Daily Signals 26.11.2020

Signals

Mini’s customisable car interiors, Dolce & Gabbana delves into digital-first runways and nearly a quarter of Generation Z consider themselves hikers.

A multi-dimensional Mini for itinerant luxurians

Vision Urbanaut by Mini, UK
Vision Urbanaut by Mini, UK
Vision Urbanaut by Mini, UK

Munich – Automotive brand Mini is challenging conventional car design with its new Vision Urbanaut concept.

The fully electric vehicle features an expansive interior with moveable elements that help create three different configurations or ‘moments’. While taking the car format as its base, the vehicle doubles as a living room-style space, with the three moments offering a different mood and setting. Drivers can switch between the configurations, dubbed Chill, Wanderlust and Vibe, by placing a disc-shaped device – the Mini token – into one of three slots built into the car.

When the car isn’t being driven, the dashboard can be lowered to create a daybed area, while a textile-covered archway at the back of the vehicle extends to create a ‘cosy corner’. In the Chill configuration, a sofa-like area is lit up by an LED-powered forest canopy design. For the Vibe design, the vehicle becomes more of an interactive space featuring music and visuals for a club-style atmosphere.

As car ownership becomes less common, luxury consumers are seeking hyper-exclusive Supercar Clubs to elevate their vehicle experience.

D&G moves to monthly see-now buy-now catwalks

Walking in the Street by Dolce & Gabbana, Italy Walking in the Street by Dolce & Gabbana, Italy
Walking in the Street by Dolce & Gabbana, Italy Walking in the Street by Dolce & Gabbana, Italy

Italy and worldwide – Luxury fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana is discarding seasonal shows with a new monthly approach to fashion presentations.

Its see-now buy-now monthly digital catwalks will open up the brand to viewers around the world, taking place across its website and social media channels, while allowing audiences to directly engage. Its first show, Walking in the Street, will let viewers instantly buy from a collection of embellished daywear, denim designs and jewellery.

‘This is a completely new path for Dolce & Gabbana. Now you can watch the show, see the looks and the accessories and then buy them directly online through our website, or in our boutiques. In this way you don’t have to wait six months to have them,' explains Stefano Gabbana, designer and co-founder of Dolce & Gabbana.

As the luxury sector secures its footing online, brands are exploring new opportunities for content marketing that combines entertainment with acquisition. For more, explore Luxtainment.

Refillables boost ABC’s sustainability credentials

Authentic Beauty Concept Refill Bar, Europe Authentic Beauty Concept Refill Bar, Europe

Europe – Premium haircare brand Authentic Beauty Concept is introducing product refill stations at selected hair salons across Europe.

The Refill Bars take inspiration from the adoption of re-usable coffee cups, encouraging customers to prioritise sustainability and reduce single-use plastics.

During its current pilot phase, the company aims to gain insight into customer uptake of the stations, which have launched in countries including Germany, Switzerland, France and The Netherlands. In selected salons, stylists will be on hand to provide a personal consultation, helping clients to choose products they can later refill.

‘We believe that we can all make a difference, even with small actions. When we put all of those individual efforts together, and come together as a community, we can create real change and make bigger steps in the right direction,' reads a statement from the brand.

With eco-consciousness in mind, beauty and personal care brands are upgrading the customer experience through more Refined Refillables.

Stat: Young Britons turn to hiking for mindful exercise

Urban Outfitters Without Walls Collection Urban Outfitters Without Walls Collection

With the pandemic changing our relationship with the outdoors, more British consumers are hiking and rambling than ever before, according to research by Mintel. The study found that Generation Z especially are participating in outdoor activities, with the number of hikers and ramblers aged 16–24 now reaching 24%, up from 16% in 2018. This is slightly higher than the 23% of the general population who are hikers.

And it’s not just walking that’s experiencing a rise in interest. Cycling for fitness has grown from 16% to 20% in three years, with young men driving the shift – 40% of men aged 16–24 are cyclists, compared to just 27% of men aged 25–44. ‘The balance between physical and mental wellness that consumers now seek is reflected in the growing popularity of mindful exercise,’ explains Lauren Ryan, leisure and travel analyst at Mintel.

We have been tracking the continued evolution of The Elevated Outdoors, as younger consumers seek outdoor fitness activities that allow them to reconnect with nature.

Previous Daily Signals Articles
Dutch Design Week 2025: Digital afterlives and making space for grief

Daily Signals

Dutch Design Week 2025: Digital afterlives and making space for grief

Dutch Design Week 2025 has so far prompted visitors to question what it means to be human, and what challenges that notion more than death itself.
Dutch Design Week : Design : Global Events
ASOS Live redefines fashion shopping through creator-led video content

Daily Signals

ASOS Live redefines fashion shopping through creator-led video content

ASOS has launched ASOS Live, a new video shopping experience designed to merge inspiration, content and commerce within its app.
Fashion : Asos : Retail
Stat: Gen Alpha face stricter screen time controls at home and school

Daily Signals

Stat: Gen Alpha face stricter screen time controls at home and school

New survey data from Morning Consult reveals that technology bans are already widespread in schools across the US, with more than half of parents o...
Technology : Gen Alpha : Education
Dutch Design Week 2025: Slowing AI and fostering empathy

Daily Signals

Dutch Design Week 2025: Slowing AI and fostering empathy

The 25th edition of Dutch Design Week has kicked off in Eindhoven with this year’s anniversary theme being Past, Present, Possible. The purpose of ...
Dutch Design Week : DDW : Global Events
Oatly’s Future of Taste report spotlights flavours shaping global beverage culture

Daily Signals

Oatly’s Future of Taste report spotlights flavours shaping global beverage culture

Oatly has unveiled its first Future of Taste report, charting the flavours and formats set to influence global beverage culture.
Food : Drink : Flavour
Stat: Size inclusivity stalls on spring/summer 2026 catwalks

Daily Signals

Stat: Size inclusivity stalls on spring/summer 2026 catwalks

The Vogue Business Spring/Summer 2026 Size Inclusivity Report reveals disappointing progress on fashion’s size representation. Of 9,038 runway look...
Fashion : Identity : Stat
The Ordinary exposes beauty industry buzzwords in dystopian new video

Daily Signals

The Ordinary exposes beauty industry buzzwords in dystopian new video

In a provocative new campaign, skincare brand The Ordinary is calling out the beauty industry’s reliance on pseudo-scientific language.
Beauty : Skincare : Misinformation
Luxury travellers prioritise value, experience and climate-conscious choices for 2026

Daily Signals

Luxury travellers prioritise value, experience and climate-conscious choices for 2026

Luxury travel is set to evolve in 2026, with affluent travellers seeking deeper meaning, personalisation and sustainable choices, according to Virt...
Luxury : Gen Alpha : Luxury Travel
Stat: Public confidence in UK food safety reaches record high

Daily Signals

Stat: Public confidence in UK food safety reaches record high

Public trust in the UK’s food system has hit its highest level since 2020, according to the Food Standards Agency’s Food and You 2 survey.
Food : Health : Stat
Swedish campaign encourages doctors to prescribe visits

Daily Signals

Swedish campaign encourages doctors to prescribe visits

Visit Sweden has launched The Swedish Prescription, making it ‘the first country in the world prescribed by doctors’.
Health : Travel : Tourism
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