Lakme Cosmetics – Premium Beauty Brand | PMII
Lakmé is India’s iconic cosmetics brand, known for quality, innovation, and its deep connection with Indian beauty needs. Founded in 1952 by J.R.D. Tata under the Tata Group, Lakmé was created to reduce India’s dependence on imported beauty products, following Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s encouragement. The brand name is inspired by the French opera Lakmé, which derives from the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing beauty and prosperity.
Lakmé is a full-spectrum beauty brand, offering makeup, skincare, personal care products, and salon services, and has a significant presence in both domestic and international markets.
Historical Origins of Lakme (1952–Present)
1952: Founded as a 100% subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO)
1961: Simone Tata joins as director and later becomes chairperson
1989: Lakmé establishes Lakmé Exports Pvt Ltd, a 100% export-oriented unit in Kandla FTZ
1998: Tata Group sells Lakmé to Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) for ₹200 crore
2018: Launch of Lakmé e-commerce platform
Present: Operates 480+ Lakmé Salons across India and sponsors Lakmé Fashion Week
Corporate Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1952 |
| Founders | J.R.D. Tata, Simone Tata |
| Parent Company (Past) | Tata Group (1952–1998) |
| Parent Company (Present) | Hindustan Unilever Limited |
| Industry | Cosmetics, Personal Care, Beauty Salon Services |
| Headquarters | India |
| Area Served | India, Nepal |
| CEO | Vipul Chaturvedi |
| Key Products | Lipsticks, eyeliners, face powders, skincare creams, toiletries, perfumery products, salon services |
Manufacturing & Export
Lakmé has a long-standing manufacturing and export history. It not only produced products for the Indian market but also exported cosmetics and personal care products globally.
| Aspect | Details | Source URL |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Started | 1952 (TOMCO subsidiary) | India Bonds |
| Manufactured Products | Lipsticks, eyeliners, face powders, skincare creams, toiletries, perfumery products | Wikipedia |
| Export Unit Established | 1989 (Lakmé Exports Pvt Ltd) | Tofler |
| Export Zone Location | Kandla Free Trade Zone (FTZ), Gujarat | Tofler |
| Export Products | Makeup, skincare, toiletries, perfumery products | India Bonds |
| Domestic Manufacturing Locations | Mumbai, Maharashtra (main plant) | Wikipedia |
Brand Ambassadors & Marketing
Lakmé has consistently used prominent Bollywood personalities as brand ambassadors to connect with modern Indian consumers:
Kareena Kapoor Khan
Shraddha Kapoor
Kajol Devgn
Ananya Panday
Brand Trust & Recognition
Lakmé has been recognized as one of India’s most trusted brands:
2012: Rank 104
2013: Rank 71
2014: Rank 36
2022: Rank 27
Conclusion
From its founding in 1952 to the creation of a dedicated export unit in 1989, and eventual acquisition by HUL in 1998, Lakmé has evolved into a powerhouse of Indian beauty. With manufacturing, exports, salon services, fashion partnerships, and digital platforms, Lakmé continues to deliver high-quality products while maintaining its status as a trusted brand for millions of consumers across India and beyond.
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