Milani Gains Gryphon As Investor

San Francisco-based middle market private equity firm Gryphon Investors will acquire a majority stake in Milani Cosmetics, a leading family-owned “masstige” beauty company that encompasses two distinct brands, Milani and Jordana. Current owners Ralph Bijou and Laurie Minc will hold significant minority stakes alongside Gryphon. The transaction, which is expected to close next month, is subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed at press time.
 
Milani, headquartered in Los Angeles, began with the creation of Jordana Cosmetics in 1986 and grew with the purchase and relaunch of Milani in 2001. Milani products are primarily manufactured in the US and Italy. The company’s face, lip, and eye products are available in 75 countries and through key domestic retail partners including Walmart, Walgreens, Ulta and more
 
 
As part of the transaction, Michelle Taylor will become interim CEO. She is a Gryphon executive advisor and an accomplished senior executive in the cosmetics and beauty businesses who has held senior leadership positions at Kate Somerville Skincare, Kiehl’s, Lancôme, L’Oréal USA, Chanel, Elizabeth Arden and others.
 
Taylor, along with Gryphon Partners Dennis O’Brien and Keith Stimson, and Gryphon Principal Matt Farron, will join the Board of Directors. Ralph Bijou will continue with the company as president of Jordana Cosmetics and Laurie Minc will continue with Milani as a senior advisor. Both Bijou and Minc will be on the Board of Directors. The transaction marks Gryphon’s first investment in the beauty sector.
 
O’Brien said, “Gryphon has long been exploring the $45 billion beauty and personal care space and is excited to commit to the industry. Leveraging Michelle’s deep knowledge of the sector, we believe we have identified a strong growth platform in Milani, one which has a variety of proven and developing sales channels and the opportunity to reach a broad and growing consumer base that has discovered Milani’s quality and is actively seeking out the brand. We look forward to working with Michelle, Ralph, and Laurie to build upon the company’s proven success.”