LSN : News : Young Britons are choosing to sell, swap and rent clothes

Dyson’s straightener halves hair damage

Dyson Corrale Straightener

France – Dyson has launched a hair straightener designed to minimise heat damage while offering superior styling.

Thanks to flexing plate technology, the Dyson Corrale is able to apply even heat and tension to hair strands, shaping and styling with half the damage of traditional straighteners. The styling tool was developed after extensive research into the mechanics of heat styling and hair health, bringing together the expertise of hair scientists, engineers and professionals.

Featuring Dyson’s Intelligent Heat Control for precise temperatures, the flexing plates mould to the hair and reduce the reliance on heat to create a smooth and straight effect. ‘Since we first started developing the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, we have continued to explore the science of style, seeking to understand what makes hair smooth, shiny and glossy, and what makes it dull, damaged and lifeless,’ says James Dyson, founder and chief engineer at Dyson.

As the long-term damage caused by excessive heat styling is more widely understood, the Dyson Corrale joins a new generation of haircare tools working to rejuvenate hair quality and health.

Tomen's tinctures were developed with a sommelier

Tomen, US

US – Tomen takes a flavour-forward approach to its botanical tinctures, which are blended to have tasting notes similar to wine.

Informed by traditional Chinese medicine, the range brings together adaptogenic ingredients such as rosemary, white sage, elderberry and reishi mushrooms to create concentrates with functional benefits. The five liquid formulas each target specific areas of health: Immunity, Detox, Focus, Digest and Calm.

The formulas also take inspiration from the complex flavours of fine wines and are made to be mixed with sparkling water. Anne Owen, founder of Tomen, says: ‘I brought on a female sommelier, and we worked on the tasting notes because this is something kind of new for people, and I wanted to guide them through what they should expect.’

With its focus on taste as well as function, Tomen has taken the opportunity to create products to be enjoyed more holistically. In a similar vein, our Alco-health microtrend explores how the worlds of alcohol and apothecaries are coming together.

Luxembourg waives transport fees for all

Luxembourg – Luxembourg has become the first country in the world to abolish fares on trains, trams and buses.

The government’s decision to remove fares comes as part of an initiative to tackle road congestion and pollution, as well as provide better support for low-income citizens. While an annual pass previously cost £397 ($476, €440), all travellers are now eligible for free transport. The scheme applies to residents, cross-border commuters and tourists alike. Those seeking a higher standard of service can still pay for first class, however, which will cost £595 ($714, €660) a year.

‘The introduction of free public transport is an important social measure,’ says François Bausch, transport minister for Luxembourg. With Luxembourg’s 600,000 inhabitants facing congestion from about 214,000 people commuting into work every day from Germany, Belgium and France, the initiative aims to drastically reduce traffic in the city by enabling more workers to use public transport.

As rapid urbanisation places a growing strain on urban infrastructure, fare-free public transport has the potential to significantly reduce air pollution in cities.

Mobilité Gratuite Au Luxembourg

Young Britons are choosing to sell, swap and rent clothes

Young British shoppers are embracing thriftier habits and choosing to sell, mend, swap and rent their clothes, according to research by Mintel. Generation Z, in particular, are adopting savvier habits and organising ‘swishing’ – the act of swapping clothes with friends – as an opportunity to allow them to refresh their wardrobes.

In fact, 75% of 16–24-year-olds said they had either swapped fashion items with others or would be interested in doing so. This compares to an average of 51% among Britons overall. This demographic was also found to be the most likely to use rental services, with 54% saying they have rented or would be interested in renting fashion items, compared to a national average of 33%.

As the climate crisis highlights the harmful effects of the fashion industry, consumers are changing their consumption habits. For more, read our Fashion Recommerce market.