Home / Business and Economy / Simone Tata: India's Beauty Queen Who Changed It All
Simone Tata: India's Beauty Queen Who Changed It All
6 Dec
Summary
- Simone Tata transformed makeup from a taboo into an acceptable norm.
- She fought excise duties, making cosmetics accessible to Indian women.
- Tata's vision laid the foundation for India's modern beauty industry.
Simone Tata, hailed as India's 'First Lady of Beauty,' has passed away at 95. She is credited with revolutionizing the perception of cosmetics in India, turning makeup from a societal taboo into an acceptable norm. Born in Switzerland, she moved to India after marrying Naval H Tata and took Lakme, initially founded to offer Indian alternatives to imported goods, and transformed it into a cultural force.
Tata's journey involved fierce advocacy, including confronting the Finance Minister over high excise duties that made cosmetics unaffordable. She championed the idea that beauty should be accessible to every Indian woman, not a luxury. Her strategic marketing and product adaptation to Indian skin tones and preferences made cosmetics feel less foreign and more natural.
Beyond Lakme, her influence extended to fashion retail with the creation of Trent, which launched popular chains like Westside. Simone Tata's unwavering vision and business acumen not only reshaped India's beauty industry but also contributed to accessible fashion for millions.
