News 04.06.2021

Need To Know

Agua Mágica is recontextualising modern mezcal, Yoox curates a Gen Z shopping hub and Americans feel positive about their financial futures.

Agua Mágica revives mezcal drinking rituals

Agua Mágica

US, Mexico – The ultra-premium spirits brand has launched its first mezcal with the aim of spotlighting the events, festivities and celebrations at which mezcal is traditionally consumed.

Focusing on the history of Oaxaca – the birthplace of mezcal – and the rich origins of the drink, Agua Mágica is reclaiming the spirit from industrialisation and commoditisation. To do this, it's using a combination of sourced and harvested single-village agaves, espadín and tobalá from the terrain of San Juan del Río. This location provides ideal natural conditions for agave – resulting in a complex and rich mezcal flavour.

Alongside retaining these important creation rituals, the brand also reasserts the place of mezcal to be consumed as part of festivities and gatherings, including weddings, funerals and births. ‘My mission with Agua Mágica is to initiate conversations around redirecting mezcal's current growth trajectory, through a premiumisation and re-contextualisation of mezcal consumption occasions,' explains Rafael Shin, founder of Agua Mágica.

As consumer interest in Modern Mezcal grows, this brand is stepping in to preserve the origins of agave-based spirits.

Topi skincare is for contrasting climates

Topi botanicals Topi botanicals

US – Topi is a skincare brand designed to protect the skin from different climatic conditions.

The brand, which positions itself as ethically and sustainably sourced, was launched with two vegan serums targeted at holidaymakers – its Sun Serum and Snow Serum. Each contains botanical ingredients to form a protective barrier on the surface of the skin, working against the skin aggressors that occur in these juxtaposing climates.

When creating the brand, Topi’s founders considered the impact of both indoor and outdoor conditions found while travelling, such as heating, air conditioning, pollution, LED screens and aeroplane environments. ‘I’ve always had an interest in medicinal botanicals,’ says Quentin Smith, co-founder of Topi. ‘[So] I wanted to find other ways of using them that made sense for how I like to care for my skin and interact with my environment on a day-to-day basis.’

In our forthcoming Beauty, Health and Wellness Forum, we’ll examine the effects of our surroundings and the environment on our overall wellbeing. Tickets are available to buy here.

Yoox’s online hub wants to entice Gen Z shoppers

Hi Guy_Z! by Yoox Hi Guy_Z! by Yoox

UK – At a time when Generation Z are snapping up pre-owned fashion, online retailer Yoox hopes to attract them to discounted luxury goods with a new youth-focused hub.

Dubbed Hi Guy_Z!, the platform will spotlight up-and-coming designers and talent, with promotions focused on businesses that follow sustainable practices. Among the brands initially selected to be featured on Hi Guy_Z! are Jacquemus, Fear of God, A-Cold-Wall, Our Legacy, Nike and The North Face. Each of these have been chosen using a combination of data and buyer knowledge relating to Gen Z customers. Through this channel, Yoox welcomes a more curated approach to reaching a particular group.

‘The idea was to create something that was welcoming, warmer and closer to their tone of voice and perspective,’ says Paolo Mascio, president of fashion at Yoox Net-a-Porter. ‘We already have customers between 15 to 25 years of age and we already carry a lot of brands that appeal to this audience, but we want to represent a virtual place where young people can really meet and establish use.’

Elsewhere, we’ve identified the ways that other retailers are innovating through off-price strategies that tap into the interests of young consumers.

Stat: US citizens believe they will get wealthier

Modern Banking for the Culture by Greenwood, US Modern Banking for the Culture by Greenwood, US

US citizens generally think they will get richer, according to a recent study by YouGov.

Almost half of Americans (48%) say they’re going to accumulate more capital, while nearly one in five (19%) believe they will become ‘much richer’. By contrast, three in 10 think their circumstances are likely to remain stagnant, while 16% say they are more likely to become poorer.

The research also found that those who are already wealthy are the most likely to expect to get richer, with more than three in five Americans earning over £70.5k ($100k, €82k) in gross personal income anticipating that they’ll become wealthier. This compares to just over two in five of those earning under £35.2k ($50k, €41k).

To discover more about how fintech brands are supporting consumers with asset management, look out for our forthcoming interview with Diem.

Previous News Articles
Dehydrating Book highlights the global water crisis

News

Dehydrating Book highlights the global water crisis

Water for People, Edelman and Toronto studio The Gas Company have designed a book that can only be read when wet.
Books : Design : Climate Crisis
Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

News

Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, director of foresigh...
Foresight Friday : Ff : US Economy
Stat: HNWIs in China shift toward luxury travel rather than possessions

News

Stat: HNWIs in China shift toward luxury travel rather than possessions

China’s wealthy elite are increasingly prioritising cultural and immersive luxury experiences over traditional material possessions, according to a...
Stat : Statistic : China
SmartSKN introduces AI-powered customised Korean skincare

News

SmartSKN introduces AI-powered customised Korean skincare

South Korean beauty company SmartSKN has launched K-OWN, an AI-driven skincare platform that uses real-time diagnostics and on-demand manufacturing...
AI Skincare : Skincare : AI In Beauty
Stat: US parents are embracing digital fashion resale

News

Stat: US parents are embracing digital fashion resale

The second-hand market is becoming an essential parenting tool, driven by financial pressures and digital convenience.
Shopping Habits : Thrifting : Secondhand Selling
McDonald’s Japan and girl group XG team up for fandom feast

News

McDonald’s Japan and girl group XG team up for fandom feast

McDonald’s Japan has launched Fandom Feast: McDonald’s Live Party (#リアタイマクパ), an interactive experience blending fandom culture with mobile ordering.
Japan : McDonald's : McDonalds
Skinny Mobile clones its happiest customer to star in AI ads

News

Skinny Mobile clones its happiest customer to star in AI ads

Telecommunications company Skinny Mobile has digitally cloned its happiest customer, Liz Wright, turning her into an AI-powered brand ambassador fo...
Advertising : AI : Skinny Mobile
Danish grocery chain introduces new hack for boycotting US products

News

Danish grocery chain introduces new hack for boycotting US products

Grocery giant Salling Group is introducing a black star symbol on price tags to highlight European brands
Retail : Grocery Shopping : Denmark
Stat: India’s digital media surpasses tv for the first time

News

Stat: India’s digital media surpasses tv for the first time

Indians spent a staggering 1.1 trillion hours on their smartphones in 2024, averaging five hours daily.
India : 5G : Statistic
Estée Lauder claims Advanced Night Repair mimics beauty sleep

News

Estée Lauder claims Advanced Night Repair mimics beauty sleep

Estée Lauder is harnessing the viral appeal of beauty dupes with its latest campaign, positioning its Advanced Night Repair serum as the ultimate s...
Estée Lauder : Beauty : Retail
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN