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50 | BEAUTY LAUNCHPAD | MARCH 2017 W hen Jean Rennette, a schoolteacher and a pro waterski instructor with a business bent, met wife Micheline, a hairdresser and esthetician, the family (and beauty biz) would be forever changed. The Belgium-based couple founded Olivia Garden (@oliviagardenint) in 1967, with Jean selling high-quality synthetic wigs and hairpieces (cut, colored and styled by Micheline) to salons. But when wigs fell out of fashion in the '70s, Jean pioneered his own liquid product line. "From the start—and to this day—we wanted to introduce cutting-edge, environmentally friendly products," notes Anne Maza, VP of sales and marketing for Olivia Garden (and daughter of Jean and Micheline). "We always launch something that brings a solution, making something better, different or unique for a good reason." The company made a moxie-fueled move stateside in 1985, intent on reaching new heights in a major market. Starting from scratch in the U.S. while maintaining the European business required arduous work—even from the Rennettes' teenage children, who helped out with typing and accounting after school (30-plus years later, both now run the day-to-day operations with parental input). A passion for painstaking research and development led to explosive growth and newfangled designs, including Olivia Garden's fi rst high-end brush line; the company would later pioneer ceramic and ionic technology. "Since my mom worked 8 to 10 hours a day in the salon, every product is designed for the hairdresser," Maza explains. "We want to help them work quickly, effi ciently and comfortably, with the latest technology." In the aughts, the company celebrated more fi rsts: a new apparel collection, eco-friendly bamboo brushes, and shears with an industry-fi rst trade-in program. More recently, ever-expanding brush models have adopted nanotechnology, extreme-heat-resistant surfaces and scalp-massaging designs, among others. But Maza insists the best is yet to come: In 2017, the company is introducing education to augment its brushes and shears (think styling and cutting classes), plus a new lookbook that she promises "reaches a new level of artistry" with step-by-steps, and initiatives including behind-the-scenes beauty for major events like New York Fashion Week and the Oscars. "We're also looking to expand even further with new, awesome products," Maza enthuses. "2017 is going to be a big year for us!" Olivia Garden celebrates 50 years of innovation and worldwide expansion—while remaining a true family affair. —TRACY MORIN Garden Party 1967 1976 1985 1998 2012 2014 Founded by Jean and Micheline Rennette TIMELINE: OLIVIA GARDEN Live & Learn/ Milestones Launches liquid product line Opens USA division Introduces fi rst hairbrush collection Creates revolutionary hairbrush app Builds new U.S. headquarters in Antioch, CA From top to bottom: Jean Rennette, cofounder of Olivia Garden, presents hair trends at an Intercoiffure event in Belgium (1983); Jean and Micheline Rennette, along with staff and top customers, enjoy dinner on a company cruise in Greece; every year, Olivia Garden participates in more than 40 professional trade shows worldwide; the new state-of-the-art Olivia Garden 37,000 sq. ft. U.S. headquarters in Antioch, California. Olivia Garden's innovative brushes have made styling hair a breeze for half a century. COURTESY OF OLIVIA GARDEN