MAM
KAZO ropes in Bollywood sensation Janhvi Kapoor as the new brand ambassador
Mumbai: KAZO Fashion, the iconic fashion brand renowned for its versatile designs and unmatched quality announced the appointment of Janhvi Kapoor as its new brand ambassador. This exciting collaboration brings together Janhvi’s captivating charm and KAZO’s exuberant essence, creating a celebration of shared values and aesthetics that promises to set new trends in the world of fashion.
Kapoor’s vibrant persona and impactful presence in the fashion sphere align perfectly with KAZO’s belief that life is for living and fashion should be fun. This partnership draws inspiration from Kapoor’s versatile style, heralding an era of elegance and allure for modern women.
Talking about her association with KAZO, Kapoor said, “KAZO isn’t just a brand to me – it’s a celebration of womanhood through fashion. With a seamless blend of blingy extravagance and elegant subtlety, we’re empowering individuals to confidently express their unique style. My journey with KAZO feels like they’ve captured my essence in their designs, elevating my confidence, comfort, and style game. It’s not just clothing; it’s a reflection of who I am, synced perfectly with the brand’s spirit.”
Commenting on this brand ambassador announcement, KAZO creative director Divya Aggarwal said, “We are honored to partner with Janhvi Kapoor, an icon of grace and fashion-forwardness. Her dynamic personality and captivating presence in the world of fashion resonate perfectly with KAZO’s philosophy of celebrating life and embracing the joy of fashion.
As we unveil our AW’23 (Autumn-Winter) collection, a perennial favorite, we’re excited to see Janhvi’s charm amplify the sparkle and radiance of our party-perfect garments. Together, we’re embarking on a journey to redefine India’s fashion landscape, bringing forth new dimensions to KAZO’s vision over the next year.”
Adding to the excitement, KAZO director of operations Siddhant Aggarwal said, “As we proudly welcome Janhvi Kapoor as our Brand Ambassador, this association signifies not only a union of style and grace but also a catalyst for our operational growth. In both our online and offline endeavors, this partnership will be instrumental in enhancing our ability to reach and influence our diverse customer base. Together, we’re set to scale new heights, forging deeper connections and leaving an indelible mark on the fashion landscape.”
As festivities approach, KAZO also announces the launch of its AW (Autumn-Winter) collection, a perennial favorite among patrons. This collection captures the magic and radiance of this special time of year, featuring an array of party dresses and garments that sparkle with sequins and the allure of bling. The brand’s love for bling and sparkle finds a kindred spirit in Kapoor’s ability to effortlessly carry off glamorous ensembles that exude confidence. Whether it’s a sequined dress that catches the light or an intricately embellished top that demands attention, Kapoor’s charm magnifies the essence of KAZO’s party-perfect aesthetic.
With Kapoor as the brand ambassador, KAZO’s vision gains new dimensions over the upcoming season. The brand aims to lead India’s fashion scene, securing a prominent market share in women’s apparel. In the coming years, KAZO plans substantial growth both online and offline, expanding across digital platforms and physical stores.
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.
