All 10 Holiday Innovators’ Products are Designed and Produced in the US

All 10holiday innovators make their products in the US. Five innovators are located in California, four in New York, and one in Georgia. All innovators sell their products through their own websites. Additionally, AUrate operates five brick and mortar stores and offers a try-at-home service, and Caraa bags are sold in store, in collaboration with athletic brand Athleta.

Holiday Innovators are Focused on Natural, Clean and Organic Ingredients

Innovators are focusing increasingly on natural and free-from formulations as consumers seek clean product formulations in beauty and food products.

• Biovaj Skincare is a clean beauty brand with all of its products made from 100% pure, natural, and organic ingredients. Biovaj’s Skincare products are made with zero fillers, no parabens, chemicals, additives, preservatives, colors, alcohol, toxins, fragrances, petrochemicals or mineral oils.
• Marin Bee Pure Honey Skincare products are made with natural and organic ingredients, and are produced locally. The packaging is recyclable, sourced locally, made at a facility powered by wind-generated electricity and printed with plant-based dyes. All products are cruelty-free, gluten-free and certified Leaping Bunny (a cruelty-free certification).
• Vbeauté Pure Luxury Skincare is a toxin-free beauty brand, without parabens, colorants, mineral oils and petrolatum, fragrances and harsh chemicals. Vbeauté’s Pure Luxury Skincare products are formulated using organic botanical ingredients from Switzerland.
• NeuroGum, is a vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, sugar-free gum that says it gives users “focused energy.”The gum is made with natural caffeine, L-theanine and B vitamins, a combination that the company claims has been shown to boost attention and clarity.

Holiday gift recommendations: Biovaj Invigorating Moisturizer,Vbeauté Anti-aging Serum, Marin Bee Honey Butter, NeuroGum Source: Company websites

Sustainability, Handmade Craftsmanship, and Artisan Skills are Themes for Innovator Brands

As today’s consumer is seeking an extra element of purpose, or story behind their products, more brands are offering handmade, artisanal products.

• AUrate is a New York-based brand founded in 2014 that “checks all of the boxes,” focusing on designing high-quality fine jewelry, made with ethically sourced, sustainable materials at fair pricing. The founders said they pride themselves on using local craftspeople to make each of its pieces.
• Bloomist is a New York-based online home décor brand whose stated mission is to “make nature home.” The company offers handmade ceramics, dried flowers, candles and decorative objects for the home. The brand selects artists to handmake pieces for its site who often source sustainable materials for the products.
• Okabashi is a Buford, Georgia headquartered footwear manufacturer that specializes in designing and manufacturing comfortable shoes for men and women. Okabashi emphasizes sustainable development by way of closed-loop recycling to minimize environmental waste. Its shoes are 100% recyclable.
• GiGi New York is a family-run, New York-based bookbinding business that grew into a handbag business using natural leather and handmade craftsmanship for each piece.

Holiday gift recommendations: Mini Stackable Twist Diamond Ring, The Shelter Collection, Maui Flip Flop, Kate Crossbody Rose Wash Embossed Python Source: Company websites

Athleisure Innovators Combine Functionality and Performance Materials to Provide Multi-Use Pieces

Holiday innovators also combined functionality and performance materials in athletic wear and athletic bags to provide multi-purpose, transitional pieces. Two brands, Olivers and Caraa, provide functionality and performance in athletic wear; the products are dual purpose—providing fashion and functionality in men’s apparel and for athleisure bags—aiming to let users easily transition from work to the gym using one bag. Caraa is a New York-based luxury fitness brand founded in 2015 dealing primarily in sport bags and accessories. FastCompany, an American business magazine focusing on technology, business, and design, has dubbed Caraa "the inventor of the athleisure bag.” Olivers is a California-based brand that specializes in men’s performance athletic apparel. Olivers was launched with a vision to create a simpler wardrobe of everyday men’s athletic necessities. Olivers launched on Kickstarter in 2013 with the All Over Short. At the time, the funding campaign was one of the 10 most successful apparel Kickstarter campaigns in history.

Holiday gift recommendations:Caraa The Sling, Olivers’ The Passage Pant Source: Company websites