Napoleon Perdis (born 19th March 1970) is an Australian makeup artist and businessman. Napoleon Perdis created a line of cosmetic products which he sold through his own concept store in the trendy Sydney suburb of Paddington in 1995 and later through major department stores. By 2007 he had 59 concept stores across Australia and New Zealand and his cosmetics were available from a total of 800 locations. In recent years, his business has expanded to the United States where he has a number of own concept stores and his products are also stocked by Sephora beauty product stores. In Canada, his products are sold through The Bay department stores. [1] Napoleon has also set up The Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy in those countries which provides makeup education by professional trainers for people who want to pursue a career in makeup. Napolean's business partners are his brother, Emanuel Perdis and his wife Soula-Marie. [2]
Biography
Napoleon's parents were Greek immigrants, who settled in Sydney's western suburbs. They were also hard-working business people who once owned a popular cafe on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Liverpool Street, in the Sydney CBD. Napolean's family lived in the Sydney suburbs of Sutherland, Strathfield and Parramatta. He went to school at Arthur Phillip High School and later at the Redeemer Baptist School. He completed a Bachelor of Arts at Macquarie University, where he met his wife Soula-Marie. They married in 1991 and have four daughters, which include triplets. [3] He worked as a barrister's assistant and his wife was an actuary. He worked as a make-up artist for brides on weekends and in 1992 opened his own make-up studio in a small shop in Leichhardt. In 1993, he won a make-up competition at a beauty expo with a look that was inspired by Cher. He won a trip to Los Angeles, where he met Cher's make-up artist and agreed to become the Australian distributor for his 'Taut' make-up products. Napolean sold the make-up to brides and through his studio and hair salons. He sold the business when he launched his own make-up products under the Napolean Perdis name two years later.
Popular Culture
In 2007, Napoleon Perdis appeared as a special guest on a few episodes of the reality television show, Australia's Next Top Model. Actress Melissa George is the face of the Napoleon 'DeVine Goddess' range.
