# Taboo Mediums From taboo to trendy, condoms are becoming a medium for awareness. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Nov 12, 2007, updated Aug 10, 2010 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/taboo-mediums-from-taboo-to-trendy-condoms-are-becoming-a-medium-for-awaren ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.7/10 - Evidence articles: 16 ## What is the Taboo Mediums trend? **Taboo Mediums:** HIV and STD awareness has increased partially due to amicable presentation. Condoms are considered common-place, even becoming symbols of hope, affirmation and often humor, and products having sexual connotation are highly popular with younger consumers. Thus, condoms are now being stretched beyond their intended use (pun intended). These products, which include handbags made of condom wrappers and phallic-shaped blimps, are intended to shock, amuse or make a statement. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 16 featured examples - Articles from: Dec 7, 2006 to Jun 13, 2009 - Published: Nov 12, 2007 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Taboo Mediums trend ### Shock Advertising Designs that use shock advertising are particularly effective in grabbing an audience by using certain images to illicit strong reactions. ### DIY Projects Companies can look for ways to market their products as DIY projects so that they simplify things for busy individuals. ### Designer Condoms As the world goes on a craze for ‘designer’ items, companies can explore innovative ways to personalize and brand their condom products. ## What the Taboo Mediums trend means for industry ### For Healthcare With increasing global awareness for AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, companies operating in the healthcare industry can promote their products better with innovative and creative campaigns. ### For Fashion Fashion designers can collaborate with condom manufacturers to introduce their own branded condoms, blurring the lines between fashion and health industries. ### For Food and Beverages Food and beverage companies can leverage the increasing popularity of sport energy drinks and late-night eateries to create marketing campaigns and offers catering to the youth market. ## Trend signals for Taboo Mediums Trend score 5.7 out of 10, from popularity 76%, activity 87%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 76% - Activity: 87% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Taboo Mediums trend 16 featured examples from Dec 7, 2006 to Jun 13, 2009. - [DIY Condom Decor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naughty-deflower-vase): Naughty DeFlower Vase (Category: Naughty) Implication: The DIY trend offers disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the home decor industry to create DIY-friendly products that cater to busy individuals. - [Condom-Inspired Handbags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/safesax): SafeSax For AIDS Awareness (Category: Naughty) Implication: Designers creating non-traditional, socially conscious, and environmentally responsible products that make a fashion statement with a cause - [Condom Couture IV](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/condom-fashion-show-safe-sex-made-fashionable): Safe Sex Made Fashionable (Category: Naughty) Implication: The condom couture trend presents disruptive innovation opportunities for fashion brands to create unique and provocative designs using unconventional materials. - [Condom Couture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/condom-couture-dress-made-of-condoms-for-aids-charity): Dress Made of Condoms for AIDS Charity (Category: Naughty) Implication: Opportunity for fashion brands to experiment with sustainable and unconventional materials to create unique and socially conscious designs. - [Giant Needlecraft Condoms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birth-control-memory-aids-needlecraft-condoms-pillows-little-elk-etsy-shop): Super-Sized Birth Control Memory Aids from Little Elk (Category: Naughty) Implication: Handmade crafts using fabric and textile-based materials would benefit from incorporating unusual, novelty themes based on existing products. - [Pizza Box Comes With Condom](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/limited-editions-dominos-pizza-night-box): Domino's Designer "Night box" (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Exploring innovative ways to cater to late-night customers, such as providing exclusive packages and products. - [Hairbands Made of Condoms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ewww-yuck-used-condoms-as-hair-toys-surprise-made-in-china): STD Styles Take Recycling Too Far (Category: Naughty) Implication: Innovation in fashion materials and design to create hairbands that are stylish, sustainable, and safe for use. - [Cabbage & Condom Restaurant](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cabbage-condom-restaurant): Thai AIDS Awareness Cafe (Category: World) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity to develop new ways of delivering healthcare services and products related to AIDS awareness and family planning. - [DIY Condom Roses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dyi-condom-rose-the-perfect-gift-for-your-valentine): Straightforward Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Sweetie (Category: Naughty) Implication: Leverage innovative solutions such as condom roses to encourage safe sex practices and establish responsible sexual health education initiatives. - [Hip-Hop Prophylactics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fifty-cent-condoms): 50 Cent releases Line of Condoms (Category: Naughty) Implication: The marketing industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by partnering with celebrities to launch branded products and campaigns that appeal to their fan base. - [Energy Drinks That Come With Condoms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/billy-boy-new-energy-drink-condom-included): The Billy Boy (Category: Naughty) Implication: Opportunity for condom manufacturers to diversify their product offerings by entering the energy drink market and capitalizing on the growing popularity of sport energy drinks. - [Pope Condoms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pope-condoms-benedicto-xvi-i-said-no-contraception): Prophylactics to Mock Pope Benedict XVI's Views on Contraception (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunities in the sexual wellness industry to create unconventional condom products. - [Celebrity Designed Condoms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/celebrities-selling-condoms-ebay): A-list for AIDS Awarness (Category: Celebs) Implication: The condom industry can disrupt itself by exploring opportunities to innovate and diversify its products to include more fun and artistic designs. - [Condom Couture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/condom-designs-and-couture-guilin-latex-condoms): Guilin Fashion Show (Category: Unique) Implication: Fashion brands can experiment with incorporating unconventional materials like condoms into their designs. - [Custom Condoms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/custom-condoms-your-image-on-a-personalized-prophalactic): Your Image on a Personalized Prophylactic (Category: Naughty) Implication: Entrepreneurs can enter the personal care industry by offering customized condoms and other self-branding products to young consumers who are looking for personalized experiences. - [Fashion Condoms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nars-cosmetics-launch-limited-edition-condom-set): NARS Cosmetics Safer Set (Category: Naughty) Implication: Beauty and cosmetics companies can support social and global causes through product launches and collaborative initiatives with organizations focusing on different issues. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)