When partners Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz opened their first store in New York in 2004, they had a clear aim: to offer an uncomplicated approach to skincare. Malin + Goetz bottles are instantly recognisable, with their modern take on chemists’ labels.
‘The minimalist look mirrors our own self-care (or preservation) routine,’ says Goetz. ‘The architecture and design of the bathroom in our NYC apartment is a great canvas for our packaging.’
It makes sense then that it is the work of Brian Messana, co-founder of architecture firm Messana O’Rourke and the creative mind behind the look of many Malin + Goetz stores. He formulated a design that is, he says, ‘minimal and elemental, allowing the focus to be on health and wellness’.
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The walls, floor and the shower cubicle in this small but luxurious space are all clad in seamless Carrara marble, with hidden medicine cabinets – a design detail that Messana says, ‘reduces visual noise’.
Taking inspiration from the architecture of the pre-war apartment, he envisaged a scheme that referenced the 1920s and 30s, but with higher-quality materials. That is why, although modern, there is an underlying sense of period detailing, such as the unlacquered brass fixtures and fittings from Barber Wilsons & Co.
‘The design means it’s always easy to find what you are looking for, and that brings a serenity to our morning rituals,’ explains Goetz. And, ‘since our brand was designed to make skincare easy,’ adds Malin, ‘our routines are fairly simple’.
For Malin, who suffers from rosacea, eczema and seborrhea, the brand’s ‘Grapefruit Facial Cleanser’ is a go-to, while Goetz has a post-gym regime that involves showering with ‘Bergamot Body Wash’ and ‘Peppermint Shampoo’. ‘After a quick application of our “Eucalyptus Deodorant”, and a dose of moisturiser I am,’ he quips, ‘ready to face the world!’ malinandgoetz.co.uk
