Katherine Pendrill

Outside of academia, I would say that I am extremely proud of completing my first solo backpacking trip to Japan and Korea.

I think that what is "cool" is constantly shifting over time, and often what we consider cool at one time does not stay cool for long. I would define cool as something that is unique for the time in which is has emerged, while also pushing the boundaries for it's era.

My secret to uncovering trends comes from looking to other cultures - just look at what happened with South Korean beauty product in recent years.

I appreciate the fact that Trend Hunter has such a wide international readership, which means that I am able to use the platform to reach a vast number of people throughout the world.

My favourite trend is ChocoSol in Toronto because of their innovative and environmentally conscious approach to chocolate. I like that they seek to make every aspect of their business more ethical, right down to using pedal-power to grind the cocoa beans for the production of their chocolates.

When it comes to online media, the audience is generally looking for a quick-read, so making your post easy to understand is key to being relatable to the broadest number of people.

When I need to reset I practice Vinyasa yoga because it gets your body moving and allows you to clear your mind.

I am always inspired and excited by what is going on in other parts of the world. As someone who has extensively studied global development and has done a great deal of travel myself, I think that there is so much to be learned by looking at what is new and exciting in other countries.

I predict the integration of most daily tasks with our smartphones by 2020. For example, I would personally love an app that would help me prepare my meals throughout the day!