Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 was given to Frédéric Fekkai.

Biography

For almost three decades, Frédéric Fekkai has shaped the international beauty landscape.

Born in Aix-en-Provence, France, Frédéric rapidly rose through the beauty ranks. Early on, his approach to hair was clear - instead of performing a “signature cut”, Frédéric became the master of customization.
By 1989, Frédéric’s modern cuts caught the attention of Bergdorf Goodman and he was invited to design a salon within the celebrated department store. Frédéric Fekkai Beauty Center became an instant mecca and the first beauty day spa in the US.

Frédéric’s vision extended beyond running a salon when he realized that women spared no expense on their complexions, but the majority of haircare products were purchased at the drugstore. With a nod to prestige skincare, Frédéric decided to extend the luxury hair experience from his salon into clients’ homes with a product collection. From packaging and texture to fragrance, the products have always asserted “luxury cues” for a sensorial experience.

By 1995, Frédéric Fekkai evolved from a salon owner and stylist with an impressive roster of clients to a luxury lifestyle brand. The brand was acquired in 2008 by Procter & Gamble, and then in 2015 by Fekkai Brands LLC. During this time, Frédéric Fekkai served as consultant, participating in a strategic role as he worked to celebrate the equity of the brand.
Always passionate about development and innovation, Frédéric and his wife Shirin launched Bastide in 2017, inspired by the sunshine and vibrancy of Frederic's home, Aix-en-Provence. The line includes products for skin, body, and home, using rich, potent, good-for-you ingredients from Provence and clean recipes nurtured by artisans with generations of savoir-faire. The collection is celebrated at a boutique in Aix-en-Provence, and sold in top retailers across North America, Europe and Australia.

In 2018, Frédéric Fekkai reclaimed his namesake brand and as the marketplace and consumer demands evolve today, he continues to be an arbiter of style, recognizing the blending of luxury across channels. The brand’s effortless chic aesthetic continues to resonate today, as Frédéric continues to train and develop his team of salon experts that create the memorable looks from everyday well-coiffed femmes to the stylings of New York Fashion Week.

Fekkai currently operates salons in key markets including New York City, Greenwich, Dallas, and Palm Beach.