Welcome Smiths Collective Brands, the rebranding of Luxury Beauty Concepts that honours its founders and owners, industry stalwarts Brian and Jane Smith.
The couple has been an industry presence since the 1960s and 1970s, respectively, founding Luxury Beauty Concepts in 2005. Together, their passion for innovation, originality and sourcing high quality and high performance products has made the company an invaluable industry asset.
“The rebrand comes at a time when Jane and I realised that our ability to source and distribute unique, cutting-edge products that deliver on performance is our strength in business and we’re excited to continue to deliver a collective of amazing brands to the industry as Smiths Collective Brands,” Brian said.
“Beginning our distribution journey by founding ARTec Australia in 1995, we have since had the pleasure of working with and distributing brands such as Pure Elements, REF and Colour Defence, and we’re looking forward to delivering more amazing products on this journey.”
Both Brian and Jane have enjoyed storied hairdressing careers. Brian’s near six-decade career, where he established his first salon in 1970, has seen him in roles as a L’Oréal Professionnel technician and Australian Technical Manager, the USA L’Oréal Professionnel Technical Director, pioneering education there through the 80s and early 90s, and then the Australia iteration of that role thereafter.
Jane began hairdressing in Adelaide in 1971, becoming a senior stylist and then salon manager, later joining L’Oréal Professionnel in Melbourne as technician. In 1981 she won L’Oréal Technician of the Year and travelled to Paris, later working with a New York fashion designer in designing cut and colour for clients and showcasing session and stage work for L’Oréal Professionnel in the 80s, incorporating a total makeover look of both hair and fashion. She was then made Head Technician at Vitali Hairdressing NY and launched the salon software Come Again RSVP in the early 90s, with early online booking and salon management. She also spent 21 years in salon, brand and business education.
Together, in 1995 the pair founded ARTec Australia and then sold it to L’Oréal eight years later. They founded Luxury Beauty Concepts in 2005, going on to launch chill, REF of Sweden, colorpact and hypact, USPA and develop Color Defence and Pure Elements. Also in 2005, they co-founded Blondes to Brunettes hair salon in Melbourne.
This 2021 rebrand is the next step in a career tapestry that spans decades. It’s paired with the launch of a new UK brand INNOluxe and the continued distribution and evolution of REF Stockholm, Pure Elements, Colour Defence and L’Abrea, which are vital hair care, maintenance and technical tools.
“We’re incredibly committed to continuing to bring innovative, high performance products to the Australian market, and the next exciting launch will be a popular and revered UK brand, INNOluxe, which we believe will deliver the next generation of an in-salon treatment offering protection and reparation to the hair during colour services. It is also endorsed by world acclaimed salon owner and colour educator and founder of Not Another Salon, Sophia Hilton,” the pair said.
The duo continues to evolve within the ever-changing salon landscape, utilising their unparalleled experience and knowledge to shape their business and offer personalised customer care.
“For the duration of our time within the international hairdressing community as hairdressers, technicians, educators, salon owners and distributors, both Brian and myself have refused to be discouraged by non-believers, instead we’ve always forged ahead, fortified by the knowledge that we operate with integrity and transparency and know innately that the products we distribute really do offer salons something innovative and truly game-changing,” Jane said.
“We also have a strong connection to the impact we are all making on the environment, and we are naturally drawn to partner companies & products that are sustainable, ethical and produced in sustainable manufacturing environments,” she continued.
Smiths Collective Brands has always been anchored by Brian and Jane’s commitment to delivering high-end, quality products to Australian and New Zealand hairdressing industries, underpinned by their belief that a point of difference is crucial to salon success. The couple pride themselves on listening to clients’ needs, adapting and changing when necessary and both offering advice and receiving it in their business lives. The combination of these skills makes their business an important industry leader.
With a rebrand the story of 2021, new launches and old favourite ranges solidifying their stature, decades of industry experience personally and between them and 16 years of this business venture comprising the credit list for Smiths Collective Brands and Brian and Jane Smith, there is much to look forward to.
Congratulations the duo on their continued success, and welcome Smiths Collective Brands for everything it’s always been and will become.
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