Stylus Future Thinking

From TikTok challenges to Discord communities, the social media landscape is becoming increasingly nuanced - how can brands keep up and add value? Christian Ward talks to digital content expert and founder of SW Projects Sara Wilson about the value of tapping into niche groups, why now is the time for experimentation and the lasting impact of Covid-19 on digital content.

Gen Z are a unique force, distinctly different to any previous demographic. In this episode Christian Ward talks to Jay Richards, founder of Imagen, and Katie Baron, Stylus’ Director of Brand Engagement about how to access brutally honest insights from this cohort, what status means to them and how to win their loyalty. 

How can brands create products that truly resonate with luxury consumers? Christian Ward talks to founder of Veronique Gabai Beauty, Veronique Gabai and Stylus’ senior Beauty editor Lisa Payne about wellness, sensoriality and the quest for meaning in luxury beauty. 

With almost half of the drinking-age public no longer drinking, shrewd brands are elevating low and no alcohol drinks beyond the everyday. Emilia Morano-Williams talks to founder of booze-free craft cocktail makers Curious Elixirs John Wiseman, and Stylus’ US trends analyst and resident mocktail enthusiast Emily Seger about what’s driving people to scale back on their drinking and how brands can b...

What’s driving the renaissance in psychedelic drug use, and what can brands do to get involved? Christian Ward talks to co-founder of psychedelic retreat Synthesis Myles Katz, and Stylus’ senior editor of Consumer Attitudes and Technology Kate Johnson about unleashing creativity, tapping the subconscious and - above all - avoiding the bad trip. 

What are the forces shaping the fashion industry in 2020? Christian Ward talks to fashion expert and Stylus’ catwalks consultant Sue Evans and Stylus’ head of Consumer Product Emily Gordon-Smith about the four trends you need to know; from the future of catwalks and buying less to the menswear revolution and super-quiet luxury.

From Brexit, to climate change, to the impact of the coronavirus, the only constant in world affairs right now is uncertainty. Christian Ward talks to journalists Janina Conboye of the Financial Times and Mary-Ann Russon of the BBC to explore how businesses can respond and adapt to the wider trends that are fuelling, and being fuelled by, this instability.

In our hectic lives how can we ensure that our homes are optimised for wellbeing? Christian Ward talks to brand consultant and interiors guru Suzanne Imre and Stylus’ Product Design senior editor Dewi Pinatih about how we can turn our homes into sanctuaries for calm, and the opportunities this presents for brands. 

The global resales industry has grown 21 times faster than the retail apparel market over the past three years, and brands are starting to take notice. Christian Ward talks to Andy Ruben, CEO of resales business Yerdle and Rebecca Hobbs, Stylus’ Retail editor about the drivers behind this paradigm shift in ownership and its potential to solve the crisis in fast fashion.

The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas offers a peek at the products set to shape our future lives. Christian Ward talks to Imagination’s global creative technology director Simon Levitt and Stylus’ assistant editor of Technology and Consumer Attitudes Elspeth Taylor about the best of the tech they saw at the show this year, from the near-future of flexible screens and mixed-reality dis...

In this episode, we take a look at the habits of the 1% – who are in reality a much smaller cohort than that. Tessa Mansfield talks to luxury and wealth specialist Winston Chesterfield and Stylus’ senior Product Design editor Dewi Pinatih about the crazy world of high, very high and ultra-high-net-worth consumers. Who are they, where are they, and how can brands woo them?

What do holidays look like when money is no object? Christian Ward talks to Managing Director of luxury concierge company Quintessentially Travel, Jenny Graham and Stylus’ Assistant Editor of food & beverage, travel & hospitality Laura Swain about the trends fuelling the future of luxury destination travel, and the art of crafting truly high-end travel experiences. 

Sitting squarely between the physical and digital arenas, drone racing is quickly becoming a world-class sport. Christian Ward talks to Nicholas Horbaczewski, CEO & founder of The Drone Racing League and Claire Murray, Stylus’ advisory strategist about the phenomenon that’s enticing world-class pilots to take part and tens of millions of people globally to tune in, and the opportunities to get...

2019 marks the 20th anniversary of Interbrand’s Best Global Brands Ranking. Christian Ward talks to the company’s Global Chief Learning & Culture Officer Rebecca Robins and Stylus’ Media & Marketing Editor about what makes a great brand now and how that is set to change in the future.

What does the future of travel look like in a world where a new generation of travelers are demanding a more diverse, hands-on, eco-conscious set of experiences? Christian Ward talks to David Plotz, CEO of Atlas Obscura and Emilia Morano-Williams, Stylus’ assistant editor about the cross-generational quest for intellectual experiences, the appeal of dark tourism and where this desire for adventure...

While it’s not something that gets a great deal of attention, soil really does have the potential to halt the climate crisis. Christian Ward talks to farmer, coder and physicist Abby Rose, and Stylus’ Head of Food & Beverage, Travel & Hospitality Mandy Saven about the little-discussed key to our planet's survival, and what we can do as businesses and consumers to help. 

Companies who place purpose at the heart of their brand are reaping the rewards of loyal customers as well as piece of mind. In an inspiring panel recorded live from Decoded Future New York, Christian Ward talks to the brands leading the way in terms of sustainability and social impact - Ben & Jerry’s, Airbnb, Patagonia and Vita Coco. They share their lessons learned and insights behind what i...

A new type of omni-intelligent technology is bridging the gap between e-commerce and in-store shopping. In a conversation from Decoded Future New York, Stylus’ head of Retail Katie Baron talks to co-founder and CEO of Neighbourhood Goods Matt Alexander about the retailers powering immersive, seductive self-made shopping environments. 

As natural resources run out the commercial opportunities of waste as a readily-available alternative are being unlocked by innovative businesses like Lylie's, which creates fine jewellery out of gold salvaged from e-waste. Christian Ward talks to founder Eliza Walter and Stylus contributing editor Sioban Imms about the realities of creating covetable products with a conscience, making things to b...

How can brands generate authentic experiences for hyper-diverse audiences? Christian Ward discusses the important issues around inclusivity and connecting with Muslim women with Kate Johnson, Stylus’ senior editor of consumer attitudes & technology and Nafisa Bakkar, co-founder of Amaliah - a content platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of Muslim women. 

Coinciding with the global climate strike, London’s latest Design Festival referenced sustainability as one its key themes - but did its actions really measure up? Christian Ward talks to Stylus’ Senior Product Design Editor Dewi Pinatih and designer, curator and editor of London Design Guide Max Fraser about the feasibility and future of design weeks in a time of climate crisis. 

This week we take a look at the state of online culture and the trends that brands should be paying the most attention to, including meme mechanics, the gaming opportunity and trolling as an engagement strategy. Christian Ward talks to Chris McCrudden, Senior Planner at Edelman and Julia Errens, Stylus’ Media & Marketing Editor about the ever-evolving cultural conversation and how brands can e...

How can brands tap into the consumer desire for artifice and illusion, and how does this desire marry with the pursuit of authenticity? Christian Ward talks to Head of Strategy at BBH Ben Shaw and Katie Baron, Stylus’s Head of Retail about the opportunities of immersive mixed realities, the rise of AI avatars and the symbiotic relationship between retail and gaming. 

Thanks to leaps in neuroscience and cognitive understanding, scent is moving beyond the cosmetic to something that can augment our physical and mental health. Christian Ward talks to fragrance specialist Lizzie Ostrom (AKA Odette Toilette) and Stylus’ senior beauty editor Lisa Payne about the five  trends set to change the face of fragrance. 

What will happen when digital content escapes the confines of the 2D screens of today and creates an interactive layer all around us? Christian Ward talks to spatial computing pioneer and founder of argodesign Mark Rolston and Stylus’ consumer attitudes and technology senior editor Stephen Graves about how brands can unlock the creativity needed for a world where every instance is an opportunity t...