VIVACÉ by KISS Returns as Title Partner as the October 10 Celebration Honors Black Beauty Legacy, Innovation and the Industry's Next Generation

ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bronner Bros. will bring together some of the most influential names in beauty, business, artistry and innovation for the second annual Beauty Icon Awards, taking place Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Riverside EpiCenter in Atlanta.

Executive produced by Kelly Keith, the black-tie celebration returns under the 2026 theme "Midnight Bloom," honoring visionaries whose influence was built long before the world saw the bloom, through years of creating, building, innovating and persevering.

The 2026 Beauty Icon Awards honorees include celebrity hairstylist, wigmaker, and entrepreneur Tokyo Stylez; beauty entrepreneur and Carol's Daughter Founder and President Lisa Price; celebrity braider and Braided New York founder Xia Charles; celebrity photographer and director Derek Blanks; Topicals founder and beauty entrepreneur Olamide Olowe; beauty industry pioneer and Design Essentials founder Cornell McBride Sr.; and beauty industry leader Germaine Bolds-Leftridge.

The evening will also recognize Spelman College's Cosmetic Science Program, whose expansion created the first undergraduate cosmetic science program of its kind at an HBCU.

Together, the 2026 class reflects the breadth of Black beauty's cultural and economic influence, from entrepreneurship and brand building to celebrity artistry, braiding, skincare, visual storytelling and scientific innovation, and the many ways Black beauty continues to shape both culture and commerce.

"Black beauty has never been simply about how we look. It is innovation, entrepreneurship, artistry, identity and culture," said Kelly Keith, executive producer of the Beauty Icon Awards. "This year's honorees represent people and institutions that didn't simply participate in the beauty industry; they helped move it forward. And if we are going to celebrate legacy, we also have to create access to what comes next."

Returning for the second year, VIVACÉ by KISS will serve as the Title Partner for the 2026 Beauty Icon Awards, continuing its support of a celebration that brings together beauty professionals, entrepreneurs, cultural tastemakers, educators, creators and emerging talent.

"Our partnership with the Beauty Icon Awards is about more than celebrating extraordinary talent; it's also about investing in the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs and innovators who will shape the future of beauty," said Ivan Chae, Vice President, KISS Beauty Group. "We're honored to serve as Title Partner and help create a platform where legacy and what's next can be celebrated in the same room."

The evening will also mark a major milestone for ORS, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the 2026 Beauty Icon Awards, recognizing three decades in the beauty industry.

Eco Style Styling Gel will also join Bronner Bros., VIVACÉ by KISS and ORS in supporting this year's celebration.

However, before the evening's honorees walk the red carpet, approximately 400 students will gather at the Riverside EpiCenter for the BB x VIVACÉ by KISS presents VIVATRESS™ Student Summit, an immersive experience centered on education, competition, career exposure and direct access to professionals shaping today's beauty industry.

The Summit reflects a broader investment in the future of beauty by exposing emerging talent to opportunities beyond traditional salon careers and introducing students to the creative, entrepreneurial, digital, and business possibilities across the industry.

Programming will include the Fantasy Braid Competition, sponsored by the VIVACÉ by KISS VIVATRESS Braiding System, allowing emerging artists to demonstrate their creativity and technical skill.

The Summit will also feature "Beyond the Chair," bringing together Cliff Vmir, Jesseca "Judy" Harris-Dupart and Evan Nicole "The Hair Guruu" Williams for a conversation about entrepreneurship, branding, social media, career pathways and the evolving business of beauty.

The recognition of Spelman College's Cosmetic Science Program further connects the celebration of today's icons with the industry's future, highlighting the increasingly important role science, research, product development, and innovation will play in shaping what comes next.

The program also reflects Bronner Bros.' longstanding commitment to professional education and opportunity. For generations, the company has created spaces where Black beauty professionals can learn, build businesses, develop their craft and connect with an industry that continues to have an outsized influence on global beauty and culture.

"For nearly 80 years, Bronner Bros. has been committed to advancing Black beauty professionals and creating opportunities for our community," said James Bronner, President of Bronner Bros. "The Beauty Icon Awards extends that legacy by honoring the individuals whose creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurship continue to shape the industry and influence culture, while ensuring that the next generation has access to the knowledge, inspiration, and opportunities they need to create their own legacy."

The inaugural Beauty Icon Awards honored industry and cultural leaders including Chaka Khan, Danessa Myricks, Jesseca "Judy" Harris-Dupart, the late George E. Johnson and Terrence Davidson, establishing the event as a gathering place for Black beauty, business and culture.

The 2026 theme, "Midnight Bloom," honors the often-unseen years of creativity, perseverance and innovation behind lasting influence, the work that happens before the world sees the bloom.

This year, that idea extends beyond the individuals being honored. From established industry pioneers and cultural tastemakers to beauty entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, and hundreds of students preparing to enter the field, the 2026 Beauty Icon Awards will celebrate the continuum of Black beauty: the legacy already built, the influence being created now, and the possibilities still to come.

Event Details:

2026 Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards

• Saturday, October 10, 2026
• Riverside EpiCenter | Atlanta, Georgia
• VIP Reception & Red Carpet: 5:30 p.m.
• Main Event: 7:30 p.m.
• Attire: Black Tie

Tickets for the October 10 celebration, including VIP and general admission, are now available at BronnerBros.com. For additional information regarding honorees or talent, please email adrienne@theipyagency.com.

Media interested in covering the 2026 Bronner Bros. Beauty Icon Awards may apply for credentials here.

ABOUT BRONNER BROS.
For nearly eight decades, Bronner Bros. has helped advance professional education, entrepreneurship and opportunity within the beauty industry. Its International Beauty Show has brought together generations of beauty professionals, students, entrepreneurs, educators, brands and industry leaders.

ABOUT VIVACÉ BY KISS
Rooted in the rhythm of classical elegance, VIVACÉ reimagines beauty not as perfection, but as expression. VIVACÉ offers premium pre-stretched braiding hair made from tangle-resistant, hypoallergenic synthetic yaki fiber in various lengths. It also offers an ultimate-hold braiding gel formulated with keratin, biotin, and rosemary for sleek styling.

Media Contact:

Adrienne Alexander
423057@email4pr.com
443.621.9506

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SOURCE Bronner Bros