Brands like Augustinus Bader and U Beauty have taken what was a utilitarian good and transformed it into a luxury beauty product whose pricing is in line with buzzy serums and face creams. But justifying a sunscreen that costs as much as a serum means promising as stellar results as a high-priced serum, which can be a challenge in a U.S. market sometimes hampered by strict regulations.
At the 2025 Met Gala, designers like Sergio Hudson and brands from Louis Vuitton to Lacoste used the red carpet as a proving ground for cultural credibility and commercial impact. The event offered a fashion brand blueprint for turning…