In a surprising turn of events, Ami Colé, a popular beauty brand backed by venture capital, has announced its closure despite raising over $3 million in funding. Founded by Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye, one of the few Black women to secure such significant investment, the brand aimed to revolutionize the beauty industry with inclusive products tailored for underrepresented skin tones.
Ami Colé, launched four years ago, gained attention for pioneering the lip-oil trend and offering skin tints that catered to Black women, filling a critical gap in the market. However, despite its initial success and cultural impact, the company will officially shutter operations in September 2025, as confirmed by N'Diaye-Mbaye in a recent statement.
One of the key challenges hinted at by the founder was the tension between her vision and the expectations of investors. According to reports, there was a mismatch in goals for scaling a consumer retail business, which may have contributed to the brand's financial struggles. N'Diaye-Mbaye also noted that continuing in the current market was simply not sustainable.
The closure of Ami Colé is seen as a significant loss for the beauty industry, particularly for diversity and inclusion efforts. Industry observers have pointed out that this shutdown reflects broader challenges faced by Black-owned beauty brands in securing long-term support beyond initial funding.
In her own words, shared through various media outlets, N'Diaye-Mbaye expressed disappointment but also gratitude for the community that supported Ami Colé. She highlighted the brand's mission to empower and represent, a legacy that will likely inspire future entrepreneurs despite the company's end.
As the beauty sector continues to evolve, the story of Ami Colé serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of balancing innovation, investor demands, and market realities. The industry will undoubtedly feel the void left by this trailblazing brand.
Andrew Lee
