# Stingray Fabric Smoothers The Iron Men Appliance is a Clothes Press with a Natural Appeal to Males By Amelia Roblin | Published 2014-01-22 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iron-men References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2014/01/21/iron-with-sting/) & [behance.net](https://www.behance.net/gallery/Iron-men/12099103) The task of ironing is enjoyable to few people, but the Iron Men concept has been designed to make the chore more interesting to males specifically. An attempt has been made by Xiaoneng Jin to accomplish this, not through operation but through aesthetics. The look of the [shirt pressing mechanism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laundry-system) has been reworked to take a much sharper and more contemporary appearance. Inspiration came from a [slick marine creature](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crustacean-lobster-twist) that you'll know as the stingray. Two curving wings hold slender hot plates, leaving a gap between them. The body of the Iron Men is [transparent](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transparent-robot-vacuum) too, enabling the user to watch as the fabric is flattening. This device looks streamlined and feels efficient, and it makes you more visibly aware of dewrinkling duty so that the job only needs doing once. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 60% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Home](https://www.trendhunter.com/home) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Male-centric Appliances:** There is an opportunity to create more household appliances that appeal to men by focusing on aesthetics and design. - **Innovative Ironing Technology:** There is an opportunity to develop new ironing technology to make the task more efficient and enjoyable for consumers. - **Transparent Household Appliances:** There is an opportunity to create more transparent household appliances to give consumers a better visual experience of the task at hand. ### Who This Affects Most - **Home Appliances:** The home appliances industry can explore creating more male-centric and visually appealing products. - **Textile Industry:** The textile industry can explore partnerships with appliance manufacturers to create innovative ironing technology. - **Design Industry:** The design industry can work with appliance manufacturers to create more visually appealing and transparent household appliances for consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Shapeshifting Garment Care Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garment-steamer.md) - [Fully Automated Ironing Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fully-automated-ironing-system.md) - [Dual-Fucntional Steam Iron Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darimeven.md) - [Clip-Style Clothing Care Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steamur.md) - [Pressurized Steam-Equipped Clothing Irons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pressurized-steamequipped-clothing-iron.md) - [Ergonomic Circular Steam Irons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ironb.md) - [Garment-Drying Laundry Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zera-lab-launbot.md) - [Handheld Garment Cleaning Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-dry-cleaner.md) - [Space-Saving Garment Care Mirrors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flip-dualfunction-ironing-board-mirror.md)