Cultural Capital
Headlines That Built Brands This Week
It’s Fourth of July weekend, Wimbledon’s heating up, Concacaf Gold Cup Final is underway, and the British Grand Prix wrapped this morning — with an edition this stacked, let’s skip the small talk and get straight to it.
🍸 THE WEEKLY DIGEST 014
Your curated roundup of the week’s top stories. Covering cultural shifts, standout headlines, and market-defining moves — here’s what you need to know:
The iconic Fendi Spy Bag is back for #FendiFW25: Y2K nostalgia isn't going anywhere, and Fendi’s leaning all the way in. Their latest viral moment proves that archival reissues can spark buzz and tap into a new wave of loyalists. A good reminder: if your brand has history, use it.
Sephora teams up with Lyft for a Prime Day counter play: From 7/7 to 7/10, Lyft riders in major cities get $20 off their trip to Sephora all in the name of shopping IRL. The message? “Get beauty from people who get beauty.” It’s a clever move during Amazon Prime Week — bringing people in store while doubling down on brand connection over convenience.
Salt & Stone taps athletes for their very first sport campaign: The wellness meets skincare brand just teamed up with golfer Charley Hull, NBA’s Jerami Grant, and NASCAR’s Toni Breidinger. Showing that peak performance and premium personal care can (and should) go hand in hand.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sets sail with Luminara: Their newest 6 star yacht launched from Monte Carlo with a stacked guest list — think models, athletes, creators, and brand partners making stops in Cannes, Corsica, Livorno, and Portofino.
SPOTTED: Serena and Dorota reunite for a Betty Booze moment: Blake Lively brought back Gossip Girl nostalgia with a cheeky reunion featuring Dorota — all to promote Betty Booze’s vodka iced teas. A playful, pop culture placement that proves character driven storytelling still sells.
Rhode drops Lemontini, upgrades the formula, and raises prices: A new flavor, a smoother texture, and a higher price tag all launched at once. Whether it’s coincidence or calculated, it’s a masterclass in timing and perceived value. When your audience is hooked on the product, even price hikes can feel like part of the experience.
L’Oréal to acquire Color Wow: The beauty giant just signed a deal to bring Color Wow, one of the fastest growing haircare brands, into its portfolio.
Saie Beauty unveils Slip Tint™ Setting Powder: Launching July 10, the talc free, clean ingredient formula promises hydration, a blurred finish, and zero cakiness. Saie continues to deliver on its signature look: skin that still looks like skin. With a Sephora waitlist already live, Saie is building hype before the drop.
Othership raises $11.3M to bring social saunas + ice baths to the U.S: The Toronto based wellness brand just secured major funding to expand its immersive, alcohol free, phone free spaces across NYC and beyond. Backed by investors like Shawn Mendes, Othership is part of the growing wave of brands turning wellness into an experience.
Apple reportedly eyeing a sequel to F1 after a record breaking debut: With a $144M opening weekend, F1 just became Apple’s biggest box office release to date and one of the strongest original film launches.
🏎️ BRAND HIGHLIGHT: FERRARI’S RESTAURANT IN MARANELLO
A masterclass in brand storytelling through hospitality: In Maranello, Ferrari isn’t just a brand — it’s a legacy. And now, that legacy lives on in a new way. The iconic Cavallino restaurant, originally opened by Enzo Ferrari in 1950, has been completely reimagined. The space blends old world charm with Ferrari’s signature values: precision meets craftsmanship, tradition meets innovation.
That’s a wrap on this week’s digest — proof that when culture moves, so do brands.
