So where were we? Oh right, the Danish woman wandering in the field…
It made me consider how over-stimulated we are today. How we maybe see colors TOO much, even when we don't want to. Incredible colors that we perceive as garish or ugly because they present themselves in unpleasing ways-- oddly printed carpets in a hotel hallway, commercial neon signs, chipped, old paint in a parking garage. Even the sheer volume of images we consume on social media, while maybe aesthetically beautiful, have oversaturated our brains and desensitized us to the true beauty of the colors we see. And it somehow brought me back to that moment, staring at the color wall in the nail salon…
Each of those colors were truly beautiful in their own right. How had I not seen that before? Maybe I wouldn't put them all on my nails, but they were incredible. It was how they were presented that made them lose their inherent value and wonder. In an instant, I wanted to do it better. I knew I could do it better. Without cheesy puns, without harsh chemicals or polish that chips, without every color under the sun. Just the most exquisite shades in a top-of-the-line, clean formula paired with vivid, beautiful inspiration- the historic elegance of flowers and botanicals. Just like the Flora Danica.
In an instant, I wanted to do it better. I knew I could do it better.
As you have probably gathered by now, I am not a nail technician. A beauty enthusiast, sure, but I have no professional nailcare background. What I do have, however, is a background in luxury retail. For years I worked as a fashion and home décor buyer at various luxury retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue, and I learned from the best in the business. And that's how I knew I could do this. I could use that retail expertise to source and build a luxury brand that was not only high-performing but also inherently beautiful and inspiring.
And that is how it all began. True story: the pieces all came together in my head one day in the shower. I swear! I will never forget that moment (and I happen to have a terrible memory, so that's saying a lot).
There has of course been so much more to the story since then- moving back to New York, giving birth to my daughter four months after launching, learning all about the flowers that have come to inspire our shades (and even planting many in my growing garden!), running a business during a pandemic, and more. But it is the memory of that visit to Rosenborg Castle that truly inspires me everyday to build this beautiful collection that hopefully inspires you in a small way, too.
If you have made it this far- thank you! It means a lot to me that you are interested in our story. Please follow along for more!
Xx.
Christine