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THE LADY IN BLU

Her unique position as a trend forecaster is not just because she understands the future; she leverages her foresight of future developments to drive a unique creative process to identify, foresee and develop opportunities for growth and innovation, leading businesses to new heights.

 

EMBRACE THE FUTURE

Embracing the future and creating that which is yet to be known is her profession. Her name is Antoinette van den Berg AKA The Lady in Blu, a trend forecaster; cultural anthropologist of the future. A creative professional that focuses on exploring and conceptualising the future. She takes the opportunities that the future presents as a basis for creative development. She advocates for positive solutions and aspires for a bright future, which we have to create together.

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MEET THE LADY IN BLU

 

THE FUTURE AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

Her inspiration is the future. Her love and respect for humanity takes center stage. She observes what is happening now with a historian's perspective, enabling her to understand the present and conceptualize where these cultural and societal changes will lead us in the future. Her sources are multidisciplinary, ranging from superficial aesthetics to weighty societal issues.

 

EMPOWERING BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE

She loves to connect with people and companies and has a deep interest in understanding their identity and the uniqueness that lies within. This interest is the starting point of her added value; she can foresee what the future holds for them. Her drive to empower people and companies enhances her ability to envision opportunities that will equip them for a bright future.

 

INTENTION

She aims to make the most of the opportunities that life presents at different stages, both now and in the future. As a professional, her goal is to help companies harness their unique strengths and take full advantage of the opportunities available to them in the future. She believes that by doing so, a company can reach its full potential and create a great future.

 

HOLISTIC APPROACH

Her vision is based on both intelligent, analytical scales and a feeling-sensitive intuitive approach, providing a well-rounded and comprehensive approach to uncovering the prospects of the future. She offers a unique perspective on the future that cannot be gleaned from data alone. The Lady in Blu goes beyond data analysis to give you a comprehensive understanding of what's to come. Data analysis aims to predict the future using historical data. There is no data about developments and opportunities that have yet to occur.

57 YEARS OF LIFE EXPERIENCE AND 32 YEARS IN BUSINESS

 

With 57 years of life experience, she has developed a wealth of knowledge and diverse experiences in both her professional and personal life. Her forward-thinking mindset has consistently allowed her to be ahead of the curve, often living in the future before it becomes a reality. Her extensive life experience has made her an invaluable trend forecaster. With a deep understanding of emerging cultural shifts and human behavior, her ability to predict trends with accuracy and insight is unmatched. Her age and wealth of experiences further enhance her skills, allowing her to bring unique perspectives and ideas to her work as a trend forecaster.

 

COOL TO BE OLD

In 2010, she accurately predicted the emerging trend of "Cool to be Old," and now in 2023, the trend is starting to become a reality. She continues to be at the forefront of cultural shifts and emerging behaviors, proudly embodying and embracing her age,57, without resorting to plastic surgery or botox. Drawing on her extensive life experience and unparalleled insight as a trend forecaster, she has once again demonstrated her forward-thinking mindset by envisioning new cultural shifts herself.

LIFE EXPERIENCE AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS

TREND FORECASTER WITH A DESIGNER'S EYE

The Lady in Blu is a trend forecaster with a professional background in design. She earned her degree from the prestigious Design Academy in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, where she specialized in the study of Men and Identity. Her expertise in visual design, design thinking and concept development was formed through her education at the academy, as well as her understanding of how human behavior is connected to identity.

 

These qualifications provided an exceptional foundation for leveraging her high degree of foresight to drive her unique creative process that enables her to identify business opportunities at all levels making her an invaluable asset in the field of trend forecasting.

EXPANDED WORLDVIEW: NOMAD LIFE ON A SAILING YACHT

The Lady in Blu embarked on an incredible journey with her husband and children, spending seven years living and traveling on a sailing yacht from Holland to Belgium, France, England, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta, the Balearic Islands, Morocco, and back. As they sailed through different waters and docked in numerous ports along the way, The Lady in Blu and her family had the opportunity to live with and integrate into diverse cultures, backgrounds, social levels, customs, and traditions.

 

Throughout her seven-year nomad life, she was able to pursue her passion for exploring the world and expanding her perspective as a trend forecaster while fully experiencing her young kids at the same time. It allowed her to see the world through a different lens, gaining invaluable life experience, and enriching her ability to identify emerging trends and provide unique insights to clients, which is essential for a trend forecaster. This voyage expanded her worldview and also gave her the opportunity to add Italian to her linguistic repertoire. After three years of full-time traveling, the Lady in Blu combined the lifestyle of living on a sailing boat with her work as a trend forecaster in her studio in Italy, next to the port of Genoa.

BIO HIGHLIGHTS - TREND FORECASTING

As a trend forecaster, The Lady in Blu has worked for a diverse range of companies and public services, including cosmetic labels, subcontractors, raw material suppliers, sustainable initiatives, department stores, governments, law firms, fairs, and academies.

 

TRACK RECORD OF FORECASTING ESSENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND CULTURE SHIFTS

The Lady in Blu has a long and proven track record of accurately forecasting developments that have become essential for companies in both the visual and non-visual realms of society over time, and which are now undeniable. Her ability to forecast emerging culture shifts and human behavior has made her a respected authority.

 

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

As an international speaker, she has engagements all over the world, from Korea to Sweden, and from LA to Paris. She has spoken to Chanel, Dior, YSL, L’Oreal, Shiseido, Sephora, Kikko, Estee Lauder, Make Up For Ever, The Body Shop, Make-Up in Paris, Bangkok, LA, and Barcelona. She has also spoken at In-Cosmetics London, Paris, Barcelona, and Dusseldorf, The Bridge, De Bijenkorf, T-Mobile, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, W Hotel, Marlies Dekkers, HEMA, Oolaboo Cosmetics, Hegron Cosmetics, The Next Women, Centraal Museum, X Bank, and many more. The opportunity to travel all over the world and engage with a multicultural audience from many different companies has broadened her scope as a trend forecaster.

 

DIGITAL TREND FORECASTS PUBLISHED BY The Lady in Blu

  • In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, The Lady in Blu realized immediately that this was a significant event that would rapidly change the world and usher in a new era. To help businesses navigate this new reality, she launched an exclusive bi-weekly future trend report subscription called "The World After." A unique approach, as the world of trend forecasting had previously worked on a half-yearly schedule. The subscription offers future insights with opportunities for growth and innovation, guiding businesses to new heights in the rapidly changing world.

  • In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, The Lady in Blu launched an exclusive bi-weekly future trend report subscription called "The World After". The subscription offers future insights with opportunities for growth and innovation, guiding businesses to new heights in the rapidly changing world.

  • 2009: A color cosmetic approach for the Indian market included conducting inclusive research in India.

  • 2007: A digital trend forecast for "Men's Cosmetics" was published, accompanied by a collection of Men Cosmetics. This was a well-in-advance focus on the upcoming market of men's cosmetics.

  • 2005 a digital trend forecast for "Women's Cosmetics," long term, mid-term, and short-term trends.

 

TAILOR-MADE FORECASTING

  • Five-yearly digital B2B cosmetic trend forecasts with innovative pigment mixtures for the future, used by major global brands such as L'Oreal, Chanel, YSL, Dior, Shiseido, Sephora, Revlon, and 100+ others, for Impact Colors USA.

  • Strategic trend forecast for Schwan Cosmetics (Schwan-Stabilo), Germany.

  • Trend forecast with a collection of cosmetic care applications for the future for Dow Corning, Belgium.

  • Strategic trend forecast with future approach cosmetic and care collection for department store HEMA, The Netherlands.

  • Strategic trend forecast 3D print for Schwan Cosmetics (Schwan-Stabilo), Germany.

  • Trend forecast with a collection of innovative wet wipe opportunities for Codi International, The Netherlands.

  • Ten-yearly trend forecasts with innovative applications for the cosmetic, automotive, plastic, and paper industry.

Personal presentations have been given to Chanel, YSL, Dior, Estee Lauder, Clarins, L'Oreal, Guerlain, Shiseido, Givaudan, Sephora, subcontractors in France and Italy, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Crown Wallpaper, PPG, Jaguar, Renault, Rover, and many more in Europe, the USA, South Africa, and Russia.

BIO HIGHLIGHTS - DIVERSIFIED VENTURES BEYOND TREND FORECASTING

 

FASHION PROTAGONIST; FOUNDER OF RE LOVE FOUNDATION

In 2015, as a trend forecaster, she recognized the urgent need to address the pollution caused by the fashion industry, which ranked as the second-largest polluter in the world. Being a front runner, she realized that the most effective solution was to reduce the production and consumption of new clothes. Taking action, she founded the RE LOVE Foundation, promoting joyful alternative RE LOVE FASHION, which emphasizes reusing, retouching, restyling, repairing, and repeating fashion. She worked on various projects for the Ministry of the Netherlands, successfully promoting RE LOVE FASHION. In 2023, this concept is widely appreciated, and the RE LOVE business model is well-known for reducing the pollution caused by the fashion industry.

 

FOUNDER OF TOUCHÉTODAY, A 3D PRINTED ACCESSORY LABEL

  • Ahead of its time (2013), with a focus on an inclusive marketing approach for people of diverse backgrounds, including those of multicultural backgrounds, 3rd gender, men, women, old, and young.

  • A collection of accessories that combined 3D printing with pearls.

 

NAPOLIFOTO.COM

One of the first online city guides that explores the identities of Naples through photography heavily manipulated with Photoshop, creating a visually striking and artistic style that was ahead of its time.

 

RESTORATION OF A MONUMENTAL RUIN

In 1995, she combined her work as a trend forecaster with the restoration of a monumental ruin measuring 15 meters x 16 meters x 11 meters high, along with a wooden front house in The Netherlands. The project embodied a respectful attitude towards cultural heritage while maintaining a forward-thinking approach to living. Elle Living magazine covered this project.

 

RE-TOUCHED DEADSTOCK COLLECTION

In 1995, The Lady in Blu was well ahead of her time as she re-touched deadstock to make it sellable again. She created "The Flock Collection" for the department store De Bijenkorf. The project won an internal innovation prize and was also recognized with "The Emmy van Leersum encouragement award”

 

DESIGNER COLLECTION OF DRAWER KNOBS" - 40,000 PIECES SOLD WORLDWIDE AS OF 2013

TESTIMONIAL

 

Herman Wijfels

Politician, chairman of the board of directors at Rabobank, chairman of the Social-Economic Council and representative at the World Bank 


"She has an important story to tell; linked to what today’s future needs. She is the inspiration."

TESTIMONIAL

 

Marcel Wanders

Founder of a studio that bares his name & Moooi

"I have had the pleasure of attending multiple one-on-one dinners with The Lady in Blu, and each time it has left me feeling enlightened and inspired. Her unique talent for identifying potential opportunities and business concepts is truly exceptional. I was able to gain valuable insights into future developments and evaluate my current strategies with her guidance. The relaxed evening setting allowed for an open and engaging dialogue. Overall, the small investment for these consultations was well worth it, and I highly recommend The Lady in Blu to anyone looking to uncover the treasures that lie ahead.

TESTIMONIAL

 

Marlies Dekkers

Creative Director at Marlies | Dekkers

"The Lady in Blu has truly magical powers to foresee the future. This is exactly what a company needs as being prepared for what lies ahead is crucial for any business"

TESTIMONIAL

Sandra Maguarian 

Show manager for Make Up In; The world-wide-leading cosmetic fair.

 

"Having Antoinette address the top Korean make-up brand’s managers was a great experience. The audience was captivated and asking for more. There is no one who is more passionate about fashion and trends, she feels it, she wears it, she breathes it. I am always flattered to have her during Make Up In."

TESTIMONIAL

Konstatin Novoselov 

Nobel Prize winner 

"It is very impressive to see how new technologies penetrate into the world of art and fashion, and Antoinette is at the forefront of it."

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