Simone Tata (née Dunoyer), the Swiss-born business leader who reshaped India’s beauty and fashion ecosystem, passed away in Mumbai on Friday at the age of 95. A cultural force, she was one who helped Indian women see beauty not as vanity but as agency and confidence.
Born and raised in Geneva, Simone often traced her fascination with beauty back to childhood. It was in a fleeting moment when she watched her mother apply blush before a piano recital. That spark later transformed an entire industry.
Her life changed course when she met Naval Tata while working at Air India in Geneva. Despite the unconventionality of the match, they married in 1955, and Simone embraced India, its culture, its people, and eventually, its consumers. She stepped seamlessly into family life as stepmother to Jimmy and Ratan Tata, later welcoming her son Noel Tata.
Building Lakmé: From hesitation to icon
Simone’s entry into business came in 1961 when she joined Lakmé. It was a young cosmetics venture born from Jawaharlal Nehru’s request to reduce India’s dependence on imported beauty products. Under her leadership, Lakmé transformed into a household name.
Simone understood Indian women and their aspirations and hesitations. Beauty then carried stigma, but she challenged that narrative through bold, intelligent communication. The campaign “Is it bad to look good?” became a landmark moment. It wasn’t just advertising, it was cultural disruption. Lakmé soon evolved into a symbol of modernity and autonomy.
Westside and the birth of modern Indian retail
When Lakmé was sold to Hindustan Unilever in 1996 as part of a wider strategic restructuring, most would have considered it an endpoint. Simone treated it as a beginning.
She invested the proceeds to acquire the British retail chain Littlewoods, leading to the birth of Westside, a brand that brought organised, aspirational retail to India. Today, Westside remains one of the country’s most successful department store chains, a legacy that mirrors her quiet yet insightful foresight. Westside also recently launched its own beauty line, offering a wide array of products, including skincare, bodycare, perfumes, and makeup.
Simone Tata: A lasting legacy
Simone served on several Tata boards, mentored leaders, and shaped multiple consumer businesses within the group before retiring in 2006. Those who knew her remember her grace as much as her conviction. Ishaat Hussain, former Tata director, summed her legacy simply: “A gracious lady and an outstanding entrepreneur.”
Her funeral mass will be held Saturday at the Cathedral of the Holy Name, Colaba, the church she regularly attended. A pioneer exits, leaving behind not just companies, but confidence, culture, and change.
Professional Beauty India extends heartfelt condolences to Simone Tata’s family. We stand with them in this moment of loss and wish strength, comfort, and peace to all her loved ones.
