Edgewell Beats Estimates, Warn of Inflation Pressure
Edgewell Personal Care posted second‑quarter net sales of $519.5 million, up 0.6% and ahead of the $516.4 million consensus, while adjusted earnings per share topped analyst forecasts. Grooming brand Cremo led growth with a 6.3% increase, but adjusted gross margin slipped 310 basis points to 43.4% amid inflation, tariffs and a shift toward lower‑margin products. Operating income fell sharply to $18.4 million year‑on‑year, reflecting restructuring charges and higher costs. The company kept its full‑year EPS guidance of $1.70‑$2.10 and expects flat to modest organic sales growth.
The Influencers That Make Men Shop for Beauty
Male beauty consumption is accelerating as Gen‑Z influencers like TikTok star Bach Buquen and Dwayne Johnson’s Papatui brand normalize makeup and premium skincare for men. Wellness clubs such as Remedy Place are rebranding spa experiences to attract male members, while...
A.P.C. Names New Artistic Director Amid Flux
The luxury and fashion sector saw a flurry of high‑profile moves this week, from Jeff and Lauren Bezos serving as honorary chairs of the Met Gala to Chanel reclaiming the top spot on the Lyst Index after Matthieu Blazy’s Biarritz cruise. Edgewell...
Coty Reinstates Annual Profit Target, Warns of Middle East Challenges
Coty reinstated its 2026 adjusted earnings‑per‑share target at 33‑35 cents, outpacing the 27‑cent consensus, after a February pull‑back of its outlook. The beauty group posted a Q3 net loss of $411.4 million and adjusted loss of 3 cents per share, while revenue edged...
MCo Beauty Parent Company Appoints Global CEO
DBG Beauty, the Australian parent of MCo Beauty, has named former Stila CEO Michelle Kluz as its global chief executive. Kluz will oversee a portfolio that includes MCo Beauty, Nude by Nature, Esmi Minerals and Poni, and drive a platform strategy of acquisitions and brand incubation....
How to Sell Aspiration in 2026
Brands in 2026 are redefining aspiration by blending exclusivity with inclusivity, as seen in Nike’s high‑profile women’s “So Win” campaign and American Eagle’s year‑long partnership with Sydney Sweeney and Travis Kelce. The Met Gala, co‑chaired by Beyoncé and Jeff Bezos, underscores...
How Chanel Became the Hottest Brand in Fashion
Chanel surged to the top of the Lyst Index after its Biarritz cruise collection, propelled by Matthieu Blazy’s refreshed aesthetic. The designer’s modern take has ignited a wave of consumer enthusiasm dubbed “Blazymania,” especially among Gen Z shoppers. While the hype is...
The BoF Podcast | Inside Dries Van Noten’s Venice Manifesto
Renowned Belgian designer Dries Van Noten has stepped away from his eponymous label to launch a cultural foundation housed in Venice’s 15th‑century Palazzo Pisani Moretta. The initiative shifts his focus from seasonal collections to preserving craftsmanship, fostering collaborations with artisans,...
Zegna Revenues Rise 7.4%
Ermenegildo Zegna reported first‑quarter revenue of €470.2 million (about $549 million), surpassing the €464 million consensus. The increase represents a 7.4% organic rise, driven primarily by a 17.5% surge in the Americas and a 5.3% gain in greater China. At current exchange rates the...
The Debrief | Why Some Retailers Are Ignoring the Internet
A growing niche of fashion boutiques, such as Ven. Space and Dot Reeder, are deliberately limiting their digital footprints to escape soaring customer‑acquisition costs and costly returns. These retailers rely on hyper‑local intimacy, in‑store purchasing, and meticulously curated assortments that...
LVMH Watch Boss Sees Jean Arnault as Best Candidate for His Role
Jean‑Christophe Babin, head of LVMH’s watch division, is preparing for a phased retirement and has identified 27‑year‑old Jean Arnault as his preferred successor. Arnault, Bernard Arnault’s youngest son, currently oversees Louis Vuitton’s watch category and brings engineering credentials from Imperial...
Want to Win China? Start On RedNote.
RedNote, China’s home‑grown short‑form video platform, has attracted more than 500,000 new users as speculation mounts over a potential TikTok ban in the United States. The app is re‑engineering its content and feature set to appeal to a global audience,...
Why People Hate AI
The fashion industry is grappling with AI, from luxury brands like Prada facing consumer backlash over AI‑generated imagery to retailers such as Revolve betting on a “culture of AI” for growth. Pixel Moda showcases a human‑led model that creates 14 million...
Case Study | How to Build a Forever Beauty Brand
The case study examines why many hot‑trend beauty labels fade quickly and outlines a framework for building a "forever" brand. It stresses that longevity requires differentiation, consistent visual storytelling, and superior product performance rather than chasing fleeting trends. Insights from...
Adidas Gets Running Lift in London From Two Sub-2-Hour Marathons
Adidas celebrated a major win as its new $500 Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoe helped Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe and Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha break the two‑hour barrier at the London Marathon. Sawe set a world‑record 1:59:30, while Kejelcha finished just 11...
US Consumer Sentiment Drops to Record Low in April
The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell to a record low of 49.8 in April, edging up slightly from an early‑month trough of 47.6 but still well below March’s 53.3 and Reuters’ 48.0 forecast. The decline was driven by...
Euro Zone Price Spike Seen Surging Higher in Second Month of War
Euro‑zone inflation is expected to hit 3 percent in April, the highest level in two‑and‑a‑half years, as the Iran‑Israel conflict disrupts energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. The reading would sit a full percentage point above the European Central Bank’s...
Will Prada’s Winning Streak Continue?
Bernard Arnault reiterated confidence in LVMH, yet the group posted flat first‑quarter sales and a roughly 15 % share‑price decline, sparking renewed succession concerns. The broader luxury sector is also under pressure, with weak Q1 results from Kering and Hermès deepening worries...
Saks Settles Fight With Simon Property, Cuts Deal With Creditors
Bankrupt luxury retailer Saks Global Enterprises reached settlements with landlord Simon Property Group and its main creditor groups, clearing key hurdles in its Chapter 11 case. The Simon agreement resolves unpaid‑rent claims and averts closure of two flagship stores, while the...
The BoF Podcast | Britt Moran on Why Atmosphere Is a Real Luxury Product
Britt Moran, co‑founder of DimoreStudio, explains that luxury hospitality and home design sell an "atmosphere" rather than individual furniture pieces. He argues that Italy’s Brianza manufacturing cluster provides an unrivaled quality‑to‑price edge for brands expanding into the lifestyle sector. Moran...
As Brands Get Tariff Refunds, What Do They Owe Their Customers?
Retail sales in the UK rose modestly in March, with textile, clothing and footwear stores up 1.2% and department stores up 1.1% after the Iran‑related fuel‑price shock. At the same time, a wave of independent retailers is deliberately shunning e‑commerce,...
Nike to Cut Around 1,400 Jobs in Efficiency Push
Nike announced it will eliminate about 1,400 positions, representing just under 2% of its global workforce of roughly 77,800 employees. The cuts focus primarily on technology roles within the company’s global operations team as part of a broader efficiency drive....
How ‘Millennial Cringe’ Is Reshaping Makeup
The beauty industry is moving beyond the "clean girl" minimalism that dominated the past few years, with a resurgence of bold, maximalist looks and a notable comeback for eyeshadow. Consumers are gravitating toward vibrant colors, fluffy brows and playful freckles,...
What Watch CEOs Said in Geneva
At Geneva Watch Week, Audemars Piguet made a high‑profile return after a two‑year absence, unveiling a limited‑edition piece and signaling renewed confidence in the Swiss capital. In contrast, heavyweight brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe stayed away, reflecting market caution. CEOs...
L’Oréal’s Quarterly Sales up 6.7 Percent on Growth in US, Emerging Markets
L’Oréal reported first‑quarter sales of €12.2 billion ($14.3 billion), a 6.7% year‑on‑year increase. Growth was driven by premium hair care and perfume demand in North America and emerging markets, offsetting a slowdown in the Middle East. The company highlighted double‑digit growth in...
What Stood Out at Salone
At Milan Design Week, curator Martina Mondadori highlighted the most compelling installations, including Dimorestudio’s adaptable retail space, Osanna Visconti’s striking bronze sculptures, and Laila Gohar’s whimsical merry‑go‑round created for Arket. The selections underscored a shift toward experiential, tactile environments that...
Zara Workers Urge Fashion Chain to Stop Plan Cutting Local Wages
Inditex workers in A Coruña have asked Zara’s parent to stop the ARTE labour agreement that would standardise pay across Spain. The draft could slash new‑hire salaries by €5,000 ($5,875) a year and strip local bonuses and transport support. Employees argue...
Haus Labs and ArdAzAei Are Hiring on BoF Careers
Haus Labs, Lady Gaga’s vegan, high‑tech cosmetics label, announced new openings for a social content creator, an associate manager of product marketing and additional roles in El Segundo, Los Angeles. Paris‑based couture house ArdAzAei, founded by Bahareh Ardakani, is hiring an e‑commerce manager and...
Is the World Cup the Sure Bet Sportswear Thinks It Is?
Sportswear giant Nike continues its post‑Elliott Hill turnaround, but analysts say the recovery feels incomplete and investor patience is thinning. In China, a flood of foreign activewear brands is igniting a sneaker war as the country experiences an outdoor‑sports boom,...
Kering Aims to Double Profitability, Reignite Gucci with New Strategy
Kering announced a mid‑term goal to lift its operating margin above 22% and achieve a return on capital employed over 20%, effectively more than doubling current profitability. The plan hinges on a group‑wide efficiency drive, stable capital spending at 5‑6%...
Authentic Brands Group Is Bringing Barneys Back
Authentic Brands Group, the owner of Juicy Couture, Brooks Brothers and Forever 21, plans to revive Barneys New York at its former Madison Avenue flagship. The move follows the 2019 $271 million purchase of Barneys’ intellectual property and a failed licensing partnership with...
Nike’s Reality Check | The Debrief
Nike’s new CEO Elliot Hill, back in October 2024, is still fighting a deep earnings slump. The latest quarterly results missed expectations and the company warned of another down quarter, eroding investor patience. While Nike remains the largest sports‑wear brand,...
Tory Burch Seeks Loan to Buy Back General Atlantic’s Stake
Tory Burch LLC is arranging a $700 million leveraged loan to fund the repurchase of General Atlantic’s stake, allocating $346 million for the buy‑out. The loan, priced at 98.5 cents on the dollar, carries a 3.75‑4 percentage‑point spread over the benchmark and is accompanied...
Ralph Lauren’s Grip Loosens on Tennis
The Australian Open swaps its long‑standing title sponsor Ralph Lauren for Hugo Boss, marking a strategic shift toward luxury‑sport branding. Tory Burch seeks a $346 million loan to repurchase General Atlantic’s stake, reflecting a broader trend of luxury retailers using debt to regain control....
Givaudan Can Manage the Effects of War in the Middle East Short Term, CEO Says
Givaudan’s new CEO says the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict has not materially disrupted the Swiss fragrance and flavour maker’s operations so far. The company is absorbing inflationary pressure on freight and logistics by planning coordinated price hikes with customers. The Middle East...
Report: Luxury Sales Dropped 30-50% in March at Mall of the Emirates
Luxury sales at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates plunged between 30% and 50% in March, the steepest decline since the mall opened. The drop aligns with heightened regional conflict, reduced tourist arrivals, and softer consumer confidence across the Gulf. Analysts...
BoF Professional Masterclass | The Fashion Marketer’s Guide to AI
The Business of Fashion will host a Professional Masterclass on April 15, focusing on how AI has become a core component of fashion marketing and offering practical frameworks for its implementation. The event features case‑study author Haley Crawford, BoF editor Marc Bain,...
Hugo Boss Bets on Tennis With Australian Open Partnership
Hugo Boss has signed a multi‑year partnership to become the official apparel sponsor of the Australian Open, starting with the 2024 tournament. The deal brings the German label's branding to courtside signage, player wardrobes and a line of co‑created merchandise sold...
Case Study | The Fashion Marketer’s Guide to AI
Fashion and beauty brands are integrating artificial intelligence across the entire marketing funnel. Luxury houses such as Prada and Valentino have launched AI‑driven campaigns that cut through clutter, while beauty label Beekman 1802 is positioning its products to dominate AI‑powered search...
Ask Imran Anything: On Boring Fashion, the Meaning of Luxury and Building Outside the System | The BoF Podcast
In a candid AMA, Business of Fashion founder Imran Amed reflects on fashion’s current creative revival, the evolving meaning of luxury, and the collapse of traditional gatekeeper models. He highlights a wave of high‑profile creative‑director hires at houses like Chanel...
As De Beers Bid Deadline Looms, Botswana Pushes for Control
Botswana, which currently owns 15% of diamond giant De Beers, is moving to increase its stake to a controlling majority as the company’s bid deadline approaches. The government aims to acquire more than 50% of the firm, a deal that would...
Luxury’s Q1: A Turnaround Test
The luxury sector opened Q1 with a mix of leadership shake‑ups and strong sales. Dolce & Gabbana co‑founder Stefano Gabbana resigned as chair, putting his 40% stake under creditor scrutiny, while Brunello Cucinelli posted a 14% revenue rise driven by...
K18 Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
K18, the biotechnology hair‑care brand, announced the appointment of Kleo Mack as its chief marketing officer, effective April 8. Mack succeeds Audrey Dorfman and arrives from Shark Beauty, where she served as senior vice president and CMO, after senior roles at...
How Gen Z’s Personal Style Obsession Is Changing Fashion
The request references an article titled “Why Luxury Needs to Rethink How It Speaks to Gen Z” from Business of Fashion, but the provided text contains only navigation links, image captions, and related‑article teasers without any substantive content. Without the article’s body,...
Help Define the Most Desirable Fashion and Beauty Companies of 2026
The Business of Fashion (BoF) has launched its annual 2026 survey to pinpoint the most desirable fashion and beauty employers, emphasizing AI’s influence on daily work and evolving compensation standards. The brief, 5‑6‑minute questionnaire invites over 1,000 global professionals to...
Dispatches From Shanghai: Inside China’s New Luxury Landscape
The Business of Fashion roundup reveals a reshaping of luxury as Shanghai’s fashion week incubates designers eyeing global markets, while Chinese heritage‑gold houses such as Laopu Gold post soaring profits. Chinese creators are expanding beyond the West, tapping sourcing hubs...
Etsy Bans Fur From Its Listings
Etsy announced it will prohibit all animal‑fur listings on its marketplace starting August 11, 2024, after a sustained activist campaign. The Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade staged over 50 protests in 17 cities, including a disruption of Etsy’s investor presentation....
Faye McLeod on Luxury World-Building, One Window at a Time | The BoF Podcast
Faye McLeod, former Louis Vuitton visual director, explains how luxury window displays serve as democratic, street‑level brand communication. She credits a childhood accident that forced her into a confined space for shaping her instinct for contained‑space design. McLeod emphasizes that...
Exclusive: Can Skims’ Marketing Whiz Make Columbia Sportswear Cool?
Columbia Sportswear announced the appointment of Skims’ former chief marketing officer to spearhead a brand revamp aimed at younger, fashion‑forward consumers. The new executive will shift Columbia’s messaging from pure performance gear to a lifestyle‑centric narrative, leveraging influencer collaborations and...
Maria Laura Neves Appointed Editor in Chief of Vogue Brasil
Maria Laura Neves has been appointed the permanent editor‑in‑chief of Vogue Brasil, a role she has held on an interim basis since February following Paula Merlo’s departure. Neves joined Vogue Brasil in 2021 as deputy editor after a tenure as...