red flower, a lifestyle

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red flower was created from a deep-rooted love of the land and spirituality, as well as a sense of science and holistic medicine. we’re founded on the principles of world traditions, sustainable sourcing, ritual, well-being and aesthetics. we offer a new approach to the concept of beauty and grooming. something that cannot be bottled, but is embraced. red flower is a calling. a ceremony to feel all of the senses. a moment taken to reconnect and restore.

following the common thread in global culture, natural surroundings, sustainable living and personal development, we follow the guiding forces of knowledge and values to shape our daily decisions. red flower is about seeking origins and finding answers. all of our products are created around cultural body-care rituals from around the world. from the onsens of japan to the hammams of turkey, we tell the story of a destination through scent and by capturing the spiritual potential of native plants and extracts. red flower offers an ever-evolving line of flower body washes, lotions, shampoo and conditioners that are entirely botanically based, 100 percent vegetarian and paraben-free, available in 13 flower scents. we also create organic perfumes, bath salts, teas, oils and balms.

red flower was founded by yael alkalay with a vision for people to create ritual and beauty in their everyday lives. focusing on both the internal and the external, always searching and trying to find, yael believes that true indulgence is personal and takes a lifetime. what started in 1999 at barneys new york with six flower candles and two organic flower teas soon grew into a global presence. the line continues to evolve and grow with over a hundred products. each is simple and clean and contains powerful, natural ingredients that promote health, environmental consciousness and integrity. this is what makes red flower so innovative.

red flower is a journey. from the wild crafting pepperina farmers in cordoba to a devout base of well-known followers, there is a connectedness from the first harvest to the last drop. with ingredients that deliver a vital flow of energy and a euphoric release at spa or at home. always present, we recognize the simple things you do every day can be elevated to the realm of pleasure. join us.

 

yael alkalay, founder & ceo

red flower is more than a company. it is a personal imprint, rich in history, deep in meaning and sprawling in influence. to know the story of red flower is to know the origin of its founder, yael alkalay.

from early experiments with botanical extracts in her childhood kitchen to watching her mother boil flowers and blend essential oils, yael was fascinated by the art of scent from the very beginning of her life. her respect for the land and nature comes from her cultural heritage, which spans various centuries and continents. she descends from eight generations of turkish grand rabbis, kiev musicians, farmers from the pampas of argentina, and her grandfather was the first dermatologist in bulgaria. it is this patchwork of traditions and old-world influences that led to her lifelong passion for natural living and seeking out beauty across the globe.

yael continued her pursuit of botanical practices in college and expanded her study of the art of perfuming and purifying rituals by traveling throughout japan, where she visited traditional bathhouses and hot springs. there she worked as creative director for the iconic japanese cosmetics company, shiseido, and later returned to the states to work briefly for calvin klein and get her m.b.a at columbia university. but it wasn’t until a life-altering accident during her twenties when she fully grasped her purpose. while skiing on vacation in france, she experienced an intensive stroke that made her realize how fleeting life is and how essential it is to live fully, with appreciation and awareness. after making a full recovery, the spark of red flower was ignited.

yael founded red flower in 1999 and opened a new york city boutique the following year. the line is entwined with her family’s history, from the ottoman tapestry patterns on the packaging to her dedication to making natural perfume. it is her spiritual and agricultural sensitivity, her cherished customs and her celebration of small moments that make red flower what it is today.

“my parents taught me to hold the sights, sounds and scents of a place in my mind to keep it alive. now others can do the same.” -- yael alkalay