Simone Tata, the pioneering business leader who transformed Lakmé into India’s most recognisable beauty brand and laid the foundation for the retail giant Trent Ltd, passed away early Friday at the age of 95. She had been recovering from an illness and was undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital since August, following initial care at King’s Hospital in Dubai.
She is survived by her son Noel Tata, daughter-in-law Aloo Mistry, and grandchildren Neville, Maya, and Leah. She was also the stepmother of former Tata Group chairman, Ratan Tata.
From Geneva to India: A Remarkable Journey
Born Simone Naval Dunoyer in Geneva, Switzerland, she first visited India as a tourist in 1953. Love brought her back to the country, and in 1955 she married Naval H. Tata. Her association with the Tata Group began in the early 1960s, marking the start of one of India’s most impactful corporate careers.
Shaping India’s First Homegrown Beauty Powerhouse
Simone Tata’s formal entry into the Tata business ecosystem came in 1961 when she joined the board of Lakmé, then a small subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO), which was known for brands like Hamam and Modi Soaps.
At a time when India’s beauty market was either dominated by foreign brands or underserved, she envisioned a cosmetics line created specifically for Indian women. Under her leadership, Lakmé grew from a modest company into a pioneering, trusted Indian beauty brand. In 1982, she became chairperson, earning the title “Cosmetic Czarina of India.”
The HUL Era and a Strategic Pivot
In the post-liberalisation period, Lakmé Ltd entered a 50:50 joint venture with Hindustan Unilever to create Lakmé Unilever Ltd in 1996, combining Lakmé’s cosmetic strength with select HUL brands. Two years later, in 1998, Lakmé divested its brands to HUL in a landmark deal valued at approximately ₹200 crore.
The sale marked a turning point. Instead of exiting the consumer space, Simone Tata shifted focus to retail—an industry then ripe for organised players. This vision led to the creation of Trent Ltd.
The Birth of Trent Ltd
After the sale to HUL, the company began its transformation by acquiring Littlewoods International (India) in March 1998, which was engaged in ready-to-wear retail. Lakmé Ltd was later merged with Trent, and the entity was officially renamed Trent Ltd, laying the foundation for a powerful homegrown retail empire.
Today, Trent operates successful formats like Westside and Zudio, both of which stand as testaments to Simone Tata’s foresight, strategy, and belief in modern Indian retail.
A Legacy Etched in Corporate History
Simone Tata’s contributions shaped two major Indian industries—beauty and retail. Her leadership style, long-term vision, and pioneering spirit continue to influence India’s consumer landscape. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy lives on in every Lakmé product, every Westside store, and every woman she empowered to embrace beauty confidently.
H&M is set to debut its fashion and beauty collections on India’s leading e-commerce platforms, Nykaa and Nykaa Fashion, this November, marking a major expansion of the Swedish brand’s digital presence in India.
The launch will see H&M’s fashion collections available through Nykaa Fashion, featuring the brand’s upcoming Festive 2025 Collection — a line designed with metallic accents, silky textures, and dramatic silhouettes ideal for the holiday season. Simultaneously, H&M Beauty will make its entry on Nykaa, bringing more than 200 vegan make-up and beauty tools to Indian consumers.
According to Adwaita Nayar, Co-founder and Executive Director of Nykaa, this collaboration “provides millions of consumers enhanced access to world-class style and beauty.” For H&M, the partnership represents a step toward engaging India’s digitally savvy audience. Helena Kuylenstierna, Director of H&M India, highlighted the move as a way to “connect with a nationwide audience through one of India’s most trusted beauty and fashion platforms.”
The collaboration will be showcased through a special Spotlight Stage takeover at Nykaaland 3.0, Nykaa’s flagship beauty and lifestyle festival, scheduled for November 7–9 in New Delhi.
For Nykaa, which currently serves over 45 million consumers, this alliance strengthens its position as a gateway for international fashion and beauty brands in India’s rapidly growing online retail sector. For H&M, it represents an evolution of its omnichannel strategy—offering customers seamless access to its collections both online and offline.
The partnership between H&M and Nykaa underscores the growing intersection between fashion, beauty, and e-commerce, as global brands increasingly seek to connect with India’s vibrant and tech-forward consumer base.
Sonam R. Korgaonkar’s journey into the world of makeup artistry is more than a career transition — it’s a story of passion rediscovered, of artistic identity reclaimed, and of a woman daring to rewrite her narrative. As we celebrate International Makeup Day on September 10, her path reminds us that beauty is not just surface-deep — it’s deeply personal, endlessly creative, and courageously transformative.
Once immersed in the structure and stability of the corporate and automobile sectors, Sonam always carried within her an unspoken fascination for beauty — not just the outer kind, but the kind that uplifts, empowers, and transforms from within.
It wasn’t until later in her career that she made the bold decision to follow her passion wholeheartedly. What began as a quiet interest in makeup eventually blossomed into a deeply fulfilling profession where creativity meets purpose. For Sonam, makeup is not just about technique — it’s about confidence, connection, and storytelling. Every client is a canvas, and every brushstroke is a step closer to helping them see themselves in their best light.
Why Bridal & Celebrity Makeup?
Her decision to specialize in luxury bridal and celebrity makeup came from a desire to do more than create looks — she wanted to create moments. Whether it’s the hush of a bridal suite or the fast-paced energy of a celebrity shoot, Sonam brings a deep sense of intention and artistry to every setting. For her, each assignment is about understanding a person’s essence — their story, their style, their spirit — and reflecting that with elegance and grace.
Being based in Goa has also profoundly influenced her creative lens. The tropical landscapes, golden light, and vibrant cultural fusion have helped shape a makeup style that is effortlessly luxurious and harmoniously natural. Working with destination brides from across the globe has taught her the delicate balance between glamour and authenticity — a signature aesthetic that has now become her hallmark.
Bridal makeup, she believes, is deeply personal. It needs to reflect not just the bride’s personality but also stand the test of time. With celebrity and editorial work, she enjoys the freedom to push boundaries and experiment — but even then, her approach remains thoughtful and refined. Whether it’s a glowing bride under the Goan sun or a celebrity walking onto a high-stakes set, Sonam’s work is rooted in creating beauty that feels elevated, not overpowering.
She recalls some of her most memorable projects as the ones where she could truly align her vision with that of her clients — where trust, creativity, and chemistry came together to create something unforgettable. One of her all-time favorite creations is her signature “sunset bridal look,” crafted especially for destination weddings. On the celebrity side, she thrives in high-pressure moments where artistry meets adrenaline.
Signature Style
What sets Sonam apart is her bespoke approach. She begins each project with an in-depth consultation, tuning into the client’s vision, personality, cultural context, and even the energy of the event. From there, she meticulously selects the right shades, textures, and finishes to build a look that feels entirely authentic — never copied, never generic. No two brides are the same, and for Sonam, that’s where the magic lies.
As someone always ahead of the curve, Sonam is constantly researching and experimenting. Whether she’s attending global masterclasses, studying new techniques, or testing out products at international beauty counters, her commitment to growth is unwavering. She doesn’t just add products to her kit — she investigates them, tests them, and studies their performance over time before they make the cut.
Clients often recognize her work instantly — radiant, velvety skin that looks like it’s lit from within, soft-focus eyes in warm peach and brown tones, and harmonized lips and blush that create a seamless, ethereal glow. Her signature aesthetic has become synonymous with elegance that feels effortless and skin that looks like a second, more luminous version of itself.
Of course, the world of luxury weddings and celebrity work isn’t without its challenges. High-pressure environments, tight timelines, and sky-high expectations are the norm — but Sonam’s calm presence, precision, and preparation allow her to navigate them with grace. She sees these moments not as obstacles, but as opportunities to prove that beauty under pressure can still be beautiful.
Sonam sees her clients not just as customers, but as collaborators. She believes in listening deeply, co-creating, and delivering not just what the client asks for, but something even better — something that feels true to who they are while being aspirational in finish. It’s this delicate blend of vision and intuition that elevates her work beyond artistry — into experience.
During peak wedding season, her days are long and exacting, starting early and revolving around curating one flawless moment after another. Despite the physical demands, the reward lies in the joy she brings to her clients. That moment when a bride looks in the mirror and sees not just makeup, but her most confident self — that, Sonam says, is priceless.
Skincare is at the core of her process. She believes great makeup starts with great skin — clean, nourished, hydrated, and respected. Her product choices reflect this philosophy: from rich moisturizers to long-wear foundations that feel like air, and lipsticks that last without losing their charm. Her top three must-haves for any bride? A deeply hydrating moisturizer, a flawless yet weightless foundation, and a long-lasting lipstick that holds its ground from ceremony to celebration.
For Sonam, the most fulfilling part of her journey is witnessing the transformation — not just of appearance, but of emotion. Seeing a bride glow with happiness, or a celebrity light up with confidence, is her greatest reward. It’s in those smiles, those moments of quiet pride, that she knows her work is more than skin-deep.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Sonam dreams of taking her artistry global — collaborating with luxury beauty houses, working with international celebrities, and creating bridal masterpieces in iconic destinations across the world. Each new opportunity, she believes, is a chance to blend culture, creativity, and elegance in new and exciting ways.
To the young women looking up to her and dreaming of a career in beauty, Sonam offers this: stay passionate, be patient, and never stop learning. The beauty industry is fast-paced and ever-evolving, but what sets you apart is consistency, authenticity, and your love for the craft. Success isn’t instant — it’s built brushstroke by brushstroke, day by day.
And if she could sum up her philosophy in one line, it would be this: “True makeup artistry celebrates and elevates a person’s natural beauty, leaving an impression that lingers beyond the mirror.”
