Creation of Unilever Cosmetics International

Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
7 March 2000


                  UNILEVER CREATES NEW COMPANY
     TO POSITION FOR GROWTH IN GLOBAL PRESTIGE BEAUTY MARKET


Unilever announced today that it has created a new company,
Unilever Cosmetics International, to extend its global portfolio
of prestige beauty and fragrance brands.

'The demand for luxury fragrance and cosmetics products is on the
rise around the world,' said Charles B. Strauss, president of
Unilever Home & Personal Care- North America, 'and Unilever must
move decisively to understand and respond to the needs and
desires of our consumers.   The establishment of Unilever
Cosmetics International is a solid indication of Unilever's
commitment to the category.  Our goal is to rapidly expand the
Unilever portfolio of global brands to achieve top-tier status in
important markets around the world.'

Paulanne Mancuso, currently president and CEO of Calvin Klein
Cosmetics Company (CKCC), a Unilever company, becomes president
and CEO of Unilever Cosmetics International.  The new company is
headquartered in New York City.

Unilever Cosmetics International comprises two distinct business
units:  Calvin Klein Cosmetics which will continue to operate as
a separate unit with its own dedicated product development,
marketing and sales organisation; and a new unit, Unilever
Prestige, dedicated to the development of fragrance and beauty
brands.  Sheila Cutner, currently senior vice president, Global
Marketing and Communications, CKCC, has been named president for
Calvin Klein Cosmetics.  Laura Lee Miller, currently senior vice
president, Prestige Strategic Planning and Business Development,
Unilever Home & Personal Care-North America, will become
president of Unilever Prestige.  The first action of the new
Unilever Prestige business unit will be to develop and market
fragrance and beauty brands under the Nautica brand name, as
recently announced.
   
'This year we are embarking on an intensive growth and innovation
strategy which includes the launch of a new Nautica fragrance.
In addition our successful Calvin Klein business will be
supported by the introduction of a full line of colour cosmetics
and a new Calvin Klein fragrance launch,' said Mancuso.

At this time no additional licensing agreements have been
confirmed, although there will be additional announcements in the
near future.

Unilever also markets fine fragrances and cosmetics globally
through its Elizabeth Arden Company.  The operations of Elizabeth
Arden will be unaffected by the formation of the new business
unit.  In addition to the Elizabeth Arden brand the Elizabeth
Arden Company also markets a significant portfolio of prestige
fragrances - Cerruti, Chloe, Faberge, Lagerfeld, Scherrer,
Elizabeth Taylor and Valentino.