WELL-BEING & BEAUTY: where we feel good in our skin

The news barely requires explanation. Next September, an entire section of Maison&Objet will bring together exhibitors from all walks of life with one shared goal: improving our household and personal well-being. The Well-being & Beauty section's originality lies in its multiple aspects: a fusion of body, spirit and mind. The health crisis, major ecological issues and geopolitical uncertainty have left an indelible mark on the way we think about life. Brands that do us good are in great demand.

Towards a holistic well-being

“During the pandemic, locked down at home, certain things we hadn’t noticed much before caught our attention: air quality, being able exercise at home, and even the ways our homes can improve our mental health,” says Melissa Hago, Director of the Well-being and Beauty department at Fashion Snoops, the trend forecasting company that Maison&Objet used when setting up the new space. “The demand for well-being no longer only involves a simple beauty routine or healthy eating. It takes in our entire relationship with everyday objects – the whole of the household market is affected.” The focal values are of course organic products, the circular economy, local production and craft trades. “The market’s major players are restructuring their sales areas, with sections ranging from home fragrances to therapies and sports,” says Jaye Ana Mize, Director of Interior Decoration at Fashion Snoops. The layout sets the tone. We are moving towards more comfort, a more welcoming environment, a softer ambiance, and a slower pace. A few weeks ago, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in Paris inaugurated a 3,000 m2 space for all things relating to well-being. The Wellness Gallery brings together 169 beauty brands, a gym, and a treatment centre that even includes osteopathy or meditation sessions.

Positive energy at the Maison&Objet Paris trade show

In Hall 5A, right next to the Home Fragrances exhibitors, an entire section is given over to this quest for health benefits. Alongside cosmetics and skincare will be a combination of fitness accessories, “soft” techniques such as light therapy, music therapy and aromatherapy, detox and relaxation ingredients, health care products and ambient scents. There will also be brands such as Balance CBD, a hemp extract based on cannabidiol that is reputed to promote sleep, boost energy, increase libido and reduce stress, while avoiding the addiction issues associated with the THC in cannabis. Not to mention the ranges of elegant sex-toys, with solitary pleasures no longer taboo in this quest for relaxation. “Enjoy!” seems to tell the underlying trend, which is also the title of Maison&Objet's flagship theme for 2023. Be good to yourself in ways that will allow you to be good with others, radiate joy, get back in touch with your feelings, and rediscover a sense of celebration. This is highly spiritual product approach. It’s a question of positive energy and good vibes, where a fragrance is more than simply a scent but a vehicle for our mood. The natural aromas of the French brand Le Jardin Retrouvé are based on this philosophy. “Candles and essential oil diffusers have become basic household features providing comfort and protection,” state Clara Feder and Michel Gutsatz, the two co-founders. “We develop fragrances that are mood boosters.” The Holi Lab brand launched a year ago is based on Lithotherapy – the science of stones and their healing vibrations. Natacha, its founder, develops blends of several stones for each “intention”: as a request for protection, to overcome loss, to regain self-confidence... Stones can also “infuse” their vibrations into the wax of a scented candle, combining perfume and energy. These new well-being spaces will have many surprises in store when next September comes around.