Trendwatch: The Influence of Disco
The trend cycle rolls on … this time, it’s the return of disco! As a backlash to the minimalism of the last decade, I’ve been seeing the signals of a return to maximalist decadence. From HBO’s Euphoria Aesthetics to the resurgence of Paris Hilton’s popularity, it’s clear that the pop culture vibe is shifting from “millennial pink” to something more … over the top?
I know I’m not the only one taking notice! I look to Pinterest Trends for indications of what consumers are planning or what they aspire to do next, and interest in Disco Parties and Aesthetics rose 2-3X in the past 12 months, with an interesting spike in Q1 2022.
Pinterest search trends related to Disco over the past 12 months
A snapshot of Pinterest search results for the increasingly popular “Disco Aesthetic”
As I said above, signals of a 70s resurgence have been cropping up for some time now. Here are a handful of my favorites, from the travel industry to home decor trends to new album releases over the past 18 months or so:
The video for Lizzo’s newest single (released April 14, 2022) features several disco-influenced dance scenes.
Abba graced us with a new album after a 40 year hiatus from making new disco music.
Nestle released Disco morsels, chocolate chips covered in edible glitter.
Netflix debuted a new show, Motel Makeover, highlighting the rising popularity of highly aesthetic Retro 70’s Motels.
The Dive Motel in Nashville opened in 2021, featuring 23 uniquely designed rooms with a custom “Party Switch” that activates a disco ball and “Dive Radio.”
A new LA based startup is launching “disco in a can” with a Peruvian inspired Hard Seltzer called Pisco Disco. Their website boldly claims that “Disco in a can is a never ending dance party for all!”
Coachella 2022 Night One 04/15/2022 : Harry Styles Performs … in basically a disco ball jumpsuit!
And so many more examples of disco’s influence in recent fashion, decor, and pop culture!
What do you think? If you are loving the resurgence of disco themes in pop culture, check out this recent Quartz podcast breaking down the musical and cultural side of this Disco trend. Have you spotted any “Disco in the Wild?” I’d love to see or hear more about any evidence of this trend in everyday life. Drop me a comment on LinkedIn or email me (courtney@seekcompany.com) to keep the conversation going.
