On Saturday, a group of the world’s most influential figures in fashion and popular culture gathered at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris to celebrate The BoF 500, the definitive index of the people shaping the global fashion industry.

Since 2013, BoF has gathered together a global community of fashion’s most influential people — based on their leadership, creativity, innovation and impact — across eight categories: Designers, Executives, Media, Retailers, Entrepreneurs, Creative Class, Models & Muses and Catalysts.

This year, attendees at the BoF 500 Gala were a global mix hailing from more than 35 countries. They came from as far away as Japan, India, Brazil and Australia; from Rwanda, Nigeria and Kenya; from Mexico and Colombia and from the UAE, Egypt and Kuwait.

Among them were BoF 500 cover stars Zac Posen and Francesca Bellettini; designers Phoebe Philo, Victoria Beckham, Glenn Martens, Seán McGirr and Willy Chavarria; global music superstars Wizkid, J Balvin, Damiano David, Yseult and Belinda; actors Greta Lee, Ayo Edebiri, Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree, Davika Hoorne and Colman Domingo and top models Nora Attal, Kit Butler, Amelia Gray, Angelina Kendall and Mathieu Simoneau.

Scroll down below to see who else joined them.

PARIS — Over 500 people filled the venue at Paris’ Shangri-La hotel from the moment the doors opened in the early evening, but it was Wizkid who truly got the party started with his intimate rendition of two of his biggest hits, “Ojuelegba” and “Essence”.

The Nigerian star, who has helped propel the Afrobeats genre to the global stage, carried the vibes directly over to the after-party, opening up the dance floor with his friends including American singer Brent Faiyaz, along with BoF founder and chief executive Imran Amed.

They were quickly joined by throngs of guests filtering in from the main stage area and the outdoor terrace which overlooked the glittering Eiffel Tower.

Dancing to the booming soundtrack of DJ Aymen, a long queue formed as people waited to make use of the photo booth provided by Chase Sapphire. The booth was especially a hit with the newest class of BoF 500 members. Loewe ambassadors Ayo Edeberi and Greta Lee squeezed in for a snap, as did New York-based PR Gia Kuan and Chinese publicist Bohan Qiu.

Many attendees also made the most of the Neft Vodka shot trolley which was circulating the afterparty, fuelling the event until its early morning close. The night played host to wholesome moments between colleagues, industry peers and friends, old and new.

“It’s always an honour being here, seeing all your peers and people that you admire,” said fashion commentator and BoF 500 member Bryan Yambao, known as Bryanboy, who wore a floral Balenciaga dress. “It’s more than a high school reunion type thing… it’s a fashion family reunion.”

The BoF 500 2024 is made possible by our partners Chase Sapphire Reserve, NEFT, Shop With Google, The Shangri-La Hotel and La Mode en Images.

Sometimes you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. In a week that brought us a crushing far right wave in France, and the United States Supreme Court giving the former commander-in-chief (now convicted felon) unprecedented immunity, designer Marc Jacobs argued forcefully in favour of raging against the dying of the light.

“Joy, Period” was the title of his show notes, and despite our collective feeling that there is no way out of the abyss into which we are sinking, it was a beautiful balmy night in Manhattan, and Jacob’s off-schedule presentation took place again in the soaring main hall of the New York Public Library. It lasted a full five minutes — six, maybe, if you were seated at the far end of the runway. (The show began exactly at 7:30pm, and if you lived nearby, you could get home by 7:45 to hear President Biden excoriating the Supreme Court ruling.)

But as it turns out, you can cover a lot of ground in five minutes. The show began with enormous white sundresses with almost humorously distended bustlines, that managed to exhibit the will to stand up on their own, and yet also evinced a surprising lightness. It was the first of many looks that seemed to argue that perhaps we could escape — not to Canada! — but to a cartoon universe where the inhabitants would greet us wearing ginormous eyelashes glued to their heads by neon-bright strips shaped like fruit slices. (Because, why not?) Furthering this comical comic strip vibe were shoes with toes curved like Smurf hats.

Giant polka dot frocks brought to mind the wardrobe of Minnie Mouse; a tailleur owed its colour scheme — bright red big-buttoned jacket on top; swirly royal blue on the bottom — to Olive Oyl from “Popeye.” The ball gowns that closed the show had the air of Cinderella’s iconic periwinkle evening dress, here rendered in, among other combos, purple-and-fire engine red, accompanied by gargantuan white gloves that might have been purloined from a Toon Town surgical theatre.

If there was a whiff of Rei Kawakubo in the odd proportions, the sometimes ungainly silhouettes that relied paradoxically on rigorous construction, this was probably no accident. “Everyone is influenced by Comme des Garçons,” Jacobs once alleged. “Anybody who is aware of what life is in a contemporary world is influenced [by Kawakubo’s brand].”

Then again, the collection may have been militantly cheerful, but the clothes were far from ridiculous. Skip the eyelashes, junk the elf shoes, and you would be perfectly happy in a pale full-skirted suit or a neat pullover or even a checked pink-and-white puffy-sleeved square-necked cropped top, a garment worthy of a latter-day Brigitte Bardot, lolling around on the beach without a care in her pretty little head.

Or maybe not. Maybe all the dots and checks in the world won’t distract her from the gravity of the matters at hand. “While the future remains unwritten, I am steadfast in my daily practice of choosing love over hate… I believe in living with authenticity — free from validation and permission of absurd conservatism and societal norms,” Jacobs wrote in his notes, a sentiment no less fierce than the hugest flapping eyelash, shielding what just might be a tear.

The Business of Fashion and Vogue Philippines are coming together to connect fashion professionals in Manila on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. As a BoF Professional member, we are delighted to invite you to join us for Imran Amed’s first speaking engagement in Southeast Asia.

From analysis of the global fashion industry to career advice, BoF’s founder and CEO, Imran Amed will share his personal and professional journey with Vogue Philippines editor in chief Bea Valdes and fashion director Pam Quinones and reflect on the market forces and consumer trends shaping the future of the global fashion industry.

This will be followed by a Q&A session with Imran where you can ask your own questions.

To secure your place, please use the email address linked to your BoF Professional account. Spaces are limited so please secure your ticket now to avoid disappointment.

Tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis and are exclusive to BoF Professional members only. If you’re not a BoF Professional member, join now before registering to attend.

When and where is the event?

This special event, Imran Amed on the Past, Present and Future of The Business of Fashion, will be hosted on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 from 1pm to 3pm at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Manila.

I am a BoF Professional member, am I guaranteed a ticket?

Tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis and are exclusive to BoF Professional members only. To secure your place, please use the email address linked to your BoF Professional account. Spaces are limited so please secure your ticket now to avoid disappointment.

We will be hosting regular community events throughout 2024. If you would wish to be notified if we come to a city near you, please ensure your personal details are up-to-date and that you’ve opted in to News, Offers and Invites in your email subscriptions.

I am not a BoF Professional member, how can I attend?

BoF Professional membership offers unlimited access to agenda-setting news, analysis and advice, on-demand masterclasses and member-only digital live events. Join now with our 30 day risk-free trial offer.

Once you are a BoF Professional member, you’ll be able to secure your place using the email address linked to your BoF Professional account.

Can I bring a guest?

Due to the limited capacity, we are unable to accommodate additional guests.

If you have any additional questions, please email us on professional@businessoffashion.com.

Join us on Wednesday, June 19 at 17:00 BST / 12:00 EDT for our next BoF Professional Masterclass. BoF’s Marc Bain and Liz Flora, along with a panel of experts, will break down the key strategies for brands launching and growing a loyalty programme in beauty and fashion, at all points of the process.

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We look forward to welcoming you to The Business of Beauty Global Forum 2024, streaming live from Napa Valley on June 3 and 4.

Together with speakers including, co-founder and chief executive of Sol de Janeiro Heela Yang, founder and chief executive of her namesake brand Danessa Myricks, integrative medicine pioneer Deepak Chopra and more — we’ll delve into three key themes shaping the beauty and wellness landscape this year:

SESSION 1: OUR PLACE IN CULTURE

MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2024

15:30 LOS ANGELES | 18:30 NEW YORK | 23:30 LONDON

SESSION 2: INSIDE THE INDUSTRY

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024

10:30 LOS ANGELES | 13:30 NEW YORK | 18:30 LONDON

SESSION 3: BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024

14:30 LOS ANGELES | 17:30 NEW YORK | 22:30 LONDON

Please find the full agenda and speaker lineup below.

For any questions regarding the livestream please contact our support team at: events@businessoffashion.com

The Business of Beauty Global Forum 2024 is made possible in part by our partners Front Row, Unilever Prestige and Stanly Ranch, and our awards partners The Estée Lauder Companies and Sephora.

AGENDA

SESSION 1: OUR PLACE IN CULTURE

MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2024

15:30 LOS ANGELES | 18:30 NEW YORK | 23:30 LONDON

• What AI Can Tell Us About Beauty Around the World — Rahul Malik and Anurag Banerjee
• What Gen-Zers Really Think About Beauty and Youth Culture — Katie Fang and Steph Hui in conversation with Priya Rao
• How Ozempic Is Changing Everything — Andrew Dudum in conversation with Sheena Butler-Young
• How Asian Innovation Is Shaping Global Beauty — Angelica Munson and Yoon Sung Choi in conversation with Priya Rao
• The Multi Billion Dollar Africa Opportunity — Dr. Joyce Gikunda, Laureen Kouassi-Olsen and Linda Gieskes-Mwamba in conversation with Imran Amed
• Generational Appeal: Building a Company That Lasts — Christine d’Ornano in conversation with Daniela Morosini
• Moving With Hope: Aligning Intention and Action — Dylan Mulvaney in conversation with Mory Fontanez
• The Business of Beauty Global Awards — Meet our finalists

SESSION 2: INSIDE THE INDUSTRY

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024

10:30 LOS ANGELES | 13:30 NEW YORK | 18:30 LONDON

• How Fast Can You Go Big — Priya Venkatesh and Danessa Myricks in conversation with Priya Rao
• The Future of Deal Making — Vennette Ho in conversation with Imran Amed
• The Challenge of Staying Relevant — Vasiliki Petrou in conversation with Robin Mellery-Pratt
• High and Low: The Booming Fragrance Opportunity — Heela Yang and Renaud Salmon in conversation with Sheena Butler-Young
• How Marketplace Models Are Driving Growth in Beauty — Alexandra Carmody in conversation with Alice Gividen
• Mass Disruption: The Challenger Brands Changing Beauty — Brian Bordainick and Colette Laxton in conversation with Liz Flora
• Creating a Multidimensional Luxury Beauty Brand — Gucci Westman and David Neville in conversation with Priya Rao

SESSION 3: BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024

14:30 LOS ANGELES | 17:30 NEW YORK | 22:30 LONDON

• Moving From Instant Wellness Gratification to Long-Term Wellness Optimisation — Alexander Gilkes
• Closing the Wellness Gap: Access For All — Manoj Dias, Sandra Lanshin Chiu and Michelle Cassandra Johnson in conversation with Priya Rao
• What is the Microbiome’s Place in Beauty? — Dr. Elsa Jungman, Dr. Chrystle Cu and Dr. Nigma Talib in conversation with Daniela Morosini
• The Holistic Art and Science of Optimal Health — Alejandro Bataller in conversation with Imran Amed
• The Future of Longevity — Deepak Chopra

Join us for our next BoF Professional Masterclass on Thursday, May 16 at 16:00 BST / 11:00 EDT as BoF’s Diana Pearl, along with a panel of experts, break down the strategy that goes into creating a cultural moment that stands out, captures consumer attention and leads to a meaningful lift for a brand, whether in sales or affinity, on any budget.

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With just under six weeks until we gather at Stanly Ranch, in Napa Valley, California on June 3-5, we are pleased to announce the latest confirmed speakers for The Business of Beauty Global Forum 2024.

• Gisele Bündchen, philanthropist, New York Times bestselling author, wellness ambassador and model
• Heela Yang, co-founder and chief executive, Sol de Janeiro
• Danessa Myricks, founder and chief executive, Danessa Myricks Beauty
• Linda Gieskes-Mwamba, founder and chief executive, Suki Suki Naturals
• Dr Nigma Talib, naturopathic doctor, author and chief executive, Healthydoc
• Yoon Sung Choi, chief marketing officer, global marketing division, Laneige
• Angelica Munson, chief digital officer and executive officer, Shiseido Company, Limited
• Laureen Kouassi-Olsen, founder and chief executive, Birimian Ventures
• Alexander Gilkes, co-founder, Squared Circles
• Dr Joyce Gikunda, co-founder and director, Lintons Beauty World
• Renaud Salmon, chief creative officer, Amouage

They join a stellar lineup of previously announced speakers including integrative medicine pioneer Deepak Chopra, make-up artist and entrepreneur Gucci Westman and trans actress, comic, and content creator Dylan Mulvaney.

For the full list of confirmed speakers and detailed bios, please see below.

To request an invitation to join us at Stanly Ranch from June 3 to June 5, click here to complete the application form. Be ready to share what you can bring to the global beauty and wellness community.

The Business of Beauty Global Forum 2024 is made possible in part by our partners Front Row, Unilever Prestige and Stanly Ranch, and our awards partners The Estée Lauder Companies and Sephora.

Gisele Bündchen is a model, philanthropist, and author of the New York Times bestselling cookbook “Nourish” and her 2018 title “Lessons: A Path To A Meaningful Life.” In 2023 she partnered with Gaia Herbs, an herbal supplement brand focusing on regenerative and organic farming, as their wellness ambassador to spread awareness about herbal remedies and how they support everyday health. Beyond her professional career, she created the Agua Limpa Project, which spearheaded water cleaning efforts in her hometown of Horizontina, Brazil. She was recently appointed to the board of the Lotus House, a Miami-based shelter for women and children in the US. Bündchen has also partnered with the Brazil Foundation and created the Luz Alliance Fund that, during the pandemic, provided funding for relief to Brazil’s vulnerable families. Now, the fund supports projects focused on regenerating fragile Brazilian ecosystems.

Heela Yang is the co-founder of Sol de Janeiro, a body care and fragrance label. Under Yang’s leadership, the brand has grown its assortment to over 30 products, many of which have gone viral on social media, and reached an estimated global retail sales of $1 billion in 2023. In 2021, L’Occitane acquired a majority stake in the business. Prior to founding Sol de Janeiro, Yang worked with brands like Lancôme and Clinique. Yang holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and a master’s degree from Yale University.

Linda Gieskes-Mwamba is the founder and chief executive of Suki Suki Naturals, a hair care brand for textured hair. In previous years, Gieskes-Mwamba practised as a lawyer and held positions at Biccari Bollo Mariano, Cabemery and Rudolph, Bernstein & Associates in Johannesburg, South Africa. Gieskes-Mwamba holds a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Danessa Myricks is a makeup artist, photographer and founder of the cosmetics brand Danessa Myricks Beauty, which she launched in 2015. Myricks, who is self-taught, uses her platform to educate others on the makeup techniques she has picked up in the course of her career. With her namesake brand, Myricks hopes to make the beauty industry more inclusive of historically underserved and underrepresented groups. Referred to as the “Willy Wonka of Beauty,” Myricks is known for product development and innovation. Myricks remains rooted in her artistry and holds values of community-building at the forefront of her label.

Dr. Nigma Talib is a naturopathic doctor specialising in the gut-skin connection. She is the founder of Healthydoc clinics with a location in Beverly Hills, California. She is also the founder of supplements label Dr. Nigma which counts Erewhon, Saks Fifth Avenue and Goop as retailers. Talib is the author of “Reverse The Signs Of Ageing/Younger Skin Starts In The Gut,” which was published in 2015. Talib has previously served on examination and quality assurance committees for the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia. Currently, she holds positions on the board of the California Naturopathic Doctors Association, actively contributing to legislation efforts aimed at modernising the scope of naturopathic doctors in California.

Yoon Sung Choi is the chief marketing officer of skincare label Laneige. In this role, Sung Choi is responsible for spearheading the global marketing initiatives of the Laneige brand, facilitating the brand’s global expansion. Sung Choi previously held positions at Benefit Cosmetics and MAC Cosmetics where she developed brand and product marketing strategies for the Eastern and Western markets.

Angelica Munson is the global chief digital officer and executive officer of Shiseido Company, Limited. Munson leads the digital transformation office where she integrates digital strategies and services including data analytics, digital marketing, media, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and digital education to drive growth and innovation for the company. Munson has over 20 years of experience having held roles at Estée Lauder, Clinique and Fast Retailing, where she launched and scaled a number of direct-to-consumer businesses.

Laureen Kouassi-Olsson is the founder and CEO of Birimian Holding and Birimian Ventures, financial institutions dedicated to the sustainable development of African heritage brands. Through Kouassi-Olsson’s leadership, Birimian has established partnerships with institutions such as Institut Français de la Mode, Orange Bank Africa, International Finance Corporation, a subsidiary of the World Bank and a network of prominent private investors. The company has accelerated and financed 45 fashion businesses and entrepreneurs since founding. Kouassi-Olsson has been identified as one of the 100 most influential African Economic Leaders and is a member of the BoF 500. She is also the author of the book “Iconic Africa,” released in September 2023, advocating for the transformation of African creativity into an economic powerhouse. She holds a degree from Harvard Business School and EM Lyon Business School.

Alexander Gilkes is the co-founder of Squared Circles, a venture studio backed by LVMH-owned L Catterton and David Bonderman, which works to create products in health and wellness and food and beverage. To date Squared Circles have launched Magic Molecule, a skin healing product, Algae Cooking Club, an algal oil with chef Daniel Humm, and Freaks of Nature, a skin microbiome company for outdoor athletes with surfer Kelly Slater. They will launch 5 additional companies over the next three years in themes ranging from fertility, to Gen Alpha, functional nutrition and GLP1 nutrition. Gilkes is also the founder of Paddle8, an online auction house that specialised in art, photography and print which shut operations in 2020. At its prime, Paddle8 collaborated with curators and collectors Madonna, Damien Hirst, Madonna, Virgil Abloh and Elton John to broaden the appeal of fine art.

Dr. Joyce Gikunda is a pharmacist, cosmetologist and founder of Linton’s Beauty World, a beauty group with a network of stores in east Africa focused on beauty therapeutic treatments. Before being spun off as a standalone business, Linton’s Beauty World previously served as a service-oriented off-shoot of Lynton Pharmacy, a retail chain specialising in beauty and cosmetics owned by Gikunda and her husband Edward. Through Lynton Pharmacy, Gikunda partnered with brands such as Fashion Fair, Black Opal and Clinique for exclusive distribution in Kenya. Gikunda is also the founder of the Cosmetology Society of Kenya and Linton’s Academy, an accredited institution training the next generation of the beauty industry.

Renaud Salmon is the chief creative officer of Amouage, a luxury fragrance house based in Muscat, Oman. In this role, Salmon is responsible for designing and executing consumer touchpoints including product development. Prior to joining Amouage, Salmon previously worked on luxury leather goods at Delvaux and Louis Vuitton. He previously held the position of vice president of Marc Jacobs fragrances. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Liege.