Trade New Zealand And Evolu Host London Launch

Trade New Zealand And Evolu Host London Launch Party On The Rooftop Of New Zealand House

April 11 2002

Botanical skincare company evolu is spreading its wings further with a UK launch on the top of New Zealand House in London next week.

evolu’s top-floor launch on Tuesday April 16, in the building that houses many of New Zealand’s official representatives, agencies and companies, celebrates the company’s decision to expand its presence in the United Kingdom. evolu already has some key customers in the UK including top department stores House of Fraser and Fenwicks.

Exports have been booming for evolu in the last year, rising 300%, while overall turnover is now in excess of $1 million.

New Zealand food and wine will be served at the London evening event, which is being hosted by Trade New Zealand. The export promotion agency has helped evolu from its first steps into exporting.

evolu’s range was first showcased at London Fashion Week three years ago alongside the debut of the Kiwi fashion contingent including World, Zambesi, Nom D, and Karen Walker.

“Since then evolu has evolved into an even stronger product”, says Trade New Zealand account manager Fiona Murray.

“We’ve been a sounding board for evolu’s export strategy, helping identify potential partners, and promotional opportunities.”

The evolu botanical skincare range contains extracts from essential oils made from kiwifruit, citrus, Manuka honey, Kanuka, avocado and seaweed.

evolu founder and owner Kati Kasza describes the growth of evolu as an exciting journey, with much of the inspiration for her business coming from her family. Her parents were Hungarian refugees who came to New Zealand in the 1950s. Kati’s mother was a herbalist and her father a winemaker. (A full backgrounder is available on request.)

Kati Kasza and her husband Paul Westlake recognise the edge the New Zealand tag gives their skincare brand, in terms of “the natural beauty of our landscape and the untouched purity of our environment,” says Ms Kasza.

“It’s estimated up to two thirds of any skincare product is absorbed through the skin into the body. With that in mind, it’s important that evolu contains pure New Zealand spring water from an artesian source,” she says.

evolu was one of several New Zealand companies supplying products for celebrity guests at the London premiere party of The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.

evolu products were also in gift packs at the Wellington premiere of the movie and the pre-Oscars party hosted by the New Zealand Consul-General at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

London-based Trade Commissioner Joanne Lyall says the success of evolu and the New Zealand talent in The Lord of the Rings demonstrates the development of new areas of creative talent.

“While British consumers may traditionally think of New Zealand produce in terms of our lamb, or our wine, increasingly New Zealand is a source of world-class design-led products,” she says.

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