Spotting Trends That Will Shape The Way We Live and Work with Li Edelkoort (Space Matters, ep.4)

Trend forecaster Li Edelkoort joins Kursty to discuss the anatomy of trends, the ecology of fashion, and the post-pandemic workplace. Reflecting on the state of the world, Li discusses how to redesign the modern workplace to respond to new and upcoming trends. She explores how the pandemic has made us more in tune with nature and the good things that have come of it. Throughout the discussion, Li shares nuggets of wisdom, showing us how trends that haven’t yet reached the main stage are currently being formed.

Li Edelkoort is a globally renowned trend forecaster and activist for fair, sustainable, and thoughtful fashion. She is the author of the Anti-Fashion Manifesto and a co-author of A Labour of Love. Recently, she founded the World Hope Forum. 

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[00:49] Who is Li Edelkoort? 
[01:43] The Workplace Geeks Podcast
[02:28] More about Li’s impact on eco and fashion issues. 
[04:22] Where do your clothes come from? 
[07:40] The energy of immobile items and all the ideas that have shaped Li’s career. 
[12:05] Getting clients that align with your values. 
[14:28] Fashion has become old-fashioned - what does that mean? 
[20:01] The disappearing joy of finding a new fashion piece. 
[22:39] Would slavery have existed if cotton and sugar didn’t exist?
[25:57] How to predict trends before they happen. 
[30:52] How the pandemic pushed us to live in a more seasonal way (winter hibernation). 
[34:05] How organizations can adapt to post-pandemic realities. 
[37:50] Why it’s profitable to be in smaller cities. 
[39:39] A simpler way to think about money and managing resources.

4 Key Takeaways

1. We are rooted in the earth. Our clothes are made from plants that grow in the ground. Fashion grows from the earth. We must ignite our consciousness of the connection between fashion and the environment. 
2. Society has been overloaded with shopping. There is too much choice, and that choice is overwhelming. The joy of finding a new fashion piece and celebrating when you purchase it and then go home with it is no longer as prevalent as it used to be. As mass production increases, editing and curating will become more important parts of fashion. 
3. The 'Great Resignation' movement amplified what was already in the air. This new trend may indicate that urban environments will become less populous as people move into rural areas. This may lead to the urbanisation of rural areas. 
4. The pandemic has forced us to live more in tune with the seasons. Winter is for introspection, solitude, and hibernation. Summer and spring are for blooming into the world, exploration, and togetherness. 

Links 

Listen to Workplace Geeks: Podcast Web Page | Kursty’s Episode on Workplace Geeks

Books by William Morris: Amazon | Thrift Books

World Hope Forum: Website

Connect with Li Edelkoort: Website | 

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