Axelle Mon Wen Pin

Inspiration

Axelle Mon Wen Pin, Harmony of Body and Mind

Given to see beauty everywhere, even where we do not expect it. An education in beauty that makes sense for the philosophy of the brand The Socialite Family as well as Axelle Mon Wen Pin. A Parisian general practitioner like no other – sensitive to the arts in all their forms – who chose to turn to aesthetic medicine to help her patients “live better”. But not in just any office! At 76 Rue Réaumur, no more cold and austere waiting rooms with “piles of dated magazines and piles of seats that are more practical than elegant”. In these spaces with earthy tones decorated with the help of her husband – Guillaume Garnier of the duo Garnier & Linker – the young woman aims to “transmit to her patients through the decorative vector, her vision of her practice, that of a simple beauty, where we sublimate the natural with a form of non-ostentatious elegance to remain oneself above all.” A holistic vision of her practice where harmony of the body goes hand-in-hand with harmony of the place. The opposite of the ordinary aesthetic centres where design taste and scenography are not the priority. Here the Parisian chooses pieces of furniture for this soothing retreat in comforting hues that warmly welcome her patients. Kitayaman cedar table, terracotta seat, or light fixtures from The Socialite Family collection: references to organic lines that reassure, and offer a parenthesis of well-being sought by everyone during a kobido massage or a hydrafacial self in this precious setting.

Cabinet Axelle Mon Wen Pin, 76 Rue Réaumur, 75002 Paris.

Author

Juliette Bruneau

Photographer

Constance Gennari

TSF

Axelle, can you introduce yourself?

Axelle

I qualified as a GP nearly fifteen years ago. I love my job and the idea that a doctor can help their patients to live a better life. Healing others is not something that happens by chance, it requires a deep understanding of the patient in order to provide personalised care. This approach can be preventive – something I’m in favour of – curative and in some cases aesthetic. I love aesthetics, whatever the form: interior design, architecture, fashion, objects, paintings, sculpture, etc. I am particularly interested in the work of painters and sculptors because it allows me to see the various approaches used by artists when creating facial perfection. When it comes to my job, I believe the face is very important and that it is often easy to give it a harmony. I then specialised in cosmetic medicine where I had the chance to be trained by an excellent team led by Prof. Meningaud in Créteil. I advocate simple and elegant cosmetic treatments and I take great pleasure in working together with my patients, so we can make the most of their features by focusing on a very natural result. I work very gradually because we all see too many people who have overdone it. So I start with a lightweight treatment and if necessary complete it a few days later. To prolong the effect of my care or to help patients in the early stages of a cosmetic treatment, I prefer simple treatments such as Hydrafacial, which allows you to exfoliate deeply, extract impurities and moisturise, as well as kobido massage, an ancestral Japanese technique that boosts collagen.

TSF

We’re at your workplace, which does not look like your typical cosmetic practice. What does the decor mean to you?

Axelle

Before I moved into my own practice, I temped a lot – a normal process for newly-qualified doctors. I have always been struck by the austerity of many practices – little or no decoration, zero personality, piles of old magazines and rows of functional rather than elegant chairs. And even in cosmetic establishments, I found that the decor was often minimalist and often white, which totally lacks warmth. I didn’t enjoy spending my days there, but also (and especially) I felt for my patients who were anxious enough at the prospect of a cosmetic procedure. When I decided to set up my own practice, I obviously wanted it to be pleasant and welcoming. I also wanted the decor to convey my idea of cosmetic procedures to my patients; simple beauty, where we enhance the natural with elegance, so they don’t become a caricature of themselves.

TSF

You worked with your husband – Guillaume Garnier of the Garnier & Linker duo – on the decor. What inspired you?

Axelle

That’s a tough one to answer. It all happened very naturally in the end. Despite the differences between our two businesses, Guillaume and I frequently discuss our jobs. Just like him, I believe decor helps people feel at ease, and with regard to cosmetic medicine, my practice focuses on the body, particularly the face. My husband’s profession meant I found inspiration on an almost daily basis. We love to go on trips that inspire us. Our shared Pinterest is packed with images. The latest and the one that certainly influenced me is Coqui Coqui, part of a Mexican hotel chain featuring beautiful haciendas, decorated in an understated but very welcoming way – just stunning. I also bought a Lucia Sellier collage that I love, “Plein Soleil”, which I hung in the entrance. As soon as a patient arrives, they can dream and escape to the world this artist creates. My table is made of kitayama cedar, a Japanese wood known for being exceptionally straight and knotless, derived from sustainable forests, which my husband also uses a lot in his collections. The alabaster lights mean patients find soft, comforting lighting. I also installed large green plants because I find them beautiful and soothing. The time spent taking care of them after my consultations allows me a moment of calm at the end of the workday before I head home to my family.

When I decided to set up my own practice, I obviously wanted it to be pleasant and welcoming. I also wanted the decor to convey my idea of cosmetic procedures to my patients; simple beauty (...)

TSF

Did the constraints inherent to this kind of medical setting guide your thinking with regard to materials and colours, the creation or choice of furniture?

Axelle

Easy maintenance surfaces and that can resist powerful antibacterial products were needed, hence the choice of certain stones and tiles such as the Massangis stone and Italian Cesi tiles. Medical furniture isn’t known for its beauty, but there are some slightly more sophisticated suppliers where I found professional furniture more suited to the style I wanted my practice to have. As for the lighting, which is essential for my job, I bargain-hunted on Selency for wonderful vintage floor lamps like the Dijkstra. For the other light sources, I did not have any particular constraints, so I naturally chose the Garnier & Linker wall sconces and pendants that I find magnificent and which create a very soft glow.

TSF

Do your clients appreciate the decor?

Axelle

My patients often tell me that they appreciate the care taken with the decor, that they feel at ease. Some even tell me that the often very cold, sanitised atmosphere of cosmetic practices makes them uncomfortable and that when they come into my practice, they feel like they’re in the right place.

TSF

Where will we find you in the coming months?

Axelle

In my practice on Rue Réaumur in Paris, unless we bump into each other on a path in Fontainebleau forest where I like to go to recharge my batteries during long walks with my three children and my husband when we’re at home for the weekend. During the school holidays, you’ll find me almost anywhere in the world, I love nothing more than travelling with my family. It allows us to take a step back which I believe is essential for a happy life.

Some of my patients even tell me that the often very cold, sanitised atmosphere of cosmetic practices makes them uncomfortable and that when they come into my practice, they feel like they’re in the right place.

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