Cover Estelle Létang, CEO of La Prairie (Photo: courtesy of La Prairie)
Estelle Létang, CEO of La Prairie (Photo: courtesy of La Prairie)
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Two years into the job, the CEO of high-end skincare line La Prairie discusses the brand’s Swiss Pristine collection, leading with empathy and why a healthy skin barrier beats any quick fix
Estelle Létang was appointed CEO of skincare brand La Prairie in 2024. Tatler spoke to her soon after the release of the brand’s new skincare collection Swiss Pristine, a trio of products—essence, serum and cream—designed to strengthen the skin barrier. She explains how she’s taking on the brand forward, and how consumers should assign value when selecting luxury products.
You’ve been in the role of CEO for two years. What have been your greatest accomplishments so far at La Prairie?
I am particularly proud of how we have strengthened what makes La Prairie distinctive while preparing the brand for its next chapter and embracing modern luxury codes. We have sharpened our focus on our Swiss identity, pioneering science and exceptional luxury experience, while reigniting innovation across the portfolio. Swiss Pristine is a strong expression of that direction: it introduces La Prairie into the territory of skin-barrier health and resilience, responding to the realities of modern life while remaining deeply rooted in our scientific expertise and Swiss heritage.
But what makes me proudest is the team. We have been building a culture where people are empowered to take ownership, challenge themselves and, as I often say, “lead from every chair”.
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Above The Swiss Pristine collection (Photo: courtesy of La Prairie)
The Swiss Pristine collection (Photo: courtesy of La Prairie)
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What surprised you about taking on the role of CEO—what do people not talk about going into this leadership position? And how did you adjust?
What surprised me most was how much the role is ultimately about people and meaning. My words and my energy carry far more weight than I had imagined before taking on the role. There is, of course, strategy, performance and decision-making, but leadership is also about listening, creating clarity and giving people the confidence to move forward, particularly when the environment is uncertain. I adjusted by staying very close to the teams and to our markets.
I have always believed that leadership is not about having every answer yourself; it is about creating the conditions for talented people to succeed. Trust, transparency and listening become even more important as the responsibility grows. All of this has made me much more deliberate in how I communicate.
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With La Prairie lines like Swiss Pristine targeting aspirational shoppers, how do you balance making the brand more accessible to new clients with preserving its prestige?
For me, it is less about making La Prairie more accessible and more about making it relevant to a new generation of luxury consumers, while ensuring that our different collections respond to different consumer needs. Swiss Pristine welcomes new clients into La Prairie through a very contemporary skincare need: healthy-looking, resilient skin and the strength of the skin barrier. But there has been no compromise in what defines La Prairie: advanced Swiss science, proven efficacy, exceptional formulations, [sensory appeal], craftsmanship and design.
Luxury brands must evolve, but they should never dilute the qualities that made them desirable in the first place. Swiss Pristine is about expanding our relevance while protecting exactly that sense of exception.
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La Prairie’s announcement regarding your appointment as CEO highlighted your balance of a “high-performance culture” with an “empathetic, developmental approach”. How does that philosophy guide you in leading the team through periods of change and growth?
I see empathy and performance as complementary. In fact, I believe strong performance is much more sustainable when people understand where we are going, what is expected of them and feel empowered to contribute. During periods of change, my role is to provide clarity and direction, and to have the courage to stay the course even when it is difficult. I believe in listening, being transparent about challenges and creating space for people to grow.
At the same time, we set ambitious standards, hold ourselves accountable and celebrate the wins, even the smallest ones. Care and high expectations can, and should, coexist.
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From your vantage point overseeing advanced cellular research, what should people understand about taking care of their skin over quick fixes?
One of the most important shifts is moving from constantly trying to correct the skin to supporting its ability to function at its best. Modern life already puts significant pressure on the skin through stress, lack of sleep, travel and environmental exposure. A strong skin barrier is fundamental to healthy-looking skin, whatever your age. Our La Prairie scientists studied the interconnected biological systems involved in maintaining barrier function, and that research informed Swiss Pristine. The philosophy is quite simple: beautiful skin begins with healthy skin—strength, balance and resilience.
I don’t believe beauty is about quick fixes. It is about continuity and understanding what your skin needs at different moments throughout your life. Those needs evolve with age, lifestyle and circumstances, and skincare should evolve with them. It is about caring for your skin over the long term, with the right products for the right needs at the right time.
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Younger generations are shifting away from traditional status-symbol packaging. How should luxury consumers evaluate the value when choosing a luxury skincare product?
Luxury today is increasingly about discernment rather than display. Consumers are more knowledgeable and expect the value behind a product to be demonstrated, not simply signalled through traditional luxury codes. In skincare, that starts with efficacy: the quality of science, the ingredients and formulation, and proven visible results.
At La Prairie, we believe science and emotion are inseparable. Our focus is to offer exceptional performance combined with textures and [the sensory experience], craftsmanship and attention to detail and unique brand experiences.
Cat Wang is an editor at Tatler Asia based in Hong Kong, where she covers business, wealth, innovation, and impact. Previously, she was a Forbes Asia reporter and assistant editor of the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list, spotlighting startups and small companies on the rise across the Asia-Pacific. She began her career as a trainee reporter at the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong’s newspaper of record. Born in New York City, she graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a B.A. in political science.
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