Meet some of the AIA legends who have shaped aesthetics, setting the standard for brilliance and inspiring generations of professionals to come.
ROBERT M. DIEMER
Known as the “Father of American Aesthetics,” Robert M. Diemer holds the distinction of being the first Aesthetics International Association (AIA) Legend inducted into the Academy of Legends, a title that perfectly captures the depth of his influence. Long before skin care had the buzz it carries today, Diemer believed aestheticians deserved real education, clinical standards, and respect. In 1976, he founded the American Institute of Esthetics, creating a hub for professional training that still inspires the Legends of today. He pioneered Derma-Analysis and corrective skin care, advocating for a paramedical approach at a time when few even imagined aesthetics had the place to do so.
Beyond the classroom, Diemer’s long list of accomplishments includes serving as founding president of Aestheticians International Association in California, first aesthetics section director for HairAmerica, and founding chairman of EstheticsAmerica, all roles that shaped the industry’s first collective voice. His passing in 2009 was mourned by leaders across the industry, including top educators, brand founders, and peers who recognized his lasting influence. His legacy lives on in the confidence he gave the profession, transforming the industry from an overlooked craft into a respected discipline that cannot help but thrive today.
JOEL GERSON
Joel Gerson’s path into aesthetics was unconventional. After high school in Detroit, Michigan, he worked as a truck driver and served in the army before a family friend suggested cosmetology school. He moved to New York, New York where he worked as a hairstylist. Gerson eventually transitioned into makeup artistry and noticed a gap in skin care education. Makeup could enhance appearance, he realized, but healthy skin required knowledge and technique. This inspired him to create comprehensive resources for aestheticians.
In 1977, he authored “Milady’s Standard Textbook for Professional Estheticians,” a step-by-step guide that became foundational for aesthetics education and licensing. He also served as an aesthetic examiner for the New York Department of State and held leadership roles in industry organizations. Inducted into the AIA Academy of Legends in 1987, Gerson’s influence extended far beyond the classroom. When he passed away in 2018, the aesthetics community lost a visionary whose dedication continue to inspire the modern professional.
CATHERINE HINDS
Catherine Hinds transformed the world of aesthetics with unadulterated vision and devotion. Her journey began in 1965 when she opened Cyclax of London in Boston, Massachusetts, later renaming it the Catherine Hinds salon in 1967. Early on, she introduced her signature exfoliating “grains,” one of the first manual exfoliators for at-home skin care.
In 1977, she founded the Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics, a school for aspiring aestheticians to receive comprehensive, hands-on training. By 1979, the center earned accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), and over the years, it has trained and licensed nearly 10,000 aestheticians, many of whom are leading the industry today.
Her influence was officially recognized in 1990 with her induction into the AIA Academy of Legends, a testament to her lasting impact on professional skin care education. Catherine Hinds passed away in 2022, but her legacy lives on through the institute she built and the generations of aestheticians she inspired, including her daughter and granddaughter. An G. Hinds took over the institute in 2001, modernizing the curriculum with advanced treatments and technology, and her granddaughter, Rachel A. Hinds Liverman, is revamping the skin studio model with Glowbar in New York and Connecticut.
PETER T. PUGLIESE
Dr. Peter T. Pugliese never set out to become a legend in aesthetics. He began his medical career in 1957, serving families in Pennsylvania. Known for his generosity, he sometimes accepted cookies as payment and later self-funded one of the first methadone clinics in the 1960s for the inmates of Berks County Prison.
It was not until 1973, at the request of his wife Joanne, that he turned his attention to skin. His curiosity grew into a mission, and over four decades, Dr. Pugliese authored hundreds of articles, held 13 patents, and wrote foundational texts like “Physiology of the Skin” and “Advanced Professional Skin Care, Medical Edition.” He taught across the country, decoding complex lessons for aestheticians to later apply in their own practice with confidence. In 2001, he founded Circadia by Dr. Pugliese, a professional skin care line inspired by circadian rhythms and their impact on skin health.
When he passed at 94, the industry lost a teacher, an icon, and a man whose knowledge and generosity has empowered generations. His legacy lives on through his discoveries and writings, the professionals he has inspired, and above all, through his grandson and current Circadia CEO, Michael Q. Pugliese.
EVE TAYLOR
Eve Taylor’s name is practically synonymous with professional skin care and aromatherapy. In 1963, she founded Eve Taylor (London) Ltd. Her journey, however, began earlier, balancing family life with a growing fascination for beauty. She was one of the first Avon representatives in southern England when a local beauty school course sparked a love for skin care that would define her life.
A lecture by renowned aromatherapist Madame Maury ignited a lifelong trust in aromatherapy, leading her to develop Eve Taylor Beauty Preparations Limited. Taylor then opened her first salon, Adam & Eve, in Lee Green, London and later, a second in Sevenoaks. Impressive triumphs like piercing Lady Diana Spencer’s ears (also known as Diana the Princess of Wales) hinted at her knack for prominence.
Under her guidance, the company expanded internationally and earned recognition for both invention and leadership. She was awarded an Officer of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen of England in 2008, and in 2024, she was awarded Damehood by the King of England for her services to business. Now in her 90s, Taylor still works in the business along with her sons, proving that passion has no age limits.
PHILIPPE & SYLVIE HENNESSY
Philippe and Sylvie Hennessy are legends in aesthetics because they have built brands that invest in professionals. They first made their mark with Matis USA French Skin & Body Care, blending Philippe’s marketing and international business expertise with Sylvie’s years as an aesthetician with a deep knowledge of dermatology. Together, they created a line that was about results and providing the tools professionals needed to succeed.
Their journey continued with Pevonia, a botanical-based, luxury spa line designed to elevate. After selling the brand in 2008 to facilitate expansion, they reclaimed full ownership in 2015, reaffirming their commitment to product integrity and the success of their spa partners. Through decades of commitment to the spa industry, the Hennessys have transformed the professional skin care landscape, shaping a legacy of partnership and dedication that continues to inspire until this very day.
MARK LEES
Dr. Mark Lees’ journey into aesthetics began with unexpected roots. As a child, he volunteered at the Pensacola Zoo, where, at just 11 years old, he took on the responsibility of managing the animals’ diets. His dedication was so profound that he bore physical reminders of his commitment – including sea lion teeth marks.
This early experience instilled in Dr. Lees a deep sense of responsibility and care, qualities he would later channel into his aesthetics career. He began his professional journey at the age of fifteen by enrolling in college. Initially pursuing veterinary medicine, his path took a turn when he discovered his love for theater, leading him to study both animal science and theater simultaneously. He often humorously remarks that “skin care is somewhere between theater and animal nutrition.” He completed his master’s in health science with a concentration in skin care and later earned a doctorate degree, making him the industry’s first PhD in aesthetics.
In 1984, he was elected vice president of CIDESCO USA. He expanded his salon, grew his product line, and assumed leadership roles in EstheticsAmerica and the National Cosmetology Association. Over the decades, Dr. Lees has trained thousands of professionals, blending clinical expertise with mentorship that inspires excellence. An AIA Legend, Dr. Lees continues to lead with the same passion that has fueled his incredible, colorful life.
REBECCA JAMES GADBERRY
Rebecca James Gadberry is a groundbreaking force in skin care, known as much for her mentorship as for her scientific expertise. One of the earliest licensed aestheticians in California, she became a trusted voice in the industry, helping professionals navigate the science behind ingredients long before it was common language.
Across her career, she has developed more than 1,500 products, authored over 600 articles, and introduced improvements in areas such as alpha hydroxy acid treatments, barrier repair, and microbiome research. James Gadberry’s commitment to education is evident in her long-standing role as the senior instructor and program director for UCLA Extension’s cosmetic science program, a position she has held since 1986. Beyond the laboratory and classroom, she has been celebrated as the first marketing fellow of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and continues to engage the community through her role with YG Laboratories and the Facially Conscious podcast. Her mix of rigor, curiosity, and accessibility makes her not just a legend, but a beloved presence in aesthetics.
MICHELLE D’ALLAIRD-BRENNER
Michelle D’Allaird-Brenner never knew exactly what she wanted to be growing up. Beauty school seemed like a fun experiment out of high school, but hair did not stick – skin did. What began as natural curiosity became determination. She devoured every book, class, and video she could find, determined to never be stumped in a treatment room.
In 1992, she stepped into a role that would define any aesthetics career – the director of aesthetics for a 12-franchise skin care company. Despite being largely self-taught, D’Allaird-Brenner was in charge of hiring and training fully licensed professionals. As she continues to do today, she channeled nerves into precision, discovering that her true gift was education. Watching trainees have their “a-ha” moments became her calling.
That endeavor led her to open the Aesthetic Science Institute in 2003, starting with six students and one teacher: herself. Today, the CIDESCO-certified school trains over 100 students per year with a global reach and has helped tens of thousands of professionals reach their potential.
D’Allaird-Brenner continues to shape the profession as president of AIA, host of The Aesthetic Report podcast, and as the founder of ASI Online, a continuing education platform for skin care professionals. Semiretired but fully invested, she still inspires with the same energy she brought to that first classroom. Michelle D’Allaird-Brenner’s reputation is unmistakable. When she talks, people listen – not through demand or force but out of sheer intrigue. She is a true living legend.
DOUGLAS PRESTON
Douglas Preston’s journey into aesthetics began not in a classroom, but in the pages of Vogue and Elle. As a child, he was more interested in beauty and design than sports or mechanics, a passion that led him to leave a budding career in behavioral psychology for the world of skin care.
In 1983, he took over a small skin care spa, transforming it into a thriving day spa that was wildly successful before he sold his partnership in 2001. Along the way, he became a sought-after consultant and educator, known for his practical, client-centered approach to acne therapy.
In 1984, Preston invented the Preston Comedone Rxtractor®, a precision tool that revolutionized professional acne treatments. He also created the Congestive Acne Therapist Certification program, offering aestheticians in-depth education in acne management. A former president of AIA and past committee chairman for The Day Spa Association, Preston was inducted into AIA’s Academy of Legends in 2022 – the last educator to have the honor. Today, through Preston Acne Pros, he continues to mentor aestheticians, parading his passion and vibrance throughout the industry.
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