Well I hinted earlier this week that I had seen something amazing in my meeting with Harvey Nichols and WWD broke the story this morning so I've been given the all-clear to discuss.
Harvey Nichols' are launching the first of their new stand alone beauty stores called Beauty Bazaar in Liverpool this November. And it is GORGEOUS. And in my homeland. Amazing. I've never understood the reluctance of some beauty outlets to hit Liverpool - it's a beautiful, thriving city with huge potential.
WWD - in their translation confusion between the English 1st floor and the American 1st floor (ground floor) got their facts wrong - covering 22,000 sq ft - it spreads over 3 floors in Liverpool One - ground floor being home to the expected traditional beauty hall including brands such as Tom Ford Beauty, Jo Malone, Mac, YSL, Laura Mercier and NARS.
The second floor is home to the Champagne Bar, Beyond Beauty, Beauty Mart - the exciting new concept from Anna-Marie Solowij and Millie Kendal, Aveda, Origins and The Organic Pharmacy amongst others with a beautiful nail area.
The third floor is treatments galore - Beyond Medispa, STRIP waxing, tanning (fake!), beauty rooms and others - all hidden discreetly off a central reception so that if you bump into a friend - she'll never know what you are there for....they've really thought it through.
Daniella Rinaldi, Group Concessions and Beauty Director says:
'Harvey Nichols has long held a reputation for delivering innovation within the beauty arena; we were first to the market (in the UK and Europe) with M.A.C, Shu Uemura and Trish McEvoy, all game-changers who fundamentally impacted the cosmetics industry. The concept of' 'Lifestyle Beauty' was also borne via Harvey Nichols with the launch of both Aveda, the first of its kind, and Harvey Nichols' own Beyond Beauty – a concept which introduced to the UK customer exclusive derma and skincare brands retailed alongside their more natural counterparts. Harvey Nichols continues to pioneer the niche fragrance market with exclusive launches of Tom Ford, By Kilian and Escentric Molecules, that are now so successful for us as a business and within the industry in general.
Beauty Bazaar, Harvey Nichols is our latest innovation and will transform the beauty landscape. It will redefine luxury beauty and be the antidote to the commoditisation of beauty. The concept will allow customers the opportunity to be pampered and preened with the very best top-to-toe treatments available and provide access to the most important brands available in beauty.
It will be glamorous, exciting and energetic – a compelling beacon of beauty for all.'
With further stores around the UK planned for the subsequent months it's a very exciting time for beauty in the UK.
