Ernő László
Ernő László | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Kingdom of Hungary |
| Died | March 1, 1973 (aged 75) |
| Occupation(s) | Dermatologist, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of The Ernő László Institute |
Ernő László (11 July 1897 – March 1973) was a dermatologist born in Hungary who later became an American entrepreneur in the cosmetics industry, establishing The Ernő László Institute.
Early life
Born in the Kingdom of Hungary and raised in Budapest, László pursued studies in skin pathology and dermatological diseases at the Royal Hungarian University of Medical Sciences (Eötvös Loránd University). He furthered his clinical education in Berlin under the mentorship of Max Joseph.
In 1927, together with his brother William, he inaugurated the Dr. Med. László Institute for Scientific Cosmetology in Budapest. His reputation grew after formulating a foundation cream to treat severe acne for Princess Stéphanie of Belgium. Additionally, he gained acclaim by successfully addressing facial scars suffered by actress Frida Gombaszoegi following an assault. His services soon attracted women across diverse social strata seeking expert skin and makeup care.
The Ernő László Institute
With the onset of World War II in 1939, László emigrated to New York City. On 3 November 1939, the New York Herald Tribune announced that the Ernő László Institute, focusing on cosmetic treatments and skincare, had secured premises at 677 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan. Despite his expertise, László encountered difficulties passing the AMA certification exams, largely due to language barriers.
The institute catered to a wealthy and influential clientele who often required referrals for access. Distinguished patrons included the Duchess of Windsor, Doris Duke, Marjorie Merriweather Post, Greta Garbo, Lillian Gish, Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, Cecil Beaton, Katharine Hepburn, Paulette Goddard, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
During the early 1940s, Helena Rubinstein proposed acquiring his enterprise; however, László declined. He attained U.S. citizenship in 1945. In 1966, he ventured into retail through a collaboration with Chesebrough-Ponds, which ultimately purchased the Ernő László Institute.
Personal life
László wed actress Irén Gombaszögi, whom he met while treating her sister, actress Frida Gombaszögi. After Irén’s death from leukemia in 1967, he remarried Sibille Schulz near Lugano, Switzerland in 1970.
Death and legacy
László passed away due to heart failure in March 1973.
In 1995, Mana Products acquired the company originally founded by László from Elizabeth Arden. Nikos Mouyiaris, Mana’s founder, had previously been employed as a chemist by Ernő László. Subsequently, in 2002 Cradle Holdings Inc., affiliated with Fox Paine, purchased the business. Later, in February 2011, Charles Denton’s acquisition of Ernő László was backed by RBS Special Opportunities Fund.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- Cosmetics people
- 1897 births
- 1973 deaths
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- American cosmetics businesspeople
- Hungarian dermatologists
- Dermatologists
- Jewish physicians
- Hungarian emigrants to the United States
- Physicians from Budapest
- People from Partizánske District
- 20th-century Hungarian physicians