Lakme

Lakme is an Indian brand of cosmetics, owned by Unilever. Lakme started as a 100% subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills (Tomco), part of the Tata Group; it was named after the French opera Lakme, which itself is the French form of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, also renowned for her beauty.

Indian cosmet Lakme was started in 1952, famously because the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was concerned that Indian women were spending precious foreign exchange on beauty products, and personally requested JRD Tata to manufacture them in India. Simone Tata joined the company as director, and went on to become its chairman.

In 1996 Tata sold off their stakes in Lakme Lever to HLL, for Rs 200 Crore and went on to create Trent and Westside. Even today, when most multinational beauty products are available in India, Lakme still occupies a special place in the hearts of Indian women

Lakme also started its new business in the beauty industry by setting up Lakme Beauty Salons all over India. Now HUL (Hindustan Unilever Limited) has about 110 salons all over India providing beauty services. Lakme' has been ranked as 47th most trusted brand in India by The Brand Trust Report.

Lakme – From ‘Perfume’ to ‘Salon’
ü  Lakme's first product offering -- perfume -- was followed by other Lakme beauty solutions, including face powders, eye, skin, lip and hair products.

ü  In 1974, the India-inspired beauty line LAKME´ became a major seller in Eastern Europe, and also achieved market leadership in the former Soviet Union.

ü  LAKME´ - in addition to its beauty and hair care line - runs a highly regarded beauty service chain, with fifty-eight salons in twenty-four cities across India.

Lakme Fashion Week

The major Indian fashion event, Lakme Fashion Week, has Lakme as its major sponsor. Earlier, this fashion event was known as the India Fashion Week.

The Lakme Fashion Week (Lakme India Fashion Week/LIFW) is the biggest Indian fashion event as far as Indian fashion designers are concerned.

Business Head Anil Chopra resigns

At a time when the Indian beauty industry was at a nascent stage, Anil Chopra, ex-Business Head, Lakme Lever, who has been associated with the Cosmetics and Toiletries Industry for 10 years, turned around the image of Lakme from a beauty brand to a leading cosmetics and skincare brand.

CEO Anil Chopra, whom HUL (Hindustan Unilever Limited) had called back out of retirement to infuse an entrepreneurial culture at the services subsidiary, quit at short notice in September 2011.

Anil Chopra has been associated with Lakme since it was a Tata company. In the mid-90s it entered into a JV with HUL. Three years later the Tatas sold it to the consumer products giant.

The man who founded the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) in Mumbai over 11 years ago has decided to part ways with LFW.

Market Share

In spite of the entry of global cosmetic brands like Revlon and Maybelline, Lakme still holds the major stake in the Indian cosmetics market. Lakme has become a trusted cosmetic brand in India over the years and it has a loyal following among Indian women.

Lakme Training Academy

Lakme has its exclusive Lakme Training Academy, where you can get trained as a beautician. The Lakme Training Academy is open to professional beauticians as well as freshers.

Current Buzz

ü  Kareena Kapoor has been chosen as the face of Lakme ABSOLUTE.

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) plans to expand the number of outlets and introduce new products from its global stable.