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Create Tomorrow, The WGSN Podcast

Create Tomorrow, The WGSN Podcast

By WGSN

WGSN is the world's leading consumer trend forecaster.

In this podcast we discuss the changing world and how industries will need to adapt. Each episode focuses on a single market, topic or trend as we unpack what businesses and individuals need to do to navigate the fast-changing world around us.

Our expert trend forecasting combined with data science help you understand consumer behaviour and lifestyles, create products with confidence and trade at the right time.

WGSN is an Ascential company.

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28. Reimagining our Relationship with Nature with Superflux

Create Tomorrow, The WGSN PodcastJun 11, 2021

00:00
36:14
104. WGSN Live From SXSW

104. WGSN Live From SXSW

Hello and welcome to the fortnightly Create Tomorrow podcast bringing you the latest innovations impacting the future of design and product.

In this episode of WGSN’s Create Tomorrow podcast, we report from this year’s SXSW festival, the annual event in Austin, Texas which brings together tech, film, music, education, and culture – it’s always buzzing with new ideas and concepts. As leaders in trend forecasting, we travel the globe, researching new concepts and trends to inform our work, and SXSW is one of our calendar highlights.

Tune in to hear from our experts on the ground. Senior Strategist of Insight Cassandra Napoli quizzes colleagues Liz Tan, Strategist at WGSN Insight, and Carol Aquino, Head of Consumer Tech, about their SXSW discoveries. Hear how SXSW helps inform our work at WGSN and why it’s such an important event to attend.



Mar 18, 202425:06
103. Illuminating Nocturnal Living with Dutch Artist Daan Roosegaarde

103. Illuminating Nocturnal Living with Dutch Artist Daan Roosegaarde

How can the beauty of light help solve the climate crisis? What does it mean to see the stars at night? And what can we learn from fireflies? These are the questions answered by the enlightening artworks of Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde.

Daan is the founder of the social design lab Studio Roosegaarde, most famous for Spark, organic sustainable fireworks inspired in part by his love of fireflies. Studio Roosegaarde’s immersive, large-scale artworks operate at the intersection of art, design, and engineering and are often poetic and mesmerising and always thought-provoking.

WGSN’s executive editorial director Bethan Ryder and Director of Strategic Forecasting Lisa White talk to Daan about his passion for light, something that radiates from global projects, which address the climate crisis and ask how we can learn from nature to create a better tomorrow.

Mar 11, 202425:29
102. Collectible Figurines and Parasols with Passementerie - The Latest Decor Trends from Maison & Objet

102. Collectible Figurines and Parasols with Passementerie - The Latest Decor Trends from Maison & Objet

We’re constantly scouring the globe for the latest trends, and in this episode of Create Tomorrow we report back from Maison & Objet, the biannual interiors trade fair in Paris. One of the most important global events for the interior design industry. 

Director of WGSN Interiors Gemma Riberti shares her fair highlights, from the colours she’s tracked to the unstoppable rise of the outdoor market. Plus exciting new sustainability materials, including a patent-pending innovation that transforms rice husks into precious objects of beauty.

We find out why tactile neutrals, rustic ceramics, soft leather detailing and a focus on wood will dominate, and Gemma picks her favourite take-home piece from the fair.

Feb 26, 202425:08
101. Why Apricot Crush is WGSN’s Colour of 2024

101. Why Apricot Crush is WGSN’s Colour of 2024

Why is 2024 set for a warm glow? Tune in to hear how WGSN – in collaboration with sibling business Coloro – forecasts the colour of the year 18 months in advance and why this year’s shade is such a warming, gentle and versatile hue. 

Exploring the inclusive, nourishing power of Apricot Crush with WGSN’s editorial director Bethan Ryder is Petra Lundgren, longtime colour trend forecaster for global fashion brand H&M, together with Urangoo Samba, head of colour at WGSN.

So why are we crushing on an apricot shade, and how does it relate to digital lavender, which proved such a hit last year (Episode 69)?

Petra talks about wellness and digital influences on colour selections, the emotive quality of colour and how WGSN helps her set a more sustainable colour agenda at H&M. While Urangoo explains the role AI plays in WGSN’s tracking of colours on the fashion catwalks globally and what the key drivers are that influence consumers’ colour choices.

Plus, why the similarity between WGSN’s Apricot Crush and Pantone’s Peachy Fuzz is a positive sign of creative consensus in a polarised world.


Feb 12, 202421:38
100. Olympic Breakdancing, Election Fever and Collective Effervescence – WGSN’s 2024 preview

100. Olympic Breakdancing, Election Fever and Collective Effervescence – WGSN’s 2024 preview

Very much near-forecasting, in this episode we preview the year ahead, considering how the key events from politics, sports and entertainment will impact consumers and brands.

WGSN’s editorial director Bethan Ryder speaks to Joe McDonnell, director of Insight, as he discusses 2024’s major events in relation to consumer behaviour. Discover how elections affect consumer confidence. Why it's a year of sport and how that will continue to fuel the outdoor boom. Plus, why consumers in a cost-of-living crisis will still invest in fun.

We’ll also review the major film releases planned for 2024. So with that in mind sit back, grab your popcorn, and enjoy.



Jan 31, 202420:44
99. Pack Your Totes – WGSN’s Top Three Cities to Watch in 2024

99. Pack Your Totes – WGSN’s Top Three Cities to Watch in 2024

In this episode, editorial director Bethan Ryder is joined by colleagues Raeesa Brey, Cassandra Gagnon, and Natacia Lim to reveal three of WGSN’s cities to watch in 2024.
From coastal concrete jungles to hyper-connected tech hubs preserving traditional cultures, here’s our pick of the cities now rising to meet the changing demands of urban living.
We forecast our clients' buzziest destinations for creativity and innovation in 2024, but also reflect on how the newness and excitement impact natives of the different cities.
Jan 15, 202426:21
98. Top Trends for 2024 - From the Multi-Species Home to Meals as Drinks

98. Top Trends for 2024 - From the Multi-Species Home to Meals as Drinks

Will the robots take over? How will brands tackle sustainability? And what will become our favourite tipple in 2024? Tune in to get the answers as we discover just some of the trends WGSN is forecasting for the coming year. Join Carla Buzasi, CEO of WGSN and the host of this end-of-the-year episode with her fellow WGSN guests Andrea Bell, VP of Consumer Insights, and Lisa White, Director of Strategic Forecasting and Creative Direction. And if you’re listening to this from the comfort of a heated blanket on your chair... find out how we called it in 2022. Happy 2024 to you all!


Dec 29, 202318:48
97. Snow Globes, Teatails and Pudding Extinction… WGSN’s Festive Table Trends

97. Snow Globes, Teatails and Pudding Extinction… WGSN’s Festive Table Trends

Are you swapping your panettone for Christmas pudding? Toasting Lunar New Year with a Teatail? Or livening up your Hanukkah sufganiyot with Mexican guava flavours? If not, this episode might encourage you to dip into these new trends.

As the year draws to a close, we tickle your tastebuds and take a look at how annual festive food and drink traditions are changing with new twists and emerging trends. Our Editorial Director at WGSN Bethan Ryder, aka Head Chef, leads this chat, with sous chefs Director of Food & Drink Jen Creevy and Strategist Millie Diamond adding insight and anecdotes to this festive platter.

We reveal the exciting things happening in seasonal flavours and talk about what will be on our tables while feasting with family and friends. Whether you’re indulging in Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Lunar New Year, there’s something here for everyone. Not to mention a few tips on how to set a beautiful festive table overflowing with maximalist shareables.

Appetite whet? Press play for all things taste and flavour.

Dec 17, 202324:47
96. Faux Nipples and Leak-Proof Knickers – Underwear Trends Uncovered

96. Faux Nipples and Leak-Proof Knickers – Underwear Trends Uncovered

Join us for a rifle through the underwear drawer of fashion, as we examine this often contentious category, which historically has been very polarised. Intimates and Lingeries is often a category split between the fun - read sexy - and the functional and never the twain shall meet. But the smalls category has come on in leaps and bounds and in this episode we chart the shift towards inclusiveness, review the latest trends and look ahead to the future.

Exploring the finer details of the intimates and lingerie market is our special guest host Francesca Muston, VP of WGSN Fashion with colleagues Lorna Hall, Director of Fashion and Sofia Martellini, Senior Strategist Fashion. 

We broach topics like leak-proof wear, reflect on seminal cultural underwear moments and how the pandemic redefined comfort for bras and consider the progress yet to be made on inclusivity in the male underwear category. Plus, expect to hear about how internet-breaking Kim Kardashian (Skims) and Rihanna (Savage x Fenty) have been pivotal in recent shifts in this category. So pull on your big girl pants and tune in…

Dec 07, 202329:35
95. Lounge Car – Why Electric Vehicles Are the Relaxation Pods Of the Future

95. Lounge Car – Why Electric Vehicles Are the Relaxation Pods Of the Future

Plump, swivel seats that offer massage functionality and bed-down flat, wraparound screens, lighting that boosts circadian rhythms and reduces stress and scentscaping possibilities… Lounge or spa? Neither actually. This could be the car interior of the future if CASE innovations (tune in to discover what that is) continue to evolve, helping to push boundaries in car manufacturing and design.

In this episode of Create Tomorrow, we explore the future of electric vehicles from a tech and design perspective. More specifically, how automated driving will impact the car interior – with EVs likely to evolve into a ‘lounge on wheels’.

WGSN Editorial Director Bethan Ryder leads this conversation with Carol Aquino, Head of Consumer Tech, and Angela Ringo, Senior Trend Forecaster and Editor on the Interiors team. Bethan finds out how automakers are embracing innovative ideas that bring supreme comfort and relaxation to the car interior, integrating wellness, while also including state-of-the-art screen technology. 

Are you sitting comfortably, because the EV design journey has only just begun...



Nov 17, 202328:44
94. The Rise of Beauty’s Age-Positive Movement

94. The Rise of Beauty’s Age-Positive Movement

How do brands speak to us as we age? Does the language used encourage us to buy from them or steer clear? Food for thought on this conversation around age beauty and brands. Director of Editorial at WGSN Bethan Ryder speaks about the age-agnostic shift we are seeing in beauty products. Age-agnostic is essentially a move away from skin resilience claims – serving the need, not the number – and a shift from ‘age appropriate’ makeup. To help flesh out this idea, Bethan speaks to Cassandra Napoli, Senior Strategist on Insight, and Pia Fisher, Beauty Strategist. Cassandra and Pia give insight and examples of the ways brands are pivoting on the language used in relation to beauty products for older consumers. Bethan dispels the claim that youth is the pinnacle of beauty, citing pop culture references of where ageing is celebrated, in the form of Madonna and Pamela Anderson. The team explore the idea of ageing well and embracing your age amid the backdrop of an AI renaissance. Examples of the latter include Hollywood actors being de-aged, and influencers ‘hacking’ their biological age by using social media filters. Cassandra shares tips on the language brands should be adopting, the importance of online communities and the power of visibility – how seeing ourselves in campaigns makes us more inclined to engage with brands.

Nov 03, 202325:17
93. Must-Have Decor Trends for the Festive Season

93. Must-Have Decor Trends for the Festive Season

In this episode, WGSN Interiors strategists discuss the key trends in Holiday decor, from tablescaping to gift wrapping.

Host Bethan Ryder, Editorial Director at WGSN, speaks to Bonnie Pierre-Davis and Cassandra Gagnon about how consumers are approaching gifting for the Holiday season, interior trend aesthetics and ways we can gift wrap with a focus on sustainability.

We find out what trends and drivers are emerging in seasonal decor from the WGSN Interiors team’s visit to the International Trade Fair for Seasonal and Festive Decorations, Christmasworld and Atlanta market.

We also find out why there is a shift away from traditional gifting to a rise in the conscious crafting movement, where people are making and designing their own as gifts.

It wouldn’t be a WGSN podcast without projections for next year, so Bonnie and Cassandra also share what they see carrying through to 2024.



Oct 20, 202326:32
92. Scenarios of the Future with Climate Fiction Writer Kim Stanley Robinson

92. Scenarios of the Future with Climate Fiction Writer Kim Stanley Robinson

In this episode, WGSN Creative Director Lisa White and acclaimed climate fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson discuss biodiversity, sustainability incentives and regulations, and whether AI is impacting human creativity.

Kim Stanley Robinson has been writing for over 40 years and has published more than 20 books, focusing on near and far futures. He talked with Lisa as part of WGSN’s recent Trends Days – a biannual brainstorming event exploring future forecasts – where they discussed the future of the biosphere, nature and human nature, plus how speculative fiction can and should play a role in the worlds of business and industry.   

Stan’s work incorporates so much of what we value at WGSN, in particular our STEPIC methodology, which focuses on insights into Society, Technology, the Environment, Politics, Industry and Creativity. Through his rigorous research and storytelling skills, he gives readers a seat in the future to better understand how our actions today can and will impact the outcomes of tomorrow.


Oct 06, 202330:58
91. Exploring Inclusive Design with Lekker Architects at Singapore Design Week

91. Exploring Inclusive Design with Lekker Architects at Singapore Design Week

Exploring Inclusive Design with Lekker Architects at Singapore Design WeekFrom ceramics that conduct electricity to visions of the inclusive urban environments of tomorrow, in this episode, we preview Singapore Design Week (SDW) which runs until October 1. Dawn Lim, executive director of DesignSingapore Council, talks about this festival of creativity which focuses on the future of sustainability, tech and care for our society – topics we are constantly dissecting at WGSN. We also catch up with the duo behind Lekker Architects, Ong Ker-Shing and Dr Joshua Comaroff, who are curating a project for SDW called FI&LD, which is inspired by a sports field and promotes the concept of inclusivity through play. The duo are pioneers in the field of inclusive design, and won Singapore’s annual President’s Design Award this year for their IKEA-inspired book, Hack Care: Tips and Tricks for a Dementia-Friendly Home. 


Sep 22, 202328:31
90. London Design Festival Special #3 - Materials are the Message

90. London Design Festival Special #3 - Materials are the Message

In our final episode of mini-episodes reporting from the London Design Festival, an annual event that takes over the UK capital every September, we visit Material Matters on London’s Southbank. Now in its second year, the fair has sprung from a podcast of the same name and occupies the atmospheric Bargehouse at the Oxo Tower. On until September 23, across five floors, it houses over 40 brands, designers, makers, manufacturers and organisations who all celebrate the importance of materials in bringing us closer to a circular economy. We speak to the journalist and podcaster behind the fair, Grant Gibson, and also hear about new material innovations and techniques from the likes of leading UK design duo Pearson Lloyd, East London-based contemporary crafter Gareth Neal and Danish textile artist Tanja Kirst.

In our next episode, we jump from the London Design Festival to Singapore Design Week.



Sep 20, 202321:17
89. London Design Festival Special #2 - Colourful, Convivial Design Collaborations

89. London Design Festival Special #2 - Colourful, Convivial Design Collaborations

In episode two of our series of mini-episodes reporting from the London Design Festival, an annual event that takes over the UK capital every September, we visit some of the exhibitions on show in the west side of town at Brompton Design District. Curator of the area, design writer and consultant Jane Withers, explains the theme, Conviviality – The Art of Living Together, and shares some of her highlights. We catch up with East London-based designer and woodworker Rio Kobayashi (6:41mins) and hear about his colourful debut solo show, Manus Manum Lavat, which includes furniture pieces reinvented and reborn through colour, artisanship and marquetry.  Also in this episode, hear from design duo Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos Caballero (16:30mins) , who return to Cromwell Place for the first time since 2017 and have shifted their focus from fashion to home. Phase 2 consists of rugs created in Nepal, lacquered tables made in the UK, upholstery exhibited on vintage sofas, embroidered velvets, and also a range of gender-inclusive clothing. We hear about their inspirations for the collection, from malachite to design longevity.  

In our next episode, we head to Material Matters on London’s Southbank ⁠⁠– keep your eyes peeled for the next drop.

Sep 19, 202325:37
88. London Design Festival Special #1 – Building Regenerative Futures

88. London Design Festival Special #1 – Building Regenerative Futures

As the London Design Festival kicks off, we take Create Tomorrow on the road for a series of mini-episodes reporting on the various events, installations and exhibitions that pop up across the UK capital every September. Tune in to hear our host Bethan Ryder, Editorial Director at WGSN, catch up with some of the curators, designers and studios contributing to this colourful and inspiring event.

The series kicks off with a visit to Spirit of Place at Strand Aldwych as we speak with contemporary designer Simone Brewster about her vivid cork sculptures decorating this newly pedestrianised space. Next, we hop over to Shoreditch to look around Mycelium Unearthed, a compact exhibition of organic designs staged by Osmose Studio, a UK-based regenerative and planet-centric design firm specialising in biodesign and mycelium materials. Aurélie Fontan, CEO & Creative Director of Osmose Studio, takes us on a tour of the various exhibits. 

In our next episode, we head west to the Brompton Design District – keep your eyes peeled for the next drop.

Sep 18, 202316:58
87. Will AI Become Your New Design Superpower?

87. Will AI Become Your New Design Superpower?

Does AI pose an existential threat to designers? In this episode of Create Tomorrow, Director of WGSN Consumer Tech Lisa Yong discusses how AI is impacting the creative design process, and what it might mean for the future of creativity.

Joining Lisa are Reiko Morrison, WGSN’s Head of CMF, and Matt Zara, WGSN Consumer Tech Strategist. The team cover the many facets of generative AI, from ignorance surrounding the technology and how many aspects of our lives it already permeates, to the rise of deep fakes and wider ethical and sustainability concerns. More positively, they forecast how AI might function as a superpower for designers, taking care of the mundane tasks and freeing them to focus on the more creative aspects of their roles. Plus, they discuss what AI means for brands and how they can be more responsible with their use of AI, as well as the potential risks involved. 



Sep 08, 202328:32
86. Slime Moulding the Future with ecoLogicStudio

86. Slime Moulding the Future with ecoLogicStudio

How can microorganisms such as algae, fungi and slime mould be used to create a better future? In this episode of Create Tomorrow WGSN Editorial Director Bethan Ryder examines the future of biodesign. Her guests are Marco Poletto and Claudia Pasquero, architects, academics and co-founders of ecoLogicStudio, who talk about how we might create a better future by learning from non-human species and microorganisms.Marco and Claudia are co-authors of Deep Green: Biodesign in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, which investigates the potential of nature-based technology for shaping the evolution of contemporary architecture and design. Partners in both work and life, Marco and Claudia met at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy while studying engineering, before attending London’s Architectural Association. They founded their studio in 2005, and have since built a unique portfolio of work that explores how we can create a better future by learning from non-human species and microorganisms – algae, slime mould, fungi – from a domestic to an urban scale.Marco and Claudia discuss BioBombola, a domestic algae garden; their innovative AirBubble playground focusing on cleaner air for kids; PhotoSynthetica, a building cladding system that uses the power of algae to convert CO2 city pollutants into biomass; and how biodesign can work with artificial intelligence to influence the future.
Aug 25, 202324:48
85. Low & No Alcohol: The Sober-Curious Movement

85. Low & No Alcohol: The Sober-Curious Movement

Is the low or no alcohol movement a passing fad or a new lifestyle choice that’s here to stay? WGSN discussed a more mindful approach to drinking alcohol back in November 2022. In this episode, we delve further into the low and no alcohol drinking movement, discover why it’s popular with Gen Z and discuss its global expansion. Plus we offer a taster of the interesting and diverse ingredients being used to enhance the flavours. Joining WGSN Editorial Director Bethan Ryder to talk low and no alcohol is Jen Creevy, Director of Food & Drink, alongside strategists from her team, Rachel Tan and Millie Diamond.

Tune in to find out about this growing billion-dollar drinks sector and how the sober-curious movement taps into the increasing importance of wellness, inclusivity and personal choice. Find out why low and no alcohol is expanding its influence beyond evenings to breakfast and brunch with drinks featuring flavour notes of marmalade and toast – and even into social sports with new brands like Racquet Rosé. It’s time to raise a toast to low and no alcohol, swap ‘damp’ for ‘dry’ and get your name down for the ‘sober party’.

Aug 11, 202319:37
84. Inspiring coastal destinations from Rio to Margate

84. Inspiring coastal destinations from Rio to Margate

At WGSN, our mission is to stay ahead of the curve for our clients. In this episode of Create Tomorrow, we explore the coastal cities making strides in retail, hospitality and culture. Our City by City team share insights on must-visit destinations in Asia, South America and Europe for fresh and inspirational experiences – all featured in our latest Coastal Guide. Globetrotting across continents, we pinpoint the most exciting spaces, places, designers and brands that offer escape and inspiration in equal measure. Our on-the-ground experts share the most noteworthy markets, must-try drinks and emerging brands from the Coastal Guide. And if you're tempted by the digital nomad lifestyle, we share the best locations to call home... join us on our coastal trip.
Jul 28, 202328:29
83. Building a Timber Future with Waugh Thistleton

83. Building a Timber Future with Waugh Thistleton

Could wood be the key to building more sustainable cities? In this episode of Create Tomorrow, architect Andrew Waugh and WGSN’s Editorial Director Bethan Ryder explore the power of engineered timber and how it might help us to build a better future for people and the planet.

Andrew Waugh is co-founder with Anthony Thistleton of British architecture practice Waugh Thistleton, which has completed a total of 30 projects built with cross-laminated timber (CLT) in the UK and France. CLT is a super-strong construction material made from layers of kiln-dried dimensional lumber, which are oriented at right angles to one another and then glued to form structural panels.

The conversation looks at how low-carbon cities could be built from CLT; the financial and wellness benefits of timber buildings and biophilia as opposed to concrete ‘cast caves’; the need for more diversity in architecture; and how AI will impact the industry. Plus, we hear the story of Waugh Thistleton’s first timber build in south London back in 2003.

Andrew and Bethan wrap up by talking about the need for more diversity within the architecture profession and a winning suggestion for the UK’s Houses of Parliament.


Jul 14, 202325:31
82. Festival Style – What’s Headlining Now & Next

82. Festival Style – What’s Headlining Now & Next

Jeans and a T-shirt? Cowboy boots or wellies? When it comes to festival wear are you more practical or performative? In this episode of Create Tomorrow, we find out what fashion trends are dominating the current and future landscape of festival fashion.WGSN has been tracking festival fashion across the globe for years now, delivering unique insights on emerging styles and aesthetics, product trends and evolving consumer attitudes – particularly among younger cohorts.With festival season upon us, and the TikTok hashtag #FestivalFashion approaching one billion views, we reflect on the diverse evolution of festival outfits – from ever-shifting youth culture to the rising influence of global stadium tours.In this episode, host Kraggy (Graham Krag), Prints & Graphics Strategist on WGSN Fashion, is joined by Youth Fashion Strategists Mia Jacobs and Jaeyeon Park to discuss what this truly means for brands – and why the industry should pay particularly close attention to this year’s festival season.Mia and Jaeyeon also talk about nostalgic tech and the impact stadium tour fashion is having. World tours – from the likes of Beyoncé, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift – have opened up opportunities for retailers because of their long duration, giving brands more time to market tour merchandise.In this episode, we chart the top festival trends we’ve been tracking, and predict the impact this will have on brands in the future.Learn more about WGSN forecasts here.
Jun 30, 202328:03
81. Designing Joy into Luxury Retail with Architects Sybarite

81. Designing Joy into Luxury Retail with Architects Sybarite

In this episode, Bethan Ryder, Editorial Director at WGSN is joined by guests Simon Mitchell, co-founder of architectural studio Sybarite, and Laura Saunter, Senior Strategist at WGSN. Together, Bethan and guests explore the landscape of luxury retail, from the return of the mega flagship in the post-pandemic era to how luxury brands are meeting the needs of the most discerning consumers by delivering memorable in-store experiences. Simon and Laura bring valuable insights on designing luxury retail spaces around the world, how China is leading the way, the influence of sustainability on the design process, and the evolving relationship between consumers and brands within the physical retail environment. Find out why retail design is theatre. Why stores and malls need to deliver delight and joy. And how luxury brands are becoming cultural curators. Hear from Simon Mitchell, co-founder of luxury retail design specialists Sybarite, on how a Katharine Hamnett store inspired him to follow a design career back in the 80s and how working with Marni taught him how you could push the boundaries of retail design.

Jun 16, 202328:07
80. The Snacking Revolution: From Hype Treats To It-Desserts

80. The Snacking Revolution: From Hype Treats To It-Desserts

Welcome back to Create Tomorrow. On this week’s episode Claire Lancaster, WGSN head of Food & Drink and Katherine Schub, Forecaster and Strategist on our Food and Drink team join Bethan to discuss snacking culture.

Consumers are snacking more than ever, whether for comfort, for their health or for convenience. In this episode, host director of Editorial at WGSN and her expert guests explore consumers’ evolving snacking tastes plus the pioneering brands on the market right now.

Bethan, Claire and Katherine find out why snacking has cult appeal, how brands are collaborating with creators to release limited edition snacks and how this is impacting the food and drink landscape.

Listen to hear Katherine and Claire’s favourite snack, we don’t get to hear Bethan’s because well… listen to find out why.


Jun 02, 202320:51
79. Dressed up for Mars (or Netflix!) with Vollebak

79. Dressed up for Mars (or Netflix!) with Vollebak

Vollebak is a British fashion brand focusing on designing clothes that will see us through extreme environments, war and space exploration.

Co-founder of the clothing company Steve Tidball joins host editorial director Bethan Ryder and WGSN head of activewear Yvonne Kostiak to discuss the future of clothing for the next century, innovations in the activewear market and why Vollebak doesn’t produce seasonal collections like most clothing brands.

Steve talks about Vollebak's inception, the brand's  journey into the future and of course the Jason Bourne-esque pants designed to last 100 years.


May 19, 202325:52
78. Milan Design Week Special #4 - Materials Focus

78. Milan Design Week Special #4 - Materials Focus

This is the concluding episode of our Milan Design Week Special series in which we’ve explored some of the key trends and brought you insights and interviews from the 2023 edition, which takes place across the city and also at Fiera Milano exhibition centre located just outside the city.

Bethan Ryder, WGSN Executive Editorial Director is joined by Director of Interiors Lisa White and Head of Interiors Gemma Riberti as we explore materials, a trend that had a strong focus at this year’s Milan Design Week.

Tune in to hear about creative material contrasts, recycled glass, a biodegradable hemp chair and an innovation that might help us to detect dangerous UV rays in the future.


May 09, 202322:01
77. Milan Design Week Special #3 - Sustainability and Design

77. Milan Design Week Special #3 - Sustainability and Design

This is the third in our series of episodes in which we bring you some of the key trends, insights and interviews from Milan Design Week 2023.

The annual Milan Design Week is considered the world’s biggest event dedicated to design which takes place at Fiera Milano exhibition centre located just outside the city, plus across the city as Fuorisalone in showrooms, palazzos and other venues.

Bethan Ryder, WGSN Executive Editorial Director is joined by Director of Interiors Lisa White and Head of Interiors Gemma Riberti as we explore our sustainability trend.

In this episode we focus on an interview with Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin, co-founders of Formafantasma, the research-driven design studio who are leading the conversion on sustainability and design not just from a materials perspective but also a human one. And also catch up with Dutch designer Maarten Baas, who created a private jet of recycled denim for his collaboration with G-Star RAW.


May 09, 202323:50
76. Milan Design Week Special #2 - Outdoor Lifestyles

76. Milan Design Week Special #2 - Outdoor Lifestyles

This is the second in our series of episodes in which we bring you some of the key trends, insights and interviews from Milan Design Week 2023.

The annual Milan Design Week is considered the world’s biggest event dedicated to design which takes place at Fiera Milano exhibition centre located just outside the city, plus across the city as Fuorisalone in showrooms, palazzos and other venues.

Bethan Ryder, WGSN Executive Editorial Director is joined by Director of Interiors Lisa White and Head of Interiors Gemma Riberti as we explore our outdoor lifestyles trend.

We focus on an interview with Marie Kristine Schmidt, chief brand officer at the Danish company Gubi, speaking as we toured their installation at the iconic Bagna Misteriosa in Milan.


May 09, 202317:37
75. Milan Design Week Special #1 - A Sense of Optimism

75. Milan Design Week Special #1 - A Sense of Optimism

Over the next four episodes our Interiors experts will be bringing you key trends, insights and interviews from this year’s Milan Design Week. Subscribers can find a suite of six trend analysis reports covering all the trends you need to know from this year’s event, in this short series of podcasts we’ll cover four of those trends. 

The annual Milan Design Week is considered the world’s biggest event dedicated to design which takes place at Fiera Milano exhibition centre located just outside the city, plus across the city as Fuorisalone in showrooms, palazzos and other venues.

Expect to hear from innovators, disruptors and designers from Formafantasma and Danish company Gubi’s chief brand officer Marie Kristine Schmidt to German designer Markus Benesch and the makers of a compostable hemp chair. 

In this episode, Bethan Ryder, WGSN Executive Editorial Director is joined by Director of Interiors Lisa White and Head of Interiors Gemma Riberti to discuss our first trend, the overall sense of optimism at the festival, it's the first time in four years it returned to its April slot and the joy was palpable.


May 09, 202321:60
74. The Male Make-up Movement: Celebrity Gamechangers, Eyebrow Tattoos and Blending Gender Norms

74. The Male Make-up Movement: Celebrity Gamechangers, Eyebrow Tattoos and Blending Gender Norms

Redefining masculinity, men’s make-up has grown in popularity, driven by celebrity pioneers like Pharrell Williams and Brad Pitt launching brands and K-pop idols openly wearing and experimenting with make-up.In this episode Sienna Piccioni, Head of WGSN Beauty, Senior Strategist on Fashion, Nick Paget and Jaeyeon Park, Youth Fashion Strategist based in Seoul, South Korea share the need-to-know brands and strategies for catering to this new cohort.Host Bethan Ryder chairs a conversation covering male makeup stigmas, its history, the language brands are adopting to capitalise on this rising trend and how dating apps and the pandemic have encouraged the normalisation of male makeup.
Apr 21, 202332:47
73. Growing a biomaterial future with Jen Keane from Modern Synthesis

73. Growing a biomaterial future with Jen Keane from Modern Synthesis

Biotechnology company Modern Synthesis have developed a biomaterial from bacterial fermentation that can be used to create a low-carbon alternative to traditional clothing fabrics.Modern Synthesis founder Jen Keane explains her process to this week’s host Helen Palmer, head of materials at WGSN and Lucila Saldana, Footwear & Accessories Editor at WGSN.The biomaterial was developed in the company’s London lab and in this episode of Create Tomorrow Jen Keane talks about the development, stigmas around synthetic biology and GMO materials and about fabric innovations of the future.

Apr 06, 202338:02
72. The Ultimate SXSW 2023 Recap From Woolly Mammoths to Gamifying Surgery

72. The Ultimate SXSW 2023 Recap From Woolly Mammoths to Gamifying Surgery

This week WGSN Director of Insight Joe McDonnell in conversation with Cassandra Napoli, Senior Strategist, and Brielle Saggese, Insight Strategist, they discuss this year’s SXSW festival.

For those unfamiliar with SXSW, it’s an annual festival in Austin, Texas that brings together creatives, innovators, and entrepreneurs from around the world to share ideas, showcase their work, and connect with others in their industries.

Joe, Cassandra and Brielle all attended the 36th SXSW and in this episode, they give us a full rundown on the emerging trends and major discussion topics from this year’s event.

Cassandra and Brielle share some of their most interesting highlights from this year’s SXSW including AI mental health resources, snacks being used as political signalers, and video games that help surgeons prepare for surgeries.

Mar 21, 202326:22
71. Why the Virtual Influencer Revolution Matters to Brands with Christopher Travers

71. Why the Virtual Influencer Revolution Matters to Brands with Christopher Travers

The virtual influencer market is booming. In fact, virtual influencers are set to yield three times more engagement than human influencers. They’re ushering in a whole new world of sponsorship potential and dynamic multi-platform entertainment possibilities for brands to be a part of over the next decade, as these characters and the technology supporting them mature. It’s anticipated that they will transform everything from pop-culture and online shopping to education and work. In 2030 the digital human market is set to be worth about $530 billion globally, which is up from just $10 billion in 2020.

In this episode Senior Strategist at WGSN Cassandra Napoli, speaks to Christopher Travers, an entrepreneur focused on the area of pseudonymity and various forms of online identity, to break down this incredibly complex and layered topic and to share his expert commentary on the constantly evolving world of virtual influencers.

Mar 09, 202328:24
70. Giant lamps, Moodboosting Colours and Scentscaping – the Latest Interiors Trends from Maison et Objet

70. Giant lamps, Moodboosting Colours and Scentscaping – the Latest Interiors Trends from Maison et Objet

In January WGSN walked the halls of Maison & Objet in Paris, one of the most important trade shows in the world for home interiors and products. We analysed the product design trends from bouclé to paper maché, sustainability to scentscaping.

Today we kick off by discussing the central theme of the show this year, which was all about Care, whether that means people or the environment,  indoors or outdoors.

Feb 17, 202320:15
69. Why Digital Lavender is the Colour of 2023

69. Why Digital Lavender is the Colour of 2023

This week our host Bethan Ryder is joined by WGSN’s head of Colour Urangoo Samba and Caroline Guilbert, Creative Content Lead at Coloro to discuss this year's colour of the year, Digital Lavender. Tune in to find out why are we seeing it everywhere, from consumer tech and fashion to the colour palettes in TV dramas? 

Every year WGSN produces colour forecasts for our clients in collaboration with our partner business Coloro. In this episode the team chats about what Digital Lavender signifies and why it's so popular right now, whilst touching on a few other colours that we’ve forecast as key for this year.

Jan 31, 202320:45
68. Cities to Watch 2023: Voodoo Heritage to Vegan Cuisine

68. Cities to Watch 2023: Voodoo Heritage to Vegan Cuisine

As we roll into 2023, we decided to discuss one of our most popular reports with the team that put it together; WGSN's "Cities to Watch 2023".

The cities we highlight are always creative hubs, but they also tend to reflect some of the bigger consumer trends we’re seeing around the world, and so this year’s choices are perhaps less obvious than usual and truly testament to the rise of digital nomads – people who have relocated out of big cities following the pandemic, or who have simply chosen to work remotely in livable, less hectic cities.

Jan 12, 202323:42
67. Top Trends for 2023 - From Sea Moss to Sweaters For Your Armchair

67. Top Trends for 2023 - From Sea Moss to Sweaters For Your Armchair

2023 is just around the corner. In this episode, we divulge some of the top trends we are forecasting for next year. So, what can you expect in tech, interiors and what we’ll eat and drink next year and beyond? Get the answers here. Carla Buzasi is the host of this end-of-the-year show and her guests in this episode are Andrea Bell, VP of Consumer Insights, and Lisa White, Creative Director of WGSN.
Dec 29, 202228:58
66. Soil Health to Gut Health and the Future of Farming with Andy Cato

66. Soil Health to Gut Health and the Future of Farming with Andy Cato

Andy Cato is an arable and livestock farmer and co-founder of WildFarmed. In this episode we hear about Andy’s journey from grammy-nominated musician, as one half of Groove Armada, to award-winning farmer and all round trailblazer trying to establish a more restorative and sustainable food system. Not just through actually farming, but also by creating a community of fellow farmers like him and by working with schools to educate the next generation.

Tune in to hear all about WildFarmed and what Andy calls “the long road to Greggs” as he spills the beans to our Director of Food and Drink Jen Creevy.

Dec 16, 202231:31
65. Brand Survival Strategies for the Cost-of-Living Crisis

65. Brand Survival Strategies for the Cost-of-Living Crisis

In this episode Bethan Ryder is joined by Director of Beauty Clare Varga, Head of Food and Drink Claire Lancaster and Director of Consumer Insight Joe McDonnell to address changing consumer behaviour in the light of the cost of living crisis and what brands can do to reassure and retain consumers in the months ahead.

If you’re a WGSN subscriber you’ll find many reports covering the cost of living on our Consumer Insight platform and across all the products from fashion to food & drink.

If you want to find out how to subscribe, head over to WGSN.com to discover how you can get access to our service. We’re constantly publishing new content focussing on how we can design a brighter, better future for our industries – including food & drink, interiors, beauty, fashion and consumer tech.

Dec 01, 202224:39
64. How Materiality will Define the Future of Home Tech with Layer Design

64. How Materiality will Define the Future of Home Tech with Layer Design

This week WGSN Editorial Director Bethan Ryder is joined by Reiko Morrison WGSN's Head of CMF and Benjamin Hubert, founder of the London-based industrial design agency Layer Design.

Layer recently launched a monograph, published by Phaidon, during the London Design Festival which coincided with an exhibition which ran as part of the inaugural Material Matters fair. The book covers the various stages of Benjamin Hubert’s career and the many products he’s designed for the likes of Bang  & Olufsen, Vitra, Moroso, Cappellini, Muuto and more. 

Hubert had a design career in his sights while still at school and initially wanted to design cars, but went into product design instead and has designed a huge range of products from lighting to tech, and it’s tech in particular where Layer Design excels at creating incredibly tactile products though a combination of materials. 

The three discuss how they see the future of Consumer tech evolving with less screens and a rich sense of materiality and haptic happiness.

Nov 17, 202224:16
63. Designing for Life in the Home in 2025

63. Designing for Life in the Home in 2025

In anticipation of the release of WGSN’s Home Lifestyles 2025 white paper, Carla Buzasi sat down with creative director and director of interiors Lisa White to talk about the product opportunities for your business in the home of 2025 as it further evolves into a multipurpose place to work, unwind, exercise, educate the kids, entertain friends and so much more. Listening for a taster about this insightful piece of WGSN research.

Nov 04, 202223:29
62. The Radical Need for Diversifying What we Eat with WhatIF Foods

62. The Radical Need for Diversifying What we Eat with WhatIF Foods

This week WGSN's Director of Food and Drink Jen Creevy talks to co-founder and CEO of WhatIF Foods Chris Langwallner. WhatIF foods is a trailblazing business attempting to fix a broken food system by making daily staples like noodles and milk from nutritional, previously overlooked ingredients such as the Bambara nut. These crops are grown using regenerative practices and value chains as opposed to supply chains that also empower farmers in regions around the world.

Oct 20, 202224:04
61. Celebrity Skincare - Beyond the Hype

61. Celebrity Skincare - Beyond the Hype

This week Bethan Ryder talks with Beauty experts Hannah Mauser, Sienna Piccioni and Brielle Saggese about the huge trend right now for celebrity owned beauty brands. From Pharrell to Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian to Kate Moss, and even Stella McCartney, it seems like you're not an A-Lister right now without your very own skincare range. At the time of publishing we hear Brad Pitt has also launched a genderless skincare line.

But how does this differ from the celebrity endorsements of the past? What role has social media played in the boom? And which brands do we see chiming with WGSN's trend forecasts for the future? 

Sep 23, 202221:42
60. Denim Trends: Y2K Festival Styles to the Skinny vs Baggy Debate

60. Denim Trends: Y2K Festival Styles to the Skinny vs Baggy Debate

Denim is a fashion category which is so intrinsically linked to lifestyle both from a practicality point of view, but also in terms of cultural and social identity - people are passionate about their jeans so when we see new trends shaking things up the impact is significant.

Denim had a tough time during the pandemic. As we all went into that first lockdown we quickly slid into slouch - the move to sweatpants was overnight and many feared the denim category wouldn’t recover, but recover it did - almost as soon as lockdowns lifted, and it’s projected to continue growing with Allied Market Research projecting it to hit $88.1bn by 2030 but the denim industry post-pandemic looks very different to the one we knew and loved.

In this episode the team discusses everything from fit cycle data, TikTok and Y2K brand influencers, to sustainability and new fabric innovation.

Aug 25, 202230:36
59. Drink Trends – Cocktail Nostalgia to Mindful Drinking

59. Drink Trends – Cocktail Nostalgia to Mindful Drinking

In this episode Bethan Ryder WGSN's Executive Editorial Director is joined by Director of Food and Drink Jen Creevy, Head of Food and Drink Claire Lancaster and WGSN Insight Strategist Brielle Saggese to discuss drinks trends across the demographics from Boomers to Gen Z. 

The conversation began by reminiscing about their favourite cocktails of the 80s and 90s and how the general mood of nostalgia that was sparked by the pandemic has trickled into the drinks market.

Aug 11, 202232:10
58. A New Heyday of the Country House Hotel with The Pig Chairman Robin Hutson

58. A New Heyday of the Country House Hotel with The Pig Chairman Robin Hutson

This week WGSN CEO Carla Buzasi is joined by travel trailblazer Robin Hutson: OBE, Chairman of The Pig hotels, sustainability champion and officially the UK's second most powerful hotelier.

If you've been lucky enough to visit any of his destinations that dot the south of England, you'll know that these boutique retreats are famous for their amazing food and gorgeous interiors, but there's a lot more to their success than just what they look like.

Jul 28, 202232:35
57. In The Black Fantastic with Ekow Eshun

57. In The Black Fantastic with Ekow Eshun

This week WGSN Business Development Manager Sam Boakye and Insight Strategist Mel Larsen talk to British writer, curator and broadcaster Ekow Eshun about his new exhibition "In The Black Fantastic" now showing at London’s Hayward Gallery.

Ekow has been described as a ‘cultural polymath’ by The Guardian, he is chairman of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, overseeing the most prestigious public art programme in the UK, and the former Director of the ICA, London. He is the author of critically lauded books Black Gold of the Sun, Africa State of Mind, and, most recently In the Black Fantastic. 

At WGSN part of our STEPIC methodology that we use in our trend forecasting includes looking at culture and creativity, and so in that vein we invited Ekow on the show to talk about the exhibition and accompanying book. We spoke more widely about themes of The Black Fantastic vs Afrofuturism, the power of speculative film and fiction, the relevance of artists from Chris Ofili to Beyonce in expressing the Black experience and the concept of double consciousness.

Jul 15, 202246:52
56. Milan Design Week Special #4 - Craft Renaissance

56. Milan Design Week Special #4 - Craft Renaissance

This is the concluding episode of our Milan Design Week Special series in which we’ve explored some of the key trends and brought you insights and interviews from the 2022 edition, which incidentally was the 60th anniversary for the fair that began it all Salone del Mobile.

In this episode the WGSN team discuss Craft Renaissance, a trend that seems to run and run, where we see traditional craftsmanship and artisanal skills are renewed for a contemporary audience.

Jul 02, 202215:51
55. Milan Design Week Special #3 - Inclusivity & Wellbeing

55. Milan Design Week Special #3 - Inclusivity & Wellbeing

This is the third in our series of shorter episodes in which we bring you some of the key trends, insights and interviews from Milan Design Week 2022.

In today's episode the WGSN team discuss the Inclusivity and Wellbeing trend. Installations and products that were about designing for inclusivity and that raised awareness around diversity and mental health were a key focus at this year's event.

Jul 01, 202225:13