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.



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

Create Tomorrow, The WGSN PodcastOct 06, 2023
00:00
30:58
137. What’s next for the Phygital Experience?

137. What’s next for the Phygital Experience?

Cassandra Napoli, Create Tomorrow’s host, welcomes Rajni Jacques, Snapchat’s Global Head of Fashion and Beauty, to share about the rise of digital fashion. They discuss how brands are leveraging AR to engage younger audiences amid shifts in values and expectations, especially among Generation Alpha.

 Rajni emphasises the importance of self-expression online, focusing on authenticity and engagement in content creation. She uncovers how brands are increasingly valuing versatile creators who can connect with audiences across various domains in Snapchat’s evolving creator economy. Find out how to overcome digital fatigue and foster phygital experiences to connect with consumers.


May 27, 202521:46
136. Changing the Course: Golf’s Big Cultural Swing

136. Changing the Course: Golf’s Big Cultural Swing

How can you round up a community to build your brand and disrupt industries? Create Tomorrow host Cassandra Napoli welcomes Modi Oyewole and Josh Hubberman, co-founders of golf community Swang, to discuss how they are evolving the future of golf as an inclusive and community-driven activity.

Amid the cultural shift in golf, Josh and Modi break down their innovative approach to making golf more accessible and appealing to younger generations. Drawing from music, they reshape the perception of the sport to attract a diverse audience with greater representation. Listen to how they formed strategic partnerships, overcame challenges of entrepreneurship, and built connections.


May 13, 202527:02
135. Under the Covers of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen

135. Under the Covers of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen

Legacy media is entering a new era as Gen Z has grown up and is coming to power. Create Tomorrow host Cassandra Napoli invites editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen, Willa Bennett to discuss her vision for evolving iconic magazines to resonate with younger audiences amid the changing media landscape.

Community engagement remains all-important—how can brands strengthen it? Willa highlights the need for authenticity and connection in storytelling to overcome challenges in curating content for a niche culture. Listen in on how magazines can serve as a guiding force for readers navigating love and identity as social media shapes magazine content.


Apr 29, 202526:53
134. Climate Storytelling for Trust and Transparency

134. Climate Storytelling for Trust and Transparency

In this episode, Create Tomorrow host Cassandra Napoli hears from Nicole Loher, the founder of Climate Communications Collective C3, about brands’ responsibilities in climate storytelling, the challenges of greenwashing, and the evolving landscape of climate education.

Nicole highlights the importance of effectively translating scientific data into relatable narratives, especially for younger generations like Gen Z, who are increasingly impacted by climate change. Listen in on emerging climate storytellers and learn the language of trust and transparency to reach your audience.


Apr 15, 202527:11
133. From Dua Lipa to Diwali – Welcome to WGSN Events Strategy

133. From Dua Lipa to Diwali – Welcome to WGSN Events Strategy

In this episode, WGSN’s Create Tomorrow host, Cassandra Napoli is joined by Content Director of Insight Joe McDonnell and Senior Strategist of Events, Liz Tan, to discuss the launch WGSN’s new platform to help brands navigate key events impacting consumer behaviour. 

Revealing the criteria for featuring significant events, evolving traditions, and celebrations, our guests offer insights into collective effervescence and the cost-of-living impact on consumer sentiment, driving future consumer trends. Tune in to find out how to effectively capture cultural moments and harness engagement opportunities within sports and music events.


Apr 07, 202527:46
132. Say Yes to the Vintage Dress

132. Say Yes to the Vintage Dress

Gen Z brides are redefining wedding style with a passion for individuality and one-of-a-kind pieces often found in secondhand stores. Our host, Cassandra Napoli, invites Sidney Morgan-Petro, Head of Retail and Buying at WGSN and Lily Kaizer, founder of by-appointment vintage bridal salon Happy Isles to dive into the evolving world of vintage bridal fashion amid the booming vintage resale market.
Join them to learn how important the influence of social media is – especially TikTok, why in-person shopping experiences remain essential and how businesses can adapt to meet the expectations of the modern bride.


Apr 01, 202529:58
131. NFL’s Fashion Touchdown

131. NFL’s Fashion Touchdown

How can the NFL grow its league now and in the future? In this episode, Cassandra Napoli, WGSN’s, and Kyle Smith, the NFL’s first Fashion Editor explore how fashion can boost connections with fans – particularly younger audiences and women. 

He shares insights on the NFL’s strategic move into fashion, the importance of authentic athlete representation, and the potential for athletes to transition into fashion careers post-retirement. Join them to learn about the cultural shifts shaking up the sports industry and find out how to score successful partnerships and campaigns that have brought athletes into the fashion spotlight.


Mar 18, 202530:24
130. Rolling in Soft Adventure with GrlSwirl

130. Rolling in Soft Adventure with GrlSwirl

How can brands work with creatives to land successful campaigns with strong relationships? Our host Cassandra Napoli invites GRLSWIRL’s CEO and Co-founder, Lucy Osinski, and Co-founder and Chief of Global Community/Partnerships, Kelsey Harkin, to share how their women-led group skate cultivates Collective Effervescence through inclusive empowerment.

They champion Soft Adventure – WGSN’s top trend, where many consumers seek less physically demanding outdoor activities that need little prior expertise. Find out how they harnessed social media and grassroots activism to expand their reach from their early days of skating on Venice Beach to growing a global movement.


Mar 04, 202528:13
129. What 12-Year Olds Can Teach the Creative Industry - with Gabriel Araujo, Creative Director at Havas Lynx

129. What 12-Year Olds Can Teach the Creative Industry - with Gabriel Araujo, Creative Director at Havas Lynx

What’s the last advertisement you simply can’t forget? In this episode, WGSN’s Create Tomorrow host, Cassandra Napoli, learns from Havas Lynx’s Creative Director, Gabriel Araujo, about advertisers’ evolving role in capturing consumer’s short attention spans and why he enjoys collaborating with young and old to bring ideas to life.

From generative AI and its ethical implications plus the effectiveness of IRL brand activations to cultivating joy to progress consumer culture, Gabriel shares his insights on crafting ads that resonate well. Find out how and why WGSN’s brand strategies – Advertising, the rising Slow Advertising, and Restorytelling adding unique cultural value – and local, not global campaigns are driving advertising.

Feb 18, 202525:18
128. Welcome Generation Beta!

128. Welcome Generation Beta!

Gen Beta will be the first to grow up in an AI-driven world, raised by Gen Z and Zellennial parents who are rethinking digital childhoods amid technology’s influence. Born between 2025 and 2040, Betas will be shaped by hyper-personalised tech, sustainability, and ethical innovation – forcing brands to progress Gen Alpha strategies.


We explore Gen Beta’s defining traits – from the rise of inclusive postpartum care and innovative infant nutrition, to why some Gen Z parents choose to go offline and the increasing need for safety online. Find out how Gen Beta will be and what this means for brands with Cassandra Napoli, Create Tomorrow’s host, Allyson Rees, WGSN’s Senior Lifestyle Strategist, and Claire Lancaster, WGSN’s Head of Food and Drink.


Feb 04, 202527:30
127. NRF Big Show Speaker Meghan Hurley from Claire’s on How to Win Over Tweens and Teens

127. NRF Big Show Speaker Meghan Hurley from Claire’s on How to Win Over Tweens and Teens

In this episode, we are looking at winning over tween and teen consumers online and at retail which is something our guest, Meghan Hurley, Claire’s Vice President of Global Marketing knows a lot about.

Straight from her session at this year’s National Retail Federation’s Big Show held in New York, she talks to WGSN's Cassandra Napoli about winning with modern consumers.

Meghan reflects on how Claire’s targets Zalpha consumers (the fringe generation sandwiched between Gen Z and Gen Alpha aged 9-14) by cocreating campaigns and products alongside them and aligning with their preferences for phygital experiences.


Jan 17, 202527:15
126. Forever Young Adult, Day-jamas & Therapeutic Laziness – WGSN’s Top Trends of 2025

126. Forever Young Adult, Day-jamas & Therapeutic Laziness – WGSN’s Top Trends of 2025

It’s 2025, and chrono-normativity, hustle culture, and unhealthy habits are out. Which movements are shaking things up across industries?

Ditching societal norms of traditional adult milestones, the Forever Young Adult is trailblazing their own timeline. Consumers are grappling with global challenges by seeking ease and dressing in comfortable Day-jamas, tending to their needs with Therapeutic Laziness. 

Discover more trends WGSN forecasts for the coming year. Join Carla Buzasi, CEO of WGSN with her colleagues, Lisa White, Director of Strategic Forecasting and Creative Direction, and Cassandra Napoli, Head of Marketing and Events at WGSN Insight.

Jan 07, 202530:33
125. WGSN’s Colour of the Year 2025: Future Dusk

125. WGSN’s Colour of the Year 2025: Future Dusk

Future Dusk is a dark, moody and intriguing hue, offering a fresh take on dependable dark blue, sitting between blue and purple. Simultaneously familiar and futuristic, its sense of mystery and escapism feeds into themes of transition – be it from dark to light, or dusk to dawn –  perfect for a period of immense change. Listen to find out how this transformative colour is painting our future.


Dec 30, 202418:54
124. How WGSN Forecasts the Future

124. How WGSN Forecasts the Future

In this episode, we look at the 2027 STEPIC forecasts which track the challenges and opportunities for 2027 across six areas: Society, Technology, the Environment, Politics, Industry, and Creativity (STEPIC). This proprietary methodology at WGSN acts as the lens through which we predict trends years in advance. 

Joining our host, Cassandra Napoli, are WGSN experts – Lisa White, Content Director of Strategic Forecasting, Ella Hudson, Head of Research, and Martina Rocca, Foresight Lead. Find out how we explore the drivers, innovation, and key emotions set to impact 2027.


Dec 17, 202428:56
123. Decoding Slanguage for Cultural Capital

123. Decoding Slanguage for Cultural Capital

Today’s niche pop cultural references are dynamically shifting the language of tomorrow. From “skibidi” to “hawk tuah,” decode the everyday slang words and phrases Alphas and Gen Z are using to engage them effectively and authentically.

WGSN’s Head of Marketing and Events and Create Tomorrow’s brand new host Cassandra Napoli explores how young people are shaping the future of the English language with their online behaviors. Joining her are WGSN’s Senior Strategist Liz Tan and Fashion Strategist Mia Jacobs who uncover how brands can harness the language of the youth and seamlessly insert themselves into the conversation.


Dec 03, 202429:01
122. Meet WGSN Create Tomorrow’s New Host Cassandra Napoli

122. Meet WGSN Create Tomorrow’s New Host Cassandra Napoli

The WGSN podcast Create Tomorrow has a brand new permanent host: Cassandra Napoli, Head of Events and Marketing at WGSN. Cassandra speaks with Lisa White, Director of Strategic Forecasting at WGSN for the penultimate Create Tomorrow before she takes over the podcast.

Having hosted and starred on previous WGSN podcasts, we mark her appointment with a special episode to get to know her and what she does. Hear what inspires Cassandra, her journey into trend forecasting, and what her first episode of Create Tomorrow is all about.


Nov 28, 202413:05
121. Planet-positive Leather Tanning

121. Planet-positive Leather Tanning

Can leather be sustainable? Discover how innovative technologies are transforming leather into a high-performing, biocircular material that starts and ends with nature. This episode of Create Tomorrow explores Ecotan Leather, a natural leather tanning technology which replaces traditional chemical-based tanning, like chrome, with plant-based alternatives.

Join Lisa White, WGSN’s Director of Strategic Forecasting, and Randi Seiff, US Representative for Ecotan Leather, CEO and Co-founder of Treun House Atelier as they discuss how the fashion industry is embracing sustainable luxury. Learn from Randi leading the way by designing sustainable leather trainers with benefits for human and planet health


Nov 19, 202419:23
120. Body Hair, Men’s Health & Glimmers in Personal Care

120. Body Hair, Men’s Health & Glimmers in Personal Care

How much do you care about personal body care? From reaching for the razor to popping pills and brushing your teeth, we reveal personal care trends today that will stay for a few years.

Join Francesca Muston, VP of WGSN Fashion and Megan Bang, Beauty Analyst of WGSN and author of WGSN’s Future of Personal Care 2027 report in this episode of Create Tomorrow. Learn about trends destigmatising body hair, erectile dysfunction and reduced libidos and what brands can do to infuse glimmers or small moments of joy in our everyday personal care.

Nov 05, 202418:48
119. Early Discounts – The Gift that Keeps on Giving

119. Early Discounts – The Gift that Keeps on Giving

The holiday season is fast approaching and with it comes the annual scramble for gifts. This year, it looks like we are not quite as generous as we used to be – half of us are expecting to buy fewer goods and services and 95% of us will be looking for the best deals. This means that brands need to prioritise discounts to profit from the holiday season.

Join us in this episode about holiday shopping and gifting where we also explore the importance of personalisation, delivering value and sustainable choices with WGSN’s Director of Interiors, Gemma Riberti and Director of Insight, Joe McDonnell.

Oct 22, 202419:46
118. Home is where Mindful Purchases are

118. Home is where Mindful Purchases are

How are we shopping and what informs how we make big purchases? The idea is simple – take your time to choose products you love and expect to continue to use for years to come.In this episode of Lives of Tomorrow, we’re discussing slow retail – where consumers are making more considered purchases, especially when it comes to big purchases and items for the home.

WGSN Insight Director Joe McDonell, Senior Strategist Candice Medeiros and Senior Strategist Rachel Gwyther look into products, apps and how retail feeds into this ethos. Find out consumers’ top priorities and how this impacts the big purchases we make for the home.

Oct 08, 202432:31
117. Making Sense of the Catwalk with WGSN

117. Making Sense of the Catwalk with WGSN

Following New York Fashion Week, we review cutting-edge catwalk movements and how they form the wider trends we’ve been tracking at WGSN.

Joining host Francesca Muston, VP of WGSN Fashion, is Kim Cupido, WGSN’s Senior Editor for Catwalks. Kim shares key trends our catwalks team captured and how brands are implementing them. We delve into the details of catwalk data, WGSN’s image recognition AI tool, and how this helps us update every item on runways globally with fast, accurate and actionable coverage and analysis.


Sep 24, 202422:44
116. Soft Yellows, 3D Printing Lego Parts, and Funflation Spending – Get Ready for Maison & Objet

116. Soft Yellows, 3D Printing Lego Parts, and Funflation Spending – Get Ready for Maison & Objet

Today marks the start of Maison & Objet 2024 – the holy grail event in the world of decor and design. The biannual international trade fair showcases the best in lifestyle, interior design and home decor in Paris. In this podcast, we explore everything from key product design trends to the latest retail trends, sharing the insights you need and the highlights of this year’s Maison. 

WGSN Director of Strategic Forecasting Lisa White welcomes Maison veteran, Interiors Director Gemma Riberti and Insight Director Joe McDonnell. Listen in on the Maison Objet standout events with key designers like Mathieu Lehanneur and designer of the year 2024 Lionel Jadot to inspire your interior flair. 


Sep 05, 202430:42
115. Fashion Buying – from Rachel from Friends to TikTok Trends

115. Fashion Buying – from Rachel from Friends to TikTok Trends

What do fashion buying and Rachel Green from Friends have in common? In this episode of Create Tomorrow, we discuss fashion buying and the tools buyers have for strategic decision-making. VP of WGSN Fashion, Francesca Muston, and WGSN Director of Fashion, Monisha Klar discuss the process of fashion buying and the trends directing the future of fashion.

With WGSN’s fashion buying platform launch, we discover future-proof trend decision intelligence and buying-specific forecasts following the product-to-market lifecycle. Take a break and listen in on how to make well-informed decisions, lead a buying team, and manage the day-to-day operations of specific categories.


Aug 27, 202425:24
114. Soft Adventure, Digital Brights and Rugged Luxury – WGSN’s Sports & Outdoor Trends

114. Soft Adventure, Digital Brights and Rugged Luxury – WGSN’s Sports & Outdoor Trends

WGSN has been tracking a rise in appetite for outdoor adventures including glamping and nighttime activities. In this episode, we discuss this expanding demand and detail key trends shaping the future of sports and outdoors.

Senior Insight Strategist Cassandra Napoli hosts this chat with our Sports & Outdoor experts – Content Strategist, Caitlin Folgner, and CMF Senior Strategist, Jennifer Birch. From soft adventure to easily accessing health and wellness benefits of the outdoors for new participants, get on board the opportunities and design directions this movement presents.
We’ve been forecasting the rise of rugged luxury bringing modern convenience and rich comfort to camping, where travellers can enjoy the outdoors leisurely without having to invest in new luxury gear amid a cost of living crisis. Listen in on how brands can strategise around colour, materials, and product development trends for hardware and apparel across industries.


Aug 12, 202421:16
113. Paris Olympics 2024 Uniform Collections

113. Paris Olympics 2024 Uniform Collections

The Olympics is not only about running the fastest, jumping the highest, and throwing the shot put the farthest. It is also about looking good while you do it. Yes, Olympic fashion is very much a thing and in this episode, you’ll learn all about it.

We hear about the fashion surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympic games – discussing key trends, sustainable choices, and WGSN Olympic fashion design highlights.

Lisa White, Director of Strategic Forecasting at WGSN hosts this Olympic kit fashion design special with guests Charlie Bardsley, Active Strategist, and Rebecca Saygi, Swimwear Strategist.



Jul 29, 202422:34
112. The Future of the Dinner Party

112. The Future of the Dinner Party

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

In this episode, we discuss the dinner party. This classic culinary social situation is evolving in terms of who is being invited, what’s being served, and what gifts are being brought along if you’re invited to one.

Forget about spending hours making fancy French cuisine. The new dinner party is small and more practical – as well as being more cost-effective than dining out. And don't feel bad about asking your guests for help either.

Our host for this delicious podcast is Jen Creevy, Director of WGSN Food & Drink, with guests at the table, strategists Millie Diamond and Rachel Tan. Bon appetit!


Jul 15, 202418:24
111. Surfing the Green Wave

111. Surfing the Green Wave

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

Surfer, filmmaker and journalist Chris Nelson joins WGSN Editorial Director Bethan Ryder to discuss his documentary The Big Sea. In this episode, we dive into a new documentary exploring the connection between the $10bn surfing industry and Cancer Alley in Louisiana in the US. Cancer Alley is a region along the Mississippi River with many factories and chemical plants. The pollution from these plants has made the air and water unhealthy, causing high rates of cancer and other illnesses among residents.

The documentary sheds light on the toxic truth behind a single material, Neoprene, which is used to make swimsuits. Chris and Bethan discuss greenwashing and more about the film, because it demonstrates the crucial role designers and brands can and must play in creating a better future for people and the planet. 


Jul 01, 202423:21
110. Festival Fashion with WGSN

110. Festival Fashion with WGSN

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

In this episode, we discuss the emerging styles, subcultures, consumer drivers 

and aesthetics in youth fashion that we’ve been tracking at festivals across the globe.

WGSN Youth Fashion Strategists Mia Jacobs and Jaeyeon Park join host Graham ‘Kraggy’ Krag, Senior Commissioning Manager at WGSN to find out how subcultures and multi-genre festival line-ups are shaking up the festival fashion scene.

Hear why fandom dressing is growing in popularity and find out who the ‘Mini Tylers’ are and what the ‘Signature Lana’ looks like.



Jun 17, 202428:17
109. How Tech Can Build an Inclusive Future For Everyone

109. How Tech Can Build an Inclusive Future For Everyone

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

In this episode, the WGSN Consumer Tech team discusses how technology – or more accurately, the way we interact with technology – can help improve the lives of people from marginalised communities.

Joining host Lisa Yong, Director of Consumer Tech, are WGSN UX strategists Arianne Anabukiand Abdulrahman Hadi.

Find out how user experience design can help create social inclusion, the importance of considering a holistic approach, and how to make sure accessibility is at the centre of the design thinking.

With more and more people having access to a smartphone, we also discuss how negative user experience can impact how we engage with brands. Plus we go into detail about the ‘dark mode’ on smartphones and discuss just how accessible this really is.








Jun 03, 202423:13
108. Hand Luggage Only: WGSN Unpacks Future Travel-wear Trends

108. Hand Luggage Only: WGSN Unpacks Future Travel-wear Trends

Hello and welcome to the fortnightly Create Tomorrow podcast, which brings you the latest innovations impacting the future of design and products.

Planning a vacation? Hands up if you overpack, underpack, or just epically fail when packing for a holiday. Well, this episode is for you. Sprinkled in among the forecasting chat, we have some hacks and tips on how to travel light with style. Unfortunately, we don’t have any advice on the best just-in-case item to pack when you get invited onto a yacht (inside joke – press play to find out more).

Take flight with us on this journey into the future of travel, as we discuss how coolcations and wellcations are likely to impact fashion design. Joining our host WGSN editorial director Bethan Ryder are Brielle Saggese, Insight Strategist, and Sara Maggioni Head of Womenswear. Find out how holiday habits are changing, due to climate change, wellness concerns and the White Lotus effect and what this means for your vacation wardrobe.

The team unpacks the latest trends in travel, from set-jetting to sleep tourism and helpful hacks like the TikTok-famous 333 method. Pack your hand luggage – and let’s go!


May 20, 202425:07
107. Mall Rats, Magic Mirrors and the Great Retail Revival

107. Mall Rats, Magic Mirrors and the Great Retail Revival

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

IRL retail is very much back with a bang. Discussing the green shoots of physical retail 2024 is Joe McDonnell, Director of Insight, together with our Insight retail experts Laura Saunter, Senior Strategist, and Candice Medeiros, Strategist.

Tune in to learn more about the return of the mall rat, why retail stores outperform store closures for the first time in over a decade, and how consumers are demonstrating contradictory spending behaviours – trading down on essentials to treat themselves to big-ticket experiences.

Stores aren’t just about buying but socialising and community building, with retailers offering value adds, such as yoga classes, workshops, personalised experiences, and more, creating opportunities for fostering connections. The team discusses the impact of AI in retail and how it might be best used in the future. They also explore the rising popularity and increasing criticism of the ‘buy now, pay later’ model. Plus, discover the exciting innovations likely to drive change in tomorrow’s retail environment.



May 07, 202423:50
106. Milan Design Week 2024: Swings, Vibrating Bathtubs and Optimising the Senses

106. Milan Design Week 2024: Swings, Vibrating Bathtubs and Optimising the Senses

Milan Design Week is the world’s biggest event dedicated to design and innovation – and WGSN’s team of experts visit every year. In this episode, hear from WGSN forecasters Lisa White, Director of Strategic Forecasting and Creative Direction, Gemma Riberti, Director of Interiors, and Helen Palmer, Head of Materials, Textiles & Knit, as they dive into this year’s fair which takes place as the Salone del Mobile at Rho Fiera Milano, plus Fuorisalone, comprising countless installations and events throughout the city.

Our Interiors experts report live from Milan to reflect on their highlights so far which include hyper-tactility, elemental materiality, and products playing with, or inspired by water. Expect to hear about Milan Design Week regulars, such as the Rossana Orlandi Gallery, Moooi, Dimoregallery, Hermès and FormaFantasma, plus what global brands Google and Samsung showcased. The trio discuss the WGSN trends they spied including the prevalence of curtains and soft spaces, the rise of darkness, and the products, talks, or installations that brought them ‘Glimmers’.



Apr 22, 202424:36
105. Cosmoprof Unveiled with WGSN: AI, Beauty Glimmers, and ‘Tweakment Adjacent’ Skincare

105. Cosmoprof Unveiled with WGSN: AI, Beauty Glimmers, and ‘Tweakment Adjacent’ Skincare

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, the WGSN Beauty team reflects on Cosmoprof Bologna – the biggest annual beauty trade show in the world that sets the agenda for all categories of beauty. Special guest host Clare Varga, Director of Beauty at WGSN, hears the highlights from her team’s experts – Head of WGSN Beauty Sienna Piccioni and Beauty Strategist Pia Fisher.

From AI-inspired beauty products and innovative scalp analysis tech, to the latest key ingredients and the rise in personalised beauty, discover the innovations and trends that brands and consumers can expect to see in the coming months. Enjoy a beautiful listen!

Apr 08, 202429:00
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