Ruby Hammer

In 1998, Hammer teamed up with beauty publicist Millie Kendall to create the Ruby & Millie cosmetics brand, sold exclusively in Boots pharmacies nationwide.[1][2] It became one of the most innovative brands to be launched in the international beauty industry in decades and was the first major UK cosmetics brand to launch in 30 years. In August 1998, the first Ruby & Millie site was opened in Harvey Nichols in Leeds and London.[3]

Hammer has created looks for photographers, runways for designers, including John Galliano and Jasper Conran, and has worked on photo shoots for fashion publications such as Vogue, Elle, Red, Harpers and Queen, Bazaar and Marie Claire. She is regularly quoted on trends, beauty tips and advice.[4][5][6]

Hammer worked on advertising campaigns and televisions commercials for international brands such as Oil of Olay, Pantene and Head & Shoulders. She has been asked to launch products, advise on new looks and train personnel for Estee Lauder, Clarins, Clinique, Aveda and Revlon.[2] Her television credits includes The Clothes Show, BBC Style Challenge, Britain's Next Top Model, GMTV, This Morning, and 10 Years Younger, where she was the resident makeup artist for 3 series.[2]

In December 2009, Ruby & Millie launched teen cosmetics range Scarlett and Crimson.[7] In September 2011, Hammer launched launch the cosmetics beauty gifting range "Ruby Hammer Recommends" exclusive to Debenhams.[8]

In August 2019, Hammer launched her highly edited capsule collection of beauty essentials as featured in Vogue online.

In 2007, Hammer was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2007 New Year Honours for her contribution to the cosmetics industry.[9]

• November 2013, she was nominated for the #EightWomen Awards.[10]
• December 2002, at the launch of the British Asian Fashion Awards held at The Clothes Show, Hammer received a special presentation of the very first award, the "Outstanding Individuals Award", which pays tribute to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to the British Asian or mainstream fashion industry, recognised her for the role she has carved for herself in the fashion and beauty industry over the past ten years.[11]

Brand Awards:

• Soul Nouveau Beauty Awards - The Ruby & Millie Eye Color won the award for Best Eye Shadows and the Ruby & Millie Tools range won the award for the Best Make Up Tools in the Soul Nouveau Beauty Awards 2008.
• You & Your Wedding Bridal Beauty Award – Ruby & Millie won the Silver Award for Best Treatment Product for the Perfect Nail File in the Bridal Beauty Awards 2008.
• In Style Award – Ruby & Millie won Best In-expensive Brush Line from 2005- 2010 in the annual Best Beauty Buys Awards. Having won three times in a row the brush line won a place in the In Style Hall of Fame.
• POPAI Awards - Ruby and Millie merchandising design won two prestigious awards at the Point Of Purchase Advertising International (POPAI) Awards 2007.  The first award won was gold for Cosmetics Permanent Display.  The second award won was gold for Display of the Year
• Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2007 – The Ruby & Millie Nail Color won an award in the Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2007.
• In Style Award – Ruby & Millie won the award for Best In-expensive Brush Line for the second year running in the Best Beauty Buys Awards 2007.
• In Style Award – The Ruby & Millie Perfect Nail File won the award for the Best Nail File in the Best beauty Buys Awards 2007.
• New Woman Award – Ruby & Millie's Face & Body Metal was Highly Commended in the category of Best New Mass Market Colour Cosmetic Product.
• Cool Brands – In 2003, Ruby & Millie were voted a Cool Brand Leader.
• Pure Beauty Awards 2010 - Best new design and packaging award

Hammer was born to Bangladeshi parents in Nigeria[12] where her father was a doctor.[13] She emigrated with her family to Britain at the age of 13. Her parents intended to return to Bangladesh (known as East Pakistan at the time), however, the Bangladesh Liberation War broke out there while they were on holiday in England.[12]

In 1984, Hammer graduated with a BA (Hons) in Economics from City University London.[9] In 1986, whilst pregnant, she modelled in the 1987 Mothercare catalogue.[14]

In 1985, Hammer married Polish-born entrepreneur George Hammer[12] who was responsible for bringing the Aveda hair and lifestyle brand to QVC.[14] In 1999, they were divorced. In May 2009, Hammer married Italian-Polish hotelier Martin Kuczmarski.

Her daughter, Reena (born 1987), is creative director for Urban Retreat beauty salons.

Hammer lives in Maida Vale, London.[15] She can speak fluent English, Bengali, Hausa and Hindi.[3]

• Hammer, Ruby; Kendall, Millie. (2000). Face Up: The Essential Make-up Handbook. Ebury Publishing. 978-0091874759.

• British Bangladeshi
• Business of British Bangladeshis
• List of British Bangladeshis