Elizabeth Arden

In the cosmetics world, the brand "Elizabeth Arden" is undoubtedly an institution. This is all the more remarkable because Florence Nightingale Graham, the woman behind "Elizabeth Arden," only found her life’s work in a roundabout way. Graham was born on New Year's Eve in Canada,1878. After school and training as a doctor's nurse, Graham earned her money as a secretary and as an assistant to a dentist. Doors to the cosmetics industry didn’t open until 1908 when she moved to New York and gained her first experience in the cosmetics business. Two years later she opened her first cosmetics studio, where she created and sold her face creams and fragrances from 1914. Graham's goal, however, was "holistic beauty." That is why she added components such as gymnastics, steam baths, and massages to her beauty salons. Confirmed by the great success of this concept, Graham founded more and more beauty farms for the ladies. After her marriage in 1915, more salons emerged in major American cities and, in 1922, the first branch in Paris. Even the Great Depression, a divorce, and second marriage, and another divorce did not shake the now international brand. The woman with the stage name "Elizabeth Arden" and pioneer of the cosmetics industry passed away in 1966. In addition to a true cosmetics empire, she left behind well over 200 beauty farms and a fortune of about 50 million US Dollars. The brand was sold several times ("Eli Lilly and Company" in 1971, "Fabergé" in 1987, "Unilever", "FFI Fragrances" in 2003, "Revlon" in 2016), but remains a constant in the cosmetics world. The portfolio of "Elizabeth Arden" now includes much more than floral, fresh, or fruity fragrances. It also sells, for example, anti-aging and wrinkle creams, moisturizers, skin tighteners, eye and lip care products, cleansers and toners, and an extensive makeup range.