80 Talking daily on the new Trend Talks stage at Spring Fair, Kate Shepherd and Matt Parry, co-founders of The Future Collective delved into a myriad of topics such as ‘The Future of Luxury Retail’, ‘The Future of the Post-Commute Economy’ and ‘The Future of Global Retail Trends’. During the final day of the show, the duo staged a takeover of Trend Talks with a curated series of sessions focused on ‘Retail Design For a Better Future: A Manifesto for Positive Change’ with heavyweight speakers including Nick Reed, founder of NEEM London on creating the world’s lowest carbon-emitting shirt, and Ali Munro and Nick Munro from Butterfly on their mission to improve air quality in building. The day offered visitors a day packed with inspiring content dedicated to redefining retail design for a better future. Kate Shepherd said, “We had a brilliant four days at Spring Fair. The talks, particularly during our takeover day, were really inspiring and so well received by those who attended. It has been incredible to meet so many retailers and reach such a large audience keen to discover how to design for a better future. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and our brilliant speakers.” Commencing the day, The Future Collective’s co-founders shared the guiding principles for designing with a positive impact during How can we design for better? Beyond superficial aesthetics, their focus delved into design’s potential as a catalyst for social and environmental betterment, highlighting the values of empathy, responsibility, and collaboration as foundational in creating designs for a brighter and sustainable future. Showcasing the transformative power of purpose-infused design, examples were drawn from renowned brands like Nike, Patagonia, IKEA, and Mulberry. The session revealed the value of design as a force for good, illustrating how creativity, when harnessed effectively, becomes a powerful tool for influencing positive change globally. In summary, The Future Collective’s session offered a thought-provoking and inspiring perspective on designing for positive change, leaving the audience with a renewed appreciation for design’s potential to shape a brighter future. Sustainable fashion In the landscape of sustainable fashion, Neem, a contemporary menswear brand with a minimal carbon footprint, seized the spotlight. During ‘Style that doesn’t cost the earth - the future of decarbonised style’, Neem founder Nick Reed shared a poignant narrative about his belief in the compatibility of sustainability and style. Reed’s talk detailed his personal journey in crafting decarbonised menswear, beginning with his early career motivations. A standout aspect was Neem London’s mission to create the world’s lowest carbon-emitting shirt, emphasising both style and environmental responsibility. Reed’s commitment extended to building a supply chain that recycles textile waste into new clothing yarns, showcasing the brand’s dedication to reducing its ecological impact. Neem encourages a circular approach, allowing garments to be returned for resale or recycling, fostering both environmental sustainability and a community of ‘Neemsayers.’ In conclusion, Reed’s talk explored the future of decarbonised style, demonstrating how innovation and sustainability can harmonise in fashion. Neem London’s commitment to minimising its carbon footprint and repurposing textile waste sets an exemplary standard for the industry, providing valuable insights to those interested in the intersection of style and sustainability. The Butterfly Effect The co-founders of Butterfly, Ali and Nick Munro, unveiled their mission for healthier and more sustainable buildings in the talk Trend Talks Spring Fair partnered with leading design, innovation and forecasting agency The Future Collective to offer buyers invaluable insights, trend forecasts, and a myriad of motivating case studies to support their retail businesses
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