From digital sneakers to green finance services, here are some things that made us say “That’s Interesting” in the studio this week.
So, we see brands evolving into the digital world and creating offerings that are truly virtual, products that we didn’t think could further innovate re-inventing themselves with a truly sustainable character, energy drinks becoming partners for wellness and financial services taking care of the planet!
e-Gucci Gang.
Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele moves further into the virtual world with the luxury brand’s first digital shoes, the Virtual 25 sneakers! He has done this by creating a Gucci application that sells a neon-coloured, digital pair of trainers that people can try on by using augmented reality and then purchase online to “wear” them in photographs and on social media for a price ($17.99!) that is completely different to what they would normally pay in the physical world. As we spend more time in the digital realm, could concepts and products like this become the norm across fashion?
Strike a digital pose here
Plastic and privacy.
Meet a game-changing new product in the realm of female reproductive health and wellness! Lia is the world’s first flushable, biodegradable pregnancy test. Up until today, disposable, at-home pregnancy tests were made out of plastic. Obviously, this is not a very sustainable or discreet way to use products and materials, so it sparked an idea for an innovation in the category. Lia weighs no more than 4 squares of toilet paper and is made from non-woven cellulose, which makes it biodegradable and safe to flush! These features make it better for the environment and for women, as Lia protects the privacy of a personal, emotional and delicate moment. What are other synergies between social and environmental causes that brands could innovate around for a better future?
Better pregnancy tests here
Just the right kick.
Mountain Dew has just extended its range to launch Mtn Dew Rise Energy. In answer to the consumer desire for more functional beverages that are also lower in sugar, the products feature new flavours and beverages boosted with ingredients designed to increase mental performance while providing an immunity boost. The design team at PepsiCo convey the new identity of the product with a bold and dynamic look and feel that still nods to the original, iconic Mountain Dew design through the shapes, energy and angles of the design. With this move, the brand moves into the untapped market of energy drink enthusiasts who seek the right balance of flavour, performance and health benefits.
Climb that mtn here
Money trees.
What if finance became something that could tangibly help the planet? What if every time you tapped your card you could also help reforest the Earth? TreeCard is a new fintech start-up that does exactly this! They decided to disrupt conventional financial services and provide a new sustainable and supportive model for money management. Users link their bank accounts with the TreeCard app, which automatically donates the interchange fee of each transaction to a reforestation programme. The cards are also made of sustainably sourced cherry wood rather than plastic. What other products and services could be developed to effortlessly integrate eco-ethics into everyday life?
Trees grow on money here