Luxury Headlines – 09/03/2026
Luxury Headlines – 09/03/2026
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Estée Lauder Buys Remaining Stake in Forest Essentials
The Estée Lauder Companies has acquired the remaining 51% of Forest Essentials, an Indian skincare brand, gaining full ownership of the company. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, though financial details were not disclosed. Estée Lauder first invested in Forest Essentials in 2008 and increased its stake to 49% in 2020. Founded in 2000 by Mira Kulkarni in New Delhi, Forest Essentials focuses on luxury ayurvedic skincare and has nearly 200 stores, mostly in India. Kulkarni and executive director Samrath Bedi will continue leading the brand. With this acquisition, India becomes Estée Lauder’s largest emerging market.
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Golden Goose Reports Double-Digit Growth in FY2025
HSG-owned brand Golden Goose reported FY2025 results with double-digit growth, totaling €734 million in net revenues, a +15% increase year-over-year. This growth was primarily fueled by a +21% surge in DTC sales (81% of the total revenues). Regionally, momentum was strongest in EMEA (+18%) and APAC (+17%), followed by a steady +9% gain in the Americas. The brand maintained high operational efficiency, reporting an adjusted EBITDA of €248.3 million with a margin of 34%. Strategically, the brand entered a new chapter with HSG alongside Temasek and Permira as minority investors. Under the leadership of Chairman Marco Bizzarri, the consortium aims to scale the brand globally while safeguarding its "Made in Italy" craftsmanship. Innovation also reached a milestone through a Google Pixel partnership, integrating Gemini AI into the retail environment to blend luxury fashion with high-tech utility.
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Prada Group Delivers Strong FY2025 Growth and Expands with Versace
Prada Group reported robust financial results for FY2025 despite a challenging macroeconomic environment. Net revenues rose +8% year-over-year (+9% at constant exchange rates) to €5.718 billion, marking the 5th consecutive year of growth. Profitability remained solid with an adjusted EBIT margin of 23.2% (€1.324 billion), while net income increased +2% to €852 million. Retail sales grew +9% in FY2025 to € 5,102 billion, with the same growth rate recorded in Q4. At the brand level, Prada showed a slight decline in retail sales (-1%), but with sequential improvement in H2 and a positive Q4. Miu Miu delivered strong growth, with retail sales up +35% for the year and +20% in Q4, alongside expanded campaigns and store developments. Regionally, the Americas led with +18% growth, followed by the Middle East (+15%), Asia Pacific (+11%), Europe (+5%), and Japan (+3%), all at constant exchange rates. Strategically, the acquisition of Versace strengthens the group’s portfolio, with plans to enhance desirability starting in 2027 through the first collection by Pieter Mulier and operational improvements.
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Kering Unites New Leadership with Centers of Excellence
Kering has established 2 strategic centers of excellence: Industry and Client, to drive sustainable growth and operational efficiency. The industry division is designed to streamline the group’s production ecosystem by integrating R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain management, while the Client division focuses on a holistic, data-driven approach, overseeing everything from product pricing and marketing to global distribution channels. This structural evolution will be supported by several high-level leadership appointments. Stéphane Noël joins the group executive committee as Chief Industrial Officer, while Carlo Mocci assumes the role of Chief Client Officer to spearhead client-centric transformations. Reporting to Mocci is Fedele Usai, the new Chief Marketing Officer, who brings extensive communications experience from the Fiat Auto group. Additionally, Daniele Zito, a veteran of both Bain Consulting and Gucci Japan, has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer.
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Louis Vuitton Leverages Portuguese Manufacturing for Leather Accessories
Louis Vuitton has officially adopted the "Made in Portugal" designation for specific leather accessories, marking a strategic shift in its production narrative. While the French Maison has manufactured components in Portugal for over a decade through its partner Atepeli, final assembly typically occurred in Italy. Despite a minor 3.8% dip in exports last year, Portugal’s leather goods sector has grown nearly 68% since 2020, reaching €353 million. With specialized factories across Lousada and Santa Maria da Feira, the region is becoming a vital hub for high-end craftsmanship.
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Galeries Lafayette Elevates Beauty Space Experience
Galeries Lafayette is renovating its Paris flagship to better integrate beauty and fashion. Following a 2022 expansion into wellness with “La Wellness Galerie” space, the retailer is now redesigning its primary beauty departments. The new concept emphasizes a streamlined customer journey and enhanced makeup services, featuring dedicated brand areas for tutorials and makeovers. Beyond Paris, the brand is refurbishing locations across French cities like Strasbourg and Lyon, with upcoming projects planned for Toulouse and Biarritz. Additionally, the Boulevard Haussmann men’s building is undergoing full renovation to ensure aesthetic and operational consistency with the main flagship.
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Piaget Integrates Paris Operations into Single Flagship
Piaget has consolidated its Paris presence by merging 2 boutiques into a single flagship at 16 Place Vendôme, prioritizing location over size. The new space, designed by Rafael de Cárdenas, replaces a multi-site setup to simplify operations and enhance the client experience. The boutique is designed like a home, with a reception-style ground floor and upstairs salons that encourage longer visits rather than quick purchases. Architectural elements preserve views of the square while integrating display and comfort.
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Thom Browne Introduces Sneaker Collection with Asics
Thom Browne has officially ventured into athletic footwear through a collaboration with Asics, reimagining the iconic Gel-Kayano 14. This partnership, first unveiled during Super Bowl weekend, blends Browne’s aesthetic with Asics performance. The collection features 3 sophisticated colorways: Gray, black, and white. To elevate the silhouette, Browne replaced traditional materials with premium suede and smooth leather, adding a signature red, white, and blue grosgrain lace catcher, a tribute to his background as a competitive swimmer and runner.
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Zegna Expands into Fragrance with the Memorie Collection
Zegna is expanding into fragrance with the launch of “Memorie,” a collection of six perfumes developed with Give Back Beauty, which acquired the brand’s beauty license in 2023 from The Estée Lauder Companies. Led by artistic director Alessandro Sartori, the project took more than two years to develop and drew inspiration from key moments in founder Ermenegildo Zegna’s life and landscapes. Each fragrance reflects elements of the brand’s history and environment. The collection will debut at Harrods and Dubai Mall before expanding to Europe and the United States.
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Ritz-Carlton Luminara 2027 Launches Itineraries in Alaska and Asia
Ritz-Carlton Luxury Cruise Luminara has unveiled its 2027 itineraries covering Alaska and Asia. It offers 15 journeys to Alaska, 4 across the Pacific, and 2 transcontinental trips linking both regions. Alaska routes, from Vancouver to Whittier, feature glacier cruises, fjord explorations, and wildlife sightings during events like the salmon run. Asian voyages, between Tokyo and Seoul, include Mount Fuji, Beijing’s Forbidden City, historic temples, culinary districts, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The ship, which launched in July, has 226 spacious suites with private terraces, a Ritz-Carlton Spa, a marina with direct sea access, multiple swimming pools, and high-quality dining. Each itinerary provides multi-day experiences combining natural scenery, cultural attractions, and immersive local encounters.
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