Need to Know
24 : 07 : 19

Innsbruck, Austria – The Path of Perspectives introduces 10 structures to highlight the unique features of an alpine trail.

Snaking along the Northern Limestone Alps, Snøhetta’s architectural interventions are designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. By allowing visitors to experience the alpine mountains from different perspectives, the structures encourage people to spread equally throughout the area, rather than gathering at a single viewing point.

The 10 elements, each shaped from Corten steel, are inscribed with quotes from Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. ‘The words invite visitors to take a moment and reflect, both inwardly and out over the landscape, giving a dual meaning to the path of perspectives,’ reads the studio’s press release.

As travel becomes cheaper and tourist numbers grow, Snohetta is offering a solution to the overtourism epidemic by discouraging crowding.

New York – The brand has launched a new liquid sugar substitute naturally sweetened with monk fruit.

Swoon’s first-of-its-kind sweetener feels, tastes and acts like simple syrup, meaning it can be used to sweeten a variety of hot and cold beverages, from tea and coffee, to cocktails and lemonades. According to the brand, Swoon can be swapped for refined sugar or syrups on a 1:1 ratio.

The product contains zero sugar and is an all-natural alternative to artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose and aspartame. Instead, Swoon’s natural sweetness comes from monk fruit, a melon that has zero glycaemic impact and is safe for diabetics. In fact, developing a product that doesn’t raise blood sugar was key focus for co-founder Jennifer Ross, herself a Type 1 diabetic.

As consumers – particularly Generation Z – try to reduce their refined sugar intake, food and beverage brands must consider their sugar-free offerings.

London – Wellness-inspired skincare brand Saint Iris Adriatica has developed a brightening serum for both face and body.

The brand’s Wake-Up Droplets are the latest addition to its line of whole-body skincare – or what it refers to as symbiotic bodycare – which uses naturally active ingredients inspired by the Adriatic Sea. Containing vitamin C for its antioxidant properties, as well as prebiotic pomegranate enzyme and Adriatic mountain daisy extract to target pigmentation, the gel-like serum is intended to be used all over.

Further blurring the lines between skincare and bodycare, the packaging design reflects the Balkan's spas and apothecaries, while offering a gender-neutral, contemporary take on its Adriatic heritage. As such, Saint Iris Adriatica demonstrates how brands are developing more efficacious formulas and highlighting the benefits of a body-centric approach to skincare. For more, read our Rethinking Bodycare microtrend.

An increasing number of women in the UK are choosing not to share their wealth with their partner, according to a study by Netwealth. The survey of nearly 4,000 British women found that more than a quarter of those between the ages of 16 and 34 are opting to keep their financial assets separate, while 55% of women aged over 55 choose to share their wealth.

As many as 45% of women say keeping their wealth separate is to maintain financial independence, while 40% prefer to manage their money themselves. ‘The traditional approach to managing finances jointly is being overturned by a new generation of financially more autonomous females,’ says Charlotte Ransom, CEO of Netwealth.

In this age of Uncoupled Living, financial brands must ensure they are catering to the Women’s Wealth Market.