About Us
La-Eva is an integrative wellbeing brand, the organic evolution of an artisan soap studio set up by former Clinical Psychologist Louisa Canham. Our creative process is anchored in evidence based understandings of wellbeing, blended with a passion for the botanical world, art and ethics. We are a small, diverse team that draws on many years of experience and is brought together by a shared belief in what it means to be a ‘bon vivant’ - one that lives well.
2015 - Gentle beginnings
Cold process soap provides a unique platform for exploring palettes of scents, the potential of natural raw ingredients, and the care and attention it takes to create something truly beautiful. Our simple, artful soaps, lovingly handmade in the rustic studio, are sold at festivals, local independent shops and and London Spitalfields market. Slowly but steadily, the studio establishes a small, faithful customer base and close relationships with suppliers.
2017 - La-Eva Opens Doors
La-Eva begins taking more sophisticated form and the brand opens doors with a wash, a lotion, much passion and little expectation. Over time, more products are added to the collection thoughtfully and slowly, with a commitment to a less-is-more philosophy.
2020 - Now
Against the odds, and by word-of-mouth, La-Eva comes to nurture an aspirational selection of partners across the UK and Europe which continues to expand organically. We work with settings that celebrate natural beauty, foster a slower pace and deliver the purest of produce to their guests.
The La-Eva Setting
Our premises are nestled within a cluster of old farm dwellings on the edge of Thame in South Oxfordshire, with rolling views across the horizon and a woodland on the doorstep. This serene setting fosters a sense of connectedness with the earth and the elements, and is in harmony with the creation of pure, aromatic products for self-care.
The Team
Louisa Canham, Founder & Creative Director
Having completed her doctoral training at Oxford and specialised in complex adolescent mental health, Louisa spent over a decade working in schools, hospitals and prisons before discovering the gentle, creative pass time of traditional soap making.
"My years as a Clinical Psychologist afforded me precious front line experience of the continuum of wellbeing. Many of the ideas that we explore and our products embody have come together alongside reflections and learnings from the past.
La-Eva is about everyday small, pure pleasures. What we wash the day off and what we nurture our skin with - the delicate film between our external and internal worlds.
La-Eva is all about wellbeing. About appreciating the importance of daily rituals of self-care for a healthy mind and body. About the delicate potency of sensory experiences in our daily living. What we see, hear, taste, touch and smell affects how we feel. Beautiful input evokes beautiful emotions and associations".
Christine Michaelis, Senior Product Manager
Christine has worked for 15 years in the Beauty industry, first at L’Oréal in Paris in Marketing and International Product Development for Vichy and Lancôme and later as Brand Director for H2O+ in Chicago. She is a passionate advocate of ethical, respectful and mindful beauty. Christine now works on the development of the La-Eva product range alongside Louisa.
Victor Rinaldi, Operations Manager
Victor spent many years in Asia working in the most exquisite, exclusive spa environments and brings his operational expertise to the daily running of La-Eva. Having previously held prestigious positions including as Director of Spa and Director of Experiences in a number of Amān properties including Amān Tokyo, and Amanpulo, Victor brings a wealth of insights and unique expertise to the experiential offerings of La-Eva and is passionate about the evolution of the wellness industry.
Amanda George, La-Eva Treatment Developer and Trainer
Amanda has been a qualified therapist for 24 years, and is trained in an array of holistic therapies including Indian Head, Advanced Reflexology, Aromatherapy & Ayurvedic-Influence treatments . She has expansive experience in managing award winning luxury spas and pre-opening projects such as, The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire, Fortnum & Mason private spa in London and Bulgari Spa London. Amanda now specialises in treatment and menu design, training, quality/financial performance management and runs workshops globally.
Susan Curtis, Natural Health Practitioner
Susan Curtis has been a natural health practitioner since the 1980s; she also teaches and has authored and co-authored many books (including Natural Healing for Women, Healing Herbs, Essential Oils, Understanding Stress). Her naturopathic practice and workshops include especially botanicals, homeopathy, flower essences, essential oils and nutritional supplements.
Susan has a profound love and respect for the natural world and has helped to establish a number of sustainability and environmental projects around the world. Understanding that physical and mental health follows from a sense of purpose and spiritual connection, Susan has worked with a number of spiritual traditions including druidism, shamanism and qi gong and runs regular workshops on meditation and personal development.
Tara Donovan, Non-Executive Director
Tara is a lawyer by training. A former partner of London law firm Denton Hall, she joined client Jamie Oliver in 2003, initially as Head of Business Affairs and ultimately as CEO of his Media Group of Companies. Tara makes connections, shares experiences and nurtures the organic growth of La-Eva as a Non-Executive Director.
Nina Carrington, Holistic Therapist and Ceremonialist
Nina is a holistic therapist, a cacao ceremonialist and floral milliner. She holds healing space and offers heart-centred therapeutic experiences in her bohemian studio in West Oxfordshire, sewing together age-old wisdom, healing practices and beautiful sensorial rituals such as earth altar creation. Nina is involved in the creative La-Eva process, helping with planning and hosting immersive La-Eva events, photoshoots and styling.
Katherine Maunder, Product Development & Sustainability Consultant
Katherine is a creative entrepreneur with over 20 years' experience as a Senior Fashion Designer and multi-disciplinary advocate for ethical fashion. Katherine’s experience includes sourcing and developing commercial products across global sustainable supply chains with an emphasis on craft production and circular economies. Katherine has led on the creation of our first textile products, tapping into meaningful, collaborative partnerships across a network of indigenous Artisans in Nepal, Myanmar, and India that she has built and nurtured over many years with her brand Thread Tales. By supporting their ancestral craftsmanship traditions, we are collectively able to create precious, low-impact accessories in harmony with nature, inspired by the raw beauty of source materials.