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Premium hair tool brand T3 has named Anne-Cécile Brilland as its new chief executive, The Business of Beauty can exclusively reveal.
She succeeds Anish Agarwal, who served as T3’s chief executive for two and a half years before departing in April to join fragrance brand Ôrəbella. Brilland’s first day was June 2.
Brilland joins T3 from IGK Hair, where she was brand president. Prior to IGK, Brilland was senior vice-president of marketing for Make Up For Ever in the US, and spent 15 years at L’Occitane Group.
“During my time at IGK, I was working with stylists, and consistently I saw them choosing T3 as their only tool,” Brilland said. “The brand is already growing by double digits in every single channel.”
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Brilland said that the brand will continue to strengthen its existing business and TikTok presence. Globally, Europe will be the first target for expansion, with Brilland planning to amplify the message that T3’s tools are dual-voltage. “For people and stylists who travel a lot — they may do weddings in Italy — bringing their own tools is such a game changer,” Brilland added.
Launched in 2004 by married partners eye surgeon Dr. Julie Chung and Kent Yu, T3 offers premium, high-technology styling tools. Its range spans ceramic flat irons and curling irons, as well as hair dryers including the Aire 360 Multi-Styler, a modern tool that comes with a selection of attachments. Globally, the brand is stocked by retailers including Sephora, Ulta, Douglas and Next.
An independent brand, T3 has been profitable since its first year, with its sales increasing by over 20 percent each year for the last three years. As she works to amplify the brand’s voice, Brilland will be placing Dr. Chung further at centre stage as the face of T3.
“We are here with a community of women who are here for women,” she said. “Building that community will be one of the major unlocks.”
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