LEGO City is taking it to the next level

For most children, LEGO City is a tremendous toy brand and especially not a concept which points out anything else than fun toys to play with. When I refer to my early childhood, I remember LEGO City as a nice brand, which had fake humans and that was it. However, they now revealed a new collection which includes a little twist.

A twist?

The new collection is titled ‘Fun in the park’ and shows the world how to turn off gender stereotyping. The entire collection is based on the society as we know it today, for instance the dad is staying at home and the mom is at her work. The collection was unveiled at the New York Toy Fair and will be launched in August this year.

Why is this surprising?

LEGO City is putting it forward, as it is tending to make a change in mentality. Other collections consisted of stereotyped toys, for instance the mother who was taking care of her child at home. SØren Torp Laursen, President of LEGO systems, stated that LEGO is listening to its consumer base and that they are willing to portray the world around us like it actually is. That means LEGO displays the toys like the real world. Moreover, this collection is a great example of the trend the open world, since it perfectly represents the transparency LEGO points out.

Furthermore, there is another example which appeared a bit earlier. The dolls from the famous brand Barbie also highlights the same value as LEGO does. Barbie created some new dolls in different shapes and sizes, since the society demands that size doesn’t matter.

Barbie dolls in different shapes and sizes

What will be next?

If even more toy brands will launch some more realistic collections, it can cause a difference in the future. Imagine that every brand only got collections based on the real world; the children of today will remember that everybody is different, but that’s okay. Eventually, the self-esteem of many children may improve just by such an adaption.

 What is your opinion about new adjustments in toy collections?

 

See you next time,

Amy Melenboer ♥

---

Sources:

http://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2016/01/28/at-last-everything-is-awesome/#gref

http://www.rtlnieuws.nl/boulevard/lifestyle/eindelijk-een-vollere-barbie

 

http://www.rtlnieuws.nl/editienl/barbie-heeft-nu-heupen-moet-ken-een-bierbuikje-krijgen

http://www.psfk.com/2016/03/lego-gender-stereotypes-fun-in-the-park.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4vIEZJNmX0

 

Trace my fries

The main point

‘Trace my fries’ is an idea from Lamb Weston, a provider from frozen potatoes. He launched a website based on the fact that people want to know where their food comes from nowadays. ‘Trace my fries’ creates an opportunity for all consumers to receive more knowledge about the origin from a product. When sitting in a restaurant you receive a specific code which is related to the food you eat. This code can be filled in on the ‘trace my fries’ website, whereupon you precisely find the information about your ordered dish. Furthermore, the website offers producers customizable merchandise as an inspiration, such as go-to stickers, server training and chalkboards.

The ‘Trace My Fries’ page

 Why does it arise now?

Such an initiative does not appear spontaneously, as it refers to another mentality trend. In our society, distrust and anger is more and more shown owing to some incidents. Companies have been lying about product information, for instance in which circumstances the food has been produced. Due to this, people demand for more transparency and openness. Lamb Weston creates a way to be completely open about the origin of the potatoes, and people can look up very specific information about the food. For example, the areas where the potatoes are produced are highlighted and also some reasons why those areas are great places to produce potatoes. Different aspects of the benefits of the environment in the five regions in North America are being told in addition.

Lamb Weston is open about his origin of food, and also prefers a sustainable way of manufactering. According to this transparency, he made a video about the commitment to sustainability inside his company:

Continuation

If the trend transparency is putting it to the next level, it might cause a shift in the future. Due to an example as ‘trace my fries’, there won’t be any secrets among the food business in the hereafter. Also the credibility of companies may grow, since they are gathering some trust from the consumers by doing the controversy of what they abominate. Such a development can eventually result in a shift as regards the rivalry between companies. At the moment, many food businesses compete by highlighting the authenticity they have or create. In the future, authenticity may not be the point of discussion, yet the product origin is.  In that case, a company with the most transparent policy and the most honest and sustainable products will win the battle.

See you next time,

Amy Melenboer ♥

---

Sources:

http://www.lambweston.com/trace-my-fries

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trace-my-fries

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=UyqVwAN5aaM

 

 

 

Grocery receipts as a healthy tool

We all know the green and blue check marks on different products we find in the grocery stores. There has been a lot of criticism that not all products are healthy choices and therefore the producers have been lying to the consumers. The consumer doesn’t know when they should buy a product or not.

The solution

Hayden Peek, a British designer, invented a new tool to really show the nutritional data of all products you bought in the grocery store. He wants to summarize all the nutritional data on the bottom of a receipt, which are color-coded and indicate a low, medium or high amount of a specific group, such as fat or calories.

The reasons behind

Beside the criticism on the check marks, there has been distrust among consumers for a long time, and not only because of food information. Think of scandals among politics, companies and the bank system for instance. Furthermore, the introduction of the World Wide Web and the additional trend digitalisation have also changed the mentality of many people. Due to this, people are capable of sharing much more information than before. Information is scattered much easier and quicker. If you connect these changes, you can imagine that citizens deeply want the world to be more transparent and honest.

Also, life is busy. The world is more intense than it used to be, for instance in the way people are busy with work. A trip to the grocery store should be easy and quick; which is both included in the solution from Hayden Peek. The nutritional data on the bottom of the receipt gives everybody the opportunity to directly see an overview of the color-coded data.

What will be next?

At first, grocery stores cannot lie about the given information anymore. Besides, due to the confrontation on the bottom of the receipt, you can imagine that consumers will think twice during the next visit at the grocery store. If people receive more information and develop more knowledge, maybe the world will actually be a healthier one. In that case, the amount of people who are obese can downgrade. The World Health Organisation stated that by the end 2030, 74% of the men and 64% of the women will be overweight or obese. Who doesn’t want that to change?

Do you think this tool is ready to make a huge difference?

See you next time,

Amy Melenboer ♥

---

Sources:

http://www.citylab.com/navigator/2016/02/grocery-store-nutrition-label-receipt/471531/

http://www.psfk.com/2016/02/receipt-nutritional-info-grocery-shopping-hayden-peek.html

 

Durable energy for lasting consumers

Over the last few years, many companies have been in the news due to different kind of scandals. You can think of a revelation of money which is snatched away or CEO’s that delivered false documents, and so on. Many citizens have been complaining about the reliability of such companies, and after all, I absolutely think that they have got that right!

The essence

After criticism, distrust and anger, companies are willing to make a change. A beautiful example is located in the United States of America. The DOE (Department of Energy) organised a better-building-challenge for the first time this year. The DOE invented a real life TV programme in which two companies, Whole Foods Market and Hilton Worldwide, are giving each other criticism and new opportunities to save more energy. They swap during the shows and are searching for points of improvement. ‘May the best HVAC win’ is the slogan. (HVAC means: heating, ventilation, air-conditioning)

 

Whole Foods Market and Hilton Worldwide in the better-building-challenge

The motives behind the story

There are a few reasons for such a (real life) TV show like this. As I said earlier, the different scandals that are revealed during the years is one of them. However, there are more grounds and changing motives. According to citizens, they gradually discover that many stories, documents, people and companies are not telling the truth. Everything can be based on a lie, and that is a thing we know nowadays. Because of disclosures, we become needy of a world that shows more openness, in which we all can be transparent. The consumer can actually see what the companies are doing and in which way they are saving more energy.  Nevertheless, the companies are being judged by each other, what is tending to be a great example of being sincere and transparent.

A bigger context

If we date back to a few earlier and larger trends, we can relate to digitisation and the way technology taught us to think for ourselves. Due to these trends, people like you and me were discovering more and more information about companies, for instance. As a matter of fact, technology made sure that if there is something revealed, people will share this on social media with the consequence that everybody will know it sooner. As an individual we can look up everything we want, at any time, at any place. All this is making the authorities less powerful and what is even more important…less of a ruler!

Beneath you can see the first episode, where Hilton Worldwide visits Whole Foods:

How it sequels

Companies are no longer trying to only tell the people they are of good willingness. The next step is to really show everybody how it is done, when it is done, where it is done and more of such questions. True transparency is the future, a world where secrets can not be hidden. But…. where does our privacy go?

What do you think of this topic?

 

See you next time,

Amy Melenboer ♥

---

sources:

http://www.fastcoexist.com/3057043/watch-the-department-of-energys-earnest-kind-of-adorable-energy-efficiency-reality-show

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/HVAC.html

http://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/beat-blog/hilton-worldwide-swap-experience-teamwork-makes-all-difference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfkBti0H8ZU

 

 

Fashion: age doesn’t matter

The New Normal Collection spring 2016 campaign Photographer: Peter Lindbergh

The main point

As the supermodels are turning into a product of the fashion industry, there will be specific rules to follow. For instance the models should be young, skinny, long and especially good looking. However, Armani does the controversy; it returns to its roots by dressing the models the rest of the fashion industry ignores. The four models for the New Normal collection include Eva Herzigova, Stella Tennant, Yasmin Le Bon and Nadja Auermann, all past the age of 40.

 

Supermodels can make a statement

The standard in fashion has been changed over the years, as we saw much younger models the last few years. At its worst, there was even a 10-Year old model on the cover of the French Vogue. Do you remember Thylane Lena Rose Bondeau in the picture below? After all, the editor received lots of criticism after it was published.

Thylane Lena Rose Bondeau in the French Vogue

Nevertheless, this standard gradually changes into a more natural woman, who isn’t that young and doesn’t wears size zero. More likely is the new campaign of Armani, in which the brand is turning into its roots and give the models, who all past the age of 40, a new opportunity to shine bright. Also three supermodels of the fashion brand Balmain were rocking the upcoming spring/summer 2016 collection as well. The ‘90s most iconic supermodels Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell were reunited for a little moment! The beautiful thing about different brands who are returning their ‘older’ models, is that they still can be beautiful at their age. They emphasize that ageing is natural, it is a part of life and not something you have to cover.

Balmain SS16

Identity based on roles

Maggie Rizer, a previous all-American model, returned into the pages of Vogue in 2015. However, this time she returns modelling as a mother. She points out the same essence as the models from Armani and Balmain, namely that it doesn’t matter what you are or how old you are, it is all about the way you represent the best version of yourself. Another example of turning into another type of identity is the 85-year old Chinese man, who is a resident of rural Fujian Province. The identity of this man is known as a farmer, however after a photoshoot taken by XiaoYeJieXi he turned into an inspiring fashion icon.

Maggie Rizer in Vogue

85-year old by XiaoYeJieXi

As you can see, identity is not based on one particular thing, and it should be appreciate a little bit more.

See you next time,

Amy Melenboer ♥

---

 

Sources:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/vogue-david-cameron-192901

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/01/25/armani-returns-to-his-roots-dressing-the-women-that-the-rest-of-fashion-ignores/

http://www.vogue.com/13299814/maggie-rizer-returning-to-vogue/

http://www.brit.co/balmain-supermodel-ad/

http://www.boredpanda.com/grandson-transforms-grandfather-fashion-trip-xiaoyejiexi-photography/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=BPFacebook

---

 

 

 

Queer healing salon

What is the essence?

Sometimes, being a queer is hard to deal with, especially when some people in your community don’t fully accept your disposition for instance. Queers got a lot to do with both verbal- and physical violence, but why does this still happen in 2016? A few among the LGBT-group (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) made up some objections and celebrations, and they are truly willing to strive after a complete acceptation for all queers. The French Allison was of the opinion that such celebrations and objections were not enough for all queers, she wanted them to relax and invented a little recreation day which she calls ‘queer healing salon’ which is located in Amsterdam. In this salon they can get a new haircut, a massage, a manicure and there is also the opportunity to read, joining the karaoke and last but not least go to a real reiki-session.

Why is this surprising?

Most of the time groups like the LGBT one are being ignored, hated and disapproved. This conception started way earlier, though it is still a point of attention nowadays. It can be explained due to a psychological reason, for instance the ‘we and they’ rule is one which sounds pretty familiar to many people. If a person or group has got another way of thinking, they are easily labelled as different of weird. However, Allison invented a salon which is only for queers. This change is clearly positive for all queers, while they are being valued highly. Allison points out that masculinity and femininity are not guidelines or based on rules, it are labels that the society gave us years ago.

This queer healing salon is based on the fact that racism and inappropriate behaviour is still among the society. Allison saw the change to create a statement by doing the controversy of what a large amount of the community thinks is good. She has a few rules:

‘If you think this all is useless, then you’re not welcome. If you think the reactions of the people are oversensitive or political correct, guess what? Then you’re not welcome either.’

This indicates that our mentality should be improved by knowledge and a progressive attitude. Striving for emancipation is still a current point of attention, and in my opinion, it will be for a little while.

Future proof?

As I said, the mentality of many people can use some boost or acquaintance, as yet queers are being treated badly. However, there are made a few progressions such the gay pride, which defines the emancipation of the gay nature. The festive spirit increases, and so does the attitude of many. Nevertheless, will queers (like the LGBT group) be fully accepted in future?

What is your opinion on the queer case?

 

See you next time,

Amy Melenboer

---

 

Sources:

https://i-d.vice.com/nl/article/welkom-in-de-queer-healing-salon

https://www.flickr.com/photos/106299545@N05/10466243394

 

 

Let’s be game changers

What is it about?

Earlier I wrote a post which called ‘open-heartedness’.  Essena O’Neill was one of the items I discussed in this post, and now I will write about her counter reaction ‘Let’s be game changers’.  Essena O’Neill is a former Instagram star and model, but she recently stopped with all this fake pictures and videos of her. It didn’t make her happy, and she even felt lonely and very empty inside. Essena O’Neill quitted social media and was started posting videos about how crooked this business is.  However, she is now going a bit further and started the counterpart ‘Let’s be game changers’, wherein she encourages everyone to stop with their busy, social media life and start with creating a real world.

Essena O’Neill telling why she is quitting social media:

 

Why is it refreshing?

It is Essena O’Neill herself that started with her social life, however she is also the one who realized that her Instagram account was not her real life, but a life she had created to make her feel good about herself.  It needed a brave and powerful character to make this change in mentality. Essena O’Neill is now becoming an identity who is trying to tell the world that we’re fooling ourselves, and perhaps this might work and influence other people.

Essena O’Neill as an Instagram-model

Essena was an Instagram star with a lot of fake and obsessive pictures, but is now the other way around. Her true story is very transparent and honest, something which she was never before. Much more of these personal stories are emerging nowadays, and in my opinion, that is a good thing.  True beauty is what you are from the inside, and not from the outside. At least, that should be the main point, which is still debatable.

What will the future be like?

It is often said that status means that you are what you do regularly, but is this quite transparent? If this is 100% true, everybody can think of something he or she always wanted to do, and ‘create’ an identity. In that case, our world seems really to be a doable community.

Nevertheless, such breakthroughs like the story of Essena O’Neill can also inspire people and eventually end up with a mentality shift for a whole community, nation or in the best case, the whole world. Then it is time to see beauty as something which is based upon our characters, and no longer on the way we look.

Essena O’Neill: ‘Let’s be game changers’

 

To conclude, I think we arrived a point of division. Either the world will be more creating an identity in a doable society, or pure beauty will only be based on our character in a transparent community.

 

See you next time,

Amy Melenboer

 

 

---

Sources:

http://www.proud2bme.nl/Artikelen_over_schoonheid/Tiener_laat_nepheid_social_media_zien

http://essenaoneill.com/essays/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeoXMgMf6yM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1Qyks8QEM

 

Glitter is gold

Marie/ Hélène Gugenheim

What does it mean?

Hélène Gugenheim, a French artist from Paris, created a beautiful way to apply a tattoo on different people who have scars on their body. Gugenheim used golf leaf which she applied on the scar, by mixing gold leaf, varnish and epoxy so it can also be taking of immediately. The French artist started to call this method ‘a ritual’, because it also emphasizes the psychological advantages. It is usual to have a photoshoot which also includes making a short video.  After that, the artist removes all the glitter and gold and puts it in a little bottle which is a gift for the visitor.  Hélène Gugenheim calls her project: ‘Je suis d’elles, entièrement tissé’ (My scars, I am with them, completely entwined)

 

Why is it amazing?

The golden leaf tattoo is tempting to make the specific person more conscious of them self, just by looking in the mirror and seeing how beautiful someone really is. The values of our society are gradually changing, while perfection is slowly changing into imperfection. Scars are a great example of this imperfection, since it used to have a negative look on a person’s history. However, who said scars should be negative? Scars could also be seen as a mistake in life, where every single person can learn from.  Making mistakes should not be labelled as something which is bad, nevertheless it can be seen as a lesson in life.

In that case, imperfection is now becoming more and more beautiful, since people have the guts to be transparent and just say what’s on their mind and show all their flaws. It is more natural to show the real identities nowadays, instead of hiding all the ‘blemishes’ a person think he or she has. Authenticity is growing for a while, and the term ‘flawsomeness’ is also tending to make a change in the world we know now. Because of these changes, people’s identity can make a shift, while they no longer have to think about their scars.

Future perspective

In former times, people were usually raised narrow-minded, for instance in the way men were more important than women.  The destiny of a woman was not that great as a men’s destiny. However, it was a specific spirit of that time, and that was just the way it went. Another example was the Dutch compartmentalisation, which indicates a society based on different compartments. Such a ‘tribe’ got their own status, religion, school and other persuasions. People were critical about each other, and only their own compartment was seen as the best of all factions.

Nevertheless, these things changed gradually trough ages and are now represented a bit different. An example of this change is feminism, a kind of emancipation for all women’s rights. The women of today are more independent, better educated and mainly stronger than ever. Also groups like LTGB (Lesbian, transgender, gay and bisexual) people receive more acceptation nowadays, however this is still not completed in my opinion.

So that will let us think about the upcoming ages. If this acceptation will set through, what will the future be like? In that case, no one will ever be critical about people’s skin colour, education, background, disposition or all these other parts of someone’s identity.  Perhaps, equality will be the leading policy in every city, area or nation.  The future will bring us equality in its most straight condition.

 

See you next time,

 

Amy Melenboer

---

 

http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/nl/blog/wat-deze-franse-kunstenares-met-littekens-doet-is-schitterendutm_source=tcpfbned

http://www.paradijsvogelsmagazine.nl/kunstenares-laat-littekens-schitteren-met-bladgoud/

http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2016/01/13/photos-artiste-or-cicatrices-acceptation-de-soi_n_8968818.html

---