Luxury conglomerate LVMH is reportedly exploring the sale of its 50% stake in Fenty Beauty, the cosmetics brand co-founded with Rihanna. The company has enlisted investment bank Evercore to advise on the possible transaction, though this process remains confidential and preliminary.
Fenty Beauty was launched in 2017, under LVMH’s Kendo Brands incubator, and just last year generated roughly $450 million in net sales. It’s been reported that this move could place Fenty Beauty’s value between $1 and $2 billion.
Industry observers say the move would mark a watershed moment in the celebrity-fueled beauty boom, coming after other high-profile deals across the space. All Rihanna knows is money moves! In fact, when launching Fenty, the pop diva shook up the beauty world with a staggering offering of 40 shades of makeup for people of all skin tones. More availability and representation translated into a larger, more satisfied customer base.
Fenty’s digital-first, inclusive positioning helped reshape the market, and it made Rihanna a major cosmetics entrepreneur. If LVMH moves forward, the process could signal broader portfolio shifts for the luxury group as well as a new chapter for a brand that helped redefine modern makeup.
LVMH and Evercore have yet to comment publicly on the news. Fenty Beauty and representatives for Rihanna did not immediately return requests for comment from Reuters.
