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Influencers Reflect on 2024 and Share Their 2025 Intentions

We asked some tastemakers from the worlds of fashion, wellbeing and travel to share their reflections on 2024 and their 2025 intentions

8 January 2025

Luna de Casanova, Ben Bidwell, Em Sheldon
Luna de Casanova

As we step into 2025, we asked Luna de Casanova, Ben Bidwell, Em Sheldon and London Gastro Boy to reflect on the past year and share their intentions for the one ahead. From lessons learned in 2024 to personal goals, plans for growth, and their single guiding word, their thoughtful insights provide an inspiring glimpse into what drives them. 

With a mix of style, mindfulness, and purpose, here’s how they’re approaching the new year.

Luna de Casanova

As a digital creator and immaculate arbiter of style, Luna is dedicated to inspiring timeless style over fleeting fashion. With a focus on elegance, refined combinations, and graceful ageing, she empowers her audience to wear clothes beautifully and express their individuality with confidence.

What is one thing that you learned in 2024 that you never want to forget?

Sadly, there is no natural floor that will kick in to prevent our becoming more vulgar, ignorant, and worse dressed than before. Therefore, it’s up to each of us to slow the post-lockdown runaway train by always making more of a sartorial effort. Two-day stubble is okay for men who jump out of planes in the dark at twenty thousand feet:  it’s not okay for Alan in Accounts who sits at home dressed in a tea cosy.

What was the greatest gift for you in 2024?

The arrival of Percy, whippet and wonder dog, son of gorgeous George, and grandson of the late and much-loved Bertie.

What is one intention that you have for 2025? 

Global luxury revenues have increased significantly during the past decade as consumers have become wealthier and more aspirational in their purchasing. As certain of the newer markets mature, and luxury customers become more sophisticated in their buying, brands may need to redefine ‘luxury’ with a greater focus on product innovation, quality, exclusivity, and customer service. I will be writing about this ‘redefinition’ of luxury extensively in 2025.

What is your word for 2025?

I am delighted when anyone can weave ‘palimpsest’ (something (usually a manuscript) that has been reused or altered but still shows traces of its earlier form) into the conversation. 

By contrast, if I hear anyone using the word ‘unalive’ as a synonym for ‘kill’, I will leave the conversation, the room, and possibly the country.

MY OBSESSIONS: LUNA DE CASANOVA

Ben Bidwell

Ben Bidwell

Ben is a human potential coach who helps people who are successful in business but feel stuck and unfulfilled in life. He is also a breathwork guide and sought-after speaker.  

What is one thing that you learned in 2024 that you never want to forget?

A message that reached me strongly was that growth often walks hand-in-hand with discomfort. Fear isn’t always a stop sign – it’s an invitation to question whether it’s speaking truth or keeping me comfortable. I came to love a quote, “A ship is safe in a harbour, but that’s not what it was built for” – as it reminded me that freedom comes from navigating uncharted waters and trusting that the challenges will shape who I’m meant to be.

What was the greatest gift for you in 2024?

The greatest gift of 2024 was five weeks in The Maldives, working with The Four Seasons Hotel Group, delivering transformative breathwork sessions for the guests. Beyond the sunshine and incredible beauty, I met amazing, kind people, formed fascinating work connections, and saw how persistence pays off (after many Hotel rejections, the Four Seasons Maldives said yes, and now I’m returning twice in 2025!).

What is one intention that you have for 2025?

My intention for 2025 is to create financial abundance – not for greed or for the sake of having more things, but for the freedom it brings. I want to reduce stress, create more space for play, and invest time in what truly brings me purpose and fulfilment.

What is your word for 2025?

Abundance. To me abundance means financial prosperity, emotional richness, and sharing generously with those I care about – that’s the mission for 2025!

Discover how you can work with Ben here.

BEN BIDWELL ON THE BENEFITS OF ROMANCE

Em Sheldon

Em Sheldon

Em Sheldon is a multi-award-winning blogger and content creator, sharing her passion for travel, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle. Known for her relatable style and inspiring adventures, she connects with her audience through thoughtful insights and aspirational content.

What is one thing that you learned in 2024 that you never want to forget? 

I learned the importance of slowing down and looking up. In a world where we are constantly switched on and connected, it’s important to stop and smell the roses, take things at a slower pace when we can and put our phones down and look up.

What was the greatest gift for you in 2024? 

My brother’s beautiful puppy Mila, who I refer to as my niece. She is the most gorgeous puppy who I love so much! And the gift of another year of life, which my Grandpa always tells me is a blessing. Getting older is something not everyone gets to do, so I always feel blessed to have another year around the sun.

What is one intention that you have for 2025? 

I’ll be taking my collagen, greens powder and electrolytes without fail every single morning! I want to get granular with my health and fitness, and really treat my body and mind with the respect it deserves, doing little things that hopefully will add up to big results inside and out. 

What is your word for 2025?

Balance. Balance has always been an important word for me, but even more so in 2025, when I feel we can often have a lot of things rammed at us on social media. You can’t have wellness or—in my opinion—true happiness without having balance in life. 

Whether thats balance with work and play, balance with food and fitness or balance with shopping!

@LondonGastroBoy

@LondonGastroBoy

London Gastro Boy is a professional gourmand, restaurant consultant, food stylist and content creator.

What is one thing that you learned in 2024 that you never want to forget? 

Never take things for granted.⁣

What was the greatest gift for you in 2024? 

Not underestimating the power of relationships.

What is one intention that you have for 2025? 

Making more time for myself. 

What is your word for 2025?

Bold. I wish to continue pushing boundaries, challenging expectations and exploring new ways of being creative.

Inspiring Chelsea

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