DUINE is a wellness brand inspired by slow, intentional self-care and is full of small rituals that help us pause, reset and feel more grounded. We had the privilege of catching up with the lady behind it all - Julia Dunin. Read all about this incredible new way to show yourself and those around you some TLC right here..
In today's world of hustle and bustle, it is becoming something of a virtue to be able to take a second of serenity for yourself. Yet, even when sitting down to take a breath, we are constantly bombarded with mental distractions, which defeats the sole objective of relaxation - to relax. There lies the question, 'how can I slow down?' and Julia Dunin has given us the answer by creating a wellness brand that helps us pause, reset and makes us feel more grounded; DUINE, meaning 'person' as Gaeilge, was created to inspire a slow, intentional self-care ritual within our own homes. Julia has created a brand that anyone can access even with busy schedules, allowing for a moment of calm amidst the chaos of everyday life.
Two years in the making, Julia celebrated her first collection launch in October of last year; The Foraois Collection. We were lucky enough to take a moment of pause and sit down with Julia Dunin to discover how DUINE came to be and what is coming next for this unique self-care collection.
If you were to take a second to think about the most hardworking person in your life, who comes to mind? Usually, it's the mother figures in our lives. Many times it’s our mothers who are the true heroes behind the scenes, so take this Mother’s Day as the perfect time to remind them that they are deserving of a little ‘me time’ too! Julia shares, “It’s such a lovely gift for mums because they are often the ones giving so much to everyone else,” Julia shares. “This box is designed for them.”
DUINE is a brand that is designed and available for everyone to use when needed, because burnout is something we all struggle with at one point or another. One group of people Julia had in mind when creating The Foraois Collection is all the hardworking women in our lives. Julia tells us; “It’s designed as a reminder for busy mums to be kinder to themselves,” she explains. “They give so much to others, so this box brings them back to themselves and encourages them to take a break.” The way all of Julia’s ritual boxes are designed are with the intention of aligning you with your senses, to take you out of your own head and into your own body. This sensory experience creates the virtue of being present, and reminding you to slow down, and be proud of how well you are doing.
It was Julia’s own experience of burnout through the years that led to the creation of DUINE. After spending some time wondering, 'what can I do for myself?' to take a moment of pause and care for her own peace. The rituals present in The Foraois Collection are each inspired by what it was that helped Julia through her own day-to-day struggles. “The Foraois Collection is an invitation to slow down, relax, and be kind to yourself,” Julia reflects. “It’s about giving yourself permission to step back and enjoy a moment of peace.”
Julia has an established career in photography, and having lived in Galway for the last fourteen years, she has fallen in love with the scenery the West has to offer, such as Barna Woods or Connemara National Park. While conducting photoshoots, one of Julia’s main aims was to empower the women she worked with in her shoots to ensure they walk away with a positive and fulfilling experience. “If a woman leaves a photoshoot with me feeling more confident, like she’s discovered something positive about herself, then my job is done” Julia shares, “that was always there for me as a photographer but I always felt limited, as it was only a photoshoot, so I was always thinking how could I translate that into something that we can take home and cultivate.”
DUINE became a beautiful blend of her passions; the world of photography, and her appreciation for nature and its grounding effects. The two came together, and The Foraois Collection was born. The collection is centered around the idea of forestry and grounding, with its theme colour being a magnificent forest green, and each product being based on the four elements of nature; fire, earth, water and air. These ingredients, paired with guided meditation all come together with a purpose, to create an experience. Each one of the products is centered around creating a sensory ritual. The Hand Poured Scented Soy Candle, containing natural essential oils, provides a wonderful scent within the ritual, keeping you present, while also allowing for the visual effects of the candle lighting. Similarly the Tea Brewing Kit has a beautifully fresh taste of spearmint, which allows you to take a moment to breathe, close your eyes, and be present. The Shea Butter Bath Bomb creates its own environment in aroma and feeling, which invites you to be present and breathe deeply as you relax your body and mind. Julia carefully chose each step in the ritual to nourish your body, mind and spirit. Living in a world of ‘go, go, go’, the vast concept of slow living is being tapped into within her collections. Together, these products create a peaceful self-care ceremony which we can all benefit from.
A core value of DUINE is sustainability and staying kind to the environment, while being kind to yourself. From working with clean beauty products across past photoshoots, Julia believes that there is a world of beautiful products out there that we can use to be kind to ourselves in self care, while also being kind to the planet around us, which is a factor that shines through in The Foraois Collection. “My lifestyle is very sustainable, so the brand is an extension of how I think we should all live,” she explains. “It’s about creating something beautiful without damaging the environment.” There are no single-use plastics involved in each box made including the box itself, and all of the packaging is made from recyclable materials with vegan inks. The tea pouch is also made out of recycled materials so it is already in its second cycle of life. Each of the elements present in this box have been made in Ireland and Europe, with the spearmint tea coming from Morocco. All of these products together create The Foraois Collection, and embodies all that it stands for.
Each DUINE collection launched is of a limited edition, with a set number of each box being made. This is done so Julia can work with smaller suppliers, to ensure she can continue to work with local producers, with elements like the Hand Poured Scented Soya Candle and the Shea Butter Bath Bomb all being handmade. Speaking on this, Julia says; “The boxes are produced in small batches because it’s not just about what I’m selling – it’s about who stands behind me and the craftsmanship involved,” Julia says. “From packaging to production, sustainability and artistry are at the heart of DUINE.”
The Foraois Collection is DUINE's debut collection, with the next collection, Bláth, meaning 'flower' in Irish, set to be launched in time for the spring season, beautifully paying tribute to the vibrant flowers and colours that blossom in Ireland during this time of year. With two more collections launching this year following Bláth’s release, each collection is a tribute to Ireland and its beauty, as well as our precious connection with nature.
For Julia, DUINE is deeply personal – a tribute to the land she calls home. “DUINE is a love letter to Ireland,” she shares. “Even though I wasn’t born here, I love Galway, and I’m so grateful to be part of this community. I wanted to create something that cherishes Irish landscape, culture, and language.”
Be sure to order The Foraois Collection for the special mother figure in your life this Mother’s Day, by visiting DUINE’s website at www.duine.ie for collection or free delivery within Ireland.
All photos courtesy of Julia Dunin.
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