SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SEPHORA, the leading global prestige beauty retailer, is expanding its SEPHORA STANDS initiative in 2017 after surpassing key objectives in its first year. SEPHORA STANDS is the company's broad social impact strategy to inspire confidence and fearlessness among women. Through this platform, SEPHORA puts its values to work for the greater good with three core programs designed to address the needs of entrepreneurs (Sephora Accelerate), local communities (Classes for Confidence), and SEPHORA employees (Sephora Stands Together).  Today, the company announced an open application process for the Sephora Accelerate program for beauty businesses in two categories: sustainability (new!) and technology; applications from product merchandising businesses remain invite-only. As well, later this spring SEPHORA will introduce a new nationwide Classes for Confidence experience, Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer, designed to support those living with cancer.  

In 2016, its inaugural year, SEPHORA STANDS:

• Provided over 300 hours of mentorship and helped its first cohort of female founders gain traction with their businesses through Sephora Accelerate (including four that secured retail partnerships)
• Executed over 200 Classes for Confidence reaching nearly 2,000 individuals
• Inspired over 4,000 SEPHORA employees to connect with their local communities

"We're incredibly proud of what SEPHORA STANDS has accomplished in its first year – it's inspiring and motivating," said Corrie Conrad, Sephora's Head of Social Impact. "The new components of the program in 2017 are a direct result of the feedback we received from our Sephora Accelerate Fellows, our employees, and our partners and participants in Classes for Confidence. Together, we plan to make 2017 our strongest year yet."

Even in the beauty industry, where most customers are women, female founders are underrepresented. Sephora Accelerate is SEPHORA's commitment to encourage female founders in the beauty industry. Through an intensive bootcamp and more than six months of mentorship, founders join an ecosystem of support and are offered insight, instruction and access to the relevant networks to take their early–stage business to the next level and help design the future of beauty. In 2017, Sephora Accelerate is instituting an open application for technology and sustainability businesses relevant to the beauty industry, via www.sephorastands.com/accelerate, now through January 31, 2017. Applications for beauty merchandising companies remain invitation-only at this time. 

The goal of SEPHORA Accelerate is, by 2020, to support more than 50 women-led beauty businesses with a social impact through bootcamps, mentorship, and small loans.  

Classes for Confidence is SEPHORA STANDS's series of complimentary in-store classes designed to help inspire confidence in those facing major life transitions. Attendees learn makeup techniques in a supportive environment which also empowers SEPHORA employees to make a difference in their communities. In 2016, 136 Sephora stores across the United States partnered with over 125 local non-profit organizations to support individuals looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. Throughout 2017, the program will partner with a broader range of non-profit organizations in local communities to offer a supportive environment for participants where they can have fun as they learn tips for creating an everyday beauty look. Please visit www.sephorastands.com/classes_for_confidence/ if your nonprofit or community group is interested in learning more.

Among the highlights for 2017 is the introduction of Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer, a completely new, complimentary class launching nationwide in March 2017 designed to support those living with cancer. This 90-minute, hands-on class focuses on techniques and products that address the visible effects of cancer treatment. Any interested individual will be able to sign up for Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer Classes on Sephora.com.

By 2020, Classes for Confidence has a larger goal of inspiring confidence in 100,000 people and providing job opportunities where possible for interested and qualified participants.

SEPHORA STANDS
@Sephora @SephoraStands #SephoraStands  

About Sephora
Sephora is a leader in global prestige retail, teaching and inspiring clients to play in a world of beauty. Sephora has earned its reputation with its expertise, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit, and has been a pioneer in an unbiased approach to experiential retail since its debut in Paris in the early 1970's. A year after its acquisition by luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton in 1997, Sephora expanded to North America with a revolutionary store model that broke the beauty experience mold, and continues to evolve today. Now with more than 430 stores in the Americas—including US, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil—plus nearly 600 inside JCPenney, Sephora has become a leading international beauty destination with over 2,300 locations in 33 countries, plus an award-winning website, and intuitive mobile apps. At Sephora, whether beauty is an obsession or part of a routine, clients have the opportunity to play with 14,000 products from 200 carefully curated brands, featuring indie darlings, emerging favorites, trusted classics, and Sephora's own, SEPHORA COLLECTION. In store, the client can access personalized recommendations at the Beauty Studio through interactive technology like the IQ systems, and garner a new look with makeovers, complimentary classes, hands-on events, and one-on-one consultations, all assisted by Sephora's expertly trained beauty advisors who offer unbiased advice on every brand, in every beauty category. Online clients interact with an inclusive beauty community on the award-winning Beauty Board, interactive Beauty Talk, and through social media @Sephora. On their mobile device, clients can get inspired to try new looks through groundbreaking digital innovations, like Sephora Virtual Artist, and access one-of-a-kind, mobile-first experiences, like The Beauty Uncomplicator and Swipe It Shop It.  And Sephora Beauty Insider clients feed their beauty addiction with unique rewards and customized one-of-a-kind experiences. Sephora offers endless ways to explore beauty. With Sephora Stands, Sephora's multi-pronged social impact program, the retailer continues to support its community and its people via Sephora Accelerate, Classes for Confidence and Sephora Stands Together. For the latest, visit Sephora.com.

SOURCE SEPHORA

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