Predictions for 2017

 As we usher in the new year we have hopes and aspirations for the year 2017. As traumatic as the year 2016 was, 2017 looks promising. Innovations are on the rise in the aspects of music and technology and in the scene of beauty there will be major rejuvenation on past products and concepts to suit the year. The youths are taking the future into their hands with the rise of entrepreneurial skills and the need to be at the helm of their own affairs.

International Music Collaborations

2016 gave us international hit collaborations like One Dance with Wizkid and Drake and How Long with Davido and Tinashe. In 2017, there will be more international collaborations between top Nigerian and international acts. Davido and Wizkid have set the pace with their record label deal with Sony Music. They have opened the door for sincerer international collaborations between Nigerian acts. We at GL predict a new era of sincerer international collaborations. Our dream pairing is Burna Boy and Rihanna. Imagine!

Rise of Young Entrepreneurs 

The recession in Nigeria has given rise to a new wave of entrepreneurs. Following the conversations on social media, a lot of young people are going into business, starting out their clothing lines, accessory lines and carving out career paths to make sure they are their own bosses. Like Mark Zuckerberg we believe the smart money will come from Yaba.

The World of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality 

According to PJ Media, 2017 will be the breakout year for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) which is the merging of real and computer-generated objects, as observed with the hugely popular and successful Pokémon Go game. There will be many more games as well as the introduction of VR and AR in shopping, entertainment, and on our phones. This introduction will give us tech accessories such as goggles to wear for game playing and new content developed to place us into these artificial environments. Augmented reality will get a huge boost with new phones coming out next year from Samsung, Google, and Apple that will make it part of our daily routine.

The Return of Natural Oils

The reintroduction of natural oils into the skincare routine is definitely going to be all the rave next year, this aligns with the interest in natural and holistic products that can help with a plethora of modern ailments including stress and anxiety, mood, sleep, and even hormonal balance.

Popular skincare expert Sonja Dymalowski says, “In terms of skincare ingredients, we are going back to basics – less is more,” This also signifies that the beauty scene would be populated by natural oils. In conclusion, she explains that, “Essentials oils are packed with vitamins, amino acids and anti-oxidants so they won’t dry out your skin. Instead, they can smooth fine lines and heal blemishes at the same time.”

We at GL are looking forward to making our own homemade coconut oil for that extra glow and skin that smells divine!

Rainbow Fashion

Influential designer brands of 2016 were Gucci, under the helm of Alessandro Michele, and the Paris-based Vetements, headed by Demna Gvasalia, also creative director of Balenciaga. Alessandro in the past year challenged fashion’s snobbery about colour and other designers are following suit and succumbing to cheerfulness in their outfits. So, expect joyous rainbow brights with an emphasis on red and pink, from Valentino, Dior, Roksanda, Miu Miu and, of course, Gucci. Shoulder pads might make a comeback but only time will tell.