On the Front Row Ep. 1 | Grace Gao, Head of Business Development at Sephora Collection

On the Front Row Ep. 1 | Grace Gao, Head of Business Development at Sephora Collection

In our very first episode of On the Front Row, we sit down with Grace Gao (Head of Business Development, Sephora Collection) to explore how data, desire, and strategy are shaping the future of beauty.

From working across Shanghai, New York, Hong Kong, and Paris to leading at Sephora, Grace shares:
✨ How brands balance creativity with analytics
✨ Why fragrance delivers the highest margins in beauty
✨ What makes “niche” fragrances so powerful — and how far the trend can stretch
✨ The art vs. science of pricing in fashion & beauty
✨ Where AI and new tech (video shopping, conversational commerce) are changing the game

📈 Whether you’re in beauty, fashion, or strategy, this episode is packed with insights on brand growth, consumer trends, and the business of luxury.

Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to On the Front Row
01:00 – Grace Gao’s global career journey
05:30 – Fashion vs. beauty: what’s more commercial?
08:20 – Using data to predict the next big trend
12:30 – Fragrance margins & why niche is booming
18:00 – Pricing power in beauty & fashion
25:00 – The role of AI & new tech in brand growth
35:00 – Quick takes: overhyped & underrated trends