Lancôme

Lancôme Paris is a leading international manufacturer and marketer of perfume, cosmetic, and skin care products. It is a prestige cosmetics division of L'Oréal (along with Biotherm, Kiehl's, and others.)

The company began in 1935, when its founder, Armand Petitjean was exploring the ruins of a castle, Le Château de Lancosme, while vacationing in the French countryside. Petitjean's inspiration for the company's symbol, a golden rose, were the many wild roses growing around the castle.

Lancôme launched its first five fragrances in 1935 at the World's Fair in Brussels. The fragrances were Tendre Nuit, Bocages, Conquete, Kypre and Tropiques. Lancome grew their business into makeup and skincare products. One noteworthy product was Nutrix launced in 1936 and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2006.

Lancôme was introduced in the United States in the 1950s. In 1964 Lancome was acquired by Cosmair, which would change it's name to L'Oreal in 1997.

In 1978, at the age of eighteen, Carol Alt became the youngest model to be the face of Lancome. Nancy Duteil also modelled for Lancome during this period.

Beginning in 1982, Isabella Rossellini was Lancôme's exclusive international spokesmodel for 14 years. Uma Thurman, Mena Suvari, Ines Sastre, Drew Barrymore and Marie Gillain have also been spokesmodels for Lancôme. In 2005 Lancome unveiled Daria Werbowy as one of their new spokesmodels.

In early 2007, Clive Owen became the first spokesman for Lancôme's Mens skincare range and new fragrance Hypnose Homme.

On the 11th June 2007, Kate Winslet was unveiled as the newest spokesmodel for Lancome. Her first assignment will be the relaunch of the classic Lancôme fragrance Tresor in late 2007.