LSN : News : Somerset House celebrates the magic of soil

Somerset House celebrates the magic of soil

Soil: The World at Our Feet at Somerset House. Photography by David Parry, UK

UK – Somerset House begins 2025 with Soil: The World at Our Feet, a landmark exhibition running from 23 January to 13 April. Celebrating the venue’s 25th anniversary as one of London’s iconic cultural spaces, the exhibition highlights soil’s vital role in sustaining life on Earth.

Blending science, art and storytelling, Soil features more than 50 works, including new commissions by artists such as Vivien Sansour and Marshmallow Laser Feast. The exhibition is organised around three themes – life below ground, life above ground and hope – exploring soil’s ecological, cultural and societal significance.

‘We need to start thinking of soil as something more than just dirt. It is part of a vast range of processes without which human life would not be possible,’ said the team of co-curators in a press release. ‘Soil offers visitors the opportunity to discover how this extraordinary, essential eco-system – as diverse as the night sky is full of stars – sustains life on Earth, including human life.’

With immersive artworks, historical artefacts and an engaging public programme, Soil aims to inspire change and foster hope for the planet’s future. In How Soil is Inspiring Food Futures, LS:N Global interviewed dining experience designer and lecturer Gabby Morris, who suggests that soil holds the key to building an ethically interconnected food industry.

Strategic opportunity

Develop campaigns that emphasise soil’s capacity for growth, transformation and resilience. Soil’s cyclical nature can inspire branding associated with regeneration – whether in personal growth, business transformation or ecological impact

Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Artistry Mask takes glass skin from runway to reality

UK – One year after make-up artist Pat McGrath’s viral runway moment for Maison Margiela Artisanal 2024, Pat McGrath Labs has launched Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Artistry Mask. The peel-off formula replicates McGrath’s iconic light-catching ‘glass skin’ effect in a single step, delivering an ethereal, hyper-shiny finish.

Enriched with glycerin, rose flower water and allantoin, the mask nourishes and hydrates while blurring pores and revealing revitalised skin.

The mask is applied over bare skin or make-up in thin, even layers. Each layer must dry completely before applying the next. Once fully dried, the mask forms a lacquer-like film that can be peeled off.

In a love letter to the Maison Margiela runway, McGrath describes the mask as ‘beauty re-imagined for make-up lovers everywhere’. The Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Artistry Mask is available exclusively at patmcgrath.com and retails for £36 ($44.80, €42.95).

From new product launches to inspiring campaigns, head to our Beauty sector to discover the trends affecting the sector.

Pat McGrath Glass 001 Artistry Mask, US

Strategic opportunity

The Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Artistry Mask bridges skincare and self-expression. How can you create multi-functional products that deliver both beauty benefits and creative experiences for your consumers?

Stat: Leadership pipeline under threat as stress drives ‘conscious unbossing’

Centre for Ageing Better, UK

Global – Business leaders are under mounting stress, with 71% reporting increased pressure since starting their roles – a sharp rise from 63% in 2022, according to a survey by leadership consultancy DDI. Limited time and resources compound the issue, as only 30% of leaders feel they have enough hours to meet their own standards. Alarmingly, 40% of stressed leaders have considered stepping down, threatening a structural breakdown in the leadership pipeline.

This stress is fuelling a workplace trend dubbed ‘conscious unbossing, where Millennials and Gen Z professionals avoid traditional management roles in favour of entrepreneurship or specialist positions. ‘This constricts the leadership talent pool and is becoming a greater risk to the future of organisational talent pipelines,’ says Stephanie Neal, director of DDI’s Center for Analytics and Behavioral Research.

Organisations are feeling the strain, with 80% expressing a lack of confidence in their leadership bench. To counteract this, companies must prioritise skills development, stress management strategies and leadership support. Neal urges HR teams to invest in future-ready skills, demonstrating ‘the ROI of advanced skills’ to ensure organisational stability.

Explore our Work States Futures and Human Sustainability Workplaces reports to understand how to foster a sound workplace environment.

Strategic opportunity

Redesign leadership roles with greater flexibility, work-life balance and autonomy while fostering a strong workplace culture by offering resilience training, mindfulness workshops and mental health resources to reduce stress and attract and retain top talent