Faces of Brighton: Daisy Kalnina, founder of The GelBottle Inc. and Brighton's plush TGB Spa

From founding a glossy gel nail polish empire to opening a sumptuous new spa and expanding her international portfolio of private villas, Brighton-based entrepreneur Daisy Kalnina is not one to sit still.

Beauty, wellness, travel and design have always shaped Daisy Kalnina’s world, but it wasn’t until recently that she found a way to combine all four passions. After opening two nail salons and spotting gaps in product offerings for fellow nail technicians, she launched The GelBottle Inc. from her hometown of Brighton more than a decade ago. What began as a small idea is now one of the world’s most recognised professional nail brands, trusted by technicians in over 40 countries.

As her GelBottle business took off, the perfectly polished entrepreneur, who, by her own admission, is not one to sit still or have only one focus, expanded her horizons to accommodate her other passions for interiors, travel, and creating emotive spaces. Cue By DKollection, a luxury travel and hospitality brand featuring exclusive private properties: The Cliff Brighton, Cenote Del Mar in Tulum, and Villa Namoru in Dubrovnik.

When TGB Spa opened at the end of 2024 on Brighton's busy West Street, it felt like the culmination of everything Kalnina cares about all under one roof. From glowing skin fixes to IV drips and aesthetics, her first spa venture brings a jolt of excitement to the city's wellness scene. Against a dreamy backdrop of blush-coloured walls, cream leather treatment chairs, and a softly shimmering cocktail bar, Brighton Curated caught up with the whirlwind behind it all to get the inside scoop.

What led you to open a space in Brighton?

Brighton is home for me. It's where I started The GelBottle Inc., where I've built my businesses, and where I've raised my family, so when it came to creating a flagship spa, there was really only ever one place. I found the space and knew I could build my spa business from there.

What do you love most about this vibrant city?

What I love most about Brighton is that it refuses to be categorised. It has this rare combination of coastal ease and real creative energy. It has such an independent spirit alongside genuine sophistication. It attracts people who have taste but aren't interested in stuffiness, and that's exactly the kind of clientele TGB Spa speaks to.

How would you describe TGB Spa's design aesthetic?

I'd describe it as minimalist meets modern chic. I like a warm, calm, and considered aesthetic, but with standout moments. We use marble and stone for their tactile, grounding qualities, then offset them with bold, bespoke lighting that gives the space real personality and uniqueness. It should feel luxurious without feeling cold and welcoming without ever feeling ordinary.

How has the wellness industry grown, and what is driving this trend?

Self-care is now seen as essential, not indulgent. People are more informed about their bodies, more conscious of stress and much more willing to invest in how they feel, not just how they look. Also, it's exciting to see more men embracing wellness, with many now booking facials, manicures, and laser treatments. Today’s customers want an experience that makes them feel something from the moment they arrive, which is what we've created at TGB Spa.

What are some of the best treatments at TGB Spa for an instant beauty boost?

Our HydraFacial is consistently one of our most requested treatments. The results are immediate, and the skin genuinely glows. For anyone feeling sluggish or run-down, our IV drip therapies are remarkable; guests often notice a difference within hours. Lymphatic drainage is another one I'd highlight, especially post-winter, when everything feels a little stuck. It's deeply restorative, and the results go well beyond the aesthetic.

And then there's our multi-tasking approach, which I'm particularly proud of. Busy lives shouldn't mean choosing between treatments, so we've created experiences where you can enjoy an LED mask treatment alongside a pedicure, in chairs I personally designed for exactly that purpose. It's about honouring people's time as much as their wellbeing.

What new, proven spa treatments do you currently offer?

As the founder of a nail brand that invests heavily in its own scientific research and someone who genuinely loves treatments with real impact, I handpick and test everything we offer. I want wellness that works. When it comes to nails, GelBottle’s latest innovation, and the next generation in BIAB, 'builder in a bottle', Hard BIAB, is designed for nails that are just that bit longer and require extra strength and durability.

LED light therapy is another area where the evidence has become impossible to ignore. Also, we now have a resident doctor, Dr Maria Olah, a former surgeon who specialises in aesthetics.  Dr Olah's extensive treatment list includes non-surgical face lifts and even wellness weight management services, available at TGB Spa on Thursdays and every other Saturday.

Are there plans to expand TGB Spa or offer more treatments in Brighton?

The Brighton spa will always be the flagship, of course. It's our home, and there's always more to explore there in terms of the treatments and experiences we offer. We're constantly looking at what's emerging in wellness and aesthetics and asking whether it meets our standard. If it does, we'll bring it in.

TGB Spa, 51-53 West St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 2RA

For more information about 'The Cliff' private residence By Dkollection, click here

*Howard, please embed the website link where it says here https://www.dkollection.com/the-cliff