In late 2014, Kendall Jenner, reality television star, model, and social media phenomenon, was named the new face of legendary beauty brand Estée Lauder. She would be appearing in digital, television, and print marketing to promote various Estée Lauder products.
Throughout its history, Estée Lauder has consistently chosen the most stunning women to represent the brand. The following are some of the brand’s most memorable ambassadors:
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Phyllis Connor
While working as a print model for Marshall Fields, Phyllis Connor met the legendary photographer Victor Skrebneski. In 1962, Skrebneski became Estée Lauder’s official photographer and suggested that the brand use Connor to represent it.
She became the first face of Estée Lauder in 1962, at the age of 34.
Connor’s aristocratic, exotic good looks were a perfect match with the image that the brand wanted to project. She worked exclusively for Estée Lauder for six years.
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Karen Graham
Karen Graham was preparing for a teaching career when she was discovered while shopping at Bonwit Teller by modeling agency head Eileen Ford. A year later, she booked her first photo shoot with Estée Lauder. She was the first model to land an exclusive contract with a beauty brand, paving the way for future models.
She represented Estée Lauder from 1970 to 1985, retiring from modeling at age 40. In 1998, she appeared in Estée Lauder ads once again, this time for the Resilience Lift line of anti-aging products.
Willow Bay
Willow Bay, apart from being a successful journalist, author, and media personality, also holds the distinction of being the first “bride” featured in the advertisements for Estée Lauder’s Beautiful fragrance when it launched in 1985. Bay served as the brand’s ambassador from 1983 to 1989.
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Elizabeth Hurley
Despite having no previous modeling experience, Elizabeth Hurley was signed by Estée Lauder in 1995 and starred in ads for many of the brand’s fragrances and cosmetics. Although she was replaced by supermodel Carolyn Murphy as the face of Estée Lauder six years later, Hurley continues to work with the brand, appearing in advertisements, collaborating on products, and promoting its various charitable causes.
Although Kendall Jenner undoubtedly has some big shoes to fill, Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Global Brand President of Estée Lauder, is confident about the brand’s choice. “She is the ultimate instagirl, and we are excited to leverage her image, voice, energy and extraordinary social media power to introduce Estée Lauder to millions of young women around the world.”
William Lauder is the grandson of Estée and Joseph Lauder and the executive chairman of Estée Lauder, Inc. For more articles on the iconic beauty brand, subscribe to this blog.