Sothys, a luxury spa brand based in Brive, central France, is owned by the Mas family and run by brothers Christian and Frederic Mas. The brand prides itself on its French roots and has a genuine focus on the production of high quality, professional skincare and expertise.
The company was originally established as a Parisian beauty institute in 1946, but in 1966 it was acquired by Bernard Mas who had a family history in cosmetics. Mas’ goal was to expand its global presence, range and availability.
Today, Sothys distributes products exclusively through professional spas worldwide, spanning a total of 20,000 facilities in 130 countries.
Developing products specifically with therapies and therapists in mind is something that CEO Christian Mas feels is a key selling point. “Our expertise comes from the treatment," he says, adding that inspiration comes from its 70 years of experience in the field, what the team sees every day and from travels abroad.
“When we create a new product, we always think about the professional side first. The retail is the final touch but it doesn’t work alone. Ultimately, for us, it’s how we fine-tune treatments.”
The essence of family is core to Sothys’ image and this is something that Mas also truly believes makes it stand out in a market dominated by large corporate brands. He says: “It’s very important for our partners to be able to know the owner of the company, it maintains a human relationship and creates a relationship of trust. People need to feel safe about what they buy and where they put their money and as a family company we’re respected in that way.”
Quality is of utmost importance too and it won’t compromise this through extensive mass production. All products are made in its original factory in Brive and are subject to meticulous quality checks and controls.
At the very heart of Sothys’ ethos is nature as a source of inspiration. This is embodied in the Les Jardins Sothys – 4 hectares of stunning botanical gardens on the edge of a lake and the Dordogne Valley in Auriac.
Open to the public since 2006, the gardens were originally designed by Bernard Mas and offer a multi-sensory experience of nature with a series of intimate enclosures. “By losing yourself there, you will feel harmony, serenity and calm”.
The family relies on the garden to provide inspiration and guide their company’s creations. What’s more, the organic flowers, plants and vegetables are used in formulations – it’s even developed a special Bernard Mas Sothys rose to use in a premium skincare line. As its tagline reads: “beauty is our passion, nature is our soul”.
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Sothys, a luxury spa brand based in Brive, central France, is owned by the Mas family and run by brothers Christian and Frederic Mas. The brand prides itself on its French roots and has a genuine focus on the production of high quality, professional skincare and expertise.
The company was originally established as a Parisian beauty institute in 1946, but in 1966 it was acquired by Bernard Mas who had a family history in cosmetics. Mas’ goal was to expand its global presence, range and availability.
Today, Sothys distributes products exclusively through professional spas worldwide, spanning a total of 20,000 facilities in 130 countries.
Developing products specifically with therapies and therapists in mind is something that CEO Christian Mas feels is a key selling point. “Our expertise comes from the treatment," he says, adding that inspiration comes from its 70 years of experience in the field, what the team sees every day and from travels abroad.
“When we create a new product, we always think about the professional side first. The retail is the final touch but it doesn’t work alone. Ultimately, for us, it’s how we fine-tune treatments.”
The essence of family is core to Sothys’ image and this is something that Mas also truly believes makes it stand out in a market dominated by large corporate brands. He says: “It’s very important for our partners to be able to know the owner of the company, it maintains a human relationship and creates a relationship of trust. People need to feel safe about what they buy and where they put their money and as a family company we’re respected in that way.”
Quality is of utmost importance too and it won’t compromise this through extensive mass production. All products are made in its original factory in Brive and are subject to meticulous quality checks and controls.
At the very heart of Sothys’ ethos is nature as a source of inspiration. This is embodied in the Les Jardins Sothys – 4 hectares of stunning botanical gardens on the edge of a lake and the Dordogne Valley in Auriac.
Open to the public since 2006, the gardens were originally designed by Bernard Mas and offer a multi-sensory experience of nature with a series of intimate enclosures. “By losing yourself there, you will feel harmony, serenity and calm”.
The family relies on the garden to provide inspiration and guide their company’s creations. What’s more, the organic flowers, plants and vegetables are used in formulations – it’s even developed a special Bernard Mas Sothys rose to use in a premium skincare line. As its tagline reads: “beauty is our passion, nature is our soul”.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Thomas Klein
Senior living, family resorts and urban retreats are all on the cards for Canyon Ranch says COO and president Thomas Klein. Katie Barnes finds out more
Trends: Spa Foresight™ 2018/19
Spa Business’ predictions for the future include vegan spas, blue light antidotes, home wellness and plastic-free facilities
Interview: Dietmar Mueller-Elmau
The owner of Germany’s Schloss Elmau tells Spa Business why music, culture and spa feed the mind and soul
Promotional feature: Living Earth Crafts
Living Earth Crafts has distinguished itself with furniture for the spa industry that combines high design with seamless functionality. Brian Paris gives us insight into the company’s stylish new introductions
Event report: GWS 2018 - Bella vita
An Italian inspired Global Wellness Summit featured fashion, food, fitness and spa… and cameos from Hugh Jackman and Oprah Winfrey. Spa Business gives its highlights
Research: Growing up
Spa is the fastest growing sector of the US$4.2tn global wellness economy according to the latest GWI research
Event report: WTA Conference
What do wellness travellers want? And what issues need to be addressed as the wellness tourism sector grows? Anne Dimon reports from the inaugural meeting of the Wellness Tourism Association
Fitness: Inhale the future
Ashley Neese tells Spa Business about the possibilities of breathwork and opening up the practice to more people
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and
wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England
with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’
concept.
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
