Memories from CA member JACQUES PÉRUSSE (Sovanic – TEAlogy CDN Inc.)
Yvon Lafrenière, a legend of the Canadian Beauty industry passed away on January 5, 2023. He will be missed by his family, friends and members of the industry. Those who knew him will remember Yvon as a generous, engaged and passionate industry leader.
As President of Hertd & Charton (then the largest independent distributor of international beauty brands in Canada) he contributed to shaping what the industry is now today. Under Yvon’s leadership, from Coty to Lanvin and Yves Saint-Laurent amongst many others, Hertd & Charton’s brands and products became market leaders.
Three major things come to my mind in remembering all the years that Yvon and I sailed side by side as friendly competitors are as follows:
- Year one of the foundation of Prestilux, as illustrated in the picture below from 1971, Yvon and his wife Andrée were kindly guiding my father and mother into the meanders of our industry association then called the TGMA;
- As a member of the CCFTA Board of Directors and Chair in the early 1990’s, Yvon had invited me to join the association board and I owe him my involvement in our industry association.
- Yvon was a true Canadian and a proud veteran of the Royal Canadian Airforce. As a French speaking Quebecer, he always encouraged our industry association to act ethically and respect our francophone constituents by addressing the membership in both official languages.
Obituary – Lafrenière, Yvon – La Corporation des thanatologues du Québec (domainefuneraire.com)
Left to Right: Jean Dagenais-Pérusse (Prestilux founder); Denyse Dagenais-Pérusse; Yvon Lafrenière (Herdt & Charton/Chanel); Andrée Lafrenière
