ONE TO WATCH: Commune
Written by Editor Diane Richardson
The SSEAMS team spend a lot of time discovering brands who are meaningful and will be around for a long time to come because they understand their environment and the people around it who invite these special brands into their lives like a good friend. Loyalty kicks in with a viewpoint of playing the long game. Commune is one of those brands…
“Our intention is to create a return to a simpler, more harmonious way of living. For Commune, it starts with the self but ultimately extends into our surroundings and our communities, bringing like- minded people together and celebrating the world at our doorstep. We knew that looking at nature, how it organises and expresses itself, there was a reprieve to be found from the frenetic complexity of our modern lives.” Kate Neal, Co-Founder
ABOUT COMMUNE
Com·mune / noun. A group of people sharing common interests, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
Founded by husband and wife Rémi Paringaux and Kate Neal, Commune is a direct reflection of their personal and professional experiences. Born and raised in the cultural centres of Europe, and having since lived in wellness-minded locations around the globe, Kate, Rémi, and their family now call the English countryside home. Collectively, their professional experience ranges from high-profile roles in luxury fashion, sustainability, wellness brands, art and design, and the study of natural perfume.
THE PRODUCT DOWNLOAD
The sustainable self-care brand with a design-driven, community ethos. With its initial launch of six self-care products, Commune looks to nature, and our collective relation to it as a basis for both its formulations and its sustainability practices. Formulated with 99% naturally derived plant-based ingredients, and designed without single-use plastics, each product in the range; Body Wash, Body Cream, Shampoo, Conditioner, Hand Wash and Hand Cream [RRP £55-150] is free from synthetic fragrance, artificial colourings, dyes, sulphates, parabens and other harsh chemicals.
At its core, Commune is crafted for those who see and seek the opportunity to create change. Those who appreciate the abundance of beauty and generosity inherent in nature. Who knows that the individual choices contribute to something bigger. Sustainability at Commune goes beyond the box-ticking and instead considers how we can truly bring about positive change in the world.
Commune’s focus on design is rooted in the notion that the only true way to create a sustainable product is to create it yourself, from start to finish. To carefully select the right materials. And to never cut corners. With this in mind, elements such as bespoke, reusable pumps and highly recyclable aluminium bottles blend the brand’s functional tenets with an elevated aesthetic.
While global sourcing ensures the finest range of materials and ingredients, all formulations are UK-produced with a commitment to supporting local businesses. For the launch of their first signature scent, Seymour, Commune takes a perfumer’s approach to soap formulation with potent botanicals laden with ripe fruits and grounded in warming woody tones. Top notes include uplifting and mood-enhancing Grapefruit, along with invigorating Lemongrass, rich in anti-inflammatory qualities. Heart notes include a relaxing Egyptian Geranium mixed with a restorative Clary Sage and calming Bulgarian lavender. Base notes include detoxifying Iranian Galbanum, cleansing Japanese Hiba Wood along with grounding Cypress. Each product has its own carefully selected natural butter or fruit oil to nourish and support the health of your skin.
RETAIL LOCATIONS
Commune is available at: SSENSE, Harrods, Estelle Manor, The Newt in Somerset, JOYCE, Goop, Formula Fig, on www.commune.cc and in Commune’s first store opening in Bruton, Somerset (Winter 2023).