Ad Campaigns
Fair & Lovely ads through the ages
NEW DELHI: Hindustan Unilever’s Fair & Lovely, one of the most popular fairness creams in India, has rebranded the name as ‘Glow & Lovely’ after facing criticism from people for perpetuating racial discrimination over the years. The brand was launched in India in 1978 and since then its promoting fairness tone through its product.
For a country like India which is obsessed with fair skin, HUL’s advertising strategy for Fair & Lovely has always been about getting a fair tone. The brand in its advertising has shown how women who are dark finds problem in getting jobs or a suitable match for marriage.
In fact, in 2007, HUL had to withdraw an advertisement which showed a dark-skinned woman, who was looking for a job and a boyfriend, suddenly becoming the talk of the town after she started using Fair & Lovely.
Padmini Kolhapuri, Juhi Chawla, Yami Gautam and a number of Bollywood stars have been the brand ambassadors of Fair & Lovely which only triggered the popularity of the brand.
Also, the product in its advertisements have claimed it makes people several shades lighter in four to six weeks.
One of its most popular ads was when Genelia d’Souza was featured in an advertisement and showcased that she gets confidence with fairness by applying Fair & Lovely and gets selected for commentary alongside Srikant for a cricket match.
According to a report, HUL research says that 90 percent of Indian women want to use whiteners because it is aspirational, like losing weight. A fair skin is like education, regarded as a social and economic step up.
A glance through some of the popular ads by HUL for Fair & Lovely
Also, as soon as the company announced the new name, the meme fest began on Twitter.
Fair & Lovely will be named as
Glow & LovelyMeanwhile, F&L fans
'Toh ab mein gori nahi ho paungi?' pic.twitter.com/Cw8lVfW8Ye— Breaking Memes (@neorational) July 2, 2020
Fair & Lovely changes it's name to Glow & Lovely ..#GlowandLovely
Me.. pic.twitter.com/fvcqYVJMmr— Prachi (@prachis0909) July 2, 2020
*Lovely singh reporting madam* pic.twitter.com/FONot9tYUW
— (@ChachaVidhayak0) June 26, 2020
After using this shit@SirPareshRawal #FairandLovely
Guys ye cream Racism increase krta h
Everyone’s beautiful buss dekhne walA chaiapic.twitter.com/BkVjydMO4z— crazy geek (@cheeku72816369) June 26, 2020
Ad Campaigns
Indian Silk House Agencies launches ‘Shubho Smriti’ PoilaBoishakh campaign
Brand celebrates Bengali New Year with stories of 100 women and their saree memories.
MUMBAI: Indian Silk House Agencies has woven a beautiful new story for PoilaBoishakh, one stitched together with memories, emotions, and the timeless elegance of a saree. The leading saree retailer has unveiled ‘Shubho Smriti’, a digital-first campaign that brings together the voices of 100 women sharing their personal celebrations of the Bengali New Year. The campaign highlights how the saree remains an essential thread in these evolving traditions, from daughters gifting their mothers after years of quiet sacrifice to sarees passed down through generations carrying decades of love.
Indian Silk House Agencies CEO Darshan Dudhoria said, “What gives any tradition its relevance over time are the memories people attach to it. For over five decades, we have been closely connected to this cultural fabric. This campaign came from a simple intent to listen to these stories of our customers and bring them together.”
To mark the occasion, the brand has launched a dedicated PoilaBoishakh collection featuring handwoven textiles such as Matka silk and Jamdani, along with classic reds and whites, softer seasonal hues, and brighter options. The collection starts at ₹999 and is now available online and in stores across Eastern India.
By blending cultural nostalgia with contemporary storytelling, Indian Silk House Agencies has created more than just a campaign, it has turned personal memories into a shared celebration of tradition, emotion, and timeless style.
This PoilaBoishakh, the brand reminds us that the most beautiful things in life are often the ones we weave into our own stories, one elegant drape at a time.
