Style Q&A: Vancouver candle brand aims to put the planet first
Credit to Author: Aleesha Harris| Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2020 18:00:22 +0000
When Melody Lim set out to create her candle brand, she knew she wanted to put the planet first.
Noticing a gap in the market for toxin-free candles that used thoughtful packaging, and even post-consumer waste, she set about creating her lineup of hand-poured, uniquely scented pieces. And Mala was the result.
We caught up with the Vancouver-based brand’s founder to learn more.
Q. For those who aren’t familiar, what is Mala?
A. Mala is a hand-poured, soy-candle company based in Vancouver. We focus on creating uniquely scented candles that are eco-friendly and sustainable, without sacrificing quality or aesthetics. We’re committed to being as Earth-friendly as possible, which is why with every candle purchased, our partner Tree Era plants a tree in North America.
Q. Is there a story behind the name?
A. My whole brand — and the name — comes from my time living abroad in Europe. Having travelled extensively all over Europe, I quickly fell in love with the minimalist, romantic lifestyle of the Europeans. I drew my inspiration from it and the idea originated from a local candlemaker in Milos, Greece, who taught me the basics of candle making in his shop. “Mala” itself was a nickname given to me by friends while living in Europe. It means “kiddo” in Croatian.
Q. What makes the brand’s candles unique?
A. We like to call ourselves a heart-centred business that operates with the Earth in mind. We saw a gap in the candle market for candles made with toxin-free ingredients that also have a minimalist-chic aesthetic and that are priced affordably. All of our materials used, from the candle making to the packaging, are eco-friendly. We thoughtfully source our materials so that everything is made from post-consumer waste, fully recyclable or biodegradable, and contains no plastic. We have also partnered with a company called Tree Era that plants a tree with every candle that is purchased, as well, to help offset our carbon footprint.
Q. Who is your target customer?
A. Mala is for the modern, everyday consumer who values sustainability, supporting local, and simple but stylish aesthetics without compromising on quality.
Q. Where are the candles made?
A. I make and hand-pour every candle in small batches at home, in my kitchen, right here in Vancouver. Thanks to the overwhelming support I’ve received since launching, I’ve recently enlisted the help of my wonderful mom in the candle-making process.
Q. Is there a scent that’s proving most popular? If so, which one and why?
A. Cereal and Date Night are definitely two customer favourites so far. Cereal smells just like fruit loops, so it’s a definite throwback for many to childhood mornings growing up. Date Night is a sexy, cozy winter scent that fits any mood, whether it’s a girls’ night in or a romantic night with that special someone.
Q. What is the price range for Mala candles?
A. All of our candles are 8 oz. in size and retail for $27 each. The approximate burn time is 40-45 hours.
Q. Where can people check them out?
A. We’re most active on Instagram at @malathebrand and more about us can be found at malathebrand.com.
Q. Lastly, what’s next?
A. Lots of local collaborations! We often partner with local businesses and/or creatives in the city to create unique candle scents and to keep things interesting. I can’t say much more right now about our upcoming partnerships, but follow along on our Instagram to keep updated with exciting announcements.
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