Filipino and French Savoir Vivre at the Lancôme Grand Launch with Vogue Philippines

Three simultaneous events converge into a night of glamour at the surprise unveiling of the French beauty brand’s pop-up store

During the grand unveiling of Lancôme, Yannick Raynaud, country managing director of L’Oréal Philippines, evocatively recalled a quote from the brand’s founder Armand Petitjean. She narrated, “In 1935, the founder of Lancôme, Armand Petitjean, once said ‘When women come to Lancôme, they are looking for beauty. When they come out [of the store], they leave happier.’” 

It was this emblematic belief of Petitjean where the theme for the grand launch emerged: Go With Happiness. Together with Vogue Philippines, the grand launch marries Filipino charm and French sophistication. Celebrities and guests like Max Collins, Rei Germar, model Kelly Misa-Fernandez, entrepreneur Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, singer Kiana Valenciano, and designers Rosenthal Tee and Chris Nick were decked in white and silver, their cocktail ensembles radiating elegance and embodying savoir vivre.

Before the night culminated in a dinner and a surprise launch of the pop-up store, guests were immersed in three simultaneous pocket events, signifying different aspects of Lancôme’s beauty range: the art of makeup, the science of skincare, and the intoxicating world of fragrance.

Threefold path to happiness

Ella Pangilinan flashes a smile for Shaira Luna. Photo by Excel Panlaque

Clarisse Furio went for a sculpted look at Lancôme’s face station. Photo by Excel Panlaque

At The Gallery in Greenbelt 5, makeup artists Jelly Eugenio and Justin Louis Soriano, model Jessica Yang, and influencers Vina Guerrero, Lissa Kahayon, and Rhea Bue-Ong were swept into Lancôme’s elegant makeup range. Applied with Nix Institute of Beauty’s expertise, guests were able to wear the brand’s long-lasting Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, the Hypnôse Doll Lashes Mascara and eyeshadow palette, and the vibrant range of L’Absolue Rouge lipsticks.

As a memento from the occasion, fashion photographer Shaira Luna was present for a portrait session with Vogue Philippines art director Jann Pascua, capturing the radiance of their enhanced looks from each Lancôme booth.

Guests were treated to a portrait session with fashion photographer Shaira Luna. Photo by Excel Panlaque

Set at Ayala Museum, the Idôle fragrance pocket event was a dance of colors and scents. Guests were greeted by romantic vignettes of paper roses and a curtain of fresh blooms, each area generously sprayed with notes of rose, jasmine, and bergamot. These were enjoyed by guests Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi, photographers Andrea Beldua and Jaja Samaniego, and influencers Marj Maroket and Ida Anduyan.

Idôle bottle engraving by Micole Tan. Photo by Kieran Punay

Marj Maroket at the Olfactory Garden. Photo by Kieran Punay

For a more personalized experience, guests could choose mantras that capture the French brand’s passion for individual expression through mottos projected on the wall, captured with a holofoto. A bottle engraving station by Micole Tan etched their thoughts, phrases, and their names onto the smartphone-inspired Idôle bottle. Showcasing their carved bottles to the world, attendees presented their Idôle flasks for a video montage with art direction by Vogue Philippines fashion editor Daryl Chang.

Lastly, Lancôme’s “Strength in Skincare” pocket event was held in Ember by Josh Boutwood. The event spotlights the French beauty brand’s cutting-edge skincare discoveries, inviting guests such as celebrity couple Mikee Quintos and Paul Salas, models Liam Labrooy and Jach Manere, and dermatologists Dr. Irene Gaile Vitas, Dr. Coreen Copuyoc-Sampedro, and Dr. Bea Chan-Benavidez, into a journey exploring the resilience of their skin, while conveying the narrative of the brand’s revered Génifique range.

In Ember, Jach Manere tried Lancôme’s Skin Screen to analyze and get to know her skin better. Photo by Kim Angela Santos

Ember was transformed into a modern skincare laboratory with a Hot and Cold area while being entranced by a narration of Lancôme’s skincare line. Attendees were guided to a skincare consultation upstairs revealing the depths of their skin’s character. At the Vogue Corner, guests were invited to delve deeper into the world of beauty, engaging in insightful one-on-one conversations with Vogue Philippines’ beauty editor Joyce Oreña.

A pop of grandeur

Following a series of three intimate pocket events, guests and friends of Lancôme were ushered to the Greenbelt Fashion Walk where they were warmly received by Raynaud, L’Oréal Luxe Division general manager Son Ha Nguyen, Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Bea Valdes, and Mega Global Licensing Inc. chief operating officer Rhoda Campos-Aldanese.

In her welcoming remarks, Raynaud details the colorful history of the brand and how they continue to stay current with the values of today. She says, “Lancôme believes that happiness is actually the fountain of beauty.” The L’Oréal head also shares that “[This] is what drives us to create a world where beauty and happiness are intertwined, unleashing every woman’s true self.” A same day edit by Chapters Ph brought together the day’s events, followed by a four-course French dinner curated by Cibo.

Adding excitement to the night was the surprise unveiling of the pop-up store adjacent to the dinner venue. With an entrance adorned with white and pink Ecuadorian roses and paper flowers reminiscent of the beauty brand’s rose-agora insignia, Lancôme’s pop-up boutique is styled in circular pods echoing the brand’s wordmark, showcasing the brand’s three main hallmarks: skincare, makeup, and fragrance.

The store features an array of its well-loved products, providing guests with the opportunity to discover and try them. The brand’s debut in the Philippines quickly transformed into a shopping event complete with exclusive gifts, reflecting Petitjean’s philosophy– that when one visits the store, they leave happier.

The Lancôme pop-up store is located at The Greenbelt Fashion Walk, Makati City. For more information, follow them on Instagram.

Share now on: