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Top 100 Unique Trends in 2015

From Contorted Body Portraits to Mermaid Swimming Lessons

— January 9, 2016 — Unique
These 2015 unique trends range from conceptual art projects to unique hobbies like a Montreal swimming school that trains real-life mermaids while equipping them with tails and fins. As technology continues to consume most people's lives, many are left with little time for common hobbies and past-times. Consumers' busy schedules are making them desire more sensory experiences and products, often inspired by childhood nostalgia.

In addition to adult mermaid schools and immersive origami installations, other 2015 unique trends include product oddities like anime tea bags with a suggestive theme. While home decor and pet-centric novelties are discussed, other favorites include niche beauty products that are an effective alternative to invasive surgical procedures.

Furthermore, standouts like connected jewelry pieces and wearable art heels round out this list's fashion examples -- products often based on creativity rather than practicality or wearability. For more unique ideas that will help spark innovation, check out Trend Hunter's 2016 Trend Report.
6.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Hybrid Lightbulb-Speakers
Hybrid Lightbulb-Speakers
Sengled's PULSE LED Speaker Reinvents Lighting with Sound
<
99
Oversized Knit Throws
Oversized Knit Throws
This Giant Blanket is Made with PVC Knitting Needles and Rope-Thick Yarn
<
98
False Bloody Bandages
False Bloody Bandages
These Boo-Boos Band-Aids Make Your Injuries Look a Lot More Intense
<
97
Gummy Bear Lightboxes
Gummy Bear Lightboxes
The Mayice Presentation Box is Made from Colorful Melted Candies
<
96
Record-Breaking Tiny Drills
Record-Breaking Tiny Drills
Lance Abernethy 3D-Prints the World's Smallest Working Drill
<
95
Cannabis-Inspired Restaurants
Cannabis-Inspired Restaurants
'Cannabistro' is a Pop-Up Diner Serving Gourmet Herb Dishes
<
94
Park-Inspired Workstations
Park-Inspired Workstations
Draw Your Focus Away from Work with This Fantastic Fish Tank Desk
<
93
Cheeky Tech-Free Smartphones
Cheeky Tech-Free Smartphones
The NoPhone Zero Humorously Helps Technology Addicts Disconnect
<
92
Concrete-Like Desk Accessories
Concrete-Like Desk Accessories
The Tiny City Collection by TripleLiving is Deceptively Malleable
<
91
Pizza Condom Packaging
Pizza Condom Packaging
This Clever Packaging Design Combines Pizza and Condoms
<
90
Futuristic Electronic Skateboards
Futuristic Electronic Skateboards
This Single-Wheel Skateboard Zips Around Like a Hoverboard
<
89
Futuristic Conceptual Offices (UPDATE)
Futuristic Conceptual Offices (UPDATE)
Dutch Design Firm RAAAF Creates a Rocky Terrain to Work At
<
88
Extreme Secret Agent Tourism
Extreme Secret Agent Tourism
James Bond Operation Involves Civilians in Boat Chases and Shootouts
<
87
Trippy Domestic Designs
Trippy Domestic Designs
This Unsettling Home Installation Asks Observers What It's Doing Wrong
<
86
Crowdfunded Urban Forests
Crowdfunded Urban Forests
The PopUP Forest Project Wants to Transform Times Square into Greenery
<
85
Retro Sitcom Toys
Retro Sitcom Toys
Samuel Hatmaker Pitches a Golden Girls LEGO Set to Be Produced
<
84
Novelty Macho Restaurants
Novelty Macho Restaurants
The 'Macho Meat Shop' in Tokyo Features Muscular Male Servers
<
83
Bizarre Pom Pom Gowns
Bizarre Pom Pom Gowns
The Dyspnea Mutha Fluffa Feather Dress is Strangely Revealing
<
82
Multifunctional 3D-Printed Flashlights
Multifunctional 3D-Printed Flashlights
Hi-Tech Multitool is Made from Stainless Steel and Tritium
<
81
Limb-Like Selfie Sticks
Limb-Like Selfie Sticks
The Selfie Arm is Handy for Reaching Your Most Photogenic Angle
<
80
Majestic Mountain Chairs
Majestic Mountain Chairs
Gaetano Pesce Pays Tribute to Nature Through a Surreal Furniture Piece
<
79
Intergalactic Meal Replacements
Intergalactic Meal Replacements
The '100%FOOD' Beverages are Astronaut-Approved Foods for Earth
<
78
Realistic Fashion Model Replicas
Realistic Fashion Model Replicas
This Model Doll is a 3D-Printed Version of a Real-Life Model
<
77
Busty Anime Tea Bags
Busty Anime Tea Bags
The Muku Corporation Has Designed Tea Bags Resembling an Anime Character
<
76
Eccentric Door Designs
Eccentric Door Designs
Nendo's Seven Doors Become Hybrid Home Features with Whimsical Charm
<
75
Majestic Russian Photography
Majestic Russian Photography
Photography Elena Shumilova Captures the Unspoiled Beauty of Russia
<
74
Driverless Pizza Delivery
Driverless Pizza Delivery
Domino's Presents an Autonomous Bike That's Too Delicious to Be True
<
73
Unphotographable Clothing
Unphotographable Clothing
The Anti-Paparazzi Collection by Chris Holmes Ensures Privacy
<
72
Gorgeous Garbage Gowns
Gorgeous Garbage Gowns
Garbage Gone Glam Hopes You Choose a Garbage Dress for Your Next Function
<
71
Child-Locating Sunscreen Ads
Child-Locating Sunscreen Ads
The Protection Ad by Nivea Uses iBeacons to Keep Track of Kids
<
70
Crab-Legged Steampunk Clocks
Crab-Legged Steampunk Clocks
Nixie Machine Fuses Vintage Digital Tubes with Modern Manufacturing
<
69
Humanized Leather Accessories
Humanized Leather Accessories
Konstantin Kofta's Unique Backpacks Resemble Human Skin and Limbs
<
68
Shaggy Heeled Footwear
Shaggy Heeled Footwear
The Maison Margiela Furry Heels Channel 'Cousin It' From the Adams Family
<
67
Minimalist Reading Devices
Minimalist Reading Devices
The Transparent Book Holder Design Ingeniously Holds Pages in Place
<
66
Tub Smartphone Holders
Tub Smartphone Holders
This Inflatable Bath Accessory Helps You Relax on Your Phone in the Tub
<
65
Floating Fiji Bars
Floating Fiji Bars
The Cloud 9 Bar Offers an Incredible Escape Surrounded by Turquoise Waters
<
64
Screw-Inspired Beer Coolers
Screw-Inspired Beer Coolers
The 'Chill Drill' Uses Sand's Natural Insulation for Beer Cooling
<
63
Drought-Conscious Shower Systems
Drought-Conscious Shower Systems
The Shower of the Future Recycles 90 Percent of the Water It Uses
<
62
Fanciful Furry Reflectors
Fanciful Furry Reflectors
The PomPom Mirror Reproduces Images with Soft Black and White Materials
<
61
Public Napping Chairs
Public Napping Chairs
This Modern Seat is Meant to be Placed in Cities for a Temporary Relief
<
60
Booze-Concealing Tampons
Booze-Concealing Tampons
These Booze Tubes Help Conceal Alcohol in the Form of a Tampon
<
59
Flexible Tubular Light Fixtures
Flexible Tubular Light Fixtures
Mono-Light Behaves Like Illuminated Hosing to Be Hung As You Like
<
58
3D-Printed Auto Opportunities
3D-Printed Auto Opportunities
Researchers Point the Way to Innovative Applications in Car Making
<
57
Wristworn Ant Farms
Wristworn Ant Farms
The Ant Watch Creates a Small Ecosystem for You to Flaunt on Your Arm
<
56
Multi-Surface Styluses
Multi-Surface Styluses
The Phree Digital Pen Lets You Make a Notepad or a Canvas of Anything
<
55
Imagined Supersonic Planes
Imagined Supersonic Planes
These Jet Designs Could Spark Advancements in Aviation Technology
<
54
Signaling Bicycle Helmets
Signaling Bicycle Helmets
Lumos is a Smart Bicycle Helmet that Improves Road Communication
<
53
Secluding Dome Pillows
Secluding Dome Pillows
Head Tent Muffles Sound and Keeps Out Light for Optimal Sleeping Conditions
<
52
Contagious Yawning Billboards
Contagious Yawning Billboards
Cafe Pele's Interactive Ad Reminds People of Their Need for Caffiene
<
51
Leg-Illuminating Skirts
Leg-Illuminating Skirts
The Hemline of the Hikaru Skirt is Dotted with LED Lights
<
50
Rain-Activated Street Art
Rain-Activated Street Art
Rainworks Are Eco-Friendly Sidewalk Installations That Appear When Wet
<
49
Futuristic Funeral Carriages
Futuristic Funeral Carriages
This Modern Coffin Carriage is an Avant-Garde Take on Antique Designs
<
48
3D-Printed Clay Homes
3D-Printed Clay Homes
The 'Big Delta' Can Build a 3D-Printed House Quickly for Disaster Relief
<
47
Cloud-Connected Liquor Bottles
Cloud-Connected Liquor Bottles
Johnnie Walker Whisky Tech-Savvily Confirms Age Authenticity
<
46
Hooked Ice Cream Cones
Hooked Ice Cream Cones
New York Food Truck Play J Ice Cream Offers Phallic-Looking J Cone Treats
<
45
Kaleidoscopic Origami Domes
Kaleidoscopic Origami Domes
'Light Origami' by Masakazu Shirane & Saya Miyazaki is Illuminating
<
44
Illusory Wireframe Lamps
Illusory Wireframe Lamps
These 2D Lamps Provide Fun Optical Illusions for the Home Decorator
<
43
Produce-Based Leather
Produce-Based Leather
The Willem de Kooning Academie Turns Food Waste Into Usable Fruit Leather
<
42
Sliding Sliced Houses
Sliding Sliced Houses
An Installation by Michael Jantzen Invites You to Play with Space as Frames
<
41
Inside-Out Homes
Inside-Out Homes
This Andrew Maynard Architects Design is Intentionally Incomplete
<
40
Projection Mapped Jewelry
Projection Mapped Jewelry
Tactum by MadLab Uses Interactive Projections to Design Bracelets
<
39
Gripping Gang Portraits
Gripping Gang Portraits
Jono Rotman Photographed Haunting Portraits of Mob Members
<
38
Washing Machine Wardrobes
Washing Machine Wardrobes
A Laundering Closet Cleans Delicate Clothes Conveniently While They Hang
<
37
Flexible Projected Computers
Flexible Projected Computers
All-in-One Apple Concept is Convenient as iPad and Powerful as iMac
<
36
Intergalactic Runway Collections
Intergalactic Runway Collections
The Anrealage AW15 Collection Boasts Alien Brains and Silhouettes
<
35
Beautified Bomb Shelters
Beautified Bomb Shelters
The Bunker Pavilion is a Reclaimed Refuge with Contemporary Comforts
<
34
Tipsy Task Chairs
Tipsy Task Chairs
This Spring-Framed Chair Offsets the Drunken Sway of the Sitter
<
33
3D-Printed Mansions
3D-Printed Mansions
This House Created by Winsun Shows Off Design, 3D-Printed Materials
<
32
Surf-Like Office Decks
Surf-Like Office Decks
The Level Encourages Better Physical Health and More Movement at Work
<
31
Conceptual Armor Jewelry
Conceptual Armor Jewelry
Japanese Designer Fangophilia Creates Unusual Accessories
<
30
Taunting Interactive Illustrations
Taunting Interactive Illustrations
Inkteraction Art by Alex Solis Brings 2D Drawings Off the Page
<
29
Bejeweled Runway Masks
Bejeweled Runway Masks
The Givenchy’s Spring Runway Show Featured Romantic Lace Masks
<
28
Elegant Airplane Desks
Elegant Airplane Desks
This Amazing Workstation is Made from the Wing of a 737-800 Boeing Aircraft
<
27
Suspended Hot Tubs
Suspended Hot Tubs
The 'Hydro Hammock' is a Combination Between a Hammock and a Suspended Pool
<
26
Lava-Charred Steaks
Lava-Charred Steaks
The Syracuse University Lava Project Experiments by Cooking Steak with Lava
<
25
Virtual Reality Home Gyms
Virtual Reality Home Gyms
Icaros by HYVE Provides a Stimulating and Entertaining Way to Work Out
<
24
Roller Coaster Restaurants
Roller Coaster Restaurants
This Abu Dhabi Restaurant Delivers Food Like Theme Park Rides
<
23
Anonymous Photo Projects
Anonymous Photo Projects
This Series is a Collection of the Internet's Fascinating Lost Pictures
<
22
Contorted Body Portraits
Contorted Body Portraits
This Image Series Features a Man Posing in Pretzel-Like Shapes
<
21
Super Speedy Bicycles
Super Speedy Bicycles
The Raht Racer Can Travel as Fast as a Car
<
20
Hologram Tablet Technology
Hologram Tablet Technology
This Holocube Case Creates 3D Projections of On-Screen Animations
<
19
Mermaid Swimming Schools
Mermaid Swimming Schools
L'académie Aquasirène Offers Canada's First Mermaid Lessons
<
18
Shipping Container Gardens
Shipping Container Gardens
Cropbox Blends Greenhouses and Hydroponics for Mobile Farming
<
17
Fresh Food Vending Machines
Fresh Food Vending Machines
Let's Pizza Makes 100 Different Variations from Scratch
<
16
Floating Fitness Studios
Floating Fitness Studios
The Nike Crystal Coliseum was a Pop-Up for Training Classes
<
15
Coffee Cup Logo Doodles
Coffee Cup Logo Doodles
This Collection Transforms the Starbucks Siren into Various Characters
<
14
Spherical Underground Fridges
Spherical Underground Fridges
The Ground Fridge is a Modern Version of the Traditional Root Cellar
<
13
Metropolitan Cat Cafes
Metropolitan Cat Cafes
The Recently Opened Meow Parlour is the First NYC Cat Cafe
<
12
Fantastic Masquerading Furnishings
Fantastic Masquerading Furnishings
A Series of Hybrid Sculptural Seating Assumes Everyday Objects
<
11
Mobile Barber Shops
Mobile Barber Shops
Salon Le Barber Brings Men's Grooming Services on the Road
<
10
Box-Delivered Beds
Box-Delivered Beds
This Mattress in a Box Expands to Full-Size with Its Innovative Memory Foam
<
9
Distorted Fashion Photography
Distorted Fashion Photography
Asger Carlsen Puts His Own Spin on Resort Fashion for The Cut
<
8
Amphibious Private Jets
Amphibious Private Jets
This Personal Airplane Can Fold into a Trailer and is Spin-Resistant
<
7
Bust-Toning Hand Massagers
Bust-Toning Hand Massagers
The Breast Gymnastics Hand Massager Helps Create a Perkier Bust
<
6
Triple Expansion Campers
Triple Expansion Campers
The 3X by BeauEr Expands Three Sizes in Under One Minute
<
5
Morbidly Funny Photo Books
Morbidly Funny Photo Books
The 'Crap Taxidermy' Book is Full of Badly Stuffed Animals
<
4
Terrifying Japanese Desserts
Terrifying Japanese Desserts
Panapp is a Treat That Will Really Make You Scream for Ice Cream
<
3
Garden-to-Table Cafes
Garden-to-Table Cafes
This Kreuzberg Garden Project is an Organic Food Hub with a Quaint Cafe
<
2
Life Drawing Parties
Life Drawing Parties
Toronto's Graphic Stallion Hosts Bachelorette, Retirement & Divorce Parties
<
1
Octopus-Inspired Stilettos
Octopus-Inspired Stilettos
These Unusual High Heels Feature Intricate Octopus Tentacles
<