Fashion Startup Founder Pleads Guilty in $300 Million Fraud
Christine Hunsicker admitted she falsified financial statements to promote CaaStle Inc. as a valuable, growing business when in reality it was struggling.
mergers-acquisitions
Latest News & Analysis
Beauty
The Estée Lauder Companies Acquires Forest Essentials
The luxury Ayurvedic skincare line will be the first deal by the conglomerate under the leadership of Stéphane de La Faverie.
The Estée Lauder Companies Acquires Forest Essentials
The luxury Ayurvedic skincare line will be the first deal by the conglomerate under the leadership of Stéphane de La Faverie.
Beauty
Pat McGrath Labs Is Up for Sale — Again
The makeup artistry brand has a new owner, but is still being shopped around for investment and acquisition opportunities, The Business of Beauty has learned.
Pat McGrath Labs Is Up for Sale — Again
The makeup artistry brand has a new owner, but is still being shopped around for investment and acquisition opportunities, The Business of Beauty has learned.
Luxury
Is Armani Any Closer to a Stake Sale?
Half a year after Giorgio Armani’s death, it appears to be business as usual at the sprawling fashion empire while potential investors continue to circle with no firm bid in sight.
Is Armani Any Closer to a Stake Sale?
Half a year after Giorgio Armani’s death, it appears to be business as usual at the sprawling fashion empire while potential investors continue to circle with no firm bid in sight.
Beauty
Merit Isn’t For Beauty Lovers. That’s the Point.
The Millennial beauty label has doubled its sales since 2023 by focusing on an underserved, makeup-ambivalent consumer. But whether that strategy will lead to an exit remains to be seen.
Merit Isn’t For Beauty Lovers. That’s the Point.
The Millennial beauty label has doubled its sales since 2023 by focusing on an underserved, makeup-ambivalent consumer. But whether that strategy will lead to an exit remains to be seen.
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Beauty
Why Pat McGrath Labs Filed for Bankruptcy
Once valued at $1 billion, the makeup brand has struggled to balance its creative point of view with commercial viability.
Why Pat McGrath Labs Filed for Bankruptcy
Once valued at $1 billion, the makeup brand has struggled to balance its creative point of view with commercial viability.
Beauty
Exclusive: L Catterton Invests in Ex Nihilo
The LVMH-backed private equity firm has taken a large minority stake in the high perfumery brand, which looks to push deeper into the US market.
Exclusive: L Catterton Invests in Ex Nihilo
The LVMH-backed private equity firm has taken a large minority stake in the high perfumery brand, which looks to push deeper into the US market.
Beauty
The Hottest Beauty M&A Targets of 2026
My take on the beauty brands that are going to cross the finish line this year.
The Hottest Beauty M&A Targets of 2026
My take on the beauty brands that are going to cross the finish line this year.
Beauty
Exclusive: Eurazeo to Shut Down Brand Investment Arm
The French private equity firm, a former investor in Farfetch and Pat McGrath Labs with current stakes in beauty companies like Beekman 1802 and Gisou, is in the process of dissolving its consumer investment arm, sources told The Business of Beauty.
Exclusive: Eurazeo to Shut Down Brand Investment Arm
The French private equity firm, a former investor in Farfetch and Pat McGrath Labs with current stakes in beauty companies like Beekman 1802 and Gisou, is in the process of dissolving its consumer investment arm, sources told The Business of Beauty.
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Beauty
The Best of BoF 2025: Deals, Deals, Deals
After a year of stagnancy, the beauty deals pipeline unfroze in 2025, with some of the buzziest brands finding new homes in blockbuster deals.
The Best of BoF 2025: Deals, Deals, Deals
After a year of stagnancy, the beauty deals pipeline unfroze in 2025, with some of the buzziest brands finding new homes in blockbuster deals.
Luxury
Opinion: Golden Goose’s $2,000 Sneakers Are a Rare Win for Private Equity
The high-end Italian sneaker brand’s sale to HSG for over €2.5 billion marks a successful exit for private-equity owner Permira, particularly at a moment of depressed demand for luxury goods, writes Andrea Felsted.
Opinion: Golden Goose’s $2,000 Sneakers Are a Rare Win for Private Equity
The high-end Italian sneaker brand’s sale to HSG for over €2.5 billion marks a successful exit for private-equity owner Permira, particularly at a moment of depressed demand for luxury goods, writes Andrea Felsted.
Beauty
In Beauty, Private Equity Is Hot Again
As strategic firms slow down their shopping sprees and venture capital dollars dry up, PE firms’ reputation for asset stripping is a thing of the past. Founders are now often hoping for private equity buyouts, but want to be sure there can be a true partnership.
In Beauty, Private Equity Is Hot Again
As strategic firms slow down their shopping sprees and venture capital dollars dry up, PE firms’ reputation for asset stripping is a thing of the past. Founders are now often hoping for private equity buyouts, but want to be sure there can be a true partnership.
Beauty
How Salt & Stone Made Fancy Deodorant Into a $140 Million Business
With a hero speed stick that became a top seller at both Amazon and Sephora, Salt & Stone has leveraged fragrance, design and a pricing sweet spot to ride the body-care boom — however long it lasts.
How Salt & Stone Made Fancy Deodorant Into a $140 Million Business
With a hero speed stick that became a top seller at both Amazon and Sephora, Salt & Stone has leveraged fragrance, design and a pricing sweet spot to ride the body-care boom — however long it lasts.
The News in Brief
Victoria’s Secret Forecasts Its Best Year Since L Brands Split
The underwear company is anticipating net sales of at least $6.85 billion in the current fiscal year, exceeding analyst estimates and marking the highest revenue since its split from L Brands Inc in 2021.
Uniqlo Aims to Grow Tenfold in India With Summer-Centric Clothes
The Japanese brand is accelerating its expansion in India to capture a greater share of the rapidly growing apparel market and affluent consumer base.
Oasis Pressures Kao in Latest Japan Activist Investor Push
Activist fund Oasis Management Co. is calling on the Japanese personal care company to convene an extraordinary general meeting, seeking a probe into its supply-chain risk management and internal control.
American Eagle Forecasts Sales Growth Above Estimates on Demand From Wealthy Shoppers
The retailer surpassed annual sales forecasts but expects a $60 million drag from import tariffs in the first half of 2026.
Missoni Family Exits Namesake Brand
The transaction gives FSI, a Milan-based private equity fund, a controlling share in the Italian luxury house, as more founder-owned brands turn to investors to fund growth and weather a tough global market.
Ross Stores Forecasts Annual Sales Above Estimates on Resilient Demand for Discounted Apparel
Spend growth at off-price chains is among the strongest in retail, with gains across all income segments.
Abercrombie & Fitch Forecasts Muted Annual Sales Amid Tariff Uncertainty
The retailer said it was accounting for the 15 percent tariff announced by US president Donald Trump after the Supreme Court struck down most of his earlier tariffs.