Business Wars Estée Lauder vs L'Oréal | Telephone, Telegraph, Tell-A-Woman | 1
Feb 3, 2021
In the bustling beauty scene of 1946, Estée Lauder breaks into New York's department stores, driven by her passion for empowering women. As competition heats up with Revlon, her innovative marketing tactics shine. Meanwhile, L'Oréal faces its own challenges with Eugène Schueller, whose post-war reputation is under scrutiny, yet he pushes forward with groundbreaking products. The clash between luxury branding and mass-market strategies unfolds, showcasing the fierce rivalry that would shape the cosmetics landscape.
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Department Store Expansion
- Estée Lauder proposed expanding her business into department stores.
- Her lawyer and accountant advised against it, citing high competition and risk.
Rejection and Persistence
- Estée Lauder was repeatedly rejected by Saks Fifth Avenue's cosmetics buyer, Bob Fisk.
- Determined, Lauder devised a plan to prove customer demand for her products.
Waldorf Astoria Giveaway
- Estée Lauder gave away free samples of her face powder at a Waldorf Astoria luncheon.
- This generated significant buzz and led to Saks Fifth Avenue placing an order.