Bobbi Brown to step down as Bobbi Brown Cosmetics COO

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Dec 20, 2016

The Estée Lauder Companies announced on Monday that Bobbi Brown, founder of her namesake beauty brand Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, is stepping down from the company after 25 years. Brown, who serves as COO, is leaving the company to explore the next phase of her career.

Founded in 1991, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics launched its first line of lipsticks exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman under the name Bobbi Brown Essentials. Four years later, The Estée Lauder Companies acquired the brand and Brown remained with the company. In 2007, the brand opened its first freestanding store in Montclair, New Jersey, and in 2013, it partnered with Safilo to produce Bobbi Brown Eyewear.

“The brand’s 25-year anniversary was a wonderful milestone that made me realize it was time to start a new chapter and move on to new ventures,” said Bobbi Brown.

“I am thankful for the extraordinary people that I’ve had the privilege to work with over the years and proud of the creative endeavors and innovative products we’ve created together. I am also incredibly grateful to The Estée Lauder Companies and the Lauder family for the many opportunities they gave me. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

To celebrate its 25-year anniversary, the beauty brand launched a new campaign celebrating its past, present and future with its “Be Who You Are” mantra. Also in 2016, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics opened its first standalone store in Peru at Ripley at Jockey Plaza in Lima, with plans to open six more stores by 2019.

“The company is so proud of our incredible collaboration with Bobbi, since we acquired the brand in 1995. We extend our warmest wishes to her as she enters a new and exciting phase of her career,” said Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies.

“Our company was founded by an entrepreneurial woman, Mrs. Estée Lauder, and it is in our roots to be a welcome home for entrepreneurs. The success of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics demonstrates that commitment. Today the brand is sold in over 70 countries and is a top makeup artist brand founded by a woman. It’s a global prestige cosmetics powerhouse, with a highly promising future, poised for its next chapter of growth.”

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics currently operates 100 freestanding stores in over 73 countries.