Opiates

Byredo’s New Fragrance Bottles the Spirit of Joy Text by Jahwanna Berglund Byredo has always been about more than scent, it’s about emotion, memory, and identity. With their latest launch, Alto Astral, the Swedish house takes us far from Scandinavia and into the beating heart of Brazil.
 The name itself, borrowed from Brazilian Portuguese, means an elevated state of mind. And that’s exactly what the fragrance feels like: light, joyful, and full of movement. Imagine samba at dusk, the salt of the ocean breeze, or the energy of motorbikes weaving through Rio’s streets. Alto Astral is a reminder that optimism can be a way of life.
Crafted by longtime Byredo perfumer Jérôme Epinette, the scent opens with the unexpected brightness of aldehydes and coconut, softens into jasmine, incense, and musk, and settles into sandalwood, cashmere wood, and salted amber. It’s radiant yet comforting, like sunshine lingering on the skin.
 Shot in Rio by photographer Rafael Moura and filmmaker Breno Moreira, the campaign celebrates real Brazilian life, dance, beaches, street culture with an authenticity that feels as luminous as the perfume itself.
 Launching worldwide on August 14, Alto Astral is a reminder to carry joy wherever you go. In a world that often feels heavy, Byredo offers us a fragrance that is, quite simply, light. www.byredo.com

The Perfect Essense of Harriet Allure Written by Janae McIntosh The candle of the year has finally come to your doorstep. Modern reality meets the sense of smell. Harriet Allure was created by Freddy and Alex, two friends from Ghana, West Africa, who shared a lifelong love for home. As they blend uniqueness with life, they create a beautiful design for your home. Life is a theme they make apparent in their company. “The candles represent the light amidst the darkness of life, the hope for a bright future, and the nostalgia of cherished people and special places”, an endearing quote from their webpage sums up their journey. The brand name “Harriet Allure” is inspired by motherhood. This takes the personal connection between the brand, owners, and customers. Harriet, after Alex’s mother, which brings significant meaning to him, and allure, a French word for beauty and attraction. Together, they resemble a sense of individuality, which is shown in every candle jar. Every scented layer is specially designed to evoke notes of affection and cherishable love.  A Note from the Campaign: The idea for this campaign was born from a desire to create a project that transcends boundaries within the creative industry, a space where diverse qualities and perspectives are given room to shine. The brand story of Harriet Allure and the background of art director Amen Zelleke aligned naturally, making this collaboration a personal reflection of our individual journeys, as well as those of a broader community navigating identity, belonging, and the blend of cultures. We envisioned a visual dialogue between African heritage and Scandinavian minimalism, expressed through thoughtful styling, makeup & hair, casting, set design, and post production. The result is a beautiful collaboration that bridges design, fashion, and art, a project that resonates deeply with us and one we hold close to heart.

Moomin’s 80th Anniversary text by Yasmine Mubarak To celebrate Moomin’s 80th Anniversary this year, Arabia is releasing a coffe table book highlighting the history and the lovely fandom of the Moomin mug. Before we get more information regarding the Coffee Table Book release, they have sneek peaked this years mug. Moomin Arabia’s Moomin’s Day mug 2025 celebrates the first Moomin story, The Moomins and the Great Flood, with an adorable scene featuring Moomintroll and Moominmamma resting among ferns. The limited-edition mug will be available from August 9th, 2025 at 10.00 am (EEST) only as long as stock lasts. The mug also has a special inner decal featuring Moomintroll and Moominmamma climbing up a ladder and a Moomin 80 bottom stamp. It comes in a premium gift box with Moomin 80 graphics. The Moomin’s Day mug 2025 is a limited edition item. It will be available from 9 August 2025 at 10.00 am (EEST) only as long as stock lasts from Moomin.com, Moomin Shops at Esplanadi and Helsinki Airport, Moomin Arabia webshop, Moomin Arabia Stores, and at selected retailers.

Maria Nila Expands Product Line with New Color Refresh Shades and Healing Cica Oil text by Natalia Muntean This summer, Maria Nila is elevating haircare with two exciting launches: five new Color Refresh shades and the ultra-light Healing Cica Oil. Color Refresh: New Shades, New LookLaunched at the beginning of August, the Color Refresh line introduces five semi-permanent pigmented hair masks inspired by soft, dimensional tones: Pearl Rose 10.26 (pearl blonde with pink hue) Pink Peach 9.46 (warm pink-peach) Caramel Brown 7.35 (rich copper-brown) Beige Blonde 9.23 (cool-toned blonde) Beige Brown 7.23 (natural warm brown) Vegan and climate-compensated, these masks enhance colour, boost shine and condition, without damage or long-term commitment. Healing Cica Oil: Lightweight Care for Stronger HairThe new Healing Cica Oil joins Maria Nila’s Head & Hair Heal collection, offering intense nourishment without weighing hair down. Infused with skin-loving Cica (Centella Asiatica), it smooths frizz, adds shine and provides heat protection up to 230°C. Ideal for fine hair, it’s perfect for styling, finishing, or daily use. Both launches reflect Maria Nila’s commitment to vegan, sustainable, and high-performance haircare.

J.Lindeberg and Kangol Launch Bold Limited-Edition Collaboration Text by Natalia Muntean J.Lindeberg has teamed up with iconic streetwear brand Kangol for a dynamic limited-edition collection that blends high-performance athletic wear with urban style. Launched on June 5th, the collaboration redefines modern sportswear with functional yet expressive designs, targeting style-conscious athletes and urban adventurers. Key pieces include the New York City Golf Kit, featuring a versatile showerproof jacket with zip-off sleeves, packable bucket hats with zip-pockets, and a golf club harness. The collection also boasts bold co-branded graphics, hoodies, and football jerseys, with playful touches like Kangol’s kangaroo logo wielding a golf club. “In this collaboration, we wanted to create something that speaks to a new generation of athletes and style-conscious individuals,” says Neil Lewty, Chief Creative Officer at J.Lindeberg. “By combining our performance-driven DNA with Kangol’s streetwear legacy, we’re pushing the boundaries of what sports fashion can be: modern, expressive and designed for movement in every environment,”  continues Lewty, highlighting the shared spirit of “boldness, wild patterns, and bright pops of colour” that define the collaboration. Available at select J.Lindeberg stores, online, and through exclusive retailers, the collection merges Kangol’s streetwear heritage with J.Lindeberg’s sporty sophistication.

DIOR PRESENTS THE DIOR VOYAGE BAG Text by Ruby Rose The Dior leather goods lines have been enhanced with a new accessory that can be taken everywhere: the Dior Voyage. Blending the codes of elegance and utilitarian luxury, this hobo bag – unveiled in the Dior cruise 2026 collection – is distinguished by its supple silhouette, dressed in grained or crinkled leather, and adorned with the macrocannage motif. A unique creation reflecting the heritage of the House, it features sophisticated gold-color elements in metal, including the “D-I-O-R” charms, which echo the founding-couturier’s favorite gris-gris. Promising a free and assertive allure, this object of desire comprises an adjustable strap – for carrying on the shoulder or by hand – and leather insets on each side. Suitable for all tastes, it is available in various shades – black, latte, powder beige, and dark fango – and three sizes: small, medium, and large. An expression of the timeless and contemporary essence of the House of Dior, to be discovered from September 2025.

Veja Presents Its First Sandals Collection Text by Janae McIntosh Since 2005, VEJA has been creating sneakers differently. At the heart of the project: Brazil, where VEJA sources its materials and manufactures its shoes, guided by principles of social, economic, and environmental justice. Twenty years later, it was only natural to create sandals — a timeless staple of the Brazilian wardrobe.VEJA marks this new chapter with Arpoador and Etna, two models designed for summer. Thought of as warm-weather alternatives to sneakers, these sandals combine functional design, responsible materials, and everyday comfort.

The DANAIDE bag | A reminiscence of Constantin Brâncusi Text by Janae McIntosh The designers behind TSATSAS were particularly moved by his sculptures, which echo the human form through radical reduction, distilled to its purest lines and contours. These works have left a profound and lasting impression on the couple. One piece in particular was DANAÏDE, a reclining female head cast in black-patinated bronze, which stood out for its elegant and minimal aesthetic, defined by refined lines and exceptional craftsmanship. The sculpture became the inspiration for a handbag design whose structural complexity required months of development and refinement at the TSATSAS leather workshop in Offenbach/Main, Germany. The result is a leather object shaped by both artistic reverence and handcrafted precision. The body of the DANAÏDE bag unfolds its volume through a complex pattern construction that effortlessly and fluidly merges four leather panels into an organically shaped form. Emerging seamlessly from the body, the shoulder strap is an integral part of the design. Inside, the bag offers space for all daily essentials of today’s sophisticated woman. Handcrafted in Germany from supple full-grain calfskin, the bag is available in several leather colours and retails at 1580 EUR/USD 1880.

MAX RICHTER 01 EAU DE TOILETTE BY COMME DES GARÇONS PARFUMS Max Richter has collaborated with Comme des Garçons Parfums to create a new fragrance, launching July 24 in Paris, available from that day onwards at Dover Street Market Paris, Dover Street Parfums Market, Comme des Garçons Paris and soon followed by all CDG and DSM stores and other select retailers worldwide. The fragrance invites wearers to engage with scent as a medium for memory, a quiet narrative composed in Richter’s unique voice. The fragrance centres on objects tied to Richter’s life and work: Graphite, Vetiver, Piano Soundboard Cedar, Violin Bow Rosin, Transistor, and Magnetic Tape. The collaboration emerged from creative dialogues between Richter, his creative partner Yulia Mahr, and Comme des Garçons Parfums’ President Adrian Joffe. Multidisciplinary artist Yulia Mahr provided an original artwork from her series “The Church Of Our Becoming” for the packaging, while designer Zak Kyes led the packaging and product design. The fragrance itself was created with Comme des Garçons Parfums’ long term creative director Christian Astuguevieille, together with perfumer Guillaume Flavigny. The launch event at DSM Paris will be accompanied by an exhibition of further works from Mahr’s series, on show until August 24th.

DIOR PRESENTS THE BOOK DIOR BY YURIKO TAKAGI, PUBLISHED BY RIZZOLI The House unveils a new book of photographs, Dior by Yuriko Takagi, celebrating Dior’s oeuvre through the ages. Sublimated by the oneiric vision of the icon of Japanese photography, this realm of dreams becomes, under the spell of her lens, a surreal setting where the silhouettes designed by Christian Dior and his successors come to life.Beyond the haute couture creations, it is the toiles – those “Outlines of the Dress” in the words of Olivier Saillard – that attract the artist’s attention. In this aesthetic quest, which is like archaeology as much as it is poetry, Yuriko Takagi weaves a profound dialogue between the House’s heritage and her own vision, delivering her interpretation of the essence of Dior.Her visual language seeks to capture what Christian Dior called “the movement of life*.” She breathes a unique haziness into her images, bringing the garments to life. Linking the Artistic Directors, flowers play a prominent role – reflecting Yuriko Takagi’s sincere admiration for them. The Dior looks thus become the protagonists of a graceful ballet.A fascinating work published by Rizzoli, available in bookstores from September 2025.