Dove soap maker Unilever beat market expectations for second-quarter underlying sales growth on Thursday, driven by strong demand in North America and Europe. The group maintained its full-year sales outlook.
Unilever maintains full-year outlook despite cash flow drop – Reuters
Unilever has introduced several organizational and operational changes over the past year to address underperformance and improve margins. These include the planned spin-off of its ice cream division—home to Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum—along with job cuts and the departure of former CEO Hein Schumacher in February.
The ice cream unit, now named The Magnum Ice Cream Company, remains on track for a mid-November demerger, the company said.
“Looking ahead, our priorities are clear: more Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care; disproportionate investment in the U.S. and India; and a sharper focus on premium segments and digital commerce,” CEO Fernando Fernandez said in a statement.
While the company reiterated its 2025 sales forecast and highlighted growth opportunities, a 50% drop in free cash flow—down to €1.1 billion in the first half—raised concerns over financial pressures tied to supply chain restructuring, tariff uncertainties, and spin-off costs.
The owner of brands such as Vaseline and Liquid I.V. said second-half performance is expected to improve over the first, with continued strength in North America and Europe, and signs of recovery in India, China, and Indonesia.
Unilever has previously stated that the impact of U.S. tariffs is expected to remain limited and manageable.
For the three months ended June 30, the consumer goods group reported underlying sales growth of 3.8%, slightly ahead of the 3.6% forecast in a company-compiled analysts’ poll.
It also posted an underlying operating profit of €5.8 billion for the first half—just above market expectations of €5.7 billion.
Traditional and occasion wear designer Puneet Gupta has stepped into the world of fine jewellery with the launch of ‘Deco Luméaura,’ a collection designed to blend heritage and contemporary aesthetics while taking inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh.
Hints of Ladakh’s heritage can be seen in this sculptural evening bag – Puneet Gupta
“For me, Deco Luméaura is an exploration of transformation- of material, of story, of self,” said Puneet Gupta in a press release. “True luxury isn’t perfect; it is intentional. Every piece is crafted to be lived with and passed on.”
The jewellery collection features cocktail rings, bangles, chokers, necklaces, and statement evening bags made in recycled brass and finished with 24 carat gold. The stones used have been kept natural to highlight their imperfect and unique forms and each piece in the collection has been hammered, polished, and engraved by hand.
An eclectic mix of jewels from the collection – Puneet Gupta
Designed to function as wearable art pieces, the colourful jewellery echoes the geometry of Art Deco while incorporating distinctly South Asian imagery such as camels, butterflies, and tassels. Gupta divides his time between his stores in Hyderabad and Delhi and aims to bring Indian artistry to a global audience while crafting a dialogue between designer and artisan.
A look inside the salon of the French luxury house’s new Vienna store. – CELINE
The 150-square-metre luxury boutique in Vienna spans three storeys. It showcases the latest womenswear and menswear collections, beauty, fragrances, and Maison pieces. From the outside, the flagship impresses with a listed façade of sculpted marble, paired with large, dark-framed, floor-to-ceiling windows.
Inside, natural stone prevails, with materials such as Grand Antique marble combined with travertine. Basaltina flooring laid throughout features a French-inspired chevron pattern. The sense of luxury is heightened by ultra-clear mirrors- some finished in antique gold- neon lighting, and polished metal.
On the ground floor, womenswear is presented, beginning with accessories, leather goods, beauty products, and fragrances. This is followed by the ready-to-wear area.
A staircase with cantilevered steps, inspired by minimalism, leads to the first floor, where the menswear collections are presented. The scheme here is darker overall, with black-lacquered walls and a selection of timbers that contrast with the lighter woods in the other areas.
A look inside the luxury boutique. – CELINE
An intimate salon on the second floor, accessible exclusively via a private lift, expands the store and includes an enlarged fitting room.
Throughout the store and its numerous lounge areas, the furnishings comprise a selection of vintage and contemporary pieces. As part of the ongoing Celine Art Project, a curated selection of artworks is on display with a stoneware composition by Anders Hald, a painting by Jasmine Gregory, and sculptures by Rosalind Tallmadge and Marcelo Silveira.
This article is an automatic translation. Click here to read the original article.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce Micaela Oliveira, the celebrated Portuguese designer, as one of the featured couturières at the Saudi Arabia Creative Women Forum 2025 Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony,” the organisation declared on its social media channels, in a post also shared on the designer’s Instagram account, announcing the tribute at the event held on November 6 at the National Museum in Riyadh. The evening opened with an address by Princess Noura bint Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, patron of the Forum and founder of Saudi Fashion Week, followed by a runway show by the Portuguese designer, celebrating the rich traditions of this enchanted kingdom.
Lux
The publication further notes that the Trofa-born couturière “grew up surrounded by fabrics, prints, and creativity- a world that has shaped her lifelong devotion to fashion,” and that over the past 20 years she has “built an extraordinary career defined by elegance, daring, and refinement, consolidating her name among the leading designers of wedding dresses and haute couture,” the statement continues.
“Her creations- a harmonious blend of sophistication, sensuality, and femininity- embody her belief that each dress should tell a story, evoke emotion, and reflect the unique essence of the woman who wears it,” reads the message shared simultaneously on the Forum and the eponymous designer’s Instagram accounts.
“Guided by the values of exuberance, creativity, and impeccable craftsmanship, Micaela’s creations blend classic beauty with contemporary art, achieving a timeless charm,” the post adds, highlighting “a vision that transcends borders” that “continues to enchant the global fashion world, transforming dreams into haute couture masterpieces that celebrate individuality and the eternal elegance of femininity.”
Lux
For her part, Micaela Oliveira expressed her gratitude for the honour at the Saudi Arabia Creative Women Forum 2025 Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, which took place in Riyadh, the capital and principal financial centre of Saudi Arabia: “It was a privilege, as a designer, to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where I was honoured before members of international royalty and government representatives at a truly magnificent awards ceremony,” she said in a statement quoted by Lux.
“This prestigious award was presented to me by Her Royal Highness Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a pioneering woman and a leading figure in the Kingdom’s artistic community. I had the great honour of presenting a fashion show celebrating the rich traditions of this remarkable country during the Creative Women Forum 2025 Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony.”
Instagram
“We are delighted to announce the return of the Creative Women Forum in Riyadh, which will take place from November 4–6, 2025, under the esteemed patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef Al Saud,” announced Creative Women Platform on Instagram. “This year’s forum will be held at the iconic Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University- the largest women’s university in the world.”
“A powerful stage for a global gathering of visionary women,” it continues. “Join us for three transformative days filled with innovative leadership, inspiration, and ground-breaking ideas, as we explore creativity, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the future of women in leadership.”
This time, the experience culminated in a fabulous gala dinner and awards ceremony, “celebrating the brilliance of the women who shape our world,” concludes Creative Women Platform, on its social media.
This article is an automatic translation. Click here to read the original article.