DING DONG, AVON CALLING:

By Frank Turco

MANY OF YOU would recognize and remember the AVON household name as a beauty company that provides cosmetic and beauty products through a sales representative team working door to door. If you went back 20 years, that would be the case but today AVON has created an environment that is innovative, sophisticated, modern and stunning, and it’s called Studio 1886.

With two locations in North America, one in Los Angeles and the other here in Montreal, AVON has changed the way to do business and interact with their customers. The locations opened in late 2019 just before the pandemic and in 2020, like many retailers, salons and showrooms, had to close their doors in an effort to stop the spread of COVID 19. While still being able to do business and sell their products, (the LA location set up a tent in their parking lot) they were forced to close their sparkly, new showroom doors. Today, the product and brand experience center is open for business and creating a lot of buzz in the industry.

“I am so thrilled with it. I’m proud of it,” says Roberta Lacey, director of marketing for Avon Canada. “This studio is slick and modern and our brands look amazing in this space.” Roberta adds that, “The studio is a place to bring customers, new customers and even the general public.” Although the location itself is not on the trendiest of streets of Montreal (just off the trans Canada HWY), it does bring over 2000ft2 of gorgeous product and brands to life in an impressive setting. Those who do come, and there are many, are so impressed and love the experience. Roberta goes on to explain that “People are surprised when they come and experience it – they think they know who we are, but they leave with an elevated positive impression.”

Anna Leon, who provided me (Frank the author) with a tour of their LA studio, shared some feedback that some “thought [Avon was] a museum.” The studio brings services and product samples together with a lounge area, conference rooms and lots of snacks and refreshments while visiting. Starbucks coffee is also free flowing for all visitors. Services include skincare analysis, product recommendations and mini make up tutorials for eye, lip, brow or face.

Make up artists and professionals, along with sales representatives provide top notch service. “You can try anything on in the studio,” says Roberta. “We are very generous with our samples and our time.” And best of all, everyone leaves with a sample goodie bag – who doesn’t love that?