In 2017, in Paris, in the luxurious interiors of the Grand Palais, the loud premiere of the Izia, Sisley fragrance took place. The exquisite dinner brought together not only journalists from all over the world, but also members of the d'Ornano family: beauties Philippe and his sister Christina, who run the business; “Queen Mother” ─ the majestic and still beautiful Isabelle, the muse of a good half of the brand's fragrances (by the way, the name Izi is also directly related to her - this is her diminutive name in Polish); the young red-haired grand-niece Sonya, who became the face of the new perfume and specially flew to the presentation from distant Argentina. It is difficult to find in the modern beauty world a more cohesive and at the same time related team!
For three generations, d'Ornano, one of the most famous aristocratic families in France, has been engaged in a common cause - producing cosmetics and fragrances. All their illustrious ancestors were at the royal and imperial courts, including were seen in the retinue of Napoleon Bonaparte. The illustrious family gave France three marshals and one minister. Strong roots and a family code have helped the Sisley phytocosmetics brand successfully develop for more than forty years and feel quite confident among the beauty giants.
Start
The history of the d'Ornano family began a very long time ago, and the history of the business ─ in 1935, when Guillaume d'Ornano, after meeting the famous perfumer René Coty, came up with the idea of creating his own cosmetics company. There was a desire at that time, but no experience. This is probably why, having participated in the founding of the Lancôme brand, he quickly got out of business, still cherishing the idea of something only his own. The next project was implemented by the efforts of exclusively family members: together with his sons Michel and Hubert, he released the Orlane brand (in the name it is easy to hear the consonance with an aristocratic surname). However, after the death of his father in 1975, Michel decided to retire. Then the younger heir sold Orlane and in 1976 he founded the Sisley company.
Hubert turned out to be a far-sighted businessman: in the production of cosmetics, he relied on the latest technological advances and the best herbal ingredients, as well as on essential oils. The union turned out to be successful: high technologies made it possible to maximize the power of natural ingredients, and the aristocratic origin of the founders became a guarantee of quality and the reason for increased interest in the brand. In addition, small industries have always enjoyed special confidence in France, because any "mass" here causes internal rejection, and everything "personal", everything that somehow reflects a particular person, on the contrary, immediately falls into the spotlight.
“Taking on a new business at the age of 50, risking all of your fortune, seemed crazy. Selling cosmetics based on natural herbal extracts in the midst of the 70s crisis? No one believed in this idea, but I dared,”wrote Hubert d'Ornano in his book“Limitless Beauty”.
By the time Sisley was launched, Hubert was not alone: his wife and like-minded Isabelle was next to him. An aristocrat of Polish descent, she was well educated and incredibly beautiful, besides, she had impeccable taste. As for the taste, here, as they say, there was someone. The beloved aunt, the Polish princess Dolly Radziwill (who belonged to an old aristocratic family dating back to the 17th century) adored her niece and generously shared her female secrets with her. She did not miss a single new haute couture and joked about this: "In order not to accidentally die in the dress of the old season."
Support
The wedding of Hubert d'Ornano and Isabel Pototskaya in 1963 became the loudest social event of the season: more than 800 guests came to Deauville, and Pope Paul VI himself blessed the union. The happy marriage lasted 52 years until the death of the head of the family. During this time there were many joys and many sorrows. Having given birth and raised five children - Philip, Christine, Elizabeth, Mark and Maria-Letizia - the couple lost two of them. Mark - died in a car accident, and Letizia - died under mysterious circumstances. But misfortune did not break them, but only forced them to close ranks tighter, strengthening the clan and expanding the business.
Isabelle has been with her husband since the inception of the company and has made a huge contribution to both product development and brand image. Not a single product (and this is not a pretty generalization - not a single product!) Entered the market until the Countess d'Ornano personally finished testing it and passed a positive verdict. It is difficult to list how many times creams, mascaras and lipsticks were returned to the laboratory, where they were brought to the level of Madame's highest standards. The style “at her fingertips” allowed her to unmistakably catch new trends and brand development strategy, while remaining a trendsetter and an impeccable homemaker.
Heritage
The d'Ornano family's Paris apartment is one of the design legends of Paris. Isabelle designed it in collaboration with decorator Henri Samuel (a favorite of the Rothschilds and Vanderbilts). Classics are here side by side with the most daring art experiments. For example, with the famous snails of the sculptor Jean-François Fourtoux. “I have known Jean-François since he was very young,” says the Countess. “And I really like his animals, but I remember I told him that there are so many things in my house that I can’t afford even snails to walk on the floor. I invited him to present them on the walls. Furt liked the idea: he placed three snails crawling up the wall, and also offered to install a fourth snail as a gift. When Hubert returned from a short vacation, he found one "beauty" suspended from the ceiling upside down."
Sisley cosmetics founder Hubert d'Ornano died at the age of 89 on September 25, 2015. By this time, he was already a billionaire. Successfully leading the company for forty years, in 2013 Hubert handed over the presidency to his son Philip, who originally intended to do journalism in New York, but after the death of his brother Mark, joined the family business. Today his sisters Christine and Elizabeth are actively helping him in managing the company.
Three iconic Sisley products:
Photo: Getty Images, REX, press archives
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