Friends Gather to Celebrate the Grand Opening of La Maison Valmont
The sound of clinking champagne glasses chimed with lively conversations, while the click of stilettos reverberated on the cobblestones as invted guests made their way to the newly opened Valmont spa. Our dynamic hosts Sophie Vann Guillon, CEO and owner, alongside her partner Didier Guillon, the Chairman and Art Director of the Valmont group, welcomed glamorous friends and Valmont enthusiasts to the luxurious La Maison Valmont spa. Their beauty philosophy seamlessly merges aesthetics and artistry, elevating the experience to unparalleled heights. Valmont origins trace back to 1905 when Dr. Henry-Auguste Widmer founded the Valmont Clinic on the Swiss Riviera, known for hydrotherapy treatments and famous clients like Coco Chanel and Ingrid Bergman. By the 1980s, it became the first Swiss cosmetic surgery clinic and later, a leader in genetics and cellular cosmetics. In 1996, Didier purchased the exclusive cellular skincare line known for its use of active ingredients such as native collagen and DNA to combat signs of aging. Today, there are more than a dozen exclusive La Maison Valmont spas at esteemed locations across the globe, from New York and Paris to Tokyo and Shanghai. The newest jewel in this collection is on Rodeo Drive.
At the celebration, Sophie moved gracefully through the crowd, wearing a chic red leather blazer over a vibrant multi-colored midi dress and trendy platform shoes. Her youthful radiance perfectly showcased the age-defying results promised by Valmont skincare. Her partner, Didier, maintained a low-key presence while exuding pride in Sophie and the festive grand opening. “Sophie is the visionary; she has final approval on every product,” Didier told me proudly.
L to R: BHV editor, Sholé Mogadam, Alison Chozen and Debby Hakim in front of La Valmon Maison.
INSPIRING GUESTS
The special occasion attracted some of the most brilliant minds and inspiring individuals. Anna Chi, a producer and acclaimed director of “The Disappearance of Mrs. Wu,” spoke with the Valmont team about their opulent spa offerings, including the Rodeo Drive Red Carpet Facial and the exclusive L’Elixir des Glaciers Facial, a sublime treatment enriched with bee essence. Chi greeted Barbara Lazaroff, the legendary co-founder of Spago restaurant, and told her that both she and her husband, Douglas Smith– an Oscar-winning visual effects artist for “Independence Day,” love dining at Spago.
Next to me was Dr. Quyen Nguyen, an award-winning researcher and professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC Santa Barbara. Her friend Lazoroff suggested, “You should write a book!” Nguyen, recognized as one of the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds,” according to the Researchers List released by Clarivate Analytics, moved to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1991 at age 21, and barely spoke English. To improve her language skills while juggling her studies, she attended day classes and evening language courses. Nguyen completed her bachelor’s degree at UCLA, followed by her master’s degree and her PhD in 2001, also from UCLA. Since then, she has earned numerous national and international scientific awards.
L to R: Alison Chozen and Debby Hakim with Cedric Roget, Valmon CEO for North America.
Nearby, glamorous friends Debby Hakim and Alison Chozen spoke with a tall, distinguished gentleman, Cedric Roget, CEO of North America for Valmont. Roget disclosed it took years to find the “perfect location” for their spa, which the ladies praised as a great success. Hakim shared her excitement over becoming a first-time grandmother. Her beautiful daughter, Serena, a lawyer from UCLA law will be a new mom. Mazel tov!
A few steps away, Sholeh Mogadam, arrived a little later, walking a short block from her namesake Sholé Beverly Hills, known for their exquisite hair artistry and celebrity clients like the Jonas Brothers and Sophie Turner, along with athletes and models. The elegant women in attendance seemed to outnumber of notable men such as Darren Fong, vice president of BMO Bank; Brandon Polley, a top 4% global real estate superstar at Coldwell Banker Realty; Jacques Heimand, an award-winning choreographer and founder of DIAVOLO, which includes a talented team of dancers, designers, choreographers, and engineers; as well as other esteemed attendees.
French-born Heim, who resembles Bono with his tinted glasses, delighted everyone with entertaining stories. His Bono likeness was so striking that while in Tokyo, a group of Japanese fans chased him for photos, even trailing him into an airport restroom. Heim also shared his excitement working with the “nicest singer,” Dua Lipa, for whom he choreographed the dazzling opening dance at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
With the sun setting, the crowd slowly began to depart, exchanging promises to meet again soon. Guests arrived empty-handed but left with splendid gifts, thanks to Valmont’s opulent goody bags filled with luxurious products designed to keep everyone looking radiant for the weekend and well beyond.
