Spotlight on Stephanie Shaw

When did you join BA & what is your role?

I started at Brand Architekts in May 2019 and I am Head of Export responsible for selling all our brands around the world.

What did you do before?

I have been in cosmetics and personal care for over 30 years. I always had passion for the Cosmetics industry and I have worked for small and large (LVMH, L'Oréal among others) companies.

Tell us about a recent project you are proud of

I have to pick the AS Watsons project given its complexity. We started the conversations in November 2022 and the pivotal moment was when we were invited to their summit in Thailand March 2023. After that everything went quickly although it involved a lot of work across teams (registrations, marketing material, orders) to get all 9 markets over the line. Really great teamwork.

What is the most challenging export market you have worked with?

Export is full of challenges, but I’ll pick South Africa due to its economical climate. What is positioned as a “masstige brand” in the UK becomes premium in South Africa because of the restricting affordable incomes. We have done well in the market and that is to a large extent because of our very good partner, Pierre Malherbe from FMCG1.

Who has had the greatest influence on your professional life?

One of my first UK managers Quita Davis at Givenchy UK. She is very passionate, hands on and driven. I learned a lot from her, she is an inspiring individual.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in South of France in a city called Nîmes where the sun shines 300 days per year (where did I go wrong?! ) and where Denim comes from. I remember how I travelled to school every day on a moped! I left Nîmes when I was 18 to study in Paris. I had early on decided that I wanted to work in Cosmetics so my first job was behind the Lancôme counter at Le Printemps.

What is your main hobby?

I like gardening and DIY. I am the undisputed queen of flatpack furniture, and believe it or not, it relaxes me to assemble an Ikea cupboard!

What are the top-3 aspects of your "adopted home country"?

• A lot of opportunities for people that work hard regardless of their background.
• Everybody is quite disciplined and waiting in a queue is normal. Not a French thing!
• After years of UK having a reputation for bad food, there are now very interesting fusion cuisines taking influences from all over the world. I love it!

Favourite dish or cuisine?

I like all cuisines but if I had to pick one dish it would be Raclette. Very simple but it brings lots of enjoyable memories of conviviality and comfort.

TV Shows you love?

I watch a lot of series. Some with my kids, some with my husband but there are some nobody wants to watch with me, like Viking. Apparently too violent!

What is your #1 go to beauty product?

“Touch éclat”, an excellent and must-have concealer by Yves Saint Laurent.

Favourite book?

We do have a book club among friends and I do read every book that is recommended. My kids call the club the “Gossip Club” because we don’t speak much about the books. Our last selected book is “Demon Copperhead”, I am half way through…

An item you would never part with?

Mon parfum biensûr! Irresistible by Givenchy.

Do you have a favourite quote?

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a Big difference” Winston Churchill

Final thoughts to conclude this interview?

I don’t think anybody will be surprised by my answers, I am like an open book!

Thank you Stephanie for sharing with us!