Yes! Send me the FREE digital editions of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines and the FREE weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines and breaking news alerts!
After receiving the highest civilian award for services to the French nation,
Riadh Bouaziz, CEO of RKF Luxury Linen, reflects on his company’s
many achievements and considers what lies ahead
RKF’s CEO, Riadh Bouaziz, receiving his ‘Knight of the National Order of Merit’ from Marie-Guite Dufay in northern France in October 2023 / photo: RKF LUXURY LINEN
In its 23 years of operation as a ‘Made in France’ innovator of luxury fabrics for wellness and hospitality, RKF Luxury Linen has been steadily adding to its collection of awards for fashion and innovation.
Prior to October 2023, the company was the proud recipient of 19 such industry awards, as well as being the holder of 15 patents and brands. But RKF’s landmark 20th award was received with an extra degree of gratitude, says the company’s pioneering CEO, Riadh Bouaziz.
At a formal gathering in north-east France with Marie-Guite Dufay, President of the Regional Council of Bourgogne-France Comte, Bouaziz was honoured with the title of ‘Knight of the National Order of Merit’, a prestigious service decoration given by the French President to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the country.
A great honour “It was a great honour to receive such a decoration in recognition of RKF’s work and for my own contribution as CEO. I already had great respect for Mme Dufay as a very skilled business leader, so it was particularly special to have received the award from her,” he said.
“Beyond the red ribbon Order of Merit that is given to outstanding achievement in the military, the blue ribbon Order of Merit is the highest accolade that can be given to a civilian in France, so receiving it was a very special moment. I also believe it’s the first time someone from our industry has received it,” says Bouaziz.
Key members of RKF’s management team, a number of employees, friends and family were in attendance to witness the event. And it’s a testament to the strong relationships that Bouaziz has forged with clients and colleagues in the hospitality and wellness industries that many of them were there too.
“We had people fly in from all over the world – from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, Switzerland, the UK and Dubai and other countries. It was honestly very wonderful and touching to see them all there in support,” he said.
COVID contribution While the award is a recognition of the work of RKF since its inception as a company in 2000, it also specifically acknowledges Bouaziz’s enormous contribution to supporting the French government taskforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bouaziz says: “As lockdown hit in France, within just two days we had assembled a new factory with full logistics, complete production line and 400 new workers who quickly swung into action, producing gowns and masks in huge numbers to protect our medical workers and citizens here in France. We were operating 24/7 for almost six months.”
Being RKF, these were no run-of-the-mill medical products of course. Bouaziz says: “They were high quality garments and not just for single use. They were fully recyclable and good for 50 washes, with a certification from the French government, as well as international certification.”
Post-pandemic, it’s now back to regular business for Bouaziz and his dedicated team – many of whom have been with the company for 10 to 15 years. Hard work, high standards and exceptional delivery of quality is something that’s firmly implanted in RKF Linen’s DNA.
To date, the company has worked on more than 45,000 global luxury hospitality and spa contracts. Its products include everything from bed, bath and fine dining linens, to high fashion spa robes in patented ecological fabrics (such as Dreamsoft and Timeless).
Pushing boundaries Bouaziz says: “As a company we never stand still. We’re always innovating and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within our industry. As a leader, it’s my job to ask the challenging questions and to inspire others in the industry to do the same.
“Hospitality and spa and wellbeing still operate as two separate entities that come together under one roof, but we must work towards greater collaboration,” he says. “These two luxury experiences should be fully integrated, with no barriers.
“How will the industries achieve this? These are the big questions that we must be asking ourselves now,” he says.
Bouaziz has not shied away from big goals and big achievements during the past 23 years, and there are no signs of him slowing down. His plans for expansion continue, he says, “at an even more rapid pace”.
With so many new projects in the pipeline, the worlds of luxury hospitality and wellness can expect to see so much more innovation, transformation and future gazing from the ‘RKF universe’.
Sponsored: Highest French distinction for RKF's CEO
After receiving the highest civilian award for services to the French nation, Riadh Bouaziz, CEO of RKF Luxury Linen, reflects on his company’s many achievements and considers what lies ahead
Association focus: Thermal Heritage
Jane Kitchen finds out how two key associations – the European Historic Thermal Towns Association and the Great Spa Towns of Europe – are protecting and promoting the unique cultural relevances of Europe’s spa towns
Interview: Paul Simons
As he retires from the Great Spa Towns of Europe, the industry leader reflects on his long and esteemed career
Sponsored: New ways with water
Working globally with architects and interior designers allows Myrtha Wellness to embrace the latest trends in the international hospitality sector, as director Stefano Cattaneo explains
Sponsored: Cutting edge
Ara Patterson from Equinox Hotels talks about a partnership with
Gharieni that’s delivering ROI and innovative treatments for guests
Interview: Niamh O'Connell
What does Jumeirah’s first vice president of wellbeing have planned for the Middle East-based hospitality group?
Sponsored: Lasse Eriksen on contrast therapy
Contrast therapy is gaining attention for its healing effects. We ask aufguss and sauna expert Lasse Eriksen to share his views on the perfect experience
Nature spas: Tree of life
Lisa Starr discovers two retreats in Austria and Italy which base their wellbeing concepts on forests
Sponsored: Spirit of Excellence
Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme, owners of Biologique Recherche, discuss the global rollout of its ‘Ambassade’ flagship spas
Sponsored: Outstanding performance
Bicester Hotel & Spa is working with Matrix Fitness to enable wellness guests to train like athletes with a unique offering
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
After receiving the highest civilian award for services to the French nation,
Riadh Bouaziz, CEO of RKF Luxury Linen, reflects on his company’s
many achievements and considers what lies ahead
RKF’s CEO, Riadh Bouaziz, receiving his ‘Knight of the National Order of Merit’ from Marie-Guite Dufay in northern France in October 2023 / photo: RKF LUXURY LINEN
In its 23 years of operation as a ‘Made in France’ innovator of luxury fabrics for wellness and hospitality, RKF Luxury Linen has been steadily adding to its collection of awards for fashion and innovation.
Prior to October 2023, the company was the proud recipient of 19 such industry awards, as well as being the holder of 15 patents and brands. But RKF’s landmark 20th award was received with an extra degree of gratitude, says the company’s pioneering CEO, Riadh Bouaziz.
At a formal gathering in north-east France with Marie-Guite Dufay, President of the Regional Council of Bourgogne-France Comte, Bouaziz was honoured with the title of ‘Knight of the National Order of Merit’, a prestigious service decoration given by the French President to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the country.
A great honour “It was a great honour to receive such a decoration in recognition of RKF’s work and for my own contribution as CEO. I already had great respect for Mme Dufay as a very skilled business leader, so it was particularly special to have received the award from her,” he said.
“Beyond the red ribbon Order of Merit that is given to outstanding achievement in the military, the blue ribbon Order of Merit is the highest accolade that can be given to a civilian in France, so receiving it was a very special moment. I also believe it’s the first time someone from our industry has received it,” says Bouaziz.
Key members of RKF’s management team, a number of employees, friends and family were in attendance to witness the event. And it’s a testament to the strong relationships that Bouaziz has forged with clients and colleagues in the hospitality and wellness industries that many of them were there too.
“We had people fly in from all over the world – from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, Switzerland, the UK and Dubai and other countries. It was honestly very wonderful and touching to see them all there in support,” he said.
COVID contribution While the award is a recognition of the work of RKF since its inception as a company in 2000, it also specifically acknowledges Bouaziz’s enormous contribution to supporting the French government taskforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bouaziz says: “As lockdown hit in France, within just two days we had assembled a new factory with full logistics, complete production line and 400 new workers who quickly swung into action, producing gowns and masks in huge numbers to protect our medical workers and citizens here in France. We were operating 24/7 for almost six months.”
Being RKF, these were no run-of-the-mill medical products of course. Bouaziz says: “They were high quality garments and not just for single use. They were fully recyclable and good for 50 washes, with a certification from the French government, as well as international certification.”
Post-pandemic, it’s now back to regular business for Bouaziz and his dedicated team – many of whom have been with the company for 10 to 15 years. Hard work, high standards and exceptional delivery of quality is something that’s firmly implanted in RKF Linen’s DNA.
To date, the company has worked on more than 45,000 global luxury hospitality and spa contracts. Its products include everything from bed, bath and fine dining linens, to high fashion spa robes in patented ecological fabrics (such as Dreamsoft and Timeless).
Pushing boundaries Bouaziz says: “As a company we never stand still. We’re always innovating and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within our industry. As a leader, it’s my job to ask the challenging questions and to inspire others in the industry to do the same.
“Hospitality and spa and wellbeing still operate as two separate entities that come together under one roof, but we must work towards greater collaboration,” he says. “These two luxury experiences should be fully integrated, with no barriers.
“How will the industries achieve this? These are the big questions that we must be asking ourselves now,” he says.
Bouaziz has not shied away from big goals and big achievements during the past 23 years, and there are no signs of him slowing down. His plans for expansion continue, he says, “at an even more rapid pace”.
With so many new projects in the pipeline, the worlds of luxury hospitality and wellness can expect to see so much more innovation, transformation and future gazing from the ‘RKF universe’.
Sponsored: Highest French distinction for RKF's CEO
After receiving the highest civilian award for services to the French nation, Riadh Bouaziz, CEO of RKF Luxury Linen, reflects on his company’s many achievements and considers what lies ahead
Association focus: Thermal Heritage
Jane Kitchen finds out how two key associations – the European Historic Thermal Towns Association and the Great Spa Towns of Europe – are protecting and promoting the unique cultural relevances of Europe’s spa towns
Interview: Paul Simons
As he retires from the Great Spa Towns of Europe, the industry leader reflects on his long and esteemed career
Sponsored: New ways with water
Working globally with architects and interior designers allows Myrtha Wellness to embrace the latest trends in the international hospitality sector, as director Stefano Cattaneo explains
Sponsored: Cutting edge
Ara Patterson from Equinox Hotels talks about a partnership with
Gharieni that’s delivering ROI and innovative treatments for guests
Interview: Niamh O'Connell
What does Jumeirah’s first vice president of wellbeing have planned for the Middle East-based hospitality group?
Sponsored: Lasse Eriksen on contrast therapy
Contrast therapy is gaining attention for its healing effects. We ask aufguss and sauna expert Lasse Eriksen to share his views on the perfect experience
Nature spas: Tree of life
Lisa Starr discovers two retreats in Austria and Italy which base their wellbeing concepts on forests
Sponsored: Spirit of Excellence
Rupert Schmid and Pierre-Louis Delapalme, owners of Biologique Recherche, discuss the global rollout of its ‘Ambassade’ flagship spas
Sponsored: Outstanding performance
Bicester Hotel & Spa is working with Matrix Fitness to enable wellness guests to train like athletes with a unique offering
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body
mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has
broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa –
which is due to open in 2028.
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.
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
