously support diverse communities

Previous News Articles
Industry insights from the Walpole British Luxury Summit 2025

News

Industry insights from the Walpole British Luxury Summit 2025

The Walpole British Luxury Summit 2025 gathered leaders from across the global luxury sector for a day of expert talks, reports and panel discussio...
Luxury : Global Events : Walpole British Luxury Summit
Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

News

Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, director of foresigh...
Foresight : Foresight Friday : Ff
Stat: Connected tech boosts loyalty as consumers seek smarter brand interactions

News

Stat: Connected tech boosts loyalty as consumers seek smarter brand interactions

More than a quarter of consumers are willing to pay more for a product that offers a connected experience such as a QR code, visual search, AR or N...
Stats : Stat : Technology
World Retail Congress 2025 daily recap: Emerging consumer mindsets and luxury storefronts

News

World Retail Congress 2025 daily recap: Emerging consumer mindsets and luxury storefronts

On the closing day of World Retail Congress 2025, retailers looked to the future, examining emerging consumer mindsets, sustainability pressur...
Luxury : Retail : World Retail Congress
Pinterest rolls out enhanced AI-powered visual search tools

News

Pinterest rolls out enhanced AI-powered visual search tools

Pinterest has launched a suite of generative AI-powered visual search features for women’s fashion content in the US, the UK and Canada.
Pinterest : Artificial Intelligence : Search Tool
Stat: Teens balance connection and concern in the age of social media

News

Stat: Teens balance connection and concern in the age of social media

Nearly half of US teenagers (48%) now say social media negatively affects people their age, a sharp rise from 32% in 2022, according to a report fr...
Stats : Stat : Teens And Tech
World Retail Congress 2025: Why trust is retail’s strongest currency

News

World Retail Congress 2025: Why trust is retail’s strongest currency

The first day of World Retail Congress 2025 in London revolved around the theme Faster, Bolder, Smarter.
Retail : Global Events : World Retail Congress
Hawaii introduces climate-driven tourist tax

News

Hawaii introduces climate-driven tourist tax

Hawaii is making climate history with a landmark bill that raises tourist taxes to fund environmental protection and climate resilience projects.
Travel : Sustainability : Travel & Hospitality
Stat: Gen Z turn to daily supplements as wellness becomes an everyday routine

News

Stat: Gen Z turn to daily supplements as wellness becomes an everyday routine

According to the latest Gen Z State of Beauty 2024/2025 report from Kyra, 80% of Gen Z in the UK and the US now take between one and six supplement...
Stat : Wellness : Supplements
Dutch Pavilion re-imagines the sports bar at Venice Architecture Biennale

News

Dutch Pavilion re-imagines the sports bar at Venice Architecture Biennale

Curated by Amanda Pinatih and designed by Gabriel Fontana, Sidelined re-imagines the traditional sports bar as a welcoming, non-binary social space.
The Netherlands : Venice Architecture Biennale : Design
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