IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE

THE WORLD OF VALMONT

Global Citizen discovers beauty and skincare brand Valmont, and its illuminating CEO, Sophie Guillon.

How did you get started in the beauty industry? My career started at Oscar de la Renta and YSL as a marketing and communication director

Did you have any other career aspirations earlier on? I have always been passionate about research and molecules. I have been able to exercise this passion since I started working for the Valmont Group.

Where do you find inspiration for your fragrances? My inspiration comes from the way I look at contemporary women. They are fascinating and I wanted to create fragrances that reflect them. Venice is also a source of inspiration with its richness and colours.

What is your company’s global presence? We are in 55 different countries, and I want to develop the Indian market. We are also working on expanding the Asian market.

What has been your proudest moment? When we reformulated our precious DNA. I went to visit the biologist who had created the first Valmont formulas. Her scientific opinion was very important to me and she totally validated our work by congratulating us for using the latest techniques to enhance the salmon DNA. I must admit that I was very proud of this wonderful work done with my teams.

How important is sustainability in the beauty industry? Sustainability has become a very important issue for today’s customers. Our business segment demands total respect and transparency on sustainability. We have been aware of these requirements for a long time, but we did not communicate them. We are now doing so. How has the rise of eCommerce changed the way you run your business? Since the health crisis, e-commerce has taken on a very important role. It has allowed us to bring our brand closer to customers who are far from our points of sale. It has also helped to renew our clientele with a dynamic and more colourful digital communication!

Do you have any golden rules when it comes to customer service? The most important rule of Valmont remains the service to our customers. Listening carefully to our customers’ needs. The luxury cosmetics industry offers excellent skin care products, we do our best to adapt and have personalised proposals to make our customers unique.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt throughout your entrepreneurship journey? I have learned that nothing is guaranteed! Society evolves and we must always adapt. That’s why I’m proud of this beautiful story that has lasted for almost 40 years.

How do you see the brand evolving in the future? Since 1985, Valmont has evolved to answer the skin needs of contemporary women. The future of Valmont will be to concentrate skincare products to the maximum of possibilities. The brand’s experience will always be one of personalized advice, visible effectiveness and cellular stimulation thanks to exceptional active ingredients, from collagen, DNA, precious peptides and vitamins. In line with our desire to combine art and beauty, we will always be present in unique 5* hotels and our retail distribution will remain on a high-end and exclusive network.