Tell us about your brand; what inspired you to start your brand? Where did you get the idea for your products?

Panier des Sens came to life in 2001, in the South of France, in the heart of Provence. Born in Marseille, Jerome Lambruschini drew inspiration from the Provencal way of life he was raised in. From a very young age, his grandfather instilled in him a passion for trees, flowers, gardening, and nature, while his mother, a beauty enthusiast, shared her love for their land and the many fragrances that are local to the South of France. Here you will find wild Jasmin, many citruses, beautiful roses, delicious honey and the emblematic lavender fields.

It is this dual maternal and Mediterranean inspiration that can be found in Panier des Sens products. After studies in finance, he and his mother decided to launch a soap company in Marseille, where local soap is an ancient trade. Panier des Sens was born and has since evolved in to a beautiful and authentic natural cosmetics brand. As mentioned above, the inspiration for our first products was woven from the threads of cherished childhood memories with the sweetest scents and most vivid images. It's a journey back to the days when our CEO wandered through the South of France's enchanting countryside, the air filled with the captivating fragrance of wild lavender and verbena. Going beyond the memories; it's a profound love for Marseille and its surrounding regions that has been the well of our creativity. This beautiful corner of France is a treasure trove of ancient craftsmanship, particularly in the art of soap making. It's a place where traditions have been passed down through generations, and we felt compelled to honor this heritage. In essence, our products are a love letter to the South of France, a tribute to its rich history, and a celebration of its timeless allure. Each collection is crafted with the care and dedication that can only come from a deep-rooted connection to this captivating place.

What’s your biggest highlight of owning your brand? Why do you love what you do?

At Panier des Sens, our greatest motivation is the profound desire to bring the essence of the South of France to the farthest corners of the world. It's an unspoken passion rooted in the unparalleled beauty of our land, preserving the traditions of our ancestors, and crafting something genuinely authentic in a world that, at times, seems to lose sight of its values. It’s about crafting an extraordinary journey where each product we create tells a story of our vibrant culture and rich heritage. It's about unveiling the secrets of our local trades, sharing the warmth of our Mediterranean sun, and encapsulating the fragrant breeze of our lavender fields. Our love and motivation don’t stop there. It extends to crafting products that are also gentle to our planet. It's about nurturing a commitment to sustainability and ensuring that our creations do no harm to the environment or the individuals who use them. It’s also a journey towards making everyone feel as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. And in this journey, every step we take is guided by a profound love for our home, a commitment to authenticity, and a dedication to a more beautiful, sustainable world.

Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself when you first started out?

• Believe wholeheartedly in your project and be prepared to invest time, energy, and heart into its growth. Trust in your vision, for if you don't, it's challenging to inspire confidence in others.
• Before diving in, ensure your venture addresses a real need in the market. Discover what people truly desire and develop your project to fulfill those needs.
• Surround yourself with individuals who share your passion and vision. Your team plays a pivotal role in turning your dream into reality. Collaboration and synergy are key.
• Brace yourself for sleepless nights and moments when it feels like everything will backfire. These challenges are part of the journey. In those moments, remember why you started this journey in the first place. Perseverance can often turn the tide in your favor.
• Be ready to adapt and innovate. Stay attuned to market shifts, changing customer preferences, and emerging trends. Flexibility is a valuable asset.
• Failure is not the end; it's a steppingstone to success. Each setback carries a lesson. Analyse your failures, learn from them, and use that knowledge to propel yourself forward.

What can we look forward to seeing from your new collections that you are bringing/launching at Home & Gift? Do you have any personal favourites?

We are thrilled to unveil our amazing summer collection at Home & Gift, brimming with new products and delicious fragrances that will transport you to a holiday paradise. Highlights include our fabulous olive soap in a new exclusive refillable bottle, and our best-selling roll-on perfumes, now available in the gorgeous Provence, Rose, and Verbena fragrances.

Additionally, we are introducing outstanding new lip balms—an exclusive product designed to keep your lips beautiful all year round, available in Honey Almond and Peony. Our brand-new gift sets of soaps and perfumes, perfect for any occasion, will also be on display. Plus, don't miss our enchanting Christmas range, inspired by the magical world of forest animals. My personal favourite from this season is our new unique Trio Soap Set, filled with 3 beautifully scented soaps made in the pure Marseille tradition.

Can you describe the experience that buyers can expect when visiting your stand at Home & Gift?

When visiting our stand at Home & Gift, buyers can expect to be transported to the enchanting Provence, right from Harrogate. They'll experience the essence of a holiday in the south of France, surrounded by delightful fragrances and exquisite soaps that evoke the feeling of being by the sea, basking in the sun. Our stand will offer an immersive sensory journey, and of course, they will find exclusive products perfect for their customers, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

What are you most excited for when exhibiting at Home & Gift?

As first-timers at Home & Gift, we are most excited to meet all of the buyers and introduce them to our brand. We can't wait to showcase our amazing designs, share our passion for quality products, and hopefully grow our brand within this vibrant community. This event presents a fantastic opportunity to connect with new customers and industry professionals, and we are eager to make a lasting impression.

How do you operate your brand sustainably?

Sustainability is one of our core and key values.

• Naturality: Our formulas, enriched with raw materials of natural origin, respect a transparent formulation charter based on the effectiveness, sensoriality and eco-design of our products. Our face and body cosmetics contain between 95% and 100% ingredients of natural origin.
• Short circuits: All our perfumes are created by master perfumers in Grasse, the cradle of world perfumery, whose perfume-related know-how has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed around exceptional raw materials, they are exclusive to the brand. All of our products are designed, manufactured and packaged in France.
• SOLID COSMETICS : Our solid soaps, shampoos and conditioners are formulated without water and therefore more concentrated in active ingredients. Packaged without plastic, they are protected by paper or cardboard packaging.
• Vegan : The ingredients and formulas are of vegetable or mineral origin and are not tested on animals, in accordance with European cosmetic regulations. All our ranges are vegan friendly except for the Honey range which contains ingredients from the hive. We are currently in the process of receiving our “CERTIFIED VEGAN” certification.
• Eco-design : Recycled and Recyclable packaging on all of our products. In 2022, this represented 13.9 tons of virgin plastic saved and 83% of aluminum recycled ! We also offer refills and eco-refills for liquid soaps, diffusers, home fragrances and deodorants.

Our solid soaps, shampoos and conditioners are formulated without water and therefore more concentrated in active ingredients. Packaged without plastic, they are protected by paper or cardboard packaging. We are part of the 1% for the planet association, France Nature Environnement & Conservatoire d’espaces naturels PACA.