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 or a quirky new art form, the Japanese are hell-bent on making this fad omnipresent. Deco-den, short for ‘decorated denwa’ (telephone), has received a considerable amount of Japanese media attention this year and demand for blinged-out phones has spiked.
Start saving now, because this handcraft isn’t cheap; the price for a custom-made decorated phone is around ¥18,000 (US$170).
Gaudy Mobile Phones
Over-Blinged Overseas Technology
Trend Themes
1. Deco-den Phones - The growing trend of Japanese handcrafted rhinestone-encrusted mobile phones presents an opportunity for artisanal businesses to specialize in personalized phone decorations.
2. Blinged-out Tech - The rising trend of over-the-top decorated technology, from laptops to gaming consoles, creates an opportunity for companies to offer customization services for tech enthusiasts.
3. Quirky Art Forms - The popularity of eccentric, eye-catching art forms like deco-den provides opportunities for artists and designers to create unique, bold works that stand out in the market.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile Phone Accessories - The increasing demand for decorated mobile phones opens up a new market for companies to create custom phone accessories such as cases, screen protectors, and decorative stickers.
2. Luxury Tech - The rise of blingy tech products presents an opportunity for luxury brands to create high-end versions of decorated mobile phones or other tech gadgets with exclusive designs and materials.
3. Artisanal Decoration - The popularity of deco-den phones and other decorated technology offers opportunities for small-scale artisanal businesses to create handmade, one-of-a-kind decorations for customers looking for unique, personalized products.