menu search
About     search
Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 462,195 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,990 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,990 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,213 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
All
AI
Tech
Life
Culture
Design
Ads
Business
Eco
Good
Luxury
Fashion
Bizarre
Keynotes
Search our database of 462,195 cutting edge ideas.
AllAITechLifeCultureDesignAdsBusinessEcoGoodLuxuryFashionBizarreKeynotes DASHBOARD RESEARCH KEYNOTES EVENTS

Top 100 Unique Trends in 2012

From Real-Life Male Barbies to Sea Maiden Suits

— January 18, 2013 — Unique
These unique trends may come as a shock to some, but they will certainly amuse others. From men who look like real-life Barbie dolls to creepy cases to hold your most valuable belongings, Trend Hunter looks at the world of unique ideas in 2012.

These finds give readers a sense of what bizarre happenings went popular over the past year. One blogger even decided to illustrate celebrities with unusual facial hair, including Angelina Jolie.

For more information on these developments, our Unique Trend Report analyzes these concepts with a business perspective in mind.
6.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Artistically Corroded Furniture
Artistically Corroded Furniture
Ka-lai Chan's The Ordinary Family Collection is Volatile
<
99
Poem-Inspired Installations
Poem-Inspired Installations
Penelope by Tatiana Blass Takes its Name from Odysseus' Wife
<
98
Retro Hypnotizing Shades
Retro Hypnotizing Shades
The Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow X-Ray Sunglasses are Sci-Fi
<
97
Sweet Tooth Snacks
Sweet Tooth Snacks
These Molar Cupcakes Will Leave You Contently Abundant in Cavities
<
96
Illusionary Portrature
Illusionary Portrature
Jesus Gonzales Depicts Two-Faced People in His Latest Photo Series
<
95
Countless Clay Figurine Installations
Countless Clay Figurine Installations
Field by Antony Gormley Took Nearly 15 Years to Complete
<
94
Parasitic Cabin Installations
Parasitic Cabin Installations
The Manifest Destiny! Project Encourages Unorthodox Dwellings
<
93
Dual-Firing Guns
Dual-Firing Guns
The AF2011-A1 Double Barrel Pistol by Arsenal Firearms is a One-Shot Kill
<
92
Dripping Wax Candlesticks
Dripping Wax Candlesticks
The Elas Candle Holder Changes Form to Fit Different Taper Widths
<
91
Unsteady Legged Seating
Unsteady Legged Seating
The Trippin' Series Plays with One's Visual Perception of Stability
<
90
Reflective Eyeball Sculptures
Reflective Eyeball Sculptures
The Architect's Eye Installation Mirrors its Stunning Surroundings
<
89
Body Art Bears
Body Art Bears
'Winnie Tattooh' Depicts Iconic Disney Characters with Wicked Tats
<
88
Adorable Designer Manicures
Adorable Designer Manicures
The Nail Rock Meadham Kirchhoff SS12 Nail Wraps are Kitschy and Cute
<
87
Repurposed Fridge Furnishings
Repurposed Fridge Furnishings
Van der Kooij Endless Collection is Robot-Made from Old Appliances
<
86
Handmade Food-Decorated Jewelry
Handmade Food-Decorated Jewelry
Etsy User 'SouZouCreations' Makes Appetizing Rings
<
85
Chromatic Chasm Architecture
Chromatic Chasm Architecture
This Istanbul Disaster Prevention Center Has a Vibrant Volcanic Form
<
84
Feline Superhero Caricatures
Feline Superhero Caricatures
The linedraw Cat Culture Cartoons Feature Iconic Crime Fighters
<
83
Ovular Arboreal Abodes
Ovular Arboreal Abodes
The Hemloft Treehouse is Egg-Shaped and Forest-bound
<
82
Fashionable Stiletto Sheaths (UPDATE)
Fashionable Stiletto Sheaths (UPDATE)
Shoe Condoms Provide More Than Just Protection
<
81
Gruesome Lip Graphics
Gruesome Lip Graphics
Jason Levesque Renders Cut and Oozing Mouth Depictions
<
80
Geological Street Art
Geological Street Art
Geode by Paige Smith Brings 'Natural' Wonders to Urban Settings
<
79
Mid-Traffic Marriage Shots
Mid-Traffic Marriage Shots
Yonge and Dundas Wedding Photo Shoot Interrupts Intersection
<
78
Badass Superhero Armor
Badass Superhero Armor
The Medieval Batman Armor by the Price Armory is Epic
<
77
Multifaceted Industrial Furnishings
Multifaceted Industrial Furnishings
The Acciaio Series 2 Explores the Geometries of Surface
<
76
Funambulist Children's Furniture
Funambulist Children's Furniture
Flip for Kids Encourages Dynamic Physical Development
<
75
Flower Petal Furniture
Flower Petal Furniture
Bruehl's Morning Dew Chair is Refreshing and Feminine
<
74
Colorful Cuddling Coats
Colorful Cuddling Coats
The Si Chan 'Hug Me' Collection Will Grab You
<
73
Squeezebox Planter Partitions
Squeezebox Planter Partitions
The Herb2 System Provides Privacy, Decoration and Fresh Air
<
72
Social Media Sleepers
Social Media Sleepers
The FBed Concept is Inspired by the Facebook Logo
<
71
Creepy Alcohol Caskets
Creepy Alcohol Caskets
Daniel Brokstad 'Possession' Packaging Carries Deathly Intoxication
<
70
Sugar Icing Murals
Sugar Icing Murals
Shelley Miller Creates Stunning Outdoor Artwork Using Cake Ingredients
<
69
Foursquare-Inspired Accessories
Foursquare-Inspired Accessories
The Meshu Jewelry Fashionably Visualizes Favorite Places
<
68
Eco Smartphone Protectors
Eco Smartphone Protectors
The Nite Ize BioCase Boasts an Environmentally-Friendly Chemical Makeup
<
67
Bottom Bidding Wars
Bottom Bidding Wars
Tina Beznec Presents a Bum Tattoo Auction
<
66
Floral-Infused Floor Installations
Floral-Infused Floor Installations
Echoes-Infinity by Shinji Ohmaki is Subtly Interactive
<
65
Swiveling Cycles
Swiveling Cycles
Jose Hurtado's Twist Bike Concept is Uniquely Reversible
<
64
Ductile Donut Docks
Ductile Donut Docks
The iLoop Smartphone Stand Surrounds Your Cell as a Secure Prop
<
63
Floating Refuelling Rafts
Floating Refuelling Rafts
The S2S Project Makes it Possible to Live Light on the Earth's Oceans
<
62
Bonsai Treehouse Sculptures
Bonsai Treehouse Sculptures
Takanori Aiba Creates Intricate Mini Masterpieces
<
61
Internet-Inspired Sneakers
Internet-Inspired Sneakers
Lumen Bigott's Social Media Shoes Bring Your Laptop Love to the Streets
<
60
Sci-Fi Cat Beds
Sci-Fi Cat Beds
The Feline Tardis Contraption Lets Your Cat Explore Space and Time
<
59
Creepy Cranium Cases
Creepy Cranium Cases
The Aitor Throup Shiva Skull Bags are the Focus of His 2012 Menswear Line
<
58
Drawbridge Herbage
Drawbridge Herbage
Volet Vegetal Creates a Tiny Terrace for Upper Floor Apartments
<
57
Funky Fish Tights
Funky Fish Tights
These Yosif Perez Leggings are Nautical
<
56
Masked Bunny Sculptures
Masked Bunny Sculptures
Artwork by Darla Jackson is Darkly Endearing
<
55
Peculiar Plumbed Tables
Peculiar Plumbed Tables
The MT 01 Table Comprises a Spindly Frame of Galvanized Pipes
<
54
Singular Pajama Playsuits
Singular Pajama Playsuits
Onepiece Makes Chilling an Ultra Urban Pastime
<
53
Textured Underwater Portraits
Textured Underwater Portraits
Fish Heads by Tim Tadder Captures Submerged Individuals
<
52
School Book Sculptures
School Book Sculptures
Liu Wei Reinvents Educational Tools into Eye-Catching Cityscapes
<
51
Pop-Out Plywood Bands
Pop-Out Plywood Bands
Les Ouvrieres Wooden Rings Come in Their Original Stenciled Panels
<
50
Cutting-Edge Compact Ovens
Cutting-Edge Compact Ovens
The Electrolux Cooik Practically Prepares Supper for You
<
49
Inflatable Steel Furniture
Inflatable Steel Furniture
Zieta Prozessdesign Creations are Contemporarily Cartoonish
<
48
Acid Flashback Artwork
Acid Flashback Artwork
Original Artwork by Ryan Riss Offers a Mind Bending Trip
<
47
Fun Fulcrum Footwear
Fun Fulcrum Footwear
Rollerballs are Reinvented Roller Skates That Pivot on a Spherical Center
<
46
Outdoor Suspended Sleeping
Outdoor Suspended Sleeping
The Tentsile Provides Above Ground Shelter for Campers
<
45
Vibrant Adhesive Accessories
Vibrant Adhesive Accessories
Duct Tape Jewelry by Michele Howarth is Vibrantly Fun
<
44
Deluxe Domestic Playground Equipment
Deluxe Domestic Playground Equipment
Svvving Luxury Swings Bring Fun to Fancy Homes
<
43
Sneaker-Soled Oxfords
Sneaker-Soled Oxfords
The Cole Haan Wingtip Lunargraad are the Most Comfy Dress Shoes
<
42
Helicopter Bicycles
Helicopter Bicycles
The FBike Concept Allows Long Leaps to Avoid Traffic Congestions
<
41
Soapless Eco Clothes Cleaners
Soapless Eco Clothes Cleaners
The Orbit Washing Machine Lets You Do Laundry Anywhere
<
40
Digitally Distorted Architecture
Digitally Distorted Architecture
A Wayward World of Surreal Structures by Philip Dujardin
<
39
Happening Hipster Earmuffs
Happening Hipster Earmuffs
The 'Hipstormossan' Ear Caps Keep Your Extremities Warm and Stylish
<
38
Controversial Curvy Catwalks
Controversial Curvy Catwalks
Full Figured Fashion Show in New York Straddles Obesity & Empowerment
<
37
Open-Plan Garage Abodes
Open-Plan Garage Abodes
Harley in da House Lures Vehicles into the Living Room
<
36
Buoyant Holiday Homes
Buoyant Holiday Homes
The Lausitz Geierswald Resort in Germany Features Floating Residences
<
35
Gel Pill Drink Packaging
Gel Pill Drink Packaging
This Vitaminwater Capsule Design Reinforces Healthy Content
<
34
Hot Air Helicopters
Hot Air Helicopters
The Sky Voyage Uses a Balloon to Fly Instead of Spinning Blades
<
33
Inside-Out Body Campaigns
Inside-Out Body Campaigns
The National Health Service's Donation Stunt is Bloody Brilliant
<
32
Elf Ear Accessories
Elf Ear Accessories
The Belethil Collection Offers Beautiful Handcrafted Jewelry
<
31
Manmade Cloud Installations
Manmade Cloud Installations
Berndnaut Smilde's Nimbus II is Magical and Whimsical
<
30
Transparent Pod Lodgings
Transparent Pod Lodgings
The Attrap Reves Hotel Allows Guests to Stargaze in France
<
29
Luxuriously Portable Living Quarters
Luxuriously Portable Living Quarters
The Opera Luxury Camper Trailer is Overindulgent
<
28
Filigree Glass Sculptures
Filigree Glass Sculptures
Robert Mickelson Turns Ordinary Objects into Ethereal Masterpieces
<
27
Concealed Compartment Phone Covers
Concealed Compartment Phone Covers
The iLID MK-1 iPhone Wallet Declutters Your Pants Pockets
<
26
Impressionable Beach Sandals
Impressionable Beach Sandals
Custom Sand Imprint Flip Flops Print Personalized Messages
<
25
Horrendously Hairy Actresses
Horrendously Hairy Actresses
These Bearded Female Celebrities are Burly
<
24
Vengeful Disney Vixens
Vengeful Disney Vixens
DeviantArt Artist JoshWMC 'Princesses as Fighting Warriors' are Remixed
<
23
Suit of Armor Sweaters
Suit of Armor Sweaters
The Grey Knight Armored Hoodie Harks Back to a Time of Chivalry
<
22
Carnivorous High Heels
Carnivorous High Heels
Iris van Herpen and United Nude's Fang Shoe is Literally Long in the Tooth
<
21
Androgynous Murderer Shoots
Androgynous Murderer Shoots
This Editorial Featuring Stefan Khoo is Evil and Alluring
<
20
Sea Maiden Suits
Sea Maiden Suits
The 'Swimmable Mermaid Tail' Takes Buyers Under The Sea
<
19
Marvel Motorcycle Tattoos
Marvel Motorcycle Tattoos
Alivia Marie Makes Geek Art Intimidating with Her Avenger Artwork
<
18
Portable Solar Abodes
Portable Solar Abodes
This Design by Mehdi Hidari Badie is Well-Traveled
<
17
Interior Greenery Technology
Interior Greenery Technology
The E Home Concept Connects People with Nature Using Digital Tech
<
16
Piped Paperback Storage
Piped Paperback Storage
Industrial Bookshelves Bind Your Library into the Structure of Your Home
<
15
One-Way Mirror Public Toilets
One-Way Mirror Public Toilets
Don't Miss a Sec by Monica Bonvicini is Controversially Voyeuristic
<
14
Real Life Male Barbies
Real Life Male Barbies
The Human Ken Doll is Unnaturally Beautiful
<
13
Eccentric Tetris-Style Sofas
Eccentric Tetris-Style Sofas
To Gather Presses the Piecing of Odd Modules Together
<
12
Origami-Inspired Seating
Origami-Inspired Seating
The Star Chair by Michael Samoriz is a Crafty Addition to Any Interior
<
11
Anatomic Tights
Anatomic Tights
Black Milk Clothing Makes You Look Ripped
<
10
Complete Camera Smartphone Concepts
Complete Camera Smartphone Concepts
The 'iPhone Pro' Turns Apple to High Quality Captures
<
9
Water Bottle Nozzles
Water Bottle Nozzles
The Hygienna Solo Converts Plastic Bottles into Portable Bidets
<
8
Animal Sculpture Furniture
Animal Sculpture Furniture
The Hippo Coffee Table Collection is Adorably Realistic
<
7
Glowing Sci-Fi Bicycles
Glowing Sci-Fi Bicycles
The WinCycle 001 Was Designed as Muscle-Powered Tron Transport
<
6
Cantilevered Wooden Cabins
Cantilevered Wooden Cabins
Utriai Residence Holds an Impossible Position Lifted Up from the Lawn
<
5
Floating Balcony Pools
Floating Balcony Pools
The Aquaria Grande is Sculptural and Luxurious
<
4
Transparent Digital Timepieces
Transparent Digital Timepieces
Tokyoflash Aeon LCD Watch Integrates a Fascinating Futuristic Face
<
3
Orange Peel Wicks
Orange Peel Wicks
The DIY Satsuma Candle is an Eco-Friendly Alternative to Traditional Tapers
<
2
Electronic Cardboard Creatures
Electronic Cardboard Creatures
The AREA + Eco DIY Collection is Endearing and Economical
<
1
Flesh-Torn Tattoos
Flesh-Torn Tattoos
The Designs of Yomico Moreno are Incredibly Realistic
<