Did February even happen? Last week it was grey skies and winter coats but now spring is finally creeping into London, and you can feel the shift—longer days, a little (emphasis on little) more sun, and a collective sigh of relief after a grey winter. I swear, everyone seems a bit lighter, a bit more hopeful.

Lately, I’ve been hooked on Disney+. They’re quietly producing some of the best shows out there—Paradise, High Potential, and A Thousand Blows have me locked in. Music-wise, Leon Thomas has been on repeat. My boyfriend (who unfortunately has to put up with me listening to him on repeat) may disagree.

Beyond my screen and playlists, I’ve been deep in work with some incredible startup founders. One that stands out is a skincare brand specifically tackling skin concerns within melanin-rich complexions. It’s not another brand that includes Black skin—it’s a brand that puts it first. This theme of intentionality runs through everything we’re covering this month, from the funding challenges Black-owned beauty brands face to the TikTok-born fashion labels proving that creativity doesn’t need a big budget.

Last month on Brand Insider, we saw some major shifts that had people talking. NikeSKIMS was probably one of the biggest conversations in both the fashion and sports industries. The announcement sent Nike’s stock up over 6%—a much-needed boost after hitting a five-year low in early February. Some are calling it the most disruptive partnership since Kanye and Adidas launched Yeezy. Others aren’t convinced, arguing that Nike’s mission feels fundamentally at odds with Kim Kardashian’s brand. Personally? I think this is a no-brainer, a marriage of convenience that’s almost impossible to get wrong. If anything, it highlights the growing relationship between sports and fashion. The “tunnel ’fit” is now just as influential as the runway, and new brands like Off Season by Kristin Juszczyk and Emma Grede are proving that sports and style are merging faster than ever.

We also dove into the biggest wellness trends because, in 2025, wellness is the new status symbol. Luxury spenders are dropping obscene amounts on skincare routines and treatments—all to achieve skin that, to me, just looks like... skin. I guess the real shift here is that consumers are moving beyond surface-level self-care and investing in longevity. We see this with brands like Equinox, which isn’t selling gym memberships—it’s selling exclusivity, high-performance wellness, and a fitness identity.

In 2025, selling aspiration is just as important as selling the service itself.

It’s definitely interesting how consumers have less to spend on luxury fashion but are reallocating their budgets to wellness. But one thing is clear—consumers are spending less, but they’re still seeking value. If brands can prove their worth, people will still buy.

And now, we enter March—a month dedicated to women. International Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, the fresh start of spring (because if you ask me, winter is definitely a man, and spring is a woman). I’m looking forward to a month packed with playbooks—covering branding, strategy, product launches, and the tactical moves that take brands from good to unforgettable.

Finally, speaking of women, I can’t end this letter without reinforcing one of our most important mandates—one that, I promise, will stand the test of time. We celebrate women in all their talent and beauty. Female founders, creatives, and especially women of colour who are redefining their industries continue to be our motivation and remain at the centre of everything we do.

Here’s to a new season, fresh ideas, and all the brilliance ahead.