Brands
Wishful by W collaborates with celebrity designer Sahil Kochhar
Mumbai: Pioneering premium occasion wear brand Wishful by W unveiled its latest festive line in collaboration with renowned celebrity designer Sahil Kochhar. This exceptional partnership signifies a fusion of design excellence, brand appeal, and widespread accessibility. Tailored for special occasions, this exclusively curated line celebrates Sahil Kochhar’s signature craftsmanship and the elegance of Wishful, delivering opulent occasion wear adorned with breathtaking details.
Sahil Kochhar, a trailblazing fashion luminary, transforms each outfit into a true masterpiece. His creations transcend seasons, imbuing each design with luxury, distinctiveness, and enduring elegance. His collaborations with Bollywood and pioneering sustainable initiatives further solidify his place as a dynamic force in the Indian fashion industry. His much-anticipated collection for Wishful’s festive launch redefines luxurious occasion wear, weaving intricate details into each ensemble, ideal for special occasions.
Speaking about the collaboration, TCNS Clothing Co Ltd MD Anant Daga said, “We are delighted to partner with Sahil Kochhar, a visionary designer who continues to redefine the art of fashion. Wishful has consistently offered elegantly crafted occasion wear for the contemporary Indian woman. Through this collaboration, we plan to elevate our offerings further by introducing Sahil’s artistic creations to our esteemed patrons nationwide. Sahil’s design sensibilities and his deep connection with nature align perfectly with the brand’s ethos, and together, we aim to reinvent festive couture for the modern Indian woman.”
Speaking on the occasion, Sahil Kochhar said, “We are immensely proud of the collaboration between Sahil Kochhar and Wishful. It stands as a testament to the power of partnerships that bridge the gap between art and commerce. Our collective goal was to take our artistic creations to a wider audience, and joining hands with a prominent retail powerhouse like Wishful by W has allowed us to achieve just that. Our shared commitment to intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail has resulted in a collection that captures the spirit of celebration and joy. In every garment, we have aimed to capture the ephemeral beauty of nature, designing pieces that resonate as cherished heirlooms for generations to come.”
The Wishful festive collection by Sahil Kochhar showcases an array of exquisite designs that draw inspiration from traditional Indian craftsmanship and perfectly embraced contemporary trends; each creation represents a harmonious fusion of the past and the current fashion trends. Adorned with delicate floral motifs, reminiscent of India’s vibrant blossoms intertwine gracefully with geometric patterns, elegantly embroidered threadwork, and modern silhouettes, among others. This exceptional partnership perfectly encapsulates Sahil Kochhar’s design ethos, effortlessly merging traditional elements with contemporary aesthetics.
In the contemporary tapestry of Indian celebrations, where tradition merges with vogue, Wishful gracefully navigates its presence not merely at casual gatherings but to become a coveted couturier for festive occasions. Since its inception, the brand has carved its niche by offering modern Indian women an opulent repertoire of premium, elaborate and exclusive occasion wear, while expanding its presence across India.
The festive collection will be available across all exclusive Wishful stores, select W stores, www.wishfulbyw.com and www.wforwoman.com
Brands
Estée Lauder to shed 10,000 jobs as new boss bets on digital shift
The cosmetics giant raises its profit outlook but stays silent on a possible merger with Spain’s Puig, as job cuts deepen and a three-year sales slump weighs on the turnaround
NEW YORK: Stéphane de La Faverie is not done cutting. Estée Lauder announced on Friday that it plans to eliminate as many as 3,000 additional jobs, taking its total redundancy programme to as many as 10,000 roles, up from a previous target of 7,000 announced a year ago. The company, which owns La Mer, The Ordinary, Tom Ford, and Aveda, employs roughly 57,000 people worldwide. The mathematics of what is now being contemplated is stark.
The fresh round of cuts is expected to generate a further $200 million in savings, bringing the total annual savings from the programme to as much as $1.2 billion before taxes. That money, De La Faverie has made clear, will be ploughed back into the turnaround.
A CEO in a hurry
De La Faverie, who took the helm in January 2025, inherited a company that had endured three consecutive years of annual sales declines. His response has been to move fast and cut deep. A significant portion of the latest redundancies reflects his push to reduce headcount at US department stores, long a cornerstone of Estée Lauder’s distribution model but now a channel in structural decline. In their place, he is accelerating the shift toward faster-growing online platforms, including Amazon.com and TikTok Shop, a pivot that is reshaping not just where Estée Lauder sells but how it thinks about its customers.
The numbers are moving in the right direction
Despite the pain, there are signs the medicine is working. Estée Lauder raised its profit outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year, guiding for adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.35 to $2.45, above analyst estimates and a notable step up from the $2.05 to $2.25 range it had guided for in February. Organic net sales growth is expected to come in at 3 per cent, the company said, at the high end of the range it set out in February.
The share price tells a mixed story. After De La Faverie took charge, the stock surged nearly 60 per cent, buoyed by investor optimism that a longtime company insider could finally arrest the decline. But 2026 has been rougher: the shares have fallen 27 per cent this year, weighed down by disappointing February results and the overhang of unresolved merger talks with Spanish beauty giant Puig Brands SA. The company gave no additional details about those discussions on Friday, leaving the market to guess.
Silence on Puig
The proposed tie-up with Puig remains the most consequential unknown hanging over Estée Lauder. A deal with the Barcelona-based group, which owns brands including Carolina Herrera and Rabanne, would reshape the global luxury beauty landscape. But with nothing new to say and a turnaround still very much in progress, De La Faverie is asking investors to trust the process.
Three years of sales declines, 10,000 job cuts, and a merger that may or may not happen. At Estée Lauder, the overhaul has barely started.
