Jo Malone announces new brand Jo Loves

Jo Malone has announced the creation of new fragrance brand Jo Loves. The brand is set to launch in Autumn 2011, with product and stockist details expected to be announced in May. Jo Loves is Malone's first venture since her departure in 2006 from her role as Creative Director of the eponymously titled brand sold to Estée Lauder in 1999. Contact.

Elizabeth Hurley and Estée Lauder Companies celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month

To mark its 50th Anniversary in the UK, Estée Lauder looks to the future with an inspired 3D Global Landmark Illumination Initiative at Harrods, the brand’s very first retail partner outside the US. In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of The Estée Lauder Companies and Founder of The Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign (BCA), joins Elizabeth Hurley, spokesmodel for Estée Lauder and The Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, at an exclusive VIP gathering on Tuesday 19 October for a lighting ceremony at Harrods (see DIARYdates). This year’s ceremony will mark the 11th year of The BCA Campaign’s Global Landmark Illumination Initiative with a new twist. Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley will also be making a special personal appearance at Harrods at the Estée Lauder counter at 1pm, to personally meet customers and sign purchases from the exclusive Estée Lauder Pink Ribbon Collection 2010, both will raise awareness or contributions for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation* (www.bcrfcure.org).

The Estée Lauder Companies to acquire Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics

The Estée Lauder Companies announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics, a privately held cosmetics company based in Los Angeles, California. The acquisition is expected to close in July 2010, subject to certain conditions, including regulatory approval. Smashbox’s significant presence in assisted open-sell environments and specialty distribution channels will expand The Estée Lauder Companies’ product offerings and reach new and younger consumers in these high-growth prestige channels. Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics was founded in 1996 by brothers Dean and Davis Factor, great-grandsons of the make-up legend Max Factor, who were inspired by photo studio celebrities to create a unique makeup brand that met the highly demanding needs of a professional photo shoot. Currently, the majority of Smashbox’s sales are based in North America. The Estée Lauder Companies will collaborate with the Smashbox organisation to develop an integration plan to transition Smashbox into The Estee Lauder Companies’ family after closing. Dean Factor, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Davis Factor, co-founder, Chief Creative Office and celebrity photographer, and Budd Taylor, President, will each play key roles with respect to these activities and the continued success of Smashbox. Smashbox will continue operating out of its Los Angeles, California office.