L’art de la coiffure sur mesure Great Lengths proudly announces the development of an exclusive line of products designed for the new Cheval Blanc Paris. In the heart of Paris, a few steps away from the Louvre and the Marais, in front of the Left Bank, rises Cheval Blanc Paris, a luxury hotel in a historical building with a contemporary spirit imagined by Peter Marino. This marvelous building gives a strong sense of Art Déco heritage and represents a tribute to French savoir-faire and craftsmanship. This exclusive context creates the perfect setting to showcase Great Lengths products as a symbol of unique craftsmanship, made-in-Italy, and ethical supply process of raw materials. The exclusive fringes and ponytails designed by Great Lengths for Cheval Blanc. The products designed by Great Lengths consist of a range of Fringes and Ponytails created in 7 exclusive nuances and available only in the Rossano Ferretti Salon in Cheval Blanc Paris. The 7 nuances have been developed with the support of Rossano Ferretti and each shade is obtained through the artisanal process of blending, which is one of Great Lengths’ strongest suits. Various shades, from 3 to 5, are blended, to add depth to the color and mimic the natural appearance of each client’s hair. With this exclusive collection, the clients of the Rossano Ferretti Salon in Cheval Blanc Paris can experience the pleasure to wear premium hair accessories for everyday use, or a special occasion. Moreover, each Fringe and Ponytail will be cut and adapted to the client’s features and desires after application, for a truly tailormade experience that mixes the made-in Italy heritage and the French atmosphere.
B Corp sustainability is becoming an increasingly popular topic but what does B Corp mean? This was one of the questions that Great Lengths asked Valentina Ciurlante, who represents the B Corp Movement in Italy. During our interview, we talked about the positive energy that is created when awareness is used constructively. Her first encounter with the world of B Corp companies was during a trip to South America. Once back in Italy, she decided to embark on a professional path to promote that same ethical philosophy in her home country. Eventually, her research led her to Nativa, Italy's first B Corp, a country partner for B Lab and one of the movement’s founding companies in Europe. Nativa aims to promote the B Corp philosophy in Italy and guide Italian companies towards a positive impact. So, getting back to our first question, what is a B Corp? B Corporations, are companies certified by B Lab that intend to change the way we do business. They aim to define a new type of company, where the purpose is not only to generate financial profit for shareholders but also to make a profit for the benefit of people and the environment, using a more responsible, sustainable and transparent approach. The B Corp certification represents the company's brand awareness, which is promoted internally in order to improve results and stimulate further growth; and externally, to raise awareness and encourage more businesses to join the network. How can a company become a B Corp? To get certified, B Corp companies must be assessed by B Lab, a non-profit network that measures their performance according to a universal yardstick: the company's positive impact on society and the planet. The B Impact Assessment (BIA) is the assessment tool used to measure, compare and improve a company’s performance. A company that scores between 80 and 200 points is awarded a certificate of excellence that confirms its compliance with the highest standards of social and environmental performance. The BIA is also the tool used by the United Nations to measure the company’s performance on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. What does a B Corp do? The B Corp philosophy is based on the principle of interdependence, which means going beyond the boundaries of corporate competitiveness to share knowledge and technical expertise, making them available and a benefit to all. This is the philosophy on which the B Corp Beauty Coalition movement was founded in 2021. It is an alliance of international B Corp companies specializing in the beauty segment that have decided to join efforts to enhance quality standards by using their business as a positive force for change. 'Beauty for Good' is the mission promoted by the B Corp Beauty Coalition to improve social and environmental practices and raise customer awareness towards more ethical consumer choices. Great Lengths, too, recently joined the B Corp Beauty Coalition, becoming the first sustainable hair extensions B Corp to promote a new, more responsible and conscious beauty model. How does a B Corp work? Certified B Corp companies are required to set internal goals and track the progress of their quality standards over a three-year cycle. In the meantime, they must follow specific working groups to achieve an annual objective in collaboration with other B Corp-certified businesses through communication campaigns to promote projects and initiatives. #UnlockTheChange is the Italian communication campaign created in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown period to 'unlock the change' and raise people's awareness about the achievements made by Italian B Corp brands. The first Italian B Corp report was released on 21 February. This document illustrates the results of the Italian B Corp community, the activities it carried out in 2021 and the commitments for 2022 regarding joint initiatives such as #UnlockTheChange, #UnlockGenderEquality, #UnlockNetZero and #UnlockEducation. In conclusion, what does it mean to be a B Corp? You become a B Corp to aspire to a better future, where more and more companies compete positively, not only to be the best in the world but to be the best for the world. Great Lengths firmly believes in this sustainability philosophy. Behind the company's name, in fact, is the quality of premium hair extensions, made with the care and dedication of creative talents using their knowledge and passion. Thank you, Valentina.
The spirituality of the Nature In this increasingly developed and fast-paced reality, we look for an intimate and less hectic dimension, where we can slow down and appreciate the quality of life. The American poet Emily Elizabeth Dickinson, lived by this philosophy, choosing to spend her time away from the city’s vanities. Her poems are born out of this introspective experience, where Nature is a recurring theme because it becomes the key to unlocking the door to meditation. Dickinson’s love of the living world drove her to pour all her energy and passion into her writings, as she embarked on a journey of spiritual growth towards achieving intimate self-knowledge and a better understanding of the meaning of life. Nature is what we see “Nature” is what we see— The Hill—the Afternoon— Squirrel—Eclipse—the Bumble bee— Nay—Nature is Heaven— Nature is what we hear— The Bobolink—the Sea— Thunder—the Cricket— Nay—Nature is Harmony— Nature is what we know— Yet have no art to say— So impotent Our Wisdom is To her Simplicity. Nature is everywhere, and we can perceive it through our senses, admiring and feeling its presence. When we listen to our natural urges, we project ourselves into a spiritual dimension of inner awareness. In Paradise harmony surrounds us, but we cannot express it. The more human knowledge becomes articulated, the less we can represent the simplicity of nature. Even though humankind's progress is always faster and its inventions more and more extraordinary, the greatness of the universe will undoubtedly be unreachable. Over the last few decades, several companies have followed a philosophy that respects the needs and values of the world. WHAT DOES BEING A B CORP MEAN? To us, being a B Corp means bringing ethics into business, feeding a virtuous circle where community, business, and environment connect and benefit mutually. Becoming a B Corp is a journey of responsibility towards the planet. The core of this philosophy is respect for the environment and the people within it. When people choose B Corp-certified products, our customers choose a noble cause that stands for an ethical business, that will reinvest in positive ventures like an infinite circle.
Alessia is a nurse, one of those people who have witnessed closely the disastrous effects of the Covid Emergency. She became a symbol of the dramatic days we lived with the famous photo of her face showing the painful marks left by the high protection mask worn throughout the working shift. Alessia posted it on social media and openly confesses her fear of contamination, the physical discomfort of working in those conditions, and the psychological fatigue caused by the tension accumulated. The post became viral, and so did Alessia - amazed at the solidarity received. Alessia looks at the future as a chance to approach a new beginning: changing peacefully our minds, bodies, and relationships. Watch the interview and listen to the Voice of Alessia Bonari!
Hillary Jocson lives in Milan, the city of fashion, where one of the most popular jobs here is modeling. Hillary tells us her story of a model “sui generis”. She uses her social media to show the behind-the-scenes of photoshoots she takes part. She has a message of empowerment for girls who would like to approach fashion but don't even try because they find themselves unsuitable and uninteresting. As if to say: 'Hey girls, look here, do not be the first judge of yourselves, do not stop for limits that you set yourselves. Just as I became a model, you too should chase your dream. It won't be easy, of course, but with no challenge, what's the taste? Watch the interview and discover Hillary Jocson!
Roberta is a pianist, composer, songwriter, and artistic director. Her life is full of passion for everything related to theaters, musicals, and soundtracks. She can manage different musical genres as jazz, swing, pop, contemporary, and ambient. In her latest concept album, released in 2019 for Warner Classics and titled “Disarm” Roberta experiments with unfamiliar sounds in contrast with the trendy piano minimalism. The message of her music is very clear: disarming is giving oneself to the other and allowing to let go, to accept us, to be free from fears, and to bring down the walls that we have built around us. The disarmament that Roberta talks about touches everyone, but we can achieve it only together. We can reach a state of disarmament if we trust each other and support each other, especially between women. Watch the interview!
Angela Lei is a young businesswoman, born in Italy with Chinese roots. Thanks to her entrepreneurial spirit she decides soon to open a Chinese restaurant in Milan. Not a place like any other, but a place spreading out the gastronomic culture of her country. Her restaurant specializes in traditional cuisine from Wuhan, the region located in the southeast of China, at the confluence of the Han River with the Blue River. Angela is happy to be in Milan, where her effort is amply rewarded by the curiosity of her clients, passionate about the stories that she tells in the presentation of each recipe. Angela is an intercultural and brilliant woman who loves to share knowledge and experiences. Don't miss this interview
Sara Strambini is an actress and model. She promoted a new style of presenting TV shows, very ironic and engaging. Sara believes in the importance of the word “change”. She is one of those people who does not undergo change, but who seeks it. Today Sara continues to be an innovator, even cultivating a sense of authenticity without forgetting her origins. It's not a secret that she was born in a small provincial village, from a large family, and grew up with a patriarchal model. Despite the traditions her ideas are very progressive: organic food at km 0, enjoying the pleasures of food while respecting health, limiting travel, and preferring green vehicles. Watch the interview and listen to the voice brought by Sara Strambini!
Miza Mayi is a talented artist. Her beautiful voice can create a perfect mix between soul, electro-pop, electric jazz, lounge, and funky. She was born in Kinshasa, her father is Italian and her mother is Congolese, so she grew up between the cultures and traditions of both nations. The name she chose is the perfect summary of her “Voice”. Indeed, Miza means queen and Mayi means water (in Lingali, her mother tongue): “Water can be delicate and sweet but also destructive. My voice is like that too”, says Miza. She considers change as a constant in life. Therefore, being versatile becomes necessary when you want to live knowing how to approach every event. Her passion for music comes from the idea that music is a universal language capable of connecting people through sound vibrations. Versatility is the voice of Miza Mayi; listen to her interview to find out much more about her.