“Green is not a trend, but a lifestyle,” said Organic Spa’s Editor-in-Chief, Rona Berg, at the magazine’s inaugural Organic Beauty & Lifestyle Media Event in Manhattan on April 23rd–appropriately held on the heels of Earth Day. The elegant champagne luncheon, which celebrated health, wellness and eco-conscious living, took place at the InterContinental New York Barclay, New York’s leader in sustainable hospitality.
Top brands in the green space gathered together to celebrate Organic Spa Magazine’s sixth anniversary, including platinum sponsors Shea Moisture and Riviera Maya, and gold sponsors Incredible India, The Lodge at Woodloch, Dr. Scheller, Kiss My Face, Shankara, Rancho La Puerta, The Oaks at Ojai, NeoCell, QUA Baths & Spa, Coola Organic Suncare Collection, ILA, Tara Spa Therapy, Lotus Wei Flower Essences, Organic Male, Under the Canopy and The Green Spa Network.
In her welcome speech, Rona Berg addressed trends in beauty, including vegan and gluten-free beauty, and green cosmeceuticals. She also addressed trends in design, fashion, spas, food and travel, from biodegradable fabrics made of coffee grinds to “digital detox”—escaping to mountaintop yoga retreats and private islands where you can truly unplug.
Other speakers included Brenda Blanco, Yoga Guru and Brand Ambassador for SheaMoisture and lululemon; Bhushan Deodhar, CEO of Shankara & The Art of Living Foundation USA Spokesperson; Nathaniel Whitmore, Master Herbologist and Shiatsu Therapist, The Lodge at Woodloch; and Marci Zaroff, Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer at Portico Brand Group and founder and former CEO of FASE (Fashion-Art-Soul-Earth) and Under the Canopy.
Yogi Brenda Blanco led attendees in a standing mountain pose meditation, and Art of Living Spokesperson Bhushan Deodhar discussed breathing and meditation techniques, which can be used to reduce stress. Master Herbologist Nathaniel Whitmore shared experiences about educating people on the power of herbs, including Echinecea recommendations as we head into allergy season. Lastly, eco-lifestyle pioneer Marci Zaroff discussed the upcoming film, THREAD, on which she worked as an Executive Producer. The film uncovers the human and environmental impacts of the fashion industry, demonstrating that style and quality do not need to be compromised to be affordable and sustainable.
As Rona Berg said, “The question becomes, why wouldn’t you go green?”
Photos by Ray Robinson
Did you attend the event? What are your favorite products in your swag bag? We want to hear from you! @OrganicSpaMag #osmevent
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