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Swedish artist Carolina de Lara makes new textile with bacterial cellulose

Bacterial Brickbats by Carolina De Lara, Japan

Sweden – Artist Carolina de Lara has used bacterial cellulose (BC), a naturally occurring material, and knitted textiles to explore the interaction between humans and nature in fashion design. The multi-species project, Bacterial Brickbats, is her submission for a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree at the University of Borås, Sweden. It uses re-assembly as a subsidiary property of BC’s natural growth and self-assembling potential. Rooting the design method in biological growth brings BC’s organic intelligence and agency as a designer to the fore.

Going beyond the traditional design processes, the project explores hyperbolic volumes using crochet as a basal scaffold and introduces dyes to test how bacterial cellulose reacts, interacts and manipulates them.

The project offers new insights into how fashion processes can be made sustainable and paves the way for innovative artefact creation using non-human liaisons. In our Biofabricated Futures design direction, we analysed how biofabrication, the engineering of biological products, can transform materials to drive commercial success.

Strategic opportunity

Consider allocating resources to research bacterial cellulose (BC) and other biofabricated materials. This could lead to new product lines that align with sustainable and eco-friendly trends while offering a competitive advantage

Greggs unveils jewellery collection for fashion week

Greggs in collaboration with Dion Kitson, UK

UK – Bakery chain Greggs has launched its first official jewellery line, Baked in Gold, designed by contemporary British artist Dion Kitson. The 22-carat gold-plated collection features some of Greggs’ most iconic menu items turned into jewellery.

The limited-edition range includes sausage roll earrings for £36 ($47, €43), a jam biscuit necklace for £45 ($59, €53) and a signet ring for £48 ($63, €57). The flagship piece is a 10-charm bracelet that features a pizza slice, coffee cup and a steak bake, among others – retailing for £96 ($127, €114).

The new jewellery collection was made available on Greggs’ social media channels in September 2024, coinciding with London Fashion Week. It was sold out in under an hour. The bakery chain has asked its customers to keep an eye on its socials for a golden opportunity to buy the drop next week.

In 2022, Greggs partnered with fashion retailer Primark to launch a clothing line that also quickly sold out. In our macrotrend report Functional Feasting, we analysed the rise of Status Snacks. In this section, we unveil how new bakery concepts take cues from streetwear to reach Hypebeast levels of popularity.

Strategic opportunity

Consider how to monetise brand iconography and use your intellectual property in new ways to expand merchandise in diverse formats – from fashion accessories to home decor

Lidl enters the luxury arena with London Fashion Week pop-up

Croissant Bag by Lidl in collaboration with Nikolas Bentel, UK

UK – In a bold crossover between high fashion and value retail, Lidl has opened its first pop-up store during London Fashion Week, following the success of its viral collaboration with designer Nikolas Bentel. The Patisserie Lidl pop-up, which opened from 13 to 14 September at 55A Dean Street, drew inspiration from Lidl’s popular bakery range, and specifically its limited-edition Croissant Handbag.

Bentel’s design, a leather croissant-shaped coin purse with a Lidl-branded shopping trolley token, sold out within two minutes after launch. The pop-up is a response to high demand, offering shoppers another chance to purchase the unique accessory for £50 ($66, €59.40).

Joanna Gomer, Lidl’s marketing director, notes the supermarket group’s strategy of transforming everyday products into fashion moments: ‘Our merch drops have flown off the shelves, and this latest release is set to make waves in the high fashion world.’ Alongside luxury accessories, the pop-up served pastry treats, combining Lidl’s brand identity with fashion-forward thinking and aligning with our findings in Hype Bakes.

Bentel adds: ‘Design should make the mundane memorable,’ underlining Lidl’s ability to transcend retail categories and delight consumers with unexpected collaborations.

Strategic opportunity

As consumers continue to feel the impact of inflation and the cost of living crisis, consider how you can elevate your everyday brand/product to create new value for them – through cross-sector collaborations or innovative experiences, for example

Stat: Gen Z employees in the UK embrace business travel to boost career

Photography by Third Man Studio, US

UK – New research from American Express shows that Gen Z employees in the UK are at the forefront of the business travel revival, viewing it as crucial to advancing their careers.

In a survey of 500 business travellers and 500 senior business travel decision-makers from UK companies, 59% of Gen Z workers said they expect to travel more for work in the next year. Of these, 83% believe business travel will enhance promotion prospects and 81% cite its importance in attracting future employers.

This generation are also embracing Bleisure travel, blending work and leisure to boost productivity while reducing flight frequency. But sustainability is top of mind for Gen Z employees, with 48% collaborating with employers on eco-conscious travel initiatives.

UK businesses are also keen to revive business travel, with 85% planning to boost or maintain travel budgets in the next 12 months to foster growth and international relationships.

In our Bleisure Redefined report, we unpacked how the Bleisure concept has rapidly changed the travel industry and the challenges that remain in creating spaces and services that integrate work and leisure without ever feeling they are compromising on one or neglecting the other.

Strategic opportunity

Create packages that blend business and leisure, offering perks such as extended stays or wellness activities to appeal to Gen Z employees and support their productivity and work-life balance during Bleisure trips