Brands
Suhana Khan laces up with adidas India, reimagines iconic Originals for gen z flair
MUMBAI: Adidas India has tapped Suhana Khan as the latest face of its brand, signalling a bold stride in blending classic streetwear heritage with the next generation’s flair for expression. The announcement marks a strategic move by the global sportswear giant to rejuvenate its Originals identity with a voice that speaks to India’s youth.
With this collaboration, adidas revisits its cult-classic sneaker franchise — the Superstar — anchoring the campaign in timeless fashion that resonates across generations. While the shoe first stormed courts and streets decades ago, Suhana’s entry breathes new cultural relevance into the silhouette, infusing it with the energy of digital-age trendsetters.
“I’m super thrilled to be joining the iconic adidas family. The brand has always held a special place in my heart, with its classic sneakers being a staple in my wardrobe. adidas Originals stands for creativity, authenticity, and staying true to yourself — values I truly admire. To now be part of a legacy rooted in culture that has inspired so many across the world feels incredibly special”, Suhana shared in a statement.
Adidas India GM Neelendra Singh echoed the sentiment, “At adidas India, we have always believed in the power of cultural creators, those who shape the now and define what’s next. Suhana Khan infuses fresh energy into some of our most iconic apparel pieces and classic sneaker silhouettes like the Superstar, reimagining them for a new generation. Her style is effortless and expressive, and we’re excited to welcome her into the adidas family as we continue to champion individuality and self-expression through street culture”.
The partnership underscores adidas India’s approach to stay rooted in legacy while adapting to evolving style codes. By welcoming a young cultural voice like Suhana, the brand aims to reassert its Originals line as a mainstay of contemporary wardrobes, without abandoning its heritage.
As Suhana steps into her role, adidas promises a renewed creative vision — one stitched together by classic design, future-forward influence, and the enduring appeal of self-expression.
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.
