Whilst some party planners and event managers spend thousands of dollars beautifying venues and laying on the catering, Sydney entrepreneur Helen Davis, creator of Oh de Toilette, recognised the business potential of one of the most important yet neglected components of any special event - the bathroom. Oh de Toilette has supplied decorations, accessories and attendants to the powder rooms and washrooms of some of Australia's most exclusive events including events in honour of the recent visit by Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary.
"Giving guests a positive experience right down to the smallest detail is really important - so logically that philosophy has to extend to the even the smallest room," says Helen Davis.
Spending much of the 90s crewing on some of the world's most beautiful Super Yachts, where guests demand the highest levels of service and attention to detail, Helen Davis experienced first hand the essential elements of 5-star service and dealing with high-profile socialites. Helen realised that in order to stand out in the industry she loved, it was necessary to exceed the expectations of her clients.
Back in Sydney, after establishing herself as an experienced hospitality professional, Helen joined the Venues Department of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in 1999, where she maintained excellent MCA supplier and client relationships.
After four years, and with a client list including Athens 2004 and the AOC during the Olympics, as well as a range of celebrity weddings and pop star press conferences under her belt, Helen was ready for a change and began to search for a part of the industry that truly had not been tapped.
Attention to detail is commonly acknowledged as the key to creating a memorable and flawless event. However, Helen recognised that the humble bathroom was forgotten territory at most events. She envisioned reformulating the bathroom's image by creating a nurturing space where guests can converge among exotic fragrances, are pampered with the most exquisite and exclusive products and are made to feel indulged. In 2003, combining her skills and passions - beauty, luxury, pampering and customer service, Oh de Toilette was born.
Since Helen's conception of the idea over a few glasses of wine with some friends, and then financing the very first event bathroom necessities from her own pocket, business has boomed and Oh de Toilette has quickly become a must-have touch at society events including David Jones's fashion launches and movie premieres such as I, Robot and Master and Commander.
Oh de Toilette's bathroom makeovers are now the talking point of the events industry and clients are lining up to praise Helen's professionalism, flexibility and the touch of class her team adds to events:
"Oh de Toilette provides the finishing touches to an event. I know that whenever a guest enters the bathrooms, they will find an oasis that will delight and invigorate them… we would not think of doing an event without her," says Matt Corby, ACP Events.
"Thank you so much for the exquisite service which you and your staff provided at (the) Virgin Atlantic 'Sneak Peak' party at the MCA. The pampering certainly added to the 'Upper Class' experience which the evening was designed to reflect," says Peter Beikmanis / Assembly (Virgin Atlantic Sneak Preview).
Oh de Toilette powder rooms and washrooms have enhanced such events as:
Sydney Children's Hospital Gold Dinner 2005 - Star City Casino
'Rock Star: INXS' Reality TV Show Launch - Civic Hotel
'The Alice' Series Launch - Homebush Bay
Nokia 8800 Phone Launch - Museum of Contemporary Art
An Intimate Evening with TRH's Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary - Boomerang
Channel 7 Launch of My Restaurant Rules - Pink Salt, Manly
MTV Australian Video Music Awards - Luna Park
VIP enclosures at Jazz in the Domain & Symphony in the Domain
The Essence Restaurant Launch - King Street Wharf
Oh de Toilette is currently operating throughout the eastern states, with plans to conquer New Zealand and indeed the rest of the international market in the not-so-distant future.
For more information visit: www.ohdetoilette.com.au