News 10.05.2021

Need To Know

Black Tomato is bringing back the magic of travel, Lidl takes civic action against period poverty and the global sex education gap grows.

Black Tomato is curating fairytale travel experiences

Take Me On a Story campaign by Black Tomato

New York – Bespoke travel platform Black Tomato is inviting families to immerse themselves in getaways inspired by children’s stories.

The luxury travel brand’s Take Me On a Story programme is targeted at families seeking new experiences, offering them bespoke trips based around popular children’s books. It was launched with travel experiences in the US, the UK, the British Virgin Islands, Morocco and Iceland. Each region aligns with different fairytale settings, such as a trip to Oxfordshire inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The trips will include activities such as mountain climbing and camping to fully immerse families in the fairytale-inspired worlds. According to Tom Marchant, co-founder of Black Tomato:After the hardships of last year, being able to transport both children and adults into these rich, whimsical worlds feels like the ultimate joyful way to reconnect with family and welcome back the magic of travel.

As the Millennial Family Travel market matures, this demographic is seeking bespoke forms of travel that allow them to be totally immersed in new worlds.

Prabal Gurung and Etsy spotlight homeware artisans

Etsy and Prabal Gurung collaboration. Photography by Anisha Sisodia Etsy and Prabal Gurung collaboration. Photography by Anisha Sisodia
Etsy and Prabal Gurung collaboration. Photography by Anisha Sisodia Etsy and Prabal Gurung collaboration. Photography by Anisha Sisodia

US – Fashion designer Prabal Gurung has partnered with online marketplace Etsy to create a home décor collection in collaboration with global artisans.

The homeware line takes inspiration from Prabal Gurung’s nomadic lifestyle, leaning on Etsy’s global community of makers to create a diverse range of products. Designed with 11 Etsy artisans based all over the world – including the US, India, Germany and the UK – each piece reflects the creator’s unique aesthetic and background. The collection features a range of table linen, hand-painted dinnerware and hand-made candles.

Gurung’s limited-edition collection is available to buy on the Etsy shopping platform, with accessible prices that start at just £20 ($28, 23). ‘This collection welcomes you to take a seat at the table and celebrate the art of living, with a worldly sensibility that shines a light on the diverse independent makers in the global Etsy community,’ explains Gurung.

Luxury brands such as Prabal Gurung are recognising the benefits of artisanal retail. For more, discover how ethical fashion and homeware brands have been supporting artisan suppliers throughout the pandemic.

Lidl is fighting period poverty with free products

Ireland – Supermarket chain Lidl Ireland is improving access to sanitary products for those in period poverty.

The initiative, which marks a first for the retail sector, will enable women to freely access products without financial barriers. Making use of the Lidl app, the supermarket is allowing its customers to claim a dedicated coupon in order to access one free box of sanitary pads or tampons each month.

The guiding principle of this initiative is the inherent respect for the dignity of all those concerned, and it is our hope that it will have an impact on those who would otherwise have to use less suitable materials or none at all,' explains Aoife Clarke, head of communications for Lidl Ireland. As part of the initiative, the retailer is also pledging to give quarterly donations of period products to homeless people.

By going beyond tokenistic efforts and overcoming financial barriers, Lidl sets an example of how Civic Brands can work towards eradicating period poverty.

Blume, US Blume, US

Stat: Women across the globe are lacking sex education

Sexual wellness company Smile Makers has released a global study revealing the lack of sex education prevalent across the world.

The research shows that 28% of women globally did not receive any formal sex education, with the most significant lack of access in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia (32%) and Singapore (29%). Among those who did receive sex education, 75% say that it did not prepare them to understand their own pleasure.

The report also identifies that 63% of women who use a vibrator say that they are sexually satisfied, compared to 43% who don’t use the sex toys. Building on this disparity, those who have taken pleasure into their own hands were found to be more aware of their sexual wellbeing, with 80% of vibrator users considering sexual wellness to be important, versus 58% of people who don’t use vibrators.

With this in mind, health and wellness brands have an opportunity to reframe conversations around sex education to offer more realistic perspectives that centre on self-pleasure.

Previous News Articles
Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

News

Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

Twitch sensation Kai Cenat has launched Streamer University, a weekend-long experience for aspiring creators to collaborate, learn and produce cont...
Media : Entertainment : Education
De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

News

De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

De Beers Group has announced the closure of Lightbox, its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, signalling a strategic retreat from the synthetic jewe...
Luxury : Sustainability : Jewellery
Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

News

Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

Gender bias in money matters is pushing British women out of financial conversations, according to new research commissioned by digital wealth mana...
Finance : Diversity : Inclusion
Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

News

Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show invites visitors to interact with AI-enabled trees in the Avanade Intelligent Garden.
Technology : Nature : Sustainability
ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

News

ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

ITV is pushing the boundaries of inclusive storytelling with the launch of its new prime time drama Code of Silence, starring BAFTA-winning actor a...
Media : Diversity : Inclusion
Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

News

Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

The rising cost of living and unaffordable housing are fuelling a surge in adult children returning to the family home.
Family : Home : Youth
Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

News

Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

Manchester City Football Club has marked the launch of its 2025/2026 home kit with a short film that playfully blends football fandom, nostalgia an...
Sports : Design : Creative
Vinted tops France’s fashion market as second-hand sales surge

News

Vinted tops France’s fashion market as second-hand sales surge

Second-hand platform Vinted has overtaken Amazon and Kiabi to become France’s top clothing retailer by sales volume, according to new data from the...
Fashion : Sustainability : Retail
Stat: Nearly half of UK shoppers prefer in-store retail – but body image challenges persist

News

Stat: Nearly half of UK shoppers prefer in-store retail – but body image challenges persist

As consumers’ desire for in-person connection increases, nearly half of UK shoppers now prefer to shop in-store, according to new research.
Stats : Stat : Retail
China’s online sports and equipment sales are booming

News

China’s online sports and equipment sales are booming

The sports apparel and equipment sector continues to be one of the highest-growth key consumer sectors in China, according to brand agency Hot Pot ...
China : Sports : HotPot China
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