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Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Ami Colé Is a Sign of a Broken System for Black Beauty Founders

The beloved brand’s closure isn’t just another cautionary tale. It’s proof that even with an aspirational and credentialed Black founder, following a formulaic launch-and-scale playbook doesn’t guarantee success.
Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye announced she is shutting down Ami Colé, the Senegalese-inspired "clean beauty brand" she launched in 2021.
Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye announced she is shutting down Ami Colé, the Senegalese-inspired "clean beauty brand" she launched in 2021. (Courtesy/BoF Team)

“Overwhelmed.”

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Further Reading

How to Scale a Black Beauty Brand

Landing a retail partnership is often seen as a major milestone for beauty founders — but it brings a bevy of new challenges, from the logistical complexities to setting a marketing budget. Black entrepreneurs, who typically have far less capital to work with, often face tough choices.

About the authors
Daniela Morosini
Daniela Morosini

Daniela Morosini is Senior Beauty Correspondent and Special Projects Editor at The Business of Beauty at BoF. She covers the global beauty industry, with an interest in how companies go to market and overcome hurdles.

Sheena Butler-Young
Sheena Butler-Young

Sheena Butler-Young is Senior Correspondent at The Business of Fashion. She is based in New York and covers workplace, talent and issues surrounding diversity and inclusion.

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