Objects

The 1959 Annual Report of Helena Rubinstein, Inc. is an English-language brochure.

On the front cover of the brochure is a photo of the company building. On the back cover is featured the company logo - HR - created for Helena Rubinstein by Salvador Dalí. Upon opening the report, there is an immediate portrait photograph of Helena Rubinstein, posing at work, sitting at a table set with laboratory equipment. She is holding a beaker and a pipette. She is elegantly dressed, and her sophisticated look is enhanced by the rich jewellery which she loved to wear. The photograph is from an earlier period and has been retouched.

In addition to the financial details contained in the report, the attention is drawn to photographs of the company’s cosmetics products (pages 14 and 15) - including shampoos, hair dyes, skin care products (Tree of Life Cream, Tree of Life Emulsion), perfumes for women (Heaven Sent, Apple Blossom), lipsticks, powders, and mascara (Mascaramatic). They stand out, with their elegant packaging design and imaginative product names.

Monika Harchut