"We received a call from the Rolls-Royce Club, telling us we had been selected as “Partners of Choice”. We thought it was a prank."
It wasn't long before we realized that the call we received was legitimate, but also that Hermann Gourmet Cosmetics had been honoured by being the first cypriot company awarded by the official Rolls-Royce Club as a “Partner of Choice”.
The R.R.E.C., one of the world’s most prestigious car clubs, was founded 61 years ago. On the 23rd of March 2018 it launched its new publication entitled “The Pursuit of Excellence” which was presented at a formal ceremony at Goodwood House in Chichester, the birthplace of Rolls-Royce in the United Kingdom. The beautifully designed hardback, produced by the established St James’s House publisher, meant to spotlight Rolls-Royce motor cars past and present, and to delve into the stories and personalities that make the marque “the best car in the world”. The publication is distributed to over 22 thousand club members and luxury car owners and to additional prestigious five-star hotels and resorts. Richard Freed, CEO of St James’s House, expressed during his launching speech: “What better way to launch this wonderful book than with a celebration of the finer things in life?”
The highlight of the evening for the team from Cyprus was the moment they were presented with the luxurious book featuring Hermann Gourmet Cosmetics’ entry. The R.R.E.C. committee shared their excitement that a cypriot company was recognized for its level quality and included alongside some of the finest brands in the world.
"Wait, what do luxury cars have to do with cosmetics?"
To resonate with the book’s theme of luxury, The Rolls-Royce club assigned St James’s House with a very unique task: they should present them with a handful of brands, that they felt represented in the best way the spirit and quality of Rolls-Royce and then the board would select the best fitting brands, honouring them with the "Partner of Choice" title. And that’s where we come in!
Last September, Hermann Gourmet Cosmetics participated in Maison & Objet 2017 exhibition in Paris where it was spotted by St James’s House officials and the brand was ultimately selected by the R.R.E.C. committee. It officially became the first cypriot company to be awarded the “Partner of Choice” distinction, adding a milestone in Cyprus’ business history as a representative of excellent quality, luxury and elegance, standards and values held high by Rolls-Royce and its official club.
"The pursuit of excellence is driven by inspiration."
The Hermann Gourmet Cosmetics team, represented by Philio Hermann - Creative Director and Xenia Georgiou - Art Director, had been officially invited to attend the launching of "The Pursuit of Excellence" at Goodwood House, the private residence of Charles Gordon-Lennox, 11th Duke of Richmond. In keeping with the launch’s refined setting, an array of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars were on display, welcoming visitors and preparing us for a magical evening of new experiences. Inside the manor we beheld priceless art pieces, we admired paintings, antiques and rare porcelain and we progressed further we arrived at “The World of Luxury” exhibition, where a carefully curated selection of high-end brands had been brought together to immerse visitors in a special world.
The next morning the Hermann Gourmet Cosmetics team enjoyed a heart-warming breakfast at the Goodwood Estates' historic Hotel, a former 18th century coaching inn. The R.R.E.C. members had a special surprise waiting for their guests; the team was invited to take a private tour of the vast Goodwood estate in Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars!
We were first introduced to the Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sports Saloon (1937). Enveloping leather seats, carefully designed wooden details, engine power and resilience, the car inspired a sensation of true craftsmanship.
Next, a Bentley S3 Cabriolet (1964) beckoned to take us on a journey of a different kind of style. Comfort, modern touches, polished details, textile and inviting, with a distinct air of luxury.
Finally we shared a true piece of automotive history, by taking a ride in the classic Rolls-Royce Phaeton Taj Mahal (1912). This beauty of a machine was made exclusively for the Maharajah of Nabha and is the only known five-seater Torpedo Phaeton Tourer version of the Silver Ghost still surviving in its original form in the world! We were informed of the car’s unique history, as we enjoyed luxury from the turn of the 20th century and we all agreed that surely this car still carries the ability to captivate and inspire the imagination.
"This experience has certainly been a milestone for us,"
Philio Hermann, creator of Hermann Gourmet Cosmetics explains. "Being selected as “Partners of Choice” by the official Rolls-Royce Club and invited to the birthplace of Rolls-Royce was indeed a great moment for the company and for the Hermann Gourmet Cosmetics team. It is the recognition of all of our efforts and hard work that we’ve put in to create, maintain and grow the brand. More importantly, we are a cypriot company able to bring a great symbol of recognition by standards of quality and luxury, as our products now carry the “Selected Partner of Choice R.R.E.C. Showcase 2018” award and that is the greatest honor we could ever hope for! Thanks to our teams' hard work and the faith of all of our supporters, clients and friends we were able to come this far. Be assured, the best is yet to come."
WHO WE ARE
Philio Hermann started our adventure in her kitchen in Nicosia in 2014. Her dream of spreading cypriot beauty to all corners of the world is now our common dream and it keeps going and growing stronger. Today, four years later we have become an enthusiastic team of top experts, operating a small factory located in Ergates industrial zone.
Our elegant, vintage-inspired collection includes luxury perfumes, body and face creams, perfumed soaps, handmade face soaps, candles and scrubs that combine ancient beauty recipes with active ingredients of the latest beauty technology, with a sprinkle of timeless vintage elegance and charm.
We are constantly inspired by our rich legacy and try to reflect the allure of our island in every possible way through our brand. We create signature scents of Cyprus like gardenia and jasmine, while Cypriot women who lived in the 1930s jewel our packaging. We also have a soft spot for our local flora and fauna, as shown by the feathers on our handmade face soaps packages and the wreath on our awarded Bee Eye cream with matsikorida, moshokarfia, myrofores and other local flowers.
Childhood memories, scents, timeless elegance, inspiration and love for what we do are the secret ingredients in our cosmetics recipes. This is our true passion!