I Didn't Think French Toast Could Get Any Better, but Here We Are
You don't need shokupan to make Cybelle Tondu's Hong Kong-style French toast (any white sandwich or brioche-style loaf will do) but it's a great excuse to seek it out. Likewise, you don't need peanut butter for the filling, and could swipe your slices instead with marmalade, chocolate-hazelnut spread, a different nut butter or (ohh) kaya. The formula here — custard-dunked, shallow-fried bread holding an oozing filling and topped with a sigh of butter and sweetened condensed milk — sets you up for delicious success. It's a very nice thing for a weekend morning.
Featured Recipe
View Recipe →
Cilantro-mint chicken lettuce wraps: How stunning are these vivid green wraps from Zainab Shah? Versatile, too: If you're not liking lettuce, you could tuck the tangy, herby chicken salad into sandwiches; if you're chickened out, the green chutney would be wonderful on kebabs and fritters.
Shorbat adas bil hamod (lentil soup with greens): I once rented an Airbnb that came with the instructions to 'please water and eat the chard.' We ate a (literal) bunch of it every day. I wish I'd had this easy, healthy recipe from Noor Murad, which turns one pound of those tender, leafy greens into a sustaining, lemony soup.
Crispy tofu tacos: Alexa Weibel doesn't exclusively develop vegetarian and vegan recipes, but her vegetarian and vegan recipes are so, so good. (You've met the Beans, yes?) These assertively seasoned, umami-full tofu tacos already have five stars. 'It was so delicious I ate one pan all by myself' writes Julia, a reader.
Our Cookie Week king Vaughn Vreeland has written — wait for it — 'Cookies,' a cookbook full of brilliant recipes for anytime treats. You can preorder your copy here, and make a batch of his five-star chewy brownie cookies as a preview of all the goodness coming your way.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
TUMI Celebrates Grand Opening of First China Flagship Store at Shanghai Centre
A Milestone Moment Marked by Notable Guests, Immersive Experiences, and Elevated Design HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 August 2025 - TUMI, the leading international travel, lifestyle and accessories brand, celebrated the grand opening of its first China flagship store at the iconic Shanghai Centre. TUMI welcomed guests to an exclusive launch event in celebration of the flagship's grand opening—an evening rooted in design, culture, and meaningful connection. This milestone flagship is the latest reflection of the brand's continued investment in the region and its commitment to serving the global traveler with immersive, elevated and personalized retail experiences. An Exclusive Milestone Celebration A symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the occasion, drawing notable guests from across the region and beyond and featuring a special appearance by newly named Asia-Pacific brand ambassador Wei Daxun. (Left) TUMI China, Senior Director Julian Yung, Vice President of Asia Pacific and Middle East Aris Maroulis, TUMI Asia-Pacific Brand Ambassador Wei Daxun, TUMI Creative Director Victor Sanz, Executive Vice President and COO of Shanghai Centre Byron Kan (Jian Bailuan), taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Right) TUMI Asia-Pacific Brand Ambassador Wei Daxun at the new TUMI Flagship Store in Shanghai TUMI Creative Director Victor Sanz said, 'Returning to Shanghai and seeing everything come to life was incredible. The energy in the room, the conversations, the people – it was all truly inspiring. Everyone brought something unique to the moment, and that's what made it unforgettable. I couldn't imagine a better way to kick off this exciting chapter for TUMI here in Shanghai.' Following the ribbon-cutting, over 500 esteemed guests were welcomed to an exclusive after party held inside the flagship. Guests explored the space and discovered a curated selection of TUMI's premium collections, including Alpha Bravo and Harrison. The evening also celebrated the launch of Chapter 3 of the Uncompromisingly Light campaign, brought to life through the dynamic 19 Degree Lite collection and the presence of newly appointed Asia-Pacific brand ambassador Wei Daxun. The afterparty further elevated the evening with entertainment and interactive workshops, as guests enjoyed a bespoke fan-personalization experience that paid tribute to Shanghai's cultural richness. Inspired by the city's creative pulse and legendary skyline, TUMI's personalization service introduced an exclusive Shanghai mold specially crafted for the event, enabling guests to create custom keepsakes. To conclude the full-day celebration, guests were invited to a dynamic in-store experience featuring curated music, fine wine, and exclusive customization offerings—seamlessly blending TUMI's travel-forward ethos with the city's vibrant creative spirit. TUMI Creative Director Victor Sanz (left) and Vice President of Asia Pacific and Middle East Aris Maroulis addressed guests during the event, which also featured a variety of personalization workshops. Immersive Store Design Featuring Art, Displays, and Activations Rooted in TUMI's commitment to purposeful, performance-driven innovation, each element of the flagship's immersive design—from the sculptural façade to curved LED screens and evocative Journey art installation—seamlessly blends the brand's signature minimalist luxury with modern architectural aesthetics. Echoing the sculptural elegance of 19 Degree, the flagship's bold exterior greets visitors with a cascading metallic panel façade defined by fluid contours. This striking design detail is a nod to the collection's signature curvature and reflects the brand's commitment to thoughtful craftsmanship—starting from the outside in. Conveying effortless elegance in motion, refined scenario-based displays showcase the full range of TUMI men's, women's and travel accessories throughout thoughtfully designed spaces. A distinctive open-concept VIP area presents meticulously curated premium travel and luggage offerings, while clients can visit the interactive materials wall to experience TUMI's innovations in cutting-edge design material technology firsthand. Unique to the Shanghai flagship is a dedicated art installation space that bridges TUMI's design philosophy and local artisan culture. Rooted in respect for material integrity and purposeful craftsmanship, the debut work, Journey, was created from bamboo by renowned contemporary artist Xu Fei. Exploring the intersection of movement, intention, and form, Journey draws on the ancient Chinese cosmological concept of 'round heaven and square earth'—a balance of fluidity and grounding that echoes TUMI's approach to design. The installation embodies the brand's belief that travel is not just about where you're going, but how you move through the world—with clarity, resilience, and meaning. TUMI China Flagship Store at Shanghai Centre Address: Room A02-B, Ground Floor East Department Store, 1376 West Nanjing Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai. Opening hours: 10am – 10pm For more information about the flagship opening, additional content, and brand updates, follow along on and @TUMITravel social media channels. Hashtag: #TUMI The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About TUMI Since 1975, TUMI has been creating world-class business, travel, and performance luxury essentials, designed to upgrade, uncomplicate and beautify all aspects of life on the move. Blending flawless functionality with a spirit of ingenuity, we're committed to empowering journeys as a lifelong partner to movers and makers in pursuit of their passions. For more about TUMI, visit and follow on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
‘Recession Glam' Seen as Top Trend for Asia's Beauty Market in 2025
A recent report from Euromonitor International has identified 'recession glam' as one of the latest trends that will reshape Asia's beauty and health market. 'With inflation front of mind, consumers' smarter spending is redefining the beauty playbook. The definition of premium is changing — less about price, more about perceived value and purpose,' according to Yang Hu, Euromonitor's Asia Pacific insight manager for health and beauty. More from WWD Lindsay Lohan Pays Homage to Her 'Freaky Friday' Roots With Ludovic de Saint Sernin Dress at London Premiere Ferragamo Maps Out Strategic Overhaul Amid Weak First-half Performance Phoebe Philo Signs Five Retailers for China Brick-and-mortar Push The trend is made evident by the rise of the fragrance category, 'which offers small indulgences at a lower price,' Hu said. Singapore and Vietnam — with 11 percent and 31 percent growth in 2024, respectively — drove fragrance sales in 2024. Euromonitor expects the category to expand 31 percent in market size within the next five years. Buying mini-size products, finding good deals, using fewer products in their beauty routine, using multifunctional products to save money and purchasing from 'cheaper but trustworthy brands' are some of the nuanced activities identified by Hu. Apart from 'recession glam,' Euromonitor identified 'clinical confidence,' 'healthspan plans,' 'loyalty immersion' and 'eco-evaluation' as major trends driving sector growth in 2025. 'Topical brands are taking the approach of 'similar to aesthetic surgery,'' Hu wrote in the report. 'Ingredients and methods used exclusively in aesthetic procedure, such as micro needles, threadlifting materials, PDRN and exosomes, are now driving a new wave of innovation in skin care product development.' 'Healthspan plans' refers to beauty supplements that tackle concerns traditionally linked to skin care products. 'It's not about antiaging, but slow aging,' Hu said. 'Beauty brands are pushing the boundary by offering UV protection, anti-oxidant support, ingestible forms of retinol and hyaluronate acid ingredients, such as Bloomage's instant coffee products.' Hu said that sustainability in beauty might not be the most relevant trend in Asia, but certain categories are experiencing a performance boost that reflects the 'eco-evaluation' trend. 'For example, fragrance, hair care and skin care are some of the categories with products performing better without sustainability claims,' Hu said. With $183 billion in total sales, Asia-Pacific accounted for 31 percent of the global beauty and personal care market, according to the market research firm. Despite 1.4 percent growth in 2024, the market is expected to rebound and sustain a 3 percent annual growth rate over the next five years. Region-wise, Southeast Asia, excluding Singapore, will lead the pack with 5 percent annual growth over the next five years. Skin care remains the largest category, accounting for half of Asian markets. Even as e-commerce penetration continues to rise, which grew from 19 percent to 30 percent in the last five years, specific offline channels, including warehouse clubs such as Sam's Club, convenient stores and variety stores, such as Miniso, have been making significant inroads in the beauty market. 'This trend suggests that consumers continue to value offline experience, while still expecting cost-effective options,' Hu said. China's beauty market, a critical player in the global industry, saw a 2 percent decline in 2024, dipping to $75 billion. Despite the slowdown, pockets of growth emerged in niche segments such as dermacosmetics, sun care and skin care products tailored for children, signaling shifting consumer priorities. 'Feedback from industry players indicate that the Chinese beauty market is highly driven by strong marketing, so as long as the beauty brands have the willingness and capital to invest in marketing, there is significant potential for market stimulation and renewed growth,' Hu said. On the player side, the market remains consolidated with leading companies, including L'Oréal, P&G, Estée Lauder, Shiseido and Proya. Brands including Kato-kato, Hapsode and Komfymed also bucked the trend and sought growth in 2024. Neochild and Bodorme were also singled out as two fast-growing child skin care brands. 'Although the birth rate in China is declining, the premiumization of baby products is enhancing,' Hu noted. Best of WWD Which Celebrity Brands Are Next for a Major Deal? Lady Gaga, Beyonce and More Possible Contenders for the Next Corporate Prize The Best Makeup Looks in Golden Globes History A Look Back at Golden Globes Best Makeup on the Red Carpet, From Megan Fox to Sophia Loren [PHOTOS] Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
6 days ago
- Forbes
Why Luxury Brands Are Losing Customers And 6 Ways To Win Them Back
People walk past a Louis Vuitton advertisement in front of the high-end department store Plaza 66 in central Shanghai, China. (Photo by Ryan Pyle/Corbis via Getty Images) Corbis via Getty Images Luxury brands are quietly putting away their bottles of Taittinger as earnings reports are not quite what they expected. Revenue for Gucci is gruesomely down 26%. Versace's bloodbath is almost as bad at 21.2% with Burberry having slightly less to mop up at 17%. Even Bernard Arnault's empire is showing cracks as LVMH slipped 4%. Prada is faring best among the worst with a modest 2% dip. Unsurprisingly, my favorite harness maker, Hermès, continues to gallop ahead of all the others with 7% gain While analysts study crystal monitors trying to predict what happened and what's happening next, Julius Baer's Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2025 suggests a novel idea. HNWI aren't spending less because they're cash-strapped. They're just bored. Value for money has overtaken heritage and innovation as the top priority for European respondents. "People are being more selective," notes the Julius Baer research. 'Whereas previously they bought high-end goods in many categories, now they focus on fewer categories and are looking for quality rather than quantity.' They're trading material for memorable. A promotion used to mean a new car. Now, it's a gastronomic tour of Italy. Luxury is evolving from goods-based signifiers to an all-encompassing lifestyle, with the well-heeled crowd now looking for more excitement than a relaunch of the Chanel on The Pavement collection. McKinsey's State of the Consumer 2025 agrees: more than one-third of global consumers are trading down in some categories to splurge in others. Nineteen percent plan to cut back on non-discretionary spending so they can spend more freely elsewhere. Even among inflation-worried consumers, over one-third still plan to splurge, but these high rollers are mostly in Brazil, China, and the UAE. Apparently, luxury brands assuming they would always be automatic beneficiaries of discretionary spending has gone the way of Anna Wintour's editor-in-chief title. Qatar, Doha, Villaggio shopping mall, Fendi. (Photo by: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Julius Baer data shows spending still remains high in the Middle East, APAC, and Latin America, while Europe and North America have become more conservative. Even still within these regions, specific categories outperform others. Business class flights are showing dramatic regional variations. London saw prices surge 28.3% while Milan dropped 16.4%. Mexico City skyrocketed 86.6% while Hong Kong fell 10.6%. Zurich climbed 15.3% but Singapore managed only 6.4% growth. These disparities reflect changing corporate policies as business travel rebounds and leisure travelers occupy previously vacant premium seats. This creates opportunities for luxury brands to partner with travel experiences rather than compete with them for wallet share. "Health as wealth" continues as a theme, according to Julius Baer, with almost universal interest in longevity among survey respondents. High-net-worth individuals increasingly view healthcare spending as an investment. Luxury brands positioned to capture this trend through wellness partnerships, longevity-focused products, or health-adjacent services can benefit from this spending reallocation. Geographic nuances matter more than ever. While European luxury spending shows value-for-money priorities, Middle Eastern consumers increased luxury goods spending across multiple categories: 65% spent more on hotels, 62% on fine jewelry, 60% on fine wine, 58% on high-end women's handbags, and 57% on high-end watches. Meanwhile, in the APAC region, 65% of luxury consumers are increasing healthcare spending, 64% boosting smartphones, 63% spending more on fine jewelry, and 55% increasing fine dining expenditures. Global luxury brands here should consider investing in more co-hosted one-night only fine dining experiences with celebrity chefs, where their best customers are invited to remember the good life also includes a Montblanc pen. Luxury Spending Is Still Out There, Just Not Where Some Luxury Brands Are Looking The luxury consumer is still passionately pursuing luxury, but they've just reallocated their splurge to places that feel more meaningful, more personal, and more worth it. Brands stuck in status-quo strategy are the ones losing relevance by the quarter. Consumers have changed, and the industry is only now realizing just how far behind it's fallen. Here are six mistakes some luxury brands are making—and exactly how to fix them. 1. Some Luxury Brands Confused Global Reach with Geographic Relevance The collapse of Chinese tourism revealed a glaring vulnerability in luxury's growth model. Brands overly dependent on tourist-driven sales were hit hardest, while those that had invested in cultivating loyal local clientele weathered the storm with far less turbulence. Hermès's continued global ascent is the result of blending geographic diversification with hyper-local intimacy. Now's the time to stop treating 'emerging markets' as afterthoughts. The Middle East isn't slowing down as regional consumers are spending across categories with intent. Latin America is quietly becoming one of the most promising engines of growth. If luxury leaders want to future-proof their market position, they must stop chasing passport stamps and start building real roots. How to Fix It: Geographic independence doesn't mean global presence. It means local relevance. This means boots-on-the-ground marketing, localized partnerships, and customer service that meets regional expectations. Treating non-Western markets like satellite outposts is a relic of colonialism, which has fallen entirely out of favor. 2. Some Luxury Brands Chased Social Media Instead of Building Trust Consumers say they don't trust social media for product recommendations, yet nearly 30% in the U.S., UK, and Germany say they've bought luxury brands discovered through it, according to McKinsey. Friends and family remain the most trusted influence source worldwide. Hermès reads this paradox better than anyone. They don't chase influencers or celebrity noise. Instead, they cultivate desire through scarcity, word-of-mouth, and surgical restraint. Demand is engineered through discipline, not hype. While competitors flail with declining sales in China and Japan, Hermès grew across regions. Gucci's wholesale channel dropped 42% year-over-year. LVMH, hit by waning Asian tourism, contracted too. Meanwhile, Hermès remained as irresistible as ever simply by saying less. How to Fix It: To win in this new era, luxury brands must marry social discovery with trust-rich signals. Awareness might come from a feed, but purchase intent still comes from belief. 3. Some Luxury Brands Raised Prices Without Raising Value Globally, consumer 'consideration' for luxury brands is down 25%, with younger demographics leading the retreat. Years of unchecked price hikes (often 10% or more annually) have eroded aspirational appeal. Entry-level and core products feel gouged. Hermès knows how to keep their customers. Their 41.4% operating margins come not from pricing games but production discipline. Every price increase is tied to something real: craftsmanship, materials, detail. How To Fix It: If you're going to charge more, earn it . Tie pricing to quality upgrades or experience enhancements. Consumers know the difference between a luxury markup and a cash grab. 4. Some Luxury Brands Still Thinking Luxury Means Objects The Julius Baer Lifestyle Index, which tracks the cost of premium goods and services across 25 global cities, fell 2% in USD from 2024 to 2025. Historically, luxury prices rise at double the pace of average inflation. This decline signals is a consequence of consumers pushing back against price hikes that outpaced value. There's only so long you can charge more just because you can, which was the strategy for certain luxury brands now re-evaluating their greed. Hotels, fine dining, and healthcare led regional spending increases, however, while traditional luxury goods were flat or negative. Interestingly, these variance are geography based. In APAC, 65% of HNWIs increased healthcare spend, 63% spent more on women's fashion, and 55% dined finer. In North America, hotel and fine dining rose sharply at 43% and 35% respectively. The Middle East outpaced them all with 65% spent more on hotels, 60% on fine wine. Take note: the newest competitor isn't another fashion house. Consider that a Hermès client might now opt for a longevity clinic over a new Kelly. A Porsche prospect might trade the keys for a curated Arctic expedition. The new competition is now a passport stamp, a health optimization protocol, an F1 Grand Prix. How to Fix it: Expand the definition of luxury beyond goods. Build partnerships with travel, wellness, or cultural experience providers. Curate memories, not just merchandise. 5. Some Luxury Brands Are Misreading Gen Z's Contradictions As with any rebellion, the kids are leading it—specifically, Gen Z, according to McKinsey. Despite 40% of them worrying about their financial future (and half of U.S. Gen Zers having less than a month of savings), they remain the most willing to splurge and take on debt. Thirty-four percent buy on credit, a figure 13 points higher than older generations. They prioritize apparel (34%) and beauty (29%), happily pay for convenience, and measure identity through achievement. Gen Zers are 73% more likely to define success through career milestones, and 36% more likely to prioritize wealth creation. Spending by this generation is growing twice as fast as prior generations and is on track to eclipse boomers globally by 2029. By 2035, they'll inject $8.9 trillion into the global economy. By the way, Gen Z is telling us exactly where they're headed: they're willing to pay for time, ease, and moments that matter. Their premium-spending behavior shows they'll trade cash for convenience. According to McKinsey, nearly 40 percent of German, UK, and US Gen Z consumers used grocery delivery within the week, pumping up food delivery's share of global food service spending from 9% in 2019 to 21% in 2024. How to Fix it: Treat Gen Z as both strivers and spenders. Create ecosystems that reward convenience and tap into their self-identity. They'll splurge. But only when it feels like a good investment in their own narrative. Brands that meet them with seamless, sensory-rich experiences will win their money and their loyalty. 6. Some Luxury Brands Are Ignoring the Experiences Consumers Already Value The current state of luxury is ripe for creative problem solving, such as cross-category partnerships that continue to keep the brand top of mind. A customer who skips the car upgrade to splurge on luxury travel is a target customer, not a lost prospect. The $40,000 they didn't spend on a new vehicle might now be fueling private villas, spa buyouts, or bespoke retreats. But if a McLaren were waiting at one of those hotels for a weekend test drive, that 'no' to the car becomes a 'not yet.' Today's luxury winners aren't selling products—they're building ecosystems. Smart partnerships with high-end travel, wellness, and experience providers put brands in the path of the splurge while elevating their cultural relevance. How To Fix It: Think like your customer. Partner across categories where splurge spending is already happening—hospitality, wellness, premium travel, even health optimization. Don't compete with their lifestyle—integrate into it. A Crisis Luxury Brands Caused Themselves NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 09: General view of atmosphere at the opening of the first Hermes Men's Store on Madison Avenue on February 9, 2010 in New York City. (Photo byfor Hermes) getty The luxury industry's current crisis is a fundamental reordering of consumer priorities. Splurge spending only been reallocated. Today's consumers are recalculating value, shifting spend toward experiences, authenticity, and personal meaning and away from old-school status signaling. Hermès, as usual, offers the clearest blueprint for how to win in this new landscape. While competitors raced toward accessibility, Hermès doubled down on exclusivity. While others chased tourist dollars, Hermès built local resilience. And while many leaned on manufactured hype, Hermès cultivated genuine desire. Most critically, they understood one key truth: luxury isn't a category, it's a lifestyle. And lifestyle spending isn't confined to handbags and watches. For luxury CMOs, the path forward starts by abandoning outdated assumptions about consumer loyalty and category dominance. Today's buyer makes intentional trade-offs across categories. They're not just buying objects, they're curating moments. The real paradox isn't that consumers stopped splurging. It's that too many luxury brands stopped paying attention to where and why the splurges happen. The brands solving this riddle will emerge stronger from this downturn. The ret will keep bleeding market share while hoping for a reversion that's never coming. We're entering the era of the individual. The luxury consumers' new passionate pursuit of luxury will be characterized by what that consumer believes most true for them, and not what luxury brands dictate it to be.
