Brooke DeVard Takes the Helm at Refinery29: A New Chapter of Storytelling

For anyone familiar with my work—whether through Naked Beauty, my various content, or our conversations online—you’ll know how passionate I am about beauty, identity, and the art of storytelling. From the beginning, I’ve believed in the power of self-expression through hair, makeup, fashion, and fragrance. It’s more than just appearance—it’s about culture, communication, and personal identity.

So, I’m overjoyed to announce my new role as Chief Content Officer at Refinery29.

This is a full-circle moment for me. Refinery29 was one of the first platforms that truly resonated with me when it came to beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. It wasn’t just about the trends—it was intelligent, culturally aware, and boldly creative. For two decades, Refinery29 has been at the forefront of storytelling that emphasizes identity, emotion, and self-expression. I’m deeply honored to help lead the brand into its next era.

My Journey So Far

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to fashion and beauty. What started as a childhood dress-up drawer evolved into a fashion blog called The Glamorous Eccentric in high school. But for me, it was never just about getting dressed—it was about crafting a narrative. Even as a child, I’d direct elaborate Spice Girls music videos, taking on every role from director to stylist to star. It was my first encounter with content creation, long before I knew what that even meant.

Beauty and style, for me, have always been a form of communication. My grandmother, a distinguished educator, exuded grace and intention. My mother, an executive pioneer, could command a room in a perfectly tailored blazer. Their lives taught me the importance of how you present yourself—style is both protective armor and a work of art.

Growing up in New York City, I was immersed in a world of creativity. As a teen model with Ford, I was captivated by the world behind the camera: who’s telling the story, and why? I began documenting my outfits and writing about the fashion shows I attended after school. While the term “creator culture” hadn’t been coined yet, that’s exactly what I was diving into—and I loved every minute of it.

I later pursued an English degree at Stanford and interned at Ogilvy and Vogue, where each experience helped shape my perspective. At Vogue, I learned the importance of excellence, while Ogilvy showed me that advertising could be an art form. Ralph Lauren taught me what it meant to create a brand that people could truly feel, and my time at Nokia expanded my global understanding of marketing. Viacom deepened my grasp of how talent, content, and strategy intersect to influence culture. And at Instagram, I witnessed firsthand the seismic shift creators were about to bring to the media landscape.

The Naked Beauty Podcast

In 2016, I launched Naked Beauty because I couldn’t find the type of beauty podcast I was eager to listen to. Armed with two microphones from Amazon, I started recording in my dining room. Fast forward nine years and over 350 episodes later, Naked Beauty has become one of the top beauty podcasts globally. In 2025, we won the iHeart Podcast Award for Best Beauty & Fashion Podcast. But the achievement I’m most proud of is the community we’ve cultivated—thoughtful, curious, and deeply engaged listeners who care about self-expression, ritual, and introspection.

More recently, I’ve worked as a content creator and entrepreneur—partnering with major beauty brands and launching the award-winning Naked Beauty fragrance in 2024. It’s been an incredible learning experience, blending storytelling with commerce and pushing creative boundaries. And I’m excited to bring the Naked Beauty brand into the Refinery29 fold.

A Global Perspective

As Chief Content Officer, my goal is to expand on Refinery29’s legacy with storytelling that is expansive, emotionally intelligent, and deeply connected to culture.

I’ve always had a global perspective. Having lived in both Paris and London, I created the #NakedBeautyGlobal series to explore beauty rituals around the world. I’ve seen how trends travel—from Ethiopian hair braiding influencing New York runways to ancient Chinese beauty techniques going viral on TikTok.

Refinery29 is a truly global platform, and I’m excited to continue its evolution with content that reflects today’s dynamic world. I’m eager to collaborate with emerging creators, explore new forms of audio content, and develop innovative formats that are aligned with the times.

What’s Next

As a mother of two, I bring a unique understanding of identity, time, and intentionality to everything I create and lead. I want Refinery29 to be a space where people feel inspired, informed, and deeply connected to themselves.

We’re at a pivotal moment in media—audiences are craving depth, meaning, and connection. This new chapter at Refinery29 marks a turning point, and I’m excited to take on the challenge with vision, creativity, and heart. I hope you’ll join us as we step into this bold new era.