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Search our database of 478,618 cutting edge ideas.
 Keynote Speaker

Cowbag

Creative
Articles
1,973
Views
39,430,000
Location
London
Member Since
Mar 2007
To come - did not want to write something glib so I'll sit on this for a bit (not literally).
What is unique that's not in your bio?
I wrote so many tattoo trends I ended up getting one on my birthday in 2008.
How do you define cool?
You can't define cool - that's it's definition.
What is your secret to uncovering trends?
Don't be sacred of offending people or that you have to be safe - always look for your own trends and news. Don't always rely on discoveries from other sites but hunt down your own. A great example of this (if I say so myself) is my tattoo or cupcake trends - amongst my most viewed. Find what inspires YOU - be it a piece of street art or amazing bakery - take it as your spring board and go discover. Always think about how you can build on it, or make it that little bit more funny or even more sick and twisted.
What do you enjoy most about Trend Hunter?
It is hard proof / fact that every single day creative brilliance is created for the World to share and enjoy. Also a merry band of people from around the World meet in this one place to share ideas and news. People from all background who would never meet in real life. That ROCKS!
What is your favorite trend?
Please don't make me choose - it changes daily as it indeed should!
What are your tips for writing a juicy post?
Always think about how you can build on it, or make it that little bit more funny or even more sick and twisted. Never be scared of offending people.
How do you reset to be creative?
My best piece of advice is if you can't do it you just can't do it. If you have to step away from yourself for a few days just do it. I know when I am in bad creative zones so do things overtly offline / creative like go horse riding, visiting Dungeness Nuclear Power Station or just walking the dog on the beach. am not a snob - I will do ANYTHING from reading a children's book (Enid Blyton is great for inspiration) to going to an art gallery.
What inspires or excites you?
Heartbreak was particularly inspiring - apparently you can see that dark period in my trends portfolio.
Predict something awesome for 2020?
I think (fear) children will be taught online. Awesome but not great.
Prison Replication Inns
Prison Replication Inns
The Intimidating Hotel Alcatraz Pops Up in London
The doors have opened on an extremely intimdating, yet fascinating experience as 'Hotel Alcatraz' arrives in Kings Cross, London. It's a PR stunt for UKTV’s entertainment channel, Watch -- the opening… MORE
Edible Pop Star Treats
Edible Pop Star Treats
Cakey Perry Serves Up a California Gurls High Tea
Cakey Perry is the next project of Miss Cakehead's, who is infamous for her very interesting cake shop Eat Your Heart Out. Entirely inspired by Katy Perry's California Gurls video, it's set to turn the… MORE
Fishy Fundraising
Fishy Fundraising
Cakes for Japan Includes Pop-Up Shop for the Red Cross
Cakes for Japan is a series of pop-up cake shops all with the aim of raising funds for the Red Cross following the recent series of devastating events in Japan. Masterminded by Miss Cakehead and started… MORE
Anatomical Holiday Cupcakes
Anatomical Holiday Cupcakes
Eat Your Heart Out With Gory Romantic Cakes at the London Dungeon
The London Dungeon is giving out anatomically correct heart cupcakes to all couples visiting on Valentine’s Day. The sweet treats will be offered to everyone from one of the attraction's gruesome attractions,… MORE
Fugitive Holiday Documentaries
Fugitive Holiday Documentaries
An Interesting Set of Wikileaks' Julian Assange Christmas Photos
UK publication Newsweek has published an exclusive set of images featuring Wikileaks founder Julian Assange enjoying Christmas whilst on bail entitled 'Julian at Christmas.' Featuring Julian Assange… MORE
Film-Inspired Paste-Ups
Film-Inspired Paste-Ups
John Wayne's 'True Grit' Street Art Decks the Streets of London
London has been iced over for weeks now, but that has not stopped street artists from going out to play. There have been a rash of new pieces going live despite the fact that less and less people are venturing… MORE
Whistleblowing Elf Tweets
Whistleblowing Elf Tweets
Mother London Leaks Lapland Secrets Via Twitter
Mother London is blowing apart the secretive goings on at Santa’s Workshop, making public the details of who has been naughty and nice in 2010, having accessed a series of anonymous leaks from a Lapland-based… MORE
Metal Band Mixing Apps
Metal Band Mixing Apps
The Remixing Motorhead website Lets You Amp Up Your Hardcore Tunes
Motörhead devotees can now create their own mixes of their favorite bands tracks thanks to a new remix app from Fireplayer. The application allows you to create your own mixes of their classic songs on… MORE
Album-Inspired Art
Album-Inspired Art
Iconic British Artists Respond to The Futureheads
This music and art project is right on time for the holiday gift-giving season. Artists David Shrigley, Stuart Semple, Lyndsay Jameson and Pete Fowler were sent an album by The Futureheads and asked to… MORE
Subversive Cake Snapshots
Subversive Cake Snapshots
Nathan Pask's Darkly Delicious Cake Photography
London-based photographer Nathan Pask has pushed subversive cake photography to the extreme. His series of images with the artists and creatives taking part in the Halloween event ‘Eat… MORE
Crowdsourced Art Shows
Crowdsourced Art Shows
The Wellcome Exhibition Collects Things from the Public
The Wellcome Collection's new show is called ‘Things’ and serves as a call to update Henry Wellcome’s curious collection. Members of the public are invited to donate objects no bigger than their head to… MORE
Edible Horror Movies
Edible Horror Movies
These Human Centipede Cookies are Sure to Freak You Out
The Human Centipede already has a place in the horror movie hall of fame. As a result, one of the most iconic -- but safe for work -- images from the movie has been seeping into popular culture. I am talking… MORE
Cake Harvests
Cake Harvests
The Cupcake Tree for Tate + Lyle Encourages Kids to Bake
Leading up to the Mad Artists Tea Party event, Cakehead Loves Evil (AKA me, Cowbag!) was asked by Tate + Lyle to devise a creative consumer sampling experience that would encourage children and parents… MORE
Album Art Shows
Album Art Shows
The 'Ray Lowry: London Calling' Exhibition at the Idea Generation Gallery
The 'Ray Lowry: London Calling' exhibition is well underway at the Idea Generation Gallery. Thirty renowned artists have reinterpreted the Clash album cover 'London Calling' by Ray Lowry, including Billy… MORE
Musical Art Shows
Musical Art Shows
STORM Thorgerson Presents Live Art Design Experience to Music
Head to Idea Generation Gallery to witness a world first from famous album artworker Storm Thorgerson. As part of a program of special events running alongside Thorgerson’s hugely successful exhibition… MORE
Limited Edition Art Stores
Limited Edition Art Stores
14OZ Berlin Concept Features Nat Finkelstein Warhol Images
A whole section of concept store 14OZ, located in the heart of Berlin, has been given over to the sale of Nat Finkelstein related produce – loads of pictures featuring Edie, Velvet Underground, Andy… MORE
Literal Flash Mobs
Literal Flash Mobs
Naked Models With Painted on Clothing Strut Through Oxford Circus
Painted on clothing is certainly a unique way to advertise an online fashion store -- especially since no clothes are featured! A mini flash mob of both male and female body painted models invaded Oxford… MORE
Artistic Film Competitions
Artistic Film Competitions
Babelgum Metropolis Art Prize Premiers Movies in NYC's Times Square
The Babelgum Metropolis Art Prize is an artistic film competition which artists enter by submitting videos of their work. Entries include performance art, painting, photography, sculpture, installation… MORE
Subtlemobing
Subtlemobing
Subtlemob Flash Mobbing Gives a Deeper Feeling of Participation
Flashmobs have had their day so what is next? Well, the next big thing is a polar opposite of that trend, and it is called a 'Subtlemob' flash mobbing. The experience of which has been likened to walking… MORE
Bad Contestant Haircuts
Bad Contestant Haircuts
The 'Jedward' Hairstyle Takes the (Hair)Net by Storm
Some trends you see coming, others sneak up and take you by total surprise. I would say the frenzy over having a 'Jedward' hairstyle is very much in the latter category. For those not UK-based, 'Jedward'… MORE
Online Pantomime Planning
Online Pantomime Planning
'Plan a Panto' Website Turns Children into Panto Directors
Panto time is here again and I really like this site from Robinsons--it allows children to ‘Plan a Panto’ online, which can then be acted out offline for their parents and any other friends and family.… MORE
Elderly Yoga Masters
Elderly Yoga Masters
Bette Calman is an Inspirational 83-Year-Old Yoga Instructor
They say that yoga can be inspirational and change your life, but when it comes to Bette Calman it is massively inspiring for a whole new reason. Bette Calman is an yoga teacher. Now at the age of 83,… MORE
Amphibian Taxidermy
Amphibian Taxidermy
Switzerland's Museum of Stuffed Frogs Creates Tableaus
I love the concept of this Frog museum located in Estavayer-le-Lac, Switzerland. The museum is brilliantly random and very strange, but that is what makes is so appealing. With 150-year-old satirical tableaus… MORE
Movie Monster Costumes
Movie Monster Costumes
Super Cute 'Where the Wild Things Are' Outfits for Halloween
The iconic book 'Where the Wild Things Are' is one of the most celebrated novels for children and it is no surprise that they have created costumes inspired by the book (and upcoming blockbuster). Both… MORE
Noseless Celebrities
Noseless Celebrities
Photoshop Contest Turns Famous Faces Into Reptiles
Who would have thought the removal of a nose and eyebrows could have such a freaky effect on someone’s appearance? Does that sound strange? Let me explain. Freaking News is a site that operates much like… MORE
Ancient Automobile Photographs
Ancient Automobile Photographs
Some of the World's Smallest & Oldest Cars
There is argument that smaller vehicles are more environmentally friendly, so imagine how green these vintage cars must be! In the ‘In another Life’ gallery, there is a remarkable collection of images… MORE
Full-Face Tattoos
Full-Face Tattoos
Unusual, In-Your-Face Tattoo Designs That Cover Daring Heads
This is a collection of a most extreme form of tattooing which involves total face and neck designs. While I have touched on this in a previous article, it was not on such a hardcore level. These people… MORE
Unisex Body Painting
Unisex Body Painting
World Body Painting Championship 2009 Included More Men
The World Body Painting Championship 2009 in Austria just finished and the images resulting from the event are just stunning. The body paint canvases look glorious, almost as if a rainbow threw up over… MORE
Explosive Body Art
Explosive Body Art
Tattoos Inked With A Bang
This set of tattoos certainly makes a noise and includes the worst I have ever seen - the suicide bomber tattoo of course. I am not sure what drives people to have images of violence or explosions inked… MORE
Macho Olympics
Macho Olympics
Russian President Vladimir's Neverending Quest to Assert His Manhood
Vladimir Putin has been in power in Russia for over nine years, and is known for being a bit nuts. He has released a video on Judo and seems to be permanently taking part in what I’m calling the Macho… MORE
Cutevertising for Conservation
Cutevertising for Conservation
Life Magazine Shows Baby Animals to Stir Our Emotions
This gallery from Life Magazine captures together some of the ugliest baby animals in a remarkable series of photographs that would melt even those with stony hearts. Animals featured in the Life Magazine… MORE
Knitted Cigarette Packs
Knitted Cigarette Packs
Kate Jenkins' Crafty Smoking Souvenirs Swap Nicotine for Wool
Textile artist Kate Jenkins is best known for her knitted food, but she also has a range of items she calls ‘Soft Smokes.’ Sold online through her website, these knitted goods cost £600 each, which is… MORE
Cheerleader Photodocumentaries
Cheerleader Photodocumentaries
Life Magazine Photographer Studies Cutest Cheerleaders
This gallery from Ronald Martinez over at Life Magazine is all about cheerleaders. The result, as you might expect, is a large gallery of mainly blonde female cheerleaders. This awesomely sexist approach… MORE
'Tomb Raider' Gardens
'Tomb Raider' Gardens
Surreal Landscape Gardening Brings Fantasy to Life
These gardens are amazing--at first glance they are so perfect for a set of 'Tomb Raider' that you have to remind yourself these are real. The gardens in Las Pozas were built by eccentric Englishman Edward… MORE
Grilliant Ink Designs
Grilliant Ink Designs
Burger Tattoos for Permanent Fast Food Enjoyment
Burger me, these set of burger tattoos are just grilliant—‘owners’ can enjoy fast food all year round, 24/7. These burger tattoos are also very strange; the concept of a burger with legs and a singing… MORE
Celebrating Bad Hair
Celebrating Bad Hair
Horrible Haircuts To Judge Online
I love this new bad hair website, Don’t Judge My Hair! Of course we are going to judge it, that is why we are here. The concept for the bad hair website comes from the people behind, Look I Fixed It.… MORE

Featured Ideas

Flat-Pack Funerals
Flat-Pack Funerals
DIY IKEA Coffins
It was only a matter of time before IKEA ventured into coffins. Artist Joe Scanlan has created simple coffins for $15,000--or a book for $27.50 that tells you how to make your own coffin from IKEA parts… MORE
Lets Rock Hand Candle
Lets Rock Hand Candle
I love this combination of candle and 'Lets Rock' hand. It may not be the best looking candle in the world but its the best chance you have of getting the hairy rocker in your life to allow candels into… MORE
Hooded Self-Expression
Hooded Self-Expression
Unique Sweatshirts to Hide and Define Your Identity
Come on, admit it: This Batman hooded sweatshirt is one of the best hooded tops you have ever seen. It based on the original gray Caped Crusader Bat-suit, with a hood that features Batman's ears on its… MORE
Self-Defense Lessons via Illustration
Self-Defense Lessons via Illustration
Silly Reference Cards for Dark Alleys
These series of pictures properly made me laugh out loud. Don’t mess with these girls or you will be at the recieving end of this hardcore form of self-defense. I don’t think the moves are that unusual--the… MORE
Star Wars Tribute Sculptures
Star Wars Tribute Sculptures
George Lucas in Carbon
This is a totally random carbonite sculpture of George Lucas for the uber geek in all of us. It was made for a Star Wars convention and celebration in Tokyo, Japan and looks a lot like the real deal. Once… MORE
Train Graffiti Kit for Your Home
Train Graffiti Kit for Your Home
No one likes being caught by the fuzz and this handy train means you break the law from the safety of your own sofa... The kit comes with your own train and a sheet of graffiti transfers. Throw in some… MORE
Pugs as People
Pugs as People
'Fabulous Pugs' by Lisa Knapp Features Dressed-Up Dogs
'Fabulous Pugs' is a book by Lisa Knapp that contains nothing but pictures of pugs dressed up as famous people such as Genghis Khan and Napoleon. The canine ‘actress-model’ Knapp chose is a pug named… MORE
Guerrilla Anti-Religion Campaigns
Guerrilla Anti-Religion Campaigns
UK Atheist Busvertising
The Atheist Bus Campaign, a brilliant publicity stunt, launched in London today. The project goal is to raise £5,500 to run 30 buses across the capital for four weeks with the slogan: "There’s probably… MORE
Unexpected Digital Cleavage
Unexpected Digital Cleavage
Virtual Augmentations Add Boobs Where They Should Not Be
I’ll lead with the same disclaimer from Cracked that this is not my fault. It is merely one of the funniest image manipulation contests I have seen for a while, and the sheer childish nature of boys being… MORE
Milk Milk Lemonade
Milk Milk Lemonade
Immature T-Shirts in Demand
This T Shirt from Blood Is the New Black is in massive demand, and being written about all over numerous blogs. Despite the fact it is not available for another four months. Whilst you waiting you can… MORE
Snow Sculpted Ugliness
Snow Sculpted Ugliness
10 Peculiar Inner City Snowmen That Defy Traditional Techniques
Only the UK would ground to halt with something that is made entirely from water… yes I am talking about snow. To me, snow means snowmen, and that largely includes really, really rubbish, horrible,… MORE
Retro Blogging
Retro Blogging
80's Fashion Pictures As Modern Day Style Inspiration
I love retro images. Photos of people who looked only so-so when they were taken have become glorious with time, and there is no finer example than this blog. From Madonna to other fantastic 70’s & 80’s… MORE
iPod Shaped Ice Creams
iPod Shaped Ice Creams
The icePod from Hennig Olsen Makes Music a Cool Treat
Here's a cool play on the iTunes brand: the icePod is an iPod-shaped frozen dessert from Norwegian ice cream company, Hennig Olsen. Take a close look at the imagery on the packet to see how they even… MORE
Sculpted Graphite Pencils
Sculpted Graphite Pencils
Functional Works of Art
These graphite pencils by sculptor Agelio Batleare simply divine. Batleare - who uses nature as his inspiration - makes each graphite pencil using a unique casting and carving process he developed. Carbonaceous… MORE