News 14.04.2025

Need to Know

Saintly brings humour and elegance to toilet hygiene, India’s coffee rave scene is booming and why k-pop remains South Korea’s top cultural export.

Saintly rebrands toilet hygiene with Renaissance-inspired identity

Saintly by Universal Favourite, US
Saintly by Universal Favourite, US
Saintly by Universal Favourite, US
Saintly by Universal Favourite, US

US – Toilet care brand Saintly is taking a bold step into taboo-breaking territory with a Renaissance-inspired rebrand that upgrades the humble flushable wipe. Its new Divine Dispenser, developed with Doris Dev, is positioned as a cleansing foam alternative with a ‘heavenly fresh’ identity created by design studio Universal Favourite. With a simple press, the elegant dispenser releases a dollop of foam onto regular toilet paper, offering a more sustainable and sophisticated hygiene option.

Rooted in the idea that ‘cleanliness is truly next to godliness’, the brand turns daily routines into rituals of confidence – promising, in its own words, ‘that new butt feeling, every time.’

Inspired by Renaissance art and Italian fresco culture, the identity includes a sculptural ‘s’ logo reminiscent of the poop emoji, custom calligraphic typography and a golden-yellow and khaki palette that breaks from the sterile whites of the category.

The tone of voice, shaped with copywriter Cat Wall, channels ‘the Fresh Prince of Florence’ – a cheeky bon vivant guiding the brand’s irreverent charm. Anchoring the launch is The Lake of Revitalisation, an illustrated fresco featuring floral motifs, butt-shaped hedges and toilet roll statues, elevating bathroom care into an art form.

For more innovative rebrands, head to our Design sector.

Strategic opportunity

Consider using humour or beauty to destigmatise taboos and turn discomfort into engagement. Other taboo sectors, such as menopause, death, debt and digestion are ripe for rebranding

India’s coffee rave scene brews a new way to socialise

India – A new kind of party is percolating across India, with Gen Z embracing caffeine over cocktails, as reported by Elle India. DJ Tanishq’s viral coffee rave at Corridor Seven Coffee Roasters in Nagpur kicked off a movement that swaps nightclubs for cafés, spinning house and Afro beats for sober crowds sipping iced matcha and espresso shots.

‘I was just bored with the nightlife,’ Tanishq explains. ‘Coffee is something I love, and I wanted to share that with my audience.’ His More Coffee, More Rave tour has since travelled nationwide, drawing in fans who prefer daytime parties without alcohol.

‘A café or coffee rave is about energy, connection and authenticity,’ says Vidur Mayor, founder of FES Café in Gurugram. ‘It’s not about excess or partying till you drop – it’s about enjoying great music, meeting like-minded people and being part of something new.’

While some café owners see it as a passing fad, others believe it marks a cultural shift. As Kareena Bulchandani founder of Mokai Café notes, ‘It has a lot to do with how alcohol is on a massive decline and the newer generation prefers maintaining a healthy lifestyle and not falling for hangovers.’

In our Sober Social Fix report, we analysed how, as the sober-curious movement strengthens in the US, younger generations are redefining how to enjoy going out with friends, opening up opportunities for hospitality and nightlife brands.

Club Sol by Imogen Malpas. Photography by Aisha Olamide Seriki, UK

Strategic opportunity

Sober partying is no longer niche. Consider how to develop branded events, merch, playlists and drinkware tailored for caffeine-fuelled connection rather than alcohol consumption

Stat: K-pop remains South Korea’s top cultural export

Blackpink: Light Up the Sky, Courtesy of Netflix, Global

South Korea – K-pop continues to lead perceptions of South Korea according to the 2025 Global Hallyu Survey. Based on responses from 26,400 people in 28 countries, the findings show that 17.8% of those who had experienced South Korean culture identified K-pop as the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the country.

This was followed by food (11.8%), tv dramas (8.7%) and beauty products (6.4%). For the first time since 2012, South Korean IT products and brands fell from the top rankings in the survey carried out by the nation’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange.

BTS remains the most popular K-pop act for the seventh year running (24.6%), followed by Blackpink (12.3%). Respondents now spend an average of 14 hours monthly watching Korean content, with dramas and reality tv topping viewing habits.

For more insights into popular and digital culture, and the commercial opportunities relevant to consumer engagement and connection across the world, head to LS:N Global’s Pop Culture & Media sector.

Strategic opportunity

Leverage South Korea’s international momentum by partnering with creators and brands from the country to craft culturally relevant campaigns that drive brand discovery and resonate with increasingly global, K-culture-savvy audiences

Previous News Articles
Louis Vuitton brings La Beauté to life with immersive Soho pop-up

News

Louis Vuitton brings La Beauté to life with immersive Soho pop-up

Louis Vuitton has marked the launch of its first cosmetics line with a limited-time pop-up in New York’s Soho, transforming 104 Prince Street into ...
Retail : Luxury : Beauty
Foresight Friday: Dan Hastings, deputy foresight editor

News

Foresight Friday: Dan Hastings, deputy foresight editor

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Foresight Friday
Stat: US adults are losing confidence in capitalism 

News

Stat: US adults are losing confidence in capitalism 

Stat : Statistic : Money
Knight Frank’s research signals the rise of wellness in luxury real estate

News

Knight Frank’s research signals the rise of wellness in luxury real estate

In The Residence Report, released in September 2025, global real estate consultancy Knight Frank explores the future of luxury residential developm...
Luxury : Real Estate : Wellness
Nike changes Just Do It to Why Do It? in new campaign

News

Nike changes Just Do It to Why Do It? in new campaign

Nike has re-imagined its iconic Just Do It slogan for today’s athletes with the launch of its latest campaign, Why Do It? 
Visual : Nike : Campaign
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation merges sustainability and local pride

News

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation merges sustainability and local pride

The Department of Conservation in New Zealand has unveiled a three-year campaign with Deloitte Digital and Deloitte’s Sustainability and Climate te...
Conservation : National Branding : New Zealand
Stat: The majority of Gen Alpha consumers buy clothes to create content

News

Stat: The majority of Gen Alpha consumers buy clothes to create content

Clothing retailer PacSun’s study of more than 6,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers in the US reveals how fashion purchases are increasingly made for...
Gen Alpha : Fashion : Retail
John Lewis celebrates 100 iconic products for its centenary

News

John Lewis celebrates 100 iconic products for its centenary

John Lewis is marking 100 years of its Never Knowingly Undersold promise with a new multi-media campaign created by advertising company Saatchi &am...
Brand Heritage : Heritage : Branding
Monzo tackles financial literacy with The Book of Money

News

Monzo tackles financial literacy with The Book of Money

British online bank Monzo has launched The Book of Money in response to research showing that half of Britons (51%) feel they are not reaching thei...
Finance : Gen Z : Education
Stat: Light preventative personal care routines on the rise

News

Stat: Light preventative personal care routines on the rise

Kenvue, owner of brands including Neutrogena, Aveeno and Listerine, has launched A New View of Care: The Power of Personal Care Routines, a global ...
Stat : Statistic : Health
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