Which French cosmetics brand was founded by Armand Petitjean in 1935? Lancôme was founded in France by Armand Petitjean and Guillaume d'Ornano in 1935.
The company began as a fragrance house and introduced its first five perfumes at the 1935 World's Fair in Brussels: Tropiques, Tendre Nuit, Bocages, Conquête, and Kypre. Its name was inspired by the Château de Lancosme in France's Indre region, while the rose became a lasting symbol of the brand.
Petitjean soon expanded beyond perfume. Lancôme entered skincare with Nutrix, an all-purpose repair cream launched in 1936, and later developed makeup and other treatments. This is why Lancôme is often described as both a perfume house and a cosmetics company.
A common mix-up is assuming Lancôme was created by L'Oréal. L'Oréal acquired the company in 1964; it did not found it. Lancôme remains part of L'Oréal's luxury beauty division.