My avid reader know how much I love Sisley products. Without my beloved Black Rose Cream Mask and or the So Intense Mascara my life would definitely not be the same. Therefore, I was all over the moon to be invited to Paris to visit their newest spa and boutique which marks the first in Paris for the upscale French beauty brand and to finally meet Sisley co-founder Mrs Isabelle d’Ornano in person.
“Having beautiful skin is a state of mind, it helps lift the spirits and improves the deep sense of self.” – Isabelle d’Ornano
The 360 m2 space is situated on 5, Avenue de Friedland, in the centre of Paris’s 8th district off the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Divided into four areas, it is the perfect place to unwind after a busy week.
The beauty salon houses five treatment rooms - including one double treatment room and offers a menu of facials as well as body treatments for every age and skin type. I had a facial that was truly special as Sisley has developed exclusive “rituals” designed to combat the effects of urban life.
It is one of the most tasteful places I have seen, a haven of good taste inspired by Isabelle and Christine d’Ornano’s love for a quirky mix of interesting furniture and designer pieces, sourced from both flea markets and luxury brands.
There’s for example a «Jetlag» sofa by India Mahdavi and framed sketches by Marc Chagall in the lounge area where pre-treatment consultations take place.
The bathrooms have wallpapers that are made from magazine articles featuring Sisley.
The «secret» café is exclusively reserved for clients and invites them with tribal elements to relax and have a drink. This house is also home to the first Sisley Boutique in Paris where you can buy all the products the brand has to offer.
Traditional and modern touches mingle in this space where painted woodwork and mouldings exist alongside an animated, luminous wall display. Isabelle d’Ornano’s niece Elzbieta Radziwill painted the central lampshade, and the walls are covered with hand-painted wallpaper from 1874 called “the Cells” by Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, which was remodelled, reproportioned, and recoloured specifically for the space. I especially adore the handpainted sofas.
Sisley, 5, avenue de Friedland, 8th arrondissement. Phone: +33 1 86 21 11 11.
www.sisley-paris.com
From left to right: Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream, Black Rose Cream Mask and Black Rose Precious Face Oil.
On display of course the newest addition to the Sisley Black Rose family: The Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream for plumbing and radiance (Baume-En-Eau à la Rose Noire). Infused with soothing rose and magnolia essential oils, this nourishing cream absorbs deep into the skin for a plumper, fresher complexion. Black rose combats free radicals, while red vine extract evens tone, leaving a glowing more radiant finish. Its texture is absolutely different from what you might have ever experienced due to an exceptionally sensorial application as it transforms into micro-droplets of water and permeates into the heart of the epidermis. Hydrated, the skin is infused with moisture, as if rejuvenated.
After this beautiful experience in the spa, I was fully of energy the next day and so much looking forward to finally meet Mrs Isabelle d’Ornano which is not only a style icon for me but whom I also admire for her way of combining work, motherhood and success.
In 1976 she launched Sisley with her husband Hubert d’Ornano who headed the company for over thirty years as a visionary creator and daring entrepreneur until his death at the age of 89 in 2015. He believed in aromatherapy and phytotherapy as one of the first ones in the cosmetic industry. Until today, the brand is family owned, distributed in over 90 countries with 4000 employees worldwide. Mrs d’Ornano, President of the Supervisory Board, is chiefly in charge of creation and advertising, while her son Philippe d’Ornano is President and directs the company’s International development. Her daughter, Christine d’Ornano is Global Vice President, also heading one of the group’s subsidiaries in Britain.
Mrs d’Ornano is truly amazing. I learnt from her employees that until this day she reads all the sales reports personally to understand how her customer tick. Sisley is a brand that launches a product when it is ready and not when a line has to be completed.
Above the new Maison Sisley, on the top floor, Mrs d’Ornano has furnished a private apartment overlooking the rooftops of Paris that is quite stunning. Here we chatted about the brand she built up, life and faith.
Mrs d’Ornano, I read once that your key to a strong marriage, family, work, and a happy life in general is your faith. Can you explain this a little further please?
I believe in God. The world has been created by God. We all have a special mission. I pray. The more comfort you need, the more you pray. I was born in Poland that had a difficult history in the 19th century. Therefore Christianity played an important role. Personally speaking, I don’t understand people who don’t believe in anything.
Together with your husband you have built up this beauty empire. Your whole family is involved in the business. How can we imagine your daily life? Were you able to leave the business behind to a certain point when being on vacation for example?
For years, we never left the business behind. One of our daughters who was not involved in the company would point it out when it was too much. On the other side, we always had something to speak about. When we had ideas, we could express them immediately. Sisley became my 6th child.
What do you think about this century?
I am happy. It is not on me to judge. We are experiencing an acceleration in daily life, so much more is possible. On the other side, I am sometimes worried that humanity will be lost in this digitalized world. I think for the younger generations it is not always so easy. Of course, there are more possibilities, but on the other hand, they are asked so much more. Men seem to have less work as women are capable of doing the same things.
Your own beauty regime?
I try to walk every day and do gymnastics. In general, I have a healthy taste in terms of eating. But most importantly, I like people, I am always curious and enjoy meeting new people. In my age, that changes a lot.
You in three words.
Loyal, efficient and fun!
Thank you Mrs d’Ornano for this interview and to the whole Sisley team for this beautiful experience in Paris!
TO SHOP SISLEY PARIS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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