Stylist who innovated at Calvin Klein launches his own brand on national soil

Brazilian designer Francisco Costa gained international prominence in the years he was at the helm of fashion houses such as Calvin Klein, Gucci and Oscar de la Rente. Known for his minimalist style, the man from Minas Gerais decided to launch his own beauty brand in the United States. Four years later, the Costa Brazil arrives on national soil with the launch of its first fragranceAroma.

_{Aroma is the brand’s first fragrance and will be sold in Brazil. Playback/Instagram}

The stylist has lived in New York for 35 years and is a well-liked figure in the fashion world. His brand was so successful in the North American territory that it was acquired by Amyris in 2021. The biotechnology company already owns brands like Rose Inc. and Biossance. Even with the merger, Costa continued as CCO of the brand itself and planned the expansion to Brazil and other markets around the world.

Costa Brazil products will be sold in Sephora stores and e-commerce starting in June. The goal is to make the entire portfolio available in the country. However, at this moment, 15 products hit the shelves. The oils, which are the darlings of consumers, are confirmed, such as the best seller Kaya Jungle Firming Body Oil and Sunlight Body Oil. Body creams, face serums, bath salts, cleansing oils, candles and a massage tool will also be sold.

Minimalist luxury is Costa Brazil’s trademark

The Costa Brazil logo, as well as the packaging, were inspired by the creations of the Italian Piero Manzoni, whom Francisco Costa already admired and used as the basis for his work during the years he was creative director at Calvin Klein.

You jars are made with metal and glass, with a minimalist tone, and end up also serving as decoration. In the case of the recently launched Aroma perfume, the container has the sophisticated design of a wooden block.

_{The stylist’s minimalism is present in the bottles and packaging. Playback/Instagram}

The fragrance, developed in partnership with the German perfumer Frank Voelkl, from Firmenich, combines sustainably produced ingredients, such as white flowers, Brazilian orange oil, pink pepper, bourbon geranium, nutmeg oil, myrrh and vetiver. Some are lab-made, like musk and a synthetic patchouli edition.

A earthy woody note combined with the minimalist and luxurious bottle led to Aroma being nominated for the fragrance of the year category at the Fragrance Foundation Awards 2023. The competition was tough: Chanel, Gucci and Francis Kurkdjian were also in the running.

Jungle Complex: the secret of Costa Brazil is in the Amazon

Three ingredients extracted in the Amazon are the essence of Costa Brazil’s formulas. The trio is called Jungle Complex by the brand and includes breu branco, sapucaia fruit oil and cocoa tree seed oil. The substances are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and soothing.

_{Francisco Costa at the Fragrance Foundation Awards 2023. Reproduction/Instagram}

Francisco Costa traveled to the north of Brazil in search of these raw materials. He teamed up with researchers, rural producers and entities in the region to find ingredients with the skin-friendly properties that could be produced on a large scale. Since then, the stylist comes once a year to update and inspire in new substances.

“We have many products under development, new fragrances, tanning oils, everything in connection with the Brazilian DNA”, summarized in a recent interview with Vogue.

Cover photo: Costa Brazil conveys luxury and sophistication in a minimalist way. Playback/Instagram