The Downton Abbey Effect: British Beauty Brands on Rise in America

The New York Times has an interesting article in their Fashion & Style section about the "British invasion of beauty brands on American shelves." English brands are on the rise, taking up more shelf space in stores like Sephoria & other beauty boutiques. Could the popularity of 'Downton Abbey' have anything to do with this? The article mentions the influence of  DA  a couple of times.

“I think Americans are much more into ‘Downton Abbey’ than we are,” Nicky Kinnaird, the British founder of the London-based beauty store Space NK, said recently with a laugh. “That’s just fine for us. They may not be able to wear the period clothes in real life, but they can spray on an English scent and feel like they’re there.”

Mindy Yang, vice president of Min New York, a beauty boutique in SoHo that specializes in fragrances has this to say:

“For Americans, British brands speak to this elegant, dandyish lifestyle — there’s always this grand story — and with etiquette,” Ms. Yang said. “I think people miss etiquette. They’re looking for a real connection.”

Besides “Downton Abbey,” Ms. Yang mentioned the rekindled interest in British royalty after Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding last summer as a possible reason that people are buying more English scents.

Read the full article here.

If watching the show has me all ready to move to England like it does, surely I'm just the customer these British beauty companies are looking for hehe!