Future+ Fridays | Issue32

1. Highlights: Future+ N°OW'HERE” event

What's happening: On Monday, September 30th, we had the pleasure of hosting the Future+ N°OW'HERE” event in Geneva, with an immersive full-day experience that brought together industry pioneers and innovators. From insightful presentations to a vibrant networking reception, the day was filled with forward-thinking discussions and exciting opportunities to connect.

Our star lineup of speakers featured industry leaders including Pascal Gauthier, CEO and Chairman of Ledger; Raphael Gauthier, CEO of Original; Clément Foucher; Mikki Sandhu, Head of Innovation at T&P; Carla Bünger, Board Member and CEO at Phoenix Technologies; and Christina Frohn from IBM Consulting and a seasoned expert in luxury beauty (can’t share who because of corporate comms restrictions ). Together, they guided our audience through a series of thought-provoking presentations on the latest trends shaping the luxury sector—from the opportunity of gaming for luxury, 3D commerce, groundbreaking GenAI applications and digital asset/ blockchain security.

The event fostered an inspiring atmosphere for connections, exploring new ideas and critical thinking, sparking innovation that drives the industry forward. Beyond the curated seated lunch and cocktail reception, the discussions allowed for meaningful exchanges among CTOs, CEOs, and digital transformation leaders from luxury brands with Swiss HQs as well as international ones, laying the groundwork for future collaboration in the fast-evolving world of luxury.

2. Formula 1 and LVMH announce landmark 10-Year partnership

What’s happening: Formula 1 has announced a 10-year partnership with luxury conglomerate LVMH, starting in March 2025, when the sport will celebrate its 75th anniversary. LVMH will replace Rolex as a global partner, bringing its iconic maisons in the deal like Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, and TAG Heuer.

TLDR:

• Formula 1 has secured a 10-year global partnership with luxury giant LVMH, replacing Rolex as the main sponsor, starting in March 2025 at the Melbourne Grand Prix.

• Iconic LVMH brands like Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, and TAG Heuer will feature prominently in the deal, including luxury hospitality, bespoke brand activations, and exclusive content around Formula 1 events.

• LVMH's involvement in sports follows its strong presence and sponsorship of the 2024 Paris Olympics, further solidifying its presence in global sports.

• This new partnership reflects the growing synergy between the sport industry and the fashion, luxury industry also fuelled by Formula 1’s increasing cultural relevance and crossover appeal through Netflix shows like Drive to Survive but also drivers representation in Luxury.

• Fashion has found footing in F1 for a while through drivers who are strong carriers of the trend with lately Hamilton being an ambassador for Dior, from years ago, TommyXLewis collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger in 2018 and long-standing partnership with Hugo Boss, bolstering the relationship between both industries.

Why it matters: This deal brings together two global leaders—F1 in motorsport and LVMH in luxury—creating a bridge between high-performance racing and luxury lifestyle. As F1’s fanbase continues to expand and attract a more affluent, fashion-forward audience, this collaboration positions the sport as a premium brand experience. LVMH's expertise in delivering bespoke, high-end experiences will enhance F1's cultural footprint, merging the worlds of luxury and racing like never before.

3. Gab Waller's AI-Powered platform to revolutionise fashion sourcing

What's happening: Gab Waller, a leading fashion sourcer known for obtaining exclusive, sold-out, and hard-to-find luxury items, is working on Sourced By, an AI-powered platform. This technology aims to streamline her business and make fashion sourcing more efficient, scalable, and accessible.

TLDR:

• Gab Waller is a global fashion sourcer, helping high profile clients in the likes of Rosie Huntington Whiteley, Sofia Richie Grainge and Hailey Bieber to acquire exclusive items.

• After 6 years of existence, she has now built a team of 10 and has grown her Instagram business following to nearly 150,000. Her activity grew by 152% from 2022 to 2023, driven by high demand for her sourcing services.

• She charges a sourcing fee of $220 to acquire items not available to the public, often before they even hit retail—and in some cases, they never do.

• To improve her business efficiency and scale up, Waller has been working on Sourced By, an AI-powered platform for managing product requests, inventory, and payments. It aims to solve inefficiencies in her manual system, which currently relies on six different software tools and involve time consuming processes.

• Waller mentioned being able to grow from fulfilling 30% of her requests to 100% through the use of the platform.

• The platform offers two interfaces: one for sourcers (charging per transaction) and one for shoppers (currently free during this testing period but will have a joining fee charged at a later stage).

• Waller is raising $1 million in capital to hire a founding engineer and develop the platform further while fixing issues.

• With a personal luxury goods market expected to grow from €540 billion to €580 billion by 2030 (according to Bain) and fashion sourcing estimated to make up 5% of the market, the addressable market for Sourced by is only set to grow further.

Why it matters: Waller’s integrating of technology through the use of AI could reshape the future of fashion sourcing by automating tasks like tracking, invoicing, and managing payments saving many hours. This not only frees up time for sourcers but also enables businesses to meet growing client demand more efficiently. As the luxury goods market expands, platforms like Sourced By could become essential in connecting shoppers with exclusive, high-demand products, making the process smoother and more accessible.

4. Modelverse: Heidi Klum and Supersocial bring fashion and self-expression to Roblox

What's happening: Supermodel and producer Heidi Klum, alongside virtual world and game creator Supersocial, have launched together "Modelverse," a fashion-focused experience on Roblox that emphasises digital self-expression and body positivity born inspired by Heidi's observations of her daughter.

TLDR:

• Heidi Klum and Supersocial launch "Modelverse" on Roblox, focusing on fashion and body positivity where players can attend virtual events inspired by real events such as Klum's Halloween parties and high-fashion shows.

• Players can create an avatars reflecting their personalities, resembling themselves, or go completely outside the box, representing themselves as hot dogs or worms, for example.

• The game encourages creativity for existing Roblox players or new players who have just joined the platform.

• This experience definitely caters to the large audience of 79.5 million daily users of Roblox who can generate unique looks using their inventory or the entire Roblox marketplace. Importantly enough, In the latest studies, data has shown that 56% of Gen Z prioritise their avatar's look over their real-life style.

• Established in 2020, Supersocial has observed continual growth and keeps expanding in virtual worlds and gaming space, they previously collaborated with major brands like Gucci (Gucci Ancora), NARS (NARS Sweet Rush), or E.L.F. Beauty (E.L.F Up) and more. They have raised $7.75 millions to this date and are employing 50 individuals.

• The upcoming Roblox’s integration of commerce (through Shopify) within the platform could bring Roblox’s virtual fashion into the physical world.

Why it matters: "Modelverse" is yet another coup in merging fashion with gaming and the digital world. As younger generations increasingly value virtual self-expression, experiences like this bring together the fun of gaming while considering deeper topics, often problematic within teens, like body positivity. This collaboration is, once again, a key indicator of how brands and platforms like Roblox are shaping culture and the future of fashion. It is not only about playing anymore—it's about creating spaces where players can explore identity and creativity on their own terms. Moreover, Roblox is becoming a major platform for brands to gain traction and awareness amongst large audiences of potential new customers.

5. Angel Reese is redefining what it means to be a rookie on and off the court

What's happening: As the worlds of gaming and fashion grow closer, Angel Reese, WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) rookie and a rising fashion star, is reshaping the game, both on and off the court by scoring major brand deals and breaking records—all while building her personal brand at just 22 years old.

TLDR:

• Joining the WNBA in April, Reese has been balancing basketball while becoming a rising star in fashion and beauty.

• Reese attended her first Met Gala in a custom 16Arlington look, jetting between games, and was invited to Paris for a pre-Olympics event with Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour this summer. Meanwhile, she also broke a WNBA record, becoming the fastest player to reach 20 double-doubles in a season.

• Previously, she has landed deals with L'Oréal, Revolve, and Reebok, where she helped design her own collection and lends her face to the brand's basketball category.

• Reese is the most followed WNBA player on social media, with 8.2 million followers (combined across platforms), blending her basketball career with fashion and lifestyle content. She has also brought more fame to the ‘tunnel walk’ (when the basketball players come out before playing), making it her own fashion runway.

• She’s reshaping what it means to be a rookie by building her commercial brand while dominating on the court while in the past, rookies were playing low-key focusing on their skills, leaving the older, more established players in the limelight.

• Reese has faced the downsides of fame, including media scrutiny and social media trolling, but continues to rise as a public figure and keeps her head high.

Why it matters: Angel Reese represents a new wave of female athletes who are redefining the sports industry by becoming more than just players—they’re becoming cultural icons while keeping the business side of things on top. She’s using her influence to merge sports, fashion, and beauty in ways that were traditionally reserved for male athletes. Reese's success highlights the increasing power of athletes as personal brands, with fashion being a key platform for them to express their identities and reach new audiences. This trend marks a turning point for the WNBA, where rising stars like Reese are attracting new fan bases and major partnerships, reshaping the perception of the league itself and making brands reconsider who to partner with.