Trend Q&A: Explore the alternative nightlife scene and more

Styling for the winter holidays, the halal-friendly city’s inspiring design and sober-curious nightlife. That and more on today’s episode.

Want to know what’s next? Listen to the show where our experts from around the globe unpack your biggest challenges. This week, WGSN’s CEO Carla Buzasi takes us to New York and Cape Town to explore the key interiors opportunities for the A/W 24/25 Holidays, inspiring cities that are meeting the faith-based needs of halal consumers and Gen Z’s alternative approach to nightlife.

Watch the full episode below or read on for highlights of this episode:

Q: What are the top investment items and styling directions for the winter Holidays this year?
“There’s an emphasis on reusable gifting items, whether it’s wooden advent calendars that can be refilled every year with different gifts and trinkets, or well-designed, quality, lasting gift bags that will be passed back and forth between loved ones, as well as ways to decorate packages so they don’t need as much disposable wrapping paper.”
– Cassandra Gagnon, Interiors Analyst, WGSN
Read more…

Q: Which halal-friendly cities should I be checking out for design inspiration?
“At WGSN, we’ve highlighted five cities that offer unique regional inspirations, including artists, restaurants and fashion brands that acknowledge and cater towards the regional Muslim communities, while respecting nuances that come with a religion that is almost two billion people strong.

“Notable call-outs include Dubai’s Museum of the Future that explores the city’s bold prospective plans, or Kuala Lumpur’s LAX Retreat that is tapping into Malaysi’'s $3.6bn halal cosmetics market via women-only beauty treatments using halal-certified products.”
– Raeesa Bray, Researcher, WGSN
Read more…

Q: How is nightlife changing alongside the sober-curious movement?
“We’re seeing more interest in the culture and experience around a night out rather than the debauchery. Young people are excited about the going-out clothes, with searches for “house music outfits” and “Berlin rave fashion” trending.

“They’re excited about the music, with more emphasis on global and expansive genres. They want to learn how to balance nightlife with healthier habits, which we see from earlier hours for club venues and hangover cures flooding the market.”
– Brielle Saggese, Insight Trend Forecaster, WGSN
Read more…