Fabergé (cosmetics)
Fabergé (pronounced [fabɛʁʒe]) is a brand name that was inspired by the House of Fabergé jewellery firm, which had been founded in 1842 in Russia. The name was used for various personal care products (including cosmetics) that were manufactured under the direction of Samuel Rubin (from the late 1930s to 1964), and then by George Barrie (from 1964 to 1984).[1] The Fabergé company was sold by Barrie in 1984, and was subsequently acquired by Unilever in 1989.[2]
In 2007, the Fabergé trademarks, licences and rights were sold by Unilever and transferred to a new company named Fabergé Limited, which announced its intention to make Fabergé a luxury goods brand.[3]
History[edit]
Samuel Rubin[edit]
During the course of business ventures in communist Russia during the 1920s, American oil tycoon Armand Hammer acquired many objects made by the original House of Fabergé, including Fabergé eggs. In 1937, Hammer's friend Samuel Rubin, owner of the Spanish Trading Corporation (which imported soap and olive oil), closed down his company because of the Spanish Civil War and established a new enterprise to manufacture perfumes and toiletries. Rubin registered his new firm in 1937 as Fabergé Inc., at Hammer's suggestion.[4]
The Fabergé family did not learn about this until after World War II ended. Unable to afford protracted and expensive litigation, they settled out of court in 1951, for US$25,000 (equal to $293,462 today) for the Fabergé name to be used in connection with perfume.[1] Soon, Rubin added cosmetics and toiletries under the Fabergé banner, usually sold in upscale department stores. Fabergé had a high-prestige status, similar to its rivals Coty, Guerlain and Elizabeth Arden.
Promotion[edit]
The cologne Brut 33 by Fabergé had a product placement in the 1974 James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun. During a fight in the dancer's dressing room, Roger Moore sprays two of the villains in the face with an aerosol can of what is Brut-33 anti-perspirant, a nod to the Fabergé company with which Moore was associated.[8]
Limited licences to endorse products with the Fabergé name were given to Barbie, Limoges, The Franklin Mint and others.