United States
Our Heritage
Our Heritage
1930s
The Beginning
Estée Lauder develops four initial beauty products, including an all-purpose skin cream that she sells in Manhattan beauty salons.
1946
A Company Is Founded
Estée and Joseph Lauder launch Estée Lauder Cosmetics. Estée leads creativity, product development and sales, while Joseph manages finance and operations.
1947
First Department Store Order
Estée lands her first department store order. Determined to have her products sold in only the most elegant stores, Estée convinces the cosmetics buyer from Saks Fifth Avenue to place an order — equivalent to more than $14,000 today.
1953
Youth-Dew Sensation
The company’s first hero product is Estoderme Youth-Dew Cream, launched in 1951. A seal of approval from the editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar catapults the cream to success.
Determined to empower women to purchase their own perfumes instead of receiving them as gifts, Estée introduces Youth-Dew as a bath oil that doubles as a perfume in 1953. It’s a sensation, and the company begins its transformation from a fledgling start-up into a multimillion-dollar business.
1960
Estée Lauder Goes Global
After persistent efforts, Estée lands the company’s first overseas account at Harrods, the storied London department store. The UK will soon become a core market for the brand.
Throughout the 1960s, the company expands around the world, launching throughout the Americas.
1963
Aramis Transforms Men’s Fragrance
Sensing an opportunity outside of women’s skin care and cosmetics, Estée oversees the creation of Aramis, the company’s first prestige men’s fragrance and grooming brand. Using the tagline 'Real Men Use Scent', Aramis explains to men that they, too, can smell nice and have soft skin.
1965
Scaling Up Manufacturing
The growing company plans its first manufacturing facility in Melville, New York. Designed by the architect Richard Dattner, it is the first of three manufacturing sites built during the 1960s to meet demand. In 1965, the company also breaks ground on its first overseas plant in Oevel, Belgium.
1967
Caring for the Community
The Lauder family’s first philanthropic venture creates new and improved play areas for children in New York City’s Central Park. The family will go on to spearhead numerous charitable programmes, such as The Breast Cancer Campaign, establishing a company-wide spirit of generosity that continues to thrive today.
1968
Clinique Leads a Beauty Revolution
The company launches Clinique, the first dermatologist-created, allergy-tested and 100% fragrance-free cosmetics collection. Clinique partners with leading New York dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich to develop its formulas, while former Vogue beauty editor Carol Phillips leads the launch of its 117 products.
1968
A Family Affair
Members of the Lauder family spearhead the development and growth of Clinique. Leonard A. Lauder, Estée and Joseph’s elder son, leads its creation, while his wife, Evelyn Lauder, supplies its name. Ronald S. Lauder, Estée and Joseph’s younger son, refines the business and leads it to profitability, becoming Chairman of Clinique Laboratories. Ronald’s daughter Jane Lauder and Leonard’s son William P. Lauder later become presidents of the brand.
1970s
A Wardrobe of Scents
Estée has a wonderful 'nose' for scent and believes that women should have a rich and varied perfume wardrobe. She creates a signature Estée fragrance in 1968 and debuts several new scents within the span of a few years, including the coastal France-inspired Azurée, the crisp, refreshing White Linennand the elegant Private Collection.
1979
Science-Informed Beauty
The company launches Prescriptives, a skin care and cosmetics brand that uses scientific precision to create custom-blend makeup that perfectly matches the shade and undertone of a customer’s skin. The brand combines Clinique’s beauty counter diagnostics with Estée Lauder’s high-touch approach, offering shoppers an ultra-personalised experience.
In a push for greater inclusivity, Prescriptives will expand its product line in 1991 with the introduction of All Skins, a collection of 115 makeup shades and fine powder.
1982
A Driving Force
Leonard A. Lauder assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer, having served as President for 10 years. As Estée says, “Leonard sets the Estée Lauder pace.”
Leonard grew up in the family business and graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the US Navy Officer Candidate School. Following service at sea as a naval officer, he officially joined the company in 1958.
1982
Groundbreaking Overnight Skin Repair
Estée learns that night is the best time to repair the skin, so she creates Night Repair, a revolutionary serum that speeds up the natural repair of damaged cells to reduce signs of ageing. The Estée Lauder brand continues to improve on its original formula with Advanced Night Repair in 1991.
1986
Advanced Skin Care for Men
A team of scientists, researchers and skin care specialists create Aramis Lab Series, which uses modern technology and advanced ingredients to develop high-performance skin care products tailored to men’s needs. In 1994, the line rebrands as Lab Series for Men.
1990
'Powered by Nature. Proven by Science.'
William P. Lauder leads the creation of Origins. The first wellness brand sold in US department stores, Origins combines the power of plants and science with high-performance, naturally-derived products.
With Origins, the company opens its first-ever freestanding store in Cambridge, MA, having previously only sold through department stores in the US. William continues Origins’ retail expansion with the innovative store-within-a-store concept.
1992
Breast Cancer Awareness
Evelyn H. Lauder, a breast cancer survivor whom Estée described as “an extraordinary asset in uncountable ways,” partners with SELF magazine editor-in-chief Alexandra Penney to create the now-ubiquitous Pink Ribbon. The company launches the Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign — now The Breast Cancer Campaign — and Evelyn establishes the Breast Cancer Research Foundation® in 1993.
1993
Launching in Mainland China
The Estée Lauder and Clinique brands launch in the Isetan department store in Shanghai, a strategic move for the company into a key region.
1994
All Ages, All Races, All Genders
The company buys a majority interest in M·A·C, a pioneering makeup authority brand 'for all ages, all races and all genders', and completes the acquisition in 1998.
M·A·C launches its AIDS Fund in 1994, with legendary drag queen RuPaul serving as spokesperson for its VIVA GLAM lipsticks in 1995. 100% of the purchase prices benefits those affected by HIV/AIDS.
1990s
Big Investments in Bold Brands
During the 1990s, the company continues to expand with three significant acquisitions.
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, a makeup brand with a cult following known for enhancing natural beauty, is acquired in 1995. Aveda, a line of luxury botanical and holistic products focused on hair care, is acquired in 1997. Jo Malone London, a renowned fragrance house of British style and sophistication, is acquired in 1999.
1995
Skin Care From the Sea
The company acquires La Mer, one of the most coveted skin care brands in the world. At the heart of every La Mer product is the brand’s Miracle Broth — a cell-renewing elixir formulated with sea kelp that took more than 12 years and 6,000 experiments to develop.
1995
The Estée Lauder Companies Goes Public
The Lauder family celebrates the company’s New York Stock Exchange debut on 17 November.
1996
Online Pioneers
Innovating ahead of many retailers, the company launches its first e-commerce sites for Clinique and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. In 1999, the company creates its ELC Online division for all brands.
Early 2000s
Expanding the Portfolio
In 2000, the company buys a majority interest in Bumble and bumble, the fashion-forward hair care brand born out of an influential New York salon. The acquisition is completed in 2006.
The company expands its skin care presence in 2003 with the acquisition of Darphin Paris, known for using the finest botanical ingredients in its formulas.
2004
Mrs. Estée Lauder Passes Away
Mrs. Estée Lauder, the company’s iconic and trailblazing founder, passes away at age 95. Her legacy includes the beloved products and industry-shifting brands she created, and the culture of persistence, quality and style that makes her namesake company the leader in global prestige cosmetics that it is today.
Learn more about Estée’s life and career.
2004
Third Generation of Family Leadership
William P. Lauder becomes CEO, championing digital commerce, citizenship and continuous learning. He goes on to design and teach a course for MBA students on decision-making in leadership.
2005
Designer Beauty
Famed fashion designer Tom Ford collaborates with the Estée Lauder brand, updating one of its classic fragrances with the new Youth Dew Amber Nude. Ford partners with the company to co-create TOM FORD BEAUTY, a line of luxurious fragrances and cosmetics.
2008
A Strategic Hire
Fabrizio Freda is named President and Chief Operating Officer. A strategically focused and financially disciplined leader, Freda brings a wealth of experience in consumer products. He is appointed CEO in 2009, with William P. Lauder becoming Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board.
2010s
Los Angeles Beauty
During the 2010s, the company adds a dose of Hollywood glamour to its portfolio. ELC acquires three LA-based brands — Smashbox, the cosmetics company born out of LA’s famed Smashbox Studios; the instantly transformative skin care brand GLAMGLOW; and the playful cosmetics line Too Faced.
2012
Effortless Beauty
Aerin Lauder, a granddaughter of Estée and Joseph Lauder, introduces AERIN Beauty, a luxury lifestyle beauty and fragrance brand based on the premise that living beautifully should be effortless. The brand develops luxurious makeup, fragrance and body products.
2014
Luxury Fragrances
The company acquires Le Labo, a fragrance brand beloved for its dedication to the craft of soulful perfumery, as well as Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, which delivers exclusive scents from the world’s greatest noses.
In 2016, ELC acquires KILIAN PARIS, adding to its portfolio a brand obsessed with creating elegant, unconventional fragrances.
2019
A New Chapter in Skin Care Innovation
ELC completes its acquisition of Dr.Jart+, a global skin care company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, marking its first investment in a brand based in the Asia-Pacific region. Known for its high-quality, on-trend products, Dr.Jart+ benefits from its fast-paced innovation pipeline and rapid speed-to-market capabilities.
2020
Milestone Climate Goals
The company celebrates several important milestones across its environmental priorities in fiscal 2020. In the fight against climate change, ELC achieves carbon neutrality and sources 100 per cent renewable electricity for direct operations.
2021
A Voice of Change
ELC names Amanda Gorman, inaugural poet and activist, as Estée Lauder Global Changemaker in the first partnership of its kind for the company. As Global Changemaker, Amanda partners with ELC to create WRITING CHANGE, an initiative that helps to close the literacy gap through access, advocacy and artistic expression in youth. Gorman will work alongside the company and grantee organisations to promote equality and drive social impact.
2021
An Industry Disruptor
The company buys a majority interest in DECIEM, the beauty industry disruptor behind a portfolio of fast-growing brands including The Ordinary and NIOD. Founded in 2013, DECIEM’s brands are known for their consumer focus, spirit of transparency and quality ingredients.
2021
A Milestone Anniversary
ELC celebrates 75 years of business. Continuing to honour the legacy of Estée and Joseph Lauder, the company has grown into one of the world’s leaders in prestige beauty, available in more than 150 countries and territories, all while delighting consumers with transformative products and experiences.
2022
30 Years of Breast Cancer Research
The Breast Cancer Campaign (BCC) marks 30 years. The BCC and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation (ELCCF) have raised more than $100 million for lifesaving global research, education and medical services.
2023
Transformational Deal
The Estée Lauder Companies acquires the iconic TOM FORD brand, after collaborating to create TOM FORD BEAUTY. The company is now the sole owner of TOM FORD, which epitomises luxury and glamour.
