Women’s Wear Daily supplements have long showcased the best in fashion, spanning categories from accessories to beauty. In May 1986, as the beauty industry continued to expand its body, bath, hair and sun product offerings in drugstore aisles and at department store counters, WWD’s spring beauty supplement gave readers a comprehensive look at the latest buzz in beauty benefits. At the time, sun products had only recently begun appearing at department store beauty counters, as the editors noted, while brand VIP memberships were introducing rewards for loyal consumers. The supplement not only educated readers of the rapid rise of this sector within the multibillion-dollar beauty market, but also celebrated the emphasis young and sophisticated consumers placed on “the art of beauty.” The cover, drawn by WWD’s then-staff illustrator and artist Robert Passantino, drew inspiration from French artist George Seurat’s iconic pointillism style, seamlessly blending the artistic and luxurious promise of beauty’s next evolution.
