Luxury Headlines – 25/05/2026
Luxury Headlines – 25/05/2026
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Marquee Brands Acquires Majority Stake in Roberto Cavalli
Brand management firm Marquee Brands has agreed to acquire a majority stake in the Italian luxury house Roberto Cavalli from Dubai-based Damac Properties, which will remain a shareholder. The transaction marks Marquee’s first entry into the luxury market, reflecting a broader industry trend of brand management firms acquiring premium labels. In partnership with Damac and Milan-based operating partner The Level Group, Marquee plans to introduce new product categories and expand Cavalli’s retail, e-commerce, and wholesale distribution across Europe, the US, Asia, and Latin America. Concurrently, Damac will focus on extending the brand into luxury branded residences and hospitality projects globally. The Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
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Estée Lauder and Puig Terminate Merger Discussions
The Estée Lauder Companies and Puig terminated merger discussions after two months of negotiations, following contractual complications involving the Charlotte Tilbury brand. The proposed merger would have established a joint beauty platform generating approximately €17.5 billion in revenue. Despite strong geographic and portfolio complementarities, both conglomerates will remain independent entities. This conclusion marks a strategic shift back to standalone operations, with Estée Lauder prioritizing its internal "Beauty Reimagined" turnaround strategy and Puig leveraging its capital flexibility to pursue selective, value-driven M&A opportunities globally.
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Ralph Lauren Beats Strategic Targets with Double-Digit Fiscal Year 2026 Growth
Ralph Lauren Corporation posted Q4 net revenue of $2 billion (up +12% at constant exchange rates and +17% at reported rates) and an increase in FY 26 revenue of +15% to $8.1 billion (up +12% at constant exchange rates), exceeding its Next Great Chapter: Drive Annual Targets. For FY 26, the company’s gross profit reached $5.7 billion, with a gross margin of 69.9%, which expanded by 130 basis points year-over-year. Operating income stood at $1.2 billion on a reported basis. Geographically, full-year expansion was driven by a +23% increase in net revenues in Asia, followed by a +17% increase in Europe and a +9% gain in North America. The company attracted 6.5 million new customers through its DTC channel, driving full-year global DTC comparable store sales up +13% alongside balanced expansion across broader retail and wholesale. Ralph Lauren closed the fiscal year with $2.1 billion in cash and short-term investments against $1.2 billion in total debt. For fiscal year 2027, the company projects constant-currency revenue growth between +4% and +5%.
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Richemont Group Posts Strong FY 2026 Results
Swiss luxury group Richemont reported a +5% increase in fiscal year 2026 revenue (+11% at constant exchange rates), totaling €22.4 billion, driven by robust local demand. This momentum carried into Q4 with sales increasing +13% at constant currency, yielding an operating profit of €4.5 billion. DTC sales served as the primary growth engine, accounting for 77% of the Group sales. Physical retail rose by +5%, representing 71% of total revenue, while online retail grew +2% and wholesale increased by +4%. Geographically, expansion was led by the Americas with an 8% increase supported by sustained domestic demand, followed by Europe (+7%), the Middle East and Africa (+6%), and Japan (+2%). Asia-Pacific rose by +1%, supported by the market strength in South Korea, Australia, and Singapore. Portfolio performance was driven by a +8% sales surge in the Jewelry Maisons, which achieved double-digit gains in Japan. This strong engagement offset a -4% decline in Specialist Watchmakers and a -2% contraction in the other business segment, which is showing stabilization across European and American markets.
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Veronica Beard Enters Europe with Paris Flagship Debut
Veronica Beard opened its first Paris flagship in the Triangle d’Or, marking its entry into the European retail market following successful pop-ups at Galeries Lafayette. The two-level boutique is the brand’s 6th international store and 36th globally, featuring a locally inspired design with antique market elements reflecting Parisian heritage. It offers core apparel, exclusive drops, and a focus on its signature dickey jacket customization. The opening reinforces the brand’s global expansion strategy, supported by its international management presence in Paris and ongoing initiatives across product growth and sustainability, including community-focused events and progress toward B Corp certification.
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Alo Yoga Expands Wellness Retail Concept with London Opening
Alo Yoga opened its newest Alo Wellness Club in London, expanding its wellness-focused retail concept into a key global city. The store moves beyond traditional retail by integrating apparel with spaces dedicated to yoga, recovery, and community activities, positioning the store as an experience-led environment. Designed around a calm, minimal aesthetic, the space emphasizes immersive engagement with products through use rather than display. Community remains central through classes, events, and collaborations, reflecting growing consumer demand for experience-driven brand interactions. The opening also reinforces Alo’s strategy of building community-driven spaces and expanding its global footprint through a network of wellness-focused clubs.
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Oura Smart Ring Maker Prepares to Go Public
Oura Health Oy, the Finnish developer of the Oura smart ring, has filed confidentially for a U.S. initial public offering, targeting a late 2026 debut. The company is working with advisors, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, following an $11 billion valuation reached in September 2025. Oura expects 2026 revenue to hit $1.5 billion, tripling its 2024 results of $500 million. As of late 2025, the firm sold 5.5 million smart rings, a significant increase from the 2.5 million units sold by mid-2024. This move positions Oura as a key competitor against Apple and Samsung within the rapidly expanding wearable health-tech market.
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Gucci Cruise 2027 Debuts in Times Square with New York Inspired Collection
Gucci presented its Cruise 2027 collection in a runway show staged in New York’s Times Square, marking the debut of artistic director Demna for the house. The event transformed the busy public space into a performance setting, combining runway presentation with large-scale digital billboards and pre-show visuals. The collection focuses on “Gucci Core,” reworking everyday wardrobe staples into structured silhouettes inspired by New York archetypes, from tailored business suits to oversized outerwear and elevated casualwear. Alongside the runway, a limited “Gucci NY” capsule was introduced, celebrating the city through accessories and small leather goods. The show featured a diverse cast of public figures and celebrities as well.
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Mandarin Oriental Launches Signature Villas in Abu Dhabi
Mandarin Oriental is expanding its Middle East portfolio with 35 ultra-luxury private mansions located in Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace grounds. Owned by Emirates Palace Company (EPCO) and built with LEAD Development, this highly exclusive coastal enclave blends contemporary design with local heritage, featuring private courtyards and panoramic sea views. Residents access to bespoke Mandarin Oriental hospitality, a private lounge with a tea library, corporate meeting rooms, and a waterfront beach club complete with a chef’s table and cabanas.
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Four Seasons Unveils 2028 Private Jet Itineraries Featuring New Global Properties
Four Seasons has detailed its 2028 Private Jet Experience, presenting updated itineraries to leverage its expanding international hospitality portfolio and promote upcoming property openings in Venice, Cartagena, and Puerto Rico. The luxury brand will relaunch its "Uncharted Discovery" and "New World Icons" journeys to capture sustained consumer demand for exclusive, end-to-end travel. Scheduled for early 2028, these itineraries combine flights on a custom-configured, 48-passenger Airbus A321neo-LR with curated local excursions, including an Antarctica cruise and a visit to Iceland's Blue Lagoon. Each trip is managed by a dedicated onboard team, including a concierge, executive chef, and physician.
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Google and Gentle Monster Launch AI Smart Glasses
Google, Samsung, and Gentle Monster have debuted their first smart eyewear design at Google I/O 2026. Powered by Android XR and Gemini AI, the collection launches this fall with audio frames featuring built-in speakers, microphones, and cameras for hands-free utility. The partnership underscores a strategic shift toward design-focused hardware, embedding tech into wearable consumer aesthetics rather than standalone gadgets. Google plans to expand the Android XR ecosystem through subsequent collaborations with Warby Parker and Kering Eyewear, positioning smart glasses as lifestyle accessories that complement existing mobile devices.
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