Layla Cosmetics opens US subsidiary, accelerates global expansion

Layla Cosmetics, a long-established brand founded in Milan in 1936, in which Italian investment firm AF1 has recently acquired a 55% stake, has boosted its presence in overseas markets, currently accounting for 30% of revenue.

 
Layla Cosmetics, currently led by AF1 owner Alessio Badia and by Babila Spagnolo, CEO and creative director and granddaughter of the brand’s founder, has opened a US subsidiary in Las Vegas which currently employs about a dozen people. In order to promote its products on the US market, Layla will be attending the Cosmoprof Miami trade show in January.
 
Besides the USA, other international markets on which Layla has set its sights are Saudi Arabia, India, Morocco, Libya, Syria and Iraq. The expansion plan also includes CIS countries, where Layla has concluded negotiations with local distributors in Uzbekistan and Moldova.

“We are ready to expand our brand all over the world, to share our passion for beauty and made-in-Italy quality, and to leave our mark on international markets. Layla Worldwide is already well-established, and we look forward to making our name shine everywhere,” said Spagnolo.
 
Layla was set up as a nail polish producer, but in 1975 Emma Rossetti, the founder’s daughter and Spagnolo’s mother, diversified the range expanding it to the whole make-up category, as well as to skincare. Nail polish remains the brand’s core business, accounting for 60% of revenue, while make-up and skincare each account for 20%.