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Veja opens repair shop in Paris

Veja General Store, Paris

France – Sustainable footwear brand Veja has opened a repair shop in Paris aimed at prolonging the lifespan of shoes through repairs. Unlike its name suggests, the General Store is not a traditional retail outlet but serves as a hub solely dedicated to shoe and clothing repairs. With a 100-square-metre space, Veja has taken a step beyond its repair corners in other cities to offer comprehensive repair services in Paris.

Notably, the repair shop doesn’t sell shoes; instead, it focuses solely on repairs and makes minimal profits. According to project manager Daniel Schmitt, Veja intentionally keeps repair costs low to encourage customers to repair items rather than replace them, and aims for sustainability and balance in its operations.

As well as footwear repairs, the hub offers clothing repairs and personalisation services, and sells shoe care products, cleaning items, socks, notebooks and other impulse buys. In our Innovation Debrief 2023–2024 report, we explored how brands are getting more involved in DIY and repair care to prolong the lifespan of their products. Located on rue de Marseille in Paris’s tenth arrondissement, the Veja General Store embodies the brand’s commitment to sustainability and longevity.

Strategic opportunity

Brands should borrow a page from Veja’s book and look at offering sustainability-centric services, even if they aren’t focused on their own products, to help establish credibility as an eco-leader while also building a relationship of trust with consumers

Swift Creatives brings colourful design to outdoor monitoring devices

Sculptural Surveillance by Swift Creatives, Denmark

Denmark – In February 2024, Scandinavian design and innovation studio Swift Creatives, renowned for collaborations with LG, Panasonic and Samsung, introduced Sculptural Surveillance, an avant-garde concept that challenges traditional outdoor monitoring devices. In response to the booming global smart home security market, projected to reach nearly £49bn ($62bn, €57bn) by 2029, Swift’s statement pieces are designed to integrate seamlessly into gardens and grounds (source: Statista).

Swift’s concept transcends the conventional market offerings, replacing bulky cameras with colourful structures featuring a 360-degree field of vision, speakers, tracing lamps and wifi connectivity. Crafted from powder-coated recycled aluminium, each piece combines innovative design with advanced technology, incorporating a motion sensor-controlled, motorised camera. Installation is simplified with a DIY approach, offering flexibility and ease for users seeking a stylish and effective home surveillance solution.

Carsten Eriksen, CEO of Swift Creatives, emphasised the pivotal role of design in bridging the human-technology relationship. He said: ‘Our concept of Sculptural Surveillance moves the home surveillance market forward, creating something home-owners will be proud to have on display.’

As explored in Equilibrium Cities and Five Global Placemaking Projects to Watch, future cities will adapt their security strategy with technology seamlessly integrated into sustainable green spaces.

Strategic opportunity

Embrace a design-centric approach to home security tech, focusing on creating aesthetically pleasing and seamlessly integrated devices that complement modern living spaces

LVMH dives into Hollywood with 22 Montaigne Entertainment launch

Louis Vuitton Taurillon Monogram and Monogram Macassar Summer 2023, France

France – Luxury conglomerate LVMH is expanding its empire beyond fashion with the launch of 22 Montaigne Entertainment. Spearheaded by CEO Bernard Arnault’s eldest son, Antoine Arnault, and LVMH’s North America head, Anish Melwani, the venture, announced in February 2024, aims to integrate the group’s iconic brands into the world of film and tv.

In partnership with US-based Superconnector Studios, 22 Montaigne Entertainment marks LVMH’s first foray into Hollywood, using its own resources to develop and finance projects. The move follows a trend of luxury intersecting with entertainment, demonstrated in 2023 by François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Gucci parent company Kering, acquiring a majority stake in Creative Artists Agency.

‘This isn’t LVMH coming to Hollywood with a big cheque book to say ‘we’re going to go make movies’,’ emphasised Melwani. Instead, the focus is on connecting LVMH’s luxury houses with culturally impactful projects.

While LVMH’s financial returns from this venture are uncertain, the move signifies a strategic step in amplifying its diverse portfolio ranging from apparel to beauty and spirits. In our Luxury States: New Codes of Luxury 2024–2025 macrotrend, we explore how becoming a patron of the arts is crucial for all luxury brands seeking longevity and relevance.

Strategic opportunity

Explore opportunities to integrate your brand into the entertainment industry, using storytelling and cultural impact to enhance brand resonance and engagement

Stat: Highsnobiety study reveals its readers’ outlook on dating

Ssense Bridal capsule collection, Canada

Global – Highsnobiety’s State of Love study, released for Valentine’s Day 2024, examined readers’ perspectives on relationships, marriage and dating norms. The survey of hundreds of respondents in November 2023 offers insights into modern romantic dynamics.

The research reveals a quest for commitment, with nearly half of respondents single and 40% seeking long-term relationships. While 18% opt for casual dating, many remain open to deeper connections. Interestingly, despite the rise of digital dating – 51% use apps, with Hinge the favourite – traditional avenues like mutual friends still play a significant role, facilitating 68% of encounters.

Marriage holds varied significance among those surveyed, with 47% indifferent, but 87% feeling societal pressure to marry by a certain age. We delve further into the shifting values around weddings and matrimony in Modern Marriage. Notably, digital platforms are seen as avenues for genuine emotional connections, as 39% believe in falling in love online. Intriguingly, AI companionship is increasingly accepted, with only 33% viewing dating an AI as cheating.

Strategic opportunity

Tailor strategies and products to the shifting values around marriage. How can you emphasise flexibility and non-traditional approaches in wedding planning, for instance?