Shiseido announced Tuesday the acquisition of the Serge Lutens trademark. The Japanese cosmetics giant and the French luxury perfume brand have been working in close relationship for many years.

Serge Lutens founded its own perfume house in 2000. © AFP Photo Bertrand Guay

Shiseido intends to accelerate the international expansion of Serge Lutens with the creation of a network of directly operated stores in the world’s main cities. Serge Lutens fragrances are currently distributed in 2,000 outlets, department stores and specialised beauty shops in 35 countries, said Shiseido in a release.

The amount of the transaction, on which Shiseido and Serge Lutens were conducting exclusive negotiations since March, was not disclosed.

Serge Lutens, 73, is a former makeup artist. He was the creative and development director of Christian Dior make-up ranges from 1968 to 1980 and then worked for the promotion of Shiseido in Europe. He will remain at the head of the perfume house he founded in 2000 and that bears his name with the aim to "transmit his spirit and style," the release added.