Yesterday I flew to Paris to celebrate the reopening of GUERLAIN‘s legendary address – 68, avenue des Champs-Elysées, which will officially open its doors this Saturday. Since 1914, it had been the house of the family and also the first boutique with only 45m² until 2005.
Peter Marino, Laurent Boillot (CEO Guerlain) and Guy Martin (Chef G68)
Today, it has become a temple of beauty with 1000m² on four floors, expressing the house’s DNA with an unbelievable atmosphere that has not forgotten its past. It is the biggest mono brand beauty store in the entire world. Peter Marino designed the store concept, displaying amazing pieces of art and giving the house’s history space. He encrusted marble into marble in a modern way and said that he relied on his wife for any advice on beauty.
For Peter Marino, “perfume is something in the air, something that is not concrete, that travels through the atmosphere.” Therefore he came up for example with a ceiling installation in the entrance that he called “lost in fragrance”, a very flowing and captivating interior design.
Yesterday with Guerlain’s famous face Natalia Vodianova
A happy Sandra exploring Guerlain’s temple of beauty, filled with house’s iconic fragrances and makeup products.
The store also has a private shopping room where you can indulge into the Haute Perfumery.
Here, you will find exceptional bottles, like for example the Queen Secret, a diamond encrusted bee that opens her wings to reveal the perfume you choose (€400.00 per piece) or a perfumed watch that combines the craftsmanship of watchmaking, jewelry and perfume making.
On display in the store are also some amazing vintage pieces.
An hommage to Guerlain’s iconic L’Orchidée Impériale line is this artwork by Marc Quinn.
To celebrate the opening, different limited or special editions have been launched such as a face powder of which only 400 pieces will be available or L’Eau 68, created by Thierry Wasser, that weaves a thread between the past and the future. Its scent, floral and woody, plays off the contrast between warm and cool spices.
Moreover, you can find a silk scarf selection or perfumed gloves which are amazing and said to keep their scent for a very long time.
The charming Olivier Echaudemaison, Creative Director of Guerlain, with me yesterday.
On the fourth floor, the amazing Guerlain spa is located. Nine rooms offer a relaxing and calming atmosphere with a very holistic approach. Every treatment is tailor-made for the customer. Different massage techniques from all over the world are combined to cater to the needs of the individual.
The waiting area has its own orchid garden and the entrance is just breathtaking.
In the basement, you will find the G68 restaurant where one of the best French chefs Guy Martin is treating his exclusive clientele to sophisticated and luxurious food – French Haute Cuisine. Martin has worked closely with Guerlain’s in-house perfumer Thierry Wasser. Following the same approach to creativity, they invented food that is called like the fragrances, working with similar ingredients. Martin said: “You have to understand the brand. You have to work with the best qualities, looking for the right products. It is a cuisine of comfort, pleasure and travel.”
I am completely in love with their tea selection named after their iconic fragrances that is also available to buy.
Guerlain’s legendary address is a feast for your senses, where you can indulge in luxury and beauty like nowhere else.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
