About Business
Based on the official Lakmé Salon "About Us" page and brand legacy, here is a detailed breakdown of the content:
1. Legacy & Timeline
Lakmé Salon is India’s first and leading chain of beauty salons, with over 40 years of expertise.
- 1980: Launched the first Lakmé Salon, pioneering the organized salon industry in India.
- 1998: Commenced franchise expansion, partnering with entrepreneurs to grow the brand nationwide.
- 2000: Partnered with Lakmé Fashion Week, bringing "backstage" trendsetting expertise to the modern Indian woman.
- 2015: Collaborated with Aptech to launch Lakmé Academy, offering professional vocational training in beauty and wellness.
- 2023: Introduced Cupertino, a new, immersive interior design model to redefine the salon aesthetic.
2. Core Philosophy: The Lakmé Pillars
The brand operates under three defining "Pro" pillars:
- Pro-Fashion: Driven by a passion for fashion that dictates every look and service.
- Pro-Beauty: Celebrating the pursuit of fashionable beauty as an art form.
- Pro-Impact: Using beauty as a confidence booster, enabling women to feel like "the world is their runway."
3. Purpose & Mission
"Unapologetically Choose Beauty" Lakmé Salon exists to inspire women to prioritize their beauty without judgment, apology, or justification. They believe that looking and feeling beautiful is a right that complements a woman’s substance and authenticity.
4. Key Facts & Reach
- Ownership: Part of Lakmé Lever Pvt. Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL).
- Network: Over 450 salons across 160+ cities in India.
- Experts: A team of 4,000+ highly trained professional stylists and therapists.
- Training: Lakmé Academy has 150+ centers across 115+ cities, having trained over 63,000 experts in skin, hair, and makeup.
5. Service Ecosystem
Lakmé Salon integrates high-end products with professional services across:
- Hair: Advanced styling, coloring, and scalp treatments.
- Skin: Specialized facials and skincare rituals using international technology.
- Makeup: Signature bridal and party looks inspired by Lakmé Fashion Week.
- Nails & Body: Holistic manicures, pedicures, and wellness treatments.
6. Historical Origin (The "Lakmé" Story)
Founded in 1952 by JRD Tata at the request of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to curb foreign exchange spending on imported cosmetics. The name "Lakmé" is the French word for the goddess Lakshmi, inspired by a famous French opera of the same name.