JAPAN. Today’s choice of video comes from Shiseido Group, as the Japanese beauty giant celebrates its milestone 150th anniversary with a special founder video. The video looks back on the company’s beginnings in 1872 and features Shiseido Founder Arinobu Fukuhara and his son Shinzo Fukuhara.
The video explores Arinobu Fukuhara’s beliefs and the passion and vision that led to the creation of Shiseido. Arinobu Fukuhara began his journey into medicine as a teenager when he moved to Tokyo to study Western Pharmacology.
He believed in the potential of Western medicine and set the goal of creating more affordable and effective medicines in Japan. His vision went beyond conventional medicine and eventually embraced health, beauty and wellbeing, marking the beginnings of the Shiseido company that we know today.
Authenticity, progress and a global mindset drove Arinobu’s vision for the Shiseido company; a vision carried by his son Shinzo Fukuhara, who became the company’s first president in 1915.
Shinzo Fukuhara spent some time in Paris to study art and photography. It was here that he began to envision Shiseido as an art and lifestyle-inspired cosmetics brand. When Shinzo Fukuhara returned to Japan, he established the company’s first laboratory and design department. He was also responsible for designing Shiseido’s Camellia symbol, logo and distinctive visual identity.
His mission was to “add richness and colour to people’s lives through beauty.” He launched the Miss Shiseido programme, which promoted the Shiseido way of life throughout Japan and underlined the active role of women in Japanese society.
Through this moving video, Shiseido Group pays tribute to the passion, innovation and vision that led to its creation and how this spirit still lives on today. Today, thanks to Arinobu and Shinzo, Shiseido Group is continuing its mission of bringing health, happiness and beauty to people everywhere.
“Throughout our history, Shiseido has responded to societal challenges and consumers’ evolving needs with innovations that inspire and improve people’s lives,” commented Shiseido Travel Retail President & CEO Philippe Lesné. “Today, the pioneering spirit and resilience embodied by our founders continue to drive our organization and travel retail businesses around the globe.
“As we mark a new beginning in our 150th year, we commit to embracing the possibilities and opportunities of a post-pandemic world with the same spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity that defined our origins. With the support of our people and our partners, we look forward to commemorating many more milestones and ‘firsts’ in 2022 and beyond.”
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report has launched an e-newsletter, Beauty Curated, in association with Shiseido. It offers a curated selection of stories focused on the key beauty category in travel retail and beyond.
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