Michigan,USA - The youth and beauty of a Chaldean is all too obvious.  The unique diet, good genes, olive toned skin, frequent cleanings, and skin care management secrets all contribute to the youthful beauty.  This unique trait is something the Nordstrom retailer took notice and hopes to leverage at the opening of their new store in the Mall at Partridge Creek. 

The store has contracted with Joanne Recchia-Kallabat’s company SkinOnyx, the U.S. distributor for Italy’s Kleraderm skin care products to make the product available in the cosmetics section of the new Nordstrom. 

"It feels like I brought Nordstrom with me," she said of her return.  The only other U.S. store that carries Kleraderm is the Nordstrom in Troy's Somerset Collection, where they've earned a strong following over the past three years.  "Nordstrom calls them 'Kleranets' because they only want Kleraderm products," Recchia-Kallabat said.  Kleraderm is an advanced skin care line developed by a doctor in Bologna, Italy.  "It really works," Recchia-Kallabat said. "It's been a beauty secret of the stars for years."

She learned of the product in Europe where she said "women are used to (skin care products) working."

American women, Recchia-Kallabat said, seem to feel guilty when a product doesn't work, as if it were their fault. Kleraderm has a 100 percent guarantee from Recchia-Kallabat, above and beyond Nordstrom's returns policy.  Kleraderm products include a "topical Botox" made of all botanical ingredients.

During Nordstrom's Pre-Opening Gala, Kleraderm samples will be handed out, along with certificates for a free facial when you purchase a mask treatment in Nordstrom's "Beauty Services Studio." The mask allows the cosmetician to locate your skin's problem areas.

Recchia-Kallabat said she believes in educating consumers, not the hard-sell.  Kleraderm is only one vendor sold through Nordstrom, and by no means the largest one, but Recchia-Kallabat said "Nordstrom is good to the small vendor." Maybe it's because Nordstrom is family owned. So is Kleraderm, Recchia-Kallabat said, as is SkinOnyx.

Recchia-Kallabat said her family has always owned businesses. She and her husband, Michael Kallabat, used to distribute Jay's potato chips, but decided to focus on skin care products after nearly all her family passed away.

They found Kleraderm in Europe and will sell it at Nordstrom and on their new Web site (www.kleradermusa.com). "Our vision is to have them in most of the Midwest by 2010," she said.

Kleraderm products, like most products at Nordstrom, aren't inexpensive, though Recchia-Kallabat said they are less expensive than many comparable products. She will soon also offer a line of similar German skin care products for distribution in drug stores, so she can help women at all income levels.