Savane skincare interview| iFashion May 2011
Savane Skincare: We go one-on-one with Jennifer Peters to find out more about Savane
www.ifashion.co.za
May 2011
It’s not only South African fashion that hankers after the international stage; SAVANE, the lastest in a line of organic, ethical product that is inspired by and made in Africa cracks it on the international stage.
We go one-on-one with Jennifer Peters to find out more about Savane and how it fits within this ethos….
What does organic mean for you? For Savane?
In recent years, we believe that “organic” has become less of a trend and more of a lifestyle choice. With Savane, we wanted to do more than pay mere lip service to being an organic range; Savane Organic Skincare is certified organic by ECOCERT, an independent French certifying body, which helps consumers to know that all of our products are safe, both for them and for the environment.
With certified organic content ranging from 68% to over 95%, and 99.9% to 100% natural origin ingredients, Savane is carefully crafted by experts using the latest developments in green chemistry, and is free of harmful and toxic chemicals. We do not use animal or genetically modified ingredients, mineral oils, colour additives, synthetic fragrances or controversial preservatives.
We source only the purest, highest quality, natural ingredients from across the African continent, which also contain some of the most powerful natural anti-aging actives available to deliver the maximum benefits to your skin.
What makes Savane different from other organic skin care products?
In addition to being organic certified, Savane is committed to being an ethical and sustainable brand.
We believe in ethical sourcing, which respects and protects the traditional knowledge and intellectual property of local communities, assures equitable sharing of benefits and helps conserve biodiversity.
Our wild ingredients are harvested under the supervision of Phytotrade Africa, a regional trade association, to ensure these are sourced in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of ecosystems and their biodiversity. Wherever available, we buy fair trade priced ingredients, which helps improve the livelihood of thousands of women and their families across Southern Africa.
Recently, “US-based organic beauty e-boutique, www.zaega.com, included Savane Organic Skincare in its exclusive roster of organic brands” how has it been received internationally?
Sales of Savane on www.zaega.com began in late April 2011 and we had sales on the very first day we launched! Over the years, we’ve grown a considerable number of “Savane enthusiasts” through product trialing and consumer testing (we have been fielding requests for products as a result of anonymous consumer tests since 2009), networking, and of course with friends and family.
Its early days for us, as we are still a newcomer to the ethical, organic skincare market; but we anticipate good results in coming months and with increasing brand awareness.
Did inclusion of Savane on zaega.com come as a surprise or was it something you knew would happen at some point? Why?
We met Melissa Christenson – the founder of zaega.com and former head formulator of Aveda and later CEO of Intelligent Nutrients – at a conference in Boulder, Colorado in mid 2009. She tried and fell in love with the Savane products we had with us and we agreed to keep in touch with her as we returned to South Africa, and as she contemplated her next career move after leaving Intelligent Nutrients.
A few months later, Melissa called us out of the blue to say she was launching zaega.com and part of her inspiration to start this site was the recognition that consumers needed a respected voice to help inform their choice of high-performance, safe and non-harming brands like Savane. She was still handpicking her brands when we spoke, and asked if she could include Savane in her roster when we were ready. We are delighted to have joined her site last month and thrilled that along with our other certifications, we have received Melissa’s seal of approval too!
What’s next for Savane?
We will continue to focus on growing brand recognition and expanding our retail presence in the South African market, in high-end boutiques like Nap stores nationwide (www.napliving.co.za) and online with (www.africhic.com).
Wherever we can, we strive to collaborate and work with other local brands and companies who share our vision – good business practice, a love of Africa, and a desire to give back to this region too.
In the longer term, we aim to expand our distribution in the US, EU and other international markets where the demand for premium organic “good” skin care is enormous and growing exponentially each year.
We are as passionate about sharing our products with the world as we are about sharing the many wonders of Africa – its people, cultures, plants, and animals, and we hope that through our brand more people might come to better understand the richness that makes up this continent.
What’s most important when choosing a skincare product?
Consumers have become more sophisticated and more educated. They want products that deliver results, first and foremost, which of course makes perfect sense for a skincare product.
But a growing number of consumers are more discerning, and take the time to check the ingredients listed on the bottle instead of merely being swayed by the marketing hype surrounding a product. The best products, we believe, are capable of marrying efficacy with ethics – you can have something that nourishes your skin, while causing as little harm as possible to people and the planet.