The Pursuit of Eternal Beauty
With every collection, La Prairie attempts to present something bold and innovative—just like homegrown fashion designer Elyn Wong and her brand Stolen
A competitive space like the beauty industry undoubtedly means that brands are constantly trying to push boundaries and outdo one another as they seek to create novelties with outstanding results. Among them is a luxury skincare brand that has always been focused on its main aim—the pursuit of timeless beauty through art and science.
Since its inception in 1931, La Prairie has been a pioneer in cellular therapy and prides itself on its willingness to constantly innovate and break the codes of luxury. Thus, it’s only natural that self-taught Singaporean fashion designer Elyn Wong finds herself drawn to the Swiss skincare brand.
The founder of homegrown label Stolen stays true to her craft by putting herself through a “mini-challenge” each time she designs something new so that the end result is something different, fresh and unique. “I always push upcoming designs to be more novel and unconventional than my previous ones, to a point where it has become second nature,” Wong shares. “I feel this self-ordained, never-ending pursuit of the challenge is alluring enough to any creator.”
In many ways, Wong and La Prairie share similar beliefs— especially in striving to go beyond
the expected. As a brand with an incredibly rich history, La Prairie has pursued its vision of timeless beauty through the prism of art, supporting various initiatives that aim to preserve and promote culture and science through beauty. It is currently a patron of a two-year partnership with Switzerland’s most visited and prestigious art museum Fondation Beyeler to support the preservation of four iconic art pieces for generations to come.
As for Stolen, Wong considers it to be “more of a hybrid studio that marries fashion and art” and not just a fashion label. Her brand has been involved in multiple art projects within Singapore that span from working with paper sculptors to art photographers and musicians. Back in April 2018, Stolen was invited to Milan Design Week where it was commissioned by Wallpaper magazine to work with German ceramics manufacturer Villeroy & Boch on the art installation piece, Meridian Mettlach.
Although Wong views herself as “extremely traditional” in terms of values and principles, she is also one who seeks to challenge the status quo. The appeal of groundbreaking creations is evident in her choice of skincare products. As an ardent fan of La Prairie, she uses the brand’s exquisite Platinum Rare collection and particularly enjoys the Platinum Rare Haute-rejuvenation Protocol and Platinum Rare Haute-rejuvenation Cream. Both intensive treatments feature powerful anti-ageing properties that visibly reawaken the skin.
The way La Prairie uses science as part of its process to create luxurious skincare products that work has “absolutely convinced” Wong as a consumer. “Science has completely changed the landscape and technology of all the major areas in life like medicine, art, and engineering,” she says. “It’s efficient and forward-thinking to include these scientific advancements in the realm of skincare and beauty.”
The reinvention of the Platinum Rare Collection to now include Haute-rejuvenation affirms La Prairie’s commitment to its rich heritage that began with the pioneering work of Swiss physician Paul Niehans, who is considered the father of cellular therapy. His groundbreaking rejuvenating therapies may have been developed at the Clinique La Prairie in Montreux, Switzerland more than 80 years ago—but it is clear his legacy will only continue as the scientists at La Prairie pursue their quest for eternal beauty.