The 7 Virtues

The 7 Virtues was founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2010 by Barb Stegemann, whose motivation came from her best friend Captain Trevor Greene being wounded while serving in Afghanistan. Stegemann responded by sourcing orange blossom and rose oils directly from Afghan farmers, redirecting agricultural land away from illegal poppy cultivation and providing sustainable income to rural communities. The brand has since extended its sourcing to Haiti, Rwanda, India, and Madagascar, operating as a certified B Corporation with partnerships with Days for Girls and Charity Water. The fragrance line is clean by formulation — free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic colours, and UV inhibitors — and distributed exclusively through Sephora in nineteen countries, a notable commercial achievement for a Canadian independent. Vanilla Woods is the brand's signature bestseller. All products are vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged with FSC-approved materials. Stegemann authored the book The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen and has positioned the brand as a vehicle for what she calls making rebuilding sexier than destruction. The 7 Virtues is the first and only Canadian perfume brand to achieve placement in Sephora globally, operating also through its own atelier in Halifax for bespoke and customised fragrance experiences.