|
The Story of Tocca
   
The origins of TOCCA are as untraditional and whimsical as its clothing. In the winter of 1994, a group of friends and acquaintances gathered to celebrate the New Year in St. Lucia. Among them were Edoardo Mantelli, TOCCA’s Creative Director and TOCCA’s first designer, Marianne Oudejan. The two recognized a similar aesthetic and vision for beautiful yet affordable clothes with designer details. Within a few months, TOCCA’s third partner and President, Gordon Finkelstein, had joined the company after a fortuitous meeting of minds. The friends launched TOCCA from a small 400 square foot office in the garment district. TOCCA’s early collection, from candy-colored terry cloth tube dresses to sari-inspired embroidered mini dresses, were an immediate hit for their unique styling, unexpected details and surprisingly affordable pricing. TOCCA was worn by the tastemakers of the day – from Christy Turlington and Helena Christensen to Samantha Kluge, Tatiana Von Furstenberg and Zoe Cassavetes.
Named for the Italian word for “touch” after its intricate embroideries and luxurious fabrics, TOCCA combines the best of the romantic and exotic. It is unabashedly feminine, in a sophisticated European interpretation. The collection evokes the European traveler on holiday, a sensibility that logically led to the launch of TOCCA Beauty in 1997 with three unique and unusual products: a solid perfume, a dry oil skin smoother and a laundry delicate for fine washables in “Touch”, a gardenia-based fragrance. These beautiful and portable items were intended for the European traveler on holiday. Emblematic of the free-spirited culture of the company, these products were unconventional categories with which to launch a beauty line. Yet they were an immediate success with the press as well as with retailers. With its distinctive and sophisticated fragrances, TOCCA Beauty quickly developed a cult following. TOCCA Beauty can now be found in an extensive family of aromatic candles, luxurious bath and body products and fine fabric washes and eau de parfum.
In autumn of 1996, the first freestanding TOCCA store opened in Tokyo to showcase TOCCA’s design philosophy with crystal chandeliers, vintage furniture and walls accented in the iconic TOCCA blue. There are now seven TOCCA stores throughout Japan. TOCCA’s clothing collection is also sold in select fine department and specialty stores in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia including Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Intermix, Frances Heffernan and Joseph in London. TOCCA Beauty is sold in select upscale stores such as Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Sephora, Bluemercury and C.O. Bigelow.
TOCCA’s sophisticated whimsy and beautiful design have garnered remarkable domestic and international press coverage including features in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, WWD, Elle and the New York Times. Celebrity devotees include Drew Barrymore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Natalie Portman and Gwyneth Paltrow.
| Murad Skincare
 Murad founder, Howard Murad, M.D., defines vision and direction for Murad. Dr. Murad provides direct oversight to the Murad Inclusive Health Center® and Spa, Murad Medical Group and Murad Research Laboratories and travels the world speaking both as a brand ambassador and skin-health educator.
A board-certified dermatologist, pharmacist and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (Dermatology) at UCLA, Dr. Murad is widely acknowledged as one of the world's foremost authorities on skin health. A true visionary, Dr. Murad has changed the fields of skincare and dermatology. His pioneering efforts include creation of the first line of doctor branded skincare, the development of the first Esthetic AHA formulations, the first medical spa and the first Inclusive Health Center®. He continues to create cutting edge formulations for topical and Internal Skincare®, including countless discoveries that have translated ethnobotanical resources into important advances in health and wellness.
Dr. Murad continues to actively see patients and has seen more than 50,000 patients over the course of his career.
"As a dermatologist, pharmacist and researcher, I have devoted my life to making beautiful, healthy skin attainable for everyone.
A healthy complexion is a reflection of total wellness both inside and out. This, in turn, creates a healthy environment for the skin so that if problems do arise, they resolve more easily.
Furthermore, skincare can lead the way to overall health. Take all the necessary steps to achieve healthy skin–including the right products, the proper nutrients (from both food and supplements) and positive lifestyle choices—and over time, your whole body will be healthier too."
|
| Julie Hewett
 Julie Hewett has created a stellar line of cosmetics straight from the heart, with passion, as a labor of love for her craft.
She is one of the foremost beauty makeup artists actively working in Hollywood today and is also a member of the exclusive Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, of which there are only 150 members internationally in the Hair and Makeup Category. This honor is bestowed to those having demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in the art of Motion Pictures.
An idea born of necessity on the set of Pearl Harbor , Julie needed to create her own line of long-lasting technicolor reds. The Noir Collection was the answer to the call for good, old-fashioned red lipstick made with today's updated, more natural ingredients.
Julie's philosophy has always been to work from the lips up. She was Inspired by her love of 1940's French black and white films, where the eyelid was clean and the lips were a strong sensual focal point. Throughout history red lipstick has been an absolute beauty staple, like the "little black dress". Embracing the divine, Julie has created these classic film noir colors which are ageless and timeless.
For every woman who never thought they could wear red lipstick, this is their line. Julie Hewett takes the intimidation out of wearing red. From sheer to matte with matching lip liners you'll be confident and feel beautiful.
Julie saw that even in this overcrowded marketplace there was still a lack of absolute beauty classics. Collaborating with leading chemists, Julie has made lipsticks of the highest quality natural ingredients. The lipsticks are made of a Camellia oil base, which is said to be the closest to human skin oil, creating a perfect natural texture. Also using pure essential oils for fragrance, such as rosebud and orange blossom oil. Julie Hewett's products perform to makeup artist's standards.
Celebrities have relied on Julie Hewett's exquisite eye for beauty for 20 years. We know you will too.
Julie has 20 years of experience working with such award-winning actresses as:
* Annette Bening
* Jodie Foster
* Nicole Kidman
* Liv Tyler
* Anjelica Houston
* Hilary Swank
* Winona Ryder
* Kate Beckinsale
* Mary Louise Parker
* Mandy Moore
* Debra Messing
|
|
|
 |
