Pedicure-podiatry explained by Bastien Gonzalez

A ski aficionado since childhood, Bastien Gonzalez started work as a ski instructor in Auvergne. But while undergoing physiotherapy after a bad fall, he met a podiatrist, who would become the catalyst for a future career in podiatry.

Now a pioneer in the field, Gonzalez has been developing unique medical pedicure treatment concepts for more than two decades.

After travelling internationally to cater to his private clients, he expanded his business to dedicated spas within luxury hotels.

This PediSpa concept would later become the Pedi:Mani:Cure Studios by Bastien Gonzalez, which are now numerous.

Pedi:Mani:Cure Studios feature in hotels and spas worldwide, including Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, One&Only Hotels, The Datai Langkawi, Jumeirah Muscat Bay Oman and Raffles Doha.

What prompted you to create your unique treatment methodology for feet?

My career as a pedicure-podiatrist began in a private medical clinic in Paris’ famous Place des Vosges.

Those two years in Place des Vosges were amazing, but when I imagined myself there for 40 years, despite how successful I was and how beautiful the location, I knew I needed to do more.

I saw my great grandma buffing her fingers nails and she explained the reason was to naturally boost shine and keep her nails healthy. I started to developed the concept of buffing nails with chamois leather and also worked on a unique massage technique with renowned osteopath in Paris.

This developed into my three steps for medical pedicure and was start of the real adventure!

Who helped you to develop your business?

I have had many mentors who came at different times in my life, to guide me, challenge me and give me the energy to explore further.

I am extremely lucky as my mother was never satisfied with any result and always pushed me to be better. I’m not sure she was aware of it at the time!

Plus I have met with lots of amazingly successful people who have been happy to engage in business side with me, asking questions and opening the door to new ideas.

Can you explain what makes your treatments so unique?

My Pedicurology concept is based on three fundamental pillars:

• Using medical knowledge to take a holistic approach to the foot
• The care of the nail, bringing out the natural beauty and shine with buffing
• Enhancing wellbeing with our five part foot massage.

Education and emotion are the two pillars of our philosophy today and I challenge all my teams to approach their operation from these two angles.

All Pedi:Mani:Cure Studios by Bastien Gonzalez are managed directly by a French Pedicure-Podology graduate, selected by BGA Corp, which I set up to establish partnerships with luxury hotels worldwide.

How would you advise spas designing their pedicure offer?

Define the direction you want to go with pedicures. Will it be a purely beauty-based offer? Will it be more treatment driven? I am a big fan of a dry pedicure – they allow you to be more precise and are very easy to set up.

Aim for something unique. I like my Pedi:Mani:Cure Studios to be a destination, not a comsumable brand you can find on every single corner.

What’s next for Bastien Gonzalez?

Covid allowed me to stop travelling for 18 months and take time to reflect on the last 20 years of this mission.

BGA Corp offers comprehensive training in the concept of Pédicurologie, a new approach to foot care, expanding theoretical and practical knowledge so you may provide a superior quality of care in your treatment facility.

This is a big new chapter in my working life. I am ready now for the next 20 years to establish this new programme around the world!

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