Hello there:) about two weeks ago a woman named Chere saw my post with Colibri on one of the vegan fashion groups on facebook. Turned out, this woman is, in fact, the chief editor of the #1 vegan, sustainable fashion magazine, Eluxe. I know Eluxe magazine for a long time now and hearing from here was a complete surprise for me. We started chatting and I discovered such an amazing, inspiring and kind-hearted, empowering, determined and hard-working woman. Chere sent me an email saying she would love to interview me (you can find the interview here) & chose my blog as the #1 vegan blog to follow (thank you so much!). I asked her some questions too, one thing lead to another, and here is the interview with this lovely woman.
1) How did you start Eluxe and what made you start?
I used to be the editor of several glossy luxury magazines in Dubai and Paris. I got really tired of having to promote things I really don’t believe to be at all good – like fur, cruises or private jets, for example – and looked for an ethical luxury magazine I could work for. I really wanted to quit my job! I found absolutely nothing, so I decided to use all the PR contacts I had built up over the years and start my own.
2) Eluxe magazine turned vegan back in 2016- that’s very exciting! What made you go vegan?
I personally have been a vegetarian since I was 7 years old, so I have always had a lot of compassion for animals. For the magazine, I was publishing what some call ‘eco-leather’ – that is, organically dyed and tanned leather – and also published some stuff about ‘roadkill fur’ (that’s fur sourced from animals that were hit by cars) but then I thought to myself: why do we need to wear animal products at all? I was concerned that most vegan fashion is made of toxic fibers, but then I started to get a lot of press releases about vegan brands that were actually eco-friendly. And that was it – I decided I would just make the whole magazine vegan. I should add a caveat, though – we are pro-honey since this is one way of maintaining bee populations. There is actually an increasing number of cruelty-free honey farmers popping up, which is great.
3) As a content creator, I know it can be hard to come up with new, fresh content. What keeps you inspired & motivated?
It sure is hard! Especially since we publish fresh content every single day! Thank heavens I have a great staff of writers who come up with wonderful ideas all the time.
4) Describe a typical outfit that you wear & which represents your personal style
HA! I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, as a luxury fashion magazine editor, but since I live in the countryside, I pretty much wear the same thing every day: yoga tights made from sustainable fibres, a tee shirt, an alpaca poncho or wrap, a straw hat and Adidas + Parley for the Oceans running shoes! But when I go to the city, I wear more dresses – I love Reformation – and heels (oh, how I miss high heels!). Love Sofie (use code “withlovenoa” for 15% off) is one of my favorite vegan heel brands.
5) What are the 3 cruelty-free& vegan products that you can’t live without?
6) If you had a superpower, what would it be, and why?
To never, ever have to pee! It sounds crazy, but peeing is so annoying, especially when you’re traveling or sleeping! It takes so much time! LOL.
7) Who are your favorite style icons?
I love the Rolling Stone’s girlfriend’s style from the 70’s – Anita Pallenberg and Marianne Faithful, for example, but also Talitha Getty from back in the day. Very Boho chic!
8) Do you have a vegan brand/designer that you particularly admire?
I’m kind of obsessed with Freedom of Animals and Amur right now, though the latter does use silk. Hopefully, they’ll swap to peace silk soon!
9) What’s your favorite travel destination? do you have any travel plans coming up?
I love Asia – Bali, Borneo, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam… I’m not a Buddhist, but I appreciate very much their way of thinking. It’s also a continent rich with natural beauty.
10) I know some of my followers might be interested to know how is it to be a magazine editor, and if you have any tips for people who are interested in working in the fashion industry.
It’s not easy. You’ll probably work for free for many years, and then when you do get paid, it won’t be very much at all. At first, your payment will probably be with merchandise more than cash! You’ll need to be organized, able to lead teams, and as we already mentioned, you’ll need to have lots of fresh ideas all the time.
11) can you share a mantra/quote that inspires you?
Basically, my mantra is this: worrying is silly. I love this quote by the Dalai Lama:
“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”
12) any last words for our readers?
Compassion for animals is a beautiful thing, that leads to compassion for humans and life itself.
Hope you enjoyed this interview!
See you soon,
Noa
I didn’t know about this magazine. I enjoyed reading this interview. Great work dear!
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed Revital, this magazine is great
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I am addicted to reading the Eluxe-Magazine (do it every evening) and enjoyed reading this interview! In the Eluxe-Magazine I found a lot about you. It is great that you have designed bags (love the idea of the leather made of apples) and I am loving the photoshoot with the bags and the sweet animals. You are great … and lovely too!