Shiseido acquires luxury fragrance brand Serge Lutens

On Tuesday, Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido announced the acquisition of the Serge Lutens brand. Shiseido has collaborated for many years with the luxury French perfumer.

Shiseido intends to accelerate the brand's international distribution by opening directly-owned stores in major cities the world over. The group stated in a press release that currently Serge Lutens fragrances are available in 2,000 retail outlets, department stores and perfumeries in 35 countries.

The value of the transaction, for which Shiseido and Serge Lutens have been negotiating privately since last March, was not disclosed.

Serge Lutens, 73, was development director for Christian Dior's make-up range between 1968 and 1980, and subsequently worked on Shiseido's promotion in Europe. He will remain in charge of the eponymous fragrance brand, which he founded in 2000 to "convey his spirit and style", added the press release.