Skip to main content
BoF Logo

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

The End of the Founder-Led Era

Over the last decade, an avalanche of brands with public-facing founders emerged. While a prominent founder can propel growth, customers use other factors to assess whether a brand is suited to their needs, according The State of Fashion: Beauty Volume 2.
Beyond the founder Lead
Founder-led brands need more differentiation than ever before to stand out. (Courtesy)

Founder-led brands might have an explosive start, but their path to scaling can be slower-moving.

Please sign in to ensure you can read our agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice. Or get in touch at support@businessoffashion.com if you experience difficulties.

Further Reading

The State of Fashion: Beauty Report — Solving the Growth Puzzle

Beauty’s era of effortless growth is giving way to a more complex landscape. Download the second volume of BoF and McKinsey & Company’s industry report to learn how to navigate evolving consumer expectations, market deceleration and regional volatility in the years ahead.

© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Beauty
Analysis and advice on the fast-evolving beauty business.

Can Mikayla Nogueira Sell Fragrance, Too?

The beauty influencer is hoping her 20 million-strong following can cut through the category’s oversaturation with Only Sunshine, a tropical scent launched with indie brand Snif.


Ulta Beauty Joins TikTok Shop

Ulta Beauty becomes the first US specialty beauty retailer to launch on TikTok Shop, making the case for partnership rather than competition with the platform’s beauty e-commerce business.


view more
Latest News & Analysis
Unrivalled, world class journalism across fashion, luxury and beauty industries.

Who Won Fashion’s Red Carpet Season of Change

Sunday night’s Oscars concluded an awards season that fashion’s biggest labels used to show off their new creative game. BoF breaks down what we learned about brands’ celebrity strategies.


VIEW MORE
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON