Eco Ethical beauty

we’ar one

June 7, 2009

 

 

Meet Jyoti Morningstar an inspiring businesswoman and yoga devotee who has fused the two seemingly disparate ideologies into a successful company – we’ar.

Jyoti makes clothing for the street and the studio – garments that you can wear to a yoga or pilates class and then to a café, or to run errands. Stylish and functional these (natural) threads are also kind to your soul, your bank balance and the environment they originated from. It’s a purchase you can feel really good about making.

Yoga is an integral element in Jyoti’s life, and always has been. As a child she travelled a lot with her yogi parents and lived in different yoga ashrams and communities. She has studied and taught yoga.

‘Yoga teaches that we have been born with everything we need to realise perfection in this lifetime,’ she explains. ‘I guess yoga has infused me with a clear sense of being the creator of my own experience, which is an empowering reality but also intense as it means there is nowhere to hide if you don’t like what you’re manifesting.’

Jyoti studied anthropology and comparitive religion and has a Masters in Development Studies from Auckland University. Here, the seeds of we’ar were sown.

‘I was inspired to create a model for a holistic business practice. One that could succeed on a scale that would dissolve the polarity between business and human and ecological concerns.’

 

 

It’s going well, she has several stockists overseas, sells online through her site and has recently opened her first concept store on Auckland’s Cross St. 

So what does this have to do with a beauty website? Jyoti is also making body moisturisers and has other beauty products in mind – ‘an exquisite, natural perfume oil awaiting packaging and many other delights.’

‘Our summer body smoothies are prepared by Lalir, a Balinese medicine woman who works out of a family compound on the edge of the forest in Ubud,’ Jyoti explains. ‘I met Lalir through a dear friend who was inspired by her work and compassionate attitude. They gather most of the ingredients from the local environment and pay organic farmers fair market prices for their produce. The fragrances are her own blend that I’ve tuned slightly for our aesthetic. They are fresh and vibrant with a warmth that grounds them harmoniously with the natural sensuality of each person’s own skin scent.

‘We’re constantly absorbing the ingredients of our lotions and potions through our skin so using luxurious preparations that are blended from food grade organic ingredients is essential to honouring a path of full health and happiness.’

Jyoti has found the perfect way to mix lifestyle with business. Hers is a job she truly loves. Where to from here?

‘For we’ar in New Zealand, we’d like to open a full concept store in Auckland and beyond. In terms of products: more street-wear, killer vegan shoes and boots, and the yoga mat we’ve all been waiting for (at a non nauseating price!). Here in bali, we are developing natural plant dyes and more sensational smelling body treats.’

We can’t wait. Check her out on www.we-ar.it

Tamsin Marshall

What five things do you keep in your makeup bag that you can’t live without? Of course the vanilla citrus grass body smoothie, the new paraben-free Clarins quench, We’ar signature perfume oil, Bodyshop blackcurrant lip and cheek stain and Dr Hauschka mascara.

What beauty treatments do you like to indulge in? Where do I start?! I live in Bali so excellent natural treatments are in great abundance. I love hot stone massage with aromatherapy, volcanic body scrubs, seaweed facials, traditional Balinese coconut oil massage, a type of Javanese medical acupressure massage from an ancient mountain man who lives around the corner… and just pure sunshine on my skin before a sunset swim or surf.