CARIBBEAN. Avolta has introduced Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin and Fenty edp fragrance – created by celebrated singer, businesswoman and actress Rihanna – to duty free in Barbados.
Avolta this week opened two Fenty doors, one at the retailer’s main downtown store on Broad Street, Bridgetown and the other at Sunset Mall on the west coast of the island. The range includes a shade range, skincare products and fragrance.
Avolta President & CEO for Latam & the Caribbean Enrique Urioste said: “Our launch of this amazing brand in its founder’s hometown of Barbados, is a truly momentous occasion. The team has done some incredible work to make this happen, and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment to get this over the line. This is a great example of the creative relationships we are forging across the Latam region.
“With a customer-centric focus at the heart of everything we do at Avolta, we strive to surprise and delight our customers, and ‘make travellers happier’ by offering them memorable experiences and the latest and most exciting products. Being able to offer the Fenty Beauty brand to our customers most definitely ticks all those boxes.”
Avolta Chief Commercial & Digital Officer Vijay Talwar added: “With the brand’s debut back in 2017, Rihanna set a new standard of inclusive beauty, with her range of exceptional products suited to all ethnicities and cultures.
‘It’s this inclusive and authentic approach to beauty that has really resonated with customers’ own values of diversity, authenticity, and environmental sustainability – and particularly with Gen Zers and other younger travellers. This vision of inclusivity is also very much aligned with Avolta’s own commitment to fostering an inclusive culture, by promoting diversity and equity across all levels of our organisation. These will be Avolta’s first Fenty stores worldwide, and we are extremely proud and honoured to play our part in bringing such a high-profile brand as this to our portfolio.”
Essence Corp is the official distributor for Fenty Beauty in the Caribbean region. Essence Corp Vice President of Sales Guillaume Bona said, “We are happy to work in partnership with Avolta to bring Rihanna’s visionary beauty brands to Barbados.”
Essence Corp Division Director Adel Azibi added, “As representatives of this vibrant region, we are proud to see the Caribbean, often overlooked, finally put on the global map, receiving the recognition it so rightfully deserves.”
On 6 November, two beauty talks and Master Artistry Classes will take place in Barbados’ Crane Hotel, hosted by Rihanna’s personal makeup artist and Global Makeup Artist for Fenty Beauty, Priscilla Ono. Customers can purchase tickets for the sessions, each of which will welcome 150 guests.
As part of the build-up to the recent openings, Fenty Beauty and Avolta’s Bridgetown Duty Free team hosted a beauty raffle via @bridgetown_dutyfree, offering customers the chance to attend an exclusive VIP launch event in Barbados on 7 November.
This takes place at the island’s celebrated ‘QP Bistro’, a restaurant favoured by Rihanna. Some 300 guests – including VIPs and dignitaries from across the Caribbean – will gather for a celebratory evening which will feature a live DJ, immersive brand experiences and Fenty Beauty gift bags. ✈
