A former fashion intern at Jeffrey New York will begin a foray into the beauty business with the October launch at Bergdorf Goodman of Lip Wardrobe by Edward Bess, an upscale lip color set for $350.
Bess became attracted to the beauty business during his stint at Jeffrey. Through his own research, he found a dearth of lipsticks and lip glosses that were the perfect shade, the right amount of sheen and even the right scent, he said. Lip Wardrobe was inspired by two photographers’ work: the dramatic look of Helmut Newton and the sensual, subdued beauty of Guy Bourdin, said Bess, who was also inspired by his experiences at Manhattan’s Professional Performing Arts School.
“I wanted to offer women every color, from the nude lip to the timeless red lip,” Bess, 20, said during an interview in New York, where his eponymous, two-year-old company is based. “The set is like a little black dress, so women will have every color they need, so they can apply their makeup effortlessly.”
Lip Wardrobe contains 15 lip products — 10 lipsticks and five high-sheen lip glosses that are designed to match the lipsticks. Each item is scented with a subtle wild fig fragrance, packaged in polished black lacquered cases and presented in a sleek black box. The colors range from nudes to deep classic reds and have names like Nude Lotus, Natural Seduction, Night Orchid and Soft Whisper. Because most of the shades are neutral, the colors are designed to work for any skin color, according to Bess.
The products are designed not only to be long-lasting, but also to keep the lips hydrated and moisturized. The lipstick contains vitamins A and E, which act as antioxidants, and silicone, which helps maintain a smooth finish. The lip gloss features ginkgo biloba extract, an antioxidant known for its antiaging benefits, and shiny polymers, giving off a deep shine, said Bess.
Initially, the lip colors will only be available in the set, which will be carried exclusively at Bergdorf’s. But, starting in April, the lipsticks and glosses will be sold individually, with the lipsticks retailing for $26 each and the glosses for $25 each. Industry sources estimate that Lip Wardrobe will generate about $1 million in first-year retail sales.
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Bess would like to eventually expand the line to other upscale specialty retailers. He also has plans to grow his company into a wider color cosmetics brand — by next fall, he would like to launch a set of mascaras and eye shadows to complement the Lip Wardrobe color palette. Additionally, Bess is planning a set of bronzers and other facial highlighting products.