Swiss cosmetics brand Rivoli has just opened a concept store in Geneva, which it says aims to "combine the art of beauty with the beauty of art" by showcasing its high-end facecare range alongside exhibitions of modern artworks. The Rivoli Beauty Art Gallery is at 14, rue de l'Arquebuse, at the heart of the city's cultural and arts district.
The company currently has a presence in Switzerland, Denmark and Russia but intends to expand its distribution to other EU countries shortly. "Our strategy is a selective distribution through private perfumeries, and probably also beauty institutes," said Christoph Sanne, vice-president of sales and marketing at the firm. "For the time being we are trying to avoid the big chains such as Douglas or Marionaud.
"Rivoli Geneva is 60 per cent science, 40 per cent luxurious sensoriality," he said.
"We are the only 100 per cent Swiss brand in high-precision facial care that controls all the stages of creation – from developing active molecules in our own laboratory, to production."
With the Rivoli Beauty Art Gallery, Sanne says the brand is aiming to present its range "in a luxurious and inspiring environment, and at the same time, exhibiting some of the finest artistic creations carefully selected from amongst numerous international artists.
"This unique concept will be like a window on the world for Rivoli," he added, "but in Geneva only. For other key markets in facial care, we are working with partners or local retailers."
Rivoli products are based on plant-derived ingredients, are free of parabens, preservatives, synthetic emulsifiers, alcohol and artificial colors, and are not tested on animals. Prices start at €49.80 for the 200ml Tonique Relaxant, rising to €199.20 for the 50ml Serum Lumière.