I know my big concern when I am preparing to enter a watercraft is whether the life-preservers are sufficiently cute enough. Now I can boat easily with 'The Lifejacket.'
Designed by Fraser Reekie, The Lifejacket is geared to look more like a piece of sporting apparel, rather then a piece of lifesaving equipment. Gone are the straps and awful orange color; in are zippers and something that could pass as an outdoorsy style vest.
Implications - Today's consumer is no longer interested in pieces that play one purpose. Further, the mass concern for health and well being is at an all-time high, as mass breakouts of diseases like SARS or the bird flue have increased paranoia. Thus, products that combine everyday function with health concerns will fare well with consumers.
Fashionable Lifesavers
'The Lifejacket' Will Have You Staying Afloat of Style
Trend Themes
1. Multi-purpose Products - The trend of combining everyday function with health concerns presents opportunities for innovative products.
2. Fashion-forward Safety - The trend of incorporating stylish design into safety equipment offers disruptive innovation potential.
3. Health-conscious Fashion - The trend of combining fashion and wellness offers opportunities for innovative products that resonate with health-conscious consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Outdoor Apparel - The outdoor apparel industry can explore incorporating safety features into their fashionable designs.
2. Health and Wellness - The health and wellness industry can tap into the trend of fashion-forward safety equipment to cater to health-conscious consumers.
3. Water Sports Equipment - The water sports equipment industry can leverage the demand for stylish and functional safety gear to offer disruptive innovations.