The First Lady Of Clean Beauty

Sylvie Chantecaille, daughter of French aristocrats, was one of the earlier believers of nature-meets-cuttingedge-science skincare and makeup. Her brand finally debuts here at Takashimaya D.S.

- Goh Yee Huay

A blue-blooded family, childhood days in verdant French gardens, debutante balls, and fashion designer friends – Sylvie Chantecaille’s life seems like the stuff of society pages. But for the 72-year-old founder of her eponymous beauty brand, the stuff of society pages laid the groundwork for her future as an industry game-changer.

“I grew up with a rose garden right outside my bedroom window and fell asleep every night to that beautiful scent, so I’ve always cherished flowers,” says Chantecaille. “As a child, I spent hours with my mother tending her garden, and this appreciation grew into a scientific form when I was given a microscope, which I used to study flowers and plants,” she says.

Born to aristocratic French parents who were art collectors, she not only acquired an artistic eye (honed by an education in art history and theatre), but also beauty know-how and routines through her mother.

“My mum took me for a facial when I was young, and the aesthetician put makeup on me. When I saw how it made me look, I was hooked. As I grew up and went out more as part of the debutante circuit, I would spend hours getting ready because I was a perfectionist. To me, that was the most fun part of my evening!”