Hi Friends,
I got a chance to check out the new
KORAI - Artisans in Beauty -is a beauty space offering affordable luxury beauty treatment from head to toe. The place is really awesome and is located at 183 Rivonia
Road, Morningside, Shop 12, Level 2, Parking Level 3.
1. What does it mean to be an 'artisan of beauty’
We pride ourselves in our extensive knowledge in the beauty industry. We are very specific with our standard and quality of service. We, as artisans of beauty, want our offering to be as unique as a hand-made item. Everything is carefully curated, from the products we use to the level of service, we make sure to pay very close attention to detail.
2. How do you ‘curate’ the Korai space that sets it apart from other establishments?
We want to create an entire world around beauty. When you walk into our space, we want you to leave everything else behind and just focus on you. Let’s walk you through! In the way space has been divided, we've taken into consideration for the nail area to be positioned as the hang-out space while keeping the hair salon section within that fun space. The beauty rooms are hidden behind the main area, intended to keep a tranquil feeling to a busy space. For the barbershop, we have included a men’s beauty room and a mani and Pedi station for the gentlemen who would like to have their privacy within the salon.
3. Why did you opt for such an extensive and comprehensive offering? And how has this been impacted by Covid?
We wanted to offer our clientele a full-rounded service with head-to-toe treatments in one place. We believe that remaining in one salon is more comfortable for the client rather than travelling to various places for different treatments. It has certainly been convenient for clients during these times. Covid has been a bit of a challenge, especially for a new place where such close contact between people is necessary, therefore rough patches were inevitable. We continue taking precautions within our space, team and clients and are thankfully operating successfully.
4. Do the beauty professionals go through specific ‘Korai’ training to ensure standards are consistent? Most definitely! We have developed our own techniques in different areas of the salon and take our training very seriously. Quality control is a big part of Korai’s offering and standard. Our professionals go through the training and start carrying out treatments once they’ve been signed off as ‘Korai Ready.’
5. The combination of a Mother and daughter-in-law has been an old and stereotypically problematic combination, how did you two come together without having any personal differences or family relations hinder your success?
Firstly, family love is what brought us together, and love is a strong and important thing to maintain. No matter our differences, we overcome them through mutual love and respect. Everyone has their differences, through respecting them, we have learnt to compromise and come to mutual agreements and understanding in order to create and maintain a successful business.
6. Take us through the theme and design elements within the space
Korai carries a neutral and calm colour palette to achieve contemporary tranquillity. With a splash of copper here and there, as the 'O' in Korai, we wanted to use it as an accent colour that was earthy yet rich. The space features many 'O'’s, to emphasise the emblem in the name, however, it remains subtle in the interior decor. For example, the retail space features a double 'O' accent in copper to represent our emblem.
7. What is your dream, ambition or next phase of the business
We dream for Korai to be ‘The Place to Be,’ and we are currently in the process of discussing a possible expansion. This of course will be only happening next year.
8. What has surviving Covid taught you or validated within you as business professionals with a 360-degree offering, especially within the beauty space?
Any place for beauty is quite intimate as therapists get into touch contact with the clients so we always keep our sanitising standards high and monitored. We hope to keep surviving Covid as it is the most challenging thing in the beauty service industry at the moment. We thank our clients for trusting us with our level of hygiene and cleanliness.
9. What is something we don’t know about Korai which you’d like to share?
Korai is a space where luxury meets affordability! We are always expanding our offering and services. We have some interesting treatments coming soon so stay tuned!
For the first time in my life, I had a Pedicure done, the experience of which will be shared in my next post soon.
