Originally posted on Polka Dot Bride on November 19, 2008
Today’s What Would They Know interview is with the lovely Catherine De Groot. Catherine, along with her sister Sarah (pictured above) founded New Zealand natural skincare company Trilogy in 2002. Trilogy produces gorgeous skincare that actually works and it’s homegrown!
How did you start out? What inspired you to create the products?
Trilogy was founded my sister, Sarah Gibbs, and I in 2002 to combine our commitment to natural skincare with our passion for the environment. Our aim in founding Trilogy was to create exquisite natural skincare products with maximum effect on your skin and minimum effect on our environment.
While the business is fundamentally based on the performance of its products, Trilogy has a sustainable ethical business philosophy and we are committed to triple-bottom-line business practices. We are one of only two Carbon Neutral skincare brands in Australasia, we are committed to sourcing fair trade ingredients where possible and we produce recyclable packaging from sustainable resources.
We had followed quite different career paths before coming together to establish Trilogy. We both grew up in Australia and New Zealand but Sarah had worked in corporate finance in Hong Kong, South Africa and London before returning to New Zealand to run her own manufacturing company. Prior to setting up Trilogy I was working as a food, beauty and interiors journalist and the owner of two successful retail ventures in New Zealand.
How did you decide on your ingredients?
Trilogy’s philosophy for healthy skin is designed around the triad of simplicity, purity and vitality. Each Trilogy product contains a simple blend of 100% pure botanical extracts, in unique formulations, which restore the natural vitality and radiance of your skin and hair by working in perfect harmony with them.
Rosehip Oil inspired us to create our first range of naturally active products. Sarah had fallen in love with this remarkable ingredient when she was processing it in her factory. Knowing Rosehip Oil had many proven skin benefits, Sarah gave me a bottle in the hope it would ease my eczema. The oil worked beautifully and we began to see the potential for including Rosehip Oil and other natural actives in a line of modern, fuss-free and highly efficacious skin care.
Trilogy’s Rosehip Oil is certified organic, clinically proven, fully sustainable and remains a key ingredient across our expanded product range today.
Last year we conducted clinical trials on our Certified Organic Rosehip Oil and further confirmed the effectiveness of this remarkable oil, which is now proven to improve skin moisture content and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Our products contain:
Pure essential oils and plant extracts in place of artificial colours and fragrances.
Natural plant oils in place of non-sustainable, petro chemically derived bases and fillers such as mineral oils, petrolatum and petroleum.
Our products are free from: Parabens, mineral oils, SLS and harsh surfactants, artificial colours and fragrances, synthetic fillers and animal derived ingredients (except honey and beeswax).
How did you market your product?
Trilogy is an Australasian brand and was developed from the outset with international markets in mind.
Our aim was to create a natural skincare brand that was contemporary, chic and inclusive. This is reflected in our packaging and our marketing. Trilogy is about attitude not age or culture. We are an inclusive brand and our broad demographic is testament to Trilogy’s emotional connection to what people want.
In the six years Trilogy has been established, we have built the company from boutique local operation to a recognised and admired international brand. Trilogy is sold in over 2,000 stores throughout Australasia and through retail channels in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada.
How did you decide on your packaging?
We decided to create packaging that reflected our brand and which differentiated Trilogy from the majority of natural skincare ranges that were available at the time of our launch. Our packaging is contemporary, chic, beautiful and has attitude.
What are the steps in creating the product?
The process for each Trilogy product differs based on the ingredients and formulation.
For a product like the Certified Organic Rosehip Oil the entire process is certified organic by Bio Gro New Zealand; from the rosehips themselves to the production and bottling processes we use.
The Rosehips are sun dried and the red flesh is separated from the seed (most of the flesh is sold for rosehip tea). Seed and some flesh is then processed to remove oil using solvent free extraction processes with the end result 100% pure organic rosehip oil.
The Marula oil found in Everything Balm is also certified organic and sourced from a fair trade community where the Marula Kernels are picked, sun-dried, de-husked and then cold pressed. The product is then sent for technical analysis before the oil is extracted. Again the entire process is certified organic from harvest through to extraction.
What is the favourite product amongst your customers?
Certified Organic Rosehip Oil is not only Trilogy’s hero ingredient, but the #1 bestseller in the range, closely followed by our face and body care products.
What sets you apart?
• Trilogy is natural skincare with sophistication – our fragrances are beautifully delicate and our packaging is chic and contemporary.
• Trilogy is committed to a journey towards sustainability – maximum effect on your skin, minimum effect on our environment.
• Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, which is clinically proven, is a key ingredient across the product range and is the cornerstone of our brand.
• Trilogy is about attitude not age or culture. We are an inclusive brand and our broad demographic is testament to Trilogy’s emotional connection to what people want.
• Trilogy is about simplicity in an over scheduled world. Making life more beautiful, not more complicated.
What do you love about the industry?
I love that fact that many in the industry are working towards making more ethical and environmentally responsible products. It’s a remarkable shift from where we were even 10 years ago. It feels great to be growing a meaningful business.
What do you love about Australian/New Zealand weddings?
That we seem to have developed the confidence and freedom to create our own special day. Most of the weddings I have attended recently have been remarkably different and unique. Weddings that are a true expression of a couple’s individuality are wonderful.
What are your five tips for brides?
I just have one. Smile, smile and smile some more. Firstly it makes you feel great when you smile and secondly, it sets the tone for the whole wedding. If the bride and groom are smiling, everyone will relax and enjoy themselves.
How can a bride be eco friendly with her beauty preparations?
I believe you must be calm for your wedding or you won’t enjoy the occasion or remember much of it!
Aromatherapy is a great way to de-stress before your day. Most natural beauty products shun synthetic fragrances in favour of essential oils that can help you address the needs of both your skin and your well being. Invest in aroma therapeutic massages and DYI home facials and be careful to choose products that will address your beauty requirements in a holistic manner. I recommend Trilogy’s Purifying Masque with detoxifying witch hazel and calming rose geranium oil and Trilogy Aromatic Body Oil with de-stressing essential oil.
Tell me about your wedding/dream wedding?
I married my husband at a beautiful remote lodge beside the sea in New Zealand. We decided on a very small guest list of only 23 and we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day. We married mid-morning and the ceremony was followed by a long hilarious lunch. My sister was the Master of Ceremonies and had everyone in stitches with her fantastic sense of humour. It was perfect.
What are your tips for an eco friendly wedding?
Pare everything down. Perhaps all you need is a smile, a gorgeous bunch of flowers, a ring, marriage certificate and the person you love?
How do you keep on learning?
Ask a question and then ask another one. Always be humble and never stop being curious.
Thank you Catherine for joining Polka Dot Bride today! Trilogy products are available at good health food stores and some Myer outlets- they’re also available internationally! Check out their stockists page for more information!
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