Cooey! Today we meet Himani Sethi who is part of Lush’s Co-Create programme and has created the Jalebi bubble bar for Diwali.

Launched in 2022, the Lush Co-Create programme is our in-house initiative which unites new minds, voices and cultures with our product creation process. Lush employees who celebrate specific cultural or religious celebrations are invited to apply each year and see the product creation process through from start to finish.

Lush: What does Diwali mean to you personally?

Himani: Diwali has always been about family coming together and sharing positivity with each other. It’s about sharing love and care with those around you and creating your own light and happiness.

Lush: What was your overall experience as a Lush Co-Creator?

Himani: I’ve loved it so much. It gives me so much more of a voice to talk about Diwali and my culture and share that on a much grander scale. Being seen, heard and creative is important and Co-Create is the perfect outlet for that.

Lush: We know everyone’s is different but what did your journey of bringing a product to life look like?

Himani: It all starts with an idea and an image begins to form in your head, then all the little details seem to fall into place — scent, feel, look.

Once you’ve submitted that idea it’s down to our incredible R&D team who play around and use their expertise to see how plausible it is to actually make it.

From there it’s about fun, kind of like being a kid again? You can play around with what works and what feels best and feels authentic. Before you know it, you’re walking into work and seeing something you once imagined right in front of you and see customers picking it up.

Lush: The Co-Create programme has existed since 2022, why does it play such an essential role?

Himani: It’s so essential because it celebrates and uplifts people from, mostly, marginalised communities. It’s giving a voice and spotlight to people and cultures that can, and do, face scrutiny and letting them control the narrative. Letting them showcase joy and positivity.

Lush: What made you join the Co-Create programme and what have you learnt from it?

Himani: I saw it as an opportunity to celebrate my culture, which has become more important to me since moving away from home.

It sounds obvious to say but I learnt that there are so many people with the same shared experiences as me. You kind of already know this but then talking to people and seeing how people connect to one thing that felt so unique to you and your family growing up brings such a sense of belonging.

”I wanted to focus on what actually happens in my house and potentially a lot of other people’s houses as well. Something that we have is doodh jalebi which is the fried syrupy sweet that you’ll have on many occasions in South Asian culture but particularly having it in milk is something that you’ll do on Diwali”
— Himani Sethi

Lush: What was one unexpected thing you found creating a product?

Himani: Structural integrity of a product is something I never considered before. In the first call I had with the manufacturing team we ended up spending some time figuring out what shape was going to be best because what I had originally sent over would have broken too easily!

That’s where their expertise is so needed because there’s so many things that most of us who don’t work in the factory would probably see as a non-issue, but they know better!

Lush: How have your friends and family reacted to your creation?

Himani: They all love it! Everyone is just super proud and happy that I’ve been able to get involved with such an amazing programme and produce something that people love.

All my friends and family have known Lush to be a constant in my life since I was 17. I’m now 24 with two products under my belt so I think it’s pretty cool to them to see what I’ve done and understand the significance of what these creations mean to me.

Lush: Last question, how much have you used your bubble bar?

Himani: Once in my bath! I’m constantly debating whether to use it more because I love it but I know when it’s gone, it’s gone. So I’m trying to save it for a real cosy night later in the winter but the temptation is always there.

I’m constantly doing a demo with it in store however, let me show it off and keep my hands super soft.

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“Diwali is about creating light and…