The body whisperer who is fusing technology and therapeutic touch.
Written by LAURA REGENSDORF
You know a Ricari Studios treatment by its photogenic uniform: a minimalist white body stocking that helps its multi-tentacled machine glide along the lymphatic channels. This is Anna Zahn’s work—both the restorative protocol underpinning her 13-year-old business and the intrigue it stirs among creative types and jet-set nomads. “I really do believe that circulation and mobility are the fountain of youth, in terms of the body being able to regenerate itself,” says Zahn, who trained in dance before studying film at New York University. There’s a sense of modern theater with Ricari, where hands-on attention meets futuristic manipulation. “I’m obviously a huge sci-fi fan, if that wasn’t obvious,” she says of her optimistic lens on innovation. “Can technology be in service of embodiment versus taking us out of it?”
Zahn has a firsthand look at the evolving longevity landscape, ping-ponging between flagships in New York and LA as well as a handful of international outposts—“same director, different movie,” she quips. In St. Moritz, “it’s like White Lotus meets Succession in the Alps,” she says; as for the Peninsula in London, “you wouldn’t dare step foot in that beautiful Peter Marino–designed property without stilettos on.” Editors and fashion insiders routinely come her way via her longstanding Chanel relationship, as was the case ahead of the recent Métiers d’Arts show in the Manhattan subway. “I’ve always been interested in craftsmanship and deep learning,” says Zahn, who continues to take advanced acting courses, “and it centers around the intangible: feeling, expression, language.” She points to the sense of spaciousness that Ricari brings, and to the feel-good wellness products in her lineup. “I’m curious what I come back to,” she says of loyalty rooted in experience. Here, she shares a few of those gift-worthy essentials in her BAG.
1.
“I discovered this through my dear friend, the master makeup artist Dotti, whom I lovingly call my Dotti Lama, as she blesses me with her wisdom and a presence that is undeniably divine. I am always shopping her universe. A staple on set and in her vanity, I’ve adopted it with devotion and now pass its blessings of luminous limbs to everyone on your list.”
“This sensuous oil anchors itself to memory. It has followed me around the world and transports me in one inhale. Its incredibly distinct, award-winning, and simply sexy olfactory design is Francisco Costa’s creative genius made manifest—not to mention the quality of the formulation, featuring Amazonian ingredients that noticeably nourish and tone skin. This is for the sun-soaked femme fatale or the scent-obsessed aesthete with an edited top shelf.”
“She’s so much more than a pretty accessory. The sculptural, palm-fitting shell took Chanel four years to perfect. Press and it springs back into shape. Inside, a patented airless dispensing system protects the formula and delivers the perfect dose, keeping actives potent and your bag pristine. Only the best from the house that has my heart. The most giftable petite object for every friend.”
“The one brush to rule them all (though don’t get me wrong—I have an arsenal of beautiful brushes that sadly don’t make the suitcase cut). I am far from alone in this obsession. Many editors and pros count it among their precious few. Elegant, super lightweight, and versatile: It’s the ideal gift for the frequent flier or the minimalist who loves a neutral color palette.”
“Behold, the rare universal host gift that suits every taste and every sink. The bright, refreshing scent profile makes this duo perfect in the kitchen or bathroom. For those who love packaging, the chic pump design and sunny brand palette will deliver as much pleasure as the product itself.”
“Yes, another gift list featuring the LYMA Laser. I too was skeptical when whispers of a home laser device reached me in 2018. I was one of the lucky few to try it first and subsequently pledged allegiance like the rest. I later had the pleasure of connecting with Lucy Goff, whose precision is matched only by her fabulous wit, and we now use LYMA in Ricari treatments. Gift it to someone special—yourself included.”
“I was recently called a quaintrelle—a word I had to look up, which means a woman devoted to style and leisurely pastimes. I suppose that’s how I balance an otherwise relentless work pace. Living up to the title, horizontal hobbies and their accoutrements reign supreme. Once you upgrade to a silk pillowcase, you never look back. A perfect gift for moms, fellow quaintrelles, or anyone in need of a soft landing after hard days.”
“I’ve long been a lover of Susanne Kaufmann products and often fantasize about visiting her Austrian spa, where many of her ingredients are harvested. This is a hero bath product beloved for nourishing skin and soothing stress—fittingly, I’m about to draw a bath with it after writing this final entry. A perfect gift for a hard-working colleague, a hospitable host, or anyone in need of a quiet moment to themselves.”
