Signals

UK – Together with air fryer cookbook author Nathan Anthony, eBay has opened the UK’s first ever pop-up air fryer restaurant for one night in London on 27 September 2023.

The eatery, called Air, served a choice of small plates including crispy salt and pepper squid, halloumi fries and sweetcorn ribs. Naturally, all menu items were air fried, using refurbished appliances available on eBay’s marketplace.

The first-of-its-kind restaurant aimed to show diners how versatile cooking with air fryers can be, but also to educate people on the cost and energy savings incurred by buying refurbished kitchen appliances. ‘We want to demonstrate tangible ways shoppers can save money on their energy bills and on the cost of kitchen appliances, through choosing refurbished,’ adds Mark Monte-Colombo, head of refurbished technology at eBay UK.

As eBay revealed new data showing that over a third of Britons are unsure how they’ll pay for increased energy bills this winter, and 48% seek advice on how to cook more efficiently, the timely launch supports consumers in dealing with the Cost of Living Crisis.

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, senior foresight analyst Marta Indeka discusses fashion month tops and flops, IRL Pinterest and boy math.

: While fashion month provides some light-hearted entertainment and creative inspiration, it also brings a set of considerations each time around. Just look at the record numbers of PETA protestors crashing shows, or attendees deploring the waste created by novelty show invitations and merchandise in this brilliant substack newsletter.

: That said, many fashion houses stunned with wit and creativity. At Sunnei, the audience was the judge. Each attendee rated looks as models walked using old-school score cards. Peter Do, in turn, delivered impeccable tailoring infused with cool nonchalance. The show notes said: ‘This season, we want our work to speak for itself.’ Copy loud and clear.

: The latest pocket of the internet I found myself obsessing over is ‘boy math’. Not only us women excel at self-derision, cue girl math, but we also do the work for our arguably less self-aware male counterparts. Enough said. I’ll let boy math speak for itself.

: Londoners are in for a treat. Pinterest, aka everyone’s favourite inspiration platform, is introducing Possibility Place in Covent Garden, a two-day corner shop, beauty bar and DIY store pop-up. The message? Do the vision board, but most importantly – translate your online inspo into the real world.