Article: Notes from Paris (I): The European Natural Beauty Awards
Notes from Paris (I): The European Natural Beauty Awards
This week was a very special one. Kanobe won a Prix D'Excellence at the European Natural Beauty Awards, months after first being shortlisted, and then sending 25 jars of the Rich Cocoa Body Butter to the expert jury for testing.
It may sound cliché, but I was already content that Kanobe had been shortlisted: the ENBA awards only recognise products of 99% natural origin, and clearing that first hurdle and the rigorous ingredient screening was genuinely exciting.
As the jury test approached, there were a lot of nerves because it was the first time that Kanobe products would be scored by beauty experts and members of the media.
Before extending production to Spa this summer, I handmade all Kanobe products and I still make most of them in Brussels. I also made each of the products sent to the jury. A part of me has always been very proud of this: learning to formulate cosmetics over the years, doing it artisanally, and controlling all the ingredients that go into Kanobe.
Another part of me has worried about how this would be perceived, especially in an industry that is very lab-oriented. This concern persisted (irrationally) through a number of milestones: great reviews from first and then returning customers, press interest, and even after Kanobe was listed on Nordstrom! It also persisted as I found examples of other brands that started at home, or deliberately chose to keep production in-house as they scaled.
On award day, I got on a Eurostar to Paris with my husband: we'd planned the event as a nice trip to Paris and I hadn't given much thought to what would actually happen at the awards! They were held in the beautiful Théâtre Marigny near the Champs Élysées, and it was incredible to meet the intentional people behind the ENBA awards and exchange notes with other founders just as passionate about nature and beauty as I am. I also had an illuminating discussion with a participant who actually wanted to switch from using a lab to making the products herself!
As the presenter read out the awarded brands, anticipation kicked in and so did some hope and expectation: who wouldn't want the distinction! My husband and I exchanged looks of incredulousness as Kanobe's name was announced. Now a few days after the event, I'm most grateful to have participated and to have learned that Kanobe being made differently is probably its greatest strength.
Next week: Paris and the art of selling
The ENBA awards were not the only teaching moment from this week. The city itself, and the Marais in particular, were also centre stage in the midst of Paris Fashion Week.
The Marais has always been one of my favourite parts of the city, but this time I saw it in a different light: maybe because its fashion and quirkiness were even more pronounced, or because I was now observing the stores from a founder's perspective. We spent two days in the neighbourhood, and despite the buzz and array of shops, I never really felt like I was being 'sold' to or pushed to consume.
I'll dig more into this next Sunday, and why I think Paris is so special as people gravitate towards more meaningful consumption.
With care,
