On Monday, February 11, the Chantecaille Conservation Foundation (CCF) donated $1.8 million (Kshs 232.4 million) to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The donation included 20 upgraded Land Cruiser pickups, a truck, and 50 tents. It was handed over to KWS Director General Prof. Erastus Kanga by Sylvie Chantecaille, the Co-Founder and CEO of the foundation.
Prof. Kanga thanked Ms. Chantecaille for her dedication to conserving Kenya’s biodiversity and affirmed that the resources would be put to good use to maximize their impact in the field.
“Prof. Kanga called for continued collaboration with the Chantecaille Conservation Foundation, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and other partners who share our vision of a thriving and well-protected natural ecosystem,” said KWS.
The Chantecaille Foundation, founded in 2022 by Sylvie and Olivier Chantecaille, is dedicated to taking swift action to preserve the earth’s remaining wild spaces, with a strong focus on protecting and advocating for keystone species.
Sylvie Chantecaille is a prominent figure in the beauty industry, renowned for her innovative approach to integrating botanicals with advanced science in skincare and cosmetics
She is the visionary founder of Chantecaille Beauté, a luxury skincare and cosmetics brand renowned for its high-quality botanical ingredients and dedication to environmental philanthropy.
Born and raised in Paris, she studied art history and theater before relocating to New York City in the 1970s. There, she co-founded a cosmetics company with designer Diane von Furstenberg, developing the successful fragrance “Tatiana.”
In 1979, she launched Prescriptives under Estée Lauder, introducing groundbreaking concepts like custom-blend foundation shades.
In 1998, Sylvie founded Chantecaille Beauté as a small fragrance house, introducing four unique scents crafted from natural essential oils. Over the years, the brand has grown into a multimillion-dollar franchise, launching numerous limited-edition collections to support global wildlife conservation efforts, raising over $3 million (Kshs 387 million) for various charities.
In September 2021, German multinational Beiersdorf AG, the parent company of Nivea, announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Chantecaille Beauté Inc., USA.
At the time, the company was projected to close 2021 with $100 million (approximately Ksh 12.9 billion) in sales.
In 2022, Sylvie, driven by her deep passion for animals, decided to launch the Chantecaille Conservation Foundation (CCF) alongside her husband, Olivier. Through Chantecaille Beauté, the foundation has supported organizations such as The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, WideCast, the FairWild Standard, Space for Giants, and, most recently, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
In 2019, Sylvie was honored by CEW as an Achiever Award Honoree, the beauty industry’s highest recognition for excellence in business and leadership.
In 2021, the brand was valued between $590 million (Kshs 76.1 billion) and $690 million (Kshs 89.0 billion).
Today, Chantecaille remains a family-run business, with Sylvie’s children actively involved in various aspects of the company, continuing its legacy of combining luxury beauty products with a commitment to environmental conservation.
