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| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cosmetics |
| Founded | 1935; 89 years ago (1935) |
| Founders | Guillaume d'Ornano Armand Petitjean |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Products | Perfumes and cosmetics |
| Parent | L'Oréal (1964–present) |
| Website | www |
Lancôme (French pronunciation: [lɑ̃kom]) is a French perfume and cosmetics house that distributes products internationally. Lancôme is part of L'Oréal which is its parent company and offers skin care, fragrances, and makeup.
History
Founded in 1935 by Guillaume d'Ornano and his business partner Armand Petitjean in France, as a fragrance house. The name "Lancôme" was inspired by the forest of Lancosme which lies in the Indre valley in the heart of France in the region of Brenne [fr] - the name was chosen by Guillaume's wife Elisabeth d'Ornano. The roses in the area inspired the company's symbol of the single golden rose.
Lancôme launched its first five fragrances in 1935 at the World's Fair in Brussels: Tendre Nuit, Bocages, Conquete, Kypre and Tropiques. Petitjean entered into the skincare market, launching Nutrix, his first "all-purpose repair cream" in 1936, followed by make-up, cosmetics, and skincare products. Lancôme was acquired by L'Oréal in 1964, and became part of its luxury products division.
Products
The company produces fragrances, skin care, and makeup.
Lancôme fragrances are made in association with perfumers: Alain Astori, Annick Menardo, Daniela Roche-Andrier, Christian Biecher, Jacques Cavallier, Calice Becker, Pauline Zanoni, Maurice Roucel, Thierry Wasser, Christine Nagel, Armand Petitjean, Gerard Goupy, Olivier Cresp, Harry Fremont, Alberto Morillas, Dominique Ropion, Olivier Polge, Francis Kurkdjian, Robert Gonnon, Nathalie Lorson, Sophia Grojsman, and Alienor Massenet.
Since 2014, the fragrance La Vie Est Belle is the best-selling fragrance in Lancôme historic market, France.
Advertising
Despite founder Armand Petijean's assertion that Lancôme never advertise, today Lancôme is one of the top advertisers in the beauty arena. Its ads can be seen in numerous publications worldwide. Lancôme's ads have been shot by leading photographers, including Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino, Mario Sorrenti, Nick Knight, Steven Meisel, Brigitte Lacombe, Patrick Demarchelier, and Dusan Reljin.
Fashion designers that have collaborated with the brand, include design duo Proenza Schouler, and Alber Elbaz
One of Lancôme's longest-running partnerships was with actress Isabella Rossellini. Rossellini was the international face of Lancôme for 14 years. In 2016, Rossellini returned for a collaboration, more than 30 years after she became its first face.
In 2006, Clive Owen became the first male spokesperson for Lancôme. He joined to represent the brand's new Men's skincare range and the fragrance Hypnôse Homme.
Digital marketing in Lancôme
Social media marketing
In 2014, Lancôme launched a marketing campaign via social media platforms. This program gives points as the reward to members for sharing on social media.
Makeup artists
Lancôme has had several makeup artists representing it.
Controversy
Hong Kong
On 5 June 2016, Lancôme canceled a promotional concert by Hong Kong pro-democracy singer Denise Ho that was scheduled to be held on 19 June in Sheung Wan. The cancellation was due to a boycott campaign launched by the Communist Party-controlled Global Times, which denigrated the Cantopop star for supposedly advocating Hong Kong and Tibet independence. Lancôme posted on Facebook that Ho is not a spokesperson for the brand. The cancellation drew a heavy backlash in Hong Kong, resulting in some Lancôme shops in Hong Kong shutting down during the protests. Some Hong Kong merchants refused to accept the political pressure from the Chinese government. Listerine, another brand that Ho represents, retained the singer despite criticism from the Global Times for hiring Ho as its spokesperson.
Ho ended up playing the concert without Lancôme's support.
References
- Chesters, Anna (19 March 2012). "A brief history of Lancôme". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- "Exclusive: 80 years of Lancôme in a 2-minute film". 20 February 2015.
- Kim, Monica (7 March 2016). "Isabella Rossellini Returns to Lancôme! How the 63-Year-Old Icon Is Breaking the Beauty Rules". Vogue. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
- ^ Yeung, Raymond (5 June 2016). "Lancome scraps Hong Kong concert with Denise Ho: online backlash over move to distance itself from pro-democracy star". South China Morning Post.
- "Lancome cancels concert after Chinese online backlash". BBC News. 6 June 2016.
- "Denise Ho controversy: protesters march despite Lancome closing Hong Kong stores". South China Morning Post. 8 June 2016.
- "Hong Kong merchant cancel corporation with Lancôme Chinese".
- Lin, Gene (20 June 2016). "In Pictures: 3,000 fans and supporters attend Denise Ho concert after controversial Lancôme cancellation". Hong Kong Free Press.
External links
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