As we are all battered with today's various turmoils, people are increasingly taking the advice of the ancient Stoics, who believed that it is all about progress, not perfection - and that all of us have the internal resources to thrive as individuals. Health and wellbeing, both mental and physical, have become an underpinning for all of us, with conscious consideration of the products that we're putting on and in our bodies and a recognition that a healthier lifestyle leads to greater happiness.

This attitude has become disruptive, resulting in a blurring of categories and channels, creating a new paradigm for beauty and wellness that includes self-care, sexual health, nutrition,  fitness, services, ingestibles, plant-based medicine and much more.

WWD's first live Welllness Forum, to be held September 28 in New York City, will explore all of these subjects and more. Titled "Mind. Body. Business," our topics will include changing consumer attitudes toward physical and mental health, the rise of new methods and modalities in the service sector and the growth of emerging categories that are reshaping the retail experience.

Speakers thus far include Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice, the Soul Cycle founders whose most recent venture, Peoplehood, takes a next-gen approach to group therapy; Natalie Holloway and Max Kislevitz of Bala, the fitness phenom that has become a veritable lifestyle; Jostein Solheim, ceo of health and wellbeing at Unilever, a billion-dollar business and counting; Stephanie Morimoto, founder of the cutting-edge personal care brand Asutra, and Chris Ball of Ball Family Farms, who is revolutionizing the cannabis business.

In the days to come, we’ll be announcing more speakers. In the meantime, I invite you to join us, and look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

Jenny B. Fine
Executive Editor, Beauty
WWD & Beauty Inc