Simone Dunoyer Tata, stepmother of Ratan Tata and mother of Noel Tata, passed away today on 5 December at the age of 95. In August itself, Simone Tata’s condition was critical and she was suffering from symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. After this he was brought from Dubai to Mumbai and admitted under the care of Dr. Farooq Udwadia.
Starting from the snowy valleys of Switzerland and passing through the crowded streets of Mumbai, her life was not limited only to the Tata family, but she also gave a special place to Lakme in the makeup boxes of Indian women. After coming to India, he not only made his place in the Tata family but also made the cosmetic brand Lakme global.
Simone was born in 1930 in Geneva, where she completed her studies at the University of Geneva. Simone, who grew up in European culture, had no direct connection with India. For her, India was a beautiful mystery, which she came to know during her visit in 1953. This journey proved to be the turning point of his life. He met Naval Hormusji Tata at a social event in Mumbai. Naval Tata Group veteran Jahangir Ratanji was close to Dadabhoy Tata and himself was a big name in the business world. Naval was already married and was living alone after divorce. Simon’s simplicity, intellectual ability and humble nature greatly impressed Naval.
Simon Tata was behind the beginning of Lakme
The relationship progressed and in 1955, Simone married Naval H. Tata and decided to settle in Mumbai permanently. After this marriage, Simone became the stepmother of Ratan Tata. It was a new country, a new family and a new culture for him. But even after marriage, Simone was not limited to home. She was a capable woman and Naval Tata recognized her interest and ability. In the early 1960s, Simon started working with the Tata Group.
At that time, the Indian government wanted that cosmetic or beauty products should be made in the country itself so that foreign currency does not go out of the country. It was from here that Lakme (Lakme) was started, which was a small subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO). It was a small project but this was the turning point that changed the world of Simon Dunoyer Tata.
In the year 1962, Simon got a place on the Lakme board. This company was then struggling to stand on its feet. Simon saw this challenge as an opportunity and he took the reins of Lakme and one day he started understanding the working of the company closely. She felt that Lakme products were not made according to the needs of Indian women. Indian women of that era used to stay away from makeup, but Simone realized that every woman wants to look beautiful and they need products that are good, easily available and not heavy on their pockets.
When did women’s trust in Lakme increase?
Simone had understood very well that Indian women do not just want lipstick or kajal, but it is important to make them understand the correct use of makeup with confidence and proper guidance.
Simone became the Managing Director in 1961 and Chairperson in 1982. He worked hard to make Lakme a household name in India. She herself went to the market and talked to women and then focused on making shades of lipstick and foundation according to Indian skin tone. She did not limit Lakme only to big cities, but took it to small towns and street shops, so that every woman could buy it.
Subsequently, in the early 1980s, she started Lakme’s first beauty salon in Mumbai. This was not just a place for haircuts or facials, but a place where Indian women were taught the correct way to do makeup. This was an ‘experiential touchpoint’, which removed the hesitation of women about makeup and created a deep trust for the brand. The result of Simon’s decision was that in 1980, Lakme became India’s largest and most trusted cosmetic brand. Women started abandoning foreign brands and adopting Lakme. Simone soon became known as the “Cosmetic Czarina of India”. He proved that business is not just about making money but also about bringing changes in the everyday lives of people.
Chaya Trent in retail business
In the year 1996, Simon took a big step and Tata Group sold Lakme to Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). Lakme was sold for Rs 200 crore. Many people also raised the question why such a successful brand was sold? Simon explained that there is a lot of competition in the cosmetic industry and Lakme now needs a big global player with strong research, distribution and marketing capabilities. But his business journey did not end here.
In the same year, he changed the name of Lakme Limited to Trent Limited and thus started a new chapter of Tata Grouper in the retail business. All Lakme shareholders were given equal shares in Trent. Under Trent, Simon gave birth to a new brand named Westside. His idea was that India should have a department store that was modern, had stylish clothes, but at the same time was not a burden on the pockets of the common Indian family. At that time there was a lack of organized retail market in India, and Westside filled this gap.
Foundation laid from Westside to Zudio
Westside’s business model was simple and appealing to the general public. People started getting good fashion, good prices, and a great shopping experience at Westside stores. People were easily able to get everything like clothes, shoes, accessories and home decor items under one roof in these stores. Simon made sure that the Westside stores looked great and that the customer ‘felt’ like he was shopping in a big, exotic store. Westside soon became the favorite retail chain of Indian families.
Simone Tata remained as non-executive chairperson of Trent until 2006, but her vision left a strong foundation for the Tata Group. Today, Trent Limited, which runs successful brands like Westside and Zudio, has become a major company in its own right. Simon Tata may not be among us today, but Simon Tata’s journey teaches us that even the biggest changes in life can be made with full confidence. She never limited herself to any one role and despite being the daughter-in-law of the Tata family, she created her own identity.
