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Years after her tragic death, the eternal chicness of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy remains. Even though the fashion publicist famously lived in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York, her understated style spanned the globe\u2014making her a timeless fashion and beauty muse that many still mirror today.<\/p>\n
One of her go-to beauty destinations: The famous C.O. Bigelow. Set about a mile north of the apartment she shared with husband John F. Kennedy Jr., the Greenwich Village apothecary has been in business since 1838 (making it the oldest in America), and it\u2019s been well-reported that Bessette-Kennedy was a regular customer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always had an amazing clientele, including Carolyn,\u201d shares Ian Ginsberg, president and third-generation pharmacist at C.O. Bigelow. \u201cShe had amazing style, and, while we never share, it was reported that she shopped for all of her hair accessories from us.\u201d<\/p>\n
While he may be hush-hush on Bessette-Kennedy\u2019s exact<\/em> spending habits, Ginsberg does say 2024 (the 25th anniversary of her death) brought about an uptick of interest in her style\u2014and that had a very specific impact on certain SKUs.<\/p>\n \u201cThat year, there was a renewed focus on Carolyn and her style, and the business of headbands blew up\u2014all styles, widths, materials, etc. At the same time, we scour the world for unique hair clips, ponytail holders and barrettes. We carry a huge variety and a huge inventory, and we change it up and replenish it often. Our team is also really great in advising our clients and showing them how to wear them.\u201d<\/p>\n Ginsberg also anticipates an additional lift as this week\u2019s American Love Story<\/em> renews attention around Bessette-Kennedy\u2019s aesthetic. \u201cHer understated approach to accessories, including the headband she made synonymous with polished, off-duty dressing, aligns closely with current consumer preferences,\u201d he says. \u201cEarly-year searches for headbands on our e-commerce site are already outpacing 2025. Order volume is up nearly threefold year-over-year.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course, Ginsberg stresses, hair accessories aren\u2019t exactly a new category for the long-standing pharmacy.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been curating all types of accessories throughout my career\u2014from the late \u201970s\u2014and before. I remember we used to carry Eric Javits hats back when he began in the mid-late \u201980s,\u201d he recalls. \u201cThe secret sauce and magic of C.O. Bigelow lies in our people. They have a razor-focus on our customers and a keen eye on trends. Our team is in touch with the market and our customers constantly, and through our relationships in the industry, we can be agile and move quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n Plus, Ginsberg says, headbands have been around for hundreds of years, and their popularity has ebbed and flowed throughout the decades. \u201cThey became popular again in the \u201950s, and that popularity grew in the \u201960s and \u201970s with Brigitte Bardot. They\u2019ve always resurfaced in different iterations, with people like Hillary Clinton and pop stars and fashion models wearing them. An increasingly diverse assortment across silhouettes and finishes has helped reinforce demand, positioning headbands as a high-engagement accessory category.\u201d<\/p>\n Besides the wearable variety of accessories and a vast selection of beauty products, C.O. Bigelow offers old-world formularies and a curated collection of favorites. In addition to upholding apothecary traditions with personalized care, bespoke formulas and therapeutic remedies, the neighborhood spot prides itself on creating a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n