Wonderhood Studios Predicts a Medieval Future for 2025

Wonderhood Studios is once again looking into the future with their annual Christmas card, predicting what lies ahead for 2025. 

Following the success of last year’s predictions, which saw a rise in Radical Optimism (followed by the launch of Dua Lipa’s Album 2024 by the same name…), the growth of niche food trends like Salty Greek Wine and Pea Milk, Bitcoin reaching $100k and the rise of digital ‘raw dogging’, they are back with a bold vision for the next year.

This year’s card, created through a collaboration with Wonderhood's Data Insight and Design studios, presents a shift towards Neo-medievalism. The medieval period, also known as the Middle Ages, was a time in European history that lasted from 5th to the late 15th centuries. Wonderhood’s prediction will see the world increasingly reject modern, tech-centric culture for the embrace of all things of this historic time-period, which is mirrored in the overall design of the card. 

With 2025 fast approaching, the card offers a glimpse into five unique predictions - including 2025 being a big year for Mead but will it all come true?

1. The Need of Mead: Mead is making a comeback. Praised for being bee-friendly, lower in alcohol, and free of chemicals, mead’s nostalgic taste and historical roots are sure to bring it back to the table at feasts in 2025. With this, Wonderhood Studios have also launched a limited edition ‘Need for Mead’ bottle. 

2. Return to Church: With the rise of Catholic content on TikTok and a 5% increase in weekly church attendance in 2024, could 2025 mark the start of a more widespread return to the pews? Amid a climate of scepticism, Wonderhood Studios predicts a resurgence in faith and communal worship.

3. Hog Strong Summer: After the 'hot rodent summer' of 2024, dominated by sleek, non-threatening rat-adjacent celebrities like Timothée Chalamet, the pendulum swings in the opposite direction. In 2025, big, rugged, and unapologetically "bubonic" beauty will be in, and the world will embrace more robust and less refined forms of glamour.

4. Cloaks are In: Cloaks are primed to make a major comeback in 2025. Interest in the medieval-style garment has been quietly building throughout 2024, and with cultural touch points like the upcoming third season of Traitors, we can expect cloaks to be a key fashion trend for the year ahead.

5. The Death of the Internet: As AI continues its meteoric rise, Wonderhood Studios predicts that 2025 could see a temporary “breaking” of the internet. With technological overload and a growing desire to disconnect, a digital detox could be in store for society as AI continues to evolve and redefine how we engage with technology.

The back of this year’s physical and digital card features a special table for readers to track how these predictions unfold over the course of 2025, providing a unique way for people to reflect on the accuracy of Wonderhood’s forecasts.

Jack Colchester, head of data and insight at Wonderhood Studios, said, "Amidst the doom and gloom of last year we correctly predicted a more positive 2024- the massive recession never came, stocks are at all-time highs, we got a new government, and we came 2nd in the Euros. This year the signs and data signals are unavoidable, the rise and rise of all thing’s nostalgia is going to cast its eyes further back into the past. Forget about Y2K and think more 1350s- next year is going to get medieval."

Simon Elvins, co-founder of Wonderhood Design and head of art said, "Next year’s predictions are all based on a yearning for simpler times and a rejection of our increasingly crowded digital lives. So, we believe we’ll all be embracing a more tactical and hand-crafted world, which in turn will be reflected in our wider visual culture."

Check it out here.