Latest news with #Selfridges'
Business Wire
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
SCENTMATIC's AI "KAORIUM" Debuts at THAMEEN Fragrance Launch in London's Selfridges
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SCENTMATIC Inc., a leader in scent digitalization, introduced its AI-powered scent-to-language system, KAORIUM, at the THAMEEN Fragrance new product launch event. This pivotal event took place from June 5 to 11, 2025, at Selfridges department store in London, UK. Global Expansion: KAORIUM Establishes UK Presence Europe leads the global fragrance market, with the UK projected to reach US$2.82 billion by 2033. Recognizing this, SCENTMATIC is rapidly expanding its international footprint. In May 2024, SCENTMATIC established its overseas subsidiary, KAORIUM, in London, appointing industry expert Ben Yanoushek as CEO. Official UK operations commenced on February 1, 2025, with the launch of its dedicated website: KAORIUM Trialed at "Florentine Diamond" Launch Event The "Florentine Diamond" launch event for luxury brand THAMEEN Fragrance served as the initial trial for KAORIUM. Held in a prestigious section of Selfridges' beauty hall, the event attracted many visitors. On the opening day, a special breakfast event for industry professionals and influencers at Selfridges' "Brasserie of Light" allowed guests to experience KAORIUM firsthand through individual sessions. SCENTMATIC remains dedicated to showcasing KAORIUM's innovative ability to blend scent and language, enhancing sensory experiences both domestically and internationally. About THAMEEN Fragrance THAMEEN, a UK-based niche fragrance brand, translates to "precious" in Arabic. Inspired by rare jewels, it crafts exquisite, long-lasting Extrait de Parfums using carefully selected, high-quality ingredients. What is "KAORIUM"? KAORIUM is SCENTMATIC's AI system that mutually translates between scent and language. It visualizes elusive scent impressions with words and identifies scents linked to specific words. This unique experience activates both brain hemispheres, unlocking new sensitivities. KAORIUM's potential spans fragrance, education, dining, and purchasing, creating diverse business opportunities. SCENTMATIC Inc. Established in 2019, SCENTMATIC is a business design collective focused on "digitalizing olfaction." Through scent and language, it aims to evolve human sensibility and innovate various industries by adding emotional value to experiences. Representative: Toshiharu Kurisu Representative Director Location: 3F, 4-22-7 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013, Japan URL:
Cosmopolitan
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
The 12 best summer dresses at Selfridges, plus perfect wedding guest and holiday outfits
It's officially summer, which means we'll be indulging in all the outside world has to offer while looking our absolute best – and what better way to celebrate the sunny days ahead than an effortlessly chic summer dress. Whether you're looking for the perfect wedding guest dress or black tie gown that offers maximum style mileage for multiple outings; in need of a cocktail look for date night, drinks, or an evening at the theatre; or want a breezy dress for work, Wimbledon, or an afternoon at a festival – Selfridges' stunning selection of summer dresses will guarantee an elegant entrance at any event. SHOP SELFRIDGES SUMMER DRESSES However your social plans are shaping up this season, you can't go wrong with a satin maxi dress from Omnes – which can be dressed up with barely-there heels and a clutch, or dressed down with ballet flats and a tonal cardigan. Malina's midnight blue gown, on the other hand, is ideal for any evening plans. While it's an investment for your capsule wardrobe, you'll be reaching for this timeless design for many years to come. And if you're inclined to make a statement, consider Rixo's psychedelic silk midi, which looks fab with neutral heels and a metallic clutch. Heading on holiday this summer? Your travel itinerary isn't complete without a resort dress that delivers a dreamy, golden hour photo – and our pick is from Maje. The vertical pleats, halter neckline, empire waist, and subtly shimmering fabric is ultra flattering on every body type. For a city break, look to Reformation's vintage-inspired designs. The brand's two-piece set is ideal for promenading the streets of Paris's Marais district or grabbing gelato on the Italian riviera. As for a balmy date night? You can't go wrong with Farm Rio's edit of linen dresses that feature beautiful, floral appliqués, and will have you looking – and feeling – like a literal work of art. Although we wish every day was a glamorous occasion, there are those days when you just want to look fabulous at the office – because we're always looking for a fail-safe confidence boost. We're loving Claudie Pierlot's preppy, pinstripe shirtdress for warm workdays. When weekend plans come calling, like Wimbledon or a garden party, you'll be best dressed in Sandro's cotton-linen dress. It's cut with a modest, high neckline and is finished with a sexy, open back that's detailed with lace. Better still, it's on sale for 20% off – as are other select styles at Selfridges, with up to 50% off until the 30th of June. If, by chance, you're a 2025 bride, then Selfridges' bridal edit will see you through a civil ceremony, a hen do, welcome drinks and even the big day. House of CB's white, boat neck midi dress is ideal for lunch with the bridesmaids. It's also a fab choice for the honeymoon, styled with kitten heels while sipping on an aperitivo by the seaside. Meanwhile, Needle and Thread's sequin gown is made for welcome drinks or a reception outfit change – simply style with neutral sandals and a pearlescent evening bag. And if you're heading to a festival, Self-Portrait's punk mini is a must – wear with glossy Mary Janes or chunky boots for a fresh take on Sabrina Carpenter's signature, coquette style. Shop these editor-approved styles and more at Selfridges... SHOP SELFRIDGES DRESSES Follow Kara on Instagram Kara is the Ecommerce Editor, Women's Lifestyle at Hearst UK. Leading Cosmopolitan's digital shopping strategy, she shares style advice for life's big moments, reports on the latest fashion collaborations, and creates beauty reviews across skincare, makeup, and haircare. Kara's most popular guides include 'Affordable Jewellery Brands to Shop', 'Ski Wear to Shop, According to an Editor', and 'The Best High Street Wedding Dress Brands', while covering deals events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. When she's not behind a laptop screen, she's hosting shopping videos and livestreams for Cosmo's TikTok Shop. Kara also creates shopping content for Red and Prima, and was previously contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE and Harper's Bazaar. Since starting her career as a journalist in 2018, she has held the role of Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER's Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and written for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine, where she covered fashion and beauty news, trends, and features. An experienced interviewer, Kara has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles, and Tyla about life, work, and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Kara lived in Toronto, Canada before moving to London. Follow Kara on Instagram @
Fashion United
17-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Oxford Street pedestrianisation project receives public backing
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's plans to pedestrianise iconic shopping street Oxford Street are set to go ahead after receiving backing from both the public and local businesses. A consultation addressing the project found that around seven in ten parties supported Khan's transformation plans, while two-thirds specifically approved of the pedestrianisation proposal. The consultation drew 6,642 responses, according to a press release from the Mayor of London's office. Businesses in the Oxford Street area have also welcomed the plans. Selfridges' executive director, Meave Wall, said the company was 'hugely energised by the renewed commitment to make this area more enticing', while John Lewis' managing director, Peter Ruis, said the retailer believes 'pedestrianisation will create a vibrant, thriving shopping environment'. John Lewis and Selfridges support proposals In her own statement, Dee Corsi, CEO of New West End Company, which represents 600 West End businesses, said the results were 'an important step forward in the transformation of the nation's high street', adding that a 'considered transformation' would 'enhance the area, bringing significant economic benefits to Londoners and the wider UK economy'. Khan introduced proposals to update the Oxford Street area earlier this year as part of a wider 'transformative' 90 million pound public realm scheme for the shopping street. The project hopes to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and the rise of online shopping, which have both put Oxford Street in a precarious position, resulting in the mass closure of stores and a drop in footfall. His plans, which largely revolve around pedestrianising the section of road between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus up to Great Portland Street, intend to boost retail and drive growth, while also attracting more national and international visitors. The project will further contribute to the progress of the recently published London Growth Plan, a 10-year growth strategy introduced by Khan. The Mayor will now work with the government to arrange necessary legislation for a Mayoral Development Corporation dedicated to regenerating the area. This is to be established by January 1, 2026, while detailed traffic and highway proposals will also be developed.
Refinery29
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Bella Hadid's Perfume Brand, ‘Ôrebella, Made Me A Magnet For Compliments
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. As a self-proclaimed fragrance obsessive, it's rare for a new perfume brand to grab (and hold) my attention — and even rarer when it's fronted by a celebrity. That's not to say there aren't gems: Kylie Jenner's Cosmic 2.0 and Eilish by Billie Eilish have both been mistaken for far more expensive designer scents on me. Most of the time, though, they all smell… kind of identical. But 'Ôrebella, dreamt up by the one and only Bella Hadid, is built differently. Sure, there are the usual wearable notes (vanilla, jasmine and rose), but alongside them are spicy cardamom, savoury sea salt accord and briny olive — elements I can't say appear in any of the perfumes in my current collection. If that's not unique enough, you can wear them — I mean really wear them — like skincare. Each of the four eau de parfums is designed to be shaken to activate, since they're formulated without alcohol. Alongside the essential oils that give each fragrance its potency, they're filled to the brim with moisturising oils like shea, almond and jojoba. It definitely takes the skin scent trend to a whole new level. Of course, you can spritz them onto your clothes, too, but be mindful that the high oil content might leave behind marks on certain fabrics. While the brand has been racking up sales at Ulta in the US for almost a year now, it has just joined Selfridges' fragrance portfolio in the UK — and the buzz is undeniable. Beyond the milky elixir, the geode-inspired bottle (which doesn't stand upright on its own; you'll need a separate stand, at an additional cost, if you want to display it) is garnering a lot of attention. But what about the juice inside? I tried every single perfume in 'Ôrebella's collection and here's what I want everyone to know. 'Ôrebella Nightcap Eau de Parfum, £67 This is a warm mug of milky masala chai, bottled, and hands down my favourite of all of Ôrebella's fragrances. Something about the soothing vanilla, spicy cardamom and creamy guaiacwood makes it perfectly nuzzly and cosy — so much so, I love wearing it to bed. I'm convinced it sends me off to sleep faster. I wore it to a concert recently, where it's impossible not to get up close and personal with the other guests, and received a handful of compliments; one even wrote the name down in her phone immediately, it's that good. It makes sense. Nightcap was created by perfumer Clément Gavarry, the visionary who gave us Phlur, Kayali and Chloé's most viral fragrances. 'Ôrebella Salted Muse Eau de Parfum, £67 Legendary French perfumer Jérôme Epinette, the nose behind multiple Noyz, Byredo and Victoria Beckham fragrances, is the architect of Salted Muse. Described as a 'woody marine' scent, it blends sea salt accord with fig, sandalwood and amber. At first spritz, it's invigoratingly fresh, not unlike CK One, with a nostalgic '90s feel. It doesn't lose that freshness as it dries down; instead, the green notes (fig, lavender and olive tree accord) come to the fore. It's reminiscent of warm air drifting through a garden at golden hour, when everything smells a little more alive. What I love is the comforting warmth it leaves on the skin hours later — that'll be the all-encompassing amber. My partner and I fight over this fragrance — it's genderless. This one lasts longer than any other in 'Ôrebella's lineup. This is freshly showered skin, sun-dried laundry and cool cotton sheets — though you wouldn't guess it from the long list of lush notes. Think vanilla-esque tonka bean, rich damask rose and intoxicating jasmine. That's all balanced by a sprig of fresh mint and a squeeze of lemon, which cut through the richness and give it a clean, energising lift. I love spritzing this on my neck and décolletage post-shower — it sets me up for the day. Better still, the moisturising oils in the formula more or less double as a body serum. Genius. 'Ôrebella Blooming Fire Eau de Parfum, £67 I'm calling it: Blooming Fire will be summer's most viral scent. It captures that unmistakable feeling of spending all day at the beach, then heading back to the hotel, freshly showered, sitting on the balcony, waiting for your hair to dry while dipping into your snack haul. Sweet jasmine and Tahitian monoi — essentially gardenia petals soaked in coconut oil — give it a warm, sunscreen quality, while zingy bergamot adds freshness and peppery clove evokes sun-drenched skin. As tempting as it is to bathe in this, I'm saving it for my upcoming holidays. Again, perfumer Clément Gavarry masterminded this one, and he has a special talent for creating the perfect skin scent. Phlur's Vanilla Skin and Peach Skin are just a few of his creations, but if you ask me, Blooming Fire trumps them.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Rise of the ‘kidult' trend that sees young women eschew adulthood for Jellycat, Disney & shacking back up with mum & dad
WATCHING her latest purchase being carefully wrapped in Selfridges- branded tissue paper, Frankie Day had goosebumps of excitement. 'As demand for this particular pop-up had been so high, I'd had to wait two weeks for a slot,' the full-time mum explains. "I was just so excited to finally make my selection.' 6 However, the 31-year-old hadn't travelled two hours from her home in Southampton to London to get her hands on a limited-edition handbag or high-end beauty product. She was on Selfridges' fourth floor – the toy department – to splash her cash on Jellycats, the luxury, cuddly soft toys. 'They'd created this brilliant fish and chip shop pop-up, where staff members 'serve' you Jellycat versions of the iconic meal. 'My haul included a super-cute Lily Fish, Dot and Peg Mushy Peas, and Cosy Chips, all wrapped up in Jellycat newspaper.' Once upon a time, an adult woman revealing an obsession with stuffed toys would have raised eyebrows, but nowadays, women like Frankie form an enormous global community of adult Jellycat fans, with the company's revenues skyrocketing by 37% in 2023 to £200million. They're even causing a crime wave. In February, Ruby Smith, 35, from Suffolk, was given a suspended prison sentence for stealing almost £3,000 worth of toys from different Norfolk garden centres. Seeing how valuable 'Jellies' have become, with one special-edition Dixie Bashful Bunny currently on sale on eBay for an eyewatering £2,398, it's little wonder criminals have turned their sights on the popular plushies. If it seems incredible that anyone would pay so much for a children's cuddly toy, then you haven't met a kidult, AKA an adult who likes doing or buying things intended for children. And in 2025, the kidult economy is booming. Chilling moment yobs steal £20k worth of Jellycats in bizarre night-time raid Generation X – generally seen as people born between 1965 and 1980 – love nothing more than jumping into adults-only ball pools or bouncing the night away at trampoline parks. Millennials – born between 1981 and 1996 – are hiring slime experts to organise "slime and wine' events or running around an 18+ soft-play centre. When it comes to toys, it's the over-18s who are really splashing the cash. Frédérique Tutt, global industry advisor for market research company Circana, says sales to kidults now account for nearly £1 in every £3 spent on toys – an eye-watering £1.05billion in the last 12 months alone. 'The world was suddenly a scary place, but with my Jellycats, I felt safe' That doesn't surprise Frankie. She owns 100 Jellycat toys and still remembers her very first one. 'I was 14, it was a zebra, and I had to convince my grandad to lend me £15 to buy it. 'I fell in love with the Jellycat soft feel and super-cute faces.' When she was 19, Frankie moved in with her partner Danny, now 33, and her six Jellycats went into a box because there wasn't space for them beside the couple's bed – and he thought they were a bit odd. Frankie forgot all about them, until three years later when she saw one in a shop and decided to have a look at hers. 'Opening the box and seeing them again, I had the loveliest feeling. 'It was just so nice to cuddle them and see them back on my bedside table. I couldn't resist buying more,' she says. By the time their daughter Rebekah was born in May 2019, Frankie had around 30 Jellycats. But it was the pandemic, not becoming a mother, that put her collecting into overdrive – until she had over 100. 'The world was suddenly a scary place, thanks to Covid, but with my Jellycats, I felt safe. 'It gave me a lot of comfort to buy them and see their numbers grow. 'I also set up a Facebook group for other Jellycat fans, which now has 1,500 people on it.' The 'forever young' adult is in part a response to shifting economic realities. Many Millennials and younger Generation X-ers face huge financial pressures that delay traditional markers of adulthood. Tina Chummun, Psychotherapist In late 2020, when the family moved into a three-bedroom flat, Frankie decided it was time to give her expanding collection a room of their own. 'It's such a calming place to be. Life as an adult has its ups and downs, but when I'm feeling stressed or worried, going into my room and arranging the Jellycats instantly makes me feel like a kid again,' she says. 'I may have had an argument with Danny or been worried about Rebekah, but the second I start organising the Jellies by colours or size, I'm transported back to childhood, when life was much simpler. 'When Rebekah was born, I did buy her some Jellycats of her own. 'But seeing them get played with and become grubby, I decided to put mine on a high shelf out of her way. 'I've never had to say to her: 'These are Mummy's, so please don't touch them.' She just knows,' Frankie explains. 6 While the kidult trend spans both Millennials and Generation X, a 2024 YouGov report found that the average age of those engaging with kidult brands online is 36.7. And the majority are female – something that doesn't surprise Nicole Booz, author of The Kidult Handbook. 'Women have historically been expected to mature quickly, take on caregiving roles, and suppress playfulness,' she explains. 'Kidulthood is a way to reclaim joy on our own terms. 'It's also deeply tied to self-care. 'Women are prioritising what makes them happy, whether that's watching their favourite childhood movies or collecting plushies.' Psychotherapist Tina Chummun is clear that there are significant benefits to indulging in so-called childish activities. "Nostalgia serves as an emotional regulator, offering comfort in uncertain times,' she explains. 'In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable, revisiting childhood favourites can trigger a sense of safety and belonging.' Fun facts you didn't know about Jellycat Jellycat was created in 1999 by brothers Thomas and William Gatacre. They come in seven sizes from tiny at 13cm to very big at 108cm. One of the most iconic plush toys is the 'Bashful Bunny', a soft and cuddly rabbit with long ears! The most popular Jellycat is "Bashful Beige Bunny". The rarest Jellycat is said to be "Bashful Bunny Imogen" - released in 2011, it's a lilac bunny that is worth £600+ now. Snow Dragon is another rare toy - released in 2020, the brand doesn't make dragons often and plushie collectors are desperate to find. Slackajack Monkey is the Jellycat that's been around the longest - 21 years to be exact! According to Statista, Jellycat recorded a revenue of almost £200 million in 2023. As for the factors driving the recent kidult explosion, Tina believes one of the biggest is the rocketing cost of living. 'The 'forever young' adult is in part a response to shifting economic realities. 'Many Millennials and younger Generation X-ers face huge financial pressures that delay traditional markers of adulthood. 'That makes it easier, and sometimes necessary, to seek joy in accessible, low-stakes pleasures.' Amber Hay, 30, an events organiser from St Albans, loves her life of holidays, eating out and weekends away - all things she admits she'd never be able to do if she didn't live at home with her mum and dad. 'I love living at home, cooking with Mum and getting lifts from Dad, and have no plans to move out any time soon,' she says. 'I moved in with my then-boyfriend for six months aged 27, and I was paying £1,200 a month for a tiny studio flat. 'But now I'm back home, I pay just £250 a month and, as I have a much larger disposable income, this allows me to travel more. 'In the last two years I've been to Ibiza, America and a family holiday skiing in Switzerland.' 6 6 Amber isn't the only adult child to still be at the family home – her sister Sasha, 26, a model and business development manager, and brother Dylan, 20, a lettings agent, also refuse to fly the nest. 'Mum makes it so nice, we don't want to leave!' Amber says. 'She loves cooking for us and lets my boyfriend stay here as well. 'Although she sometimes despairs of us all, she says the house would feel empty without us. 'My friends are either shocked when I tell them about my living arrangements and say they couldn't still be living with their parents, or are envious of my amazing set-up. 'But more of my friends in their early 30s are now moving back home, so they can save for a house or because the cost of living is just so high.' While Amber clearly loves living with her mum and dad, Tina believes that for others, the situation can be problematic. 'I'm 49 and when I go back to my parents' house, I unconsciously slip back into the role of being a child. 'Those family dynamics are powerful and can make you stagnate if you stay in them for too long. 'If a 'forever young adult' misses their moment to leave home and be independent, it can mean they struggle to ever find their feet in their life.' But, she says, stepping back into the embrace of childhood temporarily can be powerful in the very best way. 6 This is something that happens every time Charlie Day, 36, catches sight of Disney's Cinderella Castle. 'It was a huge deal for my family when we all went to Disneyland Paris when I was four,' remembers the business owner from London. 'When the fireworks finished, the compere announced that if you believed in Disney magic hard enough, when you opened your eyes, you'd see Tinkerbell flying over the castle. 'When I saw her – a physical 'fairy' being pulled over the castle – it was pure joy.' Charlie started collecting Florida travel brochures and dreamed of visiting Walt Disney World, which she did when she was eight years old. 'The whole holiday was incredible. As soon as we walked through the gates at the Magic Kingdom Park, we all felt happy and free. We made some amazing memories,' she says. By the time she met her husband Lewis, now 36, in a nightclub in March 2011, when she was 21, Charlie's love of Disney was clear to see. He didn't understand why, as an adult, I loved Disney so much. He didn't get that the movies, the music, the souvenirs, all made me happy. Charlie Day, 36 'Lewis walked into my bedroom, saw a Tinkerbell duvet cover and a Disney star toy with the slogan: 'Believe in your dreams,' and was clearly a bit taken aback!' she remembers. The pair fell in love quickly, despite Lewis' insistence that, when they moved in together six months later, she ditch the Tinkerbell duvet. 'He didn't understand why, as an adult, I loved Disney so much. 'He didn't get that the movies, the music, the souvenirs, all made me happy. 'But when we went on our first Disney cruise together in 2012, I won a medal at the musical quiz, and he saw my face light up at the Little Mermaid show, and he realised then that Disney is a fundamental part of who I am. You can't love me without it,' Charlie says. The couple tied the knot in August 2015 (she even dressed up as Minnie Mouse on her hen do), and by the time their son Ernie was born in December the following year, the couple had been on 10 Disney cruises, costing around £70,000. 'Becoming a dad helped Lewis really fall in love with Disney and we've taken Ernie to the parks in Paris, Florida, California and Hong Kong, as well as on four Disney cruises. 'He could see it through Ernie's eyes and understood that when you're walking into the parks, you're transported into a different world. 'Outside, things can feel scary, but step through the gates, and it's all left behind.' 'Our two-week trip to Florida, including a suite at a top Disney hotel, will cost £32,000' Practical and ambitious, Charlie sees Disney as both a motivation for success and a reward for it. 'Since 2019, I've created a manifestation vision board each January, and Disney is always on it,' she says. 'The more successful my business Charlie Day Sales is, the bigger and more frequent our holidays can be.' In 2024, she spent over £30,000 on Disney. 'That included holidays to Florida and Paris, a cruise, a trip to Disney On Ice and lots of memorabilia. 'This year our two-week trip to Florida, including an exclusive firework event and a suite at the top Disney hotel, will cost us £32,000.' He did raise an eyebrow to see me spending between £50 and £200 a month on them. Then someone got in touch with me after seeing a picture of my collection on Instagram, and offered me £850 for a big lilac bunny. He was amazed Frankie Day, 31 Even Lewis is on board, although he does put his foot down occasionally. 'I recently discovered that if you get married at a particular Disney hotel, Mickey Mouse gives you away at the ceremony. "I said: 'Let's do that for our 10th wedding anniversary!' But he thought that was a step too far.' For Frankie's partner Danny, who works in a hospital pharmacy, his conversion came when he realised how much her numerous Jellycat toys were worth. 'He did raise an eyebrow to see me spending between £50 and £200 a month on them. 'Then someone got in touch with me after seeing a picture of my collection on Instagram, and offered me £850 for a big lilac bunny. 'He was amazed. 'I've probably spent more than £3,000 on my collection over the years. 'But I never look at my Jellies and see a price tag. 'The comfort and happiness they bring me is priceless, and whether I'm 31 or 91, I know that will never change. 'If that makes me a kidult, I'll wear that label with pride.'
