Glossy

by Marisa Meltzer

First published 2023

Marisa Meltzer traces the meteoric rise of Glossier through its enigmatic founder Emily Weiss. The story begins with a Connecticut suburban girl who parlayed a Teen Vogue internship and reality TV appearance into a beauty blog called Into the Gloss. Weiss transformed every encounter and connection into fuel for her ambitions, eventually launching Glossier with sophisticated branding that spoke directly to Millennial and Gen Z consumers. The company grew into a $1.9 billion juggernaut with devoted customers lining up for products. Meltzer conducted extensive interviews with former employees, investors, and Weiss herself to reveal the inner workings of this secretive company. She exposes unconventional hiring practices, product development strategies, and the corporate culture that powered Glossier's success. The central mystery emerges: why did Weiss step down at the peak of Glossier mania after eight years? This investigation offers readers an intimate look at modern startup culture and the complex woman who created one of beauty's most influential brands.

Genres: business, non-fiction, 21st-century, fashion

Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: corporate-culture, entrepreneurship

Setting: Connecticut

Period: 21st-century

304 pages · Hardcover · Atria/One Signal Publishers

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