The Secret Cafe on Maison Sisley's first floor. [Photo provided to International Services Shanghai]

French prestigious beauty brand Sisley opened the Maison Sisley Shanghai, the first establishment in the Asia-Pacific region, on March 29. The launch marked an exciting new milestone in the French family brand's development in China.

Located in Jing'an Zhangyuan, a historic community with hundreds of shikumen architectural stylehouses in Shanghai's downtown Jing'an district, the Maison Sisley Shanghai spans 339 square meters and offers a combination of beauty, hair care, well-being treatments and boutique shopping — all under one roof.

Apart from exceptional products, professional services and treatments, customers can also enjoy artwork created by artists from different countries. At this moment, a piece created by the Chinese artist Ni Youyu is on display at the Secret Cafe on Maison Sisley's first floor. Considered a favorite of the d'Ornano family, this masterpiece belongs to the Ancient Archive Specimen series and showcases a bonsai displayed in a window. It is made from ancient drawings that were hand colored and then cut and pasted onto the canvas, before being painted using various techniques, notably acrylic, oils, lacquer, and pastels.

Cosmetics are displayed on the first floor. [Photo provided to International Services Shanghai]

Like every Maison Sisley, the lounge area on the second floor reflects the artistic inspiration of the d'Ornano family. According to Sisley, every detail, such as color and piece of furniture in the lounge, has been specifically chosen by Isabelle d'Ornano, brand founder of Sisley, and some have even been taken from the family's private collection. Beneath the geometric "Moon "chandelier designed by Dimore Studio, a striking bronze coffee table by sculptor Bronislaw Krysztof features two majestic birds. Brightly colored birds are also featured on the screen illustrated by the artist Elzbieta Radziwill. The combination of both creates a lively and vibrant representation of nature.

Three incredibly cozy treatment rooms and one hair spa room located on the second floor of the maison guarantee a relaxing escape from one's urban routine.

According to Sisley, customers will enjoy professional skin care services that combine exceptional products with customized care plans in the treatment rooms. The rituals not only include plant-based aromatherapy facial and body treatments for moisturizing, revitalizing and purifying needs, but also luxurious age-defying treatments designed specifically for wrinkle reduction, skin rejuvenation and overnight repair. Hair Rituel by Sisley will propose a unique hair care treatment to rival what the best skin care has to offer in the hair spa room as well.

The hair care products of Hair Rituel by Sisley are exhibited on the first floor. [Photo provided to International Services Shanghai]

A gift bar for wrapping presents and an area dedicated to Sisley featuring the colors of the skincare line are also established.

According to Philippe d'Ornano, president of Sisley, the Maison Sisley Shanghai, which allows customers to immerse themselves into the world of Sisley, is a bridge to connect the brand with consumers.

It serves as a "professional institution" which can help customers discover a cosmetic brand in a fantastic way.

It is an oasis for customers to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and a place where people from different backgrounds meet and exchange, he said.

"Maison Sisley Shanghai expresses the philosophy of value, or even deeper, the soul of the brand," d'Ornano said. "It is something that we see like as a poetic luxury — a luxury but not an impressive one. (It is) not one where people feel uncomfortable. Customers feel a nice environment and a break from the crazy rhythm of what we all have in our lives. They will have time for themselves and people can interact with them and take care of them."

As the brand has done in countries across the world including France, Germany and other European countries, Sisley is keen to open more Maison Sisley in China. It is looking for locations that boast the Chinese history and also connect with Sisley.

"We need to find the right place where we are able to create something which is not exactly a shop. It's more like a reflection of the soul of what we are and connected to the soul of the city where we do Maison Sisley," d'Ornano said. "Each maison is different, so it is not like one concept that can be applied everywhere in the world."

The lounge area on the second floor reflects the artistic inspiration of the d'Ornano family. [Photo provided to International Services Shanghai]