Michael Gordon, the godfather of editorial hairstylists, has left the building.
Gordon, founder and president of Bumble and bumble salons, product development and school, has stepped down as head of the company that he sold six years ago to the Estée Lauder Cos. Gordon will serve in an advisory role for the estimated $90 million firm and other areas within Lauder over the next three years, collaborating directly with Philip Shearer, a group president of the Estée Lauder Cos. Gordon said he will also continue to supply his photographs, used for promotional materials and even office decor, for different Bumble projects to “keep consistency” for the brand. Dan Brestle, chief operating officer of the Estée Lauder Cos., said keeping Gordon on as an adviser is something very important to Lauder.
“He has tremendous knowledge of the salon business and is probably one of the best product innovators. If you look at his life’s story, whether you are a hairdresser or an entrepreneur, it is a fabulous success story and people should be inspired by it.”
According to Gordon, the agreement was hammered out several weeks ago when Lauder completed its buyout of Bumble.
“That’s the way it seems to work” when people are bought out, said Gordon of his new role. “It’s a normal business practice.” However, he added that he would help “in any way that I can.”
Karl-Heinz Pitsch, general manager of Bumble, will oversee the business going forward as no replacement for Gordon is expected.
Gordon, born in London, became a hairstylist at 15. At 21 he was the youngest artistic director at The Elizabeth Arden salon in London. It is also where he started his editorial styling career. In the mid-Seventies, Gordon moved to Johannesburg and opened his first salon there with his brother. In 1977 he moved to New York and opened a small salon on 57th street, which later burned down. Soon after, he opened a new and bigger space on 56th Street and quickly became one of the most sought after hairstylists in Manhattan.
Bumble’s product line was developed in the late Eighties with Brilliantine, a finishing lotion formulated to add shine and separation to hair. In 2000, Estée Lauder took note of the brand’s potential and purchased a majority stake in the company. Since then, Bumble has opened a six-floor hub in the Meatpacking District, home to Bumbles’ headquarters, salon and retail space. Bumble now also manufacturers more than 50 products including shampoos, conditioners, fixatives and hair accessories, which are sold at select salons in the U.S. and at retailers in 10 countries.
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Gordon has vacated the firm’s headquarters and is working from home on a new concept called Enlightened Business, a Buddhist-based coaching role that teaches companies how to use profits to help others. A three-year non-compete contract clause will keep him clear of the beauty world.