Interiors
The Waldor way
From South Korean innovations to bespoke interiors, Waldor Clinic aims to offer accessible luxury and personalised treatments. Ellen Cummings caught up with the founder
Located a stone’s throw from Oxford Street in the heart of London, Waldor Clinic is a destination where personalised care and striking design come together. With 16 years' experience in skincare and aesthetics, founder Dor Bukobza recognised a gap in the market early in his career. He says, “So much of what was available felt outdated, relying on old technology and often overpriced. Many places focused on one or two technologies rather than offering what truly suits each person.
“I wanted to create a space built on innovation, care and precision, where clients receive exactly what their skin needs using the most advanced technologies available.”
Bukobza’s vision for Waldor Clinic was a welcoming, safe space that breaks away from the traditional clinical aesthetic. “I wanted to move away from white and beige walls and create something that feels warm, inspiring and full of character. A place that feels more like a high-end members club without the membership, where people come not only for treatments but to relax, enjoy the atmosphere and socialise.”
The concept for Waldor Clinic evolved from Bukobza’s travels. “The idea came to my mind when I first visited South Korea. Initially, I was thinking to open the first branch in Dubai, but then I realised that there’s no other place like London to open the first Waldor Clinic,” he says.
“The clinic is a representation of me. Where you can feel at home and socialise but also receive the most accurate care and treatment path. Not your typical aesthetic clinic – just like me, not your typical kind of guy,” he adds.
Designing a bespoke space
Bukobza’s passion for design predates his career in aesthetics. “Before I left home at 18, I wanted to become an architect and interior designer. When I started working on Waldor, I decided to bring my passion to life and design everything myself. From the interiors to the actual furniture, which I drew and had made bespoke. Even some of the wallpapers in the clinic were designed by me,” he says.
Every aspect has a story. “The bar is one of my favourite parts. It’s made of pink onyx, which took months to find the perfect stone. And the bathrooms complete the experience,” he continues. “I designed it with a vision of walking through a rainforest – when you get to the bathrooms it’s as if you dive under water, with the fish wallpaper and fish scale-like images.”
A personal treatment journey
Each client’s experience at Waldor Clinic is bespoke. “Most treatments start with an AI skin analysis, where we build a 4D model of the face and check every layer of the skin, then check with the client what their concerns are – and based on that make the treatment bespoke and provide the right guidance for an aftercare routine to be used at home,” says Bukobza.
The clinic’s signature Hydraglass South Korean Glass Skin facial exemplifies this bespoke approach. “It has three initial steps – exfoliation, extraction and hydration – and to that we add another two-to-five different technologies and methods depending on the client’s skin conditions, concerns and the type of Hydraglass treatment they choose” adds Bukobza, who says the experience is a journey, not just a treatment.
Advanced skincare technology
Waldor Clinic’s treatment menu blends innovation with personalised care. Bukobza explains, “On my journeys to South Korea, I saw that they tend to stay away from surgeries that are more common in the western world and focus on non-invasive technology that is tailor-made to the client. Not using only one method, but many.”
Bukobza sources the clinic’s devices in collaboration with leading manufacturers in South Korea, selecting technologies that address nearly every skin or body condition – from non-surgical facelifts using HIFU to advanced body contouring treatments. “We make sure to be up to date with every technology that is coming out… we go to seminars and trainings to really understand what’s out there and if there’s anything we should add to our menu,” Bukobza says.
Curating an exceptional team
Waldor Clinic’s team is central to its ethos. Bukobza says, “I have hired every single team member myself. Based on my personal experience, their touch and professionalism, I decide if they’re the right fit. My team become my family; they are the most phenomenal, most professional women. I am so grateful to have them.”
Collaboration is key: “I love seeing how well they work together and how caring they are for one another,” he adds. “They love getting feedback from one another and use each other’s knowledge to help clients with their skin journey, especially if one is going through a hard skin condition.”
Waldor Clinic also hosts semi-permanent makeup artist Nez Hasan in one of its treatment rooms. Hasan offers clients a tailored experience in a private setting, and her presence adds another layer of expert services.
Creating a community
Waldor Clinic aims to balance luxury with approachability. Bukobza explains, “My mantra in life is that we’re all the same – it doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your job title is; at Waldor Clinic we’re all equal. I wish, when I was younger, I could have had a space where I felt comfortable and equal, yet able to enjoy the sense of exclusivity and luxury.” Clients often arrive early or linger after treatments to chat with each other and the team, forming a community.
Looking to the future, Bukobza aims to bring the Waldor Clinic experience to more clients worldwide. “I am hoping to be able to expand to different countries, making more people feel better and more confident. I want to keep staying up to date and deliver the best customer experience,” he says.
Bukobza’s advice to fellow beauty business owners reflects the personal nature of Waldor Clinic: “I think just be yourself. Waldor is me in every possible way.”