Chair Seminars 2025

As the final presentation approached, Chair students gathered at L’Oréal for one last round of feedback on their projects addressing inclusive innovation in emerging markets. Each team presented refined, near-final strategies developed over months of work.

This final exchange allowed students to test their ideas in front of expert reviewers and make final adjustments ahead of the June 10 closing ceremony.

With thanks to: Federica Capece, Smridh Chopra, Loïc Didierjean, and Nina Ruissy for their thoughtful insights and support in this final stretch.

The session marked the last step in a journey of collaborative learning, impact-driven research, and forward-thinking inclusion.

One month before the final pitch, students returned to L’Oréal for a second round of feedback. Teams presented more advanced strategies and received expert advice to fine-tune their proposals and push for stronger, more inclusive solutions.

With thanks to: Federica Capece, Smridh Chopra, Loïc Didierjean, and Nina Ruissy for their continued guidance.

Redefining Beauty: The Power of Beauty Tech

On April 1st, 2024, Béatrice Dautzenberg, L'Oréal’s Global Director of Beauty Tech Services, and Adrien Gomar, Head of Design for Beauty Tech Services, led a compelling session on how technology is transforming the beauty industry.

As health, science, and digital innovation converge, beauty is becoming more personalized, inclusive, and responsible. L'Oréal’s acquisition of Modiface marks a strategic move toward AI-powered, hyper-precise beauty solutions.

The session explored how Beauty Tech Services address key consumer needs—diagnosis, product guidance, coaching, and treatment—through innovations like SPOTSCAN+ (La Roche-Posay) and Beauty Genius (L'Oréal Paris).

Sustainability was also central, with initiatives like closed-loop water systems reducing the ecological footprint of production.

As Béatrice Dautzenberg noted: “In the beauty industry, there is a constant tension between the functional and the emotional—consumers seek both efficacy and a deep, personal connection to the products they use.”

This session affirmed L’Oréal’s consumer-first approach to innovation, with Beauty Tech Services now deployed in 66 countries and across 33 brands.

Standing Up Against Street Harassment: L’Oréal’s Global Commitment

On March 25, Marion Brunet, Global General Manager of L’Oréal Professionnel, presented the latest developments of the Stand Up initiative, a worldwide effort to combat street harassment through training, awareness, and advocacy.

L’Oréal’s study with IPSOS highlights the urgency of this issue: 1 in 2 people still believe women are sometimes responsible for being harassed based on their appearance or behavior. Meanwhile, 60% of women change how they dress to avoid harassment.

To drive change, the Stand Up program focuses on three key pillars:

1. Training for Action: The 5Ds methodology equips individuals with concrete ways to intervene safely, available via physical, digital, and virtual training.

2. Raising Awareness: Through major campaigns like #NeverYourFault, L’Oréal challenges harmful biases and promotes a culture of accountability.

3. Advocacy & Public Affairs: Strengthening partnerships with institutions and policymakers ensures a lasting impact.

With 3.7 million people trained across 47 countries, Stand Up continues to expand, creating safer spaces for all.

From Consumer Insights to Market Impact: L’Oréal’s Approach to Product Innovation

On March 18, Ingrid Ansellem, SVP Global Marketing & Product Development at L’Oréal, shared key insights into the company’s product development strategy. The process begins with identifying consumer tensions, assessing market potential, and leveraging scientific research to create innovative solutions.

A case study on SNAKEPEEL by L’Oréal Paris illustrated how strategic product design and market adaptation drive success. Packaging colors were customized to meet regional preferences—blue for Western markets and darker skin tones, pink for South East Asia to align with an existing beauty franchise.

Beyond product formulation, activation plays a crucial role. L’Oréal ensures market impact through a hero content strategy, engaging digital storytelling, and visually distinctive packaging. This session highlighted how science, technology, and consumer insights shape L’Oréal’s approach to innovation.

The Future of Beauty E-Commerce: Scaling Innovation for Growth 

On March 11, Xiaomei Li Touchet, Global E-Commerce Director at L’Oréal, shared key insights on the rapid evolution of online beauty retail. With e-commerce now representing 20% of L’Oréal’s business and growing three times faster than offline channels, its role in shaping the future of beauty is undeniable.

L’Oréal’s strategy focuses on democratizing and premiumizing beauty online through:

• Continuous consumer acquisition to triple beauty penetration by 2027.

• A future-proof e-commerce portfolio, balancing hero products, bundles, and innovation.

• Scaled activation via online beauty moments, AI-driven experiences like Beauty Genius, and omnichannel strategies.

With a projected $38 billion GMV by 2027, e-commerce is a dynamic space where pure players, social commerce, and e-retail all play a crucial role. As Xiaomei Li Touchet put it:

“E-Commerce is an ocean—we are always learning and striving to enhance the consumer experience.”

Chair students presented their initial ideas to L’Oréal experts after two months of research and collaboration. The session offered constructive feedback on the four key challenges: locally relevant products, culturally inclusive content, e-commerce accessibility, and the localization of the Stand-Up initiative.

With thanks to: Marie Chirac, Hao Liang, Zoé Espitallier, and Antoine Michel for their valuable insights.

Embracing Uniqueness: L’Oréal’s Approach to Inclusive Leadership

On February 25, Margaret Johnston-Clarke, Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at L'Oréal Group, shared the company’s vision for responsible advertising, consumer impact, and inclusive leadership.

As the 4th largest advertiser, L’Oréal recognizes its responsibility to drive positive change. With 56% of responsible consumers willing to switch brands for greater impact, inclusivity is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Margaret Johnston-Clarke highlighted the six pillars of inclusive leadership, from visible commitment to cultural intelligence, reinforcing L’Oréal’s long-term dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“In this time, it is very important to reiterate the group's values: we sit on these values, and we are not going to change because of a government or a trend.”

Shaping the Future of Beauty: Cracking Local Relevancy in Emerging Markets

Another insightful session at L’Oréal’s headquarters this 11th of February, with Chih-Ying Chang, General Manager at L’Oréal Paris for Emerging Markets, and Edwin Taborda, Global CMI Director for CPD. With 1.8 billion potential consumers in emerging markets, the stakes are high.

India leads the way, covering 80% of skin types and 70% of hair types, with nearly 1 billion potential consumers. Indonesia and Mexico follow, each offering massive growth opportunities. Success hinges on local relevancy, leveraging inspirational yet brand-aligned personalities, and adapting to diverse beauty expectations—from Brazil to Indonesia.

As Edwin Taborda put it: “The future is not something you enter, it’s something you build.”

 Unlocking the Future of Beauty in Emerging Markets 

On the 4th of February, students had an inspiring session with Zeinab Husseini, Employer Branding Manager, who shared valuable insights on recruitment challenges and the power of personal branding. In today’s competitive job market, standing out requires more than just a strong résumé—it’s about clarity, consistency, and compelling communication.

A strong personal brand isn’t just about visibility; it’s about creating genuine connections. By staying authentic and engaging, you don’t just attract opportunities—you build lasting professional relationships.

L'Oréal & the Future of Beauty: Navigating Emerging Markets

On the 21st of January, the students went for the first time to L'Oréal’s global headquarters in Clichy, where they had the privilege of meeting Ines Caldeira, Global Deputy General Manager of FMCG in charge of emerging markets. She shared fascinating insights into how L'Oréal tailors its strategies to diverse local cultures and consumer needs—a crucial challenge for a global leader.

With emerging markets already accounting for 19% of global beauty purchases, the stakes are high: today, they represent 900 million consumers, a number expected to reach 1.4 billion in the near future. From LATAM and Africa to MENA, India, and Southeast Asia, L'Oréal is navigating rapid demographic and economic shifts to stay ahead in these high-growth regions.