development of element
From Elizabeth Kenny Aromatherapy to element by Elizabeth Kenny - it’s still me! From when I first qualified as an aromatherapist, I have wanted to establish a ‘home’ for clients to come to - whether it be virtual, as a brand, or a physical space. Here, I explain further how this transition of a rebrand came about and why I am so excited to introduce you all to this new phase.
In order to begin my career as an aromatherapist, I decided to go forward using just my full name as I didn’t want to choose a title until I knew what I stood for. As much as I love having the personal touch of my name in the branding, I truly wanted something else for people to connect to. In an aromatherapy session, it is always about the client. It is their journey and I am just the guide. ‘Element’ became a word I connected with from very early on and was one of my first choices as a brand name. Someone feeling in their element, being in their element, stepping into their element. For me, it meant a base of comfort but is also somewhere where there is opportunity for growth. When I experience aromatherapy, it’s like sinking into your nature, realigning with your deeper skin, things fitting back into place. Similarly, when I feel in my element of doing something that empowers me, makes me feel confident, makes me feel happy, makes me feel secure & grounded. I wanted to establish this within the brand as this is what aromatherapy means to me and what I hope to share with others.
redesign
So with deciding on a rebrand, came the redesign. When working for yourself, as much as one can do on their own - wear all the hats, imposter, research & try your best - sometimes you have to call in someone who just knows what they’re doing. I wanted to seek help in this rebranding process from someone who could take my thoughts, visions and make them a reality within the redesign. I also wanted a creative element to the branding, something personal, artistic or collaborative. Enter Steffi Holtz, who was recommended to me and who I wonderfully connected with pretty quickly. There is vulnerability in sharing your ‘baby’ with someone and hoping that they can see what you see, hope for what you hope for, envision what you envision, and deliver on something that you want the world to love but also that I want to love! Up until this point, I’d hardly shared with anyone the dream of rebranding so it all felt very new but I was right to trust Steffi with this project.
The design was divided into two: the logo and the wordmark. I knew ‘element by Elizabeth Kenny’ was going to be first and foremost what people would identify the brand as, but I always wanted an image to represent the brand too. So we began the process: discussions and a pinboard of my likes & dislikes, analysing what represented my personality and my approach with clients and more. The logo was actually chosen first - a wonderful cosmos flower hand drawn by Steffi - which won the race because of it’s young, fresh quality and the fact that it traditionally represented harmony, balance and tranquillity - synonymous with aromatherapy itself. Getting to the last stages of our deadline and the draft process, we were on a mission to find the right design for the wordmark for ‘element by Elizabeth Kenny’. After periods of my anxiety, exhaustion and ‘decision fatigue’ as Steffi called it, - we knew we were so close to finding the right font and style. However, I wasn’t enamoured (yet). It became a puzzle of what ifs, worry of critique and judgement and with all the options in the world - how am I supposed to know if it’s the right one?! The immense immovable pressure I put on myself to make it perfect. So, with all the yes’s and no’s laid out in an extended zoom call, Steffi went on her way to nail the final draft with the intention of providing 2-3 final options for me to choose from. When deadline day came around, Steffi entered the call and said “I’ve taken a gamble here. I don’t have options. I just have one but when I saw it, I felt it. Let’s see what you think..”
Everything connected. Warmth, approachable, clean, subtlety but confident, worked with and without the cosmos flower, strength & impact but just the right amount . I felt at ease. I felt confident. I was happy. What felt like an impossible mission, it felt right. I am so pleased with the final product and proud to share it with you all. What do you guys think?!
I also have to say, I can’t recommend Steffi enough for her patience, creativity and dedication to making it right!
treatment space
For those of you who have read my latest newsletter, you will know that I have very excitingly started to open my own treatment space! What was delayed by an ankle injury is now fully on its way. Just as I wanted clients to be in their element using products at home, I wanted clients to be able to step into their element when coming into the treatment space. A place of comfort, joy, tranquillity - similarly to what the cosmos flower represents. For the development of the space, I took inspiration from places I call home, a base to feel both freedom & security. The comforting tones of the Welsh & Irish coast - from forest to sea, from wood fires to wool, from herbal gardens and apothecaries, from mystical legends and ancient healing history. An adventure of sourcing furniture from corners of Welsh antique second-hand stores, recycled offcuts from Holloway building yards to sustainably make the space work, eco-vinyl from east London, Irish linens and Welsh essential oils. I also wanted to prioritise the parts that clients have enjoyed most from previous sessions: feeling warm, the smells on entrance, ability to sit and chat informally like we are just having a cup of tea, having a moment after the session to be still & quiet. Having been born and raised in North London, I understand the chaos of living in a city and sometimes taking care of ourselves is hard enough as it is, so having an easily accessible space for clients was essential in this development. I brought all this together; inspiration from my roots, my heritage and consideration of what helps people feel at ease & secure enough to relax. A sanctuary of escape whilst also being in the heart of London. A blend of the things that help me feel in my element. I hope you share the comfort and feel the care, love & intention put behind its curation, when you enter the space.
what’s to come?
I am very happy to say that I am welcoming clients into the treatment space. If you’d like to book in for a Rejuvenation facial (Natural facelift massage), you can drop me an email here. Aromatherapy massage will be available from January 2023. I am also available for consultations & bespoke products, which includes a consultation on the phone and aromatherapy blends sent directly to you at home. If you’d like to share the gift of aromatherapy with a loved one, gift cards now available on my website.
I am also very excited to collaborate with the amazing Zhila White on an upcoming yoga & aromatherapy workshop. A warming & rebalancing morning which includes a core-based vinyasa class paired with aromatherapy blends to invigorate and energise. We still have spaces left for the morning of Saturday 3rd December, if you’d like to sign up - you can do so here:
The photos you see here & will see emerging across my pages are by the wonderful Leia Morrison. I had the pleasure of shooting with Leia last month and she is such a joy to work with. I am elated to be able to share images of the new branding with you all. You can check out more of her work here.