A Serene Swiss Home
Skincare brand La Prairie introduces a new concept on Queen’s Road that expresses its Swiss heritage in a luxury environment
The outside world might be chaotic with taxis honking horns and masses of people jostling for space along busy Queen’s Road in Central. But all is calm in La Prairie House, where the soothing elements of a Swiss residence unite in clean contemporary lines and muted grey tones. Nestled between contemporary art galleries and Michelin-starred restaurants in H Queens, the luxury Swiss skincare brand has secured a coveted spot in the heart of Hong Kong for its brand residence. It’s a space chosen for La Prairie clients, whom chief marketing officer Greg Prodromides defines as “educated, cultural, cosmopolitan and seeking the finest experiences in skincare, as well as every aspect of their life.”
Reserved for select clients to learn about La Prairie’s rich history, its products and its services through exclusive events, the house reflects the DNA of the brand, representative of Swiss precision and excellence. Guests are greeted by a gallery-style installation in the foyer, which outlines the brand’s heritage from its origins at Clinique La Prairie in Montreux, Switzerland.
This artwork takes inspiration from the work of the brand’s founder, Dr Paul Niehans, a pioneer in anti-ageing cellular therapy.
Taking its cues from contemporary Swiss architecture, the house blurs the lines between inside and out. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in an abundance of light to the whitewashed salon, an elegant sanctuary with low sofas and vases of flowers, that acts as the principle reception space. It was designed by La Prairie’s chief architect, Stana Pijunovic, who goes for a style described as “at once raw and refined, deceptively simple
in its execution, physically intense yet always in poetic balance.”
Monochromatic materials and a soft palette create personality and simplicity with hardly any difference between floors and walls. This creates an environment that channels silence, comfort and harmony. “The entire space is [the visitor’s] to absorb through all their senses, letting it resonate deeply within. A client can experience different journeys within the La Prairie House based on the time they have available,” Prodromides says. Befitting the brand’s commitment to the arts (La Prairie is a long-time supporter of Hong Kong’s Art Basel), there will be a space in the salon dedicated to exhibiting its contemporary art collection, which will be rotated periodically. Yet it’s in the atelier where the real magic happens. To learn what goes into each bottle of skincare, guests will have the opportunity to experiment and observe the raw ingredients that will ultimately be transformed into the final creations. Everything slows down at the retreat, a calm oasis, where therapists and aestheticians offer four treatments centred around La Prairie’s collections: Skin Caviar for lifting and firming, White Caviar to fade away uneven skin tones, Platinum Rare, a detoxifying and rejuvenating treatment, and Radiance to revitalise and perfect skin texture.
“We have created an entirely soothing environment for the present era,” says Prodromides. “We try to give clients a moment of calm and well-being when they visit the La Prairie House. Entirely centred on themselves, they enjoy a breathing space of stillness and beauty.”