The official blog for Lux & Eco™

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility experts like Paul Gilding and Clare Raybould have pointed to the need for companies to embrace environmental concerns–often referred to as the “third bottom line” for businesses (the other two are people and profit). Corporations, they say, must consider the environment when designing (or redesigning) their operations, not just for the well-being of the communities in and with which they do business, but also for the sake of their own business futures.

One company that has taken third bottom line considerations to heart is Essence of Vali. Founded eleven years ago by Valerie Bennis, Essence of Vali sells a line of pure essential oils, fragrances, and mists that are sourced and packaged in an eco-friendly manner. You may have heard of Essence of Vali if you’ve ever spent a day at a spa or stayed in one of the many hotels and resorts that buy from Bennis. Her products are a stand-out choice for many reputable companies across the world, among them the Westin Hotel chain and Yelo Spa.

Essence of Vali has become so successful in part because of the company’s business philosophy. Bennis, a former advertising firm CEO, long suspected that a new class of consumer would emerge that would expect companies from which they purchase their products to behave ethically. With that in mind, Bennis pledged to forgo advertising gimmicks, use biodegradable ingredients and packaging, and keep costs low by selling directly to the customer rather than relying upon distributors. These are pledges she has kept over the years, despite the fierce competition in the aromatherapy field. And her customer base has rewarded her for this steadfastness: Over the years, Essence of Vali has thrived by word-of-mouth advertising.

The other reason for Essence of Vali’s success has to do with the products themselves. Customers rave about the oils and mists, and testimonials attesting to their effectiveness in effectively alleviating everything from stress to clinical depression to chronic insomnia have flooded in over the years. The proprietary mixes for the line are often developed by Bennis herself, who spent five years studying aromatherapy and alternative healing methods at the Michael Scholes School of Aromatic Studies.

What’s next on the horizon for Bennis? She intends to launch an education campaign touting the benefits of alternative natural healing methods. We’ll be keeping an eye on her as she does.

Check out some of Bennis’s products here.

Earth Day is surely “Green Christmas” for members of the eco-chic movement, and today we are thrilled to finally reveal what’s inside the Lux & Eco treasure trove.

Today we are launching our site officially. It’s a wonderful feeling after a year of solid behind the scenes work, scouting the globe to find some of the most eco sustainable and beautiful products on the market.

Here’s just a sample of some of the treasures we have in store:  Here are some of our featured stars, participating in times sales as we launch on Earth Day:

GUNAS handbags are some of the most unique in the world. Take the Paris signature Classic shaped Duffle Bag, a lightweight, desirable piece, entirely vegan, and PETA approved. Each one of a kind piece comes with the GUNAS promise quality hand crafted “smart materials” with no two alike. A quick trip to the GUNAS site also reveals a company committed to practicing what it preaches, with a philosophy of giving back to organizations committed to animal welfare.

For music and gadget lovers, Vers Audio adds a natural flavour to the traditional plastic compact sound accessories with everything from bamboo earplugs to ipad/ipod/iphone cases and the delightfully chic radio alarm, crafted entirely from natural eucatlyptus and pine.  Again, what sets them apart is their commitment to excellence in design and continuous pursuit of sustainability in their manufacturing. From ensuring replanting of trees to renewable packaging. What they call “sound sound” for short. And like many brand on the site, they too have their way of replenishing the resources they give consume.  When you buy a Vers product you’ll have a chance to donate $1 to plant a tree, and  Vers will match it 1:1 with a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation.

For something truly special, you can’t go past J Fein Designs. This  “upcycled” artisian  jewellery line has been created by New York native Jessica Fein, who is draws her inspiration from nature, her travels, and recycled treasures from the past, such as those found in Grandma’s trinket box. Her unique Urban-Organic style combines sustainably grown wood with distinctive vintage heirlooms for an eco-friendly line of stylish accessories.

In the Boutique section, like a laneway of specialist stores, we become privy to an array of sensuous experiences on offer: from the elegance of the all organic Sundari Skin Care range to the seductive aromas of Dayna Decker Candles.  All great gifts to give to family and friends, with the knowledge they are genuinely “good” and a portion of the sale is donated to worthy organizations making the world a better place.

Speaking of which, we are also grateful to our wonderful charity partners: The Rainforest Foundation, Falling Whistles, The Blind Project, The Dolphin Project, Operation Warm,  City Harvest, Global Green and Thrive Alive, whose impressive work you will be hearing more about throughout the year.  This is truly what inspires us to encourage the eco-conscious way of life, albeit with a sprinkle of luxury added.

2012 promises to be an extraordinary year for the Lux & Eco Community. We aim to make it an experience you will never forget.

With Earth Day upon us, and the entire world going green for a day. It’s important to remember that being green isn’t just a fad, it’s a commitment you make to the planet which sustains you and your way of life.

More and more we are seeing the effects of our inter-dependence, in both positive and negative ways. On the one hand we are a global community – ever increasingly cross pollinating our knowledge and sharing resources, through technology and communication. On the other, we still face enormous challenges in a global economy which is reliant on unsustainable consumption of the earth’s resources, specifically where one economy exploits the natural resources (including its people) of another.

That’s why the work of groups such as: The Rainforest Foundation, play an important role in continously reminding us that the world’s natural resources need to be replenished and that the butterfly effect – is now a very real thing. What is done in one part of the world, affects another.

In the case of South and Central America – this has never been more true. Home to the Amazon – one of the richest forests in the World – it has often been described as the “lungs of the planet.”  In truth, scientists estimate it supplies up to 30% of our oxygen. Thus, the fact that despite 30 or more years of environmental advocacy, we still see vast tracts of land being felled or badly managed by governments trying to turn a quick profit, is disheartening.

That said, what is uplifting is seeing the work done by The Rainforest Foundation in protecting the forest and standing for the righs of indigenous people, who are often a casualty of exploitative corporate practices in the region. It’s easy to see why Executive Director, Suzanne Pelletier, is passionate about this issue. She is forthright about the devastation and impact on its people:

“We work closely with local groups on the ground, mobilizing communities around land rights protection issues. We’ve made so much progress, but much more needs to be done. We need help to bring this to the attention of the decision-makers. If we don’t stop deforestation, we are literally at risk of losing the very thing which sustains us all.”

With the likes of celebrities, such as Sting championing this cause, we can see why they have been successful in keeping this on the environmental agenda. We’re so proud to be supporting such fantastic work. We’re looking forward to hearing more about what Suzanne and her team will be doing to keep the issue in the spotlight at events in 2012.

Click here to make your purchase with purpose for the Rainforest Foundation.

Lux & Eco is now officially preparing for our launch on April 23rd! Countdown begins on Earth Day 2012 (April 22nd.) Tell us…what are your plans for Earth Day this year?