Will the otter become the latest fashion Animal by 2024?
In the past, people would often talk about the latest trendy animal that was being featured on various products. Who knows what's going to be the next craze - a pocket companion, a pen decoration, or something that sits on a shelf? The unicorn was the answer up until recently. It used to be seen everywhere, from toys to household items and even cakes. But now, it's been replaced by another hot commodity.
So, what animal could potentially take the place of the unicorn? It seems like the otter might be the next big thing. It's starting to pop up in lots of places - gift shops, accessories, decorations, and other trinkets. You can find it on online marketplaces for handmade items, wear it on your hat or T-shirt, or even eat it in the form of a cookie cutter. A well-known drugstore chain has even released a care series featuring an otter motif. In Berlin, where trends tend to start, an ice cream parlor chain and the Berlin Zoo both have otters prominently displayed.
But is that enough for it to be considered a trendy animal? Kaiser, a trend analyst from Landsberg am Lech, thinks not. She believes that a trend is only a trend when it becomes ubiquitous, appearing at many large manufacturers in different countries. And it's not just about social media; it's important to differentiate between personal preferences and actual trends. For example, if you've been viewing a lot of cat videos, you're likely to see more cat videos in your feed, which could make you think that cats are suddenly a trendy animal.
Should we expect a pandemonium of pandas, raccoon rapture, or squirrel rush?
Kaiser isn't certain about the otter's potential as a trendy animal, and she's got her eyes set on two other motifs for 2024: cats and dogs. These two critters were present at almost every stand at the beginning-of-the-year consumer goods fair in February called Ambiente. You can find them in spring-summer products, and also in Christmas sweaters and winter outfits. The unicorn, which has been making a comeback recently, is also a strong contender. But it's still not ruling out other animals like pandas, koalas, llamas, and alpacas, along with raccoons and flamingos.
However, a trend forecast by the creative platform Pinterest, published at the end of 2023, suggests that the jellyfish could be the animal to watch. According to their analysis, this special sea creature is expected to inspire Gen Z and Millennials in areas ranging from interior design to fashion and beauty. People are already searching for umbrellas that resemble transparent jellyfish and jellyfish-shaped lamps - a hybrid of a lava lamp and jellyfish figurines.
Animal accessories continue to be in vogue
According to Kaiser, animal motifs will still be a popular trend in the future. Companies have been successful in the past by making money with animal-themed products, whether it's unicorns, llamas, or monkeys. Some trends take longer to take shape, and 2024 still has a few months left to decide on a clear winner.
"Companies have made a lot of money with it or are still making money from the unicorn, the llama, and perhaps also the monkey," explains the trend expert. "These accessories may be short-lived, as people jump on them and then look for something new after three years." For example, it took some time for one animal of a year to become clear, and 2024 still has some months left.
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The international trend of animal-themed products shows no signs of slowing down, with the otter emerging as a potential new trend in various markets. However, according to trend analyst Kaiser, a trend becomes truly ubiquitous when it appears at many large manufacturers across different countries.
Despite Kaiser's uncertainty about the otter's potential as a trendy animal, other motifs like cats and dogs are already dominating the consumer goods market. Meanwhile, the creative platform Pinterest predicts that jellyfish will be the next big thing, inspiring Gen Z and Millennials in areas like interior design, fashion, and beauty.
