Vie at Home
Encyclopedia
Vie at Home previously known as The Virgin Cosmetics Company and Virgin Vie At Home, was relaunched in early 2009 under the leadership of original founders Ros Simmons
and Ratan Daryani, following a management buy out from the Virgin Group
. A German company Network World Alliance, led by founder Helmut Spikker acquired the company in December 2010. Vie At Home specialises in the direct selling
of make up, skin care, body care, jewellery
and homeware.
, West Sussex
, England
, Vie at Home (then known as The Virgin Cosmetics Company) first launched in 1997 with the objective of selling their products in retail outlets and through party plan selling.
January 1997
In 1997, Richard Branson
set up Virgin Cosmetics, selling cosmetics
, skin care and bath & body products through direct selling party plan, retail stores, and mail order. Aiming to open 100 stores in 5 years.
February 1997
Virgin Cosmetics appoints Ros Simmons
as Marketing Director in preparation for the launch of the business.
February 1999
Having struggled to make an impact on the high street Virgin Vie, in its second major redesign in less than a year, rebranded its stores as ’Virgin Cosmetics’.
March 1999
Sales at parent company Victory Corporation, which launched Virgin Vie and Virgin Clothing in 1997, remain sluggish. Victory’s set of results
for the year to March 31 showed a pounds 18.7m loss.
October 2000
Virgin Cosmetics celebrates its 1,000,000th customer.
April 2001
Virgin Cosmetics announces deal with Luxasia pte Ltd, as a distributor for the Asia region. The licence covered Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, India and China.
February 2002
Virgin Vie Spa Treatment Rooms open in Cape Town
, South Africa.
October 2002
Five years on, Virgin Cosmetics has grown to 7000 consultants.
April 2003
Virgin Cosmetics withdraws from Asia. All nine stores in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore are closed.
May 2003
Virgin Cosmetics receives the Direct Selling Association
(DSA) Award for its contributions to direct selling.
September 2003
Virgin Cosmetics Factory Outlets open across the UK.
June 2004
For the second year running, Virgin Cosmetics wins the Innovation and Excellence Award at the Direct Selling Association
Award Ceremony in London.
January 2005
Virgin Cosmetics launches their own jewellery range.
February 2005
Virgin Cosmetics wins 'Direct Sales Team of the Year Award' at the 2005 National Sales Awards.
September 2005
The Virgin Cosmetics Company launches their first Direct Selling Business abroad, recruiting over 1000 consultants in just 12 months in South Africa
.
September 2006
To encompass the launch of jewellery and another new category launching, Virgin Cosmetics is rebranded to Virgin Vie At Home.
December 2006
Virgin Vie At Home launches its direct selling concept in the United Arab Emirates
.
September 2007
Virgin Vie At Home launches a new homeware range and a new look website.
January 2009
Virgin Vie At Home re-launches as Vie at Home after the Virgin Group pays out £8.8million of 'Brand Protection' money and writes off £21million worth of loans to the company. This was paid for the protection of the Virgin brand in the event that the new management team fail in turning the company around.
April 2010
VIE at home is nominated for 4 awards at the DSA
Annual Awards however wins none. Ros Simmons is also nominated for a First Woman Awards in the Retail and Consumer section
May 2010
VIE at home announces they will be working with Arlene Phillips
on a Make Up range for Autumn. This is the first time VIE at home has worked with a Celebrity
September 2010
VIE at home launches their first TV campaign looking to recruit 4000 additional Consultants. Ros Simmons
, chief executive of Vie at Home, says the campaign is about selling the experience and lifestyle of the Vie at Home brand as well as its products.
“We’re trying to change the image of party plan and direct selling, and make it a modern and acceptable way to buy cosmetics and to start selling,” she adds.
Simmons explains that the ad features four real Vie consultants to “convey the energy and sisterhood of being part of a organisation that is predominantly run by women for women”.
December 2010
Helmut Spikker announces his acquisition of VIE at home through his company Network World Alliance. It is also announced that the warehousing facility would be moved from Stockton-on-Tees
to Ahlen
, Germany.
January 2011
On 20 January 2011 it was announced HMRC began the process of winding the company up in the High Court, London. The action was dismissed on Wednesday 2 February 2011. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/82/VIE_at_home.pdf
On 7 January 2011 Ratan Daryani, previous Chairman and owner resigns from the business.
April 2011
It is announced that on 31 May 2011 Vie will cease trading in Germany having launched in the market during September 2009.
May 2011
On 23 May 2011 Ros Simmons
, CEO, resigns from the Board of Directors.
May 2011
The company is well over-due filing company accounts, as can be seen on Companies House "Last Accounts Made Up To: (NO ACCOUNTS FILED)
Next Accounts Due: 20/10/2010 OVERDUE
July 2011
A major restructuring takes place in the VIE group, the Aromatherapy, Homeware and Jewellery lines are all being discontinued whilst the company plan to integrate with its new owners Network World Alliance.
August 2011
Vie at home Ltd. files for liquidation, writing off over £2million worth of debt to suppliers and HMRC. The brand 'Vie at home' continues to trade under another company Vie Cosmetics Group Ltd. using new suppliers, particularly in logistics (as they are writing off a debt to Interlink of £16k) and £12k to their PR Agency plus their design agency of £37k Their Cosmetics were historically bought by another group company (Vie Cosmetics (Purchasing) Ltd.) this company is also in administration and explains why they have not declared any monies owed to the manufacturers of their product.
September 2011
On 16 September 2011 it was proposed the holding company and owner of the brand 'VIE' was struck off of the Register of Companies, having never submitted acccounts since the Group was removed from the Virgin Group
in December 2008.
On 26 September 2011 the Administrators of the purchasing company (VCP) issued a Statement. The document explains the Directors (Ros Simmons
and Ratan Daryani) had been trying to sell the group since it was bought from Virgin Group
in 2008. The company owes among other, it's outsourced warehouse company £680,000, the Centre de Recherches Biocosmetic £191,501.98, Intercos Italia S.P.A 123,914.40, Schwan-Stabilio Cosmetics GMBH £117,728.30. The total amount owing by the company is £5,219,301.74. The Administrator notes there is little liklehood of anyone other than the Warehouse (Who have exercised their right to take charge of the companies stock in exchange for payment) receiving payment.
is CLIC Sargent
who they have supported since 2006. As of 2009, the partnership has raised in excess of £320,000 through fundraising at Vie at Home Parties and online sales of jewellery and make-up. Consultants have also in the past been involved in fundraising treks to Thailand
and Cuba
.
, jewellery
and homeware.
The cosmetics
range consists of skin care, make up, bath & body and aromatherapy
products.
The jewellery
range is designed in-house. A new collection is launched at spring, summer and autumn/winter.
The homeware range has two launches per year - one for summer and one for winter. The product range consists of soft furnishings for the home including pillows, throws, picture frames, candles, bed linen and bathroom
accessories.
Ros Simmons
Ros Simmons is a British businesswoman. She was the CEO of Vie at Home, a company for which she worked since it was launched in 1997, starting out as Marketing Director. In late 2008, Simmons successfully led a management buyout of the company, formerly known as Virgin Vie At Home, from Virgin...
and Ratan Daryani, following a management buy out from the Virgin Group
Virgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
. A German company Network World Alliance, led by founder Helmut Spikker acquired the company in December 2010. Vie At Home specialises in the direct selling
Direct selling
Direct selling is the marketing and selling of products directly to consumers away from a fixed retail location. Peddling is the oldest form of direct selling. Modern direct selling includes sales made through the party plan, one-on-one demonstrations, and other personal contact arrangements as...
of make up, skin care, body care, jewellery
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
and homeware.
History
Based in ChichesterChichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
, West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Vie at Home (then known as The Virgin Cosmetics Company) first launched in 1997 with the objective of selling their products in retail outlets and through party plan selling.
January 1997
In 1997, Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
set up Virgin Cosmetics, selling cosmetics
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
, skin care and bath & body products through direct selling party plan, retail stores, and mail order. Aiming to open 100 stores in 5 years.
February 1997
Virgin Cosmetics appoints Ros Simmons
Ros Simmons
Ros Simmons is a British businesswoman. She was the CEO of Vie at Home, a company for which she worked since it was launched in 1997, starting out as Marketing Director. In late 2008, Simmons successfully led a management buyout of the company, formerly known as Virgin Vie At Home, from Virgin...
as Marketing Director in preparation for the launch of the business.
February 1999
Having struggled to make an impact on the high street Virgin Vie, in its second major redesign in less than a year, rebranded its stores as ’Virgin Cosmetics’.
March 1999
Sales at parent company Victory Corporation, which launched Virgin Vie and Virgin Clothing in 1997, remain sluggish. Victory’s set of results
for the year to March 31 showed a pounds 18.7m loss.
October 2000
Virgin Cosmetics celebrates its 1,000,000th customer.
April 2001
Virgin Cosmetics announces deal with Luxasia pte Ltd, as a distributor for the Asia region. The licence covered Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, India and China.
February 2002
Virgin Vie Spa Treatment Rooms open in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa.
October 2002
Five years on, Virgin Cosmetics has grown to 7000 consultants.
April 2003
Virgin Cosmetics withdraws from Asia. All nine stores in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore are closed.
May 2003
Virgin Cosmetics receives the Direct Selling Association
Direct Selling Association
The Direct Selling Association is the name of several similar trade associations in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and New Zealand that represent direct selling companies, including those that use multi-level marketing compensation plans or party plan product...
(DSA) Award for its contributions to direct selling.
September 2003
Virgin Cosmetics Factory Outlets open across the UK.
June 2004
For the second year running, Virgin Cosmetics wins the Innovation and Excellence Award at the Direct Selling Association
Direct Selling Association
The Direct Selling Association is the name of several similar trade associations in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and New Zealand that represent direct selling companies, including those that use multi-level marketing compensation plans or party plan product...
Award Ceremony in London.
January 2005
Virgin Cosmetics launches their own jewellery range.
February 2005
Virgin Cosmetics wins 'Direct Sales Team of the Year Award' at the 2005 National Sales Awards.
September 2005
The Virgin Cosmetics Company launches their first Direct Selling Business abroad, recruiting over 1000 consultants in just 12 months in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
September 2006
To encompass the launch of jewellery and another new category launching, Virgin Cosmetics is rebranded to Virgin Vie At Home.
December 2006
Virgin Vie At Home launches its direct selling concept in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
.
September 2007
Virgin Vie At Home launches a new homeware range and a new look website.
January 2009
Virgin Vie At Home re-launches as Vie at Home after the Virgin Group pays out £8.8million of 'Brand Protection' money and writes off £21million worth of loans to the company. This was paid for the protection of the Virgin brand in the event that the new management team fail in turning the company around.
April 2010
VIE at home is nominated for 4 awards at the DSA
Direct Selling Association
The Direct Selling Association is the name of several similar trade associations in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and New Zealand that represent direct selling companies, including those that use multi-level marketing compensation plans or party plan product...
Annual Awards however wins none. Ros Simmons is also nominated for a First Woman Awards in the Retail and Consumer section
May 2010
VIE at home announces they will be working with Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips
Arlene Phillips OBE is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer, who has worked in many fields of entertainment...
on a Make Up range for Autumn. This is the first time VIE at home has worked with a Celebrity
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
September 2010
VIE at home launches their first TV campaign looking to recruit 4000 additional Consultants. Ros Simmons
Ros Simmons
Ros Simmons is a British businesswoman. She was the CEO of Vie at Home, a company for which she worked since it was launched in 1997, starting out as Marketing Director. In late 2008, Simmons successfully led a management buyout of the company, formerly known as Virgin Vie At Home, from Virgin...
, chief executive of Vie at Home, says the campaign is about selling the experience and lifestyle of the Vie at Home brand as well as its products.
“We’re trying to change the image of party plan and direct selling, and make it a modern and acceptable way to buy cosmetics and to start selling,” she adds.
Simmons explains that the ad features four real Vie consultants to “convey the energy and sisterhood of being part of a organisation that is predominantly run by women for women”.
December 2010
Helmut Spikker announces his acquisition of VIE at home through his company Network World Alliance. It is also announced that the warehousing facility would be moved from Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees is a market town in north east England. It is the major settlement in the unitary authority and borough of Stockton-on-Tees. For ceremonial purposes, the borough is split between County Durham and North Yorkshire as it also incorporates a number of smaller towns including...
to Ahlen
Ahlen
Ahlen is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is part of the District of Warendorf and is economically the most important town in that district. Ahlen is part of the larger Münster region, and of the historic Münsterland area....
, Germany.
January 2011
On 20 January 2011 it was announced HMRC began the process of winding the company up in the High Court, London. The action was dismissed on Wednesday 2 February 2011. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/82/VIE_at_home.pdf
On 7 January 2011 Ratan Daryani, previous Chairman and owner resigns from the business.
April 2011
It is announced that on 31 May 2011 Vie will cease trading in Germany having launched in the market during September 2009.
May 2011
On 23 May 2011 Ros Simmons
Ros Simmons
Ros Simmons is a British businesswoman. She was the CEO of Vie at Home, a company for which she worked since it was launched in 1997, starting out as Marketing Director. In late 2008, Simmons successfully led a management buyout of the company, formerly known as Virgin Vie At Home, from Virgin...
, CEO, resigns from the Board of Directors.
May 2011
The company is well over-due filing company accounts, as can be seen on Companies House "Last Accounts Made Up To: (NO ACCOUNTS FILED)
Next Accounts Due: 20/10/2010 OVERDUE
July 2011
A major restructuring takes place in the VIE group, the Aromatherapy, Homeware and Jewellery lines are all being discontinued whilst the company plan to integrate with its new owners Network World Alliance.
August 2011
Vie at home Ltd. files for liquidation, writing off over £2million worth of debt to suppliers and HMRC. The brand 'Vie at home' continues to trade under another company Vie Cosmetics Group Ltd. using new suppliers, particularly in logistics (as they are writing off a debt to Interlink of £16k) and £12k to their PR Agency plus their design agency of £37k Their Cosmetics were historically bought by another group company (Vie Cosmetics (Purchasing) Ltd.) this company is also in administration and explains why they have not declared any monies owed to the manufacturers of their product.
September 2011
On 16 September 2011 it was proposed the holding company and owner of the brand 'VIE' was struck off of the Register of Companies, having never submitted acccounts since the Group was removed from the Virgin Group
Virgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
in December 2008.
On 26 September 2011 the Administrators of the purchasing company (VCP) issued a Statement. The document explains the Directors (Ros Simmons
Ros Simmons
Ros Simmons is a British businesswoman. She was the CEO of Vie at Home, a company for which she worked since it was launched in 1997, starting out as Marketing Director. In late 2008, Simmons successfully led a management buyout of the company, formerly known as Virgin Vie At Home, from Virgin...
and Ratan Daryani) had been trying to sell the group since it was bought from Virgin Group
Virgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
in 2008. The company owes among other, it's outsourced warehouse company £680,000, the Centre de Recherches Biocosmetic £191,501.98, Intercos Italia S.P.A 123,914.40, Schwan-Stabilio Cosmetics GMBH £117,728.30. The total amount owing by the company is £5,219,301.74. The Administrator notes there is little liklehood of anyone other than the Warehouse (Who have exercised their right to take charge of the companies stock in exchange for payment) receiving payment.
Vie at Home today
Vie at Home is no longer a member of the DSA (Direct Selling Association) with over 8,000 consultants earning an income through home party selling.Charity
Vie at Home's supported charityCharitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
is CLIC Sargent
CLIC Sargent
CLIC Sargent is charity in the United Kingdom that was formed by the merger of Sargent Cancer Care for Children and Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood in 2005. The charity specializes in providing support for children with cancer....
who they have supported since 2006. As of 2009, the partnership has raised in excess of £320,000 through fundraising at Vie at Home Parties and online sales of jewellery and make-up. Consultants have also in the past been involved in fundraising treks to Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
.
Products
Vie at Home specialize in cosmeticsCosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
, jewellery
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
and homeware.
The cosmetics
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
range consists of skin care, make up, bath & body and aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health....
products.
The jewellery
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
range is designed in-house. A new collection is launched at spring, summer and autumn/winter.
The homeware range has two launches per year - one for summer and one for winter. The product range consists of soft furnishings for the home including pillows, throws, picture frames, candles, bed linen and bathroom
Bathroom
A bathroom is a room for bathing in containing a bathtub and/or a shower and optionally a toilet, a sink/hand basin/wash basin and possibly also a bidet....
accessories.