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LS:N Global’s latest report Future Five unpacks topics of tomorrow

The Future Laboratory’s trends intelligence and foresight platform LS:N Global has launched its latest report, Future Five 2024, a trend briefing designed to help you jump straight to the key insights, opinions and future opportunities that you need to know about right now.

The report is built around the Topics section on LS:N Global, which is dedicated to the issues that brands, companies and collaborators ask us about the most, or in some instances, the things that we think they should be asking about. The report focuses on the five Topics that we think are most important for businesses to be fluent in for the year ahead:

: In the Artificial Intelligence section we explore how we can overcome the ethical issues and fear around the technology to build positive outcomes

: Our spotlight on Sustainability illustrates why brands need to embrace radical transformational business opportunities, while finding new ways to communicate their approaches

: In the Home & Family and Identities sections we highlight the opportunities and challenges created by shifting demographics

: Finally, in the Mobility section we consider how futuristic technology and the influence of the new space age are forcing automotive brands to adapt and diversify

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LS:N Global members can download the full report here for free. It is also available for purchase in The Future Laboratory Shop.

New hybrid protein blends mycelium with lab-grown meat

CellX, China

China – Mushrooms are commonly used as a meat alternative in vegetarian recipes and now cellular agriculture start-up CellX is taking this idea further, incorporating mycelium fermentation into alt-meat production processes. The result? A hybrid cultured meat, allowing the company to broaden its portfolio of sustainable proteins.

CellX is planning to blend fermented proteins from nutritionally rich mycelium with lab-grown proteins. The chosen mycelium strain contains over 40% protein and 20% dietary fibre, with an amino acid score profile similar to that of conventional beef.

The company claims that mycelium-enhanced proteins have a competitive edge over cultivated meat, which remains very costly, while offering the same nutritional profile as conventional meat.

CellX’s venture also marks a shift in the cultivated meat market. By merging plant-based with lab-grown protein technologies, the company’s hybrid meat alternative paves the way for more experimentation to create sustainable and cost-effective food solutions.

Strategic opportunity

As the alt-meat market evolves in the face of over-processing awareness, new protein categories should appeal to consumers’ quest for cost-effectiveness together with better-for-you offerings

Vogue Business hosts first ever Fashion Futures event

Vogue Business Fashion Futures, London, UK

UK – The inaugural Vogue Business Fashion Futures event, held at The Design Museum in London on 28 November, brought together founders, manufacturers, regulators and designers to discuss sustainable innovation in the fashion industry.

Hosted by Vogue Business editors Hilary Milnes and Rachel Cernansky, the panels discussed introducing a quantitative definition for what counts as fast fashion, the need for more data and traceability from brands, the logistical limitations of the fashion industry’s current structures – buying seasonally, being slow to implement new technologies, purchasing finished garments rather than fibres and showing reluctance on long-term commitments – and how shareholders, investors and brands can help rethink these systems.

The event closed with a rousing speech from fashion designer and former creative director at Chloé, Gabriela Hearst. Stating that ‘you have to know the ingredients you’re cooking with’, Hearst emphasised the craftsmanship and high-quality materials at the core of her eponymous brand, echoing themes from our Luxury Recrafted macrotrend report.

Strategic opportunity

The fashion industry must work together to achieve collective change. Consider collaborating with start-ups such as Ambercycle or Living Ink on alternative materials and logistical providers such as EON and GXO to provide data and introduce traceability to your garments

Stat: Bumble forecasts value-based dating and emotional intimacy in 2024

Feeld

Global – Bumble is gearing up for 2024 with fresh insights into ever evolving dating trends. While in 2023, the emphasis was on love-life balance and dating beyond one’s type, Bumble predicts a shift towards value-based dating and a disregard for traditional relationship timelines.

Emotional intimacy will take centre stage: Bumble highlights the growing importance of emotional connection, with 32% of the 25,000 global users surveyed valuing it more than physical intimacy. Some 78% of women stress it is important that a partner understands both emotional and physical intimacy.

The pandemic’s influence continues with a surge in slow dating and intentional connections. Some 31% of singles prioritise quality over quantity, with an even higher rate among women (36%, rising to 40% in the US) seeking partners who value self-care.

Bumble’s latest insight also reveals the rise of Val-core dating, where singles seek a partner actively engaged in social and political causes. A quarter of Bumble users consider this engagement crucial. Women show less tolerance for different political views, with 33% considering it a turn-off if their match isn’t socially aware. Bumble’s insights show how dating apps have to continually evolve to better align with new values, as revealed in Five Apps Introducing the Next Generation of Dating.

Strategic opportunity

For dating apps to remain relevant, it is essential to innovate and test novel formats conducive to building deep connections and emotional intimacy, while peppering the user experience with fun and entertaining features