While the beauty industry is buzzing with ways to approach well-being, Kenzo has been creating La Bulle, a spa/beauty haven for relaxation and indulging the senses. Emmanuelle Duplay, the architect of the space, has achieved a sensorial delight. Perhaps it’s that Duplay is a woman and knows the intrinsic relationship between women and beauty. Or, maybe, she simply understands that to attract consumers today it’s important to seduce them, and entice all five senses. La Bulle elevates the beauty retail environment through a riot of contrasts that ultimately fits like a sexy little dress. The materials used to construct the place are a mix of natural and high-tech. The spa consists of two massage rooms, one very minimalist serene and the other quite over the top to address the different sides of a woman. One of the rooms is a shaggy longhaired rectangular object on the outside with golden mosaic tiles on the inside and an illuminated massage table. The other room is curved and supple on the outside as if it’s filled with air. Inside, it’s got a Japanese massage mat and has images scrolling against a white wall as you lie down and relax. Alternatively you can wander for hours trying on products (including KENZOKI, Kenzo’s new skincare line) or chill and read from the stacks of books on display. It’s a sweet seduction. 1 rue du Pont Neuf 75001 Paris 4th floor 01 73 04 20 04. Mon-Wed: 10am-8pm / Thurs-Sat: 10am-10pm).

- Jenny Moda
Photo: La Bulle in Paris