Need to Know
04 : 12 : 17

US – The New Museum in New York is marking its 40th anniversary with a live-streaming experience that enables members of the public to view the gallery’s artworks wherever they are. The pieces are being live-streamed in locations such as Times Square, Hotel Indigo, The Sweatshop and 120 Wall Street, allowing a diverse audience of people to enjoy the pieces. The initiative features more than 100 works, along with special events and performances, and members of the public who are not in New York can log on to the museum’s website and view the exhibition from anywhere in the world. In an increasingly digital world, museums are now thinking laterally to encourage new audiences to experience their offers.

US – A new range of men’s skincare products from Scrubd aimed at 35–54-year-olds is designed to satisfy the increasing interest in male grooming. The luxury collection, which includes moisturiser, face scrub and face wash, follows the shift in female grooming towards greater transparency of ingredients. The anti-ageing face moisturiser, for example, contains goji berry and passion fruit extract, which helps soothe, replenish and smooth out tired skin, according to the website.

‘As the traditional definition of masculinity evolves, with it comes shifting attitudes towards male grooming,’ says design agency BrandOpus, which created the visual identity for the products.

Vancouver – Leisure Center in Vancouver is a new two-storey retail destination that combines retail and experiential space. Designed as an emporium of modern luxury, the two-storey store offers a range of products, from fashion and cosmetics to homewares and books. The book section incorporates a selection of art, fashion and design volumes curated by London-based bookstore Donlon Books.

In addition to the products on sale, the space, designed by Casper Mueller Kneer, also includes a bar, a lounge and a children’s play area. Artworks have been placed throughout, including work by MyFanwy McLeod and OS∆OOS, offering visitors an opportunity for cultural enrichment and reflection.

As explored in our special report on Transcendent Wealth, luxury signifiers are no longer focused merely on possessions but are increasingly linked to a desire for self-improvement.

New research from Mintel shows a rising trend among young men to take greater care in their appearance and indulge in new forms of leisure activity that focus on pampering. The study found that 76% of those who had had a beauty treatment in the past 12 months felt that it had a positive impact on their mental wellbeing.