Keynote Speaker

Cecilia Biemann

Journalist / Writer
Articles
608
Views
8,590,000
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Member Since
Aug 2008
I am a freelance writer and journalist, an avid reader and a hunter by nature.

I am particularly passionate about business and social cause innovation.
What is unique that's not in your bio?
I have over 500 pieces in my treasured collection of vintage clothing and accessories which spans the 1940's - 1970's, and I still like to play dress-ups!
What's your favorite accomplishment?
Being the only child in a family of five children to finish high school and complete a university degree. I believe that this (in part) makes me a good role model for my daughter. I don't count my daughter as an accomplishment yet. She is only six-years-old, so to me she is still a work in progress. (She is shaping up to be a masterpiece though!)
How do you define cool?
For me, cool is anything that greatly impresses me, even though the object or act itself may not fit the mainstream definition of cool. For example, an innovative new baby product may not be widely considered a cool object, but the fact that the item is likely to benefit thousands of children (and parents) makes it a really cool thing.
What is your secret to uncovering trends?
Get off the beaten track and venture down the road less traveled. Don't rely solely on mainstream sources, instead, track back through the source links on those major sites and mine the background sources to unearth the hidden micro-trend gold.
What do you enjoy most about Trend Hunter?
The thing that I enjoy most about Trend Hunter is how incredibly informed it keeps me. My daily dose of reading Trend Hunter posts ensures that I am never short of interesting topics of conversation. I also enjoy the vibrant Trend Hunter community and the personal interaction with the TH staff. It's rare to find the founder of such a successful site so actively involved with its users.
What is your favorite trend?
Modern art trends are my favourite because they are always rich with impressive visuals, incredible artistic talent and extraordinary diversity. This is followed closely by social cause innovation related trends because they remind me that despite all the sad and shocking news and current affairs we are bombarded with in the media, human kindness and generosity is still thriving.
What are your tips for writing a juicy post?
Include plenty of information and leave out the boring bits. The goal is to inform, engage and entertain readers, so add a splash of wit and humour, emphasize the juiciest bits, and voilà, you have the formula for fabulous posts.
How do you reset to be creative?
I read. Reading the work of talented writers inspires me to up my own game and reminds me how effective language can be when words are beautifully strung together. Reading the awesome posts of other Trend Hunter's inspires me to get busy producing great posts of my own.
What inspires or excites you?
On Trend Hunter, having my posts attract a volume of traffic excites me and the killer titles written by Bianca and Marissa inspire me to write savvy titles of my own. In general, I am inspired by people who have overcome difficult obstacles to achieve success.
Predict something awesome for 2020?
Better internet services in developing nations will see poverty-stricken people flexing their entrepreneurial muscles to create innovative solutions that will improve their lives. Also, more people in the minority of those who hold the majority of the world's wealth will be actively involved in helping to erradicate poverty. This prediction is heavily weighted in HOPE.
Speedy Dog Walking Services
Speedy Dog Walking Services
Swifto Sends Dog Walkers to NYC Doors Within 60 Minutes
Many individuals' hectic lifestyle often results in it being tough to find the time to walk one's dogs. A simple solution to this problem is to hire someone from a dog walking service to walk your pooch… MORE
Eco-Chic Stemware
Eco-Chic Stemware
Monaco Champagne Flutes are Made from Recycled Wine Bottles
Making an eco-friendly toast at any event is easy with this sleek and stylish set of Monaco champagne flutes, which are made from the top halves of recycled wine bottles from Breganze, Italy. These dazzling… MORE
Campy Coffee Brands
Campy Coffee Brands
Gay Coffee Raises Awareness with Same-Sex Supportive Brews
Debuted at the Castro Street Fair in San Francisco on 2 October, Gay Coffee is a line of gay-themed coffee that features campy artwork on the front of the packaging with awareness-raising cultural and… MORE
Obscene Gaga Outakes
Obscene Gaga Outakes
Lady Gaga Releases 'Stuck on F***in' You' for Christmas
Ever loyal to her reams of adoring fans, pop sensation Lady Gaga has rewarded them with the Christmas day release of a new song. Gaga wrote the ditty entitled “Stuck on F**in' You” on her tour bus in… MORE
Downsized Christmas Treats
Downsized Christmas Treats
These Cindy Teh Creations Look Delicious
These miniature cookies made out of polymer clay are the handiwork of detail-oriented artist Cindy Teh who sells the tasty looking creations via her Etsy shop along with a range of cute miniature cupcakes… MORE
$15,000 Whiskey Bottles
$15,000 Whiskey Bottles
Dalmore Releases Exclusive 1951 Vintage Sirius
Dalmore has just released one of its most prized whiskeys which boasts a cast strength of 45% and a price tag of $15,000 (£10,000) per bottle. Just 12 bottles of the single-cask, single malt whiskey are… MORE
Imaginary Pet Parades
Imaginary Pet Parades
Improv Everywhere Cohorts Walk 2000 Invisible Dogs in Brooklyn
In the name of art, over 2,000 people of all ages and races recently participated in Improv Everywhere’s latest mission by spending their Sunday afternoon walking “invisible dogs” down the streets of Brooklyn.… MORE
Skulledelic Sweaters
Skulledelic Sweaters
Sibling Knitwear Collection Includes Trippy Skull Design
Sibling’s latest knitwear collection includes this trippy-looking updated version of their classic Breton sailor’s sweater. The eye-catching skulledelic sweater features an awesome op-art skull image… MORE
Sexy Geek-Chic Apparel
Sexy Geek-Chic Apparel
Eye-popping Cinema-Inspired 3D Glasses Dress
Ladies, if you are heading out on a geek boyfriend-seeking mission in the near or distant future, you are guaranteed to attract all the right attention by donning this nerdy, yet super sexy 3D glasses… MORE
Crowd-Funded Eco-Inventions
Crowd-Funded Eco-Inventions
'321 Water Bottle' Designer Calls on Crowds to Fund Production
Early this year, Marissa spotted a new eco-friendly water bottle design called the ‘321 Water Bottle’ which blends the portability of bottled water with the potability of a filtration system. Fast forward… MORE
Colossal Crowdsourcing Fails
Colossal Crowdsourcing Fails
Kraft Abandons Vegemite iSnack 2.0 Name
In what I’m sure will go down in history as one of biggest ever crowdsourcing fails, Kraft has abandoned the name of iSnack 2.0 for their new mix of vegemite and cream cheese, just days after revealing… MORE
Activist Street Art
Activist Street Art
Fauxreel's 'The Unaddressed' Addresses Homelessness in Toronto
People pounding the pavement in Toronto are getting a lesson in social awareness thanks to the confronting street art of Fauxreel’s current series, ‘The Unaddressed,’ which effectively spells out some… MORE
Cartoon-Inspired Nuptials
Cartoon-Inspired Nuptials
2 Couples Yabba Dabba Do a Double 'Flintstones' Wedding
Two couples have eschewed a traditional white wedding in favor of a fun Flintstones-themed double wedding in Norwich. Andrea and Simon Bean dressed up as Fred and Wilma Flintstone, and Richard and Jill… MORE
Prehistoric Auctions
Prehistoric Auctions
Rare Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton Goes Under Hammer
The rare skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex dubbed ‘Samson’ will will be auctioned by international auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields in Las Vegas on October 3, 2009. The 66 million-year-old skeleton from… MORE
Barbie Masterpieces
Barbie Masterpieces
Kristyna Milde Recreates Famous Paintings with Posed Dolls
Czech artist Kristyna Milde recreates some of history’s most famous paintings using posed Barbie dolls as a replacement for the female subjects of these artworks. Kristyna Milde's engaging series entitled… MORE
$24,000 Haircuts
$24,000 Haircuts
Sultan of Brunei's Pricey Private Trim Amid Swine Flu Fears
In what must be the priciest ever trim, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world’s richest men and the Sultan of Brunei, is reported to have spent in excess of $24,000 on his most recent haircut. Prompted… MORE
Charitable Timepieces
Charitable Timepieces
Mary J. Blige and Gucci Partner On Charity Watch
Coinciding with the upcoming charitable event that Gucci and Mary J. Blige will be hosting during New York’s Fashion Week, Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini has designed this limited-edition black… MORE
Child-Centric Eateries
Child-Centric Eateries
Kids Cafe Piccolo, Seoul Designed Specifically for Children
Child-friendly cafes usually cater mainly towards adults and are slightly accommodating to their children. Kids Cafe Piccolo has taken a refreshing new approach by catering mainly for the kids.  Designed… MORE
Stealthy Computer Cases
Stealthy Computer Cases
The Laptop Case Against Crime Camouflages Your Notebook
The Laptop Case Against Crime is designed to help people protect their laptops from thieves by disguising it as a folded newspaper. The Laptop Case Against Crime looks pretty convincing, and it is also… MORE
Celebripup Accessories
Celebripup Accessories
Bo's 'I Heart Obama' Dog Collar and Leash Set
Secret Service staff is not included, but your pooch can certainly look as stylish as the presidential pup Bo sporting this I [Heart] Obama collar and leash set. What a great way to proudly display your… MORE
Indigent Interns
Indigent Interns
Elle Magazine Offers Internship to Homeless Girl
Advice columnist E. Jean at Elle Magazine presented the opportunity of a lifetime to a homeless girl who will spend the next four months as her personal intern. The homeless girl, Bri, who was living… MORE
Centerfold Clothing
Centerfold Clothing
Magazine-Inspired T-Shirt Unfolds to Reveal More
I know a lot of the ladies are going to find this one offensive, but I suspect it will be a big hit with most of the lads. Giving a whole new meaning to the concept of revealing clothing, this first of… MORE
Multifunctional Packaging
Multifunctional Packaging
Wine Box Doubles as a Bird Nesting Box
This awesome piece of multifunctional packaging, thoughtfully designed by Igor Solovyov is a wine box made from attractive wood that also doubles as a bird nesting box when you’re done with it. What a… MORE
All-In-One Feline Stations
All-In-One Feline Stations
Cat Quarters Litter Box Enclosure Has Everything Kitty Needs
Perfect for keeping all your cat’s necessities in one place, the Cat Quarters Litter Box Enclosure from Inspired Pet Designs is an all-in-one kitty station that offers a litter box enclosure, a nook for… MORE
Street Sign Accessories
Street Sign Accessories
Amuck Reclaimed Road Signage & License Plate Jewelry
Kansas-based husband-and-wife design duo Bryan and Andrea Ring use decommissioned road signs and license plates, along with various other reclaimed materials, to create these funky eco-chic accessories.… MORE
Bedeviled Babies
Bedeviled Babies
Eerie Spinning Head Possessed Baby with Evil LED Eyes
This possessed baby with evil red light-up LED eyes is one of the creepiest looking things I have ever seen, and I’m sure it’s even creepier in action! When someone walks by this bedeviled baby,… MORE
Models With Belly Flab
Models With Belly Flab
Lizzie Miller Nixes Airbrushing & Goes Au Naturale in Glamour
Beautiful model Lizzie Miller has thrilled Glamour readers with her non-airbrushed photos which appeared in the latest edition of the magazine. Glamour was flooded with emails from joyous women noting… MORE
Meme-Worthy News Stories
Meme-Worthy News Stories
Crasher Squirrel Goes Viral, Gets a Feature on CNN
What started last week as a simple, isolated incident of rodent family-photo-interrupting has now become an Internet sensation with the ‘Crasher Squirrel’ going viral. Crasher Squirrel has ventured beyond… MORE
Super-Sized Fat Seats
Super-Sized Fat Seats
Shameful Seating for the Obese Installed on Brazilian Subway
As if overweight people don’t already feel self-conscious enough about their size, now special fat seats have been installed for them on Brazilian subways. Labeled “priority seating for obese people,”… MORE
Social Cause Beverages
Social Cause Beverages
LemonAid and ChariTea Drinks are Deliciously Charitable
The brainchild of Germany-based company LemonAid Beverages Gmbh, LemonAid and ChariTea Drinks are beverages with a social cause twist, designed to help make the world a better place. In addition to the… MORE
Rock Icon Editorials
Rock Icon Editorials
Raquel Zimmermann is Deborah Harry for 'Blondie' in Vogue Paris
Model Raquel Zimmermann rocks it out with an awesome tribute to Blondie frontwoman Deborah Harry in the September edition of Vogue Paris. Styled by Jane How and photographed by Alasdair McLellan, this… MORE
Zippered Brooches
Zippered Brooches
Zipper Flower Pins Are Hot for Summer 2009
Following in the footsteps of the zipper hairbands, bracelets and necklaces spotted by Rose last month, the rise of fashionable zippers continues with these lovely zippered flower brooches which are set… MORE
Happy Face Editorials
Happy Face Editorials
Sasha Pivovarova is Liza Minnelli in September's Vogue Paris
In yet another celebrity impersonation-themed editorial, from the September edition of Vogue Paris comes this tribute to the sultry Liza Minnelli in her role as Lucille Austero from the television show… MORE
Branded Babies
Branded Babies
Jonathan Darby Brands Infant Images with Corporate Logos
Commenting on the power of brands in seducing society, Jonathan Darby’s striking images of babies branded with corporate logos present a confronting take on capitalistic marketing as a negative force.… MORE
Funny Photo Manipulations
Funny Photo Manipulations
Bizarre Hybrid Animal Images by HumanDescent
I’m loving the crazy photo manipulation work of HumanDescent, who cleverly morphs different species of animals together to create these humorous hybrids. My favorites from HumanDescent's designs include… MORE
Naughty Fake Marketing
Naughty Fake Marketing
Satirical Pantene Promo Pushes Jimmy-Lubricating Shampoo
The Onion has put together a satirical marketing campaign which rebrands Pantene Pro-V shampoo as not only the leading shampoo for women with dry, brittle hair, but also an ideal choice for gals who enjoy… MORE

Featured Ideas

$10,000 Hoodies
$10,000 Hoodies
Diamond-Studded Sweatshirt by Key Closet
Modeled by Colby O’Donis at the American Music Awards, this $10,000 diamond-studded hoodie from Key Closet follows on from their $10,000 blinged jeans released several months ago. Featuring hand-painted… MORE
Multi-Functional Jewelry
Multi-Functional Jewelry
La Mer Gold Ring-Watch
Is it a watch? Is it a ring? Is it a necklace? This amazing piece of multi-functional jewelry is all three of those things, in one stunning package. This unique little trinket features the signature… MORE
Rugs from Dead Pets
Rugs from Dead Pets
DogCarpets
These intentionally shocking DogCarpets are the work of artists Ondrej Brody and Kristofer Paetau. They were created as a response to the modern culture of worshipping pets as prized members of the family… MORE
Naughty DIY Guide Books
Naughty DIY Guide Books
'The Guide To Doing Me' Invites Lovers To Take Notes
For those who find it difficult to work out where there lovers' erogenous zones are without a little direction, Nicotext has created ‘The Guide To Doing Me’ book. Purchasing one of these DIY fill-in-the-blanks… MORE
One Breasted Mannequins
One Breasted Mannequins
Breast Cancer Awareness Dolls
This effective breast cancer awareness campaign, created by advertising agency Memac Ogilvy in Dubai, saw a one-breasted mannequin placed at lingerie and swimwear boutique, Bare Essentials. Breast self… MORE
$1 Million Flooring
$1 Million Flooring
Pietra Firma Diamond-Encrusted Tiles
Encrusted with more than 1,000 diamonds, 2,400 pieces of mother of pearl, 400 pieces of abalone shell and 500 pieces of black onyx per square meter, these exclusive, limited-edition LuxTouch range of tiles… MORE
Stealthy Computer Cases
Stealthy Computer Cases
The Laptop Case Against Crime Camouflages Your Notebook
The Laptop Case Against Crime is designed to help people protect their laptops from thieves by disguising it as a folded newspaper. The Laptop Case Against Crime looks pretty convincing, and it is also… MORE
Expandable Surge Protectors
Expandable Surge Protectors
The 'Socket Sense' Expands to Fit All Your Plugs
It has long been said that neccessity is the mother of invention, and never before has this saying rung true for me as clearly as it did when I discovered the Socket Sense. Get you hands on one of these… MORE
Cardboard Cafes
Cardboard Cafes
B3 Designers at London Design Festival
B3 Designers, an interior architecture company, used 8,000 cardboard boxes to transform their East End studio in London into what they dubbed the Cardboard Cafe. The innovative project was on display… MORE
LED Staircases
LED Staircases
Stair Lights Home System Illuminates Every Step
This low voltage LED stair lighting system is designed to add a bit of flair to your stairs and to help ensure safe stair climbing at night.  The system is configured to switch on automatically when… MORE
3D Digital Dissections
3D Digital Dissections
Cyber Hearts
London surgeons have unveiled the world’s first ‘cyber’ heart, which they believe will revolutionize cardiac care. The 3D computer model is so realistic that it has a heartbeat and it can even be operated… MORE
Pedal-Powered Compost Turners
Pedal-Powered Compost Turners
Clean Energy for Green Gardens
While there are people out there who consider just turning a compost tumbler too much hard work, Team Broken Spokes is riding the extra mile for composting with their pedal-powered compost turner. For… MORE
Gaudy Mobile Phones
Gaudy Mobile Phones
Over-Blinged Overseas Technology
What’s hot on the streets of Tokyo right now? Glammed-up mobile phones decorated with colored rhinestones in blingy designs which include faces, pets and wild retro patterns. Whether you call it over-the-top… MORE
Recycled Books as Bags
Recycled Books as Bags
DIY Reader's Digest Purses
These fabulously unique recycled book purses are created using three attractively bound carved-out Reader's Digest books with a leather belt as the handle. The ultimate in DIY chic, it is possible to… MORE