Luxurious Magazine Exclusive Interview with Jamila Askarova, Creative Director and Head of International Development, Gazelli Group and Co-founder of Gazelli Luxury Skincare Brand.

Jamila Askarova grew up to share her mother’s combination of a business mind with a passion for beauty and style. In 2011, their joint desire was finally realised with the launch of their co-founded Gazelli. This luxury skincare range combines her mother’s medical expertise and knowledge of local ingredients with Jamila’s creative vision and belief that ‘the impression of a brand is built on small memorable moments that charm and captivate the customer’. Gazelli’s first Range Triple Youth™ was launched in Harrods, London and its expansion into Europe and the rest of the world quickly followed.

We got to ask the Azerbaijani beauty some more about herself and Gazelli:

LM: What inspired you/ led you to get into the beauty industry and to develop a skin care line?

JA: In Azerbaijan beauty and learning about the fascinating rituals of older generations is a part of every woman’s upbringing. Inspired from childhood, I was always drawn to the idea of creating something that would combine the best of my mother and myself as women and as professionals; my ideas for the business brought a new direction and energy to Gazelli that facilitated the expansion overseas to Europe and beyond.

LM: Are you seeing any new trends in the skincare industry that are shaping the way we purchase our luxurious skincare products?

JA: Customers are looking for a world, not just a brand to connect with. They are paying attention to the depth of the brand: its history, origin and point of difference, as well as product quality and excellent customer service.

LM: If you were to recommend one product in your range, what would it be and why?

JA: That’s a tough one… I guess it would have to be the Ultimate Firming serum, as it has the highest concentration of our exclusive white oil blended with extract of antioxidant-rich wild pomegranate. It carries nutrients to the deep layers of the skin to regenerate from within, whilst firming lipoic acid and DMAE tone and plump the skin, giving it a tighter, more youthful appearance. It is very versatile being suitable for all ages depending on the desired intensity of treatment. For me, its scent, texture and the results that you instantly feel on your skin epitomise the luxury market today.

LM: Tell us your top skincare tip for LM readers?

JA: Think of your skin as not only your face but every inch of your body – even if a lot of it is hidden under clothes for most of the year in the UK. There is a great need for every woman to develop the ability to ‘love’ herself and care for every inch. Extending your daily facial skincare regime to include décolleté area is already a step forward and you soon notice the results! Our Triple Youth range will extend into body products early next year but until then the Face Mist works wonderfully as a full body light fragrance and skin highlighter.

LM: Do you get to travel the world for your job and if so, where?

JA: My most recent unforgettable trip was to Mumbai followed by Abu Dhabi in the space of 10 days. It was really interesting to see the difference in these two completely different markets and how Gazelli has managed to communicate with and attract the clientele in both. The most interesting thing about travelling is the new people you meet, the exposure to different cultures and local beauty rituals. After every trip I always feel enriched, encouraged and blessed to be doing what I am doing and seeing how our brand manages to reach out and touch so many different nationalities.

LM: Where is your favourite luxurious place/ destination to get away to, or to be when you’re not working?

JA: Our family home in Azerbaijan. Although every family moment and meal somehow ends up slowly drifting into either an idea for a new product development or a heated discussion of examples of good customer service, I still feel it is there that I ‘fully’ recharge and have the chance to get away. Every book, every pillow, every inch of the floor and especially the scent makes me let go and feel like I am finally home!

LM: Who is your favourite fashion designer and why?

JA: The true simple elegance of Jill Sander designs.

LM: Any exciting future plans/ developments for Gazelli that you wish to tell us/ share?

JA: Spas and treatments have been a focus for years in Azerbaijan, I’m very excited to bring more of that aspect to the UK market. Plans are in motion for us to open our own spa location later on this year – it’s going to be unbelievable. Finally our customers will be able to fully immerse themselves in the world of Gazelli. There are also extremely exciting new additions to the retail range that have been in development for many years and are finally absolutely perfect and ready for market! And of course much much more… but you’ll have to wait and see!

You can also fully immerse yourself in the world of Gazelli Skincare with the divine Triple Youth Facial at Harrod’s Urban Retreat Treatment Rooms. This highly specialised treatment uses a unique blend of Gazelli’s exceptional ingredients, including its exclusive White Oil, which heals and re-generates, restores and nourishes skin at a cellular level. Brimming with vitamins, proteins, nutrients and essential oils, it encourages the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin to improve plumpness, suppleness and restore radiance. Gentle yet firm, rhythmic facial, décolleté, scalp and shoulder massage techniques are cleverly combined with a special hydrating and age preventative hand and arm ritual for a seriously soporific experience. Just the ticket when skin is dry, dehydrated, stressed and tired. £110 for 1 hour, 15 minutes.

To book, call Urban Retreat on 020 7893 8333.

For more information on the Gazelli Luxury Skincare Brand visit: www.gazellicosmetics.com