Barbie Loves Stila Cosmetics | Mattel and the Makeup Industry

Barbie is at it again…she (or at least Mattel) seems to love makeup as much as I do.  Stila just announced that they have joined forces with the iconic brand to celebrate Barbie’s 50th Birthday. Exclusive to Sephora, the line is slated to launch in February…just in time to get all dolled up for Valentine’s Day.

Regardless of how much ’she’ is demonized by hard-core feminists – Barbie is a brilliant brand. I’m biased and pro-Barbie because I played with these ‘girls’ like crazy when I was little.  And, if you know anything about me…you can hardly say that these toys thwarted my independence, stunted my intellect, or destroyed my self-image in any way WHATSOEVA.  In fact, I would go so far as to say that Barbie Dolls enhanced my creativity and confidence in countless ways.

I used to design Barbie clothes, every one of my Barbies were GREAT gymnasts, none of my Barbies were domestic (obvious foreshadowing – yes, I’m lucky I married a fantastic guy who does all the grocery shopping and cooking!)  My Barbies were a diverse group of girlfriends; mine were even motivational speaker Barbies…inspiring a captive audience of Fisher Price People.

But I hardly need to try to sell people on Barbie.  Looks like Mattel is doing just fine without me.  But that does make me think…hmmm?  I’d love to design a Barbie.  A Sugarluxe Barbie would be so awesome!

If you want more details on the actual product line, be sure to go visit Musings of a Muse.  But the real reason that I’m talking about Barbie today is because of this new gig with Stila.  As an artist who has licensed my work to major retailers and manufacturers, here’s the most interesting part to me about this new partnership:

When Barbie did the Limited Edition MAC line last year (which was actually to die for if you like bright, poppy colors like I do) – I thought that was the last of licensed Barbie Cosmetics.  I thought a deal like that would have been like signing your life over to Coke…you’re not going to get a contract to do Pepsi after that.  There’s no way you can endorse competing brands.

Further, Estee Lauder no longer owns Stila Cosmetics…which if they did, it would make more sense because Estee Lauder owns MAC…so if they were the parent company to both I could understand that the deal would present little if any conflict of interest.  But since they sold Stila (I only recently learned the line is now available at Ulta and even Walgreens, too) to Sun Capital back in 2006 – which is fascinating considering Sun Capital also owns Hickory Farms and Souper Salad (quite the diverse portfolio) – I can only conclude that the cosmetics industry is not as particular when it comes to requiring brand loyalty licensing in perpetuity.

Which you might ask matters to me why?

Well, because one of my secret goals has always been to do a project with a cosmetics company.  I often lay awake thinking about packaging, how I might illustrate the brand, what the color palette would look like, getting to apply the new goodies on my girlfriends (years ago, I perfected my painting skills by practicing applying makeup for fun and eventually for profit) – so, Sweet Sugarluxe Dreams are made of these.

And now I’m even more excited with this recent revelation…because that opens me up to do what might be a smaller cosmetics line first….and makes it so I don’t necessarily have to wait until Estee or Sun Capital come calling.

So, what about doing something with this astoundingly successful independent line – Rae Cosmetics? This is a great company founded by a women who I would totally love to work with; her name is Rochelle Rae.

Rochelle is a Fine Artist, turned Hollywood Makeup Artist, turned amazing Cosmetics Manufacturer.  We first met in 2006 and have remained in touch ever since – supporting and cheering each other on every step of the way.

We are truly fans of one another’s work.  Which is why when she wrote me the other day after I emailed her to congratulate her on her recent onslaught of well-deserved press coverage, she wrote back something that really got me to thinking about this whole idea.  She said:

I was just in San Francisco and saw some of your work. Everything you do is always fabulous.  Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you.  Someday I would love to do a Sugarluxe makeup palette. I will keeping on working and make it happen I hope.

First Rochelle – right back at ya!!!  Second – that would be so cool!!!

As two artistic, entrepreneurial women, I think it would be so fun to collaborate with Rochelle.  And now that I see that Barbie can work with whomever she wants and is in no way precluded from keeping her options open…I too, will be exploring all the ways that I may one day create a Limited Edition licensed line of Sugarluxe Cosmetics.

So, thank you Barbie and by the way, Happy 50th Birthday. Who ever said you weren’t a good role model?  See ya at Sephora…

Brand Licensing & The Magical Mailbox Money Maker

Donald Trump does it, P Diddy did it, even midwestern textile designer – Amy Butler – is doing it and it all begins behind closed doors.

It’s called: THE LICENSING DEAL…

Why do BIG designers and FAMOUS celebrities put their names on manufacturers products created for major retailers?

In short — there is only one true answer — SMART MONEY!

When other people pshaw Vera Wang for creating Simply Vera for Kohls, Cindy Crawford Home for Rooms to Go, or Martha Stewart at Michaels (AND Macy’s)…I just watch and learn.

If you don’t like the mall, detest discount stores or believe boutiques are the ONLY place to buy all your heart desires…well, then, okay?!

Sugarluxe accessories are available in hundreds of boutiques around the world. We’ve hand-selected each store and truly admire the proprietors of these establishments -

A few of my all-time favorites that we’ve been with since they first opened their doors are:

• Soigne Boutique in Central Austin
• Patricia Junes Boutique on Melrose in Los Angeles
• Ginger & Koi Boutique in Kailua Kona, Hawaii
• So Absolutely Fabulous in Temecula, Californa
• Sassi Sam in New South Wales, Australia

And I typically offer exclusives, so that these small business owners can trust that I won’t go down the street to their competition. With that kind of business philosophy, it’s probably apparent that boutiques will never be my bread and butter. I just really love working with other women who also work very hard to run a business of their own.

So, yes – I shop at these places whenever I can. But I love Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target, too.

Those who have a lot of money but are wise about spending it, or for those whose financial cup does not yet runneth over…big brand names today are but a chain store away. And I for one – am so glad for that.

Starting a business really forced me to be more frugal than I had ever been in my life. I was raised to love a good bargain, but it wasn’t until I became a true bootstrap entrepreneur that I understood what it meant to really NEED to find a good deal.

From the outside looking in…it would be easy to say that I’m cheap (not in a hookerish way) just thrifty. But really, when you’re here on the inside, you understand that it’s all very strategic.

In the same way that I want my hard-earned dollars to go as far as possible, I have the same desires for my work. And…watching…as I do, the business people I want to emulate, it was clear to me from the outset that LICENSING would be a significant way to achieve that.

Here’s why:

My whole life, my dad instilled in me the MAGIC of MAILBOX MONEY. He would always talk to me about what investors call – PASSIVE INCOME. In other words, do the work, sell the rights and get royalties. Checks coming every month in the mail for the work you did – once.

He instilled in me a deep desire for this type of financial freedom.

That’s not typically how an artist thinks, yet an artist who aspires to make art their business, could learn a lot from my dad.

But that makes it sound so easy, huh? Want mailbox money? Do a licensing deal.

Sure, in theory, it’s very simple. But how do you get there? How do you create a name, brand, design or invention that someone else wants to pay you to license? That’s the very, very – did I say very? Tricky Part.

Now, let’s go back to my friends Vera, Cindy and Martha.

They are incredibly savvy business women and one of the ways they’ve amassed a fortune is, of course, first being at the top of their game. But to build an empire? They would all agree with me – licensing is the key!

I will always love, shop for, and even create one of a kind, unique items that you can’t find anywhere else…but those are splurges. And my suspicion has always been that other people feel that way, too.

Partnering with small shops, creating original paintings, designing custom surfboards (oh yes, wait until you see) and hand-made items will be the work I live for. But it takes more than that. Getting your work into Big Box Retail is like getting drafted into the NFL. It’s a major deal.

And – it’s not because I want to be famous, not because I have to be rich – but only because I want to live a life I enjoy, connect with people through my work, and run my own company because I don’t like anyone else to be the boss of me.

My desires have always been THAT crystal clear – how I was going to get there and what I would have to do to attain those goals is a story that unfolds every single day.

Sure – there are plenty of books, trade shows and websites that will teach you the tradional path by which to try to break into this business.

But I find it rather difficult to compete with Disney. And I am far from a traditionalist. Or remotely conventional. Or by the book. Ever.

Guess my point is…you can be independent, you can do this without high-priced lawyers and lots of money, even successfully promote yourself without an agent or a manager (*hint* TalentDatabase is the BEST place to start!)…but you can’t do it without being SMART, RELENTLESS and DETERMINED.

Two weeks ago (that’s why I’ve been MIA) we finally launched our fifth major licensing deal…and the biggest one to date for Sugarluxe!

Placing over 10,000 new Sugarluxe items in 1000+ new stores, I couldn’t be more excited. And my parents were so proud when they called me from the art section of the biggest home decor retailer in the nation. Moreso than if I would have sold one painting for $500 grand – they love seeing Sugarluxe on the shelves.

The BEST part is, I did this whole deal from the comfy convenience of my fabulous studio. Want to know how? Stay tuned and SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Z Gallerie Unveils Exclusive Sugarluxe Collection

I can’t believe it’s been less than 3 years since launching Sugarluxe from my small loft.

Having already outgrown two studios and earning my stripes as a real risk taker (trust me I have the entrepreneurial scar tissue to prove it) – I’ve arrived at a marker in my career that I’ve been dreaming about for years.

This particular dream started when I walked into Z Gallerie.

Over a decade ago, my mom discovered this great home decor store and thought it was the perfect place for me to find things for my first home. By nature, I tend to be pretty eclectic, so she knew I’d love it. The moment I walked in, it was more than love. I was overcome with a feeling, that to this day, I can hardly describe.

I muttered to my mom, “My stuff will be in this store someday.” After all – born July 22nd, I’m on the cusp of Cancer & Leo, which might explain why I thrive on the duality of business and art.

But the feeling, or vision, or whatever it was that day has remained crystal clear.

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