The original idea of Creme 21 arose during the late 60’s when the cosmetic industry was changing its sales and distribution channels. Up till then cosmetics and skincare products were only available in specialty stores, such as drugstores or large department stores with a very wide range of products. Henkel took advantage of the changing trends in the retail of consumer goods, such as supermarkets and discount stores, and started a project called "Lebenmitteleinzelhandel-Kosmetik", which basically means "Cosmetics in the food retail trade".
The objective was to develop several products that could be sold on a self-service basis.
One of them was Creme 21!
The typical orange color of Creme 21 as well as its distinct plastic packaging represented modernity and were especially progressive at the time. Also the number 21 has symbolic meaning: In that time 21 was still the legal age in Germany (today it's 18) and expressed that Creme 21 was offered for everyone, young and old, male and female, and for the entire family!
Revolving around Creme 21
Despite its disappearance from the German market in 1986 the brand Creme 21 remained a well-known name for many people and served as a source of inspiration for several projects and activities around the brand!
Creme 21 Youngtimer Rallye
The attitude around Creme 21 and in the 70’s was very exceptional: a combination of light-heartedness combined with a special understanding of fashion and lifestyle! We all remember the tie-dyed t-shirts, the long hair, the bell-bottom pants, psychedelic rugs, disco balls….but also the wild, apple-green Porsche 911 Targa or the distinctive and indestructible Mercedes /8 as well as the Citroën CX and its dashboard that looked as if it came straight from a science fiction movie…
This is what inspired the Youngtimer Club e.V. to organize the annual Creme 21 Youngtimer Rallye.
In order to sign up you must own a car that is at least 21 years old! Interested? For further information log on to www.creme21-rallye.de
Creme 21 - The band
The band “Creme 21” is also originally from the German Rhein-Main area, just like the
Creme 21 GmbH! Although it no longer exists today, the band is still well-known for its hits such as the remake of an old Rudi Carell classic “Wann wird’s mal wieder richtig Sommer?”
See www.1und20.de for more information!