Photo&col;Courtesy of Carol Han Pyle
Watch the full conversation between Carol Han Pyle and Fashionista Beauty Director Stephanie Saltzman fashionista network.
In true “Prada-wearing” style, Carol Han Pyle landed the post-graduation job that a million girls would strive for: Eller The Fashion Assistant manages a coveted fashion wardrobe.
Her editorial career continued in the following positions lucky and Elle.com, until Pyle founded a consulting agency called Community Atelier in 2010. Thinking about the future of her career, Pyle turned to her lifelong passion for perfume.
“For the first time in my entire adult life, I suddenly felt less busy and I really took a whole year to just stop and be like, this is the moment for me to do something with perfume that I haven’t done since I was born. Something I’ve always dreamed of (see here!).
Thus, in 2021, Pyle’s New York-based candle and fragrance brand Nette was born. Her childhood memories include watching her mother hand-make candles, but when Pyle began researching the candles burning in her own home, she noticed a lack of transparent ingredient lists and brand stories for the entire category.
“I really wanted to create something that would reach the level of a very luxurious, beautifully branded product, but also make me feel really comfortable,” she said, noting that she honed her skills in an editorial background. Storytelling skills have been key to Knight’s growth: “I’ve always been a storyteller at every touch point in my career, and I think this fundamental skill set is ideal for building a brand.
Nette’s candles come in handmade ceramic vessels and are designed with a “cup first” concept, meaning they are food, dishwasher and microwave safe and easy to reuse. Nette hired IFF perfumer Celine Barel to formulate most of the brand’s fragrances, which include complex, high-perfume-grade ingredients, such as Pearl Dust’s orris note, known as one of the most expensive perfume ingredients.
Photo&col;Courtesy of Nate
Following an exclusive launch with Sephora, Nette expanded into fragrance last year and its latest fragrance, Pear Jam, has become a fan favorite. (Inspired by the scene in the classic 90s movie The Last Day where Molly (Demi Moore) receives a paper bag of Japanese pears.)
In the full interview, Pyle also talks about her strategy for working with companies like Tata Harper, Barbie and Crown Affair, and how they can be growth opportunities. “We say no to 90 percent of opportunities,” Pyle said. “I think it’s really important to get things done.”
Pyle also talked about some surprising aspects of being a beauty entrepreneur, including the “absolute need for capital.” Looking ahead, Pyle previewed upcoming fragrance launches, high-profile new hires and category expansions. Watch the full interview here.
Hosted by The Fashionista Network powered by interactive media platform Fireside, the conversation gave viewers the opportunity to participate and speak directly with industry figures. Learn more about the Fashionista Network here.
Please note: We sometimes use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decisions.
Tune in to the Fashionista Network and join the conversation with fashion and beauty industry leaders. Register here.
