Category: Interview

An interview with Mr. Christophe Lesueur, CEO of Dermalab SA

Founded in Zurich Switzerland in 1989, the anti-aging pioneer Swissline has integrated authentic Swiss heritage, cellular therapy and Alpine plant extracts to deliver revolutionary skincare experience. Swissline has created for itself the GlamScience concept which combines cutting-edge science resulting in visible effects with genuine glamour resulting from sensuous textures.

Mr. Christophe Lesueur, CEO of Dermalab SA, says he finds it truly satisfying and rewarding to develop brands that contribute in their own way to happier, healthier people all around the world, and Swissline is definitely one of those brands. Christophe embarked on his globetrotting career in the luxury arena after graduating from a top business school in France. He has lived in three continents while taking on various business development assignments for some of the leading luxury brands (Dior, Prada and Chalhoub). Having settled down in Zurich five years ago, he is keen to harness his entrepreneurial spirit to further build the Swissline brand. Influenced by his physician parents, Christophe believes in the science behind wellness. With such scientific attitude, unique understanding of luxurious beauty and multi-cultural background, Christophe and his team make Swissline a miracle in the anti-aging skincare world.

Christophe believes that “a happy team equates to a happy brand, and a happy brand is a beautiful thing.” So he not only lives a holistic balanced life himself, but also leads his team to embrace a healthy lifestyle. SpaChina interviewed Christophe. He shares with us the mystery of Swissline and consumers’ latest needs to beauty and wellness.

What new anti-aging and wellness trends do you see in the global market?

There is a real appetite from customers to know more about the ingredients used by cosmetic brands, not only about their effects, but as well about their origin. Customers require more transparency and purity. Therefore, luxury brands need to be more respectful of the environment and be more sustainability driven. We see in addition an increasing demand for treatments and products not only focusing on the pampering side but as well on delivering on the promised results.

Why did Swissline decide to build upon cellular therapy, alpine plant essence and huge usage of medical level ingredients?

Swiss born and bred, the purity of Switzerland is coded into our DNA. For three decades, our R&D team has been working closely with world-renowned Swiss medical clinics as well as cosmetics and pharmaceutical laboratories. Aesthetic doctors offer us their input and “green-light” the products, whenever relevant. Our products contain time-tested ingredients as well as innovative game-changers, active natural bases and organic alpine extracts. It is the combination of all that makes our range so unique.

More and more anti-aging products and treatments are coming to market now. What is the competitive edge of Swissline?

Our skincare products offer measurable results and indulgent rituals. Younger, healthier skin is the ultimate reference point in in skincare. It is what women want, and what Swissline delivers, along with the prerequisite dose of luxury. In addition, we continuously reinforce our point of differentiation, with lines like Age Intelligence which focuses on ‘Youth-Inducing’ rather than fighting age with the purpose of enhancing the mechanisms of cutaneous self-repair.

How do you attract the young generation?

The generation today, referred to as Millennials, reacts differently to skincare. Well-informed thanks to the digital revolution, they are the ones now influencing the consumer behavior of the elders and not the other way round. These new consumers know their skin’s needs and the ingredients they want to find in their skincare formulas. They want to create their own customized solution. They place their trust in R&D and are intrigued by the latest innovations. Our new Age Intelligence collection perfectly fits into this growing trend and helps Swissline to continue educating the customers.

How many countries has Swissline entered so far? Who are your target customers? What brand style or concept have you created to attract them?

Swissline is now present in 20 countries around the globe including Switzerland, Canada, the United States, Russia, South East Asian, Middle-Eastern and some European markets. We continue reinforcing our distribution footprint, both in countries where we are already present and in new ones. Our customers are skincare savvy, modern and urban. They request the best that a brand can offer. This is why we put a lot of effort in building what we call our ‘Golden Circle’, a collection of handpicked haute couture medi-spas in 5-star hotels, medical clinics, and premium retailers where science and glamour come together as one.

What are the reasons for Swissline to launch the GlamScience concept? What kinds of experience do you want to deliver to the market?

We couldn’t find any word to embody our brand positioning, so we decided to create one: Glamscience. We define Glamscience as a blend of Swiss science and genuine glamour. In skincare, luxury means visible results but the pleasure from sensuous textures cannot be underestimated. Swissline is serious enough to convince doctors yet glamorous enough to seduce women. Swissline combines the best of both the scientific and luxury worlds. A perfect illustration of that concept is our ‘Brightening Diamond serum’ which has already snapped up some of the most prestigious awards in the industry.

Do you see any distinctive beauty and wellness needs in China’s market, compared with that of Europe? How will Swissline satisfy them? Will you make any adjustments or innovations in your products and treatments?

We see the Chinese market as being very technology driven, especially when it comes to treatment procedures. This is the reason why we are proud to partner with Venus Concept beauty machines, to offer the best of machine treatments used in combination with our unique skincare products. When it comes to technology used in skincare ingredients, we will continue innovating, taking into account the specificities of Chinese needs as we have always done.

What are your concrete development plans in China?

Developing a very qualitative Chinese distribution network is one of the key priorities for Swissline. We plan to build a stronger footprint in tier-one cities thanks to partnerships with leading 5-star hotels, Spas and Medi-spas. We plan as well to gradually roll out the Glamscience Centre concept which is a true expression of our brand promise.

An Interview with Mr. Stewart Griffith, Founder and CEO of TouchAmerica

A pleasant spa experience relies not only on a professional therapist and soothing treatment, but also on the various spa equipment used. From a small head rest pillow, a seemingly ordinary massage table, to an illuminated salt wall, sometimes they are really decisive to the success of a spa visit.

Founded over 30 years ago, TouchAmerica is a company dedicated to the designing and manufacturing of spa equipment and spa furniture. Its products cover treatment tables, portable tables & chairs, relaxation loungers, manicure & pedicure tables, room accessories and the innovative halotherapy range. TouchAmerica’s goal is to update the spa goers’ experience with quality equipment featuring remarkable functionality, stable properties and good appearance. From the first massage table made from a salvaged shipping pallet, TouchAmerica has deep roots in sustainability and social responsibility.

SpaChina interviewed Mr. Stewart Griffith, Founder and CEO of TouchAmerica Corporation. With his guidance, TouchAmerica continually turns the visions of their guests into reality.

What is the goal and principles when TouchAmerica is designing products?

Functionality, appearance and dependability are the guiding goals when we are designing products. The product must meet the demands of its intended use, must be pleasing to look at and perform as expected each time it is used.

What kinds of spa furniture, equipment and product do guests expect when they come to a spa nowadays? Will they regard the quality of the hardware as an essential part of their spa journey? For example, how much do they really care about the massage tables they are on? And why?

I believe the guests are in the spa for the experience of being there. To be comfortable, relaxed and cared-for while receiving the services they select. The equipment and furniture must support these customer expectations and when it does, I think it almost disappears from the customers attention. From the customer’s perception, when they are totally comfortable on a massage table, it does not matter which massage table it is. When they are uncomfortable, the massage table is brought to their attention and it does matter. Of course, visual impact is important but is no substitute for comfort and functionality.

How does TouchAmerica help spa-goers improve their spa and wellness experience?

TouchAmerica creates products that both enhance the ambiance of a spa and increase the spa functionality and customer comfort. An example of enhanced ambiance is our Himalayan Salt Walls and Himalayan Salt Frames. Both are illuminated to create a very appealing and attractive décor. In addition, Himalayan salt produces negative ions that improve air quality and mood. Another example are the improvements we are making to our face rest pillow, which is one of the most challenging products to provide comfort for a wide range of people. With the help of customer feedback, we have redesigned the type and layers of cushion in the pillow to create a more comfortable face rest pillow. Creating products that improve the functionality of a spa treatment room also has an impact on the customer experience. TouchAmerica has developed service carts that are multi-functional, which make it easier for a service provider to work with less disruption to the customer, which improves the experience.

What do spa owners think about the importance of spa equipment and products nowadays? Are they willing to invest in quality spa furniture, facilities and equipment like an advanced massage table or expensive salt capsule?

Spa owners are very concerned about the quality and functionality of the equipment they purchase. There are always budget constraints they are working with and we find that the closer the person making the purchase decision is to the spa, the more willing they are to purchase high quality equipment. For example, a developer for a hotel/spa project may not be as concerned about the spa equipment as a spa manager making purchase decisions. Spa owners are always looking for new advances or equipment that can separate their spa from other spas and will make investments in equipment like our salt capsule to gain this advantage.

Compared with other suppliers, what are the specialities and advantages of your products and the services?

TouchAmerica tries to strike a balance between price, function and dependability. We manufacture high quality equipment engineered to be easy to maintain and repair when necessary, minimizing downtime and revenue loss to the spa. We are also very flexible and able to accommodate special requests and customization when requested or needed. These special requests often lead to product innovation and we encourage our customers to communicate their ideas to us. TouchAmerica has a great reputation for good service which we have earned from 36 years of providing great service and support to our customers. For our customers in Asia, this is one of our special advantages since our factory in China provides immediate service response to our customers.

Your new innovations include a range of halotherapy products. Can you share more details about this range? Why do you turn to halotherapy?

Halotherapy is an old therapy that is being rediscovered. Halo is derived from the Greek or Latin word Hal which means sea or salt. The healing properties in salt come from its anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial for soothing irritated, congested lungs and skin. As we learned about Halotherapy, we saw this as a wonderful opportunity to create new products that brought real benefits for people. The salt we use for inhalation is pure pharmaceutical grade salt and the salt for skin application is Himalayan Salt which is very high in minerals and trace elements. TouchAmerica has a wide range of Halotherapy products ranging from Halogenerators for salt rooms, personalized salt booths, loungers and treatment tables with Himalayan Salt, Himalayan Salt massage stones, and illuminated Himalayan salt walls and panels for décor. 

What demand is there for other wellness and spa facilities and equipment from the global markets at present and in the future? Do you have plans to launch more products to meet these demands?

There is more concern about sustainability and the health of our planet, which creates more demand for us to manufacture with as little environmental burden as possible. TouchAmerica has invested and is continuing to invest in equipment and processes that improve the environmental health of our factory. While this does not have a direct effect on our equipment from the customer or service provider’s perspective, we believe it has a very important effect on their wellbeing. As to new products, I prefer to talk about those after we have them ready for market. 

According to your observation, what is the current situation of spas worldwide? How are they doing? What is the role of spa equipment in promoting the business development of a spa?

All reports I have seen indicate a growth in spas and spa goers. There is a steady increase in men attendance and in the aging population as they seek to preserve their health. Spa equipment is one of the foundational elements of a successful spa. It is important for a positive customer experience and to support new treatments and modalities. Spas are seeking to distinguish themselves from their competition and having equipment that support this gives them an advantage. It may be a lounge like our Legato that provides therapy through sound, or our Salt Capsule that proves Halotherapy for respiratory and skin heath. These are also products that are not service provider dependent, which we hear more about as it becomes more difficult to hire qualified service providers.

An interview with Ms. Luisa Anderson, Regional Director of Spa, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Bali, Langkawi, Maldives

Crystal singing bowls and sweet songs quietly flowing, people are attentively writing their letter of love to the earth. They place the letter into colorful paper lanterns on the water which takes their heart far into the depth of nature. This is not a film scene, but the “Goodnight Kiss to the Earth” ceremony at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Hoi An.

Unique characters and transformational experience is what Four Seasons always want to deliver to the guests. Joining Four Seasons in 2001, Ms. Luisa Anderson is now in charge of the spas of Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Bali, Langkawi, Maldives. To help guests regain a connection with the earth, and inner peace and joy is her unchanged goal. Luisa not only has rich experience in hospitality and spa industry, but also masters a variety of healing methods and massage techniques, such as Swedish massage, breath therapy, Reiki, Ayurvedic, Chi Nei Tsang, to name just a few.

What are the new trends and concepts for global wellness? Today, what kind of spa and wellness experiences are the hotel costumers seeking?

People recognize that industrialization changed the way we live and travel, but it created greater stress on wellbeing. We became busier, life became noisier. So we observe, today’s guests desire to appreciate the simple things, return to wholeness, experience peace, open to greater levels of consciousness. They are going back to ancient remedies and traditional wellbeing practices and enjoying the simple life and wisdom of Eastern cultures.

Meanwhile, we also see a blending of science and traditional wellbeing practices. It’s so fascinating to see things like DNA health testing telling the exact same story as an Ayurvedic Doctor would tell from pulse diagnosis and consultation.

Based on the trends mentioned above, how do your spas at Four Seasons (Asia-Pacific) meet guests’ needs? What new programs are you launching recently?

To meet today’s guests’ needs, we invite people to slow down and connect with each other, and with the world around them through holistic treatments. For example, the Blessings of Bali spa ritual at Four Seasons Resort Bali Jimbaran Bay, which starts with yoga (physical), massage and sound therapy (emotional) and ends with a water blessing by a Balinese priest (spiritual).

In addition, a lot of people do not sleep well and we have specific treatments to aid them. At Four Seasons Resorts Bali, we have launched new Night Spa rituals, and we have a Sacred Nap amidst the rice fields with our wellness mentor Ibu Fera at Four Seasons Sayan.

In Landaa Giraavaru in the Maldives, we have extensive Ayurveda sitting alongside high-tech wellness. For example a guest might choose Verju green laser for fat loss and supplement with Udvartana (dry herbal powder massage) and end the day with yog nidra (sleep yoga).

You have designed the Spa at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Hoi An. Why do you name it “The Heart of the Earth”? What core experience do you want to deliver to the guests?

When I was creating the experiences at The Nam Hai, I was inspired by the writings of Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hanh – a global spiritual teacher, poet, writer and peace activist. He has written prolifically and one book that really touched me was Love Letter to the Earth. In this book he talks about three lessons we can learn from the Earth – Stability, Creativity and Non Judgment. Of special note is this quote: “We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the Earth. Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet”. He also talks about not seeing ourselves separate from the Earth but uniting in heart. So all this was the inspiration for the name of and experiences in the spa.

There are two key experiences in The Heart of the Earth Spa. The first is a ceremony held every single evening by our spa staff and open to all guests. It is called the “Goodnight Kiss to the Earth”. Guests are invited to sit and write a personal letter to Mother Earth whilst the therapists sing some special sweet and mindful songs and play huge crystal singing bowls. Guests fold their letter and place it inside a colourful paper lantern which is then floated on the spa lagoon with a candle. It is always an emotional experience for guests. Tears of joy and gratefulness are common during this ceremony.

The second is our signature treatment called The Nam Hai Earth Song, which has a profound effect through the use of 8 crystal singing bowls, often taking guests to a ‘place’ they have never been before. Bathe self and senses in healing vibrations and align the internal rhythm to the “song” of the Earth. Incredible whether experienced alone or as a couple, this beautiful treatment will connect guests back to themselves and inspire a deeper connection to the Earth, featuring the warm spicy cleansing smoke of sustainable Hoi An agarwood, a Heart of the Earth sound and breath ritual, Vietnamese scrub and bath (featuring herbs from our own farm), a deep pressure massage incorporating balancing gem-tipped tuning forks, and a fully immersive sound bath.

What are the current situation of hotel spas worldwide, doing good or not? Do you have any suggestions?

Within our portfolio the spas are doing very well and have shown growth from 2017 to 2018. We continue to develop, innovate, renovate and build. Wellness is a real focus for Four Seasons globally as a hotel company. We celebrate talent and tell the story of our people and spas. 

My thoughts are that we should continue to connect authentically to our guests, to always remember the human element and understand more deeply the components of wellness. We should be recognised as masters of integrating tradition, authenticity, science and technology.

Why does hotel need wellness?

Wellness is a $4.2 trillion industry and it’s not going away. The internet has opened up knowledge and we are bombarded with health and wellness information, which inspires people to take better care of themselves.

The other thing is that wellness has become a large part of travellers’ trips. People are travelling more for business than ever before but it is challenging – sleep, exercise, food etc can all suffer on a business trip. And it doesn’t need to be that way.  Many hotels now provide wellness services and amenities not only for the dedicated wellness market, but for all guests – they are a normal part of a hotel not a special add on.

Do you give wellness education to your team members? What have you done?

Yes, of course! We are constantly educating our teams. Here are a few examples: In Landaa Giraavaru we have 3 Ayurvedic Doctors, Acupuncturist, Naturopath and 5 yoga teachers. Between them they have weekly sessions with the team on related subjects and they meditate or chant together during every morning briefing.

In Bali we also have ongoing education and extra special sessions with every guest practitioner who comes to the resort (8-10 a year). These specialist practitioners introduce the teams to so many modalities from astrology to clairvoyance, reiki to colour therapy. We do group classes and also some individual sessions for our staff, who can then take on new skills as part of their wisdom shared with guests.  This way their learning is very experiential. 

Currently, more and more hotels are transforming to wellness hotels. What are your opinions to this?

It’s great to see wellness becoming ‘mainstream’. People now have easy access to retreats and choose one that offers a very strict program, diet and activity schedule. Others can choose a more relaxed destination like Four Seasons Resorts Bali, Nam Hai or Landaa Giraavaru where they can join as many activities as they like and eat well, without having to follow a set program.

From your perspective, what is the ultimate goal of wellness? How do you make it happen in your personal life?

For me, Health and Wellness is about the interconnectedness of all things and access to the infinite field of intelligence, the union of body, mind, senses and spirit. It is a higher state of consciousness that allows VITALITY, WELLBEING, CREATIVITY and JOY to flow in your life; whereas disease is an alienation from the field of intelligence, the final expression of a disruption in the mind-body physiology. 

I think the ultimate goal of Wellness is to live with joy and know your divine nature. For me, state of mind has the biggest impact on my health but all aspects are important.  The ancient yogis practiced asanas not to achieve Olympic fitness but to enable them to sit for long periods of meditation and to free stiffness in the body after long periods of sitting. They also used yoga asana, pranayama and other cleansing practices to clear the energy channels of the body and allow the flow of ‘energy’. 

When energy is free flowing, unimpeded by thoughts, attachments, toxins, I am well and happy.