Lydia Sarfati, Founder and CEO, Repchage® with Lois Christie, President, Intercoiffure, Founder/CEO, Christie & Co. Salon
BY ANEAL LALLA
Visiting Christie & Co. Salon in Bay Terrace meant Lydia Sarfati’s return to her roots.
Twenty-eight years ago she lived in Bayside at the Birchwood Tower Americana building and had her hair done at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center.
Fast forward to today and we meet Sarfati, founder and CEO of the multi-million dollar company, Repechage®, a world-wide esthetics company.
As president of Intercoiffure, the international organization of salon owners, Lois Christie met Sarfati, who is chairperson of Aesthetics America, at an industry event. There was an immediate connection personally and professionally. The energy and power of these two CEOs will now find them joining forces at Christie & Co Salon
“Although I have 150 exclusive Repechage® concept spas around the world, this one has special significance for me on many levels—both professionally and personally,” explained Sarfati.
“I feel that I’ve come home,” she said.
On Monday, May 7, Christie & Co. Salon aligned with Repechage® to become the Christie & Co. Repechage® Spa De Beaute.
The salon joined a network of 150 salons worldwide who are Repechage® Spa De Beaute.
At the ribbon-cutting celebration, led by former Borough President Claire Shulman, were representatives of the Cord Meyer company, as well as City Councilmember David Weprin. The salon was also featured on May 7 on ABC TV as an outstanding business.
“By working with such a well respected and successful company that has set the industry standards, I felt this will bring my clients a unique and proven spa experience. I love the fact that a client will now be able to come in for an express facial for 30 minutes or for a complete destination spa day,” said Christie.
The company’s numerous products are also available at the Christie & Co. Repechage® Spa De Beaute.
The Spa in Bay Terrace will now offer exclusively Repechage® facials. One is the renowned 4 level facial and the new VitaCura 5 phase firming facial with micro peel. Seaweed body wraps and the award-winning peppermint sea twist, a contouring and firming treatment for the body, will also be available.
Repechage® became famous for its Four Layer Facial — layer upon layer of pure fresh seaweed to tone, rejuvenate and help firm the skin. The all natural products are based on a holistic approach to beauty. The product lines are designed for many skin needs and include suncare and bodycare collections and wellness products. Each item contains natural supplements such as seaweed.
It was in 1977 that Sarfati opened the first Repechage® Spa de Beaute, which is still located at 115 East 57th Street, between Lexington and Park Avenues.
“There were maybe four major spas in New York City at the time when I opened the spa,” Sarfati said. “I was not sure how we would be received because I had a dream of doing it my way. But we did over 20,000 facials in our first year and that was an incredible accomplishment,” she said. With a positive start, Sarfati was able to distinguish herself from the rest of the field as she discovered the potential of seaweed.
“Back in the 70’s, there was a large desire for natural, organic and fresh products, like we are seeing again today,” Sarfati said. “I was in France at the time and I saw people throwing seaweed away by the bundle,” she said. Sarfati’s creative nature immediately took control of her as she simply asked herself, “Why can’t this be used in skincare?” Determined to find an answer, she began her research on seaweed.
Sarfati found that not only do seaweed-based products help rehydrate the skin, they also help rebalance it as well. “Seaweed has a host of nutrients,” she said. “It is the ultimate organic product. Since it grows in the sea there are no roots or soil to consider in the growth process. It also has vitamins and minerals that are highly compatible with cell plasma in humans,” she said.
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call 718-225-7766.
