THE DESIGN ISSUE
How Jerry De Souza helped Spa Esprit become a lifestyle empire
Mar 27, 2020 5:50 AM
by
HELMI YUSOF
IF THERE IS a man behind every great woman, then the man behind Singapore’s most famous lifestyle queen Cynthia Chua is Jerry De Souza. Since the early 2000s, the two best friends conspired to shake up Singapore’s lifestyle scene with what were then unconventional offerings – Brazilian waxing services (Strip), thin crust pizza (Skinny Pizza), Singapore-style French café (Tiong Bahru Bakery), Australian-style brunch and specialty coffee (Forty Hands), and male grooming services (We Need A Hero).
Ms Chua’s two companies, Spa Esprit and Wonderscape, have grown into an S$95 million empire with 16 F&B and beauty brands across the world. All the while Mr De Souza worked behind-the-scenes, first as her creative director, and then brand director, helping her realise the concept and direction of each brand. His profound understanding of taste, design, fashion and culture helped create some of the trendiest-looking retail and F&B stores here and in cities such as London and New York.
Mr De Souza, 49, recently stepped away from the role to become an independent creative director in New York City. Having just got married there, he now works with the Spa Esprit Group as an external contractor on interior design and ad hoc projects such as campaign and product design.