Story of MECCA
From one store to a global community. Here’s where you’ll find the story behind the story – the turning points, the bold leaps, and the brilliant humans who made MECCA what it is today.
MECCA started with a purpose...
To create a space where everyone could feel seen, celebrated and confident in their own skin. Where beauty wasn’t about rules or perfection, but about helping people look, feel and be their best. Where women could lead, grow, and shape the industry from the inside out.
From day one, education sat at the heart of it. For our customers, and our team.
That same belief in access, empowerment, and joy continues to guide us today. Hear from Jo on where it all began.
“In 1996, the most dynamic change in cosmetics over the last 20 to 30 years was just beginning to gain momentum.
The world's leading makeup artists – creative geniuses – were launching independent brands, and innovative retailers like Barneys and Fred Segal were backing them, and the excitement was palpable.
There was an incredibly exciting new trend in cosmetics emerging, and I just knew there was a better way to bring this to Australian women – for my mum, my friends, for me. I wanted to hand power back to women – empowering both the consumers and those working in beauty – and to prove that a business led by women could thrive by building each other up.
And when push came to shove, I did not want to die wondering.”
“In 1996, the most dynamic change in cosmetics over the last 20 to 30 years was just beginning to gain momentum.
The world's leading makeup artists – creative geniuses – were launching independent brands, and innovative retailers like Barneys and Fred Segal were backing them, and the excitement was palpable.
There was an incredibly exciting new trend in cosmetics emerging, and I just knew there was a better way to bring this to Australian women – for my mum, my friends, for me. I wanted to hand power back to women – empowering both the consumers and those working in beauty – and to prove that a business led by women could thrive by building each other up.
And when push came to shove, I did not want to die wondering.”
We had the best, emerging, innovative brands from around the world in a totally different and appealing retail space – modern, light, accessible, with the products as the hero of the space.
“We’re 100 years away from gender equality. I don’t need a Steve Jobs-level legacy — but if MECCA can put a dint in the beauty universe and in the push for equality, then that’s a role I’m proud for us to play.”
Jo Horgan, MECCA Founder
