Monaco businessman to lead global tourism body

Manfredi Lefebvre, Chairman of Heritage Group and Co-Chair of Abercrombie & Kent, has been appointed Chair-Elect of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). He will formally take over the role in September at the organisation’s Global Summit in Rome (28-30 September 2025).

Manfredi Lefebvre

A resident of Monaco, Lefebvre has been a member of the Council for more than two decades and brings with him over 40 years of experience in the cruise and leisure industries. He is recognised for transforming Silversea Cruises into a global leader before diversifying into investments through his Monaco-based Heritage Group, which is active in biotechnology, medical technologies, energy transition, real estate, IT and premium spirits.

WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson welcomed the announcement: “Manfredi is a powerhouse in our sector. He brings with him decades of experience, and under his stewardship I am sure we will achieve unprecedented success.”

From building Silversea Cruises into a world-class brand to co-chairing luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent, Lefebvre’s influence has shaped the modern landscape of global tourism. As Chair-Elect of the WTTC, he will guide the industry at a time when travel continues to outpace wider economic growth.

MCM turns Seoul flagship into Be@rbrick Wonderland

MCM has reimagined its Seoul flagship into a whimsical, multi-sensory exhibition space for collectible Be@rbrick toys – featuring a giant Be@rbrick bear on the roof of the five-storey building.

A collectible Be@arbrick toy on the roof of MCM Haus in Seoul

In collaboration with @medicom_toy, Be@rbrick in MCM Wonderland brings together diverse creative voices that transform MCM Haus into a landscape where art, craft and design converge.

The exhibition, which runs from 3 to 30 September, features INDEN-YA, ken yashiki and Nobuki Hizume – three artists whose works transform Be@rbrick into unexpected forms of cultural expression.

MCM Be@arbrick collector's items

“Through the iconic Be@rbrick form, the exhibition becomes a canvas where Japanese craftsmanship meets contemporary art, and imagination intersects with identity,” the German brand said.

Be@rbrick in MCM Wonderland invites visitors into an immersive experience where art, fashion and pop culture collide. The result seeks to embody the next generation of storytelling, craftsmanship and cultural imagination.

As part of the event, MCM unveils three limited-edition Be@rbrick collector’s items.

The sculptural elegance of Nobuki Hizume

Japanese milliner Nobuki Hizume brings his couture headpiece expertise to the Be@rbrick form. His sculptural figures adorn the exhibition’s entrance in a striking window display. Though he did not design one of the collectible figures for sale, his contribution set the tone for the entire experience by balancing theatrical beauty with serene minimalism.

The MCM Haus window display featuring Nobuki Hizume hats

Manga realism by ken yashiki

On the third floor, Japanese artist ken yashiki’s Be@rbrick characters stand amid a poetic landscape of cosmos flowers, his signature bloom. Known for blending pop art with manga-inspired aesthetics, yashiki infuses each figure with raw emotional energy and bright, youthful colour.

Manga-inspired Be@arbrick toys by Japanese artist ken yashiki

Crafting legacy with INDEN-YA

Representing over 400 years of Japanese craftsmanship, INDEN-YA introduces its traditional lacquer-on-deerskin technique to the Be@rbrick format for the first time. This Kōshū Inden method creates a unique collector’s item, blending tradition with street iconography and underscoring MCM’s celebration of cultural convergence.

Thai actress Nam Tan meets Be@arbrick in MCM Wonderland

To set the stage for this one-of-a-kind exhibition, guests were invited to an evening launch event during Frieze Seoul 2025 art fair, featuring music and dancing. Food and beverages, detailed with MCM and Be@rbrick touches, were served at the MCM Haus Café for a complete sensory experience.

Ferrero to showcase sustainability vision in Cannes

Italian confectionery group Ferrero will showcase novelties from its brand portfolio at the TFWA World Exhibition, while reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

Tablets are a key priority, demonstrated by the launch of the new Ferrero Rocher 70% dark chocolate bar, developed for dark chocolate enthusiasts. At the Cannes show, Ferrero will also unveil the new visual identity for its Ferrero Rocher tablets, incorporating a clean, minimalist aesthetic and prominent Travel Exclusive branding.

Importantly, the reverse of this new packaging will also highlight Ferrero’s evolving sustainability strategy, via an on-pack QR code that connects consumers to information about the company’s quality and sustainability initiatives. In a related move, from this month the packaging of the Ferrero Rocher premium chocolate range will be 100% recyclable.

New: Kinder & Co Mix variety pack

Expanding the Kinder universe

Ferrero will build on the success of its Kinder brand with the launch of two new travel retail exclusive formats. Kinder & Co Mix is a 179g variety pack composed of Kinder and Ferrero products including Kinder Bueno, Hanuta Minis, Tronky and Duplo. The Kinder & Co White Mix 137g is a white chocolate-focused edition that includes Kinder Bueno White, Kinder Schoko-Bons White and Duplo White.

Ferrero will also update its Kinder Surprise T4x20 Natoons collection with new dinosaur-inspired Dinos toys, supported by interactive content via the Applaydu app.

With the biscuit category gaining strong traction in travel retail, Ferrero is scaling up its pioneering La Biscotteria concept, encompassing nine products from six brands: Nutella B-ready, Nutella Biscuits, Kinder Cards, Kinder Happy Hippo, Kinder Duo and Kinder Kinderini.

From September, Ferrero will roll out an innovative Say It With digital activation for La Biscotteria, tapping into the gifting trend. After purchasing the product, shoppers can scan the QR code on the pack to record a personalised digital message. Once gifted, the recipient simply scans the same code to unlock the message – turning a treat into a memorable moment.

Ferrero's pioneering La Biscotteria range

New from Nutella

Other reveals at Cannes will include the latest instalments of the Nutella Next Destination series. These travel retail exclusive packs contain 3 x 30g jars of Nutella, each labelled with the name of a different country, to drive destination inspiration.

For 2025, Ferrero is bringing breakfast to life with an interactive twist: a QR code placed on the outer packaging leads to a digital experience titled “Every Place, A Good Morning”. The landing page unlocks a colourful world map filled with morning traditions, travel inspiration and local breakfast recipes. Visitors can discover how to say “good morning” in various languages and explore fun cultural curiosities from around the globe.

This month, Ferrero will debut a high-profile sustainability-themed activation at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, highlighting the brand’s Quality at Heart credentials. This immersive concept will also be showcased at this year’s Cannes booth, underlining Ferrero’s holistic approach to responsible consumption.

The airport pop-up will be reinforced by an impactful media campaign, with the Quality at Heart initiative taking over Nice Airport from September 26 to October 2. During this period, travellers will experience an immersive digital tunnel alongside a network of 73 screens.

A bold, hazelnut-shaped installation will celebrate the brand’s iconic ingredient. Crafted from natural wood tones and lush greenery, the structure invites visitors into a multi-sensory journey through immersive stations that highlight Ferrero’s commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability. A playful maze game traces the hazelnut’s transformation from farm to finished product.

Sergio Salvagno, General Manager of Ferrero Travel Market, said: “We are delighted to return to the TFWA World Exhibition to present our latest innovations across confectionery, biscuits and gifting. Each new launch has been carefully developed to meet the evolving expectations of travelling consumers, blending premiumisation, exclusivity and digital engagement, to elevate the shopper experience.

“As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they’re seeking brands that not only deliver excellence, but also embody purpose. In response, we are focused on delivering value-added formats, meaningful gifting solutions and exclusive travel retail products – while clearly reinforcing our long-term commitment to sustainability."

MCM blends retro-futurism with utility for Fall

MCM has launched the next chapter of its From Munich to Mars journey for Fall/Winter 2025 with a collection crafted for Cyber-Galactic Nomads on the move.

Blending retro-futurism with utility, it fuses bold silhouettes, fresh materials and forward-thinking colour with the German brand’s signature design language. Driven by a vision of freedom and motion, it reimagines identity – on Earth or beyond.

MCM Herringbone Visetos FW25

The third and final chapter brings the journey full circle with a refined return to MCM’s heritage. Cognac Visetos re-emerges, now embossed with gold-toned herringbone weaves that add both texture and a subtle architectural edge. Striking a balance between softness and structure, this drop blurs the line between statement and staple by providing a futuristic nuance to tradition.

MCM Khaki Moss Visetos FW25

The second chapter grounds the collection in earthy tones, with khaki green anchoring the monogram across signature silhouettes like the Stark Backpack and Toni Shopper. Crafted from sustainable materials such as upcycled leather, recycled nylon and soft suede, this drop expands the range with new iterations of the Gym Backpack and Mama Bag, blending elevated design with everyday functionality.

MCM Blue Denim Visetos FW25

The first drop in the collection transforms MCM’s classic Visetos through a futuristic lens, introducing vibrant Blue Visetos and tactile Blue Denim Visetos – colours inspired by the energy of the deep sea and outer space. Featured across weekenders, multibackpacks and more, Blue Denim adds rich texture, while Blue Visetos brings a bold, electric edge.

Directed by Katharina Korbjuhn and shot by Yis Kid, the Cyber-Galactic Nomads campaign presents a futuristic vision where style intersects with technology, architecture and AI. 

“Blurring the line between real and rendered, it explores how identity, motion, and self-expression evolve in an increasingly technological world where individuality is the ultimate statement,” MCM said.

Heinemann supercharges cruise retail presence

Heinemann Americas has launched a bold new cruise retail concept onboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, delivering first-at-sea exclusives and redefining immersive shopping at sea.

With 10 retail venues onboard, the vessel features exclusive Royal Caribbean logo merchandise, fine watches and fashion jewellery, fragrances and cosmetics, as well as vintage luxury leather goods and timepieces. A standout highlight is a collection of prestige and rare spirits, crafted to surprise and captivate connoisseurs.

The beauty offer onboard Star of the Seas

The new retail offer builds on the success of Icon of the Seas, with a focus on curated exclusivity, elevated design and category innovation across four distinct store formats.

The liquor experience onboard Star of the Seas introduces several first-at-sea features, including personalised backwalls for Macallan, Hennessy and Patrón, a dedicated Johnnie Walker gondola, and a limited-edition Louis XIII monogrammed box hand-decorated exclusively for the ship, with only 30 pieces available globally. Among the rare offerings is a bottle of Loch Lomond 50yo, one of just 100 worldwide, retailing at $34,999. The store also debuts multiple exclusive barrel programmes, such as Angel's Envy – selected by Heinemann’s team as a first-at-sea – and the rare O.F.C Bourbon 1985.

Luxury timepieces are available in branded shop-in-shop formats from Cartier, Hublot, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Longines, Rado and Norquain, a new brand for Heinemann. Swiss Crown complements the offer with a curated selection of pre-owned Rolex watches.

Cartier's shop-in-shop onboard Star of the Seas

Meanwhile, the logo merchandise store presents a new collection designed exclusively for Star of the Seas, featuring fashion-forward apparel, collectibles and a children’s line. The Vineyard Vines x Royal Caribbean co-branded range – introduced on Icon and Utopia – returns with a refreshed capsule, adding a familiar and updated touch to the retail experience.

“With Star of the Seas, we continue our mission to elevate cruise retail through storytelling, exclusivity and unforgettable experiences,” said Nicolas Hoeborn, CEO of Heinemann Americas. “This launch is a testament to our strong partnership with Royal Caribbean and our shared vision for the future of travel retail.”

The Collection store offers second-hand Louis Vuitton merchandise

Together with Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas ranks among the largest cruise ships in the world, measuring 365 metres in length and accommodating up to 5,610 guests and 2,850 crew members. It is the sixth Royal Caribbean vessel to feature Heinemann’s retail offer, following Utopia of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.