It Might Not Be Right, but It Sells

Fragrances are sold at Hecht's in downtown Washington. More beauty products are incorporating French, or faux French, into their labeling.

Beauty Companies Go Beyond English to Add Glamour

At the Douglas Cosmetics beauty supply store downtown, Christine Arnold surveys the French phrases and translations on the many glamorous-looking packages -- and laughs. As a native French speaker, Arnold trips over the many mistakes.

"No, that's not right; that's not really a French word," she says of a Lancôme foundation's packaging. "And that's not really a correct translation. That accent is not right -- you don't need it."

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More than skin deep

The cosmetic pharmacy program at the University of Cincinnati turns out some top industry scientists

Who says oil and water don't mix?

Certainly not the professors and alumni from the University of Cincinnati cosmetic pharmacy program.

"We teach people how to make oil and water stick together," said R. Randall Wickett, professor of pharmaceutics and cosmetic science.

And that's only the beginning. Students undergo intensive training in the science and research behind all manner of health and beauty products and ingredients -- from antiaging creams to zinc, and everything in between.

"It's deeper than people realize, and innovative," said Wickett, who teaches the program's core classes along with associate professor Gerald Kasting. "It's really very high-level science, and there are always new challenges to deal with."

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Paris winter haute couture: fashion's prime betting season

A model presents a creation by Julien Macdonald for Givenchy 08 July 2003 during the autumn-winter 2003/04 haute couture collections in Paris.

PARIS (AFP) - Fashion's betting season will open on Wednesday when the Paris autumn-winter 2005-06 haute couture shows begin, as Givenchy puts its faith in an unknown Italian and up-and-coming labels try to make their mark.

The French couture federation's official calendar includes 17 catwalk shows over three days, from heavy-hitters Christian Dior and Chanel to designers with a lower profile like Franck Sorbier and Adeline Andre.

Showing haute couture is an undeniably effective way to polish a label's image, but after several of the French capital's storied couture houses were forced to close their doors, the industry needs a breath of fresh air.

While top labels mull whether to opt for some kind of "semi-couture" that would be less costly and quicker to produce than the luxurious, made-to-order couture pieces, Givenchy is banking on the talents of Italy's Riccardo Tisci.
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