Trend tracker: Best of our 2017 predictions

The Innovation Group, 21 December 2017 

How did our predictions from last year fare? Highlights from health, lifestyle, and luxury

Our annual The Future 100 report dives into the trends, innovation, and cultural changes that will drive the next year. How did our predictions fare last year? Below, we look back at our most accurate predictions in health, lifestyle, and luxury.

New mental health (#78)

Our 2016 predictions picked up on a changing cultural attitude towards mental health. In new publications and on the internet, consumers were beginning to break down the stigmas surrounding topics like depression and anxiety. In 2017, mental health expanded into an important component of overall wellness. 

ANXY magazine 

• In March, Marks & Spencer launched The Frazzled Café project, a series of mental health drop-in sessions at 11 of its store cafes. Fronted by comedian Ruby Wax, the project aimed to give stressed-out shoppers a space to talk.
• Silicon Valley took on the issue of mental health with new tools built into major social networks. In May, Instagram launched the #hereforyou campaign, which collected resources for users struggling with mental health issues. Facebook followed in November with an AI that could scan users’ posts for signs of suicidal thoughts.
• Publications that launched this year tackling mental health include ANXY magazine, Indonesia’s 2AM Club, and Do What You Want from UK food writer Ruby Tandoh. 

Sleep renaissance (#84)

In 2016, we predicted a burst of new sleep-themed lifestyle brands. 2017 saw no less than a full-scale sleep movement. Consumers continue to keep sleep on the top of mind, while influencers educate consumers on strategies for the best eight hours of shut-eye. The New York Times even coined sleep “the new status symbol.”  

• In need of a quick cat nap? This year, Jennifer Thomas opened Peace Power Napping in Chicago, a space that allows exhausted professionals, students or travelers a place to catch a snooze.
• Meditation studio Inscape offers a “Deep Rest” session, which focuses on relaxing and regenerating the mind and body, allowing a better night’s rest.
• Gwyneth Paltrow highlights the importance of “clean sleeping” in her latest book “Goop Clean Beauty.” What is clean sleeping? In short: the need to prioritize sleep time above all else, as the right amount of sleep determines everything from appetite to energy levels.
• New lounge and sleepwear brands have joined the market, like New York-based fashion brand Dim Sum, founded by Licheng Ling in 2017. The collection boasts comfort wear that’s also aesthetically fit for hosting guests. 

Invisible tech (#93)

In luxury home goods, designers got creative with “invisible tech” this year, following our prediction from 2016. As designers approach the aesthetic of tech like home furniture, the Internet of Things continues to align with home décor. With consumers growing increasingly comfortable with smart speakers and objects, look for more creative innovation in design-conscious upgrades. 

BeoBound Shape 

• In August, Bang & Olufsen debuted the BeoSound Shape wireless sound system. Made up of moveable honeycomb shapes, it looks more like a piece of wall-mounted artwork than a traditional speaker.
• The Frame by Samsung is a television that fades to a simple glass screen when not in use, allowing it to display framed artwork. It rolled out globally in June.
• In an August interview with Dezeen, Japanese designer Oki Sato (founder of design studio Nendo) laid out his own version of the philosophy: “I think technology shouldn’t look like technology; it should look like something in your grandmother’s room, and it should blend into everyday life.” 

For our top trends of next year, don’t miss The Future 100: 2018.