L'Occitane

L'Occitane en Provence (French pronunciation: [lɔksiˈtan ɑ̃ pʁɔvɑ̃s]) is an international retailer of body, face, and home products based in Manosque, France. The company was founded in 1976 by Olivier Baussan with the purpose to create a company that celebrates and preserves the traditions of his native Provence. L’Occitane means “the woman from Occitania”.^[1]
The company aspires to be "the worldwide reference for Mediterranean well-being, with unique body, face, and home products". The company's brand values are: "Authenticity and naturalness," "Effectiveness and pleasure," and "Respect and responsibilty."^[2] In 2010, the company became listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

History

The storefront in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

In 1976, 23-year old Olivier Baussan used steam distillation to produce essential oil from wild rosemary^[3] which he sold at open-air markets in his native Provence. L’Occitane was named after Occitania, the ancient province that once covered the south of France, north-eastern Spain and northern Italy.
The first L’Occitane boutique opened in 1978 in Volx, a small French village in Provence.^[4] Baussan found a disused soap factory in Manosque, another Provençal village, which he took over to manufacture vegetable-based soaps using traditional methods. In the 1990s, Baussan sold a majority stake in the business to a venture capitalists to finance expansion. As their approaches were incompatible, Baussan found himself excluded from daily management and strategic decision-making.^[5]
In 1994, Austrian businessman Reinold Geiger bought a 33% stake in the group.^[4] Through a series of capital increases, Geiger became majority shareholder in 1996.^[4] Geiger, as the new Chairman, asked Bussan to return as creative director and lead product development. The company's new focus on marketing strategy paved the way for international expansion.^[5] In the late 1990s the company changed its name to 'L'Occitane en Provence', to strengthen the connection with the company's roots.^[6] On 20 April 2001, Clarins became a financial investor in the company through subscription to approximately 5.18% of the company's shares and €11,433,750 convertible debenture loan. On 22 February 2005, Clarins further invested €16,525,580 in convertible debentures. When the debentures were converted, Clarins held 23.33% of the shares. The management executed a leveraged buyout in May 2007 following which Reinold Geiger's stake rose from 31.9% to 48.7%, and Clarins' stake was diluted to 10.0%.^[4]
L’Occitane has shops in 70 countries, in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; with 170 shops in the United States.^[7][5] At the launch of its IPO in 2010, the company announced that its products were sold in over 80 countries through over 1,500 retail locations; it had 753 L’Occitane Stores. In the year ended 31 March 2009, it generated sales of €537.3 million;^[4]. It planned over 650 store openings with the capital raised.^[8]. In July 2010 L`Occitane opened it first store in the Dominican Republic at the Blue Mall Santo Domingo.

[edit] Listing

In March 2010, the listing committee of Hong Kong's stock exchange approved its plan for a $400–$600 million initial public share offering of L'Occitane International S.A., underwritten by CLSA, HSBC and UBS which the company had originally planned in 2008, but postponed because of the financial crisis.^[9] The company stated that two-thirds of the proceeds will be to finance store openings^[8] China Investment Corporation invested US$50 million in the company's IPO as the cornerstone investor (for approximately 1.9% of the shares).^[10] Following the listing of shares in L'Occitane International SA, L'Occitane Groupe SA detains 75% of the shareholding of the company; shares owned by Geiger, Clarins and other shareholders are indirect.^[4]

Beauty products

Lavender fields in Provence

Except for the L'Occitane do Brasil sun range which is produced in Brazil, all of L'Occitane's products are developed and produced from its base in Manosque.^[11] The company sources the majority of its production from local producers who rely on traditional production methods.
L'Occitane contributes to preserve traditional cultivation methods by:

• Supporting the program to cultivate almond trees in the Alps of Haute-Provence.
• Preserving certain rare species through the planting of their own field of Immortelle flowers in Corsica.
• Developing partnerships with organizations that support the development of scented and aromatic plants, such as the Office National Interprofessionel des Plantes à Parfum,^[12] and
• Encouraging traditional cultivation, particularly that of lavender.

A tin of L'Occitane shea Butter

In addition to products sourced from Provence, Shea butter is purchased directly from women's groups in Burkina Faso at what the company says is a "fair price" and in respect of its traditions — the tree is considered sacred, and its butter is known as "women's gold" because the harvesting is performed solely by women in the region; only fallen fruit may be collected.^[13]
The company eschews animal testing, and no animal product or by-product, except for beehive products, which include honey, propolis, and royal jelly, is used in the manufacturing process. L'Occitane claims to develop its products in line with organic cosmetics specifications of Ecocert;^[14] belongs to the Cosmebio association, a professional association for the ecological and organic beauty products sector; and is linked to One Voice, a European coalition whose goal is to put an end to animal experiments.^[15]

BURBERRY

Burberry Group plc (LSE: BRBY) is a British luxury fashion house, manufacturing clothing, fragrance, and fashion accessories. Its distinctive tartan pattern has become one of its most widely copied trademarks. The company has branded stores and franchises around the world, and also sells through concessions in third-party stores. It runs a catalogue business and has a fragrance line. HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince of Wales have granted the company Royal Warrants. Burberry's trademark products are its handbags and fragrances. The Chief Creative Officer is Christopher Bailey. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

History

Early years, 19th century

Burberry was founded in 1856 when 21-year-old Thomas Burberry, a former draper's apprentice, opened his own store in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England.^[2] By 1870, the business had established itself by focusing on the development of outdoors attire.^[2] In 1880, Burberry invented gabardine, a hardwearing, water-resistant yet breathable fabric, in which the yarn is waterproofed before weaving.^[2] The Gabardine was patented in 1888. Burberry was the original name, but then the company soon switched to using the name Burberrys, after many customers from around the world began calling it Burberrys of London. This name is still visible on many older Burberry products.

1908 Burberry's advertisement^[3]

In 1891, Burberry opened a shop in the Haymarket, London, which still exists and until recently was the site of Burberry’s corporate headquarters. Now the headquarters are at Horseferry House just behind Houses of Parliament, Westminster (London).

[edit] 20th century

In 1901, the Burberry Equestrian Knight Logo was developed containing the Latin word "Prorsum", meaning forwards, and registered as a trademark.^[2] In 1911 they became the outfitters for Roald Amundsen,^[2] the first man to reach the South Pole, and Ernest Shackleton, who led a 1914 expedition to cross Antarctica. A Burberry gabardine jacket was worn by George Mallory on his ill-fated attempt on Mount Everest in 1924.
In 1914 Burberry was commissioned by the War Office to adapt its officer's coat to suit the conditions of contemporary warfare, resulting in the "trench coat".^[2] After the war, the trench coat became popular with civilians. The iconic Burberry check was created in the 1920s and used as a lining in its trench coats.^[2]
Burberry also specially designed aviation garments. A. E. Clouston and Mrs Betsy Kirby Green made the fastest flying time to Cape Town from London in 1937 and were sponsored by Burberry.

Recent history

Burberry was an independent company until 1955, when it was taken over by Great Universal Stores (GUS). Burberry Group plc was initially floated on the London Stock Exchange in July 2002.^[4] GUS divested its remaining interest in Burberry in December 2005.^[5]
In 2006 Rose Marie Bravo, who as Chief Executive had led Burberry to mass market success, retired.^[6] She was replaced by current CEO Angela Ahrendts.

Burberry store (red brick building) in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

JUICY COUTURE

Juicy Couture

Type	Subsidiary
Industry	Fashion
Founded	Pacoima, Los Angeles, California, U.S. (1994)
Headquarters	Arleta, Los Angeles, California, U.S., U.S.
Products	Clothing Accessories Perfumes
Parent	Liz Claiborne Inc.
Website	JuicyCouture.com

Juicy Couture is a contemporary line of both casual and dressy apparel based in Arleta, Los Angeles, California founded by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor. Now owned by the Liz Claiborne fashion company, Juicy Couture is known for their signature velour tracksuits as well as other clothing and accessories.
The line is sold in upscale department stores (Bloomingdale's, Gus Mayer, Lord & Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue), as well as Juicy Couture flagship stores and boutiques. Juicy Couture is marketed as a high-end clothing line at an affordable price, and is aimed at women ages 10–26. Juicy Couture also has a line of men's clothing and accessories. Since Spring 2009 (southern hemisphere), Juicy Couture has discontinued its Men's Line "Dirty English".^[1] Juicy Couture also has clothes and accessories for children, babies and pets.

A spray bottle of woman's Juicy Couture perfume.

The founders of Juicy Couture (Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor) have slowly introduced new merchandise to their lineup. In 1999, they introduced jeans to their product line called Juicy Jeans. In 2001, they revolutionized the fashion world with the introduction of the track suit, the item that the company is most famous for. These tracksuits come in a variety of colors made of velour, terry cloth, fleece, or cashmere, and consist of low riding draw string pants and a zip-up hoodie. In 2002, Juicy Couture added collections for men and children. In 2004, bathing suits and accessories for women, including shoes and jewelry, were also added to the Juicy line. Today, Juicy’s offerings range from perfume, socks, and handbags to toiletries, diaper bags, and dog accessories.
All of the Juicy Couture items are manufactured with the company signature logo, two highland terriers holding a shield bearing three hearts and Love G&P (for Gela and Pamela). A crown lies overhead, while a Juicy Couture banner flutters above the slogan, "Made in the Glamorous USA."

[edit] Background

In 1995, Gela Nash-Taylor (wife of Duran Duran's John Taylor) and Pamela Skaist-Levy, both residing in Pacoima, California, decided to create their own fashion label, Travis Jeans, selling maternity pants. In 1996 the girls changed the name to Juicy Couture, the aim was to create girly apparel and a label equal to that of other major labels, but to be more affordable to the general public (although this is no longer the case, as most of their apparel is priced at more than $100 USD). Their line, which they called "Juicy Couture," was to include a variety of athletic and casual wear, most notably the velour tracksuit that won Juicy Couture a great deal of popularity. Taylor and Levy did not have much money with which to start their label, thus leading to a slow start-up of the company. In 1996, after establishing their company and needing to get the brand in the public eye, the women sent their completed designs to celebrities. Madonna, credited with turning the velour tracksuit into a trend, was sent a track suit with "Madge" embroidered on it (Juicy Couture rarely uses "Madge" on their clothing anymore). Madonna was seen wearing the tracksuit, and the company became a success almost instantly. Juicy Couture was a very limited brand, being available at very few locations such as Neiman Marcus; the company did not establish exclusive boutiques and flagship stores until the late 00's. Around 2004, the velour tracksuit once again became very popular, and Juicy Couture then became a worldwide known brand.
In 2006, Taylor and Levy introduced a new line called 'Couture Couture' consisting of 20 pieces and higher prices. This line reflects the new lifestyles of the two fashion designers, only carried in high ended stores.^[2]. The first collection of loungewear and sleepwear by Choose Sleep by Juicy Couture Intimate Apparel was introduced in 2008.
Today, Juicy Couture's women's clothing remains generally the same, although the company has expanded to include cosmetics, jewellery, handbags, and children's clothing. In 2008, the company added a plus-size line called "Extra Juicy". It was originally exclusive to Nordstrom stores, but is now widely available. The company also produced a men's line, but halted production in June 2009 when the menswear designer left the company.^{[citation needed]} The company's only mens offering is now Dirty English by Juicy Couture fragrances which have been bought by Maria and shave lotion.
Liz Claiborne is reported to have sold $258 million worth of Juicy Couture merchandise in the first six months of 2008 despite the almost worldwide recession.^{[citation needed]}
In addition to the fashion line, Juicy’s freshman fragrance, Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum and Parfum, created by perfumer Harry Fremont, launched in August, 2007. The designers describe the fragrance as "like something Barbie might wear," personifying youth and vitality.

[edit] Slogans and symbols

Flagship store at 650 Fifth Avenue in New York City

Juicy Couture is known for its large number of slogans and symbols. The company has never used one single slogan at any particular time, except for slogans that are attached to a certain product, such as "Viva La Juicy," and the Viva La Juicy perfume.
Their other slogans include "For Nice Girls Who Like Stuff", "Eat Candy", "Smells Like Couture", "Be Juicy", "Cupid Couture", "Viva la Juicy", "Juicy is Forever", "Her Royal Juicyness", "Wake Up And Smell the Couture", "Go Couture Yourself", "Cupcake Couture", "Juicy, Love to Love", "Bundle Up, Wear Juicy", "The Joy Only Bling Can Bring", "Peace, Love, and Couture", "Let Them Eat Couture", "Have a Juicy Day", "Some Girls Have All the Juicy", "Blame It On Juicy", "Dude, Where's My Couture?", "Choose Juicy", "My dog is better than your dog", "Queen of Couture", "Prep It Up Juicy Couture", "Couture is Here", "Kiss My Couture", "I just want Couture", "Crimes of Couture", "Tastes Like Couture", "It's Exhausting Being This Juicy", "Do the Don't", "Will Work for Juicy", "you OuttA BE JUICY" "My Juicy brings all the boys to the yard!"
Their signature Juicy crest, as well as the phrases "Love, G&P" (formerly "Love P&G") are stitched on the inside tag of each item of Juicy apparel, as well as the shopping bags used at the boutiques and flagship stores. The order of the initials changed in early 2006 after a lawsuit by the Procter & Gamble corporation.^{[citation needed]}