We have entered 2025, and food has evolved into so much more than what we eat—it’s become a lifestyle, an art form, and, for some, a status symbol! Gone are the days when meals just meant nutrition or comfort. Today, every bite, sip, and snack tells a story about who we are, what we value, and how we lead our lives.

Food now stars in the stories we tell about ourselves. Scroll through Instagram, and you’ll see it everywhere: from London’s @laurakhoshaba, who documents Harrods’ decadent food halls, to the US duo @sistersnacking, sampling jaw-dropping $227 Ballerina Farm pastries. These meals mean so much more than just food. They are forming memory-making moments! They’re aspirational, meticulously curated, and almost too beautiful to eat.

Even the once-humble chicken salad has experienced rebranding. Bethenny Frankel, the mastermind behind Skinnygirl, has made a project to critique this staple’s “elite” versions, diving into the fine line between simple and special. Meanwhile, everyday people are finding ways to elevate their daily meals. Office workers like @jensintec and @MeganKittyEats turn their cafeteria spreads into envy-inducing reels, while college student @gliocius transforms basic campus fare into culinary inspiration. This conveys a clear message: food serves as your canvas no matter who you are!

Erewhon: where groceries become couture

If one brand captures the spirit of food as status, then we need to talk about Erewhon. This LA-based luxury grocery chain has redefined what it means to shop for groceries. A $20 smoothie here would feel neglected if you called it a drink. It offers you a badge of belonging to a particular lifestyle. With sleek stores, meticulously curated products, and an Instagram aesthetic that screams exclusivity, Erewhon has created a place where shopping feels like an event. Even the grocer’s kraft paper tote bags have achieved cult status, becoming so coveted they’re resold on eBay and inspiring chic, eco-friendly reusable versions—reminiscent of Trader Joe’s reusable mini tote bags, which have gained similar notoriety for their practicality and collectible charm.

Surprisingly, Erewhon’s revenue per square foot achieves four times the amount of the grocery industry average. People are buying so much more than groceries. They’re buying into a story, a vibe, a community. Across the pond, the Delli app channels a similar energy, connecting people with boutique food makers and artisan brands. These platforms blur the line between food and fashion—turning dinner into a deliberate act of self-expression.

When fashion and food melt together

Luxury brands have noticed this cultural shift and are leaning into it. Louis Vuitton’s chocolate boutiques in Paris, Shanghai, and Singapore have made chocolate as desirable as their iconic handbags. Collaborations like Michael Kors x BAsDBAN or Miss Dior x Grid Coffee infuse culinary moments with high-fashion flair. Loewe’s heirloom tomato bag—a quirky and coveted accessory—proves that even vegetables can become part of a style statement.

And then let’s talk about the artistry. French floral designer @glenn.arvor adds fresh produce to his stunning arrangements, creating pieces that feel alive, organic, and earthy. New Zealand’s Amy Yip turns cakes into sculptures that look more at home in a gallery than a dessert table. Meanwhile, Japan’s @ika_miniature takes “tiny food” to new heights, crafting intricate replicas that make you pause and marvel. These playful trends remind us that food can move, surprise, and deeply connect us.

Why food matters more than ever

This obsession with food offers valuable extras to aesthetics and indulgence. It creates a connection. Food has become a way to ground ourselves in a volatile world. Whether you buy yourselves a $20 Erewhon smoothie or a homemade tomato salad, something feels comforting about the shared rituals of eating, celebrating, and creating.

This also happens with the recent rise of vegetable-inspired fragrances (tomato leaf, anyone?), which echo a similar longing for natural, nostalgic, and unexpected pleasures. Food and fragrance are merging, breaking boundaries to offer fresh ways to share our stories and connect. As food evolves into art and identity, what you put on your plate may rival what you put in your closet or on your wrist. The meals we share and the treats we post are delicious—and a way to define ourselves! Let us know about your favorite snack or meal to share with friends. Comment below! 

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Cue the evolution of quiet luxury

Who could have predicted this bold shift? The signs for brown’s meteoric rise were there if you were watching. From paint companies’ palettes to LA-based interior designer Kelly Wearstler’s bronze wonderland Instagram, the glamification of brown signaled the next phase of quiet luxury. Pantone’s Mocha Mousse offers the second food-themed color of the year in a row — and the first time since revealing a color of the year 25 years ago that a shade of brown was chosen. Media outlets have compared the color to natural elements and “little treat culture.” Pantone says the color intends to represent the zeitgeist, playing on a “desire for comfort” and a “growing movement to align ourselves with the natural world.” Read on for ways to envelop ourselves in this cozy, welcoming color, from home to apparel!

Brown shades at home

Paint offers one of the easiest ways to embrace this new neutral. In April, Little Greene launched a range of brown hues, including a decadent chocolate called Ganache. The capsule, inspired by treats like madeleines and affogato, draws from the walls, woodwork, and furniture of historic UK properties. Simultaneously, Farrow & Ball began showing a palette dominated by various browns, including Broccoli Brown and Cardamom. In October, Benjamin Moore revealed Cinnamon Slate as their 2025 Color of the Year, emphasizing balance, reassurance, and restoration at home. Following Pantone’s announcement, BEHR Paint responded with a playful TikTok: “Mocha mousse, meet cocoa nutmeg.”

Color – an international language

Sabrina Carpenter’s song of the summer Espresso summed things up even better than the now sold-out Norma Kamali swimsuit she wears in the video. Bella Hadid’s sheer Saint Laurent gown at Cannes came in café au lait, while at Vogue’s Wimbledon party, model Alva Claire arrived in a brown Ralph Lauren tank dress. Ryan Gosling has long been a fan of tobacco tailoring. Anti-tech, from paint choices to catwalks, brown can be seen as the color du jour. Brands like Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, JW Anderson, and Chloé embraced some variation, inspiring a 1,000% increase in searches for chocolate brown on the shopping platform LTK this past November. Pantone will take Mocha Mousse on a celebratory international tour, stopping in London, New York, Shanghai, and Mumbai. Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, Laurie Pressman, says, “It’s emblematic of a snapshot in time, and it’s giving people what they feel they need — that color can hope to answer,” Pressman said. “It’s us taking the temperature: What’s taking place in the world around us, and how does that get expressed into the language of color?”

Versatile for beauty & hair

According to Pantone, this soft brown suits various skin tones across various undertones and is a perfect foil for packaging. Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse is a versatile shade, blending seamlessly with other colors and serving as an ideal base for metallic gloss finishes. Juvia’s Place, an inclusive beauty brand, recently debuted The Coffee Shop Collection, with a glam brown eyeshadow palette and flattering lip glosses and liners. The day the Pantone announcement was made, many were inspired to take the rich hair color route!

Mocha mousse merch

Pantone’s Instagram promotes the new shade while adding momentum to products, including Limited Edition Mugs, Cortado, and Espresso Cups. While Pantone can’t copyright “light brown,” they have partnered with companies like Motorola and makeup subscription service Ipsy to create products in color. Speaking of, if you search Arket, “brown” reaps plenty of decadent apparel options! You can also check out British brand Tove’s cult Joni bodysuit and cinnamon tanks.

Symrise has been following the food-color connection, and according to those in the know, brown will continue to be a warm-weather hit. In the comments below, let us know your favorite way to indulge in Mocha Mousse!

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A delicious shift is happening in beauty and fashion. Food-inspired products are taking over, captivating Gen-Z with scents, colors, and textures that feel as tasty as they look. Rhode Skin, Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand, sparked this wave with its Krispy Kreme strawberry-flavored lip treatment, which went viral and sold out almost instantly. Certainly, the look and scent that drew fans in. More importantly — it offers the thrill of holding an iconic treat in a surprising form. Beauty and fashion brands are weaving food-inspired elements into products that make everyday routines feel as indulgent as fun.

Beauty and food have long shared a playful link, and now brands are drawing on nostalgic flavors and favorite snacks to create visually and emotionally resonant, sensory-driven products. And with TikTok fueling the trend, we can now find these food-inspired looks everywhere, turning routines into experiences that feel almost good enough to eat. Read on to learn more!

Satisfying style cravings: food meets beauty and fashion

The new wave of food-inspired beauty looks fresh, bold, and designed for a digital audience. In 2024, the “strawberry girl” look—flushed cheeks and glossy lips—dominated social media. Meanwhile, “glazed doughnut” nails, mimicking the smooth, shiny surface of a freshly glazed treat, became a staple. Even hair trends followed suit, with shades like “cinnamon cookie butter” adding warm caramel and copper tones to create a soft, dessert-inspired glow.

These trends echo millennial nostalgia, reminiscent of early 2000s favorites like fruit-flavored Lip Smackers and classic Bath & Body Works or Victoria’s Secret body sprays, yet feel refreshed in the Gen-Z era. Thanks to TikTok’s #FoodTok, which attracts billions of views, food-inspired beauty looks have become viral sensations, drawing audiences who crave the familiar comfort and fun that these styles bring to self-expression

Marketing Gold: Food-Infused Collaborations

Brands are jumping into this culinary craze, creating limited-edition releases that Gen-Z eagerly adopts. Milk Makeup’s grape-colored Cooling Water Jelly Tint went viral on TikTok and sold out twice, thanks to its jelly-like texture and refreshing feel. Rhode Skin’s Krispy Kreme lip treatment boosted engagement by over 700%, proving how much food-inspired products resonate with young consumers. Lanolips joined the trend with a “glazed doughnut” flavor for its popular balm, quickly becoming a best-seller.

Fashion brands are also embracing the foodie influence. E.l.f. Cosmetics partnered with Chipotle to launch a makeup palette inspired by burrito ingredients like guacamole and salsa. Last year, they collaborated with Liquid Death to create a rock-inspired beauty line, blending creativity, humor, and food culture in a fresh and authentic way. Recently, Kate Spade joined M&M’s for a whimsical collaboration, adding a sweet, colorful twist to accessories. 

Snackable Style: How Food Aesthetics Are Thriving on TikTok

TikTok’s rapid-fire platform has turned food-inspired beauty trends into cultural moments. From “strawberry girl” blush to “blueberry milk” nails, each trend taps into a universal love for comfort and indulgence, transforming beauty routines into a sensory treat. Products like Sweet Tooth by Sabrina Carpenter Eau de Parfum in “Cherry Baby” and Lanolips’ flavored balms have embraced this approach, with food-inspired scents and flavors becoming significant parts of their business.

Food-inspired trends have arrived to stay. Gen-Z’s love for food culture and viral creativity gives beauty and fashion brands fresh ways to connect. By infusing products with the comforting essence of favorite snacks, brands create experiences beyond function. From jelly-textured cheek tints to Krispy Kreme lip balms and flavor-inspired makeup palettes, today’s products delight in every sense. For Gen-Z, a touch of sweetness truly elevates everything.

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Fashion, fragrance, food and more!

Are you feeling passionate about art? Then you’ve likely heard of Art Basel—the renowned art fair that’s captivated audiences since the 1970s. Art Basel Switzerland kicked off in June with over 250 premier galleries worldwide this year. And the excitement went on from there. In November, Art Week Tokyo joined forces with Art Basel to spotlight Tokyo’s unique creativity and cultural diversity.

And now, the countdown runs for the 22nd annual Art Basel Miami Beach, which will take place from December 6 through 8. Get ready for an extraordinary showcase featuring top galleries from five continents, displaying works from iconic Modern and contemporary masters alongside promising emerging talents. 

While Art Basel celebrates art across all media, expect to see an emphasis on grand-scale installations. The fair also pushes boundaries with tech-driven art, integrating augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to captivate a younger, tech-savvy audience. Art Basel Miami Beach has meanwhile gone far beyond an art fair. Art converges with luxury, fashion, fragrance, gourmet experiences, and more. Discover the event’s partners and dive into the exclusive activities and initiatives planned for this year!

Style & scents to watch

Art Basel offers more than art. It presents a a style spectacle where luxury fashion takes center stage. Iconic brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci have joined Art Basel, offering exclusive collections and immersive experiences. Dior and Prada, with boutiques in Miami’s Design District, host private events that draw A-listers, blending high fashion with high art. Attendees dress to impress, often inspired by the art around them, and even Art Basel staff uniforms are stylish, thanks to partner GOAT—a brand that’s grown from a sneaker marketplace to a global source for trendsetting fashion.

Fragrance brands are also seizing the Art Basel spotlight. At October’s Paris edition, Guerlain launched a gender-neutral fragrance with artist Julie Beaufils, capturing her abstract landscapes in amber, floral, and wood notes. Creed Fragrances teamed up with artist Shawn Kolodny for Miami installations and holiday boutique displays. With many collaborations under wraps, keep an eye out for surprises this December at Art Basel Miami Beach!

Celebrity-fueled events & food

Art Basel’s Global Patrons Council consists of 181 leading private collectors from across the world, allowing Art Basel to plan unique events to connect with that network.  For example, for Miami, Dom Pérignon will host a night to remember with Creative Director Lenny Kravitz at hotelier Alan Faena’s Penthouse. The event will celebrate the release of Kravitz’s limited-edition Dom Pérignon collection. One can also book luxury experiences such as this yacht charter for a mere £4,000 per person! In addition, Miami will attract visitors and art fans to a vibrant cuisine scene. With the Miami Beach Convention Center event, restauranteurs from LIRA Beirut Eatery to Rosetta Bakery will be offering snacks to sit-down meals. 

Sustainable thinking

At the heart of the Miami event (and Art Basel in general) are sustainably minded practices. With Sodexo Live! as the official catering service, key initiatives have focused on boosting plant-based meals, responsible and local sourcing, and waste reduction. They are also supporting communities and transitioning to biodegradable and compostable products.

Symrise drives cultural synergy forward by innovating with sustainable, creative exhibitions at top art events. Planning to attend Art Basel? Share your favorite way to join the momentum in the comments below!

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Games wide open

Are you excited about the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics? Explore the games and discover how fashion and beauty tap into the athletic scene! Paris will host the Summer Olympics for the third time from July 26 to August 11, spanning 17 cities across metropolitan France and Tahiti. Teahupo’o, on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, will host two days of surfing, 9,765 miles from Paris. The motto, “Games Wide Open” (French: Ouvrons grand les Jeux), represents the goal of delivering more inclusive and educational games. New sports exclusive to Paris include breaking (or break dancing), skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing. An estimated 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will participate, with equal men and women competing!

An Olympic-sized opportunity for brands

Curious about how your favorite brands plan to participate? The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games offer unique opportunities for brands to connect with global audiences. For example, global banking company Citi’s Paris 2024 marketing hinges on Paralympians, highlighting their positive impact on communities. Citi sponsors 24 athletes, including U.S. sprinter long jumper Scout Bassett and wheelchair tennis player Diede de Groot of the Netherlands. Paratriathlon gold medalist Lauren Steadman of Great Britain gets also sponsored. Additionally, wheelchair basketball player Trevon Jenifer, a member of the 2024 U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball National Team, is part of Citi’s roster.

Fashion unites all

Luxury brands based in Paris, like LVMH, are making waves with their landmark Olympics deal. They’ve increased attention to what athletes wear for non-sporting moments, such as the opening ceremony. For the first time, they sponsor athletes, including fencing champion Enzo Lefort and gymnast Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos.

The Louis Vuitton ambassadors competing in the Olympics represent various sports and countries. Victor Wembanyama, the NBA Rookie of the Year, and Antoine Dupont, the French rugby team captain, are ambassadors from France. Spain’s tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz has also become an ambassador. Notably, France’s Pauline Déroulède, a wheelchair tennis player, will act as an ambassador for Dior, highlighting the brand’s support for athletes in all sports.

Brands are connecting with fans through their innovative uniforms. Lululemon will be dressing the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams, focusing on adaptive styles like a Seated-Fit Carpenter Pant and Packable Rain Poncho. Design details include braille, magnetic zipper closures, pull-on loops, and sensory touch guides.

The North Face has crafted Olympic climbing kits for the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Austria, showcasing bold graphic designs. On the other hand, Berluti has taken a sustainable approach to designing the French Olympic team’s opening ceremony uniforms. Their tuxedos, with a patina-effect shawl collar in French flag colors, reflect national pride and a commitment to sustainable craftsmanship.

Indie brands make this fashion’s biggest Olympics ever

With skateboarding debuting, Brazilian brand Cariuma partners with the Olympics for the first time, outfitting three countries with footwear and apparel. Premium active swimwear brand Left on Friday makes an Olympic debut with bikinis, cover-ups, and accessories for Canada’s women’s beach volleyball team. The brand admits the opportunity provides them with excellent product testing for future non-Olympian offerings! Swedish J. Lindeberg will make uniforms for the U.S. men’s and women’s golf teams. Paris-based streetwear designer Stephane Ashpool has been designing for the French Olympic team.

Beauty finds opportunity in women’s sports

What about beauty brands? Olympic gold medalist gymnasts Suni Lee and Jade Carey have picked up beauty sponsorships on social media. Lee is partnering with L’Oréal, and Carey is working with Dove. Mielle, owned by P&G, will offer services for athletes with textured hair in P&G’s salon, with a special event featuring basketball player A’ja Wilson. Dental Clinic from Oral-B will provide athletes access to general and emergency dental services with high-performance Oral-B toothbrushes, toothpaste, and oral care education. The P&G Everyday Champions Welcome Kit includes a Paris-themed reusable bag with products from Oral-B, Head & Shoulders, Aussie, Safeguard, and Febreze to support athletes’ health and hygiene during Paris 2024.

Symrise, which provides key ingredients to the beauty industry and beyond, welcomes the Olympics and celebrates inclusivity on its Instagram page. Weigh in on exciting brand activations, and comment below on your plan to participate!

#symrise #symrisecosmeticingredients #alwaysinspiringmore #globalbeauty #olympics2024 #winningingredients

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Ready to journey to a significant Turkish metropolis brimming with modern spins on rich heritage? A beguiling blend of East and West beckons travelers to Istanbul, at a crossroads of history, culture, and modernity. Straddling the Bosphorus Strait, this enchanting city offers a treasure trove of opulent experiences and culinary delights. The significance of skilled artisans shaping Istanbul’s identity remains emphasized today, highlighted in contemporary twists on the city’s cultural fabric. Curious about where to start? Read on!

Artisanal Renaissance

While other cities went dormant during the pandemic, Istanbul made significant investments in revitalizing for future tourists. Galataport, Istanbul’s waterfront complex, opened in late 2021 and formed an essential milestone in the city’s evolution. We find the revamped Ottoman-era post office particularly noteworthy, dedicated to homegrown Turkish brands and some 250 stores. The open-plan retail hub reflects a tradition dating back to Istanbul’s 500-year-old Grand Bazaar, where artisans, or “usta” as locals call them, were so lauded that streets were named after them. Today’s visitors are treated to signage with odes to Hahcilar (carpet makers), Kuyumcular (goldsmiths), Aynacilar (mirror makers), and the many craftspeople whose wares line the arcades.

Shopping extravaganza

This elevated craftsmanship offers plenty of opportunities for some retail therapy? In 2020, Turkey ranked as the fourth largest exporter of textiles worldwide. Local talents leverage the infrastructure to create innovative designs today. For example, sisters Defne and Basak Kocabıyıkoglu founded Nackiyé in Besiktas, combining traditional prints with modern silhouettes in wearable statement pieces.

In Beyoglu, Misela’s handbags combine contemporary styling with conventional Turkish techniques, emphasizing individuality and personalization. In Nisantası, Fey by Fatos Yalın showcases chic, locally-made collections, while Begüm Khan’s flagship boutique offers dramatic jewelry pieces inspired by botanical and animal motifs. Aslı Atamer’s House of Junk in Zekeriyaköy presents eclectic accessories and vintage finds housed in a family villa turned into a unique shopping destination. 

With so much going on, brands make their way abroad. Three years after receiving investment, Les Benjamins, the Istanbul-based streetwear brand, has significantly expanded. They have opened physical stores across the Middle East and Asia, mirroring the path of the Silk Road. ANIM and Mehtap Elaidi produce modestly styled Istanbul apparel items. AnatolianCraft uses local craftsmanship to create signature slides that benefit clients in hot climates and those observing the five daily prayers. Atelier Rebul, founded during Ottoman times, stands out as a beloved beauty brand offering bespoke fragrances. In Çukurcuma, A La Turca showcases Anatolian kilims and traditional crafts curated by Erkal Aksoy. Meanwhile, Dank! offers modern and retro home furnishings with a sustainable twist, encouraging visitors to consign items having fallen out of favor.

Culinary delights

Hungry after all that shopping? Istanbul’s culinary scene celebrates a nucleus of gastronomy representative of Turkey’s diverse regions and culinary traditions. The influence of celebrity chefs redefines cuisine with modern flair. For example, Yeni Lokanta stars at a Michelin restaurant simply named Yeni. For the adventurous, try TURK for experimental Anatolian dishes and Neolokal for creative cuisine overlooking the Old City. For quintessential Istanbul dining experiences, Kıyı has become renowned for fresh fish and rakı, while Mahir Lokantası offers no-frills Anatolian dishes like lahmacun and pide. Escape tourist traps and explore hidden gems like Lokanta 1741 for exceptional Turkish food with a view, or indulge in Turkish street food reimagined at Basta Street Food Bar in the trendy Moda neighborhood. 

Cultural exploration and exceptional accommodations

Those seeking to immerse themselves in contemporary art and stunning architecture should venture to the ARTER Museum or admire iconic Istanbul photographs at the Ara Güler Museum. Learn about Turkish cinema history at the Istanbul Cinema Museum, housed in the iconic Atlas Cinema. For unique experiences, consider curated private tours with Istanbul Tour Studio or explore bustling markets like Kadıköy Market for authentic Turkish ingredients and handicrafts. After a busy day, discover historic hotels transformed into luxurious accommodations, such as the Six Senses Kocataş Mansions and Ecole St. Pierre Hotel. Indulge at the Adahan DeCamondo Pera and live like royalty at the historic Splendid Palace Hotel!

Explore Istanbul for luxurious accommodations, cultural revelations, and gastronomic wonders that will leave a lasting impression on your heart. Weigh in on your favorites! Surely, you will long to return.

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For looks or reading?

Are you searching for a sophisticated gift to infuse your friend’s new space with jaw-dropping, bookish charm? Designer Tom Ford’s $52 million purchase of Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ Hamptons, NY summer home sparks curiosity! Will his signature double-volume coffee table books grace its decor? 

Whether for décor or book lovers, #BookTok has amassed over 171 billion views on TikTok. The movement, originating as pandemic entertainment, attracts fans seeking escapism and mental wellness. The book community finds a connection in recommendations and collections. Check out YouTuber Jack Edward’s 50+ Huge Book Haul video. Where fashion hauls were the go-to, Jack focuses on visually impactful home organization centered around his favorite books.

With the holidays upon us, consider all the interesting new releases for gifting and coffee table curation. How to organize? Coffee table books come in small, medium, and large sizes, perfect for stacking. Tara Dennis, a noted residential interior and architecture design expert with A-list clientele, offers some advice. Dennis says, “I tend to group all of my coffee table books according to size, and I like to do them in stacks of two or three and then put some kind of object on the top.” Read on for our list of the best and newest releases to gift and arrange!

A fashionable holiday indeed

Actor and Dior spokesperson Rosamund Pike did a tour of Hatchard’s in Piccadilly Circus, London, for The Dior Book Tote Club. Authored by Marylou Luther, Be-Spoke: Revelations from the World’s Most Important Fashion Designers showcases a Luther interview with Christian Dior in 1957 and a visit to Coco Chanel. The Ruben Toledo beautifully illustrated tome also features a Forward by Stan Herman and Afterward by Rick Owens. Speaking of Chanel, the gorgeous release Chanel: High Jewelry explores Coco’s inspirations and features photography by some of the most noteworthy fashion photographers. Many eagerly awaited Linda Evangelista, Photographed by Steven Meisel, a stunning 25-year tribute to fashion’s iconic and enduring collaborations.

Star crossed readings

With the Hollywood actors’ strike, Trophy Lives: On the Celebrity as an Art Object has perfect timing to fill our muse fantasies. Sofia Coppola, celebrity and filmmaker, shows her talent for capturing images in the gorgeous pink covers of Sofia Coppola Archive: 1999-2023. Multihyphenate musician, producer, artist, and designer Pharrell Williams has released Pharrell-isms, an inspiring collection of quotations about creativity and social justice. For the Harry Styles fan in your life, consider Harry Styles, dedicated to his current cultural significance. Can we ever get enough, Harry?!

A year ahead of self-exploration, travel, and cooking

Have you considered some self-improvement resolutions for the new year?  To aid in feelings of empowerment, Emma Lucy Knowles,  known for clients like Victoria Beckham and The Ritz-Carlton, shares empowering wisdom in Crystals to Manifest. If you or loved ones plan travels, consider Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel. Written from a witty Third World-raised woman of color’s perspective, the book ponders joyful travel amidst colonialism, capitalism, and climate change. Another travel-related note, In Search of Perfumes by Dominique Roques, offers an immersive nature travelog about the ingredients for our favorite fragrances. 

Regarding ingredients, Alicia Kennedy’s No Meat Required contributes to the conversation on shifting meat from the center of our plates. For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women & Femmes in Food celebrates Black women in food and wine with a collective cookbook of recipes and interviews. The collective family centers at the heart of Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours: More Than 100 Recipes Made with Love for All Occasions: A Cookbook.

Food and books bring together a family in an inspiring way! Let us know which coffee table entries have become your favorites and how you plan to gift and display them.

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Viva magenta! An exceptional color for an exceptional time

Welcome to the world of color, where hues and shades can evoke different emotions and set the tone for a particular moment. As we gear up for another year, Pantone surprises us again with its selection for the 2023 Color of the Year: Viva Magenta. This year’s choice may have surprised many of you, as you expected pink to take center stage. While, Viva Magenta may deviate a little from your typical pink hue, it will reward you with its rich, crimson shade. This unique blend of boldness and grace offers a captivating solution to those looking to stand out in the digital world. Join us as we delve into the world of Viva Magenta and discover what makes this year’s Color of the Year a game-changer.

Complex & Multi-Faceted 

The 2023 Color of the Year, Viva Magenta, offers complex and multifaceted vibes. Lee Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, describes it as powerful and empowering. It combines crimson red, hot pink, fuchsia, raspberry, and maroon, making it flowery, natural, slick, and shiny.

The source of Viva Magenta’s color seems intriguing. According to the Pantone Color Institute, the cochineal beetle inspired the hue. These tiny insects, native to parts of North and South America, feed on prickly pear cactuses and produce a vivid red pigment that people used as a dye. The indigenous people of Mesoamerica did so as far back as 2000 BCE. This included aesthetic purposes, such as dyeing clothes, tinting teeth, and medicinal purposes. The color impressed the Spanish conquistadors that much that some speculated it might have magical properties. The Pantone Color Institute’s brand partner, Motorola, is planning to release a Viva Magenta phone, further highlighting the versatility and appeal of this hybrid color. Whether you’re using it for fashion, beauty, or technology, Viva Magenta will surely command attention and make a bold statement.

Intentional

Pantone selected its 2023 Color of the Year, Viva Magenta, intentionally. According to Lee Eiseman, little debate happened over choosing a brighter, more lively color. The team emphasized the hue’s vitality, lightness, and “fun” aspects and its androgynous applications. Viva Magenta impresses an expressive, nuanced color that captures the right balance between brightness and subtleness, femininity, and androgyny. Free of cultural baggage, its warm and eye-catching properties make it a perfect representation of the mood of 2023.

Fashion & Design

Today, we use modern technology to achieve the versatile color Viva Magenta without using insect-derived pigments. Barbara Streisand wore the carmine version of the Delphos gown, designed by Spanish-born Mariano Fortuny in the 1968 film Funny Girl. This iconic dress and current color interpretations from designers like Issey Miyake and Prabal Gurung showcase this unique color range.

The jewel tone Viva Magenta will catch your eye with a softer and quieter vibe than the bold red of a femme fatale. Instead, the tourmaline red is a moodier and less demanding color with unique charm and charisma. The color works well for lipstick like this one from Hermes, as well as clothing, sports cars and cell phones, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.

Viva Magenta represents the perfect color to bring a sense of optimism and strength into your wardrobe, home, or beauty routine. This bold hue reminds us of the beauty and balance in nature. So how will you incorporate Viva Magenta into your fashion, design, or beauty choices? Tell us in the comments below. 

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Autumn/Winter 2021 – Beauty, Food, And Scent Take on a Nostalgic Seasonal Twist

Usually, soups and ciders are simmering on the stove as we move back indoors to curl up into coziness. Now, watch out, because this year is going to look different. Autumn/Winter 2021 is moving beyond the atypical and freeing Autumn from its seasonal expectations! 

Most years, Autumn feels like the end of the growth period. As nature has designed it, seasons are changing. Mother nature is evolving palettes, and consumer mindsets are adapting. So now, sweaters, layers, and boots would usually move back into our closets. And here comes the change. After almost two years of global pandemic uncertainty, 2021 reframes the Autumn and Winter metaphor into an optimistic sense of rebirth, cleanliness, and a blank canvas. 

Autumn 2021 stands full of refreshing, palate-cleansing hues paired with warm and earthy shades and textures. Whites and neutrals have left the taboo zone now that the Autumnal temperatures drop. Soothing neutrals bring luxe comfort and timeless appeal into the seasonal switch. Fashion and beauty exude warmth and light that feel inviting and welcoming.

Nostalgic tastes with a modern twist warm up kitchens worldwide in Autumn. In this year, we can see a change with a hyper-focus on mental and physical wellness and immunity through culinary creation. Ancient arts of locking in the goodness of the harvest are coming back with highlighted health benefits. Celebrations are revamping with an inclusive approach that serves variety. Globally, people feel cautiously happy to spend time together. Simultaneously, we realize that we need our communal activities as much as we crave for delicious taste.

Smokey artistry, the face of the beauty season

The Autumn and holiday mood denotes smokey artistry, windburnt blush, and creative color. Skin and cosmetic regimens change based on season cycles and evolving skin needs. After work from home and minimal social events, clean faces adjust to life beyond the face mask. Pops of color paired with minimalism and ultra-creative glam reminiscent of the 1920s will take center stage as the holiday soirees begin. Make-up looks feminine and vampish, accentuating the lips, cheeks, eyes, and brows with layers of rouge and gloss. 

Cheeks replicate windburns with blush. An intense rouge swept from the apples of the cheek to the temples creates a range of blown looks. Bright hues enrich the palette of choice. Lips are making a powerful comeback as they have looked neutral and minimal over the past 18 months.

Classics like the smokey eye return and the kitten eye—a less dramatic cat-eye with slightly flicked back eyeliner emerges. A mix of precision and smudges gives users cosmetic options based on their skill level. Ultra-long lashes maintain popular as face masks shift the focus to the eyes. Brands and influencers that assist in the teaching process will pique consumer interest.

Creativity and artistry elevate the playful nature of cosmetics. Colorful designs adorn various parts of the face, specifically the eyes and the lips. Encrusted embellishments and decorative silver become holiday-worthy cosmetic accents and facial accessories. These embellishments will go both ways and get real, like at Giambattista Valli A/W 20 with maxi gems framing the eyes, or go digital, such as Dior Beauty’s Christmas 2019 make-up filter for Instagram.

Cold weather signature scents

Even if you have your annual personal scent locked down, the Autumn/Winter additions help shift the mood as you move your wardrobe. Scent forms the sense tied most closely to memory; it can take you on journeys and bring back cherished memories. So smelling a 2021 Autumn fragrance several months from now is by guarantee triggering a seasonal highlight reel. 

Best paired with leather jackets and cozy cardigans, Autumnal florals, sensually sweet vanilla and orange blossoms, and warm spices make their stamp on Autumn/Winter 2021. Jo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily Cologne Intense excels as a delicate perfume where flowers blend with warm spicy accents for a beautifully scented cure for seasonal melancholy. Tom Ford’s Vanille Fatale Eau De Parfum transports one to a warm cafe in the Winter with the multi-faceted smells of vanilla, coffee, roasted barley notes, and exotic flowers. 

At home, both transportive ingredient notes and serene scents elevate the ambiance of your true comfort zone. Boheme aims to reignite a love of adventure and travel with its Wanderlust Collection of candles, including scents based on Tahiti, Goa, and Istanbul. Scent profiles like Goa (Portuguese/Indian Beach Town) combine vibrant bergamot with soul-soothing white musk and nag champa to transport audiences to an Indian paradise.

Culinary comforts ranking high

Autumnal palettes and Winter food trends bring comfort and warmth wrapped in nostalgia. And, while this festive season signifies a great time to pull out family favorites, a fresh twist of culinary modernity holds just as important. Earthy plant-based proteins, time-centric fermented delicacies, and roots-based hearty meals bring health and wellness to the seasonal table.

Herbs, roots, and mushrooms reinvent plant-based indulgence this season. As plant-based and flexitarian diets continue to grow for Millennials and Gen Z, brands and influencers quickly adapt strategies to meet consumer desires. The number of European consumers who identify as vegan has quadrupled in the past four years. Plant-based diets bring several benefits, like leading a healthier life, less anxiety, and promoting sustainability. 

Autumn also means harvest season and a time to store the freshness of the growth of the land. As a result, ancient fermenting health benefits have infused modern-day delicacies. Popular brands have discovered the benefits of improving digestion, curbing sugar spikes, and treating muscle cramps. From human snacks like Kraut Krisps and Chewy Kombucha candies to Fungi-based dog treats, fermenting benefits touch all facets of our nutrition.

This season of holidays continues to focus on entertaining everyone. As families and friends get together after a long separation, a need to unite and a desire for inclusivity evolves. Variety and options continue to focus, and charcuterie boards of all sorts add a beautiful table piece meant for all tastes. This culinary sharing experience moves from only meats and cheeses to breakfast boards, chocolate charcuterie, and of course, plant-based charcuterie boards.

Opportunity to reframe the season

We walk into Autumn/Winter 2021 with a different mindset than the seasons since. We appreciate people, time, and experience in a new way. Our lives have shifted forever. Now we feel ready to share what we have learned, how we have embraced and evolved traditions, and revel in celebration together. 

How have your behaviors changed this season compared to the past? What traditions have you and your family adopted from the past and created your modern twist? Are you trying something new in the kitchen? What scent evokes Autumn/ Winter to you? Comment below to let us know your thoughts.

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Circular Fashion – A System with Intention

From the design floor to the retail floor, the speed of fashion follows a complex pattern and has increased rapidly just within the past few decades. Before your clothes end up in your closet, they go through a series of development stages that impact the environment, economy, and humanity on a global level. As the fashion industry continues to grow, we need to reflect on what motivates the speed of fashion and why it has become important to slow it down.

A Quick Look at Fast Fashion

Fast fashion refers to the mass production of fashion trend products at an extremely low cost. This method gained popularity in the early 2000s when fashion companies took advantage of the countries with more economic production methods. This led to an increase in the speed of production at a very low cost. Rapid overproduction negatively impacts the environment by utilizing raw materials at a questionable rate. The cut of costs also leads to poor quality garments resulting in the inability to sustain this fashion production method. 

A Thorough Look at Slow Fashion

Slow fashion refers to a movement that allows for more consideration regarding the impact of the fashion industry by creating a circular system. The production of slow fashion products requires more time between the design stage and the retail floor. This allows for more attention to garment care, quality of materials used, construction, and design. Increased quality of garments provides for a longer garment lifespan. If the number of times people wear a garment doubled on average, global greenhouse gas emissions would reduce by 44%. A circular fashion system works towards reducing garment disposal through quality assurance and materials that sustain this quality. 

Sustainable and ethical fashion form the pillars in slow fashion business practices. Many companies are discovering new ways to limit their carbon footprint and create sustainable products. This includes utilizing natural fibers like wool, recycling artificial fibers, practicing natural dyeing methods, and reducing stress on raw materials. 

Slow fashion systems may take their time providing quality ethically sourced garments to their market. At the same time, the support for this movement is growing fast. The global ethical fashion market is expected to grow from $6,345.3 million in 2019 to $8,246.1 million in 2023. Brands are representing style and are also supporting the values they uphold. 

Brands Leading the Way

With the increase in awareness of slow fashion and conscious consumption, consumers look towards brands to reflect these aspects in their business models. Some brands are revolutionizing ways to promote slow fashion. Recently, Levi Strauss advocated for higher quality and buying less to support the slow fashion movement. In addition, Levi’s began their Water < Less campaign in 2018—a process of conserving water consumption in their denim production system. 

The brand Eileen Fisher has made many strides in its dedication to sustainability. Eileen Fisher is donating, reselling, and remaking old clothes into new garments to make their designs last. Since 2009 they have repurposed over 1.5 million pieces. They have also eliminated harsh chemical dyes through their partnership with Botanical Colors, utilizing natural dyeing methods.

The Ethiopian brand LemLem built its business on ethical and sustainable practices. LemLem provides a market for African female artisans, creating African-style resort wear from locally sourced materials. LemLem founder Liya Kebede has also built a foundation around supporting African women in job security and health care. 

How to Integrate Slow Fashion into Your Life

There are simple steps you can take towards contributing to a circular fashion system. Buying second-hand clothes provides a great way to save money and renew the lifespan of a preowned garment. Companies such as ThredUp and Rent the Runway have created a convenient way for consumers to buy, sell, and rent their favorite second-hand styles at a reduced price. 

Resources like thrift stores form one way to help reduce the number of clothes that end up in landfills. One of the many reasons why people dispose of their garments relates to washing damage. Overwashing your garments can cause fiber breakdown and color fading. To boost your clothing care routine, make sure you are using products to protect from wash damage. Comfort’s Ultimate Care fabric conditioner is promising help here in particular. It uses Pro-Fibre Technology that locks color and provides a long-lasting fragrance. This product also comes in a bottle made from 100% recycled plastic. With Comfort’s Ultimate fabric conditioner, you can limit your washes, lengthen the lifespan of your wardrobe, and help the environment.

By integrating slow fashion practices into your lifestyle, you can limit your carbon footprint and explore new style sectors. It’s time to make a change. Start to reflect on your purchasing habits, think about the lifespan of each garment in your wardrobe, and support ways to care for your pieces properly. Be a part of a circular system.

How are you participating in the circular economy? Comment below. 

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