From strange mass events held all over the world like zombie walks and horror festivals, we’ve seen a number of movements that play with the macabre concept of the dead--and the undead.
On designer runways, we’re seeing a resurgence of Gothic fashion. In the realm of art, artists are increasingly using skulls, blood and gruesome imagery in their creations. In film, the ‘Twilight’ phenomenon has inspired a whole slew of vampire-related mania for individuals of all ages.
It’s no wonder we’ve become attuned to our mortality. Between natural catastrophes, terrorist attacks, war, and the economic crisis, many of the tenets of ‘normal’ and operational society have been broken. Death has traditionally been a taboo topic, but it is a universal phenomenon. Our global culture has evolved to embrace this taboo with a hefty dose of humor, perhaps to hedge against all of the chaos in our world.
Check out some more of the macabre innovations we’ve covered at Trend Hunter below.
50 Undead Obsessions
50
Full-Body Zombie Tattoos
Rick Zombie
49
Horror Body Painting
Beautiful Bodied Zombies
48
Vampire Photoshoots
The Twilight Zone in VMAN
47
Living Dead Bombshells
My Zombie Pinup Calendar Means Halloween All Year Long
46
Girly Gothic Art
Queenie's Pocket Full of Posiez
45
Designer Skeleton Watches
Marc Jacobs Skull Watch
44
Gothic Horror Fashion Shoots
Jean-Francois Campos for Flair magazine
43
Gothic Greetings
Alternative Christmas Cards By Night Moth
42
Morbid Musical Movies
Paris Hilton Goes Goth in Repo! The Genetic Opera
41
Face Made of Human Bodies
Who Do You Think You Are Ad
40
Zombies Against Consumerism
Zombiecon Encourages Amy Winehouse Costumes
39
Plasticized Human Bodies
Anatomy-Inspired 'Body Worlds' is Artistically Educational
38
Rebellious Toys
Pierced BeGoth Fashion Dolls with Tattoos Don't Conform to Barbie Beautiful
37
Gothic Avian Fashion
Alexander McQueen's Bird-Inspired Campaign
36
Recycled Zombie Dolls
Barbie of the Undead
35
Hoax Hacks
Skullphone Fakes Digital Billboard Hijack
34
Dead Bodytising
World First Aid Day
33
Skeleton-Inspired Transit
Bone Bikes
32
Anatomically-Correct Toys
Micro Schematic Lego Man
31
Fake Dead Seniors
Old Person's Home At The Saatchi Gallery
30
Social Networking For Goths
VampireFreaks.com
29
Fake Dead Rockstars
Faux Amy Winehouse Art Cadaver
28
Horror Stuffed Animals
Matt Kirkland's Dissected Toys
27
Pop Star Skulls
Dead Rebel Icon Artwork Series from Paul Insect Is Hauntingly Hip
26
Jewelry on Skeletons
Morbid Way to Sell That 'Diamonds are Forever'
25
Vampire-Themed Decor
Dripping Blood Tiles
24
Public Parties for the Undead
Organized Zombie Marches Take Over Streets in Spain
23
Pirate Bathrooms
Skull and Cross Bones Taps
22
Knitted Zombies
Crafts Get Creepy
21
Macabre USB Jewelry
Memory Skull Rings
20
Garden Zombies are the New Gnome
The Zombie of Montclaire Moors
19
Creepy-Chic Accessories
Skeleton Hand Hairclips
18
Zombie Portraits
Paint Yourself Dead
17
Caffeinated Zombies
Bonafide Noir ‘Intense Coffee' Campaign
16
Sculpted Skateboards
Corbusboard Gasmask, Skeleton and Artistic Aluminum Decks
15
Spinal Cord Jewelery
The Losselliani Skull Ring
14
Badass Ethereal Accessories
Skullerflies
13
Recreating Classic Horror Movies
Billy Bob Thornton As Freddy Krueger
12
Morbid Musical Belt Buckles
Human Skull MP3 Player
11
Rotting Skullptures
Macabre and Bizarre Cranial Art is Both Feminine and Freaky
10
Macabre Eco-Sculptures
Recycled Kitchen Utensil Skull
9
Glamorous Morbidity
Amy Sarkisian's Glitzy, Bejeweled Skulls
8
Advertising with Zombies
Zune's Piece of Me, Piece of You
7
Fascination with Macabre
Cephalogo Super Skull
6
Scary Sounds
Skull Speakers
5
Glass Bone Skeletons
The Melli Ink Skeletal Sculpture Is Some Pretty Glassy Art
4
Gruesome Toys
The 'Dismember-Me' Zombie Doll
3
Skeletal Packaging
Pandor Absinthe
2
Open Source Content
Star in Your Own Horror Movie with Kaltura
1
European Fright Conventions
Weekend of Horrors
Related Ideas
Horror-Themed Phone Campaigns
Samsung's Join the Flip Side Takes Cues from 90s Horror Movies
Next-Gen Graphic Attire
Serenity Trends’ Graphic Clothing Offers a Futuristic Aesthetic
AI Post-Apocalyptic Cities
Top10Casinos Explores the Future, Inspired by the Dune Universe
Vampire Film Makeup Lines
Colourpop's Twilight Makeup Offers Looks for Team Edward and Team Jacob
Deep Sea Funerals
Mondial Boasts Another Way to Scatter the Ashes of Loved Ones
Playful Doll-Themed Cosmetics
NYX Cosmetics x Barbie Was Inspired by the Forthcoming Movie
Punk Romance-Inspired Fashion Collections
Maison Margiela's Fall 2023 Show is Edgy Yet Soft
Crystal-Adorned Crushed Cans
Sam Keller Glamorizes Food Products and Packaging
Distorted Burger Campaigns
Burger King's A.I.LLOWEEN Features Unsettling People Eating Burgers
Witty Toy-Brand Horror Posters
LEGO Presents a Range of Playful Horror Posters for the Season
Hollywood Glamor-Inspired Fashion Capsules
The Ferragamo Pre-Fall 2023 is Out and Striking
Gaming-Inspired Fashion Collections
Charli Cohen x Diablo IV Hit Selfridges Stores in the UK
Cult Anime-Inspired Fashion Collections
UNIQLO UT's Collaborates with the Jujutsu Kaisen Anime
Anime-Inspired Clothing Collections
UNIQLO Collaborates with Chainsaw Man on a New Capsule
Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art
The Apocalypse Inspired a New Collection of Paintings by Mishfit
Playful Graphic Streetwear Collections
DIVINITIES and BoTT Return with a New Stylish Drop
Spooky Charming Pet Portraits
Crown & Paw Unveils Spooky Halloween Collection to Showcase Pets
Vintage-Tinged Militaristic Apparel
The maharishi Spring 2023 Capsule is Inspired by Retro Themes
Makeup Water Brand Collections
Liquid Death Teams Up with e.l.f. Cosmetics for Corpse Paint Makeup
Provocative Spread Pop-Ups
The Marmite Dark Room Entices Gen Z to Experience an Iconic Spread
Undone Luxury Fashion
AVAVAV FW23 Ripped Clothing Right Off of the Runway
Luxury Pumpkin Graphic Collections
Louis Vuitton Unveils New Collection with Yayoi Kusama
Resurrected Used Smartphones
Think Tank Team Makes Artifacts with Project Afterlife
Biodegradable Beauty Packaging
MOB Beauty's Earth-First Packaging Turns into Dirt
Avant-Garde Fall Menswear
Rick Owens Unveils the LUXOR Collection for Fall/Winter 2023
Punk-Informed Streetwear Capsules
MARKET and My Chemical Romance Join Forces on a Collection
Historic Fashion Try-Ons
The Design Museum's London Fashion Exhibition Integrates AR Mirrors
Fine Art-Inspired Fashion
Pacsun & The Met Collaborated on a Covetable Apparel Capsule
Star-Studded Luxe Fashion Campaigns
Alexander McQueen Presents its Dramatic FW23 Campaign
Horror-Themed Overnight Experiences
The Warner Bros Icons of Horror Sees Iconic Wax Figures
Early-Access Horror Games
Players Investigate Paranormal Threats Together in 'Demonologist'
AR Monster Wines
19 Crimes & Universal Monsters Created Limited-Edition Halloween Wines
Hyper-Realistic Flesh Objects
Junji Ito Launches Realistic Human Flesh Objects Inspired by Tomie
Monster-Themed Ice Creams
The Baskin-Robbins Okashina Okashina Halloween Celebration is Spooky
Horror Film-Inspired Cookbooks
The Death for Dinner Cookbook by Zach Neil Has 60 Recipes
Fashionable Phygital Coats
Private Policy AW23 Took to the Metaverse
Esports Apparel Partnerships
Team Liquid Partnered with Viz Media on Death Note Apparel Line
Wild Granny Campaigns
Liquid Death's 'Your Grandma’s Energy Drink' Stars Daring Old Women
Celebratory Disney-Inspired Collections
Forever 21 Celebrates Disney's 100th Anniversary
Water Digital Wallet Loyalty Cards
Liquid Death Has Introduced the Liquid Death Country Club
Regal Inaugural Candle Collections
Alexander McQueen Launches its Inaugural Candle Capsule
Halloween-Inspired Tea Lines
VAHDAM India Releases Halloween-Themed Products for Spooky Season
Phygital Fashion Brands
PUNK Challenges Conventions with Digital Assets & Physical Tracksuits
Retailer-Backed Beauty Categories
Moda Operandi Launches a Curated Beauty Category
Immersive Hybrid Billboards
Meta's Halloween Thrillboards Tease Immersive Meta Quest 3 Experiences
Luxe Fall-Centric Fashion Capsules
mfpen Unveils its Latest Capsule for the FW23 Season
Fall-Ready Militaristic Streetwear
maharishi Presents its New Capsule Designed for FW23
Slasher-Inspired Energy Products
G Fuel Debuted the Hack ‘n Slash Collector’s Box for Halloween
Erie Halloween Pop-Ups
Black Lagoon Unveils Eerie 2023 Pop-Up Locations for Halloween Thrills
Wool-Centric Contemporary Exhibitions
Formafantasma Debuts the Oltre Terra Exhibition in Oslo
Extinct Flora Fragrances
Future Society Makes Unique Fragrances from Extinct Flowers
Horror-Themed Virtual Islands
Fortnite's Island Shares a Peek at Themes from the 'Talk to Me' Film
Communication-Based Immersive Exhibitions
Intuit Mailchimp and Design Museum Present Email is Dead
Unique Long-Lasting Costumes
Love Khaos Creates Eco-Conscious Rave & Festival Wear
Vintage Americana Fall-Ready Fashion
Universal Works Unveils Far From Memphis for FW23
Forward-Thinking Wedding Pop-Ups
Anthropologie Weddings x Pinterest Shares Emerging Styles
Interactive Phygital Hoodies
Beyond's Phygital Fashion Capsule Can Be Tried on with AR
Personalized Video Game Merchandise
MARKET Launches a Personalized 'Call of Duty' Collection
Spooky Pastel-Hued Halloween Decor
Michaels Sweet & Spooky Halloween Decor Collection is Playful
Self-Referencing Fashion Collections
For Fall/Winter 2023, UNDERCOVER is Reimagining Old Design
Zombified Cereal Mascots
Monsters Cereals is Introducing a New Character: Carmella Creeper
Horror Film-Themed Apparel Collections
WACKO MARIA Launches The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Apparel
Provocative Pre-Fall Fashion
Natasha Zinko Unveils the BACK 2 CAMP Capsule for Pre-Fall
Empowering Fashion Films
Victoria's Secret World Tour Reimagines the Iconic Show as a Feature Film
Fall-Centric Vintage-Inspired Apparel
Florence Black Presents a New Capsule for FW23
Secondhand Fashion Editorials
Vinted Styled a Shoot Exclusively with Vinted Finds
Oversized Winter Fashion Collections
Fear of God's American Symphony Collection Has Dropped
Ketchup Obsession Campaigns
'It Has to Be Heinz' Spotlights Fans' Intense Love of Heinz Products
Culturally Celebratory Whiskeys
Macallan's Distil Your World Mexico Celebrates Day of the Dead
Halloween-Themed Clogs
Crocs and PLEASURES Team up to Launch a Spooky Clog Collection
Gothic-Themed Embroidered Streetwear
Heaven Can Wait Presents its Latest Collection for 2023
Elegant Fall-Centric Fashion Capsules
16Arlington Unveils the Minimal Wake Collection for FW23
Pink-Hued Macaroni Bowls
Malibu Mac and Cheese Blends Champagne with Three Cheeses
Macaroni-Inspired Halloween Costumes
The Cheetos Bold to the Bone Costume Glows in the Dark
Spooky Series-Inspired Makeup
The Hard Candy x Wednesday Collection is Limited-Edition
Water Brand Wrapping Paper
Liquid Death's Winter Slaughterland Wrapping Paper Has Candy Cane Axes
Industrial Worker-inspired Fashion Capsules
Maharishi Draws Inspiration from Industrial Workwear
Spooky Fashion Collections
The PLEASURES and Eastpak Capsule is Debuted Via an Eerie Photoshoot
Jamaican Folklore-Inspired Fall Fashion
Nicholas Daley Unveils the Anasi Rhythm Capsule for FW24
Macabre Bloody Blackened Pizzas
The Domino's Japan Blood Halloween Pizza Has the Devil's Crust
Anniversary-Celebrating Pop-Up Stores
Random Studio Creates the Bodyscape Installation
Ancient Mythology-Inspired Fall Fashion
Endless Joy Presents its Capsule for the FW23 Season
Bloody Promotional Game Campaigns
Gaming Franchise Diablo Wants Fans to Donate Blood For a PC
Digital Fashion Teasers
Fabricant, the Digital Fashion House, Debuts a Teaser for Its New Line
Romantic Narrative-Inspired Fashion
Edward Cuming Unveils a New Capsule for the SS24 Season
Cult Movies-Inspired Graphic Streetwear
Place+Faces Presents the Film Club Collection
Blood Drive Beauty Campaigns
Lottie London's Blood for Beauty Encourages Gen Z to Give Blood
Haunting Cold Brew Coffees
Grim Reaper Coffee Company's RTD Cold Brew Will "Wake the Soul"
Post-Apocalyptic Aluminum Furniture
Students at HEAD Genève Create 2084, Diorama of the Future
Human Candle Campaigns
These Human Statues of Candle Wax Bring Attention to Youth Burnout
Mind-Bending Graphic Novels
Mark Russell and Yanick Paquette Drop an Incal Preview Novel
Brand Staple-Highlighting Luxe Fashion
Kiko Kostadinov Drops the New Rathbone/Newman Capsule
Spooky Street Ad Experiences
These Fanta Halloween Projections Took Over a Busy Stockholm Street
Color-Changing Lip Glosses
Colourpop Created a Transformative Gloss in a Unique Hue
Undead Easter Treats
The Sugar Plum Chocolate Zombie Bunny is Handcrafted
Spooky Sparkly Nail Polishes
The Lights Lacquer Book of Hexes Polish Collection is Shimmering
Nostalgic Fall Elevated Outerwear
Engineered Garments Presents its New FW23 Collection
Theatrical Play-Inspired Fashion Capsules
HADES' New Capsule is Inspired by Huis Clos (No Exit)
NYC Fall-Ready Militaristic Streetwear
maharishi Presents the Art of the Invisible Warrior
Halloween-Themed QSR Meal Containers
McDonald's Boo Buckets are Back in Several New Styles
Functional Militaristic Fall Apparel
maharishi Presents its New Campaign for the FW23 Season
Vibrant Dynamic Spring Fashion
Mackintosh Unveils an Expansive Capsule for the SS23 Season
Digital Audio-Visual Exhibitions
'Future Shock' by 180 Studios and FACT Magazine is Online
Spooky Halloween Giveaways
Spirit Halloween Halfway to Halloween Giveaway at Lizzie Borden House
Futile Material Design Exhibitions
Objective Gallery Presents Please Sit for an Alternate Ending
Individualism-Focused Apparel Capsules
Gap Debuts a Collection with The Brooklyn Circus
Hybrid Horror Video Games
Hideo Kojima and Jordan Peele Announced OD at the 2023 Game Awards
Grotesque Halloween Pizzas
Aoki’s Pizza's Zombino of Hell is a Haunting, Spicy Pizza
Destructive Nature Art Exhibitions
Keita Miyazaki Unveils the Keita Miyazaki Exhibition
Red-Accented Artist Exhibitions
The Art of Richard MacDonald Gallery Presents the RED Collection
Irish Folklore-Inspired Fashion
UNDERCOVER Presents its New Collection for the SS24 Season
Haunted Winchester Houses
Spirit Halloween Carves Out a Week of Surprises Ahead of Spooky Season
Philosopher-Neighbouring Burial Plots
Consumers Can Buy the Burial Plot Next to Karl Marx's Tomb
Spooky Macaroni Meals
Cheetos Mac 'N Cheese Box of Bones Offers a Scary Blast of Flavor
Spooky Personal Care Products
The Bath & Body Works Halloween Collection Has Almost 100 Items
Creature-Themed Graphic T-Shirts
Mr Jones Watches Debuts its First Line of Unisex T-Shirts
80s Horror-Inspired Apparel
WACKO MARIA Launches Apparel Inspired by Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers
Community-Focused Fall Fashion
Feng Chen Wang Presents its New Collection for the FW23 Season
Fantastical Tale-Inspired Fall Fashion
HERESY Unveils the Ground Work Collection for FW23
Social Media Star Brands
Toddy Smith Introduces His GothicMochas Clothing Brand
Striking Wearable Sculpture
Jared Zhang Launches a Wearable Sculpture in No Minimum Online Auction
Spooky Beer Challenges
For Halloween, Samuel Adams is Tapping into the Fear of an Empty Beer Glass
Horror Franchise-Themed Games
A Paranormal Activity Game is Currently in the Works
Macabre Chocolate Shops
Diablo is Celebrating Its New Series with a "Goremet" Chocolate Shop
Nature-Inspired Collections
arcana Boasts a Series of Thoughtful Gifts for the Holidays
Unconventional Foodie Magazines
Food& Magazine Explores the Weird and Wonderful World of Food
Failed Digital Product Databases
Dead Product Marketplace is a Graveyard for Abandoned Projects
Community-Honoring Eerie Graphic Merchandise
Boiler Room Presents its New Capsule for FW23
Growth-Inspired Spring-Ready Fashion
FACETASM's Coming of Age Capsule Readies for SS24
Hotel-Led Vintage Markets
The MOB Hôtel Hosted a Vintage Market, an Eco Conference and Workshops
Human Physio-Themed Lamps
Taras Yoom Designs the Dif Lamp with Physiological Themes
Landscape-Inspired Vibrant Sweaters
Cold Picnic Delivers Sweaters with the Affection Collection
Bi-Culture-Inspired Art Exhibitions
Tomokazu Matsuyama Unveils 'Episodes Far From Home' Exhibition
Collaborative Slip-On Footwears
Brain Dead and Oakley Unveil New Colorway in 'Flesh' collection
Metamorphosing Fall-Ready Fashion
DZHUS Presents its New Seasonal Transit Collection
Efficient Fact Generators
Facts Generator Can Produce Interesting Facts About Any Subject
Slaugherhouse-Transformed Unique Museums
Cave Bureau Creates the Anthropocene Museum 9.0
Celebratory Tex-Mex Meal Kits
The Old El Paso Day of the Dead Packs Celebrate the Mexican Holiday
Celebratory Claymation Fashions
The the Nightmare Before Christmas Collection is at Hot Topic
Alien-Themed Game Collaborations
The Dead by Daylight Game Gets a New Collaboration