NEW YORK: Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle site Goop is alive and well in the analog world.
Paltrow, with a hand from the fashion house of Valentino, hosted the media Wednesday at her pop-up shop Goop Mrkt, open through Dec. 24 at The Shops at Columbus Circle in midtown Manhattan’s Time Warner Center.
“It’s so nice for all of us as a company to experience the digital come to life in brick and mortar, and to be able to bring the whole lifestyle piece to an actual physical store,” Paltrow told The Associated Press.
As for Christmas, Paltrow hadn’t given much thought to what she’d like as a gift.
“I wouldn’t mind something from the Valentino collaboration, and I really like that new Apple Watch, the Hermès Apple Watch. I got my eye on that,” she smiled.
Among the beauty products, housewares and other goods selected by Paltrow for the shop is a playful collection of sparkly, star-adorned dresses, jackets, sneakers and accessories from Valentino creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for the capsule collection dubbed Valentino x goop. They’re displayed in the shop under a bright Wonder Woman mural.
“I think of the Wonder Woman aesthetic being like Goop in a dream,” Paltrow said. “It’s kind of like the highest possible end of what we do, you know. And it’s fantasy in a way. It’s really high fashion and it really embodies the luxury aspect of the business.”
Hermès Apple Watch on Paltrow’s holiday wishlist
Hermès Apple Watch on Paltrow’s holiday wishlist
Essex man takes on charity endurance challenge for children in Gaza
- Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual Sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 2,287 miles
LONDON: A man in England has launched a demanding charity challenge to raise funds for children affected by the war in Gaza.
Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 3,680 km running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing.
He is raising money for Medical Aid for Palestinians, a UK-based humanitarian organization that provides healthcare to Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied territories.
“I have felt helpless day after day seeing images of countless children in Gaza with broken bodies and missing limbs and witnessing their unbearable suffering,” Watson said on his JustGiving page.
“I have been inspired by the courage of those who took part in the global sumud flotilla and all of the activists who have put their lives and freedom at risk supporting the Palestinian people and so I am raising funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
“My challenge is to complete a virtual sumud from Harlow, where I live, to Gaza. Running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing I will cover the 2,287 miles as quickly as I can.
“I am an unfit, overweight 63-year-old, so I’m not going to break any records, but the Arabic word Sumud means steadfastness and perseverance, and I will give it my all.
Watson added: “I hope to be joined by people I love and admire along the way, so please support my fundraiser. Every donation, however small, will help save the lives of Palestinians.”
As of Jan. 3, his fundraising effort had reached 12 per cent of its £5,000 ($6,733) target.
The war in Gaza began after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which local health authorities say has resulted in the deaths of more than 71,000 Palestinians, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and a severe humanitarian crisis.
International aid agencies have repeatedly said that children are among the most affected, facing injury, displacement, malnutrition and limited access to medical care.
Watson said he was inspired by activists and humanitarian efforts supporting Palestinians and hopes his challenge can make a small contribution to saving lives.
