On a lingering Berlin evening near the Gropius Bau, where an exhibition honored Yoko Ono, over 380 guests gathered for the Rimowa Design Prize’s third edition—celebrating ideas that redefine design’s future, especially in travel and mobility. This year, however, the spotlight turned inward.
Hottie, a wearable menstrual relief belt created by students Elisabeth Lorenz and Marc Hackländer from Hochschule für Gestaltung, captured the jury’s attention—and soon sparked widespread interest on social media, with many asking, “Where can I buy this?”
I spoke with Elisabeth and Marc a few weeks after their win. While I curled up at my desk managing cramps with a hot water bottle, they appeared on my screen, still surprised by the response. “It was overwhelming,” Elisabeth said. “It took us weeks to realize we had won.” Marc added, “We submitted last minute and didn’t expect this. The feedback made us want to continue.”
Hottie is a textile belt combining heat and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to relieve severe menstrual cramps. Unlike typical femtech products, it’s stretchable, breathable, rechargeable, and designed as a lasting second skin—not a disposable device.
“We moved away from the medical device look,” Marc explained. “It’s something you wear because you want to, not hide.” Elisabeth added, “We see it as a lifestyle product that fits seamlessly into your day.”
Hottie addresses an often invisible pain—menstrual cramps—that disrupt daily life. With this design, they ask: What if products could acknowledge that pain and help people move through it?
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