Category Archives: CULTURE + HAPPENINGS

Demee Koch On The Conscious Beauty That Will Define 2021

February 2, 2021

Demee Koch by Ryan Arbilo

The start of the year 2021 pretty much feels like season 2 of 2020. The psychological impact of the constraints caused by the pandemic is enormous.

In our industry, how we respond to the current crisis is translated into what we call trends. In fashion and beauty, those trends are visual mirrors of the collective moods of societies. Working from home has decreased the relevancy of fashion in our lives – to give you an example, Milan just reported a fatal drop in the usage of dry cleaning services in times when even the design loving Italians are spending their times at home in sweatpants. Studies report that the focus is on beauty, since we are mostly showing only our faces in video calls and Zoom meetings.

Trends have also shown a decline in the usage of face filters and layers of make-up (“contouring“). This is driven by our longing for authentic human interaction, which calls for showing our raw beauty in return. Now is the time to dedicate to extended self-care, with a classical approach using natural ingredients. We allow our skin to breathe.

After all, self-care is about self-love – and this is what we need in times of stress. To shine, a holistic approach to beauty is needed which also entails physical and mental balance, and the commitment to do our part of good in this world.

Ethical consumerism in beauty flourishes now – consumers are looking for cruelty-free, vegan products from sustainable brands. There is a need for a 360° approach to beauty, which means that it is also important to take into consideration giving back to society.

Now we have the time to wisely use our purchasing power by researching about the brands and products we are using. We must remember prestigious brands promising luxury does not necessarily translate to a holistic approach in beauty.

What is luxury in beauty today? It is artisanal products using natural ingredients in a time of mass production. And this raises the question: How would you exercise your purchasing power?

As it transpires, consumer demand is about so much more than vanity. We want ethical and fairly sourced products that do not only provide a great value to ourselves, but the environment and everyone involved in the production process and society as a whole. We are entering a beautiful time of conscious beauty.

Wish you all the best for 2021 you beautiful souls.

About Demee Koch
Demee Koch is a serial entrepreneur with a solid experience of 21 years in the health and beauty industry. With DE MOI BY DEMEE KOCH, she launched a social and ecologically friendly beauty brand that develops high quality and results driven cosmetic products with active ingredients, made with principles of honesty and fairness. 
Demee is an advocate for inclusivity and women empowerment, and is hands-on involved in charity works. Next to timely events based charities, she supports the Lumad tribe in her home country the Philippines with their scholarship program for education and level up needs, as well as local female business entrepreneurship programs. Since 2005, Demee shares her knowledge in conscious entrepreneurship as a trusted business advisor and director with successful global brands in the fields of sports, fashion and beauty. 
In 2019, Demee received the award as GLOBAL FWN100 2019 MOST INFLUENTIAL FILIPINA IN THE WORLD at the 16th Global Filipina Leadership Summit in Paris.
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Kiva Confections, Cannabis And Keep A Breast

January 14, 2021

Keep a Breast, is a nonprofit devoted to early breast cancer detection through consumer education and the promotion of regular self-checks.

Called CHECK YOURSELF, this campaign is spearheaded by cannabis manufacturer Kiva Confections in tandem with San Jose dispensary Airfield Supply Co.

Kiva created a new limited edition Lost Farm Live Resin Passionfruit Gummy, the sales of which will support Keep a Breast. The campaign’s goal is to raise $20,000 for this nonprofit.

The Lost Farm Live Resin Passionfruit gummy is available for purchase at Airfield Supply Co. (San Jose), The Apothecarium (San Francisco), Jayden’s Journey (Modesto), King’s Crew (Long Beach), March and Ash (San Diego), Solful (Sebastopol), and Sweet Flower (Los Angeles).

Additionally, you can support the work of Keep A Breast through point-of-sale donations at Airfield and Sweet Flower’s registers.

SWEET FLOWER

8163 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

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Beauty Entrepreneur Demee Koch Chats About Her New Book

November 13, 2020

Demee Koch is a serial entrepreneur with solid experience of 21 years in the health and beauty industry. With DE MOI BY DEMEE KOCH, she launched a social and ecologically friendly beauty brand that develops high quality and results-driven cosmetic products with active ingredients, made with principles of honesty and fairness.
Demee is an advocate for inclusivity and women empowerment and is hands-on involved in charity works. Next to timely events based charities, she supports the Lumad tribe in her home country the Philippines with their scholarship program for education and level up needs, as well as local female business entrepreneurship programs. Since 2005, Demee shares her knowledge in conscious entrepreneurship as a trusted business advisor and director with successful global brands in the fields of sports, fashion, and beauty.
In 2019, Demee received the award as GLOBAL FWN100 2019 MOST INFLUENTIAL FILIPINA IN THE WORLD at the 16th Global Filipina Leadership Summit in Paris.

Let me start by clarifying that I am a person in the public, but more so I am a very private person. Yes, I am giving interviews, and yes, I do write guest articles for magazines, and yes, I am active on social media. But I turned down every TV home story or reality tv like inquiry (so far). The reason is, I need to be able to decide the outcome, not a producer nor anyone else. And nowadays I realize more and more that this is what I always did, to create my own narrative based on an intrinsic belief system, and that I can be proud about the fact that I always walked my own way – even if I myself did not know where it would lead me.

Now I publish my personal and entrepreneurial journey as a book.

My business is beauty and branding. I rock the beauty industry for over two decades now. I love traveling the world to research local, power-botanical ingredients that enhance natural beauty. I find hidden beauty regimes, mixtures, and addictive smells from around the globe to compose them into new products. The success behind my own brands and the brands that I consult is a highly purpose-led and community-driven approach.

I am doing very well for myself, and I still have so much to go for. But I am driven by something else. And that is to be able to give back; giving from the abundance that I created for me.

As a mentor for several female entrepreneurs, I found that this is what they are looking for when consulting me. The “secret sauce“ to where I stand as an “accomplished businesswoman“. A need of shouting it out into the world started boiling inside of me.

I took ownership of my dreams early on. It was a rough journey to who I am and where I stand today. There were mistakes and failures, tough lessons to be learned. My drive and passion to go further comes from a deep desire to be able to give back – to share the fruits of my labor that grew from using my talents and committing to them. So while I may have talent in developing beauty products, my passion lies in making a difference for the charity community projects I am able to support with the dollars I make.

When you focus on the goal of creating a value and leaving a legacy of kindness to this world, then you will leave your focus on your own shortcomings. You will make it happen, no matter how small your resources may seem at this point.

I am sharing my own personal story to show that it does not matter where you are coming from to make things happen for yourself and others. It is a story about a human figuring out and exercising her potential. With the hopes that it inspires readers to pursue their own dreams, not for profit, but for making a difference in this world. Money is a by-product that will come towards you when you walk towards the path that is right for you and the world. Success and wealth should be measured in the quality of people you attract to work with you, and the good you are able to create in this world. And let me share the ultimate beauty secret with you: it is kindness.

Click here to read a free chapter of Demee Koch’s upcoming book Breaking Conventions In Heels.

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L.A. Jewelry Company The Pearl Source Partners with Dress For Success to Support Local Women

August 24, 2020

A great partnership is happening on August 26th between Dress for Success Los Angeles and LA based jewelry company The Pearl Source. They join Chrissy Metz, Minnie Driver, The RealReal, and Louis Vuitton for Women, Wine and Wardrobe Event.

The Pearl Source, among other fashion and accessory apparel, will be available for sale at discounted rates as part of Dress for Success’s Women, Wine and Wardrobe event, which will be held virtually on Wednesday, August 26. Proceeds from sales will be used to support local women in need of training, development, and professional clothing, and accessories for job interviews and everyday workplace attire!

The Pearl Source, one of the largest pearl importers, distributors and online retailers in the U.S., today announced a partnership with Dress for Success Los Angeles, the non-profit organization empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools.

Shop for Success is the charitable celebration that invites Los Angeles to shop guiltlessly and give back stylishly. A division of Dress for Success Worldwide-West, this fashionable can’t-miss event brings together thousands of off-the-rack designer labels and showcases them under one fabulous roof. Items are marked down to unbelievable prices for a limited time only, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to support women complete powerful personal transformations.

“Every woman should have the tools they need to nail the job interview or further advance her career, and that includes professional and stylish workplace attire,” said Leon Rbibo, President of The Pearl Source. “Women throughout Los Angeles and the country as a whole are struggling right now. The community needs to come together to support them.”

The fundraiser comes at a time where more people than ever find themselves unemployed or underemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies show that women and people of color have been disproportionately affected, putting many on shaky ground professionally and financially. Retailers, fashion labels, and celebrities such as Chrissy Metz, Minnie Driver, and Zoey Deutch have joined efforts for the event to help offset some of the hardships women face in the Los Angeles area.

In addition to The Pearl Source, other fashion labels and brands participating in the fundraiser event include Louis Vuitton, Rag and Bone, The RealReal, and Manolo Blahnik.

About The Pearl Source

The Pearl Source is one of the largest online pearl jewelry retailers and distributors in the United States. As a leading Foundation Member of the Cultured Pearl Association of America, The Pearl Source specializes in high-quality pearl jewelry imported from the South Pacific, Japan, and China.

About Dress for Success

Dress for Success is a global nonprofit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help them thrive in work and life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to nearly 150 cities in 25 countries. To date, the organization has helped more than 1.2 million women work towards financial independence. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.

 

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Carpinteria-based Westerlay Orchids pledges 100% weekly retail profits to local Carpinteria Education Foundation, Inc., from August 31st to September 5th 2020

August 21, 2020

Orchid LOVERS!

From August 31st through September 5th, 2020, Westerlay Orchids is pledging 100% of weekly retail shop proceeds to Carpinteria Education Foundation Inc. (CEF) fundraiser! This being the third year in a row for Westerlay, (Last year raising over $18,000) they are hoping to match that for this years fundraiser. Funds have been earmarked for technology necessary for distanced learning. These need-based resources will help to close the digital divide and allow students to participate in online learning with their peers.

Owner/ President Toine Overgaag, believes the company’s responsibility to community does not start and stop at the greenhouse door. “Along with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, we pride ourselves on impactful community outreach,” explains Overgaag, “We would not be where we are today without a strong local network behind us. This community’s success is our success – we both grow and thrive when we work together – and CEF is doing a great deal to ensure that Carpinteria’s next generation gets the support and resources they need during this extremely tough time.”

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, school districts across the State, including Carpinteria Unified School District have moved to online learning, creating a discrepancy in the opportunity to learn for some students. During the weeklong fundraiser from August 31st  to September 5th, Westerlay Orchids has pledged 100% of sales from their retail showroom to fund technological resources for CUSD families in need through the nonprofit CEF.

Carrying on a rich tradition of community outreach and support, Westerlay Orchids announces for the third year in a row their week-long Carpinteria Education Foundation Inc. (CEF) fundraiser. The family-owned business – best known for producing some of the finest flowers on the Pacific Coast – has pledged a full 100% of retail shop proceeds to help support local non-profit from August 31st through September 5th, 2020. Funds have been earmarked for technology necessary for distanced learning. These need based resources will help to close the digital divide and allow students to participate in online learning with their peers. The team at Westerlay Orchids continues a commitment to serve the needs of the community and in this case, the needs are resources, such as reliable WIFI, hotspots and devices for online learning. In September of 2019, Westerlay raised over $18,000 for CEF and they are hoping to match that for this years fundraiser.

The team at Westerlay Orchids is led by second-generation flower cultivator and Owner/ President Toine Overgaag, who believes the company’s responsibility to community does not start and stop at the greenhouse door. “Along with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, we pride ourselves on impactful community outreach,” explains Overgaag, “We would not be where we are today without a strong local network behind us. This community’s success is our success – we both grow and thrive when we work together – and CEF is doing a great deal to ensure that Carpinteria’s next generation gets the support and resources they need during this extremely tough time.”

www.WesterlayOrchids.com. 

About Westerlay Orchids:

Based in beautiful Carpinteria, California, Westerlay Orchids is proud to serve as Southern California’s largest commercial orchid grower. The company annually distributes over 3 million orchids directly to customers and to local and national supermarket chains, as well as florists and designers. Westerlay Orchids has been a pioneer in environmental and sustainability practices and regularly contributes to local schools, nonprofit organizations, and many other community causes. Visit www.WesterlayOrchids.com to learn more about the company.

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