LSN : News : Foresight Friday: Emily Rhodes, creative foresight analyst

Free webinar: three critical strategies for supercharging growth in China

AI imagery by The Future Laboratory, UK

Algreen Global Change Awards by H&M

Community Commerce visuals by Pitch Studios for The Future Laboratory

Global – Join us on 30 August for a detailed look at three key strategies to accelerate business growth and innovation in the Chinese market.

With a return to consumer confidence in 2023 in China, the country offers greater commercial opportunities than ever before – yet the route to success is unclear for most. Using the combined powers of The Future Laboratory and China specialist brand and strategy agency Hot Pot China, we will present some of our latest findings and research.

Chris Sanderson, co-founder of The Future Laboratory and Jonathan Travers-Smith, founder and CEO of Hot Pot China, will lead the 45-minute live-stream, unpacking insights and opening the floor for a Q&A to help your business navigate this thriving Asian market.

The session is free to attend and will take place on 30 August from 3:30pm to 4:15pm AEST. Mark your calendars and register now.

Foresight Friday: Emily Rhodes, creative foresight analyst

Victoria Ling for The Future Laboratory

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, creative foresight analyst Emily Rhodes obsesses over dolls with a viral Barbie sweater, a new collection from Bratz, a call out for Sindy and a tribute to Sinéad O'Connor, the original troublemaker doll.

: Perhaps the best thing to come out of the Barbie movie, besides the new queer icon Alan, is Ryan Gosling’s 'I am Kenough' fluffy tie-dye hoodie. Available in real life via Mattel's merchandise website, the polyester jumper is selling quickly, with sizes medium, XL and XXXL already sold out. Is this the start of Kencore?

: For the first time in Bratz's history, another doll from California, Kylie Jenner, is releasing a limited mini-collection of pocket-sized Kylies wearing her most iconic looks. Being team Bratz myself, I’m happy to see the brand send out a gentle reminder that these Y2K icons are still relevant amid an era of fluorescent Barbie pink

: And if there wasn’t enough evidence that youth culture has entered its flat-age future, Mattel has announced its next big-screen adaptation with Emily in Paris star Lily Collins set to play Polly Pocket in a movie directed by Lena Dunham. So who’s next? Sindy, what you saying?

Quote of the week

'I don't do anything in order to cause trouble. It just so happens that what I do naturally causes trouble. I'm proud to be a troublemaker'

– Sinéad O’Connor (1966–2023)

Stat: Study suggests women age faster during their 30s and 50s

AI imagery by The Future Laboratory, UK

China – A comprehensive study analysing various molecular and physical markers has revealed that women tend to experience accelerated ageing in their 30s and 50s. Researchers from the Beijing Institute of Genomics conducted the study on 113 women from Quzhou city aged 20 to 66 with no known medical conditions. They combined multiple measures, including height and weight, blood pressure, lung capacity, grip strength and ability to stand on one leg, to gauge the rate of ageing.

The analysis showed that women with healthy diets, including fruit and grains, tended to be biologically 'younger' than their chronological age. Notably, participants around the ages of 30 and 50 displayed the fastest rate of ageing, which may be associated with hormonal changes related to childbirth or menopause.

Intriguingly, women aged 45 or older on hormone replacement therapy for menopause showed signs of slower ageing. The study highlights the potential impact of hormonal regulation on the pace of women’s ageing and calls for further research to confirm these findings. Our Longevity Lifestyles macrotrend reports on several future scenarios in which people could live longer and healthier lives thanks to a variety of therapies.

Strategic opportunity

Beauty, health and wellness brands should consider the specific needs of women during childbirth and menopause. Should their body be ageing faster, adapt formulas and messaging to ensure product efficiency