Brands
Bulgari unveils limited edition B.zero1 Kada Bracelet for India
Mumbai: Bulgari, the Roman jeweller known for its timeless designs, pays tribute to the Kada, the traditional Indian bangle, with the B.zero1 Kada Bracelet. This exclusive-to-India creation is crafted in dazzling yellow gold, and it is an enchanting ode to India’s long-standing cultural affinity with precious metals and stones. It also represents the “modern India”: a confluence of deeply rooted traditions and contemporary, global perspectives.
Embracing the visionary codes of B.zero1, the creation expresses a concept of movement, circularity and light through a spiral design that evokes strength and determination.
It has been uniquely conceived to be more voluminous than the conventional B.zero1 design, giving men the possibility to combine it with watches or other bracelets or to wear it as a stand-alone statement piece. Its versatility extends to pairing effortlessly with both casual and formal attire, as well as traditional ensembles.
Commenting on the occasion, Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin, said, “With this important launch we wish to honour the Kada, recognizing its eternal meaning deeply rooted in Indian culture. The B.zero1 Kada bracelet is a jewel that embodies contemporary design and tradition at the same time, maintaining the consistency of the past reinterpreted in a contemporary form and with the same spirit of India, of yesterday and today. It’s an honour to have Ayushmann Khurrana on our side as Bulgari’s India Friend of the Brand; a multifaceted talent whose dedication to his craft and his appreciation for India’s diverse culture make him the perfect embodiment of Bulgari’s vision.”
Friend of the Brand, Ayushmann Khurrana, expressed his connection with the new creation and the deep intrinsic meaning hidden in it: the celebration of life’s authenticity. He addressed the way his creative expression helps him connect with infinite opportunities, paving the way for his aspirations and values. “Being a part of this incredible campaign that blends tradition with modernity has been truly inspiring. The B.zero1 Kada Bracelet is a symbol of boldness and individuality. It’s about embracing our roots while stepping into the future. I’m thrilled to be part of this project that celebrates the fusion of tradition and modernity.”
The India-exclusive B.zero1 Kada Bracelet is available at Bulgari’s flagship boutiques at DLF Emporio, New Delhi, and Jio World Plaza, Mumbai. It can also be purchased online.
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.
