Meet Dianne Vavra of Vavra New York
This beauty pro’s next act is pretty local
Photo courtesy of Vavra New York.
Dianne Vavra’s name has always been synonymous with luxury to anyone in the beauty editorial and PR world. On her résumé is a decades-long career as senior vice president of press and VIP relations at Christian Dior Beauty. I first met Vavra back in my Redbook days and learned she lived in Huntington, too. I remember thumbing through Newsday over a decade ago and seeing a spread on her incredible closet (okay, room) full of vintage Dior—one that rivaled Carrie Bradshaw’s. (She also had something BIG that Carrie didn’t have: space.)
After leaving Dior, Vavra opened Spotlight PR, a boutique agency that works with emerging indie beauty brands. She also has a line of incredibly chic trench coats, Le Trench. Tomorrow, Vavra embarks on a brand new adventure on the north shore of Long Island: Vavra New York, which combines all three of her loves: vintage accessories, niche beauty brands, and her Le Trench line—all in one gorgeous space on New York Avenue in Huntington Village. (Right next to Stella Blue. for any locals reading this.)
An inside look at Vavra New York. Photo credit: John D’Angelo
So, what’s in store? Vavra’s collection includes gorgeous, hand-picked items from New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Venice, Rome, Moscow, and all the other places she traveled during her Dior days. “I have cataloged over 700 pieces,” she says. Vavra also has over 20 hard-to-find brands on board, ranging from Biography, a line of facial oils that I’m newly obsessed with, and Aleph Beauty, a vegan color-cosmetics line from New Zealand. Scroll through this gallery to see just some of the amazing fashion and beauty items you can find on her shelves.
Because Vavra is a true beauty pro based on Long Island, I, of course, wanted to know her favorite local spots for services and treatments. Here, Vavra’s LI beauty secrets:
Hair: Martin Kiss at Jag Salon in Huntington. “Martin has experience with celebrities including Angelina Jolie and is an expert colorist. He's full of fun stories!”
Esthetician: Erica at The Beauty Window in Huntington. “I get regular facials and dermaplaning, which gets off all the dead skin and peach fuzz on your face.”
Dermatology: “I see Marina Peredo (@skinfluencemd) in Dix Hills; she’s very honest and real. Lately, she’s been helping me with hand rejuvenation.”
Nails: “I love Choco Nail Spa in the Southdown Shopping Center [Huntington] for powder gel.”
Vavra New York officially opens tomorrow at 11 am. Drop in and shop Dianne’s curated collection of vintage fashion and new beauty. And follow @vavra.newyork on Instagram for news and events.
