Premium Beauty News - The successful 10th event marked a turning point for the show. How are you approaching this new phase in the same place, at the Carrousel du Louvre?
Franckie Béchereau - We have successfully passed the 10-year milestone, which is something for a show. It was a powerful moment, because it generated a lot of enthusiasm, both in France and globally. It helped us prepare the 11th edition at top speed, since the show has been fully booked since March regarding exhibitors.
The space constraint, which generates waiting lists, actually reinforces the show’s DNA. Cosmetic 360 is above all a global innovation summit with a strong identity based on the quality of the solutions unveiled. We still focus on the concentration and quality of the proposals by attracting decision-makers able to present a vision and give fresh impetus to the industry.
This year, we are expecting 260 exhibitors, including 33% of international companies from 25 different countries. It proves that Cosmetic 360 has established itself in the industry, on both the national and global levels. One of our goals was to put Paris back at the centre of the global cosmetics scene, and this mission is well underway.
Premium Beauty News – This year, the common theme is “Predictions”. Can you tell us more about it?
Franckie Béchereau - We have chosen this theme because we live in an uncertain world. We mean to show how technological tools can help imagine tomorrow’s innovation. It involves conferences, tours structured around the main theme, as well as a special innovation: an Anticipation Capsule designed by Greentech in partnership with the Burson/Comptoir Prospectiviste duo. This work gathered experts with diverse skills – ethnologists, scientists, designers, economists, CSR experts and biotech companies, as well as technology assessors – to imagine uses and technologies in 2045, as well as their impact on tomorrow’s cosmetics. Eight foresight scenarios were developed and exposed in a large tree of possible future representations. The outcome will be unveiled at the show, in a dedicated area in the form of a capsule.
The scenarios unfold in several branches, from increasingly technological companies working with a human-machine interface, to others resolutely focused on health and longevity, and those guided by the restoration of the living and resilience. They help consider new categories of innovative products and services, while encouraging people to think about the ethical and environmental responsibility underlying the choices we make now. We will invite visitors to vote for the most likely or desirable one. That will be the biggest highlight this year. The show is getting denser as it drives participants even further when it comes to innovation based on scientific work.
Premium Beauty News – What are the other key areas this year?
Franckie Béchereau - The Research Zone keeps growing. Since the 10th edition, we have gathered and identified players more clearly in the field of research, whether it be public or private (SUPP). This year, the area is even larger, as it welcomes institutes (Carnot, CEA, CIR Bordeaux, PV…), startups (SUPP), as well as collaborative platforms. It is quite unusual for a predominantly industrial show, but it conveys our desire to fully integrate researchers into the industry.
The new features include the Design the Desire zone led by Centdegrés: it will be focused on data analysis and AI which, combined with human creativity, make it possible to design the next successful products. In partnership with IBG (Innovative Beauty Group), we will showcase the processes that lead to tomorrow’s solutions. The Startup Village is back with 36 under-five companies that will showcase their innovations. Then, the Factory Zone will still be dedicated to machining and equipment, and in the Deep Tech zone, Tech’s pure players will communicate with the cosmetics world. The Predictions theme will be everywhere.
Premium Beauty News - What about the content?
Franckie Béchereau - This year, there will be three stages for speakers. The conference programme, of course, focused on the theme Predictions, startup pitches, and workshops, including one about C Beauty and its innovative aspects with China Cosmetic Review. On the sidelines, once again, the Cosmetic 360 Week will offer decision-makers an extensive programme of company visits, laboratory and retail tours, etc. Culture-wise, the exhibition entitled “de toutes beautés !”, designed with the Louvre museum and L’Oréal, will be focused on objects and representations of beauties.
Premium Beauty News - How many visitors are you expecting this year?
Franckie Béchereau - About 5,000, with a very high-quality profile, as usual. Cosmetic 360 is mainly targeted at decision-makers and R&D, packaging, and distribution directors, etc. They attend it to find innovations and guide their strategic choices.
Premium Beauty News - Will the show be inaugurated by a political figure?
Franckie Béchereau - We have been working on this. It should be Stéphane Séjourné, EU’s Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. What is for sure is that Cosmetic 360 offers an key platform for the industry: we need to express ourselves on today’s main challenges.
