The Glossy 50 honors the year’s biggest changemakers across fashion and beauty. More from the series →
The brains behind the year’s buzzy brands and viral products.
Laneige, the booming K-Beauty brand owned by AmorePacific, has no plans to slow down as the year comes to a close. “Laneige has been the No. 1 holiday brand at Sephora for the past two years,” said Julien Bouzitat, the brand’s U.S. gm.
Two years after acquiring makeup brand Milk and clinical skin-care brand Obagi, Waldencast — founded by Hind Sebti and Michel Brousset — saw a major payoff. That included a 25.7% year-over-year revenue growth for the second quarter of 2024.
Fenty Beauty has successfully maintained its “beauty for all” mission, even adding 10 shades of foundation since its launch. It also debuted Fenty Skin and fragrance in 2020 and 2021, respectively. And in June, it debuted Fenty Hair. Expanding the Fenty world has proven successful, but it hasn’t been easy, said Sukiana Chancy, vp of brand management and global marketing at Fenty Hair.
You don’t have to walk a hiking trail to see Salomon’s popular XT-6 running shoe in action. The shoe became a popular everyday fashion item, thanks, in part, to the rise of the Gorpcore trend. Plus, this year, Salomon bet big on increasing its awareness in the states, said Steve Doolan, the brand’s president of the Americas since October 2023.
During this big election year, all eyes were on Washington, D.C. For Tuckernuck, a brand known for dressing women in politics, it made for a major organic marketing moment. But, according to co-founder and CEO Jocelyn Gailliot, the brand had already been in rapid growth mode, with its last three years averaging sales increases of 80%.
When Francis Kurkdjian was named the in-house perfumer for Parfums Christian Dior in 2021, the veteran perfumer was intimidated by the prospect of leading such a storied brand. Naming Kurkdjian to the post wasn’t a big risk on the part of Dior’s parent company, LVMH, however. Maison Francis Kurkdjian, the niche perfume brand Kurkdjian founded in 2009, was acquired by LVMH in 2017 and has emerged as one of the most influential fragrance houses of the past decade.
If you’ve noticed seemingly everyone wearing chunky gold earrings that look plucked from your grandmother’s jewelry box, you have Pia Mance, founder of Heaven Mayhem, to thank.
This year, the 9-year-old Gisou brand made strides this year by focusing on product expansion, community and creative marketing, said founder Negin Marsalehi.
It’s easy to see why Beyoncé tapped Grace Ray to be CEO of Cécred, the star’s highly-anticipated hair-care brand that launched in February of this year. Conversely, it’s easy to see why Ray accepted the role. At the end of 2021, Ray joined the team at Cécred, which is independently held. With her, she brought experience including CEO of Milani Cosmetics and Living Proof, and roles at L’Oréal and Smashbox Cosmetics.
You may not know Sam Sonntag’s name, but you’ve seen his work splashed all over your social feeds: Sonntag is the designer behind Rhode’s blockbuster phone case and lip gloss holder. When the phone case launched in February, it quickly sold out and inspired a 200,000-person waitlist, not to mention countless dupes.
