Durango Pin-Up Western Boots

Do you ever look at an online shop and think, 'I'll have one of each.' For me, Durango Boots who specialize in Western style boots, is that shop. I have been wearing cowboy boots since my late teens and my style has yet to change. Classic and timeless, cowboy boots are a trend statement that has weaved in and out fashion for many years. Madonna's Don't Tell Me video and corresponding Music album made me want to be a Tennessean country girl.

Durango Pin-Up Western Boots

At that time, checked shirts, fringed accessories, dirty denims, rhinestone encrusted buckles, stetsons, silver toe & heel tips and chaps were popular among my peers and I have worn all but the latter ever since. Now with television shows such as Nashville and radio stations such as Cat Country 107.3, my appreciation for the charming desperado has skyrocketed -  in both my fashion and music tastes. 

Durango Pin-Up Western Boots

One of my favorite things to do on holiday is search for cowboy boots in the flea market and bring home a new pair to add to my collection. The more threadbare they look, the more I love them. In fact, if I could have worn them on my wedding day, I would have but my husband would not have been impressed as I'd have coaxed him into wearing a matching pair (although we did wear contrasting Converse instead). Durango has filled in the gap for times I missed my beloved Florida flea markets. Last year I was gifted their Crush by Durango Women's Pin-Up  Western Boot from my mum and dad and instantly fell head over with these two and a quarter inch heels. Light brown in color and with the ultimate sassy pin-up girl carrying poker cards, two six-shooters and the caption, 'Ante Up Boys,' depicted on the sides, these boots were made for me!

Durango Pin-Up Western Boots

As I soon as I saw them, I was reminded of a cream pair I had when I was eighteen - they too had a female image but they also had spurs. If only I kept them. My preferences are clearly at a standstill as my Durango boots are a twist on the vintage Western pin-up girl that I have admired for so long. Inspired by historical nose art on WWII airplanes and 1940s/1950s pin-up posters, these boots are visually striking.  These pointed toe, distressed leather boots measure at twelve inches long and are also available in a dark brown color. Comfortable, durable, supportive and stunning, what more could you want in a cowboy boot? Durango has combined my adoration for rural outlaw style with the attitude of a classic beauty queen. Now all I need is a coonskin cap and a pair of alligator head boots and I'll be the ultimate swamp frontier-woman - it's all about the simple things in life. 

Durango Pin-Up Western Boots

RRP £111.18/$164.99. If ordering from outside America, keep in mind to place your order according to your US/Canada shoe size. Conversion charts can be found by a simple web search. Also available in a Gambler Pin-Up. 

Behind The Superbrands: Fashion, Food, Household and Media

We live in a world where brands fascinate us as consumers. In general, we are pleased when we have the branded version rather than the discount version. This goes for anything from food, drinks, household, electronics, fashion, personal care and everything in between. Multinationalism even affects what you watch on television and what you read in the newspaper. Continuing on from my beauty brand obsessed posts (click here, here and here to read more - and in that order), I was curious to understand more behind the world's largest consumer controllers. Similarly to my previous post, keep in my mind that ownership and shareholders change regularly and so what you read below is subject to the developing market. 

Behind The Beauty Brand: Who Owns What?

Unilever

Founded in 1929, Anglo-Dutch consumer goods multinational Unilever owns a multitude of beauty, food and household brands that is worth billions. Unilever provides to products to an international market. Brands include Axe/Lynx, Dove, Becel/Flora/Promise, Hellmann's, Knorr, Wall's, Lipton, Lux, Rexona/Sure, Surf, Sunsilk, Ben & Jerry's, TRESemmé, Magnum, V05, Toni & Guy, Klondike, Starbucks, Breyers, Slim Fast,  Bovril, Brooke Bond, Bru, Brummel & Brown, Tonight, Colman's, Elmlea, Fudgsicle, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, Jif Lemon & Lime Juice, Marmite, PG Tips, Pot Noodle, Stork, Skipper, Brut, Brylcreem, Citra, Cif, Comfort, Domestos, Impulse, Just For Kids, Matey, Pears Transparent Soap,  Persil, Pond's,  Q-Tips,  Radox, Simple, St Ives, Sunlight, Surf,  Thermasilk, TIGI, Timotei, Ultrex, Vaseline.

Behind The Beauty Brand: Who Owns What?

Procter & Gamble

Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, P & G is another billion dollar consumer conglomerate. Similar to Unilever, P & G provides beauty, food and household goods to an international market. Brands include Ariel, Bounty, Braun, Charmin, Crest, Downy, Febreze, Gilette, Head & Shoulders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, Vicks, Wella, Ace, Bold, Bounce, Camay, Christina Aguilera perfumes, Clairol, Cover Girl, Daz, Dolce & Gabbana perfumes, Dreft, Tide, Gain, Escada, Fairy, Fixodent, Flash, Herbal Essences, Old Spice, Hugo Boss perfumes, Lacoste colognes, Luvs, Max Factor, Nice N’ Easy, Nicky Clarke, Secret, Silvikrin, Tampax, Wash & Go and much more.

Behind The Beauty Brand: Who Owns What?

Johnson & Johnson

Established in 1886 by brothers Robert, James and Edward Johnson, Johnson & Johnson is an American corporation specializing in pharmaceutical development and medical devices. Throughout the years it has expanded its market with beauty and household products from brands including Acuvue, Aveeno, Band-Aid, Benadryl, Benecol, Benylin, Clean & Clear, Compeed, Imodium, Splenda, Listerine, Neutrogena, Nicorette, Nizoral, Rembrandt, Sudafed, T/Gel, Topamaz, Tylenol and so many more.

Behind The Beauty Brand: Who Owns What?

RB plc 

Formerly known as Reckitt Benckiser, RB is yet another multinational consumer good corporation that includes personal care and household products from brands including Air Wick, Scholl, Durex, Finish, French’s, Gavisocn, Harpic, Clearasil, Frank’s Red Hot, K-Y, Windolene, Lemsip, Neutra-Air, Neurofen, Quanto, Senokot, Woolite and so much more. 

Behind The Beauty Brand: Who Owns What?

Other Brands

Groupe Artémis/Kering/LMVH - Salma Hayeck's husband François-Henri Pinault is the man behind this corporation which owns Christie's, Château Latour, Le Point, Stade Rennais F.C., and Théâtre Marigny. François has major shares in Kering, previously known as PPR who are responsible for fahion and lifestyle brands such as Puma, Gucci, McQ, Alexander McQueen, Cobra, Balenciaga, Oscar de la Renta, Volcom, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Christopher Kane, Sergio Rossi and much more. Kering are largest shareholder of LVHM (Moët-Hennessy Louis Vuitton) which is the largest luxury goods conglomerate in the world and are behind the make-up brands and department stores as mentioned in my beauty super brand post. 

Richemont - a Swiss group which owns Cartier, Piaget, Van Cleef & Arpels, Lancel, Montblanc, Chloé, and Net-A-Porter.

Valentino Fashion Group - owns Valentino, M Missoni, and Proenza Schouler.

The Aeffe Group manufactures and distributes for Alberta Ferretti, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Moschino, Moschino Cheap and Chic, Pollini and  some Jean Paul Gaultier. 

Inditex - owns Zara, Bershka and Massimo Dutti

H&M - owns H&M, COS, and Cheap Monday.

The Arcadia Group - owns Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Burton, and Wallis.

Diesel owns Victor & Rolf, Maison Martin Margiela and DSquared2.

Phillips-Van Heusen owns Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY, Michael Kors,Timberland, Nautica and Sean John.

Hermès - a largely family owned fashion business but other shareholders from luxury brands  such as Giorgio Armani and Versace.

Gap INC - owns Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy.

Limited Brands - owns Victoria’s Secret, LaSenza, and Bath and Body Works.

The Weston Family, - own grocery and department stores including Superstore, Joe Fresh, Extra Foods, Holt Renfrew, Selfridges and Brown Thomas

Luxottica - owners of Ray-Ban, Sunglass Hut, Oakley, Persol and LensCrafters and much more. They also manufacture eye wear for Chanel, DKNY, Armani, Burberry, Vogue and Tiffany to name but a few.

Prada Group - owns Prada, Miu Miu, The Original Car Shoe and Church's Footwear.
Kellogg's - products from Kellogg's are easy to detect as their cereals are often branded with their identifiable red cursive logo. Frosties, Rice Krispies, Coco Pops, Eggo, Pop Tarts, Crunchy Nut, Special K, Fruit Loops, Corn Flakes and All Bran are among some of the Kellogg's family. They also own Pringles. 

JM Smucker - mostly available in the US and Canada, Smuckers own Dunkin' Donuts, Pillsbury, Jif, Crisco and many more. 

Nestlé - a company that has faced many controversies throughout the years. Brands include Pure Life, KitKat, Shredded Wheat, Nescafe, Fruit Pastilles, Carnation, Nesquik, Aero, Herta, Maggi, Purina, Cheerios, Shredded Wheat, Munch Bunch, Nespresso, Zephyrhillis, Ovaltine, Ski, Drumstick, Häagen-Dazs - these are just the tip of the Nestle iceberg. 

Coco-Cola - all the usual beverages inclduing all the variances of Coke available. Also Fanta, Lilt, Sprite, Fresca, Dr Pepper, Mr Pibb, Mello Yello, Powerade, Schweppes, Evian, Monster, Minute Maid plus so much more. 

PepsiCo - brands include Pepsi and its variances, Quaker Oats, Walkers, Doritos, Frito Lay, 7Up, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Sunbites, Copella, Snack-A-Jack's, Naked Juice, Nobby's Nuts, Cheetos, Fritos and more.

Mars - responsible for addicting me to Malteasers. Plus M & Ms, Mars, Snickers, Milky Way, Galaxy, Dove, Celebrations, Bounty, 3 Musketeers. As well as chocolate Mars makes Pedigree, Whiskas, Wrigley's, Big Red, Dolmio, Uncle Ben's, Suzi Wan and many more!

Cadbury - pretty self-explanatory but they do make Dairy Milk, Marvellous Creations, Caramel, Wispa, Boost, Flake, Double Decker and so much more. If I continue this list I will end up salivating like my dog Bailey when I wave slices of salalmi and bacon in front of his nose. 

Largo Foods - as well as making Tayto Ireland's favorite crisp brand, Largo also makes Hunky Dory's, Perri and King.

Disney - apart from the obvious films, channels and theme parks, Disney also either own or have equity interests in The Disney Television Network, Touchstone, ABC Network, ESPN, The Walt Disney Studios, Marvel and Pixar, amongst a vast amount of others plus an additional 30 radio stations.

GoogleInc -  a transnational company which specialises internet services and products. Google boasts search engines such as Google Image Search, Google Scholar, Google Patent Search Shopping, as well as books, financial merchandise, blog spaces, Gmail, Google+ (social networking), Orkut, YouTube, and Picasa. 

Rupert Murdoch News Corp - owns Twentieth Century Fox, HarperCollins, BSkyB. Rupert Murdoch also owns many British newspaper companies including The Sun, the News of the World and The Times. Murdoch also owns FX, Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Sports, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild,Wall Street Journal and the New York Post. 

British BroadcastingCorporation (BBC) - owns numerous television channels, radio stations, online websites, with BBC News being the largest broadcaster in the world.  

Comcast - owns NBCUniversal, NBC, Telemundo, Universal Pictures, Focus Features, USA Network, Bravo, CNBC, The Weather Channel, MSNBC, Syfy, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Esquire Network, E!, Cloo, Chiller, Universal HD and Comcast SportsNet. 
Time Warner Inc. -  owns CNN, HBO, Cinemax, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, HLN, NBA TV, TBS, TNT, truTV, Turner Classic Movies, Warner Bros. Pictures, Castle Rock, DC Comics,and New Line Cinema.
Viacom - owns MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment and Atom Entertainment. 
CBS Corporation - owns CBS Television Network, CBS Sports Network, Showtime, TVGN CBS Radio, Inc, CBS Television Studios and book publisher Simon & Schuster.

Discovery Communications - owns Discovery Channel, American Heroes Channel, Animal Planet, Destination America  and distribution rights to BBC America and BBC World News.

Does it strike you as curious that just a handful of superbrands own absolutely EVERYTHING? How can we have control of our senses if our choices are limited to conglomerate consumerism?

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

This is the third installment of my make-up manufacturing and superbrands secrets series. In this post, I will tell you who owns what - which conglomerates have control over the smaller brands. Keep in mind that this market is always changing so who owns what today, may not own it tomorrow. 

L'Oréal

Founded in 1909 by advertising mogul Eugène Schueller, French personal care and research company L'Oréal is a popular international superbrand. L'Oréal's diverse portfolio is abundant with world-wide brands that covers all the lines of cosmetics including make-up, skincare and haircare. Their brands cater to men and women of all ages and races. They even have professional labels for those working in the beauty industry. L'Oréal also indulges people with longer purse strings with their luxury range of L'Oréal Luxe. Their brands include L'Oréal Paris, Lancôme, IT Cosmetics, Giorgio Armani beauty, Yves Saint Laurent, Biotherm, Essie, Ralph Lauren fragrances, Keihl's, Shu Uemura, Cacharel, Viktor & Rolf, Helena Rubenstien, Urban Decay, Clarisonic, Diesel, Guy Laroche, Garnier, Softsheen Carson, Maybelline, Paloma Picasso, Redkin, Biotherm, The Body Shop, EM Michelle Phan, Kérastase, Stella McCartney, Vichy, Dermablend, Decléor, La Roche Posay, Ombrelle, Maison Martin Margiela, Innéov, Skinceuticals, Roger & Gallet, Sanoflore, Magic, Créateurs de Beauté,  Carita, Sanoflore, PureOlogy Research, Yue Sai, Drakkar noir, L'Oréal Technique, IT Cosmetics, L'Oréal Professionnel, ARTec, Innate, Kéraskin Esthetics, Matrix Essentials, Mizani, Elvive.

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Coty, Inc

In 1904, François Coty founded Coty, a global beauty company which covers make-up fragrances and skincare and is manufactured in many facilities all over the world. Did anyone else associate Coty with products that would make your eyes fall out? I did. They have come a long way since their bargain basement products - they are all slightly less cheap now and less likely for consumers to be hesitant about their cosmetics. Their brands include Bourjois, Rimmel, Calvin Klein perfumes, Natica, Chloé, Lady Gaga, CK One Color, Bottega Veneta, Chopard, David & Victoria Beckham, Tjoy, Marc Jacobs, Davidoff, Astor, Manhattan, Guess, Joop!, Tonino Lamborghini, Nicole By OPI, Adidas, Balenciaga, Playboy, Beyoncé, Miss Sporty, NYC New York Color, OPI, Vespa, Celine Dion, Stetson, Jovan, Roberto Cavalli, Katy Perry, Cerruti, Vivienne Westwood, Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss, Nikos, Pierre Cardin, Halle Berry, Lancaster, Madonna, Philosophy, Vera Wang, Tim McGraw, Sally Hansen. As of late 2014, Coty acquired Bourjois. 

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Avon Products, Inc

Avon is an American international manufacturer and corporation specializing in the candid selling techniques of beauty and personal care products. Beginning in 1886 as a two man door-to-door company, Avon was initially established as the California Perfume Company. Avon's brands are easier to navigate than others as they are contained within their monthly brochures. As well as celebrity endorsements within Avon, brands include Mark, Anew Beauty, Smooth Minerals, Extra Lasting, Nailwear Pro, Anew Men, Anew, Avon Elements, Solutions, Cearskin, Planet Spa, Foot Works, Advance Techniques, Avon Care, Skin So Soft, Moisture Therapy, Naturals, Color Trends, Supershock.

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Kryolan

Kryolan launched in Berlin theatres in 1945. It has since expanded to an international market and is well known for their special effects and high defintion make-up for film and television.  Kryolan own and manufacture all of their own cosmetics. They also have a silent interest in Illamasqua, the brand synonomous for illusion and masquerade. Illamasqua is owned by marketing agent Julian Kynaston but his products are largely manufactured by Kryolan. It was difficult to find out if Kryolan has shares in Illamasqua or if they have interests in other brands so this is all that is available now. 

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Wertheimer Brothers

In the 1870s, Pierre Wertheimer bought shares the French cosmetics company Bourjois, the inventor of the first dry blush. By 1917, Pierre and his brother Paul owned Bourjois entirely, emphasizing the strong ideology of a family business. In 1924, Coco Chanel approached the brothers to help extend the sales of her perfumes. By the end of WW2, the Wertheimer brothers had full control of Chanel perfumes. Today Chanel is owned by Alain and Gérard, the grandsons of Pierre (Bourjois was sold to Coty in shares in late 2014). They also inherited a thoroughbred race horsing operation from their father Jacques. Together they have interests in Bell & Ross and also own Eres Lingerie, Tanner Krolle, Holland & Holland and a number of French vineyards. They also own a number of fine French ateliers specializing in crafts such as millinery, embroidery and feather & flower making. 

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Shiseido

Shiseido is a major Japanese cosmetics group founded in 1872. It's subsidiaries include Aupres, Ayura, Bare Escentuals, Beauté Prestige International, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Issey Miyake, Narciso Rodriguez, Elie Saab, Azzedine Alaïa, Clé de Peau, d-program, Aqualabel, Za, IPSA, ISO Hair, Joico, NARS Cosmetics, Qiora, Revital, Senscience, Serge Lutens, UNO, UV White, Zotos International.

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

FB Beauty & Tam Beauty

FB Beauty formerly owned by the Wormser Group is currently owned by Adam Minto, a business man who also owns Make-Up Revolution and Freedom Make-Up. Make-Up Revolution does not seem to be part of FB Beauty as when placing orders through their website, their PayPal merchant is Tam Beauty (Medichem, a British manufacturer of cosmetics and hospital grade chemicals, was the previous merchant for Make-Up Revolution and Freedom Make-Up). FB Beauty own fragrances including Glee, Love Hearts and The Only Way Is Essex. Beauty brands from FB include Famous By Sue Moxley, Fashionsista, Make-Up Academy, Vivo and Accessorize, the beauty subsidiary of Monsoon, as well as some celebrity perfumes. Tam Beauty is the collection of brands such as Make-Up Revolution, Freedom Make-Up, I Heart Make-Up, Face B4, Colourless Hair Colour Remover, DGJ Organics and Colour On. 

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Revlon Consumer Products Corp

Established in 1932 by Joseph and Charles Revlon and Charles Lachman, Revlon is an American cosmetics and fragrances company. Revlon now has franchises in Almay, Charles of the Ritz, Charlie, Electric Youth, Esquire Shoe Polish, Food Fair, Institut Jeanne Gatineau, Mitchum, Natural Wonder, Ultima II.

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Estée Lauder

Estée Lauder is perhaps the one conglomerate which concentrates solely on make-up and beauty products. Founded in 1945 by American married couple Estée and Joesph Lauder, this company has now expanded into many brands including Too Faced, AERIN Beauty, Aramis, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Bumble and Bumble, Clinique, Coach, Darphin, Donna Karan, Estée Lauder, Flirt!, Good Skin, Jo Malone London, Kiton, LAB Series, La Mer, Le Labo, M·A·C, Marni, Michael Kors, Ojon, Origins, Osiao, Prescriptives, RODIN, Smashbox Cosmetics, Tommy Hilfiger, Tom Ford Beauty, Tory Burch, Ermenegildo Zegna.

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Groupe Artémis/Kering/LMVH

Salma Hayeck's husband François-Henri Pinault is the son of the man behind Groupe Artémis which owns French grocery and media brands. François has major shares in Kering, previously known as PPR who are responsible for fashion and lifestyle brands such as Puma, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, and much more. Kering, in turn are the largest shareholder of LVHM (Moët-Hennessy Louis Vuitton). LMVH is the largest luxury goods conglomerate in the world and are behind the likes of own Christian Dior perfumes, Benefit Cosmetics, Acqua di Parma, Guerlain, Make Up For Ever, Kenzo, Fendi, Nude. and more. As a group, they own Sephora, Le Bon Marché and many wine, champagne, and liquor companies. 

Behind The Super Beauty Brand: Who Owns What?

Kao Corporation

Kao Corporation is a Japanese chemical and cosmetics company established in 1887. Their brands include Nivea, Molton Brown, John Frieda, Kanebo Cosmetics and Jergens. 

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Kendo
Kendo is a brand which incubates and acquires many luxury cosmetics brands including Marc Jacobs Beauty, Ole Henricksen, Formula X by Sephora, Bite Beuaty, Kat Von D and Fenty Beauty by Rihanna. It is also worth noting that the same labs used to create brands exclusive to Sephora, namely Kat Von D, is the same lab used by indie and independent brand Jeffree Star. Kendo is a division of the LVMH talent network. 

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

Puig
Puig  is a third generation family owned beauty and fashion corporation founded by Anthony Puig in 1914. They own several beauty brands including Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci, and Paco Rabanne. They also conrol some Jean Paul Gaultier licenses such as Prada, Valentino and Comme des Garçons, and an array of celebrity fragrances including Antonio Bandera and Shakira.

Behind The Beauty Super Brand: Who Owns What?

What about the supermarket and drugstore owned brands? They are more than likely manufactured the same group of corporations. What are your thoughts on the beauty brands owning the smaller ones?