At first glance it would seem that Alex Chantecaille's radiant, sunkissed skin is the result of her outdoorsy life — she surfs, hikes, dives, plays tennis, goes kayaking and travels the world.
But as the director of sales for Chantecaille, the luxury line of botanical make-up and skincare products founded by her mother, it would be remiss if the 20-something Alex
was not wearing her own products. And she is indeed, the best advertisement for them.
“Our products are very health oriented. It's not so much about glamourous make-up, as it is about everyday, breathable, wearable skincare products and lovely textured natural foundations. It goes hand in hand with the idea of being outdoorsy and healthy," says Alex.
Healing
Chantecaille's make up products look so natural that even David Beckham and Brad Pitt have been known to wear them. The products have high concentrations of healing plants and flowers. For instance, the oil-free foundations contain seaweed, soy, aloe, arnica, and green tea. The ultra-smooth eyeshadows are packed with ginseng and the lip glosses have green tea, aloe and gingko Biloba.
Alex was in town for the launch of Chantecaille at Boutique 1, in the Emirates Tower Boulevard, an exclusive tie up gives Dubai's fashionistas access to the complete line
encompassing make up, skin care and fragrances.
The Chantecaille line was founded by Alex's mother, Sylvie, who worked for over 20 years with Estee Lauder, creating their Prescriptives line. Eventually Sylvie decided to
launch her own line of beauty products with pure natural ingredients and Chantecaille was born.
Alex heads the brand's sales team, travelling the world to train staff and implement the company's strategic marketing initiatives at store level. She also manages the
Chantecaille Energy Spa at Barneys New York.
Debated
However, joining the family business was not a given for Alex, an art history graduate from Barnard College.
“After college, I stayed for a while in Italy, came back and started working in PR for a shoe company. I was good at my job but it wasn't challenging. My mother asked me to come onboard and join Chantecaille where my talents would be
put to the test. I debated joining the family business for a while, because I wondered whether it would change the dynamics of my relationship with my mother and sister.
But it's been an amazing experience."
While her mother and sister were already working on the brand, Alex joined them four years ago. “I realised that I wouldn't get to see my mother much unless I worked with
her — because she works so much! And it's those stolen, golden moments: staying in a hotel together, or grabbing lunch together in the middle of interviews with editors,
those silly moments of running through airports to grab a flight, which are precious.
“My mother has given each of us – my sister and my father as well, our own niche that we are each best at, so we are not competing and have room to grow."
Cultural perspective
The Chantecailles are a French family who lived in New York for a little while, then moved to the New Jersey countryside of corn pastures and horse farms, where the girls grew up equestriennes. It gave Alex a unique cultural perspective.
“I was raised in a very warm and loving family, very European. Having the American experience in a French family was interesting. When my mother took us to school on our birthdays, we wouldn't take cupcakes like everyone else — but handmade chocolate éclairs. When friends came over, she would have spinach crepes, not hot dogs."
Alex's ex-fashion model sister Olivia is the face of the brand as well as the creative director.
“My sister has an appreciation of the finer things in life — she loves jewellery and fashion, she has a real understanding of things that are gorgeous," says Alex.
“She goes to fashion shows, connects with designers and stays updated with the latest trends and colours."
Sylvie continues to lead the company. Alex describes her as “an amazing role model — one of those parents who raises children by showing them what to do. Even as a young child, I wanted to be an executive like my mother —though I didn't really know what that meant. She inspired me to work."
Alex's love of nature and passion for environmental causes such as ocean conservation, led to Chantecaille's CSR initiatives. She is actively involved in Chantecaille's corporate contributions to such organisations as the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Foundation and the Pew Institute for Ocean Science.
The products are gorgeous to behold, and counter salespersons are trained to talk about how they benefit the environment. As she explains, “It's to engage smart women in a dialogue that is more interesting than just picking up a lipstick shade. Then you start a conversation which raises awareness".
“I've learned so much about the ocean. I just got my scuba certification and would be going to Belize in a few weeks to dive. If I am going to learn so much about corals, I better get down there and see them."
Chantecaille is available at Boutique 1.
Helping the Planet
Five per cent of the proceeds from the sale of the Protected Paradise Chantecaille compacts support the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation. The Pew Institute does cutting-edge research to inoculate dying corals. The brilliantly hued compacts have an intricate embossed design depicting the fish, seahorses, coral, and seagrass.
Part of the proceeds from the sales of Chantecaille's pressed-powder compacts and eye shadows, that feature embossed butterflies, goes to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Foundation.
