PARIS — Darphin Paris has new digs. The Estée Lauder Cos.-owned brand recently opened a 1,700-square-foot spa on the Rue Saint Honoré here, next door to its previous location, which was closed after a fire almost two years ago.
The original spa opened in 1958, when the brand was created by Pierre Darphin.
According to Isabelle Gaillac, Darphin’s senior product manager, since its debut the new space has maintained Darphin’s traditional customer base (women aged 40 to 50), while luring a younger clientele, as well.
Although its locale may be steeped in history — the ground-floor space is located in the building where Napoleon and Josephine’s civil wedding ceremony took place in 1796 — the spa’s interior is designed to have a modern feel. Its decor is mainly white and beige, while its lounge-like relaxation area boasts plush white armchairs and a makeup counter. A boutique in the entrance sells the brand’s 148-unit skin care and makeup collection.
“It is designed to be very Zen, not ostentatious, a haven of peace,” said Gaillac, of the spa’s concept.
The decor for each of Darphin’s five treatment rooms differs slightly depending on the treatment to be offered there. Each massage comes with its own colored candles and towels, plus a specific scent from an aromatherapy diffuser, music and tisane.
Every treatment begins with a 10-minute relaxation session, which includes a neck massage. Three versions of massages are available — express, lasting for 30 to 40 minutes; classic, a 90-minute treatment, and a three-hour “total well-being” massage.
The brand updated its service menu to offer around 20 treatments, including a new well-being offering comprising five new massages, for antistress and slimming, for instance. Price points for them — ranging from 20 euros, or $26 at current exchange, for a French manicure, to 180 euros, or $234, for a three-hour face-and-body massage — are “slightly higher” than at the former Darphin spa.
Company executives declined to reveal sales estimates. However, industry sources project the spa will generate 1 million euros, or $1.3 million, in its first year.
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Darphin has a second Parisian spa on the Rue du Bac, and its products are sold through 4,000 retail outlets worldwide. In Europe, the brand is distributed mainly through pharmacies, while it is retailed through spas, beauty salons and department stores in Northern European countries, the U.S. and Asia.