People are always asking me what Haus is about, and how this whole thing started, so we decided to do a three part interview comprised of questions that I receive about the Haus brand, it’s inception, and it’s future.
What Is Haus Urban Apothecary?
The simple answer is that Haus Urban is a natural skincare line inspired by dance, music, art and urban life.
The more complex answer is that it’s beauty based solutions to real life problems. Parched lips, dry skin, limp hair, or just not enjoying your time in the shower anymore? We got you covered!
How did you get the idea to start the line?
Well, I’ve told our brand story fiftyleven times; being injured, rebuking the drugs doctors were trying to give me, being in physical therapy and trying to get back to the business of performing, and not finding anything that suited my needs. You’ll hear that story more in depth in the coming days once the online store launches.
In terms of the business itself, I’ve always wanted to develop a lifestyle brand. It’s something that’s been in the back of my mind for a really long time. I’ve always been enamored with brands that become apart of a community’s collective consciousness. For example, Kleenex. Kleenex is a brand, but it’s the brand. It’s pretty much synonymous with tissue, so even if you happen to have a non Kleenex tissue on hand, and someone refers to it as “Kleenex” no one bats a lash. MAC is the standard for theatrical make up applications. Ralph Lauren is Americana. In my professional life, I’ve had the opportunity to explore the DNA of some of the greatest brands in the world and figure out what made people connect with them. Then it was a matter of decoding what it was I could see myself doing down the road given my interests and skill set.
I didn’t want to do a clothing line because, as much as I love fashion, I don’t really know that much about it. I know what I like, and generally what is appropriate and what works for what body type, but not enough to organically create. I also have entirely too much respect for what designers do to just try and put out some jank sportswear line and call myself a designer. Even now, some people refer to me as a “designer” and I cringe a little bit. I just don’t see myself that way. I think I’m more a Curator than anything. I then thought hotels, but I hate real estate, and wanted to learn a little more about interior design before I dipped my toe in the pool. Beauty and grooming was a perfect fit for me because I’m a product junkie, and everyone can relate to it. Even if you meet someone who says “I don’t wear makeup” or “I go natural”, they still have their skin care products of choice. Soap and water isn’t cutting it for anyone anymore. I’m not a make up artist, but I know what everything in a kit does, just from being around it so much. I also know that healthy skin is the best canvas you can have, so it just seemed like a good fit.
What is your long term vision for Haus Urban?
I have many, many goals for the life of the brand. First and foremost, it’s to bring a new dimension of exploration and fun to personal care. This line is really a love letter to the entertainment industry. There are all these people who struggle and sacrifice for their art, and I want to aid them in their output, whatever it may be, by making them comfortable, and not having to worry about their physical instrument. I’d eventually like us to grow into that one stop shop for whatever you may need in terms of grooming and personal care: bath and body, haircare, color cosmetics, men’s, baby, grooming tools, fine fragrance, oral care, everything.
So there could be Haus Urban toilet paper in the future?
LOL! We’ll probably start with wipes first, but if we can find a way to make the T.P. experience completely different from what it is now, I don’t see why not.
Who are your inspirations?
How much time you got? Lifestyle pioneers like Tom Ford, Russell Simmons, Kimora Lee Simmons Hounsou, Simone Legno, Lisa Price, Todd Oldham, Shintaro Tsuji and Johnathan Adler. Artists like Michael and Janet Jackson, Prince, Ben Vereen, Bob Fosse, Bette Middler, Quincy Jones. These are people who have had to emerge, re emerge, expand, and revamp their brands over and over and did it, while staying true to themselves. There are lessons there that haven’t been lost on me.
TO BE CONTINUED…
