A lot happened in 1987 – Kylie Minogue released her inaugural single, ‘I Should Be So Lucky’, the first mobile phone call was made in Australia and Andrea Ferrari founded a magazine called Esprit in the UK.
It was the year I turned six and was completely obsessed with Barbie and the Rockers, Pound Puppies and Cabbage Patch Dolls.
Little did I know that Andrea’s path would eventually cross with mine, and that 33 years later, the effervescent, fabulous and inspiring woman (with incredible skin and the figure of a 21-year-old) that we all know and love today would be handing over the reins of the must-read magazine for all of those working in the retail beauty industry to Yours Truly.
Under Andrea’s leadership, for the past three decades the magazine has flourished, transcending continents to become the go-to publication for those working in the beauty retail sphere since its launch in Australia in 2004.
Thankfully, Andrea will remain Editor At Large – a mentor to bounce ideas off and turn to for advice when she’s not dipping in and out of ice baths, completing her yoga teacher training, hula-hooping or hoo-ing and haa-ing to the left and the right in her quest to live happily & healthily to 120 (there is no doubt in my mind she will surpass that milestone with ease).
Today, esprit is much more than a magazine – the esprit website, recently relaunched, is a thriving hub that showcases a great mix of news, company profiles, people and products as well as providing job searches, book launches and the latest video content.
If you haven’t yet subscribed to our weekly e-newsletter via our website, please do so.
Thank goodness that as I step into these huge shoes to fill (luckily, I have giant feet) there is an amazing team to collaborate with daily, including the equally effervescent, commercially minded, blonde bombshell Nicci Herrera.
Nicci, a former and state development manager for Benefit, who launched THE first subscription beauty box, Lust Have It, in Australia, joined the magazine four years ago and has been killing it ever since – in killer heels no less – and was recently appointed the well-deserved title of Publisher.
The magazine has a fantastic designer, Leanne, who lays out all the pages in a fresh and fun format.
There is the support of a dedicated development team, responsible for maintaining our website and keeping any ‘bugs’ at bay, so you, the reader, have a seamless experience.
Without these people, the magazine would not be what it is today.
I have spent the last two and a half years as Beauty Editor on esprit’s sister trade publications, Professional Beauty and INSTYLE, which have been around for 25 and 34 years respectively.
These magazines are two of many under the direction of Simon Grover, owner of The Intermedia Group, officially formed in 1989, but originally founded in 1968 as Grover Frost Pty Ltd.
Funnily enough, my own career started in retail – not in beauty but AT LOWES!
Here I learned the importance of communication, education, presentation and respect when it came to ‘selling’.
Retail, like most other industries, always has and always will be not so much about ‘selling’, but about building and maintaining relationships – about how you make the customer feel when they walk out the door – a memorable feeling I hope I can pass on to you and every other valued reader in this role.
As the magazine enters its 63rd issue, I’m determined to give esprit as much enthusiasm and dedication as Andrea and tackle the changing beauty landscape that’s being influenced daily by technology, sustainability, transparency, luxury and credibility, with as much gusto as my predecessor.
I am excited beyond belief to be at the helm of a magazine with history that has earned credibility and trust within the industry and remained strong and stable over the years, in a world that can be tainted with false claims, fake followers and empty promises.
Whether it’s suggestions, news, or just to say hello, I’d love to hear from you at michelle@esprit-magazine.com.au.
Here’s to a great 2020.