The switch

The switch

Japan – All is not what it seems in cosmetics brand Shiseido’s captivating ad.

Article/18441 #1
High School Girl? By Watts of Tokyo for Shiseido

Japan – All is not what it seems in cosmetics brand Shiseido’s captivating ad.

  • High School Girl? plays with gender fluidity 
  • Demonstrates the transformative power of Shiseido’s products

A number of brands have used the ‘big reveal’ concept to great effect, such as Lidl’s Lidl Surprises campaign, which saw members of the public become unwitting participants in a pricing experiment. Japanese cosmetics brand Shiseido further highlights the power of surprise in its gender-shifting ad.

The camera pans across a classroom of what appear to be young women and cuts to close-up shots of their faces. Upon reaching the last pupil, the wigs come off and the make-up is removed, revealing the boys beneath the beauty products.

Shiseido isn’t the only brand examining genderless beauty. MAC’s MACnificent Me campaign invites men and women to share their personal definitions of beauty.

The Big Picture

Early adopters and innovators are challenging the rigid classifications of gender and race, and opting for personal, nuanced identities. Find out more in our Neutral Culture macrotrend.

Discover More News
NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Community-centric strategies

News

NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Community-centric strategies

Day two of NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe continued the conference’s Retail Together theme, with business leaders spotlighting how community eng...
Retail : Community : Streetwear
Ralph Lauren launches AI styling companion with Microsoft

News

Ralph Lauren launches AI styling companion with Microsoft

Ralph Lauren has partnered with Microsoft to launch Ask Ralph, an AI-powered conversational styling tool designed to bring personalised fashion adv...
Technology : AI : Fashion
Stat: Preventative health, wellbeing and stress management drive consumer spending

News

Stat: Preventative health, wellbeing and stress management drive consumer spending

Life expectancy around the globe is set to rise by nearly five years between 2022 and 2050, yet the gap between lifespan and healthy lifespan remai...
Health & Wellness : Health Goods : Medical Services
NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Unified commerce and inspirational entertainment

News

NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Unified commerce and inspirational entertainment

On the opening day of NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Europe, the spotlight turned to unified commerce and the evolving role of physical stores in omni...
Retail : NRF : Pop Up Store
The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era macrotrend at Première Vision

News

The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era macrotrend at Première Vision

The Future Laboratory’s co-founder and chief creative officer Christopher Sanderson presented The Synthocene Era macrotrend at the fashion industry...
Global Events : Technology : The Synthocene Era
Gen Z in China are using AI to transform themselves into collectable merchandise

News

Gen Z in China are using AI to transform themselves into collectable merchandise

Gen Z in China are using AI art tools and 3D printing to transform themselves into ‘guzi’ – personalised collectable merchandise.
China : Kidults : Kidult Craze
Stat: Gen Z stay indoors for days as screen time replaces nature

News

Stat: Gen Z stay indoors for days as screen time replaces nature

Two-thirds of Gen Z in Britain confess they can go days without stepping outside, according to new research by Super, Natural British Columbia.
Gen Z : Nature : Health And Wellness
Big W embraces the beautiful chaos of parenting in new campaign

News

Big W embraces the beautiful chaos of parenting in new campaign

Department store chain Big W is shaking up family advertising with a bold new campaign celebrating the chaos, meltdowns and small wins of everyday ...
Advertising & Branding : Parenting : Retail
George at Asda unveils new adult adaptive clothing range

News

George at Asda unveils new adult adaptive clothing range

George at Asda has launched a 28-piece adult adaptive clothing collection, designed in collaboration with the late breast cancer campaigner Nicky N...
Retail : Fashion : George At Asda
Stat: Girls’ sport participation could unlock leadership potential at work

News

Stat: Girls’ sport participation could unlock leadership potential at work

Girls who play extracurricular sport in the UK are 50% more likely to go on to achieve senior professional roles at work, according to Game Changin...
Sport : Women's Sports : Teenage Girls
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