KOSÉ Museum
1946 - 1972The Founding of KOBAYASHI UNLIMITED PARTNERSHIP
and the Introduction of High Quality Cosmetics onto the Market
On March 2, Kozaburo Kobayashi establishes KOBAYASHI UNLIMITED PARTNERSHIP in Kita-ku, Oji, Tokyo
Start of cosmetic manufacturing and sales
Establishment of KOBAYASHI KOSÉ COMPANY LIMITED with 26 employees (June 8)
Awarded first place for retail excellence by Kyoshokai in Kyoto
Establishment of KOSÉ SHOJI CORPORATION as a sales company
Launch of PERLIGHT SKIN, a cosmetic cream containing photosensitizing dyes
Launch of COLONE, KOSÉ´s first foundation
Establishment of ALBION Co., Ltd. on KOSÉ's 10th anniversary
Completion of company headquarters in Horifune, Kita-ku, Tokyo
Launch of “Cattleya Association,”
a group of KOSÉ cosmetic lovers
Launch of LA BONNE, KOSÉ´s first premium cosmetic line, which is still sold today
Establishment of TOPAC CORPORATION., a cardboard manufacturer (later merged with INTERCOSME INC.)
Launch of AULIC, a premium product line designed to suit Japanese skin, which is still sold today
Start of technology alliance with L'Oréal of France (alliance was dissolved in 2001)
Completion of the Sayama Factory in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture
Opening of a research laboratory (now called KOSÉ Research Laboratory) in Kita-ku, Tokyo
Relocation of headquarters to Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Launch of ALPHARD, KOSÉ´s 20th anniversary premium product line
Launch of AULIC Compact Foundation
Entry into the Hong Kong market,
KOSÉ´s first full-scale overseas expansion
Launch of COSME DECORTÉ,
a premium brand
Establishment of KOSÉ SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. a subsidiary located in Singapore
Opening of an education center in Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture
Establishment of KOSÉ (MALAYSIA) SDN.BHD. a subsidiary located in Malaysia
Launch of NOA, KOSÉ´s first makeup brand
1973 - 1990Continuously Producing Innovative Products:
Maturing into a Comprehensive Cosmetics Maker
Opening of the company's first distribution center in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture
Introduction of quality control (QC) activities by the Manufacturing Department
Launch of ESPRIQUE, a brand to offer a full mild-acidity product lineup
Completion of Gunma Factory in Isezaki City, Gunma Prefecture Start of the manufacture of fragrances
Manufacturing Department receives the Deming Prize as the first one for the industry
Launch of QUICK FINISH,a quick-type foundation not requiring the use of a primer
Appointment of Reijiro Kobayashi as president
Launch of SPORT BEAUTY,
a dedicated sports brand
Start of operations of Meishin Distribution Center in Shiga Prefecture, followed by the development of a national distribution network
Launch of DAMON, a men´s beauty line
Launch of SONIA line
Establishment of local subsidiary in Taiwan (TAIWAN KOSÉ CO., LTD.)
Establishment of local subsidiary in Thailand (KOSÉ (THAILAND) CO., LTD.)
Launch of BE,
a pallet-type makeup line
Launch of DAMON BRONZER,
a men´s makeup line
Establishment of COSME LABO CO., LTD., a cosmetics manufacturer
Establishment of CRIE Co., Ltd.,
a company marketing cosmetics through beauty salons
Start of sales in Indonesia
Launch of SEKKISEI,
a lotion containing Japanese and Chinese herbal extracts
Launch of AVENIR, KOSÉ´s commemorative 40th-anniversary brand
Establishment of Japan-China joint-venture company Chun Si Li Co., Ltd. (presently KOSÉ COSMETICS CO., LTD. (CHINA)) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
Opening of Itabashi Research Laboratory (presently KOSÉ Fundamental Research Laboratory) in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo
Establishment of KOSÉ SALES CO., LTD.
Establishment of Cosmeport Corp.(presently KOSÉ COSMEPORT CORP.), a company marketing cosmetics through wholesalers
Launch of QUICK FINISH Sun Care
Launch of HAPPY BATH DAY,
a skincare brand for the bath
Establishment of the Cosmetology Research Foundation by Honorary Chairman Kozaburo Kobayashi
Launch of COSME DECORTÉ AQ,
a top-tier premium product line
Launch of WHITENING CREAM XX,
a whitening cream containing kojic acid
1991 - 1998Introduction of Corporate Identity and the Challenge of Establishing
a Selective Distribution System
Introduction of corporate identity (CI); change of the company name to KOSÉ Corporation
Announcement of the new logo and corporate philosophy
Establishment of INTERCOSME, INC. a plastic container manufacturer
Launch of INTELLIGÉ, a symbolic brand of KOSÉ,to accompany the introduction of corporate identity (CI)
Launch of Deuxseize, the first makeup brand launched following the introduction of CI
Establishment of subsidiary ADVANCE Co., Ltd., in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture with the aim of promoting the employment of disabled persons
Launch of DECORTÉ Moisture Liposome,a beauty serum representative of the COSME DECORTÉ line
Examples of Development Efforts
Liposome
Launch of Lechéri, awarded Silver Prize in the Buzzword of the Year contest for its attention-grabbing commercial catchphrase “Kiss me!”
Establishment of KOSÉ COSMENIENCE CO., LTD.,
a company selling KOSÉ´s personal care products
Launch of LIP GELMAGIC,
a product to prevent lipstick from wearing off
Launch of makeup line VISÉE
Launch of AWAKE,
a product focused on treating stress to the skin
Award of the Marie Claire Les Prix
d´Excellence de la beauté Japan Honorable Mention to Lechéri WATER PACT
Launch of SOFTYMO,
a face wash and cleanser from KOSÉ Cosmeport
Launch of PRÉDIA for sales in cosmetic specialty stores
Appointment of Yasukiyo Kobayashi as president
Gunma Factory acquires ISO 9002 (presently ISO 9001) certification
All production facilities acquire this certification in 2000
Award of the Marie Claire Les Prix
d´Excellence de la beauté Japan Honorable Mention to COSME DECORTÉ White-Science Fresh Concentrate
Launch of SEIKISHO,
a soap containing Japanese and Chinese herbal extracts
1999 - 2006Listing on the Stock Exchange;
Strengthening of Business Foundations
Stock listing on the Japan Securities Dealers Association
Sayama Factory acquires ISO 9002 (presently ISO 9001) certification
Launch of Rutina, a skincare product incorporating new technology for the 21st century
Stock listing on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
Gunma Factory acquires
ISO 14001 certification
Establishment of local subsidiary in Hong Kong (KOSÉ (HONG KONG) CO., LTD.)
Completion of Xiasha Factory in Hangzhou, China
Launch of VISÉE Lip Visualizer,
featuring a different color on each end of its package
Establishment of local subsidiary in South Korea (KOSÉ KOREA CO., LTD.)
Start of sales in Vietnam
Xiasha Factory acquires ISO 9001 certification
Award of the Ministry of Education's "Encouragement Prize” to the company's water capsule technology
Launch of BEAUTÉ de KOSÉ for sales in department stores
Acquisition of Phil International Inc. (presently Dr. PHIL COSMETICS INC.), a company handling medical cosmetics
Establishment of KOSÉ COSMEPIA CO., LTD. a company selling OEM and commercial-use products
Launch of three new products, including the CLEAR TURN White Mask, from KOSÉ Cosmeport
Launch of INFINITY for sales in mass retailers and drugstores
Sayama Factory acquires
ISO 14001 certification in January
All distribution centers and affiliated companies acquire
ISO 14001 certification at the end of the year
All distribution centers and affiliated companies acquire
ISO 14001 certification
Start of sales in the Philippines
Launch of STEPHEN KNOLL COLLECTION, a haircare line
Construction of new laboratory in Kita-ku, Tokyo; establishment of new research structure
Opening of Order Center in Akita Prefecture for wide-area order processing functions
Completion of Hsinchu Factory in Taiwan
Introduction of supply chain management (SCM)
Presentation by KOSÉ awarded Grand Prize at the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) World Congress
Launch of MOISTURE SKIN REPAIR,
a moisturizing beauty serum containing Rice Power® Extract No. 11
Launch of SEKKISUI
Establishment of sales company in China (KOSÉ COSMETICS SALES (CHINA) CO., LTD.)
Introduction of the JILL STUART brand (licensed) to the Japanese cosmetics market
Launch of ASTALUTION,
a beauty serum containing a high concentration of astaxanthin
Introduction of the RIMMEL brand(licensed from Coty Inc. in the U.S.) to the Japanese cosmetics market
Launch of ESPRIQUE PRECIOUS
2007 - 2023A Series of Reforms:
Accelerating Globalization
Appointment of Kazutoshi Kobayashi as president
Start of sales in Myanmar
Start of sales in the UAE
Opening of KOSÉ Oji Training Center in Kita-ku, Tokyo
Launch of SEKKISEI SUPREME, SEKKISEI´s premium line
Acquisition of the global trademark for JILL STUART cosmetics
Start of the SAVE the BLUE project,
donating a portion of SEKKISEI sales to environmental conservation
Launch of SUNCUT Sunscreen Spray from KOSÉ COSMEPORT CORP.
Launch of natural skincare line NATURE & CO
Launch of makeup brand ADDICTION for sales in department stores
Launch of COSME DECORTÉ AQMW
Incorporating cutting-edge sensibility (in collaboration with Marcel Wanders)
Establishment of Provision Co., Ltd.
(presently KOSÉ PROVISION CORPORATION CO., LTD.)
Launch of makeup brand ESPRIQUE
Launch of PAUL STUART, a men´s cosmetics brand (licensed)
Start of sales in Italy
Launch of ASTABLANC brand, containing Astaxanthin
Launch of HADAKIWAMI brand,
containing Rice Power® Extract No.11
Launch of MAIHADA from KOSÉ PROVISION CORPORATION
a subsidiary dedicated to e-commerce
Holding of the first Beauty Festa, an event to spread information about KOSÉ Group cosmetics
Establishment of the KOSÉ Endowed Program for Skincare and Allergy Preventive Medicine at the Keio University School of Medicine
Establishment of KOSÉ Corporation India Pvt, Ltd. in India
Launch of Je l'aime,a non-silicon haircare product line from KOSÉ COSMEPORT CORP.
Establishment of local subsidiary in Indonesia(PT. INDONESIA KOSÉ)
Acquisition of American cosmetics company Tarte, Inc., as a wholly-owned subsidiary
Launch of NAILHOLIC,
a line of nail polish offering abundant color variations
Start of sales in India
Establishment of KOSÉ America, Inc. in the U.S.
Introduced Spawake to the Indian cosmetics market
Start of sales of DECORTÉ at department stores in North America
Establishment of KOSÉ INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
Establishment of KOSÉ BRASIL COMÉRCIO DE COSMÉTICOS LTDA. in Brasil
Launched Cosme DECORTÉ AQMW Eye Glow Gem, an eye shadow with excellent color, luster, and makeup retention
A new manufacturing building opened within the Gunma Factory complex
Established Kose Milbon Cosmetics Co., Ltd. to manufacture and sell cosmetic products through salon distribution channels
Established KOSÉ Research Institute France Branch Office in Lyon, France
Launch of ONE BY KOSÉ,
a liquid moisturizer
Released ONE BY KOSÉ Melanoshot W, a medicated brightening serum containing kojic acid, a naturally derived active ingredient
Built the KOSÉ Advanced Technology Research Institute in the Oji area of the Kita City, Tokyo, to concentrate KOSÉ’s research and development bases in one place
Established KOSÉ Maruho Pharma Co., Ltd., which engages in planning, developing, and selling OTC drugs and cosmetics products
Opened a new digitally integrated concept store, Maison KOSÉ, in Ginza, Tokyo
Launched Make Keep Mist, a mist-type finishing lotion sprayed on to finish makeup
Launched iMPREA, a cosmetics brand exclusively for beauty salons that was developed through joint research by KOSÉ and Milbon
Opened a flagship store, Maison KOSÉ Omotesando, in Omotesando, Tokyo, that offers new enjoyable shopping experience
Launched Carté HD,
a high-performance skincare product created as a result of a collaboration with Maruho
Collaborated comprehensively with Kao in the field of sustainability
Launched Liposome Advanced Repair Serum, which contains 1 trillion multilayer bio-liposomes per drop,updated Moisture Liposome for the first time in 29 years
Opened Beauty Studio at KidZania Tokyo