Centric Brands Inc. is back in action, announcing it has acquired Taste Beauty, a manufacturer and marketer of pop culture-inspired beauty and personal-care products. “We are thrilled to welcome Taste Beauty and its team into the Centric Brands family,” said Jason Rabin, chief executive officer of Centric Brands, in a statement. “This acquisition allows us to tap into an entrepreneurial, innovative and proven leadership team that, combined with our existing beauty division, creates the market authority resource in this category. It also further strengthens our bath and beauty product offering while expanding our entertainment licensing platform into complementary categories and properties.” Taste Beauty was founded in 2015 by Tom Crowley, Sabrina Vertucci and Alex Fogelson. The company’s products are distributed under its own brand, as well as a portfolio of licenses… . . . read more
“Makeup junkie” Halsey Launches Own Beauty Line
Most people, including her fans, aren’t aware that hit singer/songwriter Halsey is a self-taught makeup artist, so it makes sense she’s launching her own beauty line on Jan. 25 under the brand name about-face. “Makeup is an art and art is about happy accidents, not any one ideal of perfection,” said Halsey, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of about-face. “I always feel the most free when I am creating looks without following any rules. The beauty industry has norms, but I want to encourage people to challenge those standards and allow things to be imperfect and fun.” Halsey says she’s always taken control of her own look on stage and for music videos. Over the years she’s become a self-described “makeup junkie,” and has an encyclopedic knowledge of brands, application… . . . read more
Fashion Licensing Pioneer Ruth McCarthy Manton Dies at 95
Ruth McCarthy Manton, a pioneer in the business of fashion licensing, passed away at her home on Christmas Eve. Manton was also among the first female fashion journalists in the industry, but it was her innovative work after founding Aries Design Management that made her a force to be reckoned with in the licensing business. Manton’s idea was to link up top designers directly with manufacturers to create wide ranges of products, and to use media and aggressive marketing to get those products in front of the public’s eye. Early in her new career Manton concluded that reaching the mass market in America would require partnerships with celebrities, particularly those from TV shows and movies. Her close friend, the film producer David Gil, suggested Manton start by partnering with Jaclyn… . . . read more
Dolly Parton Inks Fragrance Deal With Edge Beauty
Country music star Dolly Parton has signed a long-term license deal with Edge Beauty for the creation, development and distribution of the iconic entertainment superstar’s signature fragrance, in a deal brokered by IMG. The fragrances will be inspired by Dolly’s own signature scent, with the first collection set to launch in Spring 2021. “Fragrance has always played a major role in my life—I wear my own combination of scents every day,” said Parton. “I am so excited to share this dream with my fans. Developing my own brand and scent with Edge Beauty has been an amazing experience, and I am looking forward to becoming a big part of the fragrance community.” The deal is a major coup for Edge Beauty. Parton is arguably the most honored and well-loved female… . . . read more
We Can All Look Better, Thanks to Queer Eye Licensing Deal
Sartorially challenged men and women everywhere can rest easy, knowing a new licensing agreement will bring the Emmy award winning fashion sense of Queer Eye to an ecommerce portal near you. Scout Productions, the company behind the hit series, announced on November 5 a multi-layered licensing program of new products and the launch of QueerEyeStore.com, bringing fans all things fashion, inclusivity and “Queer Eye.” The program, created in partnership with the show’s licensing representative IMG, features products based on the television series, including an extensive new apparel line featuring everyone’s favorite Queer Eye personalities, which is available now at Amazon and on QueerEyeStore.com. Other highlights include the recently launched exclusive home furnishings line at Walmart.com, whose success out of the gate has resulted in many products being sold out, and… . . . read more
Top Licensed Retail Sales Figures to Have On-hand in the New Year
While TLL is crunching the official stats for 2019 over the next month, here are some figures and trends we’re tracking for next year…