GALA SPA AWARDS 2017: Ana Ivanović Becomes "Beauty Idol" 2017

BADEN-BADEN, Germany, March 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Glamorous award ceremony in Baden-Baden: winners for the best international care products and spas have beenhonored in Baden-Baden / Franziska van Almsick wins the"Special Prize" for her social engagementwith children

Last night, the GALA SPA AWARDS 2017 took place in Baden-Baden. This marks the 21^st time that people and lifestyle magazine GALA, together with Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, has awarded the renowned commendation, which has become one of the most important beauty and spa awards worldwide. The most innovative beauty products, best international care concepts and most beautiful hotels were honored at a glamorous award ceremony. The experts did not have an easy task: with more than 260 product submissions, the number of applications was higher than ever this year. Just like in previous years, the highlights of the evening included the two outstanding personalities who were announced the "Beauty Idol" of the year and received the "Special Prize".

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/482562/Gala_SpaAwards_2017.jpg )

The "Beauty Idol" of the year is Ana Ivanović. She combines natural beauty with athleticism and elegance. Regarded as the most beautiful tennis player in professional sports, she has been number one in the world rankings and started studying business management early on to set the course for her professional life after her active sports career. Ana Ivanović's social engagement includes her role as Unicef ambassador for her native country, Serbia. With more than four million fans and followers on her social media channels, the former professional athlete is a role model who motivates many people. Be it in sports, at breakfast or when strolling through a farmer's market, Ivanović lives up to her "healthy living" motto. Her hashtag "#anahealthyliving" conveys a conscious lifestyle to her followers that includes a healthy and enjoyable diet as well as exercise and fun. The judging panel honored her as "Beauty Idol" 2017 for her inspiring personality.

This year's "Special Prize" goes to Franziska van Almsick who is still one of Germany's most popular sports personalities. Today she is dedicated to helping other people. When van Almsick became a mother herself, she decided to support children. In 2010, she founded "Franziska van Almsick Schwimmkids e.V.", an association advocating free, qualified swimming lessons in German schools. Her topmost concern is that every child learns to swim so that they feel safe when they step into water. By awarding her the "Special Prize", the judging panel thanked Franziska van Almsick for her special contribution.

Some 200 invited guests gathered for the award ceremony at Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, including representatives from the cosmetics industry as well as renowned representatives of the luxury hotel industry, culture and show business sectors. Prominent guests included Maria Höfl-Riesch, Verona Pooth, Eva Padberg, Ursula Karven, Julia Dietze, Wolke Hegenbarth, Thomas Heinze, Jorge Gonzalez, Franziska Knuppe, Lisa Martinek, Michi Beck, Carolina Vera and Birthe Wolter, among others. Designer Guido Maria Kretschmer hosted the evening. Following the award ceremony, British singer Jasmine Thompson delighted the audience with an acoustic concert.

In addition to co-initiator Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, event sponsors Aigner, BMW, Fabletics, La Biosthétique, Pommery, Shiseido, and UND Gretel made a vital contribution to the success of this year's GALA SPA AWARDS.

The winners of the GALA SPA AWARDS 2017 at a glance: 

"Beauty Idol" category:
Ana Ivanović

"Special Prize" category:
Franziska van Almsick

"Luxury Concepts" category:
La Mer - The Serum Essence

"Innovation Concepts" category:
Sisley - Sisleÿa l'Intégral Anti-Âge

"Cult Concepts" category:
Freiöl - Pflegeöl (skincare oil)

"Men Concepts" category:
Pharmos Natur - Pharmos Natur for Men (Body & Power Lotion, Cleansing & Shaving Gel, Effect Serum)

"Organic Concepts" category:
Santaverde - Age Protect Fluid & Serum

"Treatment Concepts" category:
Dorissima - Siddhartha Hamam Signature Treatment

"Luxury Hotel City/Resort" category:
Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Retreat & Cultural Hideaway, Germany

"Innovative Spa Concepts" category:
Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal

For more information please visit http://spa-awards.gala.de/ .

About the GALA SPA AWARDS 

The GALA SPA AWARDS is one of the most important international beauty and spa awards. Only first-class care products and hotels/locations that meet the holistic requirements of the GALA SPA AWARDS are honored. The independent judging panel comprises the following members: medical aesthetics physicians Dr. Barbara Sturm and Dr. Susanne Steinkraus, stress management and time-out coach Susanne Preiss, television presenter Judith Rakers, dermatologist and cosmetic science professor Dr. Martina Kerscher, CEO of Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa Frank Marrenbach, stylist and publisher Armin Morbach, GALA editor-in-chief Anne Meyer-Minnemann, head of the GALA beauty department Frie Kicherer, and GALA beauty editor Ariane Häusler.

Press contact

GALA
PR / Kommunikation
Theda Harms
Gruner + Jahr GmbH & Co KG
phone: +49(0)40/3703-2980
e-mail: harms.theda@guj.de
http://www.gala.de