Queer-owned premium candle brand VIGYL collaborate with international not-for-profit Rainbow Railroad to create a limited-edition candle called Hanlan's that challenges traditional candle culture. VIGYL is on a mission to expand the way people engage with candles and this goes beyond wellness and ritual. As VIGYL Co-Founder and Creative Director Stephen Michlits puts it, "We take an experimental, genderless approach to creating scent experiences and had a vision for a product that diverts from the notion that candles are strictly for women. These new, one-of-a-kind experiences are for everyone."
Hanlan's gets its name from a Toronto beach and the candle captures the scent of summer, joy, pride and the feeling of being close to home. 10% of the proceeds from the candle's sale will be donated to Rainbow Railroad.
Image Credit: Brandon Titaro
What's Driving This Trend
- Genderless Scent Experiences
- Queer-owned candle brands are creating genderless scent experiences to challenge traditional candle culture.
- Inclusive Collaborations
- Collaborations with non-profit organizations and queer-owned businesses can create inclusive products and reach new audiences.
- Socially Responsible Consumerism
- Consumers are more likely to purchase products that support a social cause or charity, creating opportunities for businesses to incorporate social responsibility into their products.
Who This Affects Most
- Candle Manufacturing
- Candle manufacturers can disrupt traditional gender norms by creating genderless scent experiences and collaborating with non-profit organizations to create inclusive products.
- Non-profit Organizations
- Non-profit organizations can expand their reach and support social causes by partnering with businesses to create socially responsible products.
- LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses
- Queer-owned businesses can disrupt traditional gender norms in the candle industry by creating genderless scent experiences and collaborating with non-profit organizations to create inclusive products.
