Long before I was the CEO of the British Beauty Council, I was one half of the duo Ruby & Millie. Ruby & Millie was a cosmetics brand that launched in Harvey Nichols and Selfridges in August 1998 and then went on to expand into Boots The Chemist throughout the noughties into over 100 stores. The story may not sound unusual today – two friends coming together to develop the makeup brand of their dreams – but back then it was unheard of: we were pioneers. This kind of breakthrough was entirely new to the beauty arena at that time: a chic and accessible makeup line and the combination of talented makeup artist (the expert) and marketing whizz (PR, design and communications), launching into prestige retail with a definitive plan to go mass was an absolute first; and some believe it paved the way for the beauty industry sector now referred to as masstige.
23 years on, my former partner in beauty crimes is launching a new range, and I’m evermore mindful of the British Beauty Council’s mission to give back – to future proof our industry, raise its reputation and support innovation in our sector; because in the years since Ruby & Millie launched creativity in our business has escalated and evolved to bring some incredibly exciting global ‘niche’ brands that deserve proper recognition.
We have a long history of creativity in beauty in the UK, from Anita Roddick’s vision for The Body Shop to Vidal Sassoon’s cutting edge fusion of hair design and his personal drive for wellbeing decades before anyone else. Pat McGrath Labs, Beauty Pie, Hair by Sam McKnight, This Works, Charlotte Tilbury, Real Techniques, Legology and Josh Wood Colour are just some of our more recent success stories.
So this September, at the first ever London Beauty Week we launch the an initiative that promises to support one brand in the beauty sector that shows dynamism, transparency, sustainability and transparent credentials, and a well thought out plan for distribution and promotion.
The British Beauty Council have partnered with WGSN and Covent Garden to bring this competition to life. A panel of judges consisting of senior executives from Harvey Nichols, WGSN, Covent Garden and more will see fledgling beauty brands and their founders/representatives at 18 Floral Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DS on 13 September and decide which brand they feel is the .
Early registration is encouraged via this , a form to accompany any business plan is available on our website , and the prizes are literally something that money cannot buy: a year’s subscription to WGSN beauty that gives a young brand amazing insight into trends and predictions, a pitch in Covent Garden that is offered bespoke to the winner, a listing at Harvey Nichols Beyond Beauty in Knightsbridge and mentorship from an array of celebrated judges that cover marketing, PR, finance, development and tech. The winner will benefit from leveraging the judges contacts and experience to enable them to play on a global stage.
So as we congratulate Ruby on her upcoming launch, knowing how very hard it is to launch a great British beauty brand, we want to give YOU the opportunity to have the support at the start of your journey from the best in the business. There is no time like the present, so register now for a chance to win the very first Next British Beauty Brand title!
Millie x
Registration closes on 6th September 2019.
