The 2014 IFSCC Congress will be held in Paris at the end of October this year. A long history already associates this Federation with the French Society of Cosmetology. In official documents, one finds that the idea of an International Federation would have been put forward in 1956, and would have taken a more formal form in 1959. An episode is perhaps a little less known, perhaps even forgotten, and comes to feed or clarify the story of this beautiful adventure.
Let's call him back. This episode refers to an event entitled the"Rassemblement international des sociétés de cosmetologie" which was held in Paris on 28, 29 and 30 July 1957. This event is recounted in great detail in a journal entitled Cosmetology, published by Éditions Varia. The first issue, published in October 1957, had Jean Morelle as editor-in-chief. Our research on Jean Morelle's biography has enabled us to update these documents, with the help of his daughter, Éliane Lauzanne.
What can we learn from reading these documents? That the French Society of Cosmetology had taken the initiative of the great international gathering of cosmetology societies which took place in Paris in these last days of July 1957. The list of delegations shows all that was important in the world of cosmetology. There were American, German, Belgian, British, Dutch, Swiss, Spanish, Pakistani, Indian, Italian, Swedish or Czechoslovak delegations and of course the SFC. Those interested in our science will find famous names such as Navarre, Riley, Jellinek, Avalle, Rovesti, Zenisek, and, for France, Sabetay, Colson, Schmuck, Morelle and a few others who contributed strongly to this beautiful adventure.
The steps taken in this context were in fact the conclusion of many years devoted to the search for mutualization of activities concerning this new science. The international congress in Bucharest in 1935 had revealed the need for a new word to mark that the"science of embellishment" was emerging from empiricism, from limbo and from a hodgepodge of rudimentary knowledge to reach the level of true science. This science is Cosmetology. Already, some clearly perceived it as"the all that this science involves in the dermatological, chemical or pharmaceutical, medical and medico-social fields" ( Jean Morelle - Cosmetology n°1 October 1957 - 9). They went on to say which is why those who are unfamiliar with the problems cosmetology deals with are sometimes surprised at the extent it can take". .
Among the events that marked this gathering, there is one that occupies a special place and to which special attention must be given because of its importance. For the first time, the most qualified representatives of cosmetology in Europe and America gathered in a small assembly, about thirty people at most, to lay the first foundations of the International Federation of Cosmetology Societies. The session was chaired by Mr Bourdet, then President of the SFC. A vote of principle by show of hands, acquired unanimously, was to be very favourable to the creation of an international federation. The International Federation of Cosmetological Societies was born and took shape .
It was then decided to entrust a restricted commission with the final drafting of the statutes, which was done in the following months. This rapid and clear agreement on the principle led quickly to the final realization of the Federation.
The speakers were already largely convinced of the interest of this new science and declared:"…. Cosmetology has today become a true science, which touches on physics, chemistry, physico-chemistry, biology and dermatology". . What more can we add these days? How much progress has been made and how much progress has been made in all the areas mentioned in the articles of the time.
Mr Striance, President of the Society of Cosmetics Chemists, concluded:"… Yesterday we talked about this creation of the International Federation. When men wish to come together to discuss their common interests, their common problems, and when they seek common ground, there is a great chance that they will succeed, and I am quite sure that Cosmetology will have the place it deserves in the world. .
The SFC is therefore once again playing a leading role in the Federation's activities, a role it has never abandoned.
Have a good convention.
Jean Claude Le Joliff
| A biologist by training, Jean Claude Le Joliff was an R&D man for many years. Successively in charge of R&D, then of Research and Innovation in a large French cosmetics and luxury group, and after an experience in creating a research centre (CERIES), he turned to innovation management. He was also Associate Professor at the University of Versailles Saint Quentin (UVSQ) and remains a lecturer in several specialized courses: ISIPCA, IPIL, ITECH, UBS, UCO, SFC, etc. He is the founder of inn2c, an R&D and Innovation consulting company. Consultant for several international companies, he has actively participated in projects such as Filorga, Aïny, Fareva, and many others. He created the Cosmétothèque®, the industry's first conservatory of crafts and know-how. |
