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Maria Nila Reinforces Hair Care with New Multi-Benefit Bond Builder Swedish beauty brand Maria Nila is set to elevate daily hair routines this January 2026 with the launch of its first multi-benefit Bond Builder. Designed as a lightweight leave-in treatment, this innovation addresses the damage caused by heat, UV exposure and daily brushing. The Bond Builder uses Neo-Cuticle Technology to create a bioinspired layer that seals in moisture while protecting the hair’s keratin structure. This one-step solution focuses on three key pillars of hair health: bonding, protection and hydration. It rebuilds internal disulfide bonds to repair hair from the inside out, offers high-level heat protection to defend against future external damage, and delivers instant softness and shine through an Active Care Complex featuring amino acids, provitamin B5 and natural pomegranate and sunflower extracts. True to the brand’s focus on effortless care, the treatment is designed to be applied to both damp hair, allowing it to penetrate the open cuticles, and dry hair, serving as a finishing touch to smooth lengths and add a protective barrier.  Produced in Sweden, the Bond Builder reflects Maria Nila’s commitment to ethical beauty, as it is 100% vegan and animal-friendly.

Heading Birkenstock Care Essentials A Winter Ritual for Dry Skin Rooted in the belief in simple, clean, and effective formulas, Birkenstock’s Care Essentials Body Care range extends the brand’s expertise from the feet to the entire body. Developed in Germany and formulated with 100 percent natural origin ingredients, the collection is designed to care from the ground up, supporting everyday routines with clarity and intention. During winter, when skin is exposed to cold air and dryness becomes part of daily life, the dual purpose products offer a considered approach to cleansing and care for both hands and body. The range includes carefully crafted washes and lotions, available in relaxing and balancing iterations, bringing moments of calm and consistency to everyday self care. Made in Germany to high standards of quality and craftsmanship, and presented in functional, sustainable packaging, Care Essentials reflects Birkenstock’s holistic view of well being. It is a range created for everyday use, where function meets feeling, and where caring for dry winter feet and skin becomes part of a simple, grounding ritual. Read more here Image courtesy of Birkenstock  

Sandain 126 Years of Leather Craft and Global Responsibility Founded in 1899 at Böle Tannery in northern Sweden, Sandain has grown into a premium brand where craftsmanship, design, and global responsibility meet. Early production relied on spruce bark, river water, and time, establishing a philosophy rooted in respect for materials and the belief that true quality must be allowed to take shape slowly. Today, Sandain’s bags are produced on a small scale by skilled leather artisans at the company’s own factory in Bangladesh. Full grain leather is vegetable tanned without chrome and paired with linings in organic cotton developed by a women’s collective, embedding craftsmanship and community into each piece. Over time, the bags evolve, gaining character through use. Sandain’s design language is shaped by the northern landscape and guided by simplicity, function, and longevity. The brand has expanded rapidly across Sweden and recently opened its first flagship store in Stockholm, marking a new phase of growth. At the heart of Sandain’s identity is the Cow Funder Initiative, launched in 2018. The program links every sold bag to tangible change by providing calves to women in rural Bangladesh, supported by training and veterinary care. As the cows contribute to long term livelihoods and eventually to production, a circular system of value is created. With its strong heritage and clear direction, Sandain continues to define a thoughtful approach to contemporary luxury. Read more here Image courtesy of Sandain

Lisa Larson X Skultuna Lisa Larson, born in 1931 and passing in 2024, remains a central figure in twentieth century Swedish ceramic design. Her work stands as a widely recognised expression of a period marked by both artistic clarity and enduring craftsmanship. Her design language is defined by warmth and humour, often accompanied by a subtle sense of irony. Between 1954 and 1980 she worked at Gustavsbergs Porcelain Factory, a formative chapter in which many of her most recognised ceramic works were created. Her significance within Swedish design history is further reflected in her representation at the National Museum. In 2023 Lisa Larson spoke of her long standing interest in materials and her anticipation of seeing her figures interpreted in brass through a collaboration with Skultuna. Having primarily worked with clay, she described brass as an ancient and genuine material that had always fascinated her. Find the collaboration here  Image courtesy of Skultuna

Holiday Gift Guide December 24th To capture the holiday in motion I have long looked for a camera I can bring with me, to finally put the phone away for a moment and still catch the beauty of everyday life. This year, at the very top of my wish list, is the Leica Q3 Monochrom. Designed for those who love pure and authentic black and white photography, the Q3 Monochrom features a specially developed full-frame sensor with no colour filter and no low-pass filter. It captures only light, delivering exceptional sharpness, a wider dynamic range, and beautiful tonal depth that reveals even the most delicate details. Crafted in Germany, it also comes with IP52 weather sealing to protect against dust and rain, making it a trusted companion in any environment. One of its most important updates is support for Content Credentials, allowing photographers to create image files whose authenticity can be verified, a valuable safeguard in an age of AI-generated visuals. The Leica Q3 Monochrom is priced at 77,990 SEK and you can find it here  Image Courtesy of Leica