Last month, La Prairie debuted Julian Charrière’s Light Upon an Imaginary Space at Art Basel in Hong Kong. The presentation of commissioned work coincided with the luxury skincare brand’s launch of White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire—a new moisturizing cream that brightens and evens skin tone.
In Hong Kong, Swiss born and Berlin-based artist Charrière’s film was installed at the La Prairie Pavilion from March 29-31, part of the Swiss brand’s ongoing partnership with the contemporary art fair. The footage of frozen terrain in Light Upon an Imaginary Space was captured by drones at night on treks to extreme landscapes around the globe, including the glaciers of Switzerland. “Filming primarily at night, the landscape transformed into both actor and stage the moment it was illuminated by the rays of the drone’s spotlight,” Charrière said. “Like La Prairie, my work constantly tries to push the boundaries of what is thought to be possible while being unafraid to forge new ways to implement new ideas.”
The La Prairie Pavilion at Art Basel in Hong Kong.
White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire is a shining example of La Prairie’s pursuit of the impossible. Proven to surpass any other brightening product on the market, the moisturizer is the result of over 15 years of research. La Prairie’s lab tested over 50,000 ingredients before identifying the powerful active: lumidose.
Lumidose is capable of inhibiting tyrosinase which causes dark spots. And when paired with La Prairie’s White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion serum (featuring the Golden Caviar extract), shadows fade while the skin appears both illuminated and firm.
The La Prairie Pavilion at Art Basel in Hong Kong.
That harnessed force of brightening is what inspired the skincare brand to present Charrière’s film. “This extraordinary power inspired us to merge La Prairie’s science of light with the art of light, through the patronage of Julian’s magnificent work,” said Greg Prodromides, Chief Marketing Officer of La Prairie Group.
To learn more about White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire, Whitewall spoke with Dr. Daniel Stangl, La Prairie’s Director of Innovation.
Julian Charrière’s Light Upon an Imaginary Space
Courtesy of La Prairie
WHITEWALL: Lumidose was discovered after 15 years of research. At the beginning, what were you hoping to find?
DR. DANIEL STANGL: We feel that an even skin tone and flawless skin is one of the main concerns among women worldwide. This was the starting point. From a skin biology point, we felt that there weren’t any satisfying solutions on the market, so we started identifying ingredients that address the key steps in the formation of pigment and melanin. This was also the starting point to identify something that is extremely powerful at a low concentration.
Julian Charrière’s Light Upon an Imaginary Space
Courtesy of La Prairie
WHITEWALL: Is screening 50,000 ingredients extraordinary for product research, or is that typical?
DR. DANIEL STANGL: This is rather extraordinary. This is certainly not the average approach when you’re trying to identify an active ingredient. It was a huge effort.
Julian Charrière’s Light Upon an Imaginary Space
Courtesy of La Prairie
WHITEWALL: Is the effect of lumidose twofold, in that it reduces the appearance of dark spots and prevents future dark marks from forming?
Julian Charrière’s Light Upon an Imaginary Space
Courtesy of La Prairie
DR. DANIEL STANGL: It inhibits the enzyme produces melanin. Of course, the melanin already produced and distributed throughout the skin is there, but is removed through the normal skin renewal cycle of four to six weeks. Once you natural get rid of the existing dark spots, you block the formation of new ones and get a consistent brightening benefit that continues for as long as you are using White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire.
We have seen that there is a reduction of contrast between age spots, the color of age spots, and the color of the surrounding skin, which eventually leads to a more homogenous complexion of the skin and a more even skin tone.
La Prairie’s White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire.
WHITEWALL: There are also firming benefits in the White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire. Does that help with reducing shadows?
DR. DANIEL STANGL: White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire features the Golden Caviar extract, which is known for its firming benefits. By firming the skin, you automatically reduce skin surface movement. This also adds to a more luminous appearance of the skin because you increase the reflection of light and reduce the absorption of light.
La Prairie’s White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire.
WHITEWALL: How major of a breakthrough is this for La Prairie?
DR. DANIEL STANGL: This is a major breakthrough, not only for La Prairie, but also for the entire industry. We have seen measurable results after just two weeks. And you see the skin continuing to brighten significantly after eight and 12 weeks. And we strongly recommend using SPF during the day, as well, on top of White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire.
