A play on the words “can do,” Kendo redefines the beauty industry through next-generation products, visionary campaigns and unforgettable retail presence. They make the impossible possible, pushing the limits of innovation with every launch. Kendo creates original founder brands, partnering with major faces from fashion and entertainment, to bring to life the dream products you’ve always wanted, but haven’t been able to find on the shelves yet. Kendo also acquires existing labels and develops them into global industry leaders.
Kendo was started by David Suliteanu in 2010 while he was the CEO of Sephora Americas. In 2014 David joined Kendo to work fulltime as its CEO and the company became independent of Sephora, and joined the Perfumes and Cosmetics group of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, the world’s largest luxury brand group). Since Kendo’s founding in 2010, they’ve experienced phenomenal growth and accelerated global expansion. Based in San Francisco, Kendo operates headquarters worldwide, in Toronto, London, Paris and Singapore. Their products are distributed internationally in 27 countries and counting and their portfolio today consists of Kat Von D Beauty, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Formula X Nail, OleHenriksen and Bite Beauty. In 2017, Lady Gaga wore Marc Jacobs Beauty for her Super Bowl LI Halftime Show and in the same year Kat Von D Beauty’s Tattoo Liner won Allure Best of Beauty Reader’s Choice Award. Kendo also launched Fenty Beauty by Rihanna in 17 countries all on the same day.
The company supports non-profits in their communities through yearly grants. Each Kendo Brand also creates initiatives, products and/or campaigns to benefit causes that are important and authentic to their brand founders. Kendo employees also give back through volunteer time off and team building days, company donation matching, direct and in-kind charitable giving, as well as Kendo-sponsored shopping events that benefit a dedicated cause.