Speaking about luxury with Alwyn Stephen – President/CEO Beauty Contact Group

Alwyn Stephen began his career in the United Arab Emirates way back in 1985 as a salesperson. By sheer coincidence in 1988, he got into the fragrance business and from that year on there was no turning back. He started his career in the fragrance business with one of the leading perfume companies in Dubai.

In 1997 he took over the reigns of a successful perfume company that distributed some of the finest names in the fragrance and luxury business.

Unsatisfied by just taking over and managing an existing company, in the year 2000 he took up a new challenge and set up a distribution company from scratch for the Paris Gallery Group in the UAE called Gulf Beauty International.

In the year 2002,  he decided it was time to move on after successfully setting up the distribution arm for the largest luxury retailer in the Middle East – Paris Gallery. Finally after having put in over 15 years as a distributor he decided to move over to the other side of the fence and represent the Suppliers/ Principal Companies for the entire Middle East, GCC and Indian Sub Continent. It was during this time that  Stephen secured consultancy/agencies and master distribution rights for various luxury brands.

Beauty Contact – a company founded by Alwyn Stephen in 2002, provides a wide range of Management Consultancy services to international and local institutions and is dedicated to devising & implementing client based solutions that lead to better utilization on resources ensuring better performance & delivery.

What means luxury to you in one word?

Affluence

What are your models or fundamentals in life which you will recommend to others?

Always be positive and keep trying till you succed, live within your means

What is your criteria for luxury in order of preference

Quality, Value, Personality, Emotion, Passion

What is your favorite luxury brand(s) and why?

To be honest I don’t have particular one but I do like Mont Blanc specially writting instrumens, just give one a feel of professionalism

Name 5 luxuries which are “indispensable” for you and why:

Patience, Health, Freedom, Time and Respect

Digital and Luxury. Love or Hate? What means “digital” for you ?

For sure digital all the way, in today world, its about instant access and being digital wheter on the net or BlackBerry life seems to be a standstill without this.

How will be luxury in the future ?

More and more youth are falling into the luxury bracket as we move forward so I see growth in the luxury segment