Meet John Marciano, founder of the Republic of soap - a holistic approach to creating products that recall a bygone era, handmade in small batches, with love
I mixed heritage and was born in Izmir, Turkey. When I was six months old, my family moved to New York. But I started kindergarten in Jakarta, and also attended the School mixed Embassy, which is now known as the Jakarta International School (JIS). In the mid 70s, we moved to Singapore and had a home there for 22 years. I remember so many beautiful colonial buildings - only exist unfortunately not today. I always loved the arts, and ended with a major in fine arts at a private university in Texas. Once I graduated from University, I joined an apprenticeship program for the conservation of art and was formed to restore beautiful decorative objects 3D art such as wood, stone, jade and all types of ceramic. After three years of this, I returned to Singapore to start a company dedicated to preserving works of national heritage.
This is amazing! Tell me about it!
Well, I agree with the American Institute for Conservation of code of ethics, which essentially means that while the art of restoration I do is often undetectable to the human eye, all my work is reversible. Thus, in the future when better technologies are available, future Art Conservator will easily be able to continue the efforts to preserve the historical works of art by easily removing the work I did without problem. I restored a few large pieces, ranging from modern to prehistoric art. I saw the art that is priceless in private collections. In Singapore I restored many amazing because Chinese porcelain artworks value in this environment very highly.
What brought you here in Bali to live?
I came to Bali in 1974 ... can you believe that? Jeez, I feel old! I was a child and went around to the back of the rented motorcycle from my father. It was fascinating! Even though I'm young, I still remember a lot about the way Bali was at the time. I remember when the road in front of the original Mades Warung on Jalan Pantai Kuta was dirt ... with traffic in both directions. And I remember when the road to Simpang Siur in Sanur was not a diversion and was still unpaved stretches that pass through the thick jungle. Imagine riding through the night with no street lights whatsoever ... scary! I continued to visit Bali several times throughout my life and to this day there are still pockets where I visit I feel the time is stopped. Sometimes it's the way the light hits the sand and trees, sounds and smells; I am transported back, and it's always nice to have that frame of reference - know what Bali was like before. I feel privileged to be able to know that. When a business opportunity arose to Bali I came here to live. That was 15 years ago.
I buy your soaps all the time. What you got by the Republic of soap?
I originally moved to Bali to make candles. Historically, the town Chandler made candles and soap, so the idea of making soap was intriguing. A chandler usually made candles and soap with rendered animal fat. I was a vegetarian and did not want animal products, so I experimented at home and kept a journal of all items - test by giving feedback to know friends and adjusted the components to meet a market of people with all skin types. After some initial difficulties, I finally made me all the features I wanted in the soap which was a natural bar soap that was difficult and long. My bar of soap is cold processed (made without external heat). Natural vegetable soap, it was a gradual transition in the manufacture of liquid soap and all other body care products I make today. According to what is asked, my products generally range from 97% to 100% natural.
When did you extend to private label and other products?
Private label started quickly. All my special order of customers walk away with a dream or idea. I just act like their hands to do what they want reality. Customers usually include Hotels, Spas, Resorts, Villas and shops. I do a lot of custom tailoring for customers. I'm not a chemist, but as a baker. I use what I call the "kitchen chemistry" to create fun and innovative products, which can be difficult when dealing with natural ingredients. The natural order of all natural is to break down and is decompose back into the wild. There are natural ingredients that act as preservatives, so I include them as much as possible for the longevity of the product. I try to make products that are long lasting and organic.
You seem to know much about the local natural beauty products. It is beneficial for us in Bali to help keep our skin healthy and beautiful
for be honest - I would say that awareness is probably more important than having a huge arsenal of beauty products for every type of application imaginable natural beauty comes from within is quite simple in my mind: Stay clean.. Stay out of the sun as much as possible and use sunscreen when you are in the sun. S 
bikes We are in the sun so much, especially when driving. I hear that you have the greatest bike in Bali? Care to comment?
I made a great cruiser for American roads. I enjoy the ride. You can navigate comfortably all day on it. But to move all traffic that I use a smaller bike because it is simply meaningless.
And now tell me about your other interests. I see you have a guitar leaning against an old Marshall amp there.
I like to play guitar. I like blues and rock-based music. I just returned from playing Blues Festival Bangkok, which was fun!
John took his guitar and plays a few riffs. Play on John ...