Alexandra Agoston trials the new, sustainable Nº1 de Chanel collection

A woman of the world, sustainability is at the core of Alexandra Agoston's beauty routine. Here, she trials the new Nº1 de Chanel range.

It's no secret that Alexandra Agoston is a woman of the world. Both physically and spiritually, she understands deeply that our most valuable connection is with nature. It's this driving force that informs her approach to beauty, sharing that your beauty routine should "feel good". Of course, knowing Agoston, this remark doesn't just apply to the tactile experience of beauty, but is just as much about how you feel about the products you're using and what they stand for. It only makes sense then, that the new, sustainable Nº1 de Chanel collection has become a crucial part of her regime.

Nature has long been a bountiful source for solutions and promises; continuously adapting to changes in the environment and offering new perspectives on how we look at things. It's a realm of opportunity that Chanel understands deeply; harnessing and incorporating a plethora of clean and sustainable plant resources into the development of skincare and beauty that is adapted to our modern needs.

It's beauty ahead of its time – a forward-thinking attitude that unites the Nº1 de Chanel collection and Agoston in their approach to skincare and beauty. Nature influences us and in return, we also have an influence on it – a responsibility Chanel is refusing to take lightly.

As such, the N°1 de Chanel formulas honour ingredients of natural origin that are renewable and have reduced environmental impact. Containing up to 97% ingredients of natural origin1, without compromising on effectiveness, safety or the sensoriality, the collection marries environmental consideration with unmatched quality.

Packaging was also a key consideration for the collection, with the full range being eco-designed. The weight of the jars and bottles has been reduced, and 80% of the products in the range are made of glass – directly reducing the use of plastics.

N°1 de Chanel is as clear a message as ever – the future for luxury beauty has to, and can be sustainable. A champion of this vision, Agoston takes us through her beauty beliefs, how she's incorporating a cleaner approach to her regime and the products that keep her feeling revitalised.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Enjoy a couple of minutes extra sleep, I love that quiet moment when you are not quite awake yet and your mind is really free. First thing when I get up I have a large glass of water with lemon and walk onto my fire-escape overlooking Soho, and see what the day looks like. New York still feels like an exciting movie set after so long living there.

You have 10 minutes to get ready. What does your beauty regime look like?

I turn on my stereo, play some music – right now I’m listening to Charlotte Gainsburg Deadly Valentine remix. I splash my face with cold water and cleanse my skin with Chanel L'eau de Mousse. The formula turns from powder to foam and is beautiful and light and feels gentle on my skin. While my face is still damp, I press a couple of drops of Chanel Red Camellia Revitalising Serum onto my skin, and then massage my face using Chanel Red Camellia Revitalising Cream. I follow my jawline and cheekbones in upward movements then down the side of my neck; I have watched makeup artists do it on set and I really notice a difference in my face. I think we naturally hold tension in our face, and a beauty regime is a nice way to spend some time for yourself. A reminder to breathe and let go a little.

You spend a lot of time dashing between shoots and events. How do you keep your skin looking fresh and revitalised the whole day?

When I’m shooting in the studio I can have lots of different makeup looks and am under flashing bright lights. I love using the Chanel Red Camellia Revitalising Serum-In-Mist throughout the day to keep my skin fresh. It's really hydrating and smells beautiful. I always bring my water bottle to set, and some natural eye drops. My skin feels the best when I’m eating lots of fresh fruit and veggies, and keeping active. I love Pilates. It helps me feel balanced, and understand the strength of my body.

Our approach to beauty has become more simplified and considered in recent years. Do you gravitate towards products that are multi-purpose?

I travel a lot for shoots, and have noticed my beauty bag getting smaller and smaller! I like to keep it as simple and natural as possible. I don’t wear makeup every day, but if I’m going to an event and feel like something really light, I love the Chanel Les Beiges Fond de teint. It feels like beautiful skincare and makeup in one.

As we become more educated about the environmental impact of our beauty and skincare products, how important is it to have our favourite brands leading the way in this space?

I live in New York, and have seen so much change in the energy of the city in the past two years, with the hardship of the world’s collective challenges I think there is also a huge positive push for change, socially and environmentally. It’s so exciting to see brands like Chanel lead the way in this space and support a natural, more sustainable approach to beauty.

I’m collaborating with a foundation called Parley for the Oceans, that’s dedicated to protecting our oceans, and raising awareness for its beauty and fragility. I’m trying to learn as much as I can – we have power in what we decide to buy, or movements we join and support.

There is sometimes a misconception that sustainable products don’t see the same results. But Nº1 de Chanel proves otherwise.

I moved to Paris when I was 18, and I think that’s when I fell for Chanel. It was my first luxury purchase, a small black vintage Chanel bag. For me the brand represents timelessness, quality and luxury. The new Nº1 collection has that same feeling on your skin. The House's first natural beauty collection nurtures a more sustainable future and healthy skin!

How do you end your day and do you incorporate any beauty products to help you unwind?

I take a warm shower, I will use a dry brush on my body to increase circulation and coconut oil after. I love the Creme by Chanel on my face and Chanel eye creme before I go to sleep. I always have a notebook and a novel next to my bed.

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Asian AI Boom: Goldman Sachs Repositions Asian Equity Strategy Amid AI Growth

The investment bank shifts focus to South Korean and Taiwanese tech stocks as Thai brokerage warns of local economic challenges.

Global investment firm Goldman Sachs is adjusting its strategy for Asian equities, advising investors to increase their holdings in technology shares from South Korea and Taiwan, in anticipation of growth in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

This shift is juxtaposed with a cautionary outlook from Thai brokerage Kiatnakin Phatra Securities (KKP), which is advising a focus on diversifying investments internationally, citing headwinds in the domestic market.

At the 'FUTURE OF ASIA' seminar in May, Timothy Moe, Goldman Sachs' Chief Asia Pacific Regional Equity Strategist, discussed the current state of the global economy, which is growing but facing a slowdown.

He identified persistent risks, including fiscal uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, and encouraged investors to seek out 'idiosyncratic opportunities' that are less dependent on overall macroeconomic trends.

Moe indicated the potential for a 10% rise in oil prices—possibly driven by conflicts in the Middle East—to decrease global GDP by 0.1% and increase inflation by 0.2%.

In light of these conditions, he suggested that ASEAN-4 markets, commodity stocks, and defensive equities might perform better than the broader Asian market.

On the U.S. front, Goldman Sachs has made slight upward adjustments to its GDP forecasts and reduced the probability of a recession, attributing this positive outlook to easing tax burdens.

Furthermore, concerns about fiscal discipline remain, which could impact the dollar and bond markets.

The bank anticipates that the S&P 500 will yield approximately 4-5% over the next 12 months if a recession is avoided, setting a target of 6,500 points.

In commodity markets, gold has been recommended due to significant uncertainty, ongoing concerns regarding U.S. institutional stability, and robust buying from central banks around the world.

Within the Asian equity landscape, Goldman Sachs is prioritizing increased exposure to South Korea, Taiwan, and hardware technology sectors while advising a reduction in weightings in Singapore and Indonesia.

China and Japan continue to be favored as overweight positions.

In terms of strategic focus for the latter half of the year, Goldman Sachs emphasizes stocks that are likely to benefit from a weaker dollar, those offering high shareholder returns, firms with robust earnings quality, and those expected to see upward revisions in earnings estimates, alongside sectors such as aerospace and defense, as well as companies benefiting from supportive Chinese government policies.

Conversely, KKP Securities presents a subdued outlook for the Thai economy.

Chief Economist Dr. Pipat Luengnaruemitchai noted 'headwinds from all sides', attributing a significant slowdown in the vital tourism sector to a marked decline in Chinese visitors.

He highlighted ongoing uncertainties arising from reciprocal trade negotiations and financial deleveraging that are impacting domestic demand.

Dr. Pipat acknowledged the necessity for economic stimulus but pointed out the limitations of fiscal policy, given Thailand's high public debt levels.

Any further stimulus could require adjustments to the debt ceiling and should ideally focus on long-term infrastructure projects.

Concerning monetary policy, Dr. Pipat remarked that the low interest rates currently in place might limit the central bank's options, potentially leading to 'unconventional policies' to manage the ultra-low interest rate environment globally.

KKP forecasts Thailand's policy interest rate could decrease to 1.0%.

Ongoing political uncertainty within Thailand continues to undermine investor confidence, and the weakness of the Thai Baht reflects greater economic fragility.

Dr. Pipat emphasized the need for Thailand to expedite structural reforms in labor, education, innovation, regulation, and national competitiveness to enhance long-term growth potential.

Taweesak Paopanlop, Head of Economic and Investment Analysis at KKP Securities, indicated that global stock markets might experience short-term selling pressures due to import tariffs and protectionist policies.

However, he anticipates a strong recovery by 2026, fueled by anticipated stimulus measures in the U.S. and Europe, especially U.S. tax reductions that are projected to elevate 2026 GDP by 0.5% and earnings per share by over 5%.

KKP continues to advocate for full investment across various asset classes, aligned with individual risk appetites.

They regard the S&P 500 at 5,800 points as a compelling entry point for gradual investment, with a mid-2026 target set at 6,500 points.

The brokerage particularly favors 'quality stocks' and 'defensive stocks' distinguished by strong fundamentals, low risk, and reliable dividend payouts, to sustain portfolio stability amid market fluctuations.